If Turning 38 wasn't bad enough

So each year I look forward to the big ride! For a long time it was the HHH 100, understandablly so its in my back yard. However, the last few years I have ventured out! First I went to New Mexico and did the Enchanted Circle, grueling and beautiful all in the same breath. The following year it was the Iron Horse Classic celebrating its 35 anniversary in only 34 years, I am still trying to figure that one out but none the less it was great and extremely beautiful, the train ride back was pretty awesome as well. So this year I had grand plans to ride hard over the winter break to really prepare myself for this years grand tour the Courage Classic at copper mountain ski resort in colorado, three full days of mountain climbing. Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech! That would be the brakes on my grand plan! Enter building a new house! WoW! So much for riding and so much for the Courage Classic because it just went flying out my new windows that don't meet national building standards (why because we are Texas and we are different). So the question is what to train for? (Please dont answer its rhetorical). I could train for HHH 100, I could make a push to do the enchanted circle again, I could just take a good long ride in Ohio when we go on vacation, or I could just do nothing. So in the midst of these grand decisions I get an email titled "Do you want to help plan our 20 year class reunion"! I know I know people ask me to help plan stuff all the time but why would someone want me to help plan their 20 year reunion? (Again rhetorical dont answer). Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech! Yea you guest it Its my 20 year reunion. So I guess training this year will focus on looking good for you guessed my 20 year reunion (what a slap in the face)!

Wichita County Chopper XI: Seat Bag

Sorry 11 comes before 12. Damn Roman Numerals!

While Everyone was at Munester!

I have never been to the Munester Ride. I am not sure why, but while everone else was gone Doc, Francis and I were riding around the beautiful north texas countryside(ha). Doc was taking pictures of bluebonnets, mounds of brush and of course us. It was a B--E--A--utiful Day! Thanks for the pics Doc and good luck to Francis at the State Championships!

Wichita County Chopper XII: Wheels Xero Lite X1

Can't wait to ride on these! Rick seems to think they would work better if had tires on them. Everything in due time!

Wichita County Chopper X: Handlebars and Stem

The chopper is really coming together now! Really is Starting to come together now!

Wichita County Chopper IX: Saddle

The things I will do to build a super cool bike. I ordered this saddle from a dealer in England pre production. It was a total fiasco that lasted for over 6 months but totally cool when I received it. All carbon w/ a micro fiber suede feel on the cushy part. Looks great with an all carbon bike. Even comes a silicone saddle cover to keep it dry and dust free. I know, I know, Excessive!

I may be 38 but I don't have to act like it!

Woo Hoo, I turned the big 38 today oh so close to 40! Definitely mixed feelings about this years birthday not sure why! Because of the new house and a typical busy spring at the university, I am sure it has a lot to do with not enough time on the bike. Hopefully this weekend will be full of miles on the bike (hint hint honey)! So here is to being old enough to have learned the following things that it takes years to learn:

1. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
2. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings."
3. There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
4. Most people who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.
5. You should not confuse your career with your life.
6. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
7. Never lick a steak knife.
8. The most destructive force in the universe is gossip.
9. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.
10. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.
11. There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age eleven.
12. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above average drivers.
13. A person, who is nice to you, but rude to a waiter, is not a nice person.

(This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.) 14. Your friends love you anyway.

15. Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.

Wichita County Chopper VIII: Cables

I ran across these jewels on Pez cycling.com and my beautiful wife was kind enough to indulge me twice (shifter and brake cables).
The picture shows red cables, mine are silver.

Wichita County Chopper VII: Pedals

I chose the Look Keo Sprint pedal (red). I love look pedals and couldn't see myself steering away from them after riding this long.

Wichita County Chopper VI: Crank Set

So it has been almost a year since i have blogged. Thought I would give it a go again and try to stay more up to date. The WF chopper is coming along nicely and really starting to look like a bike now so I thought my first few blogs would be to catch everyone up on its progress.