A Little TLC

I have spent so much time, money and effort on the Wichita County Chopper that I felt my old bike needed a little TLC. My decals were starting to wear off, the handle bar tape was old, my saddle was trashed after my wreck, my water bottle cages had more hard water deposits than any shower or bathtub. So I found this great place called velocals http://www.velocals.com/servlet/StoreFront they made me a brand new set of decals in the color I wanted and gave great instructions on how to apply them. I added two brand new blue stryke force (profile by design) water bottle cages, Blue cork cinelli handle bar tape, two Penn State Bar plugs (Number 3 in the nation baby) by Bar Plugs 4 U http://www.barplugs4u.com/page/page/1025941.htm , and a new Selle Italia saddle. Now its like having two brand new bikes. Enjoy the pics!

The Change is Complete

For those of you that know me, you are well aware that I try to ride my bike to work as often as I can. For a couple of years now I have been riding a bike I had built specifically for commuting. A three speed internal rear hub, airless tires, and street cuffs. My original intent was for it to be a John Deere bike (green and yellow). After spending way too much money on a pink saddle for my wife, it just never worked out for her, and for those of you that ride there is nothing worse than an uncomfortable saddle. Because you can't return a saddle (that totally sucks by the way), I was stuck with a pink saddle. So John Deere became Jayne Deere (pink and green). Well the transformation is complete and no longer do I have a Jayne Deere bike I have a John Deere bike so enjoy the before and after pics.

2 months out and almost there.

Luke w/ my dads coat!

The last two months have been a whirl wind of great things. I was hoping to have my "90 for Dad" team assembled by November and I am only 3 riders away from having a complete team. I have had a ton of people volunteer to help with the ride. Look for updates and a complete line up when I get the last 3.

I rode in the Vernon Burnin a few weeks back. My dad grew up in Vernon. I felt him with me all day. As you know Texas is Hot especially in August. The Temperature never got above 73 degrees and I never got tired, I was never thirsty, and never hungry. I have never won a bike race in my life not even a close second. I won my age group 18-39 and got second overall in the 60K. Thanks DAD!

XVII Wichita County Chopper: Its Done

Well here it is!!!! This is especially for Ronnie because I got it the day after she left and she couldn't open the pic I sent her. After two years and lotsa moola later the Chopper is complete and it is exactly what I hoped it would be. Rides like butttttterrrrr! I would describe the ride and every thing about it but my best friend Jeff described it best so I will try to paraphrase the best I can. First you need to know Jeff thinks I am insane and also thinks most cyclist are insane. He is obviously not a cyclist but is an avid runner and in general is just a good athlete. He happened to be over when I brought my bike home from TCC and hopped on my Ti bike and rode down the block and back. When he got back he then hopped on the new bike and did the same. When he got back he described the difference. Here is my best at paraphrasing what he said excluding the complaints about how small the saddle is "The first bike was nice but the second bike soon as I touched the pedal it took off" That pretty much sums it up for me.

Tour de Fit

21 days has gotten me back on track. As many of you know between breaking my hand this spring and my father passing away, I have put on a little weight and seems like riding my bike was getting to be a once a week thing. However, thanks to the MSU Kinesiology Department, that seems to be a trend that is definitely in my past. For the past 3 weeks ending this Sunday our kinesiology department has run a program that parallels the Tour de France. Cool thing is you didn't have to be a cyclist to participate but I am so I did. I have started to shed those pounds away, my stamina has increased, my speed is close to where it was, and I feel like I am back on track to being the insane avid cyclist that I was 8 months ago. So thank you Amy from MSU and I look forward to pulling on the Maillot jaune on Sunday.

PS Thanks Steph and Susan for volunteering for 90 for Dad!

Support!!!!!!!

Two days after my first blog about "Happy Birthday" I have 2 of my 10 riders and Hospice of Wichita Falls wants to use my event for a marketing piece. So thank you Randy for wanting to ride and thank you Trisha of Hospice. 363 Days to Go! Love you Dad! Miss you Dad!

Happy Birthday

Today would have been my dad's 89th Birthday. I miss him dearly and all day I have been thinking about him. On a Sunday that should be spent with family and on his birthday reminiscing about all the good days that we have had with him. I am stuck at work trying to act excited about a new crop of incoming students. But being here with so many students and their parents makes me think about when he came with me and what a great dad he was. He was definitely a fish out of water having only completed the 6th grade but proud none the less. He taught me a lot and I wish he were here today to stand up here with me and talk to these parents (most of which young enough to be one of his own kids) about trust and responsibility. He was a firm believer in teaching kids the best you could and then letting go. A skill many of the "helicopter parents" I met today could definitely use and one I hope I am successful with teaching my own kids. What does this have to do with cycling? Not much but I don't think he ever told me no when it came to being my one man support crew cycling lonely Texas roads. So my promise to him his that once a year on his birthday I plan to ride how old he would have been on that day. So 365 days from now on July 13, 2009, I want to ride 90 miles in memory of my dad. I am going to ask 9 others to ride with me and help me raise $1000 in his name for Hospice of Wichita Falls. So over a 10 year period that will be a 1,045 miles ridden in his memory and a $11,000 donated to Hospice. Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Le Tour 2008 the Video Game

How cool is this? If you are a cycling freak, this is about as good as it gets. I had an earlier version a 3 or 4 years ago and it was less than desirable. So I was a little skeptical but the producer made some huge improvements. Definitely fun, very entertaining, and if you ever wanted to get lost in the pro peleton or be a director sportif this is the game for you.

Wichita County Chopper XVI: The Brain behind the Machine

VDO MC1.0+ Wireless Computer, AltimeterSKU: VMC10WILESS
Most riders will never do extreme climbs like L' Alpe-d' Huez. But even "flatlanders" have killer hills that are so steep you can barely turn the cranks. With a cycle computer/ altimeter like the VDO MC 1.0 you know not only how many feet you have climbed, but also the current gradient. And now with larger and clearer on-screen digits, it is easier to see why your legs feel like lead. If you are going to suffer riding up some impossible slope, you might as well have fun doing it. Get a new VDO MC 1.0 with the latest micro-technology, 3-line data display for less information searching and wired or wireless transmission.The VDO MC 1.0 + was designed for cyclists that want a computer that combines cycle computer functions with an altimeter. In addition to cycling, the VDO MC 1.0 can be used to show the altimeter functions only, i.e. while hiking.::Easy to read 3-line display::Current, Max Trip Altitude (m or ft)::Current, Average, and Max incline in %::Current Temperature(Celsius or ::Fahrenheit)::Trip Climb Total Total Climb and Maximum altitude for all trips::Home Altitude Memory (auto recalibration)::Service interval indicator::Odometer for Wheel 1::Odometer for Wheel 2::Total distance (combined odometer for both wheelsets)::Freeze Frame function::Trip Distance::2 Dual wheel programmable::Auto/Manual Stopwatch::Average Speed Maximum Speed Pace Arrow::Hands Free Auto Scroll through functions::Trip Distance::Total Odometer::Elapsed Ride Time::Clock::One Button Operation::Auto Start/Stop

Wichita County Chopper XV: The Tape

The clear works really well w/ my easton carbon bar.

JELLY RIBBON

DESCRIPTION

Great grip, the pleasant tactile feeling of gel and a transparency that doesn’t cover your Carbon jewel.

Wichita County Chopper XIV: Lets giter done

Tired of waiting so I want to get this thing done! Oh so close!

Specs:

Brake Features
100% improved brake pad durability
Convex washer adjustable brake pad
25% increased rigidity: front brake focuses braking power where most needed
Weight : 314g

Chain Features
10-speed compatible only
New chain connecting tool (TL-CN23/CN27/CN32) is required for CN-7801
Weight: 280g (116 links)

Shifter Features
Arced ergonomic shift travel.
Easier shifting conserves energy.
Quicker, more efficient shifts.
5mm smaller grip circumference.
Better shift lever access.
Fits most hands.

Cassette Features
Titanium, alloy carrier mounted large sprockets
9-speed freehub compatible
Use with Super Narrow Chain for 10-speed
Combinations:
11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-21T
11-12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23T
12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21T
12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-21-23T
12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23-25T
12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-24-27T
Weight: 173g (11-23T)

Wichita County Chopper XIII: Derailuers

Front Derailuer Features
Wide pivot link: Extra-wide pivot link increases rigidity while suppressing flex for improved shifting response
Narrower chain cage
DUAL SIS
Weight:74g(Brazed-on type)

Rear Derailuer Features
Wide Link design
SIS-SP41 cable housing
9 & 10-speed compatible
Max. Front Difference: 14T
Total Capacity: 29T
Weight: 180g

A Year Later a lot has happened

This is for all of you that have been asking why I haven't blogged in a year so here it goes. My last post I had just turned 38 now I am 39 and so much has happened. Most importantly my father was hospitalized for 8 days and almost three weeks ago we moved him to hospice. I plan to do some post about him later on but I'm not quite ready for that yet. So a year later I am a little heavier, a little older, a little sadder, and hopefully a little wiser. So once again its summer and I am going to try to renew my interest in posting and you will see that the Chopper is done and it is everything that I hoped it would be.