December 27th, 2006

Hi to all. Hope everybody has recuperated from Christmas and is ready for New Years. Today I woke up very tired and not in the mood for a ride. Could be that all they grey cloud cover has knocked down my resistance a bit. Today work was dead and boring and also we went on the mandatory Bike shop cut the hours bulshit. Its hard enough to survive at what we earn wrenching but when we go into chop hour mode things really start to suck. I have definitely got to get in gear to get some extra work and get rid of some bills. The summer is good, with tons of hours and overtime.
I have still not found a car to replace the civic. If anybody out there has an idea about a car 3-4k in price let me know.
Tomorrow I am getting on my bike to get rid of these head bugs and to think about what I am going to do. Got a bunch of birthdays and a couple of births coming up soon also. All this stuff is just bad timing.
On a happier note we are all healthy and the weather has cooperated inmensely. I have been working hard to shed some weight and get ready for Trans Iowa at the end of April. I should give Bill a call and organize a ride for tomorrow.
have a good one.
Ari
photo above of my trusty Gunnar STreetdog on the Great Western Trail. Still running the salsa cross bars before I converted to the Moosemitts. You know my pals thinks the mitts are dorky but when it is freezing and you can ride with fingerless gloves I think that is a luxury. There is no reason to get home with cold fingertips.
enuff said. Moose Mitts rule!

December 26th, 2006 Post xmas ride

Hope you all had a good xmas and that you received all the presents that you wanted. I received two important gifts. First of all "Zorba the Greek" on DVD. An epic movie which had a huge impact on my upbringing. If you can rent it and watch it. Second I got a good copy of the Koran with English and Arabic text. I have a masters in literature and I want to read this book and learn more about what goes on in the middle-east.
My ride to my mother in laws house was epic to say the least. I covered 50 miles on the fixed gear and did some country riding. I am so pleased to be able to cover such ground at the end of December. I do feel guilty though and think that we should be covered in snow and ice skating or something like that. The wind was out of the north west and was at about 10-15mph and kept me suffering for the first 40 miles. AT that mark I turned left on Hinckley road and headed 10 miles south to Mamas house. With the tailwind I was cruising at 23-25 mph and let me tell you it was really good. I switched to a 42x15 for the road and 42x18 for dirt maneuvers. Rode the moose mitts with fingerless wool ragg gloves. Rode amfib tights with wool undershirt and windbreaker. Craft balaclava, craft hat and my trusty Lake winter boots with woool socks. I was comfy.
Tomorrow going for a quick 20 miler most likely on the fixie.
I'm out,
Ari
Photo above on McGirr road on my way to Hinckley rd. I am heading west and the wind is north west 10-15mph. Bleak,bleak.

Hi all, just want to wish everybody on this planet a good holiday season. Whether you are tight white, Hispanic, Black, Iraqi, Afgan, Irani, North, South, EASt,. WEst, AFrica, Comunist, etc,etc. I love all you people. Hopefully for 07 I will read and see less people get killed. Man, hows about hearing some good news for a change. Lets starting getting interested in the O8 election because that is going to be an important one. This is our chance to change this hostile regime that has taken over our country and the world. Why the hell is everyone so hostile? Why are we as american so hostile to one another?
Lately beside getting broadsided the other day I have not had any close encounters with cars while on my bike. Knock on wood.
Pedal reflectors, reflectors on shoes, spoke reflectors, rear light, front flasher, nightrider and lots of defensive playing out there.
I have been really digging the gunnar. I am soooo used to riding the fixed its not even funny. Today I laced some Pasela Tourguards on the bianch cross bike and the bike felt like dookie. I kept trying to stop using my legs and I felt like a crash was about to happen. I will stick to the Gunnar until I lose the mandatory 25 pounds that I want to lose.
The moose mitts have been a saviour and I can't tell you what it is to ride in liners and have toasty hands.
On Christmas day I will attempt another 50 miler to my mother in laws house for the Christ holiday. I will take the Gunnar and pack lots of water. I have noticed that I sweat a lot even in winter and that I dehydrate quite easily.
I hope you all have a good holiday season and if you can squeeze a ride in there.
Peace,
Ari
picture one is me along the Great Western Trail en route to Sycamore Illinois
picture two is the Great Western Trail that goes from St Charles to Sycamore. That day it was soft and really hard to ride on.

December 21st, 2006 Glad to be alive*

Sorry for the delay in posting. Last Sunday we celebrated Christmas with the family since the inlaws are going away for real xmas. I had the luck to get out there and ride my bike. It is a 55 mile ride and again, like thanksgiving, I was fortunate enough to have decent weather. I rode the gunnar fix this time with a 4x18 combination and let me tell you about spinning all the way. Around the 50 mile mark I was starting to dream of a freewheel. The last 17 miles to Sycamore I took the Great Western Trail which is gravel. Thanks to a lot of rain and above freezing temps the gravel was like playdoh again. Hung out and had a couple Bananas by Mr Beavers territory. Nice ride indeed and all worked out well. Arrived and took a long shower and feasted like a Greek God.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday started my Trans Iowa training. That means getting up butt early and meeting up with Bill. You see Bill rides everday of the year since he does not own a car and must get to work on bike. He leaves promptly at 5:50 in the morning so you have a dependable source for riding. We have been riding fix for a while and he is a great partner. Some mornings were really cold and the riding was not easy. I rode with him almost to his work and then I branched off onto the bemis trail and headed towards the zoo. These rides turn out shy of 40 miles and this is what I need ride now. I received some moose mitts from Bill as a gift and have converted the Gunnar to riser bars to accomodate these. I will shoot some photos and post soon.
I had some knee issues with my new lake boots and the problem is that I can't get my ball of the foot over the spindle, which is where I like to be. Pushing the cleat all the way foward only allows me to get a cm in front of the axle. I guess I should contact Lake and ask for help. Otherwise the boots are phenomenal and keep your feet toasty.
The ruffian had already some transformations. I switched wheels to Deore XT hubs with mavic 519 toring rims 36hole and WTB nanoraptor 700x44c tires. My bike now weighs in at 24 pounds and I can still lose a pound without going crazy or to carbon.
I have been really excited about riding lately and I feel that 07 will be good . I just want to have the time to get out and clear my head and turn the pedals.
Today we decided to take a drive with the wife and the 3 year old. Going down the road and bam! we get broad sided by an 18 year old who failed to see a huge red stop sign. I banged my head on the driver window and still feel kinda funny. Luckily noboby got really hurt. My car has almost 4k dollars in damage and most likely will not be repaired. If I get a check for 3k I don't know what I will buy and for sure I am going to get stuck buying a new roofrack. So as MC says: "Slow Down" .
I hope someday people will stop using their cell phones, eating, drinking, textmessaging, grooming, applying make up, reading, writing, shuffling thru Ipods, etc etc while they drive. Stop all this nonsense because you are going to kill people.
Tomorrow I will be back on my Gunnar and be able to know how the impact affected me.
Keep well and keep your eyes open. Nobody is watching for you.
I'm out,
Ari

December 13th, 2006

Hi to all and hope you are well. Yesterday I got caught in a cloud burst and arrrive home so wet I could not go up the stairs. Nothing could stop the rain and I am sure glad I was only 4 miles away from home. This morning I woke up at 5 to do an early ride. I met up with some road riders but was unable to spin the 42x18 fast enough to stay with them. It was 6 am and we were cruising down Burlington at 24 miles per hour. ????????
I turned away from the group and headed south to do some more human miles and try to get into the preserve. Once in the forest the gravel was really soft and It felt like I was riding on Playdoh. I struggled pedal to pedal till I got out of the woods. Todays south wind was bity and I cursed at not having taken the amfib tights that are wind resistant. My lake boots worked flawless. I got home truly wrecked and was really not looking foward to work.
I got rid of my crap tires and finally put on some fresh meats. I went for the true and tried Pasela tourguards in 700x35c. Lots of rubber, lots of air, and man these things run straight. Final mileage for the day 40 miles. Figure I post a pic of me in case we run into each other somewhere. Probably listening to a conversation but thinking about oh.....some phil wood hubs,,,,,sugino cranks, craft crap, frame, oh maybe just riding whenever I feel like it.
I'm out,
Ari

December 10th, 2006 part II

To satisfy the tagging here it goes.

1) Born in colorado, raised in new york and buenos aires
2) Escaped during dictatorship thru Paraguay to come back to ol' USA
3) Bike freak that once had up to 32 bikes.
4) Worked the corporate job for 8 years, quit, wrench at Hartley's Cycles and loving it.
5) I speak German, Spanish, Greek and some English. Always pardon my grammar
6) I built one of the first fixed gears for messengers almost 20 years ago. Got article about singlespeeds in New York Times

I'm out,
Ari

December 10th, 2006

No photo today but a good write up on incredible weather. Was very nice this morning and met up with Pete, Michael, Dan and Chris for a roadride. I swear that is a rarity. I wore the new Lake boots and must say they are very warm and comfortable. Also wore some Pearl amfib tights, my cannondale jacket, craft balaclava and hat. I was happy , toasty and not wanting to come home. We did a 30 mile loop know as the fruit loop and it was all done on road. It was a bit windy out of the south and that is what brought the warm weather. It was really fun to go on a road ride with a group. My gunnar perfomed flawless as usual. After the ride ended I decided to ride more. Man, I wasn't done yet! I rode out to naperville and ended up home with 52miles in december on a fix sporting a 42x18. I was so excited I forgot to get tired. Did laundry and hung out with Giugi. Did some garbage picking in the rich neighborhood and then went to the forest for a while. Jamie had to work at Starbucks and had to wake up superearly so she is cashed.
Bill dropped the Moose Mitts over at the shop and I will sport those on the Gunnar Ruffian. I am interested in trying the ERGon grip, so Bluecolnago give me some feedback on them. I see you sport them on the green machine. Hope you all have a happy monday. Chicago is supposed to get great weather this week. Blue Colnago I also noticed that your trails were clear. Didn't you guys get a snow storm like we did. Our trails are solid blocks of ice and unrideable.
peace,
Ari

December 9th, 2006

I took the image above specifically for BlueColnago. The build of the bike went o.k. I must point out that the bearings in the headset just sit in the frame. So whoever builds this puppy please put copious grease in there. I was missing the Cannondale specific ferrules for the rear brake and that is why they look so loopy. Wheels were good and true, Mechanical Avids were tedious to set up but came out nice. Shifter was dead on with the sti and 105 rear. Bike looks tough and clean. I did oil all cables with Boeshields T9. Lots of controversy about oiling cables. My pal Miroslav and and I have been wrenching for 20 years. You live in Chicago or the midwest Oil your cables.
Carbon seatpost, no pedals, comfy gelly tape and good gooseneck and bars. I don't know about running the sissy cross levers with the discs. Feels like they screw up the action on the discs. The avids also have a 2.5mm allen bolt where you can increase the tension on the return spring. Buy this bike if you want a go everywhere bike. Paint is flat matte black and the decals are somehow clearcoated.
Tomorrow we get a warmup and will do a roadride on fixies, singles and whatever. Can't ride the woods according to Dr. Roe. because it is a skating rink. Pal Tomas took a good spill on the Ice and I guess he was sporting some Nok's . Can't get our
70's inferno disco star on the tree to work. Changes the bulbs to no avail. Might have to hunt for a new one. Met a good mtb'er today. Runs a Bianchi SASS with a boingy fork. Might hook up to do some track with him. Anybody outthere with any word On transiowa v3????
I'm out and
Peace,
Ari

december 8th, 2006

Hi to all. Hope you are frozen to the bone and that your cheeks hurt like mine do. Been riding to work lately has been a chores. Come on! its only 3 miles and I can't believe that it can get so bad out. I was sporting my craft balaclava and craft storm hat and I was still cold. I received the Lake winter boots and they are outrageous. Really heavy duty, nice closure system, nice leather and a very comfy fit. I wore them all day at work and they felt fine. I rode home with them and I did not feel none of the wind go thru them. More coments on the boots as they get more miles on them. Been riding the Gunnar exclusively.
Sent 20 postcards with the hope to get picked for TransIowa race at the end of april. Man that would be fun to do that. Too bad no body around here wants to go. I think it would be a blast to race out there. Will be riding the Ruffian more often now so If I get picked I will be set on what kinda bike Im going to ride. I am definetely riding One gear. I have not decided to run single or fixed yet.
Bill ordered me some Moose Mitts for winter riding. I will have some pictures up from the lake boots and the mitts soon.
Today we received the awesome Cannondale Cross Disc Bike. Now here is a go anywhere machine. I see the posibilities endless with that bike. You have to see the mud clearance on the front fork to believe it. Sensible stuff on it. NO suspension(thank God) No goofy Cannondale stuff. Alu frame, alu fork, 105 rear , tiagra front, truvativ cranks and Disc-disc brakes.
Im out,
peace,
Ari

December 3rd, 2006

Just chilling out in the refrigerator which is where we live now. It was 60 last week until somebody plugged in the freezer and left the door open. What can we do? In the old days it was way winter by now and unfortunately we have gotten spoiled with the mild winters. Hey........wake up it is supposed to be cold in winter. Your stinking cars are warming up the place and that is why we ride deeper into the year. I need to move to a poorer area just to get away from Car bling. I am tired of looking at hummers, suvs, benzes and bmers, then Dick Richard Dickenson rolls down the road in a Bentley coupe to outdo everybody, But wait...........it Dondo Corleone driving the badass Maserati Cuatriporti (four door you single tongue people). I shake my head in desbelief and I feel like getting off my bike and crying for mercy. I rode to work today and my tires were soft and hard at the same time. I had a hard time turning the 42x18 and the 3 miles home seemed like 30.
Shop was dead but ebay saved our hinds for a couple more days. Billabong showed up all snotnosed with a huge grin on his face. He tood his litespeed cross bike and Fixed it with an Eno. STraight bars, Alaska Gauntlets and speedplay frogs. Talk about a cool bike. I did rodeo laps in the shop while Ken looked on. Listened to some Argentinian Music today and drank a whole pot of coffee. Nice relaxing day. I hope Argonne will clear up soon as I would like to move my ass over there for a some laps.
The picture is of my crappy crank on the gunnar. Some old 105 crank 175mm long with a Suntour 42 tooth chainring turning a cheapo sram chain. Works for me. Save your money and buy good bikes. Crap bikes are cool but in the end they are still crap.
Peace,
ari

December 1st, 2006

I hate to say this but as I look at this date I wonder how the year went by so fast. So many things happened and at such a fast speed that I feel like Elf spinning at a revolving door. Change of job, bike shop, girls at home, repairs, getting rid of bikes. Sometimes my head really hurts. Sometimes I just want to throw the towel in. I am really backed up on phone calls and I know a lot of people out there need repairs. It has been a chore to accomplish these repairs living in the apartment. I can't believe I got suckered into this situation, I can' t believe I am stuck where I am. No garage, no garden, no porch, no efing nothing. Four walls and two flights of stairs. I feel I made a huge mistakes somewhere and all I try to do is patch it up with the tiny baby bandaids.
At some point next year things are going to change like crazy. I will no longer be in the 4 waller, I will have a place for repairs and I will call people when they leave messages. I have been wanting to send photos to my aunt in Greece for about 6 months know.
I need to switch to another topic.
I did ride today in the snow and crap. Wasn't too bad. ON the way home lots more black ice and impatient car drivers. Hello, I am balancing on two wheels dumkopf!!
The shop was dead and we were dead. We listened to album after album and after a while it all sounded the same. Ricardo came to visit and that was cool. Got some music from Argentina on C.D.
Tomorrow Saturday I hope we sell some kids bikes or something. I need to get out of the rut that I am in and do something better. I hope you guys are doing well. For winter riding I did lower my gearing from 42x16 to 42x18. I was going to go with full fenders but I use this bike offroad and it would be a pain.
Peace,
ari

November 28th, 2006

Hi to all, just have too much to talk about. ON past monday we received the p bikes from Italy and on tuesday we got into Ken's Avalanche and cruised to the awesome factory in Waterford Wisconsin. I was on bike overload. So much to see. We were hosted by Dave who kinda runs the show at Waterford. Ex Trek man and boy does this guy love bikes. We also met Mark who is in charge of designing the bikes. We then had a tour of the factory. we saw were the tubing and lugs get picked and mitered. Then the different work stations where frames get put together , then the paint station and finally the inspection and boxing. Waterford also makes Gunnar, Heron and projects for Rivendell Bicycle Works and also welds Some specialty Bmx frames. They have also welded for Salsa Cycles. Man do these guys know STeel. Most impressive was seeing the bikes "Naked" before all the work gets covered by primer and paint. I love the lug work on the Waterfords and the clean tig welding on the gunnars. Anyone interested in an quality american made, tubed, painted frame Contact Dave at Waterford and you will not be dissapointed.
When we got done with the tour we went downtown Waterford to Grannys and had a great lunch of Bacon Cheeseburgers, fries and homemade soup. We also brought back a Gunnar Ruffian 29er and a plum colored Gunnar crosshairs. I am in bike heaven.
Today it was a real mess out and I rode the Gunnar streetdog to Argonne and busted a nut there. It was cold and wet there and the hills really hurt after a while with the 42x16. I definitely have to tone down the gearing and consider a cross tire in the back to replace to top touring. Got home and ate like a lion.
We darted to the Art Institute for Jamie to photograph a painting then Pizza at Pompei to end the day. Finally a great day off. Tonite we expect a snow storm and we will see what happens with it. Iam prepared. Thinking about Lake winter boots, craft jacket and some new warmer gloves.
Tomorrow more on setting up your bike for winter riding. Received Brass bell form RivBike, acme reflectors. Great stuff. Girls like the Ivo lip balm.
Peace,
Ari

November 27th, 2006

Hi to all. Just had a chance to cover some writing after working all day and coming home to a load of chores. Both girls are in bed and snoozing. I forgot to upload my other picture from Turkey day. It is a beaver dwelling that I saw on the way to Sycamore.
Today at work things were chilled. I did feel like shit almost the most of the day. I dont know what it was. Anyway doesn' t matter. Towards the end of the day the Ups lady showed up and we saw the Gita Tape on the Box! Yeaaaaah!!!!! Man we carefully opened that box to find some incredible frames from two italian builders that have theire last names start with P.
Anyway we will talk about these bikes at some other time.
Rode to work on the gunnar fixie and it felt a lot better than my Bianchi Cross bike. I did discover a flat on it and decided to change the crappy thin tire it had with a meaty 700x32c Top Touring. Now I gots meats. Been wondering about a lot of things and the the thing that most bugs me is the lack of time that I have. I don't know why life has become so hectic. I want to be able to ride more and worry less about nonsense. I think the biggest issue is that the area that we live in has become expensive and we are slowly not being able to live here. Perhaps the only solution will be to move to a different part of the country were things are not so caotic.
Anyway, I will be slowly rid myself of the surly hubbed wheels that I own. I don't recommend a bolt on hub on a MTB. I will eventually get philwood hubs for the Ruffian and complete that bike as I like it.
Tomorrow we visit Waterford Precision Cycles in Wisconsin and I hope to come back with some photos.
Peace,
ari

November 26th, 2006

Nice time off everything and now it is back to the ratrace. Thanksgiving day was a blast. I started the day by leaving the house at 8 am and heading out towards my father in laws house in Sycamore. The ride is about 50 miles. The sun was out and it was rather mild for the end of November. I rode the trusty Gunnar Fixie. I rode towards Batavia thru Fermi lab and all the while I thought about how cool it was that Jamie had sent me out on the bike. She was to get the girls ready , pack the car and drive all the way there. I felt blessed. I took an old backpack from Billabong with a couple of bananas my inhaler, camera and some water. I was afraid to miss out on this one. Damn , I did not even inflate my tires. I got to Batavia and headed north to Geneva, then St Charles hunting down the Great Western trail which runs along 64 and goes all the way to Sycamore. The trail is flat, straight and gravel. Man if you want to meditate, chill , think, that is the way to go. I kept a good pace since I was targeting 1130 for arrival time. I took two short breaks to strech and shoot some pictures. I took the second break to strech and eat my naners. I was dressed perfect. Shorts, Knee warmers, wool socks, wool undershirt, jersey, windbreaker, my beloved craft balaclava, cotton cap and my windproof gloves. Bike, position, everything was perfect. Ran into Ken in Wasco and said a quick hello and kept booking. I arrived in 3 hrs 20 minutes with no pain..... as if the ride had been too short.
Thankgiving dinner was great and it was cool to hang out with the fam. Friday was work, saturday work and today Sunday we went with JAmie to Argonne and did two good laps of the gravel. My gunnar had a flat so I took the Bianchi. It was really weird riding gears and freewheeling and also the low (conventional) bars on the bianchi felt really strange. The bike also felt loopy. Riding a fixie offroad with a quick steering fork and skinny tires is like cheating. I hope Matt Chester comes back, that dude sure knows a lot about position.

Image #1: The Great Western Trail St Charles to Sycamore
Image#2: Taking a break along the trail
Image#3: Almost two hours on the bike and twenty to go.

Peace to all,
Ari

November 22nd, 2006

Good day to all! Hope everyone is psyched about the Thanksgiving Holiday. It sure is cool not to have to go to work for a day. Sometimes it makes the hugest difference. Anyway, I was contemplating on doing a 55 mile ride out to my inlaws tomorrow. I really did not know how it was going to go thru with my three commanders at home but the thing is that I got clearance to fly!
I am riding to Geneva, then St Charles and then I am going full gravel mode on the Great Western Trail. I will be riding my fixie and too bad nobody else is going with me. I estimate it is going to take me about 3 hours to get there. I am sending a change of clothes with the car and plan to take a nice hot shower.
I told Bill today about the interview and he agreed to it. I think it is going to be awesome to interview him. Bill is so hard-core it makes us look like twinkies.
Today we received more plastic bikes by Felt. They are nice, light, strong and the new shimano ultegra and dura ace shifters have a much more positive feel to them. Good job Shimano!
Now that we are getting the 07 models in we are going to have bikes everywhere. I am glad we moved some tandems thru e-bay. That sure is a good way to get rid of crap. My latest thing has been to sell crap on ebay to buy new crap. I have almost paid off my Gunnar Ruffian by selling old parts.
Bill passed me an awesome, really heavy 100% wool sweater from REI and also a brand new pair of amfid pearlie tights. Man that guy sure is generous. Thanks a mil Bill. He is also in the works to convert his appalachian crossie to a crossie fixie. The poor guy is hooked on fix. Right now he is commuting on a fix crosscheck. More details later about his rides.
Pegorettis and Pinarellos should be coming in soon. They should have been here already but the forgot to ship them. Damn computers.
I hope tomorrow a bunch of you get a chance to ride. It sure helps my head when I do so. As for now I wish all a good holiday.
peace,
Ari

November 21st,2006

An action packed day at the shop after another long night full of chores, papers and late night sleeping. Got up early and finally took a long shower and shaved the grizzlies off my face. Built a couple of high end road bikes and dealt with some customers. The day went by fast and before I knew it it was dark and I was pedaling home. I really miss my early dismissal job and would foward to starting early and leaving early. I get up late and go to bed late and I feel like my day is a mess. Somehow I need to find more time, make changes, do freakin' something. I don't know... would welcome some help.....some comments. Kind of lost.... you know what I mean???
Rode the gunnar street dog again. I had to go with the race face post to get some setback. I did jack my ritchey stem a la Matt chester and I really love the position for riding off road. The only thing is that when you do that you also shorten the cockpit, thus resulting in a long ass custom stem to give you the height and keep the cockpit area open. Matt Chester is a genius and I hope that one day he can build bikes again. I will be the first one in line. I wonder if some other builders will try to imitate his style. I have seen a pryiing mantis crossie by Vulture Cycles that seems to be like a MC.
Today I also received Jamie's awesome Melanzana Wind Bloc Jacket direct from Leadville Colorado. MADE IN THE U.S.A. and next time you buy North Face or any other hardcore mountain wear that is made and China and think you are hardcore..... you really aren't.
Buy less, buy american and support the jobs that make the people in this country pay for rent and food. Corporate support only makes the glutton V.P.s even richer. Been there , done that and regret having to have learned such a bad lesson. I have so far boycotted the following corporations: Walmart, McDonalds and all other chain fast food places, Best Buy and any other big box stores.
Lately I have shopped from Waterford Precision Cycles, Melanzana and Rivendell.
I hope to get in some riding for Thanksgiving. On that day we should all thank our president for the great things he has given us: War, more poverty for low income, a larger deficit, logging in National Forests, Paranoia, Corporate favoritism, Tax breaks for Suv purchases, and the list goes on hasta el infinito.
If you are out there, ride your bike, do something cool, boycott, boycott, boycott

Novemeber 20th, 2006

I did not write yesterday because It was such a busy day. I really don't want to get into any details about it. At 11:30 pm while Jamie was writing her paper I decided to go on a night right with the Gunnar. I got dressed and headed out with the Nite Rider, front and rear flasher. It was really cold and the cars were already covered in frost. I rode towards Hinsdale and then took York Rd. North and grabbed the trail that runs along it. As I crossed 31st street I was happy to be riding on some cool gravel. I took the path all the way past Roosevelt rd and then turned around took 31st west to all the way to Cass and then home. It was a cool ride and I got a chance to release some steam from the hectic day. I don't understand what has happened with the time during the day. All I know is that everything is moving very quickly and I just see sunrise and sunset. I would like to be able to ride with some other people at night but everyone is busy and just plain thinks it is too crazy. Work today was busy and we sold stuff. My second buckle broke and I am still waiting to get new buckles from our rep. This weekend I hope to test out the ruffian 29er and see how it rides. I really like the streetdog and wish I could find and old Cinelli Unicanitor Pista plastic saddle for it. RIght now I am riding a Kashimax bmx saddle and it is really stiff. More tomorrow if time permits.
Peace,
ari

November 18th, 2006

Just going to go quick on this one. We had a rough day at the shop dealing with rough customers. It might just be that time of year when a lot of people get into the freak mode. Anyway, I don' want to spend anymore cyberspace on this one. Did not really get a chance to ride this morning. Some lady told me that it was unbelievable that I rode 6 miles a day to work. I really did not want to tell her that last year I was plugging in 45 a day on my Surly steam-pooper. Anyway, I feel like a fatso and because of work, kids and all the crap that is going on riding has falling into the unwanted category. I have made brave attempts at changing this but it has not been easy. I have left the Gunnar at work because now I dont feel like I deserve a new bike. I did sell a bunch of crap to get it but there it is. Tomorrow Jamie is opening at the bucks and Franzi is going on a fieldtrip. That leaves Giugi and me all day. The shellac thing work really well. Two things: Use fresh tape and give it 6 coats and let it dry hard. It is easy to feel it dry but the stuff underneath is still soft. I will go to bed and dream of better riding days. I hope you enjoy the photos
Peace,
Ari

November 17th, 2006

I had to skip yesterday and take a break from the computer screen. Sometimes it is easy to start looking up stuff and get carried away. I was also busy buiding up the Gunnar Ruffian 29er singlespeed. I do have some photos that I will upload so you can get a glimpse of my new dog.
Build was staight on. I can't speak high enough of the guys at Gunnar (Waterford). The process was a breeze, the frame is perfect and everything I wanted was on there. I actually asked for simplicity and they delivered. Regular Bottom Bracket, Horizontal dropouts and no disc mounts, I like my V-Brakes fine enough.
Today was a slow day at the shop and we worked on Fleischkopfs new fixie. We cloth taped and shellaced his bars and they look awesome. Tomorrow I am taking the long way to work.

November 15th, 2006

Today was one of those awesome days that don't come along too often. At 7am I met fleischkopf and we went for a killer ride. We rode fix all the way to Argonne and then took the fixes on the gravel. Got home at almost 9am had an awesome breakfast and hung out with my girls. At work it was slow and cool to chill out. WE busted out the grill and had brats and chili for lunch. Talk about food coma. I was done for the rest of the day. Around 5 pm Ups showed up with my new Gunnar 29er and it sure was a thrill to yank that dog out of the box. Yellow, vicious straight blade fork, conventional bb, horizontal forks and yes,yes yes no damn disc tabs. I know discs are here to stay but I still can stop pretty well with my xtr vbrakes and paul levers.
After work we fixied over to La Grange to check on some new spin bikes that hopefully I will be servicing. The guy showing the bikes was a meat head and totally burned me saying the bikes needed no maintenance right in front of my boss. I hope someone burns him too and he is out of a job. Øne thing is to be a fleischkopf but meatheads suck.
The photo above is of two guys I really admire. Grant Petersen with shades and Sheldon Brown, the smartest bike dude alive. Grant is a great innovator and I have a lot of respect for him. Visit www.rivbike.com and www. harriscyclery.com.
Hope all is good in the homefront. Tonight I will dream as to how I will build that Ruffian.
thanks.
peace,
Ari

November 14th, 2006

Today was one of those Gloomy days that if you don't ride or drink several gallons of coffee you are bound to get depressed. I got up early and did a bunch of errands before work. I rode the trusty Gunnar to the grocery store then to the bank and then to work. I am really digging the upright bars on it. Picture tomorrow. This position lets you rest lightly on the bike instead of dropping your weight on the handlebars. Offroad riding is not about aerodynamics. I switched to a narrow cross tire in the front and the rear will follow suit soon also.
The shop was slow and we killed time all day. Inventory gave Peter and I a headache and the few customers we had were a real joy. Bill also stopped by as usual and that was good. As a matter of fact I will be interviewing Bill soon and we will see how you stack up to him.
Tomorrow I am organizing a 7:00 a.m. riding heading south, doing one loop in Argonne and being back in Westmont by 9:00 a.m. I have to instigate something cause I am going crazy. Been selling lots of parts in Ebay and I feel good about my new found minimalist movement. I am down to 10 bikes from the over 30 that I had when I lived at the house. Sure makes moving easier too.
That all for today, Getting up early tomorrow.
Peace,
Ari

November 13th, 2006

Hi y'all. Good riding today at the Water Fall Glenn. We did the reverse loop and finally came to the conclusion that going couter clock wise is harder. I pedaled the Gunnar witn the 42x16 and wish I had an extra tooth in the back and a couple more in my mouth. I am still running the slicks and will be converting to crossies soon. I am thinking about doing my first interview soon. I also want to do a write up about our hispanic friends that ride in the dark.
Argonne was empty today and the weather was kind of chilly. Slight drizzle that sticks to your glasses. The rest of the day was spent running chores like an idiot. Man do I hate driving. The plan is do downsize our belongings and move sowewhere quieter. I am, believe it or not, down to 10 bikes. Yes, you heard right ten bikes.
Eddy Merckx Motorola
Legnano race bike
Mondonico race bike
Heron road bike
Bridgestone RB-T
Gitane Track
Gunnar Fixie
Voo-doo Single Speed mountain Bike
Peugeot px-10 singlespeed
Bianch Cyclocross

But we must add the Gunnar 29er that is still being prepared in Wisconsin. The Gitane Track is going to go to keep it an even 10. The salsa bell lap handlebars worked like a dream. I am hoping to find a Cinelli Plastic Seat somewhere.
Favorite Reads of late
Dirtrag
Rivendell Reader
Road Atlas

Peace to all,
Ari

November 12th, 2006

Finally! After a few follies with riding I was able to make it to Water Fall Glen with Jamie. We did 20 miles of the crushed limestone and it really felt good. The first loop was really a warm up and an evaluation as to how much fitness we have lost. Jamie has maintained some fitness from running. I have lost all what I had gained last year from commuting to Chicago and doing 45 miles on the fixie on a daily basis. Man, I was chasing busses last year. Anyway no reason to complain it will all come back. I did set up the Gunnar with more upright bars and today I went ahead and also switched my racing italo bars for some hick Salsa bell laps. These bars are shallower and wider for more torque on the hills. Today I ran a 42x16 and was able to do all the hills. Maybe a 42x17 would allow me to get into the grass. Tires were Michelin 700x30 dynamics. Which are slicks and worked fine, I guess. My plastic bmx saddle is a joy and it is also nice to think that it will not rot if it gets wet.
One layer of wool and a windbreaker. Lots of fat to burn. The trail was busy with runners, hikers, photographers, moutainbikers, roller skiers, and believe or not people training there huskies with sleds ( with wheels). What a busy place.
I will soon start posting more photos of some stuff I have been doing. Tomorrow I will be riding in Water Fall Glenn again. This time I am pulling the burley with Giulietta. See what happens.
The Gunnar Ruffian 29er that I ordered is probable going to show up soon. I am uncertain as to how I am going go build it. This thing is going to be yellow with horizontal fork ends (not drop outs) and a conventional bb. I am not having any disc mounts. I am going to run conventional brakes on it. Interested in Bike art look up Rudi Nadler. Need crazy handlebars look up Jeff JOnes. I loaded an image of my rear wheel. Surly track hub with Salsa Delgado rims, build with dt spokes and running a new surly cog. Tomorrow is another day and I wish all a good one.
Peace,
Ari

November 11,2006

The image above is My illegitimate son fleischkopf. Sometimes we have special projects at work that require two certified mechanics. We had to tune up a dual suspension Huffy and also make some modifications to a tag a long to make it work
with the huffy. The initial trial was quite dangerous. We rode around hinsdale and this vehicle wiggled like a gummy worm. Fleisckopf could not keep from laughing and called it "the best day of my life".
Tommorow is Sunday and I am praying that no extracurricular stuff shows up. I really need to ride. I am hoping to hit the forest with Jamie and Giugi and get some fresh november air and some miles in the legs.
Last night I checked out art by Rudi Nadler,beautiful frames by Ira Ryan and ultra long distance moutain bike racer Jeff Kerkove. More tomorrow.
Ride on Sunday,if you can
Peace,
Ari

November 10th, 2006

Friday and the inventory at the shop is not ready. For anyone who is interested in opening a shop beware of the million and one parts you are going to have to carry. Our shop is over 50 years old and there is so much stuff that I have had a headache for a week. We closed at 6:00 p.m and saddled up for the ride home. Man was it pouring, Man was is dark. I rode home with shorts and enjoyed the relief. I have been running a Gunnar street dog for a while. I have settled on Mafac cantilevers for brakes and today I mounted a Kashimax BMX saddle which is plastic and does not get soaked like my Rolls. I run surly hubs on salsa delgado rims. I reversed my ritchey stem a al Matt Chester and found a new bike under me. I hope to continue tomorow and for you guys that are still up good night.
Ari