Friday Before the Holiday

Rode with Ricanator, Trapper and Hank on a warm, super-humid morning. Traffic was a bear with cars at every stop sign, construction and drivers just angry at having to work one more day. It would have been a great day to be in the woods. We survived though and got some good miles in. My kit was sweated thru and it felt good to change and cruise home on the Alpina. 

 The clouds last night going home 

 It sure is green everywhere. 

 Trapper and Rick up front. Hank and I behind. 

Ride with what you got.

Sometimes I have these urges to hit gravel. But, the shop is busy, home is busy. So, the gravel waits. It's 50 miles away from my house. It takes a car and some driving to get there. Instead, I have been hitting the road with Trapper and the Ricanator. It's something. It's exercise and I get to talk to other humans. Work with what you got. Don't get frustrated cause you can't go where you want. The gravel, the adventure, the dirt, the dirt bagging will eventually happen. 
Ride what you got. 

It works. 
Ari 

Local riding is not always boring.

Light made with a jar

 1984 Univega Alpina Ultima restoration project

 Nitto Bullmoose. Suntour power Ratchet shifters. 

 Been seeing a lot more vegetables. 

 The hill at 4 lakes in Lisle

 Trapper and I rode around Fullersburg this morning. 

 Fullersburg Nature center. Kids love this place 

 Carboner. 

The fence over rte 83 

Steady,steady is the name of the game. Been slowly getting back into it. Busy at the shop to say the least. 

that's all for today. 

Ari 

Getting Spinning

This morning I got out with the intention of just spinning the legs. I was aboard my trusty Black Mountain Cycles Cross bike. Stayed in the middle chainring the whole time and kinda figured out a decent loop around the Mac Donald's campus. There is gravel, some paved sections a  couple of little hills. It is also quiet despite all the crazy traffic around that area. Good morning on the bike. Saw some birds, lots of flowers and trees and I felt refreshed coming into work. Pre work rides are the best. I think I rode around 10 miles and that is all I needed. 
Ari 

 Salt Creek

 Salt Creek

 Big Mac University

 Oak Brook 

 Unidentified Birds

Salt Creek

Everyone is getting ready for summer tripping and riding

Everywhere I look people are loading up and getting ready to leave town. My boss spotted this family getting out of Dodge. I hope you get out as well. Just make sure to secure your bikes securely. 
Bon Voyage!!!! 
Ari 

Load up and go!!! 

I forgot to mention that this photo was taken on a tollway at 70 mph. 

Sometimes all you need is a Nappy.

Sat morning got out and had a terrible ride. Yeah, not the one where you say: "Any ride beats not riding". No, this was bad. I was on empty from the get go. I should have not gone. I rode 17 miles and it took me almost 2 hours. I got off the bike and walked. I was done, spent, kaput. So I made it home and had a bunch of water. I slept for 3 hours. Sunday morning rode with my brother in law and two other guys. I was good. I pulled us for 25 miles into a 20mph headwind. I kept eating and drinking water. Stopped at 7/11.  Two donuts and more water. Another banana. I have just not been eating enough. Not enough sleep. Not enough water. So, thiings have to change otherwise no bueno.
110mm from 120 stem on the carboner felt better and my back was happy.
thanks for reading. Take a nap. Eat. drink water.  Go for a walk.
Ari

Rain riding with the Euro Trash bike.

Weather is not always perfect for sure. It is hard to motivate oneself when it is raining outside. But in the Summer? 70 degrees out there? Not a problem. Enjoy the cooling effect of the water. Put a clip on fender and go ride. This morning I decided to go slow. I had in mind to take a few photos and get off the congested roads. More and more traffic ever day. Fast traffic even on side streets. Everybody just needs to slow their roll. Please slow down.

 

A very little time in the woods can keep you going all day!! 

Revelate Designs Feedbag

I am sure a lot of you have heard about this bag before. I wanted to point out that it is one of the handiest bags out there. I pretty much have tried them all. On this bag I carry my inhaler, garage door opener I sometimes throw my garmin in there on bike with no mounts. I also sometimes carry a mini pump and Oh yeah my small digital camera with the cord sticking out for easy access. The pull cord is easy to operate. It is weather resistant and made right. 
Thank you Revelate for this little gem. 
Ari 

Summer Riding

 I brought this Richard Cunningham design back to life

 bike shop horrors never cease to amaze me. 

 The Fierro I have been riding all the time. 

 Building wheels is something I will probably  never be able to abandon. 

 Campy Campy Campy. 

 The new issue is out. I have a few left at the shop. 

 I added a Barkley Marathons poster to my collection

 Fresh Berries

Just starting off with some images. Just riding to work I had a stomach ache. Maybe eating something that bothered me. I figured a couple of handfuls of these wild berries that I found on the side of the road will help with that.
Ari

Is it still alive? Will the blog come back? Don't know. 
Ari