December 30th !?!???!?!!!

Jamie taking in some water

Big Dork with Shades

Without much thinking we got dressed and headed outside. IT was really foggy last night so all the landscape was covered in white frost. WE both rode singlespeeds and liked the fact of not having to worry about shifting. It was cold and windy and we just wanted to pedal. WE clocked in about 25 miles and we were happy with that. This year went by in a flash and I am still trying to figure out what happened. My head is spinning. We wish everyone a Happy New Year and if you need bike work done over the winter I have time.
All the best,
Ari

Christmas Day, 2007

The weather broke after dealing with snow, fog, severe winds and ice storms. We opted to go outside and ride instead of hitting the rollers and the windtrainer. Rode about 15 miles in a east-west direction to avoid the heavy wind out of the south. We felt great to be out and see and feel the sun. I hope everyone had a great Christmas. Fewer gifts this year, more talk of financial woes. I hope 08 is better.

cheers,

Ari and Jamie

Thursday day off ride

I with retro Rudy's and what seems moustache

Old State Rd.

A flock of sheep running from the Greek dude

The warm, cozy, sunny Midwest

Quickbeam felt like a 10 lbs bike today

I was glad the temps were up and I got a chance to ride without the monster bike. Wind was terrible and it was a real hard earned 30 miles.
Tea and bed,
Ari

Sunday Ride

Did not think at all. I knew I had to get out and do a 2 hour ride. It was really hard. Was on the Schwinn with the studded tires. Hit some country gravel roads that were completely covered. I almost wished I had more agressive studs on the tires. Very tiring type of riding and going up any hill just pegged my HR. Got home with a frozen nose and completely sweated. Lake Boots are a must. Moose Mitts are a must. Rest of afternoon will chill out at the inlaws.

out,

ari

Flandria Comes Alive!

After months of working and stressing I have finally finished my workbench. Bill was gracious to lend me his stud finder, I retrieved my circular saw from my brothers and got the job done. Used 1x2 wood against the wall and then opted for the 1/4" holed pegboard since I had a lot of hooks from the old one. I cannot work out of a tool box and I am really happy to have my workspace again. I want to build a shelf for the top to store bins and to the right I would like to find a really tall Metro shelf to keep all parts and such on there. Will be upgrading Ricardo's bike soon and building a singlespeed Crosscheck for Ryan. Today was really crappy outside and opted not to ride. I still have the urge and might get out on the studded Schwinn.

I am staying away from the stores,

Ari

The Chiorda Folding Bike

Found this one in the deep,deep corner of a moldy, wet cellar. Cleaned it for hours and scoured it with steel wool. The brand is Chiorda and it is a old italian bike. They made a high end road bike ridden by the famous Felice Gimondi. The company was later bought out by Bianchi who also bought out the Famous Legnano. The folding bike is soo cool. Quick release handlebars and seatpost. The frame folds in half and fits in the trunk of my 1.6L Nissan walnut with 4 wheels car. IF said Nissan breaks down, out comes the Chiorda and I ride home or for help. When I lived in Argentina there were many of these folding bikes and as kids we all rode them. Despite all the cool bikes I have I still have a love affair with clunkers and old bikes. This spring we are planning an old bike ride with the family. Keep your eyes peeled for old italian bikes since some of these companies are obsolete and very historical. Treks and Giant will never be cool vintage.........Sorry.

Ice go away!!

Ari

Rene Herse

One of the greatest bicycle builders of France and the world. While the Fixed gear trends slowly fizzles away the more practical, efficient Rando style bike makes a strong entrance. I hope more people ride in 2008. If you are iced in check out the following website.
http://www.reneherse.com/

Riding in The Tundra

Aldrich Road, some clearing

Schwinn Mirada Monster Bike


Aldrich in full ice, max heart rate

Took the Schwinn that was laying in the garbage and brought it in. Had it in the back room and every day I took a look at it wondering what I would do with it. I finally decided to use up the 700x40+ studded tires and make a monster bike that would handle the ice and snow. Front wheel is an ultegra, rear Phil track with a 18t freewheel. Chainring in front is 38 tooth. All the rest of the parts are shit. Rear end of frame is for 26"wheels and front fork is 700C. Had to use some weinmann centerpull brakes in back and cantis in front. Bike was great and I was able to ride for a solid 2 hrs out in the Tundra. Here is a breakdown of what I wore.

Patagonia face mask

Turtle fur neck gator

Mountain wear windstopper hat

patagonia expedition undershirt

Hincapie Tour Jacket with windstopper

Hincapie Leg warmers

bib shorts

wool liner gloves

Outdoor Research Snow Mittens

Oakley Oil Drum Glasses

Liner socks

Produce bag (vapor barrier)

thin wool sock

Lake Boots

Creative Stone mp3 player

Surly flask with Metaxa

Air pump

Repair Kit

No helmet.

Could have had one more layer, like a jersey . Hands were warm, feet tolerable, Nose a bit cold , legs were good. Riding out in the fields is dangerous and it is very easy to catch frostbite.

Tonight I hope to hit the rollers for 30".

Do something,

Ari

ANT bikes

Check out the link on the side for some good looking, practical bikes. Ant bikes supplies the double plate crown for my porteur fork. Buy American damn it!
Ari

Porteur Bike arrives!!!!

I stared at the boxes for a long time before I mustared the strength to give them the blade. The bike was packaged beyond belief and I took my time in unfolding, unwrapping and seeing it come out little by little. Jamie and my daugtheres watched and were amazed by the stark white paint and the vibrant red. A lot of Ira and a bit of Eddy are in the frame. I am so grateful to have such an incredible opportunity. This bike will get ridden a lot. It is not a show bike. It is a bike to commute, transport, ride gravel, go on epic rides and promote my hatred towards the ever powerful automobile. At some point in your life call a framebuilder, tell him what you want,tell him the colour, sell some crap that you don't use, send a deposit and enjoy the wait.

thanks,

Ari

Keirin Racing in Chicago????

Somebody build an indoor Velodrome in Chicago!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Sorry, just dreaming.

Ari

Sunday Ride and some ideas

Gravel Grinder bike

Made the long trek to Waterfall Glen and met the gang. Weather was crisp and cold at the beginning but warmed up real nice. The limestone started out hard and edgy and turned soupy and soft by the later part of the morning. Was able to put in 40 miles offroad and at that point the legs were really starting to warm up nicely. I was amazed at the difference it made to ride in the forest and be sheltered by the trees all the time. I felt like I was riding in a vacuum. I will try to make it over again to do several loops. Good way to stay fit during the winter and keep them sausages at bay. I was glad to see the wife joining me in this outing. Crazy life has put a big barrier to our riding and we hope this changes someday soon.

My Gunnar Streetdog has been sold and is on its way to Arizona. I am exchanging it for a new Gunnar crooshairs that I will build up a as a Country Bike. Downtube shifters if I don't find used barcons. A compact crank, shit cantis, used seatpost, wide-ass bars, and an Aluminum Kinesis fork that Pizza Dan is getting painted in black. I will of course run wide tires, since I have outgrown the 23mm thing. This bike is starting to look like the bike I will take on the Trans Iowa. Have to figure out a good position and how to carry a load on it. Color will be Bamboo (tan) and the fork will be black. I will call it Black and Tan in honour of the famous beverage that us DUI guys like to enjoy.

Now go ride!!

Ari

Thanksgiving ride and thoughts

Got out today on a solo ride out in the country. I remembered in the old days how we had HUGE rides on days like today. Nowadays we are busier and must travel longer distances to be with family and friends. I took some back roads and enjoyed the silence, the lack of traffic and almost felt older. IT was crisp with a gentle dusting of snow that calmly fell on the recently tilled ground. The Salsa was again on duty and I am also starting to bust out the Lake Winter boots. I spent the later part of the day thinking of future rides, bike builds and also of how much I hate to drive. The TV at the in laws was an incessant bombardment of ads for the Cookoos that will melt their cards tomorrow at the registers. I plan on buying nothing and hopefully will put a atomic particle size dent in the economy that is so based on consuming. Hey, lets get out there and do something about it. Ride your bikes on Black Friday but beware of the evil Shopper.
out,
Ari

Paris Roubaix

Eddy Planckaert was so tough looking. When the sprint against Canadian Steve Bauer went on it looked like his legs were going to explode out of his shorts. Steel frame, Dura ace down tube shifters and the Pony tail. This guy was one of my favorites.

Riding and shop life

Part of my board
Extreme close-up spoke wrench
Espresso blood
Salsa with now mandatory Surly Flask
Newly discovered Gravel
Monday Commute, I be gassed
Upstairs, Summer Station
Var Chain Tool, way Classic

Had to catch my breath for a while there. Sunday was out in the fields for some good Wind riding as I now call it. Did two hours on the Salsa and came home shelled. No natural barriers and nobody to draft off of. Anyway I awoke on Monday morning and still had the itch for more. Saddle up again on the Salsa and rode to work. It was drizzling, a bit cold and windy, of course. I am still trying to understand why it becomes so difficult to ride once the weather changes. Are we burned out? Are we bored of the same routes? Is it the restricting clothing?? Would like to hear some comments.

As some of you might have heard. Pizza Dan, Dr. Giggles and Self have made the roster for the Trans Iowa offroad race in the end of April. 325 miles of gravel on the B roads of our neighbors over yonder in Iowa. Must get a lot of miles before that and keep them Guts down. I think we can do it. More on TIV4 later.

Ira ryan porteur bike is in a box and coming to Illionois. Ira did a phenomenal job in the build and if you have time visit his site to see pixs of the White Faema paint job Porteur. At some point I had to have a custom bike built and I think he turned out to be a real master. Made in America too!!

Keep riding and may the winter winds be at your back,

Ari

The fast closing year

I am still trying to figure out what happened this year. All I know is that it is fast coming to an end. Anyway, maybe I will have time to do a final recap before I start thinking of 08. The only thing that I was thinking of this morning is to make it over to the continent to see some races. I hope it happens. Next big race is Het Volk. Here is the 07 edition that you can watch while you sip your gingerbread two pump no foam decaf 140degree latte.

Theo Bos----Team Rabobank

I ran into this video by accident and wanted to share. I can't believe the speed this guy has in his legs. I hope you enjoy.

Ira Ryan Cycles on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Ira Ryan Cycles on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I am pretty sure this is my Porteur frame. This past Sunday was the Portland Hand made show which showcased a lot of Frame builders from Portland and the rest of Oregon. What you see is a custom mader Porteur frame painted in Faema Colors.
Can't wait, Ari

The Cannibal

Could not help posting this::::::)))))))

Thursday and the heat is Gone

Pleasant Hill rd. Going Home
Russell Grove Forest Preserve
Kishwaukee river running by Russell

Heading towards the woods

I am staring to wonder whether Monday's 104 miler was the last Century for '07. Today I was on a mission to find some woods and after consulting my trusty Gazeteer I found Russell woods a short 13 miles from my house. So I geared up with a couple layers wool and a windbreaker and went out to fight against a raging wind. The wind was real strong and really cold. I basically rode the whole ride with my right eye closed since the cold wind froze the nerve in my tooth which needs a dentist visit. Man, I was seeing stars at times but I was committed to find woods.

Porteur bikes of back then

This bike is an original Alex Singer from France. The image belongs to Ira Ryan's roommate Joel Metz who I believe has started this whole Porteur bike craze. As Oil gets richer and more expensive we will have to resort to the bike. I will build the Ira Ryan in this style and will have to hunt for parts for a while. No instant gratification here!!
ari

Strangelife, I hope this makes you feel better.

A cabbie picks up a Nun. She gets into the cab, and notices that the VERY handsome cab driver won’t stop staring at her. She asks him why he is staring.

He replies: “I have a question to ask you, but I don’t want to offend you”. She answers, ” My son, you cannot offend me. When you’re as old as I am and have been a nun as long as I have, you get a chance to see and hear just about everything. I’m sure that there’s nothing you could say or ask that I would find offensive.”

“Well, I’ve always had a fantasy to have a nun kiss me.”

She responds, “Well, let’s see what we can do about that: #1, you have to be single and #2, you must be Catholic.”

The cab driver is very excited and says, “Yes, I’m single and Catholic!”

“OK,” the nun says. “Pull into the next alley.”

The nun fulfills his fantasy with a kiss that would make a hooker blush. But when they get back on the road, the cab driver starts crying. “My dear child,” said the nun, “why are you crying?”

“Forgive me, but I’ve sinned. I lied and I must confess, I’m married and I’m Jewish.”

The nun says, “That’s OK. My name is really Ken and I’m going to a Halloween party.”


Thank you so much Drunk Cyclist for this joke. I now have a bad cramp in my leg for laughing so hard.

Commuting Commando Mode

It was warm when I jumped out of bed a 5am and thought that I should shake my ass and ride on over to the shop.
Took the gunnar with the fixed gear wheel and them knobbies. Had a fantastic ride in. I was in a bit of a hurry cause special friend was coming in at 10. I felt the burn getting close to the shop and finally made it there in 3 hours and 3 minutes.
Worked all day and rode home starting around 730. It was still warm when I left the shop but slowly but surely it started to get colder and colder. Specially as I rode away from all the buildings and big roads. These things dont' cause the earth to warm. Fuck no!
Out in the fields it was freezing. I had legwarmers, wool socks, wool under shirt plus Flatlandia jersey and my Trusty GaP TECh 7.00 dollar jacket. Also had my craft balaclava and man I felt the top of my legs frozen. I arrived home after 104 miles for the day and found a Gi-normous bowl of pasta with fake meatballs and I ate the whole thing. I am downing a Liter of water while I write this . Fixed gear riding is good for the legs and iF you havent' tried it give it a shot.
Lately I have been washing my clothes in cold water and then putting them on a drying rack I bought at Ikea for 14 dollars. For the normal dark clothes there is no use in washing them in warm setting. I also use the smallest amount of water. So a medium load is washed in medium and not large.
Also my Nissan has given me around 420 miles to the tank. I believe I used around 11 gallons to achieve this. I drive with the windows closed and even if it is a little chilly i don' use the heater. I rarely drive above 65 and most of the times on the highway I set the cruise at 60 and just chill. Driving is such a luxury. Riding a bike for 104 miles most of it on dirt and in the dark is hard. Slow dow, save gas and ride dem bikes more.
Out,
Ari

Sunday November 2007 Gravel

Contrary to the Paranoia created by the Weather.com and Mr. Dopplar and Fox news it did not rain this morning and we were able to complete a near 60 mile gravel grinder. Must have faith in the clouds and not be afraid of wind or water. Dr. Excitement and Dr. Giggles made the trek to the land of Pig Pooh, corn rows and gravel to enjoy some peace and quiet and do some miles without clicking out of pedals at every corner. We had a nice tail wind going straight out west a strong tailwind going a bit north, a moderate cross/headwind going east and a nice headwind for about 3-4 miles on the home strech. Our route was a very long rectangle according to my geometry teacher in Argentina.
Dr. Excitement was out on the new Aluminum Flanders and he pretty much has it dialed in. Giggles rode the trusty merlin and I was on the Ampalagua green bike. Tomorrow is going to be in the 60's and I am going to attempt a commute. Hope you all enjoyed the weekend.
Ari

Friday and already in November

First I have to bitch about the big fucking deal about the new I-355 Tollway. Who gives a fuck about a place for more cars, more traffic and more pollution? How about more bus service, more bike lanes?? No matter how many tollways and how many lanes we put in them we will always be congested. It is pathetic that they are going to have a fucking "bike ride" to initiate the new CARWAY in town. I give Kudos to our supposed uncivilized neighbors from Minnesota that have just inaugurated the following:
http://www.startribune.com/10241/story/1538788.html
They seem to be more on par with commuting by bike and saving this planet that is on its path to becoming a flaming ball of inferno

Today I got home had lots of dinner and decided to start my night riding session. It was really cold and really dark and it did not help that I did not fully charge the battery. At some point I tood shelter under a tree since I was feeling the frost fall on me and it gave me the chills. The tree gave me good shelter and after an awesome pee and a few jumping jacks I was back on my beast. I rode to dekalb and then did some trails and arrived home frozen but happy. I am enjoying a glass of Grappa and Im hanging out in wool tshirt and wool socks.

Velo Orange

I will pass it on to Velo Orange. What a great blog and what a great shop. I really like how they are trying to fight the HUNDO a BARREL war.
check them out at
http://velo-orange.blogspot.com/


Ari

Wind riddled Sunday

Rte 38 heading west with a headwind Simple elements off Rte 38
Mandatory photo of Water
Heading home on Mowers Rd

I left the house knowing that the wind was howling out of the west. Riding through De Kalb the wind was not as strong because it was getting broken up by the buildings and trees. As soon as I passed the Stadium for the Huskies it was like I hit a wall. I was on the Salsa and went to the 38 in the front. I was turning a 38x17-19-21 and going 11-12 mph. My heart rate was pounding and after a while I decided to see how far I could duke it out. 30 miles later I was truly hallucinating and I had to get off my bike and take shelter in a ditch. I ate a whole row of fig newtons and drank my emergen-c drink. I was shelled. I then turned north and the wind was even stronger. At some point I remembered the intersection for Mowers and I felt better. Going east was amazing. I did not try to go fast I tried to gain terrain without pedaling. I arrived home in a state of delirium but satisfied that I had put myself through it. I am planning on doing Trans Iowa in the spring and this is the training that is required.

VooDoo Winter Machine

Ergon Grips are a must have
Voodoo Nzumbi Singlespeed MTB
A very comfy cockpit
Paul awesome rear hub with Mavic Rim

Will be riding a lot on the gravel this winter and am starting to put together my fleet. The voodoo will have duties at night where wider tires will be needed. Singlespeed. Paul rear hub, cane creek front wheel, Marinovative custom brakes. Race face cranks (180mm) 36x18 gearing, race face riser with control tech steam. Crap saddle with IRD seatpost. Michelin Semislick green silica tires. Cateye Enduro for honesty.