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.