tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67960269200758701732024-03-04T21:46:24.748-08:00Curmudgeon CyclistNeilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348714993146314107noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796026920075870173.post-35272388380590318252016-07-15T09:54:00.001-07:002016-07-15T09:58:20.880-07:00Strava<div class="MsoNormal">
I am a late adopter.
Last kid on the block to go to disc brakes. Last to get a 29er. Last to get a Strava account. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I have had a Strava account for a year and post most my
rides but didn’t give it much thought.
It shows the time it takes to do my favorite courses. I have always kept track of that but Strava
takes the effort out of it. Swell. Last night I noticed it shows stats, like accumulated
yearly mileage. Fine. But then I noticed I can check out my
follower’s stats and, although this felt creepy, it was insightful.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A friend had just “liked” my most recent ride on
Strava. Let’s call him James. Because that’s actually his name. He is a friend in the Strava sense of the
word: I sort of know him, say hi at races, we ride in the same area. Our segment times on the local MTB trails are
almost identical, he is much faster than me on roads.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWowtjinnYkIfoHYLwzwUCyYbCU-GEsjfAwgkparxmCGE1yCKB5r4vgYgSgRfDKa3xCh_RgojrOyHoy-_oyr57adnV9sSkYX69mhxGGZQdU5oQirYN7B2NXfzzlADtzTYcFjcBrOfoRg/s1600/me.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWowtjinnYkIfoHYLwzwUCyYbCU-GEsjfAwgkparxmCGE1yCKB5r4vgYgSgRfDKa3xCh_RgojrOyHoy-_oyr57adnV9sSkYX69mhxGGZQdU5oQirYN7B2NXfzzlADtzTYcFjcBrOfoRg/s320/me.PNG" width="180" /></a></div>
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Apparently I rode about 1000 miles this year. That seemed about right. My riding is carefully timed around my daughters’
schedules because I am consumed with guilt when I leave them home so I can ride. I feel a little guilty when I ride and they
aren’t home but the grass needs cut, or garage trim needs painted, or any
slightly important task goes unfinished.
I also feel guilty when I show up to races when I know I haven’t put the
effort into training. I have enough
guilt to start my own religion.<o:p></o:p></div>
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James rode over 4000 miles this year. Everyone I follow on Strava has ridden
significantly more than me. I laid awake
last night trying to wrap my little mind around this. On one level it was comforting for me to see why
I don’t win races. I thought it was poor
genes, or I wasn’t suffering enough, or the 5 lbs I cannot seem to lose. It could be all that but more to the point, I
am not putting in anywhere close to the amount of miles people I race against
do.</div>
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You reap the harvest you have sown. I get that.
What I failed to understand until this week is how hard it is for me to objectively
look at what I am sowing. Racing doesn’t
mean that much to me, not enough to increase my training by 400%, but what
about every other aspect of my life? How
do I objectively look at where I am verses my potential? Where I am as a friend, father, employee,
everything. I am an Engineer (and
possibly someplace along the Asperger’s Spectrum) so I like data to sift through
the gentle nuances of that which I am looking at. I need a Strava that measures life.<o:p></o:p></div>
Neilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348714993146314107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796026920075870173.post-69410762817293877372016-07-11T10:42:00.000-07:002016-07-11T12:06:06.095-07:00The Definitive Guide to Really Good Food and Drink in Traverse City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1W3vR8DhStJPooLGXmrTLAeNJutGxBNdScA0pokfy1clESw_pZh1YZrmooUmSw_NVl1M6C7NfF6Ub-TfL1q3SmafNkqcBVK-AIJ0Tm1iW91crB-79pXHA-KTb6_6QiYD7FTdUOKyJzyo/s1600/IMG_2214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1W3vR8DhStJPooLGXmrTLAeNJutGxBNdScA0pokfy1clESw_pZh1YZrmooUmSw_NVl1M6C7NfF6Ub-TfL1q3SmafNkqcBVK-AIJ0Tm1iW91crB-79pXHA-KTb6_6QiYD7FTdUOKyJzyo/s320/IMG_2214.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The Riding in Traverse City last week was good. Despite a week long stream of emails from Sue with links showing the Greenbrier Trail in West Virginia was unrideable, I held out hope to ride the trail until a day before we left on vacation. Sue is a great girl but I swear if she were married to Louis or Clark, the Mississippi would still be undiscovered because she would have constantly pointed out, accurately I should add, how ridiculous the notion was of two Caucasians taking off on a whirlwind adventure across the undeveloped West. My blind optimism is often tempered by Sue’s rational thinking.<br />
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Sue has a place in Traverse City so we went up there instead of West Virginia. I waited too long to start looking for places to stay along Bicycle Route 35 for a four day bike trip. We found a <a href="http://www.agapevacationrentals.com/index.html" target="_blank">place to stay</a> in Benzie County so we did a nice overnight ride from Traverse City to Frankfort. The rest of the week consisted of trips back and forth from Traverse City to North Port, Elk Rapids, around the Leelanau Peninsula, etc. Nice but not epic. the food; however, was excellent so let me change direction here.<br />
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I really like good food. From street vendors selling currywurst in East Berlin to bumblebee ravioli from a restaurant I don’t remember nor could I pronounce in San Francisco, I have had amazing food. In my humble and uneducated opinion, no city has better food than Traverse City.<br />
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<b>Best Money is No Option Restaurants</b><br />
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As soon as Sue and I got to Traverse City, we went to our always excellent go to restaurant, <a href="http://www.thetowneplaza.com/" target="_blank">Town Plaza</a>. I had this pork ravioli dish but it wasn’t normal doughy pasta like I expected but rather a flakey pastry wrapped pulled pork, amazing. I laid in bed that night just thinking about it. I also had the grilled Romaine salad. This salad seems simple but I have tried making it myself and haven’t come close. I have had at one point or another almost everything on their menu and everything has been excellent. I’m not normally much of a meat person.<br />
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The next night we met friends at <a href="http://www.georginastaqueria.com/" target="_blank">Georginas</a>. Again, amazing. This restaurant normally requires reservations and since I do a piss poor job of planning, we normally miss it when we are in TC. We planned ahead this time and made reservations. It has an interesting Asian/Latin menu. I had Pollo a la Plancha. Incredible. Everything they have is amazing but some things, like the Korean Street Tacos, are a tad spicy for me.<br />
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We had breakfast at Amical, a European style restaurant. I have only had dinner there once, duck confit. I still think about it. I can’t seem to find a working website for them.<br />
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<b>Best Money is No Option Restaurant Honorable Mentions</b><br />
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We wanted something small to eat one night after 9:00 pm so we went to <a href="http://www.tcfirefly.com/" target="_blank">Firefly</a>. They have small plates and interesting food. The atmosphere is a tad too young and hip for me but the food is good.<br />
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When we are meeting friends from out of town, we usually go to <a href="http://www.stellatc.com/" target="_blank">Stella</a> or <a href="http://www.apachetroutgrill.com/" target="_blank">Apache Trout Grill</a>. Stella is in the basement of what was once an insane asylum. Apache Trout Grill over looks the Grand Traverse Bay. These are fun places to eat. We didn’t eat there last week but the food is very good and in any other city would be considered amazing.<br />
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<b>Best Money is an Option Restaurants</b>
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The importance of this category cannot be over emphasized. I have had amazing meals in California, possibly made with cheese from lactating Sheath-Tailed bats cured in Texas salt caverns or some such thing but making something truly exceptional for under $20 is where Traverse City excels.<br />
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Every city has one place that claims to have the world's best hamburgers. They are wrong. <a href="http://www.slabtownburgers.com/" target="_blank">Slabtown</a> does.<br />
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<a href="http://thefillingstationmicrobrewery.com/" target="_blank">The Filling Station</a> is a train station turned into a restaurant. It is the best flat bread pizza I have ever had. We got a Cock O’ The Walk pizza and Station Salad. They brew excellent beer.<br />
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I’m not a huge fan of Mexican food but my two favorite Mexican restaurants are both in TC:<a href="http://robbystaqueriatc.com/" target="_blank"> Robby’s Taqueria</a> and Taco House. Robby’s serves authentic (I assume) Mexican food. I had a Tamale wrapped in a banana leaf (forget the name) that was excellent. Taco House is like a Taco Bell, just really good.<br />
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There are two wonderful delis near Traverse City, <a href="http://www.redheadsinc.com/58/the-redheads-cafe-and-tasting-room" target="_blank">The Redheads</a> at Lake Leelanau and the <a href="http://www.villagecheeseshanty.com/" target="_blank">Village Cheese Shanty</a> in Fishtown-Leland. The Redheads make their own humus that is sold in many grocery stores. I had a turkey sandwich from The Redheads during one of our rides last week made with slices of turkey verses turkey deli meat you would find at lesser establishments. I had the North Shore sub twice last week at the Village Cheese Shanty on pretzel bread. The Pretzel bread is awesome but they seem to run out of it every day so call ahead to reserve it. They usually have a significant line so just order everything ahead of time so you can walk past all the less savvy customers to pick up your food.<br />
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If you can only choose one place to eat at, it should be <a href="http://frenchiesfamous.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Frenchies</a>. It is a small restaurant I wouldn’t have noticed if it wasn’t for Sue. It is so small that if you eat inside, you are sitting next to the kitchen. It is typically about 100 degree in there but the food is so worth it. Sue and I were able to get seats outside. We were there for breakfast but normally go to Frenchies to share a Pastrami sandwich for lunch. I had fruit crapes. Incredible. Sue had French toast that wasn’t incredible. I think they use the same sea salt focaccia bread in their French toast as they make their amazing pastrami with. One less than amazing meal doesn’t discourage me a bit. This is a must eat at place. They close at 3:00 pm.<br />
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Best Bars in Traverse City</b><br />
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The only place Sue and I stopped at for drinks last week was <a href="http://www.tandemciders.com/" target="_blank">Tandem Ciders</a>. Normally I don't like cider but I like theirs. It is a cool little place a ways out of town and all by itself.<br />
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<a href="http://traversecityworkshop.com/" target="_blank">The Workshop</a> and <a href="http://www.rightbrainbrewery.com/" target="_blank">Right Brain Brewery</a> both brew excellent beer and have a cool atmosphere. The food is good at the workshop. I don’t think I ever ate at Right Brain.<br />
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<a href="http://www.7monkstap.com/" target="_blank">Seven Monks</a> doesn’t brew beer but they have a huge selection. They have excellent hamburgers; possibly the second best in the world.<br />
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I don’t appreciate good wine but I understand<a href="http://www.leftfootcharley.com/" target="_blank"> Left Foot Charley</a> is the place to go for those who do.<br />
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<b>Best Coffee in Traverse City</b><br />
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This is important because as good as the food and beer is in Traverse City, the coffee sucks. The problem, as I see it, is most places in TC, especially the upper end places, serve <a href="http://www.highergroundstrading.com/" target="_blank">Higher Grounds Coffee</a>. Higher Grounds Coffee (aka dirty hippy coffee) believes is solving the world's environmental problems and supporting fair trade. In theory, I support both. In reality, I like good coffee. Good Harbor on Front Street not only has really good coffee but, as far as I can tell, is the only place in TC with good coffee.<br />
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When we are meeting friends for coffee, we go to Brew on Front street; it is a cool place to hang out and the Lattes are fine. I suppose their dirty hippy coffee is drinkable if you cloak it with enough cream and sugar.<br />
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<b>Legal Statement</b><br />
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For the purpose of full disclosure, I know alarming little about culinary arts and brewing beer. Opinions expressed here are for entertainment purposed only, even though I am right.Neilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348714993146314107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796026920075870173.post-80325049999286868542016-07-01T08:09:00.000-07:002016-07-11T05:12:15.161-07:00Bicycle Trips for DummiesI like multiple day bicycle trips. I'm not crazy about the planning and the logistics that go along with them. I am having trouble finding a site that lists routes with sufficient detail that I can just plagiarize and call my own. Since I am figuring out the trips myself, I thought I would share them here for other cyclist to consider. If I do it right, I will find routes with good roads, excellent food, acceptable accommodations, craft beer, and other necessities. I hope you find it useful. Here is some background: <br />
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Sue and I are at a weird age. We are old enough where my daughters are driving and pretty much self sufficient but we are (way) too young to receive the AARP membership applications they keep sending us. Too old for racing crits but too young to go on organized tours with retired Primal Wear clad cyclist and their silly helmet mirrors. We have tried organized tours but they don't feel right. I like having everything planned out so I need to think very little but the accommodations are, eh, food is just acceptable, and the ride is a little too structured. Maybe we are a little introverted too so the mass ride experience is fine but not what we are looking for.
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We started doing self-supported trips and are having a hoot. Last year we rode from Grand Rapids to Traverse City, first along the White Pine (mainly two track) rails to trail then guessing which roads to take from Cadillac to Traverse City. The year before that we rode part of <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9615_11223_65460---,00.html" target="_blank">Bicycle Route 35</a> along the West side of Michigan from South of Frankfort to North of Petoskey. We like to use our cross bikes so we don't have to stick to paved roads. We have tried carrying supplies a few different ways but found a Yakima single wheeled trailer works best. Camping is out of the question because I am lazy and good food is a must because we like good food. 70 to 100 miles a day seems about right.<br />
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Next week we are going on a 4 day bike trip. It isn't planned yet. We wanted to do an epic ride. We considered doing the <a href="http://sanjuanhuts.com/" target="_blank">San Juan hut to hut</a> trip on our mountain bikes. It looks awesome but this spring we decided it was a little too epic. It is still firmly on my bucket list.<br />
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Then we made less ambitious but still somewhat cool arrangements to ride the Greenbrier trail in West Virginia, starting at the <a href="http://ertc.com/" target="_blank">Elk River Touring Center</a>. I did a very cool guided mountain bike ride supported by them back in the 90's; I still think about it. Then last week West Virginia had a once in a thousand year flood. I am cancelling our accommodations this afternoon.<br />
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Yesterday I started making an even less ambitious plan to ride Michigan Route 10 across the upper peninsula but I need more than a few days to figure it out. It wasn't clear where we were going to stay (nothing on Airbnb). The U.P. is remote. A ride like this should be planned with at least a little effort. I tend to shoot from the hip as far as planning goes.<br />
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Today I am going to come up with a less ambitious plan yet to ride from Traverse City North East towards Sault Ste Marie or South West to Ludington. <br />
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To be continued...<br />
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Neilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348714993146314107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796026920075870173.post-53823267944044264902014-05-07T10:34:00.001-07:002014-05-07T11:01:00.966-07:00Caress of Steel<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_62dS-1TTEEGDzlHNXuU6k1DowgXYtEdnxcYFYBL5DGNFjvpEVDFwVW7LvqttVRNiq9pwcaaEueLwqDCxojNSvC1qSUBbvwfrM9_MCtuz_ygDZFRE7RkDpasVsh4ZzpmCaRCeNCfu_g/s1600/caress+of+steel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_62dS-1TTEEGDzlHNXuU6k1DowgXYtEdnxcYFYBL5DGNFjvpEVDFwVW7LvqttVRNiq9pwcaaEueLwqDCxojNSvC1qSUBbvwfrM9_MCtuz_ygDZFRE7RkDpasVsh4ZzpmCaRCeNCfu_g/s1600/caress+of+steel.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To put this in context we need to go back to
1980-something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was the only kid on
the block without a CD player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not
that I didn’t get that CDs made more sense than albums, it’s just I had
difficulty letting go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m cheap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The </span>CD selection was pretty thin back then so I announced
to my friends that I would not buy a CD player until Rush’s album <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Caress of Steel</i> came out on disc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only was it my favorite album but it was
obscure enough to buy me some time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly
thereafter, Denny gave me a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Caress of
Steel</i> CD for my birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew I
still wasn’t going to get a CD player anytime soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t finished tearing off the birthday
wrapping when Denny asked to borrow it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh18yx2R7cIzhrCUCh2LGw7img5hdFRaY4p-rlT0HHIr8fXzJXMivZuBllS07zH8dbKLqR9DYH2-pQ8ZuOtAQ-lVwV-UKd39czqj3qMhWjzsUX3aBqfxNUetzkMoX7x_r3NQWze0kHSI/s1600/dennys+quiring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh18yx2R7cIzhrCUCh2LGw7img5hdFRaY4p-rlT0HHIr8fXzJXMivZuBllS07zH8dbKLqR9DYH2-pQ8ZuOtAQ-lVwV-UKd39czqj3qMhWjzsUX3aBqfxNUetzkMoX7x_r3NQWze0kHSI/s320/dennys+quiring.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let’s skip forward 30 years to last weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met Denny and his wife in Traverse City for
<a href="http://www.mudsweatandbeers.com/" target="_blank">Mud, Sweat, and Beers</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They picked up
their new custom hand built Chris King bedazzled <a href="http://www.quiringcycles.net/" target="_blank">Quiring</a> tandem on the way there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A beautiful bike, so beautiful it made the hair on the back of
my neck stand up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I've wanted a Quiring since, I duno, 1999. Sometimes I search the <a href="http://www.mmba.org/" target="_blank">Michigan Mountain Biking classifieds</a>, Craig’s List, and ebay looking
for a one that fits my dimensions and budget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This lustful fascination with finding the
right bike certainly gives a quick glimpse into my soul and all the muck that
surrounds it there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y-8zXHa2ezIIhcBgAF3b8jdLGV4g6OrBD-nIwSIutix5AlekHOiTg2WdyoQcjumV8rEHPBJWqjPLCZ9AzFmdmFeWtdbsdVXPhyLlwubwml2TRWhbJ2ur0tHp4GUmdHzh09QjFphBMho/s1600/quiring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y-8zXHa2ezIIhcBgAF3b8jdLGV4g6OrBD-nIwSIutix5AlekHOiTg2WdyoQcjumV8rEHPBJWqjPLCZ9AzFmdmFeWtdbsdVXPhyLlwubwml2TRWhbJ2ur0tHp4GUmdHzh09QjFphBMho/s320/quiring.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I go back and forth on buying a Quiring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A $1,600 steel frame is a none too subtle
display of conspicuous consumption and I avoid such stupid narcissistic
behavior because I am afraid I really am narcissistic and stupid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why advertise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do have a beautiful steel hand built <a href="http://www.ingliscycles.com/" target="_blank">Inglis</a>
single speed but in Michigan this brand is obscure enough to go undetected by
all but the most astute bike geeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway,
it is a 26er and has bosses for V-brakes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want a Quiring 29er geared bike to replace my Tomac
carbon fiber XC bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am the last person
still racing a 26er and although I don’t know what the fatigue life of carbon
fiber is, god damn it must be getting close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Last Wednesday I saw someone listed a Quiring on ebay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is exactly how I would have ordered it
from Scott Quiring, down to the thru rear axle and bb30 bottom bracket, if life
was such that I could just go order a custom frame from Scott Quiring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw the bicycle on the MMBA classifieds
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently the owner got no
bites locally so he went to ebay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
imagine Quiring frames are as obscure outside of Michigan as Inglis’ are here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This makes me think he won’t get a lot for it
on ebay and I see he doesn’t have a reserve price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The auction ends today at 3:00 PM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I keep nervously checking where the bids
are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is currently within my budget.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What if the bids go above what I can spend with
a clear conscience?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What then?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like(d) Specialized but all the suing they
do to keep their name pure makes them look silly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like(d) Trek but I think they are going to
get all mixed up in the US Postal Team drama and eventually someone will figure
out they knew about some crazy high-end bike for EPO trade or something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bigger issue is both these companies are
too mainstream; it is hard to be all narcissistic and stuff when a thousand
other people have the same bike as you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe a Niner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, those bicycles
are beautiful and the company is the right size but I want off the carbon fiber
bandwagon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want a domestic steel frame
with beautiful tig welds; a subtle charm most people can’t see. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That does it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I must win that Quiring off ebay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Quiring-Steel-Mountain-Bike-Frame/131179568433?_trksid=p2050601.c100085.m2372&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140211132617%26meid%3D6735894379939358571%26pid%3D100085%26prg%3D20140211132617%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D131179568433%26clkid%3D6735895785971161271&_qi=RTM1562569" target="_blank">I will know in about an hour</a>.</span>Neilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348714993146314107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796026920075870173.post-37579945410845138662014-05-06T08:12:00.000-07:002014-05-06T12:32:43.131-07:00So I'm Old and Critical<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63vKFoJgmT_WJJiCnbjDC4poQ-lQCmxbcnpJuVV1H8GImP5D9nMsRgGt3yBoRdODZPQ0rEEvcCdcugq585c0HSYQ8LKdReMfbwn_c_NqtxaBM-IrWyOKqkQxcf6mJP1AWmitfMygHqLU/s1600/4+29+2014+122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63vKFoJgmT_WJJiCnbjDC4poQ-lQCmxbcnpJuVV1H8GImP5D9nMsRgGt3yBoRdODZPQ0rEEvcCdcugq585c0HSYQ8LKdReMfbwn_c_NqtxaBM-IrWyOKqkQxcf6mJP1AWmitfMygHqLU/s1600/4+29+2014+122.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So yeah, I was thinking what we really need here is one more
bike blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This isn’t going to be one of
those blogs full of podium pics I post of myself, because I am humble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I really suck at racing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or one of those blogs that seriously
considers the advantages of 12 x 142 rear hub spacing over 135 mm because
honestly all I would do is plagiarize someone else who seems to know what they
are talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather,
I want to take a critical look at cycling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Critical, not in the negative sense of the word but rather in the
analytical sense.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I guess I am old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
I got old is a little fuzzy, I mean, I was just 24 the other day and had my
shit together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took a nap, woke up,
and I was a 48 year old single father with two kids and a mortgage payment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I suppose I’m old and critical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What that means is I won’t run out and buy a 650B wheeled MTB to replace
the 29er I ran out and bought to replace my 26er, because I'm sure next week there will
be a 25” wheeled bike that will blow all the other designs out of the water with
it’s lower rotating mass and a smaller contact patch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Or maybe it will be a 30” wheeled bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I do know is life isn’t made up of problems
to solve as much as it is paradoxes to deal with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Neilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00348714993146314107noreply@blogger.com0