Started Cleaning

Well I started cleaning today and I'm amazed at how well my new found cleaning liquid works. I found a web site that said to use mineral spirits to clean the bike. Here's the before and after picture of my crank. I'll let you decide which is which.

In Pieces

This is the bike in pieces. I ran into a little snag with the crank shaft. I need a special tool to get it off. So if there's anyone out there that wants to give me a crank extractor tool and a lockring removal tool let me know.

Yet another update:

I worked a little on the bike tonight. Got it mostly disasembled. I would have gotten it all the way taken apart, but the mosquitos were sucking me dry. I'm more and more amazed at how good of shape the bike is in. I took out the seat post, it looks brand new. I pulled out the fork, it's clean as can be. The only thing that was really dirty was the chain, the back derailleur, and the ball bearings. I can't wait to paint!

Update

Here's the update on the bike (I know it hasn't even been a day yet). I put air in the tires last night...and the air held. I shifted through all the gears...worked like a charm. Sorta fixed one of the brakes...works just fine. All that took me all of 15 minutes to do. After that I rode the bike around the back yard. I share this only because now the decision whether to convert it to a fixie or keep it a 10 speed is that much harder. I think that if I clean it up really good, paint the frame, and replace the cables I could get $100+ for it (when considering that I paid $3 is pretty good). Well I guess I'll have to fast and pray about it.

P.S. If anyone has a good idea for a name let me know. I'm drawing a blank. I'm usually really good at naming cars and other objects.

New Project

Unfortunately I somehow deleted the photo's from the Sheryl Crow concert. No biggie, they weren't that good. Now you'll find pictures of my new project. This is my new project. I got this road bike at the DI for $3. I'm going to take it completely apart and rebuild it. I can't decide whether to keep it as a 10 speed or to convert it to a fixed gear bike. I'll keep you posted.

Sheryl Crow Concert

Stacy and I went to the Sheryl Crow concert last night. Good times. She puts on a really really really good show. James Blunt opened for her and he was really good too. I like him much better live than on CD. Anyway, here are some pictures. Not very good, but oh well, next time don't be cheap and buy a ticket and come with us. Next concert for us is Weezer! Sweet!

Tour of Utah - 2nd Stage

I had the chance to watch the Tour of Utah pass through our neck of the woods. I watched from the summit of Trapper's Loop. The race went from Downtown Ogden, over North Ogden Pass, around Pineview, up and over Trapper's Loop, over to Morgan, up to East Canyon, and finally ended up in SLC. Tough. Very tough. I was at the feed zone which was INTENSE! I did, however, make off with some great souvenirs. Check out the pictures on my Facebook page.

First Ever Animal Bike Race

We're excited to announce the results of the first ever Animal Bike Race. The participants this year had to follow a course that went out to Antelope Island (from Clearfield) and then back again. It was a total of 34.8 miles. Here's the course:
At about mile 7 it looked as though the Deer team was going to out sprint Kris, but he powered through and beat them to the line.

A few miles onto the causeway at Antelope Island it almost turned dirty as the Skunk almost sprayed our leader. The Skunk ran off course and was disqualified from the race.

At about the half way mark of the race some Buffalo spectators came on to the course, almost stopping the race. A little further up the road the herd of Antelope (about 30-40) didn't seem to care that a race was going on.

There were thousands of tiny spectators lining the roadside on the Island. We've never seen so many spiders in one place before.

The rest of the race was rather uneventful. The Jack Rabbits ended up taking the whole race (they are fast little buggers).

On a side note the Seagulls were disqualified for pooping on the course referees.

While there wasn't really an organized Animal Bike Race. I did see all of these on my bike ride this morning. This all happened before 8 AM. What a great start to the day. The deer were in a corn field in Syracuse. Four of them, one baby, one female, and two males with the velvet on their antlers.

All I can say is it's great to be in shape, but the things I see on my rides are way better.