Vermont’s winter queen really never showed her teeth this year. It’s not too late for her to lash out yet, but her time is running out. Currently, I’m zero-for-the-season on lift-service skiing/snowboarding. If I don’t get out there soon it’ll be my first zero-day year since 1995. Such is life. And it’s not like I didn’t get 350+ days in my seven years in Oregon.
The non-winter has been a windfall for my bike workshop, with my stand (last key element) being held hostage by the vagueries of FedEx and “signature required”….Once I get the stand set-up, I’ll have the best shop since I lived on 5th Street in Bend. Early season project checklist:
1. Prevent seizing of chains on Uniscorcher (fully rusted, east coast stylee)
2. Convert old Campy front wheel to track axle (quick release looks funny on a fix)
3. Add “flop” cog to Uniscorcher for commuting (a 17t opposite
the big 21t that’s on there now…and a dual-powerlink setup to quick adjust the chain length.
4. Build new Vulture 26″…starts as soon as Wade is done with it.
5. Install just-enuff-clearance-for-Panaracer-700/45c custom Vulture fork on Uniscorcher.
6. Un-seize seatpost in Gonter-X (cross-bike)…hopefully save it, not cut it out.
7. Sell off gluttonous caches of rare back-up parts (just too too many to keep)…
8. Somehow reduce total number of bikes by 2.
9. Attach wicker basket and leather-wrapped toolkit, possibly add a Brooks to the old Raleigh 3-Banger. Extra credit for getting new BB spindle, which is currently bent putting the old steel cranks at 12 o’clock and 8 o’clock! My dad must have hit some stumps….or something.
10. Post final version of the Fixed Impressions Video.
With winter just giving up, it’s been possible to get a few commuter shreds in. (I keep seeing the hardcore who’ve ridden all winter this year and are laughing at mother nature…(For the record, I’m not laughing!)
Sadly, after 9 years under my ownership, the old Green Hornet (1981 Subaru) is headed for back-up and/or special occasions duty. Despite the efforts of some skilled technicians, including Phil Meglasson, she has too many issues in her old age to continue daily work. So, after driving only 22,000 miles since 1997, I’m faced with getting a new car. Me being the way I am, looks likely to be a late model, granny owned Honda civic or similar. WooHoo! As for the Green Hornet, there seems to be a grass roots campaign emerging around to raise awareness (and money) so that I’ll keep her and possibly later restore her. I’d like to keep her. She’s such a classic and still runs strong. But she needs a lot of little things and I just don’t know….I’ll keep posting about this intriguing saga as it plays out.
FIX RADIO TUNER
I keep trying to create a “portable” version that I can use in my site, and that others can host in the sidebar of their blogs/wherever. I have some code written, but can’t get the layout the way I want. I want this new version to last for a year or so: I’m putting in extra design time to make sure that it’s right. Be patient (as always). Thanks again to those who host my tuner. We’ve exceeded my bandwidth quota for five months in a row!!! Yeah, rock that FIX Radio.
New shows are ready to be posted too, but I want to finish the new tuner first. By April Fools’ Day for sure.
Over and Out.
G
G,
We have had the same lack-of winter here too in the keystone state(PA). We had above and beyond ski days in for the fall, but Jan, Feb & so far …nada. C’mon Gia, one more winter blast…please !
Always enjoy your site and post. Looking forward to the final Fixed Impressions edit.
positive vibes,
scott