Stupid Hurts

The [tag]trees[/tag] were high enough that they towered above me and I couldn’t see the road. The sun played lightly through the branches and painted patterns playfully across the road. The bird songs sounded like symphony. Every [tag]pedal[/tag] stroke rocketed me ahead and my [tag]bicycle[/tag] felt perfect between my legs. But no matter how amazing this scene was I had to accept one simple fact. I was now [tag]lost[/tag].

I was riding to a bicycle shop across town that I never go to because they were the only place in town that had the final parts I needed for my [tag]fixie[/tag]. Instead of sticking to the route I had plotted out on my [tag]map[/tag], I chose to follow the directions given to me by a guy I met on the side of the road on a gorgeous time trial [tag]bike[/tag]. The directions involved cutting across a parking lot and looking for a gate, several really fun hill climbs, and lots of great descents. It turned out to be loads more fun than the route I had originally planned. But unfortunately I had to stop several times and scratch my head while I consulted my map of the area.

I think that road is a secret gemstone among cyclist in the area. Heading back I realized all the signs mark it as a dead end and I think passed more people out on their bicycles on that one stretch than I have seen in the city total.

Eventually I did make my way to the bike shop and my fixed gear is finally built now. I think maybe I will go out and play with it instead of writing more.

So I decided a bit back that I wanted another [tag]fixed[/tag] [tag]gear[/tag] [tag]bike[/tag] to replace my [tag]langster[/tag] that was sold while I was in the [tag]hospital[/tag]. I almost bought another one of the same bike, but they are amazingly hard to come by in this part of the world. So after a bit of research I decided it would be best to [tag]build[/tag] my own [tag]fixie[/tag] this time.

I started by hunting up an interesting [tag]frame[/tag]. I came across a steel [tag]Italian[/tag] time trial frame that was odd enough to make a good start for a build.

I figured while I was waiting for parts to start coming in for it I would go ahead and sew up a top tube pad to match my bag.

Given my predilections for things that are odd or interesting means I have to put up with making things myself or special ordering stuff. This time was was no different than the others. While I was able to pull several parts from my big box of spare parts I keep lying around. Several things either had to be special ordered or found hidden in a box under a self at one of the local bike shops.

But even that being the case, the build has managed to come together fairly smoothly and well under budget. I have had loads of fun doing the research and hunting down the parts. The wheels had to be custom built to keep the overall project cheap.

It almost ready to be ridden. Today I went into my local bicycle shop to pick up my tires. Unfortunately they had to be special ordered as well. When I got there they told me “we are sorry they aren’t in yet, and we don’t know when they are coming in.” After a bit of talking, I found out that the $14 dollar tires I had ordered had no estimated time of arrival but they would gladly sell me some $45 dollar tires to ride on until mine came in. I chose to pass.