Jennifer Rodriguez

I built a pair of wheels for Jennifer Rodriguez today. Jennifer was a 2002 Olympic bronze medalist and #1 ranked speed skater in the world in 2004. She and her husband own a bike shop in Miami and she races a bike on the track. It's pretty cool when we get to build stuff for famous people. Check out Jen's bio: http://www.usspeedskating.org/rosters/Rodriguez.html

Bikes bikes bikes....

Well I know I've neglected this blog, I'm sorry. Ross, thanks for holdin' down the fort. As ya'll may have read Ross and I are now rolling single....as in Unicycling. I'm not so much riding a unicycle s I am falling off it. I picked mine up last Friday from a local friend/Shop owner Mr. Kris Greene. I haven;t gotten it yet, but the hall ways at my apt complex seem to be a good learning spot. Mr. Ross thinks it takes a solid 3 hours to get it, and I haven't dedicated that time yet. Perhaps this weekend between moving things.
I just came from reading Swobo Clothings blog at www.howtoavoidthebummerlife.com Good stuff over there. As well as http://world-class-bike-trails.blogspot.com/ These blogs really inspired me to post something tonight....
Luckily I managed to commute to work twice this week and it sure did feel great. With the time change last month we get out of work after the sun sets, so I managed a ride home each day. My NightRider head light is charged, and I plan on using it next week. My commuter bike is now in what I'd like to call "Cross Mode" I added the knobbie tires, upgraded from 7 speed to 9 speed STI ( friction barcon for the front mech).
I build up a new front wheel on an oldstock 28 hole Mountain hub and standard Sprint 350. DT Competion 3x spokage. Its not a stock wheel, but my OLD Revolution build radial front wheel just wasn't holding up to my commuting style. I'm a BMXer at heart so curbs, and bouncing off car fenders is more my bag...I needed a tougher wheel. Much less flex on the front this mornings ride put faith into my chosen wheelbuild.
I really hope Tampa has some sort of plan to help make this city a bit safer for cyclist. After watching the clip on Swobos blog only enforced the fact that America has some serious issues with self image. On my way into work this morning I stopped by the bank.. The teller asked me about my bike which she could see thru the from glass windows, and mentioned her Dad rode...she then asked what kind of bike it was...." an '84 Miyata...3-10" Her jaw dropped. My bikes age shocked her. I assured her I was serious, and that there were much newer parts on it. I could tell she was impress...ok no, Im kidding about that....She then asked where I had ridden from, I was well clothed as it was pretty chilly this morning...I had just come from down the road, about a mile. But my response to where I was going got a bit more of a reaction out of her. A 16 mile commute seem outragous to her. She asked if I also do it for recreation...my response : " This is recreational, I'm not racing anyone today." She almost seemed confused on why I would ride a bike to work.
OK thats my rant for tonight. Check out them thar blogs I mentioned, and ride a bike, not nessasarily to work, just to get your blood moving thru them veins.

Unicycles

I got a unicycle for my birthday (42nd). I guess you're only as old as you act. Chris' wife teaches junior high students and she says we are just junior high boys with hairy backs. I set my other birthday present on a timer and took these photos. I've only fallen once and that was during the photo session. I was trying to get around too quickly so I could face the camera when it snaped. No harm done. Landed on my hands and just put some character on the seat.

Jeremy got one too. Mine has a 24 inch wheel which goes a little faster but is slightly harder to ride. I figured that since I already knew how, I'd go straight for the advanced stuff. I'll be doing Alafia MTB trail before long. Jeremy has never ridden a unicycle before so he got a 20 inch. Manuvers easier and is easier to learn on. I'm curious to know if he got it yet.

Bill Shook, our boss and the owner of American Classic know how to ride one too but it's been a while. He got one Jeremy's after work on Friday and promptly fell hard on his knees and elbows. I know it had to hurt but he got right up, brushed himself off and took off around the parking lot.

Before we went out to try Jeremy's new toy we watched some google videos of extreme unicycling just to get pumped up. What a goofy, nerdy sport! What can I say! People are always amazed that I can do it though. It's really a great way to pick up girls. If you can juggle at the same time the girls flock to you like a rock star. That is if you like girls who are into Star Trek and playing Halo on the X box. Okay, okay, the 4 girls on the planet that fit that description are never in the same room at once except at Trekkie conventions.

peace out,

Ross