Monday, September 28, 2009

Introducing the St. Clair

Visited the National Air and Space Museum yesterday. Below are images of one of five remaining bicycles from the Wright Cycle Co., Located right next to the original Wright Flier; "The Wrights used the profits from the Wright Cycle Company to finance their aviation experiments." This St. Clair model was built in 1898 and sold for $42.50, about $370 today, adjusted for inflation.

Aggressive:
Wright Cycle Co., St. Clair Bicycle

That's a well worn wrapped leather saddle. Note the seat post collar, looks like a modern threaded headset.
Wright Cycle Co., St. Clair Bicycle

Tighten up that chain, Orville!
Wright Cycle Co., St. Clair Bicycle

Friday, September 25, 2009

Kill Bill v1

Erik Noren's Kill Bill inspired bicycle.

Peacock Groove - Kill Bill

Anybody out there have any advice before I disassemble my 28mm EF f/1.8 lens for a de-beering?

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Queer Bike Gang presents the Cirque Du So Gay

According to their myspace page, they're "Totally gay for biking." We approve.

I met the organizer Sat night at the race after party; my comment about resolution stands even more so in digital format.

fakin' it

The Open Bar might just be my next handlebar; made of steel and available with a rise - Hurl, order a set and I'll test them for you. Now to replace the stem, which is just itching to crack in half on the next rad maneuver attempt - on second thought I better make it a fakey.

Surpassed the 30,000 mark in Miller High Life points today; must celebrate with same.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Monday, September 21, 2009

Red Glorius stolen in Saint Paul

That's Saint Paul, Minnesota, for those of you who've never heard of it; it's Minneapolis' Largest Suburb™!

Anywhoo, the Red Glorius belongs to Grant's daughter, whoever this Grant is we're not entirely sure, someone the formerly Large Feller looks up to; talks about him all the time. We do know that Grant is a talker, or more accurately a rambling writer; I mean a photo would have been nice, but he went for the thousand words approach, which is fine in this situation.

Read the post to the end, there were two bicycles stolen. Egad.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Babes in Bikeland III

No fewer than 162 racers showed up for what can be only described as an event of monumental proportions, the third annual Babes in Bikeland Alleycat.

Jana schooled the field with a first place finish, turning her complete manifest in at around 7:20pm
1st place Jana, about 7:20pm

3rd and 2nd go to Amy C. and Alicia, respectively
3rd place Amy C. and 2nd place Alicia

Ashley takes 4th
4th place Ashley

While Dr. Lee rounds out the top 5
5th place Lee

Raise your hand if this is your first race
first time racers, raise your hand

Kudos to race organizers Chelsea and Kayla...
Race organizers Chelsea and Kayla

and of course to new (again) dad Gene-O, for the race finish locale
man of the night

Hats off to Kelly Mac, who not only came in with a top 10 16th place finish, but also ran a half marathon the same morning. Dang.

If you're female and ride a bike, you owe it to yourself to participate in this event next year. Out of the dozens of racers I talked to, all of them had a blast.

a few more photos here.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

speaking of beer, it's the beer-30 alleycat

thank Sven and PhilW for this one.

International canned beer month lives on

This showed up in a box delivered to us today, it's good having friends on other continents.

If you've got a beer not available in the MPLS, speak up, we can make a trade.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

something in the air

Anybody out there Google'd "Ammunition Shortage" lately? The topic came up a few days while co-workers were complaining of ammunition for their rifles being unavailable, not in limited supply, but none on the shelves for quite some time now.

One theory is pointing to the current administration for the lack of ammo in this USofA.

One Texas gun shop owner, Johnny Dury, says this ammo shortage "...started the day that Obama got elected. It is when everything just went crazy in the gun business." He says people are buying the guns to protect themselves because they perceive Obama's policies as socialist and rewarding those "people who are not working hard."

"Everybody was scared he was going to take the ammo away or he was going to tax it out of sight on the prices," Dury says. "So people started stocking up, buying half a lifetime to a lifetime supply of ammo all at one time."

What does a "lifetime supply of ammo" entail, and where the hell do you store it? More importantly, when do you decide it's time to use it? I would ask how does one afford a lifetime supply of ammo at one time, but the article reminds us that the people buying it are the types who indeed are hard working, no hidden meaning there.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

We don't like the idea of a Czar runnin this country

This is the first and only health care video I've seen since the start of the 'debate' or discussions or yelling matches or whathaveyou. It's nine minutes long, but it goes by in a flash.

When my grandchildren ask me what I did, I can say I posted this video showing a grandmother afraid we're going to end up like England, which is a third world country now, it seems; I don't think there's any way to verify or dis-verify that claim, so I'll just believe it.


Proud to be television free for more than five years!

[update - oh no you didn't!]

How is this considered an accident?

You hear about the lawmaker who ran the red light and subsequently ran over a cyclist? story here


"I ran a red light. I was just not paying attention." Said Rep. Fred Clark, a Democrat from Baraboo, WI.

He paid his $88 fine. All is well.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

recap and looking forward to what's ahead

The Handsome Bicycles 2010 product launch party went exceptionally well; we knew about the She-Devil, but we were surprised to see the Osell model; didn't think we'd be seeing that one for another year. No photos taken by our staff, it was hot inside and cool outside; what can we say?

Did you leave your backpack in a dark spot in the alley? You know, the one with the black Macbook in it. It's in the shop, give 'em a call, and you're welcome.

And for the two pricks that tried to tackle this staff member at 0230 while riding west on 24th St., you're giving polo shirts and flip-flops a bad name, and you're both slow as shit, I mean I had a slice of pizza in my hand and got away from you! A shout out to Slice of NY next to Hark's; thanks for not being closed.

Here's a photo to spice things up, it's a Batavus:
Batavus

It's a new week, use it wisely; go and race at Babes in Bikeland this Saturday, for instance.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Halem Bike Doctor

There's always gotta be a bad guy. In this case it's Mr. Miller, a real estate broker, which of course makes him even more despicable.

Monday, September 7, 2009

A review of the Origin8 Propulsion Space Bar

So I'm riding back from the NE last night, skipped up onto a curb on a usual cut-through over a bit of grass when I suddenly find myself eating said grass:
Origin8 Propulsion Space Bar

I somehow managed to not break an arm, collarbone, or any other bone for that matter. After a while I got up and did the one handed ride back to headquarters.

And the next morning, in the sunlight:
Origin8 Propulsion Space Bar

So I'm on the lookout for a new set of handlebars. Any suggestions?

Almost forgot; we don't particularly recommend the Origin8 bars.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

back in the hood

The new Momentum is out; there's content on or by three MPLS gents: Mr. Turman, the Hurl, and myself; check it out.

Get outside and enjoy the weather before winter sets in; you heard it here first.