Builds Lusts, & Moose Knuckles

A ride was supposed to happen tonight, but then I got word from my buddy Tom that he might be around tonight to build up the Dos Niner. So ride aborted and Soob packed with the Dos Niner (x2). Got a late afternoon call from T. that he and his son could not resist playing the back 9 again, and they were going to be late. I opted to drop the bike for him rather than wait. I headed home to catch up on some yard work so as to free up more ride time on the weekend. I missed out on helping with the build, but I did get my grass cut, a dead bird buried, and a kick ass dinner of grilled chicken, corn, salad, etc., etc., made. The road beckons tomorrow. (EDIT: T. called frame done. Pick up tomorrow. Nice!)

I wish TV commentators would stop calling time trial the "race of truth". I get it. I'm just tired of it. That all. OK, OK, now Bob Roll is Lance-turbating again. Grrrr. If I didn't have my back to the TV I would have to turn the sound down. I have no attention span for time trials. At least it's not a team time trial. That's even worse.

The Devil Will Make Work For Idle Hands To Do

I've been thinking about bikes again. Lusting I should say. There are so many bikes I would love to get cheeks on and some of which have not even been made yet. I of course love my Dos Niner, Campeon, and Mamasita, I look into the Salsa future and of course want to see what the Big Mama might ride like over 12 or 24 hours. I would someday like to have a La Cruz and I would love to see Salsa some day make a Ti Dos Niner or a steel, geared 29er with a regular bottom bracket (no e.b.b).

All of those are or could be or would be great bikes. I have a big soft spot for Salsa's because I've been riding them for 3+ years now, and I dig them the most. They're my peeps. But I also of course let my eyes wander towards other MFGs now and then. There are some other sweet rides out there. The Fisher Super Fly looks sweet and comes with an amazing parts package. Although full carbon mountain bike frames scare me more than a little bit. The 08 Cannondale F-29 is a huge improvement over the 1st generation one, comes with a sweet complete package and has some amazing welds for a production frame.

Outside the world of Salsa's steeds and the above mentioned offerings from big companies G.F. and the Big C, I think more than anything I lust a bike that can be made "my own" if that makes sense? I like the idea of in the future choosing either Ti or steel, picking my geometry, colors, finish, etc., Not a bike to necessarily be the "race bike" or be a $3,000 try to one up the Jones's frame. I would like it just to be "my bike". The bike that stays even when others come and go. The one you always go back to.

I bond with all my bikes. In my opinion they all have or have had their own personalities, handling, and characteristics that have made them "mine". Even if they are just one in million made. If I have the opportunity to have input in what I want from the bike, from the get go I might get borderline obsessed with it! I've owned 14 bikes/frames in about as many years. In the near future I can see working with someone like Walt Works, Quiring or Carver (Bikeman.coms owner Davis Carver's frame gig) on a frame. If nothing else someday I'd like to work with a painter to help make a bike that I KNOW I love more my own. "Customizing" a Dos Niner or Mamasita frame. Who knows if or when it will happen? But I like to think about it. Enough dirty thoughts, of lusting for steel, Ti, and hoochieness.

Time for bed, but first,
I leave you with this pic from Pez Cycling....

The look on Vaughter's face is priceless! HOLY MOOSE KNUCKLE!! Enter one sack of Chipolte Double Burritos. They can put a man on the moon, but they can't make a chamois for a pro that doesn't split his ballz in two. At least Lance never had that problem. (What? WHAT??????)

Later.