Old Fixie R.I.P. / New Fixie RIPper

Got the new fixie built up now. Its a 2010 SE Racing P.K. Ripper fixed. I always wanted a ripper back when i was a kid racing BMX. Now that i'm a big boy, SE made a run of these limited edition fixed Rippers based on the BMX i used to want so bad. For my purposes, this bike was the best bang for the buck. I dont consider my riding freestyle. Its fixed street instead of traditional fixed track. I intend on getting pretty technical with my handling of this bike, but im not taking huge risks for the sake of big tricks. If that was my intention, i'd be on a BMX. Don't get me wrong, tricking is an honorable discipline in its own right, but im done with the sacrifices i made in mobility and risk while riding BMX a long long time ago. Technical skills lead to tricking and with 700c wheels i can practice my 180s, barspin combos, wheelies, and whatever else, while riding at a more efficient pace to a destination. Riding in town gets stale for me sometimes. This will surely keep it interesting. There will no doubt be trick sessions, commuting, polo, and hassle free riding all come out of this bike. So, i think this is pretty darn cool.

Life On A Bike Is A Journey, Of Course; Like Learning A Martial Art

After all that I have been through, testing my beliefs, and persevering to the place I am in Mind, Body, and Spirit; I accept that the bicycle has become a conduit for me. A tool in seeking balance and a simple way to truly enjoy life. It's become a gratifying discipline that must be exercised every day of my life. It gets easier all the time. The idea that 'practice makes perfect' is selling it short. Practice makes you better. Once it's easy, its time to take it to another level. Now im not talking about breaking speed records, or making it into the pro Tours, or X-Games. I'm talking about capabilities that will be applied in many aspects of LIFE. First it was riding to work. Then it was riding over a mountain.Then it was to keep going far. Then it was preparedness, including, but not limited to; mental awareness, responsibly maintaining a reliable machine, feeding active needs, etc. Maybe the most important point is testing self reliance. Now I am refining and learning new handling skills. These are all things I think about every day. Aristotle is quoted in saying -We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. I don't know about excellence, but i do know about perseverance. If my goal is to be aware and balanced, I guess thats what I aim to excel in, Building good habits. That, my friend, is what the bicycle lifestyle is for me. Experience life. My outlook is that I want to LOVE LIFE A LOT. I can't sit still and watch life pass by. I can't let others do work for me. If you love life, don't waste time, for time is what life is made up of. Yeah, Bruce Lee is right. NOW is the time i must pursue. NOW is the time I know I have. NOW is when the life i wanna love is happening. The bike can be anything else to anybody else. Some of my friends wish to master things like, photography, food, music, carpentry, and business. Find what you love and pursue it with a passion. Have goals. Learn from failure. I had a particularly bad bike crash a few years ago that nearly took my life. I learned more through that experience than any other event in my life. I took a lot from it. Some of the touring riders i put big miles down with have kinda been scoffing at my fixed gear, my tricks, and my commuting. This is my progression and i am not some kid at the skatepark boasting about how bad-ass street tricks are. Showing off is the fool's idea of glory.  'No loitering beyond this point' - has become a motto for me to live by. Gotta keep it moving. Gotta keep life fresh. Progression is my only direction.

Rain Falls as I Pedal

So, looks like winter may finally be giving way to spring. Don't get too excited unless you love rain, cuz thats what were in for. I personally don't mind the winter if I'm geared and although refreshing at times, I find spring showers to be a  warm tease leading to summer nights. Nevertheless I continue my car-free quest. This year is a bit different in that im better prepared than seasons of old. I guess just to make sure, i should be double checking my list.

• Underarmor base layer-check
• bib shorts and tights-check
• thin wool socks (i wear them year round)-double check
• Tasty vintage jerseys-check
• the Weather Channel. know what your in for and when. Just because its a rainy day doesnt mean you must get caught in the heaviest windiest part of it all. Timing is sometimes a big key role. -check
• rear fender that will fit all my bikes-check
• neoprene booties-check
• now this next one was a christmas gift from my lady friend, i probably wouldnt have bought one for myself, but its so badass that i dont ever wanna go without it, and if u can getcha one go for it, and that is thermal/windproof/water resistant l/s LG jersey jacket. not only does it work, but i feel like Johnny Quest or Velo-Batman or whatever when im wearing it.-check
• Waterproof overtrousers that easily fit over lycra, but over jeans and whatever else too. -check
• Headband to cover my floppy lobes-check
• Wrap around shades-check
• Headlight with a high/wide beam combo-check
• full finger gloves-check
• waterproof bag. I like the rolltop packs by Chrome Bags. -check
• My 86' Bridgestone-check
• time investment to keep my tasty steel and vintage drivetrains from gettin all gunked up.-check
• the nerve to just go for it-check

So now that you have seen my checklist, maybe its time to be working on your own checklist. With all your bases covered you dont have to be that guy driving instead of riding, and falling back on weak excuses. Instead you could be that dude who isnt afraid to commit to riding in all conditions, even if its those consecutive April showers. Oh, and another little note. Some people <---hipsters....... hate on tech gear when urban riding. My guess is that they never tried it. If LG and other high end riding gear companies provide their products for the pro peleton, think of how effective it must be. It becomes urban when worn with the right attitude. Try this shiz out. I doubt you will go back to riding in the rain in a hoodie ever again.

Killin' It Out There

So, it didnt take long for the only stock parts left on my fixie to start failing. That is the frame and fork. I posted earlier that i was suprised how much i liked the fixie and how i shouldve bought a nicer one that could be built up by an ex bmxer like myself. Well, i went cheap and now the bike is no more. The fork is way bent. it wont barspin and the steel is soft. like i ran the bike into a wall to straighten the rake and it worked long enough for a few more tricks till it gave way to a spongy sensation of  failure. Im in too deep not to find a replacement. When the time came to start 180s and hoping out of keos, and tail tapping everything i could, i followed through and realized a couple little places in my timing that i could get more "umph!" outta the way i was handling the bike. The bike couldnt handle it. Period. Started landing more technical maneuvers only to realize that i could go farther. Now my progression is dead in the water. Oh, just wait. I will find my replacement. It wont be generic. It will be beefy. My ambitions will be bold. The riding will be fresh. Oh, my friend, just you wait and see. Level Up.

D.I.Y. Indoor Bike Storage Solution

So, for a long time now folks have been asking, "how do have so many bikes in your place? Isnt it hard to navigate with them all inside?". This is how I do it, and something that may seriously help your living space as well. I made this rack system myself with a little help from this tutorial.http://www.instructables.com/id/simple-bike-storage-rack-for-many-bikes-in-small-a/ I painted the wood for a more domestic appearance.  these three bikes are hanging is just under three foot of wall space. I used measurements based on the bikes that will be using this private parking. its been six months now and the rack is working just as it should. Check it out.