bianchi – NOLAGEEK

Labor day weekend

Posted on September 8, 2009September 8, 2009 by nolageek

After the last couple hectic weeks at work it was a relief to have a nice, long three day weekend to relax and blow off some steam.

Saturday night I went to an impromptu dance party at @DCDebbie’s that was later dubbed #holdenittogether, after a mutual twitter friend that a lot of us follow (@AliHolden) lost her beloved dog earlier in the week. @DistrictOfRyan, @MikeSica, and @Claddah76 met me at Target and we (quite literally) stuffed ourselves into @BdgrLaw’s little Audi A4 and somehow reached Silver Spring, MD without being pulled over for impersonating a clown car.

Once at Debbies I ate, I drank, I watched @rlybrg flawlessly recreate the videos for both Single Ladies and Got Me Bodied. I took a picture with my index finger knuckle-deep in @DCDebbie’s cleavage (coming soon, I’m sure.) It was an interesting night, to say the least.

Also in attendance were @urbanphish, @cubby1978, @jesserker, @DCPrincessQ, and @dupontdan. I’m missing some people, but I don’t remember their twitter names.

Notice who wasn’t there? That’s right, the person who the party was named after. I’m not quite sure what to make of that.

Sunday I was supposed to wake up and go see Inglourious Basterds with Tadd. He wasn’t feeling well so I decided to go by myself. Unfortunately my body had other plans – I wound up falling asleep watching TV and not getting off the sofa until almost 7. I did a little work on my bike and then went out for a couple drinks with @DistrictOfAris, @DupontDan, @DrGateWood and @MikeSica. I stayed out a little too late, missed my bus, and wound up walking home. At 2am. Cue Elvis Presley: “In the ghetto.”

Today I just about finished building my bike up; it’s pretty much rideable now. Yes, it’s still kinda wobbly in some areas but since I don’t have the tools to fix the bottom bracket or the headset at the moment – I’ll head to the local bicycle co-op, The Bike House, this weekend and knock all that out. I’d still like to get some new cranks for it at some point, but the ones that are on there will work fine for now. I rode around the neighborhood for a bit but it started to rain so I cut it short and went back inside. It is surreal to be riding it after so long. It feels weird, riding a bike that’s actually the right size for me. :)

This evening I had dinner at City Lights of China with a really sweet guy I met a couple weekends ago. After dinner we got a drink at Larry’s on 18th street and chatted some more while people watching on the patio. It was a great night out and Larry’s is such a nice place to go to just chat without yelling over thumping music or suffering the usual drama that’s at most gay bars. Whenever I go there I always ask myself why I don’t go more often. I never have an answer.

On the way to my bus at 14th and P I stopped in at JRs to say hi to @MarkDC and @DCBrent. It was showtunes night so when Maybe This Time came on I couldn’t leave just yet. Then, as I was telling them goodbye, Harper Valley PTA came on and it just wouldn’t have been proper to exit until it was over.

An hour later I deftly made my escape when some crappy rendition of Man of La Mancha started. I mean really.

I’m totally not ready to go back to work. Can’t I just have one more day off? :)

Vincent: 1, Glasses: 0

Posted on January 3, 2006 by nolageek

I met Lloyd at the Pub today to say hello and whaddiyaknow… his neighbors found my glasses in the street. The remarkable thing is that they didn’t know they were mine, but tpicked up them up anyway. Lloyd happened to see them and asked who they belonged to and they said they didn’t know and found them outside their apartment. Yay, I can see again. Woohoo.

Plus, I got my bike back from Mitchell today. After flipping my bars upside down a-la bum-bars I took my first ride post-accident around the street. Didn’t hurt at all. I’m a little hesitant about riding too much though, especially at night. Maybe I’ll take her for a spin tomorrow and see how it goes. I really can’t wait to get back riding.

Since Mark got his FEMA grant, I can’t help but think of the things I’m going to by if when my grant goes through.

Definately the Metra Cocktail Table and S-2 VW End Table from Bike Furniture.

Then there’s a new bike. :) I’m looking at the Surly Steamroller, the Kogswell G, Gunnar Street Dog, the standby: Bianchi Pista or a few others like an A.N.T demo bike or the Raleigh Rush Hour, I’m also looking at going custom – maybe a Jonny but $1200 is a lot. But Ooooooo, it’d be cool.

Friend’s don’ let friends… (see last post)

Posted on October 18, 2004 by nolageek

I’m going to pretend that last post never happened. (Although, Colin.. if you read this..)

Not sure if it’s Kosher to post this, but a couple of weeks ago Dan and I sort of decided to separate. Not going to go into details, but rest assured it’s not an angry split. It just had to be done. I figure some of you that I don’t talk to that much might not hear it any other way.

On other news, I absolutely love the Bianchi fixie. Aside from the cool factor (that isn’t really all that cool in New Orleans anyway) it’s sooo much fun to fun a fixed gear bike. I won’t go as far as some with the “Zen” feeling, but there is definately more connection between you, the bike and the road. Plus, I get a little more cred at the bike stores now. :)

So, anyway, I’m looking for a place now, so if anyone out there knows of a place, please let me know. I’m think I can spend a MAX of $500 a month. (and that’s with Internet/Cable and/or water included) I’m looking for a big efficiency or a small 1br. But they must allow pets.

Thanks!

New Baby in the House

Posted on October 11, 2004 by nolageek

There’s a new baby in the house. After several months of buying parts I landed a spiffy Bianchi frame to build my fixed gear bike up on. Other specs include a Van Dessel flip flop wheel on the rear; Tsunami Toro bars from Chucksbikes.com and a custom tape job by myself; SunTour XC crank arms; PoweRing 3/32″ chainrings (triple for now, just using the 36t ring); Surly 16t track cog, 1/8″; Maillard 500 front hub with Matrix Trans (?) rim; Specialized All Condition 700×23 tires; 3ttt Stem and seatpost; and a KMC BMX Chain, 1/8″.

A fixed gear bike is one where there is no freewheel – which means there’s no coasting. As long as the wheels are spinning, the pedals are turning. You could technically pedal backwards if you wanted to.

Why would anyone want to do this? At first most people do it because it’s “cool” in it’s own geeklike way. But after you go for the first ride and you adjust to the techniques required, you certainly feel better connected to the bike. There’s no more parts of the ride where the bike is going faster than you’re pedaling (momentary coasting) and you are always aware and in control of the speed of the bicycle. You’re able to accelerate and slow more quickly, just by pedaling slower or applying backwards pressure on the pedals. In fact, I don’t even have brakes on mine at the moment – and I don’t feel like I need them. I’ll probably get a front brake, but will only use it for an emergency. Another plus about riding fixed is that you begin to look ahead more, paying more attention to the road ahead. Remember, no brakes. :)

Being broke sucks

Posted on August 31, 2004 by nolageek

I’m so broke I actually got my bank teller to transfer 40 cents from my savings account to my checking account so I could withdraw $1.25 for a Diet Coke and a pack of cheese crackers for lunch today.

On the other hand, I’m eagerly awaiting the end of an eBay auction I bid on for a schweet Bianchi frame & fork for my new fixed gear bike. I got the flip flop hub from Van Dessel Sports last week and I’m trying to find a decent frame for it. I already have a front wheel, stem, pedals, etc. for it. Hopefully the seller wont freak out when I can’t pay him until Friday. :)

Patrick and Gina asked why would you want a fixed gear bike: The truth it because it’s there. It sounds interesting and the fringe/cool factor isn’t bad either. Mostly because after reading a lot of Fixed Gear Rantings I’d like to see what all the hub-bub is about. :)

Someone wanted to see my current bike, here she is:

I’ve been told it’s a 60s-ish Austro-Daimler Puch.
It’s got generic wheels, homebrew bullhorns, and a 5-speed freewheel being used as single-speed. It ain’t pretty, but it gets me there.