Bikes and boredom

Bikes: I spent too much money at Bayou Bicycles this weekend, but it was on stuff I need so I don’t feel bad about it – a pump, patch kit, tire levers, and a few tools. I’m still trying to bring this Dunelt frame back to life. I stripped and painted it a pretty shade of blue over the weekend, now I need to make some decals. I bought 700×23 tires for it today then got home and realized my tubes are for 18-20 so I have to inflate it a bit over the limit. I should really get a new front wheel too, but I can’t with this check. I may just use the front wheel off the Fuji that I got from Freecycle for Dan since I doubt he’ll be using it any time soon. The front wheel from Van Dessel is $70. That will have to wait until next check. I was going to get a new fork, but I got the good folks at Bayou to spread the one I had to fit a modern wheel. That should hold me over for a while. Now I just need a quill stem that fits both the headset and the bullhorns I got and I’ll be all set. Yay.

Boredom: It doesn’t look like the bike thing is another passing distraction. After the VW, the Defender Cocktail, and BBS I’m glad I’ve found something I enjoy that doesn’t feel forced or somehow doomed to left dangling in the wind due to financial constraints. It is, however, a distraction from parts of my life that are feeling forced right now.

As personal and professional apathy sets in, it’s nice to be able to hop on the bike and ride.

Being broke sucks

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:

Picture of my Single Speed

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.