Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Dog and Pony Show


Well, folks,
I should have a bunch of bikes for you to check out 
if things had gone differently last week.



Instead, I've got a 'tweener project, a fork for Russ Pope.
In this instance, the regularly scheduled frame(s) hit a mid-build snag 
and I didn't want to move the frame fixture. While building, the 
frame fixture is set to the current project and not moved
 until the frame is sent to the powder coater.


Perfect time to build a fork.
 This fork was a replacement for a fork Russ already had.
It was a production fork and extremely stiff.
Russ is on the lighter side of the spectrum so we could make a
much more supple fork than one that is made to survive the
heaviest, ham fisted rider out there.


 Most of time, these type of projects don't make it to the blog.
It made the cut this time because, as I mentioned before, 
last week didn't go as planned.
If things had, I would have a whole pile of bikes to blog about.
As it sits, I was handed a broken femur when a friend and
 I got into a tangle with a car passing another on a
blind corner while out on, what was up to that point, 
a great ride on a beautiful day.


Despite the bummer of it all, I'm doing my best to
 keep things in perspective. I was lucky enough to get hurt
 while spending my time with a good friend recreating in one 
of the most beautiful corners in the world, an area I get to call home.
I wasn't hurt while subsistence farming to feed a family.
I wasn't hurt while fighting a brutal authoritarian regime 
hell bent on destroying it's own people.
I wasn't hurt fighting a senseless war based on lies.
I wasn't hurt by cowards while watching my family run a marathon.
With a bit of luck and time I'll make a full physical recovery.
I'm one lucky dude.


Be safe out there, folks.
What happened to me
could have happened to anyone out there.

Thanks to everyone who has given their love and support
whether in person, email, snail mail, or just good vibes.
I'm one lucky dude.
 


Shellac hold a special place in my heart.
One minute aggressive and driving,
the next, quiet and melodic,
the next, dissonant and unconventional.
These songs are all from Excellent Italian Greyhound,
one of their more accessible records.