Winter Break?

It seems like since a week or so before the end of the semester until now, I've been swamped with one thing or another. Hence the lack of posting. The snow hasn't slowed my commuting down, but the ice has been a new challenge this year. Unfortunately commuting is about the best biking I can get in right now. Cross tires, fenders, and my fixed gear are still handling anything mother nature can throw at it. I've been trying to recreate a clip for my brake bridge to hold my rear fender though. I've had a number of designs in CAD, and then put them through our plastic Rapid Prototyping machine here in the lab. It's been tough to get just right. The fender fit on a frame meant for 27 1/8" tires is a little tricky. I think some more frame dremmeling is in order. Pics to come of the final design.

Christmas was nice, some unexpected gifts, including a digital camera. I've never justified one (even being a tech geek) because I always seem to have access to one. Thanks to my folks. Plus an expected gift, Endura "overtrousers" (don't you just love the British). Just about need them with the temps we've been having. They'll be great come spring rains. Probly useful on some TI training rides (assuming I can get out of my thesis writing, programming, testing, frenzy). Then I got a couple gifts that go together, 1) Lincoln has New Belgium, and 2) a chain link bottle opener.





















Thanks to my dad's cousin's fam from Colorado Springs for that one. Recycled Dura Ace Chain no less! My folks' house is always busy over the holidays. When I wasn't playing tag, and hide & seek with the relatives' kids from CO, I was writing Chapters 1 and 2 of my thesis. Kind of interesting how playing with some 3-9 year olds can be different enough of a break from the norm that my writing came a bit easier.

Probly the best thing was that I got both my Surly and Kona out to play again. Did 2 or 3 rides in my childhood singletrack behind my folks' house. It was packed with snow, but the rides were still a good time. I picked up a 2.55 Weirwolf tire from Monkey Wrench to float a bit more over the snow. Great tire. And I got a cross town ride in on the Surly. Had a flat though (green michelins are getting old). First time I successfully used my CO2 cartridge though. Take note: when it's below freezing outside, don't hold emptying CO2 cartridges in your bare hands!

Hope ya'll had decent holidays. I'll be fitting in winter rides when I can:)