The Adventure Continues...

So it has been a long time since I wrote about my adventures in mountain biking. I have come to a point in my adventure that am sure every working person has come to, and that is trying to find the time to ride. In the beging I would ride 3 times a week. Going for a ride before work was an amazing way to prepare for a day locked away in a windowless office. I was hesitant when they offered me full time because I knew my precious days of riding would be severed. Working 9 to 6 has put riding on the back burner during the week. Weekends would be a fine alternative, but to keep up with car payments, bills, rent and student loans, keeping my weekend job at the state park was essential. Now I work 7 days a week, and the only dirt my bike sees are the dust bunnies that have now accumulated around the tires. 

Last night I lubed the chain and tweaked the back brake. I still find enjoyment in my bike even if am not on the trail. But I fear am losing my mind. With out the escape I find from pedaling till I think my little heart is going to give out, then the reward of zipping back down, I have seen my quality of work decrees and I have become increasingly more irritable. Humm sounds like someone else I knew once.  Anyways, of course a logical solution would be get a job that is in line with my new found love affair, but those are about as rare as they come. I would properly have to start my own business to find that kind of job. Maybe that’s not a bad idea. I sense another adventure brewing.

My poor bike sits in the back of my car reminding me of mornings on the trail.

Fun With A Wide Angle

This is what happens when you drink a bottle of wine and a have wide angle lens. My impromptu photo shoot was done with a Jawa action figurer I found earlier. My inspiration was a series of photo I saw a month ago, of Storm Trooper toys doing everyday tasks, in our large human world. I had to hold my camera in one hand as I tipped the glass for the little guy. Needless to say with no flash I shot the whole thing at an ISO of 3500! My kitchen is also yellow with a green stained glass chandler so lighting was a problem. This is one of those photos that you just have fun with it and throw art and class out the window. Enjoy!!!

Dana Point Grand Prix of Cycling '11

It was a beautiful day for a race. Sunny and warm with a breeze off the Pacific. 

Day 20: Bike Maintenance and Repair

    On a recent ride with Gris i noticed that my front brake was dragging. We had pulled over to catch our breath, so it was a perfect time to talk bike and problem solve. Speaking like we knew what the hell we were doing, we decided it was the brake pad that needed to be repositioned. Not having the right sized allen wrench, we conclude it really wasn't a safety concern, and continued on our ride. Now for some the idea of repairing your bike is a scary one. The mechanics of all those gears, levers, cables, chain, and wheels can be over whelming! Oh lord, what if I don't tighten a bolt right, I may find myself screaming down a hill with no brakes! For me I found the experience to be rewarding and strangely relaxing?!
    There are so many video tutorials online that you can learn to do just about anything! Bike repair included. Just type in what you want to learn and go. Tools on the other hand is something that you will have to invest in. I had bought a more bike specific multi-tool from amazon (Crank Brothers 17 function) which now lives in my backpack, along with a spare tube, small pump, tire lever set, and a basic first aide kit. Like photo equipment, throw bike on the label and people feel like they can charge up the butt for it. So my advice:


*Never pay full price. Shop around do your research. (price point has great deals on tubes)
*Never force something tight. You will strip the threading of what ever you're working on.
*Prepare to get your hands dirty and or fork fluid in your hair.
*Don't be afraid to take something apart. worst case go to your bike shop and have them put it back together. If you end up doing that ask question, learn from your mistakes.


    For me fixing my brake pad was easy and I ended up learning a bunch from the tutorial I watched. I even adjusted the timing of my breaks, so I didn't have to squeeze so much on the lever to engage the brakes! It was vary zen to work on my bike, listen to the birds, and drink my coffee. I highly recommend it.

Here I am Again at the Crossroads

Almost a month since I started this journey. I wouldn't say the time flew by, but a lot has changed in me. The things I thought I wanted in life and career, turned out to be not what my heart truly desired. Its funny, I was so stubborn and hardheaded before, that I didn't listen to the words of support from the people who deeply cared for me, now I can't stop hearing them in my head. Hindsight is always 20/20, but I wish I would have listened.

Jelly Jar Party Light

Crafting keeps me going. I saw this idea online and thought what a wonderful idea! Whipped this up today. Now that its done I can see room for improvements. Smaller gauge wire that I can bend into curves and experiment with adding sea-glass or other decorative elements. I want to find different jars to make an outdoor chandelier with them. When I think back on family BBQs I remember the use of these jars as center pieces and glasses to drink from. You gave the kids the jars so they wouldn't break the good drinking glasses. So many fond memories it's only natural that I would find another use for the empty jars in my kitchen.

Kitchen Apron

This is the kitchen apron I made to replace one that has gotten faded. Loving my old apron I wanted one just like it. But not knowing where to find it, I just made one. This apron I started and finished today! My craftsmanship is a little rusty, my stitching is tight in areas and there is a little bunching of the fabric. Over all I would say I did a great job! My old apron had big red poppies that I just loved, but I couldn't find fabric that had that same look. Finding this dia los muerto fabric was just as good. I love cooking mexican food, so what better fabric to make an apron with! A little heart embroidery on the red tie in the back was a result of not wanting to change thread color, but in the end was a fantastic detail!

I have tried to keep myself busy this past week in an effort to keep my mind on the present. I have had good days and bad ones. Thoughts and feelings come over me like a rogue rain storm, gone as quickly as it had started. I have always prided myself on my vary British way of dealing with emotional pain, "Stay clam. Carry on." I wonder if one day I will just crack, but I know better than that.