Back from Austin

I really missed not having a bike in Austin. I didn't get to do any riding but I did get a chance to run around town. I made a return trip to Mellow Johnny's and picked up a t shirt for my eldest son and a new Livestrong wristband for my wife. Her old one was fading. I also stopped by the Whole Foods flagship store on Lamar and 6th Street. This place is huge and is worth a visit even if you're not buying groceries. I was astounded at the number of coffee houses that have sprung up in Austin over the past few years. I tried visiting Epoch a couple of times, since it's near the location I was staying, but the parking lot was full and the place was very crowded. I instead stopped off at one of my favorite spots, The Flighpath Coffee House. It looks like I had missed Lavanna who had been painting portraits of customers earlier that day.

By Lavanna Martin

I stopped at a cool little bike shop on North Loop called The Peddler. They had a couple of Long Haul Trucker frames and completes for sale as well as Breezers and other commuter type bikes. The place is tiny but had an eclectic mix of gear for sale such as Brooks Saddles, Minnehaha bags, and Soma fenders, mixed in with fixed gear stuff. I chatted with the guy behind the counter. When he found out where I was from he told me that he was making a trip to Frisco to take the certification course for the Superdrome velodrome. He also mentioned that they are preparing to move the shop to a much larger location at 51st and Duval. If I lived in Austin this would most likely be my bike shop.

I couldn't resist picking up this handmade cycling cap.

The red cloth on the underside of the bill is a nice touch.

I also bought my own Suntour freewheel removal tool. Doohicke lent me his. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get the freewheel to budge. I don't own a vice so I thought about using a large, long handled pipe wrench that I aquired somehow. I thought twice about using the pipe wrench when I realized that it might chew up the metal on the borrowed tool. Now that I've got my own tool I'll give it a go.

Doohickie suggested that I use the skewer to keep the tool in place to avoid damaging the tool or the wheel.

Unfortunately I became ill on my last day in Austin. I initially thought it was just my allergies acting up, but as I sit here at home with bad congestion, a fever, and chills, I realize that it's something a little more severe. Hopefully I'll shake this off soon so I can get out and ride.