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.

Let's Make it Happen!

Not too long ago I received an email from Paul (Doohickie) in response to comments on one of my posts, although now I don't remember which post it was. Paul was wondering what I thought about some of the area bloggers getting together to organize a ride, something similar to the Bike Friendly Oak Cliff rides or even a Tweed Ride, when the weather cools off of course. I think it's a great idea! We discussed the idea of starting from the parking areas near the Trinity Trails and riding up Magnolia Avenue and continuing on through downtown.

I personally like the idea of inviting everyone, fixed gear, cruisers, 3 speeds, families, and making it helmet optional and free. Anybody have any thoughts, ideas?

B.F.O.C. seems to have things figured out.

This looks like it's going to be worth a trip to Oak Cliff.

City Cyclist

City Cyclist is one of the newest bike shops in town. According to their website they opened in 2007. They were originally located a couple of doors over in the same shopping center but they quickly outgrew the space. They had their grand re-opening last weekend. This new location is a huge improvement and co-owners Debbie Bartlett and Mike Nichols are proud of it. They are geared toward servicing commuters, recreational cyclists and recumbant riders which means that anybody can walk in here with a discount store bike or ask questions without encountering "attitude". The shop has quickly become the favorite of a certain infamous supercommuter/ blogger known as Doohickie (here's his commuting blog).

My son's Trek needed a derailleur adjustment so I decided to have my older son run the bike over for some professional attention. I picked up the bike this afternoon which gave me the chance to have a nice conversation with the owners. Mike gave me a tour of their new space so I took the opportunity to snap a few photos. 

Biria Classic Dutch Bike

I didn't notice at the shop but it looks like this trike is equipped with a generator hub. Pretty neat!

Mike told me that they wanted an open shop area so that customers would feel comfortable approaching the mechanics while their bikes are being worked on.

This area is going to be a bike cleaning station that will be available to customers. You can bring your own cleaners or use some provided by the shop (for a small fee). There is a drain in the floor and a small washout sink. There will also be an airhose attached to the line on the wall that can be used to dry your bike.

Owners Debbie and Mike

I may have convinced Mike to sponsor some short, easy paced rides starting from the shop and various locations around town. The guys from Bike Friendly Oak Cliff have started regular themed rides, it would be nice to have something similar. 

City Cyclist is located at 6236 McCart Avenue in Fort Worth. Take the time to stop by and visit. 

Random Stuff 01-14-09

I didn't have a chance to ride today. As soon as I got home from work I put my 12 year old son's mountain bike up for sale on Craigslist.  Since my shoulder surgery I'm not taking any chances riding off-road. Unfortunately this means that my son doesn't get ride either. We decided to sell the mountain bike and get him an old steel touring bike so that we can do some overnight tours together. He's pretty excited about it and has been looking at the loaded rigs on Bike Forums. It will be nice to have some company on my rides. On to the Random Stuff.

Steven has posted some pictures and video of an indoor ramp he and his buddies have built up in Massachusets. It's a great way to beat the cold. Check out his blog Soul to Sport.  

Fellow Fort Worth Blogger Doohickie has posted some pictures from Sunday's swap meet. He's also got some pictures from a Christmas Eve ride he made to the Fort Worth Water Gardens. I didn't realize a scene from the 1975 science fiction movie Logan's Run was filmed there. 

Doohickie's  rescued bike-The Dumpster Queen. 

Logan's Run: I saw this with my parents at the local drive-in. I feel really old.

I found a link to Stronlight's Photostream on somebody elses blog, I just can't remember who. He's got lots of great photos. Be sure to read his profile.

This sounds like a lot of fun, Bike Friendly Oak Cliff will be leading a ride on Sunday February 1st 2009, following the footsteps of Oswald on the day of J.F.K.'s assasination. Stop by their blog for more information.