It's always something

On Thursday, with the first race of the winter short track series coming up, I switched out my tires for a sleeker "race tire."  Prior to upgrading to the Stan's Arch EX I had, for a short period, run these tires on the Bontrager rims that came stock on the HiFi.  For some reason, they were SUPER tight on the Archs.  Like, so tight you need to use a tire lever to GET THEM ON tight.  Pain in the ass.

As a result I gouged my finger with the tire lever as I was trying to muscle the tire on.

It's one of those small annoying injuries that you constantly knock against this and that causing unnecessary pain.  Bleh.  But, on the positive, I found out that Annie's new wireless speaker works all the way out in the Bike Haven.  (So, that means the wifi reaches at least that far...)

Look ma, no wires!  And music from all the way in the house out here!!

Annie was happy to hear about the performance, but "suggested" that maybe I get my own.

While we are talking about tinkering on the bike... check out what I MacGyvered for my cue sheet on Georgia.

I repurposed a reflector bracket to hold a clip, which will then holds cue sheets.  Works decent enough and it was "free."  (brackets coming from purchased bikes of course, and the clip... well maybe that was "borrowed" from work or something...)

Oh, and what about the tires??  With such a tight fit they set right up on the rims lickity split.  I drove over to the short track to make sure that I was making the right choice... and they were fine indeed.  I will have to play with air pressure though as I think I can get lower than what I'm currently riding (about 27psi) which will only add to traction on the berms and whatnot.

I'll get into race details tomorrow though.

Side note, I washed my bike on Saturday in preparation for the race and I used Pedros Green Fizz... stuff is AMAZING!!!

For someone who is pretty lazy with washing my bike (main focus usually stays with the drivetrain) this made cleaning a pleasure!!  It's kinda nice to have a sparkly bike!!

F'n GROUT!

(I hate video commercials that pop up and screw up a perfectly valid point.... anyway, if you held in there and watched the video then you'll get this)

No, not Kraut.  Grout!

Yesterday I had two (two and a half) jobs to do and then I could ride.  Make that 3 jobs.

First - run down to the post office and pick up my delivery.  Ok, so this isn't a job, a chore, or anything like that.  An errand, and an errand I was excited to fulfill.

Yup, that's me!!  With Monday's date - missed the delivery... and I guess they only try once?

all the way from up North... oooohhh pretty stickers!

A helmet to match Georgia!!

A bag?  For my helmet??  Maybe it's a barf bag for when I push it too hard??

Needed a new tube as the dogs chewed up the last one.... guess it's good I use the biodegradable stuff - less toxic on puppy stomach!

So I can stop playing the "what if" game when I ride without a spare tube.

looking fresh (bathroom lights make
it look orange, but trust me, it's RED!)

even better when I'm passing you

I don't need the new phones with the camera facing you, I'm just that awesome!!!

So that's a whole bunch of road stuff... and I still need a new front tire for the HiFi.  That's just a little important with a race coming up and whatnot.  After my chores for the day the plan was to get in a road ride and on the way back stop at the LBS and pick up a new tire and some more caffelatex.

So, job number 2 - 2.5 re-grout cruddy sections in the upstairs bathroom and grout finishing tiles in the downstairs bedroom.  Two rooms, two different grouts.  The bathroom went smoothly - got some premixed stuff since it was a small job... worked magnificently.  I couldn't get the color for the downstairs in a premixed container, so had to mix it up myself.  And the fun begins....

So I mix the grout up... and now I'm guessing when the picture in the directions shows a guy using a "ruler"(?) to stir you shouldn't use your drill attachment....  directions say let it sit for 10 minutes then re-stir - adding no water - and good to go.  It's not my first rodeo and I know that grout shouldn't be the consistency of... gatorade, soda, water, piss....  ok, let's see if I can let it set for a while.  10 minutes, nope.  Another 10 minutes... add on 15 minutes... wait another 20 minutes...I'll give it another 30 minutes... seriously???  30 more minutes mother fucker!!  There were sections of useable grout in the bucket and I got to work.  

In the end my "ride time" was gone and it was off to the deeps to get some mulch for the backyard.

Job number 3 - Depot visit, pick up 12 bags of mulch... rearrange some crap in the backyard, pull some weeds, dig something up here, move some rocks there, and spread mulch everywhere.  

In the end, tiles are grouted, yard is mulched, and legs are... rideless : (

Today will be a whirlwind of cleaning... if I get started early enough I should be able to get a ride in - it will have to be road.  But that will include sporting the new helmet and stopping at the LBS to get the HiFi race ready (after the washing it desperately needs).  Riding in two sandy places in a row does not make for a happy bike, instead it makes for a noisy angry bike - arg!!