Sunday, March 18, 2012

Ladies Ride Day!


Wellll, apparently I'm inept when it comes to uploading video.  So a few quick photos will have to do.  Maybe I'll ask one of those smart young kids I work with to show me how...

















Friday, March 9, 2012

11 Wheels on Burt Street

There was bike traffic this morning and it made me smile!!

We (Copper, Vince, and I) were pedaling (or sitting in our Tail Wagon as the case may be) down our usual Burt route towards the shop when we ran into Aaron from Film Streams, our North Downtown neighbor on his daily commute.  But that's not the fun part.  At at stop light on about 20th and Burt, I did a quick wheel count...11 was what I came up with. 

So yeah, 11 because with Copper's trailer
2 + my Vaya 2 + Vince's Surly Necromancer 2 + his older 26" Long Haul Trucker 2 that he pulled along next to him+ his newly built up crazy ass fat unicycle 1 (also a Surly...the guy may be obsessed. Oh, and he just got in a new Pacer frameset that he's building up real purdy like to round out the collection)  + Aaron's bike 2 = 11 wheels!  Whoa.

It was fun to have that much of a bike presence on one corner.  Good times.  Yes indeed, good times.


As you can see, it's nothing but blue skies today and the weekend looks to be gorgeous as well.  Get out and ride folks, and then report!  Or don't.  You never do.  Dang.  Although I do get a lot of wonderful stories in the shop.  So that's nice.  Ok, that's it.  Buh bye.
SJ

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Hello Spring!

I'm not sure if it's the 2 cups of coffee I'm operating on currently, the nice weather with the garage door open at the shop, or Prince on the radio, but I feel like today's going to be a good day.

Today I'm not going to make excuses about why I've not posted in quite some time; I'm just going to do it!  It's March.  Can. You. Believe. It?!!  I can't.  Last post, I was talking about a blizzard of sorts and there's been an even bigger once since:

Here was a GIANT pile of snow that had been plowed right into our lovely Burt St. bike lane.  February 3rd was the date. We were supposed to have our 3rd Greensprints that night but ended up cancelling it (which was fine by us actually since driving in the stuff was certainly less fun than pedaling in it).



We had fun riding to and from work that day. We really only opened the shop so that we had an excuse to go ride in the dumping snow!  Vince's fat bike (a Surly, aren't you shocked) was pretty fun to tool around on and did truly get around better than my little Bianchi, although I still did love my studded tires.

Vince, looking pleased that he's riding in the snow, slightly less pleased about the photo op! 








We also had a stretch of really nice weather too, and we took the opportunity to find a few miles of fun on the Wabash Trace in Iowa.  It was a touch sloppy but definitely rideable and fun for the most part.

Beatuiful nonetheless.

We packed a lunch and a few bicycle beverages and hit the trail.  It's been too long since we've gotten out and enjoyed a day on our bikes.  Not too cold, not too hot, just right.

 So that was a fun day.  And has actually gotten us thinking more seriously about a bike tour during the CWS when the the shop is closed.  The tentative plan is driving to Duluth, MN and then riding north up into Canada.  Fun, eh?!  Just practicing my Canadian. 

 We're working on some pretty cool stuff with Patrick's Market Downtown on 14th and Howard.  Civia Cycles and Greenstreet are collaborating to get a few of their sweet bikes out and into Omaha!  We have a Halsted and a Twin City on display above the produce case right now.  Go in and check 'em out!  Tell them Greenstreet sent you. 
 Also, Greensprints  has been a blast!  We've been pulling all of our equipment for the events to the venue by bike.  Fun and a bit precarious at times.  We gave away 2 Surly Steamroller framesets, a Globe Roll, and a bunch of other wonderful swag, thanks to our fantastic sponsors.

 Today is bike maintenance day for me!  Which is a very rare occurrence; kind of like the ol' blog updates.  Anyway, a little Green Fizz and some Clean Streak and it was a little cleaner.  Topped it off with some Chain-L lube that I haven't tried yet.  Supposed to be good, so I'll let you know.  The boys seem to like it for gross conditions and lots o miles, which is what I ride in.








Anyway, that's about it!  How've things been in the streets of Omaha for you?  Good?  Bad? The same?  Let me know.  I've also been busy with the usual advocacy stuff.  Testifying at the State Capitol trying to get LB1030 passed into law (3ft passing rule), so we'll see how that goes. 

Over and out!
SJ