Blessings, Praise, and Gratitude

[Del]

I hate that we live in a place and time where folks try to tell us that two very different guys, with only a few things in common, have to hate over the differences. Meeting and hanging out with Juan (yes, that's his real name) made my entire weekend. I'm still smiling over it.

This makes me realize something that I am grateful for:

TRUMP signs. And not for the reason you'd think.

Four years ago, nobody had Trump signs in their lawns. For one, the sign would be stolen. And highly likely that your car or property would be vandalized. And you might even lose your job.

I live in a very blue county, with state government workers and state university kids. BLM riots and traffic-blocking protests. Our county had covid restrictions long after the rest of Wisconsin opened up. Passions were high.

This year, there are Trump and Harris lawn signs everywhere. And barely no reports of vandalism or mischief.

I take this as a sign that people really want to come together. Trump deserves some credit, with his message of hope and prosperity for all Americans. But the real credit goes to our people, for choosing to be neighborly again. For this, I am grateful!

I pray for honest elections and the peaceful transfer of power. It would be great to live in a country where nobody wants to riot.

[ChildOfGod]

I went down to Denver to buy some fancy bicycle parts Saturday morning.

Campy or Shimano?

[FredS]

I went down to Denver to buy some fancy bicycle parts Saturday morning.

Campy or Shimano?

Fancy looking not performing. I'm building up a custom/lowrider from a 26" Schwinn single speed. Think low and slow with lots of chrome. There are a lot of social rides in the evenings around here that I want to start riding next spring. We also plan to hit the Mac Daddy of Colorado social rides, the Tour de Fat.

[Del]

I went down to Denver to buy some fancy bicycle parts Saturday morning.

Campy or Shimano?

Fancy looking not performing. I'm building up a custom/lowrider from a 26" Schwinn single speed. Think low and slow with lots of chrome. There are a lot of social rides in the evenings around here that I want to start riding next spring. We also plan to hit the Mac Daddy of Colorado social rides, the Tour de Fat.

This has to be about the awesomest thing I've ever heard of.

[ChildOfGod]

I went down to Denver to buy some fancy bicycle parts Saturday morning.

Campy or Shimano?

Fancy looking not performing. I'm building up a custom/lowrider from a 26" Schwinn single speed. Think low and slow with lots of chrome. There are a lot of social rides in the evenings around here that I want to start riding next spring. We also plan to hit the Mac Daddy of Colorado social rides, the Tour de Fat.

Sweet! I love chrome. I've chromed out my 2017 Trek 520 over the years. Hand hammered chrome fenders, and every other chrome part I could get (Velo-Orange mostly). The only original item is the frame now. The crankset was chrome originally - prolly one of the last to be so. I've gotten a couple new old stock cranksets; one replacement on the bike now and one for the future.

I just can't bring myself to buy a new bike. I'm not sure what it is, but I just can't do it. The modern bike looks so plain; banal, no life. They weigh half as much as my bike, but that doesn't sway me.

All the best with your build!

I did a Century in June. Tons of elevation (8K ft). It was super hot and people were dropping like flies. I saw a lot of Peloton water bottles - a lot of "mostly indoor riders" probably really underestimated the elevation and what that would do to you in that sort of heat.

Do you Zwift? I started a Christian club on there: Pilgrims of Zwift

[FredS]

Campy or Shimano?

Fancy looking not performing. I'm building up a custom/lowrider from a 26" Schwinn single speed. Think low and slow with lots of chrome. There are a lot of social rides in the evenings around here that I want to start riding next spring. We also plan to hit the Mac Daddy of Colorado social rides, the Tour de Fat.

Sweet! I love chrome. I've chromed out my 2017 Trek 520 over the years. Hand hammered chrome fenders, and every other chrome part I could get (Velo-Orange mostly). The only original item is the frame now. The crankset was chrome originally - prolly one of the last to be so. I've gotten a couple new old stock cranksets; one replacement on the bike now and one for the future.

I just can't bring myself to buy a new bike. I'm not sure what it is, but I just can't do it. The modern bike looks so plain; banal, no life. They weigh half as much as my bike, but that doesn't sway me.

All the best with your build!

I did a Century in June. Tons of elevation (8K ft). It was super hot and people were dropping like flies. I saw a lot of Peloton water bottles - a lot of "mostly indoor riders" probably really underestimated the elevation and what that would do to you in that sort of heat.

Do you Zwift? I started a Christian club on there: Pilgrims of Zwift

Zwift? I'm a 63 year old overweight guy. A leisurely ride around the neighborhood is all I can manage. Remember, 'low and slow' with an emphasis on slow. I ride bikes, but I'm not a cyclist - no spandex for me.

[Del]

I've chromed out my 2017 Trek 520 over the years.

Trek bikes are made in Waterloo, WI... about 30 down the road, a few villages away from me.

Cigarson and his wife live in Waterloo.

I am grateful for Pipeson and Cigarson & his wife.

[ChildOfGod]

I've chromed out my 2017 Trek 520 over the years.

Trek bikes are made in Waterloo, WI... about 30 down the road, a few villages away from me.

Cigarson and his wife live in Waterloo.

I am grateful for Pipeson and Cigarson & his wife.

That's pretty cool, being so close to the factory.

Mine says "Handbuilt in the USA" on the chain stay. You don't see that anymore on Trek bikes.

Another thing on my bike you don't see anymore, and prolly never again, on the seat stay: "7 Time Tour de France Winner"

[ChildOfGod]

Fancy looking not performing. I'm building up a custom/lowrider from a 26" Schwinn single speed. Think low and slow with lots of chrome. There are a lot of social rides in the evenings around here that I want to start riding next spring. We also plan to hit the Mac Daddy of Colorado social rides, the Tour de Fat.

Sweet! I love chrome. I've chromed out my 2017 Trek 520 over the years. Hand hammered chrome fenders, and every other chrome part I could get (Velo-Orange mostly). The only original item is the frame now. The crankset was chrome originally - prolly one of the last to be so. I've gotten a couple new old stock cranksets; one replacement on the bike now and one for the future.

I just can't bring myself to buy a new bike. I'm not sure what it is, but I just can't do it. The modern bike looks so plain; banal, no life. They weigh half as much as my bike, but that doesn't sway me.

All the best with your build!

I did a Century in June. Tons of elevation (8K ft). It was super hot and people were dropping like flies. I saw a lot of Peloton water bottles - a lot of "mostly indoor riders" probably really underestimated the elevation and what that would do to you in that sort of heat.

Do you Zwift? I started a Christian club on there: Pilgrims of Zwift

Zwift? I'm a 63 year old overweight guy. A leisurely ride around the neighborhood is all I can manage. Remember, 'low and slow' with an emphasis on slow. I ride bikes, but I'm not a cyclist - no spandex for me.

I hear you on slow. I'm no speed demon myself. In fact, in the June Century, I came in dead last, excepting the 50 plus folks who couldn't finish. I'm not fast but I can suffer! For that I give Blessings, Praise, and Gratitude.

[FredS]

Some days I wish we were doing better financially. Then I see this post for a bike for sale and I realize I have separate spaces for cooking, laundry, and tinkering and I have the money for a new set of tires. That's a blessing.