I am a "storm chasing" independent insurance adjuster by vocation (may have mentioned that before on this forum) --- this has allowed me to see the nation (after weather events have done bad things sadly ) -- and allowed me to meet a lot of great people who have shown me time and time again what perseverance looks like
--- the life of a travelin' man is not kind to everyone and it has cost me some heartache and loss along the way, --- but all experiences add up to bring something to the table

That said, ------ I recently (August) travelled to Houston for what I thought would be a 10-15 day ordeal iin the wake of hurricane Harvey as my company dispatched literally hundreds of folks , ----- then ....... Hurricane Irma hit--- then things got hectic to say the least


That said ---- my "10 day" trip turned into 3 months

I searched Craigslist locally where I was at for some 2 wheeled transpo to get my fix --- for a 10 - 15 day trip, I wont pack a bike, if I knew it would be a 3 month trip, - a bike would be mandatory --- but no mas' -----the only thing for sale was rusty beach cruisers


I survived and I am home --- forgive me for being a little self indulgent with this series of pics , but I did have some back burnered projects I came home to --- made it just in time for Thanksgiving

My 2 doggies were waiting for me- Buttercup the Pekingese and April the cow dog





Then I got to spend the Saturday after at the last home game of the season at my alma mater -- ive been a season ticket holder with my ex for years, but this year -- twas just me so in my absence my brother and his family were able to occupy my seats
--- was great to get away and do something purely for recreation ---






Then now to the moment this forum is for - the weight room pic -- and my vicious vicious attack dog April is also there



Which bike do I get to take out tomorrow ? Today I picked up a Colnago Super from my bikeshop (Buchanans Bikes, Norman OK ) - that I dropped off on July 27 .
It was purchased from a forum member late last year, -- hung on the wall like a beautiful piece of Italian art, and not ridden as it had a dinky stem and super narrow bars --- I had decided to rectify that as well as a couple other tune up type things -- I admit that I don't have time sometimes to mess with stuff so turn things over to my shop on occasion ------- I pay a bit more for parts there, but whenever they tune up a vintage sled like this, it rides like new again



This is where I deviate from the norm a bit ---------- I want to ride this bike --- Cinelli 46c bars are hard to get - but - I still want to ride it , so ---- the shop orders me some Soma bars and a beautifully finished Nitto stem that was a bit longer than the pantographed 80mm 3T that was on it


Just look at that ! The finish on these pieces Is first rate ! -- not Italian of course -- but I have the Italian pieces in a box in case this bike ever needs to be re-homed






My resto mod DeRosa will have to stay home -- although I have also given it the super wide bar treatment -- in this case, Salsa's -- which are wonderful - they have a bit of a cyclocross profile so wouldn't be a great choice for a crit bike -- but those days may be a bit behind me I fear

-- this is a bike I just like looking at, --- but there is magic in those tubes - the DeRosa mystique is real







The later steel Pinarello will also stay home - but I cant wait to check this one out too --- It rides like a Lincoln Continental - its a 53, which is my size, but the seatpost looks almost French fit, and the top tube is a long for size 55 , hence the dorky looking up-turned stem ---- I found some 165 cranks on the internet though (Shimano 7800 to match the rest of the pieces -- formerly had an FSA 172.5 carbon job on there)
I have dubbed this my "track specific trainer" as track bikes generally have shorter crank arms ----- but have yet to check out the handiwork



Guard dog April is there, but kitty Sunny is in the doorway mow too !







You late model rigs hold tight - you'll get your chance soon enough (or maybe not)







Life is good and I have a lot to be thankful for (just from a velo perspective ---- all other aspects of life are hectic)

I'm hoping for continued 70 degree weather for as long as possible so I can get in as much riding as I can stand before I have to don cold weather clothes or --- shudder -- maybe even put a light or 2 on that mountain bike for post DST trail riding

Other than that , its cool to be a part of this online community ----- while deployed, I looked at the posts about every day to one extent or another, - gave me a mental break from mind numbing insurance paperwork

Welcome back! And that is quite the cool bike/weight room

DD

Thanks DD !

Its kind of a bonus room type of space adjoining my garage that I haven't to date had funds to finish out the way I would like, ---- If everything works out ok, I'm hoping to make it a bit more presentable in the coming months

After my divorce, my new house kind of sat for months and months while details were worked out on "this n that's" ----and the initial plan 4 years ago was for it to be a theater room ------ plans change , as does life, and now I think a modest workout space with maybe a tv, some music and a place to hang the bikes is much more in keeping with the life I want to live than a theater room

I was wondering how long the Irma assignment would last. Sorry I missed you when you came through here on the was East. Glad that you made it back home safe, that is quite a greeting committee you have there watching out for things.

Bill

[QUOTE=DMC707;20018915]

Welcome home!
Cool bikes and welcoming committee.

Thanks Bill -- I thought I might be running down the I-10 corridor again on the return trip, but ultimately , over the course of 2 1/2 months I weaved up and down the coast and wound up in Charleston SC at the end, --- so when it was time to go it was simpler and quicker to cut through Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas to get back to Oklahoma

I am definitely searching for a hard side travel case for one of my bikes before the next trip to hurricane land --- thinking a full rigid older MTB would make a good travel companion

The maiden voyage on the Colnago went off without a hitch this morning ---- since I have arrived home, the weather has been perfect Chamber of Commerce blue skies and 70-74 degrees -

Naturally the day I want to take a spin it has to turn to heck with heavy wind gusts --- that's life

Just a 14 mile spin around a nearby lake at a leisurely pace --- I noticed right away the wheels , which are 36 hole, are nice and stiff --- the new bars fit like they should - the reach is a bit far out there, but if I get some more miles under the wheels should be just fine --- I hate to say it, - I never had an "Oh Wow! " moment like I did with the DeRosa SLX --- but i'd like to better evaluate it with an equivalent wheelset




One thing I have vowed to do is donate the black Cannondale carbon bike in the above photos to my nephew --- I had been working on a size 48c Centurion Sport DLX for him as it was his dad's bike when he was a teen, but when I saw him again at Thanksgiving, the boy was 5'4 -------- the little Cannondale is a great riding bike but it always felt a bit small for me, ---- their sizing is also odd, ---- the bike pictured is a 51 sloping, which is supposed to be equivalent to a 53 with a level top tube, --- but it has always seemed short and I have to run a max spacer stack to be comfortable on it
I have tried to sell the bike a couple of times, but after having too many lowball Craigslist offers, I gave up ----- I hope it will serve him well as , although my nephew is slightly built, he is in wrestling, so he always needs something to help him fine tune his weight


I'm not going to ever say never to the possibility of another carbon bike , but for now, I greatly prefer riding my collection of steel bikes from the not too distant past

Welcome Home! I miss my bikes too when I travel (not often). I think there are a couple of BF'ers around in your line of work. I have three SLX bikes now and the De Rosa definitely has the "pop" factor. My experience with Colnago has been smooth, stable, Cadillac-like rides. Good looking bike.

If I was a regular traveler, I would seriously think about a Ritchey Break-Away, although they are pricey.

BTW I have a fair amount of wider bars that aren't used because I'm a 40 cm guy. Let me know if you need a trade.

What, no Puerto Rico assignment?

I don't even know what goes on down there

In the past I have inquired about going to Latin America and was told that insurance is a foreign concept there for all but the top 10 or 15% er's --- and I expect PR is likely much the same way

This time around, the continental US has kept me busy enough though --- sheesh --- I may be done by mid February (just going home doesn't mean its over, it just means you get to work 14 hours a day in slightly more comfortable conditions -- LOL )


The fridge at home is well stocked with protein shakes and beer though --- so its almost like training camp