If you want a real, custom wet paint job done there is now a guy in Toronto. He will be operating out of Bicycle Specialties old shop. I have seen some of his work and it is top notch. I will be getting his contact info next week and will post it up when I get it.

That is some good news. I am going to do my Ciocc up proper in the spring, decals and everything, I think paint is the way to go.

Decals o_o

hahah.. too many words? ;)

ps. does anyone know if recent Bianchi frames tend to have the logos above or below the clearcoat? Or does it vary from model to model?

All the ones in the shop and the pista have decals under clear. And also we're dropping Bianchi because the distributer is doing something funky and replacing it with Jamis.

I use my breadmaker, generally, for pizza dough. Not as good as by hand, but nice for a hands off quick and dirty though.

The only caution I've heard about using autobody painters is that they generally do panels rather than narrow tubes. I'd want to know they've got some experience before getting it done there. You might have more luck with someone who does motorcycles. Good news about the painter, I'd like to get my Ciocc done too. Did he do that orange Motobecane at Cycle therapy?

Canice, an awesome bread book is Country Breads of the World by Linda Collister. Unfortunately not in the Toronto Public Library system but a better all round book than some I've seen out there. You can get a few good ones through the TPL system like The Bread Bakers apprentice, but I preferred the County Breads books. A little more practical for the stuff I usually bake. I will never, ever, bake brioche for example... One look at the author of Bread Bakers apprentice and you'll see why (although it does have a good pizza dough section).

Donald Byrd is doing something funky in this clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF0NpcclvqM

:bday: Happy Birthday Rob!

And Foo, I have a B17 you can borrow if you like. It's racing green and I may be up for selling it. Noto bene, the dye does bleed a bit, even though it's many years old. So dark pants are a must.

I think I've heard that the Bread Bible is good, also.

You may have noticed that there is an eBay store with a set of Ciocc decals, white ones with a black outline, I think they are in the neighbourhood of 50 bucks or so. I bought mine a little while ago, they are yellow with a black outline so I am going to go with a black or red paint scheme, I just haven't decided yet.

I've checked out ebay a few times. Apart from the seat stays, the only other decal of import on mine is the headtube. There's nothing on the downtube or top tube to speak of. That's the biggest challenge I've found -- most packs include way to many decals for what I need. I think I'd like to get it redone to the Merckx orange it is now.

-12°C
* Feels Like: -23
* Wind: W 37km/h
* Wind gusts: 46km/h

Yeah, it's pretty chilly out there right now having just got back in... brr.

Real :bday:, or is it a facebook "trap"?
;)

I liked that one, Reinhart's book (Bread Baker's Apprentice) and also Hamelman (Bread: A Baker's Book of Techniques and Recipes) which I think the TPL has all of.

For the advanced student, look for the Gisslen book I mentioned, and for the truly obsessed, search for Raymond Calvel.

In case you couldn't tell, I've spent a bit of time looking for these books.. Baking bread = cheap & rewarding procrastination for the budding grad student :)

Anyone up for an adventure in the don in a bit?

If it was 10 degrees warmer, then yes. I don't have anything that would keep my feet warm enough to go out for a ride longer than about 20 mins in this sort of temperature.

Hey Wes, My solution:

Drive to the trailhead and use chemical toe warmers. I have room in the van and an extra set of warmers if you want to join me. I'm leaving shortly, let me know if you're in!

nah man, thanks for the offer. I got a crap ton of other stuff that I decided I'd try to get done today on account of the cold. I definitely want to get in there sometime soon though. Perhaps even an evening run if you have a lighting system. I can't remember if you do or not on account of your DIY HID lighting system talk. :)

ps. does anyone know of a good source for gaffer's tape? I'm looking for some white tape to mask something on a frame. Otherwise perhaps I can use Matt's method.

http://multimedia.thestar.com/images...ed55c2da0.jpeg

<- oh and it's not a trap

you want to mask a frame with gaffers tape? That sounds like to much tape for masking. Use masking tape. It'll come off much easier, and it's easier to cut if your doing shapes.

thanks for all the cookbook recommendations, everyone. now i just have to figure out a reliable method for adapting kneading times to a mixer.

also, happy birthday rob!

A mixer? You're missing out on half the fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buC48...eature=related

He stole my bars!

Unless you have some fancy white (ie. not the slightly yellow or blue stuff I've always used) masking tape that is actually durable, I think I'll stick with my gaffer's tape plan.

Cervelo (wolf) fork, too. I love how those things look. Although I think I'd take an Alpha-Q first. :)

Jeremywhitehorn: how's that front rack treatin' you? I'm considering getting a front or rear rack. I love how a nice front rack looks, but I'm concerned with the whole steering/balance thing with weight up front like that.

You missed out Wes! I was in there for about 2 1/2 hours and I saw about 4 other people. Trail conditions were pretty much perfect :)

Also, It appears I haven't been in there in a while. I found a trail called "Instant gratification" that splits off from catalyst and goes to the doobatorium (somehow without crossing the river?) I think the trail that leads from the doobatorium up towards the chemical plant/science centre is gone now 'cause it looks like they're building something there. I didn't spend too much time looking for it though as that one is pretty tough and I figured it would be a very long, cold wait for someone to find my broken body.

The bridge under the train tracks at the top of the river trail is a nice addition too!

Wow, it is BRISK out there! I went all the way up to Lawrence Square, got a hair cut, then went to Yorkdale to get a stats book from Indigo (Note: people look at you funny when you wear a helmet in Yorkdale), then went to Cycle Solutions in the beaches to check out a crank, and finally, back home. It is really something else out there. Brad, had I read your post before heading out, I would have gladly joined you.

Question to all: how much would you pay for new Ultegra SL cranks which were swapped from a customers bike?

If it's the 2008 model, anything < $200 would be a good deal. Assuming it's brand new. You could probably sell it fast for a bit more locally.

i don't notice any handling issues with a rack as small as the one i have - it mounts from the fender hole to the canti studs so the weight tends to ride a little lower than your typical basket or what have you. nitto makes a similar rack for the rear, or also a rack that can adapt to either front or back. i think rivendell sells it. and yes, it looks a lot better than a big honking rear aluminum rack.

Yeah, I'm thinking something smallish would be enough for me. I was looking at the Cetma stuff today.. very nice. http://www.cetmaracks.com/. Not sure whether I want something 6-pack or 12-pack sized. ;)

I assume you can still run fenders AND the rack, even though it uses the rack holes, right?

Brad: Yeah, I really want to get out for a mtb ride, actually. I definitely have to get out for one soon. Did you use your winter mtb shoes? Or flat pedals and regular boots?