I don't know the complete story with this one, as he wasn't the original owner. It's a 57 and I think it's a 2002 IIRC. I'm guessing all the components came off of a Trek, as it had some Bontrager bits on it as well as a Bontrager Xxx-lite clincher wheelset. He ended up building his own wheels as the Xxx-lite wheels were too extra light for him and they started cracking around the spoke nipples.

I find a lot of the bikes from the 2000s/2010 to be a bit flashy for me. I appreciate the history behind them, but I'm actually a fan of the muted tones of modern bikes. I had a 2014ish Ridley Helium that was a black base coat with liberal applications of white and orange branding/accents. I liked it at the time, but I now think it looked quite garish. My 2014 Canyon Ultimate isn't nearly as flashy, but there still isn't a single tube on the whole bike, that doesn't have some sort of branding applied. My 2024 Canyon Ultimate only has branding on the down tube, and even that is the same color as the base coat, only contrasted by gloss over satin.

like it or not, new follower: Ricky Rocket. Now I can see all those pics not displayed hither (hopefully).

Elaborate.

Bluebird skies here near the top of Azironia. Phone said 55° but I'd say the feels like is 80-ish in the sun. We got westbounds running on tracks 1 and 2 today!!!

Oh, and they dropped a pile of fresh ties (sleepers for @coasting) off the other day so the sweet smell of creosote fills the air when the breeze goes calm. There is a little soft spot on Track 2, which I guess they'll use the ties on.

Took my Émonda out for a spin to clear my legs. Stopped here at Fort Crevecoeur built in 1680.

Lawnmowing activity completed. Next comes lunching activity.

I was just at the dermatologist for cancer screening today and what you describe is true. He doesn't think I have to worry but the biopsy results will be done in 10 days or less.
#MedicalIndustrialComplex

Wow, that was fun. Good ride with possibly enough climbing. Maybe. Now heading back to LA on the metro train. Pics/videos on Strava.

It will get better, but very slowly. Missed you on today’s ride.

Take a peek!

Cycling activity.

That CAAD frame plus gatorskin narrow tires did beat me up a bit, but even so, the ride was 100% fun.

Hey BillyD thanks for updating last Addiction thread with pic of patentcad I think that was kind.

I still miss that guy, even though we never met IRL.

Missed going! Sorry Pam had to turn back but she said her hip was hurting. I think she had them both replaced and I didn't know she still had pain sometimes. She was worried she was slowing you down. She was glad she went and had a fun time.

damn this Eric Gale lick is so tasty I just gotta share it

Same here. He was one of a kind.

Hate the smell, but it is fun to see the line of machines work their way through.

Do you think he read your post from beyond?

Wow, that's quite a bit earlier than Fort Loudoun on the East Coast of Tennessee (1756).
When I went to the dermatologist a year ago I think she was trying to set a personal record for shortest appointment. It was like when Elaine got her rash examined.

So, I've been going through this thread and still can't figure out what the topic is.

Topic? We don’t need no stinkin’ topic!

Speaking of topics, my Hunt rear wheels (45 and 60) were driving me nuts creaking. Love the wheels but the creaking was too much. Took them to a local shop that went though the wheels with a fine tooth comb. They even contacted Hunt to make sure the spoke tensions were correct. The shop owner said, Have you tried oiling the where the spokes insert into the wheel? Why no - never occurred to me. Tried it and problem solved.

In other topical news…. I never knew there was such a thing as a purpose made grout brush for the shower. I followed This Old House’s recommendation on how to create a non-toxic cleaning paste and used the brush (Home Depot tile and grout section) and wow did it ever make cleaning so much easier. Now I just need to put on the sealant.

Affliction

Then we've succeeded. Well done, gentlemen!!!

Okay, I'm starting to get it. Oh, by the way, I'm fast. But I'm entering competition season and need to get faster. Hence, I need to reduce my weight. Hence, I need to shed 10-12 pounds. Hence, I need to put down the bread and wheat products. But I'm struggling. Badly. Maybe I just do a 3-day fast followed by 5 days of pure beef bone broth. I don't have a concrete plan, but I think about it a bunch. Oh, and every time I ride lately, I think of Marco Pantani. Weird obsessions, really. Dieting and Pantani.