My artist refuses to do even symbolic tattoos of girfriends/boyfriends/spouses/etc because she thinks it's bad juju. For the first time, I have an idea for my next tattoo but not the money to start it. Usually it takes me a while to figure out what I want but this time as soon as I was done with the half sleeve I knew what I wanted next. Well, I also want to extend the sleeve but I may never do that for fear of being able to get a job, heh.

This weekend has sucked. Was completely ****ed by this sickness and missed our Tiny Fix bar night last night. BF came over to keep me company and we ordered pizza from a new place. An hour and 40 minutes later it finally shows up, ice cold. (I am not a picky person but this was so cold and congealed we had to throw it in the oven to heat it back up.) At least they are refunding the credit card charge after we complained, so the ****ty cold pizza was free.

My artist is a really good friend, and since it was back towards the beginning of his professional career, he gave us a good deal on it. And a month or two ago, he told me he would give me another really good deal on a cover up. Can't really pass it up, especially since I want it gone. Only thing is, I have no idea what I want it covered up with. Something to do with bikes, just no clue what aspect of them to ink up.

Yesterday I: Threw a front brake on my track bike.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...57372731_n.jpg

Went on a ride with some friends.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...02052948_n.jpg

Found some gravel.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...65334481_n.jpg

Took some pictures.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...81152467_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...68165504_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...72029991_n.jpg

Found some more gravel.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...94047482_n.jpg


https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...83645938_n.jpg


Stopped for some cupcakes.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...61808792_n.jpg


Then hammered down hwy29...
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...96364911_n.jpg
(the only time the entire ride that I was "in the right gear" haha)


...just in time to beat the sunset.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...41912658_n.jpg


But not too late for some post ride refreshments.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...26667052_n.jpg


Finished with around 85 miles. The legs are toast, but I couldn't have planned a better day!

That sounds awesome except for the gravel on a track bike. Impressed, I think? ;)

I got 3-4 designs I'd like to do waiting in the wings for opportunities like surprise bonus cash or in this case a gift certificate. Promised myself 1/yr about 7 years ago and I'm running two behind at the moment. Still haven't figured out anything monumental for something like a sleeve or back piece, though.

yeah my big problem is i only like big pieces. so, i gotta have a like a grand saved up. i guess i could do outline first and color over time but i am impatient and hate unfinished work! heh.

The only kind of superstition i believe in is that of SO's names etc. being tattoed

think i found a main design i can work off now i just gotta put my other changes into it and see how much this shiz is gonna cost

yeah... I got something relationship-specific on my sternum and initials of beloved on my ring finger knuckle... Years later and we're still together, fingers crossed/knock wood.

I've had an unfinished half-sleeve for almost a year. It annoys me to no end.

today im feeling mildly worn from completing a solid weekend (7hrs btween sat and sun) at 15hrs for the week on the bike. (13hrs last week). starting to feel strong.

it's gonna take some serious discipline on and off the bike to complete the 17hrs that I would like to train for the coming week, but if I do it and take it easy next week then im gonna feel fantastic and be ready to dial back the volume and start doing more intense rides.

im stoked. this year's gonna be bttr than last year on the bike for sure. racing has already started around here but ill let those early birds have their glory and starting punking some fools in march.

Today I rode a metric century with some sw8 fixay homays.

It was pretty damn nice out. Doesn't even feel like January.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...72727729_n.jpg

I don't believe in any kind of superstition really, but most respectable vet tattoo artists will usually refuse to do work like that, especially on first-time customers. For good reason.

Right I'm taking a part my front rim and gonna rebuild it. I'll update later and post pics.

First attempt. http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=295695http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=295696http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=295697http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=295698 I'm pretty sure I did it wrong plus it doesn't look like the same pattern as the rear. So I gotta take a look and try to figure it out. Edit:Ok maybe I did it Dan's way right but his way is not like the rear.

This is my rear will http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=295699does any one know the lacing pattern?

That's 3 cross.

maybe I'm not seeing it correctly, but it looks to me like your front wheel was built with a 4 cross pattern. Rear wheel is a 3 cross.

I made my own thread.

CAAD is down to 15.21 after swapping the elite for a masterpiece.

Dayum son.

Today I put in a decent 50 miles.

95g to go. Much cheaper than I thought it was gonna cost to get under. About 60 bucks so far. QR's and Ti bits coming in should do it.

Rollers are hard. I almost ate it.
And Yokozuna is, in the words of Morgan, "Like getting a handjob every time you shift."

Tonight I took a train home instead of riding. I'd feel ashamed, but riding through a thunderstorm at night when it's 30 degrees outside and the rain is freezing to the ground and it's hailing too makes me unashamed.

Today I dyed some hairs purple, did my taxes, purchased web hosting space, figured out how to put ads on the tiny fix website, found out a local framebuilder is going to collaborate with tiny fix to make a 650c-wheeled tiny ss/fg bike (and we'll get to buy it at cost! woo! and do other collabs with them!), watched the blackhawks win a thriller in overtime, and NOW IT'S BEDTIME.

Today I raced my first criterium.

If it's in her budget, my gf would love one too. :)

Today I rode some bike and cracked my iphone 5 screen after fumbling it while repocketing it in my jersey pocket. At that exact moment my heart stopped. ****

Sux dood, i know that feel.

Still works tho right? When i ride the phone stays in the pocket unless im stopped lol