Saturday, April 30, 2011

Mechanical Madness

How hard can it be? A few tools, some parts, and some sweat equity...surely assembling a bike can't be *that* hard? Order the frame, order the components, bust a few knuckles - too easy.

After figuring out the pieces, parts, and with one "uncle, just fix this widget" moment...we finished the assembly. Still have to add the 'puter and the water bottle - but it's done. The "Honey Badger" has been on its maiden voyage (3 times now...each one still feels all new and shiny). She's going outside again tomorrow for a proof ride before the RDW does another in what is becoming a long list of "dumb ideas that made sense at the time." Yep, after riding the bike only four (maybe five if the weather cooperates on Tuesday) times, the HB will be running in slow-motion in action down at the Gulf Coast Tri. And yes, the GCT is, in fact, another of those "dumb ideas that made sense at the time" - in early January it seemed like a great idea to start the season with a half-iron distance race. You know, to keep it fresh and all. Besides, what could go wrong with a plan to train in the Northeast in winter and a record setting-ly wet and cold spring...and then race in the high 80s, high humidity IN FLORIDA! WTF?!  Yea gawds.

Pics will be posted later. And for the record, you probably want to buy a complete bike or have a local bike shop build one up for you. It's cheaper, less stressful, and if something isn't right - you are less likely to ponder flinging the shiny new piece of joy into a river. But, it looks like a rocket ship, and that's what's important!

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