Adrenalin Junkie

My Thoughts, Riding experiences, Industry experiences, and Life experiences that all somehow involve bikes

Archive for November, 2008

Numb Face

Posted in Rides on November 21st, 2008

ryan-knolly21.JPGHello all,

This past week has been a series of events that have brought me down a bit. First I have some issues with my trusty MTB bike that I gave birth two early this year. She is a Knolly Delirium T that I call Bessie. She is a beaut’ and has not given any issues. Really the problems that I had on our Tuesday night ride are not her fault (Derailleur munched, hanger bent, wheel untrue, and eventually the chain broke).  But I can’t help but wonder what I may have done to her that she may have helped these problems arise. On top of the mechanical issues I smashed my left shoulder into a tree and smacked my knee. Then, the next day, when trying to get ready to go for a ride on a demo bike that I came across, I found a crack on that. Ehh! Not my week with bikes I guess.

Then…trying to help a guy at the gas station that needed a jump my battery died…crazy right? So I have sworn off motor vehicles for a while. Just not gonna drive right now. Brave the winter on the 2 wheeled wonders that beg me to ride them every morning.

Maybe I will reach the state of cycling Zen that I have been trying to reach for the last 27 years of my life. Finding a new pocket of zest in my brain that I haven’t touched yet. I am sure drugs and alcohol will help with that right? Maybe not…some cleaner living and better eating will suffice. I am ripe with a motivation that I have never had…it might as well get used. You all should Join me. Get your winter gear out…jump on what ever bike you feel is proper that day and ride your ass off. Enjoy life on bikes!

Bike Fail

Posted in Maintenance!!!! on November 21st, 2008

mrodgers.jpgThis is an old picture and an old warranty (yes warranty) issue that Gary Fisher was so gracious to take care of with there wonderful warranty program. For those of you that think I am trying to sell Fishers…I am not…not really a fan of there line to be honest! Don’t tell GF that though….he might take offense.

This person, we will call him Jake, came in with his bike. it was held together with a small thread of metal keeping the bike from seperating into two pieces. He had ridden this bike for many years and apparently never thought to look at the bike. Check for cracks. He Hadn’t maintained the bike for some time.  Or at least I would hope that any self respecting mechanic that worked on it while is was cracked or breaking would have caught it then said something.  Luckily the guy didn’t get hurt when it snapped in half.

I promise I have positive things to say.  He is okay…that’s positive right! So now he is riding a new aluminum frame with some new bits and seems to be happy. I  think/hope he has learned to be a bit more attentive to his bikes. I relearn that lesson everyday.

“JRA” is never the reason for things that break…NEVER! There is always a cause and an effect.

Pay attention to your bike please!

Posted in Maintenance!!!! on November 1st, 2008

yum.jpg

Overhaul your bottom bracket today. Or this could be your bike.