The Big Dummy goes offroad.

Easton and I brought the Big Dummy out for an off road ride at Comite park Last weekend. The long tail bike handled great. Riding a long bike on such a seemingly tight trail was no problem at all. The added weight gave the bike momentum to make it over obstacles and hills that I did not think possible. The Snap Deck does need a cushion or padding to make Eastons ride more comfortable. Easton did not want to ride down Skid Mark hill or over some of the log crossings, but I was able to ride them by myself just fine. After riding up one of the longer hills we met up the Bill from DRB. He was out riding his off rode unicycle. Very entertaining to watch. We got to watch him try and fail going down a short rough hill into the Bowl.

Next installment, Making something out of nothing, or real recycling.

The Big Dummy commutes.

I have commuted on the Big Dummy for a few days and I find it rides as well as or more stable than my Surly 1x1 commuter. It's slower, but not much so. But it can carry everything I could possibly want to bring to work, or home from work, and I can carry Easton on it as well. It's been refined about as much as I can with what I have. I still need a front and rear wheel for the commuter built, but that will wait a week or so.

The Big Dummy is complete.

Well, the Big Dummy has arrived. It was received just after I left DRB to feed Landon and put him down for a nap. Perfect timing. I would have been able to start building the bike during Landon's nap if it had come in just a little sooner. No matter. We picked it up and started the process of moving parts from my daily commuter over to the Dummy after he woke up. The process was slow since I don't do this all day every day, but between watching Landon, feeding, ni night, etc. it was more than half done by the time I was tired enough to go to sleep. I finished it the next day and brought it to Bill to have him cut the steerer tube and seat the star nut since he had better tools for that than I did. This bike will have to be my commuter until I can buy replacement parts for the 1x1. I want to have both bikes built at the same time. I did get a free set of used disc hubs that I can build into wheels. Bill will talk me through the process when I'm ready.

For sale: motorcycle

In order to buy bicycle related goodies, I have to either start making more money or sell stuff that I don't want/use.

For sale: 2001 Suzuki DRZ400S, like new condition, many extra's, must see to appreciate.

Starting the new year right.

I placed the order for a Surly Big Dummy from Bill at Dirtroad bicycles. I hope the have the frame on the 9th of January '09. Also on order is the Longtail kit from Xtracycle. I intend to move some parts from my commuter bike over to the Dummy until I can sell enough stuff to buy replacements. I'll need another rear wheel with a gear hub. First choice would be the Rohloff Speedhub with 14 gears. Second choice and posibly the most reasonable is the Shimano Alfine hub. The Alfine hub with 8 speeds is really all I need in Baton Rouge, but aiming for the Speedhub is a posibility. A front wheel with disc and rim brake capability is also needed. 36 hole drilling of course. Disc brakes will eventually be installed at both ends, but for the first few rides, I will have to do with rim jobs. I will be working hard at getting the dummy ready for hauling the kids. Getting Landon willing to ride on the bike instead of in the trailer will be difficult but necessary.

The start of something ordinary

This blog will probably put most of you to sleep. This is a good thing if you have trouble sleeping. A bad think if you are interested in something interesting about bikes. I'll try to do better.