The Aldrich Avenue Weekly

The salvation has come and gone. Eric is still out at the shop and Steve announced early last week he was quitting. Cripes. My two top go-to guys are now gone. Its just myself, Sam who is in his second year, and Brandon who has been there for about 3 weeks. Don’t get me wrong, Sam’s a solid wrench and Brandon has tons of potential, but you can’t replace two guys like that with a flip of the switch. The two of them combined probably have 50 years of experience with bicycles.  My weekend trip to visit Nate in Iowa is now ruined, and I will be working 65 some odd hours next week. However, somehow, with all of that, I have managed to get out and do some pedaling. Soooo, I guess things could be worse. Maybe. All I care about at this point is that I get my days off to race, go up to Canada, and 24 Hours.
    The latest Mountain Bike magazine had an article with some mechanic’s favorite tools. I was thinking "sweet", some unique ways of guys getting things done. However, I was kinda disapointed. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not knocking on the mechanic’s and their capabilities, but some of the tools were a lame choice. Take the Tri-allen from Park Tool. No offense dude, but there isn’t a bike shop in the world that doesn’t use one of these. Or the tire lever was another choice. Once again, used in every shop. I did like the Scratch Awl. A fancy shmancy version of a sharpened spoke, just adds a little flare to the workbench. I liked that one. Thats what I was looking for. Maybe I’m being to critical of the article, maybe I was thinking right away when I saw the add "oh, cool man, guys finding unique ways to get the job done", and I was doomed once I started reading it. I just would have done it another way. Instead of "Your mechanics favorite tool" how about "Your mechanics most unique tool". I’m all about originality, and I love coming up with new ways to turn a wrench, and fix a bicycle.
   As sad as it is, I still have high hopes for the weekend. Apologies to all of you down at Simpson college, but I will not be down this weekend to party hardy. I plan on doing a long road ride after I write this then off to work. Matt and I and some other friends hope to hit up the CC Club tonight. Tomorrow night I’m having dinner at the parents house. It will be nice to go over there for awhile, chit chat with my mom, dad, and pat. I am in need of advice. Buying a new car, insurance crap, yack, yack, yack. Speaking of cars, I am going to be buying the new Civic or Civic SI sedan this fall. I stopped by Hopkins Honda the other day while riding down the Greenway, and got a good look at em’. Ohhh-eee, they look DECE. Oh my look at the time, I gotta get outside and start pedaling. Ta Ta.

daily quote  - "Oil prices have fallen lately. We include this news for the benefit of the gas stations, which otherwise wouldn’t learn of it for six months." - Bill Tammeus, Toronto National Newspaper 1991 

Its been brewing for about a month now and I gotta let it out somehow. So I chose here. Apologies to those of you who hate complaining in writing.  Until a recent string of events, my life lately has pretty much been total chaos this past couple of weeks, and prolly will be bad again by Saturday. I got a call last week at work. It was Eric telling me he might miss the next month of work. Let me tell you a little about what has been going on. Eric has been sick for a solid 3 months now. It first was pneumonia that lingered and he had trouble breathing. Then he got a bad cold, and was having these panic like attacks, and had to call in from time to time. It has now been determined that he has some sort of case of The Asthma, and he cannot go back to work until it passes. Doctors orders….. Every year Eric is in the top 3 at Erik’s for top mechanic’s(labor dollars). So as soon as I heard this, I knew I was going to be working a lot and my emotions were going to be tested. And they have been already. This past Sunday we were very busy, a line of bikes waiting to be checked in. I was doing the best I could. This guy had this kids bike that needed a new tire. He sat there and waited his turn, then his wife came in asking whats taking him so long. He made a comment along the lines of "well I didn’t realize it takes 20 minutes to check in a flat tire." I heard it and he knew I heard it. Ya know, I’m doing the best I can to get these people in and out as quickly as possible. But he had to be "at a party".  Another guy came in to get some service done, and parts installed. When I told him it will be $7.99 to install the saddle, he started laughing at me and asked me if I was serious. With a straight face, and fumes rising inside I said "yup". I don’t have time for this shit when the shop is already bonkers. People are so rude sometimes. I honestly was so stressed at that point, I could have gone out back and had a cry.

   Then came yesterday morning. Salvation. A ray of hope. Theodore Wirth Park was now open for mt. biking. Thank God. Kyle and I found path to ride to and from the park. We did a solid 2 1/2 hours of riding. Ahhhhh, the Salsa was flawless. I love that bicycle. Perfect riding conditions for sure. We both have trouble with that rock garden at Theo for some reason, and decided the first person to bail on it buys the first round of beers at Old Chicago when we get back. We both made it, so next was if we both make it again, SHOTS!!!. An hour later, we were sitting on the patio at Old Chicago on Hennepin, drinking shots, beers, nachos, in spandex. After that was dinner at the rents. What a day. Sanity returns, and all is good for now.
  As I was driving home last night down Johnson(I took the long way). I was sitting at a stoplight and this women with two kids starts to cross the street. One is an infant in a stroller, and the other on a little trike with a handle on it so she can direct him. It was quite a sight. Then she looked at me, gave me this "this is what you get to look foward to buddy" look. It was a smile, but a stressed out smile. Like she had been with the kids all day. Where was dad I wondered?  I smiled back. I kinda quivered. Am I ready for that? I dunno. Today is another beautiful day and I’m off to  to some intervals on the trainer then off to work.  The allergies are in full swing and the biker tan has returned so summer is here………………..

daily quote - "It shows that a guy like Brad May has no respect, so he deserves no respect from anybody" -Derek Boogard after Brad May’s cheap shot on Kim Johnsson after the Wild beat the Ducks in game 4. Watch out Aneheim, the "Boogeyman" is angry.

Matt and I have officially begun the process to hopefully get Umphrey’s McGee to play at Spring Jam 2008. Its all talk at this point, but we’d like to make it happen if possible. Check it out Facebook Umphrey’s Group and Myspace Umphrey’s Group . These are just groups to get the word out. Join up. Matt is still going to the U and we’re throwing around the idea of getting a hold of the powers that be to make this a reality. Like I said, its just talk and we are in NO WAY affiliated with the Band or the organization that makes Spring Jam happen, but we want it to happen. So join up!!! If you have any information that would be helpful in our quest please let us know. Like I was saying in my previous post, this band kicks ass. A good definition of "Jam Band" in my book. These guys play 10-15 minute versions of their songs. Mixing in all sorts of solo’s by eat member, doing things on guitars you wouldn’t believe. I’ve heard some people call them the next "Phish", but I disagree. They are in a totally new and unique element.  Spread the word.
    What a horrible week of weather we’ve had. So far I’ve had 4 days worth of riding ruined. Only two of those days did I manage to get on the trainer. Sunday night I did my first intense interval session. It felt good. I was tired, and the legs were sore the next day. A good feeling believe it or not. Just over a month now until Erik’s Spring Cup. The anticipation is growing, and I can’t wait to plow through that course. I’m hoping to get outside this weekend. At this point, I don’t care if its cold outside, as long as there is no precipitation I’m game. I gotta get out and ride. The trainer is like a hamster in a hamster wheel. Anything more then and hour and a half is agonizing. Speaking of bicycles. I should have the Allez equipped with the Campagnolo Centaur group I’ve been wanting in the next month or so. My taxes are in the mail. I actually get money back this year. Suck it Uncle Sam.
   Those of you who know me know I love CHEESE, and grilled cheese sandwiches. My quest for the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich continues. Holly, Brie, and I met up for drinks at Lyle’s last Saturday to discuss bikes over a beers and some grub. The current leader for best grilled cheese is/was Sully’s in NE. To my knowledge they have since closed and its a whole new ball game. Lyle’s grilled cheese was as I said on Saturday "adequate" but not great. The Pumpernickel Rye was good, but they just used cheap slices of kraft cheese. 1 outta 2 pieces of the puzzle in place there. Now all they have to do is get at least two kinds of cheese on the sandwich, and it must be freshly sliced cheese. So its still Sully’s at this point. Anyone have any suggestions as to where I should try next?
  Ever since I got back from SRAM last December, my infatuation with suspension keeps growing. I love working on the stuff. A local wrench opened his own suspension/brake center just down the street from my place. Shockspital  His name is Brian Rose, and he knows his shit about suspension and hydraulic brake products. He started the suspension center and Quality Bicycle Products, and has now branched out on his own. I am hoping to visit sometime soon and maybe get a tour. I too someday would like to spend my working hours working on these products. Time will tell.
   In closing I would like to say R.I.P. to the late great Herb Carneal. Twins radio broadcaster for 45 years, and will be missed. I would also like to pay tribute to the late Judy Trapp, mother of my childhood best friend Bobby. She passed away this past weekend, and the funeral was today. Sadly, I was not able to attend. I wish Bobby and his family the best from here on out.

quote of the day  -   "I can’t support bike lanes. Roads are built for buses, cars, and
trucks. My heart bleeds when someone gets killed, but it’s their own
fault at the end of the day."
-Rob FordToronto City Councillor
FOOL!!!!!!!