Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Bike frame arrived today. It's still a mystery as to what it is. It's VERY NICE as far as a road frame goes. All silver with "Raleigh" in black script with a red drop-shadow on the downtube. Frame and fork have chrome "socks". Top tube has three cable-guides for full-length housing. Downtube does not have any shifter bosses (one reason why I chose this one), which places this in 1981 at the very latest, as far as I can tell. Dropouts on the frame and fork are Suntour Superbe. Cable routing is under the bottom bracket, so that places this in the late 70s or later. Chainstays are not dimpled for tires or crankset, which is usually a mark of a track frame, but this is not one. Frame and fork are both Reynolds 531 with original decals. Lugs are "window" lugs, possibly Cinelli, but that's a slim possibility since this is not a Special Bikes production from the serial number. The serial number starts with 'N', placing it as a Nottingham bike however, there are known 'N' serial number framesets which were produced by Bridgestone. The 26.6 seatpost is also a mark of Japanese production. This frame really has the looks of a Miyata Full Pro, but that's only due to dropouts, cable guides, bottom bracket shell, and lugs. The geometry is definitely not the nearly vertical Full Pro, nor is the tubing Miyata splined, but it is almost certainly Japanese production (a good thing since mid-late 70s Raleigh QC was known to be horrible, in that you hope you get a bike brazed on Wednesday, not Monday or Friday.) I WAS going to put my old Stronglight A9 headset on this bike, but much to my surprise, it has a Campagnolo Gran Sport headset; same as the Pista with the larger bearings, but a different top nut. Guys at the bike shop where I had it shipped were all a little envious of this score.
I posted an appeal to the classic & vintage pool of knowledge on Bike Forums to see f I could glean more information about model, year, and location of production; we'll see what info I get in the next week or so.
I'm being held up by Velo Orange Enterprise rims being out of stock everywhere and on back-order with my LBS distributor. That rim has a ~15mm high brake track, much larger than average rims, which is a feature I want in order to give me the most adjustability forward and aft for gear changes.
I have yet to finally decide on things like seatpost, stem, handlebars, calipers and brake levers. I need to get the crankset on this, then measure from the bottom pedal stroke to various points in space in order to compare against the cockpit measurements of my Miyata 610. Then I need to get abuilt 700c wheel with a tire on it in the rear dropout to see what kind of brake reach I'll need. As I haven't yet built my wheelset, I can still choose to go with 650B for more gear change adjustability, but I don't want to shorten the trail of the fork with the smaller wheel size. That will all come in the next week or so.
EDIT: Cal, I'll be running 42/17 as standard on this Raleigh.
Phil
I posted an appeal to the classic & vintage pool of knowledge on Bike Forums to see f I could glean more information about model, year, and location of production; we'll see what info I get in the next week or so.
I'm being held up by Velo Orange Enterprise rims being out of stock everywhere and on back-order with my LBS distributor. That rim has a ~15mm high brake track, much larger than average rims, which is a feature I want in order to give me the most adjustability forward and aft for gear changes.
I have yet to finally decide on things like seatpost, stem, handlebars, calipers and brake levers. I need to get the crankset on this, then measure from the bottom pedal stroke to various points in space in order to compare against the cockpit measurements of my Miyata 610. Then I need to get abuilt 700c wheel with a tire on it in the rear dropout to see what kind of brake reach I'll need. As I haven't yet built my wheelset, I can still choose to go with 650B for more gear change adjustability, but I don't want to shorten the trail of the fork with the smaller wheel size. That will all come in the next week or so.
EDIT: Cal, I'll be running 42/17 as standard on this Raleigh.
Phil
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Phil,
Snarky Joe has me tuned in for a 63 gear inch. My tire diameter is 25.5 inches though.
66.71” for your 27 inch tires.
A.J. Has Sun/Ringle rims for my wheel build. UBER high polish and wide width for cush. I might go with a 2.3 wide tire if it will fit on the Alibi. My gearing then would be slightly taller.
I moved the pivot on the Paul’s Components “Duplex” brake lever to long pull so I can use the single lever for controlling both front and rear V-brakes. This will use what I have and save both weight and money.
Cal
Snarky Joe has me tuned in for a 63 gear inch. My tire diameter is 25.5 inches though.
66.71” for your 27 inch tires.
A.J. Has Sun/Ringle rims for my wheel build. UBER high polish and wide width for cush. I might go with a 2.3 wide tire if it will fit on the Alibi. My gearing then would be slightly taller.
I moved the pivot on the Paul’s Components “Duplex” brake lever to long pull so I can use the single lever for controlling both front and rear V-brakes. This will use what I have and save both weight and money.
Cal
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Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
The “Monster” Raleigh is almost certainly a 1980 Competition GS, slightly relaxed geometry from the SBDU racing bikes which had parallel 74 degree head and seat tubes, this is a 73/72 degree, which is still steep but not like a track bike. No specific data on the actual factory where it was produced, but the build quality is very high, with little tells which point to Bridgestone. Wherever it was made, it is a very nice frame and should make a good full-time fixed bike.
Phil
Phil
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Pretty steep angles for fast handling. Seems like “slightly” relaxed is mighty great.
I mocked up the 15 1/2 inch IBIS Alibi with a fork and the wheelbase is only 40 inches. The short wheelbase translates into quick handling. With a suspension fork a 71 degree head tube and a 73 degree seat tube.
Looks like the rain advanced and I might get my opportunity to ride tomorrow.
The Dyson air purifier/humidifier was delivered. I’m setting it up for 50% humidity and will gauge it’s performance. I’m ready for my heating experiment to utilize my mini-splits more. I love the silent running and the lack of a cloud that my old ultrasonic Swiss humidifiers made that left a white film as a sign of pollution.
I used filtered water from my Brita pitcher that removes some of the solids. Hoping that this will keep down the maintenance. Let’s see…
Anyways I can feel my sinuses clearing from the humidifier just running perhaps a half hour. The dry air from heating made my sinus infection worse and kinda aggravated it. Seems like more draining is happening as the congestion clears.
Cal
I mocked up the 15 1/2 inch IBIS Alibi with a fork and the wheelbase is only 40 inches. The short wheelbase translates into quick handling. With a suspension fork a 71 degree head tube and a 73 degree seat tube.
Looks like the rain advanced and I might get my opportunity to ride tomorrow.
The Dyson air purifier/humidifier was delivered. I’m setting it up for 50% humidity and will gauge it’s performance. I’m ready for my heating experiment to utilize my mini-splits more. I love the silent running and the lack of a cloud that my old ultrasonic Swiss humidifiers made that left a white film as a sign of pollution.
I used filtered water from my Brita pitcher that removes some of the solids. Hoping that this will keep down the maintenance. Let’s see…
Anyways I can feel my sinuses clearing from the humidifier just running perhaps a half hour. The dry air from heating made my sinus infection worse and kinda aggravated it. Seems like more draining is happening as the congestion clears.
Cal
jszokoli
Well-known
I think this stupid viral infection is everywhere. My wife got sick while we were in London visiting my son and true to form gave it to me. I've been coughing for three weeks straight. On the bike front I also recently built up a classic. I've attached the ebay image below. There are what I consider good values out there. This frame was $440 plus shipping. I built it up with a bunch of somewhat period correct Campy stuff I had on hand, and a TA crank with rings sized for an old guy like me. Believe it or not new TA cyclo tourist cranks as well as rings are still being made!
Joe
Joe
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Gorgeous Bob Jackson, Joe! Early to mid 70s?
Phil
Phil
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Snarky Joe,
I want to be one of those local legends: a tough old geezer who rides a lot.
That Bob Jackson is in great condition and looks NOS.
Is that a threadless steerer tube on the fork?
What kills me on buying bike frames is the shipping. My IBIS Alibi is almost like a BMX bike for me because of the extra-small frame size. The top tube is only a half inch shorter than my Ti IBIS that is a 17 inch frame. Both bikes have a 40 inch wheelbase for fast/violent steering.
The frame size is 15 1/2 inches measured center-to-top. Know on a mountain bike that a 17-18 inch frame is my size, but I love the slightly small 17 inch frame size.
A 42-17T will provide me with a perfect chain. Boy do I want to build a pump track. At Blue Mountain there is a huge natural bowl that is an ideal location. It is used as a construction/staging area, and is an underutilized parking area. If it were a volcanic caldera it would be about 200 feet in diameter. Pretty much just truck in some soil to create some “rollers” and the banked berms already exist.
The bowl has about a 25 foot drop around two-thirds the circumference. The pitch is about a 45 degrees. This utility parking area is gravel. Even reclaiming about half the space would be a really great track.
Blue Mountain is a Westchester park, so I would have to get the O.K. At a county level.
Am I delusional artist? My fant-A-C is to have a rather bold/outrageous pump track 2 1/2 blocks from my Baby-Victorian. How cool would that be?
Know that the IBIS Alibi could become easily a great pump-track bike for me. I guess anyways this is a direction I’m heading.
BTW I know a former Mayor of Peekskill, and lots of the local political figures. Even met a former City Councilman who’s wife is one of Maggie’s followers. Also know I am a great salesman, so pretty much perhaps not so remote.
I guess not only this sinus infection is going around, there also seems like “bike-disease” that is mucho contagious.
Looks like in the afternoon the weather will be clear. My wish comes true. “Maggie” has to go to NYC.
I reassembled the top of the upstairs bathroom cabinet. This resembles a flat closet and it kinda makes the narrow bathroom seem bigger. I sized it as tall as the bathroom door. It is so narrow that it will have to be screwed to the wall.
Cal
I want to be one of those local legends: a tough old geezer who rides a lot.
That Bob Jackson is in great condition and looks NOS.
Is that a threadless steerer tube on the fork?
What kills me on buying bike frames is the shipping. My IBIS Alibi is almost like a BMX bike for me because of the extra-small frame size. The top tube is only a half inch shorter than my Ti IBIS that is a 17 inch frame. Both bikes have a 40 inch wheelbase for fast/violent steering.
The frame size is 15 1/2 inches measured center-to-top. Know on a mountain bike that a 17-18 inch frame is my size, but I love the slightly small 17 inch frame size.
A 42-17T will provide me with a perfect chain. Boy do I want to build a pump track. At Blue Mountain there is a huge natural bowl that is an ideal location. It is used as a construction/staging area, and is an underutilized parking area. If it were a volcanic caldera it would be about 200 feet in diameter. Pretty much just truck in some soil to create some “rollers” and the banked berms already exist.
The bowl has about a 25 foot drop around two-thirds the circumference. The pitch is about a 45 degrees. This utility parking area is gravel. Even reclaiming about half the space would be a really great track.
Blue Mountain is a Westchester park, so I would have to get the O.K. At a county level.
Am I delusional artist? My fant-A-C is to have a rather bold/outrageous pump track 2 1/2 blocks from my Baby-Victorian. How cool would that be?
Know that the IBIS Alibi could become easily a great pump-track bike for me. I guess anyways this is a direction I’m heading.
BTW I know a former Mayor of Peekskill, and lots of the local political figures. Even met a former City Councilman who’s wife is one of Maggie’s followers. Also know I am a great salesman, so pretty much perhaps not so remote.
I guess not only this sinus infection is going around, there also seems like “bike-disease” that is mucho contagious.
Looks like in the afternoon the weather will be clear. My wish comes true. “Maggie” has to go to NYC.
I reassembled the top of the upstairs bathroom cabinet. This resembles a flat closet and it kinda makes the narrow bathroom seem bigger. I sized it as tall as the bathroom door. It is so narrow that it will have to be screwed to the wall.
Cal
Nokton48
Veteran
CFV16 500CM 250 C T Star Sonnar EI 200 by Nokton48, on FlickrMorning Cal.
Handheld 500C/M CFV16 Digital Back 250mm f5.6 black C T* Zeiss Sonnar, EI 200 Metered with the Olde CDS Meter Prism, set the EV on the lens, this is the result. Lazy Dan.
jszokoli
Well-known
The Bob Jackson is late 70’s. The top of the bottom bracket cable routing and lack of shifter braze-on’s kind of date it. The frame was defiantly ridden but not trashed. Much of the paint damage seems from storage. Cal no ‘normal’ builder had even dreamt of treadless at that time, it’s a standard treaded set up.
This bike really rides nicely, and is pretty. The seller mentioned in his description that it could be a repaint given the color, but poking around on the web it seems to be original as you can find images of that paint scheme on contemporary images.
Weirdly the bottom bracket had never been cleaned up and faced.
I really should take some pictures of the bike built up.
Joe
This bike really rides nicely, and is pretty. The seller mentioned in his description that it could be a repaint given the color, but poking around on the web it seems to be original as you can find images of that paint scheme on contemporary images.
Weirdly the bottom bracket had never been cleaned up and faced.
I really should take some pictures of the bike built up.
Joe
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Lazy Dan,
Peak foliage is starting in my back-backyard, and the fall ground fog settles peacefully into the valley I live in. I love the sense of wonder and mystery that gets presented.
A deer has eaten my fall crop of snow peas.
Looking forward to gathering this years crop of the neighborhood leaves for mulch and clean fill. A cliff is forming on my section that overlooks the marsh.
Looks like around lunchtime I’ll try to do a ride. The goal is to head down south on Washington Street and figure out a new good training loop that will be great for a single speed workout.
With “Maggie” heading into NYC, I took advantage of the empty house to get loud with my guitars. The acoustic guitars are so interesting because they seem to need to be “woken-up” after sitting, and then the sound gets louder and fuller.
Gear needs to be used…
Cal
Peak foliage is starting in my back-backyard, and the fall ground fog settles peacefully into the valley I live in. I love the sense of wonder and mystery that gets presented.
A deer has eaten my fall crop of snow peas.
Looking forward to gathering this years crop of the neighborhood leaves for mulch and clean fill. A cliff is forming on my section that overlooks the marsh.
Looks like around lunchtime I’ll try to do a ride. The goal is to head down south on Washington Street and figure out a new good training loop that will be great for a single speed workout.
With “Maggie” heading into NYC, I took advantage of the empty house to get loud with my guitars. The acoustic guitars are so interesting because they seem to need to be “woken-up” after sitting, and then the sound gets louder and fuller.
Gear needs to be used…
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Beware of bike disease. Obviously it is spreading.
My friend A.J. Is using some polished Sun Rhyno Lite rims to build my wheels. A.J. Is my size except mucho more muscular. Because he is an ex-NORBA downhiller you got to know that he builds strong wheels. Also because I’m such a featherweight wheels last me a mucho long time.
Polished rims will look great on the Alibi.
I know that threadless evolved in the 90’s, but that photo did not clearly show any threads. I wondered also if the bike was ever built, and perhaps the fork was not threaded. I know twisted thinking, but I live in a world outside convention.
Cal
My friend A.J. Is using some polished Sun Rhyno Lite rims to build my wheels. A.J. Is my size except mucho more muscular. Because he is an ex-NORBA downhiller you got to know that he builds strong wheels. Also because I’m such a featherweight wheels last me a mucho long time.
Polished rims will look great on the Alibi.
I know that threadless evolved in the 90’s, but that photo did not clearly show any threads. I wondered also if the bike was ever built, and perhaps the fork was not threaded. I know twisted thinking, but I live in a world outside convention.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I polished off some rust with an hour and 20 minute ride. I crawled up the hills.
I made a right at Furnace Dock Road and migrated towards the river and on the other side of Albany Post Road ( Route 9A) to re-explore roads I have been on before either biking or walking.
These streets east of 9A and south of the Baby-Victorian are the tiny sleepy villages of Verplank, Buchanan, and Montrose. Not a busy area and not many cars or businesses. In Verplank I saw a flock of wild turkeys strutting across someone’s front lawn.
The roads were wet, there were puddles to avoid, and leaf littered the roads. The vibe is not so suburban and one could believe they are upstate in some remote village.
I learned that I’m not is such great shape, and the rust is deep.
Time to eat…
Cal
I made a right at Furnace Dock Road and migrated towards the river and on the other side of Albany Post Road ( Route 9A) to re-explore roads I have been on before either biking or walking.
These streets east of 9A and south of the Baby-Victorian are the tiny sleepy villages of Verplank, Buchanan, and Montrose. Not a busy area and not many cars or businesses. In Verplank I saw a flock of wild turkeys strutting across someone’s front lawn.
The roads were wet, there were puddles to avoid, and leaf littered the roads. The vibe is not so suburban and one could believe they are upstate in some remote village.
I learned that I’m not is such great shape, and the rust is deep.
Time to eat…
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Metro North suffered a mud slide at Croton, so I picked up “Maggie” at Tarrytown. It really did not rain hard, so this was a surprise.
I hate driving through or to Tarrytown because of the congestion. Today it was even worse due to street closures and some street fair. Pretty much Tarrytown for me is a place to avoid.
My legs are rubbery. I did take it a bit easy today because of my weeks of illness, but I’m back. It will take some time to recover and get back to where I was.
The high point of the day was playing my two newer Santa Cruz acoustic guitars. I played them enough where they opened up a good amount. I was very impressed.
When I pulled out my older Santa Cruz I was surprised that it no longer tops the newer guitars. My OM, the older Santa Cruz is kinda fully broken in, and it features scalloped bracing there the braces are shaved so they flex more for deeper bass and more response.
My two Model “F”’s don’t have scalloped bracing and seem to have a more balanced sound that is more defined and clearer. Also know that mahogany has a distinct tone that is mostly fundamental that has less overtones than Rosewood.
I guess what I’m saying is that my two new guitars impressed me more than my old favorite. Wow.
Anyways, this is very inspiring. I am so pleased that I bought these guitars last year. Now I can’t live without them. The Model F I custom ordered has 1930’s old growth woods is more open, but it is getting louder and fuller. The “Hog” all mahogany guitar sounds like a piano. Both the same model, but totally different guitars.
The Hog my friend Cris first thought it was made of Koa because of all the figure in the wood, but it has nicely figured mahogany for the back, sides and top. This guitar has a deep bass and fat tone.
I also plugged in a few different guitars into the new/old Victoria. The Tele I recovered from Cris that went missing for 3 years loves the amp. So does the single pickup Cabronita. With the Cabronita the volume on the guitar has to be turned up to get a full sound. The Tele responded differently.
I did learn that my Esquire called “Worm” (because it has a barn wood body that features worm holes) did not do so well with the Victoria amp, but that’s alright. I have other amps for that guitar.
I had a great day. Lots of fun.
Cal
I hate driving through or to Tarrytown because of the congestion. Today it was even worse due to street closures and some street fair. Pretty much Tarrytown for me is a place to avoid.
My legs are rubbery. I did take it a bit easy today because of my weeks of illness, but I’m back. It will take some time to recover and get back to where I was.
The high point of the day was playing my two newer Santa Cruz acoustic guitars. I played them enough where they opened up a good amount. I was very impressed.
When I pulled out my older Santa Cruz I was surprised that it no longer tops the newer guitars. My OM, the older Santa Cruz is kinda fully broken in, and it features scalloped bracing there the braces are shaved so they flex more for deeper bass and more response.
My two Model “F”’s don’t have scalloped bracing and seem to have a more balanced sound that is more defined and clearer. Also know that mahogany has a distinct tone that is mostly fundamental that has less overtones than Rosewood.
I guess what I’m saying is that my two new guitars impressed me more than my old favorite. Wow.
Anyways, this is very inspiring. I am so pleased that I bought these guitars last year. Now I can’t live without them. The Model F I custom ordered has 1930’s old growth woods is more open, but it is getting louder and fuller. The “Hog” all mahogany guitar sounds like a piano. Both the same model, but totally different guitars.
The Hog my friend Cris first thought it was made of Koa because of all the figure in the wood, but it has nicely figured mahogany for the back, sides and top. This guitar has a deep bass and fat tone.
I also plugged in a few different guitars into the new/old Victoria. The Tele I recovered from Cris that went missing for 3 years loves the amp. So does the single pickup Cabronita. With the Cabronita the volume on the guitar has to be turned up to get a full sound. The Tele responded differently.
I did learn that my Esquire called “Worm” (because it has a barn wood body that features worm holes) did not do so well with the Victoria amp, but that’s alright. I have other amps for that guitar.
I had a great day. Lots of fun.
Cal
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Today I cut wood for the bathroom cabinet doors and used a table saw to make dado’ed channels for wood panels and the screening that has clover cutouts.
Dragging out heavy tools and setting them up outside from the basement I dread.
Again lots of improvised problem solving. I like this kind of relaxing, no schedule, no deadline, and pretty much where I can take the time to do a good job.
I’m happy with the results.
Cal
Dragging out heavy tools and setting them up outside from the basement I dread.
Again lots of improvised problem solving. I like this kind of relaxing, no schedule, no deadline, and pretty much where I can take the time to do a good job.
I’m happy with the results.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I am starting to feel the aches and pains of aging. The ride the other day required more rest, and yesterday’s lugging of saws from the basement left my chest sore. Not long ago these would of not been any strain at all. I am feeling the fade that is aging, and in a few months I’ll be 66.
I figure age 70 will be a bit of a milestone and a turning point. My goal is to have mostly all the heavy lifting done on my old/new house so I can concentrate on just my mental and physical well being.
I figure eventually I will get to where I want to be, but I need to be stubborn and keep at it and work towards my goal every day.
I love seeing the fruits of my labor, and I know it is my blood, sweat and tears. I would rather do the work than talk about it. Next year I figure the garage will get a new hip roof that I will do myself, and a new pair of carriage doors made of full 1x12 rough sawn fir from my friend Craig.
Pretty much I am on a 5-year plan and doing something every day to move forward. “Maggie” uses the collective “we” when it comes to the house, but pretty much I’m the person doing the “work.” Meanwhile her work really is her writing which creates a dilemma because at this point the promotion and publicity is a burden and no enjoyment.
Kinda funny how her book involves commercialization, capitalism, and getting ones work getting corrupted. In her book she writes about loosing herself and her identity. I hate to say it, “But here we go again.”
I am not surprised, and for decades I realized how fraught and difficult it is to have artistic integrity. Eyes wide open here.
I developed a stylish new winter uniform since my 3 season trademark of Patagonia rock climbing knickers fall out of use. I bought these military styled FJALL RAVEN G-1000 pants that have mucho pockets and also blend in an outdoor look as well as a work pant look.
These pants I bought on sale at REI at a pretty big discount, and full price they are mucho costly, but they are engineered for mobility and durability. In fact you can “wax” the pants to make them waterproof. I hopefully expect them to be durable and long lasting like my Patagonia knickers. Wear and tear should only enhance their purpose as an everyday wear.
I should mention that the tailoring on a skinny muscular guy is very form fitting and presents a sculpted youthful body in a mucho flattering manner. Perhaps it amplifies the look of a teenage body on an old man with an now almost all white arrogant chin beard.
One pair is a EU size 42, or a U.S. sized 27-28. These are a olive green and promote a military vibe. A second black pair I purposely bought a size 29. Yesterday I used a pair of Arcteryx tites underneath for added insulation. I need to stock up and get more. Perhaps I’ll “wax” a pair to use as a rain gear bottom. Know I bought some waterproof boots on sale in Brattleboro Vermont, during the Literary Festival on sale.
Dirt, mud, wear, and stains will only make this uniform look cooler and bolder. My new image is “a tough old geezer.”
Today I expect to drill holes so I can dowel the many piece doors together. The aluminum screening with the clover cutout is a 3x3 foot section that I found in the basement that came with the house. I’m recycling it.
This rant has a deeper meaning of a sense of purpose that many do not have when they retire. How to fill the time and have an occupation outside of work, meaning earning money, that can leave people with a sense of loss and meaning in their life. I said this before, “Retirement has not been anything I previously imagined.”
BTW I had a dream last night about getting fired from my last job. Pretty much they would have Fxxx’ed themselves because I put up with a lot of BS. They actually would have done me a favor and made my day. A nightmare would actually been a stream come true. In other words I wish I would of retired sooner despite the less money.
For an artist time is the most important resource. Perhaps retiring at age 62 instead of 63 would of been no real hardship. Anyways the thought comes out, and makes me wonder. IMHO I think I would be happier, but the fallout would have been that Maggie would worry and be unsettled. Me. I would just move forward.
Oh-well and move on. Maggie would stay stuck and make it into a big deal. I see the bonus and a positive spin. In a ways I wish it would of happened. BTW there was a time when I was 62 where I could of been fired. Like I said it could of been my dream come true.
My last year of work was tough and oppressive. We were short-staffed, and I was overburdened with too much responsibility. The commute was no bargain either, and know that money would of been just an adjustment.
So here I wonder…
I will also say that having freedom as an artist has a profound meaning to me. Fame I would not wish on anyone, and in fact it is a liability. Pretty much all I want to do is “mind my own business” and be happy. I want a simple life because I don’t know anyone with a complicated life that is truly happy.
Meanwhile “Maggie” seems to be in a rush because of deadlines, schedules, and all these outside influences beyond her control. Despite the accomplishment of getting a book published, making money, and being famous I don’t think she is truly very happy.
In a word this rant is all about one word: fulfillment.
Cal
I figure age 70 will be a bit of a milestone and a turning point. My goal is to have mostly all the heavy lifting done on my old/new house so I can concentrate on just my mental and physical well being.
I figure eventually I will get to where I want to be, but I need to be stubborn and keep at it and work towards my goal every day.
I love seeing the fruits of my labor, and I know it is my blood, sweat and tears. I would rather do the work than talk about it. Next year I figure the garage will get a new hip roof that I will do myself, and a new pair of carriage doors made of full 1x12 rough sawn fir from my friend Craig.
Pretty much I am on a 5-year plan and doing something every day to move forward. “Maggie” uses the collective “we” when it comes to the house, but pretty much I’m the person doing the “work.” Meanwhile her work really is her writing which creates a dilemma because at this point the promotion and publicity is a burden and no enjoyment.
Kinda funny how her book involves commercialization, capitalism, and getting ones work getting corrupted. In her book she writes about loosing herself and her identity. I hate to say it, “But here we go again.”
I am not surprised, and for decades I realized how fraught and difficult it is to have artistic integrity. Eyes wide open here.
I developed a stylish new winter uniform since my 3 season trademark of Patagonia rock climbing knickers fall out of use. I bought these military styled FJALL RAVEN G-1000 pants that have mucho pockets and also blend in an outdoor look as well as a work pant look.
These pants I bought on sale at REI at a pretty big discount, and full price they are mucho costly, but they are engineered for mobility and durability. In fact you can “wax” the pants to make them waterproof. I hopefully expect them to be durable and long lasting like my Patagonia knickers. Wear and tear should only enhance their purpose as an everyday wear.
I should mention that the tailoring on a skinny muscular guy is very form fitting and presents a sculpted youthful body in a mucho flattering manner. Perhaps it amplifies the look of a teenage body on an old man with an now almost all white arrogant chin beard.
One pair is a EU size 42, or a U.S. sized 27-28. These are a olive green and promote a military vibe. A second black pair I purposely bought a size 29. Yesterday I used a pair of Arcteryx tites underneath for added insulation. I need to stock up and get more. Perhaps I’ll “wax” a pair to use as a rain gear bottom. Know I bought some waterproof boots on sale in Brattleboro Vermont, during the Literary Festival on sale.
Dirt, mud, wear, and stains will only make this uniform look cooler and bolder. My new image is “a tough old geezer.”
Today I expect to drill holes so I can dowel the many piece doors together. The aluminum screening with the clover cutout is a 3x3 foot section that I found in the basement that came with the house. I’m recycling it.
This rant has a deeper meaning of a sense of purpose that many do not have when they retire. How to fill the time and have an occupation outside of work, meaning earning money, that can leave people with a sense of loss and meaning in their life. I said this before, “Retirement has not been anything I previously imagined.”
BTW I had a dream last night about getting fired from my last job. Pretty much they would have Fxxx’ed themselves because I put up with a lot of BS. They actually would have done me a favor and made my day. A nightmare would actually been a stream come true. In other words I wish I would of retired sooner despite the less money.
For an artist time is the most important resource. Perhaps retiring at age 62 instead of 63 would of been no real hardship. Anyways the thought comes out, and makes me wonder. IMHO I think I would be happier, but the fallout would have been that Maggie would worry and be unsettled. Me. I would just move forward.
Oh-well and move on. Maggie would stay stuck and make it into a big deal. I see the bonus and a positive spin. In a ways I wish it would of happened. BTW there was a time when I was 62 where I could of been fired. Like I said it could of been my dream come true.
My last year of work was tough and oppressive. We were short-staffed, and I was overburdened with too much responsibility. The commute was no bargain either, and know that money would of been just an adjustment.
So here I wonder…
I will also say that having freedom as an artist has a profound meaning to me. Fame I would not wish on anyone, and in fact it is a liability. Pretty much all I want to do is “mind my own business” and be happy. I want a simple life because I don’t know anyone with a complicated life that is truly happy.
Meanwhile “Maggie” seems to be in a rush because of deadlines, schedules, and all these outside influences beyond her control. Despite the accomplishment of getting a book published, making money, and being famous I don’t think she is truly very happy.
In a word this rant is all about one word: fulfillment.
Cal
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Calzone
Gear Whore #1
After building the foundation of the bathroom cabinet, the doors are the part that makes the most visual impact. The shelves and two sides already look impressive, but the doors are the main attraction that will anchor the built-in into being a centerpiece of the bathroom.
So pretty much more emphasis on construction and details are important. My guess is extra care s warranted and needed to be an exclamation point. Almost how a great frame can elevate a print’s impact.
So my improvisation continues. Also know that even though this is just a bathroom cabinet that is almost 7 feet tall that there is a lot of drama going on. Not so different than performance art because it clearly makes it’s own statement. In other words there is a deeper meaning here, of my identity, my expression, and my obsessive qualities, that speak out and shout.
BTW this rather tall narrow cabinet requires securing and mounting it to the wall as a built-in to avoid tipping. I found these 110 pound wall anchors at Home Cheapo, but because the used only a 2x3 studs I had to re-engineer the wall anchor to work. In the end I elevated and made a more elegant solution where no bracket is used and the cabinet bolts directly to the wall.
On a commercial level this took a lot of time, and nobody else would of invested the time…
Suddenly an inanimate object, a bathroom cabinet, makes a bold statement, becomes art, and displays character and individuality.
Not sure anyone else will see the deeper meaning here, but that is the point.
Cal
So pretty much more emphasis on construction and details are important. My guess is extra care s warranted and needed to be an exclamation point. Almost how a great frame can elevate a print’s impact.
So my improvisation continues. Also know that even though this is just a bathroom cabinet that is almost 7 feet tall that there is a lot of drama going on. Not so different than performance art because it clearly makes it’s own statement. In other words there is a deeper meaning here, of my identity, my expression, and my obsessive qualities, that speak out and shout.
BTW this rather tall narrow cabinet requires securing and mounting it to the wall as a built-in to avoid tipping. I found these 110 pound wall anchors at Home Cheapo, but because the used only a 2x3 studs I had to re-engineer the wall anchor to work. In the end I elevated and made a more elegant solution where no bracket is used and the cabinet bolts directly to the wall.
On a commercial level this took a lot of time, and nobody else would of invested the time…
Suddenly an inanimate object, a bathroom cabinet, makes a bold statement, becomes art, and displays character and individuality.
Not sure anyone else will see the deeper meaning here, but that is the point.
Cal
Last edited:
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I use my local delivery guys as a proxy for the DOW Transportation Index. This index is often used as a leading early indicator of a recession when it slows down. My Fed Ex and UPS drivers of course only supply an insider’s look of what is happening in New York.
Today Mike my UPS driver revealed a slowdown, and he believes we are already in a recession. He gauges it as bad and I inquired how bad compared to 2007-2008 and he replied that it is worse than 2007-2008. At UPS there are major lay-offs, but because of his seniority Mike thinks he is safe. In 2007-2008 he was laid-off.
To pay his bills his wife now works full time.
My neighbor made a good point that Amazon has grown so much and gained a lot of market share. Certainly this is true and has an effect on UPS and Fed Ex, but perhaps not enough to justify what Mike is experiancing.
Know that wars are costly and inflationary. As I say the money has to come from somewhere, so my opinion is that the FED is not done raising rates yet. Indirectly we are paying for wars. This also is not just our economy, but also the world economy.
We are in trouble, and more trouble lays ahead.
Yesterday a survey crew was mapping out my hood. I inquired and they are determining property lines. It has nothing to do with the abandoned house that is now sold, and somehow involves an easement with Route 9 nearby. I shared my intel with another neighbor and evidently there is a proposal to add another high pressure natural gas pipeline that is in the marsh behind my property. Hmmm.
I drilled and pegged one of my cabinet doors today. The second one is drilled and half pegged. I need to visit Lowes and buy more 1/4 inch dowels and buy a set of wide Pony Clamps to glue some boards together that will become my lower door panels. I am pleased with the results.
I went to the Santa Cruz Guitar website to investigate the price increases. The custom options are still listed, but now without any pricing. Certainly at this point I am priced out, and I was wise to place my custom order when I did.
My friend Cris, a luthier, tells me that the cost of the higher end materials is getting very-very difficult to source. He tells me that his cost is crazy at the high end. Building cheap guitars is one story, but building the high end is another. Anyways I’m glad I bought my custom Santa Cruz when I did.
Inflation and rarity on the select woods I chose as options ended up being great investments. At this point I saved many thousands of dollars. I was playing my mahogany Santa Cruz’s last night. Pure joy…
Cal
Today Mike my UPS driver revealed a slowdown, and he believes we are already in a recession. He gauges it as bad and I inquired how bad compared to 2007-2008 and he replied that it is worse than 2007-2008. At UPS there are major lay-offs, but because of his seniority Mike thinks he is safe. In 2007-2008 he was laid-off.
To pay his bills his wife now works full time.
My neighbor made a good point that Amazon has grown so much and gained a lot of market share. Certainly this is true and has an effect on UPS and Fed Ex, but perhaps not enough to justify what Mike is experiancing.
Know that wars are costly and inflationary. As I say the money has to come from somewhere, so my opinion is that the FED is not done raising rates yet. Indirectly we are paying for wars. This also is not just our economy, but also the world economy.
We are in trouble, and more trouble lays ahead.
Yesterday a survey crew was mapping out my hood. I inquired and they are determining property lines. It has nothing to do with the abandoned house that is now sold, and somehow involves an easement with Route 9 nearby. I shared my intel with another neighbor and evidently there is a proposal to add another high pressure natural gas pipeline that is in the marsh behind my property. Hmmm.
I drilled and pegged one of my cabinet doors today. The second one is drilled and half pegged. I need to visit Lowes and buy more 1/4 inch dowels and buy a set of wide Pony Clamps to glue some boards together that will become my lower door panels. I am pleased with the results.
I went to the Santa Cruz Guitar website to investigate the price increases. The custom options are still listed, but now without any pricing. Certainly at this point I am priced out, and I was wise to place my custom order when I did.
My friend Cris, a luthier, tells me that the cost of the higher end materials is getting very-very difficult to source. He tells me that his cost is crazy at the high end. Building cheap guitars is one story, but building the high end is another. Anyways I’m glad I bought my custom Santa Cruz when I did.
Inflation and rarity on the select woods I chose as options ended up being great investments. At this point I saved many thousands of dollars. I was playing my mahogany Santa Cruz’s last night. Pure joy…
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I spent more money than I would have liked on some bar-clamps. I avoided going el Cheapo route because I intend on developing my cabinet making skills further. Next big tool is a 12 amp router and a router table.
The door frames are free standing at this point. I used dowels that allow disassembly, and only 6 screws per door. Know there are 12 pieces just for the framing.
Tomorrow I’ll glue some panels for the lower half of the door, and I’ll cut the square yard of clover-mesh to fit the top half.
I need to stain the frame before I do final assembly. The screen of clover cut-outs is punched aluminum that is gold anodized. The gel stain will be red mahogany that I apply in two coats for a rather dark finish. I have brass hinges and will buy small wooden door pulls.
Two canvas baskets to store items on each small shelf “Maggie” ordered, and they compliment the cabinet really well. This cabinet really is a shallow wall closet that is about 7 feet tall.
My next cabinets will be actually two for the dining room. I’ll be using oak and glass doors. Probably dovetailed draws as well.
I thought about why Santa Cruz would remove the pricing on the expensive options that were once listed, at least when I placed my custom order. One explanation is that they are trying to dissuade or discourage these expensive options because securing rare materials is problematic. Perhaps the stockpiles of the old growth woods is diminished. Certainly it is finite, and then again perhaps inflation has made listing prices not viable and pretty much the new model is a spot pricing market.
Again I’m really glad I bought my custom ordered Santa Cruz when I did. Pretty much I can’t live without this guitar, and perhaps it is my most prized possession. Every day it gets more open, fuller, louder, and more responsive. I’m talking really crazy good.
Cal
The door frames are free standing at this point. I used dowels that allow disassembly, and only 6 screws per door. Know there are 12 pieces just for the framing.
Tomorrow I’ll glue some panels for the lower half of the door, and I’ll cut the square yard of clover-mesh to fit the top half.
I need to stain the frame before I do final assembly. The screen of clover cut-outs is punched aluminum that is gold anodized. The gel stain will be red mahogany that I apply in two coats for a rather dark finish. I have brass hinges and will buy small wooden door pulls.
Two canvas baskets to store items on each small shelf “Maggie” ordered, and they compliment the cabinet really well. This cabinet really is a shallow wall closet that is about 7 feet tall.
My next cabinets will be actually two for the dining room. I’ll be using oak and glass doors. Probably dovetailed draws as well.
I thought about why Santa Cruz would remove the pricing on the expensive options that were once listed, at least when I placed my custom order. One explanation is that they are trying to dissuade or discourage these expensive options because securing rare materials is problematic. Perhaps the stockpiles of the old growth woods is diminished. Certainly it is finite, and then again perhaps inflation has made listing prices not viable and pretty much the new model is a spot pricing market.
Again I’m really glad I bought my custom ordered Santa Cruz when I did. Pretty much I can’t live without this guitar, and perhaps it is my most prized possession. Every day it gets more open, fuller, louder, and more responsive. I’m talking really crazy good.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I just put in an offer on a stem that will allow me to utilize an Answer carbon fiber handlebar that I have on hand to recycle. The stem features a two-piece bar clamp that allows me to exploit a 1 1/2 inch rise in the bar, plus the stem also has a rise to additionally raise my bar height.
The length is only 90 mm which is kinda ideal for what I need. Anyways I’m doing my best to get the best bang for my buck. Free shipping if my offer is acepted.
Mild weather makes me want to do a bike ride. Let’s see… Also since “Maggie” is heading into the city I can make some noise with my guitars. Let’s see how the mahogany Santa Cruz’s open up more today. These guitars seem to have the voice I see that is piano like with a deep chime and more clarity than a rosewood acoustic which has a spread of overtones. Kinda counterintuitive that a more focused sound gets interpreted as being louder through its clarity and having a bigger sound.
I also want to take advantage of the mild weather to start gel staining the bathroom cabinet doors to prep them for final assembly.
Even though I’m retired I have lots of things to do. Anyways I’m growing, learning, and getting things done every day to move forward. I have a sense of purpose and accomplishment every day because no matter what I’m not just talking about work: I’m doing it.
If I have time I have some spruce branches to move onto the slope as more clean fill. My friend Craig I wish would drop off more. If I ever build out the cliff I envision I would have the space for a small pump track. Did you know that on a banked turn that you can pull 3 G’s coming into a turn at speed. Pretty much the sudden change in direction I would effectively for a brief moment feel like I weigh 450 pounds instead of 150.
How cool is that?
Cal
The length is only 90 mm which is kinda ideal for what I need. Anyways I’m doing my best to get the best bang for my buck. Free shipping if my offer is acepted.
Mild weather makes me want to do a bike ride. Let’s see… Also since “Maggie” is heading into the city I can make some noise with my guitars. Let’s see how the mahogany Santa Cruz’s open up more today. These guitars seem to have the voice I see that is piano like with a deep chime and more clarity than a rosewood acoustic which has a spread of overtones. Kinda counterintuitive that a more focused sound gets interpreted as being louder through its clarity and having a bigger sound.
I also want to take advantage of the mild weather to start gel staining the bathroom cabinet doors to prep them for final assembly.
Even though I’m retired I have lots of things to do. Anyways I’m growing, learning, and getting things done every day to move forward. I have a sense of purpose and accomplishment every day because no matter what I’m not just talking about work: I’m doing it.
If I have time I have some spruce branches to move onto the slope as more clean fill. My friend Craig I wish would drop off more. If I ever build out the cliff I envision I would have the space for a small pump track. Did you know that on a banked turn that you can pull 3 G’s coming into a turn at speed. Pretty much the sudden change in direction I would effectively for a brief moment feel like I weigh 450 pounds instead of 150.
How cool is that?
Cal
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
My riding got sidelined by this cold that turned into nasty bronchitis and an ear infection. Two nights ago I was in the ER with just a touch of labored breathing and audible wheezing when walking up the stairs. They gave me a 15 albuterol nebulizer treatment, a giant dose of steroid, and the start of a a second antibiotic regimen. Yesterday I was exhausted from the get go, but today I feel slightly better. Still have the cough but it feels like it’s getting leas severe. Sinuses are still gross and my left ear is still sometimes underwater, so the infection is still active, or at least hasn’t cleared out yet. This whole week is supposed to be gorgeous and I was planning on riding nearly every day but I won’t be on any bike until next week at the earliest.
The “Monster” Raleigh fixed gear is coming along slowly. Last week I thought I had found a perfect crankarm to use which would lessen my chances of pedal strike. Well, it arrived last night and turns out that the BCD was calculated (guessed) incorrectly so I’m sending that back. Specifically, I’m looking for a short crankarm on the drive side and a longer one on the NDS. This will help smooth out my pedal stroke due to my leg length discrepancy. Riding fixed it will be even more crucial, so I may go 165mm / 175mm. That centimeter difference will yield nearly a full inch over the whole pedal stroke. If I were not concerned with Q factor and turning, I would just go with a 180 / 170 and use parts that I have on hand but 180mm MTB crankarm puts the pedal WAY too far out and I’ll be hitting the road just turning slow speed gentle corners. I’ve thought about getting a set of true track cranks and a spare longer NDS arm but then I would only have the ability to run a single chainring. This whole build hinges on the crankset and bottom bracket right now. I can’t fit a stem until I have pedals to stand on. I chucked the rear wheel from the Clubman into the “Monster” and found that I can comfortably fit 32mm tires with the wheel as far forward in the dropouts as I could safely wrench it down.
As to the name “Monster,” that may change, but I’m not sure what to yet. This is supposed to be a repurposed, nimble yet predictable, do it all bike, while also forcing me to work relentlessly . I think it is in the spirit of the coach of the 1980 USA Olympic Hockey team, Herb Brooks. Just brutal exercise and training, with no rest, everywhere I go. Kind of sounds like how Brooks pushed that team.
So I’m still waiting to find either the right bottom bracket for the Superbe Pro crankset (expensive), or find a bottom bracket and drive side crank with low Q factor, 160 or 165mm, that will allow me to run 38/42 rings. I may be searching for a while…
Phil
The “Monster” Raleigh fixed gear is coming along slowly. Last week I thought I had found a perfect crankarm to use which would lessen my chances of pedal strike. Well, it arrived last night and turns out that the BCD was calculated (guessed) incorrectly so I’m sending that back. Specifically, I’m looking for a short crankarm on the drive side and a longer one on the NDS. This will help smooth out my pedal stroke due to my leg length discrepancy. Riding fixed it will be even more crucial, so I may go 165mm / 175mm. That centimeter difference will yield nearly a full inch over the whole pedal stroke. If I were not concerned with Q factor and turning, I would just go with a 180 / 170 and use parts that I have on hand but 180mm MTB crankarm puts the pedal WAY too far out and I’ll be hitting the road just turning slow speed gentle corners. I’ve thought about getting a set of true track cranks and a spare longer NDS arm but then I would only have the ability to run a single chainring. This whole build hinges on the crankset and bottom bracket right now. I can’t fit a stem until I have pedals to stand on. I chucked the rear wheel from the Clubman into the “Monster” and found that I can comfortably fit 32mm tires with the wheel as far forward in the dropouts as I could safely wrench it down.
As to the name “Monster,” that may change, but I’m not sure what to yet. This is supposed to be a repurposed, nimble yet predictable, do it all bike, while also forcing me to work relentlessly . I think it is in the spirit of the coach of the 1980 USA Olympic Hockey team, Herb Brooks. Just brutal exercise and training, with no rest, everywhere I go. Kind of sounds like how Brooks pushed that team.
So I’m still waiting to find either the right bottom bracket for the Superbe Pro crankset (expensive), or find a bottom bracket and drive side crank with low Q factor, 160 or 165mm, that will allow me to run 38/42 rings. I may be searching for a while…
Phil