2 months. i hardly now wea’ to start.

health bettering. i can walk , with a cane for stability . i’m known to some as Mr tippy. haha

cant ride yet… kinda ascared. broken Humerious and all….. SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

life. plays games.

it’s trench time , get em in and get em out ,  do em right …….. i’ve turned away more repairs this year than any other. i’m sorry your huffpuff isnt functional,, it’s a pOs ,,,oh   again sorry.    not worth your $$$$ and my love .please dont bring in the under the poarch bike and expect the short monies …..if i call it a poS , IT IS !!    i love to keep ‘em alive BUT , call it DOA when applicable. ” bought it on C’s list bla bla bla. from some guy that builds ” bikes , said he’s done it for years,,,,basement dwellers. hacks . chumps ( oh no that would be you if’n you bought from the troll……..hey . it’s still crap!

on the happy . good to be around

to my regulars and friends and client’s

LOVE. it’s what we want. why not be chill and hang out?

i help you and yOu give me LOTS OF MONIES…………………

what ever man.   would you do the same?   or kick back on the dole ? i’ve been workin with, and sleeping like theres no tomorrow

it must be summer. high 80’s, 90 what? with swamp! take it like you should and remember winter…..no! last years May and June, RAIN RAIN RAIN!  i’ll take the heat, complain a bit but hey………….

my health…..well i’m still alive! sorry Wheel Guys Bike Store People , i know my corporation and all is a real thorn in your butt.

two months …..yea…….honestly not much to say….uh……………wanna keep it positive….i could bitch on the economy ….. my stupid triK …….my health.  not worth the E ink.

yours in a bag of bikes………………….T

tha season so far is going so so. good  in some and bad in others.

i tell ya its only when your hurtin’ that ya know who loves YA ! 

got  a great round the area urbania bike . made by the cha ching brothers over there . 7 speed  , cantis , not luged BUT cromo. very simple , elegent if you will. room for fenders and all the other bells and whistles ….kinda a joe schmo bike. no attitude. all the cheapness that an urbania bicycle should state. with the no crap taste of  big boX!

another note.   thinking of doing a blow out sale.  any ideas to help out would be greatily appreciated

back yard sale or in- house rumble.

on sale now,,, “sand in a can!” IT’S CRAPALICIOUS

fire in the fist, bing bang bumble

FOR REAL ,LOVE IN A BAG…….Mr. T

3 CAT SCANS

39 BLOOD TESTS

2 SPINAL TAPS

i have a hose going into my arm for steroids and antibiotics , a daily ritual

multiple neuro doctors!!

not to mention all the mundane blood pressure tests every 4 hours, sugar levels, pupil’s checked, respiratory

i’m exhausted….

8 pills a day, plus a semi   permanent  tube going to my heart for meds

i’m exhausted

 hope your well!

………………..T

is

Limes disease.

but this does not count out the 2 or 3 ” minor ” strokes my brain has suffered…….HUA?  that has caused my Frankinstein mobility!   all black, big boots. i’m on the road  hey just need a flat head and no dentures! i’m a date.

you can have a stroke and not even know it.   who’da not thunk… ME!

was it the Acid i did back in the 80’s? or the hood i flew over in 1990. nO the cab who’s windshield i fell in love with, we broke up on the spot.

Limes for the limey.

hope your well!

i miss you Jack , Glen, Dad, Diane, aunt Betsy,Carl,Cris,Stephan………..hope i dont see you too soon!

frustrating . VERY  frustrating

This article is for the road tourist and by no means manifesto of touring. Ive done roughly 10 tours with my wife on tandem through out the North East. Main,Vermont,New Hampshire,New York State, a venture through the Rockies in Colorado, and in the beginning our Honey Moon trip from the southern tip of Main to Montreal and back. just a few hours in the saddle. so i do hope a few of these tips can help!

First the bicycle to ride.

A touring bicycle is just that, made for long distance , stability and comfort for those long hours in the saddle. Strong breaks for loaded descents , braze on’s for racks and fenders ( if you go this rout ) Typical touring bicycles have a bit of a longer wheel base,and a less aggressive geometry than a “racing” bicycle making them more stable for heavy loads. The quality of your bicycle is entirely based on your budget! if you buy on the cheap. It is what you get! , all tough mechanicals do happen regardless of cost, the goal is to minimize them ABAP with quality materials and workmanship.This will also apply to the gear you bring with you also, more on that latter.

To go on the cheap #1 your mountain bike

Get rid of the springy suspension and get a rigid fork , DON’T EVEN THINK  of a rear suspension bicycle. Slick tires for less rolling resistance with some type of armored/Kevlar reinforced tread area to minimize punctures.Bar ends will help give you alternate hand positions to break up the monotony of a straight bar and ease back/hand fatigue.

To go on the cheap #2 your road bike
Do not try to convert your old Schwinn Varsity, your 15 pound carbon fiber frame, dads old bike from college or that big box store POS!!

Converting an old bike can be daunting at times in either of these cases. Do you have braze ons for the rear rack, room for fenders? If by chance you have braze on’s and the hole in the middle of the fork you probably have an old touringish bike. And when i say old i mean 10 or more years old.
Both of these conversions are not for long distance/heavy touring due to there possible age and true functions. in either case allot of work is needed. A virtual over haul . New tires , cables , grease and who knows what else will rear it’s ugly head in this process!  use your better judgment. if it looks like crap, it probably is.

STUFF!
Your house. a good tent with foot print/custom sized ground tarp is key! I’ve know a few to just carry a tarp and sleep under a bridge! screw that!! after a long day in the rain of long miles a nice DRY warm tent . light weight,free standing,watter proof ,possibly a little of room for some gear in the tent with you in case of rain. ( no food!!! put that on a line and hang it high above in a tree. ) my favorite maker ( i have 3.  a 2 man, 3 man and the family 8)   Eureka. THEY ROCK. another possibility is a bivy. the one man . small , light  but no storage
BED. a good light weight but season appropriate sleeping bag. keep in mind, you. do you tend to sleep warm? do you get cold feet…….
the sleeping pad is a hard one.comfort is key but hey this an’t the Hilton! compare air mattresses, not be confused what you put your friends and family on when they visit. They tend to be about and inch thick when inflated and compress fairly small. Foam is what iv’e used for wears but it tends to be more bulky. honestly i don’t know the weight savings, I’d chance to guess there the same….you decide.
KITCHEN
” Eat Papa EAT “  if you choose to take this assignment…uh. your going to chow like you’ve never seen before!
Stove. light weight and small. one that packs into a mess kit . my favorite is the Whisper Lite. it burns white fuel , gas and diesel. And a fuel tank for the stove

MESS KIT
Pot and a cover that will cover said pot and double as a frying pan
Utensils. grabber for pot, fork & spoon ( not spork! ) small sharp knife with sheath . the camp store sells a variety of hard to break , hard to melt plasticish utensils. NOTE this is very minimalist , you can always stop and grab a plastic butter knife from some take out joint….I have carried a spatula/strainer gizmo too for the pasta or potatoes. you’ll see all this fancy crap when your shopping. a small cheap o dollar store bowl. been using the same ones for 14 years.
lighter.
a couple fat slow burning candles with a home made cardboard tinfoil reflector/wind protector (5×10 fold in half….simple , small and very helpful )
basic spices. garlic,salt,pepper,olive oil ( tight container up rite ) what ever you need but not to make vindo doo…salt and pepper is easy to come by at many places in the packets along with a few absconded jams for the start up bread & jam breakfast.  don’t steel the shakers, thats just not nice! and anywhoo most cases out in the country at the Country Buffet Anns Breakfast joint there so impressed at your endevor that even if you asked them for a little olive oil bet they’d just give it to you! ( tip well! ) it’s not a bad idea to carry 2 perperson instant dehydrated camping meals. when your stuck you’ll eat anything ( good read, Moby Dick…)  always energy bars on hand ,,,good trick if there hard. put one up under your spandex’d leg shorts.that’s handy!
small scrubby sponge and some Doc Brauners soap ( envio good! ) read the uses.   craZy

CAMP
A very light weight tarp WITH grommets.
small roll of strong twine
this is for when it’s raining. sucks to eat in the rain. and as a back up for over your tent OR if you want to go ghetto/roughing it style’
ALSO coverage around or over your gear when riding

WHAT NOT TO BRING
a big lock.
bring a small kids cable lock. cause your not! i said NOT! going to leave your bike out of your sight. restaurant. sit in the window.  lock it to a pole or tree. talk to tha folk around you, be nice they’ll look out a bit for you …BE NICE, BE GENUINE.
lock when your sleeping. cause your passed out!
your cell phone , unless you need to call mommy every day!
I pod,,,,shove it
lap top…..your doing this to get away from all that.

WHAT OF THE ” EXTRA” TO BRING
small bright bike light. AA batteries. good if you do get stuck in the dark riding but don’t! plan your time
rear light (?) never had…..your choice. defiantly reflectors , i like reflector tape. less plastic less weight ( HHMMM,,,,this endeavor does not call for a weight weenie but it does all add up , ya wouldn’t bring a canvas tent right? right??

WHAT TO BRING
cash
plastic
id card
insurance card
emergency contact #’S / or anybody else’s #
addresses for cards

CLOTHING
helmet….duh. is what they said after the crash
light rain gear. top & bottoms
padded gloves
2 pairs of padded spandex shorts that you’ve ridden in and like ALLOT

a hat

tights

socks, wool! nice thin soft merino wool. dries quick, stays warm and cool. wicks and doesn’t tend to stink!

figure what else is crucial for your comfort

FIRST AID
chamos’ cream/butt butter/salve’ …..you’ll see/feel
Neosporin. a few gause,large band aids . an ace bandage, could also be used to hold a bandage of cosidderable size.
water purifying tablets
small container of bug repelent

TOOLS
pump
tire levers
2 tubes , at all times!
patch kit
tire boots
fiber fix a spoke
possibly a few spokes.tape them to the frame with electrical tape
the tape also might come in handy in some other application,add a little more too.
multi tool . allen tools,chain tool etc. basicly what goes with your bike

   more to come.

to the customers. i’m doing early hours and late hours to finish repairs and run the business. the scheduel is erratic but your with my heart beat. thats all i can do though. thanks  to the good friends helping me out. Scott,Kevin,Rose Marry,Jack and many other randoms to help . and certanitly not to forget my wife and my kids.

my hands and knowledge are yours.  my legs are in limbo.

hope to help………Benjamin Tyler

tell me whats up.    time.     vacations.     cosabilities…. etcetrA

the fan will be hit full on and there will be no media coverage.

when i was a kid back in the 70’s the Common was VERY  sketchy….but i would go there with my dad and my brother and talk to all the freaks…….this night was no diff….i saw these homless..border line crack head  / dudes hang out and decided to roll into there camp , stop and say hello….. now, i’m riding a early 1990’s hand made Italian Moser with all Dura Ace components. SWEET BIKE!!

WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING?

i’m hangin.   dude #1 was, basicaly, the alpha male….he did all the talkin . well he and I did.

the other 2 were eyen’ me up for a roll ,

guy 1 asks if i got a knife , i respond no.” no?” he says …probably thinking i’m carryin somthing bigger…. conversation goes back to bable of weather, the beer were drinkin etc. now the guys start to look at my bike. ” nice lookin bike ” etc etc….i get a bit nervious  , distanc my self, have at hand my U lock….but hey nothing went down cept a few beers and random conversation.

woulda sucked to loose that bike though, it really is beautiful!

aahhh the things we do

nite nite…………T

The SURLY , LONG HAUL TRUCKER! dam nice bike!!! XT hubs  ,DT spokes , Alex  Adventure rims double wall ‘d eylet’d rims. bar end shifters , front and rear rack mounts, triple crank set,  and the ” un heard of ” cromolly frame and fork. this is probably THE best touring/adventure bike on the market for the buc$.

i checked EVERY THING on this bike out of the box….looked like I built the wheels. put the  DT Tensio meter on it ( this a 300 dolla tool to check the tension of spokes ) PERFIK!!hus adjusted,  frame alignment rite on! even the shifting was on. amazing.

if your going to get into real touring                       GET THIS BIKE!

Here’s another Tyler opinion …..lube!   need it ! all you knuckle heads comin in my doors not realizin’ why your shifting sucks or your chain is ” makin’ noise “  LUBE       the product i’ve been using on all my standard commuter bikes and friends bikes for about 7 months  AWSOME     It’s called   ( now hold on,,, HA ha )  CHAIN-L #5  ( sure dont smell like perfume though..)  “1000 miles before reapplication”     so far ive gotin’ about 400 on my winter beater, OH  and my beach bike  SURLY  PUGSLEY( ofcourse )   a bike i ride the sand,&  i havnt applied in 6 0r 7 monts,,,not huge milage but , it does NOT collect crud , or in this case sand! not the best for dearilur pivots or pully’s but on the chain fantastic!

there ya are, 2 nuts in a shell……………..T