Are you kidding me? Random thoughts and rants

I have lost between 10 and 14 pounds thus far, depending on the morning when I hop on the scale. I have been doing the group rides out of Nebo on the north side. Last week, I went with the Killer Bee's. I stayed out of the back of the group and opted for the front 1/3rd, knowing that at some point the wind would be a factor. The split came about halfway thru the ride and although I had been gapped, I put the hammer down and got onto the back of the lead group. The only problem with that was that I didnt have the recovery. I know I am fat, out of shape (well, round is a shape, right?) and old and slow... well, sort of. My body can still go fast. I know how to suffer. Its one thing I can do. So, after the split, with me hangin on the back hoping for some sort of recovery, we turned left onto Boone Co. road. I remained with the pack for maybe a mile, mile and a half. With no recovery for our hero, I faded off the back and was left to solo in for quite a while. I hooked up with the next group that hadnt made the split. I rode with them but my cassette or hub or chain kept on making nasty noises like it was falling apart... Not exactly sure what was up with it, but I came in with a feeling of accomplishment. I think a few more weeks of riding and such, and I'll be able to stay with them up to the sprint.

Oh, heres something that pisses me off...

If you werent familiar with the Project Tessa bike from a few years ago at NAHBS in San Jose, it was a raffle bike with all proceeds to benefit the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).

The project took a while, as the concept was to have 10 of the most experienced builders in the USA all contribute a peice of this one of a kind bike. Each builder would get a portion or lug of the bike and carve it in their style and the frame would be brazed together by 1 builder and painted by another builder.

This is all fine and dandy in concept; the harsh reality of it is some of the builders took their sweet ass time delivering their portion of the bike. So, delays happened. Once the bike was brazed however, it was sent to a "master" builder/painter in the midwest for brazeons and paint. The bike was delivered to them back in August of 08.

I was assured once it was in their hands, it would be ready for NAHBS in Indy, because they were "clearing the month of February just for this bike". It became almost comical at how the next series of events unfolded.

On January 28th, I inform the painter the following information; (quoted from email)

>>>I will need the bike at least 2 weeks before the show to have it built up and photographed professionally.

FYI.

Thanks>>>

On January 30th, this "master" asks the framebuilders email list if anyone has a stainless front derrailuer braze on. I respond and ask if its for the Project bike. Of course it is. I overnight the braze on to make sure there is plenty of time for this to be brazed to the bike. Then I am met with a request 5 days later for the Cranks, BB and front derraileur, which hadnt even been shipped to me yet. I was stunned to find out that this "master" needs them; (see email quote)

>>>Which Dura Ace parts are they? If they are the new ones, then I need to have them in my hands somehow so I can work the paint scheme around them. I don’t know any store in my area that has them where I can see what they look like. Can they be shipped to me? I remember at Interbike at the Shimano booth, those parts had a strong color. I’d be nuts to paint something that didn’t go with them. You aren’t taking pictures of just a frame but a complete bike.<<<

I've been around bikes a loooong time, yet, I have never once heard of painting a bike to match the components. Okay, maybe thats a "normal" thing...?

So, after a slew of email exchanges, including giving this "master" a deadline extension of 1 week, the bike still doesnt get done in time for NAHBS. I was furious, because there was more time emailing than there was painting by this so-called "master".

Fast forward to March 5th, when I finally laid down the law; (see email)

>>>The time has come and passed.That bike needs to be in my hands on Friday of this week. To make myself more clear, Friday the 13th of March, 2009. I don't want excuses or explanations. Send the bike. >>>

I was done allowing this "master" the opportunity to paint this bike. In return, I get an email explaining that the bike is being painted, the decals werent done, blah blah blah, yada yada yada.

April 29th comes and I recieve an email that the bike is painted but it needs to cure for a week or two before it will be boxed and shipped. I just let it go this long because in my heart and mind, I was having it painted by someone who wouldnt mess around and who would do a professional, FLAWLESS job. Notice how I capitalized the word "flawless". This bike is something that is near and dear to my heart. It is in honor of my daughter Tessa, who was diagnosed at the age of 5 with type 1 Juvenile Diabetes. This bike is something special. It belongs in a museum.

Below are pictures of the bike when it arrived to me from this "master".

As a side note, I would like to say the following; these pictures are not doctored, photoshopped or altered in any way. I only wish to show how shoddy the work is from someone that many people hold in such high esteem. IMHO, this "master" is no master of the craft. His work is clearly half assed and he should be ashamed of himself for such a terrible job.

Now, onto the horror.