High-Mileage Bicycle

There were at least 500,000 miles on this machine before it was lost:

A mid-80's Schwinn mountain bike, totally rebuilt multiple times.  A good bike, bought new and owned by the same person all this time.  Three cranksets worn out in the years I worked on it, also dozens of tires, four saddles, three forks, three wheel sets, many chains and freewheels and brake pads, etc. etc.  I think not a single component was original to the bike.  This rig survived numerous accidents, in weather of all types, on- and off-road, and was stolen and recovered at least once.  The owner found a number of local "bike shops" who refused to work on it, who only wanted to sell him a new bike.  "Too old," they said, "not worth the repair," they said, "can't get parts for it," they said.  "Bull," I say.  It's too bad, that kind of snobbery which is one of the things driving customers out of bike shops and onto the web.  Or in some cases out of cycling entirely.

New Gig

Hey friends, I'm wrenching at REI Denver flagship now-come in with your bikes for a spring tuneup or just to say "hi."

Cheers!
-Paul

Early Bach Trumpet Mouthpiece

Made probably by himself, Vincent Bach, in the nineteen-twenties.  A hundred years ago, practically. Maybe before he envisioned the numbering system?  Shown alone and with a later piece to illustrate its greater mass:

STILL HERE

Yes, the shop is closed.  That's a long story and maybe I'll go into it one of these posts.  But I am still here, riding more than I have for years, working on my house, driving the kids around, traveling some, playing my trombone, working on my bikes, looking for the next Big Deal.  And maybe now writing again.  Stay tuned, cheers!

Charlie White Great Cyclist

Charlie rode 36,875 miles in 2015.  I know this because I repaired his bike constantly during the achievement.  I know this also because I have seen his calendar.  And because I've been watching his cyclometer.  Also because he wrote his numbers on a piece of paper which I have right here.  This on an nondescript hybrid bike, his only bike.

Thirty-six thousand eight hundred seventy-five miles.  In  2015.

Average daily 101.03
One day off all year
Best day 187
Worst day .25
Best week 985
Best month October 4110

This is the highest yearly number among all the cyclists I know, or have known, or of all the twenty thousand or so lesser bicycles I have worked on.

Charlie was killed while riding January 30, 2016.

So the long ride comes to an end.  Rest in peace, my friend.

-Paul

Bike Mechanic Workbench

Bike to Work Day 2013

Serving a complete and nutritious breakfast.

Some Martians came to visit, and were very excited.

Another view.

Thanks Appliance Center, Thanks DrCOG, Thanks Snikiddy and JB Importers and Breezer, Thanks Ed and Peach and Henry!