Dateline: Austin, TX all day
Noisy night @ dialysis parking lot. Was warm then chilled off and sometime it rained gently and I did not hear it start. Bikes got wet!
Drove short distance to Sportsmobile and turned my van over to them. They allow customers to walk around the shop and I watched work on my van and others. Kevin told me that business is down converting about 4 vans a month from 20 and heads are down accordingly. I am having 2 battery storage containers installed, at least 1 battery, & a solar collector. Holes were cut in the floor for the battery containers. Per RV standards the batteries have to vent to outside. The optional van battery is installed under the passenger’s seat and is not vented to outside and it does not appear to be a deep cycle. Battery electricity is interesting stuff. The solar panel is scheduled to arrive tomorrow and be installed by EOB and then I head North.
I washed to Turner & replaced the handlebar grips. Later I drove to Cycleprogression to visit w/ owner, Alex to buy shock reducers and to ride his Turner DW link Sultan. I have pictures of the bike. When Boeing stock goes back up and if Dave Turner and I can work a deal I will upgrade. Right now it is a want and not a need. No pedal bob on hammering. The suspension tunes out what the shock has to tuned out to rid the bob.
Drove down road to Bicyclesportshop for brake pads. Formula brakes are not very popular but are very highly regarded. Finding pads & parts is a chore. On duty manger is from Michigan and we talked of our rides in his state. He gave me a shop pint glass.
Drove thru part of downtown Austin and freeways coming & going. Traffic. Downtown core had people outside physically active.
Drove back to REI and hung in a corner in mall parking lot in shade and made myself at home.
New issues of Dirtrag and Bike magazine are out & in my possession. No reviews for FATS or MT Zion. Compete w/ writing this.
Emailed Dave Turner on trip status. He replied and asked if I will help their demo trip w/ ride ideas. I said sure.
Eggbeater pedals springs are weak again allowing my feet to release under load. Riding the limestone the last 2 days I made some moves and my foot disengaged. Not good. I have an RA from Crank Bros. I just need to decide when to send them in and where to return ship them.
Emailed an OK riding group yesterday & received a reply to ride in Ardmore, OK on Sat. He said that this trail is the best in the state. I will drive straight North & then East across OK to hit AR. Bit extra driving but in pursuit of best trail in state is what I will do.