Thursday, April 10, 2014

What A Load: Bike Blogging About Bikes Because This Is A Blog About Bikes

After hocking the loogie that was yesterday's post onto the subway tracks that are the Internet, I saddled up and pedaled off, and the ride home from the café wasn't too shabby either:


Moving out of Brooklyn was the smartest thing I've done in a long time--though admittedly that doesn't mean much, since almost everything I do is dumb, so in my life the bar for smart sits pretty low.

Maybe one day I will organize the Wildcat Rock Machine New York City Anti-Fondo--though I probably won't.

Also, if yesterday's ride wasn't baronial enough for you, keep in mind that I also rode my kid to Apple Inc. child labor camp on either end of it, meaning I changed bikes twice, which pushes yesterday's cycling exploits up into the realm of the über-baronial:


Hey, I live in the New York City hill country, so that little commute is no joke, and I'm easily pushing something like 400 Imperial Fuck-Tonnes of leather, metal, and plastic each way.  I have to bring the little kiddie bike all the time too, because despite my best efforts to discourage my child from riding he loves to do it anyway.  Hopefully I can at least steer him away from the path to Fred-dom on which I wasted so many years and dollars, though I suppose our progeny live to spite us, and I dread one day catching him shaving his legs and applying "embro" while pedaling away on rollers and watching "Breaking Away" in his Google Monocle or whatever people are using to watch movies on by then.

Speaking of Big Dummies (both myself and the bike), I've had one for something like four years now.  In that time, it's become an indispensable part of my life.  So, while it may still be a little early for an actual "long-term review" (check back with me in ten more years), I think that at least an update is warranted.  (By the way, Surly did not ask me to do this.  I don't think I've been in touch with anyone from Surly in like three years.  I just figured someone might find this useful, and I like to think I'm the only bike blogger on the Internet who uses a piece of cycling equipment for more than six months.)

Here's what the bike looked like when I took delivery of it in, I believe, 2010:


That's pretty much exactly how it came out of the box, apart from the pedals, which weren't included.

In that time, I have made the following changes or additions (not counting bell and lights and little bric-a-brac like that):

--Ergon Dork-O-Matic Labia Grips;
--Xtracycle Peapod and plastic snapdeck thingy (the kid has nearly outgrown the Peapod, soon I can just sit him on the bench and be done with it);
--Xtracycle WideLoaders (you take them on and off as needed, they are handy but tend to clip parked cars and slam you in the Achilles tendon if you're not careful);
--Fenders;
--A Brooks saddle, which has held up just fine despite spending a good portion of its life outside, and which has conformed lovingly to the contours of my scranus:


(You just barfed.)

I have not made the following changes out of cheapness and laziness, which I really, really should:

--A center stand

Seriously, using a cargo bike with only a kickstand is a major pain in the ass.  I'm an idiot for putting up with it for this long, having dumped the bike while loading it more than once, fortunately never with a human child on board.

I have also not made and will probably never make the following very expensive fantasy changes, which are not even remotely necessary but which would be really nice to have:

--A Rohloff hub, or at least some kind of robust internally geared thingy (this bike sits outside a lot and such a thing would probably better handle that level of neglect);
--Some kind of electrical assist (I admit it, now that I live in the New York City hill country it would be pretty nice to have).

As far as maintenance, I've done as little as possible, and everything has held up very well despite that.  I have not touched the hubs, and last I checked the bearings were still smooth.  I have not changed the chain, chainrings, or cassette, and they're fine.  The Surly bottom bracket it came with developed some play I could not get rid of, but I replaced it with a used bottom bracket from my parts bin and it's been fine ever since.  Obviously, I've changed the brake pads.  As far as cables, I have replaced only the rear derailleur cable once, though all the cables and housings are overdue for replacement.  (The rear shifting is the first thing to go when the bike sits outside in the rain, thanks in part to the half-mile cable run.)  Incredibly, I have not yet needed to change the tires, even the rear.  I don't know if this is because they're incredibly durable, or if it's because having the rear wheel 500 feet from your posterior instead of right under it makes it wear more slowly.  The wheels in gestalt have been problem-free, and I've ridden the bike as pictured above, fully loaded with both kiddie bike and actual kid, over multiple railroad ties without any problems apart from ejecting random stuff from the cargo bags.  (Parenting tip: kids love riding over railroad ties.)

In short, the Big Dummy is as robust as it is long and green, though I really should do a complete overhaul this spring, because it needs new cables and it's ticking from somewhere, and there are probably also squirrels living in it.

Anyway, if you're considering a bike like this maybe you'll find some of the above useful.  I'll also add that, if you like to ride bikes and you have kids, a bike like this that is somewhat "sporting" and that your child can also fall asleep on will do wonders for your quality of life.

If you don't have kids, stick to your 7-hour Fred rides.

Lastly, here's an invention that's completely gratuitous, even by Kickstarter standards:


Good lord!  It took a year to invent a freaking pedal-cozy?!?  Can't you just put an old sock on it?

114 comments:

Anonymous said...

first!

cervicalgia said...

podium!

Anonymous said...

second!
Radry

Logbig said...

STRAVA!

are focupple

Yeah Cleveland! said...

Doubled my commute this morning just because.

dcee604 said...

Top 10 today...

recumbent conspiracy theorist said...

Top 10

Unknown said...

TEN is for me n

recumbent conspiracy theorist said...

Speaking of subways I saw that video of the rat on the train in Brooklyn. I like how the passengers just raised up their feet as the rodent scurried to and fro.

Around these parts we just shoot em.

Anonymous said...

Top ten.
Bollocks

balls™ said...

Is there anyone selling anything on kickstarter that anyone, anywhere actually needs?

I would pay money for a durable, well-fitting scranus cozy, but this pedal thing is crap.

babble on said...

Hey! I'm a big dummy, too! D'you think we might be related?

Anonymous said...

You seem happy and chipper this am, Wildcat. I am assuming the white wine did the trick last night.
Tonight try the J. Lohr Chardonnay, a very respectable California white for under 12$.

recumbent conspiracy theorist said...

Nice review of the Big Dummy. I have admired the thing since you got it. I've also been cosidering my options the past few years about how to do my grocery shopping by bicycle; Trailer, Rack and panniers etc. but I do like the Big D and would love to have them. The only thing I'd do different I think is fit a couple huge Pelican cases to the rear rack instead of saggy bags. I hate saggy bags.

le Correcteur said...

Top twenty at least; but this was kinda early.

Marcel Da Chump said...

Top dummy

Anonymous said...

Rhode Gear used to include one with their bumper racks over 20 years ago

Anonymous said...

RCT:
Exactly. Looking for a city bike to haul groceries. Probably end up in Madison even though their taxes are high. Need a Trader Joes bike. Madison is pretty flat, probably two gears will do it. Need a beer cup holder.

A. Nony Mous said...

In days of old when knights were bold, and rubbers weren't invented,

You stuck a sock

Upon your c*ck,

And babies were prevented.

Anonymous said...

+1 on the double kickstand. I just put one on my carry loads around town bike, and it is a fabulous change. The one additional thing after that was some way to limit the front wheel and handlbars from swinging halfway around and chipping the frame. The solution for now is an Christophe strap wrapped around the top tube and hooked onto the fender mount.

I have an easily removable WALD front basket, and the rig works great in this $.10/bag locale for picking up sausages, potatoes, and beer after church.

Anonymous said...

so about this lapse yesterday, mr wildcat....

could you just maybe write one blog ahead, so you don;t have to write one saying the dog ate my blogwork today...?

wle

You've got to be joking said...

Electric assist? HILARIOUS!!!!!

crosspalms said...

That's quite a bucolic photo to kick off today's post. Hard to imagine there's a mall anywhere within miles of that. Nice.

BikeSnobNYC said...

wle,

No, I cannot.

You've got to be joking,

Nope, when that thing is loaded up and you've got to get over a hill you lose all sense of shame. I would not throw a little help out of bed. (Though frugality would never let me spend the money to actually do it.)

--Wildcat Rock Machine

Serial Retrogrouch said...

A. Nony Mouse... still use a sock... for her pleasure.

BikeSnobNYC said...

Anonymous 12:03pm,

My wife's WorkCycles has a center stand and a little wheel straightener thingy just for that purpose. One of those smug little details you come to appreciate.

--Wildcat Rock machine

Anonymous said...

Early Bird!

vsk

James said...

Pedal Pockets? I have a bunch of foam beer can sleeves that work just as good. Secure with any available rubber band. Voila.

McFly said...

RCT admittedly likes the Big D.

CommentatorBot9000 said...

Speaking of Big Dummies (both myself and the bike)..."
You are not that big.

dancesonpedals said...

Indignities of commuting
Those pictures all looked so nice that I was tempted to ride in from I 287 country...everything was fine until I hit a bump while riding under the GW Bridge & broke my saddle bolt...ending the commute with 7 miles of riding while standing/sidesaddle right butt cheek on top tube

babble on said...

I'm not so sure the center stand is all it's cracked up to be... I have one on the Electra, and still it crashes to the ground and smashes the baskets to bits on a regular basis.

Just sayin...

But what do I know? I'm not a professional bike blogger. I'm just an amateur spinning my wheels, caught in a feedback loop.

Chainring said...

Jr Wildcat Rock Machine rocking the single speed mountain bike! Bringin' 'em up right!

recumbent conspiracy theorist said...

Yeah I guess I walked into that one.

Good eye as usual McFly.

CommieCanuck said...

Too sophisticated.

<a href="http://i.imgur.com/h23iIdg.jpg>Vanoucer airport Terminal map</a>

hee hee

CommieCanuck said...

balls.

Too sophisticated.

Vanoucer airport Terminal map

hee hee

CommieCanuck said...

balls again. Vancouver.

RoadQueen said...

Electric assist? I thought those were touted for pussies around here?

Not that I'm against it. If you've got a huge load and a big hill to mount, then by all means get some help if you can. It would probably make the ride more enjoyable.

I like the Big D, too. The more I think about it, handling a Big D that could push back some when you need the extra oomph to get you where you're going wouldn't be bad at all.

Wait, are we still talking about beiks??

Anonymous said...

Cycling with Children - the grumpy dad edition

1. Used an old road bike the first time i tried to ride with my one year old son in baby seat. With the narrow wheels, he could lean over and dump us both on the ground. He thought this was soooooo funny.

2. Got a mountain bike for riding with son on back. Much more staple. He learned to love our evening rides. He'd amuse himself by taking my wallet, keys and hankerchief out of my back pocket and dropping them on the road while i biked. This would extend the ride as I had to go up and down the road looking for them.
3. Started wearing strechy road shorts instead of shorts with pockets on rides. Son pulled down my stretchy shorts while I was riding. He thought this was funny.

cycle

CommieCanuck said...

The difference between professional and amateur bike bloggers is the doping.

Anonymous said...

C'mon, they did EXTENSIVE googling of the Google and still took 20 prototypes to make... um... a potholder with straps?

CommieCanuck said...

Electric assist? I thought those were touted for pussies around here?

I though pussies liked a couple of fresh "D" cells.

RoadQueen said...

Commie: It's just not your day.

RoadQueen said...

DD 'cells': They're not all they're cracked up to be. :/

Anonymous said...

Nice bike there wildcat. wonder why they decided to curve the top tube like that?

Gimpson said...

Does your child flop around when he falls asleep in that seat or have you figured out a way to keep him fairly upright when unconscious. I think my son would get a better nap if he wasn't flopping forward and waking himself up every 30 seconds.

Anonymous said...

Took the 38 year old masi out yesterday for the first ride of the season (rode my plastic giant in the crappy weather). I missed the compact gearing (original campy nuovo record 52/45 chain rings) a little on hills, but still didn't wish for an electic assist. Although I wasn't portaging a child and a second bike.

samh said...

Thank you for holding off to do an actual long term review of the Dummy, Snob. Unboxing and one-use reviews are bullshit.

Blog Drafter said...

"and that your child can also fall asleep on will do wonders for your quality of life."

on it, which will…

Funny post. I think you're probably a great Dad and your kid will love unconditionally until he starts reading your blog. "Dad, what's a Hot Carl?"

Anonymous said...

How far is the ride to wildcat jr's school? and why isn't the little duder riding clipless? That would be considered child abuse in Portland.

dancesonpedals said...

RQ at 12:52

If I have a big load, I don't want want no electric assist...cuppa coffee & a bran muffin works just fine thanks (

Anonymous said...

RQ if you like the Big D you should try a tandem. With 2 people workin it over you can get where your "going" even if one is not as strong and gives out a little early. Also see: Ski-poling.

Anonymous said...

I've yet to find a center stand that
B) clears the drivetrain
3) is wide enough to actually hold up a heavy-loaded bike
ñ) is short enough that both wheels touch the ground (optional)

Therefore I use the ground. Or lean it against some bullshit. If I had toddlers on there maybe I'd teach'm how to stuntman-jump. Regardless I think the killer app for this is still the bake-feets.

Anonymous said...

After this much time I'll bet the tick comes from slightly loose spokes on the rear wheel.

Grammar GILF said...

"I'll also add that, if you like to ride bikes and you have kids, a bike like this that is somewhat "sporting" and that your child can also fall asleep on will do wonders for your quality of life."

I wouldn't add the extra "which," Blog Drafter. But grammatically this is a nightmare sentence with no less than 6 subjects/predicates, so maybe our old friend the em-dash would help break it up a bit.

"If you have kids and like to ride bikes, a bike like this -- one that is somewhat sporty but on which your child can also fall asleep -- will do wonders for your quality of life."

em-dash said...

If you've got participles -- predicates in need of splitting I'm your man.

3G said...

What did you do with the peddles?

CommieCanuck said...

My next kickstarter project is to collect all the Presta valve covers thrown away by weightweenies, and resell them to dentists as "aero valve covers" for $35 each. $55 for "carbon look".
James Huang gives then 5/5 stars, and they spin up nicely.

Meanwhile in Canukia, a dentist has bought John Lennon's tooth for $33,000 to secure some DNA to clone John Lennon as his son. Really.

For fuck sakes, just buy a Pinarello with Di2.

CommieCanuck said...

In Cervelo wind tunnel, my aero valve covers will save you 0.001 watts*, which may not sound like much for $85 (yeah, the price went up, so buy now, assholes), by as my buddy Lenny would point out, that is 6 centimeters every 148 furlongs, divided by Pi, so, yeah.


*+/- 0.001 watts

CommieCanuck said...

DD 'cells': They're not all they're cracked up to be. :/

There's always lithium car batteries (7,000 in just one Tesla), and batteries don't try and chat up your hot neighbor.

Anonymous said...

Fuckin dentists man!

It warms my heart that people can spend enough money to keep me and my wife alive for a year for a Beatle tooth. What's he gonna do when he finds out that it was all mostly luck? Meeting up w/Paul. Meeting Brian Epstein. Playing in Hamburg for 10,000 hours. Being alive at a point in time when recording had been invented, black American music was available to listen to, and a so-called "baby boom" worth of repressed teenagers were ready to soak it all up? Blow me. Take Herchell Walker's DNA, clone it and put it through those same experiences, I guarantee you'll have one big bad-ass Beatle.

Anonymous said...

Herschell.

Blog Drafter said...

Grammar GILF @ 1:36:

I aquiesce. Let's hook up. (Assuming you're female. Your Anon handle is ambiguous.)

"I'll also add that, if you like to ride bikes and you have kids, a bike like this that is somewhat "sporting" and that your child can also fall asleep on will do wonders for your quality of life."

I'll also add that, as a parent, a somewhat "sporting" bike as this will do wonders for your quality of life while the little Snobber snoozes in the back.

Damn, I alliterated. Not a good way to start a relationship.

Anonymous said...

Federico Macias Rodillos nashbar Rollers 9 años years bike cyc

Anonymous said...

I gotta get in on this shit!

Wheresowhomtofore, I might verymuch perchance hope to mention, that were I the bicyce-cycling type -- as I most assuredly am -- and did I (or you for that matter) have children in my (or your, ibid) charge, then carborundum ipso fatso, I should verymuch say that the Surly Big Dummy, thus outfitted -- or any similar bicycle similarly procured and similarly outfitted ) could quite vastly improve one's quality-of-life insofar as the slumbering of toddlers AND the more sporting pursuits of life were BOTH accommodated with equal finesse/panache/ganache/savoir-faire.

Edward said...

Sounds like a bullitt cargo bike would've suited you as well, they got the center stand and internal gear hub standard.

Anonymous said...

Simply put, the bike is awesome for portaging a human child to its next childcare "hookup".

babble on said...

Holy fuck, that dentist has more money than sense. He's kindov hot, bless his dumbass heart, but he looks a bit too beefcake-y to be a proper Fred.

But who am I to talk? Hell, I'm going to have to turn pro just to get my hands on those really good drugs that are going to help me reach my optimal race weight.

Regular guy said...

I can understand why the pedal pocket guy took a year to invent his cozy. After all, it took him five minutes of playing pocket pool while standing in his driveway to explain the need and use of a sheath for your pedals. He likes to wank.

Some years ago I was riding home from a class at Uni when I spotted a guy riding a Big Dummy up ahead. I pedaled hard for almost two miles before I caught up to him. Turns out it was an old friend of mine not known for his fast riding. Turned out he had a BionX rear wheel hidden under all the pannier fabric.

recumbent conspiracy theorist said...

How long is the Dummy Deck on the back of that thing? I know you've got yours configured for human child portage but I bet a rectangular, large 6 Gallon or 24 Quart milk crate would fit perfect on there. That's what I would do.

The dimensions of the rectangular, large 6 Gallon or 24 Quart milk crate is 18.75" x 13" x 11". That would hold alot of big stuff like milk jugs and cases of beer. The side bags would easily hold the rest of my sundries procured at the local market.

Olle Nilsson said...

Dear Surly, I hope you've got a new centre stand in the mail for Snob by now. While you're at it, I'm too lazy to get around to putting one on my bike too.

Oh, and to the grammar goons, doesn't change the meaning so WGAF?

Anonymous said...

Why not use old thick wool socks and fasten them with toe straps...done!

Anonymous said...

Google pedal sock and they already exist. And yes, I miss the Rhode Gear version. I guess I am just too old.

Grammer Goon said...

"While you're at it, I'm too lazy to get around to putting one on my bike too."

What exactly does THAT mean? (italics mine)

recumbent conspiracy theorist said...

70 some comments and no one mentioned scranus.

1904 Cadardi said...

Commie,

I actually use valve covers:

If} On the spare I carry in my jersey pocket to keep the pointy valve tip from piercing the tube when it's all coiled up. Ask me how I know that can happen.

When] On my travel bike when it's all packed up to keep them from snagging any crap I stuff into the case

Else> Sometimes on my mountaining bicycle if it's muddy and I remember

So I probably use roughly a billion percent more than the average cyclist and I still find them laying all over the place. They must reproduce in the dark by parthenogenesis.

Anonymous said...

Yeah Cleveland!

If I doubled my morning commute I'd end up back home. Actually that doesn't sound too bad.

Unknown said...

It's going to take 4 minutes and 54 seconds to tell me about a pedal cozy?

Olle Nilsson said...

GRAMMER GOON - See? That's what I'm talking about.

Socks, I meant socks. Must stop throwing them away. Pedal prophylactics. If the guy really wants to sell pedal covers, he should show the pedals taking chunks of flesh out of his shins. Or does he? tl;dw

CommieCanuck said...

I actually use valve covers.

Oh, how Fred. You realize what an ANCHOR those 5 grams are?? Do you not know that Armstrong won Alp D'Huez by secretly removing his valve covers? Oh, course, he put them back on for descents, for aero, because furlongs and centimeters and watts. He just admitted to the doping thing to throw off Oprah Winfrey from beating his Strava time up Alp D'Huez.

JLRB said...

Kickstarter Frankenbike Project:

I am going to build a bike that includes every Kickstarter proposal for an entire year.

All I need is a few hundred grand and a lobotomy.

CommieCanuck said...

It warms my heart that people can spend enough money to keep me and my wife alive for a year for a Beatle tooth.

It's for the DNA. If only those Jimmy Page groupees knew how much money they threw away with every swallow.

BTW.. I fucking hate the Beatles. I care for them not.

Grammer Goon said...

GE @ 3:22

LOL :)

BikeSnobNYC said...

Gimpson,

Yes, he does. I should have added that to the list of improvements I need to make but haven't!

I should probably keep a neck pillow onboard.

--Wildcat Rock Machine

Anonymous said...

Thank you for not belaboring us with piktors of your offspring.

pinner said...

I'm sure I've mentioned this to you (snob) at some point, but the absolute best thing to ever happen to my 1X Karate Monkey was the addition of an Alfine hub. You can find a sweet pre-built for a reasonable price and utilize a rapid-fire style shifter, unless you're into the twisty kind which you can totally run/rock if you're that kinda dork. You don't necessarily hafta go for the ones made in Germany that are over a G. The one's from Shimano are actually pretty dope.

Anonymous said...

Can someone tell me why that Big Dummy Spit style bike is better than a flat tray trailer you can hitch to any old bike?

BikeSnobNYC said...

Anonymous 5:52pm,

It's not better or worse, it's just different.

--Wildcat Rock Machine

ce said...

Scranus. Could one use the perfectly preserved imprint of Snobbo's scranus in the Brooks saddle to make a clone? It's not exactly DNA, but I'm thinking those detailed contours should contain enough information to do a little reverse engineering.

Comment deleted said...

Great. Now crime scenes are going to have to be dusted for scranus prints.

Why hasn't the CSI franchise discovered this obvious breaththrough? HMMM?

Anonymous said...

The big breasted woman preferred the rigid set up when ski poling. Otherwise she was OK with a little flex. A little.

Grump said...

The way to keep the Riff Raff out of the Wildcat Rock Machine New York City Anti-Fondo, is to forbid Tri Bars. Another great idea is to make mandatory, the use of 32 or 36 hole rims.

Anonymous said...

Sod the expense, get a Rahwwwlawf for the bike; you'll never look back. Well, that's not strictly true, you still have to do headchecks, but you get the point. Makes gear changing unbelievably easy even while stationary, one set of controls, no cross-chaining to worry about, even steps between gears, go from high to low with a nonchalant flick of the wrist blah blah

ce said...

Let's Enhance

Chicken Little said...

What?!! You don't properly maintain the the cargo bike that transports the 'fruit of your loins'? Surly you jest, my good man.

Olle Nilsson said...

Checked out the kickstarter and I've changed my mind. Only $15 will get you a set, but here's the real deal: $35 will get you two sets. That's like, only $17.50 each! He's still got a loooooonnnnnggggg way to go so let's all kick in. Because math. Oh, and THIS.

Orestes Munn said...

Damaging admission: I crashed my bike with a human child (mine) on it. Twice. In the same place. She was wearing a helment.

McFly said...

Son of a biscuit. Can I get one of these Roll Offs you speak of for my Cannonfail? I incessantly chase smooth fluid shifts. KA-CRUNCHITY CHANG CHANG SLAM BAM!

Dave said...

Sure, I knowed you was just jokin', but:

NO ELECTRIC ASSIST
NO ELECTRIC ASSIST
NO EXCEPTIONS
NO ELECTRIC ASSIST
EXTERMINATE!
EXTERMINATE!

Just extrapolate a decade or two. Electric vehicles of every possible size and type could fill up all available space not currently permitted for motorized vehicles. Soon it will be illegal to walk down your block, much less ride a bike under muscle power.

If the Daleks don't get us the Cybermen will.

isentof vitâ

but never heard back.

Anonymous said...

Century Centaur

Vlad said...

First!
I could not help but noticing that the top tube of your wonderful cargo bicycle is somewhat saggy. I actually never seen such a thing before, it must be the weather conditions overseas that melted it. A google search informs me that it is a common problem in bicycles made out of wax (especially those they used to make near ENT clinics out of residual ear wax back in days of the big Depression). According to your photographs, it seems that you have bought it this way, but by this time your guarantee probably expired.
I don't now exactly what needs to be done, though I probably try to hang it each night by the top tube, in hopes that it will regain its shape. If this fails, you should invest in my kickstarter top tube tensioner campaign that I'm thinking about starting.
Good luck!

Anonymous said...

My woman loves riding the Big D but is also perfectly fine with electrical assist if the need so arises. Or doesn't arise.

raresparky said...

When my (currently 30-ish year olds) were tots, I'd ride 'em in my Dutch-made kid seat that hooked on the handlebars. I LOVED having them up there in front of me where we could interact more easily and they LOVED being at the front of the bike and not just looking at my ass, not that that wouldn't have been a perfectly fine thing for them to do.

It was highly illegal, of course, and if I'd been caught doing it, I'd surely have been thrown into child molester's prison where the other inmates would have been happy to show me what it's like to "ride in front". Still, no younguns were harmed in the production of this motion picture and they both survived and developed into perfectly normal functional human beings, albeit, my daughter does like living in Brooklyn, though that's another story.

Yeah, we used it WAY past the time any responsible, cautious and concerned parent would. By the time I convinced my daughter she was big enough to ride her own damn bike, she weighed enough that the thing had bent and was hitting the top tube every time I turned (solution - only ride in straight lines).

I can see why the consumer product safety commission would brand them as highly dangerous, then again, they'd probably have outlawed my entire childhood and then I'd have nothing to blabber about in my dotage!

Nigeria Entertainment News said...

Nice one.

Anonymous said...

sock scranus
seat mold
old dummy
big fun

RoadQueen said...

So I looked up "Ski Polling".

Looks like fun!!

RoadQueen said...

*sigh* Fail on the checking of spelling.





forchcp this

Dooth said...

One can never get enough of that Nigerian entertainment news.

dancesonpedals said...

Loved the ski polloing video...Neither rain, nor sleet, nordic shall stay these dorks from the swift completion of their appointed laps

xc skiers are great...how many sports look dorkier than cycling

Fluidj said...

That guy must be really tall. I can't load my bike onto the roof of my Touareg without using a step stool

Anonymous said...

Speaking of " Big Ten Girls

Unknown said...

Dat fenderline.

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