My new ride

Yesterday I picked up my new Surly Steamroller at Circles Bike shop. As you can see from the photos, the custom camouflage paint job and classic Lino drop green handlebars make this one very PUURRTY bicycle! This marks my introduction to track bikes and fixed gears. Since I'm a 44 year old chicken and not some 20 something hipster, I've set my flip flop gears to freewheel and installed front and back brakes for added safety. When I feel confident enough I'll switch to fixed gear and practice falling on my ass. The ride this morning was all together different (which I expected). Track bikes position the body for optimal speed and not necessarily comfort. It will take some getting used to. The smaller drop down handlebars leave little space to move the hand, and I went back to using strap clips instead of SPD clips. After a few minutes, I started to get into the groove and noticed how much faster the bike responds to my body movement. And this baby is fast! This will be my city bike for rides downtown and occasional day trips to the countryside. My Surly Travelers Check will remain my choice for long trips, hilly rides and for BBQs. Enough yapping. Time for a ride.

This name is making me Cranky!

For almost a year I've been blogging under the pen name PedalPapa. I got this name form my much younger Japanese cycling friends. But lately I'm starting to feel my age, so I've decided it's time for a new name. One that better reflect my personality and love for things cycling. The name....Crankee, a nod to that most important piece of metal found on all bicycles, and a slight reference to how I feel most of the time. There you have it...I Am Crankee!

Trick O' NUTs

The Halloween themed NUTs alley cat race went off well last night. Many of the riders came dressed in their Halloween best. Dirty organized the race this time and as usual he was off the chart with his antics and comedic presentation. Here are a few picts I managed to take before and after the race.

Riebo as a little ducky

Sie Chan as the wicked witch

Neko & Dirty doing what they do best

Halloween Alley Cat

This Saturday we will have our monthly NUTs alley cat race. Meeting place as usual will be at Shirakawa park. If you can, wear something spooky. See you there!