Cryptobeetle Resurrection – June. 28, 2024
The monsoon rains have finally graced us with their life giving deluges, and that translates not only to a break in the heat, but also lots of fauna that remains dormant underground most of the year begins to emerge! I have always been fascinated by the spadefoot toads, cool looking insects, and even fish that remain in stasis during the dry season, erupting during the summer rains to take advantage of the water while it’s available. The most palpable sign that monsoons have arrived other than copious precipitation and wind, are the nighttime visits of the Palo Verde Beetles!
One of these days… – June. 21, 2024
The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa is something I’ve been wanting to participate in for quite a while, but somehow have never made the commitment. I know many folks that make an annual pilgrimage to be one of the more than 30k participants in what seems to be a really great casual tour. As it gets closer this year, I always start hearing and seeing riders getting prepped for what sounds like the “Burning Man” of bike touring, and feel a bit of envy when they return with big smiles and the desire to return next year to a different route. To those headed this year, stay safe and hydrated, bring lots of snacks! Maybe next July I’ll join you!
Heat on the Street – June. 14, 2024
Now that it officially feels like it will never be cold again, taking time to rejoice and celebrate the little things is an important part of my day. After many years of enduring what I considered some of the most brutal pavement in town, resurfacing has begun in my neighborhood, making life on wheels much more satisfying. While the 109 degree air temp may make this new blacktop heat up to what feels like 1500 degrees in the afternoon, rolling around on it is quiet and smooth! I’m even able to ride with no hands- this was not possible without fear of breaking a clavicle or chipping a tooth a month ago! Cheers to the hardy souls laying down hot tar and gravel on these sweltering days!
Know Your Enemy – June. 7, 2024
The most ubiquitous problem faced by cyclists throughout history: flat tires. There have been countless workarounds, from solid tubes, to sealant, to tire inserts, to weird airless wheels. Aside from gimmicks that promise the solution to all of life’s problems for a questionable price, most of us find ourselves occasionally faced with the reality that flats are like hills- an inseparable part of cycling. While there really isn’t a perfect solution (despite the attempts) to never deal with inflation obstructions, I have always advocated for preventive community maintenance: if you see nails or staples in the road, grab them and rescue someone from the frustration they may cause in the future. One of the most prolific causes in our area is the infamous Tribulus Terrestris (a.k.a. Goathead, bull’s head, caltrop, cat-head, devil’s eyelashes, devil’s-thorn, devil’s-weed, puncturevine, and tackweed), which can seem harmless as a plant, but as soon as the seed pods dry, they are a headache for anything that comes into contact with them, including the air in your tires! Next time you encounter this plant, you can pluck it from the center stem easily, and keep it from proliferating and making children cry!
In Loving Memory – May. 31, 2024
The week’s tidbit honors the legacy of my longtime reptile companion, Miss Marca Esquandolas, Esquire. Twenty-four years ago, as I was moving into the “I’m an adult that can have any pet I want” part of life, I purchased a cute little Jungle Carpet x Diamond Python (Morelia Spilota) with a vague notion that the snake would probably live a long time. She turned 25 this year, and has been through quite a few adventures with me, from cross country moves (she’s been to Moab on an MTB trip) to getting “lost” for a week, only to be found sleeping inside a speaker. She wasn’t much of a conversationalist, but she was a good cuddler, had a very sweet disposition, and she will be missed. She was laid to rest on Sunday, and was ushered peacefully from this world after developing complications from a neuromuscular disorder. She is survived by her two canine sisters, a human dragon baby brother, and her biped parents.
Loving Locally – May. 24, 2024
We ship orders globally, but we are still a small team that likes to support our local community. So when we needed another run of Campfire T-shirts, we turned to our awesome friends at Yeah Right! Designs, who have helped me with many creative projects in the past. They do a phenomenal job with design and turnaround, and have some really unique and cool stickers, shirts, and art, not to mention that there’s a giant glowing Mantis that works there!
Wax Lube Nostalgia – May. 17, 2024
Every so often, we have a bike come through the shop that Toby will remark on being a joy to tune up, and it brings joy to my heart when the mentioned bike is adorned with a little neon green sticker on the frame! This Scott Speedster (circa 2012, a.k.a. the golden age of road bikes) was sold by Ordinary Bikes, and came to the shop for a rejuvenation. Many years later, the attention to detail during the build shined, and it was a highlight of repairs for the day! Cheers to preventative maintenance!
Leo! – May. 10, 2024
I have more of a whopper than a Tidbit this week! On April 8, during the peak of the solar eclipse, my wife gave birth to our son, Leo! They are both happy and healthy, and he has been a really awesome tiny human so far. We are getting ample sleep, and routines are beginning to settle in. If you’ve emailed me or called, you probably already know that I abruptly went on leave last month to help with getting him all settled in, but I’m back in the dungeon, and catching up as fast as I can! Thanks for all the well wishes!
Ellipti-ground score! – Apr. 5, 2024
A few months ago, Toby and I were riding home from work, and a pair of handlebars protruding from a “free stuff” pile on the side of the road caught my eye. We quickly circled back to investigate, and I was able to nab a seemingly new ElliptiGo that just needed air in the tires! I ghost rode it home, and it has now become an oddly fun neighborhood errand runner, perfect for a quick trip to TJ’s to grab snacks, or the Korean tea house nearby for a Boba drink. I’ve been brainstorming ways to mount a front rack on it, as the ultimate oddball grocery getter, but for now it carries what I can put in a backpack or hip pack, and the handlebar cup holder. Cheers to the unexpected ground score!