Zen...

...and the Art of Bicycle Maintenance

Chat 'bout Wheel-a-Spin (translation: "Speaking of these things...."), yesterday marked a milestone! My Lil' Schwinnie Mandela finally came home (it only took 2 months to build her).

Spare parts shortage and Mardi Gras delays aside, it was a wonderful process. Thanks and praises to all friends (now family) at RUBARB :) Come visit me any Saturday and get ur hands greased up...don't worry, we've got Gojo.

Really though, going from knowing nothing about bikes (save riding and stopping) to gaining functional knowledge of building and mechanics is extremely satisfying and rewarding. And Mr. Louis philosphies are lagniappe icing on the cake. You know how everyone has their "thing" - most find "it" sooner or later. Well bikes are Mr. Lou's "thing." One picnic table conversation consisted of his diatribe of bikes and life. It went something like this...

"bikes are like life...there's the wheel and the spokes going out everywhere, in all directions. but they all come together in the middle, the hub and turn...and then you've got the spokes...."

i said SOMETHING like that. OK, time for me to practice how to true a wheel. Next week...