The Bauer Family

This package was waiting for me when I got home on Thursday.  This is the start of the summer fat bike project.  Below is what was inside. The wheels are Velocity custom built 29+ set up tubeless with Bontrager Chupacabra tires.   Weight of rear wheel with rotor. Front wheel with rotor. My intent is to see how much you can do with one bike and several different wheel sets.  The bike is the Sarma Vortex.  The 29+ fits this bike and also the Bluto.  The Bluto is a tight fit and may at times rub?  The other test will eventually be running a 27.5 wheelset and 3.8-4,5 tire.  This combo would allow me to race in the fat bike class!  From what research tells me the 3.8 tires that are currently available (Bontrager Hodag and Maxis) are more like 3.5 inches.  Then the Bontrager Barbegazzi in 4.5 is massive and will not work with the Bluto fork.  While talking about tire size the 29+ mounted to the Velocity rims me...

We had thought about having a New Year Party this year and then decided not to do it.  Good thing, Michelle was not feeling well.  I watched football most of the day on New Year Eve.   Party Animals showed up for New Year! I did not get much sleep the night before and barely made it to 10:30.  Michelle and Brendan made it till midnight.   Michelle took it easy on New Year Day and I started to build her new work shop in the basement.  I managed to get it all framed in. We took Monday off and again I watched football and we had Michelle's mom and dad and Micah over for dinner.  We had Prime Rib and a good time.  The Rose Bowl was the best bowl of this season! On The Bike Front: On Saturday I got the Farley back together.  I put a carbon fork on it and had to put a rear brake cable on.  Still need a longer cable, but this will work until that happens. Farley is ready to roll. I rode the Farley on Monday ...

Christmas has passed and today is New Year Eve.  A lot has happened this past year and I am excited for the New Year!  Christmas was nice this year.  We were not sure if my mom was even going to come out until our Thursday visit before Christmas.  Jay Jay had to work on the holiday and the eve so I picked mom up at 9:30am on Christmas Eve so she could get to see him.  She ended up spending the entire day with us.  We had a nice brunch before Jay Jay left for work and mom enjoyed her time with us and the kitty's. She was happy to be here! Spending time with Esther. Opening presents. Time with the boys. Hoping to get some homemade chicken noodle soup. We took mom home around 5pm and I went into work for around an hour.  Michelle and Brendan picked me up on their way back.  We stopped at McDonald's and had something to eat and then headed home.  Jay Jay was home before us and we watched Christmas Vacation before ...

I had Global Fat Bike Day on the calendar as soon as it was announced!  The past two years we had went to Sleepy Hollow State Park to enjoy the festivities.  I wanted to do something different so I asked Craig what his plans were.  He informed me that he would be going to Island Lake to join the Son's of Fatarchy riding the Badlands!  I thought this sounded like good idea and a quick message out to the other Fatties in our group made it a consensus.  Don Miller ended up working and could not join us. The ride was starting at 10am and Craig advised that we get there early so we could get a parking spot.  Raymond, Don Stange and myself met in Birch Run and got the bikes loaded up. Bikes loaded and ready to go! We left Birch Run and made it to Island Lake with plenty of time to spare.  Craig arrived shortly after we did. Craig and Raymond starting to prep for the ride. Craig suggested we get ready and role out before the large grou...

The month is almost over and I thought I would cover some of what took place this month.   Our oldest cat passed away.  He was over 20 years old.  I had found Chance on the highway when he was about 6 weeks old.  He hardly had any hair and was covered in fleas.  The vet was not sure he would even make it.  He survived and grew very strong and very sweet.  He would always want to cuddle with everyone.  He will be remembered and missed. Chance and Mom. I have sold a few bikes that have been setting around and not being ridden.  The first was my Giant TCX cross bike.  No one had been on it for over a year.  The next was the Green Machine.  They should both see some use now.  Doesn't make sense to have them setting around.  I also have a couple of wheel sets and a lot of tires up for sale.  Hope to move some of that out and get some extra space back in the shop. Thanksgiving came and went and now w...

About a month ago Michelle and I decided to take a fall color tour and Brendan would be coming with us.  So we did our planning and reserved our rooms.  Brendan had a half day of school so we picked him up at school and headed out. Our first destination was Manistee.  We made a quick stop in Clare and resumed our trip and arrived at our hotel at 3:00pm.  We rested for a while and then headed out to check out the old downtown area. We took a little walk on the river walk and came across this little guy. This river otter was hanging out on the dock! We made our way out toward Lake Michigan and started to head back when we got to the entry to the beach.  There was a great view. Light House at the river channel. We then headed back into town and stopped to eat. TJ's Pub was nice. After dinner we went back down to the beach and walked out on the pier.  It was cold and windy. Glad we brought our winter coats and hats! ...

Fall went back into full swing today.  The high did not even hit 60 degrees!  We were preparing for the family party for Brendan's Birthday.  His Birthday is Monday.  We did some work and then I went out for a short ride.  I had not tested the Vortex since the brake upgrade so I got it ready and took it out. Ready to Roll. I went down to the park and rode around Burt a bit.  I almost hit 8 miles.  It was a nice ride. So then it was back to the house and continued to prepare for the party.  Family started to arrive around 4pm and we had dinner followed by cake and watching football. Pokemon Cake The Birthday Boy! Happy Birthday budy!