August 20, 2019

“When you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” Since getting a sewing awl, I’ve been thinking of how to repurpose all the scrap material around me. Among them: the RED marine vinyl remaining from upholstering Senator Buff’s saddle.

Freehanding didn’t go so well, so I went to the other extreme and made a 3D model. The wireframe UV map makes a perfect sewing pattern.

  • I’m a saddle bag!

Digital precision is great, but without real world skills to back it up, the results are pretty sloppy overflowing with handmade charm.

Seriously though, it’s kind of cute. And “character” over “precision” fits in pretty well with this build.

July 13, 2019  |  Independence Day Rides

A July 4th ride to the east side, over the Bissel Bridge.

The way back over a lonely, empty Founder’s Bridge. Hartford’s official celebration isn’t until the 13th…

…

I usually watch the fireworks from the relative comfort of the overlook across from Elizabeth Park, but this year I’m headed downtown.

It didn’t disappoint… though the crowd, setting, and trash balancing art drew my attention more than the actual fireworks.

It’s a hot summer, hope you’re keeping cool.


June 30, 2019  |  Elizabeth Park / Realm of Carcosa

Life may be no rose garden, but in Hartford you can still stroll around a fairly big one.

This segued into another ride downtown – this time across the Founder’s Bridge to the River’s east bank.

Then, at the north end of Great River Park, an ominous path I don’t recall having trodden before.

From a twisting lane strewn with broken glass, automobile trim, and puddles containing the effluent of who-knows-what, we emerge…

Alas! Is this area under the watchful “protection” of the Unnameable One?

Probably not. With nary a psychic barrier or dimensional rift in sight, I was able to safely return downtown, where things were as I had left them.

Or are they?
…

June 26, 2019

Having a super wide gear range is nice, but not without issues. Besides clunky front shifting, the smaller rear gears can’t be used with the small front chainring – the rear derailleur folds too far thanks to the excess chain length. Adjusting the rear derailleur positioning (B-Tension) seems to help, but that impacts rear shifting performance.

With the new freewheel in back, I also wasn’t spinning out on the lowest gear possible, even on downhills. Time to try a smaller big ring in front.

The little big – 46T
June 11, 2019

With work on HB-03 winding down, it’s time to revisit HB-02 and its deteriorating suspension elastomers.

From left to right:
• The orange third-stage elastomers continue to hang tough
• Clear polyurethane tube replaces our dearly-departed second stagers
• Black PU rod for the first stage (remnants of the RED originals can be seen in the background)

The new parts are quite a bit more stiff than what they’re replacing, but it’s still more cushiony than a rigid fork.

Stacks assembled