Dave’s Good Stuff

I’m excited. As hell. I can’t wait to get the bike, for the weather to warm up long-term like, and get on the road. So I’ve been doing some reading here and there online for maps, routes, rides, etc.

Over at the KDoT website, I came across this useful tip: "Railroad Tracks: Stop within 15 feet of railroad crossings. Cross railroad tracks at right angles. Trains always have the right-of-way."

Really? You don’t say…

As requested, here they are. These are the pictures that Paul took trying to woo me into buying the bike. It wasn’t the pictures, though, it was the components list, the price, and his reputation with my brother. Be warned, however, they are fairly large…

Just got word that the check for the Torelli has been received, and that it should arrive a week or so from Monday/Tuesday.

Woot!

Now I need some shoes, shorts and shirts. Maybe I’ll even dust off the old Perigee and give it a little love. That way, I could have a partner while I ride… if she’s willing, that is. One can always hope, eh?

With the Torelli, I will be in good stead for the long rides Chris and Jon (from my Tuesday night pool team) and I have in store.

6 hours and two gallons of paint, and I’m done with the walls at the Woman’s old apartment. When she moved in, she was dissatisfied with the color of the walls, and so wanted to add accent walls to the apartment. This being allowed, we did so. Knowing that we’d have to repaint back to the original color did not deter us… though it probably should have. She’s out of town, so I took it upon myself to get the job done. I’m not sure if she’ll really even appreciate it, so I’m not sure why I do it.

Now, I’m sitting here with specks of taupe on my arms from the rolling, wondering why I even thought to post this tonight. I’m tired. Very tired. I have been for about a week now. I have been since we moved everything on Saturday. I could probably break myself of it mentally, if I really wanted to. But there’s so much left to do that I’d be breaking myself of it only to throw myself back in it.

But tonight, the re-painting of the old apartment is all but done.

I’ve sent off the check for the bike. I cannot WAIT to get it (even finally installed the bike rack I bought with the car *on* the car). Don’t know where I’m going to put it right now, but at least I’ll have it. Paul Scarpelli has been a joy to work with. Easy going, informative, understanding… as my brother put it, he’s good people.

As to the question of where to put it, that question exists b/c the Woman and I, with a little help from two of the Boy’s friends, moved all the heavy furniture, and a ton of smaller stuff from her apartment into my basement on Saturday. We are both exhausted and sore as hell. Where was the Boy, you might ask? He decided that he would rather go to a basketball game in Lawrence. Knowing that we were going to get started early Saturday morning, he chose to spend the night in Lawrence, and stay there all day for the game at 3:00pm. I hope that game was worth it, because we were both absolutely livid. The two of them had it out yesterday, but he’s *yet* to apologize to me for it, so I remain quite angry with disappointed in him.

Tonight I’m going back out to Home Depot to get another clothes bar for the closet, b/c we are TIGHT when it comes to space for clothes. Every little bit counts. I’m also going to pick up some towel holders and whatnot for the bathroom while I’m there. Once that’s done, the bathroom will be all but done… and quite the wonderful relief that will be.

I’ve a lead in on a *very* nice bike… for considerably less than retail. I’ll have pictures of it if I get it, but for now, you’ll just have to take my word for it… it’s tight as hell.

Here’s the digs:

Torelli Scappa frame, aluminum with carbon chainstays
Reynolds Ouzo Pro full-carbon fork
Ritchey Pro BioMax Handlebar
Chris King headset
Campy Centaur Alloy shifters
Torelli Moda Chunky tape
Campy Record brakes
Campy brake and shifter cables
Campy Record seatpost clamp
Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheelset
Michelin tires
Mavic skewers
ITM Millenium stem
American Classic adjustable bottle cages
FSA carbon crank with new chainrings (53×39)
Isis titanium bottom bracket
Speedplay X-1 titanium pedals
Campy 10-speed chain
Campy Record carbon seatpost
Selle Italia SLR titanium-rail saddle
Selle Italia Flite titanium saddle
Campy 10-23 10-speed cassette
Campy Centaur front derailleur
Campy Record 10-speed rear derailleur

It has a brand new paint job, and has never been in the soaking rain. In fact, the wheels have never been wet.

Props to whoever can name the source of the title for this post…