Long time coming....

It's been a while hasn't it! 

We are Living the dream up on Orcas Island and I am still riding and working on bikes. although not nearly as much as I used to. 

Its been a nice change of pace going from obsessively working on bikes, thinking about bikes and generaly tying my self worth to them. Who wants to feel worthless after not riding for a week or taking  a break from bikes? Not me (anymore)!

I have gotten deeper into knitting, made at least 18 hats in 2024 and finished 2 sweaters. I also dove in deep to RC Crawlers, super goofy but its full-filling my inner child. The best thing is Olivia and I have gone in deep with Quakerism and have formed a stronger spiritual connection with each other and the world and are building an amazing network of friends and "Friends" as a result. 

Recently I have reignited my bike love after a very bike quiet 2024. I did train and do one race in 2024, The Marji Gesick back in Marquette. I finished it with two broken ribs after a crash a mere 10 miles into the race, maybe I should write about that. 

The crash forced me off the bike for a while, I was fine with it. While being forced off of it I started to read more about bike randonneuring and riding for fun, forcing myself not to think about racing. It seemed like the way of the future for me! I have a great cyclocross/ gravel/ road bike (its a bike with drop bars that I love, Is that enough of a description?) that will be perfect for long rides with others. I think I will do a few in 2025. 

Despite living in a very tiny house our porch always is taken up by bikes, even if we are not using them. I cant get away from them. 

I am planning to build up the 5 (!) bare frames I have stored away and either sell them, give them away, or hold on to a ride more. I want to document my build of them back on here. If anything documenting them will be fun to look back on, doubt anyone will stumble on to this site since I have stopped using social media. 

I am going to try to keep the builds period correct, so eBay here I come. I already have a Dura Ace 7400 groupset on the way to build up one of the road frames or hold onto for a sweet 80's steel frame. I know the hoarding will never end. 

I also put drop bars on my fat bike and it looks so sick! it rides amazing and I cant wait to get racks on it and do a little bike trip. 





​I have been struggling to find a riding community still on Orcas but I am sure it will come. Maybe I will put a flyer up in town.....Hmmmm......

Till next time!

- D Dog 

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