boomana

pigmode, did you get the anniversary Kirk or go for the regular one you were getting anyway?

Well, I was in a cast for about three months for my ankle and didn't even break it. I've broken my tibia before, sadly more than once, and was in a cast for a around a month each time. I really have to stop with this injury stuff.

I really have no idea, but I've seen them on Craig's List here for anywhere between $250 to $1000, with the latter seeming waaay to high, even though reportedly in excellent condition. Ken, I'd take the broken tibia over a damaged knee if I had a choice. Still sucks, but glad it's not worse. Three months does seem a little long for being in a cast for a broken bone.

^ Yay!

I got the bike I wanted, so I'm good. Someone here should jump on this, though.

I think I'm done for a few years.

I wish I could do a noontime ride. Today, my frame got Fed Exed to Joe Bell. Today, Dave announces this: This year, 2013, marks the tenth anniversary of the Kirk Frameworks Co. To celebrate this milestone I will be offering a limited edition of 10th Anniversary specials. The production of these special 10th Anniversary Specials will be limited to ten bikes in total and once these ten are sold no more orders will be taken for this model. The 10th Anniversary Specials will be unique versions of the JK Special lugged road race bike and will be equipped with the curved Terraplane seat stays. These framesets will be made to measure and will be built with many features unique to the project. The exact specifications are still being finalized - below is a list of the frameset’s features – • 10th Anniversary paint scheme by Joe Bell • 10th Anniversary Kirk graphics • 10th Anniversary special lug shaping • 10th Anniversary head badge • 10th Anniversary front and rear dropouts • 10th Anniversary brake bridge • 10th Anniversary brass cable adjusters • Includes painted to match stem • Each frameset will be signed and numbered At this point the final price is not 100% firm but I expect it to be about $5000 for the frame and fork set. None of the features that make this 10th Anniversary bike unique will ever be repeated. Di2/EPS internal wire routing is a no cost option. Special pricing will be available on my favored build kits based on top of the line Campagnolo, Shimano and Sram components. I’m expecting to deliver these late in 2013 or early 2014 so they will no doubt be ready for the 2014 riding season. I will be taking ten deposits only and making a list of names of those interested should someone in the queue need to give up their spot. Please contact me with any questions you might have and I’ll do my best to right back to you. Thanks so much for all the support over the past ten years and here’s to the next ten! My timing sucks.

pigmode, your back must be doing better! Jeff, that is a beautiful bike rack. Shows off your very beautiful bikes. I'm more than happy with mine, but it's fugly.

Ken, hoping your niece is okay and heals quickly. I suppose she's lucky as it definitely could be worse, but that kinda spill doesn't sound good.

Very cool. I'd been doing minor tweaking on the fits of both my bikes since I got them. Some were due to needing small changes that just needed to be had, but must were due to becoming a stronger, more flexible rider.

Happy birthday, guys!

^ Nice. It must be Calfee day. I took mine out today. Met John and Raffy at 7:30 this morning for a ride. Got in 32 miles, but f-ing crosswinds the whole way were a p.i.t.a., and I'm not in riding shape either. The plan was to go further, but we ditched that. Raffy, btw, is not a good riding partner, as he ditched us

Got in a blustery 25-mile ride while UHaul was installing my hitch this morning. I wasn't feeling it at all, but I've come to learn that I never like the first 45 minutes of any ride, and just as I was getting into it, I had to head back. The 1UP rack is great. Takes minutes to put on, and seconds to get the bike on and off.

Steel is real!

I have two strong choices that I can't decide between, though they're similar. I think I'll wait to reveal my choice when I get the frame back. I may even surprise myself by letting Joe decide. The good news is that Dave told me using a stencil rather than the decals is 100% doable, so I'm very excited. The bike was finished yesterday, and here are the final pics: I also registered for a metric century charity ride on May 11 in Ft. Lauderdale. There's a full century option, but I don't think I can get ready in time. My legs are still pretty floppy after not really riding for four and a half months. We'll see.

^ I get that, Chris. I'm riding on a Computrainer during the week because I don't have enough time to get out on the road early before work, and don't like the traffic later in the day. Brent, that's great your back is doing better. I was actually a bit worried for you when you got the bike. Nate, and any cold weather folks, hope the warm weather keeps coming your way. My frame was completed yesterday, but I got home too late to post up pics, and am running out the door right now. It's gorgeous, but now off to Joe Bell. I'll get the pics up this weekend. U-Haul is finally putting the hitch on my Vibe (they'd ordered the wrong one a couple weeks ago), on Saturday morning, and I'll have my new rack ready to go! We've got some stormy weather here, but it should clear up over the weekend, and I'm hoping to get a couple good rides in.

From Dave's email today: I got a full day in today finally and made very good progress. I brazed the front end together, added the braze-ons, got all the flux cleaned off, checked the alignment and finally got it all cleaned up and ready to add the rear end. Tomorrow the rear goes on!

Pics of the day:

Yes, but it depends on if I have to use the decals as the are, in which case I'll have to abandon my idea, or if Joe and/or Dave are willing to do something along the lines of a stencil version of it, where I can choose the color. I want to do a tone on tone panel with only the KIRK standing out. I've only seen pics with the decals. I dislike all the options. If I have to use the exact decals, I have zero idea what color to go with because everything I like would look horrible with them. I'm not going to think about it for now, but enjoy the rest of the process. I'll deal with that when the time comes, but I'll admit I'm a bit nervous as I'm pretty in love with my idea, and don't want to settle for something I don't like.

Get well sickies! That pic of Esme, Ric, is scary. Larry, I agree with Antonio. You're very right to readjust your priorities. Sending you healing wishes. I had a Monday. I'm excited about my new bike, but other than that, I'm glad the day is over.

^ I'm unlikely to ever do that. Just got this email: Hello, I had a good long day doing prep work on your bike and never got interrupted by the UPS man with painted bikes. Today I did prep work - inspecting tubes, setting the jig, mitering tubes, brazing subassemblies (chainstays, fork blades and crown) and last but not least lug fitting. Tomorrow I’ll finish the lugs by shaping them and then jump into brazing the front triangle together and I should have time to braze the fork too. Feel free to share the photos however and wherever you like - they are yours to do with as you please..........more photos tomorrow. Dave

As do I. That was my main issue with the last one. It was 52.5 with an 80 stem. I know the geometry is different, but I have a 52 with a 70 stem on my Calfee, which feels good, but I'm maxed out with reach. There would be zero wiggle room for changes if I had the 80 stem on this build as I shrink into a shriveled old lady, hopefully still riding.

Decided to shrink the bike a bit as I'm most likely going to be shrinking a bit and/or becoming less flexible in coming years. It's weird to be of an age where that's a big consideration. The previous pic I posted of the frame design would fit me now, but not give me any wiggle room. I talked with Dave, who agreed, and this is the frame that will be built, starting tomorrow.