My brother has a SS he built up with old parts on a nice Sycip frame that he hadn't ridden since
it's inaugural ride a year ago. On that ride he fell and fractured a vertebrae and put the bike in
the shed to collect dust. Now he hears I bought and have been rising my SS. He's always eager to get
out on a brotherly ride, so he invites me to ride with him Saturday, both on our SS's. We agree on a
time and he comes by just a little late. His rear wheel on the Sycip was wonky and he needed to
either fix or replace it. When he shows up at the back gate, he's riding a sweet rigid Karate Monkey
with King hubs and headset, WTB seat, Monkey Lights, Thompson post, XTR brakes and cranks. He was at
the shop and talking about wheel options when another guy we know comes in and says "You should just
buy my bike". It was going for a great price so he decided to go for it. Funny thing is, the guy who
built up that bike also built up my SS and sold pretty cheap.He's not loaded or connected to the
bike industry, he just seems to like to build up sweet bikes and then unload them cheap when he's
hard up for cash. He told my bro he had to unload it without his wife knowing so he could get her
something. Sounds a little weird, but I think their relationship is just that. So anyway we ride
Hartman's for a couple of hours and he absolutely loves the bike. He can't say enough good stuff
about it and he's obsessed with SSing now. I'm not riding my best ad feeling a little weak, but
having fun being out. I'm maybe just a tad jealous that he's gone and outdone me as soon as I picked
up my SS, but he's my big brother. That's his job. Sunday afternoon I felt even more off than I did
the day before. It progressed into having the chills and eventually puking my guts out last night.
My boy brought this home from daycare and was doing his best exorcist impression Friday. Then the
Mrs. got it Saturday and it was my turn last night. Yuck. Hopefully today's rest and fluids will get
me back up to speed.
--
Matt
"Gravity. It's not just a good idea, it's the law!"