Update on Giant NRS2 Frame

Yesterday I called Olympia Cycle (my bike dealer up till this point) to see where things were at with my frame. Turns out they never sent away my frame!!! Grrr! So I made my way there today and picked up my frame and took it to another dealer Bikes & Beyond (Henderson) who actually is carrying Giant. I got a phonecall an hour after dropping it off that they were shipping it away with UPS and I should expect a new frame in a week and half. Now why didn't I bring it there in the first place? Well, it has something to do with loyalty to a bike dealership that for the most part has treated me quite well up until this past year. My connection no longer works there and the managing of that particular store seems to have gone downhill. So my loyalty is up for grabs - we'll see if Bikes & Beyond will win! I should note I have purchased a good 6 or so bikes in the last 16 years - all from Olympia!

My first real mtn bike I bought was a 89' KHS Comp (black with purple metallic splashes and yellow lettering) hardtail, Suntour shifting, and no front suspension. I went front suspension with a black Trek 6000 (orange decals) in 1991 or so, complete with the gold Rock Shox Mag 21 (which I later painted black) and custom built wheels.

Next came my dream bike a 1996 Rocky Mountain Thin Air - probably the lightest mountain bike I ever will own - superlight hardtail that I still miss - bright yellow! I should note that was my last bike as a bachelor (about ten years ago - crazy!). I rode it a good three years or so and made the move to full suspension.

Riding my Thin Air - June 1996 - Toniata

I bought a used Trek Y-3 aluminum with a sweet Rock Shox SID 100 in the front from a friend of mine - it actually was a brand new frame due to warranty issue on the previous frame. It also was black but with red trim. Too much bob action for me and man was it heavy. I rode it maybe 2 years or so and decided to go lighter weight but still full suspension. I ended up purchasing my current bike a 2002 Giant NRS2 which I really have enjoyed the last three years.

Probably the most fun I've had on a bike is with my Giant - that is until my frame broke. We'll see what my next bike is - I'll make a judgement call after I get my new frame!

I should also note that during our first year of marriage I gave my wife Wendy my Trek 6000 to ride but I soon bought a navy Trek 930 that I still use today as my commuter bike. She now rides a sweet 03' Trek 6700 (below) with some women specific features that we customized.

Hmm...my post turned from "beef" to "relief" to a historical retrospective "life and times of my mountain bikes!" I guess that's what happens when one is passionate about exploring a sport like mountain biking!

explore past

I love history and the stories of what happened in the past fascinate me. I wouldn't say I'm a history buff as I definitely don't remember details well but I an adventure I never forget. Most of my old books are in the genre of historical adventure: explorers of new lands , stories of ww2, safaris in Africa, paddling rivers, climbing mountains, etc. I also have a number of biographies of famous explorers, musicians, and leaders that are focused on the adventure of living out ones' calling!

The past teaches us much of what it means to live, to play, to embrace this life we've been graced with whatever the challenge at hand. Perseverance through storms, through tragedy, through adversity is what marks a person as an adventurer and hero. History teaches the importance of exploring play and finding significance in living out the life God has called us and equipped us to do!

Now my past year has had its own challenges, perhaps not life threatening but for it has been a learning one. I've managed a few escapes in the outdoors, the most recent to North Carolina, and gone through some trials of my own when it comes to managing time, work & family. Some scars remain but in many ways I feel stronger and wiser because of it. I've lost a grandmother to death last month but it was more of a celebration of her life than a mourning of our loss. I've grown closer to a number of friends and family, and I'm falling more and more in love with my wife and family! The adventure continues!

One year of blogging, of introspection, of learning! Feel free to visit musings - I placed a few comments there re: genesis.

G