@boxer_4 said in What Did I Just See?:

Pretty sure that's a plane.

Edit: I was wrong. According to Google Image Search - It's a tree

My apologies for making a quick judgement call.

Back in the day, I was a serious road cyclist and spent more time in the saddle than I did at work or school. Raced with a team (mostly criteriums) and was a huge bike nerd.

One of the places we would hang out was Jack’s Bicycle Shop – a tiny one man store/shop in a converted detached garage in Bay City.
It didn’t look like much from the outside (you couldn’t even see it from the road) but inside was top of the line gear and the most knowledgeable cyclist I’ve ever met, Jack.

Jack was in his 60’s during the 80’s when my friends and I hung out at the shop. It was a true cornucopia of elite parts and bikes, things we could only see in magazines or watching the pros race. (This was well before the internet and Google). Not only could we see and touch the stuff of dreams, but Jack was also happy to share his knowledge and experience. He happily taught us mechanical skills, made recommendations for gear, and always let us try stuff out. He was an incredible ambassador for the sport, and we admired him greatly. My best cycling memories were hanging out a Jack's shop, and I still have most of the equipment I purchased from him.

Jack passed away in 2011 and the original shop closed many years ago, but Jacks Bicycle Shop still lives on at a new location, owned and operated by his grandson. I stopped in the other day as I needed a freewheel pulled and did not have the right tool for the job, and it gave me a reason to finally visit the new place. I expected the store to be "Jack’s" in name only, but I was pleasantly surprised to be very, very wrong.
While the shop now is mostly MTB and fat tire bikes – there were some genuinely beautiful bikes from the original shop there. They were mounted high on the walls near the ceiling, and it really took me back. These were the bikes and components I lusted after (and eventually rode) back in my youth. These exact bikes. I remember them like old friends I haven’t seen in years, but still recognized them instantly.

Dura Ace Equipped Cesare with Columbus tubing (I believe). With a UNI disc! (I had one of these (UNI) , now super rare - wish I had held on to mine)
Campagnolo Super Record Equipped Univega Super Special

This absolutely gorgeous Poglighi with custom made Galli (Campagnolo SR copy) gold grouppo My best friend and teammate raced this same frameset with a different (read cheaper) component set.

A beautiful Fuji with chromed lug work and I believe the "original" (first issue, with "Crane" logo rear derailleur) Dura Ace components.

Jack's was an authorized Univega dealer, and he carried their best. A Reynolds tubed Super Strada with a Dura Ace groupset.

Ok, this Klein wasn't there back in the day, but I had to get a shot of it as this is one of the few sets of Spinergy Rev X's I've seen besides my own. And converted to a single speed, as I have with my set too. I also have the bull horn bars and same brake levers, though mine are non-aero.

It was quite the trip down memory lane. I spent almost an hour just looking though all of the old stuff, didn't even more than glance at the new bikes for sale. I am so happy Jack's grandson has preserved the feel of the old shop, there were even some of the same posters on the walls (should have gotten some pics of those too) .

You are sorely missed Jack, but your legacy lives on. Thank you for everything.

When friends or family need advice on cars and/or maintenance – they often come to me. I am not a mechanic, but I know enough about basic maintenance and do a lot of my own on my cars. I’ve learned to wrench on my own cars originally by necessity, now it’s for fun.

This was not always the case.

When I first got my license at 16, I knew nothing about cars, I was just happy to drive! Anything at any time. And the way our family schedule was, that meant that I would drive my mom to work and then myself to school.
At 5:00 I would pick my mom back up from her office. I got to drive every day; it was great!

Now this also meant that the only person behind the wheel of the family car was me. A 1982 Buick Regal Limited (similar to the one pictured but in “Anthracite Metallic”). My dad’s pride and joy – the first car I remember him buying new.

I knew it needed gas to go, but that was the extent of my automotive knowledge. So, when the oil light came on, I did not know what that meant.

So I ignored it.

For weeks.

Well, one day on my way to pick my mom up from work – the engine just stopped. Done. Dead. Not moving. I was only a few blocks from my mom’s office so I walked the rest of the way and we called my dad.

Shortly afterwards my dad shows up, then the tow truck to take it to the dealer (car was probably 2 years old and still under warranty). The service department called my dad with the news: The engine stopped because there was no oil in it. Completely empty.

The conversation with my dad:

Dad: “Was the oil light on?”
Me: “Yeah, I guess so”
Dad: “How long was the light on?”
Me: “I don’t know, a few weeks maybe?”
Dad: “THE OIL LIGHT WAS ON FOR A FEW WEEKS AND YOU DIDN’T THINK TO MENTION THIS TO ANYONE?!?!?!”
Me: “I thought if it was important it would blink or something….”
Dad:

At this point I knew I was dead. I accepted it. No point in running or fighting, I just accepted it. I had broke my dad’s car. Not by having an accident, not a momentary lapse in judgement. But by utter and complete prolonged negligence. There was no defense.

I had no doubt I was a ‘dead teen walking’ at this point – I knew this was bad. I had no idea what my dad was going to do. But whatever it was, I deserved it. I knew that much.

Then something happened. For those who say there is no God, I disagree. I have proof.

Just as my father was taking a deep breath (to start yelling or beating, I still don’t know), the phone rang. This was before caller ID, and I don’t remember if we had an answering machine or not – but at our house, if the phone rang – you answered it.

It was the dealership. They topped off the oil and the Regal started right up. They could not find a thing wrong with it. Ran fine, they went through it and everything was good.

To this day I maintain that divine intervention (and that phone call) saved my life. If not for that call, I would not be here today to tell this tale. I didn’t even get in trouble. My dad mumbled something about me being a “dumb-ass kid” and to let him know in the future if there was any indicators or light on the dash and explained why.

My dad wasn’t a “car guy”, but he meticulously maintained everything he owned. Cars, mowers, tools, etc.
I inherited that and can now understand his anger and frustration because his “stupid kid” ran an engine run out of oil.

I’m now about the age my dad was then, and I have a dumb ass kid myself. Had this situation been repeated on my car, I could look back and remember a time when 'I' was the dumb ass and how my father handled it.

And then I would kill him.

Mileage must suck from only driving uphill

Merry Christmas to all!

I’ve enjoyed the early gift of this new site, and wish all of you the best during this holiday season and beyond.

Tim

Why I'm a "Car Guy"

TRivet
Originally posted on OPPO 11/25/19

“What is with your obsession with cars?”
This is a question I get from 'non-car' friends & family (the ones who view a car as an appliance only).

Why do I enjoy going to Cars & Coffee, cruises, car shows etc. to look at “other people’s cars?”

The best example is one of my favorite memories from a car meet last summer.

At a Cars and Coffee type event, there was an elderly gentleman, probably in his late eighties, with a 1930 something Plymouth coupe with a rumble seat (similar to the one pictured). While not my “type” of car, I was still admiring this classic, mostly wondering how the hell someone was supposed to get in or out of the rear compartment. So I started up a conversation with the owner, and asked him just that. Without a word, he nimbly climbed up the fender and into the seat as quickly as a child, all the while obviously enjoying the opportunity to “show off” his pride and joy.

I spent almost an hour after that listening to him tell me about the car, the restoration, the trips taken, memories made……his eyes lit up with every question I asked, and he enthusiastically answered every inquiry. I’m honestly not sure who enjoyed the conversation more, myself or him.

THIS is why I’m a “car guy”. The passion this gentleman had (at about twice my age) for his “baby” was infectious. I have at times wondered if I would “outgrow” my enthusiasm for cars, but this was a reminder that age, car, condition (car or owner) is irrelevant. What matters is the people, the camaraderie, and the excitement for these vehicles that doesn’t diminish, and having others to share it with is what makes it fun.

So, why are you are “Car guy or gal”?

@bicyclebuck
The top one is a Nissan, the other is a Subaru.
Let me know if you need anything else

@cobrajoe said in And this is (one reason) why I don't read Jalopnik:

@davesaddiction said in And this is (one reason) why I don't read Jalopnik:

The accelerator can be just as much of a safety device as the brakes, depending on the situation.

This right here is the important part.

If you can come up with one or two reasonable scenarios where going even slightly faster than 85mph would prevent an accident, then you should not put an 85mph speed limiter on cars.

Besides, no two cars will have the limiter cut in at exactly the same speed.

I avoided a serious accident on Northbound I75 last Thursday by accelerating past the idiot the lost complete control of his car at 70mph, drifted across 4 lanes of traffic, overcorrected and came right back to where I would have been if I had not accelerated quickly - putting said idiot behind me. He ended up getting hit by another car, causing a multicar collision and a huge backup on the expressway.

Had I not accelerated, I most likely would have been t-boned by the guy. I don't know if I hit 85 or more, but don't put a limit on my car, I know how to drive.

instead, require an actual skill test to get a license.

@ita97 said in Cycling improvements:

jump on in sandals and ride to a brewery

Not all heros wear capes

@ttyymmnn

I've only seen a handful of Rolls in the wild. I did ride in one many years ago. Amazing vehicle, couldn't hear the engine running and I swear the thing floated it was so smooth.

@essextee said in Modern technology is amazing:

@bicyclebuck I'm just waiting for someone to make fun of me for using VGA. The monitor was free and it's FHD but it's an old unit that only has DVI and VGA input.

Couldn't resist
Also, I use VGA

@essextee said in Modern technology is amazing:

I'd have laughed (at you). .......................... I'd have told you to fuck off.

To be honest, I do this with or without technology.

@bicyclebuck said in Goodmorning.:

@taylor-martin said in Goodmorning.:

@bicyclebuck said in Goodmorning.:

He pulled the power move and asked her what she would do about it

He tried to Uno Reverse Card his way out of the situation, but at least he finally listened. Good for your mom!

Yeah, my mom was awesome. She became a single mom at 23, put herself through college, raised a kid, bought land, built a house, volunteered at church, had several hobbies (I inherited a bunch of her tools), and generally lived life being awesome.

Sounds like she did a damn fine job raising a kid too!

@bobloblaw

Beautiful! Love the Evo (WRX owner here), this is a DAMN nice example of a great car.

Congrats!

@thomas-donohue said in And this is (one reason) why I don't read Jalopnik:

@trivet Well, if I recall his Porsche is a 912, so maybe he hasn't.

@hfv said in This or That (except I can’t figure out how to copy the format, and I’m giving 3 choices):

@trivet I think those are meant to go on Ford Raptors lol. Works for both i guess.

There probably are some for the Ford truck - but these are specifically for the Veloster. They are made to replace the factory badges - same size and fit the OEM mounts.

What about Low Fat Ranch?

Or Non Fat Ranch?