The "Redline Rescue" Project - The Beginning

 First, from the start, let me state that I am not a bike mechanic, but I love to ride and I love proejcts (they generally mean new tools).

I give you that as back ground to my "Redline Rescue Project". A few weeks ago while staying at a vacation house in Newport Oregon (on the coast) I learned that the house was being "sold" (note foreclosed) on. As I was leaving after my stay, I looked in the garage and saw six Redline single speed monocog bikes 26" mountaing bikes. They had been "road hard and put away wet." Rusty chains, sand, etc. I contacted the owner and asked what he was going to do with them, he didn't have any idea, so on the spot I said, I'll take them (in the Old Man's bike club, there are three Redline 29'rs, one single and two 9's). He sold them for $25 each. I just couldn't see them get thrown away.

Now once I got them home, at first wondered if I have paid to much, but they have great bones. My goal is to restore at least one for me (and maybe one for my wife). Plus, I have already "sold" two of them (for $25 each) to two of the "Old Men" who want to "restore" them also.

First thing is the "strip down" and I "collected" my first part from e-bay (see the "fork" picture).  My goal is to build it as "cheap" as possible, but not with cheap parts (I've already been offered a front disk break for the new fork).  We'll see how it goes as I learn to become a "wrencher" and I'll keep posting updates on what I'm learning.

Planet Bike Customer Service

Mountain Biking is now becoming a "larger" community, but we are still about supporting each other (which is not the same thing I've heard from the Roadie side).  This is even true of the manufactures, shops, and vendors we love to support. But we are also a loyal group, loyal to those who understand this sense of community.  Take Planet Bike (http://www.planetbike.com/page/) for example.  I love their wired bike computer (I know, I'm old school by not going wireless) that tells the temperature, along with everything else, plus a very affordable price (I have one on each of my bikes).  One of the computers is about two years old now, and after the first year it stopped registering speed if I changed screens.  I figured I had gone over the handlebars one to many times and if I didn't touch it worked fine.  At this time I bought a second bike and another Planet Bike computer.  After about 8 months it also stopped registering speed.  I was about to purchase a 3rd when I thought I would send an e-mail to Planet Bike support.  The tech support person replied that it sounding like a wiring issue, was surprised that I was having problems, and sent me two new wiring kits in the mail (they arrived in about 3 days).  I was pleased and amazed at how positive that experience was. No third degree, no did you try this, or ship it back, or anything like that.  Just I'm sorry you are having an issue, and I think I can help solve it.

That experience, like going to Les Schwab for a flat makes me "loyal for life" to Planet Bike, because (true or not) I feel they care about me and understand the (mountain) bike community.  Now, on a recent night ride, only two other people showed up, and I related this experience as we climbed, and to my surprise (or not) both riders also shared similar Planet Bike experiences.  One pointed to his pump and the other said, "see what gloves I'm wearing, I try to get all my stuff from them because of their customer service."  That's 100% customer satisfaction.  That's what builds customer loyalty, it is more than just selling a product (there are lots of people who can sell you something), but taking care of the customer that matters.  I wish more places, manufactures, and some bike shops understood that concept (and community).

Thanks Planet Bike.

The McKenzie in February

Oregon is having one of the mildest winters on record.  There has been very little snow in the mountains, while it has been raining, it has been warm.  As such the mountain biking has been great.  For example, two weeks ago I road the top half of the McKenzie Trail from Trailbridge to the falls as an up and back.  I left Corvallis at 5:30 a.m. and was riding before 7:30.  Clear blue sky, about 34 degrees and no snow anywhere.  The trail was in perfect shape.  I got back to the car about 9:45a.m. not really tired because it was so much fun.  Now there are places that claim you can ride year round, but do you really go riding when it's 110 degrees, at least in Willamette Valley that statement is true.  Year round, any time of day or night.  Here are a few shots of a perfect February morning.

At the Falls

At the "Blue Pool"

Now there was some snow.  After the ride I went up to Hoodo with the kids from Church and road the Autobahn tube park they have.  It was a blast and a great family activity.  I think the ticket was $12 and you can walk or they have a rope tow to take you to the top each time.