Finally on the Superhighway

With a growing need for Net access I finally broke down and signed on with Sprint for a Wireless card. I did this with much apprehension as I worked for them this past winter and know all too well that their motto of "covering the nation with excellent customer service" refers not to the US but the Philippines. Getting help from a competent English speaking person is just not on the Sprint agenda. I would gladly pay more for actual tech support, but I'm not going to hold my breath while I wait. There were some initial problems with hardware and formatting, but after many hours on the phone I am happy to say I now have full time access (offer not valid in Homer Louisiana).

The initial surge of catching up on stuff and stuff, setting up my online banking and billpay accounts is winding down. Those last 5 Audible book credits didn't stand a chance and I will probably go for another 24 later today. It's time to get around to updating the ol' blog

My Volvo is gone off to a private owner somewhere and I am celebrating my 2 week anniversary in my new International Pro Star today. My initial dislike of the new truck is waning, but I sure miss the Volvo at times. I don't want to sound ungrateful for being assigned to a brand new truck, the ride is smoother, the bed is wider, and most importantly it has no funky previous driver smells. I personally don't care much about what a truck looks like from the outside, I care about the ergonomics and control options in the drivers seat. It seems to me that Volvo got a lot more feedback from drivers before designing the interiors of their trucks.

A short list for the International engineers:

1. 2 trip odometers, one for today and one for the entire trip

2. The washer fluid jets should reach the entire windshield surface , we all know the bugs do

3. shelves, we don't need no stinkin' shelves. cabinets keep things in place when the road gets bumpy

4. All climate control vents should have the ability to be turned off completely

5. Ummmm, storage space, some of us live out of these things for months at a time. I can't imagine this as a team truck.

6. This may be getting petty, but the horn needs more force for application. I lay my clipboard on the wheel to fill out my logbook and I'm honking my horn at 2 am at the truck stop. I'm driving a Swift truck after all and that's reason enough to make some drivers grumpy, let's not wake them up too.

Otherwise the Pro Star has been fantastic, a little short on storage space, but It has a sort of tiny hotel room feel. I made some top bunk supports as the bunk would hit me in the head if I tried to sit up in the bottom bunk, and still needed the storage space above..The worst accommodation I have to make is that with the shorter roof I am unable to carry more than one bike in my top bunk. I had picked up My Kona full suspension on my last home visit, but after only 2 rides Miss Kitty #4 (Spring Kitty) had to be put back in storage.



On the bicycle note I am currently in the process of having Speedgoat.com build me Miss Kitty #5 (Kitty se pierda número cinco) a sweet Salsa El Mariachi 29" singlespeed. Actually with the White Industries Double/Double drivetrain it won't be a true singlespeed, but the basic idea is the same. The guys at Speedgoat have been most informative and helpful on this build, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a personalized ride. You can tell these guys have a bit of white lithium grease running through their veins. The hardest part will be waiting until I get back home for delivery. I think I may have an upcoming personal emergency in late August.

The plans are in the works for Miss Kitty #6 (Concrete kitty) a Surly Long Haul Trucker road/tour bike. I will probably begin to dismantle Miss Kitty #3 (Cyclo Kitty) and use the wheels, bar, saddle, etc to build up #6. Back when I only had my cyclocross and my Cannondale Sprint bike (#2 Crit Kitty) I used #3 for off road. Now with a full suspension and singlespeed for that category, I will have little need for a cross bike. I had also wanted to get another touring bike like the Raleigh (the Original Miss Kitty) that replaced my old Schwinn Le Tour (Pre Kitty). The Schwinn was unfortunately crushed in my accident back in 98'. So, with a quick recap of the Miss Kitty fleet we can go on to other subjects.

#1 Miss Kitty - Raleigh T-700 Touring, Stock (traded for C-dale frame)

#2 Crit Kitty - Cannondale Sprint frame, Self Built (Currently living with Lindsay in White Pa)

#3 Cyclo Kitty - Redline Conquest Cyclocross frame, Self Built

#4 Spring Kitty - Kona Kickapu Full Suspension Mtn. Stock upgraded to XT Drivetrain and Cane Creek wheelset, new fork coming soon.

#5 Kitty se Piedra - Salsa El Mariachi 29" Singlespeed Speedgoat custom build in process

#6 Concrete Kitty - Surly Long Haul Trucker Road/Touring Speedgoat custom build pending

I had been down south and around Salt Lake City earlier in July. When you know you can't get a shower after a 108 degree ride in the sun... you stay in the truck and watch DVDs. There were almost 3 weeks where I didn't ride at all. I've been in the Midwest most of this week and it's been unusually hot. Heat be damned, I gots me a ridin' jones. Currently I'm south of Kansas City in Nevada Mo and it's over 100 out. I'll certainly be waiting till after dark to go for a ride tonight. I have had the forethought to only park where I can get post ride showers this week.

I had a night ride from Kansas City KS over to Kansas City MO yesterday and I learned that you need to also consider the neighborhoods you'll be riding through along with routing directions. I had gone out to do some shopping for a birthday gift and got rerouted due to construction. You just know when you see razor wire and the only businesses involve liquor or check cashing it's not the best place for a leisurely after dark bike ride. I turned off my headlight and rear flasher as to not call any more attention to myself and rode like hell till I got back to my truck.

Normally I'm all for cyclists obeying traffic law, after all we want the rights to the road and those come along with the obligations of the rules. In short, be predictable, don't make the same car pass you twice, and bike = 20 lbs., car = 2000+ lbs. But I wasn't waiting at red lights or stop signs last night, and I must say I made those last 8 miles in record time.

I had a less hazardous ride around Bonner Springs Ks the previous day. I headed out early in a light misty rain, which after all the heat was quite enjoyable. I was surprised to find a great little coffee shop where I had breakfast. I also found a local massage studio on their bulletin board and made an appointment for some much needed post ride back work. I had overextended my back back in Feb while I was packing everything into storage and have never fully recovered. Add to that the fact that I spend anywhere from 3 to 11 hours a day sitting behind a steering wheel, well things just get sore. This reminds me I need to make a chiropractor visit for next Friday. The pre massage ride was probably the best all week, good temperature, country back roads, no angry dogs... I went out to some caves where they do underground cold storage. If you stood by the cave entrance it was like being in front of a 20 foot AC vent, very nice. Follow that up with a massage and it almost makes the 500 miles to Austin MN (home of the Spam museum) pleasant. I did notice that in Bonner Springs, a town that is one consonant away from third grade bathroom humor, the owner of the only gas station decided to call his business Woody's. Named after President Wilson I guess.

I has some other rides in Aurora IL, Findlay OH, and Paulsboro NJ, where although the local police officer will tell you to turn right after the second light past the drawbridge to get to Kings Highway, it's really the first one. After wandering around for a while I found an ambulance station where the paramedics put me on the right path. I did have a good time wandering though.

The NJ ride was in search of a Bank of America to make a deposit as First National Bank decided to cancel my ATM card due to a fraud concern. I guess the cancellation was necessary but that notice and new card they mailed were still hundreds of miles away from my unknowing self standing in line at the truck stop (what do you mean declined 3 times, there's $2000 in that account..I swear!) So I wandered the boros of Joisey searching for my new bank to deposit a check as I have learned in the past, NEVER make a deposit into another bank ATM unless you don't mind waiting 4-6 weeks for that money.

Banks and Post Offices have been quite elusive to me in the truck. I switched to Bank of America as they have more branches around the country. I just can't seem to find a place to park anywhere near a branch office or USPS office for that matter. These things are generally near residential or business areas.

I however frequent industrial and commercial areas. When I do go to a shopping area to make a delivery all I see are no truck signs wherever I look. The really annoying ones are the weight limit signs that are impossible to see until after you have committed to the turn. I will never back up into an intersection so those signs are void in my book Parking lot curbs and landscaping are designed to keep trucks out. This is especially prevalent near a major highway. I know that heavy trucks wear out the lot surface, but if you're already getting deliveries around back by truck, how bout' a spot to park so I can come in to shop too. Most likely it's the only place I'll be getting to so I'll be less picky about price.

The one exception to the parking ban is most Wal-Marts will allow trucks, and those of you that know me also know my love of Big Blue. I will make purchases at the places I park, as a courtesy, and to be able to say I'm a customer instead of just using the free parking. So on that note I have been a Wal Mart customer, but I prefer to support independent and local concerns. But, to the irate gentleman at the Bonner Springs Thriftway I say If you are that opposed to trucks in your lot put up a sign saying so, I don't pull into posted lots. And your immediate shouting spree lost you a $75 grocery sale, you sir are an ass.

At times it can seem the whole world hates the truck. They don't want you parking near them, can't have you on this street, don't want to be behind you on the highway, jump in front of you in traffic, will just about cause an accident trying to pass or being passed. Well, until we find a better way to get products to stores and materials to manufacturers we all just need to get along. Group hug everyone! I Don't know how I would cope without my bike to get around locally.

I have been quite frustrated lately with the limited access to services. I had put some bills in the outgoing mail basket at a truck stop and ended up having to put a stop payment on 2 checks when they never made it to their destinations. I will eventually figure out how to work it all out but for now I'm perpetually on the search for a mailbox and a good local restaurant with a big parking lot nearby. One in particular is City o' City in Denver, great pizza and the mini jalapeno cupcake was the perfect finale.

Well, this post is getting long enough and I've had my gripes about the trucking industry. But Diesel prices are down, I get to go home to the Pyle this week, I have a new Miss Kitty coming soon and in a few hours I'll be riding around Nevada in the dark yelling Wheee!

Life is good.