OMG!!! We have a house!

HOLY smokes (ha... I'm laughing aloud as the sky is actually smoky at the moment - and yes, I laugh at my own stupid puns)! It feels as though it's taken a year to find a place. It may seem like a crazy statement because we've only been in Oregon since mid-June (well, Sam's been here since the end of May), but living in a very small space (less than 30 sf) and having to move every 7-14 days, has made time seem to drag on. We weren't sure we were going to get here, but after being under contract for almost two months, canceling the purchase, and then coming back to the same house, we have finally closed and have keys.

Our first day of truly getting to spend time in the house without someone hovering over us, we took the opportunity to do some work that needed to be done as quickly as possible (e.g. removing the absolutely disgusting carpet -- side note: please don't ever feed pets by opening the food and spreading it all over the carpet - it's truly disgusting and unnecessary as dog bowls are plentiful and are readily available, sometimes even free). We were pleasantly surprised to find original wood beneath all of the carpet, even upstairs (which was likely originally only used as an attic space, so we weren't sure what we'd find), so that has, hopefully, saved us money. Time, well, that may actually be a bigger cost as the wood is mostly painted, and apparently painted multiple times, so I'm going to need to do some work to see what the best method for finishing them will be. My guess at the moment is that they'll end up getting painted again, but I don't object to seeing if it's possible to actually stain the wood.

Anyway, lest I carry off down the path of rambling on about what we may or may not do to the house, I will stop that tangent here, adding simply that although I am grateful to have a new home, I am overwhelmed by the amount of work that needs to be done. 

I did get to take my first ride in Bend yesterday, which was pretty exciting. In the weeks/months we've been here, I have been unable to actually ride in the city, so it was nice to get out for a bit. Granted, it was a very short ride, but right now, I'll take what I can get. I have a feeling that short rides are going to become normal for quite awhile. 

B-dog seems to have taken rather quickly to the new house, so we're grateful for that, too. She's enjoying exploring (as we have been doing), figuring out who to bark at (she loves people, but she is definitely protective of home and there are a lot of walkers/joggers/cyclists who pass by the front of the house) and where the best spots are to fetch, swim, and lay in the sun.

We've been working different muscles since arriving in Oregon, spending a lot more time on foot, so it will be interesting to see if the return to wheels will be quicker than anticipated or if we'll remain primarily on foot for a bit. Either way, it's nice to feel like we're on our way to settling and it is definitely good to know that we won't have to move all the time.

A Quick Break

Hi!

Perhaps it's just me, but it seems as though I've been away for such a long time. I am hopeful that things will be calming down in the near future (let's say a couple of weeks-ish) and I'll have somewhat of a more regular appearance here. For now though, I just wanted to thank everyone for your kind words with the loss of our little guy and for the thoughts on continuing to write here. In a strange way, the house move and renovations have made me miss blogging (and even more importantly, riding) more than ever.

This is what life looks like these days. Walls being removed, lots of dust, and related fun.

My body is strained and hurts like it never has. I wake myself up in the night unable to roll over without extreme concentration... and inevitably a loud moan seems to be a necessary companion to these normally very simple movements. Most days, I can barely stand without feeling as though my body is going to collapse beneath me. I wake in the morning to swollen hands and the thoughts of all that still needs to be done.

In short, I feel broken. Renovations are no joke! I suppose this is often why people pay others to do the work. But, the good news is that we have made enough progress that we have been able to move into the new place. Yay! I am not a person who does well living out of boxes, so with the exception of one of the rooms that we can't quite use yet, things are pretty well unpacked. The tough part with moving into a project is that having all of our stuff here makes moving around to do work a little more awkward.

We have had a couple of absolutely gorgeous days here in Colorado, and I haven't been able to enjoy them, unfortunately. Such a crime! Reaching the 70s F this time of year is simply unheard of, and I am kind of kicking myself for not allowing a bit of a break to enjoy such a treat, but I know there will be time for riding and that getting home set up is important to us so that we know we have a functional and comfortable base.

This morning, I looked longingly at the Hillborne and thought, "If only..." Then the new Rodriguez was eyeballing me too. It wasn't easy to walk by and fetch the tool I actually needed. I realized also in that quick moment that the city bike has a flat tire... something that normally would be immediately addressed, but for now will have to sit and wait its turn.

So, since I haven't been able to get out at all and enjoy riding a bike, I'm hoping some of you might be willing to share a story about a recent ride for you. Anything exciting going on in your area? Upcoming bike projects, rides, etc? I need a fix until I can get back out on two wheels. Hope you're all doing well and looking forward to getting back to posting soon.

When Painting is Not Like Painting: The VW Beetle Project

Most of us have heard the expression, "Be careful what you wish for..." When the Beetle saga first started, I was excited about the project and seeing the transformation of something that had been discarded coming back to life. It's not a bike, but for a motorized vehicle it's probably about as close to a bicycle as one can get. Who are we kidding? A 60-horsepower engine isn't putting out much power, and while it is still a consumer of gas/oil/resources/etc, if I'm going to have a car, I'd rather it be a small one, that gets decent mileage. Of course, there was the added bonus of my history with the Beetle which helped initiate and move this project along. As much as I don't want to love a car, this is one I am definitely drawn to (and always have been). I can't seem to help myself. It is simply unique. Maybe not in numbers (goodness knows there were a buzzillion of them produced and there are still plenty out on the roads), but certainly there has never been another car that quite rivals the exterior of the Beetle. Everything from its shape to its unmistakable muffler/idle noise brings a smile to my face, and for most people who have ever owned one there is always a story (or several) to go along with their bug.

The Beetle prepares to be transported to the farm/work space

As I was saying, at the start of all of this, I was excited to see what was going to happen. I had grand illusions (delusions) of a couple of weeks of working on the hunk of metal and suddenly having a beautiful, perfectly painted and running car. It didn't help matters that Sam had set a maximum 3-to-4-week timeline from "start to finish." Ha, ha! I should know better. HE should know better. I had never worked on a project like this, so I really do claim some ignorance here. In fact, let there be no mistake about it, when it comes to cars, my experience with them is about as grand as putting gas in, or in an absolute "crisis," changing the air filter. I've been fortunate to have mechanically-capable folks around me most of my life, so when something goes wrong I attempt to explain the problem/noise by making strange gurgling sounds to imitate the malfunction. They laugh. I laugh. The whole problem gets resolved fairly easily. It is a great system.

The pan/truck of the Beetle in its received condition - certainly not nearly as bad as some I've seen, but not great

From the start of this project, Sam stated that I didn't have to be involved with it at all. He presumed (as I have to admit I did as well) that I would come out at some point near the end and purr and coo over the lovely "new" car; or maybe, at most be there to add a few finishing details. As I pondered the idea more though, I couldn't help but remember all the times I had begged my dad to do a project like this with me in my teenage years. He'd always said he would end up doing all the work, and he wasn't going to take on the bulk of the responsibility for such a project. {sigh} The resto-project never happened in my youth, nor at any point in adulthood - that is, until this project presented itself. I couldn't help but ask myself if it was fair to expect Sam to do exactly what my dad hadn't wanted to do in the past. Sure, it was Sam's bright idea (this specific car, anyway), and this was supposed to be a gift and all, but {sigh}, I couldn't help but feel responsible for putting the idea in his head. So, I offered up my assistance, which was quite quickly and vehemently declined.

Sheesh! I'm not completely incompetent. I don't know anything about putting a car together (nor taking it apart for that matter), but I can follow simple instructions (sometimes). After a day to think it over, Sam decided that there may be a "few things" I could do to help out, so we went for our first visit to "the farm" (our name for Sam's fathers' place as it's on 40 acres in the middle of nowhere - though there's actually no farm on the property) to assess the damage. Ah, the damage. I'd already had the opportunity to view a few photos Sam had shot of the car being transported to the farm. I believe my comment at first view was something like, "Hmm... rusty, isn't it." It was a statement - not a question. I'm sure my nose wrinkled up and I likely made some sort of face at the sight of something so unfinished. I do love rust (not when it comes to keeping things in one piece, but I simply find something fascinating about the rusting process itself), but was not thrilled with the idea of something I'd be working on having so much of it. I was assured that it was all "surface rust" and that the body was actually in "good shape." I would soon learn otherwise.

Look, "surface" rust

It's not that I think Sam nor his father were lying to me. I want to believe they genuinely thought it was in good shape, but the reality soon sunk in as all of the paint was stripped off the parts that still had a bit on them (that was the good news - at least paint didn't need to be removed from the body of the car). There were plenty of rusty spots - as in, completely rusted through, and lots of surface rust as well. In addition, there were, of course, lots of dings and larger dents - places on the body that had somehow been tweaked out of shape over the years - and now it was time to fix these as best we could.

Sam's dad "supervising" my sanding off the hood paint - Yes, I'm wearing an Oscar the Grouch shirt - believe me, it was appropriate (as well as 5 layers of clothing because it was freakin' freezing!).

I won't bore you with the long and drawn out details of the several rounds of scraping, sanding, filling, sanding, filling, scraping, etc, nor the "fun" surprises discovered as we went along, but I will say that it took a good seven weeks to actually get paint on the car. When I tried to estimate man hours, I figured it somewhere between 250-300 hours of just getting the body to a point of being able to primer the car. Those aren't all my hours, but I had a fair chunk of the time. It's funny how the mind wanders when one is engaged in such a task. It's also amazing how quickly the day goes by when all I wanted to do was get to an end point, and just couldn't quite get there.

Beetle pieces sanded - sort of

When this project started, I imagined the paint process being similar to a painting I would produce in every day life. I have no idea why I thought this, but it seemed like a similar idea. I have to build the surface, prime it, and then when the surface is finally to my liking, I can go ahead and start painting. One of the biggest differences is obviously size, but there is also the reality that a painting is generally done on a flat, smaller surface. The surface also isn't sitting out in the elements for several decades getting pounded by rain, hail, snow, nor is it being moved around in the universe at 50+ mph having things fly at it with little regard. In the end, painting a car has similarities to a piece of art, but there is a lot more labor time that goes into the process, certainly (perhaps not for an expert, but for the novice/weekend restoration types, it takes time).

One of many, many rounds of bondo and sanding

One of the biggest hurdles for me personally to get over was choosing a paint color. Typically, an individual goes to a dealer or a private party and the car is the hue that it is. There's no changing it unless you want to special order or take it in for an expensive paint job after purchase. I realized that my mind ran wild very, very quickly across the spectrum of color. What did I want to see on this Beetle anyway? In order to limit things down a bit, I decided to stick to classic VW paint colors. One would think this would do the job as far as thinning the selection, but there are so many different options from the late 40s through the 70s that it was almost as bad as choosing a color at random from the world. Then there are those who think that the color should be from the year the car was made, and those who think it should be the original color of that specific car, and still others who believe that any color out there is perfectly acceptable. I found myself spinning. Each day I had a set of 5-6 colors that the car could be, and they changed almost daily. I would research the colors online, looking for a representation on an actual Beetle. Every photo would look different for each color I was researching, and in the end, I realized I was just going to have to choose a color and hope for the best. I was able to get it down to a few choices, but ultimately decided on the VW color L351, or as most would refer to it, Coral Red.

Yep, this is the paint color - though it's not even the same here as it is on the Beetle

Even after I chose (and had purchased) the paint, I was changing my mind. What if it looked weird? What if it wasn't like any of the colors I'd viewed online? Maybe it was too bright or too in-your-face? Perhaps I should go with a more muted choice? I knew it was only paint (although this phrase has new meaning for me from this point forward - "only paint" means something completely different than it would've meant a few months prior), and I wanted it to be something a little different, but not so different that I'd end up hating it in a few months to a year.

The start of the paint job (though I didn't see this photo until later)

The weekend of painting I wasn't able to be at the farm. We were taking the dogs with us each visit, and having them there for this portion would mean extra work to keep them out of the painting space, and more importantly we had to keep their hair away from the paint/car. Since we couldn't leave them for two days unattended, Sam went to help his dad and brother with the work, while I was fidgety the entire weekend. All I wanted to know was how it looked, what had happened, and was I going to like the color. I imagine it's what an expectant father in the 50's hospital waiting room must've felt like. Okay, perhaps it's not that dramatic (nor as important as bringing a life into this world), but I was a wreck. I was promised photos - that's plural - but finally received one fuzzy photo late in the evening. It wasn't a great photo, and the car looked pink. Pink? I really didn't want a pink car. I know there are a lot of lovers of pink, and I don't hate the color, but it wasn't what I had in mind. Sam had sent an email indicating that the color "looked great" and that he thought I would like it, but from what I'd seen, I wasn't impressed. More photos followed at a later time and I could see that the color was different in each one. So, which one was accurate? It was as bad as doing the research online.

The fuzzy photo I received to indicate the color of the Beetle

Finally, I was able to go up and take a look at the paint job for myself. I was easily able to see that nearly every photo I had viewed of this color was accurate. How was that possible? In some lighting it appears to be a pale salmon color, and in others it looks to be more of a rusty orange color. It really is interesting that it changes so much.

After the excitement of seeing the color with my own eyes had worn off, it was time to get to work on the rest of the car. I was less involved with this portion (at least for a time) because a lot of it required mechanical aptitude, and as most are aware (and as pointed out earlier), this is not my forte. Instead, I worked on grinding rust off of wheels, hammering and buffing bumpers and other such tasks. Sam was feverishly working to get the engine in the car (which ended up taking longer than expected) and getting all the wiring in place for both the front and rear items (such as lights/turn signals, etc).

The pieces were all getting painted - now it had to be put together

At some point during week 9 of the project, my mind began to wander yet again. This time, it had nothing to do with paint, but rather questioning whether or not we should be doing this at all. The project, which seemed like a great, cost-efficient idea in the beginning, was now sucking the life out of both of us. We hadn't had a weekend off since November (and even worked through the holidays to try to get some momentum going) and it was taking its toll. I found myself just wanting the project to be over and done so we could go back to normal weekend activities - even if that meant cleaning, running the dogs, etc. This wasn't my idea of "fun" anymore, and I had definitely had enough of it. I started looking at newer cars, thinking that maybe we should just find an older model vehicle that runs well so this could all come to an end. We could sell the Beetle off as a project to someone else. At least it was in far better shape than when we bought it.

The frustration level for Sam had increased tremendously as well. His dad wasn't helping matters by continuously telling him to just give it up. "Why are you in such a hurry to get this done?" was a regular question he was plagued with responding to from both his father and his dad's friends. The truth is, neither one of us are good with super long-term projects, and getting this wrapped up soon was a necessity or it wasn't ever going to be finished. It would end up like most long projects we start: in a pile somewhere that gets forgotten until years later, and then eventually gets sold or donated to someone else.

The wheels were getting put on the car so it could stand on its own,and the engine had
at least been dropped into the car.  As a side note, how cool would this car look with cream tires? Man, I wish someone made those (not the white-walls, but actual, all cream tires... drool!).

Time really seemed to be wearing on, and although in truth this project was getting completed incredibly quickly (particularly in comparison to most vehicle restoration projects), it was difficult to maintain interest and enthusiasm. I believe we both felt that once the paint was on the car, the rest of the project would be done soon thereafter. It didn't exactly work that way. Every little piece seemed to take two to four times longer than expected and the most difficult thing was knowing we had reached a point at which there wasn't much I could do to contribute to the project. This left Sam with the bulk of the work and I have no doubt it put a strain on him. It didn't help that I was constantly upset about both the time being spent working on the project and the fact that it seemed to be taking so much longer than the initial time frame.

The outside of the car still wasn't completed yet either (despite what I had believed). I had gone over the entire car buffing out the paint, but there were a lot of bumps and spots that just didn't look right, so it was determined that I would need to wet-sand the entire car and then buff it again to get the paint job to the best it could be for a home-done project. I had accepted that the car wouldn't be perfect, but I still wanted it to be its best.

When I arrived one Saturday morning to set to work on this task, I discovered a few decent sized scratches over one of the rear fenders. "What the &$@# happened?!" came screeching out of my mouth. I couldn't help myself. All of this work, and it already had scratches. It hadn't even been on the road yet. Sam shared that while attaching the fender he'd scratched the side of the car, but that it wasn't down to the metal. Trying to calm myself down, I repeated silently that in the grand scheme of things, it really wasn't a big deal. Again, this is a 40+ year old vehicle, and it isn't going to be perfect, but I was so beside myself seeing what had happened that I couldn't control my annoyance. I was assured that touch up paint could be used, and that there were other spots that needed to be fixed anyway.

Beetle bumpers had to be replaced - these aren't perfect, but I cleaned them up as best I could for now

I decided it was pointless to wet sand the car on this particular trip out because there was still work being done to the outside of the vehicle, so I opted to wait until later when it was almost finished to do this task. In the meantime, insulation was something I might be able to handle doing, so I went about that process, while Sam continued to work on getting the details on the front end correct and getting the final tire mounted to the front wheel (which had become a huge issue at this point). The inside of the Beetle was still a wreck for the most part, but the interior had been saved as one of the later projects to keep the new light colored upholstery and headliner from turning brown while exposed to the dirt and grime in any working garage. Pieces seemed to be everywhere, and while we probably should've organized them in a somewhat logical fashion, that just doesn't seem to be the way we do things.

Now, at 12 weeks into the project, I was told that there was one week left. Of course, I no longer believed Sam's timelines, so I presumed we had at least another month left to work on the Beetle. Sam feverishly worked on installing the carpet and getting interior pieces put in to the dash. He even bought the roof rack I'd been wanting; I'm sure, in an attempt to keep me motivated about the project. It wasn't that I had lost faith in him, but I was mentally and physically done with the constant trips to the farm and the seemingly never-changing outcome of this car. It had to be finished at some point, right?

The Beetle interior, slowly coming together. Getting that steering wheel to fit was like magic, too. It wasn't supposed to fit this year of Beetle (and didn't, as I can attest), but the wonder of Sam made it happen. 

The weekend that followed, we attempted to put in the headliner, thinking that this would be a simple, though perhaps slightly time-consuming portion of the project. Unfortunately, we couldn't figure out what we were doing wrong in the process of putting it in, so we had to do some research before we could go any further. It also meant that we couldn't move forward with the interior because the headliner had to be in so that we could put the window rubber and glass in to the car.

By the middle of the following week, a video had arrived to help us understand what we'd been doing wrong with the headliner, and because I was in freak-out mode, Sam said he would go up that weekend alone to work on the headliner and to get the windows put in. The headliner was still quite a difficult task and still isn't quite right (we've discussed possibly having a professional redo this at some point in the future, or possibly if/when a ragtop is installed later). It doesn't look too horrible, and for people who don't do this sort of thing on a regular basis, it is satisfactory for the time being.

Most of the windows had been installed at this point... very exciting... and a bit of the insulation work is visible too!

The windshield turned out to be yet another headache. Sam and his dads' friend tried for over 8 hours to attempt to get it in with no luck. No matter what they did, the windshield refused to cooperate. Finally, Sam's dad said he would take it into a shop during the week and have it shaved down a bit; however, we learned quickly that it was actually the rubber purchased for the windshield that was creating the problem. After the correct rubber was found, the windshield went in pretty quickly (in about an hour). The lesson? Don't spend 8 hours attempting to install something that doesn't fit. The rest of the windows went in as expected, for the most part, and the addition of rear pop-out windows will be much appreciated when both defrosting the rear window becomes necessary, and when the temperatures heat up to allow for extra air circulation.

Hey wait, no A/C?! I don't remember agreeing to that.

At this point, we knew that the end was in sight, but of course, there were small things discovered that were missing. Items such as a missing taillight lens, and a screw for the front turn signal were becoming a nuisance. They were items we couldn't find locally, so the internet was the only resource that made sense. This, of course, created some additional delays (although we became experts at ordering on Sunday evening in order to receive parts on Friday, so as to not delay the process further). On the up side, the engine had turned over at this point - and from the actual ignition switch, rather than needing to be jumped - so we were excited that things were finally starting to come together. "One more weekend" became a regular saying in our house, but every weekend it really did feel as though we only needed one more.

Eventually, that one more weekend would have to be a reality, but it wasn't time for that just yet. As the project moved toward an end point, Sam became frustrated with wiring the turn signals. When the Beetle had been disassembled by its prior owner, he had removed all the wiring, so it was incredibly frustrating attempting to understand where everything was supposed to go. With our wish to finish this project sooner than later, Sam was beyond annoyed that he'd spent endless hours attempting to decipher a "mapping" of the wiring he'd found online. In the end, it made more sense to spend our time elsewhere on other items, and Sam asked his dad for help with this piece, since this is what he does for a living after all.

Sam got the headlights to work, and fashioned a system to utilize these older style bumpers... he's a handy fella!

It was time to start getting more of the little things done to the Beetle. Things such as installing seat belts, mirrors, trim, and the like were getting closer to actually being attempted. The last weekend of this project there were a multitude of seemingly small things that needed to get done, but some of them would require creativity. For example, we'd had to purchase new taillight lens/covers, and they just wouldn't fit, so figuring out a way to "make" them work was a head-scratcher. Sam also wanted to fashion a hitch for a trailer (goodness knows I'll look like a lunatic towing anything behind this baby, but hey, I'm game to give it a try!), which needed to be fabricated and installed. All the trim still needed to be put on the car, as well as side-view mirrors, door panels, and the seat heater (that's right people... I get a driver's side heated seat in this little beauty - believe me, it will be necessary in the cold of winter). The stereo needed to be connected, the back seat needed to be properly installed... oh, and there was this pesky little business with an oil leak that needed to be fixed.

The "final" weekend (otherwise known as week 19), I was not present at the farm. Sam decided to take a long weekend and just get everything wrapped up. I had work to do at home, and he does better without distractions, so he went to town attempting to get everything completed on his own (I think he secretly wanted the pleasure of proving he could finish the car, and being able to drive it home to "officially" give it to me). There was quite a list of items to be done though, even if they were seemingly small things. I had high hopes that this was the final push and the project would come to an end, so I held on, waiting to hear how all was going.  The emails were few and short, but I received the photo below with a note that the car is "a trip to drive."

Finally, in the outdoors, she is starting to seem like a "real" car.

The Beetle arrived home on Sunday - my very own little Easter basket. It wasn't exactly finished, but the things that are still missing will be done during short stints at home, rather than attempting to travel the distance to the farm each weekend. I happened to be working in my studio when Sam arrived home, and I have a view to the street. As I saw the car drive up and park just in view from my window, I couldn't help but feel absolute joy. Oh, what a happy day! I'm sure I was grinning ear to ear like some ridiculous Cheshire cat. Even the neighbors popped over for a quick look at the newest addition. It's hard not to notice it, I think. Even during a quick drive to remove the filth that had built up and to put gas in we received several glances - even a, "Nice car!" from the guy filling up next to us. It's funny to see people smiling at a car. I think there really are so many memories for those who had experiences in a Beetle.

Kind of strange to see the same car in a different state of existence

Okay, so the dash isn't finished yet, and the air flow unit isn't exactly working, it's missing side mirrors, it's leaking water in a few spots, there is a piece of rubber missing, and a few other items to be resolved, but I was so, so, so excited just to be able to get behind the wheel of this project that seemed as though it would never come to an end. True, it isn't exactly over, but I am elated that it is here and usable while we finish up.

The dash isn't quite wrapped up, but certainly better than it was prior

There are several modifications on this Beetle from its original state (some that are perhaps more apparent, and others that are likely only noticeable to a VW enthusiast), but it is definitely, uniquely my car (okay, it's our car... but believe me when I say my personal aesthetic choices are everywhere). We even nicknamed it, "Frankenbeetle" for a time because of all the seemingly bizarre choices that probably shouldn't work, but somehow came together in the end.

Through all of this, I have learned that vehicle restoration is not for the faint of heart. Nor is it for those with little patience (myself included). Whatever the budget may be, it needs to be doubled (or maybe even tripled, depending on the base of the original budget), and if it's a vehicle that is older, more than likely sending away for parts is the only way to obtain what is needed - and that, of course, adds to the time frame needed to complete the project.  I have learned that we (as a couple) have the ability to do almost anything together, and even if we bicker about the little things sometimes, we can find solutions that work. I have witnessed the fact that we are both capable of sacrifice for one another, and it isn't something that will be lorded over the other at some point down the line.

While Sam quite frequently gives in to my requests, I am thankful he didn't let me give up on this car. Yes, it's just a vehicle and a means of transportation, and it is certainly replaceable (though the exact car is not, as it contains quite a mix of parts throughout the Beetle decades of manufacture), I don't think the experience of this project is something that could be duplicated. I believe we both learned that we can motivate each other when we don't necessarily want to continue on, just as we can be each others' doom when in the wrong frame of mind; but in the end, we can depend on each other when it's really needed...and who doesn't want to know that in a relationship?

Although the Beetle isn't entirely finished at this point, it is to a state that it is now drive-able and usable. While I wouldn't want to start over on this particular project, I am so very grateful for the experience - and for the adorable, fun vehicle to get us to where we need to go. So, to all who have endured this written tale and/or heard the constant statement, "We're working on a project. It should be done soon," here you go... the Beetle saga, somewhat at its end point. Oh, and if you're wondering, she does have a name:  Gidget Francis (any mid-century era So Cal surfers will likely get the Gidget reference, and Francis to stick with the "Frankenbeetle" idea). My thanks to Sam for his patience with me and this project, as well as kudos to his mighty talents, which never cease to amaze me. Now, I just have to test out a theory - am I actually faster on my bike than in this VW? :O)

**Note: If like me you just can't get enough of the photos, there are a few more to be seen here of the project through various stages of progress.

Merry (late) Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Life has been genuinely busy these past few weeks... much more so than I anticipated. I haven't blogged, and I haven't done much of anything in the way of things that really should be getting done either. This morning I realized I hadn't even put up a Merry Christmas wish to all. I really am completely out of it.

As a quick catch up...

I have yet to come off of my weight loss plateau. I manage to stick within a 4-5 pound variance and that seems to be where my body is happy for now. In another week, I'll be closing in on 3 months of this, so needless to say, I'm not thrilled. I'm still working out a lot. This week there's no kickboxing, so the gym has become my friend. Not really thrilled about that either because I find the gym dreadfully boring. To keep myself motivated, I have to attempt ridiculous amounts of time on cardio machines to have something in my head. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't go at all. While my body needs it (the rest, and the change in routine), I'll be glad to have the kickboxing back.

We actually had a White Christmas here in Colorado for the first time since we've lived here (almost 10 years now). We've had snow on the ground prior to this last Christmas, but it's never actually snowed on Christmas.  The snow began falling Christmas Eve at about 6p or so, and finished up in the morning hours on Christmas day. Then, the sun came out and shed its glorious light, and it felt like Colorado again. It's been cold (at the moment we are in mid-teen digits), but nothing that has been intolerable.

*Image from Denver Post
Seems about right for these parts... snowing, but people still out running (and even festively!)

On Christmas day, we awoke at about 5a and proceeded out to visit Sam's father, and to work on the Beetle project until the afternoon hours. I must say, this endeavor of ours has made me appreciate bicycles so much more, as well as the cost of automotive work. We must have at least 100 hours into sanding and grinding alone on this small vehicle's body, and we are still not at the finish line. While it's exhausting and somewhat demotivating (especially when things appear to be the same all the time), I am glad it's something Sam and I can work on together, and to know that we truly built the car together for a very small amount of monetary investment. I hope it's one of those things we can enjoy and laugh about later, but for the time being, I will simply say that I'll be glad to see it come to an end. I remain hopeful that paint will be on the body of the car in the next couple of weeks (though I am not holding my breath).

Beetle fenders/lid

Paint color has been another sore spot. I change my mind quite frequently because I find another color that seems perfectly suited to the VW, but then the next day I'm on to something else. The curse of not having a favorite color? I'm not sure. I personally prefer more subdued colors, but there's a part of me that wants something more outrageous (not crazy - like people staring and pointing outrageous - but something more interesting). I think the Beetle itself has enough character that it doesn't need a ridiculous color on it, but since I tend to be a bit more muted in my personal color choices, I keep thinking that maybe the car should be louder? I made a decision last night, but I've made several over the course of several weeks, so I will wait to see what the ultimate color will be for this project. I've even considered doing a hand painted hood or lid on the car, but then I thought perhaps that is a bit obnoxious. We shall see.

It may not look like much, but this took an eternity to grind off

As far as bicycles are concerned, I haven't been on one in about a week. As stated prior, I am completely terrified of ice on the roads, so until it melts, I likely won't be seeing too much outdoor saddle time. Sam's going to be trying out a new(er) local spinning location, so hopefully we will hear more about that experience. As for me, I'll get out on the bike now and again this winter I'm sure, but I find it more challenging as the wind and cold seem to pick up this time of year. Hopefully, others are out riding and enjoying.

I hope everyone had a beautiful holiday, and enjoyed it with those you love. Stay safe out there, and in case I don't get back in time for a new year's wish, a very happy New Year to you and yours!

Bike Updates (or, my laziness has set in, so I'm combining posts into a quick update)

I don't know what has happened to my blogging schedule. Somehow, I've found myself in near melt-down mode over the last several weeks, and have been avoiding any "unnecessary" activities, which apparently includes writing here. Oddly, I have little to say these days, so I thought perhaps a simple update on the bicycle happenings would be an appropriate catch up for today.

First, like many areas across the States, it's been fairly mild weather-wise. It does make it a lot easier to get out and ride because it generally means simply adding an extra layer (or two) depending on the temperature. We have had a few dumpings, but fortunately, they have (mostly) melted quickly. I am quite certain we are in for a good snow bath sometime in the next 1-2 months, but that remains to be seen. Temperatures, however, have been on the warm side, staying fairly consistently in the 25-40 degree Fahrenheit temperature range.

The Bella Ciao is in the process of being sold to a lovely woman in Chicago who is excited about getting the bike. If all goes well, she should be riding it around very soon. I am happy that it's going to someone who will enjoy it, and that it will get regular use... and if it doesn't go to her, I remain positive that the right individual will come along.

Although it went largely unreported here, I actually purchased a Soma Buena Vista mixte frame some time ago and have been attempting to get that built up; however, it's yet another project that has gone by the way side with too many non-bike projects taking place these days. So, it will be sold to avoid the gathering of "extra" stuff around the house. It was just one of those projects that started strong and then, unfortunately, fizzled out. I am trying my best to avoid these "deals" that seem to come my way. It seems I am quite incapable of saying no to a project when the price is right. I'm working on it, but I believe it is some sort of personality flaw that needs some repair.  Secretly (or not so - as I've just typed it out here), I have hopes of another project bike, but I think I need to wait and make sure it's the right one, and that there is the time/funds to devote to it.

So, the bicycle herd is dwindling once again, and not too many changes have taken place with the remaining rides. One fun change was the handlebar tape on the Hillborne. I felt that it was looking to masculine, and needed a bit of a feminine splash of some sort, so a couple of months ago I decided to switch out to a raspberry colored bar tape. I have to admit, it's a bit of a different look, but it's growing on me. What do you think?

Other than these few changes, life continues on. Hopefully, your winter rides are going smoothly. Before we know it, spring and warmer weather will be here. Happy riding!

A City Bike: To Build or to Buy

Recently, I posed a question asking whether the color of a bicycle plays a role in a decision to buy a bicycle. I am always genuinely curious what leads a person to select one bicycle over another, and I'm in a bit of a quandary myself at the present. I am presently city bike-less, and I don't like it. It's been a constant in my life for several years now, and not having one makes me feel as though something is missing.

*RAL color chart

In order to remedy the situation, I, of course, have started the hunt for a bike to fill the void. It seems that my criteria have shifted slightly from my very first upright bike, but much remains the same. This bike will primarily be used around town, for sub-10 mile round trip rides. For the most part, it will be used during daylight hours, and it needs to be able to carry a couple bags of groceries or anything I might be picking up around town. While these needs/requirements leave a wide open choice in bikes, I know that my visual preferences will certainly play a large role in the bike selection process.

Former Pashley Princess Sovereign

Something struck me the other day though, and I thought perhaps I should refurbish and build up a bike from the plethora of options of 60s-80s loop or mixte frame bikes. I got excited about the idea of being able to re-paint the frame a color that I'd love, put modern components on it including an internal hub, lighter wheels, and so on. I began to immediately imagine what this "vintage" bike could become. It was exciting, and in some ways, a very enticing prospect.

Former would-be Schwinn project - never quite became a project and was sold instead

Then, the practical side of me decided to become part of the conversation and I realized the costs and time involved with a project like this. First, I have to find the frame or bike, have the frame/fork painted, likely replace the wheels, tires and tubes. Then there are other pieces, such as replacing a rusty chain, perhaps having to find a new crank, switching out a derailleur for an internal hub, and so the list grows. When I sat down and added it up, potentially, I could be looking at a cost between $600-800. Really? Holy cow, that's a lot of money to re-make an old bicycle! It could be done slightly cheaper, but I also know what happens with these projects and whatever amount you think it will be, you have to add 10-25% for those unexpected costs.

*Image from Abici

I began to think of the number of bicycles on the market that are sub-$800, and realized there are so many choices out there. No, I'm not going to find a Dutch bicycle, the Abici Granturismo is off the list, and the Velorbis Scrap Deluxe is certainly not falling into this self-imposed price range, but there are definitely options out there. Linus bikes come to mind, of course Public, and there are others that certainly easily fall onto this list.

There are pros and cons to both sides of this coin. Building up a bike myself allows me to completely decide what will be on the bike. I can obsess and be nit-picky about every little detail. Of course, this freedom of choice comes at a cost. Sometimes my picks aren't the best for a specific bike and I end up having to sell parts and re-purchase, or sometimes the fit isn't quite right. I can't change what an older frame is, after all, so if I end up not liking the ride, there are a limited number of things I can do to change that. There's also the time involved with building a bike up. It could be completed within a couple of months, but the reality is that I am more likely looking at a 6-9 month project. Do I want to wait that long for a city bike?

Rebuilt bicycle purchased in 2001 - a $25 find!

When buying a bike already built, there is the option to walk away without purchasing when the fit isn't right, doesn't feel good, and the like, whereas I don't necessarily know what the fit will be if I find just a frame/fork from a vintage bike. There's no wait time with a whole bike purchase. I can virtually buy the bike, get it home, and start riding. It also means that I don't have the same choice with color options (though it can still be repainted), or components, etc.

Deciding how important each of these factors are will certainly help to make the decision a bit easier, or sway me one direction or another. There are also other options in-between the two, such as simply finding an older bike and just cleaning it up, rather than completely overhauling it, or finding a newer bike on e-Bay or Craigslist at a better price. If given the choice and having the technical know-how necessary, what would you do? Would you rather build from the ground up, reuse something that would likely be discarded, and make it whole, or would you prefer to keep your hands out of the process and purchase a bike ready to ride and make changes as you get to know the bike?