Shirley gets her nails done

I haven't ridden Shirley very much since the Alaska / Whitehorse trip and was unsure about her health since then. After a test ride and a quick gander at her chain and cogs, it was clear that the end was near. She was certainly rideable but there was a lot of wear and the chain was very stretched.

I bit the bullet and tracked down a new set of teeth. On short notice, it wasn't easy finding 9 spd. parts but since I live in the land of bike shops, it was possible, although I had to drive to Port Coquitlam "Caps Bike Shop" for the insanely small "Granny Gear"

I also got new Schwable Marathon tires in the 700 by 32 size. I love new tires. A good investment. I also replaced the front derailleur cable as it was a bit damaged.

A flat free zone will be dialled in with these tough guys.

Cheaper than the "Marathon Plus" which I am replacing, but should be the cat's ass on this little spin.

"This looks nothing like my poo box..."

9 spd, 110 mm BCD is old school apparently...This purchase (MEC and Caps Bikes) was under $250.00 

I didn't really feel like spending $1200.00 on a whole new crank. Bike parts are such a rip off. Anyway, this should last a while as I have 4 other bikes to ride after this HWC trip.

11/34 Shimano cassette

Can climb an 18 percent with 4 cases of 24 

Or with HWC after a big lunch stop during a headwind

Kizz is clearly excited about Shirley's upgrades.

SHIRLEY'S CRATE

Summer 2016 is here!
Me, Highwaycat and Shirley will be hitting the road soon. YAY!  It won't be a glamorous epic journey, but it should be fun nontheless.

We will be flying out to the Kootenays of British Columbia and will ride back through some familiar and some not so familiar roads back to North Vancouver. Approximately 1200 km over 2 weeks. An easy pull.

To make things super easy, I decided to build my own bike box for shipping. I came across a post on https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/  where the concept came from. I basically copied the plan using Shirley's measurements. The skeleton is 1" by 2" pine screwed together with cardboard from 2 bike boxes glued and stapled. This box will allow me to ship Shirley without removing her handlebars and rack and will keep her safe. It's overkill, but I thought that it would be fun and would make departing super easy. The box is a "one and done" scenerio, at $12.00,  I'm cool with that.

Anyway, here are a few pics of said bike box...

Screwing 1 by 2 pine together

Kizzmitt is the project manager

The skeleton with HWC and Grasshopper cat

Checking bike placement.  All is good (the rack will be lowered) The wheels and forks are supported and everything will be easily scanned by security staff. 

Adding the skin. Grasshopper cat inspects...

Skin is glued and stapled (except top)

Kizzmitt displays the stare of approval.

Anyway, the box comes to about 109 linear inches. The Air Canada allowance is 115". Also, it comes in at well below the 70lb. limit. Even if HWC was a stowaway.