Q-Tips

Detroit, MI -

If you're looking to read up on my little journey through South America, then you've come to the right place! While this first post is a bit overdue, at least it's done before I start the trip. Of course, why I left this to the last moment, I have no idea. I work most efficiently under pressure and I like my sleep, so I'll trade in one night of frenzy for a week of sleep anytime. (That's just an excuse, of course) Hmmm, but come to think of it, perhaps it wasn't such a good idea; this will be my last night sleeping in my own bed for some time. Moving on...

Now stop and think to yourself, why would he title his first post Q-Tips? Any guesses? Here's a hint - take a look at the pictures above. Look closely, and you will see an old Cannondale M1000 MTB (mountain bike). Can anyone guess how difficult it is to clean 15 y/o dirt, grease, and grime? Now just take a guess at how many Q-Tips it took to finish the job from start to finish. To be honest, I have no clue, but I can say about 300 is a good estimate. That has pretty much consumed my time for the past two weeks, well time and money. However, that's OK because it's an investment. I mean, what could be
worse than having something break at a time like this with volcanoes erupting? (By the way, I'll be there in ~ 3 weeks I think (yes, I really wish I was there to see)) So Q-Tips it is along with degreaser, trips to the bike shop(s), new and fun tools to play with, and all that kind of good stuff. Let's chronicle the process a bit...


Below was the initial breakdown of the bike, all the way to the frame. I must thank Walt's Bicycle and Fitness Shop in Columbia, MO, for helping me take off that bottom bracket! (I gave them some cake I made, hopefully it was a fair exchange).

What a mess, right? We can almost play a game of I Spy - I spy with my little eye....oh hell it looks like a disaster, haha.

The main components that I was worried about were those containing bearings: bottom bracket, fork headset, and wheels. Again, old grease with dirt grinding with bearings = no good. An overhaul of this nature would cost on the order of $130-150 I think, but I like doing this kind of thing on my own and I needed the practice anyway. What better way to learn about the bike I'll be riding for the next couple months?

Ooooh, looking sexy! I think I can see my reflection in those cranks! (kidding of course (says the narcissist, heh))

Ok, don't mind the weird look. I'm tired, but at least the bike is ready to go! I'm going to quit for the night pretty soon. Tomorrow, I drive to Chicago to catch a flight out on Saturday morning to Mexico City. After a 10 hour layover, I'll be boarding an overnight flight direct to Buenos Aires to arrive sometime just before noon. And the weather forecast for Sunday is a high of 89F with a low a mere 63F. Reading that makes me think about what someone said to me one time, "David...you've got a smile on your face as wide as Texas..." Yes, that about describes me right now as I sit here in this cold room. Goodbye snow, hello warm weather, tango city, volcanoes, and guanacas, heh.

Ohhhh!!! Before I sign off for the night, I must say that I'm pretty damn lucky right now. Yesterday I got the typhoid and yellow fever vaccines, the latter of which is an attenuated live virus (often carried by my nemesis, shown at right). Apparently the potential side effects include coming down with the damn disease! Hah, the only complaint I have with respect to that is mild soreness at the location of injection, phew!

Alright, time to head out.

PS - I've got plenty of Malaria drugs too