First Snow of 2013 1/18/13

Poor ole' Joe  looking around at the snow.

We had our first snow of 2013 in Winston-Salem, NC last night. The accumulation of snow was only about an inch. I was hoping for enough to ride a mountain bike in. It needs to be a little more than what we received to be good on a mountian bike This was just enough to make the ground messy and the roads icy. Regardless of how much or how little snow we get, it is always exciting when it snows in this part of the United States. 

The Red Hot Chili Peppers perform a popular song titled "Snow". The video below is of them performing the song live in 2006.

Joe Swimming

Poor ole' Joe kept us company at the shop today

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Poor ole' Joe

Two days ago Poor ole' Joe had major knee surgery. He had a procedure that was as close to a human knee replacement as they do on dogs. He stayed on his bed and enjoyed seeimg all the nice customers come and go all day. Thanks to everyone that said hello to Joe. He loves everyone!

Joe swimming in Mallard Lake at Tanglewood Park 8/28/12

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A Great Blue Heron fishing from one of the pedal boats. These look like the ones I used to ride in  o'so many years ago.

 Poor ole' Joe's hips have been causing him a lot of pain lately. He just wasn't wanting to go for his evening walk this evening. Every night for the past little bit he has had to have pain pills to cope with his hips. I decided if Joe didn't get to swim ever again he would have his chance tonight. I took him to Mallard Lake at Tanglewood Park and turned him loose. He acted like a puppy! When I got him home he went straight to his bed. In no time at all he was asleep and snoring away. 

Joe is on the floating dock and dry. It didn't take him long to dive in the water.

Joe hunting along the shore with the Great Blue Heron in the background.

Joe retrieving a stick.

Joe bringing the stick to me.

Joe swimming after the stick again.

Joe bringing the stick to me again.

Joe wading around in the water.

Retrieving another stick.

Joe watching some Canadian Geese.

Joe on the floating dock.

Joe decided to roll around in the grass.

Gunnar Sport and Poor ole' Joe

Poor ole Joe is guarding my Gunnar Sport

It was a nice afternoon to go for a bike ride today. Joe insisted I clean my bike up as soon as I got back in.

Poor Ole' Joe knows something is different about my bike and he is right.

At the Fit Kit Seminar I attended the past couple of days they fitted me on my bike. I knew what was coming and had the appropriate stem  with me. And sure enough I needed my handlebars raised and brought closer to me. Fortunately my seat was set at the perfect height and the fore aft was spot on. It's hard to impossible to fit yourself on your own bike. I knew that my stem was to low and long. My original stem was a 110mm flat stem slammed all the way down. The stem we put on my bike is a 100mm st up slightly higher.  According to the Fit Kit calculations my reach to the handlebars needed to be slightly shorter and higher. I slipped out for a short ride today to check things out and the bike felt great! Changing your position on a bicycle is not something any cyclist looks forward to. After years of riding in a certain spot you just don't want that messed with. Everyone needs a bike fit to put them in the right position on the bike or to just reassure they are set up correctly. I'm glad I volunteered to have my bike set up checked. How long has it been since you had your bike fit checked?