Tinker's Cycling and News

Tinker is turning 50

Wow, one of my heroes is turning the big 50, and he is still smoking fast. it gives me hope, since some days I feel like my best times are behind me. you go Tinker

Land Between The Lakes

Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area  My new play ground, makes me more exited than Richard Simmons at a fireman's convention.....

Adventure destinations

Well today is an off day, I decided to do absolutely nothing but look up possible destinations on line, not  ideal but its all I have right now. so far it looks like I will be riding my bike in an area called the Land Between The Lakes . From what I can tell, I will be doing lots of Trail riding in this place, looks like I will be Kayaking and camping here as well. I have high hopes for this place, on paper its perfect, its close its big and its got it all...heres a quote from the Nation Park Service


" With more than 170,000 acres and 300 miles of undeveloped shoreline, you'll discover a wide range of opportunities in LBL to create memories that will last a lifetime." 


Second place I was looking at is Rotary Park, looks like this is going to be the place to ride DH and FR locally, cant find much on the internet about Rotary Park, just a post here and there. Thats OK though, from what I have read its going to be fun. About 1.5 to 2 hours away I found Hamilton Creek. seems well organized and maintained, should be fun. I have no shortage of places to go kayaking, the plan is if its to wet to go mountain biking, I will go kayaking. I think this will work out well.

On a side note, my Tacoma developed a leak in the rear axle seal, I cant ship it like this, so now, I have to add that to the list of things to do before I leave. AWESOME!!!! it never ends.

Glenn, one of my friends and the guy mostly responsible for me riding DH called me a few minutes ago, he wanted to know if I wanted to go hit the DH...I turned him down reluctantly. this sucks. Paz

The VW is working great

Well, the WV Vanagon is behaving well, this makes me really nervous. I have gotten used to it breaking about every week now. I think the reason it hasn't broken down in over 3 weeks is because just about every component and sensor has been looked at. I even redid the wiring harness, everything but the engine and transmission has been replaced or repaired. So I essentially have a 200K miles 30 year old  new car. In hindsight I think I should have gotten a newer vehicle, but it has been a fun and challenging process in getting the van from the obscene state of disrepair I bought it in, into its now near restored condition. I keep telling myself that the long arduous process of getting the van ready for its intended purpose of base camp adventure vehicle has given me an advantage in self sufficiency. I can diagnose or repair any malfunction confidently. And I have all the special tools and spare parts I would need to do the repairs to the components that are most likely to fail. At least thats what I keep telling myself.

First Post

Well, here we are, this is my first post in my first ever blog, kinda scary.
Right now everything in my life is crazy. Getting ready to move from Hawaii to Tennessee / Kentucky and start all over again. I'm exited and scared, I have made so many friends here, traveled Asia and the Pacific, seen and experienced things and people I will never forget. I hope that my next home can be everything I hope it will be. I joined a forum to see if I can start getting a feel for the local riding community. Historically, the largest group of friends I have had, ride bikes. So far they seem like a bunch of nice folks, good manners and polite. Well, will see how that goes.