The Bicycle: Part 2

July 9

This photobook details the condition of my bike just over 2 weeks into the adventure. I have been on the road for 18 days now, and the bicycle is experiencing some normal wear and tear. I'm not too particular about keeping it clean, and so far I just address problems as they come, not really trying to spot problems before they surface. Mostly my bike has just picked up a lot of road dust, which is to be expected. For the most part the roads are smooth, but there have been some rough spots, and the shoulders are usually the dirtiest part because everything gets kicked to the side by the cars whizzing by. Other than that, I have some chipping paint, a bit of rust built up on some bolts and nuts and a little on the chain, and two new spokes.


some light rust, nothing that won't clean off later. a bit of paint wear and some weird build-up on the spokes at the hub


dirt build-up


dirt on the front of the fork


that tear in the bar tape is actually from just before I left. i fell, the first time I rode around using the new pedals and shoes. at the top left you can see some wear and tear from the trip


name is still there


that's dirty


it doesn't wipe off easily either


pedals are looking good


still there, joey


the paint flakes off at points with a lot of friction


one of two shiny new spokes


i've had to remove the rear wheel more than i have wanted to. there's a bit of rust on the frame there at the dropout.


chain and chainring bolts are both getting a little oxidation. could use a little lube, i suppose


that rack support on the left is the one i picked up in Santa Monica. it doesn't quite fit; a bit big


this is my Macguyvered rack-mount screw, taken from a rear light mount that went around the seat post. the black plastic tab on the left-hand side was part of the plastic ring that went around the post. it has a metal nut in it.


a little rip in one of the panniers. that happened early on and doesn't seem to be getting much worse. overall, the system has worked well so far. those grommets are pretty strong. i'm impressed. thanks again for the grommeting kit, Bryony.




that doesn't look nice. i will have to polish that sometime soon.


tires are good. only one flat so far, and that was from P.D.'s trunk, somehow


shoe upper looks great, not even that dirty


cleats are getting worn. I'm not really sure how long they will last. i should walk on them less


other shoes are looking great, pretty much just how they were when i left. maybe a bit dirtier. i made laces for them at one point, but they didn't last too long. they collected a lot of debris and dead foliage.

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