"Typing, typing!"

That's what Skyler says when he gets to type. Altair gave him her laptop the other night, he was quite pleased.

My grown up little boy.

It's really true what they say,  "Kids grow up so fast."  Skyler is not even 2, yet he's looking a lot more like me in boots and jeans.

Ahhh....

Skyler relaxing watching Sprout and sitting outside enjoying the weather.

Yes, that's Maizey dog's bed.

Tractors, bikes, big tires, and SMV signs.

It's no secret my love of green and yellow tractors.  It all started when I was 2 or 3.  There was just something magical about a yellow wheel and a giant tire with huge deep tread.  Granted, I haven't always been obsessed with tractors, but the idea of large tires that can go anywhere was usually in the back of my mind as I traveled through life.  I would see them on various types of vehicles, or on the farm while I would sit on the JD 4020 fender and watch the tires make tracks in the soil.  I played in the dirt with my sandbox toys just so I could see the tread marks from my toys.  I would draw tire tracks on my school work or pretend to be paying attention in college while doodling the chevron tread patterns on my notes.  So it should come as no surprise that when I saw a Surly Pugsly on a catalog cover last Spring, that I began to think about those big tires on a bike.

I've loved bikes and cycling almost as long as I've loved tractors.  I had a BMX bike as a kid and literally wore the tread off the tires numerous times.  I would have my Dad take me to the Schwinn dealer so we could get replacement parts and so I could "trick it out".  (The tricking out part has never left me, I will gladly customize anything I can to improve performance or aesthetics.)  I got my first mountain bike when I was 14.  I loved the freedom of being able to ride over anything.  I rode it all over the city.  Canal roads, sidewalks, dirt trails, even a few jumps.  My parents took me up to Red Butte to try actual mountain biking.  I was hooked!  I then had to trick my (entry level Giant) bike out with all kinds of parts.  I probably doubled the purchase price with all the crap I replaced to lighten and improve the components.  I was always a little disappointed with the tires and traction of the 1.9" tires.  It was barely an improvement to the road bike tires that I had on a hand me down Schwinn road bike.   That was the only option on my next 2 mountain bikes for the next 20 years.  Until now!  Finally, someone had the sense to put a big ass tire on a bicycle that allows unlimited traction and terrain conquering!  I've been looking at my new bike for a week now and it never gets old!  It's a thing of beauty!  Like a tractor!  It's bike meets tractor, aka, Tractor Bike! It even has yellow wheels with giant tires! 

The obligatory yellow wheels that go hand in hand with giant tires.

Tractor bike got a rear rack to carry Skyler's seat.  And a mini SMV sign!  All tractors must have a Slow Moving Vehicle sign. :)  Yes, I made that, and it's reflective.  It looks much cooler than a reflector.  I'll be slow moving too, for a while. :)

My new bike wouldn't be possible without Altair working so hard last year (and this year) which gave us a large tax return.  I now need my toes to heal so I can ride the damn thing.  And get her one too.  Anyone know where there's a Mukluk in size XS?

Outside without a jacket!

We ventured out in the backyard yesterday afternoon. The thermometer said 60 degrees and that meant no jackets required! Skyler had such a great time, he didn't want to go in he house for dinner even though he said "hungry" a couple of times. I'm debating on getting the lawn tractor out and sucking up all the debris on my lawn today. :)

Continuing the bike theme...

I modded Skyler's wooden Skuut bike so he cold ride it. The seat was waaay too high before and a $20 garage sale bike is easier to drill on than a new $100 Strider bike or a new Skuut. He can now scoot all over the house. He also found my Park star wrench and decided to work on his bike like I was doing to my new bike last week.

Ta Da!

The unveil of my Fat Bike!

I found out that Surly uses Can Am Spyder yellow for their rims.  I just happen to have a Spyder and a can of yellow!

Skyler approves of the big 4" tires.

Unpacking. 

It came nicely tucked in a padded box.

Frame.

Semi built.  I stuck the seat post in temporarily.

I laced the yellow rims yesterday while I sat on the couch.

The yellow saddle matches the rest of the yellow perfectly. :)

SRAM 9 speed rear.

SRAM Truvativ pedals.  There's not one piece of Shimano on this build. :)

Disk brakes!

"Damn that's smooth!"

Best use of the piano so far!  Bike stand!

Color matched bottle cages.

"Holy Rolling Darryl's!!!"

This sight will never get old!

Skyler's new trike even has big balloon tires!

Not to be outdone, he decided to squat on his seat.  Note the blocks that my Dad made for his pedals.  Thanks Dad!

If squatting wasn't enough, he stood up on his seat!!  He's definitely my kid...

Skiing.

Altair and JoAnn skiing at Brighton yesterday.  It sounds like they're going up again tomorrow.

Altair.

JoAnn and Altair.  Note that neither of them are wearing helmets.  Sigh...

Dreaming...

I'm dreaming of being able to ride my new Fat Bike so bad!  Today is the 5th day I've had to be laid up.  Skyler is tired of it, I'm tired of it!  Altair is off today so she can go skiing with my Aunt who is in town from the Midwest.  Huge thanks to Grandpa (my Dad) for coming over yesterday to watch Skyler and take him to the park.  Speaking of parks, here's what one can do with a Fat Bike!

Notice at the beginning the dude walking down the stairs completely stops and stares!  Only 5 weeks to go until I'm riding.  I guess I've waited almost 6 months to own a Fat Bike, what's a few more weeks?

It's here!!

My balloon tire fat bike is here!

What everyone that sees it thinks it looks like.

Skyler and me circa 100 years ago.

I'll have actual photos of the new ride once I'm done "customizing" it.  Stay tuned.

The reason I won't be riding it anytime soon.  Number 4 toe is broken.  You can see the break right at the top of the toe. Altair dragged me into Instacare yesterday.  They didn't do a damn thing for me other than cause one more injury, tetanus shot!