Surly Crosscheck

Lets get this back to something profitable and off the silly recommendations of a 70 year old lousy driver. Today I took the Surly out on a major test ride after putting the Bontrager Jones 1.8 tires on it. Wow! I know that Pants Armstrong would never ride his Surly Crosscheck off road, but it handles almost as well as a mountain bike in the dirt. Tire pressure at 40 psi allowed the bike to roll over the rough stuff fairly comfortably, and still able to keep speeds in the 15-18 mph on the flats.

Hey Monocogman, why don't you graduate up to some bigger wheels and a bigger gear so you could keep up with me. And Pants, why don't you join me on the dirt some time.

- Pete Falcon

Safe Driving

It has been brought to my attention that some think my driving skills are not quite up to par. I will say this, I have been driving for 52 years, and have not had one accident with a moving vehicle. I did once hit a moving deer, but that was all his fault, not mine. I have noticed every year the traffic continues to get worse. Other vehicles around me are going faster, honking more, and giving all sorts of dirty looks as they pass me.

Well, allow me to give some safe driving tips from my many years of safe driving.

1 The speed limit is the maximum allowed. Most of the time you ought to go at least 10 under, 15 under if you are in a new area.

2 Always get in the lane you expect to turn from at least 3 miles in advance. You don't want to surprise the drivers behind you with any quick movements. Don't worry about being called a "left laner, no brainer". I believe that is the term Pete Falcon came up with.

3 Accelerate very slowly. It is better for gas mileage, and keeps breakfast down better.

4 Join AARP!! They will lobby for seniors to drive until they are at least 95. I don't think driving skills diminish until well after 100 myself.

5 Honk at every bicyclist you see. They truly are an annoyance on the roads.

6 One last comment. I don't understand why anyone would drive anything but a Mercury Grand Marquis or a Buick Le Sabre. I do have some friends that are not as well off that drive a Ford Crown Victoria, and that is OK too.

- George Wilson

A word from the Administrator

Get ready for something unique. In fact I am not really sure what to call this. This group of contributors has been known to go off in various directions. I'm not really sure where it will start, and I definitely don't know where it will go. But let me say this, after reading their wonderful contributions on another blogger's cbox, I can say the team is not only entertaining, but they give some refreshingly candid thoughts concerning the more pertinent matters of this life. So sit back and wait for whoever will lead off and begin our travels into the lives of these five blogging amigos.

We're New Here

I set this up for my dear husband because I was tired of him and his friends taking over my c-box.

Check in once in a while -- the contributors are some really exciting middle-aged guys (and one guy's wife), leading really exciting lives here in the desert southwest. Find out how Pete Falcon, the blog's resident superhero, creamed his shin last fall. Poor Mildred Wilson broke her tongue -- don't miss her story. And be sure to hear George's list of pet peeves regarding other drivers. Pants Armstrong, well, he's just a different kind of guy. His idea of a thrill is to ride miles of pavement. Monocogman is the only Real Man on the team.