Earth Class

Who knew commerce could be so beautiful – and massive. Views of the Earth-class 10,000 TEU container ship navigating the Savannah River from our hotel.

The (Initial) Plan

I picked up a non-running 1972 Honda CB500 (K1) from one of the other members of the now defunct motorcycle tool collective Brother Moto. Overall it looks pretty good but definitely will need some work to get it up and running – which was the intent. I wanted a project that Darrow and I could work on over the summer to introduce him to turning wrenches.

So here is the plan: (1) pull gas tank and give it the vinegar/chain/screws spa treatment to knock out the corrosion (which looks bad), if it is too bad to salvage get a new tank on ebay or retromoto; (2) while the tank is off, replace the ignition switch (previous owner lost the key); (3) replace the dead lithium battery with an AGM battery; (4) replace the carbs wholesale with pre-synced and jetted carbs from Murray’s and adjust the throttle cable; (5) replace the handlebar switches; (6) replace the back brake (the arm is currently bent) – stopping is important; (7) replace seat upholstery; and (8) replace grips. Then we can figure out what else needs to be done.

Full Disassembly

While dry firing my Sig 226 this morning I felt a weird click then the trigger and hammer froze and the slide would only rack halfway – weird. I was hoping it was just the trigger bar spring, which could be fixed by removing the two screws on the right grip, but unfortunately luck was not on my side. So after watching a couple of youtube videos I started the full tear down.

Removal of the locking block revealed the root cause – the overtravel screw in the trigger had fallen out (likely worked out after thousands of rounds) and lodged between the trigger and the frame. I fished the screw out, returning it to its proper place, then completed the full disassembly and deep cleaning. I did not have a chance to set the overtravel, but will make a video and post it when I do.

Running Cades Cove

Cades Cove is a “limestone window” valley tucked against the eastern edge of Tennessee. The Thunderhead Ridgeline on the south and the Rich Ridgeline to the north form a jagged crown around the lush green valley floor. A narrow 11-mile road rings the valley, connecting 18th century homesites, graveyards, and churches like rusty jewels. All of it blurred into a watercolor haze by the omnipresent smoke of a million trees, exhaling a thick blue fog. It hangs like incense in a cathedral, lifting the prayers of the faithful up to heaven.

And every Wednesday in the summer, that cathedral opens its doors. The NPS closes the loop road to cars, and for the day it becomes a playground for hikers, runners, and bikers. Trevor and I had to see it for ourselves. We were not disappointed.

Running Lessons

Running Lessons is a training partner disguised as a book. My good friend Tim Kozik put together 140 days of motivational quotes and personal reflections to accompany the traditional 140 days in a 20-week ultramarathon training plan. So on those mornings when your legs are ready but your head is not, you have something short waiting for you before it’s go-time.

Many of the lessons of the book focus on action and courage. Which is interesting — because I run out of fear. Fear of backsliding into the hooligan I was prior to finding running in US Army basic training. Before scientists studied running and found that it was more effective than Ritalin for ADHD and Prozac for depression. I run to quiet the dark passenger. And I am not the only one. We travel in packs. Leaving warm beds and families. Pulling into still moonlit parking lots. Huddled in small groups, shivering because we are underdressed for stillness in the winter, while we wait for latecomers. And then we are gone. And the darkness and the woods wrap their arms around us and we flow together under the halos of headlamps through forests and mountains that were ancient when this nation was born. Together we transcend through motion and become one with the source. It is on the fire of this forge that fear is tempered into courage.

This forge is where you are going. But in the beginning, you may need a book like this to help you find the way.

Radio Check

It started with the siren song of meshtastic – the open source, off grid communications networks for nerds, hackers and protestors. Next thing I knew I was cramming for the HAM test. Then after receiving my call sign from the FCC (KR4NAA) I needed a radio.