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Bathroom Renovation in a Weekend

OK – it was supposed to bathroom renovation in a day.  However, nothing ever goes as planned.

Our cabin in N. GA.  is about 14 years old and the original builder did not spend an extra dime on anything.  When we bought the house even the interior doors had not been painted or stained.  Since 2007 we have done numerous projects and upgrades, but the two bathrooms had been neglected.

However, I had replaced the faucets in each and made repairs to the toilets.  On my last trip in November the drawer in the downstairs half bath came apart in my hand and the cabinet itself was rotted.  Thus, an obsession to renovate the bathroom came upon me.  I had this weekend because I have to be in Atlanta tomorrow and it made sense.

The goal – minimal cost, rustic, but not over the top cabin decor.  It will probably last 10-15 years so something that is not trendy was required.

Concerns – removing the cabinet base: what would I find underneath.  Second, what about the walls where the cabinet was?

The plan:

  • Obtain a pedestal sink (scored a brand new sink on Craigslist for $40).
  • Repaint the bathroom (using the red paint from James’ room at the Florida house)
  • Keep the toilet
  • Keep the faucet
  • Use a pallet to get the reclaimed wood for the wall where the mirror is
  • A new light fixture with mason jar glass housings

I started Saturday morning at 9:45am. We finished Sunday evening at 5:15p.  Saturday we (my Dad and I) wrapped up at 5:15p. Sunday was about the same – total time roughly 12-13 hours with two hours break each day for hardware store and lunch.

We used metal roofing tin for the side and back splash below the sink.

The toughest problem?  Hanging the sink as we had no brackets or instructions.  We used 2″ metal conduit to create a holder in the back of the sink and wall anchors reversed as toggle clamps against the underside of the sink.

It was a great project and I got to spend the weekend with my Dad!Before and After

Eliminate Time Wasters

Do you waste time?  Start here and read these quotes.

I do not, or try not to, have time wasters in my life. Do you?

For instance, our family does not have cable television (remember cable is dead, that is why it is buried!). Our television is on only to watch the news in the morning and is generally off except for Friday and Saturday evenings when we gather as a family to watch a movie. I do not waste my weekends, Monday nights, or Thursday nights watching millionaires play games. I can’t tell you whose “Voice” was a “Survivor” on “Jersey Shore.” Most notably, I have heard Kim Kardashian’s name but I may be the only person in the world that couldn’t pick her out of a criminal lineup. Panem et Circenses.  Click the link and learn, are you a victim of the 24-hour entertainment cycle?

Regardless of personal wealth we all have the same amount of time. Each day the clock strikes midnight and rich or poor we all have 24-hours, 1440 minutes per day. The question is how do you use your time? Do you watch Oprah, Ellen, American Idol, NFL football? Why? What if you learned a new skill during the same time?

Have you heard of Coursera? Did you know you can take classes from some of the most renowned institutes in the world for FREE? What if you gave up just three hours per week to take a class and learn something new. That new knowledge could be applied to starting a business, writing a book, or even relaxing through a new found hobby.

Imagine watching football.  Just pick one team for the season.  16 games per team (NFL Games played during the season).    Each game lasts a minimum of three hours, closer to four when commercials and overtime is factored in.  For sake of argument, we will use three.  Thus, 48 hours are spent watching football for just one team. But, who watches just one team or game per week?  Keeping our math easy we will use 50 hours.  The equivalent of a single college class!  Or, assume you make $20/hour.  Time and a half would be $30/hour – a cost of $1500 for not working overtime!  What about health?

During the same time the following fitness benefits could be realized:

  • 1 hour walking 300 – That is 15,000 calories!
  • 1 hour jogging 700 – That is 35,000 calories!
  • 1 hour bicycling 700 – That is 35,000 calories!

Keep reading…Because 3,500 calories equals about 1 pound (0.45 kilogram) of fat, you need to burn 3,500 calories more than you take in to lose 1 pound. So if you cut 500 calories from your diet each day, you’d lose about 1 pound a week (500 calories x 7 days = 3,500 calories).  (from the above article).

PLUS – you are not sitting on your ass consuming calories.

In the early 1990s a good friend of mine gave me a hard time.  He was stunned, he couldn’t believe I did not watch the superbowl on a particular Sunday in January.  Why?  I was writing a piece of code.  That piece of code became part of a software program that I sold approximately 10 months later for $10,000 – my first commercial application.  In my entire life I can remember less than a handful of times ever being at a Superbowl party and I even then I do not remember watching the game.

 

Be cautious concerning time wasters.  2015 is a new year.  What are you doing this weekend?  Spending time with your kids and family?  Working around the house?  Exercising? Or, wasting your day?

Time is infinite but our lives are not. Don’t waste time.

Bike Racks…

Bike Racks

I drive a Suburban.  I drove a Jeep Cherokee when I bought my bike and then bought a Suburban (not this one).  Getting a bike in the back of the Cherokee was a struggle – it fit, but created luggage challenges. Thus, I bought a bike rack.  I have a four bike, hitch receiver bike rack.  It is ugly, well worn, but has been on my RV and vehicles.  It works great.  It weighs a ton though and is not sexy.

My first bike rack was an old-school 1980s version on the back of my Volkswagen Bug.  That rack taught me an important lesson – make sure there is plenty of wheel clearance.  With my Schwinn on the back of the VW at my parents’ house in Minnesota in August 1985 I backed out of their driveway to head to college. This was the maiden journey of the bike rack and sure enough when my car came out of the driveway into the street gutter the bike extended far enough, the wheels were low enough, and the contact made bent my rims.  Always, make sure there is plenty of clearance between wheels and road!

I recently purchased a new rack system.  I have a 1992 Corvette and wanted to take it to my cabin in Georgia.  However, I always wanted to take my bike so I do not lose a week of training.  I started searching the web for Corvette bike racks and could not find a strong recommendation of any kind.  Along the way I came across the Saris Bones rack.  However, I had two concerns: (1) scratching my paint as the car is black, and (2) my wheels bottoming out as learned from prior experience.

In a car forum somewhere on the web someone made a reference to a product called “Seasucker.”  Curious, I checked it out.  I found this was a marine oriented product that had adapted to new markets for kayaks, boards, skis, and bikes.  There is not a huge amount on the web, but everything I found was favorable regarding performance.  A lot of older postings talked about product failures but these were based on speculation, not use.  At $270 though the pricing seemed high to me, but yet the product was perfect. I managed to search eBay and Craigslist and found a “Talon” in need of one new pump and I found a mini bomber that was nearly new.  I gambled and went the Talon route.

So far the rack looks perfect and should perform.  Yesterday I ordered the replacement pump and will take the maiden journey, a short trip locally before making an eight hour trek to North Georgia.  I will report back on how it does.  My worst fear is my bike blowing off the roof at 80 mph on I-75.

C4 Corvette with Bike Rack

C4 Corvette with Bike Rack

Bike Upgrades – Part II

Bike Upgrades-Part II

After hurting my knee in the most recent quest I took my bike in to adjust the stem.  This led to more money being spent than planned, but I was able to make some great improvements that I am really enjoying.

First, I went in to get some assistance turning the stock Bontrager stem upside down (although it is proper either way).  I realized I needed a shorter stem too and finally settled on an adjustable stem.  This has brought my handlebar height up even with my seat for a less aggressive position but much better for long distance riding.

Second, I was having some tingling in my hands within 15-20 minutes on every ride. I attributed this primarily to my riding position.  However, I was shown a bike at the LBS that had a double wrap with Lizard tape and love it.  I am riding for enjoyment.  Thus, anything to ease pain, create comfort, and improve my experience is worthwhile.  I had the bike handlebars double wrapped and it is a great improvement.

Third, during the stem retrofit I asked the LBS to go through the bike and check all of the components.  Two items were critical. First, the chain needed to be replaced.  I had about 2,500 miles on the chain and it was stretched. This had led to wear of the rear cassette teeth and I had to have it replaced.  So, a new chain and cassette were installed.

Finally, I bought a three way multi-tool.  This is too make sure I do not have to look through my tool chest for an Allen wrench that does not fit well.  It now resides in my under seat bag.

After these improvements I have ridden nearly 100 miles during several post-knee recovery rides.  I feel like I am on a new bike.  It is amazing what small changes can make.  More so, because I started wondering if I needed to buy a new frame and build up a new bike.  I think, in a sadistic way, this Trek is good for another 2,500 miles.

Bike Upgrades – Part I

Bike Upgrades-Part I

Over time, as I trained more the Trek has had some improvements.  First, I have two aluminum water bottle cages.  I can’t remember if these came with the bike or I purchased them.  However, they are a must have.

Second, I used to train primarily on U.S.1 in Edgewater, Florida.  The road had a decent shoulder but it also had a lot of debris.  I would see glass, nails, pieces of metal, broken ceramic tiles and much more. No matter how much I worked to avoid debris I seemed to have a flat every 50 miles.  I started buying three and four tubes at a time and just expected to change a tire at least once per week.  The worst experience was during my first century.  An hour into the ride and I had a flat.  Suddenly I watched the group ride by and I was on the side of the road.  It sucked.  Thus, I searched for a solution and found the single best piece of gear I have ever put on my bike.  I now run Michelin tires and have Kevlar tire liners. I do not think I have had a flat in over 1,000 miles. If you ride on roads the Kevlar liners are a must have.

Third, I have two ways I store gear on my bike.  The first is an under seat bag. This is primarily for tools and tubes (see prior paragraph).  I keep two tubes, and the right wrenches to work on the bike.  I just bought a three way multi-tool to help with adjustments.  Tucked away, I forget the bag is there but it is a must-have.  My second storage bag is a “bento box.”  My buddy Jim Burt gave this to me for my 40th birthday (2007) and I cannot imagine a ride without it. I store my phone (MP3), glasses, an ID, and some cash in it.

Fourth, I had ride with Speed Play pedals and Sidi shoes.  When I went looking for pedals to get out of the standard toe clips I explained to the LBS (The Bike Shop, Ormond Beach) I had knee surgery and this was the recommendation. I have never ridden with anything else.  Thus, these are just part of my everyday ride. I will offer, because I am clipped in and getting out of the SP’s takes a twist of the foot to the outside I have fallen off my bike. These are always the slow motion, I hope no one is watching, easy falls.  Nothing gets hurt but my ego.

Finally, lighting.  As rides get longer and longer for centuries or other distances I found myself competing with family, time in my day, and of course daylight.  I have a light on the front and rear of my bike. Honestly, I purchased these in 2007 only for the purpose of being legal.  I recently observed a rider with a much brighter headlight and am considering looking at the latest LED options to allow me to ride in the off hours.

The Bike (Trek 1000SL)

The Bike

In 1984 I bought my first good road bike, a Schwinn Super Sport for which I paid $399.  That bike and I remained together until I bought my current bike in 2006.  I rode the Schwinn in college, from 1985-1990, at the University of Florida from Gatortown Apartments to campus.  I jumped off curbs, ran through potholes, and beat the hell out of that bike.  In 2005 I started riding again, and jumped on the Schwinn.  I have always had a sadistic side to myself, one of denial when it comes to purchasing good gear. Whether it is golf clubs, computers, or even a GPS for an airplane I have felt I did not deserve to buy what I need and had to make do with what I had.  However, for my kids and wife I take the opposite approach and ensure they have the best. Yeah, it’s messed up.

Another part of my sadistic side though is a test of my commitment.  In this case, in 2005, told myself if I rode 300 miles I would get a new bike; thus proving my determination.

I bought a Trek 1000 from my local bike shop (LBS) Fox Firestone in New Smyrna.  A quick fit and I ended up with a 63cm bike.  For this article, I will discuss what I have and basic gear on the bike. Future articles discuss the fit.

The Trek is both criticized and praised.  Again, I could have spent more money but wanted to test my commitment.  At $800, the Trek had/has a carbon fiber fork and seat post.  My bike came in “Flare”, a dazzling paint job.  Combined with some Bontrager parts, Alexis rims, and several other decent components for a mass-produced bike it hit the mark.

I remember my first rides on it, the biggest change was the width of the handlebars versus my old Schwinn.  Also, the shifters were now integrated with the brakes near the hoods.  The bike came with standard pedals and toe clips and I continued to ride in tennis shoes.  It felt great and I was moving faster.