Greetings from Iraq

[boy in a kilt]

Hey all,

My tour in Iraq is winding down slowly. Definitely on the downhill side now.

Very much looking forward to getting home to Oregon, SGTiger and the kids. They've been holding out well, but by the time I get home, I will have been gone for the better part of 14 months.

Also looking forward to riding bikes again. SGTiger has authorized me to build a Big Dummy. So, Aaron (from ABR in Seattle) and I worked it out and he built it. Last little bit is he's been waiting for Phil Wood to have a production run of rear hubs for disc brakes. That should be waiting for me when I get home, Inshallah.

I have a fixie over here because it's pretty flat where I am. I broke a spoke a couple of weeks ago and since we don't have a bike shop on post anymore (some Iraqis had one for a while, but it closed) so I'm having to scavenge. Problem I'm having is most of the bikes on post here are mountain bikes with 26" wheels. Spokes are too short and the wrong gauge). However, I'm still looking. I know there is one around here somewhere. If I don't scavenge one in another few days, I'm going to take the opposing spoke off along with the ones on the opposite side of the wheel. It's not a strong wheel to begin with but that'll get me through the rest of the time here. Then I'm going to sell it cheap or abandon it here.

I will never again get all worked up about speedbumps. Most of the speedbumps around here are track from old tanks a such. Probably about 6" high and definitely not a smooth transition. Fortunately, they are easy to see at night.

I also have a very different relationship with heat. It was 97 degrees (humidity about the same) when I left Georgia back in July. It was 114 (at 8 am) when I landed in Kuwait but only 4% humidity. Really didn't seem that bad, although the wind does nothing to cool you when it's that hot. It's more like turning the hair dryer on high and pointing it at your face.

I've been assured we've seen days over here in excess of 130 degrees. It's a little worse in the Baghdad area because it's more humid there. It's been in the mid-70's all week and should touch 100 a few times before I left.

What I really want is to ride my bike in the rain. When it rains here, it rains mud and the roads are actually muddier when the rains end.

[salsabike]

Hey! Glad to hear from you.

[Trek420]

Hey there!!!!! Good to hear from you. hmmmm, wondering if any of us here have a spoke to spare? Is the fixie staying there when you come home?

[KnottedYet]

BIAK!!!!!!!!

Hooray! So good to hear from you!

Dude, I saw a picture up somewhere of your Big Dummy at Aaron's. I can't remember if SGTiger posted it here or on Facebook. Nice bike!

That heat sounds awfully tough... we'll save some rain for you, ok?

Meanwhile, can we mail you a spoke or two? How long would it take for something like that to get to you?

[OakLeaf]

Hey, good to hear from you.

Stay safe.

If my first husband's experience in the Air Force in Thailand is any indication, when you come home you will be freezing in 80° weather...

[Wahine]

Good to hear from you!!! I hope to see you sometime when you get back. Take care!!

BTW - I might be able to get a spoke for you. My BF runs a bike shop and I know he ships to other military type places around the globe. If you want to check it out you can reach him via email tom@gvhbikes.com. Tell him I sent you and he'll do what he can.

[Tri Girl]

great to see you around again I'm glad the tour has been "good." I'm sure your homecoming will be amazing!
I hope the time flies until you return stateside. Stay safe, and post a picture of you and your new bike when you get back home!

And thank you for your service!!!