[Swine]

So i sold both my AC 2 and my Foes Fly with in the same weak. Completely unexpected and at the time i was stoked. I was thinking "Sweet, mo money". I also sold/threw away every single one of my tires i had scattered all over the place. I had a true mountain biking garage.

Well, tonight i was in my garage, where i have spent countless hours working and memorizing ever weld, tube, and bend of the bikes, packaging up both bikes at the same time. Pull out the trusty ole' Park Tool work stand and get to work stripping them all down. I got the Foes broken down first and all packed up, i then got the AC done and all packed up and slipped the boxes side by side ready to ship tomorrow.

Then it hit me, i saw both bikes that i had been working for and idolizing for 6 over years getting ready to leave for ever. I poured in every pay check i ever maid from publix and commited 100% of my day-dreaming time in school to these bikes and my plans on how i was going to build them up, or what new parts i was going to add, or to what new stunt i was going to try. Both bikes have been there for when i have taken a nasty spill, or for when i ecounterd something incredible worthy of a story at school. Many times i have thanked both my bikes for saving my noob ass. Seeing them all broken down for the last freakin time...i kinda had to stop and look them both over one last time. The bell shaped flare around the rear shock, beautiful welds, and wicked off-set rear triangle of the Foes( :love: ). I looked more at the battle scars on the AC, rather then frame qualities( ), from when i had gotten alittle to over my head.

Anyways, for the last six years... I have been 100% Mountain Biking. Then a thing called college comes along and takes up all of your time and $$$ :mumble: ! My garage feels noticeably bare without tires and mud everywhere.

So long monkeys...I'll be back in 4 years! :evil:

 

[rpk1988]

Good to see they are finding a good home. Hope to see you back soon.

 

[punkassean]

I just sold my two trusty steeds (Kona Stinky Primo and Kona Dawg Primo) and had a similar emotional experience. My last ride on one of the bikes was the best ride I had on it though so that made it a little easier. I used the money from both bikes to start an off-road buggy (rock crawler) project. I got the running chassis for $1,400 and the rest went to this bad boy which completely erased all my sorrow

 

[Spitfired]

Its funny - For me college has actually meant more mountain bikes.
I'm in my second quarter and have already built 2 welding jigs and a new frame with more on the way.
I am a lab assistant/tech in the machine shop, so I actually get paid to make the damn things.

Next quarter is going to be tough though. Bikes are going to be taking a back seat.

 

[Fury]

I guess things work a little differently up here in Canada. We have seasons so I have my school season and I have my racing season. The two don't conflict for more than about a month total so everything works out.

On the bright side, think of what the technology will look like in 4 years upon your return! Hover bikes in the year 2010??

 

[CBJ]

Just buy a cheap burly HT and you can still have tons of fun at very low cost. I would rater take a extra job then have to give up riding.

 

[neversummersnow]

Yeah, no joke...STUDENT LOANS...if there is one time to ride bikes...that time is college.

Bikes babes beer...it's all right here.

Where are you going?

 

[Swine]

Oh, a beater hard-tail there will be! Im already schemeing...an older 00 or 01 Z-1, some ryno-lite xl's, lx drive train, hopefully some avid disc's but i can make do good ole v-brakes...hmm, what frame? A chameleon would fit the bill pretty nicely, but those can be a tad pricey...and alittle to flashy for around college(read- stolen).

I am attending Auburn, i basically go year round...spring, fall, and summer. My parents are helping me with alot of things, but there are still alot of things i need to cover. My parents are only helping through 4 years, but i want either a dual major or a major/minor. I dont want to deal with student loans, so i want to try and finish my major/major or major/minor in those 4 years. Might seem alittle querky, but ill be alot better off once i get out of college and dont have mess with paying a big loan off.

 

[mack]

at least you have a cool car... if that car is yours in the avatar

 

[Swine]

lol, yeah...one of things parents help alot with.

 

[neversummersnow]

I say one word to you. PRIORITIES

Look at guys like Sanjay, he doesn't have a car but lives a great college life...which includes LOTS of riding.

Don't get too ambitious with double majors and whatnot, I did and now that I'm a sophomore I realize real life isn't that far away and I am in no hurry to get there. 23 sounds early enough...I'm not saying prolong college or pick up lots of debt but think about it...you only have one chance to live this kind of life, don't forget that.

My advice, sell the car, buy a beater, and ride your fricken bike...

 

[Swine]

Well, the car is slightly a passion to. 220 awhp, prepped to be a decent competitor in STX auto-x races. I have a bigger turbo laying around and have R-compounds on the list for when i have my fill of STX.

My entire family is into cars...my two older brother both have Evo's.

Its a conflict of interest, id rather be biking...but the closest mountain from good ole Auburn, Alabama is a 5 hours drive(sky valley, from what ive heard its closed down). So even if i had time to ride, theres not really a place to ride and utilize a bike like a Fly.

A good beater hard tail will not only serve me well around AU, but will hopefully make me a bit smoother dh'er when i transfer back over.

A dream of mine has been to stay a week in whistler...

 

[neversummersnow]

Could have gone to CU...(kidding...half way)

 

[Swine]

Will except a wrx stock exhuast as a peace offering?

 

[Leethal]

College should be fun so make sure you have some, speaking from experience you really should take a light load during spring and fall semester and take 2 classes in the summer... You will get more classes completed in one years time but have a lower steadier stress level and never have that four month break to get out of the habit of reading and studying.

 

[Kornphlake]

Don't set your sights on the future, set them on the present. I graduated at 24 and don't regret a single thing. I took 2 years away from general ed stuff and studied spanish and religion, learned more in those 2 years than the other 4 years I was studying for my degree. Some how I always managed to get by on $500/month and I was married for 3 of those years, had a daughter half way through my junior year... Don't let debt consume you, but don't be so sacared of it that you don't enjoy the opportunities around you.

 

[go-ride.com]

Priorities have a way of changing over time.

As a kid I dreamed of having the coolest BMX bike and any MX 80 I could get my hands on. My parents got me a $200 BMX bike (it would do), and the 80 never had a chance. I rode that BMX bike just about every day until I got my drivers license...or laid (pretty much the same time).

Throughout college summers I worked my butt off as a construction labor dreaming of buying a 911 when I graduated, even if I had to live in it to make the payments. I didn't buy the 911, but settled for a new Integra, a small apartment, and a $700 mtb bike.

About a decade latter my passion for bikes has continued and the realization that small fast cars wear out way to fast, if you really use them, has moved me on to a full-sized truck to carry my bikes (including a KTM). Today I am content to just cruise along the highway knowing that what's in the back of the truck is way more fun than the 911 parked on the side of the road next to the Utah Highway Patrol car.

To each his own.

 

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Priorities, Priorities!!!

First off

if you sell the wrx, I'll personally come down there and kick your ass.

Will except a wrx stock exhuast as a peace offering?

Lets just get it straight right now. I was fast and furious way before most people even knew what DOHC or AWD stood for. Give up messing with your car as a hobby. It is an utter waste of time unless you have the cash to blow. Stop day dreaming about that pretty new exhaust or that AFC, the cost of those 2 will put you right back onto a shiny badass steed.

Secondly I STARTED mountain biking in college. I had a car, but my campus vehicle was my bike.

So stop your whining save up and get a new bikey (maybe 2, you might need a campus beater) and enjoy your rides.

 

[OGRipper]

I think this guy has his priorities straight, but I'm not sure everyone is listening.

His parents are "helping" with the car and 4 years of college. It's not clear who would get the money if he sells the car, but I'd guess the parents would want at least some of it. So it's not as easy as "sell the car and buy bikes." Plus the car is another one of his passions, so in that sense it's not much different from some dude on a car site telling him to sell his bikes. Yeah passions change over time but that goes for being passionate about bikes too.

He's got an opportunity to have his tuition paid for, but "only" for four years. I paid my own way through college and grad school, didn't get one dime from my parents or anyone else. Yeah I'm proud of that but do you have any idea how grateful I would have been for the opportunity to have had even a portion of it taken care of?

Anyone that goes to college thinking about the present and not the future is wasting time, daddy's money, or both. Yes college helps with "social skills" and all but it's not just about having fun. Why bother with college at all if you just want to seize the day? Get a bartending job and live it up. Seriously, I know lots of guys that do it and love it. Plus, you'll have plenty of time to ride during the day.

You only get one crack at college and the record will stick with you for years to come. Take the opportunity your parents are giving you and make the most of it. For yourself.

Four years is very short time compared to the rest of your life, so I say DO be ambitious and go for the double major if you think you can handle it and that's what you want. Yeah you may give up a few parties and bike rides along the way but it sounds like it'll give you a lot more options once you get out. Especially if you can do it without taking on the extra debt of student loans.

Sorry to rant, don't mean to assume I know anything about most of you but this stuff gets me worked up. Oh and Swine, I don't know anything about you, your parents, or your relationship with them, but if things are pretty smooth and you haven't lately, go thank them for helping you out.

 

[Swine]

I am not one to be ungrateful, i have thought about my life and how much worse it could be all the time...its a common topic. The "only 4 years" thing was not ment to be a complaint, rather saying that i will not be recieving help funds wise after those 4 years. It is not uncommon for a student to stay longer then 4 years to complete college, especially with a dual major.

One reason i hate talking about how money is handled in my situation is becuase there is always some who feels they feel that they have worked harder and are more deserving for what-ever reason(not saying that anyone is).

An urban hard tail is in the making or thinking stage...any other type bike is USELESS down here in Auburn, Alabama. I think something along the lines of a used Mountain Cycle rumble or a Cameleon...i need to find one cheap enough though.

As for giving up messing with the car for a hobby, your talking to the wrong kid. Go tell John Force and Michael Schumacher to stop messing with cars or for awd and rally sakes, Peter Solberg, Jiles Panizzi, and Tommi Makinen. Playing with cars is not for everyone, however, it is for some...and in my case...im still getting my fill. No afc needed on my car, i simply flash my ecu and it handles boost, afr, timing, and anything else you would like to change($400).

I do not dream about shiny exhuasts! I dream about sliding around a gravel road at 70 mph completely sideways, or ripping through the S turn @ Laguna... i am not your typical teen. Nascar sucks :nuts: . Nicholas Voulliz(sp?) knows whats up.

I could really care less about a 911(beautiful car, no offense intended), put the proper funds into an old civic hatch(7k including car) and the civic would eat the 911 for breakfast, lunch, and dinner around an auto-x course. If i had the funds for a 911, i would most likely get something like the Noble M-12 gto. As for alot of $$$ being involved in cars, you are correct. Tires, brakes, rotors...and the occasional wreck while learning all add up very VERY quickly.

 

[MichaelT]

if you sell the wrx, I'll personally come down there and kick your ass.

Does everyone else feel the love or is it just me?



Michael

e.thirteen / Evil

 

[Kornphlake]

IAnyone that goes to college thinking about the present and not the future is wasting time, daddy's money, or both.

College is a place of academic learning as well as street smarts as well as self discovery. I don't suggest taking your education for granted, don't pay every tuition bill with student loans or mooch off your parents. I do highly reccomend enjoying the experiance though, really what do you get when you graduate? You get a diploma and a kick in the pants that says you have to go work a 9-5 job that you may or may not enjoy for the rest of your life. Learning is exciting and by putting more time in at school you are making yourself more beneficial to society. So what makes one beneficial to society? I'd considering much more than what you can offer an emplyoyer, I consider how you'll impact your family, neighbors, co-workers, and commnity as you use your education. If you're the type who wants a degree in astrophysics so you can work at the local conveniance store then you really shouldn't be reading this, if you're the type who plans on getting a degree in accounting to become an accountant, or a degree in engineering to become an engineer, consider the other opportunities that are offered through the university to broaden your education besides the general ed stuff. Certainly a course on latin american history won't do you any harm if you plan on living anywhere north of the mexican border, a few classes on organiztional psychology will make you a better co-worker, a credit or two that are spent on health or lifestyle classes will definately put you in close proximity to people who are outside of your usual social circle. I hope I'm not considered a dumb college graduate like so many people I know who just blast their way through college.

That is all. I don't reccomend going into debt just so you can have more time to ride, and I certainly don't reccomend taking all the arts and crafts type courses the school offers, but I do reccomend being aware of what the university has to offer. What is the value of a class that will give you a lifetime of memories and a changed perspective of the world compared to a graduation date postponed 3-6 months?

 

[Zutroy]

That sucks...college was actually my prime for riding and race....unfortantly when you get done i think it only gets worse till you get established, and that took me a while.......hopefully it goes better for you.

 

[OGRipper]

Well yeah Korn I agree with most of that, but that's not really thinking about the present is it? You're talking about things that benefit the student (and society) for the future. If you're saying he needs to focus on his present decisions about school, and think about adding some extra classes in order to be well-rounded, well then I agree. But that IS setting his sights on the future, and in your first post you told him not to.

 

[Kornphlake]

Well yeah Korn I agree with most of that, but that's not really thinking about the present is it? You're talking about things that benefit the student (and society) for the future. If you're saying he needs to focus on his present decisions about school, and think about adding some extra classes in order to be well-rounded, well then I agree. But that IS setting his sights on the future, and in your first post you told him not to.

Blah, technicalities... Think about the present and take classes you'll enjoy (which relates more to choosing a major than choosing the specific classes you're taking your fresman year), look forward to reading assignments and homework, get excited about spending time in labs, get projects done before the due date, that's what I meant about thinking about the present. Don't pick a major based on what will get you the highest paying job or the most attractive girlfriend, think about what will make your university experiance most enjoyable. Besides don't they say 75% of all college grads are working outside of their field of study? You'll have the rest of your life to get the OJT that will make your resume look attractive. Taking your time to graduate isn't necessarily a waste of your/your parents money.

 

[OGRipper]

Blah, technicalities...

Hahaha, right, technicalities. Personally I think saying what you mean is a good idea, especially when you're talking about education.

A lot of people would not understand "think about the present" to mean "get the most out of your education because it will only help you out down the road," they would take it to mean "screw the future, have fun now."

See Swine, if you get a good education you'll be well equipped to beat dead horses on RM for the future!!

 

[Swine]

LOL! Swine and I have had this same basic convorsation over on Nasioc (subie forum) about me and bikes.

Swine- Does the wrx have a different exhaust diameter then the N/A exhaust? I've been trying to get a new exhaust, and a stock WRX is quite nice for my TS.

lol @ OGRipper, polishing my black police beating stick as we speak.

You know what, im not even sure a stock wrx cat-back will bolt up to the 2.5 header.

As for exhuast piping diameter, i seriously doubt the ts is going to have any smaller piping then the wrx(2.125" if i recall correctly). If indeed the stock wrx cat-back does bolt up, you wont have a problem finding one used for a steal on nasioc(i actually want to keep mine incase i might need my car to be "stock" again ).

The ts is never going a screamer in a straight line, given the appropriate suspension mods(dont need much, i can get that sucker set-up so it rides like stock and handles like its on rails), the ts can be an extremely quick and competitive auto-x car.

If your looking for minimal handling improvments for a cheap price, pick up a stock wrx sedan rear sway. Its one or two mm's thicker then the wagons bar.