This blog post was written by AI

Bringing Back a Classic: My 1973 VW Super Beetle Adventure”

In 1998, I had the opportunity to take my 1973 VW Super Beetle to a car show in St. Louis. This was a dream come true for me, as I had always been a fan of vintage vehicles and the VW Beetle was no exception. I had purchased my Super Beetle a few years prior and had been working tirelessly to restore it to its former glory.

On Sunday January 29th, 2023, the St Louis Knights (2013 squirts) played the Chicago Blues at Maryville University Ice Center. The Knights came out on top with a 4-3 victory.

View the gallery.

Bike Maintenance Instructions:

1. Cleaning:
   • Regular cleaning is an essential part of bike maintenance. Before performing any maintenance, you should start by cleaning the bike frame, chain, gears, and other parts.
   • To clean the bike, you’ll need a degreaser and a soft cloth. Apply the degreaser to the areas that need cleaning, such as the chain, gears, and frame, and scrub gently with the cloth.
   • This will help remove grime and dirt that can build up over time. Once you’ve finished cleaning, rinse the bike with water to remove any leftover degreaser.
2. Lubrication:
   • After cleaning, you should lubricate the chain and gears.
   • A good lubricant will help protect the metal parts from rust and corrosion, and it will also make the bike run more smoothly.
   • Apply a few drops of lubricant to the chain, and then use a clean cloth to spread it evenly. Be sure to lubricate the gears as well, especially those that are exposed to the elements.
3. Tires:
   • Check the tires for proper pressure and inspect them for damage or wear.
   • If you’re using a road bike, you should aim for a pressure of around 100-130 psi, while mountain bikes typically require a lower pressure of around 30-50 psi.
   • If the pressure is too low, use a pump to fill the tires to the correct level.
   • Check the tires for cuts, punctures, or other signs of damage, and replace the tire if necessary.
4. Brakes:
   • Check the brake pads for wear and adjust if needed.
   • If the brake pads are worn down to the metal, they will need to be replaced.
   • Check the brake cables as well, and make sure they are tightened properly.
   • If the brakes are not functioning properly, you may need to take the bike to a professional mechanic for a more in-depth inspection.
5. Drivetrain:
   • Check the tightness of the bolts on the crank arm, pedals, and bottom bracket, and tighten any that are loose.
   • Check the gears to make sure they are shifting smoothly.
   • If the gears are not shifting properly, you may need to adjust the derailleur.
6. Steering:
   • Check the tightness of the stem bolts, headset, and handlebar, and tighten any that are loose.
   • Make sure the handlebars are positioned correctly, and that the bike is easy to steer.
   • If the steering feels loose or wobbly, you may need to take the bike to a professional mechanic for further inspection.
7. Suspension:
   • If your bike has suspension, it’s important to check it regularly to make sure it’s functioning properly.
   • Check for proper suspension function and adjust accordingly.
   • If the suspension feels stiff or bouncy, you may need to make some adjustments.
8. Wheel true:
   • Ensure that the wheels spin straight and true.
   • If the wheels are not true, you may need to make some adjustments to keep the bike riding smoothly.
9. Chain wear:
   • Over time, the chain will start to wear down and stretch.
   • To check for chain wear, use a chain wear indicator tool.
   • If the chain is worn, it will need to be replaced to avoid damage to the gears.
   • A worn chain will cause shifting problems, so it’s important to replace it promptly.
10. Final Inspection:
    • After performing all the above checks and maintenance, give the bike a final inspection.
    • Test ride the bike to ensure it is running smoothly and everything is functioning properly.
    • Check the brakes, gears, and steering, and make any necessary adjustments.
    • If anything seems out of place, take the bike back to a professional mechanic for further inspection.

Note: Regular maintenance is important to keep your bike running smoothly and to extend its lifespan. If you are unsure about performing any of these maintenance tasks, take the bike to a professional mechanic for assistance.

Autocross is an exciting and challenging motorsport that is quickly gaining popularity among car enthusiasts. It is a competitive event where drivers navigate a course that is laid out on a large parking lot or closed-off airfield. The objective is to complete the course in the fastest time possible, while navigating tight turns, hairpin bends, and other obstacles.

One of the best things about autocross is that it is accessible to a wide range of drivers. Whether you are a seasoned pro or a beginner, there is a class for you. This means that you can compete against drivers of similar skill levels, which makes for a fair and enjoyable competition.

Solo Performance Specialties is your one stop shop for all your autocross needs. They have a huge selection of tires, wheels, and suspension parts. They are located in St. Louis, MO, but they ship all over the country. They are a great resource for all your autocross needs.

On Saturday January 7th, 2023, the Lafayette Lancers took on the Eureka Wildcats in a Battle on 109. The Lancers came out on top with a 4-1 victory.

View the gallery.

Did you know that the Lotto for entry into Unbound Gravel 2023 opens today? (January 5th, 2023). If you are interested in getting into the event, you should definitely check out our post from last year on various registration options Unbound Gravel Registration Options page for more information.

Sad news in the automotive world today. Ken Block has passed away.

Here is a shot of Ken back at the 100 Acre Wood in March 2022.

What’s new for 2023?

We’re working on some website updates, stay tuned for those!

If you’re looking for an event photographer around St. Louis you’ve come to the right place! Be sure to check out our Events page for more information.

We get asked this question a lot. “How much is my Jack Daniels collection worth?” The answer is, it depends. There are a lot of factors that go into determining the value of a collection. We will try to cover some things, but likely not all, that go into evaluating a liquor collection.

The 2022 Special Release for Jack Daniel’s should be hitting shelves very soon! We don’t have a bottle yet, but wanted to highlight what you can expect!

Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release American Single Malt, an Oloroso sherry-finished whiskey made from 100% malted barley

The 2022 Special Release for Jack Daniel’s should be hitting shelves very soon! We don’t have a bottle yet, but wanted to highlight what you can expect!

Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release American Single Malt, an Oloroso sherry-finished whiskey made from 100% malted barley

Hot off the presses Jack Daniel’s has just announced two new bottles in the Tennessee Taster’s series, and is now calling them Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series.

• Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Toasted Barrel Finished Rye
• Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Toasted Maple Barrel

As the 22-23 Hockey Season has started, I wanted to get a blog post up with an easy way to get to photos from the Hockey games I’ve shot. Primarily I will be shooting the Chesterfield Falcons 10U B1 team, but I will also be shooting other games here and there as well!

All the 22-23 season photos can be found in individual galleries in this Folder on SmugMug.

CANCELLED DUE TO LACK OF INTEREST

I found this photo while going through old files (I never throw anything away, or delete). After a quick google search, I can’t find it anywhere else on the web, so I figured I would post it here.

I’ll offer up a $250 cash reward for someone who can put me in touch with someone that can be verified as the owner of my first car, a 1973 VW Super Beetle, chassis number 1332543365.

I’ll pay $100 for someone who WAS previously an owner of the car (verified) that might lead me to the current owner.

Chassis Number: 1332543365

Can you help me find it? Contact Chris

Chassis Number: 1332543365

It has been a few years since I was able to attend the Gateway Cup Bicycle Races due to typically being in Lincoln Nebraska over Labor Day weekend, but with staying home this year I was able to get out for a couple of the days of the four day criterium races in St. Louis.

We have posted over 400 photos onto our SmugMug account available for purchase. You will find them organized by race group for easier browsing.

For the second year in a row I was out at Indian Camp Creek park for the ICC Challenge Mountain Bike Race. I tried to get a shot of everyone, I likely missed at least a few folks (big hitters and the e-bike class), but I’ve posted almost four thousand photos.

Find Your Photos

Use the “search” on my SmugMug site to more easily find your photos by Bib number, I manually tagged every picture with a bib number if I could read your number plate, if not, sorry you didn’t get tagged.

View, Search and Purchase Photos

Here is a slideshow of the photos, but you’ll have an easier time viewing the photos with the link above!

I had a blast out there and appreciate all the feedback I’ve had on photos posted.

You can purchase a high quality (43 megapixel) digital download of my shots via the links above.

Thanks, see you on the trails!

Chris - RainbowMarks Photography

The 2022 Miner Tough Weekend occurred July 16th and 17th down at St. Joe State Park near Park Hills, Missouri.

Download/Purchase Photos

Ballwin Cycles Dirt Crits from 2 Timing Guys, second event down in Valley Park on July 14th, 2022

You can download free high resolution photos without watermarks courtesy of 2 Timing Guys, or you can also order prints

Ballwin Cycles Dirt Crits from 2 Timing Guys, second event down in Valley Park on July 7th, 2022

You can find these on our Facebook page

You can purchase high resolution photos without watermarks here:

Purchase Photos

Ballwin Cycles Dirt Crits from 2 Timing Guys, second event down in Valley Park on June 30th, 2022

You can find these on our Facebook page

So you’re thinking you might want to go to Unbound Gravel 2023? The lottery won’t open up until January 2023, but if you haven’t booked a hotel already, you’re out of luck.

Emporia’s hotels book up really quickly. If you haven’t booked already, you are likely out of luck, but if you follow some of the tips below, we’ll try to help you find a place to stay that doesn’t take you an hour plus of driving each way (Topeka).

Hot off the presses and hot to the tongue, Jack Daniel’s has announced that this Friday starting at 8am at the White Rabbit Bottle Shop you can get the new Small Batch Coy Hill 375ml bottle!

Here is some of the press I’ve been able to find:

a very limited release small batch whiskey that we’ll be offering in Tennessee this summer, our Jack Daniel’s Small Batch Special Release Coy Hill High Proof.