Vehicles

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Automobiles

Honcho 2

Jeep J-10 'Honcho'
Jeep J-10 ‘Honcho’

After many years of wishing and longing, I have now obtained a classic Jeep J-10 pickup, which is in the process of being restored and rebuilt by Hardcore Hot Rods in Sterling, Virginia. When complete, this will be a reliable workhorse, not a show-car, and it will be spectacular.

  • Model: 1977 Jeep Pickup (J-10)
  • Trim: Model 25 401-4V, ‘Honcho’
  • Color: Classic black
  • Purchased: Used in 2016
  • Mechanical:
  • Manufacture:
  • Ratings:
    • Rated at 215 hp, 320 lb-ft torque
    • 10 MPG city, 12 MPG highway (EPA estimates for 1984 model)
    • Curb weight: 3,800 lbs (17.7 lbs/hp)
  • Customization:
    • Restoration and rebuild in progress.
    • Utility
      • Jeep OEM roll bar
      • Jeep OEM brush guard
      • Class III trailer hitch

The Big Mini

Countryman Side
Mini Countryman S All4

We retired the Honda Civic, the first car we ever bought new, and replaced it with the moderately versatile (and very fun to drive) Mini Countryman. It’s a fun little car and, unlike most of the rest of the Mini product line, it has all-wheel drive and enough space for four human beings.

  • Model: 2012 Mini Countryman (R60)
  • Trim: Cooper S All4
  • Color: Cosmic blue metallic
  • Purchased: New in 2012
  • Mechanical:
  • Manufacture:
  • Ratings:
    • Rated at 181 hp, 192 lb-ft torque
    • 23 MPG city, 30 MPG highway (EPA estimates)
    • Curb weight: 3,208 lbs (17.7 lbs/hp)
  • Customization:
    • Utility
      • Mini OEM roof rack
    • Electronic and Radio Equipment
      • (coming soon)
    • Software
      • Improved daytime running lights
      • Improved automatic moonroof and window functions
      • Double-flash hazard lights
      • Removed speedometer fudge factor

Bicycles

2008 Trek 7100

Trek 7100
Trek 7100

This ‘hybrid’ is designed for road and paved trail but is more upright and comfortable than a traditional road bike. At a glance it looks basically like a mountain bike, but it has narrower/smoother road-style 700c tires and a more road-oriented geometry.

  • Model: 2008 Trek 7100 Hybrid
  • Frame: Alpha White Aluminum, 17.5″
  • Color: Blue and Silver
  • Tires: Bontrager Select Invert 700x35c
  • Drivetrain:
    • SRAM 3.0 Comp 7 speed Shifters
    • Shimano C102 front dérailleur
    • SRAM ESP 3.0 rear dérailleur
    • SR Suntour NEX-208 48/38/28 crank
    • Sun Race 13-34 cassette
  • Assembly: Spokes, Etc. in Ashburn, Virginia

2007 Schwinn Mesa

Schwinn Mesa
Schwinn Mesa

My Trek hybrid has served me very, very well, but it’s not designed for unpaved trails like the C&O Canal trail, Cross County Trail, or other unpaved paths in the D.C. metropolitan area. I decided, so I would have access to those trails, to pick up a decent, inexpensive mountain bike as a secondary bike for rougher riding.

  • Model: 2007 Schwinn Mesa
  • Frame: Schwinn Aluminum, Medium
  • Color: Navy Blue
  • Tires: Kenda Klaw XT, 26″ x 2.1″
  • Drivetrain:
    • SRAM SX-4 Dual Trigger control shifters
    • SRAM 3.0 front dérailleur
    • SRAM SX-4 rear dérailleur
    • TruVativ X-Flow 42/32/22T crank
    • Shimano CS-HG30, 11/32T, 8-speed cassette
  • Assembly: Performance Bicycle in Fairfax, Virginia

Vehicle History

Automobiles

Bicycles

  • Cheap big-box store bicycles.

Scott Bradford has been building web sites and using them to say what he thinks since 1995, which tended to get him in trouble with power-tripping assistant principals at the time. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from George Mason University, but has spent most of his career (so far) working on public- and private-sector web sites. He is not a member of any political party, and brands himself an ‘independent constitutional conservative.’ In addition to holding down a day job and blogging about challenging subjects like politics, religion, and technology, Scott is also a devout Catholic, gun-owner, bike rider, and music lover with a wife, two cats, and a dog.