Thursday, March 30, 2006

The Power of the Bike

I will say this before I post, this is a rough draft of what I hope at some time in the future to be more polished and well written, with the help of others as well as the refining of my own thoughts. So here it goes.......

The Power of the Bike

The bike possess many attributes, transportation, simplicity, elegance, balance, beauty, and mostly fun. It calms agitated nerves, slows the pace down to one where interaction and connections on personal levels can be made, lessens congestion, oil dependency, and our insatiable need to pave the planet. All these afore mentioned attributes are honorable, but the greatest thing that bikes do is bring down barriers, allowing people to feel part of the family, the brotherhood, the sisterhood, creating unity and oneness. Those of us fortunate to love bikes immediatly share the same qualities and a bond that goes deeper than most other muted human experiences these days. We know what each other has been through to get to the top of a climb, pounding hearts, burning legs. We know the adrenalin we are all about to get as we push our limits on the descent. We know just how hard it was to clean that technical line. We know that drivers are crazy hell we are driver ourselves at other times. But mainly we get to share intimate moments together and alone. We know what the other is made of. We can be white, black, conservative, liberal, and anywhere in between, and on bikes we get each other, we know the dedication and the time it has taken to get to the point we are at. We have a common ground from which to interact. If only for a few minuetes while flying downhill. This became really clear to me through two different and totally separate events.
The first being my ride last Sunday. Smiley my riding partner who I meet a few weeks ago, but feels like and long lost friend, and I got to the top of a 2,000 foot climb and there where two other riders there. Within two minuetes we were ripping the trails together. They being locals showing us the way. You may think no big deal, except for one of them had most likely been almost burned alive at one point in time. He and we thought nothing of it, and joked around, shared stories like we had been friends for years. Acceptance, I would be willing to bet that cycling has showed him that he rides therefore he is accepted and I bet he has been judged in other parts of his life.
The other being the tragic loss of a cyclist in Utah. I know that it could have been me, I have ridden and do ride roads with small shoulders in a group, he touched wheels went down and was struck by a passing truck, killing him instantly. I felt that the cycling community had lost a brother, and although I did not know him personal I know that he will be missed by all of us. Cycling means that much to me, cycling has taught me so many lessons and I feel a bond and kinship with all the other riders out there who ride because it fuels them and it provides them with a sense of acceptance and belonging. So brothers and sisters, pedal on and change the world one pedal stroke at a time.

There it is. what do you think. make sense. agree, disagree. let me know what you think. thanks

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

help me.....

I will make this quick and to the point. I am in a fork bind. I want to ride this weekend off road, but have no fork to use. The reba worked flawlessly until the girlfriend hit something with the bike on top of the car, not damage to the frame dont worry, so one would think no problem just put the rigid on and go, which I would do but in all the moving the fork has ended up not with me and in Reno or hiding in a really good spot. So help me out, anyone got a line of a 29er suspension fork, that could get here, seattle, before the weekend. I am a maniac and will survive without a ride off road this weekend, but I really want to ride. any leads send them my way. thanks nat and as always keep pedaling. Can you feel the pain.

Friday, March 24, 2006

some things to think about...

I have recieved my gps unit and man is it fun. I plan on getting hooked up with motion based so that I can store all the rides on there so I can track my progress and catch mistakes. Knowledge is good, just can not let the numbers rule me. Staying with the plan as much as a possibly can, base think base, just a lot later than others. I am letting myself go for it one day a week as well on the mountain bike. we have a good group that goes exploring each week, put each other in the pain prison, push each other limits. much fun and a skill builder for all. As far as intial impressions good, we will see how it proforms in the woods, they are thick up here. The heart rate monitor which i read people were having trouble getting to work, works flawlessly and matches my polar as far as beats per minuete. good to know.

Global warming, check out these commercials. Maybe it wont effect us right away, maybe it is years away, but lets start thinking about the legacy that we as a generation want to leave. Do we really want to continue to leave a mess for others to pick up. If I look out the window i think yes because how can we get people to clean up the world and think globaly when some people can not even be bothered to pick up there trash, or cigarette butts. Here is a question, why do smokers feel it is their right to throw butts where ever they please. Is it that they dont care enough about themselves so why would they care about something outside of them. I am a huge advocate of personal responsibility. You ultimately are responsible for your own actions and you must be willing to accept the consicences. Are we willing to accept the responsiblity for the earth that gives us life or are we going to leave it up to the next generation.

It is certainly spring here. Rain, hail, sun and wind all at once in one moment. good times.
I in no way mean to preach and I am not perfect, but I am analyzing the moments, the decisions, and making a small difference, I hope. again in the end I can really only be responsible for myself and my actions. thanks for reading and keep on keepin on. Keep pedaling. nat

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

feelin better....

So I have been feeling better, following a bit of a training program, base miles mostly and not very long rides in the relm of long rides. Yesterday went with a two others Keith and Smiley, we seem to be hooking up once a week for some great dirt rides. Last week it was Black Diamond, this week it was Galibreth mountain up in bellingham. Good amount of climbing and some technical downhills. Bridges, jumps, log rides, etc. Smiley was pushing me a bit on the descents, the dude can ride a bike. He was doing 6 foot drops on a ti hard tail cross country bike, he constanly is raising and lowering his seat. Madness I say. I felt better and pretty strong on the climbs I think we got near 3000 feet of climbing in, and lots of twisty singletrack. I launch some jumps, and rode some raised bridges that suprised me. The mental game is coming around, I am working a bit less, and feeling a whole lot better. Spring is here, and soon it will be an epic a week or at least every other week, camping a riding and maybe even some racing, but as I said I am playing it all by ear with the goal being to stay healthy have fun and not take it all too seriously. Just watched Pure Sweet Hell, might have to try a bit of the cross racing this year, after all i am here in the northwest and do have plenty of access to great races with ease.

gonter has a update on the Vulture, check it out. We have jerseys on the way, they should be sick, I can not wait. Wool vulture jersey. Some day as many of us vultures should get together for some long rides and good times.

I caught myself sounding a bit pretencious the other day, I was asked if I was going to ride a geared bike on the ride yesterday and I said, "I dont own a geared mountain bike" the truth, but does that sound a bit pretencous? maybe not.

My legs feel it a bit today, but I had such a good time. I want more. 5 more nights of work, then two days off again. who ever came up with the five day work week. should have been 4 at the most. Well I am off to eat lunch. I will be posting a bit more regularly, but will not commit to a daily post, I just dont have that much to say, or maybe I do I just dont feel the need to post daily. I will be getting some more pictures as well, just need to get a crash case for my camera, so I dont break her again. good times. as always, keep the rubber side down. and keep pedaling.

feelin better....

So I have been feeling better, following a bit of a training program, base miles mostly and not very long rides in the relm of long rides. Yesterday went with a two others Keith and Smiley, we seem to be hooking up once a week for some great dirt rides. Last week it was Black Diamond, this week it was Galibreth mountain up in bellingham. Good amount of climbing and some technical downhills. Bridges, jumps, log rides, etc. Smiley was pushing me a bit on the descents, the dude can ride a bike. He was doing 6 foot drops on a ti hard tail cross country bike, he constanly is raising and lowering his seat. Madness I say. I felt better and pretty strong on the climbs I think we got near 3000 feet of climbing in, and lots of twisty singletrack. I launch some jumps, and rode some raised bridges that suprised me. The mental game is coming around, I am working a bit less, and feeling a whole lot better. Spring is here, and soon it will be an epic a week or at least every other week, camping a riding and maybe even some racing, but as I said I am playing it all by ear with the goal being to stay healthy have fun and not take it all too seriously. Just watched Pure Sweet Hell, might have to try a bit of the cross racing this year, after all i am here in the northwest and do have plenty of access to great races with ease.

gonter has a update on the Vulture, check it out. We have jerseys on the way, they should be sick, I can not wait. Wool vulture jersey. Some day as many of us vultures should get together for some long rides and good times.

I caught myself sounding a bit pretencious the other day, I was asked if I was going to ride a geared bike on the ride yesterday and I said, "I dont own a geared mountain bike" the truth, but does that sound a bit pretencous? maybe not.

My legs feel it a bit today, but I had such a good time. I want more. 5 more nights of work, then two days off again. who ever came up with the five day work week. should have been 4 at the most. Well I am off to eat lunch. I will be posting a bit more regularly, but will not commit to a daily post, I just dont have that much to say, or maybe I do I just dont feel the need to post daily. I will be getting some more pictures as well, just need to get a crash case for my camera, so I dont break her again. good times. as always, keep the rubber side down. and keep pedaling.

Monday, March 13, 2006

good weekend

Well mother nature sure has been kind, there have been very little clouds in the sky and much sun, perfect riding weather. On Saturday I rode the Mercer Island loop, 2 1/2 hours later I returned home, feeling quite well. There were many others out on the road enjoying a beautiful PNW day. Yesterday I went to the town of Black Diamond, can you dig it a town called Black Diamond, reminds me of all the skiers I used to wait on in Tahoe who would tell me how radical they were and how sick they were cause they were ripping the Black Diamonds. Last statement to be read with a hint of sarcasm, well fuck totally sarcastic for that matter. Back to the fun. Black Diamond for some trail riding, not a lot of climbing but lots of twisty tight singletrack with roots and logs and trail features oh my. I met up with a few folks I met while tending bar. Keith, Pete, Victor and Smiley. Smiley is a mad man, constant energy, and the man has fitness and skills galore. He is constantly raising and lowering his seat bunny hopping over and on to picnic tables and lets just say wheely drops off of bridges on a hard tail with 4 inches of travel. The man is just plain fun to ride with. Wheelies. We all had a great time ripping the trails and the day could not have been more perfect. Then I had to go to work. We made plans to hook up next monday and head up to Galbraith Mountain in Bellingham for some climbing and techncal descending. It was a good day and I felt great on the bike, finally, it appears I am on the mend. I dont want to get too excited but I feel alright today. The thing that struck me about riding here versus tahoe, reno etc. is a 15 mile mtb ride is over before it starts like just over an hour, up here a 15 mile ride beats you up and last about 2 hours. AVe speed here 8 miles and hour ave speed there 12 miles and hour. Catch my drift. I had a great time and can not wait to get out there again. Thats all for now. as always keep the rubber side down, and keep pedaling. I sure do wish I had brought the camera.

Looks like the harmonic convergence was postponed, maybe I will make it. looks to be a great time.

Thursday, March 09, 2006

trends I am seeing

It appears to me and I am totally willing to be told if I am wrong, but we cyclists are finally getting our own designers and really quality cycling specific items, mainly clothing that is our own. Take for example, cadence clothing, rapha, twin six, swobo, shaundeller, chrome, hypnotic designs,and I am sure that I am forgeting some. By our own I mean designed by dedicated cyclist for cyclists with an edge for fashion. Did I just say fashion, oh heavens no, but out in the streets it is nice to be able to get off our bikes walk in to a bar, restaurant and look stylish. Not everyone likes to wear Pearl Izumi tights and a bright jacket while they hang out. It is also making it easier to go to job appts and meetings. Maybe it is just me and these are just my thoughts, bear with me people I am no english major. However that is a family degree, the almighty english degree, both my parents did that so I figure it is taken care of. My grandfather was an english teacher, both my parents were at one time english teachers, my aunt, my cousionn, well you get the point. I however did not, and I am sure I am doing a horrid job of explaining this, with run on sentences, mispellings and I am sure syntax errors, but for those that understand thank you.

I would like to learn to silk screen and to sew so that I can begin to make my own clothing, that is specific to me, but I am happy to see that more people are forging their own way, making a difference, and being creative. thank you for that.

So cranked mag came out with their second addition. rockin. you all should order up.

The bike film festival that I thought was in Seattle is actually in Portland, damn them Beavers they got it all, I may have to make a trip, looks to be a good show followed by a midnight ride. rock on.

On the biking front, I will soon have a gps/heart rate monitor in my hands to train more specifically for a bit. I have always wanted to know the elevations of little rides and such and soon I will be able to, and with the help of moitonbased I will really be able to keep track of miles logged and such. I have been riding a bit more lately and feeling a bit better, I am still very hesitant to push it yet, but at least I get to ride. I am eagerly awaiting two days in a row off so that I can travel to some trails and sample some great rooty riding. This seems to be a good place to start, and it is not too far away. I have heard that there is a good amount of climbing and the trails are super fun. Like I said awhile ago this year is about fun, and undertraining, although I am getting the bug to get out there and race again, and I have to come up with a birthday challange for myself. that is all for now. as always keep pedaling.

Monday, March 06, 2006

so I am riding a bit more..

On Saturday I rode 30 miles on the fixie, including my ride to and from work. Just under the two hour mark in ride time. I am really trying to follow the plan that was given to me after the tests by doctor emily. So then on Sunday, my one day off, I was going to ride the mt bike, but the car was taken by the time I got up so I figured I put around on the road bike and see where it took me, well a little over 2 hours later I rolled home, feeling quite well I might add. So it was a success. I am unsure of the mileage as I dont yet have a computer on the road bike, I am waiting for the arrival of this, I have been told that I am getting it as an early birthday gift, and it will make keep track of all that I ride much easier. So all these rides have been in zones 2, 3a and small bits in 3b but this is base building for me. I must say that I am wearing a heart rate montior, I have found that most of the time I was riding a bit too hard, and other times much too hard. This is recovery phase and what it looks like once you have gone over the edge from over reaching to over training. Overtraining is bad, it is no fun. Spring is here or close and that makes me happy, more sunshine, warmer temps and more mountain biking. Of course mountain biking means higher heart rates so I must be ready. I am thinking of a big ride for my birthday incorperating bikes and breweries. I have some others interested in the idea. How extensive and long is yet to be determined.

This is worth a listen, bike music.

Friday, March 03, 2006

inspriation.....

So as of late I have been taking a break again from the bike, I am just riding to and from work for a bit, i fear that I am sleeping more and all the work at the house has over extended me a bit. Enough about that subject, I am staying positive, exploring the internet and getting inspiration and from many sources. I need to make a list of all the ideas I am coming up with mimicing what others are doing. I have been apathtic to a point at times that things wont change, and they wont unless we as citizens get out there lead by example, we may fail we may not change anything right now, but on the flip side we may succeed, things may change. There is not doubt in my mind that there will be a petro crisis, how bad I am unsure and when I am unsure, but it will come, sooner or later. Thinking that, it would only be in my interest to act as though it is coming and try new and different things out. Right now I am listening to this show, talk about cool, there is car talk radio on PBS, how bout bike talk radio. There is another radio show out of San Francisco, here. Who would tune in? It looks like the one in Davis, CA failed due to lack of funding, man that sucks. Money, when will money flow in to cycling like it did in the 70's. We need more utiltiy bikes, or city bikes like these. Seattle has its own bike culture short film night, i will have the link soon, its own magazine, lots of goings on. I am trying to get my work schedule firmed up so that I can join some different groups that meet and talk about transportation issues that appeal to me.
I have been wanting to learn to sew for almost a year now, we have finally procured a sewing machine and I plan to take a sewing class here in the near future. There is a ten year old down the street that has offered to teach both danielle and I. If you havent checked out these guys, they are designing some very beautiful clothing, and the hats that this guy is making are rad.
So there are so many great things going on, and many people are out there doing very creative and forward thinging projects.
My real question is when will we hit the critical point that ultimate shift in our thoughts when cars are no longer the center of our universe, or will we. Will we evolve or will we commit suicide as a soceity? I read a great article in the Utne reader thats basic sentiment was that we need to as a society stop believing that they those in power will change anything, that we need to get them to change the laws, the rules, that we as citizens,as individuals and communitys need to decide what needs to happen, that that is where the real power is. The real power in a Democracy is with the people, and as of late we have moved away from that and we need to move back to the position that we believe we have control over our own direction as a society. The bottom line being that we all need to take part and stand up for what we believe in if we are to help direct the shape of our society, if we do not take part we should be happy with what we get because we have through not taking part taken part. I hope this all makes sense, I am rambling to a bit. Stand up for what it is you think and believe in. That doesnt mean you have to protest and march, just do your part to shape the world in to what it is you want it to be.

This guy must be having fun, what a journey.