for not posting in a while, other than the fact that I have been lazy in updating my blog. that and I havent been feeling very creative, still trying to get the creative jucies flowing. Pictures would be nice, but I just cant seem to remember to take them. that and I fear falling on my camera. I dont fall, crash all that often, but it would only be appropriate if when I brought a camera a major crash insued. call me paranoid or supersitious or just plain crazy. that was established quite some time ago.
the tour has been and interesting one this year. what happened to floyd yesterday, was nice while it lasted to think that a former american mountain biker would get the yellow, and prove that there are other great american cyclist other than lance armstrong. I admit it has been fun to watch the tour without knowing that lance has a strangle hold on the competition.
I have been riding and plan to race here this weekend, I think, the weather is supposed to be miserable hot and my race starts at 2 pm, great time of day for me, due to the fact that I am not a morning person, but really hot time of day as well. I put in a good effort yesterday on the mountain bike and felt moteratly strong, I am a little sluggish today, but then again I am still waking up. I am pretty excited about racing again, just for the fun of it. I am sure the competative bones in my body will rise to the surface, but I am just going out to have a good time and enjoy the course. I will probably race it rigid, but I may throw the suspension fork on if, well just if I feel the need. that or just back out on racing it rigid. I am tossing around the idea of racing the 24 of moab, but it is still very tenative at the moment.
Dicky won, that is so rad, it would be great if he could post after every stage, rich make your mark brother. I love his blog, it is always a hoot to read.
so that is the update, the monster cross parts are being purchased this week, and it should be rolling real soon. pic as soon as I get it built up. I am stoked. thanks again wade. as always keep pedaling.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
As promised an image of the tattoo that I got to remind myself that being sick was a part of the journey. Motivation "I will rise again" is what it says and I plan to do just that. I will return but even stronger than before. I have been getting more and more miles in, and feeling better. This is positive. The order of the day is to have fun. No fun is no fun. A little redundant if I do say so myself. There is a larger story to the tattoo, my best friend in high school is now a tattoo artist, this is some of his work. He was involved in a major accident 5 or 6 years ago that left him very damaged. He has since recovered, but to help him get through it all he got a sparrow crashing with the phrase " I will fly again" he restructured his life after his incident and became a tattoo artist, a dream of his. I am currently trying to find my way back, and have, while not job wise, but emotionally and spiritually reached a different level of understanding and being in the world because of my illness. I will soon have some more ink to show off as Brady is coming back to town for the Seattle Tattoo Convention in mid august. I am tossing around many ideas, but have not settled on one yet. www.inkademic.com
The parts for the monster cross bike are taking longer to acquire than I would like. It will happen when it happens.
On Saturday I went and rode the Sun Top loop near Crystal Mtn. Super steep climb followed by a ripping descent. I had been having brake problems for awhile, and the day before the ride thought I had it fixed so that I would at least have a back brake for the descent. The problem was it had leak some fluid and air was in the line, probably near the caliper, so you can imagine what happened by just adding some fluid it seemed to hold. I am on old Deore disc brakes that I have used for the last 3 seasons, they have seen better days. I just got some Avid juicy carbon brakes that will be on the Vulture tomorrow. I can not wait to use them. Power awaits me. Isn't it funny how new parts make you ride harder and faster than before, even if it is just a mental thing. I have some rides planned within the next couple of weeks, more on that later. Now just commuting longer distances to work and trying to stay ahead of it all. As always, keep pedaling.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
support...
We should all support Team Dicky, win the RaceFace ultimate challange. Why you ask? Well a little history is in order. Before I got ill, I wanted to do this race and had every intention of doing it. My body, mind and soul were decicated and it took a lot for me to back out. I had to. I just couldn't ride. This was real, I felt like I wanted to die, I couldnt ride 3 miles without getting tired. I kept thinking it would pass. Well it didnt. I am still recovering this year, I am getting stronger and can ride a bunch more, but I am no where near where I was. So with saddness I had to backout. Causing Rich of team dicky to have to find a partner with little time. I wanted to be part of the team, the first singlespeed team to ride and complete the trans rockies. I still am not happy with myself for dissappointing such a strong rider. It just doesnt sit right with me that I had to dissappoint a fellow cyclist. I dont quit, and felt weak in doing so, but I had to, I was a shell of what I needed to be. So rich I support you and am still sorry about letting you down last year. everyone needs to vote for team dicky. rigid singlespeeds in the trans rockies, what could be better. I ripped a local ride yesterday on the rigid singlespeed, sore today, but there is one way to get in shape keep riding rigid. I am rambling, I am still upset for last year, I have come to terms with it, but it just doesnt sit right with me. I would like to get to the trans rockies again. If my recovery goes right I will be strong again. I got this tattoo awhile ago to help me realize that I can do it, I can come back from being fucked up beyond all recognition. well I will post it when I get the camera back from my girlfriend. Again rich I am sorry for last year.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
riding.....
riding and hiking, and being away from all that connects us to the everyday. Last week I left for the Olympic Pennisula, to get away from it all, feel the sand on my toes and relax, or at the very least not do the same routine for a bit. Mission accomplished. I hung out with my dad, step mother and girlfriend. We did a lot of walking on the beach, there are some really amazing beaches out there. I went swimming on the first day, man was it cold, reminded me of being a child and spending time in the ocean in Maine. We went to the rainforest, we did at least 3 different activities a day. At times a bit draining, but all in all good. Did some riding on the trails out there, but so much of it is wilderness and we all know what that means, no bikes. I am feeling better on the bike, still not putting in the huge miles or hours, but more and more consistnet miles and hours each week. so that is a positive thing. This weekend will be a good test for me as we are planning to go ride the Sun Top trial, lots of climbing and then the next day the Ranger Creek trial, lots of climbing, all from the same camp. good times. about 20-30 miles a day with 4000 feet of climbing each day. this will be a test for me right now. old me would do it all in a day, recovering me will take it a little slower than that. We plan to explore a bit to see aobut connecting the crystal mountain loop in to it. The tripple crown of route 410, here in washington.
well all the fixie riders are out of the GDR, I was really looking forward to seeing them all cross the finish line, but alas, maybe next year some one will do it. Just showing up at the line on a fixed gear is amazing enough. Kent is putting on a ride for Dave Nice to raise money, I am hoping to have the monster cross bike built up and ready to ride that day, it is on the 30th of July, i hope that day is free, or I will have to clear it so that I can participate.
I hope that Rich and his teammate get in to the Trans Rockies. checkout racefaces site.
Get Cranked mag in your town. This is a local mag put out by some cool cats. You should get it in your town, or shop, or damn just get it.
well all the fixie riders are out of the GDR, I was really looking forward to seeing them all cross the finish line, but alas, maybe next year some one will do it. Just showing up at the line on a fixed gear is amazing enough. Kent is putting on a ride for Dave Nice to raise money, I am hoping to have the monster cross bike built up and ready to ride that day, it is on the 30th of July, i hope that day is free, or I will have to clear it so that I can participate.
I hope that Rich and his teammate get in to the Trans Rockies. checkout racefaces site.
Get Cranked mag in your town. This is a local mag put out by some cool cats. You should get it in your town, or shop, or damn just get it.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
lots on my plate.,....
It may be some kind of blessing in disquise that i have not been able, due mostly to life circimstances at the moment, read that I just moved, changed jobs, and have a house that I am trying to sell, that I have not been able to race this year. I am trying on a new hat, that everything happens for a reason. I got ill for a reason, it is supposed to teach me something, when I learn the lesson I will be able to move on, and maybe just maybe it will make me a stronger, better person, cyclist, human being. So each day I am looking for the silver lining, I hate to be that guy that used to be fast, used to be strong, used to be, I dont want to live in the past. Certainly all those experiences have helped me to grow and change and have been good, and are still part of who I am, but now I am who I am. I get to commute to work on a bike, that rocks. I dont get to mountain bike like I used to, but I am working on getting two or three mountain rides a week in, so far it has been about one. Last weekend the weather broke here, it was beautiful, what did I do, flew to reno on no sleep and cleaned my house up to get it ready to sell. Lots of work, but I did get to see the lake tahoe, some friends and eat the best sushi on the planet at Hiro's sushi in Kings Beach. silver lining. MInd you life is all about perspective and perception. I tend to see myself as less than right now when in some ways I am more than i was before, just in a different arena. I am not the mutant singlespeeder at the races, but I am coming back and I will rise agian, I am making plans, loose one for next year, and some for later this year, lets see what happens. I would like to do one tour, a couple big races, 100 milers, I would really like to get to Boris' 12 hour race. So I am coming back ever so slowly. I feel better on the bike, but I am also a bit more flexible in the training, and listen a bit better to the body for now at least. so there you have it, my brain fart of the day.
In other news I am feeling a bit sad today, Dave Nice aka Cellarrat, is out to the GDR his bike was stolen while he slept along side the road. I can not imagine how that must feel. Dave my heart goes out to you. there are a lot of people on your side and you will be rolling agian. Scott Taylor at a bike shop in Denver has set up a paypal account for those wanting to donate to get dave back and rolling. Lets show him we all care about him. Lets all be family, like we are. Those who ride should show a kinship. I found myself putting limits on it i.e those that have done a 24 hr race or this or that, but those who ride are part of a family. so those wanting to give should paypal money, any amount will help to scott@salvagetti.com
In other news I am feeling a bit sad today, Dave Nice aka Cellarrat, is out to the GDR his bike was stolen while he slept along side the road. I can not imagine how that must feel. Dave my heart goes out to you. there are a lot of people on your side and you will be rolling agian. Scott Taylor at a bike shop in Denver has set up a paypal account for those wanting to donate to get dave back and rolling. Lets show him we all care about him. Lets all be family, like we are. Those who ride should show a kinship. I found myself putting limits on it i.e those that have done a 24 hr race or this or that, but those who ride are part of a family. so those wanting to give should paypal money, any amount will help to scott@salvagetti.com
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
so awhile ago....
So awhile ago I wrote about fixed gear bikes are they the next hot thing. It appears they are, but is that necessarily a good thing. For those of you who dont know I am part of the Twin Six family. I like what these guys are about and what they are doing. I wont even try to pretend that I know the history of how messengers started riding these bikes. as part of a counterculture, those looking for the next thing to market may find it in the messenger culture. The rebels those who decide to live by their own rules.
I like fixies a lot, and after spending time on one it becomes very apparent why they hold such a dear place in the heart of those making a living delivering packages. They are simple, you are connected to the bike with your legs, thus minor adjusments in speed can be made with out using brakes, you are, at risk of making too mcuh out of it, one with the machine. So one of the other members of the twin six family wrote an opinion of the month about just the subject. The popularity of fixed gears and what it is doing to the messenger community in Milwakee.
I remember when skateboarding went big, it changed it, it made it harder to skate the streets because parks were built and why the hell werent we there. Similarly with the newspapers taking an interest fixed gear bikes they are brought in to the consiousness of all able to read the paper. The lawlessness of the machine gets highlighted. The law states that a bike must have breaks, most fixies dont, hence the long arm of the law now has some ammunition, and due to the exposure in the papers, they have the education of what to look for to determine what the bike looks like. So with the popularity comes the backlash. I am not a messenger, but riding fixed here in seattle certainly has its benefits, I dont ride fixed all the time and brakes can be tempermental, and minor adjustments to speed are not as easy to make, is it for everyone, no. Is it just for messengers, no. Just fly under the radar. Here is a link to James Lalonde's article, while your there poke around a bit. Keep it simple.
On a side note, I am selling a 26 inch rear wheel. new never been ridden. It is an white industries eno disc hub laced to a ritchey rim. unsure of spokes or nipples used in the build as it was built by my old team manager. if intertested make an offer,we will go from there. over and out, keep pedaling.
I like fixies a lot, and after spending time on one it becomes very apparent why they hold such a dear place in the heart of those making a living delivering packages. They are simple, you are connected to the bike with your legs, thus minor adjusments in speed can be made with out using brakes, you are, at risk of making too mcuh out of it, one with the machine. So one of the other members of the twin six family wrote an opinion of the month about just the subject. The popularity of fixed gears and what it is doing to the messenger community in Milwakee.
I remember when skateboarding went big, it changed it, it made it harder to skate the streets because parks were built and why the hell werent we there. Similarly with the newspapers taking an interest fixed gear bikes they are brought in to the consiousness of all able to read the paper. The lawlessness of the machine gets highlighted. The law states that a bike must have breaks, most fixies dont, hence the long arm of the law now has some ammunition, and due to the exposure in the papers, they have the education of what to look for to determine what the bike looks like. So with the popularity comes the backlash. I am not a messenger, but riding fixed here in seattle certainly has its benefits, I dont ride fixed all the time and brakes can be tempermental, and minor adjustments to speed are not as easy to make, is it for everyone, no. Is it just for messengers, no. Just fly under the radar. Here is a link to James Lalonde's article, while your there poke around a bit. Keep it simple.
On a side note, I am selling a 26 inch rear wheel. new never been ridden. It is an white industries eno disc hub laced to a ritchey rim. unsure of spokes or nipples used in the build as it was built by my old team manager. if intertested make an offer,we will go from there. over and out, keep pedaling.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
In theory....
I should be able to post more. But life takes over and I even have trouble getting an email off to old friends. Some may say I need to learn to manage my time, but after being sick I have a new found appreciation for doing things in their time. Some things just take longer than you wish they did, but then again perfection is not possible. Or is it? Does it really matter, imperfect may be perfect. Well I wont bore you with that babble of new age nonsense. New age or not things just happen when they happen and that has to be good enough. Dream and figure out the details later. Or maybe the dream is just good enough. There I go getting all new age again. Or is it just matter of fact. Ring a bell Pete. Peter Peter the...... Well those that were there can finish the rest of that sentence, or should I say adult nursery rhyme. I'll give you a hint think one with the natural order of things. Good times. So enough with the inside jokes.
My dad and step mom are in town.
Raam is about over, and the great divide race is about to happen. Good luck to Dave, matt and rudi, representing the fixed side off life. The build is in effect just trying to get all the right parts here. The color is exactly what I asked for. Wade really is the man, I can not wait to get out and hit the trials fixed. I am concerned that I will spend too much intimate trail time, i.e face in the roots, dirt, mud or what have you. And how will my body hold up over the miles, more so how bout the legs.
On the health front I am feeling better, and better, but still not whole. I almost said better, but that wouldn't have made a lot of sense. Here I go again. When ever I say that phrase"here I go again" I cant help but being reminded of Whitesnake, a car and a red head in white wrything around on the hood of a car. Yes I am feeling my age right now a victim of growing up in the 80's. "on my own goin down the only road I've ever known, like a twister I was born to walk alone, I made..... So I am riding more, and more miles, thank god for Whitesnake, not really, it reminds me of being on an endless climb with a wander mind and having that filling it urging me on faster and faster in an attempt to make it hurt so bad I forget about the stupid sound loop that I am playing in my mind. Oh I have spent many hours with Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train in my head, and I cant say I always enjoyed it. I have played whole albums in my head during a race before. Its tolerable in a race, but in real life at work it can push me over the edge. Back to the world
so hopefully the off road fixie, I haven't yet named her, with be internet ready here in about 2 weeks. Sorry for the delay. I know you are all just holding your breath in anticipation. Well don't. I hope everyone finds the humor in that sentence and doesn't label me some kind of ego maniac.
So family is the theme this week, my parents are here, keiths parents are here. I am told father levitt went down on the road and has some battle scars. Heal up, heal up.
I rode trails again rigid and am thinking about staying that way for awhile. cialis really works. haha, rigid is simple, roots hurt and line selection is key. I imagine if I get really accustomed to it going back to a suspension fork will only increase the fun. Its all about skill building. So I have more energy and am dreaming of racing again, but probably not until next year, I don't want to rush anything, and only then for pure shits and giggles.
Looks like Rich of team dicky had a rough weekend, next time my man, next time.
so the weather looks to be getting better and soon I am hoping that life will stop taking over and I will have time to really get out and ride and recover. Patience it never has been my strong point
My dad and step mom are in town.
Raam is about over, and the great divide race is about to happen. Good luck to Dave, matt and rudi, representing the fixed side off life. The build is in effect just trying to get all the right parts here. The color is exactly what I asked for. Wade really is the man, I can not wait to get out and hit the trials fixed. I am concerned that I will spend too much intimate trail time, i.e face in the roots, dirt, mud or what have you. And how will my body hold up over the miles, more so how bout the legs.
On the health front I am feeling better, and better, but still not whole. I almost said better, but that wouldn't have made a lot of sense. Here I go again. When ever I say that phrase"here I go again" I cant help but being reminded of Whitesnake, a car and a red head in white wrything around on the hood of a car. Yes I am feeling my age right now a victim of growing up in the 80's. "on my own goin down the only road I've ever known, like a twister I was born to walk alone, I made..... So I am riding more, and more miles, thank god for Whitesnake, not really, it reminds me of being on an endless climb with a wander mind and having that filling it urging me on faster and faster in an attempt to make it hurt so bad I forget about the stupid sound loop that I am playing in my mind. Oh I have spent many hours with Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train in my head, and I cant say I always enjoyed it. I have played whole albums in my head during a race before. Its tolerable in a race, but in real life at work it can push me over the edge. Back to the world
so hopefully the off road fixie, I haven't yet named her, with be internet ready here in about 2 weeks. Sorry for the delay. I know you are all just holding your breath in anticipation. Well don't. I hope everyone finds the humor in that sentence and doesn't label me some kind of ego maniac.
So family is the theme this week, my parents are here, keiths parents are here. I am told father levitt went down on the road and has some battle scars. Heal up, heal up.
I rode trails again rigid and am thinking about staying that way for awhile. cialis really works. haha, rigid is simple, roots hurt and line selection is key. I imagine if I get really accustomed to it going back to a suspension fork will only increase the fun. Its all about skill building. So I have more energy and am dreaming of racing again, but probably not until next year, I don't want to rush anything, and only then for pure shits and giggles.
Looks like Rich of team dicky had a rough weekend, next time my man, next time.
so the weather looks to be getting better and soon I am hoping that life will stop taking over and I will have time to really get out and ride and recover. Patience it never has been my strong point
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
What am I supposed to learn....
I am trying to come up with one of those life is.... sayings to sum up in a few words succinctly how life has been feeling lately and am at a loss for the correct words. There is the ever present and over used "life happens" which to me describes just that. This life that we lead comes with inherent resposibilities and they happen, is one definition. Things take longer than we as a collective want them too. Plans change. Schedules change. What is the saying "the best laid plans fail, fall short" something. Life has a way of providing road blocks, or challanges, puzzels if you will to slow us down, and possible teach us lessons. That is if we listen and pay attention. Patience is a Virture. How many more uphemisism can I throw in here. Anyways life tends to throw situations our way to teach us more about our selves and just quite possible more about the collective human condition. We are as much as I hate to admit it only human after all. I would love to be mutant freak, and not bound to the same collective restrictions, but at the end of the day, I am faced with the fact of being a human after all. Sometimes while out riding in traffic I feel above it all and on another plain, but then I get to work and have to deal with boss, and the customers and all of this has a way of bringing me back to earth. There is simple not enough hours in the day to do everything I wish that I could do. So being part of the collective is the answer and understanding personal motivation may help me understand the motivations of others and might just possible make it easier to come to terms with being human. Well now that i have totally made no sense and danced from topci to topic, a glimpse in to how my brain works, I will attempt to describe what is happening.
Communication, now I think I am quite good at it, but as of late that has most definately not been the case. The real question is: Is it what I say or might it be what I expect people have heard. So Sunday we went for an what was supposed to be an epic ride and that is was, but not for the same reasons that i initail thought. I was under the impression that the route had been ridden in its entirety and therefore would not involve exploration. wrong. first 6 miles amazing ups followed by amazing downs, then lots and lots of fireroad, gravel road and pavement with many stops all the time lost. oh yeah then some hike a bike insert 2000 vert in under a mile and a half. riding in 6 inches up mud more being lost. ok you get the point. a 3 to 4 hour expected ride turned in to a 8 hour where are we going fest. But we got back on track adn the final descent was out of this world.
Tuesday: The day I was supposed to get my bike frame back from the painter. Car trip to, lots of traffic. Frame looked awsome paint just what I wanted. had a long conversation when I dropped it off about taping of the head badge, understood, 1 of a kind,etc etc. Well you can imagine where this is going. Head badge got painted. fuck, now they have to re do it. there is an hour and a half wasted in the car, for a conversation I thought was well understood, it was noted every where.
I wont bore you with more, but that is they way it has been going. What am I supposed to learn, not so sure, but under all this I am looking for the silver lining. because there is always a silver lining under all things, or am I just supposed to change my level of expectation, ask more questions and maybe be that guy, the guy that asks to many questions and wants to control the outcome too much. This post was less bikeing related and more just a vent if you made it this far you are a trooper, if not you really missed out. as always keep pedaling and enjoy
Communication, now I think I am quite good at it, but as of late that has most definately not been the case. The real question is: Is it what I say or might it be what I expect people have heard. So Sunday we went for an what was supposed to be an epic ride and that is was, but not for the same reasons that i initail thought. I was under the impression that the route had been ridden in its entirety and therefore would not involve exploration. wrong. first 6 miles amazing ups followed by amazing downs, then lots and lots of fireroad, gravel road and pavement with many stops all the time lost. oh yeah then some hike a bike insert 2000 vert in under a mile and a half. riding in 6 inches up mud more being lost. ok you get the point. a 3 to 4 hour expected ride turned in to a 8 hour where are we going fest. But we got back on track adn the final descent was out of this world.
Tuesday: The day I was supposed to get my bike frame back from the painter. Car trip to, lots of traffic. Frame looked awsome paint just what I wanted. had a long conversation when I dropped it off about taping of the head badge, understood, 1 of a kind,etc etc. Well you can imagine where this is going. Head badge got painted. fuck, now they have to re do it. there is an hour and a half wasted in the car, for a conversation I thought was well understood, it was noted every where.
I wont bore you with more, but that is they way it has been going. What am I supposed to learn, not so sure, but under all this I am looking for the silver lining. because there is always a silver lining under all things, or am I just supposed to change my level of expectation, ask more questions and maybe be that guy, the guy that asks to many questions and wants to control the outcome too much. This post was less bikeing related and more just a vent if you made it this far you are a trooper, if not you really missed out. as always keep pedaling and enjoy
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
6/6/06
that was yesterday. I had a great day, while enjoying the Supersuckers live I heard the greatest thing about the whole 6/6/06 thing he was talking about telling his mother about the day this and that and she said "its just stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid. it like the easter bunny, santa claus and all that, and if it werent for that stupid movie the omen(the first one) no one would even know about 666." I had a good chuckle and just thought I would share that little moment with you.
So yesterday I participated in an alleycat race, in the daylight this time, with two stops, I did better but made some navigation errors. I really dont care how fast you are if someone can plan a better faster route than you they will win, that is unless you take the same route. I am still new to this city and the checkpoints are not always the easiest for me to find. That said this is how it all went down. The race was to start at 6pm at 666 stewart st. a fiction address. As riders started to appear from traffic we moved to a near by park, those that knew the promoters call them and they eventually showed up. 6 dollars was paid, and we were given 3 tickets, one for a beer, one for a hotdog and the other a raffle ticket, that was for a PBR bike. We crossed the street to a parking lot the 1st checkpoint was announced and we were off to Mobius Cycles. This is where the fun begins, just after 6 in downtown traffic we tore off, splitting lanes, running red lights, as you can imagine when 45 riders take off at once headed to the same place just a short jaunt away mahem is the order of the day. Not havign been to mobius I hung back a bit and followed we made it there in no time, ran up two flights of stairs, did a shot of the nastiest burbon ever, got a cd, and back to the bikes with the next checkpoint, where 520 and the arbortetum meet. Here is where I made a slight navigation error, avoidign climbing up and over to Madison I went towards the udistrict and around, slight navigation error. More running of red lights and going all out. I was aboard the fixie so top speed was a little limited but not much. Arboretum, bridge to no where, chug a rainer, grab a doll part and off to the Summit ale house. Not know where that was I mad the biggest error of the day and went all the way up to the top of Captial Hill instead of around it and up the other side. I ended up 6th, the winner, VT SEth was get this on a BMX bike. 36x12 gearing, but none the less on a bmx bike. oh the shame. AFter that I waited around, met the cadence clothing guy and then went off to the supersuckers and Zeke show. good times were had by all. Cant wait to do another.
So yesterday I participated in an alleycat race, in the daylight this time, with two stops, I did better but made some navigation errors. I really dont care how fast you are if someone can plan a better faster route than you they will win, that is unless you take the same route. I am still new to this city and the checkpoints are not always the easiest for me to find. That said this is how it all went down. The race was to start at 6pm at 666 stewart st. a fiction address. As riders started to appear from traffic we moved to a near by park, those that knew the promoters call them and they eventually showed up. 6 dollars was paid, and we were given 3 tickets, one for a beer, one for a hotdog and the other a raffle ticket, that was for a PBR bike. We crossed the street to a parking lot the 1st checkpoint was announced and we were off to Mobius Cycles. This is where the fun begins, just after 6 in downtown traffic we tore off, splitting lanes, running red lights, as you can imagine when 45 riders take off at once headed to the same place just a short jaunt away mahem is the order of the day. Not havign been to mobius I hung back a bit and followed we made it there in no time, ran up two flights of stairs, did a shot of the nastiest burbon ever, got a cd, and back to the bikes with the next checkpoint, where 520 and the arbortetum meet. Here is where I made a slight navigation error, avoidign climbing up and over to Madison I went towards the udistrict and around, slight navigation error. More running of red lights and going all out. I was aboard the fixie so top speed was a little limited but not much. Arboretum, bridge to no where, chug a rainer, grab a doll part and off to the Summit ale house. Not know where that was I mad the biggest error of the day and went all the way up to the top of Captial Hill instead of around it and up the other side. I ended up 6th, the winner, VT SEth was get this on a BMX bike. 36x12 gearing, but none the less on a bmx bike. oh the shame. AFter that I waited around, met the cadence clothing guy and then went off to the supersuckers and Zeke show. good times were had by all. Cant wait to do another.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Monster cross history...
This is my brief understanding of what a monster cross bike is: a bike that accomadates up to 44 or 45 cc tires, on 700 rims, usually has drop bars, can be geared, single or fixed, but for the most part is of the one speed variety. The term was coined by wade as far as I know as a way to talk to costomers about what they were asking for and to have a common ground for discussion, with them. Here is a link to an mtbr fourm talking about it: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?s=763305814b65232ac5dbe4005990e599&t=192307
As for the story of mine and how it came to be. I ordered a bike from wade, the skull bike, just over two years ago, a 29er single. I was hooked on the vulture, best ride I have ever had. Wade really works some magic. At the time I wanted to help promote Vulture cycles, to help spread the gospel, but there existed no merchendise to do so. I took it upon myself to help a brotha out, I had shop jackets, hats and socks made for wade and vulture, with Jessica, wades woman, we had wool jersey made recently, so it is coming together. Wade wanted to show his appreciation so he presented me with a frame of his choosing, a monster cross frame with no rear brake boss and a front disc brake. I am forever greatful, and eager await getting it back and built up so I can take an off road fixie ride.
My health not being what I wish it was will keep those trips relatively short for the time being, but I think that it will be another great way to enjoy the trails, and challanging at the same time. I have yet to get the parts totally down, but I am going to keep it simple. It is probably only a few short weeks until I get to have a ride report for everyone. I need to get out and enjoy the local trails soon. Life has been happening and keeping me from getting out as much as I would like, but sometimes thats just the way it is.
As far as the post about irony it was just an observation, as are many things posted on this blog, it is a way for me to put things in perspective, sometimes my writing is my thoughts as they come out, I sure do wish that all my parents ability to write had been passed down and I could put thoughts to paper or in this case thoughts to screen in a more artistic manner, but then again this is practice to becoming a better writer, it is fun, it will be fun to look back on. Memories. All the hats we wear throughout life, all the experiences life is so dynamic, and I have these great thoughts and ideas and sometimes I hit the mark and can express them and other times what I imagine things and ideas to sound like is nothing like what they come out like. Life is not a spectator sport. sorry for all the cliches. Irony exists, and what was said the other day was just half a thought, and as dave nice said we do have to pay for tires and bike parts that were shipped half way around the globe, and like he said, beign aware is more than most people are doing, it is a starting point. as always keep pedaling.
As for the story of mine and how it came to be. I ordered a bike from wade, the skull bike, just over two years ago, a 29er single. I was hooked on the vulture, best ride I have ever had. Wade really works some magic. At the time I wanted to help promote Vulture cycles, to help spread the gospel, but there existed no merchendise to do so. I took it upon myself to help a brotha out, I had shop jackets, hats and socks made for wade and vulture, with Jessica, wades woman, we had wool jersey made recently, so it is coming together. Wade wanted to show his appreciation so he presented me with a frame of his choosing, a monster cross frame with no rear brake boss and a front disc brake. I am forever greatful, and eager await getting it back and built up so I can take an off road fixie ride.
My health not being what I wish it was will keep those trips relatively short for the time being, but I think that it will be another great way to enjoy the trails, and challanging at the same time. I have yet to get the parts totally down, but I am going to keep it simple. It is probably only a few short weeks until I get to have a ride report for everyone. I need to get out and enjoy the local trails soon. Life has been happening and keeping me from getting out as much as I would like, but sometimes thats just the way it is.
As far as the post about irony it was just an observation, as are many things posted on this blog, it is a way for me to put things in perspective, sometimes my writing is my thoughts as they come out, I sure do wish that all my parents ability to write had been passed down and I could put thoughts to paper or in this case thoughts to screen in a more artistic manner, but then again this is practice to becoming a better writer, it is fun, it will be fun to look back on. Memories. All the hats we wear throughout life, all the experiences life is so dynamic, and I have these great thoughts and ideas and sometimes I hit the mark and can express them and other times what I imagine things and ideas to sound like is nothing like what they come out like. Life is not a spectator sport. sorry for all the cliches. Irony exists, and what was said the other day was just half a thought, and as dave nice said we do have to pay for tires and bike parts that were shipped half way around the globe, and like he said, beign aware is more than most people are doing, it is a starting point. as always keep pedaling.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Ironic?
the other day I had the pleasure of driving my bike to the powder coaters, such irony in driving to do bike related stuff, but to ride the frame there would have taken more time than I had. I always find it a little akward to put a bike in a car and drive it someplace close by. I can't really even justify putting my road bike on my car burning some petro to get to another place to ride my road bike on roads. There is just something about it that seems so counter productive, so just not the thing to do. Of course to sample somesweet singletrack I just about have to put my bike on a car and drive, this I have come to terms with, I would really love to live someplace again where this was possible. In Reno I could leave my house and be on trails in 5 mins or less, same in tahoe. Here in seattel I have to drive a minimum of an hour to get to some worthy trails, and longer a lot of times. So there is irony that I have to use gas to enjoy my bike, if only cities where designed with bikes and offroad use in city. Think about it systems of trials in greenbelts, less roads and more dirt, it could have been possible, and there is probably some way to have more trials in city, it just takes shifting towards allowing bikes in parks, and making bike specific trails. I know I am dreaming but with out dreams where are you really. Back to my above point, there is irony in the fact that we as cyclist think that we are doing much more than the average citizen and are somehow better, that our riding of bikes somehow cuts down on our gas consumption, when in fact at times we burn more gas to get to those places that we want to ride our bikes. The only trips that conserve or cut down on our gas consumption are those that replace a trip that we would have taken in a car. Think about it. I am in no way advocating that we dont go riding or that we are bad for this, it is just there is inherently some irony in the whole equation. My current riding partners and I always car pool, as two of are for the most part carless ourselves, that leaves one or two others to do all the driving. but it eases my mind to know that we are not all driving to the trailhead individually. That is what I thought about as I drove my girlfriends car to the powdercoater on Friday, and I will have to drive back to get it when it is done.
So the rain is still here, will it ever stop for a good stretch of time I hope. I have a few pics of wade building my bike that I may put up later, I may just wait until it is powdercoated and built and then share all stages of pic that I have. there you have it.
So the rain is still here, will it ever stop for a good stretch of time I hope. I have a few pics of wade building my bike that I may put up later, I may just wait until it is powdercoated and built and then share all stages of pic that I have. there you have it.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
return from bend
Well it was an amazing time. It brought back so many memories. It threatened rain, but only sprinkled, and I got to spend lots of time by a blazing fire telling stories, listening to others tales, laughing hesterically, and riding my bike with many, many great people. First off bend has some of the greatest trials, singletrack nirvana perhaps. I get lost as soon as I get on the trial system, there are just that many, all of them fun all of them fast, and swoopy. is that a word. So enough about that here is the real story.
I had four days away from seattle, got up friday morning feeling just awful, had to go to a doctor, met a really cool naturopath/doctor who had more time for me than any doctor I remember in the past and actually was a real person, no white coat, no stuffy attitude and most off no waiting forever in the waiting room and then the paient room. Community medicine rocks. So we were off and even on schedule, we did however wake up much earlier than expected. Truck was packed to the gills. dogs, bikes, camping stuff for days we were ready to hit the open road, a bit of traffic, memorial day weekend and all, so we detored down the washington side of the gorge and hit up a little brewery, Walking man, I really love their beer, got to meet Bob and Jacob the owner and the brewer, and sample some great beer, everything they brew is over the top good. The old stumblefoot barely wine, the homo erectus ipa, the knukledragger pale and on and on. Good break on the drive down, off to bend we went, more traffic in and underpowdered early 90's two wheel drive toyota and we finally arrived at 7 pm, set up camp and quickly headed to get some food in town. Lets just say that the weather was ditinctly not warm and we had forgot a few key items, what to do but make do, nothing a large camp fire wont solve. Then it was off to bed.
Day 2
we had friends from Seattle that were making their way down so we went in to town got coffee, tried to get ahold of the Vulture, did get ahold of the Vulture, got directions and headed out to his land. A short trip out of town and we were there, I got to see his new shop, look at what was a tube set but with his magic would shortly be a frame and fork, watch him craft my fork. I spent some quality time with wade. he happens to be one of my favorite people and he seemed more foucused and directed than I had seem him, amazing what your own space will do for you, we joke about getting older and more focused and what it all looked like. Wade has some great ideas and projects in the works, if only I lived closer I would love to be more invloved, but I digress. Back at the camp site to wait for our friends to arrive. They pull up we unload the bikes and are off. The trails are awsome did I say that already, up Stormking, a few brake problems for Pete, down the Whoops trail, Keith nailed it, the worlds largest bmx course, so much fun, 24 miles later we are back at camp after some pioneering and some wrong turns we made it. We all decieded to stay put and enjoy the camp and fire, a few beers and then off to bed.
Day 3
There was rumblings of a 50 miler to which I flat out said no. We as a larger group took of from camp, and made our way up the trails. Now riding with a group of 20 is a little bit of a challange so eventually the group splits those that are going for 20 and those that are going for more. Everyone says the trail that those going for more are headed towards is amazing, well I sit the fence as person after person goes, I can no longer say no to it, you only live once right. Well I am sick and still on the mend and this would later come back to get me. I have to chase back on to the group, I do. Then comes a grinder up a climb with a headwind that is like riding on marbles, I had to glue my ass to the saddle or I was a sail and my rear end wouldnt hook up. Finally Marazik, hike some snow on the top section and then, oh my god so much fun, cornering speed and hook up amazing, we were flying down the trail. Seemingly endless. finally we navigate back to a place I recognize, 35 mile in, I ride a couple more and then call danielle to come get me. I havent done this before but I had been without water and food for an hour and my body was telling me to get to town and get some food so that is what I did. Wise I shovled in so much food and got myself feeling better.
Later that night Wade shows up with his girlfriend Jessica we tell stories, wade I will never forget the monkey story, I am glad you told it. Remember this if someone ever says oh I got a monkey story, listen up you are sure to laugh and laugh hard. He brings me my raw frame, and off road fixie with no rear brake bosses, a true monster cross frame. wade you rock, amazing. i cant wait to ride it. I am in the process now of getting it powder coated and then it will be shred ready. I cnat wait. picture soon. i am such a terrible picture taker, I love photography I just always space taking picutres. next time, next itme
Monday, day 4
the most beautiful of them all, we go check out Skelaton cave, the bend brewery and head home. arriving there a little after 11pm. Back to the day to day. Thanks to all on this trip it was truely amazing and it was great to see you all. over and out and as always keep pedaling.
I had four days away from seattle, got up friday morning feeling just awful, had to go to a doctor, met a really cool naturopath/doctor who had more time for me than any doctor I remember in the past and actually was a real person, no white coat, no stuffy attitude and most off no waiting forever in the waiting room and then the paient room. Community medicine rocks. So we were off and even on schedule, we did however wake up much earlier than expected. Truck was packed to the gills. dogs, bikes, camping stuff for days we were ready to hit the open road, a bit of traffic, memorial day weekend and all, so we detored down the washington side of the gorge and hit up a little brewery, Walking man, I really love their beer, got to meet Bob and Jacob the owner and the brewer, and sample some great beer, everything they brew is over the top good. The old stumblefoot barely wine, the homo erectus ipa, the knukledragger pale and on and on. Good break on the drive down, off to bend we went, more traffic in and underpowdered early 90's two wheel drive toyota and we finally arrived at 7 pm, set up camp and quickly headed to get some food in town. Lets just say that the weather was ditinctly not warm and we had forgot a few key items, what to do but make do, nothing a large camp fire wont solve. Then it was off to bed.
Day 2
we had friends from Seattle that were making their way down so we went in to town got coffee, tried to get ahold of the Vulture, did get ahold of the Vulture, got directions and headed out to his land. A short trip out of town and we were there, I got to see his new shop, look at what was a tube set but with his magic would shortly be a frame and fork, watch him craft my fork. I spent some quality time with wade. he happens to be one of my favorite people and he seemed more foucused and directed than I had seem him, amazing what your own space will do for you, we joke about getting older and more focused and what it all looked like. Wade has some great ideas and projects in the works, if only I lived closer I would love to be more invloved, but I digress. Back at the camp site to wait for our friends to arrive. They pull up we unload the bikes and are off. The trails are awsome did I say that already, up Stormking, a few brake problems for Pete, down the Whoops trail, Keith nailed it, the worlds largest bmx course, so much fun, 24 miles later we are back at camp after some pioneering and some wrong turns we made it. We all decieded to stay put and enjoy the camp and fire, a few beers and then off to bed.
Day 3
There was rumblings of a 50 miler to which I flat out said no. We as a larger group took of from camp, and made our way up the trails. Now riding with a group of 20 is a little bit of a challange so eventually the group splits those that are going for 20 and those that are going for more. Everyone says the trail that those going for more are headed towards is amazing, well I sit the fence as person after person goes, I can no longer say no to it, you only live once right. Well I am sick and still on the mend and this would later come back to get me. I have to chase back on to the group, I do. Then comes a grinder up a climb with a headwind that is like riding on marbles, I had to glue my ass to the saddle or I was a sail and my rear end wouldnt hook up. Finally Marazik, hike some snow on the top section and then, oh my god so much fun, cornering speed and hook up amazing, we were flying down the trail. Seemingly endless. finally we navigate back to a place I recognize, 35 mile in, I ride a couple more and then call danielle to come get me. I havent done this before but I had been without water and food for an hour and my body was telling me to get to town and get some food so that is what I did. Wise I shovled in so much food and got myself feeling better.
Later that night Wade shows up with his girlfriend Jessica we tell stories, wade I will never forget the monkey story, I am glad you told it. Remember this if someone ever says oh I got a monkey story, listen up you are sure to laugh and laugh hard. He brings me my raw frame, and off road fixie with no rear brake bosses, a true monster cross frame. wade you rock, amazing. i cant wait to ride it. I am in the process now of getting it powder coated and then it will be shred ready. I cnat wait. picture soon. i am such a terrible picture taker, I love photography I just always space taking picutres. next time, next itme
Monday, day 4
the most beautiful of them all, we go check out Skelaton cave, the bend brewery and head home. arriving there a little after 11pm. Back to the day to day. Thanks to all on this trip it was truely amazing and it was great to see you all. over and out and as always keep pedaling.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
off to bend
I am off to bend oregon to hang out with the vulture, hopefully ride my monster cross off road fixie, that is if wade has put torch to metal and worked his magic, and continue to celebrate my birthday. I know it was on the 12th but I turned 32 and that means 32 days of celebration. There is a posse from reno coming up, been a long time brothers and sisters and another posse coming from the land of rain and sunshine that I now call home. So not that I have been blogging that much anyways, I really liked the last post so I wanted to leave it up front for awhile. Not much is different although we have been dealing with a bit more grey than sun lately, and the weather forcast is calling for thunder boomers in Bend, but I am going to have fun no matter what.
As far as my health energy comes energy goes some days are better than others, it gets old, still transitioning from one place to the next, life is always in motion, ever changing. I am planning to get my in city race on here in a bit, there is a big art show coming up sponsored by reload bags, that has a race with it and on the holiday of all holidays 6.6.06 there is a race to celebrate one of my all time favortie bands slayer. The new summer Cranked mag came out, the boys sure have been busy, it is full of great info and articles. So the end of may and early june are full of things to do, work is work after all, it pays the bills, although getting home at 3 every night gets a bit old and wears on the system, not the greatest for the recover angle of things. But I digress, I will rise again, as always pedal pedal pedal, and keep pedaling.
As far as my health energy comes energy goes some days are better than others, it gets old, still transitioning from one place to the next, life is always in motion, ever changing. I am planning to get my in city race on here in a bit, there is a big art show coming up sponsored by reload bags, that has a race with it and on the holiday of all holidays 6.6.06 there is a race to celebrate one of my all time favortie bands slayer. The new summer Cranked mag came out, the boys sure have been busy, it is full of great info and articles. So the end of may and early june are full of things to do, work is work after all, it pays the bills, although getting home at 3 every night gets a bit old and wears on the system, not the greatest for the recover angle of things. But I digress, I will rise again, as always pedal pedal pedal, and keep pedaling.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Is it the next thing to go commercial?
I have always had a knack for choosing those things in life that are on the fringe, but on the way in to the mainstream? Dare I say trend setter? no, that I am not, I just choose things that speak to me, and are with principal not what others or the mainstream is doing. As a kid in the 80's it was skateboarding, watching skate flicks and being influenced by Lance Mountain, Tony Hawk, Danny Way, Gator, the Gonz etc. California Dreaming was a state of mind, if only I could have grown up on the other coast I'd think. I skated for years, traveled and got quite good, never could fully commit to moving and got talked in to going to college, but always my focus was my passion for attempting, and completing tricks or series of tricks or one huge gap. I learned the meaning of calculated risk, the value of perseverance, pain, passion, dedication, through skateboarding and skateboarders I learned much of what I know in one way or another, it defined me and to some extent does to this day. I still look at benches and ledges and the whole urban landscape totally differently than most, I imagine the possibilities, It is a playground, not just a city. Life throws changes at us all the time, most of the time I apporach these the same way in which I would a trick on a board, observe, try and try again, until you get it. So there you have it, but I must get back on track here. So while looking around the net I stumbled on this www.mashsf.com I have watched many of Gabes films in the past, and it looks like he is taking the next step in urban bike films, filming them like skate films, check out the trailer it is impressive, it has that rebel undertone to it, very marketable, read that with sarcasm please. That comment however brings it full circle, fixed gear riding is with rising gas price, trails being so far away, the next market to be pushed in to the lime light. I admit there is nothing like splitting lanes in traffic on a fixie, all your sense are engaged, it is one of the most alive moments, at times it is almost as though you have a glimse in to the future because you have to be that confident or you wouldnt be doing what you are doing. I am going to continue to do what I do, maybe one of these days I will get it together enough to captialize on my forward thinking nature, or maybe I will just live life day to day doing what makes me happy and what comes my way comes my way, I am me at the end of the day and that is really what matters, that and spreading the gospel of riding, so if urban fixed gear is the next skateboarding I am so happy because that means more people on bikes and at the end of the day more people on bikes is the best thing that could happen in this country. As I have maintained from the begining we will change the world one pedal stroke at a time, as gas prices climbs I will continue to smile as the inevitable is one step closer, more people will figure out the simple joy of riding a bike one pedal stroke at a time. thanks for reading. as always keep pedaling.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Sun top Exploration
ON monday we took a ride towards Crystal Mountain to in theory ride the Sun top trail. I ahve been told that the sun top trail is quiet the epic, a long steep fireroad climb, followed by a steep single track climb and then a descent that goes on forever. I have been told to think of cramping fingers from so much braking. MOre please. We had a big snow year here in the northwest and everything was looking good untill we hit about 4,000 feet in elevation that is where the snow closed in on the road. We contemplated hiking but we had a ways to go and although I have never ridden it, the other two people I was with had and they said not worth the effort. I have never been a huge fan of hiking my bike, if I liked to hike that much I wouldnt have a bike. Nothing against a little walk in the woods, but lets face it a whole lot more can be seen and taken in from the seat of a bike. So we turned around bombed down the fire road, and rode the Skookum Flats trail. Which i rode about a month and a half ago, but it was much drier and faster this time. In this same area there is also the Ranger Creek trial, and crystal mountain is not too far off. I plan to find a way to link all three and attempt to complete them in one ride. I am confident that if my fitness keeps improving that I will be able to do this by the end of the summer. I think the ride will be somewhere in the 75 mile area, with gobs of steep northwest climbing. But given my past endevors I think that I could get it done. I plan to know all the loops before I link them all together, not need to be route finding while going for time. I hope that the sun stays out up here, it has been absolutly amazing this week, highs in the 70's, and sunny. Almost makes me forget about the rain. not really. So I have been getting more and more miles, I am averaging over a 100 a week and up to 150 which I think is good considering where my body, mind and soul were last year at this time. Lots of road miles, and geared to boot, but there is one way to get back in shape, carefully, and by taking steps to get there, not big jumps. So although I would like to be out there for more miles, I am happy with what I do get. Hopefully next year will be different. But that is next year I am here and now. ONly about 10 days until I leave for bend to hang out with a lot of good people. I am excited about this. over and out and as always keep pedaling.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
life happens....
Life happens and I have not been blogging at all. In fact I havent really been spending much time on the computer. The weather here has been great for the most part, except the one day I went mountain biking at a local tree farm when it was pouring down rain. my new vulture jersey got broken in that day, the white is a little browner now. That ride done with my friend pete was one probably the second wettest mountain bike ride I have had ever been on. I thought for a bit that it may be the wettest, but there was a race in napa that I did years ago that was colder, wetter and more open to the elements. I digress. Lots has been happening. Work, ride, repeat. I have a job interview today with one of the local bike clubs to be a bike ambassador, sounds like it could be interesting and fun. How could it not be fun to advocate for bikes?
Twin six kit came. the argyle jersey is a crack up. I get plenty of comments while wearing that one.
Planning for Memorial Day Weekend, going to Bend Oregon, to see some friends and get plenty of riding in, right from my campsite. I can not wait. See the Vulture, sloane and many others. Looks like the REno clan is coming up to. Ill be taking photos and maybe trying to get a flickr site up and going here so that photos can be avalible all the time.
On the fitness front I am feeling a bit better, still taking it easy, but increasing the hours on the bike as well as the milage. I have even hit 15o miles in a week a couple of times. Not what it used to be, mostly utility miles running errands and the such.
Seattle is taking some adjustment for me, I still dont feel totally at home here, I have to drive to get my singletrack fix, which is not the way it was, this takes some getting used to. My friend base is growing, but not what it was in Reno. Speaking of Reno, trying to sell the house down there, the overhead is a bit much right now, and the renters that we had moved on so it is becoming too much work from so far away.
Got a new fork, and wheelset for the skull bike, thinking about getting some new skull rotors to match the bike.
Everything else is as it is. I used to laugh when my parents talked about how fast time seems to fly by as you get older, well it is picking up steam and I see what it is they were saying. I fight the urge of complacency, trying to make the days different and the experiences new, I see a bike tour or extended trip in the near future, for some perspective, some time to put it all together or to not have to feel the urge to figure it out, to just ride and pedal and experience the moment, the grandness that is living. I am about to turn 32 in a couple of days, I may have to do some sort of challange on my birthday to make it stand out. I do realize more and more that I lead a pretty unique life. The other day while riding in the rain, my chamois feeling much like a diaper that had been soiled, my face caked with mud it occured to me that not everyone gets it, we, those that are adventures seek out difficulty situations and activities, istead of searching for the easiest path, the one of least resistence. At that moment I smiled and it felt great to be alive. I search out moments that make me feel alive, and search for the edge, last year I push over that edge, I could turn and run, or I could learn and continue to test the limits knowing that the potential to fall is always there, but we humans a reslient and we get back up, and we move on, forward, why because what else is there to do. Lie down and die, become complacent and comfortable. we all need some comfort and a place to go home to, but I like to be out there alive, an intergral part of the world. So I have rambled on a hope to have made some sense. This is not meant to be a polished peice of work, just a brain dump. So get out there and be alive. Peace be with you and as always keep pedaling.
Twin six kit came. the argyle jersey is a crack up. I get plenty of comments while wearing that one.
Planning for Memorial Day Weekend, going to Bend Oregon, to see some friends and get plenty of riding in, right from my campsite. I can not wait. See the Vulture, sloane and many others. Looks like the REno clan is coming up to. Ill be taking photos and maybe trying to get a flickr site up and going here so that photos can be avalible all the time.
On the fitness front I am feeling a bit better, still taking it easy, but increasing the hours on the bike as well as the milage. I have even hit 15o miles in a week a couple of times. Not what it used to be, mostly utility miles running errands and the such.
Seattle is taking some adjustment for me, I still dont feel totally at home here, I have to drive to get my singletrack fix, which is not the way it was, this takes some getting used to. My friend base is growing, but not what it was in Reno. Speaking of Reno, trying to sell the house down there, the overhead is a bit much right now, and the renters that we had moved on so it is becoming too much work from so far away.
Got a new fork, and wheelset for the skull bike, thinking about getting some new skull rotors to match the bike.
Everything else is as it is. I used to laugh when my parents talked about how fast time seems to fly by as you get older, well it is picking up steam and I see what it is they were saying. I fight the urge of complacency, trying to make the days different and the experiences new, I see a bike tour or extended trip in the near future, for some perspective, some time to put it all together or to not have to feel the urge to figure it out, to just ride and pedal and experience the moment, the grandness that is living. I am about to turn 32 in a couple of days, I may have to do some sort of challange on my birthday to make it stand out. I do realize more and more that I lead a pretty unique life. The other day while riding in the rain, my chamois feeling much like a diaper that had been soiled, my face caked with mud it occured to me that not everyone gets it, we, those that are adventures seek out difficulty situations and activities, istead of searching for the easiest path, the one of least resistence. At that moment I smiled and it felt great to be alive. I search out moments that make me feel alive, and search for the edge, last year I push over that edge, I could turn and run, or I could learn and continue to test the limits knowing that the potential to fall is always there, but we humans a reslient and we get back up, and we move on, forward, why because what else is there to do. Lie down and die, become complacent and comfortable. we all need some comfort and a place to go home to, but I like to be out there alive, an intergral part of the world. So I have rambled on a hope to have made some sense. This is not meant to be a polished peice of work, just a brain dump. So get out there and be alive. Peace be with you and as always keep pedaling.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
mission accomplished...vulture jerseys retrieved
so heres the story, bear with me as it might be a long one, depends how many details I put in. So my vulture jerseys were supposed to arrive last friday, they didn't. On monday and tuesday every time the Fed ex truck, the UPS truck or any big truck that matter was heard or drove by I was like a little kid, thinking that they would magically arrive. That never happened and just like having the Santa taken out of Christmas I was upset. NO time to get too upset though, true to form I forged ahead, contacted Jessica, and Fed ex. Here is where my blood starts to boil, Fed ex informs me that they delivered them to the address on the package, and that I need to contact the shipper. I say what addresss is that. the curt lady informs me that it was delivered to 511 99th st nw, to which I respond that address doesnt exist. Well Ill give you some background info here. my address is 5119 9th ave nw area code 98107. NOw Ill continue. "How did you get that and could you please take me there?". no. and we got it from usps we check all our address. So I get on the computer type in that address and bam, it gives me 511 sw 99th st area code 98106. "Yes sir that is the address we delivered it to, the correct address."
Are you fuckin kidding me, "that certainly isnt the right address and I am sure the deliveryguy must have known he was in the wrong part of town. so now that you have changed the zip and the nw to a sw would you not stop to think that maybe things should be reconsidered?' Sir we delivered it to the correct address, you could go to that address and see if they have it? this line of banter goes on for a bit before she transfers me to her supervisor/customer advocate, who finally listens to me and orders a package retreval.
Thursday I get a call from her, bad news we were not able to get the package. So I go about ordering up some new jerseys from chad at portland cyclewear, who is cool, gives me break and that is that. Well not really, not being a person that lets things go easy, the next day, Friday, a whole week after they are delivered I decide that I will ride the 15 miles to where they were delivered and see if I have any luck. well luck was on my side. I arrive after some navigational difficulty at the aforementioned address, to find a guy working on his car and his wife just about to enter the home. I introduce myself, tell them the story, they say they know of now such package delivered by fed ex, but they got this yesterday about a package pickup and were confused, tried to call but only got voicemail. they agree that I should be pissed off, we exchange numbers and they say they will talk with the roomate when he gets home. I thank them and feel that there still is some hope, maybe I will get them back. fast forward 2 mins, she calls back asks for me and says they found the package on the floor in the roomates room, and to boot it is unopened, could this be any better. So I zip back retreval the package, thank them and leave. she asures me that she is gonna kick the roomates ass. sweet. So I got my jerseys, mission accomplished, jersey extraction complete. Here is a pic, not the thinest I have ever been. I must add that the jerseys are sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet. So remember sometimes it pays to persevere, but then again most cyclists out there already know that.
Are you fuckin kidding me, "that certainly isnt the right address and I am sure the deliveryguy must have known he was in the wrong part of town. so now that you have changed the zip and the nw to a sw would you not stop to think that maybe things should be reconsidered?' Sir we delivered it to the correct address, you could go to that address and see if they have it? this line of banter goes on for a bit before she transfers me to her supervisor/customer advocate, who finally listens to me and orders a package retreval.
Thursday I get a call from her, bad news we were not able to get the package. So I go about ordering up some new jerseys from chad at portland cyclewear, who is cool, gives me break and that is that. Well not really, not being a person that lets things go easy, the next day, Friday, a whole week after they are delivered I decide that I will ride the 15 miles to where they were delivered and see if I have any luck. well luck was on my side. I arrive after some navigational difficulty at the aforementioned address, to find a guy working on his car and his wife just about to enter the home. I introduce myself, tell them the story, they say they know of now such package delivered by fed ex, but they got this yesterday about a package pickup and were confused, tried to call but only got voicemail. they agree that I should be pissed off, we exchange numbers and they say they will talk with the roomate when he gets home. I thank them and feel that there still is some hope, maybe I will get them back. fast forward 2 mins, she calls back asks for me and says they found the package on the floor in the roomates room, and to boot it is unopened, could this be any better. So I zip back retreval the package, thank them and leave. she asures me that she is gonna kick the roomates ass. sweet. So I got my jerseys, mission accomplished, jersey extraction complete. Here is a pic, not the thinest I have ever been. I must add that the jerseys are sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet. So remember sometimes it pays to persevere, but then again most cyclists out there already know that.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
more riding less typing
Last week was a little hectic, both at work and with spring there is more riding happening. Hence the lapse. Friday was awsome, took the day off, drove down to Portland for their film festival, which rocked. Laugh out loud funny, and lots of social commentary. Cranked mag guys were there, and I met the organizer. What a day trip. It rained cats and dogs the whole way down. We went to the early show, next year the late one is the way to go. I took pictures which will follow. Sunday went on a 30 mile road ride, felt good. Dinner plans sunday night, a bit out of control, we had a blast though. Monday was super nice, so I was domestic and built garden beds out front of the house for a bit, then rode Tiger Mtn. Tiger just opened for the season and I have heard good things. Bunches of climbing, typical North west climbing too, steep. Typical NW decsending too, wet and rooty. Cant wait to ride it again. Have you ever noticed that cold water slows the firign of the quads down. I am lovign my bike more and more. Why are more people not on 29ers I just flow over things with ease. Go out and ride one. Smooth like butter. smooth. So today I am supposed to get my Vulture jerseys, so I did yard work and waited for them to arrive, sadly they have not yet. I have heard so much about them that I want them now. It has now been 4 days since they left bend, that doesnt make much sense to me. Patience is a vitrue and I have little of it right now. So life is happening, and posting is not. Again I will try to get more pictures I just get so focused on riding that I forget about photos.
what bike event would be complete without it.
What blog? Miichael of Cranked mag, Jason was there too.
The early show line. I took night shots, but they just didnt come out that great. Notice the tall bike. Thanks for viewing and as always keep pedaling.
what bike event would be complete without it.
What blog? Miichael of Cranked mag, Jason was there too.
The early show line. I took night shots, but they just didnt come out that great. Notice the tall bike. Thanks for viewing and as always keep pedaling.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
riding in the rain...
We went riding in the rain, when moving here I thought I might have issues riding in the rain, not so much on the road, as I have covered that angle throughout the winter months, but on the mountain bike. It is different and on a single it can be a real grind, no chain suck to worry about though. So we rode in Capital Forest, which I was hoping would be super fun. Well the initial climb was awsome tight single track twisting through the very wet forest, roots, rocks all the usual suspects to content with. We were only vaguly following a route that was supposed to be fun. We got lost for a bit as the directions were a little vauge, finally on track we descended moto trails that were just filled with rocks, and trenched out. Red mud that stuck to everything. A 3 or 4 hr ride turned in to an all day affair, and I arrived home 5 hours late. I still loved the company I was in, but not the trails. Snowpack go away so we can ride some epic loops. Looks like Sea Otter was a mess. My friend Dusty got 6th, congrats to him. Scott Fiefield my old trianing partner won the 40 -45 year old class, congrats to him. Me still on the mend, and Sea otter is not my favorite race anyway, so much a road course. Oh almost forgot, David, I will butcher your last name, yakatus finished 9th in the semi pro class, big ups. So I spent the day cleaning the bike today, it took awhile. I am searching for road cranks at the time, mine are bent and it is time to get some new ones aboard the bike. i would like to get some fsa carbon road cranks, bling, bling. I have a fixie project waiting in the wings, I cant wait, and am making plans for the labor day weekend, bend and oakridge I hope. Looking to take friday off to head to Portland for some movie aciton. that and there is a talk I would like to go to here at REI during the day. decisions or maybe both. enough rambleing. time for a power nap before work. as always keep pedaling.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
jersey update
Looks like they have arrived. hope I get mine soon. cant wait. hopefully this link works. that all for now. over and out. I just love wool. keep pedalin
Friday, April 07, 2006
planning for my birthday..
Looks like the celebration wont take place on my birthday, but will happen on Memorial Day weekend, hoping to travel to Bend, hang out with the Vulture, check out his new shop, and have a good time. Ride the trails of Bend and then head on over to Oakridge and ride some of the trails there. Life happens and May is shaping up to be a busy one, with Danielles sister and kids in town, Street Fair in the U district, think lots of drunk college kids reeking havoc. Well at least thats what I am told. The brewer is putting some heavy hitters out for the Craft Brewers Guild that is coming to town, big, big beers. A Belgium Trippel, Trombibulator, original brewed to celebrate the 500th brew at the Big Time. Decade, original brewed to celbrate the 10th anniversay, Emeritus brewed to celebrate the return of a former brewer and to celebrate our 17th anniversay, and on and on.
Filmed by Bike might make its way to SEattle, it is happening April 15th down in Portland and may make it this way later in the summer. This would be good. I am looking at taking a part time job promoting bikes for the Cascade Cycling club, we will see if it fits in to the schedule, might make things a little hectic. I am getting really excited about all things bike again. I am making my commute longer and longer I hope to be up to about 20 miles a day just for the commute here real soon, currently I range from 10 to 20 depending on the day and how I am feeling, still easing back in to it all. Been out on the fixie a bit more and looking in to going fixed off road, and would love to be racing a little cross on the fixie if everything falls in to place. From Wades blog it looks as though the jerseys will be in by the time he leaves on vacation. I hope that he sends them out before he leaves. I really cant wait to get em. Twin Six stuff should be here really soon, I like the argyle jersey the best. Oh that reminds me to get a photo and post it here real soon, argyle is the theme. Oh time to stretch and things and then head out the door for a ride prior to work. I like the sun being up in the sky later and later. Tiger MOuntain opens up on the 15th, its a local ride 11 mile loopy thing that feels like a ride as opposed to a twisty go in circles like some other places. Summer, summer summer, rock on and as alway keep pedalin.
Just remembered that I wanted to put a link to these cats riding tall bikes around england. I am super impressed and their website is quite fun to poke around, I will keep myself tuned in to what they are doing.
Filmed by Bike might make its way to SEattle, it is happening April 15th down in Portland and may make it this way later in the summer. This would be good. I am looking at taking a part time job promoting bikes for the Cascade Cycling club, we will see if it fits in to the schedule, might make things a little hectic. I am getting really excited about all things bike again. I am making my commute longer and longer I hope to be up to about 20 miles a day just for the commute here real soon, currently I range from 10 to 20 depending on the day and how I am feeling, still easing back in to it all. Been out on the fixie a bit more and looking in to going fixed off road, and would love to be racing a little cross on the fixie if everything falls in to place. From Wades blog it looks as though the jerseys will be in by the time he leaves on vacation. I hope that he sends them out before he leaves. I really cant wait to get em. Twin Six stuff should be here really soon, I like the argyle jersey the best. Oh that reminds me to get a photo and post it here real soon, argyle is the theme. Oh time to stretch and things and then head out the door for a ride prior to work. I like the sun being up in the sky later and later. Tiger MOuntain opens up on the 15th, its a local ride 11 mile loopy thing that feels like a ride as opposed to a twisty go in circles like some other places. Summer, summer summer, rock on and as alway keep pedalin.
Just remembered that I wanted to put a link to these cats riding tall bikes around england. I am super impressed and their website is quite fun to poke around, I will keep myself tuned in to what they are doing.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
cant think of a good title...
I am drawing a blank for what to put at the heading of this post. The Vulture has a new blog, seems the old site was overly labor intensive and blogspot was a much better option. So I am making plans for my 32nd birthday, I would like to get away and do some epic riding down in Oakridge, home of the CreamPuff, with some friends. Drink some beer and do some epic rides with some good friends both old and new. If not I will do something up here to ring in my 32nd year of existence on this planet, and hopefully the best one yet.
Looks like monday we will rally and go to Capital forest down there in Olyimpia for some climbing and good times. Dont know what route we plan to follow, but lets just hope we dont get too lost.
Deadly Treadlys a London Bike messenger band play a live set on the Jack Thurstons radio show, the bike show,check his blog out here, go to itunes and listen to the show. Looks like some tall bikers are going for a tour as well, I'll have to give that a listen too.
Not much else going down, other than remember my sea ottter downfall last year, laying in bed before the race wonder what the fuck I had done to my mind, my body. NOw I think that I am seeing the light at the end of a very dark tunnel, one I hope never to encounter again. So it has been a year almost to the day and a long road it has been. I would love to be in down sitting on the beach in MOntery, California sun would be nice, that and seeing alot of friends that I have not seen in some time. Life is a constant adjustment. well enough of that. times are good. as always keep pedaling, and the world will change one pedal stroke at a time.
Looks like monday we will rally and go to Capital forest down there in Olyimpia for some climbing and good times. Dont know what route we plan to follow, but lets just hope we dont get too lost.
Deadly Treadlys a London Bike messenger band play a live set on the Jack Thurstons radio show, the bike show,check his blog out here, go to itunes and listen to the show. Looks like some tall bikers are going for a tour as well, I'll have to give that a listen too.
Not much else going down, other than remember my sea ottter downfall last year, laying in bed before the race wonder what the fuck I had done to my mind, my body. NOw I think that I am seeing the light at the end of a very dark tunnel, one I hope never to encounter again. So it has been a year almost to the day and a long road it has been. I would love to be in down sitting on the beach in MOntery, California sun would be nice, that and seeing alot of friends that I have not seen in some time. Life is a constant adjustment. well enough of that. times are good. as always keep pedaling, and the world will change one pedal stroke at a time.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
spring is here....
Spring is here the weather is getting better and better and with day light savings upon us we have more time with the sun. I have been looking at loops and rides to put together up here in the washington area. There are so many. The other day I had the pleasure of riding Skookum Flats, what a fun ride that was. Lots of roots and very technical lines. Smiley and I launched a or 4 foot drop on the trail at speed, and there were other technical lines that got my heart racing, I rode just about every line up hill and all the downhill lines. Right in that area there are two other rides, Ranger Creek? and Sun Top I would like to hook all three together for one epic loop, and quite a long time in the saddle. Later this summer it will happen. So as you can probably tell I have been feeling better, stronger and more rested. Still the focus of this year is to explore and have fun, with racing taking a back seat. However I do plan on attempting some races I am just unsure of which ones and how many. All depends on the amount of time I can get away from work and all. It is great to have my bike bringing me fun again, it has been a year since I went down for the count. Sea Otter was my last real race, and I felt like death warmed over there. Recover has been a slow road, with many lessons and has been very humbling. I need to keep the feeling close so as not to ever get there again. I need to trust in the journey and have faith in the process. Words to live by in more than just the cycling arena. I have my meditation back, it keeps me grounded this cycling, it keeps me foucused on the good and the positive. I am glad to have found cycling even if it happened at 6 years ago when I was 26. better late than never. More adults and children for that matter should get out on bikes, commuters, mountain bikes, just get out there and breath and be in the moment. While riding Skookum there was never a place to be out of the moment because if you were you paid, it was so much fun. I can not wait to get out there and do it again. Live to ride, Ride to live. as always keep pedaling.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
sorry for the lapse
I have been finishing the house, not mine, but my girlfriends parents, and working at the Brewery. NOw my life is mine again, but due to the push I have to recover a bit before I get some longer rides in. I keep thinking that it has been well over a year since I got sick when really it has been no longer than 10 months since my finally demise. Seems like a fucking eternity, and this recover thing is like learning to ride all over again, because let me tell you I never want to feel the way I did again and still do sometimes, this thing this overtraining syndrome sucks. I know I can and have the desire to ride long distances with lots of suffering, my body just doesnt want to do it yet, so like I said it is like learning to ride again. I have to be happy just riding, 40 miles is a long ride for me, where as before I would be just getting warmed up. I am good for about 2 to 3 hours at the most and on the mtb 1 1/2 is about as long as I can go. I am learnign to reward myself for even being able to do that, in my mind it just seems so small, I want those huge 60 mile mtb rides, on want road rides that last half a day, without feeling like I am going to die. Soon enough for now it is learning to be ok with baby steps, baby steps is the moto of the day. Some days I feel so weak and stupid for doing this to myself, could I have not seen the signs? I am a driven individual and dont do well just resting, but I must trian myself to be good at resting as that is my salvation at this time. I am also only 31 I have many years ahead of good cycling, many years. Perspective helps. Although I still wish this whole thing had never happened it is so mental frustratign and challanging to stay positive, however that is the challange in the whole situation, to find a way to come to peace with it, to nuture and respect the moment and give thanks for the little things. easier said than done, but none the less is anything worthwhile easy? So I am resting, mother nature is helping by providing ample amounts of rain, which make it easy to be inside, sun shining makes it harder because I feel I should be out there enjoying it. well that is all for now. I will attempt to post more regularly now that I have more time, more unstructured me time. good times. as always keep pedaling.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
I see light....
at the end of the tunnel of work right now, even if it is only for a brief moment. It has been unseasonable cold, sunny and dry here, which has dried the trails out. On sunday I went to an area called Tolt Mcdonald, one short steep climb and then a twisty maze of trails. I got lost more than one might imagine, rode the same trails in opposite directions and even the same for a bit before the spidey senses kicked in and told me that I had been here before. I should have brought the camera, I always forget to get photographic evidence of my adventures. Maybe I will put a post it note on the door that just says camera. I must admit that sometimes my memory fails me. Last year around the same time I had been there with Kent Peterson, we also got horrible lost for a bit. Last week was a lite bike week and a heavy off the bike week, thank god the construction is almost over, they move in this weekend, that also means lots of work this week to get the house finished. Thursday is a fundraiser for SOS, so no snowboarding this week. Hope to get at least one more Mtb ride in this week, am aiming to get one a week in on Sundays usually. Soon I hope to get back to volunteering with the trail building effort under the I 5 here in the city. I am excited to explore this summer, camping, and ripping some new trail.
Speaking of this summer I am going to attmept to get some other items in the works along the lines of this, or this.
Can you believe this, I cant imagine what we are thinking, I am open minded, but this stikes a little close to home, why are our ports controled by anyone other than a us company, I believe that we need to be in control of our own ports, when will the madness stop. How did we get to this point, soon if this all keeps up we may have no control over our borders, I ask with unemployment and all the other social ills is it really smart to give away jobs and control to foreign companies. The more I read and learn the angrier I get, I am sorry, but we need to be aware, each and every one of us. I cant stress this enough. No wonder other nations laugh at us we are more concerned with Britney Spears and K fed or Nick and Jessica than we are with those things that really shape our future. One possible answer that I have come up with is that we no longer feel that democracy is working, we no longer feel that we as a citizen can make a difference. ah yes we are consumers not citzens. Cynical, sarcastic, my defense mechanisms for the state of the nation. I have always thought about getting involved, maybe this will be the year.
In lue of recent events, these have a special place in my heart. order your today.
Speaking of this summer I am going to attmept to get some other items in the works along the lines of this, or this.
Can you believe this, I cant imagine what we are thinking, I am open minded, but this stikes a little close to home, why are our ports controled by anyone other than a us company, I believe that we need to be in control of our own ports, when will the madness stop. How did we get to this point, soon if this all keeps up we may have no control over our borders, I ask with unemployment and all the other social ills is it really smart to give away jobs and control to foreign companies. The more I read and learn the angrier I get, I am sorry, but we need to be aware, each and every one of us. I cant stress this enough. No wonder other nations laugh at us we are more concerned with Britney Spears and K fed or Nick and Jessica than we are with those things that really shape our future. One possible answer that I have come up with is that we no longer feel that democracy is working, we no longer feel that we as a citizen can make a difference. ah yes we are consumers not citzens. Cynical, sarcastic, my defense mechanisms for the state of the nation. I have always thought about getting involved, maybe this will be the year.
In lue of recent events, these have a special place in my heart. order your today.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
busy busy busy
So I have been riding a bit more, with gears no less, so that I can get in longer rides with less muscle fatigue. May sound like an excuse, but in my opinion it lets me be on the bike with less risk of over doing it, which is good. Gears only on the road, still one off road. Hoping to get out Sunday with some folks to do a little sampling of the local flavor. Looks to be sunny. We have had lots of sun, and cold, the wind is coming straight down from alaska, unseasonably cold and sunny. I have just been commuting in it though to and from two jobs. It is a bit tiring to work construction during the day and standing on my feet all night at the bar slinging great beer, the construction will end soon thank god, as the weather has been nice and all I have been doing is slaving away. Moderation has never been my strong point, isnt that what got me ill in the first place, so the riding has suffered and so has the recovery a bit, although I put sleep on a high priority, I have even been catching a cat nap here and there to get through the day. So tonight it is off to the hills to teach snowboarding, I have over extended just a bit, but it will suss its self out real soon, hence only the words lately no time to surf the net and get links and pictures etc. I will work on this. Planning for the summer, riding and camping and maybe a few races, nothing definate though, I am keeping it open, next year I would like to be a bit more focused, but that is too far off to plan for right now. Life takes awhile to settle in to, with the move and different job and relationship, right now I am just happy it looks to be smoothing out a bit. hope to take some pictures on sunday, maybe too in to the ride though, we will have to see. as always keep pedaling.
Monday, February 13, 2006
a step in the right direction
I have been throwing around the idea of how to effect change in this crazy reactive world that we live in. I say reative as opposed to proactive, which I wish we would start being, the distint disadvantage to being proactive that if it stops the terrible end result, then it is a sucess, but there is no proof that what you did had any effect. Hence our fasination with only reacting at the last minuete. This group is attacking the suv, and demanding hybrid energy effecient cars be built, which is a step towards where we want to be. However the larger issue which we dont really want to look at is that the cars we drive are only a part of our dependence on foriegn oil. We rely on it for food production, cotton production, pesticides, and just about anything else you can think of. Mind you the above is a very short list of our relience on oil. The creation of hybrids will slow down the rate at which we consume oil, but there is the problem, it will do nothing for such things as congestion and sprawl, two of the major problems with our car dominant culture. IN fact it may only make things worse, as people will move further out of the city, because they are driving fuel effecient cars. I think that more money needs to be put in to alternative forms of transport, I would like to see taxes be put on the driver of the vehicle not the entire society, I would like car free zones in cities, and open spaces for recreation etc. I know that there are issues with some of the ideas that I am putting forth here, but everybody has a reason for having their car, and yes we as a society are set so that it is harder to move around with out a car, and yes the fact that i am fit makes it easier for me to advocate for cycling, that and the fact that I dont have to be dressed up when I get to my job, or to see clients, so there is a need for steps to be taken away from cars, baby steps, and yes more fuel efficency is a good thing, if people dont just drive more because they are saving on gas, the age old the more you make the more you spend paradigme. So I leave you with this, think of one obstacle and a solution to that obstacle and work to change it. Right now I am coming up with a birthday challange for myself that centers around these such things. My 32nd birthday is in May hopefully I can come up with something monumentous by then if not,it will have to wait until next year. Health comes first and I have a lot on my plate right now, but the seed is being planted. Baby steps, even if it starts with one day a month alternative transportation, do it. YOur mother earth will thank you for this. Reduce Reuse Recycle and Simplfy, ask yourself do I really need to do it the way I always have, what small thing can I change, I bet you will find that it is not that hard, the hardest part is just getting out the door. 90% is in the mind, once at it, you will see that it is not as hard as you may have thought, and I could be wrong but I doubt it. Alternative transportation has the ability to change so many things other than just congestion, childhood obestiy, our obesity problem. The real question is how to make it appealing to not be in a car in a car dominant society. Heres to gas price increases which will have a dramtic effect on all things, but will motivate people, as the age old saying goes hit em where it counts. Back to the larger issue our dependence cars, it is an infastructure problem, combine with the fact that other options are not conviently avalible. We as a society and community must analyze all these things and work towards change, locally and globally. I for one would like to leave a legacy that my children are proud of, not one that they have to clean up after. I am a huge advocate of personal responsibity, a ideal that we as a society have lost touch with, but that is another rant all together. I know I am prone to ranting and raving about the issues. We are startign a garden in front of our house, and working to do somethings to create a sense of pride and ownership in our small couple of blocks. More on that later. Stay strong and as always keep pedaling. If anybody wants some really good stickers that are political in nature, check these out and print them out yourself.
Vulture profile
This will be a quick one, I will add to it later, check out a the link to read about the Vulture himself. Good job Gonter. I can not say enough good things about Wade, he is down to earth and a friend to all. He has always welcomed me in to his home with open arms, and usually a cold PBR or a cup of coffee. The man is one of my favorite people. Like I said above I will expand later, the world out there is calling me out.
Monday, February 06, 2006
quick one....
Green seems to be every where. Tour of California, zero emmisions, check it out. Clif bar rocks. very forward thinking. So is patagonia, and many others. It is possible to run a profitable, sustainable business in this day and age, lets keep advancing towards living in natural harmony with the world, the information is out there, you just have to look for it and really take a look at the way you live, your subconcious thoughts and break molds. The superbowl will take care of its gases by planting 1,000 trees for the second year in a row. Looks like we are getting the point. no drilling in alaska, think less cars too. lets change the way we live a bit here. think less is more. yin yang all of that. cliche. oposites. rage on. green seems to be the new catch word.
settling in
Well it seems that lifes transition is well still in transition. I am working on myself, on my relationship with myself and my partner and on finding out what really makes me happy. I am trying out being night bartender/ manager at my old job, well that starts tommarrow, but what I am really working for is a meaning, a purpose. Until overtraining it was racing, now that seems to be a season off at least, and then probably in a different light, it has really brought me face to face with finding what I really want to do with my life. I am defining much right now, I am up to the challange, I am embracing all the little changes that go on, most of the time. I always thought as a kid that I would have it all figured out by now, I wasnt going to be like my parents who I thought were not suceeding, I was going to show them. Lets just say I have a different perspective on all that right now, on what it means to be an adult, and the choices and sacrifices that they made. As with all fasets of life you have a choice everyday to invent or reinvent your life, you are not stuck with any one path, mind you changing direction mid flow is not the easiest choice but as with all aspects of our human existence we have choices. Not making a choice to change or to search out your path is still making a choice. Action reaction. I have many ideas many things that I am pursueing for the summer. I am not going to sit idle by and watch it all pass thinking that I have to do anything other than make a plan to where i would like to go and know that along the way there will be lessons learned and with new information comes new decisions. As a 5 year old I made a pact that I knew better, and that I would have stuck it out and how could it have been that bad, speaking of my parents divorce, I saw all in black and white, I was going to have the answers before I lept, well in my mind that has held me back. I wanted to know for certain that it would be a certain way before I went, not on all things but the real big life things. I wanted to have a purpose for every move, for ever action, to have a reason. I have not really picked a career, not that I have to, I have said no to marriage, to kids, mostly out of fear of repeating my parents mistakes. That way the rightous kid inside can be right, can prove that he had the answers, that he didnt make the same mistakes. Might I ask myself if that is really a full life. I have done many things, had many experiences, taken risks, I have lived at full speed most of the time. I am in no way saying that I have been timid in my persuit of life, and having a life, I am just saying that I am in a tremendously defining time and I am willing to challange those personal views and assumptions that I made and that is what is taking most of my energy. I want to be free of these assumptions so I am not putting myself under the pressure to race right now so that I can define why it is I really race, I want it to be for me, not for outside praise. I want to be proud and humble and happy all at the same time as doing some really amazing things and while living an unconvetional existence. So if you are still reading this thank you. I hope that it has made some sense, as I am just getting it all out right now, just having one of those brain dump moments where it just helps me to type and get it all out of my head. My friend said that after he overtrained he went through a huge defineing time, now I know what he was talking about. Like I said a while back, I am sure after this is all over I will say it was very positive, just riding out the rapids right now. rage on and as always keep pedaling, for a better existence, for yourself, for health or fun, for meditation, just pedal on my friends.
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