so i about too..

go on a rant, cycling related but not really. Those of us that ride for pleasure should also ride for utilitarian reasons as well. I have been wanting to see Al Gore's movie and titled An Inconvient Truth for awhile now. Sunday I had the pleasure of doing so. I consider myself quite aware of global warming and its issues, and I learned and was inspired by this movie. Inspired to get involved in any way that I can. Global warming is a touchy subject, there are those who say "it doesn't matter, it is all twisting of fact, we are not doing damage" and there are those that say " it is too late to do anything, so why bother." I think that we are at a very critical time, that things are going to change, we are quite possibly change the way we live. America has a great opportunity to stand up and make an example out of itself, if the government wont do it then the people will have to do what the government is unwilling to do. I could go on and on. Do yourselves a favor, see the movie, especially those of you out there that think we as americans can continue to live as we do for the remainder of time. Please do yourselves and your fellow americans a favor, go and see this film. Check out this site as well.
Swobo is going to be making bikes.
Cadence clothing is in the process of getting jeans made. Dustin is also putting out some great one of a kind clothing. I had the pleasure of hanging out with him on friday for a few hours, watching him do tricks on his fixie, like one foot over the bar skids, reverse circles, well you get the picture.
I have been tossing around my own t shirt ideas and some other stuff, i have been getting parts ready for the monster cross bike. Brandon , www.trackdaddy.blogspot.com , wants to put on and endurance race here in washington, I would love to see this happen and have offered my assistance,etc.
we should all give thanks for having cycling in our lives, it is a great honor to be in your ranks. Cycling has brought me friends, like skateboarding did years ago, before skateboarding got so big that we as skaters didn't instanly bond. I get that bond now from cycling. I think that we as cyclist should feel connected just because we ride. I sometimes feel that we dont feel this bond, as I get snuffed by riders, but I consider them the unlucky ones and choose to focus on people like Dustin and Micheal and Justin and all the others I have met that are instantly brothers. This is my message to you. be a brother or sister to all those on bikes, bikes are part of the next revloution. as always keep pedaling.

my first race in awhile

my first race in a while was yesterday, at the greenwater gamble. It was the 7th race in the Indie series, a washington race series that starts in February and finished yesterday. Greenwater is a small town up near Crystal mountain along Hwy 410 it is home to some of the greatest trails in the area. The Sun Top trial, Ranger creek, noble knob, the crystal mountain loop. This used some lesser known trials, as well as part of the sun top loop where used in the race course. It was a great race course, lots of roots, lots of twisting and turning, some hike a bikes you get the picture. Originally we were supposed to complete a start loop and 3 large loops, they changed it to one start loop and 2 large loops for the single speeders. We caved in very easy to the change. I had not exerted myself at race pace in a long while, so the shorter distance was welcomed. There were 5 of us in the singlespeed class. It was hot, and muggy. We started a 2pm. and were off down a flat gravel road for a bit. spun out. single track brought relief, that and passing. I had planned not to gas it, but that went out the window as soon as we started and I was in full race mode. I almosted paid for this, but began to settle in towards the middle of the second and last lap. I almost went for the third lap, just because but decided that I must build slowly back to race fitness, and I knew that I could do it, but it is better to ease back in to it all. I was happy to finish in 1 hour and 36 mins and in first place. However on the first lap I was chasing another guy who flatted at the top of the climb at the entrance to the single track and that helped me out, because I think he may have been the stronger rider. After the race we enjoyed the river and then head home. It was a sucessful test and gave me a bit of confidnece in my fitness.
Today I am going to see Al Gore's movie An Inconvient Truth, I have been wanting to see this movie for awhile. I am convinced that we need to be aware and respectful of the world in which we inhabit and that changes in lifestyle are coming.
Next weekend I am headed towards Spokane to ride with my friend matt, he has some good loops planned for us. he will kick my ass, and it will be good times.
as always keep pedaling.

so i dont really have and excuse...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.