Gimme Dat Bike!

Fuck Lance Armstrong

2011-03-16T13:56:00.001-07:00

IMG00093.jpg

2011-01-10T09:38:00.001-08:00

You have a Picture Mail from bucobuildingcons01@pm.sprint.com

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Send and receive Pictures and Videos through Picture Mail^SM. For more information go to www.sprint.com/picturemail.

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2011-01-10T06:52:00.001-08:00

Snow day

do this

2010-11-22T10:53:00.000-08:00

"http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=11994"

when sex, drugs and rock n roll wasn't just a pose

2010-09-22T18:05:00.000-07:00

ouch

2010-08-10T18:26:00.001-07:00

me likey trippy videos

2010-07-29T13:55:00.000-07:00

Django Django WOR from DJANGO TV on Vimeo.

IMG00483.jpg

2010-04-30T09:30:00.000-07:00

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new videos

2010-04-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

me likes this video for the clutchy song "verbal headlock"

Clutchy Hopkins - Verbal Headlock from Ubiquity Records on Vimeo.

...and if you haven't seen the new video for m.i.a.'s "born free" i would suggest you not - it's fucking disturbing.

do it

2010-04-27T08:45:00.001-07:00

Fw: Bici Coop 1 year anniversary party/race

2010-04-27T05:31:00.001-07:00

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-----Original Message-----
From: Alan Barton <alan@bicicoop.org>
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2010 23:52:54
To: <alan@bicicoop.org>
Subject: Bici Coop 1 year anniversary party/race

Hey guys,
The Bici Bicycle Cooperative is throwing our 1 year anniversary party/
race this Saturday night. Attached is our flyer. If you could post it
on your respective blog/email list that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Singletrack World » From The ST Archive: Deathspiral of Design

2010-04-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

Singletrack World » From The ST Archive: Deathspiral of Design

Paris Roubaix and Pina Coladas

2010-04-12T06:56:00.000-07:00

They go together well. Spartacus, you make me remember why I fell in love with road cycling. Tomke, not so much.

It's almost time for the overtaking of the jcc by poison ivy, what will I do? Maybe invest in a ton of round up...weedeat now?

Has anyone else noticed some half constructed "secret trails" at the J? I have and they look badass.

Ouachita Race Report

2010-04-07T14:04:00.000-07:00

Nicky Meatballs is all in a fuss cuz I aint writ nothin' about my trip to r-kansas. So, here it is in all of it's english slaughtering brilliance:

First of all, let me thank my wonderful sponsor...Jacquelyn Marshall for providing the necessary permit and child watching duty needed for a man with childrens to go and do this.

I left work at 12 on Fri and headed northwest to the tiny mountain village of Oden, Ar. If you've never been there before think western NC without all of the half assed kitchy tourist crap...mostly. Along the way stopped to pick up a 40 oz. Budweiser...because they are so elusive to Alabamians. I only picked up one because this was a real mission to finish the damn race that beat me this year.

I made it to Oden on one tank of gas around 7:30, arriving at the small community school that is basecamp for the challenge. A few folks had tents set up in the grass parking lot. I brought my tent not knowing what the weather would be like or if camping was cool. The weather was good, so I setup nest to a cat from St. Louis whose name escapes me. Walked over to the school and got my registration packet along with Phil and Mr. Meatball's. Once the formalities were out of the way, I made it back to the tent for a delicious everything bagel/turkey sandwich paired with a fine 40 that was calling me home. Well 40'd up it was tent time.

Woke on Sat. morning to around 260 tour riders gearing up for departure. I walked to the gym for a nice pancake breakfast and watched the tour riders start. I read the local paper while basking in the sun with a cup of coffee for a while. After this, I thought I would go for a little ride. The tour riders were doing the course clockwise, so I took of counter-the direction we rode last year. The weather was near perfect and the trail was just perfect. I've been riding GEAX tires tubless system now for a couple of months trouble free. I hit the dirt road that leads to the womble and psst,psst,psst. I look down to the scene of sealant spray...fuck. The sealant caught and I was able to ride on. The trail was just like a roller coaster, think toads at om only time after time after time. I wasn't applying much force to the pedals, just riding and smiling- perfect. I got a little carried away and ended up riding 4 hrs...ouch. Got back to the school and showered in the gym...that is a nice amenity to have onsite. The spaggetti dinner was ready in the cafateria and people were showing up in droves for the raffle and dinner. I met up with some guys from La. and Dallas that I met last year and shot the shit. I ended up winning the raffle for a 2 night stay at the local lakeside spa, so next year the sponsor and kids will be in tow for sure. I must have taken in 8 gallons of water that night trying to recover for Sunday.

It rained Sat. evening, so I decided to sleep in the car (wagon) with the seats folded down as opposed to risking not being able to sleep around all of the other people in the gym - ended up being a good call, i think. We started and it was like a road race- 1 mile on pavement until we hit the dirt road. When we hit the dirt, the shit hit the fan and the Pros drove the fuck out of the bus. My ego hasn't gotten the best of me for a while in this scenario and it didn't on this day either. I watched the lead pack ride away...and then the chase pack...and then the single speeders...and then the women...and then the old guys with helmet mirrors...and then there was me riding my 60 mile pace. We hit the Ouachita first and the first section of singletrack was big brushy I think. It almost immediatly hit a section of baby heads that had riders off their bikes. I walked and passed a few on the first section. Then we just hit super technical rock strewn sections that I was riding better than some and passing back some of the mirror group. Got in a fucking groove on Blowout mtn (the mtn that cracked me last year) riding super sketch sections and climbing well. I started to cramp...maybe I should've taken in 15 gallons of water. I got in behind some great riders for the remainder of the ouachita and just drilled some wicked downhills blasting 3 inches of blood on the headphones - all was right.

There were several long sections of well graded dirt road that linked up the trail where they had omitted sections due to mud. I was slaying people on the road passing dozens of people. Next up was the womble. I just love the trail going this direction. I was pretty much one speed at this point, sucking on the climbs and above average on the descents trading position with the same 4 or 5 guys for the remainder of the race.

I gave in to a hokey theory about eating pickles along the way and it seemed to work coupled with chewing endurolytes every 30 min or so. The final section of the womble was getting me and I was almost out of fumes. My shoulders were screaming from the bar grabbing descents...funny that endurance racing bothers my shoulders and hands more than anything else. Anyway, I reached the final checkpoint exactly an hour before the cutoff, all kinds of hooping and hollering ensued as I was assured of finishing. There were only 4 miles of dirt road and pavement to finish. I'll be damned if a guy I thought I buried a few miles back didn't attack me with 2 miles of headwind pavement to go. My first instinct was "let him go. It's not about place, it's about time". Yea right, I looked back and there was one chasing me - fuck, race mode. TT position and spin. I closed in on the one in front and dropped the chaser. I caught the one in front approaching the finish line, but decided to not be a dick and pass him, finishing just behind.

I sat around awhile chatting with friends, took a shower, got a killer massage, ate a couple of dawgs and drove until I hallucintated around Tupelo. I slept a couple of hours in the car and was sitting in front of my house at 5:45 am, cooked. Passed out the rest of the day in bed.

Ouachita Challenge is my favorite event. If you havent done it -DO.

The end. Happy Nicky Meatballs?

NO SPELL CHECK FOR YOU!!!

Is it still on?

2010-03-16T07:42:00.000-07:00

Just checking to see if my membership is still good... It's been a while,eh? Hmmm, I might feel like writing again. Maybe noone is looking this time, makes me more comfortable feeling that I am writing for thin air.

love it.

2010-02-03T09:14:00.001-08:00

If'n you don't know...you better find out. Bessemer, Bitch.

2009-10-26T07:32:00.001-07:00

heart..attack

2009-10-02T22:12:00.000-07:00

Adam Kimmel presents: Claremont HD from adam kimmel on Vimeo.

Fuck Mint Juleps. Asahi and Sake are my kinda racing

2009-10-02T08:03:00.000-07:00

IMG00275.jpg

2009-09-24T17:38:00.000-07:00

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2009-09-24T17:37:00.000-07:00

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The walnut

2009-09-23T07:21:00.000-07:00

They say that is the approximate shape ...or size, I forget which one. It is something that is supposed to happen in older men...I'm 37...that IS NOT "older". The physical prescription includes these gems:
No caffeine
No alcohol
No spicy foods
NO RIDING BIKES

Is there much left in personal enjoyment outside of these items?

I've been off the bike for 5 weeks. I can't remember not riding a bike for this long...ever. So, I'm going to take the seatpost out of my frame and try a little seatless riding. This should be brutal.

it creeps me

2009-09-21T13:38:00.001-07:00

The Hands Resist Him was painted by California artist Bill Stoneham in 1972. In it, a boy and a female doll, stand in front of a glass door upon which hands are being pressed. The painting entered the realm of urban legend in 2000 when it went on sale on eBay with a description that implied that it was cursed. The seller claimed that the two characters moved at night and that they would sometimes leave the painting altogether - tying up neatly with Stoneham's description of the doorway as representing the dividing line between the world and the world of dreams. The doll, according to Stoneham, was a guide. The eBay legend may be preposterous but Stoneham later recalled that both the owner of the painting's first gallery and the art critic who first reviewed it died within a year of seeing it. Either way, there is no denying the disturbing quality of the image.

..and here's a little stop frame photography experiment to get you all weirded out if that picture doesn't work. This is a curious little gem from David Firth who is something of a youtube legend. The more I don't ride, the more demented my thoughts become...endless feverdreams.

...and last, but...not least--

sometimes i feel like...

2009-09-19T07:17:00.000-07:00

Bad Mofo

2009-09-14T14:07:00.001-07:00

straight sexy

2009-09-08T07:08:00.001-07:00

I can kick

2009-09-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

I've had a fascination with Crispin since I was in high school...a little book of poetry he wrote in 1988...forget the name. He's never dissapointed since. He has a film out...not for the weak

...and Syd might still inhabit the darker regions of my mind. This is why it takes so much spinning of the excercycle to keep my mind in check

IF's "high school dropouts" so sweet

2009-09-02T12:36:00.001-07:00

mmmmm.yeah.

2009-09-01T20:35:00.000-07:00

pelotron

2009-09-01T13:36:00.000-07:00

...just being an asshole here, because this is the place to be an asshole. I find it irritating and funny that once a person thinks he knows something about cycling he starts using the word peloton as often as possible. I've been noting this occurrence for many years now and it has only worsened with the coverage presented by versus.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Versus as much as the next guy. It's just that this phenom used to be far and few...not so much now. What makes this happening even more uncomfortable is when the sayer feels the need to make sure and add the definition after he says this encrypted foreign word..."the main group", as if I weren't already biting my fucking tongue off trying not to laugh.

mother...fukker

2009-08-27T18:41:00.000-07:00

ordered the li-ion battery. got a smokin deal. pulled it out and the motherfucking battery don't worky with my charger. ahhh, the subtle details...

I'm getting older, slower, suckier and pissier

2009-08-26T10:52:00.000-07:00

Why else would so many people riding bikes make me want to punch them in the throat? Fixies, tri geeks, city bike (green) people and last but oh, not least the self important, serious cyclist.

All except the self important cyclist bother me for the same general reason - form over function, or to be more specific, people who would rather look like they are something rather than actually being something. fake trick doers, fake messengers, fake bike mechanics, fake give a shitters...

The self important cyclist. The oh, I'm so fucking pro douchebag. The Tuesday night hero. I really want to torture you. Not just run you over, but, drag you for a bit, get out and pout alcohol all over you and leave you for dead...did I really just say that? No, I don't really wish to harm you. How about we just stick to the punch you in the throat and watch you gag for a bit.

I went on the Tuesday worlds ride last night. Let me preface my bitching with the acknowledgement that I am slow, unfit and hairy. I cannot hang and I know it. This is not sour graping because of any of that. I'm ok with where I am fitness wise and I only blame myself. I'm really not even sure that matters to me anymore, because I associate training and race fitness with douchebaggery now. Enjoying crushing the pedals rather than just enjoying the ride, the experience...I can't associate with that anymore. I can't associate with the competitive side of cycling anymore...at least on the road. I actually start to feel a bit of sickness when I think about it. To a certain extent I've been there before, but, I saw another side a couple of years ago. This side was just nasty, devoid of healthy, spirited cometition. It borders on hatred and I don't get it. Snobby commented one time that the level of stupidity grow with the size of the crowd...or something like that and it's true.

I wish I could blame the pack stupididty on the newbies, on the lance factor riders or on all of the new teams in town. Honestly, some of the worst offenders are the most experienced guys in town. I suppose the mentallity is "you don't have to follow"... I'm not sure. But, it appears that all respect for laws have been forgotten and the pack seems to think that they are riding a closed course...a rolling parade. Maybe they think that the general public likes them or is in awe of them. I can assure you that the general public does not like you. That dislike grows more and more with every stop sign or redlight you run. You don't just tarnish their view of you, You tarnish it for everyone who rides. It's obvious that the mentality is set, I won't be a part of it. This mentality is not that of the guys who I looked up to when I first started riding. There is so much pavement out there to show who's boss.

I think that eventually the pack is going to try rolling en mass through a stop sign one day and the right person is going to be driving the car that they block...the guy who's wife just left him, the woman who just got laid off, the little old lady who is full of meds... you get the idea. I don't want to be around when that happens. Cycling is dangerous enough when you follow the rules.

rebuilding a light and motion battery

2009-08-21T11:16:00.000-07:00

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=180022

word

2009-08-14T13:20:00.001-07:00

No Pussy Blues

just getting into the demo biz

2009-08-05T12:50:00.001-07:00

IMG00205.jpg

2009-08-02T17:29:00.000-07:00

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The Bomb

2009-08-01T12:02:00.000-07:00

Tryin' to get in shape.
85 mi.
ass load of climbing
5:50 in the saddle
3 clif bars
16 endurolytes
4 heed packs
no cramps
no bonk
slow

IMG00164.jpg

2009-06-28T08:20:00.000-07:00

Killer singletrack descent. Tour of red mtn park.

I thunk this ride up as I lay in bed early Sunday morning, not being able to sleep. I rode the test track at 7 am on Sat and noticed that it was really nice temp wise at that hour. So, I decided to hit RMP land for my first ride. Just like the pissah, I have been looking at google earth images of this park and the connecting trails for weeks now exploring the possibilities. I decided to park at the first dirt road once you turn onto industrial ln - this IS NOT where you want to park or enter as one of the first pics will show you that the gradient is what you expect from north alabama powerline cuts -BRUTAL. I managed that first sketchy rutted descent thanking the rock shox gods for their forgivness. Got off and hiked up one ascent. Once at the top the powerline cut was great - rolling even with some sandy spots. An eagle or hawk was crying and circling. Odd thing, on my 2 hr ride this bird followed me the entire way- not sure what that was about.

Once off the powerline cut I dipped into the first part of the park. These are old access roads that have been there for years, presumably from mining or railroad operations and now used for cell phone towers and power lines. These roads are different in that they are covered -SHADED! It was really nice riding with some overlooks and surprisingly flatish riding. The park folks have cut some sections of singletrack that make for some ripper downhill action.

Theres a whole lot I didn't ride...but I will be back. Hopefully on my new cross bike.

IMG00155.jpg

2009-06-27T15:11:00.000-07:00

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i must be obsessed with mythical creatures

2009-06-22T13:47:00.000-07:00

because i'm replacing the jabberwockey with a yeti... oh my, she is beautiful!

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2009-06-21T17:38:00.000-07:00

Chillin?
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2009-06-19T15:30:00.000-07:00

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2009-06-19T08:23:00.000-07:00

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IMG00147.jpg

2009-06-19T08:22:00.000-07:00

The belly of the beast
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IMG00133.jpg

2009-06-15T19:28:00.000-07:00

Rode at oak mtn yesterday with p-lip. Gear gods cursed me with shitty downshifts and a crank arm falling off. Small block 8's hook the fuck up when it's dry, not so much after a storm. Still a good ride. Riding early tomorrow if it ain't like da pic. It's fuggin hot now...dreaming of cross season...oh, and night train!
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IMG00116.jpg

2009-06-12T15:11:00.000-07:00

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hot and puky

2009-06-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

rode my bike at lunch today, shocker. did a little hill route from the house. shit, i am slow. the thing that sucks the most is that my muscles seem to have tkaen on a more domestic form: tight, no elasticity= pedaling squares. I reckon it's going to take a while of riding and stretching to get them back to cycling form.

cx season feels like it's approaching quick and I've been eyeing cross bikes. I want to wait till it's a bit closer to tour time to post the Madone for sell. That seems to be the time when everyone goes road bike crazy...we'll see.

The house is pretty much done and I got the first night of good sleep last night in a while, so, maybe I can get back on track.

whats been consuming me

2009-06-08T14:21:00.000-07:00

painting the outside of my fucking house and closing in the front porch.

done. with. this. bob villa. bullshit.

can't wait to be a bike dork again.

gonna get choo sucka

2009-06-04T11:00:00.001-07:00

VASSAGO.–The Third Spirit is a Mighty Prince, being of the same nature as Agares. He is called Vassago. This Spirit is of a Good Nature, and his office is to declare things Past and to Come, and to discover all things Hid or Lost. And he governeth 26 Legions of Spirits, and this is his Seal.Salsa La Cruz is my new must have.

Doping diluca

2009-05-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

Yes he's doping. Its a new form of doping where they insert huge brass balls on you.
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2.jpg

2009-05-27T07:43:00.000-07:00

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Got dat bike

2009-05-24T21:23:00.000-07:00

...Or, gotta get down to get up. Out the back door on the 29r rolling down to the exxon for a tallboy.

In and beer in hand too about 5 seconds. Put the beer on the counter and glance outside, vassago gone. Out the door, dude points me in the direction. Sprint for 5 blocks, no dice.

Maybe we'll meet again.
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friday funk

2009-05-22T06:47:00.000-07:00

WED FUN CREW

2009-05-21T08:58:00.000-07:00

Got to join the boys yesterday at the mountain for a little loop action. The group was a little small ~7-8, but mucho speedy. Balliet and Bob were both noticeably absent, but Hurley and Brock were surprise visitors.

Most of the chatter seemed to circle the upcoming bng and everyone seems pumped about it. I am regrettably going to miss what will probably be the biggest mtb event ever held in Alabama, but alas, there is a beach named Destin and a free hotel room at the Hilton calling the Marshalls home that weekend.

Omar got things started quick yesterday and even though we were riding at a pace that fatty could maintain, we were still railing so hard that I nose-wheelied a time or two. The Litespeed was so nice, I have officially made amends with gears and suspension, reserving every other ride for them. I don't ever see me ditching the rigid ss just because it is such good physical and technical training. But, unless you're last name is Lalonde, you prolly shouldn't take a knife to a gun fight.

The news of Steve Larson's death was somewhat shocking yesterday. The guy was such a phenomenal athlete and only a couple of years older than me...makes you stop and wonder. One thing that struck me was his brother comment about Steve being the consummate family man by having all of his workouts finished by 6:30am so he could be with the family...ok, point taken.

R.I.P. SL

Baby Blue, Right on cue

2009-05-19T10:23:00.000-07:00

So now you know I have to order the WHITE SIDI's...right? I haven't even introduced B'ham to the freaking BLANCO jersey yet ( I don't want to bust out the seams just yet). If I could just get my beer consumption down to 6 days a week... I have switched to fancy drank though, Budweiser fills my cup these days.

one more

2009-05-14T14:23:00.001-07:00

All,
The Free the Hops bill passed the Senate today and it is on to the Governors desk for signature. Pleae read the below blog post and call or email Gov. Riley asap (see below contact information) showing your support of HB 373. Please forward to others because the Guv is apparently on the fence with this issue.
David

Just before 3:00pm today, the Alabama Senate passed HB373. Success. Vindication. The blood, sweat, and tears of all of our
many supporters paid off.
BUT. We are at a point where we must have the Governor’s signature for our bill to become law.
We need to do everything we can to encourage the Governor to either sign our bill. That’s why we’re asking everyone in the
state who values personal freedom and who thinks the Alabama government should stop telling us which beers are ok to drink
and which ones we can’t handle to contact Governor Riley immediately. By phone, fax, or email, whatever works best for you.
We’ve even had one of his former staffers give us some tips on how best to go about this:
The volume of letters and phone calls that he receives on a particular issue is reported to him every morning, and he
takes them seriously. … A couple quick points:
They have a pretty sophisticated constituent database, so multiple calls/mail from the same person won’t
accomplish much. They report to him the number of persons, not the number of communications.
Any arguments that sounds like something the gambling folks would say should be avoided (”People go over state
lines to do it anyway…”). You don’t want to equate yourself with those guys in his mind.
Arguments about personal liberty and economic development will probably have more sway.
Pointing out the surrounding states that allow it will also be helpful. The fact that GA, NC, SC, and WV have
passed these bills in the past couple years is persuasive.
Just keep it short and to the point. Let him know you support the bill and why.
Here’s contact information for the Governor’s office:
Switchboard: (334) 242-7100
Fax: (334) 353-0004
Email form: http://www.governor.alabama.gov/contact/contact_form.aspx

an interesting read

2009-05-14T14:18:00.000-07:00

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122843720586081461.html

pop goes my bubble

2009-05-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

didn't do a bunch of riding with people the first part of this year, save for mtbs with phillip and the wednesday afternoon recreational crew. after ouachita i jumped in a race(or 2) and did much better than i would have ever anticipated. i suppose it was residual fitness from the training i did for ouachita and the sufferfest itself.

this wave of decent riding has lasted for awhile even without a weekend ride to speak of. i'm pretty sure my house of cards came crumbling down this week as i got my ass dropped on tuesday night like the fat, hairy mess that i am. i suppose i have about 1 or 2 weekend of work left around the house to finish up the projects i have my hands in. maybe i'll start my cyclocross training then. i need to get my ass back in the gym and push some plates around...that seems to be the only thing that makes me lose weight and at 199# some weight i have to lose.

jap flap

2009-05-13T10:52:00.000-07:00

DLV 2009 Pro Racing Series - The Keirin from Chris Kelly on Vimeo.

Lance who? Yes he used to be a fing pimp.

2009-05-10T21:04:00.001-07:00

please call my name

2009-05-08T08:58:00.001-07:00

Derny!

2009-05-06T12:45:00.000-07:00

I'm ordering mine now.

Slow Growth

2009-05-06T06:54:00.000-07:00

It is super slow in the construction industry these days which allows me to catch up on my literary side during the day...while I'm working.

Yesterday I read Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince. I don't think I'd ever heard of the book before yesterday when one of my bike buddies sent a few exerpts from the book which got me interested.

In short, the book is sort of written as a children's book, but, with profound and enlightening gems for the adult. It's message was like a punch in the nose, a punch of reality, a punch of what's important in life.

As Brian put it yesterday, "it should be required reading for all adults". Agreed, indeed.

false sense of security

2009-05-05T06:15:00.000-07:00

i think i've had this false sense as it pertains to crashing on the road. not so much on the mtb, i fall too much on that damn thing to get cocky. but, riding the streets i feel pretty damn confident. i went through years of road and crit racing watching crashes happen all around me and managing to stay upright with bones intact. I took a couple of spills, mostly landing on a soft cushion of other riders flesh...with the exception of Meridian a few years a go when some meathead swerved violently (in the middle of the crit pack) to avoid going through a water puddle...that one hurt a bit...but, ag had a bottle of lortab and a six pack, so it was actually a nice experience.

some of my false confidence got the eraser treatment yesterday afternoon, unfourtunately with Abigail in tow. We were cruising our afternoon route down Highland avenue on rain soaked streets. We ride the sidewalks along Highland and while crossing the road and back onto the sidewalk at the Rhodes dog park we hit some wet slimy bricks and got dumped. We both hit the bricks pretty quick and luckily the slickness that caused us to go down also allowed us to sort of slide as opposed to slam.

She cried a bit but remembered our destination and quickly remounted. Our afternoon rides always have a destination or two, usually two. Destination one is one of the convinience store either on Clairmont or Highland for candy and a tallboy. Destination two is one of the parks in Southside to play and consume.She was a bit hesitant when we rode on any bricks after the fall, but, generally ok with everything.

We stopped in the BICI COOP to see what improvments they have made and chatted a bit with some of the staff.After that we hit a brutal series of Red Mountain alley climbs back to the house.

Reality checked. Caution and awareness back in place. Luckily without much collateral damage.

cravat

2009-05-01T08:18:00.000-07:00

don't lie, you know it's a hot, functional look.

since you are trolling

2009-04-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

i might as well post something. i lied: i did the tuesday night ride last night. it looked like tonights ride might get rained out, so, i pumped up the skinnys and drug my fat, hairy carcass over the mt to meet the HUGE group. i got in a few good digs which totalled a f'in good workout...which left me crosseyed -literally. as i was sitting in the tub last night, my vision got all f'ed up...that's a good workout. i'm done today, well done. i killed a one lap lunch dirt ride on monday and then the crosseyed event...done.

my new gang

2009-04-27T13:54:00.001-07:00

Hup United: Part Gang; Part Squad; A Lifestyle. In 2003, Hup United was born in Somerville, MA. The idea was CROSS and CULTURE. Simple. Hup is the anti-team comprised of Privateers, One-off's, and Stragglers. Over time, our kit would grow to represent our love for all things Belgian. During a race in 2005 in the deep, dank woods of VT, a group of Hup riders were rolling on the course, and a spectator turned to his friend and said, "Damn there are a ton of F'ing Belgians here today." This was a big step forward for Hup; this was essential. At the beginning of 2007, Hup is kitted in the NW, New E, MI, GA, TN, PA, the entire state of Canada, both CA's, IL, WI, MN and CO. You will see us up in the park; you will see us at the races. Your significant other will roll down the car window and tell us "Baby Blue, uh huh." Your local hood rat will tell us our "kicks is dope". You will find us. But until then, "One Hup Finds Another."

obligated

2009-04-27T06:31:00.001-07:00

to post something. i think that's why I shut it down before. i don't seem to have much to say lately...may be the perpetual lack of sleep. tried to get in a hard mtb ride yesterday at the test track. everything went well for about 20 min. then my gears started slipping. seems that the single 32t chainring i'm running up front has seen better days. i flipped it around when i got home and it seemed to hook up. so, i guess i'll pack both bikes for the 'race' wednesday.

IMG00016.jpg

2009-04-24T09:43:00.000-07:00

The litespeed is back. Gears are weird.It's been a long time since I've ridden 26" wheels,gears or suspension. Some of the feely things that stood out were:
space or being able to squeeze through tighter spaces and turn quicker, yet I didn't feel as connected-seemed like I was going to wash out on tight cuts.
I sort of forgot how to shift on the mtb finding myself undergeared several times.
Smaller wheels def. do not roll over obstacles or carry momentum like biggies.
Oh fleck me how I have missed the plushness of my REBA fork.
I'm running a 1x9 which seems perfect. 32/11-32...whick makes my small gear a 32x32, eh.
the accelleration is very snappy compared to biggies.

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IMG00015.jpg

2009-04-23T16:44:00.000-07:00

Day correct bibware.
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IMG00013.jpg

2009-04-23T14:57:00.000-07:00

Recovery ride
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wednesday afternoon recreational crew

2009-04-23T13:12:00.000-07:00

so i've switched gears this year and decided to hang the skinny tires up and get back in the dirt. the biggest change for me is ditching the road group rides i've been doing the past...decade and start meeting the wednesday crew at oak mtn.

the focus on riding hard and pushing each other is offset by the importance of the beer drinking and socializing afterwards. i'm liking the change of pace for sure. not sure when or if i'll race again and not sure if i care.

road to nowhere

2009-04-22T06:09:00.000-07:00

Jacquelyn showed me this trailer of some guys that went to her school in Mobile. It looks really good. I can't imagine someone who is into cycling who hasn't dreamed of doing this.

The talking heads song is perfect and reminds me of why I'm so passionate about cycling. The summer I picked up my first mountain bike I was literally on a road to nowhere. The journey I've taken since then...the people places and things are are everything that surrounds my life now and I wouldn't have it any other way.

IMG00011.jpg

2009-04-21T15:56:00.000-07:00

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inspired,indeed.

2009-04-21T13:31:00.000-07:00

washitall

2009-04-14T08:36:00.000-07:00

still can't bring myself to write a full report. every time i think about writing it, i get a mettalic taste in my mouth and my quads start to hurt. a general summary in bullet format:

-i pissed on myself 5 times
-my hands were raw
-the bike was flawless
-i wanted suspension badly
-the womble trail is worth an 8 hr drive, shit 16 hrs even
-the ouachita trail can kiss my ass
-i am fat
-i haven't ridden my mtn bike 80 miles before...what made me think i could do it now?
-i loved the ouachita challenge
-i hated the ouachita challenge
-my knees were swollen
-i had weird 'pimples' around both of my knees
-the weather was perfect
-the weather was not perfect
-i was warm
-i was cold
-hammer products are the bees knees
-brian furhman is fast
-phillip, hardwick and john are almost as fast
-i like fat tire beer
-i like pbr
-the service at pizza hut sux, in general.
-my car that always runs perfect decided to not run so perfect the moment i rolled away from my house toward arkansas
-i will complete the 80 next year

crosseyed

2009-03-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

5:45 departure. i awoke at 5:56, looked out the window, saw phillip's headlights...i waved, but he didn't see me, disoriented. threw my shit in the back and loaded my bike on top and we were off to shattanooga. golden arches, phillip's choice, would almost make two appearances.we met up with phillips friends - foy and racheal, rode three laps of booker t washington park. this was a fun loop, we did it 3 times. the last one hurt a bit. then off to a downtown pizza joint, 2 slices, 1 arrogant bastard, conversation and we were off to racoon mtn. the weather was about as good as it gets. spandex back on and we roll, this time with a slight buzz. first section was a sort of off the path freeride-play section. short downhills that had kicker jumps built in that would force the most grounded of riders into the air. it was fun...until we got to the rock drops, i ate it fairly hard. stream of blood down the arm, scrapes on the knee. my wheel kept pulling off center and my headset got loose. raccon was a mother... i was spent. the 17 mile trail seemed like 50. the trail is one of the best i've ridden in the south, bar none. there was just a point where i stopped enjoying the ride and was in survival mode. ouachita seems demorilizing at this point...i'm spent.

planning for r kansas

2009-03-20T08:24:00.000-07:00

In the camelback:

Multi tool
2 tubes
Patch kit
Pump
Section of chain
Alcohol wipes
Brake pads
Duct tape
Boot
10 gels
4 bars
Chamois cream
6 packs heed
5 packs endurolytes
Athletic tape

Am I missing anything…water being obvious.

making a staytment

2009-03-17T06:38:00.000-07:00

me likey

three

2009-03-14T13:10:00.000-07:00

rode the pissah today.brakes, yea, brakes...they are pretty nice to have. none of us had much stoppage at the end of the ride.

looks like the pissah will get pissed on

2009-03-12T06:51:00.000-07:00

50% chance of some nasty rain should test the mentallity this saturday. i fully expect to ride alone. further discovery on the old Google earth shows that if you pop across chalkville mtn road once you reach the wallmart-kmart area there are more trails behind the kmart. we will see. hope to post some pics come monday.

pissah will roll

2009-03-10T14:51:00.001-07:00

this saturday from ellard park, 8 am. have mommy pack you a couple of pb&j's and some boo-boo cream.

The Wicked Pissah

2009-03-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

I am resurrecting this crappy blog of mine, mainly to document a mtn bike route in B'ham that I am trying to link together for people to ride when buff singletrack is not what they are looking for.

I am training for the Oauchita Challenge, an 80 mi. mtb 'race' in Arkansas. I have been putting in some good work during the week to raise the vo2 for this event, but, I was lacking a true test around here for what Oauchita throws at you. Therefore, I am putting together this route which encompasses fire roads, powerline trails, bootleg motocross cuts and stuff like that. My first run was this past saturday, based off of a general idea I got by studying satellite images on Google Earth. I was able to ride from Irondale all the way to the Trussville/ Pinson exit. It was brutal, but I had a great time and it reminded me of allot of the riding I would do when I first started Mt. Biking...mainly because there were very few dedicated Mt. Biking trails around this area back then. Oak Mtn. was only the red trail from 'blood rock down to the peavine falls road. We had one of the best Mt. Biking trails that I can remember on top of Double Oak Mtn, where mega mansions are now. This trail went all the way to Leeds with some 40 mi. of riding. It's gone now...for the most part. The Wicked Pissah reminds me of that riding...sort of. This ride has a ton more off the bike pushing though as the powerline cuts are freaking brutal. But, there will be mega bike pushing at Oauchita (single or geared) from what I've read. So, this ride is the best I can come up with around here.

The name, wicked pissah , came from what I think most people would think about this ride. While I enjoyed it...I couldn't help but imagine the bitching that would ensue if I brought people along. I can see where others would hate this ride. But, I enjoyed the hell out of it. There's something about riding at the local parks that makes me feel a bit like a rat in a cage. Drive to the park, pay your fee, ride the designated loop...blah,blah,blah. I appreciate our local opportunities for what they are, and they are mega fun when that's what you are looking for...But sometimes I want some adventure, don't you?
The Wicked Pissah
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