Headtube Angle

The black hole that is time.

2009-11-01T09:51:00.001-06:00

Danny Gatton - Bottle Slide, originally uploaded by SemicharmedLife (listening to Built To Spill).

Since SSWC09 in Durango, I've had less motivation to ride. I'm a full time guitar geek and it's easy for hours and hours, and then days and days to pass before I realize I've been practicing non stop, or bouncing between gig to gig and rehearsal to rehearsal and suddenly haven't ridden more than once or twice in a week.

Luckily the legs still allow me to have fun and not suffer too bad on that one or two days of the week.

Recently legendary local tube amp repair/customizer Rick Potter passed away. A huge blow to guitarists everywhere in search of that magic tone.

We had a memorial get together/jam the other night and every big hitter in town came out to play for Rick. It was an honor to be a part of and really just play our asses off for the man that always was there to take care of us and help us find our voices.

Tulsa is home to some legendary world class musicians. Many of whom you may not have heard of, but who have played with many people you have heard of (Clapton, JJ Cale, Bob Seger, and far far more..). These are the kinds of cats who's talent makes careers of pop stars. Real deal musicians that are all about the music. For them to accept me as one of their own and share stages and friendships with them is an honor.

A magical night and a fitting tribute to Mr. Potter.

The photo is one I found on Flickr of the legendary guitarist/musician Danny Gatton. If you don't know of him, get to learning. If there was a way to measure how far the electric guitar can and has been taken, I think you'd find Danny at the end of that line. The Humbler.

SSWC09. The report.

2009-09-25T10:35:00.001-05:00

SSWC0905, originally uploaded by Adam Lopez Photography.

So I've waited awhile before this post to let all the hubbub settle in and my get my mellon back on straight. SSWC09 was nuts. But first, some history.

Many years ago as a wee teen lad, racing my MTB was a dream. I wanted to finish high school and move from SoCal's lowlands to either Big Bear or somewhere in Colorado. MTB'ing was becoming an Olympic sport. Durango being the mecca for all things MTB back in '93/'94 was my first choice. That never happened.

The bike racing happened still, but living the complete dream in dreamland never quite did. I was fortunate enough to live in SoCal and even ended up inCentral Cal where my "career" as a roadie racing full time in most all of the Cali classics was a blast. The mountain living always eluded me. Circumstance I guess.

Somewhere along the line, the struggle to race full time broke me down and I climbed off the bike. It's supposed to be fun. Between then and now a 6 year span of inactivity, lack of fitness and health, and only a few slight threads of bicycle love remained. No more racing, no more training, and very very little riding. Start. Stop. Start. Stop.

Even after meeting a magic pixie, the starting and stopping would continue to be a roller coaster.

6 months ago the inner dome was refreshed and the 2 wheel love was there when I woke up one morning. Keep it fun. Keep it fun. That was the plan. So far so good. For me, training and racing IS fun, as long as the stresses of "life" are worked out on the bike, not worked in.

Mission accomplished. What? I can go to Durango to "race" SSWC??!?

Count me in. The heavens opened up and the old magic met me in Durango. A lot slower, a lot less fit, and the magic Fun Fairy still wanted to be my friend. So many happy people on bikes. So much beautiful Earth. God blessed us all on that magical day. The birds sang and the animals of the forest danced with us.

Elvis is alive in all of us.

The end.

SSWC '09 Post "Race" Pt. Tre

2009-09-23T11:30:00.002-05:00

for you Flickr users, i made a SSWC09 Durango group to share photos!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1203230@N24/

SSWC '09 Post "Race" Pt. Dos

2009-09-22T14:20:00.002-05:00

Photos!

SSWC '09 Post "Race" Pt. 1

2009-09-21T09:57:00.000-05:00

Full Moon Night Ride

2009-09-04T22:18:00.003-05:00

Tonight

I rode my:

I had fun. I met a new friend and we hung out for awhile.

Afterwards, I hung out with this guy:

When I got home I ran into this beast:

He tried to give me a bath:

SSWC '09 Pt. Deux

2009-09-02T11:38:00.002-05:00

WOrd on the street is that we're doing 3 laps for 23 miles and 4,000 ft of climbing on this here cartoon.

Hot damn.

Feel the burn bitches.

Edoz Handmade Bicycles

2009-08-16T14:37:00.003-05:00

My boy Edoz is trying to get his bicycle building off the ground and he's been kind enough to let me get involved and help out. I've got lots of bike industry experience as well as self employment skills. Sweet steel handmade steeds done right. I'll be representing at the SSWC on an Edoz 29er along with Edoz himself, Brian, and I believe Cleo.

Look for Edoz at the handmade show on Thurs. night. Hopefully we'll have some merch goodies to hook you up with and maybe even a sweet wool jersey or two for sale that looks something like this mock up:

Anyone that wants to pre-order a jersey this week, drop me a line: adlo76@yahoo.com

Support grass roots d.i.y.ers!

A great juxtaposition

2009-08-11T15:14:00.001-05:00

Vacation 2009, originally uploaded by Adam Lopez Photography.

This fine photo from N.C. with today's ride till ya taste breakfast in yer throat.

Good times.

Good.
Times....

Single Speed Worlds 2009

2009-08-06T00:47:00.001-05:00

Vacation 2009, originally uploaded by Adam Lopez Photography.

Looks like I'll be participating in my first ever SSWC!

13 States, 10 Days

2009-08-05T11:34:00.001-05:00

Vacation 2009, originally uploaded by Adam Lopez Photography.

So we took a little drive from Tulsa to NYC recently. It was a "business" trip that we turned into a vacation and adventure. The rain kept us from really getting in as much riding as we hoped, but we did get 3 nice days to ride in Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

This photo is from our time in Virginia, just outside of Salem. If you're ever in that neck of the woods, look up Just The Right Gear bike shop. They're a sweet little shop who happen to be just a couple miles from singletrack heaven. They'll set you up with all the directions you'll need as well as sell you the required day pass. It's only 2 bones, and it keeps you from having to go way out of your way to the ranger's station just to pick up a pass.

If you're ever in the area, ride there. Trust me.

If you have time, make your way over to the Ashville, NC area and into Brevard. It's only about 25 minutes outside of Ashville and the guys at the Sycamore shop with take good care of you with trail info.

Good times.

Good.

Times.

hells bells!

2009-08-01T15:51:00.000-05:00

I finally fixed mine so that piece of crizzap in the photo is off my ride!

Suffered LIke a Dog Dawg

2009-07-13T12:44:00.001-05:00

G&R, originally uploaded by Adam Lopez Photography.

Hot damn. It's like a million degrees here lately. Today was supposed to be an hour n' a half / two hours tops of just easy trail riding on the SS. Just have some fun and get some saddle time in. Unfortunately it's HOT. Creeping up on about 102. I cut it down to an hour n' a half. My veins felt like they had poo in them instead of blood. Been cleasing my system and the toxins are flowing. Ick.
Towards the end of the ride I managed to get completely turned around and would have added another hour or so onto the ride if were not for my lucky GPS. Score one for technology today.

Upon further review...

2009-07-12T20:54:00.002-05:00

So after yesterday's rant, I thought I'd be critical of myself today. Fuck that. I was right about said douchebags.

Further insight however makes it a bit more clear. Aside from the "fuck him, he's Frankie the Squealer", riders are just genuinely surprised that Frankie is asking them such retarded questions.

The whole inner workings of our beloved cycling are being dumbed down for the masses by our Versus and Velonews TV coverage. So when a vet like Frankie comes in hot with some of these lame questions, the riders are giving him the "really!?" face before they realize he's serious.

That Neal Rogers douche on the other hand maybe has lower expectations from the riders, but he still gets the face. Basically because he's just a regular douche. Frankie is a veteran 'should know better' douche.

Gawwwd!

2009-07-12T10:01:00.002-05:00

I must say, to have the modern conveniences that allow us to watch a European sport such as cycling live in our own homes all the way across the pond is pretty damn cool. I remember in the mid 80's when the best we could hope for was a couple weekends a year getting the TdF updates on ABC's Wide World of Sports.

Now we have tons of access to coverage, pre and post race interviews, detailed course maps, minute by minute updates, etc etc and it's great.

I'm grateful for it all.

But damn it all if Neal Rogers on Velocenter TV isn't a douchebag!

The other dude at the desk with Ron Keifel isn't so great either.

And Frankie Andreu?? Geezus. I don't know where to begin.

Anyone notice how all these douchebags can barely get anything resembling a quality interview out of any of the riders? To be fair, it's mostly the American riders that seem disgusted with these idiots and therefore have very little patience for their douchebaggery, while the foreign riders seem to be pleased that someone cares enough to interview them.

And seriously, how f#*$n' hard is it to pronounce "Farrar"??

"Fair-err" ?? Really??

"Lance, tell us again about the Astana leadership question.." Really??

"Christian, you're currently in the top 8 after a horrific fall in the Giro where you broke your leg, your back, your head fell off, you had to have a full organ transplant, and you actually died for 10 minutes on the operating table. Are you pleased with your performance so far?"

REALLY???

GAWWWWWD!

El Vato Loco

2009-07-10T14:21:00.004-05:00

So stage 7, the first real test of the Tour and where it really begins for the GC favorites. Contador attacks Lance. Not surprise according to Lance and Levi, and NOT part of the team plan or on orders from Bruneel.

I have to think that Lance is glad he did it as it in his mind gives him the green light to return the favor. Cadel and Andy Schleck put in some efforts that made a nice selection at the end but it wasn't nearly enough to be decisive overall.

At this point and gauging by how Astana controlled the front all day, if Contador plans to win this thing he'll have to do it on his own over the mountain top finishes.

I presumed all morning while watching that Astana would ride tempo saving Lance, Levi, & Contador. Even Kloden unless absolutely necessary to make use of his efforts.

I figured that none of them would be expected to drill it on the front, only to follow any main rivals that had the stones to give it a go.

Other than Contador, I was right.

I think that's the game plan and if it works, Astana will dominate the top 10 overall.

I think it will work as long as Zubeldia, Rast, and co. continue to recover and make it to Ventoux.

Lance and Alberto will remain mostly in a dead heat until then unless egos get the best of either of them and then all bets are off come Ventoux.

Mucho drama-o as they say in mexican.

The Great Flip Flop Fiasco: 2009

2009-07-05T10:52:00.001-05:00

FFMisc0007, originally uploaded by Adam Lopez Photography.

So we've all heard that Lance might become a politician in the future. He seems to be practicing for it now. Anyone else notice all the flippin' & a floppin' regarding the whole team leadership issue?
Of course his ego is too big to take a back seat. Even after 3 of his own teammates throttled him in the opening TT on Saturday.
2009/TdF/Astana issues are going to make this cycling season as much like a Jerry Springer episode as any.
I'm guessing that even if Lance starts to believe he has no chance of winning the overall, that he'd rather no one on his team did.

Anyhoo. Happy birthday America. Miss Headtube and I went for a night ride on the MTBs up to the local trails. You could see all (3?) fireworks shows around the city from there. Good times.
She's killing it on the bike and having so much fun I can't believe it.

Life is grand spectacular.

Just because:

Turdy Frantz Time!

2009-07-01T07:34:00.001-05:00

TT090077, originally uploaded by Adam Lopez Photography.

I'm psyched and ready to get my Tour fix for the year. I'm not a big Lance fan boy but I'm excited to see him back in the mix. I think it will make for a better race and I think finally we'll see others ride more aggressively in his presence. That's always good. I've never really had overall favorites in Grand Tours as much as enjoyed seeing good racing. I think we'll see better racing now that there seems to be less fear of Lance's power. Good.

I think most of his competitors will be sadly mistaken however. He's going to be a beast as Basso pointed out. Basso is probably right.

I think it's the reason he's been so cool about the whole Contador/leadership thing. Lance has too much ego and pride. He'll kill the TT's and Contador will be obliged to take a back seat. Even if he doesn't, Levi and Popo will no doubt take allegiance with Lance.

I also look foward to my first trip to the Big Apple this July. The last week of the Tour, I'll be watching the race from whatever restaurant/pub/coffeehouses/bike shop/random stranger's living room in NYC I can find. Good times await.

Look for the Columbia and Cervelo boys to be all over stage wins. Not sure Lance will win but if he doesn't, Contador won't either. Cadel won't be on the podium, Sastre may not repeat, but I think he'll gain some respect that he seems to be lacking even after his win.
I'll miss Basso. Menchov will be a non factor. Andy Schleck is too young.
How's that for a vague non pick pick?

The whole thing is a roll of the dice. It should be fun to watch.

Love the Bobke, hate the Bobke hand dance thingy he does when he talks. I miss Kirsten Gum and her perkiness. Phil & Paul are always the gold standard.

If one more of you douchebags refer to it as the "Turdy Frantz" though, I'mma poke yer eye out with a spork!

GAWD!

I know the calendar says summer has already begun, but for me it begins when the Tour does.

Let's get ready to rumble!

Bringin' tha heat!

2009-06-25T08:31:00.003-05:00

TT090040, originally uploaded by Adam Lopez Photography.

Hot damn it's been hot this week! Over 100 everyday now I think. 103 today. 104 on Sunday. 89 on Sunday? What? This damn Oklahoma weather never ceases to amaze me. If OK weather was a murderer it'd be OJ (allegedly); oddly personable, yet you know that somethin' just ain't right with a side dish of crazy.

Night rides are in order. Did one the other night with Mrs. 'Tube on the MTB's but kept the rubber on the pavement as both of us are currently way under powered for any real off road riding in the light dept.

Look for that to be changing SOON.

Light & Motion's Seca 700 sure looks like a doozy.

So I randomly pulled out an old Velo News from a few years back when LA first retired. It's quite interesting to read his words from that time and then to see him back now. I found the admission of donating his own moola towards machines to help catch dopers to be interesting.
Especially since reading this:
and others that share some striking similarities.
Coincidence? I not think!

If this really is one big heist on cycling, I wonder if/when the proverbial shit will ever hit the fan. I've got some insight into this as a former racer and know others with even more insight and more direct experience, and my hindsight is screaming to my foresight and my insight is freaking out. Surely the charade can't go on forever. Or maybe it can....

But then THIS:
pops up.

Remember that old argument about "everyone around you has been proven to dope and you expect us to believe that you beat them all while clean" ?

LA has had that one over his head for some time. Mr. LeMond may have even dropped that one on him a time or two? Not sure, but isn't it interesting that we're expected to believe that those 8 seconds in '89 were by a clean rider over a unclean rider?

Hell, I DO believe it, but just the fact that no matter what the argument is or who's making it, there's always another angle and another and another and another.....

I don't really have a definitive take on this whole issue. I just know that it's real and it's made cycling something of a reality tv show circus.
I have no pony in this race. I do love the sport and it's history however and supplemental help has been a part of it pretty much since day one in some form.

I'll still love it no matter what and hope you will too. Not because you're an armchair director sportif, but because you still get out on your own bike and enjoy the ride, enjoy the suffering, and enjoy stuffing your greazy fat self into spandex with your best buds every weekend.

Life will still be good as long as we keep pedaling circles.

Huh?

2009-06-18T10:36:00.003-05:00

Odd. I always thought of her more as an "uppers" type chick. The weed always seemed to be not her style. A bit too much for the slower set I'd have thought.

If you were wondering about her as part of the "where are they now" crowd, now ya know:

http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news?slug=ap-mountainbiker-potbust&prov=ap&type=lgns

Rushmore this dude already.

2009-06-14T13:47:00.000-05:00

Definitely worth Rushmoring this guy.

Wow. Just wow.

2009-06-13T20:13:00.003-05:00

So, this isn't exactly new news, and it certainly isn't something you probably haven't heard about. But have you actually heard the whole thing?

Regardless of what side of the fence you fall on this whole thing, a "wow" surely must be uttered.

Wow.

Expressions

2009-06-12T11:21:00.002-05:00

It's been a strange and painful week. I'm one of the fortunate ones that always has something to do to keep me sane or someone to lean on when I feel weak. It's particularly helpful when one of the things I love, like my bike, is for whatever reason not a good option on a particular day.

If you're having one of those days, maybe some music will help.

Tragically Sickened

2009-06-10T22:34:00.001-05:00

ESAR11, originally uploaded by Adam Lopez Photography.

Tuesday, three local cyclists were mowed down by what appears to be a drunk driver who had open containers piled up on the floor and a previous DWI just two years ago.

Of the 3, two are dead. I knew neither of them particularly well, but sort of knew one from the local shop I wrenched at for a short time.

In fact, I just was sitting a table over from the guy about 3 weeks ago at a fast food Asian joint down the street.

It's been a tough couple of days thinking about all this and how it really affects lives. Not just those directly involved, but really anyone that's human and has the ability to think and feel. I mean, how could it not?

I've been a cyclist almost as long as I've been alive. I've had a few run ins with cars and other than a destroyed bike, have always made it out relatively unscathed.
I know I'm lucky and I give thanks for my life and love daily.

I've gone thru many different emotions and thought about how this should be dealt with on a personal level. That level that makes me think twice about cycling on the road, but also on that level that says you can't quit. Accidents happen.

I guess therein lies the problem. The cyclists were doing everything right on their end. A well known road frequented by cyclists. A very wide shoulder. A wide open straight stretch that should offer plenty of visibility. And they were all very experienced cyclists.

There was nothing they could have done except not been there at that precise moment.

Somewhere they had all previously been countless times no doubt.

I think that's where my struggle with this lay. I'd like to think that my experience and cycling smarts keep me relatively safe from this kind of thing, and I guess to a certain extent they at least increase my chances of being safe, but then again, you never really know.

That's a tough pill to swallow.

Best wishes to all and may we be love and strength for one another...

The Soul of Cycling, who is it for, and hot days full of snakes.

2009-06-09T13:31:00.000-05:00

For some reason I've wanted to write about the "soul" of cycling and what it's really all about. Fun? Fitness? Athletic achievement? Is it really something for everyone? Etc etc.

Then on today's ride I saw three different snakes.

Some of my takes on the soul of cycling, those who "get it" and those who don't and blah blah would just make me seem like a jerk so I may as well write about snakes.

Cycling is a very personal thing to me much like music and guitar are, so my opinions are heavily influenced by a passion that would be hard to rival.

See? There I go again.

Oh, and mucho props to my man Zack Morris of Saved By The Bell fame. Don't be a hater, you know you watched it too!

Dude comes on the Jimmy Fallon show in full character and is just nails in his performance.

What a slap in the face to all these douchebag celebrity types that try and avoid their past performances and try and big time the interviewers prior to showtime to make sure they're only asked what they want to be asked.

That douchebag Billy Bob Thornton springs to mind during his recent radio interview where he was a total A-hole when he was referred to for his acting and not his "music".
What an ass.

Mark Paul knows how he got to where he is today and not only is ok with it, but totally embraced it and how can anyone hate on him for that?

Zack Morris FTW!

Anyhoo, I saw one of these today:

He was big and fat and apparently quite poisonous. He was just out for some sunshine though, so we were cool. He went his way, I went mine.

I also spotted what might have been one of these:

and possibly what may have been one of these:

I forget what they are called, but neither of them are poisonous.

I need a nap.

MTB Love

2009-06-08T11:36:00.002-05:00

LL june 6_70011, originally uploaded by Adam Lopez Photography.

I grew up in cycling and was there when mountain bikes first hit the bike shops. My uncle had one of the original Stumpjumpers and I'd go ride the trails with him on my BMX bike. I was super lucky a few years later to have one of the original Rockhoppers to ride once I was tall enough to fit one.

My sweet Queen, not being from California or having any cyclists in her family or tiny town, knew almost nothing of the sport when we met almost 5 years ago to the day this photo was taken.

In that first year, I had been off the bike for about a year, and got the itch to ride again, so I thought maybe she'd like to give it a try.

Knowing I was a cyclist, her Pop had already told me of the Great Barbie Bike Fiasco she'd been thru that may have left her forever frightened of anything with two wheels.

Maybe you'd like a beach cruiser or a comfort bike and we can ride to the coffee shop?

"Heck no! I want one with those big ol' tires like you! I LOVE playing in the dirt!!"

"But you have no idea how tough it is to ride that stuff."

"But you're a good teacher!"

"What about the Great Barbie Bike Fiasco? Didn't you knock yourself out?"

"I ain't no girly girl!"

So it was. She took to the trail and rode really really strong. She was a basketball player all her life and had become a Yogi along the way. She was pretty fit, dealt well with the suffering, and always rode with a smile.

Even after the first crash. Nothing but smiles, yelps of joy while blazing the single track, and always getting better.

I only wish these photos did the terrain justice. Of course, the gnarliest parts of the trail aren't usually the best on the fly photo ops, as you have to ride them with full concentration and the next cozy spot to stop for another photo op is in between the gnarly sections.

I'm not one to have to go back and "pose" for a photo. I like to take them in the moment, so unless you go ride the same trails or go ride with her, you'll just have to take my word for it; she's got serious eggs.

She rides sections both uphill and down that scare me for her, but rarely has her concentration shaken or gets spooked.

A total badass.

You can tell by her smile :)

Crash Boom Bang!

2009-06-05T14:36:00.001-05:00

Turkey Mtn., originally uploaded by Adam Lopez Photography.

So last week, I took a good spill. I take that back, it wasn't even that good. A lowly branch got sucked up into my front spokes and launched me OTB. Ironically, mostly because I was going too slow. Had I been cruising, the twig would have just busted (as it eventually did anyway) from the inertia and never even made me flinch. But OTB I went. Two bruised hands/wrists, one bruised left hip, one puffy scraped up shin, and a SORE neck.

Fast fwd. to today. For whatever reason I didn't sleep well last night, so off the bat I felt like I was 20 hours into a 24 hour race. The body and mind is willing, but the focus is acting like he's been sniffing glue all night.

I was barely crawling as I JUST entered the dirt. Rocks everywhere and of course, go too slow and PLOP. You're on the ground. The hands/wrists are sore again and now the right hip matches the left.

Luckily it's nothing serious, particularly in the hands/wrists dept. A guitar player gotta keep them paws fresh ya know.? Luckily it's nothing that affects the guitarizin'.

Oddly however, my ability to push a lawnmower has been compromised.

It took me about 45 minutes to get my bearings and after that the next hour and change were glorious.

If only Tulsa's weather would be like this everyday! The legs are responding well to the riding again and life is getting better everyday.

Now go ride yer bike.

Tilford, Landis, and the ol' Who Knows

2009-06-04T23:21:00.001-05:00

Tilford is a man.
Originally uploaded by Adam Lopez Photography

I snapped this shot during last weekends Tulsa Tough. Now a national calendar race, Tulsa Tough has been drawing some real talent.

In the foreground is Steve Tilford. A legend in American cycling, our first pro MTB national champ, and much much more. In the background to his right is Floyd Landis. The only man to have his Tour de France title stripped.

Tilford is creeping up on 50. It seems as though he's doing it not only gracefully, but slowly. Tilford the bike racer is not one I associate with "slow". Nor do I associate him with anything but class and grit.

Landis on the other hand has become questionable at best in my book.

Where I stand on the Landis Circus is neither here nor there.

I don't know Floyd nor do I really know his whole truth.

I just found this photo to be interesting.

I also found it interesting that Tilford was a contender all 3 days of the Tulsa Tough races. His worst finish was 18th which came on the last day, maybe the hottest day, the toughest course of the weekend, and possibly the most aggressive day of racing. He was even part of the initial break of the day in a race that many thought would come down to a bunch finish.

Ultimately the hot early pace allowed for a solo break to stick and Tilford was an instigator.

Landis was a non factor all 3 days, but then again these were nothing but glorified criteriums, so I didn't expect much from him anyway.

Not sure where I'm going with this. I certainly am not trying to sway anyone's opinion on either rider or his history.

There is something about seeing the likes of Tilford in person though. You can see (in a good way) the years and miles and experience he brings to bike racing.

If he weren't "Floyd", he was just another skinny guy in spandex filling out the back of the pack.

Just an observation.

Headtube.

MTB Keystone0082

2009-06-04T22:20:00.001-05:00

MTB Keystone0082, originally uploaded by Adam Lopez Photography.

test

Flickr

2009-06-04T21:24:00.001-05:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Photos

2009-05-19T14:56:00.001-05:00

Ride photos

2009-05-19T14:54:00.002-05:00

2009-05-19T14:54:00.001-05:00

F#&@&* the rain!

2009-05-14T13:31:00.000-05:00

I think we're in the middle of our 3rd week of consecutive days of rain and we're supposed to have more of the same well into next week.

The new SS MTB (single speed mountain bike) showed up yesterday.

Not much of a combo there, but like the adolescent I can be when it comes to a new bike, I went for it anyway.
2 hours of bliss. Unlike Cali, the trails here tend to do fine in the wet weather. The soil is different, there tends to be far more coverage, and the amount of rock seems to help as well.

My last SS MTB was super fun and comfy to ride. However it's VERY low bottom bracket made it a chore to ride here where the rocks and roots rule.

Fort Ord, no problem. Turkey Mountain, not so fun.

The new steed remedies that with 29" wheels and almost a full foot of bb clearance.
I built it yesterday and hit the trails today. No test ride or anything. I even set it up perfectly without a tape measure, first try.

I'd never ridden 29" wheels before taking this bike site unseen.

One gear, no suspension, and big wheels.

Seriously, that might just be all anyone ever needs again. Light, simple, durable, reliable, and FUN.

The F. U. is definitely back in fun for me again.

And I met this little guy on the way home.
His shell was the size of a quarter!!!

p.s I saw 2 beavers today! First time ever I do believe....

Rainy day...ain't no use in gettin' uptight..just let it groove it's own way....

2009-05-13T20:44:00.000-05:00

i think we're in our 3rd week of daily rain. not so bad on the road but the new ss mtb is built as of today and tomorrow the trails will probably be slush.....

and round n round we go...

2009-05-05T19:30:00.000-05:00

To an hour long spin in the rain. It's been raining for almost 2 weeks straight, or at least it seems like it. Good times anyway. New shoes arrived today, new pedals should be here Thurs. It'll be nice to be comfy again~

It's sticking

2009-05-04T10:59:00.001-05:00

Thru the years there's been many periods of inactivity on the bike. Sometimes it sticks for awhile, sometimes it doesn't. If it's not fun then I get bored. Since I've permanently given up racing (I think), I've had to find new motivation. Simply for fun is a new one. Fitness is another new one. I've always enjoyed training and racing because of the self torture and the challenge. The science of it and the experimentation with training phylosophies has always been a source of motivation as well.
I began my third? week today of riding regularly and it's fun. The invention of the iPod helps. So does the invention of the pocket sized digital camera, although I keep forgetting it :/

I look like a kook on the bike no doubt. Rocking downtube shifters on a bright orange machine with pink hoods, red bar tape, and yellow tyres, not mention I look like a billboard for every product known to man. To be fair, all my cycling gear was earned either by teams I rode for or that friends I trained/raced with rode for, but still. F R E D for sure.

Keep it fun.....

The Giro is approaching. Levi? Lance? Nah. Hampsten ftw!

5 days

2009-04-27T11:48:00.000-05:00

I put in 5 days on the road bike this week. Yay me! Even took the tandem on a night cruise with the Queen. New road shoes in the mail. New pedals in the cart. I think it's finally gonna stick this time.
Amen to fun & fitness.

It's Comeback Season.

2008-09-13T12:19:00.001-05:00

Tyler's back and comes up roses at the US Championships, Lance is on his way back under the guise that it might somehow help cure cancer, and Floyd is apparently getting restless as well.

Who cares.

Dudes and Dudettes, I"M BACK!

On a clown bike. In fact, if you're familiar with that coke'd up clown from Metalocalypse Rockzo....

then you'll probably agree that if Rockzo rode a bike, it'd be this one:

A mid 80's Basso spray painted orange. Red bar tape, pink hoods. Pinkish cable housing. Yellow tyres. Downtube friction Campy.

Now, say what you want about Rockzo, but at least he admits he uses drugs.

Spread the Love

2008-05-24T14:36:00.000-05:00

Douchebags. Dorks. Kooks. Bike Path racers. The bike path isn't a race course or a training ground. It's for casual cruises, walkers, joggers, moms with strollers and an artery to get out onto the open roads where the real training goes down. It's not your Spring Classic or Tour de' Yuppy. No one wants to see you showing off your new expensive bike and pro team kit. Smile. Say hello.
Don't be stone faced morons. You're not cool. You're not fast. You're not in Europe. Goody for you that you can afford nice stuff, but honestly, how serious do you take this thing? You got the kit, the bike, but you have hair pants on. Shave your legs at least. Take the bike path out to the real roads. Get some real miles in those scrawny sticks of yours. Oh, and take that stupid cell phone clipped to the side of you shorts off for cryin' out loud. I liked the old days better in many ways. Gee, thanks Lance.

Now for some good stuff:

Singletrack, roadkill, and hotties on the bike trail

2008-05-18T20:31:00.000-05:00

We met 4 years ago. I was still riding a bit then. She hadn't ridden since the Barbie bike disaster of '86 when she 8. Riding home to her country house after Pappy dropped her off at the intersection where the HWY met her street. A mile or so. She never made it. Pappy found her laid out like Suge Knight on a Hollywood sidewalk.
I bought her bike soon after we met. She was timid about once. Then she realized she had the goods to be a MTB gurl. She even learned to change a tire. That's more than I can say for some shop employees I've known.
So over the last couple years as I've grown lazy, it's unfortunately spread to her. Luckily she keeps fit with yoga. I just play guitar. Not a lot of wattage or heart rates being measured playing guitar.
We finally rode again today. She still kills it. Yay for MTB gurls.
We saw lots of roadkill for some reason.
We also saw a few super hotties walking the path along the river.
That's a good day.

Oh, and she's recently learned to play guitar.

And she likes hot gurls almost as much as me.

Life is good.

p.s. All photos thus far are from my phone. I have 2 really nice cameras but they're too big and obnoxious to carry on a ride. I'll be picking up a nice pocket size cam soon.

It's about damn time. Damnit.

2008-05-16T19:16:00.001-05:00

I used to ride my bike a lot. The last couple years, I haven't ridden my bike a lot.
Today I rode my bike. It was fun. My bike has only one speed and is named Clyde. Me n' Clyde are going to start hanging out a lot more.