Race Report

The Single Speed World Championship 08 was everything I expected and more…or less. See, one cannot go to this event with expectations because with that comes a certain advanced knowledge of what might happen and that just ain’t going to happen. That’s not to say that there isn’t some sort of agenda or that the organizers don’t work their asses off to pull this off but it’s just that if you show up for this day don’t expect anything and you won’t be disappointed. SSWC is a happening and the “race” is more about who would participate than how well you would do in it. I could try and explain further but how could I when I’m not even sure what just happened. I know I showed up, got my number plate, put it in its appropriate spot on my bike, followed all instructions given by the guy with the microphone then ran and rode in the direction directed. How can I tell you about the guys racing in tighty whiteys or the 7 foot tall Australian Waspafarian in a powder blue jump suit that was kicking the jams from a sound system mounted to his bike and his techno twin in a palsy jump suit and slicked back hair and no helmet descending some of the most technical single track I’ve been on. How can I possibly describe the crowd of spectators that lovingly heckle all the riders and riders that stop racing to join in on the hecklings, (side note…the greatest moment for me during the race was not that I finished all 3 laps but was when I shut down a crowd of hecklers by heckling them with, “See how much fun I’m having! The first 2 laps were for you but this lap is for me! I don’t need you people! Helloooo ladies.” (as I passed by the 3 sexy girls in referee outfits, then they each smacked me on my ass.) It’s just impossible to put into sentences and pictures are worth a thousand words but a thousand words are not enough so get to Durango next year, whether you get in the race or not, the suffering is a bonus, just being a part of it makes everyone a champion.

Slim chance

In just a few days I’ll be in Napa, California for the first time in 20 years to spend some time touring the wine country with Julie and also racing the Single Speed World Championships 08’. I’m looking forward to both activities even though the SSWC08 was the motivation to head west. I’ve longed to live out west ever since I was a kid and spent a year in Denver in 1971 which is another story for another time. But someday in the near to distant future I’ll be making my way west to set up a retreat for myself on the “frontier” where I can spend the remaining years of my life roaming the big mountains of Colorado or the high deserts of New Mexico and Utah or the pacific coast of northern California, Oregon and Washington St. The search has begun in finding an Adobe or a wooden cabin or a stone cottage that needs to be renovated. Someplace located where I can access all the vistas that can be seen from my mountain or road bike ala Forest Gump as I finish off my life on the mother of all walk about.
But for now Napa and the “Worlds” are calling and I’ve answered; I have to admit I’ve thought about that SSWC08’ winners tattoo and where I'd put it. I’m not big on collecting body art and Julie might not like it so I figured the safe place for it would be on my dick. That way it won’t be very big and Julie will never see it.
One things for sure though, I’ll be running into some of the folks that I’ve followed on this here intertube over the past few years and I’m a little nervous about seeing these people I conceder friends that I’ve only written to or have written to me. Julie said maybe it’s like meeting my favorite celebrities, but really, more like playing with my favorite cartoon characters.

Why not get some exercise and just walk

BSNYC PSA

Cross Section

“Bike Shed,” Richmond’s bike shop, for the cyclist “in the know” and by in the know I mean knows where my house is, would like to announce the sponsorship of “B” Cross Racing phenom PeaHen. Just back from a successful summer of road racing and a mediocre summer of love in Seattle Washington, PeaHen picked up his team bike and posed for some publicity photos. When asked to comment about the upcoming cross season and his chances on winning the Virginia Series, PeaHen replied; “I leave nothing to chance.” We at “Bike Shed” look forward to cheering him on at maybe one of these races…unless it’s too cold or too early in the morning.

Why divers always shower

Does there really need to be a reason other than the obvious?

Race Report

The second race in the Cranky Monkey Series was held at Fountain Head Regional Park today. I raced the first in the series of three at Wakefield Park a couple weeks ago but it was basically flat and not technical so writing a report doesn’t rate for much so I’ll just say I took 5th in the old man category, but Fountain Head is a different story. Rutty, Rocky and Rooty with short steep technical climbs and cute names for them like “Lung Buster” and “Heart Popper” or something like that. Then the downhill’s are loaded with drop-offs, more rocks and roots. All in all it was a battle royal what with the tight twisty single track, trees, sharp objects, soft sandy soil, and slower riders up ahead. Me, being a nice guy made it tough to stay with the lead guy’s in my group but I was able to get by most traffic on the technical climbs since I don’t mind blazing a trail to get around dabbing riders. Actually it’s a great ego boost to out ride the youngsters with my age written on my leg while offering them words of encouragement. After the first 9 mile lap and successfully descending “Shock-a-Billy Hill,” or something like that, I started my charge to try and reach the lead guys in my group and as I began to pick off riders I noticed none of them were in my category until about 2 miles to the finish when I made contact with one of my people. I sat on his wheel hoping to find his weakness until he asked me what group I was in and being a nice guy I answered “yours” at which time he sprinted away and showed me my weakness, nice guys’ finish 5th.

We Are The ObamaNation

Give what you can, as much as you can, as often as you can.

Professor X turned me on to Sasha Frere Jones and Sasha Frere Jones turns me on to what I’ve been missing or what not to miss.