Tuesday, October 23, 2012

F.R.E.D.

On Monday morning I drove halfway to downtown and then hopped on the bike to continue to the office - I needed to pick my wife up from the train station in the afternoon. As I was driving to my usual spot I got behind a Scion xB (I had to research the interwebs to find the model) that looked similar to this one:


On the back window there were a myriad of stickers adhered to the glass surface to show everyone just how passionate its driver feels about things ... mainly his politics I am guessing, as there were American flags and whatnot placed somewhere in the collection of decaled ideas. What really stood out were the top left and top right decals. This one on the left side:


On the right there was a sticker which featured a photo of an unborn child with the words "It is a Life" on it. So, you're all about freedom, as long as it's yours, right? It's OK to kill someone who has wronged you or broken into your house, but a woman shouldn't have a right to do what she feels when it comes to her own body? Hmmmm, I was perplexed.

To top it off, he had his commuter bike mounted to the roof of the Scion. He was also wearing a "safety jacket" in bright yellow and had a pipe hanging out of his mouth.

Funny how many people, some being politicians, are pro life but they want to build our military and aren't worried about the effects of war - mostly, that people die. Save the kids to kill them later!

I get a kick out of ironic bumper stickers. "No War for Oil," for example, is a great one; the person driving down the road, burning oil and consuming gas that we fight and sometimes die for. But hey, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, it says so in the Constitution. Just don't go imposing it on me and my stockpile of guns, ammo, and cash...

Yes, sir, I will keep the change. Thank you.



Friday, October 19, 2012

You Never Know When it's Time to Go



This is a tragic story. 


http://seattlebikeblog.com/2012/10/17/pickup-swerves-across-several-lanes-kills-man-riding-a-bike-in-everett/#more-37551

While riding home from work, Trent Graham was struck by a vehicle that had suddenly swerved and crossed through six lanes of oncoming traffic. The impact surely killed him instantly. What caused the driver to suddenly change course is not known at this time. What is known is that the driver was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. 

Unfortunately, cyclists and pedestrians always lose when pitted against automobiles. I frequently have close calls with motorists and luckily my number hasn't been called... I hope it doesn't anytime soon, but this accident proves that no matter what you do right and "safely," the odds can be stacked against you at any time.

Mortality is a peculiar thing. Most of us live like we have all the time in the world, yet in reality, we don't.  No matter how we conduct ourselves each day, the end is always near, waiting in that shadowed corner or on some deserted stretch of road. 

Modern society forces us to plan ahead, to collect and save money, to hoard our belongings and protect our assets to ensure we have a nice comfortable future. Sometimes we don't  have a say, so live and enjoy life like the fire's last ember is fading into the ashes and attempt to make this moment last - as futile as that may be. 



Friday, October 12, 2012

Adventure Journal Press - Revisiting the Nowhere Tour

A coworker of mine sent me a link this morning about an interesting bike trip posted on Adventure Journal's website. Turns out, that adventure was one I had the privilege of being on. It was my 40th birthday and I was fortunate enough to share the day, and the following three, with some of my favorite friends. A full length article on the trip was printed in Wend magazine shortly after the trip, penned by photographer and writer, Daniel Wakefield Pasley. Glad to see this wonderful moment in time was captured on film and that it still continues to inspire people to get out there and do things out of the "normal."

Me and my championship belt present I received from my good buddy, Scott Harris. 

For the Adventure Journal feature, click here: http://www.adventure-journal.com/2012/10/the-daily-bike-october-12-2012/

Thursday, October 11, 2012

The Cycle of Abuse - Freewheel Headset Spacer


So I was missing the correct size headset spacer and suddenly realized that an SS freewheel with a shorter spacer placed inside of it works perfectly. The Black Bastard just got way cooler ... I know, who'd a thunk.




The freewheel also keeps me occupied when I am bored, as it spins in a counter-clockwise position - oh, the simple things in life...





Dangerous? Yes. Bad idea? Probably, but I am good at bad ideas...

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Tame Impala

Good stuff from a group of young 'uns from Perth, Australia. Definitely some John Lennon-like vocals set to some fuzzy guitar and poppy harmonies. I like.




Here's a link to most of their stuff on Grooveshark:

http://grooveshark.com/#!/artist/Tame+Impala/704377/albums

Friday, October 5, 2012

Show Me Your War Face

Cyclocross sucks. The air from your lungs. The strength from your legs. The cells from your brain. The oxygen from your blood. Sometimes a layer from your epidermis...




For some reason we all convene on Sundays to partake in the bloodletting. If for no other reason than to feel alive. To join the people of the world who suffer every day in their own way. 


http://spotshotevents.smugmug.com/Cyclocross2012/Mfg-Big-Finn-Hill/25283958_dQrH5C#!i=2077969054&k=PHs6hQP&lb=1&s=A