Friday Afternoon Grab Bag

Condoms At Play


If I Had Hair I’d Get One



Ride On.

Today’s Topic – Books And Posters

Here we are, on the verge of February. February, who’s short length gives us hope for spring but who’s weather slaps us silly. It’s about February and you still don’t have a goddamn thing to do. How about read a book. THIS book, in fact.

As previously advertised, our top-notch creative types have submitted the following for your visual enjoyment. Go ahead, click it for big.



Maybe I’ll have to post something about this whole sordid affair next week. Until then you’ll just have to hold your breath. Good luck with that one.



Ride On.

Today’s Topic – Open Houses

As the singletrack group, FAST (Falls Area Single Track) approaches the harmonic convergence of actual trails, we’ll need help swinging tools and moving dirt. A number of people have already indicated they’d love to help but we’ll need more yet to get the project complete by the end of the construction season. Meaning, when the ground freezes again.

So, we’re going to have an open house in a bit. We’re inviting everyone (stay tuned for particulars as soon as they’re available)!!! We’ll show Thee Plan to the City and we’ll show a pretty close layout of the trails to be built. A cool DVD will be shown continuously.

I hear, from pretty reliable sources, a poster is being conceived now. I’ll post a copy here and you can look for it around town as well. It’s going to be pretty sweet because we have our top-notch creative people on it (read, not me).

It looks like the red bike will be coming home and is not sold yet. So, if you’re interested, the price is now a firm $750. I’m hoping to sell this so I won’t have to drag it to the swap meet.



Ride On.

Today’s Topic – Trails

It’s time to finish the “on paper” part of the single track a group of us are hoping to get built here. We figure we’ve got enough room / terrain to make a three (3) loop “snowman” configuration trail. I’m rough some out on the map using the half (1/2) rule, grade reversals, maximum sustainable grade, climbing turns, and all that.

Saturday we meet to discuss some paperwork particulars and Sunday is “walk the squiggly lines Snakebite put on the map” day. If nothing else the hike should be interesting.

In other noise, if you’re interested in a table for the Swap Meet on February 22nd, you should think about getting your registration in. Space is limited so don’t say I didn’t warn you.

In much other noise, the Reelights are here! I’ll put those on probably tonight.



Ride On.

Get It Yet?

Click this for big.



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Today’s Topic – Lights, Weekend

I will be soon receiving my first try at Reelights. I’m tired of failing front blinkies and battery changing on the commuter. These are due in today and I’ll try to get them on in the next day or two (2).



Saturday morning I took off on a little jaunt in the minus twenty five (-25) wind chill weather. I’m glad I didn’t have to go farther than I did. My toes were numbing and fingers hurting a bit.

I did have three (3) productive meetings regarding the Sioux Falls single track project. Due to an uncontrollable deadline, our timeline has moved up. Nothing like a looming deadline to spur action and create opportunities to create. I like it!

Today phone calls will be made and emails sent to prep a bit for another meeting coming up this coming weekend. Lots ‘o meetings, but, they are productive and we are getting closer to actually moving some dirt. It looks like I’ll get to do a little bicycle bridge design soon!

There is a noticeable buzz around town regarding both the single track project and also the swap meet on February 22nd. This, in my opinion, is a very good thing.



Ride On.

Friday Afternoon Grab Bag

French Game Show – Love It!


Cell Phone Karma




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They Call Him Ray

Click for big.


That's my buddy Ray. Poster child for Banjo Brothers, experienced juror, and rides his bike(s) a little bit. His Mrs is one of the greatest Mrs types in the world (has to be to put up with him!) and Snowy is above dog parks - Snowy is a people dog.


Ride On.

Today’s Topic – Movement

I’ve been talking, off and on, about some possible singletrack being built in my fair city. A group of us, FAST (Falls Area Single Track), has been meeting regarding just this. We’re trying to finalize a proposal to the City such that construction could start as soon as the ground is able to take it.

It was pointed out to me yesterday the State has just over one million ($1,000,000) they dole out in forms of grants for exactly this sort of thing. Cool! Sort of. This will have implications regarding our efforts. It could serve to change some language and is quite likely to speed up our process as deadlines are now looming – as deadlines are known to do.



In other noise, my road bike is going to visit a potential buyer tonight. It’s going for a couple ‘o days to be examined and such. I hope I’ll get a check instead of it back. If / when that happens, it will be time to do a major overhaul / tune-up on the Cross Check and also retrieve the Big Dummy from storage.



Ride On.

Today’s Topic – Karma

I saw this on the internets:

Bing, Bong, the Bush is Gone / 1-20-09: END OF AN ERROR.

I chuckled. Did you? It looks like there is going to be some major repair work needing to be done. I think those who are up to the task will do it properly. I think they are straight shooters and won’t tell us what we want to hear, they’ll tell us exactly how it is.

I don’t think, and I certainly hope, things don’t go back to the way they were. Hopefully lessons were learned. The “prosperity” we seemingly had was nothing more than smoke and mirrors and that bubble had to burst. A nation living on plastic credit is not sustainable. The piper has to be paid in real money sooner or later.

I’m counting on an economy and country based on hard facts, hard work, and sound principles. I’m going to do my part on my personal level. I’m getting rid of what little debt I have and setting up a “rainy day” savings account. Unless it’s a house, I will not buy anything on credit. Save up and cash on the barrelhead.

While the economic fix is going on and while I’m working on my own level of economic soundness, you can find me riding my bike(s). You’ll know it me when you see me, I’ll have the perpetual grin on my face.



Ride On.

Make The Connection

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Today’s Topic – I Wish I Had A Topic

My weekend was spent doing some planning for Thee Swap Meet and working on the Urban Single Track project. The weather was here, wish you were beautiful, and Thee Spring Melt began. I think it might be short lived, though.

I delivered the better posters for the Swap Meet around to the shops and a few other select places. Initial response is favorable. We’ll see if registrations for tables start filtering in. I do have a couple more emails to send out to some regional bike shops.

Sunday I borrowed a Garmin 705 GPS and walked the creek in the city park in which we’d like to build some singletrack. Three (3) deer jumped up and scared the shit out of me. Other than that and a few punch-throughs in the ice, it was uneventful though very educational. The cut from the creek is wide and deep in places. We’ll need to locate bridges in strategic locations.

Donations are starting to show up as well. We have some steel joists donated to build bridges with. An individual emailed me with a cash pledge. We’re getting the proposal done and the trails roughed out on paper. Next will be walking the roughed out trails to check on viability.

But, we are beginning to get slightly ahead of ourselves. Everything rests with the proposal and having it approved by the City. A meeting is set up for January 31st to make our way through the second half and then we’re pretty much ready to rock AND roll.

In other noise, my animosity toward pro racers – it’s fueled by things like THIS. Pro racers suck. Just get on your bike and ride.



Ride On.

Friday Afternoon Grab Bag

Nightmare Or Bad Trip?


Moustache Dance




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OK, Here We Go – Bike Swap Meet

Before we get really started, you'd better see THIS.

Well, I guess I’m putting on a Bicycle Swap Meet in February. It seemed like the thing to do it being winter, not much going on, and it’s the swap meet “season.”

What: Snakebite’s 2009 Sioux Falls Bike Swap
When: Sunday February 22nd, 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Where: Holiday Inn City Centre, Sioux Falls
Etc: Admission will be $5, tables are $25 until February 12th and then $35 up to and including the day of the event, and I’ll have a “Bike Corral” for $10.

I’m going to give the proceeds away to worthy causes. This year the proceeds are going to FAST (Falls Area Single Track) to aid in their effort getting some sweet single track in my fair City. Next year will be a different worthy cause.

I’ve got a poster, as such, made up, a info sheet, and a registration form. Email me or comment or something if you want me to send you the pdf version. I’d be happy to answer any questions with either actual or made up answers as I’ve never run one of these before and the learning curve and shit.

I don’t know if I’ll sell one (1) table and have six (6) attendees or if there won’t be room for attendees because the venue I have lined up will be bulging with sold tables. I do know I’d really appreciate it if you’d help me getting the word out via any medium you’d care to use. Viral on the internets would be cool.

In other noise, I’m planning on a GPS mapping quest this weekend. I need to map out a creek that runs through to place FAST would like to use for the single track. The weather is supposed to warm up so this should be interesting.



Ride On.

Weird Picture

If you take the picture of me on the profile page and run it through some funky software online, that's what you get.


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This Is Totally Real

Thanks to Stevil for pointing this little gem out.


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Today’s Topic – From The “I Told You So” Desk

Economy got you down? Wish you had some more coin in the purse? You’re not alone. But, it is pretty easy to get just that. Sell the goddamn car!!! And, read THIS article from the online version of the Wall Street Journal.

I sold my car about one and one half (1 ½) years ago and have never looked back. And, once you get in the groove, it’s pretty easy not having one. Yes, I’m suggesting AGAIN you commute by bike.

“But I’ve got kids to cart around.” “But I have to dress nice for work.” “I live too far from work.” “I live on a busy street.” You might be saying / thinking these things or similars. As I’ve said before, excuses are like assholes – everyone’s got one and everyone’s stinks!!!

Sometime, somewhere Americans have lost their collective ambition. It is directly linked to the brainwashed car culture imposed on us. Along the lines of Americans always looking for the easy way to do everything they’ve become obese, unmotivated, and lazy. You know who you are.

Do you remotely remember the Robert Frost poem?

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

...Robert Frost

Giving up your steel cage, riding your bike, getting some exercise, refusing to be brainwashed into the driving culture – those are all “I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.”

To answer my own aforementioned lame-ass excuses:

“But I’ve got kids to cart around.” It’s called PLANNING. Biking (with kids especially) will take longer than in a car. Plan ahead, leave earlier. Kids LOVE bike rides. When they’re small, give them a ride. As they get bigger, ride with them. You’ll love the extra time you get to spend with them.

“But I have to dress nice for work.” There are two options here. If you have the proper equipment and can pack neatly, you can carry about anything for clothes with you. Keep a towel, deodorant, and maybe some body spray at work. You won’t get THAT sweaty on summer mornings and you can shower after work when you get home. The next best option would be to drive ONE day per week. Take all your clothes for the other four days and keep them at your office. Bike those four days. On drive day, swap your clothes. You’ll be cutting your driving by 80%.

“I live too far from work.” Are you sure about that? Try riding to your place of work on the weekend to see how long it REALLY takes you. If you do truly live too far away, how attached are you to being in that spot? Consider a move. I have no crystal ball, but I’m guessing gas prices are going to go sky high again once the economic recovery is complete.

“I live on a busy street.” Busy streets can be trouble. Dedicated bike commuters have a knack for self preservation and for finding routes that provide just that. You can do it and I’m willing to help. I’ll find you a route (if you live in my fair city) – just ask.

Lose your steel cage, join the revolution. Watch your pocketbook get fatter and the spare tire around your midsection disappear.



Ride On.

Today’s Topic – Meetin’

Last weekend saw another gathering of the group that’s spearheading an effort to get some singletrack built within our City limits. Most of the meeting was spent forcing Thee Proposal to converge on completion. We made it about half way.

Progress seems slow right now but this is the key step. We want the document to cover all our bases such that it will very clearly communicate what our intentions are. Writing and reviewing this document makes the group think about many things that may have been glossed over otherwise.



Our next meeting will be spent reviewing a training video and making it the other half way through the proposal. My sense is we are maintaining momentum. Once we have a few ducks in a row we’ll begin some other key aspects.

For now, and to help me avoid cabin fever as much as a dude can these days, I’m studying the topo map and roughing in some possible trails. The next step will be to walk what I’ve marked and see just how big of a dumbass my map squiggly lines make me look like.

Actually, I’ve had training in surveying and worked some time on a survey crew doing just this. Who knew that college degree was going to come in handy some day?!?


Ride On.

Today’s Topic – Bike Swap

I own six (6) bikes. A Giant Simple Single cruiser (for sale – contact me), a Trek 2300 road bike (also for sale – contact me), a 1977 Raleigh which I’ve shot blasted, had powder coated, and converted into a fixie, a Surly Cross Check built as a single speed commuter, a Ellsworth Evolve full suspension mountain bike, and a Surly Big Dummy.



When the S.O. moved in four (4) of six (6) bikes went into storage. I know, I know – fuck you, I did what I had to do. Right now I have the Trek that is for sale at the place (because it is for sale) and the commuter.

Once (if?) the Trek is sold I’m bringing the mountain bike to the place. With urban singletrack going in soon, I’ll want it handy. I might build up a single speed mountain bike in 2009 – we’ll see.

I miss the Big Dummy. As great as the Cross Check is, I’m going to swap the Big Dummy from storage and put the Cross Check in storage as soon as the snow is gone. The Big Dummy will serve as the commuter bike and also the grocery getter, camping bike, and touring bike.



I don’t remember if I’d mentioned, and I am not too inclined to check, but I intend to go from a rent payer to a property owner in 2009. Once that happens the glorious bike reunion will take place. I’m sure I’ll get a keg, have the usual suspects over, and also have a weenie roast.


Ride On.

Friday Afternoon Grab Bag

A guy is in line at the supermarket when he notices that a rather hot blonde behind him has just raised her hand and smiled hello to him. He is rather taken aback that such a looker would be waving to him, and although familiar he can't place where he might know her from, so he says "Sorry, do you know me?"

She replies "I maybe mistaken, but I thought you might be the father of one of my children."

His mind shoots back to the one and only time he was unfaithful. "Holy crap," he says, "are you that stripper from my bachelor party that I screwed on the pool table in front of all my friends while your girlfriend whipped me with some wet celery and stuck a cucumber up my behind?"

"No," she replies, "I'm your son's English Teacher."


Robot Evolution




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Today’s Topic – Oral

I’m going to be getting oral. I got a phone call reminding me of this. Unfortunately it’s not that kind of oral, it’s oral surgery. Evidently my gums are receding. Something about my maniacal brushing technique. I did switch to a Sonicare toothbrush recently.



Nevertheless, I’m going in for some oral in about two (2) weeks. Its suppose to be an easy type of thing. I’ve had a couple ‘o root cannels. I didn’t think those were too bad. How bad can this be?

In bike related noise, Kimra sent me an email yesterday with a bumper sticker saying in it. It said:

If I Had Ridden My Bike Today, You Could Have Parked Here

Sweet!


Ride On.

Today’s Topic – I’m Still Amazed

I’m still amazed at the number of people who “don’t get” bicycle commuting. “You mean you ride your bike – even in the WINTER???” I get that every once in a while.

They say that like it is some big deal. It’s not, really. All it takes is appropriate dress and appropriate equipment. Today’s wind chill was in the neighbourhood of -10 to -15 degrees Fahrenheit. I was plenty warm and even sweating some. How do you think those dudes climb Everest or Denali? They frickin’ layer up. So do I. Duh.

The only real equipment change is studded tires. Some will argue that they aren’t even really needed. I resisted putting mine on until I knew winter was really here.

If you remember, back in October when the financial system bailout passed congress, there was a provision to give bicycle commuters a $240 per year tax free reimbursement. Yesterday I made sure my place of employment knew this and I’m working to get this implemented. I know it’s not much, but, it’s something.

If you’re a dedicated bike commuter I urge you to do the same. Your place of employment can deduct it from their taxes. Plus, or maybe, just maybe, others will catch on when YOU POST THIS ON THE COMPANY BULLETIN BOARD, or when employees or bosses from one company share this with employees or bosses from another.

Do what you can to spread the overall goodness of bicycle commuting. Every little bit helps. And, the more of us there are, the easier it is to justify biking infrastructure. Get on it. Now.


Ride On.

Today’s Topic – A Change At IMBA

I belong to a small local group who are pursuing building singletrack within our fair City’s limits. In this endeavor we are working with IMBA, somewhat. Yesterday I learned IMBA is phasing out their state rep program.

Instead, or in place of, IMBA is going to have something called Regional Leadership Councils. These councils will be made up of 10 to 15 advocates ranging from “super-stars” to bikers and all points in between – whatever that means.

Anyway, these councils handle regional issues while providing IMBA guidance to develop and / or catalog best practices for local yo-yos bikers (like our group) to employ.

So, there you go. I’m not sure what this means for my group’s thing yet – if anything. But it does look like IMBA might be taking a pro-active approach to improving and providing better assistance to bikers.

For more info why don’t you contact IMBA. I’m sure they’d love to hear from you!


Ride On.

Today’s Topic – Clusterfuck!

As in a blog called “Clusterfuck Nation.” This blog is written by Jim Kunstler. I love the name of the blog. But, that’s not what I’m going to blather on about.



I read this blog about once per week – about how often he posts. I don’t always agree with what he says. Sometimes I do. It is my opinion this week’s post is right on and very close to reality. Click the link, read the post. It’s not that long.


Ride On.

Today’s Topic – I Think It Might Be 2009! Shit!

Greetings, Compadres! How’s the new one treating you?

Mine’s off and running. New Year’s Eve was spent at the magic show, dining, at Monk’s House of Ale Repute – all with the S.O. Monk’s was good, as always, and a number of the usual suspects were there. I’d list them and hot link to the bloggy ones, but then I’m feeling lazy today.

New Year’s Day was kicked off in fine fashion riding the Spoke-n-Sport New Year’s Day ride. The S.O. and I attended – along with 200 of our closest friends. She is still skittish when it comes to riding with her bike crash and broken arm and all. We were dragging the group but did not get lapped due to our quick thinking and quicker turn-around, followed by the bee-line back to the rendezvous point.

But, what I’d really like to talk about today is singletrack. If you remember there is a group of us who are pushing for some in the City limits. Legal and everything. Friday The Adam and I met to put some tweaks on the proposal to the City. All systems go in that department.

I’ve started budgeting some stuff to get the actual trail built. With a motivated group of volunteers we’ll be riding this summer and, bike gods willing, have it substantially complete by the time the snow flies once again. Maybe not the pump track, but maybe yes.

In other noise, that Bald and Surly dude presented me with a Snakebite tee-shirt on New Year’s Day. What a guy!

That MinusCar fellow – you know, Michael? Well, I’ve changed his name from Michael to Bikel (for those with dyslexia or malaria, or something, Bikel rhymes with Michael). Why? Because I can. So why am I hotlinking now? Sometimes life is cruel.


Ride On.

Hunter

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From 2008

Here are all the morons (I'm in there, find me if you can, click it for big) getting ready for the start of the 2008 Highway 212 Gut Check.




Ride On.