It has been said, and that truthfully, that September Cross sucks. But, wait! It's September Cross starting tomorrow...and that is not gonna suck itself. So if you are around California's balmy central coast, then get your ass stuffed all up in something tight and take it to the races tomorrow for some hard men of the 65-72degrees and sunny action. We got some fun planned.
Showing posts with label tear-away head. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tear-away head. Show all posts
06 September 2014
02 October 2011
close your eyes and hold your breath
October.
October 2nd.
My birthday.
My True totem reveals itself?
Yes, my (current) totem may be the skunk with it's head in a jar. If one were to judge by the smell of my bike and clothes, anyhow.
Since no one in Monterey will ride with me, I spend lots of hours alone in the woods while pedaling. Typically, this is just fine with me but it does set the scene for some thrilling moments in the dark in the woods on the trails. I set out after work last evening to check on the shrine- it is still there, undisturbed. I'm happy with it's placement after coming upon it in situ, and with fresh eyes. It's subtle but bold.
After rambling out to the Caprock (which needs a resupply) for sunset, it was some dark trail riding back. How am I not going to take the funnest trails? No how, that's how. After MAching Gun Flats to #68 to Blair Witch and fireroads to the low entry to Freedom I found myself back at the shrine, where there was still a bottle of Basil Hayden's and a cold beer I'd left there on the way out.
A brief interlude followed, in which I summoned the spirits.
Then it was on the trail with what felt like dangerous amounts of speed. The 30% waxing crescent Hunter's Moon was juuuuust enough to throw a shadow in clear spots. I do have a small headlight mounted on my helmet (the amazingly useful PrincetonTec Eos) but I prefer not to use it. I like riding in the conditions the night gives me as long as possible. It's better.
Riding the quiet fixed Crosscheck without a cone of separating light I blend into the night and roll with the flow. It's magic.
It's also a fine way to all of a sudden come upon a skunk. At first I didn't know what it was, just a darker spot in the trail so I reached up and tapped on the light to reveal him (tail aloft) facing me. I think he'd hit the gas right then, but I'm unsure. Those damn skunks, they are so entitled. They never give up the trail, they just lift their tail and act self righteously indignant. He began waddling down the singletrack and I kept what seemed to me to be a fair distance- pressing him but not close enough to receive any unpleasantness. Like a skunk does, he just kept heading down the trail, tail lifting higher whenever I closed the gap, but not making any moves to get out of the way. I began to heckle him. I believe he was a rookie of the worst sort. I believe he sprayed his spray and had nothing left because the more he waddled and was taunted, the lower his tail got. But he never did let go the trail. That right hander? Yep. He had options, but he opted for the easy line (read: established trail) every time. I began to think he was just messing with me.
In the end, he took the main trail by all the junk and I took the sneaky line over under the tower and we parted ways. When I slowed and began walking up the steep section is when I became aware of a terrible smell. It was me. Meet the new totem, same as the old totem.
Happy Birthday! I feel the skunk with it's head in a jar is a fine summation of what I have achieved with my Life.
October 2nd.
My birthday.
My True totem reveals itself?
Yes, my (current) totem may be the skunk with it's head in a jar. If one were to judge by the smell of my bike and clothes, anyhow.
Since no one in Monterey will ride with me, I spend lots of hours alone in the woods while pedaling. Typically, this is just fine with me but it does set the scene for some thrilling moments in the dark in the woods on the trails. I set out after work last evening to check on the shrine- it is still there, undisturbed. I'm happy with it's placement after coming upon it in situ, and with fresh eyes. It's subtle but bold.
After rambling out to the Caprock (which needs a resupply) for sunset, it was some dark trail riding back. How am I not going to take the funnest trails? No how, that's how. After MAching Gun Flats to #68 to Blair Witch and fireroads to the low entry to Freedom I found myself back at the shrine, where there was still a bottle of Basil Hayden's and a cold beer I'd left there on the way out.
A brief interlude followed, in which I summoned the spirits.
Then it was on the trail with what felt like dangerous amounts of speed. The 30% waxing crescent Hunter's Moon was juuuuust enough to throw a shadow in clear spots. I do have a small headlight mounted on my helmet (the amazingly useful PrincetonTec Eos) but I prefer not to use it. I like riding in the conditions the night gives me as long as possible. It's better.
Riding the quiet fixed Crosscheck without a cone of separating light I blend into the night and roll with the flow. It's magic.
It's also a fine way to all of a sudden come upon a skunk. At first I didn't know what it was, just a darker spot in the trail so I reached up and tapped on the light to reveal him (tail aloft) facing me. I think he'd hit the gas right then, but I'm unsure. Those damn skunks, they are so entitled. They never give up the trail, they just lift their tail and act self righteously indignant. He began waddling down the singletrack and I kept what seemed to me to be a fair distance- pressing him but not close enough to receive any unpleasantness. Like a skunk does, he just kept heading down the trail, tail lifting higher whenever I closed the gap, but not making any moves to get out of the way. I began to heckle him. I believe he was a rookie of the worst sort. I believe he sprayed his spray and had nothing left because the more he waddled and was taunted, the lower his tail got. But he never did let go the trail. That right hander? Yep. He had options, but he opted for the easy line (read: established trail) every time. I began to think he was just messing with me.
In the end, he took the main trail by all the junk and I took the sneaky line over under the tower and we parted ways. When I slowed and began walking up the steep section is when I became aware of a terrible smell. It was me. Meet the new totem, same as the old totem.
Happy Birthday! I feel the skunk with it's head in a jar is a fine summation of what I have achieved with my Life.
26 October 2009
Enabling [air] certain behavior [quotes] wherever possible
No clearance, low clearance...issues. After a deeply dissatisfying morning's wrenching, it was time to ride.
Not the bike I'd wanted to ride, but you got to know whichever bike I am currently/actually riding is always the best and favorite bike. As it should be.
Up and into the Monterey Pines. Networks of trails, connected by back roads.
Confirmed Totem Animal sighting. Those of y'all who keep insisting that my totem is the raggedy skunk with it's head stuck in a jar? Place that in your smoking apparatus and set fire to it. As always, click to enlarge as desired.
Restocking the log.
It becomes hard to hold onto the bitterness from _______ (pick your poison, today [for me] was clearances) in these places. Let it go. Let it ride. How can you not?
Ride bikes. Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think.
I reflected today upon the similarities between my bikes and the differences. Cantilevers v. discs for a thing. Skidded out knobbies v. fresh for another. My right knee hurt like a -utha-ucka yesterday/Sunday just walking around, not to mention stairs. I babied it today; asking the left leg to do some work taking up slack. I rode a fair amount last week, and then rode the fixed wheel (above left) to work on Friday and Saturday which I noticed as waaaaaay steeper geared than I remembered.
I think I am getting old or something?
Back on the regular glucosamine/chondroitin for me. It helps.
Not the bike I'd wanted to ride, but you got to know whichever bike I am currently/actually riding is always the best and favorite bike. As it should be.
Up and into the Monterey Pines. Networks of trails, connected by back roads.
Confirmed Totem Animal sighting. Those of y'all who keep insisting that my totem is the raggedy skunk with it's head stuck in a jar? Place that in your smoking apparatus and set fire to it. As always, click to enlarge as desired.
Restocking the log.
It becomes hard to hold onto the bitterness from _______ (pick your poison, today [for me] was clearances) in these places. Let it go. Let it ride. How can you not?Ride bikes. Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think.
I reflected today upon the similarities between my bikes and the differences. Cantilevers v. discs for a thing. Skidded out knobbies v. fresh for another. My right knee hurt like a -utha-ucka yesterday/Sunday just walking around, not to mention stairs. I babied it today; asking the left leg to do some work taking up slack. I rode a fair amount last week, and then rode the fixed wheel (above left) to work on Friday and Saturday which I noticed as waaaaaay steeper geared than I remembered.
I think I am getting old or something?
Back on the regular glucosamine/chondroitin for me. It helps.
11 March 2009
Many are trapped for hours in confusion and darkness
A few observations on riding by the light of the (full) moon:
The Full Worm Moon '09 was so bright heading into the (East) trails that I wished I'd brought a visored hat.
Sitting around drinking beers at random backwoods spots, and then riding really fast and loose to another of the spots, etc. is a nice way to spend your evening.
Any animal costume worn while partying shall include, as a safety feature, a tear-away head.
The spherical clumps of Manzanita and Sage both catch you and prop you up. This allows for some fun singletrack pinball action. (wear clothing that won't snag...)
Caching beers under a full moon gives them extra beer powers. This has been known to be true for thousands of years.
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