don't they?

People sure do like to talk.

you speak as though you had hot potatoes in your mouth

Dialing in the routes, tightening up the muscles, ratcheting down the effort. Rode in to work the super sneaky dirt way yesterday in the 1.5 hours allotted, and with time to spare for a quick shower and coffee even though my Soulcraft cap dropped out of my pocket in transit. Today I found my cap. Someone had kindly placed it on a post. Little things go far. I was in no nonsense get there mode (well, I did take the one dirt connector, but it is as fast or faster than other paved options, and waaay more fun) and it took just under 40 minutes.

These times surprise me. Especially when you consider the time spent getting home: We got off early; there is only so much training you can do. I was free to take the long way home before fetching the boy. I opted to head right up the ridge line, so it was a little backroad and then singletrack switchbacks climbing the spine. Pleasantly surprised at their rideability, even with smooth tires. A little weight to the back, a BMX style stand and pump...and up I continued to go. Quick stop in the woods

(timed at 11minutes) to tap the last of the easter eggs there, and moved on. There was a moment of delicious cat and mouse as I came upon a situation involving permissions, the lack thereof, and an enforcer type. But he was looking the other way and I was quickly by and to a game trail. Kept on. More trail, more street and home in 1 hour 40 minutes?!?

Seems like I have some more refining to do on the route(s) to work. It is a pleasant burden.

goes well with everthing

I must have these.

Fine Italian leather...call it what you want, call it what you will. My Sidis are going all soft in the soul, and we cannot have that. Leo needs a new pair of shoes. I'm considering the retail price comparison and these are not a whole lot more than a new pair of Sidis, anyway.

quit bugging me

Did I mention I got a job? Yes. A full time work schedule started this past week, on the 9-5 training tip. I'm stoked to have work- hopefully abundance continues. It's an adjustment from being on call, and scheduling things when they suit me. When this training period is up, I'll have the luxury of working 4 "long" days to get my full time in, which will leave me 3 days to loaf around riding the bikes, so I see the light. I'll work weekends, but that is when the work is mainly and I'd rather be on the roads and trails during the week when things are quieter.

And, how can I complain?

Especially given that I was able to ride to work 2 out of the 5 days this past week. This allowed me the trial runs to figure out the timing/logistics of kid drop-offs and pick-ups. The 1st trial run I'd planned on a truncated sneaky loop to end at work. It was truncated, but by my rear brake cable snapping at the carrier. It took a while to fix (Give Thanks for barrel adjusters and carrying tools), which put me in the weeds time-wise. Mission aborted in favor of getting to work on time. No sense setting a precedent this early. They'll find out soon enough for what they're in.
The 2nd was a trial trail run, and was a sweet ride. Riding through the Monterey Pines at dawn? I'll take it. Just under 1.5 hours, with the possibility of shaving perhaps 15 minutes somewhere. There are showers at work and dry places to lock up the bike.
Looking forward to more.

Picked J up via trail-a-bike when not riding to work, and he loves that.

I have let my employers know already about my participation in (and probable winning of ) SSWC2009 in September, and the week-long debacle of Interbike following.

Finally, as a side trip from work I retrieved the sLeaZE otter's 1/2 full pint of Old Grandad from it's sandy resting place beneath the old rugged cross. Look me up if you want some.

I'm not afraid of the grey wolf, who stalks through our forest at dawn

As always, with Mr. Newman you must pay attention. It is rewarded.




Can you hear me?



I lik his afro. His music is happy, too.



The gloves are off.



Possibly my favorite song. Ever? You cannot remain in a funk listening to this.


Lovely and talented.

I don't know what to say

I picked up a couple copies of Bike Monkey magazine at Sea Otter and those guys are way more interesting than what's going on over here. Check them out.

It is waaaaay more fun if you add an L, and a ZE, sucka

Sea Otter was up and down.

Overall I had a great time. The Joselyn's Booth was hopping and well executed. A well lubricated team, so to speak. Meet the new Frank! Organized chaos was the theme, with sales and massage and shi_talking and beer drinking all going on simultaneously under one very large roof. Seriously, Frank, hats off- that was well done. you made a lot of folks' experience better with your inclusive tent of wonders.

And by Sunday I was able to see the inclusiveness at the Sea Otter Classic. Which was a welcome and unexpected shift from Thursday's feel of schism. I just lik bikes, you know? Downhill suspendy super new school techno bendy latticework anodized (again with all that?) 650b (650BS if you axe me, which you did not) hydroformed latest material aerospace expensive "whips" or just a bike...it should be a sweet ride and a celebration, bitches. I was not feeling it that day. Maybe it was the jacked up stickered up raised up shut the _uck up vans and pickups aggressively proclaiming their "be a hero" hype. But all I could draw from the scene was a sense of dislocation and sadness at the way everyone passed one another with their attitudes in the air and their sunglasses on- like a day's worth of the shi__iest attitude you ever got from whatever shop nearest you it is that only employs snotty wannabe PROs who give you the once over and sneer. Downhill vs XC vs BMX vs Road vs hipster vs us. I suppose it is reflective of humanity (as in oh, the) that there exist these splits, but I say let's end the sectarian violence and just ride the damn bike.

I was bumming out. I had some good coffee and walked around a little more, looking for Goodness but it was covered. Several friendly faces were absent this year (economy, new babies, etc) and when you have been staggeringly out of your head drunk around these type of events enough times to wonder if you are getting that reception because of _____________at last year's Interbike or if you are imagining things you welcome an old friend like...an old friend.

I was pleasantly surprised to come across B. Spoke Tailor Nan Eastep, who was gracious and makes cycle specific clothing that really floats my boat. That was nice. The yahoos at Santa Cruz (you know who you are) went a long way also.

However, there is only so much sadness one 40 year old teenage girl can emote when in the presence of a cooler full of cold beer and a lot of bikes, so I got better. By Sunday, I loved everbody again (especially you). The boys had a good time checking out trialsin demos and jumpyhouses and icecream.

sLeaZE otter is best forgotten entirely, because those people are just no good at all.