liberty on bikes!

No Heroes

2012-01-15T14:21:00.002-05:00

Post on Pink Bike, video on Palmer soon?

Think what you may,
Palmer kills it, and almost himself.
I would much rather see a disrespectful punk
than an uptight and bland anything. Anytime.

Looks like the Duane Peters video - but FASTER!

Pink Bike

2012-01-15T14:09:00.003-05:00

PINKBIKE photos!
This really helps with the winter-lack-of-motivation thing.
Now really psyched for another round of Battenkill
AND World Cup.

Schedule is filling fast and I haven't even cleared January!

One Speed

2012-01-11T17:59:00.000-05:00

for me is slow.
So it's kind of a 'downtime'
to sort things out.

Right now it looks like the year of
single speed, for me.
Think it'll be another year of shooting
races vs actually racing.
That's how this last season went.
I'm a mid pack cat 4,
or a decent photographer.
So I'll just put my focus on that.

My bike focus has been on the 'lil
bastard. Which gets me around just
fine.

Projects?! Do I hear Projects?!

2012-01-10T17:01:00.002-05:00

I don't know where I've been for the last six months,
but this caught my eye:

I have loved the Quadangle/Slingshot/GT triple triangle style frames
for years.
But the Quad has always been a favorite.
But I've learned my lesson trying to relive the younger days on a 20",
now I can have both!

STOKED!
(not so stoked on the 7+ lb weight).

Moca Bikes

2012-01-09T21:42:00.000-05:00

A little surprise when visiting Mass MoCA.... fleet of Public/MoCA bikes.

Regardless of bikes,
worth the trip for art alone.

Self Portraits

2012-01-08T22:32:00.000-05:00

No need for a camera,
simple phone pic.
Halfway home.

Wishful Thinking!

2012-01-06T23:14:00.003-05:00

Add to the resolutions...
just a little more pop to my hop.
REEEEDONKULOUS!

Random Resolutions

2012-01-06T12:49:00.000-05:00

Ride with the kids more!
More, as in all of the time!

I simply did not go out for enough
"fun rides" around the neighborhood.

For a guy who fights cars to & from
work, by the time I get home I'm not
thinking about the little ones (and now
not so little) that want to get out on
bikes. I may set some what of an
example, but I'm not alot of fun.

Random Resolutions

2012-01-06T12:38:00.000-05:00

Clean up the work bench
so it resembles this, a little.
So I don't buy a pedal wrench
because I can't find the first one,
and end up using a crescent wrench
cause I can't find the second one.

Don't even start on the open end's.
Or the drill bits.

Bike Art

2012-01-05T18:00:00.000-05:00

Rather a frame found laying on the
street.
Found Art.

Child Labor

2012-01-04T20:17:00.000-05:00

When it's ass hot out,
and the drill starts to dumb your hand,
probably the best money spent -
a kid Lego crazed and in need of a
Lego fix.

Project Soulville:

Can You Dig It?

2012-01-04T20:05:00.000-05:00

The copper/bronze color,
whitewall gum tires,
the rack,
and under $600?

Was kinda psyched on this big guy
lurking in the corner of the LBS.
Fuji Portuer.
But I've got the Soulville project
laying in the basement in a bunch
of pieces. And after it gets finished,
it'll do the same job.....
But I still like it none the less.

But I might need some tweed.

Catch it!

2012-01-04T16:28:00.000-05:00

$1.99!
Get on that shat!

A skate mag?
Sure!
Why?
Because I trust you most likely skated,
then you got old & fat & became
relatively unimportant. Don't worry, it
comes with time. Happened to Elvis,
and everyone hip in the 80's. You're
no different!

Anyways, it's nice to wax nostalgia
like you use to wax curbs. Grab it
while it's still on the stands. Think
about how awesome you were, maybe
dust off the board & roll around the
block. Then when the dreams are
crushed, go grab the bike & pedal out
your mid life angst.

Sorry Charlie

2012-01-04T16:14:00.001-05:00

Brown.

So one of the resolutions,
and there's many,
is a post a day!

Here you go,
a sorry little tree that perfectly sums
up my lack luster bike year of twenty
eleven.

Yes, I know I'm a couple days behind.
So there's more on the way.
Now go stare out of the window
and think of happy warm thoughts.
Unless you live in some dreamy
tropical climate.... then I envy you.

Still Rolling...

2011-12-21T14:07:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been a while.
Cross season is over,
unless you're doing Nationals.
The road guys are bolting up
for a winter of indoor trainers.
And the commuters have dwindled
to the dedicated few.
And those with no other options.
I fall somewhere in between both.

I hit my five year slump in dedication
and spent the last couple of months
not racing,
and appreciating the expanded limits
of using a car.

Sometimes, not having a car or the
option of using a car, can make me
feel like a total loser. But I'm also
very aware of the addictive or
uncontrolled decisions I make when
I have a vehicle. More on that later.

Right now I'm trying to build up the
motivation to be a dedicated winter
commuter, again. The torrential rain
that seems to be promising snow
for my commute home tonight makes
the thoughts that much more intense.

Old is new?

2011-11-23T23:05:00.001-05:00

Well,
new can get old, eventually.
There are times,
when I think I spend too much time
thinking.

Right now I think I'm pretty much over
being 'the bike guy'. It's something I've
taken issue with several times. But for
the last couple of months I've found
myself at the limits of 'only a bike'.
And it's shifted to spending more time
in a car, than on a bike.

I could ponder this thing to death.
Actually, I'm pretty sure I already have,
several times. What is possibly ironic,
is I'll probably buy a car, be let down,
and years from now, be car free,
again. Stupid me. A vicious cycle.

Neato stuff!

2011-10-22T13:55:00.000-04:00

Well, first off I've almost pulled the plug
on this blog, twice.
But it's easier to ignore it as life
becomes too busy.
But isn't it always?

So maybe it becomes the online
journal of my frantic & sporadic mind?

Bikes are still the drug of choice,
and they get mixed in with art & the
camera. So on that note.

I almost hit delete on this particular
email. You order one thing years ago,
and receive weekly adds every week.
I should unsubscribe, but you never
know. Lucky us!

Timbuk2 was my standby bag, first a
plain old medium, then you realize
exactly how much you can carry by
bike. And then the upgrades begin!
So I got a multi paneled large. But
in America we're never satisfied until
we over do it. And we have to be
different (cause that makes you just
a bit better than the guy next to you
at the light). So I got on the pedestal
and got a Reload. And why not get a
rolltop for those 'hauling' car free bike
commuter needs?

But the biggest issue is camera gear!
Camera bags suck to ride with, plus
you still need to stash tools & tubes.
And a messenger bag is unnerving
when you have lenses digging into
your back, flashes bumping into
cameras, and you have to dig through
it all.

Finally my need was met! Available in
Small or Medium, I think I'ld still take
a Large option. Timbuk2 now has an
insert available. Lined, zipper closure,
and adjustable dividers. Good thing I'm
a pack rat & still have all of my bags.
I'll set this up & give you an update!

It's the time of the season.

2011-10-08T13:39:00.001-04:00

Ahhh
Long time with no posts!
Cross season is in full swing,
and I've sidelined myself,
with camera in hand,
for now.

The flickr site is slowly
getting uploaded.
And I'll have to get myself back to
posting. Lots of catching up to do.

Ommegang was the latest adventure,
with a healthy serving of mud,
and beer, as usual.

Electric Children

2011-09-08T11:27:00.000-04:00

Spreading this stuff thin!

www.artgeekstudio.com

Just set up a smugmug pro account
for the 'cross season. Gonna be a son-
of-a-bitch getting last years photos
loaded, but seems like the easiest way
for people to get their photos.

Along with the other electronic children
I've been ignoring, there's a whole
'nother project in the works.

Set on Repeat?

2011-09-08T11:18:00.000-04:00

Oh,
it's been a week.
And nothing has changed.
Barely made it through Irene,
a couple days of clear skies...
and the rain is back.

In my usual laziness
I never put away the pump & hoses,
so when I woke up to another yard
filled with water.
As I made coffee,
all I needed to do was plug the pump
back in.
Laziness Rewarded.

Not to make another post about boring
weather. Those were the conversations
I used to have with my dad,
when there was nothing to talk about.
We didn't share the same interest
in anything until I had kids. That was
our one common bond, weather was
the conversation filler during the
periodic phone call.

Analogy, sports related. This weather
is much like (and not helping) my
prep for the upcoming 'cross season.

So let's move this back to the usual
bike related things!

How High's the Water?

2011-08-28T17:21:00.000-04:00

Not 3ft high,
but still rising.
Actually it's tapering off.

The talking heads on tv say 6",
but with neighbor's run off,
I've got more than that!
Over the berms,
through the ditch,
and over the back deck.
Then...
a nice 6" deep stream past the house,
onto the driveway... away it goes.
Worth the moving dirt this weekend.
Except...
for the water that went around the
other side,
and into the basement.

Not flooded out,
just wet floors....

Time to open some windows
and start cleaning up.

First Tracks

2011-08-27T23:22:00.000-04:00

We made it out!
Not out of the storm yet,
but we got out on the trails early this
morning.

Years ago we took the dogs out to
the preserve,
and came back covered with ticks.
Something I never experienced while
living out west. The fact that most of
the land in the northeast is private and
posted really killed my motivation for
mountain biking. So it was back to the
20", a couple times. A short go at the
road bike - but I don't take myself too
serious. Mix in commuting, and the
perfect weapon was the 'cross bike.

But today was fun. Sandy & packed
rolling trails, totally doable on a 'cross
bike. And no tick issues today. Looks
like I'll be heading back for more trail
time as the kids head back to school.
And I think I'll try to squeeze another
day in with the not-so-mini-me.

No Man is an Island

2011-08-26T20:27:00.000-04:00

Well
maybe in this case...

As I planned on my vacation with the
larger mini-me...
total man time of pizza, ice cream,
movies, sleeping in,
and some biking...

I pulled the trigger and ordered some
DIRT.
A dump truck full.
Sitting in my driveway.

But it's not for a pump track in the
backyard. Or jumps.

I spent this evening berming
.... my house.

This hurricane is turning out to be the
fun sucker of our vacation.

We'll see if this house is gonna float
or sink on Sunday.

Still gonna grab mini-me to hit the
trails tomorrow morning, before I
finish our storm prep.

Dog Days

2011-08-24T15:52:00.000-04:00

The first 'official' day of vacation.
Some errands
and alot of laying around like dogs.

Nonsense

2011-08-19T16:28:00.001-04:00

This sums up my life in many ways.
This is what sits behind me
as I stare at the computer....

Get On It.

2011-08-15T20:03:00.000-04:00

Single speed 'cross bike everywhere.
Here
and there.
Everywhere.

Gotta work those legs,
and lungs.

'Cross season is soon upon us.
And the commitment level
is the same as the preparedness.
Low.

Don't Like Mondays.

2011-08-15T19:59:00.000-04:00

I do not like the rain.
I do not like feeling like a wet dog.
I do not like wearing
a reflective jacket,
looking like a neon lemon.
I do not like this Monday.
Not at all.

What do you choose?

2011-08-07T14:49:00.000-04:00

It's one of those stories.

The kind you hear as you trail at the
end of a group ride. Casually rolling
along, making small talk.

"So this lady at my work,
her husband won his choice of ANY
bike. Up to $5000. And he doesn't
ride! So he wants to unload it."

"Whats IT?" you ask.

Well, any bike they make...
Carbon frame with Dura Ace?
Or,
a carbon frame hardtail mountain bike,
or,
a full suspension cross country rig.
Or...?

Except this time,
it's not me listening to some
unbelievable story.

So I told him to order my size.
See if you can sell it,
and when it gets to hard to unload,
give me a call....

But I still don't know what to tell him
to order. If that company made a
$5000 cross bike, there'ld be NO
question. I'm psyched on my SRAM
stuff, and cross bikes...
so a carbon/Dura Ace bike is just
as appealing as a SRAM f/s rig.

Don't know what to choose....
Or, if I'll even get a chance to.

Like Momma Bear

2011-08-02T12:53:00.000-04:00

I'm pissed.
Not the casual pissed,
or the over-stating for emphasis.
It's the split second contemplation
of is it worth jail time?
YES! It is!
That kind of pissed.

The pissed where you think back
to the movie "Falling Down", and
say to yourself "I can fucking relate".

The back story:
Before summer starts we ask the kids
what do you REALLY want to do?
Skipping the replies of "being lazy
pigs & sleep in & eat ice cream all day".
They want to ride bikes.
So this year I have the Tag-a-long
for the little guy.
And we've been trying to make every
thing a biking adventure.
And I've been trying to instill them with
some street smarts and rules.
Passing in the left, right of ways, etc.

Now as much as motorists bitch about
cyclists. Drivers where I live are not
doing themselves any favors. The
other week my son almost got clipped
by a guy in a pickup hanging a hard
and fast right onto our street. Luckily
both of them stopped quick as I
screamed.

Can't really teach him right of way
when drivers don't yield. So that
became a lesson in watching for
blinkers and judging speed. A hard
thing to teach a ten year old with Lego
and Star Wars on the brain.

Today our bikeavan pushed off. Again
with looking all directions, cross at
cross walks, etc. Often times he rides
ahead of me while my daughter rides
behind. At this particular crosswalk, we
waited for the light, with plans of a
water stop after we cross.

Teach him to watch the signals.

Now check for the crosswalk signal.

Is anyone turning right that might hit
you? No.

Okay let's go.

I roll halfway through & stop so no one
makes a right & hits my girl that moves
at a turtles pace. Just as my son is passing me, I spot a car coming
towards us, and it's NOT slowing!

I quickly grab him and continually scream stop! Twenty feet and closing,
suddenly the screech of tires as it
skids through the crosswalk. Right
where my son would have been.
Fucking hell!

"Asshole!!!"
"What the hell!?"
"You fucking idiot! You're gonna kill
somebody out here!"
"The hell is your problem?!"
"You see him? You could've killed him!
FUCKING IDIOT!"

The whole time the light was red
I stood at her bumper and proceeded
to unload on her. She would look at
me. No apology. No eye contact.
Just looking straight ahead, waiting
for the light to change. Waiting.

And that was it.

Had I not assumed drivers are idiots.
Not looked at cars with a skeptical
and jaded view, expecting the worse.
Then my kid would be in the hospital,
if we were lucky. And that fucking
idiot would still be driving, just with a
higher cost of insurance.

It would be labelled an "accident" so
the driver could continue on in life
with less remorse. Cause no one
actually does time or looses a license
due to being too fucking stupid to
operate a motor vehicle.

I apologized to the kids.
Those were not words we use....

Harder though was reality setting in
on my son.

"So she wasn't going to stop?"
"nope"
"Why? It was a red light!"
"yep. Some people are just stupid."

And not apologetic about it either.
So I guess I need to teach him to
assume the worse in drivers. They'll
run red lights, turn without signaling,
swerve towards you, even run you
over without stopping.

Sorry son, assume all drivers are
stupid assholes that are out to get you.
Is that what I need to say to make him
a little safer out there?

Had it been just me I probably would
have kicked her car and rode off. Or
pulled my valve stem remover and
yanked the core while she ignored me.

"What are you gonna do? Call the
police after you nearly killed some
one?"

So you can argue about clueless
cyclists. I'ld rather get hit by 200 lbs
of clueless going 15 mph then 3000
lbs of stupidity going 40 mph.
Simple physics.

I vow next time,
I will physically remove them from their
car.
They WILL be scared.
They WILL learn.

Assert yourself,
and safe pedaling!

New Project!

2011-07-28T12:52:00.000-04:00

Not really new.
It's been in the basement
laying in boxes.
But now it's starting to take shape!

Growing Up.

2011-07-21T15:55:00.000-04:00

It started with my socks,
each day they were disappearing.

Then I couldn't find my iPod.

"well, I didn't have any,
and yours fit!"

"I wanted to listen to music,
when I go to bed!"

After leaving his bike & helmet
in the van,
I guess my bike & helmet also fit.

Somewhat.

I now have a not-so mini-me?

Americana Training Program

2011-07-16T18:03:00.000-04:00

If my legs were food
they'ld most likely be a pretzel-dog.

In the midst of road racing
it's already time to stretch the legs
for the pending 'cross season.
Two months before the first race,
and my legs feel like weighted down
fatty hotdogs. A mid-pack placing
would be considered a win at this
point.

Base miles, and lots of them
or alot of interval training. Neither of
which seems to be a reality right now.

Unrelated News

2011-07-15T20:41:00.000-04:00

A tattoo tribute to Goonies!
I like this guy even more!

Almost like my friend who had the
Stay Puft marshmallow man tattoo
on his ass.

Ok. Back to riding.

2011 UCI World Cup

2011-07-13T11:03:00.002-04:00

Still sorting through photos.
But here's an idea of it...

Shoes!

2011-07-11T20:14:00.001-04:00

Simply put,
I'm a creature of habit.
When I worked at a skate shop,
all I owned was ipaths.
Tons of them. A pair for every day of
the month.
You find something that works,
or fits... ya stick with it.

In contrast, my cycling shoes?
It took a couple pairs, but finally my
Sidi Dominator mtbs were/are
awesome for everything.
Except for those times where you don't
want to look like a bike geek.
Problem is, I don't want to grab a
wrench to put on some bmx flats just
to ride to the store, or gallery, or bar.
Which was part of the reason I built
up the DJ bike. Something I could just
hop on with regular shoes and ride.
No clip-clapping around like a hefty
tap dancer, or slipping on beer covered
floors like it was ice.

Yes, Chrome makes a pair of SPD
shoes, as does Vans. But all black
doesn't do it for me. No thanks.

BUT! I came across the Districts from

www.dzrshoes.com

Tried to google any reviews or fit
opinions with no luck. So I bit the
bullet and with a couple clicks, they
were on their way!

First impression? Solid! Clean and
simple. The fit is true to size. Not too
narrow. I have monsterously wide feet
and these are snug, but not tight. So
no thick socks, unless they stretch out.

So I'm mildly psyched on them.
Since I'm no longer a shoe whore,
(I think I have more bikes than shoes)
hopefully these will stay in regular
rotation. Gonna go pick up an extra
set of cleats and go for a ride!

Pedal Pushers Club

2011-07-10T14:53:00.000-04:00

I remember seeing this shirt....
maybe in the Bicycling Mag,
not sure.

While wondering around the vendor's
row/pits I came across Brian's tent.
He made the trip up from DC with a
load of Pedal Pushers gear.

I didn't hesitate to relieve him of a
shirt. Some good stuff here:

www.pedalpushersclub.com

Check it out!
I needed another T like I need another
flat tire. But this I couldn't pass.
Goes with the shoes...
Shoes? Yup. Found something else
too!

So, the world has a cup...

2011-07-10T13:42:00.001-04:00

70's photo processing app.
Because the combination of UCI,
cross country racing, and euro pros
in denim cut offs, big glasses, and
strong cologne - just leaves me
mildly entertained.

The dirty part that I feel?
That was from laying in the dirt all day
and by Tuesday I should have some
photographic evidence posted.

The UCI reminds me off mall security
it's easier to just avoid them.

I had a good time crawling along the
course though....
So much stuff to post,
let's come back to this with some
photos... and move onto some other
stuff.....

UCI World Cup @ Windham

2011-07-08T10:24:00.001-04:00

What does this photo have to do with it?

Nothing!
Cause I'll be shooting tomorrow.

I'ld say maybe a day later,
but there's still photos from last year
... that I still haven't put up.

And I'm scanning the computer
for some nasty virus... bummed.

So it's iPhone posts for now.

Go ART yourself...

2011-07-06T05:58:00.001-04:00

Changes.
The Starbucks stuff came down after
a two month run.
There was a brief one night show in
NYC.
And a small piece in the library.

Beside the NYC show,
the biggest news is my website is
finally done! Besides the redoing of
flickr and building another blog.

www.artgeekstudio.com

Free time for the 'little things'?

These are the little things....

Get back on it...

2011-07-05T23:03:00.001-04:00

Well there's a vacation for you.
This little and often neglected blog
got the delete button.

And after a quick revival,
just sat there.

Sometimes you need a break,
but I should know by now that a break
from the bike never helps my mental
health.

So after beating myself up mentally,
I dusted off the Green Machine...
and got back on it.
Things are good.
Bikes are good.

Lately...

2011-06-07T14:10:00.003-04:00

So I was recently interviewed.

It came at the end of "Bike Month",
which was kind of a flop, at least in my little mind.
And I was sucking motivation
like a monster truck sucks high octane.

It reinforced my feeling as the "token bike commuter",
that only pops up during bke month.

Sometimes it just sucks going by bike.
Gotta go across town,
the sketchy part of town,
late at night.

Don't want to walk around with cleats,
and the only bike with flat pedals is the dirt jumper,
that's single speed.

Oh,
and you have to bring a ten pound art book with you,
and really don't want to walk around with a messenger bag?

There I was,
pedaling my ass off.
Didn't get jumped.
But it sucked.

Tired off being the "bike guy".
There's the "photo guy",
the "art guy",
I'm even more of a "family guy", in a lot of ways.
But my name isn't Peter,
and as big as I am,
he's still got more poundage.

But I'm just "the bike guy".
So disappointed with it,
I deleted this blog.
(luckily blogger is an easy girlfriend to get back together with)
Restoring the flickr account,
F me!
I''ve always admitted I'm an idiot.
oh-well.
I'm back after my self imposed exile.

I'm also a "dog guy",
actually more of "the guy who's wife rescues all of those dogs".
That's my usual introduction to non-bike people.

Contributions

2011-05-20T13:32:00.001-04:00

Every month is bike month.
And every day is bike to work day.

At some point last year
the apathy of others
killed my motivation.
I came to realize that:
just because you have a bike "event",
doesn't mean that cyclists will show up,
or care.
No matter how accommodating
you try to be.

Unless some highspeed lightrail
pops up over night,
and gas goes to $8 a gallon,
I'm not placing any bets on 'change'.

But I did do an interview for
The Business Journal on,
yep,
what I'm know for,
the Token Bike Commuter.

We'll see how it went.
I tend to say really stupid shit.
Those people who still call me
their friend,
must have a judgement deficit.
Or be easily amused.

Secondly,
was a Bike Safety class for Pre K
and second graders at the elementary
school. Best described as trying to
give kittens a bath, after feeding them
sugar. Doubt there's a way to measure
any success with it. For the 80 second
graders I resorted to the secret stash
of blinkies in the messenger bag.

Some kids were psyched.

Sure some teachers were not.

And it's off to work.

Bike Week & bike work

2011-05-17T17:11:00.000-04:00

I think it's Bike Week.
The Ride of Silence is tomorrow,
but I'll be at work.
There's a group ride tonight,
but I've been on the couch, sick.
The Commuter Contest got canned.
Sucks, cause I liked that one.

Friday I'll be doing a bike safety class
at the kid's school.
'Bike to Work Day'?
Well, that's pretty much everyday.

Bike Month just doesn't have the
punch that it used to.

Wheels are Wheels

2011-05-14T09:29:00.000-04:00

I have been spending too much time
on the dirt jumper.

To the point of using the bus
to commute to work,
so I can ride to and from the bus stop.
There is just no way to pedal
more than a mile on this thing.

At some point I need to get back on
the cross bike.
But this is a good summer diversion,
something I didn't know I needed.

Flat Stanley

2011-05-12T14:55:00.000-04:00

The tradition continues.
I never had a Flat Stanley as a kid,
but he makes even the most redundant events
a little more eventful,
I suppose.

Stanley and I went out for a good ride,
pictures for the cousin's 'Stanley's Vacation'.
All documented.
He's a pretty good guy to ride with.
Just sits in the bag with nothing to say.
Sometimes you need that on a ride.

Rainy days have passed

2011-04-30T17:39:00.001-04:00

Work Work Work

2011-04-25T15:11:00.001-04:00

Often,
I find myself staring at the bike
while at work.
A little reminder
that freedom is a couple hours away.
Feels like watching the clock
slowly ticking away
when you were (are) at school....

Hanging @ Starbucks

2011-04-23T12:13:00.001-04:00

Literally.
I live on coffee.
But not $5 a cup things.

I'll never turn down a soy chai though.

Just a cool opportunity
to get into some place new.

Short show this month.
Joint showing in May.
And a larger solo showing in June.

Kink BMX!

2011-04-16T00:43:00.003-04:00

well....
Blogger doesn't want to upload sequence.
So this is all you get:

How high is your hop?

Kink started their East Coast Tour today.
Today was a good day.

The Destroyer!

2011-04-14T15:48:00.000-04:00

Balls!
It's done!

No problems,
a bunch of random parts
went together perfectly.

That never happens!

Photo of the photo

2011-04-11T19:51:00.006-04:00

The guy with a camera
rarely ends up getting photographed.

My plan of "no plan" worked quite well.
My slacker attitude in sorting years of photos
bit me in the ass real hard like.
So I'm off to see the man on fixing this computer.
Photos up tomorrow!

A big thanks to John Bulmer,
super cool guy that was down for sharing a car,
along with secret spots and tips.
And Corey Tucker,
for being so cool to drive two random guys
with cameras all over the countryside.

*These photos by John. Click names, get links. Simple huh?

Awesome day!

Tour of the Photo Sort

2011-04-10T21:03:00.000-04:00

Like all of my other 'projects',
sorting and posting will take place
'later'.

It was a great unplanned day.
New friends.
Friends riding strong.
And a reminder
that bikes are awesome.
And usually anything bike related
will be a good time!

Battenkill Done

2011-04-10T16:39:00.000-04:00

Done for me.
Another hour for the pros to finish,
and the rain is just starting.

Should be some decent photos.

Battenkill back ON!

2011-04-09T09:48:00.003-04:00

Images from last year.
This year will be in the usual unplanned style.
Meaning there is no plan.
Cameras in bag.
Run around the course for eight hours.
See what I end up with.

Like taking a last minute flight to Vegas.
With $100 in your pocket.
And no place to stay.

Tour of the Battenkill, last year.

2011-04-08T10:37:00.002-04:00

Last years photos,
sadly I won't make this year,
with even more people to cheer on.
So, rehashing....
Better planning already in the works for next year!

Projects & Potentials

2011-04-06T14:02:00.000-04:00

Pulled the trigger!
And project three should be rolling
very shortly!

Forgotten, but still here

2011-04-06T13:58:00.001-04:00

sort of.
Finally got 'the bastard' out on a ride.

And have slipped into that catagory
of fair weather cyclists.
Which is not good.

I guess twenty extra inches of snow
is what it takes to loose the edge
of a full time commuter?
But I was informed last night
that I should just look at it as
an entire summer
to get back into form for 'cross season.

Still......

Kink BMX

2011-03-24T18:24:00.002-04:00

Maybe you never rode a 20",
if so, I'm sorry.

That feeling of being a little kid launching off of
sketchy homemade jumps,
THAT'S the feeling alot of us are still chasing.

So I get to help set up when the Kink team
hits the local shop in a couple of weeks.
What's cool about it?
It's been a couple years since I've built ramps,
and just as long since I've ridden a 20".
But there's the access I hope to get the following day,
with camera in hand.
And the satisfaction,
IF they like what we can come up with in a day.

I can still recall vividly,
the first bmx/freestyle demo I went to....
actually still have a couple pics scanned from it.

Project Three

2011-03-17T20:27:00.000-04:00

NS Traffic dirt jumper.
The perfect solution for a big fat guy
riding with the kids around the neighborhood.
And wasting time at the skatepark.

We'll see how this goes...

Colony HC

2011-03-17T11:28:00.004-04:00

A few pictures from last night's show:

If hardcore is your choice,
COLONY will be out on the road in May,
eastcoast to westcoast.

Kink Tour!

2011-03-16T12:48:00.001-04:00

Did you forget how you started riding?
Ever catch a demo at the local shop?

I'm still psyched to catch this!

Struggles & Temptation:

2011-03-13T14:54:00.000-04:00

The online mail order beast.
The low low prices,
and everything your local shop
doesn't have.

But you can't borrow their tools.
There is no "service" to speak of.
They don't know you,
and your dedication
as a loyal customer.... means nothing.

The next time you have a last minute
repair, need to borrow an odd tool, or
get a deal on some swapped out parts.

You vote with your dollar!
Who stays and who goes.

Playing with fire

2011-03-01T09:23:00.002-05:00

With the warming weather,
and the higher gas prices,
the "fire season" for altercations is almost upon us.

I'm still on the fence about Critical Mass.
The principle and message, yes.
The people that sometimes show up,
not who I would vote to represent me,
or cycling.

But I'm sure others probably think the same about me.

Boston Love

2011-02-28T14:20:00.001-05:00

Boston was good.
Although I didn't make it to any shops.
It was a kid's vacation,
and they enjoyed it.
And so did I.

I'll have to post more,
later.

Got back,
just in time for more snow.
Worked a few days.
Now it's a week off to redo the kitchen,
the entire thing.
Pretty unnerving.

It's one thing to put together stuff for
other people, but my own?
I'm stressed, and it's just starting.

Boston

2011-02-21T21:56:00.002-05:00

Boston for a few days.
Plenty of things on the 'to see & do' list,
but we'll see what I do.

Updates to follow.
Maybe.

One Good Day

2011-02-19T01:58:00.001-05:00

Or two.

It was just a tease though,
as the cold has returned.

The cold becomes a mental barrier.
I spend way too much time in my head
thoughts that don't result in action,
just thoughts.

Like spending all day watching a bad
rerun, my personal non-bike Groundhog Day.

Puppy Bowl!

2011-02-12T14:25:00.000-05:00

I rarely watch the Stupor Bowl,
and this years halftime
was a pleasant slap to the face
of taste.

But the closest I've got to celebrity
in this house,
three of the puppies
from the commercial for ESPN's
PUPPY BOWL!

We just picked them up an hour ago.

Choices or Not.

2011-02-10T11:27:00.000-05:00

LOVE Carlin.
Simply put.

Choice

2011-02-10T11:06:00.002-05:00

I'll readily admit,
somewhere,
deep inside,
I'm a hippy.

While searching for movies,
I found this:

And it's one of the main reasons I ride (commute).
Yes, it's selfish fun for me.
But I also have a choice to say
FUCK YOU!
To bad drivers,
lame automobile manufacuters,
oil speculators,
and all of the lemmings that go with that nonsense.
That's all!

Chasing Legends!

2011-02-10T10:40:00.002-05:00

This is a MUST for this years Bike Month!
Question is,
can I get it into a theatre?

Murder of Couriers

2011-02-10T10:29:00.000-05:00

Trailer for another: out of Vancouver

Courier Breed

2011-02-10T10:22:00.002-05:00

Starting the,
well it's not a task,
but something I do for Bike Month.
This year I need THREE movies to show.
Or, a bunch of shorts.
I figure I may as well post them here.
Comment or suggest away!

Courier Breed - A Documentary on Boston's Bike Messengers from Brendan Coughlin on Vimeo.

Clean Yourself Up.

2011-02-10T09:31:00.000-05:00

This has been one of my
longest breaks from the bike.

It's rideable in the morning,
then frozen over by evening.

You learn little things,
like riding the HIGHEST car traffic
streets, and riding IN the lane.
Why?
The engines and exhaust
keep the sleet at a temp JUST above
freezing. So you can creep your way
home.

And the local bus system
has become my 'spare tire'
in a couple ways.

Just happy the bike racks
are on ALL buses,
ALL year.

Monkey on My Back

2011-02-06T09:50:00.001-05:00

Actually it's a fat
extra fingered cat
named Ruby....

But the figurative monkey
could be the snow storms
or my lack of motivation
or maybe my general laziness.

I dunno.

All I know is I'm surrounded by bikes
in various states of dis-assembly.
The motivation to get out and ride
is not helped by the blankets
of slippery stuff outside.

I must be part bear
since hibernation seems so logical.
The daydreams that help pass time
used to be filled with parts lists,
road trip plans,
and race dates.

Now that time has been hijacked
by schemes to build a motorcycle,
while I grow my ass in front of the
Dumb Box.

The Fat Bastard had sat patiently
at the shop, waiting for the decisive
ride to determine where to cut the
steerer.

The Beer Buddy lays scattered across
the work bench. The hardest part still
not completed: picking out the color.

Green with envy!

2011-01-28T15:57:00.001-05:00

The Fat Bastard is wrapping up!
Next week may provide some time
to go through it.
But as of today,
it's a rider!

Quests:

2011-01-20T11:02:00.003-05:00

Seriously psyched on this: WTF
or Whisky Tango Foxtrot from Van Dessel.
A couple guys rock the Country Bob for single speed,
and I like the downtube on the older model,
and the arched top tube on the newer model.
So I thought I'ld look around their site,
and I don't know how I missed this:

Actually,
I know how I missed it.
I haven't seriously purchased or looked at a magazine
for a year or so.

It's something I've been working on for a while,
kind of like a 'self-improvement' thing.
I'll save that for another post.

But the Whiskky Tango Foxtrot?
Awesome!
Bright 1984 Haro Master green? Favorite!
And arched top tube? Sweet!
But even better is the split at the end of the top tube!
Back in, ohhhh that 94-98' time frame
I had a KHS Fleetwood.

It needed a little longer top tube,
but it was years ahead of it's time!
But I just didn't appreciate it, so I sold it
(and all of my mountain bikes and tools)
when we bought the house.

(sigh)

I even really, REALLY, miss the mountain bikes.
In such a small town,
I figured I'ld see someone on one,
and offer to by it back. But nothing.
Anyways.... it's easy to get rambling on that one too!

But the WTF could easily be a monster cross,
or a 29er.
Better put it on the back burner for now!

it's NOT parkour!

2011-01-17T20:37:00.001-05:00

TRIALS!
plus some bmx skills.

Makes you want to set up another bike,
any reason to have another bike, right?

Well worth the time though!

Under your shop floor

2011-01-13T16:03:00.003-05:00

Does your local shop have a basement?
Probably didn't even think about it.
Maybe it's filled to the rafters with old bikes
and parts.

Or new bikes in boxes,
waiting for a new home.
Or maybe...
there's odd sounds.
And you notice a mechanic or two are missing...

A quick little session while bolting together
The Fat Bastard.

The Fat Bastard:

2011-01-13T15:59:00.001-05:00

Projects:

2011-01-12T11:42:00.000-05:00

'It' has morphed into
The Fat Bastard.

Way ahead of schedule!
Just sorting out the gearing,
and spacing.

Waiting for bars,
and wrap up the brakes.

Then back to the first project:
The Beer Buddy.

The Details

2011-01-08T11:51:00.000-05:00

The sweetness,
in the details.

The bridge details,
beefy dropouts,
spring loaded screws,
and
rack mounts
on the inside of the stays.

Lil Bastard (project two)

2011-01-08T11:46:00.001-05:00

A rolling mock-up,
as I sort out all of the 'little stuff'.

Another One...

2011-01-08T11:43:00.001-05:00

Another weekend storm.
Gallery show tonight.
And what looks to be,
a messy commute home.

Shop Dayz

2011-01-04T15:31:00.000-05:00

Today was a productive day.
In the sense of sorting out projects.

I need to continually remind myself,
it'll be a few months of winter.

A self-imposed deadline of March
or April
or May.

Sno-B-Gone

2011-01-03T16:40:00.000-05:00

For new years I was given the
great gift of Sno-B-Gone!

For the New Years,
turn up the temp to a blistery 39,
and watch the white stuff creep away.

Now if I could get a can of:
Instant Spring!
Wait, that's rain.
How about a Box-o-Fall?

Ten Inches

2011-01-03T16:32:00.000-05:00

Insert your punchline here__________.

I'm not a stranger to storms.
Denver has them.
Salt Lake has them.

Two feet won't even close businesses.
But give the northeast a couple inches,
and there's almost a panic.

No milk or water at the grocery stores.
Everyone is in a hurry to get home
before the snow falls.

And then....
nothing.
Just snow.

Snow Days

2011-01-03T16:23:00.000-05:00

Yeah,
I rode in it.

And it wasn't so fun.

I don't think any change of tires
would've helped.

I guess you could say it was great
practice for sand & mud bike handling.
But that's it.

For the Dogs

2011-01-01T14:06:00.000-05:00

May 2011 be as ridiculous
as Bella and her fancy top hat!

As everyone prepares their
lists for World Domination in
goodness and
self improvement,
I'll willingly taking the back seat.

Trying to find humor
in the mundane of every day.

First Tracks!

2010-12-27T00:15:00.001-05:00

Gonna try to get some in tomorrow!
Didn't mount the Nokie 240's,
so I'm sure that's gonna be the
tire I end up needing,
but not riding.

Let's hope for a snow day!

Green Enough?

2010-12-21T21:34:00.001-05:00

It couldn't be.
It doesn't even photograph correct.
Psyched!
Psyched!
Psyched!

It's green.
And beautiful.
And here!

Posting away...

2010-12-21T10:51:00.002-05:00

The latest post I pulled out for the TU.
It has a particular rehashed stench to it...
Sorry.

Sharing the Love, I hope

2010-12-20T16:02:00.000-05:00

One of the biggest life changing things
is having kids.
From that point on
you constantly self critique.
You realize all that your parents did,
and then try to expand upon that.

What actions will have the most impact
What lessons will they learn
What will shape them as adults

Sometimes it's intentional.
But it always feels like a crap shoot.

I would like to think the art and bikes
that fills my life will only be a positive.
But maybe they'll grow sick of art,
and resent it as an adult?

But bikes?

Alot of kids grow up with a bike.
But it falls the way with many toys.
Some may continue with bmx,
until they get a car.

So I commute daily by bike.
Yes. The main reason is pure selfishness.
But I want them to percieve it as
normal. Accepted.

This last year I feel I failed a little.
The little man transitioned
onto a trail-a-bike.
But that was the extent of family rides.

I need to make a focused effort.
Everyone on bikes.
And having fun!

At the last 'cross race of the season,
the family finally was able to attend.
My oldest expressed a great interest
in racing.
Kind of caught me off guard.
Now I have to figure out a plan.
This week he becomes old enough.

Do I race the combined class,
and stay along side of him.
To offer motivation and keep it fun
(and take continual lasts)?
Then race the next field,
which at full effort,
will net me some more last places?

I'll figure this out while it unfolds
I'm sure.

I'm just psyched he might be 'into it'.
And I have to remember he might
walk away from it mid race.

But the first little man
will have his first "real bike" this week!
Where it goes from here, I don't know.

Extra cool was the hook up from my
favorite alleycat mechanic on the bike.
And the team kit from the local club.

There are some great people on bikes!

Me and the Grinch are cool

2010-12-18T13:45:00.001-05:00

I'm the perfect recipe for seething
anti-holiday attitude.

Eleven straight days of work.
Leading up to the holidays.
It's the same crabiness that takes over
when you're REALLY hungry.
But times ten.

And the mall shows just as ugly face
as Walmart. But then add all the frantic
running around and rudeness
that engulfs you.

I know it's not new.
But this year caught me off guard.
And I struggle to find any enjoyment
with this season.

I think we all need a huge snow day.
Where no one ventures outside,
everything is closed,
and I can sit with a cup of coffee,
and watch the lights.

And then go for a quiet ride.

Think SNOW!

Can't see it.

2010-12-17T09:52:00.002-05:00

before the projects start
the shop bench needs to get cleaned off.
parts need sorting.
but first the lights need to be replaced.

I jumped into the middle of things
and realized,
I can't even see around the work bench.
something that will be my home away from home...
away from home through the winter months.

and since we jumped right into the REALLY cold
at the start of December...
it looks to be a long winter.

But the project list has begun.
And I said no more art shows for a while
(feeling VERY UN-inspired)
that didn't last long,
as I'm scrambling to drop for another show...
today.

There seems to be so many pots on the stove,
that I've resorted to tossing cans of crap
all over my figurative kitchen.

more to follow...

Check Lists

2010-12-10T09:53:00.003-05:00

"Last Call" @ The Marketplace Gallery.
My final show for the year.
I'm running on fumes at this point.

Strange though,
the satisfaction of 'checking goals off'
isn't there.
It was the satisfaction of doing the tasks.
I'll expand on that later...
but it just occured to me as I was sorting out the noise,
the noise in my head of all the things still not completed.

One of my latest POSTS at the Times Union.

And...

This ONE.

Like inviting a few friends over for 'a drink'
this last part of the year has really gotten away from me!

Two months of multiple art shows,
the tail end of the cyclocross race season,
and all the day to day activities
of everyday life.

I started looking at this blog
and realized nothing has been updated
or maintained...

The dreaded FB is such an easy distraction,
I guess it's similar to a bag of chips
versus cooking an actual meal.

Quick and easy,
but never satisfying.

You, my little neglected electronic child,
will get more attention.
I hope.

Fall in love again...

2010-12-08T12:13:00.002-05:00

"hey, we do a late night group ride. wanna come?"

"uhhh, sure!"

STOP.
Right there, I need to learn to ask more questions.
Those questions that you ask yourself a half hour before
you head out the door.
There are no expectations. Which is good.
But there is no info. either!
And that is my fault.

I don't want to sound like some dork.
Too many questions might get an UN-invite!

So I split my gear into:
light & quick bare essentials.
and
messenger bag (everything including the camera).

I had no idea.
The worst case on one end:
off season roadies, out for a late night hammer sesh.
Which means I'll get dropped in a couple of miles,
and solo my way home.

or the other worst scenario:
the super casual urban ride. Which means you won't even
warm up (an issue when it's freezing out).

Sometimes I just luck out!

There was casual.
There were beer breaks.
A quick pace.
Lots of characters.
Familiar faces.
And mud.

Equate it to:
a Cat. 4 late night cyclocross race
through unknown trails
without enough lights.

Simply awesome.!

That's what riding is about, FUN!
No one gets dropped.
If someone flats, then it's time to break out the beers,
and share some stories.

I need to loosen up sometimes.
And as they say
just "enjoy the ride".

Cycling Photos

2010-12-05T14:51:00.000-05:00

There's lots of them waiting.
Waiting to be edited
and posted.

Not today though.
The light snow flurries means
it's now time to clear off the deck.

A month late. As usual.
Santa's work must be done.
A painting is due.
Some winter 'cleaning'.
Which is a result of digging out
cold weather commuting gear.

Procrastination becomes
the motivator.

Last month's photo!

2010-12-04T20:10:00.001-05:00

Ouch!
Completely forgot this for Nov. 2nd!
I'm so, so, so,
scattered!

Gallery window for the UnDead show.
Awesome!

I have to work some skulls into this
holiday season. We'll see how.

Bikes as Art

2010-12-04T17:30:00.001-05:00

Last night was the gallery opening.
A gallery I've worked at getting into
for almost a year.

I would almost say opening night
was anti-climatic. That accomplishing goals isn't as satisfying. It's
the work to actually get there that feels good.

Regardless. What was the highlight? Two really cool cafe racers in the
gallery. I spent most of my time crawling through them. And
entertaining the thought of a new bike.
The kind of bike with a motor.....

It was a good night for "art".

Winter Projects

2010-12-04T17:15:00.000-05:00

Everyone should have one
or several.

I like to go into the hibernating time
with a frame
or some parts.

Up until this week I had
nothing.

But I just got the ball rolling.
Gotta clean off the workbench.
Already took inventory of parts.
And as soon as the holiday season
is over, it's building time!

Will keep you posted!