Running n' whatnots

“very tie I cough a kitten loses an eye” – Book of Ernesto

K, so I’ve been getting over having such a sore throat, and the constant cough here and there.

Been riding on a regular basis though, but the ride that I am supposed to lead on Saturday won’t happen. I will be there, but it will be cold. There’s talk about global warming, but I don’t buy it. The Earth knows how to balance itself…shit, the whole universe knows how. In due time, humanity will be thinned from a catastrophic event. Not in out lifetime, maybe yes, maybe not for another 5,000 years.

I am, however, training heavily for the only race I will be doing this year. The Pewaukee Triathon in July. Weights a la choy, riding (I already have a good base), but I do have to hit the sidewalk for running, which is my weakest.

…one thing to kinda smile, tonge in cheek…gas prices. I ride, they don’t they drive everywhere…hee hee!

Oh, and soon there will be “ERNESTO’S Bike Lube”
You just wait.

Winter

Global warming? right.
It is snowing right now. I'm getting tired of this cold. I am all for global warming…c’mon you long distance commuters, burn them carbons and your monoxides.

The last two weeks have been miserable, riding-wise. I was able to ride a handful of times. The funnest was last Thursday, riding in –8. I wasn’t cold much. Gore-tex and layers, and the proper gloves, goggles, face mask, those chemical hot pads that go in your shoes, etc.

So slick outside, so I have to stay away from the roads when the snow is falling and sticking…I have to give room to the snowplows, and I don’t want to get hit by some nut who would claim that his 4x4 shouldn’t have slipped on snow. Anything slips on slick snow and ice. There’s some ppl I have seen that don’t even know how to turn on the 4x4 option in their SUVs. Pathetic.

Ok, so some of you have pre-ordered frames, which is very cool, and I thank you.

I am also trying to get some Fixed-Gear socks for the lot of you. Shirts last year, socks maybe this year.

Been up since 4 am. Last week it was tough sleeping. I do believe that there’s a ghost living in these premises. Well, when we moved to this house in 2005, heard whispering one night while I was up late working on this computer. I heard the whispers twice. The 2nd time they were closer to me.

Then in 2006, we heard scratching on the wall, and when I said “enough! please!” it stopped.

Last week it was different, sounded like there was someone outside the front door. Usually happened around 2am. Someone outside the door dragging something hard, almost like shoveling the front, wooden porch. You know, that sound a snow shovel makes on a wood floor, like that. I heard it night after night, it would wake me up. I have not heard it since Friday.

Whatever it is, it isn’t malevolent. Who knows…

Today will be a long day. I am already showered, ready to go, wearing my cycling winter clothes…I had to give the snow a 2nd thought. I’ll ride if its dry and very cold, but not when it is snowing. Many, and I mean, many idiots out there with little balls and big vehicles. But I have to change into more reserved clothes now. Sarah’s giving me a ride. At least I am showered, and don’t smell like some punk ass beeatch.

imaginary bikes

GothamFixed
"Points for sticking it out, but I'd still no go there. Besides, there is Tony who is proven & dependable while this guy couldn't get it together. Getting up hopes & bashing them down is bad mojo, I can trust Tony, this guy, no way.

If he had some stones he'd find a job, raise the capital (it isn't too too much) then sell bikes he has, or simply get a loan & sell bikes he has instead of imaginary bikes,"

They're not imaginary. They're out there in the future somewhere. I couldn't get it together...but I refunded money, so aside from the barrage of emails of "when will it happen?", people trust me.

I have a job. Anough to pay for a family of three. We have one car. That's all I can afford. A loan? right.

Sarah's eye is doing well this morning. I called her once I got to the office. A little goopy she said, but she can see ok with her glasses. Writing about her eye makes mine water.

thats too bad, but not really...

"Check out dude's blog and you'll see that this is his second attempt to do the same, it is current.

Incidentally this thread is now in that blog as great publicity. Glad I could help, just cuz I think it's a risky venture doesn't mean I wish for it not to work out. Also, there's nothing wrong with a cookie-cutter frame if it's cheaper than all the rest."

Thanks ThePistasAtDawn!

I am not being malicious by putting up Fixed-Gear.net back in action. It is risky. I am not going to ask for a bank loan, and I am a man of my word. Last time I refunded a lot of money. No shame in that. People like that. An honest person.

It is cookie cutter and I know exactly how much it costs to produce just one frame. The prices from our Asian friends are waaaay less than some venture like this in the USA. I just want ppl to ride.

ThePistasAtDawn, thanks. I will take all you've said as a compliment.


GothamFixed -
“Untitled Document
Sorry, this ain't gonna happen. Not enough pre-orders, causing financial turmoil. I'll start refundng ppl's $$$. Adios. Ernesto@hbfk.com.
www.fixed-gear.net/ - 1k - Cached - Similar pages”

Yes, it takes a while for google to display updated documents.

"thats too bad, but not really...guys kind of a selfish hick < throwback. haha yeah i read blog too"

"plus it wasn't that he was trying to do it Without Capital, he was trying to sell it to raise capital, but he trying to sell shit to a sewer & too little too late, no class I'm so cool dude salesmanship usually falls on its face even in the too cool crowd"

At least I am trying. Selfish hick? weird. Maybe because he might have a blog, or maybe because he uses the fixedgeargallery forums as his blog with nothing else to do but to be narcissistic with his comments. Eh, I am not going to say anything negative. I got nothing negative to say.

So all day I’ve been biting my lip…why? Sarah had to have emergency eye surgery. She’s got some weird condition in the back of her eyeball. The inside of the eyeball, right above the optic nerve, is detaching. Emergency procedure was to reattach that…the back of the eyeball. She had five shots around her eye to numb it.

I wish I had been there with her. GA! Just another thing to add to the pot. I almost feel sick to my stomach.

She’s on the couch resting. Annabel is over here reading her books…on the 25th is the other eye. Dr said this happens to a lot of people who have severe nearsightedness.

Just the thought makes my eyes water.

Tomorrow, back on the bike to the office.

Love it!

This publicity is by far the best!


Thanks for finding the site. Yes, they're a clone of sorts. The 58cm is a mistake on that site. I accidentally deleted the 58cm Fixed gear frame PDF, but the one you see is for the Angry Goose project. Cross bikes that are still in the drawing board.

Love it love it love it!

Why is Fixed-Gear.net back up again? I have a family to feed, and if it all goes well with this next try (and thank you for all the inquiries), then there will be nice frames for those of you on a budget.

Some people on that board might see the fixie thing with some negativity, but that’s because they’re jealous I think. So what. At least they ride bikes and they’re unknowingly promoting this.


PostPosted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:05 pm Reply with quote
Site Admin

Joined: 03 Nov 2003
Posts: 2154
Location: tc - usa

I think all that "order by june" "first 100 frames" stuff has been up there for a looong time - last year about this time.

Like I said, let’s see what happens. At least I refunded all the money for the $2000 short I was by the deadline. Meaning, no one sued me for fraud, because that’s not me. I refunded money, something not a lot of people nowadays would do with a large amount of cash.

back in fixed mode

The ride was good. Back on the fixie. I missed it.
Close calls like always. ON hwy K, about a quarter mile from a drive way, a car was going to make a left turn, same direction I was riding. Person waited and waited. I was thinking of stopping. I guess some people don’t recognize or get freaked out when they see two little lights and moving reflectors coming their way. It didn’t bug me, but it was like “you’re going to pass me as soon as you make your turn behind me” Idiot.

+44 in my head the whole time. I like music that’s not so top 40 or so commercial. To me, if I like it, I buy it.

This summer will be cool. A trip with Mike up north. Me on the fixie, him on his touring rig. Simple as simple can be for me. Emergency blanket, a yoga mat, minimal provisions and a bike under my self sufficient legs. 240 miles of SS’ness.

And British hookers have been told to stay off the streets…

Anyway, Pewaukee triathlon, a lot of fun rides for me and Sarah, and pulling Annabel in a trailer around town. Sarah’s only been on the bike three times since Annabel was born. I want to get into riding more with my young family. Annabel at 2.5 yrs old is having fun with her little gnome-fest bike. Its fun to watch her learn, to watch her get frustrated, and wear her helmet. She’s so cute. She learned to say “tortilla.”

A buddy of mine let me borrow the British version of “The Office.” Funnier than the US version. The UK one is the original, and the US is flat our a copy, but a lot of Americans don’t catch the UK comedy subtleties. Its interesting and hilarious humor. And comparing the two…the US one is catered for our fast lifestyles in my opinion.

Bitches.

we're slaves

I hate pets.
Fukkin’ cat woke me up at 2 am because he wanted to play. I have a few friends who don’t have any pets, and I wish I was in that circle. I want to give the cats away, but who’d take two retarded cats? This goes to all pets. I don’t care if you’re a dog, a cat, a parrot, a hermit crab, a goldfish, tarantula, etc. All animals belong outside! Period.

Why do I need to lose sleep because an idiot animal wants to play?

In Texas, our German Shepherd, Shep, lived outside. He was never allowed inside. He had a dog house, was only chained up if people came over (does he bite? Um, yes he does). He was a good dog, and a working dog. We had cats and they were working cats. Some were good, and some of them turned feral.

When my friends came over to the ranch, I was never like “oh, its ok, let him sniff you so he knows who you are…” screw that. I hate it when people do that. Out of the safety for my friends, I’d tie him up. He was never neutered, a full grown hairy beast. Sure he was friendly with us, the immediate family, but with others, we had to watch out. German Shepherds are very protective by nature, so anything that he thought as a threat was cause for a bite. He never bit anyone, but he would growl aggressively as a warning. With strange animals that didn’t belong to his menagerie of cats, he would simply kill them.

He did get kicked once by a neighbor’s horse. He was limping for a while and laid low. Probably was lucky he had broken ribs or something. I remember seeing him going next door to harass the horses out of herding instinct.

I never grew up with fukkin fluffy the pest begging for food inside the house. In Mexico, pets were outside. My dad was a registered AKC German Short Haired Pointer breeder. We had Pixie, the female…never allowed inside the house. So from early on, I was thought that pets are not people, and they shouldn’t be treated like people. All puppies were out in their doghouse, with Pixie…then after my sister Isabel was born, my mom convinced my dad to sell all the Pointers. Made life much simpler.

We’re animals, they’re animals, but we’re the intelligent ones…or are we? We give in to easily to furry asshole creatures.

If we lived in the old Neolithic age, I’d have a wolf or something, and that dog would live outside my hut, my cave, etc. He’d know his place in the tribe. He’s a tool and gets rewarded with friendly pats on the head, chases Frisbees made out of turtle shells, and plays dead when I pretend shoot him with my atl atl. If you don’t know what an atl atl is, there’s wikipedia.com.

I am just so worked up still that I lost sleep to a four legged dumbass, again… I can’t let a pet rule my life. That’s why tonight he will be punished by sleeping in the garage. All I will give him to snuggle with will be the wet sponge from the kitchen sink. That’s all he deserves. I hope he gets worms and gets eaten by mice, or angry, vengeful chipmunks.
If you’re concerned for his well being, but not for my mental health, then paypal me $50 and he won’t be punished…but if you do send me $50, then you’re a pussy. A god-damn pussy that gives in to the feelings of stupid pets. GA!

If its your pet, that’s your thing…There’s more to life to being slaves to them, and that’s what we are, slaves to them. The only xmas present the cats are getting are both my middle fingers. I’ll wake them up and say: merry fukkin’ christmas mother fukkers!

Anyway, on with other news…

Last night I slapped on some slicks on the Rock Lobster (I will always recommend Paul, he’s a very cool guy, custom bicycle frame builder, and exceptional guitarist, very open-minded individual). Made it 46/16, and it brought me to work using my own power. I am highly caffeinated right now, and my left eye is still red from the ride. Right eye is twitching from the lack of sleep.

I am giving fixie riding a brake for a few weeks so I get to know it again as a new ride.

The Lobster is a dedicated SS/disc only/700c machine of glorious steel.

Speaking of steel, Gomez posted this on bikeblackribbon.com:

Some thoughts on steel
Well, it's steel, so of course it's good. Ninja swords were made from steel. So you know it kicks ass.

Things ninja swords were not made from:

* aluminum
* carbon fiber
* dead cats.

Other badass things made from steel:

* Guns
* Bombs
* Chuck Norris

Also steel is steely, as in steely eyed. So it gives you some good mojo, you can defeat your enemies with your demeanor.

In a pinch, steel can be magnetized, macgyver style, which might get you out of a fix if you had to turn your bike into a giant compass or something.

Also steel rusts, which is handy, because it's a good indicator when you need to buy a new bike. Since the only way a steel bike can be destroyed is by rust, and chromoly rusts really slowly, they last a long time. When the rust goes all the way through the tube, you know it's shot. Aluminum and carbon fiber don't do this, they just break, usually when you're riding down a volcano at 200 mph being chased by pirates who are mad at you for being a ninja.

Steel is real. Aluminum is real too, it just doesn't rhyme.

I didn't write this.....I lifted it from another discussion board.....it made me laugh, so I thought I'd share it with you good and kind gnome garglers.

So true and awesome!

The Lobster is not light, but it is fast when propelled by me, Ernesto from Wisconsin, licensed dragon slayer and qualified gnome wrangler.

Oh, and this week marks the 5th time I had a close call with a car. Yup, guy with a cell phone. I got to the stop sign first, and the asswipe managed to ignore me as he was making eye contact, and proceeded to blow the stop sign and turn right…if I had a bazooka on my bike, that would be the bee’s wax wouldn’t it? Ok mofo, look on the rearview…right. I’d get so busted by the FBI or UPS…

That’s why this blog thing is called Shit & SUVs. Its where I can vent and ignore those who try to convince me to take it easy. I do my own reasoning with some eye opening Gomez-esque advice. I sure take on advice from others, analyze it, act on it if I have to.

Why in the world is there one driver per car on average? I wonder how many car sales are done in the USA per day. Must be in the thousands. Don’t give me statistics. Statistics are for anal perfectionists who are afraid of their own shadow. Why am I the only one who rides to and from Oconomowoc to Sussex (34 daily miles)? I see the same cars. I recognize cars, people recognize me…I say “hi” to the lady who walks on HWY K every morning. I see the lady who walks her golden retriever and wave at her (slave to the dog).

Why can’t people be more efficient? More self sufficient? Simple?

At my house, we try to be. We recycle, I do the laundry, clean the cat box daily (slave to the cats)…riding SS is also a reflection of simplicity. Commuting via bike is the same thing…and if there was a reliable public transportation service, I’d take it instead of having to hitch a car ride when the weather is ugly.

Yes, we have an SUV, one car. Not two, or three…or four. One car for one family, for many errands, for simplicity.

I sound like a lecturing bitch now…

I’m tired.

crotch area mange

Send me your answers…

What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever done in a car?

I now play a game called “GAY”


When I am riding, and a car is trying to beat me to a stop sign, its called GAY. So in my mind I say: whoever gets to the stop sign is gay.
I’ve lost few times, but won a bunch of times.


Sorry I’ve not posted in a while. A round of crazyness and business all around.


Friday, some drinks with some local chums: LHT Guy, Horse Lady, and The Baltimorean.

Saturday, went to a nice and cool ride under the bridges on the north side of Milwaukee. I had a blast hangin’ out with the Gnome Fest crew. Check out some of that stuff here.


Yesterday, quality family time and doing normal house chores. Sarah and Annabel are priceless, and after hearing a most depressing radio ad: Eat Right, Exercise…and yes, you still die! It makes me just want to spend more than 100% tome with my family.


So the fixed-gear.net thing didn’t work. I guess I was relying too heavily on the notion of pre-orders. The most sought after frame was the Brown Star. I don’t think there’s too many manufacturers out there that make a brown street fixie…I went too gung-ho with it and it bit me in the ass. Financially, I’ve already recovered with a broken pride and a furrowed brow…oh well.

I am testing the waters here though this. 29ers a la dissent from Misfit Psycles. You want one? I’m your USA guy for it. I’m building mine soon.

Seems like I need more coffee…I have to ride out in an hour.


27 degrees outside and full of happiness.

Anyone want a cat? Or two?


Yesterday I was cleaning up the garage, and I saw the most grotesque squirrel hanging out on the Chipmunk Stump. I call it that because that’s where many of those little furry pests met their slingshot demise…
This squirrel had mange, and it looked so old and haggard. I should have shot it with the slingshot of death to put it out of its itchy misery, but I just didn’t feel like having to retrieve the rodent, so I just gave it the finger and called him a homo.


Til next time…

done...

I don’t know what it is, but after today’s cyclocross race…I just don’t feel like racing anymore. For real. I thought I had made that clear back in May at the 12-hours of Kewaskum, and the only other races I did were the Pewaukee Triathlon and the Chequamegon mtb race.

I’m keeping my Salsa Las Cruces though. It’s a nice light bike for commuting in the nasty WI Winter of Death Defying Stunts.

I did ok in today’s race, SS n’ all…but after the race I got a massive right hip pain. It still hurts…I hope I am not getting too old. I’ll only be 33 in a couple of weeks. I am still young in modern standards. Shit, back 500 years ago I’d really have a saggy ass and old balls…

Its just not appealing to me to pay $$$ to prove something to no one…I did it foolishly. Paying for a race whereas I could have used that money to fill up the tank, or get something for Annabel or Sarah. I feel so guilty. Money lost. A bad gamble. Racing sucks.

If I were top pro schmoe, then yes, I am racing against other fools for a “coveted” title. Title to what? To brag to the inner circle? Lame.

From now on, I will only commute by bike like I have been, and just ride for fun. On the dirt, on the road…back n dirt. I love bikes, but racing is not for me anymore.

I raced for most of the 90’s and I was good at it. I qualified twice for the Hawaii Ironman back in '95 & '96, but I didn't go because I didn't want to spend so much money for a race I knew I wasn't going to win. Now, there’s more responsibilities in my life and I don’t need thoughts of racing in my head anymore. My only race is personal best times between here and work and back. Just me and my bike, racing the clock with myself and me only and no one else.

Yes, I am taking up deer hunting next year. So there.

Coons and Deer

Ok, so my Taiwanese pals are jerking me around. Now it’s a December delivery. My poor frames want to move to the USA fast…

6:45 and I am out the door. It’s actually the first cold ride since May for me. Yes, my toes are still numb while I communicate some riding shenanigans to you…my lovin’ public.

I am riding on Hwy K, going east, going over the overpass I see something furry on the middle of the road. I see what it is, my light shined on it…raccoon.

As I am passing it, the motherfukkin’ fükker was still alive. I saw it move its legs and as I passed the ‘coon screeched and hissed, causing me to swerve as I am riding downhill…I ride fixed gear…I managed not to hit the retaining wall…I know it was hurt from being run over…raccoons deserve the same fate as turkeys.

So as I swerve back, I hit a piece of metal on the road. Some tard must have thrown something from the back of a truck or something. It was an umpleasant feeling, you know, that feeling when you feel your hands coming lose from the bars because you’re not holding on with a death grip. I was a bit jolted, and it was black as pitch too.

Next year I will get myself a huntin’ license and harvest a couple of deer. I saw a few on a field during my ride. I see more deer than anything in my neck of the woods. A buck and some does. BANG! Their natural predators are gone because of people and urban sprawl…so now we have to take care of business in a systematic way. I guess it is natural. We’re made of nature. We evolved and surpassed every species because we have big brains, therefore, everything we do and make is from nature. So yes, I attest, we’re the natural predator of everything, because we fought our way to the top of the food chain. It is all logical.

When I bag my first deer, it will be made into deer sausage, something Sarah's dad always has in the freezer, ready for good eatin'.

I’m not afraid of guts n’ blood. Shit, when I was in high school down in Texas, I was in the Future Farmers of America and a Texas Hunting Education class. In the FFA, I castrated pigs for a grade. In my hunting class, I learned about guns, and how to clean game.

I will never forget the time when the teacher brought in ‘coons he trapped and shot, about 12 of them…for us to skin and gut. That doesn’t happen in the suburbs.

I think those who get shot in their house by a loaded gun are irresponsible people. This class made one respect guns and consider safety above everything.

So when I buy my first rifle, it will be a single bolt action 30/30 with a scope. Everything will be locked, hidden from sight when not in use.

Sarah and her brothers grew up around guns. They hunt, they respect. My mom was also raised around guns, along with all of her eleven siblings. They hunted and still respect guns. My grandma, Trini (peace be with her), used to sleep with a gun under her pillow when she lived by herself. He neighborhood in Mexico was turning for the worst. After she was moved to another house, my aunt kept the gun along with my uncle’s firearms. All under lock in a gun safe.

Then there’s those people that: uuuu, guns are evil, they kill people…..uuuuuuu….gaaaaaaay….uuuuuuuu

Last year Megatron brought a S&W Magnum to the office for a photo shoot. It was as harmless as a piece of paper. No bullets.

No way doods, guns are only a tool that unfortunately fall at times, in the wrong hands.

That’s my 2 cents on guns and hunting, so shut it and leave me alone.

Did anyone watch South Park last night? Hilarity at the expense of a fine HBFK example. I should sent those guys t-shirts for their pinpoint accuracy of HBFKness.

There’s rumors that they want to build a super Mall Wart in Oconomowoc…good bye mom n’ pop shops…infuriates me. But it is a rumor.

Gnome-Fest = shenanigans. Equals a broken arm, boobies, and naked guys. At least I was festering in my wrestling mask under the name "Juan" and the liver was working overtime.

Frames, November. Most popular order is Brown Star...Orders sure are coming in for that frame. I'm going to raise the prices only to $200 and still, free shipping to USA orders.

The company that's making my design is backlogged with a huge array of other frames, like Soma, Surly, etc. Yes, same steel as Surly steel, so they're strong, like a bull, like a thick rope, like your mom.

In the footoore, I will have off beat one off colors from a powdercoater here in Milwaukee. Still cheap though.

Chequamegon Shenannigans

Screw the Le Tour de France shit. I’m at the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival…actually camping at a KOA with free wifi…in my Jeep.

So many ppl have looked at the Salsa Las Cruces I have strapped to the back of the car, with ENO Ssability. Nice.

What I am getting at is that I will be riding with 1700 other people. All humans without claims of having too much testosterone, and those who think they have more testosterone than me, is because they’re full of themselves.

I am fukkin’ starving…wifi at a campground. Nice!

Tomorrow’s the big race. Tomorrow I will report…

Oh, frames are in production. Late Sept to Early Oct. Pissicato Five...

More to come

That's Megatron. She plays a crazy Air Guitar. She's the lead air guitarist of the Dirt Grinders, a nationally acclaimed chick band from Wisconsin. Sarah plays the air drums. TLJ the air flute, and Jessica W plays the air harp.

This summer is coming to a close? To many kids it is. Not for me. September is the other August. Got Chequamegon coming in a week. Holee cow! Time flies...then there's Gnome Fest the Third. The cats are coming with me. They'll be alone for over a week and I don't want to come home to cat puke.

More to come...

old bags

Some old bag almost hit me in Hartland today...one of those right turn in front of me after she passes me...she was in a mini van. I skidded to a stop and she yells: GO! GO! GO!

ugh! stupid. Why didn't she wait until I passed the drive, then she could have turned right without a problem. Idiot!

Anyway, enought with the "Ernesto Hurricane" jokes. Just kidding. I like the attention.

HBFK on her side

My buddy Shawn went to the worlds in Sweden not long ago. She had her bike stolen. The good HBFK gremlins were on her side...read on...

Ernesto,

I just got back from the SSWC in Stockholm and my bike was stolen, but they found it because I put an HBFK sticker on it and on the SSWC website I said to look for the Chrome Bianchi SASS with a Surly and HBFK sticker. It was one of the descripters.

You can go to the blog and read it. My new amsterdam friends know you from a mountain bike blog because they knew about HBFK. I had a little romance with one of them. His name is _____, I think he is my gnome mate. He is going to ship my bike back. He is frame builder. I think he should visit us here and he can visit you anothe frame builder. yeah!

my bike was found. the course was awesome! unfortunatly i went over with some broken bones in my hand and a sprained wrist. I did do over 15 miles of the course on race day, but had to drop out because i was in tears with pain. when I was still high on the pain meds the course rocked. Literally rocked. This was my training for Gnome fest!

love,
shawn

got it

Monday will be two weeks since I left ISS...and Monday I also start my new job. Badass! I will be handling SEO, Marketing, PPC, all things marketing, advertising, trade shows, newsletters, etc. More my niche and I will be taking ownership of all of that.

About time!

Went to Hartford n' back. Long ride and it was fun.

Got back and there was a dead chipmunk in the trap...shoved its body back in the tree stump where they live. I bet they freaked out a la OH SHIT!!!! A DEAD BUDDY!!!!

HAHAHHA!

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

hee hee

When chipmunks dig under your garage's flundation, its not fun because water gets in the holes. Asswipes!

That's that for now.

crashing

I was able to somehow manipulate Mike into meeting at Kettle. I coaxed him by first showing him a picture of my dead chipmunk...kinda like coaxing a fox to its bait by pouring fox piss all over the place...the fox piss you can buy at K-Mart.

Get there, Dennis the 10th wonder of the world is there. Anthony was also there...shoot the shit until this monster guy arrives...he's done riding, circling around us like a hungry vulture ready to pick the eyes out a dead lizard...finally he's got the gall to ask me: are those bugle boy jeans you're wearing?

Actually, he asked me: is that a single speed? I went n the SS schpeal and how it is a personal preference.

Guy was riding a 13 yr-old Cadex. Yes, you remember those? Old bonded carbon and alu frames from Giant...and it creaked. He was driving a brand new Infiniti suv...but he liked his bike.

Anyway, Mike/Gary/Bethany show up. We all ride in the dark, lights on...

Me: Rock Lobster
Gary: Moots
Mike: Karate Monkey
Bethany: Stumpjumper
Anthony: Santa Cruz boner machine
Dennis: Surly 1x1

We ride, crack jokes like bad comedians...and ride and wait and ride some more.

We were in the blue loop, and Mike is in a Zen-like state of mind. Riding in the dark, taking the trail backwards (its a one way trail) and suddenly he's flat on his face...solid stick wedged his woody falicness into Mike's front wheel and WHAP! No biggie. He was fine. Gathered our marbles and headed out.

And then...WHAP! I crashed. A stump took out my foot and the handlebar pinched my right thigh really hard and I fell off to the side. Dennis helped get me up...bloody knee, bruised thigh, cramped foot...

We all rode again. I lead the pride into the darkness...and got to the cars. We drank, fluxed, and said our gratuitous comments...and went home

Sleeping well

Mornin' everyone.

I've been able to sleep so well lately. I actually just woke up...no stress from having to go to work for a grumpy guy who's got serious ADD.

Around 10 am, I am off for a long ride.

Yesterday I was too busy doing stuff here...and I'll go for a road ride, and later today, for a night ride...which reminds me. I have to plug my lights in. I have not used them since March.

More later.

Another day and zero dollars from someone...

So on Monday, I quit my current job with the safety equipment co. Yes, we'll be ok. As long as there's Sarah Mclachlan and Pit Bull puppies, everything's ok.

The owner of the company blamed me again for poor sales. I was only their web guy...and their Mac guy (only one mac in that co). The only one who knew html, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, InDesign, etc....and I also took care of their ebay account.

We'll see how they cope because I was an integral part of the company, one of the few who always had a constant full plate of work. One of the few who always worked hard and got there waaaaaay on time.

Anyway, I was going to get up at 5 am and go for a 32-mile ride. Why 32? Its longer than 30.

I ordered a Salsa Las Cruces...yes, I had one last year. Ebayed it, and regretted it, and I am getting the new frameset tomorrow. Light and SS thanks to ENO-ability. Midge bars, ENO cranks...light.

I hope gas goes to $4 soon. People will go to work all in shambles because every gallon used will add up close to a cup of Starbucks. Then, those people one sees driving randomly will disappear. Weekend driving will be a luxury, even traveling 20 miles to Waukesha to see the in-laws will hurt.

I am still peeling like a mofo. This past weekend we went to Wi Dells. Had fun camping in a celebratory mode. Went to Noah’s Ark, a nice waterpark…got on some rides, screamed like a girl…then screamed like a girl some more at the roller coasters at Mt. Olympus. We had a lot of fun regardless. Family, friends, good times, and a 7-year-old who knows the ingredients for mixed drinks…

Give me a potato peeler please.

Tomorrow night = night ride at Kettle Moraine with the co-gnome-fest crew. I have not done a night ride in a while…but I know that once Fall and Winter sets in, the lights will reappear on whichever bike I will be riding to whichever job…The Salsa? Scandium doesn’t rust like a steel frame would…so the KM, the Rock Lobster, and the Fixed-Gear Black Hole will stay home during the harsh, harsh, famine-style Wisconsin winter.

your mom...

Your mom...Your mom is the reason we have high gas prices...

Hello? um, yes, mom? Can you please stop driving your mini-mom to Mall Wart? What? You're just going there to look at useless plastic junk?

Mom, could you please stop driving your SUV if you only live 3 blocks from the grocery store?

Get some panniers and a rack for your bike...what? You need to go to starbucks? So you can spend $$$ on a cup of coffee?

Make your own, you tard.

Mom...why do you like dryhumping the neighbor? I know he drives a Harley...and he's a registered offender.