Dubai-Dubai Du...

It is difficult to put into words just how crazy it is here in Dubai so I hope you will link to my photo album entitled, Dubai is nuts!

A Friend In Need

Contacted my good buddy over at San Fran Cup. He says he got phone call from Father Herman. Apparently Father Herman attempted to glean some inside knowledge as to my whereabouts. Upon hanging up SFC immediately called a relative in Eureka. Thankfully my bike is now in safe keeping. SFC says he is enjoying my travel-blog but wishes I would share more of my culinary experiences. I must say, Cairo will probably not top my list of favorites

χαιρετισμούς από την Ελλάδα

We arrived in Athens Greece today after another tumultuous, exit-stage-left, groupie-groveling departure from the show last night. I must admit, Ferrous Heifer kicks some serious butt up there on stage. I am just now starting to let down my guard a bit after a heretofore unmentioned incident wherein I may have shouted some inappropriate slogans regarding Father Herman's general character, upon stepping off the bus. My only concern now is that I will certainly never be able to set foot on the property of Table Bluff Monastery, which happens to be where I left my touring bike. I will call my good buddy San Fran Cup when we get to Cairo to see if he can somehow meet me in San Francisco with my bike, as well as his. Hopefully, we will ride back home to Redding together.

Saluti da Italia

Rupert said that since we were in Italy and that I seemed to be a bicycle nut, he would take me to a very special place. I must admit, I was not disappointed!
Northern Italy’s Madonna del Ghisallo chapel enshrines cycling’s greats.

This is Ferrous Heifer!

Under the cover of darkness, in the wee hours of the morning, I grabbed my rucksack from the overhead compartment and crept off the bus while it was being refueled. I wandered around in the predawn shadows of Geneva for a while then finally ducked into a cathedral and caught a few winks in a pew. When I awoke it was light outside so I walked down the street to a small cafe and had a Cafe Suisse and a lovely Liverwurst sandwich. As I sat there eating, a man came out to the sidewalk with a large coffee and asked if he could join me. "Sure!" I said. He told me his name was Rupert and that he and his "Mates" were members of the Heavy Metal Band, Ferrous Heifer. "Oh sure!" I yelled. "You guys are the ones with the demon-looking mascot who comes out on stage during the show and squirts milk all over the crowd from a huge rubber udder!" "Ya-Ya, But there is so much more to us then that!" He cringed. "Where do you play next?" I queried. "We are flying out to play Venice tonight, then it's Athens, Cairo, Dubai, Bombay, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and then, we finish up in San Francisco 10 days from now! Need a lift?"

Father Herman van Springle

Enough is enough! Father Herman is growning more and more surly by the day. Now that he has trounced me on Mont Ventoux he has taken up calling me "Nancy-Boy!" We are back with the Quickstep guys again, so my plan is to ride the bus back to Geneva Switzerland and then bail, thus freeing myself from this megalomaniacal Monk once and for all. Got a letter from home today telling me that a group of my friends back home will be riding on Saturday morning, 7 a.m. Hornbeck Trailhead. Gosh, I wish I could join them!

The Jig Is Up!

So as we stood atop lofty Mont Ventoux, I just shook my head in disbelief as Father Herman walked around talking to people, shaking hands and even signing autographs. He thoroughly kicked my ass on the climb and still looked fresh as a daisy. Finally I could stand it no longer and I walked over to a man who Father Herman had already talked to and asked him how he knew Father Herman. The response once again was a beaming, "Alla da people luv Herman van Springel!


Herman van Springel (born 14 August 1943) is a Belgian former road racing cyclist, from Grobbendonk, in the Flemish Campine or Kempen region.

He was an accomplished time-trial rider, almost winning the Tour de France in 1968, when he was beaten in the last stage by Dutchman, Jan Janssen, ironically in a time-trial. In the autumn that year, he won the classic Giro di Lombardia.

He won seven editions of the marathon Bordeaux-Paris. He also won the green jersey in the 1973 Tour de France without winning a single stage. However, he did win five stages during his ten participations in the Tourrance. He kept on cycling through the seventies and ended his long career at the end of 1981. But that doesn't mean he's not still out there handing it to yokels like me on a regular basis. Ouch!

Vintage Mont Ventoux

Imagine standing up out of the saddle after five hours and forty minutes of riding to stamp out the finale bit of Mont Ventoux. Ironically, the music for this video is exactly what I heard in my head (yesterday) while Father Herman and I rode up it. He played the part of Richard Virenque to my Lance.

French Humor

I saw this funny little poster in a cafe that is a french graphic arts student's version of coffee in America. I suppose it's true enough, that is, until the economy nosed-dived and they closed a million Starbucks! Father Herman and I are forgoing today's time-trial and heading straight down to Mont Ventoux to get a jump on the crowds that are no doubt already gathering.

All Aboard!

Last night Father Herman announced that we were going to a very special dinner party here in Dijon. He told me that I should bring my rucksack with me, because were moving on afterwards. Around 7 p.m. we walked to a hotel, not far from the finish of today's stage. Upon entering the lobby, Father Herman and I were warmly welcomed. A man took my bag and we were ushered in to a banquet of magnificence and stardom the likes of which I have never known. The most amazing thing though is that Father Herman has got us on the Quickstep Bus as VIP's. Later, I was kicikin' it with my new buddy Tom Boonen and I asked him why Father Herman was so popular with the bicycle people, especially the Belgians. Tom replied. "Ya, alla da people luv Herman van Springle!"

Greetings from Dijon!

This past week has been one of the most topsy-turvy, unexpected, seven days of my life... unless you count that time in the summer of 1987 when I went to "Rock-N-Roll Camp" with Motley Cru as our host. (cue flashback clip!) We arrived here in Dijon late last night. Father Herman seems to be a bit of a celebrity especially amongst the cycling crowd. I am surprised to hear people ask if he is still riding, but then again, how much could I possibly know about an enigmatic monk whom I met two days ago? I just hope we don't end up meeting with Lance... that was another crazy week of my life! Lance the cyclist that is.

International Travel Day

When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries of life disappear and life stands explained. - Notebook, 1898

Parlez-vous français?

Rode out to the South-Jetty area near Loleta Ca. Met with Father Herman at the Table Bluff Monastery, where once again, I received an excellent meal. Father Herman then asked me to accompany him to his study. We talked about my ride over on Hwy 36 then he mentioned that he had raced bicycles in Europe back in the 60's. He asked me where my travels would take me next and I told him that I really had no particular destination in mind. With that he turned and gazed out a window that over-looked the ocean below. "How would you like to accompany me to Dijon in the North of France?" He looked back to me. "The Dauphine Libere Bicycle race rolls through there on Monday and we can drive to Le Mont Ventoux for a spectacular alpine fifth stage." My mind was reeling. "How in the world can you arrange something like that in such short order... You don't even know me!" "My son, the little statue that you carried here is no accident! This trip has been arranged for months now, but Brother Jure has been called to our sister monastery, St. Nilus in Ouzinke, Alaska. Because of this, we have an extra round-trip ticket out of San Francisco Airport. We leave tomorrow and will be in France on Sunday. We shall return in 10 days!"

Haunted Rider

Arrived in Fortuna this afternoon and spent some time just riding around town, chatting with locals and reminiscing of a time (35 years ago) when a small band of hippies (myself included) came through here and outlaw camped right in the city park. (hassle-free!) We were heading over to Cape Mendocino, hoping to find the exact spot of the continental United States' western-most point. I must say, we were really out there, no pun intended! I called out to the lighthouse monastery on Table Bluff and have an appointment with Father Herman around noon tomorrow. I am just a little creeped out with all these "coincidences" and will be happy to drop off the statue and move on.

Iridescent Skies

Well I had a great opportunity to try out my fenders and rain gear today as the heavens opened up with a fairly good thunderstorm. As I lie here in my cozy little tent outside of Bridgeville, I am going over things that have already surprised and amazed me. Take today for instance, I was riding along noticing a dazzling cloud phenomenon wherein the sky appeared to take on an iridescent shimmer the color of a salmon skin. Not long after that, I realized I was riding past a suspicious looking van that I had seen earlier in the day. I got into a slightly paranoid head-trip with regards to the statue and the million to one odds of having my dead Irish Grandmother's favorite Saint in my bike bag. Then I remembered that we can plan our day but we can't plan the outcome.

Mysterious Connections

Upon finishing a most excellent lunch of lentils and rice, a monk arrived with a note from Father Rose saying he would like to speak to me before I continued on. I was escorted out of the mess hall and then down a long corridor to a small work shop wherein an old man (looking for all the world like Rasputin) sat painting an Iconic Image of Saint Demetrius. The monk who accompanied me spoke. "Father Rose... this is the man you requested we bring to you!" "Yes, yes my son, I am Father Rose." I told him it was nice to meet him and I thanked him for lunch and the blessing of my bike. "You are most welcome my son!" "And now, I will ask a favor of you." He reached into a drawer and produced a miniature statue of a saintly looking woman and handed it to me. "I understand that you are making your way west, over to the coast." "Will you carry this statue to our monastery in the Fortuna area for me?" It is a representation of Our Lady Of Fatima, the monastery sits atop Table Bluff on the coast."

Greetings From Platina, Ca.

Got off to a nice early start yesterday The bike seems to be rolling along just fine, even at 65 pounds! The climb from the high bridge over Clear Creek up to Igo was tough and long. I've had plenty of head-time out here! It wasn't too far out of town that I realized I had forgotten to have the bike blessed by Father Westling, as I had planned. Then it occurred to me that I could stop in to St. Herman's Monastery (in Platina) and see if Father Seraphim Rose was there to bless my bicycle. I arrived around 1 p.m. whereupon I was immediately ushered to the dinner table and fed, while my bike was taken off for the anointing. These monks are such wonderful people, I am starting to think I might just stay here all month!

Outta Here!

Well I'm off! Not sure how my GPS-Land/Sat-Link-Up will work out there but we'll see. In the mean while, The Polyphosphate Filter will be guest hosted by the ghost of Miguel de Cervantes. I will try to keep ya'll current of my doings but please, welcome and enjoy my friend Senor Cervantes as his most beloved literary character,
El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha.

Shakedown Ride

I went out for a short shakedown mission with two of my techs yesterday morning, just to make sure that all systems were working. We are good for a launch in the morning. Speaking of launch... we saw something out there out west of town that I am pretty sure the government would prefer we hadn't. "They" have had a security officer out in the Keswick Dam area since 9-eleven and we saw that sucker sound-a-sleep in his truck! Good thing we weren't members of the Velvet Monkey-wrench Gang, 'cause that transformer field was ours!

At This Rate, We Shall Be Here All Night!

The Tour of Imagination

Well after months of secret research and development, I am ready to reveal my latest project and mission. Starting on Monday, June First, I will set of on a life-long dream of riding my bicycle up the coast of the Great Northwest Seaboard. I will not declare any ultimate goal or destination at this time. I have the entire month of June to play with so I will simply try to keep ya'll posted and hope for the best. P.S. For those of you who are wondering, my latest haircut is a tribute to Levi Leipheimer!

Bevis and Butthead Do; Isle of Man

Speaking of Radishes!

A uniquely Oaxaca expression of the Christmas season is the Noche de Rabanos (Night of the Radishes) on the evening of December 23rd, an evening in which the zocalo becomes the scene of a huge exhibition of figures sculpted from radishes. Often these figures are in scenes of the birth of Jesus or other scenes expressing the history and culture of Oaxacans. A contest is held with everyone vying for the first prize and having their picture in the morning paper.

Bring it on!

I am on a mission to create the ultimate Fish Taco. My first attempt was not bad, but I need to make some modifications to the basic fish breading/batter that the recipe I used called for. It was from our local paper's, Food-Section. I love the cabbage-cilantro-red onion-citrus dressing-part, but will leave out the Panko breadcrumb bit for the fish.

Vege-Matic!

Hi kids! I sure hope you're all having a great Memorial Day Weekend! I have been taking lovely early morning bike rides, eating and watching great shows on You-Tube like this!

Last Night, Somewhere Out West...

Evening Thunder!

Last night I rode my Bianchi up to the Holiday Market on Placer St. with the hope of ridin' the vacuum tube* out to Swasey. Unfortunately, I didn't see anybody (12+ last Wed.) so I rode alone out to the sight of tonight's race. There were quite a few people out there doing some re-con riding so hopefully, "Blazing Saddles" will be a huge success. See you there!
*vacuum tube of course refers to sitting on the back of a pace-line of charging Team Owens buffaloes!

R.I.P. Char Butterfly

"Do you know anything about the world around you?" he asked.
"I know about all kinds of things," I said.
"I mean do you ever feel the world around you?"
"I feel as much of the world around me as I can."
"That's not enough. You must feel everything, otherwise the world loses its sense."
I voiced the classical argument that I did not have to taste the soup in order to know the recipe, nor did I have to get an electric shock in order to know about electricity.
"You make it sound stupid," he said. "The way I see it, you want to cling to your arguments, despite the fact that they bring nothing to you; you want to remain the same even at the cost of your well-being."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I am talking about the fact that you're not complete. You have no peace."

Learning To Lichen!

Umbilicaria esculenta (Japanese: Iwatake; Korean: Seogi) are collected from cliffs for use in a variety of traditional Korean and Japanese foods. Lichen flour is used by the Tarahumara as an ingredient of Tesguino. These last few weeks have been spent wandering the surrounding areas with a 104 year old friend from Japan. We hope to have gathered enough lichen for all who attend the first race in the Blazing Saddles Series, starting this week (Thursday).

Annual Clown Century Ride

As I crawled over the final summit of the day and tucked in for what I knew would be the fastest and most dangerous descent of the day, I took a quick peek back to see where he was.

What Ever Happened To...

I used to love watching the Team Time Trial at the Tour. I'm not sure why but they haven't run it for about 5 years now.

Resting On One's Laurels.

rest on one's laurels, to be content with one's past or present honors, achievements, etc.: He retired at the peak of his career and is resting on his laurels. I see it all the time. People notice that I have an interest in cycling and the next thing I know, they're launching into a half-hour long tirade about the days when they were "Semi-Pro Riders." Eventually, I end up hookin' up with them for a ride and the chit-chat goes out the window. In the sport of Boxing, another sport I love, there is a saying that goes like this, Let you're hands do the talking! The cycling equivilent is, let you're legs do the talking. Through the years, I have learned that the best do not sit on their laurels, nor do they bore you to tears talking about them.

One Of My All Time Heroes!

I love this Video!

I See You Out There!

Alas, I am a miserable sinner*... I mean failure! I just can't get out there on my bike and ride it to work. I tried it last year and I ended up missing in action for several days. They finally found me somewhere out in the Platina area eating... wait a minute, you've already heard this one!
*Catholic

700c Schwinn Varsity Carbon Fiber Road Bike!

The wait is finally over! The bike name that I trusted as a boy has rescently re-released the old Varsity model, this time in genuine carbon-fiber-wrapped aluminum? What in the name of... Maybe I should get one just to hang it on the wall with a sign that reads, World's Biggest Joke! Get your's today at WalMart!

I Need A Weekend!

I was running, mowing, cooking and riding all weekend long like some kind of a tachyon. Mother's Day is always busy 'cause my oldest daughter's birthday is May 11. Today she is 21 years old. I made a Grilled Chicken Pasta Caesar Salad for 7 of us last night and it was fantastic! I took 4 bike rides, Friday night (Eve and Allie), Saturday morn (Bro Tim), Saturday p.m. (Eve), and Sunday morn (Gazzigli Gang). What a whirlwind!

OH...MY...GOD!

This has to be the strangest video ever!

Between The Wheels

Here is an example of yet another wheel I have been known to build. The spokes are Belgian Endive while the hub is toasted walnuts and crumbled bleu cheese. I use white balsamic and olive oil to dress it, sea salt and cracked pepper too! I love wheels!

Wheel o' Cheese

Here is what happens when a watch maker builds a wheel.

Bike Blog?

All this month, here at the FILTER, we will be looking into the wonderful world of cheese. This fascinating topic is near and dear to our hearts as lacto/ovo vegetarians. My background as a geologist, has always created a certain conflict of interest, living within a decidedly non-stratified society . We do hope that any students who have tuned into this site for bicycle info are not dissuaded!

No Wonder The French Love Him!

Kickin' it with my Homie G-BLOGS.

The Shasta Wheelmen Jamboree appears to have caught a fairly dry break from the rain this weekend. I went out with a few friends and rode the 25 mile loop. We rode at 9 a.m. out Placer Rd. to Texas Springs to Branstetter, up to Freebridge and in, without a drop of rain. I felt like King Kong out there on my 42X18 single-speed road bike, breathing great gulps of wonderfully fresh air, my engine aglow with a bunch of Clif-Products that my amigo Josh at Clif Bar sent me last week. I got home just in time to then ride with my girlfriend of 25 years (and mother of our children) from our house, back down to the Sundial Bridge, out to the Northside River Trail, over the Ribbon Bridge and up to the new Rail Trail connector parking lot. Suddenly, from behind the map board, stepped two of my favorite Bike-Bloggers, Dr. Swiss Mix and The Distinguished, Prof. Chasing Singletrack. We talked briefly and admired The Professor's Rose-Colored Glasses and The Doctor's Hand-Made Bicycle and then we headed back. And then, the skies opened up and we got WET! We just bee-lined home and ate cake and drank tea. Lovely day! P.S. We saw Bear Chain Puller at LTD on Saturday...POST SOMETHIN' HOAGIE!

Sudden Lawn Mower Death Syndrome.

I was out mowing the hay in the back yard last Saturday when suddenly, ignoring all the lessons I've ever learned about never edging with a mower, I tipped the machine up on two wheels and began running it down a razors edge of certain doom. As the big 6.5 horse power droned away at full cry, I deftly trimmed an expert line like a pro. My weed eater was in the shop so I figured I would tempt fate just this one time and went for it. Almost immediately I heard (and felt) a sickening SNAP, then dead silence. My mower was dead. Discreetly, I looked around to see if anyone else had heard the unmistakable harbinger of SUDDEN LAWN MOWER DEATH SYNDROME! Thankfully, I didn't see anyone snickering or shaking their head so I thought I would try pulling the engine through and see how bad it was. I noticed a wisp of smoke raising from the super hot engine and with a puff, she fired off. I resumed cutting and it seemed to be o.k. but then, as I got back into the deep hay, I heard the sound of the blade hitting the inside of the deck. I stopped the mower and tipped it up to have a look. The blade was slightly bent from striking the solid steel stake I'd hit but I could see no contact with the deck during a full sweep of it's orbit. I fired off again. A hammering sound pulsed from the motor under a load, sounding like a blacksmith striking an anvil, ringing through the neighborhood. I checked again and again. Then it occurred to me that I had jammed the connecting rod and that was what was making the noise. By now the mower was so hot that I felt it was in danger of melting any aluminum parts it may have. I parked it and said screw it. Chalk-up another lawn mower to stupidity! But then, last night I went out back just to have another look and upon checking the oil I discovered that it wasn't even registering on the dipstick. I added 30 wt. to the proper level and fired it up. Lo and behold, it seems to be fine. I mowed for about an hour with no problem. Conclusion, It was the rod knocking due to insufficient oil. My only saving grace is the fact that I was running 40 to 1 premix gas in my mower and maybe that saved it from seizure.

The American Toy-Bike Syndrome.

Bike riders are unpredictable. Motorists should not have to dodge or be delayed by bicycles. Much more like pedestrians than vehicles, bicycles should not be on the roads at all. If a separate sidewalk or other pedestrian/bicycle path can not be provided, then bicyclists must be kept out of the way of motorists by the use of separate bicycle lanes.
How did this happen, and how does it continue?
The Toy-Bicycle Syndrome began in the 1950's and is based upon the concept of bicycling as children's' play activity, which in fact it largely was in the America of 1950. In the 1970's a fitness-crazed adult American public discovered the modern lightweight 10-speed bicycle and the "bike boom" began. Millions of cyclists took to the roads and panic set in with motorists and transportation planners that had long held the belief that bicycles belonged on sidewalks. Thirty years later, those same concepts prevail and control the American bicycling environment.
Worse than ignorance alone, the American public and transportation establishment base their beliefs and actions on a false foundation. Motorists and the vast majority of bicycle owners have no understanding of the concepts and safety of proper cycling and how easy it is for motorists and cyclists to coexist. Rather than working for the little that is needed to make vehicular cycling safe, easy and practical on every road, American bicycle advocacy, decisions and goals are invariably based on the toy-bicycle syndrome.


Do you feel that 93% of federal funding for bicycle transportation should be used for shared pedestrian/bicycle paths and trails with less than 2% going for such things as education, sharable-width lanes and bikeable shoulders?

Food for thought
The Bicycle Thief

May Day

The maypole is a tall wooden pole (traditionally of maple (Acer), hawthorn or birch) erected to celebrate May Day or Midsummer. It may be a semi-permanent feature, standing in position year-round until it has to be repainted or replaced, or it may be a shorter, temporary structure. It may be decorated with several long coloured ribbons suspended from the top, festooned with flowers, draped in greenery, hung with large circular wreaths, or adorned with other symbols or decorations, depending on local and regional variances.

With roots in Germanic paganism, the maypole traditionally appears in most Germanic countries, Germanic country-bordering and countries invaded by Germanic tribes after the fall of the Roman Empire (such as Spain, France and Italy), but most popularly in Germany, Sweden, Austria, England, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Finland in modern times for spring, May Day, Beltane, and Midsummer festivities and rites.

What is often thought of as the "traditional" English maypole (a somewhat shorter, plainer version of the Scandinavian pole with ribbons tied at the top and hanging to the ground) is a relatively recent development of the tradition, probably derived from the picturesque, Italianate dances performed in mid-19th century theatricals. It is usually this shorter, plainer maypole that people (usually school children) perform dances around, weaving the ribbons in and out to create striking patterns.

Me in 20 Years.

Arm Chair Astrophysicist.

Humans have long sought to comprehend the enormities of cosmic space and time. Here, best selling science writer Timothy Ferris tells the story of that quest. He interweaves the majestic themes of astronomy, physics, religion, and philosophy with fresh and lasting portraits of the men and women who created what has been called one of society's most precious treasures - its conception of the universe at large. Whether you're a scientist or a bicycle mechanic/poseur, you'll delight in this compelling look at man's search for understanding. I know I have--I've been reading it for a year now! I start reading and within 10 minutes it's lights out, nighty-night!

Wolfhound Cycles

Of the hundreds of bikes I saw out at the Lemurian Bike Race, this one really caught my eye. Ridden by a woman (Jade?) the machine was definitely a stand-out! I would love to own one of these beauties! Perhaps one of their more manly frames though. http://www.wolfhoundcycles.com/about.html

Door Prize Winner.

We are finally able to announce the name of the winner of our very special, Fair Trade Bike Swap, door prize.
That's right folks Miss Eva Becksworth is the lucky winner of this beautiful collector's edition, Deluxe Jesus action figure. Donated by Father Noelly Welchworth, this coveted piece is just another example of why you must come to these semi-annual events. Mark your calendars for the last Sunday in October. And remember, when you get to the top of the mountain... KEEP CLIMBING!

What a Flippin' Circus!

Wow! That was an amazing swap meet! I think we topped both of last years meets combined. Just amazing! My only regret is that I did not think to pass a hat around to collect some scratch for DJ- Andrew Twitch. If you see him thank him personally! His music made it feel like a circus of the senses. More than once I had to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming! I'm pretty sure it was me... could have been one of those Emo Boys.

BIKE SWAP SUNDAY!

The floors are swept, the chili is made. The weather is cool and the deals are hot! It's Swap Meet Time again! Come on down, 'round noon and swap stuff! Even if it's just stories about your ride out at the Lemurian Bicycle Race yesterday, My hat is off to those riders (300?) who participated, I have been forced to retire from the big races but still get out to spectate. In 1992, I was racing the Lemurian out in the Shasta Dam area when my darned ol' Tourette's kicked in and impulsed me to take a wrong turn and just keep riding. Further and further, away from the course, into the night I rode cursing and screaming. They finally found me on Tuesday out near Willow Creek, looking like some kind of a wild man, eating days old corn dogs out of a dumpster behind a Seven Eleven.

Formula One Tech.

From The How-To Collection!

Face Time!

I rode with the Gazzigli Gang yesterday. We had a nice 30 miler that took us out to Iron Mt. Road to Keswick, Quartz Hill, Lake Blvd.,to the scenic route loop up to the dam and back. I felt strong and had a great ride. I hooked on to the back of a line of about six riders and literally felt like I was being pulled along by a rope. The hill section up to the overlook was as good as I've ever ridden it. I attribute it all to my rides with The Webbed Foot Riders Club and hope to have my Mori Warrior Tattoo finished before next February! What the F#@&!

They Kind Of Look Like This!

This past week, I spent quite a bit of time trying to dial-in my one-speed Rockhopper. I finally hit upon what just might be the perfect gear for me, a 40X19 set-up. I have been asked not to name names with regards to who helped me get this on-going project finally completed but here are likenesses of them!

Cool April Nights

"The Cruise" is really only do-able these days with the help of a bike. I like to ride over to the Hilltop/Churn Creek area right from my house. If anyone else would care to join me, call me or one of my sisters. We can get you in!

These are a few, Of My Favorite Things!

Thanks David!

The Keg-A-Nator!

Recently, I was informed that real road-bike riders don't wear hydration packs. I told my informant, I've found that when I am riding with 2 liters of water, I drink 2 liters of water. When I ride with a pint, I drink a pint. So, knowing that I drink as much water as I am carrying, I think I have found the solution to my problem. How to carry a lot of water on the bike and still look cool.

Sunday Ride in the Country.

Rode with the Road Masters yesterday, Brother Tim and I representing the Webbed Foot Riders. Between the two of us we dished out some ouch to let those guys know, we've been riding! Tim out there in his overalls and a bike that (for all intents and purposes) should have a head badge the reads John Deere! Check out my new link to Cyclo Fiend! Nice stuff.

You Go Back Jack, Do It Again.

Time to start goin' through and dustin' off your old bicycle stuff , it's swap meet time again, real soon! We will be swappin' and sellin' bicycles, bicycle parts and anything to do with the sport of cycling on APRIL 26th 2009 at Carpet Mart, 905 Locust St. Redding, Cal. Start making a list of things you need 'cause when you get there, it's easy to get caught up in the socializing, forgetting that it's more than just a great party! I'll be opening the doors around 11a.m. for traders and noon for the "HAPPENING!" Hope to see you there!

Big, Bad Shred!

I'm not sure why I find these videos so interesting!

Lots o' Fun!!!

And now, here's something I hope you'll all enjoy!

Where's my Nuclear Sub?

When I was a little boy, T.V. shows like Stingray filled my head with limitless promises of adventure and excitement in the not-so-distant future. Now here we are almost a decade into the twenty-first century and about the only technology that regularly touches my life is fully automated telemarketing recordings.

Farewell For Now, My Fine Feathered Friends!

As once boggy trails turn back to stone and sunscreen begins to perfume our rides, The Webbed Foot Riders have de-flocked for now. Every Sunday of February and March, come frozen Hell and high water, we were out there. Riding with old friends and new, 20 to 30 miles each week, averaging 6 riders, our flock probably rode through seventeen million gallons of water! I reckon them was some mighty good times! I will be at Carpet Mart on Sundays with my road bike now, leaving at 9:30 a.m. for Joe Gazzigli's office to hook up with some of the toughest over-60 riders in the state. Give it a try!

Celebrate Diversity Month!

Here is yet another reason I hope to someday travel to Mongolia! The fermented mare's milk sounds intriguing too!

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

Watch it on Versus tomorrow at 2 p.m. Brutal! I rode my one-speed Mt. Bike Wednesday evening and am coming to terms with how flippin' ridiculous the whole proposition (one-Speed MTB?) really is. Unless you are a truly gifted athlete, a system of gear selection is really your only friend in an already arduous endeavor.http://www.versus.com/nw/article/view/77886/?UserDef=true&catID=2182&tf=bob_roll.tpl

Watch Out What You Dream For!

I had a disturbing dream this morning that centered around an XTR derailleur that I found in a drawer I rarely open. In the dream I was so happy to find it because (in non-dream life... I think) I am piecing together yet another bike and I need a rear derailleur. I show the derailleur to my brother and I suddenly realize that he knows that I know that it is his, but the realization didn't occur until the very instant he saw me with it. Turmoil over who owes who a favor and terse words about who really wants it anyway (if all it is going to do is create problems) ensued. At the end of the dream I was shocked to discover that I had thick, woolly dread-locks about shoulder length and I was having trouble hearing through the thick insulation they provided.

Reporter Turns Ghetto In 3 Seconds

They probably do not put him out on many live reports!

April Fool Proof

I was running through some of my old Tai Chi routines the other day when it occurred to me that I am becoming a granite statue. Turning to stone is not conducive to long, contented life. Instead, should be like water which flows along path of least resistence. Eventually, water grinds stone away, tiny pieces of sand it carrys, stone from higher up the mountain. Even Flow.