I'll be riding the Tour De Cure again this coming May.
100 miles for a great cause with some scary riders (scary in the fact they don't follow rules of the road and are generally oblivious to cars).
Cari's in for 65 miles, I tried to get her to do 100 but not yet!
Anyway, here's a link to my Tour DE Cure page if you wanna donate. I personally selected the raddest of the rad of my ill-fated Tam-Style riding self portraits too, so enjoy!
Here's the link:
My Tour De Cure Page
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Bikes, Bikin', Buyin' and Cari's Birthday
The sun has been out the last 2 weeks and we have taken full advantage of it. Temps in the high 70's mean it's definitely outdoor time.
Last weekend found me out with David and Erin on a little road ride on our townie-style bikes (he has a sweet Mountain Cycle Stumptown with Sturmey disc hubs-internally geared and I was on the re-born Kestrel). Our ride down a little road near our house found some beautiful views and animals.
Right in the road David saved a little orange belly newt and on a little log flipping I netted a sweet 14" Alligator lizard.
This weekend we were again out on the townie bikes, this time exploring the river trail and it's new addition under the new bridge. Jake was a real trooper and did about 5 miles on his 12" Specialized Hot Rock! Animals were again the order of the day-we found a baby Western Pond Turtle and a sweet Garter Snake that pooped on David and I!
Today was Cari's day to celebrate her upcoming birthday with my family (David and Erin head to Taiwan next week) so we arranged to do an outdoor get together at Kennedy park.
Before that we headed to Alston park-Jake and I would do a little dirt riding and Cari would run (in preparation for her 10K next weekend) with Kona. Jake really was a stud in the dirt, he has great balance and we even went onto some single-track! What a feeling! I can not even begin to explain the joy I found watching him make it down a 7" wide slice of dirt!
Funny thing happened on the way home, we decided TODAY was the time to move Jake up to a new bike. David was able to work the angle and get us into a sweet 2007 Redline Proline Micro-Mini at Bicycle Madness (Thanks Tony and David). I was more stoked than ever, Jake was moving up to a "real" BMX racer and a Redline none-the-less.
Now Redline has a long history with me—I coveted my friend Sean Hummer's Redline he got in the 4th grade. Coveted to the point I begged, pleaded and failed in getting my parents to get me one. For most of my life I was regulated to Toys-R-US Kent's (although I pimped them out as much as I could to try and get that "Redline" high).
The fact that my son was able to get one-especially one he really enjoys, well that makes life complete.
I must say this is a double edged sword. Jake is learning (today) to use a hand brake (as opposed to the ol' coaster brake) and on top of that, being 4 1/2 years old, doesn't really comprehend how fast he is going on teh new bike. These two things add up to joy (he actually can use the hand brake really well) and fear (he goes so fast unknowingly and doesn't really use the brake at the right times).
We all headed to Kennedy and the river trail and had a sweet tail-gate style cupcake (thanks very much for the delicious cup-cakes Beth) and coffee celebration before Cari opened her gifts (jewelry, scarves and a Nintendo DS). After that is was off on a ride/walk and enjoy the day.
The Redline and some bills have put a damper on my Retrotec deposit (sorry Curtis, I talk too much before I spend) for the next couple of weeks. But I do have some freelance money coming in and look to plop down the dinero to get onto the wagon within the next couple of weeks.
David and Erin-on the road!
David and Erin zooming, part deux
Cool oak tree
David surveys the road, it was cool you could see Mt. Diablo in the distance.
Animal 1-Orange Belly Newt, Browns Valley
Animal 2—Northern Alligator lizard, Browns Valley
Animal 3-Western Pond Turtle (baby) River Trail, behind college
Animal 4-Garter Snake, River Trail behind college
The purchase. Bicycle Madness 3.18.07
Tailgate B-day, Prosser-style!
Me like chocolate! 3 cupcakes and he was off!
Kaleb sportin' the sweet choco-goatee!
Jake looking noble on his sweet ride
Jakes Proline Micromini, day one
Sweet transformation-my Kestrel lives on as a carbon fiber 8 speed townie!
Last weekend found me out with David and Erin on a little road ride on our townie-style bikes (he has a sweet Mountain Cycle Stumptown with Sturmey disc hubs-internally geared and I was on the re-born Kestrel). Our ride down a little road near our house found some beautiful views and animals.
Right in the road David saved a little orange belly newt and on a little log flipping I netted a sweet 14" Alligator lizard.
This weekend we were again out on the townie bikes, this time exploring the river trail and it's new addition under the new bridge. Jake was a real trooper and did about 5 miles on his 12" Specialized Hot Rock! Animals were again the order of the day-we found a baby Western Pond Turtle and a sweet Garter Snake that pooped on David and I!
Today was Cari's day to celebrate her upcoming birthday with my family (David and Erin head to Taiwan next week) so we arranged to do an outdoor get together at Kennedy park.
Before that we headed to Alston park-Jake and I would do a little dirt riding and Cari would run (in preparation for her 10K next weekend) with Kona. Jake really was a stud in the dirt, he has great balance and we even went onto some single-track! What a feeling! I can not even begin to explain the joy I found watching him make it down a 7" wide slice of dirt!
Funny thing happened on the way home, we decided TODAY was the time to move Jake up to a new bike. David was able to work the angle and get us into a sweet 2007 Redline Proline Micro-Mini at Bicycle Madness (Thanks Tony and David). I was more stoked than ever, Jake was moving up to a "real" BMX racer and a Redline none-the-less.
Now Redline has a long history with me—I coveted my friend Sean Hummer's Redline he got in the 4th grade. Coveted to the point I begged, pleaded and failed in getting my parents to get me one. For most of my life I was regulated to Toys-R-US Kent's (although I pimped them out as much as I could to try and get that "Redline" high).
The fact that my son was able to get one-especially one he really enjoys, well that makes life complete.
I must say this is a double edged sword. Jake is learning (today) to use a hand brake (as opposed to the ol' coaster brake) and on top of that, being 4 1/2 years old, doesn't really comprehend how fast he is going on teh new bike. These two things add up to joy (he actually can use the hand brake really well) and fear (he goes so fast unknowingly and doesn't really use the brake at the right times).
We all headed to Kennedy and the river trail and had a sweet tail-gate style cupcake (thanks very much for the delicious cup-cakes Beth) and coffee celebration before Cari opened her gifts (jewelry, scarves and a Nintendo DS). After that is was off on a ride/walk and enjoy the day.
The Redline and some bills have put a damper on my Retrotec deposit (sorry Curtis, I talk too much before I spend) for the next couple of weeks. But I do have some freelance money coming in and look to plop down the dinero to get onto the wagon within the next couple of weeks.
David and Erin-on the road!
David and Erin zooming, part deux
Cool oak tree
David surveys the road, it was cool you could see Mt. Diablo in the distance.
Animal 1-Orange Belly Newt, Browns Valley
Animal 2—Northern Alligator lizard, Browns Valley
Animal 3-Western Pond Turtle (baby) River Trail, behind college
Animal 4-Garter Snake, River Trail behind college
The purchase. Bicycle Madness 3.18.07
Tailgate B-day, Prosser-style!
Me like chocolate! 3 cupcakes and he was off!
Kaleb sportin' the sweet choco-goatee!
Jake looking noble on his sweet ride
Jakes Proline Micromini, day one
Sweet transformation-my Kestrel lives on as a carbon fiber 8 speed townie!
Monday, March 05, 2007
Suck it up
Sunday found me on my road bike, heading out Dry Creek to Veeder. It was like 70 degrees, perfect out and I needed a ride (especially after looking at cool bikes all day Saturday).
I stuffed myself into my new Retrotec jersey and headed out...
Here's some pics:
Numbers don't lie. I don't even know how I managed 5mph here, as I was laboriously moving along at a brisk 3.5—4 mph. It's a painful little stretch right at the beginning of Veeder (from Dry Creek)—I rationalize it out that it's 7-10 minutes of pain follwed by 30 minutes of pleasure.
The road is great, no cars today!
My attempt at a Steve Tam-style self portrait. Cari is still laughing at the 8 rejects I will never show in public. I never knew I could make such horrible faces...
Suck it up! Ah yeah, little self portrait with the gut all sucked up. Top of Veeder, before descent. I gotta lose some pounds.
I stuffed myself into my new Retrotec jersey and headed out...
Here's some pics:
Numbers don't lie. I don't even know how I managed 5mph here, as I was laboriously moving along at a brisk 3.5—4 mph. It's a painful little stretch right at the beginning of Veeder (from Dry Creek)—I rationalize it out that it's 7-10 minutes of pain follwed by 30 minutes of pleasure.
The road is great, no cars today!
My attempt at a Steve Tam-style self portrait. Cari is still laughing at the 8 rejects I will never show in public. I never knew I could make such horrible faces...
Suck it up! Ah yeah, little self portrait with the gut all sucked up. Top of Veeder, before descent. I gotta lose some pounds.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
I Heart Handmade Bikes
Saturday found my family and I off to San Jose to spend some time drooling at handmade bikes at the North American Handmade Bike Show (NAHBS). Our friend and neighbor Curtis Inglis was displaying his Retrotec and Inglis bikes and so where friends from long ago—MIke DeSalvo and even Chris King was on hand to share their wares.
Now being a certified bike addict and jumping at any chance to see and possibly acquire more bikes, it was a given we were going and we were going to spend some time looking.
It was all there for the viewing, lugs, lugs and more lugs. Steel by the mile. Paint jobs you had to see to believe. I am really into supporting American made bikes whenever I can. Sure Treks and all the different stickered carbon frames from Taiwan and China are cool to look at, but meeting the people behind the bike and seeing how personable, intelligent and like-minded they are...well it's a no brainer. Plus it was really laid back and not like Interbike with all the ultra cool people and pay-for-play female models. You could take your time, meet th emakers and have real conversations, not like my experience (both working and attending) at Interbike.
It was also a weird trip, putting me in the way-back machine to a time when I worked in the bike industry (a life-long goal), for a company I believed in (Chris King) and who was responsible not only to cycling, but also the environment and society. A far cry from my work with fried food and bottom line corporations now. Anyway, I learned an incredible amount during my time with KIng, not just about bikes, but more importantly about myself and what I am able to handle (workload, asking intelligent questions, thinking things through). I was actually nervous to meet Chris, but once underway it was great to see him and do a little catch-up after 5 years apart.
I could go on and on, but I'll try to let me pictures do most of the talking. They aren't the highest quality as it was pretty crowded and we were a bit rushed to move on to other things, but I think they capture some of the sights...If you want more pics, check out Cari's Blog or Cycling News, they have great images too.
BTW—My favorites were :
1. Retrotec (of course, especially since I have a SS, pink twin MTB on order)
2. DeSalvo Cycles; Mike's attention to detail and cool attitude are refreshing, plus he's made bikes for most of my friends
3. Vanilla Cycles; Sweet frames, cool company, 4 year waiting list! We spent a long time talking with Scott from Vanilla and now I have a bug in my head to just maybe put a deposit down on one for 4 years from now...
Sweet lines of Curtis' Retrotecs, can't wait to get mine (in 6 months)
Inglis Townie Curtis built for his wife MItzi (or was it himself?...)
I love the new Inglis headbadge...reminds me of Italian cars from the 50's
Roark. Liked the raised logo and shiny bits
Nice lugs, they were everywhere! Plus the pink was cool.
Jake wanted a little bike, but he wanted blue. OK. Let's buy one!
Waterford Flame Lugs
Close Up of the Waterford Flame Lug
More curvy goodness from Retrotec...
New Retrotec logo is cleaner, but I really like the Inglis one better...hmmmmm
Sweet fork stops on a Bohemian frame. Took me a bit to figure them out
Calfee is doing crazy things with carbon strands. Evidently it was ride-able.
Another look at the Calfee bike. My brother said it looked like the circulatory system. I agreed.
Jake admires another Calfee made out of carbon, bamboo and featuring real bull-horn bars. That'll clear the path!
Willits. I met Wes at my first Interbike, he is a big 29" proponent. Gary Fisher ripped off the 29er thing that same year.
Detail shot of the wood inlaid fender on the DeSalvo townie. Yummy.
Vanilla Bikes tricycle. Phil Wood wheels. Lucky kid!
Jake kickin' it with a sweet Indy Fab track bike.
Golden Indy Fab. Headbadge was real gold too. Wow!
Pink, just like I like 'em.
Richard Sachs lugs. Amazing!
Pegoretti. Handmade Italian bikes, wild paint jobs.
More luggy lugs.
Sweet Inglis paint job from Spectrum. I was there when Curtis received the bikes. Opening the boxes and handling them was nerve-wracking!
Another sweet take on an old bike, with Spectrums nice paint work.
Now being a certified bike addict and jumping at any chance to see and possibly acquire more bikes, it was a given we were going and we were going to spend some time looking.
It was all there for the viewing, lugs, lugs and more lugs. Steel by the mile. Paint jobs you had to see to believe. I am really into supporting American made bikes whenever I can. Sure Treks and all the different stickered carbon frames from Taiwan and China are cool to look at, but meeting the people behind the bike and seeing how personable, intelligent and like-minded they are...well it's a no brainer. Plus it was really laid back and not like Interbike with all the ultra cool people and pay-for-play female models. You could take your time, meet th emakers and have real conversations, not like my experience (both working and attending) at Interbike.
It was also a weird trip, putting me in the way-back machine to a time when I worked in the bike industry (a life-long goal), for a company I believed in (Chris King) and who was responsible not only to cycling, but also the environment and society. A far cry from my work with fried food and bottom line corporations now. Anyway, I learned an incredible amount during my time with KIng, not just about bikes, but more importantly about myself and what I am able to handle (workload, asking intelligent questions, thinking things through). I was actually nervous to meet Chris, but once underway it was great to see him and do a little catch-up after 5 years apart.
I could go on and on, but I'll try to let me pictures do most of the talking. They aren't the highest quality as it was pretty crowded and we were a bit rushed to move on to other things, but I think they capture some of the sights...If you want more pics, check out Cari's Blog or Cycling News, they have great images too.
BTW—My favorites were :
1. Retrotec (of course, especially since I have a SS, pink twin MTB on order)
2. DeSalvo Cycles; Mike's attention to detail and cool attitude are refreshing, plus he's made bikes for most of my friends
3. Vanilla Cycles; Sweet frames, cool company, 4 year waiting list! We spent a long time talking with Scott from Vanilla and now I have a bug in my head to just maybe put a deposit down on one for 4 years from now...
Sweet lines of Curtis' Retrotecs, can't wait to get mine (in 6 months)
Inglis Townie Curtis built for his wife MItzi (or was it himself?...)
I love the new Inglis headbadge...reminds me of Italian cars from the 50's
Roark. Liked the raised logo and shiny bits
Nice lugs, they were everywhere! Plus the pink was cool.
Jake wanted a little bike, but he wanted blue. OK. Let's buy one!
Waterford Flame Lugs
Close Up of the Waterford Flame Lug
More curvy goodness from Retrotec...
New Retrotec logo is cleaner, but I really like the Inglis one better...hmmmmm
Sweet fork stops on a Bohemian frame. Took me a bit to figure them out
Calfee is doing crazy things with carbon strands. Evidently it was ride-able.
Another look at the Calfee bike. My brother said it looked like the circulatory system. I agreed.
Jake admires another Calfee made out of carbon, bamboo and featuring real bull-horn bars. That'll clear the path!
Willits. I met Wes at my first Interbike, he is a big 29" proponent. Gary Fisher ripped off the 29er thing that same year.
Detail shot of the wood inlaid fender on the DeSalvo townie. Yummy.
Vanilla Bikes tricycle. Phil Wood wheels. Lucky kid!
Jake kickin' it with a sweet Indy Fab track bike.
Golden Indy Fab. Headbadge was real gold too. Wow!
Pink, just like I like 'em.
Richard Sachs lugs. Amazing!
Pegoretti. Handmade Italian bikes, wild paint jobs.
More luggy lugs.
Sweet Inglis paint job from Spectrum. I was there when Curtis received the bikes. Opening the boxes and handling them was nerve-wracking!
Another sweet take on an old bike, with Spectrums nice paint work.
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