Wednesday, August 30, 2006

R.I.C.E. and the Dakota 5-0

Here it is, the cankle. So I'm finishing my final night lap, it's just before sunrise–a dull twilight is coming over the sky and I'm exiting "The Hideaway" at Afton, so I know I'm home free, with just "Larry's Revenge" to get thru and then a cold PBR will be awaiting me at the finish line. It's been a humid night and the trails are kind of greasy. Traversing an off-camber single track across the side of the hill. Back wheel washes out. I get thrown onto my back, land on my camelback, facing downhill, but my right foot did not unclip from the pedal. Hyperflexion of the ankle and it's a slow roll back to the start/finish. My race is over. Kelly Mac stepped up and rode my remaining 3 laps. Team Red Polka Dot Dress filed a protest with the UCI, but Dr. Fuentes said fuck 'em. We got 25 laps, they got 23. Suckers... But the real sucker will be me, if I am unable to ride the Dakota 5-0 this Sunday. A whole years worth of "training" down the drain. Not real happy about that. Let's hear it for Universal Health Care. If only I were still in Sweden...

As seen in Sødermalm, Stockholm Sweden.

Thursday, August 24, 2006

STOCKHOLM! 24 hours of AFTON! PAINKILLER!

Good Lord. Sweden is Utopia. When can I move? Anyway, until I sort my head, recover from Jet-lag, and recover from this weekend's 24 Hours of Afton, I'll leave you with this beauty of a quote from Tim Krabbe's book, "The Rider." "Shifting is kind of a painkiller, and therefore the same as giving up."

p.s. we got sweet nü BROWN Chrome CRC messenger bags in. Check it out.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Electric Prunes-Stockholm

This is it, the bike that is going to Stockholm tonight with me, for the 2006 Single Speed World Championship. It's the 1993 Bridgestone XO-1 w/S&S couplers (and technically a Petaluma Salsa front end, as the original front triangle was replaced sometime in 2000 by Dana Butzow at Dog House). This is the bike that keeps on giving. You may remember it from such CRC hits as Holiday In Cambodia: 9 Single Speed Weeks in Southeast Asia (see CRC #13) It's been raced across the Dakotas, seen much dirt and tarmac action, and just won't quit.
Plus, it fits in this suitcase.

How cool is that? Pretty F'n cool, don't you think?

I'll be long gone to Stockholm Tuesday (15-Aug) to Tuesday (22-Aug). No laptop this trip, so updates might be sporadic. But I've got a new camera, so will hopefully post some photogs upon my return. Kelly Mac, Kevin Bacon, B-Rose, and Eddie Gripgen will be holding it down at CRC. Drop in and say hello. In fact, drop in this Saturday, (19-Aug) and join in on the SOUND UNSEEN FREERIDE It's a bike crooze, starting from CRC at 4pm, with stops at all the local hotspots. Register for FREE BEER (no shit) at the above website.

Lastly, speaking of Stockholm, O.G. Surly Slug B-Lee Evans sends this bit:

From your friends at BOMP……

"ELECTRIC PRUNES - Stockholm 67 -finds the Electric Prunes at the height of the powers. Some ninnies have griped that the 'Prunes were nothing more than a psychedelic one-hit wonder, and a studio project at best. This performance burns the criticism to the ground. Over-amplified and fuzzed to the max, the 'Prunes here are explosive, noisy and wild. This recording proves that the Electric Prunes deserve to be ranked alongside the very best bands of their era."

PS. the Stockholm Shirts have arrived and are pretty sweet! If there are any left over after the trip, they'll be available at the Cykel Garage.