J5's Daily Grind

Monday, March 23, 2009

D to the P


Meanjoe arrived at the farm with news of a potential Lock4 trump card: Dustin the Pro had the day off and was going to be riding his trail and we had an invite. DtheP lives about 16 miles from me, aside from my back yard his is the closest trail to me. Did I want to go? Hell yeah!


I've heard nothing but stories about how tough DtheP's trail is. Stories of pro riders quitting after a single lap. Other locals swearing they'll never return. Did I mention it's only 16 miles away?


The trail is a blast. It will work you over though, but it's a fun beating. There are also a lot of downhill/super-d style runs, a pump track of sorts, and more log rides and skinnies than you can shake a disapproving finger at. We spent a few hours riding, playing, and bouncing off the ground (and a few trees) enjoying Dustin's playground. I'm planning a shake down ride there for the Moots when it arrives.

Snoop Dog chillin' in the lizzles

"Hey Y'all Watch This" D over the Adam filled Sinkhole gap jump

I have a ton more photos and some sick vids of the boys riding the trail features, but my old laptop isn't up to snuff to compress/edit the video. I'll try to get them uploaded for your edification sometime, somewhere. Thanks for letting us come out and play D.



Monkey's at the Bell

Show of Force: Beach Cruiser Cop Tude

Twice this week H. and I have taken the truck out to help friends move. I told a friend I should start "One Guy and a Truck" (there's a local moving company here in Nashville called "two guys and a truck") and H. quickly pointed out it should be "One Guy and his Wife's Truck".

"I've got a couch here, it's for a cop"

After a greasy burger from Red Robin (which stuck with me all afternoon), all of us got out to enjoy the beautiful spring day out at Montgomery Bell. It was a mostly female ensemble, (4 chicks and 2 pricks?) but we still maintained a faster average speed and covered more ground than Weds 4 hour sandwich ride down at Sewanee.


H. finally got to test out the Misfit Psycles FU bar out on the trail. No shoulder/arm pain and she loved the handling on the descents. I might toss the FU2 bar on there to open the cockpit up a tad for her after she gets a few more rides in on the FU bar, just for comparison. They are more accommodating for brake levers and shifters than the Titec H bar.

F Me? F U. Everything accessible and cozy

Sunday several of us met up early for a brisk ride back at the Bell. I christened it the nomentum ride after the inch worm effect common for a train of riders in twisty, hilly singletrack. Where the pace is good but the terrain and the differing skill levels cause the middle and back pack riders to traffic jam (slow and go) their way around the trails. No sandwiches were harmed in the making of the ride. krs-1 even spared a 12" ham and bread sub from the cruel fate of a condiment tainted knife blade.

Tomorrow morning has me at the Lock with Meanjoe. Three days in a row on dirt, life has been good to me this weekend.



Friday, March 20, 2009

Wicks Great, Less Filling

Swiftwick socks, good enough to eat!

Rode in with H. on her way to work then cycled my way from Vandy through downtown and over to the Tap Room to meet up with the crew. Spring days, bikes, beer, and exploring downtown by bike = Good times. Come out and play sometime.

The Marathon Village, home of the Yazoo Brewery

You can tell the weather was Springy


After the Tap Room, we all rolled over to the East side (crossing the river). Blinky lights, camera flashes, and crisp Spring air made the ride extra merry.

Crossing the Cumberland, Batman building to the right

Bryan the Photog on a bike and the other side of the lens for a change

Hells Yeah! Sharpie in da' house. The crew at Red Door East.

With friends like these, who needs a proctologist? Or are they saying they're a proctologist?

Dug the Head and the Eastside Duo

Bryan the photog double fistin'

Better call NASA

Hey Dad, check the above picture. Can you tell T.roy had a hand in helping Slumlord Joe brew this batch? The Jet Propulsion Lab has been notified. After giving settling time, the malty goodness was well worth the wait.



Thursday, March 19, 2009

The Mootsupial Ships Today






Past New Black

In a lame TeamDicky.com-esque post (not as in lame attempt at but as in a lame post like TeamDicky's bike room photo essay posts) I had planned to show my Monday which would have been entitled "My Day With A Big Truck" - but then life started getting a little more exciting.

walz caps for every occasion

A SORBA Board Meeting (with food and beers) on Saint Patty's Day.


Then a day spent in the greatest Mountain nearest to Nashie riding in the woods, along cliff edges, over rocks, off rocks, around rocks, etc...


Then I get home and see this (then scrolled down and noticed this which made that make more sense, not that making sense is ever a requirement or possible for Peter ) and things start buzzing: my head, my ears, my parts. Did I just read that right? Steel? Misfit? Whuh? Who needs interbikies with news like this.

The world waits.

Speaking of steel, I'm sad I left my camera in the Squishy's big gay box (Honda Element) and wasn't able to snap a photo of an old school Moots hanging on the wall at Woody's. Steel Moots road bike. Old school steel is real Moots days. Like over 25 years ago old, kinda where Peter's Flux capacitor has him with his latest "steel" technology (Careful don't let Peter know about titanium and carbon fiber or the future(present) could be ruined with flying trains and banana peel powered sports cars). The past is the new black.

He is very MISFITPSY.


So, Mr. Owl:

Will the world see a steel Misfit DiSSent?
Will the world see Thad on a 29'er?
Will the world see Thad with a 29'er DiSSent running 26" wheels?
Will Canandana attack?
Whatever happened to SCTV?
Why doesn't Misfit Psycles have it's own cable access propaganda show?




Sunday, March 15, 2009

WeeWickin' N Drinkin'

12mm Over the Calves for Kids? (His socks match OldGreg).
With a dumpster like Mike's and calves the size of his dad's, this kid is going to be a hammer!


Since we missed the Tap Room Thursday for Officer Mike's shindig, we had a small get together Saturday to throw a few back in celebration of his recent graduation. First day on the job and he got to pull his gun, clear a house, make an arrest, a few traffic stops, drive with the lights on, and got a free breakfast. Did I mention he gets to carry a gun? Sweet.

So H. is a trauma nurse, Mike a cop, Jeffy the paramedic showed up... company like that sure makes one feel pretty pathetic (although pretty damn safe). Luckily "I'm leavin' on a jet plane" gRant & Jen showed up with lil' WestyG to brighten my afternoon.

WestyG lovin' hanging out with Uncle Thad

And this is how we slam a Sly Rye Porter




Thursday, March 12, 2009

The Thin Blue Line


H. and I were able to get out in the frozen rain and cold temps (it was 78 just two days ago?!!) and across town in all the traffic hiccups in time to watch our friend Mike graduate from kindercop to full blown "he has real bullets in his gun now and can shoot you" cop.


It's been a long, hard effort for Mike and we're super proud of him for his commitment and determination to complete the rigorous training process. Something like 42 candidates started and only 29 made it all the way. He was 1 point away from Top Cop, pretty amazing. Tomorrow at 6:30am he takes to the streets for the first time.

Trained to Serve, Serve with Pride. Our Session 59 Grad.

Congratulations Mike! Best of luck in the new career.

Amazingly the mustache appears the moment they take the oath