Everybody's got something to hide except for JD and his Monkey

Monkey time

JD is fitting in nicely, although Dish is still acting like a crotchety old man and ignoring him. JD wants nothing more than for Dish to play with him, but all he gets is an occasional sniff and lots of growly snaps.

He loves running after Dish on the way to and from the barn, hangs out underneath his nubbin' (missing rear leg) when the slumlord and lordess' dogs are around, and steals Dish's bone (which is near JD's size) and drags it over to his bed to chew on.

Dish's little buckeroo

In regards to the contest, I've laid low on the blog about it and just went to work pushing his goods on the street like a dealer for The Pusher Man but the Pusher don't care if you live or die, oh but the Pusher is a monster.

Speaking of pushing... I've somehow got to get the car over to the other dealer. Dammit. Think after the debt is gone and the emergency fund (emptied by 'ze car) refilled, I'm going to go the Hensley route and spend the cash for a solid car replacement system. One that gets 50 miles per burrito, generates it's own electricity for lighting, has beer hauling capabilities, can be run geared or singlespeed, and laughs at the thought of rusting from the weather. (looking for this Summer/Fall '10)

Seems apropos that the car goes out when I need to start going in. Nothing like starting the job off on the right foot. Since I'm broke, for now I'll be rolling to work (yes I said work!!!) on my only other option. I've got my spare set of wheels set up with semi-slicks and a 15t cog and my king wheels still mountained up. I'm torn about the fork though, do I leave the carbon fork on and trust it not to get beat up at the bike racks or throw the 'likes to rust at the steerer tube' steel fork back on?

Anyone know where I can get a Peewee Herman chain? I'm going to need to lock up like Leone.

I'm Flying!

Catahoula Whining

The above photo was sent to my phone from a buddy out riding in Colorado, 401 trail in Breckenridge to be precise, with the text "Life could be worse".

I've been in a right foul mood since Saturday. Actually, it's lingered much longer than that, Saturday only brought it to a boil. Leadville was Saturday and I was pretty bummed to be missing out. I've wanted to keep my every other year habit going but employment circumstances had me unable to attend this year. I thought I was just pissy because I couldn't race which just made me feel pathetic. Although not getting to race did bother me it wasn't the underlying issue.

I'm tired of not knowing. I don't know if/when I'll get a call from a potential employer. I don't know what their vacation policy will be or if the standard 90 days before benefits (like vacation) come into play. What will my work schedule be? Will I have weekends off? Will I get another freelance gig between now and then? Will I ever get Adobe to actually perform some level of customer service (going on 2 months now) so I can use the software I purchased?

So I wait. I can't make long term plans with others because I might not be able to live up to my end due to this ethereal employment situation. I might not be able to go due to work or I might not be able to go due to no money. It's grating on me and Saturday brought it to a head. Living in limbo sucks ass.


Since I have no control over employment, I tried to do something to help my attitude. What do you do when you have time constraints, money constraints, one working vehicle, and want to ride the mountain bike in Colorado? Slap on semi-slicks, a taller gear, and hit the road.


It's not Leadville, but the route felt similar to St. Kevins / Turquoise Lake Road and I got to race against late afternoon thunderstorms, much like Leadville. It's what I have available and it could be worse, much worse.

Tree canopied back roads that wind along creek beds are plentiful 'round here

The best attitude adjustment came in the evening (well after realizing the car is overheating again and I've got no money coming in to fix it) when H. and I got to pick up J.D. and bring him home. He followed underfoot to the barn last night and got introduced to Ian while H. had to soak Ian's wounded foot. He's already taken over Dish's big dog bed next to my desk and has been doing a fantastic job of informing us when he has to go out to potty. One benefit of the ever present Catahoula whine.


So I guess the lesson to be learned from friends and canines is opening the door and letting myself out stops the whining. I should stop worrying and enjoy what I do have and let the other sort itself out, surely life will change again soon.

Non-Working Class Zero

Dig the Thad School silver and black rim combo

Not one to coast through contests kickin' back in the easy chair, I work a little harder than disguising a contest by draping a link in cryptic text to fool people into fudging my numbers for nummers. I'm actually out there getting greasy wrenching pro-bono (free breakfast) on making owners happy by handing out products to make their rides even more betterer. Though, I just realized this is a contest rewarding popularity. Popularity is for crowd-pleasing, faddish, famous folk. I'll stick with the modest anonymity of (non)working class. So, I'll leave with this nugget about the Psyclesluts in the island of Misfit toys:

"All 7 frames made it to the finish". (~7:11)

Endearing words leaving one feeling safe, warm, and fuzzy like old shag carpeting.

ShagU2

8Ball Installing the FU2

test ride, take it easy

After an amazing home cooked breakfast with the Neumeyers this morning, I spent some much needed time on maintenance for my neglected ride. Neglected in cleaning only, not in attention. So neglected I actually had a fun bolt come loose while riding Saturday. I also have been wanting to swap out wheels, tires, and gearing in preparation for the changing season (gravel grinding and cross) and to mix up some riding options.

3 N/S runs, 2 days at D's, and a few Monkey rides have dirtied my ride

I'm loving the toolie roll as a work mat and tool carrier.

A full cleaning of the sliders and light grease coating for the ti bolts

Johnny Mootis all loved up

Glenis doesn't fear Friday

Whilst some fear the slow traffic on Fridays for throwing down on the newly released contest from the Mastered Mind , Glenis ain't skeered. Traffic is traffic, no matter how fast it is or isn't moving.

So please help me by clicking on the purty pouter blued Misfit Psycles icon over on the sidebar, or any of the bland text links pointing to same soury dowry. Really, I'm doing this for you people, the masses, the classes, the 29'er riding asses.

Up for grabs el grando schmando prize:

Genuine MISFIT PSYCLES Nummers Urban/DJ Single speed Frame
Look ma, we found a use for steel and 26" wheels, in the 21st century!

Think about it, if Dicky wins the el grando schmando the 29'er world may just come to an abrubt end. People around the globe will suddenly wake up and realize the Emperor isn't wearing any clothes.

Not too worry though, I still have clothes on:

New Yazoo Recycled Work shirts (available at the Tap Room)

Backcountry Research V-Belt in action.

Notes of interest:

• Beer Named Sue - Yazoo Sue, cherry-wood smoked porter, is on tap at brewhouse-midtown. mmm mmm damn good!
• Makers of Snazzy Hoodies or Evil T's should send test samples for review

Puss N Moots

Hey Dicky, some of your packing material litter blew this way

One of those great days to be alive. We did the double. DtheP, Kaylee, and Mean "one big wreck" Joe and I did a road ride this morning immediately followed by some off road riding at DtheP's wonder trail. The only thing that could have made it better was if I'd packed a sandwich and been able to get out for another road ride after the dirt, just to flush the legs out. My little bowl of Cheerios was long gone by the end of our 3rd trail lap. Next time I'll remember to awesome strap a pbj to my top tube.

I should rig up the bob trailer to haul the rigor behind the road bike (I would just ride the rigor, but it's hard to keep up with zooty road bikes with a one speed). That'd give me a 20 mile warm up and a 20 mile cool down before and after the rides. I'll have to get DtheP down to my place sometime though and show him where the real hills are. ;-)

The bike queue

Here's half of the new super long log ride. (see bike in background for size reference)

Large penalty for failure. To the rocks is about 8'.

My dream home.

I pass this little house on the way to DtheP's place and always wish I'd stopped and took a photo. No cars were behind me today so I stopped and snapped a quick shot. This one passes all the "requirements" H. bestowed upon my "fixer upper" dreams. Things like functional roof and walls. Pssh. Anyway, I love this place, it'd be perfect. Someday maybe, someday...

Worse than chicked?

MsFit Psycle, the new aunt flo?

Awesome congratulations to our own Awesome Scott for correctly identifying the bike in yesterday's photo. Xtanker, I agree Jeanie is way more Awesome than Jump Street and will get her own Awesome to strap on.

Slumlord Joe, however, won't be getting any Awesome for his bike since his Yankees lost to the Canandians. Joe, what's the rule? Yep, we never, ever, ever, ever let the Candandians win. Damn Yankees.

SPJ's new ride

Sure would look trick with some orange King hubs, eh Jeanie?

I got invited over to the neighborhood Pro's house yesterday afternoon for a little fun in the backyard. The last time I'd ridden DtheP's trail was post Black Death's death and pre-arrival of the Rigor when I was riding the frankenspeed. The hub on the Ocoee was slipping and throwing chains and I just didn't feel right on the trail. The difference a slightly taller fork makes with a rear wheel tucked up tight under the saddle and a chain that stays on is amazing. I felt really solid on DtheP's trail, less duck out of water.

DtheP on one of the smaller skinnies

DtheP and Mean "one big wreck" Joe had been working all morning on trail maintenance and built a new table top jump and a few burms. Or at least that was the excuse they gave when I questioned them about the massive trail side grave they dug. D even has a new 80'+ log ride with a section that has an 8' penalty for failure right in the middle of it. Sweet.

Hey Peter and Marc with a c, what's worse than getting chicked?

Getting bitched.

Snoopdog making the pass

Headless but fearless

Mean "one big wreck" Joe

How the pros roll: Flat? No worries, just wheel swap and go

Who invited this guy? Adam filling in for the missing Neumeyer

Alrighty then kids here's another chance at some awesomeness.

Question: During our call last night, Dicky and I spoke about which of the following:

a. The role drab color plays in today's high fashion
b. am I one of us or one of them
c. rolling our tools in rubber
d. plans for Fools Gold helicopter bottle hand-ups
e. the plusses and minuses of using kittens vs puppies as packing material
f. how much The Dicky looks like Drama (both from Ohio? Think about it...)