Adrenalin Junkie

I hear this phrase a lot.  It is usually accompanied by many other words that usually go in my right ear, swirl around angerly, and shoot the fuck out of my left ear. Why? You ask. Because they mean nothing to a mechanic.  The “angrly” part is not anger pointed towards the rider… Okay……you know that you are incorrect about the “not many miles” part. You know that it has a fuck load of miles, very little maintance and oh yeah it was ridden throughout a New England winter or I should say winters, without any love.

When people (friends, customers, and coworkers) say “not many miles” I usually chuckle  inside. This means that they wished that they had gotten another 10,000 miles before they brought it to me. This way they wouldn’t be spending the paper to fix their clapped out shit now. Instead dealing with even more clapped out shit later…more excuse to by completely new… right? More reasoning to convince their spouse that it was REALLLY neeeded. When they wouldn’t have to “convince” anyone if they had loved it a bit earlier.

This is how I think of it, and many mechanics think this way as well. If you had an infected wound. It was a small wound and you thought to your self “ehhh that sucks but it’ll get better the less I take care of it.” After about a month of picking at it and showing your friends of how disgusting it is, you realize “Fuck this might be bad…my wound is oozing and I can smell it…”. You go to your favorite doctor and he/she says ” Hey Fucking asshole we now have to cut your arm off with a butter knife…might hurt a bit…but it won’t be infected any more!” This is what happens with your bike. You neglect obvious problems (even though you don’t admit it to yourself) and you end up loosing much more. Like your wallet or debit card.

My job is to help you realize these issues. My job is to tell you that your bike , with out the proper care, will loose its original extremities and will need some new bits.  7,000miles without bringing it to someone that has a non-biased opinion is neglect. Neglect on your bike and honestly negelect on your own well being.

We, as “wrench monkeys”, know more about how things look and act when they are worn and burnt out then anyone riding there “own” bike. Why? Because we see it once every so often. Your bikes integrity degrades over time slowly. So you never notice how shitty it actually rolls. We do! Listen to us and we will have your bike ridding like buttah the next time you see it. We are not BSing you, we are not getting paid commision, we are not here to make a buck. We are here to love 2 wheeled creatures and machines. Doubt us and we will doubt you as a “rider” as a person who loves the tools we use to get from A to B. Doubt us and your next ride will be shittier than the last…and don’t blame it on us. We are just the ones that you supposedly trust to work on your bikes. We get paid pennies to make your adventures more relaxed and fun. Do not make the mistake thinking that we are in it for the money.

Cheers to those who ride! Cheers to those who maintain! Cheers to those that wrench!

Tuned bikes make tuned riders.

Many things have happened since I last wrote. I took a break for a while because of the increase in work hours. Which now means an increase in riding hours. For the last monthish I have done nothing but work, ride, eat, sleep, work, ride, eat, sleep and so on. When I say eat I mean put the fuckin’ feed bag on. I eat like a zombie…with out fill or care. It tastes to good to stop.

Food, or fuel, is key for any human’s life. Some of us just choose to use it responsibly (you know who you are). Fuel helps us think correctly, move with ease, and recover quickly.  It makes the days better and the hour quicker.

The same can be said for passion. I am not just talking about the sweaty noisy passion that we all strive to achieve. But the passion that runs our lives.That little tick that strikes us when just pedaling isn’t enough. We have to get over the edge to feel it.

My new passion is dirt. Okay maybe it’s and old passion renewed. Either way I need to smell it. I need to feel it between my fingers. I need to sculpt into amazing creations to launch, heeve, and pich over. The need to knead it to suit a bicycle and help it gain speed. The need to feel FLOW and GROOVE.

I/we did 10 hours of “trail maintenance” the other day in our secret locale anf I can’t wait to rip it on Bessie. Jump line to a long downhill pump track. I hope “Beerrrmmmies Python” is as good as I vision it to be. We will see soon enough.

Cheers!

With out hesitation this morning I got my Opie ready to ride some dirty dirty. Que the barrage of emails and comments about mud season. Well screw you! You know why I can say that, because I maintain more miles of trails than anyone that might read this. Except for Ken he does a ton with me. Anything that I might damage will be fixed before you even see it.

It was rainy when I left,  but damn it felt better than snowflakes falling on me.  I had a huge smile on my face even though it was a tough ride. My buddy ML hooked it up so I was a bit more relaxed during my ride…which made it way more fun and worth it. Thanks Broham! By the time I had gotten to work the rain and puddles washed away most of the mud that had caked in between my rear tire, seat tube, and all over me.

This day of ATB riding made me think of my big plans for this coming year. Here are 10 expected things that WILL happen. These are only a taste of things to come. They are listed at random:

1.  Ride my bikes a lot.

2. Eat lots of healthy delicious food.

3. Do a shit load of camping and outdoor activities.

4. Go bigger and faster.

5. Build some sick shit at Da Summit.

6. Drink some really good beer. Beer is my Gu! Drink responsibly on the trails you could get hurt.

7. Ride my bikes alot …wait did I say that already.

8. Travel to riding spots I have never been before and have wanted too for many years (Kingdom Trails, Oregon, all of Canada, and so many more).

9. Build some bike stuff…including a trail building trailer, some parts that involve extra activities, a lounge chair out of bike parts, and some other interesting things that arein my skull that will benefit all who ride. I’m gonna be rich biotch!

10. Ummmm ride!

I have some many other things that I want to cram, shove, and compress into 2009. Some things are on the “is it really time” list. These thing I have planned for some time now. But looking at money, family, and my own personal goals they may not happen.

I can tell you this. There will be a fuck load of riding, drinking, writing, and enjoying the fuck out of my amazing life. I am sooo privildged to have the career that I have, to have the friends I have and have the family that I have. My bike quiver is never as full as I would like but shit I can’t complain with the wonderful rides that I have been blessed with. They treat me well so I treat them well back. Like it should be.

Rippin’ berms and smoking worms…that is what I am ready for! Watch out dirt I got my fuckin’ eye on you!

This year I have been a super motivated rider/commuter. At the beginning of the Winter I decided I would ride through it all. As much as I could. This has happened. I feel amazing and have definitely felt the Zen that I had mentioned in my previous entries. There were a couple days were I don’t even remember riding to/from work because I was in such a state of focus. My “ZEN” has reached a new level. And I can’t wait to transfer that to the dirt.

BUT I am human. We actually had a glimpse of spring. Snow melting and salt drifting away due to the rain. It put a massive smile on my face and I could smell the dirt and the life of the coming season in the air. I had less of a salt taste in my mouth, it was more the flowing beer and steak at a BBQ after an epic MTB ride taste.  So I won’t lie or shade the truth. I am now officially depressed about the weather situation. Grinding through my commute like a novice on his first muddy NE ride (slower and slower as I ride). Tuesday I didn’t even want to touch my bikes. I couldn’t even bare to look outside…at the snow that accumulated. Erggghhhh!

I look forward to the weekend and again a glimpse of things to come, but only a glimpse. There is no way Mothah Nachah will bring the melt…that quickly. She’s a beautiful lady but really knows how to twist the knife, like most women. I will do a road ride, but unfortunately I know I will still need fenders.

I love NE and will always. She knows how to make a hardy American, that is for sure.

The final word on this….Patience…ooops another one….Hope!

Fuckin’ A. Not only do we have to deal with fuckin’ telemarketers, Spam emails, Spam pop-ups and the shit heads that feel it is necessary to call my fuckin’ cell phone and try to sell me shit. I have to deal with FUCKIN’ Spammers that write these amazingly long comments. They are just random words with links and adds placed in amongst the words. Shit!!!!!!

Leave me the fuck alone Spammers. I just deleted 42…YES fuckin’ 42 spam comments on my blog. Damn…BostonBiker.org please help with this shit. There has to be a way to stop it.

If you are legit in leaving comments please leave ME comments on how much you hate this shit. Maybe BostonBiker will pick up on how the rest of us are annoyed by it.

Don’t worry not all negative…next entry will be positive.

This past Saturday I went for an Urban MTB ride with K. We started in Cambridge and road 75% of the cities fun spots. Then rode back to Cambridge. The weather was awesome despite a chilly breeze near the water.  This was the first Urban ride on hardtails (mine was rigid style…not that makes me cooler or anything) that either of us have done in a long time…years. So we were both doing the basics. relearning manuals and jumping up things on our hardtails. We just built up his new ToP from Transition and it is soooo nice. He has an eye for nice stuff.

I was impressed with my jumping. I think I actually improved since last time I rode Urban.  I felt good with manuals but as usual I still need to practice a lot. K was soing great for his first time on a hardtail in a very long time. His jumping was great and I was very impressed with many of his other skillz. We both need some practice with some key areas but so far I would say we are on the right path.

One of the drops (5-6′) that I did…near the beginning on Comm Ave I tweeked my shoulder. Kind hinder my riding for the rest of the afternoon. But I powered through it and stayed away from the bigger drops that I used to do.  Plus I had a bit of squish on the fork to cushion the blow.  I was also missing my front brake which took away from some of my “tricks” if you can call them tricks. They are to me so THHPPPP to you if you are cool enough to through flips and turn downs. I can’t….o well.

The last couple of days i have been a bit sick. So I haven’t ridden all that much.  I rode in to work on Monday…it was beautiful. I started get sick through that day so. But I hopefully will be back on the bike tomorrow or if I am still sick tomorrow I will stay home form work and ride in on Friday…in the rain.

Cheers and Ride fast and take chances!

The last few days have been good. Lots of riding and lots of beer and good food. I have only been on Totem a couple of times and have been riding Red (Trek road bike). Red has been treating me well. I did get two flats and took a good spill on her but otherwise she has been better than I could ever ask.

Tomorrow is a day of Urban riding with K. He just got a new sled and wants to go spin around Bean Town and terrorize the Saturday tourists.  Opie has been fitted with some new gear so he is ready to be thrashed. As am I. Haven’t done and Ubran MTB ride in…..along time.

I actually just realized that I have only posted pics of one of my bikes. A shame I know. I will get a few pics to post up and put in a new post in the next couple of days. I have 6 and I am pretty proud of them.  One of them “Patriot” is and has been a carcus for some time now. He will be built in the next month or so as a back up A.M. (All Mountain) bike.

The other bike that is not quite were I want it to be as a bike is “Space Rider”. She has been sitting in the bowels of the shop for some time now. Found by K and given to me for a winter time project. It is an old (I won’t guess the age) 3 speed girls 24″ bike. My plan is to….well pimp the shit our of her. She is a coool blue color and in great shape considering she was found in the trash. Some pics are posted of the Pre-pimpin’. I love old bikes and considering how good of shape she is in, it should be a beautiful bike when I am done. It’ll take a while though. Stay tuned and I will continue to post updates and pics as the she grows into a beautiful flower. Isn’t that what ever father hopes for their “Lil’ Space Rider”.

Also in Adrenalin Land Totem will be seeing a bit of work in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for updates and pics of him.

Keep praying for sun, warmth, melting, better weather to drink beer and eat food outside with friends. It is coming and even though it seems like a long way out…it will be here before you know it.

Space Rider

Lil Space

The light settles on the snow. Showing the sand, salt and remnants of torn asphalt on the side of the arena. Tubicus lifts his shield and cowers for mercy. The crowd ROARS. Pinchatron stands over Tubicus with his pothole axe in one hand and a curb sword in the other. Pinchatron swings his pothole and strikes Tubicus on his sheild time and time again. Tubicus’ Kevlar shield gives way and Pinchy forces his way through.

Tubi falls to the ground. Cutting not his armor but his rubbery skin underneath. “Pinchatron must have some sort of magic in his pothole” Tubi thinks. Tubicus rolls away and stumbles to the earth. Looking down at his gasping wound realizes he has to do something. He holds on as much as he can. But all of his Oxygen is quickly rushing out. He struggles to get up and swings his casing whip with fury and lashes Pinchatron. But pinchatrons armor is to strong it is made of stone and tar. Tubicus patches him self up in the corner while Pinchatron laughs and raises his arms to the crowd. The crowd chants “Flat Him! Flat Him! Flat Him.”

It looks dismal for our friend Tubicus. A fair maiden comes out from the gates. Runs to Tubicus and injects some sealant into him. Uses a CO2 to inflate him enough to get him through. This maiden has faith in Tubicus.  The crowd Booos the maiden. She flips them the bird!

Tubicus crouches down and grabs a hand-full of snow and sand. He hides it behind his dilapidated shield and rushes Pichatron. Throws the mix in his eyes and slides under his legs, turns, and stabs him in the cobblestones. Pinchatron drops to his knees in pain. The crowd goes nuts. The maiden comes back out and lays a huge kiss on Tubicus’ cheek. He’s smitten.

Tubicus sees the opportunity to go in for the kill. Slowly creeps up behind Pinchatron and Slices his throat with a tire lever that was slipped to him by the maiden (she’s a keeper). Pinchatron falls on his face and Tubicus is dubbed the winner of the battle.

Tubicus is carried away on the crowds shoulders in celebration. Fall back to Pinchatron….still breathing. He grumbles “Tubicus…my family will finish the job I started”. Pinchatron is no more…fade to black.

I HATE POTHOLES!!!!!!! FUCK HIS FAMILY I GOT HARDCASE TIRES!

I know what you are saying to yourself right now….” Is he complaining about driving again?” Well I am not complaining about driving persay. But I am complaining about the laws and regulations that this state and many other states have. In order for me to renew my liscense and Reg I need more proof of identity than there is potholes in Boston. WTF. Eghhhh! The place is an Easy-Bake Oven for already surly people.

Anyway, the lovely experience of the RMV aloud me to get a ton of miles (36.7) in on Totem. Of course this is because of the monkeys at the RMV not removing certain closed locations from their website. Damn bastards. So I rode my bike to Reading…Closed. I rode my bike to Melrose…CLOSED! So I tried Wilmington. Got lost ridding through the area. Finally figured out what I was doing wrong and got there. After I got the wonderfully great news (sarcasism) I headed out to go to work. This is when I really realized people need to learn how to drive and be retested after the age of 60. I am just glad that I have cat-like reflexes and avoided 3 potenially bad situations. The last one I think I actually need to change my skivies. It was a triple threat. Old purple haired lady on her cell phone with a bunch of crap piled in the rear window of her Buick (great for blind spots). I hit her trunk with my hand and she swerved all over the road she was turning onto. This made me realize she had no Fucking idea I was there. Argggg!

Even with that I was super stoked to be on my bike in 40+ dergree weather in the 2nd of Febuary. Even more so because Puxatany Phil saw his shadow. Yay 6 more weeks of winter. Do you buy into that shit? I sure don’t. I think Ol’ Phil is paid off by the media to create more tears in our already depressing word.

Ride long. Ride strong.

Mmmmm salt. I love it on my food, works great to melt ice as well.  I sure there are many more applications for salt then what I can think of right now. I do know one use is throwing salt over your shoulder for good luck. If this is true I am the luckiest MoFo after today’s ride. Not to  many times have I gotten to my destination and tasted this much salt in my mouth. Like I had taken a swig of salt water. I suppose if it wasn’t for the salt I would have a bit more of a battle getting to work during these winter months. Soooo hurray salt.

My lovely steel Miyata (Totem) frame is probably groaning every-time I ride it this time of year. Even though I solemnly believe bikes would rather be ridden then just set aside.  Totem is my work horse. He gets me there smoother than any of my other bikes. Much fewer moving parts to have issues with as well. The amount of potholes, miles, grime, salt, sprinting and drunk riding I have done on Totem sometimes astounds me. A work horse he may be but damn I would miss him.

I think it is time to bring him further into the fixed gear genre. I kept the fit and set-up the same when I converted him. Planing to get used to fixed gear before I drastically changed my one true bike love.  it is time to cut the bars down a bit, flip the stem and get some shorter cranks. I will keep the fatter tires on for the duration of the winter. They rock and roll (Bontrager H2 Hardcases). Stay tuned for pics in a few days.