Saturday, weekend update, because you did not think we did these things on the weekend...

Saturday is usually the more ambitious day of the
weekend...not sure why, but it seems like that and
today was keeping in this spirit.

I set off this AM for a bike ride to Nyack.

I rode to Nyack with all the hills I could muster. Had a
bacon egg and cheese, a vitamin water and a double
cappuccino. $9.50!!! I am not sure why I found that
shocking after Paris...but I did.

Rode home with all the hills I could find, riding as
fast as I could...which was not that fast...I was thinking of cold beers as the
water in my bottle tasted stale and hot.

Finally home at last. Fatigued in that nice opiate
sense. Totally calm after trying to leave it all on
the road. Not a bother in the world.

Bike Race Rumors...

Leipheimer to Astana...It looks so. Pena, Rodriquez and Horner to Rock racing....If you have not heard of Rock racing then you should check themout...wild bunch run by a wild man.

Friday at last.

Rough week to say the least. Glad it is over.


More bike stuff: Just looking at the different sites that are covering the bike shows it is interesting to see all the different types of coverage. For example MTBR has more threads on 29er's than any other site. On the otherhand Bike Magic scoffs the 29er. Cyclingnews covers everything (pretty well) and Velonews has a slightly more racey coverage. Pez did a little sneaky peaky coverage thing and since has been quiet. It is not like it matters much but it is odd how everyone's perception is so different and not much consencus...I will be curious to hear what people thought was best in show.

I really dig the idea of a travel bike: Especially a light XC bike that packs up nicely. I have a trico case but it is still huge and I get charged each and every time I use it...actually once in awhile I get away with no charges...I would ride this Ibis bike....Set me up Chuck!

Yeti: Not pratical but at 4.5 punds for frame seat post thing this could be built into a rocket.

I posted this picture for two reason: 1st off this is GT's re-emergence into carbon after the thermoplastic stuff of the mid 90's. Triple triangle in carbon? The other reason is note the power links for a quick chain repair taped to the bike. Very cool.

Interbike from afar: The only way to do it edition.

I used to go to Interbike: although certainly filled with more bike porn than any bike boy can take or dream of, I really don't miss it at all. But I do love looking at the pictures of the junk that they are hawking. It really is not junk...unless you use my litmus test as to whether or not the thing will stand the test of time and be relevant in 5 years. Most carbon stuff does not in my opinion.

Here is some more stuff that caught my eye from the on-line rags:

This Ibis HT makes think of Moron steel: Chuck Ibis's response to the BS propagated by Ritchey and Columbus who delt in "logic" and "Genius" branding for their tubes.

For some reason, the bikes of the mid 90's resonate the most with me. It was the first moment when the artisan met the engineer and mountain bikes were built light and stronger. I loved Spooky bikes.

Crank Bros. this year are releasing a bunch of new products from light weight headsets to these Neuvation type wheels. I really love the Crank bros tools for the trail. Simple, light, little tools good for the trail. Will be interested to see a set of these wheels up close because they do design some good stuff.

The only thing I will miss about Vegas are the bad cheap margarita from the new frontier...did I say I dont miss Vegas? Because I really don't.

Cervantes and the "holding back the rain": let go.

Fighting the windmills is a cliche often too overly used, and while it may seem appropriate, the inevitable desire for some other perspective in order to make sense of the senseless is needed.

Against the tide has been a personal theme for as long as I can remember: I think I was hard coded that way. Within the last year I have come to grips with this behaviour and what was once the lightning rod I hope will be a more prudent thoughtful approach. Too often I think I acted with out care, nor with out the thought of consequences maybe in the hope that I can change things for what I thought was for the better. Sadly, there will be some things I can not change, nor can I help make those things better. I spent too many years in this mode trying to fight the good fight, and while I will not concede that I am "rolling over," there are some things I can only wish were different.

Cryptic words right now fill this blog the last couple of entries and for good reason.

"holding back the rain"- It was a Duran Duran song that resonates. I take away from the title that I can not control certain things and the best I can do is to act in a manner that I can be ok with. Would these be actions I would be happy to share with my kids is my litmus test? Not that I have children. Don't ask me how I got to that from an unknown pop song from an 80's pop group. Just feeling a little helpless and the only way I can feel alright about that is to be the best person I can be.

Stretch left today. I watched her drive away.

I am hoping to make some better times in the days to come.

Until then, pedal hard and be better than you think you are with modesty to boot.

Bike bit update:

King!


Bike show time is here (actually it has been rolling for some time with Euro bike) and Interbike saw the release of one item that I am sure many will be salivating over: the 1.5 Chris King. For those with bikes that are totally pimped out but are lacking that one last piece to make their rig supah stylee the 1.5 headset is out.


Also of note is the 150 MM 12 MM thru axle hub.



To top it off they have also released a new ISO single speed hub and a Cross specific hub.

Pretty amazing King came out with so much stuff in one year considering it is not like they rush out to change very much or bring new product to the market each and every year. King is certainly my favorite brand of bike components because it is so classic and never goes out of style.


OTHER RANDOM THINGS:


Road tubeless: Haven ridden on tubular tires in my formative years as they were the only tires that counted at the time I am slightly reluctant to even consider these types of tires. Benefits? More supple? Maybe. Lighter? If their offroad brethren are any indication than probably not. Pain in the ass to fix? Presumably.





Felt Carbon 29:
29 is new the black of course, and what was once so niche and rare is now melded with the black gold of the bike industry: Carbon Fiber.

While I like the idea of a 29 wheeled bike I am not sure how great it would be in the woods of the east coast. This prototype 29er is a very cool bike but considering how many people I know who dent their rigs tipping over (myself included) I am not sure how practical they are. I know that carbon is pretty tough when done right (check out the all mountain Scott bikes or the factory guys who race on the Easton DH carbon bars) but I would be bummed if I stacked it and found out that I gauged a hole through the clear coat and hit the actual fibers. Anyway, it would be a hip bike to own in Northern Cal where stuff is not as techy as the East coast.

Anyway, just feeling sort of bike geeky today as I am trying unload a ton of junk on ebay.

All pictures are courtesy of cyclingnews.com.

Other peoples stuff...

Other peoples stuff...
I am pretty bummed out: Broken friendships that seem to have no way to mend, stolen goods and wishing things had been different. It all sucks and while mad at first I am more just sad.


If you know me and you read this, do not ask me about it. I am still just trying to figure out what to do next.


Other's peoples stuff: since I got nothing in the tank to really write about except dirty pain I thought today I will leave you with this guys site which is pretty great stuff.

http://www.dirtycarart.com/

Senior LD riding the rocks on a techy ride in which school was in session....

Going away parties, check yo' self and lost cell phones

Going Away:

Last night was Stretch's going away party held at some annoying way west bar in the pretentious "I am really trying to be cool" part of town: Brass Monkey. I am a NYC snob having lived here for most of my life.

Showed up around 8.30 and hung out for a bit till I had to head home as I had to be up bright and early for an endoscopy. Not sure why they call it and endoscopy when they stick the tube down your throat. Shouldn't be called a "mouthoscopy"...unless when they knocked me out they went the other way.... Not trying to be cute but these medical terms are bogus.

Party was nice for the most part: met some nice peeps, got felt up by a drunk girl (not intentional...) and drank 2 Stellas. All good.

Stretch leaves Wednesday.

Check yo' Self:

Anyway, I have had some pretty sharp stomach pains for longer than I can remember (15 + years...) and I had always thought it was par for the course for being a human being. Apparently not and these stomach pains which could cause me to break out in a cold sweat, because they were so strong, can be fixed. Imagine that.

Drugs are still wearing off as I type this as they stone cold knock you out: I should have warmed the doctor it does not take much for me to be put out. I think I was drooling as I walked to the subway after waking up and checking myself out of the doctors. Will have some sort of result back next week...but no big deal.

Lost cell phone:

Just got an email from an old friend: the DaVinci of Spanners. He is a maestro and a very close second choice to God for being somebody who I would chose to work on my bike. He makes bikes feel intuitive and how they should feel.

He had lost his phone, and subsequently my number and every one Else's number, and was reaching out to ask for contact info.

DaVinci had lost his cell phone ( I have a sneaking suspicion that he actually tossed it in order to upgrade to the new iPhone...) which worked out just fine with me as I had not heard from the man. It is funny how a small turn of an event can bring somebody back into your life.

I wish I could reconnect in a nice way with a few people but sometimes it is so hard.

"Late news breakin'...this just in"

Landis Found guilty!
Am I jerk for being sort of gleeful about some body's downfall, when maybe there was a bevy of racers who were doing the same thing? I am certainly torn on this part as I do not wish anyone to go through pain....I am just tired of this story and hope this will put to bed the issue of doping within the peleton.

Landis Guilty?
This is just too much circumstantial evidence and hearsay for me. And in the end, let the guys go to the ring, race and let the best man stand atop the podium.

I had been a Landis fan from the days of when he raced for GT on the dirt (1993), but at some point the sport must come to terms with its actions and those who are unable to break the chain should pay the consequences.

I hope this is not the end of Floyd. I still hope that he did not do it...but sadly I think he did. And I am not sure he will race again as the sport seems to be entering a new time and not many sponsors will risk the publicity with a tainted racer.

Some silly things about the trip to Paris...

Some silly things about the trip to Paris and NYC...

Spent one complete day with my sister roving around Paris doing a true tour of the other side of Paris including a trip to the Chinese/Vietnamese district. In contract to SF and NYC, these parts of the city were very clean. China town NYC style is full tilt third world with animals for sale on the street.

Ate a restaurant that is supposedly as close to as it gets to actual food from Vietnam which was interesting...It was good, and as much as I was sick of French food (the heavy sort), I still wanted to eat bread at every single meal. I am not sure how to describe this thing below but it was insisted upon. You basically cut the yellow omelet thing up and wrap it with lettuce, mint or this other leaf thing from the Laungedoc region that I remember as a kid which had prickers all over it...It was interesting tasting, good in fact, but there was a smell from this drink that was also insisted upon that made the meal a little more real than I wanted...I like that kind of stuff but I also want to be able to see and then be able to go on to the next place and not sit for 90 minutes and eat in that kind of conditions.


Here is a park in Paris called Mountsouris that Clementine showed me.

Here is a picture of me in Mountsouris Park: I was feeling very French unshaven, in a jacket, without a collared shirt and with some icon type t shirt on. Note the bags under my eyes. I am still tired from the whirl wind rock 'n roll tour of Paris.
Anyway, I am back. This AM I was rocking the NYC style in flip flops, noshing on a bagel and drinking my large coffee with Milk and deux sucres...

Tunes as I traveled this AM on the subway: Subway still sucks in NYC during rush hour.

• Groove is in the heart by Dee Lite
• Kimberly Austin by Porno for Pyros
• Doors of your Heart by the English Beat
• Hungry for you By the Police
• Green Grass Tunnel by MUM
• Dance Hall Days by Wang Chung
• About Her by Malcolm McLaren (hot remix of a classic)
• Candles by Dirty Vegas
• Emotion 98.6 by Mylo

Nothing like random.

Back in the USA and Silkwood showers

Back in the USA...

God bless the silkwood shower...I don't know what it
is about my homeland (I am feeling patriotic today
even though I am really only 50% Frenchie..) but no
matter how much I wash there I never feel as clean as
the American shower. I do not know if it is because of
the fact that every single shower in France is a hand
held jobby? It is like they are a slighter more
powerful waterpik... Nor do they have the force to
hose off what feels like a heavy grease due all the
rich food one eats there...Anyway I am just so happy
to be clean and on my way to be eating some Sushi.

The broad strokes on the trip as more will be posted
soon.. It was a good trip. Drank as many Cafe's to my
hearts content for once. Seriously, I drank as many as
I felt were needed which was a first for me although I
had always wanted to..,.Only saw one nice bike the
whole trip... saw some crazy good paintings...Thinking
about going this year for the start of Paris Roubaix
as uncle Franks place is Chantilly and it starts in
Compeigne: that would be hot to roll that race behind
catching a few different vantage points...Shit, it is
exspensive over there..

More later.

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Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell.

http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/

On the road...

In Paris in what has been my first reall adventure in France...which is odd of course because I am half French. This time it has been the first time I have been able to do my own real thing. So far it as been really nice: Drinking too much "cafe dans les cafe," painting and visting my sister and my uncle Francois. All good stuff. Will update as soon as I get stateside with my impressions.

To say the leats it has been nice to do my own thing and check the place out at my own speed

I will say that for the place that holds the Tour de France that I have not seen one nice bike the whole time I have been here...I am having withdrawals.

Moments you may not want your kids to remember...

I love the stuff American Tourist do (myself included...I climbed the statute of Chris Columbus in Lisbon, which was 30 feet high, only to have the Guardia Civilia come running after me. I was 11 or 12 on a family trip with Papa. Kids will be kids...) and it makes me wonder what happnes if and when the family/kids see these types of pictures.

"Ohh, that was when mommy was young and foolish chasing hot French men across Bordeaux...(Pause) No, I did not know daddy back then and yes (hesitant) he is sort of hot."

Sangria Friday and Saturday Muffin

I got up early this AM in order to get ready for my ride with LD and the wildcard. Potentially Mosquitto will join as well...but nothing confirmed.

After a night of Sangria's with my friend JS at a locale Tappas joint I jumped into bed by 10.30PM and was out like a light. The eyes opened at 7.10 AM and I was off in search of coffee and a muffin. Indulgant if you catch my drift.

The tunes are The Clash: "Armagideon Time" live with Ranking Roger from the English Beat/General Public. Talk about a show.

The bike shows are starting up and I have been reading all the blogs I can get my hands on about the show in Germany. I have to go to this show once in my life as it is truely the world series of bike shows: It is so huge and the exhibitors there can be so cutting edge with stuff that does not make it to this side of the pond. It is last stand of the true boutique one off bike/part builders. The product coming from Germany is scary light but so cool that somebody took the time to carve a piece of carbon fiber like a sculptor would.

I love the German fascination with light and stiff: Just find the median and then call it a day boys. Oversize carbon is now de rigeur with everyone and their granny putting one out....it is odd how they are all sort of simalar looking..but thenn again so many of them come from the same factoy in Taiwan.

Check list:
Bolts
chain rings
bash guard

camelback
Tube
tool
pump
powerbar
first aid kit
Sidi shoes
Clothes for after the ride
Camera

I am also getting my butt in gear for my annual eBay fall sale: Everything must go! And if nothing sells I am carting it off to the goodwill. I love getting rid of my junk as I do strive for a minimal footprint and try and not let consumption fill my space.

Other news: I had an interesting meeting on Friday. I think it was the first time in some time that I was excited about a potential opportunity. This seems to be a winner...but more on that later when things have fleshed out a bit more.

Wildcard is spotted...

The elusive wildcard is spotted in its natural habitat....

Actually just a picture documenting the ride from the other weekend.

I am back from Maine so I will be posting some pictures of the family gathering soon but first need to cover my bases with work etc.