morning ride

instead of rushing to the stores to purchase presents, i was hitting some early morning rides this last weekend. start with lights, and end with cool morning light.

A George Hope sighting is not unlike seeing the elusive Bigfoot.

One minute you're minding your own business, tooling around in the woods, and the next you are face to face with that which is rarely seen, let alone documented.
A knot grows in your stomach as you fumble for your camera, and then he flashes you his signature smile letting you know everything is gonna be alright.
You snap the shot, and he finishes his beer as he deftly reenters the thick foliage.

Pre-Turkey Ride

On our pre-turkey family road ride, my father was bemoaning the fact that his bff has a newer and lighter bike than he does. He decided a new Soulcraft is just the thing he needs to one-up him. I agree.

Tour De Force

Got a visit from Dan who is the Master Brewer at Bud's Georgia facility (that's it above). He's getting a new Holy Roller singlespeed and happened to be in town visiting family. Not wanting to be an ungracious host, I took off early to show Dan around town. After a beer and sandwich at a local cafe around the corner from the old Salsa shop where I spent 7 years toiling (10 total), we wandered over to see what new business inhabited the space. Our eyes lit up when we spied a bunch of fermenting and brewing equipment behind the roll up door.

A couple of guys invited us in and right where the old Salsa shipping bench used to live was a full fledged bar.

It's not open to the public, but since Dan and I both had some link to this place, they gave us the full treatment. They make all kinds of booze in there. Whiskey, Gin, Grapa, Absinthe, and yes, we sampled them all. The guy below is showing Dan the "hrdrophobic" properties of Absinthe (he distributes Mansinthe, Marilyn Manson's official Absinthe). I can't comment of the chemistry of it all, but I can say that I now know how that shit can make people crazy.


It had been almost exactly 10 years since I stepped foot in this space, and had some intense moments of deja vu, or maybe it was the booze. Afterwords, we made our way up the block to Bruce Gordon's shop. Bruce was gone visiting his mother for Thanksgiving so Dave DiFalco (on the right) of DiFalco Fabrications let us in to rifle through Bruce's drawers.


Dave was working on a 1949 Chrysler that has a factory remote gas cap and a 20 pre-set radio (nothing is new) .


The guy who owns the car used to work for International Harvester and check out the cool sticker. Makes me long for the old days.

I have to thank Dan for getting me to venture out in my own town. I'm not usually one to knock on someone's door to ask, "Whatcha guys up to in here?", because I'm always afraid of bothering someone while they work. But in this day and age where people are looking to strengthen their communities via business contacts, commerce, the arts, or what have you, meeting your neighbors is how it all starts. And if your neighbors happen to get you drunk, all the better.

Mocked behind my back by my own sponsor.

I may drink beer from a (glass) bottle, but it doesn't make up for the hurt I feel inside.



Photo by Skotty Pawz

Swap Meet Louie

The SF Bike Expo happened this last weekend at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. Pretty cool set up, with a bike expo, swap meet, cross race, dirt jumping contest, and a low rider bike show all in one. With the right planning and promotion, this thing could be HUGE next year, and after talking with one of the guys who puts it on, they're planning on it.

This guy races for Soulcraft. Notice the Bud in a bottle.


This guy used to race for Soulcraft. Notice the Bud in a can. You know he's bummed he left.

After all was said and done, we made a nice chunk of cash for a day's work. Considering that it was a swap meet and I didn't berate anyone for insultingly low offers, I'd say it was a rousing success.

b road

road b runs east-west just north of the northern county line. it's dirt for a bit. nice to get out for a warm late fall day. the cross bike gravel peleton was kicking my ass.

A lotta soul in my craft, but not so much craft in my soul.

That's whut.

Whut?

Royale? w/cheddar....
How ya' like me now?

A brief reprieve from winter

Last week it was 32 and snowing, now it's 70 and gorgeous again...perfect for one last ride up high. Hardly any snow left on Schultz Creek.

I was feeling pretty good starting out, so I figured I'd ride Weatherford Trail up to the wilderness boundary. Weatherford is a rubbley bitch of a climb at best, and a heinous sufferfest at worst.Almost cleaned it, then checked out the aspens at the top. Not many leaves left
Rode down to take a break at the Overlook. Then crossed over Common Knowledge (formerly Secret trail)
And let West Secret get the better of me. Oh, snap! Finished up by riding down Your Mom...and boy was she good!

You know you've arrived...

When one of the loaner bikes for your drunken weekend is a Souly, and the other is a Blue Collar.