longee coming up

The ol' drop bar bike doesn't get torn down this far very often. I need to get it ready for my 6th attempt at the TransIowa. New cranks, bar swap, different seat and post, different pedals and new cables and bar wrap. 320odd miles coming up soon. Easter weekend actually. If I can finish this year it will be my third. That would be a 50% batting average. Wish me luck.

Holy hell, we had a good time.

As you have probably heard by now, El Capítan Sporty Pirata and Anthony from Una Pizza put on one hell of a bash this past weekend. Bike and bike part makers from all corners of Northern California were putting the 'cool' in 'Portland' before that city ever got the memo, and it was refreshing to see them all display their wares in a single location. As everyone stood around and enjoyed the company of one another, Anthony slung the pizzas, and our ears were treated to a serenade by The Mattson Two, who were responsible for the soundtrack to the recent video 'From Steel- The Making of a Soulcraft' video directed, shot, produced and masterminded by Mike Evans. The storms temporarily cleared and made way for a cloudy but dry afternoon for the masses to converge and take in the sights and sounds of a celebration of handmade, Nor Cal goodness.

I would like to publicly thank all of those who were involved, and apologize for the apparent misplacement of my sobriety.

Then again, I guess if you know me, that was to be expected.

Slick 50-2011 Edition- SATURDAY 19 MARCH

to assuage Stevie's sensitivity, I bring you the return of the Slick 50, this Saturday, 19 March.

Though I cannot vouch for any other Soulcrafts, I Suck Wang will be getting real dirty. Don't be scared.

Take two and call anyone you want to in the morning.

Some days, like today, and yesterday for example, it seems as if the world is on the brink of its demise. Call me overly sensitive if you wish, but I can't help but bury my head under the covers in situations like these with false hope that when I emerge it will all be better. Bouncing from news report to news report, everything only seemed to get more dire. Finally reaching my breaking point, I grabbed my brown love and pointed it away. After only 30 minutes of lazily rolling over my nearby trails, I felt as if my heart was soothed. Certainly a simple bike ride isn't capable of solving the world's problems, but it does just fine in slapping a temporary band-aid on mine.

We all have a monkey on our backs sometimes.

Sometime's it's an addiction. This may include alcohol, tobacco, or firearms. It may include riding a bike until we can't turn the pedals over, or possibly a combination of all four.

In this instance its name is Cheever. You can't love him though he's almost impossible to hate.

-No strike that. He's pretty easy to hate, but not for forever.

Happy birthday chump. If you were within an arm's length from me I would punch you square in the junk.

A Ruota Libera Bike Show Update

We made a small (but important) error on the original poster.  It said show time was 3pm to 7pm.  It's actually 1pm to 7pm.  Here's the new one....

Date: March 20 2011

Location: Una Pizza Napoletana 210 11th St and Howard St. San Francisco, CA 94103

The greater San Francisco Bay area is home to numerous world-renowned bicycle frame builders. On March 20th many of them will converge at Una Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco for 'A Ruota Libera', a bicycle and pizza show designed to showcase and celebrate the rich culture and history of frame building that exists right here in our own backyard.

Anthony Mangieri, owner and pizzaiolo of Una Pizza Napoletana, is an avid mountain biker and owner of several custom made bicycles. For Mangieri, the event represents an opportunity to invite fellow craftsmen, who share his appreciation for detail, into his own 'workshop' where he will happily churn out his signature Neapolitan pizzas for the show.

Sean Walling, owner and frame builder behind Soulcraft Cycles, immediately saw the value of bringing local builders together for the show and partnered with Mangieri to bring A Ruota Libera to life. "The frame building talent we have within a 50 mile radius is an embarrassment of riches," says Walling, “and Anthony has the same obsessive approach to pizza that we have to bikes, so why not get together and give the locals the opportunity to experience this all in one place."

Walling and Mangieri both agree that A Ruota Libera will be a great venue for all, whether frame builder or fan, to appreciate what results from years working toward mastering a craft.

A Ruota Libera will also showcase a live musical performance by the internationally praised duo, The Mattson 2 and a screening of 'FROM STEEL': The Making of a Soulcraft' by director Michael John Evans.

The name “A Ruota Libera” is Italian for “Freewheel.”

Moretti Beer and Mr. Espresso coffee will also be available.
Admission to the event is $10 (includes pizza)
Free on site bike parking will be provided.
Tickets are available at the door the day of the show.
Doors open at 1pm and close at 7pm.

www.unapizza.com
www.soulcraftbikes.com