ride tonight

hey, it might actually be a reasonable temperature by then...same place, same time; we'll try the assinaboine forest again - found some fun paths before the snow fall, so we'll see if they are rideable by now (lights are very advisable).

read chris' latest post below

this is how we should have started the conscience cross race...

marketing messenger-ness

Yet another account of the commodification of a once pround counter-culture. These narratives are becoming so cliched that one has to think there must be something else going on. Not that there's no truth in them. But something a little bit more complicated, please. The story seems just a little bit too comfortingly straightforward to be altogether true. But here it is, in any case, for those who might be interested in another instance of how we are all complicit in our own captivity to the form of empire known as consumer culture. Or so the story goes. Not sure of the exact count, but I did notice a bunch of Timbuk2 bags at the race on Sunday. Not that those of us who sport other brands are any better off according to this sort of critique. Oh well. Courtesy of the NYT:

Consumed: Biker Chic

By ROB WALKER
Published: January 14, 2007

Timbuk2

To be a bike messenger, a former member of that profession explains in the documentary “Pedal,” is to be part of a “whole different culture.” The messenger feels free, envied and looked down on all at once. “Bike messengers fall into the realm of outlaw,” he explains. It’s not clear exactly when people delivering things by way of a bike came to be thought of as a “culture,” but in recent years it has become clear that this image is widespread and probably marketable.

For instance, Advertising Age recently included a messenger-bag company called Timbuk2 in its “Marketing 50” list of up-and-coming brands. With sales to messengers “in the bag,” the magazine observed, Timbuk2 has lately “expanded into an urban-lifestyle brand,” with about $20 million in sales a year and growing quickly. The company’s roots go back to 1989, when a San Francisco bike messenger named Rob Honeycutt started making bags and selling them through local bike shops. When this started to look like a real business, he changed the original name — Scumbags — got some financial backing and opened a manufacturing facility in the Mission District. The brand sold made-to-order bags via the Internet and had a solid cult following by the time Honeycutt sold his stake to new investors and left in 2002.

Soon Timbuk2 started to have success with a more diversified product line. The brand now sells backpacks, laptop bags, duffel bags, tote bags, yoga bags and even wallets. Macy Allatt, director of marketing for the company, says that “urban living” is the common thread. While it is unlikely that bag purchases by actual bike messengers make up more than a sliver of Timbuk2 sales these days, they’re still “the reason this company has been successful,” she says. Presumably that’s both because a bag with messenger-ness in its DNA is bound to be ruggedly functional and because of courier culture’s harder-to-define outlaw chic.

Timbuk2 didn’t conjure this chic: the brand is one of many to notice that messengering seems connected to a more vague, but popular, notion of “urban” cycling, which carries a whiff of progressive politics, creativity and preference for the outdoors, even a paved cityscape, to one of the Man’s cubicles. And of course messengers really do care about their bags: ReLoad, Eric Zo and other small brands have devoted followings. But while, for example, messengers have organized competitions and races for years, it is only recently that these events have started attracting major sponsors like Puma. Meanwhile, the light “fixed gear,” or track bikes (which don’t have brakes), that some messengers use have attracted interest from increasing numbers of people who five years ago might have been drawn to skateboards. The makers of a new DVD called “Mash SF” — full of streety stunts (and painful-looking crashes) in the manner of a skate video but with bikes — were recently recruited to contribute to the influential Japanese style Web site Honeyee.com.

This messenger-inspired aesthetic is what Timbuk2 has addressed with its newer products (one bag is called the Blogger) and by expanding distribution to places like college bookstores. “We’re still very much committed to the cycling community,” Allatt says, noting that the brand sponsors messenger races as well as events like the Bicycle Film Festival and has produced a limited-edition artist series. And while many of the new products are made in China, the messenger bags are still made in San Francisco; the company has also introduced “sustainable” bags made of hemp. “We wouldn’t want to alienate where we came from,” Allatt says.

That’s always the trick: as is so often the case, the more popular the image of the messenger as outlaw icon gets, the more quickly the reality behind it recedes. One interesting thing about the documentary “Pedal” — completed in 2001 but recently rereleased with a companion book of photographs — is that it goes well beyond the popular cliché of the messenger as a tattooed, vegan, indie-rocking young man or woman who has made a lifestyle choice to avoid working in a cubicle. “It’s a nonunionized blue-collar job,” and many couriers are working-class dads with few other options, says Peter Sutherland, the director and photographer. “In New York, a lot of times it’s one step up from rock bottom.” That’s a little different from, say, a leisure activity like skateboarding. But we’ll take our fresh outlaw role models where we can find them, even if we find them risking life and limb to deliver packages for the Man.

start times

It would also be worth noting the start times. Hal may just playing humble here. But if you figure in the fact that he started behind almost everyone else, it appears he really kicked ass. Too bad he can't count laps and got caught napping at the sprint finish thinking he still had a lap to go. That's a strong start to the nordic cross season. A marked man from here on out.

The start times were, of course, determined by one's mental acuity in dealing with a set of all-too-cryptic clues. Ian walked away with this one, and earned a 50 second head-start on the next to go. This turned out not to be quite enough in the end. It's still not entirely clear what all of the correct answers are. But in the interest of full-disclosure, here are my answers, which, for the record, I still stand by, even though they've been deemed less than entirely adeuquate.


1. Can you see the Lite in Winnipeg? Tell me what it is. The right answer earns you points towards your start and placement.

Local Investment Toward Employment. A local charity.


2. Earn start and placement points by bringing items for Winnipeg Harvest. Do you understand the Lite to earn extra points?

Items will be brought, don't worry. Does Lite mean the same thing in this case? I.e., are you referring more specifically to their food hamper program. As far as I'm aware, this is not officially connected with Winnipeg Harvest. Or perhaps you are suggesting--as LITE does--that the items should be purchased from Neechi foods. If so, that's an unreasonable request and I refuse to do so in principle. It's like Wal-Mart starting what sounds like a well-meaning charity and yet demanding that they will only accept donations purchased at one of their stores. That's bullshit, pure and simple. Or are you asking that we bring less fattening foods? That I am willing to do.


3. Popcorn and dark rooms - name three “physicians” that made appearances in the city this last year? These "doctors" presented ideas and answers to questions about issues you and others are concerned about. (I never said this would be easy). The right answer earns you points.

movies with a moral conscience?

An Inconvenient Truth - the doctor is Al Gore
Fast Food Nation - Eric Schlosser?
Blood Diamond - the doctor is Charles Leavitt (author of the book), or is it Maddy Bowen/Jennifer Connelly, the chief moral protagonist?


4. Earn start and placement points by “visiting” at least one of these “physicians.”

Not going to happen. I've got more important things to do. But I watched Fight Club with one of my classes this week, and I'm sure it beats the hell out of any of those movies, morally speaking. These "doctors" are too unambiguous to be ethically interesting.


5. Have you eaten a meal within “a century?” Tell me what this means to earn points.

I suspect I very well may have, given all the home-cooked meals prepared by my farmer grandparents over the years. Or perhaps the meal I once ate in with real live Bedouins in the mountains near Jerusalem. They don't really get around that much on a day-to-day basis. Of course this experience suggests that the century meal is not all it's cracked up to be, as it left at least one member of our party with hepatitis. In any case, I assume you're talking about a meal in which all the food comes from within 100 miles.


6. Earn start and placement points if you do #5 during this week – you will need to answer several skill-testing questions to earn these points.

What consitutes a meal? What if I eat a huge, plain, unseasoned omelette made of farmer Geoff's eggs for breakfast? I don't see anything that suggest there needs to be multiple courses, let alone ingredients.


See also the race reports from Dave L and Jonny B.

OTT: Smashing Pumkins, Here is No Why

conscience cross results

if we truly stayed with the theme of the event i would say everyone won and we would all walk away holding hands, but that would just be silly. the unofficial results (you have up to 4 months to challenge) go:

tom
hal
chris
dave l
ian
graham
shona, vic, scott ???
jon (definately last)

prize winners: tom, a bottle of red wine; ian 1/2 a loaf of lemon pound cake for getting all the answers and completing all of the tasks; graham, a ritter chocolate bar for getting the coldest feet (cycling shoes with a wool socks over top and wrapped in packing tape - this had disaster written all over right from the start); and a loaf of bread to jon for running the entire race with his bike because his freewheel froze open.

up next, nordic cross #3

conscience cross

Conscience cross has come and gone. After surviving the cerebral suffering of the past few days, the race itself was a breeze. Yes it was cold: -29 when I headed out the door. But somehow having 9 other fellow sufferers out there helped make it more tolerable, almost even fun. And Hal made sure to incorporate plenty of running sections to keep the feet from freezing. 5 laps in and around Omand's Creek. Just about a perfect length--except for those whose freewheels froze open.

So Winnipeg Harvest now has a bit more food to dole out. And our consciences are clear for now, even if only for not giving in to the cold. As for those of you who decided to stay home--you know who you are--may your winter linger on like a Kevin Costner movie.

Special thanks to Scott and Deanna for supplying a warm pre- and post-race gathering place, not to mention food, drinks, and a coffee roasting demonstration.

Hal has the results, and will no doubt post them soon.

OTT: Dead Kennedys, Holiday in Cambodia

nordic cross - new meeting place

First, don't want to move Dr. Mr's post down so if you haven't seen the top ten rides for the FGBC of 2006 go here

Conscience Cross, the next nordic cross will go as planned. Because it will be cold I am arranging that we will meet indoors prior to the race. You freewheel people might want to test your bikes prior to the race to see if they freeze open; I had problems this morning but the temps were a little bit on the ridiculous side – it should not be that cold. It will be a short race and there will be prizes.

Now for the clues:

Theme: If you are not in the Lite you are out in the cold.

1. Can you see the LITE in Winnipeg? Tell me what it is. Google tells all. The right answer
earns you points towards your start and placement.
2. Earn start and placement points by bringing items for Winnipeg Harvest.
Do you understand the Lite to earn extra points? Break the chain by not going to one of these.
3. Popcorn and dark rooms - name three “physicians” that made appearances in the city this last year? These "DOCtorS" presented ideas and answers to questions about issues you and others are concerned about, some may even say their truth was a little inconvenient. (I never said this would be easy). The right answer earns you points
4. Earn start and placement points by "visiting" at least one of these
"physicians." Your only option may be to rent.
5. Have you eaten a meal within "a century?" Numbers not time. Tell me what this means to earn
points.
6. Earn start and placement points if you do #5 during this week - you will
need to answer several skill-testing questions to earn these points.

When: Sunday, January 14th.
Time: 8:00 PM
Place: 528 Raglan Road (one of the four houses on the west side of the street, with the yellow front porch - Scott & Deanna's place).

top ten rides of 2006

Because in the end, the FGBC is all about the ride.

The last installment of a series of 2006 top-10 retrospectives.

I realize, of course, that these views are subject to debate and potentially vigorous disagreement. There have been rumblings of dissatisfaction with aspects of the other lists. And so it seems appropriate to note that the opinions expressed here and in the previous 2 lists do not necessarily represent the official views of the FGBC. If you feel the need to register your dissatisfaction with the judgments reflected below, click here.

Too many good rides to choose from, really. But these were the best of the best.

10) Hotter than Hell ride. July 30. Morden lake trail. Short, but less than entirely sweet on account of it being the hottest day of the year. Post-ride beverages and bike films at Jonny S's place. And a discussion about whether we might be able to pull off a winter trip to Moab.

9) Race against darkness. June 23. Epinette Creek trail. Just me and Jonny G. Almost the longest day of the year, but not quite long enough. 30 light-less minutes in the dark to finish it up. And then a battle-royale with the racoons at the campsite.

8) Nick's Inn ride. August 1. Token road ride. Only a few hours after the 7th best ride of the year. Pigeon Lake and back, with a breakfast pit-stop.

7) Extra pickles, hold the e coli please. July 31. Post-ultimate ride to VJ's. A summer tradition.

6) The inaugural foot-down competition. Sept. 2. Ingolf. Jonny S kicks ass. Unger conquers the unconquerable climb--in front of a crowd of speechless Gord's guys.

5) The unveiling. Oct. 28. Trans-Canada trail, south. The official riding debut of the new FGBC jersey, not to mention Juan Eppstein's long anticipated new wheels.

4) Penner's Intervention. Dec. 9. Ass. Forest. It takes more than a toothless cog to hold a good man down.

3) Morden, Tinker Creek, Trans-Canada trail. June 18. Hal and myself, accompanied by Paddy, Tomek, Steve, and Cam. Cam broke his thumb about a kilometre in, the earth opened up and swallowed Paddy, then burped and spit him up so he could keep going, and the skies opened up with a viscious downpour to end it all off. It didn't rain frogs, but it was epic nonetheless.

2) Moab. Dec. 28-30. Three days of pure riding bliss. Does it get much better than this? Barely.

1) The 2006 Spring Ride. June 9-11. Ingolf, Falcon Lake, and various points in between. A mammoth 3-day excursion, really. More like a festival, complete with slow race, bunny hop and skid competitions. Easily the best spring ride so far. 17 brave soldiers. The best accomodations ever. Reaping the rewards of "the book" (i.e., F&H buy-back plan). Scotch club. And on and on. Any ride that gets a movie made to commemorate it has to be #1.

OTT: The Pixies, Where is My Mind?

In the absence of minutes from our secretary and in the interest of procrastination the following went down last night, (or up in the case of tomek)

Well attended gathering.

Unfortunately there was no "preride". (there was an anarchist cyclocross meeting which pre-empted said ride) maybe next week.

The garthering was cut short by a rather sudden presentation of the "norovirus". (There is of course a chance that this was a rotovirus--or round C virus--but that is less likely since rotovirus infestation of more of a pediatric problem, but cross over does exist.) Regardless, the "end result" is and was the same last night. Many thanks for the good Dr. for giving the afflicted member transportation to his home (and to his own private bucket!)

In the interest of the health of FGBC members, attention should be made to transmission and prevention issues. It is commonly known that the primary mode of transmission is the "F-O" route but here is also a definate airbourne and unkown element to be considered (see pages 4, 6 and 8). Most concerning for those in the nearest proximity to the afflicted, you know who you are.

There was a brief, but focussed, discussion of the annual spring ride. The week-end following this event is option number one. There are some potential conflicts with father's day and the Manitoba Marathon (several of us were planning run). Unless further discussion develops, June 16&17 may be assumed to be pencilled in. Let's here from folks on this.

penner

becoming-bicycle, or rhizome revisited

Apparently I'm not the only one willing to risk puzzled glances by throwing the bike and the rhizome into the same stream of thought. From a very different sort of blog, comes this reflection on bicycle logic:

In a way the bicycle is a way of committing to the future regardless of whether that leads to ruin. Thinking as if you’re on a bicycle means you have to learn to improvise with the road itself, with the area of thought you’re traversing, while also being unable to forget your body.

Learning to think with cycle logic as opposed to the logic of the automobile. A bio-mechanical way of thinking that does not play into the modern thinking of the post-human. A way of thinking that presents the best of humanity, a humanity more in the earth that does not move but is traversed. A becoming-bicycle of philosophy is a political task of thought.

For the full discussion, click here.

ride or meeting, meeting or ride

for those who want to ride meet at the same time and place. some of us are meeting at the f&h at 9:30 to discuss Manitoba Union of Cylocross Riders issues.

RE: nordic cross #2

have your answers to me by Thursday night (Jan 11); hints go up Friday. and, for question #3 the key is in the first part of the question - don't be too literal with items in quotes.

next nordic cross

Conscience Cross – the antitheses of Curry not Hurry

When: Sunday, January 14th.
Time: 8:00 PM
Place: Omand Creek Park at the corner of Wolseley and Raglan. (Note: location may change if we get too much snow in the next week).

Theme: If you are not in the Lite you are out in the cold.

Format: Nordic cross race – that means laps, fun, and pain. Earn your spot on the start line and the time you start the race by answering the following questions and completing the following tasks:

1. Can you see the Lite in Winnipeg? Tell me what it is. The right answer earns you points towards your start and placement.
2. Earn start and placement points by bringing items for Winnipeg Harvest. Do you understand the Lite to earn extra points?
3. Popcorn and dark rooms - name three “physicians” that made appearances in the city this last year? These "doctors" presented ideas and answers to questions about issues you and others are concerned about. (I never said this would be easy). The right answer earns you points.
4. Earn start and placement points by “visiting” at least one of these “physicians.”
5. Have you eaten a meal within “a century?” Tell me what this means to earn points.
6. Earn start and placement points if you do #5 during this week – you will need to answer several skill-testing questions to earn these points.

One more thing, hints will come out on Friday - however you will earn more points if you answer the questions without the hints. So, email your answers to me before Friday is done.

That’s it. Have fun. Talk amongst yourselves.

Planning Ahead

Sounds like the folk who went to Moab had a great time. It would cerntainly be grand event for "the club" to venture on.

I know this might be hard for some to think about, but the banter at my place of work is "the season" once again. "The season" is the 2007 spring/summer vacation schedule. I as well need to interject my "needs", so I am once again raising our annual spring ride to the forefront of the calendar. It may seem early but there are many member's schedules (which are all equally complicated) to be considered and I, if given time, can make changes to mine.
(For those who ask why so early, I requested Feb 4 in the second week of november and has anyone from the club signed up?)

Moab

The Moab delegation returned from its fact-finding assignment earlier in the week. The verdict, in a word: stunning. A larger FGBC expedition will no doubt take place at some point. It's just a matter of finding the right time. Jonny S pointed out a number of times that the weather in December was just about perfect. Sure, there was a bit of snow around, but mostly on the north facing slopes. We had to abort a ride on Porcupine Rim because of it. But there were plenty of other trails that were in fine condition. And with 5-7 degree temps, it wasn't nearly as physically punishing as it can be. And there's almost no-one else on the trails either. The downside is that it gets dark early.

Billy at Poison Spider bike shop told us to head to Slickrock first on account of a forecast that called for snow and freezing rain. But he knew it was in good condition right now. By the time we hit the trail, it was snowing. And yet apparently it takes more than a little snow to lose traction on the sandpaper-like terrain known as slickrock. It takes a little while to believe, but not that long. Traction from heaven. Short, steep climbs and descents with smooth, flowing and undulating bliss in between. By the time we were done, the sun was out and the jackets were off. And Jonny S had dislocated and reset his finger, landed on his ass, and been humbled by the mechanical tribulation known as changing a flat.


Day 2: Amasa Back - Ingolf on steroids. Unanimously voted the best overall ride of the trip. The same rocky, technical riding we've come to love from the spring ride, but with 3,569 ft of climbing. And of course, with climbing comes descending. And the geological features were alright too. Our guidebook has this to say about the ride: "Technically very difficult to extreme due to vertical exposure next to 3-foot ledges, loose rock, and deep cracks that can grab a tire. Physically very difficult due to the climb and short bursts of extreme effort necessary to negotiate technical challenges. Extremely rewarding for very experience riders with a good sense of direction." Yup, that pretty much describes us. Except maybe for the sense of direction part. I got lost for a bit and thought at one point I might end up spending the night on the trail. Brilliant.


Day 3: Poison Spider Mesa - In some ways, a synthesis of Slickrock and Amasa Back. Another ride from the bottom of the canyon to the top, but a little less interesting than Amasa Back. The payoff is the slickrock playground at the top. Think the bowl at the Forks skatepark spread out over several square miles. A couple of climbs that made battery rock look like a little curb hop.


Charlene hooked us up with a kick-ass condo just a few miles outside of town. A perfect place to sample the local product while watching episodes of The Office.


Plenty more pictures to come and a few short videos. Will be placed on the media page shortly.

OTT: Neil Young, Red Sun

top ten: races

Got a bit behind on these. Our condo in Moab didn't have the internet connection I was expecting. But between Jonnys G & S and myself, we got it all sorted out. In addition to the record number of bike acquisitions, 2006 was also the year that FGBC racing got back on track. So here are the top races of 2006 that were either fully or partially brought to you by the FGBC, or otherwise met the official yet intentionally nebulous criteria for FGBC approval.

10) Icebike: No involvement in putting this together. But the FGBC participation was as high as ever, and the fan support was equally solid. Everything was going fine too, until Penner nearly lost an eye in the snowy slide from hell.

9) Louis Riel Race for Treason. Laps around the new, cheerier? cheesier? Louis Riel statue behind the Leg. Not the more interesting grotesque rendition that is now behind CUSB. Tag-team, kind of like a Madison, but on a snow covered ramp. In the dark. Seemed like a good idea until Unger snapped a brake cable and crashed head-first into the concrete retaining wall.

8) Bergen's Cutoff Race: The few who braved the cold weather were rewarded by a fine course, post-race scotch, as well as beverages and toques provided by our sponsor.

7) Altona race, cage-match derby/knockdown, and Duke - Carolina game. A fine race put on by our southern chapter. A combined event. Can't even remember the basketball game. That's how much fun the race was. Post-race feast and awards ceremony at the Sawatzky household. Jonny S(our grapes) blames a mathematical calculation failure for costing him the victory. We'll see in this year's edition on Mar. 4. At any rate, I believe it was Jonny S himself who pointed out that math is hard. So true.

6) King of the (Garbage) Hill race. Head-to-head, single elimination heats up the biggest hill for miles and miles.

5) Grudge-cross. Billed as a race to settle grudges, it may well have created a few new ones. Either way, it was a good time.

4) Omand’s Creek winter race. First race of the 2006 season. This one didn’t get a name, but it deserved one. There were actually two winter races at Omand's Creek. But the other one was in 2005. And besides, it doesn't really count on account of Elizabeth B screwing up the start. At any rate, this one featured a pre-race derby/knockdown on the ice at Vimy Ridge to warm things up. 17 racers in each event, and over 20 in total, plus a post-race fire and dog boil-up.

3) Curry is for Hurry. Finishing up the season in style. A combined event: buffet, cx, and snowball attacks. My stomach is still full from this one. It may well have been a bad idea. But at any rate it was memorable. And you've got to be memorable to appear on a top-ten list.

2) April Alleycat. A first for the FGBC, but no doubt the first of many. In and around Osborne, Saint Boniface, downtown, and ending in style at the coubhouse. Still working out the kinks on the time penalties and bonuses. Last was first, this time around. Prizes of wine and bread courtesy of velo-artisan bread.

1) Menno-cross. Soon to be famous, or so the poster says. Time will tell, I suppose. But it's off to a good start. Jonny S insisted this one was #1. You don't argue with Jonny S.

Plenty more racing to come in 2007. Hal is getting it all started on Jan. 14. Be there.

On deck: top 10 rides of 2006.

OTT: Hot Little Rocket, Are My Eyes too Red?

cycle of denial?

Our honorary captain was, understandably, treated with suspicion by Tom Harrington last night. Armstrong was tarred and feathered. Frankie Andreu was cast as a small glimmer of hope. And Dick Pound was presented as the figure of justice. In case anybody missed yesterday's CBC documentary, Cycle of Denial, you can watch it on the CBC website. Also available is a longer interview with Floyd, in case you want to see how it was edited. And there's all kinds of other stuff too.

OTT: Dog Day, Use Your Powers

the year of the bike

this is the year of the bike. hope to do more on the bike and less with the car. after half a bottle of wine it seemed like a good idea to deliver the ol' christmas tree to the tree chipping drop-off thingy/place in assiniboine park by bike (@ 9:00PM). the half bottle of wine interfered with some of my navigation skills, but the tree was deposited at the appropriate location. yea.

bike and tree on top of bob trailer

snow fun

tinker creek ski fun. some say that classic x-country skiing is the cyclocross of skiing. well, backcountry skiing is definately the mountain biking of skiing.

trails are so passe

result of using the "not so passe" trails

james shooting the gap. "i think we can make it through those two trees at the bottom."

next cross race

was to be sechduled for this sunday, but moving it to the following weekend, sunday jan 14. stay tuned for more news soon.

The National

Nice impromptu gathering at the clubhouse last night. Occasioned, I believe, by the presence of Kelly G in our midst. And Hummelt hockey being on after all. But I defer minutes to the secretary. It is, after all, his job.

Heads up: our honorary captain will make an appearance tonight on The National, or so says the Globe and Mail. Part of a larger story on doping in cycling. Everyone else is talking about it, so the CBC wants to give it a go too. If you've given up your tv for youtube, you'll have to wait a little while for it to appear on the interweb. But in the meantime, you can read another interview here.

OTT: Gillian Welch, My Morphine

Happy New Year

top ten: the 2006 fleet

The first in a series of year-end top-ten list retrospectives.

It's been noted several times that 2006 was a banner year for bike acquisitions in the FGBC. It seems like every few weeks, somone was debuting a new set of wheels. The bike club that began as a post-hockey gathering is starting to look conspicuously like a bike club. It's all Unger's fault, really. He's the one who stepped up the the plate back in 2003 and bought a new bike for the inaugural spring ride. And he found himself a new bike on each of the next few spring rides. In fact, I believe 2006 was the first year he didn't get a new bike. So it was left to other members of the FGBC to pick up the slack.

10) Alberto's San Jose. Not actually purchased in 2006. He ordered it from One on One last year, while in Minneapolis for the state cx championships. But since it only showed up in 2006, we'll count it.

9) My XTC: This testifies to the persuasive powers of the poosher. I wasn't planning to get a new bike this year, but they say your friends often know your what you need more than you yourself do. This will be my race bike for 2007.

8) Jamsie D's Marin. Just in time for the spring ride. Welcome to the club, brother James.

7) Jonny S's Norco. 2006 marks the year that Jonny S expanded his impressive repetoire of cycling talents to include road riding. As for when he's going to swallow his stubborn pride and replace the Softride, the suspense continues.

6) LeAnn's Trek. Not technically an FGBC bike, since the long-standing issue of membership status for women remains unresolved. But LeAnn is a sister, and a more committed racer than James, so we'll claim it. Facing the end of her ultimate career, LeAnn has been forced to look for a new athletic outlet. So she picked up a used Trek 8000 and claims to be planning on racing it in 2007.

5) Laura's 9-2-5. Easily the coolest bike of the bunch, just as Laura is easily the coolest vocal coach in the world.

4) Vic's DeVinci. Another FGBC'er to hit the road. In fact, I believe I overheard Vic say several times that he preferred riding his Apex. If you see a blue blur streaking down Wellington Cr., chances are it's Vic.

3) Darryl's Instinct. The Univega has seen its last spring ride. One of old school rigid bike holdouts caves. Wheelie's are a bit more difficult for the wheelie king on full suspension, but he loves it nevertheless. Rumours of a 2007 race license have been detected.

2) Juan's NRS. The holdout among the holdouts. Long voted the most in need of a new bike, Juan Eppstein finally made the leap by picking up Dave L's NRS. This happened late in the year, so he only managed to get one ride in. But the preliminary report is positive. Can't wait to see what he can do next spring at Ingolf.

1) Penner's Fuel. This is the one that got it all started in 2006, demonstrating the leadership qualities that we have come to expect from our beloved President. He started racing and coaching the local Kids of Mud outfit too. And happily he hasn't trashed the bike yet. Word is he also picked up an old Colnago from his former road-racing brother. But I don't believe it has found its way onto the road yet.

Who will step up to the plate in 2007? Hal's talking about a new bike again, but that's as predictable as a Penner crash. Jonny N?

On deck: top ten races.

OTT: John Prine, It's a Big Goofy World

ain't no Autumn Wind, part II

Not that anybody'll be in New York on Feb. 17--that's right in the middle of 24 Hours of Ass. But just in case: check out this video promo for the Monstercat alleycat. Could be better, actually, but this is noteworthy in that it brings race promotion to a whole new level. Jonny B and the poosher better watch out. The Duker is a specialist of sorts in this medium. Can we expect something along these lines for the annual Altona throwdown, cage match, and Duke - Carolina game?

OTT: Uncle Tupelo, Grindstone

Floyd's Folks

Yet another profile of our honorary captain's parents. Old school, Lancaster County style. Gotta love it.

xmas-x

Picture posting capacities restored. Good work, Jonny B. Your facility with the computer is better than your ability to count laps on a full stomach. Enjoy.



OTT: Iron & Wine, My Lady's House

ride tonight

first, more pictures added, see original post.

second, meet at the same place and time - foot bridge at 9:20

gustatory carnage

The first and hopefully only curry is for hurry race went down last night. To say it seemed like a good idea at the time would likely be a bit of an overstatement. But I was there at the meeting where the idea was first floated: eat as much as you can in an hour and a half, and then ride your bike as fast as you can for an hour. I believe I even voted in favor of the proposal. But in hindsight, that may have been a mistake. To say it was one of the dumbest things I've ever done would probably be an overstatement too, but only because I've done some extremely dumb things. At the very least, it was memorable.

Jonny G lined up at the start and ready to go.

Dave L. deserves some sort of special recognition. Storming out of the gates like he was all hopped up on Floyd juice, he downed two heaping plates before I finished my first. And he scared us all when he promptly got up to get a third--which would have gained him two more laps on the rest of us. But it seems like he peaked to early. The third plate could not be completed, and his race was pretty much doomed in the attempt. I bet there's probably something about that in the dharma somewhere.

I believe every one else finished at least two, cutting the race down from 10 laps to 8. Turns out Hal played a perfect Lance Armstrong-like bluff, making it look like he was about to die as he forced down the last few bites. But he promptly went out and schooled us all in the race. And by schooled I mean kicked out collective asses. Not even close. Paddy missed the meal, so was faced with the daunting prospect of a 12 lap race. I think it was lap 2 when he resorted to ambushes and snowball attacks. Not sure when the chain broke. Dr.mr. took 2nd place, and mr.dr. took 3rd to round out the podium.

mr.dr. approaching the stairs

What we were told would be 2km laps ended up being more like 3km. That combined with a gutload of rice, curry, and tandoori chicken made it feel like an awfully long race. I think the overall standings looked something like this, but then again I'm not entirely sure. Jonny B claims he was 2 laps down, but Jonny's G and N insist it was only 1.

Hal
dr.mr.
mr.dr.
Jonny G (-1 lap)
Jonny B (-1 laps)
Jonny N (-2 laps)
Dave L (-4 laps?)
Shona DNF?
Paddy DNF

With that, nordic-cross is officially on. Lots of winter racing on tap, and something for everyone too. If eating is not your thing, maybe it's charity-drives or haikus.

It all continues on Dec. 23 with Christmas cross, presented by Jonny B. Sadly I can't be there. But hopefully a few other FGBC'ers can make it. It would be a shame to have his emerging artistic talents go to naught. Blogger won't let me post his poster, so check it out at the Team Jonny website.

OTT: Andrew Vincent and the Pirates, Sleeping Bag

curry (suffer) cross and ride

first, because we did not get enough riding last night, tuesday night's ride will take place - same time and place (foot bridge @ 9:20)

too many tales to tell. team jonny has a good write-up, and i hoping mr. dr. will add his words to this item. will let some of the these photos tell the story. sorry about the quality of the pictures, forgot to adjust the camera to the proper setting (need laura and gary's expertise here).

quick summary of the rules: 1 completed plate from the buffet got you into the race and each subsequent plate took 2 laps off. plates had to be completed for a plate to count. race consisted of 10 laps on a 3km course at the forks.

the gracious people at the east india company let us bring our bikes inside - cyclist never have it so good.

host with bikes

dave and jon before the meal began - mood and confidence is high

dave with plate 1 or 2? we were all amazed at the speed and amount with which dave "started" the race

tom starting to feel the effects of the 2nd plate

this plate took about 45 minutes to complete

do I ride or do I hurl??? dave's strategy is backfiring on him

tapering

Curry is for Hurry, the inaugural race of the 2006-07 nordic-cross season, is just over 48 hours away. Tapering has begun. Not from riding. That would imply that there was something to taper back from. Other than a 2 hour ride on Monday morning, it's been a slow week on the riding front. But food intake levels will be monitored, which will hopefully make it possible to survive a few laps of the buffet at my favourite Indian restaurant. The hardest part, I suspect, will be mustering up the energy required to leave the table.

The LA Times ran an interesting two-part series on the doping wars last weekend, outlining the flaws in the testing protocols and the USADA's mercenary like approach. Could be the reason why our honorary captain has been feeling a bit blue lately.

Hal mentioned this at the clubhouse on Tuesday--scandal at the Opera. Hard to believe. Those guys always seem to have their emotions so firmly in control. At any rate, it seems the understudy is being lavished with all kinds of attention. The former headliner, however, claims it was low-blood sugar, not a wounded ego, that led to his stomping off the stage. That's why you've always got to keep a can of Red Bull on hand.

Kinda wish I was in Providence this weekend. Looks like a good time. But not as good as Monday promises to be. Hope to see the FGBC well represented, maybe even a delegate or two from Altona.

OTT: The Hold Steady, Multitude of Casualties

PERSPECTIVE

Every now and then one gets a chance to ......gain perspective.
Despite the fact that often I am not present at the club house nor come out for races and riding as often as I would like to, I do infact ride when I can, love it it and it gives me a focus.

Phone call 810 A.M, too late for work, but it was work. Nursing supervisor asking for me.
Brian we need someone to "step up to the plate." Clearly the 'B' team is on deck.
She is 32 years old, her heart has essentially stopped functioning in any normal capacity, she is on life support......., there is a heart in OTTAWA. We need someone to go. Will you go. It will be a short turnaround.

Plans are changed, kids dissappointed...
I am somewhat nervous, mostly terrified---this is not my usual thing--. the opportunity to F up is huge! I am one memeber of a team of transport personel... it is not good enough to finish the race this time. first place everyone is the onely thing that counts.


perspective at christmas time
(president penner)

mmm, curry

You won't want to miss this. More fine work from dr.mr., aka the poosher, aka the editor, and now, apparently, the poet. A real renaissance man, that guy:


Good times at the clubhouse last night. I counted 13 at one point. Even Luke made an appearance. And Penner too, showing some post-intervention commitment. We should be well ensconced in $1000+ territory by now.

OTT: Fred Eaglesmith, Alcohol and Pills

annals of science

Courtesy of slate.com:

Intensive bicycling may dull female genital sensation. Previous studies correlated cycling with dulled male genital sensation and erectile dysfunction. This study compared female runners to young women who "consistently rode an average of at least 10 miles per week." Findings: The "cyclists have a decrease in genital sensation. However, there were no negative effects on sexual function and quality of life." Authors' hypothesis: "While seated on a bicycle, the external genital nerve and artery are directly compressed," which "may lead to compromised blood flow and nerve injury." Why male but not female dysfunction? Scientific answer: "Female cyclists may benefit from anatomical differences that produce less compression." Sarcastic translation: You don't say. (Fine print: Compared to the runners, the cyclists were older, fatter, and "more diverse in their sexual orientation.") (For Human Nature's previous updates on female arousal, drugs, and electric shocks, click here, here, and here. For an update on impotence drugs, click here.)

Genital sensation aside, note that a "cyclist" is defined as someone who rides 10 miles per week. Elsewhere in the article this same group is referred to as "competitive women cyclists." It appears that these scientists ought to get out of the lab a bit more.

Agenda for tonight's meeting: let's surpass the $1000 mark in "the book." The magic number is 17, I believe.

OTT: The Weakerthans, Left and Leaving

tuesday night pre-meeting ride

meet at the same place (pedestrian foot bridge - inside the park) at 9:20.

a light is a good idea. this would do, i have one and it is surprisingly bright (no need for the overkill which i had last week - just wanted to try out the new system. better still, call the boys at olympia and see what they have on the shelf.

the editor has spoken again

He blames the mix-up on his secretary (or secreterry). At any rate, here's the corrected plan of action:

the editor has spoken

Nordic-cross is coming soon. One week from today, to be precise. Let's call it All-you-can-eat Cross. Looks like I'm in charge of this one. That's news to me. But we'll make sure something memorable takes place next Monday. See the latest memo from "the editor" below for all the details, if you can decipher the code. Note that some of these details may change. In particular, 24 Hours of Ass. needs to happen in February, when it's colder. Rest assured all changes will be posted here.


This one's for the Duke.

intervention

Nothing is more difficult than to watch, from a position of seeming helplessness, as one's friends are caught up in the slow tortuous drift toward potential self-annihilation. But this is the heart-wrenching situation we have been confonted with over the past little while concerning Penner, our beloved President, who has exhibited increasing evidence of what can only be described as self-destructive tendencies. It always seems to begin with a sort of disengagement, seemingly innocent at first. By the time a pattern of social invisibility is recognized, it is often tragically far too late.

No words have been uttered more frequently over the past 3-4 months, whether at our weekly gatherings or club rides, than the anguished refrain, "where's Penner?" And so after much soul searching and heart-felt discernment we, the devoted members of the Fort Garry Bike Club, felt that we were faced with no other option than to take the difficult and decidedly risky step of staging an intervention. We have to get Penner out for a ride. And with some pleading and carefully staged manipulation, not to mention the overwhelming support of the entire FGBC family, I'm happy to report that there is reason to believe that we might have been successful in our mission to rescue our weak but cherished friend. Last night, we managed to get Penner out for a ride.

It also gives me great pleasure to report that in spite of everything that has transpired recently, Penner apparently remains, well, Penner. Though he continues to bear traces of the extraordinary burdens he has been forced to shoulder, it appears that these have not been powerful enough to completely destroy the collection of habits and idiosyncrasies that make Penner Penner. His balance issues are clearly still there. And his uncanny knack for finding himself in trouble remains as doggedly persistent as ever. On this particular occasion, Penner's difficulties manifested themselves in what turned out to be a toothless cog. It began innocently enough, as it always does (some will recall an inocuous looking twig at Ingolf a few years back). Deep in the heart of the Ass. Forest, odd noises began to intrude into the placid winter night.



Initial investigations (pictured above) were not able to detect the severity of the problem. And thankfully we were able to ride on for a time. But before long, Penner's chain became increasingly recalcitrant and simply would not stay in place. Happily, however, by the time the old, but newly ss'd Peugot became completely inoperative, we were but a few steps away from the cozy confines known as the F&H. Jonny G and Jonny N were gracious enough to abort their ride and accompany Penner to the clubhouse, while the secretary and myself, good soldiers that we are, carried on to retreive the rescue vehicle. By the time we returned, karaoke night was not yet in its final throes, but we were nevertheless able to enjoy a pint of our official beverage, while undertaking a final session of debriefing with our dear brother. Though Penner is not yet out of the woods, we remain cautiously confident that a more serious crisis has been averted.

OTT: Dylan, Trying to Get to Heaven

karma police

Reggae-fied Radiohead, fixed-gear cruising, and Guy Maddin-esque cinematography. Intruiging, if nothing else. Courtesy of howtoavoidthebummerlife. Check out Spoke, or Swobo: The Film.

Can't say for sure that it'll work, but it wouldn't be altogether bad to go for a ride tomorrow night. Say 9:30/10:00-ish. Let me know if you're in.

OTT: The Cure, Hot Hot Hot!!!

friday fun file - again

so, on my way to work this morning i was charged by a cat. my only guess is that he was interested in the flashing blinky spot ahead of my bike. speaking of cats...some interesting cat sites here and here (only if you like cats).

training? training? i don't need no stinking training...seems like properties of red wine are linked to improved endurance. i am on the program as of right now.

further to dr. h's history piece.

annals of history

A brief history of cyclocross, courtesy of cyclingnews.com.

"Think about a cyclist in wartime. He can't use the main roads; he has to ride or walk across unmade roads and worm his way through the undergrowth and clamber across ditches. Think of that and you'll get the principle of the cross cyclo-pédèstre."

OTT: Nirvana, Breed

aint no Autumn Wind

Almost as yesterday as Wang Chung, I know, but here are two more videos of the MN cx race for the vicarious cyclists among us: A race and B race. Perspicacious viewers will pick out two FGBC clad riders in the opening sequence of the B race, way too far back. Not how it's done. But we clawed our way back to middle of the pack respectability by the end. Hal's ankles and ss rig also make an appearance near the end, as he safely negotiates the barriers.

Where can we get some of these?

OTT: Bowie, Young Americans

#23,279 with a bullet

mr. dr., did our part and ordered your book through amazon.

just a quick update on the tuesday night ride. beautiful evening. paddy, jonny g, and myself enjoyed a fine ride. cycled through assiniboine park and scouted some fine race courses, contemplated the toboggan slide and thought better of it (paddy suggested a hill climb up the slide some night with a studded tire on the back - we agreed an ambulance in waiting would be a good idea). off to the forest then back to the park.

picture of the foot bridge

we headed off to bruce park to see if creek was navigable (not yet) and then to the f-n-h. had one spill while i was trying to take a picture while riding through bruce park; too much front locked the wheel and down i went. the camera skidded across the snow and seemed to be alright and i snapped this pic of jon and paddy (you can see them through the fog).



like the idea of mr. dr's race. either 12 or 24 hour, as long as its 12 or 24 hours + 1 lap.

24 Hours of Ass.

Couldn't make it out for a ride with Alberto & Co. last night, so I went for a ride in the Ass. Forest this morning. Which got me thinking: my contribution to the nordic-cross winter race series (slated for Feb 18, I think) is going to be called 24 Hours of Ass. Maybe 12. We'll see. Either way, it's going to be epic. 2 person teams.

OTT: The Pixies, Monkey Gone to Heaven

$922.10

That's how much our tally in "the book" comes to, as of last night. Should be able to push it over the $1000 mark by Christmas. Good work boys and girls. This year's spring ride is going to rock.

OTT: Gillian Welch, Throw Me a Rope

Amazon.ca Sales Rank: #8,197 in Books

So I confess I've been checking my amazon.ca sales rank semi-regularly over the past couple of weeks. Egomaniacal, I know. But it's kind of fun to watch it shoot up and slowly sink back down. Was getting dangerously close to 60,000th place for a while, before it reached a new high this morning. This leads me to think that it only takes a purchase or two to rise 30,000 places or so.

OTT: Carolyn Mark, In a Valley

tuesday night

meet at the footbridge (inside the park) @ 9:20. on your way to the park scout trails for potential rides - we'll poll the masses and pick a route.

re: profile picture.

mac computers come with a built in camera and program called photobooth. lets you do weird pictures.

hardcore

kick-ass!

tuesday night meetings

throwing out a proposal to non-hockey members of fgbc:

1) meet for a ride at assiniboine park on tuesday nights @ 9:30. can be road or trail, usually the assiniboine forest is fun because of the amount of walkers

2) be at the f-n-h for 10:30 - no need to wait for the hockey guys (nothing against the hockey guys) for us to start (hockey guys get there too late anyways).

who's in?

ciao

Sunday night cruise

Nice little ride last night. Vic, Jonny G, Dave L, and myself. Rode the trails over to Whittier, where they proved unnavigable. Dog walkers are not doing their part. So urban exploration and skid-fest back to downtown, in and around the exchange.

First legitimate winter ride of the season, for me at least. Hopefully the first of many. Future rides will be posted here.

Forgot to mention one other event that is sure to be a highlight of the upcoming race season. Dave L is planning a haiku-cross. 5-7-5.

Any other brilliant initiatives should be forwarded to the race director.

OTT: Lesbians on Ectasy, Bring on Noise

nordic-cross

American Hardcore rocks hard. Go see it.

Saturdays are evidently karaoke night at the F & H. Don't even bother. Planning for the winter race series went down at Dave L's place instead.

Full nordic-cross details coming soon from the editor. But the kickoff is Dec. 17. Looks like an all-you-can-eat race, a smorgasbord of suffering. Other highlights: Food drive alleycat in early Jan; March Madness race, cage match, and Duke vs. Carolina in Altona on March 4; and much, much more.

Paddy also has something in the works. Better start getting ready now. This one's going to be big.

Ride tonight. My place, 9:30 pm. Winter's here. Bring it on.

OTT: Band of Horses, The Funeral

weekend schedule

Saturday: American Hardcore - 9pm, Cinematheque.

Sunday: night ride - meet at my place, 9:30 pm. The more the merrier.

OTT: Sex Pistols, Search and Destroy

letter from Rwanda

In case you missed it in the latest Dirt Rag, Tom Ritchey is on a mission. He's one of the driving forces behind Project Rwanda, an attempt to contribute to the reconciliation, forgiveness, and hope already taking place in the little country that used to represent the embodiment of genocidal trauma. See their short video, Wheels of Mercy. Their strategy involves a variety of efforts: bringing better bikes and tools to the people of Rwanda, promoting Rwanda as a place to ride, and perhaps most importantly seeking to heal the wounds of Rwanda's recent history through difference-overcoming events such as the Wooden Bike Classic bike race and the development of a national cycling team.



In their own words, Project Rwanda’s vision is to “further the economic development of Rwanda through initiatives based on the bicycle as a tool and symbol of hope. Our goal is use the bike to help boost the Rwandan economy as well as re-brand Rwanda as a beautiful and safe place to do business and visit freely.”

gratuitous reflection dept.

Much of the violence that infects our world is due, I suspect, to the fact that we have lost the capacity to interact meaningfully with the dead, even as we are tantalizingly enthralled with death. Hollywood reflects this tension in some obvious ways. Capitalism cultivates, among other things, a perpetual present, a life shorn of the capacity to remember meaningfully. Nostalgic sentimentality is not memory. But Robert Pogue Harrison, in a fascinating book I just finished reading, presents an alternative vision that identifies resources for resistance/hope:

“The dead depend on the living to preserve their authority, heed their concerns, and keep them going in their afterlives. In return, they help us to know ourselves, give form to our lives, organize our social relations, and restrain our destructive impulses. They provide us with the counsel needed to maintain the institutional order, of which they remain the authors, and prevent it from degenerating into a bestial barbarism. The dead are our guardians. We give them a future so that they may give us a past. We help them live on so that they may help us go forward.” (Robert Pogue Harrison, The Dominion of the Dead, 158)

OTT: Joanna Newsom, Monkey & Bear

what, me worry?

The autumn wind that is making its way through town today is apparently blowing down to Moab too. This courtesy of the live webcam link Charlene passed on. Though not an officially sanctioned FGBC event, some of us are heading there over the holidays to scout it out for a future spring ride. At least we should be used to riding in snow by then.

OTT: Miles Davis, Bye Bye Blackbird

Autumn Wind reminder

Bike klub meeting at Jonny's tonight. Any time after 10:30. Film showing shortly after 11:00.

cx in the nyt

First fixed gears, now cx. Seems another bandwagon is open for boarding. When you show up in the New York Times, you're no longer a forsaken little dirty girl, but captured firmly within the gaze of the mainstream. This is not all bad. The more the merrier.

“Every race, you want to vomit, you want to quit, your bike’s not working, and then you come up a run-up and everyone’s cheering and you get pepped up. As soon as you’re done, you can’t wait for the next race. It’s kind of like a cruel drug — addictive.”

And it's beautiful too, in a perverse sort of way. When does nordic-cross begin?

OTT: Townes, To Live's to Fly

Floyd and the dude

Yet another reason why Floyd is our honorary captain:

As an aside, before Floyd and I sit down to write his book, I definitely need to watch The Big Lebowski a few times. Landis, who has a particularly keen sense of humor, can riff on that movie like no one's business. (from Martin Dugard)

If that's not the best movie ever, it's very, very close. But I reserve judgment until I've seen the Autumn Wind.

OTT: Sam Roberts, The Gate

sanctoral cycle

Word is getting out. Also here. This could pose a problem since we are running out of room for all the bikes and stuff that has been donated. But there could be worse problems, I suppose.

OTT: Neil Young, Love in Mind

friday fun file

so, i bet you this is exactly what happens when the doors at olympia close at 9:00.

hmmm, do you think she would win a fgbc wheelie contest

shamelessly stolen form fearless gearless

memo from the poosher

movie night - bond at silvercity

talked to paddy yesterday and it looks like it is still a go. meet at olympia prior to closing, but it would be a good idea to call first.

sadly, i will not be able to make it. have fun.

The Autumn Wind - blowing near you

Well, I have seen it, heard it, felt it... yes, The Autumn Wind...

Two showings coming up:
1. At the next Altona Scotch Society meeting in Altona, Saturday, November 25, at the president of said society's home, 8:00pm. (Special arrangements have been made for any FGBC'ers who want to show up.) The film's creator will be there... might even sign a few autographs... maybe not... you know how film people can be.
2. Jonny G's the following Tuesday, November 28. Don't arrive sooner than 10:30pm, movie showing at 11:00ish with the arrival of the hockey crew. Bring your own libation. It should go without saying, but, just in case, I'll say it anyway: No meeting at the clubhouse!

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll whither under the force of the mighty (springish) Autumn Wind.

minutes from last night's meeting

well, not really, because i really do not remember too much.

i arrived at 9:45, thinking that the olympia boys would be there having discussed their attending after sunday's grude cross. 10:10 the olympia boys (paddy, tomek, and dave l) walk in, saying they were waiting for me at the shop (hmmmm, seems like i said i would show up at the shop didn't i...). neuf, jonny g, dave,juan, the president, darryl, vic, mr. b, and james eventually all show up as do several pitchers of fg dark. it is shortly after this that things became murky and the conversation became multi-layered, much like being in an altman film. things i do recall: rehashing the grude; dumping on dr h, or as he was also alled that night "mr. dr."; something about the church of cross (this may have started the whole dump on dr. h thing), team cross, ethical and non-ethical cross, and other cross stuff; movie night this thursday - meet at olympia and go to see the late showing of the latest bond flick at silver city; and a bunch of other stuff that i can not remember. before you know it its 12:45 and were on our bikes going over the bridge with tom doing skids blocking the sidewalk and dave l and i trying to avoid crashing into him. i've said this before, i'm too old for this for this shit - yet, strangely attracted to it.

ciao.

grudge cross roundup

a sweet race. 15 riders showed up and braved tom's sick course on a mighty fine sunday afternoon. the course was one of the most technical cross courses of the year with more slick mud than one could hope for. everyone had a great time except for one elderly gent who seemed a little miffed that we dragged a fair amount of mud onto the pathways. personal highlights included a race-long battle with tomek that saw plently of pushing, grabbing, and one mock-fight where both of us threw down the bikes and squared-off for a round in true grudge cross fashion.

the following pcitures are courtesy of neuf.

pre-race discussion and strategy planning

jonny g descending (charlene and erin at the top of the hill cheering)

tomek through the woods

up the bank

dave makes it to the top

paddy about to cross the creek (i saw him make it at least once)

jon and dave post race

daniel, paddy and marc finished top three. leanne benson won the thirteen minute premmie(sp?) and jonny g won the cash - beers on jonny!

Flying Scotsman

Sounds like the new movie on Graeme Obree, holder of the hour record, will be released in North America. Might have to arrange a field trip.

Off to DC until Tuesday. Hope Grudge Cross is a hoot.

OTT: The High Dials, The Holy Ground

video

nice video of the "b" race from the mn state cx championship.

thanks ian.

Hal?

paddy's new blog

I think this is it.


penner

paddy's blog

paddy says he has a new blog. hmmm... i think this may be it

letter from New York

The same city that spawned the militantly anti-capitalism mutant bikers includes a whack of mid-life crisis sufferers that must make a shop owner simultaneously crazy and giddy. Can't have one without the other, I suspect. Capitalism at its finest. The American dream. Full story in the NYT.

"The Autumn Wind"

So, I've received communications from the creator of this as yet unseen, timeless classic. The Duke wants to know about a date for a showing, or how we want to go about this...

A clip from the promotional material:

Whether you experienced the weekend for yourself or are simply a curious onlooker, The Autumn Wind will speak to you like no other FGBC film has before!!

Let it be on the agenda for this evening.

grudge cross

Don't know about the rest of you, but I'm filled with grudges, hatred, and all manner of generally misanthropic sensibilities--including, now, a grudge against the genius who planned this for a weekend when I'm out of town. I guess I'll have to save it for the winter race series--1-2 races per month starting as soon as the snow is here to stay. Hope some other FGBCers can make a respectable showing this weekend.


Also, FGBC intelligence has been intercepting chatter about a possible race along the Ass. river from the Forks to Beaudry park and back. Stay tuned.

OTT: Ridley Bent, Pastures of Heaven

stalked

Not sure who should get credit for these, but they came from here. Lots more available.

Mistakes were made, but at least none of us hit the creek bed like this dude.

Full results available here.

OTT: Bob Dylan, Just Like a Woman

psychoanalyze this!

Fans of the rhizome (now that I know you're out there) may want to look for a new book containing the correspendence between Deleuze and Guattari I just read about in the latest TLS. A few brief excerpts:

The great discovery of psychoanalysis was that of the production of desire, of the production of the unconscious. But when Oedipus entered the picture, this discovery was soon buried beneath a new brand of idealism: a classical theatre was substituted for the unconsious as a factory.

Schizoanalysis tends to make the neurotic break his moorings and, as far as I'm concerned, get him reconnected beyond the perverse familiar, sometimes with a brutality you can't imagine . . . . Schizoanalysis must be violent, brutal: defamiliarising, de-oedipalising, decastrating: undoing theatre, dream, and fantasy.

hurl and hal

Didn't do so well on the photojournalism front this weekend. Too busy trying not to blow up chunks of biscuits, gravy, and sausage. Turns out that may have been a mistake, as far as pre-race meals go, but so much tastier than mueslix and yogurt. In any case, I did manage to get this photo of Hurl proudly wearing his new velo artisan bread hat. Sweet.


OTT: Sloan, Who Loves Life More?

alberto's account of crossing minnyapples

it was a lovely event to end a lovely season of cross (except of course, for grudge cross - the penultimate event for the truely cross starved soul).

friday started early, very early, as chris and i both wanted to hit the twin cities with enough time to visit a few of its best bike shops and hangouts. by 7:00 we were at the border, and because of the non-threatening nature of a theology/ethics professor and medical rehabilitation librarian we were quickly on our way. 1:00 found us in the heart of minneapolis at matt's bar for a jucy lucy, fries and pitcher of grain belt. satiated, we quickly made our way to the crc coffee bar for a cup of joe and a quick hello with hurl, international legend of the singlespeed world (seems like one of our own, ian hall, has bit of a rep as hurl inquired if we knew ian). jittery on hurl's fine joe (please check out this site - a very cool company that delivers their product via bike around the twin cities), we headed off to one on one bicycle studio to see if i could resist the temptations of walking out with out having purchased a new bike as i was unable to resist this temptation last year; it was a close call because this one caught my eye immediately. after a few words with gene, the shop owner, chris and i made off with our purchases (a http://www.surlybikes.com/parts.html for chris, and a larger more functional courier bag and sock for me)it was off to the next bike shop, the hub, a worker owned and operated bike shop. having seen enough bike shops we hit the rei to kill some more time until my friends mark and nancy came home, friends of mine who were kind enough to put us up for the night.

saturday arrived cold and clear (we were lucky because a storm passed south of the us, dumping up to 30 cm of snow in some areas), and we started the day with a hearty and foolish breakfast at the sunnyside up cafe where i had huevos rancheros and chris started his day with biscuts and gravy - in hindsight, not the wisest of decisions. from there it was off to the race. once we got to the race site we quickly registered (chris had to talk his way into the b race as they were only going to let him race c because he did not have a license), met up with cam, got our bikes put together, and scouted the course. it was a little bit of a different set up this year with a double switch back at the bottom of the long hill climb, instead of barriers. this was followed by another 180 at the top of the hill, a quick turn to the right which led into a 40km descent (one of two). the rest of the course was pretty much the same with stairs from hell, and the run through the creek bed (where dallas turned his ankle last year).

the start of the b race saw 87 riders on the line - after some quick instructions the whistle blew and we were off. the course starts on a single lane dirt road which they divide in half 100 meters from the start. because of the number of riders you need to pay attention if you start in the middle of the pack like the three of us did. cam jumped at an opportunity and was off with the lead pack, i saw one for myself and settled into the middle, but chris got stuck in the back, having to brake because of congestion. it quickly became apperent to me that my choice for breakfast was not a wise one, as i started to feel like i might be seeing my breakfast before me again. after two slowish laps this sensation settled, only to be followed by the felling that i might soon be riding with brown shorts - not good. 3 more laps of agony finally saw these demons leave me and i settled into my race, picking off a rider here and there. the worst part of the race however, was with one lap to go when i was lapped by the leader 30m before the start/finish. this meant that i finished the race one lap down - something i was hoping to avoid. cam had a great race finishing 13th overall, chris finished 40th after recovering from his poor start and i finished in 49th overall (8th in the B2 category for 45+ which i was happy with considering the start of the race).

the a race completely rocked with two riders, bjorn ??? and another dude rocketing to the front right off the start. the two riders held on to each others wheel for 55 minutes, with barely a 1/2 meter seperating the two the entire time. other riders were quciker over the barriers and faster up the hill, but none were as consistent and as strong overall as these two. the race began with 3 laps to go; for some reason the un-identified rider decided to run up the hill and bjorn pulled a little bit of lead on him as he rode up the hill. sensing that he might lose the race at this point the second rider busted a lung to catch up with bjorn, which he did by flats at the bottom of the hill. the riders disappered to the other side of the hill, when they came out again, they were still wheel on wheel. as they came to the climb bjorn attacked again and the other rider stayed on his wheel, this time riding instead of running. they flew up the hill and quickly descended down the side. we watch them hit the flats and suddenly bjorn was up on his pedals mounting another attack. well we felt the explosion from the top of the hill as the other rider blew up dropping a meter a second as bjorn rode away. on the final climb bjorn was by himself and climbed to victory - a very impressive ride and race. when the second rider came up you could tell he was pissed - really pissed, because second was not an option. what a cool race.

following a quick shower at cam's hotel room, chris and i headed out for dinner at the modern cafe. after dinner we headed to the windup party at the one on one bicycle studio. this looked like it would have been fun if we could have stayed longer - gene said we could crash upstairs if we decided to stay and have too much fun - but chris and i both felt it would be nice to get home; six and a half hours later we were pulling into winnipeg (record time for myself).

everyone should mark this on your calendar - it is great race and great time

mn cx champs

Just because I know you all can't wait to hear: Just left the post-race party at One on One and picking up coffee befre we head back. Cam kicked ass: 13th. Hal and myself were solidly in the 40s. See you soon.

Look out Johnny S. The gig is up. Your reign as knockdown champ is coming to an end now that I've picked up the sweetest knockdown bike ever. Can't wait for the rematch at the Vimy Ridge ice rink.

Hal and I are off to Minneapolis bright and early tomorrow for the state cx championships. One last dance with the dirty girl (unless we can settle on a date for grudge cross). I fully expect to get slapped around, beaten down, and generally humbled. But I find myself taken with her all the same. Can't get her off my mind. But it sounds like Hal, Ian, and Tom are cooking up a plan for ever more dalliances with the dirty girl in the future.

OTT: David Bowie, Suffragette City. Classic.

letter from New York

The best magazine in the world--or at least the magazine with the world's best writing--is running an interesting article this week on bike zealotry in the Big Apple. Includes a reference to Aiden's friend, Reverend Billy.

thought of the day

Computers, in so far as they impose the reign of information, are the enemies of truth and democracy. Our gaze at their screens is the consitution through watching and receiving of inherently violent transactions which in the end, when we step through their looking-glass, always invlove real physical violence.

On line, therefore, we are clubbing each other to death, but invisibly, very gradually and at a huge remove. When this process does appear, then we finally see what we collectively do, but assume that it has nothing to do with us, individually. But just as breathing is the most massive combustion, so this slowed-down and distributed violence is actually increased violence, like a torture that is all the more torture through being long drawn-out. (John Milbank, Being Reconciled: Ontology and Pardon, 37)

Yes, I am aware of the apparent paradox of putting this quote on a blog.

I suspect that in a roundabout way this might have something very much to do with Jonny B's comment about "more blogging than biking," though what, exactly, the connection might be I'm not sure.

who's in?

read this first about cycle-ball

then watch this

oh, and how about something floyd related