Clean Getaway

I saw an awesome indie movie called Clean Getaway last night. It was screened at The Note in West Chester and featured some local Downingtown sites and personalities. Best of all included a hair-raising urban bicycle chase scene.

I suggest you follow the write/director (Jesse Piersol of The Rhetorical Purpose). Judging by the screening and the audience response last night, I expect we'll see more from this fresh local talent in the near future (once Jesse's bank account recovers).

Chris

Pictures Don't Lie

I've never seen him crash, ever, and I missed this one by about 10 minutes (so the streak is technically alive) but it was pretty obvious from the crack in Mike's helmet that he had gone OTB and the lump on his shoulder suggested some structural damage.

Pictures don't lie. It's a "popped" acromioclavicular (AC) joint. Mike is just bouncing back from knee surgery, but he is a gamer and our fingers crossed he gets good news from the ortho today.

Crash counter reset.

Chris

Culling the Herd

Four casualties of the culling

Trails today were pure perfection. Super buff with no gravy and no dust. I wish I could say the same for myself.

Sure I always expect some cobwebs after a long winter. Every spring is the same. I know intellectually I will have lost ground and will have work to do. But there is nothing quite like the feeling when you reach down deep for a steep climb. I think I am ready and I look forward to the familiar pain but...nothing really happens. No acceleration, and no pain. Just...nothing.

Yes, I've got work to do but with each ride there is a little progress. And that progress is energizing, and that energy makes me want to ride more. And that beautiful cycle of renewal begins.

The cycle of renewal was at work at The Beer Tree as well. Mike and I noticed a few repeats so we did some necessary culling (four if you are counting). To strengthen the heard and because "art must have integrity." Jess joined us with another one of her vegan masterpieces, and we even had a ride through visit (no beers) from Jim, Tom, Martin, Jessica, and Martin's young son.

This was Martin's first ride since knee surgery. It seems that renewal is happening all around us.

Chris

"Art must have integrity"
     -- Mike Riley

Founder's Flip

Easter Morning Founder's Flip:
- 1 Founder's Breakfast Stout
- 1 Raw egg
- 1 Shot clear rum (I used amber because that's what I have)
- 1 Tbsp orange marmalade
- 1 Splash simple syrup (I used a touch of Blue Agave)
- Mix egg, rum, marmalade, and syrup in shaker with ice
- Pour mixture into pint glass, top off with stout

Yum, a beer-drinker's milk shake best consumed on Easter morning whilst hanging out with my girls (Ruth, Sara, Sydney) listening to Jesus Christ Superstar (dating myself I know). My pint glass has a bike logo on it, so I figured it is fair game for this blog. Also it has a few calories, so probably wouldn't hurt to spin a little this afternoon.

Thanks to Mike Riley for the recipe.

Chris

"Bikes, babes, and beer. Whenever life gets you down, return to the fundamentals."
     -- Unknown

Sweetness at The Beer Tree

In the shadow of The Beer Tree at The Overlook

The trails were near perfect - tacky with occasional wet spots - and the Hog Island Oyster Stout was oh so sweet...even better because I enjoyed it with seven other riders including four regulars, one walk-on (Mason, not Jason), and Jill and Scott who came down from Rochester on their semi-annual FHHR pilgrimage.

Jill and Scott were pretty excited to be riding dirt instead of snow (did I mention Rochester?).

Mason was happy he accidentally stumbled into a bunch of friendly bikers with a surplus of exotic beers (thanks Mike for the Genesee Bock Limited Edition).

Everyone leaned in for Mason's USGS download which solved the long-standing mystery of the cable tram below the dam...the one just big enough to hold one Irishman and a cooler of beer...yeah that one. Fortunately it has been decommissioned by the USGS which is a good thing because it removes one more stupid temptation from a list that's pretty long and getting longer.

Bryan was thrilled his Moonlander was getting so much love. I think everyone took it for a spin on the dirt, and the unanimous consensus was that it spun up quickly, handled well, and was just a hoot to ride.

The only one not particularly happy was the brightly colored rooster pheasant who was setting up his crib near The Beer Tree.

Yep, it was all peace and love, bikes and dirt, great company and beer. On a Friday. The magical elixir we call Friday Happy Hour. Counting the days...

Chris

"Oh the things you can find if you don’t stay behind."

     -- Dr Seuss

Butt Ugly Beautiful

Moonlander circa 1969

Butt-ugly can be beautiful.

I'm talking about machines built for a purpose, not an asthetic. Consider the Apollo moon lander. Ungainly and awkward, with strange angles and bulges, it was built for one purpose - to get two astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface the moon and back. It more no aesthetic resemblance to beautiful space ships of popular fiction.

Moonlander circa 2013

Another Moon Lander of the similar decended upon yesterday's Friday Happy Hour Ride. The first thing you notice are the ginormous "Big Fat Larry" tires mounted on Clown Shoe rims. The spokes lace to the sides of these rims which have dozens of cutouts to reduce rotational mass. Asymetrical chainstays keep the chainline outside of the massive tires, and a asymetrical front fork keeps the front and rear wheels interchangeable. Thumbshifters are compatible with big fat mittens.

The bike is so stable, it almost feels like riding a tricycle. Trackstands are effortless. It cares not whether you are riding singletrack or off trail - if you keep the wheels turning (which can take some effort) it just goes wherever you have it pointed, no questions asked. Trail chatter is non-existent because you are basically floating on two big bags of air. It is unlike any other bike experience.

It is butt-ugly and it is beautiful, and I know seven people who were there for FHHR that would agree.

All Bryan needs is a big red clown nose, and he will be a perfect match for his butt-ugly and beautiful bike.

Chris

"Go big or go home"
     -- Unknown

The Ascent Begins

Direct sunlight. Not a spec of mud.
Short sleeves and mid-60s.
The Ascent begins!

Six days until the Friday Happy Hour season opener, and ten days until the spring equinox. Daylight savings time. And with today's  summer-like weather there is no denying it. We are officially climbing the Ascent of Erroneous Expectations.

Great ride today, but sobering too. I am in sad shape.

Chris