NEWS FLASH!

But not the kind that these fellows care about.


Of course, with the rapid fire access that any one of us have to the internets, at this point the following is already stale information.

THE 2012 SSCXWC MOVES TO LOS ANGELES!

Despite the organizers’ plea for ‘no crying’, I suspect some people are going to be very unhappy about this, while conversely, some people will be very happy.

To quote one of my favorite San Diego musical acts, Tanner- “complain, complain, complain, complain. Your favorite color’s grey, your favorite flavor’s plain.

Here we have proof positive that you truly can’t make all of the people happy all of the time. From my perspective, these developments are just fine. I don’t have a bed in Santa Cruz anymore anyway.

But what happened?” you might be asking yourself, even after reading all of the information on the site. Well, aside from the bean counters and decision makers in Santa Cruz clearly not appreciating then tens of millions of dollars a bunch of dirtbags would be injecting into the local economy, sometimes things just don’t work out like you think they would. It’s obvious the folks behind the scenes made the best out of a bummer situation and after speaking with Murphy the promoter at some length about it the other night, this is but a small hiccup in what promises to be the most out of control SSCXWC yet.

There is even talk of me being at the trigger of a ball bearing cannon, and if this comes to pass, I don’t think it’s physically or emotionally possible for me to have even the slightest bit of concern where the race happens, just as long as I can send some people to the hospital.

Anyway, to summarize, people were complaining about it being in Santa Cruz. Now people are complaining about it being in L.A. (not to mention the East Coast’s contingent). To these individuals, I would like to point out that it can’t possibly matter, and if your life is really so charmed that you have always gotten your way, then it’s with an ample dose of jealousy that I kindly ask you to get back to living your blessed existence, and then to shut the fuck up.

Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter.

In other news relating to bikes and such, my old friend and former compatriot at Swobo Sky Yaeger, has let no moss grow on her stones and has taken up with Detroit’s ‘Shinola’ imprint;

Sky and I did a little bit of emailing with one another about this about a month ago when I had originally posted this and this about the Motor City’s long time plight, and current renaissance. At the time she said she couldn’t say much more than that she was doing some work with a company called Shinola and it was set to be pretty damn cool, which based on all initial reports seems to be right on the money;

Good for Sky and good for Detroit. I’m very proud of both of them.

I expect all of this will be making its domestic debut in a week’s time at the Interbike Bicycle and Bicycle Things Extravaganza so we can see for ourselves what Shinola’s got cracking.

There are another couple of Interbike related bites I have for your consumption, the first being a notification from Yuri that looks like this;

“A Conversation on Performance: How to conquer your bucket list with Chris Carmichael & Rebecca Rusch Wednesday Sept 19, 3-4 PM PT

The Endurance Lifestyle: Brian Vaughan & Rebecca Rusch Thursday Sept 20, 3-4 PM PT

THE GU BOOTH #7073

Join Chris Carmichael, Rebecca Rusch and Brian Vaughan, moderated by Yuri Hauswald, for two live Q&A sessions to talk about training and racing insights, and the importance of sports nutrition. Hear about the evolution of performance in endurance sports – from power-based training approaches to nutrition strategies. Chris and Rebecca will pull from their own experiences during this interactive conversation to bring context and meaning to the topics. Learn key tips and techniques that you can use immediately, and what it will take to conquer your bucket list.”

Considering ‘the bucket list’ of most people who frequent this site consists of simply not barfing in their own hair, (I will be moderating my own Q&A relating to that), I suspect that to most of us, this offered opportunity might be lost, but for the readers to whom this would be of interest, there you go.

Then, Billy ‘Süphouse’ Sinkford emailed me with a notification for another industry thing that those who are in attendance at the show can do before the other thing;

“Hello my friend.

Hope all is going well with planning the demise of decency in the desert(™). I look forward to several days of questionable decision making with you in Vegas. I have also sent along the poster for a little party I am helping throw on Thursday night prior to your little “Underbike” party;

I promise to get everyone loosened up for you.”

A pre-party party? Sweet.

Moving on, Shane sent the very important communication on for our consideration;

My new pet.

I’d ride the hell out of that thing.

Lastly, on Tuesday morning Jason sent this link regarding a trail access meeting which was to occur that evening. I had been anticipating attending the dfL season opener, (I even did some recent training in which I did some pick-ups, run alongs, and get-back-ons), but due to the fact that East Bay trail access has been a long fought battle, getting dusty while getting drunk seemed a tad bit irresponsible. (Listen to me, sounding like a grown up and stuff.)

The short version is that over the last ten years or so, the old guard (see equestrians, and curmudgeons with an outdated sense of entitlement/healthy bank account) have rapidly been joined, and in some cases, replaced by more forward thinking individuals who see that bikes sharing trails isn’t going to bring on the apocalypse or bloody rain or whatever.

Certainly I figured that the more two wheeled bodies in the room, the better off we all would be, so with about twenty minutes to spare, I loaded up my bag and headed upwards;

And upwards;

To the top of the top, and where ultimately the evening’s meeting was to be held.

Upon initial glance at the packed well beyond capacity house, I took note of a whole lotta blue hairs, which in my experience means finger wagging haters of all things bikecycle. Luckily I planned for just such an occurrence and came with a backpack filled with gift wrapped supplies;

The meeting was about to begin and the place was a zoo;

I held it down in the back of the room with my old friend and champion of all ner-do-wells, Bobo;

He is the kind of person you want in your corner, as he can walk the walk of the bureaucrats while simultaneously talking the talk of the dirtbags, which he has and does more regularly than he’d probably care to acknowledge. Anyway, we kicked things off with a short film about the jewel of the Bay Area- these parcels of over 100,000 collective acres, before having the option to personally speak with one of about six scribes, each writing down individual’s concerns or desires relating to a specific aspect of the Parks District’s revised master plan.

I wasn’t hopeful that things would look up for cyclists, as in my experience, we are constantly fighting a losing battle and tend to (in many instances) be our own worst enemies.

However when all of the smoke cleared, I would guess that nearly 50% of all of the 150 (or so) ideas presented positively related directly to bicycle and bicycle access. Everyone presented and listened to one another’s ideas respectfully (except the person who suggested Segway tours got quietly heckled, as did a couple dog owners who asked to be referred to on signage and printed material as ‘dog walkers’, or ‘canine companions’ or some shit.)

And people think cat owners are insane.

Anyway, in all the public discourse of which I’ve engaged regarding bicycle access, I’ve never emerged so hopeful that the tide is finally starting to turn in our favor. There will be five more meetings covering the exact same sets of topics around the East Bay. If you aren’t too busy doing other very important things, perhaps you’d like to grace one of them with your presence;

*September 19, 2012 7 – 8:30 p.m. – Concord
*September 22, 2012 10 – 11:30 a.m. – Oakley
*September 29, 2012 10 – 11:30 a.m. – Fremont
*October 3, 2012 7 – 8:30 p.m. – Dublin
*Tuesday, October 9, 2012 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. – Richmond

Or go here, and get all of the information you can possibly stand on the matter.

Mountain bikers banding together and being proactive about developing and maintaining the health and increased access to the land they so regularly use?

Now that’s a news flash.

Spread this like it's sick

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28 Responses to “NEWS FLASH!”

  1. Crank September 12, 2012 at 5:26 am #

    Our beloved Human Powered Trails in La Crosse is under the gun for city planners who want to generate taxable real estate out of what is an international tourist draw. Pave it, build it, tax it. Fortunately, our presence is strong at meetings of old men with elastic waistbands and too much power.

    • Nived September 13, 2012 at 4:00 am #

      I think until they get their dirty hands on the land this will never stop,, the world needs more million dollar homes on the tops of the bluffs.. Why not develop some of the states best topo into a hiking cycling meca,, do these people not spend money,,, it is all about Lawyers Guns and Money!

  2. pedalman September 12, 2012 at 5:42 am #

    I prefer “Indentured servant to quadrupled canine”.

  3. Jeff McFarland September 12, 2012 at 5:56 am #

    6 in the magazine.

  4. HW Thrasher September 12, 2012 at 6:42 am #

    L.A.?? I’m not sure I can handle both Langtown and SSCXWC here with only a couple months in between. I’m still finding beer in my hair.

  5. Harry H September 12, 2012 at 7:29 am #

    I’ll be at the session in Concord on the 19th. I wanna ride Black Diamond Mines and the other Far East Bay Regional Parks legally.

    • Stevil September 12, 2012 at 7:53 am #

      As Bobo pointed out, it’s conceivable if some trails were built, and others were opened, you could link a number of these tracts together. Imagine riding from Oakland to Diablo all the while mostly staying off road?

      • Dirtyonethirty September 15, 2012 at 3:47 pm #

        That would make me consider moving to the east bay.

  6. Chris September 12, 2012 at 7:45 am #

    I solved the barf in the hair thing by shaving my head. It’s barf in the beard that I still have issues with…

  7. lauren September 12, 2012 at 8:01 am #

    i like how they saved the segway comment until the very end – proving to me that regional park employees have a sense of humor.

  8. the cyclotourist September 12, 2012 at 12:54 pm #

    For folks coming down to LA, be sure to build enough time in to ride the Dirt Mulholland loop out of Santa Monica!
    http://vimeo.com/10844517
    I tend to like lots of gears, but it’s doable on a SS (just not by me).
    It’s the best time on two wheels I can think of in LA!

    Generic route to give the idea: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Santa-Monica-Dirt-Mulolland-ride

    • 333 September 12, 2012 at 4:01 pm #

      Snoozefest. There are much better trails to ride East in the San Gabes. Get drunk, get rad.

      • the cyclotourist September 12, 2012 at 8:11 pm #

        Possibly. But D-M is still my fave place to ride. You can get even more into the SM’s by heading west and finding a lot of trails across Topanga. The San Gabes (hell, go to Big Bear) are great, but if you’re looking for a few hours of fun next to the Pacific Ocean, D-M is the place to be! Beer and radness are expected!

  9. Nived September 12, 2012 at 1:53 pm #

    PRe-PaRtY is still a Party,, until the party happens?

  10. defoliant September 12, 2012 at 2:54 pm #

    This is only the second time I’ve heard about the HPT in LaCrosse.
    Crank, are you the one with a broken derailleur I met at Levis Mound a few weeks ago?

  11. 333 September 12, 2012 at 3:59 pm #

    Fuck yea, L.A.!

  12. blacksocks September 12, 2012 at 5:53 pm #

    you’re turning into a damned fine grown-up! Thanks for the great work for all of us that love riding in the dirt. i’ll see you in the desert soon…

  13. jordan September 12, 2012 at 10:09 pm #

    I heard the underbike party is going to have Anthony Bourdain riding a Unicorn. The pre party party will have Jackie Chan riding Chris Tucker.

  14. Scott September 13, 2012 at 8:52 am #

    Is there a complementary shuttle buss from the Breeze Bar to the Double Down?

    • Stevil September 13, 2012 at 6:57 pm #

      I don’t know. Those kooks from Mission, PDW and Handsome said something about that, but due to pre-Interbike madness, finding their ass with both hands is about all they have covered right now.

  15. John September 13, 2012 at 9:38 am #

    I guess that after bamboozling two cities (Philadelphia and Santa Cruz) insulting a third (Watsonville) serves to round things out. Way to go Murphy Mack!

    “…we didn’t want you driving back and forth from Santa Cruz to a distant venue to race each day (because, no harm intended, who wants to stay the night in Watsonville?)”

    • Stevil September 13, 2012 at 9:53 am #

      There’s a lot of ‘he said she said’ and assumptions surrounding this event and clearly (at the risk of picking one side or the other) I’ve gone to bat for the organizers. Philly, as far as I understand is in support of this. Murphy isn’t the only person involved in the organization process, and tried repeatedly (and without response) to get in touch with the cross community down there. Besides that he had regular meetings with bureaucrats in Santa Cruz and as the site states, alcohol being prohibited in a number of sites was a major stumbling block. With the parties and most accommodations planned and available in Santa Cruz, having the race twenty plus miles away seemed less efficient. I have faith that all of the people behind the scenes (Murphy included) didn’t pull any shady business and it’s sad that this is the assumption.

      • John September 13, 2012 at 1:47 pm #

        Agreed that an alcohol prohibited site is no place to hold SSCXWC. Also agreed that Elysian Park and the other races scheduled for that weekend promise to make the event memorable for riders and spectators. I’ll even applaud Murphy for resisting the temptation to include the phrase “Murphy Mack Production” on the race poster. See you in LA.

    • Mo September 13, 2012 at 9:05 pm #

      Since you’re trying to point the gun at Murphy for that line, I’ll claim personal responsibility for it since, well, I wrote it. I lived in SC for 10 years and know the surround environs quite well. Watsonville is a nice enough place, but when it comes specifically to riding, drinking beers and then hitting the hay to do it all over again the next day, almost everyone I know would prefer to rest their head in Santa Cruz.

    • Philip September 13, 2012 at 9:21 pm #

      It’s been 20 years since I lived in SC, but I can’t imagine anyone raising their hand to say “I would like to wake up in Watsonville.”

  16. Duncan September 13, 2012 at 5:56 pm #

    Is “ball bearing cannon” a euphemism for “shotgun”? There seems to be some overlap.

  17. Duncan September 13, 2012 at 6:08 pm #

    “The Endurance Lifestyle,” eh? What’s that got to do with “power-based training approaches” OR “nutrition strategies”? I’ve been drinking the better part of a bottle of Jameson four nights a week–at work, mind you–then getting up and going to another job, for the last year and a half. And, to further toot my own wobbly, alcoholic horn, I’ve only crashed my bike and cracked my skull in a half dozen places ONCE during that time. That’s almost unheard of. It’s like, full on Bruce Jenner (before he looked like a middle-aged lesbian) type shit. What do these bike racer people know about “the endurance lifestyle”?

    Pshaw. I should be giving that lecture. I’ve totally conquered my bucket list of babysitting college kids and building 75 pound cargo bikes for misguided yuppies, and it isn’t even possible for me to barf in my hair because I’m bald.

    I’d ask you to moderate, Stevil.

  18. Seth September 15, 2012 at 9:02 am #

    The shop I work at assembled the Shinola bikes after a little air travel. Lemme just say sick bikes!