Do you believe in magic?

You do now.
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Or at least you believe in Magic Hands™.

And it wasn’t until I found this photo of the late magician Doug Henning and his wife Debbie, that I realized both he and the marauder of the Midwest, and proprietor of Lincoln, Nebraska’s Monkeywrench Cycles Nate Woodman have a bit of a ‘separated at birth‘ thing going on between them;
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Ahem…
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See what I mean?

Anyway, Nate not only is interchangeable with magic royalty, but he’s pretty good at that bike riding thing that the kids are all going ape shit for. Not too shabby for a skinny kid from the corn fields.

Another couple of people who recently proved their merit in bikecycling, are Jonathan Page, and Katie Compton.

Page, looking considerably undersponsored proved that he’s still got wicked chops;
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-and Compton couldn’t be touched as she won her ninth (!) consecutive Nationals title;
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Photo credit Wil Mathews.

And for the very gracious use of Wil’s photos above, he asked if I wouldn’t mind plugging The Hardest Hour, which naturally, I do not.

So for the lazies in our midst, ‘The Hardest Hour’ is a show of Wil’s photos that will be on display in the Bernheim Gallery in the Louisville free public library, the opening for which will occur on Thursday, January 31st, from 7 to 9 pm.

Back in my art school days, it was widely known that the shows featuring the best work always had the crappiest food, and conversely the shows featuring crappy work always had the best food.

Based on this line of thought, and due to the quality of Wil’s photos, he will have one can of spray cheese and half a box of wine (or push up fuel, as I like to call it), but as of now, that cannot be confirmed or denied. Either way, I look forward to seeing his efforts in person and to perhaps offer him the first ever ‘Louisville High Five’. (It’s similar to a ‘Portland High Five’ except it’s performed in Louisville.)

So yes, it goes without saying that I will be in attendance at the upcoming World Championships of Cyclocrossing.

For those who don’t know, the World Championships of Cyclocrossing is like the Superbowl of the discipline, but with a way better halftime show;
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Of course by that I mean that there will be no half time show, nor will there be a half time and as long as The Black Eyed Peas won’t be performing within a ten thousand mile radius, it will be a win.

I won’t be attending the race in any official capacity, aside from shooting photos of the back of drunk people’s heads, and most likey screaming myself to voicelessness.

I’ve attended two National events in my life (1999, and 2002), both of which were absolutely stellar, but to see all of the internationally recognized profhessianals doing battle with one another will make those races seem like play time. Very, very fast play time mind you, but play time just the same.

If you’re interested, you can recognize me as the one sneaking around the outside of the VIP tent, trying to steal sandwiches.

Moving on to other topics kinda, Gypsy The Punk came through with a clip that I’ve watched frontwards and backwards;

Stevil,

This gave me a happy…

Delta brake hugs and wet wine kisses,

Gypsy”

The quote that most resonated with me was when event organizer Giancarlo Brocci says “reintroducing the dirt roads in cycling has helped to bring back a little romance.

Oh, and when this guy said this;
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And that in nearly every sequence in the clip, the people depicted were smiling.

I love it.

Bike nerds inspiring bike nerds from a half a world away.

That my friends, is magic.
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13 Responses to “Do you believe in magic?”

  1. Jugomugo January 16, 2013 at 5:51 am #

    That course is Verona was an epic mud fest on Saturday. Didn’t get a chance to check it out on Sunday.

  2. McFly January 16, 2013 at 6:20 am #

    My wife walked in the single-wide one day and I was on my knee’s if front the fridge suckling on the teet of a box of Franzia. We(She) decided at that very insant that i may “have a problem”.

  3. djonnymac January 16, 2013 at 7:42 am #

    L’Eroica…… awww that’s just beautiful. Old bikes and gentlemanly pursuits.

  4. rogbie January 16, 2013 at 8:05 am #

    The dirt roads comment reminded me of this map: http://drwelby.net/coloradogravel/

    50+F on the Front (st)Range today.

  5. East Bay Ed January 16, 2013 at 3:13 pm #

    More of us would have watched that great video if you’d mentioned your cameo at 9:25.

  6. Paul January 16, 2013 at 5:16 pm #

    Nate’s going to be really mad that you let the cat out of the bag about his ‘Magic Hands’. And you showed him without a helmet.

  7. Mike January 16, 2013 at 5:37 pm #

    So Stevil as a “Scenemaker” maybe you can answer. Where are all the cool kids hanging out in Louisville com Feb.?

    • Stevil January 16, 2013 at 5:43 pm #

      You flatter. I have no idea. I’m just going where the wind blows. Any city that bore Slint, has to have a spot that will satisfy.

  8. Mark Studnicki January 16, 2013 at 6:26 pm #

    L’Eroica registration starts Jan 21st. Lottery system this year. We still have vacancies available for anybody wishing to attend. Super amazing event. Been doing for many years. First American last year in the 205km course. Not easy by any stretch and definately NOT flat. close to 12,000 vertical feet over 205km.

  9. Largo January 16, 2013 at 6:30 pm #

    That shirt on the left would make a super sweet AHTBM jersey.

  10. Nick January 16, 2013 at 7:23 pm #

    If i buy some socks, will you hand deliver them to me in KY? If so could you also bring me a western bacon cheeseburger from cj’s ?

    • Stevil January 17, 2013 at 6:27 am #

      Probably not.

  11. Matt January 19, 2013 at 6:53 am #

    Hey Stevil,
    Is Evil Dave ok? I’ve been trying to get in touch with him for about two months now. I know you ain’t his mammy but help a brother out if you would.