Continuing thoughts on unimportant matters.

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Some of my finest photoshop work to date.

You know, just after publishing Wednesday’s Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, I donned a stretchy suit, and tap shoes, jumped aboard my speedcycle, as I’m apt to occasionally do, and I took off for some far away places with only an eleven o’clock appointment as my guide. As I pedaled, I reflected on broventures, and artisan cocktails, and brotherhood and finally landed on $118.00 pants. As that topic flitted through my skull like dancing Monarchs, I reflected on how comfy they are, and how much I appreciated Betabrand’s extraordinarily generous gesture of setting me up with my own pair, which I plan to wear until they’re threadbare, and I finally settled on one lasting thought;

Who on Dog’s green earth is going to pay $118.00 for a pair of pants?

I reflected on a meeting I had back in my Swobo days at which I was asked what I would consider spending on one of the first generation Cottonwood jackets. “Oh, wow. This is a really nice jacket” I began. “I would probably pay like, $80.00 for this.” I said with a tinge of smugness, sure that I had gotten the right answer. Laughing, the person with whom I was having the discussion told me very matter of factly that the jacket actually cost more than that to make, and out the door was to sell for a staggering $280.00.

Well, I guess neither me or most anyone I know is the market you’re trying to target with this.” I finished with saying. And I was right. But, in defense of both items, they were/are made right here in the Bay Area, and I see a huge amount of value in that. Until I have that kind of money to throw around, I’ll just continue to shill/sing for my supper, hope companies like Betabrand see some value in keeping me from being pantless, and periodically make return visits into the thrift store on the chance that they don’t.

One thing I can afford from time to time, is purchasing new doodads and wizbangs for the All Hail The Black Market market, simply in hopes that other folks will like them, and then purchase one, so that I can then put the money into my checking account and either buy groceries, pay bills, or invest in a $3,500.00 mantrip.

The latest item to land on my shores are the newest, and most water bottle-ie water bottles to date;
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Am I right, or am I right?
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If I do say so, that is one damn fine looking bottle, and it promises not to give you cooties, or make your water taste funny.

That is unless you happen to be staying in this hotel.

Guests reported that the water tasted somewhat corpse-ie

I don’t even think the awesomeness of my new bottles could solve that issue.

Now, for your consideration I have a two pleas from a couple good hearted derelicts, the first being those within the ranks of the Scum City team. It seems as though sponsorship has dried up for them, and as a result, they have launched an indigogo fund raiser page to assist them in keeping the good times rolling.

When I was initially notified of this, I took pause, primarily due to the fact that I didn’t see how it should be up to anyone else to assist them in their pursuit of recreating. A fair number of us are ourselves struggling to finance our own race seasons, let alone those of other individuals. After a number of emails between David and Will, I came to understand that their team is as grass root as they come, and aside from racing, they all are very much involved in community efforts, and spreading good will wherever they go.

As David noted- “I want to have one, ONE team around here who actually does something for the city. We’ve been volunteering at bike fixing events, and Q&A sessions about racing to actually get people out there.

Maybe I’m reaching too high, maybe I’m not. But there’s gotta be a way to do the “racing” thing and still be good people.

Plus, they have faces that I’m not even sure their own mothers could love;
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willsmuddy
With this information, my perspective changed and inspired me to go ahead and post their directive.

If you would like to help support their cause, please do. They are good folks and want nothing more than to charge hard next season and be a hairy legged, and Bad News Bears-esque force for good.

The other request I received was from Maximo Supremo residents, The Banjo Brothers;

Stevil-

I know- we’re like the punk kid who only calls Mom when he needs money. But still.

In the next few days we’ll be “whore-ing” it up at Frost-Bike, trying to expand the global empire that is Banjo Brothers.

We’ve also taken to trying to help our good friend Brianna Lane get her album produced.

There may be more noble causes, but we think Banjo music does make the world a better place.

The Kickstarter;

And The web store.

If nobility, and a full-boat retail purchase, is not good enough for your humble readers, they may contact me for a one-time direct for the proverbial “offer they cannot refuse

-Mike Banjo“.

If you can’t help with the production of their new record, perhaps you can find your way to help the poor lass afford a pair of gloves.

But I digress. I agree with what both Scum City and the Brothers Banjo are attempting to do with their efforts. They have expressed their desire to try and make their communities happier places- one through racing bikes and one through music. I might even go so far as to compare them with artists who have honed particular mediums with which they are attempting to do so.

While said mediums are both noble and ones that I hope can find support, they’re clearly not a slight alteration of chalk boards filled with subtle profanities, (which we all know in the long run will ultimately make the world the best kind of place).
newlittleskull

Spread this like it's sick

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14 Responses to “Continuing thoughts on unimportant matters.”

  1. mic February 22, 2013 at 7:12 am #

    I agree with you on the clothing purchase. There is immense value and gratification to buy something that is made where you live. A few years ago I may have scoffed at the idea, but now I just save my money and buy the good stuff. I let my wife see the pics and she agrees with your Mom.

  2. Latarian February 22, 2013 at 7:34 am #

    “Who on Dog’s green earth is going to pay $118.00 for a pair of pants?”

    Exactly. You could buy a couple of pairs of Ben’s for that money.

    • MF39 February 22, 2013 at 9:08 am #

      I’ll tell you who. Sally. But, only if they came with rhinestones on the butt pockets.

    • Loudass, Esq. February 22, 2013 at 10:30 am #

      Actually, at Kaplan’s Surplus, next to the fancy pants Huckleberry Bike Shop, you could buy FOUR pair of Ben’s for $118. And then you could get a locally sourced artisinal handjob for $40 at the Market Street Cinema (or so I’m told).

  3. Crank February 22, 2013 at 7:36 am #

    I would rather have a ten year old pair of well made boots than a new pair of crap. Added up over the years, the aquisition of quality goods, made by caring hands, better yet locally, makes the Buddha’s bowel movements pleasant and satisfying.

  4. Adam C. February 22, 2013 at 7:56 am #

    Sometimes it’s tough enough just to find something that fits and works well for what it’s intended to work for. I know some guys that wear orange jump suits to race. And they seem to work just fine. And I doubt (can’t say for sure) that they cost more than $69 at the local Ragstock. I’ve raced in t-shirts and done just fine. My $20 columbia rain suit works probably as well as a $300 gore-tex jacket to “keep the rain out”. Just sayin’…

  5. pedalman February 22, 2013 at 8:05 am #

    Been getting the bummer life beatdown lately. The chalkboard shot made me laugh for the first time all week. Thanks.

    • trama February 22, 2013 at 10:23 am #

      feel ya. treat yourself; add avo and side of sour cream to everything

  6. Ben February 22, 2013 at 8:13 am #

    I thought the same thing the first time I saw the Cottonwood jacket, then a couple weeks later when it was wicked cold in Mpls (east) I accidentally tried one on. Still have it to this day, and though it’s beautifully worn, it’s one of my all time favorite jackets. That’s why I own what seems like about 30 jackets and all my bikes, though mechanically sound, are well used and have pretty much none of the shiny bits that money can buy.

  7. Wrighteous February 22, 2013 at 8:36 am #

    Saw the Scum City dudes reppin’ Cleve at a few Chicago Cross Cup races this year and last. Give them some dap.

    Cleveland’s cycling scene needs all the help it can get. There’s some damn good riding out there—it’s a hidden gem.

  8. Pistol Pete February 22, 2013 at 10:56 am #

    Holy fuck! Everyone’s got their fuckin’ hands out.And $118 for pants?I’m still wearin’ the BDUs I got a the Sal an’ wore ridin’ to Canada an’ back last Summer.And them fat Scumbags?Nice gear,nice threads to be cryin’ poormouth.Just sayin’…
    I might look at one o’ them new water bottles though.Gotta support a brother who sings for his supper…You sure those bottles don’t make you grow boobs?Those clear ones always taste like estrogen…

  9. Teamfubar February 22, 2013 at 6:15 pm #

    I tried to post this earlier but I got some stupid message about cookies and what not, so if this one doesn’t post I’m throwing back the big green curtain and punching that wizard right in his interwebs…

    Anyhow, I really, really want to buy cool shit made by real people with their hands and the sweat of their brow and not made by some little brown skinned kid half-way around the world that dreams of having a bike and not sewing a jersey for an overweight fucktard like me. That being said, to quote my mom, I’ve got champagne tastes on a beer budget (and we’re talking something like Old Milwaukee, not Dale’s Pale Ale) which relegates me to the clearance rack. Thankfully all that quality shit is usually not cutting edge fashion, but solid stuff so when it goes out of style, comes back around and is in style again, it is still a functional piece of clothing. A Dirt Designs jacket purchased on clearance about 15 years ago still looks good and has more miles on it than most people’s bikes still graces my back. I’ll cry when it finally dies. To paraphrase Keith Bontrager “Quality, Fashion, Price…Pick Two”.

  10. David S. February 23, 2013 at 4:57 am #

    In my defense, that chili was absolutely stellar. Hence the “happy dopey face”. Thanks for the shout out Stevil!

  11. Dirty Cyclist February 25, 2013 at 9:43 am #

    I just spent $180 on some Thunderbolt sportwear “jeans” and they are super bad ass. Water-proof, light and totted and very durable. They seem like they will last forever. I also spent $90 about 15 years ago on a thick over shirt and the thing is still perfect. Sometimes the expensive stuff is cheaper in the long run.

    Uh oh… Scumcity uses champion systems…