A veritable roller coaster of emotions.

What with it being the middle of the week, all of the hilarity that I’m sure must be occurring at Specialized HQ right now and the fact that Cranpa from FBM sent me a shout with their new teaser, I don’t know whether I’m coming or going;

Any video featuring a soundtrack by the Hellacopters is ok by me. I’m inspired to note that I first saw them on December 18th, 1998, and it still stands as one of the best live musical performances I’ve ever seen;

Second to that, there’s that video of Martyn Ashton/Chris Akrigg/Danny Macaskill riding ATB speedcycles that by now everyone on the planet’s seen, and only serves to make me feel bad about myself. If you, dear reader have not, please click the link and join me in my pit of low self esteem.

But before we get into anything today, let me start by saying that exactly all aspects of being a bike blogger douchebag (same dif) are filled with glamor and hijinx. As a matter of fact, in my (enviable) position, I’m privy to information that quite frankly, the commoner just simply is not. Like for example, the following crowd source request I recently received;

The ‘top tube triangle’™ is the new top tube.

The bike world is a wave, the crest of which I’m clearly riding.

However as much as I detest crowd sourcing, I have to admit with no small amount of shame that it might be a thing I will soon be engaging in for my own devices. I certainly see what their purpose is but when you have the airwaves flooded with things like this, certainly this, or anything that’s come here to die, I’m inspired to raise both middle fingers and walk in the opposite direction.

If I can’t figure out a way to do it on my own, then I probably won’t be doing it is generally my take on the matter, but alas, this is a new dawn where millionaire actors can stand side by side with struggling inventors, musicians, and visionaries, with empty cup extended, waiting to be filled with society’s spare change.

Now for no reason in particular, here’s a photo of Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hilary being total bad asses;

And speaking of which, Philadelphia based photographer Thom Carroll shot a photo this past weekend, which in my humble opinion is one of the best cycling photos since any of my own;

Copyright 2013 Thom Carroll Photography.
Of course no sooner do I mention that does champion of stylish eyewear, Dylan VanWeelden come through with a few more from his recent sojourn to the city of brotherly love, and snow and ne’er-do-wells;






Woah? Is Adam Craig working for the UPS now? ‘Cause it looks like he’s got a package to deliver, amIrightladies?

Finally, and in closing- Joe sent me the continuing saga of Florida, and their Festivus Wizard Staff;

Between that, and the Satanists having their way in Oklahoma, it’s safe to say I’m not the only one having an emotional roller coaster ride. I suspect there are some impassioned religious folks with their pants in a twist to boot.

Though probably not enough to rip their shirts off for a Great America photo op.