I have one of these.

Log_Jam_Enloe_Dam.jpg


Though instead of an actual log jam, or a metaphor for being constipated, I have a long selection of emails from folks that deserve to be seen by our collective eyes.
I suppose there’s no better time than now to get these out on the table to be consumed.
Starting with first emails first, back in the early parts of the month from Frank I got this;
“Your Canadian twin.”

Tell me you wouldn’t be surprised if that guy owns at least one Keep On Truckin’ shirt and I’ll call you a damn liar.
The following day, Ben contacted me with some words and a photo;
“This guy wore a blue bodysuit to the IL state CX champs yesterday. He had to ride through a gantlet of snowballs twice a lap.”
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“Wear a blue body suit, get hit with snowballs.” It’s in the bible.
A little before or possibly a little after, Travis wrote in with this;
“First he stole the cap then the drums. Someday he’ll ruin someone’s race.
-Travis”

travis'seedonthekit.jpg
If he doesn’t eventually ruin somebody’s race, Travis’ parenting skills should be called into question.
At some point Zac wrote in with a photo of him exhibiting not only questionable form, but questionable fashion sense as well;
“Stevil-
I was 9th @ BASP #5 yesterday. Me looking like a kangaroo.
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Photo by Tim Westmore.
I went on to crash hard coming out of the last turn to the finish, scraped up a good deal of my body and ran dragging my bike across the finish line.
Good times!
Zac”

Crashing in the final turn is the mark of a true champion.
A week or so before the email from Zac I got a shout from the esteemed Paul Price of Paul Components proving that not only can he ride a bike, but he can give any hobo on the tracks a run for his money;
“SK-
Hydrate or die, which goes double when crossing railroad tracks. We had a little homegrown cross race today, I came in reverse gold sealing my reputation. Super fun outlaw race with not one but two illicit rr crossings.
paulhoboing.jpg
Train went through at one point and the answer to the question “if a train comes who has the right of way?” was pretty much answered.
PP”

What he neglected to mention was that at the race’s conclusion, Paul and some of his buddies had a gourmet meal consisting of an open-fire broiled boot.
There is a fellow named Kevin who is employed by a company called Showers Pass, who I should also mention is not only among the newest in my growing list of esteemed advertisers, but the purveyors of some of the nicest foul weather riding apparel this side of the Amazon. Sometimes he sends me news bites that tug at my heart strings. Sometimes he sends me photos of shiny happy people riding their bicycles and being in love with life. And sometimes he sends me photo of my business card tucked into the fly of his jeans;
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No doubt about it.. Kevin puts the ‘ass’ in ‘class’.
Joe from Soulrun, who also happens to be one of the esteemed advertisers who help me keep the lights on here, sent me an email some time ago with a heads up from his side of the marginally self employed playground to let us know what’s shaking out in the bag game;
“Hey Stevil – We are doing pretty good, in no small part to the clicks we get from AHTBM. Its pretty rad, we actually have a 3 week wait on all orders, so we have that going for us, which is nice.
This is cool and AHTBM related, back in the summer Adam Meyerson saw our stuff in your site during what I am calling “the great bag debate of 2010”, and asked if we could make he and Matt Roy a tool roll for carrying all the tools you need on a race weekend. We batted around some ideas and made this huge one we are calling the pro tool roll;
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We didn’t plan on selling them, but the people asked after we posted pics on the interwebs and who are we to say no?
And on a plus side I got in a great cross ride at lunch today…
ride on ,
-Joe”

Making bags and riding bikes. Joe’s got the right idea.
In other news that is painfully dated at this point, John from Prolly is not Probably, but it’s not exactly not Probably either included me in an email blast concerning an opportunity he had to get into the trenches with real, honest to god media;
“Yesterday I gained behind the scenes access to the Travel Channel’s new documentary series on NYC bike messengers. I shot some 35mm b&w photos and have put them up on my blog.
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Maybe you could give it a mention? I hardly ever email out links to my content, but this was really exciting for me.
Thanks!
John”

Not only can I give it a mention, but I’m reasonably sure that I just did. That is what’s called dirtbags helping out dirtbags helping out dirtbags.
In other news of the big city, Andrew from NYCMTB (which apparently stands for New York City Mountain Bike, and not Nasty Yellow Cabs Manifest Tuberculosis as I previously thought) got in touch concerning some nefarious activity on the fair city’s trails;
“Hey Stevil,
Sometime this past weekend, a motivated crew of vandals came through the Cunningham Park trails in Queens and wrought total distruction upon the west side Jetline jump line and east side Thrilla skills section. We are gathering a work party for Saturday 12/4 from 1 pm until dark. Hoping you can help us put the word out for volunteers to help repair the damage.
More info here.
Andrew”

Even though my head is planted well within the confines of my ass, I am still aware that I botched this email in terms of getting it posted in a timely fashion, but the work that NYCMTB is doing on the regular is important just the same. If you happen live in the area, these folks are someone that you should possibly align yourselves with for the simple fact that their efforts benefit all lovers of the dirt residing in the concrete jungle.
So here we are at the end again, and I have barely begun to scratch the surface of what the universe has seen fit to offer me.
The logs are still there.. they now just happened to be fewer in number. At the risk of continuing this poo-related metaphor, a couple more good pushes and we should be all cleared out.
Please trust me when I say it’s times like these that I can barely stand myself.
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7 Responses to “I have one of these.”

  1. prolly December 13, 2010 at 9:49 am #

    thanks a ton man!

  2. ggdub December 13, 2010 at 12:08 pm #

    FYI, Keep on Truckin’ translates to Just Give’r in Canajun:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIpD1kXDpWI

  3. prig December 13, 2010 at 1:40 pm #

    so messengers are using ‘cross bikes now?
    I thought the consensus was that a fixie was the only suitable ride for the job.

  4. Erok December 14, 2010 at 7:42 am #

    Cross bikes are the new fixies. Which simultaneously saddens and brightens my day.

  5. MM December 14, 2010 at 7:58 am #

    Judging by the completely annihilated car over Paul’s shoulder, I’d say the train likely has the right of way!

  6. Scott December 14, 2010 at 8:32 am #

    Where is the trail the woman with the pink gloves is riding? Canyonlands?
    Moab?
    I want to go there. Especially since there is no snow here!

  7. Colin M December 14, 2010 at 8:14 pm #

    photo is from Sedona, Arizona