Come hither.

fabio-full-bike-shot-1994-web

Right now- Like, this very second, I have a big, ridiculously attractive beast in my basement calling me down there for hours of sexy fun time. It’s not Fabio, (though I partially wish it was). No, rather it’s my brand new, sickeningly insane Blue Collar cross frame.
IMG_5106
Not familiar with Blue Collar you say? Blue Collar was the brain child of Robert Ives and Scott Berg back in Our Lord’s year of 1996ish or so. Robert plugged along building a run of bikes here and an odd single frame there, until just within the last few years, his unparalleled OCD has taken hold of him, and he’s committed to building bikes on a far more regular basis.

Both of my first Blue Collar frames are two that I most likely will never build up again, yet conversely, would never think of parting with;
oldbcs
But now, after a long wait, and lots of drawings and late night discussions, and more waiting, and more conversations, and some measuring, and about 1000 cans of soda and beer between the two of us, my new Blue Collar cross frame is finally in my hands (painted in Black Metal Black, natch);
IMG_5101
I even have a brand new, in the bag set of my favorite Ritchey Bio-max bars at the ready;
IMG_5105
Why on god’s green earth are you diddling around at a computer when you could be in your basement assembling your new bike?” you maybe just asked, rhetorically.

I’m happy to answer that, as it’s a fairly simple thing.

Because this post isn’t going to write itself.

And because even with all the blackmail I have hanging over Soulcraft Sean’s head, it wasn’t valuable enough to get the stem he made for me powder coated;
IMG_5115
But I got the vague notion about what Sean thought of my blackmail when he handed the stem to me in a paper bag that was actually on fire.

Then again, that’s pretty much how we roll around here.

Naturally, my procurement of all of this occurred at the beginning, middle, and end of this weekend’s Meet Your Maker ride, which was in fact organized by the aforementioned Robert Ives (who used to have long hair and was occasionally called ‘Robio’, furthering the connection to today’s header photo).

Anyway, somewhere between ten and 25,000 people showed up to ride a selection of the most beautiful and desolate levy trails and country roads the region has to offer;
IMG_5008
IMG_5007
IMG_5009
IMG_5013
IMG_5018
IMG_5027
IMG_5029
IMG_5037

IMG_5043
IMG_5033
IMG_5030
IMG_5046
IMG_5052
IMG_5053
IMG_5054
IMG_5058
IMG_5065
IMG_5071
IMG_5077
IMG_5079
IMG_5080
IMG_5082
IMG_5083
After fifty miles of riding, twenty feet of elevation gain, and about thirty-five miles of headwind, we all finally returned to the Hideaway Bar where we slapped hands, took on some nourishment and watched the raffle go down;
IMG_5093
IMG_5094
IMG_5095
IMG_5097
IMG_5086
IMG_5099
-At which I won nothing, thereby proving that the entire thing was rigged;
13976993650_d24f22b017_o
It matters not though because with the curtain closing on this post, I have a head full of great memories, a life full of new friends, an epidermis covered in fresh sunburn, and a hunk waiting for me in my basement in who is need of my immediate attention.
newlittleskull

Spread this like it's sick

Leave a Reply to scooper Click here to cancel reply.

9 Responses to “Come hither.”

  1. scooper May 12, 2014 at 7:59 am #

    Yer new BC looks Rad and Bad to the bone from here….beautiful post too! Thanx for making Sacto look badass!

  2. Adam C. May 12, 2014 at 8:53 am #

    Those jumpsuits look a little too clean. Not a drop of blood, beer, or mud to be seen.

    • Stevil May 12, 2014 at 10:46 am #

      I peed on mine and Berg crashed and bled on his almost immediately.

  3. trama May 12, 2014 at 9:01 am #

    What old crusty spork are you going to stick on that sweet new frame?

    • Stevil May 12, 2014 at 10:48 am #

      On Robert’s recommendation, I procured a Whiskey fork.

  4. Ben May 12, 2014 at 10:56 am #

    That picture of Fabio must be pre-goosing.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8PgcCe3P_c

    I love it that he cried when it happened.

  5. Largo May 12, 2014 at 8:00 pm #

    I wonder if Fabio and Cippo ever get together for beers?

  6. Beardo May 12, 2014 at 8:01 pm #

    I forgot my butter pre ride…..so I sharted 5 miles in making the head wind seem like a cool spring breeze……ahhhhhhh

  7. Zonker Harris May 12, 2014 at 8:35 pm #

    I would like a dirt hooker and two dirt hookers please. I’m going to have to structure my life to allow envolvement in that event. At least twice.