Captain Riffington, at your service.

With one foot one solidly planted on the monitor, I'm back, and blander than ever;

Thanks for the reprieve last week. I would hope that I don't have too many more of those but as life winds, and my people around me get older, I thinks it's more likely than not.

I realize I need to manage my time and energy better on a lot of fronts. It reminds me of a conversation I had with a contractor friend of mine a couple years ago while on a job. He asked me if I wanted to go on a mountain bike ride after work (at this point, I'd already sweat through my shorts, which was a first for me). I said I was cooked, and thank you, but and how did he find the energy to ride bikes after a day of work? He told me point blank that I work too hard. "This isn't a mountain bike race" he said. "You've been killing yourself all day, and haven't at all paced your efforts".

This was the first time anyone has ever said anything to me of the sort. From the time I was old enough to stack wood or shovel snow (for example), I was taught to go 100 miles an hour because there are only so many hours of sunlight a day. Similarly, I've realized through the last two weeks, I've felt compelled to turn myself inside out for everyone else but me. There's some sense of being afraid to let people down that threads through all efforts, which is definitely a conversation to have with a shrink, should I ever find one. (Update. I have.)

Anyway, there's my current state in a nutshell, and I appreciate the reprieve.

Before we get into anything, we'll tap into the mailbag which has been collecting a bit of dust.

Firstly, we've got a correspondence from Cush regarding a trip in The Wayback Machine®™©;

"Hey Stevil,

I’m doing some media work for the legendary Specialized Cactus Cup and wanted to clue you—and your legions of fans—into a new event debuting during festival weekend this March 13–15, at McDowell Mountain Regional Park in Fountain Hills, Arizona, created by a cat you (and many others) know, Mark Salmon, longtime bike industry veteran and founder/promoter of the original Single Speed World Championship in 1999. This new addition to the Cactus Cup taps straight into mountain biking’s roots to celebrate the original 1991 to 1999 running of the event, which was reborn a decade ago;

Alongside the shakeout rides, bike demos, vendors, food, raffles, and two days of stage racing, the weekend will now feature a Friday afternoon vintage short-track race, presented in partnership with Mark’s own Vintage Off-Road Bicycle Association (VORBA).

The race is open to anyone with a pre-1999 mountain bike, comes with a true throwback $20 entry fee, and awards the winner a pro-wrestling–inspired championship belt;

After racing, participants are encouraged to park their prized machines at the VORBA tent for the rest of the weekend. Not into racing? No problem. Bring your bike anyway, hang out, heckle and enjoy the festivities while showcasing your vintage ride at the VORBA tent all weekend.Attached is the full press release and a couple of photos for your consideration.

Cheers,

-Cush"

I might be inclined to mak it if I still had my hands on that 1988 Rock Lobster one speed that's ben like an albatross around my neck these last many years;

Fortunately for my wrists, knees, back, neck (and crack) it finally headed back to its home in Santa Cruz where it can be a pain for someone else's parts for a while.

Speaking of which, I recently came across an example of why, while I positively loathe is, simply cannot get rid of Facebook;

I'm not sure of much, but one thing I'm absolutely positive of is that the owner of this bike regularly wears Zubas and a durag.

Think Rex Quando, but with more disposable income.

Then, from my knee surgeon and fabricator at Mischief Fine Titanium Bicycles I got a call to circle the wagons;

"Stevil-

Usually I write to tell you about all the great things happening (and to be sure, we’ve some exciting news on the horizon), but today I write to ask in earnest for help from our Mischief Community.

Otto, the 3-year-old son of our amazing welder Jon was diagnosed this month with PFA ependymoma – a rare but potentially devastating form of cancer that occurred close to Otto’s brainstem.  The brave and mischievous little fella underwent resection of the tumor at Seattle Children’s Hospital on February 10, 2026 and is recovering now in the intensive care unit.  The road for Otto, Jon, Kaila and baby sister Lila is no doubt going to hit some headwinds – as Otto will start radiation therapy treatments in March and have to undergo chemotherapy following that;

For any of you who own a Mischief or who have had a Davidson built within the past several years, you know Jon’s commitment to welding perfection, now it’s our turn. 

For any of you who’ve had the misfortune to undergo treatment of a serious injury, illness, or disease; you know how difficult and expensive this road is for patient and family.

If you’re able to give, share or simply send love, it all makes a difference. All proceeds from the GoFundMe will go directly to help Otto, Jon and Kaila climb this hill, get to the top, and enjoy the many sunny days and fast descents to come.

Many thanks,

C"

I don't personally know Jon or his family, and I can only imagine how difficult all of this must be to navigate. I don't have much, but I threw them a little. If yinzers have a ten or twenty spot to throw that direction, you know every little bit can add up to a lot. Or at least enough to help ease the stress of medical costs in a country that gives not one speck of shit about its residents. 

Pardon me for using that platform to momentarily clear my throat.

Having said all of that, please allow me to say a few more things;

And with that, I will take my recuse, close my mouth, and turn it to 11.