Thursday, August 22, 2013

So, What Are You Gonna Do?

It's approaching gut check time her in the Midwest, put up or shut up. Looks like the Death Riders will be making a showing at the 10th Anniversary of the Burnin'. Oddly enough. it's the same team we had tried to put together for the inaugural event a decade ago. Things sort of fell apart with that incarnation and we never got a chance to race together that year. I am totally looking forward to finally getting this team out on the dirt.


12 and 24hr Racing always gives me a chance to bring along way too much gear. What can I say I'm sort of a gear whore. I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and know it's in my basement. Thankfully, most of my teammates over the years have embraced my  long checklist and pounds of gear.

More than anything I just need to get my mind set on what I want to do this fall. I'm pretty sure I am signing on for the BT Epic this go around. It's something I have wanted to do for a while and it's put up or shut up time. I had planned on doing way more racing this year than last... But, so far it isn't really happening.
Maybe by this time next year I will be working 9-5 again so training and racing isn't as difficult.
Lets hope so anyway.

 

Labels seem to matter a lot these days; in fact it feels like every week a new subgenere is invented, heralded and, usually, quickly forgotten. Although they were born out of the hardcore scene, for the past five years Boston, Massachusetts' Defeater have challenged the conventions of the genre by crafting music that takes an old-school formula and pushes it in new and ambitious directions without sacrificing an ounce of aggression.

Friday, August 2, 2013

In The Belly Of A Shark

I can already see the daylight getting shorter from my office window everyday. The shorter amounts daylight bring up a host of unanswered questions for the coming fall. BT Epic to do or not to do? Burnin' At the Bluff? Cyclocross racing this year??? So Many questions I need to ask myself. Well, to be honest I have already been going over the BT Epic plans. If I can get a saddle figured out that isn't uncomfortable after 4 solid hours of off-roading I'm in. Saddles are a weird thing you never think about them when you are comfortable, but when you are uncomfortable It's all you can think about. I am a pretty big fan of my Fizik Tundra2 for XC Racing and trail ridding. However, It's firm and flat profile doesn't seem to do well on the endurance side of my rides. Hopefully, going back to the tried and true Fizik Gobi will be bliss to my nether parts. In time your death riders will figure out what awaits them in October, for now it's back to our regular scheduled program.


Every now and again I find a band that reminds me just why I love Punk and Hardcore. GALLOWS is just one of those bands. It's hard to say what it is, that puts a band in that 'something special' category. 
Well, what ever it is Gallows has it. I'm gonna sound like a internet dork here but... 
I have to say, I think Frank and Steph Carter are two of the main reasons behind the 'it' factor. 
They have both since left to do other things and Gallows continues on. Still a good band in every aspect, but maybe not as great. Well, that is this mans opinion anyway. If you haven't heard of them go out and pick up a copy of "Grey Britain" or "Orchestra of Wolves". Neither of them will disappoint, we give them the death rider seal of approval. 
Enjoy some fine young English chaps.


Thursday, July 25, 2013

In The Blink Of an Eye

As far as news goes not a ton has been going on other than ridding and enjoying the very non St.Louis weather we have been having this summer. It has been a welcome change over last years monster heat and humidity for nearly three months straight. Last week I was running bachelor style as the Jenster was out hiking in Utah. I decided to stop putting off some bike maitence of my own as well as help j.rider swap and bleed some brakes and start building up his 1x10


I got most of the wrenching duties squared away Saturday afternoon and headed out for a ride and some shopping before night fall. did some more wrenching before I decided to read and hit the hay for the night.
the death riders had a Bi-Fecta planned for the morning so I needed some shut eye.
Sunday morning we were off to Lost Valley and trying not to make mention of the droplets forming on our windshield. We stayed the course and by the time we had crossed the river the sprinkle had passed us by. 
A little overcast and breezy but no rain so we headed out for a day in the saddle.
Everything was pretty grand, good company and trails in great shape.
Things were rolling along nicely. Until...


I have been ridding Mountain Bikes for the last 14 years or so and have made this move countless times.
A group of riders is approaching from the oncoming direction, so you slow down and yield to them just off the trail. No big deal easy peasy... Well that is unless you pile drive your front wheel into a six inch tree stump camouflaged in the duff along the trail. Honestly, I had no idea what was happening I just heard everyone gasp and say OOOH! or something like that. Luckily, since I had no idea it was, I did the perfect rag doll crumple kind of slam. Other than smashing my glasses into my cheek and coating them in sweat and dirt not much was a miss. The ride was in fine shape not a scratch and I was all intact and just a little shook up. We went about our ride but cut off the second half since I couldn't seem to get back in a good rhythm.
I'm just glad it wen so smooth, could have been pretty gnarly for sure.

I was a fan of VISON from the first chords of  'once'.
 It's hard to put my finger on what it is that makes the "In The Blink Of An Eye" record still hold up after all these years. Somehow it does and I listened to it just a few weeks ago, never fails to put a smile on my face.


Thursday, July 18, 2013

We Gotta Know

Sorry for being absent the last couple of weeks. I have been doing some traveling, ridding and some music viewing. At the end of June I was faced with the opportunity to see the one and only Black Flag. Depending on how you look at it...I guess.  That being said it was actually pretty awesome! While i can't say it was better than seeing Flag, the OTHER Black Flag band touring. I am still glad I got the chance to see Greg Ginn and hear some wonderful early punk rock!


The following week I set a course for the windy city. I was collecting on my birthday gifts of tickets to see the almighty Cro-Mags. Yes, you already know I'm quite a fan boy of John Joseph and the mags. So finally getting a chance to see them was super exciting. The icing on the cake for me was none other than my old friends Endpoint were on the bill as well. The boys from the other river city were doing a few one off shows and I'm never one to turn down a chance to see Duncan and Rob. Endpoint was as solid as ever playing lots of great songs. Some of them taking me back to some of the darkest days of my life. That is the awesome thing about music, it has been able to give me something to hold on to as long as I can remember.  It has been one of the only constants in my 39 years on this earth. I am truly greatful for all that music has given me.


The crowning jewel of the night was witnessing the power of the Cro-Mags. It is every bit of what you would imagine. I can only wonder how fierce it was when John was thirty years younger. It was better than I could have ever imagined and I was grinning ear to ear as I shouted along. Before they went on I was able to chat with John a bit about bikes of course... 
He was super kind and very nice. I will spare you the photo of us together.  
All in all it's been a nice few weeks away from the internet.
We will return to weekly blogging next week.
Get out and ride or see some Punk Rock.


Thursday, June 20, 2013

Art Offensive

I have said before that I am a sucker for a good art department, and well it's true. I am a classically trained photographer and art school drop out. While I have used my education at some parts of my life, for the most part I've always worked with my hands. Everything from short order cook to helping map the human genome. At times I wonder what my life would have been like if i had pursed commercial art and design work. However, that usually only last long enough to remember awful assignments of design classes past.
With all of that said, I love it when a bike company or record label or anything for that matter has the ability to make a nice product and marry it with awesome design and ad work. 


Yes, my stature and measurements place me in the 'AVERAGE' segment for bike frames and fit. Yet, I do love handcrafted bikes. In my time I have be blessed to ride and race an Original Fat Chance 'Yo Eddy' made in Sommerville, MA and an equally righteous Independent Fabrications 'Steel Deluxe'. Even my current Santa Cruz 'Highball' has a custom paint treatment. I really like not being the white sheep and having something unique and somewhat different from the status quo. 
Lets just say if I had money to burn I would be calling 44 Bikes in a heartbeat.
Built to shred...check.  Awesome design and art department...Check. 
Bitchin' shop and cute shop dog...check. Soft spot for Punk Rock...check.
Whats not to like?
Oh and then there is this. I stumbled upon a piece of 44 Bikes propaganda that reads
"I'm painting my bike black, until they make something darker..."









Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Nervous Breakdown

Well as luck would have it my dreams of 6hr solo racing at Indian Camp Creek will have to wait yet another year. It seems I sort of overlooked a previous engagement in my not so busy social calender. I will be attending a punk rock show the evening before. I'm sure I could swing both of the physically... But, what will probably wreck my good time is planning and preparation for the solo ride. It is no secret my anxiety level hovers around max most of the time. I know myself well enough to know that if I can't focus all my energy on Friday night towards packing the car and what not, I will be a wreck on Saturday trying to race. Yes, it's sort of crazy and nonsensical. However, that is what happens when your brain likes to work overtime all the time. Believe me when I tell you my anxiety is much better now than it was a few years ago, yet it still is something i deal with daily. So what could be so great to mess up my racing plans?


A chance to see the mighty Black Flag. While not the 'classic' era for the band. It's still a chance to see Greg Ginn who has been the only constant member since the band formed. He also serves as the primary song writer and lyricist of the band. While I will never know it was like to see them in the 'Salad Days' of the 80's. I couldn't miss the chance to see this piece of history. Black Flag is one of those bands that is just hard to deny. They just might have the best logo and art department in the history of Punk Rock. Not to mention some of the most intense riffs and lyrics. The album 'Damaged' is by far one of the heaviest records ever. Musically and lyrically it's soul crushing at times. It's got one of the best B. sides on music history. When everything in the world sucks, I always tend to cue it up and watch the world burn for awhile. If only in my mind.


Saturday, June 8, 2013

Hold True

It was a rare treat today to spend a few hours chatting and tearing up the tight twisty stuff with Pauli a.k.a. m.rider. He needed to burn some vacation hours and I didn't have to be at the salt mines until the afternoon so we hooked up bright and early. I finally got to hand out his very own death riders kit and make it official. He threw on the new togs and off to Castlewood we went. I don't think I've ridden with him since a Bonktoberfest some years back... like 8 or 9 years maybe??? 
Can that even be right? Ah whatever it was just great to chat it up and spend some time on two wheels with him again. He can still draw smooth lines and descend strong as ever.
I just hope we can make this a regular type of thing.


Getting to catch up with him today I was reminded yet again how some of my oldest and best friends have come from punk rock, skateboards or both. Mike and I met some twenty plus years ago at all things a Hardcore show.  As luck would have it our girlfriends at the time were close friends and we met via the gals. Our local heroes Short Cut were playing along with some band I knew nothing about from Louisville KY. 
Two awesome things happened that night. 
I got introduced to a band and a guy who as Pauli himself would say are 'solid'

The band would be Endpoint and the 'solid dude' Pauli

I have a pretty good memory for whatever reason and I can remember where I heard certain records for the first time, people I met at which show etc. One of those things that has always stood out about that first meeting was the t-shirt. Pauli was wearing. None other than a  'Wide Awake' shirt. You know, that other Connecticut Straight Edge band. Being a 'youth crew' member myself I was in awe. A great lesser known band of it's day and a pretty rad shirt. So in a fitting tribute to our first meeting.
HOLD TRUE


Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Coliseum

Not a ton of stuff to report the last week. We here in the midwest have been dodging tornadoes and flood waters. I keep waiting for locust and pestilence, so far so good.  It's been trying to get in some saddle time between raindrops and mega storms. I have only been caught out in one on the bike so far. However, it seems most of my rides have ended with me hustling my gear into the E as the rain begins to fall. 
J.rider is being the family man at Disney and will be out of touch for a few more days.
So to pass the time I have been looking at many hub options for the whip. So far in feeling sort of English and leaning toward Hope seems to meet most of needs and not require a loan to acquire. Other than that I'm just licking my wounds for being an idiot and forgetting to get our of work early tonight.


No catching up with my pal Ryan Patterson and the mighty Coliseum 
or getting a chance to see Baroness either. 
Stupid jobs.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Laid To Rest

I had initially thought I would let this roll of my back and ride it off. It just so happens that the way my mind works it has been on repeat since this morning. On one hand it's really no big deal yet on the other it just really irritates me. Okay... I'll just spill it.
So as j.rider and I were getting geared up and ready to head out for a nice Saturday ride. A fellow pulls up next to us and starts getting his bike ready and kitting up. Out of nowhere he says this "Death Riders huh....So you like laughing in the face of God?" Now keep in mind it's the first and only thing he says to us. We weren't jamming SLAYER or Lamb Of God while suiting up. Just two fortyish guys heading out for a bike ride. Heck we were wearing arm warmers so my sleeve of tattoos was even covered. I don't even think I was swearing, which is kind of hard to believe.


I typically am not a people person so I just kind of smiled and clipped in for the ride. I guess what bugs me is this. How am I laughing at God exactly? By wearing BLACK and not being afraid of the word DEATH? While I may not follow western religions it doesn't mean I am godless. I would also like to think any God no matter what the faith has a sense of humor and appreciates the irony of life. Hey just look at the platypus or three-toed sloth, I think God may like to laugh as well. Or have a look at this bible passage:

Genesis 21:6

And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” 


 

I guess what gets me is  how righteous some folks seem to think they are. My whole life I have been an outsider not always by choice in my early years. Somewhere around 12 or 13 I realised I was going to be different and that would be okay. I began getting tattooed at 18 and I have had numerous piercing over the years. My current ear rings are large enough that you can put your fingers through them. So I am well versed at getting strange looks and judged by how people perceive who I am.  Maybe I am being to hard on the fella but it was just a weird thing to say much less open a conversation that way. Either way he is entitled to his beliefs, just don't assume I am making some sort of statement on your life or chosen faith. 
Just don't assume I am some Godless Heathen either. In fact it might surprise the guy how much reading I've done on religions of various faiths. Something he would probably find hard to believe. Some of the most wicked men and women in the world used religion as guide for hate torture and abuse. So it may not be the best measuring stick of someones character.

With all that off my chest. It's a long weekend get out and ride your bike.

I'll chain you to the truth
 For the truth shall set you free
 I'll turn the screws of vengeance
 And bury you with honesty



Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Conceptualizing Theories in Motion

I was able to kick the sinus funk last week and actually got some rides in before lining up with a number attached to my bars on Sunday. As race reports go it's not exactly amazing or spectacular. With that in mind it was a success in my book. I wasn't smashing course records or putting screws to the almost 40 class. However, I was able to stick to the larger plan of ridding 'my race' and trying not to get caught up in going to deep into the red. It may bruise the ego a bit to go out a little slower and settle in to a rhythm. It actually seemed to put me into my natural spot in the pecking order so I didn't have to worry about ridding the rivet as much. I also seem to be dialing my nutrition and hydration after a ton of research. My vicious cramps of years past seem to be finally put at bay. Finishing a race and having to pee is also a nice surprise when the temperature is in the nineties and nasty humid. Ahh Summer is coming to St. Louis

k.rider

I also have to keep in mind I've done about five races in the last six years. Sometimes it is hard to forget about my long absence from the scene. As they say life sometimes gets in the way.  In my time away I chased a childhood dream to the city of angels and later made the drive of shame back across the country. Coming back home to a job working forty plus hours a week including overnights and weekends sort of killed my cycling life. I was granted early parole almost two years ago and was able to regain sleeping at night and hours of day light to ride. While it still may not be perfect, I will take working the hours I have now over ever going back to an overnight schedule.

j.rider

Every now and again j.rider and I discuss whether or not most folks understand the 'Death Riders' We get our fair share of odd looks and second takes at races or out on the trail or road. Sunday was one of those odd days when someone steps up to ask about the 'team' Which is sort of funny considering another team in town has  been created around Steven Segal. Either way it's always sort of a fun conversation, some folks seem interested in joining if you can believe that. While others seem confused when they ask who sponsors us or who the team is and we answer.
The three of US
When we tell them it's just some old punk rock/metal head guys who happen to ride bikes and complain the always seem to smile, even if it's awkwardly. The fact we have borrowed logos and art work from one of our favorite record labels is our way of giving a nod to that side of us. I always wait for the day someone asks if we are into Hardcore. So far we are striking out on that query. So to the guy who came by to ask about the Deathwish Racing, thanks for saying hi and asking who and what we are.


was one of those bands that just kind of came out of nowhere but was a game changer







Thursday, May 16, 2013

Blood Stains

I promise this will be my last Skateboard related Cycling post for awhile. I will admit this one has a rather good cycling connection. Like i have mentioned before, I was lucky enough to find skateboarding in my youth and it began to consume my life. I am still very much that person who was shaped by the images and words in Thrasher and the Punk Rock that came along with it. Okay... Okay.. I'll get to the point of this.
In 1986 my first official Pro Model skateboard was purchased as a Christmas present. I had spent hours in Future Sk8 looking at the mile long wall of decks over the months before December. Finally, i had made up my mind. I went with a Santa Cruz ~ Rob Roskopp III 


I'm not sure what sold me on it for sure. I did know Rob was from the mid west and at the time no other company had a better artist than Jim Phillips. I'm sure it was a combo of the two that sold me. I followed the 'Barn' as Rob was nicknamed, Jeff Kedall and Natas and in the later years Jason Jesse too. As the 80's wound down so did vert skating Rob's bread and butter, so he sort of fell off the radar so to speak. He became a pioneer in the newly emerging snowboard world and we even heard rumors of him ridding bikes.
Which to the 16 year old me seemed oh so wrong.

The 'Barn' in an ad for Local Motion
(this hung on my bedroom wall for years)

Once I began to take up mountain bikes and then started racing in the early 2000's. One of the many 'hot' bikes of the day was the Santa Cruz 'Superlight'. This got my old noggin thinking and after asking a few shop guys and reading some MTB mags... It was indeed that same brand and hero from my youth. Well sort of...
While not the same company as the skate guys, it stills share some of the pedigree. From then on I was pretty keen on the company. I still remember when j.rider got his 'Superlight' I was enamored by that bike. A few years later it was on my must have list, but as things go it never really became a reality.
Call me a fan boy or whatever. The fact is I'm stoked on what they do and the fact Rob is at the helm.


Roskopp is the shirtless dude


Saturday, May 11, 2013

I Hate Sports

Well I guess "Cycling" counts as a sport... But, I really could careless about stick and ball sports. It never really interested me. I played little league for a year to please my folks and then I was done. Thankfully, I was blessed to find salvation in Skateboarding. It's sort of hard to believe now, but in 1984 being a skater wasn't exactly cool. I've been called dork or Skater Fag or just plain faggot plenty of times. None of that seemed to matter much because I had found something that spoke to my soul. I was obsessed with it in my teens and would rather go skating than on dates or to a party. At sixteen my childhood dreams of being some kind of pro came crashing down.
Literally...
I broke both bones in my lower wrist into two separate pieces. An impromptu surgery and about nine months in a cast and brace shock my confidence and desire to push it to the edge. I have always said Skateboards and Punk Rock saved my life and to this day I still believe that. 


Bikes and Cycling have sure helped to allow me to feel that same excitement Skateboards gave me years ago. So what the heck does this have to do with bike racing? Well nothing I guess... While I don't take any interest in mainstream sporting events. A few events make my yearly list of must watch. The Tour De France, The Giro, Paris Roubaix, Supercross and my kind of Super 'Bowl'. For the last nine years Vans and Pro-Tec have been putting on the worlds biggest bowl skating contest. I have had the opportunity to set foot and four wheels in the famed Vans Combi-Bowl at the block. I can tell you without a doubt it's large, intimidating and a hell of a lot of fun. So while I might not be racing the bike this weekend I will be watching some of my childhood heroes do what they were born to do. 





Thursday, May 9, 2013

Paper Chains

With the weekly deluge of rain and what not I had been wondering if racing was even going to happen at all this week. Well just as luck would have it, seems I got a wicked sinus infection for my turning 39 on Friday. I spent most of the weekend on the couch or sleeping...Or both. By Monday I thought I was on the mend but the chills I was having at work let me believe otherwise. Tuesday morning came and i felt awful so i stayed in bed and tried to forget about work and racing. it's now Thursday and I think I'm finally coming out of the sinus funk. Either way my idea of besting my 2012 Greensfelder Challenge result will have to wait. Well, unless it indeed gets rained out. Which as of posting this looks lees and less likely. I guess this is some of the perks of being your own race team. I have no team boss to let down except myself. Damn you broken nose and crappy sinus cavities!
These paper chains made of tissue are binding my desire.


Paper Chains ~ SCAB




Thursday, May 2, 2013

Rest In Peace

While not cyclist or technically punk rockers, we here at the Death Camp have been avid fans of Slayer for years. It is a true loss to the Metal, Thrash and Punk/Hardcore communities.


Jeff Hennaman
1/31/64 - 5/2/13
R.I.P

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Weatherman

While I understand the recent precipitation has been great for the farmers, trees and grass. The copious amounts of liquid that seems to fall Thursday thru Sunday is getting to me. In more ways them one actually, the mold and pollen indexes are battling it out for top marks. So I have been sidelined since Monday afternoon with the sneezing and post nasal drip of an allergy sufferer. I've collected my arsenal of nasonex, neti pots and plenty of liquids but it's still taking the fight out of me. Hopefully, tomorrow I will feel even better. Just in time for... You guessed it more of the wet stuff. All in all things could be worse of course. 
I just hate not feeling 100%


At least I had a few bright spots this week j.rider forwarded an article from Bike Rumor my way. He knows I'm a sucker for all things Van Doren. So it should come to no surprise I can't wait to order up a set of ODI Lock-On Vans grips. I don't think they will make me go 'off the wall' but they sure look cool. I have been wearing some sort of vans shoe since about 1982 or so. My first pair was of course a black and white checkerboard just like Jeff Spicoli. I may be from Missouri but i am all SoCal in my heart. 


Maybe a little Threadbare will cure my blues


Tuesday, April 23, 2013

One Life One Chance

For quite a few years now I have been thinking about giving solo endurance racing another shot. Well, it's not like I gave it much of a go before either. I've done one solo 12hr race in my days... Lets just say it didn't end bad but it didn't end great either. Somewhere around the 5 hour mark my lack of preparation and insufficient hydration caught up to me and my quads revolted in major cramping. So much so that I sit in the grass along side the trail for about twenty minutes before trying to get back on the bike. So that was that, I limped back to the start finish and tried to get my legs to stop seizing up for the next few hours. In reality it wasn't too bad considering I had only decided to try it about three weeks prior to the event.


After way too much thinking about it I decided to put up or shut up. I'm going to dip my toe in the water so to speak and sign on for a solo 6hr in June. I've decided to work in baby steps to my goal of another solo 12hr attempt and ultimately the BT Epic. I'm not sure why these things seem so appealing at this stage in life. Perhaps, it is the realization that we are all mortal and youth is the most unfaithful mistress. In the last few years I have begun to watch my parents health and quality of life get lower and lower. It has really driven home the hard truths of life. We really only get one chance at this life thing and it's up to you not to waste it.

ONE LIFE ONE CHANCE


I still can't decide if this is awesome or weird? 
But either way I kind of dig it.


Friday, April 19, 2013

We Know You Suck

How I have missed this up until now, I will never know. It's even more unbelievable that we haven't seen this since j.rider is a huge Voigt fan. Either way... It's still pretty awesome. Yet another group of cycle fans who love the punk rock. Let me present to you. 

 
JVA 'Jens Voigt Army'
Complete with paisley adorned kits and a down loadable Jens Voigt soundboard!
JFA 'Jodie Fosters Army' is a seminal skate rock band of the 80's that still is around today. As an aging 80's skater I can remember reading about them in the newsprint pages of Thrasher. Along with bands like Agent Orange and Black Flag the Big Boys the provided the back drop for many ramp sessions or drive to a hot skate spot. In my heart I will always be a skater even though my knees seem to think otherwise these days. I still get in a bowl session now and again just because and it always brings a smile to my face. 
 

Monday, April 15, 2013

We Got That PMA

The weekend started off with a bit of good trail karma. GORC had a work day at the park j.rider is a trail steward. So I grabbed my workday bag and loaded up The Chrimson Ghost SS and headed out. We were going to be working on finishing off the newest section we've been working on. We had a big turnout and easy digging so we got done with the bulk of things a bit ahead of schedule. I started out on some solo maintenance of the older sections and took care of a few issues here and there. Then it was back to meet up with the rest of the crew just starting on lunch. I opted for a Stinger waffle and changed out of the Carhartts and into spandex. 


After j.rider finished with his duties we got ready and set off on a romp on the single track on the single speeds. We were having a good time jamming the trails and railing the 1x1s. After a hot lap and a through gassing of our already tired legs, it was time for a real lunch. At lunch we discussed upcoming events, future plans and a handful of bike talk. One thing we both chatted back and fourth about was training, diet, and feeling lost (More on that in a minute) We wrapped up the meal and headed back to the man cave to shorten the steerer tube on his fancy high dollar rigid fork. For trimmed and painstakingly fitted to the 'Big Unit' it was time for the family man to head home. We made plans to meet Sunday for some laps and Greensfelder for some race recon.


 Sunday came and j.rider picked me up at 09:00 and we headed out for a little evidence gathering. One thing about Greensfelder is it seems to kind of get into your head when you haven't ridden it for awhile. For someone like me it always adds to the anxiety. We finished some laps and had to get headed for home as j.rider had to look after the boys. As we got back into the car and headed home we started to have talks about motivation, training and a bunch of other topics in between.  So remember earlier about the feeling lost stuff? Well it got me to thinking and ultimately to this post. Over the years I have been about the hardest critic of myself that anyone could be. The level and intensity of my self-hatred was pretty incredible. I will spare you the details... Lets just say I have had a very long and hard road to travel. In the last few years I have really been working on getting beyond lots of the ghost from my past. What I have endured I would not wish on anyone else. I am just happy to finally be getting to the other side. That in a nutshell is what I am getting at. We cyclist make a big deal about watts and heartrate, miles in the legs etc. One thing that gets overlooked a ton is the heart and mind. I don't wanna sound all new age like here. But, honestly you have to be positive and really convince your self to be. It has made a huge difference in my life over the last few years to really focus on the positives and not the negatives. It's a lesson I should have learned years ago from the Bad Brains, it just took 25 years to sink into my thick head. As Toby Morse puts it PMA ALL DAY.
It may not be the key to happiness but it sure as hell helps. Maybe it's my return to the straight edge but it just really rings true in my life. You can't get to wrapped up in things in your head, it will kill you. I should know, I'm an expert over thinker.

 

To wrap it up, training and planning is great. However, if you don't have the right mindset it might be all for not. I think I might need PMA added to my top tube graphics.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

We're Not In This Alone

I cannot take full credit for this blog post. As j.rider was the one who brought this too my attention. None the less I feel it's worthy of talking about. It's sort of funny how I got into this whole cycling thing anyway, so let me give you the back story. It was the late nineties and I had been towing the line of a Vegan Straight Edge Hardcore singer for the better part of the decade. My band at the time was coming apart at the seams for various reasons and my position in the local scene was fading. In short I needed a change, the type of change I wasn't sure. It just so happened j.rider picked up a Stumpjumper about the same time and took up ridding. After a few months I gave in and borrowed a bike to see what the hubbub was all about. I still remember how hard the first ride was, but I was hooked. Later that year we went to a local race just to spectate. At the race we ran into an old scene friend of mine and got to talking. It was m.rider or Pauli if that makes it easier. I'm not sure why cycling seems to have a punk rock or hardcore following but it sure seems to. Quite a few of the scene folks from my day have become bike shop monkeys or racers. Maybe it's something to do with the struggle and pain? It didn't take long to figure out i had found a new passion.


Every now and again it's nice to see that the death riders aren't alone in our love of cycling and music. As i stated earlier j.rider forwarded me a link to a blog for reading. His quote was something like READ THIS! So I headed over to Revolting Cogs. It was as if I was looking into a mirror so to speak. The more I read the more it sounded very familiar. Click on over and read the 'if you drive in a bike lane...' post. It's a gem of 90's hardcore banter and the struggles of being a punk rocker triathlete and cyclist. It's a fun read and hits pretty close to home... As I type this I happen to be once again straight edge and wearing tulasi beads.
This time at 38 sigh...


Monday, April 8, 2013

The Twelve Step Hammer Program

It seems like the winter has finally taken a hike and spring has sprung here in the midwest. Having a weekend of sun and temperatures in the upper sixties to mid seventies has succeeded in lighting the inner fire. We have about five weeks until the one of the biggest races of the season. I'm going all in on training for the next few weeks and trying to whip myself into some kind of respectable shape. I was pleasantly surprised how i felt on the bike this weekend. Some of my off season planning seems to bearing some fruit. Time well tell on how this fits into my bigger picture for things this year. 
So for the next few weeks the hammer program is going full tilt.
As this boy sets fire to his legs.

bring it on I've got your life when I've got your fear





One of my favorite BSF songs covered


Monday, March 25, 2013

CRO-MAGNON IRONMAN?

It's no secret I am a fan of the Cro-Mag's and the powerhouse front man John Joseph. So it needs no explanation why I decided to re post this recent ESPN article. 
Have a look and enjoy the read. 



Thursday, March 21, 2013

Please Please Please

I really hate to be a downer here... But can we get some springtime weather soon? 
I've had about all I can stand of grey days and northern winds. It seems we have been stuck in a pattern of getting hit by the edge of wither storms for the last month or so. The first mountain bike race of the season is supposed to go down on Sunday. With a forecast of rain and snow on Saturday and more on Sunday, We will see what happens. I'm in no shape to be racing either, my head just isn't into it quite yet. Ridding inside I can't gauge my fitness or stamina. It's just depressing... Or maybe I'm depressing?


Well maybe a little retail therapy would fix what ales you? 
It's worth a shot! I have always been somewhat of a collector, band T-Shirts, records, zines'.
You get the idea, well I also have a soft spot for tools. I have a pretty healthy collection of general purpose hand tools and quite the array of bike specific ones too. 
So as of late I have been pretty enamored by this small companies products
ABBEY BIKE WORKS.

Lovingly crafted works of art made of Stainless Steel

Do I need any of the fine products the offer, not in the least. I have two or three chain whips and freewheel tools. Does it stop me from trying to justify ordering them, not in the least. It's on the bucket list for sure, oh and did i mention you can have them custom etched? You know 'Deathwrench Service' would look pretty sweet on the side! I do have to admit the fact you can slip the freewheel tool over the quick release nut makes it pretty awesome. Not only that but the Crombie fits inside of the chainwhip. Awesome!

please let me get what i want...

Whats that you say, The Smiths are not Hardcore?
Who are you kidding, I don't think I know a person in the Hardcore scene that doesn't own a Smiths album.
I have been a Morrissey fan since the mid 80's, if that makes me lame. So be it.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

The Kinghorse of Headsets speaks

I stumbled upon a pretty nice interview with Chris King the headset manufacture to the gods. With that said, it's been quite a few years since I've ran a King headset or Hubs. Not for any reason in particular other than I haven't worn out the stock headset in many cases. I feel the industry as a whole took note of what Chris was doing and has sort of caught up to his changes. With that said, he truly makes beautiful parts and combines function with them as well. Heck, I don't think any hubs sound cooler than a nice set of Kings! Something about the sound of killer bees is music to my ears.



Louisville Kentucky is sort of like a second home to me. I have spent many weekends traveling to the bluegrass state to see some of best bands and even better friends. My love affair with the 'other' river city started in 1990 when I was first introduced to Endpoint. While Endpoint will always be my first and truest Louisville love. The mighty KINGHORSE isn't to far behind. I was lucky enough to catch a live horse set at the famed Brewery in Louisville. Sean Garrison is every bit as insane live as one would imagine. It was a great show. 
Long Live The Horse!

Monday, March 11, 2013

The Storm

Even the best plans have a way of unraveling due to Ma Nature. Saturday the Death Crew woke up to plenty of wet streets and rain. Thus, sort of killing our plans for some team ride antics and lunch. All was not lost as we shifted gears pretty quickly. A new steed was to be assembled for j.rider and m.rider attended to some other things he had on his plate. 



So after a quick lunch j.rider and I took to the task of breaking down the sacrificial lamb. As can happen we hit a few known snags and a few that weren't foreseen. Not a deal breaker, just enough that we couldn't get it completed all on Saturday. We made a list of things to be acquired and shelved the new steed while it awaits a few bits and pieces.

By the time we had that wrapped up the sun was shinning and drying up nicely. I decided to head out on a solo ride as my fellow riders now both had other obligations. Pumped up the skinny tires to 110psi and slipped into the 2013 Death Rider kits a.k.a (breather resist). Having just received them the day before I was stoked to try on my new togs and show them to the world. A little Ballocks and some knee warmers and I was out the door. I headed over to CCP and did battle with 'pathaletes', dog walkers, runners and those with no idea anyone else might be on the paved path besides them. I made my way off the path and onto the roads and spent about ninety minutes playing in the warm temps and sunshine. On my way back to the park path I poached onto the back of a group ride and peeled off to loop around the lake and head for home. I was greeted with a nice twenty mile an hour headwind on my trip home. All in all not a bad way to salvage what looked like a rain out. It would have only been better if I had some company. 

Hopefully, in the weeks and months to follow I will have plenty of rides with the fellas. Lets hope things start to dry out this week and just maybe I can hit some single track in the next week or two.



How can you not like a little JUDGE Documentary?