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.

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.

The Icemen Cometh...

Living in the midwest has it's share of challenges, the least of which is our manic weather. This winter hasn't really been too bad on the temperature scale, it's the constant stream of precipitation that has been our undoing. I have been trying to make the best of it either riding inside or putting miles in on the road. However with the first race four weeks from now I hardly feel ready. Much like last year it will be a game time decision for this Deathrider.

 

In true mass media weather panic fashion. The local outlets are hyping up a winter storm coming our way in the next twenty four hours. Predicting up to three inches of ice and freezing rain or snow. It's a virtual smorgasbord of suck, headed our way. Further killing any thoughts of the twisty single track I'm craving. Hopefully, the weather folk will get it wrong and things will just be a little damp. The thought of a slop fest trail workday on Saturday is none to appealing. Nor are another weekends of rides done in front of the T.V. ridding virtual races with the DVD player.

Don't get me wrong I'm not a winter hater I just like it on my terms. I enjoy snowboarding, this is true. However, I'd rather have to seek the snow out by going west and not have it at my door step.  Winter also reminds me of what I used to call 'Hardcore' Season. Something about brisk air, long sleeve shirts, and boots seem to go together. So what better band brings on the winter feel than a band who uses Hockey as a main theme. One of the original bad boys of Boston Choke and Slapshot. I have really been craving good old tyme hardcore the last few months. I have revisited bands of my youth and newer ones that carry on the same tradition. Hardcore found me when I really need something and I'm happy to still believe in the music and the message. 

I didn't choose Hardcore, it chose me.