Did a night ride. Was good. First night ride for a long time, and just at the end of a week of daily riding. I can’t complain about it. The ride was standard night time bullshit. Deer, rabbit’s n other shit. Bumps were in different places. I made it up to the Lincoln logs, looked toward my dogs grave, turned around, and that was it.
[I wrote this one a few months back while still at Absolute Bikes here in Flagstaff. Now that I read it again, far enough away from the fire, I think it's funny, which was and is the point to all this.. a way for me to get out the write.]
I can’t figure out if my Boss is uber smart, or uber otherwise. I Busted my ass prior to the move building shelves and display stages for the shop, then what? Back to Huffies?
Special E. and I had a dispute over the Satelite Radio the other day. The problem doesn’t really lie in difference between he and I. I think the fundamental issue is that Satelite Radio is for Tweakers, Truckers & Red Necks. Like some of us, I’m still getting away from that.
After a piss match volley between Reggae and 80’s Power Ballads for a bit, I asked Special E. why he was the boss. Then temporary insanity had be grab the XM receiver and gave it a huck across the shop.
We no longer have XM Satelite in the shop. I have no regret. If I’m going to swill shop cock, it isn’t going to be to the tune of pay-for radio that still sucks.
I am however responsible, so I asked HuiHui (Hoo-ee-hoo-ee) to plug the computer into the speakers. Then I typed in pandora.com.
Since that time, it seems that everyone is loving the music selection in the shop. Even the Metal isn’t that big hair crap. Now it’s Sepultura, System of a Down, Deftones and MegaDeth.
W(here)TF have I been anyway? I just got back from an overnighter with friends to the south rim of the Grand fucking Canyon. It was a sweet ride and I’m already wanting to head out again on the same route, only this time… solo, solo. Each of the first few times, it was with friends. Now, All I got is a bike. My friend moved, so now I must progress in some way. I’ve had the bug for over night rides for a while. And, no so much because of anything other than the fact that they put you into the element yet, I’ve been scared still. Hell, I’ve got a 40 degree bag, a survival tarp and a couple of bags of top-ramen. WTF else could possibly “REALLY” nead?
On Sunday, I headed out with Randini, Hippy and Miss B for the South Rim. Randy and Miss B were to head into Utah at some point, as Randle has work waiting in Moab. The rest was a scam to be made enroute. We skinnied through a brief rain outside of Flagstaff, and headed into the Babbit Ranch soon to sundown. We made our beds, and lied in them, somewhere’s around the north side of the ranch, within the pinions of a canyonita wall. I slept well, free of sin that night.
We all awoke in syncronisity to the sun. It must have been 6am or even less. Fuck all, I dumped the juice into the alceehol stove and began the progression of my day. all I had was tea. I felt like a limp Brit, but then the Hippy offered up some of his fine cafe and I found light in the association with others. Ultimately, we broke camp after the light of the day had started to wear.
By that afternoon, we were already there, to Russle tank-proper. Another few miles and we’d be to Grandview. I hiked the steps half-way. Just high enough to see the beginings of the eastern Canyon. It was good and it had not changed since I was last there with my pheenie friends. Things were good, and as expected.
I lost Randy at that point. On a trip I wanted to make so memorable, I left my friends and found my own pace among the Ponderosa’s. I knew that they were not want of me, and I was fine with my loneliness.
And so I went. That was my good bye. It was weirdly overthought, and underexecuted.
Off-Road Baja Stage Race in November? Sounds about right to me.
…Press Release
Save $100 Before July 1 on Entry for Baja Epic Stage Race – Nov. 5-8 2008
World Class 300-Mile MTB Stage Race One Hour From San DiegoBaja California Norte, Mexico – June 18, 2008 – - Mountain Bike Stage Racing is coming to the Mountains and Deserts of Baja California, just south of the metropolitan locale of San Diego, California.
Starting with a stage from the Pacific Ocean at Rosarito Beach to the Hacienda at Santa Veronica, this four-day stage race will cover over 300 miles and 24,000 feet of climbing on singletrack and dirt roads, sometimes utilizing the tracks of the legendary Baja 1000 Off-Road Race.
Save 10% by Registering Today!
Participants who sign up before July 1st will receive 10% off their entry fee.There are two levels of registration for the Event – Full Package and Economy. The Full Package racers will be transported by bus from the San Diego Airport to the start on the Playa Rosarito, staying in host hotels every night.
Included with Full Package entry is a daily breakfast buffet, transportation from stage to stage, an event gear bag with discounts courtesy of the Baja Board of Tourism, a commemorative event Sweatshirt, Post-Ride Fiesta Dinner, race support, Sag wagon, return transportation to San Diego and more.
Economy package entrants will provide their own transportation and lodging at each stage. Guests and support crew can enjoy siestas and margaritas while waiting for their racers to hit that days finish line.
More Fun Than Ever!
“The Baja Epic will be a little more fun than most existing stage races,” states Too Much Fun President Armando Carrasco. “This event is designed so that you and your crew can have as much comfort or discomfort as you please, except for the mileage and climbing of the participants, of course!”An Incredible Bargain
This unique event will receive participants from North of the Border as well as Europe and South America. Celebrity starter Hans “No Way” Rey states – “This is an incredible opportunity for European distance enthusiasts. The exchange rate of the dollar, the exotic locale of Mexico, and the warm weather compared to Europe in November make this an ideal race for the end of the year.”The Baja Epic is sanctioned by the Baja Department of Tourism and the State of Baja California.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Title, Stage and Supporting Sponsorship Packages are still available for this inaugural event. Millions of exposures through advertisements, and 50,000 flyers distributed to retailers in the Southwestern US will guarantee results from association with the Baja Epic.Contact Steve Boehmke at 714.633.9955 and chunkyflyrite@gmail.com to discuss how to increase your sales through brand association with this unique event.
About Too Much Fun Promotions
Too Much Fun Promotions was founded in 1986 by Armando Carrasco, the former head promoter for the Baja Department of Tourism. Armando cut his teeth on events such as the Baja 1000 and Rosarito-Ensenada, a 50-mile bicycle tour, and over the past two decades his company has organized hundreds of events in Baja. Specializing in mountain bike, motocross and beach events, Carrasco has built Too Much Fun into a successful business enterprise; with his experience and government contacts in Mexico, he is Baja’s promotional powerhouse. He resides in Rosarito Beach with his wife and two children and is a visible and upstanding member of the local business community.
Too Much Fun Promotions http://bajaepic.com/About CFE PR+
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Contact CFE PR+ at 714.633.9955 to Elevate Your Brand.
Make it a great day.
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More RAAM…
Hey amigos y amigas,
Now in Pratt, Kansas and just a few miles from half way! Half way!! Now that I’m in the great plains (again) I have to say that we really have some of the most beautiful land in America! The Mountain region is truly amazing!
Well, thus far for those keeping track/score of the riders: It’s looking like Jure Robic is on pace to capture his third consecutive solo male victory! A RAAM first-Very immpresive!!! His closest competition is three time stations back, about two hundred miles back! (Bridge that gap!)
Never the less, this is so much more than winning a catagory; it’s a true test of the human will and spirit. Yesterday as I caught some of the solo riders “off the back” I had to inform them that ther was no way (at their current rate of mph) they would make the next cut-off at the Mississippi River; 2000 miles into it. It was heartbreaking to have to be the one to tell them. Some wept with no reservations. Many at that point are suffering bad, from either medical conditions-saddle sores being most common- or just suffering from… well you ride your bike for days and nights on end and see what you suffer from! But the connection you make out here across the Country is like nothing else. While still a diffucult and disapointing task it was to inform the riders of the time cut-off, for me it was still something of an honor to be the one. Because while some it was inevitable and for some it brought out the “fight” in them to push harder against all odds!!
In the middle of the low points for me, it’s seeing the human spirit and the conquering of “demons” that propels me forward. Because while I’m in the confort of a car, it’s still quite a endurance test for everyone involved. And when I see a rider get over the next hill, it almost makes me weep! (Tears of joy… I think!) There is a rider this year (#125 Beny Furrer) that has one arm and everytime I see him, I;m reminded just how life is truly a gift and that if we set our minds to it, we can move mountains or at least in this case get over them!
Please be inspired to do great things-today and everyday!!!
Much love and respect from the roads of RAAM,
Noe
Noe’s at it again this year. And no offense but, this RAAM thing is just plain odd. Although I respect it, I do not understand it similar to not understanding Andre the Giant. I helped out one of the solo riders yesterday who came in the shop. Completely kitted up, he came in & bought a new, completely different saddle for his bike, put it on his bike himself (bonus points) and left. This was after asking him what the problem was with his current saddle. He replied “nothing, I just want something better”.
What Noe Says:
I left Oceanside on Sunday about 1PM-ish with the solo field. As always decending into the lower desert and higher temps from the central So. Cal Mtns. proved to be a formatable challange for all! Dehydration claimed many and even resulting in the eventual dropping out of two: Jen. Kreebs – Solo Female- Race Across The West (Oceanside to Taos – A new event this year) and Chris Malloy. What really gets everyone besides the relentless heat is the big-big climbs right after the heat of the desert! Prescott, where the elevations climb up to above 6000′ (considering that less than two hundred miles ago we were below sea level!) always gets everyone! After that there’s no rest as we climb climb climb into Cottonwood and Flagstaff ! From there its into the Four Corners area and the beauty of Monument Valley, Navajo and Hopi Country and of course the Valley of the Gods! (That’s where I slept last night and awoke to the “Gods”.)
My “Officials” assignment this year is to be the sweeper and bring up the rear of the solo riders. Now that the Teams have all left the West Coast; I’m starting to play catch-up with the rest of the solo’s and solo RAAM race officials. It’s going to be great to see everyone once again and see how the roads of RAAM have treated everyone. Once again, it’s a wonderful field of both National and International riders and thier crews; Great People surround this event and cycling in general.Well my friends, it’s getting late (or is it early) and while I’m not at all sleepy, I should get some rest. I plan to find a sice nest for myself somewhere out here (between Durango and Pagosa Springs) in the majestic San Juan Mountains! Send warm thoughts, please
Much love and respect to all!
SALUDOS AMIGOS!!!,,,
Rock on Noe.
Up at 3am. Whenever, I always like to see what’s new over at DC. Today, this pic is up on the latest Biker Down notice and I pretty much can’t believe it. All I have to say, is fuck cars, and the drunk drivers. I pretty much agree with I agree with Wine Dog who commented over on DC as well
“Stay where you are and continue to get hammered.”
How can you argue with that? Everybody wins. I have too few fingers and toes to count all the people I know personally, who have been killed or injured by cars. I rarely ride the road now simply due to this. This picture, amazing as it is, only solidifies my choice to stay away. And I’ll be among you all, and admit that I’ve driven loaded. I’m a hypocrite just like you, but how loaded do you have to get in order to swerve 3 or 4 lanes over into oncoming traffic, past a cop car and directly crash into a bunch of clowns on bikes? I wish that the peleton involved here, actually had enough time to murder the driver as written over at DC. I would have taken part as well, no request necessary, no questions asked.
This is a test edit. Does it repopulate to the RSS?
Top Ten Reasons that a bike will suck:
Point being that I cracked fairly seriously at the shop today. I’d call it defcon 4 or so.
Chuck got his dual boinger lifted from the bike rack out in back of the shop yesterday and yea, it was a bit on the dim side to leave an Enduro out there where no body can see, but he did it on “suggestion” to do so. Only a few of the others shop-heads did the same and although Chuck may have had the dopest bike back there, their bikes were good and worthy thefts-to-be as well. Chuck got lucky and won the prize so now Chuck got no bike.
The policy has now been lifted and all bikes are to be parked out front. In regards to the stolen bike, nothing was to be done by the shop in regards to replacing it. My fellow cohorts & self disagreed, not that the shop was fully responsible, but since the shop had given the “suggestion” for employees to park in the back, they should bare some of it.
The Man came in at the end of that discussion and since timing had its way, I figured I’d just continue the conversation with him. Prior to this, I’d been working pretty hard over the last 6 months just to make nice and get along. Today being the end of that 6 month turn of hard effort and whatnot, I felt that it would be unfair if I did not protest, and so I did. The argument was a bit intense at times, but I was able to keep my shit together so the discussion was productive. Opinions were shared, disregarded, refuted and accepted and I believe I was able to explain an understanding of a fair idea while only stepping over the line a few times if at all. At the end of the day, I was only asked to try “having more tack”.
Ultimately, I’m just trying to abide and I always assume fairness is obvious. Apparently I am naive.
Regardless, The Shop is now going to split costs of a new bike with Chuck. Everyone was pretty stoked with that compromise. Chuck can now continue riding and isn’t that the point? At the very least if the shop can only see the money spent, then this money was spent on the entire shops moral & not simply Chucks new bike.
