3/30/04 Page hits continue to tally, best
month yet by far. Very happy with the ratings but in turn I feel pressure
to produce continued entertainment and info. Started working on the
custom bibs last night, should have started a week ago, way more work then
I anticipated. They are gonna be a little ghetto but that's pirte style
right? Hopefully I will be able to deliver them by thursday but no promises.
By now there should be two brand spanking new SWD bikes rolling around
somewhere between here and Eureka. I am excited to see Hank and Brian's
new rigs, and even more excited that Brian will be mobbing a bike that is
not a Lenz Sport Brawler (though I don't know if it is the best thing for
his competition). I guess this one is gonna be brief, thought I had
more to say but painting plate mishaps last night had me getting up on the
wrong side of the bed. Still I think it is a worth while project and
will add a fresh vibe to the race, I just hope that the recipients can look
past the homemade exterior and see the effort, thought, and time that has
been put into this whole winter shin dig. Guess that's all for now,
time to go wrench, and count the days till I don't gotta
3/29/04 How wonderful the weekends are,
why doesn't someone event a week that is 100% weekend. I think the boys
in the T.R.P. lab are working on it, maybe by next year we will have a prototype
ready for testing. Saturday morning did errands which brought me to
my goal for summer readiness though there is still much to do in the next
month. Went and did a long exploration ride on a very muddy McKay?
track in Eureka. Somehow I thought I could go for a mellow ruise without
getting down and dirty but it wasn't to be. managed to get myself
lost and then found again. Though the woods were troubled by my growls
of frustration, and I had to ride with my muddy left grip tucked into my
pocket it turned out to be a good ride. Then paid a visit to my favorite
family under the shadow of a water tower, the T's. Got to sample some
of Sean's tasty chocolate chip cookies to bring me back from the brink of
bonk, pulled my first barspin aboard his orange conglomeration, and got
a nice dust off from the little Finnegan whose smiling, wonder-filled, face
renews me everytime. Sunday was back to Hoopa town. Myself,
bro, and Matt headed out in the morn, jammed till one then Matt cut with
the Rhalls. Kept riding till dark, I always make a point to hit the
road before the sun sets but it never seems to happen and I am never upset
about hanging there just a little longer. The Red Tail Hawk is the
best, I am looking forward to the race and I am looking forward to sharing
the trail with anyone who hasn't yet ridden it. Patrick, Nate, Ulys,
Joel, and myself were the last ones off the hill as we got caught up in discussing
the progress we had made and the plans, schemes, and good things to come.
I knew we had a good thing in Hoopa, my only fear was that interest
would ebb and motivation would go elsewhere. But after talking to Patrick
under the stars last night and seeing that same light in his eyes my concerns
were extinguished and I am very hopeful for what will come
3/26/04 What the fuck? Is biking
really as lame as the whole world seems to think it is? Are we really
the smallest weirdest niche group on the planet? Why are so many pansies
out there sitting on their fat asses twisting throttles when they could be
handling a finely tuned feathery piece of supple suspension? Was just
reading the latest entries on Stik man's page (StiksandStones.com) bike companies
who offer zero support for pedal pushers are signing up the mega rich moto
guys, thanks for nothin... and a mere thirty spectators turned out to cheer
on the pro male finishers at the kick off national in Waco, we do better
then that in the Pirate scene. Anyhow a week without Mr. Matt is finally
over so I can slough the extra shop responsibility off my shoulders... ahh,
liberating. Last night was kicks, visited Club West for the first time
in order to cheer on a friend in the MC BATTLE! The turn out was pretty
lame but we were tanked so still had fun. He was the lone whitey and
although the shound was too shitty to hear what anyone was saying he rounded
up enough supporters to swing the crowd in his favor and MC Evan went home
fifty bucks richer. Oh, and booyah new record in pirate site
hits this month, 231 and counting just on the main page, keep digging it.
Now the weekend is here and it is time to ride, see y'all on the
trails.
3/25/04 The IR-whatcha ma call it? So
many firsts in life it is hard to keep track. One this season has
been the dreaded income tax. First time I've really had any over the
table income to speak of and first time I reported any of my doings to the
friendly feds. Was a pain but yesterday a check with the face of lovely
lady liberty showed up in my room. I realize it won't always be this
easy , but it sure is gonna help the traveling budge. Despite the nice
payback I foresee much pain in my financial future so I must figure out someway
to slither back under the rug. Lady liberty is a sweet mistress, but
boy is she a bitch if you don't pay up for the trick.
3/23/04 Another week falls under the
belt. The fog ebbs and flows, sometimes can't see but a foot in front,
others the air is so clear that I can touch the horizon. Today I was
riding on it, and hopefully that is where I will be able to stay for awhile.
Got a monkey off my back this weekend. Two new jumps on the
community forest jump trail have been in my head all winter. Conditions
have not been ideal, but this last weekend it was dry enough and I was clear
enough to get em all, felt good, big confidence booster. Next day made
it out to Hoopa. Took an old buddy from Santa Cruz out to show him how
we do it in Humboldt, he had a blast as far as I could tell, I know I did.
Feel confidence swelling, not worrying so much lately, I know the
wheels will roll over it, i just have to hang on. Looking forward to
this last race, for the fun, and just to get the whole thing wrapped up. It
turned out better then I ever hoped, as did igniting the posses' competitive
spark. I didn't anticipate peoples drive to keep up, it burns hot.
So surprised was I at how people latched on to the whole series and
points idea that I couldn't help but tone down my own competitive juices
in order to keep enjoying myself. Now with big events on the way it
is time to wake up. So was the case this morning as I jumped out of
bed late and jammed an impromptu ride from home to work. Everything
else can wait, now is the time for mobbing. Looking forward to Sea Otter,
but I have to come back after that one, can't wait to hit the road and just
keep hitting. A little bothered that I will miss the first Arcata Criterium
and other local summer events but sacrifices must be made in the name of
adventure.
3/15/04 Another weekend blessed with
sun and the opportunity to ride to my hearts content (well almost). Friday
night was yet another evening dirt jump session behind safeway, Brian
and I did a little polishing out there which made the first couple of
jumps a lot of fun. Aside form mr. Hanks booter the trail flows and
is just getting better and better. Saturday made an appearance at
the cyclo cross winter finals in Hiller Park Mckinleyville. Managed
to win the final race, making it three in a row, to take the sport class
title. Hour racers showed little heart as the expert race almost
didn't happen. Got a nice plaque and a bunch of schwag, well worth
the $45 I threw down on entries, not to mention the priceless good times.
The turnout for all the races this year was a little disappointing,
in past years winter cross has been huge. I was especially bummed
that there was no one for me to battle with, Todd Rice was my closest competitor
despite being twice my age. After I grabbed all the schwag my little
hands could carry I stopped in Arcata for a hair cut, time to clean up and
start getting serious, and then out to Hoopa. Arrived four'ish and
got to visit with Matt, Shanni, and Bubba for a little while. Matt
was stoked on two runs down Library (quiet please) but the boy was feeling
ill and in need of a milk shake so they clocked out early. Still was
good to see them out there. Then we went and rode in the New Trail
and decided it was good. After a couple runs it was dinner time. Then
came some night riding. Been at least two years? since I last night
rode but peer pressure got the better of me, so I strapped my little Trail
Rat to my helmet and away we went. The Library was open late that
night for studying so we did a little starlight cram session, the train
of Hapgood, myself, and Reiman illuminated all. Then it down the
801 to el Slippery Eel. As we arrived Jason's second light died so
we decided to sandwich him between myself and Brian. Charged the
hill, caught a few stobs on the New Trail but made it. Then Jason
sat while me and Brian charged, and my light was next to die. So
I paced Brian down the trail, and crept through pitch black at times, but
made it. Next morning the posse was already gathering even before I
had crawled out of my sleeping bag. Soon, Evan, Max, Sean, Jake, A-Dogg,
Jason, Christina, Hank, Parker (Intern), Keiko, Brian, Patrick, Nathan,
Ulysses were all ready to ride. We had a phat warm up session on the
hipper, then down to rock the eel. Put in a run and then devoted some
time to cleaning the New Trail. I hiked the length and de-stobbed as
I went, others buffed, still others rode and grooved it in. Couple
hours later and I was ready to do a run. The trail surpassed my wildest
expectations and proved to be the fastest, flowingest, funnest Hoopa trail
to date. The best part is that the trail was already built, we just
found it. So the final course is clean, it is a steep, fast luge
run down through the trees. All riders will enjoys this one, definitely
conducive to opening it up. So after a couple of runs on the new Trail
I headed home to sleep, perchance to dream, of the fast flowing runs yet
to come.
3/9/04 Today wasn't half bad, though
I still haven't gotten my ass back on the street I did manage a brief
dirt jump sess after work. Met brian and Keiko out behind Safe Way and
jumped till it was dark. Then went trying to chase down pictures of miss
Tomita for the profile page, the gallery is still on the way but I hope everyone
enjoys the interview. Coming soon the newest site addition, bike breakdowns.
Plan to head out to Hoopa again this weekend after I wrap up a little
cyclo cross buisness. But for now it is bust my butt at work, funny
how a little sun brings the repairs out of the wood work. Till tomorrow,
ride in your dreams. 3/7/04 Please forgive for some of
the web lagging, I have a bunch of updates planned and just need the
time to bring it all out. This weekemd was filled with riding.
Did the thompkins hill time trial on saturday and got spanked by
the roadies. Since I got the pickup not riding is far too easy,
my time fell off the last go round substanttially. Then I jammed
out for Hoopa to do some mobbing. met up with Patrick, Hank, Brian,
Keiko, Jason, and others. Worked and rode all day Saturday, and
completed a sick left hand hip by our camp. Stayed out the that night,
got up started hipping, Jake, Evan, martin and others rolled in from town.
Worked our way down library, then mobbed all the trails. Can't
remember the last time I was with a shuttle posse that big, close to twenty
people. After crashing on Brian's wheel at the bottom of "Crack"
I came back to do some hipping, pinned it too hard and shallow, the resultiing
thirty feet to flat didn't treat me too well. Then we did more runs,
it was great. But for now I am paining so more later. 3/2/04 (LateNight) Must be careful with my
words,emmm? Time trial coming up this weekend, still not feeling
one hundred percent healthy, have to work on that and get a spin in this
week. Then be ready to jam up thompkins hill on saturday. Took
it easy today and made a point to check out "Return of The King" for the first
time, it was epic (until the ending). BMXed yesterday, had little juice,
realized cruisers are faster then mountian bikes, had fun. Still rolling
over the race in my mind, lots of fun, and despite the loss plenty of positive
points. Spring is around the corner and I am anxious for sun so serious
Sea Otter work can begin
3/2/04 (Morning)
We did it boys and girls, thanks for the traffic and support. You
heard me right february was another record month for pirate internet
traffic. One short of two hundred visits to the main page shows
incredible growth since September when this whole thing started to fly.
Then yesterday we had a whopping twenty three visits, this worthy
venture has snow balled into something quite fantastic; at least thus were
my thoughts as I saw all my friends stoked out on dope schwag and free
beer, at a FREE race! The sun is out today and I feel sickness leaving
my body, very good. The darkness lifts from my gaze, the future is
clouded but the uncertainty smells good. When that dinger dings and
all is preheated it will be time to throw the ingredients together and
mix up a big batch of adventure. .