The Newest Craze

Skate...boarding...?

Evidently if you wait long enough in between mainstream media coverage it is enough to reset the fadometer to zero, giving news groups something to talk about. Or they could merely be saving my sanity by not publishing the latest air strike in Gaza, or Panhandling Corporation asking for a bailout.



The highlights of this video were the first usage of the Blue Danube Waltz during the montage of tricks and crashes and the news room set that looks like it got attacked by the Beige Boys gang out of Oakland.

Thanks to the NY Times for reminding me to check the pool of my vacation home in Cali: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/29/us/29pools.html?hp

Me Gusta Esquiar

Ripping the back bowls at Vail after 12" of fresh snow.

Soaking up all the...powder...at Keystone?

Imagining all of the sensuous lines to be had in the mountains.

Good friends, reminders as to why I love living in Colorado.

Some Boulder alleyway painting.

Don't take this one the wrong way. I view it like this; If Love is what propels us to follow our dreams and passions, highlighted by our relationships and experiences, then it also holds us to the strictest of standards. Love pushes you the hardest because it knows what you are capable of achieving and being, even if you can't see your full potential.

So when Love pushes, you listen, learn and carve the most emphatic powder turns of your life!

Like the Smell of a Fireplace in Full Swing

This song congers up visions of crisp air on my cheeks, and a roaring fire in the fireplace. Wrap it all up in your favorite friends or family members and you've got yourself...

Well I think that is for you to decide.

My First Table

The table is finished!


I like making things!

The steel is unpainted at the moment. Mostly because I wanted something to hold my plate and glass more then I wanted it to look pretty. Though, personally, I like the raw finish.

Whoa

The Battle

Great choice for a soundtrack.

My Table

Sent from my Mûre.

Hamsters

Given that I launched myself off a faulty teeter totter last weekend, I probably won't ride this anytime soon.



However, it is a sweet stunt.

In other news I am no longer a professional road cyclist. Which combined with a terrible economy and having been out of college for three years means I have a bit of a...flexible schedule now. Not that I don't have things to do, or wasn't flexible prior. Now my time is in pursuit of a new goal and I'm filling my time with any- and everything.

Lately that has been welding. I made my first table today and I'm pretty stoked on it.

We'll see what else comes about...I sure don't want to end up in a hamster wheel.

Epic Clouds

Some cool clouds over Breckenridge.
Sent from my Mûre.

God I Love Joe Biden

Hey Pay Attention

4 in a ROW

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The Strength of the French

The list of things that France does well just got longer.

Mondial Du VTT Descente de Venosc caméra embarquée
by 103TuRtLe

Autumn, though brief in the Rocky Mountains, arrived some two weeks ago with Aspen trees that shone their gold hue across the mountain range. Mountain biking through the dense dark trees, we would be shocked while passing through the Aspen groves. Their bright yellow leaves lighting up the trail with a sharp gold shade. Moist dirt from evening frost and interspersed precipitation made corners super tacky, providing traction of divine proportions.

The colors do not last long here since deciduous trees are not as common as in, say Vermont, but the cooler temperatures are a welcome change from the desert like front range summers. Before I know it, I'll be waxing skis and tossing another log on the fire.

The seasonal climate brings with it a cold crisp breeze and this year, a change for myself as well. When I poke my nose out from underneath the covers into the brisk morning air, taking my first conscious breath of the day, it will be a breath of opportunity and vast possibilities. The LEGO space ship that is my life will be built a few blocks higher with each brick chosen and placed meticulously towards a larger goal of freedom and exploration. Of speed and utility. Of happiness.

Vote!

Boulderites, check your status HERE!

CSS

Cansei de Ser Sexy: Playing Monolith Music Festival.

PB Love

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Classic

This is the guy I used to life with and I can envision the guttural Chewbacca mumblings that Jeremy would utter around the house.


He and his teammate TJ are going to smash it this year. I am super pumped for this kid. Seriously.

Thing To Do #132

My feet have touched you Pacific Ocean.

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There is Mischief Afoot....

Bikes in NYC

In a stark contrast to the last post I made about NYC where one of New York's finest blindsided some kid on a bike and the rise in bike use, this past weekend was the culmination of New York City's closing of Park Avenue from the Brooklyn Bridge all the way to Central Park.

This piece reminded me of a story I found some years ago about New York's High Line, which is an old railroad bed that is elevated above the city streets. It has sat dormant for years and is now in the process of being rezoned while new designs for the structure are finalized.as an elevated walkway park system to tour Manhattan's lower west side.

Placing the din of boisterous cities underneath the laughter of children and freewheeling bikes will be a nice step in quality of life for the residents of NYC, I hope to see it happen.

Butte-E-ful

Keith getting RAD.

Bryan looking old-timey.

Top of Cottonwood Pass.

Up Gothic Rd.

Moving On

This is going to be a reoccurring theme this fall and winter.

Time to start training for the telemark turns and the Iceman Cometh.

First I need to get a plane ticket to BTV for someone's wedding.

Whiteford...

...shreds hard. Some people were made for flying.



DirtGnar from Andrew Whiteford on Vimeo.

WHAT!?

Nice

Pretty much the coolest mountain pass in Colorado. I want to ride it. 20 miles to the east and 40-some miles to the west.

Things My Bike Doesn't Have

1. Integrated Light for riding around town that can't be stolen and uses a combo of a normal sized battery plus a little solar power, or better yet, vibration power ala piezioelectricity.

2. Air Horn so I can let people know my location when I'm about to be introduced to the back side of a parked car.

3. Retractable rear fender to keep my backside clean yet keep my looking stylish.

4. Flat pedals with blinking lights. L.A. Gear had blinking shoes that kept kids from getting lost. Why not my bike?

Why it doesn't have them, I don't know, but that should be changed.

Alternatives that are on the fence: spinners, 15" subwoofers, and windshield wipers.

Beverages

Which one of these things is not like the other one, which one of these things doesn't belong?

They must be talking about my sister...

Stump Ed

As in Stump Education.

Stump has stymied the greatest of adjectives, and it has come to my attention that not everyone is familiar with the game of Stump. You should all be so thankful that Wikipedia has an explanation of one of the best coordination games out there.

It isn't nearly as dangerous as your Mom would make it sound.

Who Knew

Specialty Bike shops are nothing new. They usually revolve around road bikes as that is the biggest market out there. Next in the bike shop hierarchy would be the cover all aspects medium sized bike shop, and onward. Rarely is a full mountain bike shop pop up in their except in the sweetest mecca of British Columbia.

Vancouver, Canada is, however, the last place I would have expected to hear of a full on fixie, trackie, hipster, whatever you call them bike shop called SuperChampion. Its awesome to sell someone pull together a shop like that, even if it is the two wheeled version of Che Guvera t-shirts.

Bikes in the News

The New York Times just posted a good article highlighting the car vs bike clash that has escalated this summer across the nation. The large increase in ridership has come with an equally large gap in education. Things will mellow out now that temps are starting to drop across the country I'm sure.

Speaking of which, since when did 80 degrees become the new 65? It has been rainy and cool in Boulder recently and my sleeping conditions have improved dramatically. Still no A/C here.

I turned right tonight 375 times and left 75 times and got 5th. Second out of the field sprint. The V6 that is Jason Donald went up the road really fast and won. Road race tomorrow. Then Downers Grove, IL.

Man They Were Way Off

So Mike Friedman and crew got a lot of heat for wearing masks to cover their face at the Olympics in China. Yet it looks like those actions will be validated tomorrow:

"Smog may delay Olympic road race

The media scheduled to broadcast the Olympics were notified on Friday that the men's road race could be postponed due to thick smog in Beijing. According to Fox Sports, broadcasters were advised to make alternate plans just in case.

The men's road race is still scheduled for Saturday beginning at 11:00 am local time. Organizers have set a deadline to start the race by 1:30 pm or else delay it for 24 hours. The women's road race is still scheduled for Sunday at 2:00 pm."

From Cyclingnews.com

Silly

One of the silliest things I've seen in awhile is at The DNC in Denver, CO. How funny is that? Hypocritical? Lame?

These two weirdos are getting married this weekend in a little place I like to call Wisconsin.



I'm off to Criterium Nationals in Chicago next weekend. I have my full face helmet and body armor ready to go. I fell down 4 times in two days last year. Working on not doing that this year. Then again it was DUMPING rain and the course has white paint ALL OVER it.

As for training. I did 7500 ft. of climbing today in 3.5 hours with Phil, Andy, Tyler and Matt. Which for you people familiar with Boulder, that would be Flagstaff, around Gross Reservoir, up Peak-to-Peak hwy, to Sugar Loaf, and finishing up Poorman's. It hurt and I loved every minute of it as we smashed each other, sprinted out every town line and generally beat up on the Colavita kids who are from sea level. I pushed really hard on the pedals to say the least.

Word.

Well Said

BikeSnob's most recent post:

"People do need to see other people out there on bikes. They need to become accustomed to them so they learn to respect them, and they need to see how practical and effective they can be so they consider riding them themselves. Many cyclists illustrate this day after day, not only by riding their bikes to and from work during rush-hour but also by using them for recreation and even racing on them."

Well said.

My Mom even commented on this video of a policeman assaulting a cyclist.

---

I'm cleaning out my gear as I move into my new apartment on Friday. So if you want anything, go to ebay and check it out. Link is on the right --->

Colorado Blows My Mind

Nate has the coolest porch ever!

I've Got Nothing.

Terrible

This article that recently appeared on Velonews.com is unbelievable.

Tragic, sad, and infuriating.

Where do people get off defending drunk drivers? How can you possibly rationalize that guy's actions based on "living in a fast paced world."

Life is non-refundable. No do-overs. I suggest not sacrificing someone else's life for your rather lackadaisical actions, jerk.

No Tubes

Dear Jason,


Please convert your bike to tubeless. Tubes are so archaic. They are only useful, in truck size, for floating down rivers.

Hope Germany is awesome and you are drinking good beer.


Your Friend,

Michael Cody

WHAT!?

Seriously?

Wow.

That's a LOT of money for some old stuff.

Speaking of fixed gear stuff.

Chamois Sniffer

Who would want to put their face on a chamois?

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Quote (&Pic) of the Day

"I say hurl. If you blow chunks and she comes back, she's yours. If you spew and she bolts, then it was never meant to be. "

Chicago

Heading to a wedding in Chicago this weekend. Pitchfork Music festival too.

If you are wondering why there are no pictures from racing or riding it's because I haven't been able to ride for more then a day in a row without a tremendous amount of fatigue. I've been going through all kinds of random treatments to get the adrenal glands going since my iron and hematocrit are fine.

So its one day at a time. Lots of rest. Boring.

Big Wheels

Boulder has a weekly unofficial, unsanctioned cruiser ride on Thursday nights that starts right down the street from my house. I've gone a few times, but this week was different. While I was eating dinner on the porch I heard the ride by ringing bells and yelling Happy Thursday, and the ride usually passes in a few moments. My focus shifted back to my Gazpacho and realized people were still riding by so I went out to look and saw this


That is about 1,000 people riding around on the pajama themed Cruiser night. Amazing.

Also, never ride a big wheel with a phone in your rear pocket. You will for sure break it when you skid and fall over. Not that I know.

My Independence

Riding the Peaks Trail, by mylsef, because I can, and I didn't want to ride with anyone else. Nothing personal. Because its more fun then my road bike and I still get a really good workout.

Running into Dave, who's from the east coast. His two dogs made the ride interesting while we shared a section of trail.

Finally getting my picture with the happiest man alive. About this time last year, I saw this guy skipping up the side of the road. He is a really happy dude. Coincidentally I am now a happy dude. So that's cool.

Overheard in Boulder.

Michael: Some f-ed up dude next to me in the coffee shop just asked me "if I could print out a map...to hell" for him.

Don: Send him a map of Camden, NJ.

Happy Fourth of July

Yup, right on time. It's a Hadley Farmhouse Flashback.

Whitey is a master with fire building.

Aaaannnd for the record, that is me in a bathtub with a fire underneath it. I thought that one up, for better or worse.

Mr. Pigglesworth met an untimely demise with a handful of Blackcats and a little gasoline. Thanks a lot Pat and Andy.

Chris "The Pineapple Head" Kirkpatrick was also destroyed. Its OK though, he wasn't that great of a singer anyway.

Lady Liberty was spared such an indignant passing and was simply eaten.

What can I say, we had a great time.