Track Misnomers.....

I have these two bikes that I love to ride. One is an old road frame that's been converted to a fixed-gear. The other is a full-on track bike. Both are so different but have their purpose. The converted fixed is my commuter, great old steel frame, full fenders, relaxed, old-school touring geometry. The track bike is a super-light alloy frame, steep track geometry, carves turns, and accelerates like a demon! Both have their place in my stable of bikes.

Lately, I've been hearing some things through the grapevine about track and fixed gear bikes that are pretty erroneous. Unfounded statements that exist only through non-participation. Things like, "Track bikes? Oh, those things will mess up your knees....". Impracticallity, trendy-ness, etc... I'm not writing here to defend why I ride these bikes, or to argue why I think you should try them. Not meaning to be rude, but I could really give two shits about your opinion of me based on what I choose to ride. I'm commenting on these notions because I'm really tired of hearing them. It's all (in my humble opinion) garbage that I've heard countless times before, just like everyone else who rides fixed. These ideas are tired and seem to be endlessly regurgitated for no good reason despite the countering arguments.

I guess what I'm trying to say is before you talk shit or spread unfounded ideas about something you know nothing about (whether it be bikes or non-cycling related ideas), stop and think about what you're saying. It's really disheartening to hear something that I love so much talked about in such a negative and uneducated manner. One thing that I've learned working at a bike shop in the past year is that everyone buys a bike for a different reason. What does it matter if you picked your bike because you think it looks hot, or it has the best component group for the price, or it makes you faster, or it takes you back to your youth? The only thing that matters is you ride. Frequently, every day, once in a while, whatever! Riding (again in my humble opinion) should be fun! That's why we started doing it in the first place. Reguardless of whether riding a fixed-gear is trendy or not, the bottom line is that it's getting more people on bikes. I think that's something that we can all agree is a great idea!

Art Show!

Jen and I went to the Nest art show in Bridgeport this past Saturday night. I was really impressed with the studio spaces and building that it was held in. Take and old run-down factory building, give it a little love, import some artists and you wind up with a really great space! Jen was rep'n with some other girls from the CT Rollergirls, promoting their first offical bout on December 10th. Among one of the interesting musical acts there was a guy named Wild Bill Firehands. Best described as "if crazy-Jim from the show Taxi and Ted Nuget had an illegitamate love-child, that would be Bill." I took a few photos and mingled with some strange folk. Enjoy!


-Part of the gallery. The main room.


-The second space. The performance/stage area.


-Even King Koopa was there! Shortly after being arrested for "Stealing the Princess".


-Jayne Bondage and Slim Fast promoting the bout.


-Art.


-My own artsy take on some art.


-Jayne and I.

Tyrant x Hebrank Artshow.

Monday night @ Turnpike Tattoo showed of art from Tony Tyrant and Shawn Hebrank. We dranks lots of soda, looked at some great art, hung out with a bunch of good friends and had a blast in general. Can't wait for the next one. Here's what went down:


-the set-up.



-Shawn's skatedeck art.




-Bob, Tony T and Shawn.

-Dean regales us with his druken exploits from the previous night...

-Peter soaking up some culture.

-Dean shows off the kiss he received from a curb the night before...(nice hoodie!)

-Digger Davis showed up just in time to Sout Tony before I left.

How I Spent My Tuesday Evening...

-Fumbling around on my mountain bike, bouncing everywhere because my rear tire was overfilled to avoid getting a flat, chasing after everyone (when did Tues turn into a fast ride?) crashing while struggling to keep up, bending my hanger and sucking the derailleur into my rear wheel, tearing off said derailleur, taking the drivetrain apart so I could hike out, getting lost on unfamiliar trails for about an hour before finding my way out (did I mention this was a night ride?). FUCK!

Vegas Photo Dump....

So lately I've been accused of slacking on my blog here. Tis true, I won't try to deny it. I've been busy with lots of other stuff. So I reprioritized and made a little time to dump some photos from Vegas here. Enjoy!


-We start our journey in Bradley airport.....at 4 IN THE FUCKING MORNING! Digger's not amused!


-Digger doing his flying impression from last year's Vegas trip.


-Tony and I. Self-portrait style.


-After we landed, Digger didn't waste any time....45oz of love.


-Sweatshop Union during the NWD premier party.


-Tony assuming the blog position.


-Three drunks at NWD.


-more antics....Ghostship Brew coming soon....


-the helmet Digger doesn't remember winning.


-The one word is.....


-RideBMX's NORA Cup awards.


-One of the many places a Ghostship sticker landed.

I've got more to come so stay tuned....

Wasting Time in the Emergency Room....

So....I crashed my BMX @ the skatepark last Sunday. Got my hand all swolled up. It started to heal, and then the swelling came back yesterday. Kind of alarmed me. So I picked the brains of several people including nurses and other medical folk. The general concensus seemed that I should go against my better judgement and get it x-rayed. So I went to through 'Express Care' (ie: ER) here in town. After about 3 hours or so, I was checked out, x-rayed (I now have super-duper powers), had my hand poked, prodded and squeezed and was released. All to tell me I have a fucking sprained ligament. It could have at least been broken. Would have healed faster. I hate going to see doctors. It takes up valuable time. And I'm basically going to pay for 3 hours of chilling out in the hospital, getting some photos taken, and then telling me to wrap and tape it like I've been doing. FUCK!! Buy some Ghostship shit to help me cover my co-pays damnit!

NYC....

Went to NY the other day. Spent some time @ the Cloisters, walked through the gardens, looked at some cool Medival art. I'm really not into art from that time period, but thinking about how it's lasted this long and being able to stand right next to it really trips me out! Went down into Brooklyn and ate some Pizza @ Grimaldis. Walked back to Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge. Go to check out the Blue Man Group thanks to my friend Bernie who works there (thanks!) went out and had some drinks afterwards, then caught the last train back to NH! Whew! Great time for sure! Check out the photos:





-Ahhh. Brooklyn.



-Me and Bernie.


-Me and Melissa.


-Bernie and her husband Arsenio.


-the photo is blurry because of the caffeine.

Lee's B-Day....

So Friday night was my dear friend Lee's surprise birthday party. He definitely seemed surprised (as was I) with many of the characters that showed up. When the keg stands started to happen it definitely felt a little like college all over again. Here's the proof:


-Surge and Pink in deep discussion...


-Lee's B-Day cookie!


-Yes. They're both mine.




-The birthday boy and some weirdo....




-Got lai'd in here at some point.


-Melissa wondering what the hell is wrong with all of us.


-eh?


-Lee and Jill


-After I drank all their beer, we went home and crashed on the couch.