Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Spittin' Chicklets...

So, not much to post about lately—my apologies to those who seek comparatively entertaining refuge here for five minutes each workday.

Just did an 89-mile roundtrip overnighter (which I've dubbed the Gettysburg Growler) from Frederick, MD, to Gettysburg, PA1, and back with a flock of Outlaws, camping overnight and getting guttered Saturday night at the Appalachian Brewing Company. First time hauling gear on the fixie over anything other than relatively level rail-trails. Oh, and first time doing it on the Casseroll instead of the Crosscheck2. On the way up, we ran into an angry storm that hurled gumball-sized hunks of hail and had us all huddling around a flask of tequila in a borrowed barn near the road to shake off the shivers. On the return trip, Joe—never happy unless he's suffering—made sure to throw in a 2.25-mile virgin climb up the Catoctin ridge that turned out to be steeper and looser than originally anticipated. A real body-lunging battle from start to finish that made me thankful for the 42x17 gearing I managed to force into an almost perfect chain-line earlier in the week. A quick stop after the climb at locally famous Candyland3 in Thurmont for refreshments and a sixer of Hop-Ocalypse IPA, and it wasn’t long before we were back in Frederick, all smiles and sore asses. A good time with a lot of great people that had me laughing under the influence on Saturday night nearly to the point of apoplexy, mostly at my own nonsensical and highly exaggerated recounting of some episodes from the Lodi race.

The other bit of news is that the fine folks hosting this year’s Single Speed World Championship finally dug down deep in their electronic inbox and found my email from several months back, in which I asked if it would be possible to sub for some friends who, it turns out, won’t be making the ride. Bottom line: Cali, here I come. Nothing left to do but swap out the broken-toothed ring in the pic above, throw on a new Salsa CroMoto fork4 I snagged on the cheap, and recable everything, then decide whether I really want to take a 26er to a ride where a 29er might be in order. That, and actually get my lame ass out on some dirt (for only the fourth time since Big Bear) between now and when the big bird takes flight.



1. Some folks rode much farther, leaving from—and returning to—an area just outside Baltimore, MD. Props to 'em.

2. I expect to have the Crosscheck back from Tom soon. I'd asked him to braze some rack spools onto the seat-stays in addition to replacing the dropouts, a task that, along with a new addition to his family (congrats, Tom!), added time to the original repair work.

3. Ah, Candyland, where one can find all manner of candy AND booze, back to back under the same roof. Yeah, they've got the eternal child covered, no doubt.

4. Gotta love this little quote from the SSWC08 blog (italics mine):

"Course scoped out, GPS'd--it is gonna be a tough mother. You rigid fork folks are in for some fun!"

That kind of fun is spelled P-A-I-N...

12 comments:

reverend dick said...

Y'all borrowed the barn? That's polite! We usually try to get away with it and then apologize if caught...

Blue-eyed Devil said...

Actually, we appropriated it, RD. No politeness--that wasn't the kind of weather to stand around in while awaiting permission, ha.

Anonymous said...

One day I will make the SSWC. That's a vow I guess. Though, at this rate it will either be when one of my kids is old enough to stomp me or there's none living at home any longer. In the mean time, consider me jealous.

2drunk2shift said...

Steve,
I will send you a sweet ass Speedy's shirt to be captured on the podium at the sswc, or drinkin beer, or somethin. Hope you enjoy it. You did request it when the 2drunk2shift shirts came out. So in short you help push my ass to do it. Good Luck

gmr2048 said...

Very cool man. Congrats on finally getting the official word on CA. Should be a fun time! Of course by waiting till the last minute, the SSWC guys have guaranteed that you'll have to pay ~$2,400,000.00 for a plane ticket and bike transport. But...all in good fun, I suppose!

Blue-eyed Devil said...

2D2S, thanks, man, you know I appreciate it. I'll be sure to wear the Speedy's shirt if I can get close enough to the podium to tackle the winner and time it right with the photographers. The drinking beer photo-op is a lock.

Garyissimo, $345 roundtrip, Virgin America, $50, I think, to haul the bike along. Not too bad, eh?

2drunk2shift said...

Speedy's is a money pit. Bartending in the summer at the beach is good to me. You should check out Brewgrass in Ashville, I think a bunch of us are going to camp, ride and drink. www.brewgrassfestival.com

Good Luck
Jimmy

pabiker said...

The people who brew Dale's Pale Ale, Oskar Blues, also brew real beer. It's called ten-fidy.

Blue-eyed Devil said...

Darius, had it, as you know, along with Gordon's.

Real beer, true, but also real expensive. I buy it occasionally cuz it comes in a light-weight can, but it ain't no Old Rasputin.

Tim Wise said...

Steve, can't wait to see ya in Napa. Hey there 2 Drunk 2 Shift I would love to get a t-shirt and some hot sauce to try out. Can I get your email so that I can get pay info from you? I couldn't seem to find it from your site.Thanks. See ya ssoon Steve

Blue-eyed Devil said...

Tim, good to hear from you, man. Yep, yep, Napa should be fine.

To order Speedy's, just send an email to Jimmy at:

rooster790cc AT yahoo DOT com

You'll be happy you did--great tasting hot sauce!

b1umb0y said...

That sounds like a helluva trip! Wish I could have made it.

Congrats on making it to Napa! Turn and burn!

----d