"Find my happy place, find my happy place, find my happy place..."
On Thursday night I had a dream about it, and on Friday I went there.
Thats right. I kicked off of work early on Friday and took myself to a magical and off the beaten path bit of trail. Its an amazing place that transforms beneath your tires so quickly that just as youre getting used to this terra firma;
youre here;
then here;
then here...
..then here..
..and then ultimately here;
With the figurative black cloud looming ahead, I figured it was a good idea to make a deposit in my happy place account.
Its a ride like this that surely can kick the crap out of any bad day in town.
While were on the subject of bad days turning good, lets not forget the Grand Theft Velo 2 race thats on the horizon.
The SF dirts are keeping their promise of a monthly series as well. This one brought to you by our friends at Surly.
It was with great honor that we helped in sponsoring the first of this series that will be sure to go down in history as some of the most fun had in Golden Gate Parks history.
You know, if you dont count the annual cross dress series and legendary acid binges of the 60s, which for all intent and purposes share a very similar aesthetic.
Check out this freshness that greeted me on Friday morning.
Youve got to be kidding me.
I wanna move in with this guy.
Theres a road off of HWY 17 between Flagstaff and Phoenix Ive long had my eye on Called 'Bloody Basin Road', and if it wasnt in the hottest part of the world this side of the Sahara, Id see if the six hundred and sixty sixth house was for sale.
At least to get my mail at, anyway.
Ether way, Id outfit the entire pad with fancy pants light switch plates.
And speaking of the magical number, Urban Velo has just put issue number 6 straight to bed, and Im not afraid to say that they just keep getting better.
You know- aside from bicycles and hijinx, theres a commonly reoccurring theme here on The Bummer Life that Ive noticed.
Random appearances of three sixes, moustaches, Danzig, and bacon.
Im a simple man with simple needs.
That being said, this from Michael fits the bill to a T.
Do you have a second for some tiny art that doesnt suck?
Oh yeah, and El Corpo and I have been burning the midnight oil.
Just like the Daily Guy Wire states;
"Look for a limited edition Swobo T coming out for the Singlespeed World Championships."
Its gonna be rad.
...and yes, Captain Morgan is doing just fine, thanks for asking.
The Spring Classics are upon us, and we feel just fine in our offer of superwicked props to Philippe Gilbert for his win of Saturdays 63rd running of the Omloop Het Volk.
Well played, young man. Well played.
Now then- today is Monday, and as you read this, Im in hell.
Drink deeply the fact that youre sitting at work, presumably after a nice bike commute, sipping your morning joe, or perhaps youre taking time out from filling bags and burning tags.
Ether way, youre not where I am, and for you that doesnt suck.
Mondays not so bad, but its with every fiber of my being that I announce next Monday will be better.
Comments
Ok. As I was running along the American River today I pretty much just gave up, well because Sac. has to be the most uninspiring place next to Elk Grove. So I stopped by this here site for a little boost. What did I see? (Name omitted to protect the innocent) coming off the observation deck. Well that pretty much twisted the dagger of relocation. My folks still live two blocks from there and that reaffirms my next trip. By the way. That trails poached not fried.
Posted by: Mezbone | March 6, 2008 12:20 PM
Stevil,
Thanks so much for the plug for Grand Theft Velo! You folks rock! I'm here in SF stickering the city up with Gship sticks as much as possible. The man behind the posters is Tessare Design. They're on the Gship (myspace.com/ghostshipclothing) myspace friends list. Very talented young man. Thanks again!
Posted by: Matt | March 6, 2008 07:40 AM
Jere and Rusty,
We do what we can, when we can.
I appreciate the concern, and though it might not appear to be so in the photos, I do always attempt to tread lightly.
The area in question however, is an entire hillside of sand that I doubt could be contained. Much like Laguna Seca, that part of the forests floor just seems to shift around on itself, and is miles from any body of water.
I have taken your points seriously however, and will reconsider just exactly where here I will explore in the future, as well as begun to investigate just what forms of guerilla maintenance tactics could be implemented.
My 'poof' comment was in no way intended to belittle your points or the overwhelming need for folks who ride in the dirt to all lend a hand.
Respectfully,
S.K.
Posted by: Stevil | March 5, 2008 11:03 AM
I think thasts good ol'e state park property... not sure the rangers would like people messing up their trails....
Posted by: rik van hooydawg | March 5, 2008 06:56 AM
Yeah, I'd have to agree with rusty, stevil. A little work and this trail would be stabilized- or you could assume that, POOF, it's better, but in reality, all that silt that riders are responsible for is choking upfish habitat. Hey, enjoy your ride, POOF, everythings okay...
Posted by: jere | March 4, 2008 09:43 PM
That looks like SDF? in santa cruz.
Posted by: Joe | March 4, 2008 02:16 PM
Is that Pulgas Trail? Damn those trail pics are making me nostalgic for California.
Posted by: Emily | March 4, 2008 01:06 PM
Gross Neglect. That's some serious erosion, but nothing some good sediment traps and water bars couldn't fix.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...
Posted by: Rusty Sanchez | March 4, 2008 08:58 AM
I'm with Dan-o, that flyer for GTV2 is S-I-C-K! And it's good to see another cowboy riding a dinosaur.
Get this: temps in the 70's on saturday across Colorado; winter storm warnings and at least 5 inches of the white stuff across the state Sunday.
Can't wait till summer.
Posted by: HansT | March 4, 2008 08:05 AM
I have thought about taking a job because the business' phone number starts with 666.
Posted by: FNC | March 4, 2008 06:27 AM
I think the waterbar solution involves getting some wood in there, logs, planks what have yee to divert the water.
Big props to the people maintaining and rebuilding Corte Madera (aka Skeggs) on the Bay Penninsula.
If you want to see how to build trails, go there, they know whats up. That is whenever they open up Giant Salamander again.
Posted by: dirtyonethirty | March 4, 2008 04:38 AM
Anyone know who designed the Grand Theft Velo poster? It, and last year's, is freaking awesome.
http://www.howtoavoidthebummerlife.com/weblog/archives/2007/04/get_better_zito_and_the_shippi.html
Posted by: Dan Harrelson | March 4, 2008 02:34 AM
Bloody Basin road takes you 35 miles up an old narrow gauge rail line to a town called Crown King. Two bars and a post office await. Drink, turn around and ride back to your car. It's a good one.
jonny
Posted by: big jonny | March 4, 2008 01:58 AM
Teach me the ways of installing waterbars in crumbly sandstone.
That looks like that every winter, and every summer, POOF, its filled back up with silt.
Posted by: Stevil | March 4, 2008 01:06 AM
Turning on Christ. Lovely. No wonder there is such a pedo problem in the Church.
Posted by: Monsignor Blair | March 4, 2008 01:05 AM
I'm sure you'll be just fine Steve. hell, you might like it just a little and this could open up a hole new world for you. you already have the appropriate facial hair so your half way there, best of luck.
Posted by: Cary | March 3, 2008 11:12 PM
dream about putting in a couple of water bars in that nasty, eroded v-pit of despair. Then, next day, head out with yer bros, a 12er, and yer pulaskis and git busy. Trail work builds character young man- more than cool clothing ever will.
Posted by: jere | March 3, 2008 10:59 PM
i need that light switch!
Posted by: ray | March 3, 2008 10:52 PM
dude, that light switch is so wrong,in so many ways.
I seem to remember those in my old catholic elementary school.
Posted by: brado1 | March 3, 2008 09:16 PM