Beginning of product review;
Ordinarily Im not the type to expound on the virtues of this bike doodad, or that bike doodad. The fact of the matter is, I dont really care. In the big picture, if the cranks dont break, or the freewheel helps propel you forward, Im not much of a stickler on the other specifics. So it should go without saying that city bike tires should not suck. Sky layed some of these super bomber Continental Tour Plus numbers on me, and they are quite the opposite of suck.
Ive never said much at all about my affinity for tires, so youve heard it here first.
End of product review.

Now my bikes a happy bike, and not a sad bike.

My bike and I are simple beasts with simple needs.

Patron saint of bike messengers Squid is front and center once again.

If you cant read the text, its just a bunch of blablablaing about alleycats and fixed gears this, and how he and his family spend their weekends in the Hamptons that.
You know, the usual.

Have you ever wondered what kind of offspring would result in a night of unbridled dirtiness between XC nerdom, and Downhill EXTREME!ness?
Well some peeps in New York City have, and decided to take a shot as acting as the wet nurse.

It looks like its gonna be a bastard child with a full face and shaved legs,
(Insert shudder here)
but we imagine that its gonna be a blast for all involved. If youre in smelling distance of a crackheads uniquely romantic aroma to the event, get yourself there and partake.

Do you know two other great tastes that taste great together? Kyle does;

Marini's in Santa Cruz has chocolate covered bacon.

Tasted more like chocolate than bacon but it was still good.

The Proof:"

Holy mother of our lord... Thats in Santa Cruz? Thats practically where I do my thing. How is it that I havent been drawn to this like so many moths to a flame?

From time to time an email drops in our inbox that just motivates us to sit back, cross our laps in our hands like so, and smile like weve finally done something right. Usually its followed by a trip to the restroom where while relieving myself, my pen will fall out of from behind my ear and land in the urinal because God doest want me hurting my shoulder patting myself on the back. Never the less, the warm fuzzies tend to linger just the same.

Matthew sent us just such an email that Id like to share with you now;

"Stevil, Swobo God, or to whom it may concern:

Just wanted to shoot my appreciation your way and send my blog post wherein I sing your praises and thank you for saving my family life, all on a rainy day in Baltimore:

www.rationalrhino(dot)com

keep up the good work."

And while were at it, why not keep the good times rolling with an email from Frank.

"So last year I did the 30 rides in 30 days and although it was cool, it seemed a little self indulgent (the whole recovering catholic thing). So this year, I am going to do 30 rides in April, but I am also going to do 30 hours of advocacy to offset my guilt. This will include clip and ride -rides, volunteering at a couple of charity rides, hours spent hassling people on the computer for better trails, attending some questionable PR event (I'll clue you in later on this one) and at least 10 hours of busting my ass building trails. I am the state IMBA rep after all, so it shouldn't be hard, but I think if I focus on it and have other folks waiting to bust my chops if I fail will make it happen. So not only will I be better come May, this might just be a better place to ride."

The world could use more people like Frank.

Last weeks haiku winner Gabe sent along a photo of another high caliber individual who the world could use more of. His friend Pinch.

That hand coming in from the left seems to be gesturing "No, seriously Pinch- you, your Santa hat and yoga pants should just stay on the floor."

If the Big Sandy free tshirt offer wasnt enough to get you motivated to get to the race, perhaps the prospect of getting knocked off of your bike by a gigantic and delightfully lovely lady is.

Anyway, back to Franks mention of the 30 in 30 for a second. Ive engaged in this fairly ludicrous challenge for the last two years, and truth be told, ended up with nothing to show for it but a windburned face, and a calloused soul, so this year Ive undertaken something far more spectacular. Presently Im working on day 42 in the same pair of JMac knickers, and even more impossibly, 95 days with a moustache.
You think riding 30 days in a row is a feat? You dont know nothin'.

Moving on...Recently Pilderwasser(dot)com reached deep in the box, and claimed his prize.
You never know when you order a Swobo goodie what kind of crap might arrive to you along with your goods. What can be guaranteed however that whatever it is, it will be misspelled.

Were making friends all over the place lately. Most recently they come in the form of these folks down on Americas skin tag of Florida, who have made an absolutely gigantic effort (not to mention flyer) for their upcoming bash.

Todd, who is the impresario of sorts for this event elaborates;

"Hello Stevil -
Here is the finished flyer for Fixed Fight 2. Feel free to check out www.horroh(dot)com/alleycat as well.

One thing to add that is not mentioned on the flyer is this special offer to those attending:
SPECIAL “HELMET HEAD-START” OFFER:
Anyone wearing a cycling helmet during Fixed Fight 2 will receive a ten-second head-start advantage at the race.

Thanks Again!

- Todd"

Wearing a helmet to an alleycat race? Oooohhhhh maaaannnn.... That is so 1998...

Alright. I guess these sheets have been sufficiently shaken out. Not that anyone cares, but I can now lift my arm over my head now for the first time in three weeks. I ran into a friend at coffee, and told him about the collision, to which he responded that hed heard about a similar ordeal from his boss, who in turn had heard from his friend about crashing into a guy around that same time.
Im waiting for more info, because as the days draw on, and I still am only barely able to stand up and pedal, the eagerness to find out that perhaps I wreaked a similar havoc is growing.

Im really just that petty.

On that note, everybody have a humdinger of a weekend. Id say that without a doubt, weve all earned it.