The good, the bad, and the very ugly.
I cant do it. I dont have penning a concise post about this years One Speed Worlds in me to save my life..
It could be the incessant bickering of the numb nut neighbor kids, and the never ending rhythm of their bouncing basketballs, or it could be that there just really arent enough words floating around in my skull to do the two days justice.
Not only do I find myself incapable of describing the weekend appropriately, but I didnt even get any good photos.
That being said, and in my own defense, its nearly impossible to snap a decent photograph from behind a whisky bottle. Luckily some kind folks have allowed me the use of their photos so from a visual stand point, this report is not yet completely lost.
Anyhow, the long and the short of it from my limited perspective is this;
GenO and Catboxx arrive to town, Yafro and Devon pick us up in a huge van, we drive to Marin and pick Jmac up, we ride to meet Minkman and El Corpo to rally at the American Cyclery hodown in the Headlands, just as we arrive everyone leaves;
we return to town to drink and eat a late dinner on the shores of the bay, ride back to the van where we witness GenO grab a bunch of front brake and auger;
Then we sleep, wake up, fix stuff;
drive to Napa and then this happened;
What I am able to conclude is that it was an event that will linger within the confines of my heart for many years to come. Curtis and his team of miscreants managed to do us all extraordinarily proud in putting on one hell of an event for which we all owe a huge debt of gratitude, despite the fact that it was one of the most grueling experiences Ive had on a bicycle in a long time.
6'7" who was in charge of the heckle spot on the other side of the creek crossing mentioned that the expressions on peoples faces typically was one of utter shell shock, and I can say based most of the images Ive seen is just about right on the money.
My final lap was one based strictly on survival, but after having not raced a mountain bike in seven years, that really shouldnt have come as much of a surprise to me.
In closing Id like to bring a bit of rain to an otherwise very sunny day.
One of the pro hecklers in our camp must have really wadded some knuckleheads panties, as upon his return to his car, found that one of his tires had been slashed.
Hearing this Amigo #3 stated flatly, "great... Well it looks like were finally just like everybody else."
The upside is contained in an email;
"An adult in a silver Subaru Forester Ca. lic# 5PPM447. it was sometime during the awards on sunday. guy was seen, yelled at, and chased on foot but he was already in his car driving away. Thanks"
If anyone has any knowledge about this, please do let the offender know that weve got a blanket party waiting for them next time we cross paths, and Im sure the victim of this crime would gladly supply said blanket.
I could expound on this infraction upon our ilk, but Id like to think that the Bummer Life audience knows just what a ridiculous affront this was, and that if this individual was so profoundly affected by some good natured, old fashion Northern California one speed ribbing, then hes got far greater issues than any of us could even begin to wrap our minds around.
Basically, Im guessing that my man is a snibbling clown, who only has to face himself each morning, and thats gotta suck.
And finally Id like to reiterate my appreciation for all of the hard work that went into putting this together, as I know all too well how challenging it was, and secondly Id like to thank the folks who graciously let me steal the fruit of their eyes for all of the content herein.
If youd like to explore further, just take a peek at Lauren, Scotty, Jon,
Lynz and Sean.
And with that, Id say that its time for another nap.
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Comments
Basically, Curtis and Co. did a fantastic job all around. I'm glad that we came halfway around the planet to do it. We'll be in Durango next year for the festivities as well. Ciao!
Posted by: Wunnspeed | September 18, 2008 12:05 PM
Roll model? No. But I am someone the kids should look up to. Well, they should try.
Posted by: reverend dick | August 29, 2008 08:33 AM
i think i've never been more relieved to learn that other people carry around vicodin for 'whatever' reason. saved my ass. thank you! you know who you are.
Posted by: mullah bin makdag | August 28, 2008 10:38 PM
CD got to go to this? Aw Maaaannnnnnn!!!
I miss dirt and I miss singletrack.
Love,
DV from JH WY who is still living in NYC.
Posted by: DV | August 28, 2008 06:37 PM
Agh. So it was you guys running the opposite way. Way to go! I joined the group and thought it was the best idea of the day thus far.
The heckling was classic. Thanks again for adding to the kick ass weekend!
Posted by: dougyfresh | August 27, 2008 09:12 PM
Is that Josh Yablon astride the Dekerf wearing a hoodie in the fourth picture after the jump? If so Chris in Cincinnati says hey, if not well I guess I'm saying hey to some random dude.
Posted by: Chris | August 27, 2008 06:27 PM
I hope you didn't let Hurl smoke cigarettes.
Posted by: All The Way Ray | August 27, 2008 04:31 PM
while yous were all away - an american won the World Champion air guitar contest...
sorrrry i missed all the shellshock
Posted by: Sunset Studio East | August 26, 2008 11:22 PM
i feel like a dick after being away for so long. good to see you stevil. good to see everyone. i learned so much in one day... the most important of which is that heckling is more fun than riding.
Posted by: smedberg | August 26, 2008 09:44 PM
Were you still drunk (fuzzy) when I said hello? I'm guessing...yes. Still in SANFRAN what with the F.A.A glitch and our plane on fire, (before we borded) Hey! Tuesday at Nicks and fish tacos in the city and thanks for the heads up on Blue Plate...the chef was unbelievable. Like watching you run to your bike, entertaining.
Posted by: cary | August 26, 2008 08:45 PM
Yes Stevil, there is no way to really put in words. I'm gonna have to rob some of your content. You had to be there to feel it. Yes, I too am feeling "it". Jennifer's Soulcraft showed up at the fedex lost and found in Sacto today. You can just let mine r.i.p. there in your office. After that beat down I have no need to ride it for awhile. Thanks to all the Amigo's! After 11 years, it was an honor to wear the colors in your presence again.
Posted by: cockleburr | August 26, 2008 08:44 PM
what bout my images?
Posted by: Lyndsey HAwkins | August 26, 2008 07:18 PM
Images from the SSWC08 here carsonblume.blogspot.com
Posted by: Carson Blume | August 26, 2008 05:46 PM
My top 10 favorite things about this weekend:
1) amigos, amigos, amigos...
2) seeing Berg get stuck under the driveway chain at the used car lot
3) The Deaner and his RV
4) Running the wrong way at the race start
5) Curtis Inglis
6) getting a beer/saliva shower every lap
7) enduring the suffering of the third lap and being rewarded with the lucky #200 opener
8) Rollin' with the MAFIA-can't wait to race in MNPLS next year
9) Taking a hose shower with both Stevil & Chevil simultaneously
10) Peeing on Steve's bike...
My top 10 least favorite things about this weekend:
1)The SUN
2)some douchebag slashing B's tire
3) discovering that being undertrained is way better than being overtrained
4) discovering that tubeless front tires really do suck
5) Lap 3
6) Steve getting "sassed by a whore" at the fire pit
7) Stella no longer cares enough to be the World Champion
8)...it's over...
9)Unfortunately, Kiwi's can apparently neither bowl or play Ms. Pac Man worth a crap
10) Steve peeing on my bike
Posted by: zombykiller | August 26, 2008 04:53 PM
Marla is soooo hot!
Posted by: JP | August 26, 2008 04:14 PM
Great pics, and the hip bruise is doing fine, if only my dick would stop turning blue i'd be much happier
Posted by: Slohio Robb | August 26, 2008 03:16 PM
Ouch! that hip-bruise hurts all the way out here!
Posted by: Teemac | August 26, 2008 08:20 AM
sorry if i sounded preachy! forgive me, i really do love all you guys.
Posted by: dflbrad | August 26, 2008 08:12 AM
By far the hardest race I've ever done. Racing in a women's Bikini top and bunny ears is always good for a laugh, but a 5 gal bucket of water in the lap makes for a great chaffing. Thanks for the heckling guys!
That's lame about the tire, he'll get his for shizzle.
Posted by: fritzaholic | August 26, 2008 07:59 AM
careful with the" blanket party" paragraph, you should take it out. one of us idiots could really do it.
love you brother!
so great to see ya!
it's almost time for winter fun!
Posted by: dflbrad | August 26, 2008 07:56 AM
Holy shit. That looks like a total throwdown at the hoedown. I may have to sacrifice the rockstar-like orgy I had planned for New Year's Eve this year and stay in hitting the "refresh" button for an hour straight this year and take a shot at it.
Posted by: Jim | August 26, 2008 07:34 AM