Fairystone State Park

Left Sunday morning and came back Wednesday evening. One of the best things about all the people and the JETS flying over in Virginia Beach is that it will drive you to places like this.

I haven't ever heard anything about this place from mountain bikers, but its our little secret. If you are use to riding Williamsburg and Richmond area it is awesome. I would say there is about 8-10 miles of trails that are MTB legal. So, you gotta do some loops to get the desired mileage, but those loops are straight up awesome. It is one of the most well kept trail systems I have ever seen. Some great and challenging climbs and downhills... (Babycakes didn't walk or stop on anything this year). Yes, for a four and a half hour drive you can pretty much get some other awesome trails as well, but this place is the package. Awesome lakes, streams, mtn views, and the trails are well marked. The trail head was right past our tent in the back ground and we were the only people in the camp ground for two and a half days. Weekends are different and it is popular on weekends after school lets out because of the lakes. Living the dream.

Beer

I snapped a picture of Babycakes drinking one of the six beers she will drink this year. Hell, somebodies gotta drive me home.

Ace New River Gorge, WV

Last weeks adventure was awesome. Quality time with the family and great riding. And actually had time for some quality JT aka Jimmy Time aka Miller Time.

Speedy's Hot Sauce

There is progress in the Empire. The FDA approved nutritional facts and upc code have been purchased and the new labels are in the works. Waiting to hear back from Southern Labeling in Portsmouth, Va. to get back with me with a print. Should see something on Wednesday. Hoping to have website and credit card acceptance by end of July. Babycakes and I both have new bikes on order.

Icon o. classt

Icon o. classt representin up in Northern Virginia. Check him and his friends out at www.wrenchinthegears.blogspot.com. You look fabulous. Look at all that delicious BBBEEEEERRRRRRR.

Can a granola be conservative?

When asked this question I went on a little spiral considering Babycakes will occationally bust out with some pretty conservative stuff for an existential granola like myself. I have helped her release her inner granola and she has thrived. She is still a little delusional about her preservation of her conservatism. And the waters can be murky. For example: I do believe in the right to bare arms, but mostly because I feel the need to reserve the right to start a revolution if necessary.

Anyway back to the question at hand. "Can a granola be conservative?" It is possible, but not likely. It should be stated that as the inner granola grows the conservatism will deminish. It is not a painful experience, but one may have some bouts of existential angst. Don't be too overwhelmed by this evolution. Once you accept that we (as humans), are alone and the very best we can do is be one with nature and lifes purpose is to have fun the angst should subside and you will soon realize everything will be okay.

Tree lover

Tree Lover, not Tree Hugger.

The first real mountain bike ride of the year

Asheville, N.C. had some of the best biking anywhere on the east coast. Huge network of trails. We got so lucky with the weather I got a little sunburn while it was gloomy back home. It was the 1st time in a long time that it felt good to climb.

I don't believe I have seen soooo many dudes with pony tails and white chics with dreads since the early 90's. It is quite amazing how a place attracts a certain group. Ashville seems either extremely conservative, or extremely liberal. Not a lot in between. I'm not sure how many head shops a town needs, but they sure got that covered. And if any one has the munchies well there are lots of great and i mean great restaurants. Very laid back about the service. I mean go ahead and finish your conversation, I'll wait kind of laid back.

It seems what a lot of people would catagorize as hippie, or granola really is drug culture. aka a bunch of twenty something partiers with guts that look like they need a good scrubbin and a hair cut. It seems that "hippies" and "granola's" are often one and the same to many people, but there is a distinction. Hippies, or hippie wanta be's are somewhat as explained above. Granola's on the other hand are more what I relate to. A granola for example is active, health conscious, and environmentally aware. Possibly a vegetarian, but not necessarily, knowledgable about beer, wine and food not so much about the "kind". One might partake, but its not a lifestyle. One may even envolve themselves in a game of frisbee golf. Hacky sack might be pushing it. One may go camping, but not on tour, unless it is on a bicycle. A granola would most likely own a Jeep, Subaru, Honda, or a Volkswagon, maybe even a Volvo newer than 1980. Not a chevy Taho, or an old vw bus, or a bug, or the bmw that daddy bought. A granola lives and doesn't just philosophize about living and how "the man is creating the situation in which we live, but goes out and does stuff to escape the situation that capitalizm has created. Granola's would enjoy the fruits and freedoms that capitalizm creates, yet appreciates the escape of the daily grind. So in conclusion, be careful about wearing tye dye, or patchouli you might be mistaken for a dirty hippie.

Asheville

Last week when it was 50 degrees and raining here in Virginia Beach I was looking at this. In your face.

2drunk2shift Ride

It has been quite sometime since the last official 2drunk2shift beer ride. Well, this Easter Sunday it has risin again. We will meet at Pacifica on the corner of 40th and Pacific a little before 6:00 p.m. ride for about 20-25 miles depending on route. End back at Pacifica for refreshing adult beverages and tom foolery. Any bike will do, but fixed, cross, or road bikes would probably be the best. You choose your own punishment. Same goes for dress. I will wear cycling clothes one way, or the other, but by all means if your ass can deal with denim, live it up. If you make it to the 1st ride you get a free 2drunk2shift t-shirt. Peace and Carrots.

2drunk2shift T-shirt

2drunk2shift has T-shirts. If you don't make it to the first ride and get a free one, you can still get one for $10. Thanks 2 Rob Tripp for the awesome logo and Justin Carlton for printing them for us. Let me know and we hope to see you on the ride.

NAHBS

The North American Handmade Bicycle Show staged in Portland, Oregon was rejuvenating. I don't think I have been this stoked on any bike show; except for maybe, my first bike show in Philly in 1995(that was when I had a Yo Eddy that was my roadbike, commuter, cyclecross, cruiser, fixie etc. etc. etc. and I would miss lunch to buy parts). Yeah, for you young'ins there actually use 2 b a bike show on the eastcoast and there use 2 b a show in Chicago, as well. That was when Bobke still raced bikes for real and Paula was every mountain biker's dream.
Anyway, as I sat here drinking a bottle of wine and listening to Jane's Addiction going down memory lane. (the song was "sex and violence") and I thought O.J. really should have died.
I really didn't have much to say about the show because I realized what made me fall in love with the whole artistry of the industry was still alive and well. Even if the things that were underground and counter culture are mainstream now. The quirky, individualizm of the industry and the culture still allows me to believe that cycling could have saved Jack Kerouac on the road 2 enlightenment. Rock on freaks.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Happy Valentine's Day to all, especially my Babycakes.

These hearts were found in Washington state on our trip to the great northwest last week.

idiot

I am a frustrated idiot. I am commiting to NOT trying to reason with drunks. Let me tell you, if you ever think you drink too much, go bartend and then on your day off go out drinkin w/ some friends. Bartenders develop a curse. The curse is the ability to be able to tell when everyone around you is drunk even if you've been drinkin yourself. This ability will curve your desire to drink because you are fully aware of how assinine, argumentitive, stubborn and visionary everyone is. If I have to listen to one more, "Let me tell you what would solve the whole worlds problems", conversation, or watch someones drunken bravado and/or behavior get them in trouble, or have to apologize, or be overly passionate about nonsense, or what they might think is a philosophical conversation I might slit my wrists with a PBR can.
What is wrong with a little moderation? I mean damn, if you got a guy like me sayin that to you, you might need to go to a meeting, or get a pamphlet, or find a higher power, or something. When in doubt if you are drunk in public your best bet is to be quiet.

gloating

Here I am enjoying a few moment of being right. Yes, you heard me right. Thats me being in the "know". If it were not for the internet I would never be right about anything with my beautiful wife. "I wouldn't necessarily be wrong, just mistaken" to quote Babycakes. Well, in this peticular instance we looked it up on the internet and you guessed it, I had backup. I actually got her to say I was right. I got so excited I don't even remember what I was right about.

taco night antics

This is what happens when things slow down a little in the winter. You can surf the hallway on your stocking feet, have great fun with a tazer.

Independent Fabrication

Two days after my surgery on my choppers I went out for a fixie ride. Damn, I wish the scene around here was more happening. It's either road bike bougeoisie, or cruiser hell here. I'm not sure how far I went, but I got this loop that's probably about twenty somethin and it just feels good, there is about a thirty somethin option if it's not too late. With lights we could do what we want, it just includes Shore Drive and the racoons have scared me a few times. Anyway, I can do it on my own; I am a solomn kind at times, but if it could be a Wednesday ride and afterwards include the Wednesday Taco Night that would be a great tradition. It's going on with, or without you. Let me know so I can cook more. Bring beer. Whoever wants to ride let me know what time works, otherwise 7:30 for tacos, let me know.

Drink It In

Fine Belgian beverage never hurt anybody. Well, maybe it did, but you only live once.

Hot Sauce

December was a weird month to say the least. Thanks to everyone for their kind words.

I was down to the last few bottles and had to pump out a batch before surgery for some wisdom teeth and a little bone graft on Monday. Fun stuff. So, Friday rolled around and I had to acquire some manual labor. We did one hundred and two bottles in record time and had some fun. I've got to remember to recognize when I'm having fun to notice it at the time. Or, is that just "Being" in the moment?