Community & Hierarchy

In any active group there develops a hierachry of skill levels.

I am at the bottom of that level. Please let my parts get here soon. I can feel my current bike just killing me...

What's amazing about this crew of riders is that it would be impossible for anyone to decide who is "best" when each and every person has a unique style and a whole bag of tricks to which the others aspire. The veterans say this group of riders is thriving like no other. Its easy to see.

Just watch and learn.

Speaking of observation: The camera came out of the bag and everyone got a photo taken of them. I just want to keep it fun for everyone when I'm taking pictures. No pressure, just fun. Do what you want and I'll do my best to capture it. We have a hell of a scene here and some day maybe it'll get some recognition.

Note: Don't be afraid to comment on this rambling.

P.S. The Sarge didn't steal any tricks today. FYI.

Pack 'em in & glide.

The Sarge is a determined guy. He'll do upright standing manuals all day long and then take the time to give directions to a couple of flatland loving girls in a sporty little number that roll through the JoeJoe lot. I'm telling you, they were all up in his business but no mind: Paulie is of a singular mind when he's around his bike. "Girls? Blah, I don't need one, I just need to dial in this Juggler." You have to love that kind of determination.

Daryl is so damned smooth. It makes me think I'm trying too hard. Every trick I do seems like such a struggle. Daryl just throws up his bike all snappy-like and rolls around without even the hint of the effort it actually takes. Hey man, thanks for buying my bars.

Justin will chuck metal. It's true, he'll grind it, J-Stall it and just generally "test the structural integrity" of his bike whenever the opportunity presents itself. I'm stoked on his front wheel combos. They look so complex, sweet shit.

Here's my new weight saving technique for flatland: Instead of spending the extra $9987398739873.00 dollars on all titanium parts that'll save me 14 ounces, I'm going to the gym for a month.

J-Money was missed this evening. We have to get you out on your bike at least a little bit more, homey.

Tomorrow I meet "The Hagness" for the first time. It's looking to be a good sezchuan. More inspiration, more determination. It's key.

Full-On Clusterfuck.

My new flatland bike came today. Actually, I should say my semi-usable flatland lego-building-block project arrived today. The UPS dude rolled in, I signed, scissored and gazed... The kid I bought it from completely disassembled it for shipping right down to the bottom bracket bearings and headset. At least the frame, forks & wheels pass the test.

So, like any good tech-monkey I went internet shopping. One arm and half a leg later the good folks at flatlandfuel.com got my order for what basically amounts to a brand new bike. Hey, it's going to be dope and I'll be damned if an investment like this is going to go unused and untapped. I'm going to go on an adventure on this bike. We're going to do things we never did before and have a hell of a time. It's just like starting a new relationship with a girl. You know, tenative at first, getting to know each other, adapting to idiosyncrisies and finally becoming comfortable and trusting.

The thing is: I can't wait to share her with my friends! That's most certainly NOT like having a new girlfriend! Ha!

So J-Homey, Justin and the Sarge are all going to get a piece of this girl when she's done. Thanks for the help guys, and thanks for keeping me in the game over here.

On a totally unrelated note: I'm dropping off my ballot tomorrow. I can feel a change brewing and I'm hoping against hope that I didn't make things worse by trying to make them new. That happens sometimes.

PBR & Late Night Lots

Maybe I've said it before: Bicycles rule.

I can't think of a time since I was very, very young that didn't include a bike. My first one was a 20" Western Flyer that I got for my 5th birthday. It was sweet: A white frame with a burgundy seat and chain guard. I'm pretty sure it was rocking the whitewall tires but that's a little fuzzy for me. My dad spent a good amount of time with me. You know, training wheels and the whole 9 yards. I'm pretty sure I picked it up quickly and soon enough I was rolling around my neighborhood and seeing things differently, they way you only see things from a bike. It's very intimate, bicycle riding. You're not insulated to the world like when you're behind the steel of your car. Things come at you much more personally. This crack, that curb, the bank across the street, the potential wall ride of a transition, a perfectly sealed parking lot, loamy singletrack, the smell of freshly falling and newly rotting leaves in the woods: these things all lead to you to freedom and it's only a rider that understands the meaning and importance of these perceptions. No matter what kind of two-wheeled action I'm engaged in, it's still liberation...

Last night was rad. J-dog and The Sarge are just flat out amazing flatlanders. I get so psyched up watching their progression and dedication to what they do. I'm still in my infancy as far as trickery is concerned but it's seeing what's possible that's driving me forward. J-Homey said progression is the key to all things. I think it might be true.

Today I spent time with the Urban Mountain Bike Crew. I took off the flatland pegs and went one-sided with the grinder dealies. Those guys are burly! They made me throw myself up into a wall ride and I'll be damned if I didn't do it! The crew is pretty diverse. My friend Ben is just an animal but still has such finesse when rolling through power manuevers. The 16 year old kid faction was stepping up and rolling things to fakie that I was frightened to ride up! The camera came out of the bag on two occasions today. We'll see how a snowboard eye translates urban riding. I hope I didn't blow it...

I can't wait for my bike. I think it's the dawning of a whole new era in my little world. This, is a healthy obsession.

Indoor & sharing.

I have a spot.

It's just a wee patch of perfectly smooth concrete about 25' by 25' depending on how you move the desks out of the way. The best part about my spot is the fact that I only have to ride about two feet to get to it. Yep, it's my office. Don't think I don't have choices: Heat or AC, Stereo as loud as I want, and the best part? No one can kick me out!

It was a fun session in there tonight. A couple of friends were working in the office when I got there and it turned into a full on skate/ride session. I felt a little funny at first taking my turn on a bike but the dudes seemed pretty stoked to see me trying shit. I always expect a certain amount of grief from my skateboarder friends for my new/old found riding obsession but everyone is being fairly supportive.

Here's a note: I'm about an inch away from legit mega-spins. Mark my words, I'll have them tomorrow night. There's no doubt about it. I'm not going to count it as landed until I can get two solid rotations. Bicycles rule. There'll never be an end to what's possible.

I can't wait to ride with the homies again. Damn good group of guys in that bunch and I'm stoked to be brought into the fold.

Inspiration abounds.

Lull and revelation.

Today I woke up before 9:30.

I used the extra two hours this morning to make so many phone calls that I swear that I felt a cell phone tumor burst forth in my brain like some kind of cancerous tulip. If anyone notices me starting to lean my head to the left, let me know and I'll start talking on the right.

Anyway, it's raining and I don't have anywhere to ride or skate that's dry. I thought about going to D.O.S. but they're remodeling the place and won't be opening until tomorrow. For some reason, the masochistic side of me really wants to take my bike to some ramps. It's been a long, long time since I tried any of that stuff and if the beating my body took just from a full day of flatland is any indication: It'll be a 4 advil morning the day after... Hey, all I want it one 50-50 stall. Is that too much to ask?

Advil - breakfast of champions.

Today I decided that although rebuilding a vintage BMX bike was a noble enough cause, (especially since it got me motivated to ride again) it's not my bag. In the interests of "finishing-things-I've-started" I'm going to finish the Redline but put the Haro back on Ebay. Well, maybe I'll do that other way around... Anyway, I'd rather spend the rebuild money on dialing in my flat bike.

It looks like it might stop raining on Wednesday. I'm going to need a flat session in my life, for sure. I'm not opposed to a drive to Salem either, where's the session ya'll?

Get at me, dogs.

Yeah, you know it.

Here's a story about bicycles: I love'em.

I made some new friends yesterday.They're all pretty cool except for the Buzz Light Year looking dude that accused me of being from Jersey. I'm from Pennsylvania, and in case you aren't aware: The West side of PA, (where I'm from) is considered Pennsyltucky whereas the East side is Pennsyljersey. Nope, I don't know the Plywood Hoods but I did break my leg at Woodward once!

Hey, I can take some abuse. Everyone has to be the F.N.G. at least once in their life.

Anyway, I'm pretty stoked to be riding with these guys. Hopefully, someone will remind me that it's not 1989 anymore and that it's time to quit doing tailwhips. Honestly, I'm having a blast and this crew is a HUGE inspiriation. It's just a shame that I quit riding for so long. It never really left my blood though, and now I'm back in the game.

Rock On.