Looking Down the Road

We'll, first day of September tomorrow.

I have a riding plan for this month. I need to rack up 500 miles for the month of September. Need is maybe not the best word, want, is that better? I realized during the month of July that when I have a goal my riding improves. I know this mileage doesn't sound like a lot but it's the quality not the quantity. It's been mentioned before, and is a well known fact that cyclists are continually looking forward. They are looking down the road, looking toward the next season, or looking forward to obtaining the goal they set for themselves. Hell, I'm looking forward to putting black bar tape on because it means Autumn is coming. Well, I'm happy about that because I am not meant to have white bar tape. I got habitually dirty mitts. I also I don't have a personal mechanic to clean and change it for me like the pros.

So wish me luck. I haven't decided what I'm going to reward myself with at the end of the month though. I guess that's what I have to look forward to and think about while putting in the miles.

I might consider this jacket as a reward, although is it still a reward when you buy it for yourself? Belgian National Cycling Team track Jacket, I think it's sweet looking. Perfect for Fall.

On Behalf of all Americans, I'm Sorry We're Idiots

What exactly are they smuggling in their chamois?

I think they might be sick.

Luckily this blog isn't widely viewed or I'd be labeled a heretic or person of interest by Homeland Security. Alas, I am sorry for our behavior when it comes to professional cycling. We are idiots and I feel our acts of stupidity are disrespectful to the sport of cycling.

For one brief second I really liked Contador.

While watching The US Pro race in Colorado I wondered what turns semi-normal people into complete and total morons. Did they plan out their costumes weeks in advance or did they grab it out of the garage on their way to the race just to get their 6 seconds of fame. All I know is I cringed more than a few times and covered my head with a pillow while watching random nut jobs run amok on Independence Pass. I have an angry/ornery streak when it comes to stupid people and if I were a professional rider I would have a hard time holding myself back. I would probably have a hard time keeping a team too, so good job guys for keeping your composure. And to everyone outside of the US I am sincerely sorry.

In case you missed the second stage I made a list of all the Jack-Holes I saw on Independence Pass, here ya go:

-Tinky Winky of Teletubby fame

-gorilla

-bear wearing Detroit Red Wings Jersey

-bibshort man

-boxer brief man

-foam hot dog

-guy in scrubs and shower cap

-Gilligan

-Waldo

-bumble bee

-Cardinal in a fancy hat

-Tigger

-a tranny

-the Easter Bunny

-Grand Puba from the Flintstones

-Girl in a fancy polka dot dress

So there ya go, they make no sense, and if you were in one big room with them you'd think you were trippin.

The best part of the stage was of course Big George winning. I didn't think he was going to make it and I let him know it too. "NO GEORGE! NO! DON'T GO! NOOOO, TOO SOOON! oh, oh, OH GO GEORGE GOOOO! Needless to say it was a good finish and the scenery for the stage wasn't too bad either, although I wish they would of had more air time of them on the gravel road. I guess the natural beauty makes up for the ridiculousness.

Hello Lover(s)

She will be mine, oh yes, she will be mine.

Just so I can rip that Shimano crap off her.

I was snooping around Velospeak this morning and came across some bikes featured in Pavé, a Barcelona bike shop that looks like it belongs in Gattaca, way too clean. Well, I saw the most beautiful CX bike I ever laid eyes on. Only problem, Campy wheels and ShimaNO components. What were they thinking? I want to rescue her. It's a Pasculli. Maybe you guys are more worldly than I am, but I had never heard of them. I think they're handmade in Italy, don't take my word for it though. If you're curious take a peek, the page is in German and I was too lazy to try and find the magic translator button. There were some words I might of got mixed up in translation, here's a few:

Bekleidung- the poo-dirt your bike's rear tire flings up at your back

Die Radmanufaktur- when you're cussing at a man who is so rad, but you still want him to die

Rahmen- what you will have to eat after paying for shipping

Fahrrader- this bike is by far radder then your Taiwanese carbon delight

There was also a Parlee in the Pavé shop too. I guess there's more than one reason to go to Spain now, before I just wanted to go for the churros and hot chocolate. I have to admit, I have a very weak heart for Parlee's. When we visited Above Category in Mill Valley I saw my dream bike(s). On our way out of the store I was grasping its top tube for dear life while my hubby had my feet trying to pry me away. I swear if I ever win the Lotto or slip on pee in Target I'm gettin me one of them. Or I can work a little harder and save some cash, whatever comes first.

Last but not least, The Bike Snob just went up a few points in my book. Looks like he got himself a custom Ritte. Beautiful bike, I thought it was a Moots at first, don't get me started on those. I won't say what I was doing to the VaMoots bike in Above Category, it's illegal in 23 states.

Hello Lover(s)

@ Above Category

with my naughty little VaMoots in the background

On the Twitter

I know I've had a lot of my goods up lately but I promise to have nothing but thoughtful prose, helpful reviews and witty commentary next time you read me.

Found this photo on Velogogo, I love it

Big news today, I finally signed up for Twitter, I'm only 5 years behind schedule. And to you dear reader I promise only to put up useful entertaining Twits. Just go to @freebirdvelo. I also have some new buttons for you to play with and press off to the side, see over there to the right.

For the climbers

I've had this up before but now it's one sided

I've been busy in ye 'ol workshoppe. I got some newly designed tees out on my Etsy shop and I'm working on getting some new artwork done. I have a new pretty good sized Eddy Merckx painting in the lineup, so stayed tuned for the finished project. Word has it there is going to be a huge 2 day sale in September on my shop, most t-shirts and some paintings will be on sale. Please wait for further instructions.

Translation: Am I riding too fast for you?

New French race day checklist tote bag

Please no hate mail, this is the punchline from an old joke

Trader Joe's Secret Stash

Trader Joe's $4.99- Stock Up Now

WARNING: I like cheap wine.

I never gave Australian wines much consideration. Cali, French and Italian wines, good, everything else, eh, take it or leave it. Well, I tried an Australian Chardonnay this evening. Pretty good I reckon. I do believe the Aussies are slowly trying to take over the world. Tour de France winner, new team, their wine is getting good, and my dogs, which are Aussies (only in name not origin) are also trying to take over, by way of disco wig, wiggly butts, and heart melting brown eyes.

Jackie-Bo new to Green Edge

Foxy Poppy

Randomness

Look who made it to the big time! My 'Rapha jersey pocket stuff competition' photo made it to the Rapha email thinga majiggy. I'm the pink club jersey in the middle. If you don't believe it looky here. Yes that is all the crap I carry around with me. Dehydrated glue, old Kleenex, dirty 'ol $5 bill,valve cap, bolt and wrapped up multi tool with duct tape. I was not carrying my spare tube that happens to have 2 patches on it already. Now you know why I carry around duct tape.

What San Pedro Thinks Of Cyclists During A Tsunami

Random photo from a couple weekends ago. Went down with the Hubby to try and visit the USS Ronald Regan during fleet week. But all we got to see was 2 hours of traffic and having a tiny Asian man take my picture (?) and flip me off from his champagne colored Prius(enough said). Let's just say he lacked flippin ability because his middle finger was basically the size of a vienna sausage. Smack.

It was craft day today. I happened to have the wood burner out and some bottle caps handy so I made this Notorious F.I.S.H. Big Poppa tribute plaque-a-ma-jig. It's for the hubby.

Eddy Would Ride

What can you say about Eddy Merckx. The man is a God. I know I've shown this video before but you can never watch it too many times. Especially if you need some motivation to get up early and ride but the local schools have gone back into session, and now you have to deal with cool moms driving their Ford Flexes paying more attention to their brats in the back then the road and me pedaling alongside it.

If you love Eddy as much as I do you'll want to see my new release, which I'm kind of happy with. I would actually buy this if I saw it in a store, and that's saying a lot, enjoy. If you like it too visit my shop on Etsy.com.

Life Giving Bagel

I am back from a week of sugar/carb/alcohol/processed food detox. And I have to admit I felt a hell of a lot better last week then I do this morning. Crappy red wine and pizza for dinner last night. I'm looking for that happy middle-ground of just enough carbs and certain sugars and just proper clean food to feel happy and ride strong. I will say one thing, I may of felt happy and clean but I did not have enough energy last week for riding. A 15 mile ride felt like 40, and weight training at the gym, ugh, I felt like Pee Wee Herman when he's trying to lift his 3lb dumbbells. Carbs are necessary for living I learned that much. Long live the bagel.

From sawdust comes-

The BOOGEY-FISH! handplane

Since I wasn't riding as long and at the gym that much I found other things to occupy my mind and hands. Made it to the beach, I made a new handplane, painted a little picture of Mt Ventoux, and came up with some new t-shirt designs. All can be found on my Etsy shop. I'm not trying to push anybody into buying stuff I'm just sharing what I did last week.

I found this look-a-like this morning. The Fit-Chick Selene Yeager from Bicycling magazine and Tinker Juarez, world famous mountain biker. Kind of eerie huh?