Vegas Trip Minus the Interbike

I did something I'm not proud of this month. Continuing with the 'September of my Despair' theme, I'm going to delve into my trip to Vegas I took a couple weeks ago. Let me start off with the fact that this Vegas trip was family related and not scheduled to coincide with Interbike in any way. I actually thought Interbike was the next week, I got calendarically confused. I went to Interbike last year, my first time and it was completely overwhelming, but they had a lot of free shit and pretty shiny things to look at and fondle. So I was a little excited when the family trip and IB did in fact coincided. Bad thing was I only had a week to figure out how to get a pass. Cut to driving across the Mojave desert, I hold out my hands and have nothing for me to show IB security guards. Nothing that is except last years pass.

If you are in the industry, don't get mad at me. I'm not one of those crashers who are only there to score deals on framesets or new handlebars by saying they are with Shop so-n-so. Not me, I would only be there to make contacts, business woman Jenny, that's me. A business woman who is also there to make sure you unload all your free magazines, stickers, and energy gels.

YOU GOT YOUR PASS BITCH?

That's what he said, well, it felt like it.

Let's cut to Friday morning, I have last years pass round my neck, which looks just like this year's pass. I tell myself it's cool, I can do this. I feel like I'm in frickin Oceans 11 pulling a heist, but I'm just trying to get into a bicycle trade show. I walk up to the main entrance, first mistake, I should of gone to the ones down the hallway. I follow two people walking bikes in, I hold my pass up but it falls down around my neck on accident. It must of fallen down backwards because the Samuel Jackson lookin security guard stopped me to look at it. I was almost clear until he looked at the date. " Um, this is from last year." "Ah shit really? must of brought the wrong one!" "ABORT, ABORT!" I was telling myself in my head. I felt like such a ass, what 30-something year old does stuff like this? I do.

Unabashed product placement, found here

Well, that's my Interbike experience for this year, and you know what, I will never try and break into the sacred halls of Interbike again without proper access credentials. Besides, Samuel Jackson scared me straight. After the dramatics I met my hubby and sobbed uncontrollably on his shoulder, not really, we just went over to the Wynn, where I played The Hangover movie slot machine for two and a half hours: I made 200 bucks, got to laugh, and forget about how I made myself feel/look like an ass. Here are some more good things that came out of my Vegas trip:

Found my favorite candy, Giant Hot Tex Jelly Beans, num

Found this little lady on the Japanese Channel

Found this cute lil fishy

Turned 90cents into $919 at the

5th most ghetto casino in Vegas

September of My Despair

Oh my, let's just just call the month of September a wash. I'm biding my time until October and then I can feel like I can start all over. Just push the restart button and reboot. I've become quite good at that. If you read last post which was oh, about 5 years ago, I said I was going to set a goal. 500 miles in the saddle for the month of September. Well, I was good until September 3rd. I'm not making excuses for myself but I got 2 nasty viruses in a row. First was GI related then my sinuses got in on the fun a couple weeks later. I think I rode a total of 6 days this month. Let's hope October is nicer to my immune system. I am not making any claims to riding such and such amount of miles, that stuff stays in my head until I finish the goal. So wish me luck, and good luck to you and your rides this Fall.

There was one big positive thing to come out of this month: my birthday, YES! I received a very big, unexpected gift the day after my birthday (see above photo). As you can see, the Birthday Fairy dropped off a box filled with Campy beauties. Big thank you to my Hubby, who played the part of the Birthday Fairy, but who is in no way fairy-esque. He would be a like a fairy with a 5 'o clock shadow, smoking a cigar, but with wings. I also got some sweet Rapha garb but I'll get into that next time. Well the LBS got everything set up but unfortunately the front derailleur clamp was the wrong size. No bike for a week while waiting for the right size. I could of rode it but I had no idea what trouble I could get myself into with a mix of 10 and 11 speed parts. I wasn't going to risk it.

My first ride was around the parking lot of the LBS. The shifting felt kind of stiff, and I was a little worried. Cut to next morning and our first ride together, BELLISIMA! Halfway through the ride and I finally realize that there really is a difference between high end and entry level parts. I let out a woo-hoo, kissed my fingers and lifted them high into the sky. Did I forget to mention that Sophia lost 1.34 pounds thanks to the change in group set. She is now a sub-eighteen pound ride. We don't mention changing frames in front of her though.

Sophia's rear-end, don't stare, she's a Lady

Replaced what was probably the root of her weight problems

"Well I'll be a Fig Newton!"

Stay tuned: next blog entry will either be about my trip to Vegas, sans-interbike (bastards!). Or my review of Fall season must- haves.

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