Mountain Biking Silliness

Marin County; where it all began. Long ago on these fabled hills, bikers had had enough with skinny tires, skinny top tubes, and skinny roads. They craved the hills, wide trails, wide tires (wide quads?). They craved a progression.

And then there was Mike T. A guy who likes to tinker on bikes, doesn't have a ton of income to burn but wants to give this mountain biking thing a try. 

And then there was the Recyclery. A really sweet bicycle rescue operation in San Rafael that happens to have HUGE sales on some bikes that look like there next stop was here. Do you see where this story is going.... A few weeks back I bought a moderate heap. It's an old GT hardtail that is basically a rigid because of the terribleness of the front fork. Regardless of the late 90's styling, I was determined to make it roll. But how, you might be asking? With as few gears as possible!!! Sounds like a dumb idea, right? Well, about 2 hours ago I agreed. That was the 10th time I had to dismount my bike and walk up a hill that would have been totally ridable with a 21 speed bike. As I cursed my way up another hill, the views of the Bay, Larkspur and endless Redwoods siphoned all of the single-speed hatred out of my veins. It was still fun, and I think if I had gears, I'd still have been going REALLY slow (it was steep), so who cares?! At the top of the climb (hoo-koo-e-koo trail and blithedae ridge) I met another nice biker who, by coincidence, lives about 4 blocks from me. He helped me navigate my way down the trail (so I didn't have to look like a doof at every intersection with my map) and the ride was stellar. With sore muscles and my brain thinking of what random part to get on the bike next, I'm going to go stretch on my new crash pad (woot woot!) and eat a lot of food. I'll put some pic's up soon, but I need to have my camera to do that.... 

don't be a tool,

Mike

Meat and Eggs. We'll only kill the mean ones.

I've been reading several books about food, what we eat, why we eat it (taste and culture) and where it comes from. I've decided that I need to start a farm. I will start with chickens and eat and sell their delicious eggs. When I've figured that out, I'll start chopping some chickens for food. All the while I'd like to have a sweet garden, not huge, just a few acres tops. I have no idea when this is all going to start, but if I get the chop after the shitty state budget comes through, perhaps I'll find an 'in' then! Until then, I'll keep reading 'Animal, Vegetable, Miracle' and just dream about chickens...

Homeys

I went back to my old stomping grounds yesterday to have some man time with the buds. It was great to see Justin, Ryan, Marko and to climb with Peter. Pulling on plastic never felt so great! It was also great to see Gus and Turtle (even thought Turtle tried to eat me at first). Back in the County, life is life. I'm PSYCHED to go skiing in the next few weeks, then find some weekends to get more climbing in. Happy holidays to all. Don't be a tool. 

Could this change my life???

Today, we bought a book. It was the Zagat's guide to the S.F. Bay Area dining. I think this might be pretty big. I will gladly update on findings as they come up. In other news, not much. Share more soon. Don't be a tool.

The County of Marin

There are some good things about the county called Marin. Let's start with fog. Absolutely great to wake up in the morning to a nice blanket of fog. Even better to stand in our backyard and watch the fog roll in over the Redwood studded hills that make up Muir Woods. Shore birds will be topic 2. I have never seen so many egrets and herons, sandpipers and pelicans in one place. I'm not a birder by any means, but I still dig on birds. I admire their patience and stealthy moves. 3 is Marriage. It's nice. Al is great and life is good. 4 is the VALLEY. Heading down with Paul to work on Middle Cathedral for a few hours/most of a day. Bring your batteries! 

The Tyranny of being Isolated (and lame)

Ok, we got married, moved, started new jobs and are adjusting to a new place and a new pace. This is an interesting place. Not as many smiles, everyone speeds, people are go, go, go, and every road needs to be repaved. It's also a complete drag to not be around people who are psyched to climb. In fact, I don't know what people are psyched to do here because they don't really talk and I haven't met anyone here who climbs. There's my pity party. Done, enough bullshit.

On to the Valley. Soon. October, when it's nice and cool, and the tree's are starting to turn, and only a few are around. No motor homes. It's all building up to next summer and my trip to the Sierra. No bullshit this time. I'm going, it must be done. I've got to figure out if this is me. With or without partners. Solo, 4th class, 3rd class, hiking, with a team of 5, whatever. I want the freedom to look at a wall, walk to it with all that I need, and climb it. If I fail, I rap, who cares?

No bull shit, just climbing.

Don't be a tool.

Oh my JARGON!!!

We're back, with an amazing trip behind us and a huge task in front of us, only compounded by the fact that our luggage is somewhere inbetween Germany and San Francisco... Other than that we made it baby!! Thanks to everyone who checks this blog that came to the wedding, it was amazing. Pic's to come soon....

Don't be a tool.

Mike