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Published at: 07:08 pm - Saturday August 28 2010

Has it been that long?

I guess so.

This week has been a good one. The Alliance has gotten out three times this past week to ride. Last Saturday we headed up to Cedar Mountain and rode/walked the Virgin River Rim Trail. Spenser Mehr, JD Franz, Tristen ?, Shelby Meinkey, KB and I and Shelby’s father-in-law, all met up for a great ride. The weather was awesome. There was no oxygen and it hurt. But we rode and that makes life good.

Yup. 7 hours and 19 minutes of riding for 30 miles. It hurt and I hope to be able to make it back up there soon for another shot at it.

To continue with riding stories, we then hit the Barrel Roll on Wednesday. Mr. Mehr was out to prove something so we went fast all the way around the trail, but that was fine cuz that’s what we probably needed to do.

Then today, I rode the goose. Which begs the question, is it Goose season? I’m not sure that I can make that claim just yet but the weather was nice and cool. We camped on the Mesa last night and had a good time waking up to a nice breeze and then heading out to ride. Bryce and Cim joined us. As you should all know that means we rode the Goose a little slower than we usually do, but damn it felt good to be up there and have the singlespeed on some rock that it knows. I haven’t been able to successfully rid myself of the Joplin post that I bought from BP, so I installed it for our outing. It was nice to be able to drop the seat when doing the steap rollers and some of the steep ups that I enjoy so much. I think it may stay on the bike. Yea, its a bit heavy but it was nice to have it.

I guess since I have actually sold it twice and it’s still in my possession that it wasn’t meant to be sold.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
Mosque-Erade
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
The Parent Company Trap
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

And then of course, solidarity for the miners trapped in Chile.

http://www.emol.com/especiales/2010/interactivos/mineros_bajo_tierra/index.html

Which also goes along with the miners here.

And all of that just makes me wonder what Neruda and Allende would think of where we are almost 40 years later…

Out.

Posted in: Uncategorized by Knuckler No Comments

You know what I love?

Published at: 07:08 pm - Monday August 23 2010

I love when something in my life animates me to the point that even if I am shit drunk I cannot fall asleep and when I wake up with that fuzzy feeling in the morning around my 4:30ish piss, I still cannot go back to sleep.

If I look a bit tired these days, know that it is for a good cause. I’ll elaborate more when it is appropriate.

Nuf said.

Moving on to bigger and better things, like the one thing that has been my sole motivation since, I don’t know, 15 years ago, riding.

As I may have mentioned a half of a dozen times, Champ Spenser Mehr gave me the opportunity to ride in his presence this weekend and we rocked a trail more to my tastes than his, the Virgin River Rim Trail. Yup, it’s that time of year and we got out for our annual journey. My butt is still a bit sore and my ego a bit less nifty than when we started. Apparently I should have packed more sugar and less that other stuff. After a mere hour I was craving Mountain Dew like it was my savior. A bag of Funyons could have hit the stomach nicely as well. All in all, we rode, we conquered, and we will return. As in next month. Look forward to another journey up the mountain sometime after SlotoJa when the leaves have turned and my legs are burley from pulling a BOB 206 miles on a singlespeed.

Did someone mention SlotoJa? Oh yeah, that was me. I’m stoked.

One of the things I don’t love in life is showing up for a ride and realizing everyone has a bike that is less suited to the riding terrain than mine and then being showed up by the one dude that, judging by bikes, should have been at the end of the line. Tristen, I hate you. This guy rides a GT I-drive 6 inch travel bike and stomps his way through my pride to the top of every hill on the Rim. Luckily, I brought along my favorite team mate, KB, and she was able to keep a little pride in the family and put some hurt on him. I really hate that. I guess I should do less drinking of Mtn Dew and more riding of Mtns.

Anyways, you all suck and I’m going to not go to bed now.

Peace. Love. and Revolution.

Posted in: Alliance Rides, Group Outings, Useless Banter by Knuckler No Comments

Wait, what?

Published at: 08:08 pm - Sunday August 22 2010

NYTimes: Pakistanis Say Taliban Arrest Was Meant to Hurt Peace Bid http://nyti.ms/cEtbnm
Not sure of what to make is this. What the hello is going on?

Posted in: Uncategorized by Knuckler No Comments

Rupert at it again

Published at: 06:08 am - Wednesday August 18 2010

NYTimes: News Corp. Gives Republicans $1 Million http://nyti.ms/dkzLwB.

I don’t find this hard to believe at all, but I will say that I find it to be an obvious conflict of interest for a corporation that owns media that claim to report news to be giving money to anyone. I’m sure you can find some corporation that owns a news source that has given to the other side of the one party system we have, and it would be just as wrong.

And to pretend that the news organizations owned by Rupert don’t slant the news is just silly.

Out.

Posted in: Manifesto by Knuckler No Comments

I called in well and haven’t worked since

Published at: 08:08 pm - Tuesday August 17 2010

I will give anyone who can accurately reference that  title a free overhaul on their bicycle. That’s $200 worth of work.

Today was a good day, one of the better days in history. I went to work, loved it and then came home to Jameson and cooking dinner for my baby. It’s been a long time since I cooked anything. Don’t accept this as coming out of the closet but the German and myself used to cook after our group rides. We would run into Fred Smiths grab some beer, decide what to cook and then cook it. I have to admit I did more asking what I could do than actually helping but nonetheless I learned a thing or two. All I know is the misses better damn well like the pasta I made her.

It’s official the Mooseknuckler-mobile will be headed to the mountains on Saturday to ride the Rim. Pretty stoked about the adventure. There’s nothing like riding at 10,000 feet to remind you how pathetically fat and/or slow you are. Yup, looking forward to the suffering.

In other news, I will be building three, count ‘em three, S Works Tarmacs tomorrow. There’s nothing like having over $20,000 worth of bikes go through your stand in one day. I also found out I will be building another sickly high-end wheelset in the near future. We’re waiting on rims and hubs for one wheelset for this customer and he just put money down on another race day set that makes me drool. And I don’t drool easily. I will try and remember to take pics so I can post. I will furnish you with pics of tomorrow’s builds for sure.

Well, KB just got home so I’m off to play, do you like it?

Oh yeah, Fast Eddy called and said he was coming down next week. Mirate huevon, esto estara devertido…

Out.

Ride More.

Posted in: Uncategorized by Knuckler 2 Comments

Today marks another day in history

Published at: 07:08 pm - Monday August 16 2010

And it is significant because… Really who gives a shit?

However, I did see something today that I thought was impossible, a broken Demo. Sorry I didn’t get a picture, but to use a thousand words… A customer of ours basically impaled his Demo on a rock. The rock dented and penetrated the down tube. All I have to say is that is a lot of force. There is an actual hole in the tubing. I’m very impressed. The fact that the Demo was broken and Connor was still walking is a hole nother story.

In other historic events, oh wait, we decided no one cares.

I’ve been musing as is my habit. My thoughts of late have evolved around the idea of dual immersion schools. As many of you know my better half teaches at such a school here in Super Great. It is by far one of the most polarizing schools I have ever seen, which is a hole nother story altogether. What I’ve been musing about is the why. I cannot wrap my head around the idea that someone would really be opposed to their child learning a second language and being able to speak that language near perfectly. I’ve tried, but I cannot comprehend it.

I’m semi bilingual. I learned Spanish in Chile and worked my ass off to try and learn it to the best of my ability. I feel like a did a pretty damn good job. I’ve written many times about how learning a second language changed my life. By being able to speak Spanish opened an entire continent of history, ideas, music, poetry, architecture, people and lives that was completely closed to me. That world is not available to any one who does not speak Spanish, much like the world of Japanese culture is currently closed to me or how U.S. culture and ideas is closed to the billions of people who don’t speak English.

This is where I get lost. When someone tells me that dual immersion schools are a bad idea, the only thing that I can understand is that opening an entire world of knowledge is a bad idea. This means that we should close doors not open them. We should make sure that we have no contact with anything foreign because we already have everything we need. This is absurd, to me.

I will never expect anyone to understand everything that I believe, but this is one thing that I cannot get. If someone can explain it to me, I would be much obliged.

While I’m on the subject of my stupidity, maybe you all can explain something else to me. How is it that building a mosque across the street from the trade towers is a bad thing? Really? If someone was to walk up to me today and tell me that they were planning on building a mosque in that site, my first thoughts would be that they were building it as a token of solidarity with those who lost so much. However you construe the construction, Muslims lost a lot when those towers fell. They lost the right to exercise their religion with dignity, they lost the ability to be trusted in many realms. After the towers fell, many Muslims lost their freedom, their lives, their families. Why shouldn’t they be allowed to build a place to worship where all of that was lost? Why can’t it be a peaceful gesture aimed at solidarity?

Ok, I’ll stop musing.

This weekend, more specifically this Saturday, we will be riding in the company of fame. The Mooseknuckler Alliance will be heading up to Brian Head to ride some cross country trails with none other than reigning National Champ Spenser Mehr. If you’re interested in coming let me know. Plans aren’t rock solid yet, but we’ve discussed either rocking out one of the loops or doing a point-to-point on the Virgin River Rim. Either way it should be a good time. Let me know if you are interested.

I’m seeing a night ride this week but I’m not absolutely sure on the specifics. Plan on Wednesday night at 9. I’ll let you know where, soon.

Leadville also happened this weekend. Two of my clients (that I can remember) raced it out, Craig Terry and Brad Hannig. Both finished. Craig finished 115th, which is very respectable for this race. Congrats to all who crossed the finish line.

Anyways,

Paz. Amor. y Revolucion.

Posted in: Alliance Rides, Group Outings, Manifesto, Useless Banter by Knuckler No Comments

It’s a mean, mean world out there

Published at: 07:08 pm - Saturday August 14 2010

I have found that the less I watch mainstream, broadcast television the more I find myself completely perplexed by what people say.

I have also found the I will tend to mutter, pace and basically do just about anything to try and not say something that would offend, especially when I can find no logical explanation for the opinion. One of the things that I will mutter in these situations is, “Mean World Syndrome.” Which is really just part of a much bigger, and more brilliant theory about media, called Cultivation Theory.

I have the misfortune of having studied communication and more specifically, journalism. This makes it impossible for me to sit down and watch news, movies, tv, documentaries or any other media without analyzing the source and even more importantly who paid for the production. So when I mutter these things just ignore me, unless you wish to become cynical too.

With that in mind,

One of my comrades in arms, my little sister pictured above trying to look as if she had a belly like mine, has moved to Albany, New York. She has left to go to law school. You read that right law school. She has been listening to my ramblings for quite some time. You can read about her experiences here. Where you will find great drink recipes, for example, one for a Tom Wallbanger Bloody Sunrise on the Beach.

Moving on.

It’s been road season in our neck of the woods. No, that doesn’t mean we’ve been hunting roads with bow and arrows. It means it is hotter than hell so riding early and riding fast are a necessity. I’ve actually been getting out on the skinny tire, go fast bikes a couple of times a week and I have to say it has been enjoyable. KB has been trying to commit me to ride the Tour de St. George which is in direct violation of an oath I took. So I guess we’ll have to hold out on that one.

Which brings us to a closer event and one that I will be participating in, Slotoja. The closer it gets the more I excited I am. It’s been a while since I slept wherever the sunset caught me and I have a feeling it will be good for my soul. There is a liberating effect that bicycle touring has on me. It’s that dream of finding out what is around the next corner, to just be in motion, to be free. I guess a bike and a BOB are my catalyst to freedom… I hope some of you can join me.

This week should mark the first night ride in some time. P-diddy and myself have been discussing. I hope to have a schedule and times posted by Monday. So stay tuned.

I’ve been made aware of a concert that will be taking place this August here in SG. All the proceeds go to the Doctor’s Free Clinic. So you get to hear good music and do some good. Be there!

I think that is all for today. I’m gonna go hide now from the world outside and try to forget about how mean it is.

Peace. Love. and Revolution.

Posted in: Uncategorized by Knuckler 2 Comments

I’ve been absent minded before.

Published at: 03:08 pm - Sunday August 08 2010

I’ve been remiss in my duties of posting this past week. I’m not sure what it was but I guess I needed a vacation. As such I will be going for quantity of news and not detailed quality.

First up.

Last weekend my two sisters and I headed up to one my favorite places on earth, Mills Flat. This is the home of the blaze that burned a couple of homes in New Harmony two years ago. I had not been up the canyon since and was quite curious as to how things looked.

Green and Black

Juxtaposition

As you can see from the pictures, there was some black, but life was retaking the canyon quite quickly. The actual flat was left untouched and was as green as I’ve ever seen it.

We enjoyed our little foray into the wilderness and we’re even treated to a nice thunderstorm for a good portion of our descent. This left us plenty wet and plenty ready to be done. Of course the dogs were in tow. Lily was honored by sitting in the back seat and was a good little puppy until we got home. As soon as I turned off the engine she stood up and shook off right in the middle of my car leaving mud and other debris everywhere. If she could have only waited another 3o seconds….

In bike related news, one Dayton stopped on his way through town to enjoy a free floor to sleep on and to get his groove on in the dirt. We hit up the Prospector to Church Rocks and had an enjoyable time, albeit a damn hot one. I had a demo pack, from a manufacturer that will remain nameless for now, and by the time I arrived at the trailhead I had lost nearly all of my water. Upon further inspection the reservoir was leaking from the seam of the hose and the bladder. GD that’s not funny when it’s gonna be over 100 degrees. Fortunately we were able to get the ride done quick enough that I finished my last drops of water just as we were coming to the car. Good times… And as an added bonus Dayton will be rocking the Polar North as his home pad for the next bit as he finishes his graduate degree in landscape architecture, which means you northern Knucklers should be able to get some kick ass riding in.

In further bikely news, I got out and rode the road bike once again and had a fabulous morning of it.  I rocked the mooseknuckle so deal with it.

Pman Pfaeler has begun to push towards group rides again so we will probably see some in the near future, including a few of the skinny tire type.

And now on to the other stuff. This weekend the Mooseknucklermobile was pointed south and made it to Sin City for an Adolescents/Dropkick Murphy’s show. To sum it up, it was pretty kick ass. Good music, good friends, good times. What else can we ask for…

image

Hollywood ready to rock

image

The Adolescents

For further imaging, check the gallery…

That brings us to an end for today. I will try to not be remiss in the future, that is if I remember.

Peace. Love. and Revolution.

Posted in: Alliance Rides, Group Outings, Making Cycling Difficult, Mooseknuckler Pics by Knuckler No Comments

Well, oh well, I fell in a well that went straight to hell.

Published at: 07:07 pm - Thursday July 29 2010

Sometimes I wonder about things. Things that really don’t matter. My latest musing is where do all the Sworks go. It used to be a treat to see one. It was like finding that almost extinct flower just sitting in the middle of a mountain valley and you would just, admire it.

Now they’re a dime a dozen. Of course, that dime has quite a few zeros behind it.

In the last two days, I built three Sworks, two Tarmacs and one Shiv.

image

On its way to Atlanta..

This particular Tarmac belongs to one Todd Wilkinson. Who in the not so distant past resided within the confines of our little county and became a regular at the shop. He and KY hit it off pretty good. He moved to Atlanta, and in his words, “All the bike shops suck out here.” So he now ships his bike to us when it really needs some love. Which happened to be the case this last week. Apparently someone had beat his down tube with a bat and left a gaping hole in it. So I built him up this beaut. Sorry I didn’t weigh it, I’m kind of over that…

image

Sworks Shiv, EDGE 65 and Dura Ace.

Then there was Shiv. Can you say Holy Shiv?! I’m not a big fan of TT bikes but this one is pretty cool. I don’t know how you could not be fast aboard this steed. I’ve been sworn to secrecy as to the owner, but I guarantee you it will be moving fast when it is ridden, twice a year…

Moving on to bigger and badder things.

The Tour de France is in the books. Lance Armstrong did not win. And my favorite Contador did. I just like to watch him climb, but I did not watch even one full stage. I saw the last ten minutes of a stage at Iggy’s but that was it. It was the first time I’ve been at a sports bar and have watched cycling. I mean really, when does that happen, especially in SG.  I couldn’t get myself to pay to watch someone else exercising. So I sat at home and watched people pretend to be someone else.

In capitalist news, I cleaned out my tool box the other day and found things that had been in there for years. Some of the things are close to new. Others have served their purpose well but could still serve some more. I could not throw said things away. So I put them on fleabay where I hope they will be put to good use once again. If you have any need of bike parts check out what I have to offer here.

In browner news… Of course, you’ve all heard about the AZ law making racial profiling legal. I’m sure you all have your opinions which are valid within their context. With all this debate, I’ve been musing. Yes, musing. I have found that most people who are in favor of deporting everyone cite two reasons for said eradication. First, they take our jobs and second, they broke the law by crossing the imaginary line that keeps the poor out. I’m not even gonna touch that second one because its ridiculous. But the first one has some logic to it. I can understand the idea of self preservation, of wanting to make sure that those who you hold dear are able to survive. I am also well aware of the struggle on a national level to create and keep jobs. Which makes me muse.

If you are pissed off at the “illegal” immigrants because they took your job, you need to ask yourself the following questions. Do I shop at Wal Mart? Where do I get my fruits and vegetables? Do I eat fruits and vegetables? Do I drive a Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Land Rover or any other brand not made in the U.S.? Do I live within my means? Who built my house? Do I buy at chains? Is the company I work for locally owned?

Obviously this list can go on for days. The point, if you are truly worried about the job market in the U.S. you need to address how your personal life is effecting that market. When you buy an avocado, do you simply by the cheapest or do you find one that was locally grown, or at least grown in the U.S.? If you simply buy the one that is the cheapest that most likely came from Chile, you just sent a job over that little, imaginary line. You gave away an American job.

I would love to hear people’s thoughts on this. Please comment, unless you can’t do so without being angry.

Posted in: Manifesto, Master of the Obvious, Mooseknuckler Pics, Useless Banter by Knuckler 2 Comments

Sometimes you gotta look back to make sure you don’t run into something

Published at: 07:07 pm - Wednesday July 28 2010

A long, long time ago in a not so distant place, there was a newsletter.

It happened close to monthly and was sent out to just over 100 people who, for one reason or another, had been put in line with the Mooseknuckler Cycling Alliance. I often times got responses to those newsletters that were inspiring. It was one of the first times that I knew someone out there was reading something I wrote and gave a damn. I knew they gave a damn because they corresponded with me tell me such, often times using expletives and telling me to fuck off (not really, they were usually a thanks or a comment on how the little note had made their day).

Those times are long since past. If I remember right the last email went out sometime in 2006, but I could be wrong. The list of people who received said communique has long since been lost to the cyber logs and the email that was used to send out said newsletter has long since gone the way of, “you haven’t checked this email in two fucking decades, it’s now dead.”

The whole purpose of said newsletter was to foment the growth of a cycling community in SG. As can be read here. (I was hoping to find the article I wrote for Cycling Utah detailing our lofty goals, but there archive only goes back to now. However, I noticed that the Alliance is still listed under their advocacy group index.)

Well, fast forward. The newsletter is dead, the Alliance lives on in spirit, and the cycling community is established and aint goin anywhere. Most of them have never heard of the Alliance and that is fine by me. But most of them will benefit in one way or another by something that was published in that little newsletter so many years ago.

The reason I’m writing about any of this is that I was thinking about life, and oft times wrote about such things in the newsletter. I was remembering one particular blurp I wrote that is now lost that detailed me not caring about money, or work and just riding my bike into the sunset. It was about remembering what life was really about. Because when you’re 24 you really have it nailed.

And that’s my two bits for today.

Peace. Love. and Revolution.

Posted in: Manifesto, Useless Banter by Knuckler No Comments
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