Monday, July 21, 2014

Rain in the summer in Boise is amazing and it just happened. Take a breath, kids, this is a rare moment that I just enjoy life. 

Backstory: it's been 100-ish for what seems like a decade. Riding is cathartic and amaze-balls and I would die without it, but not in the heat and the smoke. Oh, I rode this weekend, and I hope you did as well, but that tickle in your throat is not good for you. I'm a sensitive guy, and maybe I'm just happy that it's over for a moment. 

-BC


Monday, July 14, 2014

In reference to Contador

There's this Tour de France photo and a story about it being his second or third or fourth bike..on top of a car...or run over by a car...or whatever. Great spin, boys.

That's Contador's bike. That's his race number. He crashed out hard. Those are the facts...allegedly, I wasn't there.

All I have to say is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vQaVIoEjOM&feature=kp

All for now.
BC


Friday, July 11, 2014

You're not your khakis...and commuting

There's no other explanation, you're just trying to make me upset
This one goes out to some blokes that I work with, but first, a disclaimer. I've been accused of being a bit of a rage monkey/hate monger in both my writing and in my personal life lately. Well, perhaps I need to work on that, but I was brought up believing that if you don't wear your heart on your sleeve then you're a jackass, and if you aren't passionate about something then you're either stupid or you just don't care. This way of thinking can come across as harsh, but there is a yin and a yang to the universe, so if you want me to embrace the things I love more, I will also have to cultivate hate for the things I don't. I don't smoke weed, not everything is going to be great, and not all things are totally acceptable. So as is my wont, this post is about two things that are unacceptable to me.

Kicking it off is this thing where people seem to think that I don't like Khaki shorts. I don't.

But I don't shop in a mall and most people do so it's just part of life and nothing to get too upset about...unless they are pleated khaki shorts. Downtown store coworker Dax, these are pleated khaki shorts presented acceptably.=>









<= But this is what you look like, bro, and from where I'm sittin' it looks like you took a load of buckshot to the groin and need this linen accordion to keep pressure off the bandages. If you or anyone else are wearing these just to be cheeky, then good on ya, I'm riled up about it. Such a plan would have to be choreographed better than the plot of The Usual Suspects, however, so stop it you fools. At least get some flat fronts. Flat front khakis can be ok when you err on the side of more brown than stone. Stone just looks like you messed up a janky load of whites...and pleats are for churches.





Commuting is not Racing
Another coworker at our Meridian location pulls this one often, so let's set the stage: lots of establishments have showers for commuting employees. Our Meridian location does not. There are many professional workplaces that also don't offer showers, it doesn't mean you can't commute by bike or whatever alternative ways you want. I'm all about less cars on the road and saving the earth, less emissions, a higher quality of life. I want to ride my bike to work every day. Stage set.

Coworker, ohhh let's call him "Justin," likes to ride into work as much as I do and often does because he lives closer to that location. It's Pearl Jam out lately (that's right, hot...in the 90's), and "Justin" rolls up in full race kit just about every morning, earphones in...stankin. Sweatin. Sometimes there's UCT (Unnecessary
Chamois Time) going on 'till noon. He puts on his deodorant and gets to work thinking nothing of it...and that would be ok. I could grin and bear that, if he didn't go into this little bit of braggery, "Bill, dude, I saw these riders two lights up ahead and went into full on diesel mode to catch them. Passed them by Main St. and I think they were trying to drag but just couldn't. Dropped 'em. Brah."

"Justin" could be any coworker in any setting, confused about the difference between a race and commuting to work. Those people he just caught, they didn't know he was trying to catch them, let alone pass 'em. They're just trying to get to work on time and maybe they left earlier than he did so they could enjoy the scenery. This race that he made up in his head, the one with no entrance fees, no trophies, no route...it doesn't exist.

That's what's frustrating...the part where I have to deal with Axe body Spray up my nose all day because he wanted to be a hero in his head for a half hour. I would much rather hear this story, "in consideration for others around me, I woke up early and went for a ride. I came home, showered, got dressed for my commute, and then I did my best on said commute not to burst into flames so that my clothes weren't soaked through by the time I got to my workplace. I went slow and steady and tried not to over-exert myself. How was your morning? The End."

What's my point besides spewing bile all over the internet? Be considerate.

How's that for turning this frowny face upside down and spreading love instead of hate?

- BC

PS. REMINDER: the Boise Twilight Crit is tonight. It's worth the crowds. Come on out and be a fan http://www.boisetwilightcriterium.com/