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

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

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/

More Sea Otter and 12 hours of Avamore

This is Boise this morning, and this is happening: http://dirtbagpromotions.com/rides/12-hours-of-eagle/

I thought the image was a nice way to represent what you might see at the race, said race being a sunset to sunrise 12 hour jaunt just outside of Boise on July 18. Am I invested in this at all?
No. Am I gonna do it? Well, my racing days of being selfish with my time are long behind me and I hate riding with people on a whole, but maybe?? I am all about Idaho and being in the outdoors and having super-fun events here. Besides, it looks like fun and I need an excuse to buy a new Light & Motion kit  http://www.idahomountaintouring.com/product/light-motion-seca-2000-enduro-lighting-system-9793.htm Let's do it.

And now more Sea Otter Tech

I need a new 'cross bike this year, not because I'm actually going to race cross, just because I'm an elitist snob and I want another very versatile bike in my quiver. We don't deal in deception here, so why not just say it plain?

This is going to sound very much like I'm just schilling for the company, but I'm not. Available to me at IMT in terms of 'cross bikes are the Trek Boone 9 Disc, the Giant TCX Advanced 0, or the Ibis. Honestly, I can't lose given those choices, but I'm goin Ibis (pictured) because a) I think they make a very quality product. b) I love Enve forks...even better than Alpha Q. c) I used to work there and I believe in the guys and their vision and riding an Ibis might feel a bit like home. d) I already said that I'm super elitist when it comes to my bikes. I will never show up at the trail with the exact same bike as the next guy. e) have you noticed I'm all about disc brakes? Disc brakes on everything, all the time. I want Shimano disc brakes on my shoes. I want them on my water bottle cage. I know there are hurdles. Road pros don't want 'em. Tri guys don't want 'em. Don't care, you guys are living in the past and you need to embrace the future. Here is the future: http://www.ibiscycles.com/bikes/hakkalugi_disc/#buildkit

I have to go now, but not without a parting shot. This was the Ellsworth booth.

Can you hear the vultures? They were circling. 

Don't buy an Ellsworth, kids. I tell you these things as a friend.

BC

Ratboy, Neadly, Otter, Meat...Dear lord I love this post

I have a meat fest to go to tomorrow, but it was absolutely time to get something other than Goldilocks headlining this blogspace. What is a meat fest? Well, my best friend Chad and his wife hold an annual BBQ that they prepare for 2.5 days. Smoking meats, harvesting honey, grilling pigs raised only from farmers that they know and trust, and ultimately having the meat-sweats by 3:00 pm. I'm going for a ride in the morning and I don't eat beef or pork, so I can usually walk away feeling just fine about myself. I'll post pics.

Moving on, I've promised more World Cup and Sea Otter coverage and here it is. First, my World Cup DH mountain bike prediction that Josh Bryceland would finally get his first FREAKING WIN was a week off. The following weekend, he did it in Leogang. That's in Austria. Austria is really steep and rooty and I've ridden there and I should have had a little bit more insight into course knowledge before that prediction, but by God I'm essentially an 8-day-early prophet. Like Morpheus in The Matrix, my predictions seem to be just slightly off. 

No matter, here Josh is in a pic from 2011. Carefree and talented as all get out with a buddy of mine from Santa Cruz (hey Will, why you never call?). Being "Ratboy." Dirt jumping with his bros all the time, certainly developing skills, but maybe not taking his talent as seriously as he should on an every day basis. He's the understudy of Steve Peat, and like Peaty he was doing it his way. And like the story arch of one Steve Peat, he finally took things seriously and got a win. Lots of wins are on the horizon if he keeps up the ethic. To me, he's Sinatra, but with a really bad accent: 

I could listen to this kid for days, but the point is: World Cup Recap 2014 has different winners in every race so far. This is very exciting, people. Unfortunately, now we have a mere 5 more weeks till the next race. I've been trying to hold my breath but I lack the lung capacity. I think the UCI might need to work on scheduling if we want to keep fans interested. I don't think hockey players take 6 weeks off, ever. Seriously, their off season is like a month...

On to sea Otter part 14 (14 sounds right, correct? I've lost track). 

At Sea Otter, Specialized had on display this Ned Overend fat bike. Of course, 58 year old Nedly is riding it super fast these days. There are a bunch of things to comment on here, #1 being, "hey Bill, you don't sell Specialized, why would you post this pic?" 

Main answer: Ned Overend is amazing and he always will be and I like to see his progression and legend grow. Part of this blog for me is to try to make people fans of the sport of mountain biking, and Ned Overend and John Tomac and Thomas Frischknecht are the pillars of that. "The Human Lung," as he is known, now has a fatbike. If it wasn't real in your mind that this fatbike thing is legit before, it is now. 

Additionally, we sell fatbikes from Surly and a more advanced one from Trek called the "Farley" and they came to market before Specialized. Specialized is one of the big three in terms of large bicycle brands, and they make a good bike. We carry the other two top brands in TREK and Giant, as well as Surly, and they all have a better warranty policy, so I say suck it, Specialized. You do have Ned Overend, but you're late to the show, your business tactics are questionable at best, and I think we have better bikes. All that "The Big S" is really saying here is, "Ned is fast on any bike we put him on... and we put him on this." Cheers, but that doesn't make your fatbike better, or you any more innovative. 

Sand, snow, or just another cool bike in the quiver...fat bikes are here to stay for a bit. I think, however, that fatbikes are not at all about speed and every bit about the experience. That's the draw. Winning a race on a fat bike, even if you're Ned Overend, misses the whole point, and I think maybe other companies don't get that. 

XOXOX

BC

P.S. I have a story about Ned and I one crazy night in Hollywood when I was working for Mountain Bike magazine that I won't tell out of respect for him, not that he did anything wrong. What I can say is, I almost went fisticuffs with a 'roided up Filip Meirhaeghe. This guy:

I would have died that night had Ned not told the Specialized handlers to take him away to let us enjoy the evening. Respect. 

Updated 6/25: Event Tonight; This One's for the Ladies

UPDATE: We have another one - tonight 6/25 at our downtown location!

This isn't really Bill's Blog material so much as I just want to get the word out there for our Women's Bike Maintenance and Fit Clinic tonight at our downtown Boise location. Am I losing you? Here you go, a little Bernhard Eisel eye candy for ya.

The clinic is free, it's from 7:00-9:00 and get this, it'll be taught by our esteemed owner Chris Hizzownself Haunold. He will be going over safety checks, basic day-to-day maintenance and really whatever else you want to know. He's cool, will answer all of your questions/concerns candidly, and it'll be very relaxed (read: wine will be served). It's perfect for all of you out there getting ready for the upcoming Goldilocks ride http://www.goldilocksride.com/gid


Oh, and there will be refreshments and a raffle of 2 free event registrations (worth $75 each). 

1310 W. Main St. Boise 208/336-3854

It's not about the chickens.

Alright, some semi-minor stuff has happened to me recently and it has me a bit out of sorts. This is a long story, but a good one that I think you'll enjoy. You're here to enjoy the things that I write down on a virtual piece of paper, right? For enjoyment? Then lets go, and I'll try to ham fisted-ly rope it back into cycling at the end.

So I work at a bike shop. Maybe you know and maybe you don't, but dudes that work at bike shops typically don't own their own house. I get paid very well for what I do, IMT treats me and all other employees amazingly in that regard, but I'm not a stock broker in NYC and as such I rent a room in a house. The owners of said house recently went out of town for a lovely wedding in Hawaii, and I've been dog and chicken sitting. Mind you, my only duties are to make sure the dogs don't die, the chickens don't die, and the garden is green.

Cut to the chase, I get home the other night and let the dogs out (answering the age old Bow Wow Men question, "Who Let The Dogs Out?" I did. That was me). The chickens are in their coop, so no big deal. Apparently it was irrigation day because the back yard is flooded. Irrigation day is a bit hectic here

so I was glad that that responsibility was left to someone else. I later found out his title was The Water Master, which made me laugh because I've seen The Little Mermaid. Is he King Triton?

So my lady friend, whom I adore, comes over and we start watching some forgettable movie when one of the dogs comes and lays a dead chicken at my feet. Jen (lady friend) kind of loses her mind in the process of telling me that the dog just laid a dead chicken at my feet. The dog was proud, she was presenting it to me. This is what dogs do, but I'm not a dog and it wasn't cute. On the way to the backyard to investigate, there's blood all over tarnation and a dead rooster in the other dog's bed. Get to the backyard, it's a pond of blood and feathers. Like a flashback in The Shining. I know, a tougher man wouldn't even flinch, but these aren't goldfish. I eat chicken all the time but I don't get off on seeing them torn up and floating in my backyard. All 7 chickens were demolished. Dead. They were going to die eventually, sure, but now they are dead in front of me and I have to clean it up.

So I do, and that wasn't fun except that Jen is blind as a bat and kept throwing away dog toys thinking they were chicken parts. I didn't have the heart to tell her otherwise.

The next morning is trash day, and I want nothing more than to get these rotting bodies out of my life, so I take them out to the street where this old man...I'm not 100% sure that this guy wasn't a ghost...tells me that I'd have better luck throwing them away in the trash can across the street??? Then he says, "Hey, once those dogs get the bloodlust you have to put 'em down." Of course I told him that I have 7 dead chickens and I'm not about to put down two additional dogs, but I was really beside myself. What world am I living in at this point?

So how do I rope this back into something you care about? I don't. But I had a lot on my mind when I went for a ride this morning, and when I got back I felt better about the world.