2008 was beat down and long in the tooth. It goes without saying. I haven’t wanted to think about it, much less try to put anything on paper. Everyone else has been pumping out opinions on it anyway. But alas, I felt obligated should I ever need to reflect on my “condition” at the time. So this Saturday, the snow began to fall again, and after laying around the house for seemingly the 50th day in a row, I thought maybe I should sit upright, relieve the pressure on the bedsore, crack another beer, and write some crap down. Ramble and drool on the keys.
January one seemed to be the chronological point of relief of a mass catharsis following a bleak decade as Americans. The change of course began with the election, The first in the three step program. Next, we gave ourselves that moment at midnight just days ago, to inflict our lofty aspiration and positive mojo on 2009. A collective foreshadowing of what we want in conjunction with the official end of Bushco as the history books will tell it. We’ll seal the deal come the 20th. But, after the party of the last decade, the cleanup detail isn’t going to be an easy task. Consider this whole first term dedicated to it, if not longer. Much longer. The Republicans proved themselves to be quite the rowdy partiers for certain, smashing the cake, cashing the keg, breaking into dad’s liquor cabinet, setting off the extinguishers in the laundry room, and “borrowing” the scooter for a beer run, never to return. Obviously burned out, even beer bong veteran G.W. is eager to get on with it. He knows as we all do, everything has been dragging on for way too long.
But, I shouldn’t gloom. Many did gain in the end and good old American ingenuity is alive and well. The country was successfully held for ransom and extorted for trillions, so that billions could be delivered to the top percentage which already has millions. And nobody did anything Illegal. How about that. Morality and values aren’t dead by a long shot either with everyone walking the line like that. So, we’ve got that going for us right?
Fortunately, for every bare, there is a bull. One of the hidden blessing of the previous year, was that the bike industry as a whole, saw gain and was thrust to a small degree, into the mainstream consciousness as a viable solution to their petro-woes. During my brief stint working at biketrailershop.com this past summer, the shelves were generally bare due to demand. Not an xtracycle to spare. A surprising boon in the wake of the collective struggle. More of that I say. Much more of that. It can only be good.
But, even with the immediate and potential future success for our kind, nobody was to get away without paying due. The cream on the top still had to be skimmed and Trek finally called it quits after 13 years of sponsoring many a cycling team. I was fortunate to have ridden for them at the beginning of the decade on a regional squad. I still have the bike and I am quite thankful for it. Trek is a fine company when it comes down to it and I’m very satisfied to have been a representative at one time.
Still, this is a good time to be on two wheels. I’ve thought long and hard about it and there is only good to come despite what will happen to the way things are. Imagine the day more people take an active roll in their own lives. Imagine the prosperity that will ensue when people finally begin to get out of their battle wagons, and ride a bike wherever they need to go, if only for one day a week. It will be a revelation to each, and a revolution for all. We’ll be like Belgium one day. Only bigger, with less windmills and tulips. And we’ll still totally kick ass.
Just keep pedaling.
ColonelSanders on January 3rd, 2009 9:56 pm
OK. What are you smoking, and how do I get some of dat sheet ??
butthead on January 4th, 2009 12:16 am
Dude;
That Sucks one big Donkey Ball I know. Every year it is the same around here too. I make a resolution to quit drinking and eat good shit to get fit. Put more miles in. Build a base in winter….blah bla. hell I even quit coffee once too. Just to get in shape. YOu know “I am gonna develop leg speed on a fixie and build my climbing power on a SS mtn bike; sell all the shit in my garage to buy a Power Tap” etc. Spin on the rollers at night out of the cold to Trance music to develop technique. Everything in the book. In fact the only thing I wouldnt do is go to the Carmichael HOMO Training camp (still cant believe peeps buy that quacks wack oil).
But fuck me if it isnt cold out this time of year every goddamned year I start and I cant get my ass on the bike beofer 10. By 10 there is a game on and I am into the chips and dip and a cold few….game over like beofre it started no return n shit
We need another new day new year start point. How about the TOur Down Under and a start day for fitness and building a base for late spring and Summer jam sessions. Maybe Donkey Ball Himself can be my inspiration again. Wait a min if it is on VS then I gotta watch it and thant means I will be back on the couch
That is it.. Jan 19 or whenever the fuck it starts on VS. I am on this motherfucker like a motherfucker. not the couch but the bike again. I am gonna bea at THE LEVEL by June. I just checked and VS is only showing the good lance bits at night so excuse #1 is gone.. and it is supposed to warm up a bit It is gonna be a great year
and I got another 2 weeks to drink
Fuck you, Fuck Lance. fuck bigg jonny and fuck all Single speeds, fixies and all
dave on January 4th, 2009 4:36 am
Shut up and ride.
MM on January 4th, 2009 8:08 am
You want some cheese with that whine…
If it’s that bad for you, just off yourself…jeez!
Gnome on January 4th, 2009 9:13 am
na, I hear ya butthead.
I’ve experienced the same thing many seasons. over eagerness meets reality for me. Even now I’m just not ready to get out and go for it, even with sedona just down the way.
The strong guys will always tell you how to easily solve it… “just go ride” but there’s more to it than that for some. They’ll never be able to get it.
Go ride when you’re ready.
dave on January 4th, 2009 9:31 am
Trust me, I get it. Battles on two fronts-lingering upper respiratory infection and back problems, plus later hours at work-have conspired to knock the motivation right out of me. But it seems like turning the corner around winter solstice. We have yet to see the shittiest weather, but the days grow longer; imperceptibly at first, but more daylight is a-comin’.
Still, my original suggestion seems to be the only one that works. I believe I will have that ride after all.
Sheepman on January 4th, 2009 9:37 am
Methinks dudes on two wheels whine too much. Why isn’t anyone willing to celebrate the 10 years that Trek did contribute big to supporting development of US racing? Faint praise when the money was there, whining when it’s gone!
Gnome on January 4th, 2009 9:51 am
You couldn’t be more off point Sheepman.
The intent was to mildly honor their efforts just as I have mildly respected them at any time. Keywords that should have tipped you off were “fortunate”, “thankful” and “fine company”.
Think larger picture. The team got cut because of the shamWow economic bullshit just like so many UAW employees, not because Trek got bored with it.
Go be a retarded runner elsewhere. This ain’t your bag.
Mikey on January 4th, 2009 6:46 pm
The Secret of Invisibility:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/letters/northern-ireland-man-discovers-secret-of-invisibility-14127611.html
Keep the rubber side down.
Gnome on January 4th, 2009 6:50 pm
That was awesome Mikey. thanks.
singletrack maestro on January 4th, 2009 6:50 pm
Gnome 1 Sheepman 0