My wife and son spent Friday night with my in-laws, so I had a free pass to pack up a bike and ride out to the country for an overnight in the woods. Thursday's weather forecast predicted high temps around 35 Celsius (95F) on Friday and Saturday with high dew points, but I wasn't going to be deterred by the heat and humidity. Water, sunblock, well-chosen food and equipment, and a controlled riding pace would get me to my campsite and back home in good shape. I chose to ride my Pacer fixie (custom made with Karate Monkey track ends)…

The lovely and talented Ms. Bloggins and myself have had a bit of a rough week. Last friday we had to help our elderly golden retriever out of his pain and into the next world. He was about 13 and was having a lot of trouble standing up, walking, and had lost his appetite almost completely. We watched over the last year or so as his energy and vitality faded. I don't mind telling you it's left a big empty in the Fortress of Solitude and in our hearts. Murphy was without question the finest dog I have ever had…

Here's an interesting irony: I'm writing a wednesday night ride report even though I didn't actually go on the WNR last night. Why me? Well, Brauer just rolled in looking peckish. It's 4:30 in the afternoon. Sov and Nick are both scabbed and bruised and look like they slept in a squirrels' nest. And then there are the comments, sporadically arising between phone calls and extended periods of labored breathing, such as: "My ass still stinks. I can't believe it. I only ate eight of them." and "You wouldn't be able to smell it yet, it just happened." Stories keep…

Fixed Gear Across the USA I've heard you, out there, talking. You think you're pretty tough, and you are, sort of. You ride and you drink and you're a messenger and you go big miles and you ride big dirt. Totally cool. Maybe you even rode all the way across something. I ride across Iowa every summer. Don't make me tough though. Nope. Know what's tough? Riding a Steamroller fixed gear from Seattle to D.C. Know what's tougher? Doing it when you have Type 1 Diabetes. The guys from Adventures for the Cure contacted us a few months ago and…

Pathological superfreeek (and so a spiritual father to Surly) and founding member of Pink Floyd Syd Barrett died last friday. Bust out Piper At The Gates of Dawn and shine on. -----