Turkey Day Ride!

And they say you can't ride in northern Utah in the winter. Thanks for the picture, Adam. The guys in this picture (left to right, Brian, Tim, Jason, and me) were all part of the White Rim crew. I've been thinking long and hard about a blog post for the trip. What can you say about 100 miles in Canyonlands National Park? When Jason finishes the video, it will get posted here. In the mean time, I plan to keep on riding. The snow bike is coming out soon.

The White Rim, In Black And White

Photo by Jason.

WRIAD

That stands for White Rim in a Day. 100 miles of Utah's best scenery. I'll be closed today and Saturday. Wish me luck. Here are some more pictures.

A Photo...

...ripped of course. It's just to prove that I really did a race this year. Yes, Peter, I did it in cut-offs and a t-shirt.

Amy's Journey and Great Poetry

Amy came into Recycled & New Bicycles about a month ago. Her eyes sparkled with the fire of life smoldering inside. I’m not trying to be literary. You could plainly see the beauty and warmth in her eyes. The permanent smile lines entrenched in her young face were a road map leading to the fire. Amy needed a reconditioned bicycle for a journey. No, she was not just riding up to the USU campus; she was going to pedal all the way to Cincinnati. I asked her about WKRP, but she had never heard of it. Ah, youth.

I was ready to help. Here was a chance to vicariously go along on her journey, and a chance to relive a journey I took over 15 years ago. I sold her a reliable old steel MTB and told her the journey would change her life forever. I told her about my life changing, sinusoidal ride from Chattanooga to Jacksonville, a long time ago. We put a rear rack on the bicycle. She hooked up an old trailer, and rolled away.

Amy has sent four post cards since she left. Here are her baikus:

Windshield-less, naked
Eyes and ears more thoughtful now
Watch, smell, feel. Love life.

Characteristic
Black chain marks on my right calf
Gaily shout, “I bike”

Their eighteen big wheels
Knock the living breath from me
My lifted hand waves

Coy spider’s silk thread
Flaps merrily in the breezes
Catching bug and sun

Warm river, wet vein
Sun pulses as heartbeat of
Tree, squirrel, rock, me

Hot honeyed tea cup
Warms chilled hands and mind to
Consciousness of time

Colors swirl and dance
Encircling bike and me
Leaves trace summer’s light

My “partner” called
“When you get back home, we’re through"
Ouch. Illinois hurts

Rocking towards home
What awaits, unknown
Yet I pedal still

Well, Amy, I told you the journey would change your life. I hope you made it home. Thank you for the poetry (my edits are allowed under International Poetic License). Leave a comment if you want to.

Sunday Ride

I went for a ride this morning, up the River Trail. I'm sure it will be covered in snow the next time I am there. I have not posted any poetry in a while, so enjoy.

Follow the river

Rolling on wet maple leaves

Sunday, grey, lonely.

Calm before the storm

Maple leaves faded crimson

Soon covered with snow

Climb past the maples

Up to Douglas fir and snow

Green, white, and silent

The SE Singlespeeds Are Here

I just love the orange and blue Draft. Gator colors. I have a size run in the brown and blue Draft Light. Did you look at the msrps? No, that is not a misprint. $310!!

Choices, Choices, Choices!

It's official. Recycled & New Bicycles is now a Fuji Bicycle dealer. Yes, there are more bicycle choices than can be shaken at with a stick (I just couldn't end a sentence with a preposition). Just take a look! I will blog more when the bikes get here next week.