Bike Shop Days - Part 8

So It is closed now.

Today, the 30th, will be the last day I will be entering the shop.

Friday and Saturday night was good times.

My brother came into town, and we spent Friday night building up his new bike and hanging at the shop.


I also took some time to take some pictures of the shop:


















Saturday was the last day open to the public.

I spent the day helping out at the shop and clearing out all my stuff from the shop.

If it weren't for Grupo Fantasma, it would have been an entirely sad day.

Bike Shop Days - Part 7

When I was expecting the presidio, I reminded the wrenches to keep a close eye for damage on the box. Nice Joke




Man its getting close.

Every day I realize how much more than a bike shop that place is.

I also have realized that when trying to remember the things that I learned there, that it is hard because they have simply become a part of who I am.

Memories flow when I teach or share something from my experiences.

A while back (but after I learned about the close), I was giving a basic maintenance tutorial to a friend after hours at the shop.

Going through the various procedures, I reflected heavily on the fun had (with people and machines) working at the shop.

If the right song comes on, it will have the same time-travel effect.

The shop was also my "bat cave".

Before each cross race I would go alone to the shop to prepare.

I'd butter up, get all the kinks out of my ride, drink beers, psyc up, and jam heavily before heading out to the ped bridge.

That process was a big part of the fun for me.

Great times.



I believe I will return to the bike shop world some day.

And when I do, I hope I can run a shop that elicits passion from its crew and patrons like Charlie did.

He certainly has shown me how.

MJ

Great social ride. MJ was bumping along the way thanks to the homeboy with the cooler-stereo. Big Ups.



Came home. Started listening to MJ again. "Rock with you" is top dog on my list right now. I think I might listen (really listen) to that song the entire day tomorrow. Seriously.

Anyhow time to put my 2 cents on shit I've seen on the news and the facebooks.

People have been bringing up the allegations.

I have no stake in it, so I have no business in it.

Even if.

Judge the man by standards for humans.

Judge by music by standards for music.

Elephant butt

There is a feature on the main greenbelt trail called the elephant butt.

Image from www.austinbike.com

That site is a great local MTB reasource. Check it out!


Ive had a mountain bike for a little more than two years. Over the last year I've started riding more seriously, and challenging myself more by committing to obstacles and discovering new trails.

Yesterday was the first time I was able to clear it. I ride a single speed 29er with a 32/18, so give me a little break.

Alot of the obstacles out there are hard because of the metal aspect. You have to believe in your bike's capabilities, your skill to pick a line, and your ability to commit and not hesitate.

When it happens, it feels fantastic.

Mad Classy / Genre in the brain

Looks like I got wind of this shindig right on time.

If you follow this thing, you know I get down to some Jamacian music. I also dig house. A few years ago at the shop, I was turned on to www.dublab.com by Mike.

Sunday night at Barcelona: Local and imported Dub Step.

A sample if your uninitiated:

Bike Shop Days - Part 6

Lets forget bikes for a second.


Many of the best experiences I take from my time there have nothing to do with bikes.


I learned much of life, love, and the world there.


I confided in people there.


I had passionate debate/discussions there.


I became who I currently am, there.


You could say it is like family.


I mean, who lets you keep all your benefits when your not really working there?
It was weird. When I graduated, I had to get a "real" job to pay bills and get insurance for when I gank up my body. I started working less at the shop. And less. It came to the point that I would work only when a day off was needed. I kept my keys and benefits . I felt bad sometimes, but would always make myself available and useful when wandering into the shop. I offered to go in before opening and do builds or repairs. I was told not to sweat it.




This series will continue indefinitely, although it will be on a "flashback" kind of basis.

Bike Shop Days - Part 5

SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT.

I fucked up big time on my first entry in this series, and I have been motivated to remedy the situation immediately.

So, I mentioned that was was pretty green outside of fixies as I entered the shop for the first time.

Before entering the shop, I had run into the knowledge base: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/.

While most people have seen his technical articles, I encourage you to learn more about who Sheldon was. A window into most people can be found in their sense of humor.

http://sheldonbrown.com/humor/

I swear, when I realized what I had bitten into, I got on that site and learned so damn much. Thank you Sheldon. That man, and his enthusiasm for teaching and sharing really helped me change my color from green. I used his wheel building guide for my first wheel build. It was helpful, concise, and free of unnecessary jargon.

Thank you Sir.
Thank you Sir.
Thank you Sir.
Thank you Sir.
Thank you Sir.
Thank you Sir.
Thank you Sir.
Thank you Sir.
Thank you Sir.
Thank you Sir.
Thank you Sir.
Thank you Sir.
Thank you Sir.
Thank you Sir.
Thank you Sir.
Thank you Sir.
Thank you Sir.