ha.

via the General:

kool aid

what is it about cross,
that warrants all of the media attention?

from now until World's we'll be subjected to 'cross news.

Any cross news.
Any local race series,
will have headlines in the nat'l media.

I've been to some of these 'events.'
They don't seem to draw any more people than the local mtb scene.

Actually, fewer is the impression I was left with...

They don't seem to pull in any more PRO's than the local mtb scene.

So, what's all the hubbub about?
I just don't get why 'cross is boss.'

Unless chasing around like a rat in a maze appeals to you.....

Digby says it

better than I ever could:

bullshit bailout plan.

carte blanche

clicky make big on all.
longer slideshow on the Smug
good times.

departe'

here we go, 

should be rollin' 7:20ish,

that's 4:20 in Cali.

easy enough?

rack is mounted, bike is clean and tuned.

bags are packed full and strapped down tight.

the aim is west by northwest, dawn patrol

bee line to Fowler's Hollow for a water stop, 

hit some trail of known quantity along the 

way to shake things down, then eat lunch 

maybe in Blain, hopefully East Waterford,  

would like to see McColloch's Mill and 

Willow Run from the saddle of my bike, 

but that could be a long reach.  probaly 

camp somewhere near Fowlers or down 

along Laurel Run, we'll see where the day

takes me first.  no clue what kind of pace 

to expect, other than alllll day.

mixed terrain of road, couple portions of 

fireroad climbing and cruising w/ singletrack 

linkage to figure things out, maybe some 

mellow exploration...

the setup:

On the rear Sherpa rack, in a 

waterproof OR compression sack:  

Marmot Pounder 40deg synthetic bag.

Thermarest Prolite3 pad.

Knickers w/ boxers for camp time.

Cook kit: .8L Ti kettle

MSR PocketRocket Stove

small JetBoil fuel canister.

(2) different sporks for testing.

1/2c measuring/drinking cup.

mini Salt & Pepper shaker

spare spokes taped to rack leg.

small 'Bento box" style frame bag holding

a handful of cookies, bars, & a gel. enough 

to comfortably get 6ish hours up the road.

(2) bottles of drink mix

saddle bag w/ tube and CO2's w/ shooter.

Mtn Hardwear bivy sack strapped to the bars.

In the HAWG:

Pump

shock pump

multitool

chain tool

extra length of chain

chainring bolts

SOG leatherman-ish tool.

zip ties.

duct tape around tooth brush handle

patches.

not yet worn out set of brake pads.

pack of misc bolts for rack.

Wool hat.

Tall wool socks.

long sleeve base layer.

bandanna (w/ glow in the dark constellations!)

Water purification elixer.

small bottle of soap.

small container of chamois butt'r

limited first aid kit.

toothbrush & paste.

eye/contact drops

fire starter sticks.

pak towel 

EOS led light

TP

chain lube.

100oz bladder.

food:  Mountainhouse dehydrated beef stew,

two packs of instant oatmeal

1 pack of chocolate PopTarts

Nuun electrolyte tabs.

turned off cell phone.

camera on the shoulder strap.

Ipod in the jersey pocket.

map in a bag in the baggy shorts.

kit will be baggies over bibs 

w/ knee warmers to start.

base T, jersey, armwarmers

w/ a wind vest to hold off

the morning chill.

I left the gearing at 32:19 on the Salsa,

couldn't get the freewheels cracked loose,

not like I haven't hoofed it aplenty all ready,

so no biggy.  Probably slap the Exiwolf onto 

the rear before heading out, rolls just that 

smidge better than the MtnKing.

Looking at the load strategy, some sort of

frame bag would be nice, move the repair gear

off the back and down onto the bike, make room 

for more food/warmer clothing options as season

and journey dictate.

As it sits loaded, except for 50oz of water bottles, 

the bathroom scale shows 35lbs.  Hawg slides in 

at 14lbs, w/ a full 100oz bladder.  that's reasonable 

enough

oh, and just added a warmish pair of gloves

to the pack, mornings have been chilly lately.

If I was a good blogger, I'd have a picture 

sequence of all the fun of figuring out the 

packing, it was an exquisite gear shuffle,

too bad you missed it, instead you got 

the tedious list..

yee harr!!!!!

catch ya on the flip, with pictures!

ya know.....

You read about and see how third world dictators loot and pilfer their country's treasure for personal use, leaving entire countries basically bankrupt or worse while they live high on the hog.  With the US now providing bailouts to the tune of $600 BILLION for just the year 2008, where's this money come from?  You read about these CEO types who are 'let go' after running these companies into the ground, and they walk away with millions, tens and 100's of millions.  They aren't tossed out on their rump with nothing.  They totally fuck up their job, shrug their shoulders and live hi off the hog while the rest of us are left to pick up, and pay for the pieces.  

Where're all these free market, pure capitalism pussies now?  Looking for a handout from all of us.  Looking for some CEO welfare, too fucking scared to practice what they preach, can't deal with the consequences.  assholes.  they game the system, lose, then still get paid.  how's that work?

And we fucking pick up the pieces.  How many more 'bailouts' can the system handle?  Is this how they bring down the US?  Is this how they "drown gov't in a bathtub"?  McCain claims he wants to 'reform gov't.'  In what respect exactly?  Bankrupt the shit out of it, then rebuild it from there, based on your bullshit theocratic authoritarian bullshit.  Reform it more to your narrow small minded incurious outlook.  Reform it to make your religious right lunatic fringe base happy?  just reform all that liberal bullshit out of there, right?  Bush/Cheney haven't gone far enough for ya?

no thanks.

it's a shame that we'll probably never see any of these liars, crooks and war criminals in a real court of law.  never see them held accountable, it won't be 'politically expedient'.  it's a shame that there are just sooo many mindless sheeple out there.  democracy is hard, it requires an informed thoughtful electorate.  otherwise we'll always be stuck with this same bullshit, year after year after year.