New Year's Day Ride - 2010

Weather's looking sufficiently cold enough to get a ride in on New Year's Day, if anyone is up for it.

Let's meet at same place as last year, Brady's Run arboretum parking lot at 11am. 

Come out, don't be baaaaaaashful!

I think she's startin' to turn....

"The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out for himself, without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane and intolerable, and so, if he is romantic, he tries to change it. And even if he is not romantic personally he is very apt to spread discontent among those who are."
~ H.L. Mencken

Even before reading all of the Mencken quotes here and here (most of which I have long since subscribed, even before being aware of the man), I felt this quite strongly...

Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
           ~ H. L. Mencken

It is nice, from time to time, to stumble upon wisdom, you know to be true.  Have I become a cynic?  You're damn right I have.


Christmas has past, and all I think about is the real meaning.  What Jesus did to offer hope for mankind to free himself from oppression.

I posted this link on Facebook and got not a single comment.  Not one. I doubt anyone even read it, and if they did, and understood it, how could one not comment?  Must have been too busy shopping.  For those of us with who understand Mencken, who understand Thoreau, it may even make us weep.

In Hoc Anno Domini
So the light came into the world.

What have we done?  Dear God, what have we done?

Merry Christmas! - A North Pole Pie

Krampus with your nose so bright, won't you guide my bike tonight!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009 - A North Pole Pie - Meet here and be ready to eat, drink, and be scary!

View Larger Map

A Cold Day in Hell

It's cold and getting colder.  Damp too.  So what, you say?  Yeah, you're right, so what. 

Some things are good to know.  Some I've know for a long time, like realizing and grasping the significance of (X-1).  Some, I just realized within the past few hours, like "Lambchop - OH (ohio)".

See you on the ride tonight, on National Talk Like a Pirate Day...

National Talk Like a Pirate Da...

What a blessing.
Frank

Hell exists. Tuesday, we ride in it.

I will not be riding Friday nor Saturday this weekend. 

I do plan on the Tuesday Pi ride next week. 

I'm calling it Hell Pie.

Bring a bike, any bike.  Meet in the back corner of the parking lot of Mad Mex in Robinson Twp at 6pm.  This ride will test your mettle.  Can you ride the hell know as the Robinson Township Shopping District 10 days before Christmas?  Do you have what it takes?  I doubt it.  I expect to be alone.

Or click here for map

Lucky!

Already dreaming of next year.  Fuel for my dreams... aaaaaaaaaah, ooooooooooh, woooooooo...

Glass Flies, Bullets Fly, Clint Eastwood never dies...

OUTLAWS

READ UP THIS TIME FOR NEW INFO!!!!!!!!!!!
COME TO THE
20TH ANNUAL
PUNK BIKE ENDURO
SUNDAY DECEMBER 6TH, 2009
11 AM SHARP
NEWLOCATION!
PITTSBURGH HARLEQUINS RUGBY CLUB
101 EISELE RD, 15204
A MULTI-STAGE RACE FOR FUN AND POINTS
NO FEES, NO NORBA, NO RULES
EATS & PARTY AFTER IT'S OVER
WE'LL BUY SOME BEER
YOU BRING THE REST (OR GO THIRSTY AND/OR HUNGRY) PLEASE BRING A SUITABLE DRINKING VESSEL FOR THE DAY
NEW!!!!!!! NO KITCHEN AVAILABLE THIS YEAR, FOOD MUST BE PREPARED IN ADVANCE ALTHOUGH THERE WILL BE REFRIGERATION AND A PLACE TO PLUG IN YOUR CROCK POT
DRESS FOR STANDING AROUND IN COLD, WET WEATHER
YOU MIGHT WEAR A HELMET AS THERE IS NO INSURANCE
COURSE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 29TH
SATURDAY DECEMBER 5TH
TRAIL MAINTENACE PRE-RIDES
CALL 412.302.9070
BE READY FOR ANYTHING

One of my favorite days of the year is almost upon us. Dirt Rag’s Punk Bike Enduro day! This year marks the 20th anniversary of the event, and my 7th Punk Bike. I’m determined, as always, that it won’t be my last.

I know what you're thinking. "Should I ride the Punk Bike?" Well, to tell you the truth, I'm not sure if you can. But being as this is the 20th anniversary, and it will be wet, muddy and muscle cramping cold, you have to ask yourself one question.  Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?

To be sure the punk bike is not for the meek of heart and will. I shall never forget the intensity of the cramps I experienced in the 20 degree weather of my first Punk Bike. Spinning the cranks of my first single speed (barely 3 weeks old) with ice balls as pedals (goodbye SPDs… hello Egg Beaters!).

So the question every year is… What will happen this year?

Some highlights, from each year, in pictures…

Clint Eastwood - Lost State of...


2003...

2004...

2005...

2006...

2007...

2008...

2009...

We leave from Hollywood Gardens Bar at 9am on Sunday.  You should be there.

Frank

Saturday Weathered Road Ride and Tuesday Night Pi Ride (A Dusty Pie)

Saturday – A Weathered Road Ride – Meet at Hollywood Gardens Bar at 4pm. Bring water, a few dollars, lights and a sturdy bicycle that can handle a little bit of dirt (or mud).

Tuesday Night Pi Ride - A Dusty Pie - Meet on South Side Pittsburgh here at 6:30pm - Bring water, lights, a few dollars, weather appropriate clothing and a bike that can handle a little more than smooth pavement.

Join me, won't you?

Tuesday Night Pi Ride - A Pie Ride - 2009-11-24

For this coming Tuesday's Pi Ride, let's meet at Hollywood Gardens in Rochester at 6pm, for a 6:30pm start time and ride around our local communities, old school style to celebrate the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.  I'm thinking we actually get some of Victor's delicious Pie at Wooley Bully's.  Who can say "No." to that?

Frank

Tuesday Nigh Pi Ride - 2009-11-17 - A Chemical Pie

Meet at point "A" in map below at 6pm.  Ride leaves at 6:30pm.  We'll ride the rough, dry, flaky outer crust of Neville Island before crossing the moat to pillage the rich, sweet, fruity filling that is Sewickley.  Mayhem may ensue.  Be prepared for anything.

 

View Larger Map


Frank

Tuesday Night Pi Ride - 2009-11-10 - Lawrenceville

*** - Update - meet at the place marked 'A', ignore the "blue line of confusion".

Meet here at 6:30pm:

View Larger Map

At 7pm, we ride.

Frank

ANNOUNCING: Tuesday Night Pi Rides - Starting November 10, 2009

Pi rides will be bicycle rides taking place on Tuesday evenings, starting November 10, 2009.  Locations of the rides will vary and will be announced the preceeding Friday on this very blog.  It may happen that a ride needs to be moved or postponed.  I will do my best to post that information here as timely as possible.  If you'd like a txt message to your phone, email me (babeclub@comcast.net) your phone number (if I don't already have it) and let me know you want to be Pi Filling.

 Sometimes these rides will take place locally (Beaver County).  Sometimes not.  Sometimes they'll be mountain bike rides.  Sometimes they'll be city or townie rides.  Sometimes they'll have a purpose and sometimes not.  What they will always be is fun.  They will not be scripted much beyond a set time and a specific meeting place. What happens on the ride will be determined by the people who are there and the flow of energy around us.  Had a late night on Monday?  Perhaps a slow and easy pace will emerge.  A beautiful spring day of 65 degrees with a gentle breeze?  Maybe a 20 miler will take place.  Heavy winds, lightening and soaking downpours?  Is that a bar across the street?

You get the picture.  I hope you are interested and join in the circle.  There's not much more to say, other than check back on Friday for Tuesdays ride location, if you're interested.  You either get it or you don't.

Ride on,

Frank

We Did It! What's Next?

Last Saturday, October 24, 2009. 19 beautiful BABES did ride a ride called The Filthy Fifty October Ho Down. Was it filthy? Was it fifty? Was it October? Was it a Ho Down?

babeclub
happybike

What's next? 

I feel something.

Anyone else?

Hmmm?

Roll with me... tomorrow... 10am

The World is Alive!
Roll on,
Frank

Filthy Fifty Update - Love somebody... in the middle of the day

The BABE Filthy Fifty October Ho Down is two weeks from today.  I really do hope you come out for a day of riding and fun times with friends. 

Here's some general information that may help you make decisions about the ride:

• Bring a sturdy reliable bike that can be ridden both on-road and off-road
• I estimate 80% of the ride will be on the road.
• The off-road sections will not be "extreme" and will be something a skilled rider could do on a cyclocross bike.
• You may have to pee in the woods at some point.
• You must be at least 21 years of age.
• Weather may play a factor in the distance and duration of the ride.
• I don't always make good decisions.
• Dress for the weather.
• We will start the ride from Hollywood Gardens parking lot in Rochester, PA around 10am-ish.
• We will finish ride at Hollywood Gardens parking lot in Rochester, PA around 6pm-ish.
• Helmets and blinky lights are recomended, but not required.  We're adults and can make our own decisions.
• Bring plenty of water and some food and snacks.  Some tools and bike supplies would be a good idea.
• I'd prefer not to hear any whining.
• We will be making stops at places where food and beverages can be purchased.
• There will be food available at Hollywood Gardens after the ride.
• For those who ride the entire event without whining will get a free beverage at Hollywood Gardens after the ride.
• The Whiskey Daredevils are awesome and you should stick around for their show at 10pm.  An epic band to end an epic day of riding.
• It's Halloween time, wear a costume or something.
• Bring a change of clothes ferchristsake!
• And don't take off your sunglasses.
  

Call or email me with questions.
Frank

412-417-7513


babeclub@comcast.net





Ride on.

Abide

This is encouraging news.

My expectations of competency from our governments is at an all-time low, but still, I am flummoxed by PennDOT's decision to spend $300,000 on a bicycle lane that was used for just a little over a year. 

Yes, last year, PennDOT spent $300,000+ to put a bicycle lane on Brighton Road that crosses Route 60 in Brighton Township.  Well, just a few weeks ago they tore they entire thing up when they repaved Brighton Road.  I live about a 1/3 of a mile from this bike lane and travel this road a lot.  I estimate it was used by less then 100 cyclists in that year.  What an incredible waste of time and money.  You can imagine where I can go with my government analogies at this point, but I'll stick with cycling related topics.  For now.

Thanks for everyone who came to the BABE trail maintenance (and even to those who tried to come... sorry Rich) on Sunday.  We accomplished a lot in a little time and of course, rode our bikes afterwards...

It was a beautiful day.

Cars are coffins

So many times I want to say something, but so many things keep me from saying something so many times.

Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wrote in "The Gay Science" (1882):

What if pleasure and displeasure were so tied together that whoever wanted to have as much as possible of one must also have a as much as possible of the other-- that whoever wanted to learn [in Goethe's words] to "jubilate up to the heavens" would also have to be prepared for "depression unto death"?  And that is how things may well be.  At least the Stoics believe that this was how things were, and they were consistent when they also desired as little pleasure as posssible, in order to get as little displeasure as possible out of life...

To this day you have the choice: either as little displeasure as possible, painlessness in brief--and in the last analysis socialists and politicians of all parities have no right to promise their people more than that--or as much displeasure as possible as the price for the growth of an abundance of subtle pleasures and joys that have rarely been relished yet.  If you decide for the former and desire to diminish and lower the level of human pain, you also have to diminish and lower the level of their capacity for joy.

----------

I always just say "balance".

One cannot comprehend heat, without cold.  Good without bad.  Bright without dark.  It goes on and on.  When will most people acknowledge this fundemental  fact of the world in which we inhabit? The world God created.  Beauty cannot exist unless one understands a definition of ugly.  We adjust our definitions of the latter to allow for the former.  Why ignore this obvious reality?  Morality cannot be created, nor can equality.  God will not allow it.  Don't argue with me.  Take it up with Him.  You'll get the chance someday. 

God's balance requires it.

The Days are Just Packed

The days are getting shorter, the nights longer.  Soon will come time for different thoughts and different activities.

I would like if I had more time to write, ramble and expound on things. The days are just packed.


This Sunday is a BABE trail maintenance day at Brady's Run.  Meet at Ice Arena at 10am.  Bring your bike, water, sturdy shoes and a snack.  After trail maintenance we ride.  Maybe have a beer afterwards.  I'll bring Cooler Buddy out for a increasingly infrequent visit.

Remember the Filthy Fifty.  Honest I'll be having some updates on this soon.  Swear.

I've converted.

Scout speaks to me.  Fresh.  Shy.  Bold.  Unpolished.  Channeleing. 

Sweet Jesus!!! Whiskey Daredevils to perform at the Filthy Fifty!!!!

You read that right friends, none other than the world famous Whiskey Daredevils will play at the BABE clubhouse (AKA Hollywood Gardens) following the soon to be world famous Filthy Fifty October Ho Down.

This ride, and this show, are not to be missed. 

Put on your monkey suit.  The town will never be the same. 
Ride on!

Frank

***Mark Your Calendars*** - Two BABE Events Scheduled!!!

EVENT #1:

BABE Brady's Run Trail Maintenance - Sunday, September 20, 2009...

Let's not let Moe's hard work go in vain...

Let us all join back on the trails to finish the "Bastard Bypass" that we started last September on our PTAG workday. Hef and I have the plan, now we just need the bodies to make this trail a complete reality. It's gonna be great.

We meet at 10am at the Ice Arena and go from there.

Of course, after the hard work comes the play in the form of a hike or a bicycle ride. Then, down to the BABE Club House for some pinball and refreshments.

EVENT #2:
Filthy Fifty October Hoe Down - Saturday, October 24, 2009

http://babeclub.smugmug.com/photos/626829625_7puKM-L.jpg

Yes, this is the event scheduled for last year that I unfortunately had to cancel. Not so this year.

Let's get this thing on!

Frank