I can't help but feel like everytime I begin to think summer is on it's way, and get really excited about wearing shorts, going camping, sitting around fires, swimming, etc, nature find some way to shit us. I guess at the same time it does seem kind of warented that nature be pissed off and keep thworing more crappy weather our way. After all we've gotten the better of nature for a long time, I'm kind of suprised the planet doesn't just spontaneously combust as some sort of cosmic punishment for people generally being ignorant pricks in the ways that we have "taken care" of the planet over the last century.
Friday was critical mass. The turnout was strong, and everyone seemed to be in a really positive mood (which I attribute to the almighty ABBA) We took the usual route and got hasseled by the cops twice, cut off a few times, honked at alot, so it was a pretty typical ride. It's really cool to be able to go out and ridearound for an hour or so with a group of friends and have complete control over your lane. It's kind of sad however that even with 30 some bikers on the road we are all suceptible to being run down by some car having a bad day. It's really kind of sick how offended some people and police get by a bunch of people riding their bikes in the road, especially considering it is entirely legal. I really think one of these days we should look at organizing a regional critical mass drawing in cyclists from menomnie/Chippewa/and all the surrounding cities. I can only imagine what it would look like seeing 60+ bikers going down Water St. Anyway critical mass was really fun on Friday and if you want to learn more about Critical mass check out the film "still we ride" which is showing at the ECBFF or read more at wikipedia.
After the mass split a few of us rode to the parking garage and sat around for a while untill we went our different ways. Later Friday night I went to Ska fest, which was kind of a disapointment because I didn't end up making any money. I guess kids nowadays just don't listen to the music they used to. I overheard one person eyeing up a bad brains cd say "I've heard of these guys but I don't know who they are" There goes my faith in humanity. Saturday I went to Cornell to visit my dad and begin work on my touring tall bike. It was pretty uneventful, but made me realiza once again how bad I am at welding. I changed the design for the bike from being an extended bottom frame like on the triple tall, to a simple design with a front rack welded to the frame. That will be where most my weight is put and should keep the bike relativley balanced. My dad also gave me a pair of incredible leather saddle bags meant for a motorcycle. I don't know if I'll use them, but they even have tassles for christ sake!
Dead tall bike
Now I'm just waiting to throw some decent tires on that bike and gear it up. From there it's just amatter of riding the thing every day untill my tour to ensure that it will saty in one piece and I can get used to it. Every day for the past week I've been looking at my tour map and getting more excited about it. It's scary to think about leaving for a month or more with nothing more than your bike, and what you can carry, but at the same time I'm really excited to do it.
In other news I might be doing an interview for the radio show "Local Independence" this Sunday, so listen out for it.
Other bike related news there is a BMX event going on Sat. June 15th in Rice Lake, more info
Grinders Bike Jam
Sat. June 15th
RiceLake Skate Park
Bands Playing Afterwards
Spring time in Eau Claire means it's time for the river to flood over on the bike trail. The levels are up and the current is rushing. I saw some people out fishing yesterday, and couldn't help but wonder how there boat didn't tip over. The weather is miserable, and it looks like it's going to stay that way for at least the rest of the week. Which hopefully will provide incentive for people to attend the BFF. Yesteday Anna and I went out to eat and on the way out I grabbed a new Volume One. To my suprise right there on the cover was "Bicycle Film Fest" WHAT? I checked it out and sure enough V1 was kind enough to do a little write up on the ECBFF. Which is an awesome little bit of promotion. About a minuite into looking at the article my phone rang. It was the Leader-Telegram looking for the scoop. They were looking for some pictures so I told them to stop by the THur. night ride tonight, so anyone looking to get their mug in the Leader-Telegram should stop by Racy's 6:30 tonight. This is subject to change, however it sounds like it should happen.
Yesterday I spent a while moving into my new place on Hobart. It's getting pretty exciting. I guess it's the whole springtime idea of rebirth or whatever. The idea of moving to a new house having new(crazy) neighbors, getting new routes around town, etc. is really cool. Granted it's kind of scary, and kind of sucks moving further away from downtown, but I think I can handle it. I'm nervous as hell about the BFF, and I hope attendence is good. I've been thing alto abuot all the places I could have put flyers, and all the people I should have talked to to help promote but didn't. I guess at this pont it's really out of my hands, and up to everyone else to make it a work well. I'll probobly be bringing a small grill and some boca burgers, hopefully the weather will permit some grilling. I'm also quickly realizing the need for me to get to work on my touring tall bike. Once again I'll blaim it on the weather. I gues I'm goign to go do some last minuite flyering. 
I got to Racys early because I always forget if we are suippose to meet at 6 or 6:30. Which was kind of convinient anyway because all we did for about and hour or more was sit around outside and enjoy the weather. WHen we finally hit the road we rode with Zachers to go check out his new IRO which is an incredible looking bike, and I can't help but be jelous of the deal he got on it. AFter that we rode to Mt. Simon and sat around for a while and had a couple drinks. It started to get chilly so we took off for Mt. Tom. En route we stopped and played a few rounds of foot down, and played around on the slants over by Banbury for a while, and Chris did a little drop off a narrow ledge on his bianchi. 
From there we headed out to Mt. Tom for another really pretty view of the city. Had another couple drinks and got cold again. Got scared going down the hill and foot braked alot of the way down, because I didnt want to smash into a fence. From there we rode around trying to find a good parking lot to do sprints and more foot down in. We rode for a while and eventually ended up behind Mega. Drank some, more played a redicoulous amount of foot down, sprinted. Did a bunch of track stands, backwards circles, attempts at wheelies, overbar no handed skids, etc. etc. It was all a really good time and eventually ended in a skid comp that blew out Chris's tire, and nearly went through mine. After a tire patch and rotation session we split up and I headed home. Fortunetly my tire help up untill I got to the Grand ave. foot bridge when it blew out and I walked the rest of the way home.
Prarie cat?
