Tuesday, October 28, 2008

REPEAT

An old buddy of 26 years was in NYC for business last week. So I rode my bike (Roman Holiday) to meet him at the train station.

Something popped in my mind.

You see, Roman Holiday is the same exact bike I had in college 26 years ago. Back then, my nightly routine consisted of: study in the library until about 11 pm and then a few "buckets" of beer at the college pub, which was located below the library.

Then around midnight or so, I would hop on Roman Holiday for a quick 5-minute ride home. Unlocking my bike and riding home, while hitting all of the green lights, was the best part of my day.

Back to present.

I get my buddy back on a NYC-bound train and then I unlock my bike. With a few pints in my belly, I saddled up on Roman Holiday and blow through town. I'm home in no time.

As I'm flying through town, I am instantly transported back to my 1980's college days.

Bikes remind you of the past and move you forward at the same time.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

HISTORY

Well I don't care about history
Rock, rock, rock'n'roll high school
'Cause that's not where I wanna be
Rock, rock, rock'n'roll high school
I just wanna have some kicks
I just wanna get some chicks
Rock, rock, rock, rock, rock'n'roll high school - THE RAMONES

The 2 sports that I love, mountaineering & cycling, both have long track records. My house is filled with climbing and bike books.

Knowing your place in history is important.

Without knowing who came before you, it's hard to move forward.

And plus, it keeps you from thinking that you're hot stuff. Lets say you just did a rad first ascent, you may be surprised to find out that your "first ascent" was done 40 years ago using crappy gear.

History keeps you honest.

So read your books & enjoy your sports knowing that you might be making history someday yourself.

The Cut

i pedal so fast
but i know i can't last.

i'm not sure how long i can hang on
pretty soon they will be gone.

please don't leave me behind
that won't be very kind.

road racing is not fair
but who really cares.

i didn't make the cut
so now i go home and spend time with my mutt.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Sounds of Silence


Hello darkness, my old friend

I've come to talk with you again

Because a vision softly creeping

Left its seeds while I was sleeping

And the vision that was planted in my brain

Still remains

Within the sound of silence


Simon & Garfunkel
School is a drag, but Gelato (aka pista) & I managed to slip in an early morning road ride on Sunday.
The sun was coming up & there were no cars on the road.
As I put Gelato through her paces on familiar roads, I heard nothing except my bike moving forward & the wind whipping up the leaves - no shifting, no thinking.
It was my own "private Idaho".
I returned home with my head cleared & ready to hit the books once again.


Mixed or Fixed

another poem
by
roman holiday
should i go mixed [climbing]
or should i ride my fixed [gear]?
the summits are far
or should i just stick to the tar?
the cold wind is blowin'
i'm flying down a hill and i'm not slowin'.
hey, you're "on belay" mate
man i wish i had some brakes.
have i cold feet and hands
hey check out that track stand.
should i climb mixed or ride my fixed?
i need to call in a day of sick.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Fall Day

a poem
by
roman holiday
should i ride my bike,
or should i go for a hike.
should i climb some rocks,
or should i skate down the block.
snow will be here,
and i'll be there,
facing the fall line,
and i'll be fine.