Danny Macaskill: The Ridge Worth a Watch

This is really worth the watch, some nice scenery and awesome riding

The Daily Beer And Bike Log Jan. 21, 2015 You Suck! And My Happy Place

Once in a while I am just going to wing it a free writing experiment because not much is going down in my world.

 So As I sit here thinking about life, trying to relate something to drinking beer or riding my bike, I go back to my childhood, not much drinking beer drinking done as a 10 year old but plenty of bike riding. Everywhere I went I rode. Baseball games, to the dirt track, where we could “conveniently” go up the street to the Schwinn bike shop and look at all the newest bikes and parts, we could not afford and grab a new sticker or two for our racing number plates, one of my all-time favorites was the “quitchabitchin’” sticker (hey I was a kid it made me giggle)
I remember the tricks I would try and fail. I would do them over and over and over again till I either got it that day or was so irritated I quit for a while. I loved speeding through the city using the driveway ramps to make my bike fly through the air. I know if you read my about me post back over a year ago, this all the same shit.

The thing that was not there was that a certain point in my life, I was the kid picked on. A very quiet kid. I was the kid who could play sports, but was so afraid to mess up during pick up recess games, because first no one wanted to pick me for their team and second,  I would get so nervous I would of course screw up and then in the middle of recess they would say “You Suck! Get out of here” Kids are fucking nice right?

So the one thing I always had that no one could take away was my bike. And even that I was a late bloomer taking training wheels off later than most and being made fun of for not being able to do it yet. That drove me and soon the training wheels were off. Freedom.  After school I was free. On my bike I was free.  No one could say “You suck” because I was not involved in their ball games, I was in charge of my own racing, and tricks. On my bike it was my world that no one else could fuck with.

 Now when I could not nail the newest trick I was trying out, in my own mind I would say “You Suck!” My bike would also get me in trouble as I got to middle school and skipped school to ride my bike, I now felt cool before or after school because I was in my element on my expensive (you know back then it was all about the expensive shit kids had) bike, doing things the tough kids, or the kids who were better at baseball, football etc… couldn’t do.

 My bike was my happy place.

 I have had a great life and I think the bully bullshit made me who I am today. Not saying bulling is right, just saying it worked out for me, it made me work harder for everything I have. I always worked harder at the sports I was involved in because of those rotten bastards, and was able to play on many teams growing up because those two words “You Suck!” pushed me. Even though not many of the kids rode their bikes (other than to get from point A to Point B) You Suck was still responsible for the things I did when I rode.

  It was so freeing to pedal all the frustration of the day out on my bike. And summer vacation I knew I could ride from, sun up to sun down. No one could touch me on my bike.  So these days there are no bullies saying “You Suck!” to me on a daily basis, just the normal stresses of adult life that come and go. There is not as much time to ride my bike either, I have responsibilities to myself and my family, so the quantity of bike time may be down, but the quality becomes special and I make the most of.

 If I get an hour out there alone I take full advantage of melting away all the bullshit. My bike experiences go back to my childhood, they brought me from a place that was pretty shitty to places I could hide in full view of the world.

Today they take me on rides that not only help me burn those beer belly calories

 but also allow me to let go of any shit that may be bothering me. Sure in hindsight all the little kid crap, does not seem as big now. And someday I will look back on the stresses of my adult life and say really I worried about that bullshit?

 But through it all I can look back and say when times got shitty, I had my wife, my family and I had my bike as a happy place, and no one can take that away from me.

Beer School 101 From The Net Make Your Own Immersion Wort Chiller in 15 Minutes

Found this on the Hypo Brew Youtube page. He has a bunch of interesting stuff on there I suggest you take a look.

 

 

Downhill Mountain Bike Crash Compilation 2014

Since the workweek kind of feels like a crash!!

 

Here is a downhill Crash compilation..Because I would rather crash riding than sit on my ass at work.........

The Daily Beer and Bike Log: Jan 20, 2015 Can't stop thinking about the ride

So after a shitty Monday, I can’t stop thinking about my Saturday Ride. I got my mind off it, taking my kid to softball practice, Watching some football, drinking some beers, but then back to work and all I can think of as the nice weather has rolled in, is going back out to tear it up. Unfortunately I am an adult with responsibilities and the weekdays just are not contusive to riding.

 

But I am holding out hope that this Saturday will be like last (only the trail a bit dryer) and I can get out at least for an hour again.

The wet trail held me back in areas I wanted to ride all out (but also do not want to end up with my ass flying over the handlebars because I was stupid.) The ride filled that void I had for a little bit, but the itch is back and I want to get out and sail through the woods, take it all in on my dirt covered roller coaster.

As stated above Monday was a long day, I was just drained and tired from the weekend that flew by way too fast.  Kind of felt like this guy looks....

 

So not much more to write about than this. I am hopeful to get back to the trails more regularly, and this coming week I have a new Bourbon Barrel aged Beer to try called Holy Moly. Hopefully it will be a good one.

 

Yeah I will try!! I will try!!

Beers To Try Before you Die or the Beer Bucket 52 List 3 of 52 Folklore By Stillwater Artisanal

So this year I am also going to post 52 beers you have to Try before you die, Beer bucket list. I was going to do 365 but I just do not have the time to drink every single day, and it gives me a nice round number to hit over the year. Amounting to a new or even favorite beer every week. Some will be beers I have always had and loved, (you all know October fest will end up there) others will be beers I step out on the limb to try and if I like it, that brew will get a quick post. Once in a while we may even get a post with an extra Skunky beer taste face. Others will fall into the category of I rate it with my normal go to rating system (against my Favorite beer) and say this is beer Number 34 you have to try before you die. It will be fun and it will expand your beer tasting horizons so buckle up. If I don’t like it or its overall rating is below 6 It won’t get posted. The ratings I will give them are 1-5 Bottles or mugs 1 (still being a great beer a 1 rating is not a bad thing and worth a try) and 5 (A must have beer. With a Special 6 Pack rating those beers being the best of the best. At the end of the year they will be rounded up by rating. So all are at least worth marking off the beer bucket list. Some better than others…….

Beer Number 3 is Folklore By Stillwater Artisanal 

This was an interesting taste test, now I do want to say, I tried this on the same day as our last beer. the 1881, and in hindsight I should not have two beers I am trying to get a true taste test of because it will always come out I like one better than another with instant results as opposed to waiting and trying on another day. That being said This "Untraditional Stout" was a good beer. Against the 1881 Red Ale (which to me tasted more like a stout than Folklore which leaned more toward an Ale) I enjoyed it and I think if I tried this on a seperate day I may have given it a step up or rated it a bit higher (and I may come bck to it in the future to rate it against my Go To beers) But on this list all beer are taste worthy and all beers are good, but against my best of the best the only ones bad would get a big Skunk beer taste rating..This one does not  get a skunk beer tatse it was very good...I want to say I would rate this against the other two I have tried so far in my quest for 52 at a solid 3 beers.

 I did enjoy it and out of the four pack I bought I have one left in the fridge that I will sip when I finish writing this post. I love the artwork that Stillwater puts on their labels and packaging and it did help to draw me to the brew.

In the future I will try some of their other brews and let you know what I think

January Double D's Post The Giant 27.5 -- Ride Without Limits.

Okay so this is my First Double D's post..... Not those you sick fucks!!!

But Nice right?

No by Double D's I mean My Drool And Dream post for January, Looking at shit I could never afford but like to look at anyhow. And being January, that means the very newest bikes are out. I have always been a fan of Giant Bikes even though my buidget bought me a Raleigh, my next bike will be a Giant. Probably not this one.

The 2015 Giant Anthem Advanced 27.5 Unless Giant want to become Santa Claus and throw one my way, this shit just ain't happening. I would love to own one but the Price tag of Around $8,000 (as low as $3,000 if you decide on the lower end model, which again Giant if you want to throw some love this way, I won't complain) My wife would kill me.

You can go right to Giants page to get a Tech highlights review on the Anthem Advanced 27.5 for 2015 and a full 27.5 technology lesson but for people like me, if you can't actually put it through the grinder you like to see it in action so here you go (this is more on the 27.5 inch than the actual 2015 Bike, but it is worth a view)

 

 

Here are some of the Specs from their website

Specs

Frame is Advanced-grade composite w/ ALUXX SL rear triangle, 4" Maestro suspension

Fork is RockShox SID XX w/ 15mm thru-axle, OverDrive steerer, X-Loc remote lockout, 100mm travel

Shock is Rockshox Monarch RL

Handle bars Giant Contact SLR Trail, Composite, Low rise, 31.8mm
Stem Giant Contact SLR, Composite w/ Titainum hardware
Seat Fi'zi:k Tundra M3, K:ium rails

Shifters SRAM XX1 Trigger, Rear only
Brakes Avid XX World Cup, Hydraulic disc, 160mm

Brake Levers Avid XX World Cup Crankset SRAM XX1, 34T Rims Giant P-XCR0 Composite WheelSystem; 25mm wide, Tubeless compatible Spokes Giant P-XCR0 WheelSystem; DT Swiss Aerolite Bladed Stainless Tires Schwalbe Racing Ralph EVO, Tubeless ready, 27x2.25, Folding    It is Always Nice to Dream......And Drool!!

Disclaimer: I am no expert in anything on this blog as it states it is a Beginners journey into Mountain Biking and Beer Brewing. These are just opinion and observation pieces through my eyes as things happen. It is my personal journal for the world to see, that is all. Anything technical I would always refer you to some sort of expert, be it a brewer, or bike shop.

The Daily Beer and Bike Log Weekend Update Jan 19, 2015

I have used many things as Therapy in life. I made these crazy cartoon shorts and was able to complain about everything that may have bothered me at that time (of course with the Brewed series I was able to go WAY over the top with it. )
 I have run to not only lose weight, but also as much as I hate the run itself I feel so much better when I am done. I drink beer. Beer makes me happy, but not very therapeutic, and also leads to reason one to exercise, weight loss. So we come to of course Mountain Biking, my newest form of Therapy.

 Whenever I get the Bike off the bike rack and jump on in anticipation of the ride, it hits. It being a nervous, but excited feeling of what is to come. Will I rip through the path without going ass over head on the bike? 

Will I not come out with my shins bloodied and bruised? Pain is temporary people but the feeling of release last for days.  Again I am only repeating myself but, it is my personal dirt railed roller coaster.

 Now in my real life I do speak to a therapist once in a while. And I can say an hour of either comes out with the same result a bunch of shit off my chest or shoulders feeling good about myself. But no offense to my Therapist (who is a great guy, I mean who else can you either shoot the shit with , judgement free for an hour or even bitch to, letting him put it in perspective? Worth every dime.) Now back to the program,  I like the rush of the trails more than sitting in an office, even if it comes with the downside of, Blood, Mud, Sweat, bruises and some day’s tears. I have said it over and over in past posts, it makes me feel like a kid again. I have played many sports that I loved, but the adrenaline spike I get riding is like none of them.  I have had the thrill of knocking in a winning run, scoring many goals playing hockey, and even hitting that jump shot in my short basketball career. But the riding has always had a connection with my youth like nothing else ever has.

Now as I said recently after my Half Marathon I took some time off from the whole exercise thing, that few weeks turned into a couple of months as my routine got out of whack, with moving, and the holidays. And finally the cold weather. I have picked up slowly went for a couple of runs, hit the stationary bike, and finally a warm snap………….

I called up a friend of mine (one of the Dad's from my oldest daughters softball team) and went for a short ride Saturday Morning. We arrived to find the gate closed to the actual park. I figured we could still get into the area by using the Bike path down the street. I was right and we worked our way around that way. 

 Now the conditions were not exactly Ideal. 

Some areas were rather Muddy and others were covered by leaves. I would watch the trail and get focused and then have to slow up because all of a sudden I could not see which way the trail went. No biggie as the Valley Park Trail is not much past a beginner trail.

But certain uphill climbs that are normally not too bad became a little tough as you slid through the muck (especially since my Friend Tim had a bald back tire, and trust me he hung in there even with the trails condition.)

After a few laps and finally a chance to ride I was satisfied, 

the bike was a little caked with mud in areas and it looked like I crapped my pants (due to the mud splatter) but a bad day out in the woods riding is always better than the best day at work so, it worked for me) My head is straight at least for a few more days......

Mountain Bike School 101 From the Net: Shit Mtn Bikers Say And Shit Mountain Bike Girls Say

Okay this is not goingto teach you much about riding itself, maybe just shit that comes out of your mouth. In my short time riding Mountain Bikes, I already get most of these refrences, and I laughed my ass off at this video I found on Kippster's Channel via YouTube

 

Anyway Funny stuff, I also Found Shit Mountain Bike Girls say. Now my wife does not Mountain Bike and has no desire to do so. She loves rifding on the flat bike paths around town and has a blast doing so, but she leaves the getting filthy and bruised part to me. So I don't get all the refrences in this particular one but it is still funny From Jennifer Bardsley here you go....

 

 

 

 

The Daily Beer And Bike Log Jan 16, 2015: The Light at the end of the Cold Wet Tunnel

The Light at the end of the long ass winter tunnel. I see it. As I saw the temperatures for the coming weekend, and a clear schedule for Saturday Morning, the excitement overtook me. I can get a ride in. I grabbed my bike from the shed filled the long sitting tires with air and tweeked a few things making sure I could pull my bike out Staurday morning and waste no time at all, getting straight to a ride.

Now I have no idea what the trail looks like at this point, it could be a mess, it could be barely ride able, but either way I will make an attempt.

 

 It has been a long journey from my half marathon training and the actual Marathon.

 

 

 

When it was over I took some time off from just about everything. Absence makes the heart grow fonder? Well to the running not so much, honestly after all summer getting ready for that long ass run I was just being lazy.  I do miss some of my private time running listening to some music. But between moving, the kids, settling in, the holidays and then the cold, wet weather, there was not much I could do bike wise. But it all ends here. I may not get more than an hour in, but I am going to try and get moving again, relearn the trail (the spots with tree roots, and the hills I have almost got worked over on)

then build up some speed so the next time I get out there I can get moving, jumping and shredding it up. Once I have this beginners track down I will try and get out in our area here in Missouri and work my way up to the more advance courses over the summer. But for the moment just to pull the bike from hibernation out of the shed and sit on it again...Fuck it! Let's ride!

Also over this coming weekend I am going to try and grab another new beer that I have never had, but also I will include one I have always loved and know it must be on the 52 Beer Bucket list. So enjoy your weekends and I will be back Monday to tell you how things went

 

A Weekend how it is meant to be Riding and Drinking....