Thanksgiving Alleycat

For anyone who hasn't seen the flyer or missed it, theres an alleycat this week! I like consistency, how bout one in December too?

iN mY TiME of LyiNg

If you've ever dealt with pain and sorrow you know that there are some lessons to be learned and something positive to be had. In my case the pain has been physical, and the sorrow, that of being pulled from the depths of a two-wheeled assault laden landscape projected by my mind at all times, has been real. So in this time of leave I have tried to expose the good that rests in all evil. I have dealt with family and friends alike insisting that I find another "hobby", school work that never ceases, and countless other mental hurdles that I can't even recall.

So I'll begin by addressing the issue of people, being honestly caring, suggesting that I do something else. First of all, none of these people are riders themselves, and they don't understand that cycling is more than a hobby; it is a lifestyle, a social movement, a political statement, an attitude, a sport, an adrenaline rush, and FREEDOM. It is whatever you want it to be. It is more. And maybe it's just the little bastard child in me, but whenever someone offers their illegitimate opinion on my cycling, it only deepens my lust for it. If only they knew how productive and helpful their words really were. My lesson learned involves standing strong for something you believe in, withstanding naysayers through blank stares and smiles, and overcoming adversity.

This all may seem like an attack on others, but that is not my intention. The negative responses that I have received can be found somewhere at the bottom of the dirty laundry pile that builds because of my generally care-free attitude. Or maybe I already washed them and they are hanging out to dry, I can't remember. My reason for this is to help myself realize the positives that came from being off a bike for almost 3 of the last 4 months.

For one, this blog might not exist. Organizing the Trick Or Track event probably would not have happened, as I wouldn't have had the time. So John and Endo and others, you can thank your hundreds of dollars in prizes on a piece of my collarbone, as there are surely plenty to go around. But the most important positive was the realization that the longer I am off a bike, the more I want to get back on. I've honestly never felt so inclined to hop on my mountain bike and thrash some trails, go out on a 40 mile road ride during one of these beautifully crisp cool and sunny fall days, or simply mash in true urban assault fashion.

Pictures of the Trick Or Track Alleycat and event recap coming soon.

hoLy HeAdTuBE!!!

I just stumbled across this old Italian track bike on some forum. That head tube angle is insane, as is front tire clearance! There is nothing special about this bike in particular, besides being a beautiful vintage track bike. It just brings to light the geometric differences between vintage Japanese and Italian (and some French for that matter) frames. It seems as though the Italians had a different concept of track geometry than the Japs, as I have seen many Italian tracks with geometry similar to this. It also starts the debate as to which one you prefer.

Here's an NJS equivalent for comparison purposes.

+1 for the Italians IMO.

hAlloWEeN aLLeyCaT

No worries, Chewbacca will be sitting this one out.

The Heel-Toe Express

If anyone is thinkin about breaking their collarbone, just take it from me: DONT DO IT! Walking everywhere really sux when you have beautiful pieces of lugged steel and drawn aluminum laying around. The first one wasn't so bad. I broke it, rested for three weeks, then rode across Iowa. This one is really fuckin me up, and makin me pay for it.

I just got the Bruiser fork in and set up on the NYC. I forced others to trick around since I can't. Luke made it look good, and I got Dan at Hodson's to waste 30 minutes of his time trying backwards circles.

Its a really good time to be riding, and more importantly, staying involved with the fixed community. I'm bummed I can't be riding right now. The boys in Bloomington are doing some awesome things. Show-up is always progressing, which is inspiring to me. BRA as well. As always, the guys from Indy mash hard, and are putting on some cool events. It looks like the weekend of halloween is gonna be a jammer down in naptown.

If you can ride, RIDE HARD, HAVE FUN, and STAY INVOLVED.

fUn TimESieS

"I like TailWhip on my pumpkin pie" Luke winning the unofficial imaginary trick comp.

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Dope shot of 'Mark the trackstand Masta'

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Nice action shot Mark. U look sooo good losing! Brent takes it when it goes down to one foot.

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Footdown gettn physical. Korea forgot his baton or he wouldve undoubtedly won.

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Cone races were fun. Jons gonna need that Everwear (thank Dan at Hodson's) after burning his tire through every turn.

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WINNER! WINNER! CHICKEN DINNER!

Jon "She Thinks My Bike Is Sexy" Brueck


Brent "I bit Shit" Bohs

ON POINT

Points after Round 1. Jon killed it, Brent bit it, and Luke whipped it. Most importantly, fun was had by all. The Halloween Alleycat will be set up so the winner can overtake Jon to take 1st overall. Plus I'm stealing his protein and NOExplode beforehand. Kidding, Nice job man!
First place overall takes a bangin Banjo Brothers bag, plus sweet prizes for second and third.
First in the alleycat will receive a dope Chrome hipbag.
Come out and enjoy the fruits of no labor. Keep Mashin!

iTS On LikE dOnKEY koNg

THE GREATEST SPORTING EVENT KNOWN TO MAN IS UPON US!!!
The first ever Trick Or Track Series will serve the little kid in you with more free sweets than is healthy. Luckily, that little kid in you will ride it off, in classic Urban Assault fashion.
The event will include the following contests:

1) TRACK STANDS ----> VELOCITY 650C RIM
2) FOOT DOWN ----> KMC TRACK CHAIN
3) CONE RACE ----> SOMA EVERWEAR TIRE
4) SPRINTS ----> CHROME HIP BAG

2PM @ HAPPY HOLLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Cadence just added to the sponsor list! It might be much, but they are a dope company so wutever it is is cool with me. Big thanks to Dustin Klein, especially for such short notice.

So you think you can spin!

Sponsors

I'm not sure about the Banjo Brothers Bags sponsorship. They asked me for my address after I contacted them for sponsorship, so I'm hoping they sent me something, but can't be sure.

WUT IT DO!

I got the stuff from Velocity and Chrome! Gonna look pretty sexy on some lucky winner's bike or body. I'm hoping for a good turnout, and been trying to get the word out for people who aren't competing to come out and kick it. We'll be thinking of a hang-out spot for after the event also. Any ideas? lemme know

The trick event has been moved to the Happy Hollow Elementary School parking lot. Purdue has a home football game that day, so the band practice field will be overrun with drunken bro's.


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Trick Or Track Updates

So I'm still working on finding a good spot for Event 1. If anyone can think of a good spot, with flat ground, i.e. a parking lot, that we wouldnt get kicked out of let me know.

WHO WANTS FREE SHIT??

'we get together like a choir
to acquire what we desire'

Big ups to Chrome and Velocity for sponsoring the event. There will be more sponsors on the way, but these are for sure.

The Cannibal -- Eddy Merckx

Merckx on the Assault!!

back street feline '09

big THANKS to Blair Conner for the photographs!! Hope to see you at the next event Blair.

Trick Or Track

3rd Annual Back To School Alleycat

Today marked the 3rd annual Back To School Alleycat. Maybe a few weeks late, but dusting off the cobwebs of summer worthlessness takes some time. It seems that with the 3rd annual we have a pretty good thing going here at Purdue.

The turnout for this first event of the school year was less than we had hoped, but that should be expected when you throw it all together as fast and haphazardly as we did. All together though it was a fun day.

Thanks to Korea for setting this thing up, and everybody who came out! Congrats to Guy on the win today! I guess bigger is better (talking GEAR inches pervs!). A big thanks to Braden for showing up wasted, or else we would've taken the brakes off of his road bike. I'll try to get some photos up shortly.

So lets try and get more people out for the next event! I will start advertising for Trick Or Track shortly. In short, it is going to be a two-event, point-based series. I am going to be working to try and get some sponsors and some good prizes for this one. Stay tuned, keep mashin!!