Sunday Morning Fixie (or not) Ride - NEW START TIME!

Awwww shit, Harry just sent me the latest word on this Sunday's RIDE, and I don't want to spoil the surprise, but the big change is that there's now a new (and night owl friendlier) start time of 10:20AM! Keep reading for more thrills and chills:

A SEASONAL CHANGE AND A NOTE OF THANKS

That time of year is upon us. It’s that time of year when the inhabitants of the cold, frozen north retreat to their garages and “ride” their stationary trainers, while we in the sunny southland rejoice that the best riding of the year has begun. No longer need we drink 2-1/2 gallons of water or eat 5000 calories per day simply to keep from perishing because of the withering heat. Nor do we any longer need to ride at the crack of dawn so that our dried, shriveled husks won’t be found by the side of the road at noon.

Accordingly, the Sunday morning ride will begin launching at 10:20 AM commencing on 25 October. Same starting venue as ever, that being the venerable Posse East.

At this point, I’d like to offer a few words of thanks to the Phantom Flagger, that tireless bastion of facist rectitude whose unflagging efforts keep all the world safe from the intolerably heinous crime of Craig’s List violations. As those of you who follow these posts are no doubt aware, I was compelled last week to append this regular announcement to a post advertising my cyclocross bike for sale so as to assuage the PF’s righteous wrath regarding “misclassified” posts. What most of you probably do not know is that for nearly a year I have attempted to sell that same bike via a “serious” CL post that detailed frame construction, component complement, blah, blah. That “conventional” CL post drew responses from one qualified buyer (who didn’t), three or four individuals who thought that I should sell the bike at a fire sale price because they “saw one on eBay for less” and about 10,000 persons of unknown national origin who clearly did not speak American English as a first language, but who devoutly promised to send me a “bank check” immediately for more than my asking price if only I would please, oh please, oh pleeeeeeze sell them my bike.

The recent, amended post originally went up last Thursday and was reposted on Friday after a brief hiatus initiated by the PF, apparently because I forgot to mention the price of the bike. (Naturally, I deleted the “serious” bike-for–sale post first so as not to incur an infraction of CL rules.) On Friday afternoon, I received an e-mail from a prospective buyer. On Saturday morning, he bought the bike for my asking price.

For those of you who believe that everything happens for a reason, this should only be further evidence of what you already knew. For those of you who believe that the universe is pretty much random, maybe it’s time to start considering the possibility of a Universal Cosmic Consciousness. For my own part, I’d just like to offer my sincere thanks to the Phantom Flagger for his (or her) good services in my behalf.

Last week’s ride was another run out to Manor with a host of familiar faces (Aaron’s Bike o’ the Week was a really nice Surly Long Haul Trucker) as well as new addition Sebastian. The weather was totally dope, the scenery was fine, and the El Chilito tacos were outstandingly adequate, as usual.

This week’s ride will roll from Posse East AT THE NEW, IMPROVED TIME OF 10:20 on Sunday morning. Route to be determined on the spur of the moment. Suggestions encouraged.

Not to worry. I haven’t forgotten about business. I’ve been looking at Mike’s really sweet Litespeed and thinking how great it would be to have a road bike that wouldn’t beat me to death on long rides. What with the success of this approach in selling my cross bike, I’ve decided to put up my road bike for sale on CL. Price is $900. See photo. Contact me if you’re interested.

Those of you who have ridden with us before know how we roll. For those who haven’t, please read the blah-blah below. It’s important. Really.

• Some of us are down with the fixed gear deal, but mostly we’re just about riding. Bring whatcha got and ride with us.

• Every cyclist is responsible for his or her own safety and well-being. We assume that everyone is familiar with basic rules of cycling safety and has enough hours in the saddle to feel comfortable with his or her ride. Use of helmets is optional (but highly recommended). Use of headphones, earbuds, Blue Tooth headsets or any other form of electronic distraction is discouraged. (It’s a SOCIAL ride, dammit!) All traffic laws and rules of right-of-way will be observed. Here’s the deal:

SAFETY FIRST!!!!!

If someone gets killed, it ruins the ride for everybody.

• This ride is 25-30 miles long through mostly urban and suburban areas. There will be ample opportunities to refill liquids and obtain calories.

• Ya might not need a water bottle at all this week. We do a stop somewhere around the halfway point, and the prediction for Sunday is sunny with high temperatures in the mid 70s.

• There is no SAG support on this ride. Bring a spare tube and something that will inflate it.

• The purpose of this ride is for everyone to have a good time and (we hope) to become better cyclists. We ride at a social pace, and all skill levels are welcome. This is a 25-30 mile ride over flat to moderately-rolling terrain. If this is consistent with your riding experience, or is perhaps slightly more challenging than what you’re accustomed to, you should have no problem going the distance.

I’ll close with my customary invitation (this includes you, Rawdax). Come on out and join us. It’s time to ride.

Posse East, 10:20am, Sunday, bring a bike, ride the bike, have fun. Thanks Harry!

P.S. If you want to see the bike that is mentioned being for sale, here's the ad.