The Convergence Factor

Ok, so I realize that last post was rather negative. I stick by what I said, but I’d rather not just leave an angry rant sitting at the top of the page. So, to that end, check this out:

What you see there is my new tool roll for my mess bag, next to a Topeak Road Morph pump. It holds a full-size 15mm wrench, tire levers, patches, a spare tube, hex wrenches, and a Kool Stop tire bead jack.

It rolls up compactly and is held together with a spare toe strap. I could make a much more compact kit with CO2, no tire bead jack, stubby wrench, etc, but working like that is a pain and, I figure, it’s also unnecessary if I’m already carrying my bag. It was made out of materials on hand - black cotton duck, cotton/poly bias tape, and black thread. Assembled with my mother’s old Husqvarna Viking.

I’ll probably be adding more dedicated slots and some velcro that I can stick the box of patches to, once I fine tune the contents and organization. One thing I like about doing it in this way is that I automatically have a place to lay out my tools when fixing a flat and not lose anything. It measures 18×15″ when open (approx 46×38cm).

After a frustrating group ride last night, I find myself taking a step back and away from local cycling activities. To that end, I would like to address the cycling community at large, but mostly those relative newcomers to the fixed gear scene.

First and foremost, riding like an asshole does not make you cool - it only makes you an asshole.

Riding brakeless when your skill level is not up to the task is unsafe.

Riding brakeless without clips and straps or clipless pedals is very unsafe.

Riding brakeless without clips and straps or clipless and without a lockring is not only very unsafe, but maybe one of the stupidest things I see in cycling.

Just because you saw Mash, Red Light Go, Pedal and Quicksilver and subsequently built your shiny new fixie or track bike, that does not mean you have skills, riding experience, street cred, or the right to piss off drivers for no good reason.

Busting a longskid into oncoming traffic to fuck with drivers is an asshole thing to do.

Taking up three lanes and totally blocking traffic on a group ride when we would all comfortably fit into one lane is an asshole thing to do.

Practicing your superman skid without warning in the middle of the pack on a group ride is an asshole thing to do.

Corking traffic at an intersection on a group ride that consists of about thirty people, and is NOT a critical mass ride, is an asshole thing to do.

Making all cyclists look bad to drivers in general by riding like a dick is an asshole thing to do.

Having no practical means to stop quickly and riding like a dick anyway is even more of an asshole thing to do.

Not knowing shit about the community you’re coming into and acting like you’re O.G. on a track bike is an asshole thing to do.

To review: RIDING LIKE AN ASSHOLE DOES NOT MAKE YOU COOL - IT ONLY MAKES YOU AN ASSHOLE

I encourage people to ride, and to ride fixed. I encourage the formation of group rides and community cycling events. I encourage advocacy. However, if we are to gain any respect from drivers or anyone else for that matter, we must show some responsibility in our actions. Ride courteously. Ride within your ability. Keep your bike maintained properly and HAVE A WAY TO STOP. Ride with a brake if you want or need a brake, and make no apologies for doing so. Ride brakeless if you have the skill and experience to back it up. Don’t piss off drivers for the sake of pissing off drivers. Be smart about your presence in the street and in the public eye.

In short, don’t ride like an asshole, and please stop fucking things up for those of us who love to ride because we love to ride, and have worked to show others that cyclists aren’t just a bunch of irresponsible peckerheads.

It’s 11:34 PM and I’m getting ready to read a little and go to bed by midnight. Those of you who know me closely will be surprised by this. The rest of you probably need a little extra information. Specifically, I always stay up too late. 3:00 AM is not an uncommon time for me to crawl into bed. However, I know that this is a problem when it comes to being productive in my life. As such, I’m trying to reset my circadian rhythm to a more conventional sort of cycle.

At times in the past, I have been in the habit of getting up at 7:00 AM or earlier every day, and it has made an immense difference. When I can manage that cycle, I am more focused, energetic, and far, far more productive. The old saying about being early to bed and early to rise seems to hold true for me to some extent, whether or not I like it. While it can be a struggle for me to maintain it at times, it is worth the work.

Now then, time to read.

I have prints for sale. Please see this page to see the images presently available for purchase. 8×10 inch prints are in editions of 25, 16×20 inch prints in editions of ten. They are priced at $65 and $300 each respectively, plus shipping.

My car is currently in the shop needing more repairs than I have money on hand to pay for. Living in Texas, where you have no choice but to drive to get anywhere at all, this is a big problem. Combine this with other, existing difficulties, medical bills, etc, and I’m admittedly in a really bad spot right now in terms of income. Not to play the pity card, but if you are interested in buying a print, now would be a really great time to do so.

All prints are printed on archival using Ultrachrome K3 inks. Please contact me with any questions.

Happy St Patrick’s day, everyone. Go kiss someone Irish.

(Also, Orange FTW)

Snow in Texas. Go figure.

So, is anybody reading this? If so, I applaud your persistence. It certainly seems that my blogging hit its peak some time back in 2004. Of course, I could always get back up to that level again, but even so I can’t deny the sad state of it at this time. It’s a shame, too, because I really do enjoy writing.

If any of you have been wondering where the photos from my new wide zoom are, you’ll have to wait at least a few more days. It should be coming in on Thursday, having been delayed by a boneheaded move on my part. I have, however, acquired a new Canon 85mm in the mean time. While it is true that I have been mostly itching for a wider angle of view, having the 85mm on hand has been refreshing all the same. The above photo was taken with it last week in the middle of a totally absurd snowfall here in Texas. The snow was coming down in huge flakes and so quickly that the AF was totally useless and ended up focusing on the snow instead of the people. A happy accident, as it turns out. I much prefer it to another version of the same shot in which I focused manually on the figures in the distance.

While happy accidents seem to happen decidedly less often with digital than they do with film, they still surface from time to time. It’s one of those strange thrills that seems unique to the arts. Yes, there are probably happy accidents that befall auto mechanics, structural engineers, and police officers, something tells me that artists are probably much more likely to be able to relate to the idea.