Blue Machine

The title of my new book project/collective writings...


'Comic sands grazed his eyes. The evening sounded the myriad of conversations as the 'civilized' world hummed and whistled around in broken glasses and neon signs as drunks fumbled for the keys to their easy rides. With caution guided by the invisible things he cruised like a missile torn through the skies of Fallujah on a hot summer night in the midst of an metropolitan uprising...'

-Blue Machine, excerpt Ch ??

This is a work in progress. Unlike some of my other writings, I'm not too concerned about story, plot. This collection could weave in-and-out of the traffic of a novel, but no to be so convoluted and grounded in an actual story. Do I need a story? No. This is a collection of writing based solely around bicycling.

I'm thinking of getting some other folks involved, incorporating some photography or an art project involving an old road bike frame...

More soon.

Thou hast returned from the void of pavement and urban infrastructure! Damn it feels good to be back! Oh hello Cadence Cadenza!

Back on the bike. I spent the last couple of weeks working/hanging around an old house (not Michael Keenan's) making repairs, adding some step-stones in the front yard whilst really getting a taste for what it would be like if I was married and had a house of my own. 'Spiritual Camp 2010' so-to-speak. It was fun to be around my friend J, watching her as she worked on a few projects and participating in house-hold duties.

For those last few weeks in August, I felt completely alive. Something about hangin' out around old houses...man.


I cycled there everyday. Tasty holding true. I managed to bend the front rim ever so slightly while I was running an errand - I was getting burritos for myself and J and managed to nudge the bag (with burritos) between the front fork and rim. I must have bent it (and maybe some spokes) because now the wheel wobbles a hair.

Oh well...

Looking forward to many more nights of cycling bliss...stay tuned.

Fixed Stupidity

I have no idea why people ride fixed gear bicycles.

You can't coast on fixed gear. You are always pedaling and wasting energy. It sucks whether the ground is flat or when going uphill/downhill.

Fixed bikes are slower than a multi-speed or single speed bikes. There is a risk of the pedals making contact with the ground during high-speed cornering which could subsequently cause the rider to loose control of the machine.

The Fixed configuration is bad for a rider's knees: The resistance of the turning cranks greatly increases stress on the knees which some claim can lead to injury due to eccentric contraction of the knee muscles.

Probably my biggest issue with Fixed geared bikes is they are extremely dangerous. A rider MUST be able to stop when they NEED TO STOP. Hence, we have BRAKES.

That said, it makes no sense whatsoever to abandon safety for aesthetics. Fixies are incredible to look at...sure. Some have dazzling paint jobs, custom V-Wheels, etc...


Fixies: They are meant for closed circuit racing. There are few dangers on the track except other bicyclists. Not so for the urban or street environments where cars and people could shoot out of nowhere. As a bicyclist you become a hazard not only to others, but yourself as well.

Riding a Fixie is a death warrant; as is riding without a helmet. It's stupid...

Remember, safety first, kids.

Dating A Schwinn Traveler

After weeks of anguish and boredom, I finally have my blue, 12-speed baby back and in working order!

The bike is nowhere near cherry, but looks amazing with new 27" rims and low-profile Bontranger 27 1/8" Select B tires.

Now if the weather would only improve...feels like Portland in San Diego. It's July already!

Where the hell is the sun?!

Anyways, hoping on many future mystic nights with friends riding around town, if I can coral them together some hot summer night...the stuff of dreams!

Punctured bicycle, on a hillside desolate...

Managed to run over something nasty...a small (very sharp) piece of glass or metal. I thought it may have been a thorn, but when I pulled it out my tire gasped *poof.

So to date, I have a forced-fixed gear road bike with a flat front tire...

Life keeps getting better! :)

"Everything is everything," I thought. "And in this world, anyone is anyone."

Many mental pot-holes today. Riding this wobbly wheel leaves an uneasy feeling; like the wheel on which I now ride is slowly falling apart underneath me. Spokes, rim and tire. The whole fucking wheel. It's probably not safe. But I gotta hold on, and keep moving.


The town is packed to the gills with strange faces...I hate San Diego. A new start, something drastic; a cataclysmic geological event is in the works to get myself out of this place...

Nothing new. Haven't biked in a few days. Weather's been odd...and It's gonna be a real long time before Tasty is back up to speed. It sucks, but hoping this weekend will prove different.