Ironclad Cycling

We hope your Christmas is wondrous!

Ours ended up poorly. Guess which Ironclad rider is filmed below, and win a fabulous prize!

Actual formal team rides haven’t even started yet but people keep calling rides, and people keep showing up. Most of us have nothing better to do anyhow, and it usually helps us earn our daily beer.

A whole pile jumped in Walter, others arrived by bike or Max, and off we went into the Mists of Hillsboro. Pretty out thar, sure is! We set up camp at Dizzy’s place, made a rack plan for Walter, and then reviewed the year’s financial papers. Faces were sullen at the inverse between race entry fees and bar tabs. A burrito stockpiling later, we headed out into the wild blue yonder.

An early flat allowed for the first meal stop. At roughly 5km in, you know, we’re all kinds of knackered. Luckily we had stowed proper nutrition for the ride:

carnitas burritos will do nicely, thank you

After the succulence passed, we mounted our steeds and pointed for Stub Stewart park….and that was a good little ride. Luckily, we received only one verbal assault out in the nether regions: a subtle but clear “idiots”. Riding correctly and respectively though we were, methinks the old bat still had a point. We reached the turnaround without incident but with many a laugh. It was then that Ditto, having dug all of the burrito remnants and wrappers from her pockets, discovered her Surly flask, loaded with the finest recovery drink ever. We enjoyed a nip before moving on.

At least there was sun. And more sun. And sun.

could think of worse ways to spend a Saturday

Afterward there were things like Billy’s, a Gnome Party, and some cold bike riding. We’ll spend the Christmas week laying low and gorging ourselves before hitting formal team rides. Rack up the miles in this lasting dry while you can!

We ain’t kiddin’.

Cold. Grey. 3 hours. All together now. Full photos here.

frosty, chilly, productive

21 Ironclad riders and friends headed out to PIR to support the BTA‘s Bike the Lights event, and of course festivate the holidaze cheer. Yes, I said festivate. It’s activating a festivity, and we’re good at it.

Firstly it was a gathering at HQ to create hot toddies and to have the grand opening of the Wolf Bar, sure to be a homey hit for the year to come. Then we straddled our two wheeled machines and rolled to do a few not-so-hot laps with a few toddy stops along the way, then it was off to the World Famous Kenton Club to drink cylinders of cheer.

There’s just a pinch of photos at our Flickr, but here’s the pick of the litter:

bicycle cheer to you and yours!

‘Twas. Had some sun in it, and some Budweiser and mustard. Beef sticks. Air fresheners. A little bit of Crown Point, and a little bit of the ol’ wind tunnel on Marine Drive.

At the Winter Cross race, Ace, Levo, and Sharon took to the fray, while about 12 of us went all spandied up on pavement roadways instead. Cold. Foggy for a bit, then glorious sunshine met us and held us in her arms all day.

For the group ride, it started with some coffee and scones, as per usual. Sadly, no one came armed with the usual whiskey flask on a cold, cold morning.

I suppose we should go do stuff. You know, on bikes.

So off we went. We headed east in the wind tunnel and went on the hunt for the Willis Dick Party, Cakes, Joe, and Joel. We found them, and after doing so did a great job of averting the camera. Being successful at that, we spun through the Travel America for some cokes and sugary candied goods, then onward toward Vista House. On the way, Willis got a flat, but he arrived later. There was much rejoicing. 

Cristina and Brie shared a Supplement Necklace.

Trevorcakes decided to sunbathe.

After a good deal of useless assgrabbery, we got the hell out of there, bound for the snack shop in Corbett, where the promise of hot chocolate, beer, and air fresheners awaited.

Travis is smiling too, you just can’t see it.

On long-ish rides like this, it’s good to help each other out. Point out treacherous road debris, move over a bit before blowing snot rockets, and of course, if you have a particularly fuzzy and/or stinky member on your team, help out there, too.

After that, and after blasting down the remnants of the gentle descent, it’s best find somewhere to take a moronic artsy photo before the final push for home. Case in point:

darned good food, and open for business

So it’s about that time of year to compare two-wheeled fancy machines. We hope your rides are going accordingly as well. Nothing beats goofing off with your friends on dry, sunny (!) December days…..

No, not this kind.

Now, we may look silly like that from time to time, but that’s not the New Edition we’re talking about.  No, this new addition is Sweetness himself, #34, Walter Payton. Back from the dead and slightly heavier and less fleet-of-foot, ol’ Walter has returned as a 1997 Ford E350 Econoline Superwagon.

Now in his new life form, he’s tasked with carting our stupid asses to races near and far. Just a few more interior design perks (stripper pole, wet bar, koi pond, and dvd player) and we’re all set. Oh, and we’re painting part of it black too….kinda have to.

So, without further ado, meet Walter Payton II.

Walter Payton