#he get's the cheap inner tubes for his bike

[stopfunkinwmyheart]

[pbandjesse]

Today was a pretty excellent day off all things considered. It's my brothers 26th birthday. He has a lot of hardships in his life right now and a lot of uncertainty, but I love him so dearly and only want the best for him. Whatever direction that goes.

I am so so so glad to have James back home though. He got back to Baltimore around 730 and went to his parents to get his bike. Which had a flat tire because he cannot win. So his mom took him back here. Stopped up real quick to see the apartment. It was just so good to see him.

We had peach cake after dealing with a few things. He made whipped cream which made it a 1000% better. And then we just chilled on the couch together and it was really nice.

I slept okay. To warm but you cant win them all. I actually woke up in the middle of thr night because the nightgown i was wearing was hurting my arms. So I got changed and came back to bed.

James woke up early abd i stayed in bed until about 830. I got up and he showed me how to make a waffle. And soon he was going to work. I was sitting on the couch mostly. Eventually i got dressed.

I spent some time lazing about. But I also worked on my drawing. Which I finished tonight. And i turned a dress that Jess had given me into a skirt. Spent forever pinning in an electric waistband. I had never tried to do that before. It's a little messy. Its hard to pin without a dressform but I did a fairly good job i think.

I went around and did a base stitch. Was able to take all the pins out and do a zigzag stitch on the machine all the way around and it fots pretty well. Im happy. And it was fun. Maybe I'll wear it tomorrow.

I had a grilled cheese and was kind of bored and wanted to get out of here. I did some research on what buses can take me we're. I wanted to see if I can get up to Towson because kind of a nicer area and there's more shopping out there. Chain stores and stuff. I figured out that I could go down to the old neighborhood and catch the green line to go all the way up to Towson to go to the mall. It looks like it's closer to an auction vallier Warminster. And I needed that today. I needed that familiar radios Big Mama. Even though I don't really do that kind of shopping I just felt like I needed that. Just a walk around. Be in the air conditioning.

So I got dressed again. Because I wasn't wearing something I wanted to be outside in. I got my backpack and I headed out.

Because my bike tire had fallen off I couldn't bike downtown. So I walked. First I stopped at Blick and said hi to James. Didn't realize how hard it wasn't side until I got in the air conditioning. But that was fine. I had a nice walk and I had to podcast to listen to. The bus came fairly quickly and I have a 40 minute bus ride out there.

It was a nice ride. In the mall is great. When I first got into it it was very empty. But it was early in the afternoon and I was kind of closer to like an edge of the mall. Once I got into it there was more people. It was never crowded though. I like some kind of people watching and going in some stores. Catching things. I did buy a couple things. I went to lodge because my shampoo bar is going to run out eventually. No reason not to buy a while I'm there. I want an apology and Forever 21 and H&M and all those types of stores. Went into Sephora and looked around for a while. It was mostly me just looking around. Taking pictures of things I like. I went to Aerie though and they were having a killer sale on their underwear. 10 pairs for $35. That's $120 worth of underwear. At least at the price that they saw him out. And I've been hemming and hawing if I was going to get an underwear subscription box and this really is a better plan. And I got some very cute pairs that I'm very happy with.

I had some soup at the food court. Tomato with pieces of a grilled cheese sandwich on top. It was honestly excellent.

I enjoyed the people watching. And I found some awesome new stores. Like this Sephora type store except it was a makeup/cutesy home goods/candy store??? It was in credible. At one point I turn the corner and saw a dome that's in the middle of the mall. And I literally gasped out loud it was so beautiful. I always love a good dome.

I got another pretzel. And then walk around a little bit longer. But I was getting tired and my phone was starting to die. I wanted to have enough headphone battery to get home and it didn't work out but that's all right. I had some trouble figuring out how to get outside the mall. Figure out where to get on the bus. But I remembered I came in next to the Macy's and then I got lost in the Macy's. But not for too long. I got outside and realized I was at the wrong bus stop and had to go around the corner to get to the correct one. And the most was sitting right there. It all worked out.

My back didn't feel as long. I got off and you'll neighborhood and walk the Blick because James was going to be done work soon. I got a couple things on clearance there. Including a letter board because I thought it was cute. And it was very cheap. And then I went to Rite Aid to wait for him. I bought a giant bag of Gummy Worms, but they're to put in one of our glass canisters because I thought it would be funny. And then James was getting done and we walked home together

It was a nice walk. It's too hot and I was starting to get a headache though. I don't know if it was from the combination of the Heat and the headband I was wearing. My energy level was not good. And my head hurt.

Inside and I went and got a shower while he took her laundry downstairs. He came back up and started dinner and we had a nice meal. It's good to be together again. After he went down to put the clothes in the dryer he came back up and we worked on the bikes. Well he worked on the bikes and I did Art. He put the new handlebar tape on my bike and gave me the bolts off of his bike so I can bike to work tomorrow and get new bolts and a new inner tube for him. That all worked really nicely.

Now he's in the other room and I'm laying in the studio. I'm going to go join him soon. Maybe we'll have more peach cake. I work a short shift tomorrow at the BMI. I'm just giving one tour. I think it might be too older people? Unclear. But I think it will be fun either way. I learned some facts today to expand on point I make during my tour that I think will be good. So I'm looking forward to it.

I hope you all have a good night. Send Good Vibes to my family and my brother. Take care of each other. Be safe.

[traviswsoul]

Day 29 Sunnyside to Richland 25 Miles 30 miles

Aug 1, 2:14 time, 911 calories, 13.7 avg mph, 351' climbed I was not confident heading off for the day that I was prepared.  I only had one CO2 canister to fill a flat if I got one and was in the  middle of nowhere, I had searched sunnyside for more to no avail.  So I set off hoped for the best. The word of the day is Goat's Head.  Any cyclist round these parts will tell it's a vine that crawls along the road side with a little round bud packed full of thorns, each of which is fully capable of puncturing a tire and inner tube. After about 20 miles through ranch land along the Yakama River they got me.  That soggy unresponsive feeling that ruins your steering struck first from the rear wheel.  It was early but already hot in the sun and there was no shade as far as I could see in either direction.  I pulled off the side of the two lane, no shouldered highway and prepared to change a tire aside a boulder that was taller than me.  I start by removing my bags now, this took longer to habituate than it should have, but I figured it out the hard way as we stubborn men insist on doing. Next you use your tire lever to pry the bead of the tire off the wheel and allow removal of it and the inner tube.  I have also learned from smarter people than myself, to check the tire for the culprit before inflating a new tube straight into another puncture.  I found over a dozen of these Goat Head thorns in my tire which lead to an immediate sinking feeling that the front tire must also be riddled with them. I used my last CO2 to finish this job then loaded up and headed out,  I positioned myself in the lane to ride and should have taken off but I gave in to scratch my itch of curiosity and check the front tire.  I didn't have to rotate but a few degrees before I saw them.  Any one who understands tires, punctures and air pressure, myself included, knows that sometimes if you don't mess with a puncture it may hold itself sealed and not deflate.  I knew this, I know this but I only remembered this as I extracting a monster thorn from the rubber, this was followed by a hissing sound and the thud of my further sinking heart. It was a slow leak so I got another quarter to a half a mile ride out of it, just enough to find a shade tree to stop at and stick out my thumb.  I was hitchhiking again, my favorite character and humility building exercise.  When your alone, stranded in the middle of nowhere with nothing to offer except an imposing set of needs you learn lessons that could never be realized in a classroom, a church or a bar. Which brings me back to Thomas Paine, there is no better teacher than life and nature. Greg from the tire store, driving the big company tire hauling truck picked me up after just 15 minutes.  I thought to myself "that was easy" and trotted down the road clickity clackiting with my clips under my shoes pushing my bike to make an introduction and let him know where I was headed.  He wasn't headed as far as I was but after a few miles of visiting I think he drove me further than he expected initially.  He dropped me off at a gas station on the edge of Richland at a good turnaround point for himself.  Luckily this was a city, well, the tri cities actually, I was five miles from one bike shop and four from another, I wanted to go to Greenies because that was the shop I called from under the shade tree to confirm they were open and had all I needed.  I spoke to Dylan and explained my situation and that I would be needing new tires because mine were full of thorns, he replied "yeah, you're not from the North West huh?" Goat Heads! I started walking to the one four miles away even though it wasn't Greenie's with Dylan it was closer and I was walking.  That is until I stuck my thumb out at the third truck that drove by and pulled over too!  He was in no rush and let me take my pick so we headed to Greenie's.  When I arrived and was reaching for the door Dylan pushed it open recognizing me from the phone call.  We made friends as we set the bike up into the bike rack and started breaking it down.  We replaced my cheap twenty dollar tires with the tuffest German made reinforced tires in the Continental tire family, new tubes which we preloaded via the removable valve stem with a nylon fluid that works like a liquid rubber when a puncture creates suction that pulls this stuff into the hole and seals it up, as well as a new chain and a basic tune up, cleaning and lube. In total contrast to my feelings this morning starting out I feel fully prepared for the next few hundred miles to the Canadian border and on to my destination, Shambhala.  Well worth the two hundred bucks, you can't buy happiness and you usually have to buy preparedness and boy is it worth it! On top of it all Dylan offered to let me camp in his yard when he get off work so I'm sitting at Atomic Ales and Eatery getting my fill and telling you about it.

[martinlawless]

Full Gas Masters Winter Crit

Masters 40+, Regional C+, E1234, Hillingdon, Saturday 22 Dec 2018

I’m driving down to the cycle circuit in Hillingdon. It’s not a very nice drive, mostly motorways and urban A-roads, but the roads are clear and that’s good considering how close to Christmas we are. I am thinking that more than a race right now, I’d love a nap. It’s the day after a big day out on the bike and pub. It’s the fifth night in a row I’ve been getting to bed after midnight. I’m knackered.

My day had started early. Richard had been looking at my bike. I dropped it off on Wednesday as my gears were jumping at Welwyn’s terrific road race training sessions. I couldn’t figure out why. Soon, he’d spotted that the rear mech hanger was bent and cracked, misaligning everything. Luckily, I had a spare with me, so early on Saturday morning, with a tender and dazed head, we were in his workshop fitting the spare and getting the gears indexing well. Always keep spare hangers with you. Get them from ‘betd.co.uk’ - specific to your machine.

Bike loaded in the car, I’m off to the race. Yesterday, I’d clocked around 80 miles on the bike and could feel it in the legs. The day ended at 1am with me crawling home on the bike in a massive downpour. Finally home, I got off the bike in the back garden and I was like Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption when he’s finally out of the tunnel and free.

I didn’t have time for any roller physio in the morning, so I’m hopelessly hitting and massaging my legs on the drive down. My feet are sore from wearing thin flip-flops all day. On the positive side, the weather was good. 10 degrees, and a light breeze. My bike was now smooth running. And I’d recently replaced my cheap inner tubes with ‘light’ ones. Saving a ridiculous 100g per tyre.

I got a good space to park. There is very limited parking at Hillingdon and you sometimes have to use the adjacent leisure centre that’s quite a faff. The facility is fine, though on a busy day the queue for the loo would be a nightmare.

There are just 12 riders today. There’ll be little hiding in the bunch. And two riders will miss out on the points. I know a few of these riders and they’re all good. Luckily, I’m not alone in my tired state. A couple are still recovering from their winter cold. Another got through a bottle of sloe gin the day before.

Never pump your tyre up with a minute to go before the start. Bang! One rider has a mechanical you can do without. We wait a few minutes and eventually, we’re off.

The race settles in pretty quickly. We’re going clockwise and I prefer it this way with the long slight uphill past the finish line. The zigzags at the top are quite technical and it’s hard to fight for the best line. Fortunately, Masters racers are not as impatient or overly-aggressive in such tight turns. Everyone is quite sensible. The drop to the bottom of the lap has a quite tight turn that requires you to look far in advance of yourself to hold well. Other than that the loop is fine.

I barely spend a moment on the tip of the bunch. I’m happy lolling with Steve and Chris from Verulam as I know their calibre. We do so in the top few places and I like it here a bit more stress-free.

There are several moves on a solo break. I help break them down but am unconvinced any such idea from me would work. So I’m surprised with 20 minutes or so left when a rider is given a gap that for some reason the bunch doesn’t collectively want to chase down. Odd. But that’s the dividends that confidence can pay out now and then. The chap gets away and it’s down to the bunch sprint for 2nd place downwards.

I like a 20 seconds sprint. On each lap I was gauging where that point might be for the final lap and worked out a bunch of nettles near the final corner as a marker. On reflection, this was too short and I should have launched a few seconds beforehand. All the same, the sprint isn’t too bad for me as I take a decent position near the front. We crank it up. I feel I’m not in an ideal gear as we approach the line and change to something better. But probably lose a bit of power in doing so. A couple of metres ahead, the sprinters are really going for it and I’m taking their air in a decent bit of space. Another time at this and I could have done really well. But the line comes up quick and I didn’t get that smooth time of things that I enjoy now and then. All the same, not bad, 6th in the sprint and so 7th overall.

We retire to the clubhouse and return our numbers and collect our licences. I feel completed rebooted after a night of excess and earlier tiredness. I hang around to hear Tony Gibb dictate the official positions and hear my name into the computer and make my way home. I’ve raced with a good bunch of racers today and I look forward to more adventures with them at other local Masters races.

Strava link https://www.strava.com/activities/2029706423

[waynebomberger]

End of an Error

No doubt by now you've seen the CyclingTips story about Mario Cipollini's history of domestic violence:

Mario Cipollini is one of professional cycling's most beloved and enduring characters. But in the wake of serious allegations of violence against female family members, the colourful Italian's darker side can no longer be ignored.https://t.co/pr1LWFt52g pic.twitter.com/lMHNVnmu8O

— CyclingTips (@cyclingtips) March 12, 2019

Like most American cycling fans, I was simultaneously in awe of Cipollini's results on the bike and entertained by his unctuous antics in a laughing-at-him-and-not-with-him kind of way, hence my incessant references to him.  Of course, Cipollini already stopped seeming funny to me back in May of 2017, when I saw him in person and realized he wasn't a cartoon:

But now that I know who he really is it's officially the end of an era. I guess if you write a bike blog long enough you'll eventually see all your memes become unfunny:

Though maybe it just I who have become unfunny:

Hey, I may not be able to amuse you with my words, but at least my physique is always good for a guffaw. By the way, I'm not sure what to make of the fact that the CyclingTips story didn't mention Cipollini's Rock Racing days:

In retrospect it was fairly obvious he was morally bankrupt. Speaking of Eroica California (that's where that unfortunate photo of me was taken), I continue to use it as an excuse to fuck off and ride my bike in the middle of the day, and today I headed out astride the Renovo:

In recent weeks I've been alternating between bikes made of steel, "stainless" steel, and crabon, and I must confess that, even with Gatorskins and a cheap pair of wheels, the Renovo does have a preternaturally smooth ride quality that I can only attribute to one thing:

At the same time, the bike is still creaking--not a lot, but it's there.  Having swapped wheels, snugged everything up, installed a new cassette, and so forth, at this point it's hard not to blame the frame:

Also, on various parts of the frame there are these cloudy spots that look like unbuffed wax:

I have occasionally rubbed the bike down with rags soiled by lubricants and solvents of unknown provenance [insert "rubbing my wood with soiled rags" joke here], so maybe that's what's going on, but about a year and a half in the Renovo has become that exquisite chest of drawers that is all dinged up and liable to collapse at any moment, but you'll be damned if you're gonna get rid of it because it's an heirloom and also who wants to spend half the day putting together a new one from Ikea anyway? Also, early in the ride, I was getting a persistent knocking sound while out of the saddle.  I decided to ignore it, only to eventually discover that my tool roll had spontaneously ejected itself and the sound I'd been hearing was the toe strap buckle knocking against the seatmast.  By this point, I was basically here:

Which is roughly three miles from my home.  The tool roll could have fallen off anywhere, but I couldn't in good conscience abandon it, since it contained the following invaluable items: --An inner tube --Tire levers --A patch kit --A chain tool --A multitool (I think?) --The combination pedal wrench/coupler opener for my travel bike --One of those round spoke wrenches that fits lots of different nipple sizes --A little wrench that fits these theft-proof skewers I wasn't using (If you're wondering why I was carrying so much random crap it's because I'd taken it off my travel bike and hadn't bothered to edit the contents.) As you can see, between the contents and the tool roll itself that was like $100 worth of crap, and so I had no choice but to look for it.  So I backtracked, and after about a mile and a half I finally found it on Broadway where it had clearly been run over by a truck:

It's got a few holes in it now but everything appears to have more or less survived.  And with that I stuffed it in my jersey pocket and continued on my way. from Bike Snob NYC https://ift.tt/2O1kQ0q

[bigwheelblading]

“I’m 19 forever with my skates on,” is how old Matt Mickey responded when I asked him his age. This is the exact same age I feel when I’m cruising through urban landscapes, distance skating down country roads or hitting the skatepark with some friends. For many of us seasoned skaters, blading is the fountain of youth… the DMV however may not agree. At 38-years-old Matt has been on his skates for the past 24 of those years, primarily as an aggressive street and park skater. And for the last 18 years, he has been running Intuition Skate Shop in Bakersfield, California.

Back when I lived in San Diego in the 2000s, my friends and I would stop by Intuition anytime we went on tour or were on our way to skate Woodward West. I was always impressed by Matt’s hard work, love and dedication to blading. Not only to help foster the scene in his hometown, but to help blading shine and grow around the world. Both Matt and Intuition have been a valuable asset and blessing to our sport for almost two decades. So it was due time that I reached out for an interview to discuss Intuition’s longevity, Matt’s involvement in blading and what the future holds for Intuition Skate Shop.

How did Intuition start?

Intuition started because my great friend Ray Tolentino’s Dad was a property owner and had a storefront available. He heard Ray and I talking about wanting to start a skate shop, so he offered to lease us our first location with two months of free rent!

How many locations have you had?

Intuition is in its third and largest space, which opened in 2006. Like all of our past locations, the current store is in downtown Bakersfield.

What keeps your going?

Rollerblading took a hold of my heart back when I was 16, and hasn’t let go. I still have so much fun skating. Hell, I learned a new line at the last Thursday Night Skate and it felt so damn good!

A candy shop for bladers.

What is your favorite part of running a shop?

My favorite part of running a shop is seeing the fire ignite in someone when they put on skates for the first time. I also love when I see a person return to skating from a long absence. Knowing that they have unlocked the route to the ultimate adventure and form of creativity. I have found that path again, after straying off it.

What ways are you involved in the blading community outside of Intuition?

I announce and commentate for the Blading Cup and other contests and events. Intuition also hosts an annual week at Woodward West skate camp, where some of the team riders and myself will skate with and help teach the campers. This is supported by many brands in the industry, which allows us to ensure all campers go home juiced on skating and equipped to stay active on blades. The 12th Annual Woodward Intuition Week will take place from July 14th-20th, 2019. Save $100 when you sign up by Jan 31st via WoodwardWest.com.

I also write for ONE Magazine from time to time.

How have you managed to adapt with the time and stay in business when so many other retailers have shut down?

For me, it was never a question of “Is Intuition going to survive?” Many people come into the shop and ask if I’m the owner. Often I will say to them, “I’m usually here six days a week, but the shop belongs to whoever comes in here and needs skating gear.”

Intuition will continue to be a mainstay because inline skating is still the biggest thing to me! It is disheartening that other retailers have closed up. However, several new inline storefronts have opened up in America within the last couple of years and I know that they can succeed too!

Have you had to re-invent your business model?

We have not had to re-invent our business model, so to speak. But for the last 5-6 years, we have also carried roller skates, in addition to inline skates.

The emergence of Big Wheel Blading and Tri-Skates has brought a whole new demographic through the doors here at Intuition. This has helped us gain recognition and sales, and also been a catalyst to broadening our product selection. Big Wheel Blading has definitely helped Intuition grow over the last 2-3 years.

Have you noticed any significant change in the numbers of people participating in recreational skating vs. aggressive skating in the US in the past several years?

Yes. There are clearly more people (men, women, and kids) participating in skating, whether it be cruising the bike trail, at roller rinks or at the skate park. Additionally, the last 2-3 years has seen a sustained surge in guys coming “Back to Blading” after years away from the aggressive scene. This is fantastic! Almost every day we receive a call or a walk-in, that begins their conversation by saying “I haven’t bladed in years…”

Sometimes they have been away from the game two decades! And often times they have a kid (or kids) who they get on skates for the first time, while they get back in the saddle. Rollerblading is old enough now to be generational, and it is inspiring to see so many Dads (and Moms) re-embrace what they had fun doing growing up and sharing that with their kids.

How important was picking your location to the success of the business?

Living and running a business in Bakersfield is relatively cheap, compared with anywhere else in California. And luckily for Intuition, Bakersfield is strategically located 1.5 hours north of Los Angeles, and 4 hours south of San Francisco. So we are pretty much smack dab in the middle of California, which is the nucleus for the worldwide skate scene. That happened out of pure fate, as I was born and raised here in the town that Buck Owens built, and God forgot.

Do you offer skate lessons?

We do not offer skate lessons. However, we have printed info from our three local roller rinks (Skateland, Rollerama, and Rollerama West) that includes lesson times, and their open session schedules. We definitely support our local roller rinks!

Do you sell quads?

Yes, we do sell quads. Intuition is a proud dealer for Sure Grip, Riedell, Moxi, and Chaya. We also sell Triple 8, 187 Killer Pads, Smith Scabs, Ennui, Lux Armor, and Sisu protective gear.

Intution carries a nice selection of quads and safety equipment.

What can someone do in their hometown to help inline skating grow?

I still feel the most powerful thing you can do to promote skating in your hometown is to simply continue skating. If you’re out rolling on the bike path, at the skate park or in your neighborhood, people will naturally see that. You cannot help but meet other skaters and peak future and fellow skaters’ interest at the same time.

Scheduled frequent sessions, and online groups (Facebook, group texts, etc.) are a great way to maintain a healthy scene. And that doesn’t cost a dime! We have a weekly Thursday Night Skate (TNS) session from 6-10pm at the Taft, CA skate park, located 30 minutes west of Bakersfield. Many times, we’ll have skaters from out of town roll through and occasionally international skaters will drop in on their holidays. Our TNS sessions are promoted through Intuition’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts, and anyone on wheels is welcome.

Are most of your sales online or in-store?

We are still brick and mortar first, with people driving from all over, just to be able to try on and compare skates. However, half of our sales are from walk-in clients and half are from phone and online orders. During the Christmas season (Black Friday through mid – January), that percentage skews towards online sales being the lion share.

What other countries do you sell to?

Intuition ships internationally, and has done so for over 15 years. Essentially, if you come to us for skates, and the payment is secured, we’ve got you covered!

How many people come into you store on average during the week and then on the weekend?

During an average week, Intuition will see 15 – 40 walk-in clients. Some are just browsing, some mistakenly think we sell skateboards, and a good deal of them make purchases. On Saturdays, we usually get 5-15 people throughout the day. Intuition is closed Sundays for skating, church, combing the yard, and inner tubing the KILLER KERN RIVER in the summer.

What do you think would help skating be more successful?

I think that making a collective and consorted effort to keep blading kid and family friendly will only help our numbers grow.

Would you ever consider carrying speed skating products?

Yes. Intuition actually offers special order services to any inquiring clients for speed skating brands like Powerslide, Matter, Hyper, etc.

Some of the boots and skates available at Intution.

What sets your store apart from others?

Intuition prides itself on being brick and mortar first. That serves two main purposes. First allowing clients to try on and compare skates to get the right fit. And we all know comfort is Rule #1 when it comes to skates. Secondly creating a scene where you can meet other bladers, check out and purchase skate gear from actual bladers, and maintain a physical hub that gives skaters the world over a place to call home.

What achievement are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the fact that no matter where I go, people are always asking if I have any of my Mom’s World Famous Homemade Intuition Cookies. Thanks, Mom! (Note: You can always pick up a fresh bag at the Blading Cup every year!) Her support is herculean!

Did you ever have any periods where you thought you might not make it?

Yes, after a fire on October 22, 2004 burned down the adjacent Mexican restaurant and nail salon at Intuition’s original location. It was devastating for us. But after cleaning out the old shop, and sifting through what the flames had torched and what we could keep, my senses came to me. I soon found it wasn’t up to me to quit or continue on. Rollerblading needed Intuition. That was a tough year though…

What was the most successful period for you?

The most successful period for Intuition is no doubt the time from Blading Cup through Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday until mid January. Although this past February, when Jon Julio launched pre-orders for his new Them Skates brand, we had our single most successful day in the history of Intuition – by 12 noon!

Are there a significant amount of aggressive skaters switching over to big wheel aggressive frame set-ups?

Yes. The Oysius frames are especially rising in popularity.

Do you think inline retailers need to sell items outside of inline skating to stay afloat?

I think that is absolutely worth considering selling ‘complimentary’ products. And by that I mean, products and brands that don’t detract from your inline base. Intuition started selling roller skates, quad skates and related accessories 5-6 years ago in response to increasing requests for those products. Even the local roller rinks pro shops don’t have what quad skaters are looking for.

So to nurture their scene, and strengthen our business model, Intuition proudly caters to roller skaters and inline skaters alike. A lot of kids start out on quads as they find them more stable. And many veteran skaters prefer quads, as that is what they have skated for decades on end. When it comes down to it, we use the same bearings, and all the protective gear translates over, so it’s really a win-win.

Polaroid portrait shot by Jonathan Labez

Matt lacing a soul grind at the skatepark.

Does Bakersfield have any recreational social skates?

We did just participate in the Holiday Lights Roll Out, in conjunction with Bike Bakersfield, which is an “active transportation” organization here in Bakersfield. Intuition partnered with Chicks in Bowls Bakersfield, Skateland Roller Rink, and the Bakersfield Diamond Divas Roller Derby Team, to participate in the event. It was a success, and Bike Bakersfield contacted us to express interest in continuing to work together in the future! Stay tuned…

How is the aggressive scene in the Bakersfield area?

The aggressive inline scene in Bakersfield and Central California is as healthy as it’s ever been!

What are your most popular selling products?

Our best selling products are Them Skates, Razors, Roces, K2 kids skates (adjustable Boys and Girls skates), all types of wheels and bearings, and Intuition apparel. (Especially the Chris Haffey t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts)

How many recreational skates do you sell compared to aggressive?

We probably sell one pair of recreational, fitness and Tri-Skates for every three to five pairs of aggressive skates that roll out the door.

Where do you see Intuition Skate Shop in the future?

In the future, I see Intuition Skate Shop helping inline skating grow by getting the retail (think try on!) experience into more densely populated areas and major cities. Whether that is through brick and mortar, pop up shops or mobile shops. The biggest hurdle in buying skates is finding the right fit (read: comfort!). If we can overcome the public’s access to trying on skates, the sky is the limit! We all know how amazingly fun skating is, now let’s get more people into comfortable skates and involved in active skating lifestyles!

What are you current personal setups?

My current set up is as classic as a pitcher of sun tea! Razors Cream skates (Cults) with stock liners, Ground Control Featherlite 3 frames, Ground control 64mm outside wheels, Bones Reds bearings (Thanks Green Eyes!), and Dyna B Smith anti rockers. Simple, clean, and dependable.

Intution’s storefront in downtown Bakersfield, California.

Links

Visit intuitionskate.com to browse their selection.

To keep up to date with everything happening at Intuition, follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Contact Information

Brick and Mortar Address Intuition Skate Shop 705 18th Street Bakersfield, CA 93301

Phone Number 661-323-6293

Email Address intuitionskateshop@hotmail.com

Store Hours 10am-6pm Monday – Saturday (Closed Sundays)

Eighteen Years and Going: An Interview with Intuition Skate Shop’s Matt Mickey "I'm 19 forever with my skates on," is how old Matt Mickey responded when I asked him his age.

[alleweder]

Cheap Christmas Cycling Gifts for a Boyfriend or MTB Geek

So your boyfriend is a cycling nut but you know nothing about mountain biking. You do know, however, that a sure way to his heart is to choose some cycling gifts for a boyfriend this Christmas, so just use the ideas in this article to buy some cheap mountain biking gifts that your boyfriend will love.

Mountain Bike Gifts for Men

Before you start thinking about mountain bike gifts for men, do some detective work by checking what bike your boyfriend rides and what looks worn or in need of replacement on the bike. Talk to his mates about what they spend money on when it comes to replacing parts or having to buy new bike gear or sneak a look at a mountain bike magazine in your local newsagent to check on hot items for Christmas.

Then decide on a budget and choose lots of small cheap items that can be packed together in a DIY gift box or, if he’s a really special boyfriend, pick just one more expensive item as a main gift.

Gift Box Ideas for Cyclists – Items Under £12/$18

The following items are inexpensive but essential items to put into a gift box for cyclists:

Inner tubes – check which type he uses, either car valve schrader tubes or presta valves.

Grips – these wear out quickly. A good choice is the Race Face Good n’ Evil

Puncture repair kit – include some tire levers too as these often break.

Bite valve – the little plastic bit that goes on the end of a hydration bladder tube; they get mucky and/or fall off frequently. A hydration bladder, by the way, is a plastic bag filled with water with a tube on the end, used for easy drinking on the trail.

Cleats – these are small pieces of shaped metal that fit onto cycling shoes so your boyfriend can ride clipped in or onto the pedals. They wear out quickly so check which type of shoe he wears and pop another set into that gift box.

Bike gloves – some brands are very expensive but Ground Effect’s Quickdrawswith a full finger thumb design are great value for money; just check your boyfriend’s hand size before you order.

If you can’t afford the above items, pull together an emergency trailside kit for him using items from your dad’s workshop or the family medical kit. Mountain bikers use things like gaffer tape, zip ties, plasters (they fall off a lot), bandages and aspirin (for those hangovers) all the time and you can also throw in one of mum’s homemade flapjacks as an emergency energy bar.

Mountain Bike Gifts Under £20/$30

Those with a slightly higher budget may want to buy a single gift item so consider these:

Hydration bladder – check which type of hydration pack and the size of the plastic bladder he owns and buy a new one.

Bike maintenance book – if he likes to do his own maintenance, the best book I can recommend as even I can work out how to fix things with the step by step instructions, is Lennard Zinn’s Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance.

Multi tool – the best value multi tool for use on the trail is Crank Brother’s Multi Tool 17which includes a chain tool and spoke key; don’t worry about what that means, this tool does everything and costs just £20/$30.

Where to Buy Christmas Gifts for Cycling

When you’ve tired yourself out deciding which cycling gifts to buy for your boyfriend, sit down at your computer and just buy those Christmas gifts online. If you live in the UK or Europe, the best value websites to use are Chain Reaction Cycles or Wiggle. These sites also deliver worldwide but to save on postage costs, those living in the US or Canada can look at JensonUSA or QBike.

Just be sure to order in plenty of time to make sure that online delivery arrives in time to pack your cycling present.

The post Cheap Christmas Cycling Gifts for a Boyfriend or MTB Geek appeared first on Alleweder.

from http://ift.tt/2gbOtw5

[crackheadcastle]

Get a Job. Flat tire bikes.

I made a friend in the neighborhood. His name is Charlie. He's from Nigeria.

He had this really super big smile that made me wonder if he was gay at first, esp. in the way he looked at me when I met him and returned his 'hello'. Turns out he was out of work, living with his brother in public housing on the edge of Bed Stuy. Charlie's biceps were grapefruit shaped, evidence of having worked laborious jobs most of his life. I liked how dark his skin was, soft, porous, beautiful.

Lately, we started riding bikes together. Smoking cheap weed that we could get at the airbrush t-shirt shop on Fulton. Both of our 10 speeds were just crappy squeeky things we found in abandoned lots around the neighborhood. Mine happened to be a girls bike with gooey deflated tires that went 'ding' when I rolled over raised man hole covers or pot holes.

We rode real slow, without intention or destination. I would become mesmerized by the way Charlie's rear wheel wobbled, the sides of his back tire frayed, threads waving, waiting to let go of the dry rot inner tube.

I kept thinking about how the hell I might make some money. I'd eaten through much of the cash I got from selling my bed back in Boston.  On this particular day Charlie and I rode all the way down to Sunset Park. Every once in a while we would stop and roll a skinny joint straddling our bikes and smoke at an intersection not saying much.

Being a little hungry we were on the lookout for a bodega slinging $2 sandwiches, maybe even a chicken posada at a mexican spot. That's when we passed a tiny massage joint with poorly done hand written prices on colorful construction paper. One of the cards said: 'Masseuse Wanted, Free Training'. Charlie laughed and said, "Happy Ending?". Which made me grin. God knows I was horny. It'd been awhile since I was with a girl. "Hey wait, man. I'm going in.." This mildly shocked Charlie, his humor turned to vague annoyance. "Wha you gon go eeen there for?", "A fuckin' job, dude.." I said. Charlie flipped me off jokingly, his head swung in disapproval. "Wha ever."

Without further discussion I leaned my crappy bike and walked in. "You want massage?" Said a tiny chinese lady behind a table covered by black fabric. Dainty new age music chirped from everywhere, the scent of lavender smelled good. "No, I want a job as a massage therapist." To this she stopped and sized me up, staring me in the eyes intensely. "Let me see you hands." I did. She squeezed them hard and told me to have a seat. "What's you name?" she said. "Jasper". "Ok, my name Sammy". The chinese lady went into a spiel about getting my own customers, what people like, getting tips. I realized that this was in fact a job interview and put on my best effort to convince her with body language of my confidence. Christ, I've never done a professional massage in my life.

Just then a couple walked in smiling. A cute girl with a big butt and her gym athlete boyfriend. "Hi, we'd like a couple's massage.." The chinese woman talked to them for a minute about price and time while I put on my best disposition.

"Alright", Sammy said, looking me square in the face. "You up." I got goose bumps. She's throwing me into the mix on the spot. I glanced out the window. Charlie was rolling another skinny joint, probably for himself. In an act of simultaneous desperation for money and fear of having to possibly commit to a job all the way down in Sunset Park. I said “ok. Let's do this”.

Sammy led the couple into the room and told them to get undressed. She came out and started giving me instructions, to follow her lead. First, we went and washed our hands and forearms. "You take the girl, I take the man." I nodded. Then we walked gently into the dark room where the couple were nearly naked under white towels, face down. I nervously asked the girl, whispering to her ear what she would like, if there were any injuries I should be careful of.

"Um, I have a lot of stress in my lower back." She said. Immediately I began to sweat. Immediately I lathered up my hands with oil, mirroring Sammy. Then I started in. Pawing this beautiful strangers back, fingering over certain tattoos trying not to be creepy. Surely this person would figure out I'm an a hack! Being nervous made my breathing quite shallow. I was nearly dizzy with the warmth of the room. Plus I knew I was dehydrated. Sweat kept dripping onto her lower back as I pulled back her lace g-string and towel to get near her tail bone. I don't think the guy noticed how much attention I paid to his girlfriend's amazing ass and hips with my pushing fingers. Sammy had him in pain, standing on his back and contorting his chiseled frame. The guy kept groaning in delight. My eyes twitched with careful focus.

I was in heaven. I didn't even know if Sammy was gonna pay me for this shit. I anticipated being used by Sammy yet I was happy to help. Rich without money. Charlie was never gonna believe this one.