Currently

 

 pri·va·teer

 Perfume shop in István street, Budapest, 1975. From the Budapest Municipal Photography Company archive.

 

Whoosh..

And one twelve ounce at a time, the season for some is un officially over. That’s a wrap the ICEMAnN cycling event has come to an end, what glorious weekend we had in gods country! We were blessed with beautiful temperatures and warm Indian summer like rays of sunshine. The results seemed to please even the most staunch social media types, and although we getting a repeat from our home state favorite we did not happen we did get a dose of some of the utmost nail biting race action we have scene in looong time! Super happy I am with each and everyone of you campers, that came out and made the showing

Sometimes I am not fully into the build up of things like that, but unlike Christmas after 9:27 am it’s over with, take heed we have. At least least until Thursday until the pics peter out. Enjoy these next few days The pretty side of Mother Nature looks to be around at least until mid week 

Have a nice day 

Tripper

 139 days

until Barry Roubaix

 

 

 

 

 If you ride like lightning 

You crash like thunder 

 

 

 

 

 

1. For some it means cleaning the garage..
2. Many people  couldn't get the day off work, because everyone else at there employment is going
3. For some its the State Championship High school CC event in Brooklyn Michigan that’s keeping away
4. The Daddy daughter dance is always  on the same day
5. Its Always my kids birthday
6. I just had my spleen taken out.
7. I just have too much shit to do at home
8. Ill be in my deer blind that morning
9. Over trained
10. Sewers backed up
11. Doesn't interest me 
12. My start money didn't come through
13. “Insanity" is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”
14. Im not allowed within 15 miles of Traverse City, police orders.
15. My wife said it takes too long, so I’m just doing the Slush cup
16. The Hemorrhoids came back 
17. Next year..cuz I’m gonna tell my boss to fuck off, I’m turning pro
18. Coach Hess said no.. 
19. Sold my bike
20. Watching the big game 
21. I got soo used to being quarantined I hate people 
22. Riding DTE, because it will be empty
23. I wanted to be different and be the only one that has never done it.

Non Icemen

Hey Henry

 

Yeah,

It’s Holy Week

Um, you mean Christmas 

No

Easter?

No.

Hannaku 

Nope

I don’t know then..

Henry! It’s ICEMAN week!

What’s that?

Aww come on maaaaaan. You’ve been around the scene long enough to understand the importance of the first weekend of November is to the scene we speak of.

Ok..i guess..

Good..let she’d some more light on this, Holy Week..is the week leading up to the biggest one day mountain bike race in the country, thousands will gather mainly to the the posh upper class northern Michigan city of Traverse City, for this event. Its an epic event of Godzilla like proportions and some feel fulfilled, some leave hung over, some leave pregnant, and almost everyone leaves happy!

Ok..happy is good tell me more..

Its a party, a celebration. A festival, Its. Its ..It’s a mountain bike race like no other Hank..it’s for everyone, Mom, Dads, kids, Beginners, The novice, the middle age dentist, that aspiring pro, old pros, pro wannabes, privateers, segment stalkers, and even serial killers. the security guard at the local Kroger, and let’s not forget the locals! 

Oh wait a second...you said locals? what's a local? 

Yes Henry..

Why are they any different?

Well Henry, the locals, are everywhere, a local is someone that is native to the race, and often do not travel much farther than there zip code to compete TC locals are very unique in there own right..

Care to expand?

It’s not any secret that if a local does good against the remotes, it carries with it bragging rights all through at least the holidays. And the social media traction gained from a solid ride here whether it’s a local or that  self proclaimed I’m getting faster with age dude from the metro area is nearly doubled than that of a KOM at Stoney, Yankee Springs, or even the Polly Anne trail..

But that doesn't explain, why would a TC local be any different than say a Grand Rapids local?

Well the northern TC climate does funny things to riders up there

Like what?

For one, the riders are seated in waves, because of the large amount of participants, waves of riders are made up. Without going into too much detail, the fast non pros go first thing in the morning, so normally wave one is filled with some of the fastest guys of the day many being TC hot shoes. Virtually unknown south of the Zillwaukee bridge 

Ok you have sparked my interest.. what else..

Probably the most unique thing is there bike set up, they are a far cry the latest bee, boop shifting and the most modern light weight full suspension rigs, no some are a page straight out of 2013, early 29 Er hard tail, narrow flat bars, carbon rigid forks, Schwalbe Thunder Burts, or some obscure semi slick tire..1//11 system drivetrains propelled by a 40-42 tooth chain ring...

Sounds major..

Well Henry a win here carries more clout than you can imagine, a fast time allows for long stories at the after parties, and is a direct way to measure themselves against the big boys that will hit trail later in the day. some even believe there times are on par with the guys in the big show! 

Yes but will they get laid?

Yes probably some of them will enjoy the warm comfort

Well I stand corrected, the ICEMAN is much more than a way to say soo long to season, I didn’t realize it was this big of a deal! 

It’s a big deal, and unfortunately another reason why I believe the MichiganScene gets zero respect for having kick ass events. But with the growing live television coverage, and great commentary work from local Michigan cycling celebrity’s I believe the scene is moving forward. Hell we might even get close to being the next Arkansas...

cool.........

 

 Every bike is a ..............dirt bike

The way it was...

  Special K

 Vintage Litespeed Tsali Titanium MTB Ti Frame 18.5" Polo Sport Pro Softail Bike

Price:

US $989.91

Super Rare Litespeed Tsali Polo Sport Custom race bike

This was an ex pro Polo Sport team custom Litespeed.  Excellent overall condition with some minor paint chips and a couple of scuffs on the polished titanium stays as well as a bit of cable rub on the headtube.

  Custom Polo Sport chrome logo

Softail rear suspension system is in good shape and works well to take the edge off of the bumps.

 

Currently

 Probably a strong chance at least one of these dudes will be on the podium this weekend...

Holy Week 

 

36 degrees..

Yikes, feels and smells like Holy Week up here my friends! Gee it sure is life like on how fast we made it here. One week it’s babble of crit drama, next week we are staring down the barrel of the final run!

Hope everyone enjoyed there last rays of autumn sunlight, and had a chance soak in some of the passions they have this following weekend. soo much, soo fast. 

The Final gravel race went off in such a befitting way! Mud, and grit were the main course. Lowell never seems to disappoint, and although the attendance was down from falls prior, by the look of the faces the enthusiasm was not...I don’t have a ton of time before the sun rises on the lake soo let me run of the report from a semi reliable source..

Alex Tensehof finally got the Lowell win, after a key move, and most notable was in befitting form Shrek finishing inside the top 3..

Oh..shoot by golly the sand in the timer is nearly out..

gotta run

regard Tripper.