Where to start? April 20, 2008
As per usual, I’ve had a pretty busy time of late. Last week found me and Nat-a-tat driving up the eastern seaboard to the ever so familiar northeast. We got to New York Friday afternoon, had some stellar Indian food, and went to meet the other members of this Rapha team’s eastern faction. We all met up at R. Bravo’s house in Park Slope, had some great beer via Sam R.’s brewery workplace, and settled in for a meeting of everlasting duration. I felt like a kid on Christmas opening all the cellophane bags holding our new pristine riding togs. We were all trying them on and parading about the apartment. Primping ain’t easy. Saturday morning we were on our way to New Paltz to start our first ride. It was 6:00 am, so needless to say, I slept the whole ride up. All bad weather broke as we hit the road. The sky cleared and the temperature was hitting in the 70’s as we rolled over hill and dale into the Catskills state park. Much clowning around was had throughout the 6 1/2 hour ride that had us climbing an estimated total of 12,000 feet. Much food was consumed, a few stops taken, a couple wardrobe changes, and one crash. Not too shabby considering. I do love riding with a group of guys that love to goof around, but are not afraid to put in some monster efforts.
Sometime late that night we were back in Brooklyn, preparing for a brunch in the morning, then heading to Philadelphia for a few days of job and house hunting. Traffic was pretty brutal, but we got to Philly in the early evening and sat around some friends’ West Philly apartment and caught up a bit. Job hunting went well over our three day stay, landing me a job at the one shop I had my eye on before even getting there: Bicycle Therapy. It’s quality shop on South street. I was incredibly impressed by my first impression upon walking through the door, and even moreso after talking with the owner, Lee, for a while. I believe it is going to be a great fit. We also found a great house just south a few blocks from South st. It is super close to a wonderful outdoor Italian marketplace that is in full swing every day. Cooking will be so nice. Can’t wait to get up there. One more week.
In other recent events, Last night in honor of Wayward Council’s 10th anniversary as a volunteer run record store/ practice space/ community meeting place/ etc., they held a night of rollerskating. I will tell you that few things make me happier that to see all your friends get goofy and klutzy while strapping wheels to their feet and zip around an oval. Since there is no way to be cool at all when skating, nobody seems to try, all defenses are down and that makes for a great time. my hips are a bit sore from stacking up a few times but it was all worth it. I’ll be back up North in a week, but it can’t come soon enough right now.
Next Rapha ride is in New York. I can’t attend because of the move, but I encourage others to check out the events at Cadence in New York, it’s gonna be tight.