Northern Crazy Bastards

Now these guys are CRAZY BASTARDS!
I wonder if they used toe heaters!
DACB

Hey Bastards, the New Years Day ride instructions are here. The ride is sponsored by Founders.
www.foundersaleracing.blogspot.com

Ride starts at 1:00pm

DACB

Bumble Ride Recap

Abominable Snowman Ride Tonight?

Hey, if it's cold enough maybe we'll see  this dude hanging out in the woods tonight. Charging the lights and laying on some extra clothes. Anybody in for some frostbite? And who's bringing the cold beer?

SCHNAPPS, CHOCOLATE, BEER & AN ICE PATCH

Six Bastards bundled up Sunday's post-Christmas ride. The cast of characters included Mike V, Fast Freddie, Craig R (Flying Bats) The Kahuna, aka Dumb Ass Crazy Bastard, aka Larry, Jeff Z, Patrick D, and myself - not pictured.

Snowy conditions provided good traction, and "okay" temps kept us rolling for around 2 hours. Nice ride, nobody went down, and the pace was moderately-casual, if there is such a thing. A flask of schnapps kept me in touch with the back of the group 'till the end proving to be a much better performance enhancer than the slushy Cyctomax a lugged along. Back at the lot Jeff Z and Craig doled out some good beers  (just what you need after a 25-29 degree ride) and some lovely holiday chocolates, which Jeff was trying to pawn off on us to keep from eating them himself. They were delicious, I might add. Thanks Craig and Jeff. Nothing like a good chocolate, beer and schnapps buzz to put a final bow on the holidays.

WHAT DO YOU CALL THIS THING ON HIS CHIN?

So I think you call those cultivated pieces of facial hair on the chin a Soul Patch. But what do you call them when they procure an icicle? An Ice Patch? Maybe. If you have a better name, leave a comment. Here's Bats  rocking a sweet Ice Patch.

Happy Holidays Your Bastards!

Sunday Ride at 1:30pm from Townsend

so far a few of us Bastards are planning on riding tomorrow at 1:30pm... easy afternoon ride...

Riding on Sunday?

Anyone interested in riding on Sunday?

BEER BUT NO SANTA

Last ride before Christmas saw five of us, well you can't see me behind the camera, and one other guy left already, out for a merry little ride. With some fresh snow down on the ice, riding was 100% better and there were no crashes and only a few fishtails, so we ended up getting in a good long loop without an ass-to-ice incident.   

The cast of characters included: Tony, Craig, Mike V, Rider X, and myself. Sorry rider X, I can't remember your name right now, although your story about your three crashes in the last week, and the fact that your wife now calls you something like A Stupid-Ass Crazy Bastard, sparked some ideas for creating new titles for the CB  membership. Also thank you Rider X, for coming back and bringing me back from the black pit of off-the-back several times. Also thanks to Craig for bringing beers for an after ride drink in the lot. Nothing like drinking a cold one outside after a ride in 20 something temps.

While the Holidays are a time of love and joy and all that crap, it's still good to know that inside Crazy Bastards are still real bastards at heart. Just when you think you're getting all warm and fuzzy you catch a glimpse of what's really going on inside. This quick snap of Tony after the ride says it all, don't you think? It's like "screw the Holidays, back off you freak or I'll crack ya' over the head with this bottle."

SANTA IS A BASTARD

What will the kids think when they find out Santa is a Crazy Bastard, riding his bad-ass cycle all over the winter roads? And who is that Elf with him? One can only guess which CB that is, and I've think I know who ...

So, anybody up for a ride tonight? Last one before Christmas. And with all the traffic concentrated on the Malls I think we should have those slippery roads all to ourselves. If it turns out to be too slippy I will make for the HC early.

Ultimate Holiday Stocking Stuffer for CB's

If you can't count laps at Kisscross races or Grattan who wouldn't want one of these bad boys (you wear it like a secret decoder ring on your index finger).....you could also use it to count pints at the pub, bluegill consumption at HCI, people leaving Michigan, snow or ice falls during rides.......any other ideas for its use???

SportCount LapCounter (90040)

Price: $24.95

Quantity:

Click to Enlarge

HEATHER LOOP

Yeah the Hassids want to see this naked ...

Protest Bike Ride in NYC Cancelled due to Weather....are you kidding ME????

Having my morning coffee and this comes up on the internet news...thought it funny..

NEW YORK — Bicyclists who planned to go topless to protest the removal of a Brooklyn bike lane switched gears Saturday, pinning plastic breasts to their jackets as they rolled into a snowstorm.

Dozens of bikers joined a protest called the "Freedom Ride" to oppose the removal of a bike path in Williamsburg, an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood.

But the fierce snowstorm in New York kept them from pedaling topless as planned.

The hipster cyclists blame Mayor Michael Bloomberg for the loss of the lane because Williamsburg's Hasidic Jewish residents "can't handle scantily clad women" on wheels, said bike messenger Heather Loop, who organized the action.

The bikers' tactics did not amuse some faithful Hasids leaving synagogue services with their families on the Sabbath. They rushed home.

.do you think the organizer's REAL name is "Heather Loop" as reported?? Would the CB's cancel a protest ride against meth labs in the country due to weather??? Plastic breasts pinned to their jackets?? Do you think there was alcohol involved with this ride?? Sheez. I can hear the local Jewish residents who were so offended by spandex yelling.....Ma Shugah Na!!!!!!!!

THE INDIGNITY OF FALLING (ON YOUR ASS)

Yeah it was a comedy of errors, if by error you mean we decided to ride last night. You could see right from the start the roads were glare ice from the past thaw-and-freeze action. But of course we kept going - Mike V, Kenzie, CD, Tony, Patrick D, and myself. The minute we hit the ice covered roads everybody started making sounds like these guys:

A few miles in Mike went down after hitting a pothole in the middle of a sheet of ice. He bagged it at that point, claiming that that was all the fun he was allowed to have in one night and turned back home. 

It was not long before I became the next victim of the ice. So far, the Surly had been an Ice Monster and was cruising right along, but then while chatting with Tony, and letting my fantastic focus for riding on glare crap wander, I looked something like this, only older, creepier, and tangled in a cheap steel bike from China.

We only did a short loop that took something like 7 hours to complete. The "OTHER" ride had already returned when we hit the lot. We went back to the HC and had a few beers - looking a lot like this:

CALL ME CRAZY

Okay so I've actually plugged in  the lights and am seriously considering riding tonight. If, however, the ice proves to be too icy, as in "like ice" I may turn back early and live to ride another day.

Return of Winter Ride?

After brief hiatus last Thursday due to the high winds and "blizzard" conditions, then the weekend warm-up and melt, is there anyone planning on braving the elements and riding tonight? I've got the battery charging and the SS ready to roll. Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

"Santa Stop Here" Snow Ride

BK and myself the Werdy One took a roll outta Townsend this morning. 20 some miles and a little over an hour and a half. The snow was in great shape with plenty of traction and not too slick. Sunshine, temps in the 20's, good company, all made for a good Saturday ride.

BK showed me the Christmas row of houses along Murray Lake over by Jeff Z's home. No lights were on, but I could see the work done.

All in all, a great day to get out and ride. Weather looks favorable for Sunday, maybe a little rain though. Keep riding Bastards! It beats the hellouttathe trainer!

Werdy

State Champion(s) Victory Lap Ride?

Who is up for a ride this evening? Like last Thursday, when Jeff Z took us for a Merry Light Parade, "they" are predicting snow again tonight. Should be a good night for a ride. I've got the lights charging and the SS rolling again for tonight. Monster gear through the slush... either I'll break it or it'll break me! See you bastards out there!

STATE RACE REPORT, VOL 1.1

Twas a fun day all around. Echo-ing Hammer, it was good to see some familar west side faces making the trek accross the state. Cool seeing Hammer and Surly in the parking lot when we got there.

Surly was right and we should try to make an east side race more often. Racing was fun, the course was great, and spectating was pretty cool as well. It's a different feel at the race. Not good or bad, just different. I thought the course was a lot more technical then what we're used to and loved every turn and off camber of it. Lots of variety and aspects to keep you on your toes.

We got to see a couple bastard brethren take home some hardware and got to watch others race hard. The most entertaining race of the day was Tommy Burke fighting like a warrior to claim third place. If you missed it, you missed one heckuva effort. 5 crashes, 2 dropped chains, and Tom still was on the wheel of third place coming around the last corner. Tom's rear wheel slipped out on him in that last corner and he hit the dirtonly to watch third place ride away. Great effort but a disappointing place at the finish.

A few photos I've found. Josh Dugga, Andrea Tucker, Hans Nyberg

http://flickr.com/photos/fotoman311/collections/72157622830466071/

http://tuckerbikes.shutterbugstorefront.com/g/2009_galleries;photo_page=;gallery_page=2

http://tenmilemedia.smugsmug.com

Kinda sad the season has come to another end. Great times at the races and on the dirt roads this fall. Hope to see some bastards for some winter riding again.

Later

Werdy

STATE RACE REPORT, VOL 1

'Twas grand indeed to see such a Bastard/Wesside presence over in Davisburg for the State CX race yesterday! Congrats to Dave S and Laura M for bringin' home the gold in their respective catagories. 'Tween the 3 of us the local Bastard Community accounted for 3 of the 5 Championships in the C class. (Yeah - I'm claiming Bastard Status despite missing every damn ride for more than a year!)

I saw the Surly Dawg, Werdy, Kim and a few others from this side of the state & everyone rode hard, looked good and represented!

No doubt there are pix, stories and outright bald-faced lies to come. Stay tuned.

See ya on the dirt you Bastards...................MC

Another Excuse to miss the State Race???

Good luck to all at Finals tomorrow. Can't make the trip once again. I know the weather looks perfect assuming we all like crusty white snow over some black ice with intermittent dark mud and thawing puddles. Who doesn't? Some have already heard but rumor is true, shugah is now working on his tri skills for next season. So, tomorrow is the annual indoor tri at MVP and who can resist mindlessly swimmimg back and forth, riding a stationary bike with a seat larger than my fat arse(which is REALLY big these days), followed by a romantic but quick visit to the treadmill. My only hope is that there may be some really slow swimmers......... :) Oh, and did I say this whole mess starts at 7am while still dark?????

Diggin' the new Bastardo Blog!

Thanks to Surly for hookin' me up - hoping to see many of you Bastards @ the State race tomorrow. Last week's slopfest / death spiral / soup party was a hoot but I just can't seem to let the season end, y'know?

I've been missing the rides for too damn long now - hopin' & planin' on changing that as soon as we get this holidaze mess outta the way.

Rock on you Bastards.

MC

State CX Champs

It's time to make the trek eastward bastards. The Surly One has been doing it all year and it's about time some of the rest of us took the calling. Me-self the Werdy One, BKDave, and Mr. Kim Lee will have the bikes packed and ready to race on Sunday. Snow, mud, frozen tundra, sand, hills...no knowing what's in store or what the course will be.

Surly, you got any previous knowledge of this course to help us bastads who have never been? Any info is appreciated. Any one else heading over for this one? Last race of the year bastards!

The Werdy One

Winter Wonderland Ride

We started out the ride in the fall, and finished in the winter. Somewhere out there Jeff Z took us on a Christmas light tour. It was so sweet, ya shoulda been there. But just to give you the feeling here are a few shots. And oh yeah there was some mud. On the ride: Tony, Jeff Z, Trekking Dave (soon to be Stud Boy from Hell or something like that) Mr. Kim Lee, (above) and self. 

Anyone riding Thursday 12/3?

The weather is sure to turn colder and whiter, perhaps even by Thursday evening. Anyone planning to ride?

The race everybody is asking about is back!  The Versluis Snowcross returns!  Make plans to be there this January 16, 2010! 

Hey it's December! Planning on riding tonight and dressing like these dudes and growing a beard. Who's in? See you atTownsend around 6. We'll roll at 6:30 and since it's getting colder, we'll probably go right on time. See you Bastards later.

Kisscross finale

Tons of fun today,sorry about the shaky camera work my hands were cold.

Snow Ride!?!?

The Turkey was burned today and the trail showed a little bit of the white stuff on the ground. Trail was slicker'n snot but we rode anyway. BKDave, me-self the Werdy one, Doez, CD plus about 30 to 40 others rolled the fat tires today. Mr. Kim Lee made an appearance too but missed the official roll out. I saw him after the fact.

Saturday looks like the best day of the weekend to get out for a roll. Possibility for a bit-o-rain in the forecast on Sunday for race day.

The Werdy One

Gobble Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving Bastards!

Enjoy the turkey, mashed potatoes, green beens, crescent rolls, pumpkin pie, and whateverintheheckelse you eat today.

Couple options to get on the bike over the weekend. Western MMBA is hosting the Turkey Burner tomorrow at Yankee Springs. 10am roll out for the fat tire crowd. Usually a good number of riders at this one.

Plus, don't miss the Holland "World Championship" of CX come Sunday on the third coast in good old Holland, Michigan. Rumors abound about the "Spiral of Death" being put into play. That combined with the graveyard out behind the stadium might just put someone six feet under before it's all done. Maybe we'll see some mud as well.

Come for the race, stay for the after glow at New Holland Brewery. Beer specials and some good eats and good friends.

Later Bastards,

Werdy

51 DEGREES OF RIDING GOODNESS

51 degrees at the start, 51 degrees at the finish. Lot's of Bastards, new and old. Rode most of the big loop north and logged about 28 miles on hard fast roads. Last week's newbie group, now led by Bob S, was there early and launched before us. They were well done with dinner and beers by the time we reached the HC. 

Our ride: Mike V, Tony, Dave S, Jeff Z, Steve (new), Larry (new), Russ (Dad!), Chris D (Dad!), Patrick D, and me ...

Have a happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Tuesday Night Ride

Planning on being there tonight. We'll discuss the site and what you'd all like to do. I plan being at Townsend around six. See ya!

A New Day For the Bastards!

The old site was getting a little long in the tooth, wasn't it? So let's try this and see if it works. Our very own blog to keep up on rides and the latest race news and slanders. Whatever. This is a work in progress so let me know how it works for you, and chip in with any suggestions you may have. We could also do a Facebook group. See you tomorrow at Townsend for the 6:30 ride.