SVBBSPNZSSC09

It's a strange mix of feelings for me after last weekend. I've spoken before about "Sunnyvale baked bean syndrome" which is what I used to find would happen after a big weekend or week of playing music, usually supports for international acts although it could have been a couple dates of a tour or an ep release show. All the good times, adrenaline, booze and people telling you that you're the best thing since dah dah dah wears off, and you find yourself (in my case) in Sunnyvale (where I used to live) sitting in your lounge eating baked beans, with a distinct lack of anyone applauding you when you get up to make more toast. I've had this distinct phenomena assail me a few times post racing weekend, however this time it's tempered somewhat, because after this weekend racing the SS Champs I feel part of something rather larger. Having met kindered spirits from across the Tasman and further afield in NZ, I finally feel part of a community. It's odd then that this should happen when I met people who live hundreds, if not thousands of Km away. It's odd that I still feel mainly out of step with the majority of people who ride where I live (Which is tonnes). This isn't on some superiority tip, I'm a distinctly average rider, but it kinda felt as if a lot of people at the champs on Saturday didnt' somehow get it. Lots of dudes on Single speeds rather than Single Speeders? I dunno..too cynical? a touch bloggercentric? maybe.. but I'm owing it. And by it I mean I don't exactly know what "it" is or, if "it" matters.. whatever.

It seems very rarely that loving the jesus lizard (for one example of a band I love) axis and riding bikes axis meet.

Anyhoo...
THE GOOD

The Course.Sweet jesus that was good, not overthought and fun as hell. endless (four) laps of Sandy skid road, pondy new, the second half of roller coaster, second half of old chevy and then yellow brick. One of my favourite loops. Done four times it became less favourite, but still completely awesome.

Singlespeed bikes are gorgeous. And there were some particularly nice ones in evidence. mmmmmm Karate Monkey.



These Bastards!!! Damn. Ben and Michelle. Stellar, Stellar individuals. They hit the apex of "like punk rock/think about stuff/ride single speeds" hard out. And there are many more like them.. They've got me thinking about stuff, hard. I wanna be in their gang and will be flying the colours as soon as I am able. Too easy!

The pre ride out from the Pig to the forest. Sweet little whistle wetter.

The looks of rage on some "serious racer" faces when we stampeded into the clearing to find that our bikes had all been moved... awesome.

The one beer I had whilst riding was awesome and terrible at the same time. But mainly awesome.

The ghost of Robin Bain

THE BAD

Middle New Zealand riding bikes (or doing anything) in large groups tends to annoy one a touch.

The effeminate sneer of some leathery-never-was-lycra-bandit criticizing a guy completely dressed as a ghost for "taking me out" or something with his ghost robes... "Bad form buddy" was the hiss at the beer tent. Fuck off, it's a singlespeed race. Not the Mt.Maunganui C Masters crit semi finals. Jump back on your trek and ride hither would you? take your friends as well.

I haven't run in years..and never in a jersey, tap shoes and stretchy pants.

sigh.

That's it really. Not much to complain about. It was what it was..not a tribal gathering, not a celebration of singlespeedery, but a race. A fun, hard race..which was won by...A racer. Natch. I guess it concerns me some that it was kinda made out to be something it wasn't..the fun (apart from riding bikes fast on awesome trails with heaps of cool people) almost felt a tad forced...ah well. Small gripes. Will I be doing it all again next year? Damn straight..am I now thinking of bigger things re bikes and the riding of them? Damn straight. Am I thinking about Dinosaur Jr? Damn straight...I've said before that it was a moment of clarity when I saw them last that I realized that I had pretty much bitten Lou Barlow for the entirety of my bass playing career. Anyway.