A Ride In The Centrifuge.

with less then one month before the dick evans memorial road race I stumbled upon the above photo. taken by colin cross at the 2009 edition of the fabled race, cross writes: “this is the main field chasing Mike Zagorski and John Flanagan (top of the hill) through the end of the Kunia Road climb. Mike went on to win the race.”

...geezus. I am in no way prepared for this race.

Go Go Smear The Poison Ivy.

haleakavelo roller sprints are finally making their way to honolulu. funded by limon flores and the kickstand: two full sets of bicycles, rollers, and software have been acquired. the kickstand - owned by cyrus camp and fiance nicky rowles - has been quietly setting up the equipment for a roller sprints event in late august.

cyrus told me that the roller sprints event would celebrate the kickstand’s two-year anniversary. this made me realize that I have been living on an island for two years as the kickstand began when I moved back. living on an island for this length was never part of the plan, yet somehow it became the plan.

last week cryus offered me the opportunity to test out the machines. he also invited jon “pluggs” isabelo who informed me that he ceased being a bicycle messenger. jon laughed heartily when I told him that I too was resigning as a messenger. tis’ the season to quit.

the roller sprint machines worked superbly and were simple to tune in. participants should expect thirty seconds of maximum effort - the identical fixed gear bicycles have a rather tall 46X13 gearings - and a sudden heightened heart rate. the inaugural haleakavelo roller sprints is destined to be a sweaty good time.

Dots On Maps.

the month of july - with five saturdays and sundays - ended with profound circumstances. my first road race on a road bicycle proved to be both disastrous and learning. the four months of seeking a new career path ended with procuring an amazing opportunity. and the lovely gal arrives home in weeks rather then months.

this week is my last week of employment as a bicycle messenger. it was always meant to be a temporary gig that lasted much longer then originally intended. messengers will always be held on the lowest end of the totem pole - even secretaries have a day dedicated to their profession. I will miss the days of passing another working messenger and exchanging head nods that acknowledge “today sucks.”

it is always a difficult workday when the rain decides to let loose and a fender is nowhere near proximity. but biking home with a friend in the rain always reminds me of being young and unstoppable. while the world is hiding in their automotive fortresses you and a friend are riding bicycles grinning mischievously. nothing is impossible.

august has arrived. schools are returning to session, the weather has gotten warmer (“end of summer” my ass), and its only a month away from my first foray at the dick evans memorial road race. the beginning of summer feels of a lifetime ago, and the approaching conclusion is so very curious.