Get Upside Down
Getting inverted, improving yoga flow mid-ride, overlooking Oakland, California, from the Oakland Hills Fire (1991) Tribute. Photo by John Hamilton.
Article describing the trend: NEW YORK TIMES – AMERICANS DRIVING LESS!
BART Ridership & Community
Ride Every Day – that’s the motto. A segment on ABC about the recent taser action by BART passenger defending another. Wilson Tai interviewed by Heather Ishimaru ABC KGO at Pleasant Hill BART.
“That’s community. That’s BART ridership. That’s people that are experienced on BART, that react, and don’t just look away.”
Video source: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=9060939
Take The Lane
Take The Lane: Bicyclists can ride wherever they want if they’re traveling at the speed of traffic. If traveling slower than the speed of traffic, cyclists can position themselves wherever in the lane as necessary for safety. California state law CVC21202, states cyclists must ride as close to the right side of the road as safely possible except under the following conditions: when passing, preparing for a left turn, avoiding hazards, if the lane is too narrow to share, or if approaching a place where a right turn is authorized e.g. any time the cyclist feels unsafe rolling over glass or avoiding debris, the cyclist can take the lane. Cyclists appreciate motorists who show respect and patience in light of cyclists taking every day action for our environment. Yes, you too can contribute: ride a bike or use public transit to better our minds, bodies and future! Feel free to ask me how!
Photo by: Jillian B.
Happy New Years from the Summit
Making the summit an annual tradition, so long as I live in the shadow of Mount Diablo, just like riding on my birthday the same number of years I have lived. 5,000+ miles ridden and 250,000+ feet climbed in 2012. Happy New Years!
This on New Years Day. See you at the summit!
Post-Apocalypse Readings
Chinese worker (typical) sleeping on the job in dangerous precarious position, on a ledge of a cliff wall, while tourist makes the plank walk transition – video from Xian’s Hua Shan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=KlMXKrBol7I#t=503s
The Porsche 917 LMK, a racing icon due to the center cockpit and flared fenders stance, and the Mexico Blue paint. Jerry Seinfeld, owns a couple dozen Porsches and rides around in a late nineties Mexico Blue Porsche 911 – stating, “Back in 1998, Mexico Blue was normal, but now it looks insane.” Goes to show that Z.Team Yossi was bringing all that joy and style to the scene in the late nineties when it was running the scene. Today in 2012: what scene? Suckas. The 917 is so beautiful from the front that the designer forgot about the rear: http://www.patrickmotorsports.com/project/917-lmk-gulf-daytona-vintage-racer/#image_806
And about motor vehicles, looks like some are continuing to carry the torch. Miles, Andy, Kota, Mike, Shaun, I think you guys will enjoy the encapsulated coverage: http://stickydiljoe.com, http://www.jdmeuro.com/ … and when you’re done with event photos, see the architecture of Spoon Racing aka Speed Type One: http://www.dezeen.com/2012/11/22/speedshop-type-one-car-repair-shop-by-torafu-architects/
… and been getting off on the Yamaha tuned exhaust of the Lexus LFA. There will always be a faster, louder, car out there, see if you can catch the porno Supercar from my teens, the Ferrari F40 snap-crackle-pop fire blowing exhaust: http://squarespokes.com/forums/showthread.php?291-Supercars-Rare-Sports-Cars/page3 … if you cant buy one, you can print one and build each detail with paper scissors glue and HELLA TIME by someone not traditionally employed with a 9 to 5: http://www.jonathanbrand.com/images/projects/car/body/pages/body_01.htm
Speaking of Shaun, I recall when Shaun reached out to James Chen for an Axis wheels sponsorship for ZTY’s Pearl White Jetta. James sent back a handwritten letter declining the sponsorship but in that letter, one couldn’t help but appreciate the thoughtfulness and attention to detail. Almost two decades later, the success of Axis has enabled James to highlight his outrageous 1974 “Cannonball Run” Lamborghini Countach: http://www.petrolicious.com/articles/when-outrageous-was-possible
Kickstarter successful campaign led to the Turtle Shell Boombox. Bluetooth, and a design that calls upon stealth bomber silhouettes one ups the “Boombotix” speaker that you see attached to peoples backpacks and handlebars. http://www.outdoortechnology.com/Shop/Turtle-Shell/
WoS Palomares
Wheels of Steel WoS Palomares:
The forecast called out for a dry Monday in the low 60s, the only dry day surrounded by a week of rain. Palomares has been on the to-do list for quite some time. I watched Larry Nolan hit a northbound Palomares loop and saw the elevation was around 1,500 feet. The possibility of riding Palomares became more real from this realization so I made the call to WoS. Nick answered the call and the WoS “steel is real” combo was realized with a fixed gear track bike on 700x28s and a single speed mountain bike on 700x59s. The WoS trademark riding style consists of a water bottle or two, consistent cadence, and lightweight as in: no packs, no panniers, no excess. WoS owned the finest day riding southbound of the year, yet. It was nature providing air-conditioning. Again, lightweight is the key: wearing shorts, sneakers, a trifecta of merino wool socks, t-shirt and sweater, and a helmet – barely broke into a sweat, if at all. Ride time was under five hours for over sixty miles.
Palomares is off of Dublin Canyon, the section of road that aligns with Highway 580 connecting Pleasanton area code 925 and Castro Valley area code 510. Dublin Canyon is a well known loop route, a punchy hill that peaks with the freeway and popularized by the fast, fixed gear, brakeless, riders of Area Cycles, Tuesday night ride in Hayward.
Once you get into Palomares, expect little traffic, and sustained climbing – my preferred territory. I’d compare Palomares to Wildcat Canyon from Orinda to Berkeley, just double in duration. There’s climbing for two miles to the summit between 8% and 10% and you can visually see ascending segments of road ahead which demoralizes those not fit to climb:
What goes up must come down. And boy, does it go down!
The thrill of the downhill segment exceeds an entire summer of unlimited rollercoaster rides at your favorite childhood theme park. It’s that good, really. So good, that I refused to stop and take photos until the very end in which Palomares meets Niles Canyon Rd. aka 84. Note the railroad bridge crossing over the river and road. The recent rains and flash flooding was evident along the entire route, with mud and debris washed up onto the roadway and a seemingly endless water rushing of rivers, streams which induced the body to lighten the load continually.
Riding Niles Canyon Rd. solo is not the best idea – this is due to the two lane high speed shortcut many motorists use 84 for. Narrow shoulders and even bridge crossings without shoulders – pacelining with two or more cyclists is recommended. Below is the route map. If you like these kinds of rides, like Wheels of Steel on Facebook for updates on future rides and if you’re up for the challenge, consider joining Wheels of Steel on Strava.
Inverted Interpretation
Sometimes, the world is upside down. Therefore, it helps to get inverted for reinterpretation.
End of Summer
Labor Day is the holiday commonly known as the end of summer where “Not enough time in the day” is the recurring theme. One form of contentment and satisfaction is that every chance and opportunity for cycling has been taken through the summer including, in no particular order:
- a 170-mile single day ride fixed gear brakeless around the San Francisco Bay Area, crashing at mile 140 with a bleeding face, knees, hands, and messed up wrist, only to get up and ride another 30 miles home with a smile on my face
- organizing and leading a 600+ person Bike Party in my hometown
- designing and silk screening, Wheels of Steel WoS team shirts celebrating East Bay Bike Party and Tour de France
- racing my single speed mountain bike against one of the fastest track bike messengers in the world in Port Sprints VI
- riding for Team Craigslist and donating $1000 towards the cure of diabetes, with team totals of over $200K and gasp, riding in spandex team jersey with pink peace signs
- San Francisco to Santa Cruz via HWY 1 in an afternoon, and making the return on the 17 Express, 181 transfer to final midnight BART train out of Fremont
- visiting Facebook headquarters on a round-the-bay 80-mile ride with a motley crew including an inline speed skater
- riding a bike to the Golden Gate Bridge 75th anniversary and escaping the massive traffic with ease thanks to the smart thinking of choosing a pedal powered vehicle
- Riding to the summit of Mt. Hamilton for the first 100 miles, then descending for 18-miles into San Jose, the longest descent so far, no free miles as they were ridden fixed gear and brakeless
- riding up Mount Diablo as the subject, being filmed from Vespa scooters, and producing my first 1080p high-def video from the raw film – requiring the upgrade of a video card to handle the large 10gb+ files and render rates
- waking up before 8am in a coastal hostel, climbing 19% grades in the morning mist, and riding along the coast to eat fresh oysters, surprise visiting a friend at his shop in Santa Rosa, and continuing all the way home by bicycle, exceeded 120 miles for the day
- riding to the summit of Mt Diablo the day of Tour of California stage 3 and making it back to the junction to run alongside peleton pro racers cresting from the South Gate to North Gate side
- working a 15-hour gig, using bicycles to carry all equipment, and at the end of the day, returning to the city by bicycle towing a trailer with two pro-sound club speakers, bumping bass off the walls of cars, buses, buildings and freeway overpasses
- continuing the streak of making every San Francisco Bike Party, 20 for 20, so far!
The above experiences are just some of the highlights that topped expectations and limits of what is possible. Bikes are a tool for exploration of land, water, air, and experiencing, sharing and creating freedoms. Many thanks to the friends and family who continue to participate and support me in this active lifestyle – you know who you are – thank you!
Although it’s the end of summer, riding mileage in January was second only to June. These are the benefits of living in California. See you down the road! Ride every day! – Wilson
BART Fridays!
Bike Friday’s on BART: First Friday to allow bikes on BART all day, August 3rd, on BART headed to San Francisco Bike Party #20: Twins to Twin Peaks!
True story, bro:
Last Monday, Nick and I rode BART at 8am to make the 9am Golden Gate Bridge GAIA Festival Tour start with Rock the Bike. As expected with peak commute hours, the train gained ridership as it traveled through the system from the 925 to the 415. Seeing our bikes aboard the train made a collared dress shirt wearing stiff shake his head in disapproval. I responded, “If you got a problem, say something. Don’t look at us (bicyclists) that way, you coward.” The stiff responded with a gulp. Say something by letting BART know your thoughts.
Dragon Motif Tumblr
It’s the Year of the Dragon, the Tumblr feed is activated. If you know of a theater, restaurant, home, garden, tea house, martial arts studio, art school, collective, or artist(s) that can creatively apply this art to a higher level, please get in touch: dragonmotif@gmail.com.
Colour Chromatic
A connection made of chance and fortune
Freedom together, presence for the future
Embraces under the moon, attention for affection.
Never was this feeling thought to exist
Place in transition, claims of nothingness
To give up everything for a common interest.
Letting go of patience, appreciation of time
Seasons change thoughts like wind of rain
Once rooted will you be on my mind.
Out There!
January 29th, 2012, Embarcadero at Market Street, San Francisco, California. A total of 3 or 4 days of rain this winter, the weather God has been gracious to dry weather sportives!
Dragon Release: Chinese Grammar Wiki
Our friend and genius linguist, John Pasden, of Sinosplice, Allset Learning, Shanghai, CHINA, has released the “Grammar Wiki” for learning Chinese grammar. He’s been on the project for the past year and finally, the time has come to “emerge from its cave.” More on the resource here and here. Finally go check it out in all of its glory: Chinese Grammar Wiki!
Wheels of Steel WoS
Photo by Fernando / Three Bears for the Jollies Ride
Wheels of Steel WoS: Over the past year, RACINGMIX lifestyle design has been about Wheels of Steel WoS. If you’ve been with me recently, you know riding is what I live for – and if you haven’t been with me, it’s because I’ve been riding. Although I’m bummed it took three decades to figure that out, I’m delighted to have found this epic sport of expression. Joining Rock The Bike last spring solidified the lifestyle. Grabbed cycling by the (bull)horns and the lifestyle goes hard!
Behold, the Wheels of Steel WoS icon.
Wheels of Steel began as a weekly ride with my friend, Miles, to condition our legs for winter snowboarding. Bicycling kept the legs active in the off-season so that when we hit the high elevation mountain, our legs wouldn’t go sore. It worked, and the riding continued with influence from cycling friends, John & Chris (commute by bicycle in China / New Zealand), Russell (cat racer), Greg (cat racer), Dave (commute, single speed), Nick (commute, touring), and Paul (commute, performance, sustainable business). Although it was a combination of variables, their lead-by-example lifestyle allowed me to consider selling my car in winter of 2009, a choice that was considered impossible or unreasonable to others at the time. (The typical perspective is that it’s reasonable to drive to a gym to run on a treadmill). Today, I’m cycling 100 miles a week for sport, health, commute, and fun. For the record, there is more to come from Wheels of Steel!
Although I do not drink (notice the cap is intact), I can pick a stand out from hundreds of beers and drafts at Oakland’s Beer Revolution. I lead by example in the No Hangovers club.
Photo by Jillian / Forever 21 Ride
I want to thank my friends and family that together live and support my motto: RIDE EVERY DAY. – Wilson
If you ride to get your #beastmode on, ride ’till the wheels fall off, and love riding every day, come ride with us: Wheels of Steel WoS is on Strava and Facebook.
Rich Hil Unreal RACINGMIX
This kid, Rich Hil, from Connecticut, CT, the son of fashion designer, Tommy Hilfiger. Hes doing his darnedest to break free from the successful father association. First heard about Ricky Hil when he was interviewed by Bongo Boy on YouTube. Hils lyrical content is delivered to the hippies and centers around blowing trees, popping pills, breezies getting high on lines of cocaine, and Hil dismissing the Wall Street flamboyance and extravagance that his upbringing gifted him by default. If comfortable with the loadie subject, you will follow the melodic connections Hil makes through the eighties babies set. It is easy to diss the rich when you come from the rich, but as a complete package of music, I dig Hils youthful and naive truthfulness, his underdog modus operandi, firing off emotions direct from the sleeve. Rep!
Artwork, mixtape compilation by RACINGMIX. Tracklisting below.
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More on Rich Hil
Persimmons & Pumpkins
Persimmons have been harvested! The tops with the most vibrant and luscious fruit are gifted to the birds.
Seasoned persimmons being issued to Wheels of Steel riders after the bike party. Photo: Navi
Fall is like Spring, supreme balanced weather with a surprise to be had by all! Mom dropped by with pumpkins, thank you!
Hella Swag
A re-up to “Last Train“, midnight at BART Rockridge station, Oakland, California.
Spend so much time on the BART train, feeling the B-Town favorite, “BART Train” by Malki Means King. Segments filmed throughout Berkeley including the East Bay Bike Party!
Working Man
August Weekends! Upcoming…
* Music: Rich Hil Mixtape
* Photos: Mash SF Paradise Loop Fixed Ride
* Photos: Mash SF Twin Peaks Time Trial
* Book: Paperboy artist proof review
Finished…
* Photos: Century Fridays!
* Photos: BAM XI Fine Line Imports FLI