Guitars and Bikes

Today was my day off. I spent the day at home with the boys, playing a lot of guitar. They played in the yard and I played out back. I really sounded good. I'm pleased with myself. The Stratotone also had a bit of a modification today. I shimmed the pickup higher towards the strings. Cardboard, is what I inserted. The new closeness of it to the strings really made it growl!!! Good job, Jim!!!

When Amy came home, I went for a short, albiet quick paced, ride. I went to get my paycheck, but took the long way to the shop. I seem to have my road eyes back (eyes in back of my head). Today marked the THIRD time in two weeks, I sensed someone about to make a right turn in front of me and avoided disaster. There are a lot of idiot drivers in the Fenton area around rush hour. I have noticed that I feel like my legs are coming back too.

After retruning home, I cut the front lawn. Yippie. Dinner was cheep. Arby's, then ice cream for dessert.

The return of Fenton James

So, I went to buy some new strings for the Stratotone today. I wanted some BIG strings for her, to make the tone that much MORE. The bad thing is that I have guitar aquisition syndrome. I came home with another guitar!



Late 1960's Harmony H-72, with the beloved 'gold-foil' pickups, with adjustable pole pieces!!! The thing screams. Now, I can set the Stratotone up for slide and slide only and have this for non-slide playing. Ralph and I will be playing together. Fenton James is back!

(A big thanks to Ralph for buying my Dobro. Now I won't get in trouble with my wife!)

Tour Wrap-up

I am really glad that this year's Tour de France is over. It was a completely lackluster race. Yellow jersey is now a matter of who has the best team time trial squad. All you need to do to win the Tour, is have one better than average climber, who is an alright time trialist, and put him on a team with a bunch of other really good time trialists. Had Saxo Bank had a good team time trial, Schleck would have won the Tour, imho. Sprints. Big deal. Cavendish has a great leadout team. Nobody challenged him or the team. Yet, Thor won the green jersey, which he deserved in spades. Mountains Jersey winner, who cares? Win enough early mountains, rack up points that the good climbers aren't contesting, because they want the stage or the Tour, and you'll win the horrible measle jersey. White jersey was again Schleck. He is going to win several Tours. Lance. Respectable, but then again, if it weren't for the team time trial, he would have been farther down. Cadel who? Sastre is a cry baby. Wiggins, thought he placed high, he NEVER attacked, just rode his bike around France and got a good placing. Again, I'm glad it's over.

Yet, I watched quite a good bit of every stage...

After the final stage today, I went for a ride. A bit over 22 miles. Strong wind, seemingly the whole ride. 178 more miles and I'll have a short brevet distance in. On a positive, I rode strong. Stronger than I figured a schlep like me should, with this stage of fitness. I wore a new jersey today. Wiels beer sponsored a team in the late 1950's and early 1960's. The jersey is theirs, in lovely Moreno wool. The green also matches my bike. Good stuff.

Hound Dog Taylor

So I contacted Ralph and vice-versa. IT'S ON!!! Not sure when, but he and I will be getting back together to jam some gut-wrenching, groove-laden, sweaty, nitty-gritty Chicago-style blues.

I want Hound Dog Taylor to be our inspiration.



Hound Dog is the best Chicago bluesman of all time. Never made it big, like Muddy Waters, but he influenced the sound and Muddy too!!!!

Gutbucket all the way!!!

Well, those of you that have known me for a while, know I have guitar aqcuisition syndrome. I said yesterday I wanted some sort of a Chicago Blues machine, maybe a Kay. Well, I got one today, but not a Kay. I did check out a Kay built Truetone, but I got this instead, for a lot less money.



It's a 1965 (judging by the date codes on the pots) Harmony Stratotone Mars. More specifically, a Harmony made for Alden department stores, 9908 Tuxedo, which is essentially a H45 Stratotone Mars, except for cosmetics. Amazing tone thru my Traynor amp with gain set high. Killer blues machine in Open G, played with a slide.

The store I got it from (my LEAST favorite vintage guitar store in St. Louis, which I won't name) sucks. I said I'd be in today to check it out and asked if it was all good. They said it was. It wasn't. Tons of noise in the knobs and the tone bypass switch, the bridge was in the wrong place and way too low and the output jack and knobs were loose. Fortunately, I know how to deal with these things. I talked them down a good bit, after all, how could they have a guitar set up this poorly on their sales floor? When I got home, I cleaned the electronics, set her up and plugged it in. Nice blues machine!!! I can't wait until I get really good on slide again!!! Not that I'm bad now, but the tone of this and the ease at which it plays will have me into the Stratosphere soon!!! Maybe it's time to get together with Ralph again and jam some gutbucket Chicago Blues.

Guitars

Odd, I've changed my life and now my guitar playing has seemed to change a bit as well. With the harp-guitar on it's eventual way to me, I know I'll continue fingerstyle "new-ageish" type music. Hmm...what to then do with the dobro? I tuned it yesterday to open G and played some slide. Considering it's been a long time since I've played any slide at all, I impressed myself! I actually played really well. So, I was thinking something electric, suitable for down and dirty blues. More Jimmy Reed than SRV. Maybe I can find a 1950's Kay, or something equally cheep and cool.

For those of you wondering why I haven't posted new Tibetan Quartz, or anything on my eBay auctions lately, I just haven't gotten around to it. I'm taking a short break from it.

As for bikes, I am really into the thought of doing a brevet. I even bought a computer for my bike! I haven't used one in quite some time, not wanting to be a slave to numbers and certainly, I can't recall ever having a computer on a fixed gear since 2000 or so. Of course, it's set to measure kilometers, since that's how brevets are measured. I also ordered a new wool jersey. I still have my black Surly one, but I'm pissed that I sold off the bunch of other ones I used to have. Wool rules. Simple as that.

On to le Tour.

What was Contador thinking today? He's in a break with the Schleck brothers and teammate Kloden. He attacks. No real reason for him to attack, as he's leading the race by minutes and Kloden would be on the podium, if the Tour ended now. But, the Schlecks stayed with him, but it was Kloden was dropped. By the end of the stage BOTH Schlecks were now ahead of Kloden and if the Tour ended today, it'd be Contador, followed in second and third by the Schlecks. I bet Kloden is pissed. Not exactly a good display of being a good teammate on Contador's part, imho.

Beautiful weather

I took the boys for a walk in the woods today. We went to Emmineger Park, did all the paved stuff, then the trail up the cliff. I remember the days when mountain biking was legal in this park. It was about my favorite spot. Always up or down and technical.

I think I have a cockamainy idea to beat myself back into fitness. I have set my goal to do a 200km brevet early next year. I've done that distance before, but never on a fixed gear bike and certainly not after losing all my fitness. For now, it's as many miles as I can fit in, lose weight, get better fitness.

Rhonde de Vfenton

After watching today's Tour de France stage, which finally saw some fireworks and proved that Lance is a mere mortal, I did my own ride. Being fixed and early out of my own retirement from bikes, I came up with a mostly flat Rhonde de Vfenton route, which I already came up with a few alternative routes, longer, hillier, etc. I plan on riding LOTS of kilometers of flat, before really going into the hills and trying the Fabickberg again. That hill will become a gauge of my fitness level.

On the ride, I was battered by strong head and cross winds, which only makes sense, since I was in the Meramec River valley, for the vast majority of the ride. Then, on 3 occaisions, I got stuck in hard downpours of rain. I started thinking of Flahutes again and on my style of bike, the hard men of cycling, before gears. So what exactly is a Flahute?

Copied and pasted from the internet that Al Gore invented...

"Rick Van Looy was one but Jacques Anquetil never came close. Roger DeVlaeminck classifies as one of the greats, while Bernard Hinault knew better than to try. Eddy Merckx managed to become one and still win five Tour de France titles. Guys like Axel Merckx and Tom Steels say they dream of being one.
What we're talking about here, are "Flahutes," known in the cycling world as the toughest riders in the fiercest races. To put it another way, if your cycling spirit dampens at the sight of rain, you sure as shoot ain't a Flahute.

Flahute racers focus on such classics as the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, those tough northern classics filled with some of the worst roads and weather imaginable in bike racing. The only thing tougher than the races themselves are the guys that win them. They are the real Flahutes.

French speaking journalists nicknamed their Flemish neighbors Flahutes, a term of endearment given to riders raised amidst the rough conditions of industrial northern Europe after World War II. They came to bike racing well-trained in hardship. "The Flahutes were a generation of riders who learned to suffer long before they ever got on a bike," explains Briek Schotte, the granddaddy of the Flahutes. "Kids had the choice of working in the fields or riding their bikes. I picked beets for ten hours a day when I was a kid. Believe me, I knew how to suffer long before I raced bikes."

Four-time Paris-Roubaix winner Roger DeVlaeminck identifies this breed of biker in more direct terms. "They're just those guys who know how to ride faster than anybody else over cobblestones and in the rain," he says.

Most Flahute legends rarely shined in major stage races like the Tour de France. Many simply didn't care about the Tour. Instead they preferred local-hero status. They showed their best under the adoring eyes of their countrymen while the smell of grilled sausages, onions and french fries drenched the air. What crumbs were left were offered to the Tour.

"The Tour of Flanders was our World Championships," remembers Michel Pollentier. The small Flemish rider brags more of his Tour of Flanders win in 1980 than of his Tour of Italy win in 1977.

Biological reasons also contribute to the differences between a Flahute and a Tour de France rider. Power allows the Flahute to cross the treacherous cobbled sections that characterize these events with greater resiliency. Often an extra percentage or two of body fat comes in handy in the cold, wind and rain. But what serves well in Flanders, hurts in France.

Flahutes often struggle to lug their imposing frames over the Tour's mountains. Tour riders such as Richard Virenque or Alex Zülle, however, get steamrolled by the treacherous cobbles hidden amongst the time-honored forests and fields of the north. France's Laurent Jalabert got so rock-shocked the last time he rode these races that he has not frequented them for the past three years. "These races are as physically and mentally taxing as any major national Tour," insists legendary Italian director Giancarlo Ferretti.

Today's top Flahutes are Johan Museeuw, Franco Ballerini and Andreï Tchmil. Of the three, only Museeuw boasts Flemish heritage. Tchmil proves that one can learn to suffer anywhere in the world. He comes with a credible résumé in this domain: he grew up as a product the Soviet system. He raced and trained in all conditions just to maintain his spot on the Russian National Team.

Ballerini remains a mystery. How could this fun-loving Italian respond with such vigor to the harsh conditions of northern racing, when most of his countryman flounder? Some things, apparently, are simply a matter of destiny. "You just have to be born for this," explains Ferretti.

So at the beginning of April, with the Tour of Flanders straight ahead, countless riders will be migrating to a string of nondescript hotels that line the French-Belgian border. They do not come as tourists. They only come to race. And these hotels provide adequate lodging while they eat, sleep and train. Jalabert is just one of many who has announced he will again try to earn his Flahute feathers. But Museeuw, Tchmil and Ballerini are ready and waiting."

Maybe that explains it a little, maybe not. I always fancied myself as a rider like that, not that I was or came close. I never didn't ride because of rain or wind and the temperature had to be in the teens before I even contemplated not riding. Cyclocross, done it. Mud, gravel roads and cobblestones on a road bike, been there done that. I would never survive in mountains and can't climb to save my life (even with gears). My all-time favorite cyclists have names of flahutes, Musseeuw, Kelly, de Vlaeminck, Merckx, Boonen, Tchmil, Van Peetegem and some almost-flahutes, like Steels and Hinault.

Day One

Not a bad day. Sure, I have some cobwebs when it comes to working on bikes, but most of it is second nature. I suprised myself when I had to replace a bmx bike's gyro cables and when I spun the bars around, the plates had ZERO flip flop. That made me feel pretty awesome! Seemed to impress Chuck too. Lots of customers all day long. A tandem and a few other bikes were sold. I cranked out a bunch of repairs, all of today's and about 1/2 of Monday's.

Didn't really watch the Tour today, which is good, since it has been rather boring. It was on at the shop, but we were too busy to watch it. George Hincaipe almost took the yellow jersey and is now in 2nd place overall. The thing I thought sucked whas when Lance ordered his team to chase the breakaway George was in, down. What is Lance's deal with ex-teammates anyway? He always treats them rudely. I am amazed with what Lance has done, beating cancer, 7 Tour wins, etc. But him as a person, just seems to be a complete jerk. His book "It's not about the bike" imho could have been titled "It's all about me."

I rode the One Way to work today. Cool. I like not driving to work. I almost always rode in to work, when I was at Touring Cyclist, every Sunday and sometimes during the week, while at Big Shark, once in a while, at G___ (not always, mostly due to the 141 gauntlet in Valley Park and rush hour schetchyness). I plan on riding in pretty much every day at Olde Towne.

By the way, I'll be working Saturdays and weekday nights, except Thursdays. Come on in and see me some time!

The Deed

Went in and quit at Helzberg today. Much better to leave than to be sent packing. Tomorrow, a new, no, renewed life begins. I'm stoked.

Two riders were shot by pellet guns during today's stage of the Tour de France. As if the nasty descent in the rain wasn't bad enough. Bin Laden was trying to hit Lance, no doubt. But, he got confused with all the spandex and hit the wrong people.

And, for the record, I officially am saying that thus far, this years Tour is the most boring race ever. Yes, today had a nice escape stay away, but the main guys didn't bother chasing him. They just plodded along in the rain at a ho hum pace. One more week of this. Somebody better attack soon!!!!

Another post today

Damn, I can tell how horribly out of shape I am. My weight is the same as 2 years ago, but muscle was obviously replaced with blubber. Ok, I was never a thin waif, let's say more blubber. I rode tonight and was thinking about flahutes, which is a flemmish word, which sort of means "hard man cyclist." Then, almost on cue, it started raining. Not to mention that I just turned to climb up the Fabickberg, the legendary steep and cobblestoned local climb.

Then, my lack of fitness came in.

Even when I was in shape, with gears, the Fabickberg was always a tough climb. Tonight, out of shape and on a fixed gear, it brought me to my aching knees. I made it about half way up, before having to walk the rest. It reminded me of a scene from some Tour of Flanders of long ago, walking up a steep cobbled climb, in cycling shoes, in the rain.

Later, inspired by me (after all children are supposed to idolize their parents), Ben wanted to go for a ride. I had bought him a mint Dyno NFX, circa 1999, at a garage sale. He went for a ride at the street below ours, which is flat. He did better than I thought he would. I had removed the pedal extender blocks and realized that I should raise the seat some for the next ride. Hopefully, before winter, the training wheels can go. But, I'm not going to rush him into anything.

I'M BACK!!!!

Wow. Seems like my life is getting back to normal now. The last two years have taught me major life lessons. I've seen good and bad in people. I want to be one of the good ones, that's for sure.

Obviously, I have a new blog. You may see Johan is back from the grave!!!! After my cycling identity was ripped from me, I didn't like being called that. Too many memories, bad feelings, etc. But now, the time is right to bring Johan back.

I start a new job this Saturday. I am now back in the cycling world and will be working Saturdays and evenings at Olde Towne Fenton Cyclery. Nice growing shop. I am excieted to bring my years of experience to a new setting, new people. In the last years, I tried the traditional sales thing, with Brinks, Rebath and Helzberg Diamonds. I have my mind changed as to the selling process. Each of those companies had structured sales programs. I often wondered about how I could translate this and that into a bike selling situation. It seems like I now have a chance to do just that!

I haven't owned a bike in some time either. House payments were more important than bikes. Fortunately, I kept most of my clothes, helmets, etc. So, I just got a new bike, a Raleigh One Way. It's fixed geared and I'll use it for commuting to work and fitness rides of an hour or two. I put Shimano pedals on it, the ones that are SPD on one side and platform on the other. This way, I can commute the 3 miles in sneakers.



I'm stoked!

Obviously, the new blog and mindset will have lots of cycling posts. I'll still talk guitars, yoga and other things.

Glad to be back,

Johan