Feel My Legs, I'm a Racer 2009
Thread started by
bike punk at 01.15.09 - 12:18 pm
All the updates will be here:
nowhip.blogspot.com/search/label/feelmylegs, but I'll try to get them on to this forum as well.
Feel My Legs, I'm a Racer
Sat March 14, 2009
10 hills, 10 stages, 1 morning
A race for some, an epic adventure for others
A tour of the less traveled streets and neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
There is no entry fee and limited support. No cars please, spectators welcome on bikes (you won't have to ride all the hills).
Just riding up any one of these hills is an accomplishment. Ten in one day is seriously hard. Come prepared.
A Swarm! event. Tell others.
(This race is based on Danny Chew's Dirty Dozen. Thanks to Swarm!, Danny Chew, Steevo, Chris Moeller and Dave Clymer)
Hills? Los Angeles? How hard could it be?
Fargo St, one of the steepest paved roads in the world, is only one of ten. Yearly the LA Wheelmen do a hill climb here with lots of hoopla for just riding up this one hill. For you it will only be hill number five. Are the others equally hard? No, but they will feel like it.
Do I have to race?
No. Only a few of the people out there are racing for points. Most are there just to attempt every hill.
I want to race and am totally going to win. How does it work?
Each place, five deep, is worth points starting with 1st place and five points. Each new hill is treated as a separate stage with a group ride between hills.
What does the winner get?
Recognition and bragging rights.
How should I prepare?
Climbing is a unique cycling skill. You may be fast and strong, but being both on these steep climbs requires a lot of training in the hills. This year I want to have a few training rides leading up to the 14th and will post them at
nowhip.blogspot.com.
Why so early?
If you can ride these 10 hills in one morning then you can be out of bed and at the market by 745am. If you show up without having slept I'll buy you a cup of Coffee Cellar coffee at the market. Most of these hills are in quiet neighborhoods with narrow streets. I want us to be in and out with as little impact as possible. The earlier the better.
What should I bring?
Water, some snacks, a tube, the ability to fix minor mechanicals and rain gear. It's rained all three years so far.
How long will this take?
Expect to be out well past noon. We only do about 30 miles, but getting to the hills, getting set up, etc takes longer than you would think.
Do I get a t-shirt and brunch?
In the past we've had one or both, but I can't promise either for 2009. Hopefully we'll have a 'Bryan Farhy Commemorative' vegan brunch somewhere.
Who puts on Feel My Legs?
"A bunch of fucking boring semi-employed geeks" also known as Swarm! Hit us up via bikeswarm at gmail.
Will this be more fun than being stuck in an elevator in Newark?
Definitely.
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this is like porno for thighs.... double penetration
Roadblock01.15.09 - 12:37 pm
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this is such an amazing event.
tomato01.15.09 - 1:08 pm
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you must have come here to find me, you got that look in your eyes, although you really don't mind it, I am the lord of your thighs.
la duderina01.15.09 - 1:34 pm
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i wanna try it!
But do i ride my 18 lb roadbike with kinda tall gearing and stiff ass wheels, or my flexily-shod 30 lb touring bike with a less-than-1-to-1 low gear???
Lance K01.15.09 - 4:20 pm
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Lance ride the lightest bike you have. I rode my 30 pound bike last year.
studiodrome01.15.09 - 4:29 pm
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I'm riding my Mt. Bike (low gearing).
Is there a prize for "oldest finisher"?
Creative Thing01.15.09 - 6:16 pm
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You may ride or race with any bike and gearing.
alec02.2.09 - 11:02 am
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Definitely any bike is fine. Just remember that you have to ride between the hills as well as up the hills. We won't be going fast between so a mountain bike is fine. A 1x1 fixed or something equally goofy would not get you between the hills.
bike punk02.2.09 - 11:14 am
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The update from
http://nowhip.blogspot.com/search/label/feelmylegs
Thanks everyone who has given feedback and has shown interest in riding this year. We are all very excited. I hope to have the hills finalized next week. As of now there are two new hills that are just unbelievably awesome. What we need help with is promotion. Please forward the info to club lists, forums and anyone you think would be interested. Use this link:
http://nowhip.blogspot.com/2009/01/feel-my-legs-im-racer-2009.html.
Bike choice- You can ride any bike you want! The fastest few are always on road bikes with normal gearing. A good all around bike would be a cross with slicks. Some people do ride mountain bikes and while they are not the fastest, by the 5th or 6th hill those not riding them will be envious of your granny gear. You may want to reconsider fancy, expensive wheels (see below) and please make sure your brakes work very well.
The hills- All ten are on open roads, most of them poorly maintained. Think pot holes, cracks, uneven pavement, debris. It takes more then strength; good riding skills will definitely come in handy.
Training rides- I haven't scheduled any yet! Will do though. I recommend Mitcheltorena off Sunset and Duane off of Silver Lake Blvd as good measure hills.
No cars- Seriously. The starting point is easily accessible from
Union Station and numerous
Metro buses and trains. If you absolutely have to drive to the start, don't plan on seeing your car till the end. If you want your boyfriend to come along but he can't ride very well, you've got five weeks to get him up to speed.
Food afterward- We are going forward with a vegan picnic/BBQ in Elysian Park (Stadium Way & Academy Rd) starting at noon. It is a facebook event
here. Some of you may not be into vegan food, but it's how most of Swarm! eats and you don't have to come! But you are invited and please tell others (and ask them to bring vegan food!). Check my sidebar for info on veganism and recipes. We will be honoring Bryan Farhy and the motivation he gives us to be active vegans and "fucking boring semi-employed geeks" at the same time. Year one was the year of the pancake, year four, which this is, is the year of the rabbit. We will celebrate by eating what is commonly referred to as rabbit food. And vegan corn dogs (the year of the corn dog is not for another 13 years and we can't wait that long).
Support- Very limited. We will have a floor pump, but please bring everything else to fix a flat and minor mechanicals. There will be a utility bike that will be at the first few hills and then meeting us at the BBQ.
Thank you all and looking forward to seeing you on the 14th of March.
bike punk02.10.09 - 3:05 pm
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wylie you and your fucking mountaingate.
_iJunes02.10.09 - 5:15 pm
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Here are the hills for this year's event. Three new ones!
1. Mt Washington drive / Self-realization* (Mt. Washington)
2. Eldred st (Highland Park)
3. Amethyst st* (El Sereno)
4. White Knoll/Marview -off Sunset (Angelino Heights)
5. Quintero st. -off Sunset (Echo Park)
6. Echo Park ave/Baxter (Echo Park)
7. Micheletorena st (Silver Lake)
8. Silver Lake blvd/Duane st (Silver Lake)
9. Fargo st (Echo Park)
10. Stadium way/Academy/Boylston* -off Riverside (Elysian Park)
*new hills
update:
http://nowhip.blogspot.com/search/label/feelmylegs
bike punk02.27.09 - 3:35 pm
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I'll try to bop these hills individually on my own, and then hopefully next year I'll try (publicly), but for the mean time I'll just watch you hardcore boppers make your way up these living monsters.
:D
Tarmonster.02.27.09 - 3:43 pm
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O.K.
Who's doing this thing?
I want to, but I'm scared...a little bit.
Creative Thing03.9.09 - 1:19 pm
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im there, nothing to be scared of. its just hills.
_iJunes03.9.09 - 1:22 pm
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I know this ride is pretty intimidating, with Jack and his monstrous legs (and ego!) being the poster boy and all, but most people are just out there to attempt some of the hills. We'll wait for people to give each one a few attempts before moving on. The faster guys and girls don't mind the break. And the ride between hills is 'neutral' or in normal terms: not fast.
Hope to see a lot of you out there.
bike punk03.9.09 - 1:56 pm
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westsidazz will be rolling out of Virginia Park (pico and 23rd) at 6.30am if you want to roll with us email me, and BE ON TIME, we will leave without you.
e-rock03.9.09 - 10:46 pm
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taaaarsis! RIDE THEM WITH ME SATURDAY! don't wait until next year =]
even if we barely make it up one hill.
postalgirl03.9.09 - 11:53 pm
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This is going to be a fun ride! eeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhaaaaaawwwwwwwwww'
I can climb barely up townsend hill with my ss but i can make it all the way up! Is this race going to be based on time or just on comleteting the courses?
pporras03.12.09 - 9:33 am
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not really a "race" unless you want it to be.
_iJunes03.12.09 - 9:57 am
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Do we need to train? Will there be bananas? Do I need a bike? Can I ride with a sound system? Are there double points for riding a pedicab?
See ya there
shauners03.12.09 - 12:27 pm
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All the info you need is at the top of this forum and on the page for the ride.
You don't have to 'race'!
bike punk03.12.09 - 1:32 pm
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I hope this isn't a annoying question, but
Who is Bryan Farhy?
sexy03.12.09 - 11:26 pm
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Sexy: HAHAHAHA
Good question. In 2006 he sent us a snide email about how FML looked like a great event and he would totally be down to come, but because we were having 'vegan pancakes' afterward he called us "a bunch of semi-employed geeks" and told us he'd rather be stuck in an elevator in Newark than hang out with us (then he want to describe how he had eaten rabbit for dinner).
The dude has his opinion, but so do we. So we use it and express it. See the stuff in quotes in the FML questions.
bike punk03.13.09 - 11:03 am
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Lance I changed my mind. I'm bringing my heavy touring bike with a lot of gears.
studiodrome03.13.09 - 11:38 am
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Westside meetup is still happening.
leaving Virginia Park (pico and 23rd) at 6.30am
BE ON TIME!
e-rock03.13.09 - 12:12 pm
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Why anyone would want to waste his or her time and energy on something that is not run in a fair way is beyond me. It is too bad because this could be the best underground race in the LA area. Mistakes happen you can’t hold that against anyone, but the key is to make a FAIR and impartial decision about how to rectify the mistake. After being told that there would be a chalk finish line and then crossing a chalk finish line with the scorekeeper right next to it, it is very easy to assume the stage is over. I don’t think that anyone can argue that! It is not easy to know the right thing to do, but the right thing certainly did not happen today on Mt. Washington.
wise03.14.09 - 5:32 pm
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the second hill was crazy but unfortunately that's where it was over for me. there was too long of a break in between and it was already 10:30 by the second hill. not being able to waste more time, i took a sick friend back home, and rode home and called it a ride.
shit was hilarious though when everyone started falling.
_iJunes03.14.09 - 5:36 pm
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You missed out. Shit was fresh. Faves: the Third, long, winding, varying grade, Duane, and fucking Micheltorena, 3 stages of suffering. Fuck you, Fargo. One day....
I didn't make all the hills, but I'm glad I tried to make them. Good ride.
I'm tired.
sleepy03.14.09 - 5:41 pm
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Great route!
Thanks to all the organizers and people who came out to support and watch.
zombiefiesta03.14.09 - 6:10 pm
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Great route!
Thanks to all the organizers and people who came out to support and watch.
zombiefiesta03.14.09 - 6:10 pm
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Left early because i felt terribly sick... I loved the mt washington course, but for the life of me could not push my machine up fucking eldred.
Its a shame about my health but i have no one to blame but myself, wish i could have been there for the whole thing
robin swabin03.14.09 - 7:01 pm
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This was the best day on a bicycle for me since the last Dark Century!
After hill #6 it became a matter of just finishing the bloody thing and earning the braging rights.
So, yeah. I claim the title of "Oldest Rider to Ride All 10 Hills"
Thanks to everyone who helped put this on, including the vegan picnic folks.
I love you guys.
Creative Thing03.14.09 - 7:08 pm
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...and further more:
My helmet is off to all you "Thunder Thighs" ridazz who did this on a double chain ring. You are some mean studs.
Creative Thing03.14.09 - 7:32 pm
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Wise: I approach you to discuss this and you say it's cool, no hard feelings. Then you go home and talk shit on a message board?
That's fucking lamer than you crying about points on a free race with no prizes.
bike punk03.14.09 - 8:09 pm
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Great ride everyone! It was still EPIC even though it was rain free this year.
Maybe I shouldn't even bring attention to this but..... Even though on the first hill there seemed to be some confusion with the endpoint, most of the competitors involved were happy with the results at the end of the day. Besides an opportunity was opened immediately at the time to discuss any concerns on how to resolve the situation, which we, collectively did.
The BBQ was excellent and I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as me. Thanks to all the organizers and people who showed up to help with both the ride and the BBQ. Also, to those who made it to the end and helped with the food cost, you rock!!
Brian03.14.09 - 10:56 pm
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I got rocked rocking it, those hills be steep!
Props to everyone that came out, brought their legs, the food, and fun!
e-rock03.14.09 - 11:56 pm
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junu quit after second hill? whaaaaat? cereal?
wow
tomato03.15.09 - 3:12 am
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@tomato,
yah for all his shit talking it was a strange sight to see...
e-rock03.15.09 - 9:40 am
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i thought it was going to be over by noon ish in echo park for me to take the train home. i figured i might bail on the 8th or 9th. it was 10:45, 3 hours from the 'start' and only 2 hills down. and we weren't going anywhere. wylie wasn't feeling well neither, i escorted him downtown and i rode back to north hollywood. btw what time did you guys 'finish'?
_iJunes03.15.09 - 10:01 am
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dont lie juno----you made a half assed attempt up the second hill ,not even a third of the way up and you peaced out.that counts as being a total pussy.dont ever talk shit about what a bad ass rider you are.that guy on the extra cycle did better than you.you can make all the excuses you want,starting late,friend was sick,wanted to get a train........bla blablabla.
whatever reason you come up with the reality is you are a quitter and an interwebz fool
robert stanfield03.15.09 - 10:26 am
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lolokifail don'tgetasshurtoverit.
its really not that serious
_iJunes03.15.09 - 10:43 am
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What do you mean? The race was the 10 steepest in LA, first to the top. The LA Wheelmen are doing their Fargo ride today and it's their ride that is won by how many times can you ride up. Off to the Venice Farmers Market for some recovery food!!
Brian03.15.09 - 10:46 am
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Complaining about the scoring on this ride is ridiculous. What happened is exactly what needed to happen to weed out people that have the wrong impression of what this event is about. You would have lost anyways Wise.
baller03.15.09 - 11:23 am
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I'm pretty sure that we ended at 1pm, about an hour off schedule. And then had an epic bbq until 4pm.
Given the nature of FML I was expecting delays from the beginning...
e-rock03.15.09 - 11:24 am
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@baller
it was never about my points. It was about right and wrong!
wise03.15.09 - 11:34 am
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@rbi i did every hill and it hardest thing i've ever done on a bike.
robert stanfield03.15.09 - 12:00 pm
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@rbi i did every hill and it hardest thing i've ever done on a bike.
robert stanfield03.15.09 - 12:12 pm
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Feel my legs I'm a Racer was awesome. It was brutal but fun. Glad I made it up all 10. Vegan BBQ afterward was insane.
studiodrome03.15.09 - 1:07 pm
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Now if you can only master posting on this board Bo Bo. :-(
User103.15.09 - 2:39 pm
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Oh yeah, congratulations Creative Thing!
You bad ass mofo!!!
And I guess all the others that did it. Let's see you do it over 50 yrs old though!
User103.15.09 - 2:42 pm
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thanks to everyone who came out!! i was only able to watch one hill (quintero), but was truly amazed at how well everyone did on it. i know i would have just fallen over! ha. i didn't race, but i did make sure all your belly's were full afterwards! thanks to anyone who donated.
xo
kathryncupcake03.15.09 - 4:17 pm
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Congratulations from all of us over here at Hulk Laboratories to Erock on a 4th place finish. You have truly represented the power of HULK well, and the HULK LAB is proud to have you. P-HULK was misty eyed at the news, and said "MREOW, MAKE A HUNDRED".
I wish I could have been there. My legs say I did the right thing by not going, but my heart is sad to not have been.
Again, congratulations to E-HULK, aka Erock,
Alex Thompson
Director, A-HULK Division
Hulk Laboraties
"We mayke you mad, and then we mayke you SMASH!"
Alex Thompson03.15.09 - 4:30 pm
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Haha! C/T and I were wondering how one shit talking individual (who has been saying he and his crew are gonna do a century and then come and tear up the A group on the next Dark Century) would actually do on Feel My Legs, I'm a Racer.
We were right.
tern03.15.09 - 5:10 pm
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Anyone have pics or links to other peoples' pics?
zombiefiesta03.15.09 - 8:02 pm
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Thank you A-HULK, I definitely felt the power of HULK in me yesterday during the hard fought battle between Brian, Jack, Dean and myself. Looking over the scorecards it's amazing that all of us made it out alive, let alone with smiles on our faces.
And, a special note to Dean, my true nemesis, I will be waiting for you at the base of mt. baldy, every Saturday after the first Friday following the full moon. The true victory has yet to be won my friend. Or, you could just stop by for dinner, I cook some seriously tasty poisoned tikka masala.
E-Rock
Director, E-HULK Division
Hulk Laboraties
"We mayke you mad, and then we mayke you SMASH!"
e-rock03.15.09 - 8:42 pm
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itunes got dropped ese?? I guess he got sent back home dawg!
mankini03.15.09 - 9:46 pm
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Ingrid!
Thanks so much for documenting our srtuggle up Fargo.
You really captured how tough that street is to cycle.
The bus, which we all enjoyed seeing, was the exclamation point to that crazy neighborhood.
Creative Thing03.15.09 - 10:54 pm
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e-rock why dont you bike that fast at cubcamp!!
robin swabin03.15.09 - 11:24 pm
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@robin,
a) IMO cubcamp doesn't need to go that fast
b) I have work on friday, and need to wake up in the morning
c) to taunt you...
e-rock03.16.09 - 7:59 am
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Awesome ride! I had a ton of fun all morning...I was really impressed w/ the route and proud to ride w/ you folks. Thanks to the scorers and organizers! Can't wait till 2010.....
richbell03.16.09 - 9:07 am
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FUCK'N A! those pics make me tired just lookin at them!
Roadblock03.19.09 - 11:49 am
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Who is Bryan Farhy?
thanks I remember now, how he got all bent about the vegan pancakes.
Where is the stats on how people did on this race? I didn't see it on the blog on this thread.
Did Cole place #2 again?
sexy03.19.09 - 12:02 pm
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Brian/Jack tied for first
Dean got 2nd
I got 3rd
not sure about the rest
e-rock03.19.09 - 1:53 pm
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So let me see if I got this right. You can consider making it up the hill if you walked your bike up?
User103.19.09 - 3:27 pm
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@erock
Im terrible with calanders but we should ride. I dont have yo number. dlihou@aol.com emails me.
baller03.19.09 - 4:23 pm
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We don't keep track of who makes it up and who doesn't. We only keep points for the first five riders on each hill. I guess I give people the benefit of the doubt that they can accurately self-report their completion rate when they brag about what they rode.
I hope to get a ride report up tomorrow. Been swamped with responsibilities and other BS this week.
bike punk03.19.09 - 5:20 pm
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Matt!
I want to help put on next year's edition.
I'll hit you up in January.
Creative Thing03.19.09 - 5:59 pm
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