Weekend Wrap-Up

The holiday weekend started off at a leisurely pace with about 60 cycling companions at Cycle Memphis's inaugural ride. I pulled the trailer and brought up the rear with a few of the more experienced riders occasionally hanging back (thanks Adam H., David S., Brett E., and Cara N.!) It was nice to ride with some folks that I see out all the time but with whom I rarely get a chance to ride (Howell E., Grace K., Steven W. - bring your trailer next time!)

You can sign up for the next ride on Facebook or just show up and ride! View a few more pics on my flickr.

Saturday we loaded the cooler onto the trailer and biked over to Wagenschutz Manor (after the thunderstorm) for some grilling and fireworks. What happens when you go to a vegetarians house for a cook-out? Veggie-burgers and burger-cakes:

I made that picture big so they look more tasty. The "burger" is chocolate cupcake! I was stuffing my face and lighting bottle rockets for the next 6 hours so I didn't get any more pictures. Then folks from Little Rock wanted to go play polo so we were out until 2 AM sweating out the alcohol. It looked like this but dark and worse courts:

That picture is actually from the Sunday Friendlies Cookout. This time I was just way too tired to take more photos. Brett should have some good ones soon. To all the LR folks, thanks for coming over; it was great to again see those I've met and meet those I haven't seen!

South Central Bicycle Polo Championship

Do you Like bike polo?



If you're able to make it over to Little Rock to watch this it should be a wonderful time. Good luck to the Memphis teams that are entered! We'll be rooting for you from home!

RIP Polo Bike

The final straw for my polo bike came last week when a dude from Richmond was riding it and the rear brake bolt sheared in two. Then I tried to play on Brett's Surly 1x1 and dipped the front shock, wrecked, and rolled my ankle sumthin' awful. I'm taking this time to evaluate the future of this bike and contemplate a more modern polo bike(?) (quill stems can go to hell). This is what happened to the brake:


...and Brett borrowed my rear tire after his flat. And speaking of Brett and Polo, he's amped about the South Central Championships in Little Rock. Though I'm sure my ankle will be rebuilt bionically by then, I'll be attending Judaism class that Sunday. It's unfortunate in that I'll miss the jaw-drops from New Orleans and Florida as they witness the superior skill level of Memphis Polo. Paul Danos, Daniel Dilberger, Adult Braces (though I heard those are off now), you guys are in for a treat.

Some new blogs to check out

I've added a couple of blogs to our "The Latest" list. One is from Little Rock and the other 4 are local. Can you believe that? Four more Memphis cycling blogs. Give them a visit and make friends:

Little Rock Bike Polo - Just like it says.
Dirty South Racing - This blog from Clark Butcher, one of Memphis's most respected racers, is mostly about waffles, it seems. But there is some cycling and running thrown in for good measure.
Zach's Bicycle Commuting - Zach lives in the 'Burbs and tries to use his bike more than his car. He also helps with WalkBike Memphis.
Gotta Be Gritty - Brett rides a fixed gear, plays polo, and takes pictures of public art. And makes crazy spoke cards as well, then loses them. Help him find them!
Cyklopath - Jeremy has one of the prettiest cross bikes I've seen and being an alumnus of the University of Memphis, sponsors their Mountain Bike team.

Let me know if there are any other blogs out there that I should add.