A Bridge to Somewhere Over The Top Tube

Bridges have served humanity for centuries as a means of spanning obstacles that might prevent access or movement from one point to another.  Where there is a gap between where we are and where we want to be, one has to build a bridge to span the chasm.

Snake River Bridge- Twin Falls, Idaho
Photo by Rick Smith 2010

Cycling is my bridge. It is the super structure that keeps me moving, keeps me grounded, and gives me a means of fulfilling what that committee in my head discusses at their board meetings. I have ambitious goals for 2011 and my bicycle will be the principle vehicle to help me achieve those goals. Stay tuned....the blue prints are being drafted....the wheels are being trued....and the drive train is being aligned.

Goodbye Butte, Montana

On the road home to Las Vegas at this hour. It's been a great ride across the top tube. Taking lots of memories with us and hope to come this way again next summer. More adventure on the horizon, more road to ride, more living to be had!

Bye

All Good Things Come to an End

It's been 125 days in Montana, and I have no idea why the time seems to have gone by so quickly. The weather was weird all summer, I had fewer days of cycling, less time working at the bike shop compared to last summer, but I take away good memories of the grandchildren and the crew at the Outdoorsman. The car is packed, the bikes secure on the Thule, and the car gassed up ready for an early AM departure in about 8 hours. Until next March Butte, stay well my friends, I'm coming back with a new mountain bike and a new attitude about living life.

Change is in the Wind

I've often heard from the committee in my head that change is a good thing.  Life certainly has never been static in my case. I'm planning on doing some pretty exciting things in 2011, and I have committed myself to a major self-improvement program. At age 62 it has come to my attention ( again by that brutally honest committee in my head) that in order to accomplish the goals I have set for myself next year at age 63 that it will require an extensive overhaul of my personal drive train and bottom bracket. Being the master mechanic of my life, I take full responsibility for the current shape of my frame set and vow to do something about transforming myself. I've had this same conversation with the committee for over 20 years now, but there never has been an action plan until now. What is the force driving this new venture---the pure and simple fact that I want my grandchildren to have a clear understanding of who their Grannan was. In order to ensure this, I have to be around long enough for them to form lasting memories that will transcend time. For once in my life I'd love to sport a race fit mentality than the tried and true club fit. Too much of a metaphor? Maybe!

My Last Ride of the Season in Montana

Along the CDT in Montana-Pipestone Pass to Homestake Pass from Rick Smith on Vimeo.

Race Across The Sky 2010

Race Across The Sky 2010 from Citizen Pictures on Vimeo.


Won by Levi Leipheimer in record setting time! Go Levi! Going to buy a copy when it's released.

Fixing Bikes is a Zen Experience

The committee in my head always knows that no matter what might be going wrong inside my head before I get to the shop can easily be fixed by turning a few wrenches on someones sick bike. A turn of an adjustment screw to align a derailleur on the bike is tantamount to putting my head back in alignment with the pulse and harmony of the day. Just like riding across the top tube serves to keep my mind straight and focused on what's right with my life, so does working on making bikes perform better for their rider. I treat every bike as if it were my own. I fix the bike..and, the bike fixes me! It's a win-win experience!

Hours Across the Top Tube=Harmony in the Head

It's been awhile since I last posted. There's just has not been the time to jot down my thoughts with all the hours I've been putting into family related stuff lately and working at the bike shop here in Butte. Anyway, life across the top tube continues to be an adventure. And, the committee in my head so likes the opportunities to get lost in thought spinning down the road or cruising through the forest. I had my very first Saturday off from the bike shop since coming to Montana in late May, and I took advantage of it by doing a fundraiser ride for the Tram to Our Lady of the Rockies.

http://ourladyoftherockies.net/

Here's a short video of our ride in Butte, Montana on September 11th. My riding companion that day was Yvonne Leipheimer, mother of Rob and Levi Leipheimer. Her son Rob is my good friend and the owner of the Outdoorsman Professional Sports Shop where I work during the summers as his mechanic.

Our Lady of The Rockies Ride from Rick Smith on Vimeo.

The very next day I wanted to do a really long mountain bike ride along the Continental Divide Trail, but as things go family stuff gave me a later start in the day than planned. Still, I managed to do a 23 miler. I had planned to ride up to the Homestake Pass CDT trail head and ride southwesterly to Pipestone Pass, but it became quickly apparent that I wasn't going to have enough daylight to do it. I didn't have lights if I got caught out after sunset. So, I went about 5-6 miles up the trail toward Beaver Ponds and turned around to enjoy the downhill back to Homestake Trail Head. I shot video of the ride and out of nearly three hours of recording put together this short piece.

Across the Top Tube on the CDT from Rick Smith on Vimeo.

The wife and I only have 10 days left in Montana before we return to Las Vegas for the winter and to be close to other family. The granddaughters are fully engaged in the new school year, as are their parents, so it's time for us to say goodbye to Butte for another year. I will return to Butte in late March for a couple of weeks to help run the Outdoorsman while Rob is off in France on an epic skiing trip along the Haute Route. The Haute Route (or The High Route or Mountaineer's Route) is the name given to a ski touring route between Chamonix, France and Zermatt, Switzerland. 

The wife and I will return to Montana sometime at the end of May, 2011.

But, before I pack up the bikes on the Thule and head south I plan to do as much riding as time and weather will permit. I haven't even left Montana yet, and I'm already beginning to go through withdrawal. I love Montana and being close to family here. Just wish all our kids and grand kids lived here. At least Interstate 15 connects us with each other. Life across the top tube in both places leaves me fulfilled and satisfied. Can't ask more than that!

The Way of The Road Brings Music To Us All

Steel Wheel Duo Spokesongs Tour from Joel Landis on Vimeo.

A means to an end across the top tube.