Slow progress - but still it's progress.

Ideal trail conditions

 Time on the old reliable

I really didn't think I'd be riding the full suspension bike until well into the season - like perhaps autumn. But the past few rides have been a solid reminder of what it is I love to do. That bike is getting a bit old, but still a great machine. Truly more a trail bike than a cross country bike, but very comfortable to ride. In the day, a pretty solid - middle of the road outfit, that would take me pretty much anywhere I'd want to go. Sure, I have a crash or two on her, but aside from a broken ankle eight years ago - we've gotten along pretty well. I'm currently running some pretty heavy tread on my best wheelset - creating some serious drag, but excellent grip on the trail. I'm too old to bomb the descents, but still enjoy the fast flowing run from the top. Frankly, I don't know why I'm not doing it more often.

You can't buy this in a bottle

Overcoming the things that draw me backward

Being self employed comes with it's own challenges - different than going into the office every day. I mean, I did that for the better part of four decades before I finally decided to tell "the man" to go and piss up a rope (that requires significant surface tension). Having been with the same organization for well over 30 years, I wasn't prepared to accept that it had become my identity. Look, I did it on my own terms and am glad I finally bailed, but I didn't really expect the part which seemed to be missing every morning after that. Never mind the fact that I have been very busy since the day I left to go out on my own, but somehow it felt like a part of me had been taken away. Here I am some forty-four months later and have proven my own identity. There are still those days, somewhat reminiscent of 2020, when things just didn't seem exactly right. Those situations can result in a loss of several days progress - even creating a setback of sorts. Almost like clockwork, I get a stray and unexpected message from an old friend that seems to land with incredible timing. Other times.....its' just a matter of hearing a track that takes me back to a place that is wholly specific to that one moment - and I find myself smiling. I'm fortunate to have the fledgling little business that I do - and darn grateful for the clientele. There are no guarantees, and there are times it can be a bit stressful - but to have the ability to pull yourself along everyday is truly a blessing. I'll take the challenges - as long as those occasional messages continue to roll in at the right moments.

 "461Ocean Blvd"

Funny how somethings get better with age. It was at this very time of year,  fifty-two years ago Clapton connected with Tom Dowd to create the comeback masterpiece "461 Ocean Blvd". Eric had basically been holed-up in his estate for nearly three straight years - mainly following Duane's untimely death. Prior to that he had one helluva run with a number of different collaborations - including Duane (Derrick and the Dominoes). There was the mystical image of an unidentified graffiti-artist having painted "Clapton is God" that seemed ominous. Through those years he played a mix of Les Paul's, SG's and even an occasional 335. When he hooked up with Duane, he ran across a bunch of vintage Strat's that led him to build what eventually became "Blackie" - a mix of a '56 & '57 Strat with hand picked single coil pickups. That became the iconic sound he produced with "461". Of course "461" was a serious departure from his heavier work prior to his sabbatical - featuring a lot of acoustic and even a lap-steel guitar. It was recorded during April-May of 1974 - rolled out at the record stores in July of that same year. Needless to say, it caught a lot of traction. Some may say it was a tectonic shift in the industry. When you look at the other stuff that was released that same year, as well as the two years before - I think it can be a qualified trend setter for sure - leading to '75 that exploded with countless rivals. To this day "461" just seems to go down smooth regardless of the occasion.

Click here for "Please be with me" Yvonne with the beautiful harmonies.

Ride HARD!