Fruita

With the riding season now behind us, and true wintry ski-like weather hopefully on the horizon, there's nothing better to get us through this boring time than watching some epic singletrack.

I give you: Fruita, Colorado!

Fruita, CO- 18 Road Trails from Rick Reed on Vimeo.

Government Motors

General Motors reported today plans to begin paying back their government loans with a $1 billion payment to the US government and $192 million to Canada. While that appears to be good news for the long-suffering auto maker, now mostly owned by the US government, I am worried that this display of "good behavior" might be more for its image than an actual measure of success. Although sales have been increasing, GM still posted a $1.2 billion loss between its emergence from bankruptcy in July and the end of its third quarter on Sept. 30.

CEO Fritz Henderson even went as far as saying that all government loans could be repaid by June of 2010. But the General Accountability Office recently stated that it is unlikely taxpayers will ever be fully repaid. I am willing to bet the GAO is correct. It is absurd to me to think that a company that needed $50 billion dollars to stay in business this year could repay that money in 7 months, especially when it is still losing money.

With the GAO telling us not to expect much in recoup from GM, it could make an easy excuse for GM to say "they told you so." But hopefully GM's dire situation will force them to stay on this "good behavior" for the future and we will start seeing positive results soon.

Diabloween

Over the past few years, Halloween, or Diabloween as it is known at Vernon, NJ's Diablo Freeride Park, has evolved into a popular gathering of riders to celebrate the holiday and end of the riding season at the appropriately named bike park.

I decided to make a solo trip out to Jersey to see what all the excitement is about. It had been over a year since I had been to Diablo, and many changes, both good and not so were obvious immediately.

Upon coming into Mountain Creek resort I was amazed by the large number of vehicles, bikes and riders assembled in the parking lots. I had never seen so many riders at a bike park! After getting my lift ticket at the new ticket office and retail shop, I pedaled to the lift. Needless to say, the single-file lift line wrapped all around the base of the mountain though the Cabriolet lift loaded fairly quickly.

Jamis's George Ryan as Homer Simpson

Costume and dirt jump contests with thousands of dollars in nice prizes were some of the main drawing points for riders. The day began with a slight drizzle, making some trails and features a bit slick if you weren't prepared. Unfortunately, a steady rain developed just as the infamous Diabloween Jump Jam began on the Lower Dominion tabletops, making for some sketchy and challenging conditions.

After a fall on one of the wall rides due to the slick conditions, I stayed on the sidelines for the jump jam. Check out my helmet cam video of my slide down the wall.

Diablo Freeride Park wall ride crash from Rick Reed on Vimeo.

In all, it was fun to see the large number of riders, creative costumes and shred the trails at Diablo once again. I hope it won't be another full year until I make it back, and drier conditions would be even better!

Kinzua bridge

I visited the remnants of the Kinzua viaduct bridge in northern PA this weekend. When built in the late 1800s it was the tallest and longest railroad bridge, standing at 301 feet tall and 2053 feet in length. In 2003, an F1 tornado ripped through the bridge bringing eleven towers to the ground. Here is what remains:

Yardwerx

Levi and I had an impromptu session on the Yardwerx trails last night. Here's some shots we took:

I was able to fit in a late afternoon MTB ride at the Raystown trails today. How quickly the transition from summer to autumn has occurred. One really cannot decipher the point where summer gives way to my favorite season of the year. But ironically, since my last visit to Raystown two weeks ago, many of the trails have become completely hidden beneath a layer of red and gold, not to be visible again until spring as if a hibernation has already set in.

Upon getting in the car to head home, I had to turn on my heated seat. The sweat I had worked up riding caused chills just minutes after I changed my clothes. I wonder if there's an interesting story behind the invention of the heated seat, like the intermittent wiper. I doubt it.

Tonight I found myself watching snowboarding video clips online. My mind is gradually repositioning into snowboarding thoughts. Sweat, dust, mud, gears and handlebars will soon be replaced with cold winds, bandannas, and freshly waxed decks. It was the middle of November last year when we laid down fresh carves in New York. If all goes well (in my opinion of well) we could be shredding in just six weeks. Last year you could almost make out the exact ending of fall and the beginning of winter. I recall one weekend on the bike and spending the next weekend at Holiday Valley.

So what will we get this year? Will the end of autumn come and go like a date on the calender leaving winter to fill its place? Or will it be like the intermittent wiper- a little at a time, unwilling to be obvious in distracting our view? However it happens, I'll be sure to have my heated seat on.

Payday at Wisp

This weekend was the Fall Classic Dual Slalom and Downhill races at Wisp Resort in McHenry, MD. Saturday was the Slalom race and unfortunately the turnout was disappointing. But I did end up taking home first in my class with the prize being a 2010 summer season pass. The slalom course is pretty fun, though very pedally and challenging.

Downhill didn't fare quite as well, as I finished fifth out of 13, but dad podiumed with a third! Like the slalom, the DH course is quite pedally and aerobic but super fun.

What education?

This morning on the CBS Sunday regular program Face the Nation, Education Secretary Arne Duncan appeared to discuss topics that included the state of public education in America and President Obama's planned speech to school children that has taken criticism from Republicans.

While the President's speech- poised to be motivational and inspirational to school students- is slated to be televised to children in schools all across the nation, some parents said they will not allow their child to attend school that day. These parents are willing to deprive their children of a day of learning even though the students in attendance are not to be forced by the schools to watch the President's address.

In addition to discussing this upcoming address, Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer and Duncan referred to the fact that more dollars are spent per child in our education system than any other country in the world. Despite this, we severely lag many other industrialized nations in the quality and results of our education system. Schieffer asked Duncan how that can be. Duncan replied that education has essentially taken a "backseat" to other matters such as the economy, healthcare and defense. This eventually results in high school dropouts, a less skilled workforce, and so on.

I agree, but I think there's another aspect we need to realize. Perhaps some of this problem stems from home, and not the schools. What type of education is a child receiving from a parent who denies his or her child a day at school because the nation's leader is speaking words of encouragement and motivation? It seems that when a leading figure attempts to guide a troubled nation in a positive way or point out the flaws we may have, so many people act quickly to silence that advice.

This criticism of a President's good words of encouragement and hope for a better tomorrow feels all too similar to that of the healthcare debate.

"Keep the government out of our heatlhcare. We don't need to change a thing." Do you want government out of the education system as well? Let's not put any more money into our public school system and see what happens then.

It's time to take responsibility for these shortcomings and strive for something better.

Food, Inc.

Back in college (saying that makes me feel old) I read Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation, a book focusing on the negative impacts on society that the food industry's methods and policies have created. It's one of the best and most important books I've read, opening me to how the way we eat effects much more than just our waistlines.

Schlosser then adapted his book into a film in 1996 of the same title that portrayed the current state of the food industry in a "realistic" fashion by using actors and drama to push his points to a wider audience.

Now, Schlosser's work has been featured again in a documentary-style film by Robert Kenner called Food, Inc. Since following Schlosser's work and that of others, I didn't leave the theater with a lot more new knowledge than prior to coming, but Food, Inc. hits the food industry hard right from Schlosser's opening narrate of "The way we eat has changed more in the last 50 years than in the previous 10,000."

Much of the film focuses on the industry state of 80% of beef and pork production being done by four major corporations and how their methods of business trickle down to the end consumer with rather scary implications.

I'm not going to say much else, other than to make sure you see this film. One major point that I gained from this film was the importance of eating locally grown meats and produce. Food, Inc. does a great job at showing how much we can all benefit from taking a little more time and effort to purchase grass-fed beef and organic produces.

Listening

It has occurred to me that I haven't posted a "What I'm listening to" entry in quite some time.
Without further delay, here's what's playing on my iPod:

Frightened Rabbit- The Midnight Organ Fight (incredible album from the Scottish Indie group bringing together folk, subtle influences of The Cure and superb lyrics)
The Sounds- Crossing the Rubicon
Phoenix- Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Thrice- Beggars (better than their last release)
Alexisonfire- Old Crows, Young Cardinals

While I am at, here's what I'm watching:
Dexter Season 3 (one episode in)
Real Time with Bill Maher
Entourage

Arguing with a dining room table

Ladies and gentlemen: Barney Frank!

Dollar Theatres

I saw Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno last night at a dollar theatre. This theatre, a Carmike Cinema, was formerly one of two Carmike locations in State College. With the opening of several new modern theatres, this final remaining Carmike decided to switch business tactics and charge just $1 admission for all films. Better yet, I discovered last night that on Tuesdays popcorn and a drink can be purchased for a buck a piece as well. The deal seems to be working well as there was an impressive crowd for a summer weekday night at the movies in State College.

As for Bruno, while it had its hilarious moments packaged slickly inside a realm of grotesque ones, I didn't enjoy it quite as much as Cohen's previous film Borat. Regardless, his efforts to ridicule and expose some of society's "less intelligent" members are always appreciated. Bruno is an hour and twenty minute cultural experience you can't get anywhere else- especially for a single George Washington. Now that's a good deal.

Typical Pennsylvanians

Watch CBS Videos Online

The above clip enraged me when I first saw it. It is not that I am surprised a person would act like that to a Senator. It is not that I am against a "demonstration of democracy." It is the way of thinking- or lack of- that results in actions like this. The purpose of this town hall meeting was to discuss healthcare. Somehow- and not only at this particular meeting- the focus turns to false rumors of "death panels," immigration, and- of course- religion. It is appalling that the idiot in the video with Senator Specter gets an applause when he preaches to the Senator that God will judge him and his cronies. We can assume this man calls himself religious. Apparently by being so, he has an excuse to be outright ignorant and ignore the facts and real issues that the healthcare debate imposes. From the reaction of the crowd in the video, I also assume most in attendance agree with his uneducated point of view. As it turns out, the majority of the people in attendance were Republican. The majority of voters in Lebanon County are Republican. McCain won the presidential vote there by about 20%. Is there a correlation?

And what is the deal lately with Republicans saying "we want our country back?" Back from what? Who took it? What has changed for the worse the last few months?

toothpastefordinner.com

I flew out of LAX a few days ago, and vowed never to again. I think I've said that before, though. I've also said the same for flying United, which I was on. LAX is messy- extremely overcrowded with people, unorganized, and line after line to wait in. Long waits at check-in and then not being able to check in without assistance cause you to worry you won't make your flight. Once you finally get settled just minutes before the cut-off time, you proceed to wait in an even longer security line, again, causing worry you won't make your flight. United sucks. LAX sucks. Flying pretty much sucks anymore.

Wisp vid

Wisp from Rick Reed on Vimeo.

Bear

The last couple days have been action packed, especially Monday. It started with an early morning wakeboard session. I just hung out on the boat and watched Nicole and Jim throw down.



Following that we headed to Snow Summit with the mountain bikes and rode the lift-assisted trails for the rest of the afternoon. They were quite fun, and somewhat reminiscent of Mammoth with the super loose sandy dirt and long runs.
But even after that we weren't ready to stop yet. We headed down the mountain to Riverside for an evening mx session at Milestone Ranch under the lights. The temps were into the 100s that day, and still 90 when we started riding at 7pm. The sun fell behind the hills quickly though and made for a great night.




Thursday marks the last day of my visit here and I'll be heading to soggy but cool PA on a red eye.

Five Ten!

While in So Cal this week, I stopped by the Five Ten office where they run a small retail outlet for five hours a week (Fridays from 1-6- not five to ten amazingly) where one can find some good deals on clearance items and get hands on the latest product as well. The entire new line of freeride shoes were on display including the new Basic 12Line casual shoe that I'm pretty stoked about, though that is still awaiting release. I walked out with a new tee and a load of stickers. So, Levi- stickers coming your way next week!

Wisp

This weekend I made a trip down to McHenry, MD's Wisp Resort. Wisp has a small network of DH trails, a few of which are really fun. I was actually there twice in the past week and a half. I'll post a video soon, but here's a couple pics.


Interesting how kayaking is rated less "extreme" than paintball...

especially when you can do this..

and then suddenly find yourself like this.

And here's a couple of me from the top of the food chain:

Without an Entourage

The new season of Entourage starts tonight, and I have no HBO. Supposedly, this will change later in the week. I've recently realized that since Battlestar Gallactica has ended, and weeknight comedy shows are on summer break, I watch absolutely nothing on tv. Having HBO again will change that- Bill Maher and Entourage together again.

Shaun Palmer returns to downhill!

Shaun Palmer Returns to Downhill from Litter Mag on Vimeo.

Western MTB Epic videos Part II

Part II of the Western MTB Epic series is now posted. The next installment, coming quite soon, will be from Fruita, CO.

Bootleg Canyon- Snakeback from Rick Reed on Vimeo.

Cirque Du Soleil

Five days at the BJC

Cirque Du Soleil is returning to Penn State's Bryce Jordan Center, with five days of "Alegria!"

I'm booking tickets soon. Anyone else interested?

First step in energy transformation succeeds

"Now is the time for us to lead," President Obama said today as the House passed it's version of an Energy plan to cut greenhouse emissions and fight climate change.
"We cannot be afraid of the future. We cannot be prisoners to the past."

I am very relived that the first step is behind us but there's still a lot of work to do. There's too many idiots like Republican House leader John Boehner that still don't get it. Now is the time for change. We can only hope it's not too late....

The Expansion of America: From 35,000 Feet Above

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/06/26/obese.passengers.airlines/index.html
On a flight home from Texas several weeks ago, I had a middle seat assignment that forced me to snuggle up with a near-400 pound man for the three hour trip. To make it worse, the child directly behind me screamed and kicked my seat for most of the trip. I hate Texas, and I'm starting to hate air travel. The above article takes a look at how some airlines are considering -or already have instituted- policies for overweight travelers, policies that I am largely (no pun intended) in favor of.

"U.S. obesity rates have mushroomed during the last 25 years, but the width of a coach airplane seat has changed little, remaining between 17 and 18 inches in most commercial planes. More than one-third of Americans fall into the obese category, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

-So this means when you board an airplane, your chance of sitting next to (or being sat on by) an over- sized American is AT LEAST 30%! And why should the size of an airline seat have to change? Shouldn't the health status of the culprits be the target of change? The natural evolution of the human body is not outgrowing a seat over the course of 25 years. In most cases it is the personal choices of a certain human being that result in the seat seeming smaller than it was a few years ago.

And this quote further perturbs me:

"The airlines need to be making bigger seats," said Peggy Howell, a spokeswoman for the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, a group based in San Francisco, California. "It's not safe to be cramming us into two seats."

First, why don't you take responsibility and do something about your fat. Secondly, is the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance a credible and professional organization? I doubt it. I'm not wasting my time to look into it. I hope that quote was inserted in this article as more of a "this is ridiculous and America needs to take responsibility" type of pun than as a reputable source of information.

Most airlines now charge extra for checked baggage, and all charge for overweight baggage. If you're going to bring 100 pounds of cosmetics for your week away from home, you should have to pay the airline to deal with it. The same should go for travelers themselves. If you're bringing more weight than is required to keep your heart beating while traveling in small quarters with others, you too should pay.

Bootleg Canyon- Part 1

I'm finally getting around to putting the videos together from the April MTB trip. Part 1 kicks off at Bootleg Canyon in NV.

Bootleg Canyon- Girl Scout from Rick Reed on Vimeo.