Spicy Friday

There's something about a day off from work that just feels "right". I don't hate my job, but I don't LOVE it either. It's just that it's in no way inspiring or fulfilling (like riding or even this freaking blog is). But hey it helps pay the bills, the vacation time is sweet and at this point I'm basically not qualified to do ANYthing other than what I'm doing. But all that shit is another post and stuff that is just not that fun.

Coincidentally I received my 15 year anniversary gift in the mail from my employer today. A ESQ watch. The funny thing is when I saw the package I was excited because I assumed it was my new Ergon grips. Yeah the watch really didn't "do it" for me like the grips would have. Hell I don't even wear a watch. On top of that I can't figure out how to make the thing fit my chick wrists. HA!

You may think us bad parents, but despite Wifey and I both being off today we still sent the B-Man to day care. B. is a great kid and soooo easy going, but sometimes we just need a day to be Wifey and Jason instead of Mom and Dad. Dig?

We enjoyed a relaxing morning with each other, regrouped mentally with each other, and then enjoyed re-groping each other later on. Sure as hell beat what I normally do on my lunch hour by a freaking long shot!! :)

Later on Wifey went to the gym and I took the time to do and easy Zone 1/2 ride for an hour on the trainer. I moved the Booger up to the living room for today and watched some of Stage 1 Paris - Nice. NOT the prologue. I HATE freaking prologues!!! Can we just cut to the chase please?? Stupid 5K city street time trials! Grrrrr.

Got the e mail today from Big Al that Salsa is backing the Bikeman.com team again this year. I send out some big thanks to all those in Salsa Land for making it easier for the folks on our team to get on top of kick ass Salsa frames. I'm lucky to be a Salsa Amigo and hope to be one for some time.

In the spirit of Salsa's support I'd like to share a link I saw on mtbr.com about vintage Salsas . This is all pre QBP when Ross Shafer was making the frames. A different time indeed, but I'm not one to boo-hoo about how things were better "yesterday, how hand made is better, or the whole jingoistic Made In USA blah, blah, blah. I mean really, take a look at some of those frames. Would you REALLY want to ride/race one of those in 2008? I respect frame builders and what they can do, but still things have changed over the years. I mean I'm sure there are hippies out in Cali and Colorado doing just fine on some of those frames and could kick my ass any day of the week, but I know I love my Oh Seven and Oh-Ate Salsa frames just the same.

This is all just part of Salsa's history. One thing I know for sure, is that the folks behind the Salsa brand are 100% into what they do, passionate about cycling and their products. They know the FUN that IS mountain biking AND how fun and cool just plain old riding your bike is. Whether it's on the trail, on the road or for 60 minutes around a neighborhood park!

Check this vintage gear...

The Pepper paint scheme is pretty cool. I mean I would have done it a little differently, or more like today's El M. decal with the Pepper "arm band".

Speaking of the El Mariachi. Take a look at the photo below. I put the vintage Salsa over the '08 E.M. Hmmm, I guess it's true. the more things change the more things stay the same. HA! I wonder what the weight difference is between those two frames? I'd bet the vintage is close to 35+ lbs.

Why did ANYone think that that fork on the vintage Salsa was a good idea. But then again I wouldn't run that rigid on the '08 either. HA!

One last Salsa bit and then I'll stop with the whoring, close my legs and say good night. I got the Campeon frame and my Trek over to Tom's house today so he can work his "build magic" on it. It's funny, every time I read some article on CyclingNews.com or a magazine feature about some meticulous bike mechanic, I still end up thinking that Tom could out wrench them any day of the week. Dude could be a Pro Tour level mechanic, but chooses to be a kick ass teacher instead. I'm truly privileged to have him as a friend and a wrench. Thanks dude!

Time to make some grub.

Later.