Free Verse Friday: Ode to Mountain Biking on a Calm Autumn Morning
A Note from Fatty: The new Fat Cyclist jerseys and shorts and bottles and hats and everything have all been shipped out. If you pre-ordered any of the 2013 gear, it should either have arrived or be darned close.
And if you didn’t pre-order, well, you’re still in luck. Jerseys, bibs, socks, caps, jackets, vests and bottles are now in stock. In both mens’ and womens’ sizing, in most sizes.
I’m going to come out and say it: I love all my Fat Cyclist jersey designs, but this is the one that is in fact the most slimming.
Plus, there’s that whole neapolitan ice cream thing.
Anyway, I recommend you get yourself one. Or two. You know, maybe a size larger.
Just in case, because — as you know — Winter is coming.
Another Note from Fatty: We’ve gotten a good start on the fundraising contest for the Young Survival Coalition. But just in case you haven’t seen it, you might want to go bone up on what you might win, including:
- A Giant TCR Advanced SL with all-new Dura-Ace 9000 components
- Dura-Ace pedals
- A GoPro HD Hero2 camera (just like the one I used to make the video posted below!)
- A pair of Dura-Ace road wheels
- A complete F&ck Cancer kit
Read here for details, and click here to go donate. Thanks!
Free Verse Friday: Ode to Mountain Biking on a Calm Autumn Morning
Before I begin my poem, here’s a nice little video (looks better viewed big, though) I made of The Hammer, The IT Guy, and me riding Corner Canyon earlier this week. I think it may in fact be a better ode to mountain biking in autumn than my sparkling prose, if that’s possible.
And now, the poem. In italics, to make it seem more emphatic.
Autumn!
I must beg your forgiveness
For I have dreaded you
As the harbinger of Winter
Fool!
I speak of myself
Obviously
For Autumn is the best season
Bar none
For the cyclist
Paradox!
Because I have ridden so much
Racing unabated
And training
I find myself sated
Just when the best course arrives
But then!
I get up
And go riding
On a cool morning
And the colors
And the trail
And the temperature
Help me remember
This!
Yes this
Is why I ride
Thank you.
Comment by RodNeeds2Ride | 10.5.2012 | 10:16 am
I need to hit that trail, which one(s) is(are) it(they)? Wow, almost sprained my thumb typing that.
Brocks, Ghost, Canyon Hollow, and Anne’s. – FC
Comment by RodNeeds2Ride | 10.5.2012 | 10:20 am
Watching the video I also feel like I did when I was a kid in the back of our Station Wagon. You know, the one with the 3rd seat that faced backwards?
Comment by mykill | 10.5.2012 | 10:33 am
The kit arrived last week and it fits!
First ride tomorrow wearing it!
(Missed last weekend because I was sick!)
Around the reservoir and back again
80 miles out and over a mile high
This old clydesdale looking closer to thin
In those dashing slimming stripes
So watch out for a large scoop of choc/van/straw
out there on the road and give a shout if you see me
(or just a quiet nod, I startle easily)
Thank you
Comment by davidh-marin, ca | 10.5.2012 | 11:13 am
Fatty’s Mountain Fondo….we’re waiting……
But seriously, that was a mtb ride? Where are the rocks, roots, waterbars, and ruts? That just looked like one long, glorious, sun dappled, flowing trail. But that might just be my jealousy showing.
Autumn
Fall sun lights the trail
I desccend this verdant line
through poison ivy!
thank you
Comment by Kukui | 10.5.2012 | 11:14 am
WHOA, Game of Thrones quote! Best book ever… second to Comedian Mastermind, that is. =)
An Ode to Fall – haiku-style (because I’m too lazy to write a long poem)
Autumn leaves rustling
Wood smoke hangs in the crisp air
Harvest moon rises
Thank you
Comment by Tominalbany | 10.5.2012 | 11:15 am
September was sad.
I couldn’t ride most of the month.
The ‘user interface’
Was unfit for duty.
While I’m happy to report,
I’m on the bike again.
I lost my summer fitness.
Just in time
For the magic of Autumn
Not just any autumn.
But AUTUMN
In upstate NY.
The number of beautiful
sceninc
and colorful
vistas
Multiplies
With my cross-eyed
Gasping for air!
Comment by TK | 10.5.2012 | 11:20 am
This has probably been
the best year of riding I’ve had.
Not because I got a new bike,
which I did.
Not because I got faster,
which I did.
Not because I did some awesome rides,
which I did.
This was the best year of riding
because I took nothing for granted.
I tried to enjoy every ride to it fullest.
This was also the best year of riding
because my wife finally listened to me
and started riding too.
She dusted off her road bike
and conquered some of her inner fears.
Then we bought her a hardtail 29er,
and hit the Park City trails.
She is pretty darned speedy,
and likes to climb big climbs.
She is my new cycling buddy,
and looks freakin’ awesome in bike shorts.
Thank you
Comment by Geoffrey | 10.5.2012 | 11:58 am
When I rode this morning to work
On single track
It was the only ride
I need not think of future rides
Or past rides
But enjoy the one I am on
For all I have at this moment
Is this moment
And I will enjoy it
Not only because of the ride
Not only because I can ride
Not only because I can ride to work on a trail
But because when the joy of the ride is over
The Joy of the Lord will last forever.
Thank You
Comment by Skye | 10.5.2012 | 12:02 pm
A mind is a funny thing
How it sometimes “forgets” things
on purpose
for mental survival.
My trees are bare, except the cursed black spruce
and my bike is tucked away
under a blue tarp,
(true Alaskan-style)
for the winter.
I had “forgotten” not everyone
has so much winter.
Gee, thanks.
Comment by Paula | 10.5.2012 | 12:23 pm
More power to you.. but when is it you work at your “real job”?
Comment by Chris (@PavementsEdge) | 10.5.2012 | 12:27 pm
More closeups of the IT guy…that’s all it’s lacking.
Comment by Saso | 10.5.2012 | 1:06 pm
Video is great but the music choice this time…hm, hm. Did you mean “retro” as in “retrospective”?
Comment by Clydesteve | 10.5.2012 | 2:26 pm
I like it when it’s Autumn,
‘Cause it starts before the rain;
I like it ’cause it’s chilly,
But not so cold for pain;
I like it ’cause I like’
That’s all now, I’m just sayin’
Thank you
Comment by Anonymous | 10.5.2012 | 2:48 pm
That slimy worm of snotulum,
Tells me it must be autulum,
Yeager I shall have me sum
To warm my sore and chilly bum.
Thank you
Comment by old guy who likes to ride | 10.5.2012 | 4:55 pm
I rode my bike to work today,
That’s all I really have to say.
The End
Comment by FujiPixie13 | 10.5.2012 | 5:17 pm
First mtn bike ride ever today.
A new appreciation for you, Fatty, too.
Trails, roots, rocks and leaves,
All under fat tires to me are new.
Beautiful sun, cool breezes, around the lake we went.
Ditches, bridges, gravel, cobwebs.
Faster & faster with each pass,
‘Tis hooked I am this Autumn on a forest path.
Thank you.
Comment by miles | 10.5.2012 | 6:28 pm
Sitting in
Tgif in dfw
Wishing I was home
No ride this week
Maybe Sunday
If my daughter doesn’t
Have strep
Again
Comment by Susie H | 10.6.2012 | 12:55 am
I conquered my first mountain today
All 1451 feet
I was proud.
thank YOU.
Comment by roan | 10.6.2012 | 3:40 am
Morning rides with brain freeze
giving way to sunrise light
fingers warming touch.
Strange that I seldom fall in Autumn
so distracted by the beauty view.
Thank you
Comment by roadrash | 10.6.2012 | 7:51 am
Loved the video. We don’t have technicolor autumns like that here in Texas. And also loved the Haircut 100. Cool.
Comment by leroy | 10.6.2012 | 9:36 am
I get dropped like falling leaves
But not as colorful.
Comment by Tommi | 10.6.2012 | 2:04 pm
Great video! So beautiful… Makes me jealous.
I went out to try the backwards facing camera myself.
https://vimeo.com/50894045
Noticed quite quickly that our climate makes it impossible. Makes me even more jealous.
Comment by babble on | 10.6.2012 | 4:40 pm
Would that I a poem could write
about this life upon a bike
the vistas panoramic I have seen
a myriad adventures unforeseen.
Over hill and over dale
it’s always fun it never fails.
Every day I ride for miles
it makes me laugh
it makes me smile.
O bicycle bicycle
friend of mine
with you this life is sweet
it’s fine.
You bring me joy
you bring me health
the most important
form of wealth.
I salute you as my friend
upon my love you can depend.
Your bits and bobs I will maintain
so we can always ride again.
Many treasures I have found
as I spin these wheels around.
Some come in the form of friend
some in youth relived again.
If you’re wise
then you like me
will climb
upon your bike and see
the many wonders to behold
along the way.
Be brave be bold.
Life is but a mystery.
On your bike
you’re fast you’re free.
As you ride you will see
just how good this world can be.
Thank you!
Comment by babble on | 10.6.2012 | 4:52 pm
better:
Would that I a poem could write
about this life upon a bike
the vistas panoramic I’ve seen
a myriad adventures sweet and keen.
revise revise revise
Thank you. :D
Comment by Cat_Rancher | 10.7.2012 | 4:00 pm
Autumn-
O how I miss thee!
Stunning colors,
Apple picking, and
snuggling at the football game.
Alas
I now live in south Texas
where autumn means little
and leaves
fall
off the trees
due to old age,
still green
but I ride down dusty roads
with a grin on my face
because it’s a cool
eighty-five
and I can ride all winter
Thank you