Bikes make me happy even if I'm not on one.

I'm on my second week long business trip since I started this job in September. They send me out for training to get more knowledgeable on firetrucks. First I went to Minneapolis, Minnesota last month. I went to a Waterous to learn about Fire Pumps. I tried talking to as many locals as I could, I was really hoping I could engage someone about my love of "The Minneapolis Sound."

Alas, no one I spoke with understood the magnitude of the musical genius that hailed from their town. This was music that had a huge influence on me as I was growing up and help shape the way I am. It would be pretty cool if I meant Prince, but I don't, I am speaking about The Replacements, and to a slightly lesser extent Husker DU.

These are two of the greatest 80's post punk Alt bands that ever existed and they came from the same town! I serious considered buying an Uber ride to go visit an iconic house. But it was raining.

Now I am here in the lovely town of Gilbert, Arizona. I like to buy t-shirts from local bike shops, so I started walking three miles towards one. Sadly, I find that these little shops often don't offer t-shirts with their logo. This was the situation at Intercourse Cycles in Intercourse, PA and also here at Bike Masters in Gilbert.

Oh well, I shrugged as the sun began to set over the desert town.

I cracked open a Forty of OE and started staggering around an abandoned lot. I kept looking for glowing scorpions, but they must all be hibernating. I stayed out in the dirt until I had created an art piece.

By the time I walked back to the Inn my toes were bleeding from callouses in my Vans. I posted my Strava and scrolled down through posts others had made. I saw that so many friends and friends I haven't met in person had gotten out to ride my favorite trails. It was like I can't ride but I'm happy others are out riding. I know social media is pretty bad, but Strava is the only one I have and it just makes me happy. I scroll through it and all I feel is joy.

I'm even happy when someone beats my record!

This was my first KOM, I worked so hard to get it! I thought my heart was going to explode. Then Dwight rolled by in the middle of a 65 mile road ride and figured he'd just buzz this loop as a cool down. He probably didn't even know it was a segment. This falls under the same philosophy I apply to my dirt jumping. You only have to be the best until the best show up

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