Cross, animation, caps, and ice boobs

There was another Outlaw Urban Cyclocross race last weekend. My back and legs were kinda wasted from my lame effort at the Hush Hush Ride, so I didn't bother racing. I did ride over to watch and try out the new course, and I was not disappointed. Although the cops showed up and delayed the start by asking everybody to leave the private property we were using in a public manner the racers all returned thirty minutes after the official shoo'ing mandated by "the man".

One may wonder just how the series came to fruition. Luckily Kevin Thompson did some sleuthing and found some spy footage (or perhaps a dramatic recreation) documenting the birth of the series.


The course had a few decent steeps on it that forced me to nut up and eventually try them when no one was around. Eventually I got comfortable on the drop-ins, so maybe I'll be up for some more racing in a couple weeks. Yes, I have a strong desire for a real cross bike (maybe even with a brake or two)...

photo cred: Big Worm

In the money well spent arena...

My Walz cap is turning two years old this month.

No hat of mine has lasted this long and spent as much time in the rotation as my wool Walz cap. The only other hat that sees even close to the same amount of time on my head is my Twin Six cotton cap (made by who?... Walz) as it is a better choice for casual summer wear. My wool Walz has been shoved under a helmet and abraded by the on again/off again helmet action that is common place when you have to protect your head while making a living but not while sitting in a lobby waiting for a package. It's just absolutely, hands down one of the best things I've thrown money at in the last decade.

I'll admit that $25 seems like a lot to throw at a hat. All my other cycling hats were either free, bargain bin purchases, or too cool to pass up for full retail ($6). Then again, all my other cycling hats are lying in a pile on a shelf with broken brims, holes worn in them, or splitting at the seams. Even though the wool Walz has an almost absolute go-to status during the colder/wetter months it has held up with flying colors, but despite all these positive traits it is still only worthy of my....

Seal of Semi-Approval

Why only Semi-Approval? Being a wool hat I have to wash it separately (by hand) instead of just tossing it into the machine. Being a very lazy messenger who hates the "Life, death, and in between... maintenance" mentality I probably don't wash it as often as I should. My hat currently smells a bit like a bum, but when doused by rain it goes to "full bum" status. When I do get around to washing it the water turns a brown color that is just two shades under a proper glass of chocolate milk. I guess this is no fault on the part of Walz, but being that I am an American I have to blame someone else for my problems (or go to war with them), so who else do I have to blame? Well, there's always Al Qaeda...

Wanna make someone happy this Christmas? Don't drop the Christmas ball and buy them an erotic ice tray this year (but if you've already bought one please contact me for a shipping address as my ice maker is broken). Instead give them the gift that keeps giving warmth, happiness, and good looks. Buy a Walz cap and support the American Made Cap Industry Association of America.

Disclaimer: Walz does not endorse the endorsements of Bad Idea Racing's endorsements, but they did give me free shipping. Doh, everybody gets that.