Boneshakerbike

Author: Bill

  • Bike Season Nears End

    Bike Season Nears End

    As I’m gearing up for the Starry Night Rides next week, I have to admit it stings a bit to say goodbye to those daytime rides. The season’s slipping away, and barring a few weekend rides and commutes, the ol’ bike and I are moving into nighttime mode. With the snow starting its sneaky descent from the mountaintops into the valley, it won’t be long before I’m hanging with my riding buddies at the Kettle House, swapping stories and dreaming up next year’s routes.

    This morning’s rain has me back at the Break Espresso, cozying up with a coffee. Anything new here? Not really, though they did put in a door damper, so now it won’t slam every time someone forgets to shut it “gently.” And hey, it’s payday, which is lucky because I’m so far behind on my Life Chores it’s almost comical. Maybe the rain’s the universe’s way of saying, “Time to catch up.”

    Last night’s TNR party was a blast—huge turnout and all. Bittersweet, though, seeing friends I’ve spent the summer sweating up climbs and flying down singletrack with. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll catch one or two of them at next week’s night ride.

  • Festival Of The Dead Parade

    The coffee at the Break Espresso has returned to just a dollar and even tastes better. I think maybe they are using a better bean or something. Things get better with age just like the Festival of the Dead Parade, which happened last night here in Missoula. I hope to post pictures soon of the festivities. Last year it was a good experience and this year I was prepared to take it all in. I camped out near El Cassador with my camera. I did not get the photos I wanted but I did get a few. There were so many people there with cameras and equipment better than mine so I was feeling equipment conscious and put away my spirit stealer. I did capture a couple spirits though. The highlight was the drum circle with dancers and a rhythmic beat that stayed with me as I pedaled home on my bike. Tonight is the Thursday Night Rides Party so I hope to get some plans together today for a Night Ride Series.

  • Missoula Dangerous for Adults

    Missoula Dangerous for Adults

    They’ve just arrested another teenager for that brutal attack downtown, where two men were nearly beaten to death. That’s now the third attack like this I’ve heard about since I moved to Missoula back in May 2004. I’ll be honest, I felt safer walking around in New Haven, New York City, Montreal, Burlington, even Plattsburgh. Sure, those places have their fair share of crime, but I never felt like I had to sprint home before dark.

    What really baffles me is how the police here seem to be covering for these kids. Maybe it’s because the teens are connected somehow, family friends, or someone’s kid. Or maybe it’s just a “boys will be boys” mentality. Who knows? But I’ll tell you what, it makes Missoula feel like a dangerous little town. And every time I see a big ol’ 4×4 barreling down the road, I cringe a little, driving my poor VW bug, especially since it’s already been vandalized by teenagers around here.

    Just this morning, I read they finally arrested a third kid, and I honestly get the feeling they only did it because they had to. Witnesses saw what happened that night, yet the police seemed content to brush it off, like everyone was lying. It’s ridiculous. They only start moving when there’s an uproar, then stumble half-heartedly in the direction of justice.

    Last year, a man was beaten so badly he went to a cop for help, only to be treated like a drunk and shoved back outside, where the same teens were ready to finish the job. By some miracle, he managed to find a friend’s house to hide in.

    Missoula’s all well and good while the sun’s up. But when it sets, the streets fill up with these young punks, prowling around just waiting for an excuse to put someone in the hospital.

  • Break Espresso Raises Prices

    Break Espresso Raises Prices

    The new remodel didn’t change much. The door is bigger, the wall did not come down, and it seems they have gained another extra space on the other side of the mural. One thing did change and it seems that maybe they are paying extra rent because the prices have gone up in the wireless coffee cave. I was shocked to bring in a dollar and not have enough for a small coffee. It is now $1.25. So now in addition to finding a new job and a new apartment, I am in search of a new morning hang. Just ask Taco DeSoul what happens to my business when they raise prices. I haven’t been in there since they started gouging poor people.

    My weekend was good. Some highlights include visiting with my Aunts Wanda, Paula, and my grandma Ruby. They came through on Thursday and Sunday morning. Thursday I enjoyed spilling a beer at some “Perkins Style” restaurant in Reservestreetown. On Sunday morning we braved the cold temperatures to have breakfast at the River City Grill in Bonner.

    I went on a killer mountain Bike ride yesterday and am proud to announce that I did not get shot. There were hunter galore but I braved the grueling climb and muddy terrain to top the lookout (cant remember the name) in the northern Bitterroots. I started to ride up the Elk Meadows Road and Branched off to the Sally (Something like that) Ridge. From there I went north to the Lookout before plummeting down to the Lolo Creek Valley. Extremely awesome downhill. Ill post the maps here online soon.

    Well it is off to get my morning chores done; I have emails to send and contacts to bother. I have to prepare for my Night Ride Series entitled Starry Nights, City Lights. I also have to talk to a friend about my Thanksgiving plans. So stay warm (it is 32 degrees out here today), have a good Monday.

  • Front Cover Cyclosource

    Good Morning from Break Espresso, deep in downtown Missoula. The big news this morning is on the front cover of Cyclosource, Adventure Cycling’s merchandise magazine. If you all remember, last July 17th, I took pictures for Adventure Cycling during Bike Montana, a Montana bike tour down the Bitterroot and over to the Bozeman area. Two of my pictures made the issue: the front cover (full page) and on page 13.

    It was last Friday when my friend Julie Huck showed up at the Kettle House Brewery. She was toting the new issue, and when I saw it, a surreal feeling came over me. No, it was not the Double Haul IPA; it was seeing my picture full page on the cover of a magazine that made me feel strange. It was an exciting time!

    Last weekend was filled with good ol’ Missoula culture, and now that I have semi-recovered from such fun, I find myself once again at the Break, looking for a job. I haven’t started my search yet, but I am hoping to hear from USGS soon about the position that is open here in Missoula.

  • Hump Day

    Happy Hump Day from the Break. Sun is still not up yet and I havent done much job searching this morning. Last night I installed some php to make my front page load faster and it seems to be slower. I may have to diagnose and tweek. Sorry folks!

  • Bad Mood for Monday

    Bad Mood for Monday

    Good morning from the Break! Dark as usual and still no store front on the ol coffee shop. It looks like maybe they will keep the wall because everything is being gutted except the wall. I should of brought my camera but it is too large and I must get to work on this application for Invizeon.

    Last night my weird dreams were preceded by an awful day. I was grouchy and got into fights with co-workers all day. To top it off I forgot to do the time clock at work correctly and now my big one-dollar raise is in jeopardy.

    Last night the Friends and Family went very badly and in the end, I have decided to stop doing that. We get no fresh discussion just dysfunctional positioning. Although one new comer is making it once again.

    So back to work you slackers and let me try to get a job!

  • Fall Days and Job Searches

    [image]Hello folks! I am sitting at the Break Espresso enjoying a lemon scone and a cup of Americano. It is a little chilly here this morning because they have the front of the shop tore out in favor of a new remodeling project that includes taking over the building next door.

    Well then, what is new? Not much! I have been spending most of my time looking for a job so I can continue to live and pursue happiness here in Missoula Montana. I did get a new opportunity the other day. Apparently, Liant, a company that does business software, called my supervisor and asked if I was interested in doing work at a reportedly 40 bucks an hour. I have not heard from the person yet but my supervisor is trying to hook us up.

    What I have noticed lately is the awesome weather. Sunny and nice days that light up the fall colors with such beauty you have to just stop and wonder once in a while where I have been the last twenty years. Yesterday I enjoyed such beauty with a hike in the Rattlesnake with a local group called the Rocky Mountaineers. We did a pleasant hike up the Wallman trail and sun bathed in a meadow on top. Maybe some day Ill get to the picture I took.

    For now, it is applications and resumes. I have some work to do this morning so I can go ride Point 6 with my friend Larry later today.

  • Building a New Couch

    I fell asleep last night on my new couch. It is not that comfortable and to be honest I am not really all that impressed with it. I put so much time and effort into it I am giving it a week before I dismantle it and start using the floor again to watch TV and do hommie things. First off what did I do this weekend? Went to Kettlehouse, went hiking, went biking, end of weekend!

    Back to the couch! Last night I thought to myself, ”wow if I collect enough of boxes and crap, tie them together, and put a blanket over them, I can make a couch“.

    Now stop your laughing and let me finish. What if I put all the boxes together and then on top put something that spanned across them. Then I could put a pad and cover the whole thing with a blanket. I could mold the couch form by using different size boxes in certain places. Well after three hours of couch forming I feel asleep on top of my creation.

    I tried my Beetle seat, camping pads, and other things laying around the house to try and heap together a sitting surface. The final product is an oddly level heap of boxes covered with a blanket. What did you expect? Probably a lot less that I did. Now I have moved so much out of the closet to build this contraption that I am too lazy to pack it all back. So that's it, my new couch … well at least till I get enough energy to put it all back or get a real one.

  • Indomitable Bill Martin

    Hey there, good morning everyone! It’s a stunning, crisp morning here in the gorgeous Missoula, Montana. My usual morning blog got sidetracked today because I stumbled upon an amazing job opportunity while hanging out at Liquid Planet. So, I’m just dropping a quick note here due to a recent highlight in the Mountain Ear Newsletter. Super excited to share that they featured one of my snapshots and a recount of our hiking adventure about a month back.

    September 10, Saturday: The fearless Bill Martin didn’t let a gloomy weather forecast stop him from teaming up with Jim Goss for an epic hike up to Heart Lake, Pearl Lake, and a saddle between Pearl and Dalton Lakes, making our way to the State Line trail at the day’s peak of 7,100 feet. Trudging a mile on the ridgeline with an inch of fresh snow from the night before, we found a trail on the other side of Heart Lake to round off our journey with a total of about 8 miles under our boots. Despite only catching brief glimpses of sunshine and running into a quick corn snow shower, our spirits were high and our feet surprisingly dry, thanks to the well-maintained trail. The views were somewhat obscured, but watching cloud armies clash over cliffs and ridges was a spectacle in itself. It was a day that reminded us all about the rewards of sticking through.

  • Back At the Planet

    Morning, folks from the splashy side of the globe! Guess what? The WiFi gods have finally smiled down on us – kinda. We’re talkin’ internet access that’s more tease than treat: a whole hour’s worth, and you gotta sweet-talk someone for the login. But hey, it’s perfect timing because I’ve decided to kick off my mornings with a job hunt session right here before diving into the daily grind. If there’s one thing my recent tumble taught me, it’s that my wallet needs a serious upgrade. Next time I’m on a first-name basis with the ER staff, I wanna roll in like a VIP, no compromises.

    So, here I am, bright and early, on the hunt. It’s like déjà vu from last year, scrambling for a job in Missoula. But this time around, I’ve got a gig – not the dream job but hey, it beats the panic. And who knows? Maybe this means you’ll be getting more upbeat posts from me. So, off I go, into the job search jungle, and later, clocking in at the MARS.

    Had a blast hiking last night and I’m hitting the trails again tonight. And guess what? Tomorrow’s the Thursday Night Ride Group, and I’m pumped to get back on my bike. Feeling good, feeling ready. Here’s to a great day ahead, everyone!

  • Sent Home

    Yesterday I was sent home from work and that was very disappointing. What happened is that I was overdosing on Ibuprofen. I had a headache and generally felt like I was going to die. I headed home and went to bed for 6 hours. I awoke feeling better!

    Today after being kept awake by my noisy landlord upstairs I am feeling the dull pain in my neck and back. It is a much better feeling that yesterday and the headaches. It is improvement because I don't have a headache today. It is the first day with out a headache.

    Tonight I hope to go hiking with my dog Marcy and I am thinking of doing Jumbo Saddle. That is all depending on my condition after work. Already the stress is high at work today.

  • Turning The Corner

    Turning The Corner

    I think last night was the low point in my recovery from the face plant I did last weekend. I went with a friend to see her friend who is a doctor. He said that I should go get an MRI but if I want to be stubborn than the dizziness and head-rushes could be caused by inflamation reducing blood flow through the neck. It’s not that I am stubborn but in reality I can not see a doctor. I have no money and the insurance I do have has a $1,000.00 deductable. So as you can see I can not go get an MRI. The good news is that after a night of ice packs and anti inflamitory meds, I feel a lot better … mostly overall.

    So this is my plan. As long as I progress to feeling better I will keep my neck imobalized and get it to heal. then I will slowly try to make it strong again. If I go back to passing out and getting large headaches …. I will get an MRI.

  • Coffee House Morning

    [image]Hello from Bernice's Bakery! I woke up around 5 Am probably due to going to bed early. Still dark outside and patrons and neighborhood dwellers are slowly filling up the cafe. What a nice place. When I rounded the corner and saw the lights on (the only ones on the block), I thought to myself, “Ahh home”. It seemed warm and inviting.

    I had to cut short a checkers game short with mom last night because I knew I had to rest up. I did not feel well yesterday but I tried to do the daily routine as normal as possible. I still have a headache and when I stand up it feels like my head is suddenly under pressure. I guess when I go to work Ill learn if my focus is better.

    Yesterday I could not focus on anything and found myself lost in la la land quite often. Last evening I took Marcy for a walk up Mount Jumbo and found myself feeling nauseous. I stopped by Chuck's house to drop off some CDs that I had borrowed. Now I am reminded of some CDs that I have to do for Larry.

    Tonight I am hopeful that I can do a hike with Marcy up Waterworks Hill. Tomorrow I will go cycling again and I am thinking about returning to Marshall Grade to finish my exploration. That, and to pull that small boulder off the singletrack.

  • First Big Accident

    It's a cold crisp morning here in Missoula Montana. I notice that the mornings are getting darker and I guess I should not ignore the fact that winter is on its way. When I first woke up my thoughts were to drive to work but as the time neared I felt good enough to ride my bike. So here I sit at work after riding my bike one handed and grimacing when I would hit a bump. It's a good day, and a good thing my swollen brain didn't kill me last night.

    Oh yea, did I mention that I had a major concussion headache all night. Yesterday I called a friend for a ride and was reminded of a place I wanted to explore. So I went mountain biking and I not only explored this area but its rocks too. Close Up!

    I was riding in the Marshall Canyon area. Its mostly overgrown and the single track weaved in and out of visual contact. On one corner there was a basketball-sized rock and when I saw it … well, it was too late. I vaulted off the bike and smashed head first into a bunch of little boulders. Not good-ol-smooth-boulders. These boulders where square and had sharp edges.

    It was a hard journey home and I had wished I had some phone numbers with me. I figured I was ok because I got my self out. At first however I thought I was real messed up considering where I landed. At home I assessed the damage and was relieved to only have a few bumps and bruises. The only dangerous this was this brain sensation that I had. It felt like it was real large and my headache was tremendous.

    I ended up with a puncture in my elbow (produced way more blood that it should have) and my neck. I have contusions on my legs, forehead, nose, and jaw. The evening was miserable and I really pumped the Excedrin. I knew that my headache and weird sensations were due to my brain sloshing around as I rattled my head off a few rocks. That is why I was happy to wake up this morning. I hear so many stories about what a concussion can do.

    So now I sit here at work, with a headache, feeling pretty raw. But, I did ride my bike to work and that says all is well in Missoula Montana.

  • TGIF

    TGIF

    Ah, Friday! The universal signal to tackle the weekly checklist: laundry’s spin cycle, the strategic navigation of grocery aisles, and the sacred pilgrimage to the Kettlehouse. But here’s the twist – my internal clock decided 3AM was prime time to start the day. What’s the deal? Why does my brain decide to throw a wake-up party when the rest of the world’s snoozing?

    Just some thoughts while I’m here. Last night’s ride? We hit up the Treasure run. The group fell short of conquering Sentinel’s peak, but guess who pushed through? Yours truly. And not just that, but I did it all in my middle ring. Who’s the boss? This guy.

    Looking ahead, the weekend’s game plan involves diving into my website’s trail description section, and if the stars align, squeezing in a ride. But for now, break’s over. Time to get back on the grind.

  • Up Early Reporting a Bug

    Woke up at 3 AM, couldn’t sleep, so I decided to snack and ended up online. Noticed a bug in Firefox 1.5 beta’s print dialog. Just had an interview for a testing job and realized I’ve never really contributed to projects with bug reports. Decided to join Mozilla’s efforts by reporting issues on Bugzilla.

    Found a bug: in print preview, can’t switch between Landscape/Portrait. Landscape is default, but clicking Portrait just flickers a dialog box without changing the layout. So, I reported it.

    After that, heard on NPR about Hurricane Rita, predicted to surpass Katrina. It’s unsettling, and I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that. Here’s to hoping for the best.

  • Happy Birthday Niko

    Its my little buddy Niko’s Birthday today. It seems like just recently I was at Plattsburgh and the little guy just appeared! The big 6.0 … I am excited to see what has changed from version 5.0. Its my little buddy Niko’s Birthday today. It seems like just recently I was at Plattsburgh and the little guy just appeared! The big 6.0 … I am excited to see what has changed from version 5.0.

    Last night I did an interview with Palm Inc which is next door. I have to say that it is hard to interview after a full day of work. It didnt help that I had some chocolate before I got off work. I was a blithering idiot. Oh well, what can you do … maybe go for a mountain bike ride to bring things back in line.

    Not much to say as I begin another work day and my thoughts wonder off to where I am riding tonight. Hopefully Ill get a variety of stuff done today like hardware, software, and bug fixes.