Almost as Tall

2007-03-24T13:25:00.000-07:00

Rain, Rain, Rain and more rain. The Pacific Northwest has returned in full swing to....well....the Pacific Northwest. We're currently getting the full on Pineapple express-52 degrees and raining sideways. Snow level is at 8,000 feet so we're on flood watch too. Fun times for sure.

Yesterday though the venerable Wendy Simms came down to pick up here skookum new Kona team rides. The Hei Hei Supreme, Kula Supreme and King Zing. Man was she a happy camper with all the new goods and the new team kits to match. We had planned on going for a ride but just as today it was pissing rain sideways. I was looking to maybe bag out and keep hammering away on the avalanche of emails that have assailed me. But the BC girl, DUBS, I like to call her would have none of it.

So we rallied to the launching pad (my house) grabbed a quick bite to eat and waited for her friend Nicola to show up. We rolled out to incessant rain and promptly had a great time. Both those gals are so cool and Wendy I tell ya is one of the best technical bike riders around. It was a treat to take her on the greasy, muddy singletrack and have her stuck on my rear wheel for the most part. Stoked she's riding for Kona full time this year I am for sure.

I was trying to get my butt out to ride today but just couldn't force it to happen. Too many super wet rides in a row and the motivation left me. But tomorrow I'll head out rain or shine or both....then I'm going to head up and finish scouting the new trail connector we'll be building on the Kona trail day April 22nd. It's going to be a great trail, Kona will be kicking down some cool swag and anyone that wants to come help should. More on that late.

Peace Out.....

MP

PS: this photo of mine is from Smith Rock outside Redmond, OR. Really cools spot if you ever get the chance. It was winter when I was there and hardly anyone was around. Rumor has it though it is rock climbing Mecca.

2007-01-26T12:29:00.000-08:00

OK-I OWE BARRY THE WICKNASTY SOME LOVE.

I diss'd him in my last post in my own parole officer, Den Mother type way with nothing but love intended. I mean after all I did say he was going to uncork one at worlds. I still think he will.

But he did send me some mail letting me know he pulled out of the race in Hoogeeerrrheeideeee due to the fact that he had only a summer skinsuit to race in. Seems one of the many star alliance airlines thought it would be funny to lose his bags for him. Thus he didn't get his kits and other stuff until three days after the event. I should have known better. Wicknasty wouldn't puss out without good reason and he let me know straight up.

So here we just hours away for the big big show, really big show. Sounds like the course is becoming more and more Tonkinator like with each hour. Heavy nasty mud. Nice. Maybe it will bode well for the Tree Farm and Wicks too. They'll revert back to the old days of Pacific Northwest brotherhood when they were just wee little grasshopper students of Master Tonkin.

Use the force kids. Dig deep and suffer, suffer, suffer. And when you have suffered all you can it's time to turn down the suck nob for the big time finish.

I know the Kona boys are going to roll and roll tough.

Peace Out,

Marko

2007-01-22T20:16:00.000-08:00

"Why not?" I said to myself. Might as well make another post. Talked with the Tree Farm from Belgium today. We're trying out the new Skype internet phone stuff and I can tell ya the phone quality pretty much sucks. It's ok Skype to a regular phone but computer to computer it just aint cutting it unless you're into a huge feedback echo. It's like being at the back of a huge arena concert with the sound echoing in and out

So the Bone did pretty well over there in rainy nasty Belgium. I was stoked to see him pull off staying in the race let alone hit the top 10. He lolly gags along when it's like that over but but boots in over with the Euros? What's up with that. Anyway I was really stoked to see Tonkin in the top 25. I mean that's huge for a guy that puts in 60 hours in a bike shop for the big part of the year. (Shameless plug her for Sellwood Cycle Repair in Portland, OR. That's Tonkin's shop and if you're in the hood you should go see him). The Caveman out there givin 'er with all the high paid big dogs and young guys is pretty hot. Barry pulled out after three laps. I hope he's feeling ok otherwise I might wonder if Santa Cruz is making him a bit soft. But I know Barry and he's going to uncork one at Worlds.

We're getting ready to hit the Kona 24hrs In the Old Pueblo in Tucson. It should be a good time. We're headed down with the full demo rig, a media team and a rag tag half ass Kona team. It should be a good time. Todd from Epic Rides has been great to work with and it's going to be great to check it all out in the cold desert and be a part of it all.

Peace Out,

Marko

Marko in summer time on the Wonderland.
That's What I'm thinking of!

2007-01-20T20:07:00.000-08:00

Yeah, it's been a long time. But hey we all get busy and there is tons to catch up on so here we go. Fitting it's about time for me to fire this here ole blog again since it was this time last year it started with the Old Goat Ride my annual B'day ride post. The ride is just around the corner coming up here January 27th, 2007. I'm looking forward to a good long muddy ride with some buds.

There's tons to share too on the whole Kona team front. What a crazy year. 7 National Champions, World Cup Overall Winner, Triple Crown-USA National Championship and a District Ride Winner to boot. It's nuts trying to keep up with all the good things our team has been doing.

Right now we got guys Barry, Ryan and Erik T. over in Belgium getting ready to battle at worlds. Matson is wrenching for the US team. Pretty cool, I bet he's working his ass off as I type. Man I wish I was going but I'll have to watch afar this year. It's been really nice to get some family time in and the travel season is coming up here shortly.

We've had tons of snow in B'ham this year. Nothing compare to places that really get snow but for us it's been a lot and when you aren't really set up for it gets old sooner than later. The roads have been crazy and really slowed the riding some. I get pretty stir crazy with it after a while. So do the kids and wife so now all the snow is gone and it's all good.

So, I had a great cross ride today. The perfect mix of pavement and Greenways. I tell ya Bellingham has it good. There are miles and miles of trail that link up through the city and the cyclocross bike is the perfect machine for it. It was sunny and tons of folks were out. They were all smiling. It was cool too see all the people out and about, getting some exercise, taking in the view or playing at the park. It was a good day.

That's it for now.

Peace Out,

Marko

2006-04-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

Sea Otter, Plane Flights the World Champ and more. Whoa what a bunch of craziness in Monterey, in between and since! It's been a while since the last update but my time flies.

Sea Otter once again was the typical watch the West and hope the clouds don't let loose. Well they already had been and that made for a complete mudfest. Yeah you've heard the racers whine about it but let me tell ya it aint no picnic for the wrench and the rest of the team.

Right down to Trebon's mud caked baggy shorts from the STX, sitting in the middle of the trailer floor...(By the way Bone they're hanging in your locker stewing nicely and waiting for you in Fontana.)

For the most part events like this with so many people, adverse weather and the general free for all that ensues all you hope for organized chaos at best. We're pretty good at that so it was biz as usual at the Kona Compound. The keg taps worked great all week-end so that was a real plus. Thanks Kona Brewing Company!

Seeing the whole team in one spot is really cool too. It's not often all the Kona teams hang in the same place and it was killer to see them all again. The Velo-Bella Kona gals kept it going all week-end and they sure brought some serious fun to the equation. I got to play driver for Gibby during the photo shoot for the road team and I tell ya those gals are a hoot & cool!

Maybe I'll post some more on this later. Well maybe.

The flight back was hell. ONCE AGAIN ALASKA AIR WAS LATE! Yeah like three hours late, then could only book me on stand by and I ended up waiting forever in San Jose Airport. At least E Double D Y was stuck too and I had someone to chill with. But then I got screwed on Standby in Seatac and had to rent a car in Seattle and drive back. Lame. Like the $6 voucher to the lame SJ airport food court really made me feel more like a valued customer. Whatever.

So that's what I know for now.

Peace Out,

MP

2006-03-27T21:44:00.000-08:00

Well it's true the Fat Man Sulli himself finally made it back up here to Bellingham to ride. It was great to see him back in the hood and on two wheels, at least most the time.Sulli cruised into town and we had an truly old school posse with Fryar, EVL, Danny Boy, BO, Mellick & Jeff rolling out after many espresso shots from Big Red. Sulli convinced me to buy Big Red the Straight 6 of espresso machines way back when he was leaving town. It's about the only good advice I ever got from him. It was great to see the Sulli Man still riding strong and talking smack with that fine flair. But along the way he could only lament the lack of trails in Nor Cal where he lives now. They are clawing for a SINGLE trail to be open to bikes in 36,000 acres of public land. The outcome is still dicey at best. And he was green with envy of all the sweet singletrack we have in this fine place we call home. Hail to the WHIMPs he bellowed with a fair chunk of pride as we descended the Candy oh so sweet. Crazy to think I went on my first ride with Sulli almost 20 years a go now in 1988. I never could really recall who was actually on that ride because of the suffering that was involved. I know for sure it was Sulli, Joe Murray, Chef Woerne and I think Alex Stieda was there too. Oh man that ride hurt. But no matter how you slice it riding with the guy that really helped start it all in these here parts is always cool and a reminder we got it good. Peace, MP

2006-03-23T19:02:00.000-08:00

Wow, it's been a really long time since I posted on the blog. Lots of really cool stuff has happened in the meantime and not in the least heading to Cross Worlds in Zeddam NED to see the Kona team turn some crank. While the whole Kona crew didn't have a super good day over there Ann Knapp showed once again she is the cross Queen of N. America beating Lyne Bessette and everyone else from our side of the pond.

Wicknasty had a great ride going but flatted then ran into a post and busted a shifter cable. My man Tonkin had one of the three worst rides of his career. But he gave 'er till the end and the crowd loved him for it. Dubs Simms just couldn't find the legs all day but she will seek redemption this next year on the mtb bike for Velo Bella-Kona then Kona Factory for CX. Me well I shot some great photos and drank a bunch of beer with nutso Belgiand and Dutch folks who were outshined by the Portland Cross Crusade Crowd.

After Muffin Man's and other trip in Amsterdam I was a bit worried they weren't going to live up to the hype but they rallied the beer tents for sure. I figure they're redeemed in my book. I'll say this now just so they have to come through. They year end Gran Prix CX party in Portland after next years season will go down in history.

I gots other updates coming soon. The old man Sulli was in town my Man and my good bro Rocky the Wildabeast is bailing town. But not before we got in a great super old school ride on some Hush Hush singletrack before he left.

PEACE,

MP

PS: My pick for gutty ride of the week-end goes to Rooooody.

2006-01-16T21:39:00.000-08:00

The Old Goat Rides on. And what a ride it was for sure and what a posse we had. For years now the ole Soulmaster has been having the annual Old Goat Birthday ride so named for me now the Old Goat and also being Capricorn. I'm not old yet but someday before I dare imagine, that there old age thing is going to set it. But it aint yet and half the fun of this ride is diggin' the fact we're all pretty young and most all of us still riding' tough.

Over the years the Old Goat has seen groups of big and small but this year was the biggest by far with a trail gang of 18. Imagine that smack on in a record breaking stretch of rain, which I think stands now at 30 days straight, all these folks showing up to ride. Amazing what a peak a boo view of the sun and free Espresso will do to lure out the trail hounds. But whatever it made me feel pretty good ya know Almost As Tall like feeling to have all the bros and sis's around to rally.

So we all powered up on the Spro a bit too much and got the whirlies (my name for being way to beaned out) had our shop sundries and rolled out. Trail of 18 Dirt Pigs rallying up the switchbacks of the climb. It was cool to hear all the different conversations going. The Wildabeast rappin' with JC. DC at the back shootin' video, the Kona Clan spread all out and all the rabble and rouse in between shootin the breeze. Bunch of Dirt Pigs out for good times.

As is the way on the Old Goat I put together a route of the nastiest greasy single track I could find. Being it's January in the Northwest you might as well embrace reality right? It going to rain so go with it learn to love the mud. And with all the rain the mountain did not disappoint.

I was pretty surprised at how good all the old school trails like the Three Pigs were for heading up. But it was still pretty heinous especially for the Single Speeders. It's nice to make them suffer once and again on the climbs too cuz they kick my ass on so many others. Ya know what I like about Single Speeders ? They never bitch about their one gear whether they are spinning out, pushing up or just rallying-a-long. At least not with the geared geeks around. Every now and then you can hear them whisper stuff off in the bushes together like I really should have grabbed a 17t or what the hell ever stuff like that though.

But they had nothing on SUPER DAVE. Talk about ride of the day. See SUPER DAVE busted his 15 year old hand me down Syncros Aluminum two bolt seat post on the oldest of old school trails the Lost Giants. I guess pretty proper place for it to give up the ghost. We all bummed for a bit and I offerred for him to roll back to my pad and pull a post out of one of my rigs. But he said all like ahhhh well I'll just see how far I can roll it out. DAMN if SUPER DAVE didn't rally the whole remaining 3/4 of the ride 2 hours plus, minus seat a post. That's right, Towers Road, Wonderland, Oly, 187, Cabin all DAVE ALL DAY. SUPER DAVE RULES! Old Goat history made there no doubt!

That's just but a bit of the fun we were having that day. It didn't rain the whole ride and their was this really weird blue thing above our heads. We think it may have been the sky. Been raining so long we're not sure. Along the route we all had different stuff to do and folks split off at different times. Lots of folks off to start the beers flowing for the Seahawks game (they won) and others off to kid duty.

By the end of it all the crew was down to about eight and it was all just flowing. Sweet Singletrack at high speed with not much of a care. Me and old Shit Ball Assembly Guy (SAG) were just railing it with me doing my best impression of the Eddy lines I learned. I was totally sketchy at best on the Intestine full two wheel drifting waiting for traction. Couple of times I was getting a bit "creative" with the lines and I could hear Odie and Marteeen hooting behind.

It was super cool everyone showed up. Big thanks to them all for making another Old Goat ride one to remember. Can't hardly wait till next year.

It was a lot like old times but new like and still really, really good.

Damn I love bikes.

Peace,

MP

2006-01-07T19:22:00.000-08:00

It's good to read the boys in Monaco are doing well. Trebon even sent me a note saying thanks for getting them set up in the dope Kona pad in Monaco. Of course Russ Carty of Kona Europe was a help to them too making sure they got in there ok. Here in the Pac NW yes it's still raining. We had two days of broken clouds but it is back to downright pissing again. But I got back out on the bike as usual. I have too. Next Saturday is my annual Birthday ride and I gotta to keep somewhat fit to keep up with Shit Ball Assembly Guy, Wildabeast, Fast Eddy, Slow Dale and the rest of the posse.

But I know how to keep them in check for the most part. I find the greasiest nastiest single track and that becomes the up route. At least there my old age and wisdom (and the occaisional well timed brake check) keeps me at the front. But for the most part they are all pretty respectful of the old man Marko. That or they are way too wired from all the Espresso and can't keep their balance at such a slow pace.

It sure is good to get all the posse back together again at least once a year. We meet at my pad, drink copius amounts of Spro and head for the trails. It's always especially good to see Shit Ball Assembly Guy. He used to wrench for me back in the day when I was managing a bike shop. When he came to us he was a poor lost soul riding a MT. Shasta Pachanga Comp with the seat post fused in one spot.

You see I was building the brand new Paramount S90 with the new Sountour XC Pro 8 Speed stuff and SAG was off to a to get another Scwhinn Woodlands or something. He was all bummed out on assembling $300 Schwinn High Plains and was feeling all unappreciated.And me with my all knowing tact ribbed right into him saying "Yeah right EA, you're just a shit ball assembly guy to me...." Somehow the name stuck.

But now he kicks my ass. For years I was the Soulmaster MP and he the Grasshopper. I'll not forget the first day he schooled me. A good day and a bad day all rolled into one. I guess what can you expect from the guy that introduced me to my wife.

But ole Shitball Assembly Guy (SAG) earned my respect for good one day. See I've never seen my buddy the Wildabeast ever get pissed. But SAG had the farts soooooo bad from too many beers at the 3B and he was just killing us all in the shop. Finally Wildabeast with all sincerity and aggression I've ever seen from him said if SAG didn't go fart outside he was going to kick his ass.

Then he promptly showed him a scooter that from there forward was known as the fart scooter. And he was damn serious about making sure the thing was ridden out the front door before flatulance was commenced. SAG always had this silly smile on his face as he scooted out to front door to break wind especially as he scooted past the college babes hanging out in the coffee shop that was part of the shop.

Ohhh those were the days....well maybe not but they sure are good to remember once and again. Now I gotta go lube my rear derailleur cable so I can ride tomorrow. It has become so sticky I fear I'll bust my shifter trying to change gears. Nothing like the Pacific NW....at least we get to ride all year long.

Ta Ta For now.

Peace,

Parole Officer MP

2006-01-03T20:17:00.000-08:00

So my boys got a blog. I figured I might as well get on going too. I can't let them always have the fun. I mean here I am in the lovely Pacific Northwest watching it rain at least as much as there in Belgium. Sure it's 40 degrees and raining a scant 4 degrees above what they are whining about but none-the-less I aint laying around the house playing video game after getting a shot in the ass of killer pain meds.

Somewhere along the way someone needs to tell it from the other side of the fence. You know all of us guys that make it happen for the racer geeks. Guys like Matson the mechanic that has to drink beer like a champion all night long, puke his guts out and and still make his way out to the race site at dark thirty AM so he can adjust Ryan's front brake for the 15th time or Barry tire pressure to 33lbs.......

Guys like me that have to party all night long pretending to be interested in Liberty Mutual Insurance hoping they may one day want to sponsor the cool racer (just kidding Liberty if you're reading) kids of Barry and Ryan. So yeah here I am on the other side of the fence shoutin' out for my bros on this side.

Sometimes those racer guys are so self centered they won't even take a bike in the pits all race long. It's like a cruel joke. Ya know I could be in the beer tent and here I am holding Ryan's bike, or Barry', or Tonkin's, or Ann's (but she's the best) or Wendy's pretending to look cool.

Sometimes we even have to brawl with officials like at this past natz. Come on were they serious about the elite men starting 14 wide in the start chute because the UCI points were UN DEMOCRATIC.....you gotta be kidding me. So yeah I bitched to get it 8 wide. Of course I didn't even tell Ryan what was up because I knew he'd get even more uptight. Or like standing on the start line looking at McCormick without a spot on the start chute without a spot that wasn't anything but ice. So in my sneaky ass way I just had my boyz and McCormick roll up 20 feet so at least the front line could start on pavement. Mr. official was none too happy but.....Ohhh the things we do for the team.

But I digress I mean really how hard can it be travelling all around Europe racing bikes. Sure theres' some training time in the saddle but enough with the whining already. So here I am getting ready for the first day back and work and the impending foozball (or table soccer as they call in Euroland..Or is that table football) match with the Dan of the Dan and Jake here at Kona USA. And sure enough he starts giving me grief about my sissy boys wanting to use the Kona apt. in Monaco.

Yeah I guess they knew better than to ask me, the Parole Officer, cuz they knew I give 'em the ration they deserve along with telling them to keep their damn bikes upright. Yes, that's right boys the rubber side goes on the bottom not the top or side.

But for the most part these Twin Timbers just set me up for the 16 month old twin boys I have here at home. Jah help me if they turn out like them....A pretty boy and a clown tall as trees looking to do nothing but race bikes. Sometimes I think the toddlers are easier to deal with. Cuz if you're not careful before you know it they'll be posing like hookers at an IMBA benefit during Sea Otter. No joke and they still owe me the photo to prove it (and my share of the $$ as team manager).

So this is the first post of the Almost As Tall blog. Letting you all know the other side of the game. You know things like sluttin' for sponsorship to keep these guys on sweet bikes and on the circuit. Barry at least has the manners to say thanks once and again in his race write ups. I think he might even mean it. To be fair to Ryan he did send me a text message once promising me he won't get 2nd at Nationals in Rhode Island again (it better be 1st next time bud) and saying thanks for dinner.

So that's all for now. Now I gotta go continue my plea for Kona to send me to Worlds in the Netherlands cuz the Twin Towers already took all the money....no Dan it's not because Amsterdam is the easiest way to get there. No really the boyz might need my help....If Jiri will let me get within 500 yards of them. But really it's my girls that I'll be there to watch Wendy and Ann are going to kick some ass. You boyz better too or else.....

Peace Out,

Parole Officer MP