Photos From J.C.

Justin at http://southernvelo.org/ took these photos a while back when I was riding the Bridgestone as a fixie. He takes some great shots. 

Destroy Polo Practice: Cody from David Hoffnung on Vimeo.
Highlights from last Sunday's bike polo game, where Cody was certainly player of the day.  He had a pretty spectacular crash, and then despite saying he'd been psyched-out by it, came back to win a five-point game on his own. More people need to come give this a try. I always leave the court feeling a bit surprised by how much fun we have.

Destroy Video Teaser

Just started playing with cameras. Mounting all over the bike you get a neat perspective of the movements. Enjoy the teaser.

Life On A Bike Is A Journey, Of Course; Like Learning A Martial Art

After all that I have been through, testing my beliefs, and persevering to the place I am in Mind, Body, and Spirit; I accept that the bicycle has become a conduit for me. A tool in seeking balance and a simple way to truly enjoy life. It's become a gratifying discipline that must be exercised every day of my life. It gets easier all the time. The idea that 'practice makes perfect' is selling it short. Practice makes you better. Once it's easy, its time to take it to another level. Now im not talking about breaking speed records, or making it into the pro Tours, or X-Games. I'm talking about capabilities that will be applied in many aspects of LIFE. First it was riding to work. Then it was riding over a mountain.Then it was to keep going far. Then it was preparedness, including, but not limited to; mental awareness, responsibly maintaining a reliable machine, feeding active needs, etc. Maybe the most important point is testing self reliance. Now I am refining and learning new handling skills. These are all things I think about every day. Aristotle is quoted in saying -We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. I don't know about excellence, but i do know about perseverance. If my goal is to be aware and balanced, I guess thats what I aim to excel in, Building good habits. That, my friend, is what the bicycle lifestyle is for me. Experience life. My outlook is that I want to LOVE LIFE A LOT. I can't sit still and watch life pass by. I can't let others do work for me. If you love life, don't waste time, for time is what life is made up of. Yeah, Bruce Lee is right. NOW is the time i must pursue. NOW is the time I know I have. NOW is when the life i wanna love is happening. The bike can be anything else to anybody else. Some of my friends wish to master things like, photography, food, music, carpentry, and business. Find what you love and pursue it with a passion. Have goals. Learn from failure. I had a particularly bad bike crash a few years ago that nearly took my life. I learned more through that experience than any other event in my life. I took a lot from it. Some of the touring riders i put big miles down with have kinda been scoffing at my fixed gear, my tricks, and my commuting. This is my progression and i am not some kid at the skatepark boasting about how bad-ass street tricks are. Showing off is the fool's idea of glory.  'No loitering beyond this point' - has become a motto for me to live by. Gotta keep it moving. Gotta keep life fresh. Progression is my only direction.

Rain Falls as I Pedal

So, looks like winter may finally be giving way to spring. Don't get too excited unless you love rain, cuz thats what were in for. I personally don't mind the winter if I'm geared and although refreshing at times, I find spring showers to be a  warm tease leading to summer nights. Nevertheless I continue my car-free quest. This year is a bit different in that im better prepared than seasons of old. I guess just to make sure, i should be double checking my list.

• Underarmor base layer-check
• bib shorts and tights-check
• thin wool socks (i wear them year round)-double check
• Tasty vintage jerseys-check
• the Weather Channel. know what your in for and when. Just because its a rainy day doesnt mean you must get caught in the heaviest windiest part of it all. Timing is sometimes a big key role. -check
• rear fender that will fit all my bikes-check
• neoprene booties-check
• now this next one was a christmas gift from my lady friend, i probably wouldnt have bought one for myself, but its so badass that i dont ever wanna go without it, and if u can getcha one go for it, and that is thermal/windproof/water resistant l/s LG jersey jacket. not only does it work, but i feel like Johnny Quest or Velo-Batman or whatever when im wearing it.-check
• Waterproof overtrousers that easily fit over lycra, but over jeans and whatever else too. -check
• Headband to cover my floppy lobes-check
• Wrap around shades-check
• Headlight with a high/wide beam combo-check
• full finger gloves-check
• waterproof bag. I like the rolltop packs by Chrome Bags. -check
• My 86' Bridgestone-check
• time investment to keep my tasty steel and vintage drivetrains from gettin all gunked up.-check
• the nerve to just go for it-check

So now that you have seen my checklist, maybe its time to be working on your own checklist. With all your bases covered you dont have to be that guy driving instead of riding, and falling back on weak excuses. Instead you could be that dude who isnt afraid to commit to riding in all conditions, even if its those consecutive April showers. Oh, and another little note. Some people <---hipsters....... hate on tech gear when urban riding. My guess is that they never tried it. If LG and other high end riding gear companies provide their products for the pro peleton, think of how effective it must be. It becomes urban when worn with the right attitude. Try this shiz out. I doubt you will go back to riding in the rain in a hoodie ever again.

A short video of riding around town.