Recent content by PedalUma

Just think, the equinox is only two-and-a-half weeks away. Halfway to Summer.

I was installing some brakes today when the new and unusual pads took a direct hit of mineral oil. I washed them off with a bunch of Dawn water. Then I soaked them in some gin. Then I took them outside and hit them with automotive brake cleaner then I lit them on fire. Sanded them and lit them...

They can attack a full sized mountain goat, tossing it off a clif. We have a lot of grain elevators that attract hundreds of pigeons. That has attracted a breeding pair of peregrine falcons. It is amazing to see the burst of feathers.

A vulture found a run over large rat a few days ago as I was riding by four-feet away when crows attract it in a coordinated maneuver. The vulture was at least four times the size but didn't stand a chance.

A Brooks is an acquired taste. I ride them. No freshman sorority girls like $150 wine. A Brooks is like that, an acquired taste. The boulevard saddle sold from Bontrager is nice. I am all for freshman girls. No offence intended. If they drink $12 wine and exploit me, I would learn in therapy to...

Corvids. I am going to pass occasional treats to crows so they will recognize me and track me. Better that than an app. A raven likes to look at his reflection peck it and talk to himself. The redwood forest crows speak a different language that involves 3-D echolocation descriptions of things...

In the early 1980's I would spend some time in the state capitol, Sacramento. I am reading a book today that is mostly about California politics and stuff I have not thought about in decades is coming back. One of the things a politician taught me then is that it is Okay to be seen holding a...

Lobsters are insects and are rare in the Pacific where they have claws that are only about 6mm wide. But we do have Dungeness crab. You eat it with melted butter and sourdough, with a crisp unoaked white. Maybe I am insensitive but they are underwater spiders and also delicious. Sea otters eat...

People would eat acorns here. It took a leaching process to get rid of the tannins. It is sort of like making olives. Squirrels bury nuts yet have imperfect memories. That plants more trees to help their great grandchildren. Did you know that squirrels eat baby birds? Tons. The best dog toy ever...

You get what you get when you gopher it. Bill Murray could have used one in Caddyshack. There is a dog park that has gophers. It looks like dogs are in prayer when they watch a hole with total devotion.

Most oaks around here are evergreens and around early October they drop thousands of acorns. Ducks waddle up from the river to hang out under the trees to wait for a nut to fall and then to swallow them whole. They will do that all day to fatten up for the Winter. They are very cute and I would...

This place it truly weird. Winter is a combination of Fall and Spring. This photo is from today of a white oak. It is next to a crabapple in full bloom.

Makes sense. If you are already upside down and driving on the wrong side of the road.

It snowed last night. The fluffy white stuff. It's all over the place, a huge effing mess. I had to shovel it. It undermined my ride time, big time. I can't let this crap crimp my style. I am hosting an all ages kite flying picnic in the wildflowers in two weeks. I can't wait. Forth annual...