Day 1: Arrival to Las Vegas
On the shuttle bus to my hotel room, even with the Ipod at full volume, I couldnt help hearing the other passengers excitement at the bright lights and the spectacle of the city, by design of the city fathers. This is the Vegas people dream about, where every indulgence can be easily scratched.
But this wasnt my first trip to Las Vegas, or my tenth. The tenet that gambling is a sin apparently was not part of my familys morality, as I spent a memorable summer vacation as a 10 year old running around Circus Circus as my father went on his biggest winning streak. I myself had a very good week 15 years later, and I was forced to lend my father $500 so he could continue giving my inheritance to our casino.
I dont like to travel but I do like living in interesting places. After many years in New York City, New Orleans, and now San Francisco; the spectacle that is the Vegas Strip is lost on a jaded soul like myself. I felt a little embarassed hearing the gushings of the other passengers.
But my thoughts were on the bench in front of Yuba Expeditions in Downieville. I spent many pleasurable hours sitting on the road facing that bench, avoiding the SUVs and other large vehicles as they rumble towards the bridge over the Yuba River. I was usually eating a sandwich or drinking a beer, preparing myself for another ride to the bottom, and I would be surrounded with friends and other compatriots. People on that sidewalk were my brothers and sisters.
I do like to gamble and I have enjoyed the spectacle myself. Vegas is not the worst place to visit (Tulsa is). But my pursuits here are lonely ones, whether I am walking the promanadeds or at the gambling tables. I rather be with my friends, riding.
Day 2 Dirt Demo
I have worked in five shops in the last twenty years but this is my first Interbike. In comparison, my co-worker Mikey, despite being born after I started working in the industry, has been to three.
Some of the gloss of a show like this is lost on me. I dont need to ride a hundred bikes to sell them, and it has been somewhat of a pain to even get a bike during Dirt Demo.
My day has been split in half. During the day, I was in the desert riding. At night, in the casino. Besides the obvious difference in milieu, what struck me is the walls and barriers Vegas throws at an independent person.
I took the monorail back to my hotel. I was tired and I went into energy conservation mode, where every step and misstep matters. Instead of trudging thru two humungo hotels, I went thru the Expo tunnel where the Interbike shuttles busses met. I realized then there was no entrance to the monorail from the street! Not exactly pedestrian friendly.
Bootleg Canyon was a great place to ride. I was not able to get on every trail because not suprisingly, it is hard to get bikes when they are free to everyone. My advice to anyone: be efficient and take any bike available.
Pics from Dirt Demo:
Santa Cruz 1.5 headtube
Haderer Chillin'
Haderer Chillin' with the Santa Cruz team
Commencal
Ibis
Intense
Foes
Niner
On the shuttle bus to my hotel room, even with the Ipod at full volume, I couldnt help hearing the other passengers excitement at the bright lights and the spectacle of the city, by design of the city fathers. This is the Vegas people dream about, where every indulgence can be easily scratched.
But this wasnt my first trip to Las Vegas, or my tenth. The tenet that gambling is a sin apparently was not part of my familys morality, as I spent a memorable summer vacation as a 10 year old running around Circus Circus as my father went on his biggest winning streak. I myself had a very good week 15 years later, and I was forced to lend my father $500 so he could continue giving my inheritance to our casino.
I dont like to travel but I do like living in interesting places. After many years in New York City, New Orleans, and now San Francisco; the spectacle that is the Vegas Strip is lost on a jaded soul like myself. I felt a little embarassed hearing the gushings of the other passengers.
But my thoughts were on the bench in front of Yuba Expeditions in Downieville. I spent many pleasurable hours sitting on the road facing that bench, avoiding the SUVs and other large vehicles as they rumble towards the bridge over the Yuba River. I was usually eating a sandwich or drinking a beer, preparing myself for another ride to the bottom, and I would be surrounded with friends and other compatriots. People on that sidewalk were my brothers and sisters.
I do like to gamble and I have enjoyed the spectacle myself. Vegas is not the worst place to visit (Tulsa is). But my pursuits here are lonely ones, whether I am walking the promanadeds or at the gambling tables. I rather be with my friends, riding.
Day 2 Dirt Demo
I have worked in five shops in the last twenty years but this is my first Interbike. In comparison, my co-worker Mikey, despite being born after I started working in the industry, has been to three.
Some of the gloss of a show like this is lost on me. I dont need to ride a hundred bikes to sell them, and it has been somewhat of a pain to even get a bike during Dirt Demo.
My day has been split in half. During the day, I was in the desert riding. At night, in the casino. Besides the obvious difference in milieu, what struck me is the walls and barriers Vegas throws at an independent person.
I took the monorail back to my hotel. I was tired and I went into energy conservation mode, where every step and misstep matters. Instead of trudging thru two humungo hotels, I went thru the Expo tunnel where the Interbike shuttles busses met. I realized then there was no entrance to the monorail from the street! Not exactly pedestrian friendly.
Bootleg Canyon was a great place to ride. I was not able to get on every trail because not suprisingly, it is hard to get bikes when they are free to everyone. My advice to anyone: be efficient and take any bike available.
Pics from Dirt Demo:
Santa Cruz 1.5 headtube
Haderer Chillin'
Haderer Chillin' with the Santa Cruz team
Commencal
Ibis
Intense
Foes
Niner
