..SURPRISE SPONTANEOUS YAMAGUCHI FRAME BUILDING SCHOOL COURSE!!!
I swear I'm not shitting you either! I am actually in Rifle Colorado right now attending the Yamaguchi frame building course!!
A not so mighty section of the Colorado River..
I was originally planning on attending the May session but as it happens, I'm fucking here now! The crazy thing is that I had no idea about any of this happening so soon until about 2 pm Monday afternoon..
I was fucking around yesterday trying to gather up some cash for this May. The last time I talked to Barbara (Kiochi's wife) a couple weeks before, she was saying how she was surprised that they hadn't had as many people registering for their class this year. There was a good 6-7 slots still open so I felt like, okay, no huge pressure. Then I'm getting ready to finalize things when I look online schedule and somehow it all completely filled up! I was utterly shocked and devastated at the same time after being denied last year due to the classes filling up extra super early. I called Barbera again asking what was up and she was just as surprised as I was at how it all suddenly filled up like that. She told me she would keep me at the top of the list in case someone cancelled. Unless.. Unless of course I came right now..
Turns out the class was full but two people had to cancel for personal reasons that suddenly arose. Leaving them hanging with two spots open. I told her that I would have to consult with my bank (by bank I mean parents) about getting a super sick fast loan to see if I could make it happen or not. I mean, shit, it was either that or I had to wait another fucking year! Pride swallowed, moving on..
Fortunately the paperwork was pushed through with lightening speed and I was off to the airport just in time to make the last flight out to Denver. Making reservations all the way up until the captain told us to cut that shit out! I was in such a huge rush because the class had already started that day and if I wanted to get the most out of the course, I really needed to show up Tuesday morning..
Fortunately the paperwork was pushed through with lightening speed and I was off to the airport just in time to make the last flight out to Denver. Making reservations all the way up until the captain told us to cut that shit out! I was in such a huge rush because the class had already started that day and if I wanted to get the most out of the course, I really needed to show up Tuesday morning..
I landed at midnight and hopped in rental car not at all mentally prepared to make the 4 hour drive AT NIGHT WITH NO OTHER MOTORISTS ANYWHERE IN SIGHT 99% OF THE TIME WITH NO STREET LIGHTS ANYWHERE THROUGH 8,000'+ ELEVATIONS ON SWERVY ASS SNOWY STEEP ROADS.. SCARIEST. DRIVE. EVER!!! All by my fucking self out there flying through corners I could barely see half asleep. First time I saw a 75mph speed limit sign and wasn't super stoked to go just a little bit faster anyways..
In any case I made it safe and sound and hit the sack around 5am only to find myself on Kiochi's doorstep 4 hours later. Once again, not mentally prepare for the onslaught of the most egregious amount of bike porn EVER. So fucking kick fucking ass!!
So yeah, I'm pretty stoked right now and you should be too since I intend to photograph the living shit out of his place and hopefully the surrounding area over the next couple of weeks. The class ends on Friday the 22nd and I'm thinking I'll be flying out the following Sunday. Leaving Saturday the 23rd for some proper galavanting. If you're from Denver and or the surrounding area, def give a shout out and let me know what's worth scoping out while I'm here..
TIME. FOR. BED..
15 comments:
WOW you made it! I'm your royal reader and your tribute to Hetchins really inspires me a lot. Hope to see your frames spreading all over the world soon.
wtf?! that's amazing.
Awesome dude. Stoked to see what you come out of there with!
Bike-wise, definitely check out the Rene Herse shop in Boulder.
Damn dude! Have fun! I need to stop by your place when you get back.
when you're in rifle there's a cute thai place to eat at, but not much else. go to Glenwood on the bus (it's pretty close by) and visit the natural hot springs and steam caves and Doc Holiday's grave.
Livin the dream mf'r! Way to make it happen- sleep when yer dead!
If you are in Boulder on a Thursday night, come to the Thursday Night Cruiser Ride. Old school cruiser bikes, frankenbikes, burning man art bikes, costumes, PBR and margaritas. Lots of fun.
www.happythursday.org
heck yeah!
Way to grab the bull by the balls! Let me know if you need to borrow a bike or a place to crash in Denver, you lucky bastard. There is a Farmers Market in Boulder on Saturday mornings that is pretty good and it is close to Vecchio's on Pearl St which has some awesome bikes on the wall.
Dude, you get yourself into the raddest situations somehow. Anyways, If you have days on the backside of the course where you aren't doing much and you want to ride, let me know. I am about 1/3 of the way from Denver International to Rifle, right at the base of the mountains, so the riding is great around here.
Also, if you have a day or two before going back (or even one night) and want to rage in Denver, I would be honored to guide you to the finest dive bars and dispensaries Denver has to offer.
Thanks for all the great comments and suggestions fellas! Def having a great time out here. I'll be leaving next Friday to head back to Denver most likely so I should be in town for a day or so. Be sure to get at me some time next week!
1.juggalos sell weed at the skatepark.
2.do not trust the winchester hotel's continental breakfast.
3.holy shit does this make me want to go back and spend two weeks with him again. probably the best thing i have ever done. have a blast man.
I've been in denver for about three months now and know a fair amount of what's up...there's an event in Greely called the Bike Battle. Just a more laid back version of any alleycat weekend style event. http://greeleyrevolution.blogspot.com/p/bike-battle-ii.html
I haven't been to the Herse revival shop yet, but I'd imagine you'd wet yourself upon seeing it given the contents.
I like a lot of the above suggestions, and would also recommend University Cycles in Boulder, less than a kilometer west of Vecchio's, as a great place to see vintage race bikes, from the 1930's up. In Denver, Salvagetti, just a short distance west of downtown, is the center of the singlespeed scene and probably the coolest bike store.
Aspen's pretty sweet. If you make it up there on your way back to Denver, go ahead and go over Independence Pass because it's pretty mind-blowing terrain (and an *awesome* descent on a fast bike: how often do you get to pass Porsches?)
Post a Comment