Sycamore, Center, Moffit Lake

Leave me house at 6:30 am Sat. if yer interested. Ride too Sycamore from the house via downtown pavetrail, hit the out and back, then head back to the Center for a loop, then on too Moffit Lake via pavetrail, gravel, and double track, then home. All done before noon so I start putting the baby bed together, and finish mowing:)


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No Racing this Weekend:(

or the rest of the month. My PO has informed me that if I get me fine payed off I'll get let off WWWAAAAYYYY early:) This is good.....like 14 months early good:) Looks like I'll be riding though, Sat. morning I'll be leaving early for some gravel goodness. Thinking I'll head down so Summerset Lakes and jump on the pavetrail there.....not sure to where, 4 plus hrs. though.

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Badger's come'n to Iowa

Rob Pennel, the "MAN" behind Badger Cycles is almost a 100% sure he's coming to the Iowa State Championships, as I just got off the phone with him. Looks like he and I will be kicking back some cold ones on Sat. night (once again if he makes the trip) at me casa, thats Single Speed carb loading for Sunday's race. A little carb loading and I'm sure we'll hit the Center for a loop. Take a look at Rob's newest route for the pleasure of two wheel'd riding. I'm still having problems with my fucking chain jumping off, looks like the Spartacus Pro's are going on Teri's single speed roady rig and the shimano's are going on the Monkey for now. We'll just have to wait and see.


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How "Not" too wear a Helmet:)

This is too funny as I'm sure we've all seen one or almost all of them while out tooling around.

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Pro Ink......Kinda:)

I've been swapping e-mails with Marla Streb about her Single Speed Championship tattoo, so the other day I get this one back with this pic:)


"Here's a shot-you can kind of see the tattoo..."

www.marlastreb.com
blogs on www.mountainzone.com




Marla & Nico (Nicoya)


As you can see the last thing you want to look at is the "KINDA" shot of the tattoo. I found myself staring at Nico wondering what our little bundle of joy too be will look like. Everytime I now see a little girl with her daddy I almost tear up with this overwhelming joy knowing just how close to being a father I really am:) Of course I sent Marla a thank you and a ps of could I get a close up of the tattoo next time:)


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Iowa State Championships

Looks like I'll be able to throw down on Sunday after all. I have to work at noon, but the Single Speed mates go off at 10am. We're only doing 2 laps which means when I finish I have to boogie ass back to Des Moines to work. Oh well I just hope I can keep me chain on, I really need to get some MTB SS wheels for me Monkey.


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Scientific Equation Cycling Ink

Fp - (Fa+Fs+Fr+Fb) = ma

The propulsion force of the rider (Fp) counteracted by air speed (a), slope (s), rolling resistance (r), and bump resistance (b, since when hitting a bump we lose energy going over the bump that we do not regain coming down the other side). All of this equals the acceleration of mass (ma).

DQ



I'm sure Donny will have to explain this one alot:)

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Rassy Bandito's

Greg, Donny, Me, Matt.....Sterling also had one done, he was racing during the photo shoot:)


Greg Rasmussens "Eye Bike"


I've went and created a monster in the shop, now everyone is getting ink slung:)


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Makes Sense, Check it Out

Check out all the info. at Kill A Cyclist


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Pavetrail, Gravel , and Single Track Today

Getting in 50 early this morning I've been drinking so much beer and riding so little I though I'd better get to enjoying it while I can. Heading out to 105th St. via pavetrail(Great Northwestern), taking 105th(rolling gravel) to the back side of Moffit Lake, around the lake on some double track, back to the city via pavement/pavetrail, then jumping into the Center Trails for a loop ending it with preaching some dirt with us CITA folks in the pool parking lot.

Tonight is Ink night at the shop......Sterling, Matt, and Greg are getting the Rassy's for lyfe tattoo. This should be entertaining:)


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MINNEAPOLIS BICYCLE FILM FESTIVAL JULY 6-8TH

I would love to hit a day or 2 of the festival along with some riding, as I've never riden up there before. This would also be much more fun with some buddies:) Now who wants to go to Minnesota for some bike loving good times??


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Taco Ride Pix

Baked not fried....me cheese was a little over baked but the rest was all good:) The Taco record is 3 full ones held by Basso and Cam, who will step up to 4?


Last nights group was a good one.


Craig, Craig, and Lebeda. Lebeda had a stiff link so we had to get that fixed, it was a one beer apiece job:)


Justin caught up to us while doing a trail side repair.

Taco Ride Pix

We now have black top from N. Valley Dr. to Pal Joey's place


Al and Homebrew waiting for us slow focker to get back to the shop, I see they didn't wait to tap the mini keg:)


Sammy looking like he's paying attention to the Cubs game, Giffs has $2 Old Style tall boys during any Cubs game. Old Style+Tacos=poopy pants


Kick'n it at Giffs, I've started to Patrol while on the Taco Ride, need to get me hours in ya know:)


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Frenzy pics. 2

A little EPO before the TT


Nate Cline leading Cam during the Expert Crit.


Cosmo can fly.....who knew:)


Mates enjoying the food and bevey's


Basso on his Monkey

Frenzy Pics.

Grelk carving the "S" in the Crit


Cam on the Hill Climb


Cool shot of this Expert during the Crit, I can't remember his name.


NooNoo gett'n some air


Cooter'd up during the Crit, MMMM dem flowers smell purdy:)


Paul Veneble took a digger in the Hill Climb on his way down through the gravel sweeper, left a nasty gash just below the knee cap. Big Basso laying him down, Paul you can keep me hanky:)

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Sunday's XC Recap

Woke up Sunday morning in my sleeping bag, it got that nice out durning the night:) Legs felt purdy good after many cups of keg beer Thanks Andy. Same routine as Sat. morning, then it was time to tear down camp and get ready for the race. I rolled into the starting area with Yerke, Abbott, and company hanging out with our kind directors. Started off by going across the gravel road to pick some fresh flowers for the days event, I just love flowers:) After this I suited up in the Camo and started putting around while many, many more folks showed up. The beginners race started at 9 bells, they were doing 1 lap. Kristen was doing her first race, thats purdy cool, so is she.

Once the beginners were done the Experts lined up on the gravel road and bolted. Next was the Single Speed mates all 4 (Todd, Brian A., another mate and me) of us, I think we started a couple minutes behind them. Todd Guiilihan was the man I had to beat, he crushed me at Waverly a few weeks back...something like 5mins:( GO!!!

I rolled out following Todd... debating when to go.... I just said fuck it in me head and opened the can on the gravel climb, hoping to get an gap early. James Brown's (Call Me) Super Bad is playing in my head, all I hear is that groove with dem horns, James is good shit ya know:). Once to the single track I look back and don't see anyone so I just keep my head down rolling those big wheels. Felt great on me first lap, only had to bail on the cycle cross double log section, which was the fastest way to get over those anyway. On my second lap I started to catch some of the Experts, and I still didn't see any of Todd. Half way through my last lap I cought up to Maharry and Alread and just about caught Grelk before the finish line. I was done in 55:06, I didn't see Todd til the end, now wheres me beer:)

Many thanks to Andy, Kristen, David and Ann for all the great work, food and beer.


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Trippen in Washington

I motored out of Des Moines around 2pm to get too Washington by 5:30. Mission accomplished as I rolled in a little after 5:15. I set up camp in the grassy starting area. Dennis Grelk rolled in about 10min. after I got there. He helped me set up the rest of camp, then we talked about going to his neck of the woods for some single track riding. Although it sounded very good I just got out of a car I really didn't want to get right back into one again. I had to decline, Dennis went on his way. After drinking a couple dark beverages I jumped on the Monkey to do a loop. Climbed all the way to the top of the hill climb to find a much better camping area, so now it was move camp and screw the ride.

I was just about set up again when Andy and Kristen rolled up the hill to say hello and why the hell are you camping up here. I thought it was obvious, there was a much better breeze up top than down in the bottom area, and I wounldn't be getting dusted from the gravel road. They decided to kick it up top too, so we had dinner and a few bevey's then it was bed time. Great night for camping just needed a sheet to cover up with.

Saturday's Triple Header

Woke up early as usual, brewed up some joe, then went for a little hike to find some blackberries for topping off me banana nut crunch. I found 7 ripe ones the rest weren't ready yet....damn it those would have been yummy:) After b-fast I through the NanoRaptors on the borrowed Monkey as conditions were perfect for this tire. I get the tire back on and notice this bone laying on the ground, I pick it up, it looks like a vertebra bone from a deer. I grab it up and zip tie it to the bars, it becomes a beautiful center piece for the weekends festivities:)


purdy huh:)

Todays race'n wear was to be me grandfathers old OshKosh bibs. I suited up and rolled down to the starting area to hang with Andy and Kristen.


taking peoples money is cool

The Time Trial started at noon with me going off second, a minute behind Andy who was first. The first climb is a bitch to say the least, I thought I might bust the handle bars wrenching on them for all the torque I could get. Once past this climb its all purdy flowy, a couple more hills, a couple logs:). I was feeling great with that pre-race Corrs in me belly and the Monkey under me ass. I finished with a 14:43 time....good enough for 3rd over all, 32 seconds behind Cam on a Single...not to bad I must say:) There was a 40 min. break before the Hill Climb was too start, plenty "O" time for a couple more Silver Bullets:) I was told this weekend by someone I can't remember that beer was like EPO to me....that was some funny shit:)

Break time over to the hill!! Andy ran this in the same order of the TT, with a rider going off and finishing before the next one was to go. I'm guessing the climb is a quarter mile up with 2 rollers in it and a sweeping gravel corner, then you loop me camp and boogie yer ass back down. If you get air off of the rollers (any air) you recieved a time bonus of 5sec. per jump.....purdy cool:) I made it up and down with 2 jumps in 1:14, which was good for 3rd and a 3 way tie in the over all. Pete, Kyle and I.

One more Corrs and we're ready for the Crit, we were to do 15mins. + 1 lap. Dominic and I took it from the start. I held his wheel for 5 laps, then it was time to back off or I wasn't going to finish. A couple more laps and Andy hands me another Corrs, I chugg as much as I can, while riding, getting the rest all over me. 2 more laps and we're done, I came in 2nd, 17 sec. behind Dominic. I'm officially done riding for the day:) Time for some dark beer:)


Sundays event coming tomorrow with more pics.

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Busy Monkey'n Around

Me very own MONKEY......hell yeah!!


Race report and pics up tomorrow now that the Monkey is built:)

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Fat Marc's Ink

This just in:

Squirell

here's my chain ring, it's actually the first granny gear off my first
mountain bike, walked into the shop and handed it to the artist. Wish I
remembered his name. He said" how about I do some shading too?" I said
sweet. I got like 12 years ago in new england. In the market for
something new, but haven't found it yet...

a couple buddies mad fun of me when 4 bolt came out, saying my leg was
gonna need an update...

rock and roll

respect
m






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Ink from da Race

Kevin McConnell


Kevin McConnell


Todd Guiilihan


Kyle Sedor


Race report coming soon, I have 80 photos to go through first.


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Loaded Up and Jeep'n:)

Well I'm ready to roll out and get me some 3 day ride'n race'n fun:) Won't have anything up till Monday mid morning. I'll leave you with this good write up about Brendt Barbur the founder of the bicycle film festival, interview and artical written by the lovely Pink Fixie, scroll down too "People may not walk in LA, but they sure do bike!". I believe our closest festival will be in Minniapolis in July but I'm not 100% on that need to check in on it:)


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New Ink 2

While I was at Danno's shop yesterday Katie and James came in to kick it. James used to work for Dan helping out and what not. Well guess what they have the heart bike tattoo, so cute.....young love is awesome to see. They came into Rassy's today checking out some MTB's for Katie and so I could snap a shot of their ink. Here ya go kiddies:)


Katies little love bike:)


James'


I should have taken the pic. with both of them touching or holding hands. No work at the day job tomorrow so its pack time, hit the P.O.'s office for permission to leave, pee in me cup, them boggie me ass right on out of town:) I'll blog ya some weekend goodness when I return:)


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WARRIORS CUP RACE JULY 15TH

Big Dean the big ass mad mo-fo/head honcho of the Psycowpath Series has asked me to let all you sick bitches in on the WARRIORS CUP RACE that is coming up in July. Clink on the link for the low down, and stay tuned for more info. coming. A pavetrail/single track mix of madness with some sawheat ass trophies, CASH, and prizes:) Camping and a pasta feed with all the good shit that comes with a primo race, lots of sawheat ass trails all around that area also for those of you willing to camp in the heat of July:)


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New Cycling Ink

This just in:

Here ya go, the Green bike dude, and the fixed for live are steves, obv. and here is my little track bike
thanks dude
russ



Russ Andersen


Steve Lambert


Steve Lambert


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Danno Rides the Center Trails

I had a 2:30 appt. with Danno today for some ink, but I left the day job early so I was there when he opened. I walk through the door and there are these 2 grandma's hanging out, one is getting her first tattoo at the young old age of 71. How fucking cool is that.......pretty damn cool if yer asking me. Just goes to show yer never too old fer the needle baby:) After slinging her, Danno wanted to go for a ride at the Center with his new SE 29'r. I said why hell yeah. He was like a little kid in a candy store just a chattering away with this big ass smile on his mug. Good shit mates. We took it nice and easy as he hasn't been out on a bike in the woods for awhile, but after today's taste he's back in the saddle. After our ride it was back to his shop for some ink and coffee:) Yeah baby!!


cruising to Denmans from my place


look at that smile:)


the SE has a 39x18 stock gear which is too big for a 29'r in the woods. I need to get a 21 for him. It was the only time he had to bail which was awesome.


take me home I'm whoop'd:)


me newest piece, chinese for squirrel.....in a nut:)


Time to go finish the battery box. QBP had already pulled me Monkey and had it on the truck so no chocolate squirrel...... oh well I'm still getting a Monkey and if I really want bacon shammy brown I can alway's have it painted:)

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Brutha Mark Elsasser (AKA ELK)

Toughing it out Single Speed Style at 24hrs of Big Bear. Photo hijacked from Mombok, I think he was pit man for another one of our midwestern 24hr supermen Cameron Chambers.

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Pink with White Poke Adots

I'm so disappionted:( me dress is too small, damn it, damn it! Thats what you get when a man goes to buy a dress, all the funny looks I was recieving from the old ladies where entertaining though. I was set to destroy the whole field this weekend with that dress, I would have had all the little boy's attention:) Oh well maybe some day I'll find me another purdy pink dress to race in:) Until then, I'll have to come up with some thing different.


This is kinda man sexy:) Picture stolen from Timmy's page, Single Speed Dream


Ordered me a black Monkey frame and fork last night before leaving the shop, and now Marco say's they'll have me chocolate squirrel one in stock on the 17th....I must call them to day to confirm. I soo want the brown one:) Getting the Monkey was just too easy, sorry Rob. I'll have custom some day......I'm an addict ya know. Jacks are now on the camper, now I just have to mount the battery box and I'm ready to load up. New ink coming today, nothing bike related though. If I keep this pace up I'll have one sleeve done before the end of July.....SAWHEAT!!! I'm going to have to buy stock in sun screen now....... Taco Ride tonight!!! Yaaayyy!!! I'm out for 2 laps, and not at Taco pace:) I'm getting a MONKEY....... haven't ya always wanted a MONKEY!!:)

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Frenzy Low Down

This just in:

Hello all,

The first stage race of the season, IMBCS #5 presented by Kia of Des
Moines is coming up this Saturday and Sunday, June 17 / 18 at Sockum
Ridge State Park, near Washington, IA. If you are not familiar with
the course at Sockum Ridge, the course has a lot of everything,
including technical singletrack, challenging climbs, fast descents
and some very fast flat sections giving a total of about 5 miles of
trail per lap for the cross country course.

From I-80 take highway 1 South to Washington, you'll have to go on
218 south for about 4 miles between 80 and 1. Continue into
Washington via highway 92, highway 1 turns into it just before
town. Drive through Washington and take a right on Iowa Ave/W-55,
there will be a Conoco on one corner and The Captain's Table on
another. Continue on this road for 5.5 miles and take a left on
305th St. I'll be on the left about a quarter mile in, there will be
signs to help direct.

Because this will be a stage race, racing will be on Saturday and
Sunday. One is not required to race on both days to receive points
for the series overall. Typical IMBCS scoring will be used for the
cross country race on Sunday. A separate scoring system will be used
for all of the events on Saturday. Please refer to the IMBCS rules
on the IORCA website (www.iorcahome.blogspot.com/) or the yahoo
newsgroup (www.sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/IORCA/) for a complete
explanation on stage race scoring.

Saturday racing will start at Noon with the time trial first, each
rider goes off in 1 minute intervals. Winners will be under 20
minutes (hopefully) and the top finisher in each class will get a
prize. The hill climb is next, probably around 1:30. Same start
order as the TT, winners will be just over a minute, 1 racer on the
hill at a time, time will be subtracted for catching sweet air on
the downward portion of the hill, and prizes are handled the same as
the TT. The short track will start around 30 minutes after the
completion of the hill climb in the following order, beginners,
sports, experts and each class will race separately. A little over
half of this will be on singletrack (the infield was voted down
since it is all grass and that sucks). Beg - 15 min + 1 lap, sport-
15 min + 2 laps, expert 20 min. +2 laps.

Sunday racing will begin at 9am with the beginner race. Beginners
will do 1 lap. The sport and expert class will start at 10:30am and
do 3 and 5 laps, respectively. Sport riders will start 5 minutes
after the experts. Laps are about 5 miles in length.

Awards will be based on each racers total accumulated points for the
weekend. Racers are not required to race both days to be eligible
for awards.
Payouts for at least top 5 in expert.
Prizes for beginner and sport (maybe money for sport open, the race
director will decide that on Sunday).

There will be free camping and free beer to all participants. Andy's
parents will be providing free food for racers after the cross
country race on Sunday. There will also be free Chippewa Springs
bottled water provided by Jay Chesterman throughout the weekend, so
please remember to thank him when you see him.

Registration the day of each race opens at 7:00. Entry fee is $25
for first event and $5 for each additional event, cash or check only
please.

The race coordinator is Andy Lueck and can be contacted at (515) 554-
0527.

Hope to see everybody there!

Cam Kirkpatrick
President - IMBCS
Urbandale, IA


If that shit don't sound like a damn good time, I don't know what does. Just got back from the thrift store with me latest racing dress, you mother fuckers better look out:)



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Fantastic Fathers Day Frenzy

Starting to get ready for this weekends 4 races, 2 day event. We'll be starting off with a Dirt TT at noon Sat., then shortly after it will be the Hill Climb, then at 5pm the Dirt Crit, then it's carb (Dark Beer) load by an open fire for the XC event on Sunday morning. I'll be camping Friday through Sunday, taking the pop-up for the festivities. I'll also be rocking the Monkey once again as I've hijacked it from brutha Marco..... going on a month now......I'm addicted:) Teri was going to go but has decided with the warmer temps coming it would be best to stay around the City and in AC comfort. Yesterday I bought some new trailer jacks for the rear end of the pop-up. I'll weld those on tonight when I get done at the shop, going to make it much easier to level with these on it:)

Info. & directions on the race can be found here. Good Day:)

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New Folks on the Menu

I've recently added some new linky links
Arleigh Jenkins, Nat Pellman, Monkeyphile, and Pink Fixie to the menu of wasting time, while getting paid:)


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Local Frame Builder

Jason Plunkett a local of Des Moines is, or should I say has been building a few frames. I believe he has 4, 2 are done and others are in the works. Here is a pick of his mug and his 29'r. Hot Shit:)!!


Plunkett Custom.


The decision of 29'r is now getting harder. I would love a Badger, can get a Monkey, but think a local guy could use me money much more:) I'm having decision making issues right now........lots of time to make up my mind.

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3 Day Update

Still rolling:)

Friday:

Took the day off from the day job to get some home stuff done. Rode for 1.5hrs, light. Worked at the Shop, we are busy.

Sat:

Thought I had to work at the shop on Sat. but due too the rain we received I got out of it. Terry and Matt we're going to due the BRAMCO ride but rain, rain kept them at the shop so I could bolt. We received new business cards so I welded up some chainring card holders real fast before heading to Danno's to see what was up. Nobody was scheduled early so I was going to get me next piece for the sleeve but then Steve Lamberty of Bike World rolls in wanting some bike ink. The paying customer always gets in first so I bolted but not before seeing some of the design, Steve is a FIXIE rider, that is all he owns and all he rides. He'll be in the show soon:)

After this I headed home to pick up Teri for our baby shower/party of biking friends at Bassonova's house. Many thanks go out too Pete's wife Annie as she orchestrated this whole event. Thank you Annie:) The Conlans, Hansers, Vanderlunes, Pam Heise, Sammy and our buddy Steve were there to help eat all the food, share gifts, and drink some beers. A great time, Thanks to all of you:)
We left some time after 7pm to head home and passout.








Sunday:

Up at 5:30am to meet Petey for joe at Star Bucks, then off to the Center Trails to start the day off right. We met up with Ryan, Sammy, Andy in the parking lot and rolled. Pete, Andy and I did a couple laps, Sammy and Ryan stopped in Denmans on lap 2:) Once back to the parking lot the Trek caravan was unloading test rigs for the day. Bike World must have been demoing. We bs'd it for awhile then boggied, as I was rolling out on "Standard J-11 I ran into Jim Logan out mowing. Jim you fucking rock bro!! 2.5 hrs riding and no crashes all was good in Church today:) Once home I loaded up the chainsaw and headed to the hillside to cut out that big ole tree. Mission acomplished. Back home, shower, then veg all day.
Good Day:)


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Taco Ride

Teri and I had a great time lastnight, although I think it may be the last ride in the dirt for Teri. We just putt-putted through Denmans and Rhythm then back home for food. Teri has a hard time with putt-putting so we need to keep her to the road so she can spin it out:) No music tonight now, just going to go too the Farmers Market in the Junction, although we might hang around for the music there. We'll just have to see how the boss feels tonight:) I'll leave ya with one of my all time favorite cooter songs.

COUNTRY BOY CAN SURVIVE


The preacher man says it’s the end of time
And the Mississippi River she’s a goin’ dry
The interest is up and the Stock Markets down
And you only get mugged
If you go down town

I live back in the woods, you see
A woman and the kids, and the dogs and me
I got a shotgun rifle and a 4-wheel drive
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive

I can plow a field all day long
I can catch catfish from dusk till dawn
We make our own whiskey and our own smoke too
Ain’t too many things these ole boys can’t do
We grow good ole tomatoes and homemade wine
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive

Because you can’t starve us out
And you cant makes us run
Cause one-of- ‘em old boys raisin ole shotgun
And we say grace and we say Ma’am
And if you ain’t into that we don’t give a damn

We came from the West Virginia coalmines
And the Rocky Mountains and the and the western skies
And we can skin a buck; we can run a crop line
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive

I had a good friend in New York City
He never called me by my name, just hillbilly
My grandpa taught me how to live off the land
And his taught him to be a businessman
He used to send me pictures of the Broadway nights
And I’d send him some homemade wine

But he was killed by a man with a switchblade knife
For 43 dollars my friend lost his life
Id love to spit some beechnut in that dudes eyes
And shoot him with my old 45
Cause a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive

Cause you can’t starve us out and you can’t make us run
Cause one-of- ‘em old boys raisin ole shotgun
And we say grace and we say Ma’am
And if you ain’t into that we don’t give a damn

We’re from North California and south Alabam
And little towns all around this land
And we can skin a buck; we can run a crop line
And a country boy can survive
Country folks can survive


Now thats some Hank Willliams Jr.


Peace

Eye Bike:)

Not the best pic. as I always take one right afterwards when its all lubed up.



The White Sub. needs some riding love/chrome fenders:)


Taco, taco, taco ride in 30min:)

Peace