The BSNYC Second Annual Self-Congratulatory Treacle-Fest!

(The Mavic Diminutive Frenchman and Jobst Brandt reenact the touching pottery scene from "Ghost," by BKJimmy.)

Today is June 12th, 2009. "So what?," you may ask. Well, apart from the fact that it's Dia dos Namorados (or Brazilian Valentine's Day), it's really just another Friday as far as I'm concerned. However, tomorrow is dripping with significance like Jobst Brandt's calloused hand drips with wet clay, because it marks the second anniversary of this blog.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Alas, it seems like it was only yesterday that I first posted a picture of Robert Plant playing soccer without any pants on, and that's because it was. However, it also seems like two years ago since my very first blog post, and that's also because it was. This is a tremendous relief, since it means my sense of time is properly calibrated.

Still, a lot has changed in the past two years. For example, noted Twitterhound Lance Armstrong went from getting loaded, bedding celebrities, and riding tall bikes:

To fathering another child and riding professionally as a domestique for Levi "Letle Viride" Leipheimer:

(From Ashley to "classy": Armstrong cleans up his act.)

On the other hand, once-respected US bicycle maker Cannondale went from cockily rebuking Specialized's recruitment attempts:

To cravenly firing their employees themselves:

(From poached to reproached: Cannondale now farming it out.)

Meanwhile, fixed-gear freestyle impresario Prolly went from riding a "noob chariot" like this:

To designing and marketing his very own bike:

(From "Oh, gee!" to "OG:" Prolly is all growed up.)

Speaking of fixed-gear freestyling, what began as a bunch of people doing unimpressive tricks on ill-suited bikes has matured into a full-fledged sport in its own right and is now nothing short of amazing to watch.

But that's not all--this blog has also seen its share of changes. I once joked about manufacturers sending me products to review; now, manufacturers actually send me products to review. Also, I once joked about writing for "Bicycling" magazine; now, I actually write for "Bicycling" magazine. Fortunately, I never joked about getting my "pants yabbies" caught in the spokes of the Ironic Orange Julius bike, though now that I have I may be adding that to my "BSNYC List of Ironies" in a year's time as well.

The one thing that hasn't changed in the last two years though is that I still absolutely love writing this blog. It's something I look forward to every day, and I'm extremely fortunate and grateful that people still enjoy reading it. While generally speaking I eschew goals, I do have one goal, which is to keep writing as much as I can, so it's for this reason that I'm also looking forward to the coming year--which will even involve a book assuming the people involved don't come to their senses. I've also been lucky enough to actually meet some people and I look forward to one day tentatively slithering out of my hidey-hole and meeting even more.

In the meantime, though, I'd like to extend a completely unironic thank you to everybody for reading, emailing, commenting, sending photos, sending products, sending compliments, sending criticisms, and most importantly riding your bikes--regardless of how ridiculous some of those bikes may be. I'd also like to thank Dennis Hopper's Twitter:

If nothing else, you can rely on it to let you know when you've gone too far.

Ride safe, and mind your "pants yabbies" or your "VAGX," whichever applies.


--BSNYC/RTMS

PS: I'm pleased to present you with a short and easy quiz. As always, study the item, think, and click on your answer. If you're right you'll know, and if you're wrong you'll see Dennis Hopper selling...something. Thanks again, and have a great weekend.



1) Why is actor Matthew Modine receiving a lot of criticism lately?

--Because he rides a fixie
--Because he rides without a helmet
--Because he rides in lycra
--Because his movies suck



2) Caffeine-addled cycling is the new "schluffing."

--True
--False

3) How many DFUs (Diminutive Frenchman Units) does it take to crush the head of urber-curmudgeon and serial retrogrouch Jobst Brandt?

--200 DFUs
--2,000 DFUs
--20,000 DFUs
--Nothing can crush the head of the mighty Jobst Brandt



4) Why is Robbie McEwen breathing through a tube?

--He is simulating training at altitude
--He is simulating training in space
--He is actually training in space
--He is simulating training in flatulence

***Special Craigslist "Missed Connections" Fill-In-The-Blank Bonus Question***

I passed you on the way up from Manhattan. You had little shorts and a black tank top, with a tattoo peeking out on your back. Your hair reminded me of some __________:

--Silken flax
--Flaxen silk
--Ropey tresses
--Hawaiian shit