I've been on an Austin kick lately. Old guys, roots, blues, Americana - but don't label it. It isn't rock, it isn't country, and some of it doesn't qualify as folk. We'll just call it Austin for lack of a better description. You can call it what you want to.
Robert Earl Keen - The road goes on forever. Feeling good again. Shades of grey. Gringo Honeymoon. One of the most talented songwriters on the Texas music scene. I'm less a fan of his new bluegrass standards album. I prefer the more boisterous stuff - and his ballads like Gringo Honeymoon and What I really mean.
Ray Wylie Hubbard - The Messenger, Mother Blues, Choctaw Bingo, Conversation with the devil. The same guy who wrote "Up against the wall redneck mother" back in the 70s. RWH pretty much dropped out of music for a while, but since the 90s, he's done a series of very good albums - if you appreciate his music! He writes stories set to a blues beat. 'be careful what you wish for - you might get it."
Hayes Carl - KMAG Yoyo, Down the road tonight, Another like you. A little different. More of the 'bro country' look - except he can actually sing, write, and play. He can go a whole song without mentioning trucks, jean shorts, or down to the lake. Much more blues vibe than country.
James McMurtry - Painting by numbers, We can't make it here, Levelland. One of the most talented songwriters in Texas (or anywhere else). Son of writer Larry McMurtry, he obviously inherited writing chops.
Coach
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Friday, March 27, 2015
Indispensable Gravel Tool Kit
Everybody has a tool kit when they ride. If you don't, you probably deserve to walk the last 5 miles back to civilization, your car, the beer your buddies drank while waiting on you, and that hamburger you wish you'd eaten.
It doesn't require a super mechanic to use a tool kit. Most things are pretty minor. The 'big things' like a broken chain or wrapped derailleur may take some serious bike mechanic skills. Don't fret - one will come along momentarily!
The essentials are pretty obvious
Tire levers
Patch kit
Spare tube(s) - pre-talc'ed
CO2 inflator and spare cartridge - know how to use yours!
Pump
Yes, a pump is 'belt and suspenders', but if that first tube gets caught in the rim, and you blow it, the second one is essential. If it happens again - or you find out you didn't get it caught, but had a cut sidewall that it popped thru... Well, you'll be happy to have the pump.
20 dollar bill
A good multi-tool.
Make sure it's got all the bolts on your bike covered - 4,5,6,7mm, maybe a 2 or 2.5, spoke wrench
Also make sure you can get *to* all the bolts on your bike with your tool. If not, you may need a solo hex wrench or two. And make sure your kit includes the necessary wrench for any random Torx brand bolts as well. Chain ring and disc brakes are both candidates for this special foolishness.
Chain break tool
Master link (or 2)
...Oh, shit!!! What was that? Oh, you mean the fact that your crotch is now on the top tube and your pedals are freewheeling, or the one where your bike. just. died. ...with the rear derailleur wrapped around the dropout. Now is the time to be really thankful you've got a master link.
If you wrap a derailleur, it's pretty unlikely you're going to salvage it (or the hanger) on the side of the road. You can try to straighten it, but in all likelihood, the best you can hope for is getting the derailleur back in the middle position, and maybe use it as a chain tensioner. If that doesn't work, find a gear combination that will give you a snug chain once you put it back together with that master link. Here's a big hint. when you break the chain to remove it from the broken derailleur, find the bent section of chain and break it there! And yes - there almost certainly will be a kinked link. Remember - you'll need to leave an INNER plate on both ends for the repair link to slip onto. Eyeball it, test it, and when you've got it right and think it'll be ok, slip the chain off the chainrings (up front) and slip in the master link. Don't worry about tightening it yet. Put it back on the chain rings. If it's right, the link should 'snik' into place as you get the chain installed on both ends.
unused tie wrap
Multitude of purposes - like tying up that busted rear derailleur.
duct tape -bandage, tire boot, repair busted cable clamp. You name it!
20' braided twine - with a nice stick and some duct tape, you can even bandage up that carbon fiber handlebar I told you not to get. Also good for sewing a jersey back together,
basic first aid kit
And for a spring century -
rain cape (jacket for us Americans)
dry gloves
helmet liner
extra socks (useful as shoe covers in a pinch too)
Extra food (bar&gel)
It doesn't require a super mechanic to use a tool kit. Most things are pretty minor. The 'big things' like a broken chain or wrapped derailleur may take some serious bike mechanic skills. Don't fret - one will come along momentarily!
The essentials are pretty obvious
Tire levers
Patch kit
Spare tube(s) - pre-talc'ed
CO2 inflator and spare cartridge - know how to use yours!
Pump
Yes, a pump is 'belt and suspenders', but if that first tube gets caught in the rim, and you blow it, the second one is essential. If it happens again - or you find out you didn't get it caught, but had a cut sidewall that it popped thru... Well, you'll be happy to have the pump.
20 dollar bill
A good multi-tool.
Make sure it's got all the bolts on your bike covered - 4,5,6,7mm, maybe a 2 or 2.5, spoke wrench
Also make sure you can get *to* all the bolts on your bike with your tool. If not, you may need a solo hex wrench or two. And make sure your kit includes the necessary wrench for any random Torx brand bolts as well. Chain ring and disc brakes are both candidates for this special foolishness.
Chain break tool
Master link (or 2)
...Oh, shit!!! What was that? Oh, you mean the fact that your crotch is now on the top tube and your pedals are freewheeling, or the one where your bike. just. died. ...with the rear derailleur wrapped around the dropout. Now is the time to be really thankful you've got a master link.
If you wrap a derailleur, it's pretty unlikely you're going to salvage it (or the hanger) on the side of the road. You can try to straighten it, but in all likelihood, the best you can hope for is getting the derailleur back in the middle position, and maybe use it as a chain tensioner. If that doesn't work, find a gear combination that will give you a snug chain once you put it back together with that master link. Here's a big hint. when you break the chain to remove it from the broken derailleur, find the bent section of chain and break it there! And yes - there almost certainly will be a kinked link. Remember - you'll need to leave an INNER plate on both ends for the repair link to slip onto. Eyeball it, test it, and when you've got it right and think it'll be ok, slip the chain off the chainrings (up front) and slip in the master link. Don't worry about tightening it yet. Put it back on the chain rings. If it's right, the link should 'snik' into place as you get the chain installed on both ends.
unused tie wrap
Multitude of purposes - like tying up that busted rear derailleur.
duct tape -bandage, tire boot, repair busted cable clamp. You name it!
20' braided twine - with a nice stick and some duct tape, you can even bandage up that carbon fiber handlebar I told you not to get. Also good for sewing a jersey back together,
basic first aid kit
And for a spring century -
rain cape (jacket for us Americans)
dry gloves
helmet liner
extra socks (useful as shoe covers in a pinch too)
Extra food (bar&gel)
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