Fuck Gas

well as you all know jimmy and the family are off on a smokey mountain getaway. who knows what that guy is getting into. as for me, i’m leland, i don’t really update as much as i should maintaing one website is enough for me.. ha. check it out if you haven’t already… shitluck. nothing going on as of right now… winding down from the holiday hustle. thank god. well if you believe in that sorta thing. new stickers are out… they are somewhere on this website… i’m sure if you want some we could mail them to you… just send me an email a leland@shitluckclothing.com and i’ll give you more details… for all you guys that are into alternative fuel sources check out vegpower. they are the guys that did the work on my airport/veggieshuttle bus… 14 miles to the gallon isn’t cheap.

the veggie bus

Just got ahold of the Continental Top Contact for a test run that I’m really looking forward to. Thinking about running brakeless to put it through as much abuse as possible right from the start. Look for a full revue in another month or so.

I was over at my uncle’s house last night and he busts out a photo album of shots from a previous business venture. Damn I miss this place…

That said, I think Derek and Drew have a great thing going over at On Your Left and they obviously have their heads on straight, which is a lot more than I can say for myself at the time I undertook opening the original City BMX shop. I think we’ll continue to see them grow as a shop and I wish them all the luck in the world.

It takes a second to get to the good stuff but it’s the Santa rap from 1984’s Beat Street. Enjoy the holidays!

It’s that time of year again… Monster Track time! 2009 will mark the tenth anniversary of Monster Track. I’m sure this will be amazing.

After wearing this jacket in all kinds of conditions over the last couple months it has really been a testament as to how wind affects my core temperature. The Bellwether Aqua No jacket is a super light weight, breathable, waterproof and windproof soft shell that simply kicks ass.

Overall construction consists of Zenith XT fabric (nylon) which maximizes breathability while the sealed seams keep moisture out. Added features include a drop tail and elastic drawstring waist to keep that slag tag covered, elastic and velcro cuffs at the wrists, extended track jacket style neck with an inner fleece lining, back pockets on each side, pit zips, and for visibility, a blinding yellow color with reflective piping.

First, let’s look at the wind resistance. The Aqua No jacket is by far the most wind resistant jacket I have ever owned. As I mentioned earlier it has truly been key in keeping me warm on winter rides. Lately I’ve only been running a long sleeved cotton t-shirt as a base layer and been totally comfortable in temperatures around 30 degrees (F). In colder weather I’ll generally wear a sweatshirt under it with no worries.

In the rain, the Aqua No is just as good at keeping me dry as well. The unique Zenith XT construction is great at keeping the rain out all while being breathable and allowing your evaporated sweat to escape. I’m no scientist, but the reading I’ve done points to the water droplet size. This meaning the big drops (rain) can’t make it through, but the little drops (evaporated sweat) can escape. Also, take the pit zips and vented back into account and you get a very comfortable level of air circulation all while staying warm and dry. Amazing, what will the think of next right?

As it turns out, I wear this thing riding everywhere, I’ve even played polo in it. It’s comfortable, light, bright and durable. I’ve had some run-ins with walls and even some scuffs with the sides of buses and trucks in traffic and so far so good. No tears. If you’re in the market for a rain jacket or just something to keep the wind off you then I would say have a look at the Bellwether Aqua No jacket. Online retail prices run about $90 and up and you can see it online at BellwetherClothing.com - don’t forget to tell them Fuck Gas sent you.

Not much in the form of news today except for the fact that my dumb ass apparently dropped one of my gloves at some point so now it’s snowboard gloves or nothing until I get a new pair. Just when I find something I like I go and loose one.

While I’m thinking about it I just want to remind everyone about the NAHBS happening in Indy at the end of February. I’m really looking forward to this and if you’ve got the chance to get there don’t miss it.

Left to Right: Leland, Gary, Suzanne (not pictured: Will, Derek, me)

So seeing that you’re reading this more than likely you pussed out last night. That’s okay though - your loss. We had fun, froze our toes off and watched people eat things that used to have a mom once we got to the bar. Hopefully one year Dave, Beenie and Mark will acknowledge the fact that there are vegans that like to drink (and possibly eat) at the Mag too…

the details are in the teeth

To top it all off, Gary and Suzanne made these kick ass patches and the best part is they are free! See what you missed! It’s going to take me a month to sew this fucker on…

Don’t miss the next one - The “We don’t give a shit how cold it is” Penguin Waddle. There will be prizes for the top 3 least dressed riders! Stay tuned for details.

I love my bikes. At the moment my favorite is the fixed gear… or is that track bike, fixie, fixter, or as so many refer to it, “a hipster fixed gear?” I’ll admit that fixed gear bikes have exploded in popularity over the last couple years and even more amazingly so among people that have no idea what they’re doing on a bicycle in general, let alone one that doesn’t stop. However, just because all the so-called cool kids are flocking to something, doesn’t make it too cliche to be fun or practical for that matter.

Here in Louisville, social circles and cliques run wild. It’s sickening although expected in a moderate sized city such as this, my beloved home. However, I do lament the fact that I am assumedly grouped in with the aforementioned hipster and categorized as such. Either way, I just want to have fun on my bike and as long as the people I’m surrounded by and riding with do too then it really doesn’t matter what anyone wants to think or call us.

Honestly, I find it strangely interesting the amount of attention the fixed gear scene as we’ll call it, has attained. Perhaps it’s the fact that you can just ride to the bar and back on fixed gear bike all while looking totally awesome that this has happened. So many people refer to the early days of skateboarding and BMX in the way the fixed gear culture is evolving, and rightly so. However, I think it’s even more wide spread, and with the aid of the internet it has gained momentum so much faster than either of it’s core predecessors. All this combined with accessibility, as in everyone can ride a bike, and it’s completely logical. Just get out there and enjoy yourself, regardless of what everyone thinks. Fun is fun no matter how stupid you look.

With all that in mind, don’t forget to ride you ass over to On Your Left tonight for the Magnolia Meander!

This goes down rain or… well shine doesn’t really apply. So in the dark, wet or dry, warm or cold we are riding. Forecast calls for wet and cold unfortunately, but so what! Don’t be a pussy! We’ll get you to the bar and get something in ya to warm you up… that sounded dirty. Either way, we’ll make it happen. Don’t miss this. After a few of Beenie’s drinks you wont even care that you’re wearing 5 pounds of wet clothes.