Bicycle Wheels and Greenwheel

SportsDude:
Last week was shopper gals birthday and she didn’t want jewelry or girly stuff but she wanted a bicycle. Not just a bicycle for her but one for me too. No, we did not get a bicycle built for two but two different bicycles. These turned out to be pretty fun.

I haven’t ridden a bicycle since my foot could reach kick shift on the Big Red Threewheeler. Apparently bicycles have changed a lot since then. The bike I bought has 21 gears! My truck doesn’t even have that many.

We took a couple rides on the nearby trail and it was pretty fun, despite almost running over a snake. Shopper gal was pedaling her ass off and about half way I ask her what gear she is in and she says “second.” I tried to explain to her that if she shifts up that she won’t have to pedal as hard. However, she was skeptical and after taking a second ride she finally got up 4th gear.

There was also a ton of people riding bikes on the trail. I had no idea it was so popular to ride bikes without motors. Much like the beach, on the trail there are way too many old guys wearing way too tight of shorts. So here’s the rant of the week. To all the old guys riding bikes, if you gut covers your nuts then don’t wear bicycle shorts. That sight is just as enjoyable as the site of amniotic fluid on the floor.

From bicycle wheels to still one of my favorite bands even though they are no longer “together” Greenwheel. This past weekend we went to the STL and we ate at this place called Cybergs which was a hotel bar. It brought back way to many memories of Sportsdude old bartending days at a hotel bar. Ok, exiting off memory lane. As we were eating diner Shopper gal said “hey, this guy is trying to look like Ryan Jordan.” Note: Ryan Jordan was the lead singer of Greenwheel. I responded “wait, that is him.”

I went up to introduce myself thinking that he was just hanging out but no. After I said “Hey, I’m Lee.” He said “I just do this when I need a little extra cash.” At that moment I look up on stage and a cover band is setting up.

I was so disappointed, it felt like I found out my only son is gay. I thought that Ryan Jordan and their band were so talented and now is singer for a cover band. I mean they wrote a song that was nominated for a Grammy. They didn’t sing but they sold the rights to the song “Breathe” to Melissa Ethridge. Another one of their songs was on the Spiderman soundtrack and they were signed to a major label, Island records. Recently they changed their name to “Go Van Gogh.” I think they have been struggling but still….

As great as it was to meet him and talk to him it was equally disappointing to see him lower himself to that level. If anybody thinks I am crazy then you can go to Greenwheel.net and listen to their stuff. I’m not saying that they are best thing since cubed ice and sliced bread but he is better than singing for a cover band. Bottom line is “Ryan Jordan, good luck but man you don’t need to sing for a cover band.”

ShopperGal:
SportsDude told his biker friend last night that he “got a bike.” His friend didn’t even bat an eye. “The kind with pedals, right?” He didn’t believe for a second that SportsDude would be cruising on a Harley. He was right. We got bikes – old-fashioned ones.

I asked for bikes for me and my man for my birthday last week and he came through. I got a cool purple and silver bike. He got a red Schwin. We took them out for the first long bike ride this weekend and I’m seriously paying for it. We rode 8 miles on Saturday. Sunday my butt felt like someone had kicked it repeatedly and my legs felt like I had attempted to bench press 500 pounds. Brutal.

The worst part was that SportsDude didn’t hurt a bit. In fact, he was ready for bike ride #2 the next day. I went and all I have to say about that is…OUCH!

Also this weekend we were in St. Louis and a little old bar called Syberg’s. We weren’t expecting to see anyone we knew and had no idea there was going to even be a band playing. We just wanted pizza and wings. We got more. In fact, SportsDude was stoked because he got quite a show – for free.

Ryan Jordan, lead singer of Greenwheel, was singing for the cover band at the bar – Wild Stallyons. I picked him out and SportsDude practically sprinted to shake his hand and get the scoop on why the head man for SportsDude’s favorite band was playing in a hotel bar. He was disappointed to say the least to hear that Jordan was trying to pick up extra money telling us both that Greenwheel was going down in smoke.

Excuse me I guess I should tell you now that Greenwheel is no loner Greenwheel. It’s now known as Go Van Gogh. I’m not all that impressed with the name but I love the band just the same, especially Ryan Jordan so go to greenwheel.net and check them out!!

Now back to recovering from my bike ride…