Hi everybody. Some of you may already know this, but I figured I’d post something up since my posting days here are numbered. I’m moving out of the area in a few months (back) to Austin, Texas. This decision is primarily being driven by economics. I have a good offer down there, and it’s increasingly difficult for me to save for a future while living in the Bay Area. It’s been a good run, I’ve lived quite a life out here. I don't know when I’m leaving exactly, so I’m throwing this out there a little early.
Economic realities aside, the Bay Area has been my second home for a long time. Longer, in fact, than the time I’ve lived here. That’s a much longer story. I will miss it and all of you very much.
I’d just like to say thanks to my mtbr crew for being not only my extended (near immediate) family when I’m so far away from mine, but as well for being a great forum. You’ve got your quirks, but its nice to have a place to go to talk about our love of mtb and not have to worry about a bunch of NWS / trolls / shitheads.
I have many fond memories with mtbr over the last 7 years, and I’ve made a ton of friends and had so many superb memories, too many to count. Here are a few honorable mentions:
Meeting up with my old Austin pal Anthony Sloan for my first ride at UC /May By The Bay, which started from Cowell, went out to the coast through Wilder and back. I won a free pair of MTBR socks that day for cleaning a gnarly climb, and still wear them proudly
Boggs MBTB crew, Sierra Nevada Bigfoot barley wine tastings and a misplaced camera conspiracy
Trailseeker (Chris) and son Evan for Deadhead kinship and musical inspiration
Francois and his office crew for allowing me to expand their culinary horizons locally
Kyle and Andy and the Stewardship crew for putting on the gathering every year
The Skeggs technical clinic and crepe breakfast ride. You’ll never know what you do until you try. ITS ONLY A CHAINRING PEOPLE GET UP THERE. Maybe we can get one more going before I leave, but someone has to carry the techskills torch after I leave!
PTB / Water Dog Wednesday crew. Too many positive memories and great rides to even begin to scratch the surface.
Charles and Patty get special mention here for their tireless support of the bay area cycling community and still having enough energy left over to be gracious hosts, staunch advocates, and a pillar of support for us. You’ve been two of my best friends, and I feel that bears special mention here. You deserve every bit of success with Passion Trail Bikes and all that it stands for. I’ve been hanging around bike shops my entire life, and yours, without question, is the best I’ve been in.
Mt Hamilton ride. Its so funny that NorCal mtbr is the premier destination for us roadies. Makes sense, really.
Turkey Ride, cheesecakes
Robert and his passion for SJ Bike Party
Snowjnky for being a source of true comic relief to NorCal forum
Rumpfy and his VRC crew being so welcoming to me at Keyesville every year. You guys are chill and thats good when you’re trying to get a night’s sleep before a trials competition!
If you’ve read this far and have a memory to share, post it up, otherwise I wish the lot of you positive vibrations and the best of luck with trail advocacy in the beautiful state of California. Apologies in advance as I’ve not called out many of you, there’s simply too many great memories and not enough time.
If you’re ever in Austin and have some time for a ride (or just a pint), PM me and I’ll show you the good stuff. Maybe we can get a ride together before I leave.
You win a pat on the back for your efforts with NorCal high school league, I think. I was a ride leader for my local HS, so consider yourself a good example.
If you aren't that guy, carry on.
Java, I never rode at Reimers when I was there, it was just opening. I spent most of my time riding City Park.
Hey, welcome back to Central Standard Time, whenever you do make the move! I'd be up for roadtripping south fer sher.
Crepes ride was damn good. Also, getting tired of waiting for people to argue about the next Skeggs route and blitzing out down Creek.
Dim Sum.
Pacifica.
Demo.
S'allll good.
Good luck! Don't forget to polish up your belt buckle.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam. (Translated: I have a catapult. Give me all the money, or I will fling an enormous rock at your head.)
You win a pat on the back for your efforts with NorCal high school league, I think. I was a ride leader for my local HS, so consider yourself a good example.
You are quite a character and will be missed. Fun hanging out and riding with you on the RoadBikeReview.com rides as well as San Jose Bike Party. When you know your date of departure timeframe, would be nice to plan some sort of ride beforehand; let us know!
Don’t frail and blow if you’re going to Braille and Flow.
Oh Lordy I remember that. Not only did I take my bullit, but I had armor, full face, flats and 2x DH tires. THEN we had to climb back out to the slide.
J,
Good Luck with the transition.
up here in the Norcal scene we were lucky to have someone like you to ride with. Great attitude, funny, always down for a PBR , killer baklava and cheesecake, and who else can do burnouts at SJBP???
Come back soon and often.
I still need to get you your signed BSNYC book. Don't leave without it.
J.
Good riding with you and best of luck in Austin! We'll look you up when we're ever visiting for a tour of the best local single track.
Best regards, J.L.
Love you man. Tis a sad day in NorCal board history. I'm a bit choked up. Seriously.
You'll have to hook up with my brother-in-law for some shows. I'll send a friend suggestion to his band on FB. He may want to see some trails, but I would guess he's out of riding shape.
Thanks everyone for the kind words, it means a lot to me to know I've had a positive impact here. Would love to do a going away ride. The calendar is getting booked up with trips and such, but we can make something happen, I'm sure.
Originally Posted by slide mon
Hey J, You still have a free Tour Of Marin card. Let me know if you want to cash that sucker in before you go.
I plan on it. Did Tamarancho for the first time yesterday and had a blast, esp on the rocky sections. Ate it up.
Originally Posted by Loll
Looks like Charles will need to get a new tandem partner to race Sea Otter next year.
Yep. I think someone needs to step up and do this. Yall thought Carlmont or Demo was exciting? Try being on the back of a tandem with Charles. No brakes, no whining. He does not brake until the APEX of the corner(if at all!). Wear a diaper the first time. I think we broke the sound barrier coming down Kennedy.
Originally Posted by francois
dude. seriously?
Yes. Not everyone can have a job being The Stig like you!
Originally Posted by rho
Be sure to conduct safety meetings
Safety first!
Originally Posted by Andy
There is no reason you can't make next year's Dville event
That's correct, and I've already thought of that. I'll be wanting the heck out of Texas come July.
Originally Posted by Fast Eddy
Friends band
Aha, so that's what that was. Thanks! Many good memories with you. I'll remind you that Sunday is The Day Of The Lord and you should give your liver a day off occasionally.
Originally Posted by Medieval
BTW, I still have a DVD of that ride for you.
Can you put it in my box at Passion Trail Bikes?
Originally Posted by gregg
Dang, who's gonna give us lunch recommendations now??
Holler at me, lets do lunch and I'll make you a list of my top local recs.
You will love Austin. Very, very bike friendly city. Every weekend I've been up there, there have been a TON of road bikers along 360 and the Lakes.
As far as MTB'g....never mtb in Austin yet but I'd imagine with all the parks and scenic areas there has to be a ton of mtb trails, both inside the city, outskirts, or in the Hill Country.
Many times I've considered moving from San Antonio up the road to Austin.
Jay, the Bay Area needs more people like you! I'm bummed to see you go, but life's an adventure! Gotta keep exploring. You, not me. I'm stuck. ;-) Thank you for always bringing your hospitality, AMAZING dessert chefery, and laid-back, country twang spirit where ever you went. It's funny, I grew up around a lot of guys like you. My dad and all his family was from the Fort Worth area and everytime they visited, I got a huge dose of fun-lovin' Texas boy country attitude. I actually thought one of my uncles was Johnny Cash. They looked identical!
Anyhoo, rock on, brother. I hope Austin allows you many more opportunities to leg ahead of the game and slow down a bit. Lord knows this area is an upstream battle for a lot of us spawner types!
J, have a great time in Austin. I'll miss the foodie discussions at Boggs if you can't make it out for MBTB. You still owe me cheesecake if I recall correctly.
Jay Roast at Passion on Wednesday 10/27/10, 7:30pm
Roasted Jay, with Pumpkin Pie, Weds 10/27, 7:30pm
Please join us next Wednesday for a fun evening sending off one of our very first (and still most loyal) customers: Jay Blincoe, who is moving to Texas, for some strange reason yet to be fully understood. We will light up the trash burner, get a good stink going, and serve up some fine, marinated, slow roasted Jay along with some other, more digestible victuals, lubricants and libations.
Revelers are asked to arrive equipped with a ditty or a doozy, perhaps a floozie, or maybe a frisky ride flask, from which to pour a toast and send off our friend in fine style with just the right amount of bruising and blushing. True stories and false, honest observations and lies, damn lies, or heartfelt huzzahs are all welcome. Costumes optional.
The lounge will be equipped with an extra special IPA from Santa Cruz Ale Works courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. NiceLobster (Jon and Nica), and Patty promises to serve up some good home cookin'.
Please RSVP to Patty at [email protected] so we know how much food and firewood we need.
Have fun tonight, I am sorry I will have to miss it. It was fun hanging out with you at Kirkwood last winter, and I enjoyed your strawberry shortcake at PTB. We will all miss having your multi-talented self around. Hope your move goes well.
Cheers,
Julie
Half the planet is deep into bloody tribal mayhem. We’re just riding bikes (and drinking beer) here.
~Fairfaxian
Both the Mrs's and I just wanted to be sure to wish you the best in your move man..don't be a stranger on the board and totally abandon us for the other MTBR board for your new home.
Chime in every so often with pics to show us the stoke from elsewhere sort of how Photo-John and others still do.
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Originally Posted by J
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We will all miss having your multi-talented self around. Hope your move goes well.
