Author Archive for jim
Jim Thomson, Author

Jim rides a bike a lot and hates people.

Rock Hoppin’

by jim / Aug 24 2009 / 2 posts

In keeping with the retro thread from Frank and his MB-Zip, here is the bike I spent my weekend on:For those of you squinting, it’s a Specialized Rock Hopper, circa 1988.  This museum piece is my ride of choice when visiting my in-laws in Boise, ID.  It’s perfect for the miles and miles of dry single-track in the foothills outside of...

Why we watch

by jim / Aug 1 2009 / 3 posts

The tour has been over for a week now, not that I really noticed.  And that should have been a capital ‘T’ in “tour”, right?  Mea culpa.  And a yawn. Don’t get me wrong –I have nothing against the tour.  I even think the route was fine (they rode their butts off around France, what more do you want?).I’...

Round and round

by jim / Oct 16 2008 / 0 posts

I just rode around Lake Washington on my single speed. “So what, you pussy?” I imagine you are saying. Fair enough. But what if your brother-in-law is keeping the pace at a brisk 24 mph on your 9-spd Cannondale, hills and all? My knees are numb and my quads feel like jello. I will never go near that Lake again without a derailleur.By the number...

Stuff it

by jim / Jun 1 2008 / 0 posts

I spent Memorial Day weekend in Boise, and on the actual holiday I headed out for a big ride with my brother-in-law. We started at 2800′ elevation, and ended up at the local ski area, Bogus Basin– where the parking lot is a mean 6200′.It was a great ride, until the skies opened up in a downpour and the temperature dropped to 45F. Sensing disa...

Szzzz…

by jim / Jan 15 2008 / 1 post

This morning was one hell of a shiny one in Seattle. It snowed/sleeted/rained/somethinged last night, and every surface was a sheet of ice. Undeterred, I rode the trusty steed in to work with my brethren (yes, many other cyclists were out and about). A few near misses ensued, but then I had my moment at the intersection of Brooklyn and 50th:I pu...