E3

Looks like the big dogs wanted the win today. Based on this footage, Flecha blew it and left the door open. Cancellara is a beast and you better not give him any rope in the finale of a race if you want to win. Where the hell were Lotto or Cervelo?
Starting to get really psyched for the rest of the classics.

Double Dagger Masks EP

Their last record was in my car's stereo for a long time. These guys really hit
it out of the park. Missed them when the came through Boston. So I was stoked to see a new record coming out.
Limited to 500, die cut sleeve, 3 different versions. Going all out for the record collectors.This Baltimore three piece keep the line up exciting with drums/bass/vocals. They get a full melodic sound and avoid the heavy bombast overkill of a lot of other 2 piece bands. 5 songs. I got the Nixon mask looking cover. They return with their classic recipe-an upbeat, hyper, bass driven melodic take on the classic DC sound. If you like melodic too smart post punk/indie rock, this is a winner. Mission of Burma, Chino Horde, Unwound etc. (yes I realize these bands have guitars and DD don't). Regardless they are in the tradition of these bands, but not a reenactment of the past.

Thrill Jockey is still the label.

Ted Leo Brutalist Bricks

I am a pretty loyal fan. I don't love a lot, but when I do, I'm down for the long haul. I have found that with the artists in this category that manage to put out more than 4 records, I develop a pattern. Generally I love every other record. Worked with Lungfish and seems to be the pattern with Ted too. I loved Tyranny of Distance, not so hot on Hearts of Oak. Loved Shake out the Sheets, not so hot on Living for the Living. So along comes Brutalist Bricks and right according to formula I like it. No comment on the cover art. Guess there was a sale on yellow...
It has a more pop feel to me. There are some songs that echo the Damned and the Minutemen pretty heavily. Some sharp, short ones. Songs like "ativan eyes" are pop gems with a lyrical bite.
My favorite tracks are probably "bottled in cork" and "gimme the wire" which sadly is not about Baltimore.
I think on most tracks he pushes traditional Leo trademarks further and harder, but it is not as resigned/pissed/bummed as Living for the Living. I guess it is also not as upbeat as Shake out the Sheets. So maybe it is in the sweet spot?
This will be a spring/summertime road trip staple, so anyone traveling to races with me this summer better be ready to deal.
Bottled in Cork a couple odd versions from the web. Matador is the label. Keep up with Ted at his website or on twitter-where on a good day he gives Adam Myerson a run for his money in volume.
Solo Version

Live

and why not drop this for overkill

Rhonde de Rosey Recap

Where to start with the Rhonde de Rosey? How about Thanks? Thanks to Rosey for setting it up and thanks to Billy for getting the Pink Beacons on the start list. And can't leave out the Washington Tavern for hospitality.
Rolled up early and by 10 it was pretty amazing how many bikes were hanging out on the corner of Washington and Beacon. Saw this photo on a couple other sites and the Major and I got a chuckle cause it's our bikes at the bottom of the pile. There were a lot of nice rigs laying around.
We rolled out first stop Nahant park followed quickly by the out and back frenzy of Cutler Park. I was definitely nervous about what laid ahead based on this. A totally New England combo of marsh, mud, roots, and wooden bridges. Add in oncoming riders and you have a recipe for chaos and fun. After that it was onto some singletrack along the highway and some hijinxs getting lost. I don't really have an issue with confusion or being slightly lost and it was already more fun than any training ride and light years beyond a Sunday at Wells Ave. I will not be complaining about directions or marking the course! Fun is fun.
Details from here on are hazy, there were many road and trail sections that followed. Lots more getting confused. Billy gets points for navigation and demonstrated some of the benefits of the I-Phone.
I was demonstrating my lack of fitness and focused on holding wheels so the miles flew by. No mile by mile description here. It hurt and was fun. My favorites were the railbed into concord and the reformatory path which had almost a bmx rhythm section feel to it-between the mud bogs.
We somehow rode without and flats or mechanicals which is pretty hard to believe.
The mechanical misfortunes of one of the faster teams allowed us to witness the Matt Roy intertube tow. Pretty rad.
Made it back to the Washington Tavern and started in on the free bear(thanks Cisco!) Still lots of bikes outside, but a lot dirtier. The kitchen didn't open until 5 which left us plenty of time to get tipsy off a couple beers.
Pink Beacons cleaned up in the raffle. And then it was home. Happily downhill. There were too many fun things to try and capture in this post.
Dirty bike cooked in the car until lunch time the next day when I did this. Genius. Hope it happens again or motivates other people to give it a try.

Check for some good photos here.