Not too way back a biking YouTuber reached out to let me know he’d be in New York and requested if I’d like to satisfy and be in one in all his movies. I admit I didn’t know who he was, however I seemed up his channel and noticed that he had like eleventy million subscribers. Sadly, I by no means made it as a YouTuber myself, regardless of my tragically underappreciated Ritchey Breakaway meeting edit from 2010:
Subsequently I have to depend on far more proficient videographers with a view to “pivot to video” (see, for instance, my controversial helmet video with Terry Barentsen) and so naturally I agreed. And right here is the video by which I seem, and which I’ve not even had an opportunity to look at but, what with wrapping presents and making fruitcakes and all:
Although naturally I did discover the time to skip to the half with me in it:
Thankfully they did me the favor of chopping out the worst of my rambling and bloviating, although at one level as I used to be blathering and gesticulating I seen a well-recognized face strolling proper previous us and realized it was Hank Azaria:
I hoped he made it into the shot as an additional, however alas if he did then he will need to have wound up among the many footage that was reduce. However our eyes did meet as I used to be prattling on for the digicam, and I couldn’t assist however really feel as if he was taking a look at me with a mix of pity and compassion–a lot the best way I suppose I’d take a look at him if he have been vainly struggling to trip a bicycle. Anyway, I can now put yet one more merchandise on my prolonged checklist of accomplishments, that being taking pictures a scene with Hank Azaria.
Thanks Seth Alvo for having me in your video, and I look ahead to curling up in entrance of a crackling hearth* with delicate, purring cup of egg nog and a scorching cat in my lap and watching it quickly.
*[Actually, I don’t have a fireplace, so if I’m sitting in front of a crackling fire then either the Christmas tree has gone up or someone has knocked the menorah over onto the rug.]
In the meantime, talking of the vacations, they’re effectively nigh upon us, which implies it’s time to shut out the books on 2024. And what higher approach to try this than title a Bike of the 12 months? As it’s possible you’ll recall, as of about mid-November I’d narrowed it down to a few finalists. The Roaduno:
The LeMond:
And George Plimpton’s Y-Foil:
And the winner is…the Roaduno!
[BSNYC/RTMS/Tan Tenovo 2024 Bike Of The Year Award-Winner!]
Why? Properly, for one factor I rode it solely simply this morning, and whichever bike I’ve ridden most lately is often my favourite. For an additional, it’s the one one not made by Trek, although in the event that they did make it they’d in all probability have used aluminum and referred to as it the “Tringle Thriple-stache XO3 EVO.” However largely, it’s as a result of the one factor higher than a singlespeed is a three-speed “singlespeed”–it’s 3 times higher, in truth–and in case you’re a contrarian like me you enjoyment of placing all of your gears within the entrance when the whole remainder of the business is dedicated to placing all of them within the rear:
And with that, I’m formally excusing myself for the rest of the yr, and whereas it’s doable you may see me earlier than then, my official return date shall be Monday, January sixth, 2025, so go forward and circle that date in your Attractive Fireman Calendar:
Or your Psychotic Goose Calendar because the case could also be:
I want you all a joyous, fruitful, and allergen-free vacation season, and I thanks deeply and sincerely to your readership. It’s one thing for which I’m profoundly grateful, and once I take into consideration the truth that in June of subsequent yr this weblog will formally be sufficiently old to vote, I understand that not solely does writing it symbolize one of many longest-standing commitments in my life, but additionally that we in all probability shouldn’t permit 18 year-olds to vote, since if this weblog is any indication then clearly it’s not practically sufficient time to succeed in something resembling a state of maturity.
Additionally, particular due to these of you who’ve pitched in to assist this weblog. I actually don’t anticipate it, and your readership is greater than sufficient, however if you’re each ready and inclined it’s each useful and significant.
XOXO,
–Tan Tenovo
