The Aldrich Ave Daily

A relaxed, but curious Sampson

I remember growing up we would always ask our parents if we could get a dog. I would say we finally gave up when we hit middle school. It was quite funny. My dad just sounded like a broken record. A simple “NO” every time the question was brought up. He doesn’t like dogs. At least to my knowledge he doesn’t. We would hound him all the time. This question probably came up once a month. We never had a chance, but I guess it became a force of habit to ask every once in awhile to annoy dad.  My mom grew up with a dachshund. She always liked dogs, and I bet we could have convinced her to let us get one had our dad not intervened. Because of that I could never understand the connection people got with their dogs. I mean its just a dog right?

When my old roommate bought his first house, I moved in with him and shortly after that he asked if it would be cool to get a dog. Nobody objected and a couple weeks later Sampson showed up at our door. He was about 2 years old when Chris got him. I think from a family friend up in St. Francis or something like that. A Lab/Shepherd mix. Basically he looked like a chocolate lab with the tail of a German Shepherd. I knew nothing about dogs when he showed up. I couldn’t understand why he howled so much when the doorbell rang. Why did he just pee on that chair? Why does he obsess over small furry critters? Oh yea, I was late for work plenty of times from those mornings. He was a slut for attention but it was great. I remember those mornings where I would be laying in bed and Sam would put his head on my bed and stare at me waiting to get up. Those late nights hanging out in the backyard burning things, drinking Mickey’s hand grenades and chillin’ with the pup(he howled at fireworks). I learned a lot about dogs with Sampson and ultimately I was convinced when I moved out that I would someday have a dog of my own.

Early last week I guess he started having liver problems. I got a call from Chris around Friday and it didn’t sound good. Liver failure. Bad news. Nothing that could be done. I guess they said it was hereditary and it couldn’t have been avoided. Jeez, he’s barely 5 years old. It came one so quick. Just two weeks ago I was wrestling with him at Kubi’s. Just sad. They were able to put him on some meds for the weekend but last night Chris had to put him asleep. I was fortunate enough to stop by there Saturday morning to hang out with Sam for an hour or so and say my goodbyes. He wasn’t moving at all, couldn’t walk. However when I showed up his tail wagged just a little bit as I came into his view. That was pretty cool. I never thought I would have that kind of a connection with an animal. Everyone that came across to meet Sampson always said the same thing. A super mellow, kind, loving dog that liked everyone. Well everyone except for my buddy Paul whom Sampson liked to bite. Farewell Sam.

2009 S-Works Epic

I recently returned from my latest trip for work. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to take a yearly trip with my fellow service managers at Eriks. The past two years we went out to Colorado Springs for Sram’s STU(Sram Technical University). Last year plus STU we got to partake in the Bill Woodul Race mechanics clinic. For someone that wants to be a race mechanic this is the first step. This year we got to go out to Specialized Bikes for their SBCU program. This past October they added a technical clinic to their list of classes. Specialized Technical Masters Course. I have never been to California before so I was pretty stoked to spend part of my winter in a warm climate for the first time in my life. Specialized has a beautiful facility. Very well kept. Top notch. The tech clinic was roughly 4 days. The first day was a lot of Theory. Explanations on carbon fiber, integrated suspension and its advantages, spring rates, and rider experience. The second and third days were in the lab. We briefly looked at Roval wheels. The new Command Post. Then we dove into suspension. The rest of the second day was pulling apart the rear AFR shocks. The third day was all forks. We pulled apart the E150 fork, and the E100 Future Shock fork. All in all, the course was very good. However I could tell it is still in its early stages, and it can only get better. Brennan Marquez did a great job. We got to meet the engineers behind the front and rear shocks. Even the well known Mike “Mic” McAndrews. A pioneer in the suspension world who helped invent the BRAIN shock on Specialized bikes. The last day was spent out on the trail testing out the suspension and seeing how it performs in different conditions.

   The weather out there was perfect. I think we were in the 60’s all week. I guess it had been raining a ton there the past week and some of us were worried we weren’t going to get to ride. I rained overnight most nights, but was dry during the day. Luckily we were able to ride that last day. And it was an epic ride. THE best mt. bike ride of my life. I rode the 2009 S-Works Epic. It was outfitted with the Fast Trak LK(low knob) tires. I was a bit concerned with this because of the muddy conditions we were hearing about, plus “AT” the rear shock engineer looked at my tires and gave me a funny look. Uh Oh, I thought. The bike was flawless. Climbs like a banshee. As fast if not faster then my S-Works Carbon hardtail. The tires were the most surprising. No issues at all. And it was MUDDY. Ya see, we Minnesotans don’t get the opportunity to ride in the mud because our trails close if there is the slightest hint of mud. We took full advantage. It was some of the gnarliest shit I’ve ever ridden on. I followed a guys line who was riding an S-Works Enduro down a really aggressive, steep rocky section. I’m sure I had that “OH SHIT” look on my face. But the bike came through with flying colors. A great 3+ hours of riding had us all spent. Some frosty Sierra Nevada Pale Ales, then pizza was a great way to end our week out there. 

   As much as I love these trips and am grateful for them, every year I debate on going. I don’t like flying. No, there are parts of flying I don’t like. You always hear that you’re more likely to die in a car accident then a plane crash. Thats just by the numbers. Take a car crash vs. a plane crash. Thats how I look at it. Secondly I hate turbulence. Can’t stand it. On our way back we hit some wicked shit over the Rocky Mountains. Worst I’ve ever experienced. I prefer window seats, but looking at that wing flop all over the place, while the plane is swaying back and forth and changing altitudes makes me feel like the pilot has no control. Taking off and landing are pretty cool. Gimme just that, and put me out for the rest of it. The whole time this is going on this guy sitting behind me is snoring his ass off. How? Not sure, maybe he’s got some good drugs. We’ll see what happens next year. Maybe I won’t go?  I tell this myself every year, and end up going. It was pretty cool to be laying in green grass one moment, then just 4 hours later walking in 8 degree weather and fresh POW. Oh yes, and In-N-Out Burger is worth all the hype.