We came into Underbike by way of the forever 29th bicycle birthday party that is Interbike. We do this of our own accord every single time. But all we really care about is the rock and roll. Blinded by an expo floor of too many phenomenal things and an uncertainty for eye contact, gives way to real good times at the end of Thursday.
Backstory: Superissimo had been a micro-juggernaut until the late spring of 2014 at which point breaking rocks in the salt mine of daily existence superseded all but our fundamental passion for cycling. This is pro-am status issue for which apology letters are being served. In turn, we are ever hopeful that such a thing as the annual reminder – Interbike – will revive our passion for bicycling… the sliver you see here may be evidence enough. I digress…
Still: Interbike – the unofficial lap split of cycling’s forever years. If there is any shinning moment that catches the phenomenalism that cycling has offered year in and year out for every single year of its capital gain, it is housed in this one expo/trade show in Las Vegas, annually. But that is not the point as much as it is the dead horse to be danced around.
As Superissimo has gone, the board supported a buy-in factor for Underbike support without question. Though the remainder of the year was spent with so much as a bushel of cabbage and a grip of wicker to subside the tedium of loosing touche with the pelotongs for days. The date was set. Attendance mandated. The undertaking of Underbike is very nearly Stevil’s domain however much we are proud to support his leadership in maintaining why we are all bike nerds. He is a stickler for seeing a good time go to plan, and so it was. He is a good man.
Underbike was the true purpose and provided perhaps a more legitimate phenomenalism in regards to what We The Cyclists take as value nevermind getting there – to wherever we go – atop two wheels and a mindset of DIY.
After a pre-underbike feast, we arrived to Gaytheist taking the stage at the Beauty Bar down on the Old Strip of Las Vegas. Stunned into elation where all who arrived. It was loud, and they drank from the spring of what may have helped them love bikes in the first place. That being loud music and beer.
One of the true geniuses of Underbike developent is the choice to host it at the Beauty Bar, near Fremont Street, which, if anyone has experience in Vegas, provides the lowest common denominator of “civilized” people. Away from the show, Fremont becomes the seedy underbelly of what Vegas truly is. Walking past the middle aged man, rag-dolled against a security planter, dying of a heart attack as the blurred masses shuffle past, and the hookers and tranny’s with whispered tones of dis ease and relief, take reality to new heights of understanding as to what, exactly, people are willing to choose to call a good time.
Returning to the show, the bustle of bicycle persons was significant. This being the 6th annual version of UNDERBIKE, legitimacy was partially realized through the attendance of Gary Fisher, Bruce Gordon, and many, many other heavy hitting bike types.
We had regretted the 2am death of the guy on Fremont Street as we walked by. Denny’s was open, a single point of light in that dark forest, as it always is. The dead guy put a certain disdain into mind for Vegas, and by way of it, Interbike, and by way of it, the witching hour was upon us.The choice was made to leave. Bat Country was in full effect, and as a matter of teleport later, we escaped the scourge to find solace along the banks of the Colorado, with Vegas now far out of sight. It was all a practice run at End Times. We survived the onslaught of Vegas by bike, by way of Underbike. It became horrifying yet comforting in it’s dedication to Rock and Roll by the end. We were thankful for the Colorado escape.
Full image set of Interbike and Underbike provided compliments of Stevil Kinevil and ALL HAIL THE BLACK MARKET. Please be visiting there. Hopefully, Superissimo will once again have input on the festivities of Underbike in 2015, because we have recovered, and while we may have said never again, we look forward to next time. Viva Las Vegas. Viva Underbike.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/allhailtheblackmarket/sets/72157647146729020/
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