Bike Trials originated in Spain with Ot Pi. His dad was a motorcycle trials rider and built a mini trials bike for him to practice on until he got big enough to ride a motorcycle. I don't think his dad realized that he started a whole new way of riding a bicycle. It caught on and during the 90's there was a flurry of young trials riders. Trials has always been a niche riding style, but with Freeride coming into fruitation trials suffered even more. In the last few years with the infusion of Trials into the Urban street movement it's even harder to find a true trials rider. One who rides a real trials bike and has the gonads to go huge on it. I came across this video on pink bike and made me think there is still hope for the younger generation of full on trials riders.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
places you wish you lived
The 1 year I made it BC I felt like I had gone to the golden promise land of Mountain Biking. It was everything I had hoped it to be. We got hooked up with some locals who pointed us to some of the more obscure back country freeride trails like Bob Gnarly and Cop Killer up in Killington, and the 9th Hole in Squamish among many others. We all got back to Cali so pumped and excited about riding, to only be reminded that just about every trail in the bay is a "no jump" area and the trails are slim to none these days. 3 local jumping spots have been plowed and the overall Bay Area "home of mountainbiking" surely has to be the lamest place to bestow such a name. I guarantee the "home of Nascar" has a museum, a restaurant, flags entering the town and the most dialed track. Sad state of affairs. If you recall last year I started down the road of getting a jump park legalized and built in the berkeley area. I'm going to make the contacts again and see if I can get back on course with the process. In the meantime, I came across a video that has a trail that I wish we had up in the hills here. Take me to this place of promise.
Friday, May 23, 2008
WS Kits are in!!!
The new Wrench Science Kits have landed and they look great. We worked with Garrett and our friends at Capo Forma to have these created and couldn't be happier.
Kits include:
- Jersey - Full hidden zip Micro Quattro,
- Bibs - Multi Comp EIT Chamois and Power Lycra upgrade,
- Arm Warmers
- Knee Warmers
- Socks - Meryl Skinlife
TM
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Celebration of Peter's life
Dear Family and Friends,
Sally, Steve, Jessica, and I have received a wealth of Peter stories from many of you. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful memories. We have enjoyed reading about the meaningful moments that so many have spent with Peter, as well as the everyday Peter quirks and adventures that made him so special.
A service has not yet been held. Peter requested that we celebrate his life with a joyful event, so we will be taking the time to plan and do exactly that. Please join us in remembering and celebrating Peter's life on Sunday, June 15th, at the Skyline Community Church in the Oakland hills. The exact time and other details will follow shortly in another e-mail and we will be in touch about any requests for extra helping hands.
Sally, Steve, Jessica, and I have officially moved back to the East Bay after 7 months in Mountain View. It has been hard to return to a place that has seemingly changed so little, when things have changed so much. We all had a difficult time leaving Mountain View and the Stanford area because it signified the closing of one chapter of our journey with Peter and the start of a new one without him. We have gone through enough tissue boxes to clear a small forest, but we have also been able to share laughter as we remember Peter and all his Peter ways. Steve and Sally have returned to their home in Shepherd Canyon and I have moved in along with them. Jessica has moved back to her apartment, but spends half of her days and nights with us at Shepherd Canyon. David has been wonderful and is also at Shepherd Canyon along with Sachi. Eli is still wagging his tail so hard that his entire body wags with him.
Thank you again for all the love and support that has been flowing in. Your prayers and positive thoughts have meant a lot to us. Please continue to send Peter stories and photos our way as we would like to include them in a memory book for all to share.
We look forward to spending time with Peter's family and friends on June 15th and we know that Peter will be right there with us.
Love,
Sally, Steve, Jessica, and Alekist
Sally, Steve, Jessica, and I have received a wealth of Peter stories from many of you. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful memories. We have enjoyed reading about the meaningful moments that so many have spent with Peter, as well as the everyday Peter quirks and adventures that made him so special.
A service has not yet been held. Peter requested that we celebrate his life with a joyful event, so we will be taking the time to plan and do exactly that. Please join us in remembering and celebrating Peter's life on Sunday, June 15th, at the Skyline Community Church in the Oakland hills. The exact time and other details will follow shortly in another e-mail and we will be in touch about any requests for extra helping hands.
Sally, Steve, Jessica, and I have officially moved back to the East Bay after 7 months in Mountain View. It has been hard to return to a place that has seemingly changed so little, when things have changed so much. We all had a difficult time leaving Mountain View and the Stanford area because it signified the closing of one chapter of our journey with Peter and the start of a new one without him. We have gone through enough tissue boxes to clear a small forest, but we have also been able to share laughter as we remember Peter and all his Peter ways. Steve and Sally have returned to their home in Shepherd Canyon and I have moved in along with them. Jessica has moved back to her apartment, but spends half of her days and nights with us at Shepherd Canyon. David has been wonderful and is also at Shepherd Canyon along with Sachi. Eli is still wagging his tail so hard that his entire body wags with him.
Thank you again for all the love and support that has been flowing in. Your prayers and positive thoughts have meant a lot to us. Please continue to send Peter stories and photos our way as we would like to include them in a memory book for all to share.
We look forward to spending time with Peter's family and friends on June 15th and we know that Peter will be right there with us.
Love,
Sally, Steve, Jessica, and Alekist
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
Peter Stories
Dear Family & Friends,
Many of you have asked if there is anything you can do for us. We'd like to request that you email us any Peter stories you might have. Pete walked in more different worlds than most, so we would like to hear from all of you. The stories can be funny, sad, adventure-filled, heartfelt...whatever you remember and hold dear to your heart.
We will eventually compile all of your stories so all can share in them. If you have more than one story...send them all. If you could make a note of how you're connected to Peter, it will help us put things in context.
We have not begun making plans for Peter's funeral/celebration. We're just trying to get some rest after the 9 long months and begin to adjust to a world without Pete. We will let everyone know as soon as we finalize some dates and have a plan.
Thank you for all the love and feelings you have shared with us.
Peter was something very special.
Affectionately,
Steve
Please send all stories to Wrench Science and we will forward them along.
Many of you have asked if there is anything you can do for us. We'd like to request that you email us any Peter stories you might have. Pete walked in more different worlds than most, so we would like to hear from all of you. The stories can be funny, sad, adventure-filled, heartfelt...whatever you remember and hold dear to your heart.
We will eventually compile all of your stories so all can share in them. If you have more than one story...send them all. If you could make a note of how you're connected to Peter, it will help us put things in context.
We have not begun making plans for Peter's funeral/celebration. We're just trying to get some rest after the 9 long months and begin to adjust to a world without Pete. We will let everyone know as soon as we finalize some dates and have a plan.
Thank you for all the love and feelings you have shared with us.
Peter was something very special.
Affectionately,
Steve
Please send all stories to Wrench Science and we will forward them along.
Friday, May 2, 2008
A Message from Steve Togasaki
Dear Family & Friends,
Early this morning, Tuesday April 29th, Peter left us quietly and gently...true to his nature. Alekist, Jessica, Michael, Marcus, Jim, Sally and I encircled his bed. It was 4:35 am, and we all were touching him in comfort and love.
As sad as we are to lose our sweet Peter, we are so grateful that he is no longer in his painful struggle. His last 2 weeks in ICU were agonizingly difficult and exhausting, but the staff worked hard to keep him comfortable and we were able be with him most of the time.
The past 9 months Peter fought a heroic battle against his AML, and then his graft versus host disease. All of you know what an ordeal he endured to stay with us as long as he could. The Stanford Hospital and Clinic staff was phenomenal, both in their knowledge and their humanity. They always spent the time to answer our myriad of questions, and comfort our spirits.
We are all so proud of Peter...his sweetness, his humor, his kindness to everyone who came into the room. Everyone became attached to Peter and to our family in a way that made the clinics our second home.
Peter is now at peace, and we envision him embraced by family and running with Maggie.
Thank you for your love, your support and your prayers.
We love you all.
Alekist, Jessica, Sally & Steve
Early this morning, Tuesday April 29th, Peter left us quietly and gently...true to his nature. Alekist, Jessica, Michael, Marcus, Jim, Sally and I encircled his bed. It was 4:35 am, and we all were touching him in comfort and love.
As sad as we are to lose our sweet Peter, we are so grateful that he is no longer in his painful struggle. His last 2 weeks in ICU were agonizingly difficult and exhausting, but the staff worked hard to keep him comfortable and we were able be with him most of the time.
The past 9 months Peter fought a heroic battle against his AML, and then his graft versus host disease. All of you know what an ordeal he endured to stay with us as long as he could. The Stanford Hospital and Clinic staff was phenomenal, both in their knowledge and their humanity. They always spent the time to answer our myriad of questions, and comfort our spirits.
We are all so proud of Peter...his sweetness, his humor, his kindness to everyone who came into the room. Everyone became attached to Peter and to our family in a way that made the clinics our second home.
Peter is now at peace, and we envision him embraced by family and running with Maggie.
Thank you for your love, your support and your prayers.
We love you all.
Alekist, Jessica, Sally & Steve
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Peter Funeral Update.
I just received this email form Alekist:
I will keep everyone posted as I hear more.
TM
We will let everyone know as soon as we have any details about a funeral. As you can imagine, we are devastated beyond measure. Getting through each hour has been a challenge and we have not been able to make arrangements yet. We know how much you all care about Peter and we thank you for the tremendous support everyone has provided, especially Wrench Science. We will be in touch soon.
Love,
Alekist
I will keep everyone posted as I hear more.
TM
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