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 fulfill and be in one in every of 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 need to depend on way more gifted videographers so as 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 during which I seem, and which I’ve not even had an opportunity to observe 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:

Happily 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 should have wound up among the many footage that was lower. However our eyes did meet as I used to be prattling on for the digital camera, and I couldn’t assist however really feel as if he was taking a look at me with a combination of pity and compassion–a lot the best way I suppose I’d have a look at him if he have been vainly struggling to experience a bicycle. Anyway, I can now put yet one more merchandise on my prolonged record of accomplishments, that being capturing a scene with Hank Azaria.

Thanks Seth Alvo for having me in your video, and I stay up for curling up in entrance of a crackling fireplace* with tender, 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 nicely nigh upon us, which suggests it’s time to shut out the books on 2024. And what higher means to do this than title a Bike of the Yr? As you could recall, as of about mid-November I’d narrowed it down to 3 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? Effectively, for one factor I rode it solely simply this morning, and whichever bike I’ve ridden most not too long ago is normally my favourite. For one more, 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 known as it the “Tringle Thriple-stache XO3 EVO.” However principally, it’s as a result of the one factor higher than a singlespeed is a three-speed “singlespeed”–it’s 3 times higher, the truth is–and when you’re a contrarian like me you enjoyment of placing all of your gears within the entrance when the complete 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 12 months, and whereas it’s attainable you would possibly see me earlier than then, my official return date will likely be Monday, January sixth, 2025, so go forward and circle that date in your Horny 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 on your readership. It’s one thing for which I’m profoundly grateful, and after I take into consideration the truth that in June of subsequent 12 months 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 in addition that we in all probability shouldn’t enable 18 year-olds to vote, since if this weblog is any indication then clearly it’s not almost 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 count on it, and your readership is greater than sufficient, however in case you are each ready and inclined it’s each useful and significant.

XOXO,

–Tan Tenovo