Almost Famous

CHICAGO - As I prepare to embark for Interbike, I can't help but feel [and look, as I've been rocking the mop top lately; inset] like William Miller, Patrick Fugit's character in the movie Almost Famous.

On his first real assignment, the teenaged aspiring rock journalist, is sent to cover an "on the verge of stardom" band called Stillwater. Though advised by his mentor to "experience it, enjoy it, just don't fall for it," William gets taken on an adventure that sees him transform from fan to professional journalist.

Although this is the second time the Triple Crankset has been credentialed as media, it is my first real assignment as a member of the "working media." Admittedly, I am not a professional journalist nor do I seriously aspire to become one; my passions slanting rather to fiction and short stories.

But as a blogger, my passions for writing and for cycling have converged. I have discovered an adeptness and a style of writing that feeds both sides of my being. I am a blogger. A blogger of cycling and of things cycling related, and I am about to experience the wild ride that is Interbike.

The trade show has gone from simply being an avenue for those in the cycling business and industry to inform, consult, and aid each other in maintaining or expanding their respective businesses to something bigger than life. It has politely been described to me as "an adult Disneyland for cyclists," or "AVN [look it up] for Bike Nerds."

As William covered the spectacle of rock & roll through the eyes of Stillwater, I will analogously be seeing the cycling industry through another set of eyes, Vanderkitten eyes.

The grassroots clothing company for "women who kick ass," is on the verge of becoming more than a regional brand. With Team Vanderkitten for the road set to race with a full lineup in 2008, and with an already established mountain bike team and a fledgling cyclocross team, they have postioned themselves for an exponential growth period.

So as I get set to meet our friend of the blog, Liz Hatch, and the rest of the Vanderkitten crew I couldn't help but parody both casts and crews.








Lester Bangs (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) - Rock journalist & mentor. T-o-03 (Steve Klein) whose vast experience as a professional journalist, editor and professor has guided my creative processes.








Dick Roswell (Noah Taylor) & Dennis Hope (Jimmy Fallon) - The band's managers who troubleshoot all. Vanderkitten's equivalent, Dave & Mark - the creative and entrepreneurial force behind Team Vanderkitten.









Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup) and Stillwater (Jason Lee, John Fedevich, and Mark Kozelek). Hammond, the incendiary lead guitarist fronted the group to stardom. Liz Hatch and Team Vanderkitten - the one woman gang has fronted Team Vanderkitten for 2007. She's shown remarkably well for not having any teammates. Her latest exploits include another victory in the Infineon Raceway Twilight Series, and a dominating display at the Chico Criterium where she not only won, but took home every single prime to boot [guess who's buying the beer].








Penny Lane (Kate Hudson) & the Band-Aids (Anna Paquin, Faruiza Balk, and Bijou Phillips) - The groupies who reinvent themselves into "aiding the band." Not really sure who the VK groupies or Manderkittens are, but they're probably already out there.

In the end, as in the movie, we may all be singing a revised rendition of Cover of the Rolling Stones.

WE TAKE ALL KINDS OF PILLS
TO GIVE US ALL KINDS OF THRILLS
BUT THE THRILL WE'VE NEVER KNOWN

IS THE THRILL THAT WILL GET YOU
WHEN YOU GET YOUR PICTURE
ON THE COVER OF THE VELONEWS