Hobbies, interests, pastimes... Stuff that inspires you and makes you happy that doesn't have pedals or handlebars....

This is what I do in my spare time. Eye of the Hawk

It's me and my friend Clif, who's been on rides and many of you have met.

I cook. I read. And I've been in the video game world for most of the last 30 years. Yeah that long.

bëany:I never pursued my artistic inclinations (playing guitar and piano or cartooning) but plan on doing so, soon. So I am always envious of those who did do something with their talent.

Besides bettering the world, I love cooking. What started out as a necessity has grown into a full blown passion. My favorite cooking is my own since I know how to make things the way I like it.

My other passion is reading. I'm one of those people who will scrutinize a cereal box if I have nothing else to read. I almost always carry a book with me.

I'm in the same boat... kind of... I am envious of those who made it. I've been in and out of bands for 10 years and never once did I get past LA for shows. It really makes me sick to see the money and time wasted on the Justin Biebers of the world. Can't wait to watch the big Record Companies choke on their own fat, stagnant ways and the internet to be open to distribute your music freely to the world. I've long held the belief that when musicians stop being paid for making music, the only ones left will be the ones who aren't in it for the money.

I also like to read.

I read a lot. I'm a historian by profession and by passion. I write a lot of history and some "other". I cook some. I'm interested in but not very talented at graphic design, photography, and printmaking. I'd really like to learn Portuguese, and I've always wanted to learn how to fence (with swords, not with posts and wire--I've already done that). I used to ride/own horses, and I'd sure like to again.

I like riding bikes, meeting people, reading, writing and traveling. I have an IPA beer hobby. I'm also trying to learn how to play the shinobue. That's not going well.

William.: I have an IPA beer hobby.

Oh yeah, me too.

I read. A lot.

I collect bicycles, vinyl phonograph records, autographed books, military firearms, red wines, and Paisley shirts.

I learn languages readily and enjoy trying them out on native speakers. English is my favorite language. I'm fascinated by its rich history and literature. I find it interesting that English was not born in the British Isles, but was brought there by invaders.

I enjoy playing and singing Early Music, the greatest hits of the 16th century and before. I have a harpsichord and a choir of recorders. I also have my grandfather's century old Weber upright grand piano for more modern music.

(Cantus: What is the shape of the Earth?
Chorus: Flat.
Cantus: What happens when you get to the edge?
Chorus: You fall off.)

I love hiking in the desert and stargazing at night under the dark sky.

I love wilderness and wild lands. I am desolately saddened by the destruction of the Coastal Sage Scrub habitat in Southern California.

I like birds, except crows. My yard is planted to attract birds and butterflies. Scrub jays come in through my kitchen window to get peanuts. I've trained a couple of them to take peanuts from my hands. Sometimes they try to take a finger!

I like to drink beer.

I only mentioned bicycles once!

t.e.d:

William.: I have an IPA beer hobby.

Oh yeah, me too.

I think we all need to get together and have an IPA party somewhere. Each of us bring a resonable quantity of IPA's (coordinated of course, to eliminate overlap), and share our love of all things hoppy.

Smashing idea! Tyler Kraus (bike racer) has been brewing some tasty IPAs lately. Ballast Point just got another award for an India Pale Lager. I also like Port Brewing's Swami's IPA, Stone, and Racer 5.

I recently drank a bottle of Rogue Kells Irish Lager that I loved!

I also love the hops. I'm about to go for a late lunch bike ride over to the Alesmith brewery to fill a growler of their IPA. The best around, IMO.

Fly a kite something like this:face-devil-grin: I flew big power kites like these to get my upper body workout.


warning: start with a really small kite then work your way up.

markphilips:warning: don't try this at home.

It's like people really know me sometimes and my innocent-ish idea that I can do stuff...that the laws of expereince and gravity say I shouldn't.

Cool thread, interesting to see how much common non-bicycle ground there is here.

On the beer front, anymore, I almost exclusively drink IPAs except for the odd stout or sour ale. The ride sounds like a good time, Hamilton's and Blind Lady always have a great selection. Small Bar in university heights is pretty good too, it's cool if you're there in the evening before they close up the fenced in outdoor patio area for the night.

Another musician here too, grew up playing in punk bands but after high school got into a little bit of everything. My last band was a bluegrass/old timey project kind of along the lines of OCMS and the Avett Brothers, but my number one favorite influence is probably Tom Waits. I play mainly guitar and mandolin; also a little bit of accordion, diatonic/chromatic harmonicas, melodica, banjo, and whatever else I can mess around with.

My girlfriend and I go to a lot of shows, usually at the Casbah. I love having so much great live music nearby.

We should have an sdbikecommuter combo IPAfest + jam session sometime!

I also like listening to local bands live. SD Bike commuter did a ride out to see Rachel B play once ~ it was pretty awesome. Live is best, second place is vinyl.