With Interior Secretary Ken Salazar saying thanks, but no thanks, John Hickenlooper is said to be polling slightly behind Scott McLobbyist in the Colorado gubernatorial race — even though the Denver mayor hasn’t officially entered the race yet.
That said, what’s not to like about a guy who opened a couple of brewpubs — Wynkoop in Denver and Phantom Canyon right here in Bibleburg? Would you rather have a publican running the state or some roundheeled Big Energy mouthpiece who keeps a mattress strapped to his back in case he needs to assume the position on a moment’s notice?
Meanwhile, it’s Friday and instead of bellying up to some elegant bar I’m up to my oversized keister in various labors for VeloNews — whose absentee landlords still have yet to offer me a reasonable contract for 2010, eight days into the New Year — and Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, whose management knows better than to pester me with such nonsense. Revising badly written legalese that is to freelance journalism what Shanghaiing was to naval recruitment leaves me fulminating and unfunny, qualities one does not desire in a humorist for hire.
And finally, to another matter: Any of you folks out there know much about Austin, Texas? A cycling buddy is contemplating a move there and wants the inside scoop on the joint. I haven’t been there since I was a sprout living on Randolph AFB outside San Antone, so as usual I am less than informed. Your assistance would be appreciated.
Mad Blog Media 
When the choice is between a hick and a hack, I’ll go with the hick every time.
I’ve heard folks call Austin the Boulder of Texas, but that’s a stretch. Good sized town — small enough that you don’t spend your whole life on the freeway, big enough to have enough to do. And for whatever reason not as dog-awful hot as the rest of Texas.
Texas doesn’t have an open container law. Everyone but the driver is allowed to be stinking drunk. And that’s only because someone needs to be sober enough to shoot at the road signs without hitting their fellow motorists.
Doesn’t ol’ “Thy Racer Who Shant Be Named” still populate the Austin City Limits? Enuff said for me….
I lived in Austin from 1985-1994, and I make it back there a couple of times a year just to take a look around. My wife and I graduated from UT. We worked in Austin for a few years before my wife’s law career brought us to Houston. I mention working in Austin because there are a lot of people in Austin who are living really well on Mom’s and Dad’s money, California late 90’s hi-tech/real estate money, large retirement money, or trust fund money. It can mess with your head when you are trying to live on a budget of your own making.
Austin is cool, but it isn’t the Austin of legend. California showed up about the time I left, so it’s pretty expensive now. There has been a ton of commercial and residential development over the last ten years. Cool in Austin looks a lot like cool in Los Angeles these days. People now spend a couple of hours each morning getting that “just rolled out of bed” look.
Having said that, about 4 minutes after I retire from Houston, I’m moving. Austin is on the list of destinations–not at the top of the list–but it’s in consideration.
steve o: There is an open container law. Be careful if you are planning on drinking and driving.
And be careful if you are planning on riding your bike. There are a lot of folks who don’t drive well in Austin whether they are drunk or sober. Austin ain’t Boulder by any means. But it ain’t Houston, either.
The cycling scene isn’t as international as it was when the Tour of Texas was at the front of the list for early season racing. The amateur Euros and Eddie B’s kids don’t show up anymore. However, it’s still a beautiful place to train and race. The local scene is still very good. Mountain, road, and cyclocross are all well represented. The bike stores are plentiful and of good quality. One of them is particularly obvious and sort of rhymes with Jello Mommies. However, my favorite mechanic and small shop owner is Nelo Breda. I haven’t been to Nelo’s Pro Cycles since it moved, but Nelo is an excellent source of cycling info, a great mechanic, a small business owner, and a friend, so I mention him to y’all.
Car traffic is pretty bad these days. I-35 is pretty much locked up all the time. There’s a lot of suburban sprawl without enough roads to handle it all, so time your commutes accordingly.
Anywhere in the Hill Country is awesome for camping, day trips, BBQ, hunting and fishing, cycling, rock climbing, tubing down a river drinking beer, etc.
The music scene colors everything.
Like I said, I’d move back there. I like it. It’s way the hell better than Houston in terms of healthy lifestyle.