5ive Points: Pete Rubi
Intro by Jeremy Dunn of Rapha/Embrocation Cycling Journal fame:
To know Pete Rubi is to love him. But, to know him is sometimes a difficult thing, as it is with any of the truly artistic people that you may encounter in your lifetime. For these people reside in places that we can never imagine. Places in the physical world (I’ve seen this guy turn himself literally inside out on the bicycles) and the metaphysical as well (the late night ramblings between us still venture into the wee hours). I am lucky, so lucky, to have crossed paths and continue to do so with this man, for whatever he does, he will always be one of the Hero’s in my life. We started traveling to races together on the East Coast many moons ago and I was exposed to the drawings, sketches, photographs and comedic asides that make up the man we call Rubi. Or Hans Poot. But, if you insist on being all formal about it… I am proud to introduce to you my friend, Peter Rubijono.
*NYC Velo Note: Pete also happens to be one of our guest artist/tee shirt designers, having designed the awesome “Deer Tee.”
NYC VELO: What bike do you ride?
Peter Rubijono: I am going to ride my Igleheart, custom steel cyclocross. It is made of Columbus Life tubing, and has been configured for the last two years with White Industries Eccentric Eno wheelset. Not only does Christopher create sturdy and reliable cyclcraft, he is also a master of domestic personnel extraction operations. Bottom line friends, Steel triggers.
NYCV: What’s your favorite ride?
PR: My favorite ride is American cyclocross at large. This is because a day of racing is like an atom smasher of excitement. For the entire year, we are all training and riding long miles out there on our lands. Our parade is homing back to the closed courses of schools, estates, campgrounds, and farms as September takes on. I love that feeling of sizing up a grassy knoll for a bank of barriers or a blur of spectators. I love returning to a racecourse, and going back to one for the first time.
NYCV: What’s your favorite post-ride food?
PR: My favorite food meals for after a ride or race is Portuguese sweet rolls with Chocolate hazelnut spread, bananas and crunchy peanut butter and a dollop of blueberry preserves. Then a vanilla milkshake, apple fritter, and sparkling water. Then a bowl of brown rice with smoked herring, roma tomatoes, cilantro, Braggs, crushed corn tortilla chips, spicy hummus and spinach. Beer and ice cream follow.
NYCV: What’s the one thing you always carry on a ride?
PR: Something that I always take with me on a ride is a sense of who I am. I carry all the important bits such as how to let go to the wonderful strain of a long bike ride. The ability to assess a mechanical, or understand your limits and needs whilst riding your bicycle, is neatly tucked in a cut section of inner tube. I also keep a safety pin on my person at all times for field surgery.
NYCV: What’s next?
PR: What comes next is another moment. Breathe in the air, and be in it.
