CULTURE Archives - Semi-Rad.com

The Pure Joy Of Fixie Dave

by brendan on March 14, 2013

A couple weeks ago at a party, I saw Dave Nice for the first time…

Everything Is Epic

by brendan on January 10, 2013

At a grocery store last week, the cover of Cosmopolitan‘s January issue caught my eye…

My Pal Mick, 1958-2012

by brendan on November 29, 2012

My friend Mick’s heart stopped working last Sunday. He died at the age of 54,…

Happy Thanksgiving

by brendan on November 22, 2012

I haven’t had a “proper” Thanksgiving dinner since 2002, somehow managing to be anywhere but…

The Customer Is Always Right

by brendan on November 1, 2012

Maybe you’ve heard this one: Ski resort patron approaches lift ticket kiosk on Powder Day…

Sick, Brah: The Ineloquence Of Talking About The Outdoors

by brendan on October 25, 2012

You, outdoor recreator, are quite probably quite educated: Bachelor’s degree, possibly a master’s degree or…

My Friend Lee: A Story About Mentors

by brendan on October 18, 2012

Five summers ago, I met this guy named Lee Smith while climbing with a big…

The Three Bumper Stickers

by brendan on October 4, 2012

“You know, I was just thinking that three bumper stickers changed my life,” Dan said…

Don’t Sandbag Me, Bro

by brendan on September 27, 2012

I always get sandbagged by guys in gear shops. I will stop in somewhere to…

What’s Better: Watching Or Doing?

by brendan on September 20, 2012

As the USA Pro Cycling Challenge was working its way around Colorado and into the…

The Rise And Fall Of Macaroni And Cheese

by brendan on September 6, 2012

Sometimes I like to fantasize that I have some sort of backcountry suaveness and culinary…

You Don’t Really Need To ‘Get Away’

by brendan on August 30, 2012

Ever fantasized about being a fire lookout, or living in a cabin high in the…

A Guest Appearance On The Enormocast

by brendan on August 17, 2012

I’ve been a fan of Chris Kalous’ still fairly-new and incredibly rad podcast, The Enormocast,…

Is Mountaineering Sexy?

by brendan on August 16, 2012

I think there’s nothing that feels more rad than picking your way up a ridgeline,…

What Is ‘Trail Magic’?

by brendan on August 2, 2012

My friend Jesse was about five miles east of Dighton, Kansas, a little over 200…

New: Pre-Stickered Water Bottles, $29.99

by brendan on July 26, 2012

Staying hydrated is important. Perhaps equally important is subtly communicating your identity by decorating your…

The Things That Make Us

by brendan on July 12, 2012

In the weeks leading up to my wedding in 2007, my hair was a little…

Girly Girls And Manly Men

by brendan on July 5, 2012

In a conversation a few weeks ago, a climber friend of mine described herself as…

Rappelling: Have More Fun

by brendan on June 28, 2012

Climbing is fun. But at the top of a route, everybody gets all serious. Which…

The Importance Of Big Dreams

by brendan on June 21, 2012

I have a copy of this children’s book that I take everywhere I go. It’s…

Tough Mudder Is Ridiculous. But So Is …

by brendan on May 24, 2012

You have to crawl through 50 feet of mud. You have to jump over a…

Dude, It’s OK To Hug Your Bro

by brendan on May 17, 2012

Get over here. Come on in and let the big bear get his paws on…

In Defense Of Denver

by brendan on May 3, 2012

A handful of Saturday mornings, I have driven out of Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood juggling…

Review: My Running Shoes

by brendan on April 26, 2012

I picked up these sweet-ass rigs after I finally wore out my last pair of…

The Rules For Dating A Dirtbag

by brendan on April 12, 2012

It’s a singular feeling when you’re 33 and talking to your mother and she says,…

Why Road Trips Are Still Important

by brendan on March 29, 2012

I asked my friend Nick to drive from Denver to Seattle with me a couple…

Do You Love Cars Without That New-Car Smell?

by brendan on March 15, 2012

Remember when you first started climbing, or skiing, or mountain biking, and you went out…