In case you were wondering, or even had any doubt (and how could you, really?) Zebulon Pike will be playing a much deserved slot at the Best Bands of 2003 showcase this Wednesday in the First Avenue Mainroom. ZP goes on at 9:00 pm, and as such, the Wed.Nite Ride will meet at First Ave, be bludgeoned by the DOOM-laden instruMETAL, enjoy some 2-4-1's, then ride out into the Block E/Downtown madness. Bring ear plugs... And now for something completely different. Today, SRAM Corp announced the signing of a letter of intent to purchase Avid, L.L.C., the brake manufacturing dynamo's of Colorado's Front Range. Interesting development, indeed. SRAM is the bicycle industry's second largest component supplier, and this acquisition shore's up their brake division, obviously, even though they are no stranger to brake systems, having offered linear pull designs in the past, as well as a hydraulic disc brake, licensed from Grimeca. If you haven't heard already, Paola Pezzo will return to competive mountain biking in '04, focussing on the Athens Olympics, August 27, and the World Championships in Les Gets, France, September 12. She will be competing in several World Cups, as well. The shocker to all this? Here main sponsors will be Gatorade and Specialized Bicycles. Where hath Gary Fisher gone?