I always believed that Chiropractors were nothing more than filler...the Oreo creme of the medical world. Then I hurt my back. I've been fighting a bad back for about 8 months. Constant pain, sleepless nights, the inability to stand like I have completed the evolutionary cycle...you get the picture.
I finally broke down and made an appointment with the chiro. So yesterday at 1pm, I went to see a guy that used to ride and hang out with us, who happens to come highly recommended by some other riders in town.
We spoke for a while about what my issues were and some possible fixes to work on outside of the office. Then, the cracking started. Dr. Coop put me on the rack, did some measurements, felt my spine and starting the process of re-aligning my frame. I've never felt more like a damaged automobile in my life.
My hips and back were/are so out of alignment that my right leg was 1" shorter than my left, my hips were skewed by at least 5 degrees and my spine was not in a straight line.
The first crack was to the left side of my neck. As you read this, try to touch your right ear to your right shoulder...without moving your shoulder. It cannot be done if you have any muscles in your neck at all. Well, my ear landed firmly on my shoulder yesterday and my neck gave a resounding CRACK.
Then he moved to cracking my back, which felt like crashing at 25+ mph. Oh, he did both sides, so I crashed twice in 60 seconds...
Then came the hips and pelvis, which felt strangely good. It was like pressure was being relieved.
Following the bone cracking, I was put on a table that could be (or maybe even has been) used in low-budget porn movies. I laid face down and the bottom half of the table moved side to side, stretching my back.
I was instructed to stretch more, do more ab work and come back Wednesday for another tune-up. Before you say, "Oh sure, he wants you to come back so you can drop more cash...!", Take this to heart. I still have residual pain and sensation, but fighting this for 8 months didn't exctly help the problem. The VAST majority of my skeletal pain and sciatic nerve pain has subsided. I have no problem standing from a seated position nor did I wake up last night with shooting/burning pains in my low back on legs.
My advice is to find a sports oriented chiro and go see him. Everyone might not have pain, but everyone has alignment issues.
I'm going back Wednesday afternoon and likely a couple more times. Then I'm going to be on a maintenance plan. Every 6-8 weeks for a tune-up.
27 February 2007
24 February 2007
Ride report
Here's what a 105km jaunt on the new RS was like earlier today. Did I mention the group decided to ride fast tempo today? Nothing like a shakedown ride with a few 25+ mph effort thrown in for good measure.
The bike is very stiff laterally. I put FSA SL-K cranks on it and the combo of the beefy tubes, tubes joints, chainstays and cranks make for a nice, stiff, firm feeling when standing to climb or jumping to sprint. Probably as stiff (frame only) as my Damocles. The cranks aren't as stiff as the D/A 7800.
It's not a harsh ride whatsoever. It mutes road imperfections, chipseal and other small vibrations very well. It reminds me very much of the way my Ridley Excalibur rode. I really didn't feel anything other than really large hits, which suck on any bike.
The front end is very stiff and very solid. The front end tracks extremely well and isn't twitchy at all. I actually like the way the front end feels on the RS better than my Damocles. The Damocles can get chattery. There's no chatter coming from this fork. The frame and fork are matched very well, which is a hard nut to crack. It's not bad when the front is stiffer than the rear, but it's murder when the rear is stiffer than the front.
Overall, I got a stinky, fat deal on very nice, well built, sublime handling frameset. Out of 5 stars, right now it's got an easy 4.75, and it's only that low because of the Russian judge. It'll make a hell of a race bike.
Now onto the ride itself...
We went out through the flats today and just kept turning away from home. I ended up with 105km when all was said and done. We rode through the Swamp all the way to the Cricket Store, which is so named because they used to sell...get ready for it...crickets. We had a terrible headwind on the way out, which is something of an anomoly. As soon as we turned though, it was a cross/tail to full tailwind all the way home. Robert made the comment that we were coasting at 22 mph. I countered with, "yeah, it's brilliant!"
The sun was out, the wind was at our backs, the group was a good one today, save for one...The Dink. We all began to take him with a grain of salt. That grain is more akin to a salt lick, but I digress.
Overall, it was great ride that included a few bursts of speed...some longer and speedier than others. I didn't go into the Pain Cave(tm) today, but I've become familiar with it's general location. New bike, 65 miles and a sunny day...not a bad Saturday.
The bike is very stiff laterally. I put FSA SL-K cranks on it and the combo of the beefy tubes, tubes joints, chainstays and cranks make for a nice, stiff, firm feeling when standing to climb or jumping to sprint. Probably as stiff (frame only) as my Damocles. The cranks aren't as stiff as the D/A 7800.
It's not a harsh ride whatsoever. It mutes road imperfections, chipseal and other small vibrations very well. It reminds me very much of the way my Ridley Excalibur rode. I really didn't feel anything other than really large hits, which suck on any bike.
The front end is very stiff and very solid. The front end tracks extremely well and isn't twitchy at all. I actually like the way the front end feels on the RS better than my Damocles. The Damocles can get chattery. There's no chatter coming from this fork. The frame and fork are matched very well, which is a hard nut to crack. It's not bad when the front is stiffer than the rear, but it's murder when the rear is stiffer than the front.
Overall, I got a stinky, fat deal on very nice, well built, sublime handling frameset. Out of 5 stars, right now it's got an easy 4.75, and it's only that low because of the Russian judge. It'll make a hell of a race bike.
Now onto the ride itself...
We went out through the flats today and just kept turning away from home. I ended up with 105km when all was said and done. We rode through the Swamp all the way to the Cricket Store, which is so named because they used to sell...get ready for it...crickets. We had a terrible headwind on the way out, which is something of an anomoly. As soon as we turned though, it was a cross/tail to full tailwind all the way home. Robert made the comment that we were coasting at 22 mph. I countered with, "yeah, it's brilliant!"
The sun was out, the wind was at our backs, the group was a good one today, save for one...The Dink. We all began to take him with a grain of salt. That grain is more akin to a salt lick, but I digress.
Overall, it was great ride that included a few bursts of speed...some longer and speedier than others. I didn't go into the Pain Cave(tm) today, but I've become familiar with it's general location. New bike, 65 miles and a sunny day...not a bad Saturday.
23 February 2007
Empty
We did the old cyclocross loop last night. Note to self, eat something prior to a 2 hour+ ride. I didn't have a little snacky in the afternoon and paid for it, full retail, on the way back in last night. I could tell I was hungry and flat as soon as we turned around. My brother flat rode away from me on the return trip. The ride home on the road was even less fun. Nothing like riding into a dead headwind, on the edge of a bonk, with empty legs. I got home, but ate everything in the house when I got here.
The new frame came yesterday. I have already hung the parts. I need to press on the crown race, cut the fork and run cables tonight. It should be ready for it's maiden voyage (Saturday) by about 8pm tonight. It's way nicer than expected and has some seriously beefy tubes. I'll post pics later.
I have to go back to the shop to do the crown race, buy a few chainstay protectors and pickup some Specialized BG insoles for the road shoes. We've traced my knee pain to poor foot alignment. I'm starting visits to the Chiro on Monday as well, in an attempt to sort out my back pain.
Time to get the day going. Gotta get my shizz done early, as the H.O., Il Bambino and I will be going to the zoo this afternoon.
A little porn for your weekend...when I hit the Superball, mine will be just like this...
21 February 2007
Tired...work is hard
I worked on the back room all day Monday...8-1/2 hours of manual labor to be exact. The entire subfloor has been replaced and I got one sheet of drywall affixed to the studs. I would have done the other two sheets, but I hadn't eaten all day and was getting a little punch-drunk. At one point, I was laying on the floor to remove an outlet cover...! It was also an outlet that I failed to remember until the H.O. asked how I was going to cut the hole for it. If not for her management skills, I'd have drywalled that beotch in.
I did my UrbanAssault/Hour of Power(tm) loop through downtown last night. I just wanted to get the legs going around. The legs felt fine after warming up, but the stomach was in a big, burly knot. I don't know why, but I know it didn't feel good. I rode slower than the normal, interval laden pace, but it was still nice to get out. I realized my blinky light needs batteries too. A bright blinky will, in fact, keep you alive.
I got Mandrus' bike finished and working properly. He's coming by tonight for a quick fitting and to pick it up...! Speaking of, my new carbon frameset is supposed to ship today or tomorrow. I'm getting itchy...
I did my UrbanAssault/Hour of Power(tm) loop through downtown last night. I just wanted to get the legs going around. The legs felt fine after warming up, but the stomach was in a big, burly knot. I don't know why, but I know it didn't feel good. I rode slower than the normal, interval laden pace, but it was still nice to get out. I realized my blinky light needs batteries too. A bright blinky will, in fact, keep you alive.
I got Mandrus' bike finished and working properly. He's coming by tonight for a quick fitting and to pick it up...! Speaking of, my new carbon frameset is supposed to ship today or tomorrow. I'm getting itchy...
18 February 2007
Zee Vind, she ist blowink...
Holy shit! Saturday's noon ride turned into a slugfest. It may have been a draw, but I came out bloodied and a bit beated. Going out, I knew it was going to be trouble on the return trip. I'm a decent climber when you take into account that I weigh a svelte 180 and race at @ 175, but when I'm tapping out a rhythm at close to 20 mph on a 2 km climb and my HR is 140, I'm getting a push from somewhere.
The route we took was shaped like a big triangle, so we had tailwind, crosswind and then dead, full blast, beat you about the upper torso, headwind for the last 45 minutes. I had a bit left in the tank, but it was definitely brutal. I feel bad for the guys who decided to do an extra 20km loop. They are all strongmen, make no mistake, but the wind did nothing but pick up as the day progressed. A 20mph headwind on a 45 degree, sunless day, makes for a ride that becomes less fun the longer it gets. I was glad to be home and have a Diet Coke and a turkey sammich.
The tempo was quick, even for the conditions, but it never hurt and I closed a gap that we let open after a climb with little difficulty. I could tell that the interval sessions had blown some of the carbon out of the pipes. I haven't ridden as much as last winter, but there's been more intensity. A few more step down sessions, some night, MUT sessions and a couple crit course visits and I'll be square.
The demo is done in the back room. Construction begins tomorrow. The new subfloor and the low sections of drywall will be getting installed. I finished the demo before yesterday's ride. I became quite weary of beating on and prying 50+ year old wood, so I broke out the big guns. Nothing says love like a Craftsman 8 amp reciprocating saw. The first half of the cabinet took about an hour to dismantle. The second half was on the pile after 15 minutes. Of course, in untrained hands, it could be a tool that quickly removes needed appendages. The wounds wouldn't be clean either...
Full TV day today. Daytona and the Tour of Cali prologue...
The route we took was shaped like a big triangle, so we had tailwind, crosswind and then dead, full blast, beat you about the upper torso, headwind for the last 45 minutes. I had a bit left in the tank, but it was definitely brutal. I feel bad for the guys who decided to do an extra 20km loop. They are all strongmen, make no mistake, but the wind did nothing but pick up as the day progressed. A 20mph headwind on a 45 degree, sunless day, makes for a ride that becomes less fun the longer it gets. I was glad to be home and have a Diet Coke and a turkey sammich.
The tempo was quick, even for the conditions, but it never hurt and I closed a gap that we let open after a climb with little difficulty. I could tell that the interval sessions had blown some of the carbon out of the pipes. I haven't ridden as much as last winter, but there's been more intensity. A few more step down sessions, some night, MUT sessions and a couple crit course visits and I'll be square.
The demo is done in the back room. Construction begins tomorrow. The new subfloor and the low sections of drywall will be getting installed. I finished the demo before yesterday's ride. I became quite weary of beating on and prying 50+ year old wood, so I broke out the big guns. Nothing says love like a Craftsman 8 amp reciprocating saw. The first half of the cabinet took about an hour to dismantle. The second half was on the pile after 15 minutes. Of course, in untrained hands, it could be a tool that quickly removes needed appendages. The wounds wouldn't be clean either...
Full TV day today. Daytona and the Tour of Cali prologue...
16 February 2007
Baby it's cold outside
Well, for SC, it's cold. Granted, it ain't Chicago and a -15 degree windchill, but 25 degrees is cold for us thin-blooded Southerners. I'll ride in anything, but I've grown weary of riding in the cold by myself, so tomorrow I'm riding at noon with the group. Of course, it will be 20 degrees warmer by noon...
That gives me time to finish the demo that I've started in the back room. All of the 50+ year old molding has been pulled down and I've dismantled about 50% of the cabinets. The caveat is the fact that these cabinets aren't units like those that hang in your kitchen. These were built piece by piece, of oak, more than 50 years ago. I pulled some nails out of the thing than were as big as my middle finger. I don't even think they actually make nail that big anymore. I figure I'll finish pulling the cabinet apart in the morning and have time to go ride. All of the demo will be done and the back room will be clear and ready for construction by the time Il Bambino its the hay Saturday night. Sunday is my day of rest this week. Not because some Judeo-Christian ethic says so, but because Daytona is on TV Sunday afternoon. Call me a redneck if you want, but I loves me some NASCAR.
I did my stacking intervals last night and I actually felt better for it. The legs didn't feel bad and it felt good to get the HR up there. I'm a little stiff in my 36 year old joints, but that may be due to the fact that I run around in 38 degree weather in shorts.
The specter of the time change is looming large on my horizon right now, thus, I'll be on the bike more in the coming weeks. Rock Hill is in 8 weeks as well. This year, there will be no breaks going up the road without me this year...
That gives me time to finish the demo that I've started in the back room. All of the 50+ year old molding has been pulled down and I've dismantled about 50% of the cabinets. The caveat is the fact that these cabinets aren't units like those that hang in your kitchen. These were built piece by piece, of oak, more than 50 years ago. I pulled some nails out of the thing than were as big as my middle finger. I don't even think they actually make nail that big anymore. I figure I'll finish pulling the cabinet apart in the morning and have time to go ride. All of the demo will be done and the back room will be clear and ready for construction by the time Il Bambino its the hay Saturday night. Sunday is my day of rest this week. Not because some Judeo-Christian ethic says so, but because Daytona is on TV Sunday afternoon. Call me a redneck if you want, but I loves me some NASCAR.
I did my stacking intervals last night and I actually felt better for it. The legs didn't feel bad and it felt good to get the HR up there. I'm a little stiff in my 36 year old joints, but that may be due to the fact that I run around in 38 degree weather in shorts.
The specter of the time change is looming large on my horizon right now, thus, I'll be on the bike more in the coming weeks. Rock Hill is in 8 weeks as well. This year, there will be no breaks going up the road without me this year...
15 February 2007
4 weeks and counting
That's right folks, 4 weeks is all you have to get your "A" game (or as close as possible) ready. Time changes on March 11th, which means the Tuesday Night World Championship Criterium Series(tm) will kick of Tuesday March 13th @ 6:30pm.
The course has been repaired and I will be going out about a week prior to the first race to run the blower and clear the corners of sand, dirt and debris.
The Thursday Night Festival of Pain(tm) will also start that week. We will be meeting at Ft. Jackson for a 6pm (SHARP) departure. Reminders will be emailed to everyone the week before time change.
Thanks!
M
The course has been repaired and I will be going out about a week prior to the first race to run the blower and clear the corners of sand, dirt and debris.
The Thursday Night Festival of Pain(tm) will also start that week. We will be meeting at Ft. Jackson for a 6pm (SHARP) departure. Reminders will be emailed to everyone the week before time change.
Thanks!
M
13 February 2007
12 February 2007
New linkage
The fine feathered folks at Blogger (Google) have made it much easier to post new links to a blog. You no longer are foced to write code, thankfully, as I am barely literate.
I have added a couple to my list.
The first is Road Magazine. Probably the best roadie mag out there. It's dedicated to the American scene. It's big, glossy and well written.
Second is my old school, back in the day when he was a pup, buddy, Toby J. I've left out his last name to protect the innocent. Tobias is one of those solo 12/24 hour mountain racer dudes. He's a f**king hard man of the North. He does a lot for cycling around here, including the stellar New Year's Day ride around Lake Murray. I've known him since he was a mere boy and I can say I'm proud of the man he has become. Toby J = Good egg. That, and the fact he still rides his steel DeRosa...
There will likely be more to come...
I have added a couple to my list.
The first is Road Magazine. Probably the best roadie mag out there. It's dedicated to the American scene. It's big, glossy and well written.
Second is my old school, back in the day when he was a pup, buddy, Toby J. I've left out his last name to protect the innocent. Tobias is one of those solo 12/24 hour mountain racer dudes. He's a f**king hard man of the North. He does a lot for cycling around here, including the stellar New Year's Day ride around Lake Murray. I've known him since he was a mere boy and I can say I'm proud of the man he has become. Toby J = Good egg. That, and the fact he still rides his steel DeRosa...
There will likely be more to come...
I remember...
Now I remember why I hate intervals. I decided that I could get a better workout on the trainer yesterday, so I went down to the ManHole(tm). Plus, I could watch TV, not worry about getting run over by cars and really get into the pain cave. After a 10 minutes spin warmup, I went to the 52 and rode tempo for 15 minutes in the 17. Interval time...
15 minutes at LT in a 52x15 turning 90-100 rpm. The first ten minutes weren't bad, but the last 5 really hurt. The last two, I had my head down and could even hear Liggett or Sherwen on the tube. I didn't notice during the interval, but I had started to sweat, profusely. My light blue Squadra Azzuri sweatshirt was soaked through. I rode a cool down for 10 minutes and then did it again, but with a burnout section for the last two minutes. I rode at max HR (186-ish) in the 52/13 for two minutes at about 90 rpm. Definitely blew some of the carbon out of the pipes.
My chest cavity is a it sore this morning from the effort, but that's a good thing. The legs are wondering what the hell happened too.
It supposed to be 68 degrees today, so the lights are charging. Only the Shadow knows if I'll get out tonight...
Oh well, gotta jet. Il Bambino goes to the Doc this morning. I'm sure he'll be a barrel of laughs for the rest of the day.
15 minutes at LT in a 52x15 turning 90-100 rpm. The first ten minutes weren't bad, but the last 5 really hurt. The last two, I had my head down and could even hear Liggett or Sherwen on the tube. I didn't notice during the interval, but I had started to sweat, profusely. My light blue Squadra Azzuri sweatshirt was soaked through. I rode a cool down for 10 minutes and then did it again, but with a burnout section for the last two minutes. I rode at max HR (186-ish) in the 52/13 for two minutes at about 90 rpm. Definitely blew some of the carbon out of the pipes.
My chest cavity is a it sore this morning from the effort, but that's a good thing. The legs are wondering what the hell happened too.
It supposed to be 68 degrees today, so the lights are charging. Only the Shadow knows if I'll get out tonight...
Oh well, gotta jet. Il Bambino goes to the Doc this morning. I'm sure he'll be a barrel of laughs for the rest of the day.
11 February 2007
O/U = 5 Temp = 32 Actual = 3
Well, Saturday's ride was something of a pitiful display. Don't get me wrong, the THREE of us that actually showed had a great ride. One would think that the fact time changes in 4 weeks, or the spring series starts in two weeks, would have people coming out. However, one would be wrong.
Anyway, we did a variation of the old Tuesday night loop. The wind was out of the north, so we had a head/crosswind out and a tail/crosswind home. It was cold at the start (32), but the sun was high in the sky and it felt much warmer. We rolled around for 2:30 and ended up with about 75km. We ended the ride with a medium/high tempo effort that lasted about 15-20 minutes. It reminded the heart and legs what an effort was all about. Since I have zero leg speed right now, it hurt a bit. Hurt isn't a bad thing though. Like J. Cash said, "I hurt myself today, to see if I still feel...".
I didn't even bother to wake up for the group (hah-hah) ride this morning. Secure in the knowledge that no one would show as there was talk yesterday that the core of the group would be going out at 1pm. I simply cannot urinate my day away by going at 1. Well, it's not that I can't, it 's that I won't...
I'll be on my cross bike within the next 45 minutes, do my 90 minute interval loop, come home, eat, shower and finish my painting and be on the couch by 2pm...
There will be a winter, one of these years, that will be just cold, wet and miserable. Me thinks that the stretch of 60-70 degree days not long ago thinned a lot of blood and spoiled people.
You don't get hard by lazing about and rolling around in the sunshine. Just ask the Belgians...
Oh, I forgot something. I rode the new Crank Brothers Quattro SL pedals yesterday. They are pretty nice. They feel remarkably similar to Time ATAC mountain pedals. At first I was leery of standing up to climb or getting out of the saddle to sprint because they just feel so much looser than the Looks I've been riding for 15 years. After two hours, I felt pretty confident in them and did an out of the saddle effort. No issues at all. I never felt as if my foot was going to pop out of the pedal, nor did I feel my foot skating around. Overall, I'm pleased thus far...
The best part...no knee pain! I still have some residual twinges from when I hurt it a few weeks ago, but these pedals didn't seem to aggravate my knee. If you have knee issues, try these pedals. You can get 'em cheap on Ebay...
Anyway, we did a variation of the old Tuesday night loop. The wind was out of the north, so we had a head/crosswind out and a tail/crosswind home. It was cold at the start (32), but the sun was high in the sky and it felt much warmer. We rolled around for 2:30 and ended up with about 75km. We ended the ride with a medium/high tempo effort that lasted about 15-20 minutes. It reminded the heart and legs what an effort was all about. Since I have zero leg speed right now, it hurt a bit. Hurt isn't a bad thing though. Like J. Cash said, "I hurt myself today, to see if I still feel...".
I didn't even bother to wake up for the group (hah-hah) ride this morning. Secure in the knowledge that no one would show as there was talk yesterday that the core of the group would be going out at 1pm. I simply cannot urinate my day away by going at 1. Well, it's not that I can't, it 's that I won't...
I'll be on my cross bike within the next 45 minutes, do my 90 minute interval loop, come home, eat, shower and finish my painting and be on the couch by 2pm...
There will be a winter, one of these years, that will be just cold, wet and miserable. Me thinks that the stretch of 60-70 degree days not long ago thinned a lot of blood and spoiled people.
You don't get hard by lazing about and rolling around in the sunshine. Just ask the Belgians...
Oh, I forgot something. I rode the new Crank Brothers Quattro SL pedals yesterday. They are pretty nice. They feel remarkably similar to Time ATAC mountain pedals. At first I was leery of standing up to climb or getting out of the saddle to sprint because they just feel so much looser than the Looks I've been riding for 15 years. After two hours, I felt pretty confident in them and did an out of the saddle effort. No issues at all. I never felt as if my foot was going to pop out of the pedal, nor did I feel my foot skating around. Overall, I'm pleased thus far...
The best part...no knee pain! I still have some residual twinges from when I hurt it a few weeks ago, but these pedals didn't seem to aggravate my knee. If you have knee issues, try these pedals. You can get 'em cheap on Ebay...
08 February 2007
Skinny = good...not always!
It was another Wednesday night ride, for the first 1km. I stood up to take off from a stop sign about 1km from the house and PRANNG!, I broke a front spoke. My normal wheel on the front is a FSA RD400 with a 40c tire on it. The 40 is just about perfect for riding singletrack on a cross bike. It grips, doesn't slide around and floats over roots and sand.
I didn't want to be late(r), so I came home and swapped for my urban assault front wheel. It's a Record hub on a Velocity rim, which isn't a big deal, but it has a 35c tire on it that actually measures 32c. This was NOT the correct choice for singletrack. It was great riding out on the road, but once it the woods, I was like pinestraw...all over the trail! When the NASCAR boys talk about a push, or understeer, it means the front of the vehicle won't turn. It just pushes through the corner. Welcome to my ride last night. The skinny tire made me ride much slower than usual and my flipping hands hurt this morning from the jarring they received.
Suffice it to say, the 40 will be going on the other front wheel at some point before my next excursion into the woods. I may even throw the Marzocchi fork on it...
We did have a good ride though. They have closed the road we ride out on due to some issues with a dam by the lake. It was nice not having to dodge cars.
It was another crazy smell night too. This time is was freshly struck matches. Just weird...
My brother is threatening to get a new cross bike! He's ridden the Fuji for about 8 years. He's starting to be forced to Frankenstein the thing here and there for operational utility. Personally, I'm waiting for the thing to come apart under him one night...
Oh well, another day, another $.67...
I didn't want to be late(r), so I came home and swapped for my urban assault front wheel. It's a Record hub on a Velocity rim, which isn't a big deal, but it has a 35c tire on it that actually measures 32c. This was NOT the correct choice for singletrack. It was great riding out on the road, but once it the woods, I was like pinestraw...all over the trail! When the NASCAR boys talk about a push, or understeer, it means the front of the vehicle won't turn. It just pushes through the corner. Welcome to my ride last night. The skinny tire made me ride much slower than usual and my flipping hands hurt this morning from the jarring they received.
Suffice it to say, the 40 will be going on the other front wheel at some point before my next excursion into the woods. I may even throw the Marzocchi fork on it...
We did have a good ride though. They have closed the road we ride out on due to some issues with a dam by the lake. It was nice not having to dodge cars.
It was another crazy smell night too. This time is was freshly struck matches. Just weird...
My brother is threatening to get a new cross bike! He's ridden the Fuji for about 8 years. He's starting to be forced to Frankenstein the thing here and there for operational utility. Personally, I'm waiting for the thing to come apart under him one night...
Oh well, another day, another $.67...
06 February 2007
100th post
Nothing great planned for my 100th post...
Just watched the 'Cross Worlds. Great race. American course designers could learn a lesson from the Belgians. Stairs, run-ups, sandpits...NO BARRIERS...the Belgian way.
Page rode well, just one little bobble right at the end cost him the top step on the podium. A silver medal is way better than a sharp stick in the eye though. Especially when you consider he started way back in the fourth row.
I found another pic of DeDe at Worlds...
Time to start my day....
Maybe a turbo session tonight, as much as I hate that infernal contraption...
05 February 2007
Too cold...?
I woke up Sunday with every intention to ride. It was 37 degrees on the front porch and very little wind. I hemmed and hawed and decided to call The Velvet Hammer. TVH said it was too cold and he'd probably go out later. I think he's worried about the cold because, between the cold temps, and his old bones being brittle, a fall might be catastrophic. He said Il Professore wasn't going out early either, so I just decided to lounge around the house and get some work done outside.
I finished building in the bottom part of the room addition, including all of the sheeting and trim. It was warm around 10-10:30 and I felt really guilty about not being on the bike. There were some high clouds, but the sun was warm on my bald head. I should have just gone out and done a loop, but I did get to finish all of my work by 1:00. The H.O. went to the mall, so I ate lunch and took a 2 hour nap.
I took a pro-active step to end my knee pain. I plunked down and bought some Crank Brothers Quattro SL pedals. I really like my Time ATACS and the look to be roughly the same thing. We'll see...! I got the 'Fast Freddie' Rodriguez edition, so I should be faster just because of that....
03 February 2007
Saturday was supposed to sunny and nice
The day started cold, as expected. It was probably 35 when I left the house this morning. The sun was shining for the first 90 minutes, then the clouds and wind came blowing in. What was forecast to be a 5-10mph wind turned out to be more like 20-25mph.
As it was cold, we had 6 show up for the ride. It was a decent, slowish, tempo ride, probably around 18-19mph the whole way. My Look pedals are slowly crippling me, starting with my right knee, so I didn't even make any efforts today. No one else did either...
The Dink really didn't shoot any grandiose BS out his rectum today. I'm very disappointed that I'll have to wait to use my new artwork that I spent 5 minutes on...! Although he did say he was feeling a bit burned out and was going to take some time off. Okay moron, time changes in 6 weeks. Now is not the time for a break. Now is the time to start ramping it up...!
Anyway, after the ride, I made a trip to Lowe's. I know, go figure...! 5/8" plywood is damn heavy. That and the fact the wind made it into a 4'x8' sail when I was loading it into the trailer. I cut it down and built in under the back room of the house. By the time I finished, there was zero sun, the winding was howling at 20mph and the sky looked like flying monkeys would be coming in on approach at any time. I worked for three hours and said enough. I'll cut and attach all of the 1x3 trim tomorrow. It's light, so it shouldn't be as labor intensive. Of course, I just f'ed myself by saying that...
Il Professore was back on the bike today. The H.O. and I saw him going out Shop solo. Nothing like a cold, windy, sunless, solo ride to really demoralize you. Hopefully, he'll be out tomorrow...
As it was cold, we had 6 show up for the ride. It was a decent, slowish, tempo ride, probably around 18-19mph the whole way. My Look pedals are slowly crippling me, starting with my right knee, so I didn't even make any efforts today. No one else did either...
The Dink really didn't shoot any grandiose BS out his rectum today. I'm very disappointed that I'll have to wait to use my new artwork that I spent 5 minutes on...! Although he did say he was feeling a bit burned out and was going to take some time off. Okay moron, time changes in 6 weeks. Now is not the time for a break. Now is the time to start ramping it up...!
Anyway, after the ride, I made a trip to Lowe's. I know, go figure...! 5/8" plywood is damn heavy. That and the fact the wind made it into a 4'x8' sail when I was loading it into the trailer. I cut it down and built in under the back room of the house. By the time I finished, there was zero sun, the winding was howling at 20mph and the sky looked like flying monkeys would be coming in on approach at any time. I worked for three hours and said enough. I'll cut and attach all of the 1x3 trim tomorrow. It's light, so it shouldn't be as labor intensive. Of course, I just f'ed myself by saying that...
Il Professore was back on the bike today. The H.O. and I saw him going out Shop solo. Nothing like a cold, windy, sunless, solo ride to really demoralize you. Hopefully, he'll be out tomorrow...
02 February 2007
01 February 2007
I don't know how
I don't know how you guys up north do it. Today, it's 38 degrees and rain. This is not weather that is conducive to cycling and/or even going outside. Snow I could deal with, but this just sucks.
I rode the trainer last night for an hour in the 52/16. I'm a bit stiff today, but there's little to no knee pain. The hour was bearable because I was watching the end of the 06 Tour of Flanders. Boonen is a straight gangsta. He and Hoste got away and just killed it for the last 30 km. Of course, Boonen's urine could probably be used as an accelerant to make charcoal light more quickly. Either that, or he has been killing chickens under a full moon in the courtyard at the Eddy Merckx factory...
It's supposed to be sunny and warm(er) this weekend. We'll see...
I rode the trainer last night for an hour in the 52/16. I'm a bit stiff today, but there's little to no knee pain. The hour was bearable because I was watching the end of the 06 Tour of Flanders. Boonen is a straight gangsta. He and Hoste got away and just killed it for the last 30 km. Of course, Boonen's urine could probably be used as an accelerant to make charcoal light more quickly. Either that, or he has been killing chickens under a full moon in the courtyard at the Eddy Merckx factory...
It's supposed to be sunny and warm(er) this weekend. We'll see...
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