After a few glorious days of warm sunshine, this morning crept up with grey skies, a breeze and spotty rain. The real rain is on the way...according to The Weather Channel. If Stephanie Abrams says it's gonna rain, I'll believe it, 'cause she's HOT!
Anyway, I have consulted with Dr. JB and his PhD physical therapist wife, the lovely Dr. BB, and was given some advice for my back that seems to be working. Dr. BB suggested a regimen of back exercises called 'The McKenzie Protocol'. I've done the routine twice and it actually has taken a bit of the discomfort away. I've also mixed in some leg and hip flexor stretches from the Williams Plan.
I rode last night and felt quite good on the bike. No issues with pushing hard, but I could feel a little pulling in my back, so no all out efforts were attempted. Same thing this morning...
We'll try this and see how it works out. If everything goes to shit, I'll make the trek to Emory and see Emily's neurosurgeon.
Brown Santa is supposed to deliver the new arrow for the quiver today...waiting with baited breath. Il Prof's Colnago is getting is makeover tonight. No dumb handlebar tape this time...just white Lizard Skins DSP.
Don't forget....
Blythewood RR Saturday
Forest Acres Crit Sunday
TNCWC starts next Tuesday (16th) @ 6:30
-We'll adjust times, both race and start, if necessary.
I'll be out at the course in the next couple of days to clean....
10 March 2010
09 March 2010
07 March 2010
After much consideration...
...I'm thinking that I may need to go see a back surgeon. I've done everything that one can do to end my back pain, but nothing seems to work. It's affecting more than my riding, which in and of itself, is a bit maddening. There isn't a day that passes that I do not have low back and leg pain. The leg pain is a by-product of the back injury as I'm forced to use my legs to muscle through things that the back would normally handle.
I can ride and still hold a high pace if necessary, but the resulting pain has become such that it's just not as much fun as it should be.
I'll still be out on rides, and around, but if the Doctors say they're going to have to cut me...well, then I'll get cut.
That being said, I rode 3 hours on Saturday and 2 hours this morning, which made for four days on after 12 days off.
The Blythewood RR is next weekend. The TNCWC starts back up on the 16th...pass it on. I'll be out at the course at some point this week to clean the corners and paint some lines on the road.
I can ride and still hold a high pace if necessary, but the resulting pain has become such that it's just not as much fun as it should be.
I'll still be out on rides, and around, but if the Doctors say they're going to have to cut me...well, then I'll get cut.
That being said, I rode 3 hours on Saturday and 2 hours this morning, which made for four days on after 12 days off.
The Blythewood RR is next weekend. The TNCWC starts back up on the 16th...pass it on. I'll be out at the course at some point this week to clean the corners and paint some lines on the road.
05 March 2010
12 off/2 on
So after 12 days off the bike, most of it with a haggard head/chest cold, I've ridden 2x in the past 24 hours. The action of it is just weird. I think I lost a little bit and still think I have some residual sickness. Long rides tomorrow and Sunday will either sort me out, or I'll be under the bed next week!
Spring is definitely on the way though. On the loop this morning, I chased a half dozen deer down the trail for about 600 meters. Kind of cool...other than the powers that be closed the pass through gate, so the poor animals just ran headlong into the 8 foot fence, more than once. I finally turned around and herded them back up the trail and out into the green spaces off of Old State Road.
Ride tomorrow @ 9 from the gate, and 9 @ OSB on Sunday.
Spring is definitely on the way though. On the loop this morning, I chased a half dozen deer down the trail for about 600 meters. Kind of cool...other than the powers that be closed the pass through gate, so the poor animals just ran headlong into the 8 foot fence, more than once. I finally turned around and herded them back up the trail and out into the green spaces off of Old State Road.
Ride tomorrow @ 9 from the gate, and 9 @ OSB on Sunday.
03 March 2010
Somebody 'splain this to me...
The NAHBS just passed, and there was some very cool stuff presented this year, as always. Check the links to galleries on their page. Some seriously drool-worthy rigs, for sure.
There is also a pre-ponderance of bamboo bikes...and I just don't get it. I understand the concept and the execution, but WHY? Is it the 'climb Everest' theory?
Personally, I find them ugly and think they serve no purpose other than an exercise in what materials can be used to manufacture bicycles. Sure, they say bamboo bike are light, stiff and comfortable, but why not just buy a steel or carbon bike. It's not like someone is going to break out their Boo road bike with Di2 on it and mix it up and the local weekly World Championships...unless they are a complete poseur or d-bag. Calfee's offerings look more like conversation pieces than something you'd actually go out and beat on. And some frames presented at the show were just head scratchers! I mean, WTF is that thing? I know it's a project to help frame builders in Ghana, but damn, it looks like something that Jack Skellington would ride.
If the builders would like to contact me, I have a huge stand of bamboo in my backyard. I'll be more than glad to sell it...and for the prices of these frames, I ain't giving it away!
On the hand-built tip, my lovely wife...the H.O., threw down and got me a pretty damn nice early 40th birthday present. A NOS Jericho FOCO tubed cross frame is making it's way to me as we speak. I have a list of 'white whale' frames hanging above my desk and she took it upon herself to locate this frameset and get it for me. It's even the correct color! I knew I kept her around for a reason (other than the fact she's hot!). I'll post pictures when it arrives...
As an aside, I finished and delivered GW's rain/beater/trainer bike today. It turned out quite nice...especially the Mr. T-esque chain.
Ignore the crankset (an SRM is on it now) and the so-so shitty Roval wheels. They suck on so many levels that they defy explanation.
Il Prof's Colnago is next on the docket...
My illness seems to have passed enough to get back on the bike tomorrow night...we'll see...
There is also a pre-ponderance of bamboo bikes...and I just don't get it. I understand the concept and the execution, but WHY? Is it the 'climb Everest' theory?
Personally, I find them ugly and think they serve no purpose other than an exercise in what materials can be used to manufacture bicycles. Sure, they say bamboo bike are light, stiff and comfortable, but why not just buy a steel or carbon bike. It's not like someone is going to break out their Boo road bike with Di2 on it and mix it up and the local weekly World Championships...unless they are a complete poseur or d-bag. Calfee's offerings look more like conversation pieces than something you'd actually go out and beat on. And some frames presented at the show were just head scratchers! I mean, WTF is that thing? I know it's a project to help frame builders in Ghana, but damn, it looks like something that Jack Skellington would ride.
If the builders would like to contact me, I have a huge stand of bamboo in my backyard. I'll be more than glad to sell it...and for the prices of these frames, I ain't giving it away!
On the hand-built tip, my lovely wife...the H.O., threw down and got me a pretty damn nice early 40th birthday present. A NOS Jericho FOCO tubed cross frame is making it's way to me as we speak. I have a list of 'white whale' frames hanging above my desk and she took it upon herself to locate this frameset and get it for me. It's even the correct color! I knew I kept her around for a reason (other than the fact she's hot!). I'll post pictures when it arrives...
As an aside, I finished and delivered GW's rain/beater/trainer bike today. It turned out quite nice...especially the Mr. T-esque chain.
Ignore the crankset (an SRM is on it now) and the so-so shitty Roval wheels. They suck on so many levels that they defy explanation.
Il Prof's Colnago is next on the docket...
My illness seems to have passed enough to get back on the bike tomorrow night...we'll see...
01 March 2010
Back from BC
Flecha wins HNB...like a boss! The weather was shit for HNB and KBK over the weekend...is this a taste of what is to come for the rest of the Classics? Man, I hope so...! Flanders and Roubaix have been far to kind to the hardmen over the last few years. It's time for a repeat of 1994...
OSB Masters had another good weekend in GV too! Good looking out guys!
25 February 2010
Slowly...
I'm kicking this cold thing, albeit very slowly. I'm feeling better, but still quite a distance from baseline, whatever that may be! I made the (poor) decision to get on the elliptical tonight. After 15 minutes, I was sweating like an immigrant day-laborer, and felt okay...
At 30 minutes, my body decided it didn't like what I was doing and staged a coup d'etat. I honestly thought I was either having a stroke, or some sort of infarction...possibly both. I got off, went into the living room and just laid down on the cold, bare hardwood floor. I now understand why the dog lays on it in the summer months.
Suffice to say, I'm not getting on the bike for a few more days. Walking 20 feet when you explode during exercise is one thing. Being stuck out in the country when you come apart is a different animal altogether.
I think I need a break anyway. I was feeling a bit beat up and tired, plus my back was protesting EVERY ride.
I'll be out next week...
I know this is a 'bike-related' blog sort-of-thing, but I'm also a car geek. And being a child of the '70s and '80s, I have a particular softspot for 2nd generation Camaros and Firebirds. I tripped over a link to a collection in central Florida that made my head swim and loins ache. Just looking at it made my mullet start growing back in!!!! UNFUCKINGBELIEVEABLE!!!!!
Two builds coming up...
A carbon bike and a carbon bike...I'll post pics when they are complete! No cat out of the bag right now!
At 30 minutes, my body decided it didn't like what I was doing and staged a coup d'etat. I honestly thought I was either having a stroke, or some sort of infarction...possibly both. I got off, went into the living room and just laid down on the cold, bare hardwood floor. I now understand why the dog lays on it in the summer months.
Suffice to say, I'm not getting on the bike for a few more days. Walking 20 feet when you explode during exercise is one thing. Being stuck out in the country when you come apart is a different animal altogether.
I think I need a break anyway. I was feeling a bit beat up and tired, plus my back was protesting EVERY ride.
I'll be out next week...
I know this is a 'bike-related' blog sort-of-thing, but I'm also a car geek. And being a child of the '70s and '80s, I have a particular softspot for 2nd generation Camaros and Firebirds. I tripped over a link to a collection in central Florida that made my head swim and loins ache. Just looking at it made my mullet start growing back in!!!! UNFUCKINGBELIEVEABLE!!!!!
Two builds coming up...
A carbon bike and a carbon bike...I'll post pics when they are complete! No cat out of the bag right now!
24 February 2010
22 February 2010
21 February 2010
Ooof!
Ok, it's here. My yearly sinus infection has found it's way home.
I got up yesterday, feeling quite poorly, but I decided to ride anyway. 3 hours and 90km later, I felt worse. So instead of going to bed, I ran errands and did a little plumbing repair for Il Prof.
@ 9, I crawled into bed and have been here ever since...pretty close to wrecked...
Of course, it's the nicest day of the year thus far.
I'll post some videos to keep you entertained. Other than that, I got nothin'.
I got up yesterday, feeling quite poorly, but I decided to ride anyway. 3 hours and 90km later, I felt worse. So instead of going to bed, I ran errands and did a little plumbing repair for Il Prof.
@ 9, I crawled into bed and have been here ever since...pretty close to wrecked...
Of course, it's the nicest day of the year thus far.
I'll post some videos to keep you entertained. Other than that, I got nothin'.
19 February 2010
Coolest video you'll see today!
The good stuff starts @ 1:50...change to 720p and hit the arrows in the lower right corner to make it full screen...trust me!
Rip a hole in the sky!
17 February 2010
A life lesson...
Never mess around with a big, old dude with tattoos!!! That's what you call a Kershaw County ass-whippin'!
Here's the direct link...
16 February 2010
An observation...
So I was out on my normal Tuesday night HoP and I ran across a gaggle of fixie hipster/scenester douchebags. And by 'ran across', I mean nearly fucking killed/got killed by them. As I crossed an intersection LEGALLY, the little group of the aforementioned DBs blew through a stop sign and almost caused a collision of epic proportions. NONE of the scenesters had front lights and I only saw one red blinky taillight to cover the entire group.
Now, I'm all for riding and enjoying yourself, but if you're out after dark, regardless of the type of bike you're on, and don't bother to put lights on your bike (which is the LAW btw!), then I don't feel bad if you get popped by a car. I'm sure the prevailing attitude of the bunch was that lights aren't CORE! After you dumbasses get cracked by some Junior Leaguer in her Lexus SUV, you can put cards in the spokes of your Quickie chair! Now that's living the lifestyle!
Not only is riding at night without lights dangerous and ILLEGAL, it makes ALL cyclists look bad in the eyes of motorists. I know that cyclists see the distinctions between our chosen paths, but drivers just see a person on a bike, acting like a jackass by running lights/signs and not adhering to both the laws of the land and common sense!
And don't think for a minute that this is just my attitude towards a particular sub-culture of cyclists, because it isn't...
I had this very same conversation with a non-cycling friend of mine the other day. He commented that 'a group if bikers' downtown blew through a light in front of him, at night, and he nearly killed them all.
I hate to say it, but he would not have been at fault for the accident!
C'mon folks, use some brainpower here. Forego that new pair of Dickies, or that 'vintage' t-shirt @ American Apparel and stop at the shop to pick up some lights! You life you save may be mine!
Now, I'm all for riding and enjoying yourself, but if you're out after dark, regardless of the type of bike you're on, and don't bother to put lights on your bike (which is the LAW btw!), then I don't feel bad if you get popped by a car. I'm sure the prevailing attitude of the bunch was that lights aren't CORE! After you dumbasses get cracked by some Junior Leaguer in her Lexus SUV, you can put cards in the spokes of your Quickie chair! Now that's living the lifestyle!
Not only is riding at night without lights dangerous and ILLEGAL, it makes ALL cyclists look bad in the eyes of motorists. I know that cyclists see the distinctions between our chosen paths, but drivers just see a person on a bike, acting like a jackass by running lights/signs and not adhering to both the laws of the land and common sense!
And don't think for a minute that this is just my attitude towards a particular sub-culture of cyclists, because it isn't...
I had this very same conversation with a non-cycling friend of mine the other day. He commented that 'a group if bikers' downtown blew through a light in front of him, at night, and he nearly killed them all.
I hate to say it, but he would not have been at fault for the accident!
C'mon folks, use some brainpower here. Forego that new pair of Dickies, or that 'vintage' t-shirt @ American Apparel and stop at the shop to pick up some lights! You life you save may be mine!
15 February 2010
Snow+warm temps=Mud
Saturday was fun and snowy. Sunday was fun and really wet. The tarmac was dry, but I chose a path less traveled. I hit my double secret off-road training loop for a planned 2 hour ride. To say it was soggy out there would be an understatement. Once I got into the lower part of the loop, down by the river, the double track was so wet that the tires sank, literally, an inch into the soft ground.
I got all the way to the climb out, and I was unceremoniously stopped by what could be considered a small pond. It looked like a certain large, furry, dam building, semi-aquatic rodent had been at work at the normally placid stream crossing. Fuzzy little bastard forced me to backtrack...!
A big effort followed once I was back on the access road...according to the video camera timer, it was 10 minutes. Doesn't sound like much, but with 45 pounds of air in 700x40 tires, on a wet, sandy, chopped up farm track, it was plenty.
A quick pop onto Bluff took me around the stadium. I felt pretty good, so I turned up into the railroad yard and went as hard as I could until I ran into S. Beltline. It worked out to another 10 minute effort on what could be described as a poorly maintained service road. Thanks to CSX for my own, personal stretch of Hell.
Short spin home and that was that...well, not really...because of the softness of the ground, and my forced turnaround, it was 2:20 on the bike.
The Salsa was so disgusting that I was forced to load it up in the War Wagon and take it to the car wash. A quick hit with the high-pressure sprayer and it was back to it's former glory. VERY euro...
5 days on last week...today is a rest day...
Thinking about a dirt ride out through Blythewood and Ridgeway next weekend, if anyone is up for it....
Peace!
I got all the way to the climb out, and I was unceremoniously stopped by what could be considered a small pond. It looked like a certain large, furry, dam building, semi-aquatic rodent had been at work at the normally placid stream crossing. Fuzzy little bastard forced me to backtrack...!
A big effort followed once I was back on the access road...according to the video camera timer, it was 10 minutes. Doesn't sound like much, but with 45 pounds of air in 700x40 tires, on a wet, sandy, chopped up farm track, it was plenty.
A quick pop onto Bluff took me around the stadium. I felt pretty good, so I turned up into the railroad yard and went as hard as I could until I ran into S. Beltline. It worked out to another 10 minute effort on what could be described as a poorly maintained service road. Thanks to CSX for my own, personal stretch of Hell.
Short spin home and that was that...well, not really...because of the softness of the ground, and my forced turnaround, it was 2:20 on the bike.
The Salsa was so disgusting that I was forced to load it up in the War Wagon and take it to the car wash. A quick hit with the high-pressure sprayer and it was back to it's former glory. VERY euro...
5 days on last week...today is a rest day...
Thinking about a dirt ride out through Blythewood and Ridgeway next weekend, if anyone is up for it....
Peace!
13 February 2010
It was snowy....
Yeah, I rode this morning. @ 6" of snow in town. It wasn't too bad on the main roads...pretty much just wet and slushy. Once in the shade, like behind a big building, it was ICY!
I made the mistake of cutting down through the park on Wheat St. this morning too. I started to slide, made a pitiful effort to save it and just ate it. The deep snow in the park was fluffy! No harm, no foul.
Up through campus, down Main St. and into Finlay Park for a minute. Pretty empty this morning, but so quiet and peaceful...a bit surreal!
ack up through campus, through the 'hood and down to Owens Field. I did a few quick laps of the cross course and then decided to go home. Considering all shifting had ended, the brakes were merely a suggestion and the back wheel was dragging in the rear triangle, 90 minutes was enough!
The weather was perfect. Big bright sun, no wind and snow! Coupled that with the fact that there were no cars on the road, and it was a great ride!
I would have video, but I think the camera took a hit when I ate it and got knocked off kilter. The vid quality was great, if you like looking straight down at the snow.
Got harassed by some dickhead in an Expedition. He went out of his way to roll up beside me to tell me what I was doing was 'very dangerous'! I'm riding along, as happy as a person can be, minding my own fucking business, and this fatass rolls up next to me, in the ice and snow, to yell!
Which of the two things was more dangerous? How shitty is that guy's life if he felt the need to do that? I guess I was holding him up on his way to get to Hardee's for his sausage biscuit.
Funny part? I saw him again about 4 minutes later waiting on a light...it took me the same amount of time to get there...putz!
Enjoy the snow people! Peace!
12 February 2010
Superman and Clark Kent
Funny how one day is totally different than the next. Like the title states, Superman and Clark Kent are often separated by a scant few hours.
I went out last night, felt like GD Superman. Good lungs, good legs, focus and concentration on point. Felt really good for the 95 minutes of fun last night.
Seeing as I'm making an effort to shed some lbs. from my big self, I came home, had a bowl of cereal and lazed about. Looking back, that was the problem.
I woke up this morning, feeling like I'd just ridden four hard hours. Dehydrated, sore back, legs and joints, as well as a general feeling of malaise. What did my relatively high IQ tell me to do? Stay home and re-fuel? Nope! As usual, my dumb took over and told me to get on the bike.
So I listened...
I'd planned on just doing an easy spin, which was good, as easy was all I had this morning! Of course, all things conspired against me. It was cold, I went out with the tailwind, my chosen route had been summarily destroyed by the floods, and I was forced to scale a 8 foot fence that was topped by barbed wire to avoid having to backtrack for 15 minutes.
To add insult to my already injured soul, when I got back to West Columbia, there was a train stopped on the tracks, forcing me to backtrack anyway.
At this point, I gave up and just rolled home slowly. I feel like crap, I've slammed down more water than a camel at an oasis, and my head is splitting as if it's being mined for dumb!
I should have just stayed home...
Evidently, there is snow on the way, so I'm fueling up in anticipation of a snow ride in the morning. I'm going to ride either way, but the snow would definitely add some fun to the equation. Not holding my breath though...
I went out last night, felt like GD Superman. Good lungs, good legs, focus and concentration on point. Felt really good for the 95 minutes of fun last night.
Seeing as I'm making an effort to shed some lbs. from my big self, I came home, had a bowl of cereal and lazed about. Looking back, that was the problem.
I woke up this morning, feeling like I'd just ridden four hard hours. Dehydrated, sore back, legs and joints, as well as a general feeling of malaise. What did my relatively high IQ tell me to do? Stay home and re-fuel? Nope! As usual, my dumb took over and told me to get on the bike.
So I listened...
I'd planned on just doing an easy spin, which was good, as easy was all I had this morning! Of course, all things conspired against me. It was cold, I went out with the tailwind, my chosen route had been summarily destroyed by the floods, and I was forced to scale a 8 foot fence that was topped by barbed wire to avoid having to backtrack for 15 minutes.
To add insult to my already injured soul, when I got back to West Columbia, there was a train stopped on the tracks, forcing me to backtrack anyway.
At this point, I gave up and just rolled home slowly. I feel like crap, I've slammed down more water than a camel at an oasis, and my head is splitting as if it's being mined for dumb!
I should have just stayed home...
Evidently, there is snow on the way, so I'm fueling up in anticipation of a snow ride in the morning. I'm going to ride either way, but the snow would definitely add some fun to the equation. Not holding my breath though...
10 February 2010
Those white lines are SLICK!
So last night, after consulting the radar all afternoon, I headed out for an extended night ride. It was rather pleasant for the first 45 minutes of my ride, so I turned the direction that was the complete opposite of home, to make the ride longer. As it usually happens, I was nearly to my turnaround point when the skies began to cry.
At first, the light drizzle wasn't bothersome, nor was it cold. After I was good and wet, it was time to navigate USC's campus, which involves slowing down and paying close attention to make sure that Mandy Pepperidge didn't crush me beneath the wheels of the Land Rover that daddy bought her. This, of course, made me feel the cold, cold rain, to the point where I was ready to get home.
Once I'd run the gauntlet safely, the pace picked back up. In my haste to get through the 'hood, and back to the house, I took a corner a bit too fast, hit the raised white line lines of a crosswalk, and executed what could only be described as a perfect 180 degree skid/2 wheel drift. No crash, thankfully! I think the sheer vacuum of my sphincter slamming shut kept me upright. Those bitches are slick and WILL force you to change lines!
From that point, I rode gingerly, as every intersection in Shandon is polluted with those lovely, 18" wide crosswalk lines.
Home with a nice, wet, and chilly 1:45 on the bike. The upside was the wet roads, as they cleaned about 1/3 of the accumulated crap off the Salsa.
I got up to go out this morning and was hit by a 30+ mph wind gust. I quickly turned and took it right back in the house. 45 minutes of core, kettlebell and foam roller later, I was fine!
And to my homies up North...stay inside and be safe. That crazy weather is nothing to play with!
At first, the light drizzle wasn't bothersome, nor was it cold. After I was good and wet, it was time to navigate USC's campus, which involves slowing down and paying close attention to make sure that Mandy Pepperidge didn't crush me beneath the wheels of the Land Rover that daddy bought her. This, of course, made me feel the cold, cold rain, to the point where I was ready to get home.
Once I'd run the gauntlet safely, the pace picked back up. In my haste to get through the 'hood, and back to the house, I took a corner a bit too fast, hit the raised white line lines of a crosswalk, and executed what could only be described as a perfect 180 degree skid/2 wheel drift. No crash, thankfully! I think the sheer vacuum of my sphincter slamming shut kept me upright. Those bitches are slick and WILL force you to change lines!
From that point, I rode gingerly, as every intersection in Shandon is polluted with those lovely, 18" wide crosswalk lines.
Home with a nice, wet, and chilly 1:45 on the bike. The upside was the wet roads, as they cleaned about 1/3 of the accumulated crap off the Salsa.
I got up to go out this morning and was hit by a 30+ mph wind gust. I quickly turned and took it right back in the house. 45 minutes of core, kettlebell and foam roller later, I was fine!
And to my homies up North...stay inside and be safe. That crazy weather is nothing to play with!
07 February 2010
A sad day indeed...
Franco Ballerini died tragically at the age of 45...
I could write something here, but I think Velonews has covered all the bases. If you don't know who Franco Ballerini is/was, then you are missing out! He was one of the last generation of TRUE hard men of the North. Wins @ Roubaix in 1995 and 1998. Cycling has lost a giant and he will be missed!
I did 3.5 hours in the cold this morning. Pretty uneventful, but it made me realize that the short and sharp efforts are there, but the long, drawn out efforts need some work. Of course, I've ridden exactly 5 rides of 3 hours or more all winter, so I'm not too concerned about it.
I did raise the saddle height on the Ridley by 5mm and it's much better. I don't feel like I'm sitting in a hole now, and the twingy knee pain has disappeared. The positions on the Salsa and the Ridley are virtually the same now.
That's all I got today...F the Super Bowl and go watch your old copies of 95 and 98 Roubaix!
05 February 2010
'ello...'ello
It's a LOVELY day today. Glad it's a rest day...39 degrees, steady rain and dark does not motivate one to ride outside!
I got my ride on last night instead of this morning. Though I thoroughly enjoy riding alone at night, I can say with some degree of certainty that I'm growing a bit weary of it. C'mon daylight savings time!
Anyway, I felt quite poorly all day, and wasn't really too excited about going out, but I HTFU and went anyway. After @ 20 minutes, I started to feel better. That was quickly tempered as I dropped down onto the service road by the river. I forgot that it had rained a couple of days ago...let's just say the road was 'juicy'. Being wet is one thing, and being cold is one thing. Being wet AND cold really sucks ass! Again, I channeled my inner MDro and soldiered on.
A nice loop through West Columbia, back through the Vista and campus and then home, for a nice 95 minutes on the cross bike.
Two things really added the frosting to the cake though...
The first was as I was sitting at the light on North Main, getting ready to cross Elmwood. As usual, I'm sitting in traffic, claiming my 'de jure' part of the lane, when I hear an engine revving wildly and the screech of brakes. I turn to look and it's a new Toyota Camry. Great...I'll be a Toyota statistic and I wasn't even driving one!
The second topper was coming home and being locked out of the house. Sweaty, cold, wet, muddy, and in the dark...freaking super. Fortunately, my formative years included doing some things I'm not proud of, so I learned to make entrance into places where one is not, necessarily, supposed to be. Not proud of it, just the way it is...
My ingress was met by a snarling, 19 pound Jack Russell. Nice to know she's paying attention!
Ride tomorrow morning. 9 @ the gate.
Sunday...don't know. It's supposed to be cold, so it may be a day to get in the woods...
I got my ride on last night instead of this morning. Though I thoroughly enjoy riding alone at night, I can say with some degree of certainty that I'm growing a bit weary of it. C'mon daylight savings time!
Anyway, I felt quite poorly all day, and wasn't really too excited about going out, but I HTFU and went anyway. After @ 20 minutes, I started to feel better. That was quickly tempered as I dropped down onto the service road by the river. I forgot that it had rained a couple of days ago...let's just say the road was 'juicy'. Being wet is one thing, and being cold is one thing. Being wet AND cold really sucks ass! Again, I channeled my inner MDro and soldiered on.
A nice loop through West Columbia, back through the Vista and campus and then home, for a nice 95 minutes on the cross bike.
Two things really added the frosting to the cake though...
The first was as I was sitting at the light on North Main, getting ready to cross Elmwood. As usual, I'm sitting in traffic, claiming my 'de jure' part of the lane, when I hear an engine revving wildly and the screech of brakes. I turn to look and it's a new Toyota Camry. Great...I'll be a Toyota statistic and I wasn't even driving one!
The second topper was coming home and being locked out of the house. Sweaty, cold, wet, muddy, and in the dark...freaking super. Fortunately, my formative years included doing some things I'm not proud of, so I learned to make entrance into places where one is not, necessarily, supposed to be. Not proud of it, just the way it is...
My ingress was met by a snarling, 19 pound Jack Russell. Nice to know she's paying attention!
Ride tomorrow morning. 9 @ the gate.
Sunday...don't know. It's supposed to be cold, so it may be a day to get in the woods...
03 February 2010
A rant...
You know, I feel sorry for some people. I'm sorry that they are ignorant dumbfucks that didn't study hard enough in school, or they knocked up their trailer park girlfriend and had to go to work doing manual labor. That's NOT MY PROBLEM though!!!
I got run off the road this morning by an asshole driver from Shuman-Owens building supply...down into the ditch! I didn't go down, but it wasn't a pleasant feeling. Of course, there was no number on the truck to remember. Instead, I flew home, cutting my ride short, took a shower and headed down to their facility on Shop Rd.
The vocalization of my displeasure started with the dispatcher, as he is responsible for his asshole drivers. Upon hearing that our conversation was becoming heated, the manager decided to weigh in with his opinion, stating that the drivers are very busy and in a rush a lot of the time. To which I responded that he'd be a whole lot later for his drop if he runs over a guy on a bike.
The discourse went back and forth for a few minutes and my head started to get hot, which is very bad.
The manager actually said that I should have been riding on another road so I wasn't impeding traffic..seriously, he said that shit! I gave him a short education in SC Vehicle Law. Assmonkey!
I soon realized that arguing with these two room temperature IQ jerkoffs was akin to shouting into a hole in the ground, and just turned to walk out.
As I reached the door, the dispatcher muttled something that sounded remarkably like 'mucking passcole'...
The hot came right back. I was in his fat, little, redneck face QUICK, asking him to repeat what he'd just said. Of course, he didn't have the stones! Pussy! I offered to go outside to discuss it further with him AND the manager. Funny how neither had a damn thing to say when I offered to beat their asses as proxy for their driver...
The whole place got REAL quiet too. I made my point!
I'm thinking a Glock 33 may get added to the flat kit!
I got run off the road this morning by an asshole driver from Shuman-Owens building supply...down into the ditch! I didn't go down, but it wasn't a pleasant feeling. Of course, there was no number on the truck to remember. Instead, I flew home, cutting my ride short, took a shower and headed down to their facility on Shop Rd.
The vocalization of my displeasure started with the dispatcher, as he is responsible for his asshole drivers. Upon hearing that our conversation was becoming heated, the manager decided to weigh in with his opinion, stating that the drivers are very busy and in a rush a lot of the time. To which I responded that he'd be a whole lot later for his drop if he runs over a guy on a bike.
The discourse went back and forth for a few minutes and my head started to get hot, which is very bad.
The manager actually said that I should have been riding on another road so I wasn't impeding traffic..seriously, he said that shit! I gave him a short education in SC Vehicle Law. Assmonkey!
I soon realized that arguing with these two room temperature IQ jerkoffs was akin to shouting into a hole in the ground, and just turned to walk out.
As I reached the door, the dispatcher muttled something that sounded remarkably like 'mucking passcole'...
The hot came right back. I was in his fat, little, redneck face QUICK, asking him to repeat what he'd just said. Of course, he didn't have the stones! Pussy! I offered to go outside to discuss it further with him AND the manager. Funny how neither had a damn thing to say when I offered to beat their asses as proxy for their driver...
The whole place got REAL quiet too. I made my point!
I'm thinking a Glock 33 may get added to the flat kit!
01 February 2010
Kickass!
After a trip that would make most frequent flyers blush, the new Diadora ProTrail Carbon shoes arrived at la casa this morning. So fresh...so clean...and they fit exactly like the Pro Carbon road shoes that I love so much. Now to set the badboys up...new cleats and new plates are waiting in the ManHole(tm). A review will follow later...
I channeled my inner-MDro yesterday and went outside for a ride in the cold. It was 29 when I left and 34 when I rolled in 1:45 later. The only thing that was at all cold were my feet, and I was wearing two sets of shoecovers. The rest of me was kept warm by Giordana's stellar Roubaix tights and Roubaix jersey. As for gloves, you can take all of the $50+ specialty winter BS gloves from all of the oh-so-Euro manufacturers, and stuff them! The $7 fleece/lined gloves from Kohl's made my hands sweaty...in 30 degrees...
I also mapped out a 45 mile ride that involves copious amounts of dirt. Blythewood/Ridgeway/Winnsboro/Blythewood is the loop. Cross bikes, or bikes with some sort of fat tire are not required, but wouldn't hurt. The skinniest tire I'd consider would be a 28...just sayin'...
Yoga and core work were on the calendar this morning. I need to do the yoga at least once or twice a week...man, it feels good the be nice and stretched out!
Cross Worlds were great yesterday...Stybar went horizon on the field. The course was angry and it took it's anger out on the racers. TJ finished a solid 14th, which is great considering he started in the 40s. The USA put two in the top ten, with Jamie Driscoll finishing 19th...freaking great results!
On the motorsports tip, The Daytona 24 was a freaking snoozefest. Small fields and too many car failures made it a little boring and seem a little jokey. Hell, the 'Porsche' engine that won wasn't even a Porsche Racing flat-6! It was a punched out V8 that was pulled from a Cayenne SUV. How I long for the halcyon days of IMSA GT/GTO/GTU cars, when balls and money ruled the day! Oh, and if you don't know who Derek Bell is, ask somebody!
Peace!
30 January 2010
WHAT THE F?
Granted, Zipp beam bikes...hell, ALL beam bikes were/are really stupid, but whoever did THIS should be struck down in his skinny jeans as he stands in whatever hipster-douchebag coffee shop he frequents. I mean, for fuck's sake...
I didn't go out today as I'm not being watched by any pro teams, but I did decide to do a little exploring out in Ridgeway. Hackathorne sent me a map of a dirt ride out there, so I decided to check it out. No time like the tail end of a winter storm that dropped ice all over the place to go explore a bunch of unmarked dirt roads. As I was beginning my search, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a lone lunatic out of the corner of my eye, heading North out of Ridgeway. The only person that even threatened to ride today was MDro, and the general shape of the lone rider was remarkably similar to his, so I turned to check it out. As I rolled closer, I noticed the silver Salsa 29er...it was the crazy person himself. We spoke for a minute a I let him get back to his solo lunacy. In case anyone is interested, he wasn't out for a spin to get away from the house for 30 minutes! He ended with 5 hours, 120km (on knobbies!) and more spent KJ and TSS points than should be allowed on a 31 degree, freezing rain day! Fine line between hard and crazy...he was definitely tripping over that fucker today!
Anyway, the dirt roads out there are great and it would be VERY easy to put together a ride that hit all of them, and looped back to a central meet spot. Hell, one had a creek crossing! I would have driven across, but the water was bumper high on the truck, and moving pretty quickly. Seeing as #1 MT was with me, I decided to practice some discretion. Getting the truck swamped in a fast flowing, barely above freezing stream, in the middle of nowhere just smacks of bad parenting! Look for maps of some loops/routes very soon!
Cross Worlds tomorrow on Sporza or Universal Sports...12 noon. The cross was snowy, icy, muddy today for the Junior and u23 races. Tire choice and pressures will be very important tomorrow!
Turbo ride in the a.m. Too cold for my old bones outside...
I didn't go out today as I'm not being watched by any pro teams, but I did decide to do a little exploring out in Ridgeway. Hackathorne sent me a map of a dirt ride out there, so I decided to check it out. No time like the tail end of a winter storm that dropped ice all over the place to go explore a bunch of unmarked dirt roads. As I was beginning my search, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a lone lunatic out of the corner of my eye, heading North out of Ridgeway. The only person that even threatened to ride today was MDro, and the general shape of the lone rider was remarkably similar to his, so I turned to check it out. As I rolled closer, I noticed the silver Salsa 29er...it was the crazy person himself. We spoke for a minute a I let him get back to his solo lunacy. In case anyone is interested, he wasn't out for a spin to get away from the house for 30 minutes! He ended with 5 hours, 120km (on knobbies!) and more spent KJ and TSS points than should be allowed on a 31 degree, freezing rain day! Fine line between hard and crazy...he was definitely tripping over that fucker today!
Anyway, the dirt roads out there are great and it would be VERY easy to put together a ride that hit all of them, and looped back to a central meet spot. Hell, one had a creek crossing! I would have driven across, but the water was bumper high on the truck, and moving pretty quickly. Seeing as #1 MT was with me, I decided to practice some discretion. Getting the truck swamped in a fast flowing, barely above freezing stream, in the middle of nowhere just smacks of bad parenting! Look for maps of some loops/routes very soon!
Cross Worlds tomorrow on Sporza or Universal Sports...12 noon. The cross was snowy, icy, muddy today for the Junior and u23 races. Tire choice and pressures will be very important tomorrow!
Turbo ride in the a.m. Too cold for my old bones outside...
29 January 2010
It's Friday...
...you ain't got no job, and you ain't got shit to do!
So I tried to ride last night. I say tried simply because I made it 28 minutes before the back tire on the cross bike decided to evac all of it's air. Fortunately, I was down on the canal trail, so I rode it as far as possible, which turns out was about 600 more meters. I stopped at a bench and started the quick change process. Over the years, through working in shops and riding, I've become quite adept at changing tubes. I had the wheel out and the tire stripped off in about 30 seconds. Upon putting the new tube back into the tire, it quickly became apparent that there was an issue. The brand new, just out of the box, tube that was in my flat kit had a fucking hole in it. QC @ whatever backwater Chinese plant Specialized procures their tubes from is lackluster at best! I wish I'd held onto the damn tube, so I could go down to the shop and demand a replacement!
So as I'm standing there, calling the H.O. for pickup, the entire Harrell's Thursday Night Race ride goes by, completely lined out in a single file paceline...on 29ers...on the river trail...you guys are CORE!
No one so much as slowed down to see if a fellow cyclist was in need of anything. Yeah, sure, I know I'm a prick sometimes, but I ALWAYS check on someone who is stopped on a bike to make sure they're okay. It's just good cycling juju! The cycling Gods will smite them at some point in the future, that I'm sure of!
Anyway, I hiked my happy ass about 2 miles to the ultra-creepy River Drive parking area to wait on my extraction. Walking that distance is uber-stiff, carbon soled MTB shoes is NOT something I would recommend. My feet hurt like a BITCH!
Back on the horse this morning...
90 minutes on the cross bike. Not a bad ride, but didn't have a lot of gas. Just sort of spun around and fought the wind. Figured out the cross course @ Hammond Academy too. Right at 7:30 per lap and spectators will be able to see about 75% of the course! Time to start looking for dates...
Weather looks like a wash out for tomorrow...turbo here I come! The entire corporation was supposed to load up and go to the NC mountains this weekend, but the impending winter storm and the threat of 12"+ of snow made it seems like a poor choice and bad parenting! The way my luck runs, we'd get stuck on I-40 for a couple of days...in my truck!
Oh, and cross Worlds 2013 will be in Louisville! I'm there like stink on a Phish fan! They have three years to learn how to make proper frites!
Gotta jet...peace!
So I tried to ride last night. I say tried simply because I made it 28 minutes before the back tire on the cross bike decided to evac all of it's air. Fortunately, I was down on the canal trail, so I rode it as far as possible, which turns out was about 600 more meters. I stopped at a bench and started the quick change process. Over the years, through working in shops and riding, I've become quite adept at changing tubes. I had the wheel out and the tire stripped off in about 30 seconds. Upon putting the new tube back into the tire, it quickly became apparent that there was an issue. The brand new, just out of the box, tube that was in my flat kit had a fucking hole in it. QC @ whatever backwater Chinese plant Specialized procures their tubes from is lackluster at best! I wish I'd held onto the damn tube, so I could go down to the shop and demand a replacement!
So as I'm standing there, calling the H.O. for pickup, the entire Harrell's Thursday Night Race ride goes by, completely lined out in a single file paceline...on 29ers...on the river trail...you guys are CORE!
No one so much as slowed down to see if a fellow cyclist was in need of anything. Yeah, sure, I know I'm a prick sometimes, but I ALWAYS check on someone who is stopped on a bike to make sure they're okay. It's just good cycling juju! The cycling Gods will smite them at some point in the future, that I'm sure of!
Anyway, I hiked my happy ass about 2 miles to the ultra-creepy River Drive parking area to wait on my extraction. Walking that distance is uber-stiff, carbon soled MTB shoes is NOT something I would recommend. My feet hurt like a BITCH!
Back on the horse this morning...
90 minutes on the cross bike. Not a bad ride, but didn't have a lot of gas. Just sort of spun around and fought the wind. Figured out the cross course @ Hammond Academy too. Right at 7:30 per lap and spectators will be able to see about 75% of the course! Time to start looking for dates...
Weather looks like a wash out for tomorrow...turbo here I come! The entire corporation was supposed to load up and go to the NC mountains this weekend, but the impending winter storm and the threat of 12"+ of snow made it seems like a poor choice and bad parenting! The way my luck runs, we'd get stuck on I-40 for a couple of days...in my truck!
Oh, and cross Worlds 2013 will be in Louisville! I'm there like stink on a Phish fan! They have three years to learn how to make proper frites!
Gotta jet...peace!
28 January 2010
News
Bond is doing a TT series starting in the Spring. There are three dates on the calendar:
- 3 April
-22 May
-14 August
The loop is a rolling 20k. There are 20k and 40k options and the races will be chip timed...meaning that splits will be available and results are immediate.
The races on all dates begin @ 0900.
The location is White Oak, SC, a bit North of Columbia, SC and less than an hour South of Charlotte, NC., just off of I-77.
The course will be completed closed to vehicular traffic and controlled by the police. You may even see yours truly zipping about on the scooter!
Edit: Here's the flyer!
Work has also commenced on a Columbia cyclocross series for the late fall. Locations have been scouted and the balls are about to start rolling. Stay tuned and shout at me if you want to help out.
The TNCWC is on again for this year. Time changes on 14 March this year, so the first crit will be Tuesday, 16 March. I will do a better job this year of keeping the course clean and will be re-painting the markings on the road. I'm also going to make an effort to keep track of the finishes, so we can crown a TNCWC champion this year.
Peace!
- 3 April
-22 May
-14 August
The loop is a rolling 20k. There are 20k and 40k options and the races will be chip timed...meaning that splits will be available and results are immediate.
The races on all dates begin @ 0900.
The location is White Oak, SC, a bit North of Columbia, SC and less than an hour South of Charlotte, NC., just off of I-77.
The course will be completed closed to vehicular traffic and controlled by the police. You may even see yours truly zipping about on the scooter!
Edit: Here's the flyer!
Work has also commenced on a Columbia cyclocross series for the late fall. Locations have been scouted and the balls are about to start rolling. Stay tuned and shout at me if you want to help out.
The TNCWC is on again for this year. Time changes on 14 March this year, so the first crit will be Tuesday, 16 March. I will do a better job this year of keeping the course clean and will be re-painting the markings on the road. I'm also going to make an effort to keep track of the finishes, so we can crown a TNCWC champion this year.
Peace!
26 January 2010
Saw this yesterday....
...need it in poster-size...I may have to do just that. Hello? Is this Kinko's?
24 January 2010
Weekend and some vids...
Saturday- We had a really good group and a really good ride. Nice steady pace with a few portions requiring some effort, which actually didn't feel too bad considering I've been on the road bike less than a dozen times since Thanksgiving. The weather was supposed to be decent, but we rode in 45 degrees and overcast skies...at least the rain held off.
Sunday- This morning I hadn't planned to ride, but needed to get the hell out of the house, so I kitted up and went out on the cross bike. I had no plan other than to explore a little bit. The first area I wanted to roam in was a complete bust, so I moved on. I rolled through the Hampton neighborhoods and ended up at the Hammond Academy sports practice complex. At first blush, there wasn't much there...and then it was as if the cross Gods shined a light from above and led me to the backside of the facility. What looked like little more than some double track access roads turned out to be the school's cross country practice course...and the absolute PERFECT place to do a cyclocross race. The course is full-on, Euro-style. Big descent, a chippy little climb out, a few slick turns, a short drop into a mudhole and a sand pit. This WILL happen next winter!!!!!! Emails and phone calls are going to be made, strings pulled, juice used, palms greased...whatever!
Here are a couple of vids to keep you occupied:
TDU Stage 6 highlights:
Hoogerheide Cross final lap:
Off day tomorrow...yoga! I rode 5 this week...Peace!
Sunday- This morning I hadn't planned to ride, but needed to get the hell out of the house, so I kitted up and went out on the cross bike. I had no plan other than to explore a little bit. The first area I wanted to roam in was a complete bust, so I moved on. I rolled through the Hampton neighborhoods and ended up at the Hammond Academy sports practice complex. At first blush, there wasn't much there...and then it was as if the cross Gods shined a light from above and led me to the backside of the facility. What looked like little more than some double track access roads turned out to be the school's cross country practice course...and the absolute PERFECT place to do a cyclocross race. The course is full-on, Euro-style. Big descent, a chippy little climb out, a few slick turns, a short drop into a mudhole and a sand pit. This WILL happen next winter!!!!!! Emails and phone calls are going to be made, strings pulled, juice used, palms greased...whatever!
Here are a couple of vids to keep you occupied:
TDU Stage 6 highlights:
Hoogerheide Cross final lap:
Off day tomorrow...yoga! I rode 5 this week...Peace!
23 January 2010
22 January 2010
21 January 2010
20 January 2010
TDU Stage 2 highlights
I went out last night for a road ride and it was a bit of an adventure...
First, a 911 Cab rolled up next to me in the neighborhood. I expected some dumbass to start jawing at me about riding on the road, or some other jibberish. The trigger was cocked on my F YOU gun. Thankfully, it was my old friend, former hammer and current legal counsel, Rob Ransom. We yapped for a while rolling through the hood. He took off and I caught him at the light. I tried to pace him. I say tried simply because there is NO draft behind a Porsche 911 Cab!
Once out in the Fort, I settled down into what I thought was a nice, SST pace. Well, I'll admit I'm a big pussy when it comes to the dark. Didn't like it when I was little, don't like it now as I'm tipping 40! Once I got to the end of Dixie and made the turn onto Wildcat, I saw little, red, beady eyes standing in the middle of the road, about 100m ahead of me. Don't know the eyes belonged to and wasn't hanging around to find out. Might have been a dog, a coyote or a chupacabra...who knows...I hit the GAS! I, literally, went as hard as I could all the way back to Hilton Field. It amounted to a 15 minute effort at, or above, threshold. I can say, with some degree of certainty, that I was blue-dotting and over-riding the light. My crazy, little kid imagination, and the thought of some mutant, Army experiment chasing me was all the motivation I needed! Once back into the relative civilization of the middle part of the base, I throttled back to SST and did the beer loop. I ended with right @ 2 hours in the dark, one really good effort and somehow lost a waterbottle...weird.
This morning, I got on the bike and had NO legs. I guess I went harder than I thought last night. I did a nice 90 minute spin out through West Columbia, trying to push the garbage out of my legs. It really didn't work! I'm stiff, sore and dehydrated today. Instead of relaxing once I got home, I went out and raked the front yard....for an hour! Cross-training bitches! At least it looks like respectable people live here again!
The H.O. is taking off tomorrow and Friday to get the house ready for her sister's baby shower on Saturday. Nothing like cleaning up and cooking for a bunch of people who won't appreciate it. I have a few projects to complete before Saturday as well, so it'll give me time. I'm clearing the fuck out on Saturday. A long ride, regardless of weather, and then I'm going to channel my inner redneck and take #1 MT to the Monster Truck show @ 2pm. It should be an exciting day...
Saturday...9am at the gate. Sunday, don't know, but guessing 9am @ OSB for Il Prof's ride.
Peace!
19 January 2010
17 January 2010
A quiet weekend...kinda...
The MTs were out @ the spa this weekend, so it was relatively quiet and subdued around here. If I could have gotten rid of the H.O., it would have truly wonderous. She's in 'project mode', which is fine and well...if she would stick to a project start to finish. Things get started around here, reach about 75% completion and then another project kicks off.
This weekend's main project was re-finishing the floors. My participation was not required, so I bailed the F out yesterday. Of course, being gone longer than management expects sometimes brings negative consequences, seeing as the H.O. said that I had things to do....
A bunch of us met @ the Fort at 9. Once we got out, Mrs. Kaiser, NGS and I split off to go a bit shorter. We ended with a nice 2:30 on the bike.
Following my little spin, I tackled the boxes of furniture that somehow made their way from India to our house. I just don't know how it happens! Anyway, I retired to the ManHole(tm) and built two of the heaviest mahogany end tables know to man. One would think that these things were made of some exotic material that was somehow differently affected by gravity. The box said the gross weight was 20kg, which is 45 pounds in old money. I think the stated weight was slightly pessimistic! These tables were followed by a couple of bar stools whose materials were obviously culled from the same off-planet mine.
I spent a solid two hours doing hard labor. It should count as cross-training!
The lovely scent of polyurethane is now permeating the house. I was awoken at 0430 with a blistering headache because of it.
It was raining pretty good this morning, but I needed fresh, clean air, so I saddled up and went out on the road. I knew that the off and on rain, the wet road and the winds would knock down the plans to ride @ 2, so I just went solo.
I made the smart play and headed southwest, into the teeth of the wind. I got to Gaston, refilled the bottle and turned for home...in the rain. Fortunately, it was warm and the tailwind was RIPPING! Little effort was required to stay well above 40kmh for the entire trip home. It was glorious! Two more hours on the bike this morning were followed by an hour of cleaning the thing!
I wish I could do the Bond, ML(tha)King, day-off-for-no-good-reason ride tomorrow, but the H.O. works for a subsidiary of Southern Farm Bureau, thus, I'm am working too! Hope you guys have fun rolling around in the 65 degree sunshine...dicks! ;)
2010 TDU starts this weeks. Here's TeamSky and Hendy kicking everyone's ass in the prelude. Watch for Lance in the break...he's wearing WHITE shoes...gonna be a weird year!
Hope everyone had a good weekend...Peace!
This weekend's main project was re-finishing the floors. My participation was not required, so I bailed the F out yesterday. Of course, being gone longer than management expects sometimes brings negative consequences, seeing as the H.O. said that I had things to do....
A bunch of us met @ the Fort at 9. Once we got out, Mrs. Kaiser, NGS and I split off to go a bit shorter. We ended with a nice 2:30 on the bike.
Following my little spin, I tackled the boxes of furniture that somehow made their way from India to our house. I just don't know how it happens! Anyway, I retired to the ManHole(tm) and built two of the heaviest mahogany end tables know to man. One would think that these things were made of some exotic material that was somehow differently affected by gravity. The box said the gross weight was 20kg, which is 45 pounds in old money. I think the stated weight was slightly pessimistic! These tables were followed by a couple of bar stools whose materials were obviously culled from the same off-planet mine.
I spent a solid two hours doing hard labor. It should count as cross-training!
The lovely scent of polyurethane is now permeating the house. I was awoken at 0430 with a blistering headache because of it.
It was raining pretty good this morning, but I needed fresh, clean air, so I saddled up and went out on the road. I knew that the off and on rain, the wet road and the winds would knock down the plans to ride @ 2, so I just went solo.
I made the smart play and headed southwest, into the teeth of the wind. I got to Gaston, refilled the bottle and turned for home...in the rain. Fortunately, it was warm and the tailwind was RIPPING! Little effort was required to stay well above 40kmh for the entire trip home. It was glorious! Two more hours on the bike this morning were followed by an hour of cleaning the thing!
I wish I could do the Bond, ML(tha)King, day-off-for-no-good-reason ride tomorrow, but the H.O. works for a subsidiary of Southern Farm Bureau, thus, I'm am working too! Hope you guys have fun rolling around in the 65 degree sunshine...dicks! ;)
2010 TDU starts this weeks. Here's TeamSky and Hendy kicking everyone's ass in the prelude. Watch for Lance in the break...he's wearing WHITE shoes...gonna be a weird year!
Hope everyone had a good weekend...Peace!
14 January 2010
Rest week
I've ridden once this week and don't feel at all guilty about it! As I wrote last week, I had a slip-up and fell over last Friday, whacking my knee on the bars. Well, after pushing hard on the turbo over the weekend, my knee and Vastus Medialis were swollen and VERY sore, so I chose to go easy this week. And in this case, easy means only riding once so far...for 90 minutes. I'll ride tomorrow and over the weekend, so I'll still end up with 4 days, but the plan is not to make any sort of efforts. I'm good at sticking to those sort of plans!
I may even dig the Ridley out of the ManHole(tm) tomorrow!
Velosnooze did an article about the Mavic factory in France. They skipped an entire topic in the article...why do Mavic products suck so bad lately? I mean, pretty much everyone in town (or the World!) has broken spokes on their Ksyriums, and Mavic even recalled R-Sys wheels. I really feel bad for Garmin this year, as they switched from Zipp to Mavic. I'm betting Millar didn't negotiate the deal. Anyone remember his rear Mavic disc coming apart? Mavic probably gave Mr. Dandy a case of ascots to seal the deal. If I was DZ or the other team leaders, I'd be stocking up on Lightweights, or just strip the decals off the old Zipps and stock up on Mavic stickers!
Oh, and they didn't even mention the battle that was waged between Velonews and Mavic when a front R-Sys exploded in a race while a VN editor was in the middle of a turn. And the wheel in question was a post-recall wheel. A recall can't overcome a poor design...so Mavic blamed VN!
I guess ad revenue is important @ VN these days (rollseyes).
And a final thought...Pat Robertson is possibly the biggest asswipe on the planet...and that's saying something!
I may even dig the Ridley out of the ManHole(tm) tomorrow!
Velosnooze did an article about the Mavic factory in France. They skipped an entire topic in the article...why do Mavic products suck so bad lately? I mean, pretty much everyone in town (or the World!) has broken spokes on their Ksyriums, and Mavic even recalled R-Sys wheels. I really feel bad for Garmin this year, as they switched from Zipp to Mavic. I'm betting Millar didn't negotiate the deal. Anyone remember his rear Mavic disc coming apart? Mavic probably gave Mr. Dandy a case of ascots to seal the deal. If I was DZ or the other team leaders, I'd be stocking up on Lightweights, or just strip the decals off the old Zipps and stock up on Mavic stickers!
Oh, and they didn't even mention the battle that was waged between Velonews and Mavic when a front R-Sys exploded in a race while a VN editor was in the middle of a turn. And the wheel in question was a post-recall wheel. A recall can't overcome a poor design...so Mavic blamed VN!
I guess ad revenue is important @ VN these days (rollseyes).
And a final thought...Pat Robertson is possibly the biggest asswipe on the planet...and that's saying something!
13 January 2010
701
That's right, somehow, I've cobbled together 701 posts of this dumb little pill party! I've been accused of running off at the mouth, but in this case, would it be considered running off at the fingers?
Anyway, I'm going to make an effort to be somewhat more entertaining and informative this year. More links, more videos and more pics.
So here we go...
2010 Dutch Cross Championships summary...(subtitle: Don't bitch about the weather here!)
I'm planning a Roubaix-esque ride again for the near future. I realize that people are on training programs, but God forbid that a bike ride should be fun and interesting. I have several loops ranging from 45 miles and 8 sections all the way up to 111 miles and 22 sections. I'll send out an email and post here when the time is nigh.
If anyone knows someone looking for a house, the H.O. and I are about to stick a sign in the yard of ours. It's been totally re-done and will need nothing upon move-in.
I did the HoP last night, just to spin my legs. It was really nice outside. 45 degrees feels balmy after banging around in the low-30s. It's supposed to be 60 tomorrow and Friday...I guess I'll be riding as it's supposed to be shitty again this weekend. It's kind of a rest week anyway...
Tine to go order some Defeet DeCompressor socks...
Anyway, I'm going to make an effort to be somewhat more entertaining and informative this year. More links, more videos and more pics.
So here we go...
2010 Dutch Cross Championships summary...(subtitle: Don't bitch about the weather here!)
I'm planning a Roubaix-esque ride again for the near future. I realize that people are on training programs, but God forbid that a bike ride should be fun and interesting. I have several loops ranging from 45 miles and 8 sections all the way up to 111 miles and 22 sections. I'll send out an email and post here when the time is nigh.
If anyone knows someone looking for a house, the H.O. and I are about to stick a sign in the yard of ours. It's been totally re-done and will need nothing upon move-in.
I did the HoP last night, just to spin my legs. It was really nice outside. 45 degrees feels balmy after banging around in the low-30s. It's supposed to be 60 tomorrow and Friday...I guess I'll be riding as it's supposed to be shitty again this weekend. It's kind of a rest week anyway...
Tine to go order some Defeet DeCompressor socks...
10 January 2010
Enough cold already!
Here's the last 20-ish minutes of the Belgian National Cross championship. Nys came from waaay back to pull the leaders in and then just rode away. Card carrying BadAss!
The weather looked pleasant too...
Speaking of, it's been blue cold here for the past several mornings. Sure, it's not Duluth cold, but I'm not taking my thinned blood out in 25 degrees and breezy. Sorry, there's a fine line between hard and stupid. Plus, I can make it a balmy 50 down in the ManHole(tm) in just 90 short minutes with the heat running at full steam...and there's zero wind!
Saturday, I rode the turbo for the last 70km or so of the 08 Ronde. Nothing special as my knee was STIFF, but I tried to stay @ 80-85%.
This morning, it was 22 outside, so it was into the cave again for another go round with the turbo. The media was the last 50km of the 08 Fleche. I felt a bit better today, so I actually wore the HRM. 60' @ 90-ish% will, in fact, make the room you are in VERY warm. About 20 minutes in, I had a bad patch...weird, but rode through it and felt better after. You know you went hard when the sweat causes the dried mud on the bike to re-liquify and drip off.
Oooh, looky, it's nap time! Peace!
09 January 2010
Dr. Fucknut gets 5 years
http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/01/news/l-a-road-rage-doctor-gets-five-years_102274
5 years is a gift for what was tantamount to attempted murder. When coupled with the fact that he'd done it before, he should have gotten up and dance a fucking jig for the sentence that he was given.
He'll probably serve 6-9 months, but that's fine because he'll be put in the poor house by the civil suit. If I was admitted to the Bar in Cali, I'd take the case pro-bono...and bury the guy.
Don't drop the soap!
Ride content:
Muddy/Frozen roots are SLICK when it's 30 degrees outside. I slipped a gear on a section that I've cleared, literally, 50 times in the past and whacked the ever-living shit out of my knee. Not so much the knee, as the vastus medialis muscle that lives just above the knee. I sort of just stopped and fell over, a la Arte Johnson on "Laugh-In". Fortunately, my big ass was along for the ride and protected me from any further damage by taking the fall. It's like a big, fleshy Secret Service Agent.
The remaining 60 minutes of the ride sucked. Windy, cold and pain do not exactly drive one on to ride hard after a crash.
It's 24 outside right now...not going out in that crap. TeamSky isn't tracking my progress...
The heat is running down in the ManHole(tm) and it should be a balmy 50 or so by the time I limp down there to ride.
5 years is a gift for what was tantamount to attempted murder. When coupled with the fact that he'd done it before, he should have gotten up and dance a fucking jig for the sentence that he was given.
He'll probably serve 6-9 months, but that's fine because he'll be put in the poor house by the civil suit. If I was admitted to the Bar in Cali, I'd take the case pro-bono...and bury the guy.
Don't drop the soap!
Ride content:
Muddy/Frozen roots are SLICK when it's 30 degrees outside. I slipped a gear on a section that I've cleared, literally, 50 times in the past and whacked the ever-living shit out of my knee. Not so much the knee, as the vastus medialis muscle that lives just above the knee. I sort of just stopped and fell over, a la Arte Johnson on "Laugh-In". Fortunately, my big ass was along for the ride and protected me from any further damage by taking the fall. It's like a big, fleshy Secret Service Agent.
The remaining 60 minutes of the ride sucked. Windy, cold and pain do not exactly drive one on to ride hard after a crash.
It's 24 outside right now...not going out in that crap. TeamSky isn't tracking my progress...
The heat is running down in the ManHole(tm) and it should be a balmy 50 or so by the time I limp down there to ride.
06 January 2010
A few things...
Thanks to everyone for the kind words about losing my dog. It isn't something that I really want to go through again anytime soon.
From the World of the pro-dog, Team Sky presented the other day. Pretty first class operation!
The kits are simple and clean...very old school Euro. The bikes, well, they're Pinarello Dogmas, so it's sort of hard to go wrong. And the team cars, Jaguar Estates...cool!
Sure, I'm a Lance homer, but this set-up makes 'The Shack' kits and bikes look like crap. Then again, they are riding Treks, so there you go...only so many ribbons you can put on a pig!
I found this pic of Boonen on Pez...in the Belge champ kit, riding a Merckx! WTF? Could it get any more Belgian? That should be framed, hung over the fireplace and admired while sipping a Chimay!
I'm waiting on the spring campaign like a gay kid waits on the Miss America Pageant!
As far as riding goes, I've been on the trainer twice since Saturday's big fun. Sunday I just spun out some stiffness for an hour.
Last night, I rode @ SST for 60 minutes and it didn't suck...weird! This morning, I did an hour of yoga and then some core work. That was followed up by the HoP+ loop tonight in the dark. It really wasn't all that cold. My little piggies were chilly, but that was it. I gotta figure out some better shoecovers that will fit over MTB shoes. Plus, I'll need to protect my new white Diadoras that are in transit. :)
Not much left in the tank, so I'm out! Peace!
From the World of the pro-dog, Team Sky presented the other day. Pretty first class operation!
The kits are simple and clean...very old school Euro. The bikes, well, they're Pinarello Dogmas, so it's sort of hard to go wrong. And the team cars, Jaguar Estates...cool!
Sure, I'm a Lance homer, but this set-up makes 'The Shack' kits and bikes look like crap. Then again, they are riding Treks, so there you go...only so many ribbons you can put on a pig!
I found this pic of Boonen on Pez...in the Belge champ kit, riding a Merckx! WTF? Could it get any more Belgian? That should be framed, hung over the fireplace and admired while sipping a Chimay!
I'm waiting on the spring campaign like a gay kid waits on the Miss America Pageant!
As far as riding goes, I've been on the trainer twice since Saturday's big fun. Sunday I just spun out some stiffness for an hour.
Last night, I rode @ SST for 60 minutes and it didn't suck...weird! This morning, I did an hour of yoga and then some core work. That was followed up by the HoP+ loop tonight in the dark. It really wasn't all that cold. My little piggies were chilly, but that was it. I gotta figure out some better shoecovers that will fit over MTB shoes. Plus, I'll need to protect my new white Diadoras that are in transit. :)
Not much left in the tank, so I'm out! Peace!
04 January 2010
RIP Robin Hood 1992-2010
Robin Hood,
Writing this note pains me beyond measure.
Today was a hard, hard day. Today, you went to a far better place, where all of your aches and pains have ceased. Your sight has been returned to perfect and you can once again hear the food bag open from miles away. You can bark, roll, jump and chase what needs to be chased.
I called the rescue in late 2000, and told them that I wanted an older male Jack Russell as a companion for our female. A week later, we rode up to ‘look’ at you. The first time I saw your big brown face, you greeted me with a smile and wagging tail. I sat on the ground to watch you run and play with Bella. After a short time, you sidled over and plopped down on my lap. That was it for me. You’d come to the rescue from less than favorable circumstances. That day, I promised that you would never have another bad day.
When you came to us, you were already 8…old by some standards, but you were in your prime, full of life, energy and mischief. You and Bella became partners in crime, which was quite amusing to watch at times.
Life changed around here when the boys came along, but you took it all in stride. It seemed that you just knew that these crying little pink things were new members of your pack and it was your job to watch over them. You were patient when they pulled on you and chased you, yet ever vigilant and fierce when it came time to protect them.
You slowed down over the years, but still had the same spirit and smile. When it came time for you to cross into that better place, you looked at me. It was a look that I won’t ever forget. To the end, YOU comforted ME.
You passed at the ripe old age of 17. It is said that a man is lucky if he has one good dog during his lifetime. I was insanely lucky and blessed to be your person.
I buried you in your favorite spot in the flower bed, right against the stone wall. The spot where you slept away lazy afternoons in the sun. That big, warm sun will shine on you forever. You will be in my heart for the rest of my days.
Rest well old man…rest well! I Love You!
02 January 2010
2010's first update
January 1- Supposed to meet a couple of folks to ride @ 1pm. For some reason, I simply cannot bring myself to wait around for half the day to go ride, so I chose out @ 0930. It was cloudy, breezy and a bit foggy. I headed out on the cross bike and did my HoP+ loop. I was feeling a bit chipper, so I went out into W.Cola and hit some of the muddy dirt roads.
As it usually happens, I was the absolute furthest point from the house, and the low fog became drizzle, then a steady light to steady rain. Did I mention it was 45 degrees? I got out of the SCE&G owned woods, and rode somewhere between SST and FTP for the 45 minutes it took me to make it home. The pace kept me toasty warm and and the wet roads cleaned the mud off the Salsa, so there was an upside...
I feel confident that no one rode @ 1 either!
January 2- NGS and I headed out to Lex to take part in the Ian Foyster Memorial Day after New Years Day Ride. It was ASS-BITING cold this morning...30F with 20mph winds out of the NW. Unfortunately, the cold and the dirt kept a lot of folks away. Pity for them...
8 intrepid souls rolled out in the brisk morning sun. 10 minutes into the ride, everyone was warm and laughs were becoming de rigeur. We all rode together...no egos...no testosterone...just a bunch of dudes having a good time on their bikes. It was so nice and should be done more...by everyone!
Shortly after halfway, a moment of inattention on a rocky downhill section brought our pal KK to grief. He hit the ground on his left knee/hip and stopped abruptly. The scuff on the front of knee wasn't so bad. The HOLE on the side was HAGGARD! For reference, it's about the size of a large peanut M&M. Nasty. He soldiered on though, adrenaline flowing through his veins. I'm willing to bet that MFer hurts right now though!
3 hours after rolling out, all 8 rolled in together. We chatted, took a couple of group pictures, and then took our cold, hungry and tired asses home. Our average speed wasn't at all high, but our average fun level was through the roof!
Gonna be COLD next week...I hear the quiet whispering of the trainer in the distance...bastard!
As it usually happens, I was the absolute furthest point from the house, and the low fog became drizzle, then a steady light to steady rain. Did I mention it was 45 degrees? I got out of the SCE&G owned woods, and rode somewhere between SST and FTP for the 45 minutes it took me to make it home. The pace kept me toasty warm and and the wet roads cleaned the mud off the Salsa, so there was an upside...
I feel confident that no one rode @ 1 either!
January 2- NGS and I headed out to Lex to take part in the Ian Foyster Memorial Day after New Years Day Ride. It was ASS-BITING cold this morning...30F with 20mph winds out of the NW. Unfortunately, the cold and the dirt kept a lot of folks away. Pity for them...
8 intrepid souls rolled out in the brisk morning sun. 10 minutes into the ride, everyone was warm and laughs were becoming de rigeur. We all rode together...no egos...no testosterone...just a bunch of dudes having a good time on their bikes. It was so nice and should be done more...by everyone!
Shortly after halfway, a moment of inattention on a rocky downhill section brought our pal KK to grief. He hit the ground on his left knee/hip and stopped abruptly. The scuff on the front of knee wasn't so bad. The HOLE on the side was HAGGARD! For reference, it's about the size of a large peanut M&M. Nasty. He soldiered on though, adrenaline flowing through his veins. I'm willing to bet that MFer hurts right now though!
3 hours after rolling out, all 8 rolled in together. We chatted, took a couple of group pictures, and then took our cold, hungry and tired asses home. Our average speed wasn't at all high, but our average fun level was through the roof!
Gonna be COLD next week...I hear the quiet whispering of the trainer in the distance...bastard!
31 December 2009
Good Riddance 2009
Well, it's almost over, thank whoever!
For 2010, my resolution is to be a better friend to those who truly are friends. The rest will be re-classified as acqauintances and treated accordingly. I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve and that sleeve is getting rolled up.
As for a laugh to end the year, I give you this...The Ellpitigo !! Feel free to file it under WTF!
We're riding tomorrow (NYD) from the shop @ 1pm and Saturday from Lexington HS @ 10am. Sunday, who knows...it's supposed to be cold, which automatically precludes 90% of folks from showing up for a ride.
Happy New Year folks!
For 2010, my resolution is to be a better friend to those who truly are friends. The rest will be re-classified as acqauintances and treated accordingly. I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve and that sleeve is getting rolled up.
As for a laugh to end the year, I give you this...The Ellpitigo !! Feel free to file it under WTF!
We're riding tomorrow (NYD) from the shop @ 1pm and Saturday from Lexington HS @ 10am. Sunday, who knows...it's supposed to be cold, which automatically precludes 90% of folks from showing up for a ride.
Happy New Year folks!
30 December 2009
Reminder
The 10th Annual Toby Porter day after New Years Day ride (we gotta shorten that...) is approaching quickly...Saturday actually. Be aware that this is a 'multi-surface' affair, meaning that there will be dirt and gravel involved. This will, of course, necessitate larger tires, or completely different bicycles. It will also be a bit too epic and difficult for some, which is fine. This is a ride that's supposed to be fun. If you plan to complain, or deem it beneath your 'training', keep your kilojoules at home.
It's gonna be cold and breezy as well, so plan accordingly.
Last Sunday, Il Prof and I were the only ones to show for the 'group' ride. No matter, as we rode slowly, two abreast for a bit over 2.5 hours. It was quite a pleasant trip through Lower Richland. Nothing is better than a bike ride on a beautiful day.
I went out solo on the Salsa last night. It was a lovely night, albeit a bit chilly. In the 90 minutes I was out, the temp dropped 7 degrees.
I did the normal HoP+ loop. Once I dropped down to the river, the temp seemed to drop immediately. I had no plan to ride with anything remotely resembling effort last night, but I was cold, so the hammer went down. According to the HRM, my little 20 minute effort to warm up was @ 95% of MHR. It stung, but kinda of felt good...pushed out some bad stuff and cleared my mind of the stuff I'd been dealing with all day. I was, in fact, toasty when I finished.
I rolled up Gervais, through campus and home. Good ride...
I also saw something sad up on campus. A LOT of forgotten, forlorn bicycles, shunned by their owners. Some where Wal-Mart junk, while a few were nice, including an older steel frame with Ultegra 600 and CXP30 wheels, as well as a few OLD Schwinn Collegiates. There's a place inside me that wants to go up to campus and rescue the old horses. This begs questions? Which karma is worse? Locking a bike to a rack and forgetting about it, or liberating from it's shackles to live again as a loved conveyance?
Another night ride tonight...
It's gonna be cold and breezy as well, so plan accordingly.
Last Sunday, Il Prof and I were the only ones to show for the 'group' ride. No matter, as we rode slowly, two abreast for a bit over 2.5 hours. It was quite a pleasant trip through Lower Richland. Nothing is better than a bike ride on a beautiful day.
I went out solo on the Salsa last night. It was a lovely night, albeit a bit chilly. In the 90 minutes I was out, the temp dropped 7 degrees.
I did the normal HoP+ loop. Once I dropped down to the river, the temp seemed to drop immediately. I had no plan to ride with anything remotely resembling effort last night, but I was cold, so the hammer went down. According to the HRM, my little 20 minute effort to warm up was @ 95% of MHR. It stung, but kinda of felt good...pushed out some bad stuff and cleared my mind of the stuff I'd been dealing with all day. I was, in fact, toasty when I finished.
I rolled up Gervais, through campus and home. Good ride...
I also saw something sad up on campus. A LOT of forgotten, forlorn bicycles, shunned by their owners. Some where Wal-Mart junk, while a few were nice, including an older steel frame with Ultegra 600 and CXP30 wheels, as well as a few OLD Schwinn Collegiates. There's a place inside me that wants to go up to campus and rescue the old horses. This begs questions? Which karma is worse? Locking a bike to a rack and forgetting about it, or liberating from it's shackles to live again as a loved conveyance?
Another night ride tonight...
26 December 2009
Update
A couple of days ago, I ranted about the shop not wanting my money. I shot an email to a friend in England who works for Diadora UK, relaying the story. Since she's my hookup for my stellar Diadora road shoes, I figured she may be able to hook me up with a similar discount on a pair of mountain bike shoes, since they are exceedingly hard to find in the US.
In turn, she emailed my rant to her boss. (didn't really plan on that part...)
This afternoon, I got an email from her that Diadora would be sending me a FREE pair of white, size 46 ProTrail Carbon mountain shoes! Kickass!
My friend, who I now owe a kidney (or at least a wet, sloppy kiss on the mouth) if she needs it, looked in her files and saw that I wore their ProRacer carbon shoes. At this point, the wheels in her beautiful, brilliant Italian/English mind started turning. The ProTrails and the ProRacers are ostensibly the same shoe, built on the same last, with the same fit, so she made the decision to send me PTs. See! That's customer fucking service! From this point forward, I will NEVER wear any cycling shoes that do not say Diadora on them, PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope the shop doesn't miss my $250...dicks!
In turn, she emailed my rant to her boss. (didn't really plan on that part...)
This afternoon, I got an email from her that Diadora would be sending me a FREE pair of white, size 46 ProTrail Carbon mountain shoes! Kickass!
My friend, who I now owe a kidney (or at least a wet, sloppy kiss on the mouth) if she needs it, looked in her files and saw that I wore their ProRacer carbon shoes. At this point, the wheels in her beautiful, brilliant Italian/English mind started turning. The ProTrails and the ProRacers are ostensibly the same shoe, built on the same last, with the same fit, so she made the decision to send me PTs. See! That's customer fucking service! From this point forward, I will NEVER wear any cycling shoes that do not say Diadora on them, PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope the shop doesn't miss my $250...dicks!
Holiday wishes...
I hope everyone had a joyous holiday, regardless of who you pray to when you hit your knees at night.
Santa was very kind to my family, especially the MTs. The living room looked like Toys R Us opened a new facility in my house!
As much as I complain, they are good kids and I love them more than anything on this planet! the H.O., not so much...kidding, of course. I am insanely lucky to have such a beautiful and loving wife, and she doesn't let me forget it!
Now for the riding portion of this post...
I TRIED to get out and meet Bond and JB this morning for a ride in the NE. I left the house in plenty of time to get out there for the 10am roll out. About 1/2 to Bond's house, I felt really good, and was rolling right along at SST when I rolled over a section of steel banding. You know the kind that large, palletized parcels are bound with....
The front tire rolled right over, flipping the banding 90 degrees. The rear tire hit it flush and suffered a fatal laceration. Steel Banding: 1 Conti GP4000s: 0
The tire was cut from bead to bead and rendered useless in .1 seconds.
No booting this one kids!
Of course, I was in a hurry this morning and left my Blackberry on the table, so there was no calling anyone for rescue. I took off my shoes and started to walk home. I probably walked about a mile until a very pleasant old Mexican man stopped and took pity on me. He gave me a ride home, which was completely out of his way. Nicest dude in Columbia right there! I thanked him and gave him the old $20 handshake. Worth every penny!
I feel like riding again, but should probably just stay in the house. It may not be my day!
I'll go out in the morning for a couple of hours!
Santa was very kind to my family, especially the MTs. The living room looked like Toys R Us opened a new facility in my house!
As much as I complain, they are good kids and I love them more than anything on this planet! the H.O., not so much...kidding, of course. I am insanely lucky to have such a beautiful and loving wife, and she doesn't let me forget it!
Now for the riding portion of this post...
I TRIED to get out and meet Bond and JB this morning for a ride in the NE. I left the house in plenty of time to get out there for the 10am roll out. About 1/2 to Bond's house, I felt really good, and was rolling right along at SST when I rolled over a section of steel banding. You know the kind that large, palletized parcels are bound with....
The front tire rolled right over, flipping the banding 90 degrees. The rear tire hit it flush and suffered a fatal laceration. Steel Banding: 1 Conti GP4000s: 0
The tire was cut from bead to bead and rendered useless in .1 seconds.
No booting this one kids!
Of course, I was in a hurry this morning and left my Blackberry on the table, so there was no calling anyone for rescue. I took off my shoes and started to walk home. I probably walked about a mile until a very pleasant old Mexican man stopped and took pity on me. He gave me a ride home, which was completely out of his way. Nicest dude in Columbia right there! I thanked him and gave him the old $20 handshake. Worth every penny!
I feel like riding again, but should probably just stay in the house. It may not be my day!
I'll go out in the morning for a couple of hours!
23 December 2009
An open letter to bike shops...
I've been in the bike business. I know how it works. I realize that you cannot stock every bike, part, or accessory to make customers 100% happy. It's just not good business practice. Conversely, if a customer takes the time to come to your shop, don't treat them like they are jerkoffs, especially if they are good customers who spend copious amounts of cash at your store.
If that customer wants you to order an item, and you know they can pay for it, order the fucking thing! So what if it'll cost $12 to ship it! What's better, eating $12, or not getting a $250 sale?
I tried to go buy a $250 pair of mountain bike shoes this morning. I knew exactly what I wanted, the size and the color. Making the sale required nothing more than a phone call to place the order.
Instead, I got a ration of shit from the staff because they 'just did an order' with the company in question and didn't want to do another one, AND they didn't want to place the item into inventory.
Hey dumbasses, you won't have to keep the item in inventory. Once it shows up on the UPS truck, you make a call and inside of 30 minutes, I'll be there to throw $250 at you. Simple, easy, no fuss, no muss...
Now, I'm going to make a couple of phone calls to friends I have in the industry and get the shoes at a very deep discount (if not free!), and the shop will get jack shit!
It amazes me! Sometimes I think the shops just don't want the money customers are willing to give them. I know it's Christmas and the shops are flush with money from selling kid's bikes, but we'll see how business is in 6 weeks, when the doldrums of February have set in. You guys might just NEED my $250 then!
Oh, as an aside, I'm planning on dropping somewhere North of $5k in the spring on a new road bike. Any guesses where I'll be shopping?
If that customer wants you to order an item, and you know they can pay for it, order the fucking thing! So what if it'll cost $12 to ship it! What's better, eating $12, or not getting a $250 sale?
I tried to go buy a $250 pair of mountain bike shoes this morning. I knew exactly what I wanted, the size and the color. Making the sale required nothing more than a phone call to place the order.
Instead, I got a ration of shit from the staff because they 'just did an order' with the company in question and didn't want to do another one, AND they didn't want to place the item into inventory.
Hey dumbasses, you won't have to keep the item in inventory. Once it shows up on the UPS truck, you make a call and inside of 30 minutes, I'll be there to throw $250 at you. Simple, easy, no fuss, no muss...
Now, I'm going to make a couple of phone calls to friends I have in the industry and get the shoes at a very deep discount (if not free!), and the shop will get jack shit!
It amazes me! Sometimes I think the shops just don't want the money customers are willing to give them. I know it's Christmas and the shops are flush with money from selling kid's bikes, but we'll see how business is in 6 weeks, when the doldrums of February have set in. You guys might just NEED my $250 then!
Oh, as an aside, I'm planning on dropping somewhere North of $5k in the spring on a new road bike. Any guesses where I'll be shopping?
19 December 2009
Saturday tip...(Sunday update)
Here's a tip I'll pass on to my cycling brethren...
When it's 38 degrees, damp, and the wind is blowing, ride AROUND the big body of standing water!!!
About an hour into my little jaunt into the woods this morning, I came to one of the many firebreaks that intersect the trail. The break had been freshly cut, and whoever was operating the grater cut it a bit too deep right where the trail crosses. There's normally water in this particular spot, so I thought nothing of it. I bombed across the break and was promptly hub/BB deep in very muddy, VERY cold water. No choice...ride through and out the other side. Thankfully, I installed the rear fender this morning, so my hiney stayed clean and dry. My feet? Not so much!
I rode one more section of trail and decided that my feet were important to me, so I turned around (avoiding the waterhole) and rode hard to get home.
The last 30 minutes are on the road, so the wind REALLY started cutting through the wet shoe covers. I got home and promptly stripped off my covers, shoes, and socks, revealing some hot pink toe-cicles. Oh, how they hurt and itched when the warm air hit them!
I still got two hours this morning though...
I may actually pull the Ridley out of the ManHole(tm) tomorrow...first time on it in 3-ish weeks. Big gears and skinny tires will feel weird!
Sunday update-
The road bike felt WEIRD this morning, after pushing the cross bike around for the last 3 weeks. I guess 42 and sunny is too cold for folks, so it was just New Guy Steve and I this morning. We did a convoluted version of the old Tuesday loop in an effort to A)stay in the sun and B) out of the headwind. It worked for the most part. I feel bad for the folks who didn't ride, or waited to ride today. It was really nice this morning and only warmed up 6 degrees all day.
Oh well, their loss...we had a good ride and some good conversation. 2:30 ride time and 70km.
Then, the H.O. and I took the MTs to see Santa. We got their 45 minutes before opening and were 2nd in line. I feel bad for the poor schmoes that were 20+ deep! Nothing wastes a Sunday afternoon more than standing in line to see Santa for 2+ hours!
When it's 38 degrees, damp, and the wind is blowing, ride AROUND the big body of standing water!!!
About an hour into my little jaunt into the woods this morning, I came to one of the many firebreaks that intersect the trail. The break had been freshly cut, and whoever was operating the grater cut it a bit too deep right where the trail crosses. There's normally water in this particular spot, so I thought nothing of it. I bombed across the break and was promptly hub/BB deep in very muddy, VERY cold water. No choice...ride through and out the other side. Thankfully, I installed the rear fender this morning, so my hiney stayed clean and dry. My feet? Not so much!
I rode one more section of trail and decided that my feet were important to me, so I turned around (avoiding the waterhole) and rode hard to get home.
The last 30 minutes are on the road, so the wind REALLY started cutting through the wet shoe covers. I got home and promptly stripped off my covers, shoes, and socks, revealing some hot pink toe-cicles. Oh, how they hurt and itched when the warm air hit them!
I still got two hours this morning though...
I may actually pull the Ridley out of the ManHole(tm) tomorrow...first time on it in 3-ish weeks. Big gears and skinny tires will feel weird!
Sunday update-
The road bike felt WEIRD this morning, after pushing the cross bike around for the last 3 weeks. I guess 42 and sunny is too cold for folks, so it was just New Guy Steve and I this morning. We did a convoluted version of the old Tuesday loop in an effort to A)stay in the sun and B) out of the headwind. It worked for the most part. I feel bad for the folks who didn't ride, or waited to ride today. It was really nice this morning and only warmed up 6 degrees all day.
Oh well, their loss...we had a good ride and some good conversation. 2:30 ride time and 70km.
Then, the H.O. and I took the MTs to see Santa. We got their 45 minutes before opening and were 2nd in line. I feel bad for the poor schmoes that were 20+ deep! Nothing wastes a Sunday afternoon more than standing in line to see Santa for 2+ hours!
17 December 2009
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