My friend Ken and I rode the Urban Assault Ride this weekend. Twas a fantastic event. We rode to the packet pick-up on Saturday with the intention of doing some planning for Sundays ride. Now anyone who knows us will realize when we say planning, it really means making sure we decide what time we are to meet. This was true for Saturday but ended up with a little more planning than normal after the first couple beers. And it kept going from there.
I had spent a couple days making sure the Cross Check was ready to ride. I figured it would be perfect for the unpredictable route we would take. But after Saturdays ride, we ended up riding Ken's Schwinn Twin from the 60's. Definitely the best decision of the weekend. We figured we had better have some nourishment for the ride as it started at 9AM. So we picked up the fixins for bloody marys to have during the ride. Definitely the best decision of the weekend. Neither of us were much of the bloody mary fan, but now I think we are hooked. Ken brought a couple swank Hawaiian shirts for our uniforms. Stylin. With the cooler stocked with extra mix and vegetables, our glasses half-full (to cut down on spillage), we were off.
The ride was perfect. It is the best time of year to ride around these parts. Riding around the cities, we would be seeing other riders and everyone was super friendly. Bells ringing like crazy. Made me wonder why people aren't that nice all the time. I think our proudest moment was the limbo contest. I wasn't thinking we would have to do any contests on our own bicycles. Fortunately, Ken is a fantastic rider and I am small. Good combo for the limbo.
I haven't mapped it out yet, but we put on nearly 30 miles. There was a small amount of back-tracking done, but it is really amazing about the winning team. They must have been flying! All I know is that this was the second race I have done in the same year. After a hiatus of over 10 years from any racing, I think I have outdone myself. I might have to do some more training next year. I have a nice gash and bruise from slipping a pedal on the big wheel.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Walking instead of riding
I did something today I have never done before. I protested.
We went down to the capital today to march to protest the war in Iraq. I didn't get into the speeches and yelling and all that stuff, but to see the number of people, and how passionate people get over it was incredible. Once in a lifetime opportunity stuff.
There were definitely some powerful images that my pictures don't do justice. Most of the time, they were things that I didn't feel comfortable shoving my camera in the face of. Even though most of the time people are out there to get publicity and show what is bothering them, it still doesn't feel right to me. Some part of me thinks that if you don't experience it yourself, in person, it loses a lot of the impact.
So it was completely uneventful from a lawful perspective. I heard a few people were arrested but of the thousands and thousands of people that were there, it was amazingly peaceful. Just how I like it.
Someone was wearing this shirt during the march. I think I have to get one.
We went down to the capital today to march to protest the war in Iraq. I didn't get into the speeches and yelling and all that stuff, but to see the number of people, and how passionate people get over it was incredible. Once in a lifetime opportunity stuff.
There were definitely some powerful images that my pictures don't do justice. Most of the time, they were things that I didn't feel comfortable shoving my camera in the face of. Even though most of the time people are out there to get publicity and show what is bothering them, it still doesn't feel right to me. Some part of me thinks that if you don't experience it yourself, in person, it loses a lot of the impact.
So it was completely uneventful from a lawful perspective. I heard a few people were arrested but of the thousands and thousands of people that were there, it was amazingly peaceful. Just how I like it.
Someone was wearing this shirt during the march. I think I have to get one.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Haulin
Having accumulated a good amount of stuff at the bike shop, I decided I better haul the trailer to work and bring some of it home. Here is a list of what was in the trailer last night:
- Raleigh atb frame/fork
- Bianchi Boardwalk complete bicycle
- Trek 1000 frame
- complete 24" bicycle parts kit
- crankset/bb (used)
- crankset (new)
- 2 tubular road tyres
- 3 tubular cross tyres
- 2 atb tyres
- 3 road tyres
- mavic cosmic ft wheel
- 3 tubular rims
- 16 drawer small parts bin
I'm thinking that towin this type of load would be good trainin. Glad I don't train.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Ready to go
It's the time of year at the bike shop that weekends start to be a little more common. I was fortunate to have Friday and Saturday off and with the weather beginning to creep towards fall, it was gearing up to be a nice couple days off.
Friday morning started out with a trip to the auto repair shop. I normally am one to do a lot of my own work, even on the dreaded automobile, but there comes a time when letting other people do work makes sense. I had them check out the "check engine" light and reset it (stupid sensitive Toyotas) and do some brake work. Almost completely in yuppie mode, I headed to the driving range with Dan. I say almost because instead of taking the second car (which I don't have) we biked, pulling the clubs in the trailer.
Friday afternoon was doing a few things around the house. Catching up on stuff that had been left a little long. I was able to have dinner with my cousin, and then I ended up back at home, trying to rid myself of a very uncommon occurrence of a headache. As we were sitting around with the lights low and the volume down on the time wasting box, I heard a bike bell. The bike gang came over and made daiquiri's. A nice evening treat to end the night.
Saturday morning was simply spectacular. We slept in a little, then biked to Nina's coffee shop. I wanted to order a book for our upcoming vacation and decided to buy local. There really aren't that many local bookshops. I had a fun experience trying to find the book to order as I couldn't quite recall the title. I knew the author but it is a little bit rarer than I thought so we eventually had to go directly to the publisher to order it. Small business are great!
Lunch was at Great Waters Brewing Co. Fine crafted beers. Food well above average but can be listed in the "bar food" category. Definitely my kind of place. The only reason why they don't know me by name there is that after enjoying everything a little too much, we have to climb out of St Paul to get home. Not bad during the good weather. Not fun to do during the other 8 months.
Finished up Saturday by working in the yard and doing a little reading while my wife went out with friends. I feel ready to go.
Friday morning started out with a trip to the auto repair shop. I normally am one to do a lot of my own work, even on the dreaded automobile, but there comes a time when letting other people do work makes sense. I had them check out the "check engine" light and reset it (stupid sensitive Toyotas) and do some brake work. Almost completely in yuppie mode, I headed to the driving range with Dan. I say almost because instead of taking the second car (which I don't have) we biked, pulling the clubs in the trailer.
Friday afternoon was doing a few things around the house. Catching up on stuff that had been left a little long. I was able to have dinner with my cousin, and then I ended up back at home, trying to rid myself of a very uncommon occurrence of a headache. As we were sitting around with the lights low and the volume down on the time wasting box, I heard a bike bell. The bike gang came over and made daiquiri's. A nice evening treat to end the night.
Saturday morning was simply spectacular. We slept in a little, then biked to Nina's coffee shop. I wanted to order a book for our upcoming vacation and decided to buy local. There really aren't that many local bookshops. I had a fun experience trying to find the book to order as I couldn't quite recall the title. I knew the author but it is a little bit rarer than I thought so we eventually had to go directly to the publisher to order it. Small business are great!
Lunch was at Great Waters Brewing Co. Fine crafted beers. Food well above average but can be listed in the "bar food" category. Definitely my kind of place. The only reason why they don't know me by name there is that after enjoying everything a little too much, we have to climb out of St Paul to get home. Not bad during the good weather. Not fun to do during the other 8 months.
Finished up Saturday by working in the yard and doing a little reading while my wife went out with friends. I feel ready to go.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Procrastination
I am trying my hand at being the best procrastinator on the planet. For weeks now, the Corolla has needed new brake shoes. I have had them in the basement, ready for me to put them in. I just have no motivation for working on the car. Today is the day. No more excuses.
I am expanding my knowledge of bikes. I am storing a 1972 or 73 (can't quite pin it down) Honda CL350 K4 motorcycle. A friend of mine had someone give it to him and as I have more storage space, it is in my garage. The idea is to fix it up and have a community bike. Now I have wanted a motorcycle since before I can remember, so I am all over this idea. The nice thing is that my wife seems ok with it also. If I didn't know better, I might think she's up to something.
I have been thinking about Trans Iowa fo the last few days. After my last overnight ride, I started to consider that rides including overnights are not for me. I still do not have a definite answer to whether that is true or not. I am hoping to have that sorted out by the time registration ends. So until then, the parts list has begun for the Cross Check to become Iowa gravel worthy.
Maybe I'll put that off until winter.
I am expanding my knowledge of bikes. I am storing a 1972 or 73 (can't quite pin it down) Honda CL350 K4 motorcycle. A friend of mine had someone give it to him and as I have more storage space, it is in my garage. The idea is to fix it up and have a community bike. Now I have wanted a motorcycle since before I can remember, so I am all over this idea. The nice thing is that my wife seems ok with it also. If I didn't know better, I might think she's up to something.
I have been thinking about Trans Iowa fo the last few days. After my last overnight ride, I started to consider that rides including overnights are not for me. I still do not have a definite answer to whether that is true or not. I am hoping to have that sorted out by the time registration ends. So until then, the parts list has begun for the Cross Check to become Iowa gravel worthy.
Maybe I'll put that off until winter.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Ready for August
August is just around the corner and I am looking forward to it. The shop should be slowing down, and it begins the swing towards fall, which is my favorite time of year.
I am off tomorrow to help mark the way for the Tour De Loren. I am amazed at how much work the organizing committee puts into this ride. I figure the least I can do is help with a few markers and make some cookies. It should help me get my century ride in for July (nothing like waiting till the last minute to keep up with goals). A nice thing is that I have Sunday off so I can complete the entire Tour and I will have my century in for August. That means I should plan another ride in August to make up for other months.
We had a great TRAM last week. It renews my faith in people a little bit. The riders are so appreciative of our work, and the MS Society does a fantastic job with the ride. If ever there was an organized ride for me to actually ride on, I would have to say this would be it.
We also held our Champs-Elysees party on Sunday night. There was a pretty good crowd and as coverage didn't start when people came over, we went for a bike ride. The best was on the way back I spotted some furniture on the curb for free. One of the guys was saying he wanted a table and sure enough, there was one on the curb. He only lives a few blocks from me but instead of going to get his pickup, we decided we could carry it while riding our bikes.
We did o.k. It did get dropped a couple times and even though we tried to be careful, we ended up splintering one of the legs. I think it will work fine for the time being.
I am off tomorrow to help mark the way for the Tour De Loren. I am amazed at how much work the organizing committee puts into this ride. I figure the least I can do is help with a few markers and make some cookies. It should help me get my century ride in for July (nothing like waiting till the last minute to keep up with goals). A nice thing is that I have Sunday off so I can complete the entire Tour and I will have my century in for August. That means I should plan another ride in August to make up for other months.
We had a great TRAM last week. It renews my faith in people a little bit. The riders are so appreciative of our work, and the MS Society does a fantastic job with the ride. If ever there was an organized ride for me to actually ride on, I would have to say this would be it.
We also held our Champs-Elysees party on Sunday night. There was a pretty good crowd and as coverage didn't start when people came over, we went for a bike ride. The best was on the way back I spotted some furniture on the curb for free. One of the guys was saying he wanted a table and sure enough, there was one on the curb. He only lives a few blocks from me but instead of going to get his pickup, we decided we could carry it while riding our bikes.
We did o.k. It did get dropped a couple times and even though we tried to be careful, we ended up splintering one of the legs. I think it will work fine for the time being.
Monday, July 7, 2008
fortunate 4th
I have been trying to follow the sensible voice in my head for a few weeks now. There are many days when competing ideas win out, and I wouldn't say they are entirely senseless, but afterwords do seem like a silly thing to have done.
Turns out the annual 4th of July ride did not go as well as in previous years. I decided last week that I would not go so others could ride. After the last overnight ride I did, I felt it would be a good year to stay home and experience some other type of fun. This is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
My sister came to stay with us for a couple days. We don't see each other very much, and almost always at family gatherings, so it was great to spend some time with just her. With my stepfather diagnosed with cancer, she (and most of the family) is thinking of the shortness of time, and what is really important to her (and us). Why does it have to be bad things that spur these types of feelings to jump start what should be in peoples heads every day?
The 4th was great. My wife and I spent a nice relaxing day taking care of the backyard, cleaning up to be ready for the inevitable next house guest, and then going to see a movie. We rarely go to the theatre for movies and it is a nice change. Get to the matinee for discounts and it is almost affordable. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, not my favorite (I swear it wasn't Harrison Ford's voice for the first few minutes of his appearance). We decided to have dinner at home. Just a nice relaxing day.
I had a small gathering for the opening stage of the Tour. Late notice kept a number of people away, but sometimes small get-togethers are the best. I don't particularly enjoy hopping on the Tour bandwagon, but it is amazing to watch those athletes. As I don't race, it's fun to watch the tactics and to see what they can do with their machines.
We decided to ride every bike we own to the shop at least once this month. It's been great getting bikes out I don't normally ride. The trouble with that are the 4 bikes with 20" wheels. 12 miles on each of those are going to be long. And with TRAM coming up, it's going to be close to see if I can get them all ridden. Maybe I'll create a list.
Turns out the annual 4th of July ride did not go as well as in previous years. I decided last week that I would not go so others could ride. After the last overnight ride I did, I felt it would be a good year to stay home and experience some other type of fun. This is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
My sister came to stay with us for a couple days. We don't see each other very much, and almost always at family gatherings, so it was great to spend some time with just her. With my stepfather diagnosed with cancer, she (and most of the family) is thinking of the shortness of time, and what is really important to her (and us). Why does it have to be bad things that spur these types of feelings to jump start what should be in peoples heads every day?
The 4th was great. My wife and I spent a nice relaxing day taking care of the backyard, cleaning up to be ready for the inevitable next house guest, and then going to see a movie. We rarely go to the theatre for movies and it is a nice change. Get to the matinee for discounts and it is almost affordable. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, not my favorite (I swear it wasn't Harrison Ford's voice for the first few minutes of his appearance). We decided to have dinner at home. Just a nice relaxing day.
I had a small gathering for the opening stage of the Tour. Late notice kept a number of people away, but sometimes small get-togethers are the best. I don't particularly enjoy hopping on the Tour bandwagon, but it is amazing to watch those athletes. As I don't race, it's fun to watch the tactics and to see what they can do with their machines.
We decided to ride every bike we own to the shop at least once this month. It's been great getting bikes out I don't normally ride. The trouble with that are the 4 bikes with 20" wheels. 12 miles on each of those are going to be long. And with TRAM coming up, it's going to be close to see if I can get them all ridden. Maybe I'll create a list.
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