Tonight we started them up. Had a great showing for PVD. Pile of college kids, and some old fuckers. Kyle, Peng, Sandy and Tom filled out that first category, Syl, me and Yeah I'm calling Fox old, filled out the latter. Andrew slots in the middle somewhere. He's a freak. Lightweight rowers generally are. He used to be one. Sarah showed up but when i probed her about directions and route and if she knew how to get back her buoyant "I have a phone" let me relax as ride leader (she got dropped before we hit the Mass Line Sprint from what the guys behind were saying).
So we hit this ride, hard. This new guy from PC, Tom (think Ted King look a like) is the wild card and the game changer.
I lead out, measured pace, not too bad, my HR is comfortable. Set the pace over the new pavement down Broadway, Kyle asks if we're sprinting for the State Line, I say "Maybe, just don't tell Tom" and Tom pipes in "What?"
From the stop like there the chatter from Peng and Kyle is how horrible the pavement is on the bridge. I've got the sun behind me, I'm leading out... no one goes around me before the bridge, so fuck it. Lets wind this shit up. Soon there's a helmet at my crank (shadow) wind up the cadence a bit more, shit, up the cadence, shift... helmet is getting close to front wheel. FUck it. Lets sprint. Boom. I win. Cheap, but crafty. I'll take it. I'm 2x as old as some of these damn kids.
Right turn on Arcade. Syl rolls up "I think we've already dropped Sarah" damn, well she has her phone. Tom wants to do a 15 min zone 4 effort. Fine go for it. He does. He's not slow. We sit on his wheel and yell at him for the turn. On Ledge he starts hammering. I slot in behind Peng who is sitting on Tom's wheel.
Feels okay in the draft. Not easy but okay. Make the left up the hill. over to Jacob/Broad. Tom still driving the pace, nice and fast, so awesome. I'm loving it (sitting in the draft that is). Down hill, over the bridge, past the point where Brier stacked it, and Peng comes out of Tom's slipstream to go for the Townline sprint we don't sprint for. Of course I'm on his wheel. But he timed it pretty well. Two more feet and I'd have beat him. I got grief for sprint at the line I neutralized. But hey, third wheel, Tom didn't go for it, what am I supposed to do???? Was good. Tom carried on, got a gap on everyone and we directed him to the left turn...
up pine we go.
Andrew sort of slots in behind Tom and Peng is on the wheel. Pine hurts. The steady low % grade is unrelenting. And we had a fucking headwind to boot.
Up... and off they go. I manage to hang to w/in maybe 100' of the first sprint line. Andrew takes the second line seriously and Tom gives him a good run for his money and those to jackasses are gone. CHECKED OUT.
Sandy and Fox come by. Peng goes back. Kyle goes backwards... or never really forwards, i don't remember my breathing was killing me.
Anyway... Sandy Fox and I manage to finally hook up just as we turn on to Homestead. We get a bit of the way down and catch up to Tom and Andrew and keep the pace high.
Tom drops back, to either wait for Peng or give us a head start up Rocky Hill.
Andrew sets a solid pace up the hill. Sandy sits on his wheel doing great. Granted he needs to SLAM THAT FUCKING STEM AND FLIP THE STEM DOWN but he's much better than last year. I'm on Sandy's wheel, Andrew is driving it. We get to the last stretch, before the right hander.
Fox attacks.
A good attack. I expected it, I know he's a cagey competitive dude, and he's been f'n riding and running.
But I go down to the drops and make the jump to his wheel. Andrew can't respond, Sandy can't either, I dunno about Syl, maybe Syl was on my wheel but he never came around so was never a factor.
Fox makes the corner and well I thought of all those damn logs, no just kidding, I just went for it. Won Rocky Hill Sprint. Blew pretty much everything in the process. Hillside was gonna suck.
Made it around down... Tom catches back on, no Peng or Kyle tho.
We start up Hillside, pedestrian like. Andrew starts going for it. Tom goes at it with him. I get shelled. Everyone rides off w/o me. Kyle catches me just as I turn right onto pine and then he has the audacity to sprint for the Pine KOM AGAIN. F'er got it too.
I had nothing.
We reel Fox back in.
He cramps or feigns a cramp and drops out of the wind, and I work to bring us back to the group waiting up there together for us on that final run in. Wheeler comes through fast, and then of course Andrew and Tom go motor pacing on the way back. Syl does a great job of trying to hang on but blows sky high. I work my ass off but can't do much more than keep them at a consistent distance.
Was good though.
Legs felt good. Hillside was definitely "this is not as bad as hauling logs so go harder dumbass" but the lungs were toast. Tasting blood, still.
Was a good ride.
Headed back to the office, grabbed my backpack and headed home. Glorious tail wind. Pile of Noobs on the bike path though, walkers and stuff mostly. S'okay, not a big deal and totally work able, but warm weather brought them out.
Legs are feeling it, but not the way my lungs are. I'm missing those weekly roller races right now. And am 3 rides behind in my Boston and back long ride Mental Health days. Soon? Maybe. Maybe not.
Bike was good. New Wheel was great. Thanks to Thom and JLS. Bar Tape worked.
Can't wait for next week. Fox destroyed me there on Hillside. I'm going to have to work on that. That or get his pain in the ass in to the wind a bit more before we hit that hill. Ifn you are in the PVD area, see if you can make the ride. If you're pro level it is just a good ride, if you're not the ride will push you to improve. Either way it is fun.
No. I have no numbers. No time. No distance. No strava. No Heart Rate. Nothing. No Metrics at all.
F'that shit.
But there is one beer in the house. I'm going to drink it. And put a plug out: if you need bike mechanic work, a tune up. drive train clean, wheel true, anything, drop me a note. I work for beer or beer money ;)
heddwch
g
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Coffee Flavored Coffee, or PULL UP YOUR PANTS
Except now it is "what beans do you want?" What beans? I WANT A CUP OF COFFEE
I was asked this on Saturday, low on grounds and time at the house and after the kid's soccer game I bought a cup while we were grabbing a few things to make lunch with (and some more coffee beans).
I ask for a large coffee.
"what beans do you want?"
What do you mean what beans, I dunno I just want a cup of coffee.
"Dark roast [fill in the blank bean variety] or light roast [fill in the blank with a different variety]?"
Um, I want my coffee to taste like coffee not watered down bean juice, Dark please.
"Do you need room?"
No, you can fill it all the way up. (but in my mind Denis Leary was screaming FUCK NO I WANT A CUP OF COFFEE NOT SOME SWEETENED MILKY BEVERAGE THAT TASTES VAGUELY OF COFFEE)
Pouring myself another cup of coffee, black, hot, nothing in it. Nice and strong.
coffee
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
making good
So yeah, I've been using my little Gomboy pruning saw a bit. Collecting a bit of wood here and there.
When I started the first goal was to make the Birch tops managable or at least not impinging on the bike path. Accomplished. And I have a pile of nice and dry green birch in my office. If anyone wants to buy it for decorative purposes lemme know. Otherwise i'll haul that shit home, stack it and burn it next year.
Last night on the way home I managed to get all but the last branch out of the tangled mess of honeysuckle and other vines (no Poison Ivy that I could tell).
This morning I took the last branch out and loaded it in the trailer (only 4 lengths). And then I rolled the pile of vines off into the flattened over growth on the side of the path, off of the grass. Beside the big trunk on the side of the path still attached to the roots, there's no evidence of the fallen tree now.
On the way home, it was pouring rain. Bitching 20-30 mph headwind and well it kind of sucked. But that's a good thing. I had the bike path to myself. There was a chunk of oak that fell just south of the fuel dock access road. a couple branches. I had pulled and rolled them of the path onto the grass on the side. But they were sitting on grass. I'd grabbed a few of the thick ends last week. Tonight I finished it off.
Cut up the lengths, not big, none more than 3" some as small as an 1.5". But this stuff is dense. It is a hard wood, takes no time to cut with that saw, and will create some good heat next year. Better than being turned into wood chips.
So I salvage the usable lengths, and then toss the bramble the vines and the rest off into the mess of the unmanaged wild along the side of the path. Beyond the grass line. Looks like nothing even fell there.
That's the plan. The goal.
Last night someone rode past me on a DUI bike and suggested the "DM" had a lot of work to do cleaning the path up. Hey you know what? Maybe they do have a lot of work to do, but I work for nearly free. Get a bit of an upper body work out, call it core strengthening if you want, and the path gets returned to pre-storm levels.
Yes, I am benefiting, but then so is everyone else.
I do have to extend a huge public thanks to whom ever broomed the shells off the southern bombing range (north side of Crescent view). That was a nice surprise riding home last night seeing the shells off the path.
The rain is pouring down now. But it is warm.
Dinner is up next for GeWilli. April is going to be a very fiscally painful month. I should work on attempting to monetize these Electron Microscope Images, or something. Fire wood is good, but it ain't gonna help much until it is all seasoned. And of course May will roll around and the damn rusty race wagon stands a not so good chance at passing inspection with the holes in the floorboards. Such is life eh? Sacrifices we make.
Give back where you can, how you can.
No one gets out of this mess alive.
heddwch
G
When I started the first goal was to make the Birch tops managable or at least not impinging on the bike path. Accomplished. And I have a pile of nice and dry green birch in my office. If anyone wants to buy it for decorative purposes lemme know. Otherwise i'll haul that shit home, stack it and burn it next year.
Last night on the way home I managed to get all but the last branch out of the tangled mess of honeysuckle and other vines (no Poison Ivy that I could tell).
This morning I took the last branch out and loaded it in the trailer (only 4 lengths). And then I rolled the pile of vines off into the flattened over growth on the side of the path, off of the grass. Beside the big trunk on the side of the path still attached to the roots, there's no evidence of the fallen tree now.
On the way home, it was pouring rain. Bitching 20-30 mph headwind and well it kind of sucked. But that's a good thing. I had the bike path to myself. There was a chunk of oak that fell just south of the fuel dock access road. a couple branches. I had pulled and rolled them of the path onto the grass on the side. But they were sitting on grass. I'd grabbed a few of the thick ends last week. Tonight I finished it off.
Cut up the lengths, not big, none more than 3" some as small as an 1.5". But this stuff is dense. It is a hard wood, takes no time to cut with that saw, and will create some good heat next year. Better than being turned into wood chips.
So I salvage the usable lengths, and then toss the bramble the vines and the rest off into the mess of the unmanaged wild along the side of the path. Beyond the grass line. Looks like nothing even fell there.
That's the plan. The goal.
Last night someone rode past me on a DUI bike and suggested the "DM" had a lot of work to do cleaning the path up. Hey you know what? Maybe they do have a lot of work to do, but I work for nearly free. Get a bit of an upper body work out, call it core strengthening if you want, and the path gets returned to pre-storm levels.
Yes, I am benefiting, but then so is everyone else.
I do have to extend a huge public thanks to whom ever broomed the shells off the southern bombing range (north side of Crescent view). That was a nice surprise riding home last night seeing the shells off the path.
The rain is pouring down now. But it is warm.
Dinner is up next for GeWilli. April is going to be a very fiscally painful month. I should work on attempting to monetize these Electron Microscope Images, or something. Fire wood is good, but it ain't gonna help much until it is all seasoned. And of course May will roll around and the damn rusty race wagon stands a not so good chance at passing inspection with the holes in the floorboards. Such is life eh? Sacrifices we make.
Give back where you can, how you can.
No one gets out of this mess alive.
heddwch
G
Weather
Anyone who rides their bike outside much seems to eventually wind up following the weather, and more so than just looking at the temperature outside and if anything is falling out of the sky.
One of the college kids last week planned a ride, in the middle of a predicted storm. And not a short wee little bit of rain or snow. No, that big last one. Two days out we knew the day was at least going to be windy, and given the temperature and possible storm tracks we were either going to have lots of wet snow, lots of rain, or something in between, with crazy strong wind for the whole day.
Planning a group ride is good. Group rides are good social things. They can also be like the Angry Man's ride. They are not a bad thing in general. I like group rides, more because I rarely get to do them and I always invariably am riding with people I genuinely like to spend time with. Sometimes I'm the strongest on the ride, some times I'm the first in danger of being dropped.
Wednesday Night Smackdowns start tomorrow. Baby smackdown, Wed Night Leg Waster, Prov Velo Club ride. Call it what you want. 5pm Waterman Grille Circle in PVD, ~25 mile ride with a few hills, a couple sprint points (top of Pine, Rocky Hill, Hillside) and some good tempo sections mixed in.
Back last week looking forward to the time change (not really, I like waking up when it is light out, i guess that will change soon enough) there was some discussion about which day do we run the ride. Tuesday is the traditional Mark Nicholson Smack Down ride. We moved the short ride to Wed mid-season. Wed has the ninigret conflict but I can't get to ninigret mid-week except for weird rare circumstances. Just doesn't happen for me so the conflict only exists for those w/o constraints
I asked for feedback and preferences, and as can be expected there was equal amounts of "I can't do it on" either day. Can't please everyone. Derdowski and Fox were the most regular and Fox lead the ride a few times I couldn't and the three of us all figured Wednesday would work better.
But Sunday looking at the forecast, well, that's easy. I don't want to do a high speed drafting ride in pouring rain. Hell who knows what kind of pot holes are out there right now. Rain on Tuesday peak probability/intensity right around 5pm.
Wednesday it is. And will be.
Round about rambling to get to this point though.
The point and the 'inspiration' for this was riding in thinking about my current weather forecasting tools.
This works for me, there are plenty good options, some people like how pretty weather spark is (i've used it in the past but keep coming back to current set). So yeah... this is what i check, maybe it works for you, but everyone is different, which is kind of nice, what works for me probably doesn't work for you but it isn't going to stop me from talking about it.
NOAA graphics loaded with information and on the whole pretty damn accurate. It does change and you can only go out so far in the future. But it works really well for the information I process when preparing for a ride or for a commute.
For current conditions I like the weather stations on WUnderground (I turn off everything except Weather stations - sometimes I'll fire up the radar to see where the rain is and the timing)
Sometimes I'll hit weather dot com for the radar but usually for volume and rapid digestion of information I hit those two above.
Instant read the Wunderground stations and wind directions are very good indicators for me, really mostly about the commute, click to check temps what layers do i need, will i be fighting a headwind?
Weather.
We're out in it. Being prepared is part of riding. One can get really tired of accidental 'epic' weather rides. There's only room in personal experience for so many fuck ups that get turned into fun.
Gonna be a wet headwind tonight. Not a problem 'cause, I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay...
heddwch
G
One of the college kids last week planned a ride, in the middle of a predicted storm. And not a short wee little bit of rain or snow. No, that big last one. Two days out we knew the day was at least going to be windy, and given the temperature and possible storm tracks we were either going to have lots of wet snow, lots of rain, or something in between, with crazy strong wind for the whole day.
Planning a group ride is good. Group rides are good social things. They can also be like the Angry Man's ride. They are not a bad thing in general. I like group rides, more because I rarely get to do them and I always invariably am riding with people I genuinely like to spend time with. Sometimes I'm the strongest on the ride, some times I'm the first in danger of being dropped.
Wednesday Night Smackdowns start tomorrow. Baby smackdown, Wed Night Leg Waster, Prov Velo Club ride. Call it what you want. 5pm Waterman Grille Circle in PVD, ~25 mile ride with a few hills, a couple sprint points (top of Pine, Rocky Hill, Hillside) and some good tempo sections mixed in.
Back last week looking forward to the time change (not really, I like waking up when it is light out, i guess that will change soon enough) there was some discussion about which day do we run the ride. Tuesday is the traditional Mark Nicholson Smack Down ride. We moved the short ride to Wed mid-season. Wed has the ninigret conflict but I can't get to ninigret mid-week except for weird rare circumstances. Just doesn't happen for me so the conflict only exists for those w/o constraints
I asked for feedback and preferences, and as can be expected there was equal amounts of "I can't do it on" either day. Can't please everyone. Derdowski and Fox were the most regular and Fox lead the ride a few times I couldn't and the three of us all figured Wednesday would work better.
But Sunday looking at the forecast, well, that's easy. I don't want to do a high speed drafting ride in pouring rain. Hell who knows what kind of pot holes are out there right now. Rain on Tuesday peak probability/intensity right around 5pm.
Wednesday it is. And will be.
Round about rambling to get to this point though.
The point and the 'inspiration' for this was riding in thinking about my current weather forecasting tools.
This works for me, there are plenty good options, some people like how pretty weather spark is (i've used it in the past but keep coming back to current set). So yeah... this is what i check, maybe it works for you, but everyone is different, which is kind of nice, what works for me probably doesn't work for you but it isn't going to stop me from talking about it.
NOAA graphics loaded with information and on the whole pretty damn accurate. It does change and you can only go out so far in the future. But it works really well for the information I process when preparing for a ride or for a commute.
For current conditions I like the weather stations on WUnderground (I turn off everything except Weather stations - sometimes I'll fire up the radar to see where the rain is and the timing)
Sometimes I'll hit weather dot com for the radar but usually for volume and rapid digestion of information I hit those two above.
Instant read the Wunderground stations and wind directions are very good indicators for me, really mostly about the commute, click to check temps what layers do i need, will i be fighting a headwind?
Weather.
We're out in it. Being prepared is part of riding. One can get really tired of accidental 'epic' weather rides. There's only room in personal experience for so many fuck ups that get turned into fun.
Gonna be a wet headwind tonight. Not a problem 'cause, I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay...
heddwch
G
Thursday, March 07, 2013
Have to do it for C2R3
Seaweed wrapped rice cakes like Jennie talks about here.
http://blogs.kqed.org/bayareabites/2013/03/07/cycling-chow-fast-fuel-for-the-road/
among just about everything else.
C2R3... might be time to start delving into the routes already, looking at the dates and what not.
http://blogs.kqed.org/bayareabites/2013/03/07/cycling-chow-fast-fuel-for-the-road/
among just about everything else.
C2R3... might be time to start delving into the routes already, looking at the dates and what not.
Bike Path Paul Bunyan
This stuff is pretty heavy. And with the snow, grabbing a large chunk before it gets buried for who knows how long was on the list.
On the way in this morning, well I cut two 30" lengths of the branch top on the other side. Only about 3-6" in diameter maybe. A lot faster to cut than that monster I hauled home last night. Of course I'm an idiot. What did I do? I hooked the trailer up knowing I would have to ride 6-7 miles into a headwind that was reporting steady at 25 mph and gusting to 40 mph. Into the snow, and over snow on the bike path.
It is snowing horizontally right now. Very much like that last Nor'Easter except this time not nearly as much accumulation. Temps are hovering right above freezing which bodes well for the roads. The bike path in spots was pretty clear. The fucking Seagulls were still dining on the Raw bar this morning. Fucking birds. Oh well.
They will move on to less challenging food soon enough I hope. Dealing with the shells is still far preferred over dealing with the damn cars when the bike path was closed last year.
Should have a tail wind on the way home. We'll see if this snow brings down any more branches or trees. If it does? I HAVE MY SAW. Love this thing. Going to wear out the blade if I keep cutting Locust though.
I may not have a Great Blue Ox, but I have a blue trailer. and the bike is a Blue.
sort of works with the Paul Bunyan theme...
no?
Of course the extra load has my f'n under fueled. And at the end of last week I made a surprising discovery, I did have a stash of extra food. Or course I ate it. And the stuff I brought in to replace it? Ate that the day I brought it in.
Maybe I should just take to chewing on the logs I gather. Maybe I can find some Sassafras... that's good eating.
heddwch
G
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Tempting fate
Tempted fate one too many times. Since 2009 when I put these Marthon Plus tires on till now, i've had three flat with them. One in 2010 when chunk of sharpened bent steel went through everything woosh instant flat. That left me walking, i'd gotten complacent and had a tube but had recently lost my seat bag with all the goodies inside.
Second flat was a year ago or this summer. Big hung of glass cut the sidewall nearly through and went into the tube a bit. Posted pictures here IIRC. I've been talking about the flat-proof nature of the Plus tires from Schwalbe a bit more than usually lately... got my ass bit by the fates.
At some point one of the Marathon plus tires was so worn I put on an old cracked marathon tire from 2007. Some tread left. And I've been gingerly riding over the most dense seagull clam and mussel shell bombing ground I've ever seen on the bike path since commuting on it.
This morning.
Climbing the hill up to the parkway out of the saddle i looked down and the front looked squishy. Fuck. Me. Seriously? Yup. Oh hey what's that bit of white stuck to the tire?
1cm dagger of clam shell had knifed the tube.
I have a full frame pump in the trailer and made quick work of the flat change. NBD. It wasn't the marathon plus. I normally ride on the left side, upwind, fewer shells, I was on the right side. No problem.
Heading home... I get through the shell minefield and notice a guy walking his bike up ahead. I run the glove over the front tire and knock the shells off, nothing stuck in, good. Drag my toe under the BB (full coverage fender) and feel a tick, tick, tick... something isn't brushing off. Oh fuck.
I stop.
2 CM dagger burried in there.
Hsssssssss. Of course it is wet so i get a visual with the bubbles to go along with the sound. I ride up over to a spot that is out of the wind and grab my last tube and make the change.
Three flats. 2009-2013 15-20k miles.
Not really all that bad. I guess i gotta get a hold of Schwalbe spend some money on a new set of Marathon Plus tires. These are nearly blue there is so little carbon rubber down the center. Not that I have money to spend but I can easily amortize the cost out over the years right? Value for those tires is off the chart. Without question the best money spent on tires. The Racing Ralph tubulars i bought? Probably the worst tire/value money spent. Win some lose some but I'd be silly to fuck around with anything else.
Time to place an order.
I did manage to grab the final section of white birch that was hanging out over the side of the path on the way in. On the way home I grabbed a 4-5' section of black locust. That shit takes forEVER to cut through even with a super sharp pruning saw designed for the job. But the nice thing about a 5' section is it hangs back enough behind the trailer's axle that it balances a bit and there's not so much tongue weight. More firewood.
For next year.
Too green.
Maybe this snow we're forecast to get will drop me some more firewood, i mean training logs. With the 40 mph headwinds for the ride in tomorrow, i might leave the trailer at home.
Time to make some dinner.
Heddwch
G
Second flat was a year ago or this summer. Big hung of glass cut the sidewall nearly through and went into the tube a bit. Posted pictures here IIRC. I've been talking about the flat-proof nature of the Plus tires from Schwalbe a bit more than usually lately... got my ass bit by the fates.
At some point one of the Marathon plus tires was so worn I put on an old cracked marathon tire from 2007. Some tread left. And I've been gingerly riding over the most dense seagull clam and mussel shell bombing ground I've ever seen on the bike path since commuting on it.
This morning.
Climbing the hill up to the parkway out of the saddle i looked down and the front looked squishy. Fuck. Me. Seriously? Yup. Oh hey what's that bit of white stuck to the tire?
1cm dagger of clam shell had knifed the tube.
I have a full frame pump in the trailer and made quick work of the flat change. NBD. It wasn't the marathon plus. I normally ride on the left side, upwind, fewer shells, I was on the right side. No problem.
Heading home... I get through the shell minefield and notice a guy walking his bike up ahead. I run the glove over the front tire and knock the shells off, nothing stuck in, good. Drag my toe under the BB (full coverage fender) and feel a tick, tick, tick... something isn't brushing off. Oh fuck.
I stop.
2 CM dagger burried in there.
Hsssssssss. Of course it is wet so i get a visual with the bubbles to go along with the sound. I ride up over to a spot that is out of the wind and grab my last tube and make the change.
Three flats. 2009-2013 15-20k miles.
Not really all that bad. I guess i gotta get a hold of Schwalbe spend some money on a new set of Marathon Plus tires. These are nearly blue there is so little carbon rubber down the center. Not that I have money to spend but I can easily amortize the cost out over the years right? Value for those tires is off the chart. Without question the best money spent on tires. The Racing Ralph tubulars i bought? Probably the worst tire/value money spent. Win some lose some but I'd be silly to fuck around with anything else.
Time to place an order.
I did manage to grab the final section of white birch that was hanging out over the side of the path on the way in. On the way home I grabbed a 4-5' section of black locust. That shit takes forEVER to cut through even with a super sharp pruning saw designed for the job. But the nice thing about a 5' section is it hangs back enough behind the trailer's axle that it balances a bit and there's not so much tongue weight. More firewood.
For next year.
Too green.
Maybe this snow we're forecast to get will drop me some more firewood, i mean training logs. With the 40 mph headwinds for the ride in tomorrow, i might leave the trailer at home.
Time to make some dinner.
Heddwch
G
Thursday, February 28, 2013
white logs
These two 'logs' are 32" long (two lenghts of my unfolded Gomboy 210 saw) and 5-6" in diameter.
Part of the big most recent blizzard (failed tire dragging blizzard) dropped lots of trees down. This is part of one of them. cut these two on the way in. Will leave them here and hopefully get a chance to cut up a few more on the way home.
Last night I loaded the trailer up with six lengths of this paper birch. Not a light load, but no hills. Going to leave these two at the office and hope to scavenge some more of this on the way home.
There's plenty of other down small trees and branches, but this is the coolest looking, and among the highest energy content (once seasoned) of the stuff there, also highest visibility.
I'm a lycra clad lumberjack and i don't care.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Last night the rain woke me up
And it wasn't a light soothing feeling, it was more of a menacing force.
Mentally I'd sort of prepared to ride in today, NOAA suggested it would be 35-37 degrees and raining to start the day, only warming to the low 40s by the ride home and rain. Rain all day.
When I heard the rain start. Well it was sort of a resignation to the inevitable. Got everyone out the house but since I wasn't heading out with them all for a change, everything kind of ground to a halt. It wasn't so bad that I made a second cup of coffee, but I did check out playingout.net and their video, read a few other bits, found the Moss book on Salt Sugar Fat (if it was the same price as the Obree kindle edition i'd have purchased it already). Read the HuffPo piece on Pandora's Lunchbox.
And whined on twitter about not wanting to ride in the rain.
And then is started DUMPING. Like raining HARD. Oof.
I checked the radar. Oh cool, yellow, orange and almost red precipitation on the map. Ain't that special.
But it was 42F, so, not cold. Or not THAT cold.
Eventually I got ready to go. let the dog out. packed up the bag, found my gloves, my shoes, my glasses... put the backpack in the trailer... and the rain had let up a little. Nice.
But still raining.
Finally out the door. Late, but moving.
Mentally I'd sort of prepared to ride in today, NOAA suggested it would be 35-37 degrees and raining to start the day, only warming to the low 40s by the ride home and rain. Rain all day.
When I heard the rain start. Well it was sort of a resignation to the inevitable. Got everyone out the house but since I wasn't heading out with them all for a change, everything kind of ground to a halt. It wasn't so bad that I made a second cup of coffee, but I did check out playingout.net and their video, read a few other bits, found the Moss book on Salt Sugar Fat (if it was the same price as the Obree kindle edition i'd have purchased it already). Read the HuffPo piece on Pandora's Lunchbox.
And whined on twitter about not wanting to ride in the rain.
And then is started DUMPING. Like raining HARD. Oof.
I checked the radar. Oh cool, yellow, orange and almost red precipitation on the map. Ain't that special.
But it was 42F, so, not cold. Or not THAT cold.
Eventually I got ready to go. let the dog out. packed up the bag, found my gloves, my shoes, my glasses... put the backpack in the trailer... and the rain had let up a little. Nice.
But still raining.
Finally out the door. Late, but moving.
Image of the day
Not mine though so does it count?
I grabbed a pile of shots this morning. Was raining, really struggled getting out the door. Finally did. One of the more awesome rides in a very long time.
Anyway.... the image:
I grabbed a pile of shots this morning. Was raining, really struggled getting out the door. Finally did. One of the more awesome rides in a very long time.
Anyway.... the image:
A-frame near Pearl Pass Basin, Colorado.
Submitted by Jake Marty.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
an honest commercial?
Yeah it might not last up that long... snag it on YTD or something or just watch it now.
Olive oil and Nuts
ScienceNow posted a link to the study yesterday and the NYtimes did a bit of story telling and then gave a voice to a crackpot who's got a fiscal interest in this study being bad data.
The list of plant based oils to avoid:
Canola (at all costs)
Corn (duh)
Soy (again, duh)
"vegetable" is usually a mix of the second two
Or not. Doesn't really matter anyway. We're all going to die at some point. Who cares when that happens... not like we have control on this crazy ride called life.
Let go of the wheel and see where you wind up...
The list of plant based oils to avoid:
Canola (at all costs)
Corn (duh)
Soy (again, duh)
"vegetable" is usually a mix of the second two
Or not. Doesn't really matter anyway. We're all going to die at some point. Who cares when that happens... not like we have control on this crazy ride called life.
Let go of the wheel and see where you wind up...
Of course the weather is close to ideal
Yesterday and Today, weather as good as we can expect for the middle of February.
And I'm in the car.
Tomorrow I might get on the bike, and tomorrow looks kind of sucky.
Bike path is totally ridable from my place to the end, no need to jump out onto the Parkway for the final section.
No riding... oh well.
It is what it is.
And I'm in the car.
Tomorrow I might get on the bike, and tomorrow looks kind of sucky.
Bike path is totally ridable from my place to the end, no need to jump out onto the Parkway for the final section.
No riding... oh well.
It is what it is.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Perspective
Give this a read: http://richardfries.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-firefly-can-light-up-darkest-month.html
No Words.
Respect.
heddwch
G
No Words.
Respect.
heddwch
G
Waffles Yeast new recipe
The waffles, mostly for Dean, he asked about the recipe.
The basics:
3 cups whole wheat flour,
1 cup white flour
3 teaspoons Instant Yeast
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon molassas
3 cups milk
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 stick butter
Mix dry ingredients together.
Melt butter
Warm milk with sugar and molassas to 120°F (mix until sugar is dissolved)
Mix milk into dry ingredients.
Mix in butter,
beat eggs, finally incorporate them into mix
Once well mixed cover in a bowl big enough to allow it to rise. Give it an hour or two at Room Temp then put it in the fridge for the night (covered).
Remove and allow to warm up, make waffles.
I used half a batch on Sat morning and the second half on sunday morning. The waffles were tangier on Sunday AM. The batter should be slightly thicker than pancake batter but not bread dough thick. The thinner the batter often the lighter the waffles.
These were esp good. Not sure I want to tweak the batter too much. But if I find a distinctly different recipe I might try it...
This morning was a french toast made with one of the circle pastries from last week, it was getting crusty and dry, perfect for soaking up eggs and milk.
heddwch and bwyta'n dda
G
The basics:
3 cups whole wheat flour,
1 cup white flour
3 teaspoons Instant Yeast
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon molassas
3 cups milk
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 stick butter
Mix dry ingredients together.
Melt butter
Warm milk with sugar and molassas to 120°F (mix until sugar is dissolved)
Mix milk into dry ingredients.
Mix in butter,
beat eggs, finally incorporate them into mix
Once well mixed cover in a bowl big enough to allow it to rise. Give it an hour or two at Room Temp then put it in the fridge for the night (covered).
Remove and allow to warm up, make waffles.
I used half a batch on Sat morning and the second half on sunday morning. The waffles were tangier on Sunday AM. The batter should be slightly thicker than pancake batter but not bread dough thick. The thinner the batter often the lighter the waffles.
These were esp good. Not sure I want to tweak the batter too much. But if I find a distinctly different recipe I might try it...
This morning was a french toast made with one of the circle pastries from last week, it was getting crusty and dry, perfect for soaking up eggs and milk.
heddwch and bwyta'n dda
G
Thursday, February 21, 2013
evolutionary selection
So where do we go from here.
Food is innate. Can you go anywhere w/o being bombarded by advertising? I'll check into Faceplace once or twice a day maybe at most and more often than not lately there is a promoted McDonalds add on the 'wall' with a big picture and a catchy slogan. And it does nothing more than make me upset. Sure I had a few burgers now and then in the past. My mother would stop on the way home on rare occasions to the McDonalds on 6th ave just before the Narrows Bridge in the 70s. She would get a Big Mac, remove the center bun... I think I got a cheese burger. We always got milk, even she got milk with it. Never soda. It was a different place then but not really. Even in the 70s the flavors were already crafted and honed and it imprinted on me. None of the other fast foods made an impression, and it sort of bugs me in a way. Coke is the same way. Can't tell you why, because we never had soda growing up. But at some time by middle school I was already imprinted to the point where I couldn't stand the taste of Pepsi but Coke was great. Still even though I haven't eaten at a McDonalds in 8 years at all, and rarely in the handful of years before, haven't had anything more than the very occasional coke in the same time span, i know the flavors. They are in my brain. I don't like it but i recognize it and deal with it.
I wish I had done more than recognize the damage those 'brands' were doing much sooner than I did. I feel like a smoker in a way, sure it will probably kill me but who cares, this stuff is amazing. That's a mental mindset that feeds you into the control of the corporate machine. I know Solobreak and Closethedoor like to bust my balls on the exploitation thing, but yeah, exploiting the market and the weakness of the human species. Ultimate unsustainable business model: create a product that kills your customers slowly enough that they give you a massive amount of their money, make it addictive enough that they won't stop even if they realize the intent, and make it so habit forming that their offspring a drawn into the cycle perpetuating the cashflow generation after generation.
from my untrained (in sociology) view we are hitting now the 3rd generation of humans under this control. The testing ground is the USA, and many markets aren't quite on the 3rd generation. The tobacco industry had a much longer headstart and many generations before. Potentially we're looking at the same model. Although with the vastly larger global population the cash flow is higher and the curve is steeper. The breaking point will probably come much sooner for food industry than it did for the Tobacco industry. And yes, you can still buy cigarettes and they are still hella profitable, but no where near where they were before.
Broken record GeWilli. Shut up already. Yeah yeah. Here's the thing. I would like it if my friends wised up, I would like it they would all recognize the competitive advantage of not eating that shit, and the evolutionary power of teaching your kids to avoid the stuff. The kids imprint off you, and if you don't have kids? Well shit, i don't want you to die too soon. Like Nick the Dick I have a pretty bad mortality concept. I'm also fortunate to have my parents and my wife's parents all in good health. direct family is doing well. My Father's mother is turning 100 on the 25th, and her life has been full and still continues to be good for her.
Why go on about this? The NYTimes magazine piece. Yes, nothing new, but always good to read and get a new perspective and maybe begin to effect a change.
To be honest it wasn't just that, I read it and felt sad and angry, frustrated and what not. Resultboy's initial comment didn't make much sense to me but then his rephrasal helped (first comment below) and Cosmo followed up with a refinement and a seed that grew into this vomiting of words in a place that hopefully those who reading it will be more of a preaching to the choir, than shouting from the street corner.
our new predators are corporations. if only they could kill us before we reproduced, we could finally start evolving again...
and
Rejoice in the competitive advantage of realizing/avoiding the tricks of Big Food. Also, c.f. the Marshmallow Study.
heddwch, bwyta'n dda
G
Food is innate. Can you go anywhere w/o being bombarded by advertising? I'll check into Faceplace once or twice a day maybe at most and more often than not lately there is a promoted McDonalds add on the 'wall' with a big picture and a catchy slogan. And it does nothing more than make me upset. Sure I had a few burgers now and then in the past. My mother would stop on the way home on rare occasions to the McDonalds on 6th ave just before the Narrows Bridge in the 70s. She would get a Big Mac, remove the center bun... I think I got a cheese burger. We always got milk, even she got milk with it. Never soda. It was a different place then but not really. Even in the 70s the flavors were already crafted and honed and it imprinted on me. None of the other fast foods made an impression, and it sort of bugs me in a way. Coke is the same way. Can't tell you why, because we never had soda growing up. But at some time by middle school I was already imprinted to the point where I couldn't stand the taste of Pepsi but Coke was great. Still even though I haven't eaten at a McDonalds in 8 years at all, and rarely in the handful of years before, haven't had anything more than the very occasional coke in the same time span, i know the flavors. They are in my brain. I don't like it but i recognize it and deal with it.
I wish I had done more than recognize the damage those 'brands' were doing much sooner than I did. I feel like a smoker in a way, sure it will probably kill me but who cares, this stuff is amazing. That's a mental mindset that feeds you into the control of the corporate machine. I know Solobreak and Closethedoor like to bust my balls on the exploitation thing, but yeah, exploiting the market and the weakness of the human species. Ultimate unsustainable business model: create a product that kills your customers slowly enough that they give you a massive amount of their money, make it addictive enough that they won't stop even if they realize the intent, and make it so habit forming that their offspring a drawn into the cycle perpetuating the cashflow generation after generation.
from my untrained (in sociology) view we are hitting now the 3rd generation of humans under this control. The testing ground is the USA, and many markets aren't quite on the 3rd generation. The tobacco industry had a much longer headstart and many generations before. Potentially we're looking at the same model. Although with the vastly larger global population the cash flow is higher and the curve is steeper. The breaking point will probably come much sooner for food industry than it did for the Tobacco industry. And yes, you can still buy cigarettes and they are still hella profitable, but no where near where they were before.
Broken record GeWilli. Shut up already. Yeah yeah. Here's the thing. I would like it if my friends wised up, I would like it they would all recognize the competitive advantage of not eating that shit, and the evolutionary power of teaching your kids to avoid the stuff. The kids imprint off you, and if you don't have kids? Well shit, i don't want you to die too soon. Like Nick the Dick I have a pretty bad mortality concept. I'm also fortunate to have my parents and my wife's parents all in good health. direct family is doing well. My Father's mother is turning 100 on the 25th, and her life has been full and still continues to be good for her.
Why go on about this? The NYTimes magazine piece. Yes, nothing new, but always good to read and get a new perspective and maybe begin to effect a change.
To be honest it wasn't just that, I read it and felt sad and angry, frustrated and what not. Resultboy's initial comment didn't make much sense to me but then his rephrasal helped (first comment below) and Cosmo followed up with a refinement and a seed that grew into this vomiting of words in a place that hopefully those who reading it will be more of a preaching to the choir, than shouting from the street corner.
our new predators are corporations. if only they could kill us before we reproduced, we could finally start evolving again...
and
Rejoice in the competitive advantage of realizing/avoiding the tricks of Big Food. Also, c.f. the Marshmallow Study.
heddwch, bwyta'n dda
G
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Food... and food memories
Some crazy jackass on twitter started talking about Pierogi... and that lead me to day dream about the Festivals in Seattle we went to, University Street Fair, Bumbershoot, Folklife, Edmonds... those were the big ones but the food truck was always there, and invariably food would come down to two choices, an asian noodle dish (wasn't pad thai or low mein but somewhat between from memory, i can picture it, but not the name) and a Piroshki from the Kaleenka truck. Beef and Cheddar.
perfectly round balls of dough, filled with a scoop of ground beef and a square of cheddar cheese, and fried. Probably not the best food to eat every day, but a couple times a year, what a treat. Crisp but not too hard on the outside, soft warm dough and the cheese and meat intermingling in a very pleasing way. So good.
So good.
http://www.kaleenkapiroshky.com/
The Red Cossack- Boiled new red potatoes and sausage with lemon, parsley and dill sauce, was good too, actually got that a few times, once ages ago I think they even gave me a plate of it (being a booth kid and there at every festival every day, every year, and being somewhat distinctive: tall skinny, shockingly blond and pale) once probably because I only ever ordered the Piroshkys, and then I got it a few more times, Because that dill sauce and the sausage and potatoes were so good.
Yesterday I pulled a typical GeWilli. Had coffee for breakfast, dragged the trailer in (only one rock and a backpack - not too heavy), ate lunch, not quite enough lunch, was famished when I started eating it... and by 3:30 i was super hungry again, was working till about 5, hauled the trailer home into a 15-20 mph headwind over the road which adds a not-insignificant long hill to the commute on no fuel. didn't bonk, so I guess I was just feeling hungry more than being depleted.
And found this waiting at home:
And I ate a few of the pastries. Not quite seasonal, in that I think they are more Christmas Holiday pastries but hey, I'm not so set on tradition that I won't eat super yummy stuff year round.
Was so good.
Having a few of them this morning with coffee after the bumpy ride in over the bike path ice. Portaging over twisted downed trees. One of the limb debris ripped my rear fender off unfortunately. So I'm down a fender. Those SKS quick release things look pretty damn nice, I wish the Planet Bike stuff had something similar. As it is now I might be able to make it work but they are pretty damn twisted and mangled. A small price to pay to not have to ride with the 3000# death machines.
http://iamtraffic.org/
has a kick ass graphic up on Faceplace that is making the rounds. so good.
hot linking to the image
Be safe out there.
I'm going to eat some more pastries.
heddwch
G
perfectly round balls of dough, filled with a scoop of ground beef and a square of cheddar cheese, and fried. Probably not the best food to eat every day, but a couple times a year, what a treat. Crisp but not too hard on the outside, soft warm dough and the cheese and meat intermingling in a very pleasing way. So good.
So good.
http://www.kaleenkapiroshky.com/
The Red Cossack- Boiled new red potatoes and sausage with lemon, parsley and dill sauce, was good too, actually got that a few times, once ages ago I think they even gave me a plate of it (being a booth kid and there at every festival every day, every year, and being somewhat distinctive: tall skinny, shockingly blond and pale) once probably because I only ever ordered the Piroshkys, and then I got it a few more times, Because that dill sauce and the sausage and potatoes were so good.
Yesterday I pulled a typical GeWilli. Had coffee for breakfast, dragged the trailer in (only one rock and a backpack - not too heavy), ate lunch, not quite enough lunch, was famished when I started eating it... and by 3:30 i was super hungry again, was working till about 5, hauled the trailer home into a 15-20 mph headwind over the road which adds a not-insignificant long hill to the commute on no fuel. didn't bonk, so I guess I was just feeling hungry more than being depleted.
And found this waiting at home:
And I ate a few of the pastries. Not quite seasonal, in that I think they are more Christmas Holiday pastries but hey, I'm not so set on tradition that I won't eat super yummy stuff year round.
Was so good.
Having a few of them this morning with coffee after the bumpy ride in over the bike path ice. Portaging over twisted downed trees. One of the limb debris ripped my rear fender off unfortunately. So I'm down a fender. Those SKS quick release things look pretty damn nice, I wish the Planet Bike stuff had something similar. As it is now I might be able to make it work but they are pretty damn twisted and mangled. A small price to pay to not have to ride with the 3000# death machines.
http://iamtraffic.org/
has a kick ass graphic up on Faceplace that is making the rounds. so good.
hot linking to the image
Be safe out there.
I'm going to eat some more pastries.
heddwch
G
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
Post Blazilla AM Commute report
That was an interesting commute.
We've got snow clearing equipment in this region. But the last time they saw this much snow at once was '78. Can't really fault the govt for not having huge snow moving equipment like they do where this much snow is more than an annual occurrence.
The roads are f'd. Bottom line. One road with two lanes in each direction is perfect for the bike. The right lane is only half plowed. Not wide enough for a car. But good for me.
other places the normally wide shouldered roads are extra narrow.
And the big city? One of the busiest streets still has 8" of salt slush.
Oh and there was some light freezing rain on the way in to add to the mix.
All in all, one honk (I think it was a friendly can i get around), one really close call (fat bald 40-50 something dude driving a massive american sedan pretty deliberately left me no space - despite no on-coming traffic), one pick up truck w/o cap middle finger (section of road where it was narrower than normal).
I'm sure they all think i'm insane dragging a kid in a trailer (no kid in trailer, just backpack and ballast rock).
It did nearly flip a half dozen times hitting chunks of ice. Needed more ballast weight. As cool as it is to do the Dukes of Hazzard with the trailer, that thing is top heavy and flips way too easily.
The ride home should be great. Esp since we're supposed to get a huge pile of rain. And there ain't no where for the water to go.
We've got snow clearing equipment in this region. But the last time they saw this much snow at once was '78. Can't really fault the govt for not having huge snow moving equipment like they do where this much snow is more than an annual occurrence.
The roads are f'd. Bottom line. One road with two lanes in each direction is perfect for the bike. The right lane is only half plowed. Not wide enough for a car. But good for me.
other places the normally wide shouldered roads are extra narrow.
And the big city? One of the busiest streets still has 8" of salt slush.
Oh and there was some light freezing rain on the way in to add to the mix.
All in all, one honk (I think it was a friendly can i get around), one really close call (fat bald 40-50 something dude driving a massive american sedan pretty deliberately left me no space - despite no on-coming traffic), one pick up truck w/o cap middle finger (section of road where it was narrower than normal).
I'm sure they all think i'm insane dragging a kid in a trailer (no kid in trailer, just backpack and ballast rock).
It did nearly flip a half dozen times hitting chunks of ice. Needed more ballast weight. As cool as it is to do the Dukes of Hazzard with the trailer, that thing is top heavy and flips way too easily.
The ride home should be great. Esp since we're supposed to get a huge pile of rain. And there ain't no where for the water to go.
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
idea for article
that i will never write because I'm too lazy or busy or not fiscally motivated enough to make it happen
to the point
Someone made a comment about being unwelcome in bike shops in their region and how they have had to resort to mail order... person is a functional mechanic, does most all themselves on their bikes.
I don't know why, could be the individual is just unlikeable or a real pain... However they might not be and well shop rats are a peculiar bunch. Riding in I was thinking about it (while chasing backpack guy - actually caught him despite hauling the trailer/impact attenuator and having studded tires back on).
I've spent many years holding wrench, helping on the sales floor, not just ancient history either. I started getting paid to wrench back in 1990. Recently have spent a couple seasons again working a second job with a wrench in my hand. The current time has reinforced, nothing really has changed except the bikes.
People are still people.
Thing is, there are plenty of people who think they know more about how to do it than the person behind the counter. Just take a peek at the internet forums. Always has been that way. rec.bikes predates all the forums, that's probably the start of the internet know it all. And sure there are times when the customer might know more than the mechanic or sales person.
But here's the deal. That person at the shop? working there? getting paid somewhere between $6 and $12/hr? Yeah, they work there. Don't be a know it all dick. They aren't getting paid enough to be polite if you're badgering them, unless they own the joint, and even then, even the owners will act like the shop rats.
Don't ask for free shit, be prepared to pay for something.
anyway
yeah the analogy is sort of don't start telling your surgeon what to do just before you get gassed, maybe you are the best surgeon in the world and you need the other dude to do it, even then, let them do their job.
Problem is, everyone feels entitled to everything. People are a pain.
Common sense and respect are a rare commodity.
That and pretty much everyone reading this doesn't need to hear it.
I'll write about worlds... at some point. Maybe.
heddwch
G
to the point
Someone made a comment about being unwelcome in bike shops in their region and how they have had to resort to mail order... person is a functional mechanic, does most all themselves on their bikes.
I don't know why, could be the individual is just unlikeable or a real pain... However they might not be and well shop rats are a peculiar bunch. Riding in I was thinking about it (while chasing backpack guy - actually caught him despite hauling the trailer/impact attenuator and having studded tires back on).
I've spent many years holding wrench, helping on the sales floor, not just ancient history either. I started getting paid to wrench back in 1990. Recently have spent a couple seasons again working a second job with a wrench in my hand. The current time has reinforced, nothing really has changed except the bikes.
People are still people.
Thing is, there are plenty of people who think they know more about how to do it than the person behind the counter. Just take a peek at the internet forums. Always has been that way. rec.bikes predates all the forums, that's probably the start of the internet know it all. And sure there are times when the customer might know more than the mechanic or sales person.
But here's the deal. That person at the shop? working there? getting paid somewhere between $6 and $12/hr? Yeah, they work there. Don't be a know it all dick. They aren't getting paid enough to be polite if you're badgering them, unless they own the joint, and even then, even the owners will act like the shop rats.
Don't ask for free shit, be prepared to pay for something.
anyway
yeah the analogy is sort of don't start telling your surgeon what to do just before you get gassed, maybe you are the best surgeon in the world and you need the other dude to do it, even then, let them do their job.
Problem is, everyone feels entitled to everything. People are a pain.
Common sense and respect are a rare commodity.
That and pretty much everyone reading this doesn't need to hear it.
I'll write about worlds... at some point. Maybe.
heddwch
G
Sunday, February 03, 2013
Last lap..
Found him.
The guy in the orange jumpsuit was hanging out at that corner with the megaphone making lots of noise. It was deafening when EVERYONE came through. Even the last guy.
It was really really amazing
http://youtu.be/ljTlCPfzj-4?t=3m21s
cued up there at the spot where i'm in the video. Check out the whole lap. The camera angles made some of the most difficult features look easy.
The guy in the orange jumpsuit was hanging out at that corner with the megaphone making lots of noise. It was deafening when EVERYONE came through. Even the last guy.
It was really really amazing
http://youtu.be/ljTlCPfzj-4?t=3m21s
cued up there at the spot where i'm in the video. Check out the whole lap. The camera angles made some of the most difficult features look easy.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
So where are we at?
Road trip starts tomorrow morning.
Today it was warm enough I pulled the studs off the White blue with the superfluous checkerboard duck tape (now that JP is riding for Fuji and no longer will be on his Blues).
Hitched up the trailer. And rode in.
Holy crap how much easier did that thing roll w/o the heavy lugged studs! Similar gear, similar effort but i had the trailer.
First ride since who knows when that I didn't have a back pack on or have my ears covered.
Was nice.
I saw this image today... over the twitters and love it.
How in touch I will be this weekend will have lots of factors involved. Time, liquid sandwich consumption, internet access... all of the above.
Got a bit of hardware in the male from Diane last night.
Just a silver, but hey, still a silver. Gotta be positive right? One of these years I'll get a gold I hope. So close this year though, still a slight bitter motivating aftertaste from that race.
Got a few JPTFU pages printed... going to remember to bring the 3M spray adhesive... might be tagging a few things with them (maybe Synder's trailer for one).
Time to pack and #GETINTHETRUCK
See you there
G
Today it was warm enough I pulled the studs off the White blue with the superfluous checkerboard duck tape (now that JP is riding for Fuji and no longer will be on his Blues).
Hitched up the trailer. And rode in.
Holy crap how much easier did that thing roll w/o the heavy lugged studs! Similar gear, similar effort but i had the trailer.
First ride since who knows when that I didn't have a back pack on or have my ears covered.
Was nice.
I saw this image today... over the twitters and love it.
How in touch I will be this weekend will have lots of factors involved. Time, liquid sandwich consumption, internet access... all of the above.
Just a silver, but hey, still a silver. Gotta be positive right? One of these years I'll get a gold I hope. So close this year though, still a slight bitter motivating aftertaste from that race.
Got a few JPTFU pages printed... going to remember to bring the 3M spray adhesive... might be tagging a few things with them (maybe Synder's trailer for one).
Time to pack and #GETINTHETRUCK
See you there
G
Fuji just got a whole lot cooler.
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Fuji-Signs-Jonathan-Page.html?soid=1101968582166&aid=VtXIRdya2Go
Fuji Scoops Up U.S. National CX Champion Jonathan Page
h
\h
Philadelphia, PA (January 30, 2013) - Fuji Bikes is proud to announce that it has reached a sponsorship agreement with U.S. National Cyclocross ChampionJonathan Page, who tallied his fourth national title in commanding fashion earlier this month in Wisconsin - notably crossing the tape without a bike sponsor.
"When we learned of the opportunity, we jumped on it," said Fuji Sponsorship Manager Milay Galvez. "We're thrilled and honored to have one the best cross racers in the world - one of the most accomplished American cross riders ever - riding Fuji. We can't wait to see what he'll do on our Altamira CX."
And the wait won't be long. Page will be riding Fuji's Altamira CX 1.0 in Sunday'sElite Men's World Championships race. With top-end, high-modulus D6 carbon and tubing technology pulled straight from Fuji's flagship, grand tour-winning road bike, the Altamira CX features a tapered head tube, FC-330 fork, BB86 bottom bracket, ETC chainstays, category-leading mud clearance, and a flattened top tube for easy shouldering.
"I am so excited to be starting a new partnership with Fuji. Together, we are shepherding in a new era - making cross and Fuji one!" said Page.
The 37-year-old, based in Belgium with his wife and three children, spent the early part of his season recovering from an upper respiratory infection that affected his riding. But he experienced a resurgence in late December with a 12th place finish in Essen, Belgium and a 15th place finish at the World Cup in Namur, which earned him a spot on the U.S. World Championships team. All of which led to his exceptional day in Verona.
Page arrives in Louisville as the sole elite American to have previously earned a Worlds medal: silver at the 2007 World Championships in Hooglede-Gits, Belgium. He excels on heavy, demanding courses and has been training in his native New Hampshire in subzero weather. The 2013 U.S. National Champion is a favorite heading into Sunday, and he'll be riding Fuji.
Fuji will be hosting a signing with Page on Saturday at the Worlds Expo. More information on the signing and updates from Louisville will be posted to the Fuji Facebook page. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
#JPTFU
Hashtag for a title? YES. DEAL WITH IT. At least this isn't Faceplant where I'd get a dozen crankyass monkeys tellin' me it be wrong.
Look for those signs if you are there or watching from TV.
No more HTFU... it is now JPTFU
Did you read about his 4 hr training rides in New Hampshire in the 20°F weather? Yeah. JP synonym for Hard. JPTFU
Since we're shutting crap in the trailer when down there the trailer hauling machine is getting special JP treatment. not the full coverage, just enough to be an homage:
Prior to the tape application I did a very quick brake shoe change. About a minute. Still rolling along on that old rim with the studs on, yeah the broken flat spotted custom 3 spoke length 3 different spoke gauge rim, ran these pads down to the metal this morning. The sand and salt and slush work as a nice abrasive compound and on the ice you kinda sort of have to be light with the front brake even running studs. I've face planted enough. So I popped some nice fresh salmon pads. Jack always has em in stock, in every flavor. Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE THE BEST PAD COMPOUND EVER. unless you like grinding your rim into nothingness. I'd much rather replace pads frequently than rims. Those Aztecs I took off were $2 clearance items from REI, I had them, used them. now they are done. Salmon pads now.
Worlds. Going to be pretty damn awesome.
Can't wait.
Jerry's even throwing me a big f'n birthday party, a FOAM PARTY! FOR ME. That's what i'm going with anyway.
Capping off what looks to be an awesome weekend hanging out with friends with a big Birthday party, DJ, and EVERYTHING!
See ya there?
heddwch
G
Look for those signs if you are there or watching from TV.
No more HTFU... it is now JPTFU
Did you read about his 4 hr training rides in New Hampshire in the 20°F weather? Yeah. JP synonym for Hard. JPTFU
Since we're shutting crap in the trailer when down there the trailer hauling machine is getting special JP treatment. not the full coverage, just enough to be an homage:
Prior to the tape application I did a very quick brake shoe change. About a minute. Still rolling along on that old rim with the studs on, yeah the broken flat spotted custom 3 spoke length 3 different spoke gauge rim, ran these pads down to the metal this morning. The sand and salt and slush work as a nice abrasive compound and on the ice you kinda sort of have to be light with the front brake even running studs. I've face planted enough. So I popped some nice fresh salmon pads. Jack always has em in stock, in every flavor. Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE THE BEST PAD COMPOUND EVER. unless you like grinding your rim into nothingness. I'd much rather replace pads frequently than rims. Those Aztecs I took off were $2 clearance items from REI, I had them, used them. now they are done. Salmon pads now.
Worlds. Going to be pretty damn awesome.
Can't wait.
Jerry's even throwing me a big f'n birthday party, a FOAM PARTY! FOR ME. That's what i'm going with anyway.
Capping off what looks to be an awesome weekend hanging out with friends with a big Birthday party, DJ, and EVERYTHING!
See ya there?
heddwch
G
Monday, January 28, 2013
If you're going to worlds...
DO NOT MISS THIS...
Seriously.
Don't
Miss
It
Louisville2013FOAMPARTY from Louisville 2013 Foam Party on Vimeo.
Seriously.
Don't
Miss
It
Friday, January 25, 2013
Book Excerpt...
Hand transcribed from Half-wheel Hell & other cycling stories by Maynard Hershon.
Buy your own damn copy but in the mean time since it came up elsewhere... here's the opening part of the story:
It goes on... fantastic read, elaborating, but that... that is half wheeling someone. Now go get your own damn copy.
heddwch
G
Buy your own damn copy but in the mean time since it came up elsewhere... here's the opening part of the story:
"Does the phrase "Half-wheeling" sound Familiar? No? Perhaps you haven't heard it, but I'll bet you've suffered from the practice.
Let's say you're riding with someone you've never ridden with before. You two are side-by-side on a sunny country road; no traffic disturbs the perfect tranquility. You pedal along and chat, a perfect Sunday morning.
You realize your friend has slipped maybe a food-and-a-half in front of you; he's talking to you over his shoulder. You pick up your pace just slightly and pull even. He doesn't notice; the two of you never stop talking.
A minute later, it dawns on you that he's up there again half a wheel ahead.
You think, uh oh, I'm lagging here, and you accelerate half-a-mile-per-hour and come up alongside. You ride next to each other a few yards; amazingly, magically, there he goes again, half a wheel ahead.
You can hardly tell how it happens. Are you slowing down? Is he picking up the pace momentarily?
Once more you mini-chase him down. As you do, you notice you're beginning to get irritated. As the miles pass by, again and again you find he has jumped half a wheel or half a bike length up the road.
You check your speedometer: You're not slowing down. He speeds up for an instant, long enough to gain half a wheel. He's traveling the same speed you are, only 18 inches ahead. You chase repeatedly it's maddening, doing this.
The ride loses its sun-drenched contentedness. It's you against him, an undeclared, perhaps one-sided, silent struggle. The two of you smile and talk about everything but the cold war that you sense is escalating. Maybe, you think to yourself, he doesn't realize he's doing it."
It goes on... fantastic read, elaborating, but that... that is half wheeling someone. Now go get your own damn copy.
heddwch
G
2% and Magical Days
Not milk... come on...
You probably read the Interview with Page over on Velonews. Good read. Sounds like Page.
Something resonated with Tilly too. That magical day.
Which prompted someone to bring up the interview Herson did with Bob Roll and Alex Stieda... which of course I can't find digitally but thanks to Bobke Strut there is an excerpt and I have the book on my night stand. I might take a break from reading the Obree Way and read that piece tonight. If I remember.
Worlds.
I'm going to worlds with a huge pile of UBER passionate fans from across the nation. WORLDS!!! MOTHER FUCKING CYCLOCROSS WORLDS!
You probably read the Interview with Page over on Velonews. Good read. Sounds like Page.
Something resonated with Tilly too. That magical day.
Which prompted someone to bring up the interview Herson did with Bob Roll and Alex Stieda... which of course I can't find digitally but thanks to Bobke Strut there is an excerpt and I have the book on my night stand. I might take a break from reading the Obree Way and read that piece tonight. If I remember.
Worlds.
I'm going to worlds with a huge pile of UBER passionate fans from across the nation. WORLDS!!! MOTHER FUCKING CYCLOCROSS WORLDS!
Blueberry Chocolate Chip Muffins
We were riding in earlier this week. MJ was headed to a chalk talk, i asked if there was food, he said "Yeah, coffee, blueberry muffins..."
Locked in the brain. BOOM. MUFFINS MUST HAVE MUFFINS
That was Wednesday morning.
problem: No blueberries
solution: BUY BLUEBERRIES (frozen... not fresh, they cook better honestly, esp in muffins).
Bought some last night.
So I woke up early...
Locked in the brain. BOOM. MUFFINS MUST HAVE MUFFINS
That was Wednesday morning.
problem: No blueberries
solution: BUY BLUEBERRIES (frozen... not fresh, they cook better honestly, esp in muffins).
Bought some last night.
So I woke up early...
Thursday, January 24, 2013
perfect week timing
Well, it was nice as could be, warm and pleasant when I was in the car commuting and shuttling everyone.
Now I finally land a perfect week, and it ends off with a nice icy grip on my balls. WOO COLD
Yeah yeah - in case you hadn't noticed it is cold.
Now I finally land a perfect week, and it ends off with a nice icy grip on my balls. WOO COLD
Yeah yeah - in case you hadn't noticed it is cold.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
my IDEA
Probably not unique but...
so you know how carbon wheels wear through (even the vaulted and holy firecrest will wear through)... even using special carbon pads.
Heck I went to a brake pad mullet this year and had more wear and no improvement in stopping using the pads specifically for the rim. Koolstop salmon for the win!
I mean everyone's used to using special pads.
So
we go back to the mid-90s and put a ceramic coating on the brake track.
that or fuck it we just put a ceramic coating on the disc rotors and we don't worry about the rims anymore.
Ceramic coating would add weight certainly but then they rim has to be so built up to account for wear, why not ceramic coating on the epoxy? Yes. Pro mechanics probably have to change brake pads after a long tour stage, maybe even start with specially thicker ceramic specific pads on a rim brake system... shit wheels are a coupe grand, what's the bit of extra money for a ceramic coating.
That or how about an aftermarket coating?
just thinking...
out loud
so you know how carbon wheels wear through (even the vaulted and holy firecrest will wear through)... even using special carbon pads.
Heck I went to a brake pad mullet this year and had more wear and no improvement in stopping using the pads specifically for the rim. Koolstop salmon for the win!
I mean everyone's used to using special pads.
So
we go back to the mid-90s and put a ceramic coating on the brake track.
that or fuck it we just put a ceramic coating on the disc rotors and we don't worry about the rims anymore.
Ceramic coating would add weight certainly but then they rim has to be so built up to account for wear, why not ceramic coating on the epoxy? Yes. Pro mechanics probably have to change brake pads after a long tour stage, maybe even start with specially thicker ceramic specific pads on a rim brake system... shit wheels are a coupe grand, what's the bit of extra money for a ceramic coating.
That or how about an aftermarket coating?
just thinking...
out loud
slack
Fortunately Plum is picking up slack for me lately. These last couple days at least.
Sunday we trucked up to Northfield NH. A town so small weather.com doesn't know it exists.
A great gathering of pretty amazing people were on hand to celebrate with J Page. I kind of thought the NECX family would have been sort of all over this, a chance to get together and celebrate the jersey, as it was there was enough food and beer, good thing most of the boston crowd didn't make the drive up, the NBX guys from Southern RI who brought a big pile of beer might not have had enough for everyone.
There - got my snark and uncool statement out of the way. I'm sure i'll piss other people off, but hell I made it, ME! Ah well. It was really pretty awesome to go up there. Kind of auspicious start for us, but smoothed out and was no big deal, the girls chilled on the way up and played while they were up there.
So some time last week. Freddie B posted something on faceplace about a ride Alby King did last summer. For some reason I missed hearing about it. There's some contention that it wasn't the full or proper route. Maybe but hell that's an impressive ride, no? "Proper" route or not that's not so shabby.
It got me thinking.
No Fuck to the NO. I am not doing the North South trail. No.
BUT
Counter-Clockwise Round Rhody Ride (damn i just named it - awesome)
My house, to PVD, up to the Mass border, west and south along the CT border (but not into Mass or CT) down to Watch Hill Cove. Tag the beach (or stop for some donuts and coffee or something) then roll through Narragansett and north back to PVD and then home.
Skinny tires. CX bike but still slicks, not knobs. Dirt roads? I sure fucking hope so. How long? 160+ miles from the quick google mapping of it. ALL FUCKING DAY BIKE RIDING.
Probably will need to wait until the day is a bit longer than it is now. I probably will need to recruit a few people to join in the adventure.
No chance I'll get a long ride in this month. This week is out of it, next week is a short week because a few douchebags are picking me up and we're driving to WORLDS!
At least I got to ride into work today, will get to ride in tomorrow. single digits. can't wait. seriously. kind of excited about it.
I was also thinking about riding to New London, to the Conn College Arbo and back. That is only 140 miles or so. Maybe a pre-cursor to the C2R3...
Of course I have to hit Firefly's new shop to transition the best rides of 2012 into 2013... and well it would be nice to visit Plymouth Rock again.
Gotta take up some slack to make it all happen... some how...
Still have to tape the bars, i have two wheels that need to be built too, Can't trust that busted one for much more than back and forth to work...
But for now it is working with the studded tires on the ice and snow. Ice and snow. Perfect amount of snow this morning was fun crunching on through, piles of ice too, stopped to take a few pictures, froze my hand a bit and nearly ate shit when i stepped on the path. Amazing how much grip the tires have.
Amazing.
So nice not to be riding on the road this winter.
I'm okay with this winter like this. Cold is cool with me...
see you out there in it...
heddwch
G
Sunday we trucked up to Northfield NH. A town so small weather.com doesn't know it exists.
A great gathering of pretty amazing people were on hand to celebrate with J Page. I kind of thought the NECX family would have been sort of all over this, a chance to get together and celebrate the jersey, as it was there was enough food and beer, good thing most of the boston crowd didn't make the drive up, the NBX guys from Southern RI who brought a big pile of beer might not have had enough for everyone.
There - got my snark and uncool statement out of the way. I'm sure i'll piss other people off, but hell I made it, ME! Ah well. It was really pretty awesome to go up there. Kind of auspicious start for us, but smoothed out and was no big deal, the girls chilled on the way up and played while they were up there.
So some time last week. Freddie B posted something on faceplace about a ride Alby King did last summer. For some reason I missed hearing about it. There's some contention that it wasn't the full or proper route. Maybe but hell that's an impressive ride, no? "Proper" route or not that's not so shabby.
It got me thinking.
No Fuck to the NO. I am not doing the North South trail. No.
BUT
Counter-Clockwise Round Rhody Ride (damn i just named it - awesome)
My house, to PVD, up to the Mass border, west and south along the CT border (but not into Mass or CT) down to Watch Hill Cove. Tag the beach (or stop for some donuts and coffee or something) then roll through Narragansett and north back to PVD and then home.
Skinny tires. CX bike but still slicks, not knobs. Dirt roads? I sure fucking hope so. How long? 160+ miles from the quick google mapping of it. ALL FUCKING DAY BIKE RIDING.
Probably will need to wait until the day is a bit longer than it is now. I probably will need to recruit a few people to join in the adventure.
No chance I'll get a long ride in this month. This week is out of it, next week is a short week because a few douchebags are picking me up and we're driving to WORLDS!
At least I got to ride into work today, will get to ride in tomorrow. single digits. can't wait. seriously. kind of excited about it.
I was also thinking about riding to New London, to the Conn College Arbo and back. That is only 140 miles or so. Maybe a pre-cursor to the C2R3...
Of course I have to hit Firefly's new shop to transition the best rides of 2012 into 2013... and well it would be nice to visit Plymouth Rock again.
Gotta take up some slack to make it all happen... some how...
Still have to tape the bars, i have two wheels that need to be built too, Can't trust that busted one for much more than back and forth to work...
But for now it is working with the studded tires on the ice and snow. Ice and snow. Perfect amount of snow this morning was fun crunching on through, piles of ice too, stopped to take a few pictures, froze my hand a bit and nearly ate shit when i stepped on the path. Amazing how much grip the tires have.
Amazing.
So nice not to be riding on the road this winter.
I'm okay with this winter like this. Cold is cool with me...
see you out there in it...
heddwch
G
A Great Bearded One
Tip of the hat to Fatmarc (saw it on his blog first).
Video = awesomeness.
FBS spot final from Big Bear Media on Vimeo.
Video = awesomeness.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
getting there
Winter has set in and I've acclimated. 22°F no longer feels too bad.
Granted when you set out and get dressed and layer up for a 27°F and don't realize it has dropped 5°F after sunrise, well you just make do.
On the plus side I didn't sweat.
That was good.
Granted when you set out and get dressed and layer up for a 27°F and don't realize it has dropped 5°F after sunrise, well you just make do.
On the plus side I didn't sweat.
That was good.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
The Obree Way
So it sounds like I might have to get a book...
But I'd rather not get it for a Kindle. I really like the feel of a book. Real dead trees. Okay - i don't NEED it on dead trees but it would just be nice... and not an option.
But here... give this synopsis a read. I would quote each segment but yeah, food, tire width... all that.
Crap I might just have to get a digital book! (here are a few of the great bits from Kent's post)
"There are loads of post-ride commercial mixtures available, but none that I have seen can match the nutritional content of this meal. Remember the human body is designed to chew and digest REAL food and chewing and forming small balls of food is a very important part of the digestive process that commercial drinks disregard. Be cynical; think it through for yourself, there is no profit in telling you that sardines, toast and veggies is one of the best meals you can eat."
"Your training bike should have reliable cheaper wheels with full spoking normally 32 spokes. The choice of tyre is important since the last thing you want in the middle of a good effort is a puncture. Not only does it destroy a good effort but there is the problem of getting cold in the middle of nowhere sorting a puncture that could be avoided. I choose the widest possible tyre that will fit into my bike."
"One very important issue in any frame or bike that you buy is tyre clearance. A lot of frames leave little clearance for wider tyres and carbon frames are bad for this in general. It would be easy to believe that a narrower tyre will be faster than a wider one but this is most certainly not the case. The narrower a tyre is then the longer the footprint on the road and this causes more resistance than a shorter, wider footprint from a wider tyre. Not only this but a wider tyre will puncture less easily and give a smooth ride."
Even if the segments that Kent posted are the only good nuggets, well It is still probably worth buying and reading.
(i broke down and ordered it... lets see if i can abscond the kids Kindle Fire long enough to read the book)
But I'd rather not get it for a Kindle. I really like the feel of a book. Real dead trees. Okay - i don't NEED it on dead trees but it would just be nice... and not an option.
But here... give this synopsis a read. I would quote each segment but yeah, food, tire width... all that.
Crap I might just have to get a digital book! (here are a few of the great bits from Kent's post)
"There are loads of post-ride commercial mixtures available, but none that I have seen can match the nutritional content of this meal. Remember the human body is designed to chew and digest REAL food and chewing and forming small balls of food is a very important part of the digestive process that commercial drinks disregard. Be cynical; think it through for yourself, there is no profit in telling you that sardines, toast and veggies is one of the best meals you can eat."
"Your training bike should have reliable cheaper wheels with full spoking normally 32 spokes. The choice of tyre is important since the last thing you want in the middle of a good effort is a puncture. Not only does it destroy a good effort but there is the problem of getting cold in the middle of nowhere sorting a puncture that could be avoided. I choose the widest possible tyre that will fit into my bike."
"One very important issue in any frame or bike that you buy is tyre clearance. A lot of frames leave little clearance for wider tyres and carbon frames are bad for this in general. It would be easy to believe that a narrower tyre will be faster than a wider one but this is most certainly not the case. The narrower a tyre is then the longer the footprint on the road and this causes more resistance than a shorter, wider footprint from a wider tyre. Not only this but a wider tyre will puncture less easily and give a smooth ride."
Even if the segments that Kent posted are the only good nuggets, well It is still probably worth buying and reading.
(i broke down and ordered it... lets see if i can abscond the kids Kindle Fire long enough to read the book)
I RODE MY BIKE
And nearly ate shit once.
The slush held enough shape to wind up 3-4" tall, well affixed to the flat skim ice on the pavement below. More dangerous that that shear glaze i took pictures of before.
I didn't crash, rode the path all the way in.
The slush held enough shape to wind up 3-4" tall, well affixed to the flat skim ice on the pavement below. More dangerous that that shear glaze i took pictures of before.
I didn't crash, rode the path all the way in.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
count the ways
the ToB is fleecing the cyclists...
shark jump NOW please...
granted i'm still hoping to join in the whole RdR if that happens this year
but no, Fondo or real race not driving up there
have fun at the Fondo, since that's really pretty much what every one of the 10 cat 5 races is like for all but the two or three dudes who break away and wind up as Cat 2 racers by the end of the season.
crazy stuff
have fun sheeple
shark jump NOW please...
granted i'm still hoping to join in the whole RdR if that happens this year
but no, Fondo or real race not driving up there
have fun at the Fondo, since that's really pretty much what every one of the 10 cat 5 races is like for all but the two or three dudes who break away and wind up as Cat 2 racers by the end of the season.
crazy stuff
have fun sheeple
exhale
as in finally...
I'm not complaining, that is a preemptive comment, I am not, you might read it as such but I'm not, and won't even dare complain. But I may vent, I might explain, I might lay a few things out there. My writing sucks and I'm really really shitty at communicating exactly what I'm trying to say. Maybe only Solobreak gets it if he even fucking bother's to read this shit anymore.
I'm not complaining, that is a preemptive comment, I am not, you might read it as such but I'm not, and won't even dare complain. But I may vent, I might explain, I might lay a few things out there. My writing sucks and I'm really really shitty at communicating exactly what I'm trying to say. Maybe only Solobreak gets it if he even fucking bother's to read this shit anymore.
Monday, January 14, 2013
oof... is there time for words?
Maybe, maybe not.
Finish the pot early maybe, maybe not.
Nationals happened. I missed most of it, caught the results. Congrats to Page and Jerry's timing and brilliant marketing strategy. His 'team' has clout now. Hopefully this vaults JP into a solid contract for the rest of this year and next year.
And a small bit of news, Louisville had better watch out. Tall freak in the orange jumpsuit will be there, with a megaphone. No bike, no riding. I haven't ridden since Tuesday. Won't be riding tomorrow, or Wednesday... maybe not even on Thursday. I miss the bike riding but the time with the kids has been good... the three of us have been having a good time. Busy as hell, and going non-stop.
So tired, even went to bed early last night. Of course I woke up at 2am and sort of fitfully dozed the rest of the morning until the alarm went off. One of those, 'FUCK I JUST FELT LIKE I WAS SLEEPING' moments when it went off. Ugh.
Solo dad ends today. Back to the more manageable tag teaming.
One more big challenge/test this afternoon.
Missing the bike. esp now that the path is totally ice free and clear... the morning commute in the car kind of sucks. Definitely not terrible, easy drive, no slow traffic sort of stuff. It is what it is though. It isn't a bike ride.
Time to work on that coffee pot.
heddwch
G
Finish the pot early maybe, maybe not.
Nationals happened. I missed most of it, caught the results. Congrats to Page and Jerry's timing and brilliant marketing strategy. His 'team' has clout now. Hopefully this vaults JP into a solid contract for the rest of this year and next year.
And a small bit of news, Louisville had better watch out. Tall freak in the orange jumpsuit will be there, with a megaphone. No bike, no riding. I haven't ridden since Tuesday. Won't be riding tomorrow, or Wednesday... maybe not even on Thursday. I miss the bike riding but the time with the kids has been good... the three of us have been having a good time. Busy as hell, and going non-stop.
So tired, even went to bed early last night. Of course I woke up at 2am and sort of fitfully dozed the rest of the morning until the alarm went off. One of those, 'FUCK I JUST FELT LIKE I WAS SLEEPING' moments when it went off. Ugh.
Solo dad ends today. Back to the more manageable tag teaming.
One more big challenge/test this afternoon.
Missing the bike. esp now that the path is totally ice free and clear... the morning commute in the car kind of sucks. Definitely not terrible, easy drive, no slow traffic sort of stuff. It is what it is though. It isn't a bike ride.
Time to work on that coffee pot.
heddwch
G
Thursday, January 10, 2013
this...
truth but instead of the ADHD i call it over-thinking on hyperdrive... a little less clinical
Monday, January 07, 2013
spinnin and wrenchin
When you crank the productivity level to 11 shit happens and gets done.
Today flew by.
So did yesterday but yesterday, came through in a way that was very satisfying for part of me that couldn't get addressed today.
I got the Black Blue back in bidnez! Post ice weasels all i did was hose it down and lube the chain.
The BB was hosed. There was water in the BB shell even when I replaced the bearings.
The Bearings on the front Travel Agent were seized (could be part of degrading brake performance), the back was okay but not great. The bearings on the XTR v-brakes were grungy and not smooth.
Clean those all out. Takes a bit of time to overhaul the XTRs but they come out so smooth when finished.
Changed the cables and added Adjuster barrels to the shifters finally.
The old cables? They were installed when I got the bike, way back when. No, not gore, just plain old shimano cables.
There was some degredation in the shifting due to the old cables. I did replace the rear section after NoHo, even the Earthworm doesn't keep out every spec of dirt. Oh well.
Bike is shiny, clean and bearing surfaces are smooooooooth as butter. Now to either wrap with the still solid and honestly very functional but dirty Planet bike tape or try out the Shimano stuff I was given. Everything is done except the bar wrapping.
I even put bottle cages back on. So ready for a long ride now. Well almost. Wheels have to be sorted out and all that I guess, Just stuck the Ultegra wheels on there.
The Zipps. Well what can I say, I need a new freehub body I guess. The 17t cog is more than 50% of the way through the splines. Too much torque. I do wish SRAM/Zipp made a steel freehub body for these. I'll take the weight penalty. I suppose the only other option is to go with a SRAM Red cassette. Ugh, so much coin. But you might expect a freehub to last more than 40 races no? I would think so. Oh well, other than that issue these are awesome wheels.
The path was mostly clear, we'll see what it looks like on the way home tonight. Weather is warming up. Should be ice free on the path by the end of the week. Which won't do me any good after tomorrow. #carbound for a few days.
Peace Abbey chapter is finally closed. We'll see what happens. Hoping to make it to the Peace Room at the Library sometime sooner than later.
Oh and i got FAT over the winter break. Like borderline clydesdale. But a net gain around 4% so not really anything to worry about. Except 4% of me at my race weight is enough to tweak the power/weight ratio in the wrong direction. Oh well. Not riding much, for long, at any intensity lately. Bike's almost ready for the long ride. maybe Firefly will be finished by the time I can find time to take a mental health day.
heddwch
G
Today flew by.
So did yesterday but yesterday, came through in a way that was very satisfying for part of me that couldn't get addressed today.
I got the Black Blue back in bidnez! Post ice weasels all i did was hose it down and lube the chain.
The BB was hosed. There was water in the BB shell even when I replaced the bearings.
The Bearings on the front Travel Agent were seized (could be part of degrading brake performance), the back was okay but not great. The bearings on the XTR v-brakes were grungy and not smooth.
Clean those all out. Takes a bit of time to overhaul the XTRs but they come out so smooth when finished.
Changed the cables and added Adjuster barrels to the shifters finally.
The old cables? They were installed when I got the bike, way back when. No, not gore, just plain old shimano cables.
There was some degredation in the shifting due to the old cables. I did replace the rear section after NoHo, even the Earthworm doesn't keep out every spec of dirt. Oh well.
Bike is shiny, clean and bearing surfaces are smooooooooth as butter. Now to either wrap with the still solid and honestly very functional but dirty Planet bike tape or try out the Shimano stuff I was given. Everything is done except the bar wrapping.
I even put bottle cages back on. So ready for a long ride now. Well almost. Wheels have to be sorted out and all that I guess, Just stuck the Ultegra wheels on there.
The Zipps. Well what can I say, I need a new freehub body I guess. The 17t cog is more than 50% of the way through the splines. Too much torque. I do wish SRAM/Zipp made a steel freehub body for these. I'll take the weight penalty. I suppose the only other option is to go with a SRAM Red cassette. Ugh, so much coin. But you might expect a freehub to last more than 40 races no? I would think so. Oh well, other than that issue these are awesome wheels.
The path was mostly clear, we'll see what it looks like on the way home tonight. Weather is warming up. Should be ice free on the path by the end of the week. Which won't do me any good after tomorrow. #carbound for a few days.
Peace Abbey chapter is finally closed. We'll see what happens. Hoping to make it to the Peace Room at the Library sometime sooner than later.
Oh and i got FAT over the winter break. Like borderline clydesdale. But a net gain around 4% so not really anything to worry about. Except 4% of me at my race weight is enough to tweak the power/weight ratio in the wrong direction. Oh well. Not riding much, for long, at any intensity lately. Bike's almost ready for the long ride. maybe Firefly will be finished by the time I can find time to take a mental health day.
heddwch
G
poetry
I've never been much of a poet, but i read a ton. It played a significant roll in my education I guess. One Botany professor even forced us to write poetry as a developmental bio assignment. Not just once but throughout the semester.
When Fort posted this over on G+ this morning, well shit i had to pop it up here.
"I had no one to help me, but the T. S. Eliot helped me.
So when people say that poetry is a luxury, or an option, or for the educated middle classes, or that it shouldn't be read at school because it is irrelevant, or any of the strange and stupid things that are said about poetry and its place in our lives, I suspect that the people doing the saying have had things pretty easy. A tough life needs a tough language -- and that is what poetry is. That is what literature offers -- a language powerful enough to say how it is.
It isn't a hiding place. It is a finding place."
--Jeanette Winterson, in her memoir Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?
When Fort posted this over on G+ this morning, well shit i had to pop it up here.
"I had no one to help me, but the T. S. Eliot helped me.
So when people say that poetry is a luxury, or an option, or for the educated middle classes, or that it shouldn't be read at school because it is irrelevant, or any of the strange and stupid things that are said about poetry and its place in our lives, I suspect that the people doing the saying have had things pretty easy. A tough life needs a tough language -- and that is what poetry is. That is what literature offers -- a language powerful enough to say how it is.
It isn't a hiding place. It is a finding place."
--Jeanette Winterson, in her memoir Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?
Saturday, January 05, 2013
Bicycles a short film
Nothing earth shattering just a good little preaching to the choir video that isn't terrible. Won't win an Oscar but worth a 5 min view in my opinion.
Bicycles from Eliot Grigo on Vimeo.
Friday, January 04, 2013
Wrapping up the week
The ice is melting on the path. Still solid on that last mile, but the other three almost have bare pavement.
I took my eyes off the track for a second, lingered on this sunset and nearly crashed. Figured I might as well come to a full stop and dig out the camera.
Heddwch
G
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Salad Dressing GeWilli style
why would you buy salad dressing?
Never understood it. Occasionally there are some that are nice for a rare treat or a change, but routine salad consumption... well i go with this.
You want blue cheese? PUT IT ON THE SALAD. Ranch? Well fine, drench your salad in herbs, salt, buttermilk and mayonnaise. No good answer to that one, i guess. Ranch Lite? Here lets add a ton of fillers and texture modifiers to replace the mayo.
I'm not a fan of replacement foods. Maybe that's sort of obvious.
Bake with butter (and fry your eggs and bread stuff)
Cook with Olive oil.
Food should be nutrient dense, not calorie dense. Calories are fine if you're burning them off.
Okay.
So last night I made the dressing keeping an eye on amounts (roughly).
Part one, all this goes into a 16-20oz screw top jar
2 Valencia oranges, squeezed (with pulp, seeds removed duh) (about 4 oz or so of juice)
2 oz of unfiltered apple cider vinegar
3 oz of good Balsalmic vinegar (if it has caramel coloring it ain't worth it)
1.5 tablespoons dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Colman's ground Mustard
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dried Basil (can use tarragon or other dried herbs of your choice of mix and match, i like it with basil)
2 cloves garlic run through a press
SHAKE THIS UP. All up. Mix it up. Distribute all the stuff equally, get it well mixed.
Make note of the volume and roughly double it using a good Extra virgin olive oil.
Use a bit less for a more vinegary salad dressing or more for a smoother one.
Once the oil is in, cap the jar and shake it well for a while.
The Mustard will help keep it from separating. You'll have a wicked nice emulsion (if you shake it enough and have enough mustard in there).
It is good.
Pour it over a simple salad of washed lettuce, grated carrot and shredded cabbage. Maybe a few slices of cucumber or radish. Add some garbanzo beans if you have them, feta or blue cheese maybe. Some olives, maybe a few good bits of tomato, any veggie you want. Slice up some Kale really thin and toss it in, spinach. What ever you want. Raw mushrooms, hot peppers, sweet peppers, sliced almonds, walnuts. Skip the fruit, there's enough sweetness in the dressing and in the veggies, don't need to overpower them with apples or orange wedges, although de-skinned orange wedges are heavenly in this salad. So hey - fuck it - put fruit in there too.
Unifying theme and what makes it cohesive is this dressing. Simple to make. Takes no time at all. Out of stuff you should have on hand anyway.
Final bit of advice:
To keep the flavor the focus a bit of lettuce is all you need.
Call it the gateway salad.
A variation of this dressing got my wife, who had eschewed anything green until grad school, to voraciously eat salads. She's still iffy on Brussels sprouts though.
It was sad to see the volume of salad made for 12 people. I made more salad for 4 people last night and we were all fighting over who got more. Seriously.
waffles were good too this morning btw. going to be doing the yeasty ones again soon i'm sure. Might even be able to convince the oldest to make it before going to bed!
heddwch
G
Post Script:
this is a dressing formula that i've been tweaking and making for probably close to 25 years, the amounts are rough estimations eyeballing it... i think the liquid volumes are pretty accurate though, and it may take a few times to tweak the flavors in a direction you prefer. I can talk at length about potential variations if desired.
Never understood it. Occasionally there are some that are nice for a rare treat or a change, but routine salad consumption... well i go with this.
You want blue cheese? PUT IT ON THE SALAD. Ranch? Well fine, drench your salad in herbs, salt, buttermilk and mayonnaise. No good answer to that one, i guess. Ranch Lite? Here lets add a ton of fillers and texture modifiers to replace the mayo.
I'm not a fan of replacement foods. Maybe that's sort of obvious.
Bake with butter (and fry your eggs and bread stuff)
Cook with Olive oil.
Food should be nutrient dense, not calorie dense. Calories are fine if you're burning them off.
Okay.
So last night I made the dressing keeping an eye on amounts (roughly).
Part one, all this goes into a 16-20oz screw top jar
2 Valencia oranges, squeezed (with pulp, seeds removed duh) (about 4 oz or so of juice)
2 oz of unfiltered apple cider vinegar
3 oz of good Balsalmic vinegar (if it has caramel coloring it ain't worth it)
1.5 tablespoons dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Colman's ground Mustard
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dried Basil (can use tarragon or other dried herbs of your choice of mix and match, i like it with basil)
2 cloves garlic run through a press
SHAKE THIS UP. All up. Mix it up. Distribute all the stuff equally, get it well mixed.
Make note of the volume and roughly double it using a good Extra virgin olive oil.
Use a bit less for a more vinegary salad dressing or more for a smoother one.
Once the oil is in, cap the jar and shake it well for a while.
The Mustard will help keep it from separating. You'll have a wicked nice emulsion (if you shake it enough and have enough mustard in there).
It is good.
Pour it over a simple salad of washed lettuce, grated carrot and shredded cabbage. Maybe a few slices of cucumber or radish. Add some garbanzo beans if you have them, feta or blue cheese maybe. Some olives, maybe a few good bits of tomato, any veggie you want. Slice up some Kale really thin and toss it in, spinach. What ever you want. Raw mushrooms, hot peppers, sweet peppers, sliced almonds, walnuts. Skip the fruit, there's enough sweetness in the dressing and in the veggies, don't need to overpower them with apples or orange wedges, although de-skinned orange wedges are heavenly in this salad. So hey - fuck it - put fruit in there too.
Unifying theme and what makes it cohesive is this dressing. Simple to make. Takes no time at all. Out of stuff you should have on hand anyway.
Final bit of advice:
To keep the flavor the focus a bit of lettuce is all you need.
Call it the gateway salad.
A variation of this dressing got my wife, who had eschewed anything green until grad school, to voraciously eat salads. She's still iffy on Brussels sprouts though.
It was sad to see the volume of salad made for 12 people. I made more salad for 4 people last night and we were all fighting over who got more. Seriously.
waffles were good too this morning btw. going to be doing the yeasty ones again soon i'm sure. Might even be able to convince the oldest to make it before going to bed!
heddwch
G
Post Script:
this is a dressing formula that i've been tweaking and making for probably close to 25 years, the amounts are rough estimations eyeballing it... i think the liquid volumes are pretty accurate though, and it may take a few times to tweak the flavors in a direction you prefer. I can talk at length about potential variations if desired.
Need a CX mechanic at Nationals or Worlds?
Check out what Chandler Synder has to offer. he knows his stuff. Has a couple great articles over at CXMag (i like that one, might have to go for that plastic trick soon even if I do just use the EVerLube)
Check http://www.snydercyclingservices.com/CX-Support for all the details.
Check http://www.snydercyclingservices.com/CX-Support for all the details.
wee bit colder today
No where near the Chabot Compound ice box temps but 9°F is plenty cold to spend an hour plus riding outside bouncing around on the ice.
stopped to take a few pics of the first/last mile of the commute. All like this. Lumpy bumpy ice.
no other tracks out there. no there was one other bike. Most of the bike like snake tracks are my own. Twice I took my focus off the line and had to dab to keep from crashing. oops.
Requires total focus all the time. Good mental challenge and good bike handling practice. Still not tempted to ride on the road for those 4 miles. Even if it would be faster.
stopped to take a few pics of the first/last mile of the commute. All like this. Lumpy bumpy ice.
no other tracks out there. no there was one other bike. Most of the bike like snake tracks are my own. Twice I took my focus off the line and had to dab to keep from crashing. oops.
Requires total focus all the time. Good mental challenge and good bike handling practice. Still not tempted to ride on the road for those 4 miles. Even if it would be faster.
Be careful, it is slippery there.
heddwch
G
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Back in the saddle again
First bike commute day of the New Year.
Ouch.
So much extra strange body english needed for the first and last 4 miles of the day has cooked me and beaten me up a bit more than expected.
Ouch.
So much extra strange body english needed for the first and last 4 miles of the day has cooked me and beaten me up a bit more than expected.
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
Happy New Year.
Back when 2012 started I said this:
Time to look back I suppose.
The long rides were key to surviving, maybe they can be worked into this year. 2012 was maybe one of the most challenging years for me in recent memory. But I survived. Kept moving forward.
Figured a few things out, discovered some new amazing friends. Went on a pile of amazing rides with wonderful people.
2013... lets see what ya got!
Back when 2012 started I said this:
Every year brings new challenges, what is 2012 going to offer up...
we shall see in 2013, as we don't know till we're through and can look back.
Time to look back I suppose.
The long rides were key to surviving, maybe they can be worked into this year. 2012 was maybe one of the most challenging years for me in recent memory. But I survived. Kept moving forward.
Figured a few things out, discovered some new amazing friends. Went on a pile of amazing rides with wonderful people.
2013... lets see what ya got!
Dill Bean verdict...
F'n Good.
Youngest can't stay away from them. Oldest approves, wife won't have anything to do with them (you know, being green and beans and weird and stuff).
And I love them.
None of that canning nonsense and really tasty pickled green beans. Salty, vinegar, spicy...
Now if you have a garden full and need to make quarts and quarts of them you might not want to keep them all in the fridge so canning makes sense. But if you just want to have some green beans laying around to snack on, want to take advantage of readily available supply in the food store and make a small batch or two at a time when the previous one is gone, it is a great way to do it.
Remember fresh stuff only lasts so long. If it is getting old, you can preserve it by freezing it, cooking it or with veggies, pickling them. Or combine the first two, cook then freeze.
Beans are great, buy dry (save $) soak (two days unattended is best IMHO) then cook and freeze extras or freeze the soaked ones to cook later. Just depends on the beans and what you want to do with them. Pintos are great to cook first and freeze esp if you're going to be refrying them. Adzuki, Black beans and Navy beans and the like you may want to just freeze post soaking and cook in the soup/chili they will wind up in.
Cook with good ingredients. Eat a diversity of plant species. Try new stuff. A food rut is like a mud rut, you're fine if you can stay right on it, but any little shift can send you into the tape and knock you out of the game.
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
G
Youngest can't stay away from them. Oldest approves, wife won't have anything to do with them (you know, being green and beans and weird and stuff).
And I love them.
None of that canning nonsense and really tasty pickled green beans. Salty, vinegar, spicy...
Now if you have a garden full and need to make quarts and quarts of them you might not want to keep them all in the fridge so canning makes sense. But if you just want to have some green beans laying around to snack on, want to take advantage of readily available supply in the food store and make a small batch or two at a time when the previous one is gone, it is a great way to do it.
Remember fresh stuff only lasts so long. If it is getting old, you can preserve it by freezing it, cooking it or with veggies, pickling them. Or combine the first two, cook then freeze.
Beans are great, buy dry (save $) soak (two days unattended is best IMHO) then cook and freeze extras or freeze the soaked ones to cook later. Just depends on the beans and what you want to do with them. Pintos are great to cook first and freeze esp if you're going to be refrying them. Adzuki, Black beans and Navy beans and the like you may want to just freeze post soaking and cook in the soup/chili they will wind up in.
Cook with good ingredients. Eat a diversity of plant species. Try new stuff. A food rut is like a mud rut, you're fine if you can stay right on it, but any little shift can send you into the tape and knock you out of the game.
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
G
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