Well, well. Here I sit typing on the computer not accomplishing anything. I won't even get up to turn on the TV. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I like to catch Meet The Press if I'm around on Sunday morning.
Oh good, Condi is on telling is why it was ok for good ol' boy W to spy on us without warrants. We don't need that 4th Amendment anyway.
Normally I get a one ride in and one skate ski in on the weekend during this time of year. I rode yesterday, and I don't see myself getting ready and making the drive to the mountains. It's a little chilly down here and up there. If I were up there, I would probably wax up the skis and head out, but I'm not making the drive so ski in single digit temperatures. I guess it's another day on the trainer. Oh boy! My entertainment choices for the thrilling adventure are as follows: football on the TV/Ipod in the ears, Dazed and Confused on the TV, 2004 Paris-Roubaix with or without the IPod. I wish I had the '05 running on DVD.
Yesterday I was on the trainer too. It was my first "field test" of the new training season. The field tests are, in my situation, two 8 minute maximal efforts with a 10 minute rest inbetween. The reason for the test is to give me a rough idea of what my lactate threshold for watts and heart rate is. Considering the long work week and the fact that I thought good preparation would be drinking too much the night before, I was happy with my results. They were better than the last test I did, which, was back in April after some intensity training. The only intestine training I have had lately are the sporadic cyclocross races I've been doing and some moderate skate skiing. Granted, the test in April was outside on rolling terrain, and yesterday's test was inside, but the improvements were substantial. If only my stomach would participate in these improvements.
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Torture
"The enemy we fight has no respect for human life. They don't deserve our sympathy. But this isn't about who they are. This is about who we are." Senator John McCain
Sunday, December 11, 2005
busy weekend
Friday night: Holiday Party
Saturday: 3 hour skate ski
Saturday night: Holiday party.
Sunday: 2.5 hour ride in some icy conditions
Sunday afternoon: Broncos game. Beer and talking to Jesus
Sunday night: Candlelight and typing this.
Saturday: 3 hour skate ski
Saturday night: Holiday party.
Sunday: 2.5 hour ride in some icy conditions
Sunday afternoon: Broncos game. Beer and talking to Jesus
Sunday night: Candlelight and typing this.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Addicted?
Ok people. Here in Denver it is -5 degrees this morning. My hands got cold touching the steering wheel WITH lobster gloves on my hands. They were still cold at the end of a 45 minute commute with the heat on high.
During my drive, I saw one idiot that insisted on rolling her window down to smoke a cigarette. Are you kidding me? I'm sure I'll see some people outside smoking today even though it's only supposed to get up to around 6 degrees today.
During my drive, I saw one idiot that insisted on rolling her window down to smoke a cigarette. Are you kidding me? I'm sure I'll see some people outside smoking today even though it's only supposed to get up to around 6 degrees today.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Runs
Found this cool application while surfing around. I guess it's a "mashup." I'm not going to explain that. Google it. But here is the link to my evening runs. One shorter and one longer. I hope all my stalkers don't use this to hunt me down. Maybe I'll use it to map out some of my rides. That will probably take a bit longer.
http://profile.mapmyrun.com/mtbfool
http://profile.mapmyrun.com/mtbfool
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Can't sleep
One would think after suffering through a cyclocross race and then, coming home and having a couple of beers, one would sleep well. Well, one didn't. I think my neighbors got home from closing time and were feeling a little clumsy from having a good time. They woke me up around 3 AM and I couldn't get back to sleep. Oh well, I wanted to get up into the mountains early today, so I could make back in time for the Broncos game.
That's right kiddos. Today will be the first day of skate skiing. Sounds like I could have gotten some earlier days in because the mountains have been getting pummled by snow the last few weeks. I guess I was just waiting for cross to be over and now it is.
The race yesterday was actually pretty fun. First semi-foul weather race of the year. I got up to a few inches of snow outside the door, but at the race locale, no dice. It was a little muddy, and pretty cold too. I busted out the Pam for the bike, but I don't think I really needed. In case you are wondering, strategically placed Pam helps prevent mud from caking up. Saving weight and a gunked up drive train.
I also decided to put some Sore No More on my legs so I could forego knee or leg warmers. You know, freak the cold weinies out for a psychological advantage. And if I told you my result, you could see that those 20 odd guys that finished in front of me were clearly intimidated.
I better get going so I can hit the road.
Hasta Lavista Wildabeasta.
That's right kiddos. Today will be the first day of skate skiing. Sounds like I could have gotten some earlier days in because the mountains have been getting pummled by snow the last few weeks. I guess I was just waiting for cross to be over and now it is.
The race yesterday was actually pretty fun. First semi-foul weather race of the year. I got up to a few inches of snow outside the door, but at the race locale, no dice. It was a little muddy, and pretty cold too. I busted out the Pam for the bike, but I don't think I really needed. In case you are wondering, strategically placed Pam helps prevent mud from caking up. Saving weight and a gunked up drive train.
I also decided to put some Sore No More on my legs so I could forego knee or leg warmers. You know, freak the cold weinies out for a psychological advantage. And if I told you my result, you could see that those 20 odd guys that finished in front of me were clearly intimidated.
I better get going so I can hit the road.
Hasta Lavista Wildabeasta.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
and It Burns, Burns, Burns
I have a friend that recently opined on the overexposure of Johnny Cash these days. I tend to agree, but this is freaking hilarious.
Preparation H made a bid to use Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire to sell the hemorrhoid cream. Cash's daughter, singer- songwriter Rosanne Cash, refused to allow it and told Advertising Age magazine the idea was "moronic."
Oh the pain of the Ol' ring of fire.
Preparation H made a bid to use Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire to sell the hemorrhoid cream. Cash's daughter, singer- songwriter Rosanne Cash, refused to allow it and told Advertising Age magazine the idea was "moronic."
Oh the pain of the Ol' ring of fire.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Happy Fucking Thanksgiving
I would like to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to my family back in Georgia that understood why I needed to move to Colorado. They understood so very well that they stopped talking to me. I think we are going on 4 years now. Thanks family. I'll always remember you.
Yeah. Sarcasm, but really dough, it was a good thanksgiving. I cooked my first turkey. A 14 lbs. honker. It turned out really well. I surprised myself. Me and my boy C-Dog pulled of a traditional meal. Turkey, mashed taters, green bean casserole, dressing (from scratch beeatch), and a lot of booze. If I say so myself, it was pretty damn good.
C-dog and I went out last night to the Larimer Lounge to catch a couple of bands. I wore my Dopers Suck t-shirt out. That usually gets A LOT of funny looks and a few odd comments. Most people don't understand the meaning behind the shirt. A cycling brotha from Boulder started the theme. He doesn't know me, but I appreciate what he does within the community.
Back to the show. We saw Born Under the Flood and Munly & The Lee Lewis Harlots. Both very good bands seen at a lo lo price. I love the Larimer Lounge and haven't been there in about a year. It was a lot more smoky this time around, but that's a small price to pay. After C-dog and I were done with the music, we called the 7s and the 3s. Those are the local cabbies. They never showed up, and we ended up taking a hike about 10 blocks away. Let me tell you, it wasn't warm.
By the time we caught a cab, we had both decided it was time to hit the Denver Diner. As you can guess, it was time for a nice greasy breakfast. I had the Ranch Breakfast. I won't go into the details, but it was hell of a lot of food for a low price. The result of the late night breakfast was getting bed at 3:30 and waking up at 9:30. That's a late start on today's meal, but we pulled it off. We even managed to fit in a 3.5 mile jog. We also hit the trifecta. Liquor, wine, and beer. All good shit.
Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday, so I would really like to send a word of appreciation out to my true friends, which, are my true family. I hope you all had a good one. I did. Too bad I have to go to work tomorrow, but if tradition holds true, it should be slow and we'll watch a little college pigskin.
I feel like I had a lot more to say, but I guess I'll leave it at that.
Yeah. Sarcasm, but really dough, it was a good thanksgiving. I cooked my first turkey. A 14 lbs. honker. It turned out really well. I surprised myself. Me and my boy C-Dog pulled of a traditional meal. Turkey, mashed taters, green bean casserole, dressing (from scratch beeatch), and a lot of booze. If I say so myself, it was pretty damn good.
C-dog and I went out last night to the Larimer Lounge to catch a couple of bands. I wore my Dopers Suck t-shirt out. That usually gets A LOT of funny looks and a few odd comments. Most people don't understand the meaning behind the shirt. A cycling brotha from Boulder started the theme. He doesn't know me, but I appreciate what he does within the community.
Back to the show. We saw Born Under the Flood and Munly & The Lee Lewis Harlots. Both very good bands seen at a lo lo price. I love the Larimer Lounge and haven't been there in about a year. It was a lot more smoky this time around, but that's a small price to pay. After C-dog and I were done with the music, we called the 7s and the 3s. Those are the local cabbies. They never showed up, and we ended up taking a hike about 10 blocks away. Let me tell you, it wasn't warm.
By the time we caught a cab, we had both decided it was time to hit the Denver Diner. As you can guess, it was time for a nice greasy breakfast. I had the Ranch Breakfast. I won't go into the details, but it was hell of a lot of food for a low price. The result of the late night breakfast was getting bed at 3:30 and waking up at 9:30. That's a late start on today's meal, but we pulled it off. We even managed to fit in a 3.5 mile jog. We also hit the trifecta. Liquor, wine, and beer. All good shit.
Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday, so I would really like to send a word of appreciation out to my true friends, which, are my true family. I hope you all had a good one. I did. Too bad I have to go to work tomorrow, but if tradition holds true, it should be slow and we'll watch a little college pigskin.
I feel like I had a lot more to say, but I guess I'll leave it at that.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Racing
Can I just say that I love racing? I know that sounds stupid, but I really do. Even when I suck ass at the discipline I'm participating in. There is just something about feeling that pain. Wondering why you are putting yourself through said pain. Putting yourself through more pain to sprint it out for higher a mid-pack place. Then, you finish and you absolutely know why you do it. You can't explain it but you feel it.
Can you guess that I raced today?
I got an e-mail from my Dad today. A bunch of gibberish about Liberals vs. Conservatives. I believe in good arguments about the virtues of each side left or right, but this "joke" just pissed me off to be honest with you. I let my Dad know how I felt about his e-mail. He said he read it as a joke. I said I think the people that send it along believe it to an extent. I think I pissed him off.
Well, I ended up watching Dateline AGAIN last night. Somehow I get sucked into that on Friday nights when I have neither the physical nor the mental energy to do anything else but watch TV. I guess I end up on Dateline because I don't have cable, so I only have 4 channels to choose from.
It was, however, a pretty interesting show. It was about Mark Chapman. You know, the guy that gunned down John Lennon. There were people on there that were arguing that he wasn't really off his rocker. That he did it for attention. HELLOOOOOOO. If you do that kind of thing for fame, I think you are off your rocker.
I learned a lot about Mr. Chapman and a few things about Lennon, but this thing dragged on forever. Forever I say. 2 freaking hours, but my ass was too tired to pull myself off the couch. Now, I don't know if you have watched any of those "TV magazine" shows where they only have a story and don't have any video footage to show you, but shit, I saw the same fucking five pictures of Mark Chapman at least 20 times. Every possible angle, again 20 times, of The Dakota, which is the building in which John, Yoko, and Sean lived. Same pictures of Mark Chapman again. The cover of The Catcher In The Rye at least 20 times. I guess ol' Markie boy had more than one obsession. The obsession with The Catcher supposedly planted the murder idea in his head, and believe now I know what the cover looks like. There had to be at least 15 minutes of shots of the cover taking up the 120 minutes contributed to the show.
Enough ranting. Like I said, it was pretty good, but it could have been wrapped up in an hour.
I don't know if I have disclosed this before, but I'm a Bama fan. Yes, they got their asses handed to them. Yes, it was by Auburn. No, I didn't go to Alabama, but a lot of my family did. I was on my way there, but I guess I didn't have the right people (or anyone) guiding me along. You would think with a family full of Alabama fans there would have been a little encouragement for me to go to Tuscaloosa. Every once and a while, I have a regret or two about that, but I probably wouldn't be out here if I had gone there.
I need another beer.
It's almost time to start skate skiing. In fact, I bet the mountains got enough snow this past week for some of the nordic centers to start opening. We'll see how the upper body holds up this year since I decided to forgo the weight room this fall.
I was in Urban Outfitters a couple of weeks ago and stumbled across a nice stainless steel flask. I flip it over and it has a picture of Jesus. Under the picture it reads, "What Wouldn't Jesus Do?" It made me laugh out loud in the store for about 5 minutes, so obviously I had to waste $14 on it. I filled it up with a Macallan 12 (probably a 14 or 15 by now) today and took it to the races. Took it with me out to watch the races after mine, but never took a nip. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe on Thanksgiving. To be honest with you, I thought it said, "What Would Jesus Do?" That's what really made me laugh. That makes more sense to my sarcastic mind, but it still makes me laugh now.
I'm going to get that beer. Later aight.
Can you guess that I raced today?
I got an e-mail from my Dad today. A bunch of gibberish about Liberals vs. Conservatives. I believe in good arguments about the virtues of each side left or right, but this "joke" just pissed me off to be honest with you. I let my Dad know how I felt about his e-mail. He said he read it as a joke. I said I think the people that send it along believe it to an extent. I think I pissed him off.
Well, I ended up watching Dateline AGAIN last night. Somehow I get sucked into that on Friday nights when I have neither the physical nor the mental energy to do anything else but watch TV. I guess I end up on Dateline because I don't have cable, so I only have 4 channels to choose from.
It was, however, a pretty interesting show. It was about Mark Chapman. You know, the guy that gunned down John Lennon. There were people on there that were arguing that he wasn't really off his rocker. That he did it for attention. HELLOOOOOOO. If you do that kind of thing for fame, I think you are off your rocker.
I learned a lot about Mr. Chapman and a few things about Lennon, but this thing dragged on forever. Forever I say. 2 freaking hours, but my ass was too tired to pull myself off the couch. Now, I don't know if you have watched any of those "TV magazine" shows where they only have a story and don't have any video footage to show you, but shit, I saw the same fucking five pictures of Mark Chapman at least 20 times. Every possible angle, again 20 times, of The Dakota, which is the building in which John, Yoko, and Sean lived. Same pictures of Mark Chapman again. The cover of The Catcher In The Rye at least 20 times. I guess ol' Markie boy had more than one obsession. The obsession with The Catcher supposedly planted the murder idea in his head, and believe now I know what the cover looks like. There had to be at least 15 minutes of shots of the cover taking up the 120 minutes contributed to the show.
Enough ranting. Like I said, it was pretty good, but it could have been wrapped up in an hour.
I don't know if I have disclosed this before, but I'm a Bama fan. Yes, they got their asses handed to them. Yes, it was by Auburn. No, I didn't go to Alabama, but a lot of my family did. I was on my way there, but I guess I didn't have the right people (or anyone) guiding me along. You would think with a family full of Alabama fans there would have been a little encouragement for me to go to Tuscaloosa. Every once and a while, I have a regret or two about that, but I probably wouldn't be out here if I had gone there.
I need another beer.
It's almost time to start skate skiing. In fact, I bet the mountains got enough snow this past week for some of the nordic centers to start opening. We'll see how the upper body holds up this year since I decided to forgo the weight room this fall.
I was in Urban Outfitters a couple of weeks ago and stumbled across a nice stainless steel flask. I flip it over and it has a picture of Jesus. Under the picture it reads, "What Wouldn't Jesus Do?" It made me laugh out loud in the store for about 5 minutes, so obviously I had to waste $14 on it. I filled it up with a Macallan 12 (probably a 14 or 15 by now) today and took it to the races. Took it with me out to watch the races after mine, but never took a nip. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe on Thanksgiving. To be honest with you, I thought it said, "What Would Jesus Do?" That's what really made me laugh. That makes more sense to my sarcastic mind, but it still makes me laugh now.
I'm going to get that beer. Later aight.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
This Guy Must Be A Terrorist
Maybe W can get ahold of him and teach him a thing or two about how we do things here in 'Mercia. Who is this commy liberal? He clearly knows nothing about our country.
"I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it." - Thomas Jefferson
"I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it." - Thomas Jefferson
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
TV melts the brain
How much time do I waste staring at the TV. I'm sitting here trying to think of something to contribute to the blog, but the boob tube has sucked out what little brain power I had.
I stumbled across this site the other day. It's called chattablogs.com. It's a free blog host for Chattanooga residents I think. Except, I stumbled across one where all the references were to Chicago locales. I went to school in Chattavegas, and I keep expecting to stumble across a blog of someone I know, but it seems to be mostly the musings of your typical southern religious folks. I seem some pictures of the town and miss it, but then I read some of the religious blogs and it makes me glad I don't have to deal with those people anymore. Some of the posts are really quite amusing.
It looks like Mr. Bush and the republicans are under the gun after yesterday's elections. Maybe that is a sign of things to come.
Speaking of religion and politics, there was a piece on Dateline a couple of weeks ago about how much political power the evangelical christians are wielding these days. It was a little disturbing to be honest with you. Why do these people insist on imposing there "moral values" on the rest of us? What happened to freedom of religion? Go read your history books people.
On to a lighter subject. I did another cross race this past weekend. Had a very tiny bit of go left at the end of the race. I usually just get passed during the entire thing, but I was actually passing people at the end of this one. That was nice for a change, but I still wasn't happy with the results. It's amazing how much fitness I lose in a short amount of time. Guys that I could keep up with in a mountain bike race make me look like I'm pedaling with one leg. Trust me, it's not as fast as this guy. Maybe it's all the booze I shove down my gullet for the months after my last mountain bike race.
Well, I'll try to hit it again this weekend. Maybe I'll do better if I don't drink a six pack the night before. The odds of either of those happening are pretty minimal.
That's it for tonight.
I stumbled across this site the other day. It's called chattablogs.com. It's a free blog host for Chattanooga residents I think. Except, I stumbled across one where all the references were to Chicago locales. I went to school in Chattavegas, and I keep expecting to stumble across a blog of someone I know, but it seems to be mostly the musings of your typical southern religious folks. I seem some pictures of the town and miss it, but then I read some of the religious blogs and it makes me glad I don't have to deal with those people anymore. Some of the posts are really quite amusing.
It looks like Mr. Bush and the republicans are under the gun after yesterday's elections. Maybe that is a sign of things to come.
Speaking of religion and politics, there was a piece on Dateline a couple of weeks ago about how much political power the evangelical christians are wielding these days. It was a little disturbing to be honest with you. Why do these people insist on imposing there "moral values" on the rest of us? What happened to freedom of religion? Go read your history books people.
On to a lighter subject. I did another cross race this past weekend. Had a very tiny bit of go left at the end of the race. I usually just get passed during the entire thing, but I was actually passing people at the end of this one. That was nice for a change, but I still wasn't happy with the results. It's amazing how much fitness I lose in a short amount of time. Guys that I could keep up with in a mountain bike race make me look like I'm pedaling with one leg. Trust me, it's not as fast as this guy. Maybe it's all the booze I shove down my gullet for the months after my last mountain bike race.
Well, I'll try to hit it again this weekend. Maybe I'll do better if I don't drink a six pack the night before. The odds of either of those happening are pretty minimal.
That's it for tonight.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
WINDY
WINDY as hell today. Doesn't make for a fun ride. Neither does the fact that I'm only good for about 2 hours right now. Pretty sad state of affaris.
I stumbled across this link at the Drunk Cyclist blog. Pretty good article about the war and media coverage.
http://nitpicker.blogspot.com/2005/10/soul-of-victor-davis-hanson.html
It's long, but some good stuff. Especially the E.B. White quote.
I stumbled across this link at the Drunk Cyclist blog. Pretty good article about the war and media coverage.
http://nitpicker.blogspot.com/2005/10/soul-of-victor-davis-hanson.html
It's long, but some good stuff. Especially the E.B. White quote.
Excuse Me?
Ah, the sound of rain while lying in bed. A beautiful thing it is. Very relaxing, or if you have cyclocross race on the schedule the next day, very exciting.
I rolled out of bed at around 7:30. Much earlier that I had wanted due to the fact that my race wasn't until 1:20, but that's happens when you are a loser and go to bed at 9 on a Friday night. Anyway, I decided to get up and have my espresso. Pre-race caffeine buzzes are great. A plus is that they help other things get going too.
Since I had plenty of time to kill, I pop open the ol' laptop to do a little surfing. I don't know what universal force guided me over to the ACA website, but I'm glad it did. There is big bold letters was,"Due to last night weather conditions, today's (Nov 5th) . . . venue is unridable. The race has been postponed till Nov 27th- venue to be determined."
now I can't get this stupid bold shit off.
I sit there and stare at this interesting statement. I think to myself, "I thought it was fall and I thought this was a cross race." When you start talking mud, rain, snow, etc, most cyclocrossers get a big stiffie. While I don't consider myself a cross racer, I love those conditions. I don't necessarily like them when I have to get on my road bike or mountain bike, but for cross, it's a blast. Not rideable is ok because a typical cross race includes you getting of your bike, shouldering it, and running. A little more won't hurt.
It didn't rain that much last night, and it's been dry as hell around here for the last month. I would think the small amount of rain we got last night would get soaked right up. I e-mailed the race promoter a nice e-mail. I didn't criticize him, but asked for the reasoning. I'm guessing it was the property owner's call. They had the state championships out there last year, and it was a snowy muddy mess.
Oh well. In the words of Mr. Bertuzzi, "it is what is. It is what it is. It is what it is." However, I did skip BEER last night, and I'm angry about that.
In other news, I don't think I ever mentioned on this very popular blog that I was growing a mustache. I know I know. Mustaches are way too cool for a person of my lowly stature, but I was doing it for charity. I manage to raise a bit of money, but the best part was the inclusion of the 'stache in my Halloween costume. Rachel and I went as Officers Johnson and Dangle from Reno 911. Yes, I wore the short shorts. Yes, we had pictures taken. No, the weren't full body shots. Only from the waist up. One's mind doesn't conjure such brilliant ideas when you're pouring Everclear down your throat. The point being, maybe I'll have some pics up in the next day or so.
I rolled out of bed at around 7:30. Much earlier that I had wanted due to the fact that my race wasn't until 1:20, but that's happens when you are a loser and go to bed at 9 on a Friday night. Anyway, I decided to get up and have my espresso. Pre-race caffeine buzzes are great. A plus is that they help other things get going too.
Since I had plenty of time to kill, I pop open the ol' laptop to do a little surfing. I don't know what universal force guided me over to the ACA website, but I'm glad it did. There is big bold letters was,"Due to last night weather conditions, today's (Nov 5th) . . . venue is unridable. The race has been postponed till Nov 27th- venue to be determined."
now I can't get this stupid bold shit off.
I sit there and stare at this interesting statement. I think to myself, "I thought it was fall and I thought this was a cross race." When you start talking mud, rain, snow, etc, most cyclocrossers get a big stiffie. While I don't consider myself a cross racer, I love those conditions. I don't necessarily like them when I have to get on my road bike or mountain bike, but for cross, it's a blast. Not rideable is ok because a typical cross race includes you getting of your bike, shouldering it, and running. A little more won't hurt.
It didn't rain that much last night, and it's been dry as hell around here for the last month. I would think the small amount of rain we got last night would get soaked right up. I e-mailed the race promoter a nice e-mail. I didn't criticize him, but asked for the reasoning. I'm guessing it was the property owner's call. They had the state championships out there last year, and it was a snowy muddy mess.
Oh well. In the words of Mr. Bertuzzi, "it is what is. It is what it is. It is what it is." However, I did skip BEER last night, and I'm angry about that.
In other news, I don't think I ever mentioned on this very popular blog that I was growing a mustache. I know I know. Mustaches are way too cool for a person of my lowly stature, but I was doing it for charity. I manage to raise a bit of money, but the best part was the inclusion of the 'stache in my Halloween costume. Rachel and I went as Officers Johnson and Dangle from Reno 911. Yes, I wore the short shorts. Yes, we had pictures taken. No, the weren't full body shots. Only from the waist up. One's mind doesn't conjure such brilliant ideas when you're pouring Everclear down your throat. The point being, maybe I'll have some pics up in the next day or so.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
I'm A Wheel
Just got back from Indianapolis. Indiana that is. Went out at the last minute to surprise my boy Tracy for his 30th birthday. He didn't have a clue I was coming, and his wife picked me up at the airport. I rang the doorbell and his exact words were, "what the f8ck?" I'm not sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but he definitely was surprised.
One of the bonuses of going out there was to catch yet another Wilco show. If they are still playing 30 years from now, I'm we'll be going 30 years from now, and hopefully we'll be draggin' D and B with us.
Of course, it was a great show. Every Wilco show is a great show. It wasn't the best I've seen (and definitely not the cheapest), but it was a hell of a lot of fun.
Now, I'm back in Denver. Sitting outside in the ol' courtyard and drinking a beer while the sun goes down. It was fun to see the McGills. They are definitely on the right track I'm happy to report. The two little ones are cute as hell too.
Well, I've committed to getting a little more organized with my training early this year. At least, that is what I've talked about with Coach Phil. After we got of the phone, however, it seemed like I'm not doing things too much different than in previous years. It's just going to be a little more structured. I guess that means I'll be laying off the booze a little earlier this year. I guess I should say a little more a little earlier. I can't see myself not being liquored/beered/wined up on Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday after all. Food and booze. What more could you ask for?
I did manage to get my ass off the couch last weekend for a 'cross race. I was pretty happy with it considering I never have big aspirations for that discipline. It's just something I do to get me motivated to get out and exercise some this time of year and to keep from putting on too many L-Bs. Anyway, it seemed like I carried over a small amount of bike fitness, but there was a lot of running. I definitely don't have that snap in my legs yet. Considering how much crap I've been eating and how much beer I've been imbibing, I did pretty decent.
I guess that is about it for now. I'm going to try to update this thing a little more frequently.
One of the bonuses of going out there was to catch yet another Wilco show. If they are still playing 30 years from now, I'm we'll be going 30 years from now, and hopefully we'll be draggin' D and B with us.
Of course, it was a great show. Every Wilco show is a great show. It wasn't the best I've seen (and definitely not the cheapest), but it was a hell of a lot of fun.
Now, I'm back in Denver. Sitting outside in the ol' courtyard and drinking a beer while the sun goes down. It was fun to see the McGills. They are definitely on the right track I'm happy to report. The two little ones are cute as hell too.
Well, I've committed to getting a little more organized with my training early this year. At least, that is what I've talked about with Coach Phil. After we got of the phone, however, it seemed like I'm not doing things too much different than in previous years. It's just going to be a little more structured. I guess that means I'll be laying off the booze a little earlier this year. I guess I should say a little more a little earlier. I can't see myself not being liquored/beered/wined up on Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday after all. Food and booze. What more could you ask for?
I did manage to get my ass off the couch last weekend for a 'cross race. I was pretty happy with it considering I never have big aspirations for that discipline. It's just something I do to get me motivated to get out and exercise some this time of year and to keep from putting on too many L-Bs. Anyway, it seemed like I carried over a small amount of bike fitness, but there was a lot of running. I definitely don't have that snap in my legs yet. Considering how much crap I've been eating and how much beer I've been imbibing, I did pretty decent.
I guess that is about it for now. I'm going to try to update this thing a little more frequently.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Monday, September 05, 2005
On the Ball
I was driving to Keystone yesterday morning when I was struck by the marketing genius of the people at the Silver Plume Bureau of Tourism. Right at the exit for the town, there was a 4 ft x 6 ft sign. It was white lettering with a green background that read, "Visit Silver Plume."
I was so taken by the command, that if I wasn't blazing down the interstate at the extreme speed of 60 mph, I would have stopped. Alas! The speed was just too great to make the exit in time.
I was so taken by the command, that if I wasn't blazing down the interstate at the extreme speed of 60 mph, I would have stopped. Alas! The speed was just too great to make the exit in time.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
The Podium
Well, Lance won again. I guess that has been known for a week now. What a way to end an era. I've always had a love/hate relationship with LA. I admire what he has overcome and accomplished, but at times he does and says some things that I don't agree with. That being said, I wouldn't turn him down if he called me up to go for a ride, and he definitely is an inspiration. At some point or another, we've all tried to emulate him out on our rides. You don't want to copy second best.
Way to go Lance!
I feel sorry for Rasmussen and his melt down in the final time trial. He was definitely one of the big stories of The Tour, and he used to be a mountain biker. I'm partial to those guys. Cadel Evans is another one. It was good, however, to see Jan fight back and be able to hop up on the podium. He definitely had a tough start after crashing into the back of his team car the day before the start.
Basso looked as strong as ever. He has become an excellent time trialer, although he did start out a little too fast in the final one. I think he will be a force to reckon with in the future. Next year's race should be spectacular. Basso, Ullrich, Vinokurov with Liberty Seguros, Valverde, and more. I'm sure there will be some other revelation that no one counted on.
Now time for my races. The standard mountain bike cross country race was on Saturday. I pre-rode the course on Friday. My legs felt pretty good, so I was excited about the race. My plan was just to get up with the top 5 at the start and see if it sticks. The sticking was the big question. You see, after a hair pin start, the course takes a turn straight up hill. Were talking about 1300 feet of climbing in about 3 or 4 miles. If you can't do the math, that is steep.
Well, I did manage to get it to stick. For the first time in a race this year, I felt like I was climbing strongly. I think I fell back to about 8th at one point, but was able to attack at the crest of the first climb and make up a couple of places. I had a solid descent, and was able to get with a couple of guys for the 2nd round of the big climb. I still felt strong and was able to make some accelerations to try to drop some guys. One guy overtook me, but I got the other one. By the top of the course I was pretty spent. I made a visit it to la la land at one point. I couldn't figure out why the singletrack was so rough, but then I looked down and noticed my fork was locked out. There's an explanation for you. I just had the descent left, and I was in pretty good shape. I did lose one place right before the last section of singletrack. There was one little uphill section left, but I didn't have enough to catch the passer. I got to the finish and the announcer said I was the 5th place finisher. My best finish at a National, and since they go 5 deep for the podium at those races, my first National podium! Of course, that is always thanks to a little good luck.
I decided to celebrate a little. Rachel, my dad, and I decided to go get some dinner. Just in time too because a hell of a storm rolled in to the village. A gullywasher I tell you. A waterfall appeared on the steps from the upper level of the village to the middle level. I decided this was a perfect time to polish off some drinks. A beer and three margs later I was feeling pretty good, however, an hour earlier, I had decided I was going to do the short track cross country race on Sunday.
Luckily, said race wasn't until 10:30 on Sunday. I woke up in the morning feeling pretty good. That is until I got on the bike and had to ride it up that damned hill to the short track course. The legs were definitely feeling yesterday's effort, but after a little warm up, they started coming around a little.
The short track course was actually a decent mountain bike course. At some places, the short track races are nothing more than a glorified road criterium race, but this one actually had a couple of sections where you had to make an effort to keep the bike rolling and upright.
10:30 rolled around and we had a whistle sending us off. For some reason, the crafty racer next to me decided to take a diagonal line straight into my path. He nearly knocked me off my bike, and I had to sprint around the group and back up to the front. Not a good thing considering this is only a 25 minute race anyway, and it's balls to the walls from the gun (or whistle). I could never make contact with the front two guys, but did manage to get in a group with two other guys. I eventually dropped them. One of the tried to run some cyclocross wheels and tires and wasn't able to get through the rough stuff too well, and the other simply faded a bit. Well, Mr. Other didn't fade for too long, and despite my best efforts, he kept getting closer. Eventually, I decided to cut my losses because I wasn't gaining any ground on those front burners. I slowed to let Mr. Other catch up. I sat in the front a while and eventually decided to let him and do some work. With a lap to go, I had decided I would attack him at the top of the short bumpy climb he had trouble with on the previous laps. I managed to dig down and find a little something for the attack and put a gap on him by the downhill section. It stuck to the end, and in case you lost track of where I was, that was a 3rd place finish. Another best and podium at a national. The training seems to be working. Thanks Phil!
My dad managed to get 3rd in his race on Saturday. An all time best for him! Way to go Dad! Well, I guess that's enough rambling on about stuff that only I really care about.
Maybe sometime in the future I'll get all philosophical and type something someone else can relate to. Yeah right!
Friday, July 22, 2005
Chillin In Snowmass
Typing here in the hotel room. Not really a hotel I guess. It's a "lodge." Nice place with friendly employees.
Right now I'm watching the VH1 countdown of the 40 Most Awesomely Bad Dirty Songs ever. There commentary on all these VH1 shows crack me up. So far, we've seen, Whomp There It Is by Tag Team, I Want Action Tonight by Poison, and Bump, Bump, Bump by B2K. Quality songs I tell you. Were at 30 to go, so we have quality and quantity. What more could you ask for? I can't believe I don't have cable for all this educational programming.
So the reason I'm in Snowmass is for my first National Mountain Bike Series race. NMBS or National for short. This course is usually a 13 mile loop. Steep, long climbs, tough rolling single track, and some nice singletrack descents. Oh sorry, I just noticed that Dirty is actually Dirrty. Oh boy, I Touch Myself by The DiVinyls.
Anyway, back to tomorrows race. They essentially cut the course in half, but we still only have to do two laps. That will make the race about an hour shorter than in previous years, and it will be fast fast fast.
I felt pretty good pre-riding the course today, so I hope to feel at least that good tomorrow. I was feeling pretty questionable earlier this week due to a couple of stressful weeks at work and some intense training. Not a good combo, but I think I'm on the rebound. Hopefully the race at Winter Park a couple of weekends ago is an indication of things to come. Let's just hope my stomach cooperates.
I WANT ACTION TONIGHT, SATISFACTION ALL NIGHT!
Right now I'm watching the VH1 countdown of the 40 Most Awesomely Bad Dirty Songs ever. There commentary on all these VH1 shows crack me up. So far, we've seen, Whomp There It Is by Tag Team, I Want Action Tonight by Poison, and Bump, Bump, Bump by B2K. Quality songs I tell you. Were at 30 to go, so we have quality and quantity. What more could you ask for? I can't believe I don't have cable for all this educational programming.
So the reason I'm in Snowmass is for my first National Mountain Bike Series race. NMBS or National for short. This course is usually a 13 mile loop. Steep, long climbs, tough rolling single track, and some nice singletrack descents. Oh sorry, I just noticed that Dirty is actually Dirrty. Oh boy, I Touch Myself by The DiVinyls.
Anyway, back to tomorrows race. They essentially cut the course in half, but we still only have to do two laps. That will make the race about an hour shorter than in previous years, and it will be fast fast fast.
I felt pretty good pre-riding the course today, so I hope to feel at least that good tomorrow. I was feeling pretty questionable earlier this week due to a couple of stressful weeks at work and some intense training. Not a good combo, but I think I'm on the rebound. Hopefully the race at Winter Park a couple of weekends ago is an indication of things to come. Let's just hope my stomach cooperates.
I WANT ACTION TONIGHT, SATISFACTION ALL NIGHT!
Monday, July 18, 2005
Monday, July 11, 2005
Racing, racing, racing
Well, that is what has consumed my life lately. Either getting ready for it, doing it, or watching it on TV.
How about the Tour? A few surprises and a lot of wrecks. Those guys were dropping like flies on yesterday's stage. Looked like mostly stupid crashes most likely caused by fatigued.
Lance found himself alone on the final climb of stage 7. It was a nice gradual climb, which, produced some really high speeds. T-Mobile definitely took advantage of Lance's solitude. Vinokourov, the Krazy Kazakh, accelerated several times, but LA was able to counter. Eventually, Kloden went out, and they let him go. In a short amount of time, he caught the race leader Weening, and they duked it out to the very end. Supposedly Weening crossed the line first. I think his slobber, as seen to the left, gave him the 1cm edge at the finish.
As far as yesterday's stage goes, you gotta give your props to the former MOUNTAIN BIKE racer Rasmussen. What a solo break for the win. I recorded that stage, and unfortunately, learned of the results, via my coaching website. I went to log in Sunday's ride, and right there in the top right corner it said, "Rasumssen takes stage." Damnitalltohell, I waited all day to watch the reply, and it wasn't nearly as exciting to watch knowing that his attack stuck all the way through. Good stuff nonetheless.
I did a short mountain bike race in Winter Park on Saturday. I had a fairly heavy week of training in the week preceding. Moderate volume and high intensity with the hardest effort on Thursday.
When I started to warm up for the race, I was definitely feeling that effort in my legs. With it being such a short race, I knew I was in for a little extra suffering. I actually had a pretty good start. I didn't feel like I had gone out that hard, but I looked back and no one was with me. The fast guys of the group eventually caught up, and my legs were feeling pretty tired from the get go. Good thing it was just a fun/training race.
With a little bit of luck and a lot of "sucking it up," I was able to get back on the podium for the first time in a while. With a 3rd place (out of only 8 guys), it was the bottom of the podium, but it's still the podium. I was only a minute and a half of the winner, a guy that wins some of the other local races, and I improved my time by a minute and a half over last year on the same course. Not bad for a tough training week. All and all I was happy with it.
Time to get ready for the National in Snowmass in a couple of weeks.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
My Head Itches
Will you scratch it? At 65 km an hour? Thanks.So, can you tell I'm back in the race scene? I haven't been updating the blog too much.
Hmm, what's been going on? Lots of training/riding. Raced at Eldora this past weekend. Last year, that was a pretty good race for me. It started off that way for me this year, but with about a lap and half to go, I imploded and seriously faded off pace. I guess all and all it wasn't too bad considering. There were some folks complaining on the series website about the amount of mud in one particular section. My question to those folks is: do you race mountain bikes. I did a national out in Wisconsin a few years ago, and the entire course was that muddy. I think the racers out here get a little too used to our dry conditions. In my opinion, it was a great course. It has a little bit of everything, including a nice gnarly fast rocky descent. Well, fast for some. Not so fast for me. I'm still working on getting the new bike dialed.
After the race, Rachel and I headed over to Grand Lake to stay at a friends cabin. I don't know if cabin is an appropriate description since it's bigger than most peoples houses. The main room has huge picture windows with a view of the Neversummer range. Sweet.
We rushed out as soon as we got there to watch Le Tour. Good opening stage. How about Big Dave taking the maillot jaune on the first day? I guess that is the biggest excitement except for Big Tex making Jan look like he was pure climber domestique during his TT. It's definitely not matching the excitement of the Giro. We'll see.
Sunday, a bunch of us headed out to Winter Park to get some riding in. Didn't turn out to be much of a ride because it started raining and the temps dropped in to the 40s after about an hour and a half. Rachel cooked us a great dinner that night, and the beer from the Grand Lake Brewery tasted way too good.
Monday was supposed to be a rest day according to the schedule, but Mattius, Woodrow, and myself headed out for a semi-epic ride. We headed out from the "cabin" and straight up to the Divide. TONS of climbing. From what I had heard of this ride, I thought it was going to be boring, but once we hit the single track, it was daaaamn fun. We got up above tree line and to the border of the Neversummer Wilderness Area, where of course, we had to turn around. The 3 hours of climbing was about to turn into about 45 minutes of some pretty rockin descending. Rocky, rooty, muddy, you name it we had it. Tight switch backs, stream crossing, baby heads, and lots of berms to catch some air. Great 4 hour ride. Especially for a day that I wasn't supposed to be on the bike at all.
It was good hanging out with everyone. I hadn't seen Moon in a while and Wood in a long while. Wood's an old racing buddy that feel out of the scene for a variety of reasons a while back. Thanks Matt and Holly for putting us up!
Time for bed.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Crested Butte
Well, it's been a few days since the race, but I thought I would type something up anyway. This was a beast of a race for the first one back. 30 miles with 1800 ft of climbing per lap. That's what the website is, but those guys always exaggerate. My dad did a lap, and his computer said 9 miles with 1500 ft of elevation gain. Either way, that's a lot of climbing in a short distance, which means all the climbs were steep. Not my forte. Steep climb, short descent, steep climb, short descent. Not much rest.
All things considered, I guess I did ok. I wasn't terribly happy with my time, but I did it a little faster than I did a few years ago. I didn't fade on the last lap like I have had a tendency to do in the past. In fact, I think I made up a few places on the last lap. I ended up 9th with a time of just under 2:55. I definitely expected a lot more, but I guess I shouldn't since all the other guys had race fitness and I didn't.
The new Yeti did ok. I wasn't horribly happy with the way it was riding, but that isn't the bike's fault. I rode it more in the race than I had at all before. I need to get the fork and shock dialed in and it should be like butter. I think I have the air pressures right and just need to mess with the rebound. Either that or they just need some breaking in. All in all, it's a great bike. Can't wait to get it smoothed out.
This coming weekend is the Eldora race, which, matches my strengths a little better. Short climbs, steady climbs, some flats, and fast descents. I had a pretty good race there last year, so with a race under my belt and a taper week, hopefully I'll see this coaching and training come together.
Pretty dull post. Sorry, I'm tired.
All things considered, I guess I did ok. I wasn't terribly happy with my time, but I did it a little faster than I did a few years ago. I didn't fade on the last lap like I have had a tendency to do in the past. In fact, I think I made up a few places on the last lap. I ended up 9th with a time of just under 2:55. I definitely expected a lot more, but I guess I shouldn't since all the other guys had race fitness and I didn't.
The new Yeti did ok. I wasn't horribly happy with the way it was riding, but that isn't the bike's fault. I rode it more in the race than I had at all before. I need to get the fork and shock dialed in and it should be like butter. I think I have the air pressures right and just need to mess with the rebound. Either that or they just need some breaking in. All in all, it's a great bike. Can't wait to get it smoothed out.
This coming weekend is the Eldora race, which, matches my strengths a little better. Short climbs, steady climbs, some flats, and fast descents. I had a pretty good race there last year, so with a race under my belt and a taper week, hopefully I'll see this coaching and training come together.
Pretty dull post. Sorry, I'm tired.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Long time no post
Well, I haven't updated this thing in a while, so I'll bring you up to date. I haven't been doing much really. Just working and riding a lot. Last Sunday, I got my first "race" under my belt. I don't know if you would call a Cat. 4 crit a race since it's more like the chariot race scene from Ben-Hur. Imagine if you will, 70 guys lining up for a race. One quarter of those guys know how to actually ride a bike and ride it fast. 50% just know how to make it go fast and can't make a straight line through a turn to save their lives. The last quarter of guys have the misguided belief that because this is the lowest class in Colorado road racing that it is for beginners. Sorry guys. No such thing as a beginners road race here. These are some pretty fit fuckers. I just kept praying I wouldn't be eating asphalt. One guy went down, but luckily he managed to land his face plant in someones front yard. I've read that if you do crits, it's not a matter of if you will wreck, but when you will wreck. Here is a good definition of a criterium. The Cat. 4 crits around here are 45 minutes.
Long story boring, I gut cut off by one freaking guy 4 times and a couple of other times by some other guys. How did these guys get so fast on a bike without learning to ride it. Bottom line, I got cut off by the one guy with a lap and a half to go. It was only a .7 mile circuit with 6 turns. With a lap and a half to go everyone is balls to the wall. If you have to tap your breaks, which I did, consider yourself relegated to the back of the pack. I managed to pass a handful of guys on the final sprint, so I wasn't quite DFL.
I need to get to bed, so I'll have to update you later on my first post-surgery mountain bike race that took place Saturday in Crusty Butt.
Later Aight.
Long story boring, I gut cut off by one freaking guy 4 times and a couple of other times by some other guys. How did these guys get so fast on a bike without learning to ride it. Bottom line, I got cut off by the one guy with a lap and a half to go. It was only a .7 mile circuit with 6 turns. With a lap and a half to go everyone is balls to the wall. If you have to tap your breaks, which I did, consider yourself relegated to the back of the pack. I managed to pass a handful of guys on the final sprint, so I wasn't quite DFL.
I need to get to bed, so I'll have to update you later on my first post-surgery mountain bike race that took place Saturday in Crusty Butt.
Later Aight.
Saturday, June 18, 2005
I'd Like To Thank You All For Nothing, Nothing, Nothing At All
Wilco, Red Rocks. Need I say more? Red Rocks does something to the bands that play there. They always step it up a notch. I don't know if I can say it's the best Wilco show I've seen (mainly because most of them are a blur), but it was damn good. They definitely surprised me by busting out some oldies, and they even closed the show with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers' Something In The Air. Hell of a show, and I got a nice buzz off of two beers. All the pot being smoked around me could have had something to do with that.
Looks like I'm going to do a race this weekend. Just a crit on Sunday. I've been feeling a little off these days. Seems like the day I got off the trainer, I started feeling borderline overtrained, so I haven't spent much time on the bike lately. I had a pretty tough workout yesterday, and I was hurtin a little bit today. Looking at my average speeds for those high end intervals definitely makes me appreciate what those guys in the pro peloton are able to accomplish.
I finally got my new mountain bike on Wednesday. Thanks Yeti! Thanks Joe @ Yeti for tolerating all my phone calls, and thanks to everyone at Yeti for the helping hand. I sure am ready to hit the dirt and do some racing on the dirt. My first mountain bike race of the season will be in Crusty Butt (Crested Butte) next weekend. That's a hell of a race for the first one, but it's a fun course. I hope to stick around to get some riding in on the day after the race. If you haven't ridden there, the trails are absolutely epic.
I'll try to get some pictures of the new ride up as soon as I get it together. I guess I need to link up Yeti under the "sponsor" column.
Just one quickie. How about Chris Horner pulling of the stage win at the Tour de Suisse. I'm not a huge fan of his due to his big, whinny mouth, but he backed it up that day. I'm glad to see he is going to make Saunier Duval's Tour team.
Happy Birthday Cannibal! He's 60 today, and if anyone tries to tell you Lance Armstrong is the best cyclist ever, you tell them not to forget Eddy.
Looks like I'm going to do a race this weekend. Just a crit on Sunday. I've been feeling a little off these days. Seems like the day I got off the trainer, I started feeling borderline overtrained, so I haven't spent much time on the bike lately. I had a pretty tough workout yesterday, and I was hurtin a little bit today. Looking at my average speeds for those high end intervals definitely makes me appreciate what those guys in the pro peloton are able to accomplish.
I finally got my new mountain bike on Wednesday. Thanks Yeti! Thanks Joe @ Yeti for tolerating all my phone calls, and thanks to everyone at Yeti for the helping hand. I sure am ready to hit the dirt and do some racing on the dirt. My first mountain bike race of the season will be in Crusty Butt (Crested Butte) next weekend. That's a hell of a race for the first one, but it's a fun course. I hope to stick around to get some riding in on the day after the race. If you haven't ridden there, the trails are absolutely epic.
I'll try to get some pictures of the new ride up as soon as I get it together. I guess I need to link up Yeti under the "sponsor" column.
Just one quickie. How about Chris Horner pulling of the stage win at the Tour de Suisse. I'm not a huge fan of his due to his big, whinny mouth, but he backed it up that day. I'm glad to see he is going to make Saunier Duval's Tour team.
Happy Birthday Cannibal! He's 60 today, and if anyone tries to tell you Lance Armstrong is the best cyclist ever, you tell them not to forget Eddy.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Cranial Numbness
Damnitalltohell. It started raining last night, and it hasn't freaking quit. I live in Colorado for chrissake. You wouldn't know it from the last few weeks. Reminds me of a winter back in Georgia. I didn't mind it so much when I was stuck on that godforsaken indoor trainer, but now I'm good to go. Good to go and it's wetter than a, well it's freaking wet outside.
I guess that's ok since it's kind of a rest week for me this week, and I've felt like ass this past week. Up until yesterday that is. Now, I'm really wanting to ride.
Maybe I'll watch this basketball championship game. It's the funniest thing you've ever seen. Looks like they are playing on artificial turf and have shoulder pads on. There aren't any hoops either. Strange.
If you are looking for some good reading, check this blog post out. I'm not the biggest fan of Mr. Dean and unlike this guy, I think his yelp was a legitimate campaign killer. However, there is some truth to this post. Most everyone I know thinks politicians are worthless snakes in the grass, but the same people aren't willing to admit that it is them as part of our current society that has created today's politician. If people don't want to really hear the truth, they aren't going to get it, and then you get these mannequins that spew out line after line of sanitized blather.
Wait a minute. I thought Colorado's basketball team was the Denver Nuggets. Who are the Colorado Crush?
I guess that's ok since it's kind of a rest week for me this week, and I've felt like ass this past week. Up until yesterday that is. Now, I'm really wanting to ride.
Maybe I'll watch this basketball championship game. It's the funniest thing you've ever seen. Looks like they are playing on artificial turf and have shoulder pads on. There aren't any hoops either. Strange.
If you are looking for some good reading, check this blog post out. I'm not the biggest fan of Mr. Dean and unlike this guy, I think his yelp was a legitimate campaign killer. However, there is some truth to this post. Most everyone I know thinks politicians are worthless snakes in the grass, but the same people aren't willing to admit that it is them as part of our current society that has created today's politician. If people don't want to really hear the truth, they aren't going to get it, and then you get these mannequins that spew out line after line of sanitized blather.
Wait a minute. I thought Colorado's basketball team was the Denver Nuggets. Who are the Colorado Crush?
Coach Phil
Can I just say that I have a great coach? I sent him an e-mail a few days ago because I was concerned that I may be getting close to being "overtrained." He called me back last night, and it wasn't even during his "office" hours. Cool guy. Thanks Phil! If anyone out there is looking for a good cycling coach drop me an e-mail.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
I'm baaack in the saddle again!
Just like Steven Tyler once sang. Well, I'm not back in that saddle quite yet. Rachel is in Africa, but the Doc did give me the go ahead today. It was nice to put some pressure on the pedals and actually have the bike go forward. I kept seeing images of a TV in front of me, but none were there.
Man it felt gooooooooood. Kind of funny how a couple of hours of intervals will make you want to get off the bike even after riding indoors for 7 weeks. Especially those overunder intervals. Those damn things worked me over. Basically you spend 8 minutes just under your lactate threshold power (or heartrate) and then 2 minutes just at or over. However, the kicker to these intervals is you don't get a break before the next one. It's back down to just under LT for 8 minutes and then back at and over LT. Let's do one more and then you get to take a 5 minute break! After the break, it's back to another. I only got 2 in on the second set. I'm going to say I ran out of time for the 3rd one. I swear it had nothing to do with me wussing out.
Later Skater
Man it felt gooooooooood. Kind of funny how a couple of hours of intervals will make you want to get off the bike even after riding indoors for 7 weeks. Especially those overunder intervals. Those damn things worked me over. Basically you spend 8 minutes just under your lactate threshold power (or heartrate) and then 2 minutes just at or over. However, the kicker to these intervals is you don't get a break before the next one. It's back down to just under LT for 8 minutes and then back at and over LT. Let's do one more and then you get to take a 5 minute break! After the break, it's back to another. I only got 2 in on the second set. I'm going to say I ran out of time for the 3rd one. I swear it had nothing to do with me wussing out.
Later Skater
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Uh . . . um
So that is what all those uh and ums mean.
http://www.whitehouse.org/news/2005/060105.asp
http://www.whitehouse.org/news/2005/060105.asp
Friday, June 03, 2005
Need to post
I need to post something, but I don't have anything on my mind at the moment. I'm tired as hell because it's been a busy last couple of weeks.
I go to the doctor on the 8th. That's a week before the six weeks I was told that I wouldn't be able to ride outside. We'll see if he lets me back on at that point. I think that I've been pretty damn motivated and have done a hell of a job getting my riding in on the trainer. It's been about 6 weeks since I've ridden outside. I haven't been on the bike that whole time. Some days were missed for various reasons. My motivation hit a brick wall this past week. I had a good ride on Tuesday, but entered exhaustion on Wednesday. Too much working, riding, drinking booze, and not enough resting. Took Wednesday off and got back on yesterday. That took some major self-convincing. There were a lot of things telling me not to get on that godforsaken trainer. I did and got some good intervals in at good power outputs. Now I'm back to tired again.
I keep getting teased by the manufacturer of my new bike. I ordered the damn thing back in February and I still don't fucking have it. A month ago I was told it would be ready two weeks ago. Two weeks ago, I was told that I would get it last week. Yesterday, I was told it would be next week. I'll not mention the name of said manufacturer because I still want this bike. I know I'm not at the top of their list for getting a bike, so I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. They don't have to do this at all,.
I feel like I'm fighting off a cold, so hopefully a good night of rest will fight this off. Every person that I come in to contact with has had the freaking sniffles.
That's all for now all my many faithful readers.
I go to the doctor on the 8th. That's a week before the six weeks I was told that I wouldn't be able to ride outside. We'll see if he lets me back on at that point. I think that I've been pretty damn motivated and have done a hell of a job getting my riding in on the trainer. It's been about 6 weeks since I've ridden outside. I haven't been on the bike that whole time. Some days were missed for various reasons. My motivation hit a brick wall this past week. I had a good ride on Tuesday, but entered exhaustion on Wednesday. Too much working, riding, drinking booze, and not enough resting. Took Wednesday off and got back on yesterday. That took some major self-convincing. There were a lot of things telling me not to get on that godforsaken trainer. I did and got some good intervals in at good power outputs. Now I'm back to tired again.
I keep getting teased by the manufacturer of my new bike. I ordered the damn thing back in February and I still don't fucking have it. A month ago I was told it would be ready two weeks ago. Two weeks ago, I was told that I would get it last week. Yesterday, I was told it would be next week. I'll not mention the name of said manufacturer because I still want this bike. I know I'm not at the top of their list for getting a bike, so I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. They don't have to do this at all,.
I feel like I'm fighting off a cold, so hopefully a good night of rest will fight this off. Every person that I come in to contact with has had the freaking sniffles.
That's all for now all my many faithful readers.
Saturday, May 28, 2005
How Bad Do You Want It? / GIRO D'ITALIA!!!
The Tour Baby!? Hell no, The Giro Baby!!! Holy shit what a race. Somebody take this French pressed swill from me and hand me an Italian espresso.
Yesterday, Paolo Savoldelli of Discovery Channel had a 2 minutes and 9 seconds lead over Mr. Simoni of the Lampre squad (fka Saeco), a 3:00 lead over Jose' Rujano Guillen, hereafter known as Rujano, of the Colombia Selle-Italia squad, and a 3:08 lead over Danilo Di Luca of the Liquigas squad.
By the time I rolled my ass out of bed and pulled up the live internet updates, they were all already on the Colle Delle Finestre, the 2nd of 3 climbs in today's stage. Simoni, Rujano and Di Luca had worked together and put a 40 some second lead. When they hit the Boulder style racing dirt road, the gap to Savoldelli began to grow, and the maglia rosa (leader's jersey) began to evaporate off his back.
At the top of the climb, the Simoni group's lead (remember 3rd and 4th place in the overall are with Simoni) was at 2:20. Paolo had essentially lost the Giro on the last day with only 20 km to go on a 190km (that's 117 miles people) stage. Was Paolo done? Were his legs shot from yesterday's time trial effort. Oh no no. You see, Mr. Savoldelli is known as a heck of a descender, and there is 5km descent to the finishing climb. He tucks in and catches up with 3 guys that had been on a break earlier and the day. Alliances are made on the descent, and by the time the 4 in the new Savoldelli group hit the flat section before the final climb, Savoldelli had made up 26 seconds.
The final climb begins. A Category 1 Climb. There are 4 categories. 3, 2, 1, and HC (hors category, "beyond classification"). The Simoni/lead group are going up. Di Luca cramps and falls of the pace. It's just Simoni and Rujano left for the stage win and possibly the overall. With about 5 km to go, Rujano attacks and almost immediately puts 50 seconds on Simoni. For a while it looked Simoni was going to take the whole shebang, and in a matter of seconds it looks as if he is going to be relegated to 3rd place overall.
Let us not forget about Savoldelli. He and his new buddies are chasing hard. Rujano takes the stage win. Simoni comes in 25 seconds behind, Di Luca in 1:33 behind, and finally Savoldelli at 1:55 behind the winner. That's 1:30 behind 2nd place overall Simoni. Savoldelli held his overall lead on Simoni by 28 measly seconds. We're talking 3 weeks of racing here folks. 20 stages and 3,465 kilometers of racing. If you don't know how to do the calculation, that's over 2100 miles. Some people don't even drive that much in a year. All of those miles and hours in the saddle, and the difference between 1st and 2nd is 28 freaking seconds. That is what I call a Grand Tour.
There is one more flat stage tomorrow, but most likely nothing will happen and Savoldelli will take it to Milan for the win. However, stranger things have happened.
I couldn't imagine watching this on live TV. I probably would have peed my pants. I got pretty revved up watching people typing what was happening on www.eurosport.com and www.velonews.com. In fact, I took the ol' puter places I probably shouldn't have. I won't explain with detail, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
How bad do you want it? Will Simoni definitely proved that he wanted the win, but many times desire creates great achievement and sometimes it doesn't. Today, Simoni's desire wasn't quite enough, but he sure did lay it all on the line. His big mouth has turned me off at times, but today he earned some respect in my eyes.
Well, it isn't even July and the Discovery Channel team (f.k.a. The Postal Service squad and still known as Lance's team) has a grand tour win.
It's time for me to hop on the trainer, pedals some squares, and hopefully make my self better when it's time for ME to finally race. I'm tired of watching all these other suckas suffer. At least I have last weeks Giro highlights to keep me entertained. Hopefully I won't piss my pants.
Yesterday, Paolo Savoldelli of Discovery Channel had a 2 minutes and 9 seconds lead over Mr. Simoni of the Lampre squad (fka Saeco), a 3:00 lead over Jose' Rujano Guillen, hereafter known as Rujano, of the Colombia Selle-Italia squad, and a 3:08 lead over Danilo Di Luca of the Liquigas squad.
By the time I rolled my ass out of bed and pulled up the live internet updates, they were all already on the Colle Delle Finestre, the 2nd of 3 climbs in today's stage. Simoni, Rujano and Di Luca had worked together and put a 40 some second lead. When they hit the Boulder style racing dirt road, the gap to Savoldelli began to grow, and the maglia rosa (leader's jersey) began to evaporate off his back.
At the top of the climb, the Simoni group's lead (remember 3rd and 4th place in the overall are with Simoni) was at 2:20. Paolo had essentially lost the Giro on the last day with only 20 km to go on a 190km (that's 117 miles people) stage. Was Paolo done? Were his legs shot from yesterday's time trial effort. Oh no no. You see, Mr. Savoldelli is known as a heck of a descender, and there is 5km descent to the finishing climb. He tucks in and catches up with 3 guys that had been on a break earlier and the day. Alliances are made on the descent, and by the time the 4 in the new Savoldelli group hit the flat section before the final climb, Savoldelli had made up 26 seconds.
The final climb begins. A Category 1 Climb. There are 4 categories. 3, 2, 1, and HC (hors category, "beyond classification"). The Simoni/lead group are going up. Di Luca cramps and falls of the pace. It's just Simoni and Rujano left for the stage win and possibly the overall. With about 5 km to go, Rujano attacks and almost immediately puts 50 seconds on Simoni. For a while it looked Simoni was going to take the whole shebang, and in a matter of seconds it looks as if he is going to be relegated to 3rd place overall.
Let us not forget about Savoldelli. He and his new buddies are chasing hard. Rujano takes the stage win. Simoni comes in 25 seconds behind, Di Luca in 1:33 behind, and finally Savoldelli at 1:55 behind the winner. That's 1:30 behind 2nd place overall Simoni. Savoldelli held his overall lead on Simoni by 28 measly seconds. We're talking 3 weeks of racing here folks. 20 stages and 3,465 kilometers of racing. If you don't know how to do the calculation, that's over 2100 miles. Some people don't even drive that much in a year. All of those miles and hours in the saddle, and the difference between 1st and 2nd is 28 freaking seconds. That is what I call a Grand Tour.
There is one more flat stage tomorrow, but most likely nothing will happen and Savoldelli will take it to Milan for the win. However, stranger things have happened.
I couldn't imagine watching this on live TV. I probably would have peed my pants. I got pretty revved up watching people typing what was happening on www.eurosport.com and www.velonews.com. In fact, I took the ol' puter places I probably shouldn't have. I won't explain with detail, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
How bad do you want it? Will Simoni definitely proved that he wanted the win, but many times desire creates great achievement and sometimes it doesn't. Today, Simoni's desire wasn't quite enough, but he sure did lay it all on the line. His big mouth has turned me off at times, but today he earned some respect in my eyes.
Well, it isn't even July and the Discovery Channel team (f.k.a. The Postal Service squad and still known as Lance's team) has a grand tour win.
It's time for me to hop on the trainer, pedals some squares, and hopefully make my self better when it's time for ME to finally race. I'm tired of watching all these other suckas suffer. At least I have last weeks Giro highlights to keep me entertained. Hopefully I won't piss my pants.
Friday, May 27, 2005
la risposta?
Well, it looks like my question from yesterday may have been answered. Looks like Simoni has his work cut out for him if he hopes to pull off the win.
FINAL 1. Ivan Basso (I), CSC, 45:05 2. Vladimir Karpets (Rus), Illes Balears, 45:14 3. David Zabriskie (USA), CSC, 45:25 4. Paolo Savoldelli (I), Discovery Channel, 45:28 5. Dario David Cioni (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, 45:33 6. Serhiy Honchar (Ukr), Domina Vacanze, 45:45 7. Marzio Bruseghin (I), Fassa Bortolo, 46:07 8. Juan Manuel Garate (Sp), Saunier Duval, 46:30 9. Paolo Bettini (I), Quickstep, 46:33 10. Gilberto Simoni (I), Lampre, 46:39
FINAL 1. Ivan Basso (I), CSC, 45:05 2. Vladimir Karpets (Rus), Illes Balears, 45:14 3. David Zabriskie (USA), CSC, 45:25 4. Paolo Savoldelli (I), Discovery Channel, 45:28 5. Dario David Cioni (I), Liquigas-Bianchi, 45:33 6. Serhiy Honchar (Ukr), Domina Vacanze, 45:45 7. Marzio Bruseghin (I), Fassa Bortolo, 46:07 8. Juan Manuel Garate (Sp), Saunier Duval, 46:30 9. Paolo Bettini (I), Quickstep, 46:33 10. Gilberto Simoni (I), Lampre, 46:39
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Italian Excitement
So the Giro is going to be a nail biter. It's been exciting from the get go. It looks like Simoni has found his form of a few years ago, but can he pull it out? He seemed strong today. I'm wondering if Savoldelli's lack of response to Simoni's attacks were calculated or if he just couldn't respond. Knowing Johann and the profile of Saturday's stage, I'm guessing it was calculated, but you never really know. We'll see if Simoni can sustain another attack that will give him 50 seconds.
On another note, one of the local Clear Channel radio stations (yes, I listen to it. It's the only decent thing I can get at work.) has been playing some songs off of Wilco's latest album, A Ghost is Born. I think it's purely because Wilco is headlining at Red Rocks this summer, but hey, you take what you can get. The station has been playing some indie stuff lately. The Shins (because of Garden State), The Decemberists, Wilco, and Bright Eyes. Not too shabby.
By the way, I've got tickets to that show. Depending on when the Doc let's me get back outside on the bike, I may have a tough decision between the Park City NMBS and the Wilco show. I've seen them at Red Rocks before, but they were opening for REM and I wasn't of proper mind. I'll not divulge too much or at all for that matter. Those that were there know of what I speak.
On another note, one of the local Clear Channel radio stations (yes, I listen to it. It's the only decent thing I can get at work.) has been playing some songs off of Wilco's latest album, A Ghost is Born. I think it's purely because Wilco is headlining at Red Rocks this summer, but hey, you take what you can get. The station has been playing some indie stuff lately. The Shins (because of Garden State), The Decemberists, Wilco, and Bright Eyes. Not too shabby.
By the way, I've got tickets to that show. Depending on when the Doc let's me get back outside on the bike, I may have a tough decision between the Park City NMBS and the Wilco show. I've seen them at Red Rocks before, but they were opening for REM and I wasn't of proper mind. I'll not divulge too much or at all for that matter. Those that were there know of what I speak.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
What?
I don't know why I'm even posting this. I don't think anyone is reading this thing, and if they are, the last thing on their minds is the Giro.
I think the guy the wrote the following hasn't been paying too much attention to the race:
"Savoldelli held onto the maglia rosa after crossing jjust over three and a half minutes behind Parra, but Basso's collapse means that former two-time winner Gilberto Simoni and reigning champion Damiano Cunego, both of the Lampre-Caffita team, could relaunch their own bids for the overall."
Cunego is 8 minutes back. I think his bid for the overall is over barring something amazing. Simoni does, hoever, have a legitimate shot. Should be fun to watch (read) how it unfolds.
I think the guy the wrote the following hasn't been paying too much attention to the race:
"Savoldelli held onto the maglia rosa after crossing jjust over three and a half minutes behind Parra, but Basso's collapse means that former two-time winner Gilberto Simoni and reigning champion Damiano Cunego, both of the Lampre-Caffita team, could relaunch their own bids for the overall."
Cunego is 8 minutes back. I think his bid for the overall is over barring something amazing. Simoni does, hoever, have a legitimate shot. Should be fun to watch (read) how it unfolds.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Dining on Crow (or horse in this case)
I've never had any interest in seeing Seabiscuit the movie because honestly, it just sounded stupid to me. I don't have much interest in horse racing. Today, while I was peddling squares on the trainer, I popped it in. Pretty good movie I must admit. Charles, you were right.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Disappointment
Picked up a few new discs today. Spoon, Beck, and Weezer's new ones. Can I just say that Weezer finally lived up to their name? I had to double check and make sure I didn't buy a White Lion/Whitesnake CD. I almost want to say it sucks, but I've only given it one listen in the car. The only track that even caught my ear was the Beverly Hills one that is on the radio. Otherwise, I kept thinking, "maybe the next one will be good." I like all the songs on their previous albums to some extent. They lost the Weezer sound.
Rolling Stone gave it 4 stars out of 5, but pitchforkmedia.com gave it a 0.4 out of 10. Guess which way I'm leaning. I'll give it another shot in a couple of days.
Rolling Stone gave it 4 stars out of 5, but pitchforkmedia.com gave it a 0.4 out of 10. Guess which way I'm leaning. I'll give it another shot in a couple of days.
Left Behind
What in the hell happened to Cunego today? How do you finish 6 minutes behind? Is he the next Jan? I seriously doubt today's finish is part of some greater strategy, but we'll see. And what about old Paolo getting around Basso to take the stage? I'll have to catch footage of that to see if Savodelli won it or Ivan lost it.
http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/8063.0.html
http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/8063.0.html
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Chasing The Sun
That title made more sense a few days ago, but I'm keeping with it anyway. My internet connection at home doesn't seem to work at night. Not really sure why, but I'm pretty much at the end of my rope with it.
I got back from Savannah (Tybee Island) Sunday night. Good training weekend for me. I mean anti-training weekend. I'm not sure I could have done many more things that would negate all the time I've spent on the bike.
Tracy and I went to Savannah for Shawn's wedding. Shawn is Tracy's brother. We didn't even wait to get there before we started cracking open the beers. Once we got to the pad on
Tybee Island, we HAD to open up a couple more even though it was already 12 AM local time.
I saw a couple of people from high school that I haven't seen in probably 10 years. It was amazing to me that they hadn't ballooned up like what I experienced at my class reunion back in October. Easy to understand considering that everything in Georgia is cheap and fried.
On Friday, we woke up in search of said cheap and friend food. I got a plate of bacon, eggs, grits and toast for $3. That is cheaper than the Waffle House! The place is called the Sugar Shack and I would suggest swinging by if you are ever on Tybee Island.
After breakfast, ol' Fred, Shawn and Tracy's dad, put together a softball game. I can't remember the last time I picked up or swung at a softball. With my gimpy arm, I'm not sure you can really call it that. I did manage to rip a couple of liners into the outfield with my patented one armed swing. When I was in the field, I had to let the balls drop and then field them. Luckily it wasn't a real game. After the game, of course you need some beer, so the drinking began again. That was about 2 PM, and unfortunately, the drinking didn't cease until 4 AM. The last 2 hours of which were in the hot tub. We managed to get about 8-9 people in a 4 person tub. That led to a nice little infection for all the people in the house. More on that later.
Saturday was wedding day. Tracy, Chris, and I went in to Savannah to River St. and got a bite to eat at a cool Irish Pub. Reubens for Tracy and me and some shepherd's pie for Chris. Good eats and a good brew called Charleston Brown. Were talking doo doo brown here folks, but it went down good nonetheless. We proceeded to cruise down River St., which for those of you that don't know is a little like Bourbon St. Not nearly as big and crazy, but you can get booze to go!! You've gots to do that whether you want any or not.
After a few hours in Savannah, we pointed the car back toward Tybee to track down some oysters. We found the oysters in a dingy little bar on the main road. Got a dozen and a pitcher of beer for $10. Not bad, and good service too. Now back to the house to get ready for the wedding.
The wedding was on the beach, and I can honestly say that is the most beautiful wedding I've ever seen. Small affair at sunset with Shawn and Stephanie's (the bride) pictures being taken in the last remaining light of the day. I was able to take some fine shots myself, so I'm sure the pro will have some really nice shots.
The reception/dinner was at a hipper than Tybee place called Tango. Really good food, and I had more than one of a fru fru drink called a Pain Killer. That name was a little excessive for the amount of booze it had, but they were pretty damn good. Tasted like an Orange Julius with rum. This also led to the most uncomfortable part of the whole weekend. I guess Stephanie's family doesn't drink at all. They are sitting at their tables with their tea and water while the McGoos (name changed to protect the innocent) and Friends were pounding 'em back. Tense situation, and the non drinkers looked a little pissed. I thanked them for the dinner anyway.
Sunday was the day for good byes and the first signs of what is now known as hot tub leprosy. The first signs were acne all over the body, but we had no time for serious infections. I went with Tracy and Shawn to say goodbye to their family. It was then off to the airport were Tracy and I had to wait for 2.5 hours before our flight left. We eventually got hungry and decided a little more liquor and beer would probably be best due to our concern about quitting cold turkey and the onset of DTs. The flight for Atlanta left 20 minutes after the lunch. We got to Hotlanta with another 2.5 hours to spare, so we went in search of some new Braves hats to avoid drinking. Enough time was wasted that we only had time for one beer, and that beer was the last of our experiment to see if we could still hang with the college kids.
On Monday, my lymph nodes were really swollen. Tracy and I both decided to go the doctor and that happened today. Turns out we have some thing called hot tub philiculitis or something like that. The "hot tub" is really part of the name. After a few calls, I discovered that everyone in the house had symptoms. I haven't found out about Shawn and Stephanie due to the fact that they are somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean without cell phone service. Tracy and I's doctors hooked us up with some heavy duty antibiotics to knock this shit out. I guess this kind of thing is pretty common, so take note kiddos, you have to drink a lot more booze than we did that day to kill off the bacteria and we drank a lot.
One more thing. What happened to the Fassa train and Pettachi? This says it all. The Giro has been exciting race already, and I haven't seen any video yet. Just pictures and live reports. The real race begins tomorrow.
That's my boy!
I got back from Savannah (Tybee Island) Sunday night. Good training weekend for me. I mean anti-training weekend. I'm not sure I could have done many more things that would negate all the time I've spent on the bike.
Tracy and I went to Savannah for Shawn's wedding. Shawn is Tracy's brother. We didn't even wait to get there before we started cracking open the beers. Once we got to the pad on
Tybee Island, we HAD to open up a couple more even though it was already 12 AM local time.
I saw a couple of people from high school that I haven't seen in probably 10 years. It was amazing to me that they hadn't ballooned up like what I experienced at my class reunion back in October. Easy to understand considering that everything in Georgia is cheap and fried.
On Friday, we woke up in search of said cheap and friend food. I got a plate of bacon, eggs, grits and toast for $3. That is cheaper than the Waffle House! The place is called the Sugar Shack and I would suggest swinging by if you are ever on Tybee Island.
After breakfast, ol' Fred, Shawn and Tracy's dad, put together a softball game. I can't remember the last time I picked up or swung at a softball. With my gimpy arm, I'm not sure you can really call it that. I did manage to rip a couple of liners into the outfield with my patented one armed swing. When I was in the field, I had to let the balls drop and then field them. Luckily it wasn't a real game. After the game, of course you need some beer, so the drinking began again. That was about 2 PM, and unfortunately, the drinking didn't cease until 4 AM. The last 2 hours of which were in the hot tub. We managed to get about 8-9 people in a 4 person tub. That led to a nice little infection for all the people in the house. More on that later.
Saturday was wedding day. Tracy, Chris, and I went in to Savannah to River St. and got a bite to eat at a cool Irish Pub. Reubens for Tracy and me and some shepherd's pie for Chris. Good eats and a good brew called Charleston Brown. Were talking doo doo brown here folks, but it went down good nonetheless. We proceeded to cruise down River St., which for those of you that don't know is a little like Bourbon St. Not nearly as big and crazy, but you can get booze to go!! You've gots to do that whether you want any or not.
After a few hours in Savannah, we pointed the car back toward Tybee to track down some oysters. We found the oysters in a dingy little bar on the main road. Got a dozen and a pitcher of beer for $10. Not bad, and good service too. Now back to the house to get ready for the wedding.
The wedding was on the beach, and I can honestly say that is the most beautiful wedding I've ever seen. Small affair at sunset with Shawn and Stephanie's (the bride) pictures being taken in the last remaining light of the day. I was able to take some fine shots myself, so I'm sure the pro will have some really nice shots.
The reception/dinner was at a hipper than Tybee place called Tango. Really good food, and I had more than one of a fru fru drink called a Pain Killer. That name was a little excessive for the amount of booze it had, but they were pretty damn good. Tasted like an Orange Julius with rum. This also led to the most uncomfortable part of the whole weekend. I guess Stephanie's family doesn't drink at all. They are sitting at their tables with their tea and water while the McGoos (name changed to protect the innocent) and Friends were pounding 'em back. Tense situation, and the non drinkers looked a little pissed. I thanked them for the dinner anyway.
Sunday was the day for good byes and the first signs of what is now known as hot tub leprosy. The first signs were acne all over the body, but we had no time for serious infections. I went with Tracy and Shawn to say goodbye to their family. It was then off to the airport were Tracy and I had to wait for 2.5 hours before our flight left. We eventually got hungry and decided a little more liquor and beer would probably be best due to our concern about quitting cold turkey and the onset of DTs. The flight for Atlanta left 20 minutes after the lunch. We got to Hotlanta with another 2.5 hours to spare, so we went in search of some new Braves hats to avoid drinking. Enough time was wasted that we only had time for one beer, and that beer was the last of our experiment to see if we could still hang with the college kids.
On Monday, my lymph nodes were really swollen. Tracy and I both decided to go the doctor and that happened today. Turns out we have some thing called hot tub philiculitis or something like that. The "hot tub" is really part of the name. After a few calls, I discovered that everyone in the house had symptoms. I haven't found out about Shawn and Stephanie due to the fact that they are somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean without cell phone service. Tracy and I's doctors hooked us up with some heavy duty antibiotics to knock this shit out. I guess this kind of thing is pretty common, so take note kiddos, you have to drink a lot more booze than we did that day to kill off the bacteria and we drank a lot.
One more thing. What happened to the Fassa train and Pettachi? This says it all. The Giro has been exciting race already, and I haven't seen any video yet. Just pictures and live reports. The real race begins tomorrow.
That's my boy!
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Prognosis
Went back to the doctor today, and he is definitely not wavering from the 6 weeks of not riding outside. Road or mountain. That's 5 more weeks on the trainer. I was starting to feel like I hadn't spent enough time on the trainer this winter anyway, so it all works out. Yes, that is sarcasm
Good news is that I get my new Yeti in 2 weeks. Bad news is that I just get to look at it sit in the corner with the other 4 bikes over there. Gots to sell the old mountain bike quick. Any takers?
I don't know what I'm still doing up. I have to get my ass up early to get a lot of things done before heading out to Savannah. Old man Shawn is getting married this weekend, so I'm sure there will be some pictures here after this weekend.
I'm a little nervous taking more time off the bike again this weekend, but beer is a good substitute right? All and all, this stupid injury is going to cost me a total of 14 days of the bike. This all happening in the year I discovered that not resting as much during my "rest" weeks has really helped me feel better. So it goes. Everything happen for a reason. Right?
Anybody see Baden Cooke hit the tarmac in the Giro today? Mr. Cooke seemed to be ok with it. Read his reaction here.
Good news is that I get my new Yeti in 2 weeks. Bad news is that I just get to look at it sit in the corner with the other 4 bikes over there. Gots to sell the old mountain bike quick. Any takers?
I don't know what I'm still doing up. I have to get my ass up early to get a lot of things done before heading out to Savannah. Old man Shawn is getting married this weekend, so I'm sure there will be some pictures here after this weekend.
I'm a little nervous taking more time off the bike again this weekend, but beer is a good substitute right? All and all, this stupid injury is going to cost me a total of 14 days of the bike. This all happening in the year I discovered that not resting as much during my "rest" weeks has really helped me feel better. So it goes. Everything happen for a reason. Right?
Anybody see Baden Cooke hit the tarmac in the Giro today? Mr. Cooke seemed to be ok with it. Read his reaction here.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Bravos II
Looks like this Blog is going to be more of picture gallery. I had to bust this up into two posts in order to get all the pics in. Anyway, Kevin, Tracy, Rachel, and I went to the Braves game at Coors Field last night. A good time (and a few beers) was had by all. The Braves lost to the lowly Rockies to end a 5 game winning streak. The Marlins lost too, so the Bravos kept their game and a half division lead.
Kev, Tracy, and me. Kevin forgot to look.
A little fuzzy, but that is Chipper and Gilly
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Friday, May 06, 2005
Epiphany
Since I was out and about too much after my release yesterday, I figured the best thing for my artery is a little couch time. I'm toggling back and forth between the History Channel and MTV. I grew up on MTV, so today's version of it is a little disappointing. I guess there is some Ashlee Simpson show marathon running.
The revelation is that this girl I used to date thought she was Ashlee Simpson (or Jessica). Ashlee is always saying, "babe this," and "baby that," to her boyfriend with the bad hair. Previously mentioned fling would use the babe/baby lingo all the time. I remember thinking, "we have been going out for three weeks and you are calling me babe?" I guess that isn't really an epiphany, but the word seemed appropriate at the time.
My arm pain is minimal today, but I think I need another percocet after this post.
The revelation is that this girl I used to date thought she was Ashlee Simpson (or Jessica). Ashlee is always saying, "babe this," and "baby that," to her boyfriend with the bad hair. Previously mentioned fling would use the babe/baby lingo all the time. I remember thinking, "we have been going out for three weeks and you are calling me babe?" I guess that isn't really an epiphany, but the word seemed appropriate at the time.
My arm pain is minimal today, but I think I need another percocet after this post.
Pre-Op Photos
Someone forgot to take post-op photos. I'm sure that was pretty. The picture of Ana is a little fuzzy, but you get the idea.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
and now to the stoned
I guess I haven't really explained the stabbed part yet. Long story short for now. I stabbed my arm and cut an artery while working on my bike (I know, I know. Cut away). Anyway, I had to have surgery to repair the artery.
I'm now ingesting the lovely pill known as percocet. Actually it's oxycodone the generic version of percocet, but nobody knows what the hell that is. While in the hospital, I though my new found friend was having a negligible effect on me, however, I got out into the real world and realized I was stoned out of my gourd.
Example: My friend Michelle e-mails me a get well soon message. It contains the text of a well known Seinfeld episode. I, not being of sound mind, think she is referring to my workplace, which at one time we used to both be employed. Our boss' name was Elaine. I'll let you connect the dots.
Needless to say, I replied to Michelle's e-mail asking for clarification.
I'm now ingesting the lovely pill known as percocet. Actually it's oxycodone the generic version of percocet, but nobody knows what the hell that is. While in the hospital, I though my new found friend was having a negligible effect on me, however, I got out into the real world and realized I was stoned out of my gourd.
Example: My friend Michelle e-mails me a get well soon message. It contains the text of a well known Seinfeld episode. I, not being of sound mind, think she is referring to my workplace, which at one time we used to both be employed. Our boss' name was Elaine. I'll let you connect the dots.
Needless to say, I replied to Michelle's e-mail asking for clarification.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
COMING SOON!
Bet you can't wait for this. My surgery is tomorrow. Maybe I'll wait until I'm good and stoned on the pain meds before I create my first real post.
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