Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Brady - Moss 08

If you are not from Boston, here is what it's all about...If people aren't crazy about da Sox, they're talk'in smack about who the Pats are gonna kill Sunday. I just hope it's a close game, the only way I stay awake in the fourth quarter is if it's a nail biter. Go Pats! Thanks for sharing Haa'vee! Massachusetts is a pretty small state..I probably know this guy somehow.


Monday, January 28, 2008

1/2 day at Cannon

Fortunate to see the forest thru the trees.
On a glorious day with a moderate breeze.
Conditions loose granular like frozen peas.
Ipod singing mellow tunes from the English band Squeeze.
Whacking 'dem bumps and bending 'dem knees.
Screwing off mid week? or preventing cardiovascular disease!


Friday, January 25, 2008

Not Dead Yet!

Battling back the mounting stress of the work week, found some ways to take a break to find personal relief. Rode the 25 miles to work in 21 degree weather on my fixie yesterday- Wrapped with wool and windproof atire. Evaded frostbite on the climbs while core temps were up and hiding my cheeks on the downside. Man I needed that.
Last night, foolishness abound on stage while Lesli and I stepped back in time to 932ad, the middle ages, with Monty python's Spamalot.
Go see this, don't look to tear it apart, that'd be too easy.
John Cleese would approve.
If I were to give it a review, the funniest scene was one of the first in act 1. with the Finland Sch lapping Dance. After this ridiculous song and dance complete with slapping fish, one cannot resist temptation to forget the days troubles and slip into a Monty mood and search for the holy Grail.


Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best...

And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...

If life seems jolly rotten
There's something you've forgotten
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you're feeling in the dumps
Don't be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle - that's the thing.

And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...

Monday, January 21, 2008

I feel like Andy Rooney


What's up with people taking their dogs for a ride in baskets? I was surfing on ebay and tripped across this phenomenon. It seems a little crazy...wouldn't the dogs be better off walking and getting exercise while you have them outside? Here check this one out. It has pictures of Huskies and dalmatians on the advertisement...like your going to get a 90 pound dog into a basket? Good luck.
These ones are nice and thoughtful, got a bit of shade to keep ren and stimpy comfy and cool on the hot days
...and a dog trailer? Maybe it's just the dogs I've owned but I don't see any dog staying confined too long...maybe that's why the dude in the picture is holding on to Fido?? One glimpse of a cat or squirrel and you'll be glad your on the bike..cause that's the only way your going to ever catch Sparky on his rampage around the neighborhood.

ok, this is the answer to confinement..hell, maybe Dominic's answer to getting back on the trails..(Dom is my 13 yr old retired mountain bike dog). From the makers of Track'r Pet Bicycle Trailer - Our Track'r Bicycle Trailer is a great way to maintain an active lifestyle with your pet. If you want to get in a bike ride, but your pet isn’t up to it, you can still take them along. Going to the park to give your pet a little fun and exercise? Why not get some exercise yourself on the trip their and back, without tiring them out along the way?



Without getting tired along the way?


isn't that the point?


This one has a "dog roll-cage"


wow, the deeper I dig into this the weirder it gets...this company make dog helmets??

with no ear holes??



yeah, and this isn't the strangest thing EVER??


ah ! This one's got style..

where do I order?

Heading to a soldier near you

Big props to Igle and Monague fur getting this bike together to send to Baghdad. The frame reads X Military technology, nice touch Monty. Christopher added the pink king head set for a little comic relief - for a place that could use MORE than a little. Hope the 972nd MP Company can get out and ride...if not,... use it for target practice. :)

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Frankenbike lives !

It's a one of a kind alright.
Installed a pair of studded snow tires
and a Tomi Cog.

ready for winter base...


I learned a few more lessons about fixed gear riding..

Tried my first skid yesterday, did not go well.. On an icy road I leaned forward and locked them up..The chain fell off the front ring and wrapped around the rear cog. Luckily didn't break the chain. I'm running more tension now...but now with no rear brake thanks to Tomi.
This should be interesting.


Monday, January 14, 2008

Fixed? Didn't know I was Broken...

I'd always looked to new technology and innovation to make the experience better. So why was yesterday's ride so damn fun?
I turned my Igleheart single speed mountain bike into a fixed gear to help achieve base fitness. I chose a gear pretty much at random (46 x 20)... and rode it for the first time (on a long-ass ride) with my friend Tal. Three and a half hours and I don't know how many miles...maybe 60? It was the first beat down of 2008!
On our tour around Cape Ann we ran into three other people on fixed gears, all of which Tal knew...all the cool kids are doing it I guess...and all of these fixie aficionados were on beautiful rigs. Rich on a glossy black ANT, Laurie on a plum Gunnar and Gary on his battle ship gray Surly.
I learned a few things about fixed gear bikes;
#1 my gearing was a little light
#2 wind it up coming down a hill the bike owns you till you can slow it back down.
#3 don't stop pedaling to reach in your pocket or you'll be reminded quickly that there's no freewheel to go 'click click click'.
#4 it hurts really bad to keep up with people on fixed gear road bikes when your on a mountain fixie
#5 Maybe I'm just addicted to gear...Maybe I need a third Igleheart.
looks like a screaming good time

Saturday, January 12, 2008

stir it up

Please don't a rock'a my boat, cause I don't want'a my boat to be rocked anyhow. It's been 10 long years with out a big stir up at work but the Airport is a'stir, and heads were chopped, and people displaced to new positions and others layed off. I've got a new home and a new client base and a new work schedule that could work for a while. Working Saturdays will certainly bite into my amateur racing career but It's the workin skills that pay the bills.

Sunday, January 06, 2008

time to regroup

I "Sat in" for 42 miles today with no regret and enjoyed my laziness to the fullest extent. A guest appearance from an unlikely roadie...When Skip heard Barry was coming out for a group road ride his response.."is he gonna wear his full face helmet?" Only thing that could top this is to some-how con George to road-ride with us!
Barry was the phantom anchor of the group. Where else in the world does wearing a cloak of black spandex make you stand out, but among a bunch of guys in pink and blue?

Thursday, January 03, 2008

questions for 2008

So I have to ask..was that "it"?
Not that it was NOT the shit.
Every year is what you make of it.
Was THAT the very best it will ever be?
Was THAT the very best of me?
Will I have another chance to try harder?
Will I have the TIME or WILL to go farther?
Is it possible to make the friends that I have made...
Will this passion ever fade?
2007 was an amazing year, was it merely the frontier?