The Schedule

Appease me, I know you do not care, nor would I expect you to. This is about goals and how writing them makes them real.

4/26 Deep Blue STXC

4/27 Greenbrier. Personal redemption after last year's physical and mental metldown.

5/3 Cat Classic. A change in sched, for the better.

5/10 French Creek. Big star, as in personal challenge. As in longest race to date.

5/17 Rocktober. See above

5/24 Granogue Enduro. Last in the big 3 Enduro blast. My own personal spring classic season.

5/25 Drink myself silly and watch movies on the side of neighbor's house.

5/31 D&Q sizzler.

6/7 Tour de Tykes weekend. STXC takes on big importance.

6/8 See above

6/15 Stoopid 50 marathon. Another big mental challenge. How good am I?

6/21 12 hours of Round Top. If I recover from Stoopid 50.

6/27 Black Crowes & DMB

6/28-29 What, a weekend to be a "normal" person?

7/4-6 The most fun you can have on two wheels

7/13 Fair Hill XC

7/19 Basket, meet eggs. All the eggs, meet basket. Mt Snow Stars & Stripes weekend

7/27 Nottingham STXC. Diggler and Lej in the battle of anorexia

8/2-3 Open, imagine that

8/9 God's Country marathon

8/16 Iron Hill Enduro

8/23-24 No races, for good reason

8/30-31 Big M effer of a pipe dream here 7 Springs solo. If the Endurnace series is the goal, and it is. You need to respect the series and go solo for 24.

9/1 Hopefully be able to walk, talk, eat, etc...



9/13 cross season starts with another 20ish races



"Only" 24 summer season races, 9 of which should be 4-6 hours or greater.



See, I knew I could cut back and race less than 50 events this year.

Maybe I should stop wondering why I have next to no social life.

My "social" life is the race atmosphere. Until you are there and see all the great people it really is hard to explain the happiness that it brings.

Gaming for the gamers

A couple of bike games today. TT in the am & STXC mtb in pm.
TT went pretty well. Happy with the time and effort. Quads not so happy. Afterwards I could not even stand to pedal. More than a little concern started creeping through my eggshell mind. After a grand total of six Advils and much Sportsbalm medium balm the legs went from not being able to bend and/or pedal to just a little tight. Sixty minutes of massage on Rte 30 later and I was feeling alright. Long warm-up and I think I can race. Then the heavens opened and the lightning came. As we decided to not race the skies cleared and Robbie L. said we have a small window of clear. Line up to start and here comes the deluge again. Just like mud cross. Slick corners and muddy face from drafting. Then the legs come around. I feel good. Attack a little and have a gap while in second. The KABOOM huge thunder and some flashy flash. Don M. comes running out and calls the race as agreed upon at the start. I was happy wiser heads prevailed.
So a nice TT ride for me, with 6th in the 1,2 and 2nd in STXC and we will call it a fun day with much dirty clothes and wet bikes.
Stopped in West Chester to see Muur Conqueror, K-Mad and Jules. Dinner and Duvel and it looks like an overnight is in order.
Good week all.

What did I learn today???

People enjoy riding stationary bikes when it is 80.

People enjoy treadmills in same 80 degree weather.

Passion is passion, indoors or out.

Diggler is fun to hang with.

I enjoy speaking with people about bike and fitness stuff more than I enjoy speaking about depression, bipolar, adhd and schizophrenia. Imagine that.

Shop employees are about the best guys around. I already knew that.

I am a fanatical tinkerer, especially with bike stuff. TT seat height again today.

I lack confidence, such that, when things are correct and good, I try to take it to eleven to make them better. I usually end up back at nine.

The Cannondale Slice TT bike is bar none the best fitting bike I have ever ridden, yes a TT bike.

Sometimes you have to take a stand. Even when you are giving things away.

Stand for something, or you will fall for anything.

Ferg is a great friend.

Naps are good.

Dark Chocolate is better. Thankfully Fishing Creek CVS is not the demographic for dark chocolate. DOVE 71% is marked down to $1.87/bar. I bought six.

My neighbors are nice, I just need to speak with them more.

Sleep meds are key, especially after a late day nap.



Since there seems to be an increase in traffic of late, take the time to read some old entries some day. It will not be as entertaining as flick but it may be a better insight.



At this time I shall state what I refer to as the Burt Hoovis clause.

The views, opinions, and writings of this blog are mine and mine alone. They do not reflect, imply or relate in any way shape or form to my family, friends, employer, cycling team or sponsors. My writings should not be (mis)construed in any way, except that they are the content of a blog. Nothing more, nothing less.

Response, rebuttal

Rick Brown, I will use his name since he had the balls to sign his name, has a great response to Friday's post. It was well thought out and he signed his name. That is what it is about. If you are going to take the time to invest yourself in something, put your "signature" to it. A blog, a response, your job, your passion. Whatever, it is you have done stand up I say I did it.
Rick, I would read your blog, if you had/have one. It is just that type of pointed writing that I enjoy. It may not be factual or correct, in totality, however it is what blogging is about. An opinion based on the criteria that you see in front of you.
I would write more but I am running late. Yes, Rick et al. I volunteered to assist a friend's business at a local health club to educate members on how to better understand their training and fitness.
Believe it or not, it is not all about me.
More people should take the time to respond to blog posts like Mr. Brown. It is dissenting opinion that brings growth and change.

Po tay toe, po tah toe, attack, accelerate...

It is all semantics.
Seems I touched a nerve. Sorry. No offense was meant nor was I trying to be an ass. I ALWAYS ride with an Ipod. Is it rude on group rides? Yes. If you are a regular reader you know the impact music has on my life. It is almost spiritual. Yes, I know that sounds gay. However, I NEED music when I ride.
I also ride with my cell 90% of the time. You never know when you may have an instance where you NEED to use it. I also text while I ride if I am not doing a hard effort. Yesterday was a very "different" day. A friend is moving today and we were texting about a lot of things. I knew I would not see or probably even speak with her today, so I was doing a lot texting.
I was texting during the 2:30 I was riding before the group ride. I was texting in the parking lot before the group ride. I am sure you saw it. Was it a dick move? Yes. Sorry.
As to the event in question. We were going up the little hill and, yes, I was texting. I was riding safe and out of the line. Whoever was leading was going harder than he could handle, as evidenced by the speed drop at the top of the hill. I did say, in a helpful way, keep your speed through the top. It is a fundamental climbing technique. He just stopped/died early. I kept rolling and did a steady pull. I was taking my turn, and yes texting. Then the Lombardi Sports jersey guy came by MUCH faster than a pull through. Either he attacked, while seated, you can do that or he accelerated harder than a normal pull. Enough so, that I even said "cheeky move." I have been racing for twenty plus years. I fully understand speed changes. It was definitely a faster acceleration. I got in line and just rode. Along came the rolling section that I referenced in the post prior. No need to rehash that.
My ride yesterday was to be 4 hours pretty easy with an effort here and there. I knew that rolling section of road so that was where I planned the effort. There are two rollers and a great chicane followed by another roller. It is one of my favorite sections of road around. I had 3:00 in my legs already at that point, in theory the group should have been much fresher. I even told Andy I was pulling off after that section. A fave song come on, which is good for me, especially when the Ipod is on shuffle. It is true serendipity. I did my effort. That is bike racing training. It is not going out on a group ride and riding for 2 hours at LT or greater with no change in pace. That is also why I train alone. I have things I need to work on, to be a better racer and those efforts can be misinterpreted on group rides.
For the Fat F****, that is how you referred to yourselves, not me saying those words (read prior posts comments), I am sorry if I rode like an ass or offended you. You guys were strong on the flats. I can not help if I was a bit faster uphill, or know how to change pace with sharp attacks. That is a you issue, not a me issue. Next time I see you guys, I will surely apologize in person for texting while I ride. I should not have done that. Trust me, after my friend's move today that probably will not happen as much. Yesterday was a texting anomaly due to certain circumstances. Things needed to be communicated and I wanted to "chat" with her.
Instead of being "cheeky" and saying "u da man" maybe you should ask me how i train to be able to accelerate like that?
Everyone knows who I am on this blog. Can be man enough to not sign a comment as anonymous? That is your perogative though. Maybe it makes you feel better about skewering a "skinny blogger"?
I race on weekends. I could give two shits what happens on Thursday.

Daddy Longlegs and the competitve rhythms

First off. Let me clarify the poll. I will clarify it this way. I vote on all of my own polls. Right now the vote is 5 to 0 in favor of the ability to have a platonic relationship. Take a guess which one I voted for? I know that probably a mindbender for Hoovis. Enough of that.

The euro trash personna's of Zayne, Dieter and Van der Zell speak of the competitive rhythms that one experiences while on the two wheeled machine. I had good competitive rhythm of late. I feel no chain, float up climbs while texting and squash all with my Euro mullet. OK the Euro mullet is a little stretch. You get the idea though.
My competitive rhythm is a bit different. Brace yourself, my legs feel longer. Yes, Daddy longlegs mofo. My legs feel longer, Like they are just spinning wicked quick little circles with no effort. I was there yesterday, so much so i was tweaking seat height. Felt like Daddy Longlegs again today. Even got off the bike to check seat height. The competitive rhythm is there.
What is interesting is convincing myself to trust the longlegs feel and know things are going well.
Poor group ride guys felt the daddy longlegs rhythm tonight. I was texting as I passed people up a few little climbs and on the front. All with the Ipod in. Classy, I know. Seems a few took offense and tried to attack. I kept texting and said "ckeeky little move." Rolled up to them as we started a section with a few little rollers and a super wicked chicane downhill that can be railed.

On the second rise the stars aligned. On came The Who, Who are you, Covered by the Stereophonics. The opening squeal matched the rhythm, then the super sweet Whooooo are you, repeating. I was signing and ready to jump out of my skin. Rhythm and sensations are there, here it comes time to go. Boom. Woke up in a Soho doorway, attack. ....And the breeze blew back my hair" jump again. "I remember throwing punches around..." Drill the top. Descend through the chicane. Just as verse 2 opens it is full gas over the tracks and up the rise. Crest at 32 and hold 30 for 1/2 mile stretch to the road. I had 30 seconds in about one mile, nice.
Yeah, that is what good tunes and Daddy Longlegs competitive rhythm will get you. How can you slow down when you hear "who the eff are you" blaring in your ears, and the Daddy Longlegs are ticking?
That my friends is another reason I love riding bikes. Where else can you you get the sensation that your legs are longer? OK, maybe Peyote, but that is a different angle altogether.
Tan lines have finally made an appearance.

Turn around and walk away

That has been my Modus Operandi in friendships and relationships over the years. I fall out of touch with people and walk away from friendships. It is not like I have some humongous overabundance of friends.
This leads to today. After many texts and plans, changed plans, etc... A & I end up riding together. After a nice ride we go to dinner. We talked about some things and come to a common ground agreement. Friends. In the past I would have done just as the title stated. I tend to operate like that. Friends, who needs them? Well, it turns out that I do. It turns out that I need this person, A, as a friend. This time will be different. As for this friendship, there is just that something special about her as a person. Add to the fact that I almost never stay in touch with female acquaintences, and you can see this is a change for me.
So now when the phone buzzes, 1 new text message, it will be a special surprise. Also one where I do not need to overthink things. It will be what it is, a text from a special friend. Deep down you always wish for outcomes that are most beneficial for yourself. However, with friends and people who mean a lot to you, I always wish for what is best for them. After that, things will work out the way they are supposed to.
To my friends, past, present, old, new and those yet to come. Thanks for being there.
I promise to do my best to not turn and walk away. There are only so many bridges on the way home. I would like to think I will stop burning them.

Let me try to explain

First find a knife. Any old knife will do. Then locate your sit bone. Find it? Got the knife ready? Now jab it hard into your skin at the sit bone. Done? Pleasant huh? For shits and giggles, take said knife and now cut yourself. 1/2" will do. Wait a little while until the initial pain subsides, but the area is still sore. OK, now find the arm of a chair. The narrower the better. Sit down, slide back and forth, sit down and force pressure downwards onto the fresh sit bone wound, in fact bonuce lightly on the arm for a couple of minutes. Assuming that above ordeal took you five minutes, I am sure you get the idea of pleasure. Oh yeah, REPEAT THIS 30 MORE TIMES. That is what Australia felt like on the ride with Diggler today. Steroids, icthammol, hot tubs, everything is checking the inflammation, but the offending furruncle known as Australia is still sore.
If this keeps up I will be riding a Scalpel after Greenbrier, and I am not referring to the super sweet totally awesome VisitPA.com team issue bike. I am more thinking the razor sharp instrument.
Enough of that.
Rolled the big Rubbers today. I blew out a little rubber this weekend. As soon as I blew it out I knew I was done. The juice was spilled and therubber was cut. I just turned and walked away in shame, unable to finish my business. After a looong walk of shame back to the pits, I noticed my Big Rubbers standing at attention . There were just screaming out to be ridden. So I mounted the biggies and riding we went. I am waiting for my new Ignitor small Rubbers to arrive Thursday or Friday. These new rubbers are special, with a tougher sidewall to avoid blowouts and leaking of the Stan's tubicidal juice. I just hope the thicker rubbers do not hurt my feel. The big rubbers were fun and allow for fast hard riding. The small rubbers definitely are more nimble and provide a better feel. Big rubbers, small rubbers, either way it really only matters that you are riding.

Ok for those new to the game, read this gem. I must say I think it was my finest work to date.
Tires 29er vs. 26er
http://theoriginallegend.blogspot.com/2008/01/i-did-my-ladyfriend-again-today.html

I wonder if a long lost friend will read this and find the need to leave her office for a smoke?

Cut rubbers, raging Australia, A moving to DC, even more work hassles. These are events and inconveniences. Am I happy they are happening, no. Will they fundamentally change my life, no. When Bad Andy said it must be good to be me, at the start line, on Sunday. Once I bitched for a split second I caught myself and I eventually got to the real answer, it is pretty good to be me.
I kind of like it here. I think I will stay a while longer.
Enjoy the sunshine.
All in all

And so it began

The bike game has started. I do not even see the possibilty of a totally free weekend until The Black Crowes & DMB concert weekend at the end of June. I will probably still race that Sunday. Thankfully with the switch to MTB, there may be only one double road weekend. Sweet.
I have been thinking a lot about what I want to accomplish this year. I have a big goal, National Champion at Mt Snow, and some other very important goals for me. MASS Endurance series win, there I said that as well. I know there are caveats to that. I also know I will not be the fastest Endurance racer, but I will race very fast and trace the series, to win the series.
Lately I have been thinking about "challenge" goals. Such as, how far can I push my mind and body in competition. Is it a solo 12 hour race? Is it possibly 7 Springs 24 hr solo? Maybe a MTB stage race in Utah? I have done the normal events in the past 20 some years of racing. I am looking for something that says, I did something pretty special. I did something that I previously did not think I could accomplish.
When I look at what my brother accomplished at Flanders cyclosportive, I realize that a fundamental change in belief of what I can accomplish should be in order. Why is a long ride 5 or 6 hours? Why not seven or eight? Why let my past determine my future? It should be a good guide, not a limiter. There is nothing that says that you/I can not make a fundamental change, and what it is we believe we can accomplish.
So time will tell if I was able to achieve my goals and also do something that I deem special.
And so it begins.

In another time, the outcome would have been different

You try so hard, and so much energy is invested. You figure that good things should happen to good people, at least I do. You know you want this so badly that you can taste it. Maybe there are times that simple things are forced. This, all because you feel that no matter how smooth the trail is maybe there is just a little more you can squeeze out. Everything is easy, natural, flowing, like you were meant to be exactly where you are at that present moment. Nothing surpasses the joy you feel. You are working so hard to stay smooth and not let others know just how hard it really is to be where you are, right then, at that moment. You know that in the end it is all good.
Life, maybe? My race today, maybe?
In another time, today would have been different. Not for the better. Those who really know me, know there was once a time were I was a walking timebomb. Not during the divorce. Before that, there were times I was just a freakin' stupid ass person, who had a bad temper. Over the past few years I have worked very hard to rectify this. I would like to think, and I think most will agree, I am a kinder, gentler version presently. Someone who is fun to be around, even in tough times. This is also why I rarely argue with people about things. Better put, I almost never argue with people I enjoy being around. It is not worth a trip down bad memory lane.
So, to the title. I was flying today, at least for me. Half way through the race I was in 7th, with 6th in view. Then it happened. Where I was so smooth, I pushed a little too much. I knew the section and what to do, yet I pushed a little too much. I wanted this result so badly. Next thing I know, FLAT TIRE and dinged rim. No chance to refill with air. I am done. In another time, the outcome would have been different. First, I would have exploded in a litany of profanity so loud and expansive that I would have so embarrassed myself that it would be beyond comprehension. After the situation was assessed, I started to walk 2.5 miles out of the woods, calmy. By the time I got back near the car I saw my group come through 6th-11th. I decided to get my spare bike and go back out for a ride.
Why? Because, like the double entendre at the beginning, I so enjoy certain things that it was worth my time to finish what I started. I screwed up in the race. It is done. Pout? Go home? Make excuses? No. I manned up got my spare, and to the amazement of some people watching I headed back to enjoy myself. Enjoy myself, I did.
So, four hours drive invested, three hours on the bike with race, warm and cool. Two hours cleaning, repairing and getting parts ready for tommorow fix session. I am a better person for the time invested.
Am I happy that I had so much invested, and DNF'ed? Of course not. Ironic, Aerosmith "Back in the saddle" is playing presently. I digress. I DNF'ed, but I did not quit.
In another time the outcome would have been different. Today, I made the best of the outcome and had a damn fun time.
Thanks for reading.

Boogie afternoons, bow chicca bow wow

No, no , no, get your minds out of the gutter. I went for a sweet ride with Dirk Diggler at The Farm and a certain area, where we shall say, we did not ride.
Finally a warm day to ride and I spent it in the woods. Not even a hint of remorse for staying away from the sun soaked roads to work on my vanity tan. Hey, when Zayne is a teammate, every little bit of pigment helps.
So Diggler and I rolled a lap of the farm before heading out for me to do some climbing. We totally railed through some stuff, I washed out and ejected a few times, but finally I am getting the feel for the Scalpel, at speed. Once out of the farm we rolled to Tower Rd for the first climb. Most know my general non-love of climbing. I am getting much better and can stay with/near decent climbers now. Well, Willie Shoemaker Diggler friggin' schooled me, as expected. We are talking on the climb and all of the sudden he stands and is gone. WTF?!?! I guess that is what talent and 130 lbs of sopping wet girls petite size will do for you. We continue to roll along for the next hour or so, and it is total fun. Trading off leading and following. At the speed we are riding there is a lot of trust in the person leading. That guy needs to be taking good lines, as the follower is riding on the Trust Bus. At one point little Diggler even said, "I like riding with good riders. You know they will not screw up." High compliment I took there. Definitely it was true when Diggs was leading. 2:45 later we finished up a totally sweet rippin' mtb ride with some fine creekside singletrack. I SCHOOLED HIM! I do not want Diggler to get too big an ego when he stands in front of the full-length mirror before work tommorow.
As I stated before I could not wait to do some good mtb rides with friends. Today was one of those days.
Classic work moment of the day was when I got into a sword/pen fight with a child psych, who I have a good relationship with. The best part was it was me and the psych, in the clinic waiting room, in front of his clients and the kids parents. We are facing off in a joust of drug pens. We were joking around like two high-schoolers. Priceless. Even better was when I told him to stop it and get back to work. Yeah baby, that is how you move product in the pharma industry.
My fave cabby from da Burgh is coming tommorow evening. I will have to keep him awake for at least an hour to hear some Yinzers stories or a good Chew story.
The real deal MTB starts this Sunday. I am moving up to the Elite/Open class. Should be fun. After rolling some fast technical stuff with Diggler today, I am more and more confident. Hopefully the legs will not be sooo tired for Sunday.
Playlist for the drive home was some old school Harrisburg rock. The Syn D' Cats, with a certain FHR skater dad on the drums, if I am not mistaken. Trashy little number, Broken smile and $60 bill. My fave AM personality on the band intro.
Good day.
Time to apply some more Tar to Australia.
Nitey nite.

Cravings

Dark chocolate. CVS had 70% Lindt bars for $2.49. I bought four.
Feel good tunes. True Reflections, DMB. Oh Josephine, Crowes.
Icthamol salve, stridex pads and hottub sessions. Australia is very sore and purple.
Sunlight for my pasty legs.
My phone to vibrate, "1 new Text Message", in my jersey pocket.
Territory to realign. June, I think.
More mtb races.
Even more long mtb rides with friends.
Be able to stop avoiding Hobbes not being around.
Sushi.
One really BIG win.
Confidence in myself. Physical, emotional and social.
Blueberries.
New ink, and the CONFIDENCE to do it for me.

If you want to see the light, first spend a little time on the Dark Side

In light of recent events, this post has nothing to do with them. Neither Saturday, nor Monday, however the irony is bizzaro.
What this does have to deal with is Sunday, and why I so enjoy racing mountain bikes. Last year was my mtb return after a hiatus since 1996. Sorry Slick Rick the Ruler, I think I trump your 1 year 4 months and 29 days. Good to see you again though. I referred to it as my return to the Dark Side. Thing is, I forgot what it was like to really enjoy a day at the races. Now, do not get me wrong, I like racing on the road. My teammates the past six years or so have been great. The road scene is such a weird clique. Basically if your funny colored lycra clown suit is not the same color as your buddy’s, you are NOT allowed to converse with him before or after a race. You must stick with your similar lycra outfit cronies. What is really queer is that last year you may have worn the same funny colored lycra clown suit as your buddy. This year you "moved up" and now are a sworn enemy!?!?
Mountain scene is nothing like that. It is, GASP, fun. How shall I explain, it is like people treating others with respect and enjoying their company, regardless of their team.
Why is mtb racing fun?
Here is why:
You are in nature, not an industrial park.
Twisty, turny, hopping, jumping etc…
Friendly people
Life is more than 140 right hand turns
Beer & donuts
Signing autographs for kids
Actually seeing Juniors en masse
Scratched up legs that look like they just were whipped with canes
Knuckles that look like you were in a bar fight the night before
Effort in= result out. No hiding, no sitting in for the sprint
The mentality. Maybe that should be #1?
You are allowed to talk with your friends
People hanging around to congratulate ALL classes when they get awards
To see the look on people’s faces when they see you ride a crazy section, as opposed to taking turn 3 really fast
Girls/women who actually race their bikes instead of participating in the Sherwin Williams paint-dry Classic
Technical skills = speed
MTB brings out the kid in you. Seriously, when you were a kid did you ride your bike around the playground 40 times and say that was cool or did you go and explore?

There you have it. If you really want to see the light, of riding and racing a bike. Get yourself a MTB and go ride/race it. You will thank me later.

To my team, teammates, friends at the race today thank you all for allowing me to come back to the Dark Side. I look forward to more podium shoe appearances, 9 for 9 baby, and drinking PBR out of freshly polished trophies throughout the year.

Shine a Light

Oh I want to believe
There is more to this me
Then it hits me that maybe there isn’t
All the things that I try
As a means to get by
Then it hits me that maybe its futile
Up and down round and round
Covering all the new same ground
Then it hits me that I’m not a martyr
What to think, what to do
If not for me, not for you
Then it hits me forever is impossible
The choice to live
Mine to give
Did I fail, did I give up
Was I wrong, was I right
I made the choice, shine a light
Break it down anyway you may
Everyone will have their say
Then it hits me, life is not complacent
All for me all for you
Forgive me for what I am about to do
Then it hits me, no one is all alone
Looking back if you will
Better times are forward still
Now it hits me

Pain in the A$$, or at home surgery 101

WARNING!!!! This may be graphic for some, in topic and detail.
Part and parcel of being a cyclist can be something so affectionately referred to as the "saddle sore". For the few people who do not race, and read this literary masterpiece, a saddle sore is an sore, infection, ingrown hair in your tender regions. Every cyclist will get one eventually. No amount of chamois cream, Noxzema or post-ride rubbing alcohol (very pleasant by the way) will save you. When it is your time, "enjoy it".
You can get them from hygiene issues (not me), riding in the rain, too low/high of a seat, switching from bike to bike (my issue) and some other ways.
The downside side of racing MTB, road, TT is that I ride four different bikes through the summer. I use the same saddle on all bikes and try to keep similar saddle height and setback. No matter what there is always a difference. I was trying a stock saddle on the new Scalpel. It is made by the same company of the saddles I ride on ALL other seven bikes. Yes, I am that anal, no pun intended. It has a slightly different shape, couple that with a bouncy rear suspension, and riding off road, and viola there is trouble Down Under, and I do not mean Australia. The thing is I do not have a saddle sore per se. That would be easy. I have developed a blood blister. It is right on my sit bone. Coupled with the fact that I have a bony ass, and you can imagine the pleasantries I feel when I ride.
Back to the title, and this is where we venture away from PG-13. This blood blister friggin hurts. It hurts to sit, to touch and just hurts for the hell of it. So when it reaches max capacity, you must grin and bear it and release a little tension, ie blood. It seems there must be a lot of nerve endings in the sit bone area, because when I pop that little bugger the pain is almost eye-watering. Today was not so fruitful, and my friend the blister needed to be drained. Henceforth, home surgery 101. Keep in my I do not have an autoclave, nor do i really have any patience. So, my sterilization process consisted of running a pocketknife under very hot water. I can sense the wincing, because you know what comes next. I hoist the left leg onto the bathroom counter, grab my scalding hot pocketknife and process to go Marcus Welby on my ass. A quick lance and squeeze and there it came, red gold, blood I tell ya'. No sign of infection, yet, just blood. I am hoping the draining will help and i can get through the Super Duper Intergalactic US Open relay on Sunday with little pain to defend the crown we won last year.
Five hours in a chamois may mean another surgical intervention come Monday. Let's hope not.
Aren't you glad i care enough to share?

Pretty good day

Great conversation with local psych about a patient, and I was asked what I thought about the Tx regimin & what should be done. Really cool. I was respected enough, based on my knowledge and their trust in me that I was asked Tx options. As I was leaving the Dr said, "I knew it would be a good day when i was told you were the first person I was seeing today." Some days it can be pretty rewarding. Hell, the mean receptionist at the next office even spoke to me. She even initiated the conversation.
Diggler dialed in my rear brake on the Scalpel. So it is race ready, minus the tire that was flat after the ride??? Stan's ??? Still that may be the best ride I have ever ridden. Granted my "n" of mtb's is smallish. Holy dang dilly dang does that bike ride tight singletrack well. I threw on riser bars and was back to my high hoppin' elf again. Enduro crew, look out. Fit, fast, healthy and my head is out of my ass this year. Big times big goals.
Dinner with my fave little rock stars M & R and mom whose name is also "A". Imagine that. Very good talk with mom about relationships. Always good to get a female perspective. I also was able to plunder her CD collection for some stuff to download. I will start with 50 and try to get them all down tonight. Cool eclectic stuff that only a radio personality can get. I tell you those little girls are so cute. So expressive. Drama queen the one is. Godd eggs. Good parents.
decided i would go to local Ice Cream establishment for a treat. Step into rakestraw's only to find 20 little kids in line. As I look on at the poor single counter guy i realize this treat is not happening right then. As i am about to leave a little girl turns and says to me, " hi old man". Not much to do but say hello. The she says, " we are from Awanna??, we study Jesus." Ok, good for you I think. I hope jesus' life lesson had something to do with the fact that all the kids had their jackets on backwards?
Off to Staples for some supplies and see one of Old A's good friends husband. We chat for a bit. Stranger for him. I also see the VP from Seve-lay Industries.
So here I am enjoying some super smooth 360 Vodka & Grapefruit whilst i download. Five discs down 45 to go. I think I can get done tonight.
Since I am listening to a little live ditty of Patience, from GnR, I wonder what Axel Rose is doing right now?

HOLY DANG!!!!!! or two little seconds

In the scope of a lifetime where do two seconds fit in? What can you say or do in two seconds? You could tell someone you love them in that timeframe and that would/could change your life. You could do something really tragically stupid that would change your, and other's lives around you. This post is about neither of those things. I am not telling anyone that I love them. I am not doing anything stupid.
I figure two seconds today really and truly saved my life.
I was driving 81S to Chambersburg today to see some customers. I needed to get there and back quickly, to meet up with a serviceman for some home issues. Therefore I was cruising pretty quickly. I noticed a Statey in the median so I slowed up a little and pulled to the right to let then WV car fly by. No harm, no foul I guess for that car. I then speed back up and get behind the WV car. We drive about one more mile and see all kinds of metal debris on the road in both lanes. Being that it is 81, trucks are in the right lane back to back, pr so I thought and WV car and I are cruising the left. There is no room to swerve, no time to brake, just avoid as best as possible. Each of us do. All of a sudden out of the right lane I see a maroon car come flying across the lane perpindicular to us. We each lock the brakes and watch as the maroon car crosses the left lane into the median. WV car swerves to miss and I drive straight. As the maroon car leaves the road it is right in front of me so I see everything plain as day in slo-mo. At that point on 81 the median is like a ditch. This does not bode well for the maroon car as it is now airborne, and rolling to the right in midair. The nose hits and the car flips forward and rolls again on the ground. HOLY FUCK! I am now sure that I just witnessed someone dying in a car crash. WV car & I pull over as traffic speeds by oblivious in both lanes. As I stop and dial 911. I am starting to get real nauseous. Then someone was obviously touched by a higher power than their seatbelt. The driver crawls out of the passenger side window and walks to another stopped car. I have no idea how it happened that he walked away from a 60 mph airborne flight and roll, but he did. That Stateys arrived while I was still on the horn with 911. Amazing.
So, back to the title. At my speed the difference between writing this post and being T-boned by that car was about two seconds. Maybe the time I lost by slowing down a mile previously?
That may have been the craziest thing I have ever seen while driving. It was total slo-mo. It was right in my face. Thankfully no one was hurt.
After I replayed the accident in my head a few more times. It reminded me of something I said to A last night. " I know how I feel about things right now. I do not know how I will feel about things tomorrow, or next week, or down the road. I can not control that. Things may change in life that I can not control."
Things damn near did change today, in just two seconds.

Ahh the weekend, or a first time for everything

I guess it started sometime Friday. Finished up work and went to meet A. She asked me once how much a "man's man" I am. Keep in mind I am 154 lbs sopping wet with guns the size of pipecleaners and ankles and legs that could be mistaken for chopsticks. That led to asking if I would be willing to get a manicure/pedicure with her sometime. That brings us to Friday. Damn my feet are friggin' hot! A nice pampering pedi and foot massage. Have it Doucheblog.
Friday night brought the Yinzers from the Burgh to crash for Bike Game #1. Sprinter extraordinnaire saw the new Slice and damn near went ballistic. I am expecting a call any day now to assess how I actually got the bike and why I went through MTB team. I think the answer as to why is the fact I have it.
Bike Game went not so well. Overdressed. For me that meant knee warmers. After 15 minutes they were down at my ankles Irene Cara Flashdance style. Many comments on that through the race. DISCLAIMER. The next line is for Steevo, Babik & Mayhew. I will not stoop to Chodroff levels. Avg power for 2:30 282 watts, NP was 323, best 1 hr NP 340, TSS 320. Yes kids that is what sitting on the front in an uphill headwind will do. Turner & I had no chance vs 3 Rite Aid pros, Ramon & Empire guy. Rest of field basically rolled around. Finished, that was good.
Got my tix for Crowes. That was awesome, thanks K-Mad's mom & A from 'TPA. Funny good luck text from A, and the obligatory sass. Very funny. Team rolling to line & I am texting. Nice.
Sunday was the first road tire 29'er ride. Five hours went pretty quick although knee was getting sore.
Then the supposed coup de gras of new experiences. ROLLER DERBY. Went to see H.A.R.D. scrimmage. It was an eye opening experience to say the least. Who knew that Roller Derby is a generational way to spend a Sunday evening? I did not? Grandma's smoking Malboro's and pounding Keystone Light's in the parking lot at intermission. Americana baby. It was equal parts, intriguing, disturbing and educational. There were way too many "big" girls in fishnets for my taste. The repulsion factor was pretty high. There was one chick who was wicked fast and very fit. You couls tell she schooled all the others, Mother Trucker was the name. The cool moment of the night was when one of the skaters went to see her kids and husband after the match. The kids jumped up in her arms and she gave them big hugs and a kiss to the hubby. That was cool. Maybe Roller Derby is a family affair. I can say that Roller Derby is now in the file of " glad i did it once, never again."
Off to Wegman's for some cards, I like card shopping, and other food stuff. Hope the cards go well. $87 later I leave the store. WTF. Word to the wise. The tipping point on truly delicious dark chocolate is 72%. I got the 88% last night, not even appealing.
Watched my Ebay auctions go for about $300 less than I wanted, yet covered all of my costs, so that was good. Two sets of wheels brought $1,500. Sweet.
So that was the weekend.
Tonight is birthday dinner with A. Still have not bought a gift, have some ideas bought it is challenging to not purchase too much, too little, special enough, yet not too special. This dating stuff is hard.

Bike Game ott eight

On the eve of The ott eight Bike Game, the Benyou Hostel is settling in and down for the start of the new gaming season.
This year's seasonal starter looks to be a baptism by fire. 90ish riders on a tight 7 mile loop with big teams representing. I predict the pain cave will be open for visitors after about 30 seconds. I also predict there will be more than a few flashlights going out in the pain cave after about thirty minutes. Two laps of eight in the books, 40 out of 90 riders in their cars. Yeah boys and girls this will be nervy. Hopefully not, I want to quit racing my bike forever Branchbrook nervy.
Another season starts, twenty-one years after the first official season I feel better than ever. We will see if long hard mtb tempo translates into fast jumpy road fitness.
The best part is; no matter what happens tomorrow, even a cataclysmic perfect storm dropping a, chortle, snort, giggle, bah hah hah, win in my lap would be better than my last couple days.
Yep, I think I may have that pesky priority thing under better control.
I wonder what Len McDonald & Gerald Soltis are doing these days?

A gentle reminder

That is what I got today from Diggler & A, at damn near the same time. The gist was simple. Every time I whine about my job, remember the time it affords me to do other things, like ride.
I swore to not bitch as much about my job, and I think I have been good. The reminders, although from totally different contexts, really hit home. A's was so out of the blue from the conversation that we were having. Diggler's was like an ah-ha/gotcha, you finally admitted it, as we were referencing someone Else's free time and training.
These two reminders really made me think while out riding. A's made me feel guilty, and rightfully so. I felt this way with old A a few years ago when she was slammed at work. Guilty in that I have a very advantageous schedule for someone of my pursuits. Whereas, others with the same passion, like A, are not nearly so fortunate. This is precisely why I try to avoid most work conversation when we speak. I am almost ashamed of my free time/good fortune. I am not ashamed of what I do. I am good at what I do, when I get the chance to actually do it. There are days where I wish I could talk on and on about what I did at work. It just does not happen.
Diggler's reminder was more of the "you better use this opportunity to be damn good". Essentially, I have the time, knowledge and skills to succeed as a racer, so there is no excuse not to.
To each instance I wholeheartedly agreed. The other thing that made these reminders so poignant, sorry Diggler you will have to look that one up, is the respect that I have for these two people. Diggler as a cyclist, and A as a person and professional who does not seem to get the work credit she deserves.
Add to this situation the email I received from A Shizz today about just this dilemma, and things were hitting close to home.
For those who reminded me today, Diggler, A Shizz and A, of just how I fortunate I am, at the present time, thank you. Hopefully tomorrow, and the next day, the day after, and so on, I will keep your words in the front of my mind and take them to heart.
At some point, every run has an end. Deja vu, all over again.
I wonder what Bev Sweger would say if she read this crap?

Remember kids, safety first

Pissed part 2 or sick & tired of subsidizing everyone else

So, if you remember my little rant on Dub Ya's economic stimulus pandering plan this will be a nice follow up.
Today was my annual meeting with my tax preparer. As many of you know I am very loal to people. The same person has done my taxes for the past 5-6 years. It is not like they are complicated, but it is one less stress and she truly tries to help me out and get every last deduction for me.
This year I thought would be my year. I am filing single for the first time in thirteen years and old A's withholdings, or lack thereof, would not hurt me. Yes, I say ME since I poaid the bills.
Fast forward. As we start my tax prep lady notices a big issue with my local earnings. They are somehow THREE times LESS than State & Federal. "This is not good", she says. "Let's do Federal first." Fair enough, we go through the info and she says, "you are not going to like this". Sure enough, I did not. Seriously it felt like I had just been punched in the gut. I was flabbergasted. I owed $1,300+! How is this possible I damn near shriek. "Do you want to know the real reason", she replied. Yes. "You are paying for those people who do not pay taxes and suck off of the Government. There it is. I pay 27% of my earnings in taxes, so that I can subsidize the rest of this country. I am so pissed that it makes no sense to write anymore.
Ooops sorry, I forgot about mt Local Taxes. We shall forever refer to this as "the great rabbit punch of '07." Seems that after my move out of the State St. apartment and buying my new place, Lilly stopped paying into local taxes for seven months. Basically Lilly feels Fairview Twp is too small and does not want to withhold local taxes "as a courtesy" to me. So, either pay quarterly, or pay in a lump sum. $900 later Westab had their pound of flesh.
Yes kids, I am equal parts upset, frustrated, confused and out and out pissed.
To top it off, the only $0 on my tax return was at the bottom of the Federal portion. That was to tell me what I would be receiving in economic stimulus. So enjoy your stimulus if you get one. In fact you may feel free to send me small gifts or provide sympathy beers at any race or bar that you may see me at this summer.
This is yet another reason why I support a flat tax with no deducctions. Let every citizen pay their fair share. I am not poor, nor am I rich. I just want to be treated fairly in the whole scheme of taxation.
If you think of it in an even larger global context I am taxed much more heavily due to the fact that I am a consumer with disposable income. So, I stimulate the economy. I accrue ZERO debt, to hurt the economy. I somehow get the privelege of paying a disproportionate part of my income to the government.
Get ride of sales taxes. Seriously get rid of them. Without sales tax peole have an increased buying power of 6%, essentially. That is stimulus. Then institute a flat taxe directly from yoyur wages. Granted this is still unfair in many respects, under the table work comes to mind, but it does accomplish the concept of equitable taxation.
The poor do not pay, because it is just set up that way. The rich do not pay because there are so many bogus loopholes. It leaves the burden on those in the lower, upper & middle middle class.
OK, that is enough ranting. I have used my break before lunch.
Off to make some more cash, so I can pay it all back to Uncle Sam & his little cronie, WESTAB.

Life is like a plate of sashimi, chachiri to be exact

It is raw.
It is delightful.
It is a different experience for everyone.
It is cultured.
It is fishy.
It goes best with good company.

My plate of sashimi started off with a quick Ebay check to see who is willing to overpay for the wheel sets that I have up for auction. For the three or four non-bike riders who read this literary atrocity, I am hoping to make $1,800 for two sets of wheels. Yes, $1,800. Yes wheels. As in no bike involved. As in no tires involved. I heart capitalism. I heart Ebay. Delightful.
Next up was a ride in State Cawledge with Bubb Ry. We set out to ride so easy that Pat & Bill could have joined us. It is amazing the "ground" you can cover in an hour with a close friend. A nice chill ride and good conversation about life, passions, goals, relationships, perspectives. Lots of good ground covered. Delightful.
Drove home to put in a little work for the Colonel. Same as it ever was. That was quick. Literally & proverbially. Raw and fishy.
Started to put together the new Scalpel and do yet another tinker session with parts. The Scalpel is going to be sweet. I am thinking a set of Stan's 347's and chi-chi rotors will put it in the 21 lb ballpark.So, back to the title. Life is like a plate of sashimi. It is quite diverse. Each "slice" so different than the next, yet complimentary. Ultimately each little slice of life is quite enjoyable in its own way. Maybe it is the texture, the taste, the color, the contrast, the presentation. When each little slice is then presented as a whole it is something to be enjoyed. It is something best enjoyed with good company.
Today was such a day from start to finish.
Ry and CSS thank you.

Fresh tracks

Rolled some nice fresh tracks in State Cawledge powder today. Not tele, not downhill, no XC. A damn fine 5 hours on the new Cannondale F1 29er. The bike is absolutely awesome. Very light front end, predictable tracking and wicked quick in singletrack.
Back to the fresh tracks. We did a lot of dirt road climbing and descending today. Actually almost all dirt road snow stuff. There were three really cool trails that we hit. Totally fresh snow, first tacks stuff. Going through the trees and hitting the lowhanging snow covered branches was awesome. Feeling the cold of the powder hit your face was so refreshing. I must have had the biggest smile riding that singletrack. Sooooo fun.
Later in the eve was the VisitPA.com team meeting and dinner at the home of our gracious hosts, the Schempfs. A wonderful spinach lasagna and killer desert with good company in an awesome 1810 farmhouse. That is what a day should be like. Thanks to all, especially the Leech's who have been so generous in allowing me to spend a long weekend, over a holiday no less.
The riding these past two days further engrains in my mind just how fun it is to ride a bike. The sheer joy, pleasure, feeling of accomplishment that can be achieved by something as simple as riding a bike is incredible. So tomorrow I am on tap for four more hours of joy on the roads of Central PA. Good fun. All for a weekend in VT in July.
In your heart you know, the juice is worth the squeeze. That's what moral fiber is all about.
Yes, I am watching The Girl Next Door.
That is what it is though. Taking the things you are the most passionate about and putting them/that person in front of everything else. Having the strength, courage and guts to commit to someone/thing and go out on a limb and say "this is what I want."
I know what I want, I know what I feel. I know what I am willing to do to meet those ends.
The juice is definitely worth the squeeze.

Because I think better standing up

Not so much.
I am staying at Chez Leech, in State College this weekend, for the VisitPA.com MTB training camp. The computer is at the bar so I am standing. If you play along with this blogging thing you will remember that I stated I have the good fortune of surrounding myself with greatness, and great people. Today on our team ride the group was an ex National Champ, a present National Champ, a present 24 hr National series champ, a pro racer and myself. Yeah, I won the MASS last year, a cross series, and ten races outright. Yet, i was totally outclassed. It felt good to ride very well technically and definitely hold my own. It is so much fun to push yourself against those who are better than you. This is especially true on a MTB. So much of MTB racing is about lines and braking. Today was a grad school course with some of the best. Following Ry, Rob and Wes's lines through the fast shit was awesome. Watching Ray come flying by on the big road climb was humbling.
Three hours today with some nice climbing and two of the longest, steepest sustained rocky singletrack descents i have ever been on. I am not one for exaggeration and blowing my own horn. They were some technical hard descents. I am also a very good technical descender. I was holding on with controlled slides for a lot of these descents. It is hard to explain this to a layperson. I will say it this way. Most sane and normal people would not want to walk down these descents or try to walk across the rock gardens that we ride. Really, not to be full of myself. The sections really are that difficult.
A nice dinner followed and a little team building beer pong and quarters, I still have the touch.
Six hours on tap for tomorrow, should be fun. Good friends, good trails. Yeah, I dig riding a bike.
Sounds like I may get lucky and get to ride some fresh snow tracks tomorrow.

A different perspective or four ways from Wednesday

I have never considered myself to be a company man. Yet, i still have this naive notion that I will work for Lilly until I can retire at 55. I met with three old work colleagues yesterday. We have all taken very different paths in our careers. It was an interesting perspective on loyalty, service, money, passion and drive.
J is retired from the Mothership after working thirty years. This man is a true pillar. His perspective was one of "now i can objectively see with my own two eyes."
C was with Lilly for three years and split to sell orthapedic surgical products.
JJ has been with Lilly for eight years and is taking a job in Indy in two weeks.
I have been with Lilly for eleven years and am still an empiral cycnic/skeptic.
J's ekynote pearl was this, The Colonel needs you, more than you will ever need the Colonel. I never knew that until I retired." He was amazed at the downfall of the industry and The Mothership in the last five years. It was great perspective and advice on loyalty, it is one-sided, and why do you get up every morning to do this job.
C split for the cash and conflict with an old manager. Interestingly enough, when exit interviewed the number one reason to leave a job is due to your direct report.
JJ is all about advancement right now. He sees the next two, three years of twelve hour days as a way to come back to PA as a manger and make mad cash. Yes, the managers do get paid well. The question I ask is this. Is it really worth two, three YEARS of your life for a POSSIBLE chance to be a manager? I just do not see the pay-off.
Which leads to me. I have steadfastly refused to go to Indy for an assignment. I have no desire for that type of lifestyle. I do not enjoy kissing asses. They stink. I do not enjoy being cooped up for twelve hours, just to say that I stayed at work longer than you. People in The Colonel's army have mistaken this for being apathetic to advancement. that is not it. I just take a firm stand on what is important to me.
The irony is that I still hold this notion of retiring from Lilly at 55. Can I keep this up for fifteen more years? There is no rational thought process that would lead me to think I could. Maybe if I start buying an additional two weeks vacation every year I could do it. So after this discussion I just had an intersting perspective as to who I am.
I wonder what JD & Mr. Bennett are doing right now?

Tipping point

In everything there is a fine balancing act to keep a general equilibrium. At some point there is the tipping point where something throws the balance off. It may be to the good, it may be to the bad. At that point do you go with the tip, or do you try to achieve equilibrium again?
If the ultimate outcome is deemed to be unpleasant, how much are you willing to endure before hitting your tipping point? If the outcome is to be a good outcome, do you maybe ease off and take the money and run, per se?
This is where I get seriouse and toss the veil. When I my Blazer finally died last October my good buddy Ryan mentioned that I have very little left to remind me of my life but a year or two ago. This is with one exception. Hobbes.
Little buddy is somewhat sick, mostly from old age. He is sixteen years old. From November to January he managed to lose 30% of his body weight. Granted he could stand to lose a little heft. In context, let's say that I ballooned to 200 lbs. That would be like me dropping to 140 in three months. Pretty friggin' gross. I am not done. The former Fat Cat has dropped two more pounds. he know weighs in at a very bony 10 pounds. That would be like me dropping 24 more pounds and weighing in at 116 pounds. Weigh yourself tonight. Then figure out what 58% of that would be. Now you see the issue. That would be like Steevo weighing 75 pounds!
Hobbes has lost 42% of his body weight in six months. He is not really eating much. He does not drink much. At what point is there the tipping point of me watching him waste away to stay alive? Hell, I could not even go see my Grandmother last month because she is so emaciated.
This leads to my moral dilemna and tipping point. What do I do. The Vet has said the weight loss will not stop. Eventually the Parathyroid will run so rampant it shuts down the kidneys.
When is it finally too much? When can I no longer allow the quantity of his time overrule the quality? He is the being that I have spent more of my life life than any other person/being over the past twenty years.
At what point is it Ok to say this just can not go on?
Am I a bad person for even considering that maybe living like this is not a good thing for him?
I just now that I have reached the tipping point.

Two left hands

That is how I have felt at the shop lately. It seems i can do nothing correctly. In my own defense, of which there really should not be any, the bikes I was working on were totally new to me. In style, components, lay-out everything. Thing is, I rather pride myself at being able to do all of my own bike wrench work, except for wheel building.
The TT bike and the F1 29er damn near defeated me. The bikes are sweet and the components top notch. It was just that I was not thinking straight and every time I added one and one, I got three. It went from comical, to almost hard to watch for the guys at the shop. Today was only slightly better. I managed to Stan's up the new wheels and tires spot on, with the first go. That was good. The hydraulic brakes were another issue. Added oil, but mostly air. So that did not work so well. Then bled the system, or better, basically watched as Jeff bled the system. Still no dice. Just not working out.
Add to that general stress about life and being tired from the weekend and I am not at a good mental game. Thankfully I get to leave the area for a few days to do nothing but ride with the VisitPA.com mates. Hopefully that will clear my head.

Because I care...

Someone, and I am not sure who, once told me this: "If you are going to take the time to do something, why not do it to the best you possibly can. Do it well enough that you would sign your name to it."
I try, I really do. I put myself out there for people and things, and I try to care and give my best.
Maybe that is the whole problem? I truly care. I truly care what people think, even though I may say otherwise. I have some bizarre overabundance of empathy at times.
I care about my job.
I care about my family.
I care about my friends.
I care about past relationships.
I care about present relationships.
I care more about other people than I do myself. I am sure some will find that quite hard to believe.
I care about racing my bikes.

So that being said, I do not write this blog for anyone but me. There is no need to read into anything. If I am going to write about someone, they will know it. There will be no ambiguity as to the meaning of the post. I write this blog so I can have a release. I write this blog not because I think I am so special that eveyone should read it and aspire to this this life. I write it, because it is my life, and I care enough about "you" that I want to share it. It is not like I am getting rich and famous from doing this. Hell, I am probably skirting the fine line of general disaster because I am more open about my life, in this format, than in person.
Take the time to get to know me. I dare you.
You may be surprised, or you may not?

Now that was a full day

Not 36 hours in a cab mind you, but long, fun and tiring nonetheless.
5:30 get up and do party prep work.
10:00 greet Ry & Sunshine and get ready for our ride
10:30 Ride four hours on a gorgeous day
2:00 End up at St. Patty's day parade in H-burg. Watch that for a bit.
2:15 See New Adventures of old A with the Satan Sisters. Can not even say hello to Sisters since Old A's new adventure is there. I thought he may be uncomfortable. How noble of me.
2:30 Ride last 30 minutes home
2:50 Have the funniest Paul & Phil commentary with Ry on the last climb
3:15 Cook burgers on the grill for Ry & Sunshine
3:16 Start drinking
5:00 Chamois time is still training time. Get cleaned up and go to El Rodeo /w Sunshine to pick up food, ice, and yes more MARSHMALLOWS.
6:30 Make up for not drinking the last hour
7:00 Eat, drink, be merry
8:00 Start Monty Python playing on the neighbor's house. It was great watching it and going through the lines with no sound.
9:00 Keep drinking, get the picture? I learned that in a pinch you can use four cases of samples, an old door, two nitrogen insert dispensers from Guiness cans and come up with a killer beer pong set-up
10:00 See 9:00 With the added benefit of watching almost all of my cycling helmets, ski goggles, rain gear, helmet cases etc... end up being worn by party guests. There are some good pics somewhere
10:30 Have another epic marshmallow war. This may end up a party tradition
11:00 Decide that I should wear my TT helmet the rest of the night to be more aero and drink faster. I think it worked
11:30 Got my ass handed to me not once but twice, in beer pong, by a sloppy drunk Leprechaun. Yes, a full-on Leprechaun
12:00 Turns out the hot tub heater sensor fixed itself. Decide to get in the hot tub. Forgot that I had Sportsbalm after-ride lotion on my legs. That was quite unpleasantly hot.
12:30 Get dry and drink some more.
1:30 Finally decide to call it a night

Paid the price today. Tired, lethargic, dehydrated, blah blah blah. The sudden boom and brief darkness today at 3:45 was the sound of my body blowing up and the lights going out as I made the turn onto the final climb of my ride.
Good times, good friends. Thanks everyone.

Now I am pissed!

The principle is economic stimulus, not I want $600. Keep that in mind. It is a macro concept.
This is not about the money. Those who know me well enough know it not about money. Has not been for the past 10+ years. It is all about the principle and good sound fiscal logic to create the supposed "stimulus". That being said this economic stimulus plan is pure politico opportunist bunk!
If you want to stimulate the economy you need to make sure the money goes to people who will spend it to actually, dare I say it, stimulate the economy! So much of this "stimulus" will go to reducing personal debt, or sheer life necessities. Under that concept, basically the US is creating state debt to pay for personal debt. WTF!
I know this may sound greedy. Trust me it is not. I will still spend the same way, regardless of $600. The concept is just horseshit and shortsighted. Basically it is Bush trying to save face near the end of his term. How quaint. In reality all he has done is saddled more debt on the government and incoming regime. If you do not have disposable income, $600 surely is not going to create disposable income. I would venture to guess the money doled out will be used to pay to live. Groceries, gas, credit card debt, etc... So little retail goods will be purchased. Good strategery, Dub Ya. Makes me feel better I renounced any and all political party affiliation. GDI baby!
Whatever?!?! You want pure stimulus? Give cash to everyone, especially those who will spend it on the intended purpose. I love it. I pay more taxes, and I get no stimulus. I am fine with paying more. I just do not feel I should be disproportionately taxed, or conversely disproportionately shafted on a benefit. My back is getting a little sore from carrying dead weight.
How much does a pound of flesh go for these days?
Flame away. However, you better have your ducks in a row if you choose.
Grrrr pandering makes me angry.

Cause that's how we roll in New Comptonland

Got home from picking up the VISITPA.com rides yesterday and set about building them last night. Yeah, I know that I referenced this yesterday. Here is where the story turns.
A High School English teacher once told me, "sometime, you just need to know when to BOG." Huh, BOG? Bow out gracefully, he said. There comes a point in time when you need to when that is your best option.
So last evening I knew how tired I was, and how excited I was to build some bikes. I knew there would be a disconnect. As many know, I love beer. I particularly love good beer. Building bikes and drinking beer is standard operating procedure at Chez Legend. Thing is I knew, I would be to excited. So New Comptonland style I poured half a bottle of wine into a large plastic cup and set about my way. No floral bouquet, no rose petal finish, better yet no broken parts or thrown tools. I did what I could & made the decision to BOG when I knew it best served me. Meaning the 2007 race mtb parts stayed boxed, as did the 2008 Cannondale 29er.
Fast Forward to today. I took the bike and parts into the shop to build it up. Anticipation was high and time was short to try to get in a good long ride. Right from the start I was rushing shit and making VERY dumb rookie wrench mistakes. It was embarassing, humiliating and overall not fun. What should have taken 1, 1.5 hours took three. I made so many mistakes that it was a miracle tools were not thrown or parts were not sacrificed. Maybe I should take a bottle of wine into the shop to help me slow down, chill and enjoy the process? Today after finally getting shit all back together I realized I needed to BOG before any more damage was done. Pack it in, and go pedal the bike.
Also referencing my yesterday's post some of the best wrenches in the biz, saved my skin and sanity today. Well most of my skin. Blood was flowing fast after I shivved myself with a flathead. XTR FD and pedals were a nice Merlot color when I was done. I was so pissed I just kept wrenching and bleeding. Deep down, I know they wanted to see a Vesuviusian explosion.
No dice, I am a kinder and gentler version these days.
There will be no bowing out gracefully Saturday night. Epic consumption, epic!

Add it up or Viva Femmes

But the day after today, I will stop and I will start.
Stop what? Start what?
Wait a minute honey I'm gonna add it up.
Be a romantic and play this for your chic over a bottle of wine. Let me know how it works out. Prolly the most played party song at the OX box in the 80's. Oh, back to the post.
Add it up. VISITPA.com team bikes have arrived. I made the trip to Ardmore in record time, start the car to Valley Forge turmpike turnstile in 70 minutes. Oh yeah, 87 miles for those playing at home.
I must say that VISITPA.com is run so well and supported so well, that I am swimming in an embarrassment of riches. The equipment we get to use is top notch. The support from Cannondale is spectacular. Not only for MTB & CROSS. Yeah CROSS baby, you read correctly. Cannondale knows we ride on the road and affords us the opportunity to get road or TT bikes so we can fully race their line. This type of amateur support is unheard of. I hope that I can repay the great support that I have been afforded.
Damn, back to add it up theme. This is my garage presently. Keep in mind to VISITPA.com, or more specifically support Bedford.
Cannondale CAAD 9 road bike
Cannondale Slice 1 TT bike
Cannondale CAAD 8 fixed gear
Cannondale X6 cross bike
Cannondale XJ6 cross bike
Cannondale Caffeine 1 29'er
That is SIX super sweet rides from the heart of PA. The most super sweet totally neat ride is yet to arrive
Cannondale Team issue Scalpel

There it is. Add it up. Seven Cannondale rides to be in the garage. If it works, don't fix it.
Thank you very much to VISITPA.com and Cannondale.
I wonder what CSS is doing right now?

I can not tell you when...

...I have felt this good.
So many things are going really well right now. It is like I am finally getting some sort of karma redemption. Work, for as generally unrewarding as it is, is going pretty well. Another peer award the other day. Seven of the last nine over the past two plus years. That has to be worth something? Hopefully with an interim manager who is totally supportive will parlay this into something good in the Fall. The old manager definitely helped with the recent raise. I get to see that on Friday, sweet. Thanks. Good meeting last night. Even better that Sapporo East made a Spicy Tuna roll and some Sashimi so I could treat CSS with a nice dinner, flowers and a card. All well received, yeah deep down I can be a romantic. Someone may disagree. Who knows. I am well past the caring point right now. CSS is doing some boarding in Tahoe this weekend. Shame she misses the party. Well, upon second thought maybe the party is not the most conducive place to meet the inner circle. Can you say drunken texting?
Riding is going well. Sez will like this, the POWER TAP does not lie. And it is talking some smack right now. I freakin' love riding a bike. CSS & I were talking about training last night, and riding in general. I just love riding a bike, there I said it twice. This winter has been some of the best I have ever done. JRA baby JRA. I can not wait to go on a ride with her. To share something that gives you so much pleasure with someone else who just gets it, man that will be fun.
Listened to Black Crowes Warpaint prolly 10-12 times through the past two days. Damn fine effort. Walk Believer Walk is even growing on me. Oh Josephine is top notch. For the non-Crowes believer, think real early bluesy Stones, Sticky Fingers vintage. Slowed down and and tight. Give it a listen.
Have you ever met someone that does so much good on a day to day basis in their career, and is so good at what they do? One thing in my life I have learned is to have a healthy dose of respect for those who excel at what they do. The neat thing in my life right now is that I am surrounded by so many people who are some of the absolute best at what they do professionally and for enjoyment. Every day I am thoroughly amazed at how good people can be, skillwise and as people. I could name names, but that would go against the grain. If you think I am referring to you, I probably am. Life is too short to surround yourself with people who do not fit this bill. Precisely why I let my work colleague share the lunch today. Not worth my time. My work colleague is also one of the people who are damn good at what they do.
I hope the people who read this know I am talking about them. This is also one of those times where I did wish someone read this drivel. At least I think she does not read it?
I wonder if Diggler is done being a sadsack yet?

Happy day

BLACK CROWES and DAVE MATTHEWS BAND JUNE 27th at HERSHEYPARK. Oh yeah, you can better believe i will be rockin that one out.
Felt good to blow off the Derby & Circlefest in favor of riding with the Adams family. No need to battle 20mph winds and sub freezing on the road yet again. Went to Stoney Creek rail trail for what is essentially a boring out and back. Thing is, good company makes for a good ride. I enjoy riding with Ray & Nancy. Good times. I showed them the Rausch gap cemetary. That was pretty cool. Rausch Gap used to be a prominent railroad community in the 1800's. There is a very small cemetary with three headstones from 1854, 51 and 51 respectively. The engraving is still readable. Someone chalked the engraving to enhance it's readability. Very cool, more an honor than desecration. Obviously this person knew where the cemetary was and went there with the chalk with the sole purpose of allowing others like myself to read what these people's family had engraved 157 years ago.
After the cemetary field trip we found a foundation for an old house and checked that out a bit. Then we procedd to finish the trail. Well ma nature had other plans the last 1-2 miles were a sheet of ice. I was a little full of myself and was cruising when the front wheel started to slip. Next thing I know my right foot is sliding on the ice while my left foot is clipped in and left hand is still holding the bars as the bike is sliding out to the left. it had to like like some weird rodeo act. Boom, then i hit the ice. No biggie.
We turned at that point. Nancy went down right in front of me. I some how managed to unclip both feet and jump off backwards. I am skidding on my feet with my belly resting on my saddle as i skid past a downed nancy. Not sweet and sweet at the same time. We finish off the ride at 3 hours, then I refuel i head back out for the infamous Tower climb. I am sure people know i am not a big fan of the big climb. Add to that i am running a single front set-up of a 36. Nice. Twenty-five minutes later I crest the mountain. Low speed was 3mph, top pitch was 20% for 200 meters on soft dirt, three seperate times. Yeah, that was pleasant. Finally cross the VERY soft ground on the ridge top and finish the trail off. 4.5 hours later, I felt pretty decent, yet pretty cracked.
Poor CSS text's that she is illin', bummer. I tell you, more mental toughness in her than I can ever imagine me possessing, no shit.
Too tired to even gorge at home. I guess that is good. More fun to progressively eat for hours anyhow.
Got a sweet message from Spanky, Flyin' & Killa late last night. Friggin' hilarious. The best part is not Spanky's diatribe, but the Killa's rationalization that his act of love is actually acceptable in this day and age.
New team bikes are in, at least the 29er and cross steed. Oh baby, oh baby, all Cannondale all the time.
What a good day.
Even knowing that i am sharing a work lunch function with my oh so fave bag o rocks on Tuesday can not bring me down.
I wonder what Kamallah the Ugandan Giant is doing right now?

True to my word

I said I could feel a multi-post day, so here it is. I also wrote earlier of the little things that I will hopefully accomplish that will make me happy.
So here goes a pretty lazy day with little bits o' pleasure for good measure.
Got up earlier for coffee.
EASY trainer ride. Hung with McDaniel for a couple hours loading the MAC equipment and having lunch.
Cleaned 1 car side of garage and made that the firewood, lawncare central.
Cleaned other side for all bikes, all the time.
Watched Rounders again. Tommy KGB is pure Malkovich genius. Edward Norton is also top notch.
Grocery shopping w/ the iPod. My Morning Song, Soul Singing, Sometimes Salvation, Miracle to Me. All live, definitely a sweet shopping trip. I think I noticed that a good mood makes you buy more. $205 later I was still Soul Singing. Try it sometime, mouth the words to yourself. You can not help being happy. Funny watching others look at you as if you had three heads.
Fort Collins Brewery Retro Red. I think I could handle living in Fort Collins.
Ditching the Derby, too windy. Yes that makes me happy. Chill 4-5 on the MTB with the Adams family.
So there it is. I could look back and say that I did not "do" a lot. Yet all the little things made me happy.
Bought a cool card tonight. I like cards, and really try to make the words equal my thoughts and feelings. No gratuitous card giving from me. A few people know my proclivity for being a pretty decent good card giver. Hopefully my written word will match the card. Oh yeah, if you have ever received a card with written word, then you know exactly where you stand. I do not "glad hand" my feelings to anyone.
I guess that is an upside to being very opinionated and wearing your heart on your sleeve, people should know just where they stand with me.

Top cards ever given.
1) The Williams at the first Christmas
2) My mom on Father's Day. Yes father's day, think it through.
3) Early cards to the ex
4) 1st b-day card to D & E on H's b-day

Interestingly enough, I do not keep cards.
Seven days until the first bike game. Can you feel the anticipation?
I wonder what Torrey Marks is doing right now?

Multi-post day. I can feel it

I figured I would get a little yard/garden work done before Noah's ark shows up later today. Raked some leaves, put in some more solar lights and assessed the next backyard project.
After MAJOR work last year, this year will hopefully be much more tame. I need to make a boundary around a back flower bed. As, I noticed today a good deal of my mulch is now in my neighbor's yard. I also need to do some major reseed work around the back of the yard. Those will be the first issues.
I am going to dig up an area of yard that is fer shite out front and join two flower beds to make a very large sweeping bed area in the front. That should look pretty sharp.
I zipped out to Home Depot to get some party supplies for next weekend for everyone's warming pleasure. I picked up two 7' high propane tower heaters. They are pretty sharp and should kick the heat for the remainder of the patio and deck area. I put in a few more solar lights for ambiance. I should be set for the fete. Maybe I should just host the MAC party?
As for the fete. IF YOU READ THIS DRIVEL, YOU ARE INVITED. Smithwick's on tap and good times will flow. I am trying to pull a super neat super sweet (totally pilfered from Steevo) surprise for everyone. We shall see.
As for my poll question, I knew that the results would show that way. Why? Simple, most of the people who peruse this drivel realize that what you do today is far more important that anything you may do in 20 years. My old colleague, who did some serious coattail riding, just got his golden ticket punched to go to the Mothership. He was told to count on an 18-24 month stint working from 6:30-6:30, plus some weekend prep work. That is where my disconnect lies. I, you, we could build the nest egg of our dreams, yet never enjoy the time in which we are building it. How does working twelve hours a day and sleeping for eight hours on top of that equate to any sort of well-being?
A few things have happened of late that further cement why I am so steadfastly adamant of keeping my present lifestyle. Two very good friends were hit while riding this week. Thankfully, both are only bruised. Another person very close to me is going through a myriad of concerns. I am not really sure how a CSS actuallt manages on a day to day basis. Strong, very strong.
These instances serve as a glaring reminder that what is precious is today. We have today to enjoy. Tomorrow is not gauranteed. It is not granted as some god-given right. So what if I retire with a gazillion dollars in my 401k and a good pension to live off of. I guess I write this from the standpoint of this, why on God's great paved Earth would I want to do something that has a negative impact on my enjoyment of life? Happy, safe, comfortable are all relative terms. You are kidding yourself if you equate money and status to these concepts.
Todays little list of things to provide happiness.
Rake leaves in the rain.
Clean out garage of MAC equipment and see McD
Listen to new Crowes CD.
See some Blues at Jackson's Junction.
Txt message.
Ride my trainer so slowly that you would laugh at me.

That kind of takes all the fun out of it?

Yeah, it pretty much does doesn't it?
The title was a friend's reply when I tried to explain training with a PowerTap and all the charts, graphs, bells and whistles. I could do nothing but agree. Then I went out and did some intervals at a prescibed wattage.
Today was the last big meeting that relates to the present blog poll. It seems that the poll is a moot point. No dice on the killer trainer roll. I am not too bummed for a few reasons.
The new compound has some FDA concerns and may not even get approved.
I have a LOT of time right now, with a flexible work schedule.
The pay is no better.
A sales realignment is imminenet so that should solve some things.
A have no permanent manager to report to.
I have a great interim manager who is objective about things and is supporting me for a different promotion.
I saw and heard again today how generally unsatisfied associates and managers are withing the Colonel's army.
Training time.
Possible travel time.
Greater race schedule flexibility.

Deep down I have never been one to really seek out the limelight and prestige of things. Do not get me wrong. I strive to be successful, and work hard and/or efficiently to meet that end. If good things happened, then so be it. It has never been about money. It may make things easier, but it will not make you happier. It has never been about being the next big thing. There is another Next Big Thing, who has an even lower price for their soul, standing right behind you.
I want to do what feels right to me. I want to make myself and those around me happy, not necessarily in that order. Some may get it, some may not. No one has to understand or agree, only respect the position that I take.

Lot of people come to me to talk about things try to tell me all that is wrong in my life
They give me all of their opinions and their strongly held convictions and all of them sure that their right
Bulletproof; courtesy of Stiff Little Fingers, And Best of All: Hope Street 1999
Bee you double ell ee tee pee are double oh eff

I wonder if boo boo belly is better now? Hope so.
Someone is due for an effin freight train load of good karma to pull in to their station.

Listen to your mind and follow your heart.

Third times a charm????

I have erased the last two posts that I have written. Some things you just want to keep to yourself because they mean enough that I selfishly want to know that the experience is mine and mine alone.

The power & the passion, or the ride is always easier on someone else's coattails

After a little sitemeter analyzing I have come to a conclusion. As much as I hate to say it, Douchebag Cyclist looks to be the winner in the which blog has the pull contest.
After a mention on Douchies blog, for my love of a certain retail establishment, the peeps flocking to see who penned the manifesto increased tremendously. Then after professing my disgust for yet another solo 4 hr slog in the wind, Blacklane dropped a link for this dribble.
After a quick consult to sitemeter it has been determined that Doucheblog pulls/steers the traffic better than BlackLane. I am not sure if I am surprised or not. Both are quality bloggers, with a loyal fanbase. I figured it would be a push. Douchie the Blogger popped 30% more daily hits.
So I guess the moral is this. If you want to go Blogtime on us, get a mention on one of the two aforemetioned sites. Second, it proves the old adage, "it is not what you know, but who you know." Based on that little tidbit, I am not quite sure how I can parlay that association into any redeeming benefit?
Hopefully I can live up to such a high standard of literary excellence.

A dress rehearsal for the rest of our lives

That was how Jesus Robinson greeted the crowd at the Starland last evening. Went to see the Black Crowes somewhere in the North Jersey Pine Barrens last night. This was something I have been looking forward to for quite some time. The show was the first time the Crowes played Warpaint for an audience. The new album played straight through, then they came out for the obligatory encore. Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution opened the joint to a raucous start that got everyone moving. Walk Believer walk was next, I am not such a big fan of that tune. Oh Josephine followed. A total classic in the vain of the Crowes bluesy rock Sometimes Salvation vein. Locust St was great. All in all there are eleven tunes on the new album. Eight of them were stellar. Kids, go take your cash out and buy Warpaint. Well worth it.
The show was incredible. The venue was superb. maybe 2,000 people. K-Mad's dad & I made it in after 45 minutes of standing in the cold. We walked right up to 6th row about 20 feet back. We were directly in front of Rich. That dude NEVER smiles.
After my last two shows being seeing the Crowes in very intimate settings, I am quite spolied. To see a show from 20 feet away is unbelievable. You can see the small tattoo's on Chris's hand. The turned up collar on Rich's jacket. The number of rings Sven is wearing. Every finger movement on the guitar equals a note that you here real time. The expressions on the guys faces, the looks of the back-up singers when their channels are too loud. The pained expression of the new keyboardist when he plays. That is how to see a show. To be so close that you are a part of something, not just seeing it.
I need to check out CrowesBase today to see the encore list. Very folky, stuff I have never heard, or heard of. Jealous Again totally ripped. The intro to Wiser Time was unreal. Instead of the basic one, two chord guitar lead-in was a session of six exchanges between Rich & the new guitarist. Then the tore ass right into Wiser Time. Proper road song as the up tempo encore of a new tour. Every member got a solo during the song. Absolutely unbelievable.
My passion for music is as strong as ever and the Crowes have not dissapointed since we all started to Shake our Moneymakers.
Thanks guys.
I wonder what the ASS-CLOWN from Maxxim who did the "review" is doing right now?

Tall times & F U signs

I rode over to the Faulkner Honda Racing group ride today, and for the third of the last four attempts, they were a no show. WTF man. Carney is one of the hardest dudes out there, the boys in baby blue need to take a lesson.
On the way over to the "ride" Iwas cruising through 2nd to 6th St route. I love "city" riding. I bet cruising Philly, Balt, DC, on the way to a group ride would be tres cool. Back to the title. Today was a fenderific morning so I had no problem riding through the slush, well to the right of traffic. The I heard the shrill sound of someone's horn way in the distance. Now, it was not an ambulance, I could tell that. However the warning blast was pretty similar in time notification. I turn a bit and see a Dodge Coltish car about 150 yards away. Yes, that far. They are on the horn and still approaching. OK, thanks, I got it. You are coming & I am a bicycle. No worries. They are still on the horn, so I turn again and now they are closing and staying pretty far right for my taste. Before I can even show them the Dodge Colt is #1. The 75ish year old lady passenger shows me that I am number one in her book. Wow, that is awesome. I am buzzed and flipped off by a Blue Hair Grandma. Unreal.
On with the ride. Lots of time into a strong headwind. Lots of time to think about life, relationships, etc... Thankfully a little more clarity came later in the day. Crazy last week, some really good, some really stressful. All really fast.
Thankfully the ride ended with a few 34mph flat, fast rock star tailwind sections. Double thankfully my chain decided to stay on the 12 just long enough to end the 40mph sprint. As soon as I stopped pedaling said chain lodged itself between the cog and dropout. That would have been pretty much a face changing rearranging experience.
Tall times, well not so much for me, but for a lot of the other Black Crowes fans who get to experience the show tomorrow night at the Starland. This show should be cool. We will be the first people to hear the new album, Warpaint, in its entirity. Definitely looking forward to this gig. Taking K-Mad's dad, maybe he can get a Tall Times onesy. Good luck explaining that one away.
The shop was been wicked fun lately. Laughed my ass off for an hour the other night. Kylie is not so fragile, so I can rag him again. Super Seve Service has had one awesome story after another.
So when times are getting heavy on you, just remember to sit light.

Beers & power tools or a good run

Something inherently manly about drinking beer and operating a saw w/ the blade just squealing through the wood. The calm of the Fort Collins Brewery Chocolate Stout and the buzz of the Black & Decker. Niiice.
I was cutting up some wood for the St Patty's Day fete. I cut up my cross barriers in a cathartic destruction of something that has consumed me for six years. It was good, and it was fun.
This act led me to think of my post title segue. The race enjoyed a good run. No matter how long that run may be, 13 years, 11 years 1 month, 6 years, whatever the time, everything has a shelf life. Relationships, careers, hobbies, everything. The interesting thing to me is not the run itself, but moreso what caused the downfall. Was it too much work? Was it too much stress? Was the passion gone? Was there a new interest to replace the old?
The ultimate end of a run is in and of itself intriguing to me. When do you know the run is over? One day you are going to wake up and say, "I just can not do this anymore." At that point are you lost, or is that decision the release that was needed to spark growth?
Nothing says a run needs to end on a bad note. That is kind of the point of the run. Knowing precisely the moment when the run should end.
I have had some real good runs in the past. I have ended some. Some have been ended for me. I am enjoying some real good runs in the present. I guess I know better now that nothing will last forever, and to think in such a fashion is stupendously naive. So I will wake up tomorrow and enjoy the run and hope to get another day.

In the name of theatricle science

After threatening many times to buy Dark Side of the Moon & The Wizard of Oz, and synching them on the 3rd roar theory, I did it tonight. So far I must say I am somewhat impressed by the synching of lyric and rise and fall of the music to the scenes playing. It is pretty uncanny. Cool scenes. The entrance of the gnarly lady on the bike and the synched music. Tornado & Great gig in the sky. Awesome. The argument scene when the gnarly lad takes toto. The crescendo matches the argument. The song when Dorothy leaves with toto. Money starts playing as soon as the movie goes to color. The Scarecrow and brain damage synch was off, yet still pretty close. The heart beat at the end of eclipse as Dorothy is tapping on the tin mans chest.
There you go. 43 minutes invested to see what all the fuss was about. I will say the fisrt 15-30 minutes have some uncanny alignment of music to the scenes.
Freak and Roll, Into the Fog would have been money better spent. What the hell it was Christmas in February.