Here goes. Each year I set some goals on work, personal and cycling. The work goals are set and have been communicated. Since my work is generally uninspiring I will spare all five of you the details.
Personal, is well, personal. Suffice it to say that no cross racing supermodels fell out of the sky in November or December.
On to cycling. After being around so many successful people who are goal oriented you learn that you can accomplish things you actually set as stretch goals. For instance, with cross my goal was to race in the front group at every MAC race this year. I did that. I realized that I can make a race at that level, not just hope for top ten. That being said, my time around Ry, Wes and Yozell has inspired me greatly. This year the goal is a MTB National Championship jersey. XC, 24 hour, STXC, whatever. Yes, there I said it. I want that jersey. I will put in the work for that jersey. I am not burdened by any of the stresses that I had last year. Even if I fail at this goal I am going to know that I put it out there. There is no hiding behind lesser objectives this year.
There, I said it.
2008 MTB goal is: National Champion
I wonder what Sez is doing right now?
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Have wheels will travel
Nice 4 hr plus ride on Saturday after meeting up with the Faulkner Honda Racing guys. Good guys, good ride. Came home in time to devour food, make some brown sugar suasage bacon wraps, take an hour nap clean, and pack for Saturday evening festivities and Sunday ride at Not Fat Marc's house.
Great time, gracious hosts and guests, and a sweet 2ish hour mtb group ride today. There must have been 15 of us on the ride. Fun trails lead to good times.
Looks like next Saturday may be off to Avalon, MD area for some riding. I have the bike, and the time, so we shall see.
Since my 10 year old Grip shift is crappy these days, I may just go to a singlie-blinglie for the next month or two. Should be fun.
I got the wheels. If you got the trails or road, let me know.
I wonder what Sez is doing right now.
Great time, gracious hosts and guests, and a sweet 2ish hour mtb group ride today. There must have been 15 of us on the ride. Fun trails lead to good times.
Looks like next Saturday may be off to Avalon, MD area for some riding. I have the bike, and the time, so we shall see.
Since my 10 year old Grip shift is crappy these days, I may just go to a singlie-blinglie for the next month or two. Should be fun.
I got the wheels. If you got the trails or road, let me know.
I wonder what Sez is doing right now.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
I did my Ladyfriend again today
90 minutes of Missionary it was sweet. I really wanted to get in a full two hours, but I was shut down. More on that later. Today was sweet, at first she was a little icy, but eventually everything evened out & she even was a little moist at times. Surprising as cold as it has been. I Thought my lady friend would have been pretty dry. I guess she was happy to see me. After about twenty-five minutes of steady riding, I decided that I would and venture into her forbidden area. Just as I was about to cross the bridge to the forbidden area, my Lady's guardian stopped me. You can not go in there. I acted though I did not hear him. See, my ladyfriend allows me to wear my Ipod when I ride her. She is nice that way. Again the guardian states. "You can not go in there." No bicyclists are allowed in there." Then some guy who was ready to enter the forbidden area, without mechanical assistance, speaks up. "It is not a big deal, there is no one else in there." "He is not (wearing) brown or anything, no one will shoot him if he goes there." "Even if he sees a guys with a gun while he is riding, he can just stop." Good logic I thought. This dude wants me in the forbidden area. The Guardian shuts it down.
Off I go back to finish the rest of the missionary style.
The riding was sweet. Sometimes really fast, sometimes slow, at times at little rough even. It did not phase me at all. I handled everything Lady Pinchot could bring today. I even explored in some areas where I have not been in quite sometime. It was good to go missionary today, since the last two times have been doggy.
One thing that I noticed that made the past few rides different than when I was with Lady Pinchot over the summer is that I have reverted back to using small rubbers. Last year I used big rubbers for the first time. I really like them and they seem to fit me well. When my ladyfriend gets a little rough the big rubbers take the edge off. I do not feel as much, but it is smoother. Now that I am back with the small rubbers I notice that when me Lady gets rough, I feel it. I have to work harder to get through her bumps. There is definitely more grinding. Sometimes the smaller rubbers do get stuck when it is really rough. That's alright, it will make me a better rider. I will have to learn some more finesse when Lady Pinchot gets rough and tough.
The other thing I noticed today is that your ride is a function of your rubber. Today I was knobby, for her pleasure. Mine as well, come to think of it. I have ridden my Lady with slick rubber and it can get a bit sketchy. You get going to fast and whoops you can slide right out. Granted you just get up and stick the rubber to the road, so to speak and keep going, but the slide-out is an issue. Back to todays rubbers. These are my favorite rubbers. You treat your rubber right and it will treat you right. These rubbers always get washed down after a ride. No matter how wet or dry my Lady Pinchot is, I wash my rubbers religiously. In fact sometimes I even hang my rubbers to dry fully. In fact these rubbers are ten years old and I have never even punctured them! Take that Trojan! I may even use these with Stan's spermicidal No Tubes sealant this year. That way if I would puncture a rubber will ridingLady Pinchot, at least it would seal and there would not be any accidents.
It was a damn fine ride today. Sure I wanted two hours, but 90 minutes with a grin on my face and Lady Pinchot underneath me was pretty damn hot.
I can not wait to get some FairHill strange on Sunday. It sounds like there may be enough people for an orgy.
I wonder what Sez is doing right now?
Off I go back to finish the rest of the missionary style.
The riding was sweet. Sometimes really fast, sometimes slow, at times at little rough even. It did not phase me at all. I handled everything Lady Pinchot could bring today. I even explored in some areas where I have not been in quite sometime. It was good to go missionary today, since the last two times have been doggy.
One thing that I noticed that made the past few rides different than when I was with Lady Pinchot over the summer is that I have reverted back to using small rubbers. Last year I used big rubbers for the first time. I really like them and they seem to fit me well. When my ladyfriend gets a little rough the big rubbers take the edge off. I do not feel as much, but it is smoother. Now that I am back with the small rubbers I notice that when me Lady gets rough, I feel it. I have to work harder to get through her bumps. There is definitely more grinding. Sometimes the smaller rubbers do get stuck when it is really rough. That's alright, it will make me a better rider. I will have to learn some more finesse when Lady Pinchot gets rough and tough.
The other thing I noticed today is that your ride is a function of your rubber. Today I was knobby, for her pleasure. Mine as well, come to think of it. I have ridden my Lady with slick rubber and it can get a bit sketchy. You get going to fast and whoops you can slide right out. Granted you just get up and stick the rubber to the road, so to speak and keep going, but the slide-out is an issue. Back to todays rubbers. These are my favorite rubbers. You treat your rubber right and it will treat you right. These rubbers always get washed down after a ride. No matter how wet or dry my Lady Pinchot is, I wash my rubbers religiously. In fact sometimes I even hang my rubbers to dry fully. In fact these rubbers are ten years old and I have never even punctured them! Take that Trojan! I may even use these with Stan's spermicidal No Tubes sealant this year. That way if I would puncture a rubber will ridingLady Pinchot, at least it would seal and there would not be any accidents.
It was a damn fine ride today. Sure I wanted two hours, but 90 minutes with a grin on my face and Lady Pinchot underneath me was pretty damn hot.
I can not wait to get some FairHill strange on Sunday. It sounds like there may be enough people for an orgy.
I wonder what Sez is doing right now?
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Blue, you're my boy!
One of the better "Old School" lines, so simple yet so poignant.
I just got back from the Vet. Hobbes, is not only VERY lean, he also is a BLUE show cat. You heard it hear first. The vet tech informs me that there are no such creatures as Grey cats in the show world, they are Blue. Hobbes, I mean BLUE, you're my boy. Yes, I will take a sabbatical and go buy the converted Van/camper at Lake Meade and tour the cat show world with Blue.
Best in Show will have nothing on our escapades taking the cat show world by storm.
In other Hobbes news, he is drastically trying to become the Nicole Ritchie of the 17 year old ,ale cat world. He tipped the scales at a waif-like 11.5 lbs today. Down, 3/10 more in the last week. The last time I had him at the vet he was 17.5 lbs. Maybe there is a biggest loser for cats?
This leads me to Hobbes' official show name. Hobbes Blue Nicole Ritchie Hebe.
In other vet news I damn near pissed myself while the vet tech was talking to Hobbes. Yes, she was talking to Hobbes. She was a good tech, but here is where the exchange went awry for me. She starts to tell Hobbes that she needs to take his temperature. "OK Hobbes, I need to stick something where it should not go." I think my eyes started to widen at this point. "I know, I know, someone should never stick something up there, especially when they are first meeting them. " Holy, mother of f'ing pearl. Now my eyes are bugging, I am almost giggling and I am trying hard to not piss myself and spurt out; "That was shocking!". The tech proceeds to remove the shockmometer and tell Hobbes everything will be alright and that no on really enjoys that type of treatment. Wow. After all of that I almost felt like I got my $268 worth of personal entertainment.
Needless to say Hobbes Blue Nicole Ritchie Hebe is nowhere to be found at the present time.
I wonder what Sez is doing right now?
I just got back from the Vet. Hobbes, is not only VERY lean, he also is a BLUE show cat. You heard it hear first. The vet tech informs me that there are no such creatures as Grey cats in the show world, they are Blue. Hobbes, I mean BLUE, you're my boy. Yes, I will take a sabbatical and go buy the converted Van/camper at Lake Meade and tour the cat show world with Blue.
Best in Show will have nothing on our escapades taking the cat show world by storm.
In other Hobbes news, he is drastically trying to become the Nicole Ritchie of the 17 year old ,ale cat world. He tipped the scales at a waif-like 11.5 lbs today. Down, 3/10 more in the last week. The last time I had him at the vet he was 17.5 lbs. Maybe there is a biggest loser for cats?
This leads me to Hobbes' official show name. Hobbes Blue Nicole Ritchie Hebe.
In other vet news I damn near pissed myself while the vet tech was talking to Hobbes. Yes, she was talking to Hobbes. She was a good tech, but here is where the exchange went awry for me. She starts to tell Hobbes that she needs to take his temperature. "OK Hobbes, I need to stick something where it should not go." I think my eyes started to widen at this point. "I know, I know, someone should never stick something up there, especially when they are first meeting them. " Holy, mother of f'ing pearl. Now my eyes are bugging, I am almost giggling and I am trying hard to not piss myself and spurt out; "That was shocking!". The tech proceeds to remove the shockmometer and tell Hobbes everything will be alright and that no on really enjoys that type of treatment. Wow. After all of that I almost felt like I got my $268 worth of personal entertainment.
Needless to say Hobbes Blue Nicole Ritchie Hebe is nowhere to be found at the present time.
I wonder what Sez is doing right now?
Monday, December 31, 2007
47 more minutes
And this mutha effer called ott Seven is over. Actually as shitty as it may have been, it was a pretty decent year. Great friends, great rides, new experiences, new house. No need to belabor any points, 2007 is over. Yee hah. Time to focus on feeling good again. What is the saying, "living well is the best revenge"? Not that revenge is the proper word, but I will live well. React as you wish.
Full weekend right off the bat w/ a surprise 30th for my work Homey, G. Then off to mingle with the best bunch of pedalers known to man, the DCCo'D. Then some sweet new MTB trails.
It is all about me. Some may say, "so what is new" some may say "it is about time". I say hopefully the blog entries will be a little more fun to read.
Full weekend right off the bat w/ a surprise 30th for my work Homey, G. Then off to mingle with the best bunch of pedalers known to man, the DCCo'D. Then some sweet new MTB trails.
It is all about me. Some may say, "so what is new" some may say "it is about time". I say hopefully the blog entries will be a little more fun to read.
Monday, December 24, 2007
The incredible lightness of being...or
Letting go, to get a grip. With a ton, the past 2 1/2 weeks, of time off from work you really get to thinking. I finally came to peace with something I have essentially being denying for years. I called the person this affected most and let them know. It was a hard call. Immediately after the call I ventured out on the bike, incredibly ironic for those who may of what I speak, for what was to be an easy 90 minutes. I immediately noticed that I was singing to my Ipod. I was going relatively easy, but I felt like everything was light & easy. I was taking in my surroundings and had a weird sense of calm. Next thing I know, I am an hour in and still going west. All I really wanted to do was keep on riding and enjoy the peace and sun. Hell, even a 15-20 mph headwind was not bugging me. I had not felt this a peace with myself in a long time.
So today I checked that last piece of baggage. I offered a heartfelt mea culpa. I let go of that last bit of guilt, and got a good solid grip on where I am at.
A lot has been written about not being able to commit yourself to a future, if you will not let go of your past. Today, I am committing to my future. More on that to come.
Happy Holidays to all.
So today I checked that last piece of baggage. I offered a heartfelt mea culpa. I let go of that last bit of guilt, and got a good solid grip on where I am at.
A lot has been written about not being able to commit yourself to a future, if you will not let go of your past. Today, I am committing to my future. More on that to come.
Happy Holidays to all.
Monday, December 17, 2007
I did not even miss it
So whilst the rest of the cross troupe was narrowly avoiding hypothermia I decided to play a different type of bike game this weekend. It was BIKE POLO time. Yes kiddies, bike polo. Cases of beer, dozens of sausages and hot dogs, bikes, mallets, grown men who should know better, full contact, open fires, jager shots, yeah it was a damn fine time. Huge thanks go to Matt & Cat to put up with all of this lunacy on their property.
It was great to catch up with some guys I have not seen in far too long. It was like an Aquafina reunion. Bill, Ron, Matt, Kev, Slick, Trdina, Myself. Who knows how long that team could have gone had Trdina not figured out that EASY rhymes with Ngezyi.
Being that I have very little to add to what has already been posted, check these sites for some pics and video.
http://kevososlow.blogspot.com/
http://doucheblogcycling.blogspot.com/
http://theshadowshop.blogspot.com/
I do not care what the final score may have been of the last death match, we still had the team. We lost our emotional spark late in the game. It seems that not only was he wearing women's sunglasses, he was also wearing women's panties. As evidenced by him cowering about and fretting he would be late to a gathering. As soon as little Rocky Blier and his short bus helmet departed we had lost our emotional spark.
That was a damn fine time. Highly recomendo for all.
It was great to catch up with some guys I have not seen in far too long. It was like an Aquafina reunion. Bill, Ron, Matt, Kev, Slick, Trdina, Myself. Who knows how long that team could have gone had Trdina not figured out that EASY rhymes with Ngezyi.
Being that I have very little to add to what has already been posted, check these sites for some pics and video.
http://kevososlow.blogspot.com/
http://doucheblogcycling.blogspot.com/
http://theshadowshop.blogspot.com/
I do not care what the final score may have been of the last death match, we still had the team. We lost our emotional spark late in the game. It seems that not only was he wearing women's sunglasses, he was also wearing women's panties. As evidenced by him cowering about and fretting he would be late to a gathering. As soon as little Rocky Blier and his short bus helmet departed we had lost our emotional spark.
That was a damn fine time. Highly recomendo for all.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Vacation Day 2
I am off work until Jan 2nd. I am trying to occupy my time with stuff to do.
Yesterday. Slept in until 10:00 I vacuumed and cleaned the upstairs then went to the shop to mount a tire and pick up my new winter mtb shoes and a cross wheel that i forgot the other day.
Happy hour with work peeps then home. I fell asleep on the couch at 9:30.
Today I finally awoke at 9:30. A rockin' 12 full hours of sleep. Awesome! I proceeded to rewrite/edit the MAC cross rules for the PA series. The PA series needs a little guidance for next year, and I want to make it better. Hopefully the changes will work. It also gives me a little leverage in making sure races are run up to a certain standard. I have spent the last three hours on a project I have been threatening to do for some time. I rewrote/plagarized Hans Christian Andersen's classic book. The emperor's new clothes. I tried to follow the story line by line and apply it to industry. Little did I know my great concept has already been published in such a format. It was fun and it killed some time during a freezing rain, shite day. I may "publish" my little ditty somewhere. I am not too sure. I am certain that some people would find it highly entertaining while others would be less thrilled. I am not so sure Big Colonel enjoys freedom of speech when it is critical.
What to do know. I think I will check my ass for bed and chair sores since I have barely stood erect since 4:00pm yesterday.
KC seems epic. I can not wait to see the pics. I am glad I am missing it though. One harrowing hypothermic cross experience was enough for me.
Yesterday. Slept in until 10:00 I vacuumed and cleaned the upstairs then went to the shop to mount a tire and pick up my new winter mtb shoes and a cross wheel that i forgot the other day.
Happy hour with work peeps then home. I fell asleep on the couch at 9:30.
Today I finally awoke at 9:30. A rockin' 12 full hours of sleep. Awesome! I proceeded to rewrite/edit the MAC cross rules for the PA series. The PA series needs a little guidance for next year, and I want to make it better. Hopefully the changes will work. It also gives me a little leverage in making sure races are run up to a certain standard. I have spent the last three hours on a project I have been threatening to do for some time. I rewrote/plagarized Hans Christian Andersen's classic book. The emperor's new clothes. I tried to follow the story line by line and apply it to industry. Little did I know my great concept has already been published in such a format. It was fun and it killed some time during a freezing rain, shite day. I may "publish" my little ditty somewhere. I am not too sure. I am certain that some people would find it highly entertaining while others would be less thrilled. I am not so sure Big Colonel enjoys freedom of speech when it is critical.
What to do know. I think I will check my ass for bed and chair sores since I have barely stood erect since 4:00pm yesterday.
KC seems epic. I can not wait to see the pics. I am glad I am missing it though. One harrowing hypothermic cross experience was enough for me.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Life imitating art
So, I went to an awesome holiday party last night. The hosts were superb, the spread was incredible and their home was absolutely stunning. One of the most beautiful I have ever set foot inside. For those who really know me, you know that I love looking at homes. The architecture, the art, the interior colors, just the way everything comes together. This home was incredible.
Sorry, I digress. Back to the title. Since I know very few people at this function, I stay close to my work colleagues. I do not mingle well. I will hold a conversation with anyone, and be very fluent at their level. However, I will not initiate the conversation. So late in the evening one of the guests is introduced to me and we start talking. She asks if I am single. Yes, I am single I reply. Here we go kids, the next question is awesome. Keep in mind I just met this leopard skin outfit lady. Are you gay? No, I am definitely not gay. "Well you never know", was her retort. This is life start imitating Match.com. She askes if I am looking to meet anyone. My reply is somewhat evasive, "I will never say no". Here goes this ladies dialogue "Well I have a friend who I should introduce you to, she is forty-six. How old are you, let me guess. You are, um let me see, I am not so good at this, you are FORTY-EIGHT. How old I reply. "FORTY-EIGHT". Thanks, I think, I am forty. I like to think I am a pretty young forty. "Oh, well, my friend is definitely older than you". That might not be bad though, she says. The next two daggers come quickly. " She has two teenage kids, they are pretty needy". "Are you very spiritual, she is." Um, no, I am agnostic. I do not go to church. I like to think that living by the golden rule is good enough.
Wow, finally it came to an end. Needless to say I will not be going out with a forty-six year old lady, with two needy teens, that goes to church, and I forgot, likes to travel. Yes. This single life is fun.
Sorry, I digress. Back to the title. Since I know very few people at this function, I stay close to my work colleagues. I do not mingle well. I will hold a conversation with anyone, and be very fluent at their level. However, I will not initiate the conversation. So late in the evening one of the guests is introduced to me and we start talking. She asks if I am single. Yes, I am single I reply. Here we go kids, the next question is awesome. Keep in mind I just met this leopard skin outfit lady. Are you gay? No, I am definitely not gay. "Well you never know", was her retort. This is life start imitating Match.com. She askes if I am looking to meet anyone. My reply is somewhat evasive, "I will never say no". Here goes this ladies dialogue "Well I have a friend who I should introduce you to, she is forty-six. How old are you, let me guess. You are, um let me see, I am not so good at this, you are FORTY-EIGHT. How old I reply. "FORTY-EIGHT". Thanks, I think, I am forty. I like to think I am a pretty young forty. "Oh, well, my friend is definitely older than you". That might not be bad though, she says. The next two daggers come quickly. " She has two teenage kids, they are pretty needy". "Are you very spiritual, she is." Um, no, I am agnostic. I do not go to church. I like to think that living by the golden rule is good enough.
Wow, finally it came to an end. Needless to say I will not be going out with a forty-six year old lady, with two needy teens, that goes to church, and I forgot, likes to travel. Yes. This single life is fun.
The last bike game of ott seven
Yesterday was PA State CX champs. I was feeling good and ready to go. The course was fun, and extremely slippy, sloppy and muddy. "true cross" as some say. Bah humbug. True cross is when you get your cross bike, nothing more, nothing less. I do pretty well in slippery mud so I was psyched Challenge tires dialed at 25 psi and time to go. We start off w/ a smallish field and I get the hole shot and go to the front. Then someone comes riding into my rear wheel. Cross newbies do not understand the race is not won in the first thirty seconds. They also do not understand that you can not expect to go really fast and try to make a ninety right in slippery icy conditions. This leads to the neckcracker running into my rear wheel. He just keeps rubbing it and then pushes me left. All the rubbing and the push left skip my rear wheel. Guess what rolled tubie!!!!!! I must partly take the blame because it was taped and not glued. However my other taped tubies stayed together yesterday just fine without neckcrackers running into me.
I stop and start to run to get out of the way. A few people ride into me. Keep your heads up kids. I try to remount the tire for about twenty seconds. It is half off, no dice. I look up and I can no longer see the leaders. Thankfully it is wicked muddy. I rip the tire completely off and start rim riding. I make it a decent distance then have to run about 200-300 meters of mud that others rode, because the rim just cuts straight through the muck. Finally I get to the pit. The announce is saying that I have a very long day ahead of me now. Yes, I do. I am about 2ish minutes back due to this little blunder.
In days of yore I would have let out a monstrous scream of obsceneties. This time, there were none. It was weird. I was actually calm. I knew I could not win the States Gold. I knew that I would need a pretty super ride to salvage my PA State series overall as well. Off I went. I went like absolute hell for the next two laps and reeled in everyone but the top two guys. I had reduced the 2ish minute gap to 45 seconds with two to go. The officials were encouraging me, the announcer was encouraging me, people around the course, my fellow racers. They knew I was going for it. Penultimate lap, I lose 15 seconds to the leader and do not gain on second. Bell lap time to go. Standing whenever possible, running the mud pretty darn fast. Ripping the corners. Then I see Kirk & realize, I can not catch him in the last half lap. I still keep going hoping for some mechanical karma, but no dice. I come across third. Totally gassed. Basically fall down to my knees, in the snow. Through my haze the announcer said I had the ride of the day, maybe the best ride he has seen all year. Who knows. I know I tried my damndest. I hope the show was worth the money.
I appreciate everyone who has given words of encouragement this year. As I said before I hear when you cheer. It is awesome. I heard yesterday when someone yelled at me on my last time up the run-up; "Hebe, stop walking. You do not want me to take a picture of you while you are walking." I started running again, thank you.
Even when the bike game does not turn out the way you would like it to, it is still fun. This year I lost, yes lost THREE races due to mechanicals. It made me a better person. A stronger person. A calmer person. I think I have finally made some sort of peace with myself in the bike game.
So the tally for the cross bike game was as follows.
Fifteen races.
Two wins
Three seconds
One third
Two fourths
All finishes in the top ten
PA series overall win 35+
MAC series overall third 35+
Not too bad.
I heart the cross bike game.
Thanks again to all my friends, acquaintences, sponsors and fellow gamers for meeking ott seven a great year for me.
I stop and start to run to get out of the way. A few people ride into me. Keep your heads up kids. I try to remount the tire for about twenty seconds. It is half off, no dice. I look up and I can no longer see the leaders. Thankfully it is wicked muddy. I rip the tire completely off and start rim riding. I make it a decent distance then have to run about 200-300 meters of mud that others rode, because the rim just cuts straight through the muck. Finally I get to the pit. The announce is saying that I have a very long day ahead of me now. Yes, I do. I am about 2ish minutes back due to this little blunder.
In days of yore I would have let out a monstrous scream of obsceneties. This time, there were none. It was weird. I was actually calm. I knew I could not win the States Gold. I knew that I would need a pretty super ride to salvage my PA State series overall as well. Off I went. I went like absolute hell for the next two laps and reeled in everyone but the top two guys. I had reduced the 2ish minute gap to 45 seconds with two to go. The officials were encouraging me, the announcer was encouraging me, people around the course, my fellow racers. They knew I was going for it. Penultimate lap, I lose 15 seconds to the leader and do not gain on second. Bell lap time to go. Standing whenever possible, running the mud pretty darn fast. Ripping the corners. Then I see Kirk & realize, I can not catch him in the last half lap. I still keep going hoping for some mechanical karma, but no dice. I come across third. Totally gassed. Basically fall down to my knees, in the snow. Through my haze the announcer said I had the ride of the day, maybe the best ride he has seen all year. Who knows. I know I tried my damndest. I hope the show was worth the money.
I appreciate everyone who has given words of encouragement this year. As I said before I hear when you cheer. It is awesome. I heard yesterday when someone yelled at me on my last time up the run-up; "Hebe, stop walking. You do not want me to take a picture of you while you are walking." I started running again, thank you.
Even when the bike game does not turn out the way you would like it to, it is still fun. This year I lost, yes lost THREE races due to mechanicals. It made me a better person. A stronger person. A calmer person. I think I have finally made some sort of peace with myself in the bike game.
So the tally for the cross bike game was as follows.
Fifteen races.
Two wins
Three seconds
One third
Two fourths
All finishes in the top ten
PA series overall win 35+
MAC series overall third 35+
Not too bad.
I heart the cross bike game.
Thanks again to all my friends, acquaintences, sponsors and fellow gamers for meeking ott seven a great year for me.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Sloppy seconds
Went back for some more again today. She was not as pure today. I could see where I rode her pretty hard yesterday. It was still damn nice. Slippin' and slidin' with a good flow & rhythm that can only be achieved by having done it before. It was so nice and pleasant today I even took off my outer layer of protection.
Started the same way as yesterday, backwards. That initial effort is a bit hard, then it all starts to flow nice, quick and steady. Today I decided to ride a little longer. I turned around and came on home from there.
Since this is ripe with double entendre, the clockwise loop of Pinchot will from here on out be referred to as riding Lady Pinchot Doggie Style. The counter clockwise loop will be riding her Missionary. It will be nice when the gents in camo & blaze orange stop trying to invade my ladyfriend.
Started the same way as yesterday, backwards. That initial effort is a bit hard, then it all starts to flow nice, quick and steady. Today I decided to ride a little longer. I turned around and came on home from there.
Since this is ripe with double entendre, the clockwise loop of Pinchot will from here on out be referred to as riding Lady Pinchot Doggie Style. The counter clockwise loop will be riding her Missionary. It will be nice when the gents in camo & blaze orange stop trying to invade my ladyfriend.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Nooner with a Virgin
Yeah, yeah don't you wish! Different nooner, different virgin.
Got done early and skidaddled over to Pinchot to poach some fresh snow trails. It was awesome. The perfect way to kill some time before work committments tonight. To spin around with 1-2" of fresh snow was sublime. No tracks but me. The park was mine. Falling snow, fresh trails, no worries, no cares. You can not get lost, just look for your trails. I think tomorrow I will do the same thing, just a little longer.
Today reminded me just how much fun riding a bike can be. No bike game cares, no training parameters. Just me, the bike, the snow, the trails.
Since I am skipping Cross Nats, the next couple weeks will be chock full of anti-gaming fun. Fixie rides, snow MTB, maybe even some bike polo next weekend. While the roadies are gearing up, I am going to enjoy some time on the land of misfit bikes. My 12ish year old SMOR 853 and my CAAD 8 fixie. These buggers sit patiently awaiting their turn. They know how much I love them. They know they bring peaceful happiness and not gaming stress and pleasure.
So my weekly recomendo is to get out and have a nooner. Either kind will do.
Got done early and skidaddled over to Pinchot to poach some fresh snow trails. It was awesome. The perfect way to kill some time before work committments tonight. To spin around with 1-2" of fresh snow was sublime. No tracks but me. The park was mine. Falling snow, fresh trails, no worries, no cares. You can not get lost, just look for your trails. I think tomorrow I will do the same thing, just a little longer.
Today reminded me just how much fun riding a bike can be. No bike game cares, no training parameters. Just me, the bike, the snow, the trails.
Since I am skipping Cross Nats, the next couple weeks will be chock full of anti-gaming fun. Fixie rides, snow MTB, maybe even some bike polo next weekend. While the roadies are gearing up, I am going to enjoy some time on the land of misfit bikes. My 12ish year old SMOR 853 and my CAAD 8 fixie. These buggers sit patiently awaiting their turn. They know how much I love them. They know they bring peaceful happiness and not gaming stress and pleasure.
So my weekly recomendo is to get out and have a nooner. Either kind will do.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Mix tape
So in homage to one of my fave bands, The Black Crowes. Here is my Tall mix tape for a cross race. Keep in mind the sage advice of John Cusack from High Fidelity, paraphrased. Start out strong but a little slow. Let them wanting. The take it up a notch, then more again. Then you need to cool it down a little.
Kind of like a cross race. So here goes.
Thorn in my Pride for the warm-up. Chill, smooth, flowing.
Seeing things. Freak and Roll, Live from the Fillmore. On the line, then the crescendo hits.
Kickin' my heart around. By your side. Full gas.
Go Faster. By your side. Doesn't the title say it all?
Sometimes Salvation. Black Crowes Live. Big guitar riffs and pauses like coming out of a corner and the smack is down.
The race is half done. Time to go steady, hard. Like sitting on Blair's wheel.
Let me share the ride. Freak and roll, Live from the Fillmore
Remedy. The Southern Companion... Thirty five minutes in, yeah I need a remedy for what is ailing me.
Then she said my name. By your side. Yes, friends, we hear when you yell our names. It is awesome. When a pretty girl screams your name, woowee. I never thought a love could be like this. Keep yelling.
Less than a lap to go. What Tall tune will I chose? It needs to be rippin', yet calm.
My morning song. Freak & roll, Live from the Fillmore. Strong fast instrumental jam. Passion and powerful lyrics. Background crescendo escalates, like the tension in the last half lap. It keeps going, building, building, higher, higher, stronger, faster. It's a thrill a minute plane ride. It's overtime at ring side, no lie.
See you Saturday.
Kind of like a cross race. So here goes.
Thorn in my Pride for the warm-up. Chill, smooth, flowing.
Seeing things. Freak and Roll, Live from the Fillmore. On the line, then the crescendo hits.
Kickin' my heart around. By your side. Full gas.
Go Faster. By your side. Doesn't the title say it all?
Sometimes Salvation. Black Crowes Live. Big guitar riffs and pauses like coming out of a corner and the smack is down.
The race is half done. Time to go steady, hard. Like sitting on Blair's wheel.
Let me share the ride. Freak and roll, Live from the Fillmore
Remedy. The Southern Companion... Thirty five minutes in, yeah I need a remedy for what is ailing me.
Then she said my name. By your side. Yes, friends, we hear when you yell our names. It is awesome. When a pretty girl screams your name, woowee. I never thought a love could be like this. Keep yelling.
Less than a lap to go. What Tall tune will I chose? It needs to be rippin', yet calm.
My morning song. Freak & roll, Live from the Fillmore. Strong fast instrumental jam. Passion and powerful lyrics. Background crescendo escalates, like the tension in the last half lap. It keeps going, building, building, higher, higher, stronger, faster. It's a thrill a minute plane ride. It's overtime at ring side, no lie.
See you Saturday.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Don't ask, don't tell or...
putting the "fun" in dysfunctional.
Thanksgiving has come and gone. At least this year was more enjoyable than the great '06 debacle. I was able to see family and friends, eat well, drink a few, hear some tales and generally have a pretty good time. A few interesting observations and recaps in chronological order. Sweet single speed road ride for 2.5 hours. It really is amazing how fun just riding can be.
Wednesday eve the shop crew headed out for some food and drink. Very fun. Great reminiscing was to be had. Very nice to see everyone out having a good ole time. Thursday brought more singlie road action on some roads I have not been on in a great while. Another 2.5 hours in just shorts and a ss jersey. Perfect ride to empty the tank for a Turkey day gorging.
This led to what may have been the Star Chamber of Stubbornness dinner. My grandfather, the king. My Mom, the rightful heir. Myself, the apprentice who may have taken all the wisdom and passive aggressively surpassed the prior generations in "prove me wrongness". Dinner was great, absolutely delectable. The king commenting on too much food. The heir retorting, not to worry there are leftovers. The worthy apprentice smiling inside knowing that I have indeed inherited the kingdom of skills.
Friday brought the whirlwind trip to the bucolic land of dysfunction. A visit with my 95 year old Grammy who is still pretty damn sharp. A dinner with my dad and a Scotch laden visit with my uncles. The fact that my dad does not really speak with his brothers makes this a unsettling visit. My uncles are extremely funny and great people to be around, at least for Eric & I. For my dad, another story. Don't ask, don't tell. As long as every one's head is in the sand, it is all good right? Listening to my Uncle's speak of their exploits was damn funny. Experiencing this while my dad is three miles away refusing to partake is damn uncomfortable. Who knows.
Less than twenty-four hours after the grand depart to Bucolia, we start back. Sometimes I wonder, at what point does this all become yet another bridge I burn and walk away from?
Saturday brought cross race work, bike repairs for sale items and college football. Today brings more cross race work, some riding and finally some much needed computer upgrades. Then two generally unproductive days of work until 100% cross race focus.
I have really hit an ambivalence wall. I am tired. It has been a long and stressful year. I do not feel like going to Nats. I really have not given my race all the attention it needs. Work is unstimulating. Personal life and the hope/chance of meeting anyone is on indefinite hold. Maybe some hot model/cyclist will fall from the sky in the upcoming future. I really need to make some concrete decisions pretty soon.
Off to the course.
Thanksgiving has come and gone. At least this year was more enjoyable than the great '06 debacle. I was able to see family and friends, eat well, drink a few, hear some tales and generally have a pretty good time. A few interesting observations and recaps in chronological order. Sweet single speed road ride for 2.5 hours. It really is amazing how fun just riding can be.
Wednesday eve the shop crew headed out for some food and drink. Very fun. Great reminiscing was to be had. Very nice to see everyone out having a good ole time. Thursday brought more singlie road action on some roads I have not been on in a great while. Another 2.5 hours in just shorts and a ss jersey. Perfect ride to empty the tank for a Turkey day gorging.
This led to what may have been the Star Chamber of Stubbornness dinner. My grandfather, the king. My Mom, the rightful heir. Myself, the apprentice who may have taken all the wisdom and passive aggressively surpassed the prior generations in "prove me wrongness". Dinner was great, absolutely delectable. The king commenting on too much food. The heir retorting, not to worry there are leftovers. The worthy apprentice smiling inside knowing that I have indeed inherited the kingdom of skills.
Friday brought the whirlwind trip to the bucolic land of dysfunction. A visit with my 95 year old Grammy who is still pretty damn sharp. A dinner with my dad and a Scotch laden visit with my uncles. The fact that my dad does not really speak with his brothers makes this a unsettling visit. My uncles are extremely funny and great people to be around, at least for Eric & I. For my dad, another story. Don't ask, don't tell. As long as every one's head is in the sand, it is all good right? Listening to my Uncle's speak of their exploits was damn funny. Experiencing this while my dad is three miles away refusing to partake is damn uncomfortable. Who knows.
Less than twenty-four hours after the grand depart to Bucolia, we start back. Sometimes I wonder, at what point does this all become yet another bridge I burn and walk away from?
Saturday brought cross race work, bike repairs for sale items and college football. Today brings more cross race work, some riding and finally some much needed computer upgrades. Then two generally unproductive days of work until 100% cross race focus.
I have really hit an ambivalence wall. I am tired. It has been a long and stressful year. I do not feel like going to Nats. I really have not given my race all the attention it needs. Work is unstimulating. Personal life and the hope/chance of meeting anyone is on indefinite hold. Maybe some hot model/cyclist will fall from the sky in the upcoming future. I really need to make some concrete decisions pretty soon.
Off to the course.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Under the cover of daylight 11/20
I made it. There were days where I did not think that I would.
Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of when I backed up the moving truck w/ Gus and moved out of my own house. In the middle of the day, when most everyone is at work, I loaded up the truck. I snuck out of my home, my old neighborhood, and a part of myself.
This is not a post to lay blame, ask forgiveness, say what if, etc... This is a post to say, "I made it." Here I am. I am very different. I am exactly the same. So when I wake up tomorrow I will be thankful what what I experienced. I will be even more thankful for the experiences that are yet to come.
Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of when I backed up the moving truck w/ Gus and moved out of my own house. In the middle of the day, when most everyone is at work, I loaded up the truck. I snuck out of my home, my old neighborhood, and a part of myself.
This is not a post to lay blame, ask forgiveness, say what if, etc... This is a post to say, "I made it." Here I am. I am very different. I am exactly the same. So when I wake up tomorrow I will be thankful what what I experienced. I will be even more thankful for the experiences that are yet to come.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Guest writer
Seeking guest writer for a post or three. Topic can be anything. Your life, my life, their lives whatever. Send an email and I will post, unedited. roadracer35@comcast.net
Big bike game this weekend
Nats comes early in the form of the USGP. I counted thirty guys with top 10 Nats finishes, in the past three years, in my event. There were another ten with race wins besides that. Sweet.
Line up, ride hard, no excuses. We shall see.
Milestone day next week. Alice's restaurant next week. Turkey day with, filling, mashed tates and gravy, mmmm gravy next week. Fun night out next week. Damn, I got some shit rollin'.
Possibility of wearing just one kit to play ALL the bike games in next year. That would be cool. Almost as cool as the team. Who knows maybe I will even, dare I say it, find even more dirt under the rubber?
Business review with my manager tomorrow. Should be easy.
Line up, ride hard, no excuses. We shall see.
Milestone day next week. Alice's restaurant next week. Turkey day with, filling, mashed tates and gravy, mmmm gravy next week. Fun night out next week. Damn, I got some shit rollin'.
Possibility of wearing just one kit to play ALL the bike games in next year. That would be cool. Almost as cool as the team. Who knows maybe I will even, dare I say it, find even more dirt under the rubber?
Business review with my manager tomorrow. Should be easy.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
The Eli Lilly big brother health care blues
OK, I realize I have health insurance. I also realize it is pretty good. My gripe is with the process and billing and payment. I just got the bill for my ER visit from the great BMX incident. It was for $341 dollars. Hmmm. My health plan is to pay 100% of all non-admission ER visits. I was not admitted. Therefore buck up, Anthem. I read the bill and see my health plan refuses to pay due to incorrect coding. WTF! It said X-ray & ER visit right on the statement. What irks me is that I now need to file additional paperwork with my insurance. All the while the bill will remain unpaid and if it malingers too long ends up at a collection agency. Guess who gets the nastygram? Me!
To top that I go to re-enroll in my health plan for '08 and i notice small print from "the Colonel". If you fail to enroll benefits will not roll over. You will be reassigned to an HSA account. Whoaaaa Nelly. Since when can someone be reassignd without consent? Is lack of response consent? If someone approaches me and says "I am going to beat the living shit out of you", and I fail to respond in a timely manner am I giving consent to be pummeled? Out of curiousity I decide to compare my present plan and the HSA plan. My deductibel is $200 in and $200 out of network. That is a scam in and of itself. However, the HSA has a $2,000 deductible! No that was not a typo of one too many zero's. It is a full boat $2k deductible. Seems like a bargain huh? Read on. Every single line item for reimbursement was 10%-20% less with this new plan that people must avoid being reassigned to.
This is such an underhanded way to reduce health care expenditure for Lilly. Really the company should be paying people lioke me for being so healthy 99% of the time.
Damn, that got me in a lather today.
Don't let the bastards get you down!
To top that I go to re-enroll in my health plan for '08 and i notice small print from "the Colonel". If you fail to enroll benefits will not roll over. You will be reassigned to an HSA account. Whoaaaa Nelly. Since when can someone be reassignd without consent? Is lack of response consent? If someone approaches me and says "I am going to beat the living shit out of you", and I fail to respond in a timely manner am I giving consent to be pummeled? Out of curiousity I decide to compare my present plan and the HSA plan. My deductibel is $200 in and $200 out of network. That is a scam in and of itself. However, the HSA has a $2,000 deductible! No that was not a typo of one too many zero's. It is a full boat $2k deductible. Seems like a bargain huh? Read on. Every single line item for reimbursement was 10%-20% less with this new plan that people must avoid being reassigned to.
This is such an underhanded way to reduce health care expenditure for Lilly. Really the company should be paying people lioke me for being so healthy 99% of the time.
Damn, that got me in a lather today.
Don't let the bastards get you down!
Huffin' like a junkie
The past two days have been big glue fests for my tubular cross tire woes. It all stems back to some bad karma Leech is sending my way. I was all over him for rolling tubies last year. Well I rolled two this year and Hamdiggler rolled my spare front. In my defense my rolls were while using Tufo tape. I am heretofore rescinding my proclamations of love for gluing tape. Do not be lazy. Take the two or three days and enjoy the glue smell. Three coats rim, two coats tire and I am set. Your tires will stay put and your confidence will as well. Now all is well is cross wheel land. The file treads are ready to rock for Beacon. I am debating gluing a second set of carbon wheels for cross. Yes, that may mean an official "give a damn" departure from road race wheels. Nothing says Richard Feldman like two pair of carbon cross wheels. Throw in matching Colnago C-50's and he may as well be in Belgium.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
40, thinning gray hair, skinny, never home on weekends: seeks supermodel cyclist
I think that is what my new Match.com "tag line" will be. Since my ex informed me today that my profile is a topic of conversation at her monthly Bunko gathering, I think I am going to go all out and see who I can attract. I will try it out on my loyal readers.
Me: 40, but act like I am MUCH younger. Maybe too young. Hates to travel, unless it is for a bikegame race. Religion is not important, unless I am puking my guts out at Ray & Nancy's wedding & I am praying to God to make it stop. Well read, Velo News, Cycle Sport and the innernet thing. I have never broken a mirror by staring into it. My body is slowly breaking down. Tattooed, probably will get more. Beer is good. Food is good.
Seeking: Really freakin' hot girl. You should probably race bikes, it is basically my life. Let's make it yours as well. Must despise travel also. Your idea of a long trip is three hors by car. Probably should not like the beach either. I get bored and antsy easily. No need to be religious. You may however scream "oh my god, you are great" while in the throws of passion. Be smart, just not smarter than me.
So there it is. My new profile. Seriously, where does one find a good match these days? At what point do I realize, that I am not a model and a girlfriend need not be one either? The bikegame thing is probably a requirement that will stick. Lesson learned. Plus now that I can look at female bikegamers, I realize how hot they are.
Since being thrust into the world of online "dating" I have realized a few things.
1) All the really hot girls are taken
2) Being a cyclist means DIDDLY-POO outside of our naive little cocoon
3) Online dating is predominantly made up of women who are larger than me
4) I have NO idea how to approach women, even online
5) I enjoy my free time
6) The ones who are hot, have two kids
7) Finding an athletic, slender, good looking, single, no kids girl in Central PA is the proverbial needle in a haystack
So to my faithful readers, hook a brutha up. You know a single bikegamer chick, tell her I am available and not an axe murderer.
Don't let the bastards get you down.
Me: 40, but act like I am MUCH younger. Maybe too young. Hates to travel, unless it is for a bikegame race. Religion is not important, unless I am puking my guts out at Ray & Nancy's wedding & I am praying to God to make it stop. Well read, Velo News, Cycle Sport and the innernet thing. I have never broken a mirror by staring into it. My body is slowly breaking down. Tattooed, probably will get more. Beer is good. Food is good.
Seeking: Really freakin' hot girl. You should probably race bikes, it is basically my life. Let's make it yours as well. Must despise travel also. Your idea of a long trip is three hors by car. Probably should not like the beach either. I get bored and antsy easily. No need to be religious. You may however scream "oh my god, you are great" while in the throws of passion. Be smart, just not smarter than me.
So there it is. My new profile. Seriously, where does one find a good match these days? At what point do I realize, that I am not a model and a girlfriend need not be one either? The bikegame thing is probably a requirement that will stick. Lesson learned. Plus now that I can look at female bikegamers, I realize how hot they are.
Since being thrust into the world of online "dating" I have realized a few things.
1) All the really hot girls are taken
2) Being a cyclist means DIDDLY-POO outside of our naive little cocoon
3) Online dating is predominantly made up of women who are larger than me
4) I have NO idea how to approach women, even online
5) I enjoy my free time
6) The ones who are hot, have two kids
7) Finding an athletic, slender, good looking, single, no kids girl in Central PA is the proverbial needle in a haystack
So to my faithful readers, hook a brutha up. You know a single bikegamer chick, tell her I am available and not an axe murderer.
Don't let the bastards get you down.
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