Finally remembered what I did two Sundays ago.......

I just finished reading Steve's blog and my memory was jolted back two weeks. On that Sunday, Steve, Matt, Zewack, Nicoll, Hammer and Myself did the Three man loop. We stayed together pretty god until we left 286 to McEntire the steady climb and accelerations left a couple of guys a little short as we approached the steeper part of the road. We then waited and regrouped for the big climb to Parkwood and finally regrouped again at sportsman's club road. Everybody pretty much hung on til 422 then Nicoll took it up a notch and He, Hammer and myself spit the rest of the guys right off the back and never let up until the end.We all had a pretty good ride and it really feels good to come home with little or nothing left.


By the way which ones PINK.........

Went to the Benedem to see the Austrailian Pink Floyd on Tusday October 7th. What a spectacular show. We kind of decided to go at the last minute so our seats could have been a little better but there really aren't any bad seats at the Benedum Center so it was still OK. They played The Wall front to back with some theatrics and video. It is hard to believe how much they sounded like the original and I don't think anybody left disappointing, I actually have the movie playing in the background right now. If you have never seen the movie before it is a must see for any Floyd Fan..... set aside 90 minutes follow this link and enjoy or if you have already sen it, enjoy it again. They also played about a 45 minute set from The Dark side Of The Moon. If you get the chance to see this band or the Pink Floyd Experience you really should go.

This kind of puts things into perspective.........

A friend of mine did Iron Cross this past weekend and had a bad day (flat tire). Anyway he is a good writer and has written many anecdotal stories over the years, most of which are hilarious, this one however shows another side of Mike which is why we all love him so much.....enjoy.

No Joy In Muddville

Three major races this season and three major disappointments. Mohican 100‐total implosion with 10 miles to go and then a wrong turn, adding 6 miles. Wilderness 101‐broken rib at mile 67 and then limping into the finish. Finally, Iron Cross, my shot at redemption‐a torn tire at mile 47 of 62. I was well on my way to shattering my personal best, when it all went rushing away, like the air from the 3” gash in my rear tire. I’ve spent the last 24 hours sulking, thinking of wasted efforts from thousands of training miles, hours suffering in heat, cold, rain. Long lonely miles working towards goals left unfulfilled and dreams left unrealized.

The more I thought about things gone wrong, the more bummed I became. Then it hit me like a frying pan; what a complete tool I am. It’s pretty ridiculous that I could be so self absorbed to actually be upset that a couple bike races didn’t go well. Over the last two years; I’ve watched a friend return to the bike after a life threatening illness. I’ve watched another friend come back to competitive cycling after battling a heart disorder. So many others, with REAL problems. Financial distress. Marital problems. Sick children. Lost jobs. Fire. Plague. Petulance…Bad bike race… My God…please. Riding a bike is a luxury, racing a bike a privilege. My friends have taught me that. It’s a lesson that I’ve needed to relearn and apparently must remind myself frequently. How many things do we take for granted? Far too many I’m afraid. Go out and ride your bike…just because you can.

Back at it........

Haven t been posting much lately. Been busy with work and such. Haven't been riding too much either. I have only ridden twice in the past two weeks. I rode this past Sunday and the Sunday before adn that is it. Gabe and I rode to the park this afternoon so I guess I did do something on the bike.

I cant quite remember the previous Sundays ride but this past Sunday, Rich, Hammer, Matt, Andy, Botsford and Jason did the Bar Slope loop headed out Airport to Hoodschool then back to Airport to 286. Then into Clymer to 403 to Bar Slope the back home through Tanoma. I was really kind of looking foreword to a easy ride since I haven't been riding too much, but as usual it wa not long before things got in a hurry. Riding with these guys is real similar to racing except that instead of having a big group of guys to hide behind when you don't feel good there are usually only 4 at best and if you lose contact your sunk.

So it was your usuall reindeer games and such and I survived to win a couple of township line sprints. The heart is behaving pretty well these days adn I am happy for that.


IRON CROSS UPDATE........

Brownie, and Dirty Mike did Iron Cross VI this past weekend and I wish I could have been thee but was not able to make it this year. Brownie actually added to his suffering by doing Iron Cross light the day before. For those of you that aren't familiar with Iron Cross, here is the skinny. Iron Cross is a 62 mile long Cyclocross Race (follow link for more description) where you ride a bike very similar to a road bike through the woods, fire roads and such. Mike flatted and Brian did it in just over 65 hours not quire beating his designated mark. This really surprises me because Brian is probably one of the most fit people I know. He actually placed 2nd overall in the PA State Time Trial Championships. He just does not do well in mass start races for some reason. Probably partly mental and partly a lack of specific training in short all out repeated efforts.


Time for my other obsession.......

Well fall is here and so it is time to start thinking about archery season.......... I haven't done a whole lot of hunting the past few years and really hope to be able to get out a little bit more this year. it is things like this that keep me interested.......
























All score 126 or better, the first I hunted for 3 years , missing him once and finally shooting him right under my tree stand on October 31, 1998 the other two I could not wait and when we crossed paths in rifle season I could not pass them up. I had a buddy that totally focused on archery and let a lot of bucks pass in rifle season. He later in life regretted doing that so I decided not to follow in his footsteps....


Some Bail out huh..........

Well the Dow dropped again today......I must say that at this point I am unaffected, since as most people I know, I don't have enough money invested to be concerned and definitely not enough in the bank to not be covered by the FDIC. Shoot most of the people I know have less money on hand than they spent on their bikes........ I hope that things turn soon, but I really don't see that happening for another year at best.