Two great early season races today.........

And I missed both of them. Steve and Brian both headed to "Why Not Cross" in Carlisle and Jason,Martin and Arin headed to Snot-Cycle in Virginia. My choice would have been to do "Why Not Cross" as it is close to Brian's house and would have given the opportunity to spend some time just hanging out before and after. But it wasn't in the cards this weekend, so I traveled 10 minutes to spin class. Brian and Steve had respectable finishes and I have not heard about the others yet.

Finally somebody is starting to pay attention...........

It appears that the folks in L.A. are going to conduct a study on ways to protect cyclists. This is another great step toward cyclist rights, and will hopefully help to set presidents for bicycle advocacy. There has been heightened awareness to the problems cyclist on the road face lately due to some real unfortunate injuries and fatalities  caused by  drivers. It only takes a quick search on the internet to make you realize how many times this happens each year. It by no means with make me think twice about heading out, but it would be nice if it wre safer. Fortunately what happened to me on my last ride is far from the norm in our are, but I have ridden in other parts of the state that weren't so cycling friendly. Unless  of course your enjoy mountain bikling then this is the place to go.

Your approach to solving the problem looks great...............

But could you please just duplicate the half assed way we did it. This is the response we got at work the other day for the improved solution to a problem presented by one of our customers. They don't seam to want to spend the extra time or money it will take to do the job the right way. What the heck, the consumer is only paying $3000.00 for the item and they will never see in side of it anyway so who cares....right? Who cares if it looks about as professional as repairing a crack in $3000.00 bike frame with a piece of 1/4 inch steel.

Maybe this is a bit preemptive as they may not realize yet why we chose to do it the way we did. Why should you even consider that the heat source might totaly negate your solution. Let alone the rest of the cluster you left hanging there.

How about this weather????????????????

Well there is not much good to say about it for sure. Too cold to ride outside and not enough snow around here to Cross Country ski. So I am confined to indoor cycling amusement, which really is not that bad. Spin class is fun and weight lifting is what I did before cycling so it is all good. There is a cross race this weekend that a couple of team mates are doing but I am unable to attend. This hopefully wont be the norm for this season as my family has been encouraging me to get back to it. So long as work schedules don't get in the way or at least having somebody to keep an eye on my youngest fan while I participate, it should work out.

Finally some news to support..............

What I have been doing my entire life. Doctors have found that "Untidy beds may keep us healthy". I agree that there is nothing like crawling into a made bed but I just don't have the time or whatever it takes to do it on a daily basis. Now I have an excuse not to.

Ended up riding alone today...........

Ended up riding alone today. Was supposed to ride with Steve but he had made a trip to Pro Bikes in Pittsburgh and was not going to be back in time. So after changing the oil and washing the truck I headed out.

One thing I have noticed since my surgery is that I don't seem to get as cold as in the past. I assume it is due to the more efficient beating of my heart and makes me wonder how many times I may have been in  atrial flutter while riding.

I was unaware that I had this condition in addition to the Affib but I became more prominent during the weeks leading up to my surgery an I felt pretty normal except for the fact that my heart rate was around 150bmp for over a week straight.

Ended up doing a little over 30 miles today which took me around the Tanoma loop.

While I am on the subject..................

Of Tanoma, I had an interesting experience there to day. Now we spend allot of time riding this particular road over the years without much indecent. Considering the amount of time cyclists spend on this and other roads around here the couple of incidents that have been makes you feel pretty comfortable about riding there. A couple of dog vs bike accidents and the on evening Scooter had some guy chase him off the road with his pickup cornering him between the grill and a concrete building. I will never forget that night and fortunately there were about 8 of us there to witness the incident and quickly convinced the guy in the truck that he had made a huge mistake and that instead of getting out of the truck that he should probably stay put and the police were on their way.

I don't have a clue as to what sets people off in cars but it does happen. Most of the time is is a simple gesture indicating their IQ, other times it is a can or some projectile directed your way. And of course there is the occasional close shave or cut off.

So what happened today you might ask..........

It all started at the single lane bridge on the way from Tanoma, not nearly wide enough for 2 cars but just enough room for a car and bike to pass each other. So as I approach the middle of the bridge an  approaching car enters from the other end. Which I would have thought nothing of as she was moving slowly, except for the fact that she was edging her way towards my side of the road. Actually she left as little room as she could for me to get by and probably would have left less if the distance between us closed quickly. So as I slowed to a creep past her I glanced her way and she calls me a j@c%@$$. Now she is so close top me and the road is covered with anti skid material I actually placed my had on eh corner of the rear of her car as I exited the bridge.

So I continued on my way and never gave it another thought. That is until about 1/2 mile down the road I hear a car racing up behind me, but I did not bother to look as cars always do that. Next thing I know this crazy old woman comes up along side me and towards me cutting me off then slowing down to a crawl. As a moving target is harder to hit than a sitting one I continued to ride. So she moves over to the other side of the road into the berm and comes to a stop. As I ride by she comes right at me. I hit the brakes and she overshoots me then got back in front of me.

So I continued to ride behind her wondering what her malfunction was. Now according to a friend of mine Estrogen would be the cause and the fact that I am a man would be the effect but I don't really think that is what  was going on here.So she pulls off of the road again on the opposite side and I foolishly go past her. So she comes at me again and forces me off of the road again. At this point I think she had had enough as she went up the road and pulled off on my side, turned around and headed back in my direction at this point she either figured that she had better lay off as she must have figured I had taken her picture. Unfortunately this is the only photo that came out as I was trying not to die.

Unfortunately I did not get her license number, due to the wanting to live thing, and this photo isn't clear enough to read it. So if you know anyone that is a CSI maybe they could clean it up for me so I can complete the police report.

The Tour De France....

Is still a couple of mouths out and I am already tired of this guy. Hopefull Paul and Phil will get over him long before the race begins.

Had a great ride.................

This past Saturday. It was my maiden voyage on the road since before my ablation. So I have not been out for a real ride since July. What a blast.!!!! I knew that I was missing it but did not realize how much. I took the fixed gear as it has fenders, and heavier tires as to prevent getting a flat tire.
The roads around here this time of year are horrible and a heavy tire is highly recommended. A cyclocross bike would have been a good choice as well, but as I don’t have one of those in my arsenal at this point the fixie did fine.


I  love riding the fixed gear. It is by far one of the best ways to get into shape. There are no gears so you can’t fake it. When the going gets tough you have to work or walk, and we all know walking is not an option. This will however probably be the only time I rid this particular bike for a while. It ahs only been 5 months since my ablation and I really don’t want to red line myself yet. I will get back to it though as the season progresses. Oh and I only forgot I was on a fixed gear once as I drifted off eh road but I managed not to hi the eject button.

Was supposed to get out and ride............

With Steve yesterday but as luck would have it I could not make it. I was not so disappointed at first as the weather and roads did not look so good around noon but a little later in the day the sun came out and the roads started to dry out. We are going to keep an eye on eh weather though and get out as soon and as much as we can. I will be spinning this week though and start teaching a class this Friday.
Heck, I even put a new tire on to replace this one for the outing. that's right folks there are plenty of threads showing here.

This just in………….

Pretty women anger more easily.” Researchers found women who rated themselves as pretty displayed a war-like streak when fighting battles to get their own way.” Now why can’t I think for this kind of stuff? I can only imagine that Researcher = $$$$$$$$$$$. “In the study, the women who believed they were good looking were more likely to respond angrily in disputes than those who rated themselves as less attractive. Now this isn’t rocket science and I am pretty sure that any red-blooded American man, or woman for that matter could have told you this. Just put a couple of pretty women in a room for a while and see what happens. Not necessarily what happens over at doucheblogcyling, sorry Burt, but I think you get the picture.

Cleaning house...........

In a sense anyway. Just finished copying all of my personal blog posts from AG3r to this one. Check them out if you like they are all older (2005-2006) but so what.

Like everybody else in the world.....

I have been doing the facebook thing. It amazes me how some people have so many friends. Some people have more friends than I think I personally know. Although I think when you get right down to it most are probably just acquaintances.  Friend is a word that people tend to just throw out there, but the meaning of the word has no real significance to them. I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard somebody say “yah, they are a friend of mine”. Really?

Lets face it; we have many people come in and out of our lives over the years.  And just because you know somebody does not make them your friend. Now that may seam a little harsh but I believe it to be true. Friendship is something to be valued not used. Friendships can last a lifetime so you should choose your friends wisely, quality not quantity. And don’t confuse quality with stature or what that person may be able to do for you, because you will be left short when you really need a friend.

A friend will impact your life in a positive way. Now you may not realize this when you are young but as you grow you realize how the people you chose as friends when you were young probably had the greatest impact on your life. I came to this realization a few years ago when a childhood friend’s parent passed away. It was not only the friendship I had with this individual that impacted my life, but her entire family. They are all a part of who I am. And of course as we grow older we have the ability to be more dicerning about the friends we choose.

• A friend won’t judge you. They will listen without prejudice and be honest in their response if needed or say nothing but be there to hear.
• A friend will come to your aid, often times without you asking.
• A friend will impact on your life, it is up to what type of impact that is. I could go on but I think you get the point.

So be the best friend you can be, somebody might be counting on it. 

Thinking about starting a second blog........

Just what I need. One more thing to do. Something else to cut into my day. But I am still considering it. I have come up with a couple of ideas as to what I will focus on but still not sure if I will follow through. It will be of a less personal nature for sure. Nor am I sure if I will link it to any of my other Internet stuff.

Call Me Crazy....

But I really do like the snow, even though it keeps me from doing much cycling. It makes everything look so nice and in the evening makes it seam much quieter. Of course you need to find some way to keep your sanity so some wort of outdoor activity is necessary. If it weren't for cross country skiing, sledding and spin classes I would probably go crazy. I know, its cold out, but you would be surprised how little clothing you actually need if you actually get your heart rate above your resting heart rate.

Moved To The............

Head of the class the other evening as spinning. The class was overbooked so the other instructor stepped down and I took his place. What a great workout you get teaching, of course as the instructor you push yourself a little harder, plus I tend to watch and see how badly the people are suffering. And if it does not appear that they are suffering like I am, I ramp it up a notch until I see them suffering as well. I really do enjoy teaching as it allows me to run the class in a way the benefits my particular, off season, training regiment.

Are You..........

Living in a bubble? It always amazes me how many people that I encounter are.This actually came to me last evening while playing video games with my son. We have discovered that when a part of the game becomes to hard, usually for me, or you are about to reach your demise you can simply put yourself in a bubble and just float around until the other player lets you out. this works out fine but there are challenges in the game that you don't get a chance to participate in or defeat. I see the same thing every day in life. Some probably don't even realize it even though it is so obvious to those they come in contact with every day.

The trouble with bubbles is that they kind of sneak up on you . Enveloping you little by little, day after day, week after week, year after year. The process can be so slow that you don't even know it is happening. And you may never know unless somebody points it out to you. Bubbles have no discretion either. They consume all types of people, both young and old rich or poor, robbing them of some of the greatest things in life.

I am quite sure ......

That there are those out there that have never been consumed by the bubble and kudos to them but I think it is highly unlikely. I  have found myself enveloped many times throughout the years but have always been able to realize my situation and break free. Either by my own will or with the help of others. Living the bubble free life can be quit exhilarating and to surround yourself with bubble free friends makes this all the better. I have had the good fortune to have an abundance of these types of people in my life forever and am continuously seeking them out. Lets face it you cant have enough of those type of people around keeping bubbles at bay.

So get out there......

And take some risks, measured ones if your skeptical, but take them. Burst that bubble and enjoy life!

So I Promised.......

To do more blogging but quite frankly there isn't much going on folks. Eight of so straight days of snow and sub zero temperatures aren't that inviting for cycling. That coupled with conflicting schedules with my cycling time and other commitments it just aint happening. I  have been spinning and shoveling snow so I am not without exerciser or focus for that matter. True there are some that have been braving the outdoor elements on 2 wheels but not I. And to be perfectly honest I am ashamed of that, but again scheduling conflicts have been playing a big part in that as well. Spinning 2 or 3 days a week after work requires me to drive a car there on those days and getting my son on teh bus pretty much squashes any opportunity of the other days. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!!!!!

I would Argue.......

That it is harder to get back into shape than it is to get into shape originally unless, of course, round is your preferred shape. The only advantage you have in getting back into shape is that you already have muscle memory and the the mental fortitude it takes to do it. Unfortunately you have the memories of how easy it was to do certain things when your fitness was good, which really stinks. So all you can do is push on, which I will. Actually will start teaching spinning again in 2 weeks.