It's a tough transition and we or at least I am having a tough time.
Winter just does not seem to be going away.
And if it is, rather slowly, getting warmer, it doesn't seem like it cause of this weird relationship we got going on here. Cold weather turning warmer --> Time.
I don't know how to graph it, I suppose somebody can, or perhaps it's just not possible, cause it's not really happening as I think it is.
As time marches on, and the winter weather just *starts* to subside, I still find myself wearing the same amount of clothing!
Let me try and explain.
About a month or two ago, when it dropped to the teens I'd have my usual long-sleeve base, jacket, and thermal then finally add the wind breaker with my Patagucci hat and lobster claws.
Now when it's in the high 20s to 30s I find myself still putting all that crap on.
My toughness is wearing out.
Or it's my body growing tired of taking the hit when it's cold.
Or I'm getting old(er).
Whatever the reason, I was pretty happy today, when, in the mid 40s, it felt a bit "warm", not the usual "cold damp" down by the river.
I think Spring may come after all...
And none too soon.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
It's nice out, here's a post!
Today in Morgantown it was up in the 70s.
No lie, that's what Audrey told us. Audrey doesn't lie, here's where she got her info-
wunderground weather
Check for yourself what the weather is like here in Morgantown, WV.
Today was swell though, first time, since only the Lord Baby Bi-atch knows when, that I've worn shorts, and look at those legs, it has definitely been a while
Yes, the jersey has its tag still on. I don't wear sleeved jerseys much, so I just left the tag on. Been washed twice so far.
And yes, that jersey has always fit a bit tight.
I'm not fat, I'm just fluffy!
Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come!
Jackie sure is a cutie when she wants to be-
Or when she's *not* eating my socks!
Grump.
No lie, that's what Audrey told us. Audrey doesn't lie, here's where she got her info-
wunderground weather
Check for yourself what the weather is like here in Morgantown, WV.
Today was swell though, first time, since only the Lord Baby Bi-atch knows when, that I've worn shorts, and look at those legs, it has definitely been a while
Yes, the jersey has its tag still on. I don't wear sleeved jerseys much, so I just left the tag on. Been washed twice so far.
And yes, that jersey has always fit a bit tight.
I'm not fat, I'm just fluffy!
Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come!
Jackie sure is a cutie when she wants to be-
Or when she's *not* eating my socks!
Grump.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Me and more stuff
Just what we needed,
But I just couldn't refuse them.
After riding to work w/ Betsy, one cool and early morn, and coming back the extend-o loop, according to my Cycle-Dumb Training Program, I saw our friend Vlad the Bikepaler, aka Nick Hein, who heads up Positive Spin and whom we've caught sneaking home in the mornings after a long night of bike gathering.
He was loading, sorting, and getting rid of some bikes and pieces and such, to be sold for scrap and then using the money for more bicycle advocacy, as is his volition.
I stopped by, started chatting a bit with Nick and also, unbeknownst to him, started eyeballing a few of the frames.
So I helped him sort some, move some, and he also showed me around the new digs that Positive Spin will be sharing very near the Rail Trail in the Wharf District.
I told Nick that I wasn't going to let these two frames go anywhere and would take them home. I'd give/donate some money to PS some day as well.
So I rode the rest of the way home with two frames wrapped around my neck and upper body.
Wish I would have had a picture of me riding, but I couldn't very well do that and ride...
So here I am finally at home-
And here are the frames.
One, as you can see, is a genuine Tom Ritchey frame without fork. Replete with the oh-so-bad-idea of chain stay mounted brakes, serial # - A5G00019
And this gem just pleaded with me, spoke to my roots, as a skater, punk rocker, and cyclist.
Just take a gander at the stickers that are still visible!
The one that really caught my eye was the Big Black sticker off one of my favorite albums (you have to guess or know the album)-
Yeah, that's it, just two more frames.
Might put them together. Might just take some more photos. Might make Chris help me put the HardCore f/f together and we could donate it to a worthy cause.
Probably gonna do some research on the Ritchey frame and see just what's up w/ it. Nick said it was given to them from a landlord, tenant left and there you have it.
But I just couldn't refuse them.
After riding to work w/ Betsy, one cool and early morn, and coming back the extend-o loop, according to my Cycle-Dumb Training Program, I saw our friend Vlad the Bikepaler, aka Nick Hein, who heads up Positive Spin and whom we've caught sneaking home in the mornings after a long night of bike gathering.
He was loading, sorting, and getting rid of some bikes and pieces and such, to be sold for scrap and then using the money for more bicycle advocacy, as is his volition.
I stopped by, started chatting a bit with Nick and also, unbeknownst to him, started eyeballing a few of the frames.
So I helped him sort some, move some, and he also showed me around the new digs that Positive Spin will be sharing very near the Rail Trail in the Wharf District.
I told Nick that I wasn't going to let these two frames go anywhere and would take them home. I'd give/donate some money to PS some day as well.
So I rode the rest of the way home with two frames wrapped around my neck and upper body.
Wish I would have had a picture of me riding, but I couldn't very well do that and ride...
So here I am finally at home-
And here are the frames.
One, as you can see, is a genuine Tom Ritchey frame without fork. Replete with the oh-so-bad-idea of chain stay mounted brakes, serial # - A5G00019
And this gem just pleaded with me, spoke to my roots, as a skater, punk rocker, and cyclist.
Just take a gander at the stickers that are still visible!
The one that really caught my eye was the Big Black sticker off one of my favorite albums (you have to guess or know the album)-
Yeah, that's it, just two more frames.
Might put them together. Might just take some more photos. Might make Chris help me put the HardCore f/f together and we could donate it to a worthy cause.
Probably gonna do some research on the Ritchey frame and see just what's up w/ it. Nick said it was given to them from a landlord, tenant left and there you have it.
Friday, January 25, 2008
First Out, Last In
It is butt cold out again.
We rode in this morning and the temp was in single digits F. That makes for a chilly morning, and unlike most mornings when once you're out there you don't feel too bad, it only felt worse once you were out in it.
But that's only part of what this post is about.
I realized on the way back (trying to not think cold thoughts and looking down a little more) that the tracks on our route were from Betsy and I on our way home yesterday evening. All the way from in front of the Rec. Center, across the CAC to the front, from the top of the Arboretum down the service trail, all along the rail trail, across the Decker's Creek Bridge, clear on out Past Med-Express to where we turn around, then all the way back around, up Decker's Trail, up the trail to Forest Ave., up the steps to Whitemore Park and then the tracks weren't showing up anymore past Mario's Fish Bowl since it we were on the well salted road.
Not that we're really trying, but on most days this winter, we are amongst the first out on the trail and then one of the last that evening.
We start at about 7:15am which until just recently was still quite dark, and we usually get home around 5:45pm or so, again, which until recently was getting or already dark.
Some days it's just a little easier than others-
I know, I'm looking old anymore, especially in the cold. Must be the Cold...
This is with (starting from closest to the skin) a long-sleeve turtle neck, regular polypro T, bib shorts, pretty heavy Specialized Jacket/Jersey, heavy Sugoi Uni-suit, old ESSM thermal Jacket, two wind jackets, one Patagonia super-visor-cap, Patagonia neck-thingy, tall socks, new Lake Winter boots, newish PI lobster claw mitts, and an old helmet that fits well w/ layers under it.
Pretty slim and trim.
Still pretty chilly.
First out, last in.
We rode in this morning and the temp was in single digits F. That makes for a chilly morning, and unlike most mornings when once you're out there you don't feel too bad, it only felt worse once you were out in it.
But that's only part of what this post is about.
I realized on the way back (trying to not think cold thoughts and looking down a little more) that the tracks on our route were from Betsy and I on our way home yesterday evening. All the way from in front of the Rec. Center, across the CAC to the front, from the top of the Arboretum down the service trail, all along the rail trail, across the Decker's Creek Bridge, clear on out Past Med-Express to where we turn around, then all the way back around, up Decker's Trail, up the trail to Forest Ave., up the steps to Whitemore Park and then the tracks weren't showing up anymore past Mario's Fish Bowl since it we were on the well salted road.
Not that we're really trying, but on most days this winter, we are amongst the first out on the trail and then one of the last that evening.
We start at about 7:15am which until just recently was still quite dark, and we usually get home around 5:45pm or so, again, which until recently was getting or already dark.
Some days it's just a little easier than others-
I know, I'm looking old anymore, especially in the cold. Must be the Cold...
This is with (starting from closest to the skin) a long-sleeve turtle neck, regular polypro T, bib shorts, pretty heavy Specialized Jacket/Jersey, heavy Sugoi Uni-suit, old ESSM thermal Jacket, two wind jackets, one Patagonia super-visor-cap, Patagonia neck-thingy, tall socks, new Lake Winter boots, newish PI lobster claw mitts, and an old helmet that fits well w/ layers under it.
Pretty slim and trim.
Still pretty chilly.
First out, last in.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
First Tracks
Enough of that warming weather, clear skies, and the crawling critters coming out from hiding!
We've got more snow! And cold! And bleak skies!
Probably not for too long, and most definitely not as much as NE right now and always, but it always does funny things to the scene and the folks around here when we get a nice bit of ground cover over night.
After calling for the second time to make sure NIOSH was still operating a "normal" schedule, we headed on out, to get Betsy to work-
Boogied on down Wiley St., slowly avoiding a poor girl whose car couldn't get stopped before coming out onto Wiley, dashing through town, passing other vehicles of the non-human-powered-locomtion-and-butt-heavy-big-four-wheels variety, and finally making it to the fresh and virgin Rail Trail.
The snow was still falling, but not as much, the wind was still blowing, maybe a bit more, we kept on pedalling, having a nice relaxing ride in the snow.
Coming home I did a little trail maintenance up at Whitemore Park, got closer to home and rode around a bit more, just cause it was so quiet and peaceful-
After I was done tooling around and such I also noted that not everyone was having as much fun or doing so well in our new terrain.
We'll call these Bad Tracks-
I think cars look best in the snow like this-
"Cars are great, I just don't think they should be driven all the time."
We've got more snow! And cold! And bleak skies!
Probably not for too long, and most definitely not as much as NE right now and always, but it always does funny things to the scene and the folks around here when we get a nice bit of ground cover over night.
After calling for the second time to make sure NIOSH was still operating a "normal" schedule, we headed on out, to get Betsy to work-
Boogied on down Wiley St., slowly avoiding a poor girl whose car couldn't get stopped before coming out onto Wiley, dashing through town, passing other vehicles of the non-human-powered-locomtion-and-butt-heavy-big-four-wheels variety, and finally making it to the fresh and virgin Rail Trail.
The snow was still falling, but not as much, the wind was still blowing, maybe a bit more, we kept on pedalling, having a nice relaxing ride in the snow.
Coming home I did a little trail maintenance up at Whitemore Park, got closer to home and rode around a bit more, just cause it was so quiet and peaceful-
After I was done tooling around and such I also noted that not everyone was having as much fun or doing so well in our new terrain.
We'll call these Bad Tracks-
I think cars look best in the snow like this-
"Cars are great, I just don't think they should be driven all the time."
Thursday, January 10, 2008
I Scream!
Ever since I got my post-cross-season-holiday crude I haven't had hardly any ice cream at all.
A really meager amount once or twice, and this was about a 4 week period! I was really trying to get better, not drinking much coffee, not drinking much beer.
It was torture!
Then I kind of just got used to it.
Two nights ago we went to the grocers and got a fresh tub of 'cream to celebrate a paper being finally published of Betsy's. That night we didn't even open it.
Last night we didn't either, though I did have a nice Sam Adam's Irish Red.
This afternoon (very early afternoon) I sampled it.
Then I had a bowl.
Then I had another bowl.
Then I scrapped the lid.
It's all over now.
Coffee, beer, ice cream here I come.
A really meager amount once or twice, and this was about a 4 week period! I was really trying to get better, not drinking much coffee, not drinking much beer.
It was torture!
Then I kind of just got used to it.
Two nights ago we went to the grocers and got a fresh tub of 'cream to celebrate a paper being finally published of Betsy's. That night we didn't even open it.
Last night we didn't either, though I did have a nice Sam Adam's Irish Red.
This afternoon (very early afternoon) I sampled it.
Then I had a bowl.
Then I had another bowl.
Then I scrapped the lid.
It's all over now.
Coffee, beer, ice cream here I come.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
It's just another plain nice day
Sure has been awfully nice here lately.
Yesterday the high was 71 and although today didn't get anywhere near that, it was still a nice sunny day.
Sunrise was at 7:40am, the same it's been for at least three days now, but sunset is now at 5:13 and gaining a minute at least for the last three days.
This morning it was super windy out, which made for some fun echeloning on the rail trail with Betsy.
Picking her up on the rail trail today was going to be the lightest it's been for some time so I brought along the camera to take some snappies.
Sure enough, it was glorious-
But before that, it was even lighter and I was just cruising along.
Cruising along, taking pictures and riding no-handed-
Can you feel the speed?
I was getting bold, trying some new things, it was super-awesome!
Look what a nice picture I took-
Then I got too carried away, and as you can tell, the edge of the trail was coming up on the right.
Luckily I didn't take a picture as I was eating shite-
It's ok, I meant to do that...
Fun's over, it's cold out this morning (1/10/08, 6:50am).
Yuck.
Yesterday the high was 71 and although today didn't get anywhere near that, it was still a nice sunny day.
Sunrise was at 7:40am, the same it's been for at least three days now, but sunset is now at 5:13 and gaining a minute at least for the last three days.
This morning it was super windy out, which made for some fun echeloning on the rail trail with Betsy.
Picking her up on the rail trail today was going to be the lightest it's been for some time so I brought along the camera to take some snappies.
Sure enough, it was glorious-
But before that, it was even lighter and I was just cruising along.
Cruising along, taking pictures and riding no-handed-
Can you feel the speed?
I was getting bold, trying some new things, it was super-awesome!
Look what a nice picture I took-
Then I got too carried away, and as you can tell, the edge of the trail was coming up on the right.
Luckily I didn't take a picture as I was eating shite-
It's ok, I meant to do that...
Fun's over, it's cold out this morning (1/10/08, 6:50am).
Yuck.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Of my 3 contact points
While riding a bike, 2 are sore and becoming an issue.
Fingers are great though!
Swell.
Fingers are great though!
Swell.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Sorry Jay
Can't work today.
New 160gB iPod just arrived!
Now I can finally have *all* my music and at least some space left for kewl videos.
I'm gonna stay up all night...
New 160gB iPod just arrived!
Now I can finally have *all* my music and at least some space left for kewl videos.
I'm gonna stay up all night...
Monday, October 08, 2007
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Gutter Socks
Everyone's got them, don't they?
Well I think I may have more, or rather I just keep wearing them.
Fergie made me a real nice sketch a few years ago, it's around here somewhere I'm sure, as nothing escapes. Nothing.
So I just happened to be working on bikes Monday, wearing these butt ugly water shoes that we picked up cheap, and looked down.
Gutter socks. And a real nice colour combo to boot.
Legs are lookin' real swell too.
Not horrid examples, just had to use the photo.
Well I think I may have more, or rather I just keep wearing them.
Fergie made me a real nice sketch a few years ago, it's around here somewhere I'm sure, as nothing escapes. Nothing.
So I just happened to be working on bikes Monday, wearing these butt ugly water shoes that we picked up cheap, and looked down.
Gutter socks. And a real nice colour combo to boot.
Legs are lookin' real swell too.
Not horrid examples, just had to use the photo.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Hillbilly Hygiene
I like having shaved legs.
I do not like shaving my legs.
I tend to hack them up, I bleed for a while, I don't like or feel good about having the water running the whole time I'm shaving, I've tried dry shaving and it hurts worse.
When I first started USCF racing in '87 I waited until I was a cat III to attempt the big shave. I had a tub full of red water by the time that was done, but I sure did like the feeling of clean sheets and freshly shorn legs!
Last year I stopped shaving before the start of Cross, and I didn't shave them again until recently.
Now I've got a much better system. A system that I enjoy and can feel good about.
A hose, a bucket, and a dull razor are all I need-
Look at that style, water conservation, and pure happiness!
I do not like shaving my legs.
I tend to hack them up, I bleed for a while, I don't like or feel good about having the water running the whole time I'm shaving, I've tried dry shaving and it hurts worse.
When I first started USCF racing in '87 I waited until I was a cat III to attempt the big shave. I had a tub full of red water by the time that was done, but I sure did like the feeling of clean sheets and freshly shorn legs!
Last year I stopped shaving before the start of Cross, and I didn't shave them again until recently.
Now I've got a much better system. A system that I enjoy and can feel good about.
A hose, a bucket, and a dull razor are all I need-
Look at that style, water conservation, and pure happiness!
Monday, September 17, 2007
Just last week
I was still complaining of the heat.
And now it's freakin' 46°!
Ackkk.
Went from shorts and no-sleeves to knickers and multiple long sleeve thingys in a matter of days.
That's just not right.
Nope.
And now it's freakin' 46°!
Ackkk.
Went from shorts and no-sleeves to knickers and multiple long sleeve thingys in a matter of days.
That's just not right.
Nope.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
"Boy my bones ache"
Were the last things I remembered upon laying down on the couch after finally getting home from the WVU 6 Hours of Big Bear.
"Why am I on the couch and what day is it?"
Were the first thoughts upon awakening. It took about two minutes to figure it all out.
Wrecked from a silly little 6 Hour race.
But oh what fun, and how well Betsy and I did!
Mixed Duo Team, racing SS, and a 15 minute flat change on lap 1.
My the end of the 6 hours we had crawled and stomped our way to 2nd place overall, having only a College Boy team beat us.
It was a pretty fun day.
Too cold perhaps and the start was too early. But it was fun.
Wrecking oneself is fun.
"Why am I on the couch and what day is it?"
Were the first thoughts upon awakening. It took about two minutes to figure it all out.
Wrecked from a silly little 6 Hour race.
But oh what fun, and how well Betsy and I did!
Mixed Duo Team, racing SS, and a 15 minute flat change on lap 1.
My the end of the 6 hours we had crawled and stomped our way to 2nd place overall, having only a College Boy team beat us.
It was a pretty fun day.
Too cold perhaps and the start was too early. But it was fun.
Wrecking oneself is fun.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Paperwork
It's a neccesary evil I suppose,
Sometimes I have my shite together, sometimes not very close.
Today was a day that it wasn't.
Just trying to get it done before... more 24 watching!!!
And no, I have no room in the study, cause it's ahh... worse. :(
Crap.
Sometimes I have my shite together, sometimes not very close.
Today was a day that it wasn't.
Just trying to get it done before... more 24 watching!!!
And no, I have no room in the study, cause it's ahh... worse. :(
Crap.
Nails.
The more we watch 24, the more bits of nails I find around.
Of course I eat my nails like a normal sod, so they must be someone else's...
But no one has nails left here anymore.
24
Is taking all our time.
Attention.
Thought.
Life.
Attention.
Thought.
Life.
We eat, sleep, think, just like our comrades at CTU.
It's awful.
But we can't walk away now, we're in too deep.
---------------
sent from somewhere inside the Compound, room #3.
Secure port:3285
Thursday, August 30, 2007
I found it! Supplication.
Betsy knew I would, though she wasn't sure how long it would take.
I knew I would but really wasn't sure if I could take it.
There's an old Levi's Jean commercial, and it was part of a series, real urban, big city, showing lots of different folks and types of folks. The lead-in for one was the last shot of another. Maybe Chicago, perhaps New York, probably not West Coast.
Any way, the one I was interested in had a little guy on a minibike (see the connection?) and he steals something. A cop jumps in a cab and tells the cabbie "follow that guy, I'm a cop!" and then the cabbie does the whole inner city cop chase thing, and lo-and-behold he has pictures of Starsky and Hutch and Kojak in his cab.
"Who loves you Babe?" as he gets close to the minibiking thief, then slids it sideways much to the chagrin of the cop, and this happens multiple times.
It's not a Honda Trail 70, but a Mini Trail 50.
Still a fine commercial, and no I coudn't find it on YouTube or nothing.
Couldn't even find a reference of it anywhere on the web! If you can, do lend this sorry sod a hand.
So I had to go through my collection of VHS tapings of Millenium and The X-Files, cause I knew it was in there somewhere.
Found it, during the Millenium Alignment show. A good one, I'll get the date here after a bit. August 8th, 1997, when all the planets were lining up and all hell was bound to break loose.
That about made my day.
I knew I would but really wasn't sure if I could take it.
There's an old Levi's Jean commercial, and it was part of a series, real urban, big city, showing lots of different folks and types of folks. The lead-in for one was the last shot of another. Maybe Chicago, perhaps New York, probably not West Coast.
Any way, the one I was interested in had a little guy on a minibike (see the connection?) and he steals something. A cop jumps in a cab and tells the cabbie "follow that guy, I'm a cop!" and then the cabbie does the whole inner city cop chase thing, and lo-and-behold he has pictures of Starsky and Hutch and Kojak in his cab.
"Who loves you Babe?" as he gets close to the minibiking thief, then slids it sideways much to the chagrin of the cop, and this happens multiple times.
It's not a Honda Trail 70, but a Mini Trail 50.
Still a fine commercial, and no I coudn't find it on YouTube or nothing.
Couldn't even find a reference of it anywhere on the web! If you can, do lend this sorry sod a hand.
So I had to go through my collection of VHS tapings of Millenium and The X-Files, cause I knew it was in there somewhere.
Found it, during the Millenium Alignment show. A good one, I'll get the date here after a bit. August 8th, 1997, when all the planets were lining up and all hell was bound to break loose.
That about made my day.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
A better and cooler place
Just think how much more *fun* life would be, if more folks were riding and trucking about on little motorcycles.
Big grins, having fun, chatting.
"You meet the nicest people on a Honda"
Well I'm doing my part now.
You?
One van (anyone know what kind?), 4 folks, two Trail 70's. Sweet.
That's me, in my suit, going to work, and Betsy and I on the rail trail.
Chris and his concubine, coming over to the Shogrens, for card games, drinking, and trail riding.
Big grins, having fun, chatting.
"You meet the nicest people on a Honda"
Well I'm doing my part now.
You?
One van (anyone know what kind?), 4 folks, two Trail 70's. Sweet.
That's me, in my suit, going to work, and Betsy and I on the rail trail.
Chris and his concubine, coming over to the Shogrens, for card games, drinking, and trail riding.
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