Sunday Shop Ride

My time off the bike has taken its toll. I have lost a lot and it showed today during the ride from Southwest Cycle Sport. Eight people showed up for the ride and it was a short 34 miles because a few people had to get back to open the shop. That was plenty long for me today. One thing hasn't changed, in shape or not, and that is that hills are no friend of mine. Those BASTARD HILLS.


Heading to the shop in the Radillac before dawn for an 8am start.


From left: Ken, Greg, Herb and Peter (owner of SWCS)


Jennifer, who is Peter's wife. This lady can ride. She drug my sorry ass up the last few hills today. She also had words with some old psycho in a Navigator who was behind us laying on the horn. We were riding in single file down a steep hill. The pyscho twat got stuck behind a few cars at a stop sign at the bottom of the hill and Jennifer knocked on the window and explained that such behaviors are unjustified and unacceptable. She kept her cool and did it right. Not like I would have. Good job Jennifer.

Racing As It Should Be

I referenced this on someone's blog the other day, but can't remember whos.

We had dinner outside tonight. On the back of one of the chairs was a Praying Mantis. Those things have always fascinated me. I watched as it stood perfectly still. A common fly landed right in front of it. The attack was so fast it could barely be seen. Then I watched as the Mantis held the fly with its feet and ate it alive starting with the head. The only thing that was left were two wings after 5 minutes. Nature can be a brutal muthafucker.

1st Bike

Bug and I went to Bicycle Sport Shop to buy some new socks on Saturday. We can home with his first bike. It is probably a few months too early, but who cares. The people at the shop said age 2 is usually the earliest they recommend. He will be 2 in a few months. He can't really pedal, but can coast and slam on the brakes like a champ. He had a crash while trying to mount it once. It was very traumatic. Lots of tears and a big bottom lip.

Stuck In My Head

A Tuesday in October

Once again, not too much to report. I just sucked down a few Red Stripes. Yummy. It seems like quite a few of you are getting geared up for cross season. Me? My month off the bike is officially over. I will begin riding at least 3 times a week until my official training starts on December 1. The weight training is going OK, but as expected boring. I have lost so much overall strength from the days when I used to weight train for HS football and college rugby. Lifting for cycling is different though - high reps, moderate weight, etc. Feel the burn baby!

We spent the weekend at a very posh Hill Country resort. It was great because the resort had a beach on the lake that Bug loved. They also had an 18 inch deep kiddie pool that he and I splashed around in for hours. Overall, we had fun. There was however an incident that seems to be a recurring thing lately. We were seated for dinner outside on the patio - wife, Bug and me. There was only one other couple out on the patio at that time because it was early. After we were there for 15 minutes or so, the hostess sat a couple at a table beside us. My back was to them, but my wife saw the guy roll his eyes and saw the woman mouth, "I am a kid magnet." I am sick and tired of kid haters who think they have a right to a kid free environment. It is one thing if a kid is being loud and distracting. That pisses me off too. But there seems to be this whole culture of people who can't stand kids, good or bad. I have had it with those people. To them I say get over yourselves and FUCK OFF! If they don't want to be around kids they can stay the fuck home.

I am still researching tubular wheels for a Spring purchase. The American Classics have now taken a back seat to the Easton Tempest II Carbons. My shop handles Easton, so it probably makes more sense. And they look damn cool.

Not much else to say. Oh yeah, DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS!

Time for a Trim

"Don't step out of this house if that's the clothes you're gonna wear. I'll kick you out of my home if you don't cut that hair. Your mom busted in and said, "What's that noise?" Aw, mom you're just jealous it's the BEASTIE BOYS!"