after two days of driving (i'm trying to sell the car, the lot at work has high volume) i decided that i'd had enough, i got on the bike at 5.15 and rolled out, i felt great! i hate to drive. the bike felt good, my pack sat well on my shoulders and the roads and path weren't that icy! no wildlife today, just a few weird sounds from the woods. i was reading an article on former belgian national cross coach eric de vlaeminck, who has no kind words for the current national coach rudy de bie in the gazette von antwerpen: ‘he came from the mountain bike scene, the enemy of the cyclocrossers! it upsets me that he still combines the two?' i know belgians have a special heart for cross but why would he say that of a sport that can offer so much to cycling and bring people in from other avenues. does he dislike bmx? i know road is a religion and cross a sort of schism from road but i think a little bit of understanding is due on the part of mr. de vlaeminck. great dinner last night! merlin hooked us up big-time, we had an amazing meal, good food and good company, i hope i didn't offend tim's new girlfriend too much, shaubie and i were being our typical selves. we had room to go plenty lower! without travis there we were able to keep it a bit above the belt, whenever you throw him in the salad can have a lot more bite! hopefully soon we can have another night of true humor, the whole crew with the gloves off! not a whole lot of sleep last night, b woke at about 10, 12 and then 2, pretty rough go. he wasn't in the mood to allow us to get rest, it didn't help that we were out late (9.30) i love being old! then i made shaubie get up at 5 to put in the lenses before i left for work. ride your damn bike