Snowed out

Yesterday's training race was snowed out, so it looks like I won't be racing for another two weeks, not the end of the world as we go to the beach Wednesday. Out of the tundra for a week. I'm not worried about it, the legs are coming along really well, a lot more outside rides lately and good work in the cold. Saturday was good, a few hills and the last day before the roads got a fresh coat of snow. Nothing like recharging the batteries with some sand, sun and salt water. The single cross bike might be finished in a week or so, pictures of that to come for sure.

Enjoy riding your bike, whether it's Boulder, Seattle or D.C.

Waiting

I'm waiting patiently for spring to come. Soon the birds won't be singing just at noontime. At some point the snow goes away and the trails clear. Somewhere near there my mind clears and elevates everything. The sky gets a warmth to its blueness, blueness? 2 layers not 5 or 6. Studded tires go in the back of the shed, out come the regular knobbies. Gloves are the warmest thing I need, not mitts and lobster paws. The boredom and unrest fade into long quiet rides on the paths. Choices between dirt and road. Not forced into one. Maybe it will all mellow as my head relaxes, less everything Except time with B and Shaubie.

cr3

A warm afternoon, I had to try the dirt roads, with the snow and warm temps there was a ton of mud on the sunny stretches, dirt roads in late winter are like that. Yesterday it was a mud road, singlespeed was perfect. I took a few pictures, problems with the download last night, I'll get them on tonight. It amazes me how well that bike climbs, even through the thick mud! Saw a couple of very well-fed looking fox, late winter doesn't really matter to them, plenty of cats and garbage to go around.

The Beautiful Game

I wonder why soccer (proper football) isn't more popular in the states, the game has everything, except high scores. If you watch a game and see what happens and really follow what the players are doing it's every bit the game of any american sport (especially football.) Last week I had the pleasure of watching an FA Cup match with Sheffield and Aresenal, Isaw the full 90 minutes of regular time followed by 30 minutes of extra time. 0-0 the whole way. Aresenal won on penalty kicks. It was the most exciting game I'd seen in years, no scoring until PKs. Today it's a Champions League game with Chelsea (who is leading the English Premier League) and FC Barcelona. The Spanish game is so different from the English, I get to see more English teams because of the offering from Fox Soccer Channel but it is impressive to see the footwork and quaility of the teams from other parts of the world. It is a beautiful game.

141k

Long rides feel really good and bad these days, they feel good because I know I'm getting stronger and bad because for a few hours afterward I feel like shite. Green Mountain loop 5 hours without much shade, the sun is pretty bright at 9000 feet. Nice stiff wind both ways, head out and 3/4 tailwind back. Oddly very low redneck factor, a few inconsiderate idiots but not bad. I only stopped once, slice of pizza from Gp's just before going home. had some company along the way, always helps to have a wheel to follow or chase you. Amazing scenery out there too, so different just 40 kilometers up the road. Lots of snow but dry roads until the dam on the way home, that was a wet/cold and gritty wind right across my face, ouch! Today I feel ok, not like I did what I did yesterday, we'll see what happens on today's ride, could be gold or could be pooh.

xo-1

gwadzilla has a great link on his site today about bridgestone bicycles. the xo-1 is one of my favorite all time bikes. maybe someday i'll find one, deck it out in all it's orange glory. i guess if you were to classify it you would call it a cross bike or perhaps a hybrid. but it's so much more than that. it's perfect for most riding, road, dirt road, and most singletrack. i just love the way it flows, moustache bars, barcons, mmmmm perfect. maybe i'll set up one of the cross bikes with a set for spring/summer expeditions. single.

gwadzilla has a great link on his site today about bridgestone bicycles. the xo-1 is one of my favorite all time bikes. maybe someday i'll find one, deck it out in all it's orange glory. i guess if you were to classify it you would call it a cross bike or perhaps a hybrid. but it's so much more than that. it's perfect for most riding, road, dirt road, and most singletrack. i just love the way it flows, moustache bars, barcons, mmmmm perfect. maybe i'll set up one of the cross bikes with a set for spring/summer expeditions. single.

Water

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11.30 am blue water. quiet day in here. I wonder why so late? plenty of room.

pre-dawn patrol

I want to get in the water. It's been a really long time, I don't get to surf the powder or skate the ramps. I'm not dissapointed about this, more that I want to be in the water on a surfboard, catch a few waves, well, you get the idea. Today was my own version of the dawn patrol. A little bit of fresh snow to cover the dirty snow. Warm body cold outside, a tribe called quest bringing me in. The half moon was all the light I needed, no cars the whole way, it was amazing how peaceful the ride was. I'm thinking about taking a different track in life. return to school short term in favor of a better job for a bit more money, but more importantly more challenge, I would probably take a pay cut for a challenge at this point. Ennui leads to complacency, that's bad! Maybe getting away from the current situation for a bit will recharge and help me get along down that road. It's kind of like not wanting to get out of a warm bed, you have this super comfy easy space, why leave? At some point you realise that you need that new space to grow. Shame I can't just hang with B all the time. He's got it all figured out. Sleep, play, watch "bugs" (A Bug's Life) and drink juice. Life is good.