What is it about Mondays?

I forgot it was even my b-day until half way through the ride home.

What better way to celebrate than a fine bike ride, a pulled pork plate at Maxie's, and some bread pudding topped with a fish?

All courtesy of my favorite soigneur.

I Did the Wind Lake Ride...

And all I got was a lousy picture of Russell taking care of business behind this wood pile. Driveway to Wind Lake to Driveway of about 60 miles, and I was too busy taking in the day to snap some pics until right then.

If you weren't enjoying a nice bike ride outside, then present your excuse now for acceptance.

Naw, your excuse sucks.

This posting sent from a lawn chair in the sun dappled back patio of the rusty tool shed.

It's 9

As in degrees. That's what the giant digital thermometer/always correct clock proudly announced this morning at 5:55AM with it's unblinking LCD. It's the middle of March for fock's sake.

Nine is not weather, it is math for a three year old. There have been too many mornings at 9 already. What's wrong with 28? There is a nice winter temperature. You wake up and sort out which clothes will keep you warm enough for the next 45 - 60 minutes. At 9, you dig out all the cold weather gear, add chemical aids, and hope frostbite doesn't set in. At 9, you get to work and there is a snotcicle hanging off tour nose.

Yes, I am whining. Go get your own blog if you don't like it.

Then just for spite, it dropped another couple of degrees before I left the house.

At this point, you walk outside raise a defiant digit to the sky and ask "is that the best you've got."

I expect it to be raining carp on the ride home tonight.

Highs and Lows

The low greeted me for the morning commute. For those not familiar, it is a lovely crust formed by laying down sleet followed by snow then covered in freezing rain.

What little common sense saw fit to raise a voice in protest. As usual, the ride continued anyway.

The high came with cruising Rockesha with Ronsta and his merry band. If you missed out, I highly recommend making it next time.

Out and In

On nights light this, take the long way home. And if you have some good company, take the really long way.









It was just too tempting to ditch the tights today. Don't worry, there is some road sludge left for the rest of you.


By the way... SOCIAL!

Does Anybody Remember Summer?

Summer may not be my favoritest of seasons, but this was good day by any standard.  It started out by finishing the morning coffee on the bike, involved many miles of raining fear and chaos on the western regions of the Sha with this motley crew, and ended with a fine beverage in the laboratory.

NAHBS, frittes, and Thank You Russell

So, NAHBS was all you would expect and more. My highlights went something like this... The fine details of an Ellis. Sweet samurai astethic from Cherubim. Lust worthy commuters and grocery getters from the likes of Map and Bilenky. Many fine finishes and good words with the folks at Spectrum Powderworks. And love for the wheel coming from Rapha/Embrocation. Sights and possibly sounds follow. I am sure there are photos a plenty to be found elsewhere. Although, I have to say that cyclingnews.com missed the good stuff.

No, I did not forget the band of rapscallions who made the trip fun. And the cobblestone crits. And making fun of frat boys... and hipsters.

As a welcome back, work provided the privilege to put in some extra effort. Does anyone need a mechanical engineer with a passion for bikes? I will likely go cheap.

How do you improve that sort of day? That's right. Head down to the local cafe for a big plate of mussels and frittes with a fine beverage on the side.

Finally, this morning I got something more than "get off the road!" during my commute.  A fellow commuter gave me a hearty "Go Cupcake!"  Just when I thought my 15 minutes was up... Thanks Russell.