Kamikaze Butterfly

One down.....

2011-03-24T22:33:00.003-04:00

I have a short list of things to do this year. I brewed a nice porter, that's number one. I have been wanting to brew more this year, so I already have another beer planned. A ale with peat smoked malt and aged with bourbon soaked oak chips. Sort of a nod at Scotch Wiskey. I may try an IPA or a wheat beer next, then maybe a Octoberfest or schwartzbier. We shall see.

Number 2 on my list is to finish the bike build I started last year. I have had some problems with parts, but I think I have everything now i just need to assemble. I hope to have it done this weekend. All I really need to do is take off the old brake levers, put on the new, run cables for the brakes, and wrap and shelac the bars. I really hope to be riding this bike soon.

The number 3 item is building a bow. I was into this a few years ago, before I got into cycling. I was just starting to get a good feel for things when I stopped. I have a maple board that will be almost perfect. It may not work as a self bow, so i may back it with some hemp twine. It will be a 72" neolithic European/Eastern Woodland type bow. The first bow I made was out of a red oak board. The same style and length, worked pretty good. It was 56 pounds at 28" of draw, but the grain wasn't perfect and it blew on me one day and almost took off my right ear. With the hemp backing that wont happen. I'm not sure when I'll start on this, but I have really been iching to start. I have been dreaming about building this bow. I should be able to crank it out over a weekend or two, but there are so many things to do.

Wow! A year already?

2010-08-02T17:39:00.002-04:00

It has nearly been a year since I had a wonderful person come into my life. She is the main reason I have not posted much. Things change so quickly and the little things can impact your life so much. It seems like just Yesterday tat the picture was taken, now she is just a couple of weeks shy of one year. It has been an interesting trip with many a sleepless night, many a dirty diaper, new teeth, and giggles along the way. I love every minute! I don't get much bike time anymore and I can't brew like I want, but I wouldn't change it for anything. I have a very blessed life. I have a wife that truly loves me and two wonderful daughters. What more could you ask for?

Been busy......very, very busy

2010-03-01T22:19:00.002-05:00

Well, let's see... Since my last post my second daughter was born and life has not been the same. Today the wife and little Addy went to visit Grandma, so I have the house to myself. It's quiet. I don't like it. Oh, well. What can you do? I intalled a headset on an old Mercian Vintecore. Not as hard as I thought it would be, but a tad tricky. I had to make a headset press. A length of all thread, some washers, and nuts was all I really needed. All for under 4 bucks at the local hardware store. I will have some pics up soon. Now if I could only get the old bottom bracket loose.

Tomorrow we may get some nasty weather, so I may get snowed in. Hopefully after Britt and Addy make it home. I may work on another project, a bow. As in archery equipment. I started that a few years ago, but then took up cycling. I want to make a hemp backed short bow out of a piece of maple I have lying around.

The next project is brewing up some beer, maybe a dark ale or a pale ale, haven't made up my mind yet. That may have to wait until things warm up a bit. Hmmm, that seems to cover the three Bs. more later

Over My Head?

2009-08-11T23:11:00.002-04:00

The short answer, yes. This was going to be a blog about my new hobby of brewing, but more pressing things have come up. Things that make brewing a batch of a Belgian inspired Dark Strong Ale without a recipe and just from reading a book, Brew Like a Monk, by Stan Hieronymus(and by the way this is only my second attempt)seem like sitting in the shallow end of the pool.
I am going to meet someone who will forever change my life in a couple of days. I will be meeting my daughter, my second child. I can't wait. It's a scary thing having a new life to care for, but I want to see who she is. I want to know that little person that has been kicking me in the back early in the morning. I want to see that personality develop and blossom. I want to count her toes, and fingers, and kiss her cheeks. I look forward to first smiles and the first time she laughs. Her first steps and first words(Oren you cannot contribute this time). It's going to be tough, the late night feedings and diaper changes. The colds and sniffles and tummy troubles(which can be explosive, Miranda taught me that). I can't wait to see what she looks like. Will she have red hair like her mom? Will it be wavy like mine? Will she have freckles? Will she have a nose like mine, or her mom's? Oh, I am in deep, deep water. I can swim though. I can tread. If I have to, I can hold my breath. I am over my head....isn't it wonderful?

Perspective

2009-07-11T17:05:00.002-04:00

Each day is a gift. We can become distracted and forget that. The petty things in life like bills, traffic, and all the stupid things we think are important. Something has happened today that has put things in perspective for me. I'm ok, my family is ok, but a friend is not. In a blink of an eye it can all be gone. Cherish the truly important things and don't sweat the stuff that's not.

Review

2009-06-26T10:34:00.003-04:00

OK, I don't thing I have done a book review yet, but I just finished Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. It was her first novel and it was dark and very disturbing. This book caught me from the first page and I had trouble putting it down. This book is a little outside of my normal reading material, as I usually read science fiction. I have no regrets about picking up this book. I will warn you, if you are a little bit squeamish, don't read this book.

Moments

2008-11-15T23:37:00.002-05:00

I don't remember what she was wearing the first time I saw her, but I do remember her smile. The way it lights up a room like sunshine. I knew then that she was special. Never in my wildest dreams would I ever think that things would happen the way they did.

Wheel Watch 08

2008-09-05T07:45:00.002-04:00

I ordered a wheel from Colorado Cyclist back in July and it was finally shipped on 09-02-08. As of 4am this morning it has left Nashville TN. I hope to get it soon as road season is almost over as the days are getting shorter and all. It is scheduled to get here on Monday, I hope it is early.

Now, for more serious stuff..... I was looking over some of my previous posts and noticed I wrote some hateful and mean things about some of my coworkers. That was uncalled for and just wrong, I should not have done that and I do feel bad about it. I didn't like the way things were handled with my commuting and I wish they would have come to me about it and we could have talked about it instead of going to my supervisor. I can't say I would have listened though, but now....yeah, I would. I mean we do nee to get along since we work together. The worst part of it for me was the smugness. I could tell by the expressions on the faces of the ladys when they walked by my office. It made things a little too personal, but that's no excuse for my behavior. So, from now on I will post on cycling and such, no politics whether national, local, or office......but I do like Palin....

Just Three Words

2008-08-26T08:32:00.002-04:00

I need fenders. Well, that is not completely true, I have fenders. I really need slightly smaller tires because my fenders are not compatible with the 35mm tires that are on my Mercian. I will have to change that soon......

Back to School

2008-08-22T07:38:00.002-04:00

Ok, I know this is the most I've posted in a very long time, but my life has been like a Mexican Soap Opera. So... I got a course book from the local tech school the other day and Yesterday had a chance to look it over. There was a class that I have been wanting to take for years, but either it was a fundage issue, or I just didn't have the time. Well, now I have the money and the time so, I signed up What is this class? It's a Firearm Safety and Concealed Weapons class. It should prove to be educational.

Ring Watch 2008

2008-08-20T08:55:00.001-04:00

I will explain more later, but for now it is in Greenville on it's way. As of 11:55 this morning, August 20, 2008.....it's here. It's a pretty thing, nice and sparkly. It has a small flaw, but like a relationship it's not perfect and you learn to love it in spite of or because of these little imperfections. You should never expect perfection in others, because you will always be disappointed.

Thursday Night Fixed

2008-05-23T09:31:00.002-04:00

Last night I did the Thursday night Callahan Challenge. Only three other guys showed, Stevo, Cameron, and Dr. Dave(?). All triathletes and all about 50 pounds lighter than me. I hang on for 3 miles and blow up on the first big hill. The rest of the time I was solo. 35 miles on my fixed gear, averaged 20+ for the first three, then dropped down to 18.1. When I got to dead rooster hill, a 1mile slog, I only dropped to 18. From there its four miles up hill with the occasional break until you get to Hodges. I see Austin and Derek heading the other way as I enter the small town. Shortly after I turn on Dixie Drive they catch up to me and we chat while they rest between intervals. They take off and I try to maintain a good pace and try to keep from cramping. Overall I averaged 18.1 on a fixed gear, my fastest ride this year.

I'm Back.........Revisited

2008-03-15T12:32:00.005-04:00

So, I'm back on the blogging scene. I now have Internet at my house in Greenwood. Well, as the picture shows, I have done my 3rd annual prescibed burn ride. I got off work on Thursday and got my gear together, loaded up the Mercian, and headed to the trails where the forestry commission has done their burn. It always makes for a very interesting ride. On the way I was talking to my girlfriend(yes, I have one of those) about plans later. We work things out for later in the evening and I let her go before I drop the call as signal is spotty on the forestry roads. I roll up to 505/506 and see the A team guys are gathering for their ride. I would usually ride with them, but I have the Mercian and I tend to be a little slower on that bike, a custom fixed gear cyclocross/touring bike with 35mm tires. I chat for a second and Jeff,"Pepe" Ronan makes a derogatory comment about my sanity. I drive on tho the rock to start my ride. I flip the rear wheel around to give me my off-road gearing and take a quick pic before I head out.

The trail is in good shape even though we had gotten some rain. There are a few wet spot in low areas. I pas the plowshare sign ad shortly after I come across a tree in the trail and it's still on fire, another photo op. I continue to ride to the T and enjoy the surreal scenery around me. I decide to take a left to Fell and head out. I hear riders in front of me and overtake Jim, John, and some young rider they have taken under their wing. Jim makes a comment about my bike and John ask if I'm riding fixed or free,"Fixed!", I reply as I break a decent trackstand and ride off into the woods. After the crossing there is no scorched earth as the Forestry department left this section of forest untouched. I soon feel that my stem could stand to be a little higher than what it is, but I don't really want to monkey with it on the trail. I was also having trouble with my cleat on my left shoe, one of the screws had stripped the threading on the plate in the sole. I had to stop and re tighten a few times. I make it to the clay roller coaster section, the place where I heard the coyote howl near me one night months ago. It was still light and I skip skidded my way down. Not long after I was crossing memorial bridge an debating whether or not I should continue. After a brief internal struggle, I pressed on. Shortly after negotiating the tight turns where the shrew discussion of a few seasons ago took place I nearly run into the A-team guys. I manage to pull over to the side and stay clipped in as the pass. Tom was shouting things at my about riding my "girly-man" fixed gear in a Hans and Frans type voice. As quickly as the appeared the where gone. I make it to the next road crossing and determine that I will turn around in five minutes. That thought turns into, until I reach the creek. Once I reach the creek I decide to ride all the way to Fell and have to stop to re-tighten my cleat. I make it to Fell and rest for a moment then turn around. I'm running out of light and begin to worry about that one spot where there is a nice deep muddy patch. It's just big enough to snag your front wheel an though you over the handlebars. I make it to the road crossing an turn on my lights, now very thankful that I brought them. They tip back was a bit of a blur, a somewhat typical night ride, just on a fixed gear. I managed to remember that tricky spot at the last moment an was able to negotiate it without it getting ugly. I reach the last section and in the darkness one can see the hotspots and small fires still burning a week after they were set. The smoke was thick and choking, the air cooling after sunset keeps the smoke close to the ground. I roll up to my car and am startled by a woman sitting on the tailgate of a truck. She is waiting for her young son to return from riding with a group from one of the local cycle shops. We chat for a while about crazy and reckless things we do when we are young and how later in life we thing of the what ifs. What if I die or get hurt doing this? Who will take care of my family? Yes, as one grows up and has to be responsible for another person, priorities change. As we chat her son and the other guys show up. She has brought plenty of food for all and offers me some. I decline as I have a certain red-head waiting on me.

I Know....

2008-02-07T12:35:00.000-05:00

I know I haven't been posting much, but I need internet at my house. I know, I moved in June and still don't have internet.....I'm working on it. So, what's new? Well, 2007 started off really sucky, then got better. I was seing a great gal and my divorce was final in July. The end of June was bad, my lady friend rolled her explorer across 3 lanes of traffic in Columbia on I-77. She was lucky, but banged up pretty bad. Broken ti/fib and scapula, dislocated her clavicle, blew out her MCL, ACL, tore her miniscus. On top of that there was bad road rash. She was in intense pain for weeks, it was not fun to watch. Also in June I bought a house in Greenwood and moved, I can commute by bike and do most days. Well, the relationship ended and not well, so I was dealing with that and the whole divorce thing. so, September was very rough. Then I met someone else. That pretty much wraps up 2007, maybe more details later....maybe.

The End....for Now

2007-11-28T08:14:00.000-05:00

Well, last week we pulled the plug on the Greenwood Cycling Club. I was volunteered as President nearly three years ago and it was pretty much dead then. My life this past year has been difficult to say the least, so..... We got to the point where only the same four or five people would show for the meetings and a former member was doing a good job of undermining what we were trying to do as far as recruitment goes. So... like performing CPR on a person, there are three reasons to stop, 1) If someone takes your place...didn't happen. 2) If the person revives...nope, and 3) If you are too exhausted to continue....BINGO! Divorce, moving, new job, I just got tired. When I told Russ to kill the website, I felt a weight I didn't know I had lifted from my shoulders. We will still ride, we will still get together on occasion, but the Greenwood Cycling Club is no longer an official club.....but who knows what the future holds.

update

2007-09-18T11:41:00.000-04:00

Ok, it has been a while since my last post. So what's been going on with my life? Let's see, I am now single, have moved to Greenwood where I work, so I commute by bike. Which is sooooo much better that the drive I had to make. I have joined the local YMCA and so far so good. I finally started to get some ride time in and not just the back and forth from work. With Fall on the way, I am just now feeling that I may be getting into shape. Mountain bike season is just a few weeks away for me and I need to do a little work on my Solo One. I mounted a suspension fork and front disc break and need to tighten up the headset, but that should be taken care of by the addition of a spacer, so no prob. I have been having some problems with the Mercian, I wore out a crankset already and have replaced the bottom bracket. The bottom bracket needs a little tightening, but the big problem is the tires. I have had seven or eight flats since May. I don't think I have had that many flats since I started riding again, so I put in an order for some new tires and we shall see. I would like to get another wheel set for the Mercian so I can switch out for road and trail. I have a spare front wheel, so I can get by with just a rear. I suppose I can save my pennies and pick one up somewhere, but there are so many things I want and quite a few I need. I' thinking of a new tat, but that may have to wait. There is so much I have to do to the new house. I moved on June 13th and I am still not completely unpacked. Well, back to the Mercian. I took it out on the trails in June and was I truly surprised at how well it handled the single track, almost as good as the Solo One. Even with the road tires, it did quite well, the guys at Mercian know what they are doing. I would have some pics up, but I have no Internet presently at home. More later.

maybe

2007-07-18T10:27:00.000-04:00

I mounted the disc break on my suspension fork, now I need to change out the forks on my MTB. I hope to have it done and ready to go by Thursday. I'm itching to hit the trails. I will need something after Thursday. Thursday will be the period at the end of ten years of.....what? It wasn't all a waste. You think you know someone......

Been a while

2007-07-11T10:48:00.000-04:00

Sorry for lack of post. So.... what's new? Divorce final on the 19th of July. I moved in June. Been busy with the move and with life in general, not much ride time, no go on Issaqueena, or Bee Buzzin, but am commuting to work, nice....instead of a 35-45 minute drive, I have a 6-10 minute bike ride. That's it for now, more later.

Spring and Other Things

2007-04-19T06:54:00.000-04:00

Spring is finally here, with temps reaching the upper 70s. Very nice. I have been able to get some ride time, so far about 46miles this week, sorry no pics. I put a new stem on the Mercian and discovered I made the break cables too short, so I need to fix that tonight so it will be ready for Saturday. I need to get some miles in, Issaqueena's Last ride is a month away and I need to lose some weight and get in shape. Last nights ride was nice, three of the four fixed gear riders in the tri-county area showed up, Russ, Ken , and yours truly. Donis, Joy, and Connie also came out, geared though. Ken's fixie is way over geared, more of a track gearing, so he had me on the downhill, but I got him every time on the climbs. About half way the ladies opted for a shorter route back and us guys did the full ride. We still got back to the parking lot before the ladies and Russ headed home. Ken and I practised our trackstands while we waited for them to show. He almost got it going in reverse and he can hold a trackstand longer than I can. The ladies rode in a few minutes later and we chatted for a while and then went our separate ways.

The Bicycle That Would Be King

2007-03-17T17:50:00.000-04:00

Ok, the bike has been built, but as most things go for me it was not as easy as it should have been. So...... I paid a visit to Lee at Upstate Bike and Skate to help with the build. He was just about to put in the headset when he realized it was the wrong size. He rummaged though his bins, and nothing. We ended up pulling an old Peugeot off of the wall for the cups.

Once that was taken care of, there were no spacers of the right size, so he used 1 1/8 inch spacers instead of 1 inch. I was riding this on Saturday one way or the other. That being done, then the stem didn't want to fit. After wresting with one off of some old handle bars I realized that the rubber o-ring at the top of the headset was why the stem didn't work, it was the right size. It was a good thing too, because the Midge bars have a very tight bend at the drops and would not slide though a traditional stem. After that everything went fairly smooth. Lee had enough cable and housing for a front break only, so I only have a front break. Not a big deal as I have it set up as fixed for now. The cranks go on and I realize I left the bolts at the house, but Lee has some in stock and they are better than what I had anyway. The chain line needed to be tweaked and I had to switch out the chain ring bolts. Then everything falls into place. It should have only taken an hour or so, but I got to the shop at 1:30 and left at 5:30, but the bike was built and I was going to ride it Saturday.

Finally, I must give credit where credit is due. Adrienne, thank you. With out you this would not be possible.

All Hail The King!

2007-03-07T16:23:00.000-05:00

For a change this will be a post dealing with cycling and bikes. After......seven months the Mercian is in my hands. Its a custom King of Mercia model, kind of a cyclocross/touring bike. I picked up the frame today at 14:25. I am very excited to have this thing built and on the road or trail. I will keep everyone posted on the progress. I'm taking Friday off to do the build so I will have it ready by Saturday. I know these are not the best of pix, but after I downloaded them , the batteries in the camera died. More later. Now, I'm up to my elbows in bubble wrap.

New Article

2007-03-03T12:28:00.000-05:00

I have an article that was recently published here: www.63xc.com

Good News

2007-02-21T21:41:00.000-05:00

I know I haven't posted yet, been very, very busy. Things are starting to settle down, but I'm still feeling a little overwhelmed. The good news is my Mercian is packed and ready to be shipped. I'm getting the bank draft Friday and putting it in the mail. I should have the frame by the middle of March.

When Will It Stop?

2007-01-06T11:37:00.000-05:00

I'm having a bad day. It still hurts and it is so hard to get out of bed and go about my day, but I have to be a father to Miranda. I don't have the luxury of spending the day in bed curled up in a fetal position and praying for it all to go away. I'm not sure what triggered it, maybe the movie last night, yeah, I think that was it. It was one of those sappy happy ever after types. I had a dream just before I woke up and I'm not sure if I was sobbing, or screaming as I woke. Thank God that Miranda's a very sound sleeper. Needless to say my day has not been what I would like. I'm taking Miranda to the movies today and I'm glad she chose Happily N'ever After instead of Charlotte's Web. I don't think I can handle the sad ending. This whole thing was described to me as if someone died but is still walking around. The difference between this and a death is, death you know is coming, it is supposed to happen eventually and you know to prepare and it's not a choice(though I didn't have a choice in this), usually the person dying doesn't want to go. Letting go is much harder when you still see and talk to the one who has left. I was told that there is medication that will help, I don't want it. Do you take a pain killer for a sucking chest wound? If you cut off your finger is the first thing you reach for is aspirin? I feel this way for a reason and if I take any medication the problem will still be here and I will be faced with it later anyway. I'm dealing the best I can and I think I am doing ok. I've wondered lately why I don't want to talk about it and I've figured out why. The one person I would normally want to talk to about this type of thing is the reason I feel this way. I'm beginning to believe this is like getting a tattoo, it hurts and at some point you feel the pain wont stop, but you accept that and live with it, but then again there is choice involved. Tomorrow is another day, I'll still be here and I will be ok.

OUCH!!!

2006-12-28T09:52:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday I rode out of Ware Shoals and less than a mile into the ride John Campbell Lake wiped out on a decent with a curve. He was doing 40mph and he is very lucky he didn't break anything....on his person, his bike is pretty much trashed. The consensus was that the rain of a couple of days before made the Carolina clay where he landed soft enough to absorb most of the impact he took, though the bike is another story. His helmet ploughed into the clay and he had a two pound chunks wedged in one of the vents, with tufts of grass sticking out, pictures to come later. After that the ride pace was a little more sedate. We passed the Santa grave yard and the site of my first crash, apparently the Ware shoals ride is cursed and has taken many casualties, John being the latest. Near the end John follows us in his Toyota Prius and every one makes it back it one piece. Later that evening I received an e-mail from John.

Here is the early list :
1. front wheel rim busted
2. front tire and tube gone
3. Quick Release? it released form the fork
4. Fork trash
5. Just cosmetic damage to the shifters
6. Frame looks ok Will have derek look for a second opinion
7. Get this it trashed the chain! 3 links are bent and will not release
8. Bent derailer hanger and some damage to the derailer shifting into
the spokes. but shifts smooth
9. Rear tire tube shot
10. Rear wheel out of true, adn damage to the rim both sides. I will
smooth and see if it is ok.
11. Seat just a notch in the belt scar!
12. Pedals look ok both are well scraped .
13 . Big ring doubtful 4 teeth may not have made it.
14. Cranks and arms look ok . arms are carbon will check when I can put
pressure on them .
Clothes:
1. Ripped winter tights, Debbie says no hope to repair. Ride with a
hole in them.
2. Gloves , both ripped left on inside , and right on back 50 cent side
holes in each smaller holes on the fingers
3. Coat . ripped ride arm. Not real bad considering damage to my right
arm.
4. Wind breaker lower right side several tears. Plenty of blood stains.
I may have to keep riding this just for the effect!
5. Helmet looks ok but the foam is compressed May replace , I think
they suggest you replace after each crash. Don't you hate to say "each"
crash!
Me:
1. Right arm just above the wrist to just below the shoulder major road
rash. I have fake skin stuff and an ace bandage on it for now.
2. Right knee its not as bad but it has leaked all day long. Put a
gause pad under a leg warmer .
3. Bruise on my left pinky, and a sore left wrist.
4. Sore right shoulder , not bad but I am told to wait until tomorrow!

This thing wiped me out!

And no he didn't recieve a head injury that's how he usually spells stuff.

There is Joy in Anger

2006-12-12T23:04:00.000-05:00

By the time I reached the trailhead at the rock I was good and pissed. I had time on the ride over to think. As I pulled up I see that someone had taken my usual parking space and it made things worse. I didn't rant and rave and act like a total ass, I was saving it for the trail. As I was gearing up Russ pulls up and asks how I'm doing, "I'm feeling angry tonight", he nods, "Join the club" was his reply. I get ready and we roll onto the trail, lights blazing. Jim takes off and sets a blistering pace and I catch him and stay on his wheel. Russ, John and Tommy are on mine and I make them suffer just a little. We make a right turn and head towards Fell Camp and I roll over roots and rocks and use my anger as something to focus what I'm doing. There is nothing but the trail infront of me all else is irrelevant. I float over the trail at breakneck speed on a 12 year old fully rigid mountain bike converted into a single speed. It is absolutely wonderful. We make it to the first road crossing and stop so Russ can shed a layer. Jim doesn't even slow down. I'll catch him later. We roll on and Russ asks if I plan on slowing down, I laugh and hammer on. I have to make someone suffer and I can't do it the way I really would like to, so I do it to my friends, what are friends for? I only make them suffer a little for a little while. I can hear John and Russ behind me huffing as I ride like I own the trail. I am on form and then the thought hit me, there is joy in anger. I take my anger and compress it and direct it. Anger can be very useful, but you have to know when to let it go or it will burn you up. We cross memorial bridge and Russ wants us to tone it down or," we will die a mangled bloody death".

"Well, It would make for a good story," I was letting the anger talk on that one.

"I forgot my camera, so no pictures", Russ said.

"The survivor will have to be very descriptive".

We made the climb and just about caught Jim when I noticed I needed to ajust the cones on my rear hub. A few minutes later we were on our way. I had gotten away from the others when I noticed something small flittering on the trail. It was a shrew bouncing back and forth in the shadows of my head lamp. I almost crash trying to avoid the little critter. I didn't want to hurt it. I know I was making my friends suffer, what's the difference? Well my friends were riding bikes in the woods in the dark, they get what they deserve. The little shrew was just out for supper. I make it to the last road crossing before Fell and I stop expecting to find Jim waiting, wrong. I wait for the others to catch up and notice my Gu flask was missing. I guess I'll have to get a new one this weekend. Soon the others catch up and we wait for Jim. When he doesn't show Tommy takes off after him and Russ and John head back. I follow Tommy. Soon I see the lights and hear Jim and Tommy talking, so I turn around and head back, determined to catch Russ and John. I leave Tommy and Jim far behind and finally catch Russ and John at memorial bridge. The A Team guys were there and we chat awhile, they make fun or the reflectors on my bike. Jim rolls though and we wait before heading out discussing how Big Ring Jim Cox the roadie can also be Jim Granny Cox on the trails. The A Team guys take off and I roll out thinking I could stay with them. Russ thinks he found my flask, but no. I lose the A Team, but am determined to catch them. I wasn't able to catch them, but I have never ridden faster or better on the trails. I roll up to my car and let what anger I haven't used up go. It was a good ride and I feel better. There is joy in anger.

It Could be Worse

2006-12-10T23:14:00.000-05:00

Today was better. I feel horrible though, Yesterday was Miranda's birthday and I was so self absorbed in my misery, I don't know if I did enough to make her 8th birthday what it should be. She seemed happy and that's what counts.

I woke up in a decent mood and made blueberry pancakes, not too bad for no recipe. We made it to church on time with only a minor problem with Miranda's wardrobe. There was a minor scare at Sundayschool, but it turned out to be nothing. Then Adrienne, Miranda, and I lit the love candle for Advent(got to love irony). It turned out to be a decent day, It could have been worse, much worse.

I have to do some shopping, I hate shopping.

Good Days/ Bad Days

2006-12-09T22:15:00.000-05:00

Some days are good(ok really) and some days aren't. Today was not good. Hopeless and alone pretty much sums up how I feel lately and today was a little worse than usual. At some point I may have to post what's happening, but for now I don't feel it's the right thing to do. Right now my life has shattered around me and I'm trying not to get cut by the pieces. I'll let you know how that works out later. I'm sick of feeling this way. I want to be angry, if I'm angry it doesn't hurt as much. I want to scream and rage and lash out, but I can't, I wont. Promise made, promise kept. I have friends, I know I'm not completely alone, but when I hurt the most, it's just me with my pain.

Change is Good....Right?

2006-12-05T22:56:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted in a while and I know many are concerned over my last post. Well I'm alive. There has been a huge amount of change in my life lately. I have changed job duties, learning a new job while training someone for my old job, dealing with numbers on both ends before the end of the year... On top of that, the worst of it, is a bunch of personal stuff going on now. It's been too much to handle and overwhelmed is an understatement. The three of you who read this and are worried about me, I'll be ok. It may take a while, but I'll get there. Some already know what's up, and I'll fill in the rest as I see you, but the details don't belong here. Things are changing and my life is full of uncertainties, or maybe possibilities, but right now they are the same. I don't know what will happen in the next few months and I'm not sure where life is going to take me, I'll just have to make the best out of it.

Life.....

2006-11-18T15:47:00.000-05:00

Funny how life can throw things at you, can make it all wonderful one day and the next.......
I'm not laughing.
Here's to the worst day of my life, no really, the worst.

It's the Little Things

2006-11-07T20:46:00.000-05:00

November 7, 2006, 8:35pm. My wife and daughter are on our bed going over my little girls reading assignment. They are both dressed for bed. My wife in laying on her stomach half covered by the sheets with that half smile on her face, the one she has when she is pleased with her student. Miranda sitting Indian style on my side of the bed, deep in concentration. I'm at the door watching, drinking in the moment, this perfect little moment. They don't know I'm there. I savor it as long as I can and try to etch it into my memory. This is one of the little things that make life so special. These little things are ever so important, but usually forgotten, pushed aside for something "BIG". The Big stuff gets all the attention, but the little things ARE important. The big stuff can sometimes take care of itself. It's the little things that need the attention or you may miss something very important and that would be a very bad thing indeed. These moments are fleeting, enjoy them while you can, because you blink and they are gone.

Fixed in the Mountains

2006-11-01T20:42:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been a while since I did the Spartanburg Freewheeler's recruitment ride, I've been distracted. It was a cold Saturday morning around 34 F. I got up early and put on my gear, slung my bag over my shoulder, turned on my blinky light and headed out my front door on the DeathTrap to meet Dan. It was a short ride to the meeting place and it was cold. I was thinking that maybe I was making a mistake. I got my bike loaded on Dan's truck and we were off. We chatted about being a state employee in South Carolina and came to the same conclusions about our respective agencies. As the sun came up we could see the color of the leaves, our conversation turned to hunting. In no time we were at the meeting place, the middle school in Tygerville, near North Greenville College. We get our stuff ready as others begin to show. When everyone was ready we had a quick briefing and we were off. It was a nice slow pace for the first quarter mile, then the road markers were visible and the fast crowd took off like a shot. Dan gave chase and so did I. I didn't have a chance to warm up and I was struggling to keep up. Then Dan eased up ad said he wanted to cruise not race.

We went from 20+ mph adverage to about 16-18mph, much better. We rode on back roads until we found ourselves in Marrietta. We turned on route 188 and something tickled the back of my head, I've never ridden a bike on this road, but it was part of a stream sampling run from a former job. We tuned on Moody Bridge road and passed the waste water treatment plant that I used to sample, there is nothing like the smell of industrial waste water in the morning. By now I'm warm and the terrain has been mainly big rollers with some hills, just enough to kill me while I'm cold, but once my muscles are warm and the blood is flowing, it's not a problem. We take these scenic back roads that are absolutely beautiful and the leaves are not quite at peak color, but still fantastic.

Now I've Done It

2006-10-17T18:38:00.000-04:00

Yep, I've done it alright. I went and got my hunting license today and I bought a box of 00 buck shot for the Mossberg. I guess that means I will have to spend some time in the woods. Mom has a few acres of wooded property that will work nicely.

Things have changed since the last time I bought a license. Now everything is computerized and done on line. Before it was a matter of filling out the form and you get the white copy, the store gets the green, and DNR gets the yellow. It took thirty minutes or more due to the change and the store owner not really knowing what she was doing, not because she's incompetent, just didn't go to the training class.

I'm going to try for Friday after work and see if I get lucky, it could happen.

Beautiful Things

2006-10-15T13:05:00.000-04:00

On the blogs of note recently has been, Three Beautiful Things, a blog about three beautiful things the author encounters during her day. So, my three beautiful things for Friday: 1) It's Friday. 2) the mother-in-law is home from a stay in the hospital, this is the most beautiful by far. 3) Scifi night, yes, I'm a scifi geek.

For Saturday: 1) A 38 mile paved/ dirt road bike ride. 2) The BBQ lunch at Lee's. 3) Snoozing on the couch with Tiny, the not so tiny cat.

A Different Type of Road Hazard

2006-10-11T17:39:00.000-04:00

Today I did my lunch time ride around Lander University. As I was riding down Wilson St. a student was crossing infront of me. I gauged how fast she was walking and began to make adjustment to my direction. It would be safer to pass her on the left, so I look over my shoulder to check for cars and started to swerve to the left to miss the pedestrian. I turn around and I am completely shocked at what I see. She stopped at the yellow line to let me pass before she finished crossing the road. I made a quick course correction to keep from ploughing in to her and as I passed she made that nervous laugh like she wasn't sure what I was doing. I should have apologized for startling her and let her know I wasn't used to pedestrians seeing me much less stopping and giving me the right of way like that, but I was too shocked to say anything. So if by some chance you end up reading this, the crazy guy on the bike was not trying to run you down, play chicken, or trying to do something funny to get your attention.

5 Points 2

2006-10-10T19:58:00.000-04:00

It was roughly this time last Tuesday evening when I was sitting around a table talking to K.K., Cheryl(?), and Gerhardt over some BBQ.

The day started out quite nice if a little chilly. Nick, Chip, and I made it to Marietta and were awaiting the arrival of the group. They rolled in a little behind schedule and introductions were made, Gerhardt was the first over to us soon followed by Drier, then Bob(?)or was it Bill? He stood out due to they yellow jersey, everyone else had on white and blue. We chit chatted for a while as others made their stops at the Burger King. Gerhardt eyed my bike, I was the only there on a steel frame. Soon we were off with Greg getting his cycling legs under him and Bob or Bill taking off like a shot. I fought the urge to give chase.

We climb up Car Wash Hill and continue down 276 to traveler's Rest. I take an over the shoulder shot of Nick in orange, Gerhardt to the right of Nick, Drier behind Gerhardt, and another Bill or Bob, or maybe his name is Jim( I really need to work on that). As we ride passed Sunrift Adventures a camera crew slowly passes with the cameraman hanging out of the window.

We make it though town and as we are leaving TR Bob/Bill takes a left as the road goes from 4 to 2 lanes. It's a dead end and we decide to regroup.

I practice my trackstand for the cameras and then take a photo of the cameraman filming me, they hate it when you do that. I move out of the way so he can take his shot of the riders, but for some reason he wants to film my legs, by far the hairyest there, and the rear wheel of my bike. I knew I should have washed it. Seriously though, I'm not the important one here, he should be filming the others. "We take a left here and at the bottom of the hill is the BP station", I say as we are all back together. The BP station is where we pick up another rider from the local Blood Connection( I know, sounds like a singles bar for vampires) and meet our escort to Furman U. In short order we are at the BP and getting orders from the State Trooper. He pulls out to block traffic and at least one motorist is not happy, Greenville drivers, we all pull out in a gnarly stretch of road as we are escorted by flashing blue lights. The camera crew is also back. Our latest rider from the Blood Connection seemed a little apprehensive about this, but was a good sport.

We stopped just before the main entrance to Furman while we waited for the other group that was caught by a stop light, caught up. We rode in to the campus to where the morning culminated.

I was surprised by the number of bikes on campus. I guess it's just the right size for bikes to be a better option than a car. When we got to the area where the riders would be formally introduced and the press conference would be held chip took off to get some work done and Nick and I decided to stick around to see what would happen. We went inside and were treated to a very nice brunch of fruit, yogurt, and various pastries. All of the riders were introduced, both of the Bill/Bobs were kidney recipients, with the yellow jersey having competed in the triathlon in Greenwood the weekend prior to the ride. Drier is a long time blood donor whose mother died of cancer. His brother was diagnosed with cancer and is currently in remission partially due to blood product from donors in South Africa. Gerhardt is a hart transplant recipient, and let me tell you, you would never know it if you rode with him. The previous day he missed his turn and climbed Mt Pisgah and ended up with over 100 miles for the day. "It was a hard day", he said it like it was nothing. The other people who wrapped up the riders where medical people who have a connection to the organ donors and recipients, there was Rodney, the only person to have ridden in all of the 5 points rides, K.K., a cardiac PA, Cheryl, a nurse, and Connie Koch, who's son died at 17 and donated his organs so someone may have a chance to live. It was a full day and still an hour before lunch. All of the riders were assigned to someone to take them to where they would be speaking. Gerhardt was to go to Lander. And it was done for now, we were to meet back at the Blood Connection's HQ off of Bracken RD across 25 from the Donaldson Center at 6:00 or so. Nick and I rode around the campus for a while and when we got back to out respective vehicles, we talked about local rides and bevets for a while. Nick as it turns out has done Mt Mitchell every year since it started. He is also a prostate cancer survivor, and an randonnuer. We said our goodbyes and I was out to find lunch, the oriental Buffet was calling my name.

5 Points Ride

2006-10-04T20:55:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I got up at 5 to meet Chip Radford of the Greenville Spinners at Furman University. We were to meet the 5 Points riders in Marietta at around 0830 or so. I hate getting up that early. I had enough sense to pack up most of my stuff the night before so I wouldn't have to worry about it in the wee hours when my thought processes haven't fully kicked in. I'm out the door a little after 6 and head up 385 for Greenville. At 6:42 the traffic was heavy, but moving and I thought how glad I am I don't have to do that commute anymore. I made it to the meeting place with time to spare and met Nick, another of the Greenville Spinners and the final member of our trio. We met Chip on the other side of the Chapel and after a quick trip into the woods we headed out. Chip knows the area and picked a route with very little traffic. It was a little chilly as we started and I was glad I put on my arm warmers.
Chip was a little cold at first, but then warmed up. Notice the mountains in the background. We hit a decent climb and I was told this was Tub's mountain. It was a good climb, but not too bad. As we topped another hill I could see Table Rock in the distance(just to the right of the white structures).

We had to take a short cut to make the meeting spot on time. I thought to myself that these things are never on time, but kept the thought to myself as voicing it aloud may jinx things. We pull into the Burger King in Marietta at 8:50 with no riders in sight. Greg Hart of the Blood Connection was there (yeah, isn't irony great)to ride into Furman with the group. We waited and chatted with Greg and his wife, and some guy from the Great Escape, I don't remember his name. Yeah, I was right about the timing. One of the support vehicles roles up with the trailer for the gear.

We wait some more and another support vehicle shows up. Greg makes some calls on his blackberry and gets an idea where the riders are. About ten minutes later they roll in.

Introductions are made and it became very obvious who the South Africans are by the accents. More later, I'm beat.

Sunday Rides

2006-09-24T09:07:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday I did the MTB ride from the rock to fell camp and back, it was the first of the season for me. It was a good ride and the trails were in good shape, except for the horse taters. The ride evolved into a rousing game of dodge the tater. On the way back from fell we passed a couple of guys and they asked where the trail ended. It turns out these guys are teachers at one of the local schools and fresh out of college. Russ and I stopped at Memorial Bridge to take a quick break and the teacher guys passed us and continued on. Russ and I were the only two, in our group on singlespeeds, and we had a good long climb ahead of us. Last season I had trouble with the last section of this climb and was determined not to walk or get off the bike this time. Shortly before the climb we passed the young guys and continued on, slogging up the climb. As I crested the last bit, very steep, I let out a whoop and peddled on. Shortly after I heard Russ with his incredible Hulk yell as he hit the steep part, no cursing, so I thought he made it and he did. As we rode I asked Russ if he thought the two guys we passed noticed they were being passed by two guys on single speeds. "Yeah, two older guys on single speeds", Russ said and we, of course, laughed. "Better yet, one a former cardiac patient". We both thought that was even better. Shortly after we noticed the yellow Publix balloon by the trail. "The ferral balloon, once it reaches a certain age loses its ability to fly and must face the dangers of the forest floor." I said in my best announcer voice and Russ posed nearby with said balloon.

We then left the balloon to it's destiny and continued on to the Rock. We discussed our mountain bikes and various upgrades we are planning on, I need a new crankset and bottom bracket, and Russ is wanting to get rid of the chain tensioner. I hope the trails are in good shape Tuesday, cuz I want to ride.

There has been some talk about an epic ride next Sunday October 1st. Starting at the 505/506 trail head and going all the way to Fell and back by way of Gratin's Bridge. Barring any emergencies, I'll be there.

Ahoy Matie!

2006-09-20T20:33:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was talk like a pirate day, so in the spirit of that check out this site.

http://gangstaname.com/pirate_name.php

Somehow Fartin' Wallace Dread, seems somewhat fitting.

Cooler Temps

2006-09-16T09:55:00.000-04:00

The dog days of Summer are gone and Fall is just around the corner. I'm looking forward to cooler temperatures and the evening mountain bike rides. I have been on some trails this Summer, but it's not quite the same when it's 101F. I need to get my gear ready. My old steel mtb is coated with last year mud and needs a little love, the bladder in my hydropack needs cleaning or replacement as it has been setting half full for a couple of months. I also need to check my lights, things to do.

The bike is a Diamondback made in 1994, completely rigid with, what cousin Matt calls, pepperoni forks. So named because they are as thick as a link of pepperoni, no shock absorbtion there. Although it has semihorizontal dropouts, so with a half link I was able to turn it into a single speed when the shifters crapped out on me. I was able to get a wheel cheap from Lee. It was a freewheel type so all I had to do was respace, redish, and spin on a BMX freewheel cog. I thing I have a 35 tooth chainring up front and the freewheel cog is 17, that's close to the recommended 1:1 that singlespeed mountain bikers recommend. I could probably use an 18 on the back, but we'll see. I need to have the front hub repacked, it feels like there are pebbles in there not bearings, I'll have to see about that soon.

I'm waiting to hear form Grant, from Mercian Cycles. The frame I want build is in "queue" so things are progressing, but I was to get a copy of the work order so final changes could be made or I would just approve what the have. It's been a long process to get this far. I have started to acquire parts and either have or ordered just about everything I need, I think I have a package waiting for me at the post office now. I feel like a kid a Christmas. I just hope the frame gets here before then.

Where Were You When.......?

2006-09-11T20:40:00.000-04:00

I think every generation has one of these moments. My parents had The Kennedy assassination and I have 9-11. The difference is they had one very important person killed in a shocking manner in front of the world, I, we had thousands die infront of us that day, each important in their own way. They were NOT soldiers fighting a war, they were men women, and children going about their day to day life. I often wonder what I would have done if I had found myself on a plane destined for a target such as the White House, the Pentagon, or the Twin Towers. Would I have the courage to do what those brave passengers aboard the flight that crashed in that field in Pennsylvania, to see my actions as the only choice available.

Where where you? I was at work on what I thought was a normal day. Jeremy and I got the boat and sampling equipment loaded up at went to fuel the boat and truck. When I went into the store to pay I got, "Did you hear someone flew a plane into one of the twin towers?" My first thought was of the bomber that crashed into The Empire State building back in the 30s or 40s. Just then the announcer on the radio in the store started yelling that another plane crashed into the other tower. That confirmed it for us this was a terrorist attack.

I got in the truck completely stunned an d numb with the news. I told Jeremy and he had trouble swallowing it, like many of us. We went about our task for the day, what else could we do? We listened to the radio as we drove to the southern end of Lake Greenwood and launched the boat and took the water samples as quickly as possible. We didn't want to say away from the radio too long. As we pulled out to drive to the next station we met some fishermen that had not heard the tragic news. I don't remember the exact words, but the gist of what they said was that someone will pay.

The day is a blur to me now, but the feelings, the emotions are still very vivid in my mind. The reports as the towers were burning were horrible, horrendous, no, no word can truly describe this, people were jumping from the building! At some point as we were between sample locations or on the way back to the office, the first tower fell. Then the second with thousands expected dead. Then the news of the pentagon being hit by another plane and a fourth plane missing. It was all too much.

We made it back to the office, parked the boat, and unloaded the samples. We rushed though our paperwork. Back in the conference room the TV was on the news and everyone was huddled around it. Images of the planes crashing and the towers falling played over and over for days. As I drove home still numb I noticed a strip club that always has a packed parkinglot was strangely quiet, no cars, no people. No one in the mood to dance, no one in the mood to watch.

I come home to a wife in tears. My daughter then two asks me what is happening. How do you explain something like this to a two year old!! That night I held my wife as she cried herself to sleep.

Days after the country was united in it's grief. "Those responsible will be brought to justice", was what President Bush had said and everyone nodded in agreement. Bumper stickers saying Never Forget appear on cars and trucks. As a country we were pissed and looking for some payback. What now? Five years later we whine about Iraq. I hear people say,"Why shouldn't Iran have a nuclear power plant"? Some people have already forgotten.

Two years ago a lady in my wife's book club shared her story of where she was on 9-11. She was in New York and told in horrific detail her experience, of running from the cloud of dust and debris, and of the kindness of the strangers that jerked he into a store just before the cloud caught her. Yes I shed a tear as I read her story. I shed a tear for the children lost, for the parents who grief, for husband who has come home to an empty house because some don't like Americans.

I WILL NEVER FORGET!

Pix!

2006-09-06T22:29:00.000-04:00

Ok, I've promised pix, so here they are.
Ok, what we have here is the facility we went to for the field portion of the class, and yes the brown stuff is pretty much what you think it is.

The lady in the center is one of the EPA instructors, to the right of her is Kevin from the Greenville office. The thing behind them is a clarifier, the name says it all, the water in this was the brown stuff in the first photo.

Another, closer look at the weirs on the clarifier, they cut the grass today just for us.

Lewis, and the operator demonstrating the use of a Sludge Judge. Notice the top part of the tube is clear and the bottom has the brown stuff.
Sonja, Who's buying the beer later?

Bradley with his new ride and Russ on the Saturday ride. I didn't get any shots on Ft Jackson due to the weather.

Russ on his Mercian and Dr. Bill on his Quickbeam with John and Drew in the rear.

Russ doing it fixed up the rail trail.

Bill Evans on his single speed Quickbeam.

Long Weekend

2006-09-04T20:39:00.000-04:00

Friday, Robbie came home. She is using a walker to help with her balance, but is doing well and is in fairly good spirits. She can't do what she wants, when she wants and it has made her a little grumpy. People from her work are bringing food over, and we still have a cold cut tray I got from Debbie where I work, Thank You all! Life is starting to get back to normal, sort of. I'm a little worried about the radiation, it's not supposed to be nearly as bad as it was for her breast cancer, but you never know. Keep up the prayers.

Saturday, I got in a club ride with the Greenwood group, Russ and I on fixed gears, of course. Dr. Bill Evans shows up with his quickbeam as a singlespeed, but he has a track cog on the flip side of the hub. I'll post pix later. Bradley Cox makes an appearance with his new Grostiener Specialized. I jokingly ask him if it's plastic or aluminum. His mom laughs, but I'm not sure if he caught the joke and he tells me it's aluminum. Jim, Bradley's uncle shows up with his pink sox and bar tape. John Lake and Drew Richie round off the group. We settle on a route and head down the rail trail. Russ asks me, in a bad Irish /Scottish accent,"Ya eat yer oatmeal lad?", at witch I reply with an equally bad, if not worse accent,"Aye". We take a right at the end of the trail and enjoy the countryside and nice weather. Soon Jim and Bradley are up ahead and I can't let them do that, so I give chase and catch them. I stay on Jim's wheel, waiting for Bradley to try his new bike, but he doesn't take off. Shortly Bill streaks by and yells,"Come on you slow pokes". I give chase and stomp up the next hill, fully expecting Bradley to be in the mix, he wasn't, oh well. Shortly after Jim and Bradley peel off to head back and the rest of us rolled on. It was a good ride, I got just under 30 miles in. Russ, John Drew, and I went across the street for lunch and had a very deep discussion ranging from biodesel, to Islamic extremist, to the antichrist, it was a full day.

Sunday, stayed home, slept late and got some R&R, nothing worth writing about. Just an e-mail about Penny spitting(your secret is safe with me).

Monday, Labor Day, no work, so I got a ride in with the Laurens folks. I was checking my e-mail before I left the house and saw where Steve Irwin, The crocodile Hunter died. I was a bit shocked He has a little girl about the same age as Miranda, and a son not yet three. I feel for his family. The irony is he was killed by a stingray, a very non aggressive animal. Only 17 people world wide have been killed by stingrays. One would have thought that a venomous snake or a croc would do him in. I'll have a Foster's in honor of ol'e Stevo. I rolled out of my driveway digesting that bit of news just after 7:00. I just missed the dogs on Brown Rd. and made it to the Bi-Lo in Clinton with time to spare. It was a pretty big group, but started out foggy. I was beginning to worry when my glasses fogged up so bad that I could see better with out them. At one point David Craig nearly bought it when he hit some uneven pavement, he dropped his water bottle and pulled to the side of the road, then he hooked left infront of me. Definitely a high pucker factor moment. I missed him, but not by much. It reminded my of one of Jim's stories about Norm. Our route lead us to Bush River rd. and some of the group elected to head back to town and the rest decided to follow the 30mile FOTD route. I told Adrienne that I would be home by 11:00 so she could go to lunch with one of her friends. So, at around 9:30 I was thinking of picking up the pace to get home on time. At a stream crossing I build up a little momentum on the downside and catch Dan and David C. on the up side. I pull past and slow a little to see if they would catch up. They didn't, they wanted to take it easy. I soon find Jose on my wheel and pick up the pace. At some point I look over my shoulder and he is no where to be seen. Half way up Old Milton Rd. I down a gel and maintain a good pace, as I wash the gel down I raised my bottle to a couple of hunters as they wave. Old Milton is a piece of work, it looks flat, but is a steady shallow climb that can demoralize you if you didn't know it's secret. I had 40 miles under me and was maintaining a 18-17mph average. This is pretty good, but by the look of the grade one would expect to pull off 20 easy, not so. I make it to the light where the road crosses Hwy 72 and becomes Charlotte's Way. The light turns green and I go straight. I pull into the drive at 1045, early with 54.6 miles for the day.

Week in Review

2006-08-31T21:15:00.000-04:00

Well, where to start? Friday,(I know last week, but still important) we got the news about the tumor. The weekend was spent dealing with that bit of news and coming to the conclusion that it is not as bad as it sounds. The sound, brain tumor, has a certain finality to it. We thought we were in for a fight like with the beast cancer. Luckily that will not be the case this time. Things began to look good on Monday. The surgery was a success and the tumor was removed. By Tuesday afternoon Robbie was awake and in some pain, which is to be expected when someone cracks open you're skull and digs around, but she was her old self, fussing at Adrienne about something.

Tuesday I was in Columbia for some training put on by the EPA. I was going to be away for a couple of days and was a little on edge, but good news kept coming. Robbie had done so well they had down graded her to a regular room and she was out of ICU. I was able to get a ride in that afternoon at Ft. Jackson. Rodney, don't remember his last name, met me at the Columbia office and I followed him to the Fort. Security was pretty tight as expected, but I haven't been there since 9-11. We got rained on and were dodging thunder storms, but the sun came out and we had a nice ride of about 35 miles. Met Harry, the director for region 3(don't ask, it will take too long) and in my class, and finished the ride as the sun peeked out from behind the clouds. I called home, more than once, to check in and everything was fine, great even.

Wednesday I was awoken at 5:45 am, the alarm clock was set wrong. My roommate, Paul reset it and we snoozed for another hour. Then dressed we went down for breakfast. The breakfast was good, but the coffee was a little weaker than I'm used to. Then to class. They crammed the whole days worth of material into half day so we could do the facility inspection portion without dealing with Ernesto. This means I get to go home early, but had to deal with checking out early and packing, and missing part of the class. I know that part anyway. Ashley, another member of the class, was especially nervous, she works and lives in Charleston. I scarred her for life back a few years ago in EQC school when we went to a Chinese Buffet for lunch. They had whole small octapie on the bar and I was talking to her as the tentacles were dangling out of my mouth and quivered as I spoke. She says she still has trouble eating calamary. She also wants to get home to see her,"little man", her 18 moth old son, I can't blame her. We make it back in time for the rest of the class and we all meet a Fudrucker's for lunch. After we do the facility portion of the class in the 98 F heat and don't forget the 100% humidity. I'll post pix later. Afterwards we return to Fudrucker's to rehydrate and discuss the inspection, which was brief. Most of the class left for home at this point, but I thought another ride was in order, it beats being stuck on I-20 or I-26 in rush hour traffic. Harry and I waited for Rodney at the gate to the Fort and we did pretty much the same ride as the day before, but dryer. At some point we were joined by Bob. Let me tell you Fort Jackson is not flat and most of the roads are in fairly bad shape. I was glad I was on an old lugged steel frame with long chainstays. It has been ten years since I was on base and things are pretty much the same with the exception of the tighter security and limited access to the Fort. At the end of the ride we had 36 miles and I beat my max speed record for the fixed gear. I got up to 40.2 mph, which means 185+rpms. I changed in the car and headed home. I called Adrienne and got another round of good news. If Robbie keeps doing as well as she has been she will get to go home in a couple of days, fantastic!

Thursday I get up and do my usual thing, but not much coffee in the house and I am dragging. I make it to work and things get done, but I don't know how. It seems that everything has caught up with me and I am exhausted. I go to lunch and see the scariest thing, I'm still not sure if it was a woman or a man on serious hormone therapy. I'll probably have nightmares about this. Back to work and the rest of the day is a blur. Debbie gets us a cold cut tray so we wont have to worry about cooking this weekend, thanks Debbie, and I stop by the hospital to check on Robbie. She looks better than I thought she would, except for the hair cut. She is sitting up and talking like she hasn't had someone messing inside her skull. She has some swelling, but that's due to the steroids they've been giving her. She is doing great and will come home tomorrow, Friday. In seven to ten days they will start the radiation treatments, but they are supposed to be very mild and she shouldn't have any serious side affects. I think the worst is over. Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers, they mean so much to us.

Good News

2006-08-26T21:39:00.000-04:00

The doctors are saying the tumor is encapsulated, which means if it wasn't in her head it would be a piece of cake. She goes in for surgery on Monday first thing, so everybody pray hard. The doctor gave her the option of having her whole head shaved or just the area of the surgery. She opted for having her whole head shaved so she wont have to worry about walking around with a bald spot, really she just wanted it all to grow back at the same time. Sounds logical to me. Things are looking up.

On another note I missed the Flight of the Dove ride, for obvious reasons, so those who rode let me know what you thought, and I want pictures, lots of pictures.

Cancer Sucks Ass!

2006-08-25T21:38:00.000-04:00

I probably should apologize for the title, but I wont. I found out today that my Mother-in-law has a brain tumor. She had been having trouble with dizziness and nausea lately and thought it was sinus related, wrong. The doctor decided to do a CT scan today and they found a tumor. I was hoping it would be nothing so I could use that line from kindergarten Cop,"(Bad Austrian Accent)It's not a tumah!", but not now because it is a tumor. I'm pissed off, I have a reason and I have a specific target, but there is nothing I can do about it and that bites! Six years ago she fought breast cancer and I was there after the radical mastectomy. I was there when she was recovering from chemo and puking her guts out, making noises that should never be heard from a human being. I felt helpless! The only thing I could do for her is shave her head, at her request, before her hair started falling out in clumps. It's not often a man can say he shaved his Mother-in-law's head. I did it once and I'll be damned if I want to do it again. The good news is the doctor says this is very treatable and they see it a lot. She goes in for surgery on Monday. I think cancer is in need of another ass kicking.

Fixed Gears, Blue Grass, and Others Unrelated

2006-08-21T20:23:00.000-04:00

Saturday I wanted to do a fixed gear ride in Greenwood, so I e-mail Russ, "Ride Saturday"? It turns out that we had the same thought, I just beat him to the keyboard. So plans were made, a thirty to forty mile ride with the club, meet at the usual place at 9:00. I pull into the parking lot and David Graig is there waiting. We both start getting our gear ready as others show up. Jim Cox, Milo, Shaun and Jeff Roanan, Nick (don't remember his last name, just that he lives in Princeton, Laurens Co, and that he is from one of the Dakotas), then Russ pulls up and another rider from the other direction. We set off down the rail trail and Russ says something about how we should talk about food, per our usual routine. For some reason I wasn't thinking about food, but that changed quickly. I think we got on the subject of curry. Russ was also concerned that his performance would suffer since he hadn't had his preride meal of steel cut oats with organic peanut butter, protein powder, and raisins. As we approached White Hall Rd(?) Donnis had a flat and Russ and I stopped to assist. We yelled,"Mechanical", as everyone else rode on. It was, of course, her rear tire that was flat. Then I remembered that the tire/rim combination on her bike was bad. Hard to get the tire off and hard to get it back on. After all three of us made an attempt, and much mumbling curses under our breath, and the assistance from a kind gentleman in an old pickup, we finally removed the tire and replaced the tube. The tire was not quite as difficult to place back on the rim, I guess we all held our respective mouths right. Soon after we were on the road and rolling. We found ourselves on Rock House Rd, home of the infamous Rock House. This time of year the house seems to disappear only to reappear at another time, it's kind of creepy", Russ says as we get near to the house. I agree, during the summer the foliage from the trees hide the house, then suddenly one autumn day there it is, like it appeared from another world only to lure unsuspecting teenagers with thoughts of beer and sex into its stone walls and disappearing again dooming the hapless victims to an eternity in, well, wherever it goes. Then we see the trail to the house and can just make out one of the corners and stone pillars. We eventually make it back to the parking lot and all decide to go to T.W. Boone's for lunch. Over our respective sandwiches and salads, we solve some of the world problems, I wont go into detail as some people may be offended, and I don't need to hear the wining. I get home at a reasonable time and do some yard work. I am able to mow the front and part of the back yard, then I have to deal with Kudzu, the scourge of the South. When I'm done there is a pile three feet tall and four feet long at the road and I just made a dent. After that a shower. Then we dropped Miranda off at my Mother-in-law's and the wife and I went out for some Mexican. The carnitas Mexicanas were awesome. From there we headed to Owings for some Bluegrass music. I was able to find the place with no problem, there's not much in Owings. We find a parking space around back an walk to where a group had gathered outside. It was a bit scary at first, I heard banjos and if I saw Ned Beaty run out of the woods I was out of there. There was a woman with a mullet and a guy with what I could only guess was the 50's version. A pompadour up front and long in the back. We go inside the Owings Music Hall and find a seat. I think half of my church was there, including David Craig. The music was fantastic. I was especially impressed with a ten year old boy, Alan, who played the banjo, and a fifteen year old girl, Kayla, who played the violin, or should I say fiddle? After a couple of hours and two bands, we headed home. We will have to do this again. We picked up Miranda and all to bed. The next morning we all went to church. For Lunch we hit the Clock mmmmmm good. Then home to clean up before Matt and Andrea came over. Matt brought some mussels and tuna for supper, along with some penang curry. We chit chatted for a while and Adrienne, my wife was impressed with Matt's weight loss. The last time she saw him he was 300 pounds now he is down to 245. He is starting to look like he is supposed to look. We gear up and try to get in a few miles on the bike. Andrea is still new to cycling and has trouble with drinking while riding. Matt tries to coach her but she just needs to get more comfortable on the bike. At one point he tries to hand her a bottle while on the move and I hear,"No! Squirt it in my mouth".
We decide to cut off a few miles and turn on Tuege instead of taking HWY 39. When it dumps us out at Lisbon Rd, we opt to take a right back the way we came instead of a left, the clouds were dark that way and I saw flashes of lightning. The pix were blurry for some reason , but what can you do. As we ride down Lisbon Rd, I'm up front and I hear Andrea, "Matt!", and he rides past me with his shorts pulled down. That is an image forever seared into my mind and no, I did not get a picture! We make it back to Harper St EXT, with five miles to go and it starts to rain. Matt is up front and I'm in the rear with Andrea in the middle. The rain gets harder and the wind picks up. Then it turns ugly. We stop just off the road where 127 goes under Harper St Ext. At this point it is a challenge to stand and it is raining sideways. We can't ride because we can't see, Andrea is shivering uncontrollably and it's not cold. I say a little prayer, "please send someone to get us". Soon after the lightning starts to get close, then a SUV pulls up and the driver offers us a ride. Matt and I stack the bikes in the back as Andrea hops into the vehicle behind us as the lightning pops all around us. "Your timing is perfect", I say as we load the last bike. Travis, the guy in the SUV and his wife, in the vehicle behind him were the answer to my prayer. He saw us on the side of the road and turned around to help. Travis and his wife took us home, they had moved down in May, he is originally from Michigan, who said all Yankees are rude? When I got out of Travis' vehicle the road at the curb infront of my house was over my ankle. We unloaded the bikes, thanked Travis and his wife, and got inside and in some dry clothes. We got a blanket on Andrea and when she felt better we started Supper. Seared tuna coated in sesame seeds, broiled mussels for an appetizer, outstanding! I put on a pot of rice and sauted some onion and peppers and made a sauce. Garlic, soy sauce, red pepper, lime juice, sugar, and sesame oil. Matt made some wasabi paste to go with the tuna. Shortly after supper Andrea and Matt had to leave, we all had to get up early the next morning. What a weekend.

Wednesday Night in Laurens Co.

2006-08-16T21:45:00.000-04:00

I did the Wednesday night ride with the Laurens group tonight, fixed of course. It was a little different than the norm, but still a good ride. We followed the FotD 30 mile route, well most of it. Dan had some dental stuff done, wisdom teeth, so he opted to take it easy. Jose took off like a scalded cat and I gave chase. I caught him on a hill and dropped him. I was the first back by several minutes, unusual for me, especially on the fixed gear. 25 miles at 19 mph, what more can I say.

Curry

2006-08-10T21:13:00.000-04:00

Curry, is a blend of many different spices to make something special. Tonight, I had a craving for curry chicken and sautéed cabbage. So, I made some myself. Don’t ask for the recipe, I didn’t use one. Olive oil, enough, but not too much and not too little. Three cloves of garlic, half an onion, chopped, two small potatoes, chopped, and a package of chicken tenders, again chopped. That’s all the measurement I can give. The rest is a pinch of sea salt, a dash of pepper and paprika. I also added some curry. It’s from the local grocery store, so it’s only mediocre as far as curry goes, good, but not great. I sauté all together and as the chicken browns and little bits stick to the bottom of the pan, I deglaze using some rice wine. I stir up all the bits and add some water and just let cook at medium to medium high heat. Miranda, my seven year old daughter is dieing to help, so I let her stir. As Miranda works on the curry, I start on the cabbage. I wash and dry a half head and coarsely chop into bite size pieces. I pour a little olive oil into a skillet, a little olive oil is at least a quarter cup, add some cumin, and turn the stove to medium heat to let the oil infuse with the smoky sweetness of the cumin. When the cumin starts to sizzle, I add the cabbage, with some help. I toss until the cabbage is coated and starts to wilt and add a pinch of sea salt. At this point the potatoes in the curry are done and I add a little flour and water slurry to thicken. I find a bag of long grain and wild rice pilaf, the kind you just toss in the microwave for 90 seconds. Everything is done at the same time and I start to plate. It looks good and smells better. I sprinkle a little paprika on Miranda’s plate for garnish and snap a few shots. Now, the proof is in how it tastes, right? Well Miranda’s plate was clean when she was through; she liked the curry better than the cabbage, but still polished her plate without grumbling. What did I think? The curry was good, not great, the rice competed too much with the curry, and it should have been more of a foundation, not in the forefront. Overall it was good, I haven’t met a curry I didn’t like, whether Indian, or Thai, but if I had a better quality curry powder, it would have been awesome.

Hot Thursday Night

2006-07-28T21:04:00.000-04:00

I rode the Callahand challenge last night and I think it was upper nineties and about 80% humidity. I feel strong all week until I do this ride. I can sum it up in one word....Humbling.

Another Lunch Time Ride

2006-07-25T20:07:00.000-04:00

Did laps around Lander today, got 15.25 miles in, not too bad. It was the first time on the Death Trap in a while. Gears make you weak. Lander was out and classes are not to resume for a couple of weeks, so it was quiet. A couple of cuties and that was all. It was a little windy and that slowed me just a bit, but it also wafted the aroma of onion rings from the Dixie my way. Nothing out of the ordinary happened until I was on my way back to the office. I climbed the short, but very steep hill to the first of three stop lights between me and the office. Two thirds up it turned red. I try to find the "sweet spot" that would allow my bike to trip the light, but no go. I wait. Soon a Hispanic guy in an old escort wagon pulls up. He nods at me with a smile on his face. He looks familiar, I think he works at one of the local Mexican restaurants, Santa Fe. He rolls down the passenger window and asks, "Tired"? "No, but give me another 30 to 40 more miles then maybe", was all I could think to say. He laughs and the light turns green. As he passes I notice a mountain bike wheel in the back and think of that article in Bicycling magazine about Hispanic immigrants and cycling, calling them "invisible cyclist". If I'm on my bike and I see someone on a bike no matter what type or what color or nationality or origin of the rider, I wave or say something to acknowledge them. They are not invisible to me, but this was just a little weird.

But the Tour Was On!!!

2006-07-24T20:21:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I posted anything, my excuse is The Tour. That's done and another American in yellow. If I was a conspiracies, I'd say the French were up to something this year. I'm not so I wont. The Hitch a Ride post was a good 54 mile fixed ride and Penny's first 20, she did great by the way. The next day another 54 miles on the fourth, you can read Russ' take on that at internal detours blogg. I discovered some really nice roads that day, must do it again. Pictures may follow later. Then it was back to work and over the weekend I went up to visit my cousin, Matt. We did some trails at Issaqueena and had a blast, I only fell once. The trails were a little more technical than what I am used to and I've been on the road. Then later that night we went to Clemson and started at Keith Street, a pub type place. No Tour, they didn't have OLN, but the wings were good and so was the beer. Then to Tiger Town Tavern, an honest to goodness bar. I was one of maybe three people there over thirty. Some of the ladies were eyeing me, but that was probably the alcohol. We played a game of pool, been 11 years or longer since I've done that, and got beat, but not as bad as everybody else. Andrea, Matt's girlfriend was a wee bit tipsy at this point, and I was also starting to feel the effects of the beer, or it was the nicotine from the second hand smoke. We made it back to the house and to bed, Andrea had an early day Sunday and Matt and I were going to get a road ride in. I dreamt of cigarettes and smoke all night. As Christopher Rico once said,"It's like a French movie". It's been almost 7 years since my last cigarette, but I guess once a smoker, always a smoker. Well, the next morning we got up, though later than planned, and got ready. We walked to the end of the drive and put on our cycling shoes. Matt's drive is about 0.5 miles long and gravel, not good for skinny road tires. We climbed up the hill on Silver Creek, I used to think it was bad, not now. We turned right on Maw Bridge Rd. and headed to Six Mile. A few miles into the ride, Matt complained of feeling the beer. For me my lungs had that cobwebby feel you get after too many smokes, but the first hill cleared that up. It was a beautiful ride with lots of nice climbs and some fast descents. At about 35 miles in we were at the start of Maw bridge Rd. in Central. The biggest climb of the day was looming. It wasn't as bad as wiggington Rd. on Issaqueena's Last Ride, but it was still a couple of miles of grinding. I waited for Matt at the entrance to Silver Creek Rd. We were to go back to Six Mile to retrieve Matt's helmet, he left it at his sisters house. It added about ten miles to the trip. As I thought I would have to talk Matt into the additional miles he slows and says,"what the hell, let's go." I pull in behind him and we head back in to Six Mile. We get the helmet and head back. Three miles to go Matt has some gastric issues and we turn around, Six Mile is closer. Then he says he's feeling better and as we pull into his drive, it hits him again,"I'm not going to make it", he says. "Well, hit the woods", I reply. It's a good thing he lives in the country. Not wanting to witness the horror that is about to unfold, I walk toward the house. Fifteen minutes later he walks up, "That was bad", he says. "There were flies directing traffic". I shake my head and laugh. What is it with that side of my family crapping in the woods? Don't ask it's a very long and smelly story. I grab some lunch, shrimp and pasta, awesome, shower, and hang out for a while. I make the trip home and await the return of my girls who have been camping.

Hitch a Ride

2006-07-03T20:17:00.000-04:00

Today I rode with some of the Laurns folks, My first ride where males were in the minority. Penny, the lady in the purple jersey, rode as well. It was her first ride with the club and I think her longest ride so far. She managed 20 miles and I don't think she got out of the big ring.

At one point I noticed something on the road, a frog. I jumped and caught a spoke on Penny's back wheel. It then found itself perched on her shoulder and hitched a ride for a while. When we stopped at a stop sign I snapped another photo and placed her safely in the grass....the frog, not Penny.

Good Story

2006-06-21T21:09:00.000-04:00

I just finished reading Kent Peterson's e-book, The Way of the Mountain Turtle. If you like cycling and are in to more than the latest carbon thingy and ride all day with out concern for speed, read this. It's amazing what you can learn from other's experiences, thanks for the story Kent.

Get Your Kicks on 246, or Bee Buzzin 06

2006-06-18T19:23:00.000-04:00

This year I was hopping to beat my 19.5 ave from last year. It promised to be a fast ride as Zac Lake of the US U23 team, and fresh from Europe was sure to kick it up a notch. Matt came down for the ride, he’s lost another 20lbs. We left early and parked at my office, where I have my bike. I wanted to do some last minute adjustments as the bike has been making a clicking noise at the bottom portion of the left cranks pedal stroke. I tightened down the cranks and the pedals and hoped the noise would stop. In a couple of minutes we were at the chamber of commerce and checking in. I spoke to Dan, one of the Laurens county guys and Stephen, the chairperson of the Bee Buzzin. We picked up our shirts and found my Mom; she put them in her truck for safe keeping. I saw the Greenwood group, Andrew Evans, Andrew Douglas, Milo Metcalf, Jeff and Shaun Ronan, Bradley Cox, and John Campbell, and Zac Lake. We had a good turn out. I was talking to Zac when I saw them, the team that took down three riders at the Governor’s Ride in October; one of them was Andrew Douglas, maybe more on that later. “Watch those guys”, I told Zac.
“Really?” was his reply.
“Not that they’re fast”
“Sketchy”
“Yeah, they took out Andrew Douglas in October”. He nods understanding. I have faith in him, chances are they won’t be able to stay near him, but anything could happen in the first few minutes. For most of us this is just one of those, show up and ride metrics. Only racing yourself and the clock, or just out for a fun ride. For the others, the fast racer types, this is an unofficial race, the prize, bragging right for a year, the license to talk smack about the Greenwood Club. This year things were different, I could feel the tention in the air, almost taste it. This was going to be a fast ride. Zac had just recently returned from racing for the US under 23 team in Europe and had some good training under him. He didn’t win any races over there, but it is such a different level of competitiveness. Imagine a team of French football players going to the “Big Game” and you start to get an idea. Matt and I run into Russ, he has to cut his ride short due to some guests coming from out of town, and has to do the 25 instead of the metric. “I’m just going to hold on to the back as long as I can”, I said that a lot before the start. “This is going to be a fast ride”, I said.
“You think so?” Russ asked.
“Yeah, Zac is riding and everybody wants to see what he’s made of”.
Russ nods in agreement and we set off to find a good starting point. I talk about the course and mention the turn in Ninety Six before the light, it’s the only real issue as far as markings go, but I know the course, so I share. Stephen is saying something about the route up front and I can’t hear him, no matter, I’ll follow the guy in front of me. We take off and before I know it we are doing 27mph down S. Main St. Matt later said that we got up to 32mph. I was too busy trying to keep up to notice. We had our escort and the local police stopped traffic at the lights, blowing through a red light while waving at a cop, now that’s entertainment! The first few miles were a blur, Matt took off like a shot and I eventually caught his wheel as we turned on Marshal. We passed a good many people trying to catch the first group. We latched on the back, and in a couple of miles it was over, we were dropped halfway down Siloam Church Rd when it happened, 7.5 miles in. It was faster than last year I told myself. Matt, the kid that took Andrew down in October, and me were left panting on the road in the aftermath. We took turns pulling, the kid only pulled in short bursts letting us do all the work, nice. I was about to ask him if his bike handling skills have improved since October, but I held my tongue. We turned on Old 246, then on 702 and shortly there after we had another group pass, junior jumped on the back, and so did Matt and me. Bradley Cox and John Lake were there. Bradley made a comment about me riding a real bike, meaning a coastie multigeared bike. He’s young and inexperienced so I let it go. We were cruising along at 22mph when I noticed a stain on the road taking up the whole lane, then I noticed something big and brown in the ditch to the right. It was a horse, but the odd part was it had no head. “Man, that’s a big deer”, the guy behind me yelled. I thought of that old joke about the guy taking his wife hunting, “You can have it, just let me get the saddle first”. The paceline was moving along, the guy up front would pull for a while, the peel off to the back to give the next guy a turn. Bradley’s turn came and he maintained the speed, though asked directions from me at the four way where 34 and 702 cross, we went straight and he peeled off, it was my turn. I pulled for a good while, but I did a little too much and blew up on the next hill. It was just nasty enough to hurt. I tried to stay on the back, but the hill was just too much and I lost Bradley’s wheel. I downed one of my gels and tried to keep the pack in sight. Oh well, on my own again. It was now that I really noticed just how uncomfortable my saddle was becoming. It was making my legs hurt, so I just focused on pedaling circles. After a few miles I saw a figure up ahead, It was Matt. I pedaled passed him and he pulled in behind me. “The hills were wearing me down and I wasn’t recovering fast enough”, he said as I pulled feeling better to have a little company. I’m afraid that in a few months I won’t be able to keep up with him. He is ridding pretty strong and in a couple of months he will be lighter. He had Gastric by-pass surgery at the first of the year, and then he was 370, now 265. When he reaches his goal weight of 180 I won’t be able to keep up. We take turns pulling and find the rest stop. This was number two as number one wasn’t set up when we went by. We turned on Mineral Springs Rd. and stopped for a drink and talked to Dan and Stephen. Stephen in true form was not wearing a shirt and showing off his freshly shaved chest, sorry ladies I didn’t get any pictures. As I took off I was witness to a lady dropping her shorts behind Stephen truck to cop a squat, no pix of that either. We roll down the road and turn on the smooth asphalt of 178 and its rolling hills. Last year I was alone on this road and I felt fast. This time I was having some trouble, I couldn’t stay in the drops due to stomach cramps. I was feeling slow. A few miles down the road we picked up a rider, he had stopped to rescue a goat that had its horns caught in a fence. We manage to stay together and turn on 246 headed in to Ninety Six. After the first hill I find that I am alone again, but some how I find a groove and stretch my legs. After a few miles I spot a rider in the distance, now I have a new goal, reel him in. After another couple of miles I do and pass. This was the best part of the ride I was feeling strong and started singing, “Get your kicks on 246.” That hill before the town limits sign was “Special”. Shortly after I pulled up to the last rest stop and got some water and refilled my bottles. I grabbed a chocolate chip cookie and tried to eat it. I managed to get it down, but it was more work than it should be. I drank a little more and waited for Matt while my stomach settled. I was starting to get concerned when I saw him turn on 34 instead of Scotch Cross, and waved him down. He blew up bad on 246 and had to stop to stretch on the side of the road. I had been at this stop way too long and was getting antsy, but I wanted to make sure Matt was Ok. Then this guy pats me on the shoulder,” Hey, remember me? We did the Tour de Abbeville last year, you rode that fixed gear.” It took me a while to place the face. He had a lady friend with him then; I didn’t see her and didn’t ask. A couple of weeks earlier I made that mistake and got an answer I didn’t like, I kept my mouth shut. The three of us found our way over to the Hardee’s for a bathroom break, I had to pee and Matt, well you know. I left Matt to his business and talked to the guy, I can’t remember his name, I’m bad with names, but I know he lives in Lexington, go figure. He gets tired of waiting and heads out. Matt and I leave together and soon he’s way behind. Then something happens, I feel this sense of urgency. I have to at least match my time from last year and I don’t think I can do it. A couple of guys find my wheel and I try to lose them. Then the suffering starts. I start mentally beating myself up for gaining those extra pounds and telling myself that the wind in my face is just an excuse. I can’t believe I’m this slow. I haven’t done enough fast rides. I’m not going to make it.. I get to where Scots Cross crosses 25 and becomes 225. The light turns red and the guys I dropped earlier catch up. The light turns green and I clip in. This is it, my last chance to make up some time. I don’t remember how fast I was going, just that I felt it wasn’t fast enough, so I pedaled harder. I was disappointed in myself, so I pedaled harder. Oddly enough giving up and cruising in at a comfortable pace never once occurred to me. I bombed down the hills building speed and momentum for the inevitable climb up the other side. When my momentum gave out I slogged up the other side as best I could sometimes out of the saddle, “dancing” on the pedals, and sometimes sliding back in the saddle and spinning like mad. I was starting to see cars with bikes mounted as people were leaving. They had finished and packed up and I was still out here. It made me mad, I dug deeper. I turned on Maxwell Ave. I was doing 22. I was saving a little for that hill at the end and when I reached it I attached it. I crossed the rail road tracks and was almost done, toast. I made the light and turned on Main St. If it had been red I don’t know if I could have got going again. The rest of the lights cooperated as well and I turned on Seaboard then Phoenix and into the Chamber’s parking lot. I looked at the clock on my computer. I blinked. 3hours, 10 minutes, last year it was 3:30, I did it, I averaged just a tad over 20mph, the fastest metric I’ve done so far. I was mentally charged, physically, I just didn’t want to embarrass myself by falling over. I sat in the shade, sipped what was left in my bottle, chatted with Dan and his son Nolan, and waited for Matt. Now I was smiling.

Tiger's Milk and Memories

2006-06-14T23:22:00.000-04:00

It's strange what can trigger a memory. I was reading Kent Peterson's account of the Sir 600k brevet. He made a comment about picking up a Tiger's Milk Bar at a control stop. It tickled something in the back of my mind. I've had one of those before, the're good. I just couldn't remember when or where. Then today I stopped by at the local GNC to pick up some sports drink and gels for the Bee Buzzin. On my way back to the office to get ready for the afternoon ride it all came back to me. I was twelve and was doing a walk to raise money, for a church thing, I think. I stopped by a feed and seed store that had a health food section a couple of days before. I grabbed a couple of the bars, I liked the name. The walk started thirteen miles from the church in Cameron where the church's summer camp was located, I learned to swim there, but that is another story. The name of the camp was, Camp S&M, no really. Though it's not what you think, well unless you count the meals in the mess hall. The church is First Southern Methodist, ok, now it all falls into place. Well we started early in the morning, Saturday I think. I don't remember much traffic, and it was hot, so summer. The details are a bit fuzzy, it was a long time ago. I had many deep conversations with my best friend, Max that day, I think girls came up some. On the walk I remember eating the Tiger Milk Bars and liking them, they had that like a candy bar but good for you taste. Scarlet clover was in bloom that day and the fields and road sides were peppered with clusters of deep red. I found a walking stick where a farmer had cut the small trees near his fence, I kept it for several years, it was black cherry. I made it back to the church, it was the longest hike I had done at that point and I was sore and tired. I remember going home and soaking my aching muscles in a hot bath and feeling proud that I walked that far.

Saturday Ride

2006-06-11T19:04:00.000-04:00

I sent out an e-mail to the Laurens group to see who is riding, nothing definite. I roll up my drive at 0856. I'm on my LeMond, after 168 miles on the Deathtrap I figured I would try gears today. I turn on S. Harper ext. and try to settle in for the 17+mile ride to Clinton. After a few miles I stop to help a lone Box turtle across the road, It hisses at me and closes up tight as I place it in the grass.

A few miles later I hear something fall out of my saddle bag as I hit a bump crossing a bridge, I had my keys in the bag, so I stop and search. I didn't see anything, so I looked in the bag and they were there. I rearranged everything to prevent a recurrence and snapped a couple of pix.

As I clipped back in I saw the culprit for the noise that stopped me, a tire lever. I picked it up and put it back and rolled on. The hills were slowing me more that they should. I guess I hadn't recovered fully from Thursday. I make it to Lisbon Rd and turn left, feeling a little better and warmed up. In no time I was at Hwy72. I look both ways, no traffic, odd. I take a left and cruise down the fresh pavement. It's nice to bomb down the hills and not have to worry about spinning out. I make it to the meeting point at the Bi-Lo in Clinton five minutes faster than I would on the fixed gear and that included my two stops. I find the shade of a tree, munch on some crackers, sip the green tea from my bottle, and wait to see who shows. No one does, it looks like I'm solo today. I take out my map and pick a route. To the Vend-A-Moo, then home via Lisbon Rd. I take off down Bush River Rd. and take in the beautiful homes.

At this point something went wrong, I missed my turn on Bush River and continued on hwy 56. I didn't realize this until I reached Hwy 39. Not a big deal though, I would just take a left up 39 into Cross Hill and then home. I finished of the pack of crackers I started at the Bi-Lo and finished the bottle of green tea, I had one more. Then a couple on bikes zip by on 39 heading for Chappells. We exchanged hellos as they sped by. I wanted to know who they were and where they came from, so I rearranged my bottles and gave chase. I caught up with then shortly after they turned right on Hwy34, which had very little traffic. It turns out they were in Greenwood for a family reunion. Nivan and Becky are from Augusta and were staying at the lake. The decided to go for a ride Saturday morning. I asked if they minded some company and they didn't.

We ran into some road construction on 34 at the dam and I knew I would be better finding another way home. We turned right on 702 back toward Greenwood State Park. I took some pix, but amazingly enough the one that turned out was the one I shot from over my shoulder without aiming. A few miles before Becky and Nivan made there turn I was starting to bonk and had trouble staying on Nivan's wheel. My bottles were getting low when we made the turn into Grand Harbor and where I would leave Nivan and Becky. We stopped in the shade and talked about riding in the area. They topped off my bottles with what they didn't drink. They are members of the Aiken Cycling club and know Curt Sexton. I told them to let him know they saw me with out my fixed gear. They were a bit surprised that I ride a fixed gear on the road. Nivan said something about single speeds are fine, but anyone that rides a fixed gear is a nut. I resemble that remark. Nivan gave me a gel so I wouldn't bonk and offered me a ride home. I declined as I didn't want to inconvenience them, but the offer was greatly appreciated.(Thanks for the berry blast and the gell!) We said our farewells and I headed down 702. I didn't think I could make it back home, so the plan was to get to Greenwood and make a call. I pass the spot I got blown out the back of the paceline on last years Bee Buzzin and I was hurting. I turned on Vines and at the top of the hill I stopped to catch my breath and down the gel. I crossed over 246 and turned on old 246, then left on Siloam Church rd. I then remembered the hills on this road and grimaced. My speed dropped from 18mph and better to about 12. I was able to push it back up to 16 and passed two boys on bikes, they would move to the left lane as a car passed. I told them they were on the wrong side of the road as I passed. I had 50 miles under me and I was suffering. As I approached the end I found more road construction. I crossed over to take Marshal rd. in and realized that I was on the wrong road, Marshal was blocked. I used some off road skills as I road through the construction area and the fine powder that was the "road" surface.

At one point my rear wheel lost it's grip and fishtailed, I kept pedaling and staid upright. I made it to the end of construction and cruised in to town. I made it to T.W. Boone's, an oasis on a hot day.

I walked in and ordered a glass of tea and a glass of ice. The waitress wanted to know if I wanted anything to eat. My stomach churned in an ominous way and I declined. I told her I rode from Laurens and I didn't think I could eat. The shock on her face was obvious and she patted me on the shoulder and told me to rest. Shortly after she came with my tea and ice. I poured what was left of the sport drink over the ice sipped, and tried not to cramp. I had gotten dehydrated I let it sneak up on me. Then I did something I had never done before, I had to call someone to pick me up and take me home. Luckily my mom was home and she was there after my second glass of tea. Later I found out it was near 100 F. I wasn't ready for that, but next time I will be.

Thursday Night Ride

2006-06-09T17:59:00.000-04:00

Last night I did my first Thursday night ride of the season. The B team left early while the rest of us chit chatted, Stephen Shenal mentioned the physical for his new job and mentioned that his "boys" are in good shape, TMI, TDMI. We left out of the parking lot and formed up, sort of. At the first county sign a few miles later all the racer types took off like mad. After that things got much less formal. We didn't keep a real paceline going, and the speed was less than I remembered from last year, not that I'm complaining. I was just waiting for the hammer to drop. I mentioned this to Joshua and he agreed with me, things were a little more laid back than usual. We hit the first big climb before turning on Stevens Rd. and I kept up,yeah me. Shortly after we caught the B team and they jumped on the back of the paceline that was just beginning to form. Jim Cox made a comment about me keeping up with the fast guys and I said that I was going to hold on for as long as I can. We turned on Hwy 20 and the speed shot up. I was holding my own, but the surges as the guy in front of me slowed and sped up to stay on the wheel of the guy infront of him got to be too much. I could not find a rhythm. I had been used to riding solo, or pulling. I also had too much bar-b-que for lunch. I got dropped a couple of miles from the turn on 185. Mark, the guy behind me, passes me and tries unsuccessfully to catch the group, sorry. I turn on 185 and suck down a gel and find my groove. I pass Mark and he hopes on my wheel. We ride down 185 at 22- 25 mph, it felt good. At the next turn where 203 and 185 come together I bonked again and lost my rhythm. Did I mention I ate too much bar-b -que for lunch? We hit the hill after the bridge and that's when I just blew up, the bar-b-que didn't help. Mark said he would pull a while and I told him I would try to hold on. He was surprised by my comment after I pulled as fast as I did, but I was hurting. Note: never go to a bar-b-que buffet for lunch on Thursdays. I suffered until I turned on Dixie, then I found that rhythm, We Will Rock You, by Queen. I shifted into the big ring and got down in the drops and pedaled to Queen. We cruised down Dixie Rd. at 23mph. When we got to the end to turn on Deadfall I was feeling the remnants of my lunch, I shouldn't have had bar-b-que. I'm just glad I had only one plate. We stop for traffic and to catch our breath, then left. I was a little slower, running out of steam, but as we turned on Calhoun for the last stretch, I was able to get back up to 22 and hold it. I pulled in the parking lot as most of the faster group was leaving. Mark had an average of 18.5, but he had left a few minutes ahead of me, so I had some where just over 19 for the 35 miles or so. Not bad for my first Thursday night ride. I would have done better if I hadn't had bar-b que for lunch though.

Muddy, Cold, Rainy Ride.....FUN!!

2006-06-07T19:50:00.000-04:00

Russ Fitzgerald and I did a ride back in February and the write up can be found here.

http://www.63xc.com/ainsley/dayinmud.htm

Exit 159

2006-06-02T23:23:00.000-04:00

I was on my way home from the beach and as I approached exit 159 on I-26 I started to feel nostalgic. The old house at the end of the off ramp was once my childhood home. I always feel a tug at my heartstrings the closer I get. Is it because this is the place I learned to ride a bike, climb a tree? Is it the motorcycle rides my dad would take me on though the fields and down the dirt roads? Or is it because this was when my childhood was the things of books and movies where summer's endless days lay one adventure after another before me, and where winter means Christmas. Or is it because all of the innocence that is childhood is intact. Shortly after we moved my parents divorced, at the time I was fine with it. Every time I see this old house surrounded by old oaks and that one ancient magnolia, a small part of me mourns the loss of a piece of my childhood that died an untimely death. That house holds nothing for me now but memories, so why at 35 I still feel that tug as I drive by? Maybe I wasn't fine with it after all.

Chapter 5 of The Life Cycle of the Feral Shopping Cart

2006-05-19T20:48:00.000-04:00

Sometimes the Feral Shopping Cart just can't make it in the wild, but
it can't go back to being a humble conveyor of commodities. Like the
earliest domesticated beasts, they began to associate with man again,
first lurking at the edge of the darkness around the fires at night
hoping for a thrown bone or tidbit. As time passes, they form a
symbiotic relationship with human nomads, eventually becoming
semi-domesticated, but in a whole new way. While they are most
frequently seen working as beasts of burden carrying goods foraged by
hunter-gatherers, the halt and the lame among them take up an honored
place at the hearth.

Russ Fitzgerald
Greenwood, SC

Next time we may discuss the complex mating behavior of the feral shopping cart.

Issaqueena's Last Ride and nearly mine as well

2006-05-07T21:01:00.000-04:00

Well, where do I start? I missed the Best Dam Ride in McCormick County this year and I will miss the Tour De Abbeville, so I wanted to do a ride early in the season. A fellow bloger was doing his first ever Century on May 6, and I sent him some words of encouragement(I hope your ride went well). Around that time I got a flyer for Issaqueena's Last Ride. 8500 feet of climbing sounded interesting. My cousin Matt called and was telling me he wanted to try the metric century and that clinched it for me, I sent in my registration and check. I thought I would try it on my fixed gear, but as the time grew close that voice in my head that keeps me from doing really stupid stuff was yelling at me not to. I decided to listen. I staid in Central with Matt the night before to cut down on drive time the morning of the event. We got to Walhalla early and got our gear ready and checked in. This was Matt's first organized ride in several years and the first after his gastric bypass. His girlfriend Andrea was worried and told me to take care of him before we left. As we stepped out of the church where the event was based, Russ comes walking in we exchange hellos and Matt introduced himself. We decided to ride together, the three of us. We all meet up at the starting line and Russ has to go back to get his cell phone.
Russ made it back in time for the start and we were off. Matt took out ahead of us as Russ and I opted to start slow. The day was prefect, not too warm and clear. I was worried that we would be getting rained on today, but the weather decided to cooperate at the last minute. We were being passed here and there and every once in a while we would overtake someone. I wanted to finish this ride and there was mentioned a nine mile climb at some point during this ride. After a few miles we caught up to Matt and stuck together, chatting about the usual stuff and some things that stay on the ride. Matt had gastric bypass surgery done at the first of the year and at that time topped the scales at 370, he had already lost 40% of his goal in 4 or 5 months, much faster than usual. His doctor thought he was nuts for doing this ride, but gave him the go ahead. " The doctor was surprised that I can ride like I have been." Matt said as we rolled along. "Yeah, but you have always been very active even when you were at your heaviest, most people who have this surgery probably never were." I replied. "You know I'm the only one of the three of us who has not had major surgery." It was an observation that occurred to me, Russ had a quadruple bypass two years ago. The countryside was beathtaking, flowers in bloom the sun was shining, birds singing, a great day for a bike ride.
We turn on a small road that winds around this picturesque little lake and it looks very familiar. It was a lake I used to sample years ago. "On a day like this I really loved my job." I said as we crossed a creek feeding into the lake that for the life of me I could not remember it's name. The narrow but smooth road begins to tilt upward and I gear down and spin at an easy pace. Suddenly it gets steep and I change to an easier gear, stand and crank up the hill. I'm pleased with myself that I was able to climb this hill will several gears to go(I laugh now knowing what was to come). A few more short climbs and we made the first rest stop. I grab some trail mix and a cookie and make a quick bathroom break. We made comments about the buzzards circling and the gnats hovering around us. "My first century when I was fourteen, I had the buzzards follow me in" Russ reminisced. "I'm working on a gnat beard" Matt commented. We waited a few minutes for Matt's stomach to settle as after the surgery his digestive track can be unpredictable. We left this rest stop thinking that we can do this, it's not that bad. Little did we know.....

Saturday With the Club

2006-05-02T20:16:00.000-04:00

Russ and I met at 9:00 to get some extra miles in before meeting the Greenwood Cycling Club for the usual Saturday ride. An e-mail earlier in the week held two options, leave real early and hit some dirt roads and head to Troy, or the second option to meet early and get a few extra miles in. The flip of my gold dollar and the discussion was made. As I got my bike ready and all my gear settled I waited for Russ to show up. I took a spin around the block to see how my back would feel. After last nights ride I was feeling good, ready to do some more miles. As I pulled back in the parking lot Russ pedals up on his blue Rivendell. We discuss what the route will be and decide to try for Hitching Post Rd. As neither of us have been down that particular dirt road. We head out on the normal club route, down the rail trail, then left on Florida Ave. Then into Wisewood S/D and on 225. The wind is in our face on 225 and blowing fairly hard. I take the lead for a while and settle in to a nice pace. I was feeling pretty good and let the bike do it's thing. I tried to take some photos over my shoulder with my pen cam and only one came out.
It was about this time Russ said something about how I was riding strong for someone with back trouble. My back was feeling much better. We stopped at the light where 225 crosses HWY 25. This light will not change for bikes, so we weighed our options. Time was short so we decided to cruise down 25 and back to the parkinglot to meet everyone else. We have to turn right and make a u-turn in the median to legally make the light. Once back to the parking lot we meet up with John Lake, David Strawhorne, Fred, Landon (The Silent Killer)Davis, Jim Cox, and David Craig. We were all surprised to see Andrew Douglas pull up as he is scarce when the thermometer drops below 70C. Fred has an idea about the route and we all pull out of the parking lot. The lights in town break up the group, but once out of town we all meet up where the first group made a pitt stop. A few miles down the road I have to pull over for a nature break myself. I try to catch up and storm down the hills to make up time. At the four way stop on HWY 246 I wait for the traffic in front of me to clear and wave at the little girl at the nearby flea market. I cross 246 and see Russ and David Strawhorne in the distance. As I close on them I notice a dog up ahead chasing cars. He sees the cyclist and gives chase barely being hit by a truck. At this point I am only 20-30 yards away and the dog has locked in on David, it doesn't see me. I get close, but far enough away to maneuver if the dog runs infront of my wheel. I yell as loud as I could and the dog actually jumped about a foot off of the pavement. I may have startled David in the process. The dog moved to the right out of the road and I yelled again just as loud. The poor thing sat down and did not move. A mile down the road were more dogs and as they ran to meet us I yelled, "Stay!", and they did. That was it for my luck, the next dog was going to have me for lunch. Moments later the three of us passed the rest of the group as they waited at Stoney Point rd. they motioned us to go straight. At this point we started a gradual decent that slowly became steeper as we approached the Lake. At the bottom of the hill before we crossed the bridge I could smell the aroma of Calabash Chicken from Harris Landing restaurant. As I crossed the bridge Fred passed my and told me to take the next left, this was good as it saved us from a monster climb, or so I thought. The road was narrow and suddenly turned up. It was all I could do to keep the cranks turning, I was out of the saddle rocking the bike back and forth to get more leverage. I made it to the top huffing and puffing like a certain wolf in front of a brick house. By the time I recovered we were near the end of this road. I tried to get a shot with my pen Cam, but the batteries were dead. We made a right on Riverfork Rd. then right on Old Laurens Rd by the River Rat Cafe. I made a comment about not wanting to eat at a place that has a rat as a mascot. We all bomb down the hill we missed climbing due to the left turn and John Lake took the County sign from Andrew Douglas. Then the work began. The hill on the other side of the bridge was a beast. At this point traffic started to pick up. "Asses right!", I yelled as a group of donkeys bolted away from us in a nearby field. The a white pick-up passed barely missing an on coming car,"and an ass up." The dog that I yelled at earlier was sitting on the side of the road in his yard and did not look like he wanted to chase anything, I must have made an impression, if they were all that easy. We all come back to the four way on 246 and the faster group waits. We hit the rumble strips before the stop sign and Russ says,"It's like a thousand massaging fingers", and I reply,"all up my butt." We turn left on 246 and wave at the little girl again. "I always like to look for old racing steel", Russ says as we pass a line of cheap mountain bikes and BMX bikes. "I don't think there is any in this county".
"yeah I think I've picked Greenwood County clean." We ride down 246 to Coronaca, which all the locals pronounce Corn-acre(Don't ask I don't know). We turn on Bucklevel just before the town sign, climb a hill and turn left on Wingert Rd. We cross a set of rail road tracks and John Lake hurries everyone across to avoid a nonexistent train. We are dumped out back on Durst and Fred pulls into his drive and we say our farewells. Fred will turn 65 in September and wants to do a ride, one mile for every year. He wants to make this a club ride. I told him that it's his ride and he can pick the route, it will be interesting to see what he throws at us. We head down Durst back into town and stop at the longest light in the county. We talk to Mr. Dill a local locksmith and a former bike shop owner. My first fixed gear was a bike I got second had from my neighbor, it cam from Mr. Dill's old shop. After our conversation the light finally changed and we headed back into town. Russ peeled off shortly after to head home and the rest made it back to the parkinglot. All in all a very good ride, everything fell into pace and I ended up with 35.5 miles for the day.

A. R. P. In Due West

2006-04-30T13:54:00.000-04:00

Friday afternoon all the A.R.P. Cyclist who ride with the Greenwood Cycling Club meet in Due West for a photo for the A.R.P. Magazine. For those who don't know what A.R.P. means, it's, if I remember correctly, associate reformed presbryterian. The group consisted of Jim Cox, Bill and Andrew Evans, David Craig, Larry and Landon(The Silent Killer)I apologize, but I can't recall there last name. Well, we meet in Due West, a small college town for the photos and we chatted a bit in the parkinglot as we waited for the photographer. When the photographer showed up we posed for some pix with Erskine College in the background. Then he wanted some action shots and we all rode down this quiet street toward him as he snapped away. After a couple of takes he wanted us to turn a corner at a decent speed and "Coast through", I laughed to myself because I was riding my fixed gear and coasting was not an option. At one point as we made the turn I was just a tad crowded by Landon and zipped by the photographer, missing him by mere inches. He yelped and jumped up like he had been hit and then opted for a more sedate photo of all of us infront of the science building. After we decided to put the nice weather to good use and went for a ride. We started out though town and ended up on part of the Ware Shoals Roubiax ride. It was a nice conversational pace, but since I haven't been on the bike much I wanted to pick up the pace. At the end of the road we turned around and I nearly had a Bluebird tangled in my spokes as she fled an overly amorous male. Shortly after we passed Strawhorne Rd. I had to stretch my legs and took off down the road. I dropped into the aerobars and thought how great it felt to be on the bike. I had recently placed the 14 tooth sprocket on the back, giving me a 77 inch gear and the bike wanted to run. I stopped at the four way to wait for everyone and practiced my track stand. Shortly Landon and David Craig appeared with Larry and Jim soon behind(Bill and Andrew had already ridden for the day and Andrew had a race the next day). We all regrouped ad took the Wynona cemetery route as Jim suggested. Jim has a way of taking a name and butchering it until it is unrecognizable, so don't look for the cemetery on a map. The route was more of the slower ride, nice and comfortable. I kept an eye on Landon, I'd heard good things about him and wanted to see what he is made of. At one point Landon was on David's wheel, close, very close. As the distance grew shorter their wheels touched with a whizzing noise and Landon simply eased back a little. We were eventually dumped out on hwy 178 and turned right to Donalds. I knew where we were then and how to get back. I saw Jim slip off to the front and a town sign up ahead. I jumped, after checking traffic, and passe Jim to win the sign. I looked over my shoulder to see if Landon had made a try for the sign. He was pretty far back, but appeared to be in full sprint. I took a right on 184 and back to Due West. I was moving along at a good clip and dropped into my aerobars. I looked over my shoulder and Landon was still far back but still in sight. I was averaging about 21 down this stretch of road and decided to sit up and let Landon catch up. Shortly he's on my wheel and I pick up the pace. Then I see something out of the corner of my eye, I think i's Landon trying to sprint infront, but it turns out to be David Craig coming out of nowhere and passing us at around 25 mph. I give chase and soon see the sign for Due West. I sprint by David to take the sign, though I don't think he wanted it that badly. When we all met up in the parking lot Jim started giving Landon and me a hard time for going after the sign on 178. Apparently Larry wanted an impression to be made on his son about checking traffic before you pass on a sprint. All in all I had a great ride and got in nearly 22 miles.

First organized ride

2006-04-27T22:17:00.000-04:00

I put my check in the mail for Issaqueena's Last Ride in Wallhalla. I am considering doing it fixed, only 8500' in climbing. I have had two people make comments about the descends, it should prove interesting.

Lunch Time Ride

2006-04-25T19:28:00.000-04:00

I was able to get back on the bike today. It's been over a week and it was nice. Last week my back was bothering me too much to ride. Sunday I felt good and was going to ride after church, but my wife tore some muscles in her back and you can't argue with a woman on all fours crying and in pain, so no ride for me. I worked while I ate today so I can spend my lunch hour on the bike. At 1:45 I rolled out of the back door of my office with the 15 mile route that takes me down the Canadian Mist Highway, so named for the thousands of CM bottles that litter the road. As I rolled out of the parking lot the twinge in my lower back made me think better of the route and I opted to do laps around the local university. It was hotter than I expected. I made it to the university's parking lot at the main entrance and waved at a campus cop. There was something going on at the amphitheater and he was just making sure everything was going smoothly. I turned down the one way street lined with parking watching for breaklights. I passed the new(relatively speaking)science building, then Old Main (the historical part of the University), and out in front of the main road. At the all way stop I practiced my trackstand on the Deathtrap(named by a guy at the LBS after he took it for a spin), looked both ways, and printed up the hill. As I reached the top I could smell the onion rings from The Dixie(best burger joint in town) and wondered why onion rings always smell better that they taste. As I ran out of steam I turn onto Janeway and stamp on the pedals. This road will work on your bike handling skills, the dips and bulges in the pavement are sometimes hard to see in the filtered light of old oaks. You also have to keep an eye on the cars parked on the side of the rode as you never know when a moment of inattention leaves you doing an endo over an opened car door. Near the end of Janeway I turn right on Gracemont and start to climb to the end. I pass my former boss' former home and shake my head at the USC flag out front. A month ago it was a Clemson flag. At the end of Gracemont there is a steep little climb with a stop sign at the top, another chance to practice my trackstand and I turn left down the hill. I climb up the other side and turn into the main entrance, it even has a bike lane, all 300 feet of it. I turn left and then left again into the parking lot to do it all again. In the end I get 12.78 miles in at 14.4 miles per hour. That's not fast, but this route never lets you hold on to any speed, too many turns. The ride is a psudointerval, all out then recover for a while. When I got back to the office I had work waiting for me, but I got in almost 13 miles, last time I only got 11.5.

One Gear No Coasting

2006-04-24T16:31:00.000-04:00

Someone asked recently what the advantages of a fixed gear are. Well, the main reason I ride a fixed gear bike is that it's a total blast. You get a real good feel for what your back wheel is doing and you can bleed off speed by placing a little back pressure on the pedals, which is awesome in a paceline. It also makes you stronger by getting used to just one gear, spin like hell to go faster, and mash like crazy to go up that hill. It can also improve your technique. For example; your climbing a hill and your too whipped to stand for the whole thing, so you slide back in the saddle, sit up straight, and push. This way you use more of the larger muscle groups. It also teaches you to spin, imagine going down a steep hill and you don't want to lose momentum, you have to keep up with the bike, so you spin(I've gotten up to 190 RPMs). Fixed gear bikes are good training tools. One of the members of my bike club made the under 23 U.S. team and will be training in Belgium this summer. His coach wants him to ride a fixed gear for training. If your feet are locked in with clipless pedals or a strap, toeclip, and cleat setup it can really help your pedaling technique, circles instead of squares. Last season on one of the Thursday night rides about 15 miles out I was spit off the back of the hammerheads paceline. I held on longer than I thought I would. It was the first time I rode my geared coastie bike. I settled in to a nice pace with a song from the goo goo dolls in my head, Boulevard of broken dreams I think. 7 or 8 miles later I started pulling in stragglers from the paceline. One by one they jumped on my wheel and before I knew it I was pulling about 6 or 7 guys back in, guys that dropped my like a bad habit a year before. As we crested the top of the last big hill I heard Andrew Douglas behind me say,"Does riding that fixed gear make you that strong?" I smiled and said, "Yes, it does."

85 Miles with Back Pain

2006-04-20T15:49:00.000-04:00

I called in to work today, can't make the drive my back is killing me. It started as a tightness on Sunday, Monday morning I had to drive to Columbia for work. Two hours one way in the vehicle made things so much worse. The last time I had this problem was the first Saturday last June. It was day one in the Tour de Cure and started with a drive to the start in Columbia. It was a tightness at first and progressed to pain. I rode with Natalie Britt, the executive director of the Palmetto Cycling Coalition, and her husband Ben. Ironically she had been working so hard to make life easier for other cyclist she had not been on the bike much all season. At the first rest stop I had some difficulty getting off the bike. After a quick stretch I felt a little better. I topped off my bottles and grabbed a snack. The three of us took off and Natalie was worried that they were slowing me down. After a few miles I thought I would stretch my legs and told Natalie and Ben that I would see them later. I dropped down in the aerobars on my fixed gear and to my total surprise found it to be the most comfortable position. I make it to the second rest stop, I believe the theme was "Margaritaville", I dismount to a screaming pain in my lower back. After I was able to stand erect, I attempted to stretch. I grabbed a chicken fajita and some M&Ms and whatever was handy. Too bad they didn't have margarittas. That was my favorite rest stop, the others seem a blur. As long as I was on the bike my back was fine, I even jumped on the back of a paceline doing 25mph or better for a while. I just couldn't spin that fast for any real length of time, with my gearing I think I would have to maintain 120rpms. I was spit off the back and found my own pace and settled in. I passed several people and was passed. As I made a left turn at a stop sign I hear behind me ,"Is that a fixed gear?". I say yes over my shoulder and never saw the guy again. At one point I get rained on but not for too long, just enough to get soaked. Later as I make a left turn in Georgetown a course official tells me four more miles to go. At mile two the rain starts again and doesn't stop. The rain brings out frogs, they are everywhere. I dodge some, and try not to run over their buddies who were squashed by cars. A couple of times I felt something strike my right foot, a frog with a poor sense of timing. I'm four miles in from the last turn and no finish in sight, it's raining, and traffic is not ideal. I wish I had a tail light instead of the reflective strips on my hydro pack. As I pull into the parking lot of the high school that serves as the finish the rain stops and the sun peeks out from behind the cloud. I don't remember the exact mileage, probably eighty-four and some change. I'll call it eighty-five and be done with it. I was wet and covered with frog guts, I needed a shower. After the shower I felt almost like a new man, at least I smelled like one. I put on my Hawaiian shirt and hopped on the shuttle to the party. Once there I got in line for the food, BBQ catered by Sticky Fingers. MMMMM arebequ(in a Homer Simpson voice)! It was good, could have eaten more, but had to save room for beer. I found a quiet corner by the pool to call the wife to let her know I finish the first day OK. As I was talking to her an attractive woman walks up with a necklace of plastic flower like stuff on a string and asks in a loud voice if I wanted to get laid, then quieter,"I hope that's not your wife". I was lucky the music was too loud and Adrienne didn't hear the proposal. I explained later and she was amused. Well after much drinking, eating, and a beauty contest with a guy with a shaved head in a hot pink bikini (don't ask). A few of us staying at the highschool gym took a bus back to get settled in for the night. I slept on the gym floor and worried about how my back would feel the next day. I woke up and it was fine, no pain at all. Not even a twinge. I could not, however, say the same for my butt.

COFFEE!!!

2006-04-18T21:04:00.000-04:00

One of my few vices, coffee. Not the best picture, but I think it shows well enough. I love strong coffee. Not Mac(insert fastfood joint here) has strong coffee, but walk into a coffee shop and get, "you want what?!" coffee. When I say I like strong coffee, I mean I like coffee dark, rich, and thick. Yes, I said thick. I like the feel of strong coffee like hot syrup. I like to roll it in my mouth before I swallow. I acquired the taste for strong coffee after my daughter was born. She was a colicky baby. We would put her down at 7:00, she would wake up at 10:00 and scream until 2:00am. I would get up at 4:00 and drive 96 miles in the dark. I would make a pot of coffee when I got in the office and dare anyone to touch it. The second pot I would share and the coffee started to get stronger and stronger. No one in my office likes me to make coffee. I did once and my supervisor had to go home to lay down, wuss. The coffee at my office is not coffee, it taste like they soaked a brown paperbag in warm water and squeezed the the nasty liquid into a cup. Add artificial sweetener, not the good stuff saccharine, and nondairy creamer, and viola........Shudder.....Cringe. I don't even like to think about it. That's why I bring my own. There was once this coffee shop in Greenwood located in an old church, I would get the French press for one. I would tell the person behind the counter the darkest roast you have, I was partial to one called scorned woman, make it as strong as humanly possible and when you think you will make it undrinkable and another scoop. The first time the young lady did as I asked and handed me the coffee press as if it was a bomb about to go off or a venomous snake ready to strike. "I think I made it too strong", she said with a slight cringe. I sat down worked the plunger and poured it into a glass mug. It was dark and thick. I took a sip as everyone at the table stared in disbelief. It was perfect. Russ Fitzgerald shook his head, chuckled, and said, " You need to ride a fixed gear, you have the personality for it." He was right.

Hanging out Hanging on

2006-04-17T17:52:00.000-04:00

My wife wanted me to hear a writing project for one of her classes, it was a story of her childhood. In the story she was ten and had been playing with her cousin, Tara, and Tara's friend Ande. They walk up on the neighborhood boys on a go-cart. The driver is attempting to throw the passenger off as they careen around a track. The girls want to give it a try. Ande's dad, Mr. Don says that if the girls want to hang out with the boys, then they need to play like the boys. Ande gets to go first and has an old football helmet none too gently placed on her head. She holds on for dear life and makes it intact. As Ande dismounts my wife, Adrienne, notices that Tara had the smarts to leave when everyone was distracted. Adrienne was not happy. She was forcibly placed on the passenger side of the go-cart and the dirty old helmet crammed on her head. She was so angry she forgot to hold on and was thrown from the go-cart on the first turn and got a busted lip and scraped stomach for her trouble. I laughed mentally, I have been married to this woman for nine years and can picture this perfectly in my head. I didn't laugh out loud because I know what happened to the unfortunates that did so way back when.