Jorma Kaukonen is THE main reason I got into acoustic blues. No and's if's or but's about it.
I was a huge fan of the Jefferson Airplane during elementary and junior high school. Mostly due to Jorma's lead guitar. I think, out of all the great guitarists that the 60's produced, Jorma's tone was the best. He is so under-rated, I could cry. When I discovered his band Hot Tuna, with the Airplane's Jack Cassidy on bass, I pretty much forgot about JA. Tuna could rock with the best, with long jams. But, their acoustic material is what turned me onto the blues. Jorma learned guitar from the Rev. Gary Davis, one of the best ever Piedmont Style blues guitarists. But, combined with his love for Robert Johnson and simply all manner of guitar playing, Jorma developed his own style. He is great.
Here is some acoustic instrumental blues.
Here is one of his compostiions from the early 1970's (video from around 1990), "Genesis."
Oh, I also love Jorma's voice. Great singer. Simply an awesome talent!!!
Not bad for a guy from Finland, that became a hippy!!!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Weekend update
First off, thank you Ralph, for claiming my Stratotone. Now, it'll just be a matter of getting it to you and cashing your check. I think he buys my guitars from me, because I have a knack of picking thru the bullshit and finding the good ones. As for my H-72.....after much thinking, I'm leaning towards selling it and my Traynor amp. But well see if that is the case after I play the Carson a while. If I sell the H-72, it will be via eBay, most likely, and won't be right away. I'll see if the Carson is "it."
Jake is staying home from school again today. This time, he seems to maybe have the flu. He had been running a fever, but now has a deep, wet cough. Poor little guy.
Saturday, we were crazy busy at the shop. Suprisingly, we had no same day Moonlight Ramble repairs. That was good, because I don't know how we would have managed to do them as well. Busy. It's a good thing. Also, I did this on very little sleep, as Jake kept us up all night.
Sunday, our dark brown house is no longer dark brown. It is now tan. We didn't have time to paint it, just the primer coat. If you've seen the house, you know it has lots of wooden slats. This, added to the fact that the wood has a natural, not sanded smooth look, made for a complete pain in the ass painting job. I don't paint. I hate it, I suck, I don't have the patience. I did some rolling on the easier surfaces, along with carting the boys over to grandmas and back, and picking up Dickey's BBQ for lunch. Amy and her brother Butch (who supplied the paint) did the bulk of the painting. If you need paint, Butch owns a Benjaman Moore store on Watson Road, on the Hill.
Jake is staying home from school again today. This time, he seems to maybe have the flu. He had been running a fever, but now has a deep, wet cough. Poor little guy.
Saturday, we were crazy busy at the shop. Suprisingly, we had no same day Moonlight Ramble repairs. That was good, because I don't know how we would have managed to do them as well. Busy. It's a good thing. Also, I did this on very little sleep, as Jake kept us up all night.
Sunday, our dark brown house is no longer dark brown. It is now tan. We didn't have time to paint it, just the primer coat. If you've seen the house, you know it has lots of wooden slats. This, added to the fact that the wood has a natural, not sanded smooth look, made for a complete pain in the ass painting job. I don't paint. I hate it, I suck, I don't have the patience. I did some rolling on the easier surfaces, along with carting the boys over to grandmas and back, and picking up Dickey's BBQ for lunch. Amy and her brother Butch (who supplied the paint) did the bulk of the painting. If you need paint, Butch owns a Benjaman Moore store on Watson Road, on the Hill.
Friday, August 28, 2009
G.A.S for the millionth time
MAYBE, this is the one.
If you have known me a while, you know I have gone thru hundreds of guitars. In fairly recent posts, I have spoken of my Guitar Aquisition Syndrome. Well, my Harmony Stratotone (aka Alden Tuxedo) will soon be on eBay, to make room for a new/old guitar!!!!
Recently, I tuned my Harmony H-72 to DADGAD for fun, to see how the material I wrote in that tuning would sound on a distorted electric. I liked it. On the Stratotone, which I have tuned in Open G, I've been playing a lot of non slide country blues.
After some thought, I know I'm not going to be playing out live anytime soon. Sorry Ralph, it just doesn't seem to be in the stars at the moment. My love for Michael Hedges, Robert Johnson, Rory Block, William Ackerman and simply, the acoustic guitar, has me wanting something cool and more importantly, old. I want a period piece from the Depression era. Something with solid wood. Something Gibson.
Gibsons from that era are expensive. Real expensive. Fortunately, for today's guitar players on a budget, Gibson, to stay alive during the Depression, they built less expensive guitars and sold thru cataloges like Montgomery Wards. Mainly, they were the same guitars as that era's Gibsons, but they weren't as fancy looking, had different top bracing and no truss rods with fatter necks. The most known brand name is Kalamazoo. Robert Johnson is know to have played these guitars. I found one of these guitars under the name "Carson J. Robison," and it was made in 1933. Essentially, it is the exact same guitar as a Gibson L-0 or a Kalamazoo KG-11.
This is a photo of the actual guitar I purchased...
No guitar from this era is pristine and this is not an exception. Has repaired cracks, etc. But, this guitar was at a bargain price. Normally, it still would be well over the thousand dollar mark, but this one had a neck reset, that was done sort of funky. It doesn't affect the guitar, but the person that did it inserted a bolt/nut and washer and replaced the neck's heel. It's a "player's guitar" not a museum piece. I certainly plan on playing it!!!! Who knows, maybe now I can finally get Robert Johnson's and other's tone!!! The guitar is solid mohagony, with rosewood fretboard and bridge. The tuners have also been replaced. But, this guitar is QUALITY. Hopefully, since I play mostly fingerstyle guitar, which this is perfect for, this will be the guitar I've always been searching for. I can't wait until it arrives mid next week!!!
As I mentioned, my Stratotone is going to go. Do I need an electric? I mainly play at home for pleasure and don't really need to be amplified. The H-72 is a blast to play and sounds incredible. But, do I really need it? Who knows.
If you have known me a while, you know I have gone thru hundreds of guitars. In fairly recent posts, I have spoken of my Guitar Aquisition Syndrome. Well, my Harmony Stratotone (aka Alden Tuxedo) will soon be on eBay, to make room for a new/old guitar!!!!
Recently, I tuned my Harmony H-72 to DADGAD for fun, to see how the material I wrote in that tuning would sound on a distorted electric. I liked it. On the Stratotone, which I have tuned in Open G, I've been playing a lot of non slide country blues.
After some thought, I know I'm not going to be playing out live anytime soon. Sorry Ralph, it just doesn't seem to be in the stars at the moment. My love for Michael Hedges, Robert Johnson, Rory Block, William Ackerman and simply, the acoustic guitar, has me wanting something cool and more importantly, old. I want a period piece from the Depression era. Something with solid wood. Something Gibson.
Gibsons from that era are expensive. Real expensive. Fortunately, for today's guitar players on a budget, Gibson, to stay alive during the Depression, they built less expensive guitars and sold thru cataloges like Montgomery Wards. Mainly, they were the same guitars as that era's Gibsons, but they weren't as fancy looking, had different top bracing and no truss rods with fatter necks. The most known brand name is Kalamazoo. Robert Johnson is know to have played these guitars. I found one of these guitars under the name "Carson J. Robison," and it was made in 1933. Essentially, it is the exact same guitar as a Gibson L-0 or a Kalamazoo KG-11.
This is a photo of the actual guitar I purchased...
No guitar from this era is pristine and this is not an exception. Has repaired cracks, etc. But, this guitar was at a bargain price. Normally, it still would be well over the thousand dollar mark, but this one had a neck reset, that was done sort of funky. It doesn't affect the guitar, but the person that did it inserted a bolt/nut and washer and replaced the neck's heel. It's a "player's guitar" not a museum piece. I certainly plan on playing it!!!! Who knows, maybe now I can finally get Robert Johnson's and other's tone!!! The guitar is solid mohagony, with rosewood fretboard and bridge. The tuners have also been replaced. But, this guitar is QUALITY. Hopefully, since I play mostly fingerstyle guitar, which this is perfect for, this will be the guitar I've always been searching for. I can't wait until it arrives mid next week!!!
As I mentioned, my Stratotone is going to go. Do I need an electric? I mainly play at home for pleasure and don't really need to be amplified. The H-72 is a blast to play and sounds incredible. But, do I really need it? Who knows.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The 'Oo
The Who are about my favorite band ever. God I loved these guys. I've been listening to Pete Townsend solo lately. His music is different from that of The Who. More reflective, more personal. I was fortunate enough to see them several times. 1980 and 82 at the Arena/Checkerdome and 89 at Busch Stadium. The 89 show was a total suprise and shock for me. At first, I wasn't going, nor had any intention of going. I was an all out hippie Dead Head, with a drug habit to match. Eric's brother Pat and his girlfriend broke up the day of the show and offered us their 10th row floor tickets. Heck yeah, we'll take them, espicially, since he gave them to us for free. Why not go? At least it would be some good free entertainment.
On this tour, Pete, Roger and John were joined by Pete's solo touring band, which had a horn section, two drummers, a percussion section, backup girl singers and another guitarist.
What followed was one of the most Amazing Journies (pun intended) I took in concert. I can't remember what all I consumed for the show, but it certainly was hard and a lot, considering my problems back then. They opened with the entire first side of the Tommy album, then a 'greatest hits' of the rest of Tommy. ALL the classic songs you could ever want from the rest of their career were also played. They played for around THREE AND A HALF HOURS! This was a way longer show than I expected from them. I think both of the previous shows combined may have been 3.5 hours long!!! Also, Pete's solo carrer was touched on. I about flipped out when they went into this totally rocking "Rough Boys." "Face to Face" and "Let my Love Open the Door" were also played.
From a London show of the same year. A lot more subduded than the Busch Stadium show, which was an all out rock and roll extravaganza. Maybe it had to do with being in a small theatre in London, verses a huge stadium and 80,000 people. Maybe it was that I was maybe 25 feet away out of my mind, but this ROCKED!!!!!
I remember the floor of the stadium was completely shaking, due to everyone dancing. They had plywood laid down over the grass, covered in a tarp. I guess this made a sort of springboard. I remember dancing like a maniac with some girl who had a seat near us in the aisle. Well, I was a fueled maniac at the time.
God bless Pete and The 'Oo!!!! Thank you for one of my most memorable concert experiences. Rough Boys is a song that whenever I hear it, gets CRANKED!!!! Ben sits in the back of the car and thrashes his head to it as well!!!!!
On this tour, Pete, Roger and John were joined by Pete's solo touring band, which had a horn section, two drummers, a percussion section, backup girl singers and another guitarist.
What followed was one of the most Amazing Journies (pun intended) I took in concert. I can't remember what all I consumed for the show, but it certainly was hard and a lot, considering my problems back then. They opened with the entire first side of the Tommy album, then a 'greatest hits' of the rest of Tommy. ALL the classic songs you could ever want from the rest of their career were also played. They played for around THREE AND A HALF HOURS! This was a way longer show than I expected from them. I think both of the previous shows combined may have been 3.5 hours long!!! Also, Pete's solo carrer was touched on. I about flipped out when they went into this totally rocking "Rough Boys." "Face to Face" and "Let my Love Open the Door" were also played.
From a London show of the same year. A lot more subduded than the Busch Stadium show, which was an all out rock and roll extravaganza. Maybe it had to do with being in a small theatre in London, verses a huge stadium and 80,000 people. Maybe it was that I was maybe 25 feet away out of my mind, but this ROCKED!!!!!
I remember the floor of the stadium was completely shaking, due to everyone dancing. They had plywood laid down over the grass, covered in a tarp. I guess this made a sort of springboard. I remember dancing like a maniac with some girl who had a seat near us in the aisle. Well, I was a fueled maniac at the time.
God bless Pete and The 'Oo!!!! Thank you for one of my most memorable concert experiences. Rough Boys is a song that whenever I hear it, gets CRANKED!!!! Ben sits in the back of the car and thrashes his head to it as well!!!!!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Two-a-days
Today is my first two-a-day riding. I'm trying to get that program I spoke of the other day going. Haven't done any situps, no suprise. Monday, I met with Laurie to sell her some Tibetan crystals, Tuesday, Jake was sick. Thus, today was the first morning for myself.
I knew I had a grand total of 2.5 hours to get home, change into bike stuff, ride, shower, eat and get back to school to pick the guys up. Today, my ride was about an hour. Future rides of this route, will have some added distance, now knowing I can ride up to about 1.5 hours, in my alloted time space. The route went down Smitzer, to Valley Park/Hillsboro Rd, left at the power substation, to 30, to Sugar Creek/Old Gravois, to Hawkins and back home. 3 big hills. Hillsboro Roads, is long and a steady grunt, espicially with my gearing/fitness level. The steep hill behind K-Mart in High Ridge hurt. It's not long, but I think it hits a 17% grade. I was zig zagging up, but I made it. Old Gravois/Hawkins is longish, and after the turn onto Hawkins, fairly steep. I just took my time, not wanting to blow up. This will be a good route for me. I can get a really serious workout, in not much time. As mentioned, in the future, I'll add some distance to this. I'll skip the Gravois/Hawkins hill, stay on 30, cross the river to the holy roller church, make a right and take the Old Gravois bridge back thru old town Fenton.
For my next ride, it'll just be my commute to/fro work. But, I'll spin, spin, spin.
I knew I had a grand total of 2.5 hours to get home, change into bike stuff, ride, shower, eat and get back to school to pick the guys up. Today, my ride was about an hour. Future rides of this route, will have some added distance, now knowing I can ride up to about 1.5 hours, in my alloted time space. The route went down Smitzer, to Valley Park/Hillsboro Rd, left at the power substation, to 30, to Sugar Creek/Old Gravois, to Hawkins and back home. 3 big hills. Hillsboro Roads, is long and a steady grunt, espicially with my gearing/fitness level. The steep hill behind K-Mart in High Ridge hurt. It's not long, but I think it hits a 17% grade. I was zig zagging up, but I made it. Old Gravois/Hawkins is longish, and after the turn onto Hawkins, fairly steep. I just took my time, not wanting to blow up. This will be a good route for me. I can get a really serious workout, in not much time. As mentioned, in the future, I'll add some distance to this. I'll skip the Gravois/Hawkins hill, stay on 30, cross the river to the holy roller church, make a right and take the Old Gravois bridge back thru old town Fenton.
For my next ride, it'll just be my commute to/fro work. But, I'll spin, spin, spin.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
All About Evil
Well alrighty then. It appears that Natasha Lyonne has just filmed what could be her comeback movie. Sounds interesting. She is a mousy librarian who inherits an old movie theatre, which is famous for showing horror/gore movies. When she runs out of movies to show, she discovers her inner-mass murderer and films short movies of her exploits, which the fans love. But, they don't realize that the all too real movies are real. Comes out in 2010. Also has horror/cult actress Elvira (Mistress of the Dark) in it.
Monday, August 24, 2009
JRA
In the bike world, JRA stands for Just Riding Along, as in "I was just riding along and..." We had a good one come in tonight. Teenage boy and his mom and his mangled bike. "I was just riding along and squeezed my front brake lightly and this happened." The bike's front wheel was destroyed, complete taco. It was one of the best we ever saw. So, Chuck got the story up front, which I overheard, then brought it back for me to enjoy. "OH MY GOD!!! WHAT DID YOU DO? Did you hit something or did you land wrong after a jump?" I said. I got the JRA story again. Mom wanted to know if the story was actually possible. "No. You see, brakes apply even pressure to both sides of the wheel at the same time. Also, there is only what, an inch or two of space between the fork legs?" She said, "excuse us" and they walked outside. We got a great floor show thru the windows. Arms flying, tears, fear. She gave him a complete lambasting!!! Bike cost $250. The repair $125 +/- (there were some other issues with the bike too). Watching all of this priceless.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
The Program
Ok. I've been back on the bike for a month or so now. I'm feeling better in the legs. Now, it's time to get back into better shape.
The boys attend school in the mornings (Jake's off Friday). This will give me some time in the morning to ride. I can get 20-25 miles in, shower and then pick them up. I'm sure I won't ride everyday. I'm going to start doing yoga again, not sure why I stopped, but when I started riding, yoga ended. Not anymore. Also, I want to lose my gut. This means the simple, time proven, method that I hate more than about anything this side of running...situps. Lots of situps.
I also named my bike today. I usually name them and it's always a woman's name. The bike is in British Racing Green, which is a deep emerald, so an Irish name would have to be it. I'm Irish, so the name would work. Problem was, I couldn't think of an Irish woman's name that was right. After dinner tonight, I rode 20 miles. The name came to me. In the movie, "But I'm a Cheerleader," Natasha Lyonne plays Megan. BINGO!!! You can't get more Irish than Megan! The movie is my current favorite, so it will stick. Megan. My bike's name is Megan.
In honor, here's a short clip from "Cheerleader"......
Megan is just realizing that she's a lesbian and falling for Graham. She falls asleep and has this fantasy. Then she wakes up. At the camp, they give the girls these electric shock devices, that they are supposed to zap themselves with when they have erotic thoughts about women. After she wakes, she picks it up. But, instead of zapping herself with it, she walks out of the room, leans up against the wall and masturbates, looking back into the room at Graham.
Damn! What a movie!!!
The boys attend school in the mornings (Jake's off Friday). This will give me some time in the morning to ride. I can get 20-25 miles in, shower and then pick them up. I'm sure I won't ride everyday. I'm going to start doing yoga again, not sure why I stopped, but when I started riding, yoga ended. Not anymore. Also, I want to lose my gut. This means the simple, time proven, method that I hate more than about anything this side of running...situps. Lots of situps.
I also named my bike today. I usually name them and it's always a woman's name. The bike is in British Racing Green, which is a deep emerald, so an Irish name would have to be it. I'm Irish, so the name would work. Problem was, I couldn't think of an Irish woman's name that was right. After dinner tonight, I rode 20 miles. The name came to me. In the movie, "But I'm a Cheerleader," Natasha Lyonne plays Megan. BINGO!!! You can't get more Irish than Megan! The movie is my current favorite, so it will stick. Megan. My bike's name is Megan.
In honor, here's a short clip from "Cheerleader"......
Megan is just realizing that she's a lesbian and falling for Graham. She falls asleep and has this fantasy. Then she wakes up. At the camp, they give the girls these electric shock devices, that they are supposed to zap themselves with when they have erotic thoughts about women. After she wakes, she picks it up. But, instead of zapping herself with it, she walks out of the room, leans up against the wall and masturbates, looking back into the room at Graham.
Damn! What a movie!!!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Burr...
Rode home in the rain last night. It was cold and I was in a headwind the whole way. But, it was in it's own odd way, fun.
I heard from a little bird that someone whom I really don't like got caught cheating on his wife and kicked out of the house. Normally, I wouldn't be happy about something like that. But, in this case, I'll make an exception. This dork has made me and some other close friends' lives miserable. I guess God saw that, and took his revenge. I do wish well for his wife and kids, the innocent victims.
I just don't understand cheating. The 'till death do us part' means just that. It's never entered my mind. I just don't get it.
I heard from a little bird that someone whom I really don't like got caught cheating on his wife and kicked out of the house. Normally, I wouldn't be happy about something like that. But, in this case, I'll make an exception. This dork has made me and some other close friends' lives miserable. I guess God saw that, and took his revenge. I do wish well for his wife and kids, the innocent victims.
I just don't understand cheating. The 'till death do us part' means just that. It's never entered my mind. I just don't get it.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Humbling
So, I have been feeling pretty good about my retruning back to bikes. I've been feeling stronger each time I took to the streets. Then, I rode today. I know one shouldn't really hit hills until many miles are in the legs. But, there are lots of hills around here and they were calling my name.
I rode for only 45 minutes, but it hurt. 7 hills which all required my getting out of the saddle. For those of you that know me, I'm a big gear masher. I hate standing on hills. I'd rather sit and grind it out. Well, I'm older, not in shape and had to stand. Sure, a 42x15 isn't a climbing gear, but I have done all of these easily in a 48x18 before. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. It's been about 2.5 hours ago and I've recovered and feel pretty good.
Had KFC for dinner. Best fast food chicken out there. Qualifies as 'soul food,' in my book!.
I rode for only 45 minutes, but it hurt. 7 hills which all required my getting out of the saddle. For those of you that know me, I'm a big gear masher. I hate standing on hills. I'd rather sit and grind it out. Well, I'm older, not in shape and had to stand. Sure, a 42x15 isn't a climbing gear, but I have done all of these easily in a 48x18 before. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. It's been about 2.5 hours ago and I've recovered and feel pretty good.
Had KFC for dinner. Best fast food chicken out there. Qualifies as 'soul food,' in my book!.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Stones
Ok, crystal people...I had a shipment of Tibetan Quartzes arrive today!!! Laurie will have first crack at them. After that, I'll begin listing them on my site. Also, I should be starting to list LOTS of Arkansas quartz, etc on my eBay auctions next week or so also!!!!
First Day of School
Yesterday was both Ben's and Jake's first day of school. Both seemed to handle it well and good notes were sent home by their teachers. New experiences for both of them, will have them turning into little men in no time! Speaking of which, Ben met this girl before class. She took him by the hand and they went for a walk around the side of the building. Curious, I walked to see what they were doing. All I saw was his back and her hand on the back of his head, with her fingers running thru his hair!!!! Holy crap Batman!!! Were they kissing? He's 5 and following his dad's footsteps. I had my first kiss in kindergarten too.
Yesterday was also, due to not wanting to on Sunday and rain on Monday, the first day I rode my bike since Saturday. Last night was the first evening where it was really dark riding home.
We got a DVD of "But I'm a Cheerleader." After watching it again and Amy and I agreed that we liked Natasha Leyonne's acting, we Googled her. We discovered that she was a complete trainwreck and made all the recent actresses gone wild (Lohan, Spears, etc.) look like rank amatures, in terms of "Keith Richardsness." Natasha was arrested a few times and ultimately found living on the streets of New York, had a stay in Belleview Hospital, was living with a collapsed lung, heart disease, hepatitus c and a nasty heroin addiction, with tracks "all over her body." What a shame. She had great tallent, from what we saw. The doctors gave her steroids, to heal her organs, which had her gain a LOT of weight. Photos had her very large. Last night, I found an interview with her from this year. She lost the weight, has been sober for 3 years now and is attempting an acting comeback.
Natasha, I hope all goes well for you and you resist the temptaion to fall back in with the wrong crowd.
Natasha, looking healthy again.
Yesterday was also, due to not wanting to on Sunday and rain on Monday, the first day I rode my bike since Saturday. Last night was the first evening where it was really dark riding home.
We got a DVD of "But I'm a Cheerleader." After watching it again and Amy and I agreed that we liked Natasha Leyonne's acting, we Googled her. We discovered that she was a complete trainwreck and made all the recent actresses gone wild (Lohan, Spears, etc.) look like rank amatures, in terms of "Keith Richardsness." Natasha was arrested a few times and ultimately found living on the streets of New York, had a stay in Belleview Hospital, was living with a collapsed lung, heart disease, hepatitus c and a nasty heroin addiction, with tracks "all over her body." What a shame. She had great tallent, from what we saw. The doctors gave her steroids, to heal her organs, which had her gain a LOT of weight. Photos had her very large. Last night, I found an interview with her from this year. She lost the weight, has been sober for 3 years now and is attempting an acting comeback.
Natasha, I hope all goes well for you and you resist the temptaion to fall back in with the wrong crowd.
Natasha, looking healthy again.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
On the seventh day, He rested.
Sunday, my day off. No longer a cyclist "training" for some event, but one that just enjoys riding his bike, I can afford myself days off the bike. I just didn't feel like riding and it simply didn't bother me. Instead, I slept in. We all went for good times at Fun Town. Ski ball, bee ball and spider stomping were the games of the day. Tickets got Ben his little treasure trove of cheep crap. But, it's HIS load of wonderful things. It's all in the eye of the beholder. The guys had fun and we spent quality family time together.
This week they both start attending school. Ben, kindergarten and Jake his special needs pre-school. Growing up before our eyes.
This week they both start attending school. Ben, kindergarten and Jake his special needs pre-school. Growing up before our eyes.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Days of Old #3
Not sure why this popped into my memory, but it did. It happened quite a while back, but it's still very funny.
I was riding at Clydesdale Park, with Jim Klages. We were doing some cyclocross practicing. Dis and remounts, getting used to cornering on non paved ground and the like. At the end, as we were both about to go our seperate ways, Jim said, "Wait, I want to try something first." Then rode back into the field to do something. But his plan was thwarted as his wheel fell into a leaf covered hole and he did a total endo! Instead of my asking if he was okay, I about fell off my bike laughing. He went to try something and he succeded.
Maybe you had to be there, but I was. It was funny.
I was riding at Clydesdale Park, with Jim Klages. We were doing some cyclocross practicing. Dis and remounts, getting used to cornering on non paved ground and the like. At the end, as we were both about to go our seperate ways, Jim said, "Wait, I want to try something first." Then rode back into the field to do something. But his plan was thwarted as his wheel fell into a leaf covered hole and he did a total endo! Instead of my asking if he was okay, I about fell off my bike laughing. He went to try something and he succeded.
Maybe you had to be there, but I was. It was funny.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Les Paul, R.I.P.
Les Paul died today at 94. Michael Jackson's death means nothing, when compared to Les'.
A short clip of the genius
A short clip of the genius
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Good and Bad
Good. Chuck is starting to commute via bike to work. My doing it and egging him on, got him to start. Another human powered commuter! Less cars, more excersize.
Bad. I've been posting on stlbiking's message board again and letting frank opinions fly. I won't post about this on that board, but since this one is mine, I will. There is a super-cool "racer," who I will call Big Head (BH). He took offense to my comments about racers training on bike paths, and my calling them "pathletes." He also took offense to my bringing up the broomstick incident and I didn't even mention his name in that post. Now, BH is emailing me. In one he said "until you start racing and training again, you should keep your comments to yourself on the board." and even somewhat challenged me to some odd sort of bike race competition. BH is a tool, a douche, pack fodder.
I wrote back and told him off. I told him a lot of things I haven't said before. Many of you know that due to my back, I'm rather messed up, but not the full extent of it. I now have a permanent limp, numbness in my left hip, thigh and shin and have pain not always, but a good bit of the time. Everyone in the bike world knows me as being a nice guy, but also for sometimes being a complete prick. The prick was me in pain folks. BH is now challenging me to show him how good I am on a bike. DUDE!!! I ride for fun. I don't go hard, because pain starts when I do. I like riding for pleasure and enjoyment. Your wanting to prove how much better you are than me on a bike, shows what a complete douche you are. "Stop resting on your past trophies and medals and show me what you got" were your words. BH, at least I have medals and trophies. You just are only famous for having a kid on a short bus hit you with a broomstick. A big FU to you BH. Yes BH, you are a better cyclist than me, someone that lives in pain. Pat yourself on the back, you are so cool.
Ok, to lighten this post up a bit, here's a clip from "But I'm a Cheerleader," which I told you about in my last post. This is the scene where Megan's boyfriend is trying to get all frisky, but she's disinterested, daydreaming about her fellow cheerleaders. Yet, she hadn't realized that she was a lesbian at this point.
Bad. I've been posting on stlbiking's message board again and letting frank opinions fly. I won't post about this on that board, but since this one is mine, I will. There is a super-cool "racer," who I will call Big Head (BH). He took offense to my comments about racers training on bike paths, and my calling them "pathletes." He also took offense to my bringing up the broomstick incident and I didn't even mention his name in that post. Now, BH is emailing me. In one he said "until you start racing and training again, you should keep your comments to yourself on the board." and even somewhat challenged me to some odd sort of bike race competition. BH is a tool, a douche, pack fodder.
I wrote back and told him off. I told him a lot of things I haven't said before. Many of you know that due to my back, I'm rather messed up, but not the full extent of it. I now have a permanent limp, numbness in my left hip, thigh and shin and have pain not always, but a good bit of the time. Everyone in the bike world knows me as being a nice guy, but also for sometimes being a complete prick. The prick was me in pain folks. BH is now challenging me to show him how good I am on a bike. DUDE!!! I ride for fun. I don't go hard, because pain starts when I do. I like riding for pleasure and enjoyment. Your wanting to prove how much better you are than me on a bike, shows what a complete douche you are. "Stop resting on your past trophies and medals and show me what you got" were your words. BH, at least I have medals and trophies. You just are only famous for having a kid on a short bus hit you with a broomstick. A big FU to you BH. Yes BH, you are a better cyclist than me, someone that lives in pain. Pat yourself on the back, you are so cool.
Ok, to lighten this post up a bit, here's a clip from "But I'm a Cheerleader," which I told you about in my last post. This is the scene where Megan's boyfriend is trying to get all frisky, but she's disinterested, daydreaming about her fellow cheerleaders. Yet, she hadn't realized that she was a lesbian at this point.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Couch potato
In reality, the my ride yesterday was more taxing then I realized at first. I started realizing this when I laid on the couch watching Jaws for the millionth time. The longest rides I've done since my return to the bike after about 2 years, were in the 25 mile range. I added 50% of that to my ride yesterday and on little food and in the heat, which I'm not acclimated to yet. Yeah, I see why it did more to me than I thought.
After Jaws, I came across "But, I'm a Cheerleader." It struck me as funny and being too lazy or tired to get the remote, I continued watching it. I even watched it AGAIN last night, with Amy. Basically, it's the story of Megan. She is a cheerleader, who enjoys group hugs with her fellow cheerleaders a little too much. At the start, is a scene where her boyfriend, the schools quarterback, is trying to make out with her. She's just open mouthed, staring off into space as his tounge is going crazy. Meanwhile, they show what's going on in her mind...cheerleaders jumping around! Then there is her locker at school, with photos of women in bikinis. Her family and friends hold an intervention, thinking she is a lesbian and they send her off to a 4 month 'straight camp.' There she realizes that she is indeed a lesbian and falls in love with Graham another girl at the camp. The story falls into the "girl meets girl, doesn't want girl, starts to like girl, they make out, girl can't have girl, girl fights to get girl..." you get the idea. The guys at the camp are hillarous sissy mary's!!!! It's acutally an amusing movie, even Amy thought so. Then again, maybe it was being tired with Katy Trail dust in my lungs.
Here's a trailer for it.
Best movie ever? Hardly, but if it's on and you have NOTHING better to watch or do, give it a shot.
After Jaws, I came across "But, I'm a Cheerleader." It struck me as funny and being too lazy or tired to get the remote, I continued watching it. I even watched it AGAIN last night, with Amy. Basically, it's the story of Megan. She is a cheerleader, who enjoys group hugs with her fellow cheerleaders a little too much. At the start, is a scene where her boyfriend, the schools quarterback, is trying to make out with her. She's just open mouthed, staring off into space as his tounge is going crazy. Meanwhile, they show what's going on in her mind...cheerleaders jumping around! Then there is her locker at school, with photos of women in bikinis. Her family and friends hold an intervention, thinking she is a lesbian and they send her off to a 4 month 'straight camp.' There she realizes that she is indeed a lesbian and falls in love with Graham another girl at the camp. The story falls into the "girl meets girl, doesn't want girl, starts to like girl, they make out, girl can't have girl, girl fights to get girl..." you get the idea. The guys at the camp are hillarous sissy mary's!!!! It's acutally an amusing movie, even Amy thought so. Then again, maybe it was being tired with Katy Trail dust in my lungs.
Here's a trailer for it.
Best movie ever? Hardly, but if it's on and you have NOTHING better to watch or do, give it a shot.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Katy did me alright!
So, I rode the Katy Trail today. Thanks to Craig Farrel for the spot on directions there, from Creve Coeur Lake's Boathouse resturant. I got up early and set off. My first impression of the newly reconstructed area of Creve Coeur Lake was one of disbelief!!! Originally, I was opposed to the Page Avenue extention as it likely was going to destroy the lake, park and surrounding area. Not so! I was really impressed with the beauty of the area and seemingly endless bike/multiuse paths. Also, the bridge over the Missouri River has a safe area to cross, seperate from cars. Once on the other side, there is a hill that leads down some switchbacks to the Katy. Honestly, I was a little worried about the hill on the way back, given my gearing. I then proceded to ride a little past Weldon Springs, where I turned around. My plan for today was 60 kilometers (37.xx miles). I ate a quick jelly sandwich, since I hadn't eaten yet and knew I needed fuel. On the way back I rode over a 4 foot black snake, sorry, I didn't see you, as I was checking out the view of the river. I also had to slow down for a deer, that wouldn't get out of the way! Guess it was used to people. Then, there was the hill. My worries were unnecessary, as it wasn't bad. I stood twice, mainly to keep my momentum at the same rate. Then back to the car.
I saw well over 100 cyclists today, easy. I saw Jim Varney and his sidekick Dennis. I was a bit shocked at him riding on the Katy with his Pinarello Prince. Actually, I'm shocked anyone takes high end road bikes on it at all and I saw many on it today. The dust destroys cables, shifters and derailleurs.
My bike did well. The tires gave me cushion over the rough bits. The gearing had me steadily rolling along at a pace I could have kept up all day. When I got home, I lightly hosed the frame down and wiped the remaining dust from the frame and wheels. The chain I cleaned. I've seen Katy dust turn to concrete on bikes and destry them. Not my bike!!!!
I see myself doing this more than I though I would have. Perhaps once a month or so. In years past, when I was a 'racer,' I wouldn't be caught dead on the Katy, except for maybe on a cyclocross bike in the winter. Today, I also did another 'racer' sin, I rode with a CamelBak!!!! I'm super glad I had it. It was stupid hot, by the time I started heading back to the car on my return trip. I drank all of it's contents, plus one water bottle.
As for my jersey, yes, it was wool and yes, it kept me suprisingly cool. Wool rules people.
I saw well over 100 cyclists today, easy. I saw Jim Varney and his sidekick Dennis. I was a bit shocked at him riding on the Katy with his Pinarello Prince. Actually, I'm shocked anyone takes high end road bikes on it at all and I saw many on it today. The dust destroys cables, shifters and derailleurs.
My bike did well. The tires gave me cushion over the rough bits. The gearing had me steadily rolling along at a pace I could have kept up all day. When I got home, I lightly hosed the frame down and wiped the remaining dust from the frame and wheels. The chain I cleaned. I've seen Katy dust turn to concrete on bikes and destry them. Not my bike!!!!
I see myself doing this more than I though I would have. Perhaps once a month or so. In years past, when I was a 'racer,' I wouldn't be caught dead on the Katy, except for maybe on a cyclocross bike in the winter. Today, I also did another 'racer' sin, I rode with a CamelBak!!!! I'm super glad I had it. It was stupid hot, by the time I started heading back to the car on my return trip. I drank all of it's contents, plus one water bottle.
As for my jersey, yes, it was wool and yes, it kept me suprisingly cool. Wool rules people.
Friday, August 7, 2009
A day off
In more ways than one, yesterday was a day off for me. I was off from work and I didn't ride either.
I stayed home with the boys and played guitar and surfed the net. Yes, I played with them as well. Normally on Thursdays (my normal day off), I go for a 15-20 mile ride when Amy gets home. She had a doctor's appointment, so I gave myself the choice of, after she got home, either going for a ride, or fishing with Ben. Since she brought home pizza for dinner, it sealed the deal, fishing. We went to our normal fishing hole at Fabick Conservation area and tried out the frogs I bought Monday at Bass Pro. Despite having a few strong strikes, I didn't catch anything, nor did Ben. In fact, nobody at the lake caught anything from what I saw (there were 5 or 6 others there). Just one of those days. But as the saying goes, a bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work.
Hmm...whoever started that saying, must not have worked in a bike shop. I really love what I do. Even working on some trashed out Magna, with completely waisted cables, that the owner won't let you replace, despite their wanting it better than new, is a good thing. The only thing that hacks me off in the bike world is 15 minutes to closing, some 'racer' comes in needing some repair, that will take longer than 15 minutes. It's always for "the big race" the next morning and they always have some excuse about why they couldn't make it in earlier.
Usually goes like, "I went to a barbecue today and had a wonderful time and just couldn't take myself away from it to get in earlier. Besides, the repair should only take you 5 minutes."
"But you have 4 broken spokes and you really need new cables and brake pads."
"You mean you want me to leave it? I have the big race tomorrow!"
"You could have brought it in earlier."
"But I was having fun! Can't you stay open longer and take time out of your personal life to work on my bike for me? I know you probally have plans with your family that are really important to you, but I've been training and reaching a "peak" for this race. Certainly you can see why I am more important than you."
"Actually, I do have plans. It's my son's birthday and my house will be full of people for his party, starting anytime now. I am needed there, so I can barbecue for them and get everything ready."
"But, what about ME and MY RACE?"
Not that this exact conversation has happened to me, but similar conversations have. I know it happens at all shops that cater to the racer crowd. I am really glad I am now at a shop that caters to recreation and enthusiasts!!!!
I stayed home with the boys and played guitar and surfed the net. Yes, I played with them as well. Normally on Thursdays (my normal day off), I go for a 15-20 mile ride when Amy gets home. She had a doctor's appointment, so I gave myself the choice of, after she got home, either going for a ride, or fishing with Ben. Since she brought home pizza for dinner, it sealed the deal, fishing. We went to our normal fishing hole at Fabick Conservation area and tried out the frogs I bought Monday at Bass Pro. Despite having a few strong strikes, I didn't catch anything, nor did Ben. In fact, nobody at the lake caught anything from what I saw (there were 5 or 6 others there). Just one of those days. But as the saying goes, a bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work.
Hmm...whoever started that saying, must not have worked in a bike shop. I really love what I do. Even working on some trashed out Magna, with completely waisted cables, that the owner won't let you replace, despite their wanting it better than new, is a good thing. The only thing that hacks me off in the bike world is 15 minutes to closing, some 'racer' comes in needing some repair, that will take longer than 15 minutes. It's always for "the big race" the next morning and they always have some excuse about why they couldn't make it in earlier.
Usually goes like, "I went to a barbecue today and had a wonderful time and just couldn't take myself away from it to get in earlier. Besides, the repair should only take you 5 minutes."
"But you have 4 broken spokes and you really need new cables and brake pads."
"You mean you want me to leave it? I have the big race tomorrow!"
"You could have brought it in earlier."
"But I was having fun! Can't you stay open longer and take time out of your personal life to work on my bike for me? I know you probally have plans with your family that are really important to you, but I've been training and reaching a "peak" for this race. Certainly you can see why I am more important than you."
"Actually, I do have plans. It's my son's birthday and my house will be full of people for his party, starting anytime now. I am needed there, so I can barbecue for them and get everything ready."
"But, what about ME and MY RACE?"
Not that this exact conversation has happened to me, but similar conversations have. I know it happens at all shops that cater to the racer crowd. I am really glad I am now at a shop that caters to recreation and enthusiasts!!!!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
This blog needs a visual!!!!
Hmmm.........haven't posted any photos or viedos on here for a while. To rectify and sactify, here's some Hound Dog Taylor for 'ya!!!!
I'm off today. Not sure if when Amy gets home if I'll ride my bike or go fishing with Ben. Likely fishing. After all, I just bought them thar frogs the other day. Certainly, I'll play a bunch of guitar. In a little while, I'll take my amp out back and rock out, while the boys play. Blues in the sunshine!
I'm off today. Not sure if when Amy gets home if I'll ride my bike or go fishing with Ben. Likely fishing. After all, I just bought them thar frogs the other day. Certainly, I'll play a bunch of guitar. In a little while, I'll take my amp out back and rock out, while the boys play. Blues in the sunshine!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Days of Old (Installment #2)
This is my second of my installment series. Not sure where "Installment" came from. From now on, it'll be "Days of Old."
Lately, I've been thinking of doing a brevet and thus, thinking of long rides, specificially long rides I did in the past. I have many memorable ones of 80 or so miles. Today, I'll tell you about what my memory is telling me is my longest day in the saddle, which is longer than the 200k I'm aiming to do early next year.
It was 1993. I rode a lot with Brian Dyer. We did lots of mountain biking and long road rides, of the 60-80 mile range. A natural thing for us was to do an organized century. We started talking about it and Kevin Ptasienski and Scott Stiener said they would like to join us. The ride was the "Flat as a Pancake Century," which was around Lake Cralisle, Illinois and while there was lots of flat as a pancake, there was also some good rolling hills too. Bryan drove us all over. When we went to get Scott, he was still sleeping! Turns out, he was drinking all night and only got home at 3am, it was now 5 or so. We were going to leave him, but he insisted on coming, so we let him. Then, he pulled out his mountain bike, with slicks. We looked at eachother. We were shooting to average 20mph and do rotating shifts in a paceline and now we had a mountain bike in our presence. Something told me this would be an epic ride.
We started off and quickly realized Scott wasn't going to take any pulls at the front and we were going to be dragging him around central Illinois all day. Towards the northern tip of the route, were the hills. Scott blew chuncks all over the place, had a map and said he'd see us back at the lake for lunch. The lake was the 65 mile point, with a provided lunch for the riders. Not bad either. Skinless, barbequed chicken and lots of snacks. Amazingly enough, we were making good time. We all ate "just enough" and figured if we hammered the rest, there would likely be plenty more food for us at the finish. Then, Scott rolled in. We wanted to leave him, but he said after he ate he'd feel much better. So, he ate and I rode around the lake, so I wouldn't cool off and cramp. After he ate, we set off again and all was good.
Brian and I were doing most of the pulls, nice long ones, with Kevin lending an hand on his turns and didn't skip many. Scott was tagging along at the rear. And then, Scott threw up again and told us to leave him. We gave him all the food we had and set off. Brian said with around 20 miles left, he wanted to hammer and do a solo time trial. He took off and didn't even say good bye!!! I started riding hard too, but noticed that Kevin was falling off, so, I stayed with him. Then, we entered the town of Carslile. The town of Carslile? Whoops, we missed a turn somewhere. I saw the tower at the lake in the distance, and we just set off towards it. When we finally got in, with the added around the lake riding I did and the trip into town, my computer had over 140 miles on it. Kevin and I got so far off course, within 5 minutes of our finish, Scott rolled in and fell off his bike. He was really in a state and took his clothes off and was standing buck naked in a huge group of people, cyclists and lake goers. We quickly got him dressed and apologized to families with children and explained the situation to them. All was good.
That was as I said, likely the longest day I spent on a bike. Overall, including stopping for lunch, rest areas and going slow, I still think I averaged somewhere around 18 mph overall. Scott, by the way, slept the whole ride back to St. Louis.
Lately, I've been thinking of doing a brevet and thus, thinking of long rides, specificially long rides I did in the past. I have many memorable ones of 80 or so miles. Today, I'll tell you about what my memory is telling me is my longest day in the saddle, which is longer than the 200k I'm aiming to do early next year.
It was 1993. I rode a lot with Brian Dyer. We did lots of mountain biking and long road rides, of the 60-80 mile range. A natural thing for us was to do an organized century. We started talking about it and Kevin Ptasienski and Scott Stiener said they would like to join us. The ride was the "Flat as a Pancake Century," which was around Lake Cralisle, Illinois and while there was lots of flat as a pancake, there was also some good rolling hills too. Bryan drove us all over. When we went to get Scott, he was still sleeping! Turns out, he was drinking all night and only got home at 3am, it was now 5 or so. We were going to leave him, but he insisted on coming, so we let him. Then, he pulled out his mountain bike, with slicks. We looked at eachother. We were shooting to average 20mph and do rotating shifts in a paceline and now we had a mountain bike in our presence. Something told me this would be an epic ride.
We started off and quickly realized Scott wasn't going to take any pulls at the front and we were going to be dragging him around central Illinois all day. Towards the northern tip of the route, were the hills. Scott blew chuncks all over the place, had a map and said he'd see us back at the lake for lunch. The lake was the 65 mile point, with a provided lunch for the riders. Not bad either. Skinless, barbequed chicken and lots of snacks. Amazingly enough, we were making good time. We all ate "just enough" and figured if we hammered the rest, there would likely be plenty more food for us at the finish. Then, Scott rolled in. We wanted to leave him, but he said after he ate he'd feel much better. So, he ate and I rode around the lake, so I wouldn't cool off and cramp. After he ate, we set off again and all was good.
Brian and I were doing most of the pulls, nice long ones, with Kevin lending an hand on his turns and didn't skip many. Scott was tagging along at the rear. And then, Scott threw up again and told us to leave him. We gave him all the food we had and set off. Brian said with around 20 miles left, he wanted to hammer and do a solo time trial. He took off and didn't even say good bye!!! I started riding hard too, but noticed that Kevin was falling off, so, I stayed with him. Then, we entered the town of Carslile. The town of Carslile? Whoops, we missed a turn somewhere. I saw the tower at the lake in the distance, and we just set off towards it. When we finally got in, with the added around the lake riding I did and the trip into town, my computer had over 140 miles on it. Kevin and I got so far off course, within 5 minutes of our finish, Scott rolled in and fell off his bike. He was really in a state and took his clothes off and was standing buck naked in a huge group of people, cyclists and lake goers. We quickly got him dressed and apologized to families with children and explained the situation to them. All was good.
That was as I said, likely the longest day I spent on a bike. Overall, including stopping for lunch, rest areas and going slow, I still think I averaged somewhere around 18 mph overall. Scott, by the way, slept the whole ride back to St. Louis.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
A second post today
The bicycle is a beautiful thing. I met a woman today, that I felt compelled to tell you about.
On my ride into work, I saw a woman on the side of the road. She had a Breezer folding bike. I stopped and asked if she needed help. She said no. An hour plus later, she came into the shop just to look around. Turns out she is an over the road trucker. She had a load that she was dropping off at Deals, but they can't take it until tomorrow, thus, she was stuck in Fenton, with nothing to do. I have a few trucker friends, and know this happens a lot to them. She deals with it by, you guessed it, taking the folding bike with her to ride around and explore, while she waits. She obviously a recreational rider, but I envy her. She has ridden in more towns across this country than anyone I know, most likely. Anytime she has to wait, she rides.
The bike is a beautiful thing. It allows us to explore our world and take us to places we never been before.
On my ride into work, I saw a woman on the side of the road. She had a Breezer folding bike. I stopped and asked if she needed help. She said no. An hour plus later, she came into the shop just to look around. Turns out she is an over the road trucker. She had a load that she was dropping off at Deals, but they can't take it until tomorrow, thus, she was stuck in Fenton, with nothing to do. I have a few trucker friends, and know this happens a lot to them. She deals with it by, you guessed it, taking the folding bike with her to ride around and explore, while she waits. She obviously a recreational rider, but I envy her. She has ridden in more towns across this country than anyone I know, most likely. Anytime she has to wait, she rides.
The bike is a beautiful thing. It allows us to explore our world and take us to places we never been before.
Bass Pro
I needed some new soft bait, specifically frogs. The bass at the Fabick Nature Area have been pounding the heck out of them. I only had one left, and it was almost impossible to keep it in proper position on the hook, it was so beat up. Normally, I go to Denny Dennis Sporting Goods, here in Fenton for my fishing tackle needs. But today, I wanted to do something "more special" for the boys, so we were off to Bass Pro, in St. Charles. I got what I needed and they had a great time, looking at the fish aquarium (I was drooling at that HUGE largemouth in there. Got to be well, I mean WELL over 10 pounds) and all the stuffed critters. We actually spent over an hour in there, then went and ate lunch at McDonnalds. McD's claims to have the world's best french fries. Well, whoever judged the competition, didn't eat the sorry excuse for fries we had today. In fact, it's been eons since I was served fries that were edible at a McD. Not that I eat there often, maybe once a month with the boys.
On the way home, I looked down on the Katy Trail. It's been a crazy long time since I've ridden any of it, mostly because of the fact that I didn't have a suitable bike for it. Then I realized that I now do. The One Way's 700c x 35s, with inverted tread would be a good tire for it. Maybe I'll give it a shot in the near future and get some easy distance logged in. For those of you not familiar with the Katy, it's a reclaimed railroad line, running along the Missouri River and adjacent farmland. It's hardpacked crushed limestone (construction minus) and as flat as anything you can ever ride. I've only ridden it a few times, mostly from St. Charles to Defiance or so and mostly on mountain bikes, when it was too muddy to hit the trails. I think the last time I rode it was with Jyri Niveri and we did it on cyclocross bikes. It was insanely cold, at least I thought so. Jyri is from the friggin' Arctic Circle, Finland to be exact. He was in their Air Force and was in St. Louis for a year to go to Boeing and learn some flight simulator program, to teach other pilots when he returned home. What was making my face freeze, was making him homesick. The ride was in snow and ice and simply stupid!!! We MAYBE did a total of 10 miles, before turning around. We both crashed around 20 times each on the ice or snowdrifts. Yet, it is actually a fond memory! I wonder what he's doing now?
On the way home, I looked down on the Katy Trail. It's been a crazy long time since I've ridden any of it, mostly because of the fact that I didn't have a suitable bike for it. Then I realized that I now do. The One Way's 700c x 35s, with inverted tread would be a good tire for it. Maybe I'll give it a shot in the near future and get some easy distance logged in. For those of you not familiar with the Katy, it's a reclaimed railroad line, running along the Missouri River and adjacent farmland. It's hardpacked crushed limestone (construction minus) and as flat as anything you can ever ride. I've only ridden it a few times, mostly from St. Charles to Defiance or so and mostly on mountain bikes, when it was too muddy to hit the trails. I think the last time I rode it was with Jyri Niveri and we did it on cyclocross bikes. It was insanely cold, at least I thought so. Jyri is from the friggin' Arctic Circle, Finland to be exact. He was in their Air Force and was in St. Louis for a year to go to Boeing and learn some flight simulator program, to teach other pilots when he returned home. What was making my face freeze, was making him homesick. The ride was in snow and ice and simply stupid!!! We MAYBE did a total of 10 miles, before turning around. We both crashed around 20 times each on the ice or snowdrifts. Yet, it is actually a fond memory! I wonder what he's doing now?
Monday, August 3, 2009
Installment #1
So, what is "installment #1?"
Instead of posting about things of today, these will be more of an ongoing story about me and bikes thru the years. Check back often, to continue the saga!!!
I currently commute by bike to work to Olde Towne Fenton Cyclery. Ok, so it's a measly 5 miles round trip, but at least I'm not burning fossil fuels to do it. I have commuted for many, many years off and on. Here are some of the ones I remember. My first job was at Trails West Bowl, in Ballwin. I used to ride my bike there most days, at least until I became 16 and could drive in. Even then, I'd ride in several times a month. When I worked at Watlow Electrical Mfg. Co., in Maryland Heights, I'd often ride in on Saturdays for overtime. I'd do this from my parents house, when I was still there and later from the townhouse in Marlborough. It was about an hour each way, if I remember. I did it on my trusty old Trek, before I converted it into a fixed gear. Actually, I may have rode it in as a fixed too. When I was at the Touring Cyclist in South County, I rode in every day, rain, snow, heat, whatever from our house in Lemay. I loved riding the Grant Trail at night and often turned off my headlight, to take it all in. On second thought, not everyday. On Tuesdays, I drove in, so I could head out to Gateway Raceway for the Tuesday Night Worlds. At Big Shark, I always rode in on Sundays, and when full time, also on the days I worked the day shift. I did this at both BS locations I worked at, which I had totally different routes to get to. I think the route I had to the "new" location was my perfered route, thru the Hill and Forrest Park. At G_______, I rode in a few times, mostly, when Amy was off work on maternity leave. Riding thur the 141 gauntlet in Valley Park at rush hour is not for the nervous and I did it a lot. By the way, since the TC commute, all of the commutes have been on fixed gear bikes.
Instead of our current government's cash for klunkers program, I'd rather see the money going to promote bikes as transportation. Think of all of the bikes that could be given out to people to ride! THAT would be change I could believe in.
Instead of posting about things of today, these will be more of an ongoing story about me and bikes thru the years. Check back often, to continue the saga!!!
I currently commute by bike to work to Olde Towne Fenton Cyclery. Ok, so it's a measly 5 miles round trip, but at least I'm not burning fossil fuels to do it. I have commuted for many, many years off and on. Here are some of the ones I remember. My first job was at Trails West Bowl, in Ballwin. I used to ride my bike there most days, at least until I became 16 and could drive in. Even then, I'd ride in several times a month. When I worked at Watlow Electrical Mfg. Co., in Maryland Heights, I'd often ride in on Saturdays for overtime. I'd do this from my parents house, when I was still there and later from the townhouse in Marlborough. It was about an hour each way, if I remember. I did it on my trusty old Trek, before I converted it into a fixed gear. Actually, I may have rode it in as a fixed too. When I was at the Touring Cyclist in South County, I rode in every day, rain, snow, heat, whatever from our house in Lemay. I loved riding the Grant Trail at night and often turned off my headlight, to take it all in. On second thought, not everyday. On Tuesdays, I drove in, so I could head out to Gateway Raceway for the Tuesday Night Worlds. At Big Shark, I always rode in on Sundays, and when full time, also on the days I worked the day shift. I did this at both BS locations I worked at, which I had totally different routes to get to. I think the route I had to the "new" location was my perfered route, thru the Hill and Forrest Park. At G_______, I rode in a few times, mostly, when Amy was off work on maternity leave. Riding thur the 141 gauntlet in Valley Park at rush hour is not for the nervous and I did it a lot. By the way, since the TC commute, all of the commutes have been on fixed gear bikes.
Instead of our current government's cash for klunkers program, I'd rather see the money going to promote bikes as transportation. Think of all of the bikes that could be given out to people to ride! THAT would be change I could believe in.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Twenty five
No, 25 miles isn't a big deal. I used to ride that everyday...at least. Now, considering I haven't been riding in a year or two, the distance means a little more. Today, I added in the first hill. Not a hard hill, but when your out of shape, pushing a 42x15 fixed gear, with 700x35 tires at 80psi, you feel it. My route (more or less) was from the house to 141, then north to Dougherty Ferry, to Geyer (the hill was there, not steep, but a long trudge), to Rott, to Minne Ha Ha, to Old Gravois, to the road along the Meramec in Fenton, to the north outer road of 44, to Maritz, to Valley Park road and home. It's a nice little loop. I've done it a bunch of times on fixed gears in the past. When I was in shape, Marshall road would be the general route and I rode in a 48x16, with 700x23's at 115psi. Big difference.
Today, was the first time I craved more speed. Then I thought of this. The fixed gear at a slower pace will keep my mind in a better state, more close to the Zen type I want to be in. Agressive, balls to the walls riding no longer interests me. I want to be steady and strong. 160 more kilometers (about 95 miles) longer, and I'll be at brevet distance. That's the goal. Not that distance is my master. I'm riding for fun. Doing a brevet is more of a challenge, not set in stone, but something to aim for. As Bruce Lee said, "sometimes goals are not meant to be reached, merely something to strive for." Having typed that, don't think I'm wussing out already. I WANT to do the brevet. I'm just not sure if riding long distance one day a week will get me into the proper condition to do it. Right now, I ride to work and back 5 days, which is around 4 miles or so, maybe a 15 miler on Thursday, then Sunday morning for a distance ride. We'll see how it goes. I do know I'm feeling better physically. Knee ache (no LC, not from the bike, but stiffness that crept in in my time away fron the bike) is a thing of the past, upper body strength is improving and I'm not really tired or spent after a Sunday ride. Good stuff.
Today, was the first time I craved more speed. Then I thought of this. The fixed gear at a slower pace will keep my mind in a better state, more close to the Zen type I want to be in. Agressive, balls to the walls riding no longer interests me. I want to be steady and strong. 160 more kilometers (about 95 miles) longer, and I'll be at brevet distance. That's the goal. Not that distance is my master. I'm riding for fun. Doing a brevet is more of a challenge, not set in stone, but something to aim for. As Bruce Lee said, "sometimes goals are not meant to be reached, merely something to strive for." Having typed that, don't think I'm wussing out already. I WANT to do the brevet. I'm just not sure if riding long distance one day a week will get me into the proper condition to do it. Right now, I ride to work and back 5 days, which is around 4 miles or so, maybe a 15 miler on Thursday, then Sunday morning for a distance ride. We'll see how it goes. I do know I'm feeling better physically. Knee ache (no LC, not from the bike, but stiffness that crept in in my time away fron the bike) is a thing of the past, upper body strength is improving and I'm not really tired or spent after a Sunday ride. Good stuff.
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