Coooool front

Yesterday's storms were just a preceeder to today's cool temps and windy conditions. After tuesday's summery ride the conditions were welcomed. Riding on the levee you will have head winds, tail winds and cross winds all in one outing. Being up there with no protection can be tiring.

It wasn't too bad after picking up three for the return at the parish line. We all worked together well and kept it around 20-22 into the wind and 24-25 down wind. But the last little surge after the Huey P hurt! Nothing like a nice 10 to 15 mph wind in your face and trying to maintain 20 for as long as possible. My legs are hurting right now. Hope the wind dies down some for tomorrow's outing and I can get to the meeting point on time...

Toyota United

Pretty cool concept for a cycling team to take on. They are looking for private donors to help support changes for homelessness. It is really cool to see professional athletes doing the right thing and not so much for the fame and glory. Check out Toyota United and see what you think.

The ride today started like the beginning of summer. Sticky and heavy. Did a few hard standing surges with some spinning in between. Flet very slimy by the time I turned for home with David and Taylor. When I made the turn I felt a slight headwind, but as we continued in the wind became stronger. By the end 20 was a very hard effort. Looking forward to the front that is suppose to pass this evening, but as usual it may just drag across north of the lake and we will get some effects later in the week. Keep your fingers crossed, jazzfest is approaching...

Pull out in front of me!

I must have had that plastered on my forehead. For the past several weeks traffic has been insane, and I may be one of them. Seems that everytime I come to a somewhat busy intersection, on my bike of course, some idiot is flying to a stop either to my left or right. Why is everyone in such a hurry? This city isn't that big and you will get there soon enough. I have slammed the brakes on too many times lately to avoid the soccer moms, ghetto blasters, and all the sun fried workers the city has claimed. I have been slowing down my rides to and from work and also heading out and coming home from the morning rides on the levee. At least we still have a levee without cars... wait a minute, there are always the large rock and sand trucks who don't give a crap who is in the right. Anyway I just hope I can avoid from being killed by the local idiot or for that matter the visiting idiot!

On another note today's ride on the levee was quite nice. Steady pace for the entire ride. Richard didn't show so I didn't do the urban tour. Kind of glad with all the morons on the road these days. I think the sun is really affecting everyone. Sure hope that rain comes today....

Urban riding

Had a great experience riding through Old Metairie and New Orleans with out much traffic during rush hour. Richard led the way through some high class neighborhoods of Old Metairie, where Katrina wasn't too nice. We saw trailers in quite a few driveways but the area is nice. We circumnavigated Metairie Country Club then ended up heading down Bonnabel drive to the Lake. We seemed to piss off a few soccer moms, but hey we are allowed to ride in the lane also. Took Lakeshore drive around to Franklin Ave and headed to the Quarter. Richard headed to work and I took Esplanade back to Mid City then Jeff Davis to Napoleon for the final stretch home. All in all it was nice but the roads are still the same ole bumpy drives you would always get. My arms were sore after. We plan on doing this at least once a week. Nice views and we can see how things are progressing around the city. Not very swiftly from what we can see. Hopefully some flood gates will be operational before June. Hmmm...

wearing down

The more I ride during the week the wearier I get while at work. Riding is definitely not as boring as work can be. It was a beautiful morning again. Temps in the low 60's and virtually no wind. Amazing since the wind didn't look like it would let up anytime soon. I know when the temperature begins to rise we will be sishing the wind would be blowing. As for now things are really nice up on the levee. Surprisingly there aren't that many people out riding. Maybe the sinus syndrom is taking its toll on others. I know too well how that can feel. Looking forward to getting out of doge for the next two days and seeing the Zephyrs play on saturday. Today is opening day.

Don't you wish you were here...

day light savings?

I think it sucks. Just keep the time the same and for all those people who like to sleep in, screw 'em! I really like to get up with the sunrise and not before, so since the time change it is back to walking the dogs in darkness. This is easier for the spastic Riley. The dog is scared of his own shadow. Anyway missed the group once again, this has now become a habit. So I ride out on my own and contemplate... on just about anything. The morning was perfect. In the low 60's with virtually no wind. So maintaining 21 was doable. Met the group about a mile from the normal turnaround and we kept it around 23-25 for the ride in. Nice and steady. Felt good and caught up with some of the guys since I can't make it out on time. Anyway heading to the parental estate tomorrow for a family meeting. Looking forward to some fishing. Time to get out of here since the weather is super nice. later alligators

Wind hurts

Another blustery day up on the levee this morning. Head winds can really suck! My legs are hurting and I really didn't do much. Sluggin' the extra puonds doesn't help. Here is to the weight melting away... HA!

Getting back to normal

It's been a while since my last post and too much has happened to catch up on in a single post... so I'll just skip it. Work is crazy busy, which is good but will only last until the end of June. I have sort of an option to stay, but it is not definite. The bike is doing well and I am finally getting back into shape. Katrina added about 15 to my midsection and I am slowly making prgress of losing it. Got about 8 more to go to feel good about my weight again. Nice ride this morning up on the levee. The weather is warming up and only a single jersey needed for the ride. The River had lots of fog and the wind was very light. Only an easy 25 miler today. Still trying to get used to the time change and I never set my alarm. Harder to wake up when it is still dark. Anyway back to the grind...