Rapid fizzle

Well we made it to Freeport to meet up with the Acadiana. All was good except for the mounting plate for our multibeam system, there was no power, debris everywhere, missing cables for the multitude of screens we had for viewing all the instrumentation we had and the mosquitoes were larger than herons. We fixed everything before departing the next morning to Galveston through the intracoastal waterway. The mounting plate issue was the real problem. We are lucky that Freeport is an industrial town. Found a welding mecca that is open 24/7/365 for the lovely chemical processor Dupont. They did a quick welding job for us and we were glad to front them some beer money for their efforts. After departing Freeport early with no navigation within the channels, which meant cruising after dark was a big no no. We saw quite a bit of damage from afar on the west side of Galveston but pictures were no help. When we got to the I-45 bridge at 0930 the railroad bridge was down and had a tow boat waiting on the other side. We radioed the bridge and found out they were not going to open the bridge until noon. Well that sucks. So we were in the process of tieing up next to the bridge when they decided to open it. Guess the workers needed a break. We got through but about 10 minutes later we felt a strange vibration and then the steering went out. Turns out we lost a wheel. That is a propeller to you landlubbers. Broke the shaft and struck the rudder which took out the steering. The captain had to take a swim to verify all this. We were able to fix the steering as a hose came loose on the hydraulics, but it made an awful racket for the rest of the trip. We limped around on one engine the rest of the trip which was cut very short of the original 8 days we were suppose to be out. Only 2 days of data and we stayed inside the inlet (Bolivar). Our goal was to get out on the Gulf side but it was way to rough to risk it on one engine. We did get some nice data for the time we were there, but it was that strange feeling of Katrina all over again. As we departed Galveston seeing all the workers lining up to clean. It really wasn't too bad but there were some historical losses. Not sure of the casualty count but I don't think the authorities really want that number to come out. Eiree feelings all around as we were trying to do science and not helping with more pressing issues. I hope they can recover as soon as they can, but they should know now that the seawall there isn't as safe as they think it is. Just like the levees back home.

Rapid response

No ride today as we are preparing for a possible rapid response to the big storm brewing in the Gulf. We will go if we can get the funding to support us and be able to function most likely in Galveston. Big G may get washed away or a real good flushing. Anyway we will probably spend a week down there looking at breached shore faces and collecting siesmic data and cores from the bottom from our small research vessel. Just hope the storm isn't too damaging for the people there, but I think they are in for some trouble. LA coast is also getting hammered and wish we could help out there but now a state employee for TX and that doesn't fly here. Sucks!

Ike

LA coast will get battered again. Why can't this one just hit Houston... Here is a message from the NWS for Vermilion parish...

ACROSS VERMILION LIFE THREATENING INUNDATION LIKELY!

ALL NEIGHBORHOODS... AND POSSIBLY ENTIRE COASTAL COMMUNITIES... WILL BE INUNDATED DURING HIGH TIDE. MANY RESIDENCES OF AVERAGE CONSTRUCTION DIRECTLY ON THE COAST WILL BE DESTROYED. WIDESPREAD AND DEVASTATING PERSONAL PROPERTY DAMAGE IS LIKELY ELSEWHERE. VEHICLES LEFT BEHIND WILL LIKELY BE SWEPT AWAY. NUMEROUS ROADS WILL BE SWAMPED... SOME MAY BE WASHED AWAY BY THE WATER. ENTIRE FLOOD PRONE COASTAL COMMUNITIES WILL BE CUTOFF... PERHAPS FOR MORE THAN A WEEK. WATER LEVELS MAY EXCEED 9 FEET FOR MORE THAN A MILE INLAND. CONDITIONS WILL BE WORSENED BY BATTERING WAVES. SUCH WAVES WILL EXACERBATE PROPERTY DAMAGE... WITH MASSIVE DESTRUCTION OF HOMES... INCLUDING THOSE OF BLOCK CONSTRUCTION. DAMAGE FROM BEACH EROSION COULD TAKE YEARS TO REPAIR.

Looks like my parents will be on a true island once again. Makes you want to leave but then where does all that good seafood come from?

Texass riders

What is it with you guys? Never a warning when passing or even a "Hello". Just like this morning commuting to work with my messenger bag slung over my back. I slowed to allow a motorist to make their unexpected right turn across my path and lo and behold a TX cyclist, non commuter, blows by me on the left. Just irritated me. So I caught him and drafted until the red light a mile up the road when I cruised up and sarcastically said "Hello". Caught him off guard and he just waved. Maybe there is hope for them. I always preach safety and courtesy to fellow riders. Just don't want to ride with jerks.

Gustav

This doesn't look promising for NOLA. Man o man they don't need any storms like this. Or will the same roll of the dice as usual take place and the storm will change course at the last minute and swamp some unfortunate small town in lower LA or MS. In any case this one will pack a punch. Just go away Gustav! There are many more spinning off Africa and this isn't going to be a nice season. Batten down the hatches it's going to be a bumpy ride! Speaking of ride, well I didn't get one today. I was fixing a flat on my commuter and blew the tube up in my face. Idiot, didn't check the other side of the tire before pumping it up. When I picked up the wheel after pumping it up it was too late to let the air out. Felt the bulge get bigger and bigger then braced for the BANG! No spare tube so off to the shop during lunch for another as I am heading out to our boat for some maintenance. We are suppose to be in LA the week after next for some work. Stay away Gustav! Here we are doing some work in the Mississippi River just below the French Quarter. Fun fun!

Weight lifting

Got to work on our new floor in the guest room this weekend. Ripped out the carpeting our new dog had used his artistic talents on and got started on the new engineered flooring to match our flex space. Well after two long days of deep knee bends and scrubbing up glue I am sore. Not the I just feel achy stuff, I mean the soreness you get from lifting heavy weights for the first time after a long layoff. My thigh haven't hurt this much in decades. I remember the return to school and getting back into shape from the summer layoff for swimming. Ouch! I am feeling it now and I didn't touch a barbell or any kind of weight apparatus. Just those deep knee bends and squatting for hours on end will do it. I did ride into work although it was quite slow. I hope it gets some of this lactic acid moving. right now my thighs are burning. It's kind of nice but I would rather be back in school with this feeling instead of having to be responsible and put in a full work day. Come to think of it, work really does suck. I guess it wouldn't be called work if it was always fun.

Pete

Got a call from my good friend Pete yesterday. He just returned to the states after a few months stay in Norway for his wifes sabbatical. turns out they had a great time in the arctic. You can have it, I prefer the warmth of the south. Sometimes I think he is coldblooded. After his research in Antarctica I think he would wear shorts in a blizzard. Well it was great to hear from him and I hope he can finish up his PhD work this year. I know his wife would be happy to see that. Good luck Pete!
The ride in today was fairly nice. A little cooler than normal. Found an easy route with only a few stop lights and very few cars. I don't think a car passed me for the middle 10 miles and this is in the city. Pretty amazing. I did go 6 for 12 even with the new route. Most of the reds coming in the first 3 miles. Hope the ride home is as nice.

raining in TX

Can't believe it that we are getting rain. Much different weather patterns then from the swamp. But it is nice to finally have some humidity. Sweating makes you feel alive. Not much happening and have been kind of down as of late. Pretty boring around the work place and haven't been too motivated to ride. But it was nice pedaling to work today. Might get wet on the way home, either sweating or rain.

riding on ice?

We actually had some precipitation this morning. I actually got wet on my way into work. The rain was light and made the roads super slick since it wasn't enough to wash all the oil that has accumulated all summer long. It has been bone dry here for at least 2 months. I could see the sheen the oil makes with water on the roads. I even spun my tire starting up from what seems like the umpteenth light I must pass through in order to arrive safely to work. Felt like I was riding on teflon coated roads. It was probably the most cautious I have been since commuting from our new home here as the nutjobs on the road don't realize how slick the roads actually are. Welp the Olympics have definitely been amazing so far. I can't believe how fast the swimmers are going from all over the world. 5 teams broke the 4oo free relay world record in the finals that was set in the prelims. Too bad I couldn't have been 6'7" instead of 5'7". Those guys are besting my yard times in meters. Woooow...

Red light tatoo

I think I had it on my forehead yesterday. Because my commute to and from work was all red lights. I couldn't believe it. I actually did some U turns as I was becoming frustrated about having to stop in the 100 F heat. It is ok when you are moving but man when you stop, uuggghh. This morning was much better as I was 10 for 17. If you ever run into this bunch, just ride on by. What a bunch of egomaniacs. I have seen them on some of my rides in the east. I am usually going in the opposite direction. I wave but seldom get a response from them as they are all over the road. Once I passed and someone must have flatted and they were all over the place at an intersection with traffic. None of them moved as cars were trying to get by. I couldn't believe it. I finally got close enough today to actually see what their jersey's looked like when I caught up to a loner. I said "Good morning" and got the look of "who the @#*% are you?" So I took off and dusted him. What an ass. I have noticed that there are lots of them here in Austin. Not my kinda place, although I live here. Any jobs where you are?

Zapped

Man is it hot! We reached 105 yesterday and I put in 47 miles before but it was at least 90 when I got home. I had very little shade the entire ride and no clouds to boot. I found myself in granny gears on some of the hills that I would actually push if I wasn't so pooped. Another hot one in store for today. Hopefully Edourdo makes it here with some rain. Seems the only way we can get rain in this state is from a tropical storm. Pretty crappy day for the lights. Seemed to approach all the lights today as they were green then they would change just before I got there. Typical since I was dragging ass today. Only 2 of 12. That really made me quite late to work, but who cares...

The land of Prozac

Welcome to Austin, TX! Riding in today at a pretty nasty intersection, I was making sure there was no traffic as I needed to make a left across traffic and watch from the traffic from the stop light to the right. Well numbnuts decides to make a left turn, after he looked me straight in the eye without a turn signal so he could by pass the light. He got my usual greeting of "Good one, F*&@ing jackass!" If he heard it, it probably didn't register. He was either clueless or on his meds. I think the latter. Seems like all Texassians have taken the Cali approach to life and just pop another pill to make everything nice. Well I would rather pop another beer or have a good glass of wine to make everything nice and hear some good ole brass band music from the Big Easy. Boy I miss sitting on our old porch and having "porch drinks" and watching the sunset. No one comes out here. We had a neighborhood watch meeting and I was surprised to see people. Made me ask, "Do you live here?" Just a stare in return as if nothing was registering upstairs. Where are all the real people? by the way only 6 of 14 today.

ho hum work thing

Back to work after a great vacation back in the swamp. I really miss New Orleans and had to bring my bike along for a ride up on the levee. Of course I was late and missed the group but had a nice tempo ride to the normal turnaround where the group was sitting as one was fixing a flat. Saw Donald and turned back with him for a nice ride to the Huey P. Good to catch up with him. As he departed I turned yet back again to meet the group. Caught them at Florida and had a nice group ride for once. Still have yet to do that in Austin. great to catch up with everyone and put in a good 43 miles. Vacation is great.
Had our annual pilgrimage to AI and had most of our old supper club for lots of fun. Great time for all as there were many drinks, swimming, fishing, etc for all. Too bad we had to return to Texass as I was wondering if we were heading in the right direction. Well this is where someone is paying me. Got to get that resume thing in order. What day is it? I am bored....

funny post

Check out this funny postal story. 24 for this mornings commute, ended up very wet. Whew it's hot. Vive le tour...

Light winds...

Bull. Man o man was it windy on Saturday. Felt great going out since I had a tail wind and was pushing hard. In the big ring going up hills. Once I made the turn to head home with a nice cross wind I knew I would be in trouble. It took quite an effort to keep upright and not get blown into the ditch. Once I was full on into the wind I knew I was toast. I remembered what gear I was in on a slight incline that I blasted up at 24 with the tailwind and could only make 18 going down into the wind. Ouch! My legs still haven't recovered from then. This mornings commute was painful and slow. Could be the heat also. I think it will be above 100 when I head home. Maybe I should go now and blow off work. Not fun here anyway...

Longest TX day

So far. Had a great 40+ miler this past weekend. Lots of hills that I am still trying to get used to after years in New Orleans, where a hill is a bridge or the levee. Thanks Corps. Still haven't found a group to ride with as my wife tends to have the honeydew list full each weekend. I must set out directly from the homestead to ride and get in a much as possible before working again. Actually went to work with out the messenger bag yesterday and got some extra miles in. Made me a little sleepy for the afternoon. The office temp doesn't help either. had a rough day with the lights on Friday only 2 for 12. Better today but always looking for green lights or just making a right turn and having some bonus miles. Looking forward to a mountain stage in the tour tomorrow. I just might have to be late to work manana...

Beautiful morning

Couldn't believe it was only 70 this morning when I took the dogs for a stroll. It felt great and I only thought about riding further this morning on my commute to work. Didn't work out that way since the cool weather effected all the idiots driving this morning. I must have had 4 close calls with the medicated crowd on the way into work. The green light gods weren't smiling either, only 4 of 12 today. So I took a close to normal route and got here in one piece. Started catching too many reds and decided a few right on reds was better than sitting for a few more minutes dripping sweat. Just looking forward to getting back on the bike to ride home. Might even put a few more miles in, if it isn't too warm out.

getting humid

Feels like New Orleans again. The humidity is finally creeping up here. I haven't been this wet on a bike in since moving from NOLA. I was getting used to a somewhat dry feeling while riding. I was surprised yesterday at how much my face was itching due to the sweat dripping off. Finally feel like my legs are getting into shape. 5 commuting days last week with an average of 27 miles per day and a nice 35 miler yesterday. Gonna be an easy 25 today as I am all ready to go home and it's only 2. Bored at work, feel like I got to get back into the field. Nothing happening there either so maybe tack a few more miles on the commute. Just wish my bag wasn't so damn hot and heavy.

leave it for tuesday

Yesterday was a celebration of 8 years of marriage. So I decided to come to work, but only briefly. Had a nice ride of 29 miles and felt the relief of not carrying a messenger bag. Got home and began working on the steps for the deck. Stair stringers are a nightmare but I came up with a crafty idea of using a template with some cardboard. I ended up sweating my ass off in the unbearable sun. Feeling the effects today. Had a slow ride into work with the nice heavy messenger bag full of clothes and food. Looking forward to taking a nap without anyone noticing. Not too good on the green lights this morning, only 6 of 13.

Intervals

Can't seem to have a nice easy ride to and from work. Too many lights and stop signs. So I feel like I am doing intervals the entire ride. Reminds me of my swimming days. Start stop start stop. Today I actually caught a few greens in a row and had about a two mile stretch without stopping. Quite nice. Haven't had that feeling in a while of just cruising. Got to get out on the weekend and not stop by work. Today I had 8 of 13.

close call

Yesterday was very hot but I had a good day with the green lights 8 of 13 on the way to work. It got me to work a good 5 minutes earlier. What a difference 3 more green lights can make. I was doing really well on the way home also. As I was approaching 51st St at Guadalupe the light had turned green. I knew I had some time but I was turning left onto 51st. Green arrow was blazing! So I signaled to turn at 20mph and was leaning into the turn when this total idiot decided to run the red light for a right hand turn onto 51st. I made it through but braced myself for the impact on my rear wheel thinking I was gonna lose it into the curb. The impact thank goodness didn't happen. I was pretty furious at the time and needed to check my shorts at the next intersection. As the car finally caught up to me and was passing I yelled "Pay attention". She, go figure, slowed down and rolled her window down to say she stopped. Of course she was on her cell phone in which I answered "hang up your damn phone!" I guess she has never had that close of a call before and thought I was totally safe. Check the inside of my shorts dummy. I flew home after that. Some nice down hills where I was pushing 30. That felt great but it took me a 10 minute cold shower and then another 15 minutes to cool off. Temp outside 103. Whew....

Obscene traffic

Today's commute was uneventful, thank goodness. The traffic was incredible this morning close to our satellite campus at the Pickle. I was nearly unable to cross 183 and Burnet twice this morning. The ride on the other hand had practically no vehicles. Not sure why there were so many vehicles this morning but they were sure in a hurry to get to the next red light. I circled around in a parking lot for about 5 minutes before ditching the effort to cross 183 at the u turn before Burnet and crossed Burnet to get to the light to cross 183. Had to hang out in the turn lane for a minute or two before completely crossing. I swear there were hundreds of cars passing and not one had more than one person in it. What has our country turned into?
How about Tiger limping around the US Open and still making a playoff? Got to root for Rocco. Never won a major against 13 time winner. Go Rocco.

longer commute

Decided to ride a little longer today as I went out to the boat to pick up a log book. Turns out one of our grad students can't keep track of his days in the field. The ride ended up being 24 miles this morning. Nice little commute but that messenger bag gets a little heavy and sweaty after an hour. Lots of lights to go through also. I was only 9 of 25 this morning. Not a very good percentage for catching green lights. Yesterday was worse only 5 of 15. Wouldn't it be great if bikes ruled the roads and cars were asking to share the road? We may be getting there. Gas is above $4 a gallon. Who is actually profiting from this?

It pains me

Suffering from back pain sucks. It all started Friday when the boards for our deck decided to fall out of the back of my truck. As I was frantically trying to get them back in, I strained my back. Well it didn't stop me from working and not knowingly compensated all weekend with my lower back. Whilst lubing my chain for my ride to work yesterday morning just lifting the seat and twisting I felt the pop in my lower back. It almost brought me to my knees. I can't believe the irony of this. I am not sure what is hurting more. The pain in my back or not riding due to the pain in my back. Sure hope this Ibuprofen helps...

dropped chain

People are really strange here. Trying to figure out this biking community. I wave to everyone on a bike, so you would think the other would wave back? Does this fall into the lines of the timidness expressed in the TX driver? Can't take hands off the handlebars? Can't nod the head? Eyes must stay focused or can't focus? Bumper sticker say "Keep Austin Weird" Well guess what guys, that ain't gonna change quickly here. You all are weird....
Well I was approaching the 11th light today on my morning commute, having only caught 5 green. And I saw that traffic was moving toward me. This is a blind approach to the light and can only be seen about 100 feet before you get to the intersection. Since traffic was moving and looked as if it had just started I thought "Great a green light". So I start revin' it up and just past the tree that hangs over the road to obstruct your view I see Yellow then Red. Crap. I am in the big ring and 3rd. shift to the small ring so I can at least start on the uphill when the light turns green and low and behold the chain drops and no momentum to pick it back up. I nearly feel over getting my foot out. So stuck at the intersection on an uphill with no chain. Just had to get the hands dirty. Glad I did it since I have been neglecting maintenance. I will need to clean my bike up soon. Anyway ended up 5 for 13 for the morning commute.

10 to 2

Late start to the morning for me so I commuted with the 10 to 2 crowd. Less people but more need for medication. Wow, these people need to go to driving school. They always think they are doing you a favor by camping out at a stop sign to let you go when they have the right of way. Cars and trucks will hurt if you get hit. Efficiency is not the realm in TX. Gas guzzling SUV's and trucks is the way here. Oh Austin is so green, BullShit! They are still part of TX and texans could care less how much gas costs. They will keep buying it and parking on the interstate during rush hour everyday. I love riding across the interstate and seeing how many of these people are wasting time by sitting in their vehicles to get to work or get home everyday. No wonder our nation is obese. Lazy, lazy, lazy...
Enough of that. Had a nice ride home on Thursday 7 for 15. First 8 lights I caught green or somewhat green. Great ride on Saturday. 25 miles of undulating asphalt. I don't think I went a half a mile without climbing or descending. Just glad to be riding. 5 of 13 this morning, so the 10 to 2 commute is looking the quickest. Can't wait to ride home when it should be 100 F. At least it is dry. After living in New Orleans, it's weird to not be drenched after a ride.

Riding again

Well more like commuting. Finally got my lazy ass back on the bike and am commuting 11 miles to an from work. I think everyone in Austin or even TX is on Prozac or Zoloft or any of those pills that make you happy when you feel sad. Drivers here are spacey. I actually feel safer riding my bike to and from work than driving. I have found a route that is pretty much has continuous bike lanes, although cars are aloud to park in them and occasionally you get the nut job who drives in it. Today there was only one jerkweed who honked at someone who was giving me space as I was forced into the lane by a parked truck in the bike lane. Guess he forgot his meds this morning. I have several routes to choose from and encountered 12 lights today. Caught 5 red so pretty good morning. I am sure the ride home I will encounter more red lights. A few weeks ago I was 12 of 15. Looks like Contador will take the pink jersey to Milano, if he doesn't crack on Gavia. What does Johan have that no one else does? Hmmmm.....