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.....

Riley

Riley
Jan. 24, 2000 to Dec. 4, 2007

A very rough night as one of our family was put to rest early this morning. Our Pooh-bear, Fuzzy-man, Super fuzz, Big Fuzz, Beaver dog, the Fly catcha' amongst many other nick names. He responded to them all. We want to remember the happy times with him, which was all the time. Watching him carry a huge log around then devour it later. Playing ball non stop. Howling with us and the sirens. Enjoying the Blue Hole with his buddy Cash. I wanted to let you all know about him, because as you got to know him better you found out what a great dog and companion he could be. So when you see a log you don't think is possible for a dog to move think of our Fuzzy Elvis. He has left our house but not our hearts.

Wacky

Man o man are people screwed up. check out this nut job's "artistic voice". Why can't television just have a TRUE view of how America is really doing. Just a thought.

Double wammy

The uphill trudge to work was met with headwinds of 20 and gusting to 30. Nothing to hide behind just kept head down as much as possible. The cooler temps were the only good thing this morning. At least I wasn't drenched in sweat arriving at the goolaug. What a screwy place this is. Makes me wonder if I really made the right decision. It was the only option at the time so we will see how this works out for at least a year. Our home is progressing and hopefully we will meet the Dec. 15th projected closing date. Keep your fingers crossed.

Revolution

We need to get that mf out of office... Just listen to Keith Olbermann. He's got it right you right winged fools!

Can you do better?

I don't think it could be said any better....
"Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale, and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled or hanged!"
President Abraham Lincoln

Here here!!