The Christmas Season

Yes, it still is the Christmas Season. It is the quite reflective time of the season that should be most enjoyed. The wise men are due to arrive in a week and some Orthodox calenders are not celebrating the day until January 7th. Yet that radio station that seemed so intent on being the first to play Christmas music, even on Halloween, had none after the 25th. Some stations are actually continuing their Christmas music.

It used to be one was proud of the severity of the Winters one's community endured. Yet the local talk radio people just whine about all the severe weather. Then they complain about the chik-a-fication of our country. Just a bunch of pansies.... except for 'that woman' they have on now in the mornings. But now the snow is nearly gone with temps near 60 the other day and an inch of rain.



We went to an indoor work day for the local WORBA Chapter. Bring your own meat for the grill they said. Or as my wife called it "An eating meeting." Brought some Omaha Steak gourmet franks my brother sent us for Christmas. The host ordered three units of the product shown above. I recently saw a TV show on ION TV about gadgets, where they highlighted the 'rear view bicycle helmet.' Couldn't find much about it on the Internet. Just coming to market in the United Kingdom.

My weight is up five pounds but still under the 260lb mark. Time to get back to the serious training. When I slack a bit it doesn't take long to become apparent of the precarious condition of my health. Have to be more serious on my supplements. And no I didn't get a trainer for Christmas and wasn't really expecting one considering. Maybe a New Years Day sale.

Your family giving you something that reflects your interest, goals and ideals? Hmmm..... A real Magic 8 Ball moment. But that isn't what Christmas is all about. I hope everyone has a great end to their year and reflects on the season well to prepare for the next.

"The Weather Outside is Frightful

But the fire is so delightful."

My wife thought this would make a cute picture. Sorry for the quality. Yes it is snowing again and it doesn't look like it will stop til Christmas morn. An improvement over the sub-zero temps of the last few days. Where are we supposed to put all that snow anyway? We have two alley houses in our alley and if this keeps up we will have no place to put the snow. If it were not for the neighbors with snow blowers we would hardly be able to get the car out.

My wife is encouraging me to get back to the gym, but walking and riding there are hardly attractive alternatives with this continuous snow. My weight hasn't gone up, but the eggnog, cookies and treats have started filling the last few days. Two Christmas gatherings tomorrow. I have to start working out hard soon. Get back into the groove. If I meet my training goals and drop significant weight I will try sport class next year. Or is that category 2 now. Lots of changes next season.

Here is a picture from Christmas past. The tree is in the opposite corner this year. Tun-Tun has put some weight on, his coat has become very soft and attractive but it has been more difficult for him to breath. I carry him from floor to floor when he wants. If both my wife and I are in the house he doesn't tolerate us not being all together. Whining or barking til we are all on the same floor at least.

UPGRADE

Yes, the truck, cargo van, has seen its last. Deemed no longer worth repairing. My parents gave us another van as long as we donated the last one to charity. My wife was overwhelmed. Less than 100,000 miles! And a tad luxurious. I hope they did their Christmas gift shopping before they gave us the van.

We were talking about Christmas gifting yesterday. It is falling from favor these days. I believe one of the reasons is everyone buys what they want for themselves. The Internet, TV shopping channels and time to spend at the malls and people buy, buy, buy. What is the use of giving something if someone already has everything they need... Materialist culture is like going to a birthday party where everyone gives gifts to everyone else except the one celebrating their birthday.

Merry Christmas, and yes.....

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

"I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Just like the one's I used to know....."

At least 12 inches and still falling. Tun-Tun couldn't navigate and came back in until I could get some shoveling done. We've had a lot of snow early these past few years but it often melts before Christmas. I think we're safe this year.

I found this interesting video on you/tube (has five segments). I often wondered why more blacks haven't been racing, at least the mountain bikes. There's a guy who races WEMS and then there is a guy in our local club that... well, I just haven't seen him out there. Drove me to look up Major Taylor (banned from Racing in the United States) and the Iron Riders.

Despite being sick we got our Christmas cards out in timely fashion. The tree is up and trimmed. Tun-Tun enjoys sleeping under it. He really loves the forest and he can smell the tacky pine cones that were glued to the artificial tree. Maybe I'll get some lights up outside. We have to get a package out today, or maybe tomorrow if we can't get the van dug out. One of the lowest stress season's in awhile. No fancy gifts this year, mostly edibles, making shopping much easier.

But Christmas tasks aren't what I was doing while I was seriously ill a few weeks ago. I was taking care of our van and rushing to get some work done on our house before the snow and cold hit. How did I do it. I had exactly what I was going to do planned out for a couple months. Just getting the resources together. So I was on auto pilot putting some permanent and temporary supports in until we can afford to get a contractor to make the repairs. They'll hold indefinitely. Still have several small projects around the house to do myself. Still coughing up a bit from my lungs.

I started a myspace account in case old friends may be searching for me. I use there blog feature to write about movies. No good movies out there right now. Maybe we'll see "Valkyrie".... but not on Christmas. I play some free poker there, but not much; no time. I found this new church on myspace too.

And what about Alois? At this exponential rate he'll be posting multiple times a day in a few weeks.

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season!

ブログ

皆さん、寒いですね～。もう雪がよく降ること、降ること...まだ12月なのにね。
家の外のクリスマスライトをつけそびれてしまいました。ご近所さん方も同じ感じみたいで、家の周りはとってーも暗いです。
さて、このブログ、うちの人が始めたのですが、名前は「犬の生活」なんだけど、あまり犬の事は書ていないし、どちらかっていうと、うちの人の趣味のサイクリングの事ばっかりだし、最近アロイさん（うちの人のドイツにいるお友達）も何回か記事を書いてくれているのだけど、ドイツ語で全然わかんないし何だかゴチャゴチャしたブログだから、私も日本語で、もっとかき乱しちゃおう....と企んでいるのでえす。
しかし、日本の方々のブログを見ていると、写真はきれいだし、書き方も自然で、ましてお料理なん本当に美味しそうですよね。で、皆さん訪問者が多ければ多いほど喜んでいらっしゃるみたいで、すごいな～と、いつも感心しています。
私は...と言うと、シャイな性格なので、このブログの右の方に、どの国から何人の人が訪問しているかというのがあるのですが、日本から7人というのを見ただけで、「えーっどーしよう」とどこかに隠れてまいたい気になるのです。
ただ、私のお友達のＭｒｓ　Ｌさんが、たまに見てると言うので、たまには記事を載せようと思っていす。このクリスマスにうちの人にデジタルカメラをプレゼントしようと思うので、もう少ししたら写真もアップできるかな。
ＰＣもたどたどしく、また、日本語もなんか怪しくなってきたし、文才もないけど、どうかお許しを～。

Rezept: Cappuccino Sahne Schnitten

Zutaten (für 15 Stücke):


5 Eier (Größe M)
130g Zucker
2 Päckchen Vanillezucker
50g Mehl
50g Speisestärke
1 Messerspitze Backpulver
200g Nuss-Nougat
3 gestrichene Esslöffel lösliches Espresso-Pulver
1kg Schlagsahne
5 Päckchen Sahnefestiger
ca. 2 Teelöffel Kakao
Backpapier











Zuerst die Eier trennen.
Das Eiweiß steif schlagen, dabei 75g Zucker und 1 Päckchen Vanillezucker einrieseln lassen.
Das Eigelb einzeln unterrühren.
Mehl, Stärke und Backpulver mischen und auf die Zucker-Ei-Masse sieben.
Vorsichtig unterheben.


Eine Fettpfanne (ca. 38cm x 32cm) mit Backpapier auslegen.
Die Biskuitmasse hineingeben und glatt streichen.
Das Biskuit im vorgeheizten Backofen (Elektro-Herd: 200 Grad Celsius / Umluft: 175 Grad Celsius) ca. 12 Minuten backen.


Biskuit aus dem Ofen nehmen, und auf ein mit 2 Esslöffeln Zucker bestreutes Geschirrtuch stürzen. Das Backpapier vorsichtig abziehen.
Den Boden auskühlen lassen und einmal quer durchschneiden.


Eine Biskuitplatte auf ein rechteckiges Tablett mit hohem Rand legen und mit einer mehrfach gefalteten Schiene aus Alufolie (ca. 8 cm hoch) umschließen.
Den Nougat im warmen Wasserbad (max. 50 Grad Celsius) schmelzen.
Dieses gleichmäßig auf dem Biskuit verstreichen und fest werden lassen.


Den Espresso in 700g kalter Schlagsahne unter Rühren auflösen.
Die Sahne steif schlagen, dabei Sahnefestiger und 3 Esslöffel Zucker einrieseln lassen.
Die Espresso-Sahne auf die Nougatschicht verstreichen, und den zweiten Biskuitboden darauf legen. 150g Sahne steif schlagen, dabei den übrigen Zucker einrieseln lassen.
Auf den Biskuit streichen. Den Kuchen 2 bis 3 Stunden kalt stellen.


Zuletzt den Kuchen dick mit Kakao-Pulver bestäuben.


Fertig (nach ca. 1 Stunde ohne Wartezeit)!

Guten Appetit!

Correction

Actually the supplemental insurance covers all your riding or sporting activities whether an organized event or your personal excursion. You get a discount for having a USA Cycling license, and also have coverage for accidents at or going to and from a USA Cycling event. Something I will be getting for next season.

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

It's the best time of the year.

Yes, Thanksgiving is over and we can finally enjoy listening to Christmas music. And Alois has posted. He had two posts up on the front page at the same time. Now I have to get my wife to post more in Japanese. Over 500 hits in the last six months.

It has been awhile since I posted but I have been sick (paralleling Rush Limbaugh's illness). Felt something coming on well before Thanksgiving but it didn't hit till after. Maybe it was sitting out in the cold when we got a flat in the middle of the night and the spare tire release mechanism was frozen in rust. We had to wait for a tow and then it took me a good part of the next day to get the spare out. And then the radiator started spewing fluid, and then the alternator went out. (I had to walk to the repair shop over a mile deathly ill to pick up the car but the part they put in was defective and I had to walk back home [uphill both ways]) Then I got two new tires and realized I should have gotten four, but after stopping the car from going into a complete spin I straightened it out before we drifted clean off the road (I94). And then the furnace broke down on one of the coldest nights of the year. Things just can't get any....

I'll get back to you on that.

Or maybe it was the haircut that made me catch this awful sickness. I could blame my wife, but it was my own decision. The problem with going for that barbarian warrior look is the very real possibility of being mistaken for a hippie. And with the Winter weight gain almost guaranteed I wasn't expecting to look too ripped. The main reason though being a job interview. With the major Architectural firms all laying people off I put in several applications for some seasonal sales work. Got one interview and no job offer. We went to my barber, but being opening day they were all out hunting. It was closed.

Ended up somewhere, and the hair stylist kept asking; "Are you sure you want to cut off all this nice hair?" (not really)

Needless to say it has been a long while since I've made it to the gym or done any riding. Walks and shoveling snow (like shoveling water) has been my only exercise. But my illness kept away the traditional after Thanksgiving jump in my weight. Not to mention my wife giving away the entire double batch of rice pudding I had made for Thanksgiving at my brother's house.

And being sick I missed 'Emery's' after Thanksgiving Day sale. When I got their e-mail I called and asked how much the CycleOps Fluid 2 was going for. They had it $24 under any price I had seen previously on the Internet.

Cyclocross has seemingly come to an end. Whether Madison, New England or Europe it has an almost fanatic following. If only I could afford a Cyclocross setup. Or even an appropriate road bike for racing. I'll be lucky if I can get a trainer for the Winter months. Will try to shift more of my racing to Saturdays and the local road races may be an alternative. Why? Being USA Cycling events, as are WORS events (and Cyclocross), they are covered by the supplemental insurance (actually they have three different companies offering policies) that USA Cycling membership provides. WEMS events are not USA Cycling events, though I may make a couple local WEMS races, I don't think I'll being driving far to race challenging courses I am unfamiliar with. I'm quite sure I'll make at least seven WORS races though.

I missed the monthly MTB club meeting last night. Road conditions were too dangerous. Still no pictures... Sorry. Maybe I'll get a camera for Christmas.

Der Winter zieht ins Land ...

Die Blätter unseres Apfelbaumes sind schon alle abgefallen, nur noch einige Äpfel hängen standhaft am Baum. Der erste Schnee ist schon gefallen, aber auch bald wieder verschwunden.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all you readers and safe travels to those hitting the road to visit family and friends.

I'm grateful we still have Tun-Tun here. I don't know what I'll do when he's gone. Over fourteen years old this last month. I repaired these basement stairs this spring. Not the best concrete work but the uneven risers made it dangerous.

My wife said; "You finally fixed those because Tun-Tun can't go up and down the stairs anymore and it's going to be hot in the summer (we don't have central air)."

One step was too tall for Tun-Tun to climb, but my wife never got me to admit my true motivation. Now they are all an even 7" riser with a 12" tread.

Tun-Tun spends most of his time in the basement or outdoors. He can't climb the steeper steps to the upper floors, though recently he has made it up to the first floor by himself a few times. We tried several ways of lifting him (in a crate or sling) but they all left him scared and extremely stressed. But we miss him when we are upstairs, and he barks when he's alone too long. So I started scooping him up in my arms, which he doesn't like but tolerates well. He wont nip at me but I wouldn't recommend anyone else trying. My wife brought home an old futon mattress to put in the basement for him. He likes it a lot; soft but firm. Sometimes he barks and just wants someone to come down and cover him with his blanket. Yes, he wants to be tucked in. He can have trouble staying warm.

The Dinovite has been a great help. Just over six months now, we've been giving it to him. Like I said he started climbing more steps and the tumor on his jowls has shrunk significantly. He still has problems breathing but not as bad as before.

We will have Thanksgiving dinner with most of my immediate family. All the yummy food.... I will be making my rice pudding (recipe in comments). And then...? I really have to get back to the gym. I thought you had to pay for the spinning classes but someone told me they are free.

Otherwise we would be home alone watching football, with plenty of popcorn salted and buttered. And perhaps some grilled cheese sandwiches rather than the fuss of preparing a Turkey. And rice pudding of course. And, no we didn't watch the second half of the Packers' game. We couldn't. It was too painful. Maybe if I made popcorn they would have won.

I received my copy of the WORS 2008 DVD. It is that much better and my wife enjoyed it as if she were watching it for the first time (I showed it to her on the web site). They have a short promo version. They went with 'Tom Petty' for the background music. Thank God they didn't go with 'Journey'.

Again...

Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels to all.

The Grilled Cheese Sandwich

I love the grilled cheese sandwich. And not only in the cooler months. Any time will do. My mother used Velveeta when we were children, but the classic and best is American cheese on white bread, and don't skimp on the butter. Goes great with a cold glass of milk. Where would we be without the cow. My wife stocks up on American cheese singles whenever there is a sale (no one cuts their own cheese any more). I've noticed others with biking blogs also favor the oozing goodness. Of course none of those blogs are nearly as entertaining as mine, nor do they provide the diverse and massive extent of knowledgeability a worldly individual such as myself can give.

But there is an alternative that delights the palette to a comparable degree. That would be cheddar cheese on rye bread. But then, as my insightful nature always leads me to do, I made it better. I added bacon to this design and ... straight to heaven. I thought of grilling it in the bacon drippings from the pan my wife fried the bacon in for breakfast but stuck with the butter. Mmmm! It's to die for.

My workouts have dropped way off with the cold and my wife and I having only one vehicle between us. Repaired the truck and after a couple of new tires we should be worry free for the winter. (12 degrees F tonight, can you believe it?) Haven't been on the scale much either though my weight certainly isn't moving much. The doctor last month... mostly marked improvement with one questionable development to keep an eye on.

Armstrong is still riding mountain bikes. I wonder why he hasn't raced mountain bikes here in Wisconsin. He's been in Wisconsin enough. WORS dominated the Ice Man regional championship again. Could it be fear that keeps Armstrong from our MTB circuit? Perhaps a nice toasty grilled cheese sandwich could entice him to compete.

First Real Snow

Yesterday we had the first real snow and traffic suffered for it. The dread hazard black ice forming on the bridges and overpasses. Big fluffy crystals that still linger on the ground. Not the icy pellets we had some weeks ago.

People don't appreciate the Winter as they did in the past. The key is simple. A good pair of long underwear. But people get up, step into their heated garages with their already remotely started and warmed up and then scurry into work. Nary a moment to embrace the cold, let alone dress for it.

The North Woods; Wisconsin Highlands. An areal photo of our property. I borrowed a surveying tool from a place I had previously worked and staked out the eastern border. Remarks from cousins and family, as well as neighbors suggested they thought I didn't know what I was doing or where my property really was. The beaver dam at the north end had been breached right at my property line and the pond that my neighbor to the east used for duck hunting drained, much to his ire. He didn't do it. I didn't do it. Obviously someone thought my property was theirs and did it because it is illegal to kill beavers that aren't on your own property without a trapping license. And why take out the dam? I was looking to do some duck hunting myself if I had the chance (as well as rabbit, woodcock, grouse, pheasant, all there). I had marked my corner markers along the access. Found them remarked my last trip. Obviously someone had the borders checked by a professional (and found I was nearly spot on). .... Priceless.

The gas prices have come way down but still can't afford to get up for the deer hunt starting this Saturday. The truck is in the shop and have no idea how much that will cost us. Actually have a naturally armored section of the stream through my property that would make a nice crossing for a mountain bike. If I could snag some more property I could create my own private trail. At the last Metro Mountain Bikers meeting they started talking about trips to "Ray's" for these Winter months. I had mentioned here that I could fit at least a half dozen bikes in our truck, and some may think I could facilitate a large group to "Ray's" since, with our salted Winter highways, it is not healthy for the bike to carry it on an exterior rack. No ... I don't like to spend the night in strange places with people I am not familiar with. In my mind, when I wrote that, those half dozen bikes were all MINE!

Found a new MTB race in the news. South Africa appears to be looking for the MTB tourist dollar. Where Winter is Summer.

No I didn't repair my camera or buy a new one to get that photo.

Stage Racing

Went to a trail building day last week. Got there late and went the wrong way so had a fresh brisk mile walk before I found the others. Overcast and drizzle all day. I enjoyed it. Started with a folding saw down one line of flagged trail. The Beer Man found me and told me it was time to quit. If they had left a few tools here and there I would have went til it got dark. I was enjoying myself so much working in the woods. So much for the Beer Man's HR management skills. Makes me miss the north woods. How I wish I had the money to get up for deer season. Just sitting alone in the cold and quiet.... waiting. Another trail day tomorrow. Planning to make it but you never know.

The Ice Man is over. Some asked why I didn't go to the Midwest Regional Championship to defend my State Title. I had another church event to attend in Chicago. I guess I could have tried to get in, considering I had the title, even with the registration closed since January. I found a new you/tuber that has a lot of video from the Ice Man.

And the monthly local WORBA meeting was this past Tuesday. They talked about an MTB stage race for Wisconsin like the Tour D' France. Talking about a combination of three different events. That's not a stage race as far as I'm concerned, and it's certainly nothing like the ... well ....what ever the French do (does anyone really care what the French do?). I suggested using the Ice Age Trail for a real stage race.

"You can't ride mountain bikes on the Ice Age Trail," I was told.

No Kidding! And you can't legally race on any streets without prior permission (even in France) and closing off the streets from other users. I mean, what they were talking about (Yeah, you Beer Man) wasn't a stage race. If you notice in my links farther down, under 'Racing for Real Men,' there are some real stage races. Excuse me for being the stickler. Some one has to get it right. They even have one in Britain. Stage racing is something I'd like to try someday. I only need wheels for my stage and I'll be all set.

Election

It is not easy to explain how I feel about this last election. Some were celebrating in the street in our neighborhood.

We were out last weekend and I was searching the air waves and settled on a certain radio station. My wife got into the van and started talking, then suddenly stopped....

"Oh my God!" She said; "It's Halloween!"

Yes, certain radio stations had already gone over to all Christmas music and were playing it on Halloween. Actually..... that's sort of exactly how I felt about the election but in some strange inverse. Like they were playing scary music on Christmas.

Caught a picture of a midget carrying around a lady on his shoulders. He does that every Halloween. Sorry for the quality we only have the cell phone.

Alois has posted again. He's really getting into the scene. Less than five months since his last post. A beautiful dog. Alois (and my mom) actually feel the same as I do about President Elect Obama.

The Ice Man Cometh Challenge is tomorrow. I can see why it is so popular. Beautiful remote and well amenitized location. In Germany you can actually get a prescription for a spa. It would be great to end a season with a great challenge as the Ice Man, pushing the limits, and then enjoying the luxury spa facilities. If I had a proper camera it would be worth going just to take pictures. Of course the more neanderthal among us would simply settle for a cold beer.

The Domes just had their grand reopening. Went to the site of the last place I worked and saw that they actually worked on the project. I'll be writing more about my experiences in the profession on my other forum, including the moral/ethical angle.

Still waiting for my hard copy of the WORS movie.

Es ist ein Hundeleben ...

Unser Hofhund geniesst sein Hundeleben und die wärmende Novembersonne ...

It's Good to be Champion

I enjoyed watching the Philadelphia Phillies defeat Tampa Bay the other day in the world series. Mostly because my name is Phillip, and it is always a slight comfort when the team that took yours out of the race wins it all. Lucky for Major League Baseball too, since if it continued, it would have been a mess for the fans who had tickets for the games in Florida with the delay effect on hotel reservations and the such.

I also happen to find myself the USA Cycling Wisconsin State Champion for citizen class men 40-44 category. Yes, I am a champion. I'll have to make sure to remember to tell all my competition when the new season begins next year, in case they aren't readers. I'm sure they will rejoice at my conveyance of the news.

It's Halloween. No jack-o-lanterns or decorations. The effort is better spent on house repairs as are the cost savings in electricity for the lighting. 'Have to have pictures,' says my wife or the blog is boring. Here is the yard I've been helping a friend with. Removed the topsoil and many inches of clay and hauled it away and then brought in new top soil. He has an extensive garden and lawn both front and back. Good to get some work vaguely related with my profession. Though hardly all that he had been guaranteeing this summer. Worked for a handyman in the past too. Always saying they have work for you. I'd be rich if all that was promised came through.

I got a dollar in the mail.

Scandal!

My wife and I had a wonderful ride together the other day. The downside to dressing one's wife well is the criticism one will receive if not dressed in proper mode yourself. My wife was critical of my red Badgers sweatshirt, mustard sweat pants (it was cold out) and my blue biking shoes. She said I wasn't color coordinated and seemed embarrassed to ride with me, often lagging far behind. She called it 'Chinese fashion.' When we watch the Korean dramas she loves so much she says the same thing when she doesn't like what the woman (or men) are wearing. 'Chinese fashion.'

But the fashion sense of the producers of America's clothing isn't the scandal I want to talk about.

I was impressed with the WORS movie embedded below. I was surprised so much was done in such a short time, and done very well. Obviously the producer worked very hard. Which just magnifies the pain I felt when I realized the unimaginable. That at least one of the video clips in the WORS '2008' movie was actually from 2007.

But I blame myself. The second half of the movie actually lulls in video clips, an obvious step down from the excitement of the first half. Video had to be supplied from somewhere (my 2007 clip pulled from you/tube). If I had just been able to make more of the races. Taken more video clips. Clips that far exceed the quality of what others provide. This tarnishing of an impeccable organization could have been avoided.

Unfortunately, as the poorest of WORS competitors, I wasn't able to go to more races or buy a new camera when mine was smashed and rendered into utter brokenness. But there is something you can do. Something you all can do. Send me money. Money so I can buy a proper camera and take pictures and video deserving of all your athletic prowess.

You drop your jaw. Murmuring over feigned laughter in disbelief. Yes, I myself could never have imagined that such a scandal could strike WORS. But you don't have to let this happen again. Give! Give me your money! 'Spread the wealth' that such a tragedy never need be repeated.

WORS the Movie, Enjoy!

WORS 2008: The Movie from Team WORS on Vimeo.

Daylight Savings Time

We used to change the clocks today. My computer and VCR have put their clocks back an hour but the rules have changed. But why do we need such frivolity? The government telling us how to set our clocks. How much sunlight we should enjoy. Boy if it weren't for them..... Then you have some states, or even counties, who don't switch back and forth. Everyone could just go to work an hour earlier and then we need never change the clocks.

Today is the infamous CX Halloween race nearby in Washington Park. And it surely is a beautiful day; clear, brisk, with scattered white puffy clouds and a strong gusty breeze. A perfect Autumn day. No, I didn't get up early to go watch attention seekers dress in humiliating garb. We had a long weekend, spending the day in Chicago Yesterday. No time for any trail maintenance or other projects planned for Saturday, especially with us working the weekends. I believe I got to two trail maintenance outings this year. One was a Wednesday night. The last couple years they have been predominantly Sunday mornings. I guess most bike people don't go to church. Of course I often miss Church for a WORS race (or hit Gesu at 6:00p.m.) but I say; 'WORS is short for WORSHIP. That's why we race on Sundays.' And I have to get to my own church sometime.

We are in the process of hiding out at the moment. We didn't buy any candy for the 'trick or treaters' so we have the blinds closed and I'm typing very quietly. I wish they would just have it the night of. Kids would get more candy. It's five days away! It wasn't just us who forgot to buy candy you know.

The potted plants have circled the wagons, so to speak, around the tomato plant in our garden bed. To keep warm or in fear of the ghosts and goblins this time of year stirs up? They will be easy to cover if frost should strike. With the lake effect and ups and downs of the terrain there is no uniform changing of the leaves. Some trees are near bare in some areas and some still green. Of course type of tree makes a difference too.

My wife and I will go out riding soon (after the Brett Favre game). Have to get her out in her new riding clothes. I knew that would work. Young men listen and learn. Or read in this case.

Dangerous Nights

My wife loved her riding outfit I bought her. Pretty colors with flower patterns on the long sleeves. Have to find time to get out riding more but the days are getting short and I have too many tasks before me to be efficient. A real overload. Nice to get out and do some yard work. Getting everything ready for Winter. With the poor production of my small garden plot this year have to look to add good soil and fertilizer.

Down in Kenosha, more than a week ago now, I came across this bunch of brainless bloodied zombies going around on their bicycles. (Sorry for the picture quality.) Yes, all October people enjoy the Halloween spirit. Obviously going from bar to bar as a group I notice few to none had lights on their bicycles. I see a lot of people on bicycles down there all the time. Maybe 1 out of 25 actual have lights. Many are ride on the wrong side of the street or even weaving back and forth (not referring to this group). Often they wear dark colored clothes. Now, ... I was in Racine the other day just after dark and saw many bicyclists. I would say 9 out of 10 had proper lights.

That same day a beat down started right behind my parked car. I jumped out with my wife's cell phone to take a picture which scared the attackers off. Some may say the camera is mightier than the sword but obviously it was my domineering physical presence. OK.. it was the camera. Sort of the concealed carry concept to reduce crime. Yeah, you don't need the government to put cameras all over the place to play big brother with their populations, like those poor saps in Britain, just an involved public. We saw a big brawl one night, some months ago, when a guy showed up with an metal pipe. Was on the phone to 911 before I ever thought of taking a picture.

After my Eco, ultrasound, I was having intense pain in my ribs. Thought the procedure may have aggravated a possible slight fracture from my last crash. Talked to a nurse on the phone and she said she never heard of that. She thought my positioning for the test may have been the factor. Checked the Internet and found the opposite to be the case. Perhaps a small blood clot let loose as my arm healed and circulation was restored. I say that because after I took an aspirin, a blood thinner, rather than an Advil and most of the pain 'moved' and then vanished. Still hurts a bit. See the doctor for my test results next week.

300 U.S. visitors and over 400 worldwide in less than five months.

Tuesday's Gone

I missed the Tuesday night meeting of the local WORBA Chapter. My wife couldn't make it in time and I didn't want to ride my bike in the dark. Last year they had been talking a lot about a pump track at the Crystal Ridge facilities. I'm wondering if the idea is dead. The Alpha trail, built by the local chapter, has a listing and description in Well magazine, a Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare publication. Included are the Hoyt Park trail and some of our rail to trail trails.

My wife wants me to cut my hair but it keeps my head warm in the Winter months. At the Wigwam Challenge the young career professional commented on my hair. He said I looked like George Washington. I went and told my wife and said; "There's no way I'm cutting my hair now!"

She was also mesmerized by the colorful Wigwam performance socks I came home with. "Are those for me?" she said.

"No" I said, "they're not your size. Sorry."

I think I've hit on a way to get my wife to ride with me more. Buy her beautiful riding outfits that make her look good (not hard). Her birthday is this Sweetest Day.

Here is the one arbitrarily called 'Wally' climbing the equalizer at the last race. I think not many citizen class came close this year to completing the climb without dismounting with the heaviness of the trail from the recent rains. I made my best effort the second lap but the front derailleur, which I thought I had corrected, failed me and I couldn't drop down into the small ring. .....Actually ... His name really is Wally. ... That was just rude of me. ... And all this time. ... But it's all for fun.

Supplied WORS with my videos and best pictures from this year. There is a WORS 2008 movie in the making. Been promised a free copy for my submittals. They should give me like three cause I got all the best shots by far. Gotta get me a new camera for next year.

The next main event is one I have yet to attend. Good luck to all the professionals and enthusiasts going to the Iceman, the Midwest Regional Championship.

Wigwam Ultimax, An American Classic

Wigwam was the major sponsor of the Wigwam MTB Challenge. Again a very enjoyable and successful event, typical for WORS, put on by Fatkats. Here is the course map. It is a challenging course with lots of slippery roots and intimidating drops, and the Equalizer of course. Click Here

I finished about nine minutes slower than last year though I've had improved times this year prior to this race. There were some changes and the course was damp in places. All times seemed slightly longer than last year. Contributing to my poor time was the fact that I had not been on my bike for three weeks after my last crash, gaining some weight. Could feel it in my legs. My ribs ached a bit, especially the next day, and had pain in my lower right back. Lost some time caught back in the long train of bicycles when we all hit the first single track. As things loosened up I was racing two in my field, both in red shirts. Passed both of them before the single track in the second lap. One of them passed me and left me behind. The other, having trouble keeping up, slipped and did a belly flop in the mud. He said he was OK. My designated nemesis, the one I set my sights on to overcome this year, was sitting by the side of the trail, having crashed earlier, to offer him assistance if needed. I kept going and he never challenged again. I had a great flow and worked all the elements well with no major mishap. Felt satisfied with my performance considering.

One of my goals this year was not to be caught by the women, who start three minutes behind us. Not so that day, though their compliments and encouragement they gave when passing sure make one feel better. Caught a few other compliments from the spectators too. I was just working everything so well, but I could have been pushing my limits more. Skipped the bypass and took the jump the second lap. Hope they got a picture. Maybe I'll go for one of Extreme Photography Unlimited's collages. It appears they have been working to get more action shots this year. Many actually crashed, if not that day on the pre-ride the day before, and one taco-ed his wheel. They were pushing hard and those I had been competing with this year finished well ahead of me.

Yes, I am quite proud of my field fellows and how well they did this year in response to my encouraging razzes. I'm sure they are all grateful. One was anxious to show me the replacement frame he received from Gary Fischer on warranty when his broke. He had the new frame painted black, obviously wanting to emulate me, rather than the flame pattern he had on the original frame.

"Did lots of people comment on your flames?" I asked.

"Only You!" he said.

I just keep giving and giving.

I was tempted to buy a new camera but resisted. It's just not as fun to watch the rest of the races without a camera. Went to a friends house and was rewarded with being able to watch the Bears lose. The Bears were leading and kicked the ball to the Falcons with 11 seconds left. Ha! Ha! Returned later for the raffle, but alas, WORS has not been a raffle friendly environment for me. Two people won twice! Lots and lots of prizes supplied by Wigwam and WORS.

More Pictures

Autumn Pruning

Got out on my mountain bike yesterday. Couldn't do too much off road with the wet conditions but my arm was feeling fine, just some slight discomfort. Glad to get some riding in again. Have kept my weight from going up but I really need to work out more. Still far above what I want to be at. Have to keep focus on weight loss through the entire Winter. Will most likely wrap up my arm for the next race, even just for the psychological effect. The doctor said it would take six to eight weeks to completely heal. Mmmm. Just in time for Thanksgiving feasting.

Looks like I will make it to the Wigwam MTB Challenge. I'm sure all my fellow Clydesdale's have missed my gentle taunts. It has been a while and I bet they have slacked in their training without them. They should all be grateful for my challenges that push them to improve themselves. The nemesis of old, designated nemesis and the one arbitrarily called 'Wally' (using real names would just be rude, seeing I don't know them well). We'll see how they match up on Sunday.

Here is another shot of my bike from another angle. All this blood gushed suddenly, after I got up, from the adrenaline reaching the contracted veins. I have to say again, always remember to control the bleeding before you do anything else, even if it doesn't look like its bleeding too bad.

I pruned the peach tree. Here are some before and after pictures. This interesting article came up on the sidebar. I was wondering if they were racing chainless.

Sweet Slumber

Have to give my brother a big Happy Birthday today. Hope it was a good one. Though it's raining and the Brewers lost to the Phillies. Hope you still had fun at the game Tom.

And what about dem der Packers... arghhhh!

The doctor wants to see me again and have another ultrasound done of my heart. Decided to have my CPAP machine checked out before then and found the settings off. No wonder I've been short on energy and focus, and not able to lose weight. Got in some nice sleeps after getting things back to the prescribed setting. My first ultrasound, some four years ago, was somewhat troubling. Before my next one, scheduled a year later, I went to Korea for some spiritual healing. Was having symptoms of a heart attack for several weeks before my trip, but didn't want to go to the hospital and jeopardize my travels. The symptoms stopped when the plane landed and after forty days there and a couple months later my new ultrasound showed my heart functioning surprisingly better.

My arm appears to be healing fine. Thanks to all those expressing concern. Looked through some blogs and found no pictures of the bloody bike so I took some myself with my wife's cell phone. Here is a guy who cut his tire open at the same race. My wife made corned beef after my accident and I found it a bit traumatic slicing up the brisket. Actually she makes corned beef every time I get a cut and hands me a knife to carve it up.

I had to down load i-tunes on my PC for some reason. It appears quite easier and quicker to get Internet radio with i-tunes than media player. I like to listen to Bluegrass Radio (under country). At least the older stuff (damn hippie freaks ruin everything). My wife says it sounds like music playing on an old radio in an abandoned town in some horror movie. ...

It's my ribs that have been really hurting. Don't know if that means we'll have bar-B-Q'd ribs for dinner. My ribs had been feeling fine, but Thursday after I spent the day digging and hauling dirt in five gallon buckets. A few hours the following days also. Too bad I couldn't take any pictures, my camera being most broken. My friend has a beautiful garden and landscaping, quite extensive. We are working on the back now. When I went to get my stitches out, looked over some issues of Garden Design. Even their advertisements were attractive. I like looking at the pretty pictures.

WEMS is finished for the year. Looks like the first Wolf River Rendezvous was a little short on attendance. Everyone shooting for the big event in Sheboygan. With gas prices so high it really cuts into ones budget to try to make every race. Sounded like an interesting venue, with a tunnel even. I got a good video of the equalizer at Sheboygan last year but couldn't get you/tube to hold a portrait format. Have to get back out on my bike but it has been raining today.

Tun-Tun sleeps a lot these days. Then goes outside and trots around demanding our utmost attention. He enjoys the Autumn weather.... He has trouble catching his breath.

Autumn Racing

Cyclocross season has already started. I tried a couple races, including a covert non-sanctioned event, last year. I found my mountain bike, and myself, too heavy and bulky to enjoy the competition. If I could afford a cyclocross setup I certainly would be trying a few. Maybe next year. Lance Armstrong has been doing some mountain biking and cyclocross and now is returning to professional cycling, with some local support, to promote cancer awareness.

Not sure if I will make any of the remaining WORS or WEMS races. New schedules already out for next year. We'll see how it goes with my arm. If I had a functional camera I would certainly be at some events even if only to take pictures. I noticed on you/tube the popularity of switch back videos. They don't look too exciting unless you've already ridden some switchbacks yourself. Some more from the Levis Trow.

Some pictures 0f small jumps I do on a regular basis. This one in Hoyt Park always gives me greater pause than the drop off the concrete underground collection pond access in the next photo. Even though it is significantly lower. I will get my stitches out today and hope to get to the Hoyt trails in the next couple days. I'll see how my arm feels. It's more the internal stitches I'm contemplating. I believe the doctor said two weeks before they dissolve.

This photo is part of our flood control plan. Our local neighborhood association asked me to follow the planning process with them. MMSD explained in the beginning two alternatives they said would not work. A wall because it would be too tall and ugly, or an earthen levy which could fail under certain conditions. I suggested they build a wall and grade around it so it would have an attractive scale for the neighborhood.

"No, we can't do that." they said.

Two years later when they put forth their final proposal....

It is getting very cool now. I love this kind of weather. I would bring our peppers inside, to get the most out of them, but have no area where they could get sufficient sunlight. I have a grow light but is it worth the cost in electricity?

Autumn

It is the first whole day of Autumn, my favorite time of year. Some have already started putting out Halloween decorations. I have to recycle some of my photos since my camera is now in a total state of being busted and my wife says I have to have pictures or it's not interesting. I said this was a picture of almost a third of what we will get out of our peach tree. Try less than a fifth. Still a couple dozen on the tree just about ready for harvesting. Will have to do some serious pruning in a few weeks. Preserving the red shoots that will bear peaches next year yet keeping the tree condensed enough that the fruit wont break the branches. Need to prune properly to stimulate continuous new growth since peaches only form on second year growth. So much like life itself.

Tun-Tun has eaten all our tomatoes. It is good for what ails him. No money for expensive people treatments for our dog. He helps himself to the cherry tomatoes we have growing in a pot and we cut up the large tomatoes for him. We will get at least a pepper each from the three potted plants my friend gave me. Otherwise the leafy vegetables failed and cucumbers that my wife and I enjoy so much didn't come up this year. Plenty of oriental basil growing between the houses which my wife enjoys eating and making furi-kaki with.

I made a mistake after my accident. Didn't stop and first control the bleeding. The doctor said the gushing was from the adrenaline reaching the veins that had naturally contracted in response to the injury. If I had stopped and wrapped up my arm somehow I could have walked out and had someone drive me to the hospital rather than have the ambulance come. Not that I shouldn't have asked for help or made sure people knew what was happening.

I contemplate adding to my kit something that could be used as a quick tourniquet and/or compress. It would weigh almost nothing. The strap on my saddle wedge bag is slightly too short to fit around my upper arm, though my arms may be bigger than most mountain bikers. The cut just nicked the casing around a nerve and artery and slightly cut a muscle. Thanks again to the Ranger and all those who came to help, especially the ski patrol the event organizers had on hand.

“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother; be never so vile. This day shall gentle his condition. And gentlemen in England now abed shall think themselves accursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap....” William shakespeare; Henry V - Act IV, Scene 3

It was a bloody mess. I was at an International Day of Peace rally on Saturday morning in Madison, arriving just in time to make the 3 hour race, and after a long run to our bikes and stretches of grassy lanes we hit the first downhill single track, still in a bit of a group. I was happy hitting the rocks well. I had improved greatly this year on the rocks, but as people started floundering and the feet came down, stopping, pressure from behind, not having a flow and being heavy in the saddle clipping in and out, becoming self-conscious and flustered I was stood up on my front wheel. Came straight down on my forearm, jamming my shoulder into my chest. I believe I flipped against a tree and my bike came down on top of me.

"Are you alright." said the guy behind me.

"No." I said.

"You're bleeding bad." he said.

He lifted my bike off of me and I looked at the thick blood coming out of my arm. I told him to keep going. I got up and started back towards the start with my bike. Ten feet or yards later the blood started gushing. I Applied pressure, it stopped the bleeding, sat down and yelled. "I need help!"

If I knew my blood covered bike would have been such an attraction for everyone with a camera, I would have spattered some more on it..... or not. Ended up in the emergency room wondering if I could have gotten by without a trip to the hospital. I turned up my arm and looked at the cleaned wound and sort of laughed. Three internal stitches and seven on the outside. When I told my wife how it looked she said I should have taken the opportunity to pull all those fat globules out. When she got home later she shuddered at the sight of my bike. I had put it in the kitchen and put up the child fence to keep the dogs from cleaning it off.

Those are some sharp rocks and heard some tires were torn up too. It was the sharp edge of a large rock that caught my forearm. I knew rocks were the defining element of this course. Everyone speaks of it with a hideous chuckle, but it is always nice to get out with good people for a bit of competition. Lots of nice promotional items and of course I got excellent care. Greetings to all those who got bloodied up passing the accident site.

I took a picture of the wound but the camera had been smashed again and this time it wasn't working. Here is a picture of our Calatrava. No more last minute rushed arrivals at races. Make sure I always get in a pre-ride (had seen much of this course on you/tube but it's not the same) and get focused, mentally prepared. Told my wife; 'fewer races and more focus for next year.' Happily my back feels great, just some bruised ribs and scrapes with the wound.

Started riding my road bike more this last month, going around with the camera and now a sketch book. Taking pictures of our built environment to comment on and hitting our museums and gardens on the residents get in free days to develop my drawing skills. Drawing and writing as a basis for my design goals. Still can't get anyone to take me on as an independent contractor.

Just Peachy

My road bike; the bike one of my younger brothers let me have. Never saw these adjustment pins before. Though I've ridden many a bike I never really did much detailed maintenance until I started competing. Riding my road bike a lot more since we have only one automobile.

Heard it said, that before the advent of padded shorts, racers would use round steaks. This seat, or saddle, is far from ergonomic by today's standards. My brother said it is a part of a system designed to work together with gel padded shorts. There's no way I'm wearing his shorts. I think it best to get a better saddle. If I had any money that is.

The peach tree is full of peaches. Branches bowed under the weight. The dogs like to eat them along with some wascally wabbits. I opened this part of the yard I've been trying to protect from the ravages of our dogs. It makes Tun-Tun very happy. He doesn't move around as much as he used to. Don't know how much longer he will be around.

My wife has been researching recipes. Peach pie, peach cobbler, peach bread, soup and even spaghetti. Mmmm, sounds like a real preride treat. This would be getting close to a third of what we will get off the tree. The salesman at Hawks said this hardy peach variety would have smaller fruit. Many are as big as any other peach I've seen. Great weather should ripen them all up and I should have them all off the tree by weeks end.

Last week I dropped a lot of water and two pounds. It can only be a good thing. My weight loss stalled but could still get down to last years minimum weight by Thanksgiving when it usually starts going up again. Have to be truly serious about weight loss over the Winter. Need to get a trainer. Here is a photo of our sedum. It actually has an attractive color, unlike others.

A Capitol Adventure

I went on a ride with my road bike yesterday. Down Canal Street, along the Lake and to our Church by UWM. Thought I'd offer my help if they were doing any maintenance, which they weren't. They were having a rummage sale. Had a commercial establishment on Capitol Drive to visit. Down Oakland and on to Capitol Drive where I decided to ride on the sidewalk since traffic was heavy and all lanes full with insufficient space for a bicycle.

After awhile I noticed I was keeping pace with the #62 bus. Slowing for pedestrians (most waiting for or getting off the bus) on the sidewalk, coming to a crawl or even stopping, I still seemed to keep pace. Until 35th Street where it would get ahead of me and I would catch it after it would continually get stopped behind a red light after letting people on and off. Even with students starting to crowd the streets at places and having to maneuver around cars at curb cuts, I still kept pace. I lost it at 76th Street when, from a dead stop, it shot through a red light at 2:39pm west bound.

You might be surprised that on such a major commercial thoroughfare how much of the sidewalk was actually empty.

The traffic had let up and the streets were in somewhat better shape so I got back on the street and dug in to see if I could catch it. Slowing at one intersection for a red light (I always stop for red lights) I made my way across drifting towards the crosswalk after it turned green. Lucky for me as a car, most likely speeding, had ducked into the lane to bypass slower traffic and missed clipping me by inches. Yeah, I got back on the sidewalk and never saw the bus again since it had few to no pick ups or drop offs after 76th Street.

I did ride the streets on the way back where it is safe to ride the streets. Neighborhood roads I am familiar with and along our wonderful parkway system. I personally believe those bike advocates who are animate about keeping bicycles off the sidewalks restrict the number of people who might take up bicycling as a transportation option. It was a twenty mile trip total that averaged about 10mph.

If only we had trains.

The Core, The Core, The Core....

So said MacArthur ....or not. It is amazing how man's quest to please his woman with rock hard abs created this simple device, a wheel on a stick, whose future applications would lead to the technological environment we enjoy today. Yesterday with a road bike trip to the gym for some brief strength training and two laps at Crystal Ridge on my mountain bike. I ended the day with stretching some out on this simple device. The core is actually very important. Even in the bench press many hit a wall because they neglect developing their core and even their legs. Yes, the bench is a far more comprehensive determination of overall strength then it may seem.

Yesterday was the final day of Wednesday night racing. The time trial style start was a refreshing change. I truly loved the course revisions. Reducing the length by at least a mile, the fastest mile, and reversing directions on the ski hill switchbacks. Climbing the switchbacks, which I did successfully, was much more fulfilling than the mindless climb up a gravel road.

Sunset would have had me finish in the dark so I stopped at two laps. Also, I didn't want to keep everyone waiting for me to finish. They were printing out the results in the lodge at the moment I would have been in the final stretch. I had mentioned to the powers in charge that allowing people to place who didn't finish all three laps would be more attractive to less experienced riders. An idea that was rejected leaving those of slower pace either receiving 1 point for not finishing or making everyone wait. Something I find undesirable myself, who often finishes last (always?). I guess they don't want beginners or intermediate riders. No I didn't win in the drawing leaving me just over 500 for the year if you count the new scar. The night race will be November 1st. Wish I could afford some lights.

I don't know if I'll get up deer hunting for the gun or bow seasons but this great white hunter has some fresh prey in sight. Mice have been apparent since the remnants of Gustav rolled in. This trap was fantastic. The mice never caught on with its hidden death chamber. The problem is with its cheap mostly plastic construction it broke after three mice were caught three days in a row some years ago. It was too expensive too buy for only three mice a pop and I suppose if it never broke the sales would dry up. A real catch 22 for the manufacturer, but if it could do that I'd buy another. Here's a humane mouse trap. I say just add water.

The begonia. The blossom forms under the thick leathery leaves and then it just straightens up into the sky in majestic splendor. No racing for WORS or WEMS this weekend with the infamous Chequamegon (spelling has nothing in common with its pronunciation) Fat Tire Festival. Not sure why the forty mile race has become such a legendary event other than the fact that it's forty miles. Here is an article I found sometime ago now on racing in Chicago.

Back to the Gym

I've neglected to give proper recognition to those who make the joy of mountain bike racing possible. Hammer Gel is the major sponsor of the WEMS races. After the second lap of the Metro Challenge I stopped at the water table and got a cup of their electrolyte drink. Not the best tasting but it sure did the job. A picture of some of the goodies they gave us at the race.

I finally got my road bike back on the road. After three tubes blowing shortly after being inflated (or during inflation) Emery's ordered some heftier tubes for me. I suspect manufacture defect with the tubes pictured here. The bicycle professional thought two were pinch flats (couldn't have been much of a pinch) and one looked like a bad tube. just opened at a seam as I inflated it. I mentioned to a fellow racer that Emery's said they would match any price (cost + shipping) found on the Internet for any current model product that they carry. The gentleman I was speaking with said most shops don't do that any more.

No, I didn't go to the Stump Farm. My brother was in town and we just didn't have the money to spare. It is easy to tolerate a single card going up a bit during the race season, but not all of them. Misao has been getting a lot of dental work done at the University. It is still expensive and takes forever. Just can't afford to go to every race. Even skipping some of the Wednesday night races which run me about $10 including fuel. Looking to four more races. Also had her eyes checked. She needs reading glasses. She said she needs three pair. One for upstairs, one for downstairs and another for her purse.

It's back to the gym finally. My back feels normal again though I wont be doing any military presses for a while. Still doing 200+ lbs on the bench press fairly easily though the shoulder I landed on in the infamous accident is giving me a bit of pain. That has been my ideal strength training goal, though it is always an ego boost when you can put something on beyond double plates (225lbs). Plan to focus on much more strength training for my legs. Something I didn't do much of in the past. This year has been sluggish for me though I am performing at a higher level. Don't feel as healthy either. Last year I had explosion and more vigor. I spent two hours a day at the gym most of the winter before that season, often every day of the week. I'm coming to realize it will take extensive exercise, aerobic and strength, to live a long productive life. Also have to get on top of my diet, which is becoming a growing interest of mine.

You can see our Begonia along with the Black Eyed Susan's, Sedum and Cosmos in the picture. If you look close you can see a green metal mesh from the fence to the meter I put in to hold up the taller plants. Of course nothing grew that well this summer. After the heavy rains earlier in the year I didn't water as much as I should have. The daily weather forecasts always had rain two days out that seldom materialized. Yes, it is the weatherman's fault. No shortage of rain today as Gustav comes to town. Speaking of the weather here are some pictures I found browsing some garden blogs.

Only the tomatoes have really come through for us this year. The soil hasn't had tomatoes for a couple years and that may be why they are doing well. Some nice mixed lettuce in the garden I planted at the Church.

Dazed and Confused

Competitors place their bikes on the ground in preparation for the Le Mans style start to the Metro Challenge WEMS races. I had been sick, headaches and extreme fatigue, in a way I haven't been sick since I started my CPAP therapy. Debated whether I should race this weekend but was feeling a lot better. Three laps and was egged on to do another. Would have had to increases my lap time and felt it would have compromised my safety. Was satisfied with how my body handled the heat though it is not really a hot Summer and the humidity broke after the first lap.

Here is a picture of the timing gods sitting in judgment. To gaze upon their radiant faces would surely mean certain death, or maybe they're just plain ugly. You can see the two chutes where the teams relay in and out. A well organized and successful event though attendants was down with the Border Battle, on the other side of the state, being the following day.

I had suggested to my wife that I would be going to the Border Battle, a five hour plus drive, and was met with;

"No Way!"

"You're kidding, right?"

The high gas prices deterred me from spending the money we don't have to go to the Border Battle and I eventually told her I wasn't going. I try to average under $100 a race, including bicycle maintenance costs through the season. An almost impossible task this year.

So I arrived home from the Metro Challenge and my wife had made large piles of spaghetti.

"Why did you make spaghetti?" I asked in dazed wonder.

"For your race tomorrow." she said.

!?!?! "I'm not going. ...I told you that already. ...You didn't want me to go."

She insisted that I had said I was going and was at a loss to understand what she was talking about. Confused, I decided it was still best not to go since I would get almost no sleep and the drive was long. I actually went on a long bike ride Sunday and felt great. Could have done the double header if we didn't have our retail business to run on the weekends.

As it turned out, those I am competing with in the series had little advantage to make headway with some serious Minnesota racers pushing them all down the finishing ranks. It was missing the Sunburst Showdown that really hurt me.

My wife's birthday is in two months and she already told me some time ago she wants to go to a Japanese restaurant on her birthday. ...What does that mean?