I'm getting tired of the melodrama. If Brett Favre wants to keep playing he either sits back and waits for Aaron Rodgers to get injured or he should be traded. If he gets a fresh start on a new team and does well he could be revitalized and play three more years. With all the retirement talk and all the pressure he says he was feeling being on the team of legend almost his entire career, if you bring him back as a starter under this kind of controversy you can square that pressure. We'll get three games into the season and everyone will be questioning, including Favre himself, if he didn't make a mistake coming back.
I hope he finds another team, plays well a few years, and then pulls a Testaverde and plays backup until he's fifty. He can even return to the Packers.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Alterra Cup Classic
Where the days are a little longer (or shorter) and it's not the first deer that jumps out in front of your car that you have to look out for. Just to add to my reflections on the North Woods. Yes, deer jumped out in front of my car three times on my recent trip. The ones following the first one are the real danger. One actually hit my car with its hind legs as it ran away. Makes one look forward to hunting season.
Went to the Wednesday night race and hit the course for the first time since my accident. No door prize. On a message board exchange on replacing old tires one gentlemen asked if you would rather have your front tire or back tire slide out from under you? I definitely must say back tire, unless you want to land on your head. I decided to put the tire from my original front wheel on my wife's wheel which I have been using. Decided I didn't like her thinner tire and question the quality of the tread. One man asked on a message board steam if you'd rather have your front tire or back tire slide out from under you? Back, unless you want to hit your head. Still have to get that repaired or just buy a new wheel set.
The 2008 WORS Alterra Cup Classic was yesterday. Only a ten mile drive for the enjoyment of a WORS event. First time I actually went through the same day registration, always using their web site in the past. Of course it was smooth and professional as always (WEMS... another story). The weather was perfect. A great break for all those who work hard to keep this fine course in a metropolitan area. With the continuous dumping and rising water table it is not an easy course to keep up. The premier Alpha Trail sections have been closed all year. But... heard some complaints about the ruts in the opening flats after the climb.
Long climbs, including the start, put me at a disadvantage though it was home field. A bit behind from the very beginning. A complete revitalization to race a course so familiar with others of a similar level of ability. Over powering many on the open sections between extensive sections of single track. Making those climbs no matter how slowly without dismounting where others couldn't. Unlike Wednesday nights where I am always last, racing with sport and above for three laps. Here is a picture from the top of the ski hill of the Elite Comp racers lining up in the start chute.
Still without that explosion up the opening hill my nemesis of old, enjoying his time in the sun, finished a couple minutes ahead of me. This years designated nemesis was out with bike problems. I think I could have taken him. The one arbitrarily named 'Wally' was right behind me climbing to the finish gate. This slippery fellow through his undying devotion, not missing any races, will be hard to overcome in the series standings. Pushed hard the last fifty yards to keep him at bay. There was a new downhill trail on the ski slope and the sport and above racers came up the switchbacks which we skipped. All the way to the top for the Elite Comp.
I stayed to buy a cheeseburger and soda to support the cause. When my wife comes along she always wants to go to Culver's when it's over. Took quite a few pictures that I should have up soon. My computer is just so old and slow these things take time. I downloaded the rest of the Reforestation pictures too. A few short video clips also.
The garden has not produced much and a decorative tree I have nursed off and on over the years is dying. Some creature has been nibbling on our radishes among other things. Coming out under the cover of darkness. ..... I hit a chipmunk with an arrow once.
Went to the Wednesday night race and hit the course for the first time since my accident. No door prize. On a message board exchange on replacing old tires one gentlemen asked if you would rather have your front tire or back tire slide out from under you? I definitely must say back tire, unless you want to land on your head. I decided to put the tire from my original front wheel on my wife's wheel which I have been using. Decided I didn't like her thinner tire and question the quality of the tread. One man asked on a message board steam if you'd rather have your front tire or back tire slide out from under you? Back, unless you want to hit your head. Still have to get that repaired or just buy a new wheel set.
The 2008 WORS Alterra Cup Classic was yesterday. Only a ten mile drive for the enjoyment of a WORS event. First time I actually went through the same day registration, always using their web site in the past. Of course it was smooth and professional as always (WEMS... another story). The weather was perfect. A great break for all those who work hard to keep this fine course in a metropolitan area. With the continuous dumping and rising water table it is not an easy course to keep up. The premier Alpha Trail sections have been closed all year. But... heard some complaints about the ruts in the opening flats after the climb.Long climbs, including the start, put me at a disadvantage though it was home field. A bit behind from the very beginning. A complete revitalization to race a course so familiar with others of a similar level of ability. Over powering many on the open sections between extensive sections of single track. Making those climbs no matter how slowly without dismounting where others couldn't. Unlike Wednesday nights where I am always last, racing with sport and above for three laps. Here is a picture from the top of the ski hill of the Elite Comp racers lining up in the start chute.
Still without that explosion up the opening hill my nemesis of old, enjoying his time in the sun, finished a couple minutes ahead of me. This years designated nemesis was out with bike problems. I think I could have taken him. The one arbitrarily named 'Wally' was right behind me climbing to the finish gate. This slippery fellow through his undying devotion, not missing any races, will be hard to overcome in the series standings. Pushed hard the last fifty yards to keep him at bay. There was a new downhill trail on the ski slope and the sport and above racers came up the switchbacks which we skipped. All the way to the top for the Elite Comp.I stayed to buy a cheeseburger and soda to support the cause. When my wife comes along she always wants to go to Culver's when it's over. Took quite a few pictures that I should have up soon. My computer is just so old and slow these things take time. I downloaded the rest of the Reforestation pictures too. A few short video clips also.
The garden has not produced much and a decorative tree I have nursed off and on over the years is dying. Some creature has been nibbling on our radishes among other things. Coming out under the cover of darkness. ..... I hit a chipmunk with an arrow once.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Reunion
The North Woods, Wisconsin highlands. Heaven for some a forsaken wilderness for others. Where the water is pure and air clean. Where the majority of radio stations are Christian or Country. Where you can buy donuts and cheese at the ice cream shop. Where there are plenty of familiar names in the local cemetery. A place where I feel comfortable and at peace.
Had dinner with some relations who got together for a small reunion. Had the 12 ounce rib eye steak. Also checked on my property. I didn't bring my bike, no time to ride. Here are some address plates on the access road to my property. It was extremely overgrown this year unlike last year with the drought. My relations said; "And there are lots of bears." (and don't ride up from Milwaukee by bicycle) People trying to scare me again.
Couldn't find the type of brush I was looking for to clean off the Squirt residue from my chain but maybe this will work better for my entire bike. Took a ride to the Pick N' Save yesterday (the small bike rack there was full) where I found it and felt surprisingly good. Just stretching my legs before today's race that ended up being canceled due to a light continuous rain that soaked the course. The clay soil is tough on rider and bike when wet and some sections were still damp even before it started raining. The trails where I had my crash. Also the site of next weeks WORS race. Haven't ridden them since my crash. I had not been feeling too well since then and hadn't rode much. Went out for two hours a couple times this week.I have been having some troubles with my rear mech and checked the indexing. The cable casings must be gunked up not allowing the cable to slide when I up shift. Just another maintenance task. Tasks that take more and more time the harder you ride and the older your bike gets. My wife bought me some new gel padded riding shorts, sandals and a book cover for my birthday.
It was a down week overall with it being my birthday. My dog didn't die and those swirling curling clouds overhead didn't decide to come down and suck our house up into the sky. I had gained two pounds after not gaining anything since my accident slowed me
down. One of the reasons I was pushing myself then. I had been working hard several days straight, getting in some good rides too, and the weight started really coming off, five pounds in the two days before. Couldn't turn down the challenge and... bam, the accident! Went to dinner with my parents at the Olive Garden and stuffed myself silly. The mass of food in my gut pressed on my back giving me a backache and I couldn't sleep all night.
Peak time for the weeds in my lawn and garden. I'll have to do something about that. Hasn't been the best year for the leafy vegetables. Have to put my hopes in the tomatoes and peppers. Some nice birds have been coming around. I think they like to chomp on the peaches. The branches are really heavy. Have to study up on pruning peach trees.
Here is a picture of my Italian friend's bicycle along with his wife's. They enjoy riding up to a hilltop shrine.My wife's Japanese Internet adventures have lead her to musical dogs, fat pets, ominous Lamas, pranks and a man who designed his coffin after his favorite beer. He's using it as a cooler until he dies. I should have never taught my wife how to use the Internet.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Firecracker
Has it been over a week.....?
I had missed the online registration deadline for the WORS Chippewa Valley Firecracker and doing a lot of grunt work, moving dirt and stone on a project for a friend, left me feeling worse off than a few days before. I wondered how I even rode the Levis/Trow. My arm is healing well and the bruising slowly disappearing. That, with a nearly $100 fuel cost to go to the Firecracker kept me home. Not to mention with 20 minutes of sleep I don't even know if I could have made the four hour drive. No lack of pictures or videos available (you/tube). The largest turnout so far this year for WORS.
I went for a leisurely ride that Sunday and came down with a mechanical failure in my bike. The lock ring for my cassette came loose. Maybe lucky I skipped the Firecracker. Wednesday night races were declared on but the Beer Man obviously didn't check the course. Confusion reigned as they tried to determine how to run the race with half the course too wet to ride responsibly. My cassette came loose again and I didn't have my cassette tool with me. I went home. Had to clean the grit thoroughly from between the rings and spacer and cranked down a tight fit. Hopefully that's the end of that problem. Don't know if they raced or not.
I seem to get dinked around by local bike shops so wont be endorsing any of them. Am trying a new product that is coming through as promised so far; Squirt, a new WORS sponsor this year. Does it make the sun shine brighter, food taste better and open the doors to peace on earth? Not quite, but one of their claims that it makes shifting easier is absolutely correct in my experience. Always had a bit of trouble with my front derailluer but no longer, despite the slight play in the arm. We'll see how it cleans up. Still a lot of build up on the chain (don't remove excess after application) but they claim you just brush it off with a stiff bristled brush and eventually, as all the crud is worked out of your chain by their ground breaking product, it should ride clean and bright. We'll see.
12 Hours of Bluemounds has been canceled. Yes, it's been raining but wasn't expecting such a notice so soon. My wife already made plans expecting me to be away. Now that I have healed up I really have to get in some serious riding.
There's a reason I stay away from social rides. Helps me keep my head out of the gutter. Was this supposed to be a promotional video?
Cucumbers never came up (tried trice) and the rabbits put an end to our leafy vegetables. Getting some radishes out of the garden. The peaches are about the size of golf balls right now. Put some peppers in pots and have two tomato plants this year. Maybe I should have planted some watermelon.
They say cotton kills, not wicking the sweat away from your body as the newer fabrics do. Still I went out for a ride the other day in my favorite black tee-shirt. It was a nice ride. Everyone was greeting me as I passed by. People sitting in front of their houses all waved. In fact both WORS and especially WEMS have markedly higher participation this year, I discovered at our last club meeting. My field is one of the largest, Clydesdales 35+, and at the Wednesday night races men over forty is one of the largest groups. Perhaps its my charm. My goodwill and exceptional character. My warm and embracing personality that everyone wants to do as I do....
I came back from my ride and said to my wife; "Everyone was smiling and greeting me, waving and saying hello as I rode today."
"Really!?" she said.
"Yeah, I was wearing my black tee-shirt and I think they all thought I was a policeman."
"Yes! That must be it." she said emphatically.......
Best wishes for all those injured riding. Heard there was an incident at the Firecracker.
I had missed the online registration deadline for the WORS Chippewa Valley Firecracker and doing a lot of grunt work, moving dirt and stone on a project for a friend, left me feeling worse off than a few days before. I wondered how I even rode the Levis/Trow. My arm is healing well and the bruising slowly disappearing. That, with a nearly $100 fuel cost to go to the Firecracker kept me home. Not to mention with 20 minutes of sleep I don't even know if I could have made the four hour drive. No lack of pictures or videos available (you/tube). The largest turnout so far this year for WORS.
I went for a leisurely ride that Sunday and came down with a mechanical failure in my bike. The lock ring for my cassette came loose. Maybe lucky I skipped the Firecracker. Wednesday night races were declared on but the Beer Man obviously didn't check the course. Confusion reigned as they tried to determine how to run the race with half the course too wet to ride responsibly. My cassette came loose again and I didn't have my cassette tool with me. I went home. Had to clean the grit thoroughly from between the rings and spacer and cranked down a tight fit. Hopefully that's the end of that problem. Don't know if they raced or not.I seem to get dinked around by local bike shops so wont be endorsing any of them. Am trying a new product that is coming through as promised so far; Squirt, a new WORS sponsor this year. Does it make the sun shine brighter, food taste better and open the doors to peace on earth? Not quite, but one of their claims that it makes shifting easier is absolutely correct in my experience. Always had a bit of trouble with my front derailluer but no longer, despite the slight play in the arm. We'll see how it cleans up. Still a lot of build up on the chain (don't remove excess after application) but they claim you just brush it off with a stiff bristled brush and eventually, as all the crud is worked out of your chain by their ground breaking product, it should ride clean and bright. We'll see.
12 Hours of Bluemounds has been canceled. Yes, it's been raining but wasn't expecting such a notice so soon. My wife already made plans expecting me to be away. Now that I have healed up I really have to get in some serious riding.
There's a reason I stay away from social rides. Helps me keep my head out of the gutter. Was this supposed to be a promotional video?Cucumbers never came up (tried trice) and the rabbits put an end to our leafy vegetables. Getting some radishes out of the garden. The peaches are about the size of golf balls right now. Put some peppers in pots and have two tomato plants this year. Maybe I should have planted some watermelon.
They say cotton kills, not wicking the sweat away from your body as the newer fabrics do. Still I went out for a ride the other day in my favorite black tee-shirt. It was a nice ride. Everyone was greeting me as I passed by. People sitting in front of their houses all waved. In fact both WORS and especially WEMS have markedly higher participation this year, I discovered at our last club meeting. My field is one of the largest, Clydesdales 35+, and at the Wednesday night races men over forty is one of the largest groups. Perhaps its my charm. My goodwill and exceptional character. My warm and embracing personality that everyone wants to do as I do....
I came back from my ride and said to my wife; "Everyone was smiling and greeting me, waving and saying hello as I rode today."
"Really!?" she said.
"Yeah, I was wearing my black tee-shirt and I think they all thought I was a policeman."
"Yes! That must be it." she said emphatically.......
Best wishes for all those injured riding. Heard there was an incident at the Firecracker.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
First WEMS
See! Alois is a real person. I didn't make him up. (see previous post) Hopefully he'll have more to post soon having broken the blogging ice. I still have to upgrade my Flick'r account to get his slide show up and to create unlimited sets.
My first WEMS race. Pulled myself out of bed Saturday morning aching all over. (I believe the blow to my head improved my Go game) Hadn't gotten a good sleep since my crash. When did my body finally settle that I could get a restful sleep? Monday morning. I'm going down to shower and look outside and in the middle of my beautiful lawn that I keep fenced off from the dogs I got a rabbit digging up the grass. Threw all sorts of stuff at them before the pair left. Actually there was a nest under there I discovered when cutting the grass.
So is WEMS or WORS the more enjoyable forum to race at? Well they are different. No paparazzi at the WEMS race and far less spectacle. WORS is much more straight forward in its website and organization, making it easy to get started. WORS also started 'first timer' races this year which are one lap for those who want to get their feet wet. WEMS is far less intense as far as a tight field with passing issues. Smaller numbers, an endurance pace and a field well spread out as the lesser competitors start.
The Levis/Trow 100 was an unbelievably beautiful, very technical course (only $3 for a daily pass; well worth it). Riding among large boulders and rock formations with a green patina. I was spent before I started and my bike and I are having some trust issues so I didn't challenge some of the more difficult elements. But what I will call the switch-up-backs I had to shoot completely my second lap. Going up into the switchbacks then down in the turn as you work your way down the hill. Fantastic. I had my camera in the back of my jersey but when I thought to stop and take a picture I just went "ugh." Too tired and suffering to stop and pull it out. Actually didn't take any pictures. Met some nice people, some I hadn't seen in a while, but had to rush back home right after I finished two laps. Unlike most endurance races this race had set distances for the single speed championship but I had no time to ride a third lap to finish the 25 miles. But since it is an endurance series I still qualified for series points; only one lap required.
I had forgotten my riding shorts but my utility shorts with cotton boxer briefs worked fine. Don't know how it would have been if I was pushing harder. I had a old torn pair of riding shorts I wore under my shorts once and it didn't work well. Maybe the fabrics were incompatible.
As a perk for doing online surveys I earned enough points to get this new scale. It says I have 23% body fat and 52% water. Now I can weigh myself every day and make clearer associations between my activity and diet, and weight. My wife said she was going to get me one for my birthday. I guess she'll have to find something else. We like to give each other useful gifts. One year I gave my wife an electrolux vacuum for her birthday per the suggestion over the radio of a respected conservative economist. There are not many gifts she uses more. Once in a great while when I'm really tired I like to relax on Saturday afternoons and sit down and watch an afternoon movie. Saturday afternoons have some of the best movies. It seems to be my wife's favorite time to vacuum too.
My first WEMS race. Pulled myself out of bed Saturday morning aching all over. (I believe the blow to my head improved my Go game) Hadn't gotten a good sleep since my crash. When did my body finally settle that I could get a restful sleep? Monday morning. I'm going down to shower and look outside and in the middle of my beautiful lawn that I keep fenced off from the dogs I got a rabbit digging up the grass. Threw all sorts of stuff at them before the pair left. Actually there was a nest under there I discovered when cutting the grass.
So is WEMS or WORS the more enjoyable forum to race at? Well they are different. No paparazzi at the WEMS race and far less spectacle. WORS is much more straight forward in its website and organization, making it easy to get started. WORS also started 'first timer' races this year which are one lap for those who want to get their feet wet. WEMS is far less intense as far as a tight field with passing issues. Smaller numbers, an endurance pace and a field well spread out as the lesser competitors start.The Levis/Trow 100 was an unbelievably beautiful, very technical course (only $3 for a daily pass; well worth it). Riding among large boulders and rock formations with a green patina. I was spent before I started and my bike and I are having some trust issues so I didn't challenge some of the more difficult elements. But what I will call the switch-up-backs I had to shoot completely my second lap. Going up into the switchbacks then down in the turn as you work your way down the hill. Fantastic. I had my camera in the back of my jersey but when I thought to stop and take a picture I just went "ugh." Too tired and suffering to stop and pull it out. Actually didn't take any pictures. Met some nice people, some I hadn't seen in a while, but had to rush back home right after I finished two laps. Unlike most endurance races this race had set distances for the single speed championship but I had no time to ride a third lap to finish the 25 miles. But since it is an endurance series I still qualified for series points; only one lap required.
I had forgotten my riding shorts but my utility shorts with cotton boxer briefs worked fine. Don't know how it would have been if I was pushing harder. I had a old torn pair of riding shorts I wore under my shorts once and it didn't work well. Maybe the fabrics were incompatible.
As a perk for doing online surveys I earned enough points to get this new scale. It says I have 23% body fat and 52% water. Now I can weigh myself every day and make clearer associations between my activity and diet, and weight. My wife said she was going to get me one for my birthday. I guess she'll have to find something else. We like to give each other useful gifts. One year I gave my wife an electrolux vacuum for her birthday per the suggestion over the radio of a respected conservative economist. There are not many gifts she uses more. Once in a great while when I'm really tired I like to relax on Saturday afternoons and sit down and watch an afternoon movie. Saturday afternoons have some of the best movies. It seems to be my wife's favorite time to vacuum too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)