A Trip to Vegas

Woke up this morning, if you can call getting up after noon morning, and found the iris blooming and the blog has been lacking in pictures. Actually did ride Thursday after the sun came out and again today. First Misao and I took a bike ride to the V.A. to see the military exhibitions then it was off to Hoyt Park after a stop at an Internet WSOP tournament.

I usually sing to myself when I ride and grunt and growl when I race. 'Wally' will tell you it's true. I have been hitting the trails much faster than usual so now it is a combination of singing and 'Oh ...!'s to add a bit of color.

So they say; "Go to Vegas, we'll pay your way."

Here I was getting excited about 9 Mile with my new found fervor and there's a seminar they asked me to attend. Sounds like five days without proper exercise, but a very worthwhile opportunity at the same time. Don't know if it's Obama approved either or if I'd have any chance to hit the poker tables. I actually don't play for real money so... I don't have much of a poker face anyway. Maybe I could focus on unhappy things. But I'd have to be careful. It would be damn embarrassing to bust out crying at the poker table waiting for the river.

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They say one out of eight people struggle with hunger in the United States. They're called dieters. My weight has been dropping with my new weight loss strategy. Forgetting to eat. I could easily be under 250lbs by the Big Ring. No set plans to make any race right now. Been strong on the bike and at the gym. Was thinking of ripping it up on the trails today but the weather and not sleeping much my body seems the wiser for keeping me in.

Here's and article that has started to go around. I'm surprised it hasn't hit the WORS message board yet. One of the most divisive issues in cycling. Some are pushing Cycling Dirt, one of the newest additions to the mountain bike video sites. Today I got a new subscriber to my you/tube site.

Misao thought I looked sad the other day so she bought me ice cream. And donuts, and candy and came home with a giant bag of fried chicken today. I sometimes think she doesn't want me to be skinny because I'm just sooooo good looking. And with lifting off and on these past many years I think skinny would still be over 200lbs. It's a battle of wills.

Everyone searches to be happy. As a child the first book I bought was "Happiness is..." A charlie Brown thriller, every page a story unto itself. If I had the chance to say only one thing. The most important thing. The key to happiness is...

"Daily physical exercise."

That was Teddy Roosevelt in the movie I went to with my mom on the holiday.

Beauty makes people happy. Sometimes you have an image in your head that you long for. Features you see in pictures and art and people that turn your head keep your stare and make you feel warm and happy. And you discover the reason in something that was so very real in your life.

I often peruse the other biking blogs and have determined mine is better (yes, unseemly boastful but someone has to promote me, so few dare). They create long list of their 'buckle heads' or 'utters sputters' thinking they've hit it big time,... or not. If they want to be real bloggers they would get on my blog roll and a few Ben Franklins will do the job. I've determined I have far more readers than even my counter suggests, they must not count Macs, because I'm just that good. Or maybe I'm writing to only one person... who travels all over the world viewing my pages from different computers.

Walking

I have over two years of exercise logged on a group site. I'll have to print it out and bring it with me when I see my specialist again. He wanted to know my routine last time I was there. The doctor called and wants to see me next month. I stopped recording the walks I took the dog(s) on long ago. It is only a 3/4 mile stroll around the neighborhood.

Tonight I went around twice as these last nine days or so I've found my mind drifting more and more into deep contemplation. Well, ... more like a delving than contemplating. Something I can't quite put my finger on. Misao asked me if I was angry with her I've been so disconnected. But a walk is always good for the soul. As is writing I find, so I'm doing both.

My body kicked into gear since Iola and I've had some strong runs on the bike that left me feeling empowered. My weight is dropping though this weekend isn't helping. The whole family was in town yesterday, Saturday, though no one told me. I found out when I arrived at my nephews birthday party. A bar-b-que with lots of food and a Curious George theme. First time to see little Samuel, my brother Tom's new born. We took a group picture. A pitch fork and a few firearms would have made good props.

I have an opportunity to join Team Cyclopath. The requirements are few. A space open on the team, $25 for a jersey, help with a WEMS event they run and a body warm enough to complete a race. I'm sure they do much more but I hardly have opportunity to help with our local trails. Especially when they plan the work days for Sunday when one generally goes to Church. Of course... the WORS races are on Sunday too. I usually go to Gesu 6:00pm Sunday mass when I miss my own church's service and can get back in time.

Well it just became Memorial Day. We have no plans. We will have to stop by the cemetery. Have some work to do around the house and garden too. Maybe a bike ride or the gym if it's open.

Hair Cut

A few days ago Misao insisted on cutting my hair. If she had sheared my wavy locks of silver and gold before Iola perhaps I would have an alternative explanation for my poor performance. I have been riding more and my weight is coming down. Rode to the gym and back the day after though I am going light on the weight training. Just working a few free weights and machines each time. As long as I can bench over 200 lbs easily I am satisfied.

The single track and switch backs are just wonderful at Iola. Switchbacks are the highlight of any good run whether up or down. I did get some spectator reaction at Iola in the bowl as I came barreling down the hill. At 290lbs with my bike, I can go really fast downhill. Really fast. And I got the... guts to let go of the breaks. Not to mention the sense to get my fat... off and behind the saddle.

It would be nice if I could spend the weekend at the Subaru Cup. Try the DH and that short track but our schedule makes that nearly impossible. I wont be making the Smokin Spoke so am looking to The Big Ring Classic to impress and delight.

I truly need to focus on race prep. Need to get some energy drinks. Make a graph on excel to track my weight and body fat and just rip my lungs out more between races. I didn't make the first Wednesday night race. I still have to get my WORBA dues in.

The 'Wally' told me when I started racing, as a group of us talked about race prep, that restraining from conjugal relations with your wife makes no difference. He claimed studies backed his advice. I have become suspicious of his counsel.

Maybe I can blame my wife.

Yesterday

Yesterday was the WORS Iola Bump and Jump where I raced Sport class for the first time. The results were lacking. I had hoped for better. I didn't have any coffee or caffeine energy drinks before the race. I went for the Orange juice with my McDonald's breakfast. I only put some diluted G2 in my water bottle rather than the energy mixes I've used in the past. And those Clif Shot Bloks and gels sit on my stomach like a lead brick. I guess everyone is different but I don't plan using those later than an hour before a race.

During the race I dropped my chain several times. Miraculously my indexing was suddenly off. Then on the second lap people started lapping me. Late in that lap I stopped a few times to let long lines pass. I could have easily been ten minutes better.

The rules clearly state that:

"The use of profanity or flagrant discourtesy directed at another competitor, race worker or spectator is grounds for disqualification..."

Of course that doesn't include things like trees or roots, your bike (Treadfest 2007) or little bunny rabbits or little bunny rabbits that dart across the trail at just the wrong time. Or in my case it doesn't mean the clock as I finished my first lap and looked up in disgust. It was on the very mild side.

The greatest hindrance was my weight and the lack of focus in my workouts during the Winter. Especially after Tun-Tun died. I had some tough rides where I thought I had cleared out my lungs but am still coughing from yesterday's exertion. I could have gone another lap less the tougher half of the climbs. I thought I had held up well until I got home where I was wiped. My wife saved me by preparing something called dinner which we consumed at the kitchen table. Later I was watching TV upstairs and called her on her cell phone and she brought me a big bowl of ice cream.

The 'Wally' threatened to have me disqualified if I beat him, as we waited in the staging area, for having my race tag pinned to the wrong corner of my back number. He finished about five minutes ahead of me.

The young professional had claimed he was moving up to Sport this year but I learned in the chute that he had raced citizen. And then he wasn't on the course taking pictures as he did last year. Corey.... move up to sport or make me look good on camera if you wish not to face my wrath. I know we are in different categories but I enjoy defeating you on the course.

The nemesis of old (2007) came with warm greetings and a big smile with claims of his son's glory; leading the pack in the comp race. His son was having trouble getting his pro license if I understood correctly. I'm sure those big Mountain Bike dollars are just around the corner.

Dave's enthusiasm for the sport was well expressed in conversation after the race. During the race he lapped me (he must be 80lbs lighter than me at least), conveying best wishes.

I yelled, "Dave! Don't lap me.... come back!"

He didn't listen.

Looking to Tomorrow

Here is a video on how to lock your bike. I didn't know there was so much to it.

And another worthy cause looking for donations, if you have anything left after taxes.

Tomorrow is Iola and I took a stretch out to the stadium and back climbing out of my neighborhood and coasting down to the river and coming right back. Yesterday I just took a brisk walk, my body feeling a bit stressed. Slept in this morning after working last night and am feeling rested and energized. Misao made pasta tonight though she was planning to make brats.

The first two laps are all I have to worry about tomorrow. Trying to keep anyone from lapping me, more for their convenience than mine. I let faster riders pass quite easily. And then the final lap is a chase of anyone in sight in front of me or trying to keep ahead of anyone in back of me, which wont be many.

WORS is holding a photo competition but I have no camera. I'm sure I'll have chances at other races to impress, if not just plain dominate. Possible summer labor opportunities presenting increase purchase potential. Our smashed camera started working again but has crashed for good. I have to keep my blog interesting with pictures my wife always says. Just her cell phone camera for now.

So I lashed a double crook hanger to the raspberry trellis, planted a new raspberry plant and now have to decide which buckets to make into upside down planters. The Dinovite container is just the right size. Perhaps they are better suited for storing flour. With a bigger container I could plant some lettuce and radishes on top. A regular salad bar. But there is just something perverse, unnatural, about cutting a whole in the bottom of a bucket. I'm not sure if I can bring myself to do it.

Miller Lite Ride for the Arts and Such

It's that time of year again. They were looking for volunteers at last nights Metro Mountain Bikers meeting. I have yet to offer my services but will give it some thought. Nothing like a free T-shirt. And they are selling neat jerseys if you want to contribute that way. In the past it always conflicted with my schedule.

Lots of fundraisers this time of year. People investing their time and resources for worthy causes. I talked to the 'Beer Man' sometime back about getting some bike people together to shoot some sporting clays and contemplate the potential for the new sport I created. Not the best written piece but one of the benefits of blogging is an improvement of your communication skills. I recommend it for everyone, even if no one reads your blog. My sport may work better in a cyclocross format. The 'Beer Man' said bike people are too anti-gun to go for such an amusement. (You may be thinking the opening and meat of this paragraph don't mesh) Then I got this e-mail from the MTB server for another fundraiser for the leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The topic of the e-mail was the sale of raffle tickets. One of the prizes being a Remington R-15 .223 Tactical Rifle with pistol grip and sweet camo pattern. An item in short supply since Obama was elected.

Which reminds me that I need to call the doctor. I've been playing phone tag for a couple days now. I heard a report that participating in a Triathlon increases your chance of sudden death. I just read yesterday that your resting heart rate is a determinant of possible heart disease. 62bpm being the magic number. I have to wonder how much money the government spent on those studies when they could have just called me.

Looking forward to Iola. Haven't ridden as much as I would have liked but working on the house and the yard kept me from loosing much of my past gains. Went out for 2-1/2 hours yesterday, road and trails, with a quick stop at Emery's to pick up a spare tube. Then I topped that off with going straight into over an hour of yard work. The workout put me at ease as I am looking to participate in my first Sport race Sunday.

$5.80 including tax seemed a pretty good price for a tube. Emery's is having a sale where Trek is offering twelve month free financing on their more expensive bikes and they told me they have three or six month financing all year round on any purchase over $250. If I knew that I might have gone for a trainer this past year, but looking at our finances it is probably better that I didn't.

My back tire, my old front tire, has been slipping despite still holding some substantial tread. The new front tire rides well. I will race Iola with the old tire on the back and put on the new one afterwards. Don't want to be racing new gear without some time to adapt to it. I'll see if I notice any difference in the slippage to contemplate the value of keeping your tires fresh. First hand experience being the best teacher.

Another topic of last nights meeting was Governor Doyle's addition to the budget of holding organizations 100% liable if they are even 1% responsible for an accident. It jeopardizes almost every activity across the state with the 'Beer Man' claiming all marginal ski resorts, including Crystal Ridge, will be closing with the higher insurance costs the new law will create. Even many cycling events may be done for. Fortunately WORS as part of USA Cycling has a larger participant pool, nation wide, to deffer some of the risk. At least that is what we all hope.

Spring Cleaning

It started with the garage. It always starts with the garage and then..... it sort of.... You Know. At least I want to sort through all my clothes and get rid of the old, worn and undesirable. Get the clutter and excess material out of my life.

And then I had to switch into weekend sales mode. I staked out a familiar corner today preparing for the big flower holiday on Sunday. I had a good long ride yesterday and tomorrow I'll ride my bike out to our stand while my wife takes the car. It is ride to work month.

"How can you work sales all Sunday ignoring your mother?" you ask.

My mom and dad are leaving for Florida tomorrow. Why? Only they know for sure and they're not talking. Actually..... they are going to visit a cousin. It is the suddenness of the trip they don't have an explanation for.

I asked my mom if she wanted to see "Star Trek" together. I'm hearing good things about it.

She said "No." and I should have left it at that because I asked again and she said "Maybe."

Now we'll have to wait til she gets back.

Next week is Iola. The first WORS race of the season. Visions of the course run through my head whenever I think about it. There is a new underground bike race starting in the U.P. Sounds like an adventure. The MTB Challenge had a mine leg. A race that I would consider worth the distance to participate in.

Yard and Garden

Planted some grass (covered with straw) worked on some flower beds and prepared some pots among other things. It is nice to work in the yard. I fenced off and prepared the raspberry bed that Tun-Tun had destroyed in the past, claiming the area as his favorite nap pad. Misao says she read on the internet about food shortages coming and wants to plant as many vegetables as possible. I was looking into worm farms for bait and they produce a good fertilizer. There are always those upside down planting things too. All things that cost money that is in short supply. But we have plenty of plastic buckets. The first peach blossoms opened when the sun came out at the end of a gloomy Thursday. I'll have to do some watering when I'm done here.

Trail work is in full swing but my schedule and a lack of vehicle has kept me from participating yet this year. Took another nice ride this afternoon. Alois has converted his mountain bike into his urban transport bike due to the conditions of the roads and paths in Munich. Too bumpy. Wider tires are comfortable but if you are on a long trip and get a flat a road tire needs a lot less air than an MTB tire. Something to think about when you're working your hand pump.

Misao was telling me about something on health she heard on the internet, or radio or somewhere and concluded quoting; "Nuts are life, chips are death."

"Nuts are expensive, chips are cheap." I answered.

Everything costs something.