Is it Spring or Summer?

Yes, Memorial Day seems to be the natural turning point from Spring to Summer. We went five whole days after turning off the heater before putting in the air conditioner. New record highs in a mini heat wave made this following weather, now over 30 degrees lower than a few days ago, seem cool. Just a month earlier 60 degrees, and colder, would have seemed warm.


But I did get out for some good rides. Even in the extreme heat I got out some evenings. The pool is open at Hoyt Park and the trails ride well. My knee has been bothering me as I fell on it last month bowling. I am wondering if I have/had a hair line fracture the way it has been feeling. That and the inability to lose much weight have made me give up on the Subaru Cup. Money is an issue also. I will set my sights on local races; WORS races 6, 7, 10, and 12, possibly 9. And yes, the Wednesday Night time trials are going on with Metro Mountain Bikers. I should start attending. Also they have the Odd Tuesday Rides, all the information on their site.

Here was our Memorial Day meal. I need to find a proper diet to lose weight. I see many people claim protein diets work, though I can't get Misao to stop serving carbohydrate filled meals. Taking a break from our mundane life we went to the mall and walked around. The book store had a book from a guy who claimed it was insulin control that is the key to losing weight. It makes perfect sense to me. Too bad we can't afford his book. High protein and high fat, who can argue with that?

I haven't posted much recently but have plenty of pictures to make up for it. Alois passed his test, as he was studying English in California, and has promised many photos after he returns home and has time to post.

I made a carrying case for the back of my bike. Just gathered stuff hanging around the house, a couple dollars on hardware, miscellaneous tools and about an hour and a half of my time.

Three pieces of scrap plywood, roughly the same size and shape.

Clamp with nuts and bolts the base of the box, part of a commercial container system for transporting cut flowers, between two pieces of plywood.

The bottom piece needed to be cut to fit underneath the saddle stem mounted cargo rack. The drill provided the rounded end and then the jig saw finished the job.

Then I bolted everything together creating a snug fit to hold the box to the rack. Tightening any of the bolts too much thew off the alignment of the bolts on the three pieces of wood. I had to loosen everything and then tighten it again. It was a bit of a hassle to get the rack clamped to the saddle stem. The box was set far back enough that I didn't need to remove the saddle bag. It also doesn't interfere with me.

Misao took note of my creation and asked, "You're not going to go around on your bike picking up cans are you?" She said that would be embarrassing. And with one look, a single remark, my goals for world dominion have suffered another set back. It was also to be part of my weight loss plan and source of funding for new bike parts. I'm not sure if it is the act of recycling she finds embarrassing, or the fact that she dresses me so fashionably and my bike is so nice compared to the people usually collecting cans by bicycle around the city.

I also spent time in the most heated of heat this past week putting in the garden. A bit late, but we got everything in. Also planted some sunflowers where the raspberries grow. We only have one small raspberry plant. It will fill in the space over the years.

Here is a photo from the Memorial Day Parade. We rode our bikes to the Parade. There were lot of people out on their bikes. The new Canal Street corridor is very nice. Most people like to ride the broad sidewalks though some, as is legal, ride with the cars in the street. Many people took their bikes to the Parade but I was surprised how many people were riding away from downtown as the time for the Parade to start was quickly approaching. The photo is also a good opportunity to shamelessly promote my latest book, available only for Kindle. I took the photo for the cover myself. I haven't written much recently but feel a writing binge coming on.