22 Years

It's been 22 years since I first met my wife in New York and we went out to KFC for dinner. We were matched by reverend Moon. We're looking forward to KFC tonight. Haven't gotten Misao out riding together yet this year. Hopefully we will get out to play some tennis too. We used to have a few games a year when we had time. Though I am focused on MTB racing, and don't have the resources or time for Adventure racing, sports like tennis and basketball are good training for adventure racing. They strengthen and condition most notably the ankles for trekking across tough terrain.

North Dakota is flooding but this is a picture of our Lake Michigan. The water can't get into the ground and snow keeps the water from dissipating across the vast plain. And spring is just beginning. More snow for us over the next week. The wet heavy kind. I enjoy deep snow, long winters and even extreme cold. But once the snow is gone I want it to stay gone. I don't want it to come back. It's good to get some yard work in and should spend some time everyday training Ship-po. She looks so sad if we don't keep her occupied.

The cold takes its toll when I ride. I improvise on winter bike wear and find what I have insufficient for my rides. Usually over ten miles. I was going to put up three or four posts yesterday on my several blogs but only got up two. In 'Monk' fashion I will put up ten posts here this month. A new high.

I reorganized the "racing for Real Men" according to the poll results. I didn't limit it to a top ten. Big bike sales coming up in April, including Emery's.

Two Weeks

Some how Misao felt it necessary to remind me that it was two weeks ago today that Tun-Tun died. We have to coax Ship-po to eat and I feel I'm forgetting something when I go up stairs. We take Ship-po out for a walk every day and Misao buys her little toys. One day I was walking Tun-Tun and he tripped, collapsing on the path. I shook his leash and he looked around sheepishly and embarrassed. I sat down on the path and we both looked around for awhile. He got up some moments later and we finished our rounds. He was very happy.

Here is the Menominee River near Hoyt park during the February Thaw. If you haven't heard, most of the MTB trail here will be closed until possibly November. They are doing the flood control work. I believe they are putting in a line to take flood waters to the holding area they dug out where the county used to have garden plots for the public.

Another Day, Another Ride

Yes it was a bit cooler but it is not the temperatures that keep me off the streets but the road conditions. Still it was warmer than the forecast. One gentleman at church thought I was posting everyday as if there were something wrong with that. Maybe he should try reading. I clarified that it was more like every week. But hey! What's wrong with everyday?

Here is this Winter's project completed. At least one of many projects I have to work on. The beach bike I designated as last years Winter project is still hanging from the joists in the basement. Just didn't have the proper tools or money to buy them. In this case I had to open up a wall to add a stud to fasten the shelving to. The shelving kept pulling out. Then patch, mud and paint. It is predominantly an archival space.

Now that the temperatures are warming up, I will soon open up some areas of the house that we had closed off to save heat this Winter. Work I started last year. Have a lot of finishing work and will be creating a file room for my business. Once my office gets organized it will facilitate production. I think it was Thomas Edison that that I heard organized his projects by room. It is hard to work in a disorganized space.

I may take it easy tomorrow and then bike to and workout at the gym, two hours total.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day II

What a beautiful day. Just came back from a two hour ride and feeling good. Those icy underpasses that keep me from riding to the gym in the Winter should be ice free now. Even in the spring they are usually covered with thick ice and melting ice refreezes as it gets to the bottom making it very dangerous. I was just funnin my cousin in the last post. I'm sure he is very good at his job. He is part German.

Today local municipalities will have hundreds of patrols out on the roads tonight looking for drunk drivers. And they will arrest plenty even with the free bus rides, and most will not be Irish. That's what happens when you stereotype another. It just goes to show you; 'judge not that you be not judged.' Of course I can. I don't drink. ... Just kidding.

Happy Patty's Day. Again.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Happy Saint Patrick's Day. A day when we celebrate the green without the political baggage. A day to be happy and care free.

But also a dark day when we target a people with demeaning stereotypes of drunkenness and debauchery. Has any people been so innocent and friendly yet so ridiculed and labeled with the virtues of sloth and a permanent state of intoxication.

I'm part Irish and we can just look at the Irish side of my family to prove the faultiness of these vicious and discriminatory characterizations. Take my cousin John for example. He's a real Irish man through and through and he's ....

Never mind.

White Day

It's a beautiful March day and I enjoyed it with a long leisurely ride. Some say it's too cold, others too hot. The weather; everyone talks about but no body does anything about it, but fools still try.

Today is White Day in Japan. On February 14th the women are to give their men a gift and the men are to reciprocate today. They sure make it easy for men there in Japan. I didn't get anything for my wife today we reciprocated on Valentine's Day. She baked me some cup cakes and I bought her a heart shaped pizza. It doesn't get much better.

It's your last chance to register for the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival. An event I have yet to enjoy. Too far away for our budget. Distance will be a big determinant in which races I attend this year. Looks like plenty of great riding weather for early spring. I'll have to take advantage. Hope everyone is enjoying the weather. Get out and ride!

Wheels and Tires

I not only received professional advice on my last trip to Emery's, I also picked up a new wheel, a pair of tires and some weight lifting gloves. The gloves were a bit odd but they were the only ones large enough for my hands. I then realized that they also were open in the back so people could see my wedding ring and for I good looking guy like myself it's a good thing.

I searched the Internet for prices on wheel sets, which I didn't think I would be able to afford, and tires. They had an odd front wheel for a great price. Though it didn't match the price was too low to pass up and it rides really well. I think it will make a significant difference this year.

They didn't have the tires I found on sale on the Internet but they recommended the Kenda Nevegal and showed me the reviews online, making sure I read the bad revues. Then they gave me a price matching those I found on sale online. Tires degrade with age and have to be moved. You should never have to pay list price if you have a reputable dealer and are not set just on one specific tire. They are narrower than my previous tires but I'm pretty excited about seeing how they perform. Not sure they will work out as well as I hope but any new tire should be an improvement and last at least through the season. Won't put them on until the trails open up. No need to wear them out before I need them.

Metro Mountain bikers is firing up for trail maintenance and has set up a network site. Wheel and Sprocket is looking for volunteers for their Bike Expo. And former, wish he still was, President Bush is demonstrating his mad biking skills. So much excitement.

I often find articles about trying to start up High School Mountain Bike Leagues. I always thought it would be neat to get some competition going among alumni of high schools.