Ray’s wowed at the IMBA appreciation night. Not sure if they had a similar event in Cleveland but one could always jump on Frontier and fly out to ask. Good thing gasoline prices are dropping.
The $72 question: What are my three most favorite WORS races? Yes, we’ll keep with this question for awhile. Check out the Charity Jackpot Page link in the sidebar to possibly triple the amount.
GoPro has a cheaper version, or rather less expensive I should probably say, of their all purpose action video cameras; simply called The Hero for $129. Their stock is tumbling however (not sure if there are any action shots of the event) due to a high profile individual’s ski accident being blamed on the camera.
The cheapest, I mean least expensive action video camera that I saw in my casual perusing was an Ion. Of course they have several models also. I noticed that the variety of available mounts for such cameras range from $20-$40. Must be where they make their money, but I have to admit that I can’t see how those mounts wouldn’t be better than duct tape.
Sorry, no pictures of the day before yesterday’s MTB Challenge, my wife didn’t want to go.
There is still oodles of bicycle action around as the year comes to an end. The UPCROSS is up der in the UP, by dat Copper Harbor place, don’t yah know. It is actually the fourth of nine events. Don’t forget the Dahl-GMC Winona Cross Cup. Here is a list of cyclocross events for Southeastern Wisconsin. I tried a cyclocross event once. My mountain bike was not conducive to the activity; an older heavy aluminum framed model. I tend to not over use my bike these days as with all its cickity-clicks and clackity-clacks I worry that it may breakdown for good and I can’t afford a new one for awhile. How’s that for an excuse? Everything one does is an investment of some kind. It’s collecting the returns that can be a problem sometimes.
Most of my time has been dominated by writing novels. It requires much more investment than one can imagine, not just in time. Many have suggested to me recently that writing a book is a kind of vacation event, not work at all. They obviously have never written a book. I could say the same about artist of the canvas if I were a fool; Mr. I make money selling people’s art work.
The monthly Metro Mountain Bikers meeting is tonight. There is a trail work event on the 18th, Saturday, which is also Sweetest Day and it is also the date of the Metro Social Ride. It is also someone’s birthday.
My wife suggested the other day that we go to a haunted house.
I asked, “How old are you?”
The $71 question: What are my three most favorite WORS races? Yes, we’ll keep with this question for awhile. Check out the Charity Jackpot Page link in the sidebar to possibly triple the amount.
Yes, it is football season, at least it feels that way when the Packers are winning. I missed the Colectivo Coffee Bean Classic, not just because the Packers were playing at twelve noon, but because our church services have moved later into the day since last year.
Tomorrow is October which means Halloween, which means scary, which means cyclocross is here. If you‘re a fan of the extremely beautiful area of La Crosse, and cyclocross, save November 9th on your calendar. It’s the DAHL-GMC-Winona Cross Cup at Ecker’s Apple Orchard. Makes me wish our weekends were not so busy so we could go out to enjoy the event and the wonders of the natural environment. The most glorious wonders of nature have one of two qualities; either they are devoid of man’s influence or highly influenced by man as a true steward.
I know what you all are wondering; ‘Phillip! What about your peaches?’ This was a poor year for the soon to be old peach tree. We had few blossoms yet it looked like we might get a good bowl off the tree. Alas, the cool weather made them slow to ripen and one by one they submitted to the needs of the beasts of the fields and birds of the air. A final pair, nearly the size of a grapefruit, were munched on just before they were ripe. They don’t taste so good any way when they get that large. I have a fifty dollar bill from my birthday I intend to spend on a pole saw to give the tree a good pruning. With the one tree, do I go with a cheap Harbor Freight saw that some like, or a $40 pole saw from Menard’s? These are the kind of decisions that tax one’s youth.
Not to leave any one without hope, Christmas is only twelve Fridays away. A wondrous time of year.
Now, the $70 question: What are my three most favorite WORS races? If you read all my posts you should be able to figure it out. And if you read my books you can double or triple that sum; see Charity Jackpot Page in the sidebar.
In reading some 19th century short stories (that would be stories written in the 1800’s for you public school students) I find the times past were plagued with dread to the extremity and the most dreadful terrors that turned the hearts of the tellers most earnestly to God. The first person approach allows for great flourish and prompts of the imagination, to the excess.
Of course it is nothing compared to the dread of the Green Bay Packers losing to the Detroit Lions. Imagination unchecked can only lead to the deepest of terrors, threatening one’s presence of mind and the loss of all control of one’s faculties. But let me check those terrors and fearful savage beasts of the imagination for those who may have missed a certain local news cast. The last time the Packers lost to the Lions we won the Super Bowl.
Then our spiritual well being was threatened to its core by the Komen Race for the Cure as our route to church was blocked Sunday, as Lincoln Memorial Drive was closed. If only the road side notices and the blockade the Sheriff Deputies put up could be seen before one has no choice but to be sent to the south side of the Milwaukee harbor, before having to reverse course to one’s northern destination.. The Deputies in their vehicles kept their heads down, wisely avoiding eye contact with those they had forced into a circuit costly in time and resources.
Unplanned yet necessary circuits round horrific scenes were continual part of our weekend, as, where we tried to access the expressway, to return home, we found the ramp closed due to a dreadful accident caused by a wrong way driver, that cost a life. Then, finally returning to our just path, we were again forced off course, just before our exit, by another shut down of the expressway; by an accident, so ill-marked, that several other vessels of the roadway nearly crashed against one another, unable to see the directing flares, until they unexpectedly appeared, just over a rise, in the road, immediately before us all, forcing all lanes, with their associated vehicles, sharply together at one time. (they also used a lot of commas and wrote really long sentences in the 19th century)
I would be the last to suggest that the whole world revolves round me,…but I am compelled by all that is good, and of the disciplines required for the making of honest men, to draw my conclusions exclusively from the facts known by me to be true.
BIG EVENTS! Yes, big events are on the way for next weekend and by our faithful petitions to the Almighty may the terrors of this world be held at bay. You do not have to wait an entire year to participate in the fore mentioned charitable events of the most noble of intents. Other events await your present attentions. The Fall Color Festival, including events for the whole family, is this coming Saturday at John Muir. Milwaukee Metro Mountain Bikers has forwarded a request for volunteers for the festival. Check out he site for contact information.
With October just around the corner, with its associated Halloween and the days growing quickly shorter, for those of you looking for dread and terror, The Rock is also the location for “The Hills have Eyes” Halloween trail adventure. My own personal dread and terror is looking at my exercise log and seeing how little I’ve actually done this summer. Still my weight is inching down.
But back to the Packers, perhaps they would look more impressive if Aaron Rodgers wasn’t doing a commercial with a couple of dufuses calling him a loser.
The $69 Question: Where was I when the Packers stopped Detroit’s first drive this past Sunday? See Charity Jackpot Page in sidebar for more derails.
The one that symbolizes the end of Summer is here. If you had intended to make it a quiet weekend of rest, rather than the last opportunity to squander one’ s wealth, there are several events that might be of interest to you, that may getting you out of the house.
First and foremost, an event of indescribable import will be held in Waukesha county; the inaugural season of the Wisconsin High School Mountain Bike League/Series will begin at Minooka Park, on the latest and greatest trails the state has to offer. I don’t plan to attend, I’m no longer a teenager, which may be the events biggest draw. Metro Mountain Bikers will be providing volunteers. If something more mature is your style, and you don’t mind a beautiful Sunday drive of considerable, but hardly prohibitive, length, then the 5th La Crosse Gravel Classic may be the event for you. They’re having an outright bicycle festival in La Crosse all weekend.
If you need more timely notice for planning your weekend activities, check September 27th and 28th on your calendar, and if the date is free… The 27th is the date of The Fall Color Festival in the Southern Kettles. The 28th is the Colectivo (formerly Alterra) Coffee Bean Classic. I believe the Colectivo team is looking for volunteers to prep the course. The Bike Fed sent out an e-mail for a Door County Fall Color Tour on September 28th, but the link didn’t work. But here is a sight you can check out. Our beautiful Door County is full of fall color activities and events.
We plan to spend a quiet weekend at home. I used to have a blog on My Space, but they ended all but their music related functions and all my commentary on movies and entertainment was lost. Sometimes I’d like to comment on entertainment but it has not been a serious topic for this blog. But I found a preview for “Kundo,” a Korean film that broke all box office records in its own country, on Flixster (or Fandango) on my TV via Roku. A period piece when some claim over half the population were slaves. A story similar to a Korean drama we watched; “The Slave Hunters.” The movie “Kundo” has many good reviews and it is to open in the US today, but I can’t find it being shown anywhere in Milwaukee. We would have gone to see it. But we’re not driving down to Chicago.
The $68 Question: What month and year did I arrive in Korea to live, and what month and year did I return to Milwaukee? See Charity Jackpot page in sidebar.
I have been negligent in informing you, my readers of upcoming events. Yes, the Milwaukee Triathlon has passed. I am sure many of you would have participated if only I had informed you a week or two previous. When you think of triathlon, you have to think Emery’s; Milwaukee’s triathlon oriented bike shop. Very good people too.
Irish Fest is in full swing. Milwaukee’s ethnic festival that seems to have the biggest international draw. It is a bit longer than most too. Festivals and other such activities are a good walk for me and my wife. Do I count my State Fair four hour walk as exercise, bowling or walking the mall when we get the chance to go shopping? No, and this leaves my exercise journal lacking. Still my weight is dropping and I will mention something that I believe is helping in a future post.
And don’t forget about Milwaukee Indy Fest at the Milwaukee Mile.
The Polish Moon-Ride is a week from today. Yes, a Friday night ride. Information here. Looks like they want you to register in advance.
Yes, the Wednesday Night MTB Races have been on at The Rock Sports Complex. You must finish all four laps or you receive a DQ, and I’m not talking Dairy Queen. Rain threatened the season and their first race was done despite the droplets from heaven descending, just to get the season started before Summer was half over. It draws a bit of a crowd, and I am sure it will grow. The Metro members are attending and they are seeing new faces and groups participating. It could grow into quite an event. Could The Rock ever be as big and popular as Park City?
Much of the typical run for the Wednesday Night Race (the alpha trail) has been too wet to use, forcing the use of the trails on The Rock property. The Pleasant Valley trails in Ozaukee County are suffering similar difficulties. But Devil’s Head has some mountain bike trails one can ride, as does Alpine Valley. At the latest club meeting Alpine Valley was well-spoken of.
Of course Minooka is where all the up and comers are riding these days. The trails are spoken of highly. At the end of the month they will be hosting the first of four NICA Races. No team affiliation required to participate. This is the high school MTB series that WORS was instrumental in getting moving here in Wisconsin.
Thanks Alois.
Now the $67 question: In “Chuck Hammer and the Invisible Squadron; A Vendetta’s Wage” I am making a weapons change in the final chapter; name the weapon that is being changed and what it being changed to.
Okay, that is more of a demand than a question, but it’s worth just as much money. The edit will be uploaded to the e-book before the end of the weekend. See the Charity Jackpot Page in the sidebar for details.
We got our roasted corn, baked potato, our lamb brat with mint jelly and a simple chocolate Sunday. Good deals in the Wisconsin (Agricultural) Products Building. Best priced food at the Fair for someone on a budget. Not sure if $55 per gallon for maple syrup is a good price but it may be. We found it not too busy and the lines, such as for the cream puffs (we had one each), were short and fast moving.
We also enjoy the Natural Resources Center which has been greatly enhanced. Then we had to go down ever row of vendor’s, hawker’s and peddler’s booths. Great deal on teeth whitening if you want to sit for a half hour. A huge display of massage chairs filled in where the hot tubes have scaled back. Not as many infrared saunas either. Not that we could afford any such decadences. Good Earth Soap was back in the Wisconsin Products Building. People work hard and invest a lot on a vision or dream to come up with something unique and desired by the public. Overall, looking at the faces of the sales people, it doesn’t look like any kind of financial recovery to me.
We came up behind the back of a small stage in the sheep barn. The schedule listed the sheep shearing demonstration for 5:00 and I took out my phone and it was 5:01. “Let’s see the sheep shearing demonstration.” I said to my wife. We walked the five feet around the back of the tiny stage and the sheep was done sheared. “Wow!” I said, “He sheared that sheep in less than two minutes.” We listened in as people asked many an interesting question.
I like going through the cow barns. I like the smell. It reminds me of going around Wisconsin to visit relatives every summer when I was a child. Those that stayed in Wisconsin were mostly farmers. That’s what my dad called a vacation.
If we actually had the money for a sit down meal, listening to a live band, at one of Milwaukee’s fine Restaurateur’s and/or Caterer’s annual establishments we would. Instead we did our rounds, headed back to our car free parked many blocks away and went home to Ike. Our tickets were free.
The $66 question in recognition of the Catholic Church: What location named above did I often visit when I was young? See Charity Jackpot page for further details.
