Changing gears

A midseason adjustment in priorities as I take some time off the bike to prepare for an epic adventure - running. It is not that I don't run on a regular basis, but that I will actually focus on running for the next two weeks. That should be enough time to prepare for the grand adventure of running 38 miles through the night. Phil and Paul say that your body changes after you compete in a grand tour and I would say the same is true when you push your body beyond its capabilities. I have had many drunken discussions with ultra runners and bikers who would concur. I liken it to the concept of a derailleur - if you can gear down to climb the hill and take the easy way out or you can push your body to conquer the hill.

"I'm not really fast, but I go for a long time" - Dean Karnazes

Another great morning commute...

A morning ride to work in the Front Range from Golden into the heart Lakewood is a very nice ride. I was able to shave off 8 minutes of time from the Monday commute. I must admit, I was a bit of a sugar tit on Monday. I will attribute most that to the "Monday" but also a rather large messenger bag that was filled to the brim. A copule of things occured to me on the ride in:

1. Messenger bags, I love them and they are totally useful, but also serve as status symbol when riding. When riding with your messenger bag, I believe, the message is being sent, I have something to transport that requires this and I am choosing to use my bicycle to do it.

2. This morning I was curious on why I referred to my bike as being female in gender? This is what I came up with. It has to be female, she continues to foregive me being over-weight, out of shape, not particularly graceful, and generally a lack-luster cyclist. She never whines or complains and always lifts my spirits after a long ride. For the above stated reasons, it is only logical that my bicycles are of the female gender. I think that maybe aluminum bikes are male, but I do not know, I do not own one.

Quote for the day... coming from the Colorado Outward Bound School book-

A ship in a harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.
by William Shedd

My twist-
A bicycle in a garage is safe, but that is not what bicycles is built for.

SC

Sure...a little retro grouch. But she has so much love to give. 

Damn, Sacha does fine work! He was a pleasure to work with. Thanks Sacha. 

Lugged steel never felt so good. Pictured here in its single speed dress. 

Please meet one of my best friends.

Ass-whoopin's and lollipops...

What a long strange trip it was.....

Took a slight detour in my life to go and visit the mother land, the Republic of Texas. Actually needed to deliver a vehicle back to rust the rest of its life back home. Left out of my mountain encampment on Thursday last and headed south through the hail and rain. My only companion was my trusty am/fm radio, listening to bad radio for 16.5 hours was bearable as the destination was the live music capital of the world. Arrived in Austin at some good friends house just in time for many beers and the always refreshing mexican martini.

After many hours sleeping off my beer induce coma plus the mind dumbing drive through central Texas, it was off for a quick run around Town Lake. A stop at the Bakery for coffee and sugar the day was only beginning. Did the tour of groceries - the new corporate Whole Foods and the remodel Central Market. Drank more beer and was talked out of more mexican martinis by a Sense of Reason.

Met the old crew for the ever present ride from shop. Only 45 miles of riding to towns that I have been to many times before. Riding a tandem is much like riding my singlespeed in the fact that you need to keep momentum up the hills. Well, we got barked at often for pushing the pace and causing those not able to keep up dangling back in no mans land. We missed both town sign sprints but did manage to get third on the second one as we lead the pack out and faded 15 meters from the sign (Elroy for those in the know). Made it back to town for beer and pizza at the pool and then off to the airport for a quick flight back to the family.

For those keeping track, the Pink Surly 1x1 is NOT available.

Simon, my partner in crime for "The Summer of George".

Thank you sir, may I have another...

I was able to get out last night (Wednesday) for another strong ride. A great single speed ride around Green Mountain took the last available "juice" from my legs. I do need to gear down, pushing 54 inces is a bit much. I should move closer to 49 inches. I have known this for some time now, but continue to drag my feet on making this adjustment. Is it because I really do like to suffer? Am hoping to cause some permanent knee damage? No, I suspect, that in my small devious mind, I am hoping to work a little harder and get a little stronger. Coming from an "old school athletic mentality" more sufferring equals better results. I know this to some degree is faulty logic. However, it is an interesting case study: Why is it so dificult to shed life patterns that are not in the best interest of meeting a particular goal?

A quote from the book The Quotable Cyclist by Bill Strickland

"I began to feel that myself plus the bicycle equaled myself plus the world, upon whose spinning wheel we must all learn to ride, or fall into the sluiceways of oblivion and despair"
Frances Willard, How I learned to Ride the Bicycle