The Garden and the Tractor

2012-01-21T06:24:00.001-05:00

Another Cupcake.

2011-12-09T18:19:00.000-05:00

Let me stand on a mountain summit, no matter how humble it may be, and see things from a different perspective.
Eliza Ray was born this mornin',...she is a duplicate of Stell.

2011-12-01T02:27:00.000-05:00

Black Friday Rhythms.

2011-11-24T18:06:00.000-05:00

The Apple Factory of Ortanna,....and the Crazy Clouds.

2011-11-21T16:57:00.000-05:00

Saturday Night Campfire Giggles.

2011-11-20T18:09:00.000-05:00

Complete with Greg's pepper-tooth photo. Steaks, campfire, brews,....not necessarily in that order.

Friday Rhythm

2011-11-18T05:56:00.002-05:00

2011-11-17T05:59:00.000-05:00

Yoga Day

2011-11-16T06:10:00.002-05:00

My fourth session,....once a week for a month now,........I am rapidly improving!
Chuckle, Chuckle.

Stell and I did the pink cards together,...pretty fun. Needed slight modifications due to weight distribution.

R.R.

2011-11-15T06:09:00.002-05:00

Saturday Morning Boulder Session

2011-11-13T08:03:00.003-05:00

You might notice that small dike that shoots down to the ground,.....that was her obsession.
Stell watched as a few Boy Scouts attempted to climb up the left side,...no technique at all. One managed to make it. A few kids,....on the chunkier side of the spectrum, continued to trundle off the side.
"Daddy,...I wanna' go upbear!" (up there)
How did I just know.......
With one quick move she steps from a small ledge onto the smaller dimples of the dike....Osh Kosh's gripping like 5 Tennies.
"Send it!"
She high steps onto the top ledge,...
"Stell,....wait!.....Daddy can't reach that high!..."
"Daaaaad!"
"Stell,..wait!'
"Daaaaaaaaaaad!"
"Stell!"
"Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!"
I pull her down before she gets out of my reach.
She's ticked,....to say the least,..... and gives me a good swat below the belt before she stomps off.
I stand still for a second,......take a deep breath,.....breathe in,......exhale.......
I turn around to see those same Boy Scouts,....on the chunkier side of the spectrum,....gettin' a good chuckle.
I give them my best Clint Eastwood stare,....my tit in a wringer....
"You boys would be better off sellin' cookies."
The End.

Friday Rhythm

2011-11-11T06:02:00.000-05:00

Seen in the Woods.

2011-11-10T05:40:00.000-05:00

There has been talk.

2011-11-09T05:34:00.000-05:00

Little Dog

2011-11-08T05:38:00.000-05:00

Cirrus Skies

2011-11-07T05:30:00.001-05:00

Stell's Favorite Sing-Along at the Moment.

2011-11-06T16:17:00.002-05:00

Saturday Routine with the Kid.

2011-11-05T08:43:00.001-04:00

Erin Brown's Work

French Onion Soup and Grilled Cheese,....I get the onions, crust, pickle, and cucumber,....Stell gets the rest.
Followed by a little boulder session at The Den.
And maybe,...just maybe,... a drive on top of the mountain for a walk,...if she feels so inclined.

My first Parent Conference,....as a Parent.

2011-11-03T17:04:00.000-04:00

I drive,....as the glass half empty tweaks my mind:

Gosh,...does she pound her head on the floor when she gets frustrated?
Does she ask the the teacher to apologize when she is the one who has done something wrong?
Does she have manners??

I'd like to think I'm an okay guy,.... but do I have manners?

Holy s@@t do I have manners??....I start to wonder....

She probably eats standing up, over a sink built down to her height.
If she does actually use a plate, does she make use of the "Shovel Finger?"
She probably keeps the door open to the poddy so she can have conversations with people in other rooms.
She probably props her feet up as she cracks open a few cans of apple juice.
She probably tells tales that are for the most part, slightly based on a true story.
She probably loves to rip things apart,...and leave it that way.

I pull into the parking lot,...glass now half full:

What a cool bus,....Who painted that thing???....Snoopy in the driver's seat?
What a great place,...rooms decorated neatly and organized to boot!
What a great teacher,...a portfolio showing progress,...where she started, where she is....
What a great kid. As is usually the case, what has been emphasized and taught at home, has actually transcended upon my kid. Have to give props to the mother.

Her first official chore:
I had the best egg sandwich of my life this mornin',....on homemade bread that Stell was somewhat responsible for,.....Seems it could be a weekly thing......Egg, Old Bay, olive oil,...thrown down on homemade bread?.... Your choice of condiment?...With strong, black, coffee??.....followed by a nice 45 minute bike commute,......

Cheers to the people working hard with kids.
Tractor.

Yoga Failure

2011-11-02T18:19:00.000-04:00

How can I be so bad at something,......I mean,...I'm a Cupcake for Christ's sake!
"Leeeeeaaaaaaaaannnnn down,.....Toooouuccccccchhhhh the floor."
I can't.
"Beeeeeeennnnnd your knees, just a little if you need to."
At this point I feel like I'm squatting,....finger tips barely in contact with the floor.
"Okay lie on your back,..place your right foot across your left thigh,....lift your left thigh until you get a good stretch."
I'm confused,...between my bad hearing and the need for repetition,.... I'm lost. I begin chuckling to myself,...like I always do when I 'm underachieving.
I feel a little self conscious,....I'm wanting to blurt out,..."Hey,....can you repeat that??"
The weird music,....for a redneck like myself,..... combined with everyone's meditative state,.... a state that I should be sharing,...keeps me from doing this.
I remove myself from the situation.

Never one for being a perfectionist with lingo,...I believe single speeders always say "Bring watch'ya got."
I love that statement because it says so much. In my mind, usually different from most, it means:

Do the best you can.
As Doc would do, take advice but dismiss it quickly if it doesn't work for you.
Last but not least,...it ain't about you! It's about the people you are with and how they make you feel! I like to ride bikes with the Cakes. I like the Wednesday afternoon yoga session with my faculty. I need to do my part and support it any way I can.
I ain't got much in the way of yoga. But I'll bring what I got!

Cheers to being bad,....but interested, in something. I believe that is called cross-training?

You won't see me in the woods,...cause I'm in Stealth mode Finney!
Tractor

2011-11-02T05:33:00.000-04:00

Orchards on Cold Spring.

2011-11-01T05:57:00.000-04:00

Giving Whitey a Workout.

2011-10-31T05:48:00.000-04:00

Drive-By Shootings. Cold Springs Road.

2011-10-30T08:26:00.001-04:00

The Honey Hole,...Miscellaneous Ramblings.

2011-10-29T08:12:00.003-04:00

It's amazing,...October 28,... forecasters say "Game On!" Five inches,..... five or more,...four to six,....six to ten,...four to eight,...eight to ten?? Who knows. But I love that "Honey Hole." Hopefully this doesn't have a derogatory meaning but I tried not to look it up on the Urban Dictionary because I just knew it would have something to say about the slang version of this phrase.
Rewind:
B would always take me fishin',.....never about him though, always about me. Knowing my abilities as a line tangler,...and my lack of stealth moves,...he's used to me standing straight and tall on the Ausable,...hollerin' sumpthin' like "Hey,....you didn't bring Corona did ya'??" as he would chuckle and grin behind his polarized Natives,...watching the rainbows swim away. Therefore, he would always set me up at the "Honey Holes".....The place where you are guaranteed to catch a fish, if not the lunker of your dreams...that is of course,...unless you are me.

Back to the Point:
I showed my class the "Honey Hole" yesterday,...although I didn't use that term. It's the spot that surrounds the Panhandle of Texas.... See snow there,...or a mid-latitude cyclone with temperatures starting to fall,... and you have all the ingredients for a storm..."Which is what we have here today"(Cool Hand Luke)
Since: (Beginning of the rambling)
I can't hear anything but can see everything,...according to the machine and the person who runs it...After sending many auditory signals my way, she checked to see if the machine was plugged in at all,...I sat smiling..."Smile and wave boys,....just smile and wave." (Madagascar Penguins)
Anyhow, the world is a pretty remarkable place,....sit and spin it around for awhile. Just look at it! (Google Earth)

You see:
...It's all based on large areas. Be it water or land, the air takes on those properties. That creates an air mass that has strength in numbers,....numbers that relate to its size, its volume,.....that is to say its length x width x height. But that ain't all. You see,...the air has properties like humidity, temperature, and pressure that defines it and keeps it from being diluted from adjoining air masses. You see, it becomes whatever it was above. Tropical waters,...warm and humid,...northern tundra,...cold and dry. Just like teaching with a plethora of different students that are grouped as homogeneously as possible, the air has a general description that is for the most part,...simply true.
The Neat Part:
They don't necessarily mix,...but they do interact. In a good way. You see,...whether you are the explosive type (cold front) or the type that cooks for awhile (warm front), ...either way creates weather, communication between the two identities. Sometimes it creates a hard storm,...other times slightly longer periods of cloudy weather. However, when it's done, days of clear sunny weather always overcome the region.
What it means to you:
A storm is on it's way. The first Nor'easter with the three infamous stripes that define the collaboration between air masses. As the low pressure spins off the coast, the north easterly winds will come off the Atlantic producing many types of precip in order from warmest to coldest as the two different air masses come together. Look for a green swath of rain right at the coast, followed by a pink band of sleet and freezing rain a bit farther inland, and last but not least, the white patch of snow we have all been waiting for. Green, pink, white. Time to say hello to the Old Man,...a nice surprise visit.

Coincidence:
The Seasonal "Winter Storm" was stacked by the cases at the local beverage shop. Good timing. Nice coincidence.
See you in the woods.
Tractor

2011-10-28T05:40:00.000-04:00

2011-10-27T05:28:00.000-04:00

Bikes I'd Like To Break in Michaux. Top 10 List.

2011-10-26T22:21:00.001-04:00

I couldn't help myself,.....I'm sorry. I was trying NOT to do another bike oriented photo but after seeing this thing??.....You think Pedro could borrow it for a day? (Chuckle, Chuckle!)
Hell, I haven't even thought about this list yet and know this one is numero uno! Hence the new series,..."Bikes I'd like to break in Michaux." Please let me know. I need a photo and person you would like to see riding it when broken. The trail name that contributes to the breaking would be good too! Please view format below.
Usually you would start at #10 and work your way to #1,...but I just know I'm gonna win!

#1
Bike: The Look, Dipshit Dually. (29er? 26er?...does it really matter?)
Rider: Pedro Salsa Non Grata
Trail: ....Beaver??
Frou-Frou Factor: Oh,...it's soooooo Integrated!
Chuckle, Chuckle.

SJ Makin' Sure I'm Being Respectful.

2011-10-25T21:09:00.001-04:00

He don't look that Evil!

2011-10-25T05:40:00.001-04:00

That is to say, until your tryin' to hang onto his wheel. Ralph Reuben Rick R. R. R. World Class Kline,....defender of green bottled beers right thar on the riiiight. Those boys go uphill,...any hill,....fastt! Might weigh a buck fitty,...between them both.
Good people.

2011-10-24T05:51:00.002-04:00

2011-10-23T15:03:00.000-04:00

2011-10-22T18:44:00.000-04:00

2011-10-21T07:04:00.002-04:00

After a Hard Day with Stell.

2011-10-20T06:13:00.000-04:00

More Funny Pics from the Grand Canyon.

2011-10-19T05:42:00.000-04:00

Okay.....

2011-10-17T20:47:00.000-04:00

	the five on the right look like a newer version of the Village People!

Proud Dad.

2011-10-17T06:02:00.001-04:00

Stell to Dad: "I want to sleep on the mountain."
"Can we sleep on the mountain?"
Dad to Stell: "Yeah kid, we can sleep on the mountain."

2011-10-15T09:04:00.000-04:00

2011-10-14T16:29:00.001-04:00

2011-10-14T05:47:00.000-04:00

Wink,...Pre-Hike.

2011-10-11T18:43:00.002-04:00

Ahhhhhh,...Ouch?

2011-10-11T18:41:00.000-04:00

2011-10-10T20:07:00.000-04:00

2011-10-10T20:06:00.000-04:00

2011-10-10T06:07:00.000-04:00

Done.

2011-10-09T19:18:00.000-04:00

2011-10-08T07:46:00.000-04:00

Campfire Jenga.

2011-09-29T19:51:00.000-04:00

Can't Wait.

2011-09-29T19:47:00.001-04:00

The 5th Running of the Beers is gonna happen at an undisclosed place at an undisclosed time and it could prove to be the best event in the woods that nobody has ever heard about. Why?
Well,...it doesn't take place on the trails that it seems only me and very few others enjoy.
Secondly, somebody got their Ho'down on some trail maintenance and with the exception of a few down trees, things will be very good.
Third(ly)...the ride to the trail is the perfect warm-up, the actual run is mint, and the ride back to the venue with the light from your own battery and the waxing gibbous moon should be brilliant. Fourth(ly)...The Stone Cabin! As most people would think the night is over, those in the know will be gearing up for the highlight of the evening,...Campfire Jenga! Not something to be taken lightly, individualists look for team support as safety, thought, geometry, and planning unite Cupcakes, MBMers, DFL's, HFL's, BRK's, and any other that dare to show.
Join together...."Kumbaya My Lord, Kumbaya."

Super Heroes will be in the house
Locals will be out to spoil
Your momma will be home in bed
Your mind will be terribly soiled
At the immensity of "Game On" my friend
Sit in your chair,
Sit and think of those loyal.
Will they make you stand tall young man
Or will they leave you so charbroiled.
So wear a belt and wear it loose
So my friend you will be caught
Don't worry, don't worry about your ass
For Deliverance this is not!

See you there!

Terror of Teaberry Race Report

2011-09-26T06:06:00.000-04:00

Well,....I didn't see God between aid stations 2 and 3. But I did hear a bunch of funny voices. Every once in a while someone was actually there, lettin' me know I was only on the brink of insanity, full on mental and physical meltdown. The difference? I knew it was coming, and I knew what was left. Home field advantage. Epic. It wasn't like the Cupcakes took it easy the night before either,...or post race for that matter.
Icing on the cake? Droppin' off the tables at Granite Hill with Wink, Nate, and Kent and raiding the ice cream bar and Slurpee machine. Priceless.

Here are some race pics.

Should probably take this one down.

Working on this technique with students....

2011-09-23T20:34:00.002-04:00

So if you got the know how, let me know!

Mike's 10-25-2010 HDR timelapse reel from Mike Curtis on Vimeo.

Goodness.

2011-09-18T20:21:00.002-04:00

2011-09-18T19:50:00.000-04:00

Wish I Still had that Old Ride.

2011-09-15T21:12:00.000-04:00

Postponed.

2011-09-08T19:19:00.000-04:00

Does it leave time for a Cupcake surprise? Or are we really getting soft in our old age?

Time to Break out the Clown Suit..

2011-09-06T19:44:00.000-04:00

and grow some Tea Berries.

Frank's Rib Line

2011-09-06T19:32:00.001-04:00

Just a friendly reminder.

"You will see God between aid station two and three."

2011-09-06T19:21:00.000-04:00

"Will God be holding a pickle?"

"Yes, a kosher dill."

Clicky Clicky for one of the funniest Teaberry Blog entries!
Compliments of a skinny man, with a big name.

Pre-Mackey

2011-09-05T22:30:00.002-04:00

Terror of Teaberry

Published: 09/07/2007September 7, 2007; Conshohocken, PA, USA: Harlan Price of Independent Fabrications described the Terror of Teaberry as, “The hardest but most rewarding race around if you approach it right.” Held in the Michaux (pronounced “me-show”) Forest near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the Terror of Teaberry is so big that it is included in both the DelmarvaJobs.Com Mid-Atlantic Super Series and the Michaux Endurance Series calendars.

After last year’s Terror of Teaberry, Trek-VW superstar Jeremiah Bishop wrote in his blog, “Ouch.. This race was no joke...That was the most exciting course I have raced all year. It took total concentration and steel nerves. I even ran a 2.35 tire on the front! Now THAT is Back Country Cross Country!”

If last year’s 35 mile race impressed top pros that much, one can only wonder what they’ll be saying following this year’s new, expanded 50 mile, single-loop, edition on September 16. In addition to the 43% increase in distance, this year’s Terror of Teaberry has also added an affiliation with the DelmarvaJobs.Com Mid Atlantic Super Series, with the result that the 2007 Terror of Teaberry is now a full points race for both the Hammer Nutrition Endurance Super Series and the Cannondale Cup Super Series for Teams -- in addition to being the final event of the Gettysburg Bicycle and Fitness Michaux Endurance Series.

The Terror of Teaberry will be held rain-or-shine on Sunday, September 16 in the Michaux Forest near Gettysburg Pennsylvania. More information, including directions, see the official race website, www.racemichaux.com. Free on-site camping is available for all Michaux Endurance Series races; and all competitors are being encouraged to pre-register on BikeReg.com for this amazing event. As Race Director Jes Stith says, “This will, hands down, be the toughest 50 miles that anyone will ever do.”

Oh,....It's Time!

2011-09-05T21:45:00.001-04:00

It's time for Teaberry,....you know,....the race you never really heard of.
Why???,.... it's too damn hard! The 10 miler is easy enough,... but jump up to the twenty or stand tall for the forty,...it's as hard as they come. A line-up of "Old School" classics like Rocky Ridge, Stooges, and Stick, combined with the newbies, Sucker Punch, Southern Gas, Virginia, Side Winder, and Rattle Dick,.....what an epic! With a forecasting of rain, an outlook of gray, only the hard men and women will be there,.... as usual.
This isn't a judgement of fitness, it's a judgement of character, a test of ones rep,...will those sunken eyes still crack a smile at 40??
If I had to make a prediction, it would be a premonition of solid riders, telling stories of the epic they encountered, all the while sharing common hospitalities.

As the Mule says,..."It's all good!"
As the TSMBR taught me,.....the bigger the epic, the better the party!
As Pedro, the drunken finish chute guy would say,...."Bring it!"
As Buck, our SSWC would say,..."I'm gonna' get 40 today"
As Kent would say,.."What do ya' need??"
As Cupcakes would say,..."In!"
A whole years fitness in those legs, but can you still get the hardest race of all??...Whispered about from Davis,WV to Keene Valley, NY. But I doubt you'll see the GIANT boys Tweet about this.
Beat me, brake me, but let me conclude my season on that fucking flake board,....I know I'll be in good company!
PS,.....I forgot to mention Mackey.
Do really you think Teaberry matters??? Just take a look at last years winner,....quietly the fastest man in these woods. I'm thinkin' no matter what place you finish, you might feel the same way.

Original foto by Tomi or Harlan.

Time for All Things Teaberry

2011-09-05T10:42:00.000-04:00

The Storyteller.

2011-08-31T05:51:00.000-04:00

2011-08-29T17:26:00.000-04:00

2011-08-27T07:45:00.000-04:00

The Epic Irene Edition.

2011-08-26T22:05:00.000-04:00

2011-08-26T06:15:00.002-04:00

2011-08-25T17:46:00.000-04:00

2011-08-25T06:07:00.000-04:00

2011-08-23T22:32:00.001-04:00

2011-08-23T06:50:00.000-04:00

Okay,...Stell is doing two bad things in this picture.

2011-08-07T22:11:00.000-04:00

Just can't wait for future yearbook fotos.

My Family,...but missing a few.

2011-08-05T08:41:00.001-04:00

Sammy

Henry

Stell

Jack


Summit Boo Berries.

More from the ADK's.

2011-08-03T21:15:00.000-04:00

A peaceful moment.

80 degrees outside but much colder in the water. My god sons.

Stell and Sammy Crowl.

2011-08-02T22:38:00.002-04:00

2011-08-01T23:08:00.000-04:00

Back to Normal.

2011-08-01T23:04:00.003-04:00

Home from a week in the ADK's,....home,....comfort,...relaxation,....and back to a good diet. They ate nothing but the best, I simply chose to be a glutton. Anyhow back to the normal eating habits of eating good food, the majority of which is either from the garden or traded for something from it.
After we got home, we managed to catch the edge of a nice storm and enjoyed sitting outside as the temp dropped along with the water along the edge of our shelter.
The climate people say the oceans are back within the normal range but the Earth's prolonged reaction still has the atmosphere lingering with remnants from La Nina. Anyhow, lets hope for good weather to come for the next few years.
If I had a voice like Isaac Hayes, I would give a better introduction to the next artist,.....but I don't.
JJ Grey and Mofro with the time appropriate video of "Pray for Rain.'

A hard day in the saddle.

2011-07-26T22:17:00.000-04:00

Fast guys,...at least the two on the right. Masse Masse Foto.

Kindova' cool shot by Tomi.

A hard day already,...at mile 15. Foto by the radio man.

The Curse of Dark Hollow Race Report.

2011-07-24T23:13:00.001-04:00

Well,...I'd like to report that it was a good day.
I'd like to report that there were a lot of good people.
I'd like to report that I thoroughly enjoyed starting dead last with a Dubya'.
I'd like to report that I was very close to pullin' over at the start and manning the last water stop instead! But seeing 3 locals start last gave me confidence that we knew what was coming and taking the right approach.
I'd like to report that Buck has got the best pace of all,.....cooked and need to chill,...wait and ride with him,......slow and need to speed up,...follow his lines.
I'd like to report that Toph is very fluent on a bike,...we all knew that but I finally got to see it in action.
Speaking of Topher,....I'd like to report that there were several nice trains rollin' on that course!
Flat pedal Nate, The Chic, and myself on Yellow Hill, with Topher on Mad Scientist, and Masse Masse(pronounced Massaaaaayyyy, Massaaaaaaayyyy),....as the Cupcakes call him,.... from Scientology back to the lot. He cleaned most of the climb,....I liked that effort at mile 30.
I'd like to report that Harlan placed second overall behind the Kid,.....on a singlespeed,....beaten by a mere 20 seconds.
I'd like to report that MKeeferKeefer was so strong, guys from the same team had to gang up on him.
I'd like to report that it was cool to see all the new and expecting dads racin'. Might have to think of some ways to bring the families up there.
I'd like to report that the race was soooo good and sooooo hard, it had fully grown men deliriously crossing the finishing line exclaiming, "I wanna' be a Cupcake!"......surreal,....in a very weird way.

Speaking of which,....heard around the camp,....
"Did you see someone actually registered for this race as a Cupcake?"
"Define Cupcake."
And then the typical bickering began.

And finally, I'd like to report that I had such a good time, that I didn't leave the venue until 8:30
.....pm!
Sat in the woods with the boys for a long time. It was good to catch up with my old roommate, the second half of the "Odd Couple" as we were called, Ralph Rueben Rick "World Class" Kline.

What a great race, It's hard to believe it isn't as big as some others out there.

Gettin' Old.

2011-07-21T07:48:00.000-04:00

Tractor Fuel,...Diesel Only

2011-07-16T08:16:00.000-04:00

60% Brown Rice Syrup,...from the nice old man at the natural food store in the 'Burg.
40% Honey,....From Small's Auto Parts in T-Town, his Dad makes it and supplies the area with bees. Bring cash,...he drops it in a can for his pop.
A little Black Strap Molasses,...again from the nice old man at the natural food store in the 'Burg, it's got some potassium in it,...and rednecks don't eat bananas.
A little sea salt.
A full tablespoon of ground and dried bull nuts,...testosterone,...helps with recovery,...just ask Floyd.
A shot of Jack,....Floyd says that will help testosterone levels as well,...again enhancing recovery.
Add a few spoon fulls of warm water. It keeps it from getting stuck in your throat. Gagging while getting dropped from the peleton was never fun for me.

Let me know...

2011-07-04T19:28:00.002-04:00

The Curse Campfire.

2011-06-30T07:46:00.000-04:00

Just take one look at the lead singers face,...that's what I'll be lookin' like sittin' at the campfire the night before the race. Good times. Can't wait. July 24.

Little Dog

2011-06-29T07:55:00.000-04:00

Dogfish Head

2011-06-24T07:23:00.000-04:00

"The specials tonight are...."
"Can I get a 90 minute?"
"Well,... we've got this new beer...."
"I'll just take a 90."
"This new beer has a slight hint of...."
"My foot up your arse??"
"...coconut and lemon."
Deep breath, Stell is breakin' down,...like me, she doesn't like crowds but can't have a 90 to soothe her soul.
"Can I get an apple juice for her too??"
"I'm sorry,...we are out of apple juice,...but we do have...."
Stell is now ready to rip his head off.
Waiter returns with lemonade and water,...no beer.
"Did you remember the 90??"...I begin sweating.
"The bar is really backed up right now. But let me tell you about the dinner specials."
Eyes blur,....head rolls back,....trying to find something in Baker-Miller Pink to calm me down.
Jack laughs,....not with me, but at me.....Unlike Stella, I don't get cuddled when I'm having a meltdown.
The 90 minute arrives.
Waiter turns his head just for a second,.....beer is gone!
"Uhhhh,...would you like another?"
"Yes."

2011-06-23T08:33:00.000-04:00

Man Check.

2011-06-22T07:23:00.000-04:00

Want to find out how much of a man you really are??
Roll across a nice grassy field(Rocky Ridge Heliport) on your IF96fitty,....nice and slow,...relaxing,....it was my first official day of summer break you know.
When you go to ride over a very thick stick, to suddenly realize that it squirms and rattles,...as you can't get your foot unclipped, and the alleged stick flips up over your back wheel,...well then,...that is a fine time for a man check!
If you squeal like Ned Beatty,...your walking a fine line between genders.
If you shrug it off like it was nuttin',...you are definitely on the male, macho, manful, manlike, manly, paternal, potent, and virile end of the spectrum.
As for me,.....well I had to look down my bibs to double check,.....seems I was walking that fine line.

Nice Pic, Too Bad....

2011-06-20T08:25:00.000-04:00

the guy I passed taking the rock line walloped me the rest of the race! 102 out of 300??
Stoopid, Stoopid, Stoopid!
Anyhow, I don't really like to post much from the Garmin, but if you happen to have a good group of guys, love riding in trains, ....always trying to keep a wheel,....here is one of the hottest laps in the woods! Not too much climbing but a whole lot of test pieces like Lollipop, Scientology, Pussy Galore, Abby, and the hot finish down Yellow Hill.

That makes 3 girls and one boy. One chance left.

2011-06-17T15:54:00.000-04:00

2011-06-15T17:00:00.000-04:00

Stoopid is as Stoopid does. The race report.

2011-06-14T17:57:00.002-04:00

Well,...the second goal of the year is done! That being said, I should have skipped the second goal just like I did the first! I struggle sometimes with this early season bs. I don't train for it,...JRA at whatever pace I like. But you know it's bad when guys at the finish line,....guys you normally beat, are riding well. In fact, they rode so well, and I rode so bad, they actually gave me a pity party,.....yes a pity party!
"How'd you do?"
"I finished."
"What was your time?"
"UHMMMMmmmmm" scratching my brain."
"I almost made it under 6 hours."
"AHHHHHHhh,.....that's okay man,...you'll do better next time."........they walk away, I find the keg.
I look at Pedro.
"Did you look at the people who beat us??"
He laughs.
"Yes."
As the comments began to fly, we concluded that we were beaten by everyone in the masters/soccer mom/Clydesdale's/tandem class,....and believe me,...there were people flying past us that would meet the full criteria for that category,....pretty bad!
Anyhow,...here is a pick,....I'm glad he chopped my head off!

And here is a pic,....compliments of Wrenchy, of what I have to get rid of in order to be competitive.

But then again,...it is about time for a TSMBR!

Sunset Pickins.

2011-06-08T05:33:00.002-04:00

2011-06-07T19:01:00.000-04:00

Leftovers

2011-05-17T06:29:00.000-04:00

Little John

Former Loco Local

New Dad Chad

2011-05-10T06:23:00.000-04:00

Stalkin'

2011-05-05T20:48:00.000-04:00

Michaux's own SSWC.

30 Seconds before "Go!"

2011-05-03T16:28:00.000-04:00


The Fast Guys

The Old Guys

The Class Clowns AKA The Singlespeed Class.

2011-05-03T05:42:00.000-04:00

Maximus

2011-05-02T17:52:00.000-04:00

The Super Man Loop.

2011-04-11T06:24:00.000-04:00

There are many different forms of it, but they all include Totem Pole, Teaberry, Old Forge, and Snowy Mountain. We hit it today.
All I can say is that there is definitely strength in numbers.
It's always amazing to see someone suffering off the back
You say,..." Just one more hill after this one."
The response is always the same,....
"Yeah man,..I'm in."
Ten people finished it together today in 4 hours and 40 minutes,...a time that includes all BS!
But the best part of the day,....is always the post ride tailgating!
Everything shared equally.
Strength in numbers. 10 people/1 fixie/ 5 SS's/ 1 South African Ho'cake/ 30 miles/ 4,000 ft going up/ BPP n/a but I know it was a double something we were sipping on,.....Ouch!/ too many good trains to count.