Today's miles: 31.94
total for the month: 118.6
So, I took the day off of work today, which means that I've got a four day weekend! The only problem with that is that I didn't take Tuesday off, as well, for the inauguration. Oh well.
I rode out part way to the Salt Lake Marina today, I didn't go all of the way because it's about 40 miles round trip from my house and I was trying to do a thirty mile ride today - which I did. I don't want to overdo it, right? Besides, we have family in town and the day off was supposed to be to hang with them. Though, no one's here right now.
On a good note, the fact that I cut the ride short meant that I was here to sign when the postman delivered my Garmin! It's charging now. I can't wait to play!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
2nd xmas
Robyn's family is in town for the post holiday holiday that I am starting to call 2nd Christmas. We had a lovely diner last night after which we sat around the house opening an insanely large number of gifts.
It was during this second activity that I found out I'm getting one of these:
It hasn't arrived yet, should get here today. I'm thrilled, now I can geek out even more and keep better track of my rides! And...I no longer have to worry about stopping for receipts from places if I do a personal long ride to submit to the UMCA! It's the standard 205, none of the extra frills of the 305, 605 or 705...but I don't think I need those things anyway. It's a huge step up from the Cateye that I've been using. Awesome! 
That's right, the limited edition, wool long-sleeves Fat Cyclist jersey from Twin Six!!!
(I hope you notice those three exclamation points there. You know I'm excited because I hate when people use multiple punctuation marks to make a point.)
This is the best 2nd X-mas ever!
It was during this second activity that I found out I'm getting one of these:
It hasn't arrived yet, should get here today. I'm thrilled, now I can geek out even more and keep better track of my rides! And...I no longer have to worry about stopping for receipts from places if I do a personal long ride to submit to the UMCA! It's the standard 205, none of the extra frills of the 305, 605 or 705...but I don't think I need those things anyway. It's a huge step up from the Cateye that I've been using. Awesome!And (almost better), I found out that come mid-January, I'm getting one of these:
That's right, the limited edition, wool long-sleeves Fat Cyclist jersey from Twin Six!!!(I hope you notice those three exclamation points there. You know I'm excited because I hate when people use multiple punctuation marks to make a point.)
This is the best 2nd X-mas ever!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Sunday ride
It was about 28 degrees and lightly snowing when I left for my ride this morning. Snow stopped rather quickly and I warmed up pretty well. However, I only made it 18.39 miles. My left calf cramped up pretty badly and I couldn't get it to stop. Frustrating. I'm more out of shape than I thought I was. It's going to be a long road back.
Today's miles: 18.39
Monthly total: 52.8
Today's miles: 18.39
Monthly total: 52.8
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Slush, part II
More snow and slush on the way home. And to the idiot in the SUV who was in such a hurry that you passed me on 1700 S & State in the intersection with about 1 1/2 feet to spare. Fuck you, too.
today's miles: 8.54
monthly total: 16.97
today's miles: 8.54
monthly total: 16.97
Slush
today's miles: 4.2
monthly total: 12.63
It was a little under 20 degrees when I left to ride to work today. And it started drizzly snowing not long after I left. Roads were slush, with an underlayer of chunky ice. In other words, it was fun. Slower than it should have been because I've been off the bike so long, but fun.
Except, my new "winter" gloves suck. Granted, I didn't flip over the neoprene cover that covers the fingers, effectively turning them into mittens, so maybe I'm judging them too soon, but my fingers were COLD when I got to work today. COLD.
I suppose it could be that I've been forced to jump right in to winter this year, without the gradual acclimatizing that riding all year provides.
Whatever. It's been snowing on and off all day. The roads, from the one little window with the view of the train station across the street (the one where I can catch a bus that takes me to within 1/2 block of my house), look slushy still. And according to the trusted Weather.com site, it's now 30 degrees out there, and may be 32 or so for my commute home. Fun.
Seriously, fun. :-)
monthly total: 12.63
It was a little under 20 degrees when I left to ride to work today. And it started drizzly snowing not long after I left. Roads were slush, with an underlayer of chunky ice. In other words, it was fun. Slower than it should have been because I've been off the bike so long, but fun.
Except, my new "winter" gloves suck. Granted, I didn't flip over the neoprene cover that covers the fingers, effectively turning them into mittens, so maybe I'm judging them too soon, but my fingers were COLD when I got to work today. COLD.
I suppose it could be that I've been forced to jump right in to winter this year, without the gradual acclimatizing that riding all year provides.
Whatever. It's been snowing on and off all day. The roads, from the one little window with the view of the train station across the street (the one where I can catch a bus that takes me to within 1/2 block of my house), look slushy still. And according to the trusted Weather.com site, it's now 30 degrees out there, and may be 32 or so for my commute home. Fun.
Seriously, fun. :-)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Cold
It's currently 18 degrees and snowing. Again.
I'd like to get out and ride but I'm not sure it's going to happen.
So far this year, I've commuted to work one day, Friday, Jan 2. Total miles 8.43. I called out today so I could get some things done around the house (insulating windows, for reasons mentioned above.) I spent the weekend helping a friend install cork flooring in two rooms of his house. It looks good, better, probably, than the cork I installed here at my house even. (with experience comes perfection...)
I'm printing the labels for my Scottish Ale, which should be drinkable some time in June. They recommend six months in the bottle, I'm going to wait this time. I know from my last Scottish Ale that they do indeed get better with age. I bottled on January 1st. Four days down...
On the beer front, the Edward Abbey Ale is delicious. I'm very happy with it, and I've had good comments from friends so far as well. It's nice to have one turn out after the coffee stout disaster.
Well, I'm rambling and it's getting close to time for the first pass with the ol' snow shovel. But first, I think I'll cut labels. What a fun life I lead.
I'd like to get out and ride but I'm not sure it's going to happen.
So far this year, I've commuted to work one day, Friday, Jan 2. Total miles 8.43. I called out today so I could get some things done around the house (insulating windows, for reasons mentioned above.) I spent the weekend helping a friend install cork flooring in two rooms of his house. It looks good, better, probably, than the cork I installed here at my house even. (with experience comes perfection...)
I'm printing the labels for my Scottish Ale, which should be drinkable some time in June. They recommend six months in the bottle, I'm going to wait this time. I know from my last Scottish Ale that they do indeed get better with age. I bottled on January 1st. Four days down...
On the beer front, the Edward Abbey Ale is delicious. I'm very happy with it, and I've had good comments from friends so far as well. It's nice to have one turn out after the coffee stout disaster.
Well, I'm rambling and it's getting close to time for the first pass with the ol' snow shovel. But first, I think I'll cut labels. What a fun life I lead.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
2009 - resolved
I'm hesitant to list any resolutions for 2009. In 2007, I hit all of my resolutions, which, if I remember correctly was to ride four centuries (I turned 40 that year) and something else that I'm not remembering right now but I'm pretty sure I did.
In 2008, I failed miserably.
1. I was going to win a Larry Schwartz award from the UMCA by riding a century a month.
FAIL.
2. I was going to ride the Desperado Dual. Sorta Fail. I did ride, but bailed halfway through.
So, for 2009, the following:
1. Finsh the Desperado Dual.
2. Track my real milage for the year (I've managed the last two years to either lose or break my computer on my bike, causing me to loose track.) So, tonight, I'm resetting the odometer to zero.
3. Raise my goal (currently $3,000) for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and ride in the Livestrong Chalenge in Austin in October.
4. Ride over 3,500 miles (which, while it sounds like a lot, isn't. I can ride 2,200 miles a year just by commuting to work.)
There may be more to come.
In 2008, I failed miserably.
1. I was going to win a Larry Schwartz award from the UMCA by riding a century a month.
FAIL.
2. I was going to ride the Desperado Dual. Sorta Fail. I did ride, but bailed halfway through.
So, for 2009, the following:
1. Finsh the Desperado Dual.
2. Track my real milage for the year (I've managed the last two years to either lose or break my computer on my bike, causing me to loose track.) So, tonight, I'm resetting the odometer to zero.
3. Raise my goal (currently $3,000) for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and ride in the Livestrong Chalenge in Austin in October.
4. Ride over 3,500 miles (which, while it sounds like a lot, isn't. I can ride 2,200 miles a year just by commuting to work.)
There may be more to come.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
2009 - the plan, so far
I'm probably going to regret doing this because last year I did and then I miserably failed at attaining my goal and now everyone who reads this (me) knows it. But, since part of the joy of cycling is suffering and humiliation is a form of suffering, I'm doing it again. For 2009, here are my plans, so far:
28 February, 2009: Zion Spring Century, St. George, Utah (100 miles)
28 March, 2009: Tour de St. George Spring Century (100 miles)
Some time between 27 March and 17 April, go up to Yellowstone again and ride from West Yellowstone (West Gate entrance) to Gardiner, Montana (North Gate entrance) and back with the guys.
2 May, 2009: Ghost Town Century, Tooele, Utah (100 miles)
27 June, 2009 - Harmon's MS-150 (100 miles)
28 June, 2009 - Harmon's MS-150 (75 miles)
24 - 25 October, 2009 - Livestrong Challenge, Austin, Texas (100 miles) Which, by the way, if you haven't donated yet, you can here. Or here. Or here.
Planned, but not yet scheduled rides:
Desperado Dual, Panguitch, Utah (200 miles)
Salt Lake Century, Salt Lake City, Utah (107 miles)
ULCER, Utah Lake (111 miles)
And, hopefully either RAGBRAI or Seattle to Portland...if I'm lucky.
All of this, of course, dependent on me getting off of my lazy ass and back on the bike, which I've not really ridden since September. Partially because of this, and this but now also because of this:
That's the view out the window to my left as I write this.
28 February, 2009: Zion Spring Century, St. George, Utah (100 miles)
28 March, 2009: Tour de St. George Spring Century (100 miles)
Some time between 27 March and 17 April, go up to Yellowstone again and ride from West Yellowstone (West Gate entrance) to Gardiner, Montana (North Gate entrance) and back with the guys.
2 May, 2009: Ghost Town Century, Tooele, Utah (100 miles)
27 June, 2009 - Harmon's MS-150 (100 miles)
28 June, 2009 - Harmon's MS-150 (75 miles)
24 - 25 October, 2009 - Livestrong Challenge, Austin, Texas (100 miles) Which, by the way, if you haven't donated yet, you can here. Or here. Or here.
Planned, but not yet scheduled rides:
Desperado Dual, Panguitch, Utah (200 miles)
Salt Lake Century, Salt Lake City, Utah (107 miles)
ULCER, Utah Lake (111 miles)
And, hopefully either RAGBRAI or Seattle to Portland...if I'm lucky.
All of this, of course, dependent on me getting off of my lazy ass and back on the bike, which I've not really ridden since September. Partially because of this, and this but now also because of this:
That's the view out the window to my left as I write this.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Cancer sucks
Seriously. I just found out about yet another instance of cancer in my immediate circle. A friend's wife had a tumor removed a week or so ago. They needed to do a biopsy to determine if the cancer has spread to her lymph nodes. He just let me know that they got the test back and it has. I have no idea at this point what it means or how bad it is, I'm not sure that they do either. All I know is I'm tired of stories like this. If you haven't already, donate to my LAF fundraiser. Hell, donate to anyone's. I don't care. Just help us raise money to do the research that's necessary to make these stories a thing of the past.
Imagine, it's the middle or end of the 21st centrury, your grandkids are reading their history books about the plauges of cancers that used to devistate families. And they read about the simple cure and all of the research and development that went into finding it...and you tell them that you helped, it was just a small way...just a few dollars really, and you didn't receive any awards or recognition or anything but that it was okay becasue you knew that every dime raised was a dime that would help find a cure and they did find one, and you did help and that's all that matters. That they will never have to worry about cancer, that's all that matters.
Imagine, it's the middle or end of the 21st centrury, your grandkids are reading their history books about the plauges of cancers that used to devistate families. And they read about the simple cure and all of the research and development that went into finding it...and you tell them that you helped, it was just a small way...just a few dollars really, and you didn't receive any awards or recognition or anything but that it was okay becasue you knew that every dime raised was a dime that would help find a cure and they did find one, and you did help and that's all that matters. That they will never have to worry about cancer, that's all that matters.
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