Day 5. So I m supposed to be sitting up for breakfast. But the Barracuda won't let me. "Not you honey, You pass out. Not on my shift". Grrrr. So get Karen to help me. I feel a bit better.
PT will come after lunch today. My success is measured by my getting out of bed and on the commode and back. Without blacking out. When PT comes I take a stroll down the hall with them. We do some exercises. I smile. I'll be going home soon.
My roomies friends bring dinner. Fried chicken,rice and chorizo, bean soup nd a salad. Killer food. I eat too much.
At midnight I'm somewhere in between drugs and sleep. I smell the smell of a funeral parlor. A hand touches mine,gently. I think it s the Angel of Death. The scent is stonger now. I say I'm not ready to go. It turns out to be a nursae to check my vitals. Her secnt trails away with her. I'm happy I'm still here. She will return again at night.
OK Blogger still won't upload my pics.
Lets' fast forward. I get the good to go signal. The weather has been nice all week. Tere is a storm in the forecast. We ask if everything is in order. Yes it is. We're told. You'll be able t leave first thing in the morning,oh 8:30. Good.
So I'm up and ready to roll. Nope forget it. We need to do this and that. We leave at 3pm as it begins to rain. I just fit in the back seat of the car. Comfortable enough. I can look to the back and to the side. It begins to rain. Long story short it rains the whole way home. It could have been fog.
Now comes the next hurdle getting my scrips filled. Will the pharmacy be open? Do I have to get out of the car? Well they're open and only carry one of the scrips. The one I have to inject. Whew. Thats good. So we get home at 10 pm. I'm wiped. I know Bob is from the crazy weather drving. But I'm home. HOME.

Day three now it gets ugly. Narcotics and I don't get along. So I'm not taking the pain meds. If I lay still I'm Ok. But the pain will go from 0-8 like that. So you're saying take the meds. If I do I get killer headaches. It's a toss up. Now the dietician did come to see me. So my meals will improve. More fruit,veggies and less meat. The cool thing is my roomies wife brings dinner. Trout,schrimp, cod,veggies and rice. Yummy.
The next ugliness is due to my loss of blood and low pressure. I keep passing out trying to get up on the walker. I'm talking blue flashes sounds like you're going under water down for the count. Not a bit of dizzyness. KO'ed by my own body. I have to be able to walk under my own power to leave. Not happening. The incision is leaking quite a bit and my leg is swollen to epic proportions.
Day four is more of the same. PT wants me sitting up on the edge of the bed for breakfast. But the Barracuda won't help me. So I get some help. We try PT again. I go down hard the second time. I'm floating and it feels good. It's because they've caught me and I'm being lowered into bed. I smile and nod out again and into sleep. They will come again.
Sure enough right after lunch. But I've been sitting up. I'm seeing my success. Sure enough. Up I go out the door,down the hall to the elevators and back I go. I'm winning! I celebrate with a nap. My roomie brings fried chicken, rice and beans, a salad and soup. A damn I'm hungry.
From total low to total high in one day.

Surgery. The Dr comes to see me. It's all a clean break,looks good. We've talked how anethesisa wipe me out. I get sick, I don't wake up. Bad Bad things happen.
I could never be a junkie. Unedr three hours and I back in the room. Not feeling bad. I'm allowed to eat. But all I want to do is sleep. I get a new roommate. He's a wreck ahs RI' largest kidney stone in him. It's the size off a quarter. Ouch. More people now that I've had surgery. This is where the BARRACUDA comes in. What a bitch! Rude. She's nasty to both of us. y roomies family comes in. Good people.
I need a break from typing have to move the leg.

Day one in the hospital. No food because I'm going to surgery. My leg is in traction. I can't move off my back. Narcotics are wreaking havoc on me. They managed to hit veins all kinds of them.
Then comes the catheter. That hurt even with the pain meds. But wait. You're not draining. So they pull it out and try again. No luck. Zip out it come again, in it goes again. Can you feel that? Oh draining now. Turns out they can't get he surgeon. Have some ice chips. No food again. Surgery tomorrow. My first roommate goes home. He had a disc replaced. The list of people who touch you in the hospital is crazy. I gave 9 vials of blood to one. Someone is always taking your vitals. Most of them are very nice until....................The Barracuda.

So we drove up to RI in pleasant weather. Everything was going according to plan. Rolled into town early,got unpacked. Hit the trainer and did the workout. Showered and took a walk. Had some dinner at Union Staion Brewery, Tasty. Then back to pick up the numbers. Very organized. Ran into lots of people. The Delaware Cross Crew many sporting the new coifs or facial hair.Off to bed with dreams of a great ride tomorrow.

Made the pre race meal in the room,suited up and headed out. Found the best pit in the venue and got ready for some pre ride then warm up. I tucked in behind three of the best in the country, Paul Curley,Scott Wade and Tom Stevens. They fanned out the breadth of the course and would discuss lines through each corner. After tw0 laps of survey they cranked up the speed and I flowed behind them. Not race pace but enough to get your feel for traction and lines. Off to the trainer, a few minutes spin and head to the staging area. We're well covered with help.

All set the gun goes off, a top twenty start. Not the best legs,but they don't feel dead. Mike Connair comes by. It's a sea of riders. Legs are coming around with three to go. punch it hard up te pavement. The diesel has fired up. Coming up on one of the pavement/ dirt transitions.

His front wheel crabs under and we both go down. Now I know on impact I'm not getting up. I've never hit like that,even on the motorcycle. He asks if I'm OK. The orld is spinning now. I roll to my back. Riders yelling at me. I'm up on my elbows the medics are there. I can't move my leg. They tell me on three they're going to move me. Near black out from the pain. Now i'm being prepped for the board. Please don't drop me. I'm in the ambulance. Paul has arrived is telling me it's all being taken care of. I worm out of the skinsuit and they pull it off. Naked except for my undershirt hey start to try to get IV's going. The guy can't hit my veins. So it's more pain. Off we go to Roger Williams Medical Center. Emily and Diane have brought Bob. What a team I have. he lady asks we what are your possesions? Uhhh my undershirt a watch and glasses. Yup that would be me naked homeless guy from the park. We look at the wound.

Pretty lame. Emily and Diane have to get back. They have Fatmarcs race kit. The usual ER weirdness closes in around me.

That seemingly little brush burn has netted me a femur broken in three places. Snapped the head off and the two parts that hold the muscle on. Surgery tomorrow I'm told. Tom McD is in charge of the car. Seems the crew has never seen the Jetta City only my truck. Takes them awhile to find it. Then unravels it's mysteries to operate it. Tom is not happy with my vehicle.

But it's cool he and Leo drop by.

OK faithful readers here's your chance to win a Koveted NY Kross Kontingent hat. THE LAST ONE ! Whoever picks my finishing position(or closest to it) for Nationals Friday gets it. Post in comments by 9:30 am Friday. Tiebreaker is time of post. OGQ

So it's now three days till Nationals. I've stared at these signs for a long time. At this time of the year no one rides hard around here. So it's make due on weekends and pound the trainer on weeknights. All that's left is "openers" on thursday and do it on Friday. Two of the three goals have been accomplished. We'll know soon enough. Plan to work,Work the plan.

You must believe to achieve. I plan on having a ride like I did for Dave's race Friday. Later, OGQ

It's official I'm now a "Gangsta" make that an
"Ommegangster". For someone that's "retiring" from racing. I'm already stoked for racing Cross next year in Belgian colors. For my critics. Yes,I'm not racing till maybe August. I never said I'd hang up the bike. I love it too much.
Went to the beer store and they are ready for Christmas with all kinds of Belgian Ales. Yummy , a few left with me.
OGQ

Now is this ever Crossers' dream? I was asked to join a team that will be sponsored by the brewery Ommegang. We're talking Belgian beer and culture here. Right in almost my own backyard. They even want to have a CX race at the Brewery someday. Waffle, Beer, Chocolates and Cross!

Like the Beatles song Eight Days a Week,that's all till Nationals.

Isn't that a sweet kit?

Again Blogger won't load up my pics. Sorry.

Well Nationals are in eleven days. I'm psyched and nervous. Can I walk away from racing till next Cross season. I like the challenges of competition. Sure I'll do club races. But I'm not racing full time next year.
So with the NYCX all over and no races nearby I headed to Ely Park to train by myself. You could see the scarring of Daves Race. So I had a perfect cross day. Cold, Blue sky, ground softening up in the sun. I know Providence will have a road start so I worked on that. I did force intervals, htreshold intervals, race pace, some technique work. But in my head I was questioning did I work hard enough? After my best race ever here with Glenn. I was wishing for someone to chase. So I just chased ghosts and enjoyed the day. Very Buddhist.
The little motorcycle is the prooject for the Moto Giro. But I'm willing to bet it gets snookered in motorpacing. Ride on. OGQ

MORE MOTORCYCLES

So I headed down to Pa. for Thanksgiving . The weather wasn't good,but promised to getter better and better. With the Pa. State CX Championships on deck. 60+ degrees sounded real good. For the holiday dinner we had all the trimmings and nice Corsondonk Christmas Ale. YUM. Friday we hit Whole Foods. Imagine, food and I? Great place. Some Christmas shopping done. Even made it out of Performance without spending a bundle.

Saturday dawned clear and bright. BUT it was a 2:15 drive out to Carlilse.

Saw most of CCoD. The plan was race and get out of there. I had pretty decent start spot.

But once again was tangled up in a first turn melee. Settled in quick. But waaay too much pavement.I'd get a gap in the grass twisties. Then they'd reel me in on the pavement.

Back and forth we went to the finish. A so so ride in my book. But needed the race effort.

Besides where else to do you get to ride around giant Christmas decorations? Bob and I hit the Drafting Room for dinner. A great selection of beers. We had a St Neulien Belgian Amber Ale. Tasty.Then I had a Sierra Chrismtas ale and Bob had the MIddle Ages Double wheat.

MMMMM beer. Calramari was a given. Excellent. Dinner was a Thai salad. For dessert we hit Borders for carrot cake and Chai. Read The Robb Reportl MC edition, toys I can't afford. But I can dream.

Sunday wanother fine weather day. Breakfast out. Then loaded up the "baby bike" for the drive home. It all fit no hassles. Traffic was OK. Home safe. What? I have to go to work tomorrow? Five days?

Oh well. WWDD? Enjoy. OGQ.

Let's talk about food.

This quick liitle post is for Carl in Florida. He said I like to talk about food. True so here's a Bella pizza just for you. Here's to a speedy recovery for you too.

You can ring my bell, You can my bell.

This is the bell for winning the States. Equally as cool as the plates we had for my race. It's pretty cool how the cat's ball of string looks like a bike. Enjoy OGQ

A couple SS pics. I'll have to get a better pic of the bell too. It's clever.

OGQ

Henry's team Ignore the WW kit. I only have one skinsuit and wanted all dry clothes for the second race.

I got some good comments on the Henrys kit on the run " Dude, I love the blue with the pink helmet" Or go "Orange bike guy. Where's Henrys from? " Delaware! Delaware???

Just like the Fred Eaglesmith song the I keep rolling along.
This weekend was the NYS Cyclocross Championships. Drove up the night before to check out the course. It was basically a road course with mud thrown in and then the "fitness trail" which was 6-8 inches of mud and would chips. Rideable but faster to run. Were the ground was harder you couldn't rest because it was only place you could go fast. There were two steep run-ups of 150-175 meters. No techincal skills were needed. A strong road rider could have hung on and stumbled through the mud. The course promoter did the best he could with all the constrictions the park put on him. Everything else was superbly run,except the usual USCF bumbling with results.
They ran all the masters together 35/45/55. No staging just get in. We had some horsepower there. Norba champ Scott Wade, former Elite mens champ Jan Wiejak, some road pro and Andy Ruiz. Andy tore the start up. I sttled in to the first group,but couldn't hold that pace. I knew one 45 got up there and the diesel wasn't fully warmed yet. So kept it below redline and focused on the guy ahead. With three to go I had brought back the 45+ guy. I was faster in the skatey sections so caught and passed him there. Then attacked hard. Put my head down and caught another guy. Now everyman was the enemy. A Joe's garage tagged onto me and sat on,then out sprinted me to the finish. I can't sprint so save my life. But he was in the 35+. I thought I was at least top ten overall. Went back and changed, ate a bit to recover for the SS race. Went back over to watch. Results took forever. Then I saw them. 1st in the 45+ 13th overall.
I'd put 25 seconds on second. I was pumped. Time for the Open SS race .
A couple Elite men doubled and most of us had already raced. The promoter was riding a sweet Viscious Cycles disc braked SS cross rig. He tore it up. I settled in 4th dogging third then got him on the run up. Then it was maintain. First and second were gone. So for my efforts I got two medals a championship jersey and cool cowbell painted by the HS kids.
There was a ton of chili and a local micro beer. But that was all gone by the time the SS race was done. In the nd I was ahappy man. I repeated as 45+ Champ. The NY Kross Kontingent from Central Ny did well with quite a few podium spots.
The legs are whipped and it will two days of recovery maybe three as today I have to be a pall bearer for a friends Mom. He's going through some rough times and this was a hit to him. So my wobbly legs and sore joints are nothing.
The Pa. State Championships are a C race for me. Just keep racing and keep the form. This is a rest week then build for Nats.
I like trains, I like faaaast trains. See you in Pa.OGQ

So this time all three. Hmmm?

Anyways I'm still on the high of the win. Looking forward to States.

Well two out of three is better than none. Sorry theone is a bit grainy.

I'll try a few more.Now on the beta program.

I'm not a Gambling Man, But........Today was the series final. The first Dave Panella Memorial Cross in memeory of Dave who left us one this day one year ago. Now last year on this weekend. I gambled it all in Warsaw and came out on top.
Firts in series, Masters 40+ State Champ, and the omnium champ. I even got to point to the sky ala Lance at the finish.
So this weekend was special. I was 5th in the points coming into this race. Being course designer gave me the home field advantage. This would mean I would need a top three start and have to lead into the lawn mower section to get a gap. I spun at the start trying so hard. Hit the first turn in second with my nemesis right in fron of me. I dspatched him in the next turn and jammed the zigzags,then turned it up for the mower section. Now in the wet is where the gambling came into play.
Two wheel drifts and some creative lines let me open a gap on the field. Glenn Sawn joined me soon in the open before the spiral. We worked together to the "Choice" he said you go right I'll go left. My measuring worked out we came out the same. The decided the downhill was faster and took it every lap. We each had sections that we were faster in. Glen said I scared him in the mower section. But he was better in the power section by the pond. I had him on the run ups due to longer legs. Our gap continued to open. Cowbells clanging. The Kingdom of Kross cheeering us on. It came down to a lap to go.
We pored it on up the road dead even into the zigzags I had a wheel and held it. The win vaulted me into third in the series.
Warming up on the SS rig It hit the pavement.
Again local knowledge paid off as Mike K took the holeshot and lead through the mower section. I was top ten and decided freezing and nothing in the tank wasn't good and retired to watch.
The amount of food was amazing. Six kinds of chili. Cornbread. Homemade sourdough bread. PB and J, Belgian beers.
Racers were well fed and happy. It was cool to see spectators walking around with bowls of chili on that fine Belgian day. Cheering ,clanging their bells and eating.
Awards were well recieved. Money, Hats, Road Id gifts and homemade trophies.
I know Dave was smiling. I sure was.
I just want to celebrate.
States are next.
OGQ

Raiders of the Lost Ark. The calm before the storm.

The NY KROSS Contingent worked hard on friday to make a terrifyiong course for the NYS Series final. New choices await the riders tomorrow.
First the "Rhythm section" 6" pvc pipes laid at angles,ridable or run? Next up is the the "Choice" a zig zag or a loop,equidistant. But? The the largest spiral ever. Round an round they go. It's raining now. So it's going to be a Belgian day tomorrow. I'll be digging into that vegan spicy chili I made for sure. Along with a tasty Belgian Ale.

Who will take home the coveted NY Kross Kup?

And you'll take Jack my dog.

Here's to you D.

I'm not a Slacker. I'm just busy.
So now it's up to me an the NY KX Kontingent to make the Series happen. Sunday ,we did!
We laid out a new course with the
Endless Spiral (Thanks Kelly) ,The Prayer a section of barriers that offered an option to the riders and The Wall of Death was extended. We also used areas of the yard we never have making our longest course yet.
The race had the highest turnout of riders yet. 60 We even had a road pro Cory Burns. He rocked the course faster than ever. Making the steep hill, that most walked, look like it wasn't even there. See a video of the spiral at http://spokepost.com/ . Our little race also made Velonews and Cyclingnews.com.
Riders got a bit of swag from Finish Line. Thanks Stephane. Wegmans gave us some cash for food to feed the horde. But it was the plates by the second graders that were most coveted.
Road ID supplied numbers and gift certificates. Thanks everyone who helped or raced. Overall our best race yet.

Next up is the Dave Panella Memorial. Dave left us last year on 11/13/06. But we know he's watching and stoked about a race in his name. http://web.mac.com/steve.edgar/iWeb/Cross/DavePenella.html
We're trying hard to make a very spectator friendly course. 90% will be able to be seen. As this is a race on DRIVING RANGE! The spirals, the prayer and the rhythm section will be viewed with love or hate by the riders. Cool prizes. A chili cook off to feed the exhausted riders. Homemade bread. Cd's from Dirt Farm. Cowbells from the Patriots. NY Cross Contingent hats for the riders.
We'll see if Pierre can hang onto the series lead. Myself with a good ride I could move into 3rd in the series after skipping a race. Then I'll saddle up the SS cx rig for open men and see how the one gear queer does on that with back to back races.
See you there. OGQ
Pic of Cory who won the last race.

I need a day like this.
Hang out look out the window.Oh what's that? Not a care in the world.
Work is nuts this week. Last night was the Halloween dance. Some kid beat up his girlfriend. Great, Like father like son? Then they had drunk kids there.
Today was bag check. Gee, some kid has weed in her bag,18 years old ,you're going down . Yeah. First offense.
Game over next time you're caught. Then the "wifebeater" shows up drunk at school. This is 8am. Man you don't even work third shift. Oh and let's not forget the note in the bathroom. Something bad is going to happen at noon. I'm getting too old for all this stupidity.
On a brighter not Bike build had two cool scoots one with a Vincent motor(85K for the motor alone) the other with a BRC. Very cool bikes.

Final Kross praktice pics. What a day.

We had two more nice days here so I hit the road for intervals and hill repeats.OUCH!

Trying to get ready for the race this weekend. It's tough promoting and racing. But cross is the best.

Final Night in the Kingdom of Kross.

With day light savings approaching we held a final Practice. Three of the four horsemen appeared and did Karla and Paul without a K in his name.
MiKe also showed. A new rhythm section was added and bit Steve K hard on lap one. All the K's except Karla tasted soil tonight. I enjoyed riding my SS steel KX rig. Those old Suntour Pro brake with Matthsausers are the best. Nice sky transition in the pics. Blogger's not leeting me post the pics. Will try later.

Final praktice from the Kingdom of Kross.

On what turned out to be just a cold and not wet night. Three horsemen of K appeared along with Karla and Paul without a K. Seeing another chance to try the SS rig I chose that weapon. I aslo added the supercross rhythm section exiting the mowed section. Steve K krashed hard on his kollarbone on lap one. The section was widened a bit,but I'm pretty sure it will be in the kourse. All riders except Karla hit the turf at least once tonight. Karla said "I wasn't going fast enough".

Final praktice from the Kingdom of Kross.

On what turned out to be just a cold and not wet night. Three horsemen of K appeared along with Karla and Paul without a K. Seeing another chance to try the SS rig I chose that weapon. I aslo added the supercross rhythm section exiting the mowed section. Steve K krashed hard on his kollarbone on lap one. The section was widened a bit,but I'm pretty sure it will be in the kourse. All riders exceot Karla hit the tirf at least once tonight. Karla said "I wasn't going fast enough".
A nice progression of the sky in 45 minutes.

Fresh off the embroidery loops.
NY Cross series particpants will soon have a shot at another limited run hat.
So along with shooting for aone of those ceramic trophies at The Greene CX you'll have a shot at a NY Cross Contingent beanie.

Netizens and blogs.
Now I only know Molly Cameron from his Blog and Vanilla bicycles. But I got to meet him at Granogue. Nice guy. We had a good chat he said he'd heard of the one gear queer. Cool.
Molly's weekend went awry for him on Sunday. Not sure what went wrong. But he had to run part of a lap losing a ton of spots. But we cheered him on with full vigor.
Molly,nice to meet you. I'll link the blog.
Nice ink too.

Sucking on the end of a shotgun.
Now it wasn't that bad. But I told Rik. I figured he'd want the Henry's kit back after my pathetic ride saturday. I was not happy with myself. He asked"Are you having fun?" Of course, I love cross. He said "That's all that matters" You represent. That's all that counts. Do I belong to the best team or what? I'll do it proud here in NY.
This is Rik showing the love.

Back to Granogue and Wissahickon.
So it's time for our pilgramage back to the Delaware Cross Coaliton and southern Pa big time cross events. MiKe K, myself and Paul S. Made th e trip down. This was Pauls first big event. He got 14th. A nice result.Mike K did about the same as last year. I go caught up in the first turn mess and the legs never really got going. Not sure the brain did either. I sucked ass bigtime. Who better to beat up than myself? The beer and pro race were all sweet. Katie sent the other girls packing.
Sunday, was a btter day for me I felt good warming up and was ready to rock. Third row start. Tom pulls out of his pedal about a 1/3 OF THE WAY UP. Crunch a big tangle of riders I end up 2nd to last in turn one.
But made it up to 45th of 80. Rode like me,felt like me. Had a couple tasty beers. Mike popped off a top 25. Way to go. Hung with the real Kings of K from Kona.
Pics are Dan Timmerman, local NY honch tearing it up with the big dogs. Myself , Treefarm and Wicks. A whole lot of Secret Henrys at the start.

It Happens in Threes.
Yesterday I should have stayed home from work. First one of my students goes off on me . "You can fucking shove this lesson up your ass." Now this is a girl mind you. The she tells me to just "Shut the hell up!". So I get ready to go home and find that someone has stolen my Ipod out of jacket out of my closet in my room. F%$K!!!. No one knew I even had it there. So today I ask another female student about here whereabouts after being gone to the bathroom almost all period. "Well I'm having my period! Do you just want me bleeding all over?" Thanks for sharing the class needed that. Let me mark the calendar for next month. Is it the weather?
Tonight was Kross practice I was going out come hell or high water and it did. So three of us worked on skills and hill repeats. I felt better. Besides the threes are over.

Syracuse GP. The Cross circus continued this weekend. I did the double here last year. It really helped. So it was the double again. Current series leader Andy MelenchenKo tore it up with Glenn Swan in pursuit and myself in third. The a guy crashes into me in the gravel and back to 5th I go. Fought back to third. But in the end ended up 5th. That moved me up to third in the Series. Line up for Open Men after the hectic number removal/pinning gulp down a gel, a drink. Not a bad start 8th or 9th.
Dan Timmerman is flying we come around on lap 3 the board says 8 to go. I'm fading in spots and stronger others as my backwards spiral starts.
I end up 17th. But it's training and I beat half the field that probably only did one race. Mike K had a good ride for 7th place.

Thunderdome . Part two.
Our local kross practices have been getting better. The Four Horsemen continue to rule the Kingdom.
Last night I went to a friends daughters birthday party. She turned 30. Well it was free beer and food. Hmmm free beer?
The saving grace it was Bud, Miller etc. So we had a couple ate some food. Chewed the fat and this lands me a Halloween party invite. Sounds like fun. Then it was off to McGirks for Dirt Farm. We saw Henk and his wife as we entered. Good to see them out. I also ran into a former students parents. Good people. We chatted. They were leaving so we took their table.
The owner knows Henk and Connie. So he throws 4 chips on the table. Hmmm free beer again. But now I have choices. Then as were enjoying the band the waitress comes and asks our order. Another round on the owner. It would have been easy to drink away last night. BUT the NYCX series resumes tomorrow and I'm headed for the double. I'll be doing Open Men and the Masters race back to back. It worked last year,so stick with what you know.

A perfect day, again. Day two.
Awoke to another clear blue sky. Got up htrew in a load of laundry had a quick breakfast. Let is settle and headed out the door to do my "cross intervals".
The plan was to ride the V-Strom to Wagners Winery/Brewery have lunch on the deck. Just enjoy the foilage and sites.
I had a veggie wrap. Bob had a Turkey sandwich and a Lager. Pretty good stuff. The parking lot was filled with. RUBS as was the deck. I commmented to Bob, I should ask them if they're Hells Angels? In all their new leather, do rags, shades and attitude.
So we left there and hit Cowlicks a little cheese plant that has gelato. Yum. The owner and his two daughters were sitting outside when we pulled in. The two little girls were making pumpkin people and enjoying it as only kids can. Bob had a mocha I had chocolate. More yum.
We headed home. Hit Taughhannock falls for little walk and to see some falls. Now winding from Rt 96 to 79 is a pain in the ass in Ithaca. When all of a sudden I see a clown, face paint,the shoes, everything on a Harley behind us. Priceless. No Harley attitude from this guy. How you'd shift and brake in those shoes is beyond me. But he was having a ball. It made the trip even better. ( I had to pull the camera out of the tank bag in traffice and shoot the pic with gloves on.Look close at his feet.)
The Strom rode great two up and the new back rest got a thumbs up from Bob.
Day three off to Shindagin for some of the best riding in the area.