So Bobber (of the last post golf shirt fame) and I headed down to Bob W's to ride the Quad County ride. Part of the shifting focus of my riding. I talked of carrying the camera and taking pics, put the racer in me aside. HA!
Bob W would be doing his first organized ride. He made us proud. Way to go.
Bobber signed up for the 45 mile loop. I signed up for the 45 with the ICU (intensive climbing unit,that added 8 miles and 1200 ft of climbing. Registration ran smooth. We suited up and rolled out. Bob W went left. We went right. We spun along together to the first climb. Bobber said go ahead. See you at the finish. At mile thirteen the road went left for the ICU. I was the only one turning. A couple stair steps and then a sweet descent. Swoopy on new pavement. A sign said 7% for next 3/8ths mile. Back up I went. The climbs were long. Not really steep. My kind of climbs. I passed numerous people. Many with their triples spinning crazy cadences and going nowhere fast. So despite the fact they had almost a 1000 riders,I rode most of it alone.
At the turn for the 65 and 45 I almost went for the 65 which would have been 73 with the ICU.
But I stuck to the plan. The legs felt good and I decided to go hard for the next 16 miles. If I blew up, so be it. Well the road was a constant series of big ring rollers. The TT motor was firing on all eight and I motored. Then Bobber came into sight. I saw him get on a group of two and start to pace line. I caught them slapped Bob an the back and rolled. Felt strong all the way in.
Went by the truck and Bob W had just finished. So I sun out and went back to get Bobber he was on the road in and almost home. So we cahnged had the lunch provided and headed back to Bob's.

We took Bob to the Drafting Room. A great beer pub with amazing food. I had Wahoo with star fruit and mango salsa with sweet potatoes. Bobber had Jambalaya, Bob had corn,black bean and serrano ravioli. We enjoyed some nice Belgian ales. I had a cask conditioned Hop Devil for the second Bob had a Sunshine nectar and Bobber a Penn Weis. YUMO as Rachael says.
Off to Borders for a coffee and dessert. Read all the magazines.

In all a great day. Bobber had to get home for Mothers Day. I didn't eat the chocolates he got for Tish en route home.
Yes I called my Mom.

I'm looking forward to the circuit race tomorrow and see how the legs do.

Enjoy life. OGQ

The weekend started clear and cool. We hit Danny's Diner for breakfast. Everyone had the red pepper,swiss cheese and ham omelette. Yummy.

Henk and I headed out to Pa for some hills and different roads. The sun warmed our faces and smiles crept across them too. The wind picked up hard on 26. We rode solid and steady fighting the wind. But grinning like fools. Not knowing the whole route we came over Hogan. 56 miles total. Perfect. Legs were done.

Today I did a nice ride with Bobber,Venus and Pops. We tooled up Rt 11 and ventured into Killawog. We wondered what a Wog is? That mystery is still unsolved.

Enjoy life. ONQ

Time to ready for the Cinco de Mayo/Bad shirt party. It was BYOB and potluck. The crew of Venus, Mills, Cliff, Pops and Woofie, Bobber and Tish and myself. Venus whirred the blender and margeritas flowed. Nachos,burritos,beans and enchildas came out of the oven. Cliff brought some fine Belgian ales that were also popped. Faces filled. MMMMM. Then the Palmers showed up with dessert. Perfect.

Maybe there should be a vote on the bad shirts? What do you think?

It's been awhile. Life is mostly the same. Work,try to train. Rinse,lather repeat.
After the surreal experience of Florida,I'm home. So what do you do when a parent starts smoking again? Nag?.( I'll quit getting tattoos when you quit smoking. Mom wasn't happy with the chest piece. I'm thinking a big sacred heart with unforgiven on it. Or maybe her name.) That was just weird that Mom started again. I think it was because her house guest smoked. It was sort of OK when they smoked in the lanai. But then they moved inside. Mom never did that. Oh well here house,her rules.
The bigger news would be a I didn't race at our local cicuit race. Walked away clean,didn't volunteer or anything. Funny I didn't miss it. There's another race this weekend. It creeps on on me. Should I? NO. I said I was done stick with it.
Saturday I hit the local motocross circuit to watch a student race. He had a bad day crashing in the first turn. He was really disappointed. I coached him a bit. Money has come to ocal races. BIG MONEY.The 40+ plus class looked like a dirt bike parade. I felt I wanted to borrow his bike and ride MX again.
Sunday Bobber and I rode 45 miles into Pa. and back. I did some good TT efforts and felt like me. Drilled a couple hills and generally had fun.
I have to walk more. Maybe after dinner every night would be good for it.
The leg really needs that weight bearing activity.

So I'm looking for sun. I need sun. This is just sort of a catch up post. Amazing how people want to know. "Where have you been?"

A Cinco de Mayo party this weekend. First Friday,Dirt Farm at a new venue. Look for pics.

To all my friends going through the cancer treatment,here's to you. You're the best.

Enjoy life, OGQ

I made the flight to Florida. As they say "time to spare,go by air". Enough on that, flying beats driving. I arrived to warm and windy. The next day cold and rain. But not what we had in Gloom county at home.
Weather yesterday was better. I snuck in a ride. It was WINDY. I ride an old SS mtb here. ZOOM I went one way. RRRRR I went another,tires howling. No real place to ride here. I need a fixie here. Spin spin spin.
Time to head home. Wham, I'm turning about 32 rpms. Oh well,shorts and jersey. I'll build power.
Catching up on the honey do list.
Carl in Fla,is doing well. The "Southern Belle" is able to see again. Cortland Bob's treatments are going good.
The LoneStar Bear is working his fingers to the bone. Need a job in Dallas? See him.
Ronnie should be rolling up Brasstown Bald. No coverage of the Tour of Georgia in the papers.
Chris Thomas King is rockin the Ipod now.
Back to the honey do list!
No to newsy,but inquiring minds want to know.

Later, OGQ

Myths.
Spring has come to the NorthEast.
Winter is over.
I'm losing weight like a dog shedding it's winter coat.
Base miles are piling up,time for some intensity.
Cancer is being cured.

Base miles in the Northeast are a joke. Sure I've ridden in every kind of weather. But after years and years of it it gets old. Fast. I used to relish those "Belgian days". Now I just want to ride without tons of layers. I want to feel sun on my bare arms and legs. We'd have our base in by July. I went to Pa. Usually through the Lehigh Tunnel the world changes for the better. Sure, 10 degrees. That was 20 to 30. The wind brutal. Sunday. I said the hell with it. Lets eat. My addiction ran high. That prehistoric coding telling me I needed calories for winter.

Last year I did Battenkill Roubauix and was fit and challenging. A top 20 finish after losing my bottles at mile 7. Fought off cramps etc. An Epic roadrace. This year I wouldn't even try to do that race. Good luck to all that do.

I currently know five people undergoing cancer treatments. That's too many. I know they'll fight hard and live long. But it still sucks.

I hope Florida is warm when I get there. OGQ

That's a title of an album. A racer always wonders at the first race. Where's my fitness? Who's new? Who's strong? Pride had me in the A group. I positioned myself mid pack. The goal was hang in there and finish. The usual first lap attack went. I sure wasn't going to chase. RUUD had half the field. Two up the road. They were brought back and they sent more. Just hang in there on the hill each lap. Someone gunned it and the field split. Bad position on my part. I came around them and rejoined on the downhill. Six to go. I can do this I said to myself. Two off the front now. No real organized chasing,but a steady tempo. Three to go and each time up the hill strings it out. I hang in there. One to go, I'm near the front there is remnants of the B field. Traffic. I figure, "What the hell,Burn the match!" You're known for the lead out and the kilo attack. Do it. I shift up, stand up and go using each lappee to springboard me. I see a familiar wheel on mine AVK. That's cool. I pull hard again it gets him too the 200 meter mark. Adam had him covered and pipped him on the line. I've strung out the field and the sprinters can have their way. This keeps me safe and smiling.
Another hurdle cleared.

We saw the weirdest thing last night. The moon was bhind the hill on the horizon. You could see the glow and the edge just creeping over. Then it just started rising and in about two minutes it was up. It wasn't clouds. Very cool,but very strange.

Look at that not a mention of food anywhere. Hope Carl in Fla is doing well. He's fighting cancer.

What's the "Southern Belle" doing?

Enjoy life. OGQ

Meet Kona. Depsite Kona's not too bright appearance. He has Yoda like quailties. He always knows where you are,how to help you(by laying in the middle of things). When to chase Loki.

He's also referred to as the "Moose" appearing quite slender he's all muscle. Pick him up and and he ripples.

Whats all this have to do with anything? Nothing. Kona is just flat out cool.

Oh I rode 56 miles saturday. A milestone. I did well. Not quite me. But I made it. No bonk. I'm sore from it in the leg. So Sunday I did a spin. Today I did a couple "openers" as the first circuit race is tomorrow. Not bad for a guy who couldn't walk just 3 1/2 months ago.

Enjoy life OGQ

Tuesday dawned claera and cold. Henk and I headed out for a road ride. Thinking it was around 35 degrees. Tolerable. I on the Battlestar,Henk on the Serotta. Wind in our face,sun on our side off we went. My legs felt OK. MOre wind as we headed south but now the sun was on our face.
A good feeling. Henk took huge pulls tuning the TT motor. I worked hard too.
Crocker Hill is a tough route home the Battlestar had a 42/23. Fine if you're in race fitness. But I climbed it well.
There's a saying in cycling about "burning your matches". Which means giving it your all. We I lit a few up that climb. But being outsisde riding. Makes me alive.It was 27 when we got jome. BRRRR. Even my fat ass was chilled.
So yesterday we rolled out with the "Kid". Same route. But warmer and more wind
Henk posted this ride report:

Don't believe it for one minute. Karl did not break his hip! We were riding again yesterday, accompanied by Mike . Did our usual 1½ hr loop. We have to finish up Crocker Hill to get home. I started out last, as usual, but managed to pass Karl after he broke a spoke. Sucker! I figured it would be one of the rare times that I would beat him to the top. Alas,it was too good to be true. Putting in more of an effort than both of us were bargaining for,Karl surged to the front, I rallied to barely nip our finishing mail box. Anyone else thinking of revenge, dream on.
Henk.

We both burned a pack of matches on that climb. I lost my rhythm to stop and fix the spoke. Then the surge to latch on to Henk. I love climbing.
Today was warmer. I had no legs. So it was a spin and recover. In my head I'm fully recovered.
In body not all the way there yet.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Yesterday cock of the walk. Today just a raggedy man. That's Tina Turner's line in Beyond Thunderdome. That was me on Sunday. I'm cleared to ride. So Henk, Bobber and I headed out in a balmy 35 degrees for our first road ride of the year(truly mine). We laughed as Henk pointed out "WE made the first hill!" A bump in the road. So Henks on the mtb, I'm on the BattleStar, Bobber on the Dale'. We rolled along 79 enjoying the sunshine. No hammerfest. Just spin a high cadence. The long climb up Rt 11 felt good. Don't bump the rev limiter,just ride.

It was good to be alive. As we approached Front st it all came out, Henk pulled to bridge and I took over to get Bob to the line. Fun,pure and simple.

So the next day I decided to do the RUUD team road ride. Right off the bat,up we go. Glad I switched cassettes. Legs sluggish. A dark 32 degrees. I kept getting dropped on the hills. Frustrating? You bet. But,I had to reming myself that,I couldn't even walk under three months ago. Up 26 the paceline formed into the wind. I didn't have here either. Normally I love these Belgian days. At the climb Henk and I decided it was best to turn around. So we figured a tailwind. WRONG. DEAD WRONG! It took forever to get to Endicott. I really had to pee. So A Subway was first up. I clattered across the floor used the facilities. Then was acosted by the manager. "You can't just come in here and use the toilet". I cold tired and noth thinking fast.

I should have said "Well I was going to get in line after I used the restroom. But in this case, NO.

I waved and walked out. By the end I was a raggedy man. 37 miles today.

So today I called into PT and said I'm skipping you guys. It's sunny and 60. Let's see PT vs a ride outside. A nice 25 miles. A good cool down spin. A dumb grin on my face as I rode home. Priceless.

A pic from the infamous day. Ididn't get any beer that weekend.

Now take a look at this bike. The North American handmade bike show was this past weekend. My little bro. Powder coats ANT bikes and the Oswalds shown there. Nice work.

But this one may get me to build a frame again. Look at the old board tracker influence. You can almost see a Indian or HD V-Twin hanging in there. The red tires rock. I'm thinking a scuffed primer paint with pinstripes.

I want one. Aircraft Spruce sells the tubing. I've got the skills. Just need the loot and motivation.

BIG DAY. The cane is gone,except for the long walks.

Sweet. OGQ

So we were all set for the lunar eclipse last night and Gloom county held true to form. Cloudy. So we saw it on the web from Belgium.

We were all gathered at the Cyber Cafe for The fundraiser for Kopernik. Food was good,beers tasty and the band Monkeys Typing were fun. An alien even made an appearance.

Tish was busy with running it all and being the MC with the questions for prizes. Everyone went for Mars mud aka the prison sex toy. Venus was misbehaving showing hers off along with the 50 cent side of salsa. Who knew? Thanks Tish, I hope you made a lot of money. OGQ

So we're going to kick it old school today. Here's another hobby. Choppers. Now this little Pan is sweet. Finned pan covers. Axed tanks,ribbed fender. Open belt, sprung seat. Those tanks are actually two cut and sectioned. Old school. Now granted I'm a long bike fan. But I do like a bobber. So the long bike is a wee bit longer than mine. But I'm running a jockey shift and open belt. Enjoy. These are choppers. Not the shit you see on TV from OCC. DFFL. Bro.

Supercross. Bubba again. Ryan Dungey nails his first pro Supercross.

Dirt farm on the Ipod a bootleg.

Ride on, OGQ

Today is Ash Wednesday. I've never understood religion. ( But being a Buddhist is looking good)Although my Dad did his best to be sure I was a Catholic(or at least raised one). This means Lent is starting. No, by no means do I subscribe to this anymore. Last year at work I was asked "What are you giving up for Lent" I looked the person right in the eye and calmly replied. "Heroin, it will be tough. But this time,I'm going to kick it." Now Papa don't ride the horse no more. So going back to child hood. I figured I'd give up candy for lent. Detox for forty days then score big on Easter. Wouldn't be a problem as I wasn't a big candy eater. NOPE, Dad decides I should give up comic books. Man that was rough. We're not talking new issues. ALL comics. Cold Turkey, hand them over. I did it. Maybe this is why I'm so willing to suffer on the bike. So enough religion.

That means Fat Tuesday was yesterday. I guess our debauchery was Monday in honor of Chinese New Year our dinner group went to Moon Star the undiscovered diamond of a restaurant here in the Crippled Cities. Our secret Kult Of the Kulinary. Enjoyed Peking Duck, Spicy Twice cooked beef and Garlic chicken. The new one was snow pea leaves. Who knew you could eat the whole plant? I will eat more now. The Duck as the gays say "Was to die for!"

All the food was incredible. So here we are back to food . A religion I can understand.

George you're now immortlized here. Bask in your fame.

Supercross Chad Reed wins. Villipoto crushes the Lites with a comeback ride.

Slobberbone is rockin the house this am.

Enjoy life OGQ

Well that probably raised an eyebrow or two. Anyways I'm being hounded to update by that Southern belle again. My life is pretty routine lately after the return to wage slavedom.

So Cliff, The Bresee's and I headed out to a screening of the movie "Half Nelson". Who knew that in little JC. The place would be packed. SRO. Who wants to stand for two hours to watch a movie? So we headed over to a coffee house to find it was closed.

That took us in search of beer or coffee. The Cyber Cafe fits the bill. Desserts and microbrews were enjoyed.

The never ending party continued. I made a pot of chili with a new recipe that included pineapple. As you can see the pot was almost emptied. Cliff brought a petit shiraz that was a winner. The Bresees' brought "A Giant Chocolate Boob" for dessert.

Pops is growing older but not up in his search to go 200mph on his bike. Now he wants nitrous.

I thought that was for whippets and whipped cream cans that provided laughs in college while grocery shopping.. The balloon promted all this. When I lived in Canada the business men used to buy balloons from the local head shop and huff them on lunch hour in the park. Hey whatever works.

I hit the theater for the opening of Ghostrider. What can I say. It's a comic made into a movie. It was fun. But not great. Sam Elliot is the supreme cowboy,bar none. The Spidey 3 trailer looked great.

Now for TV Criminal Minds is it for creepy. Followed by CSI Vegas.

Dinner group tonight. So more food. We had to order duck in advance. I'll bet it will be great.

Drive by Truckers are rocking the house today.

Enjoy life. OGQ

To go along with yesterday. Here's the lyrics to "I don't wanna grow up"

When I'm lyin' in my bed at nightI don't wanna grow up
Nothin' ever seems to turn out right
I don't wanna grow up
How do you move in a world of fog
That's always changing thingsMakes me wish that I could be a dog
When I see the price that you payI don't wanna grow up
I don't ever wanna be that way
I don't wanna grow up
Seems like folks turn into thingsThat they'd never want
The only thing to live forIs today..
.I'm gonna put a hole in my TV set
I don't wanna grow upOpen up the medicine chest
And I don't wanna grow up
I don't wanna have to shout it outI don't want my hair to fall out
I don't wanna be filled with doubt
I don't wanna be a good boy scout
I don't wanna have to learn to count
I don't wanna have the biggest amount
I don't wanna grow up
Well when I see my parents fightI don't wanna grow up
They all go out and drinking all night
And I don't wanna grow up
I'd rather stay here in my room
Nothin' out there but sad and gloom
I don't wanna live in a big old TombOn Grand StreetWhen I see the 5 o'clock news
I don't wanna grow upComb their hair and shine their shoes
I don't wanna grow upStay around in my old hometownI don't wanna put no money down
I don't wanna get me a big old loanWork them fingers to the bone
I don't wanna float a broomFall in love and get married then boom
How the hell did I get here so soon
I don't wanna grow up

I love the stillness of a snow storm in the early morning. Of course some might feel that this is becasue I'd get the day off. OK bad career choice on your part. They usually make way more money than me and can take vacations when they want to.

Anyways. The Husky fired up and was able to move the 8-10 inches of snow. So then whats a man to do? What else feed the fire. Off to breakfast I went.

Here's another one for Carl in Fla. Last night I made a Rachael Ray dinner. Baked sweet potato fries with an incredible toasted cheese sandwich. It was made with "Energy" Bread, brie, priscuto and fig preserves. Salty, sweet. and totally "YUMO". I added some peppadews on the side.Yes. I dig her.

Rediscovering Tom Waits today. Bone Machine You have to love "I Don't Wanna Grow Up."

"Seems like folks turn into things they never wanted. They only thing to live for is today."

Enjoy life.

It's not easy being a lightweight. Bobber hit the nail on the head at breakfast saturday. I was grumbling how sore I was from the week. Let's see back to work (on my feet more), we upped the weights at PT and I started doing the Zoneveld workouts. Sure enough. thursday I had a dull ache in my groin. Friday it hurt more. BUT still dd my PT. Are we seeing a type A behavior here. Saturday downright pain sometimes. Not a muscular sore to touch. But a Damn that hurt. Jolt of pain. So I decided to rest it saturday and sunday. But now it feels pretty good. Maybe a spin? No. I'll let it rest. So I can hit it hard next week.

Movie review: Munich. Good movie. not worth paying at the theater. It sure showed the hatred theses people harbored for each other.

Supercross. Bubba wins another. So does Vilopoto. Can't wait for the East to start

Glad Fatmarc is back.

Those of you riding. Enjoy it.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Since I love to write about food. Here's a pic of my favorite breakfast. Besides the Dr. said I have to feed the injury.

Stuffed french toast. Two slices of french toast,two scrambled eggs,huge amounts of ham and american cheese. This and coffee will fuel you all day. Unlike french toast stuffed with cream cheese and frozen fruit. That will take you to high to fast, then let you crash and kick you in the head. Next time you go for breakfast try this. Let it digest and go for a big ride. No bonk,just a smooth supply of fuel.

No I didn't eat the omelette too. But the guy behind us did eat an exact double order like this.

The Obligation of the Cured. Back to being a wage slave.

So here I am almsot two months post-op,ahead of the curve. Working at getting better everyday.

So Iwent back to work today. Yup, Gramps and his cane are a semi-productive member of society again. It went well. No hassles. My new PT went well too. No if I could sleep at night

So let's jump in the time machine back to saturday night. The "Never Ending Party" came to a halt. The usual suspects were rounded up. Bobber and Tish, Venus, Mikey the Kid, Bob M, Pops and Woofie, Cliff dragged himself away from his desk for a little R&R. We had pizza, wings,garlic knots and a choice of desserts. All washed down with fine Belgian beers. A great night.

This is for Carl in Fla. NOw he's doing chemo and it's screwing up his body and blood sugar. So he said he was ging to go ahead and have some chocolate. Since everythng was so meesed up

I'd bet that was the best piece of chocolate ever. So here's apic Of Venus" brownies for you.

Hang in there buddy and I hope you feel better.

The Kid trys on the cane to see what it's like to be an "Old Man".

Smiling faces all around. How the world should be. OGQ

So it turns out I have some blog fans that don't think I update enough. Nice to know I hve a following.

I thought my Rinse,Lather,Repeat pretty much summed up my life lately.

But it turns out a southern belle really likes reading about my Type A attention deficit disorderly life.

So here goes. I'm back to work on monday,half days. So I've been trying to get back on schedule this week. You know get up at the same time follow a routine. I've pretty much detoxed my system of coffee. It's a double shot of espresso in the am now. Instead of the 4-6 cups before.

I had coffee at breakfast last weekend. Maybe 4 cups. Hit me like meth. It was fresh,that buzz that made me wonder how coffee was legal,way back when. Painkillers and narcotics hit me the same way. My system is hyper sensitive to stimulants/depressants. Some sinus meds give me nosebleeds. Some meds I have to take in bed. Because I won't make it there otherwise. My doctor tells me that I could never be a junkie because of this. Never thought of being one. But maybe thats why I think Meth Moms are weak.This post is really spiralling out of there. A.D.D?

Enough have to prep the work tablestoday for the next bike build. Sort out the SS stuff and put things back where they belong. Hopefully my cross rigs are on the way home.The basement looks empty without them and I've loaned a couple bikes out.

Ronnie thanks for the cinammon rolls. They will make me fat andd sassier.

Now if I'd mention beer it would make the post complete. I have a case of homebrewed coffee oatmeal stout that needs tasting. Maybe I'll get SAW 3 tonight and tip a couple.

Later OGQ