So it's summer vacation. I usually use the first week to catch up on stuff I brush aside during the last week of work. That turned into the usual Bingo frustration. I had to return some "assisted living items" except no one knew where to take them. Then finding the building was a chore.

I needed some dry bags for the MC trip. So I head over to the camp store. Who knew they'd be closed on Monday. Oh well. Lots of little aggravations spoiled day one.

The weekend brought my first long ride in awhile. I was going to ride to Danby via a new route.

Not real confident in the legs lately. But I felt good and averaged 18.1 mph with all the hills.

Rode by my favorite church,they didn't disappoint. I don't even have to use www.churchsigngenerator.com to get these signs.

NNS party and the Debutante Ball tomorrow. I doubt I can post pics of these parties. But I'll have fun.

Cancer updates. All my friends receiving treatments are doing well. Tom is ready for the trip. Carl awaits more food, Bob awaits a full head of hair and FDP goes fishing and ...........!

Enjoy life. OGQ

Lots of time to think here at work. So it's a non-cycling/eating post.
But a friends email really hit home as did a Steve Earle song. His email told me his 21 year nephew was killed in the war. So in a way now I know someone killed in the war. I'm saddened by his loss and his frustration over the war and GW.(Check his blog Lonestarbear). Many parallels to my life here. That will come later in the post.
As he pointed out. It would have been his nephews first Fathers Day,he has a one year old son.
So here's a baby and young mother that will grow up missing many milestones in life. Sure, she may remarry someday. His stepfather maybe everything to him(which would be great) But the memories are there and his Dad is gone. All for what?
Now how does Steve Earle fit in? Here's the song line.
Half a million men fly across the water.
One in ten ain't ever never coming back again.
Fifty thousand sons that never could be fathers.
Don't you ever wonder ? What could have been?
Sure hits the nail on the head. And "W" hates Steve. It's almost like the whole John Lennon thing with the government. Steve is on the hit list because he sings songs that make people think about the war and he's outspoken against it. Yeah, lets fear the rocker. He's the real root of all evil in the world.
I found my father dead at age 15. Sure he was the prototypical 50's Dad. Provide shelter and food for the family. Not a big emotional attachment. He was always at work. Anything we did together was his likes and interests. He didn't like anything I did. He really hated motorcylcles and was convinced I'd grow up to be a Hell's Angel instead of a pro golfer. But the point here is he was my Dad. He did the best he could,there was no manual on how to be a good Dad.
Now I accepted the fact he was dead,pretty fast. But was was hardest is knowing the things we'd never share that most father/sons go through. Mom remarried twice and I accepted these new men as my Dad. Hell they didn't marry me. I was just part of the package. I always introduced both of them as my Dad. They were proud of that. I never went through the "You're not my Dad" anger some people do. Because they had become that. Thanks to both of you. I've buried three fathers. Lucky for me. I have the best Mom in the world. Nope sorry,she is.
But I do enjoy seeing my friends do things with their Dad's and know that they really enjoy their Dad.
So I'll do my ride down to Pa. Clean up Dad's grave and reflect for awhile. Chuckle that he's probably pissed off I came on the chopper and not in a car. But that was Dad.
I know he's seen me grow up. As will my friend's nephew will be with him in spirit. Someday things will happen to that kid and he won't have a clue why. But something inside of him will know it was a message from Dad. Saying "Way to go kid, you make me proud." Maybe he'll look at the ground or maybe he'll look to the sky. But I'll bet he'll smile and it will make his day.
So take a moment today and thank your parents or whoever matters in your life and say, Thanks for being you.
Enjoy life. OGQ

Saturday was a private Dirt Farm party. Now they had a raffle and three lucky winners got to have them play at their house. Jeff said," You and your friends should come to the party." Ok by me. It was great. The host had it catered and as the Coneheads say, There was mass quanities of food and beer. There was pulled chicken,brisket,spiedes, all kinds of baked beans and salads, and a killer dessert table.

There were horseshoes, horseballs, and the twenty somethings were doing beer pong. A very friendly crowd.

The band rocked three sets. Playing from 5 till 11. The party was still going strong when we left

Oddly with over 100 people I only knew other "Dirt farmers". I did meet the host and give him a bottle of Duvel.

Riding for the weekend was CVSP. Bobber, Venus and I rode all the trails. I helped them with skills. Venus is getting the hang of the bigger logs and Bobber is improving rapidly.

The Carver rocked as always. This bike is magic. Buy one.

Fathers day we road into Pa. This is hill intervals for me. The SS uses different muscles so the legs took a bit to get firing.

Zoo report. A couple dead snakes,Venus didn't kill them. They'd already met their demise. The cool thing was the Baltimore Oriole chasing the crow. That little orange fighter was having nothing of that. Very cool.

Last night was the dinner group. Yes, Carl in Fla. More food. We started with sliced tomatoes drillzed in olive oil with avocado slices, fresco queso and cilantro. Followed by two types of tapenade. The real suprise ws the bacon wrapped apricots stuffed with Havarti and almonds.

The main course was duck breast and hoysin polenta. Wine pairing included petit shiraz and one Zinfindal. Turns out the 04 Shiraz was "ripe,lush, refined and had a big nose". My fav.

Chuckles tonight in the form of Singer. It's like being in bad movie. The strong men go off the front. I don't quite have the legs to follow yet this year. So it's roll around in the field driving the train with Henk and one or two others. While the rest claw and scrap to hang on. Or say " I have a team mate up the road" which translates into they're not or incapapable of working. tis is a training race. Nothing more. Oh well. I'll get a good workout.

It's almost time to set the alarm for September.

Don't tick off your kitty. You never know.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Hush now, don't you believe it. go back to bed and dry your eyes.

So I made my retrun to the road race scene. The cycling community is so cool everywhere. Lots of "Hey,I amazed to see you riding etc.". Thanks. So we're miffed I was only doing the 26 and not the 50 miler. Baby steps.

We had a controlled start. The Cookies boys asked me to help them against the RUUD team,since I was the only Ommegangsta there. I told them not to worry. Their best were i the 50 miler and these guys can't race cohesively. After the neutral roll out. Mark attacked. No one went. Not my job. Then WHOOSH off went the tandem. Good for Mark. One of me many of them. You chase. I figured we'd reel them in at the bas of the climb. It happened. Six got away we chased. Why is this old guy driving the train? Are you guys here for recipes? And so it went to finish. The tandem would swoop past on the decsent(not always) then on the flats they'd light it up for a bit and all would tuck in behind it. Never,Never once did the RUUD team show it's face on he front. It was CNYC and myself if it wasn't the tandem.

It came down to a sprint on the uphill finish. Sprinting isn't my game. The year I turned Cat 3 I could big ring this hill. Not today. 4th in the 50+, not bad.

Then a picnic at Venus'. Good food,good times. Then it was off to Cliff's for another dinner.

Grilled sausages with fennel and onions. Thehighlight was the Brooklyn #1 beer he got. Very tasty followed by a Ommegang Rare Vos. A great weeekend.

Graham fest follow up. The paper said 27 thousand people came. you wouldn't have known it.

The paper also said the local businesses noted no increased sales. Where did they all eat and sleep? Weird,very weird.

Stuck a Frazz in just for fun. Enjoy life,OGQ

So they're here. In spite of the last two weeks much ballyhooed event. The Grahamfest.(Billy Grahams son was having a revival at BU) It doesn't seem to have drawn the numbers they expected. They had the overhead road signs up with where to go etc. Extra police for traffic control. We headed to the Parkway for an Ale House night. No problemo.

Now for Gay Pride. They're having a bash downtown and have extended open arms to all. The "Grahamers" responded with the "We hate the sin,but love the sinner" schtick. The paper tried to stir it all up. We'll see.

Back to the Ale House. Good beer. Depsite Bob's mentoring I repeated some over the beers on the round the world tour card. Good beer deserves a repeat.

Then happy group hit McGirks for a rousing Dirt Farm night. These guys had a field day with the Grahamfest. Even changing up the words to "Up against the Walk Redneck Mother".

It was old home night there. I knew lots of people. Had a great time.

Tomorrow I debut the new road kit in my first roadrace. More importantly Venus is having a picnic. Which, Thank you Carl, means more food.

Speaking of food. It's off to the Pig for breakfast.

The car is a 1953 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 Deluxe Hardtop Edition. The Dirt Farm sings about these bad boys. Bobber always takes great pics,But the planets were askew last night sooo.

Tish said there had to be a picture of me. Isn't that a great t-shirt design? Take it as you will.

Enjoy life. OGQ

That's it. I'm rocking the pink. The rest of the kit arrived and it debuted on the streets of Bingo.


A nice ride into Pa. A little rain. Even climbed Church road. Just for giggles. The church bell was the siren song to climb this 17% grade.The power of pink!


Dopers Suck.com has pink socks. Maybe I'll get a pair.


Friday was First Friday and the start of Gay Pride in Bingo. A ton of people oit and about. We hit a few galleries. Who knew someone would paint oils fo slabs of meat in a meat locker?


Then we headed to the see Dirt Farm on the deck. They were just starting the second set and crowd was drunk and fired up. The did a singalong with Cover of the Rolling Stone. Pretty funny. They rocked some new surf music and medley of all their songs too.


There was a drunk who seemed spastic or epileptic. He would spin and twirl,then stop and give a weather report. Never hit anyone in his dervish. Now and then he would chug a beer. I, the fly paper for the freaks, managed to avoid him. ODD.


Tish was showing us the night sky and pointing out Venus. Well, Frank heard Penis and said where? He was happy.


Breakfast was the favorite. Stuffed french toast to fuel the proposed championship road course.


33 miles 2378 ft of climbing. Lots of false flats. This on will piss off many. Now the nice part is right at the base of the wall is a turquoise trailer. Considering Dirt Farm sings about them it hits close to home.


Movie review. Half Nelson. Not bad,kind of quirky worth a watch. It's a about a teacher who's a doper teaching in the inner city.Later in the week I'll catch.


Down in the Valley with Edward Norton. Hope it's on par with American History X and 25th hour.



Cliff flying his freak flag proud.


Gonna see my smiling face on the cover of the Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone,gonna buy five copies for my mother. OGQ

Friday night looked to be Dirt Farm on the deck at the Pit Box. Rain threatened,but I broke out the fixed and rode over. As usual the deck crowd was well into being hammered by 5:30. So the guy looking at me over the rail must have seen 2 or 3 of me. " HEEEEY you rode your bike here". Yes, "Come on up!" In a bit I have friends coming. "Are they riding bikes too? "No. The magnet for the weird was on in full force. Only one problem. Dirt Farm wasn't playing. OOPs next week. So adults made decisions and we hit Caseys for some food and libations. This truck was parked there and I take shit for how the Jetta looks. HA!

After Caseys we decided to go see the Badweather Blues band at McGirks. I run into a former student in the parking lot. He says "Come on I'll buy you a beer". Twist my arm. Turns out he's waiting to the Twins. More former students. So we get a table and the these two woman come in all smiles and waving at our table.

I figure the guys know them. NOPE. The one in orange is a big flirt. The one that looks like a drag queen is a bit. Then their friend. Tinkerbelle shows up. Now I know the magnet is cranked and running at max. Tinkerbelle is dressed all in pink. Pink phone,umbrella,the whole kit. This woman is scary skinny and scary tanned. Not sure if it was sprayed or baked on.

So the boys are good natured and have some fun. But Scary Spice was looking for more.(She didn't want her pic taken) Jesse asked her if she had any tan lines? She begins to flash us and her friend stops her. Gross, we're laughing like mad and the one girl,gets mad. Don't be judging her. HUH? You come over to our table and sit in strangers laps......... We decided it was time to leave. Escaped from that bad movie unharmed.

Enjoy life OGQ

This sculpture is in front of the Childrens home. They actually utilized the tree that was being cut down and had the chainsaw sculptor create this. It was pretty cool seeing it take shape. Then they moved it to it's new location. Look no food.

On to the holiday weekend.

May is filled with birthdays. Henk, Mike. Cliff,Frank,Jack, Dick and Bob. So the Dinner Club hit to he Ale house for Cliff and Franks birthdays. Tim the owner was working. Now Tim and work don't get along. So our salvation came in the form of Donna the super waitress. As usual. Pizza and beer were had by all. Loose cannon Pale Ale was the evenings winner. More stories of food on the way. Thats it lately. Oh another bitrhday party,OK.

Cliff taking care of the econmics for us.

OGQ

Soon to be older Mike K, Cory P. and I headed out to ride/paint the ESG course before Tuesdays race. The climbs were good. Penn Ave is it's usual bomb cratered self. This course will inflict pain. Thats how it should be racing id supposed to be HARD. If you don't want to climb, move where it's flat. So fater a lap of the course. Cory took us on a new Quaker lake loop in Pa.

Now we were going in reverse on some of the roads we've been on and there's this really amazing stone wall. The thing is perfect. Then Cory points out the "Marble" Racing track. There is a really cool descending spiral wall. He said "There were two grooves cut in it to race marbles".

I'm thinking Man thats a ton of work get those grooves right etc. There were alos these huge sculptures I never really noticed.

Now we've talked about Church road before. But never done it till now. You can see the Church but not the top of the hill. Turns out its a 17 % grade. Tough. That would make a killer race finiishing circuit. In all we rode 70 miles with over 5000 ft+ of climbing.

So the "marble race track" had me curious. I took the Zook and went for a ride. Turns out it has tubing running through it. Very cool. Drop in the marble and run to the other end. Only I can't run right now. The "Egg" sculpture had all kinds of odds and end in it. Bike parts too,go figure.

The weekend was capped off with Tish's pizza and the movie Happy Feet.

Ride, Eat, Drink. Sleep

A food pic for Carl in Fl and good vibes to all battling cancer.

Enjoy life. OGQ

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