I'm trying to branch out in my reading. Normally murder mysteries and serial killers. Occasionally a good sci-fi thriller. But this time I read In Defense of Food and the Tipping Point. Now we all know I like food. Most food. But economics is on the fringe. I leave that up to Cliff.

So book review one. In Defense of Food. It made we want to change my eating habits again.

I used to be pretty much a veggie guy. My body would tell me when I needed animal protein.

After I'd had it I could smell it in my sweat. Odd, but true. I just never was a big meat eater.

Eat all you want. But this book changed how you looked at food. Never jumped on the low fat bandwagon either. Cycling seemed to take care of that. Ride to eat,Eat to ride.

In the book they explain how when they remove something (usually nutritious) from food,in go the chemicals. Take a look at a loaf of bread. You may not recognize it. We usually just look at the first couple ingredients. Will the bread maker get busted out? Now and then.

Basically it's back to good Third World foods. Rice, beans, Quinoa,veggies, lots of spices and more fruit. Odd I don't eat a lot of greens. Maybe I should. Either way I'm giving it a shot.

Now the Tipping Point was fun to see how trends start. Funny, nothing I own. But then it doesn't matter. The most interesting part of the book was about "chippers" people who smoke but don't get addicted. Apparently this drives the tobacco companies nuts. They keep looking for ways to hook them and can't do it. I also did a little poll with teens I know who smoke. Advertising had little or no impact on why the smoke. The most common response was my friends do it. I didn't want too. But it just sort of happened.

So if you need a change read either or both.

Meanwhile I'm going to try to get this guy off my tail.

Ride your bike. Laugh. Smile. Enjoy life. OGQ

Oh and by some coffee from http://www.counterculturecoffee.com/. The micro lot beans are like a fine wine.

So I took the Hooligan out for it's second ride. Now sporting a 32/18. Chain problems gone. I focused on the handling. The Reba needed a bit more dialing in. I missed my Ergon grips.
Note one, Big wheel,steel fork,Ergons was giving me a better ride than a slightly stiff Reba with Ourys. How would carbon bars fit in the equation?
While Pops was hacking and wheezing his way around the trails. I focused on speed and climbing.
Now here's wear it gets murky. The Hooligan was a razor compared to the Dillinger. Both have the same WTB front tire. I'd forgotten the felling of a front end tucking,drifting searching for traction,but not spitting you off. I knew I was at the edge of adhesion. it felt great. the Hooligan ripped the climbs. I decided it was a keeper. I could race this bike. I was thinking of going total 29er. But we'll see. I can set the Hooligan up with a steel fork, 29'er front wheel and get some more ergons. See if it behaves as well as the Carver. Time will tell.
I've been pretty much a roadie lately. I rode the Enemy of Fun Tuesday. First time since I broke my leg. 32.8 miles 3100+ ft of climbing. These aren't easy hills either. Did it on 2:01. Tough.
Race results a 4th and a 6th. Good TT motor,the hills need work. I made the cut last night till Belden. Then "Big" Todd turned the screws. He's winning everything. Good for him.
Haven't got any response from the crew on the 24 hrs of Round top.
Summer beers have invaded the fridge. I love hefeweizens and wheat beers. The Sam Adams contest winners,we're well, winners.
Trying the Latin American place tonight. Food is to be experienced.
Been riding the Strom to work. 50 mpg and and a good time to ad fro. Maybe more if I baby it.
Enjoy life. OGQ

Yes it's been awhile. Never sure how people find time to update. Latetly it's been the rinse later repeat cycle for me.

We did do an epic dirt road ride. That was really fun. Muddy climbs etc. A true spring classic. Better than booze or drugs.

I did do the opening club races. We lucked out weather wise. Found out who has legs and who doesn't. This means it's time to remove the winter growth. I shaved mine April one. I hate the first time of the year. My heart goes out to the ladies on that issue.

So the new Hooligan is built. Haven't ridden 26 inch wheels now in almost a year. Been running the Dillinger 29'er fully rigid. The Carver has a Reba. All have different yet close gear combos.

The 29er has 32/20(43in),the Carver has a 34/18(49in) and the Hooligan has a 32/17(49/in) wanted a 18 but the eccentric really won't let you get the chain right.

So the Carver had a return to the fold after the Dillinger's BB crapped out on me. Now BB's are supposed to have a "Standard" now that most are external bearings. This is another cycling myth. The manufacturers can't seem to agree on anything. Then release the next big thing. So it was a trip to the shop to discover,the standard doesn't exist. Order a BB. Ride the Carver. Now I feel that bike is magic. But it took abit to re adapt to it. Then the magic returned. But I missed the 29'er's bump eating wheels. My first 29'er MR BIGG was a horrid nightmare. I wasn't feeling the love of big wheels. Yes, I won a race on it. But sold it asap. Back to the Hooligan.Then I rode a team mates Niner. Ahh there was something to this big wheel thing. Soul kicked down the Dillinger and I've been on it ever since. The best part on it. has to be the Argon Ergo grips. My old hands are loving these.

Blue and orange. I wonder if Jonathon Vaughters will be calling me to ride for Slipstream.

So today the new Dillinger will take it's maiden voyage. Will I love it? Will it feel like a sketchy BMX'er? how about traction. I know the big wheel shines there. Will my "test pilot " abilities shine through and I won't even notice? Time will tell.

I've been riding South mountain quite a bit. Bobber has me dialed in pretty well. He rode his "new bike" to be on Saturday and was doing quite well.

Venus. Turned forty. No big blast yet. So no lurid stories or timeline of debauchery. She did go to a martini bar with her HS friends. Seems as though martinis have crept into here thinking. I reminded here of the bad things that happen to people that drink martinis.

The big Zook is prepped and ready to ride. Now if we could get some decent weather.

The sun is shining. I'm smiling. I have a good life. So should you. Go ride your bike or do whatever makes you smile.

Oh and I heard Astana and Rock racing will be at the circuit race at the end of the month. Tuning up for the Tour of Georgia. Michael Ball has a big mouth and tons of money. Cycling needs the money. Besides he's not the only one that has hired dopers.

We're not Dopers. We're just dopes. Is our motto.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Not much happening here. The weather has sucked forever. We head out in the cold and ride. Because anything beats the basement and trainer hell. March didn't even tease with a couole of days in the 50's. The sun has barely shone until 6pm and I'm done riding by then.

On the positive side.

1. I'm learning the South Mountain trails and have enjoyed my rides with Bobber on them.

2. Club racing starts next week. Who will be ready? Who will be fit. The boys going to Roubaix are going to be in for a HUGE surprise if they haven't hill the hills. Those New Englanders are tough.

3. Made a new friend. His name is Karl too. Don't meet many of them. We shared many laughs,beers and a pizza. Lots of parallels in life. Incredibly open minded. Really brightend my week.

4. Venus scored our tickets for the Fruita trip!!!

So as we head into the weekend. Looks like cards tonight. Dirt Farm at McGirks,breakfast.

Cross my fingers to ride outside saturday and sunday.

Haven't heard that before? Have you.

The Icicle Ride is this weekend. We're skipping that drive. But it would be cool to ride with e the whores again.

Oh the Living with war. I've been on the anti war music kick. Lots of Neil Youngs and Steve Earle.

Check out Ray Booneville too. You can gear his new CD at his website.

That's all the freshness here.

Crayons are cool.

Enjoy life. OGQ

We celebrated Pops birthday last night. Everyone has cabin fever after all this crazy weather we've had here. Thursday teased us with the high 40'. I snuck in some hills and miles on the Battlestar. Cold in the shadows. But warm on the hills. I truly love to climb.
So we went to the Ale House. Pizzas ordered in advance. They had some new brews on tap.
Starting with a Rogue Chocolate Stout. Very good. Then a Saranac Pommegranate Wheat. I felt healthier then ever. Followed up with a Mad Monk Dunkle Weiss. Capped the night off with a Leines Sunset Wheat. Bobber had a Caramel Porter that was quite tasty too. Perhaps we drank some summer ales to make us believe summer was coming. As outside the temp had dropped and snow and freezing rain appeared.
Pops asked that the only gifts we give him were "Shiny and expensive". I cut a quarter into quarters and four of us chipped in for that one. Bobber provided him with hours of fun in a lighted massager and some "Mars mud" aka the "Prison sex toy". Pops also got a beer from the White Trash Brewery. A fine beer it is. Nutty Bars were the dessert tonight as Venus was off skiing and not baking.
Now notice the rings on the glass. The telltale science of consumption? The first few savor the beer. The next a little bigger. Then last. Gulp. Ready for another? But of course.
Every birthday is a good thing. Keep them coming Pops.
While on the subject of bad weather. The Daytona Supercross got pounded and the new kid on the block schooled Vilopoto in the lites. Trey Canard took the holeshot and never looked back.
Great ride by a kid who hasn't gone Rockstar.

Enjoy life. OGQ Pics to come. Blogger is being a pain.

Gay is the new Black. No I'm not talking about my new kit for the year. Which will be black.

Time for a bit of politics. So we have John McCain who's flipped parties and is now counting the religious right. ( I assume for the big bucks to continue.) I used to think he had his head on pretty straight, being the POW and all. But, that has been erased. So we have Hillary and Obama.

As much as we'd like to think we're progressive here. I don't think Americans will vote for a black or a woman. I hear people say."I hate Hillary" Really? Why?, "Just because". That explains it. Or, "What kind of name is Obama? Is he a terrorist? ". Those two questions pretty much sum it up. Now how does all this tie in to the title?

Last election the Bushies used gay marriage to derail everything. How come neither party is courting the gay vote. I don't hear the Log Cabin Republicans promoting McCain.

All of the candidates will gladly take our money. pander for awhile to win our votes. Then do nothing to make things equal as a Americans. I think single people should be pissed too. They miss out on a lot of benefits or pay more for them. I'm not big on ranting politically.so I've said my piece. Of course I will vote. But I will keep and eye on who would do the most for the new blacks.

I lead a good life. I have all I need, but not all I want. Don't we all?

Now of course the weekend came. Which meant the search for a good fish fry.

With the weekend also came another storm. But the lure of food was strong. So we visited Tish at the hospital. Get home soon! Off we went to the Elks club. A winner. They even had 1.50 Smitticks drafts. Your choice of beer battered , fried fish, or turkey and biscuits. Mashed or fries and fresh veggies. Dessert included. We also hit a bar we've never been to Tranquil, that it was was. Not quite Nyquil, but you were able to talk and not yell .

The poker chips came out Saturday. Bobber busted out the last games prize because it was March. Just like the month he marched right through for another win. I started strong but faded. The last lap push didn't happen. We all had a turn in the hat. But it's magic just could not be transferred. A Long Trail Ale shirt was the prize tonight.

We had pizza from a new place and it was tasty. Beers , Rodenbach Red sour ale( not a winner), Sierrra Xmas Ale, Brooklyn Chocolate Stout, Ithaca smoke porter, Leinkugels wheat. Maudite,(a favorite) maybe one or two more. No all these were shared, not drunk by me.

My Mom thinks everyone on the net is a serial killer or evildoer. So here's my serial killer pic.

Enjoy life. OGQ

So it seems the only people with today off are teachers and lawn care people. Go Peaches!
The theme here always seems to be food. So here we go.
After last weeks "minnow fry" at the VFW. Strike one for me. I decided we go to The House of Reardon for their fish fry and macaroni. Now I want a real fish fry. Being the good catholic that I am and following the rules of Lent here ( I gave up work for Lent) I'm thinking homemade macroni is like icing on the cake. So we go over early our waitress comes over I'll have the fish fry. Ahh? What fish fry? That was last week. What??? Strike two. So I go with a Buffalo wing wrap and we all share some sweet potato fries that truly are sweet.
Off course breakfast was the "diet plate". Stuffed french toast. It leaves you stuffed. This made riding necessary. But it turned into a trainer day. Then a snow ride on Sunday.
With Tish going to the ER and being admitted. I invited the Bobber for pizza. I'm getting the hang of the transfer. So it kind of looked like a calzone with a pizza. But It was a sundried tomato, chorizo and four cheese on whole wheat.
Beer pairing was Kwak and Unibroque Terrible. Delicious.
Monday night was the dinner group. Roast duck, garlic eggplant, seaweed salad ,dumplings, spare rib hot pot and Kung Pao squid. All tasty and filling. Cliff paired the wines I can't remeber the names.
Monday also brought a rare warm spell and a hint of sun. The siren's song of hills lured me out on the road. Ten minutes in rain. I wnat to climb Vincent Hill. I haven't since I broke my leg.
Armed with a whopping 42/25 I'm into after the Beartown and Monkey run climbs. 21/23/25 the road is nothing but cinders. Standing is not an option. Ghost shifting was, back and forth with the 23/25. Slowly,very slowly I clawed my way to the top. Then I could feel the road esae and it was done. A smile washed over my face. Rain? What rain? I'd just beat Vincent.
Today was a road trip after the car was fixed. Only it developed a new malady. The oil light decided to keep coming on and beeping. Had plenty of oil. Weird.
But we stopped at the Original Dougs Fish fry. Now this is what I think for a fish fry. Light krispy not oily. Delightful.
I'm thinking Slimfast tonight for dinner.
Now on the darker and crazier side of things. There were two fatal accidents here recently. One I just missed coming home from work by minutes. I saw the car involved going the down the hill moments before.
The other a lady fell asleep and crashed into the barried flipping over the bridge and landing on an oncoming car. Can you imagine witnessing that? Or being in the car that was landed on? Scary.
Enjoy life. Really enjoy life.OGQ

I think today is some big ball sport day. Actually I know it is. But I don't care. Never have. It's been two wheels my whole life. Oh, I did like the return to playing tennis as rehab this summer.

But as usual I'm heading off a different path.

So we actually had the storm they predicted. Kathy and I decided to do breakfast if we didn't have to work. So she loaded up Zach(her 2nd grader, who is a nice kid unlike this one http://suki-smith.blogspot.com/) and came and picked me up.

Zach made the call. Lets go where the food is best. Good call. Clinton St. I had the "diet plate".

Kathy asked me who I might vote for. Zach advised me "He'd rather have a black than a girl president". Mom asked did you hear that from Daddy? He grinned. She said expalin yourself.

Zach replied "Just,just,just." Then went back to his gameboy.

Friday should have been the Artwalk,but that wouldhave been the Art Skate so we declined and just did dinner.

Saturday started off with a retrun to the Pig for breakfast. They have a winner there. Gald they're back. It was decided to play cards tonight. Tish had to do a show on "Alien Porn" or something like that. So She was out. Venus was away. So it was guys night out. After breakfast Mills and I went in search of a pizza stone and a rolling pin. Just like the Holy Grail,we had to go to many places to fulfill this purchase.

Foloowing Cliffs lead I opend the first bottle of Shiraz to prepare the cook. As I thought it was best to have food ready when they got here. Well the first pie turned into a calzone as it stck while trying to slide it on the stone. But the second one ,a white with pesto, slid right on. Brownd up crspy and tasty. Both were a hit. Cliff brought the cake that could kill a man. We ate drank and went into a chocolate coma.

Time for cards. Milss was primed after his big win last time. Cliff was in search of his first win. "Full House" grinned and said "We'll see". Short version. Everyone palyed tough. I even bought a hand. We fell we came back but in the end the master won. Now he's already for St Pats. Skip the Valentines.

Tme to ride.

Thank your friends for being in your life.

OGQ

Maybe that's the point of the blog, sharing stories. This is a big down time of the year. Goals need to be set for next years events. Things need to be caught up around the house. where to start. But the weather doesn't help. Sure we sucked it up and rode in 14 degrees last weekend. Yes, it was nice to get outside on a day they forecasted would be miserable and was actually quite tolerable. Outside beats the trainer any day.
The "Battlestar" is resurfacing as the "Millenium" Falcon". The old boy got some love finally. New cables,housings, a fresh coat of flat black paint, new tape, and brakes. I got some grocery panniers for Christmas. Looking forward to doing more errands and such with it. it looks like a new bike. Can't wait to ride it. I know. Like I need a new bike.
I gave my old Delta V to Henk to use a commuter. he's digging it. Fenders make real. Another old bike gets a new life. Go Joe Commuter.
As always my friends and I continue to have our fair share of fun. Mills killed it in cards last weekend. Enough to hook him in for more. Dirt Farm rocked a new venue. Like I've said before I have the best friends.
The dinner group hit Theo's for MLK day. Tasty wings, sweet potato fries and killer cornbread.
Beers from around the world quenched our thirst.
Currently on the ipod Drive by Truckers new cd. Brighter than Creation. Now they're rocking again. Southern style. Also been revisiting most of Neil young and Crazy Horses work.
Nothing like feed back and distortion saturated guitars.
I'm happy, healthy and dealing with the winter doldrums. What's the silver lining here?
People read this and respond. Cold clear blue sky days. but best of all the moments shared with friends.
Enjoy life. OGQ

So here I was thinking of what to write for the New Years blog. The obvious,stay away from New Years Resolutions. Easy. None.

I had the Ipod on shuffle, American Pie came on. I have a love/hate with this song. My friend Chris used to play acoustic shows at the bar. He'd always finish with American Pie. A good way to end the night. The bad thing is Chris chose to take his life. So the last thing I remember about him is him playing that song. Not a good way to start.

Bob and Tish had some us in following Tish's treat at the movies. Then Venus got the call that her Mom was in the hospital. Not a good thing. So now she's dealing with that. She's a trooper.

We're here for her.

On a brighter note last year at this time I was toddling around on a walker wearing compression stockings. Venus had organized what then turned into the "Endless Party". Crazy to look at the calendar and see all that stepped forward to speed my recovery. Thanks.

We all went to the O'briens to see the new kitchen and eat more food. There Carl in Fla, The part you've been waiting for. Food and drink. We sure did and had a good time. That's what I like to read and write about.

The Supercross season starts this weekend. Can Bubba do it again? Should be an exciting year.

Enjoy life. OGQ

I goofed and somehow deleted the whole blog pic folder. Welcome to the digital age. Here today,gone today.

But, I think these five pics sum up my year.

Bobber,he makes you laugh. He has a dry sense of humor that just comes out of nowhere. Hardly overrated. My friends are the best. I know yours are too.

Duffy and I. Hey, 27 years later and we're still smiling. What a long strange trip it was.

The return to Kross. One the "Wall of Death" and two a perfect Kross practice night.

I'm a happy man. Why do some people make life so hard? It's what you make it. I chose to fill mine with good people,good beer,good food and good bikes. Pretty simple.

Had the fixed out for a few rides. Ran errands on it. Another simple pleasure.

There's a beautiful sunset out my window tonight.

Enjoy life. OGQ

On the anniversary of last years crash. We celebrated. I gave out thanks to the Kross Kontingent that made my world a better place. The scent of fennel filled the air from the Waterzooi, a Belgian stew. We had Chimay Cheese, St Alban and another,I didn't see the label with bread for appetizers. The The Frites came out of the oven and we all sat down to eat.

Now Frites (french fries) with mayo, sounds weird actually tasted pretty good. Not being a big mayo fan. Beers, too many to list, check the fridge. Elliot brought even more and graced us with two bottles of Westvleteren (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119617857954505332.html)

Now mind you this beer sells for 400$ a case. He said the Blue is good,but that the Gold is the best. It was very tasty. We also hard Maredsous. Which has been described as a double mouth orgasm. Christmas Ales and on. Belgian truffles and chocolate for dessert. The waffle maker waited in the wings,but wasn't used. Quite a night of revelry. Thank you all for all the help.

Music ranged from the Trans Siberian Orchestra to Warren Zevon and back to Christmas music by Jimmy Buffet, Keb Mo' and Bette Midler.

You can hear the Trans Siberian Orchestra at http://media.putfile.com/WizardsofWinter-SM

Yes I had some pics of me taken. Because I'm told by the faithful readers that "You're never in the pics.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Besides the sports I watch are seldom on TV. But Supercross starts soon.

So the line up shows the soldiers that sacrificed themselves for last night.

Lots of seasonals. I really like Christmas Ales. We started with Imperial Gold and worked our way to a Raspberry Lambick. Then back into the Weiss beers and back to Harpoon Winter warmer and Sierra Nevada Pale Celebration Ale.

Storm warning, Hurricane Bobber swept the Grand Prize last night. Polly represented " N-DE-COTT" and was winning big near the end. Mills and Cliff each got a few hands. I had a couple too.

But the "bell lap" came to late. Even playing the "Duffy Card" didn't pull me out of the hole.

Things you shouldn't look at on the net. http://www.ridetrash.com/ well some of it is good. Other things, prove the power of the next and how twisted some people really are.

Working on the KXmas Kristmas now.

Enjoy life, breath deep. Love your friends. OGQ

Oars in the water. That's what I feel like. A boat sloshing around waiting to move. Promoting madness and lactic acid days are gone. It's the time off/recovery/ride your bike have fun phase. After a few days,I can't do it. I need the focus,the edge. It's a bit to early for next years regime. I haven't even set goals. Other than Kross will be at the top. One stroke,forward backward, starboard, port. I drift.
I bought a balance board to work on that. Maybe 50 year old men shouldn't go near these things. rip it up DUDE!
I put all the pads down around me.In five minutes I'm toast. A few of the exercises really mimic climbing on the SS. Work that core. I bought it. Now I have to become a slave to it.
Breaking up the routine tonight. Hitting the Black Bear Winery for a show. Not a fruit wine fan. But time to crawl out of the rut. Beer will be available at numerous points on the route home.
Shop party Saturday. Xmas parties are filling up fast. Book now!
The sun is out. Very nice.
Christmas lights up. I love them. I even like the over the top crazies that put a zillion lights up.
Hey, we dig cycling they dig Christmas lights. Everyone should have their own addiction.
Enjoy, walk the hood,see the lights.
Smile.
OGQ

The holiday, Black Friday or Buy Nothing Day and the vacation are over.
I have a lot to be thankful for.
First I have the bonus years. I'm alive and kicking. Second My friends. I have the best circle of friends. From the tight knit bunch of the Kingdom of Kross to far reaching Internet friends. I love them all. maybe someday we'll cross paths in real time. Thanksgiving is a crummy time for me and my friends made it special.Third,the one year anniversary of the broken femur looms. I'm riding etc. That's good. my Mom continues to travel. That rocks,good for her. I went to brunch in Syracuse yesterday. What a nice place. indoor pool and hot tub ,huge house, more pets than a pet store, and of course tons of food.
Thanks that people read this blog.
I rolled out the New Soul Cycles Dillinger this weekend. Really need a 410 seatpost. but I wanted to ride and ride I did. To avoid hunters. Venus, Bobber and I hit CVSP. Now this place is rocky ans I was running rigid. The 29'er soaked up most of it. Bottomed against the rim a few times. But what a ride.
For Thanksgiving Bobber lead a sweet ride on South Mountain. Sure if I had a longer post I could climb better seated. But It was 66 out and we were riding. Bobber has steadily improved and seems to enjoy riding the MTB more now. Then I went to the Mills clan for dinner. Afterwards we played cards. A great day.
Life is simple. Enjoy it everyday.
Later. OGQ

So after the DPM,. I still had mixed emotions about doing States. This was a hard year of racing. The comeback from injury is different than a comeback from absence. So I stewed over doing States. One side says go do it or you'll never know. The other says take a break,I have nothing to prove. But in end I followed my own advice. Silly me signs up for two classes.

Sunday broke cold and clear 23 degrees. That would bode well for this course as maybe it would all be ridable this year. The NY Cross crew(Not to be confused with NY Kross) made some nice changes to the course. The top stayed firm and lines formed all over the place. Warm up and the legs felt good. At this race they start all the masters together. No staging,so you have no idea of who your racing against. So I opted up to the first line. Were off,it's a road start and ballistic settle in,don't red line,keep an eye on Ad and Rich. Hang in there. Paul S slips by and the motor isn't warming up fast. Others sneak by. But I pass a group on the off camber downhill and am back on Paul. It stays this was then he opens a slight gap. Two to go. The plugs fire and I catch and pass Paul now to put a gap on him. Some pesky CCBC guy is all over me. I'm faster in the technical he pulls even in the run ups. Lots of bumping and pushing.Fun but annoying. Just pick a line and follow it. If you want to pass make, it stick. In the end I finish 9Th. Not bad. A bot of disappointment. I was shooting for top 5 or better.

Back in the pits I change kits and don the Henry's pink for the Single Speed class much bigger this year and they lump us in with Open Women Masters women and Jr's. A top five start then we hit the mud and rrrrr the motor dies. I guess I left it all on the course for the masters race. I finish my lap call it a day. Why dig a bigger hole. The sinus is on red alert and I would have been just riding around. The King has fallen,Long live the King.

Yesterday I washed the bikes ,prepped them and they'll be put to bed till the new frames arrive. Looking forward to Soul's new KX rigs.

Now today I get to ride the Dillinger my new 29'er from Soul Cycles. Just ride and learn the new bike. FUN.

Yes, I said FUN. That's what it's supposed to be all about.

Have a good holiday. Be thankful for what you have.

Remember it's not Black Friday it's National buy Nothing Day. Go ride your bike.

Pic is props to those that make it happen.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Sunday I awoke to a true Kross morning. Cold with a heavy frost. This usually means hard fast ground early. Then turns to slop. Kross.

Now today was special. It was the second time for the Dave Panella Memorial. I tried to get my head into the "wayback machine". When last year I went pedal stroke for pedal stroke with Glenn Swan for the win in horrible conditions. My legs had given good signals after last weeks failure. As I drove up the hill to the course. I broke out of the fog to find a bright sunny sky. Henk already had the Ommegang banners flying and Mikey was flagging the course. I looked at that clear blue and smiled. It would all pull together. That blue sky was a big as Dave's smile.

Today I would ride well. Mike added a new moto x section to the course and the X. A spiral to keep all happy. I suited up for a couple easy laps. The armada of NY Kross Kontingent had things in order. Riders showed interest in the Dillinger up for grabs in the raffle. Hey, Who would't mind a free frame? Rob Coapman showed up to announce. The pieces continued to fall into place.

Time to race. We had a moment of respect for Dave. Then call ups. I heard Glenn say. "Let Karl lead,he'll be suicidal on the opening lap." I took the holeshot with Glenn and Ernie hot on my tail. I knew Glenn was watching lines. He attacked on the uphill but this pushed the others wide and tucked in underneath to regain the lead heading into my house. Pure moto. I let those michelins drift and turned up the gas. Careful not to redline. Almost lead the whole lap. Slowly the series leaders came by. I hung tough. Rich has been riding great. he got a bit of a gap. Then the diesel turned on. My head was in the game all day. gain in the technical. try to power away then. I drilled it hard in the mower section heading into the telephone pole turn. OOHHH Houston we have a problem. Down I went at speed on the leg. tumble into the grass bike still attached. Now like a turtle I'm downhill trying to get loose. Thinking about the leg. but thinking about the race. I get untangled and Dave hasn't closed. But Rich has a full straightaway on me.

I feel good an give chase two to go. I end up 6Th. One shy of the goal 5Th or better. I had a good ride. Again I look to take blue sky and smile at Dave. I'd done my best.

I grabbed some hot veggie chili and Middle Ages tenth anniversary Ale and went out and heckled the open men. The PA was buzzing as Rob kept us entertained. More chili,more beer.

After the open men. We had the raffle while series webmaster Steve update the points and scoring. Dawn and Bobber nailed the scoring with super fast results. First we gave out the beer. Then Ommegang apparel. Then DPM wear. it seemed the team and the Kross Kontingent were mopping up as were the Walkers. In the end Peter Ozolins went home with the frame.

Some people even picked up the flags and the course while all this was going on. Thanks.

Not sure of the final count donated to Kim. But people bought tickets right up to the end.

I was elated and tired. People asked to join the team. That's cool.

Bobber and Dawn came over for a beer and Mike D tasted some new brews with us.

What a weekend. I am the luckiest man alive.

The confidence is up for States. Legs were great on the road last night.

Can't wait to ride the Dillinger at Shindagin.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Some pics from Greene DPM later

Man, I'm wiped out. race promotion takes it out of you. Lots of stress getting things ready for the race yesterday. all the details to pull together.
But in the end. NY Kross Kontingent pulled off the "I'm 18 and I like it" race. No real glitches,highest attendance ever. Sweet fast course lots of positive vibes.
My race was the worst of the year. I got the holeshot. Fellow "gangsta" Gregg passed me in the start of the twisties. I nascared him in a turn and retook the lead. He retook it on the little climb in the spiral. Sign one the legs weren't working. But the skills were good. One by one riders passed and then I was in my "5th". (Seems to be where I am ths year). faso just ahead. Then Rich comes storming by. Some guy in pale blue. I try to hang on. Just no gas in the power sections. Self doubt creeps in. I really had to talk to myself in this one. I reel the group back in in the fast sections. Opened the suitcase of courage on the climbs only to foul plugs and BRRRR went the motor. One to go I can see Dave and Mark. I make a huge effort on the road and pass them in the fast section. I tell myself hang on you can beat them. BRRRRR goes the motor again,they slip away. Glenn crushed it. After the race hr pretty much summed up my day.
"Sometimes you dig deep and come up with a handful of empty". That was my day. my mood was bolstered by all the props from the racers. The kids helped out. Bobber and Venus rocked results. Hope someone has a video of the spiral. Pics later.
Now to get it all in order for the DPM. I think it could be huge. People were stoked with the idea they could win a frame and there's a ton of prizes waiting. Pots of chili and cornbread are being readied. Ommegangs in the frig.
Can I go head to head this year like last year? We'll see. I'll do my best. this is the season final.
I'd like to go out on high note.
Even better news is Soul Cycles is going to sponsor a select group of us for Kross next year.
If you're thinking about a new SS or 29'er. Check them out. The new frames are sweet.
Enjoy life.
See you at the DPM sunday.
OGQ

This past weekend. We made the trip to Rochester. Stayed with an ex(he's the cute one on the right) from 27 years ago. It was a time warp. I also got to see Rick and Sharon. I think the weather kept Annie at bay. That ot the "Chilluns" either way we chatted. So the "old gang" Hit the hot spot "Mex" for dinner. Very good and way too much food. We headed over to the Old Toad for a drink. A cask conditioned Blue Point Stout was set in front of me. Tasty.

Bob and Duffy watched baseball as I nodded on the couch. Bedtime. Then I couldn't sleep. Technically this was a weekend to gain points. Ride hard move up. The course was "early jungle " cross. But It grooved in nicely and was fun. I got a good start,second. The diesel was working. A couple passed me in the woods but hung tough. I liked the hills so gained there. Fianlly got a gap in 5th, closing on fourth and Rich comes out of nowhere. I felt I could hold him off and attacked hard out of every last corner. But he came around me just near the end. I was tapped. 6th. Mikey had his best race for ninth.

Rode the moto to work today. 30 degrees. Bundled up and enjoyed the ride.

But I digress. My passion for Kross disguises a fearfulness. I'm pondering the shrinking of life,due to aging and injury. I fear the boredom of not taking chances. I worry about the dying that goes on inside you when you don't take chances.

I seek the joy of drifting two 700c wheels at speed. The continuity of hitting the line lap after lap. That feeling of all your faculties firing at full force. The challenges of mind,body,spirit all at once. My goal now is to keep racing Kross forever. Then sit down,contented that I've done my best. Knowing there's nothing left in the tank.

Lots of loose strings to tie up for the race this weekend. "Im 18 and I like it". Crazy 18 years I've been promoting.

The pic on the bottom right. Is the best pic of Kross this year. This was a Halloween Kroos. So my bikes had Bert and Ernie on them.

Ride fast,have fun. Smile

OGQ

I thought this year was it for racing. Done. Have fun. Ride my bike. Try new rides. Don't get caught up in racing. learn local trails. Just get back from the broken leg.
Then I rode my Kross bike. All bets were off,or on depending on who was betting. Then I raced.
The signs were good. Progress each week. Not enough to hit the big races of last year. But good.So now here I am second in the standings. Looking forward to this weekends race. A new venue. As is said by many. Just have fun. OK. Fun for me is riding my best. I want to do this.
The double hurt me. But I could feel the legs coming back. Two practices on the SS KX rig. Go easy ride work on technique spin. Stay away from the big gears I tend to use. Let the diesel idle.

Race promotion is coming together. The strings are being pulled in. The DPM could be huge.
That would be great. Our little band of CNY Krossers should go home happy.
Our weather has been amazing. That report will follow.

Enjoy life. I am.

More later. OGQ