Old News

A couple of weeks ago, I rode the Sequatchie Valley Century (well, I rode the metric, not the english) http://www.chattbike.com/events/SeqVal/2004SV/rslt_nameSV2004.htm. 62 miles on a mountain bike. Ouch. I enjoyed riding with some of the Martians on Wheels. Made the ride much more enjoyable to have someone to talk to on occasion, and a bit of encouragement when I passed my previous longest ride. Was also glad to see at least a couple of others did the metric on mountain bikes as well, so I wasn't the only crazy one out there. Of course, that evening was a friend's birthday party with a keg of Guinness, which ended up at my house with the birthday guy and another friend at about 3am, and was killed by 4:30am. All in all, a long day, but a good one.

Nine days later (Monday), I rode ten at the levee. Vacation was in between, and I should have ridden, but between having to go in to work Monday (I hate being called in on the first day of vacation), general laziness, birthday parties, football games and a bit of rain, I just didn't manage to do it. That many days off hurt. I tried to set a hard pace, because I knew I'd have to quit early as it gets dark so much earlier now. I managed about 16, which isn't too bad for gravel I suppose, even if it is flat, but started huffing and puffing at about 2. Kept it up the whole way, minus street crossing, bridge crossing, passing a several people with kids or dogs, and one spot where I never seem to be able to maintain more than about 14 or so. Still, it was harder than it should have been.

It's funny, people look at me and think I've lost weight. I still weigh 275 (confirmed that Tuesday night). I guess I've rearranged it a bit.

Still haven't looked very hard for a road bike. I wonder if winter is a slow time where bargains can be found? I also looked a bit for a place to do a one-off custom jersey. I want white with blue sleeves and the PBR logo on it. I found a place that would do a single for about $100 (after shipping) but they won't take copyrighted artwork. I doubt Pabst would even answer an enquiry. I might get a Tire Bite Ale jersey instead. Looking in the Colorado Cyclist catalog, I saw some cycling undies ( http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/productdisplay2_v2.cfm?PRRFNBR=10185&CGRFNBR=411&CRPCGNBR=411&CI=1,259,411&TextMode=0 ) that might be worth looking into, if I can find them somewhere else. That place is pricey. They had headlights in there that cost $600!!! ( http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/productdisplay2_v2.cfm?PRRFNBR=34227&CGRFNBR=665&CRPCGNBR=665&CI=1,226,665&TextMode=0 )

Oh well, the blog will probably be sparse for a while. Football season eats up Saturdays, the weekday evenings will be dark when the time changes. Sunday will be about it, and Sunday is a traditional lay around do nothing day for me. So who knows how much I'll be able to work in. I do have more vacation I have to take, so there will be opportunities to make up for being so slack during the last one.