Options

OK, Ive been kickin a few options around for the upcoming cycling season (Oct 08- Oct 09). I'm looking for some input, additional ideas and also wondering if anyone else is IN. To put this in perspective I will turn 40 in August of 2009 so for my mid-life crisis I've decided to ride my bike. My wonderful Mrs. has given me the blessing for a busy year on the bike and she even came up with one of these ideas herself.

Here we go:

1. Gut-Check 2009. I'm planning on it, I have the sag worked out, I'm going to train like it's my last attempt (it is per the Mrs.). Problem is right now the dates for Gut-Check happen to land on the same day as the MS 150. As much as I want to complete Gut-Check if these dates continue to conflict I will be riding the MS 150. The MS ride means too much to me go let go of. I REALLY hope this conflict is resolved so I can attend both rides.

2. The Year Rounder. If you haven't heard of this it is at least 1 century ride every month for one calendar year. The rules are very simple 100 miles in a 24 hour time period each month for a year, oh by the way it HAS to be outside. I'm thinking this would be great training for Gut-Check and a really fun challenge. I can foresee 20 laps on the mountain bike around Vermillion in the middle of February.

3. 40 for 40. This is the Mrs. idea. It works like this: 40 miles a day for 40 days in a row (get the idea, I'm turning 40). Here again another great idea for Gut-Check training but a big time eating monster and there for sure will be a few rough weather days. It pretty much means not leaving Vermillion for 40 days and if I do the bike comes along.

4. All of the above. This is what I would like to shoot for, BUT it requires Gut-Check dates to be changed for next year.

Now that I've explained (I haven't commited yet) all my ideas for torturing my soon to be 40 year old body I have one question for you.

ARE YOU IN???

If not for all options which one?

and

Have I gone totally off the deep end??

(Late update the dates for Gut-Check have been changed!)

B 2 B preparations

I took my mountain bike to the LBS today for a little tune up (tires, brakes, chain and cables) before the fall addition of Bunyan's to Bob's. That's right my mountain bike the rarely seen creature that resides in my garage that usually only comes out in times of extreme cold and crappy weather (December - February). I'm going to attempt the Bunyan's to Bob's fall addition on my mountain bike. The Mrs. thinks I have a death wish as she use to traverse those back country Nebraska roads on a regular basis. I'm definitely not a technical rider but I think I'm good enough to handle a loose/soft gravel road. Time will tell, if I show up at Bob's bleeding and minus skin on important parts, I was wrong. I have been on some of those roads before and one thing I know, it will be worth taking your time and very worth taking your camera. We went on a 45 mile road ride today around Alcester and the fall colors are really starting to show so by next weekend the Nebraska hills should be very pretty. If your reading this you should be at the B 2 B ride next weekend just a few things to look forward to:
- BOMBERS. if you have to ask, you need to show up to have one
- BEEF, a side of it delivered on a bun
- BEER, you can't just drink Bombers
- BARS, two of the most classic bars in the area
- BIKES, how else you gonna get there
- BIKE RIDERS, who else would you sooner hang out with
- BEAUTY, it's fall, the leaves are changing color, the river hills of SD and NE

-BE THERE!!!!

TGIF

A little late for talk like a Pirate Day but here you go.

Pirate Pick-up lines:

I must be huntin' treasure, 'cause I'm diggin' yer chest.

You're just the tasty wench I've been keeping me eye out for!

Hey, sexy -- how about a Jolly Rogering?

Ya certainly put the shiver in me timber.

See this hook? Variable speed with five alternate attachments, Baby.

WOW! I bet we could fit SIXteen men on that chest!

Me skull and crossbones arn't the only thing I plan on raisin' tonight.

Do ya' mind if the parrot watches?

Nice poop deck on ya, lassie. Care fer a swabbin'?

Avast, me pretty! Strike your panties and prepare to be boarded.

So you're the new cabin boy, eh?

Do you have the latest copy of Windows XP with cracked product activation? (software pirates only)

Yo, ho! Bottle of rum?

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre you free on Saturday?

Is there an 'X' on the seat of your pants? Because it appears that there's wond'rous booty buried underneath!

Difficult Decisions

VS

This is a difficult decision for me, on one hand you have bikes and beer (2 of my favorite things) on the other hand a tradition I have not missed in 39 years. Yep, that's right I have not not been home (my parents place) for opening day of pheasant season for 39 years. I would really like to take part in Schnoctobeerfest it sounds like a great ride and I think it would be a lot of fun. It's always a good time to meet with old friends, make new friends, get a little riding in and of course sample a few beverages. Then there is opening day of pheasant season, if your not from the heart of pheasant country, small town South Dakota you probably don't understand, but it is really almost a holiday all its own. People come back from all around the county, classmates I haven't seen or heard from since last opening day make the pilgrimage back to tromp through the countryside to try to bag a few birds. When it comes down to it its not about the birds but about the tradition of getting together with family and friends. Anyway with that all being said I will be once again head into the fields to do a bit of hunting that weekend. The main reason for me is that I don't know how many more of these weekends are still in the future for me. My Dad is getting up there in age to be trouncing around the fields so I feel I should take every advantage of each opportunity I get to do this tradition with him. Mr. T. would also be pretty upset if he didn't have to chance to go after a few pheasants with his sawed off broom stick. A 7 year old is a little young to tote a shotgun so he walks along with his broom stick, a hunter in training. To all those heading to Schnoctobeerfest have fun, ride safe and have a beer or two for me.

Later

Support your candidate

There are few months until the election, an election that will decide

the next President of the United States. The person elected will be

the president of all Americans--not just the Democrats or the Republicans.


To show our solidarity as Americans, let's all get together and show each other

our support for the candidate of our choice. It's time that we come together--

Democrats and Republicans alike.


If you support the policies and character of Obama, please drive with your

headlights on during the day.


If you support McCain, please drive with your headlights off at night.


Thank you for your participation.

Raptor Fight

I could survive for 1 minute, 25 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

Created by Bunk Beds Pedia

Margarita Ride 2008

Another Margarita Ride is completed and I believe overall it went off pretty well.

The weather was a bit humid (aka rain) but the temperatures were pleasant and the wind was a non factor. I enjoyed the 45 mile loop with the company of Bald-n-Surly we rode at steady but not killer pace and didn't encounter any problems except for me flatting just as we rolled back into Vermillion The sharp pink chip seal claimed its share of tires on the day. Numbers were a little off of last year due to a competing ride in Sioux Falls (which is changing its date for next year), but we still ended up with 130 rollers or so. Not bad considering the soggy conditions.

After the ride a few friends and bloggers got together and enjoyed a couple (dozen) or so adult beverages. Stories were told and ideas for improving the ride for next year were tossed around. It was a fun day and I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did.

A special thanks to all who help pull this thing off, just to name a few: Biking Brady (the main man), Mrs Biking Brady, Cycling Cathy, Eric M, Hammer (great shirt design) and all the volunteers and support people. Special thanks to Mrs. CDV and my kids for running two rest stops and laying out the spread of food for the after ride gathering. Your the best. I'm sure I've forgotten a person or two, but you get the idea, a ride like this does not just happen it takes a lot of work and cooperation.

Later

Yikes

Here is another good reason to wear your helmet on every ride. The only person I know prepared to run into one of those is Cycling Cathy, toting her bear spray.

The Republican Ticket

Weekend Recap

We had a pretty busy weekend even though there was no bike riding involved.

Saturday we took off to the big town of Volga, SD to visit the Schade Vineyards. They were having their yearly wine festival weekend. We had a lot of fun picking grapes, stomping grapes (my feet are still a little purple) and tasting different wines. We returned home with 2 1/2 cases of wine in the car, I'm glad we didn't get stopped by the police on the way home I would still be in jail on boot-legging charges. If you get the chance stop by there sometime, they are great people (they are my aunt and uncle) and it's really interesting to see the whole wine making process in action.

Sunday was spent turning our house into a home gym. I've mentioned before that I'm really trying to get back into doing some weight lifting on a regular basis. This hasn't been going as well as I would like and part of the reason is I HATE free weights. I don't like the hassle of switching out weights and I don't have a bench. I cured this problem by picking up one of these. Let me tell you putting one of these contraptions together is a workout in itself. It took me and the Mrs. a total of 12 hours (6 hours with the 2 of us) to get everything up and running. I'm looking forward to getting to work on it.

I now have: 1 stationary bike, 1 treadmill, 1 weight machine and 1 bike on the trainer once the weather gets bad. If you would like I am selling memberships to the Ride Vermillion Gym for only $25.00 per month. Bring your own towel.

Later

Coming Back

Possibility of Lance riding 2009 Tour de France you can read about it here.

TGIF

Been a slow crappy week as far as riding goes so I got nothing except a little late Summer Olympic humour. Here ya go.


Here are the top nine comments made by NBC sports commentators so far during the Summer Olympics that they would like to take back:
1. Weightlifting commentator: 'This is Gregoriava from Bulgaria. I saw her snatch this morning during her warm up and it was amazing.'
2. Dressage commentator: 'This is really a lovely horse and I speak from personal experience since I once mounted her mother.'
3. Paul Hamm, Gymnast: 'I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father.'
4. Boxing Analyst: 'Sure there have been injuries, and even some deaths in boxing, but none of them really that serious.'
5. Softball announcer: 'If history repeats itself, I should think we can expect the same thing again.'
6. Basketball analyst: 'He dribbles a lot and the opposition doesn't like it. In fact you can see it all over their faces.'
7. At the rowing medal ceremony: 'Ah, isn't that nice, the wife of the IOC president is hugging the cox of the British crew.'
8. Soccer commentator: 'Julian Dicks is everywhere. It's like they've got eleven Dicks on the field.'
9. Tennis commentator: 'One of the reasons Andy is playing so well is that, before the final round, his wife takes out his balls and kisses them... Oh my God, what have I just said?