There are plenty of things that I see on a daily basis that I don't question but other days I find my self wondering more.

- Skinny jeans....really...i guess the sub-category could be Hipsters but thats for another day
- Commuting to work on a trek madone 5.5 with carbon bontrager wheels....when their commute is only 4 miles, but i guess if i had money to burn i too would get something flashy and fancy but i'm realist, commuting puts a beating on your ride.
- Not being able to manufacturer anything here any more (Evergreen Solar). There is going to come a time when there will be nothing left to outsource. We have to become leaders in intellectual property AND cutting edge manufacturing before we loose out the world passes us by
- Position of lights on your bike and helmet. It does no good if the light on the back of your helmet is obscured by your back pack, which by the way is large enough to host a small expedition up Mnt Everest.
- Ipods.....can people do anything without them....strangest places i've seen them...grocery store, butcher shop, waiting for a table at a breakfast shop, listening while reading....the list goes on

The list goes on but this is all i could write before returning to my other commitments

and Northwave shoes....amazing for the price...Deore XT clipless pedals...also top notch,

Does anyone else see the irony in the fact that McDonalds will sell you organic free trade coffee in a styrofoam cup (recycle number 4-polystyrene).....
just a thought

Rode in today trying out the new Northwave Raptor shoes. Pretty sweet so far. Just have to dial in the cleats a little better and they should be all set. So far i like the ratchet system, shoe fit and comfort. Also just slapped on some new Shimano Deore XT pedals. I am done with Crank brothers for now. 4 pedals in 18 months...just got tired of having to send them back. Lets see how these handle the commute and occasional recreational ride/race. More details on the shoes and pedals as i get use to them

I have been lax on updating this for one reason or another but honestly just haven't found the rythym required to rant about stuff everyday. However, with that I will say that as a bike commuter i have a dislike for drivers, joggers and roller bladers and most other bike commuters who don't know the rules of the road. On the other hand, on the occasion that i do drive to work, i have a dislike for cyclists, runners and roller bladers.....I would like to think that when i commute I respect the other people around me and always act curtious to those around me hoping that this will help paint a better picture of cyclists..however it is on a daily basis that i see more cyclists cut off joggers, bike through red lights, act with a total disregard for the safety of others, erasing any positive things i have done.

Oh yeah, just realized that my PowerBar Endurance and Recovery drinks are made not in the USA...I deal with enough bad products coming into work from out-sourced contractors that i'm skeptical of any quality control on food products: See Label below for PowerBar Recovery Drink.
Ingredients:
C2 MAX CARBOHYDRATE BLEND (MALTODEXTRIN, FRUCTOSE, DEXTROSE), SODIUM CITRATE, BEET JUICE COLOR, NATURAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CHLORIDE, MAGNESIUM CITRATE, POTASSIUM CITRATE
Country of Origin:
China

Arnolds and Chocolate Syrup

So, the long over due review of Arnold's. This seafood restaraunt is located right on Rte 6a, conviently located next to the famous Cape Cod bike path as well. This place is well known and every tourist has been there at some point. Yes, it is a tourist trap...but well worth it. If its fried, Arnold's has it, even a delicately fried lobster. Something i tried for the first time. Fried Lobster is unique and tough to find. I would recommend the side of fried whole belly clams before fried lobster. Arnolds has a large dining area and a seperate drink bar. The menu is predominately local fried seafood. While there I sample the Wellfleet fried scallops which were well done. The breading was even and fried perfectly. The scallops were not chewey or gray in color.....healthy scallops. There have been some sickly scallops out there, which can be identified by a grayish color to the muscle and the muscle falls apart too easily. The fried clams were good, portion size was average.

The whole bellies were not gummy, though one was gritty but out of the three portions, there was only one gritty belly, which isn't too bad at all. THe lines will be long but they move relatively fast at food rush hour. This place can best be enjoyed just prior and after food rush hour, they have mini golf nearby to keep you occupied and ice cream as well if you need a reward for biking there. Good stuff

CHOCOLATE SYRUPS: Ok....so i like chocolate...its no suprise to many of you. I have a junk food gene...So, occasionally i like to have chocolate milk. I used to use HERSHEY's chocolate syrup or Stop & Shop brand however I noticed they all contain less Cocoa and more High Fructose Corn Syrup. HOWEVER, I bought some Nesquik the other day and it contains no high fructose corn syrup but rather..regular good old sugar. Nesquik does taste slightly different in that is has a textured taste to it and its not as creamy or smooth as hershey's syrup but the overall taste is better....

Mind dump

I recently stopped here again Capt Simeons . Its been a year since my last visit. THe restaraunt closed over the winter and the owners sold it to a friend who stepped in to keep the business afloat. I think thats the story or at least one version of the story that I heard from someone in the parking lot. I have heard other stories. THe location is pretty good, right off Rte 103 and the dining room overlooks a working dock and harbor. I think the room doesn't give enough of a view though. Got the usual fried clams. They were just average. One had some grit to it but otherwise, average. I liked the french fries which seemed to be cooked better than the clams. Other patrons had some pretty nice meals showing up at their tables so maybe it was an off day. The menu is rather large and has maine seafood pretty much covered. I would go back eventually, maybe try them at more of peak hour for food service and see what they can do then.

I still haven't gotten the last of the cape cod fried vacation pict up yet, I'll dump that down soon enough.

Been riding the Jamis Nova Pro lately, and its a solid ride.. ABout 7 days on that bike and my knees seem to like the position better. I'm still waiting for the call from LA to join "The Shack" team but I think i have better luck winning on a scratch ticket.

Fried Vacation

So, the vacation has come and past and I finally had a few minutes to download some pooly shot photos of a few of the places we visited for the requisite fried clams. The First place we went to was The Lobster Claw.
I don't have any picts of the fried clams but heres the review. We hit this place during a peak hour for lunch and an off peak hour for a snack right before dinner time. The fried clams at lunch were well breaded and seasoned slightly. The breading was light and fried very nicely. The portion was good and the french fries were of the thin variety. The warden got chowder and something else that escapes my memory but we both agreed it was tastey. However the second time we went, the clams weren't as good, maybe the oil wasn't that hot becuase a few were a little extra chewey. However all fried seafood when not screwed up completely is still a tastey treat. The Lobster Claw was good and I would recommend this establishment over a few others. Overall its worth a stop. I didn't notice if they had a take out window or now but since its located on busy Rte 6a its probably better to eat inside. It can get really busy around lunch and dinner rush hours.
Places also frequented for a quick lunch was Finbars. Great burgers and decent hot dogs. We didn't try any of their fried treats but we did have their Fish Taco's and they were super good, an awsome value....definately a place i would go back to. It looks like it used to be an old Dairy Queen so there is only outdoor seating on some picnic tables which was pretty accomidating.
A place for sandwiches that we visiting alot was the Village Market on Main street in Orleans. I really like their Mad Russian sandwich and their California wrap. Call ahead and the sandwiches are ready when you are on your way to the beach.

Next up will be Arnolds!

So, it's august and that means that Cross season is about a month away. There has been a great debate in my head if I will even go out this year or sit this one out until the knee tendonitis stops bothering me and i can get some decent biking in. With those thoughts crossing my mind. I got the Creamsicle out of the rafters and threw some air in the tires. The Jamis is ready to ride. Two days on the bike and its a nice difference. The brazilian was kind enough to let me try out some new bars, FSA RD200 shallow drop. These bars are STIFF. THe Ritcheys that came off the bike were not great. After only two days of riding the ride differences are already quite apparent. The Jamis does not accelerate as quickly as the schwinn or redline but it handles/soaks up the bumps much nicer with a more solid feeling. The Redline is twitchy and can give a punishing ride its so stiff. The schwinn road bike accelerates faster and tracks middle of the road. Thats all for now....

Food: The Meat House. I have been buying steak tips and chicken from them lately and its some good stuff. Nothing on the fried front this week. Vacation was good, hope to get a pict up a good place, albiet a tourist trap, a good place amongst the many we found while on the cape