Friday, March 30, 2007

Maiden Voyage

No Champagne bottles broken over the aluminum skin, just a nice commute to work one early friday morning


The ride in started off nicely. The bike handled the pothole riddle pleasant street nicely. So quiet, I'm used to the old schwinn just banging and clanging along. This bike just rolls over everything, not a peep, so tight and smooth (insert inuendo here)


The only complaint, a poor QC job on the part of one beered up brazilian after some seat post an saddle adjustments. Both worked their way loose and the majority of my ride was spent standing since my tools were at work. Luckily the ride home was much smoother. Above is the complimentary art shot..shadow on dead grass

Even managed the hill by Belmont Country club, the bike was in finer shape than its owner. It accelerates amazingly well and handles the tight and twistys with no jittery-ness. Ended a nice a 34km ride with a big smile and a Blonde Hooker.
Someone from car yelled nice rear, this is what i'm sure they were talking about...carbon fiber, so sweet....

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Lagging behind

Time has flown by and yet the dust continues to settle on all things bike related. Though the weather was ideal for some weekend riding regardless of venue, the family was off for adventures. Sears, a fun place to spend an hour getting lost, bull crap. Needed a new battery for my drill, the new battery was 40 bucks but my drill is only worth 70 bucks, so why buy one new battery when i could but the same drill that comes with two batteries and a flashlight...hmm. Another fun fact from the adventures that was "family". You can get a baby seat tested for safety on the German Autobahn. Sure, you pay 5 times more for this brand of seats but is there really a need for it. Turns out the WRX does not like car seats as anything we try takes up the entire back seat or forces the front seat all the way forward so you eat your own kneecaps. The weekend was rounded out by the annual civic oil change. One year, 3300 miles = Oil change. Luckily things were easy and ESC was there to provide backup and make sure the floor stayed put. ESC was ready to flex his might if the oil filter got stuck though.

Got Skinnies on the Giant now, 26 x 1.6s. They roll smooth but are heavy as iron. They weigh an unbelievable ton. The Gus also stopped by for bike fitting time. The Schwinn was just not feeling right. So we spent the better part of a 12 pack figuring out stem length, saddle height, etc and after some swap overs, spacer removals, I got my position pretty close to being dialed in (close the Giant as possible). Hoping this reduces the knee tendonitis. Damn these lanky legs, spindly arms and short torso. The weather is looking good again.....

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

All in All


The weekend ended on a high note and the week started off with my group not being canned. NICE. Thats a win win situation. Sundays show was packed with energy. For the number of shows they performed over the weekend, they still had intensity of their first show. An awsome time. The PieTasters, the second opening act....no comment but time didn't move fast enough. Monday rolled around, got through that day and managed 60 minutes on the trainer doing some half-assed intervals. However the rest of the household is sick so i'm off for a few days, might actually get back out on friday when it's rumored to hit 60......I got nothing other than that...lame

Friday, March 16, 2007

Tre'


This place comes highly recomended. It was the mecca of BBQ for the trip. A trip to Charleston is not complete until you eat at Melvins. The dry rub ribs, amazing, pulled pork, chopped BBQ chicken, Quarter BBQ chicken, baked beans and Mac n' Cheese and even the burgers were top notch (I endulged quite a bit). I must say, I'm missin' it right now. Blue Ribbon will be a must for tonight, though the Ribbon is good, it is not Melvins. Speaking of other quality places not to be found around here, In N' Out Burger. That would be ideal right now. Damn


After all that food and fun on vacation it was back to New England however it was unseasonably warm out so I decided to get quick spring ride in. Being that it was pretty warm I figured most of the snow had melted and it was time for some trail riding. Got out the door with the usual suspects after calling ESCs bluff. Dusted the cobwebs off the giant while ESC dusted the plaque out of the arteries. It was pretty good until it got super muddy and the weather started getting cool. Managed to get about 1.5 hours of riding in, finishing off the ride on the waltham side of the bike path. A pretty good afternoon at a chill pace. The ride was only the begining, can't wait for full on spring.

This image has not been seen in a while...ESC out and on the trails again. Welcome back.

Monday, March 12, 2007

Vacation part Duo

Let it be said that I am not one to pass up a bargain and at 6 bucks for a case of these, I couldn't resist and I am not partial just becuase I am left handed or anything.


Also, this place just looked too good to pass up and it was awsome, the southern rivalry to Flo's of Maine.


And lastly, to wash down such fine southern cuisine, nothing like a few local favorites. The Palmetto Pale ale was my favorite, smooth and tastey. Low Country Pale ale was my second favorite and the IPA was dead last, past the SouthPaw Light. It was gritty and felt like I could chew it, however I will give them another sampling on my next visit, it could have been the bad batch that sneaks out the brewery doors every now and then.



As for anything bike related....I saw some beach cruisers on the beach but that was about it. Managed to get out for 3 short runs, about 20-30 minutes depending on how motivatd I was and exercise was the last thing on my mind.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Vacation Part Uno


6 days have come and gone. I thought that this sign was pretty funny when I was exiting the Charleston SC airport. Immediately met the in-laws and b-lined if for the local package store which turned out to be a Piggly Wiggle Grocery store. Yes, a Piggly Wiggly, and the beer selection was immnense. I was expecting nothing more than Bud and Miller but their selection was far and above anything around here. Vacation commenced.

The vacation spot was actually located only a few miles outside Charleston, a little slice of retiree heaven, the Isle of Palms. A very nice place with large expansive beach front homes that were not occupied as tourist season had not started which basically meant, beaches to ourselves and discounted rent. Though you can't see it but our place was one of the smallest rentals there.


The week progressed without failure. Rise to the sound of the ocean against the sand, bright sun and cool if not warm ocean breeze. NICE. Hanging out on the deck or beach for a few lazy hours, getting ready to tackle whatever the touristy crap we were doing that day. Coolest quick trip was to Fort Moultre just down the road for a little history lesson on the civil war. We were the only family van in the parking lot without the stars and bars or this oddly numbered star'd flag.


Thats all i got right now, gotta get out and hit the trails .