Who turned on the oven....monday was a fine commute home. Tuesday was a different experience. Brain felt like jello, legs went south and turned to rubber, screaming headache, water wasn't appealing...the temperature cooked my will to pedal. At least i was able to manage 40 minutes. I did however learn a new trick, aspirin on super hot days. Wish i knew about this sooner. I guess some tour riders used to take aspirin on days that it was going to be super hot becuase the aspirin thins the blood just enough so that drastic changes in hydration and electrolytes won't affect the body as greatly. However it could all be hear say and the effect chalked up to the placebo affect. Ah well At least this morning was a smooth ride in, cooler, legs were good, air wasn't all gummed up with pollen, no line for the locker room.
I'd give last weekends race report if there were one...but I decided it was better to scrape the front porch and get it sanded so we can finally paint it, that way our front entrance way doesn't make our place look like a hobo house....sacrafices. Fried whole belly clams, maybe some fried scallops on the side....would make it a good wednesday

I just came across this while on lunch....not really but it was near the lunch hour...one of the funniest thing I have read lately and all the credit goes here-Scroll down till you see Jens Voigt pict: Unholy Rouler
Some of my favorites
If Jens Voigt was a country, his principle exports would be Pain, Suffering, and Agony

Jens Voigt doesn't have a shadow because he dropped it repeatedly until it retired, climbing into the CSC team car and claiming a stomach ailment.

A friend sent this over and it has been a site of constant interest lately so I'll pass it on to you ChainLove
Light rain, drizzle, no motivation, thought it was going to be another trudge to work but despite the elements it was a rather solid and easy glide to work. Maybe its time to upgrade to 9spd on the MTB....just maybe.
Now that the schwinn is dialed in, might have to start riding park ave hill rides again. just maybe

Some days

Some days the ride is just perfect, other days it's a death march and they come and go without warning.
Finally got a new camera so the old one has been put into the commuting bag. I always think, I wish I had camera to take a picture. Its been in the bag for 5 days of commuting and I haven't seen anything interesting, go figure.

25 Days

Has it really been 25 days since I last remembered to check this thing. I'm pretty sure i've read everyone else's update. Can't say it is not for the lack of material or trying. Its been busy and to quickly summarize. Had to rally the troops to help shoot down a proposed Burger Thing that wanted to move into town. Now, I don't have anything against them but the fact that it would have been less than 2 blocks from a middle school....something about kids and burger king just don't mix. Not too mention that the amount garabge that would have ended up in the charles river. Dunkin' contributes enough already. I would also rather see a nice burrito place, or family run business go on the site, but, now it's in the hands of the town council so i'm sure they will back door it in.

Skipped out of work early and decided to head to maine. Got in two days of rides with the "man" on back. However the legs just didn't feel light and spirited. Must have been the first fried clams of the season. I thought the buttermilk batter would have been full of energy, guess i was wrong. Been out riding the schwinn as much as possible and its working well on the commute and any long rides. New seatpost has definately helped positioning and a new seat is on the way. I did but a new saddle for the ALuminum Pig, a "THE" brand saddel. I don't know what THE stands for but it should read "THE" worst saddle ever. I rather ride my busted WTB Podium over this thing. This is what i get for choosing to save 10 bucks. it will be up on ebay in the near future. Too bad you couldn't test ride a few saddles and then decide. Live and learn

A morning without coffee

There is motivation in knowing that a hot shower on a cold morning is waiting for you at the end of a rather suprisingly brisk morning, or even better...coffee! The Redline didn't leave the stable due to some height restrictions of the prospective buyer, so next week it will go up again on the trading block trying to raise some much need funds. Anybody interested in a Redline Cyclocross (thats whats stenciled on the top tube-pre-conquest days), made in the USA...kinesis aluminum, super stiff, suprisingly light and nimble.
Back to the commute. Yesterdays ride home was simple, slightly windy and less crowded than usual, an excellant sign. Didn't need the car once in two days, even better. Today started off no differnt however biking by a the local Diner, I could smell maple syrup and bacon, the two worst things to smell knowing that raisan bran is no longer going to cut it. Right now, some french toast and a side of bacon is all I can think about. But that leads into the next quick story of the early morning commute, now mind you, i'm riding the squeeky tank. The squeeky tank is a bit heavy compared to the more nimble schwinn or jamis but a blast to ride however it does take a little more effort to push the pedals as expected. Right around the boathouse, i got a sit-in. This guy stuck to my wheel regardless of my speed, up or down, even at the stop lights and cross walks. Ramp the speed up, he would get stretched out but cling back on like a tick. I like meeting other fellow commuters but this particular individual did not say a word until I jumped off and headed into the peoples republic of cambridge, where he thanked me for the 15 minutes he enjoyed behind me at 32km/hr (theres a stat for you)...but at least he said thank you....and to get into work and find that the coffee machine sprung a leak...i might have to beg for spare change to get a much needed cup of joe.....

Sent out to Pasture

Here is the obligatory photo. She has been put out to pasture. Sorry, no spec chart of training hours completed, Heart rates acheived while running her through the gears. The last of her kind, made in the USA redline. In an effort to reduce knee pain and keep things "tight", it was time to upgrade to something that had similar fit geometry to the MTB and Roadie Machine, not to mention let someone else get there chance to spin through the mud, jump barriers, rail the single track and have fun. So many years left in that machine but it's time to move one, no tears shed, some hesitation letting it go but bills have got to be paid and basement space needs to be freed up. Its sale will not boost the economy or lower gas prices but it will bring joy to the lucky new owner.