What’s better than after a day of painting the front porch, lifting some pre-fab Ikea furniture and enjoying some fine Latin cuisine….Wells Ave!!! I didn’t get my fill of people watching for the week so what better way than to attend the C-race. I haven’t been there once this year so I knew it would be all new faces. While getting ready, I noticed someone driving on the course well over the speed limit, zip into a parking spot and kit – up. Specialized Uber-carbon frame, some fancy carbon wheels and some tan lines to match. You are figuring B-race or A- racer, right? Not by a long shot, who lines for the c-race…that’s right, Mr. Carbon. That’s when I thought I was going to be in trouble. There were some fit looking individuals lined up and seems everybody has been spending their economic stimulus checks on some fancy gear.
The race rolls off, and the pace isn’t bad, the first few laps, everybody is just sitting in, a few people try and roll off but the head/cross wind pretty much hurt those out there alone. I’m just waiting for Mr. Carbon to sprint away, not a chance, there he is sitting third wheel most of the time. A few other riders to watch, Mr. Ibex likes to swerve around manhole covers and not gracefully, only was cut off twice in one lap. A few nervous line changes and the usual surge forward anytime we came near the start/finish line, apparently some loved ones were watching. Heart rate was probably pegged cause apparently my 35 minute commute doesn’t count as “structured training.” Pony boy rides off the front for about 2 laps, only to fall back in line, a few others try the same thing only to blow up and drift back into the group. I don’t even think we were really chasing or doing anything like that….come on, we are Cat 5’s, we are lucky not to have crashed at this point. If some people worked together I’m sure we would have seen them off and fight to reel them in later (maybe try that next time). With a few laps to go, I didn’t keep count, either lap 11 or 12 or 13, who knows, I ended up on front so why not give it go and see if someone comes with. I wouldn’t say I sprinted off, or lept off but rather accelerated “un-evenly” until I was far enough away where I could look back. Nobody followed and well the heart didn’t keep up with the legs and I knew I was doomed. One turn later someone else decides to come up for a chat but we both realized our suckitude and pulled the plug a lap later and eventually fell back into the end of the pack where I remained.. At least we had fun with it, not too mention it broke up the race a little. Final lap, the speed ramps up, the craziness ensues and sure enough bars tangle and 5 or so riders hit the deck. I didn’t really see it happen since I was rolling through that last turn spent and un-recovered from previous efforts. Overall it was a good morning and I wish I could do more so we will see. I have to believe that Mr. Carbon is just out there racking up a few races so he can upgrade. We’ll see what happens next time in a few weeks time. Probably try the same stunt but run it twice and see what happens. It was encouraging to see a large field and the BRC run a solid event. Also it’s funny to see everybody looking out the corner of their eye checking out each others ride and equipment to see who has the bigger wallet.

One more random useless thought...how does an apple from New Zealand cost 1.79 per pound when an apple from washington state costs the same (though they a different types, nothing exotic)?

Where am i riding...right through the orange

If its something bike related you want, its gonna be a pretty empty post for you then. Was able to squeek out three days commuting to work. Been riding the iron pig as much as possible. With the "chance of rain" predicted everyday, it's the best wet weather beater in the stable and it's still fun to ride. Been able to miss the rain most days but I think my luck ran out today as the barometer is dropping and its sprinkling out already but as I write this, the skies just opened up. The beast needed a wash down anyways.

YORKS BEST SEAFOOD AND ROAST BEEF
Fried clams are always on my mind when the temp his 80+ and the sun is out. So what better way to start a review than with my current favorite. Located on route 1 between the Kittery outlets and York center, it's a non-descript building with a tiny sign. Another clue is to look for the blue and gold sign that says Fried Clams. The roast beef part, I haven't tried it...who wants roast beef when you can have a variety of fried goodness. I usually avoid the rush on weekends by going before noon or after 1pm. It's a basic fried seafood menu with other grilled items as well. A large order of fried clams with another order of the Fried Seafood Combo plate is enough to fill 2 and half people (though the kid will eat more than most). The owner generally works the register and is friendly and easy to bounce questions off of when you don't know what you want. The seating area is pretty clean but i don't care becuase it's all about the food. Starting off, the fried seafood combo comes with large chunks of fried haddock that are breaded lightly, fried scallops are generally quarter sized and have been dripping juicy and tender, the fried shrimp are my least favorite and lastly the combo plate comes with fried clams which are lightly battered and fried just right to lock the juices in (they are good enough that I have to order a large order everytime). I don't know what it is but the fried whole belly clams stay crispy on the outside, are not over battered, the batter is lightly flavored and the clam is never gritty or chewey. I've been there three times this summer and it hasn't disappointed once. Those with wee-tots will be glad to know that they have a few high chairs and some pretty amazing cheeseburgers too!!! Some evenings i'll bike by and just grab a burger becuase they will fill even the most empty tanks. If you want an upscale fancy pants restaraunt, this is not the place, but if you prefer a place with local food, good fried clams, good service and a down to earth menu then this should be a stop on any trip up route 1.

A Must Visit

So, a trip down to CT for the weekend brought an unexpected side trip. If you are ever in Litchfield county, this is a MUST see, especially if you have wee-tots. Action Wildlife Org . The story behind the place is something you wish would happen more often. The owner is not a farmer but rather an ex-CEO of a company that manufactured airplane seats. He is not the typical CEO, instead of taking his money and buying useless summer properties and fancy cars, he has instead bought 100+ acres of land, bulldozers, dumptrucks, farm equipment and with his own money started all the animals to start a wildlife park. We ran across him numerous times on our visit there, when he wasn't working the admissions stand or driving the Payloader (he offered even to let my son drive...how many damage can a 2 yr old really do!) he was out meeting the people. He has a pretty good array of animals and plenty of acreage for them to move around. Just glad to see somebody giving something back. Other than spending the day there and enjoying the weather. Some riding was to be had. Decided to latch on with a local ride and do some hill climbs and exlpore the sand pits around mini-lake Garda. Managed not to die but plenty of times up one hill or another, the cadence was making me dizzy. The iron pig ran smoothly, although noisier than all the fancy roadie machines of the group. I think I looked a little out of place on the MTB with skinnies but still as lively as ever. Thats it...check out action wildlife if get a chance and if you meet Jim the owner, he's always up for chatting.

Pretty relaxing evenings this past week. THis was taken over looking york harbor on the way home from a quick little evening ride, to spin out the fried clams only to make more room for tastey foods. Lung infection has been beaten back with the help of pharmaceuticals and another round bloodtests to figure out where my immune system went. Exciting.
The Garden is in full swing, first signs of life are popping up. Tomatoes and green peppers are doing good. The beans are lagging behind and I think my eggplant is taking the summer off. Should have the first batch in a few weeks, with others producing goods a few weeks after that, if I staggered everything properly.

Wells ave is on for next week, probably the only weekend i'll be around for a few more weeks. Figure if I don't start stinking it up now, when will i find the time. Just a simple goal...survive the first half and go from there...use it as a jumping off point...

Weekend was spent eating fried clams, fried haddock, fried clams, some clam chowder, rock tossing, learning lobsterman speak...and catching my next cold.
Did I mentioned how good the Fried Clams were. Right now my favorite place has to be York's Best Seafood & Roast Beef. Its a notch above Capt's Simeons, on par with Bobs Clam hut without all the extra tourists, better than Fosters (better know for their clambakes), cheaper than Sun n' Surf (though they have a nice view of the water). I could go on and on and maybe that will be my next entry becuase every few weeks I like to try out a few new places. Exploring the area can yield some pretty nice dining spots off the beaten path.
I've noticed more people biking to work, more than usual. I've also noticed an increase in the number of "IQ" challenged that are out on the streets as well. My favorite are the people that are riding on half inflated tires, as they just dusted off the bike and decided to ride it to work on a whim. Another favorite includes the poorly fit bike. The rider is 6 feet tall but riding a 14 inch frame, it's just awkward to see. I think i'll start writing about my fried seafood adventures over my bike adventures, becuase one of them is lacking....and it surely isn't something that has been breaded and dumped in a fryer.

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