tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83348541977733063322024-03-05T06:08:52.192-05:00RoqueRodelife is like cycling...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-56532121056654641432012-08-27T23:26:00.002-04:002012-08-27T23:26:39.341-04:00Another Sad Day for Wisconsin MTB...<a href="http://www.wors.org/2012/08/a-sad-day/">http://www.wors.org/2012/08/a-sad-day/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.thenewom.com/sites/default/files/images/rob1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.thenewom.com/sites/default/files/images/rob1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-55271253609688267352012-06-07T10:48:00.003-04:002012-06-07T10:48:49.410-04:00A Bit of Sad NewsWisconsin has lost it's second cyclist to an automobile accident last evening. The more difficult portion of this news is that I knew the man. In short, he was a transplant like I am to this area and found success. Here are a few of the stories on the web... I will update with additional information as it is released.<br />
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<a href="http://bfw.org/2012/06/07/states-2nd-cyclist-killed-in-sheboygan/" target="_blank">Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin</a><br /><a href="http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20120607/SHE0101/306070115/Authorities-ID-victim-bike-car-accident?odyssey=nav%7Chead" target="_blank">The Sheboygan Press</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-34741763427099130192012-05-03T20:16:00.003-04:002012-05-03T20:16:55.723-04:00<i>I've been on hiatus due to my new daughter Ivy.</i> But here is something for all to do while I stray:<br />
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<a href="http://www.salsacycles.com/revealyourpath/">http://www.salsacycles.com/revealyourpath/</a><br />
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Have fun with it...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-68531569238135464592012-03-25T19:12:00.002-04:002012-03-25T19:12:40.373-04:00Distribution Bike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/6610/img0201v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/6610/img0201v.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I found this pic and thought it amusing, if not a desirable item to have. It was listed as an ice cream vending bike... but I can sure see it delivering some other mighty fine cold ones! That'll be $5 for a Fat Tire, my friends! BTW, I can't spin the bike to the right orientation without a lot more work... so you'll all have to suffer... but at least you can make believe you've all had a tall, cold one!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-26437701271670114022012-03-02T22:58:00.002-05:002012-03-02T22:58:49.619-05:00Finding NEW PathsSince I'm now a transplant from Michigan to the upside down state of Wisconsin, I've had to search for an organization that I could feel comfortable in to ease me into the cycling scene around these parts. For quite some time, I was very disappointed in what I found. Sure, <a href="http://worba.org/" target="_blank">WORBA</a>, the Wisconsin Off Road Bicycling Association is the established state advocacy group similar to the <a href="http://www.mmba.org/" target="_blank">MMBA</a>, Michigan Mountain Biking Association which I used to be a part of. But unlike the MMBA which has easy to understand regional chapters, WORBA is divided up into little clubs... and like a lot of other things about this state I've discovered... just don't make sense. I finally figured out the area I reside in falls under the <a href="http://www.fatkats.org/" target="_blank">Fat Katz</a>, fat being synonimous with mountain biking and KATS as in Kettle All Terrain Society. Wha, what?! Well that and I sent them a few e-mails to see if I might be able to hook up with the group to get to know the area trails or at least meet a few new folks in the area... and nothing. Not a response. Not a peep. Not a word. So I explored what I could and eventually hung up the MTBs and putzed around on the road bike.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thenewom.com/images/header.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://www.thenewom.com/images/header.png" width="320" /></a>During the early part of this Winter, I was meandering through the WORBA and <a href="http://www.wors.org/" target="_blank">WORS</a> (Wisconsin Off Road Series) websites and stumbled upon the <a href="http://www.thenewom.com/" target="_blank">NEW OM</a>, the North East Wisconsin Mountain Biking Club. The club is based one county north of where I live. I liked their site so I dug out a contact e-mail and sent out a little message. Not more than an hour later... CONTACT! The person on the other end was the founder of the club, Wade. Made me feel really welcome even though we'd never met. I signed up to be on their e-mail list and happily get notices of warm-winter rides. They're in the midst of cutting the first trail in their county so they are frequenting that trail. But I hope as warmer, longer days emerge, they'll venture down to the 2 trails closer to my place. A couple of other things I'm excited about with this club is that even in a fledgling state, they are beginning to do advocacy work down in Madison and have applied to be an official part of <a href="http://www.imba.com/" target="_blank">IMBA</a>. That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!<br />
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Anyway, I'm just glad and excited I've found a club seemingly more meaningful and moving at my speed. Bring on the dirt!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-76352280113497690092012-03-01T20:39:00.001-05:002012-03-01T20:39:30.026-05:00Work Work, the Magical Fruit... Ramblin' ThoughtsSo I'm back to a positive swing at work. Still a lot of work and responsibilities but just feeling like I'm getting a better grasp of the group and a few pats on the back from where you least expect them really help. Though I'm not sure they're entirely genuine, I'll take 'em.<br />
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Unfortunately, that doesn't mean anything in regards to getting back on the bike. I still remember the saddle sores I got from commuting in on my road bike last summer. Fine going in, but by the end of the day, the damage done in the morning reared it's ugly head. Super tender rump. Anyway, I rode a good part of the commute home out of the saddle and on the hoods. I'm sure I looked like some crazy sprinter guy in lycra training my attack runs. Little did they know...<br />
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<a href="http://c2.diapers.com/images/products/p/mx/mx-174_1z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://c2.diapers.com/images/products/p/mx/mx-174_1z.jpg" width="247" /></a>So the weather man said 50's next week. Soon I'll have the running shoes ready to go and a bike or two broken down and rebuilt for another season. Unless my little princess decides to show up. In that case, it may be the stroller that gets a good once over!<br />
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Actually, this thing is pretty schwank! It's the Quinny Buzz and it truly is a nice piece of work. Funky cool inner web seat that is more like a gel/neoprene fabric than it is a sewn cushion. Kind of like a bouncy hammock for the kid. I love it! Plus we got the matching car seat that can plug into the stroller as well. Or the whole seat as shown can be attached backwards to mimic a bassinet.<br />
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Sigh... don't get me started! My brain is already moving to the "ga-ga gu-gu" mush known as parental obsessive mind syndrome, a.k.a. POMS. We'll see if the condition lives up to the hype!!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-4898395525651875322012-02-29T21:59:00.000-05:002012-03-01T20:40:15.385-05:00Princess Tiara<br />
<a href="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/twirlyhead/DSCN1488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/twirlyhead/DSCN1488.jpg" width="200" /></a>Somedays I just miss riding.
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With all of the things that I am expected to do now-a-days, it's hard to just enjoy. For those that just aren't quite sure what I do to keep afloat... well, here it is in a <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/roquecorpuz" target="_blank">nutshell</a>. Since I don't want to think too much about it at the moment, I won't dwell on it...<br />
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So what's up with the title? If you're in the know, you could guess. But without spilling the beans too much, a Princess Tiara and matching jewelry package was inter-office mailed to me at the studio yesterday. It sits there for all to view! Anyway, it was enough to save me from utter insanity when it came... so that part is awesome. When the intended recipient eventually gets the package, well that will be another day to celebrate.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-35678475597893696932012-02-25T20:58:00.000-05:002012-02-25T20:58:49.966-05:00New Tote Platform...My trusy 2002 VW Jetta GLS wagon will soon be put up for sale and so will my ability to tote bikes. It's amazing it has nearly 165K on the clock and I can still squeeze out up to 32MPG. I averaged about 27MPG with the rack and bikes on top. Any body need one and have $4000? Anyone? Anyone?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.midwestvdubparts.com/php/uploads/1053wag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="330" width="440" src="http://www.midwestvdubparts.com/php/uploads/1053wag1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
So I did all the research and drove a ton of different cars in search of the right replacement. But nothing was right. In the beginning I wanted an FJ Cruiser. But it just wasn't right. A dozen selections later (from sports cars to wagons to trucks to sedans to convertables) I finally picked up an Xterra. As capable as an FJ. Sucks gas like an FJ. But unlike and FJ... I could see!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.webmakerx.net/InventoryPhotos/5N1A/N0NW/7BC/5N1AN0NW7BC513827/5N1AN0NW7BC513827_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="330" width="440" src="http://images.webmakerx.net/InventoryPhotos/5N1A/N0NW/7BC/5N1AN0NW7BC513827/5N1AN0NW7BC513827_1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
So now I need to figure out how to bring bikes along without loading them inside. So simply up or back?! Going up means an even taller vehicle. And no where near as easy to reach as the wagon. But cost of entry would be under $200. To go the back route means a trailer hitch plus a bike carrier. $150 + $400ish. But it would be easier to load and access. Though getting into the back would be more of a problem.<br />
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Anyone have thoughts or guidance for me?!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-47871490567489682462012-02-25T20:25:00.000-05:002012-02-25T20:25:28.274-05:00Spring Project... Among Others...I've built and upgraded a lot of bikes in my time. But none so disturbing to me as the next planned evolution of one of my most cherished bikes. Through the years, I've been both over joyed and severely disappointed in the upgrades. But the plan seems very backward, yet highly energizing at the same time.<br />
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The bike again on the chopping block is my most winning-est bike. It has carried me to the finish line in more races than any other. It has delivered my most devastating injuries. It has both made me proud and angry. It is my venerable Bontrager.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/twirlyhead/DSCN1846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="330" width="440" src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/twirlyhead/DSCN1846.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Since replacing the original fork with the one shown in the pic, I have not been happy with the bike's performance. The original Bontrager-spec gold RS Judy was gutted of it's elastomers and replaced with Mountain Speed Springs; which made the fork much more active and responsive. This gave me a ton of confidence and this is how the bike delivered me time and time again. The all black RS Judy is also Bontrager-spec and I again replaced the elastomers except I used Englund Air cartrages. The thought was a lighter front end and a better ability to tune the ride. I added the extended travel kit and oil dampener. Mistake. Ever since it's been endless maintenance and poor performance from the combination.<br />
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I rode my Trek Fuel a lot more after the swap and have hardly looked back.<br />
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So now I get nostalgic as I begin my road back to fitness. And I miss riding my Bontrager. So now what? My conversion plan is simple. Chuck the black fork and Englund Air maintenance nightmare and pursue simplicity.<br />
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I acquired a Kona 1" rigid fork. The new fork has a threadless steerer, which means I cannot reuse the current headset nor stem. So I picked up a Ritchey Logic 1" threadless headset. I'd love to find a used Chris King, but the dollars are just not justified. I also found some vintage 135mm low-rise stems: Control Tech, Syncros, and a few others. I've tried to find a steel one (Salsa and some others made them back in the day). But the crown jewel I found was a 135mm, 5* rise Moots Ti stem! The problem is that it is for a 1-1/8" steerer. I have to figure out if I want to keep looking for the ideal 1" stem, use an aluminum one, or shim the Moots. More on that one when I get that far. The last ditty is I got a hold of a set of Avid Black Ops Ultimate v-brakes. With these, I need to determine if I should put them on the Bonty and send the XTRs to the Fuel... which has Avid Single Digit 7s. Or just put the Black Ops onto the Fuel. Again... I'll get to that when I get to that!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-17910978444820966742012-02-09T22:51:00.000-05:002012-02-09T22:51:38.067-05:00Makin' it CountSo I rediscovered I'm pretty far off the beaten path with regards to fitness. But getting back on the right path is all just a part of it... so I tell myself. It's nice that this Winter really isn't Winter at all. Just a little cold snap. Seeing that the temps seem to be above freezing during the day, it is a little easier to get out there and bounce around. And I hope I didn't jinx anything, 'cause I can really not use the -20 temps and 3 story snow piles from last year's Winter...<br />
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Apart from all that, here are the happenings:<br />
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The bathroom is (just about) done. Just need to replace the original light switch and outlet with new white ones and a GFCI outlet to get 'er to code. After that, I head to the basement to kick off the man cave/kiddie play area... or simply the play area since that'll be where I can play, my daughter can play, the bunny can play, my wife can play, guests, family... you get the idea. Work is also a little out of control nowadays as well. Heading up one of the design studios is no easy gig. Not really complaining as it is quite a prestigious accomplishment... just a steep learning curve in a company that oft hires type-A, do it my way types... which I am not. I prefer the wise man approach to the sales pitch any day.<br />
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Well, time to get some other things done. More as it comes. Cheers.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-8175349580414149042011-12-29T23:47:00.000-05:002011-12-29T23:47:01.887-05:00Back to It.I've decided to get back to it. It has been quite a while since I've really wanted to get everything back in line. And a lot has happened... job crisis, separation, relocation, hunkerin' down, watching pennies, eatin' ramen, crappy apartment, sellin' my sweetly restored/remodeled Arts & Crafts brick Four-Square home, doctor says high cholesterol so no more animal skin, finally buyin' a less-than-schwank "beach house" that needed (and still does) a ton of work and putting in that work, baby girl on the way, new gas-guzzler, need to sell the 163K mi VW, living only steps from a beach, and finally leading one of the design studios (and actually getting compliments!). All that = STRESS X 12.<br />
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So as of January 1... after I finish the second bathroom (ugh)... I restart myself (and start the basement project). As always, I must find the time. Goal: sprint triathlon in 2013 or sooner. Hold me to it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-76562061511303069432011-03-27T22:08:00.000-04:002011-03-27T22:08:49.132-04:00Fail.So I did eventually sell off my Iceman entry last year to the author of the "gears&tears" blog noted in the jump zone links. She seems to be a young up-and-comer to the sport, so I was glad to give it up.<br />
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But I started to dream about the up-coming 2011 Iceman. So I sat down with the better half and determined that hell or high water, I would work to make this next one. Yeah, yeah my life is a consistent dichotomy of events, but if I can just look forward to this one thing, I would have a solid goal... again. This was in January... and I was drooling (and still am) for the warm weather to come. I have all of my bikes back and they all just needed the Spring tune up to be good to go... the workout room was nearing completion (as limited as it was)... heck... the WORS championship trail is a short ride from my new place! Everything was set to go...<br />
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Time passes. And on March 3rd I come to the realization that... I missed the time frame for registration. Epic... fail!<br />
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I'm still up for the training. And the pain. And the time. I'm just a little miffed at myself for completely zoning out and missing registration. Maybe by the fall, someone will find the need to let go of an entry. Maybe....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-74431012387036682792010-08-20T09:05:00.000-04:002010-08-20T09:05:16.790-04:00Sad State of AffairsWell this takes the cake. Since I've been banished from the Michigan lakeshore community and transplanted to the Wisconsin lakeshore community, I've reset my priorities and have decided to sell off my race entry this year to the Iceman. I think this is several years in a row that I've had to do it as I've worked through some serious life transitions... None-the-less, my priorities are what they are and I had to do it.<br />
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So who gets my entry and why? That'll be a later entry, folks... stay tuned or at least come back since I've rarely been on here...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-22991329963815573312010-06-10T23:34:00.000-04:002010-06-10T23:34:32.915-04:00Lost in SpaceI've been festering for months! I'm in a kind of limbo where I can neither rest nor pull the bike out for a spin. Tough physically and mentally. I'm still on the hunt for permanent digs so I can set up shop and an efficient way of really being able to just grab a bike and ride. But no such luck yet.<br />
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Soon.<br />
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I SAID SOON!!! X(Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-1236940881598529742010-02-28T21:20:00.000-05:002010-02-28T21:20:07.963-05:00Brighter DazeI can feel the days elongating!<br />
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I can feel the days getting more light... less darkness. Less gloomy. Less downtrodden!<br />
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The new issues of Bicycling and Mountain Biking magazines came out and they were the 2010 Buyer's Guides! And I perused it's pages and reviews. And noticed the same thing every year that they're giving away one of the bikes reviewed in the mags... as long as they are below the $4995 price tag. I'm sure a decent one is somewhere in that price range. Anyway, all one has to do to enter is to create a 60 second video explaining why they need yet another bike in their arsenal... or if it may be their first.<br />
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We'll see where that goes for me... but history has it that I will falter to get an entry in... ah well. But entry for the 2010 Iceman Cometh is something that kicks March 1, 2010... at 11am. As usual, I'll try early and hopefully am able to do the race instead of selling the entry... I'm a bit out of shape at the moment, anyways :-/ .Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-5160208170356008052010-02-16T22:21:00.000-05:002010-02-16T22:21:11.226-05:00Bring it AroundHead down. Bring it around. Again and again and again. The rhythm is slow but deliberate. Cars are whizzing by and birds are swirling all around. Head down. Cheek twitches. A glance up sees the crest so far away. Head down. Sweat dripping and I watch it in slow motion as it leaves my brow. Falling back and exploding on the asphalt.<br />
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Blink.<br />
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Blink.<br />
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Deep breath and a powerful exhale.<br />
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Eyes rise and squint through persimmon shields. Draw breath, shoulders jut forward. Rear raises off the saddle. Left leg stands and the bike swings right. Bring it around. And swings left. Arms become rhythmic matching the churning legs. Push harder. Push faster. Head lowers....<br />
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Life is currently on a long grind to the summit. I can't wait to crest the top and let the wind cool my jets on the way down. But for now, just keep bringing it around.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-33821546124495080272010-02-16T08:42:00.001-05:002010-02-16T08:42:56.293-05:00Biggest Looooser?!Now I've done it.<br />
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I've signed up for a Biggest Loser Challenge at work. Grand prize is an excess of $450. Not too shabby... now to separate the enough time from work to actually feel like working out... or eating right... or... or... or...<br />
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That should say something about how this whole thing is going...<br />
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D'oh.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-59938408224690043362010-01-26T00:36:00.000-05:002010-01-26T00:36:23.346-05:00Starting OverYup. I'm jumping back into it. And starting almost from scratch... Since my last big life change and waiting for the next chapter to finally arrive... I've packed on some whopping weight. Now I find myself hurled back in time about 8 years... a soft physique and a panting, gasping mess on the trainer. Ugh!<br />
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So I've joined a "Biggest Loser Challenge" at my workplace to see if it can coax a little bit of motivation out of myself. Deep down I know its there... but my emotional status would much rather crawl under the covers and fore go the bitter cold wind or 20 minutes of saddle time on the trainer and getting a numb butt in the process.<br />
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We'll see as time goes by how I do and if I can get motivated... there is a cash prize on the line from the challenge. As well as my pride. And my health. And my sanity. And most of all, there is the twinkling light of getting back to some kind of competitive something-or-other at the end of this journey... and to continue that until I get to my other little hidden gem of a goal... a triathlon. But I don't want to get ahead of myself. First things first, and those are the baby steps to get re-motivated. 30 push-ups and 50 crunches... check. Rinse, repeat....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-25929904087669372212010-01-05T21:38:00.000-05:002010-01-05T21:38:32.080-05:00When Will the World Warm?It is bitter cold outside.<br />
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The road bike has an odd rear wheel with a fun-looking yellow-orange tire.<br />
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She is strapped to my trainer... in the living room... with my cycling shoes resting below.<br />
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I am eating dinner while tapping out a few little ditties. Seems something is awry.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-29508928320768621742009-10-14T20:01:00.002-04:002009-10-14T22:14:27.646-04:00Entering the DarknessSo I've not ridden much this summer and it shows. I can feel it. So to push myself, I began to get my lights ready for some evening commutes. And to be honest, the lights needed attention way back in Spring. One of my dual-mount lights was out and I didn't know why. But my single light that I mount on my helmet... which would probably be enough... worked like brand new. But I looked over the roads I would need to circumnavigate and decided, "the more light, the better" since the traffic could potentially be hazardous to my well-being.<br /><br />So the flood light on my dual was out. Bad bulb? Faulty switch? Well, only one way to find out. Allen wrenches and screwdrivers in hand... faulty switch?! Worse. One of the connectors broke. And not only a connector... a tiny connector... inside a tiny switch housing. So I proceeded to open up the tiny housing and managed to get everything out without too much of a problem. Albeit everything was a very tight fit.<br /><br />So I'm staring at a tiny sliver of copper that broke at the thinnest section. Time for trial and error... which lasted several evenings in frustration. Radio Shack did not carry the part. Rigging the wiring in various configurations rendered the switch useless. Soldering was futile (although I did fix my Oakley X-Metal Mars sunglasses via soldering copper wire in place of the broken c-clips Oakley provided - pics later).<br /><br />Te last straw was when I was trying to get the switch back together after one of my attempts to solder the wire directly to the broken connector. It didn't want to nap together so I started to take everything apart again. But just as I popped the cover... in that one instance... the tiny spring that actuated the switch... was gone. BOING! Off into the carpet. Three hours later, I gave up on finding the spring.<br /><br />The next evening, I stopped by Radio Shack to either find a tiny spring or a possible waterproof switch to retrofit onto the light. Again, R.S. fails to deliver on both counts. Frustrated, I stew for another day.<br /><br />I decide to do a direct connection. A small bit of wire magic and viola! 5 minutes to a hard-wire connection. When the battery is attached, the flood light is on. Period. The spot light, the second light, still functions as it did, with a remote switch meant to be turned on and off on the fly. The last thing I need to do is add some kind of sealant where the original switch mounted on the back of the light. But I think that's the least of what I went through to get the lights operational and useful again.<br /><br />Next stop, lighting up one of the bikes, front and rear including rear red blinkies and a blinkie for my touring back pack.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-41004370467784289772009-09-03T21:35:00.002-04:002009-09-03T21:48:33.381-04:00Stretched...I've been churning hard at work. Usually that's a good thing... like getting ready for a race. I stay as calm as possible waiting for everything to start and then BOOM... full bore until I fizzle. The unfortunate part with work however is that it just doesn't seem to let up one little bit. I'm fizzling right on top of the last fizzle. Plus the compounding stress from everything "outside" of work only speeds up the fizzle. And even worse... the next real "break" from all of this will be in about 6 weeks. Not soon enough as weekly demands are all out of whack. To put some things in perspective... I've put in a couple of back-to-back 78 hour weeks about a month ago. And the last couple turned in 59 hours each. The other unfortunate little ditty is that this isn't just isolated to me... my particular studio is particularly hard hit.<br /><br />I would say the last week of cool, sunny weather would be awesome to get the gears spinning... but alas, I watch the sunset from the windows in my office....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-69572750628338015942009-07-27T23:34:00.002-04:002009-07-27T23:43:16.382-04:00Life is SpinningI've been a busy beaver... too busy to ride much, unfortunately. So the ride of (real) life has been churning much more than any of my cranks. But, I've vowed to try and get much more active. Running in the morning and spinning in the evening. Sounds easy... but I need to push to roll out of bed at 5:30 in the AM... sheath on a pair of shorts and drag my butt out the door. Ugh. And I need to get out of work at a reasonable hour to get to turning the cranks. If there is a day without rain (not this week, evidently) I may bring my bike to work and hit the Old Plank Trail to put in a 20-miler or so after work.<br /><br />I do find my energy levels up if I trot out in the AM for a little run. My current goal is to get to the water and back in a reasonable amount of time. Back in the day I could do the distance it in under 30 minutes. Unfortunately it's now today and that ain't the truth no mo'. Hahahaha.... anyway, that's enough for now. Gotta hit the sack so I can get up in the AM and do it all over again.<br /><br />Cheers.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-82805351700307898812009-05-19T22:22:00.002-04:002009-05-19T22:55:19.854-04:00Crazy... Trails Just Outside!There is a complete system of beginner+ trails just outside the doors of Kohler! As much as I can, I try to bring the bike and skip around during lunch for a 30-40 minute rip through the parks and neighborhoods. Not just rail trails, but a bit of tight singletrack and some sudden, short goat hills. Enough to wear me out... with a good burn. Still can't wait until everything falls into place and I can spend some time at the more formal trails. I'm already targeting Evergreen and Greenbush. Both great and within 30 minutes of my doorstep. Oh yeah!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-83004916709776699322009-04-13T20:30:00.002-04:002009-04-13T21:29:19.980-04:00Need to Fix the BedI find myself walking in a semi-lucid state. Wondering if this is all a dream or if I have been cast in a crazy reality that laughs and taunts at every corner.<br /><br />When will I awake?<br /><br />So, so weary. So far away. So far....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8334854197773306332.post-64627797924574153242009-04-07T20:40:00.004-04:002009-04-07T20:49:13.497-04:00Lunch Anyone?The cruelty of the howling winds. The cruelty of the unexpected hill climbs. The cruelty of the burning legs but still pushing forward.<br /><br />The beauty of discovering unknown trails (to me at least). The swift pace of unknown riders setting the pace. The precision of the shifting on the bike. The blue skies and wondrous sun. The cool bridges made of rough-hewn stone and able hands. The crisp air. The running river. The stepped waterfall/dam.<br /><br />So was my noon ride. Yummy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0