I scream

I finally checked off one of the big items on my to-do list since we moved into the new palace. The basement was in need of a new ceiling. There was a half-assed drop ceiling installed when we moved in and considering this would be my man room I needed to get it right. I’m far from a handy-man so this wasn’t going to be easy but I didn’t want to hire a pro either. What ended up costing me approx $400 probably would have been triple that if I hired someone. I’m sure I made this task way harder than it needed to be due to my amateur abilities but I definitely like how it turned out. Still some work to do down here but the major stuff is done.

basement before


after

This heat is energy sapping. I’ve continued to get just over 8hrs on the bike a week and at least two sometimes three runs 3-5miles a shot. Getting out at the crack of dawn helps or a late day run works but the cumulative efforts add up. Makes the couch even more appealing.

I’m not even thinking about ‘cross yet. Too hot. 1st race September 12 I think. Long way off. Although Labor Day will be here before we know it.

I need to fly somewhere. Any thoughts?

Bummed to hear about Nancy’s soccer injury. I’m sure Ray’s taking good care. Hang in there Nancy!

Anyone have a cool TT bike I could buy. Size sm/med. I had a nice rig but I sold it to LK. Ooops. That’s a pretty sweet bike. Wish I still had it.

Haley was up last night partying in her room ‘til 10-10:30pm. Thought she’d be passed out tired by 7pm tonight. Wrong. 9pm and she’s still awake partying again. I announced my intentions to go to Lowes this afternoon and she said she wanted to go with me. We had fun. She helped me pick out my goods then we stopped at McD’s for a bit of ice cream. Fun times.

Short work week for me. Two days off to end the week then MS Ride next weekend.

OK then.

No one noticed I was gone.

It’s been 195 days since my last post. Oops, sorry about that. Does anyone blog anymore? I know FatMarc does. I mean besides him. Someone commented to me a year ago maybe closer to two that blogging was dead. Facebook, Twitter were the new preference in go-to social media. Evidently there must be some truth to it.

There’s been dozens of times I had the thought to post something but damned if Facebook is just easier, albeit condensed. I guess that’s what bugs me is I’ve gotten lazy. Whether anyone reads this blog or not, there’s a tad bit of therapy when I sit down and type away random thoughts.

Anyway, riding has been good this year. I’ll be over 3500 miles by the end of the week. Still on a record pace for one year. Since The Wifey and I purchased a house in Camp Hill it’s also gotten much easier to get out for regular runs. Going back to Memorial Day when we moved in I’ve been able to get out 2-3 times a week for 5k at a shot. Ran a bit over 5 miles last night and felt good. No idea where running might go but there are times when it’s just easier to zip out the door and pound out 20 minutes.

As a result, I now weigh a full 5 pounds less than I did back in 1989 when I was a high school senior running track.

Haley and Landon are going to be 4 and 2 in the next couple months. They are more and more fun every day. Pretty cool little kids although I think Lando is a bit of a mommy’s boy. I’ll need to fix that.

Haley & Lando

The new house is great. It’s real sweet to get out in the morning for a ride or run and get back to the house for the 3 S’s and then grab my Salsa fixie for the .63 mile ride down the street to work. I’ve driven my car roughly 5 times for a total of 8 miles since we’ve lived in Camp Hill.

The new sled

I need to do more of this. My 9th grade English teacher would want me to do more of this.

Anatomy of a ride, winter styln'

Today on this chilly, breezy yet otherwise quite sunny afternoon with another week before I head back to work, why not go for a ride. I've always said the weather really doesn't hinder a 'real' cyclist. If you have the right clothing and dress the part it's really pretty simple. Let's start from the top. For me this is your standard shorts with a long sleeve base. Easy.

Next we add the important and very necessary thermal bits that make this possible. A long sleeve thermal mock and wind-proof thermal tights go over the base layers.
Follow that up with a outer layer which in my case is a light thermal wind-proof core long sleeve jersey. I can typically wear this piece alone in the 45-55 degree range.
Now we get to the extremities. Fortunately for me, I don't have a bad problem with toes and fingers. Some people like to go with a much thicker sock and/or a specific 'winter' shoe. For me, a lite wool sock will do just fine. The standard shoes followed by a good fitting thermal bootie. I prefer velcro to zippered and reflective comes in handy on rides home from work. That takes care of the feet.

As for the noggin it depends on just how cold it is. If it's above 35 or so I don't worry about my ears and just go with typical cycling cap. Today was about 32 with a stiff wind-chill that was most likely into the mid to lo-20's. In that case I like a fleece hat which is almost too warm but that's not really something to complain about. Add your favorite lid and I always like a pair of clear lens glasses. Keeps the crap out and the cold air off your eyeballs.
Last but not least is the gloves. On the left are the lobster mittens and on the right are a lighter yet effective glove for cold weather rides. The lobsters are good for most winter days. The lighter gloves are good for low-40's and up. My lobsters are well worn, probably need replaced really, so today I wore the light gloves inside the lobsters. Worked perfectly.
Once you get all that on you still need a bike that works for a ride like today. There's still bits of snow/ice/frozen jib here and there on the roads. The weekend had lots of rain and warm weather which re-froze in some areas that don't get much sun this time of year. That being said, I don't like road slicks unless I know I'm not going to find that frozen crap somewhere. Enter the 'cross bike with its 'cross tires. Again, perfect.

There you have it. I hope everyone had a safe and happy Xmas and enjoy the short work week. Now go ride your bike!

Eleven

Happy Birthday DJ!

Opening gifts

Landon partying hard

The now famous Pouty Lip

Haley gives DJ a Happy Birthday hug

The Triathletes

Swimming Haley

Triathlete Haley - Gameface

Helloooo

DJ B-ballin

Rock n Roll

Just give me my grub , Dad

You lookin at me

It's Hip

If you must know, have someone blast you in the package. It sorta feels like the aftermath of something like that. Not terribly painful, just achey.

mmmmmm

Number Two

Oh what fun it is to ride

Movin' on up

Commuter Update

Now that Old Man Winter seems to have kicked the door down and firmly planted his ass on the busted worn out smelly couch known as Pennsyltucky I finally missed a bike commute two weeks ago. I drove to work for the first time since May 31st. 119 of the past 120 days of work started and ended with ride. That's 99.2% for you math impaired folks. As it stands right now the YTD through November is 89.6%. There are 15 days of work for me in December of which I'm 5 fer 5 so far. The weather forecast for this week looks a little sketchy. I can miss one day in the next 10 to maintain a round-it-up 90% for the year.

A couple nights ago I was rolling home at 5pm with lots of car traffic. It's always cool to use a bike to get back and forth to work. I've tried to keep a level head about it but there are times when it's hard not to be overcome with a sense of smuggness as I look around at all the poor fat bastards all snuggled up in there carcoon all hypered up to get up the ass of the sucker in front of them so they can get home 10 seconds faster. It's hard not to smile, just a little.

I'm feeling a need to bust out the fixie for an extended period. Winter months just seem to be a good fit for it.

I certainly hoped The Crimson Tide could pull off the upset but it was not to be. Florida is tough. A Gator/Sooner title game should be incredible. Too bad 'Bama and PsU can't match up in a bowl game.

Happy Birthday to Jackie Brown and Katie Hebe.

Breakfast with Uncle Santa