Stolen from his journal:
Oh, I could have thought better of it and did in fact! Still too fat and eating like I rode 20 miles. Plus wanting to achieve longest consecutive streak. I think I passed silverstreak last week but I've have no way to verify. So...
160 consecutive cycling days with miles of “road smiles" along the way!
Congratulations John!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
ICE BIKE!
Well winter did show up with quite the nice storm that started yesterday and laster over night. We got about 15 cm of snow. I got up and made sure the "Goat" was good. I thought I would go through Woodhaven then down Lodge, just to make sure I got my 10 km in. Well got on the bike and hit the freaking weirdest snow I have every rode in. After a hard time trying to get out of the driveway I figured I would just get to work, screw those consecutive days of riding.
The snow was layered. On the bottom was a slush/water combination, followed by a layer of a heavy wet snow. Every time I got on the bike the front wheel would go to the lower layer and then would slide sideways. It was windy but very warm at -2c. I ended up walking about a third of it. This isn't my idea of ice biking by the way..
The snow was layered. On the bottom was a slush/water combination, followed by a layer of a heavy wet snow. Every time I got on the bike the front wheel would go to the lower layer and then would slide sideways. It was windy but very warm at -2c. I ended up walking about a third of it. This isn't my idea of ice biking by the way..
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Emergency Bikejournal Forum.
Argg -Kill a Thread, Commuter Century Club, IGTB and more. Put em here you fellow addicts.
I blame Pansy for the outage, it just has to be her fault!
AND just to piss everyone off, I downloaded my 08 Journal on the 1st of November. Yup all ready to go back in.
BUT What of the forums???
Oh I do hope they survived.
I blame Pansy for the outage, it just has to be her fault!
AND just to piss everyone off, I downloaded my 08 Journal on the 1st of November. Yup all ready to go back in.
BUT What of the forums???
Oh I do hope they survived.
Monday, September 29, 2008
7000 Kilometers in 08
Yup its true, I have ridden over 7000 Km this year, all outdoor. This is my greatest year yet. In fact, the last four months I have ridden over 1000Km in each month. Why thats just shy of the 4400Km I rode in 06 - the whole year. I blame Bikejournal of course and those crazy challenges that the members suck other members into. "Consecutive Days Riding" is one of the worst...and its mine! Siouxgeon's are the worst (most fun)!
But really, I just like to cycle.
Really.
But really, I just like to cycle.
Really.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Ninja season is here!
Well if you don't know what I mean by Ninjas let me explain. It most commonly refers to cyclist that wear dark clothing and have no lights on their bicycle. These cyclist see nothing wrong with going out when its dark and hitting the ole MUPs, park or even streets. Not only are they in violation of the HTA they present a danger to all that come across them. Some are even oblivious to anything going on around them and are alive only as a testament to God's good graces. I also like to include that other early morning sport enthusiast, the jogger. Hmmm early morning park walkers are in there too!
Whats my point? There is lots of adrenaline out there to be had! I find it to be quite a challenge to do my early morning rides being on the lookout for these "Ninjas". I really like it because its a big rush to try and be super aware to see what ever may be there in the shadows. Some times I even get unnerved by what reflects back at me.
There is one stretch that I go through that is treed on both sides of the MUP and is about a Km long. Lots of wildlife hanging out in there and the weird thing is when my light reflects back from their eyes. It is fairly scary because i know at such and such a point there should be something but when I get there - nothing. I feel like I'm being watched. Really creepy.
I love the joggers in black five abreast wearing dark clothing! They usually seem peeved to have me ruin their early morning jog with my headlight (bright) and my "cyclist coming by". I used to say "on you left" but way to many walkers/joggers don't know what to do with that information and will do something unpredictable. Unpredictable = bad. I do like the new running shoes that are out that have a reflective little dot on the heal, this I can pick out and ID.
True Ninjas... Poor situational awareness coupled with poor skills and really bad kit. These are my biggest threat and the ones I better really watch for.
I believe it was last October when a Ninja and I ran into each other. It was very dark and I was North bound golf course path. At a fair distance I can see movement of something coming across Roblyn. I can barley make out a cyclist, so with my flashing Planet bike LED and my 20 watt halogen light I move to the right side of the path thinking "he/she will see me". I see he is passing a walking "Ninja", no problem he will go right soon. Waiting waiting CRAP, I pitch right into the grass. WTF Buddy? Didn't you see me? No reply. Meebee he had more important things to think of. I should have turned around and asked him..
Still, I get to work really, really awake. So its not totally a bust. I do like the Adrenalin rush of trying to see them. It also ushers in winter cycling, soon the snow and cold will drive most of them away. Those who are left are the diehards - true Winnipegers, this is where we live and this is what we do. But right now its the Ninjas, bring em on!
Whats my point? There is lots of adrenaline out there to be had! I find it to be quite a challenge to do my early morning rides being on the lookout for these "Ninjas". I really like it because its a big rush to try and be super aware to see what ever may be there in the shadows. Some times I even get unnerved by what reflects back at me.
There is one stretch that I go through that is treed on both sides of the MUP and is about a Km long. Lots of wildlife hanging out in there and the weird thing is when my light reflects back from their eyes. It is fairly scary because i know at such and such a point there should be something but when I get there - nothing. I feel like I'm being watched. Really creepy.
I love the joggers in black five abreast wearing dark clothing! They usually seem peeved to have me ruin their early morning jog with my headlight (bright) and my "cyclist coming by". I used to say "on you left" but way to many walkers/joggers don't know what to do with that information and will do something unpredictable. Unpredictable = bad. I do like the new running shoes that are out that have a reflective little dot on the heal, this I can pick out and ID.
True Ninjas... Poor situational awareness coupled with poor skills and really bad kit. These are my biggest threat and the ones I better really watch for.
I believe it was last October when a Ninja and I ran into each other. It was very dark and I was North bound golf course path. At a fair distance I can see movement of something coming across Roblyn. I can barley make out a cyclist, so with my flashing Planet bike LED and my 20 watt halogen light I move to the right side of the path thinking "he/she will see me". I see he is passing a walking "Ninja", no problem he will go right soon. Waiting waiting CRAP, I pitch right into the grass. WTF Buddy? Didn't you see me? No reply. Meebee he had more important things to think of. I should have turned around and asked him..
Still, I get to work really, really awake. So its not totally a bust. I do like the Adrenalin rush of trying to see them. It also ushers in winter cycling, soon the snow and cold will drive most of them away. Those who are left are the diehards - true Winnipegers, this is where we live and this is what we do. But right now its the Ninjas, bring em on!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Tag I'm it!
Yup My fellow prairie Swede ratted me out!
If you could have one - and only one - bike in the world, what would it be?
A Marin Point Reyes. I have a Marin San Rafel now and its a good bike for all around cycling including winter (if I had to)
Do you already have that coveted dream bike? If so is it everything you thought it would be? If not, are you working toward getting it, why not?
Not yet, I have two bikes as it is and I can't decide on going bent or road. Money is a big issue.
If you had to choose one, and only one bike route to do every day for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why?
My route 256, its 25 Km when I need it to be and has all you could imagine. A huge park, around a golf course, through a forest, city streets, couple of bridges. This would work fairly well year round too.
Do you ride both road and mountain bikes? If both, which do you prefer and why? If only one or the other, why are you so narrow-minded?
Depends on the season. In winter is the rough and ready Goat that eats up ice and snow, in the summer its the graceful and smooth hybrid. Narrow minded? Come cycling with me here in January thats as open minded as you can get!
Have you ever ridden a recumbent? If so, why? If not, describe the circumstances under which you would ride a recumbent.
I would love to try one but they just are so available up here. Give me a crack to really get to know one and I just might be sold. Again I must mention finances.
Have you ever raced a Triathlon?
Heck no! Are you mad? Water?? Nuts to that. Running? Got my fill of that by being forced to run, (yeah even in combat boots, yuck..
Suppose you were forced to either give up ice cream or bicycles for the rest of your life. Which would you give up, and why?
Bye bye ice cream! If you were to ask "bikes or beer" I might pause but cycling would win out.
What is a question you think this questionnaire should have asked, but has not? Also answer it.
And I quote the Mayor:
You should ask; "If you found the person that started this tagging BS, would you light a paper bag full of manure on fire on his doorstep and ring the doorbell?" My answer, "Hell Yes!"
What is my favorite thing about cycling?
The freedom.
Yup My fellow prairie Swede ratted me out!
If you could have one - and only one - bike in the world, what would it be?
A Marin Point Reyes. I have a Marin San Rafel now and its a good bike for all around cycling including winter (if I had to)
Do you already have that coveted dream bike? If so is it everything you thought it would be? If not, are you working toward getting it, why not?
Not yet, I have two bikes as it is and I can't decide on going bent or road. Money is a big issue.
If you had to choose one, and only one bike route to do every day for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why?
My route 256, its 25 Km when I need it to be and has all you could imagine. A huge park, around a golf course, through a forest, city streets, couple of bridges. This would work fairly well year round too.
Do you ride both road and mountain bikes? If both, which do you prefer and why? If only one or the other, why are you so narrow-minded?
Depends on the season. In winter is the rough and ready Goat that eats up ice and snow, in the summer its the graceful and smooth hybrid. Narrow minded? Come cycling with me here in January thats as open minded as you can get!
Have you ever ridden a recumbent? If so, why? If not, describe the circumstances under which you would ride a recumbent.
I would love to try one but they just are so available up here. Give me a crack to really get to know one and I just might be sold. Again I must mention finances.
Have you ever raced a Triathlon?
Heck no! Are you mad? Water?? Nuts to that. Running? Got my fill of that by being forced to run, (yeah even in combat boots, yuck..
Suppose you were forced to either give up ice cream or bicycles for the rest of your life. Which would you give up, and why?
Bye bye ice cream! If you were to ask "bikes or beer" I might pause but cycling would win out.
What is a question you think this questionnaire should have asked, but has not? Also answer it.
And I quote the Mayor:
You should ask; "If you found the person that started this tagging BS, would you light a paper bag full of manure on fire on his doorstep and ring the doorbell?" My answer, "Hell Yes!"
What is my favorite thing about cycling?
The freedom.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Is the Curse over?
It might not be a curse but it sure seemed to be. Every time I headed out of the city something rotten happened. Last Friday it was monsoons on the service road. I then took the next day off. Sunday I figured I would give Pidgeon lake a go, didn't make it out of Headingly before I got a flat. Changed it and came home to see if I could find the cause, separated stem.
Mondays commute I thought I would make a quick run to Headingly then to work, the forecast said nothing of rain. Got to Brezzy Bend and started to get sprinkles, I turned around right away with Fridays rain fresh in my mind. SNork, the weather goddess poured water on me. I was beyond wet. Interesting enough if my shoes fills with water eventually the water gets warm. I started feeling cursed. (fenders? I don't need no stinking fenders!)
Tuesday, weather looked good. I had a nagging feeling I should stay in the city but that Headingly run is just so sweet. Of I go, nice and fast, good weather. The curse is beat I figured. Get their turn around and was doing great coming back. Just before the overpass the bike gets bouncy, yup another flat.
No sweat I'll change the tube out and go straight to work. Pull out my spare tube and its a freaking Mountain Bike tube! So its 6:45 am and I have to phone my wife for a pick up. There I wait with the provincial bird attacking me (mosquito's).
Get home and just hop on the winter bike and off I go to work with the studs screaming away. Loser... Oh no SPDs on the Goat and I have my cycling shoes on. Tire pressure is about 20 PSI. Still kind of a neat little ride.
Get to work, fix the tubes I have and take the Goat home. Took a really close look at the tire and finally discovered a very small piece of glass. Take it out and put a patch on the TIRE where the glass was. Pump up the tire and do a leak check on it.
The next morning I check the tire and its good to go. Now I really wanted to do the highway...BUT...don't feel like giving it a opportunity to smack me again. I stay in the city and stay surprise free. I have since ordered two Ultra gatorskins.
So yesterday was a day off and I went out specifically to get this shot!
Its F-5 on a stick. Notice where the stick goes? This is an inside joke for a few Bike Journalists.
Mondays commute I thought I would make a quick run to Headingly then to work, the forecast said nothing of rain. Got to Brezzy Bend and started to get sprinkles, I turned around right away with Fridays rain fresh in my mind. SNork, the weather goddess poured water on me. I was beyond wet. Interesting enough if my shoes fills with water eventually the water gets warm. I started feeling cursed. (fenders? I don't need no stinking fenders!)
Tuesday, weather looked good. I had a nagging feeling I should stay in the city but that Headingly run is just so sweet. Of I go, nice and fast, good weather. The curse is beat I figured. Get their turn around and was doing great coming back. Just before the overpass the bike gets bouncy, yup another flat.
No sweat I'll change the tube out and go straight to work. Pull out my spare tube and its a freaking Mountain Bike tube! So its 6:45 am and I have to phone my wife for a pick up. There I wait with the provincial bird attacking me (mosquito's).
Get home and just hop on the winter bike and off I go to work with the studs screaming away. Loser... Oh no SPDs on the Goat and I have my cycling shoes on. Tire pressure is about 20 PSI. Still kind of a neat little ride.
Get to work, fix the tubes I have and take the Goat home. Took a really close look at the tire and finally discovered a very small piece of glass. Take it out and put a patch on the TIRE where the glass was. Pump up the tire and do a leak check on it.
The next morning I check the tire and its good to go. Now I really wanted to do the highway...BUT...don't feel like giving it a opportunity to smack me again. I stay in the city and stay surprise free. I have since ordered two Ultra gatorskins.
So yesterday was a day off and I went out specifically to get this shot!
Its F-5 on a stick. Notice where the stick goes? This is an inside joke for a few Bike Journalists.
Really its an CF-116 Freedom Fighter built by Canadair under licenses from Northrop in the sixties. There is two MK-82 High Drag 500 pounders under each wing. Its painted in the colors of 434 "Bluenose" Squadron. It is a very pretty aircraft. ( I can say that!)
Is the highway curse gone? I'll wait until I have the new tires on before I venture out.
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