the blue colnago: September 2009

CX....

Steve and me encouraging The Jackal....

Steve and me....

Jackal....

We took a lot of pics this weekend.

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

Waterloo Gryphons....

Yeah, this goes back a couple of years (2002 or 2003?). I miss those days of travel hockey. It was fun!

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

Wednesday....

Things I saw on my ride tonight....

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

Cx starts next week....

Just off North Hackett....

West end of Mannat Lake....

Shirey Way. What's going on here?

Hmmm....

I'm stumped....

Michigander balls....

Nice ride this morning.

What's going on in Hartman North with Shirey Way? It's been graded recently. Strange. It's been double track through there for years. I can't believe there's been a maintainer through there in over 20 years.... I hope they aren't planning to open it to vehicle traffic. It's one of the few quiet places left around here.

There were a lot of people out riding and walking this morning. A lot of Burleys being pulled. I saw Super as I was leaving Big Woods near Main. He said something about having to maintain his "endurance" heart rate for 2 1/2 hours.... We talked while riding for a couple of minutes, then he was gone.

Anyway, the leaves are on the verge of changing. I think it'll be a beautiful fall. It's my favorite time of year!

CX starts next weekend in Des Moines with the Capitol City Cross races. It should be good!

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

A lot has been happening....

The Iowa State Gravel Road Racing Championships sponsored by Bike Tech took place last Saturday in the hills around New Hartford.

Sadly, the weiner dogs didn't make an appearance. There is a herd of about 8 weiner dogs that live at one of the farms along the race course that like to split up and hide in the ditches on either side of the road and then chase cyclists as they roll by. Not this day. Too bad.

The race? It's a 6 mile loop that is all hills. They may not be huge, by Colorado standards, but they are thigh burning lung busters just the same. There were some really fast guys there. And, of course, one really slow guy. That would be me. It hurt. A lot. But it was a ton of fun. It was a very well organized, well run event. Kudos to the crew! You done good! Congrats to the Bike Tech folks who brought home the hardware. Kat, John, Landon, Richard..... Whoa! Sweet!

Yesterday was our annual trip to Chicago for the big print show. It wasn't all that big this year due to the economy, I suppose. Ahhh well. It will get better.

Dinner at Shaw's in downtown Chicago. I always enjoy eating there. A few Goose Island 312's before dinner then blackened yellowfin tuna with red beans and rice and mashed sweet taters. Excellent! Ahhhh...... :)

Downtown skyline from the interstate....

The Chicago Theater....

Lunch menu....

Shaw's.... "The King of Crab"....

Hubbard and State....

The subway....

The Red Line....

On the way home....

Chicago....

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

Friday....

Today is Patriot's Day. (It has nothing to do with the football team) It's also the 8th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the WTC and the Pentagon.

Take a moment to reflect.

Where have we been? Where are we going.

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

Labor Day....

Cornfields and bicycles....

The hydrant....

Windmill parts....

Well, the 3 day weekend is quickly coming to a close. The weather has been beautiful and I was able to get some riding and paddling in. It was good! Trip to Hudson and back on the C50 this afternoon, 2 1/2 hours on Big Woods Lake yesterday.

Just had a visit from the Bike Tech crew on their way back from Colesburg. John, Kat, and Paul M. stopped by to chat for a minute. Sounds like they had some good racin' over there. Sweet! Also heard that The Corpulent One had a top 10 finish.

Need to re-hydrate.

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

Sunday....

Pretty in pink....

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

NEW School prayer :

Now I sit me down in school, Where praying is against the rule

For this great nation under God, Finds mention of Him very odd.

If Scripture now the class recites, It violates the Bill of Rights.

And anytime my head I bow, Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green, That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.

The law is specific, the law is precise. Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall Might offend someone with no faith at all.

In silence alone we must meditate, God's name is prohibited by the state.

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks, And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks..

They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible. To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen, And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.

It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong, We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls, Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.

But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess, When chaos reigns the school's a mess.

So, Lord, this silent plea I make: Should I be shot; My soul please take!

Amen

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!