75 miles today

And that son of a bitchin wind was back, 25mph of additional burn to my outta shape legs. Already recovered though, so I got that going for me which...which is good.

the first lsd in a while

Forgot about the LSD ride. But with me entertaining the notion of riding my muffin-topped pudgy self to the Big Wheel Ballyhoo, I thought it time for riding with purpose. Enter here the first Long Slow Distance in a great while. My main goal over the next couple months is to reawaken all those slow twitch muscles who've been in semi-retirement. Also, I need refine the metabolism to get immediately down to the business of getting energy from what I eat. Lately I get reminders a week after, "oh that's right I had carrots Sunday". Perhaps this is just getting older and my body telling me so. Hopefully not. I'd like to think I'm in control, even if it has to be will alone. However, even that is in short supply. 52 miles is all today on the bike. Fighting wind all but 15 miles of it sapped me a little. A good sort of feeling. It's a start anyway.

papa don't take no mess

I even scrubbed out the little coffee spills and bike-borne grease spots. She be pure as the driven standard issue apartment beige.

And 40+ miles of the McKenzie River Monday...mmmm. Sorry for the slow trail video, riding one handed and all - only for sampling's sake anyway. Jeez judger. Didn't know I sniffed that much. Damn, how annoying.

thanks to a dude called sally from lincoln

I'm coveting a really expensive Raleigh. Odd to say, but it was one of the most beautiful carbon bikes I'd seen yet, and yes it was a Raleigh. Being known for good value inexpensive bikes, Raleigh would hardly be a choice for me to throw down a wad of cash for. However, as it seems all carbon is coming from the same continent, it hardly matters what badge it has. Diamondback has been turning heads with its mountain bikes recently (chiefly the Goat and knucklebox), so it only seems fitting that Raleigh should make a splash on the road front. I've been promised a test, so we'll see. I'm excited though. The new carbon Raleigh comes BB30 ready, tapered head tube and has some of the fattest chain stays I've ever seen. It also has the most substantial downtube/seattube/bb junction, and despite that apparent girth it balances it with elegant curves and lines tying the bike together. Here are some pics I unearthed of the High Modulus beauty. The model I saw came SRAM RED with deep carbom SRAM wheels. It was a sight to behold, and a shade over 14lbs.

Okay, so I'll not likely throw down for overseas anything, my convictions being stronger normally than my earthly desires, but this my friends will be a test...I may fail at heart, so I'll have to rely on my pennilessness to keep it in check.

a great big memorial dump

Went to the coast for a coupla days with me lady, a couple shop rats and company. Few words, so here's the pics...ooo! ooo! ooo! and a video er two! Neat!

Thems whales out there that these spectacled eyes saw. Couple of humps, black and spouting, probably greys.

A remnant of the once illegality of this trail. A few other features remain, but the trail is legit and the most fun I've had on two wheels in the Northwest yet. Cape Perpetua. Go there. It ain't long, but it was tickling my brain in orgasmic ways that had me wishing I was alone. Honestly, some rides happen, not often, but some just come so close to perfection in one way or another that remind you just why you ride. This was one of those. Been a while since the brain felt that good. Truly euphoric.

Sample the lushness.

The hills are alive with the sound of chain slap.

Our first oceanic sunset, very nice. Me lady by my side, a cold sea wind up my legs and a warm mead in my belly...hard to beat.

Contemplating the notion that all life on Earth owes to that little yellow ball. Lets have a think. Although, I look more worried than ponderous.

And just back from the beach in the riparian next to a stream, our camp.

nearly there eh?

After much headache I've poo'd out a bike frame. It's been an organic process. It's not quite finished - missing brake and chain stay bridges and cable routing. Excited to proceed. Only good things to come. Scout reminds me of Ralph and of other things.

random dump

Burro'd the Santiandem for a little ride with me lady to our favorite local viniculturalists at Ankeny Vineyard Sabado.

A fine day for a pedal. Jess admitted to letting me do about 90% of the duties of powering the bike the 34 miles. Fine with me since I'm clambering to keep hold of any fitness.

Today some of the shop kids and one Polish nut named Jan from the Willamette cycling team went up Mary's Peak - she be the tallest hill in the coastal range of Oregon don't ya know. He's in slightly better shape than me, so he played the rabbit to my hound whether he knew it or not. Spectacular ride despite the polar conditions at the summit.

Tale of Pops'and'Waters to come soon. For now I'm tanked; pedaling my bike 32 pounds with the heavy duty wheel set and the resistance of tacky 2.7 Maxxis Minions (great downhill, but a workout uphill - the goal) over 2000 feet took its toll. I'm feeling a bit deficient in fueling efficiency. Got one of these to help me out...

Had one of these too the other day, derned good and perhaps a good Gaelic name for a steel'd.