Amazing Grace

It turns out that if you ride, even when you hate the idea, you feel better afterwards. I am lucky I have some friends that don't judge me for being a moody cuss. Big Worm called yesterday and informed me that we were riding on the road. I know from experience that if I put up resistance, he will just come to my house and prey upon my guilt reflex, so I saved us all a step and showed up. The boys all did their part to get my Wrecking Ball swinging. Ice Berg goated me into a duck sign sprint. Little Ball coached me to the front on the sprints and Worm made a nice pocket of air for me to sit in. Big Jim Slade did his usual "I'm so slow" routine and then crushed me on a few climbs. Everyone brought something to the party.

On the Robot Army front, Juancho and his Munson Patrol Unit have been leaving cryptic messages threatening military action if I am not present on a sugar sand assault soon.

So, I thank you all. It seems as though the chemicals in my brain have stabilized, after all my friends each threw in a hand full of baking soda. Just like Linda Blair after the holy water, I feel as though I am on the mend, (sorry about the pea soup and all that stuff I said about your Mom in H. E. double hockey sticks).

W.B.Z.N.

Blah, Blah, Blah!

I have a long standing tradition of going through phases. I had a five year period where I could not stop drawing architectural (can I use that word if I don't have the degree?) floor plans and house designs. I was possessed. I read about all the mid century masters and visited some Wright buildings. I studied terms and memorized house names in the off chance I ever ran into anyone that was able to talk about such things.

I had a two year period of obsessive vintage snare drum restoration. EBay actually sent me an email saying I may have what they called a "problem". It reminded me of some bar tenders I knew in the eighties.

Until recently I have been a very focused cyclist (which is what I am, not a biker, which applies to Harley owners). I also surf when it's convenient and conditions are good. Once in a while I skateboard. These are all things I have done my whole life and every ten years or so I add another thing to the list.

Lately though all the things I used to day dream about at work have lost air. It could be the recent modifications to our trail system (Thanks Fay!) or it could be I am shedding my skin once again, in any case it's damned unnerving. I am never happier than in the throws of some senseless obsession. This blog has been a particularly good one. It allows me to be creative and say things that I don't normally get to say (without being interrupted or ignored all together).

Now I am no better than a plastic bag, in The Great Pacific Garbage Patch. I am stuck in a floating pattern that seems to have no beginning and no end. I hate all the food I used to like. I could really care less weather I ride or not, and on the off chance Juancho gets faster than me (in between stopping for food, and the random need to sit on the ground) I will be okay with it. Why? Because I have lost my ability to give a shit.

So until further notice, I will be sitting here waiting for rescue. The professor can get his own coconuts, I am on break.

W.B.Z.N.

Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own

I haven't really been happy for a while. When you find an obsession that saves your life, it's painful when the flame dims. Most have experienced a fall from grace and a return to the flock. I have had the privilege taken away by injuries. I have had professional obligations deprive me. During those times, all I could think about was riding with the boys. This is why the current slump is so strange. Call it monotony, call it spoiled American bullshit, the pain is real. The symptom has defeated the cure.

Everyone knows that you will be better off after a ride. Good or bad, at least you turned some pedals.

Today, I didn't want to get on my bike, I just couldn't find my stoke. My friends wouldn't let me get away with it. Against all intuition I had fun. I felt like a cyclist for the first time in weeks.

Our crew is a little scattered right now, and that has played a big role in my attitude. The important thing is, I had a good ride.

It's all their fault.

Thanks Fellas.

W.B.Z.N.

When The Rain Comes

Not only did Fay flood Joe's, but it looks as though the damage to Tom Brown and Cadillac is substantial. Slade and I rode out to Cadillac to do some recon.

The entrance to Cadillac from Tom Brown. We couldn't see the bridge because there is so much water in there. The bottom of the multi-use is under water. Some of the multi-use on the Tom Brown side is under water too. We had to ride through the Piney-Z neighborhood just to get to Cadillac.


This is the exit of that gnarly, rooty, down hill from the picnic tables that they always use in the race. It looks unrideable and completely washed out. (No photo sorry.) This is the Tom Brown multi-use under water, we had to ride the pavement to get out of Tom Brown.


The exit from the Cadillac side going towards Tom Brown.

The entrance to the Cadillac multi-use from the Piney-Z side.

There is some good news: if you like Munson, you will have lots of people to ride with soon. Cadillac is in very bad shape, with a lot of erosion and several big trees down. We didn't make it out to the levy, so I have no report. This is some depressing stuff.

W.B.Z.N.

Help Joe

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Tropical-Storms-and-Hurricanes-Joe-Mezzina-removes-bike-flooded-bike-shop-Monday-Aug-25/ss/events/sc/091905hurricanes/s:/ap/20080825/ap_on_re_us/tropical_weather_fay/im:/080825/480/54e0b5c037f04c869c6b41b173d95746/;_ylt=AsS7gvOd9DlzFIGX0opEB_hH2ocA

Looking at Yahoo news, like I do everyday, and a familiar face was there.

If you can read this and you are in the area, please go help Joe. The shop is under water and rising, they need help getting merch out of there. I am going to try to get off work, Juancho and a few of his guys are on the way but he just left me a massage saying "All hands on deck". So if you can break away, please go by there.

Thanks.

W.B.Z.N.

Upon St. Crispins Day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAvmLDkAgAM

Weep ye not fare Juancho, but revel in the day you return to fight again!

W.B.Z.N.

One Is The Loneliest Number

Big Worm (being the true BASTARD that he is) sent me a chain blog. He fixes my bike so I have to do this. Lets all join in the fun shall we, kinda like a salsa dance contest in prison!


If you could have any one — and only one — bike in the world, what would it be? Hmm, do you know?


This one is easy. I never got to have the Schwinn Grape Krate with the five speed stick shift. I will regret that the rest of my life.


Do you already have that coveted dream bike? If so, is it everything you hoped it would be? If not, are you working toward getting it? If you’re not working toward getting it, why not?


No, they are to expensive on eBay.


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?


That's cruel, but if I had a gun to my head, it would be Fern, Tom Brown, Cadillac. It's pretty much all I ride now anyway. Maybe that's why I am in a rut. You know a rut is deeper than a grave! (I'm so clever and colloquial!)


What kind of sick person would force another person to ride one and only one bike ride for the rest of her / his life?


Pete from Joe's Bike Shop. He's just mean. It's the rear coil, that would sour any one's disposition.


Do you ride both road and mountain bikes? If both, which do you prefer and why? If only one, why are you so narrow minded?


I do both, but since I got the zipper neck treatment, I only ride on the road under duress, and to beat Slade to yellow signs.


Have you ever ridden a recumbent? If so, why? If not, describe the circumstances under which you would ride a recumbent.


I thought I was going to have to because of my neck and I looked at them for a long time. I just think a recliner with wheels is fundamentally wrong, but I liked the drink holder. I rode one at Joe's once and it felt dirty....I can't talk about it.


Have you ever raced a triathlon? If so, have you also ever tried strangling yourself with dental floss?


No that would require running. Does it count if I strangled someone else?


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?


I already gave up a ten year Haagen Dazs habit, I still get the dt's on the frozen food isle. It doesn't count if you eat it while driving, out of state...right?


What is a question you think this questionnaire should have asked, but has not? Also, answer it.


Extra crispy or original recipe?


Original recipe.


Now, tag three biking bloggers. List them below:

They don't all have blogs but they can do it in my comments;

Sinks- throw in a story about hang gliding with no kite!

Slade-no extra points for insulting yourself or acting slow.

Magnum-bring the crazy noise!


W.B.Z.N.