What makes a ride an epic? Often long rides are associated with epics, and yet a century or long charity ride with support stops every 10 miles is never an epic.
While I don't have a definitive effort, suffering and mortal danger often are in the mix during an epic. Commute #17 turned into a mini epic - a hazardous slog through packed snow and piled up slush in the heart of the city during rush hour. The ride was initially hairy, until I discovered the plowed debris on the side of the road was not setting up into concrete, and in fact afforded decent traction. At that point I was navigating the streets faster than the cars.
Commute #18 was blessedly uneventful, with warmer temperatures and a mellow vibe emanating from fellow commuters.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Good times at the 'Bird
Made it up to Snowbird earlier this week for a nice mellow day of skiing. I tried many aspects, and while the snow was not that great, it was fun to get reacquainted with the circe traverse (aka the Ho Chi Minh trail) and the Gad chutes, including one of my favorites accessed avalanche control gate 7. Conditions were frozen crud on that aspect, and with the ice chunks sloughing down the face I was skiing, it occurred to me that falling probably meant sliding a long ways through trees, over cliffs, and other obstacles that could ruin my day.
As always, though, it's great to spend a day on the slopes.
As always, though, it's great to spend a day on the slopes.
2008 Commutes #15 and #16
A couple good days. Temperatures in the low forties and reduced ice on the roads made occasion to bring out the fixed gear commuter. A noon ride out to the airport tower Monday at lunch gave a taste of Spring fever.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Pimp My Ride
On what truly feels like the first sunny day of the year, there's nothing like upgrading your ride in anticipation of spring. Here's a peek at my new wheels... nothing like a new wheel set to freshen up the ride.
Nothing like a new bell on the Hello Kitty scooter, too.
Finally, on what has to be a sure sign of spring being just around the corner, we had our first seriously skinned knee of the year - stay tuned for a photo.
Nothing like a new bell on the Hello Kitty scooter, too.
Finally, on what has to be a sure sign of spring being just around the corner, we had our first seriously skinned knee of the year - stay tuned for a photo.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
I saw you... (2008 Commute #14)
Evening. You - sitting in your BMW outside East High, blocking equal parts of the right hand lane and the bike lane, whilst chatting on your cell phone. Me - pissed off cyclist trying get around you without being hit. Our eyes met in your rearview mirror. You seemed befuddled while trying to process the fact I was screaming at you to move your car while a passing vehicle was blaring their horn at you. If you are reading this, please leave a comment - I'd love to get together with you and push your car off a cliff.
Yes, commute 14 of the year was a good one. The morning's combination of fatigue, low tire pressure, and cold conspired to make me miss every traffic light. Coming home was great - I had some mad flow going on, but it all fell apart starting up the steep part of 800 South, where my front derailer, heretofore frozen in place on the big ring, decided to downshift, at which point my chain lodged in between the rings and I went over the bars in slow motion. Yes, I endo'd going up hill at less than 10mph.
After said encounter with the motorist, I noticed my battery had completely drained, leaving me without a helmet for the rest of the ride.
Yes, commute 14 of the year was a good one. The morning's combination of fatigue, low tire pressure, and cold conspired to make me miss every traffic light. Coming home was great - I had some mad flow going on, but it all fell apart starting up the steep part of 800 South, where my front derailer, heretofore frozen in place on the big ring, decided to downshift, at which point my chain lodged in between the rings and I went over the bars in slow motion. Yes, I endo'd going up hill at less than 10mph.
After said encounter with the motorist, I noticed my battery had completely drained, leaving me without a helmet for the rest of the ride.
Democracy in Utah (2008 Commute #13)
Democracy in Utah
Dear Heavenly Father,
please guide my hand, to vote for the best Republican
Feh.
Dear Heavenly Father,
please guide my hand, to vote for the best Republican
Feh.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Grow Up (2008 Bike Commute #12)
In my opinion, if your brain lacks the capacity to spot a bike moving down the street going 18 mph while illuminating your slack jawed countenance with a 13W sport light, you are a fool.
If you take umbrage at my swearing at you as I brake hard to avoid a collision, you're a damn fool.
And if you can't describe your hurt feelings at my salty language use to express my displeasure at your careless driving without swearing yourself, well... I think the Spartans had a special place for those of your ilk.
Seriously, you got off easy if the only consequence of your stupidity was to have someone yell at you. You may want to ponder accountability and responsibility while you sulk.
Peace.
If you take umbrage at my swearing at you as I brake hard to avoid a collision, you're a damn fool.
And if you can't describe your hurt feelings at my salty language use to express my displeasure at your careless driving without swearing yourself, well... I think the Spartans had a special place for those of your ilk.
Seriously, you got off easy if the only consequence of your stupidity was to have someone yell at you. You may want to ponder accountability and responsibility while you sulk.
Peace.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Sick Day of Skiing
Friday was shaping up to be a sick day at the Bird - I had scheduled the day off from work, the family would be busy with school, and it dumped Thursday night.
Well, it turned out to be a sick day all right, but of a different sort.
The boy was sick enough to not require amusement beyond sponge-bob squarepants and staring at the wall, so I was able to give my MSE Portfolio Project some much needed attention.
Well, it turned out to be a sick day all right, but of a different sort.
The boy was sick enough to not require amusement beyond sponge-bob squarepants and staring at the wall, so I was able to give my MSE Portfolio Project some much needed attention.
2008 Bike Commutes #9, #10, #11
Finally, an uneventful week in bike commuting, where I feel like I'm getting my flow back. On the good days a commuter can flow effortlessly through the city, navigating unseen around the obstacles of the urban environment.
The morning rides have still been dicey with the cold temps and the ice on the road. I have yet to find a pair of gloves that can keep my hands warm. Temperature ratings on gloves are pure fiction - the zero degree rating on the Renagade seems overly optimistic, although I probably need to factor in the wind chill factor. The glove actually did a fine job on a 2 hour ride in mid 30 degree temps, warming up when needed, and venting too. So called winter cycling gloves from Pearl Izumi are find down to about 37 degrees, but below that are out performed by the $14 ski gloves from the Costco barrel.
The morning rides have still been dicey with the cold temps and the ice on the road. I have yet to find a pair of gloves that can keep my hands warm. Temperature ratings on gloves are pure fiction - the zero degree rating on the Renagade seems overly optimistic, although I probably need to factor in the wind chill factor. The glove actually did a fine job on a 2 hour ride in mid 30 degree temps, warming up when needed, and venting too. So called winter cycling gloves from Pearl Izumi are find down to about 37 degrees, but below that are out performed by the $14 ski gloves from the Costco barrel.
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