Torment the Reaper

A birth and re-birth, if you will...

2010-04-23T14:35:00.000-07:00

Hopefully no visible afterbirth...

Behind on the blog is not the only thing. Found out over the last few weeks that there will be a wee Aken roaming Earth soon; as within the next week...

That is what happens when your "friends" of ten years send e-mail an e-mail address you never had. Makes me wonder how many other tidbits of news, invites, activities, etc... That I have simply not known about; yet am thought to have ignored due to being a pretentious d-bag.

Test My Mettle

2009-01-22T17:03:00.000-08:00

I got caught up in the hype again as some friends were discussing doing the Test of Metal MTB race up in Squamish, BC, on June 20. The race usually sells out in a matter of two hours. I got registered. So now no only do I have to actually ride a bit beforehand, I either have to get a new mtb or use the only mtb I have in the garage: The Cannondale 1FG. Single speed. Fully rigid. There is no hiding with this bike…

Winds of Change

2008-11-05T09:47:00.000-08:00

Yes We Can!!!... But will we?

It is times like this that give me hope for the future and my girls.

Pursuit of the Single Speedo

2008-10-25T10:08:00.000-07:00

Jealousy is an ugly thing. Got word yesterday that the last -regular riding member of the MI Tuesday Night Worlds is registered the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships down in Portland the first week of November in the quest of the World Champion Rainbow Speedo and the required SSCXW tattoo.

I feel fortunate to have ridden and raced with the likes of Bart Bowen, Ned Overend, John Tomac, Kent Bostick, and a few others who have participated in elite world championships; Now I can add Jeff Aken to a very exclusive list...

Correction...

2008-03-28T07:38:00.000-07:00

Ah, good news nonetheless. The previous posting on the predicted release of Shawn Alexander was wrong. The Seahawks actually announced they had signed Lofa Tatupu to an additional 6 years for $42m. Earlier this week they then signed Marcus Trufant to a 6 year, $50.2m deal. Makes for a fairly solid core for the next few years…

Like Frenching Your Sister...

2008-03-25T12:34:00.000-07:00

France is the first country to take a stand regarding China's treatment of Tibet. If China does not back off Tibet, France might boycott the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics...

Come on, how much weight does that carry? You "might" boycott the "opening ceremonies?" Is that really a threat? That is like me saying I am boycotting dinner but I will be there for ice cream. Sometimes it is better to not say anything at all.

It will be interesting to see how the boycott notion pans out for all countries. My bet is that economic interests will surely trump any humanitarian wrongdoings and there will be no boycotts of anything significant...

End of #37?

2008-03-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

The Seahawks have a 12:30 news conference today. I am speculating it is to announce the release of one Shawn Alexander.
Check back for the final say.

Beijing 2008

2008-03-07T10:47:00.000-08:00

That unpredictable wild man, the Dalai Lama, is at it again. Apparently not content with his day job of striving for enlightenment and world peace, now he is attempting to sabotage the 2008 Beijing Games by “spreading rumors.” The Chinese Government is ready to drop gloves and throw down with Tibet if they attempt to “sabotage” the games and disgrace China. It is noted that Tibet is on the schedule for the Olympic Torch relay to pass through; at which point Tibet would have a prime opportunity to voice any issues they have with the Communist Government; but, there is a huge difference between an act of sabotage and an act of protest.

Besides, do the Chinese think the world is naïve enough to not be aware of the fact they have be persecuting Tibet for decades?

Speaking of Naïve…

Steven Spielberg quit as Artistic Director of the 2008 games. Quincy Jones is on the fence as whether to remain on board as Musical Director (he did compose the theme for the 2008 games). Both using China’s support of the Sudanese Government, which government-backed forces have more or less run amok killing hundreds of thousands and displacing millions of Africans over the last five years.

The outcry against China’s current human rights issue has yet to really start.

Never fear though. G-Dub, leader of the free world, will still be personally attending the games: "I'm going to the Olympics. I view the Olympics as a sporting event." Yeah, and the economy is really doing fine.

Hi, I am punk-ass Josh Brown

2008-03-05T10:20:00.000-08:00

Are you kidding me? You trade 4 consecutive division titles for the worst record in the division and one of the crappiest cities in the country? All for $200k? It must suck to be an almost cult hero. How many other cities do fans run around in the kicker’s jersey and not get the crap beat out of them? And here we thought you were different… Not at all. You are still just a kicker. Tattoos and a couple tackles will not hide that.

Karma is an ugly thing. Remember that when your replacement here hits 2 game winners against St. Louis in both games in 2008. Remember that when the Seahawks win another division title and make it to at least the NFC Championship game; While your piss-poor new team misses the playoffs yet again... $200k. Plenty of money for new tatts. Plenty of time to get them.

Now don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out of town.

#3 Obsolete?

2008-02-22T11:31:00.000-08:00

With Marcus Trufant franchised and Sean Locklear signed, that leaves both DJ Hackett’s and Josh Brown’s future with the ‘Hawks in question. Granted, a #3 receiver and kicker are not difficult holes to fill; but, the upside to both are that Hackett has a great “upside” and could develop into an outstanding #2, maybe even a solid #1 someday. Brown has well above average accuracy and distance. To replace either with the same quality player might be a tall order; Hackett especially with Deion Branch on the couch for the summer and his availability questionable. The downside to each:

Hackett: Has had injury problems that kept him OUT of 10 of 16 regular season games in 2007. He did play in 14 of 16 in 2006; but an argument can be made that he might be injury prone.

Brown: Is there a downside to a kicker who can tackle, has a visible tattoo, and have a throng of ladies who love him? Oh, there is one downside. If he leaves town what are all the fans to do with their #3 jerseys? It is not easy to wear a kickers jersey in the first place…

Californication

2008-02-20T08:23:00.000-08:00

Washington Representing
I was originally a bit curious why Tyler Farrar left Cofidis to ride for Slipsteam-Chipotle. I was under the impression that they were more of a up-and-coming team that would eventually fill the void left by USPS/Disco. They packed their line-up with very solid and seasoned riders to make their play.
The early season is paying in spades and Farrar’s move looks be solid. The 23 year-old Washington native is looking svelte standing next to the Govenator in the Golden Jersey as the leader of the Tour of California. Not a too shabby way to start the season.
Maybe Nick Nuyens, Cofidis classics badass, summed it up best in this VeloNews interview: “Tyler was great on the team last year. He was always there to help me and he really wanted to learn. We’ll miss him this year, for sure. He’s a strong rider with a big future. We wanted to keep him at Cofidis. Everyone knows he can win classics in the next few years.”

Lion To Roar Again?

What can be said? In what seemed like just another publicity move by Michael Ball of Rock Racing, he signed the 41 year-old Mario Cipollini. Both are known attenton whores so it wasn't a huge surprise.

The Surprise is on us: That old bastard scored a 3rd place in the field sprint in stage 2; And he is still raking in more hotties than any of us have even seen in our lifetime. Time will tell if he will last the season, but here's to hoping he can squeak out one more legit V in the name of the good old days....

A Single Tear

2008-02-18T09:34:00.000-08:00

First Vino, now Basso. Don’t forget the many others before them. The tears are flowing from Ivana Basso about how he has been alienated and is alone since he was suspended from Operation Door (http://velonews.com/article/72085 ). News flash, Ivana: That is why they call it a suspension. A month ago Basso was spouting off how the suspension was good for him http://velonews.com/article/71311. Now he is pissing and moaning to anybody that will listen.
Out of all the riders who have been suspended only one has essentially said, “Yeah, I did it,” instead of taking the “guilty” party line of “Who me? Never! I have been wronged.” Here’s to David Millar for standing up and accepting responsibility for his actions.

Speaking of being wronged, it looks like Boulder’s favorite son, Tyler Hamilton, was prevented from starting the Tour of CA due to the re-opening of Operación Puerto. Rock Racing lost 3 of 8 riders due to AEG following UCI rules regarding riders under investigation. Like it or not rules are rules (although UCI rules seem to be under some subjective interpretation) and that leaves the aforementioned Hamilton, as well as Santiago Botero and Oscar Sevilla on the outside looking in. More on Rock Racing, Michael Ball, and the Tour of CA later…

A Rose by Any Other Name…

2008-02-14T08:49:00.000-08:00

Following the lead of the Giro, ASO has already 86’ed Astana from the 2008 Tour de France and it looks like they will be missing out on Paris-Nice and all other ASO races (Paris-Roubaix, Fleche Wallonne, and LBL among others). Team High Road (formerly T-Mobile), is free and clear to race in 2008 as they are a restructured their entire team and program; very similar to what Astana has done. The only differences are that T-HiRoad changed their name (as they lost the main sponsor) and relocated to California. Astana kept the same sponsor and location; yet totally overhauled their entire roster and program. Simple solution: Name change.

Rabobank and Cofidis, two other teams that had “issues” in the 2007 Tour are free and clear to race in ASO races for 2008 due to the way in which they handled their respective situations (Rabobank kicking the Chicken to the curb and Cofidis leaving the Tour after Moreni’s positive).

None of this makes much sense. I don’t buy into the conspiracy theory of keeping the strongest team off the course; but there is definitely some criteria that the rest of us, outside the ASO, are not privy to…

A bummer for Levi, Contador, and the rest of the Baby Blue Crew, but such is life. The Vuelta seems to be waiting with open arms…

Armstronging the Olsen Sister... Part 2

2007-11-06T07:56:00.000-08:00

I thought it must have been a nightmare, but sure enough...

Straight off the MSN Entertainment Press:

In related sports hookup news, just what series of unfortunate events led to last week's squicky snuggle-bunnies between MK's twin sis, Ashley Olsen, and Lance Armstrong? The Chicago Sun-Times believes the pocket-size mogul, 21, has had her eye on the Tour de France champ-turned-marathon runner, 36, for a while, even hanging an autographed magazine cover of him on her bedroom wall. Ash allegedly got in touch with Lance (through his people) to get his advice on a bike purchase. (As you do when you're rich and famous.) The paper says he was so tickled by the request he called her back personally, which eventually led to a lunchtime tête-à-tête, followed by the nighttime lip-locking.

Speechless...

2007-11-01T17:28:00.000-07:00

What the Hell? How could I top this? my last question: Who has the bigger build?

Armstrong, Ashley Olsen get cosy
1 Nov 2007, 2200 hrs IST,ANI

The actress Ashley was seen nuzzling up to cycling champ Lance at Rose Bar It seems like love is blooming between Lance Armstrong and Ashley Olsen, who were spotted getting cosy at a New York bar. A source revealed that the petite actress was seen nuzzling up to cycling champ Lance Armstrong on Monday night at Rose Bar. "Ashley and Lance settled in and within minutes, he was whispering in her ear and she was giggling like a schoolgirl. They totally looked like they were on a date,” the New York Daily quoted the source, as saying. Adding to the buzz, an onlooker told People Magazine that the 21-year old star was sitting on the 36-year old cyclist’s lap. "Lance was hanging with her, definitely. [Olsen] was very flirtatious, and was sitting on his lap,” the onlooker said. Another source added that Olsen was with a group and "hanging out, having a good time.”

Fixed Gear 1, Legs 0

2007-10-16T17:01:00.000-07:00

Now that the weather is turning crappy it is time to start riding. I will ride on and off for the next two weeks and then determine that the weather is too crappy and hang the bike back up until I feel motivated to ride again.

Anyway, broke out the Langster in FM (fixed mode) late last week for a ride into work and have been on it the last couple days. The weather was actually good but the gearing (42/16) not so much based on my current condition and the rolling nature of my commute. Of course, when I say current condition it sounds like I am implying that I have any conditioning. Not so.

Long story short, I can take away three key points from the ride:

1) Not much of a reason to flip-flop the hub to go from s/s to fixed. Fixed is fine; at least at this point (we’ll see when it is wet…).
2) This ride is totally doable with a bit of fitness; Might not even have to get off and push…
3) Sometimes, with this gearing, you have to get off and push.

Bobke’s View on Tattoos
Saw Bob Roll quoted from a Pez Cycling interview and thought it was classic in regards to tattoos v. road rash:

“Now crashing, on the other hand, gives you scare tissue, and scar tissue tells a story no idiotic tribal barbwire tattoos ever will. And as the stories of your scars are retold, you’ll get hungry for sour mash and pork rinds.”

Whiskey and pork rinds… Yes!

Let’s Get the Band Back Together

2007-10-08T17:04:00.001-07:00

Styx… The Police… Van Halen… Even Led Zeppelin. This blog. Granted four of the five might have experienced more critical acclaim and , obviously, had longer runs of initial success and livelihood; but they are also shining examples of how things, both good and bad, can have a re-birth.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes; Like a super-group reuniting to tour, this blog henceforth will rock once again.

Weekend Update

2007-02-12T20:40:00.000-08:00

Biting Off More than you Can Chew

A rare treat of having some available time this weekend toget out and enjoy the sun and get in 45 miles(http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2067443) on the bike with a group of 11. It was about 7-8 miles longer than I should have been out based on the climbing. Made the notorious crawl from just west of Monroe to Everett very slow. I must be getting old as I was able accept my desitny and just keep turning the pedals while fending off the ice cream pings and any cramping to just maintain and make it up El Hideouso (52nd). No such thing as a bad day on the bike. just different levels of suffering; In a good way.

The Wheels on the Bus...

Now that I am working in the heart of downtown, I have a great bus commute that allows for a good 30 minutes reading each way. I thought I might lose my reading time but it is looking like that is not the case. Boo-yah!

Life's a Beach...

2007-02-09T13:26:00.000-08:00

Cannon Fodder

Back from 4 days at Cannon Beach with the the family. Of course it was rainy and windy everyday except for the last day. The beauty of 3 year-olds is they are immune to weather as long as they are warm... Which meant lots of beach walking and kite flying in what one might call "adverse" conditions. A great time was had by all regardless of the caste system that seems to permiate from that town.

Pack Fodder

Tomorrow a 50 mile ride is on the docket. It will be interesting to see how the body holds up with a group. I am sure I will be fine for the first 20...

Catching up

2007-01-29T09:27:00.000-08:00

Night Prowler

Got in a few solid hill circuits around Richmond Beach last night with some of the team. A couple sketchy areas on the descents due to forst and left over gravel. All in all, a fun 2 hours. The body is feeling good today considering my complete lack of any saddle time.

Look Who's Coming to Dinner

Looks like the New Mexico crew, due to climate, great riding, and a great cycling scene, has scored quite well and is hosting the training camps for Team Lipton, Navigators, and the Belgian Cycling Center (International Cycling Development Team). The community looks to have the teams set up quite well with local resaurants donating meals and as well as allowing the common man to ride with the teams on two group rides.

They'll Pass You By...

2007-01-11T19:46:00.000-08:00

I had a friend was a big baseball player

back in high school
He could throw that speedball by you
Make you look like a fool boy
Saw him the other night at this roadside bar
I was walking in, he was walking out
We went back inside sat down had a few drinks
but all he kept talking about was

Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days

Well there's a girl that lives up the block
back in school she could turn all the boy's heads
Sometimes on a Friday I'll stop by
and have a few drinks after she put her kids to bed
Her and her husband Bobby well they split up
I guess it's two years gone by now
We just sit around talking about the old times,
she says when she feels like crying
she starts laughing thinking about

Glory days well they'll pass you by

Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye

Glory days, glory days

My old man worked 20 years on the line
and they let him go
Now everywhere he goes out looking for work
they just tell him that he's too old
I was 9 nine years old and he was working at theMetuchen Ford plant assembly line
Now he just sits on a stool down at the Legion hall
but I can tell what's on his mind
Glory days yeah goin back
Glory days aw he ain't never had
Glory days, glory days
Now I think I'm going down to the well tonight
and I'm going to drink till I get my fill
And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it
but I probably will
Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture
a little of the glory of, well time slips away
and leaves you with nothing mister but
boring stories of glory days

Lyrics by Bruce Springsteen

Return from Sabbatical

2007-01-08T14:14:00.000-08:00

What a month. 3 Storms, 2 Monsoon Seahawk games, 2 extended power outages, numerous holiday happenings, capped off with 10 days of visiting in-laws. It is a miracle I am still alive.

Promises of keeping this thing updated in 2007.

Back in the Game... Kinda.

2006-12-04T10:54:00.000-08:00

Victim of a relentless cold that I cannot quite shake. It took me down last Sunday and is still looming more than a week later. It did allow quality reading time as I blasted through a couple of books.

Ring Tone of Death

Tragic death due to the driver mowing down a cyclist from behind as she was downloading a ring tone to her cell phone. Per the article she "was so far off the road that she hit Mr. Wilhelm from behind with the driver's side of her car." Check out the article to see if you think the punishment fit the crime.

Turkey Day 2006

2006-11-22T09:25:00.000-08:00

Off to Mt. Baker today for a couple days with the family. Should be some quality reading time and hopefully I will finish Sinner's Guide to Evangelical Right and Iceland. I am sure we will have a quality snow day and all I am hoping for are no stitches, sprains, or broken bones from Extreme Sledding. Look for it in the Winter X Games 2008.

Saturday is the Seattle Kid's Marathon. Hopefully I can complete the final 1.2 miles with C without her dropping me. To get to this point we had to read 13 books and walk/run/jog 13 miles... By my calculations that will add up to 27.2. I think the Kid's Marathon committee is taking advantage of the fact that some little people have yet to develop math skills.

I Can't Explain...

2006-11-16T22:34:00.000-08:00

...Why I am reading so damn much.

Could be no job.. But my reading list and library account is out of control. I guess it is my tax dollars at work.

...Why I am actually riding.

I got some quality time on the bike this week in between rain showers/downpours. Feels good to get out and get the legs moving regardless of the weather. Now if I can just get on the trainer when it all goes really bad.

...Why He's Dressed Like That.

Tonight I actually sat down and watched the "The Who- Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970" compliments of the Sno-Isle Regional Library System. I was looking for something completely different but this caught my eye and have heard quite a bit about it being a historical performance so I grabbed it.
I have to say it was pretty amazing. The Who was the last band to go on in front of ~600,000 people at 2am in the morning. This is an awesome DVD. Even if you are not a Who fan you can watch it and appreciate the music like a classic novel. It pre-dates the choreography and pyrotechnics that can be used to mask shitty music. A couple points:

1) In the interview included on the DVD, Pete Townshend starts off pissing and moaning on how he felt trapped in The Who. They stagnated his growth, reminisced about partying all the time, and he was trapped. He continues on about how simple the other band members were and on and on. About halfway through he then talks about how they were great musicians and had this incredible connection which made the experience amazing...? Which is it, you bitter old man? The interview could have been done as late as 2004. They were just in Seattle in Oct. 2006 and from what I heard, he didn't look half bad jumping around the stage... "For the Love of Money..."

2) Check out the suit John Entwistle was rocking on the DVD. He looks like he just got back from the Kobra Kahn Dojo Halloween party.

Letter of the Law; Spirit of the Law

2006-11-13T09:54:00.000-08:00

I do have fond memories of the San Francisco Grand Prix (the now defunct one day race that was held early to mid September for the first part of the '00's). That is the basis for my concept on how cycling in SF would be. If you are a visual person, try this:

San Francisco has been working on a fairly comprehensive bike plan for about 10 years now. Apparently last week there was a suit filed to slow down the plan and subject it to environmental review. This prevents the painting of bike lanes, installation of bike racks, and transportation of bikes on SF Municipal Railway vehicles until they are in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (article).

I could be totally off base, but WTF? I understand you don't want bikes polluting the environment. Painting bike lanes on the street might destroy the delicate balance of the natural pavement ecosystem. Drilling into concrete to secure bike racks? That could tip the balance of nature in favor of man-made environmental features in the center of urban sprawl. You certainly not allow bicycles to piggyback on mass transit so the commuter could actually exercise as well as help the environment. Besides, that might eliminate additional transfers and the transit system would lose revenue by losing those commuters.

So now "they" get to spend a few years and a few million berries to determine if paint asphalt is bad for the environment; if bike racks are OK in a cityscape; and if mass transit will emit more pollution with bikes on board.

Slow Weekend

2006-11-13T00:10:00.000-08:00

The Good Old Days

I have had this DVD for over a year now and can never make it past the 35 minute mark in the 4 times I have attempted to watch this. Maybe it is because I try to take it in at about 3pm on a rainy day; regardless, I end up taking a nap. The Ironic thing about that is I am not even a napper. I mean what could be better that Mapei taking another V in the Jello shot inspired kits? Those kits do give me thoughts to a day gone by when a chunk of the Old Crew met up for a ride one spring morning with two new kids... So new that they didn't know that 45 degrees was too cold for their matching short sleeve Mapei jerseys and shorts and nothign else. That would be even too hard for the Lion of Flanders. I am sure VDB would have no problems; just pop a horse tranquillizer.

Speaking of Museeuw and Tafi, I still think the last 100 meters of 1996 Paris-Roubaix is classic. Museeuw is so paranoid he is going to get jumped by Tafi or Bortolami in spite of the team's orders that he is looking over his shoulder. Maybe it was the particular drug he was on back then. Angel Dust can make one paranoid. But I honestly think "The Lion of Flanders" is quite possibly the most kick-ass nickname a rider could have bestowed upon him. Sure, there is "The Cannibal," "JaJa," "DuDu," "El Diablo," "El Pirata," "Elephantino," just to name a few.

Back in the Saddle

2006-11-09T08:53:00.000-08:00

After a false start last week (7 miles total) I made it out last night for what was supposed to be a short ride. I figured it would be a good idea to try and connect the Interurban Trail from the county line to destination unknown north. It was a brave idea but there are too many poorly marked neighborhood bypasses, sketchy arterial negotiations, and sidewalk jaunts to make this a fun ride without knowing the trail. Once familiar with it I am sure it is no big deal. I do have to say I did get some satisfaction in rolling down the trail at about 20 mph and negotiating a few leaf-strewn S-turns; the kind that have a base of slimy mushy leaves covered by freshly fallen foliage. That is a party.

Anyhow, my short ride ended with 42 miles in the books. Felt very good considering I haven't been on since Early September. Mad props to the kid on the Trek mtb who I passed headed north. He proceeded to drop the hammer, take the lead, and keep that 30-50 meter gap for about 3/4 mile before pulling over to adjust his pack.

Putting the "Christ" Back in...

The ass-monkeys at Wal-Mart are taking a stand and this holiday season, if you stoop and cross the threshold of Hell's Gate and enter, you will be greeted with a resounding "Merry Christmas!" (story) Apparently Satan's minions (Wal-Mart Exec's) came to the conclusion that "Happy Holidays" was too generic... Oh, and the fanatical religious right boycotted them last holiday season since they chose to use "Happy Holidays."

How can somebody be offended by "Happy Holidays?" I couldn't care less if I get a "Happy Hanukkah," "Happy Kwanzaa," "Merry Christmas," or a "Have a good day." I don't offend that easily. It is about the spirit of the message; not the verbage. Don't censor what people can/can't purchase/say and don't push your god/gods/idols upon them either. By doing so is that not turning the tables, getting you selfish way, and projecting your own agenda/intolerance?

Ramblings...

2006-11-08T11:22:00.000-08:00

It is a week like this last one where I am reminded of a ride through Snohomish out towards Monroe when water was up to my bar-ends in the mid-90's. Man I was dumb back then. I doubt much has changed except my ride partner from that particular ride has "retired," no longer has a mtb, and now is more excited to run. The true sign of the Apocalypse will be when he becomes a nor-dick regular.

After receiving more than the average month of November's rainfall in 7 days the El Sol is making a cameo appearance today. Might be a good day to sneak in an afternoon ride as I don't think we will have many more days like this until February.

Indoor Downhill?

Got this link from the NM bike list about a downhill race in the Mexico subways. I am not a downhiller nor will I ever be, but it is a novel idea.

Heavy Metal Roller Dude

This clip pretty much rules. Make sure to watch the clip (clip on the image) as in walks a pudgy little troll (Funny, that is his nickname) with heavy metal hair. Up on the rollers he goes. I was just waiting for him to hit the floor.

One Down....

2006-11-08T11:13:00.000-08:00

Consolidate or be dropped

2006-11-02T10:29:00.000-08:00

Getting ready for a ride these days I have to put on the heart rate monitor, the iPod, route the bud cords through my jersey, put cell phone on vibrate in my back pocket, and then I am ready to go. Apparently I have been making this much more of a production than I need to.

The Adidas and Polar brain trust put their heads together and designed the Adidas Fusion shirt (left). Although it is currently only marketed to the sadomasochists most others call "runners" it is only a matter of time before the Litespeed-owning 30 mile hammer needs one in his closet so he can calculate to the exact heartbeat the precise moment he can coldly drop his wife and kids on their Sunday afternoon rides.

Check these bad boys out. You can be the talk of your next group ride rocking these Vertex MP3 Bibs from Pearl Izumi. They sport an integrated MP3 player that is operated by a control panel on the left leg.
It is also sporting Blue Tooth technology that will synchronize your chamois with your cel so you can take calls with the press of one button. You can switch from tunes to phone with a tap on your thigh. Notice the mic that is embedded in the shoulder. How sick is that?
The shorts come with a MP3 player, earphones, USB cable, and a travel charger. Cough up $500 for them and they are yours.
I wonder if they offer a crash replacement for these. I myself would only mock the poor bastard who shelled out for these. I am sure there would be a line of others who would be more than willing to go Team Cinzano on his ass and put a pump through is spokes.

I demand a Blue Tooth enabled Atmos with built-in ear buds as that is what is really lacking here.

Halloween:Suburbia Style

2006-11-02T10:03:00.000-08:00

Halloween went as planned:

1) 16:45: Mini-van rendezvous at the Southern Satellite compound.

2) 17:05-Red Racer arrival.

3) 4 Adults, 2 children pile into silver shuttle for departure to downtown Edmonds for trick or treating along Main Street and 3rd.

4) 17:25-arrival on 3rd. I have a visual. There is a shitload of people down here, Dee.

5) 17:27- Youngest member of group freaked out and screaming bloody murder. Did she see a alien? Jason? Pinhead?

Nope, just some guy in a bad mask.

6) 18:30- The troops are showing signs of fatigue in the quest for candy. After weighing bags I decide that there is enough where I can take my cut for transportation costs and all parties will be happy. Time to roll back to home base.

7) 18:45- One mini trooper decides the friendly confines of the indoors is a much better environment to be in than the 35 degrees outside. We have one die hard who is still living the dream.

8) 19:00- The dream is over. After 3 houses she calls the time of death. Back home.

9) 19:20- The best chili I have ever had (I am not even sucking up as my wife doesn't read this) is going down like Sparks at at Step Down.

10) 20:00- Jersey presentation to the new Honduran Cycling Sensation. More to come later.

11) 20:30- House empties out, quiets, down.

12) 21:00- Polishing off my 7th Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. I call it a day.

Fat Kids and Fat Tires

2006-10-30T10:49:00.000-08:00

Pickin' On the Fat Kids

Even though Operation Puerto is closed for the time being and now it is being said that documentaion was falsified, Jan Ullirch is still "tied up" in legal implications. That is just great. How is it Basso gets off clean and even Tyler Hamilton is "clean," but the under-acheiving lardass from Duetschland is still tangled? It makes absolutely no sense. Let him race and then retire. What is he going to do, win a Tour?

Not a cloud in the sky today here inbeautiful Edmonds. I might have to bust out the bike for a ride... Or sit around inside watching 2003 Flanders while gorging on Halloween candy. I cannot lose either way.

Mountain bikes are catching on....

Good clip on mountain biking on NPR over the weekend. Discusses trail use issues and how hikers, bikers, and horsies are joining forces to maintain and keep trails open.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6397280

Gloves are off...

2006-10-27T20:13:00.000-07:00

I think you can only bitch and moan so many times about people, or a specific person to be more exact, not updating their blogs. It is exactly like complaining about a a issue/problem and having no solution. On that note:

Hear is my solution. Although eye can knot promise that eye will always bee updating this and keeping it as new as eh fresh cup of java, at least there is now eh benchmark wear eye can bee measured, critiqued, and criticized. So, let if flow. Let yourself go.