Thanksgiving Morning

Pressing My Luck

Seemed like a good idea at the time.  You know - going for an early ride this morning before the weather got much worse.  There are few, very few things that will keep me off my bike, but ice is certainly the one thing, if not the only thing that I truly hate.  I love the cold - I can dress for it.  The wet, the mud, even the snow - I can deal with everything but ICE!  Don't ask me how, but I managed to get all the way to the hill at Cold Water before my bike came out from under me.  I really had to think it through, as I was committed to getting a ride in this morning, but the risk - scratch that, the danger is not worth the chance.  One of my neighbors had this very thing happen to him a few years ago and it put him in the hospital for four days - dang near killed him at that.  Last year I had my bike come out from under me after riding over Ben Lomond peak, down past Willard Basin.  There is no more gut-less feeling than when your bike goes from under you.  It is completely unpredictable, never the same and always bad.  Just stopping for this pic below I was standing on an icy bridge deck.  Bad idea..............

I've never been a big holiday fan.  However, as a kid, I used to love going hunting on Thanksgiving morning.  From my earliest memories, I remember some of the most unbearable conditions; snow, fog, ice, wind - it didn't matter I truly loved that experience.  From probably four years old 'till....well when things changed. I couldn't carry a gun until I was twelve, but I didn't care.  Truth is, most of those hunts were completely unsuccessful from the hunting perspective, but I remember so much about them all.  One year it was so cold while duck hunting, I remember thinking if I shot my gun a few times, I could warm my hands on the barrel (stupid) - not that I would ever do it.  The last year I can remember was perhaps the only successful hunt on Thanksgiving.  Chasing Chukars in a foot of snow up where I would ultimately break my ankle last March.  The irony......

Through some of those years, as I got a little older, there was this phenomenon called FM radio.  In particular, there was this early local station that would play nothing but deep tracks and extended full versions.  Virtually no commercials and absolutely no talk - none.  It was XM/Sirius thirty years earlier, but better.  I'd leave that playing all night, very low, with only the light of the tuner illuminating my bedroom.  It was magic. While at work yesterday, I was going over a project with a tech.  While going over the details of some calculations he used the phrase "FM", which I learned early on in my career, that's what techs often call engineering.  Later in the day, I had business over in the other valley.  Afterward, I took a couple of my boys over to the farm for a little target shooting.  Cold and windy, it was reminiscent of those earlier days, when on a cold autumn night, I would listen for hours to the magic of FM.  Those were great days and I miss the magic.

Some uncut magic with a touch of Chopin

Watch out for the ice and Ride HARD!

Slowing down?

Next season is in the gate......

A couple of good rides on the dirt this week.  The ride Monday was pretty cold and pretty much the way I like it.  27° by the time I got back to the house.  Tonight was a tad warmer like upper 30's when I got home - riding shorts weather.  The trail is mixed with snow, ice, some minor mud and a ton of leaves.  No other riders either night, but I did happen on to a bull moose Monday night.  A couple weeks ago I tied a bell to the bottom of my saddle for such occasions.  Still, this feller was right in the middle of the single track, not sure what was coming at him.  By the time I saw him, I was coming out of a blind turn at just under warp speed - literally no time to adjust.  Fortunately, the moose had already turned around and was for getting out of there.  I've had it go the other way when the moose has sent me packing all the way back from where I just came.  All that is what makes this absolutely great.

Had a quick meeting with the company riding club Poobah.  He's getting ready to retire, so another guy and I are going to split duties.  Thus, we are already starting to look at kits, gear, rides, and activities for next year.  This is where Huntsman and Lotoja get the primary funds for the HHH function.  I also registered for my first race - okay ride.  True Grit is March 9th near Santa Clara.  This is the race I was training for last year when I jacked-up my ankle.  I've also been getting notices for Leadville, but that is definitely a long shot at best.  I'm also looking at a different approach to fundraising for next season.  Stay tuned.....................

I've noticed the page views have started to slow, so maybe time to cool it for a while.  Still, if I can still ride in North Fork, the season can't be over yet.  Meanwhile, riding is always good when you can get it.

We're not done yet.

Ride HARD!

Should I stay or should I go?

Sacrifice

What is the cost?

Cold and dry today.  Took a short little ride out on on the oil (and a little dirt), to appreciate 33° in the face.  Schedules have been less than ideal for riding and such, but I've made a few changes that will remedy that problem.  Still, not a lot of time left on the local trails before I'll be on the other side of the mountain.  Registration for "True Grit" opened yesterday - the one I was training for when I busted my ankle last March.  I need to figure out how to get some training rides in down there before I sign-up.  13 weeks, I think I can make it.

So..........on this, the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, the thought of true sacrifice definitely comes to mind. A sacrifice is something you give up, to never get back, or reimbursed.  It is not a donation, it is absolute giving - to never be given back.  There is a lot to be said for someone that will sacrifice for another, without knowing who that other maybe.  It doesn't really matter the cause, just the fact that someone - anyone, may be willing to sacrifice for another.  That is character of the highest kind.

You locals know of the most recent in our area.  These are truly the people that make a difference.

No matter what you may believe, who or what you worship, how you vote, how you voice your opinion - somebody paid the price that you may do so.  It wasn't free.  More so, the debt is never satisfied.  As I've said so many times before; you've got to put your self in a position - prepare yourself, that you may step up when the time comes.  It's not easy.

Thanks for your service.  Thanks for the sacrifice.

Riding is so easy.

Find the Cost of Freedom - CSN&Y

Cold and Muddy

Needs/Wants - Wills/Desires

Yesterday was ideal for almost any kind of ride, so why not do yard work instead?  After spending yesterday doing yard work, and the completely overwhelming week at the office, I needed a good ride.  It just wasn't going to happen while the weather was agreeable.  This afternoon had to be it; cold wet and raining/snowing.  I really didn't want to go out, but I needed to just get away for a while - something that took a lot of convincing on my part.

With North Fork closed to all motor vehicles for the season, it was a great time to head up to the north canyon and Bicentennial Trail.  Dressed for wet and cold conditions, I wasn't too concerned about the elements, but more concerned about leaving everything else behind for a spell.  Before jumping onto the single-track, I rode up to a couple summer home gates, just to get a look around.  I ran across a pretty good "fire-scar" from a quick brush fire last August.  Lots of variation in terrain and conditions made it hard to get comfortable.  One minute on a tight hard surface, the next, grease.  Even on the service roads, it was sketchy at times not knowing if the tread would hook-up, or leave me sliding.

The start of the single-track was pretty tight.  Most of that is climbing, with good traction and manageable grades. Just around those fur trees above, the trail immediately got greasy.   This was the case most of the way up to the junction.  At times the tires would load-up, but quickly clear, often not fast enough to take sharp turns very fast.  Several places you could see where a couple of horses had a tough time keeping a solid footing along the way as well.  There are some steep grades that are hard enough dry.  Add the grease and it's pretty much hike-a-bike.

The trail was a tad better from the summit down, but still, a few areas that the tires wouldn't hook-up.  I hadn't been up this trail for a couple years, so I wasn't sure how far anything was.  I knew this sign was just a shade over a mile from the crossing at Cutler Creek.  A couple switchbacks and a simple little water crossing.  With temps in the mid 30's, it wasn't a good idea to get wet feet.  Sure enough, cold feet for the rest of the ride home.  With some daylight left, I headed up Cutler Creek Trail, as I hadn't been up there in quite a while either.

This is an old trail I used to run some thirty years ago, with my yellow lab.  Back then, there weren't many single track trails - besides the original Bicentennial Trail.  I used to ride my old hard-tail mountain bike over the service roads, but would seldom ride up this trail, as the terrain was not enjoyable on that technology.  Still, this was a pretty quiet place that I could trail run with my dog after a long day at the office.  There was never anyone else up there.  It was up at the top of this trail that I caught the picture of the "frozen mushroom" on the stump (at the top of this post).  That place sees direct sunlight about 20 minutes each year.  A stretch of marsh right down the middle of the trail always slows things down, trying to pick through it.  With the park now closed, there won't be anyone up there for a long time - not that it goes anywhere in particular, just a quiet place.

You may notice the little blue bell zip-tied to the bottom of the bike saddle.  There have been a ton of "cat" sightings (lions), including a lioness and her two cubs in this particular area.  The bell serves to let other riders know I coming on "blind" corners, but in this case, keep the lions from considering me as prey.  You'll also notice the RaceFace flat pedals.  Still no confidence in the SPD's.  I think I need to try some EggBeaters.

This afternoon was all need and will.  Literally, no want, nor desire involved.  It was cold, wet and everything else you' expect,  A darn fine ride and am glad I forced myself out there.  I really couldn't come up with a good reason not to go.  I mean, cold and wet is nothing.  Rather, I'm fortunate to be able to ride right out of my driveway and onto top grade trails.  It won't be long and I'll have to drag my bike to trails that aren't covered with a few feet of snow.  I'll lament not being able to ride with such ease, but until then I'll have to make the most of the conditions - but will I?

Blues Deluxe - Beck/Stewart, Fillmore West '68

Ride Hard!

Halloween

Reminiscing - '78

Yep, That's snow falling again 'bout 8,000 feet.  A little late getting out, but still worth the effort for sure.  Temp was something like 38° when I got home and getting pretty dark.  Next week it will be too dark to ride without lights, so getting time on the trail now is a must.  A few spots are getting a little slick and sketchy.

Not sure why, but I got to be thinking of Halloween, '78.  My parents had gone to Hawaii for a couple weeks and I had to work almost every night during that time.  That is except for Halloween.  I was bending tacos for a little joint at the time and felt like I was making it happen.  I mean, I wasn't a Rockafeller, but I wasn't hucking newspapers anymore either. Times at TJ's were pretty good.  For that matter, everything seemed pretty good - or so I remember.

That night I swung by a little church social with one of my "friends" - that I couldn't tell you his name if my life depended on it.  Don't ask why, but I do remember clearly an event that tied back to that previous Saturday, of which I wasn't really paying attention otherwise.  Nobody would ever remember this but me, however, I can still tell you of the "Foreigner"  45 RPM disc, song name and all that sticks in my head to this day.  I couldn't tell you about anything else from that day, but I remember about ten minutes as though it happened this afternoon.  Those two events and a similar time about one year later would come to play an integral part of .............. how I would see things for the rest of my life.

My parents wouldn't be home for more than another week and I would end up missing the Pheasant hunt because of it.  Still, when they did get home, I was sitting on a pile of cash from nearly three weeks of straight work - after school of course.  A week or so after they got home, I bought new skis and boots, which would prove to be another significant event.  My first love was always skiing and buying this gear was like an engagement ring.  It was mine, not somebody else's old stuff.  I had arrived.

I remember the very moment I heard John Lennon was killed and the events of that evening.  I remember exactly where I was when told Ronald Regan had been shot.  I clearly remember where I was when somebody told me about the Challenger exploding.  Key things that really didn't shape me personally, but were staggering all the same.  Yet I remember two events in October 1978 that seemed at the time completely insignificant and one other in the Autumn of 1979 that changed everything for me. At times, it is still what drives me.................................

Man, times where good.

Snow is coming.  Ride while you can.

Ride HARD!            Here's to the good 'ol boys - Don W.

Oh, Oh, Oh,..............Canada!

Back to the front..................

Seems whenever there is a crap-storm, I find myself right up front.  Another last minute booking back to Canada.  I can't be the smartest guy in the company, or we're all in trouble.  Dealing with equipment from Europe, in a building designed by Europeans, make s for a challenge.  400-volt commie-motors running on 575 volt, drives that were spec'd incorrectly.............engineering is truly overrated (sarcasm).  The Canadians I get to work with are great and make it tolerable.  These guys are pretty good at what they do and are darn good guys to boot.  Getting a little later flight got me up there just in time to enjoy the parking lot that is otherwise referred to as I-75.  By the time I got across the border and up to the facility it was nearly 19:00.  I didn't get out of there until sometime after 01:00 the next morning.  It was like that all week.  Saturday morning I had to leave Windsor around 05:00 to be to a planned power outage in Auburn Hills, Michigan.  After a long day at Auburn Hills, it left only enough time to head back to the airport - and sit in more traffic.  I kid you not, 60+ hours in four days - as an exempt employee.  What a bunch of crap!

Since my last trip ten days before, Canada legalized cannabis.   Thus the brown cloud hovering over the University, just off the Ambassador Bridge.  It's kind of like Boulder, Colorado on the Detroit River.  There was an automated highway sign up on the 401 with a Weed plant and red circle and line through it saying "don't drive high".  Huh, I guess we're not in Kansas anymore Toto.  

So what does this have to do with riding?  NOTHING, as in no riding for me.  I'd hoped to get out this afternoon for a quick trail ride, but I'm just hammered from the past couple of weeks.  The more I don't ride, the worse it gets.  I need to start building a maintenance program in the mornings.  I've already lost too much ground and can feel it.  You lose it faster than you can get it back - at my age anyway.  The registration for True Grit is November 10 and I really want to be in that race.  It isn't until March, but that isn't much time to train if I have to get it all back.  I also got a notice from Leadville, for a lottery registration in December.  I'd love to ride Leadville, but that would seriously take 9 full months of dedicated training - which would be hard with my current work schedule.  Along with this, I need to coordinate some Huntsman stuff, with the Company and Club.  Life used to be so simple.

On that note, today is October 28th.  Forty years ago, it was just another Autumn Saturday afternoon.  I wouldn't come to realize how significant that particular day was for a few years later, but it changed everything.  Man, things were so simple back then.  I should have been paying attention.

Dirt ride tomorrow afternoon -if I can get away from the office.

Only in Canada -Before and After

Ride HARD!

Need more time to ride

Problems on several fronts

Last Friday night I found myself, near midnight, standing in a rainstorm in Southern Ontario, Canada - for whatever reason.  Thing is, I didn't even know it was raining until somebody mentioned it.  That all started the day before when one of the guys that wear all the headdress-feathers (a plant manager) stopped by to brief me on a problem that I wasn't aware existed.  In other words, somebody else's problem that I needed to get in the middle of.  By 04:30 Saturday morning, I was driving back to Windsor, to the hotel, for maybe a few a hours sleep and a shower.  At this point, I didn't have a flight home and was hoping all along to be home earlier enough Saturday afternoon to ride.  When I got back to the job site later that morning, I was just hoping to be in my own bed that night - a small consolation - forget about a ride on the MTB.

So goes it since race day.  Actually, I was putting off several of these projects until after the race, but I had no idea it would be like this.  It makes it really hard to keep a positive attitude and update the blog.  I go out for a short ride, all the time thinking of all the worlds problems I'm dealing with - only to get home more frustrated than when I left.  What's the point?

This morning I went out for a ride on a familiar trail, using the Mokocam.  As expected, I had to address issues from work that "just can't wait".  I got a pretty good clip on the descent, that really doesn't do the ride justice - but................  The files are too large,. I'll need to post them on YouTube.  That will be down the road aways.

For now, I've got to head back to Canada next week with an early morning project in Michigan, Saturday morning.  The local weather looks good enough to ride every day between now and then - hopefully.  Something needs to change....................

A couple weeks ago, while driving back to DTW on a Saturday night, I caught a radio station out of Detroit that was doing a non-stop fifty-year commemoration of the mighty Zep.  It's hard to believe it was that long ago.  Three years ago, I was on the tail-end of a long couple weeks in China.  One of the guys talked me into a Tex-Mex the night before we flew home.  Out of nowhere came one of the classics from II.  Suddenly, I thought - "I can do this".  It's always good to get home, and I and II take me back home - in a way.

Click here - Your time gonna come

I can do this...........