Simpler. Simplify. Simply

sniff, sniff. Smells of roadie...

Coming home last night I was reminded a bit of my childhood. The dogs have grown accustomed to us doing something when I get home after work. Something apparently a lot more fun than just patrolling the yard. Of course, they are dogs and would be just as excited if I'd just stepped out of the door then turned around and walked back in. Either way there is excitement there and it motivates my tired butt into doing something outdoors when I get home.

I hate roadies. So boring. Can't we run trails?

Some days it's riding out back. Other times it's running. Occasionally it's just swimming or chilling out in the hammock after a game of fetch. It's unwind time spent outside not in front of a computer or tv. Unwind habits that formed early in my life.

Growing up I remember spending the twilight days of summer riding bikes after dinner with dad. Sometimes sis would come along, occasionally mom would too, but generally it was just me and dad. We'd ride around the "block", which in our case resembled more of an oval than a block. I have memories of throwing fits of protests once in a while, not wanting to leave the tv or indoors, but always ending up enjoying the ride and riding longer into the dark. Memories of getting bored while dad would stop and chat with neighbors out mowing/tending lawns. I'd ride circles in the road or up and down their driveways jumping the curbs until dad would finally stop chatting and we'd ride on to the next neighbor willing to chat.

Tonight was a rare night. I had to be in to work almost 2 hours earlier than normal. Typically this would entail coming home 2 hours later than normal, but today I was out the door after 8 hours. Score. I was feeling worn down and unmotivated to do anything despite the near perfect weather and hours of fresh daylight remaining on the plate. On my way home I got a text from Eric B. asking if I was down for a little bit of road riding.Well I'm kind of tired but... hell yeah!  It's rare that I get to ride the road during the week unless I'm commuting or opt for a full on night road ride which gets kinda creepy sometimes in your lonesome out in the sticks.

It was great getting out for a ride and being pushed by another rider. So much easier to step it up when there is another on the wheel. Unwinding perfectly with a ride around the "block", albeit the "block" has morphed into a 35 mile "block." Racing the setting sun, we made it home in time enough to squeeze out a couple laps out back with the anxiously awaiting pups as darkness was starting to make the trails treacherous. Just like when I was a kid, pushing the limits of daylight as summer winds down into fall. Not wanting to go inside until the bitter end.

I feel caught between middle age and youth and I'm not sure there's anywhere else I'd rather be.

Ragweed & Pigweed You Dillweed

So much for meeting up with myself for a beat down. Saturday night sleep alluded me thanks to massive nasal drainage and congestion (mmm phlegmy). H. has been under the weather fighting a head cold/sinus infection and my first thought was that she'd finally spread her filthy sickness across the carefully constructed pillow & dog bed barrier.

Then I realized when symptoms come on that suddenly it is generally allergies / asthma. I had a bit of both kicking in just to double the pleasure. Some Advil Sinus and Allergy allowed me to get some sleep Sunday night, but Saturday was futile. I still managed to get out for a spin in the afternoon, but nothing along the lines of what I'd planned on.

 mmm... chocolate covered bacon on a stick. Tastes good AND you can poke your eye out.

It was all worth it though. H. cooked breakfast on our laid back Sunday morning and the Slumlord brought down some chocolate covered bacon on a stick. I was able to spend the morning cleaning and catching up on chores that tend to fall by the wayside when work schedules don't allow much home time or your wife is busy working/ training and kicking your butt at races (yeah, you know how it is, Kick). Floors and bikes scrubbed. Carpets vacuumed. Weeds whacked. Then it was playtime. Just in time to catch the sprinkle shower and re-dirty the bikes.

 Come on baby, hold together. The well ridden 6 year old drive train is showing it's age.

 Shiny shiny.

All in all a pretty perfect weekend topped off with fresh apple Lyle pie and a new bouncing Boston baby niece.

A busy uncle relaxing with baby Claire.

Think she's cute, you should check out my duodenum!

And stomach!

Calling Myself Out

Hey Punk. So what if your stomach is still acting up. I don't care that water tastes like mildewy copper. You're getting soft. You think you're the only one with ailments? Get over yourself and get outside and ride. The hills are calling and you need to work on your power in the flats. You're leg speed is good but without power, it's worthless. See you tomorrow AM, ready to ride and suffer.  No excuses, tubby.

If you're in need of some extra motivation to defend your rock and cross titles, I recommend watching the following religiously.

 http://www.masterlinkfilms.com/

Don't let me down. Peace out, yo.

BreckenRich Training

Missing out on all the fun going on in Breck this week, I took a creative approach to fighting depression.

3.8 mph. 

I painfully recreated Dicky's stage 1 performance (albeit in outdated envy)  It was hard not to go fast. Dicky must have some mean balancing skills. We really should sell online training videos.

Baby Claire.

Then I hung out with someone a whole lot less cry and a little more baby.

Hot August Nights

Papa Joe and Baby Claire at Sunday breakfast.

Another dream home. Oldest dairy barn in TN (claimed).

Fontanel Hike with Claire.

This flower of H.'s lived a glorious few hours after this photo was taken before being devoured by the pup.

The pup.

The pups.

Gravel Worlds A-NoGo

But Gravel TN was A-GoGo.
photo cred: Eric Boarman

Working all day Saturday could have easily ruined a perfectly good weekend, however I have some good friends. Rains moved in and made a mess of most of the singletrack options we wanted to ride, so the discussion turned to the next best thing: gravel.

Despite early mornings all week, including Saturday, I agreed to an earlier than normal start time forcing me to yet again rise early. I still owe Mr. Parker "Why the F@*K haven't you won Roubaix?!" Gates a roshambo for that decision. Damn blue-collar Tweeker.

Equestrians were out enjoying the gravel and cool creeks on the beautifully hot late summer day.
photo cred: Eric Boarman

It was hot and stupid muggy as we prepped in the blazing sun before rolling out. I opted to leave the camera behind as my jersey had enough annoyance stuffed into the pockets. Saturday just didn't allow proper time to prep gear for a long, hot, store free ride in the wild unpaved Western Middle TN backcountry. Luckily Parker hauled a 3rd water bottle for me in an empty cage which saved OldGreg until we found the spring water and eventually a store. When I carry the camera I don't ever see shots I wish I'd taken, but when I don't roll with it there are so many that I wish I'd captured. C'est la vie.

Dog will hunt. No cold beverages here. Another old country store closed down. Shame. The choc lab pup was friendly though. 

photo cred: Eric Boarman

Listening to Eric's vague general descriptions of roads ridden in the area ("Does that road have a white church/house?") and ramble on about "we rode this, no wait we didn't. I think we did" and leading us to an alleged store for cold beverages had everyone not so eagerly anticipating a soon to be quenched thirst. To our surprise the store was actually there, however it is now closed for business. We schlepped onward and eventually found a thirst saving store where the owner told us stories of the old Tarkington store. Sad that it has passed on. Sounds like it used to be a cool old country mom and pop shop (Levi's for $10!).  The new store is on Hwy 7 and saves you from having to descend into Fly only to claw your way back out. SUCCESS!

The floods of May have really wrecked that area making an already pretty desolate (but beautiful) place all that more desolate. The recent spat of heavy rainfall had the creeks flowing with clear, cold water that offered some relief from the heat. What a great way to spend the day with friends. Did anyone happen to get photos of the two mule team covered wagons or my High Life tall boy?

Recharge Amidst The 11DoH

The Death Nail

A nod to the Tomatofest ala Parker's bike, ride homegrown.

The band got together again over the weekend. It's been a long time since we all were able to get out on a somewhat organized ride. Road was on the menu for the day with a special request for some of the tougher climbs made by KRS1 and Meanjoe. The late start time was dictated by KRS1's busy social calendar. Both things everyone blamed on me. It's not my fault we left late on one of the hottest days of the year and rode some of the hardest climbs in the area. The river crossing and final death nail climb were my fault, but what road ride is complete without at least one hike-a-bike section?

A cooling dip was required before moving on. A balmy 104 on today's ride.

Photo cred: Meanjoe 

gRant heading in for a life saving bag of ice. 

After hitting the river halfway through the ride all I could think about was the cooler full of ice cold beer (thanks H.!) and the lake awaiting us back at the farm. It was pedal down after making the death ride back to the market. Gray's Point climb combined with the scorching heat about did everybody in. A brief ice stop and a team time trial home turned the death march into a mini Paris-Roubaix fun ride. Well at least for me (not so much the 6th man, eh KRS1?).

Jeffy was feeling the heat and exertion today, course he'd just worked through the night.

We cooled off in the lake until the stomachs made their intentions known and off to all you can eat sushi and chinese at Papa Chen's with the group just as a pop up storm was approaching. Of course there was no rain at the farm, but we were able to enjoy a cool front for the evening.

A breezy 83 degree evening was extremely welcome (we should have planned a night ride, doh!). H. headed out for a ride on Ian while the pups and I headed out with the Moots to spin out the legs. Dish and I ended up watching H. ride while JD trotted alongside Ian as he worked. It was a day full of outdoor fun and long over due as H. has worked the last 4 weekends in a row.