Washed Out Not Up

Since H. works all weekend (12hr night shifts), I figured I'd forgo a solo biking adventure today and spend some time out with the pups giving H. some quiet sleepy time. Plus my new commute/work schedule leaves me with limited time at home and with the puppy. The new 45+ mile round trip stay alive* will allow for plenty of solo ride time and I'm thinking if I deprive myself of ride time over the weekend I'll be more amped to bike commute every day. So I loaded the pups up into the truck and headed off, windows down, into the sunny blue warmth of the day. Destination: the not so secret/secret swimming hole.

* copyright: The Perceptive Billy Boy

It was a bit on the muggy warmish side driving in with the windows down, but a cooler wind began to waft in as I approached Springfield. As did darker, more sky filling clouds and flashes of lightening. Then, finally, a solid downpour from the sky. Hmmm... well pups, maybe we won't get out to swim after all.


Of course, we were heading out with the primary objective to be getting wet so what's a little rain to stop the party? We parked and jogged to the trail head only to find that the river had swelled from the recent downpour and our path was completely submerged. The grounds crew have also recently whacked down all the tall scrub grass and weeds too, really opening up the view.


So we continued our jog along the path until we found the hobbit tree. The hobbit tree holds another secret swimming hole farther up the river and it's bank was still above water. Dish headed in to swim with JD hot on his heals, repeating the surprised submerging maneuver of last weekend, only this time JD shook it off and continued to tromp along behind the big dog.


Several offers for cookouts from friends today, but my window of opportunity is short when H. works. H. time is also severely limited throughout the week and I have 4:30p-5:45p to cram in 2 days worth of hang time. So, friends, please don't take offense to my no show. I appreciate the offers and wish it could have worked out, but timing, travel, and chores (dinner prep for H., barn duties, laundry, mending dog fence, hauling recycling, etc...) shifted priorities. I'm so glad tomorrow is a holiday... it'll help in the catching up the behind department.

Oh, and gRant, I will return your call oh master of the calling when I'm away from the phone.

Don't worry, it'll hold together (come on baby hold together)

Monster returned my loaned out rear brake yesterday allowing me to finish building up the commuter. Battered, buckled, and backward mullet-ted Johnny Black Death Cash is reborn sporting the reverse silver/black rim combo of my Moots. Someday I'll have a matching set built up. Maybe with some Mavic 819-26" tubeless Rims?

Cleansing...

More germs than a Canardian Empire

Friday was a different type of day at work. Rather than learning all the new technologies, running sims, and setting up for the next sims, I got to work at my workstation completing additions to a database system for the center. Whenever I start on a new (used) computer, I like to start fresh... and clean. Pay no attention to my idiosyncrasies - such as constant hand washing, parking in the same spot where no drivers side doors can contact it, my rain suit for wet weather walking, facing all the syringes label up and point out, or counting the left foot steps of the 22 sets of stairs in the parking garage.

"97x bam the future of rock and roll"

After a nice quiet day of learning and doing, I was off and running for the three day weekend.

Off and sitting!

Then again, maybe not. At least Tuesday my commuter bike should be ready to roll for the 26 mile stay alive* in and the 23 mile stay alive* home (slightly different route available on the home side).

* copyright: Billy the Wonder Where?


Despite chances for rain to hit, JD and I awoke to a gorgeous sunrise inviting us to seize the day. Since the Monkey doesn't know what a weekend is, we stayed on routine and were up to enjoy breakfast and bowel movements at 5:45am before packing for the days ride. (Like I mentioned before, pay no attention to my idiosyncrasies).

Ah Colorado why do you tempt me so...

Surfing some sites while enjoying a cup of coffee led me to some extra riding inspiration via MikeSee. We don't quite have the rocky mountains but we do have blue sky and clouds.

Hydration for me and the Monkey.

The Monkey prefers the taste of stainless steel kept water while I just can't get enough bpa.

Some energy bars for the Monkey

And some for me... mmm caramel season

A little extra awesome

I like to pack a little extra Awesome when I ride one of the local trails where I normally run into some folks new to off road cycling. Today though, OldGreg and Monster would be out and they could use all the extra Awesome available. In fact, had Monster used his Awesome Strap instead of the saddle sore of a bag perhaps he would have avoided his digger? Get Awesome!

(If you read this and see me out, ask and maybe I'll have a little extra Awesome to share)

The Monkey ready and waiting

out and abooots on the Moots

The Monster seen out enjoying one of the local trails, kinda like capturing footage of a sasquatch.

Is that an 8Ball bike?

For the second time in 2 weekends, another walking out with a flat rider was aided by my Awesomeness allowing me to carry 2 tubes. This rider was fixed up with a 26" tube into his 29" wheel. Not sure why 8Ball has such issues getting that to work, mine went in fine. I'm hoping all this good trail karma keeps the flats at bay on my commute. We'll see. Usually Karma just likes to bite you in the arse when you aren't looking.

Prepping for Cross Season

The shortening days, the cooling temps, the foggy mornings, the Tanner riding the tricross around the trail, all signs that point to the looming cross season. Beer and deli meat with a side of cross documentary is the best method of easing into the next leg of the year long cycling season.

Brief Weekly Highlights

My Lucky Locker

• I got a locker to store clothing in which helps when bike commuting
• I was able to eat lunch 3 days this week!
  
• t.roy answered the kingdom call and was able to press in my headset for the commuter
• t.roy has a killer Amber on tap at West L.A.B.
• The Monkey pup has synced his schedule with mine, allowing for full night sleeps
• Dish's foot is healed up nicely and he's back to active duty, instead of inactivity duty
• A 3 day weekend approaches which should give me some ride and build time
• oh... and I got paid!!

King-dom Come, thy headset will be done...

My kingdom for a headset press! (Warning: Actual kingdom consists of a Tinkertoy Ferris wheel, a Lego building with stairs that go no where, and a couple Lincoln log cabins).

Sitting in traffic on the way home, after turning off of a sitting in traffic thorough-go-no-where-fare only to sit in more traffic once the traffic started moving staring at a check engine light mocking* me, had me daydreaming of the copacetic delectation of bike commuting. Such a wide shoulder meandering into the hills far, far away from the idling iron coffins of doom. But alas, I need a headset press. That's the only thing preventing me from finishing building up a commutercycle.

I have decided against riding my only mtb as a commuter due to:

• it having to live outside in the elements (not inside the element)
• no windows at work to see said outside in the elements bike
• it would break the bank big time to have to replace the bike if something happened
• too many expensive components too easily removable from the bike
• the thought of a carbon fork mingling and knocking about others frightens me
  
• it would break the bank big time to have to replace the bike if something happened
• friends scared me with tales of horror and bike thefts
• it would break the bank big time to have to replace the bike if something happened
• loss of it could be detrimental to my health

The conundrum: Work has me unable to get to a bike shop before closing hours and the closest local shop doesn't do wrench work on Saturdays. Drats, if only I had some opportunity to win a small wheeled Canardian bike-a-cycle!

So, until I can get the headset issue resolved, call me "Sits in traffic".

* check engine light is for a random misfire that I took the car back two times last week for the dealer to fix. Twice they had it overnight. Twice they said it was nothing, yet here it is, staring at me, mocking me, drawing my eyes with its amber shine down and to the left, down and to the left, down and to the left...

Missing The Sun

The Monkey taking a break at L4

Wishing I were out there enjoying the fantastic weather and not locked in a dark, windowless 10 hour days. Then again the happenings in the dark, windowless hall sure are fun. Looking forward to card access and a set schedule to balance life around. Blog posts, such as this, will suffer in the interim. Send all complaints to Mike Piazza C/O Team Dicky dot bloggy dot blog. For now it's a few minutes of roughhouse time with the monkey then off to work.

A Day in Defeated Creek

Joe, Hannah, H., JD (aka Monkey), and I headed out to meet up with Jeffy, Wendy, Maria, Steven, Ruthie, and Brian out near Carthage TN at Defeated Creek for an afternoon of mountain biking, grilling, and chilling. Sunny, 76 with a cool breeze, and a Stanley built trail = hell yeah!

The trail rocks. Great climbs, fun switchbacks, 2 mile descents, dips, bumps, and jumps. I love a Stanley trail. There is a full fledged campground, bathrooms, pavilions, playgrounds, marina, and lake along with 9 miles of great singletrack. Definitely a little hidden slice of heaven. I imagine some killer road riding can be had in the area too. It'd make a great low budget, high value weekend getaway spot.

sequence: Ruthie motoring up a switchback on her new GF Superfly 29'er:

Motor powered by Swiftwick?

The Hannah

H. is all smiles with Joe in pursuit

Joe rocking the rigid

Meat Master Steven manned the grill (under Joe's watchful eye)

H. actually got to get out and enjoy a weekend day!

Contractually Obligated Moots Mug Shot.

H. getting in some cuddle time with the Monkey

The Group

Thanks to Wendy and Jeffy, Joe and Hannah, and Steven and Ruthie for bringing all the grub. The only thing missing was some swim time in the lake, but given the coolness of the day, it's probably for the best. Defeated Creek is definitely added to the trail rotation.

One tired Monkey

Dirt Checks And Beers

Swiftwick wool Moots Retro socks and Scrubs, a match made in TN

Friday evening, Yazoo was hosting the big check presentation from the DSG crew to SORBA. The funds were from the race donations and the Moots MootoX frame raffle. I took a ton of photos, but it was with Clay's camera (which is freakin' sweet) and I wasn't allowed to keep it. But be assured, a big check was presented: $3505 on one of those comical oversized checks.

Anyone happen to nab my Moots Flag?

Local filmmaker Rick Kimmel showed one of his recent films of the SORBA Fat Tire Festival out at Hamilton Creek and many of the local riders that don't get out much were able to come out and tie a few on.

Chandler explaining Mathematical theory to that reading guy. "You see, 2 beers is greater than your 1 beer"

The Magic of Amarillo Hops

Your current Middle TN SORBA El Presidente drunk riding the fish. Not really sure what Jeffy is doing, Hannah is hoping the wheels hold up, JD is wanting to chase, H. is laughing at the idiocy, and Jeff not Scott is missing his 650b's... But what is that symbol on Squish's back?

Ah, it's the Kung Fu Panda... Judy Chop!

Recent Moots convert won a new hat. Note the coke cup

Post Tap Room, we headed over to Pizza Perfect for some chow. Sober Driver me took Squish's keys from him and drove his happy arse over for food. Sober Driver H. hauled the pups and the Hann, and Sober Driver Steven drove Ruthie the wrong way on a one way? Those rednecks from Putnum County apparently aren't to be left alone in the big city. Steven kept asking why we painted lines on our gravel roads and what was the point for the red/yellow/green lights ...

Steven, how many times have you been to the city?

Reedles showed up so Jeffy arm punched him.

To which Steven was quick to point out a better method.

Someone (Hannah) dropped the ball and let the squish order beer when he was supposed to be sobering up. So Wendy stepped up and took control (and his beer).


Jeffy, apparently upset he didn't get the beer, bravely (read: foolishly) challenged her to an arm wrestling match, winner take all.

Jeffy feeling the pain

To the victor go the spoils! Wendy saves the day, err... night

Thanks to:

• Steven and Ruthie for skipping the once in a lifetime chance to see their nephew's high school football team win and hanging out with us.
• H for bringing the pups
  
• Jeffy marrying Wendy (cuz we wouldn't hang out with him otherwise)
• Wendy for continually ripping JD from my arms scolding me about scents
• Squish for the running commentary and off key "singing"
• Hannah for damning 2 more of Jeffy's pets, the use of the parking pass, and the pizza
  
• That Reed guy I guess
• Clay and Steve for bringing the DSG love and schwag ( I got a Misfit spacer kit)
  
• Darryl and Sorba
• Rick "Jam Danver" Kimmel for all the films and hard work
• Chander, Jeff not Scott, Joey, Jose, Taylor, Matthew, John, and all the other local mtb riders that came out and for their continued support

All those (Steve, Beth, Brandi, random Yazoo patroness, weird Canardian guy) that were loving on JD and wanting a Catahoula, we got him from Kirk and he has 3 awesome puppies remaining.