5.5 miles in 80 minutes

Sometimes I don't travel far, but still spend a lot of time and energy to get to my destination. On Thursday Boston was pounded with fast falling snow that left 8-10 inches in 6-7 hours time. It was as if the city didn't own a single plow or sander.

Since I had ridden to work in the morning, I figured I should ride home as well rather than ask my wife to venture out in such weather. It was comical really. I spent the majority of my 5.5 mile commute walking and carrying my bike through stopped traffic. The roads were parking lots with people abandoning cars, turning off their engines, and generally looking miserable. I on the other hand, had a big smile on my face as people laughed from overcrowded bus stops or within fogged cars. My response: "I'll be home a lot sooner than any of you!"

I was able to walk considerably faster than the traffic. Outside of major intersections I was able to ride/slide in the packed tire tracks, pedestrian packed sidewalks, or the fluff covered bike lane. I traversed Watertown, Allston, Brighton, Brookline, and into JP before arriving home. I haven't had that much fun on my bicycle in a long time.

I heard from my neighbors that it took as long as 5 hours to drive the same distance that I had spent 80 minutes walking/riding/sliding. Somedays it really sucks to be in a car.

never ceases to amaze me

I've flown some 50,000 miles this year yet i continue to be amzed by the behavior of my fellow travelers. On my first flight this Thursday I was back of the bus. The overweight guy next to me was dozing off and couldn't keep his hands on his fat stomach so they kept slipping off and smacking into me. The woman on the other side of me smelled funny. Trapped like a friggin' sardine.

On the next, much longer flight I am squeezed all against the window and the two next to me fall asleep almost instantly. The guy on the aisle was snoring so loud that I could hear him through my noise cancelling headphones.

Well two miserable flights was a tiny price to pay for the unbelievable time I had once I arrived. I made it, my bike made it, and many of the east coast's finest (minus the sandbaggers) made it as well.

After a long weekend of meeting new friends and fantastic racing it was time to pack up again and head out to Dallas for business. I stripped the bike back down to a bare frame and packed it securely for airline travel. Two more flights and I am safely in DFW with my luggage and great memories. Two days of work here and then back to home sweet home.

The holidays are here and I can't wait to celebrate with friends and family. If only I didn't have to travel so much...

Wet t-shirt contest

Finally my travels are taking me somewhere fun for cycling. In fact, this weekend may be the culmination of my cycling (certainly the culmination of my racing) season. To get an idea of what I mean, check out this video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lghImPUL2h0&feature=related

I suspect I will look something like this at some point over the weekend.

After getting muddy with friends I'm off to Dallas for business. I probably won't ride there but you never know.

home sweet home

it's been two+ weeks since i pedaled a bicycle outdoors. My pathetic performance in Putney, VT is the last time I rode outside. I've had a few recumbant excercise machine rides, three or four runs, and one indoor trainer session.

Today I will buck that trend and get back outside, despite the freezing New England temperatures. I've been close to pulling my hair out with such a dormant lifestyle and I need my fix.

Freezing cold toes here I come.

depression

my travel schedule has been killing my fitness, social life, and mental happiness. i now ride once a week (45 minute cyclocross suffer fests). if i am lucky, i can get to the gym and pedal one of these. oh so much fun.

no more travel?

well, i don't think the bike will be coming with me very much this fall and winter. i just don't get enough time during sunlight hours when i'm traveling for work now. this week i'm in poughkeepsie, ny and since i drove, it was easy to just bring my regular cross bike.

i'm nursing some body discomforts so it's ok that i don't have the time to put in long miles while i'm here. let the body heal, right? i rode a few miles, practiced some remounts, and checked out vasser college. fall is a pretty time with the leaves changing. despite the unseasonably warm weather though, the campus was rather empty so i was able to tool around on the grass without the usual funny looks.

next week i'm off to seattle where i get to hang out with this guy. Yeah, he is pretty awesome and promised to lend me a bike to ride so I don't have to check the trusty Ritch-y. I'll try to post a report if we get out on two wheels this Monday.

To the Cape!

Usually I have to get on a plane to see my clients. On Tuesday I had a visit to a local client a mere 40 miles away in Attleboro. The timing couldn't have been better. There is a great Tuesday night cyclocross training series in Middleboro. I didn't have to pack the Ritchey this time since I was driving so I brought my race bike instead. If you can get to Middleboro, MA on a Tuesday evening, I'd strongly recommend this fun training race. There were McCormacks, Hot Tubes kids, women, fixed gears, and regular joes like me. At the end they raffled off some beer, coffee, and socks for everyone who paid to enter the race. Despite not winning the raffle, I had fun.

I'll be there again this coming Tuesday if weather permits..

Davidson miles

I got a nice 60 miles in on Thursday in Huntersville, Davidson, Mooresville, North Carolina. I'll post some pictures and more details soon. Overall it was a nice hot day for a ride.

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/view.do?episodePk.pkValue=4205400 ...,m