Foo - Whatcha doin'?

Do you have satellite or cable? Can you subscribe for it just for a couple of months while the season lasts? If the first 10 laps of the first race are any indication, it'll be a lot of fun this year! :D
I had looked into it. For cost savings, I'm currently running a bare-bones analog cable connection. It would cost me something like $40/month extra to get the Speed Channel since I'd have to upgrade to digital cable, and then get one of the premium packages. And pay setup costs, which would be amortized over only a few months.

I'm kind of strange with my money sometimes... I'll happily spend a lot on a car, but I won't pay that $40/month. My dad found it hilarious that my mom and I were discussing the price of bread when shopping for groceries just before heading back to the BMW dealership. I admit discussing a 50 cent difference in two loaves of bread is a bit silly. But as for being able to watch F1, I set my bike budget at $10/hour of use. (I'm well over-budget at the moment, but I expect to be under-budget by the end of 2006.) I'd watch F1 perhaps 4 hours per month. (Two 2-hour races.) I don't think I value it as much as riding my bike, so I can't justify paying anywhere close to $40/month for it. I'll probably go to a sports bar or something for the Monaco GP, though.

I just washed my bike and took a shower. Evil wasp out there almost stung me!

Argh... I woke up from a nap and I feel terrible. Tired despite lots of sleep. Very dehydrated despite trying to ensure late last night and this morning that I'd be properly hydrated. I think I'll just stay in and watch TV and perhaps get some trainer miles in. Argh...

just got back from a very lonnnnnnnnnnng 33 miler. Took this guy out with me that has been hounding me to start dating him again. I finally decided to call his bluff and invite him on a ride with me...<insert evil grin here>. He has a bike from his buddy and started riding it shortly after we met (what an influence I am, eh?) and has been talking about how many miles he puts in after work...blah blah blah. so I invite him out.

Poor guy shows up on dirty, greasy old road bike with tube shifters (remember those?..and, not that there is anything with that, UNLESS you are unsteady on your bike and to have to reach down to change your gearing....), toe clips, gym shorts, old rock hard seat and one bottle of water.

Ok..OK! I was nice and let him set the pace and gave him helpful little hints to get him through the ride. I made sure we stopped plenty so he could drink his water (he hasn't quite mastered the rolling and drinking thing yet), and at 16 miles, he got some gatorade. We finished the darn thing at 13 MPH average, so I guess the day could have been longer. I did get some sun, I did get more miles towards my 1500 goal and it was a glorious day, so all is not lost. I am not sure if he'll ride with me again (poor thing). He said he is going to buy a new seat, but doesn't seem too keen on the padded shorts idea (Him: "i have enough padding on my seat already", Me: "well, it's not your seat I'm worried about, it's your boys." Him: silence....)

running off to grill out some fishies for dinner with friends! y'all have a nice evening!

Liz

I just got in from a short ride. What a great day!

I just did 30 miles. First good ride of the year.

CM, your goal is 1500 miles a month? That's like my 1 year goal. Actually, I don't have a goal. And that 13 mph avg is better than my avg. for yesterday's ride. I wonder how fast my avg would be on a road bike? Hmmm....gonna go look up road bike prices now...:D

edit: It's rainy and wet out so no ride although I wasn't planning one. I was planning to go rollerblading instead, but decided to go to B&N and stock up on some books. Taking a break from reading one of them now.

Well, I was planning on going for a good 30 miler this afternoon, but a friend in my community wanted to try out a bike. So, pulled out one of the dusty xMart Mongoose MTB's (I'd lend her my KHS MTB, but it's pulled apart in my shop) out of the garage and got her "fit" on it. It was a very easy 13 mile ride since she had never ridden before. She'll pay to fix up the old Peugot so she can take it out on the road (a donated rebuild). It was quite interesting, because in most athletic activities, she's made a lot of guys "cry" (she was a keeper in soccer for a Division 1 school--I saw her hold a wall sit for over 30 minutes without any leg shaking). However, I had her puffing on this one. Afterwards, I watched Les Miserables (Liam Neeson version) with some buddies.

I'm just surfing the forums, trying to decide what to eat before getting ready for work. Also trying to figure out why Myspace is being such a *****.:mad: Maybe I broke it?:o




just got back from a very lonnnnnnnnnnng 33 miler. Took this guy out with me that has been hounding me to start dating him again. I finally decided to call his bluff and invite him on a ride with me...<insert evil grin here>. He has a bike from his buddy and started riding it shortly after we met (what an influence I am, eh?) and has been talking about how many miles he puts in after work...blah blah blah. so I invite him out.

Poor guy shows up on dirty, greasy old road bike with tube shifters (remember those?..and, not that there is anything with that, UNLESS you are unsteady on your bike and to have to reach down to change your gearing....), toe clips, gym shorts, old rock hard seat and one bottle of water.

Ok..OK! I was nice and let him set the pace and gave him helpful little hints to get him through the ride. I made sure we stopped plenty so he could drink his water (he hasn't quite mastered the rolling and drinking thing yet), and at 16 miles, he got some gatorade. We finished the darn thing at 13 MPH average, so I guess the day could have been longer. I did get some sun, I did get more miles towards my 1500 goal and it was a glorious day, so all is not lost. I am not sure if he'll ride with me again (poor thing). He said he is going to buy a new seat, but doesn't seem too keen on the padded shorts idea (Him: "i have enough padding on my seat already", Me: "well, it's not your seat I'm worried about, it's your boys." Him: silence....)

running off to grill out some fishies for dinner with friends! y'all have a nice evening!

Liz
Great story, CycleMagic! If he buys the shorts, I think he might be serious about you.;) Hopefully he keeps ridin', regardless.

Mmmm, grilled fishies....:D

just got back from a very lonnnnnnnnnnng 33 miler.

Love your story, Liz. :lol: Made me feel a bit better about my "ride" today. :o I decided to just spin around on my trainer some instead of going out for a proper ride, which probably was a good idea seeing as I was in such bad shape endurance-wise. That's not good with a hilly century coming up in two months. :mad:

Back on topic...


Forum browse.
Stomach growls.
Pizza Hut delivers
a large Meat Lover's.

CM, your goal is 1500 miles a month? That's like my 1 year goal. Actually, I don't have a goal. And that 13 mph avg is better than my avg. for yesterday's ride. I wonder how fast my avg would be on a road bike? Hmmm....gonna go look up road bike prices now...:D

edit: It's rainy and wet out so no ride although I wasn't planning one. I was planning to go rollerblading instead, but decided to go to B&N and stock up on some books. Taking a break from reading one of them now.
oohhhaaaaaa! no, my goal is 15k for the YEAR! Yea, i, actually, was pretty proud of him for muscling through it all at that rate. I was thinking we would average about 10 MHP once we got started. so, good for him, and his ego!

i used to ride a Giant Iguana (must have weighed an even ton!) and when I got my c-dale (my baby), it was simply amazing how those long terrible hills were not so long or terrible any more! your average will make a quantum leap with a road bike (for road riding, that is...)

What am I doing right now?

Fuming.

Great story, CycleMagic! If he buys the shorts, I think he might be serious about you.;) Hopefully he keeps ridin', regardless.

Mmmm, grilled fishies....:D
he can buy the shorts. and he can keep riding. i do not need him to be serious about me though..... ;)

Back on topic...


Forum browse.
Stomach growls.
Pizza Hut delivers
a large Meat Lover's.
did you get jalapenos on that? yummm!

What am I doing right now?

Fuming.
Everything okay?

did you get jalapenos on that? yummm!
No, just a plain Meat Lover's. Maybe I'll try it with jalapenos sometime.

What am I doing right now?

Fuming.
whooooa! back up the train! wasn't today "a great day"?! what happened??? :eek:

just got back from a very close celtics game. And finally we one!

It was sweeet! Now I have to read chapter 10 in all quiet on the western front... :(

oh btw, my leg still hurts... :cry:

No, just a plain Meat Lover's. Maybe I'll try it with jalapenos sometime.
oh, yea! my favorite: peperoni and jalapenos...must have a cold beer with it though: mandatory

oh, yea! my favorite: peperoni and jalapenos...must have a cold beer with it though: mandatory
Does it reheat well? [edit: Alternatively, does it taste good cold?] If so, I'll try it sometime. If not, I'll have to wait for an occasion when I have other people to feed, too.

^^never tried it cold...always ate it hot (with cold beer, remember: mandatory)

Dinner arrived a little while ago, so I'm eating. Staying in since I'm not feeling particularly socialable. Too much socializing the last few days. Need to just relax for a day.

ok. am finally tired. have to be in at 0700 tomorrow morning, bah! night, all! yes, J. sounds like you have been quite the social butterfly! have a nice, quiet evening!

I'm stuffed. Maybe I shouldn't have eaten so much. Anyway, I guess I'll watch some TV.

I can't hold my tongue anymore. Pizza Hut sucks. So does Domino's and Little Caesar's and that other nasty pizza chain the name of which escapes me at the moment. Sorry, just ranting cuz I can't stand any of the pizza from those joints.

Anyways, watching tv and just finished reading a book. Got 3 more to enjoy. And I'm thinking about eating a slize of sausage, mushroom and fresh garlic pizza.

I'm getting ready to leave work. Whoo hoo! Sadly, the rest of the day will be spent with Little One and her hearing appointment. But it's 71 out! SEVENTY-ONE! Whoo hoo!

I'm getting ready to leave work. Whoo hoo! Sadly, the rest of the day will be spent with Little One and her hearing appointment. But it's 71 out! SEVENTY-ONE! Whoo hoo!
71! That's about 16 degrees higher than our projected high today! :mad:

71! That's about 16 degrees higher than our projected high today! :mad:

Whoo hoo! My weather switch wish came true!

I'm working BOO-HOO. Had a wonderful weekend though and looking for the weather to get WARMER!!!

BF was acting weird this morning so I looked at mtbr.com. It's just not as good.

Whoo hoo! My weather switch wish came true!
:mad: :mad: I DEMAND MY WEATHER BACK! :mad: :mad:

Pwnage

I just came back from class. We're having crazy snow storms here. It felt like I was getting sand-blasted by the snow, and the wind kept changing directions. I just got back from spring break and brought my bike with me, but it looks like it might be a few more weeks, or months, before I'll get a chance to ride the trails. :(

Get some snow studs and slap 'em on your bike. Then ride like you lost your mind.

Getting my laptop set up for working at home tomorrow. Gotta wait for the UPS man to deliver my package from Nashbar. Woohoo!

i just got back from a bike ride and a bug branch hit me, well sliced, me on the top part of my head. ******* branch :mad:. I will cut that evil branch and throw it in a tree schredder8D. Any higher i would have been it would have sacked my forehead and I would have prolly fell backwards. Whew close call.

Hope you wuz wearing glasses or goggles EJ. Any lower and it coulda poked yer eye out.

Just finished my dinner break, which was not that relaxing since I was on the phone with my sister for most of it helping her deal with guy issues. (Relaying PRG's advice to my sister and interjecting some advice of my own.)

Evidently, my parents' reservation at French Laundry is for Easter lunch. My sister told me that she'll be at lunch with them, and if I go up to SF, they'll change the reservation to four people so that I can attend. Hmm, that means if I go up, my parents probably will want to drive up with me to save on driving effort. And with it being their anniversary, I'm not going to say no if they ask.

I'm currently planning the reaction I have to set up. It's going to be a somewhat long night.

Going to bed, night:D

Just got home. Destressing a bit, then headed to bed. Don't feel like prepping my bike for commuting tonight, but perhaps I'll get around to it tomorrow morning.

:mad: :mad: I DEMAND MY WEATHER BACK! :mad: :mad:

*sigh* Sad as it is, your weather has run away.....I don't know where it is now. It escaped. Snowing here right now with a high of 40 promised. *sigh*

I'm drinking an iced chai. Construction which had conspired to keep me from the iced chais by making it hugely out of the way has been completed. Happy day.

I'm tired. :( And it's about time to drive to work. Bike isn't prepped, and I'm too tired to care anyway. And with a dentist appointment tomorrow, tomorrow's a driving day, too. Not a good way to get back in shape. :(

I'm tired. :( And it's about time to drive to work. Bike isn't prepped, and I'm too tired to care anyway. And with a dentist appointment tomorrow, tomorrow's a driving day, too. Not a good way to get back in shape. :(
ohhh, dear...! somebody calll the WAHHAmbulance! Remember, J: you have a cool car to drive on the "driving days"! I know you'll make up the miles soon!

Okay, about to drag myself to work. Yes, at least the drive's enjoyable. As for making up the miles, I sure hope to be riding regularly soon. But as a last resort, I have a three Sunday plan for getting myself ready for Breathless Agony, the hilly century in May. First Sunday: 50 miler, get myself back in riding form. Second Sunday: 10,000+ vertical feet, get myself feeling good about my climbing. Third Sunday: 70-80 miler, long enough to force proper eating and drinking. Then I should be set.

see, J?! you have it all worked out! no worries, eh?

Yeah, 3 days of riding should be enough to get ready for a hilly century. ;) Good luck!

On topic: eating oatmeal w/ strawberries and bananas for lunch and waiting for the UPS man. Dammit UPS man! Where are you!?

Yeah, 3 days of riding should be enough to get ready for a hilly century. ;) Good luck!
Well, the last 42 miles are all downhill. Just have to survive 72 miles with 12,000 feet of climbing first. I'm not so concerned about the climbing. What concerns me is the large amounts of saddle time since I haven't been riding enough. And of the fact that without some long rides, hydration and nutrition habits get kind of sloppy. Give me those three rides, and I'll be ready. I won't be fast, but I'll be ready.

What you need is a regenerative braking system w/ electric assist for your bike. Brake all the way down the hill to recharge the batteries/capacitors/whatever, then turn on the electric assist up the hill. You should be able to crank one out in a weekend. Anyways, good luck w/ the riding. Maybe go back to doing your pre-breakfast rides 3x a week for some fitness.

Regenerative braking is a no-go. Why would I brake down a hill? And one would require some massive batteries to have enough power to help meaningfully up the final 30 mile climb. As for my pre-breakfast rides, yes, I really need to get back to doing those. They used to happen four times a week. (Tu-Th, Sat) More like once every two weeks recently. :mad: Nothing like 7000 vertical feet before breakfast every week to keep in good climbing shape.

Back on topic... I'm pondering the results of last night's reaction. And writing some impressions of prospective grad students for my professor, who unfortunately had to be out of town during last week's recruiting activities.