SD Fixed

So Monday night (25 May) I pack up a meager collection of clothes, uniforms, under garments, a few bits of normal clothes. All I can bring is what fits into two bags (no more than 35 lbs each) and a carry on. It’s my last evening with the family, but I manage to get out on my Bianchi for about 10 minutes.. I play around doing skids and trying to get a track stand on.. no joy there. A few hard cranks up the hills, and few sprints. I take the bike to the garage and hang it up, throw over the lock, and here that click.

Goodbyes are never fun, but more so now with my daughter being older and knowing the concept of time and distance. Tuesday morning came to soon, seemingly leaving a million things undone. At the airfield, my wife and I say a quick goodbye. There’s no need to keep things at some long lengthy good by, we’ve both agreed. But there’s always that feeling of things unsaid, or the worry that it could be the last time. Anything can happen, you know?

Up up and away via NALO flight to Norfolk via. We land in a sticky heat in a flat land of many trees. The air is thick and heavy. We slug our bags onto the bus; slug our selves onto the ship. We argue over who sleeps where, un pack, and slowly mill about, to jet lagged to sleep, to tired to do anything productive. Norfolk is not impressive, if you ask me. We catch a cab out to the town and don’t find anything. We end up taking a large loop back, only to stop at a place called the Music Box. It’s a dive bar if there ever was one. A group of us drink beer in the spray painted black room with home baked speakers hooked to the wall, and watch locals play pool. The bartenders are friendly, to the point of flirty, just working for tips. I feel a mixture of empathy and sadness for them. They see a great slice of life, but a lot of it the down sliding of people.. The bar feels lonely, and I sink back into the bar seat .. I nurse a beer, and bum a smoke. The eagles play in the back ground “Hotel California”. We all laugh about it, the irony of hearing this song, being from California, to hear it in Virginia, and everyone in the bar singing along. Through the smoke and the haze the song comes to a certain life that only can exist in a place that is foreign to you..

On the way back, I notice that it’s so flat, and the lanes are so huge, and the lights so far between, I can imagine being laid out flat on the bike, legs going like a madman, cruising along at hyper speed, impossible in San Diego, with it’s hills, many lights, narrow streets. I wish I had a bike at that moment.. just me and the road, burning off the beer, the wind blowing off the smell of cigarettes and vinyl bar seats. The song filtering out of my head and into the wind behind me.

Back on the ship: it’s HUGE. I’ve covered 14 stories of it now. We refuse to say we are lost, we just take the long way to work. I’ve found the forward gym, and my new bike is a Lifecycle 2500. It’s right under the front of the ship, so at times the planes are being launched. Shhhhhhh… BANG. If you put your helmet to a metal doorframe and slammed the door as hard as you could.. that’s the feeling. The first time, I nearly jumped off the bike, it scared the @#$3 out of me. But, it’s at least entertainment now. There’s 3 other bikes, a few treadmills, two fan rowing machines. Small room so when it’s full, the ceiling (overhead) drips condensation, and sweat. The weather gets more humid every day. 4 places to eat, nearly 24 hours a day. Decent food. The crew is pretty friendly, hard working. I watch planes take off and land at sea. All the descriptions don’t do it justice. If you love or hate war and the machines of war, or are merely indifferent: A nuclear powered carrier is a marvel of creation. The scope of detail and ability to be self-sufficient is something to behold.

We crossed the line recently.. that is to say, we crossed the equator, and preformed the ancient ceremony where as all slimly pollywogs become shellbacks. I don’t know who comes up with these traditions, but they’ve got a wicked sense of humor. I’m told it’s heavily watered down now, compared to days past. But after standing in front of King Neptune 4 times, and having to re run the gamut several times, I find it sufficient. I’ll let 165 run with the jokes on me and several other’s blowing pad eyes, doing the crotch walk in large groups, and me running about singing “I’m a little teapot”. As ridiculous as it may seem, it joins together people who may not normally ever talk. With 3000 people, it’s possible you’ll never lay eyes on everyone.

Soon Brazil, for a few days. I’ll actually get to see the Coco cabana, the Christo, and who knows what else. I’m not sure I’ll actually convince anyone to rent bikes and go for a ride.. there’s a huge fear of crime and targeted terrorism. But, it’s my intention to get out and see something other than a bar and watered down mall.

Hope everyone is doing well, strap the feet in tight, watch the right hook, and well blah blah blah..

pitboss

Let the running begin!

well, are these for the WK "USO All Navy Review" you are scheduled to perform? Or just something lacy for the hard-working guys on the flight deck?

be safe

familyman

Soooo........ any hot chicks on the boat?
Make it back home.

fixedgearhead

Hope everyone is doing well, strap the feet in tight, watch the right hook, and well blah blah blah..[/QUOTE]

Just remember not to bend over and pick up the soap when you are in the shower after having been out on the cruise for any extended length of time.

fixedgearhead

progre-ss

God Bless WK! Safe passage and all that. May your dreams be first of your wife and daughter and second, riding fixed, feet strapped in tight, and a long road ahead.

Keep us posted.

James

trailhound

I went through the whole Shellback initiation in 1978. Four more times I was on the giving end! Funny what you'll do to keep your sanity on a long cruise.

I appreciate the sacrifice you are making, WK. Thank you for your service to our country.

Karl, ex SM2

skitbraviking

1) Ah come on! Give us all the humiliating details. You may as well because if you don't, we'll make them up and I am sure that they'll be worse.

2) I bet it does, sailor boy.

3) Be safe, I've heard crazy stories. And I don't necessarily believe in God but I say with all best intentions: Good Speed.

Peace.

PS: IS there a Web site that has specs or a floor plan of such a ship that we civilians can look at?

lucklust

https://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/...s/ship-cv.html

Thylacine

Happy sailling Willie. I'm getting all your shipborne emails just fine - ah, the wonders of modern technology. I reckon you must be having a blast being in such a huge vessel going right arround Sth America - and you get to go to Rio! Mmmm...Brazilians.

I'll post a pic in a minute of the 'annodic bronze' colour option for your new frame. Let's see what the peanut gallery thinks....

dobber

Why did I have a sudden image of a guy running around in a red shirt, white hat, yelling..... "Skipper!!!"

MKRG

You calling us peanuts thundercat boy?

I think he meant "God speed" but whatever, I agree either way.

Thylacine

Naw, you're more like the animals that catch them. Ooh look, pretty colours >>>

MKRG

I deserved that.

I LIKEY that bronze colour!

Thylacine

Yeah, it's pretty nice 'ay? Don't think Will was super impressed with my 80's yellow. Just as well i didn't suggest something fluro.

Hey, when I think 'sloping top tube' i think 'funny bike' I think '1980's.' *shrug* Don't blame me, blame Greg Lemond.

skitbraviking

So what are those beauties going for?

UNCLECHET

Thanks for putting it on the line for us W.K.. Keep us posted and good luck. Hell, thank everybody you see on that ship. From me anyway. Freedom is not free. I'm glad there's people like you.

AdrianB

Safe journey to you and all onboard!

Thylacine

Hey look! Another Aussie! Oi Oi Oi! :rollseyes:

AdrianB

You said it not me.