Posted On Monday, December 22nd, 2008 By David Veatch
After having seen the video today of duder mounting and dismounting the E-Motion Rollers, I decided that I was tired of having to rely on walls to balance myself when I, myself, mounted the rollers. I decided I was tired of having to use a crutch to get started on my indoor workouts. I decided that I was tired of requiring assistance in order to get the aluminum drums rolling and my wheels flying on them. I decided that I was going to learn how to ride them alone. Without aid. Without hesitation And without fear. And on my own. Imagining myself mounting the rollers as effortlessly and naturally as the honorable man in the video, I set about slowly and patiently. I took heed to his example and first mastered the initial spin. I spun the wheels and balanced the bike until the rollers stopped and the bike threatened to fall. I did this until I could perform the maneuver as easily as switching from G to C in the first position. Then, just as slowly, and just as patiently, I began to move my left foot to the pedal. Not to clip in, no, but only to increase more »
Posted On Monday, December 22nd, 2008 By David Veatch
So, in case you haven’t noticed, it’s pretty cold. It’s been in the single digits for a while now, and in case I haven’t mentioned it, I’m not a fan of riding in the cold. My excuse the last week or so has been b/c I’ve been sick with a minor upper respiratory tract infection. My excuse this week is that it’s Christmas week, and as such, is pretty hectic. My excuse next week will be b/c it’s New Years, and I’ll be very tired because of it. I know, those are excuses, not reasons. After all is said and done, the truth is if I wanted to, I’d find a way. But unlike others, I’ve had to face the cold (ha!) harsh reality that riding in the sub-zero cold is too harsh for me. I won’t whine about why it’s too harsh for me, suffice to say that for daily outings, it just is. Riding should be fun. Riding in tear-freezing temperatures, at least for me, isn’t. That’s my burden to bear, and I bear it without shame. But that leaves me with a problem. I do love to ride, and I love the benefits of riding. I’m healthier more »
Posted On Friday, December 19th, 2008 By David Veatch
Posted On Monday, December 15th, 2008 By David Veatch
When, at the same time one encounters temperatures below 10… verily, below 5, and a persistent cough due to cold, one might be tempted to throw on layer after wind breaking layer, air up the tires, lube up the chain with a durable lubricant, wheel the bicycle out of the garage and make ones way against 10+ mph cross and head winds the 8 miles to work. Not me. This morning, I resisted the temptation, utter and compelling though it was, and decided to eschew the saddle for the seat… the handlebar for the steering wheel… the painful yet oddly numb fingers and toes and lips and nose for the same, but toasty and warm. I’m proud of myself. It’s not often that I’ll be so staunch and resolute in the resistance of temptation, hedonist that I am. But this morning, I put my foot down, and though the Drop was calling my name loudly and clearly, I had to let her down, pass her by, and sit my butt down in the seat behind a steering wheel instead. My cough, painful and persistent as it is, might have bolstered my ability to resist the temptation to ride this morning, more »
Posted On Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 By David Veatch
I’m home again today on account of throat crud. About halfway through my ride home yesterday, I felt a familiar soreness when I swallowed. I rejected it it out of hand. Nope. Not going to happen again, not so soon. I can’t remember the last time I was sick, but I don’t think it was that long ago. Blah. Doesn’t matter. I’m home now, and it’s snowing out. Today would have been a fantastic day to ride! But the way it’s snowing, I’m sure I’ll have tomorrow as well. BTW, the answer to yesterday’s question is Steven Brust. I *love* the communication style between his characters.
Posted On Monday, December 8th, 2008 By David Veatch
In the break room this morning I was chatting with a co worker. She mentioned that they were predicting snow this week. I’m not in the old habit of checking the forecast yet, so it was a surprise to me. “No. Snow you say?” “Yes. Snow, even as I say it.” “And so you do. Fah. I hope it’s not too bad.” “Tell me, may I ask you a question?” “Certainly. You may ask anything, but I reserve the right to refuse to answer.” “But of course. This then, is my question.” “I anxiously await your question. Please note how I stand ready.” “Here it is then: Will you be riding your bike in the snow?” “Certainly! But only if it snows lightly. I don’t like too many inches, after all.” I’ll leave it up to the reader to find the humor in that. If you found it, you and I think alike. If not… then I must admit to part of me being rather proud of you. And a question of my own, posed to you: Can you guess the name of the author I’m reading right now?
Posted On Friday, December 5th, 2008 By David Veatch
Temperature at Departure: 16°F Average Speed: 13.2mph. Wind Chill Factor: ~0°F That, my friends, is cold. It may not be Antarctica cold, but it’s cold. I did OK in the clothing department, though my face suffered a bit. I’ve not bothered yet with the balaclava, on account of not liking the affect it has on breathing and how grungy they get, though this morning gave me cause to seriously reconsider that position. I’ve found, that on days as cold as today, that as much as clothing, the trick to keeping warm is to balance the time you spend out in it, and the speed at which you ride in it. You can’t go too fast b/c the bitterly cold wind will work it’s way through clothing eventually. For me, it starts with the fingers and toes and moves in from there. Then again, you can’t go too slow b/c the cold air will, eventually, work it’s way through the same clothing. The thing is… the trick, you see, is that it’ll take a lot longer on a calm day to get cold than on a windy day. So… For that reason, I typically err on the side of taking it more »
Posted On Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008 By David Veatch
Temperature at departure – ~34°F. It was pleasantly warm on the way in to work this morning. I was dressed more heavily than usual, on account of the drop in temperature expected this afternoon, but even my face, which I typically leave uncovered, was relatively comfortable. Even with a mildly stiff NNW wind, I wasn’t that cold. Third day back in the saddle and I’m already feeling better because of it. Other than the temperature, it was completely, blissfully, wonderfully uneventful.
Posted On Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008 By David Veatch
Overheard two nights ago at Shooters in Olathe: “McDonald’s fries give Burger King fries the 6.“
Posted On Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 By David Veatch
I’m on a conference call with my headphones on. It’s the kind of one-ear headphone set with a microphone that curves around in front of the mouth. I have a bag of peanuts. I have a handful of peanuts. I swing hand with peanuts up towards face to place peanuts in mouth. Peanuts hit microphone. I have a lap full of peanuts.