It's beginning to look alot like.......Autumn?

Still pretty damn nice weather here in Wisconsin (especially seeing it's December). I never thought I'd still be riding this deep into the season, but I got out this morning for a quick jaunt. 33 degrees and no snow on the ground at 4:00 on a December morning is nothing to complain about. Clear skies and early morning hours have really made for some beautiful "Moon Sets". I can only equate it to an autumnal "harvest moon", but as the moon is goin down rather than coming up, very cool. Things look to change in the near future though, and we'll probably have snow soon (which is ok too, don't get me wrong). Thanks to the mild weather, however, I've been able to add almost 200 extra miles to my 2009 goal. Pretty soon I'll be banished to the indoor stationary and strength training until the snow melts to a reasonable depth.

I've decided to attempt the "Kettleman" Duathlon next September, so training should begin like now. Seriously, I think I've found a good 60 training course to prepare for a duathlon, so we'll see how it goes. Starting to plan for next years rides so if anyone has some good ones that they wouldn't mind me tagging along on let me know.

It's also time to get your "shag" on. With the onset of December, the 2nd annual "Finnish Face Warmer Contest" will begin. Start growing your wooly jaw and we'll look for pictures around the end of March or so. I'm waiting to be de-throned as the current "King of Beards" (and clearly to be brought back down to earth and have my head deflated).

Let's take care of some business:

December Reading:
"Slaughterhouse Five" by Kurt Vonnegut
I'm not sure how to explain this one. It centers around the bombing of Dreseden in WWII, but also jumps back and forth between beings from another planet and bouncing around through time. I know, kind of strange, but surprisingly easy to follow, and rather humorous as well. I actually am looking forward to reading more by Vonnegut.

December Listening:
"Sing-Along Songs for the Damned & Delirious" by Diablo Swing Orchestra


"A Tap Dancer's Dilemma"

Kippis,

Craigers

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your time with friends and family. I'm thankful this year for my beautiful wife and daughter, for great friends to ride with, for being able to walk again, and for being healthy enough to ride and run.

For all of our friends not in the U.S. have a happy Thursday (hehehehe).

Kippis,

Craigers

Happy November!

Hi everyone and Happy November. October came and went way too fast as usual. With all the usual autumn festivities, hayrides, pumpkin patches, apple orchards, and the coup de gras - trick or treating, taking center stage. Not alot occurred in my cycling or fitness world last month, and if it did, I blogged about it. Now I'm just trying to squeeze in as many mile as possible before the snow flies, and to brace for my sudden switch to my "winter training", which will consist of indoor stationary bike, free weights, and the occasional run (weather permitting).

As the weather gets colder, time becomes more well spent with some good reading. My list keeps growing daily, but here's one for you to add to your list.

"The Picture of Dorian Gray" - by Oscar Wilde. A rather good read once you get used to some of the olde english. A tale of a young man cursed by a portrait of himself. As he commits wrong doing, eventually to the point of murder, his sins show up as old age on the portrait, not on him, eventually pushing him to the breaking point. As I read the book, I was reminded of the evil the at everyone has the potential for inside of them if it goes unchecked. As I thought of that, I was reminded of a song and figured I'd add that to the soundtrack of my life for his month.

"The Evil that Men Do" - by Iron Maiden. Off of the 1988 "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son", this is arguably my favorite Maiden album, and equally as arguable, my favorite Maiden song.



I'll leave you with lyrics from "Only the Good Die Young" (also from the same Maiden album), which are also rather fitting for this theme.

"Measure your coffin, does it measure up to your lust........so until the next time have a good sin".

Craigers

That's a BIG Staple

I don't think I shared this story when it happened. 2 1/2 weeks ago. October 10th to be exact. I was out for my usual Saturday morning ride. I rounded a corner and I felt that I had run over something. As I continued to pedal, I could feel an obstruction everytime my rear tire came around. I anticipated that something was caught between the wheel and the frame, or the wheel and the brake lever, or something to that extent. So at the next stop sign I proceeded to look.

What I found was something that actually punctured my tire. It didn't look very thick or large so I decided to pull it out and continue riding. I got my Park Tool multi-tool (cheap plug) out and yanked to metal from my rear tire. It was then that I heard the dreaded hiiiiiiiisssssssssss. It was dark out yet, so I adjusted my position so I could use the streetlamp to see waht I removed. What I saw was the BIGGEST STAPLE that I have ever seen. I'm talking a staple that may have been used on a weight reduction surgery for an elephant. I'd say it looked similar to the one in the top row, second from left in this picture.

Quickly, I tried to stick it back in my tire (to plug the hole of course - this plug was cheaper than my previous advertisement for Park Tool). It worked for about 500 ft. I then walked the remaining 3 miles home. Needless to say, I replaced the tube that day and was ready to roll again, but I'd figured I'd share one of my "hiccups".

2009 Goal.....reached

This morning at about 4:20 A.M. CST, I reached my goal for the 2009 season. I have succesfully pedaled 651 miles this season (my goals was 650 - double last season's mileage). So from here on out, it's all extra. So now I'm looking to set my goal for next year. LEt's hear what you guys think. Please feel free to post waht you think my goal should be for next season. Please keep a few things in mind before you post 2000 miles:

1) This is Wisconsin - we have snow and winter here
2) The most I've ever riden in one shot has been 50 miles (excluding stationary bikes and not saying that I wouldn't ride further than that.
3) I have a 21 month old at home, so time is at a premium.

All reasonable suggestions will be considered.

In the mean time - October reading? Read "The Masked Rider" by Neil Peart. It's all about his cycling journeys through Western Africa. As usual from Neil, very well written and a great read.

October Listening? Well it's October so that means Halloween. My Halloween suggestion for music? King Diamond. If you don't know King Diamond, just listen with an open mind. Lead singer for Mercyful Fate, and sucessful solo artist, King is an aquired taste, but being as everything he sings about has to do with the occult, when ever Halloween comes around, I break out my old King Diamond albums. From the 1989 album "Conspiracy" here's King Diamond with "At the Graves" (that's how Casey Kasum would've said it).




Die with your boots on!

Craigers