This week, the Bike Omaha Commuter Challenge begins. The goal is to ride as many commuter miles as possible between May 14 and Aug 20. No cheating!
A fitting week to start, since the weather will be great this week. I commuted today, and the ride home was great...virtually no wind, low 70's. Haven't yet seen weather this nice for the year.
Last year, I racked up around 800 miles.. enough for second place in our company. However, our total company miles fell way short, and I believe we were ranked toward the bottom in our division. Jeez, I can't do it ALL myself :>)
Heck, it's all just numbers anyway. I think I'm just going to log miles and enjoy riding!
-D
P.S. Get out there!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
The Crud is craptastic!
What is this stuff?
I was feeling pretty draggy and congested a couple of weeks ago, so I went to the doctor. Doctor 1 says, "You have an infection" and prescribed antibiotics. After a weeks worth of antibiotic treatment, I felt marginally better. So I figured this stuff had run it's course.
Thursday night, after my commute ride home I decided to do the infamous Taco Ride. Wife is out of town, why not. Plus, I hadn't been on the Wabash all year. Bought my season pass and hit the trail on my good ol' trusty Quickie Blue Fixie.
I bombed it, man. No one would pass me. I hammered all the way, chugged a smoothie drink, and hammered back. Felt pretty good.
Friday morning. I get up hacking and coughing...what the hell? So I call the doctor's office and get a 9 a.m. appointment. Doctor #2 says "Allergies, go take some Claritin". OK then. I stop by the Walgreens, pick up the Claritin and go to work. We had a team outing that day so we went to an afternoon ball game at Rosenblatt Stadium. Had a couple of beers, enjoyed the Creighton - Wichita State game (Creighton got blasted 8 - 0).
Saturday morning: the MS Spring Ride. Started from Iowa Western CC, through Underwood, Minden, Bentley, back to Underwood and IWCC. Yeah, I did the half-century. The idea though, I was going to get up early, ride to the event, then ride back home to Minden. Done by noon.
However, I got up at 6:30 a.m. and no energy...plus it was thirty freaking five degrees out. Almost the middle of May and we're wearing winter gear? Nope, I decided I'd drive there later and went back to sleep.
Got up about 8:30 and dragged my ass out of bed...just didn't feel all that motivated and a little run down. I figured it was just a bit of weekend pokiness and willed myself into my bike clothes, loaded up the Bleriot, and made it to the 10 a.m. start with no time to spare.
The bike felt like it weighed like a ton...well, it does weigh a ton. I added a kick stand and taillight Friday night. Okay, I'll make it to Minden, rest a bit, change bikes and finish the ride. Which I did, courtesy of my Rambouillet (pretty cool to be able to change mid-ride). But man, I was having a hard time pulling the hills outside of Minden and headed towards Bentley. I felt spent but hammered away anyway and managed to make the finish line. Felt like the hardest half-century I'd ever done.
That night, my eyes were burning and I felt a bit flushed. Took my temperature...101.6 :>( Damn, no wonder I was pooped. So I've spent the remainder of my weekend recovering, hoping I can get rid of this crud soon. The wife has banned me from the bike for the duration until I get back up to speed, hopefully soon -D
I was feeling pretty draggy and congested a couple of weeks ago, so I went to the doctor. Doctor 1 says, "You have an infection" and prescribed antibiotics. After a weeks worth of antibiotic treatment, I felt marginally better. So I figured this stuff had run it's course.
Thursday night, after my commute ride home I decided to do the infamous Taco Ride. Wife is out of town, why not. Plus, I hadn't been on the Wabash all year. Bought my season pass and hit the trail on my good ol' trusty Quickie Blue Fixie.
I bombed it, man. No one would pass me. I hammered all the way, chugged a smoothie drink, and hammered back. Felt pretty good.
Friday morning. I get up hacking and coughing...what the hell? So I call the doctor's office and get a 9 a.m. appointment. Doctor #2 says "Allergies, go take some Claritin". OK then. I stop by the Walgreens, pick up the Claritin and go to work. We had a team outing that day so we went to an afternoon ball game at Rosenblatt Stadium. Had a couple of beers, enjoyed the Creighton - Wichita State game (Creighton got blasted 8 - 0).
Saturday morning: the MS Spring Ride. Started from Iowa Western CC, through Underwood, Minden, Bentley, back to Underwood and IWCC. Yeah, I did the half-century. The idea though, I was going to get up early, ride to the event, then ride back home to Minden. Done by noon.
However, I got up at 6:30 a.m. and no energy...plus it was thirty freaking five degrees out. Almost the middle of May and we're wearing winter gear? Nope, I decided I'd drive there later and went back to sleep.
Got up about 8:30 and dragged my ass out of bed...just didn't feel all that motivated and a little run down. I figured it was just a bit of weekend pokiness and willed myself into my bike clothes, loaded up the Bleriot, and made it to the 10 a.m. start with no time to spare.
The bike felt like it weighed like a ton...well, it does weigh a ton. I added a kick stand and taillight Friday night. Okay, I'll make it to Minden, rest a bit, change bikes and finish the ride. Which I did, courtesy of my Rambouillet (pretty cool to be able to change mid-ride). But man, I was having a hard time pulling the hills outside of Minden and headed towards Bentley. I felt spent but hammered away anyway and managed to make the finish line. Felt like the hardest half-century I'd ever done.
That night, my eyes were burning and I felt a bit flushed. Took my temperature...101.6 :>( Damn, no wonder I was pooped. So I've spent the remainder of my weekend recovering, hoping I can get rid of this crud soon. The wife has banned me from the bike for the duration until I get back up to speed, hopefully soon -D
Sunday, May 2, 2010
MB Time!
Got back from a trip to KC today, saw my little tater.
After my lawn mowing chore, there was still plenty of light left...plus mid 60's and beautiful outside. Of course, being late afternoon it was a bit late for an epic road bike adventure.
Time to get the mountain bikes out!
It's been a long time since I bombed the backyard with the mountain bikes. It just kind of hit me. I parked the lawn mower and happened to glance at my old Diamondback. It looked pretty forlorn and neglected sitting leaning against the garage wall, so I grabbed the tire pump and gave the tires a quick inflate. I thought maybe I'd just run up and down the street once or twice. I bombed the backyard a few times, then I headed back and grabbed my 29'er. I buzzed the town awhile, hit a few back alleys, the ball field, the community hall parking lot, the park, the basketball court, my niece's steep driveway (left a long black skidmark on the way out...gotta love those disc brakes), jumped a few curbs, hit the town triangle (Minden isn't big enough for a square), zipped down the big town hill, basically just pedaled my ass off.
Felt good :>) -D
After my lawn mowing chore, there was still plenty of light left...plus mid 60's and beautiful outside. Of course, being late afternoon it was a bit late for an epic road bike adventure.
Time to get the mountain bikes out!
It's been a long time since I bombed the backyard with the mountain bikes. It just kind of hit me. I parked the lawn mower and happened to glance at my old Diamondback. It looked pretty forlorn and neglected sitting leaning against the garage wall, so I grabbed the tire pump and gave the tires a quick inflate. I thought maybe I'd just run up and down the street once or twice. I bombed the backyard a few times, then I headed back and grabbed my 29'er. I buzzed the town awhile, hit a few back alleys, the ball field, the community hall parking lot, the park, the basketball court, my niece's steep driveway (left a long black skidmark on the way out...gotta love those disc brakes), jumped a few curbs, hit the town triangle (Minden isn't big enough for a square), zipped down the big town hill, basically just pedaled my ass off.
Felt good :>) -D
Saturday, April 24, 2010
She's so heavy
I like ordering bike parts!
I picked up a few more parts for the Bleriot. I wasn't quite finished yet.
I'm still leaving the bars bare...I like the 'clean', polished look. However, I did pick up a few pieces from VO. I really didn't want to keep leaning the bike against something when I parked so I picked up a Pletscher double-legged stand. I'm also adding a Spanninga fender tail light and picked up a new headlight bracket. This bike's plenty porky, and I keep adding stuff to it. Still a small percentage of total weight when including the fat-assed rider :>)
Yeah, I need to ride more. I'm still getting over this crud I picked up last week and haven't done any riding this week...well, except for a quick trip to the barber shop here in town. The barber was closed, but I did get to run the QBF for a bit. Pulled the Nokians off (about time!) and put the Pasela Tour Guards back on. I went about eight blocks and when I got back I was sweating my butt off. I think it's a combo of the crud, winter chub, and lack of muscle tone which makes me more determined to get on the bike and ride until my legs fall off. Rode the MNUB last weekend (Minden, Neola, Underwood, Bentley) on the QB, the 9 hills between Bentley and Minden on a fixie definitely give you a good workout. I'd like to be doing that one at least twice a week, or a half-century in its place.
Ride plans: Maybe get the heck outta Dodge. I'd like to get back on the Wabash trail and head all the way down to Coin and back. I've signed up for the Omaha MS ride, and RAGBRAI is in 91 days. Go Go Go!
I picked up a few more parts for the Bleriot. I wasn't quite finished yet.
I'm still leaving the bars bare...I like the 'clean', polished look. However, I did pick up a few pieces from VO. I really didn't want to keep leaning the bike against something when I parked so I picked up a Pletscher double-legged stand. I'm also adding a Spanninga fender tail light and picked up a new headlight bracket. This bike's plenty porky, and I keep adding stuff to it. Still a small percentage of total weight when including the fat-assed rider :>)
Yeah, I need to ride more. I'm still getting over this crud I picked up last week and haven't done any riding this week...well, except for a quick trip to the barber shop here in town. The barber was closed, but I did get to run the QBF for a bit. Pulled the Nokians off (about time!) and put the Pasela Tour Guards back on. I went about eight blocks and when I got back I was sweating my butt off. I think it's a combo of the crud, winter chub, and lack of muscle tone which makes me more determined to get on the bike and ride until my legs fall off. Rode the MNUB last weekend (Minden, Neola, Underwood, Bentley) on the QB, the 9 hills between Bentley and Minden on a fixie definitely give you a good workout. I'd like to be doing that one at least twice a week, or a half-century in its place.
Ride plans: Maybe get the heck outta Dodge. I'd like to get back on the Wabash trail and head all the way down to Coin and back. I've signed up for the Omaha MS ride, and RAGBRAI is in 91 days. Go Go Go!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Sickness sucks
Man, I hate spring colds.
I caught a whopper this weekend. I did manage to get my Sunday Quickbeam ride in, and it was a very nice day. But that night, I noticed I had a sore throat. Little did I know, it was just the beginning.
Woke up Monday morning with my sinuses stuffed to the rafters, barely able to breathe. I decided it was just a spring cold and I'd shake it off quickly. So I stayed home from work and rested, expecting to be ready to go the next day. Tuesday rolled around and I felt even worse, fever, coughing, vile excretions, the whole bit. I was absolutely certain I'd feel better after a good nights sleep, and be ready for work today.
No dice. This time, I called the doctor and got an appointment. Several hours and two prescriptions later, I seem to be feeling a bit better. Maybe I'll make it into work tomorrow...not that I'm that excited about getting back to work but I still have to support my bicycling and eating habit :>) -D
I caught a whopper this weekend. I did manage to get my Sunday Quickbeam ride in, and it was a very nice day. But that night, I noticed I had a sore throat. Little did I know, it was just the beginning.
Woke up Monday morning with my sinuses stuffed to the rafters, barely able to breathe. I decided it was just a spring cold and I'd shake it off quickly. So I stayed home from work and rested, expecting to be ready to go the next day. Tuesday rolled around and I felt even worse, fever, coughing, vile excretions, the whole bit. I was absolutely certain I'd feel better after a good nights sleep, and be ready for work today.
No dice. This time, I called the doctor and got an appointment. Several hours and two prescriptions later, I seem to be feeling a bit better. Maybe I'll make it into work tomorrow...not that I'm that excited about getting back to work but I still have to support my bicycling and eating habit :>) -D
Saturday, April 17, 2010
A few pics and getting into hot water, thankfully!
Told ya I'd finally get around to it. Not much cycling here, but we did enjoy ourselves in Key West. Check 'em out...
Key West Pics
Had to work today (Saturday). Not all day, but I did take the Double Cross to work. It was cold this morning! I thought I wouldn't need winter gear, but I ended up in full dress this morning (36 degrees!). The afternoon was in the mid sixties and it was a real nice ride home.
We finally got the water heater fixed today so there is hot water in the Dau household! I thought I had it fixed Wednesday because the pilot lit, but the wife worked from home Thursday and said she still had no hot water. I replaced the thermocouple AGAIN, which proceeded to not work at all. Crrrrap, time to call in the experts. So I called the plumber, who suggested I call the manufacturer since the water heater was still under warranty. The manufacturer ended up sending us a new gas control valve FedEx next day air, which arrived today. And yes, this was definitely job for the experts. Our plumber even interrupted a job he was working on today so he could install same day. Sure is nice to take hot showers again :>)
Tomorrow looks like another great cycling day. Think I'll take the Quickbeam out for a spin.
-D
Key West Pics
Had to work today (Saturday). Not all day, but I did take the Double Cross to work. It was cold this morning! I thought I wouldn't need winter gear, but I ended up in full dress this morning (36 degrees!). The afternoon was in the mid sixties and it was a real nice ride home.
We finally got the water heater fixed today so there is hot water in the Dau household! I thought I had it fixed Wednesday because the pilot lit, but the wife worked from home Thursday and said she still had no hot water. I replaced the thermocouple AGAIN, which proceeded to not work at all. Crrrrap, time to call in the experts. So I called the plumber, who suggested I call the manufacturer since the water heater was still under warranty. The manufacturer ended up sending us a new gas control valve FedEx next day air, which arrived today. And yes, this was definitely job for the experts. Our plumber even interrupted a job he was working on today so he could install same day. Sure is nice to take hot showers again :>)
Tomorrow looks like another great cycling day. Think I'll take the Quickbeam out for a spin.
-D
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Catching up...
Just got back Saturday from a week in Key West, and we had a great time! Pics will eventually be posted on Flickr, just haven't gotten to it yet. I did get out for a half-century on Sunday, and planning to do a commute run tomorrow, if I can get my gear together. I was reminded earlier this week RAGBRAI is 102 days away, so get those miles in.
Getting back into the swing of work, slowly. Had to replace a thermocouple gone bad in the water heater so no hot water this morning. Along with other honeydew chores, not much time to post.
I'm ready to get back on the bike, and the weekend sounds good for some long rides. Must burn off winter fatness :>) -D
Getting back into the swing of work, slowly. Had to replace a thermocouple gone bad in the water heater so no hot water this morning. Along with other honeydew chores, not much time to post.
I'm ready to get back on the bike, and the weekend sounds good for some long rides. Must burn off winter fatness :>) -D
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