Used To This?/Soiled Manifesto

Could I be getting too used to this no "real job" thing? Having the time to get rides in during the a.m. is really pretty sweet. Today I got in a nice 31 mile loop in between some XXC stuff and B-Man pick up. The weather has been damn sweet too! Once my Dad duties are takin' care of, and a few other things, the only decision I have left, is road or dirt?

Today I chose road. The body needed a break from dirt and it was nice to have warm temps to roll in at 10 a.m. rather than 30 degrees. I love the feeling the legs have after two days of pushing a 28 pound FS bike up hills. A 18 lb. road bike feels like... well, an 18 pound road bike, AND fast (which I am not).

Two frustrating things about road rides: WOW! I'm really feeling good, I got me some "Boonen Legs" today!.... F*CK! I'm in my small ring!! OR WOW! I'm was really feeling good on that last section, I got me some "Boonen Legs" today....F*CK! That was a tail wind! This head wind SUCKS!

Last night's Morrissey show was amazing. When the house lights dimmed and the intro music was playing I literally had chills and goose bumps and if prodded, I probably could have cried. Not because I think he is that great, but because I've been listening to him for 20+ years. When I was a miserable fat teenage prick, those songs made me feel not so alone. When I was skinny but alone, I felt better about myself. When I was in a relationship they helped me cherish it, when Wifey had B-Man, they reminded me of the bad times in my life and instilled the want to never let him have to deal with those things. It was just an incredible experience and just plain fun to be out with Wifey, AND seeing my fave musician ever. Good times.

OK, OK, I won't go on. As one commenter recently pointed out to me when he read that I watch my calorie intake "I need to grow a set". Ha, I wanted to tell them- I done grown a set 37 years ago and now shit's hanging a bit too low!!" Like draggin the toilet water low. But I didn't.

Speaking of all that... I notice with each passing year The Soiled Chamois gets linked up in various places and new readers come and go. I dig that. My long time readers and friends now what this blog is about and what/who I am, but if you're new to the Chamois I just want to point out a few things about myself so I don't have folks thinking I'm something I'm not and commenting as so. So I give you..

THE MANIFESTO:

I'm NOT a pro, I'm a horrible mechanic and I barely know how to change a tire. I race to push myself, to finish, and have a good time. I love bikes, beer, food, music, and most of all my wife and son. I have sponsors and they know what I'm all about. Most, if not all, of my sponsors are folks that I know and respect. 90% of how I train and ride is probably wrong. 10% of how I train and ride would be great if I was a 15 year old girl. When I talk about finishing "mid pack" that's a f*cking goal, not a reality. Did I say I loved beer? Yes, OK, lets move on... I will choose mountains over beaches, and the dirt over the road as much as possible. I prefer brunettes over blondes and buxom red heads over both. I like sunny days, hate rain, winter, wind, and hard core NRA, suite wearing Republicans who feel that even though they make 100+K a year, life gave them a shit hand. I'm not a Democrat. I don't vote. I don't care. I believe in God/Jesus, but don't dig religions. I like to read, but mostly just pornography (that's a joke). I DIG food. I love to cook, bake, grill., etc., I would rather eat in than go out any day of the week! I got my first cell phone in 2008. I couldn't tell you my cell # to save my life. I will never do another road race. Why? They're too hard, I suck at them and would rather crash on dirt than pavement ANY day. I don't, but WILL wear a hydration pack to road ride, I don't use road pedals on my road bike, I respect and admire Pro road racers but pray to the Cycling Gods with each passing second that Pro mountain biking could get the same attention. I have been depressed in the past. I took medication for said depression. I don't take anything anymore and that makes me happy. I love beer. SHIT! I said that!! I used to road ride in the city. I won't do it again. I love riding in "the sticks" too much. I love my blog, and interacting with folks around the country/world via my blog. I love reading comments, even if they're negative, but pseudo "anonymous" comments sort of suck. British music will always be better than American (don't fight me on this). I would rather drink cat urine than a Coors Light, I suffer during EVERY ride, NOT just 24 hour races. I have a blood clot in my leg. It may still be there. I don't work anymore- I took a "buy out" from my employer and will be paid not to work for the next 43 weeks. Not working makes me VERY happy. I hated my job and never want to do that work again. I can't imagine not having sideburns. People with no sideburns at all scare me at first. I have no tattoos, but if I did have one, it would say something like "Gangsta Bitch" and it would be across my belly. I wish I was younger. I used to be scared to die. I'm not anymore. I don't have a ton of friends, but the ones I do have are very good peeps, and I cherish them AND my family. I have opinions, they might not always be what your opinion is, but that's cool and what "freedom" is all about. After Wifey and B-Man, I LOVE cycling- mountain, road, BMX, mountain, CX, Mountain, off road, dirt, mountain. Never tell me I don't. Cycling is the greatest sport in the world. If anyone tells you it's not- kick them in the teeth. Then go for a ride and have a beer.

Time to cook up some food.

Later.