Weekday Gravel

With the cross bike at Terry's and not wanting to drive anywhere I took advantage of some free time this a.m. to do a little R&D on TiEM out on the local gravel, sand, dirt, shit roads that lay just a few miles beyond my front door.


After many miles on the cross bike, riding the El-M on the gravel was slower for sure, but not "dear God this is slllllow" type slower. In fact some of the roads were pretty rough and stutter bumped due to some rain the other day followed by big GIANT freaky, Star Wars looking farm type equipment rolling over the sandy gravel and dirt that makes up these roads. So some fatter tires and even the Fox were welcomed on occasion. But for the most part I missed my cx bike.


I threw in a couple of new roads today, and took out a couple of old ones. The new ones brought some added climbing (or false flats if I were in PA, LOL!) that were unremarkable, but an excuse to at least get out of the saddle and let my aging saggy ass reshape itself a bit.

With rifle deer season in full effect I did heard quite a bit of gun fire out there. I don't mind hunters and hunting at all, but sort of mind the idea of being capped in the ass by a stray bullet. On one rode I got passed by dude in a pick up and he had one of the biggest bucks I've ever seen in the back. I don't hunt at all, and have never (or will) fired a gun, but I found myself giving him the thumbs up when I saw it! Must be some sort of man gene that I can't control. Oh well, I have more respect for the guy with the ballz enough to kill it and eat it, than I do the masses (including me) that will belly up to a steak that we have NO idea where it comes from, or how many chemicals, drugs, and feces are floating in it. Hey that reminds me- remember when I gave up meat a few months back? Yeah, that failed miserably. I still don't eat much red meat but have a pretty steady diet of turkey and chicken products. Finding it easier just to try to work out more, rather than not eat it.

Wow, really got off subject there. My bad... Really was a great day to ride and I am lucky that I was able to get the time to get out and ride. Might be the last time for a couple days, or at least until Thursday night. The sun was out, the air was crisp and my legs felt good. A nice way to spend a Tuesday morning, I doubt Wednesday will be as generous.

I got about 40 miles (34 of it dirt/gravel/mushy sand) in, then got home showered and headed down to Alma and Terry's Cycle to pick up the cross bike. Big thanks to Rod at Terry's for the quick turn around, great work and good price. Much appreciated.

Might have to hit the gym tomorrow, see how the work work and weather goes. Not to mention I need to start painting a couple rooms in the house. Dark green and egg plan purple in the dinning room. Yikes! BTW, anyone have a rough idea on the cost for someone (not me) to install a chandelier where there is none? Room has NO overhead lighting, and it needs it bad. But again, I am off subject here...

Later.