Another new shop

I read on the MORE website that the Bike Doctor is open in Frederick now. I'll have to get by there and check it out. I did visit the Bicycle Fix again on Saturday. My son's Akido class turned out to be a several hour seminar on the sword. I usually go for a short ride or find a shady spot and practice the banjo while he is in class, but I didn't have the bike with me and I'm only good for about an hour of banjo practice, so I went on over to westview to kill an hour.

I wish I had some money to spend. This looks like a better shop each time I visit. Lots of good stuff out, but I really liked seeing the Bianchi San Jose and Redline 9-2-5 there. The Redline was on sale. It is an amazing value at $500, but at $400 it seems like a steal. There was also a redline Monocog that looked good as well as a Kona Unit 2-9er. I even spied some Shaun Deller cycling caps.

Speaking of my son, we did that whole back to school shopping thing. He now has the same size feet as me, wearing a size 12. These boats on an 11 year old. Yikes. The up side is I now have access to a couple cool pairs of Vans if I want them.

Hober

I found a link to an on line radio station called Hober. I'm pretty sure I got to it through the Friends of the Oldtime Banjo site. Streaming audio. Acoustic music of all kinds. Pretty nice. Give it a try. Real player (yuck) and streaming mp3 (m3u).

Cuppa good news for me

Here is a link to a report which says tea is good for you. Hooray! Because I drink about six cups a day. I rarely drink coffee, so tea is my work-a-day beverage, as well as something I love to brew up once in a while when I'm out riding.

Caveat: This report is from the BBC, which, like most news outfits, on average produces C+ work (maybe 75% correct). Therefore important info is probably missing from the article and people who actually know anything about the issue in question are smacking their heads and going "Why didn't they include the important stuff?"

Still, I think I'll go brew up a cup now.

Pumped Up

There is an interesting article in this month's Dirt Rag about pump tracks (A short track with berms and rollers spaced so you can pump from one to the next, without pedaling). This is a BMX sort of track, but apparently has some benefits for any riding. One major one is that it is a hard cardio workout that is really fun. I have a bit of extra space down by east end of the yard, and I'm thinking the slope isn't too severe, and it might make a good spot for one.

Do you think I should go ahead and put one in? It might make a good winter project.

Friday Morning

So I'm sitting here at my desk and I look up and I can see my Quickbeam. It's just coyly leaning aginst the wall, whispering... "Come on, lets go for a ride. Work is over rated." Sometimes it just stinks to do the responsible thing, but it's only six hours from the weekend.

Single Speed Worlds

If I had planned my life a little better, I'd be leaving for Stockholm this evening. To all my friends who ARE leaving today, Curse you! Curse you I say to the deepest pits of.... Uh, I mean, have a great time. Ride hard. No ill feelings here, really....

Fifty Percent

At some point on yesterday's ride I completed my 2081st road in Frederick County. I'm halfway done with my goal of riding them all.

Cool.

Priorities

The weather for the last few days has been perfect for cycling. I haven't turned a wheel. My folks were staying with us for a few days to attend my nephew's wedding in Shepherdstown, WV. It was a great bash and I wish them both all happiness. Sunday I needed to get the kids out to give my wife some decompression time. Instead of the usual ride on the towpath, we opted to head over to Catoctin Mountain Park and do a bit of hiking. After lunch in Thurmont, we climbed up to Wolf and Chimney rocks. All three of us had fun scrambling on the rocks. It is amazing what resources are so close to you, of which you rarely take advantage. I'll have to do better.

Hiking. Rocks. Two great kids. Snacks and cool water from a Camelbak.
Perfect. Day.

Little Miami Trail

Also as promised, a little ride report on the Xenia - Springfield section of the Little Miami Trail.

The Bicycle Museum of America

As promised, the pictures of our trip to the Bicycle Museum of America are here.

Doi 2

Here are the initial photos of the "new" bike. Looking forward to getting her on the road. Gears, what a concept.

Feeling Better

Duncan is doing much better. He lost over 6 pounds during his illness and has gained it back, and more. He is really behaving like a puppy now, which is great, but can be a bit of a pain. He likes to chew on pretty much everything. Scooby is his best friend.