SSSS24O*

*Single Speed Simulated Sub-24hour-Overnighter

It's what you do when you can't really leave the dog overnight to go camping and have fun on your own.

Full report here. Great fun was had by both man and beast.

Video

I don't usually link videos, but this one was weird and cool:



What do you think?

Tuesday Pump

After letting it sit through most of the winter, I've been trying to do some work on the pump track. I've been scraping away at grass and weeds, and building up the mounds and berms as I've gotten dirt from other yard projects. Tuesday evening it all came together as a few friends came over to give it a try. At one point before everyone got there I was watching the weather with thunderstorms to both the north and south, but we dodged the rain. Once people arrived, we sculpted and groomed a bit and then rode in circles. Using body english to move around the track instead of pedals is an interesting exercise. Lots of work. Since the track is on a slight hill, the uphill leg was impossible to pump, but we discussed some options about the lower banked corner, and I think with higher banks you should be able to carry enough speed through to get around. After we were hot and sweaty enough we adjourned to the house and grilled up a fine dinner of burgers, brats and beer. Joe and Julie took a photo set HERE.

Now I'm psyched again to push some dirt around. Who wants to loan me a bobcat?

Fathers Day Weekend

I packed the rest of the suspects off for a weeks vacation in Disney World, so it's just me and the dog for our own mini vacation here at Casa Hjalti. I still have to go to work and all, but trust me, it's a vacation.

Saturday after the crew set out, I headed south myself, to Virginia, where there was a family celebration to welcome my sister home from Iraq. It was great to see her, and she and her husband put on a great party! My folks were out from Ohio, and my youngest brother and his lovely wife were there from Pittsburgh, as well as siblings whom I see more often. Coolness.

Sunday I got a slow start, but finally hit the road for a few warm but welcome miles of bike riding. The main family camera went to see Mickey, but I grabbed my daughters cheapo to try a few shots. What I found was that when you reach back into your saddlebag to grab the camera for a rolling shot, make sure that the battery compartment latch doesn't snag on anything, or the batteries will go skittering off down the road. In turn, this will be followed by the camera resetting and wiping out the 20 or so photos you had taken of the ride.

Consolation can be found in ice cream. At least on Fathers Day.

Just another weekend.

While many of my friends were spending the weekend in West Virginia racing, I had a leisurely weekend at home. Saturday was spent doing errands, the standard lawn routine and watching my son test for his next belt in his martial art. Sunday found me cruising the rolling hills of the southeast part of the county. Lots of hills. Following that, my daughter and I went over to a friends place to pick up a bike which will fit her better. Friend TW saw my lament the other week and came through with a 24" wheeled bike that his own daughter has outgrown. Front suspension even! Thanks Bro'! A couple of small parts and it will be on the road.

Scooters

One of the predictions about rising gas prices is that car use will go down and bicycle use will increase. I am certainly trying that myself, but my empirical observations don't seem to support it for the rest of my area. I might be seeing a few more bikers, but that may be a result of the better weather more than gas prices. I'm definitly seeing a higher volume of traffic. Local roads have never been busier. On thing which might be a result of the cost of fuel is that I have seen a much higher number of scooters out on the road. I used to see maybe one or two a week. Now I see them everywhere. Good or bad?