Good Day

[pmb]

Today I most definitely did not have to use my AK.

I finally got that damn paper done. The deadline got extended for us, and we might have been even later than was acceptable on our submission, but at least it's out the door and I still think it's an okay paper. That was done before today, but it was still nice.

To answer everyone's question about what pedals I got (1, 2, 3, 4) I got the Shimano SPD 1/2 clipless and 1/2 normal pedals. That way I'm not required to wear my cycling shoes all the time. I have not yet fallen over, but I have had at least two clip-related close calls.

I also got cycling shoes and shorts, because Paul's is having a sale. I clipped in for the first time yesterday and rode for about 4 miles, and today I put on the hot pants cycling shorts and went for a ~20 miler on what seems to be my milk run on a road bike. If you are in Eugene and like to bike, I highly recommend the Lorraine-MacBeth-Fox Hollow ride. I have ridden it many times, by myself, with the chair of my department, with my dad, and with bookerz and it has been great every time. This is the first time I've ever had a bike (or, really any toy) that was way better at doing its thing than I was. I feel like I'm flying up and down the hills, and that the only reason I'm not going even faster is because of my wussy legs. It's a neat feeling. I'm pretty sure I averaged at least 17 miles an hour, which is not too shabby for all those hills. Perhaps I should get a bike computer so that I can make sure that my numbers are going up, and therefore I am having more fun :)

Also, goteam made an awesome apple crisp that was the perfect thing when I got back from my ride all calorie starved.

Alright, time to mow the lawn and advance the laundry. Does anyone want to ride in the Seattle to Portland ride this summer? If I can find someone I know doing it (preferably the two day, but I am persuadeable) then I will definitely be in...

Comments

[conform.livejournal.com]

The second year my dad did RAMROD, a woman in his group -- a serious cyclist, as everyone in that ride is -- crossed the finish line, slowed down, stopped, and then very slowly and with a loud yelp, toppled over, cemented to her pedals. Happens to the best of them.

[ouro.livejournal.com]

ass-grabbing, package-bulging, spandex biker shorts!

[qousqous.livejournal.com]

ooh, i should take you up on that. when is it?

i am in horrible horrible lazy-ass bad qous shape right now, but i can be ready by summer. right? at least, if i make myself ready for that, it'll help for when i bicycle from minnesota to montreal to washington dc in the late summer.

[pmb.livejournal.com]

July 9-10

Start between 4:45 and 7:30 am on Saturday, end before 7pm on Sunday.

Their recommended training regimen is available at http://www.cascade.org/EandR/stp/stp_mileage.cfm , but it seems a bit extreme in some respects.

[qousqous.livejournal.com]

oh, you only want to do the 2-day?

[qousqous.livejournal.com]

what am i saying? i'm not in good enough shape to do the one-day anyways.

2-day it is. 1-day next year.

[pmb.livejournal.com]

I am open to suggestion. I just rode another 30 miles today...

[qousqous.livejournal.com]

you're way ahead of me.

i need to catch up to such a schedule. i will.

STP Ride

[canarasekal.livejournal.com]

Here's a thought. Maybe I should get my sorry ass out there and do it with you. I see from their website that it's July 9-10. This could happen, somehow...whaddaya think? I could fly my bike out to Seattle and meet you there, then fly back from Portland. Maybe we should make it a Seattle to Eugene ride! (But it's all about logistics...Do they take bikes on trains?) Maybe I could even hang out a couple of days and waste your time.
Dad

Re: STP Ride

[pmb.livejournal.com]

It would be awesome to ride it with you! You are of course welcome to hang out for a while. It's unclear how interesting we will be, but you are my dad, so your standard of "Peter and Tracy being interesting" might be different. It would of course be great to see you.

I can't make it a Seattle-Eugene ride unless I do the 1-day option, and then go Portland-Eugene the next day. I have to teach class on Monday and Friday, you see.

They do take bikes on trains - kinda. There are a limited number of "just hang your bike up and everything will be copacetic" spots. They have a nigh unlimited amount of cargo space, but require you to box your bike for that. I will also see if there is someone who is going on the ride from Eugene who might not be averse to giving us a ride. It's possible that person might be the chair of my dept.

I just rode another 30 miles today! Woo!

Alright, time to check on the status of food...

[serotta.livejournal.com]

Riding out of Seattle at dawn with thousands of other cyclists is true fun. The route takes you winding through some ancient lakeside neighborhoods. The range of people riding the STP is truly amazing, from little kids to 80 year olds. There was a town at the ~120 mile marker that would have been lovely to stay in... i forget the name.

You may also be interested in adding the Lorraine-MacBeth-Fox Hollow ride to the rideoregon wiki. We can make a better oregon cycling book!

[pmb.livejournal.com]

Do you really think that 200MB is enough to hold all the random toenail clippings of a wiki + images for a book? I'll add the ride, but you might want to get migration scripts ready...

[pmb.livejournal.com]

Shit. Nevermind, I am a fool. 200mb will be enough, and if it isn't then you can just tweak some quotas.

Addding right now.

I highly recommend adding anonymous editing as a feature, however. That's the initial taste that gets people hooked.

[serotta.livejournal.com]

Yeah, i think 200mb should be good for a while. Thanks for the feedback, and thanks for posting your route! I agree anonymous editing would be a great feature; a great lure. Perhaps for the next release.

[pmb.livejournal.com]

...and of course, you've got that as an option as well...

Might I recommend making it the default? As long as you do revision control, it should be all good. Maybe you could prevent anonymous people from uploading pictures or something.

sea to pdx

[mtmum.livejournal.com]

hey pmb; ck w/ your parental unit and hmc roomie; i do believe that j, j and t are scheming on the seattle to portland ride as we speak;

how have you all been? been pretty bouncy myself: paddling in the everglades in feb, climbing at JT in march; visiting small (and regularly sized) people in p-town last week; and off to NoCal next week for paddling, hiking etc... 30th wedding anniversary

potential hoytstock in the fall as mr is arriving at the five-o mark; you in?