Monday, November 24, 2008

You know you want one

this just in from Minx:


Team Pegasus has a real reason for you to give thanks this week:

The Ladies of Team Pegasus And Friends calendars are in stock and shipping the same day you place your order, via Priority Mail. Priority! See how important these calendars are? Plus, you're helping the children (via World Bicycle Relief). And the children will give thanks that you're appreciating scantily-clad ladies each month. Although we're not telling them that. No, sir, we're not.

So, get your orders in today. The print run was limited and we'd hate for you to be disappointed. And once you place your order, you can be sure you'll have your hot-off-the-press calendar in your hands within a week.


Plus, deciding to gift a calendar to all your bike buddies ensures you can stay in bed with your t(of)urkey coma and avoid shopping this Friday. And isn't that what the holiday season's really all about?

Get yours here.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

the obligatory beer post

So remember how I mentioned that the High Life cruiser bike was no more? Well, some people are more visual than others; so if you're one of those people, here's a recap:
Told you so.

The 'Lucy', as they seem to officially call it, was equivalent to just over 129 cases of beer, and I guess there were enough people with ample points slip-streaming in the draft to attack - I should learn my lesson here but probably won't, I imagine. Still not sure what that lesson could be.

The good news is that I've sent off for the 'delivery guy' shirt, which required the redemption of 7500 hard earned points, or the equivalent to 31-cases and a 6-pack of the High Life. The better news is that I haven't slowed down in point collecting, with my sights now on the fleece jacket for winter time riding. The bad news is that the shirt takes 8-10 weeks to ship. Really? What the hell is going on behind the scenes at the points redemption HQ, I wonder? Terrified mass panic, I can only presume.

Shout out to those who selflessly gave me their points in the process up to now.

Now in the interest of keeping this post pointed towards the topic of beer, I would like to bring up the goal of finding my first Hopslam of the season.
The official site claims the beer is available "January 7th through February", so why are people telling me they're seeing it pop up already? Since I have yet to see this in person, I am forced to take these recent claims as unsubstantial and outside the realms of arguability.

In the meantime, I've been enjoying the 'Two Hearted', as well as a bit of the 'Hell Hath No Fury' ale, also offered by Bell's, and both being a meal in themselves.

Speaking of Ales, I seem to remember that I have no fewer than eight 'nip' bottles of Thomas Hardy's Ale aging nicely in my abode, all of which dated from 1990, plus a few more with a more recent date stamp. What am I waiting for, you might ask? A sign from above, I suppose, thought there could be deeper psychological implications here.

In other news, winter is going to hit soon. There was a bit of snow on the ground yesterday, though it's mostly gone by now. In fact, the ride home on Friday night found two of us crunching on lake ice as we attempted to take a shortcut that ultimately led on a backtracking session, on foot, down in the god-fearing regions of the inner burbs. We quickly removed ourselves from the danger of the thin ice, it's safe at this time to report, though it was quite over a shallow region of the lake - dang early darkness issues with untested trails.

Friday, November 21, 2008

happy TV people, cold cold fingers, and a change of plan for tonights bridge club

There's a study I read about this morning that concludes "that people who spend the most time watching television are least happy in the long run." Ever since giving up television watching many years ago now, I have to say that I'm not too sad. I haven't seen or heard a single political commercial in more than five years, for instance, and I'm not sad at all about that - happy in fact!

The original article appears in the journal Social Indicators Research, but I am unfortunately not on their mailing list anymore - reminder to contact their subscriptions dept. The story about it is written here, so check it out.

So the ride in this morning wasn't too bad, other than I didn't know it was going to be 10F when I left the house and was ill prepared in the finger protection department - even now they're still a bit sore. Why I haven't opened up my winter clothing bin I still don't know, but it's gonna happen soon, probably.

So in light of the lack of adequate gloveage, the weekly bridge department club meeting will be hereby moved to the Shantytown, arriving by 1700 - you are more than welcome to stop by and purchase me a drink and/or tator tots. I then see myself moving towards my garage or living room, where 50 or so beverages await somewhat randomly stashed in the garage and fridge. What can I say? The High Life points season was just extended to the end of calendar year 2009. Yes, the bike is no longer available, but we can only dream in anticipation as to what is going to be offered next! I can hardly sleep at night...

Sunday, November 16, 2008

2008 MN CX Championships recap

It was a good day for a bicycle race up in the Crystal of MN. Lots of burning thighs in the sandtrap:

Sand Trap

donut primes, for a post-stair reward:
donut handoff

moustaches:
moustache rider

beards:
beard off contestant?

all the sorts were represented, including this guy showing off my new 1x1 behind curtain #2:
the new 1x1

the rest are here.

Some of us are recovering after a long day of race observing. I can only imagine how the racers are faring on this fine day.

Friday, November 14, 2008

rider down, needs your help - go to the benefit

this just in from the Zito:
------------------------------

Hi Chris-

I recently received a call from a man named Mark who is the GM over at D’Amico Catering in Minneapolis. He used to work at the Edina D’Amico and over the years, delivered 100’s of boxed lunches to QBP. On September 17th, 2008, Rodney Scroggins, (who has worked for them for 19 years and has always biked to and from work), was hit by a car (hit and run) and found lying in the road about an hour later, then brought to HCMC. He is still in the hospital and recovering from a dislocated shoulder, broken bones and other injuries.

Coworkers have organized a benefit to help with his recovery. All the proceeds will benefit his family.

Benefit:
When: Tuesday, November 18th 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Metropolitan Ballroom
5418 Wayzata Blvd.
$25 in advance, $30 at the door.

For more information or donation: Call Ramanda at D’Amico and Partners: 612-374-1776

Fund:
TCF Bank
121 8th Street South in Minneapolis
Clyde/Bruce Scroggins
In care of Rodney Scroggins

Mark wanted some help spreading the word, I said I’d see what I could do. Please consider supporting, attending or telling your friends about this incredibly important event.

Thanks for your time. :)

Anne West
Community Service Coordinator at QBP

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

all over the place - state cx champs this weekend

So I spent last weekend in the good city of St. Louis, down in Missoura - That's part of the "real America", based on the election just a week ago. It was a good time for me to get back to my city of birth in the show-me-state TM. I found the urban areas to be fitting to my needs, finding a more than adequate vinyl store, also liking the ability to purchase High Life in a 32-ounce can at the 7-eleven, on a Sunday even. Now that's 1-quart of liquid goodness, and while it comes with no points for my sweet swag, it comes with a few street cred points for picking up a large-boy in the part of town that I did it in.

The bicycle infrastructure seemed to be more than adequate, based on my short stay, though I didn't see a whole lot more than the weekend roadie types. I was more impressed with the architecture seen in the city - the copper Gothic roof tops, the abundance of brick houses, slate shingles, and basic city life - it's a good thing.

St. Louis bike lane

Let's go somewhere else for a moment. If I was known as "The Heathen", these are a few of the things I would be saying on a daily basis - some on the phone, some via text, and sometimes in person:
what's the soup?

poop in a bucket.
Now then, I haven't been much of a "mountain bike rider" in this lifetime, but I now have a single speed version of that style bicycle recently built up from parts collected in the course of nearly 2-years. This vehicle is equipped with disc brakes of the hydraulic type, and while they seem to work quite well, I do need to trim the cables down a bit from their out-of-box dimensions. And what's the deal with the lack of disc cable guides on the frame I ask. A couple on the top tube would make ones life a bit richer, not minding the two on the non-drive side seat stays of course. Photos and more description in the weeks ahead, but I'll tell you I've done a few sweet wheelies up to now and am aching for a bit more. I have to mention that the addition of the brakes are new - the other night I was riding around the complete bike minus said brakes and I have to make an official announcement that I made it home and into bed with no significant incidents that I can recall up to now.

OK - I'll be spending the weekend and next week in the EU, possibly for the last time in a while. I apologize in advance for any entries that may come during that time. Strike that, seems as if there's a change of plans.

So it now looks like I'll be able to attend the state cyclocross race this weekend at Bassett creek park. See you there.

Peace and remember: Yes we can. Usually anyway.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

get out and vote people

So it's time to go out and vote. Hopefully you've already done so - either by getting to the polls early or by absentee or early voting. I made it to the polls 20 minutes prior to opening and was out 45 minutes later - but I bypassed a lot of people once I got my ballot because I knew what to expect ahead of the game - see previous post. I was voter 56 in my ward - when I left there were 200+ in a line going around two corners of the block. Shit, I then biked 10 miles and was at work by 8am - how more patriotic can a person get in one day?

You haven't voted yet? No problem.

In Minnesota - the polls are open till 8pm - if you're not yet registered in MN, you can do so today at your polling place. This is fairly unique as far as US states go, so if you are dragging your feet because you're not registered - get to the polls now. Bring some form of identification that shows you live where you do or if you can't do that, it's OK to have a friend or neighbor vouch for you in person - yep, also fairly unique. Just a few more reasons MN is such a great place to live.

If the lines at the polls are long - stay there! Do not give up and go home! Don't think your vote doesn't count because that's bullshit. Remember, it's legal for you to skip work in the morning of election day to vote - "Minnesota voters may take time off from their job without a penalty or reduction in wages on the morning of Election Day to vote." See answers to more frequently asked questions here.

Not sure where to vote? Go here - it tells you. If you're in another state, just Google the name of your state along with "secretary of state" and bingo people - it's that easy.

Monday, November 3, 2008

homie

What happens when a few hundred folks get together on their bicycles laden with drinks, food, and other items of questionable delight, blindly follow some orange jump suit clad leader up and down stair cases, back and forth over the Mississippi river and through the woods? yep, it was the homie fall fest.

This picture caught my attention earlier.

Super Zero showed up to mentor us a bit on skillz:
Super Zero Ziegle

There were a number of roundies, sometimes with the whole group of hooligans and sometimes with just a pair showing off their shenanigans:
wheels and gene

We all got to ride through a tunnel that mysteriously led to St. Paul - yeah, I can't believe I made it over there either:
ridin the Homie

wha happen? and Minneapolis Sample Ballot

You ever have one of those mornings when you wake up and find strange bruises on your body and subsequently realize some joints don't fully articulate like they did the night before? Yeah, that was this weekend. Possible photos in the near future - pending review by my team of lawyers who are always standing by on retainer for situations such as these.

So someone said something about election day tomorrow - already? If you're in the 612, check this out to find a sample ballot and do some research BEFORE you tie up the polling booth. We're doing more than voting for a POTUS, ya know.

Anyway, if you live in or near my neighborhood, here is your sample ballot - print it out and mark it up or jot down notes on paper to bring in with you - that's allowable you know:




Saturday, November 1, 2008

pre-homey homie

Lord help us. This fine lady scored me an Old Gold, which I lit with a portion of a one dollar bill - I'll be turning in that more-than-half for a refurbished dolla soon.
And then Kmac loaned me her skirt. That super suit wasn't the lightest thing in the room.
Until tomorrow...