Two rides

So, slowly, I've been able tog et back on the bike, now that the main renovations are done in the house, and we're just waiting for the baby in Caseys belly to grow.

I've done more than two rides, but the last two rides, Monday and then yesterday, were of note.

Monday. longest ride of the year for me. used to be that 2+ hours was no thing, but breaking the 2 hours barrier after a year off was a pretty nice thing to do. It was actually a freak of nature that allowed the ride to happen at all. A strong microburst rolled through down town, causing a roof drain on our office to burst sending 1000 gallons of water through the ceiling. we're 1 floor removed from the action, on 19, but it was enough to fill about 2 small dumpsters and several garbage cans and the floor of our server room (not good).

Any, the ride. eerily quiet on the roads, and on the jail-trial, i just pounded it out, trying to spin as much as possible while still move at a clip. felt really good to be on the road bike again, but i think i wil need to tweak both my position (up a bit) and my low gear (down a bit) until i'm in better shape. I actually put a hurt on me getting back home, up the hills. i was by no means "in a pain cave without a flashlight" as a matter of fact, i'd say my pain cave was very well illuminated and apparent. Regardless, hurting felt good and bad all at once, and i have along way to go.

Tuesday. MTB ride in frick. the MTB has been seeing more action lately, since i can dance for an hour in frick and still be home for supper before it gets dark. If you've ever ridden there, you know that many of the trails follow the edge of steep drops, kind of a shale-rockface, not the kind of thing you can ride down (or up). I've often wondered what would happen if i ate it off the edge of one of those. last night, i found out. took a section i ride pretty much every time i go out just a wee bit fast, and could not keep my line, and veered off the trail. No biggie, i'll just plant a foot and bail onto this tree, keeping a hand out to catch my fall. And then i just kept going. I missed the tree i was planning on grabbing onto (it did get my bike, however) and started to slide. I might have hit a dead vertical section for a few feet, as i was certainly airborne, coming to land back on the slop, slid a few more feet, and stopped, upright, standing in the creek below. Wow, that was scary, slo-motion but scary stuff. my shoulder was sore, but didn't feel like it was out of place, and aside from alot of brush burn, seemed to be ok.

I wasn't immediately in the mood to keep riding, but, a guy who i kinda new was actually not far behind me, and came upon my bike in the trail, and looked down to see my scaling the root/shale/mud wall back up. He hung out until i was upright, and we ended up riding for about an hour together, exploring some of the stuff up behind the cemetery. i even rode down a hill i wrecked on a few weeks ago, which was a good confidence boost.

So I think this riding thing is back, for a while at least. No competition, just riding, for fun. (and i have a Surly Long Haul Trucker on the way as well, but that's a different tale)

Done, counters in, sink plumbed, done.

Done.

Done! We're DONE. D-O-N-E. Done.. (new couch as well)

i'm waiting for the plumbing inspector. i think i've got the wrong job. this guy gets to bang me for $125 for 4 minutes of his time.

so, finally, some kitchen updates...



Before


Before, again

Before, again, again

big hole in the wall


more big holes, down to the studs



framing started on the powder room

drywall, and the bar framed out


dog love

more drywall


finished drywall

tile floor after grout, before sponge

finished floor, and paint!


cabinets, appliances, new living room color, lights, etc

stove & range hood. and dog. (dog was extra)

fingerprints easily....


so, what's left? well, counter tops are 2 weeks out, and they need to re-ship the dishwasher enf panel, but we're close!

powder room demo is complete, kitchen demo starts next weekend. bought me a shiney new crow-bar.

i've got an appointment with a specialist tomorrow to see why i can't get rid of the cold and headaches i've had since mid December. apparently my CT showed some things my regular Dr. didn't like, or understand.

it's weird how much something can affect you. Sheldon passed away this week, and is being well documented by the entire web community. I had only one exchange, below with him, but like everyone else, have referred to his site many many many times. having spent the better part of my life in bike shops, i can't tell you the power of having all his information in one place, and what it means to have a connection to a personality like his.

sometimes it's not about luck, but time just expires. farewell.

David Burke to CaptBike

11/9/06


Hi-

We've never met, but i thought I'd send an email and a quick good luck. i read your heath pages, and well, "get better soon" doesn't quite seem to seem appropriate. You've got a fan base in Pittsburgh, PA Lot's of enthusiasts around here refer to your site constantly, and as a self confessed bike geek, i do the same.

Dave Burke

Sheldon Brown to me

11/9/06



Reply


Thanks for your concern. I'm bearing up OK, some days better than
others. I guess I'll just have to play out whatever cards I've been
dealt.

I'll continue updating http://sheldonbrown.com/health as news comes in...

All the best,

Sheldon
--
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
http://harriscyclery.com
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
http://captainbike.com
Useful articles about bicycles and cycling
http://sheldonbrown.com

this hasn't happened in a while. maybe too much stress, but sleep appears to be elusive for me tonight. i'm not even that anxious about trying to get back to sleep, just can't shut down right now.