Things That I Have Learned in My First 153 Miles:

Hmmm, as many of you can read below, I have decided to take up cycling both to prepare myself for the upcoming MS-150 in April and for an additional exercise outlet. You see your faithful XO has to keep up his running and his swimming for his job but the old knees are not going to last forever.

So since I have started cycling again on 1/11 (I last did serious cycling in the mid to late 80's) I have logged in about seven rides around our residence south of Austin. My longest ride has been 40 miles with my average ride about 22+ miles. My 20+ route takes me south into San Marcos and probably has the nicest roads and scenery. I am currently scouting out additional miles onto this route since I want to get up to average rides of 40-50 miles and long rides of 70 miles. I think I have a route going west out of San Marcos but I want to explore it in a 4-wheeled vehicle before I set out.

Some things I have learned-

Dead road-kill skunks are much worse when you are cycling along at 15+ mph as opposed to driving by at 60 mph.

I HATE CHIP-SEAL ASPHALT ROADS, may the creator of these "cheap" rural surfaces have dead skunks outside their driveway each night (no offense to the poor skunks).

I love my cycling computer and I must have been crazy back in the 80's not to invest in one of these beautiful tools.

I love my bike.

I do not like railroad crossings, had my first "pinch flat" (thanks for the terminology Howard) crossing over one of these. This happened even after I made sure at the start of my ride to have my tires inflated to 100+ psi.

I love the CO2 cartridge inflator. Again something I did not have in the 80's. Made quick work of my tire repair.

Cycling with others is nice, I just kinda avoid it right now since I am a bit of a newb. While I am by no means out-of-shape, I do not wish to embarass myself at this early juncture of my riding career. My ego can be frail when cycling...

I did cycle along with my first cyclist today while heading south to San Marcos. Nice kid from Texas State out for a ride. We pulled for each other for about 5-6 miles and chatted about his schooling and cycling. I hope that is evidence of more "fun" group cycling to come. It is tough though since I usually ride in the daytimes each week when others are in work. Who knows maybe I will try and join one of the local cycling clubs after I feel that I can hold my own for a decent distance.

I love Texas weather (except the winds) and am very happy that I do not need to own a "ice-bike" like my bro-in-law Howard.

I love the CO for being patient with my new hobby while I am out on my bicycle, without her it would not be possible with 3 little ratings.

Well... more tidbits to follow soon.

XO

A Boy and His Bike or How My Sister and Brother In-Law Con'ed Me to Bike the MS-150:

Well my relations in Colorado, Baltictiger (my sister) and Howard (of "Why Howard Laughed" fame and my brother-in-law) are very avid bicyclists. In fact Howard (http://rktect.blogspot.com/) has biked 8,000 and 10,000 miles over the last two years with Baltictiger joining him on many of his adventures. Now do not get me wrong, biking has helped keep both of them in fantastic physical condition and it has led to many new friendships for them, but now they have pulled me into it.

Last year during one of his rides Howard met a gentleman that sponsors a bike team in the BP MS-150 bike ride from Houston to Austin in April. Well Howard has been looking for a reason to come down to Texas to bicycle so he arranged with the gentleman to get three team spots in his group.

Well lets do the math,

Howard+Baltictiger= 2,

Howard+Baltictiger+XO=3,

hmmm I sense a conspiracy here.

Bro-in-law and sister would only come down and do the event only if the XO participated in the event and being the family guy, I said "Yes I would love to do it"

You ask, "Where is this post going???"

Well the last road bike that I owned was passed on to Goodwill about 8 years ago in favor of a mountain bike. That mountain bike saw limited service and was recently sold to finance the new road bike for the XO's folly.

After multiple visits to the various bike shops in Austin with the CO and lower rates in tow, searching the Bicycle magazine "Buying Guides", and talking with co-workers who are avid cyclists like Howard, I made the jump and now am a proud owner of a Trek 2.1 6ocm road bike.

I won't go into the deep specifics of this fine machine (if you would like to dear reader then head to http://www.trekbikes.com/ ) but I am very happy with it.

Now comes the riding... wish me luck fellow readers and donations to my life insurance policy can be made to the CO.

Actually in all honesty, they did not con me into riding I actually enjoy the challenge.

XO

Note: Both photographs were taken by 1stLT "CJ" and Ssg "AJ" budding photographers that they are... and yes "CJ" put his fleece on backwards but he won't listen.

Laughing Out Loud

So... we're on our way to lunch after church today and CJ asks "Where are we going?" and the CO replies "That remains to be seen".
The kid's responses had the CO and XO in stitches -
CJ - "Where is mains be seen?"
AJ - "I don't like that place! It's yucky, yucky, yucky!"

I think something got lost in translation! Just wanted to share our laugh for today...

Little Momma

SSG AJ had all of her dolls lined up and was "changing them 'cause they all dirty, dirty"; "give them milk 'cause they crying"; and "give them kisses 'cause them so cute!" She's really turned into a little momma since EJ arrived - she tries to help feed and burp her, brings us the diapers and cream for changes, and has become an expert "paci minder". She'll say "Ohhh, EJ crying! I find paci! Here EJ, eat your paci!" She also thinks that you should "pet" your little sister! We're having fun watching our little family grow...

New Math??

How does someone so cute make such big messes?

OK, I have a Master's degree and I can't figure this out so maybe y'all can help me. How does adding one more person to the family make my laundry TRIPLE? Especially when her clothes are all so small?

Thank heavens for the super capacity, quick wash and dry cycle, energy and water efficient washer and dryer set we just got. Now if only it had come with someone to actually put the clothes in and fold them when they are done I'd be all set!



Sincerely,

The CO (aka "Drowning in Laundry")