Thursday, July 31, 2008

OVer the bridge and under the rain


I'm in the open, I'm in the way.

Very few who read this blog know adam turner. I lived with him and hippleshevit when I first moved to VA Beach waaaaaay back in summer 01. Jackson was Adam's big yellow lab. He was the best dog I have ever known. HOWEVER, this gentleman pictured above has taken the lead. Ozzie is without question the best dog I have ever known. He loves everyone. He even humps the face of the giant Rottweiler hugo. YOu have to be liked if a Rottweiler will let you hump his FACE! Bryan, can you explain that behavior?

Anyway, Ozzie just got his therapy dog license and I wanted to give him a shout out. What a great guy. I dog sat him a bunch of times and he'd shed like a catholic in a house of ill repute. THat'd make me mad because I would have to spend about 3 hours vacuuming up after him. But how can you stay mad at a puppy like this? I made his bed on the floor next to mine and somehow he'd end up on my bed by about 3 am. YOu just cant kick a guy like this off!

Happy b-day shippy.

Lastly, the insurance adjuster FINALLY called today. She sent me an email that I never received and is asking for proof of ownership. I might have her call some of you to verify my possessions. I know she is going to drop her jaw when she sees how much bike gear was stolen. I have already spent $8779 replacing tools, clothes, bike parts, and missing items. I am about $1000 short and have a $500 deductible. Lucky me.

Meet the 4th roomate tonight. So far everything is peachy. I need a new computer for class. Anyone have any suggestions?

Oh, rode 35 miles today down wildcat canyon. This descent is crazy. 40mph without a single pedal stroke and sitting up in the wind. I am sure that if I pedaled, I could fly off the mountain and no one would ever knew I were missing. I love that kind of adventure/risk. Come ride with me. Tall Capo socks rule!

New fav shirt

The bear shirt was pretty awesome, but this one may be my new
favorite. Possible poll coming for you to vote for your favorite!
Leave a comment and let me know if a poll is order.

By the way, 60 mile rr sat and a 25 mile crit Sunday. I need to race
to find some normalcy in my life!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

California Dreamin

Top down switchin 4 lanes....

iPhone wallpapers



Just a couple pics taken on the iPhone.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

The road to my house is legit

I received the below from Chris Brianas. Check his blog out. I live on a really really steep hill. Need a 27 just to finish my rides.....





JW,

The official ruling on Marin Ave is that it is max 3.5% grade. Ha ha ha... just messing.

Well, it is insane and legit. Let me give you some geeky stats.

Along Marin, from San Pablo to Hillsdale, it is 2.09 miles (11,035.2 ft). It climbs 817 ft. 817/11035 = 7.4%.

And the REALLY steep part: Along Marin, from Arlington/Sutter to Hillsdale, it is .61 miles (3,220.8 ft). It climbs 541 ft. 541/3220.8 = 16.8%!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is that right? I gotta check another site. Bender interjection: this doesnt account for the flattening at cross streets. There are sections here that are well beyond 20%! It is all I can do to get up these hills in my 39x27!

See the attached pics for all the details. It's actually pretty cool. The site is www.bikeroutetoaster.com You can click on "Map" then click on "course point" in the upper right, then away you go. You can create an account to save the routes.

By the way, awesome news about the 2009 Tour of California this February. The last stage is a mountaintop finish on Palomar Mountain!!! Are you kidding me? That is frickin awesome! When I told Cezanne she was like "that's exactly what you said they should do!" I thought that would be so cool. Not to have the last stage be Palomar, but to finish up Palomar.

The Tour of California organizers are working with ASO, the Tour organizers, so they've expanded to 9 days to cover more of California. Palomar is the Alpe d'Huez of California, I think. It's got all the swithbacks and kind of the same length and gradient.

I actually did the pics of the ride up Palomar and the gradient, etc. Turns out to be 6.65 miles at 7.9%.

Here is the link to the article about the ToC.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=features/2008/tour_of_california_jul08

I love this stuff! I can't wait to retire from the Navy then get hired on as a Soigneur for a pro team... :)

Alright, enough geeking out, time to have some icecream.

-Chris

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Just a little sunday laugh





Need I say anything more?

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Happy birthday mom!!!

She never wants anyone to know, but celebrate my mom's birthday with me.

Finally got an opportunity to wash the car and take off the 23tooth
cassette on the slc. Otherwise, unpacked more of the kitchen and
worked in the garage. Not much else.

The morning is a huge day for the tour and my 1st official sat ride
with the team. I am almost done with the insurance replacing items,
now I just need to get insurance to pay up.

This pic is 1 block from my house. Any riders want to come out for a
while?