Nonsense: Anyway

I have not had the time or energy to write of late. I have probably lost more than a few subscribers due to that fault. Last week was extremely busy and I only had enough free time to return to my barracks room and sleep. This weekend was mostly counter productive, but I did take the time to wash my onward Tacoma. I suppose I could have smithed a few words over my two days of freedom, but I was lacking the inspiration.

Apologies.

Rides: Endurance

I must be brief.

On Saturday I did "compete" in the Tour de Fort 12 hour endurance road race. It was quite an experience and I am glad to have done it, but I'm not sure it's something I would like to do again. It would not have been the same without my friends Zach and Lee who spent their Saturday handing me water bottles and fig newtons. I can't thank them enough. In the end I rode the 15 mile loop 11 times for a total of 165 miles.

I can still feel the saddle in my ass.

This week's Sundaily just happened to be a band named Muse. I almost bought their album (who's name I can't recall at this time) purely for it's outrageous cover art. Don't worry, the music is equal in its own outrageousisity.

This week I'll be working darling 12 hour shifts for the entire week, so, if your a frequent reader don't expect to hear from me until the weekend.

Aren't we all excited for Halloween?

Rides: Shortest Post Ever

Yesterday it began raining sweet little rain drops from the sky, so, I opted to deny myself a ride on the Orbea.

Today I was able to get in 27 miles under dreary skies which, fortunately, did not rain on me. It was a short ride, but was required to begin tapering for the upcoming 12 hour event on Saturday.

Wish me luck...I guess.

Also today, I got my jagged little front tooth fixed, but found out that I need about 5 other teethers cut out mah greel.

Suck!

Journeys: Atlanta (October 13th and 14th)

I suppose I could write some really cleverly critical piece that bashes society as we know it in Atlanta. I suppose I could rant and rave about how ridiculous it is that I hand out quarters to homeless crackheads one moment only to turn a corner to watch a man, who gets paid millions of dollars to throw an orange ball at net, sign autographs. I'm sure I could get down and dirty and slanderously attack the mayor of the city, even though I have no idea who he is, and try to express my feelings on how backwards the world is. Actually, I just don't give a fuck. It's life. The homeless crackhead will save his quarters and buy more crack, shaq will keep lobbing those orange balls, and I, well, I will just keep living.

Atlanta is a nice city anyway...I wouldn't rag on the mayor. (Whoever he is).

I left work as early as possible on Friday night (the 13th!) and made it to the Tabernacle just in time to see the Nintendo Fusion Tour kick off.

The first band was "The Sleeping" from New York. Typical screamo, but it was good enough.

Next up was "The Plain White T's" a group from Chicago with an upbeat clean sound. Not much else though.

Third band was "Emery", another screamo group that had a totally whacked out keyboardist/screamer who pulled a nice stunt when he stood on the hands of his screaming fans in the pit. I wish I could've taken a picture.

Fourth up was "Relient K" from Ohio. They had a huge fan base at the show, but I didn't think they were all that wonderful. I just couldn't really get down with it.

What I did think was wonderful was the show that "Hawthorne Heights" put on. They brought out the big lights and everything. By that time the Tabernacle was packed and the crowd was awesome. Pictureless and deaf I left somewhere near midnight for the Travel Lodge just down the street.

Wandering the streets at 0100 looking for food I ran into a 60 year old bum that asked me if I hated African Americans. I responded with a negative and we talked of his past experiences riding a boxcar into Atlanta. I told him if he could show me an open restaurant I would give him a few dollars towards that bread and baloney (crack) that he wanted to buy to feed his wife.

He took me to Hooters. Whatever.

The next day I woke up at about 1000 (lazy I know) and drove to the Woodruff Arts Center to check out the Louvre in Atlanta display at the High Museum of Art. I guess it was cool if you were a 50 year old white dude trying to impress your mother with your art buff-like knowledge on Louis XIV's art collection. I haven't even seen MY mother in 6 months.

So, I lasted about 45 minutes in that awful place, leaving with an aching back and a bad attitude. I did take a picture.

It took another homeless crackhead to lead me to the nearest Marta (subway) station. There I boarded the southbound to check out the Five Points district and Underground Atlanta.

Five Points was basically a crackhead hang out and shopping area and Underground Atlanta was a small underground mall. The end.

I strolled down Peachtree Street for a while and ran into a Starbucks. I purchased coffee. Shortly there after another homeless crackhead tried to take a drink of my coffee as I walked past him on the street.

Crackhead etiquette.

I continued to kill time until the Yeah Yeah Yeah's show at the Tabernacle by strolling the downtown area. Eventually I got back on the Marta to pick my truck up and then made my way to the venue.

I feel that I can't describe too much of the Yeah Yeah Yeah's performance because I don't want to ruin it for certain civilian personnel who are jealous that they have not yet seen the Yeah Yeah Yeah's live. I will respect that jealousy. If you are not Trish and you want to know more please call me at 706-513-4938.

Otherwise, the show was insane! The crowd was definitely bigger than the Hawthorne Heights show me and everyone was going nuts! Karen O can really work the crowd too. She was quite wonderful.

Anyway, that's it...!

P.S. I know I'm behind on the Northern Georgia bit, but I hope to have it together tomorrow!

Rides: Ride Report

Just a few quick riding notes.

Yesterday (Sunday) I had a killer ride at FATS. Cranked the whole 30 miles again in 3 hours. I zenned with the trail to perfection, the sun was shining, the squirrels were leaping, it was perfect.

I made it home just in time for a quick 10 mile loop on the Orbea before dark. A good way to finish the day.

Today was strictly a road day. 40 miles on Range Road. It was a dreary day with intense cloud cover and lower temperatures so I broke out my new nylon riding vest for the pedaling.

I'm picking up my pictures from Atlanta in a few minutes so I should have some words posted on the A-town later tonight.

Check it.

Rides: Very Very Stupid, But Very Very Lucky

Don't ride your road bike at night without a headlight. Just don't do it. So not cool.

The ride started at 1530 with a lap around Range Road. After the lap was complete I road through Augusta to Andy Jordan's for a 20 mile group ride. After the group ride was finished I returned to Fort Gordon. 71 miles total.

The legs are smoked.

This weekend is chock full of activities that occur in the Atlanta town. Tomorrow night is Hawthorne Heights at the Tabernacle. Starts at 1830 and I am killer stoked. Then I'll spend the day of Sat keeping it reals at the High Museum of Art as "the Louvre in Atlanta" opens for viewing. I'm not sure how much of an "art" person I am, but I'll have to try it on for size. Saturday night I will return to the Tabernacle to get down with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs to wrap up the weekend.

Stoked.

"Cat was pimp." -Zach

Nonsense: Chip On My Tooth

So yesterday, I was at my work place vigorously gnawing on my nails, horrible habit I know, but I've been under some intense work related stress lately and the habit is not kicked at the moment. Anyway, I was chewing away when I felt something extremely gritty and hard roll to the right side of my mouth. It was immediately spit from my mouth. I had no clue what it was. So I was running my tongue over my teeth searching for more of these foreign particles hiding in my mouth when I noticed that my front tooth was missing some of itself.

Yeah, my nails are that rock hard. Damn.

And no I didn't go to the dentist afterwards!

Today I had to throw down 45 lonesome road miles on the Orbea. I started at my self-storage facility and rode to the Warehouse. After some brief chit chat with the AJBW crew I proceeded to ride the Old Nail Road route before returning to my self-storage facility.

I suppose I'm trying to train for the 12 hour endurance race that I'm participating in on the 21st, but it's more of a fun thing, not a competitive thing.

Dude, totally.

Rides: Blurry

My fire engine red right eye could not hold a contact today. I have some strange weakness in regard to contacts. If I wear them too long during the day my eyes become hyped up on irritation and I am forced to take a break from wearing them for a few days. I wore them too long yesterday.

So, while riding FATS this morning I opted to wear neither my contacts nor my spectacles. It really does make riding that much more fun.

30 miles of the purest nonstop South Carolina singletrack people. Love it. The route was Great Wall to No Name to Brown Wave, back on Skinny, and the finish on Deep Step. Read 'em and weep (that is a picture of FATS you are seeing!).

I tried two new things this evening. Mustard and Wilco.

The mustard came on a panini at Panera Bread (sandwich shop). I'm not really sure how I feel about the whole ordeal of devouring the school bus yellow bittery burning substance. I'll have to sleep on it. Think about it. Dream about it. Write blogs about it.

Wilco is a band. Wilco was this week's Sundaily CD purchase which came by way of a strong recommendation from the Trish. Specifically the album is titled Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and is now one of the slower CDs that I own. Some parts are kind of funky too include the percussion and the lyrics. I, for one, am always down with percussional experimentation/genius. I think this Wilco thing will have to be something I have to be in the mood to listen to, but, I will also have to sleep on it.

Niteys.

Nonsense: Tripping?

The singlespeed expedition to northern Georgia is now over. I know, it was supposed to last until Monday, but certain circumstances, which I'm positive you will read of in the near future, contributed to a premature cessation. The three days of adventuring that I was able to complete were extraordinary and can only be captured in the most unprecedented of blogs which will be conveniently delivered to your eyes and brains as soon as possible.

At this point I must leave you, dearest of readers, with a very important life inquiry that was posed during my travels.

"Chicken, what I have? Or fish?"

- Jessica Simpson

Nonsense: Marshmallow Mateys (Compare To Lucky Charms)

How'd we make Marshmallow Mateys taste so good? We combine whole grain oats with the perfect touch of sweetness and bake it all to perfection using our Crisp Crunch Technology. Then we add pirate-themed marshmallow bits to make your breakfast a special treat. A taste so good we guarantee it!

In other news...

With new rank comes a new room. That's right, instead of riding trail yesterday, I got to move from the 1st floor to the big bad ass 3rd floor. But, hey, what can I say? I'll never have a room mate again and I have the entire room all to my candy self. The whole process took about 6 hours and I got in an awesome calf work out.

Kick ass!

I guess that is all for this week. Tomorrow morning I begin my super awesome singlespeed expedition into northern Georgia until Monday. Oh will there ever be a posting when I return.

One gear, one life.

Nonsense: An Occurance

This morning at 0900 hours the Army saw fit to promote me to the rank of sergeant. There it is. Out in mass media.

Frank the Tank would say:

"Am I supposed to be a different person? I don't feel like a different person."

Thanks Frank.

Tomorrow morning I have a fitness test, hence my lack of riding in the past two days. Besides, they are tired and when legs get tired they get really cranky just like your grandmother. You have to take a break from pedaling every so often and also from grandmothers.

Finally, let us praise the local maintenance crew here on Fort Gordon for reluctantly adjusting the heating and cooling system at our barracks so that it expells air at least one degree farenheit above zero degrees. I don't have to sleep fully dressed anymore.

Thanks guys.

Rides: Happy October

The scene at FATS was crowded and that's the way it should be. I haven't seen that many riders out letting it happen since I've been riding there. Awesome. I also had the opportunity to ride with another singlespeeding brother, Chris, who was down from Columbia. We had a good chat about sweet trails to ride and then I washed out in a super sandy right turn.

Cheese grater to the right knee please.

I managed just over 20 miles and my leggins are warm and toasty right now. I believe a good stretch is in order before I occupy my sleeping area for the night.

The Sundaily CD purchase for this week was The Decembrists - Her Majesty. It's quite different, but quite good. Steal it, download it, whatever makes you happy. Just check out a track or two.

As this glamorous weekend ends we must look forward to the day in which we will celebrate Columbus's astounding voyage across the puddle. Why it's a federal holiday I'll never know.

Ahoy mateys!