Silver Lining

Amid cancelled and delayed flights today, a small ray of sunshine.
Late arrival in Indy means breakfast at Cafe Patachou and espresso at
Hubbard and Cravens.

If I could work a ride in, I might actually prefer the delay.

Merry Christmas

Dandyism

There have certainly been times where I've been accused of being too concerned with aesthetic.  Of crossing the blurry line between enjoying the balance of life and art to join the vast amount of the masses who forgo practical application for the strict line of thinking which asks, "How do I look?"  

On the whole, I think I've managed to keep a balance (and have friends good enough to raise a halting hand when I start to go off course).  So, while I ride pink bikes and wear "snappy" caps, the questions of quality have always held firm enough to keep the balance and maintain enough class to keep me out of the gutter.

I think that balance is also why I find myself continually interested in the Rapha Continental Project.  Though the may be called poseurs and the product carries a sometimes cringe worthy price-tag, I still find the rides, routes and written words inspiring.  As I said when I posted the video of the Gentemen's Race, it seems to be "road racing I can get behind."

Now, they have introduced a extension of the Project called "Continental Calling."  Submit an epic and lead the Continental gang on a ride for a day.  So while the kids have the proverbial sugar plums dancing in their heads tonight, I will likely have routes running through mine.  If things worked out, I might even have someone create a cap for the occasion.  Seems like something a "dandy" would do.

Winter of Discontent

Hang Me Up to Dry

It occurred to me today that, though we gathered multiple bloggers in a single house, no one posted anything and therefore, nothing happened.  Or, to carry the theme too far forward, apparently the first rule of the party was that you don't talk about the party.

Thanks to everyone who came, particularly if you drove six hours in a borrowed car and strolled onto my back porch to fight a frozen door open and have your arrival stun me under the Christmas tree lights.  

In all seriousness, I hope everyone enjoyed themselves.  I know I did, even though in the end I realized I don't have the game to stay up until 4am anymore (unless of course, I'm on a bike.)

"Forty Is the New Minor Threat."

Quote from Johnny.  Invitation stylized by Mrs. Snob.

Use of crappy camera phone.  Me.

I really did think I would be dead by 40.

First Snow

Yes, I inadvertantly left the Niner outside... Whoops.

"The Secret of My Endurance."

Riding Through the Park and Reminiscing

I am a reflector.  One of those people who takes the end of the year too seriously, even too existentially (which proves the point) and replays the last 365 days under a pessimistic microscope just to confirm what an absolute sad-sack the season has been.

Why bother?  Good question.

Today, handling the roll of caboose with some of Lincoln's finest, I was cruising along, think of 09 as it fast approaches and how I could have done 08 a bit better.  It didn't last long though.  The sunshine and good times broke through all that heavy handed retrospection and I found myself just enjoying the day, cruising the fixed gear and talking to the fellas, sometimes about bikes, sometimes not. 

Of course, just like the day's reprieve from cold weather, it was just a delay of the inevitable deconstruction of year's events.  I'm looking forward to 09, but need to remember there's still a bit of 08 left to enjoy.  "If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it."

Assorted Snobbery: Long Division

Are We Happy?...

Yeah, we happy (and hopefully, Sir Wilhelm will feel the same way.)

Bad Boy Scout

Flat. Wrong stem length. Morning walk.

HItting the Reset

Uh, Corey, I don't think that's helping...

Fitness runs from you like it's hunted.  

I experienced the wake up call I expected over the weekend, riding with Corey both Saturday and Sunday and paying for my wayward efforts of the last few months.  However, what you couldn't see in my red face and heavy breathing was a satisfaction to be training again with goals ahead.

2009 is just around the corner.

Feeling Gravity's Pull

Measured Steps

It's come to this. I am so often frustrated with my discipline with food that I have taken to measuring everything. So far though, it seems to be working.

Team Over-Analysis Out.

Stockings for Stuffing

Is not a reference to turning in old socks in exchange for a Thanksgiving sidedish.

Instead, it's a ridiculous turn of phrase that popped into my regarding the simple fact that War Axe has now another style of sock available and a new way for you to get them.

I also spent quite a bit of time working on a new website for our foray into metal fabrication. Above is a glimpse of the new header as a preview but look for a new site near the end of December. For those of you that know this not so secret secret, send me a note and let me know what you think.

A Classics Kind of Day

Having risen too late to join the group ride, I opted to embrace to overcast skies and cool temps with the road bike. Despite it being a fall day, the brisk, cool chill reminded to of the Spring classics, so why not spin it up and imagine what it might be like to battle it out along cobbles and packed Belgium streets.

Of course, as I allued to yesterday, the Spring of 09 remains upfront in my mind. Browsing the web for potential races and trying, despite committing to a few of the usual suspects, to also freshen things up in 09

So far, the notepad reflects the following:

Ouachita Challenge April 5th. (written in pencil, pending a sometimes flakey travel partner.)

TransIowa May 2nd and 3rd. (jotted down in permanent ink.)

Dirty Kanza May 30. (used the same Sharpie as with TI.)

Laramie Enduro August 1. (the #2 is back in effect. )

Payson Stampede aka 24hr Nationals September 26th and 27th. (ballpoint pen)

I'm sure there will be more internet searches and writing implement selections to come.

Black Friday: The First Day of 09

Pathological?  Maybe.  Every year at this time I feel compelled to 'start again' and get ready for the next season.  I tend to review what went wrong with the season that's coming to a close and plan out where I'd like to be in the upcoming year.

Today, the habit reared it's ugly head in spades and as I rode three easy hours on the fixed through Wilderness, I went from reviewing a year of near misses to excitement over the prospects of 09.  "This is the first day of next year," kept rolling through my head.

I guess I have some hopes for 09.  Or, more likely, I just need to lighten the fuck up.

Why so serious?

Dial A Cliche

Socks and ties are usually mocked as horrible gift ideas.  Hopefully, that's not the case with these.

Spent a few hours working on the new War Axe site today.  Aside from a banner a couple more content pages.  We are almost there.  Stay tuned for the new looked arriving in time for Christmas.

Toothpaste for (Thanksgiving) Dinner

Toothpaste For Dinner