20 Feet from the Hotel

at the Contemporary Jewish Museum of San Francisco...

Another Day at the Playground

Homestretch

December Suprise

Pleasant surprises aren't many during the holidays anymore, but today
proved an exception.

Depauw University has turned an old quarry into miles of trails which
are perfect for trail running and I decided to explore nearly all of
it today, continually driven on by surprising views and a sunny day.

The highlight was popping out of the woods to the surprise of a quarry
rim trail with a sky stretching for miles. I ran constantly eyes
right until jogging down through the base of the old quarry, dodging
small ponds which reminded me of tide pools out west.

If ever there was an oasis in the midst of a vacation, this was it.

The Only Thing Missing Is a Train

Hello Springfield!!

I think I jinxed us with my last post. Our plane flight was cancelled
in Springfield, Illinois late yesterday, so, stranded in a strange
city, we spent the night and have rented a car to get to Indy.

I've been throwing out "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" quotes this
morning, buy they're lost on my crew and so fairly pointless.

So, to steal a phrase from Henry Rollins instead, "I like lemons."

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.