My hands are shredded from using the trencher. I have two open blisters on one hand and four on the other. We got pretty far with the digging today but there is a lot more to do before we leave. We'll get it done but it won't be easy. I did enjoy being outside all day. The office environment is kinda soul sucking in some ways. I know it's ultimately easier on your body, but sitting at a desk is pretty stale compared to feeling the sun, breaking a sweat, and moving some earth.
That said, the weather really messed with me today. It was still 99 degrees at 7pm when I left for my 45min run. Usually my heart rate is about 65 when I start my run. Today it was 100. The weather does something weird to your heart. It works harder trying to cool your skin or something. I ended up doing the run and my strides and all and I felt amazing! No achilles pain at all. It was weird but good. I think the exercises are working.
There is a Tuesday night race ride along the American River Trail. A lot of the local roadies are out there. The crowd seems to balloon during the 3 weeks of the TdF. Tonight's ride seemed huge. I caught just the tail end of it as I was heading out toward Watt Ave. I know this isn't that original, but I do have some gripes about some of those who choose to ride road bikes. Before I start, let me say that I do have a road bike and I love riding on the road. I just get bugged out by some of the ego I see out there. Anyway, here we go:
1. Don't be so fucking unfriendly. If you make eye contact with me and I wave, at least acknowledge me. You're just spinning along anyway. It's not like you're racing. Or even doing a structured workout. You're not above common courtesy. This seems to be worse in the bay area but it still happens up here in 916.
2. Lubricate your damn chain. That $4500 Trek 5900 would ride a lot more like the rocket it is meant to be if you dropped a little lube on the chain. I sometimes fantasize about carrying a can of Pedro's Extra Dry Chain Grease. You're riding a machine. Learn to maintain it. Better yet, bring me a 6-pack and I'll lube your chain.
3. Only call out if it matters. I don't care if you're passing me if I am on the gravel path where you're not going to hit me anyway. Also, if #2 applies to you, you don't have to call out. I can hear the screaming of your bike from 200 yards away. Screeeech. ScreeeeeeEEECH.
4. Don't stop in the middle of the trail. Ever. Don't ever do it. This means you. I don't care if you're on a straight 2-mile stretch. Pull off the trail when you stop. Twice I've had some jackass stop their bike perpendicular on the trail. One time it was this bizarre convergence of a stopped bike, a couple bikes going the other direction, a guy pushing his kid in a baby jogger, and me. I don't ever want to see another roadie have to swerve onto the gravel like that. Scary stuff.
5. Don't talk shit about me. I don't think I'm paranoid when two college age guys cruise past, both look at me, neither say hello, one mutters something and they both chuckle. Laugh all you want about my running shorts, buddy. To 98% of the population, you look like a fool, too. How about some solidarity? I'm out there, you're out there. You're wack-ass "team issue" bike and euro trash sunglasses don't make you any better than me. I promise. And for the record, I have euro trash sunglasses, too. Mine are Rudy Project and they have big lenses and white frames. You can't get any trashier. See, we're all in this together.
6. This one is for when I'm out there on my bike. I AM NOT RACING YOU. If you latch onto my wheel and then try to out sprint me to a drinking fountain, I am going to pee on your leg as you ride past me. The speed limit on the trail is 15. Sometimes I go 20-22. I have no interest in hammering into the high 20s just so you can re-create some scene of Kevin Costner in "Breaking Away". Your Postal Service jersey does make you part of the Le Train Bleu. The next time someone gets on me wheel and doesn't say hello I am going to stop pedalling and hold on. No warning, just coasting.
7. Don't go so fast. This is especially for the guy who flew past me last week and quickly ate shit on a tight, dusty turn. Don't go so fast, speedy. The trail conditions change daily and it's crowded out there. Road rash hurts. Do do bruised egos.
8. To all you Tim DeBoom wanna-bes, most of you triathletes are worse bike handlers than the pure cyclists. Get over it. You really are worse. Didn't some Olympic triathlete last year actually crash into a wall all by herself? All alone, smooth pavement, big signs that say "Turn Left", and she still went straight into the wall. Hmmmm. Anyway, it's not all your fault that you hit inanimate objects. Your bike's geometry makes this worse. Steep seat tube angle and weight way over the front. Butt ry not to look so obviously panicked with your hands out there on that $300 aero bar. Better yet, get your hands off that damn aero and learn to control your bike first. Learn to ride in groups, how to stop, shift, carve turns. reach for your water bottle without swerving, all that good stuff.
9. All you guys with cheap hybrid bikes, a six pack on the rack, and fishing poles, rock on. You kick ass. I got no beef. Also, I have much respect for the guy on the 26" BMX cruiser who was holding onto the back of a group leaving the race ride today. One gear, knobby tires. He was making that Firemans Cruzer work. Rock n roll.
There. I feel better now.
That said, the weather really messed with me today. It was still 99 degrees at 7pm when I left for my 45min run. Usually my heart rate is about 65 when I start my run. Today it was 100. The weather does something weird to your heart. It works harder trying to cool your skin or something. I ended up doing the run and my strides and all and I felt amazing! No achilles pain at all. It was weird but good. I think the exercises are working.
There is a Tuesday night race ride along the American River Trail. A lot of the local roadies are out there. The crowd seems to balloon during the 3 weeks of the TdF. Tonight's ride seemed huge. I caught just the tail end of it as I was heading out toward Watt Ave. I know this isn't that original, but I do have some gripes about some of those who choose to ride road bikes. Before I start, let me say that I do have a road bike and I love riding on the road. I just get bugged out by some of the ego I see out there. Anyway, here we go:
1. Don't be so fucking unfriendly. If you make eye contact with me and I wave, at least acknowledge me. You're just spinning along anyway. It's not like you're racing. Or even doing a structured workout. You're not above common courtesy. This seems to be worse in the bay area but it still happens up here in 916.
2. Lubricate your damn chain. That $4500 Trek 5900 would ride a lot more like the rocket it is meant to be if you dropped a little lube on the chain. I sometimes fantasize about carrying a can of Pedro's Extra Dry Chain Grease. You're riding a machine. Learn to maintain it. Better yet, bring me a 6-pack and I'll lube your chain.
3. Only call out if it matters. I don't care if you're passing me if I am on the gravel path where you're not going to hit me anyway. Also, if #2 applies to you, you don't have to call out. I can hear the screaming of your bike from 200 yards away. Screeeech. ScreeeeeeEEECH.
4. Don't stop in the middle of the trail. Ever. Don't ever do it. This means you. I don't care if you're on a straight 2-mile stretch. Pull off the trail when you stop. Twice I've had some jackass stop their bike perpendicular on the trail. One time it was this bizarre convergence of a stopped bike, a couple bikes going the other direction, a guy pushing his kid in a baby jogger, and me. I don't ever want to see another roadie have to swerve onto the gravel like that. Scary stuff.
5. Don't talk shit about me. I don't think I'm paranoid when two college age guys cruise past, both look at me, neither say hello, one mutters something and they both chuckle. Laugh all you want about my running shorts, buddy. To 98% of the population, you look like a fool, too. How about some solidarity? I'm out there, you're out there. You're wack-ass "team issue" bike and euro trash sunglasses don't make you any better than me. I promise. And for the record, I have euro trash sunglasses, too. Mine are Rudy Project and they have big lenses and white frames. You can't get any trashier. See, we're all in this together.
6. This one is for when I'm out there on my bike. I AM NOT RACING YOU. If you latch onto my wheel and then try to out sprint me to a drinking fountain, I am going to pee on your leg as you ride past me. The speed limit on the trail is 15. Sometimes I go 20-22. I have no interest in hammering into the high 20s just so you can re-create some scene of Kevin Costner in "Breaking Away". Your Postal Service jersey does make you part of the Le Train Bleu. The next time someone gets on me wheel and doesn't say hello I am going to stop pedalling and hold on. No warning, just coasting.
7. Don't go so fast. This is especially for the guy who flew past me last week and quickly ate shit on a tight, dusty turn. Don't go so fast, speedy. The trail conditions change daily and it's crowded out there. Road rash hurts. Do do bruised egos.
8. To all you Tim DeBoom wanna-bes, most of you triathletes are worse bike handlers than the pure cyclists. Get over it. You really are worse. Didn't some Olympic triathlete last year actually crash into a wall all by herself? All alone, smooth pavement, big signs that say "Turn Left", and she still went straight into the wall. Hmmmm. Anyway, it's not all your fault that you hit inanimate objects. Your bike's geometry makes this worse. Steep seat tube angle and weight way over the front. Butt ry not to look so obviously panicked with your hands out there on that $300 aero bar. Better yet, get your hands off that damn aero and learn to control your bike first. Learn to ride in groups, how to stop, shift, carve turns. reach for your water bottle without swerving, all that good stuff.
9. All you guys with cheap hybrid bikes, a six pack on the rack, and fishing poles, rock on. You kick ass. I got no beef. Also, I have much respect for the guy on the 26" BMX cruiser who was holding onto the back of a group leaving the race ride today. One gear, knobby tires. He was making that Firemans Cruzer work. Rock n roll.
There. I feel better now.
posted by jacob lee at 10:37:00 PM
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