I Found It !!!!!!!!!!!!

I look all week every week, and then I find it! Friday!!!! Yep, it has arrived. Play time is upon us, bicycles and beer. Good times all around. I have said it before and will again, "if you show up to work on Monday all happy and not worn out, you just wasted a weekend".

You only get 52 of them a year. Don't waste them!!! Tonight we are gonna try something a little different. The wife and I are gonna head to Pineville and park. Then take the light rail downtown and find some where to eat, then take a little walk around and see what's happening. Charlotte has a light rail line that's been there for several years and we have never even tried it.

You tend to get stuck in a rut, doing the same things and never stepping out of your box. We live in the country and Monroe is the closest town to us. Now it has a full range of restaurants and about everything you need. As in now we find we never go to Charlotte anymore. We used to live in Matthews and spent all our time in Charlotte, now we never do.

                                                          I miss that!

Even the wife seems excited, when she's happy the house is happy and everything is right! Happy wife happy life....... Best advice I every heard............. LOL


Yes I am riding this weekend, tomorrow a road ride and Sunday I am thinking I might need to get out the mountain bike. I guess I enjoyed it the other night, since then I have been thinking about heading somewhere to ride. Maybe Uhwarrie maybe somewhere else....

That Sucks,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Saturday when Kelly and I where out riding he made mention that he had heard my buddy Bud had closed his bike shop. That's the shop I just bought my road bike from. I knew he was having a hard time getting things off the ground, he's been there for the last 2 years. The first year was a lose but that's to be expected. The most recent year he was really hoping it would get going.

Apparently it didn't! When I was in there the other week he was talking about what he was gonna do but he said nothing about being so close to closing. Kelly had heard Cannondale, his main brand of bike had come in and taken back everything he had.

Well it was true! I drove by yesterday after I rode, I wanted to see and I need a few things. The only thing left inside the store front was the paint on the walls! It was spotless, completely cleaned out. Everything gone! It was kinda weird.. I was just in there the other day and then to see it completely empty is just weird.

I hate he didn't make it, he's a good guy and knows what he's doing it's just Charlotte has about 10 to many bike shops and he was out in the country. He had a good location as far as shop rides go, it's just really hard to get established in this market. Hopefully he will land some where and our paths will cross again. I just hate to see him close.


Yes I did mention I rode yesterday. I went to Beatty park right here in Matthews, I did a few laps and then called it a day. The trail was in great shape! The way they have been talking on the local forum I thought it was gonna be in bad shape. Wrong!!!!!!

Somebody is crying wolf way to much!!!!!! There was talk of a 4 wheeler riding there.... No sign what so ever......

All Is Well,,,,,,,,,,,,

In the tax world anyway, I knew it would be. It is every year! For some reason I still dread filling my taxes. I guess it has to do with being self employed for 6 years. I hated tax time back then, I was always in the hole and had to pay. So I would file extensions and drag it out forever.

Now it's pretty simple, I have no need to worry but I still do. Maybe one of these days I will get over it and get used to tax time. It's really no big deal. I was in, I was out! E-file and the refund (small refund lol) is on the way.

Enough about that, the bike is loaded and the car id packed! I don't really want to ride the mountain bike but that's what I am gonna do. I want to be outside playing and the road just don't work with the sun setting. Beatty park is on my way to the house today. I can ride right up till dark and get in a good workout!

As I said, two weeks and I will be on the road as much as I can take. At that point I hope to get up to at least 150 miles a week. It's gonna be a good summer! Plus I have a vacation coming up in a few months! We are gonna head to the mountains again. Right now we are kinda fond of Asheville and plan to head back.

I am looking forward to the biking and Karen is looking forward to the shopping. We never go anywhere in the spring so this is gonna be a first for us. We are usually a mid summer end of summer type vacationers. This will be a first!

I Am Sore ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

That was my motto yesterday. Good sore not bad sore! I just had that feeling, I knew I had a good weekend. That kinda sore. I felt good knowing I had upped my mileage so much so fast, and survived. Now I look forward to the next ride! It would have been today but I have to meet the tax man and have out taxes done today.

Tomorrow baring any rain I will be headed to the trails after work. I would rather ride the road but that ain't gonna happen for at least 2 more weeks. Time changes on the 9th of March and I can't wait. Until then it's just not safe with the sun at such a low angle when everybody is trying to head home. I don't want to be a hood ornament!

Last night I came home and ate dinner then hit the garage wide open! I ended up cleaning the inside of my Blazer and Karen's Miata. Then I cleaned the Gold Wing and got it ready for this morning. I haven't ridden the motorcycles in a while and spring is just about here so I figured it was time to ride. Of course it was 37 degrees this morning, I thought it was gonna be warmer than that.

But I made it...... That just shows you it's all in your head. I was nice and warm and I had no issues. Plus I found it full of gas, win win all the way around.

Perfect !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The weekend! 92.3 miles total. 5200ft of climbing. 3900 calories burned. That's a good weekend of riding, I got in the hard ride Saturday. Then yesterday I hit the road for a "easy" ride and damn if it didn't turn out to be tough! I should have known as I was easily pedaling along at 20 miles an hour that the wind was pushing me.

But no I had my mind on other things! I paid the price when I did the U-turn. I went from the house out to Olive Branch on hwy 218. I had a route planned but nothing I wanted to do. When I got there I decided I didn't want to do my route so I did a road I had not done before. Figured I would keep with the theme from the day before. Trying new roads.

I had a general idea where it went so I headed back toward Marshville. Immediately I could tell the ride home was gonna be tough! It was too.... At some points I was pedaling hard and only going 10 miles an hour. Then through in a few hills and it was tough.

I just lowered my head and kept pedaling. I didn't try to kill myself and it turned out to be a good follow up for the day before. When I got home I had done more than planned and I still felt pretty good. I only had 38.5 miles but they where good ones. If I keep this up on the weekends and then start doing a few rides during the week it won't be long before I will be back up to top speed.

Plus I am still doing well with my new eating program  and I am happy with the progress on that end. It won't be long before I will get to the 20 pounds lost mark. That's when I will really be able to tell where I am going.............

A Little Test.....................

With the weather lately the mountain has hung in the garage for a while now. It doesn't really matter, I got my new road bike and I have been enjoying it anyway. I have no plans to hit the woods until the trails are nice and sweet again. Why play in the mud when you damn sure don't have too.

The only draw back to being a roadie here lately is the time it gets dark. Right now it seems like I am only getting out about once a week. I am getting some short rides in going to town but they aren't very long. This week I had my Sunday ride and 2 trips to the store, total on that, 8 miles.

Well Kelly has been getting in around 150 miles a week! His schedule is a lot different than mine. He works weekends usually only and I work 5 days a week. He actually had a total of 200 plus miles after our ride yesterday for the week! Point is I knew it was gonna be a test for me yesterday when I said lets ride.

We met at Unionville and headed toward Locust. We ended up going to Stanfield then Oakboro then New Salem and back to Unionville. Total 54 miles and 3300 foot of climbing! Average speed of 17 plus miles an hour! It was a great ride, I held my own and kept up.

He showed me a few new roads and I showed a few to him. We chatted and climbed and flew down a few hills here and there. One of those good rides, the kind you can't wait to do again. Top speed for the day ended up being 42 miles an hour! Not bad.

I was beat when I got home I will tell ya that! I didn't bonk but I was close. It's fun to push yourself past your comfort zone once and  a while. I could have done the same mileage by myself I just wouldn't have done it at the same rate of speed. I would have been a lot slower by myself. Although I feel like it was a good measure of things to come.

I keep working on the weight and the speed will be there. I can see that already. I can't wait to get back in top riding form. I am getting just a few glimpses into what it was like to be fast again and I like it! It's been a while since I would consider myself fast, but I can start to see it! It's only a few training rides and 20 pounds away.......

Friday ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

That's what it is and I am ready for the weekend! Even my horoscope said I would have a hard time at work today because I have my mind on the weekend. I learned that as I sat down for lunch and read the paper made me laugh! I hardly ever read it but it matched today....

My mind is ready to ride. I am going to do the road tomorrow and I plan on getting out early. I want to get at least 50 so I need to get gone. We have plans for tomorrow evening so the day is mine. The woods are still to wet and won't be ready for a few more days. Besides I am on a road bike kick these days, I like covering ground and knocking out mileage. I hope to get out to Burnsville and back tomorrow.

The only thing that could make it better would be a tail wind the whole time. Coming, going, you name it. Tail wind all day! But that ain't gonna happen so lets hope for no wind. That would work too!

Anyhow today has been wide open here at work so I need to get back to it. I am on a roll, my sales are kicking so it's time to ride the wave.......... Have a good weekend............

Just Like A Kid !!!!!!!!!!

It was so warm when I got home yesterday I even cleaned the gutters so I could be outside! After that I road my bike to the store for beer. I didn't even want any beer but it seemed like a good excuse to ride the bike. Plus I was out of beer!

As I was headed home yesterday I knew what I needed to get at the store but I decided to wait and go on my bike. You see I have the Specialized Cross bike I never ride and it needs ridden. Either that or somebody needs to give me $500.00 bucks for it. Since nobody is beating a path to my wallet I am gonna ride it.

                              As I said I went to the store, "Just Like A Kid".

I even rode without a helmet! Yes I should have worn it but ya know how long we road as kids and did just fine. The world is to over protective now. I rode down the back road about as slow as you can go without falling over. I could have went faster but I didn't want to. I just wanted to enjoy being outside, I had shorts on and it was 70 degrees.

                                                                 70 degrees!!!!

After a snow storm this time last week it was freakin great! I strolled along and took deep breaths and enjoyed the moment. I even went through the church parking lot and went around the building. Why? For no reason at all! It was great! Once I got to the store I hung out and chatted with Mike for a few minutes and then headed back. I managed to make a 4 mile round trip take almost an hour!

I barely made it back by dark. It didn't matter if I beat darkness, but I didn't have any lights with me. I need to put some on that bike. Especially since it's gonna be my commuter now. Yep as part of my new life style change. I can be in downtown Monroe in 15 minutes pedaling. I only have to get on one major road for a quarter mile. Then I work my way up the side roads. Yes I ride the same roads for the most part but it's funny how my wife's mind works.

I can get on my fast road bike and take off for hours and tell her what roads I took and she says nothing! But I get on my commuter with regular shorts on and she says "be careful". Just thought that was funny.....

Anyhow I need to mail a few things today, I left them on the kitchen counter. I plan to ride to town tonight. I have a rack and bags on this bike and it's worth a few extra miles a week. Why not I feel like a kid when I ride that bike. I even stop and check things out.      "Just Like A Kid"

Reality,,,,,,,,,,

Last night I got a doss of "Reality", I had went to the store the night before and got a few things. Last night the wife and I decided to go ahead and go, kinda get the trip outta the way for the week. We are rolling along and doing the right thing looking for healthy options.

As we stroll up to the meat section I say lets get a few steaks for tomorrow night! That's when it hit me, "no red meat" is like on the top of the list as far as tips to loose weight. That means no steak, no hamburgers, "no red meat'! Simple as that, of course you can eat meat in small portions, which I will. But right now I am going to stay cold turkey!

Once I get where I want to be then I will reward myself but until then no meat. Sounds kinda caveman when you say it like that. "No meat"!!!!!

I can tell that fish is fixing to be substituted! We have never been a big fish family but that's about to change! I am about to learn all the tricks to cooking fish. Baked, broiled you name it! Well maybe not every way, no fried! Changing is tough but that's what it takes.


Now on to the bike. The weather has finally broke, at least for now. So I hope to start riding at least a little bit in the evening's. I can get out for about an hour right now before it gets dark. If I bring my lights I can stretch it out. Today and the rest of the week is supposed to be in the 70's....

                                                Rock On!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When, Not If...........

After rereading my post from yesterday I thought to myself that come hell or high water I am gonna lose the weight. I got the new road bike and am riding it so if I allow myself to keep saying "if I lose the weight" I never will lose the weight. It's a commitment not an option!

I need to be about 180 weather or not I ever race again! It's about being healthy and I want to be healthy. Last night I went to the store and did a little shopping. I have found that now when I go I spend more time in the produce area than I do any where else. It's been a change for sure.

We are now going to the store about twice a week instead of once. But it's only because fresh will spoil, and the store is only a few mile away so no big deal. I am learning a lot about what is good for you and quantity. That's a big part of it, portions.

We went out to eat Friday night for Valentines day and when I felt like I was full I quit eating and had them take my plate away. Just because they give you enough for two doesn't mean you have to eat it. The lady even asked me if something was wrong with my plate. I said no, I am just full. She offered a to-go box and I politely declined. I had a grilled chicken salad and the sound of that redone the next day just didn't sound so good.

The biggest change has been no fried food what so ever! That's hard when you really crack down and obey that rule. Now 99 percent of fast food is off limits. It takes a little more planning than I am used too. I haven't went crazy, I will still splurge a little. The other day we stopped at McDonald's and I had a grilled wrap and the wife and I split a small fry. I won't lie, they were good to! But a serving is more like half a small than a super sized box!

Point is, I am going to succeed!

Out And About.......

I vented yesterday about NASCAR so now we can get back to riding bikes! After the southern version of a blizzard, I finally got to ride yesterday. I waited till noon and then hit the road. I got dressed based on the current weather and hit the road. I guess it's just been a while since I had ridden in the cold so I couldn't decide if I was cold or not.

Last Sunday I had ridden and it was in the low 60's, then we had the snow and here we are again, riding once a week! So I head out and I can't decide if I am cold or not. I tried to stay around the house and town for the first 10 miles and then I figured what the heck, it ain't to bad. I headed out of town.

I ended up with 38 miles but it was a good ride. Once again the wind was a big factor, this time of year if your gonna ride you just except it. The wind is gonna blow and it's not always gonna be in your favor. More than once yesterday I turned a corner and started gearing down. I have been riding long enough that I deal with it.

If you want to ride, ride if not stay home and come up with an excuse. It looks like we are gonna get some warm air this week! I hope this will finally be the break, I am ready! Time change is coming sometime before long and then I can get back in the groove. I am really looking forward to it this year. Some years come and go and I can honestly say I don't care if  the weather breaks or not.

This year is gonna be different! I have really been working on my eating habits and am starting to loose weight. When your clothes start feeling a little looser you start thinking about possibilities! Not saying I am making any plans yet but I am not a fan of racing if I don't have a chance. I have a good measuring stick of my ability, just by the crowd I ride with. If I can drop  20 more pounds don't be surprised to see me at a race or two...........

Really ,,,,,,,,,,,,

So I went for a ride today, we can talk about that tomorrow! Today all I have to say is Nascar is rigged!!!!!

                                "Really", the number 3 car is on the pole!

I don't watch many races, or should I say, I only watch a few "finishes of races". I get bored watching the cars going in circles. Besides the last few laps are all that matter. But I got home and it was almost over so I watched. I am convinced, it's rigged............

Now I Am Going Crazy ,,,,,,,,,,,,

So we played and had a good time. It's melting fast but not fast enough! I had hoped to ride today but it just ain't working out. The woods are way to wet, Uhwarrie would be the only option for riding and been it's to wet.

The road was my plan but we have wind that would be terrible to try to ride in. The dog and I went out and did a few errands but besides that we are stuck in the house!  Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

Day 4 ,,,,,,,,,,

And it's over! Now it time to clean up and melt all this away. We are supposed to get rain tonight and it's gonna stay above freezing for the next several days. Snowmageddon is on it's way out! I love to see snow and I love to see snow go!

It's made for a weird week, I worked Monday and half a day Tuesday. The rest of the week has been a waste. As I said, it's been fun and now it's time to get back to normal. I am ready to ride my bike and that takes dry roads. Once again the woods will be a mess for a while.

I hope to get out tomorrow for a spin. Besides that we need to go to the store, not much going on this weekend but it's here. For the first time in forever I actually am ready to go back to normal. Monday and next week will be it I hope. Snow in the south is more of a hassle than anything.

It just messes everything up!

Round 3 ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

This has to be a first! Day 3 of the snow storm of the decade. Or at least the snow storm of 2014! This is great, the dog and I went out first thing this morning and dropped off the mail.  They were working hard to clear downtown Monroe, why I have no ideal. As I sit here watching the TV they have closed all Monroe city offices for the day.

So why worry about downtown. Oh well, I am having fun! We only got stuck in one ditch yesterday! Yep, we tried to make a last minute left when we should have stayed straight. Ended up in some ones front yard! A guy stopped and pulled us out and we were good to go.

Point is, don't make any sudden movements and you can do OK. My 4wheel drive Blazer has worked great. As I am typing this it's snowing like crazy again!

                                            "Round 3"

Round 2 ,,,,,,,,,,

Yesterday was round 1, now we are starting "Round 2". As I am typing this it just started snowing again. We got about 2 inches yesterday it's still on the ground. Today we are supposed to get another 3-6inches and then it turns to sleet and then ice.

I could do without the ice but it's coming so it is what it is. The kids and I where over at the church last light till about 10, one other family was there but that was it. We had fun sledding and are gonna head back over there today. The wife had to work, I took her in at 7am and we are closed at the lumber yard.

About the time she gets home today it should be about perfect for sledding again! We have our fingers crossed. It will probably be better than last night! Winter in the south is here again. It's really kinda comical. When I say everything closes I mean everything.

People just don't drive in it enough down here to get used to it. The roads are clear and there is no traffic out at all. They are telling people to stay home and off the roads. When I used to drive the truck I spent so much time up north, it's just funny the difference.

Life carries on in New York and everywhere else when it snows. But you cross that Virginia line and life stops!!!!

Maybe ???????????

Here we are again, they are calling for snow! We had flurries last night and again this morning. They have already said the kids are getting out of school at 12 and it's supposed to start snowing any time. I have heard we could get 2-12 inches, it just depends on what channel you listen too.

I have my fingers crossed! Like I said a few weeks ago, the sleds are ready all we need is snow on the hill. The church behind us will be full of people if it does happen. It's funny, we had 60 plus on Sunday and here we are back down to the low 30's.

                                I love the south!!!

The shelves are already clear, the stores where packed last night. I didn't dare swing by there, I knew better. On the way home I noticed the parking lot was full! I mean full too. Not just busy,, full!! We are prepared, by that I mean the cars have gas. If we need anything I will go get it, that's my plan! Simple and precise, works every time!

Now I Remember !!!!!!!!!!!!

Last year I didn't make it down south at all. South being parking in Pageland SC and riding from there. For several years Cody and I used to ride down there, to me it wasn't gonna be the same without him. So last year I didn't even go one time. I did all my riding around the house.

Yesterday I decided I wanted to go south. It was a beautiful day the temps where perfect! I have my new bike and I really wanted to do some climbing. I wanted to try out my new low gears. Yes we have hills around the house but not very many that are as step and long as you can find down that way. Plus down there if you go the right direction you have one hill after another. Step long ones not just short climbs.

I was not disappointed! I Rode from Pageland down to Kershaw and got a bite to eat. From there I just made a U-turn and headed right back to Pageland, I threw in one side road with a monster climb on it and made it back to Pageland. Total 43.2 miles and a little over 2000ft of climbing. Two hours and 55 minutes of moving time. Average of 14.2 miles an hour.

The steepest climb I had all day was 10.9 percent! That ain't no joke! It was about 10 miles from the finish, it was on the side road. It's actually the old 601, they closed it about 30 years ago when they built the new road. It's really step on both sides of the valley and it winds down one side (it's the old road), then crosses the river and climbs straight up the other side. The old road is gone on that side but it still ties back into the new road. If it weren't for the few houses on the road it would be closed altogether.

Few as in 2 that's it! You have to slow down to a crawl to cross the bridge, it's that rough. I doubt it's had any maintenance since the new road was built. Back in the day I would have hated to have to drive that road! Two cars couldn't cross the bridge at the same time much less two trucks! It's that narrow.. Of course there was no traffic on that road.

Overall the traffic was really light. I had forgotten how well traffic works with you down there. The roads are on the wide side and cars seem to go out of the way to pass you with plenty of room. Even on 601 where the speed limit is 55 I have no problems riding.

I am talking about 601 south after Pageland toward Kershaw. A lot of people get confused about that 601 turns right in Pageland. It does not go to the beach. 151 goes to the beach from Pageland, it's the four lane road. That's not the one I am talking about.

Yes I did a lot of reminiscing about having Cody along for the ride even though he wasn't. Maybe one day he will get back to pedaling but for now I am on my own. Yes I will be back down there it's back into the rotation now. I just need to get my buddies down that way one of these days. It's worth the trip!!!!

By the way my top speed yesterday was 43.2 miles an hour, I was coasting! Yes that was exactly the mileage I road also... Kinda weird, I didn't notice that until I got home and was playing around on Strava. That's when I noticed it..... Weird!!

It's All In The Attitude !!!!!!!!!!

Yep I left work and went straight to Beatty park. Last time I rode my mountain bike was at least a month ago so I was rather excited to get back in the woods! Plus I had my new tires to try out. They where great!

It's funny how you don't realize how bad you need new tires until you finally get new tires. I had theses tires laying in the garage for like 3 months before I finally changed them. Now I wished I had done it sooner. It made that much difference, especially in the front. It was hooking up better than it has in a long time. I was able to really dive into the turns a lot harder knowing it wasn't gonna wash out on me.

As I said, it's been over a month since I last rode the mountain bike and the first lap showed that. I really felt slow and out of it for the better part of the first 5 miles. Then it started to click, I got my rhythm back and started to get comfortable. Beatty isn't the hardest trail we have and last time I rode there I posted on here what a waste of time it was.

As the title says, "It's All In The Attitude". I guess being out of the woods for so long made me realize how much fun it is to be in the woods. Beatty only has about 250ft of climbing per lap and once you get your rhythm you can really roll around there! Back a few years ago when I was winning my sport race class there I was riding about 25 minute laps. Last night I rode 2 laps in an hour and 15 minutes.

That's with the new section and the first lap being kinda slow. So overall I am not that far off my old pace! I am close enough to make my no racing butt happy! Besides I am more in it for the fun now than I am racing ability. I will still line up for a few races this year but they will be the long races not the short ones.

Anyhow, point is I really enjoyed Beatty last night. The people who do all the work there may be a little over protective of the trail but what the hell they do the work! So I guess they have the right to be! I even found myself enjoying the short section with the man made obstacles that I have complained about in the past. They really are fun and I know they spent a lot of time building them so hats of to ya'.....

I actually look forward to going there again. It's only 4 miles from my office and it fun!!!! Now if I can get out tomorrow on the road bike this will turn out to be a good weekend!

Running and Plans ,,,,,,,,,,

Running around doing errands not running with my feet. So I head home and I am waiting for the sun to set before I hit the road, since I have time to kill I decide to do the errands. I go drop of the power bill, yes I could mail it but the power company is only 5 miles from the house so I always drop it off.

Plus the dog likes to ride so she goes with me. We get home from that and traffic is still kinda heavy so I run to Autozone and pickup some transmission fluid. Yep it still leaks but I am waiting for warmer weather before I tackle that. I don't park on the concrete pad, that way I don't worry about the leak!

So after the dog and I got done with all that it was about 6:30. Now I am getting hungry and the wife has started dinner, the ride is starting to fall off the radar. We have really started to try to do better with our food choices and last night we were making grilled chicken chili. I was kinda excited to try it so I stayed and helped cook.

No ride.........

Anyhow the chicken chili was great! Everybody liked it except Chase, he settled for mac and cheese. After we ate I kinda felt guilty for not riding so I went ahead and got all my things together for today. As soon as I leave here I am heading to the trail. We have rain coming again tomorrow and the wife wants to do a few things so I plan to ride today and Sunday. I still haven't gotten in a very long road ride yet, so I hope that will happen.

My new tires are waiting for me to get them dirty so today is the day.........

At Least The Sun Is Out !!!!!!!

Yet they are calling for more rain for the weekend. That leaves today and tomorrow as my ride days. Tonight shale be a night road ride. I can't take it anymore. Blah,blah,blah.........

Of course you have heard me whine enough. I did get my "old" road bike out last night and got it moving. It didn't take much considering I just parked it 3 weeks ago. All I had to do was put a seat back on it and it's ready to go. The reason for that? Because if it rains I am gonna ride it instead of my new bike.

Sooner or later it will get brought out and ridden in the rain. But not yet, it's still to new. I haven't even had to wash it yet! Besides, that's what old bikes are for. It doesn't look like I will ever mountain bike again. At this point in time I would have to drive to Uhwarrie if I wanted to and I don't want to ride all the way over there. I think I am gonna turn into a roadie and just sell all my mountain bike stuff.

On a serious note I think I am gonna sign up for Bicycling magazine's "Fall Classic" road ride. It's usually some where around October. Last year I talked about it and didn't do anything to make it happen. That was the same approach I used for the MS150, and that was a mistake. This was the year I planned to do the MS and ride to the beach. Guess what, they changed it up this year. For this first time ever it starts and finishes at the beach. I always wanted to be able to say I road to the beach. Now I will have to wait and see if they change it back to the ride from Charlotte deal.

In other words I took to long to go ahead and do it. I don't want to make the same mistake with this ride. This will be the fourth year. My luck it might be the last if I don't go ahead and do it!!!!

Besides it's in Pennsylvania, I can always see my brother......

Still Loaded ,,,,,,,,,,

The car anyway, first hint of a ride window and I am headed to the woods. At first it just sat there laying in the back of the car. I didn't give it much thought but now all of a sudden I just want to ride it! I know the bike shop appreciated the business in the middle of winter, but I will never buy a new bike in the middle of winter again.

I am beginning to think I must have cursed winter. I bought bike, then the ground hog saw his shadow. We have had snow, now it's raining! It's been one thing after another, over the last few weeks I have done one ride a week for 30-35 miles. That's been it, nothing else. I bought a bike and got new tires on the mountain bike and haven't ridden since..

This sucks..... Sooner or later things got to change. I feel like everybody who bothers to read this is only getting to hear me whine. I can't remember the last time I talked about mountain biking. Except changing tires....

It Has Arrived ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The sickness of 2014, I felt bad the night before last and woke up feeling really bad yesterday. I came to work and when I got home yesterday I took a 2 hour nap, followed by getting up for dinner. After that I went right back to sleep and didn't wake up till this morning!

Cody woke up yesterday and missed school. Today Chase is home from school and he feels rotten! The wife is gonna take him to the doc and I need to go myself. Don't know if I will just yet but I am not gonna rule it out. Last time I was sick I waited to long to go and I just got worse. I might try to learn from that.

By the way I put new tires on my mountain bike 2 weeks ago and still have not ridden it! I have my bike in the car and clothes, but it just hasn't worked out yet......

Now we have more rain coming.............

One of these days life will get back to normal......

A Good Day !!!!!!!!

So I just decided to let the bike rest Sunday. I slept in and had no intentions of riding at all. Yes it was about the best day we have had in weeks for riding but once in a while you just have to walk away. Plus the wife wanted to do something and I liked the sound of it so that's the way I went.

We got up and had coffee, I did my blog and we hit the road. As I made mention I needed a few things for the camper so we headed to Statesville. Yes there is a closer camper store but it's not open on Sunday. Besides we have the new convertible and a beautiful day! Why not enjoy the ride! We took our time and got up there and got what we needed, then came home.

Nothing fancy just a nice day out and about. It was the first time we have ridden with the top down all day and it was fun! No I didn't get sun burnt, but it could easily happen if you didn't prepare for it. Anyway while we were there we took the opportunity to check out all motor homes! Not really looking to buy one right now, but when the kids get a little older and gone we intend to buy one.

But for now it's fun to check them out. You can get about anything you want, or can afford! From linoleum flooring to tile to marble! Your choice!! The sky is literally the limit! They even have washer and dryer set ups in some of them! They are as close to an apartment on wheels as you can get.

On the way home we stopped and had a late lunch then hit the grocery store. It barely worked, but we managed to fit a hundred and ten dollars worth of groceries in the truck of a Mazda Miata! It was full but we made it work! What a great family car!

Now we settle in and watch it rain for the next few days. The bike is resting and it will be there when I am ready to ride..

35, That Seems To Be My Number!!!!

Here lately it seems every time I go for a ride I end up with 35 miles! Yesterday was a perfect example. I finally got going around 12 and had to be back and ready to go to a wedding by 4. To make that work I needed to be home by 3 at the latest.

That gave me 3 hour window. Hence 35 miles again! Yes it's my fault, I could have gotten going a lot sooner but I am just sick and tired of the cold! I have been waiting for the temps to warm up before I go and it seems to cost me miles. Yes I am aware of it and no I have no plans to change it.

This winter needs to go and I can't wait for that to happen! I long for the days of leaving at 7 or 8 am, when the temps are nice at warm!

I did enjoy my ride yesterday, I ended up going over to Wingate and back. The roads were clear and the temps where warm enough. Today we are going to Statesville to get a few things for the camper.

On a side note as I bitch about the weather, The stupid groundhog saw his shadow so now we are going to get 6 more weeks of winter..................

Maybe I need to just except it...........

Red Rider Strikes Again !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes my kids have had BB guns since they where like 3 years old. They learned how to be responsible and know how to use them. Some kids just don't ever learn though!

First of all thank goodness he's alright, it could have been a lot worse! My buddy Kelly was out for a ride yesterday afternoon, rolling along minding his own business when 2 teenage high school kids came up behind him and shot him in the back with a BB gun!

Yes he got the tag and yes the cops have already found them. They found them about 10 minutes after it happened. Kelly got the tag number and the cops went straight to the kids house. Of course one told on the other and they were caught!

Here's where it gets crazy! The EMT guys said your OK and sent him on his way. When Kelly got home and got cleaned up he never found the BB. It went through his clothes and he had bled but they didn't think the BB was in his back.

Well my wife being the nurse he came over and had her look at it. After about 10 minutes of digging she removed the BB from his back!!!!! No kidding!!!!! He stood there and took the pain like a man, she had to cut him open and find it! I couldn't believe it.

The BB finally popped out and hit the floor! It was crazy....

About a year ago I got nailed in the back of the head with a full cup of soda and ice at 55 miles an hour! Now Kelly has been shot! What the hell........

Riding a bike can be dangerous I guess.

Both times it was kids being stupid............ Parents need to do a better job of being parents!