Oh Yea''''''''

Yes I have ridden! The week before Christmas I had a 115 miles and the week of I had 90. Today is Sunday and it's a repeat of last Sunday. It's raining and supposed to rain all day. I am off all week so lets see how many I can come up with.

I kind of like being able to ride in the middle of the day. The traffic is like none and the roads are clear. At least out here in the country...........

Time To Catch Up ,,,,,,,,,,,,

So it's been almost a week since I last posted. I worked last Monday the 23rd, that was the last post. Then it was out the door and on to Christmas. We enjoyed time with the family and ate some good food. James and Eve came in from Kinston with the boys and stayed for a few days.

It's always fun to see them, it seems like they grow 5 inches every time we see them. but then again we only see them a couple times a year. We need to work on that. Before you know it they are gonna be grown.

Yes I gave Karen her big surprise Christmas gift. Back before Thanksgiving I bought her a car! As long as we have been married she has always wanted a Mazda Miata. You know the little two seat sports car. The one that made no since with 2 kids! Well now our kids are growing up and Cody drives and we already have 3 other cars.

I figured why not! She had no ideal what I had done. I had left it at the dealership until Christmas eve and then we went and got it. I brought it home and hid it in the garage. We have a detached garage so I wasn't to worried about keeping her out of there for one day.

The kids and I had went and had our picture taken with the car a few weeks ago and had that framed. Christmas morning she unwrapped the picture and kind of sat there looking at it. She wasn't sure what to think at first. Then I threw her the keys and she liked to flipped out.

I told her she might want to check the garage and she was gone! Twenty eight degrees and barefoot she was out the door! It was great! As I said she had no ideal! Just getting to see her reaction was the best gift I have gotten in years!

The kids also had a great Christmas! Overall It was great, on to the next one! Now we move on to New Years and the  next year. Speaking of that it's gonna be a big year. Cody graduates and Chase finishes up grade school. He starts high school next year and Cody starts college...

Damn I am getting old.......................... 

Break Time,,,,,

Equals ride time! After today I have until the 6th before I return to work. We have a short trip to the mountains planned but besides that. It's just gonna be relaxing! Karen is off all next week but has to work this week. We are on the down side of the Christmas count down. So tomorrow is the big start!

Tomorrow we do my moms and then we do our thing Christmas morning. Followed by Karen's family get together on Christmas day. So the next 2 days are pretty full. Then the break comes, I plan to ride and then ride some more. I have my new buddy "Strava". We are gonna lay down some miles.

The highlight of the next few days will occur Christmas morning. I can finally let the cat out of the bag and tell everyone what I did for the wife. I keep telling her I have purchased the worlds greatest Christmas gift and she is the recipient. I can't, it's gonna be a great Christmas.

Followed by the time off and I might even stay awake for the ball drop new years eve. I have slept through that the last few years. Going out and partying on new years is for the amature's! The pros stay home and out of the way! I learned that several years ago. Stay home and stay out of trouble!!

Yes I did ride Saturday, I got 40 miles in and then sat home yesterday and watched it rain. That makes for a long day! Then to top it off it's still raining! It's a good thing I am on a road bike kick because it's gonna be days before we can get in the woods again.

...................

Not sure why the first paragraph turned out black but it is what it is.................

Getting Closer,,,,

We have the weekend and then two days. Then Christmas!!! I have a few stocking stuffers to buy and that's gonna be it. I think I am as excited about this year as I have ever been. Maybe I am growing up (at 45) or just learning to be a better person. 

But I can't wait for this year it's gonna be great! Next week I will finally tell everyone what happened Christmas day. I think I am gonna start putting pictures back up here just because I want to share this one with everyone. Guess what it's not about me either!

This year I have asked for nothing and really don't want anything. As an adult I usually just get what I want, of course I usually ask for something but this year is different. I want nothing!!

Really, I mean it "nothing"!

My present this year will be the joy other people get out of my gifts! As cheesy as that sounds it's true. For the first time in my life I swear I am as giddy as a ten year old, just not for the same reasons I was when I was ten. It's gonna be fun that's all I can say for now.........



For the weekend I have a road ride planned for tomorrow, I got a new phone. It's "smarter" than I am, get it it's a smart phone! "Strava" is gonna be my new toy! If you have time check it out, it's a website and an app for tracking your rides. They, my friends tell me it works great on the road but not so well in the woods. Unless you have a garmin with cadence, which I don't.

As long as you are on the road and out from under the tree canopy the phone will work great. It will tell you all kind of neat stuff about your ride. Once I figure out what I am doing with it I will start posting my routes and the info on here. So stay tuned. Once again I am on the road bike kick again.

It's just fun to head out the end of the driveway and cover so much ground..........

Have a good weekend......

Wise Words ,,,,,,,,,,,,

I read this the other day and it seemed to really stick in my head. Something to think about..........



                                       "The trouble is,

                          you think you

                             have time"


                             Buddha

Count Down !!!!!!!!!!!

So I put up a small post Tuesday as I was heading out the door and then I was off yesterday. So now I am back! But not for long. I work today and tomorrow, then Monday and then it's break time. I have vacation days I have to use so that's what I am doing.

I will be off from Christmas eve till January 6th. Almost two full weeks. By using the holidays and 4 vacation days I can make it for two weeks. Plus I had yesterday. I rode then and I will ride while I am off! Yesterday I met up with Scott and Kelly and we knocked out 37 miles. At least that's what I had, I got lazy at the end and I turned left while they went straight.

From where we were it worked out about the same. They might have had a few more miles than I did but not much. It was a good ride. We rode from Unionville over to Wingate and then across behind Marshville. My only complaint about yesterday is the fact it was on the cold side. I usually dress pretty much right where I need to be. Yesterday I missed the mark.

Big time!! I like to froze, I haven't been that cold in a long time! By the time I got home I was ready for a hot shower. That was after I stood in front of the garage heater for 10 minutes. I had the kerosene kicking! I was cold. Then I retired to the couch and it seemed like ten minutes later the kids where home and my day off was over.

You know what's funny? Yesterday when I had the day I tried to sleep in, didn't work. I was so awake at 6am I got up and went and got breakfast for everybody. Then today at 6am I am so asleep it's all I can do to get up! Life is a funny thing sometimes.............

Wow !!!!!!!

Honestly it has been the single busiest day off the entire year! Sorry I never got around to posting but what the hell sometimes work comes first.

I am off tomorrow, we can't carry days over to the next year so I am gonna be off tomorrow. We have a big road ride planned. So if I don't get on here early am it will be late in the day.

                                                      Later................

Half Is Bettter Than Nothing ,,,,,,,,

Yep half a weekend is better than none! As I did what everybody else did Saturday. I sat at home and watched it rain all day. So yesterday I was glad to get out. I waited till about noon and then headed out. Two hours and nineteen minutes later I was back at the house.

Forty miles of therapy and I felt like I was back in the game. I left the house and went to Wingate first and then made a big loop through the country back to Unionville and then toward Porter Ridge. The weather was about as good as it gets for a mid December day. It's funny how a good ride will help, just like my post Friday said. A good dose of sun and being outdoors does wonders for the way you feel.

Like I said, you don't have to be a kid to understand that. Although the kids at Wingate College sure understand. When I pedalled through the campus they were every where. I guess they all had cabin fever too. It must rub off on the adults in town too. I went out the back side of town and passed alot of adults out walking and moving about.

Then it was back through the country, over all it was a good ride. Except the part where I had to turn around and climb a hill I had just came down. I took a chance and ignored the sign that said road closed. They are always replacing bridges out in the country and usually you can kinda weave your way through some heavy equipment and keep going. Not this time!

I was standing on the rim looking at a big hole with no way to cross! So turn around and head back the same way was the only option. Of course that meant straight back up the hill I had came down. Lesson learned....

Probably not but it sounds like I learned...........

Yea' That Makes Sense !!!!!!!!!!

“You hear so many cyclists gushing about their daily rides that it might be a bit bewildering to imagine how biking could make so many people so happy. As it turns out, the reasons why are firmly grounded in science. Many people don’t realize that happiness emerges from the state of the body as a whole – how well we sleep, our energy levels, the stress hormones coursing throughout our systems all play a role in determining how happy we feel. So how does cycling affect all these different areas of life?”






Last night I met Scott and Kelly right after work. At ten till five we were headed into the woods, yes it was cold and yes it was a little slick. Of course by the time we came out of the woods it was way dark! We rode chatted, talked and had a good time. I haven't seen Scott in awhile so it was good to catch up.

After that I headed home and Karen had dinner ready. I ate and then pitched up on the couch with her for awhile to watch TV. As I was laying there I just felt good. It's hard to explain, I was tired but not beat. More relaxed than anything, it's a state of mind. If you exercise on a regular basis you probably understand. It's not just about pushing yourself till you hurt it's just the fact that you are out and about and living!

I could go on and on, I always feel better and more relaxed after a ride. I get the same feeling when I run too! I just choose not to run very often. My knees can't take it, but when I do it feels great. Last night as I watched TV I was thinking about this and how it's hard to explain. Then I went to bed and slept like a baby, I woke up this morning and still felt great. Now I need another ride!

It's like a drug, I just can't get enough!

I came to work and flipped on the computer and started strolling through a couple of blogs then found the above statement. I thought "damn, that's true", no wonder I love to ride! Point is I wish everybody would get out and ride a bike, run, walk anything! Think about how much better everyone would feel, and because they feel better they would have better attitudes! 

As I have said before, just because the sun goes down at 6pm doesn't mean the day is over. Unless you've faced your fear of the dark and learned to enjoy it your missing out! You never feel so alive until you are in the middle of the woods in the dark with a head light flying down a trail and you pass a set of eyes that catch your light! Or you startle a deer and he jumps up and takes off crashing through the woods.

That's why it's so relaxing when you get home and finally breath in and take a break............

Go play this weekend, remember how much fun it was to ride your bike as a kid. Just because you grow up doesn't mean your to old to play......

That's Right !!!!!!!!!!!

I am gonna head to the hills! You waited all day and night to find out what my big plans are for next year and now you know. I can't spill all the beans but I am in the process of acquiring another car, one that gets over 30 miles to the gallon. Once this has been done I plan to start making more trips to the hills.

I seem to have the most fun when that is my destination, so why not use my time more wisely. I own all the camping gear anyone could ever need and after using all of it I have come to find that you really don't need all of it. Unless the wife comes along. But when she does the camper comes anyway, she's done with the camping on the ground thing. It ain't happening any more.

But I can! With a car that will get 30 plus and a tent, that's all you need. I have come to find that when it's just me and the guys I can get by with very little! I don't need all the extras, a chair and a sleeping bag with the tent and I am good to go. So why not spend more time in the hills. There are so many miles of trail it's not even funny! Miles I haven't seen!

For what I pay in entry fee's I can go about twice a month. There ya go, that's my plan, I will probably still ride a few events just like I did this year but I am not gonna do any series or any weekly type deals just the one off races and several trips to the hills.

It's gonna be a good year! I know that all ready because I have already made my mind up. The last few years I have even gotten a little stressed out trying to decide what I wanted to do with the coming year and then I didn't even make any races to begin with. So this year my new plan is to just enjoy what comes and ride my bike.

Sounds like a great plan to me............

So, Now what ,,,,,,,,,,

If you write a blog you usually read a lot of them too. Of course your gonna read blogs that are of your interest. I mean why would I read a blog about knitting when I don't knit. You get my drift. Point is everybody I read is talking about there "plans" for next year.

Thing is, I have no plans! Race plans anyway, last year I did a race in Columbia S.C. right about this time last year. Then I did the Jerrdon Mountain Challenge in July and that was it. Guess what I had a good year! I rode like 900 times and raced twice. Both times I had fun and was no way in contention for any type of medal but hell it was fun.

I got to ride in the mountain a few times and I played on the road bike in Asheville twice. That was a good year! I have come to realize I enjoy riding more than racing. I am beginning to think I am happy right where I am as far as fitness goes. The last time I rode with my buddy Kelly we talked about this. It's funny because he just couldn't understand what I was trying to say.

I like riding hard and fast and I enjoy being competitive. But as far as putting in the "training" to get back up front. I just don't feel like it. There's a fine line you have to cross to get there and I don't plan to race enough to really justify that. Last year I talked about the year coming and I wanted to do this and that and "it" never really happened.

I had more fun on my trips to the mountains riding than I would have if I had raced. I know I have said it before but since the kids aren't racing it's hard for me to find the motivation.

Point is, "So,Now What".

Tomorrow I will let ya in on my new plans............

Slow ,,,,,,,,,

Here we are sitting around again and it's rained for forty days and forty nights. When your job depends on the weather and you wait for the phone to ring it can seem like that long when 2 solid days go by and your staring at rain and overcast sky's. It feels like we moved to Michigan!

No wonder everybody rides the fat bikes up there. It stays so wet and soft that's the only thing that can stay on top of the ground. If the weather will break at least I will hit the road bike. But until that happens it looks like I am grounded. The good old days of going mud riding seem to be over.

So that's about all I have to say today. Trails are wet and it's still raining....

Plus I need a fat bike......................

Ooop's ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Maybe I shouldn't have bragged about being able to see the sunshine, that was Friday. After that the rain came and it's been sukey every since! My knee has been killing me so it came at a good time, I needed the rest. But damn it puts me in a foul mood. I may not be able to pedal because of my knee but I still like options.

I sat around all day Saturday and accomplished nothing. I say that but I did go to the bike shop and got brakes to fix my 29er, it's back in action. We did go to a nice Christmas program Saturday night and then out to eat. We had the grandmas along and it was fun. It was at a local church and I had no ideal what to expect. Turns out it was really nice, I look forward to next year.

Then I finally snapped yesterday and headed to Steve's trail for a lap. It was in great shape, I got my ride in before the rain came. I didn't kill it but at least I got out for one ride. I talked to Kelly last night and we are planning a night road ride in the next day or two. It doesn't look like the woods are gonna be an option for a few days. If we get the rain today and tomorrow like they are calling for it's gonna be the weekend before the trails dry.

I would like to get back over to Uhwarrie so this might give me a good reason to travel come Saturday. That might be the only option to ride. Although the mountains aren't to far away! Something to think about.

Not that I am counting but Christmas is coming..............

I Can See Again ,,,,,,,,

From my desk I have a full glass window to lookout. It just happens to face du-east, so I get the sunrise every morning this time of year. For the last several days it's been rainy and cloudy all day. So to look up and see the sun today is great! A perfect way to start the weekend. They are calling for the temps to drop a lot over the next day so it's gonna be windy tomorrow.

That means it's time to ride the mountain bike. The road sucks if the wind is kicking, so the woods will work. Only problem is I need to fix one of them. One has a flat and the other needs brakes. So a little maintenance is in order before we go play. My main riding partner is stuck out of town so it will probably be me only.

We did most of our shopping last weekend so that's not gonna happen. We do need to do the grocery shopping but that's all the shopping I have planned. Besides we now have 19 days until Christmas. There's a little time left, why have all the fun now, we need to spread it out.

Since I am kinda all over the place, let's talk about last night. No I didn't make the meeting for our local club. Yes I am gonna join I just live so far from where they have the meeting I didn't go. It was raining and it doesn't start until 7:30. It would take me every bit of an hour to get there and then I wouldn't have gotten home until like 10pm. So I passed on this one. Hopefully I can make the next one.

Or I could always just join over the website.. You don't have to be there to join, I would just like to go and see what it's all about.

Again moving on, I made a lot of progress on the garage this week. It's amazing how much crap you keep and why would you keep some of the stuff you do keep. More than once I have stood there staring at something and wondered why I kept it. Plus I have tried to use the old adage, "if you haven't used it in the last year, chunk it"! That helps clear space fast.

Another week of this and I should have it really nice.............

That Was Weird ???????????

So they where handing out free haircut coupons at the last high school football game we went to. "Sport Clips" Well I needed a haircut and so did the kid, so we went. What the hell happened to the regular barber shop! I usually still go to a regular shop so I know the answer to that question but after sitting there and watching that place make a spectacle out of getting a haircut I had to shake my head and laugh.

As far as the guys who go to these type of hair places for guys, I now wonder about them. I sat there and watched several of them who obviously think they are more important than they are go through the process. I came home and told the wife about what I saw and she tells me the type of man that goes there would probably fall under the "metro sexual" tag.

My tag for them would be more like, "bunch of pansies". I guess "metro sexual" sounds better than "bunch of pansies". In this day and time you have to watch what you say. You have to be politically correct on everything. All I can say is some things just ain't right!

Be a man, you get a haircut you go to the damn barber shop! You sit down and get a haircut and then get up and leave. You get out of the way so the next "man" can get his cut and get on with his day. You don't sit down and get a cut and then a shampoo with a hot towel wrapped around your stupid face. Then follow that with a sit down again, check the mirror again, dry the hair and shoulder massage!

For the massage they use this little lame ass hand held vibrator thing. What kinda of "man" will sit through all that. Oh yea, a "metro sexual one". When it was my turn she said with the free cut you are automatically upgraded to the premium cut. I said, with a glance to the dude sitting beside me getting his massage, "I think I'll pass, I have stuff to do".

As I kinda laughed and shook my head. I still don't know what to say...........

Limbo ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

So yesterday you tuned into hear me give half ass trail reviews and that was about it. After re-reading my post today I thought it made me sound kinda whinny. Hear I am in an area with no fewer than 10 different places to ride and I come across sounding ungrateful. Everyone of the trails are really pretty damn nice when it comes down to it. Plus the fact that they all where built and maintained by a good group of people.

Most of whom I happen to know. Several of them probably read this once in awhile and if they did yesterday they are thinking, "why the hell would he whine, he doesn't even help". Guess what they are right! Over the last 20 years I have sat on the outside and watched all the work happen. Then I go and enjoy the fruits of everybody else's labor. Labor that comes in the form of time and money.

Sitting on the outside looking in and not being apart of it (the club) it's easy to second guess what they do. Maybe if I joined up and went to some of the meetings I would understand the process a little better. Then at least I can voice my opionon without being a hypocrite!

What I am trying to say here is it's time. Time to step up! I may not be the most active member but I am gonna join! I guess that's gonna be my so called "new years" resolution. Step up, they have the monthly meeting tomorrow night and I am gonna be there. I think you can join at the meeting so that's the plan.

The only other thing I have going on right now is a massive garage cleaning! After standing around out there last week and hiding while the wife did the winter cleaning. I decided that would be my job this week. So far it's going good. How I accumulated so much stuff I will never know....

Maybe one day the wife will be able to park a car in there........

Ride .........

That was my plan for the four days. Everyday ride, and enjoy the time off. The plan worked except on Thanksgiving day, I didn't quit make it out the door. No big deal though, I got to ride the rest of the time. I hit Uhwarrie, Sherman Branch and Anne Springs.

Now for my reviews: Let's start with Uhwarrie.

I haven't been over there in a few months (8 to be exact) and I knew the storms we had several months ago had really done some damage. How much I had no ideal, I was surprised! There where a lot of trees down, tons! Once again the local club really stepped up and did a great job clearing everything. That one bottom area really was a mess.

As I said it's been awhile since I was over there. About 2 years ago is when they did the big trail building remodel. Uhwarrie has always had the rep for being real rocky. After they redid everything it was really smooth. Of course with wear it's gonna go back to what it was. I just thought it might have taken longer. No I am not complaining, I like it we have enough green way trails in this area. We need tough trails.

Of course the place is awesome! You get way back in the back and it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere. It's like you went to the mountains but didn't drive 3 hours to get there. You get the climbs on the local level. Now I just need to get over there for a camp trip.

Then I hit Sherman on Saturday and did a few laps. Without selling Sherman short I just don't have much to say. It's close to the house and it's always there. It's a great trail and has a great layout, it works good for a cross-country training course. I have just ridden it 9 million times and have come to loath the place. I like it's close and it beats not riding at all. I am just tired of it....

Lately Anne Springs and Cane Creek have been my go to trails. Cane Creek was closed all weekend for the holidays so I hit Anne Springs. I haven't spent a lot of time down there until recently and I love it. The place is fantastic, I just about know all the trails now and can ride for hours. Which is exactly what I did, I finished my holiday weekend with 3 hours at Anne Springs.. The place rocks! At least it does right now, sooner or later I will get tired of it.........

22 Days ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Not that I am counting, but it's "22 Days" until the big day. Of course you all know what day I am talking about.

                                          Christmas!!!!!!!!

Yep, I love this time of year. You know the saying, "the older you get the faster the years fly by". It's true and so far that's the highlight as far as I am concerned. Christmas comes faster every year! About the time we finish the weekend of Thanksgiving and go back to work on Monday I am excited. I started counting down yesterday! I told the wife how many days we had last night and again this morning!

We went out shopping Saturday night and took care of all the kids. Meaning niece's and nephew's. My boys are old enough now that they are pretty easy. Of course I can't tell ya what they are getting but they are easy. I will need to finish the stocking suffers between now and then but that's not hard. If anything I wish I had more stuff to get.

I do have the greatest present of all already purchased. I took care of the wife last week. Of course I can't tell ya what it is yet. There's no way I am gonna blow this one. You'll just have to wait like she is. Although she doesn't know she's waiting. Stay tuned in "22 Days" everybody will know..

Yes, I rode 3 out of the 4 days we were off. I had a great time on the bike. We can cover that tomorrow............