"Boring" and "Bored"

I am writing this blog out of pure boredom. I has been a truly long time since I've been this bored.Why? I'm trapped in a hotel, in Anaheim California, without a car or bicycle. Walk or take the bus? Any point of interest is over ten miles in any direction. I've take two epic journeys via public transportation in Orange County. One to Huntington beach and the other trip was to Long beach.

Huntington beach was nice to see in person, I saw the pier, got my feet wet, tasted the Pacific ocean (oddly, it tastes like the atlantic),had a bad slice of New York style pizza and had a beer while sitting on the beach, watching the sun set over the offshore oil rigs. It's a tourist trap, just like Daytona, Virginia beach and Myrtle beach. It was not worth the $5.00 in bus fees and the FOUR hour round trip. Yes, it took TWO hours each way to travel twelve miles. I can say this; the locals (that I met on the bus) were super polite, helpful and kind.

Long beach? Yeah, it's like Warwick, only they have the Queen Mary, BFD! A complete waste of time.

I was planning to go to Newport beach tonight, but my travel schedule tommow is going to suck, ---public bus trip to the airport:2hrs. sitting in the airport before my flight :1hr. leave Ca at 9:30 pm pst arrive in Newark at 5:30 am est-- sit in the airport for 3hrs-- leave Newark at 8:30 am and arrive in Warwick at 9:30 am-- take public bus to Providence, 1 hr, so Im thinking 14-15 hours of being at the mercy of public transportaion will be enough.

California or bust!

I'm off to California, Monday, for work. I won't return until mid-morning Saturday. I'll miss the NBX training race(Lynn will be there) and the Bob Beal weekend. I've never been to southern California, so I have a few questions; I'm taking my fixed gear bicycle to get around, is orange county C.A. bike friendly? Will I survive the mean streets of socal on a brakless fixed gear? Do they have real beer in the land of make-believe?

*Edit- $100 each way to take my bike in a thule box! F*%k that! The box must be less than 62 linear inches (h+l+w) and weigh in less than 50lbs. Hmm, need a folding bike. I don't want to be held captive in a hotel for 5 days.....I WILL go out of my mind...public transportation in CA is notoriously bad.

*Edit Bicycle Licenses?
"Did you know that every bicycle that is ridden on Anaheim City streets must be licensed? The Anaheim Fire Department issues bicycle licenses at all of its Fire Stations.
Bicycle licenses are $3.00 and are good for two years. All fire stations issue licensing seven days a week between the hours of 8:00 a.m. & 5:00 p." - WTF?! I already hate California!

Pink cup cakes

Wells ave Sunday, "A" and "B" combined groups, high winds and some heavy hitters conspired to make this race hard. Millwork One big dogs; Murat, Adam and Matt worked the race like the seasoned vets they are. Murat took the first prime, ONE pink frosted cup cake, way to go boss! I did my best to ride in a supportive roll, Murat and I provided a lead out, for Matt who won the field sprint! It was fun to ride as a team! My good friend Wild Bill put in a stellar effort, he was able to bridge gaps in a single bound! "B" masters 'cross racers you have been warned!

vote for the dogs

In 68 days Massachusetts residents can vote to end Greyhound racing in their state forever. Please vote "YES ON 3" if you are a Mass. resident, if not please spread to word.

Dawn patrol

Sunday was the first local cyclocross of the year, Wild Bill and I were ready (Lynn had to work). The Old Volvo was loaded up for an O'darkthirty dawn patrol. Once on the road, the excitement of a new season was apparent, we chattered on about our new rides, training and beer. Wild Bill's enthusiasm is just what I need to before races, it's infectious!

We arrived early, with plenty of time to pre-ride the course, register and socialize. Bill's cyclocross tip: always arrive two hours minimum be for your start time. Getting settled and focused before my race is a luxury,that I never seem to afford myself.

My race started very fast and stayed that way. I fell out out the top ten, with three laps to go. I was rushing, my dismounts were ugly and sloppy. I decided to slow down on these sections, it seemed to work, I was able to get a few places back finishing 11th. I have a ton of technical work to do.

Wild Bill finished with a very strong 8Th in the 45plus, racing against some real talent.

After our races, we had a beer, then a large eggplant, spinach and feta pizza!

Note: The english spitfire painting is not relevent, but it's my blog and I like it.

Cross season is here!

a state of flux

.....First things first...This is NOT my new cross bike.....I do get to use it this season. Blunt park with Wild Bill on Sunday.

Lyons and Judge(Jay) are enjoying the summer, in air conditioned comfort!


Some house keeping:

The official team sam cell phone has met it's demise....contact us @ the home phone, work phone or e-mail.

Providence Bicycle has a shop ride every Thursday, leaving the lot @ 6:05pm. This is a slow to moderate pace ride for about an hour, everyone is welcome. We have a yahoo group pvdcycling@yahoogroups.com, check it out for ride updates.

8-9 race and ride report

Lynn went up to Highland mtb park with Mike I, Mike F and a few other guys from the shop. Mike I, perennial good guy, (and national downhill silver medalist) set up his Sinister dirt jump mtb for Lynn to ride. Setting up the fit, suspension and switching the brake levers 'cuse Lynn rides moto style, weird I know. Needless to say, but from all accounts, she rocked it, on a hard-tail no less.

I raced the Gate City crit. in both the cat4/5 and masters. I did not have a great day, In the first few laps of the 4/5 race I witnessed a rider drill the ground with his face at speed. It shot my nerves. The only place I fell confident to pass was on the left side of the climb. This is the location I would consistently make up spots, only to loose my nerve going into the corners. I know, "Mike, sit on the front where it's safe"...I just didn't.... Not happy. The 35+ race was much smoother, the race went with out incident, I was following John L., he is a great wheel to follow. Then I realized that I was at the back of the bus, any attempt to swim upstream was was met with resistance from my legs. My race was over, I finished at the end of the pack.



Looking forward to the Witches cup Wendsday!