Waiting for the Weekend

it's like those Dove bars
that I've had before
and there's none in the freezer right now
but I can still taste them

- tob





EDIT @ 8:42: criminy, now I want ice cream too

Will I Ever be Not Tired?

Got out for an 85-miler through the Coulees of Wisconsin on Sunday -- even though it made for some extra weekend driving, being on the bicycle for the day settled my soul...almost made me forget I've got a job that's sapping every last ounce of energy from my being leaving my bleached bones in a heap by the side of the road

nuthin' fer the vultures to pick at

house
mess

yard
long
again

body
sore

head
tired
ired

attitude
surprisingly
hanging-in
I know it'll end


- TOB please make it end

Congratulations Jen!

Heading home to the plains. Graduation festivities are beginning!

- TOB

10%

Coach was the first one to bring home to me the connection between the mental and the physical. He'd always said too great an increase in distance or intensity from one week to the next without increasing sleep means I'd be slogging through my days. I heard it, kept mileage logs, looked at the data. THE SLOG still found me and slapped me upside the head every now and again.

I just didn't get it.

Jeanne, the body interprets any stress -- mental or physical -- as part of that 10% increase. So, you've got to include any work or personal stress and make adjustments.

...

Oh. OK, so the lead safe dropping from the window finally hit its mark.

THE SLOG has felled me again. Always does this time of year. Work stress threads its way through pores and once inside twirls into tiny knots around muscle fibers. And just as I'm nearing the tops of hills it yanks. Stings the quads deep. Over and over. Then the backslide begins.

Exhaustion. Meetings. Reports. Kids' energy. Job changes for fall that need concentration now. Educators all ramp-up this time of year, knowing the crash starts June 9th.

Years ago, another cycling, camping, hiking, teacher friend and I struck out for the north shore of Lake Superior the day school ended. We couldn't wait for a 3-day attack on the woods: a celebration! WE WERE DONE!!

Trudge to the campsite....set up tents...sleep

Build fire for breakfast eat ...nap

4 miles on the bicycle? call it good...nap

Look at hiking boots...nap

Read...nap

.

- OB countin' the days and there's 14

About Your Ad....

I'm here about the Joe #2 position.

But I didn't advertise for a new Joe #2.

You didn't? But I'm pretty sure....

No, no, that position filled a couple of months ago.

Really? I could swear I saw the signs still up.

...I don't think so...you did???

Oh, I'm sure of it. Maybe you didn't realize they were still out there....

Hm. That's odd. They are?

They're there.

Oh.

Are you happy with your current Joe #2?

Um...yeeesssss.

... . .. .

Sure...for the most part.

Totally?

Well....

Because if not, I'd sure be interested in sitting down with you and discussing my qualifications.

Oh. Well.

You DO want to be sure you've got the best Joe you can get for this type of position, don't you?

Of course!

. ... ..

I guess it wouldn't hurt to chat and just see.....

...

..
.

- TOB ended up interviewing

So, Well, Bicycling....

is what i'm supposed to be writing about but i'm just a tad distracted these days so haven't had time to sit down and think much less write much less compose some sort of thoughtful essay on living life from the top of a bicycle but have spent my spare time instead interviewing a replacement Joe #2 which can be all-consuming in the midst of a crazy work schedule because these things take careful consideration of all the angles and the job description wasn't really quite finished yet because i didn't realize the position was actually open so when the applicant arrived i had to scramble to figure-out if he had all the correct qualifications and it appears he does have them all and more but

a full evaluation might
take a bit more




time

- theoldbag

yardlaundryvacuum

frustrated
at not having enough time

h o w e v e r

it
isn't
that there's not

it is
that
I decide

to take time
doing
            other
                 things

- Baggie and ya know, it's all in the choices....

Regain, Recoup, Retrieve

...walkin' the fine line, tip-toein' the tightrope, hedging along the high wire....

One false move blows it.

Recovery.

It's my goal this season to do it right. I seem to have had this notion the past couple years that I don't need to worry about it, but I'm tired of doing a pile of riding only to be wiped-out the following week because I didn't respect the recovery I need. If my mindset this year is to be fit enough to not question whether I can dance through the long ride with the elevation gain, then I need to use what I've learned.

I learned that recovery is my downfall. I sabotage it. I go on rides with the crowd, but I'll ride slow today.

Yeeeaaahhhhhh.

So, I headed-out to the Greenway on my own last week to ease-out my legs after a couple days of hard riding. A mile or so into it I heard

the
Train

coming, this time toward me I'm good everything's fine I'm ok all is good here...it's good all good...good here...breathing relaxing takin' muh time.... I was running an errand in the opposite direction. Until I hit the crossing. I stopped to wait for the Train to pass, but really wanted to keep my legs moving, so I turned back to continue spinning and found myself going the same direction as

the
Train

We eyed each other...positioned my fingers near the shifters...just to be safe from...darting...dogs or...something.

Surprisingly, there was no posturing this time. We had an easy 10 mph recovery ride until I had to turn back around.

They say slow days are best done on your own, but riding with a partner of a similar mindset is always nice.

- OB

Joe #3

This time of year is tough for me. At work it's crunch time. Kids are all hanging from the ceiling now that weather has turned. I LIVE for the end of the day so I can just git, but when the end of the day comes I realize tomorrow's meeting hasn't yet been organized and the report on that kid hasn't yet been finished and the parent phone call hasn't been made. Oh, and I've also got to structure some learning....

It's like nailing Jell-o to the wall.

So when I finally git from all that Jell-o-nailing I'm exhausted. But on the weekends I'm up at the crack of dawn ready to roll the two wheels.

I think I am. But in reality, I'm not thinkin' straight.

I played too hard at the beginning of Saturday's ride. We were out for 74 hilly, windy Wisconsin miles...18% grade was the worst, winds in the high teens with gusts hitting 30. But it wasn't the hills or the wind that had me toasted. I can do hills. I like hills. I can even tolerate wind in a group.

I was riding with a group that surged. Slowed. Surged. I didn't have the presence of mind to think. I just rode. I followed a wheel. When the wheel sped, I did too. When it slowed, I did. Just when I was ready to ease out my legs from the hill, the tandem would feel a burst of energy and go for it. A Joe would follow and I would go along, not wanting to face the wind on my own. My legs were toasted.

What am I doing? I could tell Joe #1 wasn't in the group where is he?! When the first rest stop came I had a chance to make it right, but didn't. I let the surging group leave without me, but I didn't have enough brain to hang out for a few more minutes and wait on Joe #1 who'd just arrived. A couple of us thought we'd take a short spin and either join the group ahead or slow to join the one coming from behind.

We found ourselves in no-man's land. Two of us. The group ahead lengthened the gap. The group behind was nowhere to be seen.

I stopped.

Enough.

My legs had had enough of the wind.

There was a southern loop and we were turning into the wind, again. I looked at the map.

Joe, you don't have to go with me, but I'm looking for a short cut. I've had it with the wind. I'm tired. I'm crabby. My legs are shot. You can go ahead.

I'm fine with you drafting me, I'm happy to pull. You rest up. I'll pull. Whatever direction you want to head is fine with me. I'd rather have the company -- I hate riding alone this year. Last year I wanted to ride alone, but this year I don't want to ride on my own. I need the conversation.

Joe's wife had been terminally ill for several years. She died in January.

I looked at the map. We had nine miles until a tail wind.

.

Joe #3 grew up north of the Cities in a small town that's now a suburb. He's got a house close by, one that's built from the bricks of the same amusement park that once was the area's attraction...he actually met the guy who built the house -- was out doing yard work when an old gent drove up and got out to talk...ran the half-mile in high school and still holds a record since the year later the race changed to the 800 meters...two kids, 13 and 17, good kids...has been able to be home with them for years...deciding what direction to take next with his life...good days and not so good days......

- TOB sometimes it's not just a ride

Cycling Mowing

...maybe I could have put it off until next weekend....

Not the two wheels I'd typically choose to have out.

I obviously didn't follow the good mowing practice of only taking off a third....

- TOB water it so it grows, then cut it off, then water it so it grows, then cut it off, then fertilize it so it grows, then cut it off.....does anyone else see the futility here?

* sigh *

it
just
isn't
going
to
mow
itself


which
begs
the
question

~

WHY THE HELL NOT?!!

- OB

Racin' the Train

About four blocks north of home is the Minneapolis bike highway/Cedar Lake Trail, a trail system running through Hopkins and St. Louis Park into downtown Minneapolis. The same distance south is the LRT/Greenway which heads from way west of Hopkins into Uptown through southern Minneapolis to points beyond. Both trails were built upon abandoned rail lines, but both have an active set of tracks close by.

The highway is a huge swath of green space considered a park by Minneapolis. East- and westbound riders have their own trails, separated from each other and from walkers. A rider wouldn't realize s/he's in the middle of Minneapolis, except for the visible city skyline above the trees to the east. Eventually, the trail will find its way through downtown to the Mississippi River. The Greenway is likewise heading toward the river, but is a bit further south.

The trail system is the start and end to just about any ride I do these days. It gets me to wherever I want to be and then sends me back home.

And, sometimes while I'm out on it the Train comes out to play with.

A friend and I were on the finishing end of our ride once when it showed. We were tired, taking a nice easy spin back home down the bike highway when the engine passed us and the rail cars clacked by. The rumble began....

Betcha can't.

I can, just don't want to. I'm tired. We've been riding all da.....

Can't....

CAN. If I wanted to.

Can't. Weenie.

Oh sure, names....

Can't. Frieda.

Puh-leeeze.

Can't. Granny..

... . .

Rubberlegs.

I was off like McEwen yeah, that's it, McEwen.

Of course the Train eventually pulled-it-out and beat me to the underpass. I started early and had no lead-out.

Tactics. Gotta work on my tactics. Always been my downfall.

- TOB

But I've Never Been to Baja

we bounced around the bus
looked out the windows
and talked
saw the world of Minneapolis
from inside a bus
noses just over the sills
talked
waved
hair whipping around from the open windows
and we saw Baja
on the big screen
the big huge curving tall
look I can see my shadow waving
if I stand up tall enough
and the fish
and the elephant seals
and the coral
and the whales in the oasis
of Baja
before we boarded the bus
to look at Minneapolis
in the other direction
with its green and its cliffs
and its paddleboats
and we missed the turn-off
for Baja
so now I've still
not
ever
been
there

- ob

Sensory Overload

5:08 AM I'm u p... .. . .zz schg kgh gngn nnnmmph.... .. . . .

5:56 AM I'M UP...I'm up...up...getting up....

6:30 AM check the weather forecast...a couple blogs....

6:57 AM ride

8:00 AM meetings and general work stuff

9:30 AM-3:30 PM we're loading THE BUS TO GO TO THE SCIENCE MUSEUM THE SCIENCE MUSEUM FOR THE WHOLE DAY WE GET TO GO ON THE BUS AND MISS SCHOOL FOR THE ENTIRE DAY TO GO TO THE SCIENCE MUSEUM WHAT SHOULD WE DO NOW CAN WE GO CAN WE WOAH! LOOK AT THE DINOSAUR SKULL AND LET'S GO OVER TO THE PLACE WHERE THE WEATHER STUFF IS LOOK WE CAN DO THE LOCKS AND DAMS ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER EXCEPT THERE'S THE CHEMISTRY GUY WHO WILL DO EXPERIMENTS WITH US AND DID YOU SEE WHERE YOU CAN THROW STEEL MARBLES IN THE TORNADO THING WE GET TO EAT LUNCH I BROUGHT POP IS THAT OK WE GET TO GO TO THE OMNI WHAT'S THE OMNI MS. ULMER WE SAW FISH AND SHARKS AND IT FELT LIKE WE WERE GOING OFF THE CLIFF AND ALL THE BIRDS HEY LOOK AT MR. WOICHESKY HE FELL ASLEEP DURING THE MOVIE WHERE'S MATT DO YOU SEE MATT SITTING ANYWHERE MATT!! WHAT DO WE GET TO DO AFTERWARD HOW ABOUT LET'S GO SEE THE PLACE WHERE THEY DO THE STUFF HEY WHERE'D THEY PUT THE MUSICAL STAIRS DO WE HAVE TO GET ON THE BUS ALREADY HOW LONG AFTER WE GET BACK DO WE GO HOME WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT SPIDERS MS. ULMER THERE'S ONE ON THE CEILING OF THE BUS SHOULD WE KILL IT HOW MUCH MORE TIME BEFORE LOOK WE'Re back already is it time to go home already....


4:25 PM ...bicycle...ride...home....

- TOB didn't even want to hear wind rushing past her ears

Blogger Sightings

4 Down, 50 Billion to Go....

Since reading Lunatic's posts, I've had a craving for a Chicago dog -- haven't been to the Wienery in about 6 months and he's there constantly, it seems. So after friends and I left Midwest Mountaineering's recent expo to head over to Freewheel, friends and I needed a quick bite and I jumped at the chance to finally get my dog. Unfortunately, we figured Bobke and Gary Fischer would pull in the crowds, so after walking into the Wienery we walked back out so close! and headed over to Freewheel early to grab seats and dine on Clif Bars instead. Wienery, Freewheel...when I saw the black CrossCheck, I had to ask. He looked familiar somehow, anyway. Lunatic indeed. We chatted for a bit and he said he wasn't staying due to his being up until 2:30 that morning. Says he can do it because he's old -- if that's the case he wears it well. My old has me heading to the sack by 10.

Damn! I forgot to ask his name. He's gotta have a name besides Lunatic. Next time.

Shawn had read my posts about heading to AZ in early April and had offered to show me some of east valley routes once I arrived. Circumstances being what they were, I wasn't able to head his direction, but he was able to join my crowd on the west side and take-in views of some of the most, um... over-built desert there ever was. We did see actual farmland (roses!) and horses, but unfortunately their days are probably numbered as well. We shared some similar outlooks: love the desert, love the climate, dislike Phoenix the language may have been stronger than that, but ya know....

Shawn has recently taken up cycling again after quitting the smokes last June? July? and he rides a fine rig in fine style. It's not often to find a relative newcomer who's as smooth.

Next year I'm riding his neck of the woods, though.

Shannon was my first blogger-sighting. Too weird. Too much fun.

Annie...can I consider her as a sighting since I'd met her before our blogging started and haven't seen her since?

- OB gets a kick out of realizing she knows people she doesn't know