Lurking in the Shadows

I pulled a Fred. I haven't blogged since a serious climate change. Shame on me.

My blog used to be used as a ride organizer, but now there's this. It get's used almost weekly, however, I know there's way more impromptu rides going on. So, how does that work?

Well there's this new fangled thing called social media. These continuously updating sites let you post a little, but not a lot, on what's happening. I belong to them about as much as I belong to Husker Nation. I reside there, will watch what's going on with some interest, but rarely partake in any involvement.

I can never fit what I want to say into a meaningful Facebook post. And Twitter doesn't even let me begin a thought. If you'll notice, my blog text area is most of the page, or widescreen. I did this because I'm awfully wordy and didn't want my ramblings to take numerous scrollings like some people. (Sorry Brady, your's was the best example I could find. Please, keep up the entertaining posts. Love them.) Also, I figured most people would be posting widescreen youtube videos in the future. But then a weird thing happened.

"In the future" became social media where links are used rather than thoughts, and smaller is better. Even the screens used to view social media are smaller. Did the cell phone help create social media, or did social media push cell phone's into what they've become? Either way, I'm not sure I'm on board.

Bryan was recently faced with the question of how important social media is to him. He went with a pretty sensible phone by today's standards. I had mentioned in a response to an earlier post, if he wanted to avoid Android, he could go with a Blackberry via Virgin Mobile. I figured he'd like the idea of saving money monthly. I really don't know his situation, so I probably assumed wrong, but I like VMs prices - $25 a month (plus tax, so $27) for unlimited web/text and 300 minutes a month. When I got a bonus from work, I tried out their LG Optimus and tried to like it. Well, aside from liking the name a whole bunch, the battery lasted maybe 2 days. That was with turning everything off (GPS, Gmail Sync, Wifi, etc) aside from regular cell phone reception. I know this because there was an app that let me see all the currently running processes. Kinda cool, but worthless when you find out that searching for cell towers and running your OS only nets you 40 hours of battery life. So that went back to the store and I used the bonus to pay down some debt.

Maybe if I could afford any of it, I'd be singing a different tune. As it stands now, I'm almost offended at the idea of spending $70+ a month on a data enabled phone just to stay connected when most people have perfectly fine computers at their job and/or home. If interesting things happen between your job and your home, you can easily use your large screen and large keyboard to write a very well thought out blog posting.

I know I'm being particularly "fist shaky" about this subject (a term I learned from Miah in a Facebook conversation about fireworks) but I don't think I'll ever be a frequent poster to the social media anytime soon, if ever. So I have a jump start on being uncool to my kids, if I have any.

So, I am around, lurking in the shadows, following what's going on, but usually not commenting on (or "liking") it. Hopefully I'll pick up riding more sometime soon since I recently got a slight promotion at work and don't have to work weird hours anymore. I'm done by 4:30pm almost every day. Now I just have to remember how to ride fast. I rode with Mr. Miles this last weekend and was shown how utterly long it's been since I've ridden with any speed. Who know's maybe I'll show up to a WNW ride and ride with the C group. C group being me, by myself, just getting to Ft. Calhoun while others are getting back to the store.

Progress

I'm happy to announce there's been some progress.

Riding home today, a car passed me on Leavenworth's left lane (I, of course in the right 3rd of the right lane) which contained a passenger that rolled down the window in rainy weather to yell, "Side Streets, BITCH!"

So yeah, significant progress.

1. The argumentative passenger was in a vehicle that was kind enough to make a full lane change to get around me. I've found most people do this nowadays. It also helps that I do take up a 3rd of the lane. There's not enough room to allow a cyclist and a car in 1 lane on Leavenworth (or many of Omaha's streets) so I take enough of the lane to require a full lane change to pass me. This is safer for all involved.

2. As the one sided argument went, I should seek out, and travel on side streets. This is a somewhat valid point. The side streets are probably significantly safer than the main streets, albeit substantially hillier. However, I was 4 blocks from joining Leavenworth's bike lane, and there's no real side street route to get to said bike lane. This argument is a huge upgrade from the old, "get on the sidewalk," or, "get off the road" admonishments. Had the conversation been 2 sided in a more relaxed situation, it might have went,

"I ride a bike to work."

"Oh really? I accept that riding a bike is a viable means of transportation, I only request that you stick to the side streets so the faster moving, heavier traffic could move along more expeditiously. Have a good day."

Well I can dream, can't I?

TAG! I'm it.

So I finally got that cold that everyone else and their mom has had. My wife had it like 3 weeks ago, so I must have caught it from someone else. A co-worker of mine called in sick a day before I would've called in had it not been Saturday. I actually still had to work that day since there was an event that no one else could work. Oh well, overtime pay is always welcome.

I hope all you peeps at the MTB races had fun. Wish I could've been there to help out and watch/heckle.

Not much going on in Munson land. Just payin off debt, workin for The Man. I don't have any guarantees, but in the next few months, I might be getting into a house and/or getting a new position at work with a bump in pay. Hopefully both happen, but only time will tell.

COME ON, TIME, WHAT'S THE DEALIO???

That is all.

Saturday Group Ride.

Not sure why, but my "Blogs I Read" didn't post the latest and greatest over at GroupRideOmaha.

10am from Jones Bros cupcakes. Get there early for coffee. I know I will.

Sunday Gravel (AKA FROZEN BEARD RIDE)

Sorry folks I'm out tomorrow, your still welcome to park at the house if you'd like, but I won't be able to make the ride this week.

Mo Gravel Mo Glory

I don't know about the title of this post. We going to make it to MO valley tomorrow.
Start time 9:30 am.
Meeting place BK bridge.
New this week group b. IF you would like to join group who doesn't have 5-6 hours to burn on Saturday. Here is the scoop the b group will be slower pace and distance.
Maps compiled by MOD
route a
route b
All are welcome just remember plan accordingly and be smart about your prep.

Sunday's Gravel RIde (Frozen Beard Ride)

2-6-2011 ( I was waiting for Rafel to post first, but I'm sure Saturdays ride info is forthcoming).

Same details as below, leaving at 11:30 a.m. 5224 Lake Forest Drive, Papillion, one block to gravel, cross bikes, time and distance to be determined by group at ride time, most likely in the 2-3 hour range. This is not a no drop ride, but we will regroup several times. FROZEN BEARDS not required but encouraged, refreshments to follow.

Sunday's Gravel RIde (Frozen Beard Ride)

Same details as below, leaving at 11:30 a.m. 5224 Lake Forest Drive, Papillion, one block to gravel, cross bikes, time and distance to be determined by group at ride time, most likely in the 2-3 hour range. This is not a no drop ride, but we will regroup several times. FROZEN BEARDS not required but encouraged, refreshments to follow.

Aloha!

in case you miss the info

Saturday ride has been pushed forward 30 minutes.
Meet at BK bridge at 10 am.
Route and info on MOD's Site
All are welcome but you should always plan accordingly

Sunday's Gravel RIde

Ride will start at 11:30 same details as below, route and distance will be decided at ride time based on weather conditions. Cross Bikes, we regroup, but this is not a no drop ride, plan accordingly.

As promised

Since Friday is not enough notice for people, I decided to put the ride info up day early.
Saturday 10:30 am get ready for 60 miles of loess hills goodness. This much I can tell you for sure.
Route is extender from last week. MOD has the route. Couple of cat 5 climbs according to mapmyride.
There might be Ice beards
There will be coffee after
Most importantly there will be gravel glory
We also will have several guests from Lincoln throwing it down PCL style
Not everyday you can ride with DK200 reigning champion :D
If that's not reason enough it ( it should be) , it will be 8-10 degrees warmer than last week. SO you have no excuse (unless it's work) All are welcomed... plan accordingly

Saturday Ride

Not much change is needed. If you think that 18 degrees is a heat wave which it should be considering it's twice as warm as it was earlier this week come on down.
Meet at BK PED Bridge @ 10:30
About the same route as last week less pavement more gravel (yey gravel)
Little longer distance from the bridge think closer to 38 miles.

Dare you not to laugh.

http://www.wimp.com/animalvoiceovers/

I burst out laughing a few times.

So is that bol in text speak?

I finally rode this morning to work. I had to wait this week till it got down to the negative digits to give it a go. Took the bus Monday and actually drove yesterday (GASP!). But it's back to biking full time. I'll echo several people's comments and say that studded tires make it seem like you're riding on velcro. I have no idea how little metal nubs on cyclocross tires can do that, but I was totally confident riding in, if not a bit slower because of the "riding on gravel" effect of studs. Granted, just 1 day after the snow ended, the streets are really well plowed. Kudos to Omaha's new snow emergency practice and plowing team!

Even though it was cold as the ass of death this morning, I was sweaty by the time I got to work. I had on a medium weight wool base layer, a cycling vest, then a Red wool lumberjack shirt over that. I got the shirt from my Mom on Christmas. I love it. I probably could have done without the cycling vest and been warm enough this morning. The only part that got cold on me were my thighs. I had on cycling shorts, thermal leg warmers and nylon pants over that. Of course also I had the obligatory balaclava under the helmet, lobster gloves, and heavy wool socks under the shoes setup.

Hope everyone stays warm and enjoys their day!

Gravel - Sunday Leaving at Noon!

Looks like Rafel has a ride going tomorrow a.m. leaving from the Bob at 10:30, (I need to go to work for a while in the a.m. but I'm going to try to make it). As for Sunday, open for debate, Kent says he can make it if we leave at noon vs. last weeks 11:30 start time. We also have a pretty good chance for snow Sunday which could be fun. So I'll open it up to a vote and post the start time tomorrow at 5:00 p.m.

Whose in?

Sunday = Nebraska Saturday= Iowa

So Shim has good route going on Sunday no reason to mess with that and if 50 miles is not good enough for you sunday. Come out Saturday meet at BK bridge 10:30 am. Here is the route. Winds will be coming from N-NE should have fairly good tail wind on way home. yes there are some climbing ...

Happy New Year! Weekend Plans -Saturday Time change to 11.

Yeah it's cold, but it's Nebraska in January whatcha gonna do? Some of us are planning to ride at Manawa at 10:00 a.m. The temps don't look like they will vary much tomorrow so get your ride in early and settle in for a day of bowl games (or video games for you dorks). Bring either MTB or cross bike. I rode Manawa today and the trails are in good shape for some winter hours.

As for Sunday, it looks like Mr. Freeze is going to cut us a little slack. Planning on leaving at 11:30 again this week exact route to be determined at ride time.

Man that was fun.

As everyone saw the temp forecast for today, the tweets and such started to fly. Plan was, meet at Wohlners (3 blocks from my house) at 1pm. I got a little busy with stuff during the morning and at 12:20 decided I could fender-ize my Lemond and join the fun. Well, one flat tire later, I was late to the meeting spot. Luckily, Eric O had run behind also. So Eric and I took it easy down the trail and did pretty much the exact route that we would've done had we been 5 minutes earlier.

It was fricken 59° at the start and quickly rose to 65° mid ride. Of course, once we turned North, the wind had to change also and became a much colder NW wind. Eric and I skirted Northish so we could part ways at Happy Hollow.

The ride was just right; not too fast, but a couple surges to get some exercise. I have no idea how I felt so good since it's seriously been months since my last outdoor road ride. Turns out the fenders were nearly unnecessary as there were only a couple puddles on the trail. But soon, that will all change. This weekend is looking ugly with temps only in the teens for Saturday and may 20 for Sunday. I usually don't head out for more than an hour if it's below 25 outside. Just isn't that fun and a better workout could be had on the trainer instead. Which may or may not happen. I do need to lose some winter cheer weight.

Hope everyone had a good Christmas and enjoys (but not too much) their New Year's celebration.

Last weekend's rides were nice, due to the holiday we'll skip this Saturday's ride and move Sunday's start time back to 11:30.

Sunday's Plan: Leaving from 5224 Lake Forest, Papillion at 11:30, doing the normal route with extenders if needed. Back around 2:30ish. Free Beer after compliments of Steel Cut Oats (Brady Murphy). Plan on 3+ hours of ride time.

Looks Like Gravel Season is Upon Us.

So, it's that time of year again and I hear the gravel calling my name. I'll be back on Thursday to post a couple of weekend epics. Thinking of leaving from the Bob on Saturday (mostly flat) and somewhere on the South side (mostly hilly) on Sunday.

Let's Plan on Meeting on the West side of the Bob on Saturday 10 a.m. Based on the forecast we'll probably head North on the CB side and pick up gravel near the end of the bike path.

Sunday's Plan: Leaving from 5224 Lake Forest, Papillion at 11:00, doing the normal route with extenders if needed. Back around 2ish. Free Beer after compliments of Steel Cut Oats (Brady Murphy).

I'd like to give all the sheep of the world some love

Wait, that sounded bad.

-4° on the ride into work = need for warm clothing. Enter: Sheep hair, aka wool.

If you don't have any mid to high quality wool clothing, I highly recommend it. I have 3 wool shirts that go on in layers depending on the temps - 2 Smartwool long sleeve base layers (one lighter and one heavier) and a regular cheap-ish wool sweatshirt. The wool sweatshirt is of lower quality, so it itches like crazy against the skin. I only bust that out when it's cold enough to warrant 2 layers of long sleevedness; like this morning. I add a cycling vest in between the layers for wind block since wool, by itself, isn't that great at keeping the drafts off my skin.

I'll wear 1 to 2 of these wool shirts all through the week, then wash whichever ones get stinky. Usually, that's only the base layer if I've worn it every day and had a couple warmish rides in there too. There's no way technical fabric base layers could handle that washing schedule. Or rather, no way I (and my I, I mean my nose) could stand being around it for more than 2 days, max. I have mentioned before, that my manly smell can be quite formidable. Wool somehow doesn't hold in as much funk as newer technical fabric. Not sure how it works, but I'll take it. It's much better than going through 5 tech fabric shirts all week and having a pile of stinky laundry by the weekend. Plus it could be cheaper, depending on how much you'd spend on the tech fabrics, versus how cheap you can find your wool. I like to hit up Canfield's sales in Fall for Summer stuff and Spring for Winter stuff.

When the temp drops and whisks away your wharmth, I whole wheartedly recommend you whear your whool. Cool Whip.