LeMond Project in the works....

Well, Mr. Ross had this Steel LeMond road frame that he cracked a long while back, so now I've got it, to do a little work on. We're gonna make it a Cyclocross frame out of it. This morning I hacked off the seat stays, and with doing so I used up my last cutting wheel on my dremel. AHH, the Dremel tool, a frame builders best friend. OK so here a re a few images so far: The Frame
What Ross broke
OOPs, something fell off.

Storm's a comin'...

Well theres a Tropical Storm brewing just south of Florida, and it looks like it will be headed our way. As of right now the idea of it becoming a hurricane is just that: an IDEA. Even still, I think commuting tomorrow is out of the question. Also, Ross's rides in Lakeland will probably be postponed (I'm sure he'll let us know). Hey Ross, I have a 80mm 1" stem on my road bike... I'll bring it in for ya.
Oh, I've got your LeMond in my stand with the measurements noted, I'll probably slice off the seat stays tomorrow, (I'll photography for everyone!!!). Goodnite fer now.

A shameless Plug

whew

That ride today was only 55 miles but...we averaged 21.5 for 2 hours 20 minutes. A month back on the bike after 10 months off leaves one ill prepared for such an effort. Chris and I once did a 500 mile week where we averaged 23mph for the all those miles. We're a little way from that. The ole legs feel like they did something today. It's a good hurt though. TLS. Tired Leg Syndrome. No pics of the ride. I'm gonna have to get a cheap digital camera for snaps on rides. One that can hold up to being carried around in a sweaty jersey pocket. Jeremy? Anything like that exist? My budget is $4 and I'd like about 4 megapixels waterproof.

Back on the Saddle (sores)

Well, Sara aad I hit the trail again. Flatwoods, once more, but some different trails this time. I got around to adding a computer to the Niner, so I know for sure the distance ridden. And if anyone out there ( at this point my blogger lost my nice long post)..... Ok, in a nut shell: We rode 20 miles on Saturday. I help a fella fix his NINER on the trail. We ate Panera afterwards. We got rained on.

Sharon's Birthday

I think Sharon's birthday must have been a letdown. I gave her a GPS heart rate/speed monitor a couple of weeks ago so she didn't get anything but a card today. We went to dinner with my parents to her new favorite restaurant last night and I picked her up for lunch today but working 16 hours on your birthday stinks. Anyway, Chris and I rode this AM about 29 miles plus I got 5 riding with my daughter. Got a pic of my cat sprocket who LOVES violin music. My daughter was playing and the cat would not leave her alone.

Take a hit...

Looks like we're getting about 20 hits a day. So I'd like to thank everyone who has visited. With that, I'd like to ask everyoneto please leave a comment, so then Ross and myself can visit your BLOG, and perhaps leave a comment! So, thanks again!

So much for cooler weather

I rushed home got dressed in my riding gear and headed out the door with Sharon to meet Chris. Didn't really realize how hot and humid it was until Sharon mentioned it. Thanks a lot there honey. It was a pleasurable ride down around the lake. Lots of pretty girls that I didn't notice and the college cross country team. Sharon piped up that she was going to ride the other way, presumably to follow and check out the men's cross country team. I pointed out that she had shoes older than most of those boys. Anyway, we got right at 23 miles.

Atfer Work A.C. criterium!

So, I dusted off my road bike and gave 'er a go after work tonight. Every Tuesday and Thursday the American Classic folks get together and do the "Woodlands Crit." For Neal and myself, it was our first time back since before the time change. I got in 13 miles, then Neal and I did a low gear interval, and after, I couldn't get back into my big ring. This was the first ride since I installed my 53t big ring, I swapped it from my 48t- which went to my commuter bike. I settled with 14 miles this evening, Neal put in 15.5, then called it quits.
I had to use Jonathan's 11 year old Specialized helmet, because I forgot mine somehow. I would have ridden without one, but Ellen doesn't appreciate helmetless riding, so I used the ancient brain bucket. I haven't looked at my bike yet to adjust out the problem, I'l wait. I may ride into work tomorrow, that just depends on how I'm feeling when I wake up... so, for now....Goodnight.

Weekend's here...time to ride!

Well I only commuted to work once this week, so I admit it, I'm a slacker. I really wanted to ride a good amount of offroad this weekend. Saturday, I got about 6 miles of paved trail along with about 20 miles of offroad. We had Destiny during the day, and Sara took her to the park and removed the training wheels from her bike. I was out on my own bike ride while Destiny got a taste of 2 wheeled fun!
I also procured a American Classic kit for myself, so I wanted to feel that new chamois! There weren't too many folks out, but I had a good time regardless. My neighbor was just leaving the park ( in his car) as I rolled to the trail head. We live about 2 miles for the trail...I'm not quite sure why he drove to it. Afer 5 minutes or so on the dirt trail I picked up a Tick just above my sock. Those lil' guys can bite! Good time on the trail yesterday, and Sara would like to do some riding today aswell, so after some 'web chores' we'll be off for some more dirt fun...

I guess a hawk or something grabbed this snake, ripped it up and made a snack out of it. It scared the poo out of me at first, I thought it was still alive...

Slightly cooler weather,...nice

Alrighty then,...Chris and I rode the Saturday morning training ride route with the exception of a 6 mile loop. That put us in front of the ride so we rode pretty hard to keep them from catching us. Nothing noteworthy happened except that I had an average heart rate of 158 with almost 6 minutes above 170bpm. That was 31 miles.

This morning we rode down a new bike path from Lakeland to Bartow. Actually, neither end is finished so we had to ride about 2 miles down the highway. Why would they pave the middle section first? Seems like they would start at one end or the other. It was less hot than usual and I could feel the difference in my legs. Felt strong (comparatively) for the whole ride. Even did 10 miles in the 53-11 into the wind for some power training. 10 months off the bike didn't really kill my speed on flat ground with no wind very much but my power is all gone. The slightest hill or headwind and I really do feel it. We got in 62 miles. Tuesday through Friday I didn't ride but I think when you're out of shape, rest is critical. The lay off wasn't planned but beneficial.

Seńor Ross

Well, at American Classic we have another Ross, not theRoss that contributes to this page, another... Last weekend Seńor Ross participated in the RACE to Replace in Indiana. He and another fella from work, Simon Kessler, went. Simon earned 4th over all with a mechannical prohibiting him to get into his 12 and 11t cogs. On the last lap Seńor Ross was taken down by some "Squirrely M*****F*****s" and ended up with some "500 Road Rash"

Here it is:

Around the lake agian, and again

I didn't think wifey would want to ride this evening considering she'd just worked 40 of the last 50 hours, but she did. There were horrible clouds to the south, east and west but we stayed dry. Did about 24 miles, I think. Most of it at a leisurely pace except for the little blast up to 30. You see, I have this little rule I call the rule of 30. I have to go at least 30mph every ride I take on my road bike. So I did my 30 but that was about all I did that was hard. We had a good time and I only saw one good lookin chick, and she was with me.

Jeremy is much smarter than Ross

Regarding Jeremy's post, he just has a lot more fun on a bike than I do. I guess maybe we have differing views of fun. A ride with a pretty girl, dinner and a movie sounds like a lot more fun than riding in 102 degrees with a smelly guy. But, alas, my pretty girl is at work pulling her usual double shift each weekend day. She also is working overtime on her "off" days so it's 80 hours a week for 4 weeks. Next day off she has is Labor Day then it's 2 more weeks with no days off. That's a hard workin woman. If I'd continued my pursuit of being an astro physicist maybe she wouldn't have to work so hard to support my lazy ass. But then again, we would have never met and she wouldn't have a free bike mechanic/licensed massage therapist. String theory ain't all that anyway.

Chris and I rode pretty much the same ride we rode last Sunday with a little detour to Winter Haven hospital to get free Mountain Dew from the lovely Mrs. Willliams. We coaxed her out of the microbiology lab so she could see the sun and converse with a couple of extremely sweaty men (us). It was a nice ride except for the heat. Near the end of our 57 miles my heart rate was shooting to the limit with the smallest effort. Thus, the title of my post, Jeremy is much smarter than Ross. I'm going to lie down for a little while before tackling my honey do's.

Yep, hit the dirt tonight...then a movie..

Well, Sara and I took to the trails in Flatwoods this evening. This was her first time on a MTN Bike, and did very well! We rode from home, a mere mile to the trail head, then proceeded on a leisurely offroad ride... About 3 miles offroad and about 5 miles on pavement and gravel. Sara took to it like a fish to water, I guess growing up in Iowa and riding bikes through dry creek beds paid off. We both had a great time. My new Salsa Cap covered the dome nicely, but Sara disagrees with the style factor. After the trail we consumed some grub at Chili's, then caught a flick at the theatre. "You, Me and Dupree" pretty good movie, I liked it more than the last Owen Wilson movie i saw "The Wedding Crashers", if you haven't seen it, don't waste your time. Yet, catch "You , Me and Dupree" Mr. Lance Armstrong had a cameo role in it, which I laughed my ass off to. I was one of the few. And, I don't care who you are, you're probably not gonna be 'off the front' on a 70's Schwinn Varsity wearing a Hockey helmet, even if you are "Living Strong."
Chili's is great post MTB fuel, even if it was only a few miles...Sara's just warming up to 2 wheeled fun. Cheers.
At Chili's, being the nerds we are.Sara, on pavement at Flatwoods.Sara, again H2O break on the Panther Trail.

183 for the week

Chris and I did our little "power plant" loop and then a couple laps of Lake Hollingsworth to look at the pretty girls. We got a mere 27 miles. It'd be nice to get more miles on a Saturday morning but since he has to be at work at 10:00 we have to make it quick. When we start doing the group rides again we'll get more miles. Also I could ride from my house and get another 10 miles but.... For those of you who have never ridden in Lakeland, Florida it's a pretty good place to ride a bike. It's the 13th largest metro area in Florida but surrounded by rural roads. From the center of Lakeland it's not more than 20 minutes riding time in any direction to get to less traveled roads. Then there is Lake Hollingsworth right in the middle of town. There is a bike/walking path next to the lake and a bike lane next to the road. A great place to get a few more miles, meet for a group ride, get miles at night or warm up for a long ride. Florida Southern College is on the north side of the lake making it prime for girl watching.

Mr. Ross isn't the only one that posts here...

Well, I guess it's time I post a thing 'er tow to this here blog I created... I also made a commute to work this week, only one way, though. Pretty normal commute, no one yelling obscenities, or near collisions. I didn't even find anything cool on the side of the road. My ride to work isn't as long as Ross's, only 16 miles ( one way). I used my "commuting" bike, a lugged steel miyata, with fenders and mustache bars for now. Hopefully, next week I'll get some miles in, as for now Ross is kicking my ass...as for Ryan, he has 7 miles, wrecked on his road bike while taking a corner too sharp, flatted both tubes, was limping the next day. So I guess he's gonna take another break from riding.... I'll get some offroad miles this weekend. YeeHaw.

10% of the male population is homosexual

Ok, Wednesday and Thursday were pretty good days, mileage wise. I got 38 on Wednesday coming home from work and 36 going back in on Thursday. There's nothing wrong with being gay but if you're not, you don't like getting called "faggot". There is something deeper than kids just goofing off because bike riders everywhere in the US have been called "faggot" for years. It must come from low self esteem and/or confused sexual identity. I've read that world-wide about 10% of the male population is homosexual. That means in my high school of about 1100 kids and about 600 boys about 60 were gay. If you give that study a 5% margin of error you still have about 30 gay boys. In my 4 years of high school, there was only 1 professed homosexual that I knew of. That means there's a pretty good chance that the kid doing the yelling of "faggot" out of car windows at cyclists is to divert attention from their own struggle with their sexuality. Am I right? Is this a big case of the pot calling the kettle black or is it something else?


Hauling my heavy steel bike over Hogpen Gap on the Six Gap Century in North Georgia.

Only 20 :(

Well,....not much to post as of today as far as a ride goes. I rode 20 yesterday (Monday) with Chris and my lovely wife. We just rode easy after the hard Sunday ride. Not much happened except we stampeeded some cattle and Sharon yelled "git along little doggie!". Funny thing, somehow I knew she was going to say it before the words came out of her mouth.


Here's a pic of me riding to work

Welcome Folks!

Ok we're up and running, milage will be updated regularly, along with our stories of our commutes and rides. Thanks for visiting, and keep an eye on us! Team Members will add themselves when they give me their email addresses!