episode 106: a ride less usual

"dude, the trainer sucks. Why don't you pet me instead ?"

So from time to time I use the trainer, and I follow one of those videos that comes along with it. Primarily I have been using, what I'll call "the average joes" version. I did these versions because they use guys that are local to me, many of the jerseys they are wearing are familiar to me, and listening to my boy Troy call out the intervals has always been something I enjoy.

Another thing I like about the "average joe's" videos is that they seem to be placed in some one's garage or greenhouse or something. I totally reminds me of the days when we would pile into the back of wooden wheels and do trainer rides together.

Recently I got my hands on a DVD from another company, we'll call them, "globo gym". This was totally a high prodcution deal. First the set was totally out of a music video, and all the riders were on the same brand bikes, wearing the same kit. totally homogenized. On one level I thought that "globo gym" dvd might be more appealing to the new rider, as it's kinda shiney and new, on the other hand the fella barking out the intervals looks kinda angry, like in a therapy kinda way.

What I did like about the "globo gym" DVD was they focused on keeping the cadence up, not so much pushing a big gear, where as the "average joes" set up gear ratios for you to be in. Conversly, I guess I always liked trying to match Duvall's gear mashing abilities, although I can understand that's not best for everyone. In the end, riding the trainer sucks, you get the work out without the soul, and I'll admit I'll probably use both the "average joes" and the "globo gym", even if in my heart, I'm pulling for the joes. Catch it on the oucho.

in this picture I am peeing.

I was in the grocery store today getting lunch. Which was by the way a nice pepper steak and vegetables over white rice. the Giant across from my work has this Chinese restaurant in the middle of it that is ridiculously good. But I digress, we were just hit by a snow storm, and basically were digging out a bit. So I'm walking out of the store and over the loud speaker I hear, "Attention Giant customers, the weather man is calling for more snow, be sure to stock up on milk and bread!" Dude, we are in southern eastern PA, not Alaska. I swear the weathermen work for the grocery stores.

Buddy through the Sarlac pit like a Jedi.

This week's rides have truly been less ordinary. Tuesday night Titans was in the midst of a snow storm. Todd(el presidente), Once and week Paul and I braved the elements, the storm was falling strong. Something special about riding in the woods in the snow in the dark. Todd and I took turns at the front driving not the pace, but cutting threw the 3 inch deep snow. Paul was at the back with a bunch of smart assed comments, but no work at the front. Damn, he is so smart.

Thursday was actually a ride that I wasn't sure would happen. Especially when I ate shit on the ice getting out of my car. Buddy the leg breaker, E-town and I headed out, kinda of expecting to find trails that were unrideable. Instead we had a treat. The trails were frozen solid. There were sections where hikers had made the tail choppy, I though we would need this for traction, but soon realized this took away from the flow. The bulk of the ride was spent carving from one section of trail to the other, avoiding footprints and flowing the best we could. There was one long section that no one had touched, frozen virgin trail. It was like the first time I carved a snake run on a skateboard. Berm to berm to berm. The smile on my face was ear to ear. Now we weren't setting any land speed records this night, but for a ride we didn't think would happen. I sure as hell wasn't complaining. It was marvelous.

okay, who fouled Buddy? Oh yeah, it was me.

respect.

fm

Luxxy and Family you are in our thoughts.
God Speed.