Friday frolics

September 28, 2012

It is Friday and I, like you, are quite pleased with this.  Today was a fine Friday indeed for this bicycling enthusiast.  I hope that you had a fine one too.  As a matter of fact, my Thursday was pretty good too.  I saw a woodchuck up at Woodchuck Holler.

!  Not a sign of the turkeys.

I guess the 'chuck won the turf war.  Or else the turks are confused about which month it is and have run away from a still distant Thanksgiving.  I don't generally consider depth perception, even in the temporal sense, to be a turkey's forte.  A turkey's forte is parading about clumsily and generally avoiding impact with cars, bicycles, runners, rocks, et al., by narrow margins.  As if they are unintentionally, stupidly, taunting me.  Not you.  Just me.

My Friday was given some added impetus by an invigorating shower that was considerately activated for all of us grimy, morning multi-use trail users.

Ahhh!  I felt peppy enough to stop and snap a nearly indecipherable shot of the recently cleared, former mudslide area.

No mudslide for you!  Take another shower, grimehead!

The good life.  It is a former slogan of ours here in Cornhuskerville.  Like all many Nebraskans, I am forced compelled to enjoy an occasional pilgrimage to our State's sacred football stadium known as (ahhh-ahhh!) Memorial Stadium.  This will indeed be a momentous occasion, as our fearless leader and idol, Thomas P. Osborne is retiring as athletic director of the University.  TPO has been a role-model for many Cornhuskers through the years.  He has inspired many of us with his severely expressionless form of bicycling (unfortunately not yet captured in pixels, maybe now that he's retiring he'll have more time for two-wheeling).

binet.lv

I will be sure to wear something appropriate and do some hooting and hollering.

Then on the way home I met up with a fellow bicycler at Chatty Corner.  We exchanged pleasantries and then he graciously offered me the lead charge down the hill by Woodchuck Holler.  More invigoration ensued.  He did not catch and pass me, which means that he must have been out for a leisurely spin, as I rocketed heavily along on my wreckless trajectory.  Bwwaa-zaa!  The good life is even better on Friday!

I hear there is was a Groupon available for the upcoming Running Dead 5K, which sounds pretty fun.  I hear zombies are popular these days.  A zombie-enthusiast friend of mine enthused about the Morningstar Strain series as well as books by J.L. Bourne.  So get ready for some zombie-eluding fun and get a move on!  Brains!  Hell, if you're lucky TPO will be there!  Just kidding Tom!  Please don't eat my brain!  It's really not worth your time.  It'd be like eating one Pringle!  Go Big Red!

Action at Z-Lake!

September 25, 2012

Today I went to the nursery to pick up some anti-grub bacteria after my shift at the ceramic rotator cuff manufacturing plant.  Riding a different route after work is quite exciting to a working stiff like me.  I added another take onto my standard double take at intersections.  I tried to ride briskly while cresting hills to avoid a potentially unpleasantly close encounter.  But along with the uncomfortable smell of danger (i.e., nervous sweat), I also witnessed some incongruously exotic scenery.  Here are some kids who were playing a game with a ball and sticks that may be based on the Harry Potter sport called quidditch.  Or iceless hockey.

I arrived at the nursery and spent slightly less than $100, which I eventually convinced myself to consider a mild success.  Then I filled my panniers full of grub fighting compounds and hastened homeward along the shores of the possibly recently restored Zorinsky Lake.  In a spate of incoherent benevolence, I dumped a large pack of beneficial nematodes in the water just in case it might help with any lingering Zebra mussels from the recent infestation.  Your welcome.

Then I noticed some people in watercraft lurking about in the waters inhabited by the ghosts of a thousand zebra mussels.

I think that phrase has a nice ring to it and I suggest that we change the name as soon as all the influential Zorinskies finally move out of town.  Not that I'm waiting....

There was a good crowd of people out moving around in the lacustrine environment.  The scenery was becoming more colorful.

Color coordinated runner and sumac.

Although I am glad that people were out engaging in activities, I was moderately baffled by the Harry Potter/stick-based sport (kind of like hockey in the air, but rather unlike actual air-hockey).  I have some experience dwelling in our fair city of Umoho and I'm pretty sure it's not a magical realm (but what do I know, eh kiddies?).  Or a cold northern hockey-like-sports-playing state/province.  Same with the kayaks, they seem a little out of place.  Aren't those generally used in rapids or on oceans?  The only reason we have lakes around here is to breed zebra mussels, and maybe some fishing.  Whatever happened to some good ol' horseback riding?  Maybe some dynamite fishing?  Grain elevator climbing?  These activities have a long and proud mid-western history.  What's next, banning football at our local university?  Someone get a rope!  For grain elevator climbing, of course.  Action on, actioneers, action the f on!

Rock city, baby!

September 21, 2012

As you probably haven't noticed, I have not been participating in the web logging phenomena lately.  Well, here's why-

that's right, it's Rock City, baby!

This locale is not exactly the same as the one portrayed in my favorite film - Detroit Rock City.  I've not been to Detroit, but I'm pretty sure this place is way more pastoral, but with the potential to be just as rocking.  Here's the stage set up.

With poor photography, the required explanation is attached herewith - a shady stage with an even more shaded spectator shelter at Rock City, baby!

Gotta love the open air vibe.  I bet Badly Drawn Boy would love this venue.  Also Dave Matthews, but he's not invited.  Sorry Dave, you're just a tad too commercial for RC.  

There are also sandstone rocks aplenty.

Concretions from the inland sea that covered much of the midwest back 150 million years ago or so.  They are fun to look at and to climb on.

From  http://www.misskansas.org/miss-kansas/miss-keepers-of-the-crown/item/50-miss-kansas-2007-alyssa-george 

Many people also seem to enjoy writing on them.  It's a fun-for-all at RC!  It is also conveniently located near Minneapolis.  Not the one that Prince lives in, but rather the one that helped make Miss Kansas 2007 a beauty queen!

Nice work Minneapolis, Kansas.  I'll be back for the next Rock City concert.  Maybe Miss K07 will be there too!  Rock out!  Although MK 07 may or may not be an avid bicyclist, MK 11 is shown here attending a bike-build activity that somehow relates to the 70th anniversary of the USO.

From  http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/jb44t9NgtAo/2011+Miss+USA+Contestants+Roll+Up+Sashes+USO/6V8Y1UysHTQ

How did I get to Minneapolis, you ask?  No?  Well, let me offer a sarcastic response to your non-question.  I ran there after getting a huge endorphin buzz after participating in last weekend's Corporate Cup run.

It was actually arranged as a last ditch summer vacation effort by my valiant travel agent.

He was concerned that I was becoming stressed and angry.  Well, that's because concern makes me stressed and angry, dammit!

Here are some photos from the Corporate Cup experience.

Like me, many participants were literally rubbing their chins in anticipation!

A cute dino threatened to "kiss our asses off" if we didn't meet our personal goals.

As you can see, my on and off again affair with corporations and running continues on its uneven course to its unintended destination.  Once I got out there I went crazy with competition and ran jogged at a fairly even pace for the full 2 miles!  It was indeed exhilarating.  Of course most runners were participating in the full 10 kilos (of the meter variety, sil vous plais).  Suckers!  It looked pretty grueling.  I got back in time to take some more photos and drink lots of water and eat more doughnuts.

Then I was off to Rock City!  Yes!
Here is a photo of Doughnut-Hole Rock.

I don't think this was named after the kinds of doughnut holes you get at Dunkin' Donuts, however.  I was a trifle confused, as usual, by this title.  Shouldn't it just be Doughnut Rock?  Or, since I saw this one nearby,

Kinda dougnuty, right?  No?  Hamburgery?  Maybe a burger with doughnuts for buns?

maybe Doughnuts Rock?  Because doughnuts rock!  Am I right?!  Woooo!   Doughnuts!

In my estimation, Doughnut-Hole Rock is actually more of a rotini-shaped rock.  Rotini Rock sounds pretty cool, too, eh kids?  I could not help myself.  I lay down and pushed and pulled myself somewhat laboriously through rotini rock.  Whew!  Good living!

Yeah!  You can tell I'm still feeling the afterglow of my exciting venture into pastoral Rock City.  It makes quite the impression.  You can bet I'll be in touch with Badly Drawn Boy and Minneapolis.  Matchmaker Snot laboriously crawls into action!

As you are all undoubtedly aware, fall officially springs into action tomorrow at 9:39.  Not sure if this is a.m. or p.m. but you'll know, oh yes, you'll know.  Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

This means that I have begun bipedalling around on my own feet to prepare for my possible participation in the upcoming Beer and Bagel Run.  Therefore, I was out and about when I witnessed people bicycling

and running

.  Inspirational!  Run for it!

Okfest II

October 15, 2012

Have you been to an Oktoberfest celebration recently?  Well if not you would probably have a good time there.  Here are some of the fun times that were being had last night at the German American Society hall.

Before I was able to make it to this heavenish event, I first rode through the recently re-moisturized mud slide.

I was tempted to ask a bartender for a German Mudslide at the hall, but I opted for a Warsteiner Oktoberfest and a Spaten Dunkel.  Very goot!

The festivities continue today, so you may want to hustle on down.  They've added a nice beer tent area out back.  Although the crowd was substantial there is enough capacity at this venue that it never felt overcrowded.  Of course there is also this cool looking event at Aksarben Village.  Artsarben.  Music, food, art, beer, and great weather.  Nice combo.

I am now resting up from all the excitement and getting ready for the upcoming Corporate Cup run.  Although most people are going to run for a whopping 10 kilos (of the meter variety), whereas I have opted for the 2 mile run/walk.  Yep.  Nothin' to strenuous for this moderately active man.  I've gotta mow the lawn today, anyway.  Don't wanna overdo it!

Hope your weekend is as festive as ya wanna be!

Run for the trees!

September 11, 2012

Sometimes I don't ride my bike for a few days.  It makes me even more lethargic and irritable than usual.  Or gives me an excuse, anyway.  I usually turn to martinis to try to get perked up, with mixed results.

Who are you and why aren't you drinking martinis, mike le?  I mean like me... (retrieved from cell phone Sunday afternoon)

Although I haven't been bicycling for a few days, that hasn't stopped me from noticing some exciting bicycling events that are scheduled to occur right here in River City.  Here is the exciting opportunity to get a bike ride, a brewery tour and an after-tour party all for one reasonable price.  Yes, it's the Lucky Bucket people out there spreading festive vibes yet again.  It takes place on September 21 and starts at Chalco Hills.  I think it costs around $36 for ride/tour/party.  Thanks LB.  I feel less irritable just visualizing it.

Along with martinis, I have also undertaken a vaguely defined exercise regime to prepare for my upcoming corporate running.  Here is the website that has inspired me to undertake in some moderate tree-climbing as a part of my "workout."  It has been pretty fun so far.  I hope to be able to do it in a monkey suit soon.  I'll be a hit at all the Lucky Bucket and kids' birthday parties.

In addition to bicycling events, there are also many running events coming up.  Why, even the always enjoyable Beer and Bagel run ain't too far off.  November 4, I reckon.  A Hawk Watch run at Hitchcock Nature Center on October 20.  I have seen many people out running about and amok.  Here are some cross-country runners negotiating the tricky terrain in the walnut-encrusted Walnut Grove Park.

Run between the walnuts!  They attack by ground and by air!

Another running event that is soon to occur (Friday, October 12 starting at Peak Performance - 76th and Cass location) is this one that raises funds for the Lewy Body Dementia Association.  LBD is a rare disorder that a local endurance athlete, Mr. Gary Julin, has been struggling with.

So if you're feeling irritable, maybe you should get a running start and go climb a tree!  Monkey boy up, primate!

Bell me sometime

September 5, 2012

It is September now, which means lots of people out and about, enjoying our nice outdoor weather.  This means more human interaction for me when I am out bicycling.  Why just today I spoke to one or two cheerful pedestrians and a man in a pickup truck gave me a friendly honk.  Kids played in the street and I gave them a gregarious ring of my bell.  One of them even requested an encore, which I did not provide.  (As Screech would say, "Always leave 'em wanting more bell.")

Here is a photo of my handlebar array.

Here is a poor photo of my poor, thumbed gloves.

As the discerning amongst us might perceive, the thumb on the left/bell-side glove has nearly worn clean through, whereas the righty is still intact.  The right side of the bar contains a somewhat gratuitous faux shifter setup, which I occasionally employ, but I don't want to start relying on it.  The bell, on the other (left) hand has pretty much become a necessary ingredient for bicycling enjoyment.

Bell-ringing is a motion that is important for many bicyclers.  Another one is pedaling.  I recently perused a Bicycling magazine online article about an efficient pedal stroke.  I have started practicing it and found it to impart an enjoyable feeling to my feet.  It kind of feels like my foot is flopping forward as I complete the downstroke.  Like walking in flippers.  I like to think of it as the "flipper stroke."  I will undoubtedly now become a mega-efficient, bell-ringing bicycling juggernaut.  Look out!

Speaking of bicycling juggernauts, this weekend is the Nebraska Bike MS Ride, a two-day bicycling event that starts and ends each day at Bellevue University.  It looks like there are a wide variety of distance options available.  There will likely be some hills involved.  Some bell ringing.  Yeah!

And as far as my ongoing love affair with corporation-sponsored events and warranties, I have recently signed up for the Corporate Cup run, which takes place on Sunday, September 16th.  I plan on running and/or walking the more casual 2-mile route.  This will be my first foray into corporate running, but they say it's good to mix things up a bit to keep a love affair strong.

There are some other running events of note upon the temporal horizon.

Exhibit A - Hawk Watch Run at Hitchcock Nature Center on October 20.

Exhibit B - Beer and Bagel Run at Quarry Oaks Golf Course on November 4.

Hope to see you there.  I'll be the one ringing his own bell.

Speaking of bell-ringing, I hear there's some politicking going on.  President Billy

Go outside, Bill!  Ring!  Outside!  (photo courtesy of stridersports.com)

 is cycling down to North Carolina to cheer for current Prezzy Bar (pronounced "Bear" and/or "BAAAR!!).

Photo courtesy of http://www.streets.mn

 Hands on the bells, Mr. Presidents.  Hands on the bells.

What a weekend!

September 3, 2012

Happy Labor Day!  Wooo!  I went for a bike ride!  Yay!  Swanson Park was in great shape.  A slight rain kept the dust down and gave me some souvenir spattering.

Dust spattering, also note new chain and chainrings in background.

Also didn't break my chain and enjoyed some nice shifting between the middle and small chainrings, the rear 9 seemed a little inexact, however.  Damn gears.  Grrr.  I'll have to attempt some adjusting.

Yesterday, I enjoyed some climbing on the grain elevators also known as the SILO project.  

Although it was busy, people were friendly and it was pretty easy to get a good belay.  Nothing like a good belay, eh?  Feeling nice and relaxed, I headed out to the Festa Italiana where a man impersonating Father Guido Sarducci MC'd the festivities.  My favorite part was the musical performance by this guy.

Festa Fun Fact - that kid in the red dropped his football on the head of the guy in front of him, caught it on the bounce, hesitated slightly, and then made an anonymous get-away!  Smoooth.

Yes!  It's really him!  And by him I mean Johnny Contardo.  My favorite song was a cover of Hall and Oates' classic "Italian Girls."  

What a weekend!  Now this is livin'!  

Labor of Love Day!

September 1, 2012

Something tells me that I should buy a Honda.  

But my bank account says, "Nay!".  Bank account is not at it's beefiest lately.  My wife paid my ticket when I sped.

Yes, if you have the patience to peruse this item, it is a $168 dollar ticket for going 66 in a 55.  I think it was a construction zone on I-29.  Thanks, Sioux City.  I guess that driving in Sioux City can be kind of a bummer, too, although obviously not nearly as bad as being shot at while bicycling.  On the plus side I do have a bunch of cool new bike parts and accessories.

New chainrings, chain, and light!  Whew!

Yes, like all USians, I define myself buy by my purchases.  So what have you bought lately?

How is your Labor Day weekend going?  Hmmmm.  I see.  Labor Day weekend is often filled with exciting family events.  Like baking zucchini with rosemary bread.

Yee-haw!  I also plan to go on a mountain bicycling excursion, what with my new bike parts looking so spiffy.

In addition to Labor Day excitement, Omaha Creative Week is also underway.  Yay!  I could use some creativity, just like yous!  Eh?  Here are some of the events involved.  One bicycle-related event is the Bicycle Tour of Urban Redevelopment Projects, Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., starting down at Tip Top, and arranged by the bicycle-enthusiasts at Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture.  Thanks guys.  Let's get some archidorkturing on!  Whew!

APMA is a bicycle-oriented business.  Many of us are bicycle-oriented people.  We love to blog about bicycle-related things.  Spend money on bicycles, bicycle parts and accessories.  Here is one man who is going to go carless here in our lovely Homeaha.  Good idea Jay Leightner.  He will also maintain a blog and podcasts, which is as it should be.

I enjoy perusing many blogs from time to time, although I must say that I am not really enthused about podcasts.  People talking on my MP-3 player distract me from trying to maintain the questionable structural stability of the screw and fastener product descriptions that I compose for my livelihood.  Instead I prefer to listen to Mark Mallman's excellent album, Invincible Criminal, almost exclusively.  Mark Mallman is peppy and enjoyable listening indeed!  Someday I may even purchase another one of his many recordings.

What is Mark up to these days, you may be wondering?  No?  Well, he is actually about to start a mad road trip across the girthy expanse of Mexico's meat helmet known as the US of A-titude.  And his map shows the hamlet of Omaha as the "F stop" on his "trip."  I am not sure what the double M is planning here in our quaint villa of livingness, but I am sure that a bike ride would be just what the deranged doctor recommends.   So let me know what your schedule is, my man, and I will be sure to bring my mini-model (Nepali's national instrument) and/or Japanese bonking toy

for any impromptu jamming and/or brap-ing that may occur.  Let's rock!  Um, and roll, too, that is.