Last days of summer in line

September 7, 2016

Dearly bedazzled,

What does that mean?  Well, I am here to tell you that summer is winding down, so do something desperate, as needed.  Here is how I am celebrating the last few weeks of summer. 

There may be some end of summer outsidey activities to enjoy.  Here is one that I witnessed on my way homeward.  Yes those are ponies.

I am okay with moving on to fall for the following reasons:

1.     The sun burns my pale white flesh!  Agggghhhhh!

2.     Oktoberfests!

3.     Less sweating, more sitting around, drinking beer and bitching about how summer’s over.

Here are some fall events that are impending:

1.  Psycowpath race - probably end of season, Sept 17

2.  Artsy bicycley event - October 7 evening  (also note that "All participants will receive a bell, t-shirt, and dinner + drinks post performance. ")

3.  Tour de garden 2016 - Sept 11 + block party and bands

I got Ronnie James Dio's inspirational and bicycle-based "The Last in Line" stuck in my head today.    

Here is how Ronnie would have reacted to the end of summer:

persona.rin.ru

Cryptically.  Let's find the sacred heart, on bikes!  We rock!

K9 distemper and your raccoon

July 21, 2015

How are you?  Okay.  Okay.  I hear you.  Breathe.  Good, good. 

Hey, have you noticed any trail/road hazards lately?  What!?  You too!?  Me too!

Here are some trail hazards I have noticed while out with spinny-wheeled forms of transport.

Yes, there are some dangers.  This guy was rabid distempered.  We avoided him and his swarm of insects like the distemper rabies.  After he drove Toddler Snot and myself away from our pedal- and/or push-powered means of conveyance he foamed at the mouth and clawed at the air convincingly.  

Toddler Snot thought it was fascinating and kept moving in the raccoon’s direction, so I had to redirect and distract him.  I kept a watch on our frothy friend out of the corner of my eye.  While there is nothing particularly funny about a rabid distempered raccoon, it was pretty funny when he got aboard our trike after a few unsuccessful attempts and finally succeeded in rolling it into the creek.  Don’t ride rabid distempered.

I have also observed some other recent trail obstacles – mostly auto parts.  

Another event I’ve recently experienced was purchasing a used Strider bicycle. 

Since his trike had been jacked by a raccoon, I figured we’d try something else for him to pedal roll on.  Toddler Snot is bound to love it, and I’ll give you his review and updates on his progress. 

Well what else is happening?

Here is a website I have not noticed before.  It's the Nebraska Cycling Association!  Apparently you can ride bicycles fast in a variety of formats and venues here in Nebraska.  Mostly cyclopcross and a few mountainous bicycling events.  Then there's the top secret, unrelated and possibly entyrely factitious Cyclops Mountains bicycle smack down.  You may pass, be passed, piss, be or get pissed, etc.  Competition brings out the best fluids in/on all of us!  I actually enjoy participating in some racy activities from time to time, so I'll let you know how this budding relationship develops.

In the meantime, let's all meet up in the Cyclops.  I hear a balloon approach to the starting line is quite soothing to the distempered amongst us.

Another owl gives a hoot!

July 15, 2015

Hello to you.  I hope you are doing well.  I had a change in plans and was able to make it out for some owl riding this past weekend.  “How did this happen?” you ask?  You don’t ask?

Well boo-whooo!  Whoooo!

Here is a video of the OWL Ride from a handy side street:

It was a neat vantage point.

I did not initially think I would be able to make it out for the ride because Teen Snot is typically at work on Saturday eves.  This week it turned out she did not have to work, but I didn’t find out until Saturday eve itself!  If there is one thing I have noticed, it is that parents are nearly as oblivious of others and their plans as teenagers.  Thereupon I sounded a quick owlish alert to my OWL-loving friend Rich.  We quickly flew from our perches and eventually alit here at the Crescent Moon – 

a quaint watering hole conveniently located upon the OWL route.  But before I made it that far I stopped to enjoy some nightly views, misinform passers-by, and take a bad photo.

“What’s the ride for?” a curious, gangly fellow inquired.

“For fun!” I responded, nothing else coming readily to mindedly.

“Fun?”

“Yep.” I confirmed, more confidently.

Well, it wasn’t long before I began reflecting upon this unlikelihood.  Fun is something we midwesterners look upon with suspicion and/or disdain.  Furthermore, I do not believe I have ever partaken in a non-competitive group bicycling event that did not support a charitable organization of some sort.  So here is my attempt to rectify the fuck $#%@ out of my blatant untruth.

The OWL Ride raises funds for the Meyers Foundation for Disabilities (MFD).  MFD improves the quality of life for those with disabilities by providing financial and volunteer support to help adults with disabilities engage in fun, social activities at the Munroe-Meyer Institute that they otherwise might not be able to participate in.  Not only does this provide a great opportunity for our disabled friends, but it allows their families a small break in their caregiving routine.  Here is some more information about this wonderful organization.

Our friend Nick joined us on this night flight.  As Nick arrived so too did a fellow in a Gatormobile.  He informed us that the water stops and police presence were being discontinued. 

“You guys’ll be alright, right!?” he queried jocularly. 

“I think so.”  I replied uncertainly.
I had a delicious Belgian beer.

We conversed.  We examined the route map.  We eventually departed.
We stopped at Beer and Loathing.  They also had a New Begium bicycle.  

I once drank several beers to earn some raffle tickets to try to win one of these sweet cruisers.  They raffle them off annually or so.      

We cycled on, occasionally noting some other bicyclers, generally moving in a similar direction.  

Eventually we made it back to the beginning and had a beer at the Storz Trophy Room Brewery and Restaurant. 

Rich and Nick said there weren’t as many people as last year, and, therefore, not quite as festive.  I think everyone had fun.  And Rich told me about this freaky video.

If we can make toast with bicycles, what else can we do?!  Perhaps a microwave?!?  I think there really is hope for the human and/or bicycle race!  Let's toast!
BSO