Little help from my friends?

So today at work, the fluorescent light in the bathroom is flickering like mad.  I thought to myself, more than once, this is like peeing in a disco.  And a couple repeats the word disco dredged up memories of "Me Lost Me Cookie at the Disco", which I sadly discovered in my early 20s.  I had a friend in my college/no-college period who loved it to death and introduced me to it.  I'm pretty sure it was included on a super-Boss mix tape made for my infamous "Help me, I'm naked!" 23rd birthday party.

 

So, here's where I need the help.

1.  Who was this friend who introduced me to Sesame Street disco?

2.  What other songs were on the super-Boss mix tape?  In addition to the aformentioned disco song, I believe it also had Copacabana and Electric Avenue on it.  Super. Boss.

3.  Bonus question:  Who made the super-Boss mix tape?

 

Put your Thinking Toques on!

Got Lucky

Me on the Broadway bridge, Mississippi in the background.

Wife and I ran the Get Lucky 7k event yesterday. Or more accurately, we participated. She's had a rough 6 weeks or so with illness and whatnot. And me, I'm just slow. It was nice for me to have her hobbled, since that meant I could keep up with her. Though she did manage to beat me in the official timed results by one second. It was a nice event, well planned and an enjoyable route. We started at Mill Ruins park, ran on the River Road to the Broadway St. bridge and then came back on the other side of the river via St. Anthony Main to finish on the Stone Arch Bridge. I was extremely tempted to stop at the Astor Cafe for an egg and cheese sandwich, but pressed on.

After the race we made our way over to the new Kieran's location in Block E and braved the crowds for our free pint of Finnegan's. The Block E location was nice, and we actually enjoyed 3 Finnegan's between us, thanks to a non-beer drinking runner who gave us her free beer coupon. Then, thanks to the wife's ingenuity, we discovered there was an unadvertised buffet in the back room. After scarfing some more yummy carbs we hopped the train back home.

I spent the remainder of the day horizontal on the the couch in front of Final 5 hockey. It was an enjoyable day, even though The Sioux goons took the Broadmoor.

Studs off

Over the weekend I pulled the Kuwahara off the bike hooks in the garage and knocked the dust off of it.  Pumped up the tires, replaced the saddle I'd robbed earlier this winter, and gave it a quick once over.  Thanks to a super craigslist deal I picked up another B17 this winter, so now I can have Brooks on the Kuwahara and the winter commuter.  Hopefully this will reduce the amount of saddle swapping I do. 

 

Out of curiousity I checked my records to see when I have stopped riding the studded tire bike in past years.  I've been using Google Documents to track my bike mileage since 2006.  In 2006 I transposed some of my mileage from the spiral bound notebook I'd been using, but I didn't have a bike associated with those miles.  So 2007 is the first year I can accurately say when I stopped riding the studded commuter. 

 

2007 - Last ride was on March 9

2008 - Last ride was on April 1

2009 - Last ride was on March 11

 

So it's not my imagination, it's getting to be about that time.  I rode the studded bike today just to get the lay of the land, but after the warm weekend and the fact that it never dropped below freezing last night, the Kuwahara could be getting the nod sooner rather than later.  Of course, we've got hockey tourney blizzards coming up, so I won't pack the studs too far away.

March Madness

It's been above freezing here in MN nearly every day for the last two weeks. Maybe longer, I haven't kept official records. The snow and ice are melting and people are losing their heads. Lots of chatter about removing the studded tires. Brother Yam said it best, "There's the whole month of March ahead, capiche? A little sunlight, a little thawing and you lose your head? Keep your sh*t together! It ain't over yet, not by a damn sight."

Personally, I have a winter bike that has studs on it year round. Once the weather warms, I just stop riding it. But I admit, these warm days have me pondering taking another ride to work. There's three or four trouble spots on my commute that still (in my opinion) require studs, but most of my route is down to bare pavement. So I ponder, is it worth it to stop and walk those few spots, and ride stud-free the remaining portion? It's kind of like boots and a heavy winter jacket. Once you stop wearing them, it's hard to go back even if conditions warrant it again.

I only rode to work one day this past week, but I picked a good day for it. Tuesday on the way home from work I ran into The Clown Prince of Mpls Cycling and the Mrs. coming out of Freewheel on the Greenway. Stopped and chatted for a minute. They were out marking the one year anniversary of Ray's early release from the service of the City of Richfield by pumping some money into the local bike shop economy. It's good knowing he's out there, taking her easy for all us sinners.

Pizza the Hutt

I started the weekend out by meeting a long time friend for a couple of beers, pizza and Gopher Hockey. We had a nice time catching up and watching the Gophers skate to a win. A rarity this season for them. Then Saturday morning the clan all headed north for a birthday party. Our very favorite niece/cousin Brooke was turning 2 and we wanted to celebrate all things Elmo with her. We had lunch with the party, and again I had pizza, along with various other goodies. Saturday afternoon spooled into Saturday night, and the good wife suggested getting a take and bake for dinner. I thought, Cool. Then for brunch today, I had a slice of leftover pizza. And I wonder why the Wii tells me I'm over my ideal weight.

I'm gonna Get Lucky!

To prove that "stupid is as stupid does", I just signed up for another footrace.  Or since my wife talked me into it, perhaps a better saying is "man has will, but woman has her way."  There's probably truth in both, but I still think the first is more appropriate.  Of course, "After the Olympics, everything looks so damned easy."

 

In the last year I've signed up for three different 5k events.  The first, I never even started because of a knee issue during training.  Admittedly it was day late and a dollar short training, but still not an auspicious start.  The second I finished in about 37 minutes.  Slow but steady, and only a couple of walk breaks.  After the second event I stopped running.   Then, the 3rd event was sprung on me with only a day or two notice.  I ran an out and back for that one.  I ran about 90% of the out and probably 60% of the back.  So the glass half full person would say, "Well look, you're improving!"  And maybe so.  But the glass half empty sort would say that it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense signing up for a 7k (that's 29% more!) when it's been a struggle to finish a 5k. 

 

So why did I sign up?  Beats me.  But the fact that there's a free beer at Kieran's at the end didn't hurt.  Because when you come down to it, I'm not a glass half empty or glass half full kind of guy.  I'm a glass full of beer kind of guy.

Overdue

As the winter drags on MN has been getting more and more snow.  Though the wing is back to about 95% I've chosen to not ride across the dreaded Mendota Bridge until it's been plowed.  That makes today the second time in the last two weeks that I've ridden my bike to work.  There was a noticeable improvement in today's ride because I finally replaced the bolt on my Brooks B67 and transferred it to the winter bike.  The old pleather Raleigh saddle I had been using wasn't the most uncomfortable saddle in the world.  But I believe it knows the most uncomfortable saddle in the world.  I'm sure they have been out for drinks together and see eye to eye on many points.

 

Regardless of what Punxatawny Phil said, now that I have done this basic upgrade to the winter bike, spring should be right around the corner.

Racers Wanted

Tomorrow the good wife and I will be participating in the First Annual 'Why the *!%*!" do I live in MN-Saunders 5K'. I'll be participating on foot, against my wishes. So feel free to join us. There's a whole half a weekend still left. Run, walk, ride your bike, it's all good. And if you participate, let me know. I'll expect Race Reports. "I did it." will be good enough.

Back in a saddle

I know, the phrase is "Back in the saddle" not "Back in a saddle" but it seems more appropriate this way.  I've ridden my bike three days this week.  Normally I move my Brooks B67 from my Kuwahara to my winter bike once it becomes studded snow tire season.  I love my Brooks, but they are pricey enough that I can't afford to outfit the entire fleet with them.  So I have a B17 and a B67 and I move them around, based on what bike I'm riding a lot at the time.  But I haven't moved the B67 to the winter bike because at some point in the last 3 months one of the bolts connecting the springs to the frame of the saddle fell off.  I stopped in at HCWHQ Tuesday and Jim gave me a bolt that may do the trick.  I'll probably give it a whirl this weekend.

 

I've been riding to the LRT stop at Ft Snelling, which is a route I probably haven't taken in a good 9 months.  It's amazing how many things come back almost unconsciously, like remembering certain potholes and which intersections are scary (like the off-ramp for 94 that basically dumps into a residential neighborhood).  But it's also surprising how much has changed.  Monday morning was the first day the platform extension at Ft Snelling was open, so the train stops at a different point.  Screws up my normal positioning for a clean shot at the bike rack.  Monday afternoon I left work and headed for the Warehouse District stop.  I normally go there rather than Government Plaza because it's the first/last stop on the line.  That means there are very few people on the train that I need to fight past to get to the bike rack.  I headed over to Hennepin and realized, hey, there's no bike lanes on Hennepin any more!  Marq2!  Had to backtrack to Nicollet.  Then once I got to the Warhouse District I realized it's no longer the last stop on the line.  Target Field!  Northstar Line!  But Tuesday I was already adapting to the changes and by next week, assuming I keep riding, it will probably seem like it's always been that way.

Brrr

I managed to get a chilly 8 miles in on Sunday afternoon. Temps were a balmy 9 degrees F when I left the house. I rode up to Fort Snelling, mainly to see what condition the Mendota Bridge was in. Most years, I would give it a B-/C+ as it was hard packed and rideable but not smooth by any means. But this year with the dumping of snow we got, followed immediately by 33 degree temps and rain, I'll give MN/DOT an A for effort. The ice is still all over the roads in my neighborhood, and that's with cars driving it every day.

I enjoyed the ride quite a bit. But it left me wondering if I need to explore some new handlebar options. Over the last few years, I've put Albatross/North Road style bars on several of my bikes, including my primary summer and winter commuters. An hour of riding (that's right, 8 miles in an hour) had my left wrist reminding me that it's not fully recovered. I tried switching hand positions, but on the Albatross style bars anything other than the ends of the bar is really a kludge of a hand position. I've heard many good things about the Titec H-bars, though they seem a bit on the pricey side. I've also talked to a few people who seem to like the On One "M" bars (Mary, Midge and Mungo). However, the On One bars don't seem to be out there in internet world. Makes me wonder if they're discontinued? I also wonder if any will work with the bar end shifter I'm currently using to run the Sturmey hub in my rear winter wheel? In that regard, Origin-8 has a Gary bar that claims to work with bar ends and also is comparable to the Midge. Time to ponder.

I didn't ride in to work today, because it was too darn cold. And I think I need to ease back into riding. I also think there's a reason why most people don't start riding in January. They either go through the fall season, acclimating, or they take the entire winter season off.

May the god of your choice bless you

I know, I know. The blog is on life support, like the oboe it's barely breathing. But when there's a bike themed blog and the author isn't biking much, that's pretty much what happens. I've been doing some running these days, trying to keep the Dunlop Disease from becoming too much. Ran my first 5k on December 12. I was happy to finish, as I hadn't run that distance before the event. Managed to snag the coveted "last in my age division" while I was there. DFL!

As for the bike, I've given myself permission to bag it until spring. And of course, since I gave myself that permission I've been kind of wanting to get out. I was thinking about the HC Christmas Day ride. But with the Storm of the Century bearing down right then, it may not come to pass.

Anyhow, I wanted to give a quick holiday greeting to any readers still out there. At our house, the Three Wise Men go for a ride in the Gravy Boat Sleigh. However you plan to celebrate, spend some time with friends and family.

Hadron Collider

Ever wonder how scientists get around in the Large Hadron Collider? The LHC is a 17 mile underground tunnel in Switzerland where scientists are planning on smacking atoms into one another, with a very low risk of creating black holes here on earth. This picture shows that they rely, at least in part, on the humble bicycle. Pretty cool.

This picture is from a series on Boston.com's The Big Picture, an always wonderful photo blog. Check it out.

Rain rain, go away

Today: A chance of drizzle between noon and 3pm, then a chance of rain after 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 53. Southeast wind between 3 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

 

Whoops.  Shouldn't have ridden the fenderless fixie today, I guess.  But I didn't have a ton of choice, as the rain commuter of choice is missing a bolt on the B67.  It's the bolt that connects one of the springs to the lower support rod, and it gives the saddle a lopsided feel.  I noticed it on Wednesday, but haven't had time to do anything about it.  I wonder if there's a special Brooks bolt I need, or if any old nut/bolt combo will work.

If you give a man a fish

It's said that if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day.

If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.

 

But if you give a man a fishing pole, tackle box, instruct them on how to use all the equipment, show them a good spot to fish and they're too lazy or stupid to pick up the pole don't they deserve to starve to death? Just maybe?

Wheel desks

Makes me wonder how many nitwits will try using this when they're driving...

Velocipede? That sounds vaguely familiar...

marriedtothesea.com
Another Married to the Sea winner.

Fashionista

Rachael Ray says it's OK for men to wear scarves as a fashion accessory.

Cyclist Appreciation

From the always excellent Married to the Sea comic.

Zappa plays the bicycle

I fully expect that after Jim views this video, my next visit to South Minneapolis will include a trip to Hiawatha Cyclery and Musical Instruments.

Ticket to Ride

I visited the doctor yesterday afternoon and was pronounced Healed! Or mostly, anyhow. The Doc said it will probably take another 6 months to get full strength and flexibility back. But I've been officially cleared for any and all activities, including cycling. I find that my hand feels good for most day to day activities, but it still twinges and is painful when doing activities involving heavy lifting or sharp impacts. I wrote last August about not wearing cycling gloves, but a short ride on Tuesday reminded me of how much one's hands act as shock absorbers when riding. So I paid the boys at Hiawatha a visit this afternoon and purchased a new set of cycling gloves. First pair of gloves I've purchased since October 2005 in Sausalito. Now that I've got padding for my hands, it's time to start losing some of the padding I've accumulated around my middle...