Section 3.

The tow path, and I know where I am, this is good. I should be able to get home at a decent hour. Rode the tow path for a ways. (If only I had my speed-thermometer installed I would know how long these sections were.)

Section 2.

Another cross-roads. The road to the right is super steep and long. If had had better legs I may have attempted it. Got to the top of the easier way. "That was easier!?!?" This section is very scenic through the woods along a creek. There was even a waterfall on the side of the road.

Section 1.

Last stretch of dirt. This section sees a lot of traffic because it goes to the High Rocks parking area. I pushed it through this section, knowing that it was downhill back to the car.

Maybe when I get some fitness I could do this ride from home? Jeff, maybe as part of our century?

I stopped by the grocery store to pick up dinner and the kid bagging grocerys asked if I GO to the University of Delaware, I was wearing my UD sweatshirt. Yep, he asked me if I "go" to UD as in I am a student at UD, not a 35 year, father of 2, commuting a hour and half each way, but a student! He must not have noticed the grey hair...

Maybe someday....

I'd like to do this... hmmm, maybe next year:

cyclingnews article

Ronde...

Sunday was the Tour of Flanders and I wanted to do a ride in "honor" of the race. I decided riding the "koppenberg" just outside of Manyunk was the proper way to honor the Ronde. The "koppenberg" is a steep cobbled climb that pretty much climbs from the river up to Ridge Ave. Only about half of it is cobbled, but it is the steep part that is cobbled.

I called Terry, Saturday and he said he was available Sunday afternoon... PERFECT! We met at the Norristown train station, which it turns out is almost exactly half way. It took us each 45 minutes to get there. We then road the bike path towards Manyunk and the "koppenberg". It was a tailwind the whole way down and I kept thinking how bad the ride back was going to be with the headwind. We made it to the end of the path without incident. We did get passed by some women who was truckin' We thought about "hopping on" but decided she was too fast for us, ok she was too fast for me, I can't speak for Terry.

We got to the "koppenberg" and I told Terry it was a real brut of a climb and to get ready. I also told him I didn't really know what to expect because I have not ridden the climb in a couple of years. It used to be one of my regular climbs when we were living in Philly. I used to ride from the city out to Kris's parents in Gwynedd, about a 3 hour ride with the "koppenberg" included. These days I don't think I could do that ride...
I wasn't sure if I was going to make it up yesterday or not, as I am not in very good shape these days... but I made it! Thanks to a 27 tooth rear cog! Yep, I have a 27 on my road bike! Terry made it up as well, I think he had a 23 or 25, like a real man should!

We basically turned around and rode the path back to Norristown. The headwind wasn't bad and we even had enough gumption to sprint up the hill by the parking garage. I had the jump but saw that he was coming around. So, I dug deep and beat him to the top! Yeah! I still got it! I'm the MAN! We got to the top and Terry says to hold up. I thought he needed to stop and eat his humble pie! About half way up his wheel slipped and was rubbing on the frame... So much for him eating humble pie, and so much for me being the MAN! Oh well...

Posting via Email?

Changed some setting to how the posting via email works.
Just testing it out.

droop

I got a new wheel!

I am the proud owner of a new rear mtb wheel! The other one was shot! The end of the summer last year I was hitting a loop in Allamuchy regularly and timing my "lap". Well, the lap end with this long rocky downhill and I new I had a good time going. So, I pushed it. WHAM! Pinch flat and dented the the heck out of the rim! Being a former bike mechanic with 10+ years experience in shops and a real cheap SOB, I "removed" the dent and actually got it pretty straight. The last ride I did on it the hub was making an awful racket... the hub is 10 years old? Time to break down and get a new wheel. What did I get? See, the comment above about me being a cheap sob, I got an LX hub on a 517. Nothing special but it will work.

I stopped by the shop in Byram to get some rim tape, and asked about the Running of the Dogs. They apparently no longer have anything to do with the race, but they said the two person teams are not for a relay but that the two teamates have to ride together. I guess that is cool? I'll have to see what Cheffery thinks about that. We may have to "race" eachother...

Later.

St Patty's Day- Weekend

I went out for beers with the boys on Friday night! OK, more like Friday evening...
Met up with D and Chefery at the Barn in Randolph or Succasuna. The place was not overly packed when we got there but it sure did fill up! They even had a guy walking around playing the bagpipes! Being that it was a Friday during Lent and I was having corned beef and cabbage (CB&C) on Saturday. I for-went the tradtion of having CB&C on St Pat's day. Instead I had the best ever Fish and Chips! The people next to us were doing "Car Bombs" but it looked like they were doing them with just Baileys. So, I called the expert, Amy, she said the shot is suppose to have Baileys and Jamison in it. (I thought so) We didn't do any "car bombs", I still had a long drive home. I think we'll do some on our next "Hookey Day"...

Made CB&C Saturday for dinner and man was it good! It was so good in fact, I decided I'd run out and cook another batch. So, we could have leftover corned beef sandwiches. I ran over to the Giant and they were OUT! Then to Clemmens and they were out as well! Guess we'll have to wait until next year. (Next year I'm stocking up the freezer with CB)

We had visitors on Saturday, Amy and Katie came over. Katie was very excited to see Sophie. I think it made Jeb a little jealous, as Katie is his favorite!

Well gotta go... lunch hour is over...

More Sophie

Yes, I know I have not updated in a while... sorry about that. Finally uploaded a picture of Sophie:

Everyone is doing great. Jacob seems to be adjusting well to having a baby sister in the house. Kristen is also doing great. It is almost as if she never went through labor. I'd say she is already fully recovered. She's the BEST! Sophie had her first doctor's appointment, just a check up, and she has already surpassed her birth weight.

Here's a little story for you from this morning. I was changing Sophie's diaper and commented on how there was not that much poo in it. I got her diaper on halfway and... (insert fart sound here)... more poo! It got all over my hand and her sleeper. Oh great, another diaper and I have to change her sleeper too. So, I start to change her second diaper and...(insert fart sound)... more poo! This time the diaper was not on her at all! Yep, poo all over the place, it was on my leg, my hand was covered in it, it was all over the bed, and now her onesie was covered! Meanwhile, Kristen is laughing her butt off... real funny!

Just a short note on a few of the comments from the previous post:
Yes, I am Catholic.
No, my life is not over, just different. (which is what this blog is about)
Mom is not too fond of the F-bomb.
Sophie will probably get her brother's bike.
and thanks to everyone for your well-wishes.

Thanks for reading!

IT'S A GIRL!

Sophie Renee born Wednesday, March 1, 2006 at 2:41 pm.
7 pounds 5 ounces

Mother and Baby are doing great.

more to come...(I mean more INFO, not more kids, at least not anytime soon...)