tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48714496475424812192024-03-05T03:49:40.482-08:00Paddys PelotonPaddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-66140152853658076902010-03-08T15:21:00.001-08:002010-03-08T16:08:02.848-08:00Mumbai -A Tale of Two Cities<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, serif;"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AziB092ihdkGaZDKL2ZDuWYwUEwu8XWuEe8Xc-L0Ww1BQYi6zOmTiIoKjBB3FHU3ynbbq-gFQnwrluTBGM03jduiHpayoYHmQmt5xeDaGQ1KHKPt6auW3Lmv2Ewv478v6fQ0Lp8aBgXb/s320/dharavi-industry-lll.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446410678587959394" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This is my third trip to Mumbai in as many months and each time I come here I am reaffirmed that the cruelty and despair de<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">picted in</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Slumdog Millionaire</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> is harsh reality and not the type of sensationalist drama that we often find from a Hollywood Blockbuster</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When driving through the </span><span style="text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:#531092;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharavi">Dharavi slum</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> — the biggest in India — barefoot children played with sticks and bits of rubbish, beside streams of black filth running between shacks improvised from salvaged doors and scrap metal. Few of the hovels looked big enough to park a my bicycles in, let alone raise a family. Rats crawled around in daylight and the stench was one that continually tested my gag reflexes.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, serif;"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIl6X9XlUngrCS_7RFREa-MiEvWTS_AiZ6maZKfIeE_-OnlBa5IEOU9LaLDDHsXSZA2e4CNWlHocRYOI1eTkl93cZ2jC2JJKDV0oCXQgBsU8S8ab208jKQsPPJKY3RGH1X62l-sBkN3JUK/s320/OverDharavi_1_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446411354423818642" /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, serif;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It was one of the most depressing yet most life-affirming experiences. I saw more smiles and humanity than I ever have in neighborhoods of Chicago or Oakland. Bright fabrics hung from washing lines; every open door showed a room decorated with glossy religious pictures or Bollywood stars. People smiled whenever I caught their gaze. And, driving through one of the poorest places on earth, with the knowledge that with the $25 I had in my pocket I could probably change someones life.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Although I felt a deep sense of sadness I never felt afraid, something which I cant say about neighborhoods in my native Houston.</span></span><span style=" mso-bidi-;font-family:Tahoma;color:#2A2A2A;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> In Mumb<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ai, over 3 </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">million children live in slums or on the streets; child labour is rife and 400,000 children work in prostitution.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Living in the slum is only half the battle especially when considering that most people travel miles to scratch out a living, and that travelling around Mumbai is likened to running a Gauntlet.</span></span><span style=" mso-bidi-;font-family:Tahoma;color:#2A2A2A;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Transportation is short of a nightmare where throngs of people bustle down crowded streets attempting not to be hit by a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_rickshaw"><span style=" text-decoration:none;text-underline:nonecolor:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tuk tuk</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, a car or a bus which all noisly honk there horns at every opportunity in a chorus of frustration.</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Tahoma;color:#2A2A2A;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I saw lots of Bicycles! Not the type of Bikes that you see on Sunday mornings with lyca clad cyclists like myself enjoying the countryside and breathing in good clean air, but cycles so heavily laden with wares and merchandise that even the strongest recreational rider would struggle to gain a few feet yet alone a ride in the park. I saw one blood strewn rider with a bent frame persevering a crash and the traffic pushing onwards to his destination.</span></span><span style="mso-bidi- ;font-family:Tahoma;color:#2A2A2A;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Adding to the crowded roads where carriages pulled by sacred cows and many wheel barrow carrying everything from rocks to steel to chickens all of which would normally be reserved for the power of an 18 wheel truck.</span></span><span style="mso-bidi- ;font-family:Tahoma;color:#2A2A2A;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Of course the "Bollywood set" in Bandra depicts a different tale, where there is an abundance of private helicopters for those who can afford it and hotels whose luxury agonisingly feels out of place. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Mother Theresa was touched by India and in her famous words one cant help but feel the plight of so many:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If </span></span></i></b></span><span class="body"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.</span></span></i></b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></i></b></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Times, serif;"><span class="body" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.</span></span></i></b></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></i></b></span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:15.0pt;mso-line-height-alt:14.0pt; mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Tahoma, serif;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-37724756890192461122010-02-28T15:23:00.001-08:002010-02-28T15:24:44.241-08:00Big Rides on the HorizonWith two Big Rides coming up in April - MS150 Houston - Austin & Natchez Trace its now time to up the Antee on the TrainingPaddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-90546342699564188262010-02-28T15:09:00.000-08:002010-02-28T15:22:34.354-08:00Spring Breakaway Final - Hot Pursuit<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dybjjgPuJpRXCrJ-CFaIFEzt_xeZuNJqNovtsak5zajWl-mJ1ZDnGPhEnuRrh4IpGesLhi4iyarZrr-Ug5vpg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-78581598372731348592010-02-28T14:10:00.000-08:002010-02-28T14:18:01.781-08:00Spring Breakaway Pt 2<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw9oJM-JqJ8VhwqbDCZ8uElnvlYEw3BicZErMurPseozWi3eHJ7X0kt2xW6i47X4R47N5uVSJK56UP64mTWbA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-72890663874242357892010-02-28T13:18:00.000-08:002010-02-28T13:43:17.606-08:00The Mule Sees his Shadow - Spring is HERE!!!!<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzyN1JxXKWI9kSrjaJguMArB8qs65jjebWLAdaOE9pen7dFbjIPrsiRFb1tDgaeP0mkTxEpWFylGdNy-JffHQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-30515141863774712582010-01-23T15:28:00.000-08:002010-01-23T15:44:10.210-08:00Mule Train gets Longer.......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfjU29yzxjkxqF0fxe3rBDfGMC6-NtGJxCHr6WKqWAQMV16Ub8mR4APe9S-s_D5zvjwUuDWtL7_tbc7hZZhQ5tSEYrAj4kiesK0buGujqlvHWELUaG1R91aUNDQMqe7-uP_ej-jmbwQJH/s1600-h/CIMG0368.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 393px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430083633752889314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfjU29yzxjkxqF0fxe3rBDfGMC6-NtGJxCHr6WKqWAQMV16Ub8mR4APe9S-s_D5zvjwUuDWtL7_tbc7hZZhQ5tSEYrAj4kiesK0buGujqlvHWELUaG1R91aUNDQMqe7-uP_ej-jmbwQJH/s320/CIMG0368.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2eVwP3e1cPh8TVwZSQsHrrwZvwDFKCjuM-RFPvxgU1U7KfTB1n2nn9ARoz-cRStBEDO-uqtrE3aZYixS9Mx4pB3HUT984_8miTaVrmIvqlThOQFSUPuuIBv3dcoC7ZbRNJAz5lgdffNW7/s1600-h/CIMG0367.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 392px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 272px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430083462907675858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2eVwP3e1cPh8TVwZSQsHrrwZvwDFKCjuM-RFPvxgU1U7KfTB1n2nn9ARoz-cRStBEDO-uqtrE3aZYixS9Mx4pB3HUT984_8miTaVrmIvqlThOQFSUPuuIBv3dcoC7ZbRNJAz5lgdffNW7/s320/CIMG0367.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Last year my brother and a few friends started an international cycling team for a bit of a laugh and an excuse to wear some really cool cycling jerseys. <a href="http://www.travelwithmymule.com/">"Travel with my Mule"</a> The intent of the team was to get fellow cyclists from around the globe to blog and or tell stories about their training and cycling experiences. The only requirement to join was:</div><br /><div></div><ul><li><strong>You must be commited to cycling for charity as often as you can</strong></li><li><strong>Must not take yourself too seriously</strong></li><li><strong>Must be a "Good Mule".....We do get bad ones that we tolerate if they buy beer!</strong></li></ul><p>Our ranks have swelled over the last six months and its great to see a "paceline" full of Mules speeding along the rural rodes of Texas. (Tommorow Frostbike- Houston)</p><p>I have just bought a helmut Cam so this year I intend to capture a few of the more colourful rides.</p><p>One of our newest Mules "Jason" is a star! Kiwi, by birth but Aussie by nature hes a real dynamo and even joined me in 13 F conditions recently. (Seen Above with 4 Layers)</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div></div></div>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-45109807433107825992010-01-17T15:20:00.000-08:002010-01-17T15:27:09.263-08:00Ready to Ride & warming up to Blog!!<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyBU46Pc01HBtVp-QMlZPEMoWkvQaZucLIqX573zwISstc6t4WP4H4v4rGJaj1DSvfmF05WXdZ2OWBYwnQBoQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-30550502792610215792009-09-26T02:26:00.000-07:002009-09-26T03:33:53.513-07:00Three Men in a boat, in a car, on bicycles Pt 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5_YjZGRkDzTRbV06_ROnq6DfreidP88Ixx-H7LEcpVWQU4zFXkyhc9jjJLFECUgwX3bfMOLRlRgdOU59HJcVsE-YOORVOPpY_84rdxDGZ_RKMV0ofJC8uMSFvi87wohBgZogNs2ACOJw/s1600-h/PICT0003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385714555268404050" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 362px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 262px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5_YjZGRkDzTRbV06_ROnq6DfreidP88Ixx-H7LEcpVWQU4zFXkyhc9jjJLFECUgwX3bfMOLRlRgdOU59HJcVsE-YOORVOPpY_84rdxDGZ_RKMV0ofJC8uMSFvi87wohBgZogNs2ACOJw/s320/PICT0003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>My blogging and riding have been suffering lately as I have been spending more hours in a plane then on a bike. The last two weeks have found me in Dubai (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">UAE</span>) twice and Singapore once.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKbkkTdFm2V-a9KS_lRS0hPx4HjWktIF8TB5wM7Q4a5hd-skOWtw5zjP3FDMajpyj3L-EJwK2odYAIYc8Bgm0ghJQ1yvzsQoK_pvtW_442vOnUtKbTH0rGVoYktJqOMdu_VcNp8DD3tvJ/s1600-h/PICT0002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385714799245046306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKbkkTdFm2V-a9KS_lRS0hPx4HjWktIF8TB5wM7Q4a5hd-skOWtw5zjP3FDMajpyj3L-EJwK2odYAIYc8Bgm0ghJQ1yvzsQoK_pvtW_442vOnUtKbTH0rGVoYktJqOMdu_VcNp8DD3tvJ/s320/PICT0002.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>In my last episode Phil, Simon and I were heading North from San Antonio to Wichita Falls to compete in the Hotter than Hell 100. </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9H5xtOYOUJWM8zGMo2Khsq6Wnb38FZqi0oIRJBEaj5m4cl5ajihG8VQcMZSqagL1Dce1uqSu_3dTMeViPsY2hmDMuvx39HAm4wGRrd7YD9o6cIwVPWk6bPMLPIdzeGV1AUbHN7v_wJi7/s1600-h/PICT0040.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385715865855074754" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 226px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 162px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9H5xtOYOUJWM8zGMo2Khsq6Wnb38FZqi0oIRJBEaj5m4cl5ajihG8VQcMZSqagL1Dce1uqSu_3dTMeViPsY2hmDMuvx39HAm4wGRrd7YD9o6cIwVPWk6bPMLPIdzeGV1AUbHN7v_wJi7/s320/PICT0040.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br />We were quite excited about the event as we had the credibility of an organised team (With our New MULE shirts) to offer some form of resemblance to a plan in riding together: Kenny,Dave,Sean,Simon,Cristian,Philip,Adam and myself.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This really worked out quite well with a really hot start. (Averaging over 21 mph for the first 60 miles) as we alternated the work in 2 minute pulls at the front.</div><br /><div>The going was tough at times with a number of riders riding 5 or 6 abreast down the road oblivious to our pleads of wanting to pass.</div><br /><div>The heat wasn't there this year which is fortunate as I lost a water bottle after traversing over a railway track earlier in the ride.</div><br /><div>The team was great and especially helpful to myself who had written of my bike and my ribs only two weeks before the ride. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">The</span> last twenty miles was tough but my fellow MULES pulled me through recording an average of just under 20mph for the 100 mile <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">trek</span>.</div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jJP1jLIKz45muX_7qV1x1jmHIkWZm_fq2EcuEtApTxIlPVZYO6iS_5kTMNFSv-zj87CWgrFZuyzabybeuLtPZL9TPGch3joaBYfzvB0D7LHp06gJNKBqdrDqDIX_FNv7M3jLrnaD6yYV/s1600-h/CIMG0029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385720454695634098" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jJP1jLIKz45muX_7qV1x1jmHIkWZm_fq2EcuEtApTxIlPVZYO6iS_5kTMNFSv-zj87CWgrFZuyzabybeuLtPZL9TPGch3joaBYfzvB0D7LHp06gJNKBqdrDqDIX_FNv7M3jLrnaD6yYV/s320/CIMG0029.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div>Then we decided to socialize!!!</div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzRj57hBVDF11aNRnFdG63Tgv7Cyrrq0GuQpCmsAm-g4E6IgD_G54-1g_4CNLfOavNl2nLknsLA6fruv8P8zJucT0tqF5_u4JKZddGCD3yLK_1tZWmgLXtF_35PxnATSHtoBXuXwrAS6z/s1600-h/CIMG0032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385720157965824770" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 259px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzRj57hBVDF11aNRnFdG63Tgv7Cyrrq0GuQpCmsAm-g4E6IgD_G54-1g_4CNLfOavNl2nLknsLA6fruv8P8zJucT0tqF5_u4JKZddGCD3yLK_1tZWmgLXtF_35PxnATSHtoBXuXwrAS6z/s320/CIMG0032.JPG" border="0" /></a>Its a TWIN THING!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5_YjZGRkDzTRbV06_ROnq6DfreidP88Ixx-H7LEcpVWQU4zFXkyhc9jjJLFECUgwX3bfMOLRlRgdOU59HJcVsE-YOORVOPpY_84rdxDGZ_RKMV0ofJC8uMSFvi87wohBgZogNs2ACOJw/s1600-h/PICT0003.JPG"></a></div></div></div>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-53351220263877987902009-09-07T12:05:00.000-07:002009-09-07T16:21:24.928-07:00Three Men in a boat,car,bicycles Pt 1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDU_KyhyYvNi14fGFrlpiwX_HzUQwnP_oH6OVxS-gil_j3bD91xTcCOsvS75zRo9CELNyUkhPTbncfvKycj1_SnqFacR1DMnCIBbwvlgjzGwDuncqelhaZTkYp6Wj9rehSdLRegz14xVY/s1600-h/PICT0033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378853924049156610" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 366px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 253px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDU_KyhyYvNi14fGFrlpiwX_HzUQwnP_oH6OVxS-gil_j3bD91xTcCOsvS75zRo9CELNyUkhPTbncfvKycj1_SnqFacR1DMnCIBbwvlgjzGwDuncqelhaZTkYp6Wj9rehSdLRegz14xVY/s320/PICT0033.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It seems like years since I have sat at my computer to engage in blogging. The main reason for this has been a recent visit from England by my twin brother Philip and his friend Simon.<br />The main reason for their visit, apart from drinking all my vintage wine was to compete in the Hotter than Hell 100 in Wichita Falls.<br />Of course I would be failing in my duties as a host if I did not indulge in some tourist like activities en route. So we had the idea of a road trip.<br /><br />For those of you who have not ventured into 19<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> Century humor there is one classic that you have to read. It has the fundamental <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ingredients</span> of such a trip...<br /><ul><li>Good Friends</li><li>Lots of Pubs</li><li>Comical Calamities</li><li>and A Dog</li></ul>Heck even the Great bard himself sprinkled a few Canine characters into his plays to keep his actors on their tows.<br />The Book in Question is <a href="http://www.forgottenfutures.com/game/boat/boat.htm">"Three Men in a Boat"</a><br />In the original story the book opens with the three men in question spending an evening discussing every possible ailment or illness they fancy they are suffering. They naturally conclude they are all suffering from 'overwork' and need a holiday. A stay in the country and a sea-trip are both considered, then rejected. Finally the three decide upon a boating holiday, up the River Thames, from Kingston Upon Thames to Oxford. A great narration of it can be heard by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVHUA4dZI0o">Hugh Laurie</a> of "House" Fame.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6byuAXh-bwAj3Ge3fE0T8s1D6RKH1bB23dTI3wOKrBIgcgZdSs5OCRuJEsG7rFzvDw2D7NEtW8HQmdGiK8dyRxLq1lTkLeh2IXFocdPlFAFj92DY7SexQw0oTq292aCx9Ole2K7H0ZBw/s1600-h/206.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378856905216355522" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6byuAXh-bwAj3Ge3fE0T8s1D6RKH1bB23dTI3wOKrBIgcgZdSs5OCRuJEsG7rFzvDw2D7NEtW8HQmdGiK8dyRxLq1lTkLeh2IXFocdPlFAFj92DY7SexQw0oTq292aCx9Ole2K7H0ZBw/s320/206.jpg" border="0" /></a>Unlike the adventures contained in the classic novel, of a trip down the Thames our water adventures were limited to Tubes down the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Comel</span> river in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Braunfels,_Texas">New <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Braunfels</span>,</a> Texas. The process is actually very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">civilized</span> as they provide you with an additional tube to put your cooler in to ensure your beers stay COLD!!! Of course hanging onto that Tube and warding off BEER Pirates is another challenge all of its own. There were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">casualties</span>!!!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Comel</span> River 1 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Phils</span> Camera 0.</span></strong><br />The evening took us into lovely San Antonio with its great dedication to Texas Heroes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxU5FsEtVUhlyZCvAfzulZIEuVi7pLf7AE9_cX1zHGY5nN6vHoWxwSJcwQkVl8Z4pfhPzbe3x3957ZI71GcgeiJ3IeRhvcnoXhy49oWRdBDAl_S_58Q_tA7kljn2lYNWQ6nzfKVDf_rKJ/s1600-h/PICT0019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378863512150255074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxU5FsEtVUhlyZCvAfzulZIEuVi7pLf7AE9_cX1zHGY5nN6vHoWxwSJcwQkVl8Z4pfhPzbe3x3957ZI71GcgeiJ3IeRhvcnoXhy49oWRdBDAl_S_58Q_tA7kljn2lYNWQ6nzfKVDf_rKJ/s320/PICT0019.JPG" border="0" /></a>, The Alamo, The River Walk and a fantastic Mexican Dinner!!!!<br /><br />After the first day on the road we all three shared a room in a hotel (<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Separate</span> beds - I hasten to add). In the middle of the night I awoke to the sounds of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Serengeti</span>, could it have been a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">wilder beast</span>? a warthog? NO!!! Phil & Simon <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Snoring</span>!!<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffcc66;">Pt 2 Coming Soon!!</span></strong> as we head North through Austin, Waco and Fort Worth to Wichita Falls<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjus2GSMFjimGqIiiGRTDdzTeqD3ay4OB-Y_FyFSvHfCBzqm_6LzN2xvj3U7y_rxQsasyRc-zET-fJSD56rBCETKMMocoAl7Hwz08xqwo50WXcffN0EdXjA7K52Rn-cAFbt7tL3eJHsKvDD/s1600-h/PICT0025.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378866995791373458" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 316px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 337px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjus2GSMFjimGqIiiGRTDdzTeqD3ay4OB-Y_FyFSvHfCBzqm_6LzN2xvj3U7y_rxQsasyRc-zET-fJSD56rBCETKMMocoAl7Hwz08xqwo50WXcffN0EdXjA7K52Rn-cAFbt7tL3eJHsKvDD/s320/PICT0025.JPG" border="0" /></a> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigI2EZnzOjCOD7dM3d3F8wb0edAqr29-Xvnb4GwknT27D9oaCmIrbcBl5YAmNvWf_pBI4mk2AHrGRRS6czyR1e3wopPI8DX-nRpgM_4bszGaBxNZndPTv_X7H6-XSH3q2kRqRkgvSHcwd/s1600-h/PICT0029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378866479086274434" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 339px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigI2EZnzOjCOD7dM3d3F8wb0edAqr29-Xvnb4GwknT27D9oaCmIrbcBl5YAmNvWf_pBI4mk2AHrGRRS6czyR1e3wopPI8DX-nRpgM_4bszGaBxNZndPTv_X7H6-XSH3q2kRqRkgvSHcwd/s320/PICT0029.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYDG4uYzxGhQZjmC1Anq2sIueaI2nb0fTVpnNlSuao7ct-iEKVFWo5nuL8IIdCPHwPZ3GN8FKDhtc6DV_e7wEQ7hBjXlKkHDzQR_dlhV0nGm9jJ18BCyzZA3ZqgyqI8-8-nb2-06tXMOs/s1600-h/PICT0032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378867619376874322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 332px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 337px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYDG4uYzxGhQZjmC1Anq2sIueaI2nb0fTVpnNlSuao7ct-iEKVFWo5nuL8IIdCPHwPZ3GN8FKDhtc6DV_e7wEQ7hBjXlKkHDzQR_dlhV0nGm9jJ18BCyzZA3ZqgyqI8-8-nb2-06tXMOs/s320/PICT0032.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZz5HbmB4hPEpKAf9z2kykwRjUU8py42V8r3_cKceUja6LcV6SQnl5EZpApOLOS8DyXo9Zq99kYeH6ziP0JeT6WrrpjtF1s40epX2HqQ8iJENW9H0rcROeG1O6fUyDnp9gJ76_oNbvSsD_/s1600-h/PICT0026.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378867244739311074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZz5HbmB4hPEpKAf9z2kykwRjUU8py42V8r3_cKceUja6LcV6SQnl5EZpApOLOS8DyXo9Zq99kYeH6ziP0JeT6WrrpjtF1s40epX2HqQ8iJENW9H0rcROeG1O6fUyDnp9gJ76_oNbvSsD_/s320/PICT0026.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-46786198610431984712009-08-16T11:07:00.000-07:002009-08-16T11:51:52.860-07:00Picnic in The Park - NOT!!!!Nestled between downtown Houston and the Galleria area is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Houston's</span> version of the Golden Gate Park. Its a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">favourite</span> amongst athletes of all disciplines. For the cyclists their is a 1.25 Mile loop called the "Picnic Loop" which is really great for speed work and is often used to event <a href="http://www.hansschneidercycles.com/2009_Memorial_Park_Crit._Series/Home.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Criterion's</span></a>. The loop is closed for vehicle traffic and most pedestrian's and joggers are reluctant to jog the route because of bike traffic and also the numerous other alternative options they have in the Park. <div><div></div><div>Dave (One of the Mules) and I often try to get at least one midweek ride in at the loop to keep up our training regime and last Thursday was no exception especially with the "Hotter than Hell" ride only two weeks away. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10GNbwq3_af5NXfLu9JGNoCcAHvi-iyb16nvS27rMOccTJ9ckB7IkisFh1k12cyzqCj2V9W1UJb9xWBpyylEcN0YlMtdy1C7TSYblh7yzJNG_FnBajRRl8QWNmqmVMMgyaw0B4l8XzETm/s1600-h/light.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370632960062253474" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10GNbwq3_af5NXfLu9JGNoCcAHvi-iyb16nvS27rMOccTJ9ckB7IkisFh1k12cyzqCj2V9W1UJb9xWBpyylEcN0YlMtdy1C7TSYblh7yzJNG_FnBajRRl8QWNmqmVMMgyaw0B4l8XzETm/s320/light.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>The only trouble was it was raining! </div><div></div><div>Not to concerned about the rain we set off only for the rain to intensify, the road started to flood and lightning started to strike all around us. </div><div></div><div>After the second time around the loop we decided to seek shelter in some partially covered restrooms as the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">lightning</span> was getting too <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">scary</span>. (Partially meaning a 3 ft overhang from the rain and lightning. </div><div></div><div></div><div>As I made the detour I remember seeing the Restroom about 100 yards away and then the next minute I went hurting through the air landing on my left side in a pool of water.</div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaBGXZcjC9lquaMZkna1EfP68ay81ZtwuS2YhryOpvjeTyIzCpi6x_2ujZLxfRO0NkUVZMUHr3JIZqCQDrKPCxYj3jgKl4FGwaLU5oOyF-XpLWq98bw5tn_eW3bwim0Uq1SmhpTOtp02L/s1600-h/smash.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370632679156683218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 144px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 103px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaBGXZcjC9lquaMZkna1EfP68ay81ZtwuS2YhryOpvjeTyIzCpi6x_2ujZLxfRO0NkUVZMUHr3JIZqCQDrKPCxYj3jgKl4FGwaLU5oOyF-XpLWq98bw5tn_eW3bwim0Uq1SmhpTOtp02L/s320/smash.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>It was certainly the worst tumble I had ever taken, and it reminded me of my earlier rugby playing days after being trampled on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">bottom</span> of a scrum. I thought I had broken my shoulder, but the next lightning strike that erupted about 100 yards away made me quickly realize that any pain I was feeling would be mild compared to being hit by a bolt from above.</div><div></div><div>My bikes front wheel had lodged itself between two concrete <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">pavers</span> and had sunk down 6 inches. The force of the impact and crash not only introduced me to "flying lessons" but also wrecked my front wheel ........Boo <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Hoo</span> (<a href="http://www.biowheels.com/whlmksyrsl.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Mavic</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Ksyrium</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">SL</span></a>) and cracked the frame.</div><br /><div></div><div>We scampered into the rather smelly rest room and spent the next half an hour looking at my now square shaped wheel and the tarmac that I was now wearing on my legs and arms in the form of Road Rash. We also had time to reflect on how quickly situations can change when riding and what was to be a quick 20 mile training ride cost me Physically (Road Rash, ligament damage & heavy bruising) and Financially (New Frame & New Wheel).</div><br /><div></div><div>I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">don't</span> think I will go back to Memorial Park for awhile as it certainly was NO PICNIC.</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div></div>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-27010697067644833452009-08-14T07:00:00.000-07:002009-08-14T08:04:09.480-07:00For Kids Sake!!I just spent the last three weeks with my boys who were visiting from California and if there is one reason enough to try and stay in good shape then the answer is easy. "For Kids Sake"!!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuycR4fwhy7AaBrAU8eIQ6ovykrCDdJRnKkdN7Oc2v55HAcY_O0nDYHbddBq3yUNyC5r-PrITNxkfcbYp4JfDEsembSz_x9YC5nqNX5gCp9O5NuopP13FAqLcn4XnXnACK_VBR351xMGD/s1600-h/sd.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369831030333864018" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 108px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 64px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuycR4fwhy7AaBrAU8eIQ6ovykrCDdJRnKkdN7Oc2v55HAcY_O0nDYHbddBq3yUNyC5r-PrITNxkfcbYp4JfDEsembSz_x9YC5nqNX5gCp9O5NuopP13FAqLcn4XnXnACK_VBR351xMGD/s320/sd.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><div>Being a Dad is one of many roles one has to incorporate while entertaining a 11 and 12 year old. </div><div>In the adage of the true superhero <span style="color:#ff0000;">"Faster than a speeding bullet,More powerful than a locomotive.Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound."</span> the urban Dad has much more creative roles to play dependent upon the event in Question.<br /><br />For Instance<br /></div><div></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>The Water Park</strong></div><div>Where the roles can change between a variety of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">characters</span> (In chronological order)</div><div><br /></div><ul><li>GREAT WHITE SHARK</li><li>OCTOPUS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLY0LwxQJj214daTA__64wKGy8Mb40EH7OtBl4JKGkzXWYqKV1FcHilElwvM2Y-FVJt_XCa-5rTXEksMuWooP5jHjZTyAuOkweJpBXIIU73hYa9zlz6k22aAgLH2bE-VF3e2LpoVT19vB/s1600-h/wp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369828192115062754" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 124px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 109px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLY0LwxQJj214daTA__64wKGy8Mb40EH7OtBl4JKGkzXWYqKV1FcHilElwvM2Y-FVJt_XCa-5rTXEksMuWooP5jHjZTyAuOkweJpBXIIU73hYa9zlz6k22aAgLH2bE-VF3e2LpoVT19vB/s320/wp.jpg" border="0" /></a></li><li>REFEREE</li><li><span style="color:#3366ff;">LIFEGUARD</span></li><li>SMALLER SHARK</li><li><span style="color:#3333ff;">LIFEGUARD</span></li><li>Tiny Docile Shark </li><li><span style="color:#3333ff;">LIFEGUARD</span></li><li>DARE-DEVIL <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Extraordinaire</span></li><li>"Fear" <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Counsellor</span></li></ul><div><strong>The Paint Ball Assault Course</strong></div><div>Again the Roles Vary<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_U5h_OwclhbBecziEofibUGe86p0e3trdyuKWohoDz2EWsDLXvz4Hon7yKaUMzQ2uKbLTGOWgBPVHNArBIU2Mk8FQvS2hfDE2SJ7dE2zL77WC-o85s6zes6cR3abIhR51vb3yPDD_QFi/s1600-h/pb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369828046803773618" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 117px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 121px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_U5h_OwclhbBecziEofibUGe86p0e3trdyuKWohoDz2EWsDLXvz4Hon7yKaUMzQ2uKbLTGOWgBPVHNArBIU2Mk8FQvS2hfDE2SJ7dE2zL77WC-o85s6zes6cR3abIhR51vb3yPDD_QFi/s320/pb.jpg" border="0" /></a> (No resemblance to the picture but smiling is important)</div><div><br /></div><ul><li>SUPREME COMMANDER</li><li><span style="color:#3333ff;">TARGET</span></li><li>GENERAL</li><li><span style="color:#3333ff;">TARGET</span></li><li>MAJOR</li><li><span style="color:#3333ff;">TARGET</span></li><li>CORPORAL</li><li><span style="color:#3333ff;">TARGET</span></li><li><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">BRUISED & BATTERED EVACUEE</span></li></ul><p>Of course this was only two of many events but I am sure by now you can fully appreciate the pattern of how these develop into complex scenarios.</p><p>The boys have left now, back to Northern California and although I am sad to see them go I am happy to purge the fridge and pantry from items that are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">extremely</span> tasty and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">decedent</span> but are so bad for my training regime. </p><ul><li>Out with the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Cinnamon</span> Rolls in with the Spinach</li><li>Out with the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Chocolate</span> Milk in with the fat free Soy Milk</li><li>Out with the Blue Bell Ice cream (Minus one Spoon) in with the Blueberries </li></ul><p>One of the things that I know that my kids is that interaction is paramount.I realize that if I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">don't</span> stay reasonably fit and active in my own life and lifestyle it makes a huge difference in what I am able to do with my kids.</p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9B_plc7O5_wVpZJtdyZn7ZuDkrXxm_pJTqKlihoYdQ3MycCycPBbHwXM9x_tQtRxZ8eZVv4mmMatxsPNuvcVB3DGuDWSJ9qjULyV_azCOjSX6o7QTuSWzvONCTk4_r0eVffKL_Qyp0DO/s1600-h/DSC_0190.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369829401802480498" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9B_plc7O5_wVpZJtdyZn7ZuDkrXxm_pJTqKlihoYdQ3MycCycPBbHwXM9x_tQtRxZ8eZVv4mmMatxsPNuvcVB3DGuDWSJ9qjULyV_azCOjSX6o7QTuSWzvONCTk4_r0eVffKL_Qyp0DO/s320/DSC_0190.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><p>It would be so easy to throw a video game in their general direction, or turn on the TV but to me that has a similar feel to pushing the "Snooze" button on the alarm clock.</p><p>I am trying to get my boys into cycling and Sam the oldest (12) was quite thrilled when he was able to sustain a 20+ Mph clip for 5 minutes or so on his first <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">road bike</span> experience. (Sam Right)</p><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><p></p><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholdAY-H2kh0ANSqGfdZ-6SQGG5CYma3cjOkhWzsMiqrwW8kcfIM35IPszVtU2gygue1NwUNX4hfg7etAPn1NKP-GzXivzCSyUHXOTcF3W5LW7r9JlnMe4ioW3ykpzOfVXIXPJvCAhOvTL/s1600-h/DSC_0186.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369829230118487890" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholdAY-H2kh0ANSqGfdZ-6SQGG5CYma3cjOkhWzsMiqrwW8kcfIM35IPszVtU2gygue1NwUNX4hfg7etAPn1NKP-GzXivzCSyUHXOTcF3W5LW7r9JlnMe4ioW3ykpzOfVXIXPJvCAhOvTL/s320/DSC_0186.JPG" border="0" /></a>JACK - </p></div></div>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-12864271643031695572009-07-14T10:57:00.000-07:002009-07-28T11:02:46.761-07:00The Three Little Pigs & the big BAD BAD WOLF!!!When I was a wee lad I was first introduced to Nursery Rhymes by my Grandmother, who seemed to know them all.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlRwTAic7KT9tF3_fHdIkXXkYc3I33qj3s4bJo08g_BuSK9z5CulBiiSaaxz5J3AMkiYc_xO-J3sZbm0N3r9ffiDQGtHYQig2vDYQTAK8CUIYkLha3Kpm0HIAvKRcam6PhekbfWw6xNom/s1600-h/nr.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363567912316478914" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 120px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 102px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlRwTAic7KT9tF3_fHdIkXXkYc3I33qj3s4bJo08g_BuSK9z5CulBiiSaaxz5J3AMkiYc_xO-J3sZbm0N3r9ffiDQGtHYQig2vDYQTAK8CUIYkLha3Kpm0HIAvKRcam6PhekbfWw6xNom/s320/nr.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The ones she <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">didn't</span> know she "ad libbed" like a seasoned thespian.<br />If you look at the "roots" of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Rhymes</span>, or even West Indian Calypso culture you can often see a connection or association which reflect actual events in history!<br /><br />A nursery rhyme was often used to parody the royal and political events and people of the day. The humble Rhyme was used as a seemingly innocent vehicle to quickly spread subversive messages!<br />Can you imagine the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">White house</span> Press Secretary sitting by the fireside reading "Rain Rain go away"<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Mother_Hubbard"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Old Mother Hubbard</span></strong><br /></a></span>The Old Mother Hubbard referred to in this rhyme's words allude to the famous Cardinal Wolsey. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was the most important statesman and churchman of the Tudor history period in 16<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> century England. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Wolsey">Cardinal Wolsey </a>proved to be a faithful servant but displeased the King, Henry VIII, by failing to facilitate the King's divorce from Queen Katherine of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Aragon</span> who had been his queen of many years. The reason for seeking the divorce and hence the creation of the Old Mother Hubbard poem was to enable him to marry Anne Boleyn with whom he was passionately in love. In the Old Mother Hubbard song King Henry was the "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">doggie</span>" and the "bone" refers to the divorce (and not money as many believe) The cupboard relates to the Catholic Church although the subsequent divorce arranged by Thomas <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Cramner</span> resulted in the break with Rome and the formation of the English Protestant church and the demise of Old Mother Hubbard - Cardinal Wolsey.<br /><strong><em><span style="color:#ffcc66;">It this were the "Tour <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">de</span> France" Johan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Bruyneel</span> would have to take the place of the Cardinal </span></em></strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_and_Jill_(song)"><strong>Jack & Jill</strong> </a><br /></span>The roots of the story, or poem, of Jack and Jill are in France. Jack and Jill referred to are said to be King Louis XVI - Jack -who was beheaded (lost his crown) followed by his Queen Marie Antoinette - Jill - (who came tumbling after). The words and lyrics to the Jack and Jill poem were made more acceptable as a story for children by providing a happy ending!<br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><em><strong>There would be lots of opportunities to write a new one about Lance and Alberto going up a hill (Col <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">de</span> la <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Colombiere</span>)</strong></em></span><br /><br /><strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Villiers,_1st_Duke_of_Buckingham"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Georgie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Porgie</span></span><br /></a></strong>The origins of the lyrics to "Georgie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Porgie</span>" are English and refer to the courtier George <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Villiers</span>, 1st duke of Duke of Buckingham (1592–1628). King James I took <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Villiers</span> as his lover and nicknamed him "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Steenie</span>" (a reference to St. Stephen whom in the Bible describes as having the "face of an angel"). <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Villier's</span> good looks also appealed to the ladies and his highly suspect morals were much in question!<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Villiers</span> most notorious affair was with his liaison with Anne of Austria, (1601–1666) who was the Queen of France and married to the French King Louis XIII badly injured both of their reputations.<br /><strong><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><em>Many modern day candidates for this position</em></span></strong><br /><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUb9jphhFjfQgwgLuOnQ37EqOObj3enwr3vz-1d5o0oA6UyUU5x5YkJaEGdsHlWBXAqraYa22Gi91UClXsKdp5bu-YFH0ZGrNGxaCGjWmjeGzQSvKkKDPY7V2IrtdpI8DWozyLH9R7LGNq/s1600-h/I2CAW1VCE2CAZICM1ECAHQGYWECA1F7CLWCAZ4LL09CAZPG38TCA3RK2NGCAJXLUBLCANDVS03CADW4PDKCAW1KOHVCAO2BLIICAU17G2CCAWU3UHVCA6C3XXLCA5U3RDRCAEJW8A1CALMFKT5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363567255703721874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 120px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 106px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUb9jphhFjfQgwgLuOnQ37EqOObj3enwr3vz-1d5o0oA6UyUU5x5YkJaEGdsHlWBXAqraYa22Gi91UClXsKdp5bu-YFH0ZGrNGxaCGjWmjeGzQSvKkKDPY7V2IrtdpI8DWozyLH9R7LGNq/s320/I2CAW1VCE2CAZICM1ECAHQGYWECA1F7CLWCAZ4LL09CAZPG38TCA3RK2NGCAJXLUBLCANDVS03CADW4PDKCAW1KOHVCAO2BLIICAU17G2CCAWU3UHVCA6C3XXLCA5U3RDRCAEJW8A1CALMFKT5.jpg" border="0" /></a>Of course one of my favourites was the story of the three little pigs.<br />The Three Little Pigs" teaches us in a most enjoyable and dramatic form that we must not be lazy and take things easy, for if we do, we may perish....by the hairs of our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">chiny</span> chin chin.<br />After all .....intelligent planning and foresight, combined with hard labor will make us victorious over even our most ferocious enemy-the wolf!<br /><br />One would think that would be true to "training" as well.<br /></p><ul><li>I built up on my first 40 miles (straw house) </li><li>The second one soon followed with regular 65 mile jaunts (Sticks) </li><li>And finally after feeling confident of having endurance for a 100 miles (Bricks) </li></ul><p>in my well conditioned legs the WOLF ARRIVED!!!!! </p><p>(These Wolfs can be found on any international flights/travelling lasting more than 24 hours - Singapore-London -Houston)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zC6jlqCoQ3Q-EcmVO228kBgQcW_07XMO71UY9Bjeg6VhCCytRTk2e3Brq_770nQDnuxKaPjMtpR49W6y_I41nQ1Z6PLeW9vjbTfDB45W9-GiUpXagPvQnG4xt27Wd4CwdY5Yyl1JDUCj/s1600-h/wolf.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363566708560477890" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zC6jlqCoQ3Q-EcmVO228kBgQcW_07XMO71UY9Bjeg6VhCCytRTk2e3Brq_770nQDnuxKaPjMtpR49W6y_I41nQ1Z6PLeW9vjbTfDB45W9-GiUpXagPvQnG4xt27Wd4CwdY5Yyl1JDUCj/s320/wolf.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This was no ordinary wolf, he was a nasty Fire breathing dragon type of creature morphed from jet lag, fatigue and various types of flu like <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">symptoms</span>. His red eyes melted the reinforced re-bar of the outside structure while his toxic <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">emissions</span> infiltrated every square inch of my protected habitat leaving me in a state of total weakness and debilitation.<br /><br />After a week in bed I convinced myself I was well enough to take part in the Katy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Flatlands</span> 100. It could have been the Katy "Downhill" 100 for all I cared as my body decided to shut me down after only ten miles with a high fever and dizzy spells.<br /><br />Another week has past and I did manage forty miles last week and actually now have the energy to write a BLOG!!!!<br /><br />One thing I have learned from this is that starting up your training again too early from any type of flu/cold/virus etc is a poor idea<br /><br />Progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Kahil</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Gibran</span></p>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-37663890710695258572009-07-12T00:57:00.000-07:002009-07-12T23:24:45.498-07:00Singapore, Jet Lag & Fantastic MemoriesF<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5parLHL2VTIwMdwGdTvETS3AGv7Trkb2T34EvLrNpYvsMHuxauqALgWUPjQsHo8uo6isjv2N4MatpSjTCWPdv83jluhuRmEZCbijlMTZi8sHd7QBADu8lyutb1q2mWgg_F8vpfIjZeS8Z/s1600-h/POJOCAENIA9GCA2VUJ17CA5YMWR2CA2D62QYCALV400SCA9BZSQ4CAI1WPC1CAWXIFBQCAFH9LNUCA63K1F5CAPSSG0YCAMSWFX7CAY2VVW3CADUKI6FCAAVPIOYCAAGZF9WCANTQNOHCA5QMXB5CADQ7OJD.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357498330352186658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 119px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 108px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5parLHL2VTIwMdwGdTvETS3AGv7Trkb2T34EvLrNpYvsMHuxauqALgWUPjQsHo8uo6isjv2N4MatpSjTCWPdv83jluhuRmEZCbijlMTZi8sHd7QBADu8lyutb1q2mWgg_F8vpfIjZeS8Z/s320/POJOCAENIA9GCA2VUJ17CA5YMWR2CA2D62QYCALV400SCA9BZSQ4CAI1WPC1CAWXIFBQCAFH9LNUCA63K1F5CAPSSG0YCAMSWFX7CAY2VVW3CADUKI6FCAAVPIOYCAAGZF9WCANTQNOHCA5QMXB5CADQ7OJD.jpg" border="0" /></a>or those of you who have experienced JET LAG!! You know its not much fun. Not only has it interupted my <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circadian_rhythm">circadian rhythm </a>but it has also effected my blog writting comitments which have decidely taken a "backseat" to some serious struggles with insomnia.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Last weekend I spent cycling with with my twin brother in North Yorkshire during a brief buisness stop over in England on the way to Singapore.<br /></div><div>I was relieved that he blogged about our adventures because it gave me a "writting reprieve" which I sorely needed after some mamoth air time (Houston - London -8 hours followed by London -Singapore 12 hours)</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCqnHSSY62zoHyAFwZ3GutH_yxNHxW-B1cQBPnp6HF8O-ZaYxD7j01vpnimThpywbN8NkH3ADfCVxzubiBd-3BlMIbxXMCf0RCY5irY6OdysRt0UJqAt_JpNs7tWt7X4uW7QZsd3-PFsY/s1600-h/P1010007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357493176602937970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCqnHSSY62zoHyAFwZ3GutH_yxNHxW-B1cQBPnp6HF8O-ZaYxD7j01vpnimThpywbN8NkH3ADfCVxzubiBd-3BlMIbxXMCf0RCY5irY6OdysRt0UJqAt_JpNs7tWt7X4uW7QZsd3-PFsY/s320/P1010007.JPG" border="0" /></a> My trip to Singapore was to conduct some Marine Audits on a vessel that my company are picking up for work in Australia and although my schedule and work load was pretty tight I did manage to arrange a small R & R window today to get a bike ride in before I start my journey back to Houston tonight. (Another 22 hours flying).</div><div>I was accompanied by a work mate of mine called John who although showed some keeness to join me on a ride did confess that it had been 12 years since had last rode. Of course I told him not to worry - "Its just like ridding a bike........</div><div></div><div>Singapore is one of my favorate places in the world. I lived here for two years in the 70's when my father was stationed in Singapore and my brother and I both spent the Summers learning to sail and hanging out at the "HMS Terror" Naval Base which I found an archived picture of along with records from the Royal Singapore Yacht Club recording a saliling race <a href="http://www.rsyc.org.sg/history/trophies_osprey.htm">regatta my father </a>had one at the time.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62RFHSMe1kQv6WzyNbPQfmZpSpDxlOrNhDcVmXbWq3Moa9qvx9YZGIrDuirPjhyH_LGjIV9y63cfiP-fGRV3easv4LSc4dA8aJR1Y98x7cwfh8H7izERiLADtQ1xNNTebhKl-HKUbDPLo/s1600-h/b_j3b.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357491329729430210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 233px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62RFHSMe1kQv6WzyNbPQfmZpSpDxlOrNhDcVmXbWq3Moa9qvx9YZGIrDuirPjhyH_LGjIV9y63cfiP-fGRV3easv4LSc4dA8aJR1Y98x7cwfh8H7izERiLADtQ1xNNTebhKl-HKUbDPLo/s320/b_j3b.jpg" border="0" /></a>Singapore has changed considerably since then with the Island growing substantially with a number of huge land reclemation projects. One these projects included an area on the South East Coast called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Coast_Park">East Coast Park. </a>which was planned to incorporate a number of healthy options for the Singapore people in the form of Health & Recreation.<br />There are a number of terrific trails that run along the coast and are individually allocated to Cyclists,Joggers,Roller Bladders and Pedestrians alike. This is the route that John & I took and acheived about 24 miles of cycling.</div><div></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3b3En5iWvmyb7YGICI0YND1gZEhHoNiAFJYUZp-gJu_1sYRYjytpT-ub2V3iHmPX53VM6ksLP0bux1d_2MQduXH6FcJ3n-o3hAEb8uc1rkfCNYI3BXtmt3ZIDzU4ssfbsT5nTGR7roVME/s1600-h/P1010016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357495900114075314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3b3En5iWvmyb7YGICI0YND1gZEhHoNiAFJYUZp-gJu_1sYRYjytpT-ub2V3iHmPX53VM6ksLP0bux1d_2MQduXH6FcJ3n-o3hAEb8uc1rkfCNYI3BXtmt3ZIDzU4ssfbsT5nTGR7roVME/s320/P1010016.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw36Eumg-kUl3yqhszUVWKzuC1ExmhLdnvtMUshhSmXqQwiaiQjEVsJbhXOPT6uf4hEwQrKicygx2QtyzOADzCevj-yQTRJLb21_fyCZRws2LGmX1uArk3cY1V73wuhXA2TT-WmfehFA1n/s1600-h/P1010011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357493318968585154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw36Eumg-kUl3yqhszUVWKzuC1ExmhLdnvtMUshhSmXqQwiaiQjEVsJbhXOPT6uf4hEwQrKicygx2QtyzOADzCevj-yQTRJLb21_fyCZRws2LGmX1uArk3cY1V73wuhXA2TT-WmfehFA1n/s320/P1010011.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>The Park had a number of bike rental places scattered along the beach and although the rental prices were reasonable, the quality and condition of the bikes was not so good with my gears sounding like an angry hog (That when the chain wasn't jumping off)</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTg_A6TxhgzLFq6GiUA_ylKY3lsh9310M_-6GuzcfdnyowWushp6LzYKk42Z-Kl-66hH64gJh0nvwuagD5oLnSP5HUpFSvMQfuy0VAZNjok-FX6uMP2UN-lRkgFcIr98UK52BRgy7CNR4/s1600-h/P1010018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357496021285580962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 355px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTg_A6TxhgzLFq6GiUA_ylKY3lsh9310M_-6GuzcfdnyowWushp6LzYKk42Z-Kl-66hH64gJh0nvwuagD5oLnSP5HUpFSvMQfuy0VAZNjok-FX6uMP2UN-lRkgFcIr98UK52BRgy7CNR4/s320/P1010018.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />East Coast Park is one of the more well-known parks in the eastern part of Singapore which was evident by the amount of people using it. is around 20km long and is one of the largest parks in Singapore spaning from the Eastern to Southern coast, from Changi all the way to Marine Parade. We completed the stretch twice in just over 2 hours.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhAoIi7SVffzbF7eTenv9XoqlwGwhIXk2khkAqZOhsW-Dybi9RORUkHzByDao1ALZpdSvLw5EYIhbvMKYdI7WzRsAZl6rbgAPLmL8URMWbmWDJVy2E6xRTjic53QhBd9PTphK-a1IR6TQ/s1600-h/singapore-east-coast-park-2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357492771710868850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 410px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 191px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhAoIi7SVffzbF7eTenv9XoqlwGwhIXk2khkAqZOhsW-Dybi9RORUkHzByDao1ALZpdSvLw5EYIhbvMKYdI7WzRsAZl6rbgAPLmL8URMWbmWDJVy2E6xRTjic53QhBd9PTphK-a1IR6TQ/s320/singapore-east-coast-park-2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Another area that seen some great changes are the Singapore skyline with the new addition of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore_Flyer">"Singapore Flyer"</a> and this years first <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPwmJcU7Zc4">Formula 1 </a>race track that covers some of the down town roads.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-84427591249023668392009-07-01T16:14:00.000-07:002009-07-01T17:49:56.759-07:00ABC<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAmiOsVy0yoKFWSqglnb5Glh5vOCMF2gbzRp9smEQzU1oTS8T8ao4SRq-AJx-DqfwA2CalcwuIY6GmEPx24DWV8YPDQ4dN7XnqCzqsXxHzqypJZvbNnlll4MxXQNfzKVL9ug5wdbzWHhS/s1600-h/ZLCA2IA6B2CAL3QYFSCAURIBIYCA1WXGFOCA318Q27CAA7P3JNCAMFESGVCACWX4XBCAMONK4FCA3EHEYACAL055JYCAVF6SW2CAVCD5CKCAF57B6YCA5XWTZOCAZLPTRXCALWSEALCAWM9CE9.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353643822201078594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 124px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 121px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAmiOsVy0yoKFWSqglnb5Glh5vOCMF2gbzRp9smEQzU1oTS8T8ao4SRq-AJx-DqfwA2CalcwuIY6GmEPx24DWV8YPDQ4dN7XnqCzqsXxHzqypJZvbNnlll4MxXQNfzKVL9ug5wdbzWHhS/s320/ZLCA2IA6B2CAL3QYFSCAURIBIYCA1WXGFOCA318Q27CAA7P3JNCAMFESGVCACWX4XBCAMONK4FCA3EHEYACAL055JYCAVF6SW2CAVCD5CKCAF57B6YCA5XWTZOCAZLPTRXCALWSEALCAWM9CE9.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />With the <a href="http://http//www.letour.fr/indexus.html">Tour <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">de</span> France </a>due to start this weekend I thought it only fitting to review the ABC's of cycling so all those interested pedestrians can have a glimpse into our "wonderful wacky world"<br />Thanks to <a href="http://www.bikesource.com/">http://www.bikesource.com/</a><br /><br /><a name="auger"><strong>auger </strong></a><br />v. to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">involuntarily</span> take samples of the local geology, usually with one's face, during a crash.<br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc66;">My Dentist is loving this one and I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">thought</span> Rugby was hard.<br /></span></em><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">beartrap</span><br /></strong>1) v. to slip off one pedal, causing the other pedal to slam one in the shin, when one gets <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">cracked</span> with a pedal.<br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc66;">I did this once in a spinning class when my cleats sheared. I think they heard the scream 50 miles away</span></em>.<br /><a name="crotch-testing"><strong>crotch-testing<br /></strong>n. sudden impact between a male rider's private parts and something very hard and pointy, such as a handlebar stem or seat</a>.<br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Aspirations</span> of a Soprano come to mind, and I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">don't</span> mean the ones that live in New Jersey</span></em><br /><a name="death_march"><strong>death march<br /></strong>n. a ride that turns into an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">investigation</span> of your endurance limit. "The bridge was out, and I had to go all the way back the way I came. So the morning's nice, easy ride turned into a Bataan death march</a>."<br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc66;">On the last 100 mile ride I completed I had serious cramping in my quads 30 miles from the finish and i must have utilized every four <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">letter</span> word in the dictionary<br /></span></em><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">enscarfment</span><br /></strong>n. a food break at the edge of a cliff.<br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><em>A good cause for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">indigestion</span></em></span><br /><strong>feeling <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">nedly</span></strong><br />v., adj. when older riders are having a particular strong outing<br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc66;">I love this ONE!!!!!!</span></em><br /><a name="granny_gear"><strong>granny gear </strong></a><br />n. the lowest gear available on a bike, or a third and smallest front cog, which is only found on bikes for the feeble. Roadies don't have, need, or want them.<br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><em><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Don't</span> have this one<br /></em></span><strong>hanging on<br /></strong>v. riding in the slipstream of another rider, but being lazy and refusing to take your turn in at the front.<br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc66;">Guilty as charged, though getting better</span></em><br /><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">impedimentia</span><br /></strong>n. all the junk on a bike that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">impedes</span> performance and looks bad.<br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc66;">No <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Bling</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Bling</span>!!!</span></em><br /><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">JRA</span> </strong><br />n. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">abbreviation</span> for the Just Riding Along syndrome<br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc66;">an area where ones average can bot be disputed</span></em><br /><strong>kicker </strong><br />n. a steep section of road or trail.<br /><strong>LBS<br /></strong>n. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">abbreviation</span> for "Local Bike Shop".<br /><strong>male blindness<br /></strong>n. when a male rider watches a beautiful female ride over rough terrain and stares intensely, making him too dizzy to see straight when it's his turn to ride the same terrain.<br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc66;">Dave, Kenny & Phil <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">don't</span> fit the bill</span></em><br /><strong>nirvana<br /></strong>n. the state of being in absolute control and totally in tune with your bike, the trail, and your physical strength. "I was just doing it all so smoothly and delicately and quickly, it was nirvana!" Synonym for The Zone.<br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc66;">Have been there and the other end of the spectrum the Death March</span></em><br /><strong>off the back<br /></strong>adj. when a rider is dropped, or cannot keep up with the pace of the windshield (such as a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">peloton</span> or another rider) and falls behind.<br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc66;">The hardest part of getting back in the saddle again</span></em><br /><a name="push-push"><strong>push-push </strong></a><br />1) n. a novice's pedaling motion, consisting of alternately pushing each foot down, instead of spinning.<br /><strong>quick-release</strong><br />n. bolts with levers attached, for easy adjustment and removal of wheels and seat height<br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><em>Unlike the first time I wore cleats with my obligatory slow release followed by asphalt <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">introduction</span><br /></em></span><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">RDS</span><br /></strong>n. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">abbreviation</span> for Rapid <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Deceleration</span> Syndrome. Military term for the very sudden illness that happens when the free-flight following a high-speed involuntary dismount is interrupted by something solid.<br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><em>I realized quite early that the tools used by lumberjacks are more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">sophisticated</span> than flailing arms.<br /></em></span><strong>snake bite<br /></strong>n. a double puncture of an inner tube, caused by hitting an obstacle too hard or by under-inflation of tires<br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc66;">Or welcome to Texas roads</span></em><br /><strong>tea party<br /></strong>n. when a whole group of riders stops and chats, and nobody seems to want to ride on.<br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><em><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Unfortunately</span> these groups have journeyed out of Boston</em></span><br /><a name="unobtanium"><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">unobtanium</span><br /></strong>adj. describing a bike or accessory made from expensive, high-tech material. A play on "<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">unobtainable</span>" and "titanium</a>."<br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc66;">My brother Phil is very good at this vernacular</span></em><br /><a name="velo_porn"><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">velo</span>-porn </strong></a><br />n. full-page, four-color <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">advertisements</span> of giblets in cycling magazines. It can arouse giblet lust, giblet envy, and in serious cases, feelings of bike inadequacy. "Peter skipped right over the race results and went straight for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">velo</span>-porn."<br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc66;">Have to have one under the pillow!!!</span></em><br /><a name="wild_pigs"><strong>wild pigs<br /></strong>n. poorly adjusted brake pads that squeal in use</a>.<br /><strong>X -Ray</strong><br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc66;">See <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">RDS</span> Above<br /></span></em><strong>Yard</strong><br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><em>....Of Ale Normally consumed after X- Ray</em></span><br /><a name="The_Zone"><strong>Zone, the </strong></a><br />n. a state of mind experienced while riding. You don't think, you just do. A truly Zen experience that can't be fully explained, but when you get there you'll know it and strive to reach it again.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">WEll</span> I am off to England on Friday and hope to ride with my brother Philip on Sunday "Day of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Reckoning</span>" followed by a trip to Singapore.</span></em>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-37429088941052425702009-06-26T13:23:00.000-07:002009-06-26T14:08:34.171-07:00Icarus - This isnt Rocket Science, but it is Houston!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZLD7ho3MpQ2DrtzDFXQK8V4f2cSa89J8BPZ7cgf72IEhJ2F1B6hahrPy_p32-s7JxbStfl9hjrxOpxFQcm6rPU6ucT1emCG9WTYvUxXp4TESkFh8qGVWOwyfzzbTSHj1zynMN8NL94m5/s1600-h/140px-Lord_Frederick_Leighton_FLL006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351743697112558146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 157px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZLD7ho3MpQ2DrtzDFXQK8V4f2cSa89J8BPZ7cgf72IEhJ2F1B6hahrPy_p32-s7JxbStfl9hjrxOpxFQcm6rPU6ucT1emCG9WTYvUxXp4TESkFh8qGVWOwyfzzbTSHj1zynMN8NL94m5/s320/140px-Lord_Frederick_Leighton_FLL006.jpg" border="0" /></a> I am sure if Icarus were alive to day he would be living in the suburbs South of Houston heading up a new adventure for NASA <div><div></div><div>Most of us know the story of <a href="http://http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icarus#Parallel_in_Hindu_mythology">Icarus</a> and his futile attempt to escape from the Island of Minos where his thoughtful father made him a pair of aerodynamic wings fashioned from the feathers of a couple of geese they had for dinner and left over wax from their illicit <a href="http://http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mead">mead</a> distillery.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div>Of course if the had rented "The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wizard</span> of Oz" from Blockbuster the night before they could have heard <a href="http://http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Hamilton">Margaret Hamilton</a> utter those famous words <a href="http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfV_ENR5IZE&feature=related">"<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">I'm</span> Melting" </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPaREl3nTe9V0a-1QXqcr3jlIh0fsePlNPoiZHPlmUnBid454eiYM4CQfeE8GoqBFhynecmvKsl-oPC3Zk5aQA1rmpbx_zf4Hr1PmOnuBsBEMK8-1_PwOxm_hrcxEgw4uLhKzk0ZHPdQB/s1600-h/egg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351743181018327458" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 126px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 99px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPaREl3nTe9V0a-1QXqcr3jlIh0fsePlNPoiZHPlmUnBid454eiYM4CQfeE8GoqBFhynecmvKsl-oPC3Zk5aQA1rmpbx_zf4Hr1PmOnuBsBEMK8-1_PwOxm_hrcxEgw4uLhKzk0ZHPdQB/s320/egg.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>Did you know that the wicked witch went on to be a spokesperson for Maxwell House Coffee ( I guess that means <a href="http://www.kansasoz.com/infogoodwitch.htm"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Glinda</span> </a>must have got the Starbucks Gig!) </div><div></div><br /><div>Like Icarus I tried to escape today, not from the Island of Minos but from the Island of Monotony (Work Week)</div><div></div><br /><div>My escape took the form of a very hot ride. I guess you know its going to be warm when your departing temperature @ 0700 is already in the 90's and the arrival back in the parking lot saw the temperature reach 107.</div><br /><div></div><div>Of course I was prepared ! In addition to the largest <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">camel back</span> I possess I loaded up my bike with a few extra bottles of ice water which I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">continually</span> dumped on my head <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">every time</span> I saw that tree lined tropical <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">oasis</span> in the middle of the road, where people were sitting by a submerged bar drinking drinks with umbrellas in them. (One of many illusions, the rest <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">weren't</span> as endearing) </div><br /><div></div><div>Hey its an early Houston Summer! and 4 months ago I had cleat warmers and leggings! Such are the challenges for the year round cyclist..........and I Love it!!! .........At least I did not run into Toto!</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div></div>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-39089216958628460952009-06-24T02:53:00.000-07:002009-06-24T02:56:48.027-07:00Team Shirt Tuesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_GEKSmw4mhpwo302swMVPjaMpASfDNidhMcrbYrxYbgXdI6bQ3oQ0LHP6liAYGLujj57h-08aikKEZhz9GAta4f-r6INNLRmIjVpepOMCBkKWQNXQxKnru613XBmk0DK_WGjL9SIAyVW/s1600-h/TWMM_644_22.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350830341944356914" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 321px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 209px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_GEKSmw4mhpwo302swMVPjaMpASfDNidhMcrbYrxYbgXdI6bQ3oQ0LHP6liAYGLujj57h-08aikKEZhz9GAta4f-r6INNLRmIjVpepOMCBkKWQNXQxKnru613XBmk0DK_WGjL9SIAyVW/s320/TWMM_644_22.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_GEKSmw4mhpwo302swMVPjaMpASfDNidhMcrbYrxYbgXdI6bQ3oQ0LHP6liAYGLujj57h-08aikKEZhz9GAta4f-r6INNLRmIjVpepOMCBkKWQNXQxKnru613XBmk0DK_WGjL9SIAyVW/s1600-h/TWMM_644_22.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We finally decided on our team shirts for the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.travelwithmymule.com">Mules</a>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-84240642061531507712009-06-21T12:19:00.000-07:002009-06-21T16:22:40.724-07:00Wet behind the Ears<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkVBWLELMyOtR9AjgiotFwRNqVbaUsnWXjDS6Yizo1WPpGVTFEKVG82sai6aKavrz1dkUh_D_aqzi0uO2E7thrB-BPZdnXbm_-pVR_qpIukATHQU-mdeKxPln8p3JqeE4mNczqg6D4Q_O/s1600-h/DSC02376.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349913457166167266" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 428px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 280px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkVBWLELMyOtR9AjgiotFwRNqVbaUsnWXjDS6Yizo1WPpGVTFEKVG82sai6aKavrz1dkUh_D_aqzi0uO2E7thrB-BPZdnXbm_-pVR_qpIukATHQU-mdeKxPln8p3JqeE4mNczqg6D4Q_O/s320/DSC02376.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBx53L6pJ-YMZm4X9GyYFzLUba9Nxdbq3rB9guZfbnyBpn0zE0_zLYPgPkRq4Ibf3Ltx8QNGwG-5cIn8oZhDmZgB_MBCq3hPw-qKdK4DCnTkB8W5Lbo22_ZBfdTvcLth3RiZ60EsoQCIpA/s1600-h/DSC02339.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349913266495501746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 413px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBx53L6pJ-YMZm4X9GyYFzLUba9Nxdbq3rB9guZfbnyBpn0zE0_zLYPgPkRq4Ibf3Ltx8QNGwG-5cIn8oZhDmZgB_MBCq3hPw-qKdK4DCnTkB8W5Lbo22_ZBfdTvcLth3RiZ60EsoQCIpA/s320/DSC02339.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>My week similar to the last three have all included quick jaunts from Houston to New Orleans, and then a 2 1/2 hour drive down to Port <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Fourchon</span></span> in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Louisiana</span>. This has played havoc to any form of training and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">dietary</span> routine.(Fried Shrimp, Broiled Shrimp, Fried Oysters. ...you get the picture!! </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>For those of you who <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">don't</span> know the area well we are talking about the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boondock">"Boonies"</a>! A great percentage of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Louisiana</span> is made of "Wetlands" which has been under <a href="http://www.americaswetlandresources.com/background_facts/detailedstory/index.html">threat</a> now for many years and the road to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Fourchon</span></span> is no exception as you drive along <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Louisiana</span> Hwy 1 South following <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayou_Lafourche">Bayou <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Laforche</span></span></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ea6ugxqMYpElMOAibfPb-_TQY8tNf7DVq5zgdMfwoQSrXNiiXqhyphenhyphenzR556qE1yQu4_xZQ8RIngb2nLwFMvbgdODlA0TIcSfZmi5CJESjK1HKwqmbmU3XVAyyTGKYExK6EcwxpqEZCL8Ea/s1600-h/swamp_small.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349916086590623282" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 403px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 154px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ea6ugxqMYpElMOAibfPb-_TQY8tNf7DVq5zgdMfwoQSrXNiiXqhyphenhyphenzR556qE1yQu4_xZQ8RIngb2nLwFMvbgdODlA0TIcSfZmi5CJESjK1HKwqmbmU3XVAyyTGKYExK6EcwxpqEZCL8Ea/s320/swamp_small.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Its not uncommon to see the bodies of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">alligators</span> along the side of the road as the poor beasts have been hit by cars.</div><div><br /></div><div>My company is thinking about <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">sponsoring</span> the <a href="http://www.tourdurouge.org/">Tour De Rouge </a>next year which is a ride from Houston to New Orleans over a 5 day period cycling 85-90 miles a day I am keeping my fingers crossed as it will be a wonderful experience. (And I thought Dogs were a problem)</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile back to present day riding!</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen4yViK5vKpVyyShZrOs_i5tAWqhMRB1XuKYO2YvK6HV6k1XeyP61QLizz2MMD0rXPUJHCItemBfRVmtmZvG6yvUSwopZ8BrvXEySXBCxv32eP-z6aqCvufg6g5J6cNfYrSzTuBNHs7Cn/s1600-h/WHCAM1M22CCAK77NQQCA74S0B1CA5E1KJNCAP1RPWTCAXXFKE3CABOU9ADCAH0L87ACAJ0W6T4CATB22MCCAL9US3OCA62PS5VCABIN3NHCAR3V909CAULLLX5CAT02ISCCA0RE1XACAOOZLL4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349911043575039090" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 106px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen4yViK5vKpVyyShZrOs_i5tAWqhMRB1XuKYO2YvK6HV6k1XeyP61QLizz2MMD0rXPUJHCItemBfRVmtmZvG6yvUSwopZ8BrvXEySXBCxv32eP-z6aqCvufg6g5J6cNfYrSzTuBNHs7Cn/s320/WHCAM1M22CCAK77NQQCA74S0B1CA5E1KJNCAP1RPWTCAXXFKE3CABOU9ADCAH0L87ACAJ0W6T4CATB22MCCAL9US3OCA62PS5VCABIN3NHCAR3V909CAULLLX5CAT02ISCCA0RE1XACAOOZLL4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>The US contingent of the <a href="http://www.travelwithmymule.com/OurBlogs.html">Mules</a> have been training hard in the Texas heat, with 50 mile rides on Saturday & Sunday and with no heat relief in sight we have decided to extend both our biking performance and our sporting challenges into the realms of the maritime world.</div><div><br /></div><div>We have all opted for getting kayaks as we feel that this will help our upper body <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">stre</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRG6VFUFaLD66_D304d_H9hyphenhyphenYz9Gg9xAuNt_-_naIIyHSY7aGYSXptgg9LTsbgw8mIOp4ySZFSGN5YGbczZSPMrel4Qt_JD0zvykRlxvUFExmwyIAg3shhYTSxzKbHMYkvqQmWinXj3jXh/s1600-h/Bike+Kayak1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349910953707729202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 155px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 116px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRG6VFUFaLD66_D304d_H9hyphenhyphenYz9Gg9xAuNt_-_naIIyHSY7aGYSXptgg9LTsbgw8mIOp4ySZFSGN5YGbczZSPMrel4Qt_JD0zvykRlxvUFExmwyIAg3shhYTSxzKbHMYkvqQmWinXj3jXh/s320/Bike+Kayak1.jpg" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ngth</span></span> and get those abdominal muscles stronger for those long endurance rides.</div><div>So starting next week we are going to cycle in the mornings and Kayak in the afternoons. If we really get inspired we could hitch up the Kayaks to our bikes. </div><div>Of course our new expansion has also started debate on whether of not our kayaks should be suitably named:</div><div></div><div></div><ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Celeste"><span style="color:#ffcc66;">Mule</span>e Celeste</a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flying_Dutchman">The Flying <span style="color:#ffcc00;">Mule</span></a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermopylae_(clipper)"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ther</span></span><span style="color:#ff9900;">mule</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">opylae</span></span></a></li></ul><p>We have also set ourselves a new goal - <a href="http://www.texaswatersafari.org/history.aspx?display=0">"Texas Water Safari"</a> which is touted as the worlds most difficult canoe race.</p><div><span style="color:#ff9900;"><em><strong>Virtual Mileage.</strong> While my Twin Brother <a href="http://philipshrimpton.blogspot.com/">Philip</a> is taking his virtual tour Westwards from England (He is now over 3,000 miles and into <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Massachusetts</span>) I am just passing the Northern Coast line of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Breton_Island">Cape Breton Islands</a> as I head East at 2220 Miles.</em></span></div></div></div>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-88012580576909284752009-06-14T14:49:00.000-07:002009-06-14T16:33:47.537-07:00"Give them some Heat" - Nolan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQlE4z4s1yvwPsOuTjNMdY0-WdlZiqYHkE8XVPerzTJ0qPcggPG0EE-HMKLQSsibqntHVmFyb-4HURd7W1Z-USjrRaIAr1ix3mpbhwwEpvkkggt0jASbGf-FcR7K3gax6swi_bGf7Cyvm/s1600-h/ryan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347310724424026498" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 241px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQlE4z4s1yvwPsOuTjNMdY0-WdlZiqYHkE8XVPerzTJ0qPcggPG0EE-HMKLQSsibqntHVmFyb-4HURd7W1Z-USjrRaIAr1ix3mpbhwwEpvkkggt0jASbGf-FcR7K3gax6swi_bGf7Cyvm/s320/ryan.jpg" border="0" /></a> This morning I ventured down to Alvin, Texas with a fellow <a href="http://www.travelwithmymule.com/">Mule </a>"Kenny" to take part in the "Tour <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">de</span> Brazos"<br />Alvin is a city in in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Brazoria</span> County and whose claim to fame is Baseballs Hall of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Famer</span> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nolan_Ryan">"Nolan Ryan".</a> One of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Nolan's</span> more famous pitches was his fast ball and fans often delighted when Nolan gave his opposition some chin music in the form of some "Heat" (Fast Ball).<br /><br />Having experienced Alvin today I am not at all surprised about Mr Ryan's fastball as those fortunate to survive the full 100 mile ride of the "Tour <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Baz</span>" - <strong><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">HEAT </span></em></strong>was the theme for the day.<br /><br />By noon the mercury had hit above <span style="color:#ff6666;"><em><strong>100 Degrees F</strong></em></span> and with a heat index closer to <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong><em>106 Degrees</em></strong></span> we were thankful to see a Fire Engine at the halfway mark spraying a water mist into the air to cool of the riders.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtmPx1oB-qyztxBKmvEWAkl1iY4MNFkDNmCeO7d3xNmTNrG6mcQYU4Fg2EbYC6CV5Ndj54HOqZpJ7hnj84fsqJeGbfynx82kY1UDgRHz3uTl0kSA7SnwXSINCZL4spxIz5_yUCNExGDld/s1600-h/braz.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347311158347094642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 105px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtmPx1oB-qyztxBKmvEWAkl1iY4MNFkDNmCeO7d3xNmTNrG6mcQYU4Fg2EbYC6CV5Ndj54HOqZpJ7hnj84fsqJeGbfynx82kY1UDgRHz3uTl0kSA7SnwXSINCZL4spxIz5_yUCNExGDld/s320/braz.jpg" border="0" /></a> The ride spent a great deal in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Brazoria</span> County including stretches where we crossed over the Brazos River (Hence the name of the ride)The first part of the ride was against a stiff onshore wind coming in from the Gulf but we made great time and got to the 50 mile marker at a great average of 20mph.<br />Then we went over a railway track and Kenny heard a pop on his bike and automatically started having problems changing gears. I did not look too closely at <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Kenny's</span> Bike, but in hindsight it did resemble one of the wheels off "Fred <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Flintstones</span>" car .<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-XuFheHsv5gVV-FdHg7sAhfdy1d-YIM14u999348Wmkm6jvFdI4bxqIWdXBgDgCu9vDSaoIx25s7GpQgnEqtBWhxwoJZqvYevYvn5bvbm7s7U8yHv7n1ERULgRlNhZN1k9vi-ylp_5QV/s1600-h/flint.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347314391279400482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 119px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 74px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-XuFheHsv5gVV-FdHg7sAhfdy1d-YIM14u999348Wmkm6jvFdI4bxqIWdXBgDgCu9vDSaoIx25s7GpQgnEqtBWhxwoJZqvYevYvn5bvbm7s7U8yHv7n1ERULgRlNhZN1k9vi-ylp_5QV/s320/flint.jpg" border="0" /></a> One of the spokes had snapped and the wheel was wobbling around dramatically as if the wheel had not been invented by Cavemen, and was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">in fact</span> still square in shape.<br /><br />We decided to pull into a a rest stop where some very creative bike mechanics patched Kenny up. The next 50 miles was reasonably uneventful except for the occasional cramping and "day dreaming" of a cool glass of lemonade.<br />The ride was fantastic, and the volunteers "All Stars". It was a good training ride for the Hotter than Hell 100 in August, which today saw very similar temperatures and conditions.Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-8666594689651224922009-06-09T14:40:00.000-07:002009-06-09T16:49:52.830-07:00The Pit and the Pendulum<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75KWjuJ0Z2EIjjl6ewlZ-MS5BDP3IfcjvrwZGn-ohiXHb99Hmq84SHghMaUbDrm-YtKfpCKu8kyn08Fqwv9F9RSCKEGeV__T0g-V9uN7OSCaYKgUpp3SZiaTxHy5lASl8IkwOp8eZtJX6/s1600-h/pplim.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345472928260600434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 146px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 122px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75KWjuJ0Z2EIjjl6ewlZ-MS5BDP3IfcjvrwZGn-ohiXHb99Hmq84SHghMaUbDrm-YtKfpCKu8kyn08Fqwv9F9RSCKEGeV__T0g-V9uN7OSCaYKgUpp3SZiaTxHy5lASl8IkwOp8eZtJX6/s320/pplim.jpg" border="0" /></a> I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">don't</span> know about all of my fellow cyclists out there, but I am sure we have all had those "Near Miss" experiences.<br /><div><div><div></div><div></div><div>That car on a two lane road that insists on passing you as if they are on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonneville_Salt_Flats"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bonneville</span> Salt Flats.</a> In their attempt to pass as close as possible, they <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">nosily</span> honks their horns in disdain and create a massive air vacuum that sees your fingernails piercing the handlebars as you quickly try to remember the Lords Prayer.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXS6sbQPjjfhTkxvsrjYpn30H1N1cz1ykelRBGJTQS7xFwugS82PLfXw5o_Poa07r5i4kc9zrWQ2JTZwyvOy1LjXx5b3-I7iNnAnlPWV3lgkiQd6xU9MYBIEZ5TKN5ivyT16vqXNfJc0FM/s1600-h/bike+safety2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345472700108283058" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 123px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 146px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXS6sbQPjjfhTkxvsrjYpn30H1N1cz1ykelRBGJTQS7xFwugS82PLfXw5o_Poa07r5i4kc9zrWQ2JTZwyvOy1LjXx5b3-I7iNnAnlPWV3lgkiQd6xU9MYBIEZ5TKN5ivyT16vqXNfJc0FM/s320/bike+safety2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Unfortunately</span>, I have experienced this dangerous behavior far too often, and find myself <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">lured</span> into a dark and sinister place of what punishment I could deliver upon the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">assailant</span> if ever got my hands on them. (I know its naughty, and not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Gandhi</span> like .....but it helps my venting process)</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>The Punishment would have to fit the Crime!! </div><div></div><div>In the same way as we feel that whooshing sensation on our legs and arms, and the startling honk of the obnoxious horn, what better way of exacting ones revenge than taking a leaf out of one of those classic old horror movies. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBxYUshISy4gAaFpxc6kMfDQ1O8ccxb2HnQ6xfSd0z919mhuEyxeUy41LBCIBOAHaz6LHzjUEIzHoGXBU1xAAa1QtFvwEf1sev8lwDy7EjcfrSDEfPZVfki0WO8fDQ-Owf8SgzJ2YQXkJ/s1600-h/U0CAINBIPJCAE1WO4MCACB2CS3CAZM3N2LCA6HPWJXCAP2RPNYCAB9OXJVCA6Z0YJ6CAYFSAVQCARNL65HCA5VDB5LCAF6XLV4CAC7BTOOCA0Q6MHDCAM5RND7CABPVR3DCAJGBS6MCACPREU0.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345472583954235074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 101px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBxYUshISy4gAaFpxc6kMfDQ1O8ccxb2HnQ6xfSd0z919mhuEyxeUy41LBCIBOAHaz6LHzjUEIzHoGXBU1xAAa1QtFvwEf1sev8lwDy7EjcfrSDEfPZVfki0WO8fDQ-Owf8SgzJ2YQXkJ/s320/U0CAINBIPJCAE1WO4MCACB2CS3CAZM3N2LCA6HPWJXCAP2RPNYCAB9OXJVCA6Z0YJ6CAYFSAVQCARNL65HCA5VDB5LCAF6XLV4CAC7BTOOCA0Q6MHDCAM5RND7CABPVR3DCAJGBS6MCACPREU0.jpg" border="0" /></a> When I was a young lad growing up, Friday night was significant in the way that it represented the "Horror Movie Ritual". It was a time when the munching of fingernails, and cowering of ones head behind a cushion would take one away from the evil banter of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCeUTkX3A_c&feature=fvw">Vincent Price</a> and Christopher Lee. (I am sure I am ageing myself now). All cars should be fitted with Mr Price's evil laugh anytime they come within three feet of an innocent cyclist.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPM2f4ubLHJDdX-q1PJBQzeXzJe8xdTVxRQk7KFefH3hSgb1U1kczucXuUiaJItg5JRTqCMkiuHiRasdCvSXXeJksFkKMykEOGLXHlZW5gcpznsYUzZCECM1A0_fk_MYfWCm7FXBzERt_Y/s1600-h/s.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345475292027768370" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 127px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 102px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPM2f4ubLHJDdX-q1PJBQzeXzJe8xdTVxRQk7KFefH3hSgb1U1kczucXuUiaJItg5JRTqCMkiuHiRasdCvSXXeJksFkKMykEOGLXHlZW5gcpznsYUzZCECM1A0_fk_MYfWCm7FXBzERt_Y/s320/s.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Unlike the new generation of Wes Craven with his propensity to use up about 1,000 containers of Ketchup the older horror movies relied on suspense, timing, and "what ifs"?</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>One of my Favourites was the classic <a href="http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/poestories/section7.rhtml">"The Pit and the Pendulum"</a> based on the short stories of Edgar Allen Poe. The story is especially effective at inspiring fear in the reader because of its heavy focus on the senses, such as sound, emphasizing its reality, unlike many of Poe's stories which are aided by the supernatural. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Of course in my version there will be a hero who comes to the rescue of the estranged motorist in the unlikely form of a "Bike Messenger" who only agrees to save the assailant after he agrees to have a better attitude towards cyclists.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPK11Uo2X4H4uvxFHTLNg75ujYlcZ_05Tww-0iPGNhet0iffENtT-x31Xr_YsDBeL76euVVIK0DbTYPBMOgS3i290HIxn2ptU4S8Od5OMvLBc2nV4v-NV_s1QYpg_CqEihJVpMMVr8PCNi/s1600-h/5DCA9U5YBPCALOSEVACA9PSLDZCA4MGRG4CAOYII8CCARVIX5OCA7TYBQ2CA3XE6B3CA11TQTZCA1Y3DY8CAOFY8JCCAR4VVSOCA6XMEZ5CAVW2VWOCAAAA9RKCA17FJGECA7KX901CARKVU80.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345473260683861218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 106px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPK11Uo2X4H4uvxFHTLNg75ujYlcZ_05Tww-0iPGNhet0iffENtT-x31Xr_YsDBeL76euVVIK0DbTYPBMOgS3i290HIxn2ptU4S8Od5OMvLBc2nV4v-NV_s1QYpg_CqEihJVpMMVr8PCNi/s320/5DCA9U5YBPCALOSEVACA9PSLDZCA4MGRG4CAOYII8CCARVIX5OCA7TYBQ2CA3XE6B3CA11TQTZCA1Y3DY8CAOFY8JCCAR4VVSOCA6XMEZ5CAVW2VWOCAAAA9RKCA17FJGECA7KX901CARKVU80.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I guess we can always dream! In the meantime be careful out there.</div></div></div>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-71142752210073502992009-06-07T11:39:00.000-07:002009-06-07T13:31:08.636-07:00Forest Gump (Mrs)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpu5jG-mBL04iiQtraUcINX-POuqfFqYhQQIuhO5IDm7DUnmxnVdqag_fkFbmy6zqC1-n8hi5orwg-K5Heh5Rba_V9DhpdFKasPTd9Rsf5cidtnLwaiiw-uKG-RFRsGDIAQpVenFltYjB/s1600-h/DSC02326.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344678307933623234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 393px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpu5jG-mBL04iiQtraUcINX-POuqfFqYhQQIuhO5IDm7DUnmxnVdqag_fkFbmy6zqC1-n8hi5orwg-K5Heh5Rba_V9DhpdFKasPTd9Rsf5cidtnLwaiiw-uKG-RFRsGDIAQpVenFltYjB/s320/DSC02326.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>Friday</strong></div><div>When <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLvasbwj_Lc&feature=related">Forest <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Gump</span></a> uttered that now famous Quote "Life is like a box of Chocolates, you never know what your going to get", I never thought it would have such a resounding application to my riding adventures. </div><div>This weekend was a perfect example! On Friday Sean and I set forth on a 50 mile ride and on one of our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">fav</span> stops we encountered a young lady who was bravely back packing from Florida to Waco Texas along with her dog. </div><div>Her dog could <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">definitely</span> have been an <a href="http://www.travelwithmymule.com/">"Honorary Mule"</a> as he was well <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">equipped</span> with his own panniers and provisions, and she had biceps on her that were proportionate to the huge back pack she was carrying. I guess you <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">don't</span> have to worry about the Gym when your hitting the road! </div><div></div><div>At first we were a bit suspicious and concerned for the young "lassie" but being anxious for a break we exchanged the typical social pleasantries and very quickly realized that our preconceived ideas were sadly judgemental and this exchange was very rewarding.</div><div></div><div>She was great! young, confident, eloquent and full of that "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Joi</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">vivre</span>" that seems to be missing in a great deal of our youth today. She also new a great deal about bikes which of course opened the door for full acceptance. </div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42OHqLcPrAghL2Z-wWOsuREZPUxB8Umlu_TBXQ8Q0widslNEYH-2M5fNZWjadiftjZWpLV0OSesbFBNKTM1dBfDL4723kXz6HGcK2kvoexfN7mL80R_bSV4FJJe6a6EPeZyJ8Mle17KXr/s1600-h/DSC02329.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344678542360199074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 397px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 262px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42OHqLcPrAghL2Z-wWOsuREZPUxB8Umlu_TBXQ8Q0widslNEYH-2M5fNZWjadiftjZWpLV0OSesbFBNKTM1dBfDL4723kXz6HGcK2kvoexfN7mL80R_bSV4FJJe6a6EPeZyJ8Mle17KXr/s320/DSC02329.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42OHqLcPrAghL2Z-wWOsuREZPUxB8Umlu_TBXQ8Q0widslNEYH-2M5fNZWjadiftjZWpLV0OSesbFBNKTM1dBfDL4723kXz6HGcK2kvoexfN7mL80R_bSV4FJJe6a6EPeZyJ8Mle17KXr/s1600-h/DSC02329.JPG"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42OHqLcPrAghL2Z-wWOsuREZPUxB8Umlu_TBXQ8Q0widslNEYH-2M5fNZWjadiftjZWpLV0OSesbFBNKTM1dBfDL4723kXz6HGcK2kvoexfN7mL80R_bSV4FJJe6a6EPeZyJ8Mle17KXr/s1600-h/DSC02329.JPG"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>As we guzzled back our water in attempt to hydrate in the beating sun we listened intently on some of her adventures. In New Orleans she was arrested for trying to hitch a ride on a freight train and had the pleasure of spending the night in one of the Crescent cities finest "Lock ups" while her poor dog was thrown in the pound. </div><div></div><div>She, like any "dog lover" knows found this experience more compounding by her dogs situation than her own <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">dilemma</span>. Still after paying a hunk of change $270 she bailed the dog out of "Doggy Jail" and was on her way swearing never to try to take a ride on the Railroad again. </div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbOxZuUFL_NF66fXCP7bqG01jLbYaA126YYffamJK-bSDtGeS7wMYHCcuIXINzBcb0KBy6nWgsXiUY-YjJT8xvfB2OzkSXf7AU24sgqOkkmy7xDcyplqyvJQ3e_8sr3RniCA1zEW2yiWV/s1600-h/DSC02333.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344679002299927186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 402px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 275px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbOxZuUFL_NF66fXCP7bqG01jLbYaA126YYffamJK-bSDtGeS7wMYHCcuIXINzBcb0KBy6nWgsXiUY-YjJT8xvfB2OzkSXf7AU24sgqOkkmy7xDcyplqyvJQ3e_8sr3RniCA1zEW2yiWV/s320/DSC02333.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>Saturday </strong></div><div>Kenny & I pushed a respectable 50 miles but admitedly jumped on the back of a very fast (23mph hour) Peloton for the last 12 Miles. I could have read a book it was soo comfortable.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTR4hRde6JC8bka0vxZNd8UJJX6nChayzzheBNbX8Xe5YfzWw7riWVKZ50T7APUl5FrOXwME4pDWpaLbm93i0CXqUE5VqQ-Sqz2OScYikMCPZG5ir-I5SkzRZKpw145T5Zdg5aI5pI7-pA/s1600-h/DSC02331.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344678780634869826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 385px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 263px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTR4hRde6JC8bka0vxZNd8UJJX6nChayzzheBNbX8Xe5YfzWw7riWVKZ50T7APUl5FrOXwME4pDWpaLbm93i0CXqUE5VqQ-Sqz2OScYikMCPZG5ir-I5SkzRZKpw145T5Zdg5aI5pI7-pA/s320/DSC02331.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>Sunday</strong></div><div>We started today in great form as I was joined by Sean,Kenny,Andy and Paul (Paul joined up with us today) Had a great ride and found a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Horseshoe</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">en route</span>!!! The wind was stiff from the South and had us on our toes with some difficult cross wind action. One little time event was after 30 miles into the ride when I broke through my 2000 Mile mark for the year. It just happened to be on a hill which I thought was very fitting. </div><div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnraHa0iy5iRbJlrLv5TKmN_-bOFfSA4DYbhbvGMP48aPdSm5yK6it4GrbPpPwepCbhioebTp9RpPQSoyioV96n4K31nn4-vNJBTLdvfNqaDFGbAoU2zydQFDXvyUlQKUxoJ55Q7enpIvH/s1600-h/DSC02334.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344679220781538994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnraHa0iy5iRbJlrLv5TKmN_-bOFfSA4DYbhbvGMP48aPdSm5yK6it4GrbPpPwepCbhioebTp9RpPQSoyioV96n4K31nn4-vNJBTLdvfNqaDFGbAoU2zydQFDXvyUlQKUxoJ55Q7enpIvH/s320/DSC02334.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div></div></div></div>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-49066237525984090592009-06-04T15:56:00.000-07:002009-06-05T04:09:39.484-07:00Memorial Day "Mules" Pt 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxQ8GEEJ_lx7UXRLgCGZD44GCf64iW2pJHTrZwGFdSumI2C9bqfiUal89fsF0CEyznSvEBB2lq6j7j61ZAh36Ld_7yyoOgTAWXXP8EjauV73TY6PrqrOXS327VHEQ-YKIv5UhSsXANpQH/s1600-h/Mules_1+Kenny.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343799052973368034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 318px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxQ8GEEJ_lx7UXRLgCGZD44GCf64iW2pJHTrZwGFdSumI2C9bqfiUal89fsF0CEyznSvEBB2lq6j7j61ZAh36Ld_7yyoOgTAWXXP8EjauV73TY6PrqrOXS327VHEQ-YKIv5UhSsXANpQH/s320/Mules_1+Kenny.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6JS86ILa6NwC7dkxDxe2OMlSl6Tce1l6YWUkD_HC1G2nKdO8I2YGvvnpsH24c6z_QnLCAaN4uZE6bJ8cyuRDEHrbddpq8k7RAhvpm-0bF0iOYYamGNIUJuqZbW3OMfppvS8ZQXBPshTq/s1600-h/P5240008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343612633481007074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6JS86ILa6NwC7dkxDxe2OMlSl6Tce1l6YWUkD_HC1G2nKdO8I2YGvvnpsH24c6z_QnLCAaN4uZE6bJ8cyuRDEHrbddpq8k7RAhvpm-0bF0iOYYamGNIUJuqZbW3OMfppvS8ZQXBPshTq/s320/P5240008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibolibj8_DCz9hM3blKEyo1T-t8XPDcBWvXpYzBIp44mZKsBcgysR3bEZkw8cCppwIiEhRN6iNyM_wnaF-En3Sjr2njhbFR4uXjAvUK9xAyzTgSCmJpHo5U3WG8aEGxatMwQ7nTquCdL35/s1600-h/P5240004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343612440495694770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibolibj8_DCz9hM3blKEyo1T-t8XPDcBWvXpYzBIp44mZKsBcgysR3bEZkw8cCppwIiEhRN6iNyM_wnaF-En3Sjr2njhbFR4uXjAvUK9xAyzTgSCmJpHo5U3WG8aEGxatMwQ7nTquCdL35/s320/P5240004.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GaeOZlNeOmUk9-_y42ZIBKSIdvfYzXQIdI79PCMssBbKMuMEBBCJ3ogfYZHuRfsjBvh6JYzOW26ZTbNnnvf4pDHKeFp4OMg74xbyB_JPKOiHarzRHFMjcSlvRg9OVVpxF644VIK2P6lU/s1600-h/P5240003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343612302471282642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GaeOZlNeOmUk9-_y42ZIBKSIdvfYzXQIdI79PCMssBbKMuMEBBCJ3ogfYZHuRfsjBvh6JYzOW26ZTbNnnvf4pDHKeFp4OMg74xbyB_JPKOiHarzRHFMjcSlvRg9OVVpxF644VIK2P6lU/s320/P5240003.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGHZ-77J01Ny2Msf6INhobtNote8P-pjMfRg30MT3RW0rA4TnOuROqEIaMSPTA3of5v11RTUPJio9rWXDPbsQSKgC-SRHaPZzdrT0D3FBWrNFGkTNT7V_eji47kgtCDqBL1ZKygJlwGGp/s1600-h/Mules_1.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-91831657646577445592009-05-29T14:40:00.000-07:002009-06-04T16:07:22.925-07:00The "Memorial Day" Mules Pt 1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvby63h0gRLD88ueJUwjqdm8h8aq9zecZ1Ovfu8LFlbOOXBoBn9ehvyvim7WhZM5TYC5RyL8gdejWaqSV5BCGhk3LidRhSHbrjaPE0hbrN7sP5NIOO6qvp3T3Xa3xronoCL-31Mjgsur1/s1600-h/poppt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341374325609910514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 438px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvby63h0gRLD88ueJUwjqdm8h8aq9zecZ1Ovfu8LFlbOOXBoBn9ehvyvim7WhZM5TYC5RyL8gdejWaqSV5BCGhk3LidRhSHbrjaPE0hbrN7sP5NIOO6qvp3T3Xa3xronoCL-31Mjgsur1/s320/poppt.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiER2vk1AjGmZlXGFmWWZab8aIGkBQbPMiiHZ4ffkj7k7fWnKkSnoL4KBbmqp8fWhzn1i2ospD0z5OFcUsrsXTTJGZdJpvybyn_CRTG_PceZExslt8LJFkwzp7A7Cnh-HSvlpV8nSbBhKtP/s1600-h/BellvilleWatertower04DavidStall.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341369087787599906" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 100px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 295px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiER2vk1AjGmZlXGFmWWZab8aIGkBQbPMiiHZ4ffkj7k7fWnKkSnoL4KBbmqp8fWhzn1i2ospD0z5OFcUsrsXTTJGZdJpvybyn_CRTG_PceZExslt8LJFkwzp7A7Cnh-HSvlpV8nSbBhKtP/s320/BellvilleWatertower04DavidStall.jpg" border="0" /></a>Last Sunday me and my fellow <a href="http://www.travelwithmymule.com/TheOldeMuleTrail.html">"Mules"</a> decided to push our riding endurance to a new level in our attempt to ready our selves for the <a href="http://www.hh100.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=61">"Hotter than Hell 100" </a>later in the year.<br />Our route took us from a suburban neighborhood on the outskirts of Houston to the rural town of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellville,_Texas"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bellville</span></a> in Austin County and back, a total distance of 108 Miles. It was a perfect start as we left Houston at 06:30 under clear skies with a slight head wind that steadily increased during the course of the morning. By the 30 Mile marker we were were averaging 20mph but that soon changed as our scheduled water stop at a familiar "Taco Shack" was closed and we had to endure the last 23 miles into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bellville</span> in a highly dehydrated state, knocking our average down to 19mph. (we did not make the same mistake on the home leg)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4-tM7nzVPCjKvY3ZLcNsvcvIAAS6MtJMS6pvS_zUGzjEwmUVtUD48EWE4ymcB8z_ASdKCvLy3rRxP-sRUPt0S8QFbBd2oMr9vmCwijcf8T-njb5rVSyNZPaYD7l-igIfJYGehp0W7QJA/s1600-h/hill.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341372861244227906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 326px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 242px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4-tM7nzVPCjKvY3ZLcNsvcvIAAS6MtJMS6pvS_zUGzjEwmUVtUD48EWE4ymcB8z_ASdKCvLy3rRxP-sRUPt0S8QFbBd2oMr9vmCwijcf8T-njb5rVSyNZPaYD7l-igIfJYGehp0W7QJA/s320/hill.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4-tM7nzVPCjKvY3ZLcNsvcvIAAS6MtJMS6pvS_zUGzjEwmUVtUD48EWE4ymcB8z_ASdKCvLy3rRxP-sRUPt0S8QFbBd2oMr9vmCwijcf8T-njb5rVSyNZPaYD7l-igIfJYGehp0W7QJA/s1600-h/hill.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XWZ490BJYwjHlu4hPhbnY9hO5zVZflOjr43DlDruDNySZS3zllysfxuaSuVPKQHCuttpipskZXBJ_dNrKEKgXhMMilHtfscb61g2AmV1I1ojcST_iMooycDVr5YOTYSchyphenhyphenI1YVmsZa95/s1600-h/Medal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341386429443866162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 99px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 294px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XWZ490BJYwjHlu4hPhbnY9hO5zVZflOjr43DlDruDNySZS3zllysfxuaSuVPKQHCuttpipskZXBJ_dNrKEKgXhMMilHtfscb61g2AmV1I1ojcST_iMooycDVr5YOTYSchyphenhyphenI1YVmsZa95/s320/Medal.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Left to Right:<br /><a href="http://kennethrhame.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#ffff66;">Kenny "5 Hour Energy" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Rhame</span></span></a><br /><a href="http://www.andysms150.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#ffff66;">Andy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Brickell</span></span></a><br /><span style="color:#ffff99;">Myself -</span> Holding the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">commemorative</span> Poppy<br /><span style="color:#ffff99;">Sean Lloyd</span><br /><a href="http://www.travelwithmymule.com/OurBlogs.html"><span style="color:#ffff99;">David "Waffles" Hill</span></a><br />Apart from the incentive of one of the "Hills" famous hamburgers I asked my fellow riders <a href="http://www.travelwithmymule.com/TheOldeMuleTrail.html">"The Mules" </a>to consider the ride a Memorial one, and to carry pictures or <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">mementos</span> of people they wanted to remember or honour in our cycling effort.<br />Mine was an easy one as I carefully wrapped up:<br /><br /><ul><li>The last picture taken of my father and me just before he died of cancer a couple of years ago. (L-R Paddy,Dad, Andy, Phil)<br /></li><li>A WW1 "Great War" Medal of my Great Grandfather </li><br /><li>Poppy <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Commemorative</span> Cross from Westminster Abbey</li></ul>My Father was a my real hero in life, but it really did not become that evident <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXF88lX8Lr-HoUd8NhHIlz1RqsaUOGlHjmIwMU5TWYvyU4Uxww1k_suwSx7SHTYZMzZoYEHkG-wAR6_F7Iedc8AEhtGv4wua9k3vuzEYU1MuI5B55l_i3GxV9uASfSxnsLl5u2WGYUA__/s1600-h/dad.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341386863034956338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXF88lX8Lr-HoUd8NhHIlz1RqsaUOGlHjmIwMU5TWYvyU4Uxww1k_suwSx7SHTYZMzZoYEHkG-wAR6_F7Iedc8AEhtGv4wua9k3vuzEYU1MuI5B55l_i3GxV9uASfSxnsLl5u2WGYUA__/s320/dad.gif" border="0" /></a> until after he passed and I really started to miss him.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />He served his country well as a Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force, and made a real commitment to follow his dreams and goals and live life to the fullest.<br />He bravely completed two transatlantic crossings with his wife Sue in a small 36' yacht, competed in the World Masters Laser competitions all around the world, and loved to spend as much time on a bike as possible.<br />Spending time around bikes became a great retirement challenge for him and he always encouraged us to take up the sport.<br />It certainly rubbed off on all of us!<br />Both <a href="http://philipshrimpton.blogspot.com/">Phil</a> and I are avid cyclists and our younger brother Andy owns a bike store <a href="http://www.cycle-heaven.co.uk/">"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Cycleheaven</span>"</a> in York where he actively campaigns and promotes safe cycling.<br />Our step sister <a href="http://wildhogsmtb.ning.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Sare</span> </a>keeps us in check with her own fantastic cycling endeavours in South Africa and in so many ways cycling has brought us all together. We miss you Dad!!!<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff66;"><em><strong>Its my goal to complete 100 miles every Memorial day to keep our loved ones Memories alive and to remember those who have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">sacrificed</span> theirs.<br /><br /></strong></em></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUegVRQpD7rss0CEHcsin25_oiA_nDbnfDHK_NunVttitTco5gzvNAlbPb32MmWlpuHRw7aVBuX5fmDpjOC4Shq-5vqD5qiIPEOEmqi8bE-oKMgFC7HzRi5WxowWW9slkcOEC9BaREwrta/s1600-h/pp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341365858416945906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 153px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 123px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUegVRQpD7rss0CEHcsin25_oiA_nDbnfDHK_NunVttitTco5gzvNAlbPb32MmWlpuHRw7aVBuX5fmDpjOC4Shq-5vqD5qiIPEOEmqi8bE-oKMgFC7HzRi5WxowWW9slkcOEC9BaREwrta/s320/pp.jpg" border="0" /></a>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-26123119055617275012009-05-22T15:04:00.000-07:002009-05-22T17:19:50.800-07:00Survivor - Junk in Cycle LanesLast w<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlo-jwb95BWMFRVekAXKiBFG37Bwy6vB9I2y_ICTQ_IiQARFSISKrvZhadej0NBCD3F7PDtBxwwwtxkOAQEEW60clsjF5-1XNcJSpKF1p6v11LyDKxV2TEjxuuSlK8ptKxEEdpoj2o-10/s1600-h/ladder.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338787403933243506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 82px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 114px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlo-jwb95BWMFRVekAXKiBFG37Bwy6vB9I2y_ICTQ_IiQARFSISKrvZhadej0NBCD3F7PDtBxwwwtxkOAQEEW60clsjF5-1XNcJSpKF1p6v11LyDKxV2TEjxuuSlK8ptKxEEdpoj2o-10/s320/ladder.jpg" border="0" /></a>eek my twin brother wrote a great blog entitled <a href="http://philipshrimpton.blogspot.com/2009/05/snakes-and-ladders.html">Snakes and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ladd</span></span></a><a href="http://philipshrimpton.blogspot.com/2009/05/snakes-and-ladders.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ers</span></span></a>. The theme of the blog was based on the ups and downs of training and the frustration it can sometimes bring. The irony of Snakes & Ladders was not lost on me or probably any cyclist who adorns the roads of Texas.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzgpVv5GyXnuL9KTerb7OYKERRX5qPxZog1Z45xcI7-BXUT5aobLJ8Az05kECK0zbWB9iXrXXqSlAvzG3Exh3VzxqOywvcDQxZGi8zrlMxNBOL23nLsyZpn3fg1QGxWiusK4R2K-cgB8F/s1600-h/Copperhead.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338787293873630498" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 111px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 83px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzgpVv5GyXnuL9KTerb7OYKERRX5qPxZog1Z45xcI7-BXUT5aobLJ8Az05kECK0zbWB9iXrXXqSlAvzG3Exh3VzxqOywvcDQxZGi8zrlMxNBOL23nLsyZpn3fg1QGxWiusK4R2K-cgB8F/s320/Copperhead.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Just today I saw a Texas Copperhead which decided to venture out onto the asphalt just as I was taking a drink. If that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">wasn't</span> enough I can't recall a day that I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">don't</span> see a ladder or two neatly brushed aside of the road into......YES!!! <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">you've</span> got it the cycle lane.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I used to ride with one spare tire but now I am <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">practically</span> a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Michellin</span></span> Tires <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnO_fYLdHuqciJT4iXQN4H1lPK0TEnp06ZvDKQ8jfJDA1x2sZnOqys7CAQmHl50UyKyBOFAeoweBr2eLI0l6hhv5oyT04UEGvyxG501nhZMsUPJaOUzlWCp2vxAoMEPx91jpBUpMaSoxJ/s1600-h/Survivor.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338787985732873186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 89px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 135px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnO_fYLdHuqciJT4iXQN4H1lPK0TEnp06ZvDKQ8jfJDA1x2sZnOqys7CAQmHl50UyKyBOFAeoweBr2eLI0l6hhv5oyT04UEGvyxG501nhZMsUPJaOUzlWCp2vxAoMEPx91jpBUpMaSoxJ/s320/Survivor.jpg" border="0" /></a>shareholder. Its absolutely amazing what you see in the road when your cycling...... apart from the "Snakes and Ladders". </div><div><br />When I was a sixteen and living in Singapore my brother Phil and I went on a Jungle survival course with the<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANZUK"> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ANZUK</span></span> </a>Forces. It was an amazing experience for a teenager and very similar to what we have been subjected to on TV for the last 6 years on American TV</div><ul><li>"<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Survivor</span> 6!"</li><br /><li>"Survivor Strikes Again" </li><br /><li>"Return of the Survivor"</li></ul><div>You get the idea!!!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tZXzQ7B-LJgXuZqFq0meHDaqlEMTQy1pAUzKwX8AQIDpSkjaI1mM4McRlSP2srEooFKxK0WqRGeNpMbHmn6dPNx6_Cu5blJY6EUhbOQBgq7Hu17Cu2GO4TSkpqwuhc6Iua4k0PUqBAVY/s1600-h/Potted+Plants.jpg"></a></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tZXzQ7B-LJgXuZqFq0meHDaqlEMTQy1pAUzKwX8AQIDpSkjaI1mM4McRlSP2srEooFKxK0WqRGeNpMbHmn6dPNx6_Cu5blJY6EUhbOQBgq7Hu17Cu2GO4TSkpqwuhc6Iua4k0PUqBAVY/s1600-h/Potted+Plants.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338789653395261330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 113px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tZXzQ7B-LJgXuZqFq0meHDaqlEMTQy1pAUzKwX8AQIDpSkjaI1mM4McRlSP2srEooFKxK0WqRGeNpMbHmn6dPNx6_Cu5blJY6EUhbOQBgq7Hu17Cu2GO4TSkpqwuhc6Iua4k0PUqBAVY/s320/Potted+Plants.jpg" border="0" /></a> Unlike the Survivor series we were left to fend for ourselves without the smiley faced <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Probst">"Jeff Pr</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Probst"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">obst</span></span>"</a> coming out of the bushes and telling us we had to have a tribal council. </div><div>The thought <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">occurred</span> to me today in my solitary semi-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">delusional</span> heat impacted state as I reached my 40 mile marker.</div><div>What if I were stuck on a desert Island? ...or in some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">desolate</span> jungle?</div><div></div><div></div><div>Could I possibly survive with just the junk I pass on my rides?</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div>Lets see now:</div><div></div><br /><div><strong><em>Ladder -</em></strong> <span style="color:#ffff99;">For collecting coconuts, collecting palm fonds, bridging rivers</span></div><div><span style="color:#ffff99;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ffff99;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ffff99;"></span></div><div></div><div><strong><em><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Mattresses</span> -</em></strong> <span style="color:#ffff99;">Certainly an upgrade to sleeping on Palm Fonds</span></div><div><span style="color:#ffff99;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ffff99;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ffff99;"></span></div><div></div><div><strong><em>Plywood -</em></strong> <span style="color:#ffff99;">To build my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">palatial</span> abode (Of course we all know there are nails on the road)</span></div><div><span style="color:#ffff99;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ffff99;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ffff99;"></span></div><div><strong><em>Lawn <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Furniture</span> -</em></strong> <span style="color:#ffff99;">To set up a bridge table to play cards with the monkeys</span></div><div><span style="color:#ffff99;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ffff99;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ffff99;"></span></div><div><strong><em>Sod -</em></strong> <span style="color:#ffff99;">To landscape around my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Palatial</span> abode</span></div><div><span style="color:#ffff99;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ffff99;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ffff99;"></span></div><div><strong><em>Lawn Tools -</em></strong> <span style="color:#ffff99;">Weapons of mass destruction (If you knew my gardening skills you would know)</span></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#ffff99;"></span></div><div></div><div><strong><em>Potted Plants -</em></strong> <span style="color:#ffff99;">Something to talk to</span></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div><em><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Tell me what interesting items <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">you've</span> come across to add to my "Survivor Island?<br /></span></strong></em></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15B0OEJE5Xi4I5P68AoTlHbxH5sRoQHSla9YmeMVfMn1fm-12jYLol5OrRwRcUyvyrFmwKpShEVKiDImeBGqmBqKT23vC9_8EFpGznFWm2SLA8cLdZil6orGRWGUtLoA_KRfR7RAvGuoL/s1600-h/Garden+Tools.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338789502578866178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 84px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 126px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15B0OEJE5Xi4I5P68AoTlHbxH5sRoQHSla9YmeMVfMn1fm-12jYLol5OrRwRcUyvyrFmwKpShEVKiDImeBGqmBqKT23vC9_8EFpGznFWm2SLA8cLdZil6orGRWGUtLoA_KRfR7RAvGuoL/s320/Garden+Tools.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmBXRTXnm-mmxJiQHNlUk-g12LYlkKVOTKVwdahk5wNn1XCEM-0CV4T0qa6nC4i-x__DY-X1yQBysHv5050gudO1lt9Ie7NLP3ezYbxl31KZQFSDU_-Cw6OdTM99sSwUeYMZDN2-lrTPg/s1600-h/texas.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338787902046738242" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 124px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 120px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmBXRTXnm-mmxJiQHNlUk-g12LYlkKVOTKVwdahk5wNn1XCEM-0CV4T0qa6nC4i-x__DY-X1yQBysHv5050gudO1lt9Ie7NLP3ezYbxl31KZQFSDU_-Cw6OdTM99sSwUeYMZDN2-lrTPg/s320/texas.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8BR0Hzwhr3Vd7r2SYilClkMkYejmMnNKvDgM8ES53Bb76eWH4m02u9XHGUeyEt2HwqTSuw6EYVA9gqE7_-_4meguTHqMnde8Y1YLiUM6uuz5YhHkzP4Ex0ayj3QcsF04KR2SAKuhxd2L/s1600-h/Sod.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338787796233335474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 124px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 93px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8BR0Hzwhr3Vd7r2SYilClkMkYejmMnNKvDgM8ES53Bb76eWH4m02u9XHGUeyEt2HwqTSuw6EYVA9gqE7_-_4meguTHqMnde8Y1YLiUM6uuz5YhHkzP4Ex0ayj3QcsF04KR2SAKuhxd2L/s320/Sod.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzjpNXQhtK8-Z7IGjYJLkwO6fvQTMY15FKDNkqgOy-BgxRUmVvbj9ynwFR544nF6JvEwOpHttVHv94B5IMmwz3ANSOh7GVPjg5ZetCw48FY0Nhi0QZMXX7RUHLHbNRp8XBkkxKpgfwjxo/s1600-h/Mattress.jpg"></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Many moons ago while sailing around the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Caribbean</span> I had a favorite place to hang out which very much resembled the type of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Palatial</span> Palace that can be made of junk called <a href="http://www.bombasurfsideshack.com/default.asp">"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Bomba's</span> Shack"</a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Bomba</span> essential built his establishment on any scraps of driftwood or junk that washed up in Cane Garden Bay. </div><div></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Unfortunately</span> there <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">aren't</span> too many <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Bomba's</span> in the world to pick up after us! so lets keep it clean out there.</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgxdQSJUDE-F3humHdBBcofcdUqSQCK6HM0KEdwtg0a4WY6XC8V3Q8vjeJVE36xQsjyeEbxAGCYvFx5M44riS4w0sKz1xFKo3LqznL8h4nVRJAO5rRU_Fdmw-wK8SDFnssTRiBNUsIx-M/s1600-h/BVIBombaShack2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338800869686232306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 285px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 185px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgxdQSJUDE-F3humHdBBcofcdUqSQCK6HM0KEdwtg0a4WY6XC8V3Q8vjeJVE36xQsjyeEbxAGCYvFx5M44riS4w0sKz1xFKo3LqznL8h4nVRJAO5rRU_Fdmw-wK8SDFnssTRiBNUsIx-M/s320/BVIBombaShack2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div></div></div></div></div>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-9771872466174204842009-05-17T13:38:00.000-07:002009-05-17T15:04:38.584-07:00The Cheetah is fast But !!!!A couple of months ago I was suffering from insomnia and found myself watching a documentary in the early hours of the morning revealing the fastest animals on the planet. The results were fascinating, especially number <span style="color:#ffff66;">10</span> which is now firmly etched in my brain.<br /><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVIwLtJHNWUq5jhypqO9q_qVL4KwiR1rloBMSapkOl9djX3l1E64WgxYaOQQwfYcVU-py3dDxXDqhM1GPyZW67qgAbXWw8v-tHTkkhJ3SCxs0wwQvjwC-Ezpg9mEHUv6fYd4iqgoT_EPn/s1600-h/chhetah.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336900562905251474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 422px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 244px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVIwLtJHNWUq5jhypqO9q_qVL4KwiR1rloBMSapkOl9djX3l1E64WgxYaOQQwfYcVU-py3dDxXDqhM1GPyZW67qgAbXWw8v-tHTkkhJ3SCxs0wwQvjwC-Ezpg9mEHUv6fYd4iqgoT_EPn/s320/chhetah.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>1. Cheetah (Speed in mph :70 )<br />2. Pronghorn Antelope (Speed in mph :61 )</div><div>3. Wildebeest (Speed in mph :50 )</div><div>4. Lion (Speed in mph :50 )</div><div>5. Thomson's Gazelle (Speed in mph :50 )</div><div>6. Quarterhorse (Speed in mph :47.5 )</div><div>7. Elk (Speed in mph :45 )</div><div>8. Cape Hunting Dog (Speed in mph :45 )</div><div>9. Coyote (Speed in mph :43 )</div><div><br /></div><div><strong><em><span style="color:#ffff66;">10. Bad Tempered Spandex Muncher on Olde Washington Road </span></em></strong></div><div><strong><em><span style="color:#ffff66;">(Speed in excess of 33 mph ) </span></em></strong></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>All I can say in National Geographic's defence is that perhaps the dog that chased me today was probably not from this Planet, but sent down to create a colony of dogs whose sole aim in life is to torment:</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOzXHu5NC93gHnflNUSOaMSTufKm5EuYkq9OdMgMzwRM5C2nNMWl9v6gKsRUCs1ESfJPyNgnqaHpzO79NCRoghrazlzofhIxlGoD0uodz1bErrNkG1jQryCedUmnc4adYGLo9EnCoOoL4/s1600-h/coyote.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOzXHu5NC93gHnflNUSOaMSTufKm5EuYkq9OdMgMzwRM5C2nNMWl9v6gKsRUCs1ESfJPyNgnqaHpzO79NCRoghrazlzofhIxlGoD0uodz1bErrNkG1jQryCedUmnc4adYGLo9EnCoOoL4/s1600-h/coyote.jpg"></a></div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOzXHu5NC93gHnflNUSOaMSTufKm5EuYkq9OdMgMzwRM5C2nNMWl9v6gKsRUCs1ESfJPyNgnqaHpzO79NCRoghrazlzofhIxlGoD0uodz1bErrNkG1jQryCedUmnc4adYGLo9EnCoOoL4/s1600-h/coyote.jpg"></a></div><ul><li><div align="left">Cyclists</div></li><li><div align="left">Mailmen</div></li><li><div align="left">Pizza Delivery </div></li><li><div align="left">Newspaper Delivery </div></li><li><div align="left">Cats</div></li><li><div align="left">Cars</div></li></ul><div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOzXHu5NC93gHnflNUSOaMSTufKm5EuYkq9OdMgMzwRM5C2nNMWl9v6gKsRUCs1ESfJPyNgnqaHpzO79NCRoghrazlzofhIxlGoD0uodz1bErrNkG1jQryCedUmnc4adYGLo9EnCoOoL4/s1600-h/coyote.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336900669519068786" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 415px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 203px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOzXHu5NC93gHnflNUSOaMSTufKm5EuYkq9OdMgMzwRM5C2nNMWl9v6gKsRUCs1ESfJPyNgnqaHpzO79NCRoghrazlzofhIxlGoD0uodz1bErrNkG1jQryCedUmnc4adYGLo9EnCoOoL4/s320/coyote.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><div></div><div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOzXHu5NC93gHnflNUSOaMSTufKm5EuYkq9OdMgMzwRM5C2nNMWl9v6gKsRUCs1ESfJPyNgnqaHpzO79NCRoghrazlzofhIxlGoD0uodz1bErrNkG1jQryCedUmnc4adYGLo9EnCoOoL4/s1600-h/coyote.jpg"></a></div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Don't get me wrong, I am a huge dog lover and one that has nursed his fair share of dogs in his time.You think they would know? Perhaps I can get a "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Nightingale"><span style="color:#ffff66;">Florence Nightingale</span> </a>for Dogs" sticker to put on my bike. A kind of "get out of jail free" card for cyclists, where the pursuing dog will notice the membership and revert to the next rider in line. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicepxkjUrnvplYZL3Gx711DXWe2aq-TufkQDiSryjwzM0AFpGQjGEbghryeQeZd97JBxHhmEs7D8b8j7mOB0xJMHjlc3eU3I1N652ZTOX2IuubRa9GGIYoZD2wBjoxpLUD7rlkOX1JxFG/s1600-h/hrate.jpg"></a></div><div>When the "Beast of Burden" started to make chase I thought about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Cavendish">Mark Cavendish </a>or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Hoy">Chris Hoy</a> and that even if I could manage 2/3rds of their sprinting skills I may have a chance. The faster I went the more the beast drooled looking at my latex clad backside as his own personnel Sunday Lunch.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kTqWzJn-pQ2XuGUe59S89p8ZL6IZnWPzyiEggGq5ildRvRpM4i49cV1Pct4OSjCkl8n3WOJn00f7-jtgOhDqYfojGGKc74DNqAK0qj1RgtDvhUF7eWmoAVRJZ29nBoLthFTM1femRTUE/s1600-h/do.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336910123930672722" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 98px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kTqWzJn-pQ2XuGUe59S89p8ZL6IZnWPzyiEggGq5ildRvRpM4i49cV1Pct4OSjCkl8n3WOJn00f7-jtgOhDqYfojGGKc74DNqAK0qj1RgtDvhUF7eWmoAVRJZ29nBoLthFTM1femRTUE/s320/do.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>This beast didn't care about the veggies or gravy all he wanted was Rare Rump!!! </div><div>After I finally evaded the dog I looked back fearing that Andy & Sean (My cycling buddies) would be a mess of gnarled bodies lying by the roadside I was surprised to see the dog was not even interested in them. </div><div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicepxkjUrnvplYZL3Gx711DXWe2aq-TufkQDiSryjwzM0AFpGQjGEbghryeQeZd97JBxHhmEs7D8b8j7mOB0xJMHjlc3eU3I1N652ZTOX2IuubRa9GGIYoZD2wBjoxpLUD7rlkOX1JxFG/s1600-h/hrate.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336902572565400274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 144px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 77px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicepxkjUrnvplYZL3Gx711DXWe2aq-TufkQDiSryjwzM0AFpGQjGEbghryeQeZd97JBxHhmEs7D8b8j7mOB0xJMHjlc3eU3I1N652ZTOX2IuubRa9GGIYoZD2wBjoxpLUD7rlkOX1JxFG/s320/hrate.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><div>When I got home later and plugged in my Garmin I was not surprised at all that my heart rate had topped 190 bpm and my speed had passed the 30 mph. This got my thinking how fast could one actually go on a bike.</div><div></div><div></div><div>In track sprint racing riders are timed over the final 200 metres and top riders will regularly clock under 11 seconds which is close to 40 mph. I know from experience that a road with a gradual downgrade and a following wind are optimum for higher speeds.</div><div>Add in a "Beast" for good measure and who knows?? <a href="http://bicycling.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_worlds_fastest_bicycles">(More on the subject)</a></div></div><div></div><div>For those of you who have there own neighborhood harbinger of terror here are a few good links:</div><ul><li><a href="http://bicycling.about.com/od/howtoride/tp/dogs_and_bikes.htm">About.com - Bikes</a></li><li><a href="http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-40736.html">Bike Forums - Dog Chasing<br /></a><br /></li></ul>Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871449647542481219.post-32743050703991886492009-05-13T17:24:00.000-07:002009-05-13T19:09:57.822-07:00"But Why? Some say the Moon?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJ1b_5F35viQTzIjR8FMNXKcnYU6O0t1AlzDslMMPPjGCtaW4vAbRhUGNduhih1GztUxu65voN7YOS45A1IPxB-X_mb1ksyWh1itxAF8Ll1Ww9Xbx1YyYaBpxES-GTjLDFFUpJ8Fkxt_Z/s1600-h/moon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335470272975690018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 131px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 98px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJ1b_5F35viQTzIjR8FMNXKcnYU6O0t1AlzDslMMPPjGCtaW4vAbRhUGNduhih1GztUxu65voN7YOS45A1IPxB-X_mb1ksyWh1itxAF8Ll1Ww9Xbx1YyYaBpxES-GTjLDFFUpJ8Fkxt_Z/s320/moon.jpg" border="0" /></a>In the transformational style of JFK we were asked the simple question of where our motivation lies..... He goes on to say <em><span style="color:#ffff66;">"We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organise and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win".</span></em><br />Training, and in particular cycling holds the same challenges as long as we except the basic tenets:<br /><br /><ul><li><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Challenge</span> is one that we are willing to accept </li><br /><li>Challenge is one that we are NOT willing to postpone</li></ul>I could very easily get up when I wake up (Now <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">there's</span> a Novel idea) have a hearty breakfast at Denny's or some hash browns at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Mc</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Donald's. </span><br />I would then head out for a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">leisurely</span> 10 mile ride at a brisk pace while trying to convince myself that I am exceeding the 30 min per day of exercise the Surgeon General has <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">recommended</span> for my basic well being.<br />After all that would be quite <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">civilised. </span>I could even meet some like minded people on the road and discuss "Leno" or other shows that you have to stay up late to see. (Bedtime is now 7 pm)<br /><br />Its difficult to acknowledge, especially as you start getting into the age stratosphere of 40+ that training has elevated itself from a routine exercise to a major challenge. Those motivational juices that were once easy to cunjure become more and more difficult to stir up.<br />Fortunately, for me I have my own specialized custom made cattle prod in the way of my <a href="http://philipshrimpton.blogspot.com/"><strong><span style="color:#ffff99;">twin brother</span></strong></a> , who is also vying for the same goals.<br /><br /><em><strong><span style="color:#ffff33;">During the Week</span></strong></em><br />Do I<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4511Gf23bT4M9DCc11aUkDO6NmABAXzUfNZRF_8P3jKmaix6xeGfjjyHe2x5cMCRMXEKLVes61EpfjBJ91HfzPkhwiSXghQvpGo1qfb0998RNa-rQ9oc9xygToK_ntHh-yzdH_BAhLqoc/s1600-h/3+o+clock.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335489954613918434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 93px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 101px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4511Gf23bT4M9DCc11aUkDO6NmABAXzUfNZRF_8P3jKmaix6xeGfjjyHe2x5cMCRMXEKLVes61EpfjBJ91HfzPkhwiSXghQvpGo1qfb0998RNa-rQ9oc9xygToK_ntHh-yzdH_BAhLqoc/s320/3+o+clock.jpg" border="0" /></a> like getting up at 3:00 am? then eating something that has the texture of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">cardboard</span> and the taste of grass. As I drive to the Gym...... my X-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Menesque</span> vision can see normal people sound a sleep dreaming of waffles and pancakes. I used to promise myself that I would train after work, but as each day ended with a poor fatigued excuse I realized I had to steal some time from the other end of the day.<br />The morning does works for me quite well, especially as I feel so energised in starting my day but I have to admit on occasions the alarm clock has seen time fly! Only to be picked up and patched up with another layer of duct tape when I get home.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff99;"><strong><em>The Weekend Rides</em></strong></span><br />I used to like riding with people who were slower than me. It would be a great opportunity to slow down, rest, catch my breath while convincing myself that I must be good if I am waiting for someone twenty years younger than me to catch up.<br /><br />It wasn't until I heard that expression "Lipstick on a Pig" that it started to make sense.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81318b_4Fh2lOAD9ibeGmn5q9q9Lthg8EqO3RV39rLdBOUtTo4A4qsCmeb2N7dlaXF7qwEV0jv1dkb5jh9nhdU3seTtsUAd8qIM6iFk0tamSmkmS48NL4sCo-IYThqzdL5WgwnEY2x08k/s1600-h/pig.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335486130921638706" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 101px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 124px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81318b_4Fh2lOAD9ibeGmn5q9q9Lthg8EqO3RV39rLdBOUtTo4A4qsCmeb2N7dlaXF7qwEV0jv1dkb5jh9nhdU3seTtsUAd8qIM6iFk0tamSmkmS48NL4sCo-IYThqzdL5WgwnEY2x08k/s320/pig.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Convincing myself that I was an average rider was only a different color of "Lipstick" and the only way I would ever improve was to cycle with riders far better than myself, and go much further than what was comfortable for me.<br /><br />It sucks trying to keep up with that fast <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peloton"><strong><span style="color:#ffff99;">Pace <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Peloton</span>,</span></strong></a> and just when you think they are waiting for you at the top of the hill as you are doing the best impression of the "I think I can" steam engine they "charge off" again leaving you with the firm resolution to set your alarm clock ten minutes earlier.<br /><br />There are no easy fixes! all the lipstick in Macy's is not going to help. If you want to be a stronger rider you have to work harder, not hard.<br /><br />This time last year I started training hard for a fantastic August event we have in Texas called the<strong> </strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotter"><strong>"Hotter than Hell" </strong></a>100 Mile Endurance Ride. I finished the grueling ride in just under 5 hours having an average speed of 20 mph by far my best time in any cycling event to date.<br /><br />Last year it was my challenge! My moon but this year is different!<br /><br />I will be accompanied by my twin brother and his friend Simon from England and my regular "young buck" riding buddies Dave,Kenny, Brooke & Scott from Houston.<br /><br />So the Question is "But Why 20mph....... Some say 22mph? ...That wouldn't be me of course.Paddy's Peletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17480534238008403591noreply@blogger.com1