i'm back...

Nothing much is happening around here, at least nothing blog worthy. Other than:

Queen City Century was successful in spite of the weather. Thanks to everyone who came out and rode the beautiful byways of southern Augusta County.

Went to Indianapolis last weekend for the Indy 500. helluva trip. great time. 5 days of traveling, golfing, and beer drinking. No training though. Hurt to start back up, but didn't take long to get back up to speed.

XTERRA ACE Big Canyon race is coming up this weekend. It'll be my first tri of the year. Fun race, with Hot Showers at the finish. The meat of the season starts on Sunday.

Okay that's about it, no excuses like some people.

Oh yeah, Jens Voight is the Man.

Queen City Century This Weekend...

Queen City Century

Presented by

Queen City Cycling Club

Staunton, VA

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Online Registration on BikeReg.com

Closes Friday, May 16, 2008 at 12:01 AM ET

We invite you to join us for the Queen City Century, a ride through the beautiful scenic Shenandoah Valley south of Staunton, VA in southern Augusta County. The ride will provide scenic vistas, county farms, small towns, and scenic rural roads. All the routes are paved and have low traffic volume. Route lengths from 25 to 50 miles up to 100 miles of beautiful country roads. Preregistration cost is $15 for all routes.

Day of registration will be $30 for all distances. Make it easy on us and preregister. Please.

Rides Leaves from the Wharf area of Historic Downtown Staunton off of West Johnson St. at 8:00am sharp. Parking will be available in the Wharf lot or in the two parking garages in downtown. Registration check-in will be behind Black Dog Bikes starting at 7:00am.

Mapquest/Google 121 South Lewis St. Staunton, VA 24401 for Directions.

All traffic regulations and laws must be observed. Helmets are required and must be worn for the entire length of the tour. All riders must ride to the right side of the road at all times. Roads will be open to vehicle traffic. This is not a race. The rides will take place rain or shine. No refunds. For details call 540-887-8700 or leave a comment.

Gone Ridin'...

While most cyclists in VA were readying themselves for Poolesville, Middle Mountain Momma, Lodi 12 hours or the Wintergreen Ascent, we loaded up the family truckster for a trip to PA to visit family and friends. Parker went on his first fishing trip with his Grandfather and Uncle. He had a great time. Later on some friends of ours from college came over. Matt and Katie have two boys, almost 5 years old and 6 months old. I guess the boys played together, I didn't get to see it as Matt, aka Dirty, and I headed to French Creek State Park to ride. Dirty and I have been riding bikes together since 1994, but haven't pushed the pedals for a couple of years. Damn it was good to ride the knobbies with him again.

And a great ride it was. I felt like I had blinders on that only allowed me to see the perfect line through the PA rock gardens. The ti Deluxe was exceptional at French Creek, enough that I entertained the idea of heading back up there this weekend for the On The Rocks @ French Creek race. But I can't really justify the travel expense when there are two races close by, so it'll be the Chimney Chase at Walnut Creek near C'ville. Besides, what I was feeling at French Creek was being able to have a chill social ride with a good friend. Back on our bikes it was like we were still in college riding trails after class (or instead of class), knowing we were heading back to lots of beers instead of wives and kids. Those were great days, but then again these are great days as well, we're both riding better bikes and we both have wonderful wives and great boys. We'll definitely need to hit these trails again when the family truckster heads north again.

Damn it was a good day.

Dirty looks happy.

Nice bikes.

Next time I may remember to take the camera on the ride. But at least I didn't lose the car keys.

May, National Bike Month...

2008 May is Bike Month Proclamation

WHEREAS, for more than a century, the bicycle has been an important part of the lives of many Americans, and today residents of all ages throughout our great Commonwealth
engage in bicycling for transportation, recreation, fitness, and fun; and

WHEREAS, bicycling is the most efficient form of transportation and offers independent mobility for many Virginians traveling between work, school, and home, and the use of bicycles for transportation benefits all residents of Virginia by easing traffic congestion, reducing air pollution, and saving highway construction dollars; and

WHEREAS, bicycling is recognized as an activity that can reduce the onset of chronic
disease and reduce childhood obesity, and consideration of bicycling in transportation
and land use planning, and in programs such as Safe Routes to School will help create
healthier and more active communities in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, bicycling offers a unique perspective from which residents and visitors may discover Virginia’s natural beauty, history, and culture, and a vast network of scenic rural
roads and pleasant weather conditions make the Old Dominion a favorite destination for
bicycling enthusiasts; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth contains more miles of the U.S. Numbered Bicycle
Route System than any other state, and is the only place where two routes intersect, and
Virginia is fortunate to play host to many organized recreational, charitable, and
competitive bicycling events, each of which contributes much to Virginia’s economy; and

WHEREAS, Bike Month provides an opportunity to increase public awareness of the many benefits of bicycling, to promote bicycle safety, and to encourage bike riding
through organized activities such as Bike-to-Work events, club rides, family rides, and bike rodeos for children;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Timothy M. Kaine, do hereby recognize May 2008 as BIKE MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our itizens.