Somethings Change, Some Don't



Me, my Mom, my sister (Yellow cap) and Tootsie the wonder dog.


My Mom died one month ago today...

It still hurts to type that.

She had battled cancer for almost three years. When they diagnosed her they figured she had 3-9 months. I guess that just goes to show what a tough old broad she was.

It's been hard.

And it's been easy.

Sometimes its easy to get lulled into the day to day and forget for awhile. Then something will remind me or a memory will fly into my brain and my heart gets squeezed again. Even if it's just for a moment.

Your probably wondering what this has to do with cycling and that's a fair point.

That has to do with what hasn't changed.

The bicycle.

It's my anchor in a sea of happiness, anger, frustration, sadness and joy.

I did my level best to ride as much as I could without shirking any of my responsibilities.

Sometimes I'd go out thinking that I'd rip peoples legs off only and to go to the front and take one strong pull. Then drift through the group and get spit out the back to ride alone.

Other times it was nice to ride with some people that had no idea what was going on. Talk to people about normal things. Day to day things. Things that were such a welcome distraction at that moment that I wanted to say so...

Things are slowly getting easier.

Then they aren't.

I guess that's just the way it is sometimes...

But I thank God for my wife.

I thank God for my family.

I thank God for my wonderful friends.

And I absolutely thank God for the Bike....

Rubber side down,

Big E

PS~ I can't promise that I'll write here real often in the near future. Even though there have been and are a lot of things in the cycling world to talk about. What I can say is that I haven't given up on the blog. I just needed/need a break. Hope you all can get that. Thanks, you guys are swell....

Spring Hath Sprung



I love lamp.

The weather forecast and cycling go hand in hand. I can't think of the last time I did not look at the weather report before a ride. Maybe its not as big a deal where in an area where you are assured good weather all the time. But in a place like the Pacific Northwest if  you don't it can make for an awesomely crappy ride.

Now that I've been Captain Obvious speaking in generalities I wanted to talk about something specific. Precipitation percentages and what they mean to a cyclist....



This is obviously not from around here. Whens the last time we had an 82 degree day with rain?! I think it was last... never.

Precipitation percentages can confuse people except for when it says 0% or 100% but even that changes when you are looking at an hourly forecast app and things are constantly in flux.

Here is a basic run down.

10% chance or rain- This means that there is no way on God's green earth that it's going to rain. But what it does mean is that there are going to be a few big puffy clouds out there. And if you happen to be on the very tippy top of a mountain or a high mountain pass that one of those puffy clouds floats into. You might feel some moisture on your face and the meteorologist doesn't want you to call them a liar.

20% chance of rain- This means it could rain. But highly unlikely.

As a cyclist you may get a little wet if you happen to ride into one of these passing clouds. But it's not really even worth putting a rain cape on. Because you're going to have to take it off in less than 5 minutes anyway.

30% chance of rain- This is were things start to get a little more interesting. This means that you are more than likely going to get wet. But it will only be for brief period of time. This is where the weather man likes to start using the term "showers". 

Bring a rain jacket and a hat if you're paranoid.

40% chance of rain- We are now fully into the "showers" mode. Really the only difference between 30% and 40% is that the duration of the rain... err, um shower patches will be longer.

This is where I probably would add gloves and booties to the clothing line up depending on the temperature.

50% chance of rain- This is when things go from being described as "showers" to being described as "rain". More than likely it will be raining a greater percentage than it is dry. Think like an hour or two of rain followed by a brief dry period between fronts moving in.

This is were the winter bike with full fenders, a buddy flap, tough wheels and tires comes into play.

60% chance of rain- You are now in the full Pacific Northwest winter wheel house (Say that three times fast...). This is where the term "drizzle" comes around. Usually drizzle is a light rain that comes down consistently for a long period of time.  Any true Oregonian spends from the end of October through the end of June (July 5th is when the unofficial summer of Oregon begins.)in this stuff. Usually the only difference in the time of year is in the air temperature.

By this point you are pretty much decked out in as much clothing and equipment as you are going to be in. From here on out it's really just a matter of the insulation factor more than anything.

70% chance of rain- This is a heavy drizzle or a good consistent rain. There might be a tiny little pause in there somewhere, but not much.

Basically you are going to get wet. And it's just a matter of staying warm on the bike. I've not owned or tested an article of clothing yet that didn't either wet through eventually or create it's own micro climate (Some sort of tropical humid jungle comes to mind.) underneath that gets you just as wet. So it's more important to keep warm without over heating than it is to stay dry.

80% chance of rain- This is full blown rain.  Drizzle is no longer mentioned. Rain makes drizzle its bitch. And really the only thing that changes from here on out is the volume of rain that is coming down from the sky at any given moment.

90% chance of rain- I really think they just have this one so people will feel a little better that it doesn't say 100%. It's exactly the same.

I think the idea is much like the extended forecast. Just look at the ten day forecast some time. They always put a "partly sunny" or "sunny" day out there around day 9 or 10 even if the rest of the days are rainy and glum. I think it's like the proverbial carrot dangled in front of our noses. Just so we continue to have a little hope.

So there is my weather cycling theory. Promise to use it for good and not evil.

Until next time...



Here's two tickets to the gun show.

 Rubber side down,

Big E

Running Sucks...



No offense if you enjoy running.

I know there are some people out there that are totally into sadomasochism too but that doesn't mean I'm going to sign up.

My SSHW and I decided to go on a run.

I could feel my flubber jiggling as I shuffle, shuffle, fwap, fwapped my way down the road.

It's an odd feeling to not be taxed by my heart or breathing but to have placed in my legs hurt that haven't hurt in a long time.

Why did I agree to this again!?

Oh yeah, I wanted too...

I'm pretty sure SSHW is getting tired listening to me wine. 

I want to do this.

But I'm going to need to walk just for a bit...

That's always nice.

Getting lapped by a little kid on a bike.

What is he about 2?

His little legs spinning a cadence that track racers would be proud of.

Constantly reminding me how much I'd rather be on a bike.

The day is sunny at least.

And SSHW looks really nice in running pants.

That's a plus...

I don't know.

Maybe I could keep going.

One more hill.

Sweet baby Jesus!

Thank God we are done.

Rubber side down,

Big E

Riding Side By Side




On a beautiful sunny day I had the luck to go out on a ride with JP. 

There were no routes that had to be adhered too. There were no intervals that needed to be done. Only some open road, some nice conversation and a pretty day.

While we were riding we cycled side by side (Unless cars were coming of course.). Bar to bar.  As we rolled along the open country roads to the south of my home it got me thinking. To be able to ride like that can really show the Quality of a person.
There are so many type A personalities constantly pushing the pace. Half wheeling (This happens when a person is always a half a wheel length in front of you. And if you try to pull up even with them. They speed up to keep ahead. And so on and so on, until you both are ramping up speed. Sucking the fun square out of what you were trying to do in the first place. Can you tell I'm a little sensitive about it? Yeah, me either.) you to prove a point or measure dicks or whatever the hell it is when people think its a competition.

No. This wasn't one of those times.

We just rode our bicycles.

We conversed about all manner of things. The last club ride. New cars. The best beer. Equipment. Whatever...

I think cycling side by side is a lost art form. People forget its significance. The art of conversation (Especially since cyclists tend to be anti-social.). I met my SSHW that way and she has been the greatest thing in my life. To be able to share an experience while doing something that you both love doing makes it all the more rich.  It's hard to put your finger on it. Or put into words. But it's there and you both know it.

Its just awesome.

Thanks for reminding me JP.

Rubber side down,

Big E

Stereotypes



A Cherriot Bus in Salem.

As a cyclist, I ride in traffic every time I throw a leg over my bicycle.  As a human I also notice patterns in behavior.

Stereotypes.

I know people say stereotypes or profiling is bad. And in some ways I agree. But in a lot of ways I think it's part of our inherent makeup as humans. We are trained to notice patterns as a means of survival. If something tries to kill you once. An alligator, a tiger, an SUV, whatever. You'll be on the look out for something like that again. Noticing those things keep you safe.

But I also want to be clear that these patterns aren't a perfect science. I'm not saying every single one of these observations are true. They just feel true... Got it? Good. Lets move on.

It's hard not to notice how certain drivers and their vehicles seem to fit patterns.
For instance, why are Cherriot bus drivers consistently some of the most aggressive drivers in town, yet school bus drivers are some of the nicest? Is it because one is harped on about safety and the other is told to keep on a schedule (It's rhetorical. But I suspect that's the case.)?



I honestly don't get it.

In over ten years of riding a bicycles in urban and rural environments I can only think of one incident where I felt in danger while riding my bike because of a school bus.
Where if I think of Cherriot's, I couldn't count all the dangerous maneuvers and near misses on all my fingers and toes. It's ridiculous.



How high is your truck and how good can it mud!?

 There are lots of other vehicles that I look out for too.

The jacked up 4x4 pickup truck comes to mind. The pucker factor is always high if you hear the whirring of some Super Swampers coming up behind you on a country road.



Semi trucks are a mixed bag. Some are great. Always giving you extra room when able and passing a reasonable speeds. Other's fly by with about two feet to spare.



I wouldn't mind this set up.

 
 Any car with a bike rack is usually going to give you a wide birth. Part of the same tribe and all.


Watch out for crazy old people with RV's and no commercial driving experience. Sketchy...

People who drive hybrids really think of themselves as "earth friendly". So when they see you on the road they feel a kinship with you. However beware! They are the leading cause of "smug"  in the major metropolitan areas. Just saying...



Tuner cars will generally fly by you while you're riding and yell something out the window. Its usually hard to tell if its obscenities or encouragement. Or at the very least they stomp on the throttle so their fart pipe blares as they go by. But just like cars with bike racks, they seem to give you a wide birth. My guess is they don't want to dent or scratch their ride if they happen to hit you. Those ground effects don't just pay for themselves you know.

I'm know there are a lot more. But that's fine for now.

I hope you all have a good weekend. Until next time, thanks for reading!

Rubber side down,

Big E

You Never Know What You're Gonna Get



That statement is as true for Forrest and the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. as it is for weather and bicycle riding.

The weather was surprisingly nice for our monthly team ride. Sure it was a little windy. Sure it spit on us a little. But all said and told it was a pretty good day to be out on two wheels.

We were scheduled to meet down at the Bike Peddler (One of our sponsor LBS) at 9:30 Saturday morning. I was late... Mostly because I headed out the door later then I had intended. But also because I got a flat about half way there (Doh!).

So as I was speeding down to the shop after I had fixed the flat I was already constructing the apology letter in my brain. Fully expecting to round the corner and find them all gone. I was happily surprised to see everyone still milling around.

There weren't too many people there. But considering the miserable weather the day before I wasn't surprised. It was essentially the Cap Velo board plus two others. Which turned out to be just fine.

So after some grovelling, begging for forgiveness and a new spare tube purchased we discussed the route plan. Which of course was changed (I'm beginning to note a pattern.).  Instead of heading out into the flat lands between us and Silverton we opted for a more northerly, then westerly route. Mostly to go spy on the road race that was being held out at Heiser Farms. Which is exactly what we did.

We watched the racers go by once and looked to each other on what to do next. So we headed over to the foothills and vineyards just west of the race. 

It's amazing how well nice scenery can distract you from the pain you inflict upon yourself sometimes. And this was one of those sometimes...

We steadily rode over the rolling hills taking in the views and the conversation with equal enjoyment.

Sure we went up Brush College Rd. (A hill that strikes fear into fatties such as myself.). But the guys were nice enough to wait for me at the top. And sure they asked if I wanted to go up Gibson Rd. (Probably the only other road in near vicinity that strikes just as much fear into said fatty.) too. Which I promptly responded with a one finger salute. But it was still a lovely time. And really, how could you enjoy those wonderful downhills without suffering up the climbs!? That's just crazy talk...

So all things said and told. It was a surprisingly nice day with an equally lovely bike ride to match.

All good (Now if we could just get more members to show up regardless of weather...).

Thanks for reading!

Rubber side down,

Big E

The Game Of Telephone



When we were kids in school we use to play this game called "Telephone".  The basic premise is that the teacher would whisper a sentence or two into the first kids ear. Then that kid would whisper it to the next  child and so forth and so on until it reaches the final kid in the class. Where upon that kid would have to speak out to the class what sentence they were told. And most of the time it would be a weird mangled mess that didn't even remotely resemble what the teacher whispered to the first child. 

It was mostly a lesson in communication. To convey information accurately. To show how important speaking clearly and knowing what you were told before saying it to someone else.  And also how quickly gossip can no longer resemble the truth.

It's a good lesson.

I was thinking about all this during our local group ride last night. Communication, both verbal and non-verbal, are extremely important. When a communication break down happens, at best someone is going to get their chamois in a bunch. Worst case scenario someone dies...

That's no bueno.

We've had several of these break downs happen lately. Most of them involved someone getting left behind. Which in the grand scheme of things isn't good. But it's not a travesty either. That doesn't mean it should happen. It's just another glitch in the game of telephone that we play during a ride.

Most of the time when someone yells something out everyone starts looking around to the nearest person to tell them what was said. Sometimes that person knows. Other times that person just shrugs their shoulders and then continue looking around before a reason for the yelling is found.

Non-verbal signals are much the same. The person at the front of the group may point out a pot hole or a bunch of glass. But that doesn't mean the person three of four rows back is going too.

It's all in how effectively that message is conveyed to the rest of the people. And unfortunately the message chain only works if everyone plays.

So the next time you're on a group ride try to convey the messages being sent back and forth for the rest of the people. And don't just let it go to voice mail. Practice the game of telephone. Hopefully the message will come across loud and clear.

Thanks for reading!

Rubber side down,

Big E