Ladies

Not much to report here. The week is winding down and I cannot wait for it to be over. The month of May has been a kick in the cubes for sure: terrible gwad-awful weather, a hell'ish trip to hell, crazy busy'ness at work (Monday was an 18.5 hour day for me), the original big ring world headquarters went up on the market Tuesday with showings this weekend with hopes it'll go quickly solely based on the fact that I live(d) here, and to top off that hoof to the family jewels . . . I now have a wicked sinus infection (my second this year) after battling a nasty flu/cold bug the last two weeks. Fugg me. Needless to say, this is my worst Spring ever for being on the bike. I can count on one hand, that lost it's thumb in a gruesome table-saw accident, how many times I've been on the bike this month.Worst Spring Ever.

The past week not so bad. . .

Saturday I rode up and met Curvy Butt and Curvy Butt Jr. at the Gatineau races.  Took in most of the women's elite race.  These ladies were faaaaast.

Tu-tu, leg warmers, Teady Bear and Bike Helmet - at least she has my fashion sense.  Sunday had me spending time with just one little lady, The Peanut.  Pulled her around on the Ottawa River Parkway and Alcatel Sundays and the neighbourhood, doing some intervals even, playing at the playground and chasing some Canada geese who finally returned home to 'slightly warmer' temperatures.

I even got out for a short ride yesterday with four hours of sleep after working nights the past two.  Slow and short ride, but it was soooo nice to be outside on a beautiful day with two wheels under my pudgey bum.  

Without Wilderness but still in the wilderness of sorts, which I really mean the country

Friday was a travel day and yesterday a holiday - meh, no post.

This weekend I was suppose to race the Wilderness 101 and as you probably already have guessed it from my extra-ordinary title . . . I didn't. However, if you'd like to read about the 101 head on over to Big Bikes - he's got video - oooo, laa laa.
I did get out for a longish (considering my state of affairs this season, it was 'longish') ride Saturday while visiting with at Jeannie Beanie's place (my mother-in-law's). All said and done I got in just a tad over a metric century at an easy comfortable pace. If I lived in the states I might have done an Imperial Century . . . pffffft, I live in Canada so I am sticking to the metric system - it's easier.

Back road country dirt roads that I rode my bike that I ride on dirt roads.
Most of the dirt roads were in better shape than the country paved roads. Despite it being a holiday weekend I didn't get mowed over by any slackjaw yocals hauling seadoos or four wheelers.

Haunted houses.

Old lumber mills.

Rail trail.

The Peanut post ride with my wet salty stinky helmet. What can I say, "Father of the Year Award" moment.

Pink Retail Therapy

I was feeling down and out over the weekend, thinking about how fat I am, how I can't ride the bike, my lung infection/mystery illness, my fucking dislocated knee . . . my mood was like a big terd swirling down the crapper. . . brown & down. In the past number of years, this is the lowest I've felt.

Trying not to focus on it all, trying to remain positive, trying to keep busy.
Been selling off a lot of my bike stuff over the past couple of months that I no longer use or want. Proceeds were to go paying for races and bike related events. However, due to the lack of riding/racing and the fact that I've had to pull out of a few races, have I've left that extra money burning a hole in my pocket. Alas, during a moment of weakness while surfing on-line, I ended up buying a set of pink Chris King single speed hubs and a bunch of other stuff that I *probably* don't need . . . but want.

Don't be fooled - I am not at all a rich man. I've been selling off bike parts left, right and centre in order to afford these.
Any extra money left over may go towards one of these, if I don't win this first.

Yeah, yeah, yeah . . . I know what I said about Industry Nine hubs being my next wheelset a while back, but the price for the hubs alone is what I paid for Kings, rims, Stan's valves, and two tires. Until I9 come to their senses and offer me sponsorship, they're out of my price range for the time being.

Yes, I did order pink ss hubs. I've had some people tell me that I'm trying to be like 'a certain rider'. I'm sure I'll get it again with the new wheelset too. However, the reason I had a pink bike built up, with pink bits on it and now even more pink bits is for my daughter, The Peanut. Ever since she was born, I've been gravitating towards pink stuff: clothes (perhaps some day a pink jersey), bike parts, nick-nacks, etc. When I see the colour pink it reminds me of her, and that makes me smile. So fuck you.

I *may* even have a pink t-shirt made in my honor (or shame - depends upon how you look at it). Want one? Go to the Dark pages and plead for them to be made.

Pffftt . . . Dicky's got his own t-shirt . . . now so do I?
Order your "the barlow" today.

Rideau

Had some the day off last week (before the weather turned to crap) so we took advantage of the glorious weather and took The Peanut downtown for a stroll on the canal.

Rideau Canal Skateway - no longer the 'world's longest' skating rink, but now the 'world's largest'.
Pffffft, Winnipeg.

The Peanuts first time on the canal.

(Look closely)

Getting outside on the canal does have it's benefits: fitness, socializing, family time, fun in the sun . . . . and . . .

. . . . bacon.
The two go hand in hand - Rideau Canal & bacon.