Tales of the Unexpected

It must be getting close to Halloween because strange things are happening. For example: I elected to not take part in a sprint during last night's Thursday Night Ride so the group was a little up the road from me. At the next intersection the group went left and i went straight trying to take a short cut.

As I'm heading up the road an SUV pulls alongside me. Fully expecting an earful for sneaking through the intersection against the light, I braced myself. Down went the passenger window. Out came the passenger's head.

"Did you know the rest of your group turned left back there?"

I scraped my jaw off the ground with just enough time to get a "Thanks!" out before the SUV sped off after having done their good deed.

For some reason, one cyclist is a target. A group of cyclists, trying to get back to town before dark, is nice. Singles must be worth more points.

Which Transformer are You?

Well Mitch?

Which Transformer Are You?

Brawn You are strong and tough and proud of it.
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Oh for pete's sake....

Double stage Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana)learned Tuesday that he had tested positive for homologous blood doping following his victory in Saturday's individual time trial. Vinokourov and his Astana team have reportedly withdrawn from the Tour. ...

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I am so close to just forgetting the Tour is even going on.

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Racing Updates

July is a busy month for bicycle racing in Nebraska. With several races already run and more to come, it’s hard to keep up with the action. Here are some updates to keep readers in the know.

Mountain Bike Update:

Elkhorn Valley Cycling powered by Monster team member Tim Powell (Wayne, NE) raced in the Manawa MTB Mayhem Psycowpath race at Lake Manawa on July 7. Tim reported that the conditions were hot and humid, a condition made even worse by the course's location deep in the trees next to the Missouri River just outside of Council Bluffs, IA. After a poor start, Tim battled to make up for time lost getting stuck behind an early race pile-up and was never able to close the gap on the leaders.

In the final results, Tim ended up with seventh place in the Sport Masters 45+ category. That place solidifies his hold on 2nd place in the same category in the 2007 Psycowpath standings. He currently sets at the mid-point of an eighty point spread between first and third in the series.

Tim Powell clears a ridge at Lake Manawa.

Photo courtesy of John Peterson

 

Road Racing Update:

A short squad of five EVCpM riders competed in the inaugural Papio Twilight Crit in Papillion, NE July 14, all in Cat 4. The Cat 4 field, much like Powells' Sport Master 45+ field the week before, was quite large, possibly the largest this year with 30 starters. As seemed to be typical of the evening's races, leaders jumped out early in the race splintering the field from the beginning. The course was extremely short and fast which compounded confusion caused by the large field sizes and interesting race tactics of the night.

John Spray leads Joe Savoie into a turn during the Papio Twilight Crit.

Photo courtesy of Mark Stursma.

After an early race prime lap, won by Dan Spray of Norfolk, several riders in the middle chase group were inexplicably pulled from the race, including some EVCpM riders. Final results were protested as was the procedure of the race, with final results not being posted for several days. John Spray (Norfolk) ended up taking 5th place, Joe Savoie (Omaha) 11th and Duane Blair (Norfolk) 15th. Dan Spray and Scott Blair (Pierce), both previously pulled from the race, were awarded 20th and 21st places. No substantial reason was offered for why riders from mid-pack were pulled and others left in and one wonders what the eventual outcome of the race would have been if it was allowed to be run without intervention.

With the season past the halfway point, Elkhorn Valley Cycling powered by Monster continues to excel due to the talent, hard work, and dedication of its members. With the Cornhusker State Games underway and the Dave Babcook Memorial Stage Race next week, the racing excitement continues.

 

 

Work: College World Series Style part 2

With Oregon State winning and this being what looked to be the final game, we were sent to wait in the dugouts for the final out and then told to get on the field to keep people off. Now, I am just as fool-hardy as any other cop, but somehow 10 of us vs. 20,000 outraged/elated fans didn't seem like good odds. But, down to the first base, Oregon State, dugout we went.

All five of us.

One of the five was a BIG guy I had gone to basic training with named Kim. So, here we are, the few, the five, lined up in the dugout. One, two, three outs and out we go onto the field, with me leading. As I run toward first base, several fans had jumped the fence behind me and were heading to the pitcher's mound.

As I turned, I saw my buddy Kim in a wrestling match with one of them and another fan shouting "That's my son!" running toward them. What was it - father and son day?! So the father tried dog-piling Kim and the kid. I grabbed him and yanked him off. Just as we stopped moving backward, two of the cops on the field with me pile-drived the dad into the First base coach's area.

So, both were hauled away, probably to share some father-son time with the earlier pair.

What was really amazing was that I could hear the crowd yelling at the cops when Kim took the first guy down. I truly expected some sort of riot or at least a wave of fans running to the field When I drug the dad off and he got taken down, I heard cheering. Talking to people afterward, the crowd and the press were glad that these guys had been stopped so that the team could celebrate.

I like the CWS.

Work, College World Series Style part 1

So I worked security at the College World Series a couple days, including the final game last night. I started out at the right field en trace gate, not too exciting. Finally, I was reassigned and moved to a rover position to just patrol the entire spectator area looking for whatever trouble I could find.

Mid-way through the bottom of the seventh, I spotted several of the other law enforcement guys like myself escorting a guy out. He had been way down in front in reserved seating area so I got to them as they got into the main aisle moving to an exit gate. usually, the only reason to escort someone out is if they are drunk or really obnoxious and this guy fit the bill on both counts.

He was in his mid-20's and tanked. When I got to them I ended up in the front of the line of cops and next to the drunk guy. He was spouting off about how we couldn't touch him, how he knew his rights, and just generally being a jerk. As we got to the exit from the seating area to the main concourse, he bolted.

I took off after him and body checked him into a wall. As I got my hands on him he and and I were swarmed by the other 6-8 cops who were behind us with all of them wanting a piece of the guy. Hands and handcuffs were everywhere until he was finally restrained.

We walked him outside and the security supervisor said to get him off the grounds. Once we had gotten outside, the guy's dad came along and was trying to talk some sense into his son. The dad at least had the sense to know that if the kid didn't quiet down he was going to jail. We did manage to get him to the curb of the venue property line but by now he and dad were getting more upset with each other than us. So, while the drunk was distracted by dad, we took the handcuffs off, told him not to come back and let them both go.

By the time we got back to the main gate, we heard that father and son were duking it out in the middle of the street. Off the grounds, not our problem. Not a minute later we saw the horse patrol from Omaha PD heading up there. I'm sure they went to jail at that point. Several people watching all this commented that the father and son had been kicked out of the beer garden across the street for acting the same way earlier in the day.

BatManuel

Last night as I was getting ready for bed, the dog started barking like crazy. Then I head it: Frantic screaming coming from the living room "JON!"

When I asked what was wrong Kandy started yelling about a bat in the house. Not wanting to believe it, I went to investigate thinking (hoping) she was mistaken.

When I got to the living room, she was balled up on the floor with a blanket completely covering her. Still not sure there was truly a bat, I started to look around.

Then, suddenly, I was proven that she was right when M%^&* F!@#$%ing bat-bastard dive-bombed me.

Being the tough guy I am, I hit the floor.

Managed to work my way into the kitchen and propped the patio door open, hoping it would find its way out. Then found a broom and started bat-bashing.

Meanwhile, Kandy is still on the floor, and the dog is sitting on the back of the couch, watching the show.

After about ten minutes of me flailing around the living room at the crazed and most-certainly blood-thirsty bat, I managed to get it down a blind hallway. Using my best tactical methods, I finally got a lucky shot at it as it tried to bolt past me and knocked it to the floor.

I smacked it again with the broom and managed to get its screaming little ass outside where I bashed it with a shovel and threw it into the trash.

Now, I get to climb into the attic and look for bat entrances. And, with the temperature in the 90's outside it promises to be at least a couple hundred degrees up there.

Hooray!

Vacation looming

I am in pre-vacation no-motivation mode right now. Going to Florida to see by brother (and the Police at Dolphin Stadium!) on July 7. Then I come back to Omaha on the 11th to change planes and am off to Temecula, CA for 10 days with family and friends. Bi coastal baby!

When I go to Florida, I am renting a Trek 1500 to get some miles in along the Gulf. I am shipping my Giant to Cali to ride some miles from Temecula to Oceanside and San Diego.

But! Temecula is also the home of Intense Cycles. I called Intense and they are going to let me have either a Carbine or Fenix for a day or two!!!

After that, back to Nebraska for the State Games MTB and then the crit at the Babcook race.

Vacation coming...

Cell phone Valhalla

I finally got ride of my much-despised LG AX4750 for a sleek new LG AX8600.

Now my brother Mitch tells me he is getting a new Blackjack from Cingular.














My buddy Dan is getting

a Motorola Q when they come out




Oh well, to each his own. I think you are all just jealous.

Beaker's Mimi

I am a tree.

According to this test, I am a:

Poplar Tree (the Uncertainty) — looks very decorative, talented, not very self-confident, extremely courageous if necessary, needs goodwill pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, artistic nature, good organizer, tends to lean toward philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership Seriously.

Hmmmm, could be.

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My weight log since January 3, 2007. The green line is a trend line and the blue is the actual weight.

This morning I was at 209.2. That is seven pounds in as many weeks.

The April 1 goal of 200 might just be obtainable.

Dance Dance Dance

Dance competitions start this weekend. Kicking off the next month of fun-filled competitions is tonight's dress rehearsal.
They tolerate my Lycra and black cycling socks so I can handle this.

Anna Molly

I love music lyrics that have some sort of twist in them and show some hint of the band being clever.This is a good example by one of my favorite bands. Incubus. I really like their bass player Ben Kenney.

Anna Molly by Incubus



A cloud hangs over,

it's a city by the sea,I watch the ships pass and wonder if she might be,

out there and sober as a well for loneliness,

please do persist girl its time we met and made, a mess



I picture your face in the back of my eyes,

a fire in the attic a proof of prize,

Anomaly, anomaly, anomaly...

doo doo doo doo do doodoo doo doo doo



A cloud hangs over,

and mutes my happiness,

a thousand ships couldnt send me back from distress,

wish you were here,

I'm a wounded satellite,

I need you now put me back together make me right



I picture your face in the back of my eyes a fire in the attic a proof of the prize,

Anomaly, anomaly, anomaly

I'll crawl to your name,

I'll bend to the earth,

nobody else will ever compare,

Anomaly, anomaly



[ these lyrics found on http://www.completealbumlyrics.com ]



Wait there is a light,

there is a fire illuminated attic,

fate or something better I could care less,

just stay with me a while,

wait there is a light, there is a fire defragmenting the attic,

fate or something better I could care less,

just stay with me a while



I picture your face in the back of my eyes a fire in the attic a proof of the prize,

Anomaly, anomaly, anomaly,

I'll crawl to your name,

I'll bend to the earth,

nobody else could ever compare,

Anomaly, anomaly



Wait there is a light,

there is a fire illuminated attic,

fate or something better I could care less,

just stay with me a while,

wait there is a light there is a fire defragmenting the attic,

fate or something better I could care less,

just stay with me a while



doo doo doo doo do doo doo doo doo doo

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Hang in there Nicole.

It will get better.

Mud-o-cross

This looks like fun, if you like mud. Major carnage, and one guy about half the way through tries to tiptoe through the mud.

Do I?

Do I post something just to post something? Or is that a waste of cyberspace. Can cyberspace be wasted?

On the other hand, January is almost over, the days are getting longer. Spring is coming, eventually.

Awesome legs

I want this guy's legs...

Cold, waiting for spring.

Winter is my least favorite season. Too cold, and I hate snow. Sprig is coming though, the days are getting a little longer, and the calendar is creeping along.

Down to 209 this morning, which knocks 16 pounds off my weight from late last summer. 200 is in sight, as is 199. Wow, if I could be that light, with the same power output, I might be able to keep up with my riding buddies.

Using the site www.calorie-count.com to keep track of my eating, which has helped considerably. Just needed something simple to manage my intake.

Super villain quiz

Your results:
You are Venom

Venom 58% The Joker 56% Riddler 53% Mr. Freeze 50% Apocalypse 47% Lex Luthor 45% Magneto 45% Dr. Doom 40% Dark Phoenix 38% Kingpin 38% Juggernaut 33% Green Goblin 29% Catwoman 29% Mystique 25% Two-Face 25% Poison Ivy 23%

Strength, disguise and adrenaline are your greatest weapons.

Click here to take the "Which Super Villain are you?" quiz...

What Superhero Are You?

Your results:

You are Green Lantern Green Lantern 70% Iron Man 70% The Flash 55% Robin 52% Superman 50% Hulk 50% Spider-Man 45% Batman 45% Wonder Woman 40% Supergirl 40% Catwoman 30%

Hot-headed. You have strong will power and a good imagination.

Click here to take the "Which Superhero are you?" quiz...

Kandy's new treadmill

 

NordicTrack C 2400 Treadmill (NTL09806)

• Interplay™ Music Port to connect your MP3 Player
• Intermix Acoustics™ Sound System

On top of that the C 2400 has newest type of ifit® technology. The patented ifit® technology is integrated into special flash memory cards called ifit® workout cards, which automatically adjust the treadmill?s incline and speed. ifit® has a voice of a personal trainer that coaches and motivates you through the workout with tips to breathe correctly, reminders for good posture and many other encouraging instructions so you can get a great workout. It's also powered by a 2.5 Continuous Duty motor.

Source: Treadmills - Compare NordicTrack Treadmills Including Incline Trainers for Home & Commercial Use - NordicTrack

Thyroid schmyroid

OK, so the thyroid swelling was not the end of the world. It is only a cyst that was drained (not fun) and will shrink with time. I have to take some meds to let my thyroid go dormant for a few months to allow the cyst to shrink.

The biopsy/draining was not the most fun I have ever had. Fortunately, they numbed it up good and I couldn't see what they were doing. Most importantly, my bride was there with me. Couldn't do it without her.