Busy, busy, busy. I know, that’s no excuse — my duty is to bring the snark, 24/7 — but I’ve forgotten where I left it. The ravages of age, don’t you know.
Hell, you’re lucky I’m around at all. I had planned a cycling trip to California — I was gonna hit the road tomorrow, drive to Ely, Nevada, spend the night, then make the final push into Santa Rosa for a week of pedaling around the wine (and beer) country with a couple of old newsie buds.
But midweek I was still feeling the effects of leaving my DNA on the Palmer Park trails, my chiropractor was threatening to tear me down for parts, and there was work to be done over at VeloNews.com.
So I bailed on the trip and instead of spinning leisurely from winery to brewpub and back again, I’m working on my monitor tan as VN.com covers the Vuelta a España, this doping revelation and that one, the USA Cycling Pro Championships in South Carolina, the Tour of Britain, the impending domestic cyclo-cross season … and don’t forget Interbike. I know you’d like to, as I have, but don’t.
In fact, dash right out and buy something from a bike shop right this minute. You owe me that much.
Mad Blog Media 
Bringing the snark, 24/7 … which, as W showed us, meant 24 hours a week, 7 months a year.
Oh, snap!
Hoist by me own petard yet again. Imagine my embarrassment.
Patrick: First….you may not bring the “snark” 24/7, but I’m a big believer in quality over quantity. So…..THANKS for bringing it as often as you do with a mix of wit, satire, “insider” insight, and really good recommendations on spirits, fruit of the vine, and “powermeter-improving” healthy recipes (especially the green chile ones!).
Re your “buy something from a bike shop right this minute”, I’ll be at Old Town Bikes in the next few days to get a roof rack so I can go to the western slopes (CO) next week and enjoy the changing aspen, the “vin local”, and some challenging Cat 1 – Hors Categorie pulse busters.
JD
JD: Weather has been perfect on the west slope, where abouts on my end of the state (y’know, the end that jealously guards all our water, but we’ll sell you our beer) are you headed?
Just in case you’re looking for some road rides in the GJ area, enjoy:
http://www.tomorrowhillfarm.com/JohnHodgebicycleMaps.html
Patrick, you missed a great chance. Sonoma was nice last week but rain is coming “allegedly.” I can recommend a ton of roads in the Sonoma area that will get you back into cross season form as long as you enjoy dodging potholes. But the snark needs to keep coming….
I’m sure you’re busy OG, but I hope at least the paychecks are good. It’ll be interesting to see if BigTex’ sunglass friends’ memory improves now that she’ll have some tapes (courtesy of LeMond)to help her remember? Support your local bike shop! I cooked lunch for the boyz on Thursday, today I’ll go down there (it’s raining here) and pay ’em (cash, no credit card) for the stuff I went home with on Thursday. Caribou Barbie was in Iowa recently, inspiring the GOP — why is it the folks who speak the most about common sense in governing seem to have the least?
John: Grazi, mi compadre! Will be in the GJ area so the maps are most appreciated and welcome. Save us some cerveza……and some chile verde por favor.
Nice Vuelta queen stage today……hope next year’s Quiznos tour wanders your way!
JD
Hey, JD:
Alas, no, the Quiznos will not be wandering our way. According to a recent local news story, our political and business “leaders” have chosen not to participate in any bicycle-racing-type-stuff. There has been lots of day-dreaming, much of it on my part, about bike racing returning the Colorado National Monument, ala the Coors Classic, but that appears unlikely in the near future. Besides the local government being uninterested in ponying up cash to host the Quiznos, the current superintendent of the Monument has proven to be hostile towards cyclists (unlike the superintendent at the time of the Coors Classic, who was a fan of bicycle racing).
I could tell you lots of stories about the current super, but consider this one to illustrate my point: I’ve had only one person complain about the cycling maps I made (and I mean really complain, not just point out a typo here and there), it was, you guessed it, the superintendent of Colorado National Monument. She objected to a note I had on one of the maps that pointed out a legal right that cyclists enjoy the same as motorists. She wasn’t arguing that it was inaccurate (I was correct), she just objected to it being stated.
Bottom line: if you ride the Monument, carefully obey ALL traffic laws, including all speed limits and light requirements, or you will find yourself on the receiving end of very pricey federal ticket. My email is on the maps and the website if you have any questions about lights or anything else. It’s an awesome ride, one of the best rides you’ll ever do, it just takes a little planning.
Of course, the Grand-Daddy of climbs around here is the Grand Mesa from the I-70 side. Probably a Cat 1 by anyone’s estimation. Very quiet road, long steady climb over the first half becoming “stair steps” as it nears the top. I jumped in with Ride the Rockies this year to do the 95 mile ride over that monster to Delta: I hit fog, light rain and even light snow at the summit. I think better weather awaits you (it was 90 and cloud free in town today).
Oh, and I recommend the Lands End Pale Ale at Kannah Creek Brewing Company, northeast corner at the intersection of 12th and Orchard in Grand Junction.
OG you are always an inspiration to me whether it be snark, humour or reasons to bike. Just got back from vaca and all we did was bike and eat. Life is good.