February always gives me a case of the ass. The weather is generally unpleasant, my usual running and riding routes seem unsatisfactory, and it seems as though there’s always some indoor cycling involved. Blaugh.
But yesterday’s bonus day took some of the sting out of what had been a chilly, windy month.
I got out for a two-hour ride that took in some streets, bike paths and trails I hadn’t ridden lately, and for a change I was actually overdressed — I could’ve done with knickers rather than leg warmers and quickly swapped full-finger gloves for the sawed-off variety.
Today I’m off to the North American Handmade Bicycle Show, leaving Herself to hold down the fort. It’s just a short hop, more business than pleasure, so I’m not taking any cycling kit, just running stuff. There’s a park near the hotel, so maybe I can run on grass or dirt instead of concrete. My old knees complain bitterly when forced to run on manmade surfaces.
If I have a moment between chores I’ll pop up some pix and notes about the bikes I see. Keep in mind that I’ll be focusing on transportation, not toys. Any requests?
• Why I Loathe Air Travel (No. 1,296,593 In a Series): Being a professional paranoid who travels by air almost, um, never, I get to the Bibleburg Interfaith Interdimensional Airport way too early to catch the Vomit Comet to Denver. Naturally, the announcement that boarding will commence is followed almost immediately by the announcement that our plane is undergoing “a test flight” and that we will not be scurrying inboard for 40 minutes. Will I make my connecting flight to Sacramento? Someone ask Rick Santorum. He seems to have a pipeline to the Almighty.
• Why I Loathe Air Travel (No. 1,296,594 In a Series): Nope. In the words of Maxwell Smart, “Missed it by that much!” Now I get to enjoy three hours in Denver Faux Tipi Intertribal Airport while I wait for an alternative. Should I be concerned that it has begun snowing? Rick? Anyone? Looks like I picked the wrong day to quit sniffing glue. …
• Why I Loathe Air Travel (No. 1,296,595 In a Series): Oh, good, a bomb threat. No, seriously, a bomb threat, levied against an earlier flight to San Diego. The traffic controllers must be enjoying their work today, along with the gate agents who get to speak with all the happy people..
Mad Blog Media 
Requests? Wow… That’s a tough question. I like to think of the NAHBS as an art show with the media being bicycles. Ira Ryan is doing really nice stuff and he’s an Iowa boy too. If you stop by, tell him “Hi” for me.
Despite his now superstar status in the field, and a waiting list to get a frame going into the years, Sasha White’s stuff at Vanilla is always worth a look. Even if you don’t like the finished product, or it doesn’t appeal to your style of riding, his workmanship is usually something to behold. It would be nice to see something of his latest offerings.
Love to hear about others who get a ride in during the week. Working so much – can’t find too many opportunities M-F. So my request is to bring us back a way to cycle while tied to a desk.
Love to hear about commuting accessories esp – laptop and clothes transportation!
Have fun!
…how whist thou be recognized…love to say “hi”…i’ll be there sat/sun…
…me…sf giants messenger bag…i’ll be the handsome ol’ fart carrying it over my shoulder, so if you spot from behind, prod with a stick…
…see ya…
If the distanced to be travel can be driven in a day or so no way I’m getting groped bythe Ministry of Homeland Security’s troglodite minions.
Weather here has been more typically Feb like, minus the snow. Any warmish days usual come packaged with string gusty winds. Not good for riding on aero rims and I’m too lazy to keep swapping tires.
Salvation takes the form of a local startup – Precision Multisports with a Computrainer setup and a staff willing to open up at any ungodly hour for just a tenner. Two, three times a week keeps me uncranky
As to wishes, anything touring or commuter. Have fun, remember Buddy misses you. The cats, not so much.
It was Andrew Breitbart’s ghost haunting you.
Ding….we have a winner!
Today made two Thursdays in a row of sunny skies and highs in the 70s. Just like last week, I got off work early for a bike ride. Unlike last week, I didn’t get on the road until almost 5- just in time for our excuse for rush 15 minutes. It was better than not riding.
OG: Buy yourself a handmade touring bike while there (business expense)…..get a quick, but good fit……then cancel the return air ticket…..and enjoy MANY days on the road on the bike…..some of which will be thru the SW where you also collect a tan, enjoy some fresh green chiles, perhaps a cerveza or two…..so as to delay your return to Bibleburg, free your soul and prodigious creative talent…….and blog the experience so we poor 7-6’ers can vicariously meld with “the experience”!
Which park are speaking of, as there are literally hundreds here which match that description? You might want to test ride a bike for Sunday morning mimosa ride. And then take up John’s suggestion to return to CO Springs. Enjoy your time in this fair city.
I’ll take pix of anything with fewer than four wheels, as long as it doesn’t end in “bent.”