I didn’t take a camera on today’s ride, so you’ll have to make do with a feeble iPhone shot of the bosque just starting to show some color.
Thanks to everyone who chimed in with birthday wishes on this, my induction into Official Geezerhood.
Is there a probationary period? If I fail to chase enough whippersnappers off my lawn will I be stripped of my galluses, wattles and trifocals, and demoted to Youth?
The birthday ride is done and dusted, and like last year I exceeded my expectations: 45 miles, or 72.4 kilometers. Thus I have some more kms banked for subsequent birthdays. One of these years I won’t have to ride at all.
Which will give me more time for podcasting. Yes, yes, yes, it’s another edition of Radio Free Dogpatch, Senior Moment Edition. You’re welcome. Now get the hell off my lawn.
P L A Y R A D I O F R E E D O G P A T C H
• Technical notes: This episode was recorded with an Audio-Technica AT2035 microphone and a Zoom H5 Handy Recorder. I edited using Apple’s GarageBand on a 2014 MacBook Pro. The music is “Matador’s Entry,” from Zapsplat.com. I really wanted to work “The Coroner’s Footnote” from Half Man Half Biscuit in here somewhere, but couldn’t pull it off. You should listen to it anyway. While you’re at it give an ear to “Every Time a Bell Rings.”
Tags: Birthdays, Radio Free Dogpatch
Mad Blog Media 
March 27, 2019 at 6:34 pm |
Congrats there, PO’G!! Well done!
BUT….the idea of accruing “extra” miles/km’s that then can be deferred to later use by yourself sounds remotely like the “trickle down” theory of economics. It doesn’t work … and a joule expended is a joule expended…..never to be regained.
And while I’m blustering sage wisdom here…….an author I enjoy, Don Winslow, says in “Satori”, referring to the Great Wall of China: “There is no point in building a wall when the gatekeepers can be purchased.” Hmmmmm…..I leave it to your readers and yourself to infer any current relevance.
And finally, one of my favorite sages, Mark Twain, said: “History doesn’t repeat itself; but it often rhymes.” C’est vrai, eh, mon ami?
March 27, 2019 at 7:40 pm |
Ah, you are like Bodhidharma telling the emperor he gets no merit from building temples. Well done indeed.
March 27, 2019 at 7:39 pm |
Wattles are free, unless you are determined to get rid of them, and they make progressive lenses. So, no worries mate, welcome to the brotherhood. But, I wish I was on the ride with you. I know the Paseo del Bosque isn’t glamorous or famous, but I really like that place. I even like the industrial loop halfway through. Maybe it is famous, tis the Full Lollipop after all.
March 27, 2019 at 7:43 pm |
Man, you were about the only person who wasn’t at the bosque today. I saw walkers, skaters, joggers, dog-walkers, ’bent riders, mountain bikers, time-trialists, the works. Old, young, men, women, all colors of the rainbow. I think everyone in the Duke City played hooky today.
March 27, 2019 at 7:55 pm |
If they love it, they will take care of it. I really enjoyed that Saturday that we joined the throng on the bosque last year. And I loved the bit about the Reynolds 853 walker. Almost spit beer out of my nose. Classic!
March 28, 2019 at 6:23 am |
There is actually a fair amount of water in the Fanta Se River this week, and people are coming out of the woodwork to walk along the River Trail and observe that strange liquid stuff in the middle of a high desert.
March 28, 2019 at 7:12 am |
I saw beaucoup homeless folks on the ride today, especially along the North Diversion Channel Trail. Little tents and shelters dotted here and there, if you know where to look.
All is not rosy in Il Douche’s economy? Say it ain’t so.
March 27, 2019 at 9:40 pm |
45 miles?! Well done sir. I’m three years past you in sun circles, but I haven’t seen 45 miles at one stretch in some time.
Nice work on the Dogpatch Episode
March 28, 2019 at 7:03 am |
Thanks, matey. I should’ve stuck it out for a full half-century, but the field marshal and his aide-de-camp required my services in the mess hall.
March 28, 2019 at 1:19 am |
Dolts in cars vs cyclists = same s–t, different year. Glad you avoided a funeral or worse, the hospital.
BTW- in Reynolds-speak their tubesets are eight-five-three, five-three-one, etc. Meanwhile I read somewhere Columbus has a new steel tubeset out called CENTO (pronounced chen-toe) like 100 in Eye-talian. I guess it celebrates one hundred years for them or something like that.
I’ve gotten over my latest virus enough to hope to try riding one of them two-wheeled things my own self this weekend. Until then I can watch the pros ride theirs on TV.
March 28, 2019 at 7:04 am |
Glad to hear you’re on the mend. An impaired snotlocker always diminishes my interest in food, and if you’re dining in Italy, it must be doubly unpleasant to have your sense of smell on the fritz.
March 28, 2019 at 9:46 am |
Yep, that makes CycleItalia’s Great Pizza Shootout a tough task. We took a break during that period but we’re up and running again now – http://cycleitalia.blogspot.com/2019/03/cycleitalias-great-pizza-shootout-part-7.html
March 28, 2019 at 7:27 am |
Tried to post last night but the keyboard on my MAC stopped working just to piss me off. Saw Big Billy Mc Beef yesterday when I was getting my chain saw repaired. You never know when you may need to cut a body in half! First ride in Red Rocks today 72f and sunny. A success if you take into account 2018 first mtb ride of the year. And yes to all your questions. Welcome to Medi-Care, part A part B, part what is this crap I have to pay more for?
Happy Birthday you old fart!
March 28, 2019 at 8:33 am |
You need a bigger hammer for them Mac keyboards, son. Not as big as the ones you need for a PC, but still. Bigger is better. Ask the Geek.
How’s our boy McBeef holding up? Got his MAGA hat on while he pours well tequila into (a) your saw’s fuel tank and (2) his face?
Delighted to hear the trails have dried out enough to ride after that winter all y’all have “enjoyed.”
March 29, 2019 at 10:39 am |
It was early 8:30 and he looked like he had slept. Not sure if the days of all night wine and video games continue. Saw his Ms. Vicky working as well. I’ll see him again next week when I pick up the saw.
March 28, 2019 at 10:33 am |
You managed to make the encounter with the vehicle sound more dangerous than the train and I believe you! I think I’m surprised that yet another car didn’t come along and crash into you. A noir-ish RFD set entirely outdoors in daytime shot through with steel, Lycra and O’Grady gimlet-eyed wit and cynicism. Your portrait is a perfect accompaniment.
March 28, 2019 at 4:52 pm |
Libby, I didn’t have time to think about the train. I glanced out my window and there it was.
I had just enough time to squeak out an “Oh, sh …” and suddenly instead of motoring north I was parked at trackside facing east, listening to the train rolling by as the engineer brought it to a halt. Clicketa clicketa clicketa squeeeeeeeeeee clicketa clicketa clicketa etc.
With cars, I’ve always had a few seconds to contemplate the void. That’s almost always worse. You think, “Ho boy, this is gonna hurt.”
March 30, 2019 at 8:44 pm |
Great podcast!
March 28, 2019 at 2:15 pm |
Do wattles wear trifocals? Have you considered the use of Oxford comma?
March 28, 2019 at 4:38 pm |
No.
March 30, 2019 at 11:04 am |
🙂
March 28, 2019 at 3:40 pm |
So now Patrick and I can both have our “This is about the first time in our lives that we’ll officially have an ‘I am an Old Farticus’ moment”
March 29, 2019 at 12:31 pm |
My father has a t shirt the says “old age and treachery beats youth and talent every time.” I’m just a few years behind you all, but I intend to get one of those shirts when I “graduate”.
March 28, 2019 at 6:27 pm |
Well POG you can now talk about your bowel movements and no one can stop you. The other perk with aging is everyone assumes you can’t hear for shit. I have a lot of fun with that by yelling back at em and real slow too. Galluses?!!! Thanks for the mention. I need some red ones. Gotta look sharp tomorrow at the bingo hall. Every girl crazy bout a sharp dressed man y’know.
March 28, 2019 at 6:57 pm |
Not to be comparing to your POTUS, but out Prime Minister has just knocked it out of the park..
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-shooting/111645738/jacinda-ardern-we-will-remember-the-tears-of-our-nation
Go Jazza!
March 28, 2019 at 7:59 pm |
A heartfelt and meaningful speech focused on the country and her people, all of them. That is something our POSPOTUS is completely incapable of.
March 30, 2019 at 11:08 am |
Your PM shows there are still some leaders in the world who have intelligence, integrity, and legitimacy. She will serve as a shining example forever. Thank Gawd that she….is.
March 28, 2019 at 10:35 pm |
Reminds me of several years ago when I worked in NZ for a US software company based in Chicago. We’d go over every 3 months to integrate our software with the US team.
The rest of my team were mad ice hockey fans. So when we were there we had to go to a game, the last time meant a huge drive out to Rockford, & when we arrived we tried to order some beers.
“Gotta see some ID, are you over 21?” said the young lady , (bless her, given that I was old enough to be her grandfather),
I took out my NZ Drivers license & suddenly it was a carnival, “whoa , shit look at this, this is a New Zealand drivers license” shown to all around me..
Finally, we got our beers, (& they sucked, would it kill you to brew good beer?)
March 29, 2019 at 12:14 am |
OK, I’ll play – what’s “shit, look at this” about a NZ driving license? OTOH I think there’s some decent beer to be found there but perhaps not at a hockey game?
On the crazy gun nut front, the Italians have just joined the kooks in the USA with a “stand your ground” law that I hope like hell gets tossed in the courts. Next I hope this current govt of fascists and morons gets replaced – sooner rather than later!
March 29, 2019 at 6:28 am |
Autocrats, oligarchs, and nationalists in Italy? Sumbitches are every where. Bunga, bunga, and bring on the porn stars and bad hair coloring for old fat guys.
Hurben, I wish I could beam you here for lunch today. We would go to the Copper Brothel Brewery in Sonoita, Az. A Felina’s Oatmeal Stout with fish and chips would just make your day. And I’m buying.
March 29, 2019 at 7:16 am |
Yep, I’d hoped to be rid of the fascist politics, but instead all we have here in Italy is the best food & wine, the most beautiful women, incredible scenery, art, culture, Campagnolo, Favaloro, GIOS, Nalini, Vittoria…etc…..so I’m still the luckiest man on earth!
Meanwhile, it does look ol’ Silvio Bunga Bunga is just waiting for the current regime to crack up so he can swoop in with his own “I alone can fix it” line of BS.
March 29, 2019 at 12:32 pm |
It was one of the old style, no photo, just a piece of indestructible paper, we now have photos on plastic cards.
March 29, 2019 at 9:01 am |
Bike shorts are excellent geezer attire – no zipper to forget to zip.
March 29, 2019 at 3:18 pm |
March 29, 2019 at 3:43 pm |
AND they come with their own galluses. Boom!
March 30, 2019 at 11:13 am |
I’ve been waiting for years for genuine Sansabelt kit. No joy so far, dammit.
Patrick – an OGWGFIW potential addition? That’d be hilarious.
March 30, 2019 at 11:25 am |
What we need is some stylish, slimming compression kit. Y’know, like Spanx, but for old chubby dudes.
Prob’ly make our heads explode. We’d look sharp for a few minutes, though.