Team Transfers

OK for the record I'm not going anywhere. That said however if some moneybags team sets me up with a load of free team s__t (kit, bike, paid expenses, etc.) I might entertain the offer; but that ain't gonna happen. Besides, at my age, that doesn't matter as much as a good team vibe.

Which begs the question - why do so many local guys transfer from team to team every year? Some are recruited, some are kicked off their old team, some don't like the team persona, some are looking for new opportunities, some are moving up in the world, some are moving down. Some stay out of loyalty, others are looking after themselves.

As a result some teams gel - others don't. Some teams excel, others don't. Some teams have too many Chiefs and not enough Indians, some have the right blend, and some have no Chiefs and all Indians. Some teams are all about creating the race, other teams like to sit in and only react during the race.

And then it all starts over again at the end of the season.

Worst Drivers in the World

In keeping up with MSNBC's Keith Olbermann's tradition of showcasing "The Worst Person's in the World" on Countdown of which Comedian Rush Limbaugh and Fox Noise's Bill-O are frequent winners I present the award to the following:

2nd runner up - All drivers in the State of Florida in general, and the City of Orlando in particular. Specifically the driver of the white family van who cut me off at the intersection where he just had to make the right turn in front of me (as lead pedestrian in the crosswalk), while the female passenger yells at me to "watch out!"

1st runner up - Gentleman in the City of Orlando Fire Department vehicle who was in the right turn lane several cars back from the signal. As I approached the intersection in the bike lane (which was left of the right turn lane) the signal turned green & without so much as a glance or turn signal he swerved left (almost cutting across my front wheel) and continued down his merrier way.

But the Worlds Worst Driver is closer to home is the driver in the small grey bondo'd unidentifable import sputtering eastward across the Puyallup River Bridge toward Fife early Sunday morning while laying down a carpet of toxic exhaust like he was a crop duster. And due to the lack of any discernable wind created an eerie effect of a localized tunnel of smog contained within the confines of the bridge.

Bike commute

I started last week - joining many of you who're able to ride to work - doing the 35 mile (1-way) trip 4 times now. I have to get up earlier than I'm used to but once I get started it certainly is invigerating.

Late fall may not seem to be the ideal time to start such a venture, but I'm not able to get out as frequently as I wish on my days off so as to spend time with the kiddo's. So while the weather has still been mostly dry lately and I've been able to ride my race bike, with wetness fast approaching putting full fenders on the old Cannondale and making sure my rain gear is foolproof will be a top priority.

This also will not be a 100% adventure. With two 2-day trips back-to-back this weekend, I drove into work on Friday flew my flights and biked home Saturday afternoon. Then this morning I biked back to work with the plan to drive home tomorrow evening. It saves me a roundtrip in the car and gets me out for 4 hours on the bike I otherwise wouldn't have been able to; and I will try to bike commute as often as I'm able.

Which is the point of this whole thing - get my butt outside more often and increase my base miles and get a decent workout (maybe even though in some impromptu intervals here and there) without having a significant impact on my family life.

See you on the roads in the South Sound on the way to/from SeaTac Airport.

DOPE!!

Doppio Cycling in our inaugural season this year was racing in Gin Optics kit in the Pacific NW; next year we expand and take over the world.

Ironman Hawaii - TODAY!

Just about this time...3 hours before sunrise on the Big Island of Hawaii on the Kona coast athletes from all over the world are getting up and topping off their tank, taking a relaxing shower while warming up their muscles, lubing up the sunblock and fighting off the butterflies prior to the cannon going off. Over 1800 will churn through the water at tiny Dig Me Beach beginning 140.2 miles of swimming (2.4 miles) biking (112 miles) and running (26.2 miles); an adventure they will collectively always remember.

Check out www.ironmanlive.com or www.insidetri.com for live coverage.

Back to work

Off for the last 5 weeks - spending some fantastic time in both Minnesota and Maui. Chasing my kids, frogs, crawdads and geckos; layering on the sunblock, getting sand where it's not supposed to be; celebrating my 1st half-century on this planet with some select folks; while managing to get in a few nice bike rides; and mostly ignoring the cell phone and the computer.

Probably my favorite memory is that of my 3 youngsters sitting on our bed near midnight in Eau Claire, Wisconsin (half way into our 10-hour 2 day drive from Chicago to northern Minnesota) transfixed by the awesome power of Mother Nature unleashing bolt after bolt of lightning from huge thunderheads. I think that may be the first time they might have realized there is something bigger than Mom & Dad (and I'm not talking religion).

So after a day at home and trying to get life somewhat normalized catching up with bills, mail, phone calls, unpacking and introducing the kiddos to their knew Nanny - I was off to Orlando at O-to-early this morning getting in late afternoon East Coast time.

After settling in at the hotel I got out & was walking down to the local Whole Paycheck Market to get some eats. Then some moron in a maroon van ran a freeway exit stop light to make a right turn in front of me when I was already 10 feet off the curb in the crosswalk. So close was he that all I had to do was reach out slightly to give his right rear quarter panel a hard hit. Well that did it! Now Mr. I'm-in-such-a-hurry wasn't.

As he's pulling over and jumping out of his vehicle I'm probably making a big mistake as I walk back toward him with the cell phone open to my ear, ready to call 911 while memorizing his license plate. As he's screaming profanities and rushing toward me I resisted the urge to be drawn into the fray. He finally calmed down enough to put together a cohesive sentence and he had the gall to ask me what the hell I think I'm doing? Me? WTF?

I tell him I'm looking at a guy who's just committed several traffic violations including almost running down a pedestrian in an crosswalk and then has the time to stop and question the issue like it's my fault? Do you even have a driver's license? I continued that I thought he'd be embarrassed about his behavior like this in front of his family, and that if he didn't turn around and get back into his car that I'd call 911 right then & there and claim that I've been assaulted by you with intent to do bodily harm. What's your story going to be?? You've got no excuse - plain daylight, no sun in your eyes, no blind spots, nothing that would have prevented you from seeing both the stop light and me in the crosswalk. Obviously you knew I was there because you stopped to come back to yell at me.

It was such a clear moment - I wasn't backing down, I knew what he looked like, what his car description was, what his license number was, and never felt so empowered (luckily the jerk didn't have a gun or some other weapon at his disposal). The bluster in this guy deflated quicker than a sidewall blowout & he after a brief glare at me (probably with disdain) he silently did a 180 and waddled back to his van and sped away.

Then I'm thinking - hey where's my apology?

Don't try this at home boys and girls. I think I just got lucky today and responded appropriately to an individual who allowed me to have my say and ultimately was receptive to what I said. That's possibly not the case with the next testosterone infused idiot who believes you better just get out of his way - or else!

The fact that you or I may be in the right when things go badly on the road (either as a pedestrian or cyclist) is of little consolation to your loved ones who are looking at you in the hospital or worse. There's been a lot written lately about confronting the angry motorist - and even after today's near altercation I would recommend being as calm, non-aggressive, and as matter-of-fact that you possibly can. Or turn the other cheek. It's hard to do when emotions are at there highest but you'll be the better person for it. Don't let the bastards get you down.

So back to work - here at the center of the blogging universe as well as my real job (which is loving my wife and the other 3 grins).