Random Thoughts

I know I've been sporadic at best at bloggin these days. My rhythm has been all off, I'm afraid I don't expect it back til Spring either. Alot has been going on, so I'm going to just rattle some things off:

-Last week my computer fell off my bike in the middle of an intersection. I pulled over hoping to maybe retrieve it at the red light. Unfortunately I stood there staring at my little favorite mileage recorder and watched it get ran over by a bus, half dozen cars and then....another bus! Since it was in one piece I had hopes it would survive. It didn't...it was all in one piece but it was dead. I still don't know how it came off. It just sorta jumped off- and I'm sure it was on all the way because I had looked at my mph.

Anyways, I miss it. I haven't been logging my miles since. I feel like I'm riding fruitlessly now with no tracking. Sure I could map my rides online, but I've been too lazy and busy to do it. I've got a rough guesstimate. It's sad each day to ride and see the empty spot of my cateye 8. Everything is all wired up, but I don't know how fast I'm going....

-I took my bike into the shop last week. My disc brakes have been giving me lots of problems. They seem to slip- as is they are so loose, even with weekly adjustments. And they squeak like freakin CRAZINESS!!! I have been cleaning with them with alcohol, but two days later they are back to squeakin crazy. I knew it was a cheap bike with the cheapest disc brakes available so I wasn't expecting much, but it's getting ridiculous. The shop had them working good....for a day! Then they are loose again, too much play in the front. I don't have time to do daily adjustments and cleaning.

-I have started shopping for the 'one' again. I want something that I can do long distances on, faster than the commuter, but more comfortable than my old Trek 1000. This one is going to me my weekend and long ride ride. I'll do regular short commutes on the 'goose.

I think I'm over the whole 'I need disc brakes' thing, I haven't had much better luck with cantilever, so I'm thinking side pull.

Touring frame seems logical, but I rode a Bianchi Velope that was amazingly comfortable.I am sure I want steel, I just like the feel. Which leaves me at - cyclocross or touring?

I've also never purchased a bike without riding it first, so I'm hesitant to just buy. Any suggestions there?

Additionally I've been stuck on Surly. Thanks to Doug for that...

The Cross Check seems so versatile and everyone that has one seems to rave about it. I like that it can morph into a fixie, SS, geared and the tire options.

But I've also heard great things about the LHT...and I like the set up, it looks like what I'm looking for comfort wise.

My price range is around $1000

-I also have been thinking about downsizing the stable. I will post some pictures later and start on this in the next couple we. Decisions to be made....

-It looks like snow might be in my near future. The 'biskit got some good news last week. The moving boxes will be making a showing soon in our living room.

-I'm torn about the Lance debacle. The BIG press conference is starting in a couple hours. I am excited for him to be coming back of course. I am a true lancenite and have defended him in many arguments, I believe in him. And I'm glad that it will bring the excitement of the American (non) cycling fans back to le tour. BUT...BUT I was totally content without him. I had JUST gotten over him and was just this year EXCITED again about the young prospects! Christian and Andy just blew me away this last year, and the Garmin and Columbia boys were inspiring and fun to follow along with. I was feeling like a happy fan again- I had left my disgruntlement back in 2007 where it belonged. I felt as an American fan I had a future again! Then the announcement came. I didn't know how to feel about it. I was happy with Leadville and the brief encounters out there. He wasn't. So he is coming back.

It seems to me only logical that if this is truly for Cancer Awareness, which I believe is 95% of it, then the ONLY logical step is for him to buy Astana and have his own Livestrong Team. I'm with Fatty on this one.

Poor Contador...and Levi...and Christian...This was going to be their year. And because I take the tour personally, and I align myself unwavering with my favorite cyclists I....I hope...I hope that Frank crushes Lance! And then Christian can take the oppertunity to swing around and win it all!

There, I said it. That is my fantasy. I do love Lance, I do believe in Lance- 100%. I don't believe he ever doped. I think he is the most amazing cyclist in history. If anyone can come back and do this, it is Lance. His focus is awe inspiring and jawdropping. In the words of Matthew McConaughey- "Cancer picked the wrong guy to fuck with!"

I also hope that after Lance loses the tour this year that he does it gracefully with honor and a BIG old smile. Then he can go on to WIN the battle against cancer, which if anyone can do, it is Lance.

But of course if he wins the tour, that's cool too. Because I think it's going to be the hardest one ever. I think the pack is going to try to kill him. It will be fun to watch that is for sure. He might get beat up, and he might be on top. I predict it to be up and down....But knowing Lance, I think in the end he could squeak it out with some of his unbelievable inner Supermanpower. Maybe that's the confidence boost he needs to run for President in order to kill cancer.

-I think I need to get a new computer. I feel so lost without my miles counted accurately.

-I'm real glad it's fall. It was 59* this morning on the ride in. I wore long sleeves and shorts. I can't wait to need long pants and a hat. I also need to shop for full gloves.

-Despite the bike issues, it's been a really great week of commuting. Weather is PEEERRRFECT! Gotta love the ATL for that!