1410.4 / 20.5 / ~100
What the hell, eh? Take the longest and worst route home, 14 miles up Stony Point to the bike path and 5 more miles on that. Stony Point just completely totally sucks, riding into the wind, with constant traffic. Plus it's like 90 degrees out. Still, MUST GET THOSE MILES, esp after being a pig all day with chocolate et al., fighting off the Craving Whose Name Will Not Be Mentioned, But Which Perhaps Has Lessened Somewhat, Lo, These Three Weeks.
I was getting bored with the standard route, especially that part of Roblar with the narrow shoulder. Now I appreciate it more again...
Friday, October 12, 2001
1410.4 / 20.5 / ~100
What the hell, eh? Take the longest and worst route home, 14 miles up Stony Point to the bike path and 5 more miles on that. Stony Point just completely totally sucks, riding into the wind, with constant traffic. Plus it's like 90 degrees out. Still, MUST GET THOSE MILES, esp after being a pig all day with chocolate et al., fighting off the Craving Whose Name Will Not Be Mentioned, But Which Perhaps Has Lessened Somewhat, Lo, These Three Weeks.
I was getting bored with the standard route, especially that part of Roblar with the narrow shoulder. Now I appreciate it more again...
What the hell, eh? Take the longest and worst route home, 14 miles up Stony Point to the bike path and 5 more miles on that. Stony Point just completely totally sucks, riding into the wind, with constant traffic. Plus it's like 90 degrees out. Still, MUST GET THOSE MILES, esp after being a pig all day with chocolate et al., fighting off the Craving Whose Name Will Not Be Mentioned, But Which Perhaps Has Lessened Somewhat, Lo, These Three Weeks.
I was getting bored with the standard route, especially that part of Roblar with the narrow shoulder. Now I appreciate it more again...
1391.0 / 20 / na
Another uneventful ride, just getting here. 70 miles so far this week without actually trying for mileage.
Don't Say a Word (2001): "Don't Pay a Dime" to see this movie. Wait for it on TV, if you bother to see it at all.
Actually it started out pretty good, but then fell back on formula. Michael Douglas, who really runs hot and cold (but made $20M for "A Perfect Murder" and must've made at least 10 for this!), sucks pretty bad in this movie as a perpetually concerned father and wundershrink who has to get info from crazy girl Elizabeth Burrows (played very well by Brittany Murphy, who I'm surprised to find I've apparently seen in not-as-memorable roles). Douglas' "wife" (apparently mostly there for T&A value, yet never delivering T *or* A) and "daughter" (god-awful sickly-sweet, preciously-"bright" kid of whom I've already seen too much) are just plain annoying from start to finish, as is the "tough twenty-something female detective with a chip on her shoulder" who does exactly what you expect her to do scene by scene (is there just one person writing this crap-ola, or do they have to learn it when they enter the LA metro area - as if the state-line inspection stations checked not only for fruit, but for originality and ability to develop characters?). Oliver Platt, however, is -- as usual -- a bright spot.
Was thinking, wouldn't it be cool to have a Rules Wizard for real-life personal interaction just like in email, such that I could deflect everything Joe McCarty says into a convenient wastebasket, and put other people's stuff, by subject text, into convenient folders I could visit later?
Sigh.
Another uneventful ride, just getting here. 70 miles so far this week without actually trying for mileage.
Don't Say a Word (2001): "Don't Pay a Dime" to see this movie. Wait for it on TV, if you bother to see it at all.
Actually it started out pretty good, but then fell back on formula. Michael Douglas, who really runs hot and cold (but made $20M for "A Perfect Murder" and must've made at least 10 for this!), sucks pretty bad in this movie as a perpetually concerned father and wundershrink who has to get info from crazy girl Elizabeth Burrows (played very well by Brittany Murphy, who I'm surprised to find I've apparently seen in not-as-memorable roles). Douglas' "wife" (apparently mostly there for T&A value, yet never delivering T *or* A) and "daughter" (god-awful sickly-sweet, preciously-"bright" kid of whom I've already seen too much) are just plain annoying from start to finish, as is the "tough twenty-something female detective with a chip on her shoulder" who does exactly what you expect her to do scene by scene (is there just one person writing this crap-ola, or do they have to learn it when they enter the LA metro area - as if the state-line inspection stations checked not only for fruit, but for originality and ability to develop characters?). Oliver Platt, however, is -- as usual -- a bright spot.
Was thinking, wouldn't it be cool to have a Rules Wizard for real-life personal interaction just like in email, such that I could deflect everything Joe McCarty says into a convenient wastebasket, and put other people's stuff, by subject text, into convenient folders I could visit later?
Sigh.
Thursday, October 11, 2001
1375.1 / 19 / na
No exercise today, but for my one-mile walk. Will ride to work tomorrow. Day 20 of freedom from the Addiction that Dare Not Speak Its Name. Supposedly, it gets easier...
Surfing Blogger all morning, recently-updated blogs. Amazing how many high school kids are on this - I suppose that shouldn't be amazing - where else but a free site? Lots of news-link sites. Ha, "that band Anthrax sure is getting a lot of publicity lately."
The irony of Rush Limbaugh's deafness is not escaping many, is it.
There's a point where you just want to throw up your hands and say "whatever." Everyone's got an opinion about this situation; everyone knows precisely what should be done in the Middle East. And I'm really tired of hearing opinions broadcast as fact. They may quote (or annoyingly, link to) hundreds of news sites to support their opinions, but you can find a news writer to back any opinion you like.
Editing this ... thing ... and it's SO poorly written, it's just sad. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, and much of it is learned behavior, but it is such a chore to edit this kind of stuff. Have already almost filled two sides of a page with "Global" edits, like:
replace "prior to" w/ "before."
replace "The xx page allows you to..." w/ "Use the xx page to..."
replace "The following table lists the items that appear on the xx page." w/ "The following items appear on the xx page."
replace "...transaction within <the product>" w/ "<product> transaction"
But I still hate to go past these things page by page (200+ pages) without marking them in some way to make sure they get fixed. I've had this thing on my desk for a week now - usually I have no trouble editing 200 pages in a day.
No exercise today, but for my one-mile walk. Will ride to work tomorrow. Day 20 of freedom from the Addiction that Dare Not Speak Its Name. Supposedly, it gets easier...
Surfing Blogger all morning, recently-updated blogs. Amazing how many high school kids are on this - I suppose that shouldn't be amazing - where else but a free site? Lots of news-link sites. Ha, "that band Anthrax sure is getting a lot of publicity lately."
The irony of Rush Limbaugh's deafness is not escaping many, is it.
There's a point where you just want to throw up your hands and say "whatever." Everyone's got an opinion about this situation; everyone knows precisely what should be done in the Middle East. And I'm really tired of hearing opinions broadcast as fact. They may quote (or annoyingly, link to) hundreds of news sites to support their opinions, but you can find a news writer to back any opinion you like.
Editing this ... thing ... and it's SO poorly written, it's just sad. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, and much of it is learned behavior, but it is such a chore to edit this kind of stuff. Have already almost filled two sides of a page with "Global" edits, like:
replace "prior to" w/ "before."
replace "The xx page allows you to..." w/ "Use the xx page to..."
replace "The following table lists the items that appear on the xx page." w/ "The following items appear on the xx page."
replace "...transaction within <the product>" w/ "<product> transaction"
But I still hate to go past these things page by page (200+ pages) without marking them in some way to make sure they get fixed. I've had this thing on my desk for a week now - usually I have no trouble editing 200 pages in a day.
Wednesday, October 10, 2001
1375.1 / 18 / na
Bolinas Ridge *rocks*! Managed to get about five miles up the road before tiring and turning around. Then, pretty much five uninterrupted miles of pure downhill fun. Brought the camera; there'll be pictures later.
It's worth all the work of making myself ride to work, forcing myself to take that extra-long route or that extra-steep hill, to get to where I can do these off-road runs without too much pain. Big, big fun!
(Oh, oops, I'm sick today. <kaff, kaff!>)
Bolinas Ridge *rocks*! Managed to get about five miles up the road before tiring and turning around. Then, pretty much five uninterrupted miles of pure downhill fun. Brought the camera; there'll be pictures later.
It's worth all the work of making myself ride to work, forcing myself to take that extra-long route or that extra-steep hill, to get to where I can do these off-road runs without too much pain. Big, big fun!
(Oh, oops, I'm sick today. <kaff, kaff!>)
Tuesday, October 09, 2001
~1365 / 17 / na
Rode home with Toby to watch MNF, and confirm earlier assessments that riding is a solitary pleasure. Most of the time, one or the other is a quarter-mile ahead. Very seldom can you ride side-by-side and talk. Toby tends to push harder uphill, and then go slower downhill, so that I'm straining to keep up on the uphill, and then losing all momentum hitting the brakes if I'm behind him on the downhill. I never stand up on the pedals to get up a hill - I'm not gonna kill myself trying to get up a hill; am content to be sitting down the whole time. I normally stop more often, drink water, enjoy the scenery a bit. It just wasn't pleasant. From last entry, yes, there are trade-offs, but I probably won't bother with this one again.
Red-tail on the wire along 116. Wonder if the hawks are coming back - still don't have a handle on their migration patterns, as some stay and some seem to go...
Rode home with Toby to watch MNF, and confirm earlier assessments that riding is a solitary pleasure. Most of the time, one or the other is a quarter-mile ahead. Very seldom can you ride side-by-side and talk. Toby tends to push harder uphill, and then go slower downhill, so that I'm straining to keep up on the uphill, and then losing all momentum hitting the brakes if I'm behind him on the downhill. I never stand up on the pedals to get up a hill - I'm not gonna kill myself trying to get up a hill; am content to be sitting down the whole time. I normally stop more often, drink water, enjoy the scenery a bit. It just wasn't pleasant. From last entry, yes, there are trade-offs, but I probably won't bother with this one again.
Red-tail on the wire along 116. Wonder if the hawks are coming back - still don't have a handle on their migration patterns, as some stay and some seem to go...
Monday, October 08, 2001
1349.1 / 16 / 93 min.
A little extra mileage, perhaps, over Orchard Station Rd - actually, even with the big hill, it seems like less (perhaps because of going quite fast on the other side). Though not 80mph.
I think I detect an ever-so-slight lessening of belly. Yesterday only ate McDonald's lunch and lean pocket dinner - probably still a zillion calories, but less than what I might usually do on a Sunday.
Weatherman so far says all clear all week. Toby riding with me after work, I think, to watch what is likely to be a virtually meaningless and unexciting football game (Rams vs. Lions). The more I think about it, the more I sorta regret inviting him. Much of bike riding, for me, is a solitary pleasure - much of tonight's ride, in fact, will by necessity be single-file, and then I have to match his speed. Be it faster or slower than MY speed, it's a pain in the ass either way. Oh well. You don't want to go thru life friendless, and sometimes there are trade-offs.
So, now I'm carrying another half-pound of crap, but am better prepared to keep it rolling.
Didn't try for any speed records today; it's really annoying how, even with my newly-buff legs, I get a lot of muscle pain starting out in the morning. Like my legs are going to resist getting in shape every step of the way. But once I get going, not too bad. I get *very* winded on a couple of the hills, but again, a relatively short stop at the top and I'm good to go onward.
Will NOT ride tomorrow. No I won't. I've earned a day off, I guess.
A little extra mileage, perhaps, over Orchard Station Rd - actually, even with the big hill, it seems like less (perhaps because of going quite fast on the other side). Though not 80mph.
I think I detect an ever-so-slight lessening of belly. Yesterday only ate McDonald's lunch and lean pocket dinner - probably still a zillion calories, but less than what I might usually do on a Sunday.
Weatherman so far says all clear all week. Toby riding with me after work, I think, to watch what is likely to be a virtually meaningless and unexciting football game (Rams vs. Lions). The more I think about it, the more I sorta regret inviting him. Much of bike riding, for me, is a solitary pleasure - much of tonight's ride, in fact, will by necessity be single-file, and then I have to match his speed. Be it faster or slower than MY speed, it's a pain in the ass either way. Oh well. You don't want to go thru life friendless, and sometimes there are trade-offs.
So, now I'm carrying another half-pound of crap, but am better prepared to keep it rolling.
Didn't try for any speed records today; it's really annoying how, even with my newly-buff legs, I get a lot of muscle pain starting out in the morning. Like my legs are going to resist getting in shape every step of the way. But once I get going, not too bad. I get *very* winded on a couple of the hills, but again, a relatively short stop at the top and I'm good to go onward.
Will NOT ride tomorrow. No I won't. I've earned a day off, I guess.
Sunday, October 07, 2001
~1334 / 15 / na
Well, after 115 miles on the week, couldn't go through the weekend without at least a *short* ride today to keep the gains made so far.
While the beer gut still remains, I can feel almost no fat and a lot of "new" muscle on my legs. As if to prove it...
Loma Alta!
This was only about 5 miles round trip, but it was off-road, and - as you see at bottom - up some pretty significant climbs. Just when I was starting to think I don't really need that #1 gear on the front, I find a use for it. I actually only walked the bike twice, for about 50 feet each time. (At the point where I turned around, the road gets *really* steep, topping out at one of the highest peaks in Marin County.)
And the downhill reward! I'm still a little iffy on the reliability of the brakes in dirt, but did let go a few times for a some rather intense-but-pleasant momentum rolls... Fun!
Also got a quick lesson from "the bike guy" on repairing a flat on the road, so I won't get stuck again (unless I get two flats at once). From now on, I'll carry an extra tube and my new tire pump.
Well, after 115 miles on the week, couldn't go through the weekend without at least a *short* ride today to keep the gains made so far.
While the beer gut still remains, I can feel almost no fat and a lot of "new" muscle on my legs. As if to prove it...
Loma Alta!
This was only about 5 miles round trip, but it was off-road, and - as you see at bottom - up some pretty significant climbs. Just when I was starting to think I don't really need that #1 gear on the front, I find a use for it. I actually only walked the bike twice, for about 50 feet each time. (At the point where I turned around, the road gets *really* steep, topping out at one of the highest peaks in Marin County.)
And the downhill reward! I'm still a little iffy on the reliability of the brakes in dirt, but did let go a few times for a some rather intense-but-pleasant momentum rolls... Fun!
Also got a quick lesson from "the bike guy" on repairing a flat on the road, so I won't get stuck again (unless I get two flats at once). From now on, I'll carry an extra tube and my new tire pump.
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