"What's the weather doing there?" My wife was calling from Baltimore or less. She's in the neighborhood of MD for a week.

I looked at the dark green and yellow mass on the weather radar on the computer screen, and at the silver lances of rain splintering on the parking lot.

"It's misting," I said. No point painting a grim picture when I was going to ride anyway.

The temperature hovered in the mid 60s. The rain thickened.

I wore my tee shirt under my jersey for extra insulation. It would also increase my cargo payload at the grocery store if the shirt was on my back instead of stuffed in the dry bag on my rack. I had a please-don't-kill-me-yellow wind vest in a plastic bag on the rack as my last trick if I got too chilled.

With tee shirt and jersey, the rain and wind just felt pleasantly cool. Silver, the snorkel bike, cruised easily. It feels very calming. No point getting all jacked and jumpy. You'll never sprint that swing set.

A little discomfort tests you. Over the years I have sailed, paddled, climbed, hiked, biked and skied in a wide variety of conditions. Sometimes it was part of a race. Other times I had a fixed schedule and had to take whatever weather I got. Sometimes the weather ambushed me. It's handy to know how much you can take, and how you perform under stress, before a real stressful situation comes along. But that means you have to train. You have to choose discomfort the way you choose to lift weights or ride intervals. Push the margin of conditions a little.

Today I felt pretty fine for about 12 miles, as far as the grocery store. I parked the bike under the shelter where the shopping carts are stored, tied on my cleat covers and went in for a couple of essential items for the evening's celebration of a dry house after a wet commute.

The air felt chillier when I came out. I loaded the bike and set off across the parking lot.

For a cyclist, there are several ways to exit, depending on traffic. One sandy path leads out onto Route 28, where I can use the traffic light to help me turn left onto Route 16. That only works if I have a red light buddy to trip the treadle for me. Otherwise I just wait for a gap and run the light.

In light traffic I can ride right out the main entrance/exit to the parking lot onto 16, unassisted by a traffic light. If there are a lot of cars on 16 and going in and out, one or more motorists will always get impatient, convinced they could make a hole shot better than anyone pedaling a bike. So I avoid that option unless things are very quiet.

Plan C takes a route diagonally out the corner of the lot almost at the 16-28 junction. That way I can assess the traffic and either cross 16 directly or queue up at the 28 light. I hadn't done it in quite a while, though, so I chose the wrong hole through the trees and shrubs. I had to ride up and over a three-foot berm. I dabbed at the top.

The last three and a half miles was a bit of a slog. It's mostly down hill, but I felt the dampness and chill. I didn't want to stop to dig out my wind vest.

Home was all the sweeter for the effort. The comfort is so much more comfortable.

Day 4 of the Tour d'Enfer was a free day. While many rested their sore legs in the hotel, Ralph and I went to watch the Tour de France climb Col du Galibier.

Dive! Dive!

Yesterday's steamy sunshine is gone. The thick, gray mass hanging close above the treetops has taken over as our typical morning. Yesterday it did lift and part before closing back in. Today we can expect less relief, if any.

Showers and heavier downpours are on the schedule for the sixth day. Yesterday we didn't get much right around here, but the basic air mass remains unimproved.

Tomorrow is supposed to be more of a full-on deluge.

Friday looks good for a split 42 to go retrieve the repaired auto. We dry out for some reason, though the threat of some showers remains though the weekend.

2008 Tour de France...best one that I have seen in over a decade...so far. Lots of fantastic racing, awesome stages, a true competition among great athletes. Yes there have been a few "problems" but, they are being dealt with so the rest of us move on and return to the edge of the chair to continue watching the great climbs, white-knuckle descents, lightening sprints, and the agonizing crashes.

One of my favorite things about the Grand Tours are the writeups of the pro riders bikes where we get to so their crazy positions, fancy paint jobs, and unobtanium parts that they use. It's usually a good time to see companies showing off some of their newest-latest-greatest parts and equipment. On Tuesday, Cyclingnews posted a writeup of Pippo Pozzato's SuperSix which is pretty trick so be sure to read up on it.


Custom dark green metallic paint...sweet wheels too.

Photo ©: Ben Atkins/Cyclingnews.com

Liquigas LOOK Keo pedals? Hmmmmm, I believe that I may need to search for a pair of these for my SystemSix since I have the grey Sprints now........
Photo ©: Ben Atkins/Cyclingnews.com

I have been threatened with leprosy, and who knows what other untold doom, if I did not respond to these questions below. So, Fatty, here you are. I hope you are proud of yourself.

And the only reason I have decided to answer these now (rather than later), is because I am stuck in this bewildering limbo as I wait, and wait, and wait for the hospital to call and tell us they have room for my wife to come and deliver the twins. Only in Utah will you find a line at the hospital to have a baby.

But, yes. The twins. They are en route. Watch this space for details. If you are into that sort of thing.

As for the questions...

If you could have any one — and only one — bike in the world, what would it be?

I don't know. I love the bike I have. But if I could have any bike in the world it would be a bike that does not weigh anything at all, and yet is strong and unbreakable. It would have a built in GPS, air pump, gas stove, satellite radio, and Slurpee machine.

But if I can't have that, well then I'd take a full suspension Jersey Devil.

Do you already have that coveted dream bike? If so, is it everything you hoped it would be? If not, are you working toward getting it? If you’re not working toward getting it, why not?

Sort of. I have the Jersey Devil hard tail. And it is awesome. I just want a little cushion for the pushin' you know?

If you had to choose one — and only one — bike route to do every day for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why?

Now, do you mean that every day I'd have to ride this route. As in no days off the bike. Ever?

I'd go with the Ridge Trail 157. Or maybe the Colorado Trail. Yeah, the CT. Because nobody can ride the entire trail in one day. And so the logic of the situation is destroyed, and thus I am excused from the contract of riding the same trail everyday.

Makes sense right?

What kind of sick person would force another person to ride one and only one bike ride to do for the rest of her / his life?

Have you seen Groundhog Day?

Do you ride both road and mountain bikes? If both, which do you prefer and why? If only one or the other, why are you so narrow minded?

I ride both. If Dug is Bi-curious, then I am Bi-cyclual. I prefer my mountain bike however. But sometimes, like a cold Coke or an Otter Pop, a road ride just hits the spot.

Have you ever ridden a recumbent? If so, why? If not, describe the circumstances under which you would ride a recumbent.

lol serious?

Have you ever raced a triathlon? If so, have you also ever tried strangling yourself with dental floss?

Does the Fatty Tri earlier this year count? If so, then yes! If not, then, well...no. I floss everyday, but have yet to do any significant bodily harm to myself.

Suppose you were forced to either give up ice cream or bicycles for the rest of your life. Which would you give up, and why?

Since my dream bike will have a Slurpee machine I suppose I could do without Ice Cream. But how stupid would that be, to give up ice cream?

What is a question you think this questionnaire should have asked, but has not? Also, answer it.

What's with the beard? No kidding, a door to door salesmen just asked me that. He interrupted my writing, and after he was done with his pitch, he says, "so, what's with the beard?"

"It's just a beard." I said.

"Oh, so you are not like an actor?"

You’re riding your bike in the wilderness (if you’re a roadie, you’re on a road, but otherwise the surroundings are quite wilderness-like) and you see a bear. The bear sees you. What do you do?


Take a picture. And then I'd talk to it. Something like "hey Bear, lucky for you I am riding with my slower friend today. He once threatened me with disease if I did not answer a 100 question survey. You could probably easily catch him on his bike. But first you need to let me on by"

But for real, I'd just take a picture and hope he goes away. Because I wouldn't want to have to go all Davey Crockett on him.

Now, tag three biking bloggers. List them below.

I apologize in advance to:

• Dave
• Dave
• Dave

Electra has recalled some models of their popular "Amsterdam" bicycle after receiving reports that the chain can derail and cause riders to fall. The affected models, which are equipped with chainguards, are the Amsterdam Classic 3, Original 3, Royal 8, and Sport 3 styles. Bicycles with frame numbers beginning with “F06” or “EL” or bicycles with chainguards marked “06/08” are not included in this recall. Frame numbers can be on the bottom of the bottom bracket.

Consumers should bring their Amsterdam bicycles to their Electra Bicycle dealer for a free inspection and replacement chainguard part. More info in this recall notice PDF.

Adam the Tourist updated his blog, indicating that he weathered the thunderstorms and made it to the Maine coast. Having traveled over there with bike and kayak, I could visualize his experiences.

No credit to me for replacing his shift cable or winkling out the recessed stub of his broken-off rack bolt (and chasing the remaining threads with a tap), but at least he mentioned the shop, more or less.

Glad to hear he's doing well.

No Rhyme or reason these days to the training/riding. The past week has been topsy turvy with wife out of town and having the kids and work. It'll be another week till things settle down as I go out of town.

There have been no events on my calendar to work towards which leads to non-structured riding. Typically this leads to noticeable fitness loss, however this time around things seems to be going great. In fact I'd almost venture to say I'm riding as well if not stronger than last year.

It's been so lax that I haven't even been keeping a log of the rides, rest, etc. There are a couple of basic observations that seem apparent though.

First is my eating plan and weight. The Paleo Diet for Athletes plan seems to be working well for me. It's become general sort of plan that is followed about 75% of the time. While riding I'm typically using only energy drink and am riding pretty strong for up to 2.5-3hrs as long as I've scarfed well 3 hours prior. Sugar spiking is under control more. Appetite is down in general. Weight is stable and lower than in the past. Though for sure it's got some downsides.

It's only a few pounds but it sure seems to be noticeable on the bike. I feel more 'punchy'. My riding style seems to include more out of the saddle efforts than in the past. It's kinda fun. Dancing on the pedals a little. Not for very long or very fast but it feels fun.

Training rides have been shorter and with some good intensity. Can't bring myself to do any intervals on the trainer, but outside I just try to find some hills and hardly ever more then 1.5-2hrs If I ride at lunch, it includes the hardest route back to the office. Then a few days without anything, maybe a commute on the bike. A day to get the legs back and then a couple of short hard rides. Every 2 weeks a good MTB in there.

After a few days off the bike, it's a little mentally hard to actually get back on sometimes. Which seems ironic to me. I'd think I'd be pining to get back out but it seems to take a little effort to make the time to get out.

So all in all riding is fun and I feel fit

Stage 17 of the Tour de France tomorrow will feature the famous Alpe de Wheeze. You can visit this alpine meadow virtually through Google Streetview.




The Alpe d'Huez, which has hosted a Tour de France stage almost every year since 1976, is probably the most famous mountain climb of the Tour de France, which large and enthusiastic crowds of fans crowding along the hairpin turns that lead to the ski resort in the French Alps.

A Frenchman gets his stage win

French cyclist Cyril Dessel got his stage win today, in Stage 16 that started in Italy.

• KWC: Stage 16 overview and link roundup.
  
• The FredCast: Stage 16 Results
  
• TdF Blog: no updates yet!!! (I thought I saw a Tweet from Frank saying he had updates online...)
  
• Cyclodro.me: Stage 16 robotic links.

Last week we went for a trip to the hills.  Big surprise, eh? Yet another new mountain range.  Flowers everywhere.  The Crested Butte of Utah was our destination. Where is this anyway??? Nope, that’s not Mt. Crested Butte and no, this isn’t Scotland. From 11,450′ you can see the Sevier valley below at about 6k’. Towards the end of the [...]

New Hampshire has just passed its version of a "three-foot law" requiring motorists to give at least that much clearance when passing cyclists. Drivers of any motor vehicle are also supposed to add a foot to that clearance for each increment of 10 miles per hour above 30.

What do you, the cyclist do about the driver who blatantly disregards the law? Not much. But at least the driver, if apprehended, might face more charges than under the previous laws. If you happen to have sympathetic police nearby when an incident occurs, they have specific statutes with which to charge an aggressive driver.

An article in the Concord Monitor gives details of the new law. These include making it legal for a cyclist to pass a stationary vehicle on the right. I never knew it was illegal for a cyclist to do that. I just knew it was stupid. Now it is legal, but it remains stupid.

Last Sunday was the Day of the Death Hole in Wolfe City. On the ride home I had two drivers stop after passing me so I could pass them on their right before they turned right. Ordinarily I make a showy point of avoiding the Death Hole, but both times these drivers had pulled out to the middle of the road, blocking safe passage to the left, and ambushed me so that I had no time to bring my heavy rain bike to a halt to force them to clear the intersection. I had to trust them.

Trusting motorists is the second biggest cause of nasty crashes. Riding against traffic is the first. Since riding against traffic is the most egregious form of trusting motorists, you could say that trusting motorists is the single biggest cause of nasty crashes.

When traffic is stopped, as in Wolfe City all summer long, and North Conway during summer and winter tourist seasons, cyclists are forced to ride to the right of the whole string of sense-deprived prisoners of internal combustion. That was how I got a car door driven muscle-deep into my LEFT leg one summer day. Whenever you pass a vehicle on its right be extra cautious. I've seen young heroes blast through that gap at criterium speeds to prove their superiority to the gridlocked masses. You don't look superior when you're lying on the ground bleeding. You look like the fool they think you are. Don't give them the satisfaction.

"Let's run down there and each get us one of them cows," said the young bull to the old bull.

"Let's walk down and get 'em all," answered the elder.

Many times, slower is better. You'll still be faster than someone essentially parked in the travel lane. You'll look even cooler if you aren't all breathless and sweaty.

Aside from legalizing the Death Hole, New Hampshire's new legislation should help cycling in the state by creating a false sense of security in new riders so that they ride long enough to get acclimated. A larger legal footprint gives bicycling a bigger chunk of the drivers' handbook and greater claim to public consciousness. We're more of a protected species. Just remember that a car windshield at 65 miles per hour does not know the difference between a common wasp and an endangered Karner Blue butterfly.

We all have our favorite pro cyclists and maybe because of them a favorite team.  There are great guys in the pro peloton with great personalities.  So, if you could go on a training ride with a pro cyclist… who would you pick?  I’ve always liked George Hincapie.  He’s modest, a great experienced all around rider and certainly [...]

The White Rim is a storied location. Vast and wide and mysterious. Gateway to an unknown wilderness, edge of the Maze, an alien world of ancient ghosts and impossible canyons.

As I rode the trail this spring I gazed out at the landscape feeling small, awestruck and otherwise soaking up the Abbey-esque vibes of the natural wonder and enchantment that surrounded me. It was one of those sublime moments, a rare connection with the intangible world beyond our own seeing, our own existence.

And then, a grown man on a single speed wearing knee-high church socks, plaid shorts and a basket on his handlebars passed me.

Roger Kramer, the Missouri Bicycle Federation, and others report that the local non-profit that operates the Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis does not have funding to keep the bridge open.

The Chain of Rocks bridge used to be part of the old U.S. Route 66. The bridge was closed in 1970, and after almost three decades of disrepair was renovated and reopened as a pedestrian and bicycle bridge for a regional bike trail. At 5,348 feet, it's considered the longest bike / pedestrian bridge in the world.

Read more. I foresee more news of trail closures and delayed facilities construction as governments struggle to allocate funds in tough economic times.