So long 2006...

Narrowly avoided 'death by Ford' today to cap off the last commute of the year. What irks me most is a driver's reaction... I look through their windshields after a close-call like that to see what kind of person they are. Today it was a "who the hell are you to ride a bike on a dark rainy morning" angry look of rage. My response was a straight-from-the-heart middle finger.

I brightened the holy shutter-speed out of these photos on the 'puter, and you now know why I'm not posting many pics of the commute as of late. It's dark out there...

See you Sunday at 1pm. Let's send old man 2006 off with a bang.

Dig it.

Last Polo Game of 2006!

...so let's make it a fond farewell to 2006. Double the halftime refreshments and double the action. C'mon down to Swanson Park - 36th & Cornhusker at 1pm on New Year's Eve. As always - bring a black and white shirt so we can keep the teams mixed... mallets are provided. T-Bone, MOD... pick up the drum beat and post on 29 & MTB. Let's make this Sunday a kick ass game. Anyone from Lincoln interested? BTW - I have no idea who the fools are in this video are. I'm sure we could kick their arse, though.

Winter Beer

Lovely and welcome gift. Every time. Notice anything out of place here? The photo is undoctored. Visit Odellbrewing.com for the answer.

Down Under

Got this email just the other day. Remember the "Lance Glance"?

Hi ajb,

Now, you don't know me at all, but in the interests of international relations, I thought you might be interested to know that your post about the 4 bloodymary's and the "Lance glance" is getting forwarded around a fair bit between cyclists in Australia. Seriously, I've received it three times now from different people...

Now that's a story to tell your grandkids :o)

Cheers,

Bels H.

Melbourne, Australia

Here's a link to the Bicycle Victoria Forum.

Thanks Bels! I love Australia... I've had a bike route (Brisbane - Cairns - Brisbane) mapped out for years. Someday I'll pull the trigger on that one... someday.

My new bike

Jingle Bells... Turkey

13 Days left 'til Mr. Ho Ho Ho shows up. Getting into the holiday spirit by decking the ride with some sleigh bells for the commute. That's just the beginning. I've got 40 feet of "hello, I'm straight outta 1974" gold garland waiting at home.

Won this little bugger today at work. Pressing his left wing gets him to sing some Fa la la la la and shake his head wildly back and forth. Only way to get him home is on the top of the rack.

Yes... you bet I'm pressing that little button while at all the stop lights on L between 108th & 84th.

Send your Santa-stylied bike pics to 2wheelcommute@gmail.com and I'll post 'em up.

The Cap'n

Here's an email with photo Bob sent from rainy Washington.

I just got back from a 2.5 hour ride in the rain. Mostly offroad, lots of mud and on the SS cross bike. The temps here are in the 40's or 50's so pretty nice except for the rain all the time. I should be back in Omaha on the 30th.

How long you staying for, El Capitan?

Christmas Wish

Dear Santa, I've been a good commuter all year, and want a twin rocket engine with mount and rocket fuel for my Long Haul Trucker.

December Polo - 50's?

50+ degrees this Sunday? Ridiculous. That spells one helluva Polo match come Sunday. Todd B hasn't been seen out there yet... Kurt J needs to pony up. Cowbell should come home for this one. Grump, too... What's up - let's play!

Swanson Park - 36th & Cornhusker - 1pm (Noon for a warmup lap or two w/ T-bone)
Bring halftime refreshments, a black shirt, a white shirt, and a beater bike. Mallets provided.

Hey Cowbell I think you need to step it up!

From www.cyclingnews.com
We all no what LeMond did for Chequamegon! I think Lance will do even more for Leadville.
(More like completely ruin it!)


Armstrong to race Leadville Trail 100


Retirement from pro road racing has opened new doors for Lance Armstrong. This fall, the former roadie and seven-time Tour de France winner tackled the New York City marathon, and next August, he'll try out the Leadville Trail 100, a 100 mile mountain bike race in Leadville, Colorado.

Race director Ken Chlouber confirmed the race was on Armstrong's schedule, which now consists of only a few races per year. "This is huge for Leadville," Chlouber told the Leadville Chronicle. He added that the race was well suited for Armstrong, who is known for surmounting tough personal obstacles like cancer.

The Leadville 100 began in 1983 and covers a 100-mile course through the Sawatch mountains. It features 15,600 feet of climbing and descending. The race is notoriously challenging because the entire course is at a high altitude. The lowest point is 9,200 feet, and the highest point is 12,620 feet. The race is so popular that a lottery is used to dole out the available slots. About 500-600 of the 750 starters finish the race annually.

It won't be Armstrong's first appearance off road, but it will be the first time he races an endurance mountain bike event. If he has time to train, the Tour de France winner could challenge for the win.