Busy Work+Crapy Computer=Little Sleep

So I was up a little late last night doing some crappy ass assignment for my pro and tech writing class and my browser tweeked and lost my doc, so I had to redo it. That coupled with 8 oclock class doesn't make a happy J. Anyways, I'm done with class now and I'm going to have some coffee and chill. Well I don't have much to say about things except a kickin tech review I read about SRM's new integrated cranks. SRM for those not in the know is a crank that reads your power output and costs about as much as a used car or a new D/A bike. The issue that's been holding up the pros from using them is issues with sponsers and weight, so they came out this year with a D/A integrated crank which satisfied the wigs, but the weight issue was still unresolved. So SRM just came out with a FSA crank that weighs 880 grams, which compaired to the traditional D/A crank at 740 grams is was not that bad, and quite frankly looks cool too. But that's not the end all be all for those who are of the weight-wennie disposition. SRM just came out with a Sibex-integrated power meter that has the claimed weight of 810 grams! Holy crap that's all i gotta say. I mean really only adding on 70 grams for that sort of information and lets be honest i lost more that that on my last trip to the bathroom. The only downfall of the new "Shit that will kill them" (as lance says) is the fact that it looks butt-ass ugly!! I mean seriously, I'm all about form following function but this thing is rediculous!! The Long and short of it is that the next time you see that guy rocking this 3400 dollar crank weighing less than that cheese burger you just ate, make sure you show him or her what it means to pedal a bike and drop thier ass. Be warned that it might be harder than you might think, usually those people are pretty damn serious, unless they arrived in a 55 Chevy, and then you can just remind them that you're lighter because of the serious duce you just took. No se olvide de las piernas.

Bags under Booties

To all my many fans I appologize on the tardiness with which this updates comes to you. I know you have been strung out and going through Coffee and Bikes withdrawl, but alas here we are and here do we have much to talk about. What can I say I've been a little busy these past days. I was on duty Thursday and Friday, which amounted to sitting around and wondering if I'm going to have to lay some serious smack down, but ultimately got the big let down. On Friday I watched the greatest show of all time BSG (for all you not in the know...you're going to have to stay in the dark on this one) it was a good one, more sitcomy but you know not every show can leave you hanging by the edge of you seat.

I guess since this is a coffee and bikes blog I should tell you have how much I've been riding, and how hard core we've (Sova's and I) are riding in the sleety rain for back to back 2:30 hours Sat. and Sun, but you know what too often updates like that just seem like they stating the obvious--yes we road this weekend, yes it was cold, yes you probibly sat on the couch wondering when the weather man will allow you to ride, yes that is your down under's going numb from riding on the trainer, yes I cleaned my bike of in the shower and rinsed off my bike clothes at the same time, no falling on ice does not feel well, yes my legs are beinging to come around, no I don't feel like i'm on a trail to mid-season destruction with 13 hours this week, yes I think that riding at this point is for mental toughness above all. So I won't give you the play by play but that's a small taste of what how riding has been going. Now it's Mondat now, I turned in a Sed Strat lab write up, sippin' some brew and quite frankly content with taking the day off to do some much needed, and in my opinion, well deserved napping.

Basically when it comes down to it riding, though I do endulge myself in delusions of grandure, will not be a profession; I will probibly not ride for CSC or Phonak or Subaru Gary Fisher or whoever, but my decision to ride reflects a lifestyle choice. I think that my time is better spent sitting on my nether regions feeling the flexing of my legs, the expansion of my lungs, the beating of my heart, the calm of mind rather than doing couch intervals watching Laguna Beach. Well enough philosophising, riding is riding--fuck the man, ride a bike.

Coffee Tip for the Day--Proportions and Temp. Brewing coffee is a science, or at least since I'm a scientist in the making i look at it as such. I will admit that I myself down sit around with a little scale like a drug dealer (or Lance Armstrong--open for interpretations) and a thermometer, but I do consistantly measure and heat water. I say heat water because water used for brewing coffee should not be boiled but raised to the temp of 195 F, boiling occuring at 212 F, to brew brew at lower temp causes the beans to under infuse and have a thin body and to brew brew higher temps burns the beans and creates a more acidic taste. Proportions are just as important, if not more, with french press brewing in that you should have 7.25 grams per 4-5 oz of water, or in "real persons" terms 2 tablespoons per 8 oz of water. Obviously this is a little more object in that taste is primarily a determinate for optimal bean-water proportions, but that's a good place to start.

Other than that all I gotta say is keep the rubber side down. No se olvide de las piernas.

Take a Minute to Un-Fuck Yourself

Though I did hit the deck, by the way Chad the F'in Wankers comment didn't mean that I went down because of you guys, I spent Monday chillin icin and sulking, but yesterday I moved my seat back a couple mm's and what do you my position felt 75 percent better. This is not to say that my knee didn't hurt at all. The brusing around the side of my knee still ached, but I felt a lot more comfortable while riding. We, the Sova's and I, did a couple of hours in some crazy cross wind, but we managed to keep the rubber side down and have a laugh or two, the title being one source of giggles.

So after the first day of classes I've decided that there are many different approaches to teaching and making first impressions. They tend to follow certain patterns:

1. Intimidation, my loathing favorite. "I get paid well by the University and I don't have to make anyone happy except myself....you are all stupid" -Dick

2. Down to Earth. "You don't have to show up, because it's your money and quite frankly I don't care...don't come to me, though, the day before shit's due and ask for help..."

3. Lame ass Jokes and bad sarcasm "...and when you hand in your essays I'll first count every word to make sure there's the proper amount..."

Among others these were some of the most common. So what can you say it's college.

It's a bit early to make a full judgement on the Brazil Natural Dry that I got from Alterra, but I will say the Brazil Traditional Dry is a bit more pungent and in your face. Preliminarily I will say that the Natural Dry is gently strong with kind of a open body a nice balanced finish....but this coming from the guy who described a wine as tasting like how Foot Locker smells, I have weird associations. I'll have to 'observe' some more testing...hehehe. No se olvide de las piernas. Adios.

Kissin the Deck, Checking Messages and Sippin the Brew

So yesterday I was out riding with Chad and Chase for a couple hours, not too cold only low 30s for 2 hours and Chad just can't seem to hide from all the phone calls.
















Being the stud that he is rollin Hollywood style he decided not to keep ladies waiting. Ah what can you say he's the man.














Other notables is well I decided to monkey around to break the grind and started to pass on the new gravel side of the road. As I quickly found out the gravel was pretty fresh and my front wheel dug in and I kissed the deck. FUCKIN WANKERS! I was pissed. Honestly I'm not an overly goofy guy, pretty straight shooter but in my moment of sillyness I go down. Now i'm icing a knee and taking today off. So much for getting the ball rollin.

On the up side my I got my shipment of coffee from Alterra.














So now I'm prepared for some 8 oclock Sedimentology and Stratigraphy class. Oddly enough the peps in that class are the same people in my Minerology and Petrology class last semester, and I see all of them in my Min. Pet II class at 10-1. What can I say it's going to be a hard semester. Well time to change the ol' laundry. Stay alive and keep the rubber side down (unlike me).

Mad Props

I have to give out some mad props to Dave who got me some beans from Brazil while he was there for a choir tour, which is cool. He's a pretty rad dude, got his head on straight you might say, especially if he thinks about his bud while traveling to such a great country for coffee.

So today I kept the ball rolling with another 2.5 hour ride. Chad was at the front poundin nails, but what can you say, he's a rock star. My knee has been hurting since I got on the bike this spring and I'm half compelled to just suck it up and ride through it, but a far off 50 year old sometimes wispers in my ear. I'm not exactly what the old fogie is saying but it has to do with being able to walk when I get my mid-lifer. Well for today I pushed through and made it in fine order. I think though I'm going to have to change my cleat a tad forward on my right, but honestly in the business of cleat position it's kind of arbitrary it's more or a "grind it till you find it" science.

Well that bout wraps er up. I didn't like seeing Dony go, but then again I happen to know a little Lebowski's on the way. Yeah...

Two in the Bank!

Well i decided to get the ol training ball rollin with my enogoral first ride in EC, a good two hours later and I feel pretty good. I always go into shock when I stay and ride in Oshkosh which is as flat as can be, and then come back to the hilly countryside of EC. Basically the hills force me to do low cadence tempo, which after a couple hours tends to suck some major butt. It doesn't help that I'm still running cyclocross tires that haven't been pumped up in a bit, due to me just being lazy. Hey I look at it as a plus, cause when I start rockin the 23s it'll get wicked fast.

Job training though has kind of taken my soul. I'm about at info overload!! I just want to sit back read, bike, and chill for the weekend, cause it has been getting rediculous, but I guess it's important to know what's going on.

So I think I ate some funky Chinese tonight. The General Tzo's has been kickin my stomach a little, maybe I should've tried to take down a whole box of rice along with the box of Tzo's. I was screaming my head off for a former someone and was like whoa that's China town knockin. Anyways live and learn. Some Alterra Natural Dry on the way though I'm looking forward to have some conversation facilitator action. I find if funny though bitchin about 4 dollar toothbrushes, but then not batting an eye about dropping 20 dollars, shipping's a killa, for coffee. Ahhh I can almost smell the goodness. Anyways peace out.

Inspiration in Pixels

Black and White....hmmm Classic!

The Hurricane is Beautiful

So last night I watched the movie The Hurricane and well outside of being a bit drawn out I enjoyed the story. I was almost compelled to look on the Ol' Amazon for the book Laz (?) was reading that inspired him...almost. I kind of have a bit more on my plate like job training, training, staying sane, finishing L.A's War, which by the way gives an interesting insight to the real world of Lance, some of the real grit of it all. I guess it's the longest running poker face in the world and I bet Lance prides himself on the facade he's able to put up to the press, fans and the world, but when you get down and dirty with it he just want's to kick everyones ass.

Trainning, well its been halted pretty much due to job training, which kind of sucks because during break I was getting into a nice rythem of riding. Riding has a lot to due with momentum I think. Outside of the obvious physics of it all, I battle to get on the bike come the first of the year, like overcoming static friction, then try to tie days together to keep the ball rolling, and then weeks, and finally months to form a coherent string of what's known as training. By the time I get to stringing months together it pretty much takes an army to slow down the locomotive of fitness. Hopefully this little break is just a just to get some more fuel for the long trip.

Coffee Watch: Well I'm out a the moment, yesterday was the last of the Sulawesi from Alterra, sad I know. I guess it's time to order some Brazilian Traditional Dry from Alterra. If a bold punch in the mouth of flavor is what you crave in the morning this pound's for you. Be warned that once you throw some of these grits in the ol press, it's hard going back to lighter roasts.

Failure to Comply

Welcome to the begining of what is going to be an expiriment of a blog following my travels through everday life drinking coffee and riding bikes. I hope you enjoy. Keep the rubber side down.