Itie?! the cat's name is Jake.

Check it out. The Lyric Theatre in Blacksburg VA is having a screening of "Breaking Away" (a classic cycling movie for those out of the 'know'). The New River Valley Bicycle Association is sponsoring the showing. So Break yourself Away on Saturday 20 January 2007 at 15:00 (3pm) and look for the 50mph pedaling in the small ring while drafting a tractor trailer.


Just don't expect any Refunds.

btw. check out the crankset location in the pic above. must have been a special edition "Itie" bicycle.

bicycles better than autos

Four reasons bicycles are better than automobiles... replacing your auto's ball joints... one at a time... per week. Many thanks to James for helping on the mechanic side of things. Seen here.. an upper ball joint being removed. Also, note the new yellow shock inside the coil spring... a by product of the lower ball joint installation.

Susanna

okay. on my recent post holiday visit to family, there was much chastisement for no pictures of the woman whom I have been dating for quite some time now. so here goes. although not the best photos (who ever gets those?) these do a fair representation.


"hiding from the camera"


"kind, caring, willing to lend a hand"


"full of smiles and laughter"


and last but not least....
"not afraid to get tough"

polarbear run

I just got back from a brief jaunt around the building while it was snowing.

I was also going to blog some more, but now I don't feel like it.

Creme filled Doughnut Holes?!

Okay. Doughnut holes. You know them. The center of the doughnut. A left-over ball of dough, ingeniously transformed into a tasty snack. Simple, little, tasty recycling.




A tasty little snack for which hungry people will do more things than they would for a Klondike Bar. (What would you do?)





But creme filled doughnut holes?!! Spotted at work, today, an insidious creme filled doughnut hole. (Look closely at the doughnut hole in the upper corner of the box.) Is there no sanctity in the world? Taking something simple and stuffing it with more! Was the creme filled doughnut or chocolate eclaire not enough?! Obviously, they were not enough. Hence, the world is now let loose upon the vast expanse of yet another creme filled bakery delicacy... the creme filled doughnut hole. Oh well. There was only one left in the box. I guess someone thought the creme filled doughnut hole was a tasty obvious step in the right direction of doughnut-hole snacking evolution.

Fauxhawk

If the fauxhawk manages to survive sleeping, combing, and a full day of work... it deserves a blog. Watch out! the Leprechaun goes Tom Boonen / Euro roadie hair style. -- Granted though, the hawk's got nothing on Cole's Mullet.

A Birthday card from A.G.

Birthdays are great. Please note the hand drawn mustache and beard. As if the svelt shirt wasn't enough to look like me ;-}

Hmmm. Gary Fisher's Triton

It's Gary's urban fix-gear from 2006. Specs link is here.

I'm on cyclingnews.com

So there I was, reading the cyclingnews.com report on the NC Grand Prix CX weekend and checking out the photos. Wait... what's that? Could it be? El Gato.. the Leprechaun.. chasing up the climb?! Why yes. It is. Little ol' me on cyclingnews.com. Thanks, Sean Letterman for taking and submitting the photo. See the pic here.

Mistaken products

Don't try this on your toast. Try it on your buns.

Cyclocross 2006 mid season report

Sigh. Transitions and barriers, the heart of cyclocross, describes my season thus far. It has been a tough season for me, but I am continuing to keep pedaling. I discovered that I started the season with a drop in fitness from summer training as well as a lack of sufficient grass riding practice prior to the season's start. Throw those two factors in the mix with upgrading to intermediate catagory (CX 3 / B's) and the result is mid to back 1/3 pack positioning. Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining, just discouraged after last year's success-filled introduction to cyclocross. Still, dedication and persitance has been seeing me through the season thus far. All things considered, I have had fairly decent placings while having a good time riding cyclocross.

'Retro Ted' finds a Bike he likes

'Retro Ted' finally gives his aproval to a bicycle. This vintage Ross with thumbies, cam brakes, and all things ala original ATB style recently came to the shop for a new tyre and tube. I think it made Ted's day.

Over-heard quote at Forestry Spring Camp

"it's like a thousand tiny faeries.. dancing..."

Previous Lives

Ever wonder what people have done previous to you knowing them now? Yeah, that's me behind the vehicle mounted automatic 40mm grenade launcher (MK-19).


That's also me. This time more hidden and serving as the RTO at an LZ in the LTA.

Train like you Fight & Fight to Win!

I have this phrase impregnated into my thoughts courtesy of a previous job, "If it ain't raining, it ain't training." Well, it started raining two laps into my cyclocross practice last night.. hence, true training, 50 minutes worth. Now if it would only rain during a cyclocross race to demoralize all those who don't train like they fight. There has been plenty of mud, though, this year.

Cyclocross makes the green grass grow! Pedal, Attack, Win!

1900's Redneck Epitaph

So there I was in Lynchburg's Old City cemetery (you should check it out some time). On a tombstone I saw, "He hath done what he could." Modern day translation - "He got 'er done."

Aside from the epitaph, there were several other cool things to see, including a dell and scatter garden along with several historical structure pieces from around Lynchburg.

Still, the cemetery doesn't top the meteorite disguised as a granite boulder located down by the river to commemorate the ferry crossing.

Vegas Baby!

Okay - What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas... Unless you were there for InterBike 2006. Yes, this year I was fortunate enough to attend one of the biggest trade shows for the bicycle industry, InterBike. Lots of fun seeing lots of cool things related to the cycling world! Not to mention test riding at least five different bikes at the outdoor demo! More to follow as I remember things.

Good and Bad this week

This is me on Wednesday before starting work. I was all wet with some mud in the mix as well. See the specks on my neck? It was worth it though. That's a lot coming from me, as I hate to get wet, but once I am wet, and especially for a good cause, I don't let it slow me down. None the less I felt much this week just like I look in the photo, tired but happy.

Chuck Norris and Bicycles..

Question:
What kind of bicycle does Chuck Norris ride?

Answer:
Chuck Norris doesn't ride bicycles. Bicycles can only enjoy the privilege of being ridden by Chuck Norris.

this is not me.

Google search my name... this is the first hit. Its not me.
Dave Tompkins
Go figure... a computer science guy gets the first search listing.

Also, this is not my blog. Its the other Dave's blog.

(i didn't see any hint of pirate-ness.)

btw: ninjas only exist because pirates allow them too.

click here for ninja info and their claims to real ultimate power.

Pirates don't need claims to real ultimate power as pirates are only surpassed by... Chuck Norris. No really. Click on the Chuck Norris link, or Chuck Norris will 'link' you.