Monday was my birthday and I had a very good ride on the 29er up on the creek. I actually climb up the side of the mountain on it. 32-20 monocog on the single speed side. I am going to switch it to the fixed side next week. Anyways it was a good ride and I will go back up there again. My good friend Mark came down off the mountain yesterday from Jefferson to ride because the roads up there are full of salt. That is the usual for this time of the year and they will be that way until the spring. It has been a couple of weeks since I have ridden the Fujy road bike. That is my geard bike. And that is on the road for I usually ride it in the trainer.

Now, as the year comes to an end several things come to mind. The first of which is that my son and I earned our First degree Black Belt in Taekwondo this year. This was a journey that we began together and the feeling of accomplishment that was felt was beyond compare! My son is going to turn 12 in February and he is starting to step out on his own somewhat and this is hard to take at times. Since he lives with his mother it means that I am not seeing him that much and when he is around he usually is not here. You know, Girls and all. Yes he has a girl friend! And why not because he should, But it is a little hard to take when you feel like you are not his hero anymore, not his everything and not needed for everything anymore. Oh'well enough of that stuff. This year started off with me still burned out with riding and I thought I would ride myself back into wanting it. I went out hard and fast and by myself and it did not work. Around May I had a hip plexor and it went downhill from there. My head has been totally screwed up since then. I really like what I read the other day, "It really does not matter why we ride, The truth is that we all do it for the reward at the end of the ride!" I need to ride for me. It is just that simple and anything else is just a waste of time. I ride by myself most of the time anyway and I enjoy it more when I go cause I want to and not because I fill like I have to. I have no new years resolution to speak of, I will try to do what I do every day to the best of my ability,

1) Treat others with respect no matter what is going on with me.

2) Treat others the way that I would have the treat me, and last but not least

3) Try to leave this world in better shape than I found it.

Happy new year and may it be a Blessed one for this broken world.

How Good It Really Is

Man what a great ride today! I took the 29er up on the Wilson creek service road this afternoon. I found out today why I ride. I was only out for a couple of hours but it sure wore me out! I am going to need some time on the service roads before I try a trail but I will be on a trail before long. It just seems like the place to be. I would have never thought that a simple ride up the gorge would have made such of an impact on my state of being.
I stoped up at the Mortimer recreation area for a bit of rest and some beef jerky when I noticed this odd site sitting on a ledge. The recreation area is closed for the year so that makes it even odder than normal! I guess it means that I must get out into the woods to get away from the craziness of it all. Anyhow the picture of the jerky and watter are for my good friend Rick. Your right man, there ain't nothing better than this.

Christmass

It has been a very nice day to say the least! 64 and sunny. After 3 days of dark and gloomy weather It sure has been welcomed. By the way, I almost got stuck up on the mt. Tuesday night. I went up to take my friend Mark a Christmas preasant for his grand-daughter. It was one he wanted to get for her and could not find it in the stores up there. I found it here so I took it up.It was sunny and 35 here when I left and it was 25 and cloudy up there. It started raining and the roads were ice in a matter of min. Man I thought I was going to wreck. I made it off the mt. and all was well. You see, I live at the foot of the mountains, Southern Appalachia that is, and I have the best of both worlds to ride in. Anyway it is Christmas day and I went for a ride. You see, being single is great sometimes and sometimes it plain sucks. Today is one of those times it sucks. I took the Reynolds fixed road bike out. 24 miles and took a few pic's. The ride was just what I needed today.

First Time

Well, here we go. I am getting ready to work out and ride the trainer since it is to cold outside to ride. To cold for me anyway. Seeing how I am a wimp and do not like the cold weather at all. 29 right now! sunny though and not to windy. It looks like it may warm up some by wednesday so I will try to take the fixed gear out. Well, let's go sweat some.