Big Bada-BOOM

That's what I heard as I crested my first Cat 4 climb today. I looked to the southwest and saw the rain coming. I can outrun it, or go around it. Up-shift, pedal harder. I got about 5-1/2 miles and it started to rain lightly so I ducked under the carport of the local Days Inn for some cover. In about 5 minutes, the rain subsided and I could see blue. I assumed that this 5 minute break was the universe telling me that I needed to stop here for some reason, nope. Time to head back out. 

I was planning to do my usual route around town thinking I may have to cut it short if it started raining. Since I could see blue, I continued on. I felt strong today. Strong like bull. I attacked each climb and didn't get as winded or have to down shift as I have before. Cool!


At about my usual 1/2 way point of my ride it started to rain again. I decided to just head back and shorted the ride. The whole way home it POURED. Keeping with my "everything happens for a reason" mindset, I searched within to figure out why. Then it hit me(not lightening, but it sounded close enough). I need to work on my bike handling skills. 


When riding in wet weather, you can't stop as fast, corner as fast, or turn too suddenly. As I went around corners, I slowed so that my tires wouldn't slip out from underneath me and accelerated out of the turns. It became pretty fun. I'm happy to report that I didn't fall once although I was drenched. I came up with some wet riding tips as I rode. Here they are:


1. Pick a jersey that you won't mind a permanent skunk stripe up the back
2. Give yourself extra room to slow down
3. Corner slower than you normally would
4. Wear eye protection. Raindrops and stuff flying off the road suck when they're in your eye
5. Don't make any sudden moves. You don't have the same traction. 
6. Use your lights. Road visibility is cut down by the road mist. The extra visibility doesn't hurt
7. Wear a rain jacket if you think it's going to rain (the one tip I ignored)
8. Avoid puddles with "rainbow edges". That indicates oil which indicates slippery.  
9. Lube your chain when you get back. You don't want your chain to rust. 


All in all it was a great ride. I got home, took a hot shower and had a hot cup of coffee. Now to clean (& lube) the bike.

Everything Happens for a Reason

I'm a firm believer that EVERYTHING happens for a reason. For example; while we were in negotiation for our property, and the sellers were coming down ever so slowly, a fire came through the property which made the sellers lower their expectations and accept our original offer. Sure it created more work for me to clean up the land and take down trees that had burned, but it got us here which is where we're supposed to be.

On a bigger picture, my recent layoff happened for a reason too. It took me a while to realize why, but it finally came to me. I went through the normal range of emotions: disbelief, anger, sadness, back to anger, acceptance. I was actually working out in the yard when it hit me (not on my bike).

On more than a few occasions in the past, I had said "I can make 3 phone calls and have 3 job offers tomorrow". Well, that turned out to not be so true. Seems as if maybe I called the wrong 3 people. So the other day it hit me. This happened to teach me humility. I now know I need to be more humble. I need to be thankful for what I have and appreciate everything. I completely get it now. I was at some times cocky (hey, I was good or so I thought). Not anymore. I am humble, thankful, and I appreciate all the things I have been given. Not to get too zen, but i am right with my universe.

Even on my last ride I held this mindset. Even though I flatted 3 times, I looked at it as if maybe I was supposed to be off the bike at that time. Maybe that job offer was going to call at that time. My first flat lest than a mile in...no call, second flat 10 miles in...nothing, third...zip. I figure these three flats, although frustrating, tested my composure and coolness. I didn't get frustrated, pissed, or anything. I went about my business and changed the flat; all the wile being thankful that I was able to be out riding that day. There are others who aren't as fortunate or healthy.

Since coming to this realization & mindset, I have had 3 phone interviews and 1 company wants to fly me back to their corporate office for an interview! I've got a few things about to crest over that next climb and when thy do it will be all downhill sailing. I can't wait to see what this next career segment looks like. Whatever it is, I will be thankful that I have it and enjoy it to my fullest.

All Around Town

It has been a long time since I've written anything (for those without the scroll function, April 5th was my last post). I've hardly ridden this year at all. Only 134 miles year to date. I used to do double that in a month. I'm not making excuses it's been kind of busy around here. Let me 'splain. 

 Since our move to Flagstaff in October of 2011, we've been working hard to get onto our property. In late March, our home was delivered and since I'm a "do-it-myself" kind of guy, it was time to go to work. I did all the prep stuff (except dig the septic) myself and now that the home is here, it's time to do the drywall repair at the seam of the home, get water running, paint, build front and back stairs, and move in. Lots to do. We moved into our new home the 3rd week of April. 

On April 13th, (a Friday), I lost my job. It was a blow to say the least. I'm not one to give up, so we had to keep going. I believe whole heartedly that this is where we're supposed to be so there was no giving up (not that I do). 

Our first project was beekeeping! Our good friends and neighbors had a hive living under the floor of their barn and since the "bee guy" said they were "the most docile hive I've seen", we decided to embark on this venture. We went in halves on a hive and now have about 35,000 head. The honey we get is absolutely the best tasting honey in the world!

Our next project was chickens. I found some chickens on Craigslist and picked them up. This has been a learning process to say the least. I built the coop out of pallets to save costs. While I was building it, chickens were escaping and I was chasing them all over. I'm sure it looked pretty funny from the edge of the yard. The chickens are totally cool. We have, 7 birds in total. 6 hens and a rooster named Elvis (below). 

In our master plan, we always planned on having goats. Given our dairy allergies, goat milk works to fill that void. The protein structure is different than cow milk and tastes good. We tried goat milk last year and even made ice cream with it. Instant hit! So this fall we will get at least 2 of our 3 girls pregnant and enjoy fresh goat milk next summer.  This has been the biggest learning curve. We had no idea goats were so social & mischievous. I think that anyone that wants kids should raise goats first. It makes kids so easy in comparison, They are into everything. It's fun though. 

So lot's going on leaving not much time to ride. This month, however, I've been trying to ride twice a week (not counting around the yard with the kids) around town. There are lots of hills and my rides start at 6800 feet in elevation. I hope to write more as my rides inspire me to. 

Keep it rubber side down.