I hope the Mayans are wrong and the world doesn't end in 2012 because then we'd miss the WORLD CYCLOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS in 2013. It's confirmed: the Worlds will be held in Louisville in 2013 and the Worlds Masters too in 2012 and 2013.
What great news. Universal Sports will broadcast online this year's mens' race on Sunday, 1/31. Hey, that's tomorrow. Sweet. My euros are on Stybar for the win. Top American: Tim Johnson.
On a separate note, I joined my workplace team (CHA BLUE DEVILS) that will participate in the American Lung Association Stair Climb for Air Event. Fortunately, I will only have to climb 50 flights and just over 1,000 stairs. At least it's not 2,013 stairs! It would be swell, gentle reader, if you made a donation. Here's my pledge page.Of course, it's tax deductible.
Did I mention the Worlds were coming to the states?
No, it's not Lance Armstrong. In fact, I'm pretty sure the Lone Star State revoked his membership card. Whatever.
Anyway, I often have songs in my head while riding and Robert Earl Keen has been lurking about lately. Check this out:
This guy kicks ass. He didn't write Amarillo Highway, but he did write Shades of Gray, which is my current numero uno song to serve as background music on rocky descents. And he is a legit Texan. Here's Shades of Gray:
Whenever I listen to Robert Earl Keen,SCOTS, or hear the opening credit song from TRUE BLOOD,
I suddenly have a hankering to be an escapee from a Flannery O'Connor story. I don't care for country music but I like this stuff. And some bluegrass. Of course, Dawg Music is right up there. And don't even get me started on "you know who." And screw the haters! I can't help it if I like the band but hate hippies. It's a curse. Clearly confused DNA. Especially when you consider one of my Hors Categorie bands is The Cramps: Don't tell PETA. Or your mom. The Cramps (R.I.P Lux Interior) weren't Texans, but I think they could hold their own in Austin. I think I'll plug in some Psychedelic Jungle for tomorrow's mtb ride. "Don't Eat Stuff off the Sidewalk." "Can't Find my Mind." "Jungle Hop." "Green Fuz."
"Green Fuz" was originally recorded in 1969 in a deserted Bridgeport, Texas roadside cafe by garage rockers Randy Alvey & the Green Fuz. Another reason to tip your Stetson at Texas.
Finally off the trainer and into the woods! Today, Pam, Michelle and I met at the Inn and rode half the Wiss in what turned out to be an outrageously gorgeous day.We saw Chris, Ed, and Douglas at the Inn prior to take off, and hoped to run into Francine and company along the way. We never found them, but did see Tony from Therapy, Bonnie's Robert, and Kevin Michael Williams. Along the Pipeline we encountered strange sculptures which seemed vaguely pornographic. Hopefully, this is a wild misinterpretation for this family-friendly blog. It turns out that this would be a mere preview to today's theme: art.
The ladies climbed out of the Park with me and we stopped at Wiss Cycles for some advice about Michelle's wheel. They were awesome, as usual. After our shop stop, we headed to the Night Kitchen for coffee and conversation. An artist named Dolores Campbell approached us and asked to take our photographs because she wanted to then paint a picture of us. Apparently, she thought we were as gorgeous as the day!She then invited us into her studio at 7719 Germantown Avenue. It was filled with lovely paintings and was set up for a recently finished class. Check it out if you're in the neighborhood.Who knows? Maybe she'll paint your picture too!
This weekend's MAC prom (a cocktail party honoring Mid-Atlantic cross racers) added an new event to the line up: a morning scavenger hunt. After meeting at a frigid 9am in front of the Valley Green Inn, organizer Kristin Gavin split us into 2 random groups. Oddly, the random groups split the men and women with the exception of Damien Talese who was with the chicks. Nikki and Kristin before the freeze sets in:Kelly Cline led the boys and I took the girls in the absolute wrong direction. Instead of going to the Bells Mills Monster, we ascended the 7 mile climb and found ourselves accidentally at the second stop and heading in the wrong direction. We picked up our third clue here and then raced to stop #1 at the Monster which we approached by ascending the Rock Garden by the Covered Bridge. We formed our Human Pyramid at the bottom rather then the top of the Monster which led Kelly Cline to brand us cheaters but we weren't cheating, we were just taking an alternative route.So we went from stop #2 to #1 and naturally had to make our way to stop #3 which was by the Monastary Stables off Kitchens Lane. We were greeted by an awesome 7 layer confection that contained coconut, chocolate chips, butterscotch, and Lord knows what else which we had to show photos of various dogs and people taken along the way in order to have some. Here's Freckles the Dog: Just as we finished the boys arrivedso we took off to stop #4 situated at the "place where M broke her ankle." We ran into Gunnar Bergey who had just ridden in from Schwenksville (a 2+ hour ride) and we all arrived at stop #4 at roughly the same time. You had to pinch a quarter in your ass and drop it in a coffee cup before proceeding to the final destination. This was classic comedy.
The final stop, back at the Inn, was a welcome sight. Bagels, hot coffee and the prospect of warmth awaited us.I hope that we do this again next year because it really was a hoot. Thanks to Kristin Gavin for making it happen, and her helpers Gail and Sally.
M and Naomi missed the start, but managed to find us just in time for the delicious confections at stop #3:After the ride, folks got cleaned up and put their party duds on for the prom.Not only was the menu the same as last year, but I'm pretty certain that the quesadilla staring me in the face was the same one that greeted me last year. In contrast to the lousy food, the company was superb. My son spent most of his time at the bar or performing party tricks with Tom McDaniel. Kristin's sister Maureen found him sitting at the bar lamenting that he'd had "one too many." When she inquired what the world weary child had been imbibing, he replied Soda." Fortunately, I left my camera in my coat pocket and resisted the temptation to photograph my son at the bar or catching vodka-soaked fruit slices in the C3 coffee cup balanced on his head. Anthony Skorochod took some excellent photos of the non-racing action.
