Save a Horse, Ride a Bicycle!

The stars were finally right. My ankle has healed, the heatwave has broken, and I was able to get out and do some riding this morning. I needed to go down to Rite Aid for some truck supplies. (More about that in a minute.)

Distance: 2.051 miles
Maximum Speed: 17.2mph
Average Speed: 11.4mph
Time: 10m 50s

There was a break at the 1.6 mile mark where I stopped to shop. Felt good. The max speed was hit on the way home when I decided to do a sprint down the final stretch of road. I can maintain 11-12mph speeds for a good distance it seems.

Yesterday and today we spent some money on getting stuff for my truck. I got a seat organizer (I carry a lot of stuff.. clipboard, map book, pens, tools, Nextel, etc.. having a place for it will be nice) a long handled squeegee and a duster (gotta keep the truck clean, y'know) at Target yesterday. Today I picked up glass cleaner and a roll of cheap paper towels. Also found a nice backpack.

I may go out again later this evening, once the sun goes down. I will ride daily. Next Saturday, I'll do a test ride to the light rail station, see how long it takes me to make the trip. Looking at the schedule, I'll have to be at the light rail station by 0610 to make my train. That means leaving the house at 0550. Bleah.

Yesterday we also picked up John Varley's Mammoth. Thanks to everyone who recommended it; I'm really enjoying the book.

Seventh Song of a Seventh Song.

ganked from deathbytamarind

List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they're not any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your LJ along with your 7 songs.

Bruce Dickinson - Navigate the Seas of the Sun
Bob Esty - Barrett's Privateers
KT Tunstall - Black Horse and the Cherry Tree
Queen - Innuendo
Death Cab for Cutie - Crooked Teeth
Bruce Springsteen - Pay Me My Money Down
Metallica - Seek & Destroy (The 18 minute live version off Live Shit: Binge and Purge)

OK, this simplifies matters.

I was doing some noodling on the Valley Transportation Authority website and found an interactive map of the bike lanes and trails in the county.

One of these trails runs along the Guadalupe River from Almaden Lake. This is right by our place. I was pleased to see that along with the trail entrances I knew about on Blossom Hill, there's one at Chynoweth Ave, right next to the light rail station I use. This won't cut much distance off the ride (looks like about a mile and a half) but it will take me off the streets and into a more pleasant environment for at least part of the time. Which will be nice riding home in the afternoon, I imagine.

Great.

Bonds gets walked, moves to second on a bunt, and comes home on a nice double by Durham. Alas, he comes across home plate limping. In the dugout, he massaged his knee for a few minutes before collecting his bats and gear and departing.

We don't need him on the DL right now. Really.

Sign of the Day (Gay Pride Division)

Carried by a member of the Our Family Coalition contingent.

Focus on your own damn family.

I wonder if the intended targets got the message.

Next year they need to get Rob Halford to be Grand Marshal and use "United" as the parade theme. The lyrics are perfect:

( United )