Schnoctobeerfest 2009

The date is set- October 17th! This year's edition will include the wildly popular "bring your own 6 pack", with prizes awarded for various categories (everyone's a judge- categories to be announced). We will once again have a keg of Cortland's finest to flesh out the frivolity. The course this year may be a little different, with a possible pave section towards the end of the ride (optional). I've ridden this section, & it's challenging- we're not talking the bricks off your fireplace. Finally, I'd like your feedback- what would you like as schwag from the ride- bottle opener, glass, t-shirt, make your suggestion. Want to register? $25 will get you schwag, & the charisma that's CiTy BiLLy! Plus, we may have a movie! Just respond to this post.

Dog Days of Summer

This Summer has slowly crept by. I've ridden my bike less this summer than any in the last ten years, & I'm not willing to end the season with that distinction. So, starting today, I'm going to make an earnest effort to ramp up. Schnoctobeerfest isn't that far away (I hope to make an announcement on the date in the next week or so). My Better Half & I hope to take a little vacation to the Black Hills, soon, combining two of my favorite things, cycling & beer drinking.

Grinding

The Tour de France ended up being one of the best in years, in my opinion. I got lucky & somehow managed to pick the podium. Armstrong & Contador clearly aren't going to be exchanging pleasantries anytime soon. Armstrong has a new team for 2010 & has his sights on dethroning Alberto. Does Versus write this script, ala Vince McMahon?

The Tour

The Tour de France has been exciting to watch this year. I don't care for Cavendish, but you still have to give him his props for winning four drag races, with the beautifully choreographed assistance of his teammates. For GC focused fans (yours truly included), the first dozen stages have been fairly uneventful. Well folks, this is about to change, and maybe as soon as Friday. There are five or six stages in the next week that could yield some epic bike racing. Team Astana still has all the appearances of a shaky house of cards-Contador's little sprint at the conclusion of Stage 7 either was an act of an impulsive spoiled brat, or a declaration of exasperation over having Lance as a teammate. Armstrong has shown that he can hang on the flat stages, but the question of his climbing prowess has not been answered, in my opinion. I think he is relaxed & focused, but without the unquestioned loyalty of his team, I think he will have a very difficult week ahead. So, here are eDLoNNiE's predictions for the podium; 1) Contador, 2)Andy Schleck, 3)Armstrong.

Pep Talk

Lance talks with Eddy Merckx -- powered by http://www.livestrong.com

OK, I'll admit, I'm cynical (big surprise to those who know me). But, with the prologue & two road stages of the Tour behind me, I want desperately to buy into Lance winning this race. I'm already rooting against Contador, which is exactly what LA wants in this arm wrestling match for the proverbial headnod that Johan will have to give to the eventual front runner for Astana.

Constantly Learning

I worked with a guy who, it turns out, knows Bob Dylan & a lot of other folks who played in the 60's in coffee houses. I didn't believe him at first, but then after talking to him for quite a while, it turns out that the guy is on the up & up. He desribed Dylan as an enigmatic character. I think that term also describes his music: some of his compositions see their full potential when performed by the writer, and some don't see their full majesty until rendered by someone with a more conventional set of skills, such as this masterpiece by Adele, backed up by the KeRNeLesQuE noodlings of Jolls Holland; enjoy!

Almost at a Loss for Words

Michael Jackson, the self christened "King of Pop", died today. The whole situation leaves me confused. If the man did what was alleged, he's going to get what's coming to him(believe it or not, I believe in a God). But, as a bubblegum pop worshipper, I have to admit the man could produce some amazing tunes; from the utterly brilliant Jackson 5 offerings, to his solo material ("Off the Wall" is way better than "Thriller"). The last 25 years or so of this man's life is totally bewildering to me- how in the hell do you reap all the money that "Thriller" generated, and end up poor?