June 30, 2006
Ruthie's Helen Photos
Father's Day mountain bike race in Helen, GA. Before and after shots from Ruth's camera.
June 29, 2006
June 27, 2006
Closer to the Sun
Doug riding Hogpen Gap 6.2MB Windows Media File. Right-click and Save As...
June 26, 2006
Exploring Little Mulberry
In the late afternoon rain, I rode my cyclocross bike across the meadows, around both lakes, on and off the paths, over mud, gravel, grass, tarmac, along rows of corn, up and down the ravines, through the trees and even the pavilions.
I stopped and petted an orange tabby who was napping on a picnic table under a shelter. The lakes were host to a variety of water fowl. A cotton-tailed bunny ran nearly under my front wheel and a large bullfrog hopped across my path too.
For almost two hours I was the only human in the 890-acre park. This is a great place to be in a warm summer rain shower, probably not so good to be up in the meadows during a lighting and thunder storm though.
June 20, 2006
Whitetail Doe
Due west of Pool Mountain, about to head in the direction of Mount Moriah Baptist Church (est. 1779), a large whitetail doe crosses the road with a long elegant stride. She stops at the treeline and turns watching me glide by silently on two wheels.
June 18, 2006
Helen Fat Tire Festival
Thanks to #1 daughter, Ruth, for support and bottle hand up. I couldn't have done it without her. Fantastic Father's Day!
Sport 50+ Race: I had a good start and held the lead for well over 45 minutes (good for a 'cross race), but in the end a Florida rider caught, passed and totally out-climbed me, winning by over a minute. I guess my excess 25 pound weight advantage was not enough to make it up on the descents ;-) Unofficial lap times suggest that I may have started a bit too fast; 43:40 & 44:20. All in all it was a fun race and I am relieved to finish in one piece.
I am always happier with a second place in a hard fought competition than first place in an overwhelming victory (see East Macon Park). Of course first place in a hard fought competition is the most desirable!
Race Photo, leading the first lap
Final results
June 16, 2006
Mourning Dove
The somber coo-OOH, Ooo-Ooo-Ooo call is a familiar sound. Walking down the drive to get the paper a Mourning Dove perched on the wire overhead serenades.
June 14, 2006
MTB w/Nathan
Nathan mountain biking video 16.8 MB Windows Media Video
(Right-click and Save As...)
June 13, 2006
Jittery Joes Coffee
Buford, Georgia Store Opens June 13th, 2006
Mall of Georgia
678.714.2245
Drive-Thru
Biscuits in the Morning
Outside seating with sunset views
The View
Two male Northern Cardinals pearched on the blooming Rose of Sharon bush (Hibiscus syriacus) this morning made a colorful sight. During this time of year the Rose of Sharon, located just outside my window, attracts lots of birds and flying insects. In the background, a Weeping Willow tree swaying in the breeze makes for a relaxing scene.
June 12, 2006
Fat Tire (pre)Ride
I went to Helen today and rode the course for this weekend's Fat Tire Festival.
The course this year will be similar to the 1996 World Cup race in Helen. Do you remember Thomas Frischknecht, John Tomac, Ned Overend, Don Myrah, Dave Weins and Juli Furtado?
This is not your typical Georgia MTB course which usually has lots of tight technical twisty turns. This is MOUNTAIN bike racing and features Long grinding climbs (some granny-gear, for me) and Long sphincter-tightening, white-knuckle descents. The Polar HRM estimated about 950 feet of climbing per 8.7 mile lap. I estimate about 45-50 minutes of intense (for a geezer) effort per lap.
Atlanta Drive-ins
We used to go to the drive-in frequently, I remember when they were everywhere, but they are hard to find these days. These look like fun.
Drive-in Theatres: www.starlightdrivein.com
Drive-in Restaurant: www.zestoatlanta.com
June 09, 2006
Instruments and Investments
Some of my racing bicycles from the 2005 season will be leaving my garage soon, sold before their value plummets. Unlike most racing bikes, certain guitars are a good investment.
My main guitar that I currently play most every night, a 2003 D'Angelico New Yorker NYL-2 (MSRP: $4990.00, purchased for: $2800.00), is already a valuable collectable because it was manufactured in very limited numbers and is currently not available at all. archived D'Angelico webpage
Today I ordered yet another guitar, a D'Aquisto DQ-NYE (MSRP: $4100.00, purchased for: $2400.00). Again this is a hard-to-find instrument, soon to be rare and increasingly valuable collectable. archived D'Aquisto webpage
Mine are Asian-made replicas of the original hand-made instruments. The originals are virtually impossible to find, however if someone actually sells one be prepared to pay at least $40,000.00 - $100,000.00!
some related links:
D'Angelico/D'Aquisto/Gudelsky Workshop
June 06, 2006
The Law
Written laws are like spiders' webs, and will like them only entangle and hold the poor and weak, while the rich and powerful will easily break through them.
- Anacharsis, Scythian philosopher (600 BC)
Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws.
- Plato