Two Wheel Blogs

Where do I start? I guess it is obvious that I have been away for a while. It all started about a week ago when I left town to start a little "vacation".

My version of vacation is probably not all that different from anyone else's. You know the kind of vacation where you take time off of work to take the family to a destination that promises fun and excitement and a whole lot of sleepless nights because the kids are not in their own beds or on their regular schedule (and neither are you)?

I started off my vacation by taking a half day off work and riding my rollers in my garage. At the time I had no idea how much riding I might do (or not do) so I thought a spin would be a good idea. It was! This effort bled off any reserve energy I had and I slept great!

The next day was a feverish pace of a million silly things that have to be done before we can leave town (pick up the kids, drop the dog off at the kennel, and pack the family truckster...wait that is only three things...I know there was more...). It was all worth it since the rush afforded me a few extra hours in St. Louis.

The weather was fantastic. 2-Old gives a brief description here, so I will not repeat the story. IDK about ripping any legs off, we had a fantastic ride in some un-seasonably warm weather. Got a good sweat and found the bottom of my lungs a few times. It felt good to blow it out a few times...after all, I knew in the back of my mind that I was going to be hoofing it without my bike for a while.

So, after the ride I hitched a ride from my bro to the hotel by the airport. The one next to Larry Flint's place. Actually it was a pretty upscale place (the hotel, not Hustler Hollywood), but I find it difficult to sleep with 737s taking off outside my window every 3 minutes. I suppose there is a lot of nice things I could say about this place, but everywhere you turn you see a suction hose ready to latch onto your wallet...four clams for a bottle of water strategically placed next to my bed almost felt like entrapment...and do not get me started on how difficult it is to view anything that is NOT pay per view on the TV. No, I did not go to the smut shop (this was a family vacation).

The next morning we got out of bed had some food, and hopped a plane to Orlando, Florida. The Ewers clan made another attempt to meet the big mouse at Disney. Yeah, we just got back a few months ago. (I just went to that post to make the link and WOW the story looks similar to what I have typed so far).

So while in sunny Florida we experienced the number one rated beach (again), and a marathon day at Disney (again). Disney, BTW, seems far less commercial than the hotel we stayed at...water was only 2 bucks a bottle from the mouse. I guess no one told him idiots like me will pay more if we hafta.

The last day of the trip, I took a couple hours for me. I figured I did not get stupid this trip, so why not have a little fun. I packed up and drove around looking for some nice LBSs to drool in. Long story short I only found one that appeared to cater to something other than 'bent riders. This place was nice...perhaps a little too nice for the likes of me. Everything they had was top shelf. Super Record kits, racks and racks of frames that make mine look like the fat girl sitting in the corner at the dance, and clothing that makes you wish you were a pro (seems that the only way I could ride this stuff is if someone was sponsoring me).

I gotta give this its own paragraph. I have never tried on bike clothing that fit like this stuff. Once I pulled it on it seemed to disappear against my skin (only it looked better, much better). I stepped over to the mirror and for the second time in my life I looked pretty damn well put together (#1 was my wedding where someone else picked out my cloths). I am not a style guy as anyone who has seen me can attest, but this stuff could transform me pretty quickly...and even if it looked like a dirty garbage can, I would wear it anyway, it fit/felt *that* good. The LBS was probably bummed that I did not buy any. I would have loved to stock up on a lot of that stuff, but it cost what you might expect (perhaps more) after reading my ravings.

So now I am back home from my vacation. The Mouse and the hotel have my money, my kids got some more good memories, my wife got a bunch of business photos (she makes clothing for kids), and I got a couple catalogs of gear to dream of one day owning. I must say, it was a good trip...but I am glad to be home!

Tonight I shall sleep like I have not in many days! I pounded out some more trainer miles today to ensure it!