Random stuff....

Tyler Hamilton lost his appeal and is now serving his 2-year ban from cycling. I can't say I'm surprised at the CAS decision. I haven't read all the articles yet but it seems the evidence against him was overwhelming. No matter, it's a sad day.

I just can't seem to find a reason to worked up over the winter Olympics. Since I don't like the cold weather, I guess I would have to say I don't like the cold weather sports. However, I'm sure the hype will force me to watch some of it on TV. Maybe some alpine ski jumping...

Of course, I will be totally away from the TV tomorrow as my wife and I go out for a nice Valentines dinner. Which reminds me...I need to go get her a card. I think a good business idea for guys to sign up for a service where you give them all the important dates in your life and they send a card along with the apprpriate gift a few days before the event. That way I will never forget it again. Sounds like a golden idea to me....

The Tour of California starts next weekend, with nightly coverage on ESPN 2. I am really looking forward to that. I am still somwhat mystified with the title sponsor being Amgen.

Its been cold, well cold for us, here in Florida. I hope this front moves away and soon.

steelrider2

Non cycling stuff...

Since today is the Super Bowl, I thought it might be good to talk a little football. While I understand football well, I am not into meaningless stats that seems to be all the sports shows and talk radio tell me I should be interested in. Also since I am in Jacksonville, Florida I feel like I have a vested interest in the Super Bowl since it was in Jacksonville last year. And hopefully will be returning in a few years. Who's my pick...I don't much care; I don't have a dog in that hunt.

I found this to be an interesting bit of trivia. The Jacksonville Jaguars are the only team in the NFL to have defeated both teams (this year) playing in the big game today. So...what does that mean for the Jaguars?...absolutely nothing. They didn't get past the first playoff game. However, some in Jacksonville would have you beleive that the Jaguars could beat either again to win the Super Bowl. I tend to think that a blind squirrel will stumble upon an acorn ever so often but not everyday. But I still like'em.

I will say one thing...I'm glad T.O. is out of football. He's bad for that game and bad for sport. RIP...T.O. He had it all and his mouth got the better of him.

I also watched the Florida Gators demolish the Kentucky Wildcats last night in basketball. AWESOME!!!!! Yes I am a Gator fan.

We decided this week that we would go during spring break (March) down to Tampa and catch a few NY Yankees spring training games. Yup...I'm a Yankees fan. At least third generation. Another interesting bit of trivia...A-Rod played on the Jacksonville Suns minor league team in his early days.

Yesterday, as I was on the trainer riding, I flipped back and forth between hockey, golf and tennis. I can't seem to get too excited about any of those sports. Although I will be at all four rounds of the TPC in Jacksonville in March. It's a work thing.

Oh and I'm sure most of you have heard that Lance Armstrong and Cheryl Crow have decided not to get married. Hmmmm....Seven Tour de France wins...he's already married...to the bike. Hopefully the cycling world will not analyze the heck out of why and just drop it. Doubtful.... We'll have to endure all that speculation for a few months now.

Time to go for a bike ride and clean the toilets before all the guests start arriving for the game.

steelrider2

Fat boys need love too

This is a pic from July 2005 when I was 20 lbs heavier. That evening I was with a group doing over and back on a bridge. I was struggling to get that 198 lbs over the crest of the bridge. Now I'm 20 lbs lighter with a goal of 40 lbs by April 1. That should make bridge night a easier this year.

Here is a couple of other pics from that night of some of the group.


Now its really humbling when I realized there was a roller blader doing hill work also.

steelrider2

Early morning ride makes the day...

At 5:15 this morning, Chris (triathlete friend) and I started our early morning rides. I had forgotten what a good thing it is to get out early and get the juices flowing. We rode for an hour in high 30's temps. Still it was great. We are following all of our safety rules (headlights and 2 blinkies on back.) We decided it was so good that we are going to meet every Monday and Wednesday morning to ride.

I think I have decided to do a few sprint triathlons this year along with three bike races, maybe even a fall 10K. But I am going to do the triathlons on my fixed gear bike. I'll throw some aero clips on the bars and put the 48t chain ring on and flip the hub to the freewheel.

steelrider2