Water sports

So the Austin newspaper goes looking for extravagant water users in this drought summer and finds that the top of the list is - Lance Armstrong.

"A total of 222,900 gallons of water was used at Armstrong's home, according to the most recent city records available. That's about what 26 average Austin households use in a month."

To his credit, he 'fessed up and said he'd fix it - and that he's noticed the bills had been a little high.

Oh, come now, Lance: surely you don't mind a $1,603 monthly water tab.

Like a lot of guys who come into money, he hired an architect and a designer to build him a home. And, as in almost every other similar case, it's ugly and inefficient. You can GIS for some photos. I've never understood edifice rex but it's his money.

ObRelief: At least it's not oceanfront.

Yes. It's hot.

At this time of year people are always asking why I continue to ride in the heat. Honestly, I'd rather ride in hot weather than cold weather but I suppose that's a personal thing. Unless you are laboring up a climb you are making a pretty good breeze for yourself.

I've also lived in the South for all my years and find the heat to be comfortable. We didn't have AC in the house until I was 13 so the "three shower day" is old news.

The only thing about summer riding I don't like is the bugs. Having something rattling around the vents of your helmet is unpleasant and distracting. Having a mouthful of gnats is an experience I'd rather skip.

One thing I have learned - unless the ride is two hours or more you really don't need to put $5 worth of energy drinks in your water bottles. Eat a banana beforehand and just carry plain water if you are just going to do a quick 20 miles after work. Drinking a quart of some majickal elixir only helps you fulfill the old adage of Americans having the richest urine in the world.

Because, you know, it's not really athletic

Headling and sub-hed from today's BBC "Sport" section:

Sotherton keen to try cycling

Great Britain pentathlete Kelly Sotherton says she is keen to try cycling once her athletics days come to an end.

clicky

Belgian knee-warmers

I went for longish rides Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's was necessarily short as I had to sandwich a ride in between rain bands moving in from the SW.

Sunday was a typical March day - big dark clouds moving across the sun and when they did the temps seemed to drop 10 degrees. The chilling NW wind didn't help. I wore a winter jersey and long tights. I've never thought that being cold improved any activity.

As I rode along I spotted the usual throng of cyclists out on a sunny weekend afternoon. Many of them were wearing shorts and short-sleeve jerseys. Made me cold to look at them, especially the woman on the tandem who practically had her nose buried in her partner's backbone as she tried to keep out of the wind. I'll bet he has trouble getting her back in the saddle next weekend.

I used to see the same thing surfing this time of year, even though March is the month of coldest water in NC. The sun would come out, the air temps would go up to the 60s, and some jackass would be sitting next to you in the line up in board shorts. I used to enjoy watching their skin turn gray as the blood and core cooled off.

Belgian cyclists used to try to out-psych their opponents by wearing shorts in cold weather. What they did was smear grease or other emollients on their knees and forearms to break the wind. This was called a Belgian knee-warmer.

Anyway, today on the way into work I came up behind a cyclist who was headed up Hwy 86 and apparently commuting. There was something about his posture that looked odd and as I went around him I saw he was wearing shorts, a short-sleeve jersey, and a fleece vest (while warm, not known for wind-blocking properties). His posture was odd because he had one hand stuck into a vest pocket in an attempt to warm it. The temp when I left the house was 36F.

I suppose there's some value in trying to appear tough, but only if you are getting paid to do it. Otherwise, relax.

The crowd at Velonews spots the trends in cycling gear as witnessed at the ToC.

But claiming that the High Road jersey sports "70s surfer T-shirt lettering" indicates that someone's drawer of 70s surfer T-shirts is a lot different than mine.

Con Chrysalis, anyone?

Cold but clear

After Saturday's disappointment (forecast: mid-50s, partly cloudy; reality: mid-40s, blowing rain) I managed to get in a short ride Sunday. The sky was absolutely clear but the wind was still swinging through NW/NE which means that not only was it a cold wind, but it was either a head wind or a quartering wind for much of the course.

Good ride, though. I elected to spin for much of the route. When it's cold it's hard to work up any enthusiasm for downhill runs because you know you'll just end up with tears in your ears from the frigid slipstream.

Surprise

So the first weekend in March delivers not one but two days of superior cycling weather. Saturday was warm and I celebrated with a two-hour ride over one of my favorite routes. Sunday was cool but still dry and clear, so I did a one-hour ride that was much hillier.

Excellent. About the only advice I can give people in my age bracket is to find a sport they really enjoy.

The Dawn Patrol

Usually I ride after work. I like to save the best part of the day for last and besides I can usually score a nice sunset most days. In the winter I usually ride the trainer after I get home. With the horridays upon us, an accumulation of chores and duties has tied up my evenings.

So I got up at 5 this morning to ride the trainer before work. The dawn patrol is nothing new to me, it's a staple of the surfing life. What's weird is that you get all pumped up and then you get a big mental letdown when you realize that the best part of the day is over and all you have to look forward to is eight hours or so of staring into a monitor.

I need a new hobby. Heroin looks good.

In the spirit of BikeSnob - Best of Raleigh Craigslist

Hey, want a Fuji 54cm? Well, that's all the info given on the ad - it's a Fuji and it's 54cm. Oh, and they want $900 for it. For that kind of jack perhaps a photo will help your decision. Here's one:



Looks like he/she used a camera phone with some nose oil liberally smeared on the lens. Uh, do I get the wheels for $900? Sure, and here they are:



Looks like they are sneaking out the door the morning after a wild night and they woke up next to a Triax bike that still had the WalMart sticker on the seatpost.

Still interested? Here's another look at the deal of the day:



I can only suppose they are selling the bike to afford some furniture. Perhaps a rug or two. With the windows painted over they don't need any curtains. Nice floor, though. Don't let the front chainring scratch that wood.

Apparently, Portland is the place:

Clicky

I cringe when they compare cycling to indie rock. But otherwise it's somewhat heartening to see that their bike paths are well developed.