Get on your fixed gear bicycle and ride!

I still feel that varable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear! --Henri Desgrange, L'Équipe article of 1902

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

update

I entered the Icebike race up in Winnipeg on Feb. 3....not quite the Arrowhead 135, but it was enough for me...I rode fixed and other than being unable to spin to keep up(I had 32x21 gearing & didn't finish dead last...there was even a 'sprint' finish between myself and another guy) because they ran the majority of the course on bike/ice path, & road shoulders; I am very proud to say I rode all the off road sections while most others got off their bikes and ran those sections even did a nose wheelie or two going down the three sets of stairs.....I fell once on the icepath, it was a good thing though because the pinched nerve in my hip area no longer bothers me!!

I haven't figured out a reason to justify this, but, I have a pugs on order (Pat @ SBS suggested a Surly Big Dummy, not sure how to take that..lol)...I like Chuck Linder's reasoning though "I only ride my road bike 3 months outta the year and I am fine with that, and I ride the Pugs 7-8 months outta the year, so it makes much more sense.

I've been biking and xc skiing alot, minus the 2 1/2 weeks I was sick...school is going by FAST! Amazing the stress level I am beginning to think is 'normal'...I am taking 13 Grad School credits as well as teaching full time (the kids make it worth it).

The other day the teachers were discussing next year already when I was asked "where will you be?" and then it hit me, I graduate in 6 months and will be looking for a job. I was informed that there will be several open spots in GF and reminded of the contract obligations, I have to teach for an additional year in GF if offered a job; but then also thought of where I could go....Santa Fe and Nathan? Dallas and Landberg? Wisco and Brian? or maybe just be a bum and bike around for awhile.