diddlee

This past weekend, Bev and I were in Virginia where we rode on the Virginia Creeper Trail and the New River Trail. They were two of the best rides we've made on a tandem. It made buying the tandem mountain bike worthwhile. Although we spent a couple of days with steady rain, the first day we were there we managed to ride because the mountains shielded that part of the area. SO we enjoyed a beautiful, sunny afternoon in the middle of the color change that makes riding in the mountains so beautiful this time of year. Then on Saturday morning, the rain let up so we were able to do the New River Trail. Again some of the most beautiful scenery you'd ever care to see as we traveled along FLAT trails beside Chestnut Creek. Bev is a believer now. She is into mountain biking since she has learned where they can take you. This morning we went out and did a ride in the National Forest here. No color or views like up in Virginia, but it was a nice morning with a clear blue sky.

My ride this morning was a 16 miler on the black tandem with Sara. She had mentioned wanting to ride on Friday so we planned it and made it happen. I think she enjoyed it enough to want to do another. Getting to ride only once a week might not produce a lot of aerobic benefit, but the togetherness of Dad and Baby Girl might prove to be valuable. I enjoyed the company and hope we do it again the next Sunday we have a chance.

Last night Chris never showed up to pick up David and Max. Nikki spent a sleepless night worrying over what had happened to him. He lied to Bev about working late. Said he would be there by 7:30. He was picked up for DUI this morning around 1:30. He spent the night in jail in Shelby County. We are all very disappointed. Nikki is hurt. We don't know where to go with this. There is the matter of bail. The car is impounded. That will cost money to be retrieved. Then he may have lost his job with Saks since he didn't make it to work this morning. He took his paycheck and most likely spent it. Nikki still has bills to pay. She doesn't know where the money will come from. I haven't volunteered any. Let him stay in jail. I put the new freewheel on the tandem. It really helps having that low gear. I didn't change out the chain since I won't be using the big to big combination anyway. Monday I should have the tires and the new seat post for the front. Tomorrow morning I

Bev and I did a little morning ride on the ATB. We explored a new road we had seen lots of times but only today explored it. Bev is doing great! We climbed some pretty good hills and only stopped on the steepest ones when we couldn't get traction. I could really see the need for a lower gear on those hills so I ordered the freewheel today that gives us 32 teeth on the final cog. Moving from 28 to 32 will give us some advantage. The problem that I see is losing any range between 24 and 32. The jump from 4 teeth to 8 teeth at the end like a bailout. Also the derailleur may not like the bigger cog. I guess I can just put the old one back if it doesn't work out. Meanwhile, we can bail out to a better climbing gear. Once we get in shape or if we anticipate more climbing, we can redo it to the 14-28.

This year has seen Bev and I do quite a bit of cycling. We began with the Alabama Tandem Weekend. Then we had the Florida Bike Safari. Next came a series of one day rides including the Hot Hundred in Tuscaloosa, The Jim Glassner Memorial in Montgomery, and The All You Can Eat in Huntsville. Last weekend we did the BRAG Bikefest 3 day event in Newnan, Georgia. Coming up at the end of October is a trip to North Carolina. We will be within striking distance of the Virginia Creeper Trail and the New River Trail. I am hoping to get in some riding on 3 days while there. We had a lot of fun at the Tandem Rally and of course the Safari was great. Some of these other rides were very scenic and worth the trip but having to get up so early and drive so far takes some of the charm away. It is so nice to have supper and breakfast waiting for you. After this next trip, cooler weather will begin to affect our riding. It will be a time for camping and hiking again. Next year should be a banner year fo

The time is now, the place is here. Stay in the present. You can do nothing to change the past, and the future will never come exactly as you plan or hope for. Dan Millman I am always looking for something good to read. I don't know how entertaining this book might be or if it can offer some deeper truth. I might invest a little for a little lighter reading than what I've been into lately. This guy is compared to Anthony Robbins. I don't know if I get Robbins but lots of folks do.