Perspiration... Inspiration... Balance...

2008 is here. We've been getting in some rides, drinking some beers, having some laughs. And some new friends have just joined the club. Thanks to everyone's donations and dues, our club is now the proud owner of 4 Rogue Hoes and two new McLeod tools. Tools, say hello to the BABES. BABES, these are the tools...

6 Weeks from Sunday

What will this year's Dirt Rag Punk Bike Endro hold? Snow? Rain? Mud? Dust? Beer? Bourbon? Surprise out of town guests? Blood? Smiles? Fun? Sun? Dogs? Punks? Torn Shirts? Cramping Calves? Naked riders? Ronald McDonald? Cops? Choppers? Fixed Gears? Unicycles? Flasks? Men in dresses? Women in leg warmers? A cod-piece perhaps? Laughs? Gaffaws? Tears? A broken tooth? Tall bikes? A joker? A smoker? Spam? Chili? Enchiladas? Road rash? Good stash?

Time will tell. It'll be... but I know it will hold FUN!!!

What is a BABE?

The BABES held a BABE meeting at the end of September, and this question was pondered there. The club has been in existence for 3 years now and we've grown some and we've shrank some in that period. We've also had time now to see what we like and perhaps don't like about our humble little club. We discussed things we do well, along with things we don't do so well. It was an enlightening conversation. An important conversation.

So what is a BABE? What do we want to be? What do we want to accomplish?

What does it take to be a BABE? Well, it doesn't take money. We've decided to terminate the dues effectively immediately. So now, it doesn't take a treasurer. It also doesn't take a president. Or vice president. It doesn't take officers at all. It takes time. It takes compassion. It takes a caring and concern for bicycling, for trails and roads we ride. It takes an understanding of other trail users. It doesn't take a computer. And it doesn't take a dedicated web site. Therefore, the BABE web site will no longer be maintained. All communication for "members" will be made via email, this blog, or a friendly phone call from another BABE. One thing I felt was important to save from the web site was the "F.U.N." picture. This picture has been on the web site since the first day. And it's there for a very good reason. I've always felt fun was the best reason for people to get together. We have enough seriousness in our jobs, our family lives and just in modern life in general. Why should a simple act of riding a bicycle not be fun?

Anyway, I'll elaborate more on all of this in future posts. But I thought I'd let you know the basic cut of the meeting's jib. We'll have another meeting either late this month or early November. But for now, I'll leave you with a conversation I overheard one day, a number of years ago, as I was putting on my biking shoes at the back of my vehicle. I had laid down a before-ride snack (a Clif Bar) on top of my post-ride refreshement container (cooler buddy)... and following conversation ensued as I laced up my shoes...

Clif Bar:
We're going to ride this ride faster than anyone here today. We're going to WIN!

Cooler Buddy:
This isn't about winning, it's about fun!

Clif Bar:
What's that?

Cooler Buddy:
Fun is when you... sorta like.... fun is about... What is fun? Here. Let me spell it for you.

Cooler Buddy:
F is for friends who ride bikes together
U is for you and me
N is for anywhere and anytime at all
With those who are really happy

Clif Bar:
F is for fancy rehydrating drinks
U is for unusual food
N is for no joy anytime at all

Cooler Buddy:
Clif Bar! Those things aren't what fun is all about! Do it like this!

Cooler Buddy:
F is for friends who ride bikes together

Clif Bar, interrupting:
No! That's completely idiotic!

Cooler Buddy:
Here, let me help you.

Cooler Buddy:
F is for friends who ride bikes together
U is for you and me... you try it!

Clif Bar:
N is for anywhere and anytime at all
for those who are really healthy!

Clif Bar:
Wait. I don't understand this. I feel all tingley inside. Should we stop?

Cooler Buddy:
No! That's how you're supposed to feel!

Clif Bar:
Well, I like it. Let's do it again!

Cooler Buddy and Clif Bar:
F is for a frolicking ride through the park
U is for you and me
N is for never leaving a man behind
Here with my best buddy!

(Laughter)

I got a fever...

Some of you may know that this coolerbuddy has been burning up lately. A nasty little flu bug took me down for a few days this week. I'm happy to say I've managed to get out of the house today and even tool around on Mr. Plow for a bit. Felt real nice to be back on the bike. At that's really when I know I be feeling my right cool self again. The only real prescription for what ails ya, is MORE COWBELL. Ya'll know what that means. Now get out there and do it! Don't fear the reaper!

Ozzy anyone? Slim everyone?

Another fine Alleycat coming our way. Info here... http://pghalleycat.com/races/bark-at-the-mon/

and here... http://www.myspace.com/barkatthemon

Is there anything better than an alleycat? Perhaps a nighttime alleycat. This one certainly looks to be interesting. I'm suspecting an alleycat back and forth across the Mon, just a thought. Nothing mentioned about costumes, but I suspect one would not be frowned upon for wearing such.

If you're interested in this, may I first suggest cleansing your soul through a Slim Cessna confessional. Slim and the Auto Club are coming to town on Sunday, that's right, Sunday, October 14th at 31st Street Pub.

Slim, fighting for our right to sin, and still find salvation in the Lord...

Safe... and Healthy?

Back in early February, I created a post (http://coolerbuddy.blogspot.com/2007/02/2007-safer-year-for-babes-perhaps.html) basically wondering if 2007 would be a safer year for BABES. As you may recall, in 2006, quite a few BABES were injured during rides.

I'm happy to say that so far this year, no BABE has been injured while riding their bike. At least to the point where they couldn't ride again the next day. This is good news, but my happiness is somewhat tempered by knowing that the BABES simply aren't riding as much as they have in years past. In addition, I'm not sure we're having as much fun when we do ride. Almost everyone who's ridden with me has heard my philosophy on riding... "Have fun, and be able to ride again tomorrow", which equates, basically, to "Enjoy and be safe". But note that I don't say "Be able to ride again tomorrow, and have fun". The emphasis is first to enjoy and have fun; otherwise, who even wants to ride again tomorrow if it's not fun?

So with that, let's get back to having fun (riding) and staying safe. Staying safe by not riding is no fun at all.

What really got me to thinking about that February post was Brother David Sunshine's Monday, June 25th post about his latest injury (http://www.surlybikes.com/surlyblog.html). In the post he begins to talk about their Wednesday night ride and the general horse-play that ensues at some point during the ride. It all was sounding like good fun until he mentions some grappling that takes place with Brauer and is subsequent fall and injury. It's a bad injury and his second serious injury in the past year. I've been reading the Surly Blog for years and have always admired Dave for his zest for life, his passion for cycling, but mostly for his solo bike excursions and naturalist survival skills (I should mention that Surly Blog is one of my favorite reads on the web, right up there with Nurse The Hate by another of my heroes, Greg Miller, but that's a post for another time). Anyway, it got me thinking that, really, is it normal that a grown man keeps breaking bones like this? I mean, 14 screws and a steel plate on a femur? That's femur is normally one damn strong bone. Should a fall, from a basically a standing position, be enough to do this much damage? I don't know the answer to that, but I'd be questioning my diet and exercise levels if I were him. Maybe somethings just not right.

I remember, quite vividly, reading an article in Bicycling magazine (they have some good investigative articles, which makes it a worthy magazine, even if, otherwise, it's a large product catalog) a few years ago about how cyclists are more prone to bone related problems and injuries. I can't find the exact article on-line right now, but a question and answer related to it was posted here... http://www.bicycling.com/qa_details/0,6617,s-6-81-89-1,00.html

The summary of the article is that cycling is really not that good for our bones. That's why it's important to eat right, get rest and work some impact related activities into daily lives. Take the steps, ride off road, lift some weights, jog. All are good to help build strength in our bones. Drink some milk too. It's good for you.

Just one last thing related back to David's injuries. In both of his last few injuries, he's had to rely on serious medical professionals to piece him back together. In fact, if he were an animal in the wild and suffered that femur injury, he'd be prey and would never survive. Not real good for a survivalist.

Fact is, we really are different from animals and that's not a bad thing. Eat a burger with bacon and a big ol' glass of milk. Thrive and survive.

Now let's get out there and ride!