Healed

As you can see from my latest mug shot above, I'm a quick healer and am pretty much back to normal. At this point I'm ready to put this whole sick episode behind me and look forward to the future. And speaking of the future, tomorrow starts a new year and that means another New Year's Day Ride! The trails should be frozen hard by then and we should enjoy another fun New Year's Day at our home away from home, Brady's Run.

A few loose spokes:

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Thanks to whoever has been cutting out the fallen trees at Brady's Run. Much obliged, partner.

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I tried to register http://www.coolerbuddy.com/ on Sunday and found it was already registered.

Curious, I typed it in the address bar and found it links to a bowling apparel site. Appropriate, I suppose.

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I watched the movie "Burn After Reading" last night and absolutely loved it. Brad Pitt is a cyclist in the movie and delivers the best performance of quite a few exceptional performances.

The lines which made me laugh the hardest were when John Malkovich calls Brad's bike a Schwinn and Brad laughs and says "You think my bike's a Schwinn?". And then while he's being driven away by Frances McDormand he remembers his bike is left locked back at the park and he says "My bike! I can't leave it there, that's just a Kryptonite lock. You can open those things with a Bic pen". There's more subtle bicycling related humor peppered throughout the movie which made me laugh to beat the band. I love that the Coen's put substantial thought into cycling humor that only probably 2% of their viewers will understand. I can't wait to see it again.

Ride on.

Leads.

I dropped off my official voluntary police statement today and I asked the officer if he thought they'd find this guy that hit me. You know, do they have any promising leads. He chuckled a bit and said he'd have to check with the boys down at the Crime Lab. Said they've assigned four more detectives to the case! He said they've got them working in shifts!

So, of course. I'm feeling pretty good about this now. If they do find the perpetrator, I'm going to go to his house and brace the kid - should be a pushover.

Ride on,
Frank

This aggression will not stand, man.

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. I'm healing up nicely, other than my right eye being swollen shut. I'm sure it's just a step in the healing process. So far I've resisted any pain medications but it's been quite tempting to swallow a few.

Of course I've been reflecting on the "accident" quite a bit over the past few days and I'm bothered by a nagging feeling that the perpetrator knew who I was. As probably most of you know, I've recently raised my profile in the community by taking over my father's tavern. I suppose in that business you can make a few people unhappy (disgruntled current and ex-employees, drunks cut off, etc.) and who may, in an altered state of mind, do something irrational. The problem for me is there really aren't too many other people out riding bicycles alone, so I stand out a bit at any time, but especially at night.

Assuming all people have good intentions, then it's always best to have multiple blinky lights and reflective tape for high visibility. But when you know that some people have bad intentions, then it may be best to not draw attention to oneself. Interesting dilemma.

One things for certain, I'll ride differently from now on. But for sure, I will ride on. Otherwise, the terrorists win.

Ride on,
Frank

EVIL!

(Balance)

Yes, folks, there are pure evil people in this world and unfortunately, they sometimes lurk behind us, just out of view. On my ride back to the 'hoe last night Mr. Plow and I were intentionally hit from behind by a car full of scum. I heard them speed up and hoot and holler, just seconds before they slammed into my bicycle from behind, sending me and Mr. Plow down hard on the pavement. This at the intersection of 4th and Wayne in Beaver. They then sped off, turned around and came back to apparently see the damage. I was a little foggy and didn't get a good look at their vehicle (other than it was a dark colored SUV) as they came past and proceeded to hit a parked Porche on 4th Street. This was enough, however, for them to stop and apparently inspect their vehicle (again, no care whatsoever for the person they ran down) and then they sped off.

Crazy world out there. Someone ought to sell tickets.

I'd buy one.

We'll be back...

Frank

2009!

Another year is almost complete. The passage of time is unstoppable. And so are the BABES. Let's kick off the new year with a mtb ride, shall we?

Date: Thursday, January 1, 2009
Time: 11:00am
Place: Brady's Run County Park - Arboretum

Also, it's not too early to start thinking about the "Fist", which is less than 6 short months away.

This years date: Saturday, June 20, 2009

More information on the 2009 "Fist" will be forecoming.

Stay tuned.

Fantastic!

The 2008 Punk Bike Enduro is in the books. Check out the babe pics, happybikes pics, thick pics, the professional quality of chuck's pics, and please do take the time to enjoy the Dirt Rag Slide Show.

And a little Dirt Rag write up.

I have nothing more to add.

Next ride... This Friday, December 19th in beautiful downtown Pittsburgh. Ride 'bout town and then to the Uncle Scratch's Gospel Revival and Whiskey Daredevils show at the Thunderbird in Lawrenceville.

Don't forget the Wednesday Night Rides.

Next "especial" BABE ride... New Year's Day, I suppose. Anyone?

See you.

Frank

Are You...

...an enthusiast?

Well, are you, punk?

Okay then.

Sunday, we ride.