romantic

Pretty romantic ride last night. I have also decided after a brief conversation that apparently I am a little off my rocker. Not quite as far as people who do "group trainer rides" over the internet... You know who you are are. But none the less. I see nothing wrong with my evening. Simply a 3 hour trainer ride... by candlelight. You see, 5 minutes into my ride, my power went off. I assume due to the bloody tornado or whatever going on outside. My mind quickly decided that this meant a day off the bike and began to make plans (none of which would have worked due to the lack of electricity). Then an odd thing happened... my mind decided I was a pussy if I didn't complete my task and that I would not be prepared for the season if I did not complete THIS ride. Taking this as a challenge (from itself), my mind then demanded a candle would be required to be able to see anything. I set off with my flashlight and found a candle. Back on the bike and 3 hours of silent spinning in the glow of a candle. I think I seduced myself. We're going out for dinner later to talk things over to see if we have the time for each other. A nice cold shower after and I headed out to the pub for an hour for a nice brew and a hockey game in a heated environment. Got home around 9ish to find the return of heat, light and power. Not bad. I took advantage of these things to promptly turn back off my lights and go to sleep. Though I did make some tea first. My name is Sandy, and I am addicted to tea. Could be worse. Last time I checked, WADA doesn't test your urine for tea.
Separate note, I was unable to cook my planned steak dinner last night so am even more excited to try again tonight. I have been saving this bad boy for a while. Got some veggies and couscous to go with... maybe crack a beer to go with it. I may have to change my facebook relationship status to complicated.

The beast

Pending trainer explosion update... 3 hour ride. 10 minutes from the end, I noticed my tyre slipping suddenly and a drop in power (yes I am a dork). Refusing to give in and assuming the large trainer miles have finally pushed me off the deep end, I continue my ride. Upon returning from the shower, I decided to have a closer inspection. Flat tyre. No noise of a tyre blowing out... just a leak. After touching the flywheel of the trainer and nearly scalding my hand, I feel that due to my incredible power and force, I may have melted a hole in the tube. It seems to be the only logical explanation. Don't think I've ever needed a wheel change while riding indoors before either, but the streak is over. Plus I can feel the bearings going in the sucker too now that it has cooled down. Back and ready to roll now. Unfortunately instead of riding my 3 hours this morning as planned, I have found myself stuck in front of my computer typing and swearing away. Not gonna lie, my room sounded as if it contained a gander of cursing sailors. And yes, there was a reason for this: computers. Got up a little early to put the finishing touches on my carpentry theory assignment only to strike a few wrongs keys (no idea which ones) causing my work to vanish in front of my eyes. My hours of labour, suddenly gone missing. No trace of a file or anything. Someone is pissed at me. Needless to say, after nearly launching the piece of junk from my 2nd floor window... I set to work on re-doing the entire bloody thing. Needless to say, I have just finished and now have 1 hour until class. Ride is now moved until after class, and it will be a late one now. Damn. I had better get a flipping good mark on this.
In other news, I hate computers. But cannot seem to live without them. The blog may have to go old school as some form of newspaper. But I have no printing press. Maybe a typewriter and a photocopier.

First confusion... later anger...

pannakoken

Nice relaxed morning today. Working on my SRM downloading issues. Haven't been terribly worried on that front as looking at power info for endurance miles on a trainer really doesn't seem all that exciting to me anyways. Though I'm sure I should. Did however concoct myself a big breakie of pannakoken and a large bodem of the good stuff. Very nice. Even slept in until the solid hour of almost 9am. Decided to again leave my ride until this afternoon/evening after class. Got some other business to take care of this morning. Today should be another solid 3 hour jaunt au biciclette... currently prepping a few episodes of Entourage to help me through it. Next step, find some more quality tunes... gotta make some mix CDs for the drive South. Any suggestions for some cool stuff to expand my library of tunes? Time for a grocery run soon too. I'm quite short on many of the "fresh" supplies needed to make a tasty meal. All from the Sandy front...
This is currently the picture I've been staring at to motivate myself....

Courtesy of Brendan Purdy. Pain and suffering solo.

minus 2 weeks

Its true. Less than 2 weeks until bike dork camp. Just the little extra motivation I need this time of the year to complete my 4 hour trainer ride. I figure, the more I end up hating the trainer by the time I get south, the more I will enjoy and appreciate the riding outside to come. Thats my logic and I'm sticking to it. Aside from sweating all over my floor today, I also attended class. Nothing spectacular really. To spice up today's entry, I will review my cinematic choice for the day: Rambo 4.
To sum it up: Bang. Bang. Grunt. Dude's head explodes. If you, while deciding to watch this movie, have any intentions of:
a) following a storyline/ and or plot line...
b) intend to listen to dialogue (I will not count Sylvester's grunts and spitting as dialogue)
c) really don't want to see an aging action star hose Burmese soldiers with a large machine gun and bow & arrow...
OR
have ever promised yourself (probably after watching one of the previous 3 Rambo movies) "I will never again watch a movie written, directed and stared in by Sylvester Stallone...."
This movie is probably not for you. Though, it did make for some fine trainer viewing. I did almost pee myself the first time old man Stallone opened fire with his bow and arrow. Taking down the majority of an army division in about 5 minutes. Luckily, Rambo doesn't actually talk much. This would have most likely ruined the movie. Instead he sticks with my personal favourite of: odd grimaces and grunts, and the occasional loogie. I say well done sir.
To make up for having watched this gem, I watched Across the Universe last night. Pretty bloody cool for a quasi musical film. Next up, the DSJ pick of the week: Peaceful Warrior. Hey, I've got time on my hands.

Frozen to the core

Some apparently took Sunday's weather to sip hot chocolate on the newly opened Rideau Canal. Not your truly. In normal Sandy fashion, I determined that the weather report I though I heard for like -2 and sunny was true. To be fair, I did see some sun. Therefor, my mind argued... you have no excuses on why you shouldn't do your prescribed 5 hour jaunt outside. Its not like its cold and windy outside.... Oh wait. Yes it was. Denial and the human spirit is a wonderful thing. It allows a competitive person (yours truly in this case) to don some wind retardant spandex and ride into the wind for 5 hours. It allows you to convince yourself that the fact that you can no longer feel your extremities and can't drink from your frozen bottles ACTUALLY means you are simply "hardening up" for the coming season. Hypothermia is a myth and a good hot shower, complete with the defrosting burning sensations, will make everything worthwhile. I do give kudos to myself. Though the entire first half of the ride was into a glacial headwind, I refused to turn around early. What, and let mother nature win? I'm Canadian. -10 is practically balmy. On the plus side, I had made myself some wicked sammies with my mom's fresh baked bread so my stomach was quite content. My feet, hand and face on the other hand were infuriated, and made their opinions felt in the hot shower later when the blood flow returned. In the end, I have lived to fight another day. Probably thanks to the 18 1/2 liters of tea I have consumed since returning home. I think I'm going to lie under the covers soon. Weekend otherwise, quite normal and excellent. Four hours on the trainer post class Friday. Huge Thai feast was a success in the greatest way on Friday. Hot & Sour mussel soup to start, followed by jasmine rice with a red curry chicken and noodles. Plus a nice Argentinean red courtesy of the LCBO. Saturday consisted of an early morning spin on the rollers followed by a day of work at the greatest shop in the land. A few drinks in the evening with some friends, a schwarma and then bed. Weekend rating: A. Well done. Give yourselves a hand.
Side note: I fully called Lars on the Cross World's win. Just ask "the boys".

the weekend. she comes.

Comes with promises of warming weather, possible sunshine and exactly 2 weeks (from Saturday) until I bust out for the South. Needless to say, I'm feeling great. Pretty massive week this week riding wise... especially considering all my hours have been on the trainer. Another 3 coming up in a few minutes (after this coffee). Then the trek back into Ottawa, cheffing up what should be a wicked huge Thai feast tonight with my mom. Been pretty quiet around here otherwise. I really need to remember to pick up some more chamois cream this weekend. Gotta keep the grundle content with so many hours in the saddle. Sunday appears to be looking pretty decent weather wise, I'm feeling another venture outside perhaps. Anyone around Ottawa interested in a solid 4-5 hour jaunt? On a separate note, baked pork chops with a maple syrup glaze are delicious. Baked in a casserole dish with sweet potatoes and carrots with a drizzled maple syrup glaze. Wow. Had no idea if it would work, but got given some pork chops. Time to ride. Enjoy the weekend.

countdown

Just a tad over 2 weeks until South Carolina. Needless to say, I'm pumped and focused. Riding the trainer again doesn't bother me as I tune off into my own world, dreaming of rolling hills and sunshine... With that being said. My life is becoming even more unsocial. Other than the weekends of course. Three solid hours on the trainer yesterday, another 4 this morning plus class can take its toll. Evenings are reserved for cooking, eating, a little homework and generally putting my feet up. Working on getting the final details of my new bikes sorted out tonight ... aka stem length, bar size... all that fun stuff. Got "gifted" some pork chops for tonights dinner, so trying to decide how to cook them up. I'm thinking baked with my remaining sweet potatoes and veggies for a nice full meal. Back home tomorrow. Day off the bike booked in for Saturday. Should be a good time. Plus, got myself registered for a cool course on espresso and espresso related beverages in SC while we are there. Pumped for that. A bunch of the kids are doing it. If any of y'all are looking for a ride to or in the general direction of Seneca South Carolina on February 9th... let me know. One of my passengers has bailed so I have a free seat. You can hang with me and my boy Geoff for like 20 hours in a small car. If that isn't a good time, I don't know what is.