48 bottle of beer on the...

Tuesday night had my dad and I bottling our creation during our second homebrewing session. I was relatively straight forward. First rule of bottling: SANITIZE. Our instructor, Bob, said this time and time again. He's a very laid back, soft spoken individual, so I determined that this was his way of shouting at us.

So we sanitized and hung the bottles on a rack, which we would come back to after we racked. HUH? Yes, I had the same confusion. Being the learned brewman that I am, I did homework. I read Homebrewing for Dummies. One section was called racking...I assumed that when we put bottles on a rack, that well, this must in fact be "racking". Politely, Bob corrected me. Racking is the act of siphoning out the fermented wort from the fermentation bucket. This process minimizes the amount of sludgy byproduct (mainly yeast) that gets bottled. So from the fermentation bucket to the bottling bucket our booze did flow.

Next step, bottling. The bottles were at the ready and the caps were, you guessed it, sanitized. The bucket had a nozzle that was place directly into the bottle and the magic happened - beer in bottle. Not yet bottled beer mind you, the next step was to crown (cap, if your a rookie) the bottle. My dad was a ninja on the crown crimper, and with much hesitation let his young jedi operate the heavy machinery.

Voila...we had two cases of beer. They are now bottle conditioning for another 10 days. We will pick the finished product up next Saturday during our final session.

BIKING - HAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA...um no.

Um...Yum

The mussels turned out delish...I didn't know how much two pounds of mussels were, but it appears to be over 50. The rosemary and garlic fries turned out great too. I think I rushed them a bit, I would have liked to had the fries crispier before I tossed them in the garlic and rosemary. But, all in all a great meal. The Grand Cru was an excellent, but different kind of beer. It is a sour ale, with hints of lemon and cherry...neither of which are part of the brewing process. It tasted almost more like a wine to me. We capped the dinner off with a truffle and wine (for her) and a DFH Shelter Pale Ale for me.

No spinnin' for me...I was too busy stuffing my face.

Oh, Snow!

So, this weekend brought us a ton of snow, the only outdoor activity I got was shovelling...ARRRGGGHHH! I wanted to get my ride on at Loch this Thursday, but I won't have a comrade and I don't want to challenge the night, cold and snow/icy conditions, solo...call me a sissy...I'll beat ya!

Trainin' again. Looks like I will be spinning indoors...again. Awfully boring. I plan to hit the road or trails on Saturday. Something nice and long!

V-Day. Tonight, I cook dinner (like usual) for my special lady. I plan on making mussels a la biere et frites. Otherwise known as mussels in beer broth and fries. It's a Belgian dish. The mussels call for a Flanders Red Ale, so I picked up Rodenbach Grand Cru - some for the dish, more than some for me. The rest of the recipe includes cream, butter and bacon - so I don't think I can go wrong. I would probably eat my arm if those ingredients were on it.

To compliment the mussels, I am attempting to duplicate the Brewer's Art Rosemary and Garlic fries...so good. If I master this recipe, the next time I leave the house may be during the Dr. Phil show when they knock down a hole in my house big enough to back an ambulance in and cart my big ass to the hospital.


Hammer Bar. I just got these bad boys today after waiting a couple months on backorder. I received 15 chocolate and 10 almond raisin. I sampled one for breakfast and one as my midday snack. They are both very delish. This will remain one of my go-to's for meal/snack replacement and pre-ride fuel. It's a great whole food, organic alternative, which will become a main staple for me. I need to knock out the sugar and processed-adled foods out of system...it is zapping the energy out of me...fo' shizzle! I am also looking to stock up on other Hammer/E-cap products for my commuting/race season. Indeed!

To all...Happy V-day...wrap your arms around yourself...you just received a hug from me...I'm out!

VERY IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ!!!

It has come to my attention that my blog has predominantly become the place where my friends and family have come to learn the "goings-ons" in my life. Apparently this has supplanted the need for actual one-on-one discussion. If you are reading this and sounds like the road you have been heading down, don't feel ashamed or disgusted with yourself. This is your "free pass", so go ahead, pick up the phone, give me a ring...we'll talk. Although I have a terrible habit of not answering or returning calls. Just leave a comment on my blog...we'll do lunch.



Other news...Olympics start tonight...Oh snap. I'll be eagerly awaiting the skeleton and snowboarding events. Okay, honestly, the figure skating...shut up.

Thursday Night Races

Hop and I may have started a new personal riding trend. Tonight is our first Thursday Night Race and I am hoping the first of many. Hopefully we'll add riders and distance as the season continues into the warmer months. Right now our course is set at Loch Raven - Seminary. It is nice to know where you are going and all of the escape routes, if necessary, during the cold, dark nights...coupled with the fact that your riding buddy may be racing ahead of you. We have a quick, 5 1/2 mile loop that we tackle. By the time we get to the lot and ready, it really is all the mileage we have time for (on most nights). So it's on...

Details to follow....

RESULTS ARE IN: HOPPE WINS THE INAUGURAL THURSDAY NIGHT CLASSIC
Right from the start he set the pace. Although Chesnik did all he could to keep his big bones rolling, Hoppe denied any attempt at a leading role in the race. At the mile marker, with slight trail confusion, Chesnik did some trail blazing which slowed hime down due to the old "stick-trying-to-rip-off-disc-brake" issue. Not that this was a deciding factor in the result of the race, but it sure as hell didn't help. To rub salt in the wounds, Hoppe waited...classy move, but still it burns a little. To add more salt in the wounds Hoppe suggested a re-route of the predetermined race route. Sweet! These races will definitely help us guage our weak points, which as of right now appears to be just me...but that's okay. With a ton of commuting (30ish miles round trip) and training-specific rides, I'll be a new machine. Hoppe is planning to get a new bike, which may be his only weak point right now...effin' scary.

At least we both got the same trophy at the end. A nice cold, but warming Stoudt's Fat Dog Imperial Oatmeal Stout.

Chesnik, Chesnik & Hoolehan

This is the name of our brewing team at our homebrew class at the Flying Barrel. After a bite of my mom's infamous mac&cheese, my pop and I headed down to Frederick to attend our first homebrew class. With 9 students and one teacher, we jumped right into the process.

Step 1: Select our beer. We chose a Pale Ale based on the other team's selection of a Porter.

Step 2: Measuring and Milling our grains. Pretty interesting process. We nibbled on the roasted crystal barley and flaked barley...quite tasty. After milling the crystal into our steeping bag, we added the barley flakes and headed over to the boiler.

Steps 3: Steeping the Barley. It took approximately 15 minutes to steep. Enough time to quaff a brew crafted by our fearless teacher, Bob. Throughout the process we had "spare" time to enjoy different samples.

Step 4: Boil, Boil. Time to add 6 lbs of Pale Mat syrup to the mix. Our team partner Mike got the pleasure of stirring with the world's largest spatula, while I poured the syrup into the boiler. After that we dashed in our first hops, which escapes me now. We waited for a half hour. Yes, more brew was consumed.

Step 5: 30 minues pass, time to add the Finishing hops, Cascade.

Step 6: 2 minutes later we release the beer from the boiler into our fermenting bucket. A strainer catches all the left over gobble-di-gook.

Step 7: Cooling the beer from 212 to 80 degress. We used a copper immersion chiller, which utilizes a water source (hose) and coiled copper tubing. The idea, cold water in through the copper tubing chilling the wort. The cold water turns into warm water which is used to clean the boiler. Pretty interesting process. I got the job of stirring the wort, which earned me a seat and a fresh beer from my bestest beer bitch, my dad :)

Step 8: Add yeast and stir! Pop got stirring duties this time while Mike dumped the yeast. This is my favorite part, because this is where the alcohol is born. The yeast eats the sugar with the byproduct being sweet, sweet booze.

Step 9: Sanitize the lid and pop it on the bucket. Add the aerator and VOILA!

I'm sure I missed a step or two, but that's okay. So did Bob, the instructor. He fumbled on a few steps, probably due to the number of batches going on at once. Our team was the first to go, so we were the Guinea Pigs...which will probably end up being the name of our pale ale (credit to my pop's for the name). Or we could call it "Shit..Sugar", a phrase Bob used when he made his first trip up.

It is a great class, maybe not everything I thought it would be, but it's definitely fun. I thought it would be more homebrewing (i.e., making beer in a kitchen) oriented. The facility they have is beautiful, but would be quite an expense to get up and running in one's house.

Oh, the Things I Have Done

Ride. The only rides I have done recently were on Wednesday and Thursday of last week. Both at Loch. Not too sloppy. With a momentary lack of judgement based on lack of saddle time, I rode in conditions that I typically object to. The more unfortunate part is that I'm not the only one. Loch Raven is starting to look like a sloppy, rutty motocross course...in some sections. So I pledge not to go down that road for a while.

I went to the Stop, Swap and Save in Westminster to check out any possible deals. I was mainly looking for SS cogs, but to no avail. I did run into an old PHH colleague who has become a distributor for a west coast frame builder...more details to come. I didn't pick up any gear, but I did have my eye on the wool cycling caps...maybe next time.

Football. Picksburg wins, yinz! My mom's side of the family rejoices. K and I hit the annual Munshaur Super Bowl Extravaganza. Food, Beer and Football...good times.

GPS. I'm not sure if I trust the Forerunner. Ithas given me different altitude readings on two separate rides (same trail). I will give it some more time before I dismiss it as a good tool for biking. It has been useful for trail runs though. Good pace setting and the GPS has proved helpful on one trail run.

Brewing. First homebrew class tomorrow!

THIS JUST IN... A good guage of sunrise/sunset times: http://mach.usno.navy.mil/cgi-bin/aa_rstablew

I'm trying to judge when my first 2006 commute will take place. I'm hoping on my birthday, Feb 28th.

Tools

This weekend was ladened with tools. One I couldn't find and the other found me. As mentioned in my previous post, I got the 20 tooth cog for my rig, the problem is that I didn't have the proper lockring tool. So I went to the nearest LBS, Race Pace, and they suggested a tool that might do the trick. So I get the tool and take it home. I fumbled a lot to get it off, noticing some rounding of the notches...not good. So I immediately take it back. Still looking for the right tool.

On Sunday, I went to REI just to browse. Luckily it was their Attic Sale, where returned goods are sold at cheap prices. Most goods are damaged or heavily used. So I stumble across some "nearly" great finds, only to find out that they are ripped, chipped or missing parts. Then I get to the piece de resistance. Before my eyes laid the Garmin Forerunner 201. I have been tinkering with buying one of these bad boys for a while, but it was way down the list...a hair to pricey for what I would want it for. Well, low and behold, here it was at a cut rate. They had it listed at $50, which is a phenomenal deal...then they shouted everything is half off the lowest ticketed price.

Shocked and awed as I was...I started tinkering with the watch to ensure that there was no hidden damage. I asked if I could take it outside to catch a signal. So I hopped outside and "BINGO!". Then I hopped in my car to see if it tracked and the mph's and waypoint function worked...indeed. Lastly I plugged in the charger to ensure that it charged properly...yessir. SOLD! I got the Garmin with the last of my REI gift certificate with a huge smile on my face. It reatils for $150, purchased for $25!!! It is less expensive than the crappiest cyclometer and has loads more functionality. Finally we can get a good peg on altitude and distance on biking excursions

Workin' for the Weekend

I should be getting my 20 tooth Surly cog tonight. I'm excited to see how that pans out for me. I think I'll be spinning a ton in the flats, but climbing more "currently unclimbable" inclines. One of the joys of SS'ing - always tinkering/perfecting.

Tomorrow promises to be a nice day high 50s!!!

Roll with it!!

THIS JUST IN...Got the cog from Speedgoat, had to find the proper tool...the new cog is installed and ready to roll. Unfortunately, no ride today...I have to go to a work function with K. There's always tomorrow.

Springtime in January

Mountain Bike @ Loch (Saturday). With temps in the mid 60's, it was time to hit the trails. I met up with Volk at the trailhead at Seminary, where dozens of riders assembled in short sleeves and shorts to hit the singletrack. Volk and I once again wore the same jersey, looking like team goofball out on the trails. We headed in with no real game plan, and ended up riding for three hours touring almost every trail that the Seminary Trail offers. I got to see the Loch Raven Dam for the first time since the construction. It is pretty impressive. I digress.

I think I am going to gear up with a 20 tooth cog in the rear. I fear that will put me in spin central on the flats, but I want to see how it would effect my overall ride.

We ended up going to Baja Fresh for some grub and called it a day. I got home and washed the bike then myself....then it was chili time.

Chili. I am getting closer to perfection with my chili skills. This time I used Rogue Smoke Ale as my beer of choice. The name pretty much says it all and the chili actually did have a hint of smokiness to it. Good stuff...can't wait to try it today as we watch the football games.

Hike @ Soldiers Delight (Sunday). Took a nice stroll throughthe western side of Soldiers Delight this afternoon with my main hiking comrade, Cobi Joan. She was a tad confused and I was a little hesitant. I didn't want to stoke her desire to hike so early in the year. She might now come to expect it. For those who don't know, Cobi Joan is a 15 lb Shih Tzu and isn't very adaptable to snowy/cold conditions. She is however an extremely durable, strong pup. We've gone on 10+ mile hikes where I've thrown in the towel and she is just getting warmed up.

Back to our hike. The trail was a little sloppy, but because 75% of the trail is stone-fortified, it wasn't a squishy mudfest. We tallied about three miles.

But what about bikes?

Not much discussion around bikes lately. I need some outdoor biking miles...pronto. I am heading out this weekend for road or dirt...I can't take it!!

My Rig is, all like, mad at me. I bring her in the family and leave her in her room, not to be ridden like the stallion she is. My bad! I definitely need to get a new rear cog...either 19 or 20. I am having issues pushing her up some hills I typically have little to no problem with. It's all about the gear inches baby.

I'm also missing the road..the cruel, grinding pain cave...which for some unfathomable reason I enjoy. Mostly because I know I'll be able to quaff a tasty beverage at the end with no guilt! Actually, because it takes you to parts of the world...ok, state...ok, county....that I would otherwise not see by car. You have time to smell the roses (and dead animals and cow dung and...you know, if you know). Not only do you invigorate your physical being, but all five of your senses become hightened and enlightened. Good stuff!

I think I have an idea on what to do with by broken Surly 1x1 frame. I was perusing the Dirt Rag site and ran into a rant by Karl Rosengarth re: SCUL (Subversive Urban Chopper League). Basically they are a bunch of riders dedicated to the art of the chopper bicycle, among other interests. It got me thinking that, with the assistance of my father-in-law who is handy with welding, I could create a frakenbike that I could tool around town/beach with. I have all sorts of ideas in my head, but they probably won't come in to fruition for a while. Too many things on the plate already. Here's a great movie trailer from SCUL: http://www.scul.org/movie/. Check it out!

Okay, I'm done.

OR NOT...

THIS JUST IN...



I finally found DFH Fort at Calvert Wine & Spirits...YAY! Tonight...me, my girl (meaning my wife, not the beer) a fire, some cheesecake and a bottle of Fort. Sounds muy bueno to me. I actually picked up two bottles. After searching high and low, I found her...all thanks to beeradvocate.com's user forum. A fellow beer nut from the area rated the Fort and I tracked him down and asked...WHERE!!! I ran to Calvert and picked the last two up with a huge smile on my face. One to drink, one to lay down. I have a feeling this one will age great! Might also be highly collectible due to the rarity of the bottling this year!!!

Temperature Check!

So, I have already made some headway into the goals I have set forth in my last blog. My dad and I got confirmation that we were admitted into the brew class...Check! K and I looked at houses in the Westminster area on Sunday...Check! I've been on the trainer and working out in preparation for my physical challenges...Check!

Dogfish Head AleHouse









K and I went to the Dogfish Head AleHouse on Friday night, in an effort to go to restaraunts in other parts of the world. This choice was heavily influenced by your's truly. Dogfish has some of the best beers in this part of the world and we are lucky that they are close by.

We started the evening with a short stay at the bar waiting for a table to open up. K indulged in the finest of sodas and I started off with a Burton Baton offered in a snifter glass. I may have chosen a easier beer to kick off the night, but it was tasty all the same.

We then immediately got our table and started the feast. We began with a three cheese crab dip. Next beer up: Raison D'Etre . Then we made our minds' up for the entree and we both went with pizza... I went with the seafood pizza and K went with a spicy pizza. Both delicious. Pizza loves beer, and beer loves pizza. I went with a Snowblower Ale next, not because it went the best with pizza, but it is only available in draft...I had to go for it.

Our dinner filled with great conversation even with the fact that K was slightly under the weather. We talked and ate for over 2 hours. So why end the party there? We got an excellent chocolate cheesecake which prompted me to take it a step further with a year-old World Wide Stout. This was an excellent pairing. What an excellent night! Why end it there, K allowed me to have one more nightcap. We sat at the bar and people watched as a quaffed a Olde School Barleywine. Upon finishing the wonderful night, we picked up another momento for both of us.

And yes, K so graciously drove home with me in tow. She was all hopped up on soda :)

BIG PLANS 2006

Here goes the list of all the things I'd like to accomplish in 2006. My plan is to fire a ton of possibilities out there and see what sticks. A short list will be created soon. Aight:

24 hour races:
Big Bear - June 10th-11th
Seven Springs - first weekend in September

Adventure Race/Off-Road Tri:
Rocky Gap Adventure Race - May 20th

Charity Rides:
Maryland Wine Fest Ride (road) - mid September
Chesapeake Asthma Ride (road) - June 2nd-4th; may be hampered by Big Bear.

Local MTB Race:
Race in at least one area race. Never have competed in a normal race before.

Run in a 5k:
Building block to longer runs and eventually a real triathalon.

Hike a section of the AT:
If I can take a week each year for a couple years, I will have completed the whole trail

Lots of weekend camp/ride trips:
Plan for a lot of training rides/camping in the Mid-Atlantic area. I also really want to ride the entire C&O Canal in a weekend.

When Daylight Savings returns to better daylight hours:
Ride, Ride, Ride to work again!!!

Start brewing:
The Big Man and myself are taking classes in February. Family Chesnik will sow the empire they have been destined to create through malt, hops, yeast and water!!

Woodcrafting:
My dad and I have been talking a lot of game about making our own furniture and whatnots. Time's up...this is the year!

Friends:
I have some yahoo's that want to start a clothing line. I know zippy about the biz and have zero design qualifications. They are very creative and inspired gents who are very passionate about their idea. I hope I can help them with the business side, which means I got some studying to do. It's all about the biz plan, baby!

Family:
The wife is eager to find her "nesting" house. The time may be right to find new digs. All I want is a garage and a shed to call my own. A shed for brewmaking and bikes! Oh, and two bathrooms.

It would be great if we could start filling the house as well.

Guess who's back....

...back again. Guess who's back, tell your friends! Guess who's back...okay, you get it.

Been a long time! My apologies. No excuses...just 100% plain ol' busy (wait, that's an excuse). My punishment is your enjoyment (maybe). The world's longest blog submission. Here goes:

Biking

I have been on the Rig sporadically during the holiday season. Hoppe tries his damndest to get me out on the sloppy trails, but I refuse. I did enjoy our iced singletrack session though. This was our pre-Christmas ride which included a bottle of Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale and a little Beam. Those two definitely warmed our innards.

I am enjoying the hell out of the rig. It is definitely a beast on the trail. I think once I get my strong cycling base back...I will be a force on the trail :)

Other than my minimal outdoor antics, I have been doing some indoor training. Fun stuff.

Brew

My new found love of all things brew was given a shot of adrenaline during the holidays. I received a couple gifts relating to the glorious hobby:

Books
Ultimate Beer by Michael Jackson
Homebrewing for Dummies
Beers of the World- a gift from my riding buddy Hop.

Gear
Hop Holster - My bro-in-law and I received these from my wife. BIG HIT at the family party.
A cool bottle opener.

Knowledge is Power!
However, the cream of the crop (though not so much a Christmas present) is the class my dad and I are taking in February through the local homebrew store. We are going to learn the ins and outs of homebrewing. I was going to take a class at some point, but it's great to take it with my pops. After reading copius amounts of info on the process, I believe his analytical/scientific brain will be a wonderful asset to my learning process. My scientific brain is likened to a bull in a china shop...I like beginning projects and ending them...it's that in between stuff that I'm not a fan of :)

Bottles
My neighbor is a huge brew afficianado, whom I give beers to every time I see him. Most of the time he has quaffed my selection, but I throw some newbies his way to. Well, one day during the holidays he stopped by mt house and handed me three new selections (Bezelbuth, Lion Stout and another I can not recall). Anywho, we were talking and he mentioned his "cellar" and I told him I'd be interested in seeing it one day. And off we went. He literally has dozens of "laid down" brews. He treated each one with kid gloves and he new the ins-and-outs of every last one. His excitement sparked mine and we talked for a few hours about beers, brewpubs, etc. I ended up leaving his house with about a dozen different brew, my favorite being a 2003 DuClaw Devils Milk wax-dipped growler, which apparently DuClaw no longer does. What a treat! I now have started a mini cellar in the back of my refrigerator. My finished basement doesn't stay cool enough...fortunately and unfortunately. My plan is to start having tasting parties with my drinking buddies...price of admission: a bottle to lay down for a future party.

Family

I hope the readers understand that these blogs are a stream of consciousness and no, my family ranks numero uno in my heart. They do not rank below bikes and booze...my dumb brain is just a little slower than my big heart.

We had a wonderful holiday. Not too much rushing around. We were able to enjoy each other's company...something I haven't had the opportunity to truly do for a while. My eyes have definitely opened up to spending time to the people I truly care about, including family and friends.

While I like getting gussied up to party on New Year's, I really, really enjoyed grabbing a bite, enjoying libations and camping out with my wife and pup in my basement, watching movies and the ball drop. I assume we'll probably do something different next year, but if we don't...that's cool too.

I already talked about the upcoming class with my dad. And I am also eagerly awaiting the addition to my parents house which will also include a workshop. We are in a huge d0-it-yourself mode. Brew and Furniture...watch out crafting world!

Big Plans for 2006...forthcoming!!!!

On the Injured Reserve

OK, it's not as bad as it sounds. I have a minor pull/strain in my hip flexor...it's actually 90% better than it has been the last two days. I've stayed off the bike and administered heavy doses of Rankin/Bass Christmas shows (ie, the Heat Mieser), a couple Sierra Nevada Celebration Ales and a few puppy dog kisses. I'm almost back to snuff.














I assume I injured myself due to the new geometry of the Rig. Make that, I didn't properly adjust my ride for my body type. Note to readers...never ride your bike "as is" when you leave the shop..adjust to fit!

I am taking a lot of days off this month, which means I will be taking a few day trips to ride at various riding hot spots. I hope to hit Avalon this Friday, if the weather holds...meaning if it doesn't rain. If it snows and the wind isn't ridiculous...it's on like Donkey Kong!

Be good!

I'm baaack!

Here's the good, the bad and the skinny:

• The Rig is in, all 29 inches and singlespeed-ness of her (picked up on Thursday).
• I have logged three wintery cold rides since (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
• I've always rode in the winter, but I don't recall ever being so cold - shoe covers were purchased, Swobo beanie on Xmas wish list.
• Volk is a riding machine with his new Santa Cruz Blur.
• I am going through an adjustment period on the Rig. Still trying to see what tweaks will need to be made.
• The snowboarding season is upon us, which means I lose my riding buddies.

Cammy need Bikey

It's been too long for me. I'm getting the shakes. I need trails...pronto. Between work, house, and other extracurriculars, I haven't spent proper time on the bike. Scratch that. Proper time on the bike trails. I've spent a couple sessions on the trainer...the masochistic contraption. Oh, I smile when I'm on it, but I don't mean it!

I'm waiting for the Rig to get here. At least it's winter, so I don't have to pain for my bike during the best riding days. Speaking of pining for a bike...Volk is ready to rock-n-roll. He heas already taken the maiden voyage on his Blur and received his first flat. Just 'cause they're new, don't mean they're bomb-proof. He also equipped himself with another light, helmet and winter booties. I guess that means we'll be doing plenty of winter/snow rides...I'm down!

Me llamo Bradley called me out this weekend stating that the bike content has gone to the toilet and the beer content has gone way up. Merely a reflection of current times my friend. However, the point is well taken and I will put my best foot forward...Always at least a 50/50 split. Oh by the way Brad, when is the last time you hopped on a bike?? Oh SNAP! (ed note: Brad would probably still school me on the road.)

So what happened this weekend.

Friday: Relaxed with the women. Watched a couple of movies. WARNING BRAD, BEER CONTENT. Had two new beers. Rogue Chocolate Stout...yum-dog. Made with real chocolate. Would be a great dessert beer. Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Stout. YESPLEASE! I also quaffed Magic Hat's Saint Goetz. It's a Dark Wheat Ale. Not my favorite, although I've never had a dark wheat ale before, so I can not base a true comparison. It smelled awful and tasted worse. I wouldn't pawn it off on my worse enemy. Although I wouldn't pawn most beers off to anyone.

Saturday: Had a nice little Saturday again. Did some housework, rolled on the trainer, then headed out on the town to celebrate some bdays with my boys. Brad and Shick turned older so we had a reason to celebrate. Cast of characters: Brad, Schick, Bum, Bucky and me. We headed to Fells Point and ended up in Canton trying to relive our glory years. From the sounds of Schick's voice mail the next day - Bars 1, Guys 0. There was apparently a lot of praying going on the next day. Porcelain God 1, Guys 0. Luckily I got out unscathed. Good times fellas.

Sunday: Are you ready for some football! I went to the Ravens/Steelers game. G-damn there are a ton of fanatics. Lots of fights over overpaid football players due to an enormous amount of alcohol. The game was relatively boring until it got to OT. Then the teams started to play like they were actually enjoying competition. Thanks to Volk for securing the tickets for Hoppe. Thanks to Hoppe for inviting me. We had great seats! Oh, and I think I am going to sue the Ravens for price gouging. I paid $16 for two beers...Miller Lites! That's retarded! I ended the evening by coming home to a nice cheesesteak which my wife secured for me...She's the best.

That's all folks!

Not much

Thought I'd share a few odds-n-ends.

Volk is [cross fingers] getting his long awaited Blur LT this week with conformation from Santa Cruz. He has been getting the run around from Fleet Street Cycles since he ordered his bike through them in June. SIX MONTHS!!! I believe a Wednesday ride is tapped if the weather holds.

I'm in the running to win the Mega-Millions...woo-hoo! Again cross-fingers...I have a 1 in 175 million chance [actual number].

I was lured to the Mega Millions after my hunt for this bad boy. I haven't quaffed yet.

Bliss.

Again with the LONG weekends already!

Here's the punchlist:

FRIDAY - Happy Hour with Hop at Brewer's Art. Volk comes later. We (Hop, Volk, myself) head to a Bachelor Party Eve celebration at Hooters for a college mate, Steve Hallowell. Enter Schrott. Exit stage left to Looney's in Canton. Theme for the evening became AHHWOOO! (think Rick Flair).

THE FLAIR

The Bachelor (aka Steve Hallowell and Bo...Cheers indeed!)

IT'S ONLY JUST BEGUN
The Bachelor (aka Drunk and Hoppe)

The discussion stages of an apparel line were borne from the cup. Hop and I are thinking of the next big thing....stay tuned.

SATURDAY - I had a nice little Saturday planned. Reupholster my dining chiars, hit Joann's Fabric Store...you know all that macho, beer-drinkin', gun-shootin' manly stuff. Actually, it's a guilty pleasure. Pop, the chairs turned out fantastic. Mom, the wall hangings rock! I thought the projects would take 4 hours or 12 hours...whatever's longer.

SUNDAY - CLEAN, HAVE DINNER PARTY, CLEAN, SET UP MY WINTER TORTURE DEVICE**, WRITE BLOG, GO TO BED, DREAM OF NEW BIKE.

In the words of the little German kid in the Sound of Music...GOOOOOD NIIIIIIIIGHT!!!!

**bike trainer and cyclo-core. my winter's morning cup o' butt-kickin'...HOOHAH!

Whistle while you work?

I don't know about you, but I've had notime to whistle - let alone write this blog. Work has been a lil' bit hectic. It's all good though. I've found some time to hit evening mass at the dirt church with my boy Hop.

Last night we rolled with a little "motivation" to get to the mid-point. The trails were slick and I found myself on the ground more than I was in my saddle. Night+Leaves+Slick Mud+Bike That Needs Attention = Cam on Butt. Don't let my words fool you, I love riding at night.

Oh yeah, what was the motivation?

Hit the spot...Probably would pair well with spicier foods and may be the new secret weapon in my famous "in my own head" chili!!

After we divulged in the malty goodness bestowed on us by the hops gods, we christened the trail the Chipotle Trail and we made haste back to the church parking lot.

Riding in the dark is weird. You are so focused on the trail. 100% of your attention is focused on where the trail is and where it is going. You get a better feel of balance and how to deal with wheel slips and other various obstacles. What you don't factor in is your riding buddy ducking into the brush only to scare the living hell out of you. I think a little poop came out when Hop quite artfully scared the living hell hell out of me. For this, he wins RideCam's First Annual Ass of the Week Award (I know annual and week don't mesh, but I probably won't be handing the award out often - so deal).

ASS OF THE WEEK

Congrats Matt!

Until next time..HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!