Back in the old saddle

I finally couldn't take it anymore and saddled up the F800 hardtail last week. Terrific to get back on the trail, despite the fact that my bike is ... heck, I don't really know where it is. I guess the Giant dealer next to the Bicycle Pro Shop wasn't just bad mouthing the competition when he said they take months to tune up a bike.

It was good to see the guys again, too (Tom, Jason, AJ and new guy Adrian). Adrian instantly earned the spot of honor, pounding the 20-plus miles on a rigid single-speed while staying with -- or ahead of -- the rest of us.

TALES: Still waiting ...

My bike
It's been more than a month since I dropped my ride in DC for a new front triangle (bad paint). It took C'dale about two weeks to build it and ship it to the Bicycle Pro Shop (pretty good in my book), but the shop's been slower than molasses at putting the pieces together. They finally said the proverbial check was in the mail Monday.

Luckily I've been able to stay busy cross training, as well as learning hypnosis and concentrating on improved sleeping habits in psych classes. I've seen a slight improvement in stamina and attitude; we'll see how it applies on the trail soon enough.

Epic race & new online TV link
Although we missed the entrance lottery for 2007, the goal is now to hit the 2008 Cape Epic race in South Africa (http://www.cape-epic.com/) with Clint. You can see a well-done, 26-minute production of this year's race at XRide TV (new link in my links list).