Chicago Trip

Julie and I just got back from Chicago - sorry we missed the teamFIRE shindig. We had a good time listening to music, shopping, and eating. Some of the concerts at the conference were in the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton and Towers - same ballroom and hotel as the final scene in the Harrison Ford movie The Fugitive.

Food is always a highlight when we go to Chicago - on Saturday before heading home we ate lunch at Heaven on Seven. Great Cajun food - and the famous wall of hot sauce. If you can bring in hot sauce that they don't have on the wall, dinner for two is free. I need to get some riding in over Christmas break to work off the extra lbs.

Bike upgrade

I decided to surprise my wife this Christmas with a new bike. This Trek FX 7.3 will replace her 45 lb. Magna she's been riding the past 9-10 years.

She wouldn't go out and buy one on her own, so I took the liberty for her. I think she'll be more apt to hop on the bike now as it will be that much more fun riding a lightweight, reliable machine compared to what she had before. I even found it in her favorite color -- sky blue.

So if you see her out on the trails this spring/summer -- compliment her on the bike so I get major husband bonus points.

Tour de Nebraska 2008

The Tour de Nebraska web site has posted the route and registration form for this summer - looks like we're hittin' the Sandhills!  I better work on my climbing.  Click here to visit their web site.

Trainer anyone?

This weather has kept me from bike commuting the last couple days. Commuting by bike gets in your blood. For me, a couple of days off the bike and I'm chomping at the bit. I've never been on a trainer and doubt I could stick with it. It seems like the equivalent to running on a treadmill. Being stationary just doesn't do it for me. What have your experiences been using a trainer? Do you watch TV while spinning? Is it tolerable?

Try This

Kevin, maybe this bike can help your wife on triathlons - or help keep us from getting dropped on those group rides:

Hmmm -- maybe I should share the Christmas cheer...

I've been thinking -- my wife has been kind enough to allow me to buy a road bike and I'd like to return her generosity.

She has had this desire to start participating in some triathalons, but the only bike she has is a horrid Magna ($99 Target special) she's had a few years. I'd like to surprise her with a bike that she could do a couple triathalons with, yet it would be OK for trail riding (pulling a Burley) to the park. I don't see her being a hard-core triathlete. I think she just wants to do 2-3 a year around the area.

I know there is no one bike that does both functions well, but I'm thinking a cross bike, like the Bianchi Volpe, might be the ticket. Any other thoughts?

Merry Christmas to me!

As an early Christmas to myself, I went out and bought a new road bike -- A Trek 2100 from Blues (the wife finally gave me the green light). Got a pretty good deal as it was a 2006 model and was discounted. 9-speed, triple chain ring, 105 shifters, Ultegra RD, carbon seat-stays. It will replace my old tank of a bike, the Schwinn Traveler, on group rides next spring/summer. I can't believe how much lighter it is -- guess bike technology has come a long way in 20 years.

I'm well aware that I'll still be slow as molasses as the "engine" is still the same, but it is nice having the STI shifting and it feels more responsive in the couple times I've had it out.