motorman

As the New Year approaches I am in the middle of a year-end reorganization of my life. This is a time of year that I love to sit back and reflect on the good of the previous year and the promise of the New Year. This has been a great year. Next year will be another. One of the great components of 2005 was the soundtrack. In the last year, I was introduced to some wonderful music. In the spirit of the season of giving, here are the great acts of 2005.

Kinnie Starr

This is a hip-hop singer from British Columbia that has great skill. I first heard her with my wife at the Winnipeg Folk Festival this summer. Her music is very entertaining with a good beat and a good message.

Beautiful Girls

This is a fun jam band style, but they actually have good lyrics. We saw these guys first at the WFF as well, but heard of them before. They are good friends with Mason Jennings (he even sings on one of their tracks). They have a very energetic live show and a well-produced album. The tough part is album availability. Since they are from Australia the discography is hard to locate in the States. However, it is worth it.

My Morning Jacket

This is a band that is starting to receive a lot of the major media attention, mostly due to my interest in them. Some friends turned me on to them. I loved the album, but I did not expect the all out hair-rock show. Either way it is a good act.

Damien Rice

This is the year’s new-to-me folk singer. And you can understand what he is saying.

The Killers

This is a good straight up British rock band. No big message in the songs, they are simply rock songs.

Enjoy the New Year! It will most certainly be better than 2005 and 2005 was a banner year.

It is at this time of the year that I go to the garage to dust off the winter ride. This is the old rock hopper that only rolls in the worst of weather. At the beginning of spring each year, I commit that when I have a free weekend I will service the bike so that I will not have to deal with on a dark cold winter day. Well, as habits are hard to break, I will trek out to the garage today to see if I can put the bike back together, in the dark, in the cold.

For those who ride year round you can understand the thrill of the winter ride. The temperature has dropped out, the sun (if it is out) barely makes it above the horizon, and most if not all of those you pass by look in bewilderment about how crazy you are in such weather. But, it is the greatest cure for cabin fever. You are out. You are exercising. And when you arrive home, you have no interest in venturing back into the winter.

For those who are just crazy enough to try it for the first time here are some pointers:

(1) Feet, hands and head, part 1. These are the most important parts of the body to properly cloth since there is little movement from these parts while you ride. If any one of these becomes cold, you will be toast. I suggest trading in the clipless for some lightweight winter boots. I have a pair of gore-tex lined vasque boots that have served this purpose great in the last few years. Layers are also key on the feet, nothing fancy, wool socks over a cotton athletic sock with maybe a wind sock over it. Same goes for the hand, do not worry about how fancy they are as long as it keeps you hands warm and dry. I wear a fleece glove under a pair of leather choppers. On the head I cover all part of skin on the coldest days. On most I will wear a mask that has a full face opening so that it can be tucked into a turtleneck.

(2) Feet, hands and head, part 2. Approach winter riding different than you would summer riding. The roads are usually in good condition a few days after a snow, but there is always the possibility of ice. The first time you hit ice with clipless shoes on will be you last. Find a good old fashion flat peddle that does not attach to you foot. If you slide in ice you will have a better chance of bracing your fall with you feet. This goes for hands, also. Wear a glove or mitten that in case of a fall it has enough material so you do not cut up your hand does not take the brunt. And if you plant the hand into a snow mound half way to you destination you hand will not freeze as a result. Finally, wear a helmet. Even if it means buying a new one that can accommodate a hat between your head and the helmet.

(3) Wear a Helmet. I cannot stress how important this is at any period of the year, but especially the winter. Ice can do a wicked number on you and you can go in the most unexpected direction. Plus isn’t $80 every other year much easier to afford than the cost of a traumatic brain injury.

(4) Ride straight-up. In the winter your footing is different due the potential of ice and snow. Center your weight on the bike and try to avoid leaning into turns. I have found that slower turns are the most successful.

(5) Be ready to change clothes 8 to 10 times per day. I can always tell when spring is around the corner, because I become frustrated that I have to freaking change my clothes again. Typical day for me – get up, get dressed for the ride to work (#1). Ride to work, arrive change clothes for work (#2). Work, finish work change for ride home (#3). Sometimes attend off site meeting on way home with need to look professional change clothes (#4). Finish meeting change for the ride (#5). Arrive home; remove biking gear (#6). Go to sleep change again (#7). This is the most frustrating part of the winter ride. Way more frustrating than the temperature.

(6) Have a system to transport your clothes. Whether the plan is a Sunday drive out to the office with a week’s worth of duds or large panniers, a plan can mean the difference between looking like a professional or like a dope.

(7) Become the weatherman. I do mean start blowing stuff up, but know the conditions before hand will save you time and maybe you well being. The forecast will guide you on the appropriate clothes to wear. If it is real cold and you are not used to riding in it – overdress in layers. It is easier to pull something off then to find something to put on in the middle of your ride. Be smart about the cold. If you think it is too cold, don’t ride and live to do it another day. My rule is under -20F, it’s no dice. Remember I have a 20 to 30 minute commute. Distance plays a key role when the temperature is involved.

(8) Know your route. Knowing where the closest coffee or bike shop come is in handy if you catch a flat when it is 15F and sleeting.

(9) Carry a spare. Like all times of the year, have spare tubes, tools and patch kits with you on the ride.

(10) Have fun. The best part of the winter ride is being out. It is so invigorating to be on the bike in sub-zero weather or in a six-inch snow storm. It will keep you fit and your spirits up through those dark days of winter. Aside from the street cred, the main reason to be on your bike in the winter is because it is so much fun.

I see the irony of the previous post.

Happy New Year!

I try not to be overly political on these pages, but I cannot help myself on this absurd turn of events. At any rate, I will keep it short.

The issue: Should you boycott shops that wish you ‘Happy Holidays’ instead of ‘Merry Christmas’.

This has consumed a number of hours of national television news outlets time and column inches in almost every major daily. The only though I have on this is – ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Please everyone, take a moment to size up the underlining motivations here:

1 – Shop owners want everyone, and I mean everyone to spend their money so they play the averages – everyone has a ‘Holiday’ of some sort at some time.

2 – Talk show hosts – on any point in the ideological spectrum – need to fill airtime.

So, is this really an issue? I suggest that everyone stop a minute, remember what is important this holiday season, and focus.

I for one look forward to spending as much time with the ones I love this holiday season not talking about these petty divisive issues.

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and/or Happy Holidays!!

Due to renovations at home my one-and-only full bathroom is nothing but studs, pipes and exposed floorboards. After a visit from the plumber three weeks ago where he roughed in the new bathroom an as a result removed everything that transforms ‘room’ to ‘bathroom’ showering requires a trip to the local heath club. I enjoy going to the health club to work out, but there is an aspect of this venue that was not all together evident until this need to use the shower only.

Americans are a strange bunch, must be the puritan roots, and Midwestern Americans are even more reserved. Be nice, and do not make a scene by drawing attention. This is okay for everyday life, I guess, I would not to want it to be ‘Be cruel, and make a scene’. But, I am finding that there is some sort of sphere that protects the locker rooms from the requirement to be reserved and clothed.

It is an extreme contrast on each side of the locker room door. I will get used to it, and hopefully in the next six to eight weeks the room will again become the bathroom.