Damn, I’m pooped.  May has ended with a mad frenzy of business at Jay’s Cycle, nearly equalling our all-time sales record for a single month.  Sheer insanity.  We open at 1 p.m. on Sundays, which means that so many people are waiting for us and already impatient when we open the door.  For two solid hours the store was unruly chaos.  People were fighting for our attention, but thankfully most of them were pretty patient.  The day flies by when the pace is that frantic.

Actually, the day started early.  Erik and Winston and I went up to the lake at Watchung Circle to watch the Dock and Sock Triathlon and cheer on our friends who were competing.  There were several women from the TriWomen group, and our friend Jerry Richards totally rocked in winning his age group.  Congrats, Jerry!

The Giro ended today, and I’ve only heard tiny hints about what happened in today’s final time trial.  I’m watching the Universal Sports TV coverage right now as I write, and it’s pretty intense.  With DeLuca down by only 20 seconds, he can’t be ruled out.  Mechov looks pretty good, but it’s raining and slippery, and the gods might just deliver some good luck or some bad luck.  These conditions can reward the risk-takers, so a bold right might change the face of the podium.  Levi needs to step it up, and Lance is eager to leave his mark on this race, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see either take the stage win.  Of course, you probably already know the outcome - but I’m just going to enjoy the suspense for the next two hours.

I love spring.  Today the weather was absolutely perfect.  After the triathlon, Erik and I headed out for a short spin on the bikes.  A couple of hard stiff climbs, but mostly easy spinning.  The temperature was perfect, with just a mild breeze, and the humidity was pretty light.  In the evening Erik and Stef came over, and we grilled cheeseburgers and roasted potatoes.  All the neighbors were out and about, and we finally met the new people that moved in down the block.  Very cool couple.  Actually, most of our neighbors are really nice, which makes it so much more enjoyable to live here.

If you missed the last Basic Road Cycling Skills clinic, here’s your chance!  Put June 20 on your calendar.  We’ll meet at the Seeley’s Pond picnic area from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  This course is the perfect opportunity to learn everything about road riding:  how to climb, spin, descend, corner, eat, drink, draft, shift, brake, and anything else you can think of.  Send me an e-mail if you’re interested!

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Ahhhh, finally my week is over and I can get some rest.  I’m racing the Long Branch Duathlon on Sunday, so I need to catch some real sleep, rest my legs, eat well, hydrate, and do some stretching.  This week has been a long one, with every day a wall-to-wall marathon of selling bikes and preaching the word of 2 wheels.  It’s been fun, but I need a break.

I’m excited for the Basic Road Cycling Skills Clinic this Saturday.  Everyone who has enrolled so far is really cool, and I think it’s going to be lots of fun.  There are still 3 spots left, so if you’re interested, or anyone you know might be interested, please drop me an e-mail or give me a call.

Bike to Work Week has been excellent, and I really want to make a commitment to doing the commute more often.  I’ve really been enjoying my commutes, especially the morning spin.  8 miles of easy rhythm, with a stop at Rock’n Joe for a skim Chai Tea Latte prepared by Jaylene, my favorite barista and newly converted cyclist.  Today was pleasant, in spite of the rain (and being unable to stop at Rock’n Joe).  The ride in was misty and humid, and the ride home was doused in a steady drizzle.  Nonetheless, it was better than driving.  After the “B” ride last night, I needed an easy recovery ride.  (For the record, in spite of the slow average speed, hammering up Deer Path, Old Stirling Road and Johnston Drive, then finishing with a vicious sprint . . . this doesn’t qualify as an easy ride).

It’s past my bedtime, so I’m signing off.  Goodnight, and good luck, compadres.

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I couldn’t have asked for a better day to ride to work . . . sunny, cool, and no wind.  All was going well until I arrived in Westfield.  As I turned onto Prospect Street to go to Rock’n Joe for coffee, a really cool woman (who Monday had bought a bike from me for her little kid) yelled out to me that I had dropped something.  I stopped, noticed one of my recently shed arm warmers lying on the roadway, and then realized that my backpack’s zipper had blown apart.  The week’s worth of clothing that I had brought with me was strewn upon North Avenue for about a quarter mile west.  While I skidded around the roadway, dodging traffic in my cleats, my Tarmac got blown over by the wind, and the top tube got scraped pretty badly.  Not that it is such a tragedy - a few scratches are a sign of use - but it was just a sign of the chaotic day that awaited me.

Finally, at least an hour after closing, I got back on the bike and headed home.  Stiff legs.  Nonetheless, it was great to be on 2 wheels.  I’m doing my best to keep my car parked all week.  Silently gliding through the neighborhoods as the daylight faded was a great feeling.  The birds were singing as I rolled onto my block.  I would not have heard that if I were driving.  Great stuff.

Come and join me this Saturday if you’re interested in honing your road skills.  I promise a fun time, and you’ll leave with a much higher level of skill and confidence.  RSVP here.

Three more days of Bike to Work Week.  Have fun!

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Put May 16 on your calendar!  I’ll be conducting another Basic Road Cycling Skills Clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.   We’ll spend 2-1/2 hours talking about all the essential skills, and then another 1-1/2 hours out on the road testing our knowledge.  It will be a fun way to hone your cycling skills and gain confidence on the road.  I’ll provide drinks and energy bars - just bring your bike and the appropriate riding gear for the weather.  The class fee is $80, payable by cash or check that day.  Please contact me to reserve a spot.
Spring is here, and I’ve hit the ground running . . . literally.  From the moment Jenn and I returned from our vacation to New Orleans and Natchez, I’ve been working and training non-stop.  Business is booming at the bike shop, and Endurance Guru is getting into a good groove.  We’re registered for the Pier Village Long Branch Duathlon on May 17, so I’ve been stepping up the running for a few weeks, adding some intensity, and trying to get back up to par.  My cycling is getting closer to top form, but I do need to spend some quality time with my tri bike before trying to race it.  The toughest part right now is actually getting enough sleep so that I’m not a walking zombie all day long.

I’m still grooving on the New Orleans scene.  It was pretty cool to immerse ourselves in the music and food of the French Quarter.  We spent plenty of time discovering the clubs on Frenchman Street with our friend Paige, whose work with the NoLa arts endowment has helped many musicians find work.  She took us to see Glen David Andrews and his band perform at d.b.a., the coolest club in NoLa.  And Paige also introduced us to a sweet woman (whose name I can’t remember) who had performed at Obama’s inauguration ball.  She put on an amazing show that night, burning up the place with her powerful vocals.  Great stuff.  Even the street musicians were top notch.  Thanks, Paige, for the incredible guided tour!
I was impressed also with the bike culture of New Orleans.  I didn’t see a single road bike, but the prevalence of bikes as a form of transportation was awesome, especially in the French Quarter, Mysterian Triangle, Garden District, and Riverbend.  Those areas are remarkably bike friendly, and mostly it is easier to travel by bike than it is to drive.  (Except in August, when the humidity and heat are intensely oppressive.)  There seems to be a big bohemian movement in NoLa, and even though there are plenty of fixies being ridden, there don’t seem to be too many trustafarians piloting them.  I got the sense that the scene was more creative, more authentic, and simply more real than the hipster scene in the NYC metro area.  New Orleans can be a pretty cheap place to live if you’re in the know, and you really can survive by selling your art, playing your music, or making an honest effort to earn a buck.

Something cool I found in NoLa:  Banksy had been there recently.  The mysterious graffiti artist with the smart and snarky wit had left a few traces of evidence behind.  Walking down Chartres Street, I spotted this tag on the side of a phone booth, in Banksy’s inimitable style:

Thank you New Orleans, for your hospitality and grace.  We’ll miss you while we’re away.

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