Snow Day

Monday we had our first snow of winter here in Utica. Sam wasn't certain at first about it, but has come to like winter.

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Picking Our Christmas Tree

Yesterday we went to get our tree and while this might be Sam's second Christmas it is the first that he can do a lot of things with us.

Early Winter

These are a few shots I have taken recently.








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Long time no write for me but I'm still out here, still coming across amazing bikes from time to time. The best bikes I see are in the business district, the bikes of messengers, often converted Keirin frames. I don't know this brand, but I love the color and the simplicity of the decals. Sort of 80s, sort of timeless.

I've Been Working on the Railroad

Sam decided last night that Thomas the Tank Engine needed some work.

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Halloween

Sam enjoyed trick or treating last week. He was a skunk and was the hit of Titleist Rd.

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Grand Prix

This weekend was the US grandprix of cyclocross here in Louisville. The races were held for the first time at the new cyclocross course that was built especially for these races and the world champs that are going to be here in a few years. I raced on both Saturday and Sunday and while I was happy with how I raced both days, I was reminded of the importance of starting position, as I had a poor starting position and the guys that won the races were already long gone by the time I even got to the start line. But it was nice to race in front of family as Mom and Dad were down this weekend and they and Kate and Sam came to watch my races both days.








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New Boots

Sam loves stomping in puddles.

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October Ride

It has been a long time since I have posted a ride report, but here is one. Today was one of those amazing fall days that you just want to last forever. I decide to forgo cross training and do a road ride it had been awhile since I did one of my favorite rides, Tunnel Mill, I decided to ride out there. The ride was hard, but certainly rewarding. This is the view from the bridge on 14 mile creek and then of a sail boat enjoying the river.






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Fall Colors

How about a camp fire and some orange Maples for fall? Funny that it was nearly 90 degrees yesterday.





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Cyclocross Report

Fall colors are finally starting to appear here in the Ohio Valley and that of course means cyclocross. Well, really it means lots of other things too. But especially cyclocross for me. I have done 4 races so far with a 6th place my best finish. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos here on my phone. I am looking forward to the US Grand Prix two weeks from now.

A Love Affair Begins

A toddler, a water hose, and a sprayer. Need we say more.

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Lazy Sunday

Just a couple of images from our Sunday. Sam had a great time cooking with Mommy. And then there is Ben enjoying a lazy Sunday afternoon, what life that dog has.

Apples

This weekend after my cyclocross race on Sunday we went apple picking with Cat and Charlton. Sam loved riding on the wagon behind the tractor, and also picking apples from the trees.

I saw this bike in a Tokyo park yesterday and stopped to talk to its owner, a young man who bought it from a friend who owns a "bike bar" somewhere in the city. The friend knows a number of Keirin racers and this bike was once the racing steed of a guy called Murakami. The brand is Samson and the builder is in Fukuoka, a city on the island of Kyushu in the south of Japan. It seems that it's a brand on the rise and that a number of top riders are choosing it. It was a beautiful bike, with the oval seat stays and the glitter paint and the rider's name carved right into the frame under the bottom bracket. Friendly young man, too. He asked if I'd like to take it for a spin (I love living in Japan) so I left my camera with him and rode around the park a little bit. It was actually the first time that I have ridden a fixed-gear bike and it was weird and wobbly for a bit - definitely not something I'd like to be in traffic on - but what a machine built for speed!

Seems a little loose

Though only a year and a half old, young Samuel is already showing great interest in bikes. He likes to spin the pedals on my bike setup on the trainer and also the chain. Here he is testing out some hubs to see if they pass muster.


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Sam on the Swing

Sam learned yesterday how to swing on the big kid swings.

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Paramount rides again part II

The Paramount is back on the road again, after it's rear wheel was eaten again by our old bike trailer. I had a set of wheels the I built up myself two years ago just sitting around, and so I decided to put them on the bike to see how it rode. These are tubular wheels and they


have some old Clement cyclocross tires on them, so the ride is not smooth, but it was still fun to go out for a ride again on the Paramount.


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Masters Nats Crit Races

Last week the USCF Masters National Championships were in Louisville. I did not participate (not fast enough, though I am old enough to race Masters now). But I did go down and watch some of the racing.

Sunset

Here are a couple of photos from my walk last Sunday night.

Sam's Word

Here is one of Sam's first word.

Water Park

Last night we had a picnic with Cat and Charlton at Waterfront Park, so that Sam could play in the water park there. Needless to say he loved it. It is amazing how much that little guy likes the water.

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Yogurt Yum Yum

Sam was having a ton of fun eating his yogurt this afternoon.


Ah, the simple joys in life.

Sam at the Fair

Sam and Poppa went to the fair last night. It was actually our second trip. We had fun playing on the tractors and seeing the animals, though Sam wasn't certain about petting them. His favorite thing though was the merry-go-round.











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