… and with it, a full recharging of the “all is right with the world” batteries. This was the sixth annual AngelRide CT (and the 4th one I’ve done), in which 250 or so bicyclists rode from Norfolk CT to Mystic CT over two days. As charity rides go, it was pretty easy — just an 80 mile day and a 60 mile day), but there are some nifty hills in there to keep them cyclists honest.

I was on the motorcycle safety crew again, and it was a real pleasure to spend three days on the best bike in the world (the 1998 Honda VFR, of course). And it was great to see some old friends and make some new. We brought in a great handful of new moto recruits, who I’m sure will be back in 2010. They did an awesome job wrangling the wayward bicyclists and keeping them self (though we had one of our motos go down in some gravel — he’s okay though).

This ride raises money for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a legacy of Paul Newman. The Camp allows kids with cancer and other terminal or just-plain-tough diseases to be regular kids for a week or two, and play like regular kids — without sacrificing medical care. So we all helped some kids be kids, kids who normally had to worry about WBC counts, rad therapy, or being to weak to swim in a lake. It’s a very good cause, and I’m thrilled I got to help out again.

So, as always, pics are up on Flickr, here … enjoy!

First, the bike. Jeff bought me some sweet upgrades for the Langster NYC, and did most of the work hooking everything up. New bullhorn-style bars, with Brooks leather bar tape … new Brooks saddle … new brake levers to go with the new bars, complete with hardware … best birthday presents ever. Some pics of the after are here. Can’t wait to bolt on a basket I picked up today and do some serious commutage.

Now, for the fun bits. Jeff and I were up until 3am this morning playing Rock Band 2. He had progress most of the way through the world tour, and I joined him for Europe and Asia. We ended up getting inducted into some sort of hall of fame as Rock Immortals, basically finishing the game. I picked up a new guitar, and mic stand, and now that I’m home my living room is turning into a wee plastic recording studio.

Love this game …

The Rock Band 2 Wireless Guitar I picked up is some nice gear. Great action on the strum bar, serious good looks, and a ton of fun to play. I may never play my GH3 guitar again. Until this one breaks (knock on wood!), or the RB2 bass comes out …

Only thing is, on my inaugural school commute, I crashed. Nasty spill, too.

I was coming down a hill on 3rd Ave, headed North to Hunter, and about to cross 41st St. The light was green, there was no traffic … but a rise in the road was hiding a nasty pothole. The front end went up, bounced off the bottom, the bars crossed up, and the front tire came down perpendicular-like. And just like that, I was flying!

Flying is a wondrous sensation, and I actually remember flying through a quarter of the intersection. Unfortunately, I remember hitting the ground as well, with my chest, stomach, and all four joints. And I remember sliding about 5 or 6 feet as well. Owie. I also lost a shoe somewhere in the bouncing process. That part’s always hilarious. Why do we always lose shoes?!?!

Must’ve been going about 25 when I hit (I came down a hill, remember). 25mph to zero, deceleration due to friction, asphalt on flesh. Mmm. Good news though, a samaritan rushed up and asked if I was okay, and helped me out of the intersection. Cars wanted to go through me to get to their destination, and all. Once I caught my breath he helped me up, walked my bike to the side of the road, and even asked if I wanted an ambulance. I had to chuckle at that, being an EMT and all, and healthcare professionals make horrible patients.

I checked myself over, and I was able to walk. Both knees had a little rash, and the left one was throbbing. That one was going to be trouble. The left elbow had minor scraping, but the right … ooh, I lost a lot of skin on that one. My iPod nano was toast, I landed on it when I bounced (well, it still plays music, but the screen is dead and cracked). The bike, as it turns out, was unharmed. Not a scratch. Both wheels true, bars straight … weird. I saw it tumbling on the ground next to me.

So I hopped back on and pedaled the 30 or so blocks left to Hunter, enjoying my adrenaline high. All the MTB crashing must’ve prepared me well. When I was in class, the adrenaline started to fade — my arms were shaking a bit as I was taking notes. But I had lots of sympathetic attention from the lovely ladies in my class, and I have a great story, so it’s all worth it.

I’m icing down the left knee now … hopefully I can get the egg downsized before tomorrow!

See you soon!

I got a new DSLR camera for the trip, and I’ll be posting pictures and blog entries as we move across the country. If you’re interested, check it out.

If you’re near Annapolis on the 20th (give or take a day) I’ll send you details on the finish line. It’d be great to see you!

Well, apparently I (what’s the past tense of “shall”?) do’d wrong, because I tried truing it the way Jeff showed me, and I dang near warped the thing into Borg space. Apparently I remembered wrong. Anyway, I took a break for some food and TV and a quick ride on the NYC special (Langster), and Blake and Paul remembered me how to do it.

When I got home, it took a wee bit of patience (wee changes, nae big!) and in about 15 minutes the rim was straight and true. Dang! This is pretty easy. Soon I’ll have to take the wheel off the bike and try the nifty anodized truing stand to get it perfect. I’d say it’s good enough to ride tomorrow though.

Are you coming? Let me know and we’ll meet up! Hopefully no one will call me “Hammer-Flat” again this year. Sigh.

Here’s pics from last year.

Today was a Braking the Cycle training ride, which finished at The Center. Once there we got some body clinic (yoga and stretchies) and bike clinic (how to do some minor maintenance). Plus, as a training ride leader I got a free tune-up. The TriX, she hums. Of course, the skies opened up on our way home. *sigh*

And oh yeah, I beat Gears of War this weekend.

The comments under the article got me thinking. Why, indeed, was Lemond scheduled to testify? He wasn’t racing. He wasn’t at the TdF as an official, right? If it was just to assassinate character b/c Landis has a good case … does that make anything justified? Nope, but still, messy.