River of Despair Round Up

With the temps comfortably in the double-digit range it was a good time to get in a ride. The Des Plaine River trail was frozen pretty solid at the start which is surprising considering how far south that thing really is. I swear we almost were in spittin' range of the Mason-Dixon Line.

Markles who Sparkles was giving me the ol' stink eye every chance he got. Not that one could blame him for all the pranks I pulled at his expense back in the day.

FG Joe set the pace on the SS. As usual.

The sun showed up for the return trip to keep us warm but softened up the trail a tad. The Roommate was the only smart one with fenders so she stayed drier and cleaner then the rest of us. Didn't stop her from being on the receiving end of some abuse from her bike saddle that is now known quite scornfully as "The Violator" .

Kid Rock didn't have the top let down, but he had the sunshine shining.

47 miles in all with a stop half way for fresh cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate. How could you possibly go wrong? Beats riding a trainer in a basement each and every time.

Co0o0op surprised me by joining in on the fun even though temp was about 20ish degrees at the start, I think I may change his moniker to "Coupe". It sounds classy, and most likely is classier then he deserves or is comfortable with.

It was good day. Did you hear that Ronsta? How about the rest of you wussies?

Obligatory contortionist self-portrait with my newly found MoJo.

It's a Go!

It's on for tomorrow. The River of Despair Adventure Ride. My sources south of the cheddar curtain report just a dusting of snow on the ground. We'll leave the parking lot on Russell Rd just east of the interstate at 10am, ride south, maybe stop someplace to warm up, ride north. Simple as that. If you want/need to do less, then you can turn back early - it's very hard to get lost. 'Cross or MTB bikes.

It'll be a good day.

Farm & Fleet

With Old Man Winter finally showing his fugly mug this evening it was time to get my ass in gear. My Bad Ol' Self rounded up the Roommate, fired up The Still Unnamed Replacement for The People's MiniVan and headed out to Farm & Fleet. For those not in the know, good ol' Farm & Fleet is truly The Man's Mall. I barely kept my spending in check and stuck to my predetermined list of such goodies as a window scraper, a new wiperblade for the back window and some heatpacks. We were nearly overwhelmed by the urge to purchase something made out of flannel, but somehow resisted it's siren call.

I did however get some important winter rations for my faithful legion of squirrels. Next year for sure were taking over Wauwatosa! (IF I can get them organized that is). You've been dutifully warned so don't be all cryin' when they come for you just like the time the Suede Denim Secret Police came for my uncool niece.

Speaking of that most alluring temptress known as flannel, it's easy to see how it was all Regina could do to say no to a size XXXXL Tall gem such as this. The girl really could stand to lose a few pounds anyhow.

Night Ride

How things went down in Tosa Town.

River of Despair

Join My Bad Ol' Self this Saturday for an adventure down The River of Despair. The trail is crushed limestone and winds it's way south and back along the Des Plaine River and is best enjoyed with a cross bike or your mtb. I plan on attempting the whole sha-bang-a-bang (31 miles each way), but may turn back early if needed. We'll stop if required to stock up on nutritious yum-yums at local gas stations along the route. Meet up at the Russell Rd trailhead just east of I-94 @ 10am.

Cold? So what.

It's Over

A week off'f work and I barely remember it...

there were bike rides,

a bunch of PBR's,

Luchadors, burlesque girls, pole dancers, Santa (who got choke-slammed in the ring), breakdancers,

and more bike rides.

There was also a great Thanksgiving dinner cooked by the roommate, sleeping late, a few naps, a couple of fires, breakfast out everyday, some bike work in the basement, a demolition/construction project and a total lack of an alarm clock usage. It was a good week.

Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon

Friday Denny and My Bad Ol' Self left the center of the universe known as 'Tosa Town for a ride west to Waukesha for yet another of Ronsta's Famous Ranchito Rides. Besides talkin' smart, the evening consisted of drinking some beers, riding and breaking a tandem, drinking some cerveza's, eating some good Mexican food, racing around downtown Rockesha and drinking some beers. It was a good evening.

Waukesha never knows what hit 'em when we get together for a Ranchito Ride.

Here My Bad Ol' Self and the very lovely Toni are enjoying riding her new tandem.

Photo by Mark

Here My Bad Ol' Self and the very lovely Toni pose with what's left of her new tandem.

The

Local

Mofo's

Rock

Saturday I was 99% dressed up and ready to head out to the road ride when my shoe buckle broke. Back up plan - grab the mountain bike and some un-busted shoes and head on out for a ride. I ran into a bunch of nice folk (and Megatron) out for a nice ride so I tagged along. It was a good day.

I think all would agree that it was a good day for a ride in Tosa. We also agree that we should've shoved Megatron into the river just because it seemed like the right thing to do.

Local

Rock!

Sunday was time for The Wisconsin State Chumpionships of Cyclocross. After carefully packing The Still Unamed Replacement for The People's MiniVan, I headed down south to Hell's Corners. After hecklin' those who raced before me, I suited up, lined up at the start and looked so good that I didn't feel that going fast would provide my peeps with ample time to heap sh1tloads of love and derision down upon me at a truly State Chumpionship level. After my race I stuffed My Bad Ol' Self full of beer and chili at The Pegasus tent before I adjourned to the run-up where I amused myself by chuckin' acorns at the racers. It was a good day.

Heard of a van that is loaded with weapons, packed up and ready to go.

Photo by DjonnyMac

November 22nd in Wisconsin and I was racin' in shortsleeves and shorts. I bet we don't get weather like that for the Door County Century a month from now.

Photo by Andrew

16 ounces of golden goodness.

Photo by JoJo

Maciej and Denny about to feel the love.

The

Local

MoFo's

Rock!

Monday I slept late then goofed off for awhile before joinin Co0o0op for a jaunt around the trails here in Tosa. Since no one got lost, no one got hurt and no one blew their taint out it can easily be considered a good day.

Fools Best Recognize

Back in the Grind

The FishMonger and My Bad Ol' Self went out and got our fish on in honor of the The Moose and Squirrels Birfday. Fools Best Recognize.

Speaking of Fools - you'd hafta be one to miss this action.

Happy Birfday

Happy 50th Birfday to one of my idols.

Coming Up

Here's just some of the bike related events on My Bad Ol' Self's calender for the remainder of the year. Feelin' man enough to join in? Lemme know and I'll get you some details.

Friday the 20th - Ronsta's Rockesha & Ranchito Ride. Cruisin' for a Brewsin' with the Waukesha crew.

d

Sunday the 22nd - Wisco CX State Chumpionships in Hell's Corners. Final Cowbell fix of the season. I'm planning on once again attacking off the back in my normal good lookin' style.

Thursday the 26th - The Umpteenth Annual Turkey Hurl Ride. Metro Mountain Bikers Annual MTB Ride on Thanksgiving evening. It's been years since we had a puker. Will someone step up this year?

Saturday the 5th - River of Despair Ride. A gas station lunch always hits the spot on a 66-mile gravel ride through the deepest deep south.

Sunday the 6th - Bike Fed Swap Meet @ UWM. Your chance to own some of the excess bike parts outta the lowest level of The Rusty Tool Shed. A fist full of cash is king.

Saturday the 12th - Santa Rampage! This year we WILL not be taken lightly, we WILL get arrested! I kow one of you fools has got to have my bail.

Sunday the 20th? -- Door County Century with TmonT - last time I rode in that neck of the woods in the off-season it went down like this. Lightweights take note.

The 1st of '10 - The Rusty Tool Shed's 9th Annual New Years Ride. Freeze yer yoohoo's off.

The Crystalites

click > yoyoBusted out one of my orange bikes for the ride Sunday and instead of just hearing the normal voices, it was all like this inside my gourd. It was a good day.

Polska Cross & Koz's

Saturday during the daylight hours I went out and got my Polska Cross on today. I received a tremendous of hecklin' abuse from my peeps all up and down the Polska Puker and for which I am most grateful for the love. Next week it's the Wisconsin State Chumpionships, which is also my final race of Aught-Nine.

In the eve it was off to that bastion of good times on the sout' side of Milwaukee for some kegelin' action.

That's right you chuckleheads, it's Koz's Mini Bowl on 7th and Becher.

My Bad Ol' Self is a pin slayin' machine or so I wish to believe.

Remember - you may mess with the lion,

but don't F with The Jesus.