Grumps can suck it, it's Friday!

[dogrange]

Club's Saturday a.m. World Championships starting up again tomorrow. Not a big thing, but I'm simple like that.

[mainemike]

Feelin Good! This is one of those cusp wknds: warm enough to work on the boat and still plenty of skiing to be had. Not sure the plan as of yet, but I'm pleased. There's also a cool sailing doc screening tmmrw at a local library, geeky but what the hell. Speaking of sailing, these vids are fun to watch. These guys are Cruisers, which is basically non-racing sailing, folks bouncing around in boats hither and yon. There's been a proliferation of these vids in the past few years, w/cruisers from every kind of background: high budget, low budget, no budget, etc...Some of them are just great and really feed the daydream machine. These guys are pretty funny, this girl is incredible cute and this episode even features bike content. I'd trade places w/this guy in about 2 seconds. Others that are great: Emerald Steel, S.V. Delos, *Teleport Sailing, DrakeParagaon

[ldamelio]

In hotel in Douai following Roubaix recon ride including 4 secteurs. Most fun I've ever had with my pants on. Sun is shining and forecast looks good. Looking forward to tomorrow.

[TMB]

The "social committee" keep wanting to order me a birthday cake and have a get together.

They can't understand that I just don't want to be the centre of attention. I want to get out of here early and go for a bike ride.

[Jonathan]

My bro left a case of his own Oatmeal Stout with me. It's that good.

[PenseesRoulantes]

Got a call from the LBS - the Spectrum is built up and ready for the maiden voyage tomorrow. Mid 50s, not too much wind, absolutely perfect weather.

(Cherry on top: Paris-Roubaix in two days.)

[davids]

After six surreal painful grueling days, I am back home and my wife is with me. Seven months of watching my wife manage her father's decline and death are now in the rearview mirror.

It's going to take a while to get to the new normal, but the future looks better than the past.

[davids]

After six surreal painful grueling days, I am back home and my wife is with me. Seven months of watching my wife manage her father's decline and death are now in the rearview mirror.

It's going to take a while to get to the new normal, but the future looks better than the past.

But before we do: Five days in VA with a tandem, followed by three in DC with friends.

[Nierman]

I got to hear them talk about me on the radio this morning.

"stalled car in the backup on the shoulder of westbound I470"

Old cars are like old people - keep moving or things turn south in a hurry. Commute in this morning: 45 minutes to go 4 miles due to accident ahead... simple overheat sitting in my ~20yr old Saturn... pull over pop the hood check the hoses let her air out for 30 min... dump in some of my Eagle Scout preparedness jug of coolant... traffic flowing now... start up and turn AC on high to make sure electric fan hasn't crapped... wave off the tow guy - they need you downstream... roll down the driver's side window 3" (only one that works) and blast heater on high to draw excess heat from block... make it to work 1:30 late, drenched in sweat but happy to be wrapping up a week of two-weeks-worth of productivity so I can jet off to the Mexican Riviera tomorrow with my lovely bride of nearly 20yrs for @#%!ing free. Her company earned the trip (+spouse) last year and we have to travel on their terms (busiest freakin week of my year), but I'm sure by next Wed I will have settled into relaxation like I have not experienced in a decade.

Certainly I will have plenty of work fires to put out upon my return to add to that week's GRUMP thread, but sometimes there's beauty in watching things burn. (insert Beavis "FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!")

Happy Friday

[Jonathan]

I've been struggling to connect my doctor, insurance company and specialty pharmacy for two weeks to get done what I need done, but it's now done. Yeahaw! It's a tough onion to peel but I'm reminded that not everyone has or can afford insurance still. I'm lucky in many ways. Now its time for family, friends, frames and fun. Happy Friday Y'all.

[bcm119]

I'm finally about to head home after a week of meetings and no exercise in SLC. even though I didn't drink very much this week I feel like I need a detox ride after all the crappy restaurant food. I don't know how you guys who travel frequently for work survive.

[Corso]

YESSSS,
My daughter is getting released form the hospital tonight. Thanks for all the good wishes. It’s a great friday. Let’s hope she stays home this time!

Lupus sucks.

[Jonathan]

YESSSS,
My daughter is getting released form the hospital tonight. Thanks for all the good wishes. It’s a great friday. Let’s hope she stays home this time!

Lupus sucks.

Man I'm right there with you. I've been coming into contact with kids and parents of kids with autoimmune issues usually accompanied by a lck of immunity too, and it's so hard when it's the kids going through it. My own son is getting better and that is a huge relief off us. Take care and I hope you guys can have a more normal weekend.

[Saab2000]

It's 00:05:50

I'm riding the Zanconato in 6 hours, 24 minutes and 10 seconds. Tomorrow will be my first 'full' day in my 'home' in two weeks. I'm going to try to look on the bright side because even though people far less qualified than I am, but prettier and younger, are getting called, they don't get to ride a Zanconato.

I hope to forget all about my job for 24 hours, though I don't know if that will be successful.

While riding on the Metro (a Berlin song...) a bearded gentleman addressed me as, "Hey Captain!". I reached out to shake his hand and then withdrew because I'm tired of people I don't know wanting to talk to me about flying in a totally anonymous way. But this was no stranger. It was our own Elvismerckx and I was totally embarrassed but I was in my own world at that instant and my work and my fun (cycling) rarely intersect with a few short comments here about flying and a few short comments there about cycling. They are divergent worlds.

But it was a real breath of fresh air on the stale WMATA Metro to catch up with Matt for a few minutes. He has been my partner in crime at a couple of NAHBSs in the past and I was bummed to not be able to be there this year chasing after afternoon beers. He's as good as they get and I hope we can tell lies and start rumors over beers and maybe a few miles again soon if my fitness and his own challenges will permit.

What a great couple minutes on the Metro. A nice chat after a stressful few weeks. The people I've been chasing will be missing out if they don't call me....

[Rick Stevens]

For the first time in 4 days its not raining! I get to ride the bike outside this weekend!!

[Brandon White]

For the first time in 4 days its not raining! I get to ride the bike outside this weekend!!

Let me know if you guys will be out east this weekend. I'll likely head out hella-early, but maybe we can get a few miles in together. Only if you bought Bora's of course.

[Britishbane]

Rain is going to hold off until Saturday afternoon. Crank monkey is a go for tomorrow!

[Corso]

The sun is out, my daughter’s been home from the hospital for a week and feels great, I’m up to my eyeballs in work, I’ve discovered Shipyard Melonhead IPA (a slight watermelon flavor, taste better than it sounds), and I’m riding my bike this weekend, no matter what!

[defspace]

It's Friday.

I've made a new friend at work today:
PSX_20150424_102854.jpg

Scincella lateralis, I reckon. Do we have any herp guys here?

[Jonathan]

As I've cronicled in the grumps page I've spent a part of almost every day for the last three weeks sheparding Aetna, Baxter, my Doctor, Nufactor Specialty Pharmacy and Aetna Spacialty Pharmacy into getting me going on a new immunoglobulin treatment method. I pleased to announce I won. I've made the last call, the overnight package will arrive tomorrow with 15k worth of goodies and the nurse will be here next week to show me how to hook up.