Needed Help:

As most of the nation knows a little storm called Ike blew through here a couple of weeks ago and really made a mess. Not to minimize the real damage to persons and homes there was some severe damage to many of the hiking and biking trails to the Houston area. People of the northwest side of Houston (cypress, klein, etc.) have organized themselves into a user group that helps to maintain these trails in conjunction with GHORBA. My home trail is not as widely used or maintained as some of these trails but the following is a letter I sent out to the members of the group today, if you stumble upon this site and live in or around the area take these words and do what you can. Thanks.....

"After I got home from work yesterday morning I took a little re-con mission on improper to see what kind of shape it's in; the verdict-It's not real pretty. The only highlight was the peninsula (Jones and cypress wood) was pretty buff. Thanks to whoever took the time to clear and rake it. The rest of the area I rode was pretty hard hit. Unfortunately I don't have time to organize a work party (maybe someone else can???) but I encourage you if you are a regular to work on sections of the trail if you have a chance. I am going to be working the sections of the trail starting after the Y retention pond and going from there when I get free time. Much thanks to those who are working the proper section and hopefully as Gerry said the trails will be better than ever when it's all said and done.

thanks"

peace like a river.......

I'm a pansie

Today's link of the day makes my bike commute look like a walk in the park........granted this was a "race".

WARNING: This may induce motion sickness.......or just alot of peeing in the pants.

-peace like a river

I'm Back.........

Nothing like a hurricane to kick a person square in the ass and get them motivated to get on with things in there life. So....where do I pick up??? The bikes, they get ridden alot lately. Ridden to work, ridden to the coffee shop, the grocery, the YMCA, ridden on the trail, ridden to the store for a persons adult beverage needs, ridden alot of places and it's a good thing. Again, I think bikes have the power to save the world. (OK, so it's gonna take a lot more than bikes but at least it's a start.)

Before I start this rant let me send out some peace, love, and prayers to everyone who was affected by our little storm in Houston this past week. It sucked. I rode many hours on the cycle the past week in shock and awe as I passed by house, apartment, store, etc. that had been f*#ked up by nature. I know you don't want to hear it but just as nature can turn a world upside down it can also turn that world rightside up from time to time as well.

The other day I had this spiritual thought (very few and far between) as I was pushing the pedals. Bike embody what's supposed to be important in ones life; faith, hope, and love. How, I'm glad I asked:

Faith: I'm big (not obese mind you, just big) and I love to eat. I also love to race bikes in addition to ridding them. The other day I got on the scale and I was three pounds less than I was a few weeks ago. I will never be some skinny euro or lance, levi, or other emaciated american guy on a bike but I have faith that I will be healthier. I have a faith in myself and a faith in something bigger than myself that tells me life is going to be alright. I will race, learn a measure of self discipline, and keep the faith.

Hope: A couple of weeks back I saw a dad out on a bike trail riding with his two little girls, about 5 and 7 years old. This one speaks for itself.

Love: I was at our local REI and my little girl was pushing the pedal on a little bike there in the store and it hit me, she might not ever turn another pedal but I'm going to love her regardless. As much as I advocate the love of two wheels there is no greater visible love here on earth than family. Even if your "family" is screwed up beyond belief there is still some family out there worth love, yours and theirs......and not just family in the right-wing, conservative christian , type of sense, but a group of people with shared beliefs, convictions, interests, etc. Sometimes it's just easier to see from a bike seat.

Link of the day: It probably don't mean s*#t to you but this is one of the coolest things to happen to my neck of the woods in a while. Basically what this group was able to do was save a chunk of land from developers and put a linking trail on it. Power to the people.