John Wayne would agree,

Especially since we’re talking country music, fires, and horses but unfortunately he’s not here so I’m left to my own devices. I think Mr. Wayne might have appreciated this talent:

But maybe not. Maybe he’d be more into bubble gum pop country or top 40 but who’s to say? One thing we’d both agree on is be nice to horses…..and people for that matter.

As I was out on the two wheeled motor-less machine yesterday I passed by two young ladies riding some trails on trigger and Mr. Ed. Honestly I’m not a huge fan of horses on the trails I like to ride. They poop, loosen up the trails for other users, they poop, and widen the tight stuff. But, they are allowed on these trails and so am I. So I have a choice. I can be a total d*#k about it and blaze by them with angst and anger in my heart and turn them off to mountain bikers or I can yield the trail, get off my bike and ask them what would be easier for them. What side of the trail do they need me on and so forth? I went with option 2 and what occurred was magical. We struck up a conversation. She appreciated my willingness to give and maybe was able to enjoy her day a bit more and so was I. Wave, say hi, and give mercy and all that other hippie-dippity crap because it’s going to make you a better person even if your heart rate dips out of the red zone a bit. You don’t have to agree but if it’s a fight you want take it up the appropriate folks. It’s not the horse’s fault their allowed on “your” trail so don’t take it out on them or their riders. So unless you’re the company who seems to enjoy killing horses let it be.

Speaking of companies that enjoy killing wild horses I highly recommend the documentary “If a Tree Falls.” Good stuff with an environmental twist.







It’s a bit controversial from all points of view and entertaining as well. I wouldn’t watch it tonight thought unless you want to fun©k up your weekend. Save it till Sunday to get you all worked up for the week ahead.







Just remember what John said (I think), “Life is hard; it’s harder if you’re stupid.”

Peace like a river……..

Guess Who's back

I think it was the great poet James Todd Smith who penned the classic line, “don’t call it a come back, I’ve been back for years.” So as I try and stay true to words of those who influence me, let me say sorry to the two of you who followed zeke and have been anxiously awaiting the words and thoughts of a man who doesn’t have many. Also, let me welcome those who have randomly found this corner of the intra web while on a search for God only knows what else. Thanks.

Why resurrect what is probably better off dead; several reasons which I’ll address in due time. However, I’d like to intro our first sponsor, David’s Cycles! (Truth be told there not really so much sponsoring the site as much as they are giving me great deals for pedaling around with their name on my shirt….. just a minor technicality) Honestly though this is one of the hidden gems of the northwest Houston cycling scene. Honest, hard working people are hard to come by but they can be found by the dozen (even though there are only four employees) at Dave’s. Their inventory is small but if they don’t have it they will get it.

The resurrection, why? Two reasons:

I. Sometimes I like to ride my bike for cash and prizes. Last weekend was one of those times and I don’t know if I ever have had a better weekend of riding. My flesh and blood decided that she was going to throw a leg over her pink bike and take her 5 years of experience and throw down on the race course. Awesome!

Camp Eagle just north of Kerrville provided the host duties, opened up the river front full of water slides and the like and provided some great places to turn a pedal of two. Real Ale provided the “recovery” beverages and I think a good time was had by all. The thing that got me however was the opportunity to do nothing. Just sit. Read. Meditate. Relax. Some friends and I were talking the other day about the Celtic people and their notion of a thin place, a place where one connects with god or God, whatever your preference and I fully believe that this weekend was a thin place for me at the right time. Maybe the good times are meant to share.

II

II. The ride today. What started out as a little excursion ended up a full on experience. Flat tires, almost hit dogs, wrong sized tubes, smoke from the horrible flames north of here, a bit of everything. But it was life: Highs, lows and everything in between. If it’s worth doing it’s worth living and if it’s worth living it’s worth writing about. So here goes. Another try……

Just don’t call it a comeback.

Summertime, and the living's easy

At least that's how it's supposed to go. However, every time I get on my bike lately part of me calls to the other part of me and tells me that I should get the old zekester up and running again. Why, who knows? After all, it's summer, and this is like the 30th something summer that I've had off. (Granted there were some summers filled with tearing down houses and construction but I've blocked those out of my mind.) But this summer is different. I have goals. Riding 6 days a week. Jogging a couple. Lifting some weights. Reading more. I might as well add this to the list. Not only is it probably therapeutic it also gives words to my memories. Looking back 2 years ago I now can place thoughts with words and it's truly all good. So here goes, summertime and the living's easy ........but not as easy as it could be.

1st pic of the day:

Need a bike pic I guess

2nd Pic of the day:

Wedding and my little girl was the flower girl, the bride wore TOMS and bought a pair for my kiddo to wear, pretty neat. TOMS is a pretty cool deal, check the LOD.

Link of the Day:

Why not, got a pic might as well get the link, TOMS!

Peace like a river.........

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.

Try Again

When I was a kid I learned a valuable but simple lesson taught by my bike: If you fall down, get up and ride again. One month......no post, no good reason, just no post. So here goes, another feeble attempt at sharing things I deem as cool and maybe a thought or two that may or may not be worth sharing. Fall down, get up-It's a simple lesson.

Link of the day:
Roadie discussion, like or not.