Long Way Around

In the cold months we often need a little riding inspiration - how about a trip around the world on bikes? Check out the documented "Long Way Around" with your favorite Jedi Knight Ewan McGregor and his pal Charley Boorman. I was very pleased with the first few episodes that went through some very rough areas in Asia and even enjoyed the "brit's" view of a trip across North America. Makes planning my cross country trip seem much more approachable.

IF

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;


If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;


If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"


If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son! 


Rudyard Kipling

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The long await game was released on 11/11/11. Skyrim, the fifth game in the Elder Scrolls series, continued the theme of open world role playing, stunning graphics, great stories, and very high replay value.

Some nice reference videos:

• Elder Scrolls V Skyrim: Official Gameplay Trailer (live acting)
• Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Trailer (with in game video - yes, it's that good)
• www.gametrailers.com (a bunch of video's including "making of" type)
• Skyrim takes top honors at GDC Awards (but of course!)

Winter Storage

Last ride of the season?

A melancholy day putting the bike away for the winter. On one hand it feels good cleaning the bike up and getting it safe and out of the weather. On the other hand I can't help but think there could be one more great ride during the season.

Unfortunately, the realities of living the the big city means I don't own a garage, and the local rent-a-space is too inconvenient for quick impromptu rides and rather expensive for long winter storage. And so, with a heavy heart, Pepe is mothballed till spring.

(Doh! I forgot the mothballs! Stay away you moths and mice!)

Chilly ride up north

Road stop side in CT

It was a beautiful day, sunny and cool in the low fifties. Admittedly it got bit chilly on the long ride up the highway. And by chilly, I mean there was snow on the ground up north and my seat had frost on it when I finished a break. The trip took nearly seven hours and I ran out of daylight. Mostly the extra time was due to the inevitable traffic around NYC, but also for multiple breaks to warm up. I had dressed warm, lots of layers, but even my "big winter" gloves just couldn't keep my hands warm enough this trip. Next year I'll plan better - or just get heated hand grips.

How fortuitous that my friend Ann had a big bonfire going at my ride's end!

Warm!