A few things going on in the last couple of weeks, as we close in
on the last quarter of 2006. I all but reached my 2006 milage goal
of 2006 miles. Actually I have 2005.1 miles. I will easily surpass
my goal for this year, which is great for my total lifetime milage.
Although, I still have not cracked the 5K mark yet. I will probably
reach that mark in mid 2007. Anyway, there is still plenty of riding
left in 2006! Maybe I can reach 2200 or 2300 total miles.

I lead a ride last week, a 42 miler around Somerset and Hunterdon
Counties. The weather was poor, light mist, cloudy and cool. So I
figured only a few people would show up. There were 8 of us in total,
and a few new guys I met for the first time. Our whole group rode strong
staying together the entire ride, which is unusual. So that was cool.
Everyone said the ride was good, but I think the first part was on roads
too busy for a group ride. I had ridden the route by myself and honestly
didn't think too much about the traffic or busy sections. That never
bothers me, I'm used to it living in NJ. So I'll tweak the route a bit
to make it more rider friendly, so to speak.

I want to comment on Operación Puerto or as I refer to it...Operacion Politico...
because once again, I am stunned at the lack of outcry against the ill-willed
and extremely prejudice Spanish authorities/government. Apparently no one
in the moderate or conservative media or sporting governments has raised any
issues over the other athletes supposedly involved in this scandle. Like when
the accusations came out, the report alluded to Spain's top auto racing driver,
well...duh, that would be Fernado Alonso. But...did we hear of any accusations
against Alonso!? No way...becuase he is Spainsh, and there top sports money maker. Or the other top athlete from Spain, who was refered to as Spain's top tennis player...Hello...that would be Rafael Nadal. Again, was Nadal accused and tried in the media spotlight!?!?! No way. F*cking Spain, they are collectively a country of douch bags and hypocrites. Fight fire with fire I say, f*ck Spain and their f*cking bullshit accusations. Operacion F*ck All will die a deserved death, I predict with no real conclusive results. Rather Spain will have dragged top athletes through the mud for who knows what dam reasons those Southern Mediterraneans conceived.

Maybe it is too much Olive Oil and Pork...slowing the blood flow down and clogging their dumb-ass heads. Ullrich and Basso and the others named, may, and I say may be guilty of something, but who knows? Maybe they are not guilty, but unfortunately they were already tried and convicted in the press, by the Spanish authorities and by the frenchies who run the the tour day france.Landis may also be guilty, but again who really knows? But this public trial and conviction in the media is total bullshit, and someone or some organization needs to hold these assholes accountable for their irresponsible actions. Otherwise we are back to a inquistion type era. Albeit the Spanish or the Nazi type. I say, f*ck that, because that shit isn't democratic. What the f*ck happened to a fair and just trial and client/citizen confidentialty?

Last Sunday was the 3rd Lehigh Wheelmen Donut Derby Race. A 36 mile fun type race that has donut eating incorporated into the cycling event. Two stops to eat as many or little or no donuts as riders chose. The turn out was great, with 212 riders taking part. My good friend Brian, took up the cause and organized the 2006 version. Brian is an overachiever by nature, so how well the event went off was really no surprise to me. The sentiments that were echoed by all the participants at the end of the day were nothing but positive praise. The 2006 Double D was a huge success, thanks in most part to Brian. But without a doubt, it took many other key people to make the event succesful, their time and efforts did not go un-noticed. Club member and President Sallie U was working at pre-reg bright and early with Dave K by here side, and as soon as registration closed they both took their place at the Timing and Scoring table. Joe G was driving the main sag wagon, while big Randy ran around town buying more, much needed donuts.





Bill & Jane D along with a few other generous gals, guys and young ladies volunteered their services to work the donut stop at Bowers Park in Fleetwood PA. There were some other folks who marshalled at intersections, delivered items, and just provided general help. I'll include myself in that group as well. it took many people to conceptualize, organize and implement the Donut Derby. From the outside, it does not seem that big of a deal, but behind the scenes, there are so many things that have to be done in order to complete a sports event with a large number of participants competing.



This was the first large size event that I had been directly involved with, and refelcting on it, overall I played just a small part. Right fron the start with input on the event flyer to its distribution in NJ. Sourcing the medals, registering the event on various cycle sport websites,  Re-marking, and marking the route, sag/sweep duty, taking photos, intersection/roadway marshalling, finish line traffic directing, and final clean up. I was busy, non-stop from 8 AM until the end of event day at 1:30 PM. Laura also rode with me in the car when we pulled sag duty, so credit to her as well. All in all, it was a great day, and I got a real satisfaction for working the event and watching it unfold as the day progressed. it is especially gratifying to know it was a big hit with the riders too. This was my second event that I had either promoted or help promote, and I can say that I thoroughly enjoy doing it. it is something I would like to persue further. Sports/event promotions is exciting and challenging, and it just may be my calling.

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