Sudden Spring

In January most people notice the days are getting a little longer. Unless they live in a place like Portland. In Portland the cloud cover keeps mornings dark and brings twilight early and the dark of night snap quick right after sunset. So it does not seem like much has changed from December when sunlight [...] . . . → Read More: Sudden Spring

She said “It Might Rain”

Last weekend before I started the 100km ride Susan France encouraged me to make it 100 miles instead. “Nah, I’ll get that ride in on President’s Day,” was my reply. Susan countered “Why wait it’s nice out today. Next week who knows? It might rain.” Thinking of a typical Oregon winter day with light, occasional [...] . . . → Read More: She said “It Might Rain”

Nuther 100

Rode the Oregon Randonneurs Snoozeville Permanent today. 100K route with about 2000 feet of climbing. Beautiful sunny day around 50°F (10° C). I maintained a brisk pace for the first 36 miles (58 km) and then slowed down to chat with David Rowe who joined me at Maggies Buns in Forest Grove. The pace relaxed [...] . . . → Read More: Nuther 100

Change in the Cyclist

As I was laying in the dentist’s chair having my teeth cleaned I thought about the ride to work from the dentist’s office. It would start with a four mile downhill dash to downtown Portland. I was not looking forward to that part of the ride. Earlier in the morning, when I made the decision [...] . . . → Read More: Change in the Cyclist

Dentist and Coworker Conscience

As I laid awake at 4:30 this morning I thought about my dentist appointment at 7:00. “I could drive,” I thought. When I drove last October to the last appointment the dentist commented on it. He’d expected me to ride after we’d talked about bicycling after an earlier appointment. With that memory I resolved to [...] . . . → Read More: Dentist and Coworker Conscience

Rumors

The guy serving the daily entree special in the cafeteria asks “How often do you ride your bike to work?” I answer the question and he comments about how he couldn’t do it. I state “it’s not so hard” and take my food. As I walk away I wonder how he knew about my riding. [...] . . . → Read More: Rumors

Viruses Contribute to Fat

You can’t make this stuff up. There is a lot of good advice to help us avoid becoming obese, such as “Eat less,” and “Exercise.” But here’s a new and surprising piece of advice based on a promising area of obesity research: “Wash your hands.” There is accumulating evidence that certain viruses may cause obesity, [...] . . . → Read More: Viruses Contribute to Fat

Phone Tapped?

There’s been a bit of news lately about President Bush directing the NSA to listen in on phone calls from US citizens to numbers outside of the US without judicial review. By the way, if you are wondering whether YOUR phone could be easily tapped, just check to see if your phone company offers three-way [...] . . . → Read More: Phone Tapped?