Chain Ring Cowboy

On September the 16th I will leave at the break of day in zigzag fashion toward El Paso, Texas. Not counting today because today is already here, it is 16 days away. 16 days away from the 16th. Now isn't that special. Oh, and for many of us that is a special holiday. That is when Father Hidalgo launched the Mexican War of Independence against Spain On the church steps in the town of Dolores Hidalgo in 1810. This is also known as Grito De Dolores. Now THAT is special. I will be leaving a nice cozy apartment with a nice view to the east that gives friendly morning sun rays to my ivy. I am going to sleep in who knows what kind of places, pedal on hot asphalt, brave traffic, and trudge forward. I will probably find a time when I would love to take a shower, wish I had a good meal and a soft bed. CAN'T WAIT !! Well, yes I can because I have to. Wait just 16 more days.

The countdown for the trip is doubly digit low. The lower guttural rumbling of excitement is beginning to grow deep in my belly.

<-- Here's Natalie. First off she is a cycle commuter just coming to the Texas Natural Resources Information Systems to do some research. Natalie was an intern there when she was in school, but now she works for a consultant firm that causes her to come to our building. As you can see, she rides in. Don't let the picture fool you, she generally does not ride on the sidewalk, but was pulling in to the bike rack which is right behind the camera. See the tube she is carrying? That's a good sign too. That means there is probably a map in there or one will soon be in there. Besides cycling, maps come in second on my happy list. When she parked and locked her bike to the rack, she graciously posed. Behind her are the steps that lead to one of the most fascinating buildings in the entire state. Oh Yeah

So Friday, I stop in at the nearest cycle shop just to say hi and hang out for a while. Eric, in the background, orange shirt, has done some good work on my touring bike, is giving some good counsel to another customer. Robin, a young lady who works someplace on the UT Campus, (across the street) and I were talking about my upcoming trip. She asked me what my route was, to my surprise she was familiar with the road from Blanco to Freedericksburg. She advised against going that way because of the hills. Robin seems to know quite a bit about cycling, touring and the like, it may be a good idea to study her recomendation. But the time is nearning and the "stick to the plan" attitude seems to be kicking in. Being stubborn is not my intent here, and Robin did have a good idea that I should drive my bike to Blanco and ride to Fredericksburg and back as a trial run. Now that is way to practical. I have decided to change my route beginning at McDonald's Observatory. Instead of go

<-- Capitol Complex Commuters on the rise. I was on one of my routine lunchtime walks when I noticed this cyclist heading away from the building I work in. The good news (at least to me)is that he practices Vehicular Cycling. The Great Debate I am still talking about the guy who was killed on his bicycle Saturday. The local news is still talking about the incedent. He seems to have been one of the good guys. He was one of those active types it seems by reading a short bio in the paper. Cycling was one of his favorite pass times. He was killed by a know drug user abuser who when fate gave the the nod, would have killed anyone in any given situation. I hope that a great debate about cars against cyclists doesn't rear up again, because I think for the most part we all get along pretty well. When it comes to agressive behavior, and this accident didn't have that, automobiles are more apt to be agressive amongst themselves.

Man arrested in cyclist's death has prior reckless driving record Monday, August 28, 2006 A man who was arrested in the death of a bicyclist in the hills of Northwest Austin has a record of reckless driving, driving while intoxicated and possession of illegal substances, public records show. Jeremy Ron Wigley, 27, of Belton, west of Temple, had not been charged Sunday but remained in jail, and police spokeswoman Toni Chovanetz said she anticipated that alcohol-related charges would be filed early this week. click to READ MORE ........ Saturday morning about the time that accident occurred, I was on the same road, probably about 6 or 7 miles south. I went out with the Austin Tricyclist Taco Ride. The group uses that road from Bee Caves Road to MOPAC. On any given Saturday morning there will be many cyclists on that road going in both directions, north and south. The shoulder on that road is very wide, as wide as any shoulder I've seen and for an automobile to get that far out of

Yeah Right.... I have to say that with all the riding I do in traffic, I rarely have a negative event, so when I do I feel like telling about it. This morning was one of those interesting commutes inward to my workplace. I was squeezed by a bus, the wonderful Capitol Metro Bus Company . Really though, those guys are great. They have to put up with people, schedules, and of course, traffic. But today, I got one of those absolute moments of how fate can end the tour of duty on this planet. I am sure the driver wasn't being malicious, but perhaps just exercising poor judgment as to how far around me he could get before veering to the right hand curb to stop and pick up passengers. But the kicker was I was in the road just about where the bus was to stop. After being able to stay out from under his dual rear tires, I pulled around the the driver side of the bus, stopped at his window, knocked to get his attention, and then called him something that I am sure wasn't his real name. B

This is Emily, she started riding again not too long ago. Sol and Eric tuned up her bike and now she is cool with it. Doesn't look like it's over a hundred degrees, does it? It seems like more people are commuting in the Capitol Complex, which is a very good thing. Here is a guy who is riding Vehicular Style, another very good thing, but he doesn't need a helmet. Some bikes are lucky, the get to ride in cars just like people do and get more miles down the road than if they were rolling. Sometimes I think my bike would like that. I knew a man who went around for many years showing the sign language symbol for the word love. Even though he and his hand are gone, his signing lives on. Counting the Days It is now only 23 days until I embark on my cycle trip to El Paso. Last week I had the opportunity to drive the route, and for the most part it is a good way to go. Van Horn to El Paso seems a bit scary, but I think I will find the resolve to make a go of it. I had offers to be

<--Meet Marcy. A close friend of my extended family. Click on picture to enlarge

<--Nary a better Sister in the Wide and Whole World Click on picture to enlarge

<-- Mom and Dad. Don't the look Great? Click on Picture to enlarge it

El Paso was great. Uncle Lou's funeral was an awesome occurance, a celebration to a good long life. The family, from close to extended, is something I am proud of. The Fort Davis Mountains are a beautiful as ever. The road is long, Home.

<--This message is for the lady in the picture, not for everyone else. I am trying to show her where the key is to my apartment. Shawneen, here is where the key is, but let's keep it a secret. Of course the sign isn't there anymore, but the key is directly under the arrow inside the rubber plant. 27 Days Straight That is how many days I have ridden since coming back from the family reunion. There are only 28 days remaining until I ride out from Austin to El Paso. These next few days traveling but not riding may be good for my legs. But my addictive brain wants to ride.

Muriel seemed to be a bit worked up as she pedaled along with the group on the regular social ride. "I think the mind has electrical currents". She said this like it was the first time it was ever said. "Of course it does". Someone in the group chimed. "Three kinds of current". "Oh??" "Yes, two, the happy emotion and the sad emotion each have a DC and Clarity of Thinking is AC". Matter of factly Muriel states. "I can't wait to hear some more". From insided the rolling group, of which were cruising at a nice pace down the country road. "The only trouble is that the AC current has breaks in it making it a weaker current, at least for the brain, which then makes clear thinking's duration so short, effective only at the peak of the sine wave". "Hog Wash" Peleton's chorus. Can anyone tell me who said this, or something like this? "Everyone of us arrived here involuntarily and uninvited, for a sh

Facing South on Congress at 2nd street, I was stopped at a light when I saw the colorful recumbent bike go by. I was slow on the draw with the camera and when I finally shot, it was blurry. Next time I will get a better picture. Hey, he was practicing VC (vehicular cycling) too. That always makes me glad.

Ok, so I have to confess, yesterday after I cycled home and got my 20 miles in for the day, I had to drive my car. I helped a friend with a pet, long story, not interesting, but here's my problem. This car, smokin like a sun of a gun, has me ticked off. Call me bad or whatever you want, but I am reporting him to TCEQ today. His smoke was so bad, it came all up in my car with the windows rolled. VEnt. Vent. Vent. Vent. Don't Prolong the So Long Don't think I'm being callous or morbid because I am not talking about you or him or her, but about me. If I live long enough for my body to demise in that "old man" sort of way, please don't hook me up to a machine or try to make my life last longer than it should. I was blessed with good health to begin with and have made a measured effort to keep my body healthy, could have done better, but could have done worse too. For me there is still tomorrow to look for, so maybe I can get even better at taking care of my

I went to the doctor's office today to see what all I need to do to stay healthy. <-- A quick stop on the way to work. My daughter Shawneen had a great cup of coffee waiting for me and she took this picture. Some Dreams Little Bear Timateo was a cute little cub, that is, when he was a cub. When he grew up he wasn't cute anymore and he was a runt. But his brain was not runted, it was huge and creative. This gave him talent and it took him everywhere he wanted to go and as high as he wanted to go. He ate well and slept well and lived the American Dream. Oh if had only road the bike.

Erin, the lady in the white and black top had a flat tire and who else but the tire Miester, Bill Dorman is in the tire repair Indian style sitting position. And of course there is plenty of help all around. For some of us though, it was break time, so we could just lean on our bikes or stand there holding onto it like a beloved pony. Finally though, I think two heads were better than ten. They ended up putting a presta tube in a Shraeder hole. It worked fine for the rest of the ride. The swim in the San Marcos River was terrific as usual. A favorable wind made for a nice return, and changing up the route was interesting. The count down now for my trip to El Paso is 34 Days!! Circles of Wellness Janell and Jenkins were in the coffee shop after a nice morning 30 mile group ride. Everyone else had gone home, but the coffee shop has great sandwiches and the coffee will do. "Didn't you tell me you were married to an Indian"? Janell asked, out of the blue. Jenkins' brow b

Today was a good workout day, riding with the Austin Cycle Association on their weekly 30 mile "Taco Ride". If you survive the hard core pace and make it back to the shop, you get to eat free breakfast tacos. Now for anyone from El Paso, who doesn't know what a breakfast taco is, it is just a small burrito. Pretty good but never as good as a burrito from EP.

Meet Julia, the lady in the top picture who became an accidental courier of goods from the other side of the globe. The short story here is that Julia and my sister connected in Japan. Remember the IEC International that I posted a while back? Well, from what I hear this place is quite the gathering spot. Anyway, this lady Julia, well she goes by Julia in Japan, but she goes by Alli in America is one of God's angels who brought a beautiful boxed gift to me from my sister, Judy, who has an awesome husband, and the most wonderful children. Julia told me how busy the Ortiz family was, is, and will be, and that she plans on staying in touch with Judy and the school. In the box was a really cool green tea making kit made of bamboo. Then there were these book markers that my nieces made, and you would not believe how pretty they are. If I could only take a picture of them that represents them half a pretty as they are. Remember that if you click on the pictures, they go to full size. I

<----- This is Linnea. I haven't seen her or talked to her for a long long time, but there was a time when we would ride our bicycles together, training for triathlons. We were members of a running group too. I just found out that she is still alive and well accomplished as Biotechnology guru . She was one of my inspirations that probably accounts for why I still love to ride today.

She came from the lands just in from the swamps where mosquitoes a plenty and the grass grew freely. Moss hung from trees in thickets, and if you went around a turn just right, or over a rise just right, for a brief moment, you could think you may be in Louisiana. But she wasn't close to Louisiana at all, she was in South Central Texas, that Cecilia T . Who knows what made her so chipper. There aren't that many truly happy people in the world but Cecilia T is one of them. I am not saying it is a good childhood that makes people happy. Or not. But I am saying all people that I know who are happy as adults were also happy as a child. Use Cecilia T as my example if you will, follow her around for a day or two and you will see. Other than being from the lands just in from the swamps where the mosquitoes are a plenty, her childhood was no better or no worse than anyone else's When she moved to the high and dry Chihuahuan desert in her formative years, she brought more brightne

<---- This cat has his water bottles close to his face, maybe he uses a straw. In this heat, looks good to me. It is definitely the dog days, but riding to work and back is still more fun than a barrell............ well, it's really fun. Today my fancy headlight holder contraption fell apart. Back to the drawing board on how to have a handle bar bag and two headlights at the same time.

Tony was in the kitchen at the counter putting spices on the fresh fish he was about to cook. Pretty lucky thing, a friend of his went deep water fishing and caught a bunch of fish and wanted to share it with others. Tony was one fortunate recipient. There was a block of white cheese on the counter also, which Tony was going to cut some pieces off to make cheese/cracker snacks to tide him over while the fish was being cooked. "I think that is enough", he thought regarding the Cajun spice he was sprinkling on the fish. This thought of his was way back in his head where his consciousness barely noticed it. The thought repeated itself, "I think that is enough", but this time just a bit more noticeable to his conscious mind. Then, as if by a reflexive reaction, like a doctor tapping your knee with the little triangle shaped rubber hammer, he said. "I think that is enough" . So Tony stopped sprinkling, but what got his attention was the awareness that he had

I called my parents last Friday to find out if they were being affected by the rainstorm. Mom told me that she had lived in El Paso since 1946 and had not seen a rain storm like that the entire time she lived there. Emails are going round because others my age are communicating with their parents and loved ones also. So much damage to the dusty old town. We're stuck in a system that makes us pump smoke every day to survive, to put food on the table. If we all stopped pumping smoke, the skeletal remains of dinasaurs, in 25 years our planet may stop being so uncomfortable........ with us . Guillermo's Due Guillermo played trombone in high school, and he played football too. He knew all the octaves and notes and he ran on his toes, free, like a bag in the wind. Everyone in the marching band played behind him, that is, they followed his strong sound, one third beat behind his confident lead. The football players were mixed about him because they were either intimidated by his natur

Saturday's ride was what I call a workout for me. What can I say, Jorge and Larry, are a good twosome to try to hang with. When the sun comes up and my legs are not moving, I overslept. Even though the ride to San Marcos and back with team roadkill is repetitious, it's still loads of fun. Yesterday though we actually returned on a road that we used several years ago. It was noteworthy riding that road once again. So there is diversity in our route.

He was a joyful one, that young Saul. When his daughter was but just a young little girl, he would tell her stories when it was bedtime. Sometimes he would read to her, depending on her want. She would either say, "That book daddy", pointing to one of a bookshelf full of children's books, or she would say, "Tell me a story daddy". Saul wanted to tell really good stories to his daughter, but it seems that the more he tried to think up fascinating tales, the harder it would be to conjure. He could tell if he were doing a good job, or not, by looking at her expressions. Saul knew that all good stories are based on true life, especially if it has been experienced by the teller. A good story teller can take the truth and bend it to make a good story better, and at that point it becomes fiction. It becomes a permissible lie of sorts, but we call those things stories. That's why in the south if you want to be polite, you tell someone they are telling a story, you d

I took Odyssey down to Whole Foods a lunch to make some peanut butter, get some bread, and generally enjoy that awesome place. Rarely do I walk by Austin Bikes and not go in, but I was on a walking mission yesterday, so I just took a picture of the store front. When I go in there, I hang out and generally goof off. The place is great to just sit, it's set up like a bar. It can be easy to sit at bars when you have sat at them as much as I have back in the day.

Tony felt lucky to have found out about those hydrating facial cloths. His mom showed them to him once while they were on vacation. Darndest things, those cloths, put water on one, rub it around and it suds up, smells nice, leaves the skin feeling nice, and is one of the answers to good hygene for a cycle commuter. Tony took care of the body odor problem a long time ago with this spray, mineral salts. It looks like clear water, but it has something in it that keeps bacteria from growing on the skin which causes the big B. O. So that with the facial cloths will do the trick on keeping Tony looking and smelling good at work. I'm still trying to get him to lobby for a shower and locker room in this building.

I ride my bike and turn the crank. I shift it now and then. I move along a goodly pace, not too fast nor to slow. My mind it wanders of many wonders about this life we live. Every ride long or short, does come to an end. I have to park it and do those things that allow me to ride again.

There is a heat wave across the northern part of the country, that is truly hurting some people. And let me tell you that I think those people are so tuff, because they can endure cold weather as if it were just a cool breeze. But living in their houses that have become hot boxes knocks their socks off, and I hope the death rate is low during all this. There's been some flooding in my home town of El Paso, and some of their house boxes have been flooded so badly it was necessary to evacuate them. I hope the sanitation is kept in check so people won't get sick.

This is Danette, she and her husband are very charming. After spending some time with them at a party it is clear that they truly don't live in misery, but they DO live in Missouri. You see, this party was held by the lake in Austin for people from El Paso. Well there were people there who weren't from El Paso, but most of us were. I think I represented the elderly crowd so I didn't know a lot of people, but name dropping of my siblings sometimes resulted in forming a bond. Danette being one of those whose bonding was done because she knew my little sister Judy. One of my sisters lives in Japan. She has a school out there, well her family does. And let me tell you what an awesome family they are. Anyway, there school is called IEC International , they teach English to the Japanese children, and more. Visit their web site to see what all they do. Judy, look up from your picture and take a look at Danette, and Danette, all you have to do is look down and you can see Judy. Pe

Janel's eyes were cobalt blue, so beautiful and distinct. Many a person, man and woman had been drawn to those eyes, like space dust pulled into a black hole. Her face was Swedish looking, a little round but chiseled to proportion. Fair fair skin with rosy cheeks with a gently turned up nose. She had a look of mystery, and a mysterious soul to match. Lonny had greenish brown eyes, small and squinty. Sometimes people wondered if they were even open. But once they were able to look into those eyes, there revealed a gleam, playful yet wistful. His face was English looking with extra ruddy skin. They were both sound of body and mind and took care of their bodies for the most part. They didn't take up to much space in the universe, or planet, or wherever they sat, slept and walked. Lonny and Janel met one day each with a plan of their own that did not include time for new encounters. But fate would have it that the space they each occupied on the planet sat them down right next to e