Tempus Fugit

Latin (tem-pu̇s-ˈfü-git): Time Flies

Category: Grab Bag

Stuff about stuff

  • The Ride Report


    FOG Riders
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    My Stats

    Distance 107.32 km
    Average speed 30.05 km/hr
    Max Speed 49.8 km/hr
    Ride Time 3:20:12

    Today’s ride was a little longer that typical due to taking the Cooks Creek route option. The weather was very fine with temperatures in the mid-20s and a clear sky for the ride as you can see from the picture that I took during the ride. The photo was a little tricky, but now I have my own photo’s of the group.

    It was a very large group today and at times quite unruly with people riding 4 across, some cutting into the line, and a near bump on River Road, but nothing compared to what happened at the end.

    We’re just coming up Henderson Hwy approaching the Legion, just a few minutes from finishing the ride, and two riders go down right in front of me. I manage to brake without getting rear-ended and put off onto the grassy shoulder and avoid getting tangled up in the crash. Wow, do these things happen fast!

    From what the riders involved said, the first rider to go down had his front wheel bumped by the rider in front of him as he moved over a bit. This started a nasty wobble for the first rider to go down that he couldn’t recover from, and the second person was just unable to get out of the way. It may be a little harsh, but this was a self-inflicted crash, as the first rider to go down must have been overlapping wheels with the rider ahead. I’ve been cautioned on this before and now I’m quite careful to avoid overlapping for just this reason. Perhaps in a race, or the Tour de France the pro’s will ride in this position, but on a group ride of amatures, it’s a receipe for trouble. Well, both riders seemed physically OK, but bike damage my be another story. Being that close to a crash gave me a new respect for the issues of riding in a group in a tight formation.

  • The Ride Report

    My Stats

    Distance 94.72 km
    Average speed 31.05 km/hr
    Max Speed 50.8 km/hr
    Ride Time 3:00:12

    The day started off clear and sunny at 7am, but by the time I was picking up the Starbucks at 8:30 on the way to the ride it had clouded over with a nice flat layer of grey. Not particularly threatening but keeping the temperature down at 14°C. The normal 9am sharp start time was delayed by a few minutes as on of the guys repaired a flat. This turned out to be the only mechanical difficulty of the ride as approximately 25 rides headed out.

    A couple of route changes from the standard ride took place. Due to a race on a section of River Road, we went up Henderson Hwy and cut over the bridge to Lockport and resumed the normal route, until we hit Birds Hill Park. Once in the Park one of the ride leaders proposed cutting over to Garvin Rd via a path and the road that goes between Elmhurst and Pine Ridge golf courses. There was much objection about going thru this path. Many felt that it would be too muddy and heaped much durision on the person proposing the route change. We did it anyway. These roadies are a little too pristine. The path was a perfectly good single track and any mountain bike rider would think nothing of it. Sure there was a little mud, but nothing of concern even to a road bike.

    Overall, the ride was quite relaxed by FOG ride standards, and there was just one group for the entire ride. The typical speed was kept under 35km and the only hard haul was up 206 where of course all the boys had to hammer up the hill to the Park entrance, into the wind of course. I think it was this relaxed because the racers were busy elsewhere.

    By this time the clouds were darker and signs of rain were all around us, but we escaped getting caught in any serious rain. However, on the way home, minutes after getting back to the starting point, there was a heavy downpour that temporarily flooded the streets. I appreciated not getting soaked out on the ride! As always, a good ride and with the more relaxed pace, I’m not feeling totally wasted!

  • What does it mean?

    I was cleaning the kitchen counter the other day and saw this…

    and for some reason I immediately thought of this..

    What does it mean? Pareodolia or Apophenia?

  • Early morning paddle



    Rays
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    I’m at the lake this weekend with Eric & Scott for “guys” weekend. While they were sleeping I was up shortly after sunrise. After brewing some coffee to go, I headed out in the kayak for a paddle. How convenient that even the kayak has a cup holder. After a leisurely cruise around the bay I returned to the cottage to find out it was 8am and I’ve been gone for 2hrs. Time flies when you’re having fun. I captured some great pictures down in the small marsh at the end of our bay

  • Teaching a dog a new trick



    Drinking from the hose #2
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    Cooper, Dez & Eric’s dog, learned a new trick the other day. During a break from home renovations on a nice warm afternoon, Dez turns on the hose and Cooper’s curiosity leads her to a nice cool drink. More photos here.

  • A reminder



    Made by Hand
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    I was cutting he grass yesterday and the lawnmower ran out of gas. No problem, I’ve got a gas can in the shed. The picture is my gas can for the lawnmower. But, it’s not your average gas can. It’s not a hunk of red plastic from Canadian Tire, made in China by a machine or some unknown person.

    This gas can was made by my Grandpa Stewart. I have no idea how old it it, but it’s been around as long as I can remember. Add the parts were made by Grandpa by hand. Sheet metal rolled and formed by hand, soldered together by hand. The wood handle turned on a lathe. The knurled brass caps, turned on a metal lathe. And here it is, in my shed, still working just fine after 50+ year. I doubt that any plastic gas can will stand this test of time. Oh, it will still be around, in a land fill somewhere, because that plastic is never going away, but I’ll bet it won’t be in use.

    Another thing the plastic gas can won’t do is bring back memories. Ever time I touch this gas can I remember my Dad and my Grandpa and what great men they were and what a great legacy they left me and a wonderful deposit they made in my life.

    Thanks for the gas can.

  • Happy Birthday Scott


    Birthday Guy

    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    We’re so proud of the young man you’ve become. Happy Birthday. The best is yet to come.

    Love,

    Mom & Dad

  • Adventures of Johnny Bunko

    I think I’ll buy this.

  • FOG #2

    Today was the second ride of the year for me with the FOG cycling club. It went a lot better that the first ride. Today we did the full route of about 95km and I made it a lot farther that the first time before I thought I’d throw up and die on the side of the road. However, once we left Birds Hill park and were returning on Hwy 59 it was a real struggle. My speed drooped into the 20-25 kph range and all I could think about was making it back. Speaking of dropped, of course the rest of the group powered away, but a special thanks to Dan who hung with me, keeping me company all the way back despite several of my offers that he could just leave me.

    The cycle commuting to work has defiantly helped, but there is still a ways to go before I’m back in the kind of shape I was in at the end of last season. These winter layoffs are killers. Note to self – more training in the off season.

  • Bikini Booty Camp


    Booty Camp

    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    I’m in Toronto today attending a conference on Monday & Tuesday, so I flew in extra early (6:15am red-eye flight) to enjoy the day. It was sunny and quite warm so I walked along the harbour front, for a very long way. Actually, I walked for most of the day and now I’m quite tired, and little sunburned.

    I was taking photos along the way and this poster on a lamp post had me do a double take. I’ve heard of boot camp, but booty camp? Hmmm.

    The reset of the photos are here.