Brazil: Biking in the Chapada

Basset Hound - Low Clearance Yesterday I observed (the start and finish of) a mountain bike race in Chapada dos Guimar?es. I only observed the race, as I did not have any of my own equipment, but my friend allowed me to borrow his wife’s bike.
Despite the fact that it has a 15″ frame (I normally ride a 19″ or 21″), a hard tail (I usually ride full suspension), an itty-bitty front shock (compared to the things that could well service a motorcycle on mine, rather slick road tires (as opposed to mine, which very well could be mounted on something branded “John Deere”), no clip-in pedals or toe clips (actually a good thing, given I only had sandals), V-brakes (no disc), and the ground clearance of a Basset Hound (compared my my Splinter, which can straddle a Volkswagen) , I rode the trail from the finish line back to the start with many of the competitors. Continue reading “Brazil: Biking in the Chapada”

Summer Wrap-up: 2010

It seems like just last week it was Memorial Day and I was at Jamie and Lisa’s for a barbeque, yesterday it was Independence Day and I was at a barbeque with Steve, and now Labor Day has come and gone in a flash. So much for summer.
I’ve been more outgoing and made more new friends this summer than I have in years past, which is excellent. I’ve been channeling my inner Tim Ferriss and killing my inner wuss. (Watch out, Kim).
My biking was rewarding. I did more road biking than mountain, which isn’t my preference, but it was certainly enjoyable, so I’m not complaining.
Aikido has been getting fun again. My sensei has informed me I will be testing for nidan next month in Boston. I am happy.
The coffee shop has been up and running for a month. Business is steady, and I am only involved on rare occasions. Paradigm is under the daily operation of a new manager, so I get to jump in and do the work that I enjoy only when I am really needed or want to be “in the way.”
One casualty of all this has been the Fresh Ubuntu Podcast. While it hasn’t been pronounced dead, it is definitely on life support. I’ve been busy. Harlem has been busy. Leftyfb is getting married in a few weeks. CafeNinja is a regular contributor to our friends at h4cked.
Finally, I will be departing for a month-long trip to Brazil in November.
And yes, I’m still on Facebook. *grumble*
Wow. Life is good.