Double Whammy

Alas, Spring.
Contrary to the common notion that spring is the beginning of new life, happy with birds chirping and gay with bees doing their thing and thought of positively by Thoreau, to me they are dark days, a teasing season to be endured and held off like Odysseus's' sirens, for all that is green may as well be Kryptonite for to me it is only allergy season and it cannot end too soon.

Sure there are some drugs out there that can mask symptoms or overcompensate and leave one dry as a scone often while bringing early onset senility or an inebriation that won't wear off. I won't take them (I also won't take some other drugs which may be why I only have a few top 10 finishes to my name, but I digress). Normally the most effective elixir is the adrenaline pumped during and long after a hard ride. My sinus' get blown out and the natural endorphins keep me cleaned out and so there, I beat back the spring dragon and ride triumphantly into the sunset/garage.

'08 has dealt me a cruel hand, however, as previously posted I have wrecked havoc to my anterior tibialis and as a result have not been able to partake in the activity which is the basis for this blog (As "The Dude" would say: "That's a bummer, Man" and he'd be correct). Oils, creams, massages have so far only inflamed, and a regimen of ultrasound and Yogi stretching are in the next round.

People who know Frogman will say he's not a complainer*, so I can only hope for the promise of Physical Therapy's healing benefits of and the rain which washes the air of the ill humors to pull me out of this equinoctial abyss, for now I am unable to do it on my own. Without becomming maudlin, this is one of those times to reflect and count your blessings and think about those who have been more seriously afflicted and have come back or, more inspiring, carried on in the face of far darker prospects.
As Ah-nold would say, I'll be baaack!"

*Except about muscle tears, lacerations, road rash, burns, burrs, blood, boils, bunched chamois, locusts; ice, sleet, hail, rain, darkness, drought, murrain, flies, frogs (!); pot holes, groomed asphalt, soft shoulders, Jersey Walls, Jersey Girls, Girls Gone Wild, punctures; Trade Zone, testosterone, iphone, phone home, homophobe, EPO, ELO, ELP, XTC (for never touring!), THC, HC, ANSI; W, WWM?, Double Whammies.

Are Bicycles better than Women?

This little tidbit of levity came by way of a non-cycling and younger work colleague, and while these opinions expressed are not necessarily my own, it's good to know that other people out there in cyberspace are talking about bicycles. Or is it women?

1. You can ride your bicycle any time of the month.

2. Bicycles don't whine unless something is really wrong.

3. You can share your bicycles with your friends.

4. Bicycles don't care how many other bicycles you've ridden.

5. When riding, you and your bicycle can arrive at the same time.

6. Bicycles don't care how many other bicycles you have now.

7. Bicycles don't care if you look at other bicycles.

8. Bicycles don't care if you buy bicycle magazines.

9. You'll never hear, "Suprise, you're goning to own a new bicycle" unless you go out and buy one yourself.

10. If your bicycle goes flat, you can fix it.

11. If your bicycle is too loose, you can tighten it.

12. If your bicycle gets misaligned, you don't have to discuss politics with it.

13. You don't have to be jealous of the guy who works on your bicycle.

14. If you say bad things to your bicycle, you don't have to apologize before you ride it again.

15. You can ride your bicycle as long as you want and it wont get sore.

16. You can stop riding your bicycle as soon as you want and it wont get frustrated.

17. Your parents wont remain in touch with your old bicycle after you dump it.

18. Bicycles don't insult you if you're a bad rider.

19. Your bicyle never wants a night out with other bicycles.

20. Bicycles don't care if you're late.

21. You don't have to take a shower before you ride your bicycle.

22. If your bicycle doesn't look good, you can paint it or get better parts.

23. You can ride your bicycle the first time you meet it without having to take it to dinner, see a movie, or meet its mother.

24. The only protection you need to wear when riding your bicycle is a decent helment.

25. When in mixed company, you can talk about what a great ride you had the last time you were on your bicycle.

However, you can't ride your bicycle with a bum shin!