Something Ben Kweller said...

Been riding on a semi-regular basis for the past month. Even started on a Training Plan. But necessity, also known as my current fitness level has me doing slow and "steady" time-in-the-saddle rides. Necessity.... A bitch of a taskmaster... But it sure don't have to feel like it.

I've been smiling a lot lately. I've been riding on paths not well traveled by me at least for some time, metaphorically and literally. I have rediscovered a lost joy for cycling, no wait... that's wrong.

 I have fallen back in love with RIDING A BIKE! Yeah, that's the right way to describe the feeling.

If you haven't yet seen "The way, way back" then you need to.

Not going to get into the whole coming of age deal this movie is about. Just going to focus on one pivotal moment in the movie, yeah I said movie not film. I go to see movies... I'm pedestrian that way.


Anyway 14 year old Duncan is in a bad way, stuck in a beach town with his mom's new boyfriend whose a bullying douche. Things look pretty bleak and then...


Duncan opens the shed door to find this:

Complete with streamers.


The next scene is Duncan flying through the streets of this summer beach town with the biggest shite eating grin on his face. Over this plays a Ben Kweller song that is bo·da·cious·ly infectious!

and he says;
"Here I go out the door
I don’t need no more
Here I stand, I got your hand
There’s no need to know which way to go"

Well, he sings it really...



Duncan finds his vehicle to freedom. And that bike is a constant through the movie.

It simply made me smile and reminded me what this bike love is all about. The song reverbs around my head everytime I ride and it has led me to ride off of and away from all our normal training routes. I have not smiled this much on and off the bike in quite some time.

Here, take a listen... http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/benkweller/outthedoor.html 

Now go ride your bicycle...

See you on the road,
Eric J

Old shoes, new bike and exciting announcement!

Old Shoes;

Now this pic is representative but not comprehensive. Yes, I have a stupid amount of running and training shoes. The addictive side effect of having worked for Nike. Though since April 7th 2013 they were little more than fashion accessories.

Why April 7th 2013 you ask? Yeah, someone asked.... That's the day a BMW turned missile hit me from behind trashing me, my bike and most of this past year. That was the year I was going to win GFNY by the way. True story. I was ready. A legend in my own mind... Well at least I trained that way.

But I am outrageously happy, ecstatic, blitheringly blissful even, to be able to say that is all behind me. I am out from under the shadow of any and all accident related tomfoolery, (tomfoolery is not the word I was looking for but we're trying to keep this PG).

Yesterday I put on a pair of those fashion forward running shoes and went out for a run. It hurt, and was a chore at a short 18 minutes. But it was wonderful and full of promise and had nothing to do with a therapist (Frank Nanni btw who is amazing!) telling me I had to!

So what's the logical next step? Go on ask me.
Well, a NEW bike of course. And here she is just ordered yesterday;

A Roubaix SL4 Expert in Satin Charcoal with blue accents, 11speed of course. Yeah.....I'm excited. Decidedly a switch from the ultra aggressive bikes I am used to but a switch I am happily looking forward to.
I can't do GFNY this year but I am training towards Gran Fondo NJ in September. Oh, how good it feels to have a target to shoot for again.


Here's the exciting announcement part. Don't bother asking, I'll tell you anyway;
I'm starting up a new Blog that should see digi-print by next week. It will be everything multisport related going on here in Rockland County and the surrounding areas. I'll be looking for contributing writers, photos, info on events, happenings, rides, races any and all related to riding, running and swimming.

Email me or post up interest here....

Hoping to see you all on the road....

Be safe,
Eric J