Trying to keep to my “plan” of actually doing some exercise (gag! hack! ptooie!), I went out and bought a new bike to keep here at the ranch.

I took it out for a short 2-3 mile spin when I got it home, and it’s pretty dang nice. I definitely need some toe-clips, though. I bought some new-fangled kind from the bike store, but they’re no bueno on these factory pedals. Do I get new pedals or different clips? Need to get some luggage and a rear rack, as well as some end bars so I can change hand position (the BIGGEST drawback to an MTB is the one-way-and-one-way-only of holding on to the durn thing.)

I reckon two or three trips down the hill to the river per weekend day, and mix in a couple of longer rides to town or around the country roads every week or two, and my old shorts might fit again. Also, I need to try to mix in some riding in the city when I’m in back in Dullas. I love riding a bike…it’s the only solo sport/exercise I get any pleasure out of. I never lost that feeling of freedom from my first Schwinn ten-speed. Heck, my Schwinn Stingray.

I briefly gave some thought to a recumbent, but I’m going to save that for when I get to the point that I need it. These two guys have nothing but great things to say about them, and I’m pretty much convinced. Let me get at least a year of serious regular riding under my belt first, then we’ll see. I’ll most likely never do a RAGBRAI or another Hotter’n'Hell, but I would enjoy doing some local rides on Saturday mornings.

GOOD GRAVY UPDATE: Riding down to the river is a piece of cake, once you get over the fact that you’re on a sand and gravel road doing about 20mph. After all, it’s a river VALLEY for a reason. Coming back up the hill is a real heart-rate raiser, though. And we’re talking about a fairly dinky gentle hill. I’m so embarassed…first chainring, and biggest gear in back…I’m pretty sure I clocked at least 0.75mph.

Viz my whiny post about getting out more, I heard Rick Derringer (yes, that Rick Derringer) interviewed on the radio today. Rock and Roll Hootchicoo has got more stuff going on than 10 regular people. Idiot radio guy says something along the lines of ‘you’re getting along in years, so shouldn’t you be slowing down a little?’ Rick says something along the lines of ‘nope…the older I get, the less time I’ve got to get it all done.’

Bingo, baby — right on the nose.

Go get it done, man, whatever it might be.

I’ll not relate my night of drinking with Corky as he is quick to take offense at my mentions of him, but he is still rattling off Sasquatch jokes at a rapid clip, which I love more than life itself. I mean, Bigfoot is freakin’ full of humor. Wish you could have been there to hear the story of Wally, the vinyl-car-top-eating horse, too, corroborated by a big ol’ boy name of Bodie. Who, on third thought, would make an awesome Sasquatch.

The first big motorsickle rally of the year is going on now. I can hear the classic rock cover band down in the river bottom when I step out on the front porch. Tiny children are zipping around on what used to be called mini-bikes and giving me palpitations and visions of liability lawsuits. Big-ass Harleys with big-ass men and women are rumbling up and down the dirt road from the highway, and will be all night long. Spring has sprung, kids. Hawaiian shirt time. I love it.

Still need to work on a real post about 50 Peso Reward from Thursday night. Yes, honey, I have not forgotten.