1) Give me an outlet for thoughts beyond my work
2) Have fun
3) Learn about websites, information flow, networking, search engines, and think about the future
4) Share my 2 wheeled experiences and passions
So far, I'd say that it has done just that...and more. That said, this time of year its adding stress. Here's why.
My day job has a natural ebb and flow. This time of year is certainly the ebb because there is little flow. Tradeshows. Catalog. Issues. Planning. Discussion. Missed discussions. Frustration. Really the best analogy I can give is called out by the title, a snake swallowed an elephant. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. It's just really hard this time of year.
This time of year all I can think about is the coming month and half. On top of that, what I want to talk about here to help me process and deal with my stress, I just can't talk about. I've got so much bike stuff on my mind....Most of which I can't talk about until after Eurobike. Some stuff I won't be able to talk about until after Interbike. It's also cutting into my time to do some long overdue and ongoing product reviews on some products I really like.
Thankfully, I went to the Chiro today and got some ribs put back in place. Helped me a lot and gave me some peace that I'm still taking care of myself during this time. Also, I'm still managing to ride at least twice a week. Tonight I got out to Lebanon Hills. They've (MORC) added another mile of amazing trail. It's so fun. Fast. Flowy. Berms. Jumps. Totally sweet. You'd have to be dead to not smile and laugh through the new section. I'm guessing that with the new addition, it makes the loop I do almost 10 miles per lap.
I'm riding my fun bike lately because my main ride and personal bike is making rounds to Salsa dealers. My fun bike is a very early prototype Big Mama. It's changed quite a bit since this picture was taken.
It's got Shimano's new SLX group on it and a new Fox F29 120mm fork. It's also got some prototype Gordo rims (35mm wide) with some Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.4's on it. It's about 30-32lbs. My friend, Big29 on mtbr, was riding with me tonight and he was just laughing out loud at how I purposely hit everything and launched the bike off every rock, root, log and jump. Thanks Big29. It was a fun, fun night. I needed it.
6 comments:
30 or 32 pounds? That's a pretty big spread, there - 6-7% difference ;-)
I am jealous that you get out for actual mountain bike rides. Feels like forever since I've been on a real mountain bike ride.
Funny Mike. I'm a detail guy in some places, not in others. It's a guess, but pretty accurate. Give or take 6 or 7% ;)
Hey, I just wanted to say that in terms of posting here and doing all the other stuff you do, I understand totally if the posts are sparse and if you can not reveal too much. I think that your saying these things reflects something that a lot of bloggers struggle with from time to time. That is something I call the "milk cow effect". I think you will relate to this.
My relatives were all farmers and they were obligated to be there morning and night to milk the cows. No exceptions. Finding someone else to do that so they could leave and do other things was not a thing that was possible for many of them.
In the same way, bloggers often feel the "responsibility to their audience" and will feel an obligation to post regularly even if it causes mental stress and other even more detrimental things.
I'm not saying you are there, but I hear a bit of that in this post. maybe I'm wrong about that. If I am right, hey... Just remember, we understand out here and will be back when you are ready to go at it again. (Well, at least I will be!)
Anyway, find some peace and quiet and don't worry about posting here so much right now. That's my advice.
Looking forward to seeing you again soon!
Lots of stuff on the Salsa plate in the coming months. Have fun at the 24 coming up. Enjoy those homemade salsas! Look forward to seeing and hearing about the new Salsa goodies.
Have fun and relax as best you can.
j
Thanks guys.
This post is an indication of how my brain is working. I'm a bit stressed and at the moment, I am struggling a bit here on Gnat blog because I can't talk about what I want to talk about.
Anyway, thanks for the encouragement.
Hey Buddy, I'm sorry it took me a while to comment on this, but I think after our conversation last night, you know why it did... We're in a lot of the same situation. Perhaps I don't have as much "product stuff" on my plate, but I've got a pretty full plate nonetheless. Life just has a way of doing that to us if we let it.
I think you're doing a great job of managing the chaos in your life, especially considering how much growth you've ridden herd over in the past couple of years. It's been impressive and everyone close to you understands that you've given a ton of yourself to make it happen. You and your team are kicking more butt than a three legged man in a butt kicking contest, so just keep up the good work and keep your head above water, and like the Wailers say "everything's gonna' be alright."
Glad to hear you and Big29 had a good ride and the rain didn't harsh your gig.
Cheers,
MG
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