leaning beyond the tape, a resolution of sorts

The future is here… if 2010 isn’t the future we’ll probably never make it there – this is close enough, anyway. Still coasting along picking up those last few miles to end the year with a clean milestone. Continuing to count and accumulate and compare and tally to no end, until, someday, upon realizing the folly of projections, humbly melting back into the moment that is always just one step ahead of the equation to reconnect with the satisfaction of flowing along with the earth, sinking into deeper experience… just Jonah in the Skye with Diamonds following a path through golden sunlight eternity…

wool crazy

In this frigid Southern California season I’ve been developing a new addiction to wool. I shouldn’t say new, wool’s been a growing trend in my wardrobe for some time now. Maybe something like escalating would be more appropriate.

I had my first good rain ride last weekend while wearing a wool sweater. It was a great ride. A soaking ride but comfy and fun – nothing special, really – just an old-fashioned bicycle ride.

After that ride I was stoked and picked up some more wooly items: cycling cap, leggings (that don’t say Xanadu!), armings (if leggings go on the legs then I figure armings go on the arms – okay, why not armmings then)…

Then, on eBay, I found, for 99cents, plus shipping, and this is where it gets a bit on the crazy side: Korean War Era Wool US Army Pants! They look brand new. I don’t think they’ve ever been worn in 55+ years. Super find.

Bring on that super mild winter. Nothing can stop me now! [Insert sinister cackling laugh…]

brrrrdbath

Ice in the birdbath this morning…

born to run!

I finally got my hands on a copy of Born to Run by Christopher McDougall from the library. Devouring it…

California to myself for a day

Joe and Sam and I rode the Old Ridge Route today from Castaic toward Gorman. The Ridge Route is the very old highway that was the original (1915, and maybe a wagon route before that) route north out of LA. It was replaced by the Interstate 5 in 1970. It’s paved (poorly) with lots of patches of dirt and gravel. And pretty steep (44 miles in 6.5 hours – sounds more like a run!). I rode the Metamorphosis mountain bike (today I decided she should be called Speed Mule!) but the route could be ridden on a hefty touring or cyclocross bike like Joe’s. Lots of ups and downs as you travel along the ridges. But best of all it’s totally empty. Great views all around you of Angeles National Forest with mountains and rolling hills and hardly a sign of civilization in sight (except for that quickly deteriorating road surface under your tires.) I practically expected to see Laura Ingalls as I rounded a corner. It was a little chilly up there (I wore Hilary’s purple Xanadu leg warmers – sweet!) with gusty winds and we were a little concerned about getting back to the start before sundown but we made it which always feels good after a bit of an epic.