Bike Tour Book Reviews

Today we venture in the way back machine to the 1970's when young Tim(my) was in elementary school. School came somewhat/kinda/sorta easy for me except for one major area; reading. Yeah, the main one. After 'Tip and Mitten' in 1st grade, it all went to hell. Most of the class subjects involved the need to do it so I had to adapt. I was the walking definition of ADD before the label was even defined. My mind was on other things like recess. My favorite reply to my 4th grade teacher, Ms. Swarthout (whom I had the biggest crush on), was "What?" It made her giggle every time. I wasn't deaf; just off in day dream land. Book reports were not going to happen. I'll cushion that low grade with some extra credit in math; whatever it took. The only text that got my attention back then were the baseball box scores in the newspaper. I remember racing my dad to the paper box on Sundays to get the Sunday sports section. Xanadu!!! I didn't care about American history or current events but if Ron LeFlore was hitting over .300, all was well in my world.

I am happy to report that old dogs can learn new tricks as bus rider Tim(my), having about 45 minutes of idle time coming and going to work, has been doing some reading. Some of my recent reads are below; some good, some okay. 

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck

I haven't finished this one yet but the title pretty much says it all. The basic premise is you should only give a fuck about a few major things in your life but we all give a fuck about too much and get worked up over the wrong things. Some good perspectives.

Raye of Light

Covers the Michigan State football pipeline to the south in the 1950 and 60's under Duffy Daugherty. Great to read good things about the university with the crappiness (not a word) going on there recently.

Chuck Noll - bio

As a Detroit Lion fan, you always had to have a backup team to root for and I loved me some Steel Curtain football. A great read as Noll's picture should be in the dictionary next to the word 'family man' as you learn what he did for his. Football time was football time but family time was family time; no line crossing.  

Born to Run

Autobiography of Springsteen. A good read, however, he could have dropped a couple 100 pages off of it without going into so much detail about something that happened 40 years ago. Keep it simple Bruce.  

Shoe Dog
Autobiography of the founder of Nike. The man is richer than rich but damn he sure went through hell getting the company off the ground. Good read.

When Breath Becomes Air

Autobiography of a doctor coming to grasps with the meaning of life when he is diagnosed with cancer. Some good angles but no meaning of life found at the end of the book if you are looking for one.

The Smartest Guys in the Room & The Wizard of Lies
Two different books but I got onto the corporate scandal kick last year and what better topics to read about than Enron and Bernie Madoff. Outstanding reads.

I'll post other reviews in the future. Ms. Swarthout, if you are out there, give me a shout.
Read on.
Trail Head

addition to the fun

A new addition to the winter riding repertoire was added this week as the sleigh from the elf station at the Amazon North Pole brought a treat; mittens for the handlebars. As friend Jim says, the million dollar idea. Too bad we were too late to the idea as they are worth every penny.           Trail Head    

Swimming after Meals - Myth? - Polar Bear Dip

Growing up, we all lived in the myth that you should wait to swim after eating. You will DEFINITELY cramp up and be in pain. Well, my Canadian friends across the river tested that theory yesterday at the 17th annual Polar Bear Dip for Childcan, a charity for children with cancer. Lunch at 11 said the schedule with the dip at 1 PM (actually started a little after 12:30). I am happy to report there were no reported cramping episodes. Friend Jen, who partook in the dip, said lunch consisted of everyone taking swigs out of each other's flasks. A little liquid cabbage is always a nice topper before going into 34 degree water (one Celsius for our Canadian readers).  

Good time, good people.

Trail Head

the "holding hands" idea didn't last long

"the waiting is the hardest part...."

friend Jen in the forefront - pre-dip - she is warm for now

the scene

 

 

friend Shannon (black shirt - middle) trying to talk herself into it (or out of it)

 
 

  

old cottage looking good

Testing the Threshold of "Too Cold"

Frito Bandito rider was out in the elements today at Island Lake Recreation Area, checking to see if 10 degrees with a sub zero wind chill was "too cold." I am happy to report that it isn't too cold; and that I gave some hikers a double take as I pedaled past them with the noted face mask on. 

The trails were about 80 percent non-ice with yours truly biting it on a portion of the remaining 20 percent just near the end. A well executed fall on my fanny though with no post ride aches to report. 

Freeze on Snow Miser.

Trail Head

Alumni Hoops - 49 feeling like...49

yours truly in red guarding Gus' kid

I was going to post this yesterday but wanted to convey the feeling 24 hours after running up and down an 80 foot basketball court, attempting to keep up with individuals more than half my age. Yesterday was the annual Milford alumni basketball scrimmage against the varsity and my feeling 24 hours after is…..I need a new set of hip sockets and my jump shot has left the building.

A running 5-minute clock each quarter; doesn’t seem too bad on paper and I consider myself in shape for the most part but a few fast breaks (my team unfortunately wasn’t up for walking the ball up the court; come on guys!!) had the brain asking to put the hands on the knees and search for an extra breath or two. On a positive note, the old guys won and I was able to get on the scoring sheet with one bucket that had the crowd of 15 in awe and on their feet shouting for more (slight exaggeration). On a not-so-positive note, I hadn’t played since last year’s game and it showed. If they were handing out nicknames, they would have given me former Piston Cliff Levingston’s persona, ‘House.’ As in, “He’s shooting so many bricks, he could build a house.”

The photos are courtesy of Gus whose son Gunnar is a sophomore on the team. My crafty veteran basketball tricks were of no use as young Gunnar schooled me for a few buckets. My advice to him is what old coach Harris used to tell me, "Shoot the damn ball Timmy!!!!"

Go Redskins...err Mavericks!

Trail Head aka 'House'

trail head looking for his shot - still looking

Scuba Dog

A Seadog shout out to the brother who has done more with no use of legs than the majority who do. His latest conquest being scuba diving in Cozumel, Mexico. A nice getaway for the man who is also teaching others to ski (http://mtbadaptivesports.com/) this winter. 

Get that turtle Jim!

Trail Head

Xmas in Beer Heaven

The 30th (31st?) annual CMU xmas party headed west this year to Kalamazoo; home of....beer. When in the home of beer, you jump on the brew pub shuttle taking you to beer heaven. A gold star to brew pub shuttle driver Tony for taking a group of fossils to the promised land. 

A great time with great people.

Trail Head

guessing pub shuttle driver Tony has some stories

crew cruising the mean streets of Kalamazoo

great band at Old Dog

little late