Moving forward now...

In less than two weeks I'm going to be hitting the class room. A place that, typically has not been my most comfortable environment. But I'm I far different kind of student than I was in high school (Or university for that matter). This is also A far different kind of course. I have been told on no uncertain terms that this will not be easy, that I will need to work like a slave or I will fall hopelessly behind, That the next two years will be filled with an enormous amount of stress.

I do have a good case of the pre-RTM-School butterflies.

But they are just butterflies and really I am rather looking forward to staring them down.

Part of my horoscope today said "Your strength is greater than any problem you face." and that sounds like a mighty fine omen to me.

On occasion I come across a song, the lyrics of which seem to speak directly to the moment that I am in. Courtesy of Madonna I bring you JUMP:

[Written by Madonna, Joe Henry and Stuart Price]

(spoken):
There’s only so much you can learn in one place
The more that I wait, the more time that I waste

I haven’t got much time to waste, it’s time to make my way
I’m not afraid of what I’ll face, but I’m afraid to stay
I’m going down my own road and I can make it alone
I'll work and I'll fight, Till I find a place of my own

Are you ready to jump?
Get ready to jump
Don’t ever look back, oh baby
Yes, I’m ready to jump
Just take my hands
Get ready to jump!

We learned our lesson from the start, my sisters and me
The only thing you can depend on is your family
And life’s gonna drop you down like the limbs of a tree
It sways and it swings and it bends until it makes you see

Are you ready to jump?
Get ready to jump
Don’t ever look back, oh baby
Yes, I’m ready to jump
Just take my hands
Get ready to, are you ready?

(Spoken:)
There’s only so much you can learn in one place
The more that you wait, the more time that you waste

I'll work and I'll fight till I find a place of my own
It sways and it swings and it bends until you make it your own

I can make it alone(my sisters and me) (repeat 7x)

Are you ready to jump?
Get ready to jump
Don’t ever look back, oh baby
Yes, I’m ready to jump
Just take my hands
Get ready to jump!

Are you ready to jump?
Get ready to jump
Don’t ever look back, oh baby
Yes, I’m ready to jump
Just take my hands
Get ready to, are you ready?

The Tour De Farce, and other Bicycle related anomalies

My Brother-in-law Daniel is a manager for a bike shop in Toronto. He has managed to get the Haggis and I some pretty spectacular deals on spiffy road bikes and related accessories.

The result is that we have become far more interested in things like the Tour de France. For those who are wondering, the “Tour de France” is a premier bike race that takes place (surprise surprise) in and across France.(this year it started in London just for kicks)

Spanning three weeks and covering over 3000 km, the race is run in twenty stages (one stage per day) with only two rest days. There are two individual time trials, eleven flat stages (ranging from 168km. to 236km.) and eight mountain stages ranging from 159.5 km. to 218.5 km. The mountain stages can see 14km climbs at 8.1% grades.

How steep is that? If you are familiar with Toronto think of the intersection of Yonge and York mills road. Think of traveling south on Yonge street up the hill passed the “Jolly Miller” tavern.

Yeah, that one.

That is about a 7% grade and is only 600m or so long.

Imagine trying to ride your bike up that hill.

Imagine that hill is slightly steeper and 23 times longer.

Suffice to say that the tour is hard. Really Really hard. The riders are under not only under the stunning physical pressure of grinding through a grueling course day after day, but also under the mental pressure of trying to perform for companies who are funding them. Millions or dollars of sponsorships are on the line every time a “Tour” rider steps in to his toe clips. So really it’s not so surprising that four tour riders got nailed for doping.

Spanish rider Iban Mayo tested positive for the endurance-boosting EPO during a rest day in the final week of the Tour. He was suspended by his Saunier Duval team pending analysis of the B sample. Italian Cristian Moreni tested positive for testosterone and his Cofidis team also left the race. pre-race favourite Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhstan and his Astana team mates forced out when he tested positive for a banned blood transfusion after winning the 13th stage. Yellow jersey holder Michael Rasmussen, was kicked out by his own team amid accusations that he lied about his whereabouts to evade doping tests before the tour.

Not surprising, but very sad.

Raymond (one of my coworkers) and I were talking about the tour the other day. He summed it up nicely by saying, “Cycling in the soap opera of the sports world”.

Sigh.

So you have this fancy pants bike, why are you so slow?

That would be because I am sane.

It infuriates me to the number of cyclists in this city who have a near suicidal disregard for the rules of the road. Cyclists who blithely roll though red lights and stop signs. Who cut off cars, buses, pedestrians and (occasionally) other cyclists. Who don’t bother to signal there intentions and don’t use (or horrifyingly) don’t have a bell. If some one wants to kill themselves that all well and good by me, but this sort of behavior looks bad on cyclists who are trying to ride safely and share the road nicely with cars.

If your going to survive riding in this city, there are some things your should do. (and not do)
Do not cut off other vehicles. In a contest, even a little Honda civic is going to win against you and your mountain bike.

Stop lights are for you too! See above!

For the love of the gods where a helmet!

Signal! Dammit! The guy behind you is not a mind reader and neither am I.

Get a bell and use it! The car you are sneaking up on can’t see you in his blind spot. Yes, that pedestrian is too stupid to look both ways before he/she/it crosses the road.

Drivers?

Signal Signal Signal.
Did I say signal?

Please, for the love of the gods look in your rear view mirror before you open your doors!

If you hear my bell, whistle, screaming, please acknowledge, even if it’s just a moment of eye contact

Do you have to drive that close? I mean really, I hardly know you….

Oh yeah, did I say signal?