a midway bikelog

(no, not making a music video… this is a good birthday soundtrack.)

In no strict order, and i’m sure with many things missing…
Started the decade by falling in love, got married, bought a house and a dog, but now ending it with a divorce. Witnessed the birth of my two amazing redheaded girls, reveled in their first moment, first words and first steps and first day of school and everything in between. Helped coin the word “Shitcasso”. My dad got cancer, then I traveled to Alaska with him and my brothers to catch fish celebrate him surviving cancer and chemo after the first year. Competed in a 24-hour mountain bike race (my second), then a few years of little riding; now bike commuting 2500+ miles/year and racing again. Gained about 25 lbs, then lost about 30. Had viral meningitis and pneumonia. Changed jobs once, built a handful of websites on the side, added a part-time job as bike mechanic. Camped in many sites, hiked many miles of trails, biked many thousands of miles of road and dirt. Rediscovered cyclocross and singletrack. Played bass for a couple of new year’s parties, gave up and sold my amp, but now practicing a bit again. Was interviewed for The Bike Show radio program out of London. Rode my first century. Made corned beef and candy canes and limoncello at home. Learned to make soap and braze steel. Built a cradle, playstands and many shelves, assembled too many Ikea things to count, replaced plumbing and steps and a ceiling. Moved a lot of granite pavers. Built 6 bicycle wheels and reconditioned countless bikes, mostly for others. Built my first bicycle rack and LED headlight. Crashed into two cars, once with a car and once with a bike. Went from contacts to glasses and back. Grew beards and watched the black and white whiskers creep in with the red. Celebrated 4 family weddings, 6 family births and many friends babies, and mourned the loss of a cat and a goldfish.

I have my health and my wits, two fantastic girls, a wonderful family, excellent friends, lots of love and a lot more to do. Ok 40, let’s go.