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Yes, I’m turning into one of those people. Jessica can be a crazy cat lady if she likes, I’m turing into a “bike guy”. There is now more bike than hallway in my hallway.

I’ve never been big on naming my possessions. I’m not sure why, but even cars I’ve owned over the years have never had a name. Bikes on the other hand seem to demand names. They aren’t just something you sit on and pedal– different frames, tires, gearings, and other characteristics all seem to come together to form a sort of personality. The reasoning is less clear for two other personal truths about bike names I’ve discovered. First, bikes are female. I don’t know why (and maybe it’s because I’m a straight guy), but this is defiantly the case– I’m sure Freud would have a field day with that one. Second, and even more inexplicable, bike names always begin with the letter S. I really have no clue on this one.

So without further adieu I give you the newest member of the family, a single speed with sass, Sabrina:

Of course, a few of you have already met Sally but in case you missed it here she is again:

Man I am such a dork.

Oh and in case anyone is a bike dork too Sabrina is a 54cm Concord racing frame (made by Kuwahara in the 80s) with it’s original fork, headset and BB. Spinning on the back is an Araya 700c double wall rim and Deore LX hub built up with spacers. The front is some generic wheel and tire that may get replaced soon (the tire in particular is a little aged) being stopped by a set of good old fashioned caliper breaks and a BMX brake handle. It may be getting some Nitto or el-cheapo Nahsbar TT bars soon as well, although I have to admit I didn’t hate the straight bars it came with anywhere near as much as I thought I would.

Edit: I’ve given it a bit more thought and I’ve decided that only road bikes need to begin with an S. Mountain bikes need to begin with a B… or maybe a J…

Purchased on a whim Saturday (July 1st)
Miles ridden so far: about 50

A few things that have surprised me

1. I haven’t been on a bike since I was about 15– Remarkably the saying is true and I didn’t forget how.
2. I am faster than the bus (usually).
3. My neighborhood seems bigger.
4. This is a lot more fun than I remember it being.

I’m seeing some long bike rides in my future.

Two words: Woo Hoo.

The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon happened yesterday and this year’s route took them right past my front door, literally. Check out the view from the sidewalk outside my building (click for the big version).

Not surprisingly all of the top ten finishers were all from Kenya, an impressive reminder of what a nation obsessed with long distance running (and consistantly train at 6000+ feet above sealevel) can do. Regretfully I got downstairs just a few seconds after the Kenyans passed by so I didn’t get to take their picture.

I’d like to offer my congratulations to my friend Francis Kayiwa who finished in 3:36:29.

Next year I’m so there.

Wheeeeee!

My feet hurt a little but it was worth every mile!
At 2:14:43 that makes for a 10:14 second mile which was pretty dang close to what I was shooting for (10:00/mile or under).

In case you are confused like I was: Chiptime is the actual time I ran the race in. Finish time was the time I would have finished the race had I been at the starting line at the begining of the race Of course with 7 thousand people in the race only a few cross the start line when the gun goes off and they’re the bastards who ran it with times like 1:10.

Next year the full 26.2!
(I must be crazy)

Wow.

Ahhhhh baseball.

For the first time ever a baseball team has come back from an 0-3 start to force a game seven. Tonight, in the final game of the ALSC, the Sox are going to try to accomplish a feat never before completed in professional sports- winning a seven game series after losing the first three games.

That’s not in ANY sport folks, not hockey, not baseball, not basketball..

Tonight is the night and I couldn’t be more excited!

*EDIT*
OMG they did it!
/floored

GO BOSOX!