Quick and Dirty

Hey sicko, get your mind out of the gutter. This is about bike racing. And some other stuff.

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Thunderstorms

I'm in Pittsburgh visiting my family and new nephew and enjoying typical east coast weather. Not kidding about the enjoying, it's actually kind of nice. The humidity here is through the roof but seems pleasant to me. It's nice to go out in the evening without needing a jacket. At night the street lights look like they are enveloped in fog, but it's actually just humidity. I think the humidity here comes from the plant transpiration. Plant life here is out of control, ever bit of dirt small or large bursts with green. Trees droop from the weight of giant green leaves. Hedges spill over sidewalks and weeds try to squeeze out of every crack in pavement. It's like the plants know they only have so many months a year to grow and spread their seeds so the grow with hectic fury.

This afternoon I was treated to a thunderstorms that made me remember childhood storms. It seems that out west rain comes at you in two ways. It either sneaks up during the night and upon awakening it's there. Or, it comes at you like a train, one moment things are calm, then comes the noise and wind and wham there it is pelting down with full force.

Today's storm is what I remember a storm to be. The morning is humid beyond belief and overcast. Then the quiet far away rumbles begine. This storm is letting you know that it's on it's way. After a few hours light drops of rain gently kiss the warm pavement creating that special wet summer smell. The drops increase in size and frequency obscuring your vision and soaking you thoroughly. Lightning flashes, thunder cracks the trees shiver and thrash. For a brief moment water pours out of the sky in buckets then stops. The rumbles recede, a few drops of rain linger then its all gone and the humidity returns.


Barb

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Rock Lobster 'cross frame up for auction!

It's that time again, out with the old and in with the new! Frames that is. This one's up for grabs on ebay, with a sweet fork.





Here's a link to my auction- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=002&item=120009870981&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

Help me afford my cyclocross season and score a sweet new rig! Bid high and bid often! -josh

Monday, July 03, 2006

Aunti Barb

My little sister, Terry, had a baby last week. Colby Rush Helbling born June 29th, 7lbs 11oz. I'm very pround of her and can't wait to go to Pittsburgh the end of July to meet my new and only nephew.





Strong work Terry!!