Chewbacca?

I say, it's been cold out! I'm really hoping our order from PI comes in before Saturday. I'm looking forward to two group rides this weekend. The weather is looking dry but cold. Hopefully my Octane jacket (plus a few other heavily discounted goodies) will come in soon.

I've got a pretty busy couple of weeks leading into the holidays this year.

November 27 - 30
The holiday season officially begins on Thanksgiving. I'm staying down here in VA and planning on a traditional dinner with some friends. Instead of wine, probably some nice craft beer. I am making snowy mashed potatoes, a typical dish that reminds me of home. Im going to try to squeeze a ride in that morning too. Then it's off to Buffalo for the Bills/Niners game. Our tailgate crew has grown to about 20 people; should be a good time.

December 14
Punk Bike Enduro!!! For those of you unfamiliar, this is a big group ride in Pittsburgh that Dirtrag Magazine holds every December. They call it a stage race, but from what I've gathered it is just a group ride in the woods till you get to a parking lot or a hill, Once you get to an oppurtune place you race a "stage" which can include anything from a derby to a race up or down a hill. I'm not really sure what a derby will be like. The first seven in each stage get tickets redeamable for prizes and beer. Did I mention that everyone is drinking at all of the stops along the way?..Some prefer whisky and hot chocolate in a thermos. Moderation of course kids..We've all got to ride the full loop!

December 21
Xmas Maddness Race in Schenctady, NY's central park (weather pending). I know, white christmas and all, but I hope this one doesn't get snowed out. I hear that anymore than 6 inches and they cancel it. I read about this in a bike magazine, The course is 4 miles long and you race for 2 hours. The person with the most laps wins. It own't be me but it's a good excuse to get 2 hours of ride time in.

I'm hoping to get home on Dec 20 to race this but I still need to get final approval from work. I'm planning to be in NY the whole week mixing telocommuting and vacation time. I'm really looking forward to seeing my family and relaxing with some HBO on demand. I even miss their new cat Grazy.

I call her Chewbacca because she is so humongous and furry. Had she been brown I would have gotten her a little ammo belt or whatever the hell the real Chewbacca used to don in Star Wars. In the picture she's actually wrapped up in a little cat shirt because she needed a lion cut to keep her fur in check. I don't know about you, butIf i were a cat I'd rather have an ammo belt.. right?

BS