Wednesday, September 27, 2006

I'M IN THE BUFF AGAIN!!!

YIIIPPPPEEEE !!!!!!!!!!! The new Buffs are out! I just picked up two. Check it out.
Skulls for the Skull. New design graphic. Will be great for Halloween or even that next pirate adventure!

This ones the new "Summer Buff". Made of micro-fiber to keep the headbones cool!

Wanna know more? Go to the source:

THE HOUSE OF BUFF

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Our Inept Food and Drug Administration

  Posted by Picasa

Think the recent E. coli spinach scare is new? Well consider this, in the past decade there have been 9 such food borne contamination incidents. All of these centered in the Salinas Valley California area. The so called "Salad Bowl of the Nation" can't seem to clean up their act. Recent news reports blame improper handling techniques, large scale farming operations, and dirty water all as potential causes.

Hey, how many tries does it take the FDA and other California regulatory agencies to get the problem fixed? Kind of makes you wonder how much of the problem has been quietly averted by California Farming Industry Lobbyists prodding California Legislators to look the other way. Toss in a bunch of good old FDA bureaucracy and you begin to understand why the numb nuts can't find a reachable solution.

WHEW! Now pass me the Thousand Island dressing.............

Later,

Marc

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Yo Ho, Yo Ho A Pirates Life For Me!

"Quiet, missy! Cursed pirates sail these waters. You don't want to bring them down on us, now, do ya?"

-Gibbs (from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean)


The privateers (L-R) Marc, Jack, Chris, Jim, and Barney.

Okay, here's the MS 150 Breakaway to the Beach report I promised. Wow, what a great weekend we had! The weather was perfect and of course our "scream team" support crew did an excellent job making sure we riders had everything we needed for the long haul. Thanks!

The journey began on Friday afternoon. I packed up my stuff and headed to Jim's house for some last minute bike repairs. Jim mentioned his bike chain needed cleaning so I brought my Park Chain Cleaning tool. Little did I know what a big hit this would be. The afternoon turned into a chain cleaning party. Everyone was amazed at how well this little contraption worked with a little Simply Green degreaser. Everyone's chain was sparkly clean!

Friday- Prep Day

Teamwork in action! (Jim H. & Jim W.)

 Barney and his new ship!

 Barney, the true Floridian, rarely wears socks when he rides.

  Posted by Picasa Team shot!

 Donna's home! Our scream team Captain treated us to a wonderful carb dinner. Thanks!

  Posted by Picasa (L-R) Jim and Garrett chillin' on the deck.

  Posted by Picasa (L-R) Barney and Marc.

 Donna gives everyone pre-dinner instructions. Safety first!

  Carbs! Man the food was fantastic!

  Posted by Picasa Barney explaining the Theory of Relativity- very interesting. (L-R) Bruce, Amy, and Barney)

  Dinners not complete without dessert. We sang the "Go MS Riders" song and enjoyed cake. It had that good whipped cream icing.... YUM!

  Jim H. wondering if he should have another piece(?). (L-R) Bruce, Lori, and Jim.

  Posted by Picasa Jim passes out team gifts which included Red Bull and BC Powder. I think that combination is illegal in 37 States.

Saturday- Head 'em Up, Move 'em Out

  Early to rise.... Jack has a cup of java to start the day.

  Barney raids the icebox!

  Posted by Picasa Marc, Jim, and Donna share a hug at the McDonalds just outside of Rockingham,NC our start point for the ride.

  Yeah! We all made it to the start.

  The bets are on, will Jacks tires make it 150 miles? Ante up boys.

  Posted by Picasa Barney is so proud of his new ride- a Sampson road bike. It's apparently constructed of titanium melted down from post-soviet nuclear weapons. Kewl!

  Nipple rash is a problem on the road. So Jim decides heavy duty 3m tape is the answer to his woes. Just remember, that may leave a mark...

  How did life survive before Porta-Jon's?

  Posted by Picasa No flats yet! (L-R) Jack, Jim, and Barney check out the tires at one of our first rest stops.

  I don't think that little number will fit you Barney.

  Jack and Chris moving on down the road.

  Posted by Picasa Barney in the wind.

  We made it to Darlington just after 1300 hrs. SWEET!

  Jim and Barney.

  Posted by Picasa Barney and Marc. Can you tell we're happy to be done for the day?

  (L-R lower) Tim, Barney, Marc (upper)Chris, Jim, and Jack. Great job today boys!

  What's this? The Corona man enjoying Bud Light? What's up with that?

  Posted by Picasa Barney makes friends. Actually the guys sunglasses with the built in mp3 player was the attraction.

  Chris trying not to be embarrassed by the antics of Jim and Jim. The water in the pool was COLD!

  Relaxing by the pool after a great day of riding.

Sunday- Avast Me Hearties, The Beach is Calling Us!

  Posted by Picasa The start comes early on Sunday. We leave in the 20+ mph group and are in the second wave. Not bad.

  Chris, Jim, and Barney at our first rest stop. Lunch is next!

  Enjoying lunch under a huge shade tree. Nice!

  Posted by Picasa My bike-carbon frame and oh so smooth.

  The group shot at the last rest stop. The headwind wasn't bad along Highway 9 this year which made the paceline scream down the road.

Finish Line Antics

  Posted by Picasa Donna greets Jim at the finish. We made it!

  Amy greets Barney at the finish.

  Group shot!

  Chris did an excellent job this year. He's strong for a 13 year old! Way to go!(L-R) Bruce, Chris, and Judy.

  Posted by Picasa le Machine Team- Jim and Lori. They kicked arse this year. Unbelievable!

  Duh, can I have more champagne please?

  Munchies!

  Posted by Picasa Remnants of the after ride party. You would have thought we were in France by all the flowing champagne.

  Thanks Matt Marshall for another great ride!!

Condo After Party!!

  Donna and Jim on the ocean front balcony at the scream team condo

  Posted by Picasa Thumbs up!

Well, that's the report from this years MS 150 Bike ride. Everyone had a great time as you can see. I never laughed so hard in all my life. It will definitely be hard to beat next year- but you know we'll try. Thanks for the good time guys.

Special thanks to Donna, Bruce, Judy, Jim H, and Lori for all the support. We could not have done it without you..........

Oh by the way, Jack never had a flat! YIIPPPEEEE!!!!!