Gack...

After about a week off the bike thanks to a crapulent sinus infection (hot riding sections of the Tacchino during course setup doesn't count as a ride) I got the legs moving with a bit of trainer time this evening. Was that really over 90 minutes? Yeah, I guess so.

I still feel pretty nasty, still have a piercing pain in the sinuses, and still feel like ten pounds of poo in a five pound sack. But at least I got a ride in, right?

Sorta. Guess it was pretty lame, as rides go. But the trainer is what it is - a substitute for a real ride, a bit of sweaty aspartame to sweeten up the bitter reality of not having the time to get in a real ride today.

It's been busy. Got some S.G.O. - maybe getting a new car or possibly just a new engine and catalytic converter for Sainted Wife's car, got going replacing some bank cards and a truck window, picked up a new driver's licenses and all that. The turkey is thawing in the laundry tub and I'm wondering what kind of rub it'll be this year, the sourdough loaf is ready to bake, RouleurMom is upstairs racked out after the kid wore her out playing with blocks... and maybe I'll be able to sneak out and get a little ride in with the family tomorrow, then hit the Thursday morning Patapsco ride. After yesterday's roller coaster I'm grateful for the good things I have going on in my life, grateful for the generally easy lifestyle I enjoy compared to most of mankind thorughout most of history, and I'm not going to complain any more about yesterday's succession of stiff kicks in the ass. God gives us a lot - or just plain life or the universe if you don't believe in that - and Thanksgiving is a good time to remember what we have.

Now here's my gift to you - links to a sick sale on the Leatherman tools at Amazon. I love having a Leatherman around; I can't think of a tool I'd rather have in my camelback on a long MTB ride. After the tail pack under the seat, my Leatherman is the next tool in. It's versatile, has good quality cutting blades on it, and is just the ticket if you need to McGyver your way into or out of trouble. If the Micra isn't your fave, you can go light with the Leatherman Skeletool or go heavy with the Leatherman Survival Tool. A good Leatherman doesn't replace specialty tools for heavy use, but if you need to travel sort of light but still need a durable tool that will git 'er done, these are just the ticket. They make nice gifts too - I say that as somebody who has received a couple of them, as well as having given a few.