No, It’s Not You – Modern Radio Blows via The Reformed Broker
The Reformed Broker
via No, It’s Not You – Modern Radio Blows via The Reformed Broker.
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Secrecy defines Obama’s drone war – The Washington Post
Secrecy defines Obama’s drone war – The Washington Post.
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Will the real one percent please stand up: How much should your bike cost? via Fast Eddys Flandria Cafe
Fast Eddys Flandria Cafe
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The War Nerd: Who Won Iraq? Answer: Anyone Who Stayed Out (via THE EXILED – MANKIND’S ONLY ALTERNATIVE)
THE EXILED – MANKIND’S ONLY ALTERNATIVE
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Cross legs or Mudfeets (Whirlybird Cross.)
Another week, another decent result… started in the 6th row out of 125 total entrants. Started fast, moved into the top 10 and was cruising relatively well when… a guy dumped in front of me during a run-up, I whacked him with my bike and dumped my chain.
Lost about 20-30 seconds getting it back on (I couldn’t shift it back onto the small ring) and managed to pick off a few more people and hold my own against more chasers, and finished 21st. I’d be happier with closer to top 10, but I can’t argue. Muddy, GRASSY day, Gloucester next week!
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Nittany Lion Cyclocross 2011, aftermath.
First race of the season, survived it!
Placed 76th in my first Nittany Lion in ’09, 33rd last year… and this year managed 16th even though I had a terrible starting grid position (8th row) and rolled a rear tubular on the last lap. Finished the race on a half-glued wheel which kept coming off, and even managed to pass someone right before the line. Very satisfying.
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idle.
I’ve been shamefully idle into adding new posts into this space, having spent more time doing things on my Google Reader than actually making new long-form posts. I think last cross season actually took a lot out of me, both physically and creatively.
While I am looking forward to getting back into racing again this fall — and I’ve been training fairly rigorously all year for my first potential season as a Masters racer (aiee), I will admit to not feeling a huge compunction towards sharing here, what with so many outlets available now (Twitter, FB, Google+, etc etc etc…) to blather out into the world.
I’ve actually had a great summer of riding, spending some good time out at Blue Mountain in Peekskill, NY mountain biking, as well as a decent amount of road and plain ol’ commuting. The weather, while hot of late, has not been too brutal to make things less fun.
I’m planning, at this point, of making D2R2 in August as my big accomplishment for the year outside of racing, and probably going ahead and heading to Iowa for RAGBRAI once again next summer (as while it was difficult and at times unpleasant, I have tons of fond memories and would love the experience again.) We’ll see what racing season brings, but the schedule I’m mentally building includes Gloucester, MA (where I flatted twice and finished 96th last year), Granogue, DE (missed it), Nittany Lion CX in Trexlertown, PA (one of my best races of the season), Staten Island CX and Beacon Cross (Bridgeton, NJ — 18th!) I filled in with some local races last year — two on Long Island, one out near Bear Mountain. I’d like to cover 10 races this season, but time (as always) is hard to plan. More will come as the season gets closer… but I’m ready.
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smoked duck and shallot risotto
Way too long since my last post, but a bit of delicious cookery…
Soak 2oz of dried mushrooms (I used golden chanterelles and porcini) in warm water for 15 mins. Strain and reserve the water.
Remove both breasts from whole smoked duck, then remove fat/skin layer from breasts. Cube half of the duck breast, and shred the remainder.
Cube and render fat on medium heat until fully melted. Strain and remove solids, reserve the fat.
In a large pot, brown 6 finely diced shallots in duck fat, then add cubed duck meat and brown as well. When reasonably browned, add 2 cloves crushed garlic and 2lbs of arborio rice. Turn rice well until slightly browned. Add 2c dry white wine and the reserved mushroom water, stirring until absorbed. Then add 64oz chicken stock in small batches (I took about 10-15oz per pour) and stir until absorbed. The whole process of adding the stock to the rice should take about 20-24 mins on medium heat.
Once the rice has fully absorbed the liquids and has cooked al dente, add 2c freshly grated parmesan and 4tbsp good butter. Mix well, add salt/pepper as necessary to properly adjust seasoning.
Serve with chopped Italian parsley and the reserved shredded duck breast as garnish.
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Hudson Valley Cyclocross, the aftermath.
Last Sunday was my last race for 2010, and it was tough to say the least.
The race was held in Wappingers Falls, NY, about 70mi north of the City, on a day that started in the low 40s with absolutely driving rain. The rain continued solidly throughout both races, and the course was an absolute mud bog.
This was my first time riding seriously in mud, and I was direly unprepared for the difficulty of slogging through the stuff. The first race I kept my tire pressure way too high, and couldn’t corner for the life of me. The second race I was basically hypothermic (I didn’t have a full change of dry clothes) and suffered greatly… but I could corner that time around!
Either way, I met my goals for the season — a couple top 25% finishes, a top 20 overall in a larger race, and 9 total races for the season. I can’t wait til next year, when I’ll have even more training under my belt. Til next year!
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StatenCX 3.0
Dry, dusty day for the 4′s… beautiful weather for mid-November, though. I started in the 4th row and ended up finishing 22nd out of 103 starters. I’m overall happy with the results, though I suspect I need to do more on-the-bike training rather than the limited amount + gym time I’m doing now for endurance’s sake. Every race is a learning experience.
One fun part of the afternoon was that a group of folks from BelgiumBike were there showing off their custom program for BioRacer jersies — one of which I happen to be wearing in the photo. One of the two guys was apparently lived in the same town as one of the sponsors for the jersey I was wearing — it turns out the team is actually one of the oldest cycling clubs in Belgium, from Antwerp. Small world.
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