Thursday PM

I did the yard last night and worked up a more drenching sweat than on any bike ride for the last year or so. It was around 90 with 110% humidity. Brutal. But I was able to get it done, bagged and set out for yard-waste pick up this AM. Also did some tree-trimming to boot on a scrub tree hanging in from a back yard neighbor.

Enjoyed 4's entry yesterday. She has a gift.

The big story on the wires today is about a positive drug test on Landis from the day last week that he won the big mountain stage. From what I read, it is an unacceptable testosterone level, which may or may not be produced naturally. Say, what? If the guy is guilty, string him up. If the system is flawed, please get it fixed before hanging more innocents out to dry.

On those long stages, you often see riders taking water bottles from by-standers. Usually, they just use those bottles to pour over their heads to cool down. But in the extreme case, a thirsty rider could take a drink out of a tainted bottle. Not saying that that is what happened here, but you can see how easy it is for a guy to take something in without planning to do so.

Personally, I don't think Landis has that sort of manipulation in his make-up.

Craig Wilson's Wednesday column in USA Today was a little relevant to us folks getting old.

Sorry to hear about 1's losing battle with the computer. I've been there. Sounds like 4 has had a variety of those episodes with her laptop this summer too.

Lance is a big hit on RAGBRAI. I've always ridden the more party-oriented part of the ride. That's the segment of people who make it to the little town right before the over-night town and camp out in the local establishments from mid-afternoon till 5 or 6 and then roll in to the over-night town after the rush. You can be away for years, hit those pre-over-night towns and meet up with the same people from years before. It's good to know that certain things are for certain.

And if I haven't said it before (or recently), I consider RAGBRAI a little like Vegas. Three days and two nights are plenty.

We are doing a Criterium promotional thing at SB's 4 weeks from tomorrow. I thought it would be a creative way to get further identified with a very specific local market (Bettendorf/East Davenport SB's customers). But things are now out of control. I had asked a couple other "regulars" to participate, which I thought would be a resonable way to split the costs. They quickly agreed, but then one of them suggested getting a charity angle going and the other turned his marketing person loose. Now we're talking a live radio remote, other publicity, t-shirts and prizes. With all the people involved, all of whom are better known than me, Criterium will be just another line on the sponsor list.

4 is done with summer school tonight. Congrats. I know that it hasn't been the best summer ever, but I think that it has helped build the resume and given you some good experience of living on your own.

I'm going to try to do 15-20 tonight in the heat.

Be careful out there.