Random Thoughts of a Texas Lawyer http://attorneyguss.com/blog1/ Stewart Guss' musings about legal matters and lots more. en Copyright 2008 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:49:07 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.2ysb5-20051201 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Longest Ride Ever! Okay, as most of you know, I am trying to become more serious about my cycling and will be riding in the MS-150 (180 mile race from Houston to Austin) next spring with some friends.
 
 
In my effort to expand my training, I've been looking forward to an opportunity to increase my riding distance and that opportunity came yesterday.  In my longest ride ever, I rode round trip from Zube Park in northwest Houston out to Chappell Hill, Texas and back.  With a bit of exploration in Hempstead and Chappell Hill, my total ride was 62 miles!
 


And here is a picture of my route:
 

 
 
 
A couple of things I learned on this ride yesterday:
 
 
1)  For distance riding, comfort is an important thing.  I would venture to say, as long as you are in decent shape to begin with, comfort is THE important thing.  You MUST get a comfortable well built bike (and comfort does NOT mean "cushy"), make sure to have it fit to you PERFECTLY, and invest in a high quality saddle and high quality bike shorts.  Make sure all your accessories are built for comfort as well.  I've got a great contact at a bike shop if you are in the Houston area!
 
 
2)  (Some) dogs suck!  Apparently a person on a bike is nothing but a very challenging and exciting potential chew toy for some dogs!  Tell you what though, there is NOTHING like a charging dog coming up the rear to get you to practice your "sprinting" skills!
 
 
3)  Just how many freakin' armadillos do we have in this state?  If there are as many alive as I saw dead yesterday, we are about to be overrun!!!
 
 
If you build up to it, train properly and do everything the smart way, this is the type of training level just about anyone can achieve.  This was a great ride, with great weather, and was a HELL of a great way to spend a Sunday morning.  It didn't wipe me out (as I was afraid it might have).  Rather, I came home and spent the rest of the day with friends and family.  Now, when I put my head on the pillow yesterday night at 10pm, I COMPLETELY passed out, but it was a great way to insure a good nights sleep!
 
 
So listen, anytime any of you want to ride with me, just let me know...!

]]> http://attorneyguss.com/blog1/2008/08/longest_ride_ever.html http://attorneyguss.com/blog1/2008/08/longest_ride_ever.html Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:49:07 -0600 Cycling I had a nice ride this morning.  Started at Zube park in Northwest Houston and rode all the way out to Hempstead and then south toward Belville.  If anyone has ever thought about taking up cycling for exercise, I would highly recommend it!  A few years ago I started riding just three or four miles at a time on a very upright hybrid "comfort bike."  Now I'm riding a much lighter bike doing 30 to 40 miles at a time.  Especially if you are in the "over 40" crowd, this is a great way to stay in shape and is MUCH easier on the joints than jogging.

I'm thinking about joining the Northwest Cycle Club.  Better to ride in packs, I think, than solo.  If anyone is curious, their website is here:

http://www.northwestcyclingclub.com/

]]> http://attorneyguss.com/blog1/2008/07/cycling.html http://attorneyguss.com/blog1/2008/07/cycling.html Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:21:10 -0600 Great wine bar in Cypress! My wife and I have recently discovered a GREAT new wine bar in Cypress.  The place is called Cork Café.  Apparently, its been around over a year, but we've only discovered it recently.  I met the owner - nice guy.  REALLY young (made me feel old!)  The guy knows and loves his wine though!  They have regular tastings and specials and their prices (especially bottle prices) are very reasonable.  Decor is very stylish but also very comfortable.  You can order food from a restaurant next door (I wish they had more "tapas" style food on their own menu, but they have limited space in the rear.)  They are located off of 290 near the Spring Cypress exit.  Check this place out when you have time, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

 www.corkcafe.com

]]> http://attorneyguss.com/blog1/2008/07/great_wine_bar_in_cypress.html http://attorneyguss.com/blog1/2008/07/great_wine_bar_in_cypress.html Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:50:26 -0600 Well WE knew it all along! Those of us already living in Houston know just how wonderful this city can be.  But hey, check this out, Kiplinger ranked Houston the number one city in which to live!

 http://kiplinger.com/features/archives/2008/05/2008-best-city-houston.html

]]> http://attorneyguss.com/blog1/2008/06/well_we_knew_it_all_along.html http://attorneyguss.com/blog1/2008/06/well_we_knew_it_all_along.html Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:53:11 -0600 Hit and Run... I'm really disturbed by the hit and run which occurred in Hartford, Connecticut this week.  I'm sure things like this have happened many times before, but the closed circuit cameras in place have brought this matter to national media attention.

Of course, the hit and run itself was disturbing enough, but it was the aftermath that really shocked me.  Busy downtown street, middle of the day, and NO one stops to help this old man who had just been run down in the street.  What is wrong with us?  Why didn't anyone help?  What would you have done in this situation?  Of course it's shocking to see something like this happen in front of you, but how people can see it and then keep on walking by is completely beyond me.

]]> http://attorneyguss.com/blog1/2008/06/hit_and_run.html http://attorneyguss.com/blog1/2008/06/hit_and_run.html Sat, 07 Jun 2008 06:17:49 -0600 Stay Tuned... This is all new to me, but should be fun.  Stay tuned, as I'm in the process of thinking of something fun and interesting for my first post!

 

Well, actually, my second post, I guess...   Smile

]]> http://attorneyguss.com/blog1/2008/06/stay_tuned.html http://attorneyguss.com/blog1/2008/06/stay_tuned.html Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:06:29 -0600