Long ride 2013

Checklist
      1- ride my age ✔
      2- let's double it ✔
    3- develop a new found respect for the power of the wind. DOUBLE CHECK!
  4- not being able to sit comfortably the next day. Priceless.

Time: 7:26:28 Moving Time: 6:10:08 Elapsed Time: 7:26:28 Avg Speed: 9.4 mph Avg Moving Speed: 11.4 mph Max Speed: 34.5 mph

Long ride 2013

There is one thing we all can agree with and that is we all want to be a kid on a bike. Most of us have experienced this when we were younger. Our parents probably bought us that nice, fancy bike that we loved. We eventually took the training wheels off and experienced the freedom that comes with riding. I smile when I think of the thrill of riding for the first time without those extra wheels on. That smile gets even bigger remembering the experience of going mountain biking for the first time. Not being able to walk back to the car after that first ride is surely something I will never forget.
My riding has changed over the years and I know it will continue to change as time goes on. One thing that won't change is the riding itself. Whenever I go for a ride everything else doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is to just keep spinning. I plan to keep spinning as long as I can because there is so much you can learn from a simple bike ride.
The most important thing I have learned is to look where you want to go. If you focus on that rock on the trail you will probably hit that rock. This is really a life lesson in itself. We need to not get distracted with all the obstacles in life and just focus on the good things and try and help others avoid the rocks and pits as well.
I learn things on every ride cause every ride is different. Weather, the course, or your own mental attitude at the time can greatly affect the ride. You can't really change the weather and sometimes the course is laid out. The thing you can change is how you view things. Instead of cursing at that big hill you can view it as a challenge and embrace it. The effort and attitude you give far outweighs the difficulty. When you really apply yourself to anything no matter how hard you will enjoy it. As long as you have the right frame of mind you can accomplish anything no matter how daunting.
Over the years my frame of mind has had it's ups and downs just like any bike ride. I will continue to strive to have an upbeat, positive, and motivational attitude as I travel along. That all being said I have my yearly long ride tomorrow. Instead of having a lofty goal (which I usually do) I just want to ride. I still like the century mark but knowing I haven't been on e bike in a while I'm going to try and not push it. I really am my own worst enemy when it comes to goal setting. If anything interesting happens I'll write a follow up.
One final thing. It is important to know your bike because when you ride a bike it becomes an extension of you. Here's my extension.
Aluminum nashbar Reken 20''
Wtb rocket seat
SRAM X 9 front derailleur
SRAM X 7 rear derailleur
SRAM X 7 rear shifter
Shimano front shifter???
Forte city st 26X1.5 tires
Wtb FX28 Aluminum alloy 28mm wide rims
Race face evolve DH crank
Vuelta third front chain ring
Crank bros pedals
Chris King headset
Titec seat post
Truvativ stylo stem
Shimano deore XT tire (front hub)
Hayes mechanical disk brakes front and rear
Manitou black front suspension w/ lockout
Spanx royala 50 handlebar
Avid brake levers
Needless to say she's a Frankenstein. :)

Zombies 2013

It's surprising, no matter which direction you go in life there is always someone there to put you down and keep you from following your current path. I've heard the term, "energy vampires" but considering the current trend in entertainment today I prefer, "blood-sucking zombies." These "people" will never be happy no matter what and there whole existence is to take as many people down with them as possible. (Sounds familiar to something else). The best way to deal with these people is not to let them get to you. Set up your internal shields and every negative, energy draining attack will simply bounce off you and they will fail in accomplishing there goal.
One question is, "How do I keep put up my internal shield?" I've thought about this a bit. My answer is, in the same way a literal shield can be weakened and of need of repair. Our internal one needs to be repaired and strengthened on a regular basis.
In every video game I have ever played I always hated using my shield. If I was given the choice I would much rather just be on the offensive rather then the defensive. Being on the defensive requires skill and more focus than just button mashing and attacking. Same way with regards internal battles thinking before speaking was never a strong suit of mine. It's much easier to just start button mashing and attacking someone verbally when they attack you. The truly smart individual will be tactful and use the shield. He will respond kindly, not lashing back. Therefore, rendering the blood-sucking zombies attacks ineffective. Kill them with kindness as the saying goes. Like anything else developing and using your own internal shield takes time.

So in the words of the current entertainment culture. Think positive, shield yourself and kill zombies.
-Barton-

december 2012

As a child we have all played games. It actually was our whole existence, that and eat candy. We went to school, got through the day and looked forward to our play time after. I remember some of the games we created. Hunt, being a game where someone would put a blanket over them and crawl around trying to find everyone else in the room, probably not the safest game. This play progression is important as we grow and life brings about changes.
One form of play that I rediscovered a couple years back is the play involved in swimming. I recently got done with a swim workout and was resting on the edge when an older gentleman reached the wall in the lane next to me. He asked what swim team I was on and I was a bit taken back. He then commented positively on my stroke which I thought was weird because I feel like I'm barely staying above the water at times. That quick little interaction with that man made my month. I looked on as he continued his swim and tried picturing myself not his age but rather having his consistency and encouraging mindset. I use swimming as relaxation training most of the time. I do however use it to release anger and tension on occasions. These sessions usually involve a lot of caffeine and probably resemble a shark attacking a swimmer with all the splashing and thrashing. Sometimes the negativity and low blood sugar hits me like a shark attack and I just give up and get out of the pool. This lone stranger’s positive encouragement will hopefully help me to do the same for others. I often forget how a simple compliment can make a person’s day.
One compliment a day sounds like a good start. You can always find something to compliment someone on. I usually go with the shoes thanks to my love of running. It has to be genuine of course. I have to really like what I'm complimenting others on. I'm not very good at lying. I guess that's a good thing.
The older swimmer renewed my confidence for the day and got me thinking of confidence vs. being humble. My motto is to show Over-confidence. Being humble is what you really want to be. But sometimes being humble may seem like a weakness. It really is not but it is your perception that influences your outward display. You don’t want to seem weak to others and displaying humility is perceived by many to be just that. There is a trick to being humble. By over-confidencing (new word) yourself being humble will be easier because you won’t care what others think about you. You mind is a beautiful thing, use it for good by developing the right mindset. Having and developing this view of humility takes time to develop and in this instant gratification society and climate it can be a challenge developing the quality. Training your mind is just like training your body. You can’t go to the gym once and come out looking like a body builder. Developing and maintaining a new personality or quality takes time and training. The improvements seem to take forever to develop, especially if you are accustomed to the training. So keeping in mind that this is a lifestyle and not just a onetime lesson is needed. Learning to focus and stay on task is difficult and avoiding obstacles and pitfalls is not always possible. That’s why confidence and consistency is the key. So be “over-confident” and be humble. It’s never too late to change for the better.

Be a flower

There are so many types of flowers in existance. Some are more vibrant were as others are more unique and rare. The point is that they are all different in there own special way. We are similar to flowers in that we are all different. Just like flowers we also can bloom and show our best colors. Some will be more vibrant cause of the 'soil' or environment that they grew up in. We cant choose where our seed happened to fall and plant itself, just like we cant choose are parents or siblings. We can however choose to bloom. We can do our best with what we have been given and make the best out of our particular situation and circumstances. I usually surprise myself sometimes when I overcome something I didn't think I could. Its important to not give up on our goals. Even if we never fully accomplish them the important part is we are following the path. In continuing the pursuit of positive goals I try and cultivate the environment and make a positive atmosphere florish in every place I go. Doesn't always work but i try. Just like flowers we cant be blooming at all times so we need to accept how we are for the time being and work at making changes so we can bloom once again. Stay blooming my friends.
-Barton-

Train Wreck

So it is possible to come out somewhat unscathed from a train wreck. I say this because I finished the Hamptons marathon for thethird time but this time I was fully unprepared in my training expecting the worst for this race. Running the least amount I have ever run ever and my long run being a measly 16 mile run on saturday I was bracing myself for the crash. Surprisingly this turned out to be one of my most memorable races to date.
I think I slept between the hours of 11 pm to 12 pm and then again around 3:30 am to 4:30 am when I was woken up by what sounded like to me was the banging of pots like it was New Year's Eve in my parents kitchen. It was really only my parents getting ready for a day in the Hamptons and also being my taxi. (Note to self: don't mix white wine and whiskey before trying to fall asleep before a marathon. Not the best pre race strategy for getting a restful nights sleep.) So after feeding cadence we all were out the door off to the Hamptons, after a 7-11 run of course.
The plan was for my parents to drop me off and meet me in 5 hours, which is how long I figured it would take me due to my lack of training. I went through the usual race morning routing; wandering around aimlessly, frequent porter potty trips (if your a guy like me its the nearest bush.), and constantly looking at everyones shoes.
The race started with a loud shout of applause from the athletes sharply at 8 A.M. I started the race not really talking to anyone, on my own and in my own world until the 6 mile mark. Right after the marathoners split from the half marathoners I came into conversation with a fellow marathoner named Chuck.
I think I owe this marathon victory of mine to him as we as Adam who joined are little pack around the 10 mile mark. The three of us stayed together on and off talking, encouraging and laughing until the 25 mile mark. I always like to finish strong and push it at the end so I did what I had to. It was really motivating and comforting talking to someone who you know is going through the exact same thing you are going through. A lot of people say, " I know exactly what your going through." They then go about an relate an experience that is similar to the one you told them. But running a marathon is a little different. Being in that same moment of running we are experiencing the same act, simply putting one step in front of the other for 26.2 miles. I don't know what would have happened if I didn't run into (no pun intended) Chuck and Adam but this race really showed me the power of the mind as well as how encouragement from others can really help during the tough times to accomplish a goal. My mind has not been the greatest source of encouragement lately so it was a nice ego boast to make it to the finish line.
After completing the marathon (4:00.36) my parents were there as I turned into a zombie like I usually do after such an event. It's not your normal lack of sleep zombie,which I was. It's the kind of zombie high on endorphins that usually lasts the rest of the day and sometimes most of the night. So in the zombie world it's a zombie that just escaped for the insane asylum. So after a downed a zico and got some life back in me a congratulated chuck and met up with my parents. To date the best recovery fuel after a marathon is still hot chocolate. A long with the blueberry muffin I had with it I was in heaven. Who needs beer. I actually am drinking the special brew I always have in the fridge at home that can't be opened until after the race. Took me a week to get to it but well worth the endeavor.
I consider the race and day as a success, a great memory that goes by way to fast. One thing I will always remember about this particular race is the feeling of getting up and trying to walk after sitting for a while. Needless to say I went to a microbrewery with some friends later on that night. After conversing at length I was having the urge and it was going to be nice to use actual facilities instead of bushes for a change. My body really told me that I should have trained more. When I finally reached the table again I just stood for the remainder of the night.
Next stop is the New York City marathon (left foot allowing) on Sunday November 4, 2012. I am definitely more prepared after this race and will hopefully run into chuck around mile 6 again.
"I ❤ zombies"
-Barton

Shiraz 2012

Being a wine lover I really like a analyze the wine I am drinking. Call me a wine snob if you will. I would take that as a compliment since I am not that good at analyzing the different aromas, tastes and finishes of the different wines. It's fun to try and I love learning new things. So this month I decided to research about the Shiraz varietal and here is what I learned:
Shiraz is a dark-skinned hearty, spicy red wine that has a smooth and supple texture with smooth tannins. It is a Syrah grape that is grown in Australia. Meaning that Shiraz and Syrah are genetically identical but being from different areas are stylistically different. In Australia Shiraz is most notably grown in the Barossa valley where you have the renowned penfolds grange.
Shiraz = Syrahy

Appearance:
Ruby red - inky purple
Full bodied
Flavor's:
Bright fruit flavor characteristically: blueberries, black currants, black cherries.
other possible flavor's: raspberry, boysenberry, blackberry, plum, prune, raisin,
Fig, leather, mushroom, cinnamon, clove, allspice,
Pepper.

Secondary notes: milk or dark chocolate
Often: pepper and spicy inflections
It's the secondary characteristics that led to the full bodied texture of the wine.
In the 1990's and the early 2000's Shiraz was characterized by there super ripe taste. This was criticized as being rich and bold by some and lacking subtlety by other critics. Between 2000 and 2001 the complexity of the grape started to gain ground toward the more elegant spicy styles of the Syrah in northern Rhone.
Some good blends are also popular with this varietal. Shiraz and also Syrah are often blended with Grenache and Mourvèdre to make a meritage called GSM.
Shiraz => dark chocolate and cassis
Grenache => plummy richness
Mourvèdre => earthy, game tasting strength
The three combined offer a rich, opulent (wealthy, richly abundant) style often better than if each was drank by themselves. It's always better to drink with friends. 😺
A unique blend: Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon represents a good size portion of Australian red blends.
Another major blend: Shiraz and Viognier which has a taste similar to wines of Cote Rotie. These wines can get a pretty penny in some cases.
The term Shiraz has become so popular that some countries where it should be lableled Syrah, label it Shiraz instead.
Some points of note:
Popular Blends: Shiraz-Viognier
Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz
GSM
Synonyms: Syrah, Hermitage, Scyras
Related grape varieties: Durif/Petit Sirah
Food and Wine Match: Beef Wellington, Steaks, Barbeque, Spiced Venison,
Grilled veal chops with sage, Malay Lamb
Lentil soup with smoked ham hock
Peruvian stuffed pepper, mushroom and eggplant FILO
And whatever Gruyere is... Found out that it is a type of cheese. Thanks dad.

To good wine by an autumn fire.
-Barton-

Resources:
www.wine-searcher.com/grape-1112-shiraz
http://www.wineinfo.com/wine_varietals.php?varID=22