This is Alex's video from Adam and Jessica's class.
i can not "embed" this video in my blog for some reason, so you will have to click on the link.
This is my big break! send this to any hollywood producers that you know.
and if all else fails, i am open to bollywood directors...
i guess.
[if it doesnt work, go to you tube and 'search' for "Ascoli Ottobre". It should be the first video.]
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Hardcore Routa Della Fortuna!
Many programs, especially game shows, from many countries have been adapted into Italian.
there is Who Want to be a Millionare, Weakest Link, Survivor, Deal or No Deal and, my personal favorite, Wheel of Fortune (La Ruota Della Fortuna).
On the Italain version of this, Victoria Silvsedt is the letter flipper, the Vanna White.
[And on a side note, her comprehension of italian seems to be on par with mine. The host corrects her pronunciation of the prompt phrases and usually has to repeat banter-type questions to her at least once. ]
One night this week, on the show there was a really nerdy fellow named Niccòla. he had a buzz-cut because he was balding, he had a big 'ol beak of a nose and big black glasses like Drew Carey.
The host first asked Niccòla if he was single, he said "yes" (who couldhave guessed that one).
Then the host asked Victoria if she was single, she said "yes". Then she motioned the growing of her nose like Pinnochio.
The host kept ribbing him about his appearnce but when the subject phrase Una ricetta per far durare l'amore (a recipe too make love stronger) came up, the host jumped all over Niccòla like a fat kid on the last cupcake.
The host asked Niccòla (i think, maybe 80% sure) how longer it had been since he had sex. To which Niccòla responded, "7 months" (could have guessed that one too).
The host then turned to Victoria and asked her the same question, to which she responded that it had also been 7 months. Then she... actually everyone started laughing, and she changed her answer to 7 hours.
Can you imagine Pat Sajack, that weeny little fart licker, saying something like that to Vanna!?
I think not! His comb over would blow off the top of his head and Vanna would fall over!
Alas, no, the Italians are not puritans.
They know how to throw down!
Even on gameshows.
there is Who Want to be a Millionare, Weakest Link, Survivor, Deal or No Deal and, my personal favorite, Wheel of Fortune (La Ruota Della Fortuna).
On the Italain version of this, Victoria Silvsedt is the letter flipper, the Vanna White.
[And on a side note, her comprehension of italian seems to be on par with mine. The host corrects her pronunciation of the prompt phrases and usually has to repeat banter-type questions to her at least once. ]
One night this week, on the show there was a really nerdy fellow named Niccòla. he had a buzz-cut because he was balding, he had a big 'ol beak of a nose and big black glasses like Drew Carey.
The host first asked Niccòla if he was single, he said "yes" (who couldhave guessed that one).
Then the host asked Victoria if she was single, she said "yes". Then she motioned the growing of her nose like Pinnochio.
The host kept ribbing him about his appearnce but when the subject phrase Una ricetta per far durare l'amore (a recipe too make love stronger) came up, the host jumped all over Niccòla like a fat kid on the last cupcake.
The host asked Niccòla (i think, maybe 80% sure) how longer it had been since he had sex. To which Niccòla responded, "7 months" (could have guessed that one too).
The host then turned to Victoria and asked her the same question, to which she responded that it had also been 7 months. Then she... actually everyone started laughing, and she changed her answer to 7 hours.
Can you imagine Pat Sajack, that weeny little fart licker, saying something like that to Vanna!?
I think not! His comb over would blow off the top of his head and Vanna would fall over!
Alas, no, the Italians are not puritans.
They know how to throw down!
Even on gameshows.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
why i hate cycling.
i have the 2009 Garmin-Slipstream team presentation video running in another window.
and let me tell you why i hate cycling...
these guys, not only are they young and handsome and all dolled up for their big show, but these bastards are the top 1% of the net cyclists in the world.
i hate them because they are naturally so much better than me.
i hate them for what they are, not who they are, but what they are.
they are just super-human-wattage-work-horses. those guys have such amazing bio-chem that it sickens me to think what they can do.
screw yous all.
and good luck.
and let me tell you why i hate cycling...
these guys, not only are they young and handsome and all dolled up for their big show, but these bastards are the top 1% of the net cyclists in the world.
i hate them because they are naturally so much better than me.
i hate them for what they are, not who they are, but what they are.
they are just super-human-wattage-work-horses. those guys have such amazing bio-chem that it sickens me to think what they can do.
screw yous all.
and good luck.
Monday, November 24, 2008
a cold ass cold weekend of riding!
All these photos are from Palmiano.
<-- that's Gran Sasso, 50 km away!
man, it was cold here this weekend!
i know, i know... it wasnt as cold here in Ascoli as it was in NH, but still when you dont have important winter riding gear such as neoprene booties and insulated gloves, it seems colder than it actually is. it was 11°C on saturday (in the sun) and 9°C on Sunday (in the sun), WAY colder on the shaded descents.
saturday, i climbed. then i video-taped the descents from half-way-between-Force and Venarotta, the descent from Venarotta to Ascoli, then the funnest part of SS81, the road to Teramo.
it was so clear that day! when i arrived in Palmiano i went in to the Centro (remember the four house rule?) i had an absolutely jaw-dropping view of Parco Monti Sibilini to the west and Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga to the south. it was unbelievable!
i felt bad for once reason; when barb was here, it was humid and visibility was limited so she couldnt see the million mountains that surround this area. Oh yeah, i felt bad for another reason; i was climbing for about 30 minutes straight and had another ten to go after Palmiano.
anyways, since it was so beautiful, i took plenty of pictures.
the filming went well. it took me a while to figure out how and where to fix my camera to my bike or helmet. i finally used those blue utility straps (thank you Aimee) to strap my sweet camera (Cannon Powershot SD870IS, youre welcome Cannon for the plug, you can send that check to my normal billing adress) with a sock between it and my handlebars, in hopes that the sock would dampen the road vibration.
it went well. it was cool. i am glad i will have more than pictures to remember my riding here.
Sunday; i would have rather stayed in bed all day.
but i went out, in the cold, without the right gear. i got to the rotunda after Castel di Lama, where you can decide to stay on the Salaria or go up to Offida. i thought about it; "well, i cant ride to Offida when i get home but i can ride to the beach in NH, so i might as well as go up."
that climb is beautiful and will always be my favorite b.c it was my first ride here (first ride that took me farther out in to the country). it is just specatular b-c you climb up a ridge and just ride it all the way in to Offida.
but overall, i had no motivation to do any pedaling sunday, but ended up with 38 miles.
OH! I havent written about this yet b-c i keep forgetting!
But i accomplished my goal of 1000 miles in Italy on 15 Sunday November 2008! it was on the rollers that day, so it wasnt technically on Italian soil but it was in Italy. then after that, if you want to quibble about it, i got a for-sure-on-the-soil-of-Italy 1000 miles on 18 Wednesday November 2008! then, i thought, "why stop there?", so i went for 5000 miles for the year, on the geared bike.
i got that with my ride on Sunday. so, i suppose you could say that i have accomplished all that i set out to accomplish here in Italy. which is pretty sweet. if it was only warmer.....
i know, i know... it wasnt as cold here in Ascoli as it was in NH, but still when you dont have important winter riding gear such as neoprene booties and insulated gloves, it seems colder than it actually is. it was 11°C on saturday (in the sun) and 9°C on Sunday (in the sun), WAY colder on the shaded descents.
saturday, i climbed. then i video-taped the descents from half-way-between-Force and Venarotta, the descent from Venarotta to Ascoli, then the funnest part of SS81, the road to Teramo.
it was so clear that day! when i arrived in Palmiano i went in to the Centro (remember the four house rule?) i had an absolutely jaw-dropping view of Parco Monti Sibilini to the west and Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga to the south. it was unbelievable!
i felt bad for once reason; when barb was here, it was humid and visibility was limited so she couldnt see the million mountains that surround this area. Oh yeah, i felt bad for another reason; i was climbing for about 30 minutes straight and had another ten to go after Palmiano.
anyways, since it was so beautiful, i took plenty of pictures.
the filming went well. it took me a while to figure out how and where to fix my camera to my bike or helmet. i finally used those blue utility straps (thank you Aimee) to strap my sweet camera (Cannon Powershot SD870IS, youre welcome Cannon for the plug, you can send that check to my normal billing adress) with a sock between it and my handlebars, in hopes that the sock would dampen the road vibration.
it went well. it was cool. i am glad i will have more than pictures to remember my riding here.
Sunday; i would have rather stayed in bed all day.
but i went out, in the cold, without the right gear. i got to the rotunda after Castel di Lama, where you can decide to stay on the Salaria or go up to Offida. i thought about it; "well, i cant ride to Offida when i get home but i can ride to the beach in NH, so i might as well as go up."
that climb is beautiful and will always be my favorite b.c it was my first ride here (first ride that took me farther out in to the country). it is just specatular b-c you climb up a ridge and just ride it all the way in to Offida.
but overall, i had no motivation to do any pedaling sunday, but ended up with 38 miles.
OH! I havent written about this yet b-c i keep forgetting!
But i accomplished my goal of 1000 miles in Italy on 15 Sunday November 2008! it was on the rollers that day, so it wasnt technically on Italian soil but it was in Italy. then after that, if you want to quibble about it, i got a for-sure-on-the-soil-of-Italy 1000 miles on 18 Wednesday November 2008! then, i thought, "why stop there?", so i went for 5000 miles for the year, on the geared bike.
i got that with my ride on Sunday. so, i suppose you could say that i have accomplished all that i set out to accomplish here in Italy. which is pretty sweet. if it was only warmer.....
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
i post too few pictures
The first two photos are of ascoli; one is taken from the foot bridge that connects Fortezza Malatesta to Porta Maggiore; the second is a house on a back street, non-descript, just like so many others around here.
The second group of three are from my Ceppo Ride (see other posts for description of this hellish climb); they are taken after the descent from Ceppo when you start to drop back drop to the level of Valle Castellana; they are looking over the hills of Abruzzo, which are more hilly and less craggy and jagged like Le Marche.
The next two are of goats. yes, goats. i rode through a pack of goats on the climb up to Ceppo.
The final three are of Guilianova. they were taken from the Guilianova Alta, where the Centro is, because down by the beach it looks like Hampton Beach and SanBennedettoDel Tronto.
here are fotos that i have taken recently but hevent posted.
camera use has become less frequent b-c... well there's no good reason.
the only thing i can think of, and this is rather sad but, alot of the beauty around here has faded into the background for me.
also, when you are on a climb, taking a beating from the rugged, hill country that is Le Marche, you dont usually want to stop and snap photos, in essence taking longer to make a 25 - 45 km climb.
but any ways, these are some of the most recent rides that i've done. which are not many.
ive been off the bike for about ten days and am sure that Mercoledì Mondiale will dish out an ass-kicking and a half today.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
foreign language.
i only have about 30 minutes before Dianna kicks me out of school, so i will try to organize my thoughts correctly the first time.
learning a foreign language is really strange. alex and i joked about it once and the truth that lies within our fairly rude statements hold more truth than you might think.
we were kidding around one night about how we were growing weary of fighting the language barrier. there are momments of great personal success and there are momments that crush your spirit.
we said something to the effect of, "its almost like youre speaking a real language, only weirder." this probably doesnt make sense to you. we were saying that Italian is like a language that twins teach eachother; the two of them know what they are saying but no one else does.
alex and i - actually anyone that goes to a foreign country to learn a language - are that "someone else".
i spend all my time making nioses that have equivalent meanings to an entire race of other people. all the time when i go out, i have to make strange noises -horribly pronounced and often corrected- noises that other people understand and can reproduce with infinitely greater esae than me. all the time i make noise that people understand. i have no choice but to make sounds that means the same thing in english.
would you like to try this? i think this might be fun for you.
next time you go out, anywhere -to dinner, to a friend's house or if you encounter a friend on the street or ask for directions- just start making sounds. not words that will have any specific meaning to the person you are trying to communicate with, just sounds.
maybe words out of order or perhaps primordial grunts and gestures; anything besides words that the other person would or could possibly understand.
welcome to the world of the exchange student.
learning a foreign language is really strange. alex and i joked about it once and the truth that lies within our fairly rude statements hold more truth than you might think.
we were kidding around one night about how we were growing weary of fighting the language barrier. there are momments of great personal success and there are momments that crush your spirit.
we said something to the effect of, "its almost like youre speaking a real language, only weirder." this probably doesnt make sense to you. we were saying that Italian is like a language that twins teach eachother; the two of them know what they are saying but no one else does.
alex and i - actually anyone that goes to a foreign country to learn a language - are that "someone else".
i spend all my time making nioses that have equivalent meanings to an entire race of other people. all the time when i go out, i have to make strange noises -horribly pronounced and often corrected- noises that other people understand and can reproduce with infinitely greater esae than me. all the time i make noise that people understand. i have no choice but to make sounds that means the same thing in english.
would you like to try this? i think this might be fun for you.
next time you go out, anywhere -to dinner, to a friend's house or if you encounter a friend on the street or ask for directions- just start making sounds. not words that will have any specific meaning to the person you are trying to communicate with, just sounds.
maybe words out of order or perhaps primordial grunts and gestures; anything besides words that the other person would or could possibly understand.
welcome to the world of the exchange student.
The Simpsons strike again!
this confirms that The Simpsons are the once and future best show in the world!!!!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Discovery Plus aka ass-volcano
this is the best Italy has to offer!
this is Discovery Plus by Amerika Star (plus is pronounced "ploos")
this is the infomercial that runs all the time.
scroll down to the bottom of this linked page in order to watch the abridged version of the infomerical.
it's not that i only like this product for it's obvious ass-shaking abilities.
it's not that i only like this infomercial for the models with matching tribal arm band tattoos.
it's not that i only like this infomercial b-c the women that recieve the free, in-home, risk-free demonstration is from Ascoli (her name and town are displayed on-screen in the t.v. version).
i like this infomerical b-c it shows that consumer stupidity is a worldwide phenomenon!
god bless the consumer economy!
this is Discovery Plus by Amerika Star (plus is pronounced "ploos")
this is the infomercial that runs all the time.
scroll down to the bottom of this linked page in order to watch the abridged version of the infomerical.
it's not that i only like this product for it's obvious ass-shaking abilities.
it's not that i only like this infomercial for the models with matching tribal arm band tattoos.
it's not that i only like this infomercial b-c the women that recieve the free, in-home, risk-free demonstration is from Ascoli (her name and town are displayed on-screen in the t.v. version).
i like this infomerical b-c it shows that consumer stupidity is a worldwide phenomenon!
god bless the consumer economy!
hung out to dry in the rain
this weekends had its ups and downs.
first the good stuff;
i rode rollers for the first time. but wait, that's not the best part.
i didnt fall off once!
HAH! take that physics, you pansy! i defied you!
second, Alex, cameron and I had a lovely saturday night dinner with Manlio, Marco, Fabio, Rico and Paolo. Manlio invited us (the unh group) to have dinner with his friends and we all accepted, through Alex; he was the point man in this one.
Manlio is a local fellow, that heard that there was American students in Ascoli and wanted to practice his english. at lunch with alex last thursday, he extended this invitation to us.
we had spaghetti, sausages and pork chops. the meat was cooked in the fireplace and was simple but delicious! when the sausage was cooking, it smelled just like a summertime barbeque!
then, for 'dessert', we had roasted chestnuts. we, the americans, had never eaten these, so it was quite a treat. however it was a total shock for our hosts, to hear that we had never eaten them before.
interesting fact: chesnuts, in antiquity, were called the flour of the poor because that was the main staple of the lower class diet in the ascoli area. neat, huh?
Our italian friends were eager to talk to us about what we liked; food, politics, movies, girls, more food, etc. they were also very curious about american history, our thoughts about american diversity, our university system and how we pay for it (for years on end...) [this was hard to explain and even harder for them to understand].
they were even curious about the finer point of our language, which was fun to explain and listen to them try to pronounce. "Che é la differenza fra putana e spiaggia?" (figure it out on your own.)
like always, i was the official translator and talked the most. alex was quiet, and answered things when he was directly addressed. Cameron did really well, for only having 2.5 months of italian lessons in his entire life. he used the words and congugations that he knew, which i thought was really great.
by the time the conversation, the wine and the chesnut were finished it was 1:30 am!
it was a great night.
now for the stuff that pissed me off. okay, the one thing:
i have lost alot of faith in american college students.
as i mentioned, alex was the point man for our dinner with Manlio.
everybody (accept for benb-c he was in finland) agreed go to the dinner party.
then at the last minute -by last minute i mean, as Marco arrived and introduced himself, as we were all standing in the rain- they all decided not to go.
they couldnt seem to see acouple of different things: we were in a group of seven, wildebeasts understand this theory, why can't college students figure it out, didnt you clowns sitt through all those boring SHARRP presentations?; italians by nature are a hospitable race, they like to entertain and extend courtesy; Dianna, more or less, 'interviewed' Manlio, when he came in to the office she talked with him in order to ascertain his intentions; this was a good experience to meet some locals.
the list could go on and on. but mostly, alex, cameron and i looked like sacchi di figura di merda b-c the other clowns bailed on us. i said this to Marco -i even used that exact phrase which got a laugh out of him (i guess it was a good start for me)- and he said it was nothing, that it wasnt a problem but still i felt like an ass. i was very dissapointed that people, particularly college students, a group of people thought to be the most liberal, carefree, adventurous demographic, could be this cowardly!
if anyone going abroad reads this (i know who you are), i have a piece of advice for you;
don't hang out with UNH kids. dont do it. make friends, spend time with italians. spend time with anyone but UNH kids. you can hang out with them when you get back to campus. youre not here to hang out with your roommates. meet people, meet italians or go home.
or they might hang you out to dry like i have described.
to quote ryan carney; "shit's weak".
first the good stuff;
i rode rollers for the first time. but wait, that's not the best part.
i didnt fall off once!
HAH! take that physics, you pansy! i defied you!
second, Alex, cameron and I had a lovely saturday night dinner with Manlio, Marco, Fabio, Rico and Paolo. Manlio invited us (the unh group) to have dinner with his friends and we all accepted, through Alex; he was the point man in this one.
Manlio is a local fellow, that heard that there was American students in Ascoli and wanted to practice his english. at lunch with alex last thursday, he extended this invitation to us.
we had spaghetti, sausages and pork chops. the meat was cooked in the fireplace and was simple but delicious! when the sausage was cooking, it smelled just like a summertime barbeque!
then, for 'dessert', we had roasted chestnuts. we, the americans, had never eaten these, so it was quite a treat. however it was a total shock for our hosts, to hear that we had never eaten them before.
interesting fact: chesnuts, in antiquity, were called the flour of the poor because that was the main staple of the lower class diet in the ascoli area. neat, huh?
Our italian friends were eager to talk to us about what we liked; food, politics, movies, girls, more food, etc. they were also very curious about american history, our thoughts about american diversity, our university system and how we pay for it (for years on end...) [this was hard to explain and even harder for them to understand].
they were even curious about the finer point of our language, which was fun to explain and listen to them try to pronounce. "Che é la differenza fra putana e spiaggia?" (figure it out on your own.)
like always, i was the official translator and talked the most. alex was quiet, and answered things when he was directly addressed. Cameron did really well, for only having 2.5 months of italian lessons in his entire life. he used the words and congugations that he knew, which i thought was really great.
by the time the conversation, the wine and the chesnut were finished it was 1:30 am!
it was a great night.
now for the stuff that pissed me off. okay, the one thing:
i have lost alot of faith in american college students.
as i mentioned, alex was the point man for our dinner with Manlio.
everybody (accept for benb-c he was in finland) agreed go to the dinner party.
then at the last minute -by last minute i mean, as Marco arrived and introduced himself, as we were all standing in the rain- they all decided not to go.
they couldnt seem to see acouple of different things: we were in a group of seven, wildebeasts understand this theory, why can't college students figure it out, didnt you clowns sitt through all those boring SHARRP presentations?; italians by nature are a hospitable race, they like to entertain and extend courtesy; Dianna, more or less, 'interviewed' Manlio, when he came in to the office she talked with him in order to ascertain his intentions; this was a good experience to meet some locals.
the list could go on and on. but mostly, alex, cameron and i looked like sacchi di figura di merda b-c the other clowns bailed on us. i said this to Marco -i even used that exact phrase which got a laugh out of him (i guess it was a good start for me)- and he said it was nothing, that it wasnt a problem but still i felt like an ass. i was very dissapointed that people, particularly college students, a group of people thought to be the most liberal, carefree, adventurous demographic, could be this cowardly!
if anyone going abroad reads this (i know who you are), i have a piece of advice for you;
don't hang out with UNH kids. dont do it. make friends, spend time with italians. spend time with anyone but UNH kids. you can hang out with them when you get back to campus. youre not here to hang out with your roommates. meet people, meet italians or go home.
or they might hang you out to dry like i have described.
to quote ryan carney; "shit's weak".
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
fooled by a hotdog
italians must have invented hotdogs a week ago.
because they are everywhere! even in my Rustica (something like a quesadilla, but with a breadier crust)!
i am always fooled by hotdogs here b-c they look like regular meat when you slice them up and put them on something, for instance a pizza, with french fries. yes, i have been fooled by this too.
for some reason, i think that hotdogs have a weird foothold here, b-c pizzaria's put them on pizza's and in sandwiches and in rusticas. But WHY!? dear lord, WHY!?
usually rusticas and pizzas have tasty thing in them like prosciutto and mushrooms and different types of chees or potatoes. but no, not today.
imagine youre at a restaurant;
"um, excuse me waiter? what is the special of today?"
"well, sir, today you have two lovely choices; we have a delicious pasta tossed with new olive oil and lightly browned porcini mushrooms with a touch of sage. or hotdogs with a aerosol cheese."
"hmmm... tough choice."
i asked Diana why people loved them. and the answer is the same as why anyone, from any country, would love them; they taste good, they're fast but above all else, they're bad for you.
why do you drink coca-cola?
why do you like mcdonalds food?
because its awful and you know it.
man, i thought these italians had this food-thing under control....
Monday, November 10, 2008
28 days to go.
one month to go...
i have one month to go.
i think that i have reached my goal of one thousand miles in italy, but am not sure b-c i reset my 'trip up' counter on my computer.
so i am just going to shoot for 5000miles on my odometer before i leave europe. close enough right?
right.
i am stalling, again.
i have a paper due thursday, which will indeed be disasterous, b-c i dont give a fuzzy rat's ass about it.
i should have completed my response thinger for a class by now. but have been clowning around on the interweb.
llike always, million task and the focus of a fruit fly will force me to be up late into the nights of this coming week.
if i finish something and find some time, i will try to accurately describe my thoughts about my language skills and learning a foreign language in general.
i miss home and i will be excited to see every one when i get back. 28 days to go...
i have one month to go.
i think that i have reached my goal of one thousand miles in italy, but am not sure b-c i reset my 'trip up' counter on my computer.
so i am just going to shoot for 5000miles on my odometer before i leave europe. close enough right?
right.
i am stalling, again.
i have a paper due thursday, which will indeed be disasterous, b-c i dont give a fuzzy rat's ass about it.
i should have completed my response thinger for a class by now. but have been clowning around on the interweb.
llike always, million task and the focus of a fruit fly will force me to be up late into the nights of this coming week.
if i finish something and find some time, i will try to accurately describe my thoughts about my language skills and learning a foreign language in general.
i miss home and i will be excited to see every one when i get back. 28 days to go...
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
my attitude toward politics in practice
last night, after dinner, i was stalling on some homework.
i went upstairs to find alex watching Obama's acceptance speech on his laptop.
i asked if he would mind if i turned on the TV. he said, no.
he asked, you dont want to watch this, refering to the speech.
no, i think i'll try to find something else.
i flipped through the channels for a bit and settled on an OLD movie.
the point at which i joined the story was when two divers (in the old timey bell helemt style diving uniforms) were scavenging a sunken ship and they were being attacked by a giant squid.
i watched this instead.
thank you for your time.
i went upstairs to find alex watching Obama's acceptance speech on his laptop.
i asked if he would mind if i turned on the TV. he said, no.
he asked, you dont want to watch this, refering to the speech.
no, i think i'll try to find something else.
i flipped through the channels for a bit and settled on an OLD movie.
the point at which i joined the story was when two divers (in the old timey bell helemt style diving uniforms) were scavenging a sunken ship and they were being attacked by a giant squid.
i watched this instead.
thank you for your time.
mercolidi mondiale, 5 nov
i will keep this short.
i blew up really early on the climb.
Brian had a magnificent pull up Zona Industriale, keeping the pace at about 28mph for about 2 miles.
I was right on his wheel the whole time.
then,
i won the sprint.
thank you for your time.
i blew up really early on the climb.
Brian had a magnificent pull up Zona Industriale, keeping the pace at about 28mph for about 2 miles.
I was right on his wheel the whole time.
then,
i won the sprint.
thank you for your time.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
vote and get this crap over with all ready.
the only thing i want to say about this election, or maybe more accurately, i would like to ask some of yous for a favor;
vote or don't vote, i dont care.
but please do the following, when exiting your polling place, like i said if you vote or not (if not, just hang out there, then leave)...
...when you are approached by an exit polling person, answer them in the following manner;
"i did not vote for John McCain because Sarah Palin is a complete and utter MORON!"
this is the only thing that i will ask of you in this election season.
from this i think (sweet god!) i hope you can divine my attitude toward each candidate.
thank you for your time.
on unrelated topics, i am still BEAT from this weekends riding. i still can't believe that i climbed that much (4000 ft in the 24 miles immediately outside of my door).
yesterday, i ate two fried calzones (prosciutto and mozzerella); then for dinner, 150 grams of pasta, sauce w/ 2 sausages, a pepper, a zucchini and half a jar of tomato sauce.
then today, i didnt have my usual creme-filled pastry for breakfast (b-c i can actually hear my atery walls thickening) but for lunch i had four pieces of pizza (from Pizzeria Miseria & Nobilità, Corso Mazzini, 28, if you're ever in the neighborhood) [new place that just opened and will be getting alot of my lunch business from now on], and I AM STILL HUNGRY!!!!!!!!!!!
last night i had a heart-to-heart with Food.
i sat down and talked it over with Food, and said "Food, look, we've been together for a long time and i still love you. let's renew our vows. what do you say?" to my utter surprise, b-c i thought Food had had enough of me, Food said "yes". therefore, i will be spending even more time with Food in order to prove my love to it.
i hope the second time around will be as good as the first.
vote or don't vote, i dont care.
but please do the following, when exiting your polling place, like i said if you vote or not (if not, just hang out there, then leave)...
...when you are approached by an exit polling person, answer them in the following manner;
"i did not vote for John McCain because Sarah Palin is a complete and utter MORON!"
this is the only thing that i will ask of you in this election season.
from this i think (sweet god!) i hope you can divine my attitude toward each candidate.
thank you for your time.
on unrelated topics, i am still BEAT from this weekends riding. i still can't believe that i climbed that much (4000 ft in the 24 miles immediately outside of my door).
yesterday, i ate two fried calzones (prosciutto and mozzerella); then for dinner, 150 grams of pasta, sauce w/ 2 sausages, a pepper, a zucchini and half a jar of tomato sauce.
then today, i didnt have my usual creme-filled pastry for breakfast (b-c i can actually hear my atery walls thickening) but for lunch i had four pieces of pizza (from Pizzeria Miseria & Nobilità, Corso Mazzini, 28, if you're ever in the neighborhood) [new place that just opened and will be getting alot of my lunch business from now on], and I AM STILL HUNGRY!!!!!!!!!!!
last night i had a heart-to-heart with Food.
i sat down and talked it over with Food, and said "Food, look, we've been together for a long time and i still love you. let's renew our vows. what do you say?" to my utter surprise, b-c i thought Food had had enough of me, Food said "yes". therefore, i will be spending even more time with Food in order to prove my love to it.
i hope the second time around will be as good as the first.
Monday, November 3, 2008
it seems to be fall here too.
this weekend was beautiful, but sadly the weather here is quickly turning in to Autumn. This didnt stop me from riding my ass off this weekend. And just like always, this blog post will be an attempt at brevity, but it will probably fail.
Saturday:
Ascoli to Teramo, on SS81.
Teramo to Guilanova, on SS80.
Guilanova to Maggi on some tiny-ass road.
Then dropped in to a valley, on to Via Fondovalle Salinello, which turns into Via Fosso Purgatorio (not a conicidence that is sounds like 'purgatory'), which turns into Via Colle di Ferro, Via Mediana, then it turns back in to Via Salinello.
Then maybe i went through Borrano or Ponzano or... actually i don't really know b-c i TOTALLY BONKED! i was actually dizzy at one point when i was on a climb of about 10-12%.
I caught a glimpse of a fig tree that had fruit on it (strange for this time of year) and stopped, dropped my bike and scavenged the tree like a hobo looking for a beer can with one last sip of Colt 45 in it. As i got on to Via Salinello, i saw a sign that said 'Civitella, 16km', and thought to myself, already aware of my lack calories, "I bet the last 10km will be up hill."
And wouldn't you know it, the next sign i saw for Civitella said 6.5km, and the road turned up with a vicious pitch! Being right, was never so painful and miserable!
From that point on i was fueled by the desire to not die along the side of the road. Then came the figs, then the descent from Civitella, back to SS81, which goes back to Ascoli.
In the direction i was going the road was all down hill, with spectacular pavement. You can carve your way down the switchbacks at about 25-30 mph. On this section of road you can actually go faster than the cars can. This was the reason for my sickest passing manuever to date, not only here in Italy but anywhere i have ridden.
In order of apperance, there was an old Fiat Panda or something (think old Chevy Colt or Ford Fiesta), a Mercedes SUV, some other sedan then ME. The Panda had his blinker on and was preparing to turn right in to a driveway, so everyone was slowing. I had a clear line of sight through the curve ahead of me, and clearly saw that 100 meters away there was a car coming toward the line of us. I already had it in about my highest gear, so i just jumped on it as hard as i could to pass the three cars in my lane before the oncoming car passed us. After all that, i kept pushing my way down through the corners, so that i didnt look like a chump when the Mercedes caught up to me; turns kept coming up faster and faster, i saw 28mph at the apex of one corner that wasnt quite a switchback.
then when i arrived back in Ascoli, i told myself, "stop at the first pizzeria you see!" but alas, none were open b-c it was about 3:30 or 4pm which is when stores are all still closed.
so when i got home, i didnt even bother to change or shower or anything. I just stood in my kitchen with my shoes and bibs and jersey on, and shoveled food down my gullet.
then i had dinner. then, two hours later, i ate two pieces of pizza. then, at ten pm, i ate 100 grams of pasta with panchetta and pesto.
Sunday:
Ascoli Piceno to Ceppo = 23.9 miles and 4068 total feet of climbing. 'nuff said.
i left Ascoli and headed up the valley to Valle Castellana. then went through V.C., through Morrice, past Pietralta, and on to Ceppo. Ceppo is the highest point on that particular ridgeline.
Barb, this is the drive that we took, when we saw all the herds on goats and sheep!
At Ceppo, i looked at my computer to see my stats; 23.9 miles from my doorstep at 12.67 mph avg pace!
Then came the descent. It started in the shade which immediately induced shivers and chattering teeth. I guess you ask for that when you rip down a descent at 30 mph, coasting, soaked in sweat from a 23 mile climb. you know, just another day at the office.
Anyways, by the time i returned to Valle Castellana the air temperature was much much warmer. so much so, that i didnt need my windvest.
Thank gosh it was mostly downhill from Ceppo b-c, i didnt bonk, but i was out of gas by the time i approached a small climb of about 1km that takes you up to Castel Trosino.
Another oddity of the last couple of days, alot of people must mistake me for someone that knows the area b-c i have been asked for directions 3 times in the last three days.
First on Friday morning; a kid needed to get to the train station. first, he ran passed me, then stopped, turned around in order to ask me where it was. I told him, b-c i generally knew where it was and where he needed to go to get there.
Then, sunday, when i was stuffing cookies in to my mouth just outside of Morrice, a car pulled up beside me. Two ladies asked if i was all set. I said yes, and showed them the cookies which got a laugh out of them. Then they asked me where Macchia Da Sole was. From a previous ride (Vince and Bros), i was able to tell them that the quickest way to get there was to go back to Valle Castellana. Then they asked me what towns were ahead, was Ceppo this way. "Uhh... Io non so. La solo cosa che io so é il mio percorso per oggi. Non sono sicuro." (Uhh, i dont know. the only thing i that i know is my route today. i'm not sure.)
Come to find out, after another 10 miles of climbing, that yes indeed, Ceppo was up ahead.
then last night, when i was walking around like a zombie in order to keep my legs moving, a fellow asked me where Piazza Del Popolo was. We happened to be in Porta Maggiore, which is rather far from the Piazza. I did my best to get him in the general direction, then figured he could ask someone else. like i said, i was occupying a general zombie-like state.
Saturday:
Ascoli to Teramo, on SS81.
Teramo to Guilanova, on SS80.
Guilanova to Maggi on some tiny-ass road.
Then dropped in to a valley, on to Via Fondovalle Salinello, which turns into Via Fosso Purgatorio (not a conicidence that is sounds like 'purgatory'), which turns into Via Colle di Ferro, Via Mediana, then it turns back in to Via Salinello.
Then maybe i went through Borrano or Ponzano or... actually i don't really know b-c i TOTALLY BONKED! i was actually dizzy at one point when i was on a climb of about 10-12%.
I caught a glimpse of a fig tree that had fruit on it (strange for this time of year) and stopped, dropped my bike and scavenged the tree like a hobo looking for a beer can with one last sip of Colt 45 in it. As i got on to Via Salinello, i saw a sign that said 'Civitella, 16km', and thought to myself, already aware of my lack calories, "I bet the last 10km will be up hill."
And wouldn't you know it, the next sign i saw for Civitella said 6.5km, and the road turned up with a vicious pitch! Being right, was never so painful and miserable!
From that point on i was fueled by the desire to not die along the side of the road. Then came the figs, then the descent from Civitella, back to SS81, which goes back to Ascoli.
In the direction i was going the road was all down hill, with spectacular pavement. You can carve your way down the switchbacks at about 25-30 mph. On this section of road you can actually go faster than the cars can. This was the reason for my sickest passing manuever to date, not only here in Italy but anywhere i have ridden.
In order of apperance, there was an old Fiat Panda or something (think old Chevy Colt or Ford Fiesta), a Mercedes SUV, some other sedan then ME. The Panda had his blinker on and was preparing to turn right in to a driveway, so everyone was slowing. I had a clear line of sight through the curve ahead of me, and clearly saw that 100 meters away there was a car coming toward the line of us. I already had it in about my highest gear, so i just jumped on it as hard as i could to pass the three cars in my lane before the oncoming car passed us. After all that, i kept pushing my way down through the corners, so that i didnt look like a chump when the Mercedes caught up to me; turns kept coming up faster and faster, i saw 28mph at the apex of one corner that wasnt quite a switchback.
then when i arrived back in Ascoli, i told myself, "stop at the first pizzeria you see!" but alas, none were open b-c it was about 3:30 or 4pm which is when stores are all still closed.
so when i got home, i didnt even bother to change or shower or anything. I just stood in my kitchen with my shoes and bibs and jersey on, and shoveled food down my gullet.
then i had dinner. then, two hours later, i ate two pieces of pizza. then, at ten pm, i ate 100 grams of pasta with panchetta and pesto.
Sunday:
Ascoli Piceno to Ceppo = 23.9 miles and 4068 total feet of climbing. 'nuff said.
i left Ascoli and headed up the valley to Valle Castellana. then went through V.C., through Morrice, past Pietralta, and on to Ceppo. Ceppo is the highest point on that particular ridgeline.
Barb, this is the drive that we took, when we saw all the herds on goats and sheep!
At Ceppo, i looked at my computer to see my stats; 23.9 miles from my doorstep at 12.67 mph avg pace!
Then came the descent. It started in the shade which immediately induced shivers and chattering teeth. I guess you ask for that when you rip down a descent at 30 mph, coasting, soaked in sweat from a 23 mile climb. you know, just another day at the office.
Anyways, by the time i returned to Valle Castellana the air temperature was much much warmer. so much so, that i didnt need my windvest.
Thank gosh it was mostly downhill from Ceppo b-c, i didnt bonk, but i was out of gas by the time i approached a small climb of about 1km that takes you up to Castel Trosino.
Another oddity of the last couple of days, alot of people must mistake me for someone that knows the area b-c i have been asked for directions 3 times in the last three days.
First on Friday morning; a kid needed to get to the train station. first, he ran passed me, then stopped, turned around in order to ask me where it was. I told him, b-c i generally knew where it was and where he needed to go to get there.
Then, sunday, when i was stuffing cookies in to my mouth just outside of Morrice, a car pulled up beside me. Two ladies asked if i was all set. I said yes, and showed them the cookies which got a laugh out of them. Then they asked me where Macchia Da Sole was. From a previous ride (Vince and Bros), i was able to tell them that the quickest way to get there was to go back to Valle Castellana. Then they asked me what towns were ahead, was Ceppo this way. "Uhh... Io non so. La solo cosa che io so é il mio percorso per oggi. Non sono sicuro." (Uhh, i dont know. the only thing i that i know is my route today. i'm not sure.)
Come to find out, after another 10 miles of climbing, that yes indeed, Ceppo was up ahead.
then last night, when i was walking around like a zombie in order to keep my legs moving, a fellow asked me where Piazza Del Popolo was. We happened to be in Porta Maggiore, which is rather far from the Piazza. I did my best to get him in the general direction, then figured he could ask someone else. like i said, i was occupying a general zombie-like state.
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