Ride Report: Courtroom, Italian Ice, Penguins, Poets, Pirates and Depeche Mode

[M.Sommers]

I started the day in court. Not my usual place to digest my breakfast, which I skipped, nor the place to nap as I didn't sleep last night, but spending time with the law was on the calendar.

I have a younger brother whose drug issues for the past fifteen years have culminated with each of us standing a few feet apart, shoulder to shoulder, in front of a stranger who represents logic, the law, as my brother and I are completely opposed. I cannot break through to him so I resort to the one last avenue I can ride down, a path which may indeed destroy any kinship with him, but may just save his life. I left court and decided an Italian Ice was necessary, I needed sugar. I took some photos for Your_Friend! and_for Shino (note I can hook anyone up with $4.00 penguins if they send me back some Michelin 700/23 tubes with 52mm valves as I have some Campy Eurus on the way).

Soundtrack (this video starts on the pave of Paris at Le Tower and it's time for Le Tour atmo):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA0E6NChAU8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqLcYEPKZ54

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSkSwyZnHms

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lrQuiEkOVU

Bonus B-Side:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSrl8VegdTg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGnLv-VJDeA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H19JyoQwgF0

.

[M.Sommers]

I geared up and found my Brooklyn bike cap. It's signed by Rob Roll, Dave Z and Floyd Landis. :banana: I dunno what Bob means by, "Happy trails. Enjoy 76 New York winters." Am I going to drop dead during my 77th NY winter? I hope not.

I have some Brooklyn IPA in stock for post-ride treat. There always needs to be a treat, big fan of treats I am.

[M.Sommers]

I fueled up and read a neat book, from a local, self-proclaimed, "disturbed artist." He seems like a cool dude to me, I read his book of poetry, he has a different book of artwork and I'll be sure to post those pics on my next ride. For now, here's some of his poetry...

I took a different path today, I needed a curveball. There's a neat, private road that takes you down to a lighthouse, but it's post 9/11 and now you can't get to the actual lighthouse. Sad, I used to go down there with chicas back in the day. Today it was me and a couple of horses that roam around freely. They looked at me like, "What's with the Assos spandex fool" and then both of them continued eating their dinner.

Good ride, 30 miles, some really fast, some really steep hills, mostly just a cruise to get my brain relaxed. Mission accomplished.

[rwsaunders]

Pretty heavy....sounds like you did the proverbial, right thing. Easier said than done, though.

[Sandy]

I remember very well your post with the list of the evils of drugs. Very precise, concise, insightful,and totaly spot on. I see now that you have, unfortunately, lived with what drugs can do to someone who is, or was, close to you. Sorry that you have had that experience in your life. Hope that somehow your brother will realize where he is at and take the lasting commitment to change it.


Sandy

[Fixed]

I had a friend i grew up with ( real close like brothers ) that went mad starting ripping cats off brings a guitar over to my house leaves it with me tells be to check it out i find thousands in the case pocket he comes over for the guitar well he had ripped somebody off.. and... my name came up the police ..they meet me at work and the big(rat) boss sits in while they talk to me i told them what i knew he had money in the guitar case that was all i knew ...then he calls me from jail wanting help my bosses advise was have no contact with him i didn't and haven't but i often hope the bro is alright and i miss having a friend from the real old days ....last i heard he was homeless the cat came from a good family too ..
butch

[Dekonick]

Drugs don't care if you come from a 'good' family - they destroy them indiscriminately.

Drugs blow.

[Dude]

where is that penguin store? My girlfriend has a strange (and surprisingly attractive) mild obsession with penguins.

Do they have a store at all, should I just send you some long valve tubes?

[M.Sommers]

where is that penguin store? My girlfriend has a strange (and surprisingly attractive) mild obsession with penguins.

Do they have a store at all, should I just send you some long valve tubes?

A deal is a deal.

PM me. I gots_Penguins.

[rounder]

I had a friend i grew up with ( real close like brothers ) that went mad starting ripping cats off brings a guitar over to my house leaves it with me tells be to check it out i find thousands in the case pocket he comes over for the guitar well he had ripped somebody off.. and... my name came up the police ..they meet me at work and the big(rat) boss sits in while they talk to me i told them what i knew he had money in the guitar case that was all i knew ...then he calls me from jail wanting help my bosses advise was have no contact with him i didn't and haven't but i often hope the bro is alright and i miss having a friend from the real old days ....last i heard he was homeless the cat came from a good family too ..
butch

like you said...demons don't care who you are. That was one of the truest things i ever heard said here. Everyone should stay away from drugs...including racers.

[girlie]

Help Your_Friend

[wasfast]

Despite how badly we want to make the right choices for others, they have to take responsibility for themselves. I hope he's able to make his path straight.

[Delpo]

Bro, you and I have similar ways to deal with tough moments.

1. A good book
2. A solid ride
3. A great beer

Feed the soul, work the body, refuel the spirit.



Works every time.

Delpo

[staggerwing]

Ironic.

I have a younger brother going through something similar. Got picked up on a relatively minor charge, and has spent 60+ days down at county. He bled my father's business to the bone while dad was having medical issues, and mom was passing her last days in a nursing home.

Many a person had tried to talk with him, but once in the grip, it takes a drastic upheaval to change course. He has had to many people step in to cover, and now it's time he finds his own way.

Peace.

[Fixed]

bro I was no saint when I was young and demons steal dreams but I changed as I got older wife and son made me want to work a steady job .. .. better to be a boss than a servant imho what is hip? is it hip to be a freak or the man I'd be the man if i had a choice ...
cheers

[shinomaster]

That place looks great! Where is it? Thanks for the pix.

[thejen12]

When I started college, we were three freshman girls in one room, room next door had three sophomore guys. They took us under their wings like brothers. One guy, especially, had a very bright future ahead of him. A Biology major at an Ivy League school, active journalist on the school paper, etc. Really nice guy, too. Then, one day, he tried coke for the first time (and I don't mean the beverage). He loved it. Within about two months the guy completely disappeared. Dropped out, dropped his friends, dropped his activities. Don't know what ever happened to him. Very sad.

Jenn

[M.Sommers]

"I have a dream."
~MLK

"I have drugs."
~Any user

The two are very, very far apartmo.

I have hope. These words, "I hope" are the final words from The Shawshank Redemption and hope is the basis, foundation of the movie itself. "I hope the Pacific is as blue as it is in my dreams...I hope."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWUfFwoe8ko

power sweat fire heat
sharp arrow feeling nothing
clouds resist the light



:beer:

[M.Sommers]

Bro, you and I have similar ways to deal with tough moments.

1. A good book
2. A solid ride
3. A great beer

Feed the soul, work the body, refuel the spirit.



Works every time.

Delpo

bro i have surfed in rincon many times. aquadilla is numero uno. land in san juan and drive on dos oeste for dos horas. tres palmas, domes, wilderness breaks. all good bro. el presidentes, potato chips, chocolate, spf 30 and a surfboard.

[M.Sommers]

That place looks great! Where is it? Thanks for the pix.

It's Chilly_Willys. Best episode:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjRACCuh3vc&feature=related


:beer: