Another Quick Visit to NYC

Took the train up to NYC to see designs for our third slot and short break before tech-ing our first show of the season. Made my first visit to the Guggenheim Museum - found the building a bit more interesting than the art on show - Louise Bourgeois - but I did like the spiders above which were on the lobby floor. Then I spent much of the afternoon strolling and people watching in Central Park. The contrast to what the park looked like 20 years ago when I saw it in person for the first time and now is amazing and a testament to the success of the Central Park Conservancy. A couple more obligatory Guggenheim tourist photos HERE

Labor Day Meander

Monday 1 September 2008 Rolled out in the late afternoon for a loop around the city - headed down to Lake Montebello then through the old Montebello Rehabilitation Hospital which is now part, though unused, of the Morgan State University Campus. I followed roads and paths across the campus before coming out on Perring Parkway. From here I followed a variety of side streets that paralell the Chincapin Run up to Lake Avenue. Lake took me to Falls Road and the Old Pimlico which delivered me to Quarry Lake (pictured above). After looping around the old quarry I headed out Greenspring to Old Court Road. This took me to 7 Mile Lane then Cross Country Blvd. brought me back to Greenspring then Northern Parkway where I looped back to Greenspring on one of my favorite roads in town - Cylburn Ave. I tried to take a short cut across TV hill, but discovered that what looked like potential routes where actually construction sites. This delivered me to a quick detour through Medford and across the 41st Street Bridge to TV hill. Then it was up the switchbacks of the Jones Falls Trail and into Druid Hill Park. I then headed to Charles Villiage for a pit stop with Kelly and Lindsay at Starbucks before riding home.

Lindsay makes a new friend

40 Miles on the day
2240 YTD

Bay Country Century (almost)

Joined the gang on the road for the Bay Country Century on Saturday. Started off as a very gray day, but it burned off as the miles passed and it wound up being a lovely day for a ride. We passed the miles chatting about the Democratic convention - Michael had just returned from it and told us what it was like in person. We also chatted about McCain's VP choice - I think my friend Marni's blog entry about sums it up.
Sometime after a pit stop at the 50 mile mark, I began to have stomach cramps and general lack of energy. At the time I was sure it was too much of the electrolyte drink, but in retrospect I think I was seriously under hydrated and probably could have used a few more calories... Everybody kindly took turns hanging with me as I dragged my way into the next pit at 80 miles. After a bottle or two of water and a bit more food it was clear to me that I wasn't going to bounce back fast - so I told them to head out without me and called the SAG hotline to get a ride back to the start. I suppose on the plus side I was lucky to be on a fully supported ride for my first serious bonk.

a small handful of other photos HERE

80 miles on the day, plus almost
30 miles from the commute a half I did this week
2200 YTD