eBay

I've decided to sell a bunch of stuff on eBay.  I had some things sitting around that were not being used, like guitars that have no real long term prospects for any real appreciation in value.  It was time to unlock the equity and put the cash-flow to good use.  So far, so good - I've sold a bunch of cycling jerseys and a wetsuit.  I also think one of the guitars is about to go.

That said, my fast igniting temper has already been tested, and so far I've scored low.  Consider this recent exchange for example:

Mens 1/2 Zip Cycling Jersey By Castilli - Size XL
Item Id:	280649772874
End time:	Apr-01-11 12:29:44 PDT

Dear posse17281,

Is this really brand new? It looks used so if new, how did you acquire and why are you selling? I typically don't buy from sellers with so few transactions.

-name withheld

Dear name withheld,

I bought it from World Cycling Productions a few weeks ago and it was too big. I believe I paid $40 or $45. BTW, if you don't usually buy from new users, then don't feel like you have to start on my account. Because you kinda/sorta just suggested I'm not being truthful, and then continued to kinda/sorta insult me because I'm new to eBay. Really? You are that guy? Awesome.

Best

Patrick

- posse17281

  

It's a good thing I don't work in retail, huh?  Assuming I can stop alienating potential customers, here's what I'm thinking of turning the cash in to:

3T Brezza Aerobars for the TT bike

Fi'zi:k Antares saddle for the TT Bike

FSA SLK carbon compact crank-set for the Bianchi

I am taking Friday off and riding down to Oceanside with Nan Kappeler from T-Mat Pro and a friend of hers.  Ironman 70.3 California is on Saturday.  So we are going to check out the race expo and then I'm taking the train home.  Jason from Cook, Train, Eat, Race is going to be there.  I have his cell phone and he has mine.  Hopefully, we'll meet up.

Craig, I'm still riding Saturday as well.  If so, I'll meet you at the spot.  7:00 AM.

Epic Saturday Ride II - Santiago Canyon

Santiago Canyon

I woke up Saturday expecting to go out and do a three and a half hour ride, which would have ended up being about 55-60 miles with just enough climbing to keep things interesting.  I didn't want to kill myself because I had a long run on the schedule for Sunday  I also wanted to be home by noon.  And this is exactly what the OC Velo "B" ride for the day was meant to be.

But sometimes, things don't work out as planned.  The group always starts the rides together.  However, when we got to the split point, hardly anyone wanted to go "B".  And to be honest, I had changed my mind too.  Because the "A" ride was headed through Santiago Canyon.

Santiago Canyon runs through the western foothills of The Santa Ana mountains in west central Orange County.  The road is extremely popular with "bikers" of all types - both motorcyclists and cyclists.  We entered the canyon from the north end in Tustin, where the road decisively starts climbing and stays that way for 4 miles and a 1400 foot elevation gain.

Once we reached the crest, the canyon itself is another 10 miles of rolling road, which adds another 1100 feet to the climbing tally.  I, of course, managed to flat about a 1/4 mile into this section.  So while switching out tubes I fell about 10 minutes behind the rest of the group.  And though it would have been nice to ride with some people, riding the canyon alone didn't exactly suck.  It's beautiful in there.

I spent the time working my way through the canyon thinking about my relationship with climbing.  I'm a slow climber - and this probably comes down to 80% ability and 20% to the beta blocker I take.  And climbing hurts - a lot.  But I DO like it, really.  If I put my head into a place where rhythm comes first and speed is secondary, it's a really enjoyable experience.

Cooks Corner

The ride through the canyon ends at Cooks Corner, which is essentially a fork in the road in the city of Lake Forest.  But at this fork sits quite possibly the most legit biker bar in the area.  As far as I know the bar is simply called "Cooks Corner".  On any given weekend day, the lot will be filled with motorcycles.  But on the far left, chances are there is also an assemblage of cyclists filling water bottles and taking a break.  (Mostly) beefy dudes in denim mixing with (mostly) skinny dudes in lycra...who would have thought that would work?

By this point, we had about 25 miles left in the ride.  And since we were essentially headed back to the beach, logic dictates that the trip back would be mostly downhill, right?  Wrong.  there was one more climb ahead.

Ridgeline Road

Introducing Ridgeline Road in Lake Forest.  The climb is not long - just under a half mile, but it's steep with the grade hitting 20% in some sections.  The climb is also unnecessary in that there is a much more civilized route to the road junction we needed to get to.  But we climbed it anyway (because that's what we do), with me out of the saddle the entire time swearing my head off.

By the time we regrouped again, I was pretty spent.  The speedsters took off towards home and a smaller group of us (including TRI714 and Nan from T-Mat Pro) enjoyed a moderate ride back through Irvine and Newport Beach.  There was the usual coffee stop at the pier and then home.

The final stats for the day:  Just under 75 miles and just under 2600 feet of climbing.  Funny, it felt like we climbed more than that....

Ride Slip

Get Your Design On

My friend and fellow OC Velo member Nan Kappeler owns a cool company called T-Mat Pro.  T-Mat Pro makes transition mats in bold colors and/or patterns that (for me anyway) will soon replace the goofy and threadbare old beach towel I've been using.  The mats are both cool and functional - the bright colors will help you find your spot in transition, and when the race is over they roll up easy, clean easy and store easy.  Think mini yoga mat.

For the next round of mats, T-Mat Pro is reaching out to the masses for design ideas.  Check it out:

T Mat Pro, the leading triathlon transition mat is offering you an opportunity to win a free mat by entering a design. We’re looking for super cool images to put on our neoprene mats that motivate, inspire or just look way good out there. For example, an image from the Hawaii World Championships or from a picture paired with an inspirational quote. Your design doesn’t have to be triathlon specific—it could just be a really swanky pattern. If we choose your design for our sample run, you’ll receive a free mat—with your design. Up to five submissions will be chosen. Just remember not to use photos and images that are not yours or you do not have permission to use. All images become the property of T Mat Pro. Deadline for submissions is January 20, 2011 at contact@tmatpro.com. Image may be in jpeg format. If selected, we will help convert to an art file. Check out our current mats and details about T Mat Pro at www.tmatpro.com.

What does this mean to you?  It means it's time to get your Rembrandt, Degas, Basquiat or Haring on.  If I was you, I'd spend some time on your next long run thinking about the graphic that will make the perfect mat.  Even if you are just a runner, the mat will come in handy for something.  Plus all you pure runners know plenty of triathletes anyway - the mat will make a great gift.

Submissions go to contact@tmatpro.com and are due by January 20th.  So this means to enter you don't have to follow me, Facebook friend me, retweet anything, leave a comment or join EAP.  But you can do any of those things if you want.

Good luck being creative...