Bedrock & Paradox

I dream of a hard and brutal mysticism in which the naked self merges with a non-human world and yet somehow survives still intact, individual, separate. Paradox and bedrock.

Saturday

I have to confess, I did not watch the debate last night, merely listened to and read commentary this morning, so I have nothing to say.  I did find this article by Roger Cohen, which I think very well encapsulates one of the (and my) main arguments against John McCain (to say nothing of the train wreck that is Sarah Palin):

The damn-the-world, God-chose-us rage of that America has sharpened as U.S. exceptionalism has become harder to square with the 21st-century world’s interconnectedness. How exceptional can you be when every major problem you face, from terrorism to nuclear proliferation to gas prices, requires joint action?

There us certainly a very robust historical argument to be made for that point, and for the point that the role of the United States insofar as the world is concerned will change fundamentally by 2050.  Now is no time to be old, school. (Edmund.)

Today is also the Remember March Vision Quest ride, put on by Bill here in town.  I’ve ridden a small percentage of the route, but even so know enough to see that this thing is going to be a bear.  Hardest one day point to point route in the US?  Very possibly.  Bill is an animal, and will I think do very well.  Should be fun to watch.  
I’ll have a front row seat, of course.  I’m starting with the crew at noon, and intend to ride to mile 72 before retreating for home.  It’ll be the biggest ride I’ve done since the KMC, and with my pseudo-maintained fitness and record of maybe mountain biking once a week since school started, should be interesting.  Riding the single of course, though with no takers for the Leviathan at the price I require, I’ve decided to keep it around.  It got some parts back last night, and whenever I get around to it (ie when I’m done spending money on skis and rafts and winter gear) I’ll be in the market for a few new components to make it whole.  A wheel that can run a full set of sprockets, for one, and I’ll be looking to try a fork @ 80mm, too.  
Lastly, even for those who avoid the MTBR 29erland mess, and those uninterested in big travel, this thread is still worth investigating at length.  It only gets better in the 3rd and 4th pages.  The video of the Horsethief Bench drop in is ungodly skilled.  I await Enel’s thoughts eagerly.  :)

DaveC

4 responses to “Saturday”

  1. Dave Avatar
    Dave

    Back from the afternoon and evening, with 80 miles on the day. Tired. It’s been too long, and I’ve missed it.Also a serving of humble pie. On the last big climb it was all I could do to turn over the pedals. What a difference 4 months makes.Bill is still out there, rocking along and by all accounts looking good. Send him your best energies this night!

    Reply
  2. Dave Avatar
    Dave

    And he’s done! Finished at 0900 this morning. I actually saw Bill driving as I was on my way to the library, so he is alive.

    Reply
  3. Ed Avatar
    Ed

    D – we probably need to discuss “…old school…” over a beer or two.Not sure what you mean exactly relative to moi, but there’s a lot of wisdom in that old school.Ed

    Reply
  4. Dave Avatar
    Dave

    Perhaps a cheap goad on my part. Mainly meant in reference to the article.Beers, yes. But when?!

    Reply

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