Another RAGBY Memory

Well... I won't be stopping at the Cove when RAGBY stops in Tipton this year. The Cove, after 42 years of operation, closed on the 4th of February.

I made my wait staff debute here the last time RAGBY was in Tipton, 1982. We had stopped for breakfast there. Even though it was well away from the RAGBY route, it was completely overrun. I was out of coffee and got up to get myself a refill. I wound up making and pouring coffee for about 45 minutes. I was styling in my green skin suit and road shoes.

They auctioned off the contents of the Cove on the 15th. The most coveted item was the dinosaur pictured above. It sat outside the restaurant and was visible from I-80. It went for $4600. I always enjoyed seeing it when I drove by. I hope it does well in it's new home.

More Snow... But At Least There Is Coffee

We are getting the freezing rain thing again with a lovely topping of around 4 inches of snow over night. At least I can over caffeinate myself without wandering out into the mess.

It's looking like no bike Monday into the office. I was thinking that I could break the now seven days in a row of driving. I have a semi-ok excuse since I need to take the daughter to the airport at o'dark thirty so she can fly to Florida. Maybe sometime this next week, I'll be able to ride.

Chicago... Salute!

Maybe I should move to Chicago. The Mayor & #1 Cyclist certainly has things well in hand.

Another Giant Leaves Us

Ernesto Illy has pulled his final shot. I was using Illy's pre-ground espresso when I first got the espresso machine. Illycafe has been described as the Bell Labs of coffee. I feel the need for a double ristretto.

Remind Me... When Is Spring?

It's not quite this bad, but man... it is starting to seem like it. I last rode the bike into the office on Tuesday. The ride home was in miserable conditions. The scary part was the last two miles where I was riding with the folks on four wheels that were having issues getting around. It's been drive the car for the last three days and I'm not sure how rideable things are going to be for awhile. 41 days to Spring and counting.

Sheldon Brown: 1944 - 2008

I just saw this over at Sheldon's / Harris Cyclery site. A true giant. His wit and wisdom will be missed.

An Evening With Mr. Hammond

I was lucky enough to finally get an opportunity to see John Hammond live and in a small venue (smoke free & great beer) on Friday night. He's been someone who I have been listening to for years. I have easily a dozen of his recordings from when vinyl was what they were made of and it was all analog.

His latest recording, Push Comes To Shove, is most excellent and is getting good reviews. It's been in heavy rotation in the player in the Element and in the iPod. He played (solo) most of this disc and a bunch of other old stuff. He was also telling stories of his career and encounters with other blues musicians. I'm now counting the days until the next show I'll see there, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.