Sumatanga Ride
Sumatanga Ride, a set on Flickr.
Sumatanga Solo Ride
After missing all of the Camp Sumatanga training races for the past few years, despite the fact that they are practically in my backyard I decided to head out to camp. I’ve been to Sumatanga on several occasions for church occasions, news stories and other stuff. It’s a gem of place and I’m glad that the United Methodist church makes it happen. Everytime I’ve driven out there I stop and think wow, these would be some great roads to ride. MORE TEXT HERE
Close to Home, Whortons Bend Ride
So I was having trouble getting up the motivation to ride. The temps were pegged in the low 40s, through the morning it kept blustering with isolated showers a ride didn’t seem fun. I knew I had to get some miles but didn’t know how it was going to happen. When I planned to do the Festive 500, I had dreamt of the great plans for epic rides but the fire in my belly that was easy enough to summon while plugging away at work was as cool as the wind outside.
I decided to suck it up, but not very far. Whortons Bend is my easy, in town but away from traffic, decent length, but isolated by major bridges and roads, loop. I drove to Rainbow Landing just under the Southside bridge, pulled on my Eddy Merckx kit, which seemed rather appropriate given the ‘hardman’ nature of the ride and my flanderian funk and started spinning. Miraculously I was able to get up to speed and did half my loop. I then realized that I had been benefiting from a nice little tailwind coming off of the Coosa river. I think turned around and was hit in the face with a gusting miserable gale.
I did several laps, that seemed much too hard given the terrain. I’m convinced it was the wind. I checked my phone when I got home to realize that we were in fact under a wind warning from the National Weather service with winds of 25 mph with gust up to 35. At least that notification explains why I would suddenly find myself three feet towards the centerline.
When I got home from the ride I Was beyond chilled and took to eating and drinking my recovery snacks in the steamy confines of the shower, ugh too many more miles to go.
Whitewash
Whitewash, originally uploaded by erictwright.
I’m gonna ask her if she’ll let me paint if’in I give here 3 of my best river rocks, a railroad spike and a snake skin I found over yonder.
I’m gonna ask her if she’ll let me paint if’in I give here 3 of my best river rocks, a railroad spike and a snake skin I found over yonder.
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot in my new Duvel glass
Nearly done
This is a photo when the Christmas smoking was almost done, earlier photo/post here!
This birds first lived in a citrus brine. The chicken on the left is a Coca Cola can chicken, middle is a beer can chicken, the Christmas Turkey breast is on the right. All had a Cajun rub on them and got a strong dose of hickory smoke for the first two hours.
I basted with a spray bottle of Coca Cola, Apple juice and Apple cider vinegar. I had some flare ups and temp problems after hour 5 so I brought them in and finished them in the oven for an hour ( 20 mins at 400, followed by 40 min. at 350)
I think the rain during the day, increased meat mass on the grill and the lower ambient temperature messed up my smoking mojo but the birds were so tasty. Nearly all of the Turkey was eaten and I butchered the chickens up for dinner to share through the week.
FaceTime on Christmas is a wonderful thing.
Websters Chapel Ride with Bob
Bob and I rode on Christmas Eve. We hit the Websters Chapel Ride, and I’ve always meant to stop and shoot some photos of this old home place. The Rapha 500 is coming along slowly, but it’s fun getting in those brisk winter miles with a tight goal in mind.
Three birds a smoking
It’s 5:30 a.m. on Christmas morning, do you know where you winged fowl are ( well except for the Turkey who lost his wings in a bizarre butchering accident.) I’m outside spending some quality time with my birds on the grill getting ready for Christmas lunch/dinner. I coke can chicken, 1 beer can chicken and a giant turkey breast a’smoking. It’s Christmas morning, raining and dark out, there are unwrapped presents and I’m out tending a smoker. My 7 year old self would disown me at this very moment. Merry Christmas, everyone.
Saturday Supper Club – Christmas Eve Edition
Saturday Supper Club – Christmas Eve Edition, originally uploaded by erictwright.
Zoe was amped. The Dame had to use advanced child wrangling techniques. It is so amazing to me that this is Zoe’s first Christmas at home. I remember Skyping with the Catoes on Christmas Day in China, just after they had gotten Zoe. What a year for her, them, us.
Zoe was amped. The Dame had to use advanced child wrangling techniques. It is so amazing to me that this is Zoe’s first Christmas at home. I remember Skyping with the Catoes on Christmas Day in China, just after they had gotten Zoe. What a year for her, them, us.
Candlelight Christmas Eve service at Gadsden First United Methodist Church
Candlelight Christmas Eve service at Gadsden First United Methodist Church, originally uploaded by erictwright.
One of my favorite services of the year. I don’t know what it is about the service, and especially the candle-lighting section of the service. I can’t help but be a little overwhelmed by . . . everything. As the light comes off the Christ candles and is passed through the congregation, you can’t help but feel . . . at peace.
One of my favorite services of the year. I don’t know what it is about the service, and especially the candle-lighting section of the service. I can’t help but be a little overwhelmed by . . . everything. As the light comes off the Christ candles and is passed through the congregation, you can’t help but feel . . . at peace.
My Photo Stream
