George Harrison said it well:



Im living in the material world
Living in the material world

Cant say what Im doing here
But I hope to see much clearer,
After living in the material world

I got born into the material world
Getting worn out in the material world
Use my body like a car,
Taking me both near and far
Met my friends all in the material world

Met them all there in the material world
John and paul here in the material world
Though we started out quite poor
We got richie on a tour
Got caught up in the material world

From the spiritual sky,
Such sweet memories have i
To the spiritual sky
How I pray
Yes I pray
That I wont get lost
Or go astray

As Im fated for the material world
Get frustrated in the material world
Senses never gratified
Only swelling like a tide
That could drown me in the
Material world

From the spiritual sky,
Such sweet memories have i
To the spiritual sky
How I pray
Yes I pray
That I wont get lost
Or go astray

While Im living in the material world
Not much giving in the material world
Got a lot of work to do
Try to get a message through
And get back out of this material world

Im living in the material world
Living in the material world
I hope to get out of this place
By the lord sri krsnas grace
My salvation from the material world
Big ending

Sometimes things just do go as planned...........

or as John Lennon said so wisely "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

It seems like I've been experiencing a lot of that lately.

Today was one such day.

It's been a good year and a half since I had a bad crash which left me with two broken bones, one that was a stickler to heal. This immediately took me out of racing and hardcore training which at that time, I had thrown myself into full force..At first I was antsy but anxiously awaited the 9-12 weeks to return. Things just didn't go as planned. My wrist didn't heal and surgery seemed like the only viable option. This meant at least 3 more months to recover. It turned out to be 6. Patience...I was sad, I couldn't walk past my bikes without wanting to cry. I kept telling them and me "Soon".
Finally this past June, I got the OK and I've been back on the bike, building back my fitness, enthusiasm and desire to race. Don't get me wrong, as long as I am able, I will always ride my bikes as the joy and freedom I get from that means the world to me. I have pedaled thousands and thousands of miles, in various countries up and down mountains, kinesthetically feeling the roads, sweating and breathing in the sights.

But RACING? That's just a whole other ballgame. I told myself I will return and see how it goes. Well, so far this season, it's been a lesson in patience.

First race, Cantua...I flat blew up..I spent tons of energy on the first lap that I just died during the second. To be expected nonetheless, I was disappointed. Then came Snelling. First lap, chain drops, I chase to get back but just can't regain. then the luck of the Tack Attack. Not one but 2 flat tires due to come crazed "non" fan of cycling who thought sprinkling the road with gold thumbtacks would be funny. HaHa!
Ok, I said to myself, time to work harder. I've been slacking.

Today Berk Hills TTT, it seemed like a good way to test my fitness and I signed up to ride Co-ed with a male acquaintance I know from my work who I've seen at quite a few of the races. I didn't have unreal expectations as far as winning but was looking forward to working as hard as I could and getting a decent placing. Last Sunday we met on the course, rode through it a couple of times and made plans to meet at the course. Well, I arrived a good 2 1/2 hours before our start time so I could register, adequately warmup and do all those pre race rituals that we all have. I go to registration and am told I can't get my number without my partner being there. So I wait. Fortunately I am parked with the reg table in my full view, so I set up my trainer, start getting the warm up all the while keeping my eagle eye on that reg tent..Time is passing. Sweat is happening. Partner is NOT showing. No phone calls. HMMM...will he show??? I go twice to the reg tent, and even ask if there is anyone who is in search of a partner. At this point, I'll ride it with anyone. I just want to go!!!! 10:20, TT partner is still truant, so I bail. I did get a ride in as I met up with a Berkeley friend but it was certainly no TT effort. Oh well, Patience......At least I was able to ride. something I couldn't do at one point.

Patience, I have been challenged with this in many aspects lately. However, I will continue to forge ahead and keep the big picture in mind.

No not the parrots of Telegraph Hill...............It's the crows of the Polo fields..

A few days back, in between seeing clients, I set out to Golden Gate park to do a little tempo work around the paved oval at the Polo Fields. There are few people there midmorning during the week so it's a great place to be able to pick up the speed without cars, stop signs and the lot. It's sort of a paved velodrome without the banking.

Usually during the week there is a handful of elderly Asian folks practicing Tai chi as well as going through a plethora of stretches contortions and exercise rituals. Sometimes a few brave souls will be walking around the track (why they don't enjoy the beautiful dirt trails and roads instead baffle me) but nonetheless they walk. Occasionally there are a few lowkey knee sock wearing recreational cyclists riding in circles as well.

So on this particular day, I have started my 1st interval and as I round turn 1, I see a woman on a bike holding a large dog coming in my direction. I immediately go wide around them and hope that they will be gone when I return to that spot. Sure enough they were just passing through but then I notice a nice pile of dog @#%$. Fortunately she curbed him next to the inside fence so every lap I knew to stay clear...

A few laps later, I am on the straightaway to turn 3 I see a large man with a dog. He is holding one of those tennis ball throwing tools that look like a long ice cream scooper. I think "Oh jeeze- hope he throws that ball thing out to the grass". As I come up to them, I can't help but notice this man who is probably in his late 60's cause he has a big Santa like belly, white beard and long ponytail pulled back. Besides the ice cream scoop looking thing he has a satchel around his buddha belly. Then I look up to the fence and see about 40-50 big black crows watching his every move. "This is going to fun" I think.
Sure enough every lap, between throwing the ball to the dog he's hand feeding these burly looking birds and they'd dive bomb down to the pavement in search of every missed crumb. At this point, I've got my HR up and am not going to slow down for these gnarly parrot wannabee's...It becomes a sort of bicycle shooting gallery as they seem to wait until the last minute to fly off before I approach. "Whatever" I think and proceed on my mission. Somehow, Grandpa Crow has somehow managed to move these birds methodically around the track. They are now on turn 2 and I see his dog curiously checking out poop from dog 1. I'm thinking "Is he going to do numerous laps with these big black squawking critters? Please let it be over. " My interval is done, I can slow down and ant this point can actually make eye contact and somewhat smile to Grandpa Crow. Apparently his feeding/throwing interval is over with too. I have one more but fortunately he's done...

I'm sure he was thinking equally strange thoughts about me on the pink bike pedaling circles, over and over, with a snotty nose and grimaced face aiming towards those damn crows...
to each his own, we share the Polo Fields :)