Steve Tilford

And I really am thankful for Friday. I haven’t slept 6 hours in two nights, trying to get to a point in this bathroom project that I can take a break. And I am taking a break.

Tomorrow I’m flying out to Orange County and going up to Newbury Park to to the Mike Nosco Memorial Ride on Monday . I think this is 5th or 6th year they’ve done the ride. I’ve done it nearly everytime I think. I’ll be staying with my buddy, Jimmy Mac, newly inducted into the MTB Hall of Fall, at Interbike in Las Vegas, a couple months ago.

Today I had PT at 8 ish, and I went to bed at 4 ish. That was ugly. I quit working around 1am, but foolishly decided to put a new back camera in my iPhone when I got home. That project went south after about an hour. First the flash didn’t work, so I took it back apart and repositioned it. Then when I reassembled it, the phone wouldn’t power on, so I took it all apart once again. So by the time I got it going, it was a 2 1/2 hour ordeal. Plus I was half asleep.

So after PT, I went and voted early. There were a ton of people there, but the line went super fast. I don’t really vote for most of the things on the ballot. Retaining judges and such, I have no knowledge of. Governor, senators, etc. I know some about. It is kind a social responsibility, but I never feel that good when I’m done with it. Strange.

Then, changed the oil in the Insight and got the car ready for a road trip. Trudi is going up to Chicago to visit here mom for a few days. It is nice that it only takes 25 gallons of gas roundtrip.

Okay, I have a ton of more stuff to do today, so I doubt I’ll catch up much. It will be nice to get a little down time. I’m a little worried that I’m not fit enough to ride the ride, but that is never the case.

Bill’s hand after making his bike a singlespeed when his rear derailleur exploded.

Before his hands got super greasy.

This pipe first broke off, then it took a ton of torching and quenching to finally break it free. It was probably older than me.

New supplies lines to the bathroom.

Me and older folks voting today.

Okay, another 3 hour night. I got done working and packing around 3 am and had to get moving to go to the airport at 6am, so that is a total of about 9 or 10 hours of total sleep in three days. I’m not sure why I’m not sick yet.

I’m laying over in Las Vegas, on my way to Orange County airport. I didn’t even know where I was flying through and couldn’t understand why so many people were drinking at 8 am this morning past security. And the plane, man, was it loud. Everyone was really looking forward to hanging in Las Vegas. I was so glad to be going on.

Rumor has it that Lance is doing the Mike Nosco ride on Monday. At least according to Facebook. I’ll hold off on commenting on this until after it’s over. It’s not my ride.

Anyway, my body is wasted. I’m pitifully weak, so the construction was frustrating at best. I am moving so slow, everything was taking way too long. So it is a good thing that I get a few days off and recuperate. And there is no better recuperation than riding . At least that feels mildly normal still. I’m slow, but it feels good.

I’m missing The Beer Mile tonight being held in Topeka by all my buddies. It’s probably a good thing I’m missing it. Not too good for a gimpy guy like me. But, everyone is invited, so come on over.

Okay, I need to get to the next gate.