Jul 6 - not organized yet

Well, that's not quite true. I did a bit of organizing for the upcoming ride on the 6th, washing my biking clothes, diddling with my bike, calling, calling, calling places that sell biking equipment ... but have not packed yet. That's today's chore.

I practically filled the clothesline with biking clothes. Luckily it didn't rain, although it felt like rain most of the day. Biking clothes get to the almost-dry stage quickly though, and I brought them in and hung them up. As for the bike, I took off the Neuvation wheels and put on the H1 wheels, cleaning the bike and chain at the same time. I also adjusted the tail-light, moving it back an inch or so to accommodate what I'm expecting will be a bigger bag. A bigger bag won't be able to tuck in under my saddle ... at least that's my expectation.

I did spend a lot of time on the phone yesterday checking stores in the Toronto area for a particular Louis Garneau bag that I think would be big enough for all that I'm going to carry. Eventually, however, a person suggested an alternative -- a bag made by Axiom -- and I'll be checking that out tomorrow when I get down to Stef's. The store is located on Brant St. in Burlington, close to MEC which is also on Brant St. I'll choose among the offerings at MEC and the three different Axiom bags that are carried by Brant Cycle & Sports.

Today I'll organize everything else. I have to be prepared to carry all of my gear whether or not I find another bag, just in case these options are duds. The weather is a big variable too -- it looks like we might have showers and it could be cool at times -- do I or do I not bring my long sleeved jersey. That might seem like a no-brainer, but it doesn't pack small.

Mid morning I went out with the minnow traps, putting them in the small pond on the south side 522 by the culvert. Later in the afternoon I went back and collected my minnows. There was still bread left -- could have caught more -- but I had enough for two days fishing. I don't know if I'll get out today -- if not I'll let the minnows go because I don't expect that they would live until I get back on Sunday. Even though my setup provides lots of fresh water eventually the minnows expire anyway, it seems. Bob Simms was having the same problem.

I went out fishing last night catching some unknown number of crappie (I didn't count, probably 8 or 9, and a catfish. I did a better job on the catfish this time but not quite getting it skinned when I pulled it apart. I finished cleaning fish and cleaning up around 10:15 ... beating the day before by 15 minutes. However, I did have fewer fish to clean ... that might have a bearing on my speediness ... no, I take that back ... I had more fish to clean but they were mostly crappie and I have cleaning those pretty well down to an art.

Fish cleaning = art ?? no, I don't think so. Perhaps it's a science.

Mosquito traffic seems to be light. That's because they think that it's Fall and are preparing for winter. It's just over 50F right now, 69F in the house. Even with my insulated boots, winter fleece and hunting jacket I was cold fishing. Al Gore -- you've got to be kidding. This is July !! The water temperature is down to about 68F. Nothing is really growing in the garden -- not dying, but not growing either. Eventually we'll have a few more summer days, but I don't know if we'll actually have summer -- an extended period of warm weather -- perhaps in September.

Oh yes, I did watch the TdF for a while yesterday, catching the 40 second gain over most of his rivals by Lance Armstrong. 40 seconds is a big deal in this race. At this point it's more of a psychological gain but the mountain stages are coming. It will be fascinating ... but of course I'll be riding the LOL for the first mountain stages and will not see, live, what happens. I'll have the recorder on though and can watch the stages later if something does happen -- I take that back -- something will happen, it's just a question of what.

It's so cool out I expect to look out my window and see leaves in fall colours and blowing in the breeze. Perhaps I should go deer hunting ... or bear hunting ?

That's it.