Happy Day Before Vacation!

This is a quick note to tell you that I am finally getting some long-needed time away from the office and attending to that unbreakable bond I have with my husband. I'll be on vacation for the next 10 days, looking at very different scenery than I normally see here in New England. So, during my absence, I leave you in the capable hands of Donna (who hasn't really left our blog family, if you noticed) as well as Eric, Craig, Melissa, Roberta and some of the other talented contributors on our team. I hope to have some good adventures to share with you on my return.

Get Out and Ride!

by Roby Holland, National Sales Manager

I just came back from a very relaxing local vacation. I was supposed to have my brother visiting and the plans for his visit were golf, fishing then repeat. Unfortunately he was unable to make it so I changed my plans to spend my days with my family, which is more appealing. When you live in an area that has so much to offer it is hard to decide what to do.

I had been pushing my wife to get a bike all summer and she has been reluctant to do so because she was unsure she would like it. Unexpectedly, she asked if I would be interested in going down to Brewster, MA and rent a couple of bikes, to ride the bike trail. I was in! This was a great opportunity to spend sometime with the family and do something that I really enjoy. In the morning we headed to Cape Cod Rail Trail Bike and Kayak on our adventure. It was a great morning to do this, like a perfect early fall morning. We got our bikes, a trailer for Owen, my son,(attached to dad's bike ). I did a quick review with my wife of the bike components and how to use them. I tried to keep it as simple as I could so she would get the maximum enjoyment out of the ride.

Before we took off I grabbed a lunch from The Brewster Lunch Box then we headed off along the trail. I was apprehensive that my wife was going to have a difficult time adjusting to the new technology on these bikes. The last time she was on a bike was over ten years ago, in Ireland, and the bikes were equipped with 3-speed Strurmy Archer shifters and old school breaking. For about the first half mile I was tense and constantly asking how things were going. I even asked Owen to ask Mommy how thing were going. As only Owen could say it "Mamma how doin?" Mamma how doin?". To my surprise and relief she was enjoying it! Now, I could relax and enjoy the ride.

We rode for a while, passing lakes and cranberry bogs along the way. The bike path was in great shape, smooth and wide. There were plenty of people using the trail, bikers, runners, and in-line skaters. There was a ton of families like us. Owen was a little too quite while he was sitting in the trailer and now I had a new concern, my son's enjoyment. I had to investigate whether or not he was having a good time and the best way to do this with my son was to say "Peanut, Peanut butter ". If he was in a good mood I would hear him respond "JELLY" . So I got his attention and said "Peanut, Peanut butter" with no responses. Oh no, this is going to be a short ride. I tried it again a little louder this time "PEANUT, PEANUT BUTTER" and waited. A few seconds later he popped out "JELLY" and then " jazz hands". He was having a great time! He only says "jazz hands" when he is shaking his hands, which is an indication that he is really having a good time. I know I was having a great time and now the circle was complete.

We rode for several miles and then decided it was time to turn around. We wanted to have lunch at one of the lakes that we had passed on our way. Once we arrived at our destination we broke out the lunch and sat down to eat, but that was only for a brief second or two. The next thing I heard out of my son's mouth was "DUCKY, DUCKY" and "Owen down please, Owen down please" He wanted to go play in the water with the ducks. How could I say "NO", he was having fun and so was I. So we played in the water and fed the ducks and just relaxed. We took a few photos to remember the day and headed back to the bike shop. By the way awesome sandwich from The Lunch Box!!!!! Once we got the bikes back, and our helmets and stuff in the car we headed home. As I watched my son drift off to sleep on the ride back I thought about how awesome that day was and how much fun I had with my family. I would recommend to anyone in the area, take the family to ride the trail and stop by Cape Cod Rail Trail Bike and Kayak, as well as The Lunch Box while you're at it!

Happiness Is.....

You just gotta give yourself a treat and watch this video. Humans are pretty cool after all!
Thank you, Matt Harding....

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap080722.html

Bond Broken

Be forewarned that this is one of those stories that will really crank off many of our readers... its a story about an occurrence that's just wrong, wrong, wrong....but it does highlight the importance of being sure you're careful to use the right type of security for your bike or motorcycle, considering the value of your stuff that may need to be replaced, not to mention the vehicle when its stolen. I do have to say, these two have a much more generous attitude toward the thief than I would have had!

http://www.registerguard.com/rg/Home/story.csp?cid=126107&sid=1&fid=1

Unplugged....

I'm going on vacation. For a whole week. I'm so excited I can't stand it! I may, or may not blog from my trip. And, you may, or may not hear from the rest of the Kryptonite Krew....but have no fear, we're still here and will be back with you in a week (or sooner, if I miss ya!). But, every once in awhile you just need to step away from the technology....

This is me....stepping away.....but I'll be back!

Enjoy your week!

Gone, Baby, Gone

Sorry for the quiet time. I was out taking a 4-day weekend. It was much needed and, although hectic, it was fun. I thought about blogging, but sometimes you really just need to unplug, you know? So, it never got past being thought about.

I know this site isn't about movies, but hey it's what is on my mind today. Saw a great movie this weekend, as you can guess from the title of the post. "Gone, Baby, Gone" is fantastic! If I was given a vote by the academy, I'd vote Ed Harris as best supporting actor to get the Oscar. He was that incredibly good. Scene stealer every time.

In full disclosure, I know the author of the novel and, although I haven't seen him in years, I consider him a friend. Regardless, I'd recommend this movie even if I didn't know Dennis. It's very well done. BUT, I'm warning you now - moral dilemma at the end. So much so that you won't be able to stop thinking about it. Trust me, when I read the book for the first time it stayed with me for at least a week, maybe more. The movie captures that pretty well. Actually, I'd like to see it again and probably will.

Have you seen the movie? Did you read the book? What would you do? C'mon, I want to know. I'm truly curious as to what you'd do in that situation (at the end of the movie/book) and then I'll tell you my thoughts. I just don't want to put them here to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen the movie.

What would you do if you were Patrick and Angie at the end of the movie?

Hiking, Climbing and Camping My Way to Interbike

by Eric Anastasia, Eastern Regional Manager

This was the fourth year that I boarded a plane in route to Las Vegas for Interbike (international bike tradeshow). The conventional way of traveling to Interbike for me is to board the plane at Boston’s Logan Airport and disembark in “Sin City” Las Vegas, Nevada.

This year was different. I did leave from Boston but I landed in Denver, Colorado, then traveled out to Vail to link up with a good friend of mine. He had planned a little journey for us; well over a thousand driving miles, 2 State Parks, 5 National Parks and countless miles of hiking all in 4 days. One of the days we hiked over 11 miles in under 6 hours, a little less then half of those miles where done in a river. The remainder was a 1400’ vertical hike with steep zig-zags though the mountain. (Zion N.P.)

The River

The Summit

I could go on and on about the incredible sights we saw but I will give it to you simple.

Arched National Park

Capitol Reef National Park

Goblin Valley State Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Zion National Park

And finally, Red Rocks

This was by far the best Interbike I ever experienced. We already started talking about next year's trip and the route we are going to take.

In Falmouth!

Each of the last 16 years I've headed to Falmouth, MA for the internationally famous Falmouth Road Race. This year is no different; I arrived yesterday afternoon and started working on getting organized and settled.

During my morning walk, I was reminded why I love it so much here - there's such a wonderful, vacation atmosphere in the whole town. Everyone you meet along the way says 'good morning' or 'hello'. There are walkers, runners and cyclists out early on the roads enjoying the nice sea air during their rides/walks. Me, included. It was lovely breathing in that salt air along the finish line route. And, yes, I even visited my special brick at the finish line park.

Interestingly enough, I saw as many cyclists as runners this morning, which is amazing considering that it is road race weekend. But, this is a great cycling town - a couple of people riding to work, a mother and daughter out for a morning Tour Day Neighborhood and two guys in their Discovery kits out for a training ride, among others. It's good to see.

I even saw a two seater at the hotel.

But, this weekend is mainly about running so, good luck to all the runners. I hope you all enjoy the 35th running of the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race!