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Okay, I am doing some weeding out of stuff I have collected over the years. I have 10 boxes of books up for grabs – roughly 90% SF and FAN from 80′s & 90′s and the other 10% is fiction such as clancy, larry bond, ludlum, lustbader. Composition is basically 8 boxes PB and 2 boxes hardcover or trade. I estimate that there are easily 200 or more books. These are free, but you have to take them all off my hands. If no one wants them, I will put them up on craigslist next. I like most of them, but honestly, almost everything I read now is in e-book html format on my PDA. You can email me if you would like them or if you don’t have my email leave a contact in the discussion.

SlantyNet has now successfully transfered to a new body, provided by SlantyOJ. I can’t actually count how many iterations Slanty has existed in now, transferring to a new mind or body in alternation for the last eight years. Its appropriate that it comes today… Happy birthday SlantyNet.

SlantyNet, snarky and immortal since 100199.

Heh, Google thinks we have some authority on 100199

And here’s some blasts from the past:
SlantyWars
The first Slanty webpage
The second Slanty webpage (edit: 2nd)

ooh, found a little more

old.slanty.net

old2.slanty.net

Saturday, June 23

Distance: 155 km
Riding Time: 7:40 hours
Average Speed: 20.3 kph
Top Speed: 71.8 kph
Location: Whispering Spruce Campground, Golden

What. A. Day.

So. Trying for Golden in a single day. It’ll be about 40 km further than anything else I’ve done, and there’s a mountain pass in the way. Why go for it? Well, partly for the challenge. I was so fresh at the end of yesterday’s ride, that I felt reasonably confident I could have gone a great deal further. Also, partly because all the reports I’ve heard have said that Illecillewait campground, right near the top of the pass, is still closed. If so, that’s much later than it was supposed to be, so I’m a bit skeptical. But if my target is just to reach the pass, and I can’t stop there, I’ll be in trouble. Better to aim for more and decide to stop early, if need be. And another reason is that the nearest shower is in Golden. That may be the biggest reason of all.

Started the day at about 7:30 at the Ol’ Frontier restaurant, pretty much the only place for breakfast in Revelstoke. Nice and hearty, went for the gusto of an absolutely stuffed 4 egg omelet that left ME absolutely stuffed. Then I had to go into the washroom to put on my gear, because I hadn’t wanted to eat breakfast in cycling shorts. Might as well be comfortable for as long as possible. Started up the first hill out of town, and it occurred to me that my body had really adapted to this routine. I had just eaten a massive meal and was now exercising heavily, but no cramps at all. Not that I’m complaining.

The day cruised along nicely, and I made pretty good time. There was a lot of uphill approaching the pass, but most of it was quite gradual, and there were even a couple of nice little downhill jaunts to break up the monotony. As I was coming onto one straight stretch, I was passed by a convoy of about 2 dozen cars that we exclusively Lamborghinis and Ferraris. Very cool. The roofs were so much lower than my head. There was one straggler a few minutes later that passed me just before going up a gentle uphill, and I had to plug my ear because the engine noise was barking out the tailpipe so loudly.


I also had 3 tunnels to cope with on the way up. I’d been told by a tour guide in Revelstoke that the safest way was to simply get off the bike and walk through, because it was dark enough inside that you couldn’t be sure of what you were going to ride over. I was a bit paranoid about the first one, but saw that there was basically a track for vehicles to go around through the grass, so I followed that very slowly and bypassed the tunnel altogether. The second one, I couldn’t see a way around, so started to ride through and had no trouble at all; visibility was fine. So I confidently rode into the third when I got there, and was lucky not to hit a road drain and bail. Turns out the 2nd had and open outside wall, but the 3rd didn’t. Lesson learned, but fortunately no more tunnels on this side of the pass.

Saw this wreckage past one of the tunnels. I’m sure there’s a story.

I timed things well, and was nearing the top of the pass at about lunchtime. I was pretty pumped as I neared the big push to the top, so was still pretty confident that I could make it all the way to Golden. Stopped to load up on energy snacks and water, and to stretch the ol’ legs out a bit, then started the slog. It wasn’t too bad for the first km or so, and which point I passed the entrance to Illecillewait, and saw that the gate was open, though the “Closed� sign was still up. No matter. I was feeling pretty good, though sweating like a madman with malaria in Nicaragua, so made the final decision to push on. The final 3 km to the top of the pass were pretty intense. Not as steep as Monashee pass, but still enough that I had to stand in the pedals for most of it and just power my way up. Made it without any trouble though, and was happy to see the Rogers Pass visitor center. Nice place to stop for lunch.

About halfway through a couple rode up on their bikes, and we had a chat. I was quite impressed, because they looked to be at least 10 years older than me, so it was pretty inspiring to see. Turns out they camped in Golden the previous night, and were hoping to camp at Illecilewhateveritis tonight, but had also heard that it was still closed. I told them about the gate being open, and they went inside to ask. Turns out the site was opening up that day, so they were in luck. I told them that I was planning on reaching Golden, and they seemed skeptical. They mentioned that I had another big hill ahead of me (which I hadn’t known about, but hey, how hard could it be?), as well as the time change (which I’d forgotten about). I was daunted for a bit, but figured that if I turned back now to get to Illecil…, I’d just have to face the last 3 km again, and I didn’t want that. So off I went. Left Roger’s pass at 1:30. Incidentally, I tried the satellite phone at the top of the pass without any luck at all. If it won’t work there, where will it work?

The downhill was absolutely a dream. Didn’t worry about the tunnels, I just went into the lane and moved with the traffic. Had to stop for construction, which isn’t easy on a 90 pound bike going downhill, but that was the only hiccup. Then it seemed to become really hard going at the bottom. I expected it to be pretty flat, or even gradually downhill most of the way to Golden, so was pretty disappointed and starting to worry a bit. But at least it was a nice day. It was a bit cool, which worked well for me, but not too cold.

Mountains abound.

Then I found the next hill. Turns out it wasn’t a “hill,� it was another bloody pass! Somebody decided to put a frickin mountain pass in the way and not name it! The hill was a couple km long, and I had a nice viewpoint to stop at along the way, but I really couldn’t believe how long this thing was. Eventually I made it, and the road got easier for a good portion of the rest of the trip.

Before too long I came to a nice, 6 km downhill run by a big sawmill into the Columbia River valley. I’d never really noticed this place, but it’s a gorgeous valley that runs for about 20 km outside Golden, and it’s almost perfectly flat. Lots of meandering waterways for wildlife to live in, and a great stretch of highway to make good cycling time on. As this was the last stretch before reaching Golden, I was pretty pumped, and nearly riding on pure adrenaline. Had to stop a couple of times for a granola bar or power shot, as I was nearly out of fuel. In due time I made it to the town, pretty much spent but feeling very triumphant. That went away damn quick.

The couple at the pass told me to avoid the municipal campground in Golden at all costs, as it’s right beside the rail station and there’s constant banging and squealing of trains. I decided to go for the Whispering Spruce, which is just past town by about 2k. Problem is, there’s a hill there. A mother steep hill. Much like the one coming off the Faukier ferry that nearly beat me, and I had to ride up it at the end of my longest day yet. I started up, but was really beaten down by how steep it was. I came around one corner, and could see my turnoff up ahead about 500 m or so, but there was no way to make it without stopping so I pulled into a rest stop on the side.

Golden from the rest stop.

When I pulled into the rest area, I just leaned over the handlebars, hung my head, and gasped for air. Felt like puking. I’m possibly in the best shape of my life, and certainly the best riding shape of the trip, and I thought I might throw up. That says a lot about that bugger of a hill. Eventually I caught my breath, took a picture, and moved on to the campground. Stopped at the turnoff from the highway to snap a shot of some friendly sheep.

Look at how old this bugger is!

Set up in the campground, moving very slowly at all things, and took a blessed shower. Though I was bloody tired, I truly think that I was more beat when I pulled into Cranbrook with Dave. Three long days and fighting the wind wore me out more than this. I decided to call Dee before going for dinner. Sneaky me! I told here that, amazingly enough, they have cell service at the top of Roger’s Pass! Must be just for the resort! She had no reason to doubt, so she bought it. Now I can surprise her by walking in a day early.

My allergies were acting up a lot; I must have burned them out of the system during the ride. So I popped another pill and headed off for dinner. Went to the Restaurant at the Golden Rim Motor Inn, and had an amazing pizza. Go there, for pizza. Outstanding, and very filling. I was able to stay awake for the meal, and headed off to bed.

Did you know that “non drowsy� allergy pills are simply stuffed with caffeine? I didn’t, but I do now. After spending nearly 8 hours in the seat of my bike, I’m wide awake. I’m a bit distressed by this, because I have to take on Kicking Horse pass tomorrow, but I’m sure my exhaustion will overcome the drugs eventually. Besides, I can sleep in tomorrow because the day isn’t nearly as long (about 80k) and because I have breakfast with me and will munch while packing up.

This day will stay with me for a long time.

As I need to up my hits, to find out the latest exciting piece of news you’ll need to check out LonnieSwift.com

RIP Robert Jordan… he was supposed to be working on the final book. I wonder if it will ever come out.. if you’re looking to kill some time until it does here’s a realy neat flash game.

So anyone that’s anyone probably knows that Wolf and I sold our neighboring properties to a developer last year, it is something that we like to talk about a lot. It was happy days, we ate sushi, smiled and drank a lot, I continued on with my retirement and vendeta against the zombie hords, and now rent back and continue to live in the house the I once owned.

Our monies have been invested, and life carries on.

…since then, I’ve wondered if perhaps we would have gotten more if we’d hung on another year before selling. I went a wandering on the net looking for another piece-o-property that was for sale down the block, turns out that property is going for a whooping 1.3 Million. That surprised me a bit seeing as it’s just an empty lot, but not as much as finding these two beauties :

Used to be mine.

Used to be Wolf’s.

Looks like our houses are back on the market, and have been since June 4th! Imagine my surprise…landlords haven’t even mentioned a thing. Price is up about 7.5% in one year, and they’ve lowered their price once by $30k since it went on the market in June. Looks like the places aren’t hot on the market like when we sold before, we had ourselves a bidding war when we sold last year, about 6 groups or so. I’m super curious to see what the market will bear these days, I guess time will tell what the shake-down is.

“I’m storming the castle,
I’ve got my sword,
It’s METAL!!!”

It’s like you tube but for giga pixel photos.