There a lots of places to eat lunch in downtown St. Louis. Here are some thought on a few of them.
The best place, by far, is B.B.s Jazz Blues and Soups. I've never had a bad meal there. It's about $11 for lunch, so it's a bit pricey. The atmosphere is excellent, there is alway good music on the sound system and it sounds great. It's not crowded. I think it's just a little bit to far some fat people to walk. The specials are always good. The soups are out of this world. Try it, you'll like it.
And in no particular order...
Wehbe's Cafe: Always good for wraps. The tabouli can be a bit watery. Lot's of hotties eat there, which is nice.
St. Louis Bread: Okay. Sometimes it's too crowded. Good cookies.
Famous, 6th floor: Fried chicken Thursday is good. Nice big salad bar. Why bowls and no plates? I don't get it.
Dooleys: Great burgers, heart attack on a plate. Can be smokey, that can ruin any meal.
ZuZu: I love Mexican. It was horrible when it first opened. Now it's good. The green salsa is the bomb. They charge extra for iced tea. What?
Red Door Chinese: no-smoking back room when I get there. no wata seven fify when I leave. In between, completely stuff myself. I alway go down the south side of the buffet.
Kitchen K: Pricey and loud. Don't, I repeat, don't order the jamaican reuben.
Not worth mentioning: Lion's Choice, Wendy's, TGI Friday's, Swifty's, New York Deli, Quiznos, there I just mentioned them.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Sharkys
Images from a band job:
A beautiful sunset looking from Missouri into Illinois, while Mississippi flows by from south to north.
A girl doing a pole dance in a satin top while ten other women talked about her.
A pushy 70 year old lady singing The Rose while the crownd waits painfully.
Six boaters sitting smoking six cigarettes.
Song after song with no dancers, a small crowd.
A long ride out through the corn fields, stuck behind a MoDot truck
A beautiful sunset looking from Missouri into Illinois, while Mississippi flows by from south to north.
A girl doing a pole dance in a satin top while ten other women talked about her.
A pushy 70 year old lady singing The Rose while the crownd waits painfully.
Six boaters sitting smoking six cigarettes.
Song after song with no dancers, a small crowd.
A long ride out through the corn fields, stuck behind a MoDot truck
Monday, June 26, 2006
Webster Crit
I felt pretty good when I lined up for the 4/5 race. I wasn't completely warmed up, so I knew the first few laps were going to hurt.
I started out pretty much toward the back. I keep screwing up by not moving up toward the front at the start. The first turn was a traffic jam and I had to get up and sprint afterward. The pace felt pretty fast, but I wasn't having any trouble hanging on. About five laps in I was getting pretty warmed up and I started passing and drifting up to the front of the race. My hope was to meet up with my Hub teammates and settle in until the last few laps.
Just past the finish line it happened. Guys were flying all over the place. Crashing everywhere. I grabbed the brakes and got lucky. I came to a complete stop and missed everybody. The problem was I lost complete contact with the front group and I was going to have to chase to get back on. It was pretty hopeless, but I gave it a good effort for a couple of laps. I was flying solo and using up a ton of energy. I saw guy on my wheel and tried to wave him through, but he wouldn't do it. Finally, Adam showed up and I got a little break. We couldn't see the main field, but we finally had a little chase group going.
Next time around Buddy pulled us. I figured we must have been about to get lapped. I cut through a parking lot and headed back to the spectator area. Nobody know about the crash. Later the group went by and some of the crashers were still out there.
I saw Adam back at the wheel pit and he was ticked off about getting pulled. It turns out we were only about 20 seconds behind. A lap was taking about 2:20, so we were in no danger of getting lapped, even by the end of the race. $30 down the drain. Later, Paul told me he was way behind us, and he didn't get pulled until the last lap.
Oh well. It was great to see Ryan there. He was heading off to Columbia. It was a busy weekend. Two band jobs and a bike race.
I started out pretty much toward the back. I keep screwing up by not moving up toward the front at the start. The first turn was a traffic jam and I had to get up and sprint afterward. The pace felt pretty fast, but I wasn't having any trouble hanging on. About five laps in I was getting pretty warmed up and I started passing and drifting up to the front of the race. My hope was to meet up with my Hub teammates and settle in until the last few laps.
Just past the finish line it happened. Guys were flying all over the place. Crashing everywhere. I grabbed the brakes and got lucky. I came to a complete stop and missed everybody. The problem was I lost complete contact with the front group and I was going to have to chase to get back on. It was pretty hopeless, but I gave it a good effort for a couple of laps. I was flying solo and using up a ton of energy. I saw guy on my wheel and tried to wave him through, but he wouldn't do it. Finally, Adam showed up and I got a little break. We couldn't see the main field, but we finally had a little chase group going.
Next time around Buddy pulled us. I figured we must have been about to get lapped. I cut through a parking lot and headed back to the spectator area. Nobody know about the crash. Later the group went by and some of the crashers were still out there.
I saw Adam back at the wheel pit and he was ticked off about getting pulled. It turns out we were only about 20 seconds behind. A lap was taking about 2:20, so we were in no danger of getting lapped, even by the end of the race. $30 down the drain. Later, Paul told me he was way behind us, and he didn't get pulled until the last lap.
Oh well. It was great to see Ryan there. He was heading off to Columbia. It was a busy weekend. Two band jobs and a bike race.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Marinas
This weekend Daddy's Cookin' is playing the St. Charles marinas. We've got Capt. Jacks tonight. The setting is perfect. We play on a deck overlooking the Mississippi. Last time was a blast and they really wanted us back. I've been working a Santana tune and it's going to probably be our first song. We actually worked up Free Bird for late. It's a maybe right now.
We've finally been actually practicing. We have some rocked up versions of oldies that should sound good. Lately we been taking a Rolling Stones style guitar and doing our own versions of stuff.
Tomorrow is Sharky's. It's going to be a long, fun weekend. The Dogfish race is Sunday. If I'm not too exhausted, I'll be there.
We've finally been actually practicing. We have some rocked up versions of oldies that should sound good. Lately we been taking a Rolling Stones style guitar and doing our own versions of stuff.
Tomorrow is Sharky's. It's going to be a long, fun weekend. The Dogfish race is Sunday. If I'm not too exhausted, I'll be there.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Hub Ride
Last night's Hub ride started on the wrong foot for me. I went out into my garage, where is had to be about 110 degrees, to get my bike. The tires felt a little soft. I was pumping up the back tire and the stem broke off. I changed out the tube and headed down toward the ride.
Just my luck, I see the group on the other side of a grass median and I missed them. I had to sprint like heck to get back on. Looking around, there were a lot of the regulars. I reset my trip computer as we crossed Manchester.
I got gapped on the Geyer hill and had to go for it all the way to Clayton. We let up for a while and regrouped at Ballas. Just past Principia we caught up with a triathlon chick. She was hanging on for a half mile or so and then she disappeared. There were a few attacks on Mason Woods and we got back together on Mason. There was a girl waiting sideways in the lane as we rode around her.
On the hill heading to Mason I wound up in front. I stayed on the front all the way up the hill on Conway and most of the way down Babler. When we hit Ladue, Dan Bruns bolted off the front and we all chased him up to the red light.
On the grind up Conway I got caught behind a couple of guys and had the chase out in the wind for a bit. I grabbed Ryan's wheel for a good bit of it. We rocked pretty good from there until Litzsinger. The sprint was a blast. Ron went out first, I slowly pulled through and then the rush came through the turns. I wound up fourth at the turn on to McNight. I pushed up the hill to Manchester and was first to the light. Ryan took off like usual and I followed him the rest of the way. Dan Bruns came out of nowhere and passed me at the railroad tracks. It seemed like we were about a minute or so in front of everybody. It was so hot my head felt like it was going to explode. Our average speed, including a the stopping and a slow roll on Litzsinger was 20.8 mph.
I hung around the bike shop for a short meeting with a few beers and noodle on home. Cheryl and Brett were watching America's Top Model. After a hamburger, fries, and some undercooked brownies I was done. Sleepy time. Good night.
Just my luck, I see the group on the other side of a grass median and I missed them. I had to sprint like heck to get back on. Looking around, there were a lot of the regulars. I reset my trip computer as we crossed Manchester.
I got gapped on the Geyer hill and had to go for it all the way to Clayton. We let up for a while and regrouped at Ballas. Just past Principia we caught up with a triathlon chick. She was hanging on for a half mile or so and then she disappeared. There were a few attacks on Mason Woods and we got back together on Mason. There was a girl waiting sideways in the lane as we rode around her.
On the hill heading to Mason I wound up in front. I stayed on the front all the way up the hill on Conway and most of the way down Babler. When we hit Ladue, Dan Bruns bolted off the front and we all chased him up to the red light.
On the grind up Conway I got caught behind a couple of guys and had the chase out in the wind for a bit. I grabbed Ryan's wheel for a good bit of it. We rocked pretty good from there until Litzsinger. The sprint was a blast. Ron went out first, I slowly pulled through and then the rush came through the turns. I wound up fourth at the turn on to McNight. I pushed up the hill to Manchester and was first to the light. Ryan took off like usual and I followed him the rest of the way. Dan Bruns came out of nowhere and passed me at the railroad tracks. It seemed like we were about a minute or so in front of everybody. It was so hot my head felt like it was going to explode. Our average speed, including a the stopping and a slow roll on Litzsinger was 20.8 mph.
I hung around the bike shop for a short meeting with a few beers and noodle on home. Cheryl and Brett were watching America's Top Model. After a hamburger, fries, and some undercooked brownies I was done. Sleepy time. Good night.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Chasing George
Yesterday George asked if I wanted to do the Marshall loop. It sounded like there would be a few guys going. I wasn't sure if I would do it, so I told him not to wait for me.
This morning I woke up at 4:30. I went to bed early last night because I felt bad. I decided to go on the ride and I felt pretty good when I got started. It turned out that George was the only one to show up. We headed down past Kirkwood park. I cruised ahead and hit Lindeman a few seconds ahead. I got up out of the saddle all the way up the hill. I kept waiting for George, but I made it up ahead of him.
We headed down Dougherty Ferry to Barrett Station. I decided to try and pace George up the long hill by the Museum of Transport. It was pretty tough, but I made it to the top with him. After decending and heading toward Valley Park I started having trouble clipping in. We finally stopped and I found that a screw had fallen out of my cleat. We kept on going and it didn't bother me too much.
I drafted off of George all the way to the climb. It was reasonably easy up the bridge. About halfway from there it started to hurt. Usually George drops me on the that section but today I hung on. I looked down and we were going 11.5 to 12.5 most of the way. George thought it was one of his fastest ever times up the hill. I guess that means I broke the 3 minute barrier that has been dogging me the past few years.
We headed back to the park and chatted at the house for a few minutes and then it was off to work.
This morning I woke up at 4:30. I went to bed early last night because I felt bad. I decided to go on the ride and I felt pretty good when I got started. It turned out that George was the only one to show up. We headed down past Kirkwood park. I cruised ahead and hit Lindeman a few seconds ahead. I got up out of the saddle all the way up the hill. I kept waiting for George, but I made it up ahead of him.
We headed down Dougherty Ferry to Barrett Station. I decided to try and pace George up the long hill by the Museum of Transport. It was pretty tough, but I made it to the top with him. After decending and heading toward Valley Park I started having trouble clipping in. We finally stopped and I found that a screw had fallen out of my cleat. We kept on going and it didn't bother me too much.
I drafted off of George all the way to the climb. It was reasonably easy up the bridge. About halfway from there it started to hurt. Usually George drops me on the that section but today I hung on. I looked down and we were going 11.5 to 12.5 most of the way. George thought it was one of his fastest ever times up the hill. I guess that means I broke the 3 minute barrier that has been dogging me the past few years.
We headed back to the park and chatted at the house for a few minutes and then it was off to work.
Monday, June 12, 2006
State Championship
This was my third try at racing in the Masters division. The race was in Columbia, Missouri on a course that I had raced last year as a cat 4. I'm done racing as a cat 4, too many crashes and not of them my fault.
The field had about 35 riders or so. It was my first ride in a Hub jersey. There was one other Hub rider there, a nice guy I alway ride with on Wednesday night. We joked about our chances and the race started.
The first thing I remember was Shawn O'Neal breaking off of the front. Nobody chased him down and after a while we were all back together. Kent and Todd were patroling around in front of me. I was happy to sit in about 10th. Once in a while I would drop further back. About 4 miles from the end there were two sharp climbs. On the first lap I looked down and my heart rate had jumped to 194. I wondered how many times I would be able to hang on that section of the course.
Surprisingly enough, I was able to hang on through the third of four laps. After the finish line section I had to sprint really hard to get back on the group. The pace finally let up a little bit and it was looking good for finishing with the leaders.
Finally we came to the final steep hill section and everone went all out climbing. They got a gap on me and Todd and headed up to the next climb. Todd got out of the saddle and chase back on and I did my best to not let them get any further ahead. At that point I knew there was just about 5 minutes left in the race. I though back to my interval sessions with Paul Mueller and go down on the drops and went for it. It seemed like I was catching up to the group slightly, but it wasn't going to happen. On the finish line climb I could see the pack up ahead and I though I could pass a few stragglers. I almost caught one of the guys.
I cruised up the road and Todd was laying in the grass. He said he gave it his all, but he was around 10th. I went back and the official said I was the 22nd rider to cross after our winner, but there was racers from another field in the group so there was no way to know for sure how I finished. We averaged about 24mph on a rolling hills course. It felt pretty fast to me.
I felt real good about my effort. I don't train all that much, I really just ride for fun so hanging with the big dogs is an accoplishment.
The field had about 35 riders or so. It was my first ride in a Hub jersey. There was one other Hub rider there, a nice guy I alway ride with on Wednesday night. We joked about our chances and the race started.
The first thing I remember was Shawn O'Neal breaking off of the front. Nobody chased him down and after a while we were all back together. Kent and Todd were patroling around in front of me. I was happy to sit in about 10th. Once in a while I would drop further back. About 4 miles from the end there were two sharp climbs. On the first lap I looked down and my heart rate had jumped to 194. I wondered how many times I would be able to hang on that section of the course.
Surprisingly enough, I was able to hang on through the third of four laps. After the finish line section I had to sprint really hard to get back on the group. The pace finally let up a little bit and it was looking good for finishing with the leaders.
Finally we came to the final steep hill section and everone went all out climbing. They got a gap on me and Todd and headed up to the next climb. Todd got out of the saddle and chase back on and I did my best to not let them get any further ahead. At that point I knew there was just about 5 minutes left in the race. I though back to my interval sessions with Paul Mueller and go down on the drops and went for it. It seemed like I was catching up to the group slightly, but it wasn't going to happen. On the finish line climb I could see the pack up ahead and I though I could pass a few stragglers. I almost caught one of the guys.
I cruised up the road and Todd was laying in the grass. He said he gave it his all, but he was around 10th. I went back and the official said I was the 22nd rider to cross after our winner, but there was racers from another field in the group so there was no way to know for sure how I finished. We averaged about 24mph on a rolling hills course. It felt pretty fast to me.
I felt real good about my effort. I don't train all that much, I really just ride for fun so hanging with the big dogs is an accoplishment.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Tuesday Night Crit
Yesterday I got lots of riding in. I rode into work pretty fast. I averaged 19mph+ until I got downtown. It was kind of hot, but I like it that way.
After work I rode down to Carondolet Park. I tried to ride through the city neighborhoods. I took it real easy. At one point a chubby little kid rode up and said I had a nice bike. I wished him a good ride.
The A race was just getting started when I got there. There were lots of guys taking flyers off the front. It looked like Johnny Merli and Mark Nagy were taking lots of turns.
The B race was pretty big. I'm guessing 50 riders or so. The crowded field made it hard to move up. It seemed like I was in 25th position most of the race. The pack was really tight most of the time, but everone was concentrating so there weren't any crashes. I found that the best draft was to stay inside onlong the top stretch. As usual, I didn't feel that motivated to get out to the front so for lots of laps I just sat in.
With about 3 to go I jumped up toward the front and basically stayed there the rest of the race. I tried to make an inside move at one point but I got blocked. On the final lap I sprinted pretty hard but still had to brake due to traffic. I went for it at the end and almost caught Chuck Pass. I don't know where I finished, but it wasn't in the top ten. On the cool down lap I check the average speed and it was only 25mph. Pretty slow for a B race.
After the race Lauren gave me a ride home. I appreciated the lift, not wanted to ride the 8 miles back to Kirkwood. Tonight is the Hub ride, tomorrow Dogfish, then I have to decide if I'm going to enter the State Champ race in Columbia on Saturday.
After work I rode down to Carondolet Park. I tried to ride through the city neighborhoods. I took it real easy. At one point a chubby little kid rode up and said I had a nice bike. I wished him a good ride.
The A race was just getting started when I got there. There were lots of guys taking flyers off the front. It looked like Johnny Merli and Mark Nagy were taking lots of turns.
The B race was pretty big. I'm guessing 50 riders or so. The crowded field made it hard to move up. It seemed like I was in 25th position most of the race. The pack was really tight most of the time, but everone was concentrating so there weren't any crashes. I found that the best draft was to stay inside onlong the top stretch. As usual, I didn't feel that motivated to get out to the front so for lots of laps I just sat in.
With about 3 to go I jumped up toward the front and basically stayed there the rest of the race. I tried to make an inside move at one point but I got blocked. On the final lap I sprinted pretty hard but still had to brake due to traffic. I went for it at the end and almost caught Chuck Pass. I don't know where I finished, but it wasn't in the top ten. On the cool down lap I check the average speed and it was only 25mph. Pretty slow for a B race.
After the race Lauren gave me a ride home. I appreciated the lift, not wanted to ride the 8 miles back to Kirkwood. Tonight is the Hub ride, tomorrow Dogfish, then I have to decide if I'm going to enter the State Champ race in Columbia on Saturday.
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