Filed May 8, 2007 at 12:12 pm under Get Fit... by TJ
The League of American Bicyclists is promoting Bike-to-Work Week from May 14-18 and Bike-to-Work Day on Friday, May 18. Need some ideas? Here are 50 ways (large PDF) to celebrate Bike Month.
I actually started the commute to work yesterday. It’s roughly 25 miles, and takes about an hour and a half. If I were to drive my car, it takes about an hour in traffic. I even rode home when I got off work at 10:30PM last night, and felt safe the whole way. It’s funny what a $15 set of bike lights from Wal*mart will do for you.
Now, I’ll just have to learn to ride without training wheels.Â
Filed May 5, 2007 at 10:49 pm under Boring Stuff by TJ
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 See, I told ya. It IS all about the hat.Â
 Street Sense Dominates Kentucky Derby 133
Congrats to owner James Tafel for a great win, as well as to Jockey Calvin Borel for a fantastic ride!
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Filed May 4, 2007 at 7:37 am under Boring Stuff by TJ
Getting out of the pool today (it was a good swim practice…), I realized tomorrow is an extra special day. First, here in Indianapolis, we are having the Indy 500 Mini Marathon, which, due to selling out while I was recovering from surgery, I did not get registered for the race. Second, as everyone knows, my “Mexican” heritage holds tomorrow dear in my heart, as it’s Cinco de Mayo. I think I’m going to have to eat a burrito tomorrow. I’ve had no tequila in quite some time – not after the Buffett incident a couple of years ago – so a Siglo XX (Dos Equis) may be in store for me somewhere tomorrow instead.
Finally, the real thing tomorrow, something that I truely hold near and dear to my heart is the Kentucky Derby. Blame it on my upbringing, blame it on the Kentucky school systems, hell, there is nothing to really blame it on, the Kentucky Derby is probably the most spectacular sporting event ever. Hell, even the Queen will be there, so it can’t be all that bad…
Didn’t I say something about a hat in the title? I dusted this little bit below off from my archives from a few years ago, and it will always be relevant, as the Derby is all about the hat… (I bet the Queen will have a spectacular hat – there will surely be photos of her with it by Sunday – I may have to update it then…)
So, if you happened across this site tomorrow, Saturday May 5 2007, after running the Mini, while you are drinking your recovery drink, be it Gatorade, Mint Julebs or a Margarita, kick your feet up and enjoy. I’m not going to even change the dates below, just know this is from the archives.
 It’s all about the hat
Someone once told me “It’s all about the hat”, and since it is technically “tomorrow”, that means it is now today.
Huh? Stay with me.
Today, Saturday May 6th, 2006, is the first Saturday in May. As most of you know, I’m just some Hillbilly from a little town just east of Louisville, Ky called Crestwood, in Oldham County. Being from that little town, today has a BUNCH of special meaning to me. Today, at 6:04PM, the gates open “And their off” starts the Run for the Roses. For the next two minutes, you will see the most exciting racing event, as well as one of the longest running sporting traditions in the USA. For those of you with an IQ that challenges that of the sprig in my julep, it’s the Kentucky Derby.
What is the Derby?
The classic American horse race, the Kentucky Derby is the oldest consecutively held Thoroughbred race in America. It is run annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Along with the Preakness in mid-May, and Belmont in early June, it is the first jewel of the coveted Triple Crown of Thoroughbred racing, which has been won by only eleven horses since 1919. Triple Crown winners include memorable names such as Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Whirlaway, and Affirmed.
The first Kentucky Derby was held May 17, 1875, before a crowd of 10,000 from around the city, state and surrounding areas. In that race, a field of 15 three-year-olds ran a 1.5 mile course which was won by H.P. McGrath’s Aristides. Although the first Derby was held at 1.5 miles, the distance was changed to the current 1.25 miles in 1896.
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The Derby field is limited to three-year-olds; fillies carry 121 pounds and colts 126 pounds. So far, only three fillies have won the Derby: Regret in 1915, Genuine Risk in 1980, and Winning Colors in 1988. The Kentucky Derby has also produced countless statistics and bits of trivia over the course of its history. The largest field was during the 100th running in 1974 when 23 horses ran. The smallest fields were in 1892 and 1905, with only three horses in each race.
The fastest Derby was run by the legendary Secretariat, who covered the 1 1/4 miles in 1:59 2/5, one of only two Derby winners to finish under two minutes.
Now, I’m sure you are scratching either your head or your ass telling yourself that I said something about a hat and yesterday? What was all that about?
Again, growing up in Kentucky, Derby week is all about traditions. From drinking Mint Juleps to parties on the Belvedere; from singing “My Old Kentucky Home” to buying Derby Pins in search of a gold one; from the Garland of Roses to eating Derby Pie; Kentuckians hold their Derby traditions close to their heart. One such tradition I’ve always enjoyed seeing is the display of hats that week. Ladies in hats at the Kentucky Derby is a tradition that is probably as old as the Derby itself. From small and tasteful to large and frilly, you will see hats in all colors of the rainbow on women of all ages. Often they are together in groups and sometimes even the guys get into the act! Everyone enjoys the hat parade and the wearers are all glad to show them off.
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