Smackdown Smacked Down

I have made an executive decision not to run the Autumn Tree Smackdown this year. Believe it or not, it actually took a lot of time to do and I have work and other obligations coming up that could really make it tough.

 

Plus, as somebody mentioned long ago, naming problems were about to rear their ugly heads...

 

First Annual Rantwick Autumn Tree Smackdown = FARATS

Second Annual Rantwick Autumn Tree Smackdown = SARATS

Third Annual Rantwick Autumn Tree Smackdown = TARATS

Fourth Annual Rantwick Autumn Tree Smackdown = 4ARATS? FFARATS?

 

Then what about Fifth? Ugh. Obviously I wasn't thinking ahead when I ran the first couple.

 

I feel kind of bad, but on the other hand, I know of marriages that didn't last three years. My marriage is fine, but when it comes to contests it would seem I have crippling commitment issues.

 

For those of you who can't stop spotting contestants (I have this problem too, despite the fact that I only ever posted the King), please feel free to send in your pics! I'll be happy to post them here; I'm just not going to run the contest, so it would just be for the fun of it rather than for the glamorous prizes. 

 

Yer Remorseful Pal,

R A N T W I C K

PS - If any of you fine former contestants feel like taking over and want to host the Smackdown instead of me, please do so! The King would win, I know it. 

Where Was Everybody?

This morning's ride into work was the first one in a while that I was able to extend a bit because miracle of miracles, I left with enough time. It was cool enough that I had to stop and put on my gloves, but just perfect in my opinion; it was one of those mornings when you think of people getting to work in their cars and wish they only knew how much nicer their mornings could be.

Consider two pictures from this morning's ride:

 

 

This?

Or this?

Easy decision, I think. Of course, even the second picture is more fun on the bike.

 

 

The thing is, in something like 7 km of riverside MUP, I didn't see one cyclist, not even any of my "regulars". Maybe everybody runs late like me. Maybe once shorts and T-shirt weather is gone, most put their bikes away. That would be a terrible shame because Fall is cycling prime time as far as I'm concerned. Enjoy it as much as you can before the snow flies! Then, if you're up for it, ride in the snow!

 

Yer Pal,

R A N T W I C K