Buh-Bye Honda Financial Services!

And so the Flying Lunchbox is finally paid off. Free and clear. In my name and my name only.

The hauler of triathlon bikes, wetsuits, drum kits, furniture, Tri-Daughter stuff and the occasionally incontinent Golden Retriever is now MINE, MINE, MINE, ALL MINE!

Tour de France Bike Brands

Confession being good for the soul, I guess it's time I confessed to being a gear junkie. Yes, I lust after bikes, wetsuits, jerseys, running shoes, sunglasses and whatever else the well-dressed tri-geek happens to be wearing at the moment.

Thus I'm always curious about the bikes being ridden in the Tour de France, especially the time trial machines. Here to start with are the leading teams' road bikes. Triathletes will recognize some big names: Trek, Cervelo, Felt, Scott, Kuota, Specialized, Giant, Cannondale, to name a few.

Though a new tri-bike won't make me any faster, I'll feel SO patriotic as my purchase helps a local bike shop make the week's payroll. Maybe I'll see if Obamanomics offers tax incentives to replace an older carbon fiber rocket with a newer model. I feel at least as entitled - and WAY more virtuous - as someone trading in a Hummer.

Just remember: buying a Trek Madone 6.9 Pro doesn't make you Lance Armstrong any more than getting a speeding ticket makes you Danica Patrick.

It's Electrolytes, Stupid!

Here's why Crank e-Gels rock and why I'm proud to call 'em an un-sponsor.  Plus they actually taste good, not like warm, vanilla-flavored snot.

Say 'hello' to a new Life Is A Tri un-sponsor: Swim Spa.  They appreciate your support and so do I.

And The Family Expands By One

Last weekend, thanks to my oustandingly upstanding influence, Tri-Brother bought his very own Flying Lunchbox.  (Apparently tri-bikes are tough to fit into a Porsche's trunk or something.)  He called me on the way home from the dealer to find out which XM channel carries Cubs' games.  Like I'd know?  Those bums.  I don't expect Aramis "Anonymous" Ramirez and Derek "Double-Play" Lee to go far in the playoffs.

Now if you see Tri-Bro somewhere along the Maryland shore, unloading a carbon-fiber rocket from the back of a Lunchbox, say 'hi' then get the hell outta his way.

I'm sure he'd appreciate it.

Welcome Another Un-Sponsor

Mavic wheels...