Excellent Margarita recipe

While we were out in Mexico, we wanted Margaritas, and not the type that come pre-mixed. We wanted some authentic Margaritas. I did some research and found many recipes, all of which were different. Many agreed on the 3:2:1 ratios, but even those disagreed as to which ingredient was in what spot. Many recipes call for Cointreau specifically, but we discovered that in Mexico, tequila might be in every corner store, but good luck finding even a basic Triple Sec. We ultimately found a basic cheap orange liqueur, and used that.

Considering there are really only four ingredients in a Margarita, I just don't understand the need for a premix. It might be the resistance to having to squeeze all those limes, but honestly, that's not that hard if you get the right tool. We have a lemon juicer that we got from Bed Bath & Beyond, but can be gotten from many places, such as Amazon or Williams Sonoma. With that handy tool, you just cut the lime in half, put it in face down, and squeeze. Quick and simple.

Anyhow, let's get to the ingredients:

1 part Triple Sec/Orange Liqueur
3/4 part Tequila
3/4 part Lime juice
1/4 part simple syrup

Mix it all up and serve on the rocks, or blend the ice and have it frozen.

Comments on the ingredients:

The triple sec can be Cointreau but we haven't tried that yet, and since the results seem to be fine with just a plain triple sec, which is cheaper, that's what we've been using.

The tequila should be white, but if you happen to have a gold on hand, it'll work. The color of the finished margarita won't be quite as nice but it still tasted good.

Simple syrup is just a 1:1 water to sugar mix, and the only need for the water is to dissolve the sugar.

Enjoy, but be careful! They're pretty strong!

Project 18 - adjustment...

I may have been a little hasty in my initial numbers on Grace's Scale, and I have to adjust the claimed weight of the bike.

I realized that the thick neoprene chainstay guard was still in place, and there was quite a bit of dried mud on the frame. Okay, so that's getting a little crazy -- but after pulling off the chainstay guard and giving the bike a good wash, the weight is now 18.52lbs.

Yeah, I fully realize that I'm taking it a bit too far, but let's be honest, to get it this light, you really kinda have to. I'm enjoying myself and Grace is happy with the results, so no problem!!

Project 18 - success!

Back in March, I mentioned my plans to get Grace's mountain bike down to the 18lb range. While a fully rideable and reliable mountain bike weighing in under 19lbs sounds like an impossibility, it's been done. Of course, she's riding a road cassette and dérailleur, and the front dérailleur has been pulled off and replaced by a very minimalist chain guide -- you can't get to 18lbs without making some compromises (or massive investments) -- but we've succeeded. I still have some work to do and some more parts I'd like to order. Unfortunately we're into the realm of diminishing returns, and to see a sub 18lb weight, we're going to be looking at those massive investments.

At some point I'll detail the work I've done to get the bike down this low. In the meantime, Grace has been absolutely LOVING the bike!

The typical response of the non-weight weenie to the investment of time and money required to accomplish a bike this light is "why not just lose 5lbs from yourself". Sure, that can be done ( and she's been doing that, too) but if you've ever ridden a bike that's 5lbs lighter, you'll know it rides TOTALLY different, and if it's been done right, it's different in a fantastically good way. Ask Grace, she'll attest to it.

What's really sad about this success is that Grace's 18.65lb bike is still equivalent to a 32.6 -- that's thirty two point six -- pound bike for me, based on body weight percentage!! To draw even with the 26.6lb weight of my Santa Cruz, we'll have to get her bike down to 15.2lbs!

A non-awful ride!

If you've been reading, you'll know that I've been fighting some serious back pain when I've been riding the mountain bike. It's really made riding way less than fun lately, and was getting really old. Well, about a week or two ago I visited Grace at the fitness studio where she works, and she had me do several exercises while she observed. As it turns out, for some reason, my back muscles are activating too soon, which means they're working too hard, and thus are getting fatigued before they should. So, she gave me a series of exercises which I've been doing exclusively.

Last week, I got my rear shock back from Push Industries, which meant I could finally get my Santa Cruz Superlight back together. With the back pain problems, the Scott Scale hardtail just hasn't been doing it for me lately... so I was eager to get the SCSL back on the trail. On Wednesday and Thursday I disassembled the Scale, and rebuilt the Superlight.

So, for once, I was actually eager to get on the trails on Friday, and I joined Grace, BVL, DZ, and Lance for a ride in Wissahickon. I am happy to report that with the suspension -- and, more importantly -- Grace's exercises, my back was FAR better. Not perfect, but I was actually able to ride with a reasonable amount of speed, and lead the pack several times.

The suspension on the Santa Cruz needs some fine tuning, on fast, rocky downhills, the wheels felt like they were skipping off the rocks, but other than that it was SO nice to feel rear travel again.

I'm actually looking forward to riding the mountain bike again!

Not much new

Nearly a month since my last update, and there's really not much new. Grace and I did join some friends for almost a week on the beach in Mexico, just south of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, that was REALLY nice. Haven't been on the bike that much, weather hasn't been stellar since we got back, and the mountain bike hasn't been going well for me lately. I did get my rear shock for the Santa Cruz back, so yesterday I started pulling parts off of the Scale, which I'm gonna sell.

I've got such a pileup of stuff to sell on eBay, but I just haven't been making the time to get the stuff listed. Probably sitting on over a thousand dollars worth of stuff... maybe more. Just need to get off my butt and get it done.

Riding in the MS-150

Lance, JB, and I with the great guys from Team Journey

This year, I'll be riding in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's MS-150 City-to-Shore bike ride. I did it last year, and had a bunch of fun riding with friends, and making some new friends in the guys from Team Journey. The ride benefits a worthy cause, and if you feel like contributing to my fundraising efforts, feel free to visit my personal page to donate!

A shift in priority...

Back in 1995, I purchased my first brand new car, a shiny red Acura Integra GS-R. That car became my pride and joy. I washed it carefully, and often. I kept it clean. I drove it hard. I loved it, and even made a website which at the time was pretty popular, with well over 1000 hits a day. I've met many folks who said they got into Integras because of my website. My 15 minutes, I guess. :)

Even back then, though, I knew that I would be keeping the car for a good long time, and most likely running it until it fell apart. Unfortunately, I gave it some assistance in that in the form of several accidents, most of which (I'm not too proud to say) were my fault. (me and those damned deer)

So, now, going on 13 years down the road, that same car has over 208,000 miles, most of the "go-fast" parts I put on it have been removed, and with me taking the SEPTA train to work, it barely even gets driven anymore. That's probably good, too, since as I mentioned in a previous post, it recently failed inspection for some rust holes. Back in the day, I might have brought it to a body shop -- if I even let the rust happen in the first place -- but now, I used whatever materials I had on hand to slap together a repair so that it would pass inspection and that would be that.

In some ways, it's sad to see how my priorities have shifted away from the car which used to be such a valuable thing for me. In other ways, though, I've owned no car for longer, and considering how I treated this car, the fact that it has MADE it to over 200k miles and to an age where it could be the neglected beater car is very telling as to the car's durability and quality. Matter of fact, when it looked like it might be time to start looking for our next car, to replace this one, one of the first searches I did was for another Integra in the same year range. I'd lose the sunroof (tall guy needs his headroom) and wouldn't bother with the VTEC engine, but the Integra just works so well for us... our next car very likely could be another Integra.