Daytona 2011 bike week, March 4-13

Well if you have been reading my blog you already know that I have a ten day motorcycle trip to Maine

planned in June. But what most of you don’t know, I will be teaming up with my buddy Dave in a couple of weeks heading to Daytona

 Beach Florida for  BIKE WEEK . Why bike week, you ask? Truth is, this is going to be a long ride test trip for Maine. Let me explain…


The round trip to Maine is somewhere around 3000 miles; that’s a lot of riding in ten days

if you want to have time to look around a little (as I plan to). Well we have thought of a couple of options, one- ship our bikes to Maine and have ten days to look around and work our way back home around 1500 miles. Option Two would be to ride the round trip putting in a few longgggggg day rides to cut down on the total mileage. (More time to look around) well that is where the trip to Daytona comes in; it’s about 600 miles one way from my house. The plan is to get up early Saturday morning around 4 or 5am and try to knock out the entire 600 miles in one day,

spend two days there and then a one day ride back. I guess my thinking is if we can ride 600 miles in one day, the 3000 mile trip to Maine should be no problem. I also have to admit, I want to check out the bike rally.  It’s been around twenty years since my last trip to Daytona…Damn I’m getting old. Ha-ha.

Just as a side note you may remember David’s bike

from some of our other rides, it's a 2008 Harley cop bike with the air ride seat. He just ordered a backrest for the seat and cruise control for it, both should be here in the next couple of days. Hope to do a report on both of them soon.


Till next time,


Big Al

A day in the life…Big Al’s Bodybuilding FOOD!!!

Ok, I keep getting e-mail request on what I’m eating on an average day now that I’m back in the gym.

So I decided it would be easier just to post the answer to my blog…here goes.


I wake up around 4:30am, get out of bed at 4:45am and drink a couple of scoops of  JACK3D with around 16 oz of water to get me going. Then I make a beeline straight to the kitchen to fill up my favorite two cup, coffee cup,

I sip on this on the way to the gym (about a 15 minute drive). My workout buddy, Donny (the animal) Bridges, is always sitting in the parking lot waiting on me as I pull up (NOTE: I DID BEAT HIM THERE THIS MORNING, BY ABOUT THIRTY SECONDS, it still counts, I win. Ha-ha)

 we start our workout at 5:30am sharp, we finish somewhere around 6:45am.


Then it is time for my first meal of the day. I usually have some form of a protein shake either homemade or store bought. Today it was store bought, my bride brought home the other day an eight pack of Muscle Milk

so I grabbed one out of the fridge and drank it on my drive home around 7:00am.

After getting to work, I drank another shake, made with 25 grams of protein, half banana, quarter cup of oatmeal, one scoop of peanut butter and about eight ounces of 2 percent milk all blended together then poured into an empty water bottle for easy traveling. (About 9:30am)

Third meal comes around 10:00 to 10:30am which is about 4 ounces of baked chicken with a serving of butter beans. (I normally have brown rice mixed with the beans, but my son Myles found out the night before he liked brown rice too…as they say, the rest was history. Ha-ha.)

Fourth meal (this is where I tend to get off track sometimes) 12:00pm (lunch) a co-worker, David and I usually go somewhere to eat, today it was the Roly Poly,

I had a 6” smokehouse turkey wrap.

Fifth meal (around 3:00pm), the other half (meal three) of my baked chicken and beans.

Sixth meal, (around 5:00pm) another protein shake like meal two.

Meal seven (around 7:00pm) came a little later than usual, as we have been putting in crazy hours at work lately. Truth be told it was my night to cook for the next few days so I was cooking and eating at the same time, I just ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, on 9 grain whole wheat bread.

I find staying on track with your eating is a lot easier if you take a couple nights a week and cook up the basics food you need for the week…next few days menu, you ask? Baked chicken, butter beans and brown rice.

Till next time

BIG AL

I’m all Jacked up!!!

I’m not kidding I really am Jacked up, just started a new bodybuilding supplement. Its name you ask? JACK3D 

A buddy of mine you might remember him from one of my hiking blogs “Mitch (is that a buger on that rock) Hembree”

mentions he was on his third jar of Jack3d and thought I might like it.

After sending me the link from my favorite mail order supplement company Bodybuilding.com 

I did not hesitate to order it…three days later it was sitting at my front door.

What is jack3d you ask? Well as I found out this morning in the gym, it a pretty damn good product.

Here is the break down per its own website:


“USPLabs Jack3d may promote the desire to lift more weight, pump out more reps and have crazy lasting energy, along with sick muscle-engorging pumps.The amount of energy and focus is perfect, pumps and vascularity will be out of control, but most importantly you may feel great throughout your entire workout”


Well all I can say about that is yes, yes and yes!!! I’ve onlyl used this product one time and have to say it lived up to all the hype, my energy level went through the roof, my workout was strong and my cardio after was unbelievable. Going to be working arms in the morning and I have to say I can’t wait to give it a try on arm day should be a blast.


So simple to use, just mix a scoop or two with a little water and drink about 40 minutes before your workout…that’s it your done! Don’t get me wrong it does not give you the same kind of rush like the old Ephedrine products (now banned in the U.S.) This product comes on a little slower but you end up with the same results…here is the breakdown on what’s in the product:


Jack3d Formula Breakdown


Schizandrol A


Schizadra has been suggested to promote physical force.* In essence, it may be able to provide a stimulating effect to the body and mind.*


Methylxanthines (Caffeine)


Both of these compounds belong to the family of methylxanthine compounds. They are both able to stimulate the CNS, while also stimulating contractility of skeletal muscle directly and this may partially be due to the release of catecholamines such as norepinephrine.* Caffeine also has the benefit of fighting fatigue and drowsiness; increasing alertness and improving intellectual efforts along with producing euphoria or a sense of well-being in some cases.*


Beta-Alanine


Carnosine is an extremely important dipeptide that is generally present in rather high concentrations in skeletal muscle, though it is also found in nervous tissue and other excitable tissues as well. It is so important because it acts as a buffer of sorts, preventing the increase of acidity or Hydrogen ion accumulation in skeletal muscle; something which is thought to contribute to the fatiguing of muscles.


Furthermore, by increasing carnosine levels, power output may be increased as well.* In short, it may improve power output, while also delaying fatigue; supporting the ability to lift more explosively and for longer periods.*


Creatine Monohydrate


While we may negate the increase in Hydrogen ion levels in skeletal muscle by increasing carnosine levels, we still must overcome one more obstacle in order to allow us to prevent fatigue while working out. In this case, we must use a compound which can ultimately increase the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in muscle. ATP, as we all know, is a high energy nucleotide which acts as the major energy carrying molecule in our bodies.


Consequently, muscle fatigue is also related to energy loss in skeletal muscle, specifically, ATP being converted to adenosine diphosphate (ADP). In effect, one phosphate group is lost and must be replenished in order for the muscle cell to continue on working.


By supplementing with creatine, we are able to increase the levels of phosphocreatine in muscle.* Phosphocreatine is a high energy buffering compound which is able to donate a phosphate group to ADP, allowing the formation of ATP once again.


In short, we can reduce fatigue from occurring by increasing phosphocreatine levels, which in turn will allow for the regeneration of ATP from ADP leading to greatly reduced physical and muscular exhaustion.*






Container Size: 250 Grams


Serving Size: 1 Scoop


Servings Per Container: 45



The price…$ 26.99 per container, not bad for 45 serving. I went with Lemon Lime


But it also comes in Grape Bubblegum and Tropical Fruit Punch


I’ll give a better report after arm day training in the morning.

Till next time


Big Al

Boiled eggs

Well you may have read my last post,
Bodybuilding
my return to the world of bodybuilding (ha-HA) and what goes with bodybuilding…Eggs!!! A great source of protein, I guess since I have been walking around with bags of boiled eggs lately people have been asking how do you boil a perfect egg.


I found an article years ago on how to boil a perfect egg and what do you know, it works great and is very easy to do.


First; this works on any amount of eggs at a time as long as you have a big enough pot and water.

Second; just put your raw eggs into a pot and fill with water just covering the eggs.


Third; put the pot on the stove turn the stove on high and bring the water to a rapid boil, uncovered.

Fourth; soon as the water boils cover the pot with a lid and cut off the stove.


Fifth; let the eggs sit covered for 12 minutes.


Sixth; carefully pour the hot water out replacing it with cold water from the tap.


Seventh; give the eggs a few minutes to cool down. That’s it your done, peal and eat.

Hope this helps you “BOIL THE PERFECT EGG”!


Big Al

Back at the gym again…that’s a good thing RIGHT?

Got to be honest, was trying to go to the gym after work everyday but that just did not work out very well for me. First the gym is so over crowded at night, my buddy that I was lifting with, well we just could not get our schedules together…so I did the only thing I could do, and I started going back to the gym in the morning. Now I feel at home again while at the gym, I’ve always lifted in the morning, not sure what I was thinking trying to lift in the afternoon.

Now I got a new problem, I tend to get carried away with my lifestyle while lifting…I guess I start becoming one tracked, I don’t see this trend in most of my lifting buddies. Their goals are usually just to tone up or tighten up a little and maybe drop a few pounds. I start with the same thought in mind, but it quickly turns into something else…the quest to get big, really BIG!!! I read a few articles about a bodybuilding disorder “Muscle Dysmorphia”.

Muscle Dysmorphiaa

Check it out when you get the time, it was described as a reverse anorexia…I got to say that sounds about right. Its crazy I know, but after only a few good gym days and a body weight of 294 lbs all I can think about is getting bigger. I find myself searching the bodybuilding magazines for new products;

I even started hitting up my friends that do lift for samples of products they are taking.

I’m getting hooked back on the high protein shakes sold at the gym,

due to I don’t want to wait the 15 minutes it takes me to drive home to eat after a workout.



I join one80 fitness

for two reasons; one the price 10 bucks a month and two it’s more of a fitness center, a gym for the average guy or girl just wanting to tone and tighten. It’s a huge place, mainly cardio treadmills, steppers, bikes weight machines and a few free weights. The dumbbells only go up to the 80 ponders,

 grunting and screaming

is out of the question here. Don’t get me wrong this is one fine place…well if you want to be fit and average. That is exactly what I thought I wanted…Wrong!!! The quest for BIG lives strong in this old man of 47

just can’t get it out of my mind. Hmmm, maybe one more time.


Till next time

Big Al

Paraprosdokian?????

A paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe or reinterpret the first part. It is frequently used for humorous or dramatic effect, sometimes producing an anticlimax. For this reason, it is extremely popular among comedians and satirists.

The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it's still on the list.







If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong. (I have to remember this one)






We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.






War does not determine who is right - only who is left.






Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.






Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening', and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.






To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; To steal from many is research.

A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.






Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.






I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted pay checks.






A bank is a place that will lend you money, if you can prove that you don't need it.






Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says "In an emergency, notify:" I put "DOCTOR".






I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.






Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?






Why do Americans choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America ?






A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.






You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.





The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!






Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.






I discovered I scream the same way whether I'm about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot.






I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.





I always take life with a grain of salt, plus a slice of lemon, and a shot of tequila.






You're never too old to learn something stupid.






To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.






Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.






A bus is a vehicle that runs twice as fast when you are after it as when you are in it.






Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine,

HOPE YOU ENJOYED
Big Al

Jandy Imports Motorcycle Leather

Ok everyone if you read my last post
http://bigalscompound.blogspot.com/2011/01/diners-drive-ins-and-divesoh-my-la.html
You know there is something good coming in this one...

Let me give you a little back ground first, I’ve been looking for a leather jacket since the day I bought my bike almost 3 years ago…well its not like I have not tried to get one but at 6’5” its harder than you think to find one that fits right. I live in a small town

that only had one motorcycle leather shop that I know of anyway, Dixie leather. I stopped in one day to look around; there were a couple of Harleys, a Honda, and then my Yamaha in the parking lot. As I was walking to the door this old bearded man (owner) walked to the front door and pointed at the bikes and said “I like that bike” (Harley) skipping the Honda then pointing at the other Harley and then saying “I like that bike” then walked inside. Hmmm, we all have our favorite bikes but I find it a poor business move to insult your customer before they even get into the door…well with that said, I found the jacket of my dreams inside, but had to pass due to the owner had…well, pissed me off. (Note: his leather shop is now closed) Karma is a Bitch.

Ha-ha.


My next try at a jacket came when my wife and J & P cycles online catalog, http://www.jpcycles.com/
she was going to surprise me with it for Christmas, well the jacket came in and I loved it but it was to small, so she sent it back and got the next size, still did not fit in the arms. Once again she sent it back, this time it fit like a glove but it happened to be a factory defect and half of the inner jacket liner had not been sewn in at all. You guess it, she sent it back again, to get a new one the same size. You want believe this, instead of a jacket in the mail my account was refunded, J & P cycle thought we were now just wanting our money back, I guess three strikes you out.

Ha-ha. We started to re-order but my now the weather was starting to get warm,

so we decided to wait till next winter.


Then came my trip to Slidell, LA last weekend…after a disappointing meal at LA Pines Café, we rode our bikes the 4 miles to Jandy Imports,  JANDY IMPORTS , to look for a jacket, we loaded the address into our iphone, the iphone lead us to the wrong place for some reason it took us to 3199 E Terrace Ave NOT 3199 TERRACE ave, once there we realized we were at the wrong place, no biggie we were only one road over. We made the block and there it was, it was hard to miss due to all the motorcycles out front.

At first site I was a little surprise at the size of the place, kind of small. Well small until you walk in…

There were three ladies running the place and let me tell you…it was run like a business should be run, I was amazed. The second, and I mean the second you walked in the door you were greeted and offered a drink

(no, no not that kind of drink) the ladies keep a bucket iced down, full of soft drinks and water,

free for the taking just for shopping with them. (Nice touch ladies) we did not even take one but I appreciate the thought.


It was standing room only; the place is loaded with...

leather jackets,

boots,

pins,

helmets, 

biker jewelry

and biker patches with a sewing station to put them on…

I have got to say they have one thing that stood out from everything else…SERVICE!!!

I don’t know how the ladies did it; they were everywhere offering help, answering questions and let’s not forget screaming out every few minutes that there were free drinks at the door.

If they are not the owners, the owners are not paying the ladies enough, they are workers.

Ok now on to my jacket, after looking around a bit, I found a jacket that fit but it had a belt attached around the waist, I considered it but then I saw it…the clouds parted and a beam of light shined down on it.

I put it on and it fit great in the arms,

a little big in the waist, it has side belts that adjust the waist, I moved the belts on the sides to their tightest hole, still a little big…here is where that service thing comes in again…one of the ladies told me to give her the jacket and she would add some more snaps in it,

while I wait and get this…FREE OF CHARGE!!! That is what I call service.


David ended up buying a set of…Hmm not sure what they are called,

they are straps that hold your pants leg down while ridding,

they worked great on the ride home.


Once we paid for our stuff, I used the restroom before the ride home, and just like the rest of the place it was spotless, why bring up the restroom you ask? I got tickled while reading the sign over the commode.

The whole time thinking, these ladies would…service, service!!!


In closing,, I would like to say thank you ladies, it is very rare these days to walk in to a new place and feel right at home…as my buddy Arnold would say…I’LL BE BACK!!!

Great job!!!


Till next time


Big Al