The Blaſphemous Bicycler

Yesterday, I attended the Sunday service of the Lycoming Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Williamsport. I wanted to go, because Dai-En Bennage, the Abbess of the Mt Equity Zendo, was the guest speaker.

She gave a very nice talk on a number of subjects. One of the things she talked about was the relationship between bio-fuels and world hunger.

A couple of the people looked genuinely surprised to learn that putting corn-ethanol in their gas tanks raises the price of corn, and subsequently, people in far-off lands starve to death.

After the talk was over, they had free cookies and apple cider. That was pretty nice.

The Unitarian Universalists were very nice people and I didn’t feel as if I were going to spontaneously combust, or that I might be struck by lightning, the way I do when I go inside most other churches.

They gave me some literature about UUism in general, and it was by far the least stupid of any church I’ve ever been to.

I can’t say that I’d go every Sunday, but when George Bush declares himself King and makes church attendance compulsory, I’ll probably go to a UU church if there aren’t any Zendos around.

Anyhow, if you’re looking for a religion that doesn’t ask you to believe in improbable things, Unitarian Universalism might be the ticket.

On the way home, I snapped a panorama from the Williamsport overlook. The leaves have finally changed color. (Click for big)

1. boil 12 pounds of honey in 4 gallons of water

   

2. When cool, add champagne yeast, airlock, and wait.

   

3. …and wait.
4. …and wait a till winter solstice
5. Consume
6. BERSERKERGANG!

Last night was clear and cold, and I wanted to test the limits of my summertime camping gear.

So, I met up with Klinutus and his jolly band of miscreants in the middle of the woods.

Soon, we had a roaring fire, some festive beverage, and all was right with the world.

The stars were out, there was no real chance of rain, so we camped manly style. No tents, just an emergency blanket, a therm-a-rest, and a sleeping bag.

_{Sleeping pods}

In my case, I was rocking the Ridgerest and a 40° North Face Allegheny.

This is the gear I normally use in the middle of July, but the bag says 40°, so I gave it a go.

It got down to just a hair above freezing, and I was friggan cold. A couple of times I was woken up by coyotes making noise, and I was damn near frozen.

I probably would have been OK, but I’m 6′5″, and I just can’t get my shoulders all the way into the bag.

I have a 20° bag and a -15° bag, and I don’t want any more bags, so I think I may buy a bivy sack to upgrade the Allegheny for colder weather.

Klinutus has made this system work with his quilt.

_{Klinutus’ bivy system}

I think something like the Hilleberg Bivanorak would probably make it possible to sleep out under the stars down to maybe 25°.

After that I could switch to my 20° bag, and I wouldn’t need a tent until the snow flies.

The Bivanorak is cool because there are sleeves, so you can stick your arms out to hold your beer. Plus it’s a nice shade of green to make it easy to hide from the authorities.

Tonight: 12 miles
October: 119 miles
2007: 1030 miles

Tonight: 12 miles
October: 107 miles
2007: 1018 miles