Free Verse Friday: Duke
A Podcasty Note from Fatty: The current episode of the CyclingTips podcast — which I co-host along with bike tech hero James Huang— is a really important one for anyone who rides road bikes and would like to be both faster and more comfortable, without a lot of effort or expense.
It changed my thinking on how I’m going to set up the road bikes at my house, that’s for sure.
It’s one hour long, and it’s a really great panel discussion with three guys who really know what they’re talking about…and me.
You can listen to it below:
You can also find it on iTunes or download it directly There are lots of other ways to get it, too, which you’ll find in the show notes on CyclingTips.
Free Verse Friday: Duke
I had never been
Much of a
Dog guy
But that might be
Because
I hadn’t had
A dog
And six or so
Years ago
That changed
When we lost Kita
I realized
I had become
A dog guy
Everyone
Say hi
To Duke.
Thank you.
PS: I expect a few people might wonder, so: Duke is a 17-month-old English Mastiff and weighs 130 pounds, which makes him the lightest male in our family. We are his third home and everyone but the cat fell in love with him instantly.
Comment by MikeL | 08.19.2016 | 8:00 am
Cool.
Comment by Katie | 08.19.2016 | 8:04 am
Congratulations!
Comment by Scott | 08.19.2016 | 8:23 am
Hook up a harness to him and you have motorpacing!
Comment by Joel | 08.19.2016 | 8:29 am
Wow. What they say about dogs looking like their owners really is true. :)
Seriously, would love to hear the story about how you ended up with this guy.
Comment by cyclingjimbo | 08.19.2016 | 8:40 am
Hi Duke!
Dogs are wonderful companions, a perfect example of unconditional love. Welcome to your new home, Duke!
Comment by wharton_crew | 08.19.2016 | 8:43 am
That is going to be a lot of dog poop to scoop!
Comment by davidh-marin, ca | 08.19.2016 | 9:04 am
I have some cats who can give Duke some ‘lessons’. And your cat, too. Good luck Duke, you’re in good hands with Lisa.
Comment by Moe | 08.19.2016 | 9:13 am
Dogs rule. That is all.
Comment by Lisa in Athens | 08.19.2016 | 9:28 am
My dog is on his third owner (me.) We met nine years ago. Congratulations.
Comment by Heidi | 08.19.2016 | 9:30 am
Hooray!
Comment by Corrine | 08.19.2016 | 9:48 am
What a great dog/pony! How is the slobbering? Have fun with him. He looks like a great addition to the family!
Comment by MattC | 08.19.2016 | 9:49 am
Hello Duke! My best friends have TWO English Mastiffs…(now THAT is a LOT of poo). Congrats to your family addition Fatty! We’re down to two fur-babies right now (sadly we had to put one down back in May)…we need to get back up to three, which is actually a great number (three is a pack). And Duke is still a puppy (that’s one BIG puppy)!
And congrats to Duke on HIS new FOREVER family! Great pic Fatty! I see great joy in BOTH faces!
Comment by Tom in Albany | 08.19.2016 | 10:15 am
Woof! (Hi,Duke!)
Fatty, Don’t be surprised when you look up at the ceilings and realize you have to mop them to remove the slobber.
Comment by Tom in Albany | 08.19.2016 | 10:47 am
I also want to add that the Podcast is the bomb! The ’soft tire’ bomb!
Comment by AKChick | 08.19.2016 | 12:19 pm
Duke! He is SO cute! LOVE Mastiffs – they are such gentle giants though I am a Labrador Retriever gal through and through. I am most def a dog person. Good thing since we have three. :) Happy Friday! I’m going to listen to that podcast!
Comment by BostonCarlos | 08.19.2016 | 12:52 pm
I’ll be over in 5 minutes. I must pet your dog.
Comment by Kukui | 08.19.2016 | 1:20 pm
Hi Duke!
Comment by Mark | 08.19.2016 | 1:27 pm
I have an Australian Shepherd who has no problem putting in 15 miles in the trails once the weather cools off. My best biking companion as he always goes whatever speed I want to go!
Comment by Oheckler | 08.19.2016 | 2:02 pm
Sweet dog Fattie!
Will we be treated to any Duke guest posts in the near future?
Comment by Tiffany R. | 08.19.2016 | 10:24 pm
Congratulations on your new family member, he’s gorgeous!
Comment by Anonymous | 08.20.2016 | 5:05 pm
I have a 130 lb dog myself, good luck. you’ll get great exercise picking up the weekly 50 pound bag of kibble.
Comment by Centurion | 08.20.2016 | 5:06 pm
I have a 130 lb dog myself, good luck. you’ll get great exercise picking up the weekly 50 pound bag of kibble.
Comment by Jeff Dieffenbach | 08.21.2016 | 9:16 am
Why have we not yet heard from Leroy’s dog on this matter?
Comment by Tom in Albany | 08.22.2016 | 5:16 am
@Jeff – I think Leroy’s dog is jealous. That or he finally caught the Bikesnob and is chewing on him for a while…
Comment by Donna | 08.22.2016 | 6:20 am
Welcome to the Fatty Family Duke……Fatty “Duke” Nelson…hahahahaha so happy he has found his forever home.
Comment by LikeyNoBikey | 08.22.2016 | 1:55 pm
Congratulations Fatty Family. Sorry for your loss of Kita. I hope you have many joyous years with Duke.
Comment by LikeyNoBikey | 08.22.2016 | 1:56 pm
Congratulations Fatty Family. Sorry for your loss of Kita. I hope you have many joyous years with Duke.
Comment by Thad | 08.23.2016 | 10:47 am
Rules of owning a mastiff.
1. Assign someone the job of wiping the walls from the dogs drool. They will need to be tall. Some aggressive head shakes can fling it well over 6 feet.
2. Keep baby wipes near the doors, so you and your guests don’t have love marks on you.
Comment by spaceyace | 08.23.2016 | 11:21 am
Cat person, myself, but those are both beautiful dogs. Condolences to the feline.
Most informative and useful podcast yet!
Comment by rich | 08.23.2016 | 2:24 pm
Wow….when you go for something you don’t play around….congrats to the whole family.
Duke is AWESOME!
I have a 70# ridgeback mix that I rescued 2 years ago….dogs are cool, dog people are also very cool!
Comment by BotchedExperiment | 08.24.2016 | 12:06 pm
Cats is stoopit.
Comment by Noel | 09.1.2016 | 12:10 pm
Congrats to both your family and Duke! We lost our Great Dane/English Mastiff mix last year about this time. I still miss her. We still have a pair of Great Danes. Danes and English Mastiffs are the best.