The Secret Diary of Rotten Todd, Aged 34 1/2 My First Week In Connecticut March 31, 2003

Dear Diary: This sucks! After 35 years I finally learn how to spell Massachusetts, and now I move to Conet...Conneticit...Con...CT!! Here I am in the state that has to represent one of the largest oxy-morons of the modern era. Connecticut is known for two of the most infamous industries -- tobacco and insurance. What strange bedfellows. OK, so it’s not THAT bad. I admit, Diary, I have been bashing our fair constitution state with impunity of late. However, my spirits are indeed higher since relocating, but then again that could be attributed to the new job. It is a blessing, I am discovering, that Connecticut is not widely recognized as a Mecca for riders. Any local will tell you that is exactly the way they like it! Connecticut is shaping up to be a hidden treasure. There seems to be quite a bit to offer "down undah". Within minutes of the couch I am on hundreds of acres of forested land purported to be rife with single-track and boulder gardens. I have yet to venture out but have been assured that I won’t be disappointed. The new BustedSpoke branch office has been set up at the bar of The Elbow Room in West Hartford. Good people, them. I just had an impromptu walk-through with Josh, the manager to scout the possibility of a BustedSpoke night there. Maybe an epic ride culminating in videos and margaritas at their roof-deck bar. I am already on a first-beer basis with the staff and have even conducted an interview with Jeff Sarcione from the good side of Sierra Nevada. (Come to think of it, I don’t believe there is a bad side of Sierra Nevada.) My new job keeps me planted firmly, nay, wedged on the fence regarding our latest War-of-the-Week. I am responsible for increasing the efficiency of the production of fuel systems for turbine engines like those used in the Apache helicopter and the M1 Abrahams Main Battle Tank. Talk about job security! (I wonder if I score cool points with Knuckle Slammer?) It’s Belly Button Season, Diary. Otherwise known as "Spring". My um-teen partially built bicycles are, of course, 137 miles away in a storage unit the size of a large doghouse. I am Jonesing so hard, I’ve been relegated to getting on my knees to sniff bike tracks in the sand on the side of the road. (I haven’t figured out yet if the car horns are celebrating my posterior, or signaling the Funny Wagon.) Before I leave you, trusty tome, I’ll bless you with these little known facts about the Little State that Might. In addition to the Constitution State, Connecticut is also known as the Nutmeg State, the Provisions State, and the Land of Steady Habits. Go figure. Connecticut residents are referred to as "Nutmeggers". Oh, joy. The Town of Higganum is down the road from Hockanum, which is nowhere near Moodus, and even further from Moosup. There is one chicken for every person in Connecticut, or about 4 million. And lastly, no tour of the State of Many Nicknames would be complete without a visit to Fort Saybrook - which isn’t there. Can you say road trip?

The State Animal: Sperm Whale The Square Dance was designated as the official state folk dance by the General Assembly in 1995. Thats the truth...

Rotten Articles of the past...
1 November 10, 2002 The Silly Season
2 December 4, 2002 A Drink With Something In It
3 January 22, 2003 Two Wheel Fetish - You scratch mine, I'll scratch yours
4 February 27, 2003 Take A Hike - I'm off to Connecticut

Who is Rotten Todd You Ask?

Hmmm...What do you say about a guy that really doesn't bring much to the party?

"Rotten" Todd Cary has been involved in the cycling industry for almost 20 years, if you count the meager wages earned at "sweat shops" disguised as bicycle retailers. A short lived pro career proved that 200 lb hockey players can, indeed, excel at criteriums. After announcing his retirement, to little fanfare, Mr. Cary set out to prove he could build a better mousetrap. However, upon disproving the age-old adage that, if successful, he'd be adorned with riches, he decided that real money was to be had producing high-end, custom, MTB racing frames. Dogma Bikes USA was acclaimed for being more successful than Schwinn, and Mr. Cary went on to sell the company in 1997 for a healthy profit of $7.38.

As an engineer, Todd has been involved in producing some of the world's greatest technologies including Boeing Aircraft, and artificial hearts. [Ed.: Gods help us.] Mr. Cary is a member of TNR, resides in Newburyport, MA, and shows undeniable grace while lawn-darting from teeter-totters.

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