Today’s ride was 86 miles of pure New England “fun.” 40 mph downhills followed within seconds by 1st gear climbs. In fact, in the most unlikely of areas, Rhode Island and Connecticut, I did over 6000’ of elevation gain today, by about 10% the most I’ve done yet in a day.
Tonight is not about riding. It’s about basketball. In honor of the first game of the NBA Finals tonight, and the fact I’ve been in Celtics-crazy country for the last week and a half, all the pictures I took today were of basketball hoops. Everywhere I looked, there were baskets. In fairness, only one was in use, and as you’ll see, most don’t look like they’ve been used since Mr. Naismith invented the game. And kind of like the old rusted car with three wheels and no hood, people simply refuse to part with their hoops. People are either just too lazy to take them down, or the baskets just remind them of a time long past where they and/or their kids would play in the driveway. In a completely shameless plug, I want to shout out to Courts for Kids. It’s an organization that both Kelly and I are involved in that works with communities to build sport courts in developing countries around the world. Groups of volunteers are matched with communities, primarily in Latin America and the Carribbean (Jamaica and the DR), but also in SE Asia, Africa and South America. Community members and volunteers collaborate to construct these courts, often in areas where kids have no places to play during long rainy seasons. Kudos to Derek and Selene Nesland for all the work they do running the organization. It is amazing to see and be part of. While not blessed with either the physical gifts or talent to play the game very well, I still love to watch it, especially this time of year. Pulling for the Dubs.
The Classic. Nailed to the garage.
Much higher degree of difficulty here. Lots of chasing rebounds.
The Shorty. But the Jeep adds a nice twist.
Another Shorty. With this car parked
sideways, though, you can soar over it for the two-handed slam
The Halfback. Great for practicing the left-handed layups. Not so much the right-handed ones
The Landscaper. Again, rebounding makes OR misses would be tough.
And I even found one that Derek could dunk on.
Too bad you didn't see any dog/hoop combos. Would have made for a higher degree of difficulty!
The side spin slap jumper… Never perfected, Never imitated
No mention of the time you dropped me on my head while playing basketball on the culdesac hoop 🤔