Me + Big Wheels

With the weekend off and the temps in the right spot time to spend some time with my two friends. Coffee goes in and the wheels will go up. November now not sure how much longer the weather will hold. Got to go watch the Smurfs.

Maple

I have been on a kick for some time now eating waffles every morning. Good 10 grain fill your belly waffles. The question is will this help me be faster in a cross race? Now how to get the good syrup.

Anchor

The long way in was not long enough

to quite the voices.

Sorrow and boredom still fill my bloodstream.

Need something to happen something to spark a tired being.

Happiness can be found on two wheels I am looking for it.

Just feel like i need direction.

Wheels did move ok the cross winds worked me more than

i wanted. I am going to try Coffee and a Scone and see

what becomes of it.

Now I wear my Dark Heart Smile and

get through the day.

The Big wheels will carry me Home.

Mr. T says Ouch!!!

Even if it sounds like a good idea keep your fingers away from spinning rotors. Heal soon little man.

Down turn

25

was the temp rolling in this morning.

By far the coldest yet. I had to pull out most of the cold weather

gear for the first time. It took a good while for the body to heat up.

Still as always better than driving a car.

Tostin and my self spent the better part of our day on

monday pealing up all the old tile in the mechanic area.

What a mess,, now the new stuff is going to get put down and we are told that

it can take a hammer from ten feet up.. Can't wait to see that demo.

Warmer by the end of the week time to get back out in to the woods and play in in the leaves.

Leafy

I made the right call to get out and ride. The Beach Boys have a song about how much they like being in their room and the Descendants sing about being in their van... Me it is all about being in the woods.With high winds blowing I turned the tunes down so if a branch or tree was coming down maybe I could hear it.

With the Leaves falling and the trail covered speed was to be used with discretion. Saw one or two other riders but that was it.

Great to be out on the bike flowing up and down and loving every minute of it. After getting home the clouds came in and the temps started to drop and the snow may be on the way. Rest of the week is going to sunny and nice.

Go fly a kite

Winds are blowing and blowing hard the sun is out and they who every they are are calling for snow showers. Sounds like a good day to go ride single track. Just need to layer up.

CH CH CH Changes

Weather is changing here in the great white north. Time to winterize some bikes and get lights. The lights are needed with daylight savings coming in a week. This week the volume is down with the K's just not adding up. This weekends weather is not looking to nice either. Motivation is going to be the big factor. Now i need to fight the wind and get coffee, then we can unload the 190+ bikes that are coming to the shop today. Live Loud !! Ride Fast!!

A least I am Fu*%en Trying

Coffee Good !!!

Layering

First of what should be come many cold morning rides in to work. The layers are coming out as needed. Today my legs were calling for the Rodie and a light spin. This can be hard because all that bike want to do is go fast. When it is 30 and you are not used to it yet fast is not always the best idea. Warmer clothes may be needed like a nice wool hat from T6. Some more sunshine and days off will yield some time in the woods.

We are DeVo

A pair of good rides in the woods this weekend helps settle the brain. Days are shorter and the leaves are falling, I think that winter is coming. I could not make it to the Fore Bye Fore non event up at the trails but it sounds like the guys had a good time. I did get to see the black bear and oh boy he is big boy lucky for all the Bikers he has no hunger for them. Here comes the start of the week are you ready. More food and more sleep and I will be ready.

Look out

Even with the sun up it was cold this morning. 35+ was the reading and it was chili, nice to get out and feel the legs move. Life comes at you fast and for some reason it keeps trying to knock us off our feet. Not having all the same in's that I did at 9600 feet it can start to mess with my head. At least I can look at some nice views. Charlie Brown once said, AHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Smashed

Nice having the extra road bike in the quiver.

At the time of going to work it was still

raining and wet out so I grabbed the #2

bike and was off. Cool wet and quite, anything to

get my mind off being stuck in the middle of no where.

Not no where just not close enough to make it to the race venues for cross.

I spent the summer traveling for racing so now it is hard to justify.

Until I can figure it out I will drowned my sorrows with time in the woods and time on bike #1.

A nice cool ride home and do it all over tomorrow.

I get to smash some more bikes that is always fun..

Lost in the Woods

Off in the woods to do what I do best....Riding bikes

by my self.. Good company and good trails, I did see a group of guys coming out of twister as I ducked in.

Yes I rode stuff backasswords, but I feel that this time of

the year you can get away with it. My legs felt good and I rode well ,I had done a lot to have my self ready for cross racing today. I just could not justify the cost of getting there. Even with gas becoming cheep I can afford to travel would love to. Waiting for my Golden Parachute or bailout package.

Until then I'll do what I do work eat sleep and ride a Bike..

Where are you

Out for another good ride with my new friend. The weather is great for long rides, even if the end leads you to work. Smooth roads and great climbing, is a great way to start the day. Now Coffee and single cross and back to work, then to the shop. It is sunny out do you know where your bike is.

Color slips into the sky

Glad that I did my work this morning because, this eve was full on down pour. I was happy to be on the single cross, nothing moves better when it is wet. Warm on the inside and wet on the out even hit the crushed lime stone to get some wet slick mushy under the tires. Would love new wheels but with Wall Street the way it is not sure if I have the $$..

Skipper

Skipped the Hudson cx on sunday. I was a bit burnt from the Demo day and being on a bike all day on saturday. It was cold and wet up in the Twin Cities, so I stayed warm at home. Getting the work done when I can quick starts and cruz intervals to and from work. Hope it pays off this weekend is the wirth park race and would like to do well.. Plus Trader Joes is near by so I can do some shopping. Sleep eat and Ride, Take it as it comes. Just love being in a saddle. Go fast and have Fun!

Do you know Where

You are going to be next labor day.... I do ..... HERE. Most fun I have had in a long time!

Demo this

It was a bright and brisk saturday morning at the Proving Grounds when the Trek Van showed up. As the sun warmed the bluff the people showed to ride. There were Superflys and 69ers and someHiFi's and even some Madones to take out on the pave. I know Which one I want to ride!!! Sophia got to do a bunch of riding and even made it out on a single 69er and she killed it amazing what happens when the choice of shifting is removed. Even got to ride with Chris Ames, he is the son the late Donny Ames. When it was all done everything went back to it's place Ken has a system and all the bikes are happy. Lots of people lots of bikes and smiles all around. I know I was happy to ride my Spot after weeks of being on the single cross. The mountain bike felt like a speed freak ripping up the trails. I love riding on dirt.

Flakes

This guy had a Cult Following

Going to HELL on a Bike

I have had a lot of things said to me between the hours of 9-5... Stuff like " I have a dark Heart" Shallow,,, Arrogant spandex tour de france SOB" But yesterday I learned that I am a leader of a CULT. Now in the mid eighty's the Cult was a good rocking band then in the 90's we heard the word cult used with the Branched Divdants in Texas. And now in Lacrosse Wi in 2008 when it comes to skinny guys that ride bikes. Not sure what to think being thrusted in t this position but here it is and I guess I except my partys nomiation. First I want to thank stevil for the use of his logo. And big up's to all of you who are out there "Going Buy Bike" those two wheeled charriots of the darkside. Get out there spin your wheels bark at the moon do what ever it is you do,, just ride and remember that salvation comes on two wheels. If I am going to Hell in a Bucket,,,,I am enjoying the Ride.

One bitten

I have been bitten by the bug. I am going to try to get to the CX race in Hudson Wi on sunday. It is closer than some of the other ones. Their is a race 40 mins away on monday nights just hard to get to with work and family. I know that I can do better than I did on saturday esp,, with my small crash and so close to the end. Need to ride smater and have a bit better of a start. Jared would be happy to know that I am in to the Cross,,, now just need a Spot Cross. Then I will be cooking with Gas.

First

This was my first race the 3's and first cross race in almost 2 years. Big field 52 riders on the line and I was in the 5th row. Not the way that I wanted to start. After all the rules from the grumpy USA cycling lady it was go time. Moved up through the pack and watched James move up to the front. Smooth through the barriers and all the corners, and still moving up. With 2 to go I made some moves and helped open the gap on the chasers as I worked with 3 other guys. With 4 turns to go on the tightest part of the course the rider in front of me goes down and I blow my line. As I picked my self up I lost 3 spots. Came across the line in 11th, some what bummed with the finish after riding a smooth race should have made a move when it was there. Had fun would love to do more lots of driving for 40 mins of racing. More to come? We'll see. Go fast and have fun.

MAD Cross

A little more prep so I can get my ass handed to me this weekend at my first cross race in 1 1/2 years. Body feels ok we'll just have to see. Good tunes running through my head, would love it if I could find Walt Mink on CD. More work to do hope I stay up right.

Kid MoVeR

The new brakes help stop the onegear child mover. Now only if I can make it to a cross race. The new wider bars are making it easier to jump stuff. If I just could get James to help more with the pedals we could move faster.

Man DoWn

Got to do some of that dirt ridding on sunday. Meet up with Roger and Pickle and Tostin. Sun was out and the trail was dry, on account that I does not rain here any more. We jump on the new section of trail and were having a blast. Toss and my self were up to our usual riding pushing it and launching over what ever we could. That is when I heard the sound of bike smashing and body clashing. As he went to air over a rock garden his rear wheel came up, slamming him in the ground. We removed him from the woods as he was able to walk out but shaken up a good bit. After rogers wife got him to the ER we found that it was a 3rd separation of his shoulder. No break just some pain and a doctors visit next week. Now we just have to deal with work. Hope he fells ok, work is enough to make any one fell like Shit.

It was a GoOd DaY

At least until I left the woods and had to go to work.

Getting Dirt on the way to work is good.

Not huge miles but dirt none the less.

The SPOT is riding better than ever, I am just wondering if

I left my legs in Spearfish?

I want more racing but this riding for fun is a blast

what to do??

TIME?

Broken cross brakes

bring new ones, and I like what I see.

Cool morning temps have been nice just running out of

hills. My go to hill was chip sealed and I don't

have a death wish.

Time is not on my side.

Now to race or not to race this weekend is the question.

3 hour drive for a 12.5 mile race. Not

sure what the folks in MN are thinking

with a short race and having it be the state champion race.

I think that I would rather rally the troops and go to Levis.

Stay on target

Need to be pinched. I rode bikes with both of my kids today and no one whined and bitched. Well Sophia may have bitched a bit at the bottom of Schuffelbine. But was all smiles when she got to the top.

I broke out the silver and black to

to get my mind set about racing in MN. Going to try my best to get to St. Cloud for the MN State SS race. Short race long drive.

James and I got to do his first big ride with out his training wheels and he did great. A bit wobbly left to right having a few issues with some trees and the fact that the sidewalk is not as wide as he would like. He did great rode to the park then before dinner we rode again and played Star Wars. We watched Empire Strikes Back last night and he is all about the Star Wars. So good day few more Points and then bed,work starts again tomorrow.

Speed Kills

Rainy day, which is good by me. I think a week of single cross with the boy in tow has made my legs tired. Saying good bye to an old friend, off to make someone else happy. Now if it drys out me and the Spot can go and ride some dirt. AHHH dirt, that sounds good to me. I like ripping the Agent Orange in the woods.

Running in Place

Bits and pieces, legs still work and still get tried. Works is busy and people are buying bikes as nice weather holds on. Midwest World Championship is this weekend, and once again I will not be there. Not sure where the next test will be. Starting to think about skate skiing and more layers. Until then more cycling is in order. New bottom bracket going in the Spot today and, dirt this weekend. Stay warm and dry!

Seasons

With a good chill in the air and

some thick fog I went with the Roadie

and I think that it was a good pick.

I have not been on the gears in a week after spending so much time on the

the single cross. I love my bike selection that I have now.

The road bike rides so smooth and The Drive Train makes me smile

every time I shift.

This morning was nothing more than some tempo with two good hill climb intervals.

Every time I stood or demanded more the bike responded and moved well.

And when going down hill the steel frame almost guides its self down .

Now I just need to get through work so I can go home and ride with Jimmy Rock.

Now it all starts

TGIF

Good thing that it is the weekend because the shit is really stacking up at work!!!!

Cyclowhat

Ok it is getting cooler out and all people can talk about now is cross. I to get excited about this I just don't live close to any of the race venues. I am getting my self ready: I have put on the cross wheels on my bike and some new bell lap bars. Then to top it off some new cables and bar tape. Note that noting is carbon or top of the line. Will I make it to any of the races?I hope at lest one or two, I do enjoy it.

Some of my training for it includes pulling the trailer bike up hills and dodging traffic. And from time to time I get on and get off, and run .... The running is the hardest part. So get out your A bike and clean up your B bike fall is coming and so is the cross seen.

Starting

The start line for the 5-Oh,,, Lots of NE boys off the front... This was also the finish line so I was happy to see it again. Plans for next year.. Yea sure you bet cha'.

Crispy Fried

Body feels good but the bike is fried. Finally got a chance to put it in the stand after work and see the damage. The fork I knew had issues, hope to get it pulled apart, this week. The Bottom Bracket on the other had on the non drive was fried. I called up race face and asked how long the bearings were supposed to last and they said a year or so. I have only about a year so they said that they would send a new set out. So by the time that the BB gets here I hope to have the fork all fixed up. Until then it is time to get my super sweet Roadie out. This will be nice smooth quite and so much easier with those new fancy gears. As I was putting my bike in the car today I looked down at my Cateye, and the time on it was 4:23.... and my stop watch on my HR was 4:29... What was the difference ?? Flat Tire. Oh well Still one of the Sickest Races that I have done in a long time.

Fifty report

The Dakota 5-0! By far one of the best Mountain Bike Events EVER!!! First thanks to all that helped Spot/Maverick, Ergon, Twin 6 and King Cage. And a BIG thanks to my family for traveling and putting up with a cycle crazy husband and Dad. As the race started I did what I wanted to do, i sat in a group of 4-5 strong single speeders as we drafted up the dirt road to the single track. When the single track came I did not want to be the first of the group but no one went so first I was. I pulled for about 4 miles or so until Colin came around followed by two more, now I could sit in and let someone else do the work. Until,,,, I flatted. I rode the flat as long as I could after flipping the bike over i was passed by at least 7 single speeders and a hand full of others. Pissed and now behind I had to play the defensive roll of catching back on. This was not my plan, as I came to aid #2 I started to see some of the passers, and just stuck with it. By aid#4 I was back up to where I need to be. Made it to Hobo camp where the bacon and beer hand ups were, passed one more and it was time to start going down. One of the most white knuckle descents ever done, one wrong move and you were done for the day if not more. Now fighting with the last rider I passed it was the last bit of single to the dirt road then the finish. I was able to hold off the Kona rider to come in 5th and just under 4:30. I was happy I was up in the mix when I flatted and was able to get back and finish in the $$. Great race great weekend fun for all. If you want to have fun on your bike and see some sweet single track get out to the Dakota 50.

Bring it

Last nights dinner was great, the joint could use some customer service but the food was great. Then it was off to Spearfish..... Good pre ride now just time to get ready,, some old faces and some new ones going to be stacked with some heavy hitters. Off to the hot tub and a beer or two.

Up

I wanted to ride some dirt today in prep for the race, but it was not going to happen so, i went for a road ride on my spot. From the cabin up back up to the lake we were at in the morning it was a bit over 1600 feet of climbing. Felt good could breath well at 6000 feet, I sure wished that I had my road bike. I was good to ride that grade and felt great to be out of the car. Off to Spearfish tomorrow hope to get a bit of a pre ride and test out the gear.

Rock Hard

Pretty cool stuff to see up close. It has been fun being a tourist that does not happen to often for us.

Blue bird skys and cool mountian breezes.

The lake here off the Needles highway is amazing this is the same lake that was used in the National Tresure Movie.

Need to figure out what to do tomorrw, so much to see in so little time. The 5-0 is coming up I hope I am ready.

Hop Skip Jump.

Down the road from the house is a place called the Bad Lands. I have never been deep in to South Dakota so today was a first. We left home and turned right on to I-90 and 9 hours later here we were. After a short stop at the National Park and the Wall Drug we made it in to Hill City. Wall Drug was every thing that I thought it would be(not much) and the bad lands were neat but after seeing the Painted Desert and Monument Valley Moab and Sedona , I was not totally sold. But the Black hill Shit BOY Howdy, i like what I see.. Tons of forest and open space, tomorrow we will do the Dead Presidents and then a Mountain Bike ride and any other fun to be had in the Hills. So far so good the kid are way excited about every thing and we are happy to just watch. Beer at night and Hydrate all day long Sunday should be a blast. Superman is dressed and ready for the park,,,,,more to come...

R e M

Sleep+Dreams+Mountain Bikes= Long Good Sleep

Burned

Long weekend and lots of sun. I hope that I have done enough work so I can ride fast in next weekends, 50. I had a really good solo ride on the road nice quite day on the pavement. Later in the after noon I got to do a bit of dirt with the Kid. This coming out of retirement is kicking her ass. It was my first time back on the bike since the 6 hour race last week. My fork is making a bit of a weird noise when it rebounds, It does not happen all the time and does not feel like it is making the fork work improperly . Think that I am just freaking out since I am going such a long distance to race. I'll call Spot HQ and see if they have any ideas. Have fun It Is Monday.

Suds

Found some last night. One Bar in this town sells it and it is smoke free.

Best part is you can buy a carry out for a small

$$.

Matt has been Spotted.

Peter Out

3Pete was the call of the morning, and it

was a hard morning to get moving.

I don't stay up much past 9:30 and was up

way past that to watch the womans volleyball final.

Once I got moving I felt better.

Back to old vineyard rd for 3 four minute

intervals. The hill starts off really steep and kicks one more time before the end.

Good movement and even a better job staying out of the way of the deer.

Anna's birthday today so with no kids in tow we'll go eat some good Mex food.

MMMM Food!

3 Heads Of Shfelbine

Hill work Tuesday, just trying to get my legs back under me from the event this weekend. One in the morning and one this after dinner. Real steep this morning and long good ups after diner. The new bike and Parts are riding well. Have to say that my legs felling good hope that I can carry this in to the 5-0. The only thing on my mind is the gearing think that I will stick to what I used to run back in Breckenridge. Worst part about everything is that it is only Wednesday and can't wait for the weekend. More miles and then it is go time.

6 hours of B.E.E.R.

With a bike race here in town thought it would be good training for the Dakota 50. Had all my H2O in a cooler on pit row and food for the day next to that. With a short run down to the bikes and a parade lap we were off. I found my self up front with two others, the man on the gas was a GF 29er rider so I sat in. As we hit the single track the two up front had some good bobbles so that left me alone. For the first lap I pushed it a bit not wanting to over do it but wanted to build any time gaps that I could. Alone now for the next lap and one half when Carlos caught back on. We went back and forth for a bit and he ended up riding away. One of my goals was 4 laps in three hours, did that but now had three hours left and I was getting tired. I started to take some pits in between laps to slow things down. I knew unless Carlos had another flat or had to change his back wheel again that I wasn't going to catch him and I was ok with that. So as the 6:00 hour rolled around I called it sitting in 2nd with 6 laps. Now there was a Hollywood guy behind me who happened to be the winner last year. He came in and checked the times, left at 6:10 and need to get his lap done before 7. Already with a few beers in me I sat and watched the clock. He managed to squeak one more in. Yes I could have held on to 2nd if I had gone back out but my body was not into it, Had I not changed my gearing and stayed with the easier on that I had on the 7th may have happened. I am happy with the outcome. Good time in the saddle and good work before the 5-0. Bike rode well and I was very happy to have the Maverick on the front and thanks to King Cage never lost a bottle. Rest more food and time to get back to work.

Big Fish small gear

King's and I headed down

to Madtown for Trek World yesterday.

Long day when it starts at 5:00 one thing when you are out to ride bikes

but this was to learn and look at them.

Lots of new and nice stuff. The Big surprise was Klien is not coming

back to the USA instead the Fish is picking up the slack for the Booting of Lemond.

Steel Cross bikes Road Bikes and all kinds of urban townie stuff. Cool Paint and

nice looking frames. A big part of the show was the release of the Bontrager line of shoes.

Large crowds were there to try them on, I have to say they were pretty comfy, I would have like to try them on a bike that was not in the cards for the day.

Learned some new stuff ate lots of food got some shwag but the

highlight of the day came at dinner.

After a One world two wheels presentation

we were told to go out to the parking ramp and get on a bike.

1000 Trek limes were in the lots with helmets and lights. We had a police escort through town to

the UW campus for dinner.

With Closed roads and the anticipation of free beer the games were on.

Huge skids riding on planters jumping stuff giving those limes more than

they ever thought they would get.

As far as I can tell they held up, they just might need new tires.

Thanks Trek for a fun day and all the Food,

Now if I con only get them to give me one of those limes for my own Quiver.

Going by Bike

World of Trek

Failure

With the work day one I slipped out of work and

up Bliss road. I wanted to see what the work was that

is going on.

As I got to the barricade a new sign was up telling you

that only the right people can go up the road.

Lacking the proper paper work I rode ready to turn around as soon as I

saw a worker.

Not a sole in sight just some big ass equipment.

The amount of work that is going to need to be done is huge the hole thing looks like it can give way at any moment.

Tax $$ at work.

Legs fell,,,,,,,,,,,,, well like they should this time of year, now I just need to get my sleep

patterns back to normal so I can be fresh for the 6 hour on Sat.

Bread

Lazy sunday,

would have loved to log some more miles but just loafed.

It was nice. Pool with the kids a nap and

some good dinner.

The weather is great the bikes are running great,

the 6 hour race is coming up on saturday then

off to the 50.

Hope that I am ready.