Brat Fry

The Marchiando anual Brat Day,,, A Great time had by all... We got to meet John's new girlfriend and eat and drink until our hearts were content. The weather was a crazy one ,, cool temps had us a bit wrapped up on Saturday as Rocky worked his magic on the Brats. Notice that there are no tongs only his fingers. Each brat gets a quarter turn. Anna and I were ready to eat after taking out first road ride together. She did great as we went up the Grandad's Bluff. She has really taken a shine to this road riding thing. Sunday saw much warmer temps and lots of sun. I was able to head out on the Spot for a good ride and see if the bike was riding the way it should after the rough race from the week before. Bike was ok minus the front brake have issues still.. Funny what happens when Fork oil get all over your pads. All in all a great weekend AND I am fried.. Now some more food and beer and then time to start getting ready for the tests to Come.. Buck Hill is going to Hurt.. Until then Go Brats..

Put the Tarp on.

Weather delay!! Supposed to be taking the misses out for a Road Ride but it is finally raining here in the big river valley. This may make the legs happy but tweak the brain. The SSCX may need to come out for the AM pain Train tomorrow.

ShouldA Been

Should have made it to see this.... But I am old and lame.... I even missed the Meat Puppets here in my own home town.... I need to have the bands play in my Garage if I am going to go see them.. LAME!!

Flash

Mornings are getting dark and little lights are needed for the AM Pain Train. Recovery+Fast Guys+ 5:30= Ouch. Not sure but think that i would like to keep the MadOne but the $$ might make it hard. Once the big lights come out it might be time to sleep in.

Muzzle Load

First off long drive to Elk River. Have not been in that area in many many years. Pulled in to the race venue with enough time to get dressed and warm up. From what I had been told it was going to be a lot of single track and a good bit of climbing. After call up's we had a few minutes to catch our breaths, and then go. I for some reason took the hole shot Ala Hollywood and then on the first climb started to get pasted by the faster guys. Back out onto the road felt as if I was going flat. But the flat never appeared. Got on to the single track about 14th or so. Just trying to hammer as much as I could. The course twisted turned and then again on it's self, fast steep climbs and long laps. Going in to lap 2 Andy got around me and I just could not hang on. With a large group behind me I just kept my head down and pushed hoping for some kind of gap. Last lap through the Jump line I went for the faster line and in mid air foot popped out and I managed to keep the bike upright but bent the shit out of my seat rails. Thankfully it was only 1.5 left to the Finnish. Crossed the line in 12 overall in the money. Good day hard day now need to the bike fixed up before the next race in two weeks.

SmallBock

A dirty Thirty today, with single track on the way to and from work. Bike fells good engine ok pistons a bit tired. Going in to a race this weekend that I don't know and have the mental game in my head about gearing. Push or spin that is the question. A nice mellow spin is on tap for the morning. Sleep is next.

Share the Road

Sent Via the Big Brother... Funny because it is True..

900

While at the Trek HQ I got to ride Jim's Trail's. This is the super secret fun tech trail that these guys and gals get to ride every day. Good fun went out with my inside rep and some of his closest inside buddies. Fast and fun tons of thought went in to building these trails. The only down side was the Misquotes that were out for blood.. Being at the Waterloo Site was a trip it was like Disneyland for the Bike Nerd. Bikes everywhere new 2010 stuff just hanging out and Lance and Contador at every turn. I saw Belt Drive Madones and things that may never make it to production. And I learned more about how the body and bike interact. I hate to sound like self centered but I need some time on the bike not just near the bike I need that Quiver in the legs again. All good this in all good time.. Sounds like I need to run For the Roses. Beer and sleep is on tap. Bikes at dawn!!

Frizle

Busy week has me a bit Fired like bacon in a pan. I wish I could say that it was from riding to much but from all the other stuff that comes along with living. Need to sit down chill and have a cold beer. Get through work and tomorrow I can do as I wish ride with the family and Cilll the Fu@$ out. Good times were had hanging out with the Trek Crew.. Learned a lot now need to practice and see if i can make the numbers work.

Tipy Tip

Sophia and I made the quick trip to Red Wing for race #5 in the MNCS. I have good memories of this race and love the single track there. Sophia had a good bunch of women to line up against and hit the Hole Shot Ala Hollywood Him Self. As they Sorted out for the single track her place was decided. She rode a great race and pushed it hard,,,, Sixth overall and 1 in her age group. Another good one for her. As for me I was thankful for the call up,,,front row was going to be needed for the fast and flat loop around the grassy top section. Fast dusty and hard to see what was going on.. Just before the single I went to make a move and the rider I was going to pass got close and he hooked his arm on my bar end,,, I was looking for a soft place to go crash but before I had to use that option he got his arm loose. Lap one hurt lots of riders together going fast and blowing off the trails from time to time. Coming in to the Stair way To heaven I got to test my legs with the 34x18 and I was able to climb 90% of it and make some gaps stick. This was my goal now attack all the climbs. Lap 2&3 a good bit of back and forth with riders that were in front and those that were in the rears. Saved just enough for the 4th lap, I had two chasing hard and could see one up front,,,, at the bottom of the longer climb on the back side I buried my self to make a pass and enter the single track in front. It worked. I made through the stair way one more time, I could see the chasers coming and just had to make it hurt... Across the line in 8th place Overall and 2nd in age group. First time in the $$ all season. Great race worked hard felt good,,now a bit of rest and time to get back after it... Thanks to all the great sponsors that have been keeping moving over this season could not do it with out you guys...... Go Fast and Play Loud. Photo SkinnySki.Com

New Fish

One more in the Garage ,,, We have got our hooks in to the Mom of the family. She got to go out today with Sophia and had a nice ride....She Said "wow they are right about drafting that is easier ". One step at a time I hope that clipless pedals are not to far in the future. Red Wing tomorrow........should be a good one the goal is to go fast we'll see what I have... PBR me AsAp..

Slip

The octopus was out this morning drizzling his ink across the sky. The roads were wet and the group was small. The work was done and HR was low. Lots of spinning and bits of climbing. Tour is on and coffee is going down. Friday and living the HIGH LIFE!

Forth Of Yada Yada

Lot and Lots of stuff going on this weekend. Hanging with the Garro's, Swimming, Bike rides and family and Beer... Now need to decompress and get ready for another week of work,,,,,Whewww!

FO

Have Some Coke and A Smile and Shut the F@#! UP

Boonen Gets to Race? I have always enjoyed watching him race, and now that he has rock star status he is even cooler. I mean he get to have a coke habit and still race. The Emag was hard to wake for but I made it, and was able to turn the cranks over. Friday, only 8 hours of work between me and the weekend. Go Fast.

Ordinary

Dirt with the kid this morning what more needs to be said.. A great morning trails were sweet and the bike rode well. I had the energy of 10 men and could have ridden all day if it was not for work. Sophia was riding well for someone who was so hurt that she could not race on sunday. Morning is going to come way to early and that Emag train is going to be moving fast. I hope that the 44x17 can keep up... Only time will tell.. The forth is coming and I wish nothing but good luck for all those doing the firecracker 50. One hell of a hard race and one hell of a great time. Now go to sleep and go ride in the morning ..... Wait one more beer needs to be drank....

Done

TNWC ride tonight,,, Good hard work with only one day in between racing and today. All day sun until it was time to ride, then 59 degrees and sprinkles on the last day of june. Cold then warm and so forth. Fast pace and lots of wind, the Hessian was killing the pace up front like the energizer bunny. Going up to Trempealeau tomorrow to see the Garro's who are in town visiting family, nice to get to see them as we don't make it to Flagstaff as much as we would like. Great photos from sunday taken by Dana,, she does great work. Time for a recovery beer or two.... sleep and do it all over again.

Domo Mt Kato

Mankato,,,,,,,, Great day for a bike race. Weather was perfect and the trail system there is top notch. After the call ups and pre race jitters gooo was ringing through the air. Hit the hill up front and ready for the work that was a head. By the end of the first climb I was sitting in the top 10 and working on recovery watching Heath take a massive pull on the front end of the group. Fast Fast start.... As lap one sorted it self out I found my comfort zone. Mad at my self for not being able to close down some gapes but happy to keep the ones that I had. Middle of lap to and in to three Heath and I worked together pulling and grinding up some of the climbs and blazing down the steep and buttery descents. I missed the wheel that I wanted to hold on to and put my head down and plugged away. The lap traffic came sooner than I wanted and they had to be passed before the tricky down hills. Lap 4 after getting passed by the same two guys that passed me in Duluth after I crashed, I had to push it hard to stay in contact. One last good push and I caught em at the bottom of the stair case. Across the line in 2nd again in age group and 12th overall. Felt great wish the legs could have gone a little quicker but happy with the way things shook up. Consistency come to mind when I look at the last 4 races. Bummed that Sophia could not make it because of her hurt arm, but she should be back for the next one in Red Wing.. Ahhh Dirt racing so much fun.. Now I want more Dirt...

Walk the Margin

Great group this morning..... At 5:30 it was 64 degrees and almost felt chilly great start to the day. Now time to think about sunday,,, the Spot is cleaned and ready is the driver? I know what to do just need to execute..

Grumply

One of those nights where people just were not happy. I am not going to name names but the grumpy bug was out, and biting. Wednesday night has been a good night lately for the kid and I and we have not been out on the road for a real long time. So we headed out up north to ride around in the coulee's and enjoy a nice late afternoon sun. Great ride for me and the other one did ok for no effort. looked great in here new road shoes from Willy. Dirt for me tomorrow one last single track day to get tuned up before sunday. Sleepy time comes.... Ride fast and Dream Hard..

Gun Show

The AM train was a warm one already 75 at 5:30. I showed up with a knife for a gun fight with the big hitters like Josh and Tj in show. The 44x 17 worked well only missing one sprint. Climbed like a beast and did good all around. Just what was needed for the week to come. Now to drink lots of water going to be 100+ today. Stay cool and Play Loud>>!!

UP

The morning started off well with a huge breakfast and a bit of sunshine. We are full of strawberries here at the house so it is use them where ever you can. Weather man said heavy rain but my map did not show that so it was off to the Proving Grounds. The road going up is green with lot of flowers, and always a great climb, if you went warmed up you are now.

The forest is thick now lots of vegetation and in some places over growing the trail. My only problem is that I am allergic to just about all of it. This past week has been an experiment of histamines and those were all road rides. Glad that I did not head over to the Cup race needed to have a week to my self. Now it is time to get ready for next sunday, Mankato, great little ski area race, they say 500 feet of climbing per lap. Should be a good one. Happy dad's day to the pappa's now time to chill and get ready for the week ahead...

MIM

Minds were in Motion Good event. Smiths put on a good show. Ride was good a few Squirrels but indent free. Dirt tomorrow, then back to work. Nothing left to do but smile smile smile.

Pave

4:45 came early today and if had not been for the stupid cardinal that sits outside my window I may have over slept. Good intervals nothing structured just the work that needed to be done. Summer tomorrow, I'll be a rolling billboard for Smiths. Then fathers day a day for me to ride a bike and drink a beer.

Skanking it Easy

Easy was the call for the day. Find some hills and go up, and then some good tempo riding through the rolling fields. Things are coming along after Sundays event and tues group ride. I need to do this stretching thing more and more. Weekend is going to be a warm one hope to put in as many miles as one can.

Muddy

Legs are taking some time to come around. Need more sleep time but life in the my world has been moving at a fast pace. Easy today with a good dinner and some stretching. More coffee is always good. On a side note to all the H8ters, non believers, Doubters, sinister assholes, who think that racing in MN is a cop out they can put on a kit and line up and see how they do! Or Just Keep it out of My Face!

Dirt Spanker

Hard yes,,,,Harder than I thought that it would be. Very glad to have ridden the trail on saturday with Sophia. I don't think that she was to in to it but that all changed come,,,

Sunday!! Here she is leading out the women up the big first grind. She showed them how to climb.

Coming through on lap 2 she was sitting in 3rd only one minute down I told her to toss her bottle and she chucked right at her brother. Finished in first for age group and 2nd over all.. Great race.

My turn. Great start up the grind 6 or 7th going in to the single. motoring through the first lap I found my self on the deck. Got up and latched on to Eric, only to loose him towards the end of the lap. for the next 2 laps I bounced back and forth passing on the climbs only to get passed on the flats. End of the 3rd lap I took my eyes off the trail to look at a rider ahead who was running and Down I went again. Back up I could hear the Cheers for Heath who was coming for me. Ge got me mid way through the last lap and I got him back shortly their after. My back was in pain but wanted to get it done. One climb to go and one more down and It was over. 2nd in age group and 10th overall. That is 3 for 3 in 2nd place and missed the money by one spot again. Good race and great weekend happy that the whole family went and had a blast in the town of Duluth.

Youth Youth Youth

I hope that JMK likes this one... 20+ years and still kicking ass... Need to find a record store........

Spanker

The Kid and I made it to Mount Du Lac for a pre ride. Glad to get to see the race course before we raced it. Nothing like having to learn it as you race it. Bitch of a grunt on the start and then again on the lap continue. Think that the gear that I chose is right, any steeper and the tight twisty might get hard to power through. Fun single reminded me of Snowmass with the Birch and Pine forest. Been a long time since I have been to Duluth, a lot has changed but lots still the same. First time for the rest of the family. Dinner is next and then ice creme. I want to go fast tomorrow hope all goes well.

Song of The Day

Crusty Eyes

The Sun is up early this time of year and the birds are loud. 4:45 came fast today, but with the sun up I was ready. Until I went out to find a chilly 50 degrees out. Good group one flat which slowed down the morning. Legs are felling good never went into the red. Pre ride tomorrow with the kid then race on sunday. Friday+Sun+ Bikes=Beer Drinking.

TNWC Ride

The Tuesday Night World Champ ride was a good one last night. With light winds and misty rain the temps were ideal. Good group pushing the pace on the flats and flying up the climbs. Legs did what they were supposed to feeling good and hoping to be ready for Duluth. More to come easy to day. Follow the plan.

Birds Birds and Poo

So we have our fair share of crazy's. They come in the shop some times and give us a good show. Now their is this one that has two birds that ride on her handle bars, big birds. She can be nice but is not all there, and lately has been in a bunch. Well today she comes in with a big of cherries for Scot for the work that he had done. She asked me to install a Knog light on her bars. Now i go out there to see these huge birds and as I get near the bike one lets a big SHIT go,,,Nasty. I ask to keep the birds restrained due to their large Talons and beaks. Light gets on thanks are said and stepped over the bird shit. Now Scot has some fruit to eat and he better wash it a whole shit ton.

Gloomy

More rain, not stopping the wheels from spinning. One gear and some fenders do the trick. Easy spins to and from work. Good start, more food please.

Misty Morning

The Weather man is like john denver full of shit. The temps were cool and the clouds were hanging on top of the climbs. Pickle came up from the island to join me for some tempo riding. It was good.

The valleys were cool and windy and the tops were like said misty mountains. Unzip on the way up and dry off on the way down. 50 and cool is this june? Good loop

6 hills some bigger than others and winds in your face with every turn. Would have like more distance but this time of year less is more. Another race coming in 7days. Work tomorrow, and more rain.

Showers

Rain. A good thing it makes my grass green cleans off my driveway.. And gets me off the bike. My OCD makes me ride every day, today is a recovery day a clean and dial in the bike day. A slow day at the shop, shame their is noting to break or light on fire. Tempo tomorrow no race for 7 days.

What it takes to get me out of bed

Best Use of a SUPERFLY!!

Down hill slide

Photo from Dana

Afton

Bike racing at the Old Ski Hill. Sunday set up to be a nice day outside with all but Anna racing. Sophia was first off for two laps of her 10 mile race. You could see that she had some nerves but knew what she needed to do. Coming through on her first lap she was down 40 seconds or so and working hard pissed about some rubbing that had been going on. With a bit more hard work on the back side of the course she was able to come in 1st again in her age group.James was next as he stood on the start line he was all smiles his goal was to take it nice and easy and make sure that his wheels kept spinning. I think that the tall guy behind him was a bit of sandbager . I was next ....A good group of guys at the line and the cool temps of earlier were gone and now it was good and warm. 4 laps 25 miles and lots of climbing. Go a fast lead out to the single track and I was sitting where I need to be going into the first climb. I made my moves and passed as I could as guys reached for gears and chains slipped. The first lap was good with gaps opening which set up some solo riding on 2 and 3. Small groups were formed as I worked with riders and tried to stay up front.It was warm and between that and all the climbing as the race went on riding strong was my goal. Moving smart and pushing it where I could. Coming in to the last lap Hollywood, was shouting encouragement and stuffed my jersey with a had full of Ice. Much cooler now I sat in and got to work picked off one or two more guys and kept moving grinding the climbs and stretching out my back when I could. Last big climb the manhandler I got nipped by a pro rider that i had been holding off I could not stay with him. Happy with my ride I rolled in 2:15 for 25 miles and ready for a beer. Good for 2nd in age group and 11th overall missed the money by 2 spots. More work to be done before the next one in Duluth.

Eat Meat

Hot Cakes

If april showers bring may flowers what does may showers bring? Got wet at the top of the wall yesterday, so no regroup just straight home. As it turns out the rest of the day way sunny and prefect. A little dirt to work this morning to get the bike ready for the next Test tomorrow.

Misty morning Fun

The rains finaly stoped and the trails were wet. So out came the road machine and hills were found. Cool misty fog laid in the valleys. The climbing was good,, helping get me ready for the test on sunday, lots of climbing. Sun is out now.

Fried Sausage

The Boys Bday was today and started off with a bang. Pancakes and Bacon with berries a good meal. Opened presents and played star wars. Sophia and I had some time to kill and needed some bike practice, so up to the HPT we went.

The Flowers are going off and so are the ferns etc.. Also going off was the Girl she was riding smooth and strong. The whole loop from the house is 23 mile and she crushed it. Riding strong and looking ready for the race at Afton next sunday.

The ergon green starts to blend in.... Finnish the day with birthday Brats and Cake. All were happy. Here comes monday- I mean tuesday you ready. Go fast and then go faster.

Run to the Hills

Yes It Is A big WEEKEND,, in my house. We headed up to the Twin Cities for some Zoo action and Mall of AMERICA. Fun was had by all the zoo was great and James who is the boy of honor was all was all smiles. My goal was to ride Sunday morning with the Twin SIX boys, but as saturday lingered on and with proximity of the hotel I went for a ride. First and for most big PROPS needs to go to the MORC group. I have heard a lot about Lebanon Hills, but until yesterday had never ridden there. As I rolled in from the lot it started right off the bat, smooth fast single track. Matter of fact it is all single track and all smooth minus the rock gardens. It is a mountain bike oasis in the middle of a large metropolis. Rolling the trails all I could do was smile as I fought to keep the twist cone down that I ate before suiting up. Got back to the hotel and told stories of log rides and big swoopy corners and rock gardens that made me drool. We all ate a big dinner swam and hit the hay. As morning came I was up and ready to hit the trails...A quick breakest and bad coffee and I was gone. Again just great flow so well thought out and so well made. I could go on for awhile about these trails,,bit I digress. If you are in the area ,,going to the airport, the mall seeing grandma what ever,, take your bike find Eagan MN and go for a ride you wont be let down. SOOOO much Fun..

Bouncing around the Room

Yesterday was a convection oven here in the Mississippi river valley. With high heat and 40+ winds it felt like you could get cooked standing outside. Sophia and I took a short ride at the HPT and life was good in the trees. I was back at it this morning dirt to work with 58inchs to freedom. Bike rode well and climbed like a beast. Fully recovered from what ever had me layout on tuesday. Big weekend ahead for the boy's fifth and the holiday that it falls on. Need to keep the wheels spinning more tests to come.

Slug

Not sure what was up but things were not normal. Goal was the TNWC ride and I had all the gear to go. But from the moment that I woke it was all down hill. Body and mind was tired, had a hard time thinking straight. I hit the bed early with little to no food. So far so good things seem to be on track. Just needed to get Reset.