End

When it is all done and said it is over.

At times a whirlwind other

times smooth like silk.

New home far way and much lower than we

have been in years.

Good friends and family,

many hills to climb and places to explore.

Races won and lost

and more beer.

Health has been restored and

a new sense of happiness.

Can't ever tell who the midget

is going to be Buzz or Spiderman.

More growing to come.

Bring it on we are ready for what ever

or at least I hope.

This could be the year of Two Wheel Fun.

Bikes to be ridden fun to be had a good time

living the High Life!

Thanks To All!!!!

Not having a hard time living the HIGH LIFE

I stoled this from Stevil I think that it says it all!!!

faster than slow

What a difference a day makes. The wax was just right and the trails in hixon were perfect. The guys that do the grooming are doing an amazing job. It is all done by snowmobiles and in there spare time.A good hour of work the legs felt great. I am very happy that we have this here to keep the body moving. One day left. Then It all gets new.

Skiing Minnesota

Went up to Winona for a ski yesterday and I have to say that they do a good job. Lots of hills and a well thought out system of trails. I was a but screwed on wax the fresh coat that I put on fri was applied with warmer temps mind. Then to top it off after they groomed another inch of fresh snow came down, so it was slow going for a bit. Can't win them all good resistance i guess. It is almost over and another one is ready to start. The SSWC reregistration is coming soon would love to be there just a long ways out? More today..Ski it while it is here. Then the new bikes should start rolling in. Go fast.

Big lizzard in my backyard

Snow does

not want to stop.

Which is good because the

skiing

has been good.

going back and forth with work in the

chamber and on

snow.

Looking foward to spring

wanting warmth or just dry roads.

Need to keep the mind on

track.

Long hours will be on the way.

Which bring big smiles

Crazy in MN

If you have not seen this it is worth the watch....

Two sticks one goal

Great to see the woods today,,,lots of snow. They have been out dragging the and grooming but you still sink in pretty good. I need to stop being lazy and head up to Winona and ski, just got so use to not having to go far,,I know HTFU... Great holidays family health and happy. The kids all smiles and dam the food was good.. Shame I can't make a living as a food preparer. Road bike is on the way thanks to Gunnar and SunRace. Making all the need arrangements for the Wily Team. Can't wait the snow is fun but I am read for a change. Until then slipping and sliding.. Keep thinking about the commando run. County B to the top of the Bicentennial Trail and down? Not as cool as the one Herb and the boys back home use to do.

Hot Laps

Peter Parker doing laps before dinner..

All smiles

16er the new revolution !!

HPT

Learning the YOU TUBE

Deep

It wont stop. I guess it will be white. Now if I can just find a hill..

Trip around the sun

Bringer of the light. It is here the new day brings more. All starts off with a powder day I used to dream of having deep snow on this day, just not a big enough hill for swoohsing. The Nordic trails should be great once the snow stops and they get it groomed. Do I feel wiser? Probably not but i work hard last night to get to the point. The youngest one will have new wheels for christmas and now I am freaking out because the oldest is out growing her race bike .... Shit I thought that a 15 inch would have done it so now it is time to start thinking a bout something else. Drive safe have fun and watch out because it is here.

Link

Here is a link to a movie that Kingsbery did for a school project. It shows off the great trail system that we have here. Check it out well put together. We are lucky to have the HPT system.

Dropping Bombs!

Congratulations are in order to Jared and his new Family. A new baby and he'll still ride more than any of us.. Good job enjoy. The legs are spun out after a week off of intervals. The skiing has been nice but the snow is ever changing and with all the dog poop out there I get discouraged.. Oh well the darkest days are a head which means only one thing and that it going to a change coming. Older? Bring it on yea we jam econo.. Lets call it the big foist. Go and get some..............

Knee Droping Skinny Ski Weirdo's

7:30 starts in the woods

and almost

need a light on

my head.

Good snow we could use some more

and keep the dam runners off the nice groomed trails.

Yes I know that it is a public trail but it is groomed for one propose

and that is not running go run some where else.

That being said

it has been nice getting to ski I

fell lucky yes I would love some life access flying through the trees

getting face shots but do what you can.

Sounds like the boys out west are loving the conditions

right now.

I read this morning that Taos is going to let snowboarders ride

what the fuck is that.

I don't want to piss people off but I thought it was

a skier only hill ?

Oh well I guess Alta is left

what is going to happen next?

I Got the POINT

One week left and then

let the kids open their gifts.

Another weekend of good

Packer football

and thanks to Big Jonny's

Eagles we have the same record as the

NOBOYS.

More Nordic this weekend legs feeling good,

spun them out on the railroad grade which was like riding rollers with a

towel rolled up and shoved below them.

How about the Darkness

sscx national cham.

Those dam boys are fast.

Time to start thinking about 08 need

to get my nwe bike put together.

AZ this spring ?? Get some

road miles get some riding in with Yuri and the

valley freaks?

Testing 1,2,3

This Guy has Skilzz

King of the Hill

Back out on the skinny sticks this morning. I had already committed to it before I went and man it was a bit chilly. Only 5 for the morning skate session. It was good linking up a good loop with more time and effort. When I made it back to the trail head my jacket was all frosted over from the transportation. Good work >> Nice and quite the silent sports of winter in full swing. Speaking of full swing The older Brother chimed in today and said that his home town hill went from 0-70 inches of snow in about a week. I have not skied there but from what I understand it is the best in the U.S. when their is snow. As for me the local ski hill cost to much so any downhill lunge will have to be a commando run.

Out in it

I was able to get my inner Nordic on today. Temps were good for a morning ski. Did I say ski,,,,,,,,,,,yea out on snow it was what I needed. A bit of recon to see what the woods have to offer. The local Nordic heads do a great job keeping up this little gem. 7 k or there about smooth and pretty fast. My form was not that bad and all the gear worked well. Thanks go out to all for the hookups Coach for the skis good ol Hiel for the polls And BP for the Boots. I will miss skiing with all you good people. More to come I think that I will head up to Winona they have from what I am told some perfectly groomed trails at the college of ST.Mary. Just great to have something else to do, the boss man at work says "you should go running" I can only do that if chased or if the liquor store is closing......Wait I live in Wisco does that happen.

Studs in the head

Here is a good way to start the week. Why were the brits so much more fun that U.S. tv in 80's?

sink like a stone

Board............ I can't get excited about much to even get out of bed. It has snowed but the temps have not gotten over 10 so xc skiing is not on my list of stuff to do. The laundry room intervals have been good even though I broke a spoke on my front wheel. Who does that.? Even with new stuff on the way wont be able to do much with it. Cold and snow every where.. The boys back home are nipple deep in snow having a blast. With a head full of punk and tired legs I get to back to work because monday she comes "Fuck n A".

Boon+Watt+Hurley=

This shit is great

So much good stuff to hear.

This ain't no picnic.

Kids on Coffee

The guys at Work are going to have a well caffeinated me. I hope I can find something to do. No ride in I think that I would risking it to much just to roll the wheels. 6 inches new on top of the ice that fell on sunday. TGIW!

Stuff

As I watch it snow all I can think about is spring. Yes I am get to xc ski this week--end but out on bikes is where I want to be. Months away from the new Wilys my thoughts are on the Team and what they will bring. This is just the start. more to come. And yes it is snowing maybe a sscx mission to work >if I keep it up right. This morning for breakfast we had the handy man him self.

Cru

RAD

I don't know about you but thanks

to the

Bummer Crew

we got to spend the morning watching and remembering

1986.

6th grade and bmx bikes, we were riding skateboards but

this was the shit the

Hell Track !!

Good Fun, no search for Animal Chin but

a cool ass move better music than

Quicksilver.

White Crap

Well it snowed here for a good while with 4 to five inches on the ground mutha nature decided to add some rain/sleet to the mix. So needless to say what could have been a winter wonderland became a nightmare. The boy and I went out to remove the snowizel and it was work. I have had to move a lot of snow over the past few years I even used to get payed to do it. But never any thing like this.Granted james is only 3.5 years and only 39 lbs but here he stands on top. So we get this all cleared and the douche bag slum lord shows up with his snow blower and makes some dumb ass joke about helping me out and this is after he helped out the other neighbors.. Looser.... The off season kills me once i can start XC skiing things will get better but one can only take so much of the laundry room intervals. Over 50 miles in the past two days and today was to be an outside day on the railroad grade, but with the layer of ice on everything I thought that might be the best idea. At least I got to move pounds of ice and slush/snow sorta of a work out. Sounds like the boy standing on the snow will be getting a new bike for Christmas. Now just need to figure out what to do with his other two. The trikester may have to stay because of how cool it is but the little 12" needs to go. If anybody needs a bike for little ones we have one two many..

Who uses salt?

First bit of snow is on the ground. Happy that I got out and rode mtb's last weekend. I am happy to have a warm coffin to get to work in when it is 13 degrees out and 20 mph winds I am a bit of a wimp. The Kid was stoked to ride to school today even did a dance. She only has under a mile to go, we'll see how she does with 23's on snow. If it snows like they say the XC ski's can come out if not sscx on the train grades and laundry room intervals. So winter is now here and I have to say lets get it over with bring on the spring so bike and can be ridden and skin can be shown. Until then stay warm and keep the wheels turning.

BuRRRRRR

17 on the way in today. By far the coldest yet but I was warm almost to warm. The Kid asked if she could go with out a helmet a hat was better to hold in the heat.

Follow the leader

Left the shop and it was only 32 out or at least that is what the bank said. Dress in layers and shed at the top. Good group for this late in the year, with all the leaves on the ground and the ground semi frozen we had some fun to be had. I asked that we go the wrong way as much as we could to change things up and for the most part the crew was into it. That is until I said we should go up the French Connection. To me it is just like some donkey kong riding switch after switch. Saw some crashing the young kid NJ was out and he ate it over some logs and i managed to wheelie out trying to make a corner. Nothing broken just some contusions. Supposed to get cold around here with some snow so i am glad that I got out this weekend. Hate to have to hang up the bike for the winter..

Roadrunner

I am able to handle the 30's esp.. when the sun is out. Great to get out today and ride on the road bike, felt weird with the ability to shift. I was nice and warm thanks to the layers andthe woollies from Twin Six. If you have not checked these guys out yet do so great stuff for on and off the bike and good ideas for Christmas for that bike nerd in your family. It is quite out in the farm land nothing but gun shots and weird looks from cows. Three good climbs includingThis one. Good dinner tonight and off to go ride the Wily up at the Proving Grounds with Kings and Knuckles and whom ever may show up for a ride. No Packers tomorrow so we can ride for a bit longer than a normal sunday.

Creamed corn

It is safe for me to say that was not waiting outside a store at 4 this morning I was sleeping dreaming of endless single track and red rocks. With full bellies the family and I had a wonderful day of eating, Packer watching and beer drinking. Did some laundry room intervals with the CTS crew always funny when people that you raced against are on the DVD interval session. Maybe I can be fast like Fros someday. It kills me that we judge the wealth of the country on these people. This is supposed to help swing our bad economy people spend more money that they don't have on inflated credit cards so they get deeper in a hole. But the stores bottom line will look good and make some marketing guy look like a genius. Oh tis the season. To spend spend spend do your part as an American.

In Print

Anna said and now it begins as we open the new to find our young James in print. Launching in to the world of Mountain Bikes by getting his photo in one of the best magazines on the planet. His sister was jealous but I told her that her time would come. Temps have chill a bit here but the new Gate should do the trick.. Have fun eating

sun carving

Sometimes things don't go the way you plan. I was all ready to head to the cities when it happened could not make the trip. I was looking froward to racing, been a bit of a grump the last bit with no action. This has been a crazy fall with all that has been going on. Oh well PBR cures all. Out on the single cross sunday morning, I have been liking the bike because of its double duty. When it is 32 and sunny here you have to go and get some riding. Found some dirt to ride but with the morning dew and leaves the Red machine was the wrong weapon. I think that I was the only person out in the woods with out blaze orange doing my two wheeled John Cash impersonation. Home today with a sick boy need to be healthy for the up coming turkey day.

In the van in the morning off to the land of my child hood. First and last CX races of the season. What will it bring. More than anything going to support the Hollywood gang and to see the great folks from Twin Six . The Kid and DR Marchiando are going to do a 5k run race called the turkey trot. So it sound like a full day of racing for everyone. I am going to do the single race and dip into the 3's race . Work up an appetite and go get a Slipstream Burrito. The faster you go the faster you go !!

Get out the way

Simple concept right you yell out on your left and folks should move or stay to the right? Some understand better than others....

Racer types that are passing or being passed for the most part have this down some don't but that is for another day. Some blogs

have been devoted to this concept like the Cross Father and had lead to may arguments on bike paths around the country.

On a busy weekend in summit county you can tell your self horse telling all the weekend world champions that you are over taking them on the left side.

You can take the silent approach and not say

any thing this sometimes ends up with

the passed person

mad you did not tell them.

Lots of people on bikes here in the Big River Valley

but not all aware of what is going on so

pay attention and let them know you are

coming.

Sticky Buns

A good day riding in the woods today. The pace off the front made some drop to their knees or at least that is why we hope he was on his knees. Good group......riding in some nice weather and lots of leaves! It was a big week with a lot of miles, for this time of year. Still thinking that I may go and race the CX race in the twin cities this coming weekend. Long drive short race. When the ride is all done and said Clays some day wife to be Jen, had cinnabuns hot and fresh. MMMM.. I like riding my bike and when I can do it in the woods it makes things all the better. What will this week bring?

Sunglasses at Night

The new warm stuff

was worth it's weight this morning with

the balmy 24 on the ride in.

A few more tweaks and i should be dialed.

Looking forward to a weekend on the bike Sunday is going to be the warmest

so up to the dirt to spin up some leaves.

With a week left before my first and last cross race of the

season need to make sure that I am ready, might have the Kid yell and throw beer at me while I do some run ups in the park next to the house.

Need to work on my Nat Ross skills.

Need to get lit up >>>>borrowed a light last night for the ride home and

dam you can see a lot.

Just watch out for parked cars..!!

More to come

Congratulations to Human Powered Trails on a $10,000.00 award to help build trails. This is good news for the

Proving Grounds. More money to make more trails. More trails mean more fun , and more fun means less crazy people, at least on top of the bluff, it wont help the perma F'ed people downtown.

I think you'ed get your ass kicked>>>>

No case of the mondays here. Chilly start but a good start none the less. After a good day at the proving grounds rolling the single cross just felt right. It was D Boon who said the Wheel is an extension of the Foot. Well said D. New stuff added to the site a little greenery for our hands to get around. Check out the great stuff that Ergon has to offer. Miles this week as long as the cold dose not get to bad more to come. I need to get lit up it is getting dark early. I think that a new light might be coming my way. No more Living in Darkness .

Mybikelikesme

Their is nothing like a few hours on a bike to clear the head. Today was one of those days and everything just flowed together. The bike is riding the best that it has all year, helping me add to the total. The leaves are almost all down which makes things tricky but just getting one ready for snow that may come some day.For now as much as I can get,, kind of weird this time of the year to be on the bike so much I am used to being on sticks dropping knees and flying through white smoke.. Bikes are good. Smile!!

Sand in the ............................

Hike up your skirt and ride a bike.. Weather is going to take a turn this week so it could be now or never for some dirt riding. Motivation is not lost here.

Sub 30

Well it is now November and my hopes are to keep the outside riding going as long as I can. Chilly this morning but nothing that I have not felt before. People keep telling me that it gets really cold, yea I know that been there and done that,, just need to keep the inside fire burning.

My Frankenstein cross bike is felling more and more like it should just another

extension.

More warmth on the way.

pain cave

I hear this term thrown around all the time in the cycling world some times I just have to laugh. That is only because I have been there and the one that I love has and from time to time lives in a pain cave that few of us would understand. So we spent the morning at the doctors having more test done and another one of these things to see what is wrong. She is only 3 weeks post opp and what they think is that their might be an infection around the area that they reattached the colon together . Damm strong kid..So after running around and getting her comfortable I head out for what was to be a hour on the single cross. I ran in to an early edition of the tuesday night group ride. I am thinking this should cause pain knowing the direction they were going and cupped with the 20+ winds. One big hill was on tap and I thought it would hurt. pain was irrelevant I just went up 6 mins of standing and it was over. So more like a pain tunnel not a cave.

Crazy Crazy Crazy Day

What a day started off with the whole family together which is so nice. Right in to mowing the grass and off to go ride with the Girl. Stopping in to the shop to get her bike we find out about Donny. Good wishes go out to his family. On the trail Two Wheel Fun fun was on it, she was riding things that I didn't think that she could. Riding strong and fast, she said that she was riding for Donny since her bike was the last one he ever tuned. Crazy. The trails are sweet and the Wily rode so sweet. the grease job that was all Donny's idea and it was smooth so smooth. We are going to miss ya..

We Will Miss You!!!!!!

It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that Don Ames Passed away. He was an amazing man and one of the best bike mechanics I have ever met. He had a heart attack while hunting this morning only a few short hours after he and I tuned and cleaned up Sophia's Mountain Bike. He passed doing something that he loved. All of you out there that had a chance to meet him or ride on a set of wheels that he built up know he will be missed. Work wont be the same with out his humor and funny stories. We will miss you Donny Rest In Peace.

Against the Grain

Not only a great record but a fun way to ride the single track up at HPT. Some of the trails are directional and this time of year you can get away with coming at them a different way. It was a chilly start but the sun was out and the dirt was perfect. Nothing like spinning on dirt to make on smile. I opened up the king on my Wily and gave it some grease first time in 8 years not bad. So simple and so smooth. Anna has been home now for two days and she is getting back in to the swing. She made the boy costume tonight and james is ready for candy. I get to change the dressing on he wound, I never got to see it in it's glory it must have been huge,only getting better. Next Bikes family and FUN!!!

Nipplie

First real chili one of the year....Only 37 on the ride in it felt like going to work in Breck. Time to get some shoe covers. You do warm quck when you can't shift.....the toes just never feel it. BURRRR<<<

Parking lots are slippery

Some days it is the little things like getting out and riding on a bike. The weather has been tough lately so when the clouds stopped crying I headed out. I did a mix of county roads and dirt paths. With all that has been going on it was nice to be outside. Tomorrow will bring the symphony which should be different I am not one for sitting that long but you got to support the family. More miles to come race in Iowa in a week? Maverick and Wily on board for next year are you ready??

Eat warm Bread

I need to get some riding in. Things have been crazy, sometimes the pancakes are not cut right. Sun has come out and things will dry up. Slow days drag sideways. Sleep comes in and goes. Go and see mom healing fast. Stupid Pancakes.!! Nov 16 one month cross?

Good to Be OUT

That is the statement of the weekend!! Anna got let out on saturday and she is looking great and doing so well. She is at her parents house relaxing and and getting much needed rest. It is nice that she has people that care about her. I was able to escape and ride the trails for a lap and a bit.. the wood are alive with the tons of fury things getting ready for winter. The weather has turned to rain here a system that dumped snow in the high country, it is winter there the trails are now covered for them they will have to head west to the promise land of Furita. Stay warm and ride fast, and remember time spent on a bike is better than time behind a DESK!!!

Falling Down

A nice afternoon in the woods.. You can now see the forest through the trees. Thanks to my inlaws for all the help riding the single made the week feel a little more sane. A cold ride in to work and a stop at the hospital to see Anna. New Twin Six stuff on the way warm toes!!

I hate your Bike!

Things keep moving along for the

HPT here in Lacrosse. A new section of trail has almost be completed which will allow for more single track fun. With the weather turning more like fall I head back out into the woods to ride the trusty single.

What do you think? Should single speeds race in their own cat.. or should they race against the geared folk//It has been an on going topic here at the shop today. Just ride a bike and shut up!!!!!

One less biker..............................................in Breck

Watch out Big George and the rest of you NASCAR freaks, something new and fast is coming to town. Good luck and have fun you Cross Freak. Keep him in line Peggy.!

Green Light

Out with the bad and in with the good. Anna is recovering nicely and should be back to her old self. This photo is from wikipedia, to help show what was removed... Part if not all of the ilium, where the small and large come togother and 6 inches of the ascending colon. She looks good and happy knowing that this the start of something new.

Sticky

Looks like this forest Gnome needs a little help.

Now I am not bitching because it is warm and I can ride but 87 isn't that to much for October? The leaves really fell between friday night and today some places hard to see the single track. Rode the new section that they have been working on. I am so impressed with the work that the HTP crew have done. Well tomorrow is the day anna has not been able to eat all day and I need to have her at the hospital at 6:30 it should only take 2 hours. Fingers are all crossed all to go well.

A night at the Kingsbrey

I have not spent to much time riding in the dark but I got out tonight with a little help from some friends and their lights. Meet up with kings at the top of the bluff and we got down to work. It was easier than I expected and we had a blast. I felt like i could have kept going but need to be at the home. Correct me if I am wrong but beer is food right? Don't think that I am getting enough calories. Last race of the wors this weekend my bets are on the Creep. I am going to miss out but I have bigger things on my plate.. I am hungry must eat more..