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Sun will shine on my back door some day!!!!!

 Well the fat lady has sung and the Griswalds vacation is done except for the folding of laundry.

We had by far the best week of weather that one could have asked for in the valley of the sun.

First two days were a bit on the warm side but that was just a good buffer for some mid westerns that 

had not seen the sun in months. 

We got to spend a lot of time walking in the desert and

 watching the flowers open. 

I made it up to Flagstaff and rode with Gnome and Thom from Form Cycles on what was an amazing day of single track. With tons of climbing and miles of descending.

The desert was a bloom and nothing is better than a dip in the pool after a long hike in the sun. 

The Boy was a fish and spent at time from dawn till dusk in the water.

 And single track and lots of it. Thanks again to Yuri I got to ride ride ride and it was a mellow week not pushing it hard just pedaling and smiling enjoying the ride. I got to ride six of the eight days we were out there and got to ride some trails that did not exist when I live in the valley. New trails new faces and good times.... 

Now time to get back to work and get ready for what is to come. First Wors this weekend although it has been wet and more wet for weeks now so not sure how the trails are going to be. This same weekend here in LAX is a up hill TT and Crit so in some way and shape I will be racing this weekend.. Just not sure where and when yet..

The higher you get the higher you are

Woke up this morning at 1200 feet and found my self riding single track @ 7000+.

Left the valley of the sun this morning it was 67 degrees out and 30 up in 

Flagtown. The drive up was just beautiful

the early morning sun dancing on the contours of the mountain and

clinging to the ends of the many cacti that make up the 

Sonoran Desert .

Made it up to town and meet up with Gnome and

then with Thom and headed off to go and 

get some high elevation single track.

Hitting up the connector trail to the bottom of Schultz Creek the 

trails were just as I remember them. As soon as we hit the bottom of the climb the 

speed went up and so did my HR. Legs felt great  but

the recovery was tough Du to the lack of O2.

Climbed for a good bit and up dog food and one we were not sure of the name

then started to head towards Moto.

That is where I found the ground but saving Yuri's bike from 

the sharp volcanic rocks.

We traversed the mountain shredding the moon dust single track till we came to Snowbowl Road. 

With another climb to get to the top of the mesa we descended back in to Flagstaff.

Just under three hours and tons of great riding. 

The cherry on top of a great vacation. One more ride before I give Yuri back 

his bike,,,,,Then on saturday we back to the great white north. 

If you did not know I love bikes and love when the wheels are 

moving..

Go ride your Bike!! 

Feet deep

Life in the south west is treating me well.

If I have ever pick a good time to get out this is it. 

Weather back home looks more like March/February.

No heavy snow here just sun sun and sun.

More single track today and then off to Flagstaff tomorrow.

More fun is in store and I don't have to shovel.

Bright Eyes

After a long day of weather delays and slow travel we made it to the valley of the sun.

Some stiff drinks and food and we were in the pool.

The whole family was thankful to be here and done traveling.

I swung over to Yuri's house this morning to pick up

his SIR 9 to ride while I am in town. Dropped off a small pile 

of thank you gifts and was ready to start riding. 

Now I have already heard that me riding a geared bike with suspension front and rear means that I am not hard core.  Not sure what that means but I am riding single track and not dealing with the weather back home. 

The ride it's self was super nice could put the bike any where that you wanted on a trail strewn with

baby head and bigger rocks. The Niner seemed to float down the trail. 

Felt so good to out on dirt and even better to be in the sun. 

More to come approaching this week as a rest and recovery have fun week

before the race season starts when we get home. 

Now time for more beverages and sunshine.

Burnt Rubber

 Been trying to cram as much work into my days as I can. Two solid weeks and a few more days until we head off for vacation. Been going up through the quarry more and more now that the rivers have flooded the marsh.

 And after some 7500 miles and 2.5 seasons my

Bontrager hard case 28's have died. It does not help that I slammed on the brakes after I heard a motorist tell me to get on the F$#king sidewalk. 

I whipped a skid around and went back to his open window and asked what?

Now I don't think that I am too scary looking... all kitted up even in the Metal kit,, but he did not have much to say when I asked what his problem was? It was a fun back and forth....If I was Pickle or Kingsberry I would have hit him.. Again I am not  to scary, probably smelled bad so he went on his way.

 I like when I can watch the sun come up on one side of the bluff and watch in shine down the other. 

Got a ride set up next Wednesday in Sedona with Gnome then going up to hang out in the Coconino

HQ and talk bikes and old times... I am so ready for vacation and single track. It is going to be good therapy.

Speaking of Arizona picked up another new Sponsor for this season.. they are going to help keep my tires full of air and keep me in the running. 

Based out of Tucson AZ they have been keeping tires inflated for over 20 years!!

Random

Almost done

Up hill to fun

Big Hill

I like boxes

Metal

April Showers

Now April is here and things seem to becoming together.

March turned out to be a good month, only a buck fifty off of last march and

last year we had perfect conditions. This year was craptastic weather.

In the last seven days I have had a food solid block a bit over seventeen hours of

quality work. I feel good but still need to feel better. The first test will be

May the first and then I will know if I have done enough.

The hope is to have my race bike assembled today. Still waiting for the

shifting stuff, but the single version will be complete. 

And one week from friday we are AZ bound. And with the help of 

Yuri I  have a Niner waiting for me, so single track heaven will be 

ridden until I pass out. 

One hell of a amazing RvV this morning, out to train with 

the Girl later in some Belgian like conditions, now if I could

only find her some cobbles.

4130 the only Way

Work has been slow and @ times the days are short.

So instead of sitting around and licking my wounds I have

been get out and working on the bike.

Got the Lemond to stop dropping it's chain by changing the gearing.

So far so good put in a solid 50 miles on it and even with 

the stiffer gear I was able to get up the hills. 

My Spot should be done by the end of the

weekend with the new King here. And Look has some road and

mountain pedals on the way. 

Just paid for my first race ,,,,the Dakota 50,, not till September 

but I am in and can't wait.

Will work for Food

I have got the time and miles in 

but have not had the chance to go and ride in a group

setting. Got in to the TNWC's 

last night and got a bit of a taste of work off the front.

Found some areas that I need to work on but overall happy

with what is their so far. Yes more is needed and that will come.

The view from up here is good..

Asshanding

It is official now>>> Got my Pro License in the mail yesterday.

It is official that my ass will be handed to me.

And pretty damn sure I'll be heckled and mocked 

by the cooler local's.

But I will continue to do what I always do and ride

with my good old training partner. 

Now if I could only get my SPOT together

so I could start riding it and getting used to it.

Again and again

Sun was out and the temps were ok.

I was able to get out and make a good effort on the hills by the house.

I even got to ride with the Young One for a bit too.

It can get warm at any time, but until that happens

I'll just keep plugging away.

Femlish?

The sun has been shining and the water levels are on the rise.

Bike path is going to go missing if things stay the same. 

North south may get hard to travel.

Made lots of smiles at the shop yesterday as people are ready for warm

weather and being out on two wheels.

Rest week is almost over hope for a good day spinning today

as soon as the family unit is all back together.

Dropped the chain on the Lemond 8 times on friday and 

almost launched the bike in to the creek.

Ended up with a snapped QR, now think that I have the issues remedy.

French press coffee and watching the big pros racing in Europe.

Sundays are never long enough but going to make the most of what 

I have.

Ride hard and Party ON!!

Sunny side

 Winter decided to make a come back and that came after two inches of rain. The rivers are ready to burst their banks. Some of the smaller ones are at their limit. 

Only plus was that the roads metaled out pretty quick. I was able to get out for an hour at or about Threshold and felt pretty,,,numbers were a bit off my sender may not be working right.

 Five weeks out from the first test, working on getting the final parts need to make my Spot a geared ride. Hoping that the work that I have been putting in has been enough hard to dig through the cob webs in my head.. Work has me all flustered do to lack of work, not sure what to make of it. 

Going to make my Dark Heart shine. If Zappa had Captain Beef Heart I am Captain Dark Heart.. Don't fool your self Girl it is winking at you. 

More miles more work more time in the saddle and all should mesh together. 

Wet and Windy

After a week of spring weather

now comes more of the cold and wet. 

 Still made it work on two wheels

just got pushed around by the wind. This week will be a bit of an 

easy week then I am going to have to pile on the work load. 

Going to be in Arizona in less than a month and then the race season starts.

Still working on getting a bike lined up for my time down there, Yuri may be able to 

help while in the Valley of the Sun then going to lean on the 

Mutants up in Flag town for some help.

Hard to believe that racing will be here soon, just a few more things 

and my bike will be ready to.

Toe Jam

It is now Spring,,,,not that the weather for the week is going to agree. But today even though it rain all night and most of the morning I was able to make it out. After Chunking down the $$ for my USA racing License I was out dodging rain drops.

Rock looks like a nose

Have had to tweak the Lemond a few times and dropped the chain once but was able to 

pull the chain as tight as possible and crank on the QR and life was good. 

Went and climbed some hills and enjoyed another day on the bike. Felt good ,,,real Good.. Even going up M into the wind..

Bring on what ever comes next like to think that i am ready we'll see...

a nail biting climb

Light in to Ahses

Sunshine on my shoulder felt so good today.

And with the roads being as clean as they have been I opted for 

the Gunnar. The past two and a half months 

I have been out on my two Aluminum bikes and the feel of sweet steel was 

just what the body ordered. I did have to fight through some Achilles pain but the 

smooth ride of my Driven components OX Platinum melted the pain away. 

At the bottom of the Tschumper a mind altering Dark Star came on the player

and moved me up the hill, finished it off with Mudhoney loosing their mind digging a hole.

Love that hill. 

Got on to some Dirt roads and made me feel like these guys   

as I splatted mud all over my clean bike.. I was all smiles. 

Good work and good riding,, rain on the way for tomorrow, if I make it 

out it is going to be sloppy.. I hate having to clean more than one bike at a time 

but wheels need to roll..

Getting Warmer

Two solid back to back days of some hard riding. As Tim would say I think that i knock over the china hutch. The warmer weather is making my Dark Heart smile. Spoke with CD today and a new King is on the way to keep my front end tight. Only issue is going to be once this bike is together I am going to want to ride it and ride it a whole bunch.

Stop,,,,,,,, Turnover

The days are getting warmer even with the bitchass cold mornings.

Today was going to be the first TNWC ride for me in a long time. 

Sun was out and temps were on the rise. 

Got off work a bit earlier than I expected and was going to have to sit and 

wait which is some thing that i am not good at ,,,,I am not Ian Mackaye.

So I opted for one of my favorite loops from the house. Felt good today 

the Achilles was not hurting and was able to muster the LT ride that 

I needed.  Feel as if things are coming along would like to test 

my legs out in a group setting soon,, but until then I'll just 

keep it same as it ever was.

Got home to find a care package from

Feedback/Squirt

Java Java

Might be the reason that I didn't sleep too well last night but it sure tasted good..

After 1/2 pot of coffee maybe espresso wasn't a good idea..

Thyme

Two full days off the bike and I am going crazy.

Spent yesterday getting some loose ends taken care of 

and tending to a sick boy. 

At the shop today starting to see the sparkle in peoples eyes

about being out on bicycles.  The James got him self a new set of 

wheels 24" getting to be a big boy.  Garage is clean and bikes are ready to be ridden.

Worried about the pain that I have now acquired in my left Achilles.

Goal for tomorrow is 2-3 hours of tempo nice easy riding not pushing to hard

don't want to over do it and need more time off the bike.

Coming to a Head

What is in you

30 days in to using Endurox Excel.

I have been very happy to be once again this year be partnered up with 

Pacific Health Labs, whether it is Accelerade or R4 as the miles

start to add up and the body gets more and more worn down they have 

the products to help the body recover and stay at peak performance.

Anna's Loop

The weather has been a roller coaster lately. Just yesterday winter storm 

and today 40 and windy. Work needs to get done when you can 

and after a roller session in the garage I was more than happy to be outside today.

Been trying to do the same loop once a week and go 75-85%.

Today the wind was blowing from the north and then every direction that 

I turned. But the roads were bone dry and the weather man says that 

the temps are going to be going up and may even see 60 in a week. 

I am so ready to peal off the layers of winter.

fragmented

 More hills and some had snow and most had sand.. So much sand that if you got out of the saddle to climb your back wheels spun out. 

But the climbing has been good.

 Sounds as if more snow and or frozen rain/rain is on the way and that may force things inside much to my dislike.

But I will be thankful for the Sunday to Sunday stretch that I had.  I think that 

I even saw Kevin Kern out today, hoping that he 

can show his face more often than not. 

Days are getting longer and that means that the nights are getting shorter. WOW.