THEO PUGGERIFFIC

Afton Friday

Good day boarding Friday with Family. Little ones skied. Older boarded, Duncan and I on carvers. All lifts, all fun.

Core Sled Course

Spent more quality time with th kids this holiday. Bowling, games, family breakfast, snowboarding, and sled course. Yep, slead course, shoveled half the backyard. We have 3 fly corses started. They will end up big and bad this year....icing has begun. GO TO GRUMPY'S on Washington tonight......

Pug over Theo concrete skinny thing. First dibbs this day....

THEO DEC 23 3PM WAhoo

AAAAARrrgggg

After many days of Pug riding I finaly gotz vid. Hillside, Leb, Theo, Theo, Theo, Theo. Haven't been idle. This vid is morning after thaw, it was way mushy and boot tracker doggy really got it good. Stoen, Pirate and I did the LCR trick on slush then a few 2.o tire guys tore it up bad.... I'm sure Theo is frozen now, but condition always a guess on city trails.

10 Degrees Undercover Sweetness

Goat, Henge, Pauly, Pirate, R.S., 2pin, 6 peeps, 5 pugs, 4 laps

Not this city slicker, that one

Mtb no prob, this kind of biking, I wish the risk wasn't so high. Just dreaming, love this video.

Rolling On

GRUMPY's was an absolute blast. Let's just say my spin wasn't to win, not even close. Next time all in, all pain, no let up. Hope to qualify for H2H. Doug represented LCR w/ 2nd place overall. Killer considering there was at least 50 guys going for it? The crowd was as expected, all good, all loud, all beers. FIRST SIGHTING. The 2PM test ride....Scottie & I spent 2.5 hrs at battle creek during storm, w/ 4+ inches of snow. All the way out & back. Awesome. Here's first pic & sighting. "Grey Squirrel" with bomb squad head gear ready for air action, squrrel relitive of sqiurrel jr. on bike.

It's Gunna Hurt

Looking forward to this Thursday down by the river night ride beat down and.......... Grumpy's indoor spin-off. Yeah, the track, fixie, delivery, city slicker crowds are gunna kick my butt, bring it, can't wait. Biking Bar Beer.

Lost it twice, so sweet

This long weekend rode Battle Creek & new Murphy for first time (Virgin!) Never ever rode Farm but saw a 20 min vid of trail, does that make a hatrick? Also hit Mammoth & Leb again, 8.5hrs in 7 days. All on trails, SS 32x17 29'er. Battle creek ups we're hella hard, thanks for the tour Eddie. Amy even got out & hit Theo. To celebrate good times cookies & cream soda we're had. I lost track of how many candy cane cookies magically disapeared..bOmb..forget bout' protien, sugar is king. Only 6 lbs heavier than Aug. sparing weight....

Klunker For Sale

See previous post, "FOR SALE". MTB Hall of Fame on right.

For Sale Hawthorne 1950's 40's ish

Yesterday 5 laps at Theo, this am 3 at Leb. This am missed the camelback artery each try, lame. But I call first clean snow tracks on the log after Jan's rock and the teeter. On the third lap railing corners got silly, slammed hard off really short ground level wooden bridge. All I saw was the ground, and my helmut slammed hard. A couple of nice wounds on my knee, ouch!! Anyway on ride decided to sell my old school FAT TIRE bike.

FAT TIRE BIKE FOR SALE $75 (local MPLS only) See pics....old school front shock....Crazy skip tooth chain & front ring....Single Speed...Rides like nothing else....Your friends don't have one....Make a killer ride or use for bar hop rides....Selling because only have one working bike, need cash.....Original components & paint...Old, collectors item....Test ride for free..Leave anonymos comment w/first name & phone. Planning to sell Sunday, interested?? I'll start with earliest comments first.

Seattle Sore

Work trip to Seattle/Cascades, ran up a favorite hike. 3,800ft up in 4 miles. Topping out at near 6k we we're above snow-line for half da grunt. Running down for miles really pounds the legs, not used to it....after all bikes are easier on muscles than downhill running if you know what I mean. Other bits.... sponsors lining up. Some killer product hope to get my hands on. More later. My Dad has gone freaky geek on lights. He's building all kinds of home made lights! Let there be light!!! I came home for lunch yesterday & Amy was just returniung from a ride. Yeah! She is getting out this winter!! With more lights Duncan, Amy & fam can get out all Winter again.....

Time to Enjoy Sugar Season

LCR, Farm, Fallout gang started first of many night season rides Thurs night. Not sure what to call group, who cares all good. Although no snow, do beleive it's begun. So, after many falls, a bent rim, total loss of points & 2.5 hrs of pedal'n RivrBtmn the shenanagan's ended. Good beat down, 98th st. to BF Br. & back & forth w/infinite circles. Apres'vu beverage & din din w/Jimmay was so good. This AM, going with RTE roadies for a few. In pic.... on another seasonal note, since up a level...these mugs are hard to come by. Must enjoy! B&T, oh yeah!!

Dudda dudda dude look like a lady!

The plan- hit Theo after work today. So late afternoon call home to give status then hit it. Upon approach, up ahead, biker dude was coming out of Theo trailhead.... Then I hear, "HEY!", lo & behold it's my lady. That's right, Amy was at Theo on her own doing laps!! Right on. We laughed, it was funny cause we we're both busted. First the lady goes for clipless and now this. Whoa, sweet.

Inevitable Winter Armour Gain Ahead?

Strange Pre-Winter City Ride

Last week Paul & I rode the tracks torward Wayzata 2hrs on MTB. Anyway, we got pulled over. Yep, 7:00am, lights, horns, squad car pulled us over to explain what RR company liability & treaspassing means. Later on ride we saw a leprechan/pilgrim playing catch with a steel cylinder while walking the tracks. Not kidding. Today, 1.5hr of greenway, lakes etc ride. The following was seen from my bike: #1. Moses walking bare foot on greenway, seriously, 45 degrees, strolling sober bare feet. #2. A lady suffering on bike w/too much make-up. She looked like Howdy Duty! #3 Dude biking w/basket, parka, horn & many goodies abound. I call him, Happy Jaack, he hells out, "nice bike" in response to my rusty green bianchi. I'm not making this up. It must be related to Winter on the horizon, peeps showing awkward transition. I know I've been qwaagulated latley. About winter & being weird..... I'll holding off building my geary 29'er (may go just SS, bag gears all together)......I neeeed a pugsley. Anyone else? We'll see how much my Scalpel 26'er goes for on e-bay. Chill.

2007 Year Recap "It Rocked!"

My 3rd yr training & racing..Sport 05', Comp 06' & Expert 07'. da RESULTS .......GOAL#1: top 5 age at Expert races, podium once, at least mid-pack .......RESULT: never had a best race yet ended TOP 3 age OVERALL SERIES! .......GOAL#2: top 10 at Buck Hill races .......RESULT: killed Buck. 8th, 7th, 5th, 3rd, 5th, 2nd Place Overall Series II Results!! .......GOAL#3: LEADVILLE 100 under 9 hours, .....RESULT: completed .......GOAL#4: Support Duncan, Wife and family in everything, including biking .......RESULT: Duncan, Dad & Amy did more races, improved. Family all good. Surprise: Amy has girlz wkly ride thing going, we ride together too. New biking friends. Surprise: LCR/Farm thing fun as all get out, misfits rule Surprise: Single Speed MTB State Champion, also won Hillside Race on 29'er Surprise: competitive expert racer w/real potential to improve again! Surprise: after Leadville at Afton 24, fast!! Recovery & training learning huge this year Surprise: Selling all 26 inch, going 29'er on all my bikes and SS my favorite ride Surprise: base all good, long rides bring peak and intensity much more bang for the buck

I-70 freeway hike 10.2k to 13.2 k el. BUILD PERIOD??

Saturday....9/22...two in a day, SS State Champ Race & Expert Race Sunday.....9/23.....Mammoth w/wife & feinds... was sore til Thurs. Thursday...9/27...Denver on business, side trip, aft hike. Hiked 10.2k to 13.2k n 4.5 hrs RT. Herman Gultch then scramble up. See pics. Sat&Sun.....biking w/my Colorado x-GF's bike(thanks!), 2+ hrs ea day, cherry cr trail & Platte River. Sorta like greenway. It was just what I needed after running up to 13.2k elevation! Legs needed the flush!

Minnesota State Single Speed Champ?

MNSCS#10 Jail Trail: 6:30am alarm, Duncan citizen race started at 9:30am. In biffy even before toothbrush, before waking Duncan, it hit me hard. Bring the single speed! Yep, if "MN State SS" title was really on the line I'd race both SS & Expert races. PRE-RIDE: once on trail, figured out 19t wouldn't cut it. Long story short Revolution Cycle & Ski Shop guys we're da'bomb. They drove me to da'shop sold me a 17t fw then got me back in time. SINGLE SPEED Race 11am: I led out around parking lot. Hollywood answered later during prolouge, I passed him before single track & held. The rest was history. I won race by 4 min, 2nd place SS'er Hollywood 5 min back. I did this race for two reasons; Love my Misfit Psycles 29'er SS. ALSO, I couldn't let this race go w/o showing SS'ers should be challenged. A State Champ Title Race should be more than sport length! SS'ers are supposed to be hardcore right? ha ha Point. It's all good. EXPERT Race 1pm: slow start pace to enable finish. Hung farther back in pack. By lap 2 thighs we're doing electrical shock tricks. I slammed alot more energy drink (my bottle had 5 scoops of heed & enduro's). Yeah, nasty...but did the trick. By end of race legs all heat, no cramps, weird feeling. I didn't pound it just rode it out smiling! 2hrs 4m, 5th in age. DUNCAN's Race: He had a great day. He said some areas we're double diamond. Not sure what he meant. Perhaps after Chequamegon, the single track twisty is harder. Anyway, Squrrel Jr. scores 3rd in age, great job!! POST RACE a group of 10+ LCR/Farm went out for burritos & beverages. Guse, Miller & the Horner family showed up. It was awesome! Two races in one day for me, sweet!

Single Speed wins Chequamegon 40 mile

Yep, Jesse LaLonde won on 29'er rigid SS 36x16 (cheq site). His blog race story. Ducan nudged in ahead myDad in the 16. Mom 10 ft behind! First pic, Duncan in LCR blue w/mom in black/white jersey close behind. Second pic, Duncan on d move, Amy's wicked witch of the west leg, me on fence yelling GET'EM!! Last pic, D did the deed. Best part....neither knew they we're close til I started yelling & chasing. HA. ..Wha else, my SS 29'er rigid, killer fun at Ojibiwae (night ride) & Rock Lake. baha

24 Hour Makeover

Hit Mammoth w/LCR & Farm Sisters Saturday AM. However, on either side of that adventure answered my wife's wish. A bike makeover, yes that wish. Amy's been riding more, gone clipless and had the fresh paint request. I could't refuse. It's my old Cdale 700. In her eyes it's officially hers now. Give it back! I tore it apart Fri night. With Dad's help sanded & painted Saturday. Sat night rebuilt, vwalla!! She likes. See pics. She's going to stenzil & who knows what else to it. A fashion design, costume design major, just about anything "in fashion" possible. ..Hayward next for Dad, Duncan & Amy.

Hillside Race

I was able to join the Hillside fun last night. Le-mans start. Great turnout, fun course, beverages, lot's of lcr/farm folk & after bar made it good fun. Race as expected. Sam, Luke, Tom & I hit woods in that order. I kept them in sight for a bit. My 2 yr old Bonti Revolt tires had me sliding. Need to switch tires. I went down on a right hand corner w/shelf rut. The rest of race went quite sketchy, some falls, some rain, fun sliding, & Colbert chasing in distance. On sec4(?) in hilly area put hammer down, that's it. 4th place.

MNSCS#9 MAPLELAG

GREAT WEEKEND AT MAPLELAG !!!! Everyone shows for the fun and the awesome course. The best MNSCS weekend of the year! FAMILY ROAD TRIP (spot all 5 of us ?) ALL 5 RACED.....LOTS OF WORK Duncan and I both did all three events! STX, TT and XC....awesome fun!!! LOTS OF REWARD MAPLELAG sure was fun. We swam, ate great food, biked, hung out with friends, and as always really love everything about Maplelag. We already booked next year. Early in 3rd lap I was sill holding off Jan, Bill & others. That was then. By end of 4th I went from 1st to 4th age (13th oa). So goes the typical mnscs race for me. Good learning.....look out next year....I have it figured out now!! Maybe. In pic I'm on top, Doug out walking....both Swanson's not on results rouster but I count both in my 26 total XC Expert racers!! THE FAMILY RESULTS: -Amy 3rd in age Citizen(only -1m to Dunc) -Duncan 2nd in age Citizen, all 3 events 9th oa, he moved up to mid-pack! -Leo finished another Kids Comp race -Alta 1st in age Kids Comp -Heath: 13 of 26 OA ExpertXC (made top 15 payout!), -58sec TT, -1:16 STX (full 20 min MTB STX!!) 10th OA all Expert events. Some pictures are from skinnyski.com.

24 Hours of Afton (LCR RICOH!)

Great time! Nothing like a 24 hr ordeal. On LCR team of 4 we camped w/Farm gang. They have special set up each year, 10 yrs in a row out there. Somehow Goat got the draw for last lap at 4:45pm, did the deed, nice! 31 laps for our LCR team, 4th in vet. 7th oa? Not sure. Didn't care just glad to be there. John ski area manager made sure we had wood & everthing needed. Thanks John! Good job Larry & LCR on trails. Duncan, Leo, Alta & I didn't find time this year. Feel guilty about perks. Anyhow trail is harder, LOVE IT! Duncan was able to get official, "crew" nod to ride. On cash bet with sir Goat, Duncan did 3 full laps. As Goat put it, "Duncan made the money round." Duncan had a great time with his friend Branch who came out to camp too. Sean Nelson (The Hub) won solo w/18 laps? Congrats. Chris, Brendan, Ben & Paul laid out win w/34-36 min fast laps, slow laps near 40. My 2 fast laps 36 min each! I had a few 39's, few 40, perhaps slowest @42m? Anyway, super freaked bout my speed. http://www.24hoursofafton.org/results/ Later...

MAVIC REBUILD post LEADVILLE

Ok, relube of rear CRmax hub is standard. I was told do it every few months to be safe. My Dad eager to repair, said it was already lubed but out of spec, had some grass in it? Should'duh serviced b4 Leadville. Freewheel stick is common on CRmax. See pics, damage done. Anyway, remember "DUH" word. It almost cost me big Leadville buckle! I did bike last Wed & today. Wed was slow going to start then HR seemed back! Today went for 1hr & continued another 30min in heavey rain. It poured big time on Dad & I. Good ride. Will commute this week to get willies out b4 Afton. Then Maplelag & finally St. Cloud. A few Hillside too, Wahoo! Start school again soon, blah! Last 3 pics: on course, post glee, & find the CREW! Anyway, since Leadville I've returned to work, went to Vegas on business, bowled, baked cookies, hit game works & forced kids to help clean basement. Amy went to Cable, WI to ride this weekend!! She loves her new clipless pedals, YES!!!!

More Leadville 07

In previous post I shared my 2007 finish time and mechanical issues! Anyway, here's more 2007 stuff I wanted to remember...

fyi- my big 2006 story, my first leadville

THANK YOU DUNCAN & DAD!! I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOUR CREW SUPPORT. SEND THOSE PHOTOS. Thanks Alta, Leo and Mom at home too....all season. I'm in blue on left behind Floyd & Dave (in front box). Thanks UltraRob for pics.

Weins wins, new record 6hrs 58 min. Floyd finished about 7hrs flat. Lot's more articles. My Dad & Son saw Floyd, with scrapes, and Weins fly by at mile 25, 40 & 60.

It was fun to be on course with them(course map). With my top 100 start, I actually rode in lead pack for about 5 miles. I had to hammer to stay with lead pack of 20 some after control car left, but was able to stay on train easy once on. You can actually see me in blue/white helmet and LCR blue/yellow jersey on left by guy with rain looking gear on. Click to enlarge. LOOK at the masses!! Once we hit St. Kevin's settled in at pace, up up up. The first 25miles hurt a bit, but recovered fine. The worst part was my freewheel sticking issue mentioned in previous post. I stopped on Haggerman pavement downhill to inspect! Sucked. Raced all day with cassette chain suck issues. ANYWAY, at thier 51 mile point, I was treeline going up, Floyd & Weins flew down past torward Leadville. That was my mile 49? I gave up on catching them then, ha ha ha (I was 45 min back then). Race Results LT100 Report

Leadville 2007 Complete

8 hrs 58min xxSec!!! Gold Buckle is mine!!!! Had to really dig deep. Raced the clock big time. My freewheel kept sticking on downhills, wrapping the chain around chainstay, cassette and tugging derailuer level with ground. Horrible wrrrr noice whenever I didn't pedal fast enough. It even stuck and wrapped on fast flats, for example drafting, whenever I stopped pedaling. Pauls or bad spring? I braked and pedaled a lot more than I wanted to keep from rear cassette chain suck and wrrrrr noises. Who cares. DONE. Gold buckle is mine!

Here's my big story from last year my first leadville

Buck 8/2 Flying Headless Horsemen

MORNING. Last night I was superman without a head. It wasn't a shoulda, coulda, it was all DUH!!! My power was on! Lap 1 at water tower I charged past Chris and Paul. Then Paul beelined into woods just in front, showing me a pro move. I let Chris(right on his wheel) and Eric follow him in. Barry and I held for most of the lap. Lap 2 the three of'em got away a bit. However, as Barry calls it, I was the engine. By start of lap 3 near top of road climb Miller said, get'em, get'em now and I powered by Paul and Eric for 2nd. Chris was heading down torward single track looking over wonder where we were. I knew it wasn't Paul's night(I hear food poisening, ya ya). Of course Chris just did 24x9 but still fast. Eric never came back after the start of 3rd lap pass. Anyway, Barry, Paul & I went back and forth plenty in last lap. Dave worked hard to catch us and was finally on for lap 4. Here's the kicker. I was in 3rd right on Barry for downhill before finish line climb. I thought there was one more lap so I paced up the hill. DUH!! Barry charged up, people we're screaming, Paul & Dave went by.... I noticed them all exiting to finish chute..DUH...I rolled in for 5th. Very close finish for top guys. I was there and gave up two spots. Honestly I was so pumped to be charging that hard all night, my head wasn't in it (dream state), all body. Duncan did two laps no wipe outs. Amy decided last minute to race, got 3rd! Yeah Momma! Good times. Duncan & I head to leadville soon with my pops. Last night results attached. Un-official, official link on right side of page. Looks like results are posted! Oh by the way Barry got over-all series, I got 2nd, Chris 3rd.

MNSCS Red Wing Expert Race

Ugly day folks with DNF's & issues. Down & dirty...expert saw Jay, Jesrin Gaier, & Luke 1,2,3. I was in 7th after a lap feeling right, leaders in sight. Excited for good finish as Fisher, Moore, Oftendahl'st ect absent. I flatted near start/finish, ran 1/4mile+ to fix. A huge nail was all the way through like a needle in a pin cushin. Fixed tire & charged to near front of comp class. I lost near 5min with the flat? I started thinking about 35+ age group guys ahead of me. Stupid. I decided with training planned this week, I'd mosey to a finish. So for 2.5 laps just coasted. I stood, coasted & enjoyed the ride. 2hrs 50min later I was top 10. Coulda soulda. Oh well, just goes to show ya, never stop racing!! 5/23 experts dnf'ed due to flats, mechs & heat. Brighter note, Duncan did 2 fine laps in citizen had fun day, got podium. Later! Buck next.

Buck 7/26 SS 29'er, Good n' Not So Much

The Not So Much: Duncan crashed good. It's been a busy week for him including braces put on today. He hit his head on course tonight. Thanks trail patrol guy who was racing that stopped. When mom showed up (she was racing too), Duncan was still asking what happened. He's come around fine & remembers the situation now. Basically he hit a log & went KityWampUs, yah know, OTB. He seems to be ok now. We'll watch for 24hrs. They both dnf'ed. I'm glad everything turned out ok. I heard them cheering for me & later shared I'd have stopped. Mom decided I should keep going so never said anything... The Good: No dust, bit of rain & my race rocked. I went out normal, fast, knowing I had it going-on today. The start was moderate. Brendan was just moving along (pre-9-Mile24 pace). When I cleared traffic & saw Brendan I also saw Guse. Guse yelled out foul words & hammered past Brendan. It was classic. Barry said he'll pay. And he did. At the top of the first hill I was 3rd. The 1st lap was fine (perhaps a little agressive for me). I kept Brendan in sight for 1/2 lap. Regulars Fisher & Oftendahl we're absent, as we're a few other un-regular fast guys. By the time 2nd lap started I was hurting on SS. Same as week before I let John, Barry, & Dave (& even Ed this week) go by. I wouldn't call my technueqe riding up lap 2 hill. Stayed course & recovered catching this group by end of 3 begin of lap 4....my plan. Dave was too far ahead but John, Ed, & Barry, in sight! The guy who was in 2nd on 1st lap dropped, Dave was 2nd. My high HR & output earlier this week gave me hope. Yep, caught'em all. Ed re-surged & countered last half of lap 4 but I stayed on him & passed on switchbacks. I pushed it, it was my night. 3RD overall. Even though a few fast guys we're out, I'll take it!! Who cares about Red Wing. Click results pics on left (I also have previous Buck results in previous posts). Also note link to official Penn/Buck/Race/Results right boarder of webpage.

Leadville Prep

Leadville is 20 days away! Need to beat Floyd & Lance. Expert & Buck races along w/SS have my VO & F just fine. Need the big E more than anything else. Did 5 hrs, 75 mi on MTB this AM (50 road, 25 dirt). Can't beleive other than Horribly Hilly 200km it was my longest 07' ride. Felt weak post Buck SS, took it easy power wise. No cramps. Nice to bike to Leb for two full laps then Theo for a lap before back home. As always packed all my fuel & H20. Good enough. Now what ? Tough choices ahead...

Buck 7/19 w/RESULTS: 29'er SS

Good times last night. 3rd race of 2nd series. My legs felt heavy & actually hurt on warm up. Was a tad worried on single speed yet went out hard as ussual. Was 3rd after 1st climb w/Barry, then Sam flew by. Barry led for a while then by water tower I took over our group. Start of 2nd lap slowed hinting I wasn't leading laps 2-3 again this wk. Barry, John & Dave went by. I chased 2 laps. Crazy Rec spills & traffic run around this week! I finally caught Barry & John last lap didn't have gas to make move. Ended 7th overall! Sweet. Amy raced with Teel 1 lap then did solo lap. Yup, Amy got in 3 if you count pre-ride. Duncan has a sprained foot from restling with friends, he stayed at bottom with sis & bro. Good times!