Mini Gravity Games

A little space in the city...........

Last Minute Shopping (DRIVERS)

WATCH OUT OR YOU'LL GET NAILED!

Almanzo100 Equall Rights a Great Day in History!

That Man is Real, Full 3+ Leb Tour 4+4=8

Plug Into That Warm Feeling?

So after a night ride with Amy Monday, I plugged in, the batteries, to the lights, for the next ride, got that, warm fuzzy feeling. What's with plugging in the charger that feels so good? Was it the good times showing gals jimmay trails or was it I knew it meant more shimmer rides ahead (perhaps in snow glow!!) Good pug push as of late. Last Thursday near 3 hrs at the river. Saturday Mammoth for a few. Monday night non-theo theo ride with wife. Last night commute to school then wanderers punch about town back home. Tonight 2.5 hrs to Theo, lapped & back home. What it tis 5 degrees and 5 inches out there in the cities. Shoveled my drive tonight too. My boy Leo asked if he could try an experiment with a lighter & paper(see video). OH, I GOTTA PLUG IN. ALMOST FORGOT!!

Mammoth: Holes in Wheels

Full o Turkey, yet no Chicken. Log1 backwards what? A lil of mammy.

October What?

So I missed October. November I'm back. Starting to saddle up again and looking forward to more rides. Scheeming again, dreaming. Dreamt I lost my c'dale scalpel, took the wrong elevator, had trees growing on me scalp and what's her name freaked me out. ha ha ha. Don't ask. Mammoth, Ft Snelling River Bluff, Non-Theo, all done. Next few days will hurt. Rag105 works for me. You in? Gear up Charlie. There ain't no un-season.

Lighter Wheels

With transition comes transition. Out with the old, in with the new wheels. XT hubs click an pop in the winter. I already have three races planned in 2010. Looking forward to the ramp up, I like biking and with a few targets in site, I'm going to ride, run, pump and kick. Sally O Mally will be proud. Can't beleive I'm aleady thinking ahead to 45 yr old category. Not so old but pro old. ha ha ha..

Mammoth to backyard Log Roll

There a race or two this weekend? SS CX, Iceman? See others post bout races on right. Mammoth yesterday 4 me, then sidetracked from chores today.... decided to build a little obstacle in backyard of my humugus pad (see video). B.T.W. L.O.D.1 thwarted me yesterday. Was riding then ballerina'ed, I blame the log. Everything else swell on a clean sunny day. Other stuff. Holloween party with kids all good. Hillside ss29r36x18 same day with Duncan and friend. Getting fat on morsels. School is getting old. 3 more and done with mba. All good, out.

Dank Daze Motivators

It's dark out. What to do - rambling blog post thats what........ The BIKE NERD bottle was my favorite prize from MNSCS awards. Go here to see my awkard results. How the Elite/Pro chips fall when others don't show or get bumped to overall overall. Boy, glad I ran back to the car, got that extra wheel & ran back to bike after spare tube was hosed. Nice Elite race effort after SS State champ race I mst say! MNSCS awards night was effecient and better than other years. Thanks! How to entertain motovation often tricky this time of year. This Puegot bike works!! It motovates. Front ring locked, thumb shifter 6of8 speeds variable. Threw pedals on it and ejoyed some V D today biking to work in da SUN, school then home in the dark. Lights work. Legs still work. Over last weekend did a pug ride for 2.5 hours, mostly secret single track. I'll bike back to work after lunch today I promise myself. Hillside race in the rain does motivate. SS? Keep telling myself an CX race or two will happen. On calendar anyway. This woman motivates. Sometimes just looking at her pictures of mountians, sometmes her writing style, sometimes the activities she endures, the whole enchalata. Bought her book, enjoying so far. Go ride. k-bye

Where We Part Ways

It snowed. It was soupy. It was all laughs being back on the fat tire. Road rash! 2 hours of fun today. Not enough snow for anything or anyone, but me??? All good. Stay in your hole. Don't worry Duncan knows more than meets the eye :)

Duncan Goes Snow & CX tires arrived

DUNCAN called a friend at 4:30pm last minute to go to Hillside with us. Duncan never told his friend he wasn't racing. Said friend was quite surprised when he found out he was solo night racing. Classic. As always good times at Hillside. Good prizes too. Snow in the cities this AM. Duncan's friends biked over this AM they all biked to Theo for 3 laps, then back here, then they all went to Friends house 2 miles away. 30 some degrees! Kids! CX TIRES ARRIVED. My kinda cyclo cross. Winter rules folks. Don't let the skinny wax on wax off confuse. The tires look skinny right? Click to see the real features.

2nd in PRO kick'n Texas: Mud Fest

Fo-Shur - I've healed from all those endurance and double race daze of late. It's been hardcore ever since Leadville100 SS. Off the bike for near a week and look what happens..... Went to Texas on biz. Shipped the tent, bag and SS for an after work southern bike play time. Austin(Bryan). Camped all night in rain. 9:00 AM race. Biked in 1-3 inches of mud w/ 1 to 12 inches of standing water, roots & all the goods. Red, Black, Brown - all varieties of mud. No lie. 2hrs & 24min later the SS 36x17 helped me place 2nd in PRO & overall, a mere minute behind Texas circuit leader(Rick W ranked 20th USA XC). He got the hole shot, then wiped in 12 inch water pool, then I led, then he went ahead to show the way. I stayed yo yo'ing behind, reeled him within 15 seconds late in race but couldn't bridge. 2nd & money. All good!

I'm NOT biking today!

I'm NOT biking today because I don't know what to wear. Mid-temp-rains bla bla bla's. Transition to Winter period. It's been way to long since my last ride and I'm mad!

SS STATE - MY EYE - 2 FLAT - CAPTIAN

2 races for me, 1 for Duncan. I'll start with my 1:00PM Elite Race, which was after the 11:00AM SS State race. Well it wasn't my race. In fact theres a cyclocross race on Sunday. Thanks Revolution, Kyia and all!!! OK, back to expert race. At start I spun the 32x17 gearing then began reeling in geared racers like last year hoping to end 7th? like last year? HA, not a chance. Leaking air in my rear WTB velocoraptor I used CO2 near start of lap2, no help.... Then partially in woods took tire off & pre-inflated my spare tube to find a leak in the new tube! Plastic baggie didn't protect in saddle bag I guess. So I ran back to the car grabbed my wheel from the 36x17 AM set-up ran back to bike & installed on 32x17 PM bike. Sweet. Anyway, 3 laps later my 4 we're done. Caught many comp and a few expert racers for a back o pack finish. Oh yeah, i was fwapped by a leafy branch and my eye went fuzzy for a while. Wahoo... 11:00AM Single Speed State Champ Race.... I did a pre-lap and made it to the start line 1 minute before blast off...too close!! My goal was to hammer off the start with big gear to hit the woods first. In the past I noticed the competition performs worse if I lead. We'll, just one little problem. Brendan was there with 42x18 26'er vs. my 36x17 29'er, both stiff. Looks like my gear inches may have been stiffer. Still he has the motor. Nothing more to report other than I was slower in the woods but able to hammer the straight aways to hold off competition for 2nd place. Barry & Dave battled it out big time just behind me until taking each other out!! Cody was in the right place at the right time. Good times, 2 years of Champ can't complain. Honestly going in I told myself a podium would be cool. I had a feeling Brendan, Jack, or somebody would show to go for it. I would if i was them........ With pre-ride, 7 laps of somesort for me today!!!! Duncan although sick getting over a long lasting cold did well and secured 3rd overall for the year in his Sport age group class. Awesome!!!! With the rain I decided it was time to buy some real 29'er mud tires. The Specialized Captian 2bliss seemed good for the AM race. Click on pic. Actually, tubeless and fast rolling with big knobs, they rocked. So happy I picked up the 600 gram tubeless knobby tires, worked really well! Next Race in Austin TX after a customer visit. Maybe Lance will show.......

The Constant Things

This year I would call myself high risk. Crashes are fun! The latest at Cheq40. Slide to the right hand, wash out. Hands down and roll. A fine break dance move. Picture of jersey explains why my grandma arm flab hurts. Well, no flab but sucker punch feel under right tri. No problem I can still dance... 2009 dance results constant as well per 2-3 rides a week constant. oh well.

Other constant things....the kids caught doing what they have done since the begining of time.

Cheqcrashagone 40 Amy Podium

Great weekend of racing for Grandpa, Mom, Dad, Duncan & Friends. Perfect weather, fast course, lots of friendly faces. Saturday AM was a bit crazy. We all made it to respective start line, Leo & Alta in good hands with Molly, Lola & Ollie.

Picture Found On SkinnySki

The 16 (results): Amy raced SS at maplelag and liked it. So as per plan she raced SS in the 16. She scored 2nd place with Teel in 3rd! Nice work ladies. Grandpa improved his time by a few minutes. Duncan with sore throat turns out did fine but slower. Now he's even sicker with full on cold. Jake Richards won the 16 w/Luke Baker 3rd. Trent Warner did well a tad back. The 40 (results): Paul & Janna placed 3rd in tandem mixed! Cool to see them on podium w/family in arms. Molly & kid's crewed for Jason. He had a great race finishing about 2:24! Who won you ask? Brian Matter killed it with course record time of 2:03:56. Cole House & yep, Steve Tilford rounded out 40 podium. My race could have been a wash out but turned out ok. With first ever preferred start I rolled into rosies leaders insight. Happy with stiffer SS gear 44x19. Then about a half mile into woods feeling&reeling really strong I washed out both tires. At 20+ mph my bike bounced behind/beside me as I body rolled the grassy corner... I popped up playing frogger as riders we're flying at me. Did you see the aftermath???? My bars we're 15 degrees from straight, SS chain dropped, perp/heed bottle run over w/top popped, my shoe strap torn & flapping. My number plate fell off. After race noticed a broken spoke. Not a scratch on me! So after manually straightening the bars, dodging traffic to get my near empty fuel bottle, stuffing my number plate in pocket & finally popping the chain on I started pedaling again. Just 1 full clear water bottle, 3 gels & shoe strap flapping the front chain ring for the rest of the race. I just said to myself, "pull it together and ride." Reeled in half the race ended 115th? Finished just under 2hrs24min, 17mph ave. Not bad on SS considering....

CHARGE! 68th Rank Pro to Compete in 2009 Chequamegon 40

TJ says he's # 1 ranked Pro competing in the Cheq40. Wow, talk about getting the game face on early! Does that work? Sweet. Good work #1. You got a good shot like many. All good. Ok, I'm ranked 68th. Ha! Not sure how I rank. Age? Always finish predictably? Oh, I get it, it's my good looks...!!! I may race in TX again early October, that helps. Anyway, see you at Cheq40 on my SS. I'm just out to beat my time from last year without bike issues. My Game Face. Charge!

-- SKEETERS --

Why do I keep thinking about Winter? Maybe it's because the insects are attacking the squirrels. Insects and Squirrels are going nuts, no? Get off me! Pollen, Dust, go away! Sunshine is nice but looking forward to colder variety. Levis pictured. My bike shifting technology soft. Shifting for most of the season has been 1-up 2-down or 2-down 1-up if you know what I mean. Anti pro old set-up ruled my riddle rides. Lately ride times are short. Perhaps legs will be back for Cheq....... Stripping 1x9 to SS was relieving!! Who has the secret gear choice for both Cheq or St. Cloud. If there's one thing I learned is last year - I didn't learn last year. And big tires or small tires? I know. Perhaps looking forward to future where I beat Lance on his turf. .........no not Hayward but I'll see you there.

Maplelag UHO

My Dad, wife Amy, kids Leo n Duncan & I all raced. Last Kiddo Alta was against racing instead just keep playing with her buds all weekend. Amy's parents came up too. Good times. Who are these UHO's in pic (unidentified hammering objects) hammering those pedals?! Many podiums for the squirrel family. Identifyable? Pictures & vids courtesy of grey sqrl vids, Amy's cam and skinny ski too. I'll recap my race quick like below. Ha! DUNCAN LAKESIDE DROP VIDEO

HEATH CHASED LAKESIDE

So much to talk about. I guess the trip started with Aliens transporting Duncan & Grandpa almost to ND. Sunday AM Leo did kids comp. Amy did citizen SS & liked it!! She's an official SS'er now. Mom got 3rd in age. Duncan had sore legs from school track & Afton 2-4 (he did 6 laps at Afton!). Duncan had a good Sport race handling the lakeside drop and course no prob for 3rd in age. My TT & ST we're a bit off as was my XC. But I'm not complaining as Leadville 100 SS, Afton 2-4 on team (9-laps), & 2 Hillside races all since August 15 led me into this weekend. From head to toe my insides we're off. Mental tard gas and lead legs would sum it up. Looking for comfort I put on the heavey tires and wheel up front (plus 1lbs was steady but slow?) For ST I put back on the lighter wheel and 460 gram Raven tire. I went as easy as possible in the ST which unlike last year got me lapped. The XC race was a real treat. 3 full laps and 0ne half to make it real. Off the start I hung near rear of pack not looking to blow too early. Once past hwood on his single i led a group up suicide. I think it was Wenk, Justin and Larry back a bit following me through the single track of first half lap. I kept my pace honest. Later Wenk went by charging for start line and Larry caught me near lakeside drops. Jan was reeling us in. Jan took the lead somewhere after suicide hill and I got on his wheel leaving Larry behind. Start of lap 2 I was eager to slam water as Amy missed me lap 1 !! Anyway Jenna caught me on lap 2 starting xc trails and I got on her wheel. Thank you Jenna! It was a grand turning point in my race. I passed her at top of sketchy climb before lakeside drops. You can see in video she reeled me back in at lakeside drops. I kept her behind through most of the lap including suicide hill. We caught Jan and the 3 of us meandered through the woods. At one point I asked Jenna if she'd do another lap like last year, it was a no. Bummer she was a good challenge that day. Near the end of full Lap 2 Jenna hammered for home, I was left contemplating how far Jan was ahead and how Lap 3 would play out. To my surprise no less than Doug, Chris and Jeff we're blown of the front thinking about whether to do lap3 or not. Wow, I realized top 15 was do-able! I was alive and drank like a horse to start lap3. At lakeside drops Jason was OTB and re-grouping....another spot! My job was to catch Jan and ensure a top 15 place. I caught Jan at suicide and hammered SS style to gain a big gap. It worked, only Doug was able to catch and pass me....finished 14th overtrained. Sweet, some cash was mine. Later that night it was party time. Found Hollywood and many others to hang with around the fire, all good, all good. Thanks LCR for the beverages!

Hillside to Maplelag!!!

Hillside last night a bit ugly as realized Stans Crow had it's day(maybe for Cheq40). After a rain or on dark pack (not too dry or loose) Stans tires rule. Uber dry or bigger loose territory tires all over. I ran under 20lbs & rear Crow was hella fun slipper antics. Duh, tires are not all around tires!!! Took a few sections of Hillside to work out Afton24 webs then started to pull away from Trent. He was realing me in and thought he'd make up the 20 sec TT gap & catch me. Nice work Trent. Hopefully my legs have something to give at MapleLag. Either way so much at the Lag. Jay & fam put on such a fun event weekend. TT, XC, ST all good. Don't miss it. The schedule on the Maplelag site here.

Latest Bike Set-Up

I was actually happy with the bike set-up the entire Afton race. Same Stans tires I blamed for that Awesome Crash (click pic twice)worked all eve, all dewy wet night and all sunny day. No no no nothing too new on the bike. I ain't sponsored by a bike co per-si'. I still have the same 2007 Kona Scandium and Misfit Aluminum frames. Same 1+year old Ameri-classic 29'er light wt/duty wheels. Same orange cables. Same paper thin brake levers. My arms don't get sore from rigid anymore, yes! The Black Ops Origin8 fork (w/removeable canti posts) works like it should, even screaming down Afton front S-Turns....ripp'n rigid. Those Stans Crow & Ravens did well pre-fall season at near 20lbs psi, neary a pump in 24 hrs of Afton. It all worked awesome. I had a 36T front ring and 9spd 11-32 rear. Perfect for my 9 laps. I'll race 1x9 the next few races then back to SS for Chequamegon & St. Cloud. Keep keeping on!

Afton 24 was 2 & 4 + 8 + 1 + 1 +

THE RACE COURSE: The LCR trail was good no?? I didn't help out as much this year but the team did a swell job preping for months. The Afton maintenance guys tear up the grounds without notice often. Work around & ceative fixes are a challenge. Climbing? Manhandler up, up and even farther up, nice. DLA (Duncan, Leo, Alta) stayed in good form all race. My kids helped build that shortctcut! Afton Gully was back in, sweet huh? SOME RACE RE-CAP: Duncan started race with the hill run up & down for his co-ed duo team. Duncan 14yrs old & Micole 16yrs old!!!! Those kids rocked 6 & 4 laps respectivley. So proud of Duncan basically biking manhandler every lap!! Do you know what jersey pockets are really for.....? Duncan packed a tuna cheese sandwich, cookie & water for his own picnic on crown point (he's got an eye for self gratification!!) Video of run start, Dunc w/white helmet...... I raced Hillside the day before to make sure legs we're opened(first race since leadville). It worked. Hillside hurt. Afton never gave me a cramp or whine. We'll I wined a bit, however generally when asked legs responded. I'm happy with a few 37min, a 38min & many other good fun laps near 40 minutes(9 laps). My first hotlap Friday night was 15 sec faster than my Saturday hotlap. Saturday hotlap was all about smart terrain use. Friday night hotlap was all about physco climbing. My Dad captured one on video. Must be my fastest manhandler climb ever. I love Afton climbs......roar! We placed 3rd in open. Our LCR team & Penn we're back anf fourth for 16 laps then Penn crept away. We couldn't keep climbing pace to hold off the Jack advantage. The Penn & Velo/Wood team we're fun to spin round with. Both Brendan & Jack had fast laps. Brendan's timing shows one 33min lap but fastest lap scoreboard has Jack w/fastest lap. Maybe Brendan's 33min lap wasn't right? Who cares, fast is fast & they had it. Jack had many 34 - 35 min laps....wow. Nice work kids. No one but Jack could pace Sam n' Brendan so the great american salad bowl combo Velo/Wood team easily took 1st as expected. :) Dan Dittmer solo winner just back from leadville....22 solo laps!!!! Sam St.Peirre just off his 10th Leadville finish came home to score 3rd in 8hr category w/10 laps. Nice! Ah yeah, ever heard of Cody? if he stays at it, look out... CAMPING SUPPORT BANG! It was fun to have 4+4+4+2+1+? So many LCR houligans. Yep, what a bunch of who haws. Friends, family, Chuck from Behind Bars (our team sponsor) all came out to make it even more of a party. Chuck from Behind Bars was out there supporting the event and all racers, nice. THE EVENT WAS: The timing system was real time awesome. Easy for remote or on-site peeps to see lap times and rankings. Food!!! missed breakfast and Friday night burgers but taco's post-race was killer!! Can't have too much food. It apears the food per person formula is perfect. The awards we're a bit goofy, no fastest lap award and some confusion. Prizes, not so much. YET the timing sytem, food, games, general fun for core racer & plenty of bodies helping is more important than bling bling. no? Kid Reimer was mising due to family emergency so that mattered too...... BEST LAP EVER: My last lap was my highlight of the weekend. I drew the short straw - last man to rotate. It was ride or be riddled by the sisters all year. I didn't have to explain issue to Duncan. He agreed to take a 4:45pm lap with me. So we cleaned up the horrible mess in the pop-up camper. Ignoring the afternoon "laze" and 22 hours of prior trails pack'n up camp wasn't easy. Duncan was very helpful for a good 30 min then slept in the van while I drank two recovery beers & finished pop'n down camper. Camp was packed!! So anyway Duncan & I slammed a taco, took some tools, rain gear then headed out at 4:45pm for a lap! Watching my boy hamer up manhandler and charge those corners was priceless. We chatted and ripped it up. A father moment I will never forget........

Not Never Sore, Never Sore

Since Leadville the goal has been to ride it out recover while staying ative. Earlier in the year it was hard o get sore, no more. Sore instead of recovering..... Like this weeked, frisbee!! I ran around for 2 hrs Saturday & another hour Sunday doing my best David Lee Roth kung foo mid-air float spread eagle disc catches. It was a bare foot bee fest flashback to high school daze. Problem is I ain't no young chump no more. It's not like my training preps me for Running and jumping. Ha ha ha. Anyway the weekend as awesome as 4 familiy's got together to camp at Willow Creek State Park. Campfire, river swimming, frisbee, beach, a dam, some biking, lots of kids enjoying summer and lots of food. Awesome. See the jiffy pop? Duncan is the mastert jiffy pop cooker. Riding in the Afton 2-4. LCR team vs. like Penn Cycle team, might be close. Should be good friendly rivialry. Duncan doing duo with Mocole. Velo, Hollywood teams merging into a WoodVelo? A woodn bike? That doesn't sound like an appropriate "team" name. HollyVelo? No matter it will be a great time!!! Maplelag, Chequamegon, and on and on....this Jiffy will pop!!........

A Wet Brownie

Since Leadville Saturday been taking it easy. It's been a month of not sleeping much as work has me way stressed. Won't go into it but simply say corporate america at it's finest. ANYWAY, recently rode the peugeot flat pedler O black steel to Erik's, then went to an eatery to enjoy a beverage outside in the SUNSHINE!! Felt good to relax. Amy even caught me sitting on a couch recently (I never sit unless working or studying!) FAT. Finished a Summer class a few weeks ago. 4 more & the MBA is mine. Oh yeah, biking. Today I hit Cedar Trail, Mount Curve area by Walker Art Center and also did a hot lap at Brownie Lake. Even though it rained all week trail was very good. The sun came out on the way home, France Ave, St Louis Park. Oh, pic below at mile 80 of Leadville. Yup more goof'n than racing in CO. Planning an Elk River, maybe Afton24, and for sure Maplelag MNSCS Laddies Loppet Race (3 race weekend). You should really stay at Maplelag to enjoy the home cooking, hot tub, crit, tt & xc. IT's the funnest all around race weekend hands down. Later.

Leadville 2009 Results

Link to results http://www.milliseconds.com/races/detail/1204

One Big and Two Small Leadville Buckle Trophies

Although 2 hours slower than 2007 sub-9 effort can't say I'm not happy, finished it Single Speed rigid fork with too stiff a gear ratio. My goal was to give the big buckle a shot again with 9-10 hrs reasonable. We'll after fighting traffic on first climb with a slow cadence like abusive patience, the first forty miles went well enough(2:50ish minutes). Maybe I should have spun out the start like a hamster on a turbo wheel to avoid more of the first climb madness. Either way I have a feeling columbine climb would have crushed me with 32x19 29'er. The other SS'ers around me we're in a much easier gear no doubt! So at top of Columbine 45minutes slower than 2007 I knew the rest of the day was going to be a causual event for me.

I saved my legs for other 2009 races walking alot. It was fun to see all the other MN riders, other SS'ers, all the Women and such (passed by 500?). I have all the respect for every racer. Like Sam St.P from MN who completed is 10th time this year, wow. Steve W. from ND finishing near 11hrs first time. Dan D finishing way under 9hrs again. Did I wish I had gears and/or suspension, nope, not once. I had a good day and knew I'd finish again. The Origin-8 Black Ops rigid fork worked great. My arms are fine after round 3. 3 tries, 3 buckles, unless you've done Leadville MTB 100 you have no idea!!! Nice job to all from MN it was great to see you all. Better than seeing Lance for me anyway.

Thanks to my Dad and daughter Alta for coming out. It was a great time for all of us hanging out in Leadville, Denver and even a side trip to Breckenridge. So there. See you all soon.

Leadville 2009

Lance 6hr28min, Weins near 7.

I sufferred bad with SS rigid. Gear too stiff!! First 40 miles sub 9 pace. Yet walked much and finally finished 10hrs57min!!!! Lots of rain, hail, wind and sun. Epic.

Saw many MN and some from ND? Not sure how everyone finished. Hollywood jersey, a POS jersey, and John Sandberg passed me. Rebbeca beat me by 20min. Sorry no other info. Later.

Leadville Paper Prep & NC Vaca Pics

Aug 6th Buck Hill

Looks like ba ba ba-buck results are up. All I can remember is I didn't feel as hot as normal out there last night. Start was ok but hurt! Last week big push in NC Smokey Mtns beat me down a bit. I ended closer to 2.75 min off leader instead of 2 min like last few times at Buck. 45 seconds slower (ended 7th pl. of 108). Sandbox kept reeling me back in after each climb gap effort lap 4, got me at finish when I took sandbox (slower) line. Good work. Amy & Leo did beginner, Duncan intermeadiate, Alta just hung out and enjoyed the big party. Great numbers/crowds all around for the last race! I have more pictures of the NC trip and what not to still post. Too busy, gotta finish my last school assignment before 6pm. Not sure about Buck Sunday. To ensure SS finish at leadville next Saturday might bow out. .....H

Whaddup Smokey

Still in the Smokies enjoying family time, hikes, swimming, cabin, views, SS, ect. Recently we hiked 2 mi to a swimming hole (w/cliff jumps). Mom did a 20 footer w/Dunc! I talked Alta & Leo into a juuuump too(click pic). Putt Putt golf, more hikes & a 7 mi MTB loop at Tsali Rec area. Yep 1 of 4 loops at Tsali. Good stuff. We took the kids on said MTB loop then I screamed a painful hot lap on my own. Having a good time doing my best to not think about work, school & bills. Another 2.5 hrs on SS near 4,500ft of climbing this AM. Toasted. Climbing for over an hour straight on ss is hella good times. As is 45mph downhills. Climbing back up our cabin road is brutal; 800ft el gain, steeper than anything for 20min of ss pain. The grade is 15-45? See you at Buck for a recovery race.

Smokey Mtn's

We are having a good time hiking, exploring, hot tubing on our cabin deck(with view), biking etc etc. I feel so welcome as there are signs all over saying "welcome bikers!"

Christmas in July

Camping again with da kiddo's. Fun. Got picture of that not so bad, BAD WORD this time. Munger trail is FLAT. Revisit ya big ring.... Leo is trick w/that magnify'n glass & leaf. Santa came to campground for hay ride with camp'n kid's. Next up some half mountians before Leadville real Mtns. Levi may not make Leadville, will Lance & Tinker?? My Buck Hill SS will be ready? Ha ha.

Odd Bucks Out - BUCK 7/17/2009

Duncan & I hit Buck race again last night. It was dry. Cool for July with temps in the 60's. Duncan had a good time racing 2 laps then running in front, on foot, to lead the kids race. You know the scene. A blast for all. My race was very good with no bent rotors this time (Red Wing issue). Brendan, Sam & Ben (Brendan's fast Bro) all had mechanical issues. The placing order ended Jeff H., Tom M., Chris F., Dave O., Myself then Luke & Barry. I was 2 min off the leader again. WaHoo! Full Results Up Soon Here Did you see video on Penn site, it's fun. Yeah I dig start line blast-off. LEVI out of tour with broken wrist.

10 Yr. Olds Kicked My MNSCS#5 BUTT

Finally a good succession of build weeks with good response at Buck Hill. Yet my legs are not steady, yet. One reason: because my 10 year old whooped me good Friday night. So I'll recap why I went to bed at 5:00AM Saturday morning, a little Red Wing race re-cap too. FRIDAY NIGHT blur into SATURDAY: After 2 mellow laps at Leb Friday, feeling Bucked, it was time to take Leo with 2 of his friends to the Twins game (all three 10 yr olds). Leo's b-day. The 4 of us we're signed up for Boy Scouts Twins game & Sleep-Over at the Dome! Sounds mellow? Highlights:

• parked car and ate pizza at 7 corners then walked to game
• went into dome turned in sleep over paperwork, found our seats
• peanuts, cotton candy, dome dogs, runny cheese nacho's (race prep foo!!)
• we ran up and down bleachers to the nose bleed seats multiple times
• the twins won, hurrah, ya yaw YAWN
• upon exiting the dome at 10pm to get our sleeping bags i realized no car key
• walked back to restuarant, no keys, called amy, called again, no answer
• purchased screwdriver & wire stemed rose. Broke into mini-van
• with sleeping bags out of van, drank energy drink headed back to the dome
• um yeah, 500boys300 parents, astroturf, screaming kids, moonwalks
• pillow fights w/literally 100+ boy scouts (it was surrealistic pillow)
• boys were running like freaks even after lights we're dimmed at 2:45AM
• picture kazillon boys jumping over sleeping parents at 2:00AM, evil
• CAOUS, lights went full on again at 3:45AM nobody sleeping, grumpy parents, filling out with kids
• We left at 4:00AM & per vote to Perkins, pukins pukins was the cheer!
• Yep me & 3 little dudes got some strange looks at Perkins at 4:30AM
• Ah Sleep 5:00AM-9:00AM then project prep & met w/classmates at 10:00AM
• Saturday mow lawn, built 1x9, race packing, clean for family party (Leo!).
• Later, Saturday night before race, up until midnight doing homework.

THE RACE: My Dad did Citizen and Duncan did Sport. So great to cheer them on. I took pictures. Duncan did stairay twice! Nice work. I decided to go with 1x9 as SS just seemed like too much after the last few build weeks. I went into this race beat!!!! Off the start I felt heavey. Lap one suffered to hold my percieved logical spot. Lap 2 started feeling good, but it didn't last. Lap 3 & 4 it was big time suffer. I just told myself just ride and enjoy the trail. That worked for a while. Then electrical shocks reminded me to suffer. It was fun racing with Barry, Tim, Todd, Devin and Tom but it wasn't my day. Cody did well on SS for his first expert go. I kept him behind while suffering. On the 4th time up stairway I passed Tom. Looked like he was all set and geting back on his bike. Sure enough he passed at the top and lost me in the quarry. 15th overall on a bad day.

The important thing is Leo had a b-day night he won't forget for a long while. I won't. The first time out with 1x9 a success. Although legs coming around, SS would have brought me down hard this race. The homework is done. Carry on.

Buck Jul 9 Reverse Hammer Drill

I have not been to Buck since starting line crash crunch race (I was captian). It was a good night near 80 degrees with a good crowd. Jeff Hall showed up. It was a very tight start with Dave on my left & Tom on my immeadiate right. It was a clean start(whew). Although I pushed it start went well charged torward woods in 4th or so(Brendan, Jeff & Jack ahead. Tom came up and I didn't fight letting him in woods at top before me. On first road I passed Tom back. Eventually Jesse & Sam went by. The rest of the race I stayed on Jesse's wheel or close. Dave was charging hard to catch up. With traffic Jesse, Dave & I did the accourdian spring thing. It was an a-typical race with the SS great in the woods but on the traverses missed the big ring (hamster spin out). No pedal break. The legs did their thing!! One of my better Buck races only 2 minutes off the winner. Go to Penn Cycle site for official results, posted.

ASH HOLE CAMPERS

Nobody made us mad or nothing. We went camping. Duncan scoped place out and reported back there was an "Ash Hole" over there. Amy and I we're getting mad... The smart ash was talking about a real live hole where campers could place fire ashes. There was a sign with arrow and everything, Ash Hole. Can't beleive we spaced taking pics. It was the on-going joke of the weekend. Kids had a ball camping. We did too. Oh, biking you say? Whole family biked 7 miles to next town on Munger trail, did lunch, and biked back. I scored 3 hrs on Munger trail AM roadie style, 3hrs Hillside SS dirt style all making up parts of last week. Racing the SS soon!!

MNSCS#4 Kato

I must start with LCR teammate Lonnie (thank's Jay & SkinnySki.com). Lonnie, Rebecca's manly man had a clothing accident. The shorts got mixed with the lipsick in the wash? Hulk, wear those shorts at Leadville & you'll hammer Levi, Lance, Dave & Tinker. Pictures...Watch Dana's site for race pic updates as well. Duncan dnf. Brake cable snapped. His quote, "Dad, I know you fixed it but i'm going to enjoy my dnf." He proceeded to eat & be merry until his 1:15pm water bottle duty time. Thanks to all da crew. With 7hrs (including Kato race) and gym leg workout earlier in week....a real "build week". Seriously volume is for not in 09'. I'd love a 10+ hour ride week! Legs we're ready to work some more!! Yet, I decided after hitting turn 1 in lead 1st wasn't right so I backed off and paced leaders. SS 34x19 was feeling sweet hit woods 4th or 5th after lead climb & traverse. I felt quite good at 43 gears, I mean yrs. It's all training for Aug/Sept. Into woods skidding w/crow rear tire "Fisher said, nice save". Lap2 found my crazy old man place 4 day pacing w/Devin for 2 laps. Wait a sec, how come most fast guys either have no kids, work at b-shop or 10-20-30 yrs younger? Anyway Jake & I had fun on last laps. Start of lap 4 asked for water- Jake snuck in, got the water splash on the back. I said, "Lucky" napolian like. A few feet later my water team couldn't run fast enough to deliver either. Good times! Good luck to all heading to Nat's. Til next time.

Latest Sponsor Origin-8

So far in 09' DuLAC was the only race I opted for squishy fork. It was soft yet around here in flatlands suspension hardly needed. It's rare for me to go there. I prefer rigid for climbing more than sus monkey complications. Anyway found a fork that rocks. Although Origin-8 has the carbon fork in all steath black I went with White top and bottom version, she matches my gal Kona. Claimed weight 720 grams. Origin-8 fork looks good and a match to any other. See you at Kato. Other blabber. Family time tonight wins over Buck. After take apart and reconstruct in my yard we now have a used trampoline. Holy crap those kids can go forever on that thing. I hurt. Beat myself down and knocked myself out. Saw the wizard and escaped the light. Getting old, learning things the hard way but won't give up. Watch out for the crazy old man!!!!

Buck#6 Demolition and Derby

Not Unlike Puke and Rally First Off: it was an awesome night with perfect weather, a good turn out and a slight course change-up. It was tacky trail with sunny skies. My legs we're still a bit sore from DuLac?? The legs had the "been working" sensory feel going on. Never know if that means they are ready to rip or will go KA-put when they have that feel. Anyway the starting line-up was odd as it was not a straight line instead more concave shaped. I think the odd shape start line-up caused the wave from the left to merge with right wave which caused a crunch.......I was captian crunch. The Race: The ussual group got off fast. As I spun up the SS I noticed Andy and another rider near my sides with Brendan, Barry and a few up ahead leading out. Although I held my line it appeared everything closed in on me!! That left/right wave merge mentioned above. My bars we're too far back(near Andy's seat) for me to elbow and/or help hold our group steadfast. As I tried to slow and avoid Andy IT HAPPENED the long balance and hope. Oh nooooo as I slowed my bars turned left as the right bar side hooked Andy's seat, Thornquest on my left went over my wheel or leg. In an effort to stay upright I jabbed my foot right and it totally got caught in Andy's spokes!! In an awkward position I went down taking Andy's spokes with. We got up and Andy ran (later to get knocked down and run over again!). Andy was racing for top three and he pulled a Superball move last night. Andy & I hammered every opening available trying to get back to the front. Found out later Sam was behind us with chain issues. The masses get respect. We've got a lot of riders out there. Every time I'd pass a few I'd recover in the next group. Every group was moving fast. Everyone was racing for it!! In each group between passes every time I'd think, I'm breathing way hard, this hurts and these guys are fast. Somehow I kept going and was able to work from near the back to near the front. My leg hurts today as it must have been ramped or something. My front rotor is bent. I'm happy with the experience and as always never give up, the start is only a small part of the race. Of couse I'll forget I just said that in about 2 minutes. BTW SUPERBALL worked his way up from near last to 4th(2nd oa in series). Nice!! Sam crawled back up to 3rd last night. Good show all!!!!! Penn Cycle Results

MNSCS#3 DuLac ShingleShpeed

MISSED BUCK: Called away to funeral in Ohio Thurs. Duncan & I hoped to make it back in time for DuLac. Without ride in legs since Wed., it was a mystery how quick legs would open. One bonus of Ohio trip, Duncan's Flop went Hawk, then removed to Short for the funeral. Bonus? DuLac ROCKS: DuLac is an awesome course. Once in the woods the roots & swoops just make it feel so natural. A bit like colorado trail, CO. I wish Afton & Hillside still had those roots &/or debris. THE RACING: DUNCAN kicked it in Sport again. He sufferred good as he's been a real good school boy. Physical work is an adjustment. He's fumbling into another good teenage racing season. I never push & always cheer his decision to race. Nice job cranking those Hills finishing strong!! Back on shingle shpeed my race went real good. SS rocks, but I can totally tell my weak points. I know what must be done. Generally my racing is improving. Although initial climb really hurt I bounced back (opened up after doing nothing for days). On "first" climb SS forced me to hammer or die. Like any good fool I hammered. Topped out basically with front 5 guys. Then spent most of the ridge recovering. Before "final start climb" Devon snuck in front, right in front, for me to draft or something. I was seeing stars maybe not that close. Regardless a good move, prob picked up from his team mate Hollywood :). It was all I could do to "pedal" last climb to the chair lift tower!! Love that SS tourture. Lap 1 Chuck meandered through the woods as Tom, Barry, Michael, Myself & Nikolai followed for 10th spot. Andy was up ahead in sight. Brendan, Jack, Jesse, Eric, Sam, Chris, Eric, Jake & Devon we're out of sight. With our 10th-15th spot train Nikolai was quite eagerly asking to get by. No where to pass, stuck, I felt good & replied I'd like to get by too. He was persistant. Finally on an uphill I hammered hard to pass Micheal. At least I didn't have to hear that anymore. Well I could still hear it. I actually gave a friendly yell up, come on let's go xyz. Honestly none of it bothered me and thought it a bit humorus. The train of 5 continued. I remember telling Tom, money in the bank. As I knew it would all shake out. To Nikolai's credit he has gone from middle to top of expert class in a race before. But traffic is price to pay for slow start. Really late in lap 1 trail gave way to passing. I led group at a bit faster pace to finish lap1 woods. It was a comforatable pace. I offered Nikolai the lead in woods but he seemed content. Even though some money in the bank is best for long race I wanted to hold my spot. To do this I needed a little gap before the big climbs. The SS was bound to kill me climbing. And it did, recovery & catching the remaining train peices was a challenge after cranking SS up those climbs!!! Next few laps I generally caught or chased that group. Long story short Tom, Barry & Michael raced smart ending ahead. Nikolai ended behind me as did Jake who hammered hard on start. Andy did kung foo move to his leg and Chris was slowing and I was able to pass both of them Lap3. I did catch Devin lap4. After he ignored my desire to pass, instead of being patient I hammered through uphill weeds to pass. I was laughing as it similar to the goofy things we do on team rides. I kept the pace up in woods but burned too many impatient matches. Devon wanted it. I was silly again. He passed, I followed home for 11th oa. My enurance is coming around. The SS will do the rest. Good times!