Buck#1 - Public Service

Un-official Paparazzi BUCK HILL 2009 #1 news. 1st Buck race of 2009 shows youth willpower, new blood & elders. My position solid considering self abuse tactics of late. Good times. Sorry but my Buck pre-lim results will be less frequent than prior years, too much pressure. My race report: I led out start to enable proper math -1, -2, -3 etc. First bendan, then jesse, jack before woods. Andy on climb. Later Jesse let Tom & I by lap2? So it was Brendan, Jack, Andy, then Myself, Tom & Jesse battling. I gave it all on water tower climb 3 to pass lap traffic. Jesse & Tom on. At one point later lap 3 I slowed after traffic to let Tom & Jesse catch up. Bad idea perhaps as start of lap 4 I faded as Jesse & Tom powered it. I ended 6th. Andy gave up 3rd to Tom thinking 10th was up for grabs, Jesse 5th. I'm humored by Andy in mix not knowing it. 17yr old Jack showing hamster like will power. Good times!! Time! Early season for da 5 seasoned. Penn Cycle Results now avail

Hillside Early Spring Shake Apart

Do People Think I have too many mechanicals?? Not too many in my mind. I will say my bike maintenance doesn't always take priority. Often times I'll just throw bike in the truck & go.....

TOP TEN REASONS MY BIKE MAY NOT WORK LIKE A PROFESSIONAL: 1. Limited Sponsorship: new wheels, frame ect rare, component changes my game 2.3.4. Alta, Leo, Duncan: three awesome kids 5. Momma Squirrel: bless her heart, demands many things 6. St. Thomas MBA Program: up late studying often. 2 classes this semester 7. Building 2 rooms & full bath downstairs: arms too sore to do maintenance 8. Weight Weenie: when tinker it's w/unconventional parts vs. conventional maint 9. Sr. Forecast Analyst report to VP: HR supporting advancement, work FT+ 10. Ok Ok Ok we're all busy..prioritizing appropriately: I'm prioritizing!

The Day at Hillside: Just Leo & I hit Hillside. Momma sqrl was busy at flower shop and Alta and Duncan had sleepovers. Leo had a GREAT DAY! He did many stunts, construction & general rippin all day long. Right after my race we did a father son ride through section 1. He wanted to hit the big jumps really bad. Good times. Hillside trail is absolutely a hoot. Saturday was my 2nd time on single track all year. Friday was the first, bike worked great for quick slap together. Other than a floppy loose brake lever Race went fine(I kept manually tightening bolt as I rode through twist trail). Just like after 2laps at Buck my legs we're opened. I was starting to mess with Barry, Tom, & Jack leading them through sec 4 (they we're sticking to my wheel real good). We we're working hard and I was ready to hammer harder to experiment. Then a stick in my wheel/frame derailleur side, slowed me. Later in down hill area of Sec4 the brake issue made me pull off. Those 3 went on to catch Jay. Anyway, I'm cranking at right speed. Same general group fun again this season. Plus young Jack, Jake & Michael McB prob there this year too. NextGen absolutley a good thing! Later

Black Co-MoJo

I absolutley dig my old Puegeot commuter. We'll not mine, someone else's old MTB. My old 87' Stumpy is long gone. This freebee was given away by a Hillside racer a few years ago. Jimmay piked it up for me per local forum board "I'll take it!" call out. I put on a seat, a used 8spd cassette, cut bar-ends off, cut front d cables (frozen in big ring) & lubed'er - she rips!! 6 spd range via thimb shift is all she gives, perfect, 30 ish lbs. 8-9lbs heavier than my 2x9 Kona. Great time of year with weather turning, sweet night commutes home from school, to work ect.....hard time of year also as often sore, adapting, not sure if Dr. Jeckle training is optimum. See you at Hillside Saturday. Looking forward to Buck & MNSCS#1.

Elk River Race Race Day B4 Mother's

Confirmed. XC Race at Elk River Day before Mothers Day. Saturday Preseason Shake Up: Registration at 10am, Race Start at 11am

Momma's Iron Woman

Amy, Teel & Nami did 30miles in the rain, 45 degree rain. Great job!! As momma biked Alta & Leo had sleep overs which left Duncan & I solo for breakfast Sunday AM (2 is much quieter than 5!!!) Other ramblings - mixed up weekend notes.... Duncan & I painted some walls downstairs today. The boys rooms are getting close to finished. Saturday night we held the LCR fit kit party at our house, good times. Fun to see most everyone enjoying good food, campfire & group shenanegans. The kit fit. The house is still clean from all day Saturday scrub. Circles. Duncan spun on trainer tonight as he watched HULU TV. My last ride was Friday with Jason treking halfway to Afton & back, 2.5hrs roadie. Then, since I had homework presentation due Friday 8pm, Amy & kids left me to suffer solo. With notes, text, web & powerpoint; work got done. When finished pedaled to Paul & Janna's for the get together. Not a bad weekend. Eager to bike to work / school this week. Hopefully I can ride the farmer tan off..... oh, Star Trib article on RAG105.

Ragnarok105 Miles

Approached Rag105 race less hydraded than desired, but all good. I charged hard early cresting 3 of 8 point climbs as leader. King of the Mtn. on the line. Larry & I had fun with that. Larry got King of Mountian trophy. Tim Ek 2nd, I was 3rd place KOM points. Although Larry rolled into halfway point w/leaders, he was left hanging as others had re-fuel process down like a leadville run. I battled early on my SS but it was apparant my spin wasn't fast enough for cross bike'n lead pack. I did see Larry at mid-point so was close to leaders at halfway. Anywho- ended 1st of SS'ers, 8th OA, about 1/2hr behind Charlie Tri. Charlie Farrow 2nd, Jeremy Fry 3rd, Larry 4th. Praman 5th. Faster group this year. I'm happy with my effort being 44x17 SS Mtn Bars & climbing 8,000ft plus!! Fun to see near 10 LCR folk all finish!! Perfect weather, nothing else to report. Nice trophy eh!

18 Minutes & No Bug Juice

As always a few idea's in subject. I really think in 8's. Anyway, a new back to work record. 18 min house to work. No bugs. They are coming..hear'em? Next sprinkle & nats will be your bug juice. Oh, ready for Ragnarok105. MaxHR 179YTD, ready for pain. Wildfire Rag, I called it! Water!!!!