Some Call me the Grinch

But really am I? Regardless of what you believe, Pagan, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, etc... Regardless of the Birth conveniently falling around existing Non-Christian holidays and festivals, I do not believe that I am a Grinch at all.

I have a serious issue with the guilt ridden undertones of the commercialization of an event held sacred to many. The spirit of giving has been co opted by the culture of excess. Don't think that I don't like stuff, don't think that I don't have excesses in my life, I do, mostly related to bikes, go figure. But when there is a worldwide blitz of information whose sole purpose is to get me to buy more stuff, cause it is Christmas, and that is whats done, It just drives me nuts.

I have been bantering with my boss about the recently noticed (by me) attempt by DeBeers and other architects of war/poverty/slavery and death in Sub Saharan Africa to guilt me into believing, that if I REALLY loved my wife, I would buy a little glass like bauble that has an overinflated price by artificially controlling supply. Add that to the way that other organizations market 'beauty' to my wife, then I might get attacked on both sides, lucky for me, I am not buying what they are selling (literally and figuratively) and Lyna does not like diamonds. I am sorry if you like diamonds or buy them for the one you love, they are evil, due to the evil that they have created and sustained, this is definitely not in the spirit of the season, the commercials sicken me.

This is NO Movie-this is real life

Next is the way toys and the like are marketed to our children, I don't have any myself, but I am sure I would take a page from my parents, If I had a kid that wanted a 500 dollar video game for Christmas, I would say, NO. 1st off, go outside and play, maybe I was lucky enough to grow up in the days of Pong, definitely not addictive, so I played outside. You think maybe there is a correlation with sedentary, overweight America? Again, I love playing video games, nothing like a LAN party, but I don't own one. My parents set some limit somewhere, and when OI wanted something that costed more, they said no or they said go work for it, so I would mow lawns, deliver papers, shovel sidewalks before I was 16, then I worked at McDonald's (Bought a sweet Motebecane Touring bike in 84) and most of the time, when I made the money, I had forgotten about that piece of cheap plastic that i just HAD to have.

Good Strategy Right there to

The spirit of the season is giving, yes it is, but it is NOT about giving stuff bought at the local store, it is about giving LOVE, JOY, HOPE, UNDERSTANDING.

Give a hug, donate to a food bank, sponsor a family in need, give time, give energy and effort, help build a house, help build a community, help spread the Hope, Joy, Love and Understanding that is the true meaning of the season.

Regardless of religious affiliation, this is what the season needs to be about.

Dang, i need a bike ride soon.

Chris Sheppard 23 SKIDOO!

No matter what you think of former Dopers, this is funny stuff.

Wow

That was a blast, in some sick demented mind, which I have. The whole time warming up, I kept thinking, this was going to be a good day for me, don't sweat the start just keep smooth and loose and work your way up. That is just what happened, for a while at least.

I got a bad start, all over the place, ended up in about 10th position, started working my way up, takin it real easy and the first lap, pulled back up to Mike, Linde and Racer, on the third lap, i came up on KWilde diggin a snow fort he got on my wheel for a lap and we go back to the aforementioned trio and a few others, my sun glasses were fogged up and a hindrance, but grabbing them was more dangerous as one false move and bam you go down. SO i finally get em off and am on the back straight and hit bump and go down, head first, a bit of blood on the right shin. This was on the 3rd lap, I went down 2 more times here, lost everyone I was with at this point, plus Fearick got around me, spent the rest of the race with Kris A and Gary D and stayed upright somehow. It was all about slow in the corners and staying loose and relaxed on the bike. Think I ended up 8th or 9th in the end, had a blast though, much more fun than dry and dusty.

Went to dinner with Lyna, Ty, Bull Elk, Ronny Poo, Pepe and Sara and Meredith, then to an art showing, kind of a fun evening.

Photos of mostly A 35+A and mens B;s up on flickr tomorrow.

Pilling Boys and Zach Crane asking me why I didn't corner faster.

The new toy

Is on the right under brands i pimp, zero rides and counting......

With apologies to Al Gore.....

So much for localized global warming, actually at lunch I was reading the City Weekly article about snow (or lack of) and it talked about particulate matter in the air keeping the snow away, and I thought EUREKA! My new toy will be used this afternoon.  Went and saw Keating at noon30 and he said it was almost done, I said I would be back at 3, my highly scientific  theory backed by the peer reviewed source the city weekly is kept me confident.  This kept me going, even though i have a scheduled 4 weeks off the bike post CX nationals, which pushes 1-2 weeks into January.

I pick the new steed up at 3 hit I-15 home and the moisture starts and gets colder till I get home  and give up, I blame Brad Keyes. He knows why. 

Ouch

Dang, that hurt, what, 4 weeks since last race, kind of numbing, the course was pretty sweet though, I had a very poor start, not that it would of mattered much, Linde and I were working well together and pulling a small group back, but he flatted with 2 to go. I then pooped out. It was nice and warm though. Lyna and I both got 9th. Maybe the legs just needed a blowout to wake up and next week will be better, yep, next week.

A commentary on the general political/social decision making of the common American today...

Sir Bedevere: There are ways of telling whether she is a witch.
Peasant 1: Are there? Oh well, tell us.
Sir Bedevere: Tell me. What do you do with witches?
Peasant 1: Burn them.
Sir Bedevere: And what do you burn, apart from witches?
Peasant 1: More witches.
Peasant 2: Wood.
Sir Bedevere: Good. Now, why do witches burn?
Peasant 3: ...because they're made of... wood?
Sir Bedevere: Good. So how do you tell whether she is made of wood?
Peasant 1: Build a bridge out of her.
Sir Bedevere: But can you not also build bridges out of stone?
Peasant 1: Oh yeah.
Sir Bedevere: Does wood sink in water?
Peasant 1: No, no, it floats!... It floats! Throw her into the pond!
Sir Bedevere: No, no. What else floats in water?
Peasant 1: Bread.
Peasant 2: Apples.
Peasant 3: Very small rocks.
Peasant 1: Cider.
Peasant 2: Gravy.
Peasant 3: Cherries.
Peasant 1: Mud.
Peasant 2: Churches.
Peasant 3: Lead! Lead!
King Arthur: A Duck.
Sir Bedevere: ...Exactly. So, logically...
Peasant 1: If she weighed the same as a duck... she's made of wood.
Sir Bedevere: And therefore...
Peasant 2: ...A witch!

Oh sweet Mary mother of....

It is that time of the year, when the candy goes out the door and the sweet nectar of the gods arrives, I have a serious Clementine addiction.

MTB all day, we went clockwise and were on singletrack all the way till we headed north over Deer Ridge or ELk Glen rds, then there was a steep boulder field and a rut filled ravine to ride down.

Climate Change

Is it happening: Yep

Why: I don't know

But it has been nice MTB weather.

Saturday was a planned 3 hours in Draper, Lyna hit mill creek solo. I went to draper and we ended up having about 10 of us, Dana H took us on a bushwhackin adventure around the south side of south mountain, after a climb up Clark's and down Jacobs ladder. We found our way around the south side and only had to dismount an hike down one scree field, but it was fun. Justin and I climbed up Clark's one more time

View Larger Map

Sunday I did a nice 2 hour shoreline loopy. Lyna headed up to round valley with the gals. Lots of people out there. One guy, I passed on a short climb right before the fence crossing, cause he could not hear me with his headphones, he then got right on my ass on the short DH, I then went up the climb to the fence and he dropped back, later on the newly bulldozed section he charged back on me and was on my ass till after the Red Butte stop sign, I let him past for his glory, What the hell, I was on a recovery spin, hr staying below 140 and some guy decides it is a race, I hate that, hope it made him feel good, bet he has a big old jacked up truck to. I stopped at the top of dry creek for a snack and meditated that lots of snow hits the canyons and none hits the valley.

Next 4 weekends will be CX fun, time to get on it again.

Hipsters get medals too

Saturday Ride

10:30 am at Draper Equestrian Center. Leisurely pace. 3 hours (easy bail outs if'n you wanna do less)

Night ride with BP

Met B Pilling for a night ride 2 night, nice time on the Draper trails, a few hard efforts and some fun DH. Nice to be on the MTB again. Rode some of the newer stuff, including the stuff we worked on Sunday, horses already chopped some of it up though. I plan on doing 3 hours of mtb somewhere Saturday around 11. I shined my night lights in mtballday's living room while we were riding by, wonder if he noticed


View Larger Map

Trail Work and CX

So first day back from VaKay I get up early for some trail work in Draper. Dana, Bill P (Dad of thin and thinner) Ty and BZ, we got a lot of work done building, maintaining and fixing a section of trail. That was some hard work, I tell you. Swinging a Pulaski and Macleod are not what a cyclists body is made for, still very fulfilling, I will be doing more, so should you. Give back, it will keep us on the trails. BZ found an interesting rock out there.
















A few CX things to speak about;
1. Congrats to Darren C on his win in Heber, awesome form right now, sorry to hear about your mechanicals at States.

2. DH, way to kill it at states

3. Way big numbers of racers, which is cool, wish I was there, but the beach was better.

4. So, about the States scoring and categories. First, I don't care who races in 35+A, if you are 35 and older and want to, come on, DH, A Train, next year Fox, come on over, the more the merrier, I don't care if you race in the A's one week and 35+A the next. BUT, why let some one compete in 2 categories at once in states? Why not just compete in the category you signed up for that day, and get points for the season comp for that category that day. I am sure the officials would prefer this. I am sure there would be less occurrences on confused racing. I don't mind 35+ A's working with A's especially when we start 30 seconds after them, but when you have 3 State Championship categories off at once, combined with 2 series points races, things can get dicey, confusing and negative really fast. Why not just have the state champeenship categories match the season categories and race/receive points in what you sign up for that day???? Can anyone tell me what the purpose benefit of the current system is?

5. No one in Utah gets paid to race, they may get some free stuff (very few) but no one gets paid. Hell Jonathon Page, who was second at worlds, had a hard time getting paid this year. It is a hobby, so why complicate things?

6. I don't like flat drag strip courses, I don't like easy courses, I don't like the fact that UTCX races have zero hills, I still race cause it is fun and it makes me stronger. I also believe Dr X knows his stuff and when he gives an analysis it is highly likely to be 98% on target.

some one please fill me in.

Back from Paradise

Well, made it back in one piece, more or less, a bit of sun burn, sore calves and ribs from fighting current and waves while boogie boarding. Mostly coming back home with a desire to spend more time on Kauai. It was relaxing, beautiful and just all around awesome. We kayaked on the calm Hanalei river, swam on many beaches. Hiked to Hanakapi'ai water falls, boogie boarded at Kealia beach, hiked to a lighthouse, saw thousands of chickens, checked out Waimea canyon, which would be a brutal hill climb. Ate fresh fruit, good seafood and generally just chilled and soaked in the atmosphere. We will be back for sure, even though the flight home sucked.

sit right back and I'll tell a tale

Well the craptop died, so no photos till we get back, but the trip has been great, swimming, hiking, sleeping, boogie boarding and sight seeing. Can't believe we have to return tomorrow night, but that is life. Having dinner with Newby and his wife Tash tonight. Sounds like the Heber race was fast, glad I wasn't there, cause flat+fast=off the back for bob. Next race for me will be post T-day, I hope it is muddy.

I may be kind of fast, but,

They are much faster.





























Conservative start today, which put me behind it too much to make any difference, the course was slightly different, I liked it better, the spot where everyone, including Jon G, Art and I went down wsa covered with scrapes in the concrete from bike parts, nice.

I was all alone after 2 of 5 laps. A group of 3 were working hard to make contact with me, I worked hard to keep them off, 1.25 laps to go, one rolls his tire, a bit later the other 2 make it up to me, I work harder to stay in front, cause I wanted to set the pace and choose lines, on the back side I took a few 'secret lines' and put a small gap, but they pulled it back by the fly over 'Green Monster' bridge

I held them off and came across the line for 46th, damn, 46th, wow, uh, yeah, hmmm. Oh well.

Mom and Dad came out and watched and snapped the photos, only got one of me, cause they just knew I was wearing orange. They seemed to enjoy it, introduced them to Thinners dad, just to let them know, people older than me do it to.

Jon G. got 13th. A Train went down again, got back around me a bit later and pushed it to 29th.

Kathy got 14h and Mitch and Sam K were in the 40's in a huge field. Mitch pulled Chris Horner around the whole race, Horner was wearing a Pedros jersey, hmmm new team for next year?

Quick USGP#1 post

1. Got to venue, not in race mindset, see Petersons, A Train and Jon G, While pinning on numbers, start talking to guy parked next to me, who after 10 minutes of talking, looks at me and says, 'Bob?' It ended up being a guy I went to Grad school with.

2. 3rd row start spot, cause of registration time. Decent start, most way through first lap (2 mile long laps) see Atrain on the side of course in obvious pain (he abandoned) Next ime through the same section, I go down hard, real hard, almost drop, but kept going, even though I went backwards. Did not end up last or lapped. Was sitting around 25th at time of fall. Was fun just the same

3.A little road rash is all, and sore shoulder,but i will be back Sunday.

4. Kathy rode a great race, tarted on back line made her way up,left halfway through mens elite to get cleaned up and meet old friends for dinner.

Woo, them boys are fast in 35+

For the ATRAIN

So, this is a 'Holler'
















And this is the Million dollar 'BARN' where 'Cletus' keeps his Million dollar race horses, oh yeah, that is small compared to some they have here.
















Taken on a nice 15 mile cruise on the CX bike in Woodford County.

DIA Gate B90

On my way to the KY. United Express' Denver terminal is nuts, at least I saw them throw and I mean throw, my bike on the plane.

I spent the weekend racing bikes

And hanging with like minded people.

Saturday Photos here

Sunday Photos here

The 2 days saw different flashes of race brilliance and fun factor, they showed me progress on a few area I consider my self weak and in the end they showed how much fun it can be suffering with friends, regardless of results.

Saturday was to be rainy/snowy and brutal, the drive up to Ogden was proving the forecast wrong, warm and dry, but as the morning went on the course deteriorated. Lyna had a race that we all dread, the mind not in the game, but since she is an endurance rider, she pushed through.

I had a descent start, stayed towards the front, found some good lines early, was trying to hold wheels and keep speed through the Twisties. The course was ful of mud and leaves which created a mulch like clinging substance, a second bike and a pit person would of been great to have, but i didn't have either. At about 25 minutes in I was running 3rd, right behind Sam. Kracht was right behind me. I was feeling strong and had some in the reserve tank














At 31 minutes in I had been running in 2nd and pulling Warsocki back, I was feeling good, riding smooth and powering out of the saddle where it was good to.














About a 1/4 lap after the above photo, in the twisty section, a bit after a charging on fire, clean biked Ohran got past me, my front tire washed out and put me into a tree, hard, I got right back on, told my self to ride the adrenaline, well there was no adrenaline, quite the opposite, I got passed by Sam and Kracht after that. The below picture shows a visible (to me) change in posture and race mojo. about 5 minutes post tree hug.














With around 3 laps to go, Daren got around me, I held onto him pretty tight until a lack of rear brake put me into the tape and got me caught up in the tape pole. I then had to dig deep to hold of Dr. X, who was charging hard. Kracht lost his crank while in 3rd, so I ended up 5th on the day. All in all a good result, but I will have the what coulda been in my head for a while.















Sunday dawned a bit cold, but blue skies, which my bike was grateful for, but deep inside I was sad, Wheeler is a great cross course, although it does not suit me, lots of drag strip sections, very little technical, leaves skinny little me a bit off the back here. Top it off with the Cat 1/2 roadies that show up for the 35+A race, well then it is gonna be a hard long day.

Lyna had a great race and seemed to be having 'fun' out there.














I got the call up again, although they did not update the standings after Saturday, as soon as I lined up we were off, I tried to get out to the front, cause I wanted the hole shot, I got around Sam about halfway to the singletrack and made it through first. I led for most of the first lap and the group got around me a bit after the off camber section. Kind of fun, but then i was a bit blown up.















I got popped off the back, out of the top 10 for a while, but slowly made my way back, I caught onto to Kracht and we worked together to get up to Gary. The 3 of us then rode together for a lap or 2, Krachty got around a slowing A group rider, right before the off camber and got a gap, Gary and I tried to pull him back, but I popped at this point.




















Good job to everyone out there. About 800 photos will be up on flickr at some point. Saturday A and 35+ only, Sunday every race bu C men and B Women (Battery left at home)

And for those who cheated, I don't know who did it, but heard a few did, why didn't you just skip the off camber section and really get a good result for it. Hell on the last lap, I couldn't get out of my left pedal and ripped a gash in my knee trying to NOT avoid the barriers, I went over them and still finished, with lots of blood on my legs

If you cheated, Karma is a bitch. If I was a promoter and had 2 independent sources, you would be DQ'd and banned for the next race. Ridiculous, what is at stake here for any of us, NOTHING.

Sorry bout the rant. that behavior is right down there with EPO and blood transfusions.

So Wednesday it is off to Cletus land for home cooking and another double weekend of racing.

Perspective

One important thing, before my race, I got to talk to Marty and meet his wife. He had come out to watch K. Wilde race. It was great to see him and see him doing well. He was talking about getting a recumbent and talking about how he was able to put weight on one leg and will soon be on both.

It gave me a new outlook on the day.

Dang, that was one crazy weekend

Friday was begun with work, of course, stopped by the shop and found Twitchy putting together my new road rig. Built up mostly with parts from my old one. Thanks to Ohran for the frame/fork/cranks and Eldevick for the seatpost and bar. And of course the twitch-meister for the build,














Wow this bike rides nice, 45 minute spin Friday evening, felt effortless. I love me some SI alloy cranks.

Friday night was a 'Utah Bachelor Party' for my buddy Tyler, consisting of Sushi and Go cart racing. I am pretty sure I got whiplash on the second round when 5 people put me into the wall on th second corner.














Saturday I slept in, made it out to the RMR for UTCX#3 Lyna was in the wedding so unable to race. I was in the wedding but figured the math in my head that I could race, shower and make it to Silver Fork in time. The course was hard, I am not a fan of that much pavement, But Linde, Dave, Gary and I had a good thing going, Chuck made it up to us after Gary went off the front and Dave dropped, but took a digger on the off camber gravel. I tried to shed Linde a few times in the last 3 laps, no Bueno. I then went into the grass section tooo hot and Linde came under and around me. I was pretty sure who ever got up the grass first was gonna take it, i was right and i gave up there, I did ride the 'run up' 75% of the time, and it was 6's in speed, but 1 less time off the bike per lap. It was good to have a battle, and good to see the front group so close and good to see i have gained some non climbing speed.

The wedding, I made it to silver fork by 3:30, wedding was to start at 4, well it did not start till 4:30, I sat and waited around, took control of the groom and best mans need to get dressed and relaxed. Nice time, made it home early and proceeded to obsess over Shannon B's solo effort at Moab, by midnight he was in the top 4, so I went to bed, woke up this am and it looked like he called it at 5am, Ty told us he got a ride back to the camp on his 11th lap, his body gave in, still an awesome ride. at the front for 17 hours.

I think I will go for a recovery spin today, mostly to combat the damn sore neck from the go cart racin not the cx racin.

SandBaggin

So, Granny Gear has thrown the smack down to at least one person. Um, I hope they did the same to other teams, cause singling out one person blows. just a quick perusal of some Utah teams I know have people racing down.

Now for something like 24 hours of Moab, I don't think it matters, but if they are going to regulate, the damn well better build criteria and xact rule and damn well better have someone enforce the rules.

I think Beginner/Sport/Expert/Pro and some age categorization is good, it grows the sport and keeps people from getting too discouraged. The answer is for people to be honest with there abilities and fitness and cat up to challenge themselves.

People who complain, damn well better look in the mirror. People who cat down, usually have a good reason, If i am only able to get 25% of the riding I am used to, don't race for a few years, get sick and make a comeback, cat'ing down is OK. If I got 3 friends doing a 4 person team at some 24 hour race and my fitness has left for the year, i don't think cat'ing down is a big issue, reality is, my history at 24 Hrs of Moab hhas been racing as an expert when i was a mediocre Sport class rider. But again, The opportunity was there.

Telling a Semi=Pro or Pro that heir only choice is Sold/Duo or Coed Pro Am is ridiculous. Why? Well Solo is for a few tweaked out freaks, Duo is likely harder than solo for most, Coed Pro/Am requires a woman on a team, Uh, yeah have you done a count of Men vs. Women racing bikes?

Bring back the open cat, that will work it all out.

In the end this sport, for me, is about pushing myself and trying hard, it is also about building community. I have to be honest with myself and about my abilities, which means I at some poinrt, may need to cat up, or even cat down. Again, be honest, you may be surprised.

Quote of the Day

If you ride bikes then you are a friend of mine. If you wear your sisters pants then expect to get made fun of.

-Art Oconnor


That is great, although I think i will get Art a pair of My Sisters pants cause they would go great as after race attire;

Utah CX #2

The week in between CX#1 and #2 saw me miss work twice due to a nasty cold, Friday being the most recent day off. Friday night I was not even going to go up to Heber to support Lyna. Saturday morning, however, I woke up and felt human. So I gathered my crap, including all my cold weather gear and we headed to Heber.

The weather held for most of the race day, only spitting on us here and there, however the course still included some serious mud. Which led me to not pre-ride.

Lyna had a slow start but made here way up in the race, she ended up 5th, however 3rd and 4th were within reach for her.

I got a good warm up on the trainer under Racers canopy, got a call up for the front line, for my finish last week. I had a decent start, pushed it a bit, the first barriers came up on me sooner than I expected. But I made it over ok, the first bog came up and we all bogged down, Warsocki took the worst of it, going to a complete stop.

For the first couple of laps I was running top 5 and pulling people back. My body just did not have it in it to sustain. At the point that Kracht and Jay B came around me, I could not get the rear D out of the 34, eventually I kicked the derailleur and it started shifting again, I just slogged through the rest if the race, literally and figuratively and finished right ahead of a charging Linde, for 9th place.

Thanks to Chris S for letting me ride to his House and then he actually cleaned my bike for me and let me shower, that was much appreciated. He had a good race in the B's for a top 5.


Then it was over to TC's for some food and fellowship. Good times, yep and good food.

Utah CX #1 2007

Off to O-Town and Fort Buena for the first of the 2007 series. Lyna decided to race with th A women this year, so she went off at 10:30. She did not get much of a warm up in and took a while for her legs to come around, she ended up 4th in a tough field and did not get lapped by the pro women, which is assume. I did not get to see much of her race as I was prepping for mine.

The course was short and turny, as Dr. X says, this may not be such a great thing, but i liked it all thing considered. The 'run up' was in the course and during my pre-rides I never cleared it. The barriers were in an odd place, turn before and turn after, so transition was key. One of the mid course log crossings got a bit beat down so both of them ended up being easily rideable.

I think there were around 15 35+ A's out there. I started conservative, not wanting to blow, had a nice slow down before the first log hop, probably sitting out of the top 10 at this point. About 2 laps in I started to move my way forward, got around Denny, Gary and others, was on Skylers wheel for a while, Bart came around for the 1st time and Skyler jumped on his wheel, soon after Linde came around me, right before the run up I got around him, then proceeded to bog down at the top, soon after I caught and passed Skyler, I was likely running 5th at this time, with Warsocki, Sam Moore, Krieg guy and Dave Wood in front of me, Skyler caugh back on and passed me, Dave Wood was falling back, Linde and Denny were hard on my rear wheel, Denny ended up dropping, Linde could not close the gap, even though his barrier skills are far superior to mine. I rode the run up about half the time, if i would of made it more often I could of likely gotten around Skyler and Dave, but alas, hindsight. I think I ended up 6th, not getting lapped on the short course by anyone in my category is nice and bodes well for the rest of the season. I had fun, even though my hands were raw and my head set was loose for half the race. Bike ran good, a few out of the saddle ghost shifts, but nothing horrible.

Looking forward to Heber.

Worlds Collide

No, not tha race a month ago, not many people realize it, but this is something I never would of predicted, ever. My Alma Mater in the top 10, no not in basketball either.

GO Cats

Race report after i quit being dizzy and tired.

CX Weather

Yahhhhhhhhh

So, looks like Fort B. will be possibly full of slimy fun. Good times.

Interbike came and went, a cesspool Vegas is, I still smell like cigarettes. Made some good contacts, 2008 should be good. The Crpss Vegas race was fun to watch, Newby, Chris D, Alex Grant, Brandon Firth and I were all near the run up, as I told Dr X there were a bunch of belligerent drunks, wearing capris with hip messenger bags throwing full cans of beer at the racers, what jackasses, they would feel right at home at a high school kegger. The police came and removed them at the end of the race.

Ali, Jon G and Sager lined up, had decent races, Sam Krieg had a sweet fall/somersault/ remount. it almost looked like he meant to do it.

Made it to the CX practice Thursday night, good workout, hopefully we will have more of them.

In laws were in town and we had dinner Thurs. and Fri.

What the HELL is Bettini trying to do, claiming that drawing his blood is in violation of his human rights?? He can't be serious, what a tool, now he is suing a newspaper over a story, asshole. He is right up there with Cyclocrosses biggest ass, Bart Wellens.

Dr X. Here are my 'grass' photos.


Back Yard, what is green is just a bit of grass and mostly weeds, we do have an open irrigation ditch back there too.












Side yard, no grass












Front yard, grass is where there is 95% shade, watered about 5 times a summer.

What Happens in...

Head out tonight for Interbike, thanking 2007 sponsors and looking for 2008 new ones. I will also get a chance to go spectate Cross Vegas.

I got a room off the strip, cheaper and less madness, but likely will only sleep there. The last week of riding has been uneventful, all on the CX bike, did the Thursday night Bike Practice, and lots of time on the shoreline as well as a trip to Wheeler, I did not get any goatheads, but there are millions of them there.

The In-Laws arrive in town on Thursday evening sometime, in the middle of some western bus our, we will be able to have dinner with them a few times before the head out on Saturday morning.

SUNDAY- SUNDAY - SUNDAY!!!!!!!

Lots of stuff going on..

Got back last night from the 24 Hours of Targhee, I think everyone else there were locals from Idaho and Wyoming, there may of been a couple from Lehi, can't verify that. The course was nice, around 1000 feet of climbing per lap, which was just under 7 miles according to my GPS. Starts with just under a mile of service road climbing followed by a fresh single track descent, a quick single track steep up followed by a mile or so of fast, smooth, flowing singletrack descending, next is a long winding single track climb, a fun banked turn descent, a painful steep up, a few rocks, service road back to start finish.

Lyna, Jim, Steve and I did a 4 person Coed team, we got 2 rooms at the Lodge. I NEVER want to camp for a 24 hour race again, Beds, TV, electricity, showers, hot tub, mmm nice. Our pre-ride lap was at 45 minutes, easy pace for me, so we decided to double up laps, so we would have down time, worked out perfect. Jim went first, me second, then Steve, then Lyna, again perfect, roommate would wake up roommate to get ready to go, we ended up missing no starts.

Jim was 1st off the line for the run, then someone wrecked in front of him, not that it mattered, there were less than 25 totals teams, including solos, it broke up really fast. About 1:20 later Jim came in, I went out to hard on the first lap, put in a 33 minute one, about 45-60 seconds off the fastest lap time of the event. second lap was around 34 minutes. By our first cycle through, we had about 30 minutes on the other coed team. My second round was going to be close to sundown, so i mounted the spare, less safe lights, just in case, my first time around was fine without them, second time around was that twilight, where the lights don't help, Steve went out for his last 2 laps on his single speed in the dark, Lyna followed with 2 night laps, by the 2nd cycle through we were over 2 laps up on the competition. My night laps started about 1:20, I think, it was cold,. but I was dressed well, the Basin section was about 15 degrees colder than everything else, kind of a weird feeling in there, kept waiting for the spirits to grab me. My lap times were around 43-44 minutes here, i was just having fun and not pushing it at all, after our third cycle we were almost 3 laps up. On my 4th time around I lapped the other team halfway through my 2nd lap, put 6 minutes on them after that. My last 2 laps started right after 7 am, it was beautiful out. Steve and Lyna ended up putting 2 more laps on the comp by the finish, Lyna closed it out and finished right after 12:15.












The race was fun, well marked and well attended for a first time event. The prizes were pretty good. 1st place solo male 1,000 bucks. 1st place solo female 1,000 bucks. 1st place Duo male 1,00 bucks. 1st place Duo female 1,000 bucks. 1st place Coed 4 person - Uh, yeah, tickets to 2008 bluegrass festival, which we declined. They also raffled of a Giant trance frame, Cloudveil clothing and other stuff. It was fun for sure, would do it again in a heartbeat.

Friday night at 11:01 pm registration for CX nationals opened, start position is determined by registration time (or by being a celebrity) so I needed to get it on. There was supposed to be free wireless in the hotel, but it was down, luckily the lobby had a computer, so i went and got ready to register, I ended up being the 34th person out of 120 or so to register, so looks like I will be on the 4th row for the start, not too bad. The computer was slow and I did not get registered till about 5 minutes in, oh well.

Speaking of cross, Thursday night was DR X's first practice at the park, over 40 showed up, awesome. My legs were sore after that damned run up.

USGP registration is open, if they base it off of that, I would be on row 1 or 2, alas I believe that they are assigning random start spots.

Here is a map for Out Of Retirement sage of life's mysteries

Maps For Sly

The first one I call - GOATHEAD Ride
Check It here

Next is a slightly different version of my nice Shoreline Loopy

1st 24 hour race in many years this weekend, I like the fact that we get Hotel rooms to stay in, Campin and Racin don't mix.

Have a good day.

Best Laid Plans..

Set out for a 4-5 hour epic today, met Alex, Rolf and Justin at Mill D at 7:30 am. Headed up the road and up and over Guardsman, down a trail I have never been on and eventually onto Apex in PC, we were planning on Mid Mountain to the canyons yet a running race changed our plans. We picked our way around 10-20 sometimes upsets racers and decided to head up the powerline to Jupiter lake and up to the Crest. Justin bailed before puke hill, The rest of us headed up Puke and down Mill D back to the cars, made for a 3 hour ride. It was fun, my back is a bit shocked from the gym earlier this week. Tonight I was planning on a night ride for an hour, we will see how I feel.

1989

Today i went to Solitude for the memorial service for Krash. I knew him through mutual friends and mostly saw him when I was on a bike or on a snowboard, I had dinner with him a few times and hung out a few more.

I was drawn to the service for some reason, I knew some friends were hurting and I knew I needed to see the love others had for some one who had suffered. The service was very nice, lots of laughter and tears, some nice memories brought out by family and friends. Krash touched an amazing amount of people. I was truly touched by the poem read by his brother which was written in the early 90's by a friend of Krash's about Krash. It was eerie, cause the poem described the disease.

Why do some make it, while others don't, why do some easily 'get' it, while others struggle through? It makes no sense at all, it just is.

Today I try to remember the way I lived and what could of been if I made a few different turns in my life. I am not talking about 'maybe my life could of been better' not by any means. I never thought I would see 30, let alone 40, Just the same, I would not change who I was or could of been, even if that were a choice. I am who I am today because of all the things I did and who I was yesterday. Looking back is sometimes painful, hurt people, lost friends, and disappointed family.

I have to pull myself out of that because doing that does not give enough attention to today and the family and friends I have now. The dearest thing in my life, Lyna, was on her way to San Diego while I was on the mountain today, yet she was there to.

18 years ago I was the farthest from healthy a person could be, my possessions consisted of a boom box and a change of clothes. Today, I am dangerously healthy and surrounded by life and joy. Today I try and do the right thing in every situation, do I succeed? Not always. Am I perfect? Far from it. Am I obsessive-compulsive? Yes, at times. Am I grateful for who I am, where I've been and what I have in my life? Without a doubt.

Today I play, today I enjoy life, today I push to see what heights I can reach, today I try to bring others into the joy I see, even if I can't explain why. I can't help myself. It is who I am. I am lucky, I am here, I am willing to try.

1989

Scalpel 2000 FOR SALE

First Chance for loyal Stupidbike readers, all 3 of you.

2005 Scalpel 2000

GREAT CONDITION, only a few cosmetic scratches, priced to sell, leave comment if interested.

More photos available

My License from USA Cycling????

So i could rant about not sending a full contingent to worlds, or the political nature of choosing who goes to worlds, or the conflict of interests involved at all levels of USA cycling or the lack of prize money, or the kowtowing to money and power or etc.... etc..... etc..... But i won't. (oh wait, i just did)

Lets focus on the confusing categorizations on my license.

I asked for a cat3 to cat2 cx upgrade in case i need it to do nationals and/or usgp races. I also at one point thought I might go do star crossed and didn't want to race in the masters 3/4. Really I did it so that I can assure I get a good asskicking when I race cross, cause why else would I do it? Thanks to my stellar, or not, UTCX results over the last 5 years, I got the upgrade.

So on the mountain-bike I am an Expert, Sport, Sport, Beginner.

On the road I am a 4, a 5 yet I can race with the Masters who are mostly 3's and 1/2's.

In Cyclocross I am a 2.

Mountain Racer
Categories
Endurance/XC Expert
Gravity/DH Sport
Mtn Cross/DS Sport
Observed Trials Beginner

Road Racer
Categories
Road Cat 4
Track Cat 5

USAC Racer
Categories
Cyclo-cross Cat 2

I hope their database doesn't go down.