I got sucked in, and wrecked.

Riding today with the Swansons and gang was a blast. I didn't know what to expect. Coulda been fast, coulda been slow. It wasn't slow.

I was hanging in just fine, save for one or two rutted mud tire tracks that threw me, and when it got obnoxiously turny (ala theo). I took a turn wide and ended up in the woods, and had to chase back (with i believe charlie townsend, but I can't be sure). Didn't catch them before they stopped at the midway point. Then we went the other way.

I left a bit late after the log (or raft, i suppose) crossing. I had to pee. So I had to chase for a while. I made it, but I think it was because they slowed down.

Then it was 'corridor of pain' time. That part was fun. we went from about 12 people down to about 6 people in a hurry. I got caught behind Kruse and had to chase again for a bit. I got back on, but I don't think I ever got near the front. It was fast as hell, and a lot of fun. Then softpedaled back to minnehaha w/ grandstay.

Highlights?
Being cold and riding hard.
Bergman falling through the ice trying to prove it was thick enough to get over. (sorry Adam, I had faith in you.)
Crossing the log w doug rather than using the ramp.
Patty cakes being Patty cakes.
Getting home and taking a nap immediately and waking up feeling sick with a SUPER headache. I didn't realize it at the time, but I think that Grandstay killed me.

I hope I am right when I think that I race better with some intensity a few days before...

AND, I spent enough time to BikeSnob to be mildly intrigued by Genderanalyzer.com
They said it was 59% likely that this blog is written by a woman, BUT, that I am "quite gender neutral". I'll take it.

High Five updates!

It looks like I'll be placing another order at the end of January. Let me know if you need anything. Wheels, bars, stems, frames, forks, etc. just about everything. Competetive prices. And besides, you get to deal with me.

Everyone has loved what they have so far. I am no exception.

Here are some pictures. One of mine, and one of Margarets.

How do I get faster for next season?

Well. First, lets think about what I did THIS season. Basically, when I raced halfway decently, didn't do anything stupid, and didn't crash, I was in the top 10 in almost every race. That part isn't so bad, I guess. I have excuses, though. Which is something that I don't want anymore.

SO, I looked at what I did this year, and what I need to do next year. First off, not having any surgeries next year would go a long way to making me faster. That probably didn't help much.

Last year I rode MINIMUM 12 miles every day. That adds up to A LOT. This year? I walked two blocks. Gotta get back into riding.

This year I didn't have the motivation to get out and go ride. I didn't even do recovery rides after races very often. That's just silly. I know I can do better.

SO, I started at WCP again. That helps. There's my miles. Get those back up, and I'll be doing better. Starting school in January, so that's another 16 miles a day or so. Tack some trainers on the mornings and outsides on weekends, and I'm in pretty good shape on that front. BUT, there is still room for excuses.

I don't want excuses, so I called a coach. My coworker got me interested in a class series he'd been taking at The Fix. He said the teacher was cool, and he (coworker) was convinced that I should go with him to a class. I have been intrigued by The Fix as long as I've known Hareland works there. He's a guy I wouldn't mind riding like.

I went. It was fun, and it was ran in a way that made me think that the teacher knew what he was doing. That guy is Larry Foss. I was and am impressed. I talked to him after class, and called him to make an appointment the next day. I just got back a bit ago, and I'm sold. I'll continue to update with my thoughts on the matter, but I am very excited. He seems like a very knowledgeable guy, and his experience would go to show that as well.

Now, to think about and set goals for next season. THAT outta be fun. (I don't think that the helmet strap tan line goal will be enough...

last night.

Last night I went to work at 3. by 5 I as in the ER with a co-worker.

It was no fun. But I bet it was less fun for him.

He was cleaning the chain on his fixed gear. (do I need to keep going? seems like you know how this will end.)

rag caught. finger caught. finger sucked into chainring/chain. Didn't get severed, but it was messed up. Finger looked like a trash can lid with the floor buttons to open the top. couple stitches and it was back to home for him, and work for me.

Remember! when cleaning a fixed drivetrain, move the rag. NOT THE CHAIN!

WHOA! I went to Milwaukee for a race.

and only got kinda killed. I got 12th in the cat 3's. Better than I did here, but not as many people in the field. MN just dominated.

Dewey and Casper went 1-2 in one of the races. can't figure out which it was, though. Linda got 2nd in the elite ladies. Jordan (who is a MN racer, I don't care what you say) won his race.

Then it was Elite Mens time. Freaking HILARIOUS.

Marko won by over half a lap. Dewey second. Ezra third. Casper fourth. Jake fifth. Then the local WI guys started filing in.

That right there is pretty funny.

What I fit into my MKE trip:

6 hours in car. fuel coffee. best friends house. hooka bar for food/soccer game. Jon/jen's house. This is England. Andy playing Keytar. home @ 2. Breakfast at comet @ 9. kevins house. to the race. racin'. To Riverwest co-op for a cinnamon roll. Kevins house. Palomino. Kevins house. Fuel coffee. Home.

whirlwind.

Seriously, Take advantage of this. It's great.

Get your bike in here by the 23d (that's Sunday). Here is the Midtown Bike Center.

It's where I work. You knew this. Jake works here too. Come say hi. Bring us your bike for an overhaul. Cross season just ended. Your bike is in the basement still all muddy and not shifting for crap. The rear wheel is probably out of true, and one of the tires might even be flat.

I am a TRAINED mechanic. Let me make your bike work. It'll keep me from boredom at work, and give you an excuse to come say hi and check out the new digs.

AND! its cheap. 50% off an overhaul coupon! AN OVERHAUL! that's where we take your bike down to the frame, lube EVERYTHING, clean EVERYTHING, true and tighten everything. Basically make your bike work as good as it ever has! (I have the power to do that! Ask Nate!)

Print this coupon

http://freewheelbike.com/page.cfm?PageID=376

and bring it to me, with your bike. OR, if you can't do it by Sunday, just bring in the coupon, or CALL US (238-4447) and tell us that you HAVE the coupon, and when you'll bring your bike in for us. We'll take appointments. It works.

HELL! I can even probably have it done for you same day. (No promises, though. We all know that sometimes things happen)

No discount on parts, BUT, since you take reasonable care of your bike, and keep your chain lubed, it's still good right? cables are cheap. Working bikes are priceless.

Going to Jingle Cross? Nationals? You know the drill. Show up with a bike that works.

The end.

Do it. For me?

Sorry, vital information missing. Overhaul (after coupon) will be $75. Then parts as needed.

Why can't life have a rewind button?

There are two times in my life I'd like to go back to. One, back to philly. Those were carefree happy days mostly.

Two, back to milwaukee, after philly. Those were fun times, and I had a good relationship.

I have been thinking a lot lately about the friends I've had and how I've fallen 100% (ok, well 92%) out of touch. I miss so many people. I have a lot of great friends here, don't get me wrong, but where is the hanging out?

What happened to the "high school days" of just going over to someones house and playing video games/watching tv or movies/listening to music? Going out to eat with 8 people at random, just because someone started calling around?

What is it about getting older that makes that not possible? Sometimes I can call one or two people and get together, but not immediately. When I am in MKE, I usually tell one or two people, and by that night, I will have seen everyone I want to, and it's probably at a restaurant being awesome.

I want to move back to Milwaukee. Which is funny, because I just had this conversation with Margaret and I decided I'd never want to move back there, but I know why, and I can explain it to her, it's no one elses business. What it boils down to is that I miss the hell out of my friends. I've lost touch and it's really bothering me right now.

I am happy to be going down for the weekend. You have no idea.

I am glad to have friends that will never stop being my friend. They say that true friends are hard to come by, and while I generally agree, it's even harder to keep them around when you lost sight of what is important. I know not many of my milwaukee friends read this, and that none of my philly friends do, but I want to thank them. All of them. I'd name names, but I'd forget people and it would piss me off.

to the haters.

It's never to late to make things better. fuck off.

updates

going to Milwaukee for the WI state champs this weekend. That's exciting. As always, I do like visiting the old home.

Back in the boat for Jingle Cross. Also exciting. Sorry to be so on the fence.

Raced the MN state cross race on saturday. Didn't go so hot. LOVE the Rawland, though. Am lusting for one of the SS ones quite badly. My back didn't hurt when I was done racing! That has NEVER happened. Heavier than my Alan, though. The price you pay, I suppose. It's worth it. (Hence the SS option. That's my ticket.)

I got 6th in the SS race on my Homegrown singlespeed. Soft suspension fork and 32-16 on a flat course was NOT the best idea. Spun like maniac, and that bike is pretty heavy for the runup of stairway to heaven. Rode with Cleary and Koala. Koala beat me, but I wasn't surprised by that. I gave it all I had.

Got 22nd in the Cat 3 race. HUH? My form is for shit this year. I know what needs to happen. I got 9th in the cat 3's last year. The difference? I was riding AT LEAST 12 miles every day., closer to 30 at the start of the cross season. What does that mean? That I need to put the time in on the bike if I want to see results. I guess that means that I actually have to work to do well. Lame.

My legs were super fried by the 8th lap of the day for me. Everything after the runup was a giant cramp. it sucked. Was riding with about 4 people the whole race, and then didn't want to get beaten by them, so instead of riding the sandpit, I ran it. I got quite a good gap doing that, and then was able to hold it, but it was easily down to a bike length at the finish. I was toast. speaking of toast, time to make breakfast. toast a bagel.

Toast to a fun season. It was a blast, even if I am not happy with my results. I can live with it.

I have a new goal for next season.

Not a race result I'm looking for this time around...

I want the best helmet strap tan lines in the city. cancer be damned I'm on this one!

rawland.

Well. I did it. I went for a ride. Thankfully I made it home before the hail/sleet that was stinging my face turned into actual rain. So, that was ok. Just went out to the caribou in Wayzata, which was surprisingly busy. Lot's of people in there.

Well. I have to preface this with, my legs are very sore from the two days of running I have done. No running today, but legs still don't like me. So, I felt like I was riding to survive the ride, not to break any PR's. I made it out there in less than an hour, though. So maybe I'm actually not doing so badly.

I have to say, I REALLY like this bike. I've never ridden White Industries cranks, so I don't know if they're crazy stiff or anything, and the wheels are 32 hole W.I. hubs to Velocity Dyads. End up being pretty light, although I am almost positive they're not butted spokes. Let's just say that I didn't expect them to be super stiff. So, that means that the frame is surprisingly stout. I didn't notice any more movement below me (even out of the saddle) than I do on my bike (06 Alan Unicross). Everything worked well. I did notice that my back and hands did better on this ride than they usually do on my bikes. Could that be due to the higher bars (which I've complained about) or maybe that D/A hoods are in fact better, ergonomically speaking, than sram hoods? Could be. I don't want to guess, though.

What it boils down to is that this frame works. If it is in fact 4130 cromo, I'm impressed, because it sure doesn't ride like it. I will say again that I really like it. Not a lot of road buzz (even with 65psi in the Speedmax tires). I only took it off road for a second, and I shouldn't have. I knew it would be less than satisfactory. As I JUST mentioned, the tires are WAY overinflated. I'll get back to it and do a real test off road soon, assuming I can get another couple hours of decent weather before saturday. Otherwise, saturday will be the test.

If Rawland ever decided to release this as a singlespeed frameset, I'd be sold in a heartbeat. And that is only because I am not in the market for a new geared cross bike. If I were, however, looking for a great steel cross frame, this would be it.

The only thing that I am not sold on is the top tube. It's round. They didn't have time to have the prototype ovalized. It will be on production models.

These guys designed and made a great product. I'd like to ride it harder on the road when I'm both feeling better, and have different tires on. I just cannot bring myself to trust the Ritcheys around fast turns. I've washed out one to many times with them to really push them.

some more pictures.

Just trying to clean up. and show off, a little.

prototype frames to ride...

this saturday.

Who knew? and it isn't even my company! just doing a favor for a friend. Rawland Cycles. SO, that's cool. So far, I like it. I'll try to get a write up in before the race (go ride theo on it sometime) with before thoughts, and then again after the race. it'' work out.

Rawlands first venture AWAY from 650B wheels. That is kind of "their thing". I talked with them about this choice for the racers a few weeks ago. My concern is huge lack of tire choices. Glad to see that they went with 700c's. Also glad that they chose to forego the discs in favor of canti's.

Spec'd with D/A shifters/der. tektro 720 brakes. white ind. hubs and crank. mostly ritchey pro accessories, but I swapped the stem for an fsa carbon jobber, cause it's longer.

Initial thoughts? Only that the head tube is too long for my liking, and that the rear brake stop is mushy. Easy fix, that one, though. So, I'm excited about this. Might be fun. I'll probably swap tires, though. Speedmax's aren't my cup o tea on anything but a perfectly dry course, though I've never used the pro's.

Will post pictures tonight.

more trip stuff.

Hey, I took a trip this year!

And I never put up any pictures. Or even really said much about it. Here's a few pictures!

mountain bikes. and being sore.

Sore from a lot of things. Mostly riding, running and raking leaves. Kinda sucks, but at the same time, I actually feel strong for the first time since about Hopkins. It's kinda nice.

Been riding my Schwinn a lot more lately. Rode about 30 or so miles last night. Going riding again tonight. Apparently there are trails at Fort Snelling. Maybe from all the injuns sneaking up on the fort. Never know.

Probably go ride Theo for about ten laps in the morning, if it isn't super wet. This whole thing has got me having fun. More than I thought it would. Went to Leb instead of Red Barn. Might have had an epiphany down there that day.

Speaking of. I don't know how possible it is, BUT, I think my goal for '09 is to race Leadville. Last year my trip took me to Milwaukee by bike (mostly). Next year I think it'll be more focused. If I can get in, I know that a friend knows a place where we can stay in Denver(I have at least one buddy for a road trip). That cuts out A TON of expense. I think it would be cheaper to race that one day than it was for me to ride to Milwaukee. Less days off work. No hotels. No bus back. No food for 8 days. Just gas, entry, and 3 days of food. Sounds logical.

The catch. Leadville is on the SAME DAY as the Dairyland Dare. DD just went to a 200 MILE option, from the 200 KILOMETER option. I never got the 200k. I don't think it's possible. I really don't. WAIT! I DID do the 200k. It was the 300K I never did. Was ready to try, but then cancer struck me down. But, I gotta say it. I'm not convinced that 200 miles in those hills is possible. At least not for me. I don't know that I have that desire. I'll still do the Horribly Hilly. Sign me up. DD, I'm not so stoked on. It just sucks that those rides have into something of a tradition. I don't want to fuck that up. We'll see what happens.

YEAH! good times again on the bike, finally! Just in time for my shitty cross season to end! I've got no excuses. Just didn't have what I wanted to have. End of story.

Interesting...

So, I'm not usually one to mention the weather, unless it sucks and I can make myself sound tough for riding in it, BUT, I just have to say that I've been on my bike more this weekend since the summertime. I got my schedule flipped to afternoons/evenings and I haven't really been on my bike since. This weeked Margaret and I went out to Lebanon Hills on saturday instead of spending money I don't have on a race I won't contest.

Went over my bars on the first lap. Hard. Slow to get up. Hit my bar on a tree about 2 minutes into the second lap. Got up before Margaret stopped. and she was behind me. Third lap was fun, and I stayed upright. That was nice.

Yesterday I rode 60 miles with a guy that's thinking about starting to race. Thought it'd be nice to ride. It was.

Today I got about 15-20 miles through St. Paul and a bit of this city. Nothing fancy, just running errands. Enjoying the weather. Can't beat it.

Did you know that VELOCROSS is less than a week away? I did. There are people that won't let me forget. I'm excited for it. I think that it'll be a very fun race with a high turnout. If you're unsure of how to spend you Saturday, you won't be disappointed if you come up to the track to watch some fun racing. More fun than the normal bicycle nascar that happens up there!

So, Racing starts at Ten. Ends about 2. Spend the whole day. Even a bouncy thing for the kids!