Top 10 Part 2

The Second and final installment of the 2009 Top 10 list.

It is snowing this morning as I sit here and caffeinate, bidding a farewell to 2009 and wondering what Twenty Ten will bring. Saddle up and enjoy the ride.

Now back to where we left off.

#5 Oleta



This Pic is actually from 08

View from backside of the course

Gratuitous Jump Shot

For the second year in a row I started the year off in Miami Mountain Biking. Yes I said Mountain Biking in Miami. For years I have ridden a New Years Century, but due to the cajoling of T-Rav and his WAY better half The Pink One I did a twelve hour race at Oleta State park. It is so much nicer riding in the 70’s in January then in the frigid confines of PA.
MJ came and helped out. That dude is selfless.
Somehow I ended up pulling a sixth place finish.
I’ll miss it for 2010 but like Arnold I’ll be back.

#4 Colorado



Giant had us out for a week to see the new 2010 models and to ride bikes with some of Giants key dealers. It was a ball. We stayed at Keystone resort and had dealers in two shifts. We rode, ate, drank, and participated in general debauchery.
I got a chance to throw my leg over a DHish rig for the first time in years. My full face helmet was glad to see me.



After the “work” was over I spent some time seeing my brethren down in the Denver metroplex. I lived there for several years and it was good to see the boys, and girls again. Mark and K.C. took great care of me and invited the gang out to their pad. We ate, drank, and broke croquet balls. A good time was had by all.



#3 Italia


My fav pic from the trip

Greg from Liberty Cycle offered me the chance of a lifetime. He called me up one day and offered to take me on a trip to Italy. Tuscany to be exact. I couldn’t say no and I’m Damn glad I didn’t.
I made some great friends and rode amazing roads. I hope to go back, and I hope to go back with Greg. He took care of every detail. I barely took my wallet out and only when I wanted to. He had every detail planned and we rode LOTS.
On the way to Tuscany we stayed near Milan toured the Colnago factory, rode around Lake Como, and climbed the Madonna Ghisallo.
In Tuscany we stayed at a small working farm in the village of Loppiano. We Rode through Florence and Sienna, and countless other small towns. We got lost and ended up riding a section of the Monte Paschi Eroica Toscana road race course, the strade bianche ('white roads').

Basically a white chalk dirt road. The race had gone through a week earlier and there were bottles strewn on the side of the road from being jostled out. Love dirt roads on skinny tires.
In eight days we rode 500 miles and climbed nearly 35,000 feet.
In a nutshell; Unbestinkinlievable

Frankly if Greg was a girl I’d hit on him. Just Sayin.


Nothing says MATURITY and MANLINESS like men in tights posing in front of a sculpture of a phallus


Diggity got a fancy new do

#2 Vehicle for Change



I was fortunate enough to take part in the Tour de Pink (TDP). I will surely be back. The TDP raises money for Breast cancer survivors who contracted the disease under 40 years old. That’s right under 40.
I got a chance to ride my bike over some beautiful terrain and spend time with all kinds of people. I rode above my head several times.
This is where I name drop. Pacelining down my local roads with Frankie Andreu pulling us along at 26 + mph for over 5 minutes was a highlight. Directly behind Frankie was Kelli Emmett, Mari Holden, and Kim Baldwin, and then ME??? One name out of five doesn’t fit. You dont have to be a brain surgeon to figure out which one.

The most amazing part are the “survivors”



These women are young, cute, vibrant, and charming. It is humbling when you speak to a vivacious young women and she tells you that she has been through Chemo and had her breasts removed.
These people are an inspiration and they deserve our support.
Frankly if you spent time with these people and were not moved check your pulse your probably dead.


Kim Baldwin & Mari Holden


Each one of those ribbons represents someone who donateed money to this woman


Kelli Emmett



We ended the ride live on TV HI MOM!


The Giant for Women Crew

#1 Just riding my bike


I wish I could take a selfportrait like Patty Woodworth

The everyday rides that are packed between the big ones. These things make riding worthwhile.
Sometimes they are solo rides.
Sometimes with friends.
Sometimes the time is needed to quietly reflect and workout the problems of being an adult human.
Sometimes the time is spent chatting like old ladies over the fence.
Sometimes laughing until you almost crash.
Sometimes it’s getting my butt handed to me by the 19 year old Girl Wonder.
Sometimes some of the cruelest and raunchiest stone breaking sessions you could imagine.
Sometimes heading out with Kirk and turning around 4 miles into a ride deciding today just wasn’t the day.
Sometimes a Boddingtons by the river with the boys.

Sometimes watching the Deer, Fox, or a Hawk fly overhead with his dinner in his talons.
Sometimes just stopping and looking around.
Sometimes Pedalling so hard I feel like my eyes are gonna pop out.
ALL of the time good.

Thank you for reading. Have a Great New Year!

Until Twenty Ten SEE YA!

Wednesdays Quote

I have carried this packet of sugar with me for the better part of 20 years. It lives in the leather binder that I used to carry to fool people into thinking I was professional. Its photo is taken resting on it.

For those of you that say Beer and Bikes do not mix. Well here is evidence to the contrary, Maybe?

Top 10 Part 1

This time of year everyone seems to do a top 10 list of one form or another. I figured I'd rate my top 10 rides of 2009.
I took a little time off from the torrid love affair I've been having with the twins, Dayquil and Nyquil to jot down some thoughts. Those two can wear you out.

#10 Cyclocross



NO! I didn’t race any cyclocross. Cyclocross is intense and hurts. But bicycle racing draws me like a moth to a flame.
I was able to work the pits for several people this season, and I really enjoy that. I’m gonna start name dropping here.
Several times I was able to pit for Kelli Emmett. She always did well and was always grateful.



I pitted one race for Yozell, and two back to back weekends for Kelli, Adam Craig and Carl Decker.
I even got to keep score one night at FSX. If my schedule would have allowed it I would have been back more.
All of these people were grateful and fun to be around.
The weekend of the USGP Mercer Cup Justin and I got as muddy as the riders having to bucket wash the bikes at least once a lap.



There was beer to be had at every event, Good Beer, good people to talk to and just a level of fun that every cycling event should embrace.

#9 CW’s Eyes



Showing CW the Wiss with a fresh set of eyes was a fun experience. CW is a great guy and asked to ride the Wiss because he’d been in a few times and didn’t know how the trails flowed. Showing someone your local trails and the lines is a blast.
We rode a huge portion of the park. It was like sharing a secret but one that didn’t have to be kept. Everyone around here rides the Wiss and now CW is in on the action. CW lets ride!

#8 Riding with J-Lo





Alright I’m name dropping again.

Not the singer with the big booty but the Tall Freeride/Trials rider that rides for Giant. Jeff has done several rides with me and the Giant dealers in the area. He is a blast to ride with and will encourage and persuade everyone on the ride.
You know that one move on your ride that you just can’t clean? The one that everyone eyes up and goes “Yeah Right”? Just point at it and that son of a … rides it. Not only does he ride it he cleans three other lines you never saw. That’s why he’s a pro and I’m not.
Oh and if there is a Jeff Lenosky show anywhere near you, GO and bring everyone you know. It’s worth it. Tell Jeff I sent you and he’ll buy…. well nothing, but go anyway.
Jeff is a genuinely nice guy and really embodies all of the good things about Mountain Biking. Other than that he’s a jerk. Just kidding, I didn’t want to sound like a suck-up.

#7 The GunShot



T-Rav and I rode quite a bit last year. I think most of the time it was when he wanted a recovery day because he can slap me around on the bike. We laugh, chat about completely useless Bull@#$%, and say some of the most inappropriate things you'll ever hear.
Good Times, Good Times.
One Saturday morning we set out to do the covered bridge loop. We didn’t set any records getting to the river or down it, but we eventually made it through the covered bridge and took the right turn to start climbing. We had the usual bitch fest about climbing, how we should turn around, and who picked this @&&$#^%&% route. It was all posturing because we knew damn well that we were going to ride the whole loop and go at the hills at a decent tempo.
I stood to climb and then T-Rav stood to climb and IT happened. It was like someone shot a gun, the sound was loud! As I’m processing the sound T-Rav is falling against me and sliding down me THWACK! straight into the pavement. Someone forgot to check the recall notice on his pedals. Hello T-Rav. He snapped the pedal clean off and it was a good thing he fell into me not the ground.
So T-Rav calls the Pink One and tells her what happened and to come get us, but she is at least 45 minutes away so we start pedaling. At first its down hill no biggie. But then when it flattens out I have to push him while he pedals one legged. Lets just say it looked a bit odd. We were working our way up River Road and we actually passed a guy. We got a respectable distance away and fell the F out. How could we pass a guy, he’s one legged and hurt, I’m pushing him and we passed you???? Eventually the Pink One picked us up and saved our tired butt’s.
Good Times Good Times.

#6 Leesburg Bakers Dozen



I was carrying some decent fitness from Italia (next post) and was stoked to do the Bakers Dozen, and yes it was a 13 hour race. Just one little problem. A week before the race my back decided to give me problems.
T-Rav, the Pink one and I set up camp with a great group of guys and gals from the Allentown area. The camaraderie is almost more fun than the ride sometimes.
I rode the full 13 hours but in the middle of the ride I had a full fledged meltdown. My left leg gave out and I had to punch and beat it back awake. T-Rav Matt and Dan were riding me and I cursed them more than I think they ever heard. But back on the bike like the mule I am.
Vegan Rob passed me seven times on the way to the win and I managed an 11th. I was ok with that except I lost a bet with T-Rav that cost me a case of Chimay Blue.

Tomorrow is the Wednesday quote. Thursday or Friday I will be back with the top 5. Dont hold your breath, GO RIDE.

Merry Christmas

Just a quick one for the day. Hope its a good one for ya!


Bowie and Bing


Glad I dont live next to these people


And for you Traditionalists

The collective "they" say its gonna be a cold one this winter so Santa brought me this.




Hope all your wishes come true. A whole hat full.

Wednesday Quote

"Don't buy upgrades; ride up grades."- Eddy Merckx

Todays quote was stolen from Eldon. he's faster than me, but most people are.
His company does some good work in the OKC area.

I understand what Eddy was going for in this quote. Its his version of HTFU.

Being a bicycle manufacturer his views might have changed slightly.

Being a bicycle peddler I would wholeheartedly encourage you to buy upgrades, but first and foremost just ride your bike, A LOT.

These pics were taken at the Colnago factory/museum. That is a story for a different post.

Eddy’s original World Hour Record bike. (Check the tires rotting off)

Have a good Wednesday.

The Jones

It is that time of the year where bicycle racing fans are going through a serious case of the DT’s. Velonews, Cyclingnews, and Pez are all scrounging for material. Sure there are Cyclocross worlds still to come but not much else.

At least Pez still has the Daily Distractions. I am not sure if you ever noticed but over on the right side they have PeloPics. They feature some good shots from Cor Vos among others. The latest edition has a shot of the new world champion jersey. I know they are all white with rainbow stripes, but it just seems a bit uninspired.

More exciting racing news (to me) is that with the help of Giant Bicycles and a dedicated group of local hot shots we are able to announce the formation of …..

This squad is going to race the Mass, H2H and other races in……Wait for it……..
The MidAtlantic region.


We are still working on some sponsors and will be announcing them as we can.
If you are Facebook inclined please go to the fan page and sign on. The team will be on a multimedia extravaganza when not training, going to school, working, resting or enjoying a cold beer for recovery purposes.

WWSWD

When I woke up yesterday it was snowing pretty good and had just started. I figured I would go get fresh tracks at High Rocks. I drove 8 miles away and hardly any snow. Huh? I went for my ride anyway and it was well worth it, had the woods all to myself.

The snow was coming down but just lightly. It turns out it was the teaser before we got pounded. I brought my camera with me in anticipation of some good snow pics. These were all I got. If you look close you can see a little white dusting.




The camera was a perfect excuse because in addition to my usual slowness, I was able to stop and look around.



Sometimes trees grow out of rocks!



Cool Moss.



I even stopped and skipped rocks for awhile. With beaut’s like these lying underfoot how could I resist?



I was off the bike taking a picture from behind the bars (I’m clever like that) listening to an inspired playlist on shuffle.



All the sudden Stevie Wonder starts grooving in my ear-hole. Now I had been singing out loud while I was riding because the park was empty and I stopped caring if people think I’m crazy long ago. But when that song came on I started to move a little.

A phrase a friend of mine said to me rang out right then “live in the moment”. So out in the middle of the woods, snowing, I got down with my bad self. That’s right I did the awkward shuffle of a short suburbanite on the trails. It was liberating and enjoyable. When I was done I didn’t even feel silly.

Lately Stevie has been resonating for me. I have always been a fan but more and more he ends up on the playlist. Maybe this clip has something to do with it? It’s my favorite Stevie Clip of all time. Stick with it, its worth it.




WWSWD

What would Stevie Wonder do?

He’d get down with his bad self!

Blog = Web Reality Show?

When I think of beautiful people at the shore this is the image I conjure up.


Not this

I started this blog because I like Me a good blog. Stevil and BSNYC have some humorous and insightful takes on all things BIKE. There are plenty of others that keep me entertained. The Blog folder in my favorites is almost as long as my regular favorites.

I know its cliché (oh wow look when I typed cliché it got a little doohickey on top) to say that I don’t watch much TV but I don’t. It has been pointed out to me, that I probably spend too much time on the computer. I would guess that blogs are my version of a reality show.

I haven’t seen it but the world wide interweb is all atwitter about the Jersey Shore on MTV. I regularly drive through the Jersey Shore but it is to peddle bikes not to punch people or show my (nonexistent) abs. But for some reason I have a strong desire to get a nick-name like “The Situation”. I thought Snooki would be a great nick name but then I googled the show and found out Snooki was a girl. Kind of a deal breaker.

I guess I will have to stay with my regular nickname.

Luckily most people in the Garden State aren’t like this. Looking at the Bio’s of the “cast” only one of the people on the show is from Jersey. And her name is Sweetheart. She must be nice.

Oh and for the record, after reading the Bio’s of the “actors” on the Jersey Shore I am perfectly content missing every episode; or not?

Wednesday Quote

I appreciate a good quote. Here's a favorite. Originally shared with me by Steve.



When written in Chinese the word "crisis" is composed of two characters - one represents danger and the other represents opportunity. ~John F. Kennedy, address, 12 April 1959

Its ALL his fault

See that guy? It’s all his fault. 22 years ago he gave me a job in the bicycle industry. Because of him I have found my passion in life and met some of the best (and craziest) people I will ever know.
I had just graduated high school and this man offered me a job. It was my second job and truth be told I made more money working in the bar, but Damn Him I liked working in the bike shop. I’ve never been able to escape the industry. Primarily because I don’t want to!
The added benefit of working for Harry was that he was and is a very accomplished frame builder. I didn’t just get a job working at the music store; I got a career that started working for Stradivarius. This dude makes some serious bicycles. I have owned 4 custom frames from him and still have two of them. You will have to pry them from my cold dead hands.



We spent hours cutting these and machining the bottle opener into them. You can tell this one has traveled many miles in my pocket.

My first full custom bike. Taking these pics made me realize that this ride needs some love.

Custom Anodized Mavic hubs by my Friend Marcia. (Russell let her know this pic is up)

Candy cane wrapped pump. The bottle bosses are nutted so there are no holes in the 753 tubing. Of course there is the signature HH brake placement.

Beautiful Everest lugs and a Bearing silver brazed to the seat-tube for a pump peg.

My name on the chainstay was Harry's gift to me. I was pretty sure I was the cats pajamas at that point.

Thank You Harry. It’s all your fault.