The Bike

I am digging Cyclocross.  Having a blast racing a full season.  It is similar to having children.  Humbling and satisfying all at once. 

I am fortunate enough to work in the industry and have access to some amazing equipment.  The bicycle is way more than I "need" but as I tell people in the clinic's I give this isn't about "need" it is about "want".  I could have gone even more extravagant on the build but this is what my sponsor's (employer's) supply me with.  For the most part.

I am enjoying the Deep dish light tubular wheels. The Easton EC90 Aero's get up to speed well and as Fatmarc yelled/heckled at me at Granogue "Put those new Easton Bull-dozers to work" as I ran up a hill and banged into a guy who I was passing.  "Sorry Guy" 

Having such a nice bike does make me feel a bit like this dork though.  Minus the wife part.

This weekend we are expecting snow, rain, and cold.  Time to see how I do in the adverse conditions.

Not to mention tomorrow we unveil the new C3 Halloweeen Skin-suits.  They are awesome.  Pic's will follow.

Do something stupid fun this weekend, then maybe have one of these.

Cyclocross is Rad

Zdenek Stybar is Rad.

via Stybar's Twitter

That is all.

Humbled..... A Guest Post

Today I have a guest post.  Readers of this blog may wonder why I support the Young Survival Coalition.  The YSC introduced me to and help's women such as this one.

 Below is a letter that a woman I am honored to call my friend Natasha Wieschenberg wrote.  Call it a personal F YOU to cancer.  Cancer actually made Natasha a stronger person.  Look deep inside your self and ask if it would have done the same for you.  

Just so no one get's the wrong mental picture here.  Natasha is not a "big" girl that competes in the Athena class.  Natasha is a tall girl and skinny as a rail.   Not that this should effect this story, I just want you to have a clear picture of the women writing this passage.

Natasha is a beautiful glamorous Cancer Ass Kicking Woman. 

 This was written as a note on Facebook.

Dear Cancer: When I was a little girl and thought about what my life would be like when I was 40, I always saw myself married, living in that American-dream country house with the white picket fence, with a handsome husband working in the city, a trio of children keeping us busy with all their activities, and at least two dogs running around in the backyard. My father would have walked me down the aisle at my wedding and he and I would have danced to "The Lady is a Tramp" by Frank Sinatra (okay, maybe not that song but it sure would have been fun to tease the Queen Mother with that one). When I was a little girl, I didn't even know what cancer was so I had no reason to fear you or to think that you would ever cross my path. I honestly don't even remember when I first learned about you and the pain and devastation you bring into people's lives, and now I see and hear about you every single day. I had a lot of plans and you, cancer, were never ever in any of them. But as the great John Lennon said, life is what happens while you are busy making other plans. And sure enough, that's what happened to me. I had my plans but life had other plans for me and next thing I knew, I was turning 40 without the house and fence, without the handsome husband and children - and without my father there to congratulate me on the important milestone. Then five months later, you show up and kick me and my family in the face when we're already down. The thing I want to know, cancer, is did you have plans for me? Did you plan on breaking me down, making me suffer, and then taking me at a young age? I think it would be kind of funny if you did because as we've learned, life happened again and I chose it with every nerve, bone, cell and tissue I have. Life happened, maybe not as I planned when I was a little girl but it happened in a way that is so brilliant that I never could have even dreamed this up if I tried. You woke me up cancer - you happened and life started. On July 22nd, I wrote to you to tell you that I was undertaking seven triathlons to celebrate the seven years I've distanced myself from you. I let you know that I was not in it for the medals, for the accolades, for the win - that for me, finishing was going to be winning. In fact, just showing up was winning in my book. With each event I learned, I grew, I celebrated - I overcame huge fears and doubts - and I basked in the warmth of the support and encouragement of so many friends who made me feel like the happiest and luckiest person in the world. On October 2nd, I finished my Sevendeavor with the most challenging event of all, a Half Ironman (which because of the weather, became just a bike-run). It emotionally and physically drained me and I literally sobbed my way through the finisher's shoot, shedding tears of loss, frustration, fear but mostly, tears of absolute elation at beating you, at putting you in your place, at saying "F You" to you and "Yes" to life. And the icing on the cake cancer is that I didn't do half bad with my Sevendeavor and tonight, came home to an Ironman 70.3 2nd Place Athena Category finisher's trophy in my mailbox. "Hot damn!" I screamed in the car when I opened it. Hot damn indeed cancer, hot damn. When I was a little girl, I never dreamed of riding my bike 100 miles in a day, of riding my bike 220 miles in three days, of running a marathon, of completing a triathlon, of encouraging others to take one more pedal stroke to make it up a hill and seeing them make it up that hill and more. And thanks to you, cancer, these don't have to be dreams now either because they are my reality and I couldn't be happier. Well I suppose that's not a true statement because the only thing that would make me happier right now would be a world without you. So today, that's what I dream about - a world without cancer. Today, I'm a big girl, a big proud and happy girl that has achieved more than I ever imagined possible, and today, I dream about something that I have to belief is possible no matter what else is planned for - a life without cancer. And ironically cancer, I have you to thank for showing me that yes, dreams can and do come true.Love, Natasha

Stevie Wonder Saturday Motown Medley

Woke up this morning with a pop song in my head.  I dig when the motown influence shines through in pop music.  Think Cee-Lo's "Fuck You" and Amy Winehouse's "Rehab"

This one got stuck in my head.  Occasionally there is an upside to teenage daughters commandeering my radio.



Dude has an amazing voice.  Stumbled on this old rap standard.  he tears it up too.



So after I drug myself out of bed I came down and immediately threw a genuine Motown mix in.  How could I start a Motown morning off without Stevie?  I couldn't is the answer.




Wonder what tune will be rattlin around in my head as I race some cross this afternoon.  Aloe Blacc, CeeLo, Marvin, James Brown, Stevie?  It's bound to be good.

Drum Roll Please......

The time has come to announce the winner of the Bell Volt Helmet.  I thank everyone who donated to this cause.  The details of this contest were run on my site right HERE. 

As a quick recap.  The contest was to raise money for Young Survival Coalition.  The YSC had the West Coast Version of the Tour de Pink last week.

Pictures of the West Coast version can be seen HERE.  From the multitude of people I have spoken with this was another amazing trip.  East coast got to meet West coast.  Many of my friends from the YSC community got to mingle with folks from the Giant Bicycles community.

HUGE props to the folk's from Giant.  They have sponsored this ride for many years and even stepped up their support for the organization.  They raised over $52,000 in Michelle Weiser's name and have pledged to do more going forward.  They are even sponsoring a design contest for a survivor to design a limited edition YSC bike.  If you are a Breast Cancer survivor or know one send them over HERE for details.

I believe the YSC designed bike will be based off of this beauty,

Now enough rambling. The moment of truth.  Thank you again to all.  We raised an additional $220.  Want to know who won the helmet?  Watch the video.

Mr. Dave scoot on over to the Bell Helmets website.  Choose a color and let me know what you want.  DM me on Facebook or Twitter and I'll order it up Pronto.

Thanks for playing along.  We may have to have another contest.  

Wednesday Quote One of Those Annoying Facebook Quotes

When Facebook changed the platform there have been a bunch of "Funny" quotes and "Funny" picture's.  This one kind of struck me though.  This may be the definition of working in the bicycle industry.

Last weekend was the Granogue Cyclocross race.  I now know why it is so revered.  The venue is on the Dupont's personal estate and it freakin kicks ass.  This is the token picture, so of course I had to take it.

The course was completely different Saturday and Sunday.  When I mentioned that to someone who has raced more than a season, they basically said "Duh".  Having only raced one season of cross my newbie is showing.  That said I am fully hooked.

Saturday there was a horrific crash at the start of the 35 plus race.  Two guy's were hauled off the course, one in an ambulance, the other in a helicopter.  It was a sobering reminder.  It is bad that anyone gets hurt, somehow it creates more of a buzz when the two are well known and respected.  Luckily they are gonna be ok from what I hear.

Sunday a crash happened next to me and it spooked me.  If you have raced you know that sound that I thought was indescribable.  That is until Johnny said," yeah that sound of shopping carts crashing into each other".  Yeah that's damn close.

A disembodied bike landed in front of me and I hit it so hard it flew down the course quite a way.  It certainly raised my heart rate.  Funny enough about a half lap later everything clicked and I felt like I had my best race of the season.  10-20 people passed me when I was punting that bike but I still felt good, like I was racing.  Gotta figure out how to fight at the front not in the middle though.

The thing is I am having fun, or like the quote above says... happy.  I'll take that.

You know what else makes me happy.  Watching this



Monkey's, Bicycle's, Breaking rule's, does it get better?  And the fat connection? I don't know.

The other video that has me mesmerized is this.  It's no mountain biker getting run over by a gazelle or some crazy African beast but it does go to show that almost  no idea is original.  FGFS rider's eat your heart out.  This just proves that Thomas Edison is bad ass.



The internet provides a wealth of entertainment, and I have loose association disorder.  I guess that is why this is Velorambling.

Oh! Scroll down read the contest rule's and enter the contest or I will delete this picture off of my hard drive.

Don't make me do it.

100% chance of Mud

This forecast added to the rain we have had is going to equal mud this weekend.  I'd bet a nickel on it I'm that sure.

Aside from the ungodly start time of 8:30 AM for the killer C's (Thanks FatMarc) I am most stoked to be running the kid's races this weekend.

I watched Marc do such a capable job at Charm City I couldn't resist volunteering do it this weekend.  Dude just looked to be having a genuine good time.

Skinny FatMarc ran straight from his race to run the kid's race.  Note to self wear my helmet it apparently can get pretty brutal out there.

The Delaware cycling community has had a rough couple of weeks.  It pains to think about people in their prime dying, leaving family and small children behind.   I wonder if Marc is a hugger, cuz I just wanna give him a big hug.  I sure as hell don't know what to say.

In almost as exciting news as Mud and kid's races it is apparently Tour de France time again.

This looks like a Tour I could win.  And I'll take a beer hand-up from that sassy lass anyday.  UCI be damned.

Most of my "training" these past two weeks has been teaching my daughter to drive.  If that doesn't get your heart rate up nothin will.

10 & 2

Don't forget to take your chance to support young women with Breast Cancer and have a chance to win a Bell Volt Helmet.  Click HERE for details.  DO IT!

Have fun out there LRHG.

Help Young Women with Breast Cancer Win a Lid for Yourself

Bell Volt Helmet $175 Retail Value

I have written about and raised money for the Young Survival Coalition plenty of times before.  I got introduced to this organization while working for Giant Bicycles.  It became personal when that bastard cancer took my co-worker Michelle Weiser from this world far to early.  It struck me on a level I didn't know possible.  I tapped out some thoughts HERE.  Just re-reading that one is painful.

The Young Survival Coalition helps young women in need.  It helps theses women deal with the issues that are unique to someone under forty who has to deal with Cancer.  I find this noble.  There are many organization's that fight to cure cancer.  This one help's people who have to deal with it right now.  Participating in this has changed my perspective quite a bit.  I wrote about it HERE and HERE as well. 

Along the way I met some of the most amazing people.  I am glad to call these women and men my friends.  The survivors have moved me to tear's at their strength and the passing of one makes me hurt in away that I didn't know possible.

This year thing's did not align for me to be able to participate.  I didn't realize how much I would miss the camaraderie until the East Coast edition happened.  The West Coast Edition starts Friday and it is eating me to not be able to participate either.  The LRHG is participating and doing her best to raise as much money as possible.   Since this ride is really about raising money for these rockstar women and not giving me another chance to ride my bicycle I decided I would put my money where my mouth (or in this case my typing fingers) is/are.  I am going to donate a top of the line Bell Volt helmet like the one at the top of this post.   Detail's after the screaming Bold Print.

WIN A BELL VOLT HELMET

How: Donate $5 to THIS SITE.

Every $5 donation will get you an entry.  For example a $5 donation gets you one a $25 donation gets you 5 entries, a $100 donation gets you 20 entries.  You get the math.

Winning: I will tally all the entries through the end of day October 19th.  October 21st I will post the winner of a Brand Spanking new Bell Volt of your choice.  You get to pick the color and the size.  I'll even mail it to you for no charge.  

It's that easy.  Donate $5 help a young women, save your own melon.  

You might even want to pick this fancy one.

The choice is yours.  

Stevie Wonder Saturday Ordinary Pain

It's been awhile since we had a Stevie Wonder Saturday.  This one struck into my head while I was getting served a large helping of humility racing Cyclocross this AM.  Make no mistake about it, Cross is no "Ordinary Pain".  It is "Extraordinary".



I had to go with the extra trippy jellyfish light up thing version.

At 2:56 the ladies come in and blow the roof off this joint.

Wednesday Quote F Cancer Up & My First Ever Giveaway

I have used that quote before but it it still resonates and today even more.  More on that in a few.

One thing I love to do is ride bikes.  As a younger man I used to ride a little trials.  I always hacked around but had fun.  My largest accomplishment's being hopping onto a picnic table and being able to dismount, or 180'ing into a big flight of stairs and hopping down them backwards.   I always dreamed I could do stuff like this little kid is doing.  The front wheel control on the guy featured in the middle remind's me of riding around Denver with Greg.  It seemed like he could stay on his front wheel almost as long as Larry could stay on his rear wheel.


Future, Past & Present - Gerard Trueba, Cesar Cañas & Toni Bou from Pira Dirtyflows on Vimeo.


As much as I like riding bikes I hate cancer, yeah that much.  I ran into my buddy Dustin at Interbike.  Dustin was Michelle Weiser's Fiancee.  He gave me this sticker.

Dustin made these and started a website fcancerup.com to help support others that are going through what Michelle went through.

Dustin also told me that he is doing Ironman in Hawaii to honor her.  I asked him if he was crazy and he said apparently yes.  The Fat Cyclist has a great write up on Dustin and his goal to raise $20,000 for the YSC.  As the loyal reader's of MLBB know The YSC is near to my heart and an organization that is doing great things.  Teaching a young woman coping skill's, providing guidance and a shoulder to lean on, among many other thing's is how they roll over there.  Being young and going through cancer add's a whole different set of challenges that many can't fathom.  I know I didn't begin to understand until I rode among them.

Go over HERE and check it out.  Fatty does a great job (as usual) of getting the word out.

Dustin is one of the most humble and hardest working guy's in the bicycle industry.  You can support his cause and possibly win some really cool stuff for yourself.

If you are interested in helping someone closer to home reach their fundraising goals you can go over HERE and help out.  $5, $10 whatever works for you.  It all help's.  No fancy stuff to win over here but you could help out someone near and dear to me.

HEY!  YOU KNOW WHAT?  I TAKE THAT BACK!!

Ok after I virtual screamed do I have your attention?

I am going to do My Life Behind Bar's first ever giveaway.  If you go to THIS SITE and donate $5 you will be entered to win a brand new Bell Volt helmet.  This is a $175 helmet.

That is correct for every $5 you donate you get a chance for a top of the line Bell Volt helmet in your choice of size and color.  Donate $25 get 5 chances, $50 get 10 chances.  You get the picture.  Make sure you leave your email address when you donate.

The contest starts now and ends October 19th.  Act fast.  I will post a video of the name being pulled out of a hat after the 19th.  Can't get more official than that. No more fancy rules or anything.  Donate and get a chance.

Nothing against Dustin and I don't want to steal from his drive but your chances are way better over here since I don't get near the traffic Fat Cyclist get's.  Just sayin.

Good Luck Dustin.  And good luck to you.  Go HERE and donate now.  Let's move the needle.

Playing Catch Up

The Auer of Power churning up the sand at Charm City

Today I am going to start off with wishing my eldest daughter a Sweet Sixteen Happy Birthday.  Happy Birthday Q!  My life got immeasurably better when you entered it.  Now If I can deal with the added stress of knowing you are driving age.

I am sure that you blog readers have seen lapses in post's before.  Then the blog writer get's all "Sorry it's been awhile, I'll post more..... Blah Blah Blah"  I am not going to do that.  I have been thinking about posting but I am busy/happy living a life, peddling bicycles, pedaling bicycles, and generally being pretty content.

Funny how being content the aggression flares up from time to time.  Lashing out at random people or making snide backhanded comments about other's.  The LRHG and I decided over the weekend it isn't road rage but "Stupid People Rage".  People being stupid is irritating, and I believe we can all agree on that.

Random thoughts over.  Now a recap of the past few weeks in pictures.

Spent some time at Interbike and got to see some ridiculous stuff.

Got to sell some ridiculously light and comfy slippers.

And got to hang (Briefly) with some ridiculously Hip people that I only get to see once a year.

After that ridiculousness I got on a flight out of Sin City (Thank God) back to Philly.  I boarded the flight and promptly fell asleep on the shoulder of the woman sitting next to me.  Thankfully she thought it was cute and didn't punch me in the snout.  The nap was short lived but needed since I had to drive to Baltimore upon landing.

I got to Baltimore and asleep about 3:00 AM.  Perfect since I had a 9:00 start time at Charm City CX race.  My first time representing C3 at their home race and my warm up was my heart rate racing as I got to the venue 15 minutes before.  Not ideal.  Fortunately the course was.

The C3 crew put on an awesome race.  Fun venue, good course, and of course good people.

From here on out pictures will do the lifting.

Day 1

That barrier was tall.  Lord knows how I cleared it.

Now if I can just keep up with that guy Jared in the Grey and Orange.

Maybe that's how I cleared them, by using the Bubba scrub. 

Stole this from the google HERE

Fat Marc and Monkey had a ball with the Lil Belgian's race

Day 2

Antony Skorochod showed up.  So I let his lens do the talking.  Visit the site, buy a pic or 6 and keep Anthony coming to the races.

The pain face came out early
Pic by Anthony Skorochod

Rode the sand pit the second day
Pic by Anthony Skorochod

It made the pain face come out again
Pic by Anthony Skorochod

This next picture is a reminder for me.  MORE GAS!  I lost eight places on the back section when the guy in front of me who was as big as a tree fell.  I tried bridging but couldn't get them.

After the sand pit the course was fun and twisty, my kinda riding.  I yelled at myself (internally) to HTFU and picked off the three guys in front of me, happy I was still racing mid pack.  Right after the twisty section it turned to a gradual blacktop uphill.  There I promptly got out-sprinted by all three of those guys.  Arggh!  

Me getting punked
Pic by Anthony Skorochod

 I missed the following weekend at Whirlybird to take a run to North Carolina and see the Palermo's get hitched.  In a bowling alley Bowling Boutique.

Got my grub on at Cracker Barrel with some Apple Bread French Toast, and no that is not all my food.

Took a moment to digest out front while the ghost of  chubby self  glared upon me disapproving from the window above

Now that is a wedding cake!

Congratulations you two.

In between there was lots of working and some riding.  Followed up this weekend with a great ride with the LRHG preparing for her trip to the left coast to ride the TDP.

We followed these...

Which eventually took us to here... 

Where I was able to dive head first into this...

After looking at the focus the last two weeks on food I hope I can fit into the Skinsuit for this weekend's assault on Bethlehem PA.