One Gear One Mind, Nat Pellman's Single Speed Endurance Forum

2011-05-11T13:37:00.000-07:00

Another Taint Tuff is in the books, and I had pics and a whole post written and hit the wrong button and deleted it. Check some of the pics here. Thanks to all who attended. There should be a video soon which I will post along with a more detailed account.
The Taint Tuff is a birthday ride for myself and my friend Greg. I thought it was a great way to get all my friends together and challenge ourselves with a tuff route in Bellingham. I found that if I just waited and tried to get people to ride they didn't have time in their schedule. I also don't get to ride with everyone or most of my friends at one time and thought organizing a ride to bring them together would make me happy. I made shirts, buttons, and ask people to dress in jean wear and don a mustache. Then we have a pot luck party at the finish and hang in to the evening. The last two years the weather in the week leading up to the ride has been horrible, rainy and cold, making for Taintacular muddy trail conditions. This year we started in rain, but the sun came out later in the day, which was nice considering the jean vest I was wearing. This years route was 43 miles with 7500 ft of climbing I believe, and took its toll on folks, we had 35 starters and 13 finishers....next year I have some ideas for accommodating more skill levels. I'd like to thank Pabst for beer without them this ride would have been lacking fuel. Ill talk more about the ride in my next post hopefully it will be accompanied by a video.

If it taint raining it taint training!

2011-04-25T18:37:00.000-07:00

Today I went for a ride, it was one of the wettest rides I have been on in a while...Good Taint Training. I'm used to wet trails and mud, but flowing water down the trials, and pissing rain the entire time, Not that misty kind of rain, that steady bone soaking, pouring rain. Thanks James for not calling me and canceling, my feet have finally thawed after a few hours and a few beers.

The Taint Tuff, a celebration of a few of our birthdays that fall in late April or early May, is just a few days away. Its a way for me to get folks together who all enjoy a little discomfort and celebrate. I have been asked why I do so much for a birthday, and its not much about celebrating me or my or our birthdays, as it is a way for me to bring people together for some fun and pain and suffering. Its a way for us to all get together, cause all too often life takes over and years start to fly by. This is my way of asking my friends to save a day for us to get out and enjoy. Nuff said and probably in my usual rambling. I hope in the future more and more of my friends take the time to join me on these rides...I have more ideas believe it or not. For those of you that rode it last year expect about the same as far as the course/route, with a few surprises thrown in for good measure. A week and a half ago we did the arduous climb up sick joke to place the bottle of Bulliet. I forgot just how fun that climb is. Kevin is placing a beer drop or two.

I got this photo, from Greg of Donkelope,of some flask cages being welded just for the occasion...They fit those great Stanley flasks that we all got from SSCXWC last year. Cleavland is getting his camera ready. Randy is still building a bike. Sally will be missed, alas he will be in NYC for work, Matt from Schooner Exact Brewing says that he has something special for us. So remember if it Taint Raining it Taint Training!!!

This is important....

2011-04-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

The other day this landed in my inbox. Needless to say it was a bit upsetting. I love riding Galbraith Mountain and think that it would really have a negative effect on the community and tourism is the agreement were terminated. I don't think that it will necessarily stop people from using the mountain, unless they start patrolling it, and actually take the time to arrest and prosecute someone for trespassing. That said it will take away from the experience and the ability for it to grow responsibly. Preserve Galbraith is a website and a facebook page that all of us should be a part of. Looks like someone has taken the reigns and is making a community voice for mountain bikers, trail runners and who ever else is interested in preserving this great resource. Please take time to check em out.

The Taint Tuff is just around the corner...look for photos and video evidence of the going ons in the near future. I am hoping that the weather breaks here in the Northwest and we get some descent weather, or at least the barometer is over 50, sun would be nice haven't really seen too much of that here in the last for however long...now if its overcast and not raining I feel like its a good day.

Last weekend was the first weekend that I didn't mountain bike all year, why you ask, I've got a nagging rotor cuff that I wanted to see if a little rest would help it did a little but I am no good at resting, had to hike, which gets you outside, but is in no way a substitute for riding...good news is the shoulder seems to be responding to the ice and heat and the funny strengthening exercises I am doing...feels ok on the bike, just not so good at work, which I don't have the option of not doing....alas, I will heal and all will be well. It will not keep me from the Taint Tuff, that is a must.

I might have been napping, but we all wake up from those sooner or later.

2011-03-07T19:07:00.000-08:00

You all thought I was dead!!!! Like my friend Brian pictured here after my birthday ride, the Taint Tuff. He was just nappin....I can assure you I haven't been napping just got my head so deep in other projects and work that I can't or didn't make time to entertain or rant or just post. Taint Tuff aint no joke, and I'm back from the dead...life has left me questioning lots of things. I stopped writing cause I just wondered if it mattered were you listening? Well I have since decided that you are, but more than that I just feel the need to document. We are currently starting a project about our cross team.
That there is our logo...coming to a cross race or an event near you...we are a single speed team only, which brings me to another photo that I just love, again taken after my b day ride last year...where most of us rode single speeds, but the sentiment rings true...
Great, just Great isn't it. Sometimes I found myself getting all high and mighty about the fact that I rode a single speed, "Up there in them hills, that's just stupid, crazy, you must do a lot of walking" Well I like bikes and in fact single speeds just make for a fun time, but at the end of the day riding in the woods no matter what is between your legs geared or not is the only thing that matters. That was a big old run on sentence, remember when I used to talk about that as well my lack of ability to put the thoughts to the page, well I don't give a hoot about that either anymore....so keep reading, it the content that matters, not that I have much of that right now either...but keep reading. Any ways, last year I helped put on a little race up here in SEattle, SSCXWC, its in SF this year, I hope they are ready for us. If you have not raced cross yet, you should....If you haven't been to the party that happens to have a race somewhere in it, thats SSCXWC, you should put it on your calender. Well that's all for now...I've got a bottle of Whiskey just calling to me and some much needed time on the couch. I won't make promises to post more or any of that, Ill just do it or I won't and that is really what matters at the end of the day what you do or don't do.

Fort Ebey ain't half bad....

2011-02-22T14:00:00.000-08:00

Living here in Seattle one has to get used to driving to ride a mountain bike. Lets just say that this has been a challenge getting used to. When I first swung a leg over a bike I could easily ride from the house to a trail in the Tahoe area. This time of year the mountains are all under a white blanket of goodness, so one must turn to the lowlands to get their fix. I usually end up at places like Tokul, Grand Ridge, or Bellingham. This week a friend had his 54th birthday and he wanted to ride the Trail System in the Fort Ebey park. So we loaded the car up Sunday and headed out to the island....Ferries can get expensive with bikes on top of the car, they charge you double for an over height vehicle, ouch...thats a who other story though. Had we not been running late I would have tied the bikes to the top just for the ferry ride, to avoid the extra fee.
Any way we got to Whidbey Island and headed up to the retired Military instillation that is Fort Ebey. I had ridden here once before and remembered having an ok time, but felt like I just went in circles. Lets just say the crew we assembled had a great ride, the trails are buff for the most part, if not punchy no long climbs but really never a flat section at all, and all the climbs were steep, like over the bar steep, like get off and walk steep. Then there is this loop called Stevens or Shawns, something that starts with an s anyways that is technical, slow, twisty, tight, full of switchbacks. Fun. We had a great time, if you want to ride for more than 3 hours you will be riding lots of the same trails, but if you want a place with good trails, and a beautiful overlook, this is it. The scenery is worth the lack of the long ride for sure. So happy Birthday Dewey....may there be many more.

"I just deleted your blog from my bookmarks" Kevin Noble

2011-02-14T12:50:00.000-08:00

Those words hit me like a stone thrown at close range. I knew that I was behind on this little thing, but didn't realize it had been almost a year since I had posted. Sometimes these blogs feel like bragging, like look at me, look at how cool I am, like I didn't get enough attention as a kid so I am going to sit and write about my experiences...on the flip side I am having lots of fun and want family and friends to have a window in to my life. Most of my family lives 3,000 miles from here in Vermont. I don't envy them, cold and snowy no longer seem familiar, now it can be 50 and sunny one day I can go ride my mtb year round, all I gotta be ok with is getting wet more often than not. So Kevin thanks for the kick in the ass. Put this sucker back on your bookmarks....If your lucky your pic will be posted her for all to look at. Kevin is after all one of my favorite people to ride with, that and he keeps my bikes running, I certainly am no mechanic. Ill now take this time to tell you a little about Kevin and then in the upcoming days get you up to speed on what life has been, and what I am trying to do in the not so distant future. I will no longer apologize for Rambling or not making sense....this is like my journal so, it will jump around like my mind does on a daily basis...like it or not it is what it is...deal.
Where was I Kevin Noble, one of my favorite people. Why you ask? Cause he is...thats all I have to say. He just is plain and simple...fun to ride with, fun to drink with and an all around nice guy. Kevin and I met years ago at the Cascade Cream Puff, I think it was 2004, I remember thinking "who the hell is this Kona rider in the Drunk Cyclist jersey that I just can't shake." Years later after moving here to Seattle about to start a ride in the Whatcom Falls parking lot he rolled up, we looked at each other with one of those why do I know you looks...."Kevin fuckin Noble" I muttered, stuck out my hand and said "Nat Pellman, Cascade Cream Puff..." "Oh, your the asshole with the Tattoos on the Cannondale that I could catch...i just kept thinking who the fuck is this guy." Well now you know, and we have been riding partners for the last 5 years at least twice a month, if not every Sunday. He showed me all the hidden gems on Galbraith, the Chuckanuts, became my trusted mechanic. Life here in Seattle would not be the same had I not happened in to him in the parking lot a few year back. Thank you Kevin for once again kicking me in to gear.

Wow, I have dropped the ball..

2010-04-07T14:07:00.000-07:00

I will start this off by saying that I have not died, I have been meaning to post here when I have something to say, but then life took over and I have let this fade away as a priority. I am going to try to keep this thing up and running by posting once a week, or maybe bi weekly. I have many commitments and obligations these days. Seattle Beer Week is just around the corner. It's going to be bigger and badder than ever, there are so many events planned. We are planning SSCXWC which is also going to be amazing. Those are two of the events that I am planning in addition to my regular job at Brouwer's Cafe. Another event around the corner is my birthday ride, the Taint Tuff, on May 1st up in Bellingham. We are planning on riding on Galby for a bit, then a loop around Blanchard and then back through the Chuckanut's. I think it will be about 50 or so miles by the time we are done. There you have the event's that have taken me away from updating.

Now for a quick update....Cyclocross was awesome this year...look for this year to be even more amazing as the Hodala team grows in strength. We got to race in Woodland Park after all, does it get any more central than that.
I have added some tattoos to my body recently.
I went to Tucson for SSAZ/SSUSA it was great, i recommend it to all of you.
I have been riding my mountain bike, at Tokul, Grand Ridge/Duthie and up in Bellingham. Always better to be out riding than here writing about it.
I got a new Vulture frame that is out of this world, thanks Wade...

ill let you wonder about this one, but it is one of my favorite pics this year.
new ink of our cyclocross teams logo....Hodala!!!!!!!

what a blur....

2009-10-12T12:19:00.000-07:00

Well I finally have a second to sit down and try to put in to words the events of the last couple of weeks...from work to play to responsibilities it has been full sometimes splitting at the seams...I have raced a few cross races like one each day of the weekend, sometimes going to work after a race...for those of you who don't know I race cross fixed....this year the Raleigh/Hodala! team is in full effect...sometimes in costume, we had a wizard of oz theme going the other day... other times in jumpsuits, but hardly ever in that spandex stuff...we run deep and have fun....We just had Cross Clash with portland we won, they stole the grail, i am told that possesion is 100% of the law or something like that...we went down and stole it back the next day...even though they had a guy with a sledge hammer guarding it...the grudge match is being revitilized? Awesome.... For pictures thanks to dave roth a portlandite go here.... I also have a new mountian bike on the way...thanks to wade at Vulture...you can see pics here... Its not the green one its the one still being built below it...go to his flickr and there are a few more. I will say it is a piece of art work for sure and quite amazing I am honored that it is being made for me....by my good friend Wade...Well that is all I have time for and it is a bit vauge, but you get the idea...I will leave you with just one parting shot, cause a picture is worth a thousand words...

see what happens when you wear gold manties!!!!!!!again thanks to dave roth for the photo....there was a long pavement descent that I did supermans down and I know there are pics out there, but I haven't found them yet...but when I do be afraid...you have been warned...

I need this like I need a hole in my head...

2009-09-14T11:49:00.000-07:00

The first cross race of the season is under my belt, or in the bag or ....I don't know its done, and I forgot just how much it hurts. After going to the Bicycle Film Fest the night before and a long week of work before that I woke up a bit hazy and with heavy legs...I resigned myself to suiting up and having fun...no pressure, and really how much pressure can you have when your riding a fixed gear cross bike in coveralls...Thanks to MFG for a great course, thanks to Sally for the coveralls, thanks to Schooner Exact for the beer....it was fast, and the weather was very uncross like, hot and sunny...maybe we should have run a hose across the course....I am sure we will have plenty of the wet stuff soon enough. I almost didn't make the start due to a slow leaking tire that started to leak a bit faster on the start line, but just made it...the race had the biggest ss field I have seen in Seattle, our team had many mechanicals and flats and such, but a good showing none the less...here are a few photos.

Well I haven't died....

2009-09-11T12:37:00.000-07:00

No I haven't forgotten about this here little blog, just been moving so fast and keep saying I will post...but then another week goes by and nothing gets written...could be all that time on Facebook, or the fact that work seems to own me right now, it seems like yesterday summer was around the corner, now fall and winter are fast approaching and cross season is about to start. It looks like MFG's first cross race this sunday will be dry, easing us in to what is to come. I plan to show up a bit early to take it all in. I will have a new kit for this year that is still in the works, for Sunday I will probably just wear some coveralls who needs that spandex stuff anyways...Might even ride the 15 or so miles out to the race...will definately ride home from it...
Since we are on the cross topic and the only way to race cross is on a single speed sooner than later that race called the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships will be held by our friends down in Portland the weekend of November 7th and 8th that should be a wet one, last year certainly was. It should be attended by all you lovers of cross or bikes for that matter it is one hell of a party. If you missed the bubble machine, the deep mud and all the short shorts you certainly shouldn't this year...it just keeps getting better. This year they are offering up the running of it to interested parties, backroom, and closed door discussions are going on up here in hopes that we can pull it up this way and just how to make it happen.
In other news work pulled the plug on my bid to get to Durango which makes me quite upset, but then again I have to realize where my bills are paid from, so I will not be in attendence in Durango, have a few too many for me and ride your hearts out. I am more than a little dissappointed and frustrated by the whole thing, that is going to be one hell of a time that I so wanted to be part of...enough of my sob story.
See you all at the cross race this Sunday. Ring your bells and scream your hearts out for the men in Red, White and Gold. Hint we have matching bikes too, very special one...

Where I find myself...

2009-06-29T19:11:00.000-07:00

Living in a larger metropolitan area...Seattle, its the not biggest big city...its great in a lot of ways, but I have begun to wonder...to think as it is about the bigger picture to plan for the future. I fear I am getting older, time is running out and I at least need to be in a place where mtbing is close at hand...ie out my back door or at least a very short unobstructed drive away. To quote my intro I find myself wondering and dreaming of riding off in to the sunset unobstructed by the confines of work and all those responsibilities that get in the way....I find myself wanting a change....wondering what else I could be doing....wanting a bit more flexibilty but being confronted by the monetary challenges...I have a lot to be thankful for and a lot to celebrate I just find that a lot of the time I feel like the constraints of this life have me wondering what if....
I find myself wanting to be closer to nature, whlile still maintaining some of the city benefits...I find myself wondering all to often......just wondering.....what if?

I can finally take a breath.....

2009-05-19T13:07:00.000-07:00

Radio Silence broken finally. I had one hell of a past month. Saying it was one of the toughest months I have endured in life might be and exaggeration, but then again it might not. One of my friends and co workers was diagnosed with cancer, I survived a traumatic robbery, and then the biggest event that I have had the pleasure of being involved in began and is now over. Seattle beer week was amazing, and completely draining...full time job times 2. We pulled it off, my partners and I but we all need naps now. The weather is crazy as always here, 80 and sunny one day and 50 and cloudy the next....schizophrenic so to speak.
I have not had a break in the action, I can now think about my birthday ride, which I think will be called the taint tuff. It will be in one of the next two weekends, then it is off to Vermont to see the family and some friends for a few days then back to the grind. I have a few fun weekends planned but life sure is moving too fast. oh did I mention that during that hectic month I also celebrated my 35th birthday. I can't actually beleive that I have now turned 35 I still feel much younger. As always I wish that I had taken pictures so that I could just blanket them throughout this post, but alas I didn't. As I have said before I will work on this, but as I am and I am sure you are as well it may not happen. I have a camera in mind, but just can't find time to order it, which is just an excuse really for saying I am procrastinating, or lazy. Funny how that works. Well I must go back to decompressing, and getting that camera ordered.....

Life sure does pick up speed....

2009-04-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

As a child a week can feel like a year, currently I feel the opposite like a year can feel like a week. Today I woke up and wondered where it had all gone, the days have started to blur together. I try to keep it interesting by riding bikes and challenging myself so that each day does not take on the appearance of the last. Work, ride a bit, drink, sleep, repeat...seems to be the way it goes. I have my little side project, Seattle Beer Week, which is shaping up to be one hell of a week. It is a ten day celebration, but who's counting....someone coined the 10 day week the brewers week, kind of like the bakers dozen... I find myself dreaming of the days in Tahoe and Reno, when I worked a lot less, could ride mountain bikes right out my door, and the weather, lets not talk about the weather. Today felt more like February than April...I did have to check the calender to make sure...the hail and sleet that I rode in today was not what I would have desired. I want sun....glorious sun. Although sun drives the people of Seattle crazy, they flock outside and all drive somewhere to do something in the sun, can I blame them? NO!!! But man they can' even think straight, forget how to drive, due to their sole focus to soak up the rays.

Enough of that rant...I have been riding every Sunday that I can and even some Fridays....we did a few great rides in Bellingham, even had a dry one, and then the death march in the peanut butter mud was great as well, all while Kevin coughed and generally sounded like he should have stayed home, but that man is a fighter, and committed to the ride so that is what he did. We have a new cross series, MFG Cyclocross, here and we have some plans laid for mayhem....it looks to be fun and I am excited...to events right in the city limits...awesome.....so pray for sun for me so that I can be one of the crazies out there fighting for my piece of it. I just saw pics of the desert and dry trail and lets just say i got excited...In june I head back to VT to see family and do some riding....and hopefully soon I will be the proud owner of a new camera so I can start taking those pics I keep wanting to.....over and out keep pedaling....

What a strange day it was....

2009-03-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

Last night the plans were laid, and by golly we were going to keep them. The forecast called for a high of 37 degrees and partly cloudy. This morning Brett aka the Beard, man I must get a pic this year, picked me up and we were off to meet up with Brian, I can't find my stuff cause I just moved, for a ride. I expected Anacortes to be cold, brisk and muddy. I did not however expect it to be near white out mountain pass conditions with patches of ice...that was just the drive, the trails were a winter wonderland with 2 to 4 inches and more in places. We were all a little worried on the way up, but none of us wavered in our commitment to the plan. I must say I am glad that we went. We ended up riding about 15 miles in two hours and twenty minutes, which we were happy with. The sun came out, the wind blew snow at us, and by the time we drove home a short two plus hours later, the roads were clear and dry in parts. We commented that it felt like two completely different days based on our travel to and from the ride. I hope to have a few photos Brian's camera worked for a bit, then the batteries died...

Things I learned today:
With each step you take your feet pick up more and more debris, soon you have ice and dirt shoes, ensuring a ride spent with one or the other foot clipped in but rarely both.

If you want bladed spokes simple strap your bike to the back of a car drive in near white out conditions on the highway....Its cheaper than the alternative, and oh so impressive...note about this it is very temporary as when the temperature rises they disappear quickly.

Hidden roots make for tough traction and are really slick.

Lake winter boots rock! Best investment this year, so far.

Partly Sunny in Washington can mean anything, snow, sun, ice, we had it all.....hope the rest of the week isn't more of the same. You can never trust the meteorologists. They after all do have the best jobs, they can be right 30% of the time and they are doing an amazing job, that doesn't cut it at my job...imagine if only 30% of the time you got the right beer...ouch.
Changing your clothes outside while it is snowing is not the best idea.

I will leave you with this parting shot, I don't think I have posted it before but if I have I am sorry....think posture, model posture. At a recent or now not so recent festival at work we wondered if I could balance a beer on my head...well the answer is yes, that and walk the length of the bar twice...my prize I got to drink the beer, imagine that...Here you are...one of my many talents....
Photo credit to Matt who was a regular at the bar and is now traveling the world....
Tomorrow or this evening I get a new bike...I am so happy, not a mountain bike, I get my fixie hipster, work logoed bike...pics soon...

A friends passing....

2009-02-27T20:07:00.000-08:00

I received this email today, and I must say that it brought a tear to my eye. I have a fond place in my heart for animals, especially dogs, they are after all man's best friend. They are the most loyal and loving friends that we have.

"I just thought I would let you all know as I’m over here enjoying myself, I am also losing one of my dearest friends I have ever had today. Lewis is being laid to rest tonight for a list of conditions and terms that are too long to list here. Just thought I would let you know."

kevin

Attached was this photo, it was taken at least a few years ago and surely must have been a great day on Galbraith. Lewis you are in our thoughts tonight.... On a side note I took Tanner(one of my dogs) to the woods today and we had a blast in the muck and mud....as I am sure Lewis had done more than once....

I know I keep saying this....

2009-02-25T13:25:00.000-08:00

I'm busy...I can't seem to find time to post regularly....or have much to say on the bike front these days...I seem to spend more time at work or in front of this computer trying to keep up with all the projects that I have going...Seattle Beer Week is a job in unto itself...I try to ride and put that as a priority over updating this here blog...

I also keep saying that I need to take more pics...the old digital camera is just bulky and also seems to have been injured one to many time and doesn't seem to be taking the best clear pics....I got a nice new 2009 squishy fork for my bike...it is sitting in the living room leaning against the wall, looks nice there too.

So on the riding front I have been keeping them under the 3 hour mark as of late, the weather has been great if a little cold and today it decided to rain a bit and give us a more Northwest feeling in our bones than the snow, or cold and sunny weather that has been fairly prevalent this winter. I did get in to the whole facebook thing and that certain is a major time waster...fun at times but man does it just eat up time.....

Brouwer's, the bar I work at, will soon have some very nice bike courtesy of one of my favorite people, although he does pick road rides over mountain bike rides and I don't really understand that... I plan on making mine a totally hipped out with white rims and all...it is my tribute to the hipsters here in Seattle cause I am so unhip....

So hopefully sooner than later i will update with pics of the rides and all or at least a few more words on a regular basis, but as the saying goes " a picture is worth a thousand words" so two pics would take care of a few weeks worth or these drawn out words....

I missed the Old Pueblo race...I need to get away to the warm temps....

yes its been awhile...and I have a special talent

2009-02-09T20:32:00.000-08:00

That title says all you need to know about the last month or so of my life or maybe it is just an illustration of things that have been going on for much, much longer than that. I received a phone call from my good friend Kevin the other day. He said and I think I quote,"Looking your bike over, it needs a bit of TLC, it seems like the deeper I dive in to this the more I am struck with the idea that you should buy a new bike at the first of the year and at the end of the year throw that bike in the trash and buy an new one....." That is my special talent, it appears that in his brief or not so brief look at my bike he uncovered many, many issues and things that I am not sure many people have seen. We had already taken the bent rigid fork off, he found a cracked king headset, the bottom cup was instead of one piece, two, the Phil Wood Ti square taper bottom bracket was toast, the chain ring was toast, the White Industry cranks had pushed all the way on, so I went back to my old XT's...the list goes on. It appears that I have a special talent for putting parts to the test. Anyone need a tester. On that note I am testing for Boa Technologies ...and I love the lacing system. I really should have photos of all the things I go through, or maybe I could just put up a side bar with all the items used throughout the year. Last winter I must have gone through 4 outboard bearing bottom brackets, and once had a friend that works for an unsaid bearing manufactur say that he had never seen such distruction...he is one of my favorite riding partners and has been along on a lot of said rides, although his ride always seems to be running fine....There that is my special talent, I will find the breaking point of a product or my own body and and mind...which if you have followed this blog you know I have done in the past. What have I learned from all this, not so sure....I have learned that the northwest is not kind to a rider who gets out in it....the grime has a way of getting in to everything, including a chamois but then again that is a whole other story and I will save it for another day....I did get a tax return and plan to buy a camera and take more pics of life in general.....Oh and in all of this, work and play, I decided that I needed and wanted to be part of the founding Members of Seattle Beer Week....mark your calenders cause it is going to be one hell of a week, or should I say 10 days....

hi there...

2009-01-08T20:37:00.000-08:00

Life picks up speed and flashes by...it seems like only yesterday I was writing about the upcoming year and here I am again, although this time I may spare you the details about what is coming up or trying to do a year in review cause lets face it racing is taking a back seat right now, or should I say I will race, but I plan to hit a few events and make the most of it and not try to make a career out of racing...as if that was ever going to happen.....I will ride bunches and this year I want to take more pictures and make fun of myself more. I have so many plans for riding and outside the world of riding that are happening this year and I plan to put it all here better...i plan to write more involved posts...see how well I do that...it was a new years resolution to write more, here it is nearly a week later and i am finally writing...alas I digress...more is less and less is more...there you have it.... I have made no sense and yet made a lot of sense that is if you follow my train of thought....well I have fun to have and am at a loss..i have rambled and made no sense, 17 hours of work on 5 hrs of sleep will lead to some interesting words being typed...or not much sense made....as always keep the cranks turning over, and pedal pedal towards a brilliant future, bikes are the best and an answer to many of societies problems nuff said....keep pedaling....

Well it sure feels like winter...

2008-12-24T14:18:00.000-08:00

Here is Seattle it is gonna be a white Christmas for a change. We have had snow on the ground for days now, at it sure does paralyze this city...Well from going to work or anything that resembles being responsible, but people will walk miles to get to the bar. The other day I had the pleasure of skate skiing around town...bomb a few hills as well. I have still be riding, got the cross bike just in time to trade it in for something with bigger knobs and wider tires...you guessed it been riding the mountain bike around. Today it started slushing, half rain half snow that will turn everything in to a skating rink once the mercury drops...I have been dreaming about winter boots and the wool sweatshirt/jacket from Chrome....I wish i had a picture, but the camera seems to be showing signs of abuse, er use and isn't focusing so well anymore...I had the pleasure of making a snow man the other day, today he fell over, gues we didn't balance him too well..Ooops. Well I am off to have a beer and tell some tales at the local watering hole...just after a run, er maybe, gotta stay in shape somehow...happy or hoppy holdaze to all, and to all a good night...keep pedaling

It's finally rideable....

2008-12-16T13:15:00.000-08:00

A little back story. I first heard about this project in a car ride back from Bellingham about 13 months ago. Those in the car can attest that we were more than ecstatic, and full of ideas. I then received a few more tidbits each time the excitement built. Then one of the people involved left the company the other took over two job duties for awhile, and then there is the overseas travel to make sure they were happening. I first laid eyes on one just before Vegas and I was totally stocked, excited and wanted to race on one that day...too bad it was a bit big, I'm on a 53 and it was a 59, I was a bit stretched out to say the least. Had it been the right size I may have challenged Brian to an Indian Leg Wrestling match for the honors..but alas No racing on it for me, oh that and it belonged to Brian, the chief or whatever else you want to call him, I just call him dead sexy and a great partner in crime, and one of my favorite people. Enough adoration I understand I will get back to the bike. So I could list all the parts and it is not totally complete as I have some gold hubs from Profile being laced to dt swiss rims as we speak, or so enough. TRP mag brakes and without FSA this bike would just not look as sweet. Thanks to all those involved in making this whole thing happen. You make me happy. Everyone that sees this bike imediately wants one, and the fact that there are something like 150 in existence makes it that much better. This will be a collectors item I imagine as I don't think they plan on making more of them. Thank you Raleigh for creating such a buzz....Check out their commute blog here.
You may notice that it is need of pedals which it will get today, also it is almost too sexy to ride....art in motion it will be...I have drooled enough and need to clean up...have a good day. As always keep pedaling...

Here are those pics I promised...

2008-12-12T12:37:00.000-08:00

I know it has been awhile, and I could list the reasons that I haven't taken the time to post, but what good would that do anyways. I'll just start with this number above. It does look like a gay sitcom of some sort or even worse, but I won't commit those words to text at this moment. I will tell you that this pic and some that follow were taken at Sears last year, and no the two woman taking the photos could not hold back their laughter. We like to celebrate the mustache and in honor of it we dedicate an entire weekend to it. This year makes last year look tame and I am unsure if I will even post those photos, but enough said we have fun. Moustache weekend is an annual affair and if you come in wearing one you get a shot of Jager or Tequila on the house just for having a great stache.... Enough about that. Word to the wise, check you chimney....
This little beauty is from last year as well, I don't like football nor know much about it but after being told to wear something embarrassing this is what I came up with...enough said.
what can I say I might want to say that I am embarrassed by the gut, but then again there are more things to be embarrassed about, if I was going to be embarrassed about anything in this little gem of a photo above, lets just say orange is not my color. I had so much fun at the SSCXWC, what is next year going to look like....
This here is the crown jewel, the Rapha Roller race, what happens in Portland gets plastered all over the Internet, the chief and I sharing a team bonding moment....wow.....I hope I haven't scared any of you too bad and I hope you are laughing. Part of me wonders why I am posting this,the other part is having too much fun....

My friend Kieth needs your help...

2008-12-10T13:59:00.000-08:00

I am just going to cut past and copy his email to me, he will say it better than I can so here you are....
Dear fellow riders,

As some of you may know, I am a PhD candidate at the University of
Washington Business School. Two colleagues and I are conducting a
study examining people’s attitudes and decisions about Business, and
we need your help.

We need as MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE to complete a brief and anonymous
survey. The total time for completion will be 15-20 minutes.

For each person participating, we will donate $2 to either (your
choice) the Africa Bike Project or the International Mountain Bike
Association. To sweeten the deal, I'm also matching donations out of
my own pocket, to bring the amount up to $4 per survey.

To participate, simply follow the link below from a PC running
internet explorer (sorry; no macs or firefox):

https://catalysttools.washington.edu/webq/survey/heyscott/64679

I greatly appreciate your help, and thanks in advance!

Keith Leavitt

I run with foxfire so I am off to work to use good old internet explorer...

Sometimes I take my pants off

2008-11-19T14:52:00.000-08:00

I will keep this short and sweet, I promise...an no that is not what I say on a regular basis when I take my pants off....or at least I don't think that is what I say....Well anyways. Portland always seems to bring out the best in me, or the worst depending on how you look at it. Within the last couple of months I have seemed to be taking my pants off at an alarming rate. First there was that Bromantic experience to Portland for the Rapha Race....

I could expand but I have been sworn to secrecy, that's just how it goes. Now a back story on the next time I took my pants off. The whole thing was hatched last year before I worked at my current job...They celebrated Moustaches, the men all grew facial hair, I happened to sneak in to the shoot which took place at Sears, and Christmas cards were sent out. This year blows the top off of last year, think a calender, underwear and moustaches....I have yet to see the pics, but these calenders are going to be something to behold, or just hold and treasure. So shortly after the Rapha Bromantic weekend getaway I had the Bromantic evening with my co workers and let me just say I saw more of them than I ever thought I would....I could post some pics, but I don't have any of the gritty evidence in my hands. I do however have a few choice tidbits from last years exploits to Sears... these will be added shortly for now you will just have to use your imagination....
Lastly on my last exploit to Portland, the one I am still recovering from, maybe it had something to do with taking my clothing off and being covered in mud and beer, but that's just the details right? I have seen a few choice shots but the ones taken by PDX cross rate at the top for me. You'll have to follow the slideshow and see for yourself, think moustache and tattoos keep a look out for me. Do the numbers 12 and 22 help?.....here is a little help....this is how it all began on that fateful Sunday in November......think loud booming voice... I have some emails out there to use some other photos lets hope they get back to me sooner than later...i do believe that Sue Butler is scared for life as she had the honor of seeing my backside all the way to the finish line and made a comment to the likes of "oh god I didn't need to see that......" thanks to my friend Brujo for the use of these photos....

It is all still a blur...part one

2008-11-12T12:59:00.000-08:00

Hot Cross Buns!!!!

It is Wednesday and I am just now able to wrap my mind around what happened this weekend. Portland sure does know how to throw a party. My good friends Dani Dance and Matthew Slaven along with the Single Speed Collective were the masterminds behind this one. It is one of my favorite events and it is only in its second year. I strongly urge all you Midwest and East Coast singlespeeders to put this on your calender, you don't know what you are missing. So many people travel to the SSWC I urge those same people to make the trip to this event. It has been in Portland the last two years and will most likely be there again next year, after all Portland is Bike City USA....and for good reason. A normal Cross Crusade draws 120 single speeders, and over a thousand cross racers.
Saturday we were greated with a downpour, we rode to Chris King to register and await the announcement of where the time trial would be heald. Most people waited paitently others sipped adult beverages to pass the time. Soon we found out the event would be in the foothills a short 30 min ride away...more rain...more standing and finally it was time to race. What better way to seat a bunch of cross racers than essentially a short mountain bike loop. Our friend Brant handed out tequilla to the lucky at the top, I stole Slaven's, thats what he gets for catching me at the wrong time. The leaf infested single track descent was hair raising to say the least, especially on a fixed gear. That done we chated and then to get out of the rain we headed back to town, for lunch and some beers. It was great asking everyone how it went because no one knew there time, so it went great for everyone right... that is all I got for now, tommarrow or a bit later I will post more about the actual day of but the highlights were:
a bubble machine, a windmill, mud, short shorts, handups, general chaos.
our friend dave took a few photos...
cx magazine you have to scroll down
pdx cross..
my friend and inspiration over at Raleigh Commutes.....
ill have more next time and more to report about said happenings the next day...I am still trying to process it all. thanks and as always keep pedaling...

Where did those two weeks go.....

2008-10-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it two weeks since I posted...The days really do go by fast, well with work, biking, and all the beer events that take up time it shouldn't come as any real surprise. We are in the process of planing for our next weekend excursion to Portland, we almost went with the same costumes, but the Chief had a great idea that should make us stand out. Enough about what is coming up here is what went down...We have recieved much attention after out little excapade to Portland. Check out the Rapha video here. We made it here to, and a new link off their site is pretty awsome as well. If you haven't read the Chief's report on our trip you should, Check it out, you may have to scroll down, he likes to write almost as much as he likes to talk....

I decided not to race cross, because that is to be saved for nasty weather, and with the temps in the upper 50's and the sun shining it only seemed fit to go and enjoy some mtbing in the great weather. Here in the Northwest rain is always just around the corner and great weather needs to be taken advantage of. I rode the Suntop trial, and have to say if you make the bonus climb to the lookout you will be rewarded with one if not the best views of Mt Rainer that I have ever seen. It was way better than riding in circles for under an hour, to climb for about and hour and then climb a bit more before one hell of a fast, amazing decent and to finish on Skookum Flats trail. I couldn't ask for more out of a Sunday. Then it was back in to the weekly grind, then a bit of a head cold, flu to finish out last week. This past Sunday brought on more than a few decisions. Ride the mtb, race cross, or go out and support my friend who was hosting an Alleycat Time Trial right here in the city. Two of the options involved driving, I wasn't feeling that great and I really wanted to support my friend, so I opted for the $5 dollar time trial. In a break from the norm I decided I would race with,.....gasp gears...My get around town fixie is in need of some help and not the best race machine out there, and I wanted to ride gears I am unsure why, but I was feeling like something different. It paid off, I was the 12th rider to leave and the first to break the old course record, with a time of 42 mins and 16 secondsthe headwind was amazing on the last leg of the race. It took me a 1/2 min or so to find one of the stops that was right where i thought it was supposed to be. I finished and that is when this guy started, so I drained a few Rainer's and waited for him to finish. I watched him come across the line and the time was commputed, he finished in 42 mins and 12 seconds, 4 fucking seconds..damn. Bridesmaid again. I went home cooked dinner and then headed to the after party. Jaime was a gracious winner, taking just a sticker, which left the wheelset to me....a fixed, fixed wheelset from Traitor, felt a bit odd winning a fixed wheelset of my geared bike, say what you will...it was a wheelset that I can use on an upcoming bike project so I took em....Now if I can just kick this damn head cold, lung butter congestion thing and get back to feeling good it will be great.

As the smoke settles......

2008-10-14T15:04:00.000-07:00

me with my shirt tye and underwear, rallying the troops, now if thats not some motivation.....
The past weekend was one for the record books.....We, Seattle Sabotage, headed south to Portland for what was to be a clobbering of those folks in the city that holds the title as a bike utopia....we showed them of 16 teams we were the only ones from Seattle, and Craig "Nightstick" Etheridge killed it with a smile and all the integrity that he has....he is a true champion and a gentleman to boot. No one would guess that all 135 lbs of him was sprawled out on the lawn of our friend Carey and Myles house the previous evening after consuming many cans of Rainer. All I have to say is he was the most deserving one and I am so stoked that he was able to pull it together and ride to victory. Me, out in the first round, shoe lace wrapped around the pedal and I ground to a halt...

We partyed in to the evening and raced cross the next day....Portlands cross scene is crazy, 127 riders in the ss class alone...I started in the back and contrary to how I thought I was going to feel felt alright, I managed to weave my way to 13th by the end of the race, not bad for a guy on a fixed gear who was out a little past his bed time the night before....

There are pics here, here and here....I poached a few for your viewing pleasure. See what the chief has to say about it here.
pic tthanks to bike portland
these ladies were a bit hairy, but went on to win...
john from Team Beer
the chief sets the record straight

we bust on the scene
all not noted photos thanks to Jose...

There are so many stories to share that I can't think which ones to start with and where to end....We certainly left a mark done there...I hope to see more pics for better stories real soon...I took my pants off to reveal jockey underwear, ran around the course with a beer, brian while winning his first heat got a hand up a 24 oz High Life and proceeded to ring the bell with it, talk about winning with style....I will talk about this weekend for a long time to come that is until maybe our next voyage south for single speed cross worlds in a month or so and then there is the GP, ooh my we having some planning to do.....

Just a suggestion....

2008-10-05T18:37:00.000-07:00

this landed in my inbox the other day...given the current circumstances and job security for me I thought I would twist your rubber arms with this little tidbit....

If you had purchased $1,000 of Delta Air Lines stock one year ago, you would have $49 left. With Fannie Mae, you would have $2.50 left of the original $1,000. With AIG, you would have less than $15 left. But, if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drunk all of the beer, then turned in the cans for the aluminum recycling REFUND, you would have $214 cash. Based on the above, the best current investment advice is to drink heavily and recycle.

drink and be merry, or drink to forget, or drink out of aluminum and make an investment...as always keep pedaling...

the hamster wheel...

2008-09-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wonder where weeks and days go....it feels like you wake up and you are doing so much, but not really getting anything done or going anywhere. Lately that is how I have felt....i wake up my days are full, but not much of any note get accomplished...I am working hard, in the last two weeks I have had one day off and worked almost a 120 hrs behind a bar sling suds for the hard working folk of seattle. Oktoberfest then Hopfest...I much prefer the beer geeks of hopfest, where we replace all of our taps with IPA's, the northwest drink of choice, to the frat party that is Oktoberfest...that said on Sunday my day off I went and raced cross, the legs were just not ready for the effort, how could they be...I had fun, drank a beer mid race and finished 8th out of 30 or so, 4 of us finished within 20 seconds of one another. Craig, the energizer bunny, Ethridge put us all to shame winning easily, by over a minuete. I am signed up for Single Speed Cross Worlds in Portland again, this was one of the best times I had on a bike last year, if you can be there you should....it will not dissappoint. I should have a new sweet bike real soon...that is if everything works out and they make it to our shores sooner than later....click here for an idea. You will have to scroll down to see the goods...it looks to be one amazing cross season, we have so much planned, now we need everything to fall in to place. I hope to be headed to this or this or both in the upcoming weeks, although it will probably be one or the other, that is a lot of traveling to Oregon to ride my bike, travel to ride, burn petro to ride always seems a bit odd, but necessary... Maybe I could take the train to one....but fitting everything in with the new job and all the other commitments I have isn't going to be easy....one is better than none....I must go run errands and then head to work...as always keep pedaling.....

life can seem like a treadmill....

2008-09-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

Do you ever get that feeling that each day is like being on a treadmill, lots of work, and not a lot of going anywhere? Here is the thing....I need, crave, excitement, movement, the general day to day of life has always been something for me to push through, kind of like that treadmill. For those of you that work in the service industry the analogy to being busy, things fall in to place, I thrive, when it is slow my brain doesn't work as well and I forget more things. You might think that is not the case, but with more things to pay attention to less things are forgotten, make sense? Probably not...I don't really know what I am trying to say or the real point I am trying to convey, but I found the need to write, to attempt to express how my brain works, inviting you along on my journey.....
I have been trying to move in to my new apt, and it is such a pain to look at all the stuff you have, do I really need all this stuff? How much of it do I really need, or am I going to use? I just carry it from place to place, I try to keep thinning it down, pairing it down to the bare essentials, thinking, all glassy eyed if I could use only what I could carry with me that life would be better, simplify they say, have any of you really tired....how much of your stuff do you really need in your day to day life, how much of your clothing do you really wear? how may coat hangers does one couple need...space...how many pint glasses? growlers? books? I forget what all of this has to do with a treadmill....but somewhere in all this if you look closely you might find it and when you do, let me know.....I had a great "other things/lessons learned in my 5 day sswc vacation, but that will have to wait.....
All in all I wake up unpack, go to work, get slammed, have a few beers to unwind, sleep, get up eat, go to work, come home, have a few beers, unpack.....my bad habit of taking on too much and then wondering why I feel overwhelmed but at the same time, not being able to say no, to not take that new job, not stay out late, not move....it will all make sense later on when I can gleam what life is trying to teach me...maybe if I learn to slow down enough I will be able to gleam those little lessons, simplify, less is more, and all those enlightened things we say to make it all make sense....well thanks for reading my rant, my very disorganized rant about who really knows what, a brain dump so to speak...as always keep pedaling...

I have surfaced....

2008-08-27T11:47:00.000-07:00

I am still trying to put the last few weeks of my life in to order, first there was a job change, a house sale, a race to find a house in which to live in, a move, working new hours and the list goes on. We found a house in the nick of time, moved in a hurry, packed our bags and went separate directions for a few days of R and R. Keep in mind that I am calling my rest and relaxation a drive from Seattle to Napa to race the SSWC and then drive home....at least it was time away from the day to day ordinary rat race type shit that has seemed to pervade my life all too much lately. It sure is amazing how quickly it can all just take over, you miss a wedding of a good friend, and your girlfriends family reunion, I had already committed to the SSWC and come hell or high water I was going to go, Sorry folks I have been wanting to attend for more than a couple of years and been to broke, busy or full of excuses to make it, I got the golden ticket and was going no matter what. Sorry for the rant, getting off track a bit there.......

Leaving in a haze on Thursday I was unsure of exactly where I would be that evening, I planned to head out of town, stop in Portland to visit some friends and then head on down the 5 until Ashland area....Well I ended up heading towards Waldo Lake with said friends for Portland, it seemed like a good idea. We had a great evening a bit of Tequila was drank a small night ride and then I was off to bed, in the back of my car. Early to bed or not so early, but we sure where up early, coffee, bacon, and cereal. Quickly in to the chamois and off for a quick lap around the lake. If you ever get a chance to ride the Waldo Lake area, do it, it is amazing. The lake is crystal clear, its at elevation and the riding is out of this world, and endless I am told.

Back from my ride I refueled jumped in the car and down the road I went....close to 500 miles later I arrived in the Napa area, took a detour towards a couple of breweries that I have been wanting to check out, then navigating my way towards Skyline Park......somewhere off Imola road in Napa. A few wrong turns and a bit of driving later I arrived...my friends from the Bacon Strip where supposed to be up, but they had turned off their phones, and the gate was not open....I quickly hopped it cruised around the area and found some people nice enough to share the code and I was in...and to sleep again in the back of the car. I awoke the next morning and took inventory of who was around.....and started making new friends....My friend Greg Stone was there and I tagged on to his preride of the course with some of the talented riders at the race...Yuri, who knew the course took us out for the short and the long loops, it was hot....for a boy from the north, the sun was strong, bright and at times it felt like a blast furnace, luckily at night it cooled off. Then some hanging out, then it was off to the bowling alley for the decider as to who gets to host the race next year...lets just say the Durango crew, including the one and only Dr Doom put there stamp on that competition, out bowling and Mrs Pacmaning all comers. Then we ended at a brewery where we as a group took over, the bike pile was made and we snuck away before the night got too blurry.....Andy drop me a line......

Race Day arrived....I woke up a bit tired and suited up to have fun...we raced, drank and survived, I got chicked twice, but who is counting anyways....I suffered got a slow leak and lost some places, but had a great time...the course was steep dusty and had some really nice technical sections to it.....I rode most of the race with the second place woman Anica from New Zealand and Greg Martin from Idaho...we had a great time....

The plan was to hang out for a bit and then start the long trek home...well that didn't happen I decided to hang with the Sun Valley boys, drink some whiskey, some scotch and a bunch of beer instead...we sure did have fun. Shot the bb gun until we were told not to, and then went to the dance party at the tree house, it was a bit of a blur, but all in all I had an experience that will live on in my mind for many, many years...Here are some of the pictures I managed to take...

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I won't confuse it, I'll leave it at that.....use your imagination, I really didn't take too many pics, however I did realize that a new camera one with less lag time from the time you push the take a picture button and when it actually takes a picture would be very nice, i have a bunch of opps I just missed the moment pics...

Sometimes it is time for a .....

2008-07-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

Change of perception, a break from it all. In biking news.....

I didn't ride the bc bike race...it was supposed to be in order and a go, but it wasn't...a disappointment, yes, but life it too short to let it get to me. So I raced the Cream Puff...

I DNF'd only my second in my race career, disappointing yes, but a moment of growth, could I have finished yes, but I might not have wanted to ride much for the summer. My mom called it learning that there is a dimmer switch....growth....hard to see it that way. I will be taking a break from racing for a bit...I am still going to the ss worlds in Napa, with no intention of racing, might even rock the fixie for fun....

Growth....oh what fun....time to reflect and get it straight in the head...it has been a long 3 years since the sickness....which is still effecting me, life sure is a trip.....thats it for now, work is calling and needs to be attended to.....as always keep pedaling....

I passed the test....

2008-06-17T13:33:00.001-07:00

Test of Metal that is. I even bought the glass proclaiming so before the race, and joked that if I DNF'd I'd have to smash the glass on the ground. There you have it, the long and the short of it, now the details will be quick as I am a busy man and can't be chained to this monitor and keyboard any longer than necessary.
We rolled out mid afternoon on Friday, I unexpectadly a bit hungover. I was worried that the legs as they have not been the most cooperative would revolt when put to the test... We got through the border easily, then sat in traffic all the way to Squamish. Arrived checked in to the hotel and headed off to registration. Spun in to a brutal head wind, wondering if I had the right gear on my bike. Then Brett and I began to preride the course, with no helmets or cycling gear on. The first bit it a very flat road spin out. I had visions of being off the back sooner than later the next day as my 34x22 gearing had me bouncing up and down in my saddle. Dinner, a couple of beers and then off to sleep it was, or at least that was the plan. The drunks in the bar next to the hotel had a different plan and we were treated to yelling and stupid parking lot antics until the early morning hours.

Saturday, the race....
We wake up, after 4 or 5 hours of sleep not wanting to move. Go to breakfast were there are 50 cyclists and one waitress, eat some ok food and head down to the race venue. Get there and wait and wait. load our bikes into the shoot and wait. Finally we are underway. I am spinning my little, or not so little, ass off down the road in a huge pack of cyclists. Finally we hit a bit of climbing and I can gain some ground. More spinning, followed by more ground be gained. A pack of us single geared folks settled in to a group of five or so alternating as we made or way up and out the first loop of the course. Some really fun single track, lots of cheering, the whole town comes out for this one. On to the big climb of the day we are still together, then one gets away, then another, then two start to walk. I am in no mans land suffering up this climb. I get passed by the geared folks and finally reach the top of the climb having gained some ground. Then the Powerline Plunge, some technical riding at its finest, bridges, rocks, roots you get the picture. Then out and more climbing. I am feeling good wondering how I am doing.....keep pedaling and finally cross the finish line after a whole lot more spinning. 3:17:02 reads on the clock. Not bad I think. Turns out I was the 2nd unofficial sser, 7th in my expert 30 to 34 age group. My legs didn't fail me. More about the weekend in a bit....life is happening......keep pedaling.

excited and a bit nervous....

2008-06-04T11:39:00.000-07:00

Well the big news is I will finally be taking more than a couple of days off work to do the BC bike race. Months back while chatting with my friend Brian, well actually while trying to talk both he and Carey in to racing the Cascade Creampuff, he mentioned that he couldn't because he would be riding the BC bike race. I quickly asked if he had a partner, the response was a resounding yes. I mentioned to keep me in mind if anything changed. A few Fridays ago he called and mentioned that his partner may be dropping out, and "was I still interested?" Was I? Hell yeah. What about the Creampuff entry. Well when you compare the entry fees there really isn't any comparing. Will I give up a 250 dollar entry for a 2,000 dollar already paid, don't have to spend any money entry? Who wouldn't. It has been a dream of mine to do one of these stage races, ever since I had to drop out on doing one a few years back due to health issues. I am both excited and a bit daunted by the whole thing. Will my legs be up to pedaling for 7 days straight, what about my mind? I am sure I will be fine, but still I am a bit intimidated by the whole thing. I think this will be one of the hardest things I have ever done. Brian and his former partner were going to ride geared full suspension rigs, now he and I will be piloting front suspended single speeds. With the way the weather has been lately, read rain, and more rain, where is summer anyways? I can only imagine that we will be slopping it up all the way to Whistler, unless of course summer hits and the rains stop. I can only hope that is what happens. Wish us luck, the plan is to have as much fun as possible along the way. Wish us luck........more thoughts to come.

Part Duex ......

2008-05-29T13:02:00.001-07:00

Sunday morning we woke up to what all of us had feared that pitter patter of rain on the outside of the tent. Camp master Steve came to collect his money,early, probably so he could run in to town for some more of his favorite elixir. We ate a bit, discussed the days plans which were to go and get lost in the Syncline area on the Washington side of the Gorge. We had a hand drawn map, and a bunch of people to ask in the parking lot. It all started with a 2,000 foot climb with a mix of pavement and dirt. The legs were feeling ok, nothing stellar as we ground our way to the top. Having taken advice from a guy in the parking lot we tried a bit of a different ride than I had planned based on the map and ended up taking a wrong turn somewhere that lead to a super loose rocky descent, causing Myles to flat twice and us to ride a bunch of pavement back to the car. Oh that and we went through the biggest poison oak field every. Lucky for us we had technu to apply as soon as we got back to the car. All is all I would like to come back to this area with a guide because I bet it has so much to offer.

After that it was off to another brewery, Walkingman in Stevenson. We arrived a bit before they opened, Brett had to get a coffee. I swear he has an espresso radar. No beer for him, just lots of caffeine. My friend Jacob is the head brewer so he and his wife joined us for a bit. We had a great time. "Stevenson a quaint drinking town, with a windsurfing problem." After that we decided to check out the Carson mineral springs for a soak in a tub and a wrap in a hot blanket. It had a bit of an institutional feel to it. "put your clothes in the basket, this is your tub." All from a guy named sonny, who in his late 50's, just happened to have a forearm tattoo and look like a guy not to be messed with. Talk about sweating, and heart palpitations, I thought I might pass out and die. After that we headed on in to the city.

Monday, we were all a bit tired so we went out to breakfast, and then some beers. Then it was on towards home we went. I'll leave you with a few parting shots of Portland, because we all know a picture is worth a thousand words.....

A Gorge, friends, bikes and beers....part 1

2008-05-29T12:29:00.000-07:00

This past Memorial Day weekend I just had to get out of the routine that comes from living in a city. 5 days of work followed by one of recovery and then hopefully some bike riding. We planned to meet up with Carey and Myles, who recently left Seattle for Portland, and Brett, one of my favorite riding partners here in the Northwest and check out Hood River, OR. Usually we head to Bend, OR, but the logistics just didn't work out this year, plus with gas at $4.05 a gallon less distance is more for sure.

Hood River did not disappoint. In a nut shell we had a blast. We left Seattle as early as I could, arriving home when the clock says 3:34 doesn't lead to jumping out of bed the next morning. Lets just say we were off like a herd of turtles around 10. The sun was shining, we had heard that it was supposed to rain in Hood River, so we joked about calling everyone and saying we were staying home. We got somewhat worried as we drove down and the sun was swallowed up by grey skies a few mile north of Portland. We were not disappointed though as it came back as we drove up the River Gorge on 84.

The plan was to check out Post Canyon, everyone had told me it was mostly a freeride area, but the guy at the bike shop said there was plenty of xc stuff up there to. I purchased a map and we were off. I felt a bit like the informal leader, on the trail I kept checking the map and getting us lost, just like any good leader does I didn't let it slow me down and many times proclaimed with as much force as I could my refusal to be wrong. We got trail advice from helpful souls along the way, rode some super fun technical stunts and had an all around great time. After the ride it was straight to the Brewery, Double Mountain, and then off to the campsite. Where the real adventure began. It was off the beaten path, we were close to being out of gas, and when we arrived the "camp master" Steve was fairly intoxicated and comical. Looked as though he had been hanging out in his truck drinking with his old lady, how romantic. We paid the one time fee of 20 dollars and went to set up our tents. We arrived to a light show, and that was shortly followed by a dog fight, not our thankfully, a crying baby and a kiwi birthday party all rolled in to one.
near the camp masters house?
great navigation on my part
there's that map again.
getting my freeride on, I am soooo good can't you tell.

Myles applies the "if you ain't crashing, you ain't trying hard enough philosophy. Guess we know where he stands.

I took most if not all of these photos from Carey's blog, she has so many more, you should check em out.

Wouldn't it be great.....

2008-05-27T11:50:00.001-07:00

I got a laugh out of this and thought I would pass it along.

"My Next Life" by Woody Allen

In my next life I want to live my life backwards. You start out dead and get
that out of the way. Then you wake up in an old people's home feeling better
every day. You get kicked out for being too healthy, go collect your
pension, and then when you start work, you get a gold watch and a party on
your first day. You work for 40 years until you're young enough to enjoy
your retirement. You party, drink alcohol, and
are generally promiscuous, then you are ready for high school. You then go
to primary school, you become a kid, you play. You have no responsibilities,
you become a baby until you are born. And then you spend your last 9 months
floating in luxurious spa-like conditions with central heating and room
service on tap, larger quarters every day and then voila! You finish off as
an orgasm!

I must admit...

2008-05-20T12:52:00.000-07:00

I haven't been blogging or riding as much as I would like. I have been bogged down here in the city, working. I still try to get a ride in each weekend, lately it has been about 2 or 3 hours. I fear that I won't be racing The Test of Metal, it is a co workers 30th birthday, and the other day bartender just gave her notice, means I have to do a bunch more work than I would like. I still hope that I can get one of the newbies up to speed so that I can make it to this race, after all I did somehow manage to get accepted in to it. The Creampuff, I just hope it doesn't hurt me too bad...my fitness is not were I would like it to be. I will soldier on and hope all goes well, that is if the snow melts there. Last I heard Aid 2 was under 8 ft of snow. Well I have a 3 day weekend coming up, gonna get out of town, do some camping, and hopefully a bunch of riding.

It seems to me that city life is not necessarily for me, not enough open space. I grew up in the sticks of Vermont and used to think that the city was where it was at, not that I want to live as far out as my father, but I would like to return to a place the size of Burlington, VT or a bit smaller. I feel as though I am always on top of other people and cities seem to bring out the worst in people. All the stop and go and congestion. One of my co workers just quit to move to NYC, I can't even imagine what that is going to feel like. Seattle to NYC talk about stimulus overload. I wish him all the luck in the world. Lately I have just been feeling like I need to get out, to leave the routine, the familiar behind for the road. I would like to take some time to tour on my bike, with no real schedule, no time line, deadline or have to do's, I have always been so focused on the goal, on being faster, getting through school, I would like to cruise for a bit, to see things from a different perspective. I have always had so many bills and have to's, I feel like I would like to take the time to go on a journey a quest so to speak....ah this all sounds a bit far fetched and overly simple...or what's the word i am looking for? I believe that we are all on our own journey's and that if we pay attention life will send us messages and direct us to what it is we are here to do....for some it comes easy, for some the static of life derails them and gets them off track, and they don't even try to find there way back and for others it is more of a struggle. I am reading a book right now, I only read it in small amounts to take it in and think about what it is I am reading, called Hardcore Zen Punk Rock, monster movies and the TRUTH about reality by Brad Warner. It is about Buddhism, which I will not try to summarize here and now, because I do not pretend to have a grasp on it all. A lot of what he says makes sense and resonates within me. It seems to boil down to questioning and the fact that there is no silver bullet, no single way or answer, there is what works for you. Taken from the back cover: "Question your conclusions, your judgments, your answers. Question this. If you question everything thoroughly enough, the truth will eventually git you upside the head and you will know. But here's the warning: It won't be what you imagined. It won't even be close." There you have it. I will probably have to read this book a few times to take it all in. Questions are they way to self discovery......through some of my own questioning I have begun down a path that I hope leads me where I am supposed to be...but then again wherever you are there you are. I have now rambled on and on about who knows what and hopefully made some sense. thanks to all who stuck with it this far and as always keep pedaling.

Happy Birthday to me!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-05-13T12:13:00.000-07:00

The group loads up under I5 here in Seattle, stories are swapped about the previous nights shenanigans.

I turned 34 yesterday. I can't really even believe that I am 34, not that I feel old, and I know it is just a number, but 34 damn, funny thing is I still feel like I am much younger. 34 going on 14, or something like that. Maybe that is just a male thing, "I don't wanna grow up!!!" well I don't have to. Life takes over and speeds up, I can't imagine how fast it seems like it is going by in another 10 or 15 years. Perspective, it is all about perspective.......................

I took friday off so that I could enjoy sour beer at a local watering hole.....it is exactly what it sounds like beer that tastes sour.....

Saturday the little lady and I went for a ride in the woods with the dogs, then I went to a bbq.

Sunday we had a birthday ride, 3 of us shared birthdays in 4 days. I was the oldest of the bunch. Happy Birthday to Keith and Ben as well, and my friend Ian's is on Friday. A whole bunch of Bull, or is it a whole bunch of bullshit....

Here are some pics from the ride, we went to Anacortes and rode some great trails......
Suck that gut in, vanity wins, I always look bloated and fat in all the other pics.

Ben shakes it out. The rainy drive turned out to be a sunny day, the trails were in perfect shape.

Beard Guy shaved a little part of his beard, he should be in a Civil war movie with that facial hair.

The mandatory group shot. Dog and all. Tanner is wondering what all the fuss is about and if he could just get what Craig is holding on to. What a motley crew. Another highlight of the day was when, as we got ready to ride Craig was blasting Salt and Pepa's Push It. I'll leave you with this.

now imagine 8 of us in an lake parking lot in northern washington dancing around singing, while others fished or got ready to ride their horse's. Thank you Craig, that my friend is humor.

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

2008-05-11T09:07:00.001-07:00

I could go on and on about all the little lessons and knowledge that mom's bring to us,but this church sign pretty much says it all. Thanks so much mom, I love you. Everybody should take the time today to let there mom know that they are very special people, cause without them we wouldn't be where we are today. Again moms are rad let em know, and as always keep pedaling.
Have a great day mom, wish I were there to share it with you.

South Lookout Mountain....

2008-05-06T12:44:00.000-07:00

The crew at the top.

Kevin talked about this climb a lot last year, he mentioned that it was the one that helped so much in all the stars aligning for his Creampuff win. South Lookout Mountain, is a beast, while not as steep as some of the other climbs in the area, it definitely has it steep points, and it goes and goes with only a few breaks in the action so to speak. We had a rather large group that took awhile to organize, we started up Galbraith and then dropped of the backside. We even passed and old hippy commune. The group joked about all things inappropriate, Wolf Creek was mentioned, and a few other horrorish movies. Then the climb started, it lulls you in easy at first and then bites and doesn't let go. Dale and I joked about turning around due to snow and saying we couldn't go any further, little did we know that we would be hiking through snow, just not turning around. It has been the winter that won't end her in the Northwest. Last year at this time we were riding dry trails and the temps were at least close to 70, not barley making it to 60. I can count the sunny days on my hand, to think i don't even need to take a shoe of yet. That's just how many sunny, truly sunny days we have had.
We finally arrive at the top, what a great view we got. Then we took a really primitive single track trail off the top, which was more hiking than riding downhill.
We made our way back to Galbraith and the Whoopsy Woodle, back across the bottom and finished the ride.

As we hiked, or tried to ride, landing us on our faces more than once, through the snow we laughed and wondered what would be around each corner. We arrived at the top, only to see that we had missed the
"where's my sherp?"

Old man Plant? why is he always out front?

The beard makes the hike. thanks for taking the pics kevin.

Another Sunday in Hell....

2008-04-21T19:53:00.001-07:00

While some were watching the week later airing of the Paris Roubaix, the original Hell of the North, we were out on a journey in the woods. What is with the week later airing of one of the best cycling events. Ever since that guy from Texas left the cycling coverage here in the states sure has gone down hill. Well enough about that. We had another great Sunday in Bellingham. The group was a bit larger the pace was still quite fast and the weather cooperated. We started off and ended on a trail called hush hush. My understanding is that this little technical number was illegally built, used to have a large log over the exit, and was scheduled for demolition. However instead it was adopted in. Now there is a big since at the exit stating that it is in fact "hush, Hush." We had it all on this ride a bit of climbing 4500 in the total 30 miles although that is a bit misleading as 400 of it was in the 12 miles of rail to trail to and from the actual ride. We encountered some snow, at the top of one of my favorite descents, black diamond, a flat or two, and some sunbreaks. All in all it was a good day on the bike. I wish I could say I have pictures, but alas the camera was left at home again. As always we finished the ride off at Boundary Bay with a few pints. The legs felt ok, just not to powerful, but all in all I had a great time. As always keep pedaling.

life takes over...

2008-04-18T14:02:00.000-07:00

A wise man once said..."life is what happens in between plans." Ain't that the truth. The plans are still there it just seems that I have been spending more and more time occupied by work, sleep and not much else.

Legs are still feeling mushy.

Mind is a bit like pudding right now, oh and it just started to snow...couldn't think of anything better......

The plan is to take it day by day and hope for some more sun breaks, which will hopefully brighten and lift my spirits.

So life is certainly happening. I hope to get out this weekend for a ride or two, but the weather looks to be quite horrendous, with snow, wind and rain in the forecast. Maybe I'll just stay in and watch the Roubaix.

Spring is where, oh it was Saturday, I'm hoping for a week of summer sometime in the future.

Maybe it is all a plan to make me tuffer...like that spelling there.

trying to be wise.....

2008-04-08T15:30:00.000-07:00

Here I am trying to learn from past mistakes, I am spinning, no longer on the fixie ever day, but on gears to work, lightening the load and trying as hard as I can to recover. Recover has always been just keep doing what I was doing, with maybe a few days of lite riding in between. Looks like that will have to change here for a bit. I have backed it off. Even catching up on some reading. I look at all the reasons that I could be feeling a bit worked over and they all make sense, just thought I was above it all, that somehow I was special. The plan is more of the same, rest, sleep and ride when it feels right. It won't be easy as I just want to be on the bike seeing new horizons, and riding the edge of it all.

This thing called wisdom sure feels like work sometimes. Balance, moderation but only in moderation......blah blah blah.....I just want to be out there riding, so sunday I am going to go out and see how the legs feel, if they don't I will have to cut the ride short for me in the interest of keeping my legs, body and mind healthy......ouch. I always feel like this will in someway be scene as weakness on my part, that I will be one of those full of excuses, but the body doesn't lie and the mind can only override it for so long before the body takes it revenge......lets talk about some lowpoints if we must......I have been there and never wish to return to that place again....it was a cold dark cave so to speak......so I am rolling with the punches and trying not to freak too much...i am prone to highs and lows and have been known to overreact to things....the challenge is to stay true to me and what it is I want and need......so I will keep fighting the good fight and pedaling as much as I can. Thanks for enduring the mental slobber for sure there will be more....as always keep those pedals turning, be it circles or squares.....

so I dropped off the face.....

2008-04-02T13:02:00.000-07:00

I have been known from time to time to take a long time between updates. The list of reasons can be long sometimes so I won't bore you with the details. However I have been dealing with some personal issues that have interfered with my updates. From time to time I deal with loads of self doubt and depression this has been one of those times, add to that the feeling of lead in my legs and you have a perfect storm for me not to post, not to see the value in connecting to the outside world. I sit locked in my own head, battling the demons so to speak, and cycling is my drug. When even it doesn't feel right I get very scared. I am currently hoping that I did not push too hard too early in the season and wreck my sometimes fragile mental state. Since I over did it a few years back I have tread lightly, and my fitness has showed that. I fear I may have a smaller dose of that right now. My legs just ache a bit. I do have to stand at work etc. I don't think that it is as bad as it once was, I hope. So I will be spinning my legs to and from work for the next little bit in hopes that I turn the corner and my fitness can get back on track. I have trouble with limits and boundaries sometimes and tend to dive in to what ever it is head first, I just hope that I have not done it again so to speak. I am trying to learn from the past and have a depth and understanding, but it is not easy for me to slow down, when right now that is what I should do. I will probably go riding this weekend again the weather is just too nice to say no to. My timing is impeccable just as the sun comes out I have to take a rest. I ask is there any justice in this, and what is the lesson I am to learn. So I have been reading and resting and trying to smell the flowers. Heres to a good ride on Sunday, that refuels the spirit.

oh what a feeling....

2008-03-12T14:14:00.001-07:00

Nearing the top of Blanchard,
still some snow to contend with.
Had a couple of those this past weekend. Again the pilgrimage to Bellingham for the Sunday excursion. Brett and I left early, Craig could not make it. The group would be small again. Small groups tend to cover more ground with less stops. The route started with a trip across town and towards the top of Galbraith, on down the backside we went. Soon we had a bit of road to contend with, but not before rolling by some young hucksters who had this to say to Brett in unison as if they had planned it "sweet Beard dude" in that drawn out I just smoked a bowl drawl. I was immediately reminded of The Big Lebowski, and "the dude" except for the rest of the ride we referred to Brett as " the beard". The beard abides. I guess you had to be there. The plan included heading out to Blanchard and one of the greatest descents around. This would include a few hike a bikes and a little snow. Lets just say it was a very slick day. Around the front of Blanchard and back out to our nemesis, we revisited the " sick joke" climb from last week. I must say that my legs were feeling a bit more there, this week than last. At the danger of waxing and waining poetically, Some days you fight the bike and don't really feel connected and other days it is just you are one with the bike. This was more one of the days where I was connected with my bike. We waited at the top for a bit to catch our breath and then headed out the same as last week. This is where I get that feeling, all day I had been complaining about and wondering if something of the bike was cracked, it just felt not as stiff as usual. Well to make a long story short we are at the bottom of a double track descent through the trees when Kevin looks at my fork and claims the ride to be over due to a large crack in the crown of my Pace fork. We slowly take the fire road to the bottom and pedal our way across town. Turns out I was a few centimeters away from a face plant. thanks Kevin, the hush hush trail might have put the finishing touches on the fork and added a bit of a hospital bill to my day. Instead we had a 40 mile ride with just a touch over 6 grand in climbing. It was a good day. We are set to step it up again this week. We are starting to show signs of fitness.
" the beard" abides

a bit of blow down of the way up

Bad picture of a bad crack, everything has a life span.
just glad we found it before it was too late
back to the steel matching fork for now

pictures from last weekends ride

2008-03-07T13:54:00.001-08:00

look at the view. what a day for early march

Kevin contemplates throwing his bike. This is half way up the "burnout" climb. the second of 3 bypass'

the three of us. small groups travel fast. although we saw very little of craig all day, no matter how many times we tried to leave him with the camera to catch up. which he did and then he would shortly disappear up ahead of us.

Kevin showing Craig how many fingers he wants to shove down his throat, at the top of the thrid by pass, "sick joke".

Well it's about time...

2008-03-05T11:54:00.000-08:00

We got a big epic in. The "epic" Sundays continue, much to wives and girlfriend's discontent. Dare I use that word "epic", kinda like using "extreme". Is the word epic over used. I like epic rides. What do I define as an "epic" ride you ask, there are a few ingredients, I use duration and level of fitness required to complete as the major deciding factors. Scenery doesn't hurt. For the most part the ride must be over 30 miles in length, and be strenuous, leaving you with that feeling of completion that borders on exhaustion. Nothing of course is written in stone. Then again the definition of "epic" changes throughout the season. Our ride on Sunday is one of the Bellingham epics, dubbed the Triple Bypass. We did the traditional route, which has a bit more flat spinning in the beginning. It started with the cross town warm up on the rail to trail, "epic" huh? After just over half an hour of pedaling we enter the first short trail section, then the climbing began. It was a small group consisting of me, Craig, "see ya at the top" Etheridge, and Kevin "the new father" Noble. The first climb in Kleator Rd. a bunch of tempo climbing, we quickly settled in to our own rhythms, Craig was out of site shortly there after. We joked about having to strap 30 lbs on his back so we could all be the same weight. Kevin and I tip the scales near 180, Craig would be lucky to be 140 soaking wet. After a few miles we arrived at the top to a bit on snow and the beginning of the Black Diamond, yes that is its name descent. Craig had to wait for me and then we waited for Kevin, then Kevin and I extracted our revenge on Craig on the descent. Black Diamond is technical, steep, rooty, with slick rocks mixed in for good measure. More double track lead us to the next section, a climb dubbed Burnout. This thing goes and goes and then gets steeper and steeper. I kept Craig closer in contact on this on. At the top his bike decided to have some problems, which took a bit of trail ingenuity to fix, rocks were necessary. Then we again got to ride away from Craig on another steep descent. Which landed us at the bottom of the next challenge, the third and final climb, Sick Joke. The steepest, loosest, with the most baby heads climb, add wet ground to that and you will be mashing away to your hearts content. I refused to walk any of it, not that it made me any faster, I got to watch Craig walk in front of me, but I didn't get off. Then some super fun flowy, rolling, technical, descent and it was back across town to Kevin's we were rolling. 35 to 40 miles round trip, not bad for a early March day. Thanks again gentlemen. I'll leave you with this parting shot of Craig, look how happy he is.

talk about balls of steel

2008-02-27T12:41:00.001-08:00

28 to 30 feet off the ground in a 777. Sure he lost his job, but my hat goes off to that pilot.
I took the picture from this article. Read it for all the details. Check the video below.

I get to go explore some new trails tomorrow, and it looks like the weather is going to cooperate. Sun and February, gotta get out and use it.

Dry trails....

2008-02-26T10:14:00.001-08:00

That is right, there has been a dry spell here in the NW, we got to touch rubber to dry trials this past weekend.

I missed the Harmonic Convergence, but heard it was amazingly fun. Red haze rode around fixed with skill I am told.

Saturday I went for a road ride.... i know, to go mountain biking I would have had to sleep for 3 hours, after a 24 race last weekend, I tried to be smart. Apparently there is a learning curve.

Sunday we had a great group ride in Bellingham, Craig took lots of pics which he has yet to forward to me. Guess that's what i get for forgetting a camera of my own. I rode this log ride drop to transition that has been bothering me for awhile. Kevin said that it was easy, he was right you just have to commit to it. I did and felt satisfied. Carey and Myles got to ride dirt for the 15th time ever. Can you believe it. 15th time ever, they can move along for two city folks out in the woods, and no big crashes. Carey took a steerer tube to the ribs and came away with a souvenir, a large cut. Way to go Carey.

We talked plans for next cross season.....it is going to be super rad, very northwesty. I don't think that is really a word, but you will see.

Legs feel ok even though my seat kept slipping, I felt like I was on a BMX bike, the whole knees way in the air look.

Other than that it is just overcast so I think I will go ride again today, although it may just be on the road. ahhhhhhh. Still it riding a bike.

Keep pedaling. over and out....

Cause your dying to know...

2008-02-18T16:50:00.000-08:00

I'll tell you about my time at the 24 hrs of Old Pueblo. I had an amazing time, connecting, reconnecting and meeting for the first time many folks. Putting faces and hand shakes to blog faces that I have read for a bit. I will try to make this short and sweet and leave out the superfluous details. We arrived in Pheonix to warm weather and sunny skies, however my bike did not make the plane flight that we were on. When I dropped it off at the TSA counter I should have woke the guy up, had a feeling something wasn't going right. We had a few hours to kill. We got a ride to pick up the van we had rented, our lodging for the next few days. What else to do but go to a brewery for some tasty adult beverages and some great food. That killed a few hours, by the time we navigated through Tempe, then it was back to the airport to sit and wait for my bike. We wondered just what we would do if it didn't arrive, since we were staying in the van. Well it arrived and we hit the road south towards Tucson. We arrived at the Catalina State Park late to a sign that said the campsites were sold out, we improvised found the trailhead parking and went to sleep, half thinking we would be awoke by the park ranger a bit later. That never happened and we were happy that it was so hot. We miss the desert.

The next day we woke up went for a great hike, then headed out to the venue. We arrived, I began to build my bike for a pre ride and we commented on how cold it was getting. I rode the course, towards the end running in to DJ and Jeff, we chatted and then they made the comment that it was supposed to rain and snow for the next day and a half. Are you kidding me. Here I am on vacation from the rain and snow, and what do I get but rain and snow. Cruel joke, well I quickly decided to just flow and have fun no matter what. There were many people there I wanted to see and hang out by the fire with, but with all the rain, and snow, it was not quite as easy to do. It also kept those with other places to stay away until Friday.

Friday it rained all day. We drove the road to the venue a few times on Friday and it was quite an experience in a two wheel rented van. We got sideways more than once. So Friday turned in to a day of rest. If rest is hanging out in a 40 degree rainy mess. Picked up our race packet, saw Scott the director of the Cream Puff, Roger, Mark and Amanda, Shawn and the other Bacon Strippers, then took the rear brake off and fixed my bike. I had brought two tomicogs, and I had trouble deciding what gear to run, I settled on 34x18 for the 29er. Thought i might be a bit spun out on some parts, but in the later laps would be just right with tired legs. Finally talked with Dave, to find out he was going to be in the next day. Just before the race started. Kevin, my riding partner from the north also opted to stay in town until race day, because of that we got to take his tickets to the dedication dinner to Richard Cunningham, good food and it was interesting to hear him talk. After that it was early to bed, what else to do when it is so damn cold and wet.

Race Day
Woke up to some sprinkles, but by race time the clouds had lifted and it look as though we were going to get some sun. Finally. Dave showed up dressed to the nines. Well if I'd known it was that kind of party...... He get out of the van and not two minuets later, my friend Gavin rolls out, funny haven't seen him in 4 years or so. We reminisced a bit about the old days, the old races we had been at together and such, too many stories to go in to here. He has a baby girl, wife and a job at Spot. Here's the teams blog. It was good to see him. I was up for the first lap. Our plan was to have fun and see what happened, Fun was the key. Hell I am riding fixed in the desert, since it had rained so much the most I got to ride the rig was around the expo. I had no idea, since I usually ride the monster cross fixed and the 29er ss I didn't know if the bb was lower, would I get pedal strike, was I geared too high? Too Low? I had a interesting hop in my front wheel, would that prove to be a problem? I had no idea, I just planned to ride and have fun.

1st lap
Old Pueblo has a long run, I was mid pack when we hit the bikes. A 29 inch inseam doesn't lead to having a great stride. I pedaled like crazy and spun up and down it all. Shawn, of team bacon strip and I went back and forth, and before i knew it I was headed for the timing tent. The course had some mud that was super energy sucking, and lots and lots of cactus. I was surprised to hear that I was close to the top 20 people in. I had no idea. I felt good about that. My friend Kona sponsors this great event. Kevin and the other Kona employees were on a four man team. Kevin rode a Kona Africa bike with a basket and coaster brake consuming 4 beers on that one lap and still put down a great time. Kona also had a more serious 4 man open team, that won the whole event.

Dave and I went back and forth for awhile. Darkness hit and I went out for a couple of back to back laps. Great to chase you Roger. Roger was rolling solo ss and keeping a great pace, I had to work to catch him. Passed i am indisposed, thanks for the laugh mike. Came in to rest, but had trouble sleeping. I felt pretty good. I was worried because after the first two laps my stomach really was turned inside out. Dave had all the bad luck for the team. First a double flat, then cactus.

He asked if I could do another 2 in a row, not a problem, that is what team work is all about. I ended up doing 3 in a row, with a nice 40 min break in between 2 and 3. Then Dave went out for the final lap, funny think I was thinking I would probably go out for a 4th if he wasn't there, I felt great on the last lap. All in all it was a great time, we ended up with 14 laps, 8 for me and 6 for Dave. Mission accomplished. The fun factor was high. Thanks again Dave. Enough with the words, more about what I learned by riding fixed in the desert at a later time. I'll leave you with this parting shot.

with my tax return i will?

2008-01-30T12:41:00.001-08:00

Living in the city has its challenges, I have been trying to only drive the car to and from mountain bike destination. That is why I want one of these:

The Kona Ute. It could solve a few difficulties that I have with some small modifications. Bikehugger likes em and has the modifications that I would add, a stoker stem and pegs. Why you ask? My girlfriend is not as motivated as I to ride. She and I are different speeds, and I ride a whole lot more. This leads to different decisions being made in traffic, and I will ride any where. Distance will at times prevent her from getting on the bike. This way she could just sit back and enjoy the ride. Getting groceries made simple. Instead of packing them on my back, having to carefully pack my messenger bag and then having to do damage control when boxes get crushed, yogurt goes smush. Fruit and vegetables are always a bit of a challenge. While I will admit that it all can be done, the above vehicle would certainly make it all a lot more convenient. The price at $799 is not cost prohibitive other than the fact that I need to get rid of credit card debt and pay some other bills. It all comes down to priorities. Could that money be better spent? Possibly, if bills are better. Could this be an amazing purchase? yes. More thought is needed. This is just the beginning.

you know your commited when...

2008-01-29T11:47:00.000-08:00

There has been a formula for Sunday's since the new year, load up drive, ride in some sort of inclement weather, cold hands, colder toes, laughing, and too much fun to put in to words. This Sunday was no different, well not quite. The weather here is Seattle has been quite unseasonably cold, La Ninia I am told, snow has been more prevalent than is the par here.
1st call: " there is a light dusting at my house here in Bellingham, you guys still coming?"
"yes, I committed to doing one mountain bike ride a week and I haven't gone yet this week."

2nd call: we have loaded up and are on the interstate headed north.
"ok, it really snowing, big flakes, just want you to know, still coming"
"yep, thanks, but we just might not ride for as long, but I want to get out on my bike."

As we get closer to Bellingham the weather gets really snowy, people go from driving 60 to 25, it's not that bad, but there is at least 3 or 4 inches of snow on the ground. Guess he wasn't kidding, its going to be something else if this keeps up.

We arrive at Kevin's house, suit up, we almost all over dress and find ourselves at some later moment shedding layers to not overheat. We start rolling out and up towards Galby. Our group grows on the way. It ended up being the largest group ride I have ever been on.

At the start to the Whatcom Falls entrance to Galbraith.

Cold weather cycling breeds creation, I would like to get a pair of the lake winter boots but until then, I have seen and tried many different means to keep the feet warm throughout the winter months. Two wool socks, wool socks and a plastic bag, old winter boots. Luke pictured above had large wool socks over his shoes, with holes in the bottom for his cleats. Yet another creative way to keep the feet warm, it seems to be a constant battle. Craig will sometimes add toe warmers at the beginning to keep his toes warm.

Kevin practicing his magic just below the towers.

Can you believe Brett has only been growing this beard since late November. The man is just a big hair follicle. When I first met him we dubbed him Bearded Brett. Guess Why?

Chris had the greatest traction, on a semi slick. We climbed a bunch and you just had to stay seated or you got no traction. Feels great when the road hits 18 or 20%

The train rolls on.

Craig has red hair, grips and tires. He is also one of the greatest human beings i have ever had the pleasure of riding with. "Bikes are the Best" is one of his most used phrases.

The view of Bellingham from the Ridge. By the end of the day it was sunny. We had an amazing day.

I got this here beauty mark. I think we all crashed at least 4 times. My pedals had the pleasure of meeting my shin in one of those falls.
We ended up riding for about 3 and 1/2 hours, it felt like more with all the grinding we had to do through the snow. I have never ridden in anything like that. The mud was frozen so the ruts just threw you all over the place, some of the sections of trial were ice, no braking allowed. We did at one point in time practice our front wheel skids.

The epic sundays continue

2008-01-22T16:36:00.000-08:00

We finally got a camera out on the ride, see the above photo, then the batteries died. Guess that's how it goes sometimes. While we didn't get much photographic evidence of the epic sunday ride, we did have another epic time. This is fairly early in the ride, later on the sun came out and we could not have asked for a better time. Dale Plant graced us with his presence, and proceeded to show us all why he is dubbed "the great one" He stuck it to us again and again, and he wasn't even riding his own bike. Something about doing a lot of skate skiing. The last couple of weeks we have stayed on Galbrieth, we wanted a bit more climbing on different trails. We had just that. Long extended climbs followed by snow grinding and a bunch of hiking, due to deep unrideable snow. The hiking actually helped warm the feet. I imagine we will be back again next weekend for another epic, although the weather is supposed to be a snow rain mix. oh fun.

I have struggled with keeping my feet warm. I have old winter boots from Gearne, but the toe box is just too small and they cause my feet to go numb, well my big toe to be exact, for a day or two. I have toe covers on my sidi's but even with two wool socks on I just can not seem to keep my toes from freezing. This week the 30 mile an hour wind didn't help either. I just keep thinking that the weather will get better and I will be able to postpone biting the bullet and getting some real winter boots like the lakes, or the sidi's I just don't have the coin right now.

3 weeks from Old Pueblo. I am still tossing around what bike i will be riding, now that I have the tomi cogs here, I might not bring the monster cross and bring the 29er instead. Dave and I will have so much fun. I hope it is warm down there. I have held off looking at the weather report so as not to get my hopes up too much.

Sunday's are going well...

2008-01-15T11:30:00.000-08:00

Each Sunday of the new year we have made the trek to Bellingham for a ride that we say will last 2 to 3 hours and always lasts at least 4. The best intentions. My friend Kevin and his wife just had a baby boy, and he likes spending time with them, but always ends up with a bit more time on the bike than planned. Hell last week he took a wrong turn on his mountain and we ended up getting in some bonus singletrack. It is amazing that we keep riding partners, between snow, mud, freezing digits and early season fitness we just keep rolling. This past Sunday was like the others, only Kevin left us early to get back home and we pushed on, the day was perfect, sunny, we joked about the light in the sky. We haven't seen much of it lately. Although the forecast is calling for a stint of sun, I will have to take advantage. Lets just hope it melts the snow we got last night????? It doesn't usually snow here, I got to ride home, I was amazed at how fast I could travel in the slush on my 28c tires. I had a blast. I tried to get some good photos, but I just looked like a wet rat.

So far I have these races on the schedule:
24 hrs of Old Pueblo (duo fixed) with Dave Nice
sswc
the test of metal
cascade cream puff

tentatively I would like to also race:
dirt, sweat and gears, ssusa
tahoe 100
and some that are just kinda on the radar.

Other than that I plan on exploring around the Seattle area and riding as much as I can, and still not get too tired. I always remember what happened to me and it keeps me honest, not trying to do too much, but enough to be competitive. Less is more as you get older I keep getting told. Recovery is key. Don't I know.

This weekend a group of us are heading down to All Comer's Meat, in Eugene. It was straight up debauchery last year, this year will be a bit more tame I imagine, but then again you never know, parking lot wrestling at 1 am is always a good time. The drive home the next day was one to remember. The last 90 miles we were on the top of a flat bed tow truck. I will not drive this year. Rode fixed last year, still trying to figure out if I will again, most likely I will. I just sold my mountain bike wheels and won't have new ones till later next week. I could change parts around, or I could just ride what I got. there you have it. As always keep pedaling.

Things are going....

2008-01-11T13:00:00.000-08:00

Here I sit all broken hearted.... no really, like sayings on bathroom walls here I write things to stave off boredom. Thanks for reading.
There is something wrong with the race to get in to the race if you know what I mean. New Year's Day was dedicated to filling out race registration forms for events in months. One of the hoops we must jump through. I have taken to signing up for the races I want to do right now, gives me something to shoot for, a reason to "train". Training, I like to call it riding with a purpose, fitness is fleeting and I keep chasing it down, occasionally a bar stool gets in my way. On that front, I have cut way back, see what having a goal can do to you.

Enough about that. This weekend it is another trip to Bellingham, for a group ride, probably in the rain, it has a way of doing that here. Next weekend the trip to Eugene for All Comer's Meat, the Disciples of Dirt really know how to have fun. Last years details are a little hazy, the parking lot antics late at night go down as some of the best ever. I'll leave it at that. So there you have it, my little rant for the day....as always keep pedaling.

300th post....ps I in

2008-01-09T11:35:00.000-08:00

That's right, I had no intention of that being the title, but there you have it. Is it me or does it seem like mountain biking is making a come back? The first of the year I was on the web at New Year's, like many, many others, waiting to sign up for a race in August, a single speed only race no less. More on that later. After spending all day running around I rushed home at 6 pm to sign up for the Test of Metal, which is in June. Both these races filled up faster than, I was looking for a good analogy, but just couldn't think that clearly yet, something about my 400 lb friend at the all you can eat buffet, but that just didn't seem to make much sense. There you have it both races filled up with in minuets, of opening. The Test of Metal, for those of you who don't know is a 67 km race out of Squamish, BC that I am told every Northwester needs to do. Last year I missed the sign up by a few months, didn't know you had to be armed and ready on the first of the New Year for a race months and months away, chalk it up to being under prepared or just lacking computer savvy or planning skills for that matter. I tend to fly by the seat of my pants a lot of the time, just ask some of my riding partners.
"you got a bar i can borrow"
"how bout a few of those Bloks?"
"you need all of that?"
"tube anyone, how bout a lever?"
I am exaggerating a bit, but I tend to "misplace" things on occasion. Thanks to all those who have been there for me.
Back to the World of registering for races. Test of Metal took my money right away, I knew I was in for sure, just had to wait a few days for the confirmation email, got it, now I am committed to lining up and completing this must do race. The SSWC was a different story. I woke up on Sunday morning to an email from a friend, I believe the title was"I'm in, I'm in, I'm in" There was nothing from them in my in box. I quickly punched in Dicky's blog address and saw that he was in as well. My little heart sank, but then again I hadn't gotten a rejection email as well which a bunch of my friends had, so I was still hopeful. I began analyzing every detail about the registration process, which was a bit hazy due to the time constraints. In the coming days I came to the resolution that I would just go down and hang out and have a great time, as that is what it is really about, having never raced in the SSWC I really wanted to officially do it at least once. Then with all the bitching on MTBR....please I would never bash the promoter's or bitch, it was obviously going to be hottly contested with 1 in 4 getting in or something, I am sure they have other tricks up their sleeves for the start, or the whole weekend, it is about having a good time racing your bike in a different atmosphere, the race is why we gather, but the real reason is to be surrounded by like minded individuals. We will take over the world.....
Sorry to make this so long.... having not received anything I sent an email to the headquarters to see what the story was, I assumed I was SOL and just going down to heckle, so you can only imagine how surprised I was today when I got the "your in" email. I'll be there and in the race.

Thanks Dave, just what i needed to help with my training regiment.

Happy New Year

2008-01-04T13:04:00.000-08:00

A couple of days behind, it has been awhile since I have posted, one of the Resolutions I made was to update this think a bit more regularly, like 2 times a week maybe three. I have realized that if I leave goals or resolutions as simple as do it more I fall short. Not for lack of trying I just think that goals have to be specific to be achieved and evaluated. Here is the short list of goals.
Post 2 or 3 times on this blog.
Take more photos, I don't know how to be more specific, I would just like to have more photos than I do.
Not drink for the first week of the new year, clean the system out a bit. The Holidaze have a way of being just that a daze. I almost went for the whole month, but just decided I would make it up as I went along, a week when you work at a brewery is quite a long time. Being around all those taps of delicious goodness that just calls to me. That and we have some amazing beers coming out that I at least want to taste. The only way to taste is by the pint, we all know that.
To ride more consistently
To rest the legs a bit more. I have even talked about getting a geared road bike, long fixed gear rides leave the legs a bit tired. I haven't ridden a geared bike in many, many moons, hell I barely coast a lot of the time these days. Older and smarter? Wiser? or just Weaker? who knows.
To commit to races early so there is no backing out. I hopefully got in to the sswc, and I already registered for a classic in the BC are The Test of Metal. Had to be at the computer and ready at 6 pm on New Year's day for that one. Damn website wouldn't load, due to traffic, but I squeaked in, well they took my money so I assume that means I am in. Other races on the radar are the Cascade Cream Puff, The Tahoe Sierra 100, Dirt, Sweat and Gears(ssusa), the BC Bike Race, something back east like the Vermont 50, that's the short list, I could go on and on, but I digress.
I have never really done the resolution thing on New Year's but I thought it was a time to reflect and make some goals, not really resolutions but goals obtainable goals, to get back on the race horse so to speak and stick to a plan. haha plan, secret training. So there you have it my verbal diarrhea. take it or leave it, but as always keep pedaling.

Woman deserve this....

2007-12-19T13:35:00.000-08:00

Got this email a few days back and had every intention of getting it up here. Equal prize money for woman at UCI events, hell make it Norba events too. Here is the link to the petition.

Today being one of those days I slept too much and my head feels all fuzzy, I don't really have much to say, maybe it was all the wine and cheese last night.

2 Slow 2 Coast

2007-12-18T13:13:00.000-08:00

Last year we were low on money and wanted to get away from the rain for some sun, but just couldn't afford it. This winter we promised ourselves that no matter what we were getting away to the desert. We did the Old Pueblo race a few years a back and have wanted to return ever since. Usually it is 60 or 70 degrees and sunny, quite a change from Seattle. The only decision that remained was what category to race. My friend Kevin and I talked about putting together a 4 man coaster brake team, I thought about solo, then was I going to ride fixed or not, then I checked Dave Nice's blog and happened to see that he was thinking of heading to Old Pueblo, and looking for a duo fixie partner. I knew that was the answer.

2 slow 2 coast, our team name, fueled by Whiskey and beer. I can't wait it will be so much fun.

Now what gearing to run, gotta get some bigger tires than the cross tires on the bike right now. Spend a few more days relaxing and then put in a few more miles a week to get ready. We both have the same idea to have fun and enjoy, rather than tear ourselves inside out so early in the year.

Last weekend I rode up in Bellingham with Kevin and a few others in the pouring rain for just shy of 4 hours. We were all soaked and cold by the end. I must remember to bring a spare set of gloves and booties for my feet. On the final descent of the day I couldn't feel my fingers enough to know if I was braking or not. In the shower everything itched like crazy and it took a few beers before I was warm through and through.

Now I have to surf the couch a bit more before I head out to yet another Christmas party. My liver will thank me when they are over.

cross season finale...

2007-12-11T12:11:00.001-08:00

It's over, my legs and back are thanking me, the are knotted up and in need of some rest. The finale was this Sunday at Kelly Creek, and it snowed a bit, making for a slick ride at times. I could give you the lap by lap run down, but why I'll just give you the highlights.

I lead for a bit, a lap or two maybe three.

For awhile it was 1 and 2 both riding fixed.

My friend Craig Ethridge won BRAKELESS on a fixie, by a bit. Remember his name cause he is such a great guy, after winning the ss race he jumped on his geared bike and raced the 1/2 race.

Dale Knapp did a bit of a strip tease. ouch!!!!

I did a couple of shots from the Cabana, some coconut pineapple concoction. Kept me warm.

Brap, Brap was heard from the sidelines, this is what I say to others when we are out gettin it, thanks to my friends Smiley and Amber.

The Revolution Cycling team did quite well on the season placing riders on the podium in most of their respective classes.

Now I am going in to the Holidaze a bit more fit than normal. I have also been running a bit, trying to cross train, man pavement is hard.

As always keep pedaling.

bunny hops...

2007-12-03T20:27:00.000-08:00

i took this one off the cycling northwest website. thanks to whoever it was that snapped this here action shot. I wondered how I had been clearing the barriers on the fixie and how high I could get. Before this here shot I wasn't sure. Not bad for a guy on a fixie with more than a couple beers in him. Guess it ain't called liquid courage for nothing. I cleared the next one as well and rode a massive nose wheelie out. Some might call it style I just called it luck, and the sense to know that you just stay calm.

In other news, I raced now it would be almost 8 days ago and felt like crap, it was the 8th race of the series, only one more to go then it is a bit of a commuting hiatus for a couple of weeks and then I start "training" for the upcoming season, more on that later though. It was cold, I was tired from serving football fans all Saturday long, and I had to gut it out, no style just good old fashion grit and determination. I had my worst race of the season and finished 5th in the ss class. Looking at the results I was only 1 min 7 seconds out of first, 30 seconds out of 3rd 1 second out of 4th and 1 second away from 6th. All in all for how I felt not a bad day. true grit. The season finale is this weekend, looks to be extremely wet, we are literally preparing to build an ark real soon. Good times and as always keep pedaling.

a weekend to remember.....

2007-11-14T12:13:00.000-08:00

Where to begin, why not at the beginning. I heard about the SSCXWC long ago, in August while at a baby shower for the Noble's in Bellingham. I knew I had to go, there was no question, a first year event, put on by friends, a must. The Noble's have since given birth, and the event has passed its first year. Now I will just get to the story.
The weather called for rain all weekend, it wouldn't be cross without mud. Well thank god the weather man wasn't all right. It rained but never while racing which made for one amazing weekend, that won't be forgotten, all except for the details that where never remembered in the first place.
I awoke early Saturday morning, and got on the road a bit later than I had expected to. I left Seattle at about 9:00 am I should have left a few hours earlier. Dogs needed attention and my alarm didn't wake me from my slumber when it should have. Thank god for dogs and slobber. Nothing like getting woken up with a dogs tongue in your ear to find you are running late, to get you going in a hurry. So I was off. I plugged the Mp3 player in and listened to a bunch of 80's punk, the likes of Black Flag and Descendents. I found my way to the event, registered a bit late, and started to take it all in. What a scene it was. There was a qualifying time trial, one lap around the 2.2 mile course. I wasn't too worried about qualifying, while waiting to go I got the urge, nature called so to speak and a Honey Bucket was required for relief. Well here is where I miss my time trial start by more than a minuete. I finish, crack a PBR, cause they are the recovery drink of champions and proceed to play around on my bike meeting other like minded folks. I figured I might need some time bonuses. One of those bonuses included bunny hopping two barriers one after the other. There were others on fixie's attempting to and completing, a few crashes as well, so I gave it a go. Clean up and over I went a bunch of times. At one point riding a 15 foot nose wheelie out of the last one. PBR continued to flow. They announce the qualifiers and low and behold I am not in the list, my trip to the Honey Bucket caused me to miss the initial qualifying.
Last Chance race here I come. We all line up and I am at the back almost missing the line up, no trip to the Honey Bucket this time. The whistle blows and we are off, for 2 laps of the course this time. I make my way towards the front, and debate holding back for tomorrow, no way I twist the throttle and push the pace. There are 3 of us out front battling for the win. One guy crashes in to me, I some how manage to keep it upright, and then the other guy turns off course early, He thought the course turned right, which it did, just 100 feet later than where he turned. I proceed to win the last chance qualifier. I get a really nice prize, which I did not expect but willingly accepted.
After all this we change and head in to Portland for the Dinner Reception, followed by pub crawl. Free food and beer flowed at the Green Dragon, a new pub in a warehouse just up the street from the Lucky Lab, in SE Portland. I was amazed that more SS didn't show up and it took almost 2 hours to drain the keg. I was surprised and disappointed in my Single Speed brethren. The pub crawl commenced and went on and on. We had a blast. I won't go in to much detail and will leave it at we arrived back at the house at a bit after 2 and it was raining.

Race Day

We awake, feeling great. Walk to breakfast, and try to get our race legs under us. Coffee, waffles and I had to have a Mimosa, it really helped, all that Vitamin C. Off to the race we head, watching the SS class race, the woman, the A's race. The weather got better as the day progressed, the course was slick and after nearly 1000 racers was more mud than grass. The stage was set, call ups where done and we were set to go. Twist #1 just before we start they have us turn around and head in the opposite direction, thus those of us at the back where now at the front. The potato gun was fired and off we went, round and round. Twist #2 There was a Tequila bar on course that allowed for a short cut, I did it every time I could. There were so many fans, cheering us on, all close on the climb\runup. Beers where handed off, and sprayed and I had so much fun. Thanks to Matt and Danny for making it happen.
Other highlights I did not mention yet. Live Kareoke while racing. Adam Craig sang Britney Spears "hit me baby one more time"
Kiss Cross dressed up and ready to rock. They had their own cheerleaders.
Being surrounded by so many other like minded individuals out for a good time.

I will go on record saying this is a not to be missed event, for all of you who didn't make it, I expect to see you next year. They are already planning. Thanks to Alix from Surly who is super cool. Thanks to PBR, White Industries, Cross Crusade, for making it happen.

For pics you can go here, or here, or check the forum on the Cross Crusade page. I will upload some pics in a bit.

Donida Farms CX race

2007-11-06T11:33:00.000-08:00

I had the first Saturday off in awhile, not that I got to bed much earlier than normal. Woke up and got ready and then realized I could have slept in, good old daylight savings time. Instead we walked the dogs around the block and woke up slowly.

On the drive out the rain started to fall, Danielle joked about turning around and heading home. "Come on we live in Seattle after all," as we got closer to the race site we passed lots and lots of abandoned fireworks stands, I imagine at a certain time of year they are all the rage. Enough about that. I still had the funk and while warming up didn't feel that I had the power needed for this course. We had the largest SS class at a Seattle Cross race this season, and it was not the day to have a bad race. They line us up at the start according to overall points in the series, having missed one race, even though I have done well at the other 3 still landed me on the second line, behind 8 others. Not exactly where I wanted to be. I got a bad start, when riding old shoes and old crankbrother's cleats on a fixed gear having trouble getting in is not what you want off the start. I think I was in 8th or 10th or something going in to the first corner. The course wasn't the easiest to pass on, I worked my way up to 6th i think by about half way through the first lap. Not wanting to get split up from the front I pinned it and as we neared the end of the 1st lap I was sitting pretty in 2nd. I was able to keep Jared, Yeti guy as I have called him until now, in sites for 3 laps before he was able to as the announcer put it stamp his Alaska airlines ticket on the way out. It went on like this and by the end of the day due to a mechanical by Galen I was able to get another 2nd place. 1st loser some would say, some would say don't come home if you don't win, I on the other hand like to be happy with how I did. Fixed and all. I have worked my way up to 5th overall in the series on only 4 races. I will be in Portland this weekend and miss the double header and be back in the pack once again. Portland will be so much fun and is more important to me. After all I got the beer for them.

I get asked a lot if I think that I would be faster if I could coast. I really don't know maybe, maybe about the same. I tell you if I laid off the beer a bit I could probably lose a bit of the gut.

That would make me faster. That said I am there to have fun and fun was had. Why do I always feel like I am going to puke after these races?

keep pedaling...

2007-11-01T14:11:00.000-07:00

cause Stone Cold says so....

Fort Steilacoom revisited

2007-10-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

It was a gorgeous fall day, one of those days where the light is perfect, the sun is shining, a slight nip in the air, we were all wearing short sleeves. Fort Steilacoom is just south of Tacoma, about a 45 min drive from my house. I arrived took the dogs for a walk in the park and then suited up and readied for battle. I had been coughing up lung butter all week, and was really hesitant to race, but really wanted to. I found myself wondering why I was pushing so hard to get points in the series, that a few months ago I could have carried less about. It looks like because I am choosing the CCSSWC in Portland over a weekend of racing here in the Seattle series I will be only participating in 6 of 9 in the Seattle series races and the Points race includes the best 7 results. I still hope to place in the top 5 overall, but I can not have a bad race. Enough about all that, competition takes hold of me sometimes and I feel the need for speed so to speak.

Now to the race on Sunday. Thanks to Twin Six I had a new jersey and socks just for the occasion. What better for fall than the Buck. Every Singlespeeder needs a pair to these, 6 inch wool beauties. Thanks so much Brent. The course included small climb some descending and the famous Knapp run up, think a very long, not so fun steep hill run in the middle of the race.
Lap one: The whistle blows and we are off. I find myself out front for a bit of the lap, through the barriers and up the small climb, then I get passed and struggle to hold his wheel. Down a steep, loose, mulch hillside and on to the run up we go. Running uphill is not my strong point, in fact it is my weakness. Up we go and I am now battling for second and third. At the top we are in a pack, once we hit the flats I have the power and the ability to stay out front, a firm second.

Laps 2,3,4
I get passed by one more single speeder Galin, last weeks winner and continue to battle for the next position with Mike. He is faster on the run up, but I can catch him on the rest of the course.

Lap 5
I am able to shed Mike and get a gap. Firmly in third. Now if I can just hold it.

Lap 6 the final lap
I have a gap until I drop my chain. How could this be. I fix it and am on my bike just ahead of Mike, last years series champion. He is faster on the run up, typically, we are close to the top and neck and neck, it is do or die time, I bury my head and dig deep, just edging him out at the top. I know that I will not be able to shake him, it is the last lap, I try but to no avail. We are going to be sprinting for third. I am patient and think I know where he will jump on me, I see him in my periphery and stomp on the pedals, just edging him out across the line. I am whipped, snot is everywhere, but I managed to get third, a very hard fought third at that. It was a great race.

thanks dave

2007-10-29T10:19:00.000-07:00

If you make it to Denver and like the brown liquor, you need to go see Dave Nice at Stranahan's. He is distilling great American Whiskey there. Thanks again Dave it was good to meet you in person. Now if we can just get together and do some riding.

If you do make it to see Dave make sure to ask him his favorite question:

What is the difference between Bourbon and Whiskey? I' ll leave it right there.

As always keep pedaling.

sniffle, cough,sniffle

2007-10-25T13:32:00.000-07:00

We are having great weather here in the Pac Northwest am I am stuck inside, wheezing, coughing and wanting to be healthy. I have been doing so since Monday morning. This time of year always gets me and it drives me crazy every time. I don't do well staying still, but riding when all your joints hurt doesn't feel good either. Hopefully I will have some power on Sunday for the next Cross race.
It's the aches that kill me. I am sleeping as much as I can to get rid of this shit. Think good thoughts and as always keep pedaling.

Bridesmaid again...

2007-10-23T12:19:00.000-07:00

Another cross race another 2nd place. This past weekend at Kelly Creek was bumpy, fast and quite a workout, it had been raining all week and the horse field was soaked. I found that the worn in line was not always the fastest line and found myself experimenting on more than one occasion with riding in the grass. Most of the time it was to my benefit. I often wonder if I would be faster if I could coast or not. It seems the answer would be easy, yes. I am not completely convinced. I am definitely more fit, more in tune and more healthy than last year, I feel more connected to my cross bike than ever before, and I am having fun. I just want to pull out one win, at least. I want to dispel the myth that fixed gears are not functional. I'll be honest I just want to win one. I had a great battle for 2nd with my friend Ben Smith, we went back and forth, and back and forth, until I was finally able to shed him. I shed him, but then Mike R. was on a tear and almost caught me, but I was able to hold him off and keep second place. I have already missed one series race.
The series is 9 races long your best 7 finishes count at the end of the series. Having missed one and planning on missing another 2, these two are on the same weekend as the sscxwc down in Portland and I must be there. It is more important to me. I fear because of this clash, I will finish out of the awards simply because others will show up when I don't. Even if I beat them all season. Does it really matter no. But it sure would be nice to stand on the podium at the end of the season knowing I wasn't coasting when all the others were. In the end I think the world championships will be more fun and I want to be part of that event, the first one of its kind. There I have talked enough shit and it is time to nurse my aching body, I feel as though I am coming down with some sort of cold, flu thing. Just when the weather is perfect for riding, sunny and warm I go down for the count. I will fight through it all. As always keep pedaling.

Crosstoberfest 2007

2007-10-09T13:53:00.001-07:00

Ragnorok Racing and Second Ascent put on an annual Cross race in October. There is a relay race where cross dressing is encouraged. In the week leading up to the race I could find no one willing to commit to a costume, so I bagged the idea. I should have brought a costume as I found many people willing on race day. Oh well live and learn.

So the racing action. First I would just like to say it was an awesome course. Reverse of last year, so I constantly felt I was going the wrong way. I am sure I was not alone.
Here we are lined up and ready to go. There was a first lap prime, for a pair of sunglasses.

I wanted to be the guy on the fixie who won the prime and would have been if I had just been a bit more patient. There was a turn from grass to wet pavement which I took a bit to sharp and ended up on the ground because of. Now I had to chase.
Here we are just after the start.

Here I am about to pass Ben, he won the week before, two laps in and I am charging.

It wouldn't be cross without barriers. These were right next to the beer garden and lots of hand ups of beer and heckling went on here.

more barriers.

This was such a fun race and I felt good even with the 3:45 am bed time after working all night. Craig ended up with the win, the top 5 single speeders beat the 1st placed 3, not to bad for a bunch of one geared freaks. This year the single speed class here in Seattle has doubled averaging between 20 and 30 riders each week.
Here is the top 3 chatting after the race.

I look so happy with my grumpy man face on. Wonder what i was saying at that moment, probably something about how great my legs feel.
No race would be complete without a recovery drink.

New Belgium Brewing sponsors the event, and I always look forward to each year.

In other cross news. I mentioned it before and will mention it again. My friends down in Portland are hosting the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships over the weekend of November 9th and 10th, looks to be a blast. For more info, go here. I look forward to seeing you there.

Radio silence has been broken...

2007-10-04T11:56:00.000-07:00

I dropped off the face of the planet, and wish I had a picture that summed up what life has been like. Eat, ride, work, eat, work, work, work, race, work, drink, race, get a tattoo......you get the picture. Gotta get the liver ready for this. I now understand the old saying "life picks up speed..." What happened to this year. It's raining heavily again, what happened to the summer. Constant rain and drizzle can only mean one thing, Cross season is upon us. Its funny, I was never a big fan. While living in Reno I wouldn't race, hell wouldn't even go watch, just wasn't what I wanted to be doing. Who wants to ride in small circles hop over barriers on a road bike with knobbies. I'm a mountain biker, I like to get away. I now enjoy me some cross. It hurts like nothing else, and what else can I say about the racing action is intense, close and short. It's like a big family. I had always heard these things but by the time it all came around I was not in to the travel and putting on the chamois, I was thinking about sweet powder and giving the legs a rest. oh how things have changed. I have raced the last two weekends, both times on the official hangover that goes with a Sunday afternoon race.

Last year I raced a few races with little luck, and then lost interest, duty called and I had to work a bunch. My girlfriend and I also share a car and she took priority, travel and you get there is a long list of excuses. I must tell you that I am riding the fixed monster cross frame that Wade built me at all said events. Most people think that is crazy, never raced cross to racing it on a fixie, why not, like I have said before moderation has never been my strong point, or moderation but only in moderation. It is the bike I have, and I must stand by my one gear one mind motto for fear of being called a fake. haha, get the sarcasm. Well enough about the bike or was it my ego we were talking about. more sarcasm.

Race #1 Fort Stelllacoom Rad Racing uci
There were 13 or 15 or so of us on the line. It is dry and sunny, the course is almost dusty. Now for those of you who don't know this course has the longest run up in the country I am told, the Knapp run up after Dale Knapp. Running, oh how I love running. I have the hangover associated with celebrating someones engagement, I also have ever expectation of getting smoked. The gun goes off and I am near the front. I am feeling good, we hit traffic from the class in front of us and I lose a few feet on the front two. The long run up, followed by the downhill and I can barely see them. Think eggbeater. On the flats I have lots of power and reign them in a bit. Each of the five goes like this. I settle in to getting third, not bad, then someone flats and second is mine, first is really close, I miss it by about 10 feet. 2nd or first loser. I stay around for the awards and get a set of Racing Ralph tires. Not bad for 20 bucks. I smile have a beer and a coffee, yeah I was a bit confused and head home.

Race #2 Snohomish 1st race in the Seattle Series
Last year this race was the fourth in the series and my undoing. It was raining, super muddy, I was a bit sick and I feel apart. I think due to all the damage last year they moved it to earlier in the year to avoid a repeat. Well no luck there. The rain has returned to the Pacific Northwest, and on Sunday the rain was constant and heavy. The course was a soupy, sloppy mud fest, very crossy. There were 25 of us on the line, it was 50 degrees and I again had the hangover, I had worked a 10 hr day serving football fans beer before and after the local college game at my bar, then to relieve some stress indulged in a bit of elegant drinking, a couple Bulliet Burbons and some Belgian beer. Enough about that, the gun goes off and I charge to the front and take the lead about 1/2 way in to the lap and proceed to lay it down. I get a good gap and am feeling good, then I have no front brake, and then on the fourth lap my legs are not cooperating and I start going backwards. I go in to damage control mode and hold on for a 3rd place finish. I am happy but would have like to win it. I feel redeemed after last year, but again my legs did give out just not as bad, last year I ended up 8th or 9th out of 15 or so people.

This weekend is Crosstober out at St Edwards, and coming up in November our friends in Portland are putting together one hell of a weekend mark your calenders for the weekend of November 9th and 10th cause it is gonna be a time not to be missed, the Unofficial Official Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships. More info should be available here on Friday. I there will be a qualifying time trial on Saturday and then the race on Sunday, with a party in between I am told. I hope to see you all there. I will be talking about this more when I get more details.

so its been awhile....

2007-09-11T14:14:00.000-07:00

I haven't forgotten about this site, I have just been super busy and riding has been at the top of my priority list. In the last couple of weekends I have done back to back big rides. I have ridden some spectacular rides, all with tons of elevation gain, am looking towards cyclocross, and next season. That is all the tid bits I have right now, life is happening as I like to say I will give more details later. for now enjoy the ride.

Tour de fat

2007-08-17T13:30:00.000-07:00

New Belgium's Tour De Fat came to town, and I must say fun times were had by all. The next day was a bit on the tuff side, but after a few hours of riding all was good. Here is a little photo essay
The master of ceremonies:

what is there to say:

Bikes, bikes bikes. this one had a lean to it:

It took some focus and just the right amount of beer to ride this here swivel bike. Once I figured it out, i was having a great time riding in small circles.

The sneaker bike. talk about a rough ride.

Josh won the slowest rider, fastest drinker award. Check out that belt. I just had to congratulate him. Cheers Josh!!!!!

the scoreboard, the only thing missing is the kegs consumed...

I just couldn't decide which I wanted Belgian beer or a nice American IPA, so I had both. We sat over across the street and enjoyed the rest of the show.

I had a great time. I like what New Belgium is all about. Keep up the good work.

the silence is broken...

2007-07-31T14:54:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in awhile, I haven't taken very many pics of the great places I have been riding my bike, and now I have broken that silence. Last weekend consisted of a nice ride at Tiger Mt on Friday, followed by a night of work. Saturday it was up and adam packing the car and heading out towards Cyrstal Mountain and the 410 highway for some epic riding. It took longer to get there than I would have liked and we forgot out camp rests think no padding for a relaxing nights sleep. I final got riding around 3pm and it was great. I headed out for a loop on the Sun Top trail, and long fire road climb followed by a steep single track grunt and then some amazingly fast descending. There was a 50 mile running race happening on these trails and our late start worked out perfect as I was climbing the fire road up to the top I got to cheer on the runners as the came down. It was amazing how many of them cheered me on as well, they were the ones doing the real hard work, running 50 miles on technical trial doesn't seem like fun at all to me. It was a nice change of pace to be cheering others along on their journey in what the human body, mind, soul, spirit is capable of. The weather started to change from sunny to overcast to misty as I reached the top and it got colder my wool jersey started to frost up. A few hike a bikes later I was blasting down the trail. It has been a wet summer here and the trials were in perfect condition, lots of traction. That night we sat around the camp fire and laughed it up. I ended with a total of 4000 ft of climbing in just about 20 miles.
In our packing we forgot some key items and ended up having to make due. We cooked by wrapping our food in tinfoil and throwing it in the fire, some things burned as we were trying to deal with a broken tent. It all worked out for the best and we kicked back had a few beers and watched the fire.
Sunday we woke up early and headed out for another epic, the previous nights sleep without a camp rest left me a bit sore to begin with. The ride called for more climbing followed by an epic descent. It was the Noble Knob trial to the Palisades trail. More of the same. This trial follows a band of cliffs, periodically you are traveling along the top, with spectacular views, that need to be enjoyed off the bike. As soon as the ride finished the rain came in. We stopped for a beer and a burger and then headed home. Man did the bed feel great on Sunday night.

Cascade Creampuff 100

2007-07-11T12:14:00.000-07:00

I can't remember the last time that I slept to awake at 4 am for any reason, usually I am seeing 4 am from the other side, leaving work, aboard my bike looking at the Space Needle, that dominates the Seattle skyline on my pedal home. You can only imagine how in shock my body was as I awoke on Sunday morning after a few hours nap to grape nuts and a banana, my favorite still after all these years. I was filled with memories of humming and just plain loving grape nuts, ah the times of my younger days, just now I need a little coffee to kick start my day. We left our cozy room, read really tight quarters and headed to the start of what I hoped would a good finish, but mostly I to put a stop to the nerves and demons of the last few years, which where dominated by lack of fitness, illness and what I like to call life happening moments. The Creampuff, it's easy just look at the name, is a joke often overheard, take note this is no walk in the park, with 6,000 ft of climbing per lap and 3 laps of pure love it is both lots of up, on fireroad, all except for that last 1,500 ft on singletrack. An all singletrack descent that varies from the Jedi section, think Ewoks, and turns that could cost you more than you are willing to part with. The view from the top is just amazing.

I could go on but I will get to the details of this epic race. After a "neutral" start which meant that the pace car sped away and we were left to our own devices, nothing neutral about it we were at the bottom of the climb. Lap one is somewhat of a blur, Kevin and I were feeling great, half wheeling each other all the way up. "you need to slow down" I heard as I blazed through Aid 2, the party stop. I had a rumbling in my stomach, and was a bit bloated, this was a sign of things to come. Like all races and especially endurance races there are always obstacles to overcome, both physical and mental, the first lap brought none of those, I was just having a great time. "Nothing like morning laps with your buddy" Kevin shouts over the wiz of freewheels and the sound of dry disc brakes. It was awesome, and it looked like we might ride the day out together. We pass our friend and fellow singlespeeder Bart, who is running a rigid fork, drop bars, and a 34x20 gear on a 29er, he was going to run 34x19.

On our return visit to Aid 2, mark says "your in 5th, keep it up." Kevin and I continue the descent and start to pick riders off, we are just flowing down the trial. We near the bottom and have picked off most of the single speeders in front of us, later we found out it was all of them. We hit Aid 1 grab some supplies and head out. At the bottom of the climb my stomach takes center stage, I hang on to Kevin for a bit and then have to slow down, damage control. I watch him pedal away. This is where the mental games come in to play, the mind over matter. I soldier on, telling myself it will get better. Here is where I force myself to eat, and drink to feed the machine. I arrive at Aid 2, resupply get some back work done and head out. I start to feel better and by the time I arrive at the top I am feeling it again, down I plunge all the way to Aid 1 feeling great, hit the River trail, a short nasty little 3 miles along the river I was feeling good again, and paced it out deciding that reserves need to be conserved. Then the wind went out of the sails and I was forced to dig deep in the bag of tricks to make it through to Aid 2 for almost the last time. I wanted to quit, to call it a day and enjoy some of Wade's Porter, but I had told Danielle "If i make it up here on the final lap, tell me to get on my bike and ride walk, fuckin crawl if you have to, you are going to finish." That is exactly what she did. So I did.

This is where I get to my slice of humble pie. I watched the leading lady fly by and then a couple singlespeeders and then the second place lady right as I hit Aid 3. I had a nice hike with my bike up to the top, and then descended like a child, everything hurt so bad, that is sometimes what happens in these races, and we always forget the bad and remember the good that's how we end up back on the start line race after race, year after year. Needless to say I cracked and fell apart, not without a little PBR for the last descent though. After my return to Aid 2 for the last time, I just wanted to finish with no problems so unlike my usually character I headed down with conservation in mind. Crossed the line, after pedaling with one leg for awhile the other was all locked up. I drank lots of water, took endurolytes probably not enough, and finished, I am unsure of my finish time, but it was way off what I did in 04, but then again these are different times.

The Creampuff is a big family, and it sure was great to see the old friends and make some new ones. The memories will not be forgotten soon, and my love for Oakridge has returned. Thanks to all the volunteers for their help as well as encouraging words. I think I forgot to thank them at the time, but I was a little out of it.

Kevin ended up winning the singlespeed class, what a great gift for a soon to be dad. There is a great write up by mark here.
I will add more pics, but flickr doesn't seem to want to cooperate and neither does blogger. there you have it. I will leave you with a shot of the pre race meal....I got it uploaded before it all went to pot.

with a huff and a puff

2007-07-03T13:56:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I had my first experience riding in Eastern Washington, we had a large group so is was not a race, we hiked a bunch, there was a lot of steep hike a bike sections and a lot of loose talus to be dealt with. My friend Brett, who will also be at the Creampuff was our ride leader, the scenery and trail conditions were vastly different than the Western side of the Cascades, think extremely dry, rocky and loose, although I have said since living here who ever put in the forest service roads here looked where they wanted to be and went straight up. we climbed 1000 ft in the first 2 miles of the ride, most of that in the last 3/4 of a mile. The views were worth the agony, my favorite quote of the day goes to Keith, who after 2 plus hours of riding and hiking and hiking some more was overheard saying, "the only thing that will make all that worth it is if this ride ends in a field of beer and handjob." To which the rest of the guys responded, "handjobs, I prefer blowjobs." There you have it. While the ride didn't end in either, the last half of the ride was much better and the last descent was fantastic. Thank you Brett.
On to my fear about the Puff, I just want to finish and not be destroyed, with all that life has been throwing at me I think that this is all I can hope for. I could list all the stressors, but that just isn't the point. I feel as though I am making excuses, but they are not excuses just the truth about what has taken priority this year. Riding has mainly been a utility to and from the daily grind. Training, was limited and my health has been an ever present challenge. Nuff said. I am going to go out and have some fun and see what the day brings. It is a race, but I plan to ride it, if I feel like racing later in the day, I will, if not I will just try to maintain a consistent pace, eating and drinking so that I stay away from the dreaded bonk. This is a large challenge and I pray that I am not taking on too much with all the health issues I have faced. I think that I have the physical fitness, the mind is a terribly hard monster sometimes. I would just like to have a good ride, and finish before the cut off time in good spirits. Funny how goals change from year to year. The biggest challenge for me is knowing that I am going back to a race that I have done well at and that I most likely will not beat my time from the previous year. Not impossible, but not very probably given the shape I was in that year. The goal is to have fun. Not regrets, I will have lots of time to converse with myself, somewhere around 11 hours I hope. thats all for now. as always keep pedaling.

Baby's got a new pair of shoes...

2007-06-23T13:05:00.000-07:00

and pedals. That is right a few weeks back I wanted to post that about this but never got around to it. While out riding the Tiger Mountain trail my friend Keith and I got to the Preston loop singletrack and began our descent. Lucky for me there was a short 15 foot steep pitch to navigate and as I came around the corner and applied a bunch of pressure to the pedals I snapped the spindle of my Crankbrother's Candy pedals in half. Keith took pictures to prove it and all, but he is the forgetful type, I am afraid he would lose his head if it weren't attached. I will get those pics up, because a pic is worth a thousand or more of my words. If it had happened a bit more down the trail it could have been disastrous, the speed and the technical features of the trail would not have been kind to me, think rocks, roots, trees and speed all rolled in to one giant fun descent. As upset as I was, I was glad, so we went back the way we came and rolled down the fire road. I got a first hand idea of what it might be like to be Brett Wolfe, he is truly amazing.
I am in the process of getting myself a I quickly made some calls to friends got new pedals on the way of the XTR variety and since I needed shoes as well, mine have seen better days, with little sole left and barely any heel, I felt it was time. While I was in the spending mood I went ahead and got new skewers, a seat post, tires and I am working on getting a tubeless wheel set as well.

In other news I went for a nice off road fix the other day. I even hit some jumps.

I have been really tired, Creampuff is going to be an experience. Goal to finish and not be totally and utterly spent, have fun, and enjoy. I'd like to finish right around 11 hours, but no pressure. I will be running a 34x22 drivetrain for the day. I finally bought a 22 tooth cog. It is black and tuff looking. ohhh. Work has taken a bunch of my time that would otherwise be devoted to other things, that and all the work around the house.

this just arrived..

2007-06-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

My dogs started barking and the door bell rang, look what the postman brought me. Now I just need to start killing dreams right? Keep up with the rest of the team here. is calling and I am scared. Big miles and elevation to be had there. Life just hasn't let me train like I want. It will still be fun. I just ordered a 22 tooth cog. I'll leave you with my best tough guy Went on a good ride out at Tiger yesterday, can I tell you I am glad to have a suspension fork up front, on the downhill it didn't feel like my fillings were going to be rattled out of my head. I will go back to a rigid fork in the fall for the winter months. I know I am getting weak, what next gears? maybe on the road for awhile. After all I am only human, I don't have my mutant card, still working on it. This weekend is full with work events, have to get another dirt ride in next week. Creampuff is the next race on the agenda: oh and the great divide race has started keep up to date here.
my best tuff guy impersonation:

so i got a mud bath

2007-06-12T11:47:00.001-07:00

Sunday was the Test of Endurance, a race near Corvallis, OR. Going in to this race I was worried to say the least. I just hoped to not come out shattered, with the Creampuff coming up I wanted to see what the legs were up to. They behaved alright, my fitness not being what it used to be and my legs feeling a bit dead. To say I don't have race legs is an understatement. In the days leading up to the race I joked about just sitting in and having a good day of riding, knowing full well that when the race starts I would punch it and see what happened. Well I did just that, and the group splintered I stayed near the front for the first half of the first lap, then I decided that it was time to settle in and pace it out a bit.
The weather called for a few showers, the day before it poured buckets all day long, so I knew I was in for some mud. Good thing I was running Nanoraptor tires, they work great in the mud. ha ha cough sputter. Probably the worst tire, but then again I don't think any tire really mattered with the mud that was encountered. When it was raining steady the mud was alright, when the sun came out for 20 mins caked up, then it rained again. The weather was as confused as a 13 year old girl on the cheerleading team who is really a tom boy. Pardon the pun. The fact that I didn't have a fender and no glasses wasn't working in my favor either. To say I had to deal with some adversity is putting it lightly. The kind of mud that there is no stopping in, no using the front brake unless you want to crash, just mud surfing and a whole lot of body English to keep it up right. Check out my flickr. Or the OregonVelo site for more evidence.
As for the course, I would have liked a bit more single track and from a Single speeders perspective there was a lot of rolling to flat road sections that made it monotonous at times. The director and the vibe were great and the certainly, unlike a lot of other races, honored, recognized and took care of the single speeders. We had our own raffle, awards, etc. They said that they are continually adding trails to get around all the road sections, and add more single track in the future. I don't know that i will go back next year, as I like to keep finding new events and courses to ride, but the race is well executed. My hats off to them for making it happen in such adverse weather conditions.
I finished under the time I set for myself so i have to be happy about that, but I would have like to feel a bit more powerful. nuff said. as always keep pedaling. To those who gave encouraging words thanks so much. I will leave you with this parting shot.......

searching for my legs...

2007-06-08T13:40:00.000-07:00

My legs and health seem to be in question, at least to me. For those faithful readers who have been around since the beginning you may recall that I got ill. It knocked me out and left my body and mind in pieces. As I ready myself for the Test of Endurance this weekend in Oregon I have some doubts, concerns and to be honest I am down right scared. My body and mind are not cooperating right now, not to the extent that they did a few years back, but I have been a bit tired lately. I am left wondering did I try to get fit too fast, did all those long rides set me back instead of making me stronger? shit. Well I plan to race/ride this 50 miler this weekend with the end result being a finish. I don't have my race legs, I haven't really been racing, just a lot of riding, commuting etc. Race fitness maybe next year, I just want to survive this year without putting myself in the black hole. Some people may call it perspective, some may say I worry too much, some may say your crazy for even attempting this race and the puff in a few weeks this soon after such an incredible fireworks show a few years back. I search for reasons and direction and meaning in it all. Am I headed down the path of self destruction again, or am I just hanging on to the past and looking for reasons why I am not as fast. Is it all real or imagined. This beast that we call fitness, what does it really mean. My goal is to be healthy and happy, sure I want to be a mutant, freak, but like I said above it all comes down to perspective, and healthy and not a freak is better than just burned out. My goals are to finish, I would like to finish in under 5 and 1/2 hours, the record to beat is 4 hrs 40 mins. If for some reason my body shuts down then I will deal, and reassess with the focus being to be healthy.

I have been resolved to this. It is temporary and lasting way to long for my liking, but what option do I have than to be in the moment weather that is good or bad, resisting the flow may cause it to last longer. The plan has been laid and now I just have to be ok with sticking to it, win or lose I am along for the ride. They say life is a journey not a destination, words of wisdom in this mad world. Wish me luck and good energy. as always keep pedaling.

the wait is over...

2007-05-31T16:22:00.000-07:00

here is what happens when you mix booze, fire and desire to entertain....

Barr how do you like me now......

skids for beer.....

2007-05-30T12:45:00.000-07:00

After a long day of riding a man needs a cold one. Thanks to Carey for the beer hold, notice the dog she is fending off, and Myles for the camera work.

Bend and all it glory

2007-05-29T13:50:00.001-07:00

We took off on Friday to head down to Bend, OR, and the annual Memorial Day weekend of fun. I was really look forward to getting away and being in the high desert again for a bit. We loaded up the car in the morning and waited for our traveling partners to arrive. We remarked how odd it felt to be packed a ready and not scrambling around making sure not to forget but always forgetting at least three key components to the trip. We had it all, I wondered to myself if this could be a sign of age, or if I was just getting lucky. First stop was Walking Man brewery in Stevenson, a nice little spot by the Columbia River. Talking with Jacob was fun, and the beer was world class as always.

Then it was on to Bend. To make a long story short we had a lot of fun. There will be more on all the goings on later I will tempt you with this: What happens when you mix whiskey, beer, fire and bikes? scorchers to be exact.

That is just a teaser, this story is far from over.

Our travel partners, and partners in crime for that matter Carey and Myles. This is at the Diner in Randle, WA after a long day of driving and a bunch more to go.

Wade and I finally got to ride together.

That was on Sunday, i got a great ride in, we both rode the scorchers and had a blast, it was great to see Wade for a few hours and to ride some of his local trails that are way off the radar.

Saturday we rode in a huge group and had a great time bonding. I didn't take any pics but soon I hope to get some from Carey who did. Carey and Myles who are both new to mountain biking charged all weekend and rode like seasoned veterns. It was great to have them along. Carey works for Raleigh Bikes you can here more stories from her and others here and here.

I could go on and on, I am known for that, but I am stopping here, there is just too much to say, I saw old friends, created new friends and did some memorable things. Ever do something and wonder what your motivation for doing so was, and the cameras where there. I think it brought the whole camp together and made for a memorable moment in time, one that won't leave the memory bank soon. You will see what I am talking about real soon, I promise. Fire, booze and bikes. Bend, it will happen every year. as always keep pedaling.

The final countdown

2007-05-24T10:35:00.000-07:00

After 9 days in a row of work i am down to the final day. I hear "it's the final countdown" dah dah dah, dat dah, dahda datdat da, that great song from Europe playing in my head. Tomorrow we head to Bend, its the anual Memorial Day weekend trip. Did it last year had a great time, looking forward to some high desert trails, visit with the man himself( the Vulture) that is, and hopefully get to ride with him.

In other news: Although I failed to enter the Creampuff on time, I was short on cash and wondering where my fitness would be. I got confirmation yesterday that I am in. I greet this news with one part happiness and two parts oh shit. I remember just what it was all about now. Really I am happy as hell, I love that trail, and there is no feeling that compares to being done with a endurance race. I feel so satisfied, complete, like there is no better place I would want to be, like it all makes sense, my place in the world that is. Enough, enough, I have this tendency to over type, speak what have you.

I will be seeing this again, here I am descending the Jedi Trail just before Aid Two. It's three laps again, I will see old and new friends. I sent my friend Mr. Kevin Noble a email saying that I had gotten in. His first email said "nice" his second said" what I meant to say was fuck I have to race you again." Kevin who has been kicking my ass up in Bellingham have no fear my man, it will be a solid day of fun, no matter what. I just hope I can find my fitness by then. I am really looking forward to it again, after two years of absence.

And waiting at Aid 2 that year my wonderful dogs.

so i've added some flair....

2007-05-23T15:38:00.000-07:00

yes it clashes, and it is just a start, but then again it's brighter than it was.

Flair, not just the bare minimum either. Enough said, I always got a kick out of that scene.

aunties got back...

2007-05-22T11:04:00.000-07:00

There she is in all her glory

I just poached this off the BaconStrip blog's comment section. Looks like they had a great time eating pancakes atop Peavine Mountain, wish I could have been there boys. But heres a little ditty that Wolfy composed I think...

I like pan CAKES andIcannotLie…
Al you otherbrothers can’y DE-Nie…
When Mrs. B walks up with her itty bitty waist
and her maply but in your face
You get SPRUNG
Wanna pull up tough
Cuz you notice that cake was stuffed (with baocn and Butter)
Deep in the bottle she’s wearing
I’m hooked and I can’t stop staring
Oh, baby I wanna get with ya
And take your picture
My homeboys tried to warn me
But that butter you got
Make Me so hungry
Ooh, rump of smooth skin
You say you wanna get in my belly
Well use me use me cuz you aint that aunt Jamima…

Thank you bacon strip for all the great snapshots of life in the land of eternal sun, hoping to get down there sometime soon. over and out. as always keep pedaling.

this whole blogin thing....

2007-05-21T22:41:00.000-07:00

So I read other people's blogs, I could probably put link after link in this space that I am filling with my run on sentence filled rantings. I feel that my blog is all over the map filled with the days or as it has been lately the weeks or the moment I decided to blog thoughts. I feel that they lack a certain cohesion, the only common denominator being me. Photos, which lets face it make a difference in this sound bit society, are lacking. My thoughts, as much as I would like to put thoughts to words, just don't seem to sound the same when I write them as when I think them. When I think them they sound, well for lack of a better word, better, not so scattered, more cohesive and well thought out, not so matter of fact and boring. When I tell stories in person I get to see reactions, it has depth, I feel that when I write it sounds so we did this and then we did that. It lacks all those writer moments and insights that really make up the story, that add depth. I guess what I am trying to say is I think that I have more to say than I do, or I have more to say and I wish I knew just how to stay on task long enough to come full circle. There I go making no sense. I guess this is why I am attracted to things in the physical realm over those in the mental, while do physical things you either do or don't, you either are or aren't. It is base, simple and straight forward, there is no where to hide. The more you do it, the better you get. As of late by chance I have come across a handful of people that I am glad to have run in to and I hope I can put in to words just what it has meant to me. I get all touchy feely sometimes, it's a side effect of my childhood, but that's a whole other story.
So by chance within the last two months I have literally run in to people, and it has made all the difference. The kind of run ins that make you immediately think about what a small world it is, cause lets face it sometimes in this journey we call life we fell so small and insignificant. The first character in this story is my friend Craig, who I met in passing a few cyclocross races. One day I wonder what he was up to, I knew he raced mountain bikes and I need a partner in crime someone to go ride with during the week, turns out he has Thursdays off. Not a day after thinking what he was up to I run in to him while on my way to work, now he is on the job, he's a messenger, and we chat for a second, exchange numbers and we are riding that weekend. We schedule a ride for that weekend. Well here is what I am talking about earlier kicks in, I feel that my words have become no more than words on a screen and boring at that. I feel that what I am saying could be said with more flair, that is if I knew how to write. So I will cut to the chase. We arrive at the parking lot in Bellingham to ride and who shows up Kevin Noble, meet him at the puff a few years back. We exchange numbers and ride a bunch of times in the following weeks. Now the story really turns to those the world getting small or right place right time kind of things. Last Tuesday Danielle and I go to Tiger Mountain, its a gorgeous day, and I randomly have the night off because of scheduling difficulties at work, had that not been the case I probably would not have been out there at all. I exit a trial head and hear "Is that a Vulture?'' I stop and say "why yes it is." I am now standing talking with Carey and Myles, who I don't know, but they know Kevin. We talk, it feels all old friend like, not just met like, we end up drinking beers and it feels real from the get go. Kind of like we have know each other all along. I am struck with the feeling that I am where I am supposed to be, it is reaffirming, because I want to live where I can ride from my door to the trials, it is a bit far from my current house. There I go switching subjects and getting off topic, I am no writer, sorry dad, sorry mom, they are both English majors, and teachers at one point in time. this is said with a bit of sarcasm, how proud they must be ha ha. Its a joke both of them tell me they are proud of me, although my dark side wonders,oohh another dark comment. So there you have it I started out with the topic of blogging and rambled on. Cohesion is my challenge in the upcoming year. that and those photos i keep talking about. So here it is, my commitment to taking more pics, and to really keeping a written history of my life, cause lets face it on this blog it is his story..... ha ha, It is really hard to put inflection on to a blog, does my humor or lack there of come across, how bout my depth of feeling or my insecurities, we all got em. right? I' ll leave with that, more to come more often, i hope. as always keep pedaling.....

the birthday ride.....yer sufferfest

2007-05-16T11:52:00.000-07:00

So the plan was set. Celebrate my birthday with a kick ass ride, one that leaves you wondering what the fuck did I sign on for. It started with 3 trusty soles. Kevin, Scott and myself. We wanted to be riding by 9 or so, well we got riding by 10 or so, the best laid plans.... The plan was to ride every trail, or to at least touch every major trail on Galbraith, which I found out is actually Lookout Mountain. Yeah look out here comes the pain. Now the numbers are Kevin and Nat numbers, every ride seems to be between 41 and 43 miles lately. This one consisted of lots and lots of singletrack, twisty rooty, short grunt kind of singletrack.... back to the story, we started at Kevin's house and leasurly spun the interurban trail to Whatcom Falls park and were quickly on the trails. Up the ridge trail, down Bob's trial, up the pipeline, a series of steep pitches that most use as a bail out going the other way. I forget some of the next trails, Rock and Roll, up something down 911 where I crashed really hard of a log, good scrapes on the ankle and shin, and we kept rolling on, and on, getting near to the towers a couple of times, but always veering away to hit some other far reaching area. Kevin had a great loop planned, and thank god that the ladies in our lives put a time limit on us, because I was hurting this day. The trails were in perfect condition, but my legs were wonder what I was asking of them. But the ride must go on, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger...well many of you readers may know that I need to be careful with that statement as I was and still worry about what I was able to do to my body and mind a few years back. That always is in the back of my head and I rest more than I used to, but I may need to slow it down a bit so that I have legs for some of the upcoming races. That said the rides must go on. Somewhere in the middle Scott need to take his medicine, and we met up with Dale another on of their co workers at Kona. Dale was fresh and we hit Kung fu something or other, then Cheech and Chongs wild ride to not Shawn's to not not Shawn's to the bottom, then it was up the three pigs and then it was up to the top of the Woopsy Woodle, now I was getting low on fuel and my stomach which had been bothering me all day really took a turn for the worse, well I pushed through, what else is there to do. Then it was up to the towers down Evolution to the Scorpion and then some other trial I forget the name of, Galbraith is such a lace, maze of interconnected trails that I have a hard time knowing where or what I am riding, i am getting better and I have left whole sections of this ride out cause I have no idea what I was riding. I know we finished on SST, which left me and my back wondering why I was riding with now suspension, my hands where wondering the same. While Kevin and Dale were raving about how fun it was I was standing in pain wondering about suspension. I may go back to it for the summer, oh gasp..... well here are some pictures in no particular order thanks to Kevin, who remembered to take a camera and some pics to boot.....
These are in no particular order.... Here somewhere towards the end of the Woopsy
Somewhere nice, and totally different from most of Galbraith
Scott a bit blurry at the bottom of Bob's

Kevin, our master of direction, taking a breather, and forming a plan
What a view, Scott, me, Robin and Dale...
Me on the corner towards the bottom of Bob's, I know most of the pics are of me, but then again it was my birthday, thirty fuckin three.....

cars a necessary evil.....

2007-05-15T19:23:00.000-07:00

Before I get to the birthday ride post, I know you are all dying to know just how it went, i am sorry but you will have to wait another day. I know my posts have been sporadic, but when the weather is nice here in the Pacific Northwest one must take full advantage of it and get out and away from the computer and the house. It was a long long wet, winter,did I mention snow.....back to the post at hand.

Disclaimer, this is just my thoughts, so don't rip my head off if you see it differently, I will try to explain.

I know loyal readers will be wondering about the title. I commute by bike and have written about all the evils of cars, those things still exist. There is also a very good side to cars, not there exhaust or how much they clog up the road, but for most of us mountain bikers they are a necessary evil. I mean without them getting to the trial head would be a lot more of a chore. Now if you live someplace where the trials are really close, you should ride. I used to live for many, many years in places where this was possible and I took full advantage of it. But what about those times I wanted to explore the South side of the lake, without a car it would have taken a much larger time investment to do so. Not impossible I in no way am saying that it would not be doable, but time is money, and time in the saddle tends to tire us out, so to ride 40 miles before even hitting the trial is not very cost effective in the time on dirt equation. I will explain it more in detail, we mountain bikers usually like the joy and exhilaration found in singletrack, you know that foot wide path to enlightenment that we seek each and ever time we head out. Now lets face it the same old is that the same old, variety is the spice of life. That is where the car comes in we have to drive to find the variety in life that also leads to the dirt path to enlightenment, got it. I have now completely confused myself and rambled on about cars, on a bike blog, oh my I advocated cars, yes for the pursuit of the dirt path to enlightenment. They are good when used for the right purpose. They are not meant for in city travel, again they are only useful in the pursuit of the dirt path...... you get the point. Life would be different and I think that cities should have more paths, and bike only trials in parks, so that we don't always have to get in a car to search out our bliss. The colonnade park here in Seattle is a start, but what about real in city singletrack, that goes from park to park and around, sure we would have to ride pavement here and there but think about using the green spaces we have in a different manner, what would a little bike only singletrack do, but make more people able to find a passion that keeps them fit and is exhilarating. I have ideas, What about Discovery park, to Golden Gardens to Carkeek, and beyond. Think about it, it's not out of the question. So this post has spilled over its time limit and gone off subject, just a seed, I am just planting a seed.
My world would be vastly different with out a car, not that it would be bad, but we need to think of ways to move people differently so that cars are not the easiest, simple answer to getting around, only time will tell. I would like to think that we could include all walks of life, even us cycling bottom dwellers that we are seen as. I really think that bikes can change the world, that is if we let them and expose more and more people to them as an answer. Sorry I got all preachy there. enough is enough with the rambling, I hope it was clear enough to plant a seed. as always keep pedaling.... I know I promised pictures, but those will be here tomorrow, you'll just have to wait....

Galbraith Art

2007-05-04T13:45:00.000-07:00

ONE
TWO

Notice the Kona theme???? These pics were taken up on Galbraith a mountain just out of Bellingham, WA. There are many, many trails and now 5 pieces of art. I have seen them all. this is just two of them, the french fries and the ???blades of grass, you be the judge. Have fun guessing which is which. After all I am captain obvious some times. Kevin sent these to me and I liked them and wanted to put them on my blog, so here they are for your viewing pleasure. If there is one thing, and one thing only that this blog needs more of, in this digital age, it is picture. After all a picture is worth a thousand words, I want to take more pictures I just never seem to remember the camera or if I do I get so caught up in the riding that I don't want to take the time to stop and pull the camera out. I need to get a smaller camera, that is weather proof and attach it to my hydration pack so that I can shoot on the go, from the shoulder or cuff so to speak. Well I think that you get the picture, ha ha get it. I know I should quit while I'm ahead or at least before I make to much more of an ass of myself, which by the way I am good at if you hadn't already noticed. enough already.
This weekend it looks like I will be staying close to home as there is danielle's family to be around, I will sneak away at some point, but birthdays need to be celebrated and young ones to be run ragged so adults can get some piece and quiet, thats where I come in, with my eternal energy, which I must tell you is running low today, rest is in order. What perfect timing I will hang out with family and fall asleep, ha, I will run around with a 5 year old and hope to keep up. So there you have it, not big ride this weekend, next weekend I hope to do a big birthday ride followed by some bbqing and beer drinking fun. I hope that kevin stays in town so we can attempt to ride all the trails on Galbraith, see the above picture in a day. Won't that be a 33rd birthday to remember. Thirty fucking three, I almost don't know what to think of it, that used to be so old, oh my god. My good friend Keith who planned a birthday party that included beaches and surfing is also celebrating his birthday in the upcoming week, young pup is only turning 30. ah to think of thirty brings back horrors. Anyways he put my name on the invite like I was gonna be at the beach to ring in my 33rd, keith I love you, but I gotta ride, I not really the beach going kind of guy. The mountains are calling my name. Hoist one in my name will ya.
I have rambled on much longer than I should have and probably offended someone, not my intentions. Best wishes to all and as always keep pedaling.

A Noble Sufferfest

2007-05-01T10:12:00.000-07:00

Kevin Noble that is. Kevin lives in Bellingham and works for Kona, he has lived there for many years now and knows all of the trials in the area. Ever time we ride he puts together different trails and loops to keep it all fresh. The trend has been to get longer and tougher each week that we ride. While this Saturday's ride wasn't longer in mileage it was harder. It had rained all week and the ground was saturated, the kind that makes you feel like you have a bigger gear on your bike than you do. It also didn't help that my bottom bracket was totally toasted and knocking from side to side. I am not the best mechanic, and usually a single speed will just go and go, but then it needs some TLC, well thats where I am right now. My bike needs a little overhaul, the winter has taken its toll, and I need to invest in a few upgrades.
We started with a couple hours on Galbraith, think twisting, turning trails, power climbs and puddles were the norm. Then it was on the road for a bit, then the biggest climb of the day, on that has been dubbed "Sick Joke" nothing to laugh about. Its mellow in the beginning and then rears its ugly head with a quick rock strewn right handed turn in to a 15 + degree pitch that goes on and on. I wanted to get off, but would not allow myself, even though my arms felt like they were going to fail, funny they felt similar last week, but not quite as bad. Then we hit the Hemlock trial, more mud, and made our way around towards Lost Lake, more mud, pitches that were usually climbable were not and we pushed our bikes through the mud. We joked about the desert guys having it easy. Mileage in the northwest is deciveing, keep that in mind. We made our way back to the Ridge trial and then the interurban trail and on towards the home front. This sufferfest lasted 6 hrs but we were left feeling shattered. We chalked it up to the mud and the two pedal strokes forward, one back feel of the whole day. That night we ate pizza and drank some beer. The next day was a quick 2 and a half hours on Galbraith again and then I was homeward bound. Thank god the suffering is over for the moment. Now its time for a little recovery, I hope.
Hopefully we will celebrate my birthday by riding all the trails of Galbraith on the 12th of may. I look forward to it. thanks again kevin for the beating.

and we think we're tough....

2007-04-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken from The Six Day Bicycle Race website. These hardened men were tough as nails. 24 hrs try six days. They would race on wooden indoor tracks for 6 days, covering unheard of distances. They were the stars of their time, making more money than baseball stars, they were the kings, not just the sideshows that we are now.
6 days on a small oval, on a fixed gear with smoke and thousands of cheering fans. 100 dollar primes, 1000 dollar primes. The equivalent of 5,000 dollars a day for racing. I didn't know anything about it until I stumbled on the book at the library, took it out and started reading. I am floored, at a loss for words. I am humbled by this, I think that 24 hrs is a long time 6 days, eventually it was teams of two, but still that is a long long time to be riding, reminds me of the RAAM athletes of today, although they usually have to work and don't get paid much at all, they have to do it for the love of the bike or the challenge. Apparently there is a movie too which I think would be fun to watch as well. thats all I have today, I have a bit more reading to do and then I am off to sling the beers at the Big Time Brewery.
To weigh in on a post by Dicky, titled "My current (self imposed) dilemma" to me, and call me a purist if you must. Riding a fixed gear implies that you not plan on taking your feet off the pedals while going down hill, and that you run a front brake, or brakeless, but I in no way intend to say or advocate the breakless concept, I roll with a front brake at all times. Taking your feet off and letting the pedals eggbeater is not riding a fixed gear, that is like the new double crank/freewheel set ups, they can't be called singlespeeds, thats not what they are. That is where i stand on the matter of fixed off road, feet in pedals at all times. AT the Furnace Creek 508 they don't allow the fixed riders to coast with their feet out of the pedals for just that reason, it is no longer the pure definition of riding a fixed gear. as always keep pedaling. over and out.....

so i read it a second time, i will change what i said, ride with a rear brake, just don't take you feet out the pedals. that phil wood hub that is fixed with a disc rotor sounds kinda nice, although wade at vulture made my decisions easy, there is no rear cable routing or disc or canti mounts of any kind on the monster cross. takes the thinking out of the equation.

life little treats

2007-04-22T11:35:00.000-07:00

Well here we go again, I am not so good at remembering a camera to take pics on rides so the reader gets lots of text at times with very few visual representations. After all we are a visual culture these days. I will keep this post short and sweet. I should be racing at South Seatac right now, but the thought of going in circles didn't really appeal to me today, I plan to get out on the fixie for a bit of road time here in a bit, as soon as I get done with this here post. I worked late on friday night,was up early saturday to drive north towards Bellingham and a ride of 5 hours or so. I knew nothing of the route, terrain or what to expect. I planned to bring lots of food, even bought it, but you know what they say about plans, even the best laid plans..... but I digress. I had some, just not enough, good thing my riding partner did. Kevin had an amazing route planned with gobs of climbing. We started off on the interurban bike path and made our way south, after 6 or so miles of basically flat spinning the real fun began and up it went. On Thursday my legs has felt really crappy, while riding out at Tiger Mountain, so I had imagined that my legs would just be shot after no sleep on Thursday night and a long night on Friday, I was wrong, my legs felt quite good and we slogged up and up. We talked about Washington riding and compared it to other places, now I can see why singlespeeders are few and far between up here, everything is steep, wet and power robbing, oh yeah there is the roots and other slippery elements as well. On the other hand why not more singlespeeders and rigid ones at that, less moving parts means less maintence and I can't imagine the toll the weather takes on a full suspension bike up here. Back to the ride at hand, filled with ripping descents, kevin overshot a corner and hurt his thumb on one of them, it made descending a treat for him. The second climb of the day is dubbed "burnout", my immediate response to this was "why cause by the time you get to the top you are burnt out" to which he replied "yep" off we went, up and up and up, steep and steeper, grunting. My arms were taking a beating, I worried that they might actually just fail. We crest out and descend and descend on our way to the British Army Trail, a brutal hike a bike, that landed us at the top of the Blancard Mountain descent which was a fucking blast. Now at the bottom we began the ride home. We hit the lower trials on Galbraith and then the rails to trails home to kevins. All in all we had a great time kick the shit out of each other. WE ended with 6,800 ft of climbing in 43.43 miles in 5 hours and 20 mins. The numbers dont look like it was all that bad or tough, but it was. considering that most of that climbing was in the middle 15 or 16 miles of the ride. We plan on a bigger ride next time. oh goody.

Today is earth day, do something, but don't drive, love your mother earth. I will leave the sarcastic comment off then end here. Just be good people.

and finally this, and email from my good friend Dusty.....

Hey, first, I rode the cross-check fixed yesterday. I got a long way to go, but I just kept thinking about Rudy doing the puff and shut the fuck up.

So I think I bought a house here in Fort Collins and I was thinking that it had been a really long time since I had seen a Hummer. Also, there are at least two dedicated Subaru shops in town. I think this is my new criteria for judging the livability of a town, the subaru to hummer ratio. Ketchum- lots of subarus but also an inordinate amount of Hummers- no good. Back east, not many Hummers, but also not many Subaru's either, and they don't have roof racks- also not good. Fort collins, lots of subarus, especially pre-outback dark green beaters, nary a hummer to be found- ah, home.

Here is my response......

I like the theory, Tahoe,lots of subarus and lots of Hummers, after all the bay area is only 3 hours away, thats only a couple hundred dollars in gas to get your hummer up to tahoe and show it off, the ladies are impressed. Seattle, well its a city and I will only last so long here, but lots and lots of subarus not too many hummers at all, we are a humble breed here in the northwest. I will be moving on hopefully north to Bellingham, everytime I go there I fall more and more in love with the place, the riding sure is epic in every sense of the word. sounds like life is good, I would like to add that beer and the quality of beer in a place adds to this equation, reno ok, tahoe not much good beer, seattle lots of good beer, bellingham good beer,and you in fort collins have good beer, not so sure how the beer is there is sun valley.

so I lied short post my ass, what ever that means it was a long one but I hope you enjoyed it. as always keep pedaling and enjoy.

foiled again

2007-04-17T13:09:00.000-07:00

This weekend we went to portland for "Filmed by bike" a celebration of the bicycle. It is short films about cycling or related to cycling. It is in its fifth year, and grows each year. They tell the story of the first year hoping that 50 people would show up. Last year they had just two showings on Friday at 7 and 9 this year they had 6 showing and it sounds like they were all sold out. 1,300 people in all. To me that is just amazing, and inspiring. Seattle we should get one going. Outside the theater, before the first showing.

Fat Tire was there with some of their bikes, sit and spin, oh not so good after all that beer.

"Filmed by Bike" raffle girls where everywhere.

After we went to the sold out 7 o'clock show we exited to see this madness, the streets before the 9 o'clock showing. too bad you can't read the lighted board. Is that called the marque? just wondering.

Like i said we went last year and it was great, we didn't really have to wait in line, this year was different we had to wait in line, the weather was similar, rainy, and the air was filled with excitement, bikes, bikes, bikes....what more is there to say.
We didn't really plan that well and ended up heading home that night so that we could get to the step it up rally the next day here in Seattle, we figured the traffic would be easier to deal with at night, than on Saturday morning. We had a really big step it up rally, we marched and chanted and showed our support for lower carbon emissions and our support that global warming is a real issue that we will need to deal with in the upcoming years if we wish to leave the earth in any shape for future generations. There were still people that were trying to tell the marchers that it is all one big hoax to make money, but it fell on deaf ears as everyone marching was commited to the cause. It rained on us a bunch, but by the end the sun came out and warmed everyones spirits.
Sunday my friend Craig and I went to Skukoom Flats and the trails off the 410 here in Washington. 410 is the road that goes out towards Crystal Mountain. As those of you who live here know this winter has been a rough one. It started hard and fast in November with the most rainfall in a single month ever recorded, and never really let up at all. Most people that I have talked to that have lived for a long time have dubbed it the worst winter in 15 or 20 years if not the worst winter they have ever had here. It went a little something like this, rain, rain, wind and rain, wind rain and snow, ice and snow, rain, wind, rain, I think you get the picture. We had a group that we thought were going, but it only ended up being us two brave soldiers by the time the day actually arrived. I thought that it would be difficult, but interesting enough I didn't think about the blowdown and damage we might see. I thought it would just be a bit damp and maybe a little muddy, but the soil out there is more loamy and filled with pine needles and roots. So we arrived it was bit chilly, but not too bad. Did the whole strip by the river thing, no peeking etc. then doned our uniforms and it was off to explore, and we got our monies worth.
This was the fifth or sixth tree that we came across in the first mile, and the only one that was even close to be ridable the others were head high. So I got my log hop on.....

and road away clean, I didn't say it was pretty though....

Craig got to enjoy some open trail, he is smiling like he always is.....

That was the White's Creek side of the equation, then we crossed the highway and went on an adventure, retracing the route of last years Greenwater Gamble, we added some extra climbing, and the whole time it felt like I had a lead weight attached to my bike, the earth was pedal power robbing, think snow melting on dirt and you get the idea, I felt filled with gu, and stuck in place, craig on the other had just pedaled along, damn gears. So we climbed for awhile and hoped to get to and intersection with the Sun top trial, but the snow turned us around, riding through snow at 30 miles an hour is fun, like cutting marshmellows, I hope you all understand that, cause I don't.
We wanted to be over there, I think, have to go back at a later date and do some more exploring when there is less snow on the ground.

After finding our way back and through some snow,we reconnected with the race course and eventually found our way to the Skukoom Flats trail, and we were off like a herd of turtles. There was a lot of blowdown on this trial, and even a large section of the trail missing. Just take a look at the picture....

and that suspension bridge that used to be so fun... well not so much anymore...

I would imagine that this trial will get cleaned up sometime in the future and maybe rerouted, well for it to continue it really needs to be rerouted, because the steep side hill hiking that we had to do was just a challenge we joked that the most fun thing to hike through brush and over and around trees with is a bicycle, it just felt like the forest wanted to grab every part and rip the bike from your had, by the end the bikes started to get a bit heavy on the arms, and the mind started to be a bit tired of on the bike off the bike. Like a bad cross race with 4 foot barriers that try to strip the bike from you hands. oh now thats an idea, that would make for a great spectator sport. any takers??????

So I have rambled on enough i figure and made up for not posting for awhile. thanks for reading, and if you made it this far you are a real trooper and deserve a medal or a chest to pin that medal on at the very least. as always keep pedaling......

testing, testing

2007-04-11T16:28:00.000-07:00

yes I fell off the face of the planet, soon to return. family in town, my little brother to be exact. I just aint as strong as I once was. Won an Indie series race, I beat the other four people in my class, and to thing they didnt time it they just collected the finishing order. It was straight up and straight down and full of more mud, rain and snow then I have ever had the pleasure of mountain biking in. someday I will remember to bring the camera and document all these goings ons. Celebrated a birthday, not mine but my better halfs, and have just been out riding the bike. so hanging there and above all else, keep pedaling. thanks for tuning in. nat

what a weekend

2007-03-27T12:22:00.000-07:00

Last week was a long week. It started on the Sunday after St Patricks day, work that is. I proceeded to work for the next 7 days. Did a bit of riding. There was a time trial on Saturday at the tapeworm trial. Check out photos here. I was having a great ride until I flatted. I forgot to check tire pressure and came the conclusion that I was running about 15 lbs of pressure just before the race. I didn't carry a spare tube or pump, so I ran for awhile. Did I mention that it had been raining all week and Saturday was no different. That cold rain that is unrelenting. So it was a bit of a disappointment to DNF, but better to make mistakes in a friendly time trial, than a race. I learned my lesson, one I should have a long time ago, always be prepared, or deal with the consequences. I dealt with them, but would have been more happy if I were able to fix the problem trial side as opposed to running.

Sunday, on 5 hrs of sleep I took off to Bellingham to ride with Kevin, it looked like rain but as I got closer to Bellingham, my eyes began to hurt, what was that yellow orb in the sky and the color blue, man it sure has been awhile since anything like that. It turned out to be a beautiful day, the trials were still muddy with a capital M, we had a blast chasing each other around the woods for the better part of the day. Lately the city life here has been getting to me a bit, I have been thinking about where I would like to live, not that it is terrible here, but I would like to be able to ride from my house to the trials and home if at all possible, I got to do just that on Sunday with Kevin. Danielle and I have been talking about moving sometime, that is if we can sell our house in Reno, don't get me started on that, I owe people money and can't pay right now and it hurts me deeply, finances are never fun to talk about, so I will stop, suffice it to say I am in a bad way until that house is sold.
So Bellingham was great, I got another taste of it and I like it. If I am to stay in the Northwest that is high on my list of places to stay. So Kevin and I chased each other around for 5 hours, we sampled a lot of the good on Galbraith, cant wait to do it again sometime. Kevin is a great guide, and i was lost for a better part of the day, meaning I had no idea where I was.
Now it is back to the grind, for a couple/four days and then my younger brother graduates from culinary school up in Vancouver, so I will be up there this weekend and then on sunday there is a race down outside of Olympia in Capitol Forest, Part of the Indie series. More to come on that.
as always keep pedaling.

How natty got his groove back....

2007-03-19T12:05:00.000-07:00

As I am sure most of you are aware this weekend was St Patrick's day, a good excuse for most people to drink all day, wear green, act obnoxious all in the name of good olde st Patrick. God Bless the Irish. Well it was also the weekend that The Seattle Randonneur's held there 200km brevet. I had told a few people in the club that I was planning maybe to do this, but was hesitant to as I am still afraid of pushing myself too far and further being sick or doing a slow backslide in to the hole that I have been struggling to get out of. With so many highs and lows in the last year dealing with whatever got to me has been a valuable lesson, but one I don't wish to revisit. I was able to get the day before off, I didn't want to ride 200km or 126.8??? miles on little to no sleep. Looking at this distance was a bit intimidating, you may laugh, I have competed in long mountain bike races and even a few 24 hr races, but this distance would be the longest road ride I have undertaken, and nearly double the distance I have ever ridden on a fixed gear. After the 100km I went back and forth with gearing issues, should I stay with what I have been riding 45x18 or should I drop a tooth in the back to 45x17. I decided to just stay with what I have been on, not wanting to change anything right before a big day in the saddle. I was a bit worried about the weather, and not being the biggest road rider I was thinking what am I doing, I answered with its early in the season, much time to mountain bike and I really like the people they are really quality cyclist, no attitude just out enjoying a day in the saddle.
I will set the stage for you the ride was to start at 7am and it was about and hour from my house to the start, meaning i would have to be up way before I usually am. I got the night befores shift covered and hung out watching movies and taking it easy. Up at 5 eating and out the door to find my way to the start, yes I drove. Arrived at the start with 8 mins to spare till the start, register, spend time looking for Eric, he had a waterproof envelope for me to put the route sheet in so I wouldn't get lost, just before we roll out i find him and head towards the front of the 100 plus riders. We roll down the roads of Kent on our way towards Dash Point. I am so spun out on the 15% downhill, it is not raining and it is nice and warm. We are chatting and joking with one another, a few comment on my choice of bike, and make jokes about the fact that I am going to ride faster then them, they have googled me and the cat is out of the bag, I am a 24 hr mountain biker, no wonder I have endurance and such. I share stories with Chris Ragsdale, he has done some amazing things and has a big goal for the upcoming season. We are a group of about ten or twelve by the time we make it to the first check point of the day. We all stayed together until Green River Road at which time in short succession those of us on one speeds got spat out the back as the speeds reached 23 or 25 miles and hour. I tried to hang on but just decided that I would have to go my pace to finish and be in an ok state of mind. I gained a bunch of time back on the little climb out, catching most of the group by the time we hit the next checkpoint in Black Diamond. Flats have never been my strength and today I was going to have to ride my ride if I were to survive, my heartrate was a bit high in the begining, but calmed downa few hours in and stayed that way for the remainder of the day. I had a few stomach issues going on in black diamond that I had to take care of and missed the group of 5, including Chris by a couple of minuetes. It is here that my experience paid off, no one else wanted to leave and it is the time off the bike that kills your overall time so I was off by myself, where I stayed for the next 40 miles, riding by myself at my pace over flat and rolling terrain. The next section took us out towards the town of Greenwater, and out and back, I thought for sure that they would put big time in to me here, but I arrived to find them at the store in Greenwater, again I loaded up and rolled out thinking that they would eventually catch me, Chris and John did and Chris decided that it was time to go and that is what he did, he was gone, I briefly pedaled away from the rest of the group, but soon was caught and passed on a steep down hill, it wasn't the ups that hurt the most it was the downs as my legs were forced to spin at an ungodly cadence on some of the steep hills. It is here that I started to think about gearing again. We regrouped at the next checkpoint and now we were close to home, my goal of going under 8 hours was obtainable, it began to sprinkle lightly at first and as we got closer to the end pretty good for a few mins. We stayed in a group of 4 all the way in, arriving in 7 hrs and 35 mins. Mission accomplished. I was amazed to hear that chris came in at 7 hrs 18 mins tieing his time from last year. I am unsure how many more rides I will do with the Randonneurs again this year, mountain biking is still my major focus, but i had a great time and it is filled with lots of cool, quality people, I sure would like to get out for the 300km and maybe even the 400km, but only time will tell. Looks like next weekend will be a trip to Bellingham to ride with Kevin again, I hope the weather cooperates and we can enjoy warm temps and sun possibly, if not we will have fun not matter what. Thursdays are also devoted to mountain biking closer to home, last week Craig and I hit up Tokul West and had a great time.
as you can see from this picture I usually don't get up this early. This pic was taken by Kent Peterson just before the start of the ride on Saturday.

blood trails

2007-03-14T12:54:00.000-07:00

This was sent to me awhile back and I meant to get it on here sooner. Bikes are they making a come back in the movies. Watch the trailer below and tell me what you think.

In other news I am planning on riding with the Randdonneurs this St Patricks day for their 200km ride. I will be riding my fixie to see how it feels to start piling on the miles aboard a fixed gear bicycle. More on that on Sunday. The race schedule is starting to come together and I am usually getting one or two mountain bike rides in a week. Not much else to say, hope you enjoy the trailer. as always keep pedaling.

when the weather.....

2007-03-06T11:07:00.000-08:00

Gets warmer and sun filled for a bit, it must be taken advantage of. The guys a Swobo have posted a few times about 30 rides in 30 days. My loose understanding of the undertaking is that the challenge is to, for thirty consecutive days to ride thirty rides consisting of 1 continuous hour, each day, not a total of an hour in that day. no running errands and the such. I am now entering my 4th and final week of this challenge which I started on February 11th. I have made my commute to work at least an hour, thus getting about an hour and a half of riding minimum a day. I have been averaging between 10 and 15 hours a week and 150 to 200 miles, including off road miles. I am feeling better, and beginning to plan a season of racing. As most readers know I have been fighting with what I have dubbed "the sickness" for quite some time now, just about two years to be exact. Enough about that, now on to this past weeks undertakings.

Saturday: My friend Eric, who I wrote about awhile back, invited me to the 100km randonnee ride. I was hesitant to go, it started at 9 am and i get off work around 3 am, not much sleep. And I really like my sleep. Hesitantly I set the alarm, knowing I would probably go, but still giving myself the out. Well he had tried to get me a ride there, that fell through, so I used Danielle's truck and headed out. I ate what I eat most of the time for breakfast, Grape Nuts, and a banana followed by liberal coffee consumption. Leaving my house around 8 am. I had asked Eric about the course, and I decided I would roll the fixie, why not, what did I have to lose? Did I say that it was raining, not that sideways blowing rain, but steady drizzle, and the roads were wet, and dirty. I arrived at the start of the ride, the Redhook Brewery, or should I say Bud Hook, not the best beer, but beer none the less. Yes I am a beer snob. Oxymoron I know.
The ride started in mass and we were off, we were all given cue sheets that mapped out the ride, this would be our only method of staying on course, there would be no markings and such. Road riding not being my strong point I sat in for a bit and slowly made my way up towards the front. Chatting here and there with people, more quiet that usual as I was still waking up. We had a good little pace going at the front down the side of Lake Samamish, headed out of Redmond. Then came the first hill, Eric had told me this was the steepest and steep it was, out of the saddle I was. I was surprised my legs felt great. I was towards the front. We got to the top regrouped a bit, and then got to the first control. Papers signed we were off. The rain was still steady. More side roads and some descending latter most of the riders missed a turn and the bottom of a hill. More paceline work we were keeping a good pace. secret control, to make sure everyone is on course. 2nd control a coffee shop in Carnation, and everyone stops and is resting. I see one person sneak away and I am off. We are now a group of 10 I keep pushing the pace, it is wet and we are dirty, that is to be expected, I see now why full fenders are a must for group rides on the road in the rain. Just before the third check point there is a small climb and I am gone, I am surprised by this, but forge on. At the third check eric tells me I am a minute off the leader, now I am competitive and I understand that randoneering is more about the camaraderie than the speed, but I now think it would be great to catch the leader, why not. I charge. Catching him at the top of the climb, where i make a navigational error, not following him, and lose some time. Now I must go it alone, and I finally figure out how to read the cue sheet, which is drenched and soggy by this time. I make it in just behind the leaders, I am happy and throw a no handed skid in to the control, again why not.
I eat and head home to relax, but am amped.

Sunday: The plan was simple, drive to Bellingham and ride singlespeeds. Keith who had invited me out the night before, I turned him down, showed up with a raging hangover. I took the wheel, as I can drive, Keith not so much. We met up with the others and took off up the highway making it to Bellingham in 1hour and 15 mins. not bad. Craig had some other friends meeting us there and they had a few friends meeting them. Turns out I knew them from the racing world, and we were so lucky Kevin and Jeff know every knook and cranny of Galbraith, they took us on a great ride, dubbed the art tour of Galbraith, I guess we saw four of the five pieces on the mountain. It was slippery and I think everyone crashed at least once. I had so much fun. I am going up there more. The trails are just too good not to. Thank you Kevin and Jeff.

Swobo has their bikes out. Urban Assault vehicles.

Thanks to Elk for the Mcrad cd, brings back so many memories.

life little jokes

2007-02-28T12:56:00.000-08:00

I am growing facial hair for the first time in 32 years. Right now i have some fuzz on my upper lip. I am hoping that it turns in to a great 'stash so I can finally give out some free rides of the moustache variety. haha. I however can not grow side burns oh how I wish I could. On the upside of things I dont have to deal with things like back and chest hair, yes I am a hairless wonder. thanks to my great gene pool. Well enough about me. I hope at least one person gets my sarcasm in the above sentence. who ever you are thanks.

I rode a bunch last week, skipped a race, it would have taken to much energy for the reward of getting there, plus I had no ride, and it was a ferry ride away. all together a good call as it hailed and sleeted and I heard it was cold as all get out. If i was to miss a race it seems that that one was the one to miss, plus it is an xc race not and endurance race, hence not worth as much to me as just a great ride. I however will be racing a few of the shorter length races to gauge fitness and just to have fun. Gotta get back in shape somehow.

I am doing some more exploring on the mtn bike, just trying to find all the good places to ride, and this weekend it is off to Bellingham for sampling of some great trials. hope to have some new people to ride with the old as well,as the circle of friends grows.

It is amazing how long it takes to get a community of riders around you, time in is time out, just like time on the bike makes you better, speaking of that I gotta go put in some miles before work today, after I run a bunch of errands.

New tires are on the way, soon, I am in the process of deciding just which tires I want to run, thinking of the Rampage, or the new WTB tire. I'll let you know when I know.

thanks all and as always keep pealing. I will leave you with this, I pulled in off of the Fearless Gearless site, it has been submitted to the Bicycle Film Fest. I like it. Great song to go with it. Tell me what you think.

inspiration

2007-02-19T12:48:00.000-08:00

Watch this and tell me you are not inspired. It is good to see someone who is willing to put it all on the line. He already cycled around the country, his next project is to go around the world. Bikes are great way to express ourselves aren't they. Check out his website here.

Right now I am doing a lot of reading about he real costs of oil, in a book called Lives Per Gallon, as well as reading Big Box Swindle which is all about the effect that box stores are having on society. Both are very interesting while at the same time a bit disheartening, we as a society need to start seriously reconsidering some of our past choices and making much more informed choices in the future. Stay strong and as always keep pedaling.