Pack Fodder

I just saw this and soiled myself! Had to share……

Cheers!

Greetings Readers!

I don’t know what today was; validation? reward? confirmation? I dunno, but today I rode well, very well. I’ve kept a ride log since May of 2003, and I’ve never posted an avg speed before like I did today, regardless of distance.

All of this years dedication and hard work is starting to pay off for me, not to mention the Single Speed. Even without a cyclocomputer, I know I’m noticeably faster than I was last year. I set out this morning knowing that cross season is approaching and I wanted to put myself into difficulty today. I rode hard, and frankly I was waiting to blow up. I even told Ken that if I fell off the back to go on without me. I was expecting to crack. It never happened. I beleive that I’ve put in enough miles that my base is strong enough to support repeated hard efforts. Ken commented to me that he’d never seen me so fast.

I’m feel pretty good today, I’m conviced that the SS has really helped me to spin. That is a large part of why I put in such a good workout today. I’m spinning a lot more and not just mashing all the time. It’s really showing up on the rollers as I’m not shifting down yet I’m maintaining my cadence. One ride does not make a season yo’, nor is it going to dictate the races. But it sure doesn’t hurt that I’m feeling strong, and my morale is high.

Miles ridden today, 35

Miles ridden 2008, 2599.

Cheers!  

Greetings Readers!

Well, it finally showed up and it was worth the wait. Mom’s custom Carl Strong Cyclocross Frame (check Master Carl in the pages) Mom did a mighty nice job on the paint scheme and I must say it turned out really nice. Carl nailed the fit and geometry, and my better half has already asked me when were going to practice drills!

The Frame shots…….

And the finished product……

The Build:

Frame: Custom Carl Strong Steel CX. Mostly a mix of True Temper S3 and Columbus Life tubing.

Headset: Chris King

Fork: Alpha Q

Wheels: Bontrager Race X Lite

Tires: Michelin Mud2 (not in photo)

Brakes: Paul Neo Retro front and Touring rear.

Post: Thompson

Saddle: WTB Devo Thinline

Bar and Stem: Ritchey WCS

Cranks: FSA SLK compact, 34/44

Pedals: Eggs stainless

Drivetrain: Ultegra 9 speed shifters and derailleurs, mated to a SRAM 12/26 cassette and chain.

Mom’s got a real race steed (I better get in shape) and will be joining me in cyclocross this season. I can’t wait to see her out there given’r!! 

Cheers!

Greetings Readers!  

What joy it was this morning people, watching the Moneypit on her brand new big girl bike. Gears and everything yo’. She was waiting for me in the garage this morning, giving it a pep-talk. “Don’t worry Ghost (her pet name for it) your going to do just fine” She said to her bike this morning. She was out by the street straddling her bike and chomping at the bit. “C-mon Dad!” We start off and she was just speeding along, twice as fast as normal, “Your doing great for your 1^st commute Ghost” She praised her bike as she rolled along, like a proud parent of her child’s achievement. We then came to her nemesis; a pretty steep incline that gave her poor little legs fits on her previous little one gear.

“I’m gonna shift down to 1 now Dad!” she exclaimed with a matter of fact announcement of intent. “My legs don’t even hurt!” she squealed with glee. “I love this bike Dad!” the moneypit declared with the joy of a kid and there 1^st real bike. We rocked all the way to her daycare in record time. When we arrived she patted it on the saddle and praised it somemore.. “Good job Ghost!” and “I love it Dad!”

I’m tellin’ ya, I could not have been happier had I been on a new bike myself, watching my daughter in the 1^st stages of what I hope to be a cherished relationship with two wheels. The smile on her face and the twinkle in her eye were worth a thousand times what I spent on her little steed.

Now the adventures begin, as she can brave longer distances as the world opens up for her. I was amazed at how well she took to gears; she was working that cassette like it was oil on canvas. This morning on the way to daycare with my daughter, was the best commute to work I’ve ever had.

I’ve been told by my little moneypit that I am required to take a pic of her bike with my cell phone, and leave it as my wallpaper. She wants me to see her bike every time I answer my phone, I don’t get it, but I’m happy to oblige. As long as she is in the pic too.

Sometimes it not your ride that makes your day, but someone else’s. J

Cheers!

Greetings Readers!

After taking a few days off the bike to recover I was back in the saddle today for a commute in to work. I can’t ride 7 days a week, after 6 straight days I took Sunday and yesterday off. It’s funny how you try to find the little things that keep your energy and focus on your training. For me buying the Single Speed has been a great distraction, it’s given me something to be excited about and I’ve really focused on my spinning. Today I was able to get up the climbs while spinning in the saddle, something I haven’t been able to do until today. I’ve always had to get out of the saddle to push only one gear. I must be getting stronger, despite my sleep deprivation I felt good on the bike today, I had good legs.

The key for me is too keep my focus, train hard and try to peak come October for cross season. It’s coming fast now, I’m under two months time till my 1st race. I’m really going to give’r this season. I’ve a few more pounds to lose, and I need to gain a little more strength and speed. I can’t wait!

As I was riding in this morning I saw this girl up ahead of me, (she was hawt) I’ve seen her a few times before but I’ve never talked to her.  So this morning I figured I pull along side and say hello. “morning” I said as I pulled along side, she pulled her ear plugs out and said “morning” back. She seemed friendly so I started in with the small talk “beautiful morning isn’t it”? “yes it is” she replied. “Do you have far to go” I asked, “Tualatin” she answered. “I’m going that way to, too Lake Oswego” I opened, “I work at the hospital” she said. The small talk continued and we rode side by side chatting, for about 3 miles. We came to a point where the road turns up and I explained I was going to have to lift the pace as I was riding SingleSpeed and needed to keep my cadence up. She said no problem and wished me a good ride in.

I rode in the rest of the way and thought about how cool it is to be on a bike. No way could you meet somebody outta the blue and drive along side them while having a conversation in a car. Nope, not happin’. She was really cool, super hawt, (I’m married, not dead) and with a 24 mile round trip to work quite the commuter. I thought about Speedy, and Aussie, and others I’ve met while on the bike. It’s just a different way of life, you see things differently on the bike. You meet the coolest people. She made my day and I hope to see her regularly and get her name. I’d like to add her to my other commuting pals Speedy, and Aussie.

I even felt good on the way home, which is unusual for me, I’m normally fatigued after a long day at the office. So I’m encouraged, better to be half full, than half empty. No?

Miles ridden today, 24

Miles ridden 2008, 2500

Cheers!

Greetings Readers!

So today marks a milestone for me, it’s 7/18 and I’ve already ridden more miles in 2008 than I did in the entire calendar year of 2007. I’m like a ruffed grouse right now, chest all puffed out like I’m all that. You may look at my mileage and think “Hell, thats nuthin’” But let me tell ya, for my complicated life I’ve really put in the effort this year, pushing 2500 miles for mid July is a lot of miles for me. I managed a mere 2428 in all of last year. Thanks to my better half, she knows how important the bike and cross are to me and has given me the rope to ride. Thank you Mom.

It’s important to have goals, and even more important to make them. I’m feeling pretty good right now knowing I’ll make a 4000 mile year a reality. How I do in cross is anybody’s guess? I came into last year with little to zero fitness and had a decent year. This year, I’m moving up in class and I expect the competition to be better. I’ll keep pluggin’ away right up till that 1st race in Sept.  I can tell you this: that single speed is making me stronger. I’ve even noticed that the initial hills I was forced out of the saddle on are now conquered with my butt velcrowed to the saddle, spinning all the way. I’ve felt muscles in my hammys and glutes that I’ve not known in years…..

I viewed this video on youtube off of K’mans Blog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRZOa_E9Qs8

Oh man, did it get my juices going, I’m flat out geeked out for cross. The crusades are all that, and there is NO WHERE I would rather be than at a cross race. Now, with my 1st race looming just 8 weeks from Sunday I’m starting to feel the pressure of getting the bikes ready, tubbies reglued, and my mind and body ready to party. For now I’ll revel in a little accomplishment knowing that I’ve blown the doors off last year. But that won’t last, in a few days I’ll be stessin’ about cross and fussing over all the little details that I hope will give me a great season.

For Tim, my pal and fellow cyclist who’s having surgery on Wednesday and will suffer through 2 long months off the bike and miss cross season: Timmy, keep the faith bro and I’ll be killin’ myself extra in the Crusades just for you pal.

Miles ridden today 20

Miles ridden 2008, 2444.

Cheers!

Greeting Readers!

I had a pretty good ride today, and despite feeling fairly wiped out yesterday I had good energy and power all day. I even tested out the knee on Blooming Fern road and it held up well. I didn’t get the miles in this weekend that I wanted too, the 4th is always busy with family and theres no sleeping with fireworks going off till the wee hours of the morning. I’m feeling good though and the knee is slowly getting better. I really wanted to hammer today but stayed with my group with the exception of where I split to climb Blooming Fern. Gawd I love the bike, I’d kill to have tomorrow off work so I could go out and let her rip. I’m encouraged people, that I’m on the right path to being ready for cross. (well at least for us slow dogs making up the field in the C’s) I don’t know if my goal of a top 20 is realistic in the Master C’s but I’ll be gunnin’ for it with all I’ve got. Cross is Cross, shit don’t go your way yo’. But you never know, it could happen.

So I’m in RCB yesterday, and although I love to go in there and check out all the cool stuff I found a noticable change for me. I wasn’t in there looking at bikes, fondling wheels, or any other stuff that us cyclist’s normally lust after. Nope, I was looking at messenger bags, full fenders, Chrome Messenger pants, racks and panniers, all the commuter must haves. I’ve got to be careful as the more I try to go by bike and my focus shifts to commuting, I don’t want the weekend to come around and be too tired from riding all week to do my recreation and training rides. Nor do I want to limit my long rides knowing I should rest up for a long week of commuting. This is going to be a fine line to walk. I sure as hell don’t want to burn out.

I’m loving The Tour, this is my favorite time of the year. I watch every stage, glued to the TV like my buddies ass is too the saddle on a long climb. The Tour is not just a sporting event, it’s a test of the human spirit. It’s not just whos good on any one day, but whos the strongest over a grueling 3 week timespan. I can’t even imagine, an average joe like myself riding the tour in 3 weeks. Nope, no way.

I’d sure like to have one of those fancy carbon stage race bikes though…..

Miles ridden today, 51

Miles ridden 2008, 2248.

Cheers!