Something new arrived while I was away:
I realize it was only one short year ago that I was complaining about “The Force” after bending the chainrings in the world parking lot crit champs of the world, but you know, time heals all wounds. Plus, the new chainrings appear much tougher. Not sure what I am going to with it just yet, but it sure looks neat. For sure, it won’t be on the cross bike, but maybe I could put the force group on there…
Monday wound up being a play day for the turbo, at least for part of the day. We went out to the dirt demo and I got to borrow a Moots 29er with our wheels. Hmmm, I think I could get into this mountain biking crap. It was pretty funking sweet. The problem is that I can leave on my road bike from my front door. Mountain biking from my place either requires time for a long ride or a drive to ride my bike. Oh yeah, there’s still the issue of actually owning a mountain bike too. Anyway, good thing I enjoyed it because it was my last bike ride for the week.
Tuesday was less fun as I spent several hours at stinko’s getting copies made for all the programs. Nice that I am on the ball, getting that stuff done the day before the show. No, I was not the only one! Other than that, we got the booth together.
Wed, Thur, Fri, I did pretty much what you see in the video ad nauseum.
Wed night was the Cross Vegas presented by Dr. Ferrari. It was pretty much the coolest thing ever. I felt a bit for Trebon as Lance was swarmed by the press… “Ummm, hey, I won over here…”. I wish we had cross courses like this in Utah.
Thurs night was the USA Crits finals at Mandalay Bay (watch what you say, eat some hay, I just may…). I was kicking myself, even moreso than at the cross race, but seeing pileups every lap helped reconcile the suck factor of watching a bike race. I predicted my twice-upon-a-time ex-teammate would win, and it was so.
Hardwood was the strongest guy in the industry race, and wound up 4th or 5th, and was pretty damn strong in the pro race too; I think finishing around 20th.
I pretty much never ate breakfast or lunch and then would eat like 8000 calories (all from the “fried group”) each night. Coupled with shaking a gazillion hands, and not sleeping, I am just waiting to get sick.
The craziest I got was cruising the strip Friday night laughing at drunks. We got a live version of “Cops” first hand as this chick was in cuffs and all belligerent.
Got the call that Sleevie won the Harvest Moon crit. on the drive home. Yeaaahhh!!
Glad to be home.
More later.
http://reviews.roadbikereview.com/interbike/colnago-cx-1/
Thanks, Faceless. I think.
So, umm, what we, umm, have here is umm, bicycle wheels.
Yeah, not really, but still.
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700260637,00.html
Trying to squeeze in a family ride this morning along with many loads of laundry and packing, before heading to Vegas (baby) around lunch time.
The playhouse build had pretty well taken over our garage, so I parked the Jeep on the street last night. When I got home, I had a lot to unload so I took in my backpack and lap top and left the rest for later. Managed to leave both my road and cross bikes sitting in the open car. Not only unlocked, but it’s a soft top without even a rear window. I am figuring that even in their used current well used state, the bikes are worth more than the even more well used vehicle. In any case, I woke with a start at 6 this morning, realizing what I had done. I am guessing some thieves came by and just assumed it was a set up. I know some who know the ‘hood are like “dude, you live in Pleasantville, you could do that every day”, but that’s not really the case.
Anyway, nothing happened, so onward and upward.
Gentle Reader,
I’ve been a bit slow on the updates as late. Preparing for “the show” has left me precious little time for such things. Yesterday, I was feeling alright as I headed into the office, and feeling like I could probably even get stuff done in time. That feeling was shattered when I sat down and a whole new world of responsibility was dumped on my plate. “You better have answers”… for the meeting at three o’clock. So meetings at 9, 3, and 4. And with that, the day is pretty much a write off.
“You don’t even know what a write off is…”
Anyway, I walked in this morning to a card on my desk. I expected to open it and read “HTFU!”, but it was actually a really sweet (and not by my usual definition of sweetness) anonymous card saying that I make work “more enjoyable”. It’s amazing how a little thing can change your outlook. Hopefully I can “pay it forward” and boost someone else’s morale before the day is through.
In other news, Kelly’s grandparents and her uncle came out and are putting together a playhouse. It is a serious project as the playhouse measures 6′ X 6′. Any bigger and I may get confused about which house I am supposed to live in and which one is for the girls to play in. It’s not done as of this morning, but I am amazed at how much they managed to get done yesterday with only two people (and one of whom is in his 80’s!).
It’s unfortunate that I was born completely free of the ‘handy’ gene.
In an odd twist, I will be covering the “Jeep 48Straight” dual slalom mountain bike event in Park City for the Deseret News this weekend. Look for it on Sunday and thanks to you know who for hooking it up.
Still not sure exactly when I am leaving for Vegas (baby).
Morgan pee’d in the potty.
Unamericans also encouraged to rejoice.
So I have pretty much been getting my can kicked trying to get stuff together for the big show. I took the cross bike out during lunch and cruised the canal trails for a bit. It is so relaxing to ride without cars. No, this is not “cross” training, as I could pretty much ride my road bike on the trails. In fact, I have. Anyway, stopped and got a Vanilla Coke Zero and felt much better. For about 20 minutes. Now, buried alive once again…
It was maybe 50 degrees warmer than this, but I couldn’t find another picture with my cross bike:
I figure with a title like that, I won’t get your expectations too high.
Pretty standard weekend fare- some yardwork, some hot biking action, a spot of church. One tidbit worth mentioning- I saw the movie “Hot Rod”. If you like incredibly stupid movies as much as I do (and I know you do), check it out. And no, they did not pay me to say that.
Otherwise, things are trucking along. Lots to plan this week what with Interbike and Kona on the horizon.
I looked in my crystal ball and saw this in my future: 
Oh yeah, but with a sweeter haircut as I managed to get that done over the weekend as well. Yeah, go me!
So I’ve been avoiding saying anything about a certain riders “comeback”. I am of the opinion that he (who shall not be named) just heard that Flandis was coming back and wanted to grab the headlines away. Or that Julich was retiring. Anyway, I am interested in the trend towards aging athletes still competing on a high level. Mommy Torres medalling in the Olympigames at 41. Malcolm Elliot pulling top 10 stages at Tour of Britain. Thurlow 3rd at Elite Natz and he’s pushing 50. The rules are changing, and that’s a good thing. Anyway, I am hereby announcing my comeback to professional cycling 12K Dreamer Status.
In 2024.
As soon as Morgan leaves for college, I am going to officially start living off Kelly again and take up my true calling in life.
PS- I just found out the Interbike Crit is a non-possibility as we are doing a company dinner that night. Suck.
I guess it is time to get the cross bike rolling.
