Uneventful weekend

Thankfully, there were no dramatic occurences around here. No one got hit by any woodland creatures, no children had to 'meet their momma at the rocket', and I didn't have to spend any time with my in-laws. That alone is worth it's weight in fried Snickers! The State Fair was in town...seems like an apt analogy!

I did get a couple of good rides in, even though I felt pretty meh. 10-ish days off the bike will do that to a brother.

Yesterday, I slept in until 8, and was just out of sorts all flipping day. I did get a nice ride in though. 2 hours on the CX bike, including an exploration of some of the SCE&G property in WeCola. It would be pretty easy to put together a practice CX course back there...
It seems the fall sunflowers are in full bloom in Lexington County too!

I could hear Liggett in my head. It's a shame that I was riding like Liggett as well.

This morning, I got up and watched the WC CX race from Tabor. To say that Pauwels went horizon is a bit of an overstatement. He had a minute, and finished 30 seconds up. Tim Johnson fished a solid 17th, less than 2 minutes down.

Stybar seemed to have fun on one of the rhythm sections.



After the sitting on the couch was done, I got on the Ridley and did a quick two hours out in LexCo. It was borderline perfect out there today. I saw exactly no one on the roads. I did, however, get yelled at by some douche on Gervais St. He was surprised when I caught him at the next light and politely asked him where he had to be at lunchtime...on Sunday!
I also saw the OccupyColumbia dummies at The Statehouse...all 11 of them. Seriously people, your argument falls on deaf ears in a small Southern city.
I sort of felt like a 1%er though, as I was riding past their drum circle on a $5000+ bicycle!

Once home, I cleaned up the yard (fucking leaves...I hate you!), went to Lowe's to get a few things, and built a custom lift for #1's bed (so he can store stuff under it). I should have built some steps too. The poor fella can barely climb into the damn thing! Hope he doesn't fall out!

All in all, it was a pretty good weekend!

Don't forget the night ride. Tuesday @ 1830 from the bank next to Farm Bureau Insurance in Cayce. Strap on your lights and come out for big fun. Hopefully, Bambi, and her ilk, will stay away from us this week.

Oh yeah, the weasel-y little fucker Papp got of with 6 months of house arrest and probation. What a fucking mis-carriage of justice! If a "regular" drug dealer got popped on a similar charge (187 'clients', untold transactions, $80k in profits), He/she would be put under the jail, no matter who got snitched out. Papp should hit his knees every night and thank (insert the Deity of your choice here) that he doesn't have to hit his knees every night in prison.
Regardless, he's still a douche...

So...

...you guys remember this video, right?



Yeah? You think, this shit could NEVER happen to me. Well, I'm here to say, it happens, and it happened to Tipper last night.

About 90 minutes into the Urban Assault ride, we hit Granby Park to bomb the River Trail. I rolled off first, and the group followed. Tipper was 4th or 5th wheel. I saw a HUGE doe (a deer, a female deer...c'mon, you sang that part...) stomping through the standing water beside the trail. It jumped into the tree line, and seeing that it was pitch black, and I was concentrating on not riding directly into the trees, I forgot about it almost immediately.
Jump forward maybe 10 seconds...
Coming around the bend, and down the hill, I saw water crossing the trail, just before the bend. I slowed, and thought that someone was going to eat it right there. Well, coming in from the right, the aforementioned doe (sing it!) emerged from the tree line at high speed and just DESTROYED poor Tipper. Think Ray Lewis hitting a receiver at full speed! The deer easily had 50 pounds on him!
It hit him, and the bike got swept out from under his scrawny ass in the blink of an eye. He spun around, and hit the lip of the cement trail, then went into the foot deep water beside the trail.
To say the collision was violent, and blindingly fast, would be an understatement. It sounded like a bomb went off!
Dragged from the water, Tipper laid on the trail, in the fetal position, for a solid 10 minutes...in soaking wet kit...in 50 degree temps. As my grandpa would say, "That boy was stoved up!"
The Cycle Center crew all stayed with him, and eventually walked him out of the park. Fortunately, there was a Park Ranger waiting. PR Brazel drove Tip up to the USC Baseball stadium (2x back to back National Champions, btw!) to wait for emergency extraction by his wife.
I'm no Doc, but IMO, nothing was broken. I CAN say though, his boney ass is gonna be SORE for a few days!!

Here's a cursory schematic of the incident...



Be aware of your surroundings, and keep your head on a swivel folks!

Other than that, it was a pretty good/fun ride!

No cyclists were harmed in the making of this video...

And no, I did NOT ride last night. I'll ride in the dark. I'll ride in the rain. I will NOT ride in the dark WHILE it's raining. Too many crap drivers around here. The addition of rain to the list of distractions keeps me in the warm house.

Look for a 'riding at night' post in the coming days. Yes, there's more to it than strapping lights on your bike...

Back on my grind

Il Giro 2012

The TdF 2012 presentation is today. I guess Andy Schleck will get to see exactly how he gets to finish second this year. #Schlecknd

Back on the bike today too. I rode 2x at DivaCamp. One was a ripper of a CX ride through some outstanding Jeep trails. It included a 20 minute visit to the Paincave, which resulted in a burp...that really wasn't...know what I'm sayin'?
The second was a spin with Monteleone down into town and back. Pretty nice to just roll along in the S. Virginia countryside.

As for the ride tonight, the night/urban rides have started in West Columbia. A MTB/CX/Urban Assault bike is required, as is a good attitude and sense of humor. If you feel the need to pull out your junk, stay home and ride your trainer.

And here's the laatste ronde of the WC CX race from Plzen. Looks like a fun course...

Edit: And the driver who killed Dr. Matthew Burke back in February was convicted of Felony Manslaughter. Good on South Carolina for finally growing a set of balls! Hopefully this ruling will set precedent for other States to properly try, and convict, drivers who run down cyclists.

So many things...

Got back from "work" late last night. I put work in quotations, because as much running around as was done, and as little sleep as I got, it was a HUGE amount of fun.
The location, Wilderness Adventure @ Eagle Landing, was perfect. There are no words to describe how great it really was. If you are into the outdoors, regardless of pastime, take 4 or 5 days and go there. Thank me later...
The riding is perfect. It sits in a valley, so you can either follow the valley road for a 'flat' ride (read : rolling), or you can ride out of town and climb the 10k to the top of Potts Mountain. It's no alpine pass, but it'll give you what you need. Pro teams could host training camps there, without issue!
I also made nearly two dozen new friends, including pro-dogs Chris Monteleone and Kelly Benjamin. The two of them are hella cool, down to Earth, and just really nice people to be around. Congrats to Kelly on a career in cycling that most would give a finger (or more) to achieve. Big ups to Chris as well, as he climbs the ladder to the top. Remember his name, as you'll hear it in the future!

I feel proud, honored and blessed to be a part of something as wonderful and unique as TotalCyclist DivaCamp. Big thanks to Chad Andrews for allowing me the opportunity. I've made friends, and memories, through this experience that I will keep with me for the rest of my life.

Some of the iron hanging on the Lodge porch...


The views did not suck....

Kelly B.

Monteleone and Loralie (Diva) near the top of Potts Mountain.

The little face you see above belongs to "Cowgirl". She's a Aussie Cattle Dog that attached herself to us as soon as we arrived. The staff @ W.A. explained that she belonged to a real jerk-off (my words) that lived up the road about 3 miles! He just lets her run free through the countryside. She has the battle scars to prove it. In light of all this, she was the most loving, attentive, and good natured pooch. "Cowie" chased me around when I was riding my cross bike, followed us everywhere we went, slept on the couch in our cabin, and met the Divas with a giant doggie grin when they returned from rides.


I could write volumes about all of the conversation, laughs, smiles, and tears (talking to you Kelly!).

See you all at Spring DivaCamp!

Something to watch on a rainy Tuesday night...

...or a rainy Wednesday.

MCipollini. Tutta la Verità - The whole Truth - 2011 - HD from Mcipollini on Vimeo.

Cipo is a badass, period. Black card all the way! I may need to start figuring out how to get my grubby little mitts on a RB1000 with Ui2. The wheels are spinning wildly right now...

I'll be gone for a few days starting tomorrow. Another stint as Technical Director for Divacamp awaits. This time, we're "camping" at Wilderness Adventure in Southern Virginia. Should be more fun than a barrel of monkeys! 500 acres chock full of trails and double track. Yes, the CX bike will be on the back of the truck for this trip! I know how I'll be spending my free time...

I'll try to post some pics and video through the end of the week and weekend.

Oh yeah, and it news that came as a shock to exactly NO ONE...

Cav announced he'd signed with Sky today. I think I may have said this a month or so ago....

Peace and chicken grease!

Things to watch on a rainy Tuesday

In case you've run out of ways to cross the finish line...

"Golden Tree" by Martin Brooks from Ninian Doff on Vimeo.

Darrell Waltrip getting the ride of his life in an Aussie Supercar @ Bathurst.

Monday movie

File this under 'Holy Shit'!! Dude got taken OUT!

Weekend

SuperPrestige CX races have started in Euro. Ruddervoorde was today. Normal course for them...
Gotta love the rhythm section...

Saturday was a good, easy ride with the group. Everyone was jovial, and seemed to enjoy the ride. The wind was howling, so the decision was made to do the IronCross inside the Fort. I hate riding in the Fort anymore, but coming home on Dixie with a 15-20mph tailwind was nice. What started out as a simple loop ended up being a 45 mile ride.
I rode the carbon wheels, and am seriously toying with the idea of selling them. I don't (and likely won't) race anymore, ergo, there is almost no need for a set of 50mm deep carbon wheels. If anyone has interest, send me a note and I'll give you specifics.

This morning, the core group of four met on what can only be described as a 'breezy' morning. We went in the exact opposite way that the wind called on us to ride. Nothing like a tail to cross-tail for the first 2/3 of the ride, only to make the turn and drive directly into a bloc headwind for the last 20 miles.
I felt like garbage for the first 90 minutes...Gilbert for the next 60...and then TVH got a flat. Nothing like taking the engine from optimum operational temps to nil over the course of ten minutes. The 30-ish minute ride home was a stiff-legged affair, to say the least.

On the equipment tip, I rode my 3x/32 hole wheels with Vittoria Open Pave CG tires today. I'd forgotten how good a straight up, no bullshit set of wheels rides. Plenty fast, plenty stiff, plenty smooth, and comfy. I think I may source some FAT Vittoria rubber for the winter (25 or 27c) and just ride those wheels.

News:

GVA won Paris-Tours out of a two man break. Get used to seeing a BMC jersey crossing the line first. It's gonna happen a lot next year!

The weather looked nice in Ft. Collins for CX...

Horner is going to race until he gets his AARP card.

That's it for me...

Have a good Monday everyone!

Simple fucks

This is Roger Hernandez. He is a simple fuck. He refused a dope test at Masters Track Nats, and got suspended for two years. Really, part 1? He posted the above picture on the intarwebs. I'm shocked that this dumbass is on the AvGas, just SHOCKED! Really, part2? Refusing the test is admitting you're a doper, and a douche. Simple fuck!


This is Joe Papp. He is a simple fuck. He's a doper. He's also a drug dealer who set up a shell company to buy/sell EPO, HgH, and (insert the Deity of your choice here) knows what else. I guess turning in everyone he knew didn't quite work out the way he planned. Begging for support on Twitter? Really? I wish I knew who to contact to ask that Papp receive MORE time on his sentence. Simple fuck!

And here's a video commentary about the Government...a legislative body FULL of simple fucks. The guy in the video? Yeah, he's probably brighter, and definitely has a better grasp of the gravity of the situation than 99.5% of those who live inside The Beltway.



__________________________________________________________________
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I rode this morning. 2 hours on the CX bike. A couple of really fruitful efforts, one really freaking stung.
On the way back in, I discovered that SCANA (SCE&G) is ostensibly giving a portion of their land off of 12th. St. to the City of West Columbia. What's West Columbia doing with it? Building a public tennis center, a GIANT public park and greenspace, a canoe/kayak portage, and a paved/groomed MUT through the woods.
I will say now, with a large degree of certainty, that WeCola has their shit together when it comes to creating outdoor spaces for the public to enjoy. The Greenway is immeasurably better on that side of the river(s).
It's a damn shame that the City of Columbia, where a lot of us live, and pay an obscene amount of taxes, can't quit bickering with each other, get on the same page, and build out OUR side of the river. I know that most of the land is private property, but it's virtually unusable as commercial property because of the flood threat, and the MASSIVE sewer line that runs through it. These reasons alone should be enough to allow expansion of the Greenway, and the creation of greenspace to enjoy down by the river.
It would be cheap, easy, and maybe put some folks to work in Columbia. Instead, the City is burying powerlines, putting in sidewalks, and installing custom fabricated street lights in neighborhoods that you wouldn't walk in, much less at NIGHT!
In keeping with the theme of this post, our City Council and Mayor are ... well, you know what I'm gonna say...

Sunday ride
9am
Corner of Greene and Laurens
60-ish miles into Lex/Calhoun
C'mon out!

Some days you're the windshield...

...today I was the bug. Just tired, lethargic, and my heart wasn't in it. I thought about turning around and going home when I got stopped by a train on Huger St. (I know, what a shock...a train, in Columbia!), but I invoked Rule #5, and finished the ride. 1:30 of rolling around on the Jericho...

Now to help Junior Mgmt #1 w/homework. That will suck the remaining life straight out of my body.

I need a nap...
Here's something to look at...

News

Levi says Trek sucks, without really saying it...

It seems that Cav may be going to QuickStep instead of Sky...again because of the big S. Same with Tony Martin...

Todd Branham makes good...

Michael Rasmussen needs to go away

Okay enough Euro dog silly season stuff...

(breaktime)




Okay, we're back...

Good Sunday ride. First time doing Eastover in ages. It was a bit breezy out in the country, but easily more manageable than Saturday.



5 days on the bike, and 6 rides if I count the hour of quality time spent riding with #1 son on Friday afternoon. I'm tired today...

Speaking of children...#3 is making pterodactyl noises. Gotta jet...

I don't know much...

...but I know these dudes have large stones!



4th day in a row on the bike for me. The local 'weather caster', and I type that with certain levels of both disdain AND sarcasm, said the wind would be out of the NW at 8-15mph this morning. I will admit that the direction of the wind was correct, so he was 50% right, but 8-15mph? Really? I'm no walking anemometer, but I'll kiss the "weather caster's" ass if that was the correct wind speed.
I knew I had chosen poorly when I was spinning out 12th St. in the big ring @ 45kmh, and my HR was still 125! The ride home from the end of Old Wire was a struggle to maintain 30kmh. Even riding my every day, 30mm wheels, I was getting blown around like the proverbial feather on the breeze, and we know I'm no feather...

Time to go outside in the back yard and enjoy this wonderful Fall day. I can hear the hammock calling me...

Stelvio

The Stelvio and the Mortirolo will be in Il Giro for 2012. Best. Grand. Tour. Period.

A ride, in pictures and song

I only got the sunny hours, the brightest hours of day. I never count the gloomy hours, I let them slip away...

"...swervin' like I'm George Jones..."



Train kept a rollin'...


Option 1: Hoobastank
Option 2: Mix-A-Lot

I've had a headache for 2 days, so instead of going out and riding easy, I decided to kill it with fire. Funny how 1x30 @92% will do that. As Asami so eloquently stated in 'The Audition', "Words create lies, pain can be trusted."

When I was done, I looped through the Greenway and ran into Rob, Casey, and their new addition, Ella Kate. Good eggs those two...well, three now. Seeing them this morning put a smile on my face.
Up Gervais and into campus. Once on Greene St., I stopped to help a college girl whose chain had popped off the pulley in her rear derailleur. A quick and easy fix got her rolling in less than 15 seconds, and helped my cycling karma. Two birds...

TVH, Il Prof and I are going out for a loop of the Fort @ 4:30-5:00 tomorrow. Feel free to join...

Namaste...

Cav wins the WC...and I don't mean Water Closet

Yeah...you just can't take that kid to the line. Some DB on the Twitter said that it was some grand plan for Cav to win so he could be in WC stripes for the Olympics in London. Now, I'm sure the organizers may have had that thought, but 180+ riders and 260km had other plans. Another twidiot said that Cav is the Champion of sprinters, but not a true World Champion. Really? REALLY? That's funny, because I just watched the last 6km, and Cav just put them all back on the truck.
Let the haters hate, because you know they will...

As for me...
102km thru Calhoun County. It was nice to have an actual group this morning. A grand total of SIX rolled out. Cloudy, hazy and low cloud deck when we left...turned into a sunny, windless, albeit humid end of the ride. Can't ask for much more...

Another one of those terrible roads out in the country.

Yeah, it's Sunday... I went to church...

Now to sleep through the rest of the NASCAR race...Peace!

Tubies are faster you say?

I'll call bullshit. Tony Martin just won the WORLD TT championship on CLINCHERS!! Yeah, you read that correctly. HED Jet 9 FR / HED Jet Stallion FR disc.

The question is, what Conti tires is he riding? Betting they weren't off the peg GP4000S...

U23 WC RR

Great race and great finish!

And I'm no mountain biker, but this makes my pants a bit tighter...



The word "FLOW" comes to mind...

2011 WC TT

Blistering ride by Tony Martin. And I have a question...
Did Cancellara's "Trek" look decidedly NOT like a current Speed Concept? Hmmm...

Great pics over at Cycling Tips...

Les Montagnes

3 of us got up sort-of-early on Sunday, loaded into TVH's Subaru and headed to Tryon for a ride. Nothing quite like folding my 6'1", 185 pound frame into the backseat of an import wagon...more on this later.
The idea was to roll out of the park where the Fab 4th ride begins, go UP the Saluda Grade, down The Watershed, then find some loop to roll around on for 25 miles or so, then go back UP The Watershed, and bomb the descent of The Grade, back to the car. The plan was 50-55 miles. The best laid plans of mice and men you say...?

The first part of the plan was going swimmingly...then we deviated for the first time of the day...30 miles into the ride. At the store stop, the decision was made, after talking to a crusty local, to ride into Landrum, do a loop around up to Columbus and drop back into Tryon.
While the route may not have offered any BIG climbs, it was nicely rolling, through beautiful countryside. A couple of stunning valleys, and simply picturesque horse farms were well worth the deviation.
Rolling back to Tryon, Il Prof figured we'd barely have 50 miles, so I, in my finite wisdom, suggested we tack on a few by checking out Howard's Gap, just to see how full of shit folks who ride it regularly may, or may not, be. The first two sections of road went from nearly flat to 5-6%...nothing to really write home about.
A few Euro switchbacks led to the corner that would seal our collective fate. After a relatively flat right turn, the road opened up, and sucker punched all three of us squarely in the chops. To say that we struggled for the next 1.5 miles would be like saying that my Jack Russell struggles with higher math...an understatement at best. Il Prof said he saw 2.9mph on his computer at one point. I do not doubt this statement, and find that it may be optimistic!


The 1.5 mile asskicking AVERAGED 15.4%, and contained 4 portions that hovered between 25 and 30%. Not too difficult to see where those spots are on the profile.
Once at the top, the climb leveled out and we rode, for a WHILE, across the ridgeline, back to Saluda. Then, tired, soaked with sweat, and out of gas, bombed the descent of the Saluda Grade back to the car.
I then folded my 6'1", 185 pound frame BACK into the backseat of the Scooby, which made my hip flexors really happy with me. My trip to Renick yesterday bordered on Marquis de Sade treatment...
Not only did I get folded up into the back of the car, my Ridley did as well! Oh, the indignity...


I guess only the 'team' bike Colnagos go on the roof!



All told...
64.8 miles
6698ft of climbing

It was fun, and I'd do it again this coming weekend if the H.O. would let me out of the house! It was what a ride should be. Time spent outside, on the bike, with friends. There was no negativity, no complaining, but plenty of big smiles/laughs. You know, the reason you go do something like this...

You think Joey's okay?

I think Joey needs a goddamn gurney! There is such a thing as carrying TOO much speed folks!

Went to the mountains this morning with Il Prof and TVH. Wonderful day on the bike. Writeup will follow once all of my synapses are properly rested and synaps-ing...

I leave you with this...

65 miles
6698ft of climbing
Rode up Howard's Gap (1200ft of vertical in 2 miles)

I'm not built for this shit people! But I LIKED it!!!

I think I just innoculated...

The front one...steel...
The back one...ti

Baum Cycles Australia

Cross Vegas 2011

Watch more videos on Cycling Dirt

A humpday photo dump...

They're "improving" Old State Road. Yes, there is a note of cynicism in my typing...

Pimpin' is, in fact, very easy for Eddy...

Will Gilbert win Worlds'? Odds aren't posted yet, but I'm willing to throw $20 in the pot and bet that his kid finishes better than the Schlecks...

Okay, not cycling related, but how can you not like HoverDogs?


Interbike (aka "The Show") is this weekend in Vegas. Guessing Trebon commuted? That saddle to bar drop makes my back hurt as I sit here...on the couch...

Decent ride thru the dirt loop this morning. As the photo above shows, Lexington County is evidently training grader operators out on Old State. It's a bit like Michele Bachmann's head at the moment. Soft...
A good rain wouldn't be altogether bad.

Gilbert wins GpW...


We're going to Tryon to ride on Sunday. If anyone wants to go, I have an open seat in the bus. Loop will be 50-55 miles, up and back over the Watershed and the surrounding area. The weather will be in the 60s. Where'd I put the vest/baselayer/armwarmers?

Velodromo

If you live with about 4 hours of Charlotte, and the idea of having a World Class velodrome/cycling facility available to you doesn't cause excitement, well...You're a dick!

Outstanding

Great ride this morning with Jed, Il Prof, and TVH. We went out through Lexington County, to Swansea, across Hwy 6 to Hwy 21 to Sandy Run, then backtracked it home. 105km in the big bright sun, on smooth rolling roads. To say it didn't suck is an understatement!

Ponies!

Another one of those horrible, high traffic roads out in Calhoun County...

TVH had on enough sunscreen to protect all four of us!

I like old barns!

Former ProDog, and CX National Champeen, Jed S. continuing his quest to go from the couch to CX Nats.

One of the highlights of the ride was the red velvet Twinkies at the gas station. Who knew? I'm quite sure whatever gave them their red hue will likely, in the long run, give me cancer, but DAMN they were good!
Another highlight came from Il Prof having a flat. TWO folks in cars stopped to see if he/we were okay! Shocking and unexpected to say the least, but nice and appreciated nonetheless.

Hope everyone enjoyed their day. Remember what day it is! Forget all of the ancillary political bullshit...just think of THE DAY and why it's important.

9-11-11

Sometimes...

Normally, I don't ride with a plan. Sure, I have a loop in mind, and an idea of variations to mix it up, but rarely do I go out with a "plan". Occasionally, I'll feel chipper after my little spin out, and put down a hard 30 minute "interval", but that may happen once a week.
Most rides these days fall somewhere between a ride for enjoyment, and meandering through new roads.
Yesterday, I meandered...HARD! Between school for the kids, the new bambino, and trying to get the house together to sell, I'm whipped. The ride guilt kicks in though. When it's 68 degrees and sunny with a light breeze, it becomes difficult to sit on the couch.
2 hours of rolling the CX bike through Lexington County was the call.

Smoother than tar and chip in Lower Richland...

Steel is real.

Squirrel's eye view.

Collaborate and listen...

Second ride of the day. This one was good for my soul.

I also got the Salsa 99.5% finished. I just need a longer drop cable hanger for the front so I can flip the stem. I guess a trip to Cycle Center is in order at some point today...

Enjoy your weekend!

A question...?

I need some new bib knicks for the fall/winter. How do the Santini knicks fit? ;)

Good ride yesterday, even though it was a bit dark, and a bit windy. I went out into the wind, hit the heavy/wet dirt, and struggled mightily until the turn onto 12th. Once the wind was at my back, it became quite nice.



Like "taking pictures @ 40kph on 33c tires at 50psi" nice. I normally pop back into the woods, but it's just bad form to not take advantage of a ripping tailwind!

Instead of buying a new bike to ride around town/with the kids/at night, the decision has been made to turn my Salsa Las Cruces into the aforementioned beast. 1x9 with a Deore shifter and XTR rear derailleur, Syncros DH riser bars, Thomson stem/post, carbon cranks...etc.! Yeah, nothing says lovin' like a sub-20 pound townie rig. I'll post pics when the bike is done. For now, I'm less than content sitting here waiting for the parts to hit the door! Grrrrr...

Why do I need a bike like this you ask? Well, riding my custom steel Jericho, or the Ridley, up to school to pick up #1 makes me intolerably nervous. Not the riding part per se, but the 'bike getting knocked over by a spastic 10 year old' scenario. I'd hate to explain to one of the other parents that they owe me $3k for a new frame because their uncontrolled progeny. Betting that would be a thin Christmas around that kid's house!

Enough blathering...Peace! Have a good afternoon!

A holiday?

I'm glad everyone thinks Labor Day is a holiday. The people who think this obviously do not have children.
It's a day off work AND school. So instead of a quiet morning, the Phineas and Ferb movie is rolling on the 50". Oh joy...
There will be little done today that resembles productivity.

Saturday, I slept in and decided to do a loop of Lower Richland. One two hour ride reminded me exactly why I stopped riding out there. The roads are shit. The terrain is shit. The drivers are shit. Nothing like getting buzzed by Methuselah's older brother, driving an ancient pickup truck, pulling a fossilized pop-up camper. Yeah, it's WAAAY safer out there...
Old State Road, which is DIRT, is smoother than about 50% of the tar and chip garbage roads out in LR.
You guys can have it...

(Let's compare)...
A stretch of the aforementioned tar and chip in LR...

Or a stretch of road out in Lexington County...
Tough choice, I know...

Sunday, 5 of us did a really nice ride out into Lexington County. It was quite nice, and the antithesis to Saturday. Nice smooth roads, rolling hills, very little traffic, and a road that had remained undiscovered until recently. We didn't get passed by a car for the first HOUR of the ride!!!
Oh, and for the naysayers, when you ride out into Lexington County, you come home with a tailwind...and it's largely downhill. Shocking, I know!
Downhill + tailwind + 52/12 + 120rpm = yesterday's top speed. As the Brits say, do the maths...

And the rumors are true, Lay-An-Egg Trek is folding itself into the Radio Smack organization. I guess Levi booked out b/c he knew that he'd be playing 3rd or 4th fiddle to the Schlecks...or whoever....
Another rumor floating around is about the custom Pinarellos that were delivered to Team Sky Service Course. They were small frames and had the initials "MC" written on them. Hmmm....rhymes with Park Spavendish...

Anyway...enough of this nonsense. Time to go ride bikes with Junior Management...

Friday Shizz

An article has been going around for the last few days concerning the Lost Art of The Group Ride. It covers pretty much all of the bases that several of us have been grousing about for the last couple of YEARS.
It tickles me to no end when I think of the people who are sitting in front of their computer screens, agreeing with the aforementioned article, yet some of those same people are the very ones who the article is written about/for.
We all know these people. Doesn't take much hard thought for the names to come to mind, does it?
If you have to think about it, or grumble to whoever will listen, then the article is for/about you!

I remember the old school rides in town. The guys then were fast, hard as nails, and actually helped noobs along. Again, it doesn't take much for me to remember a few of the guys that were instrumental in me becoming a part of the group in the early 90s.
People do not remember middle of the road. They recall the positive, and the negative. Which are you?


This year, I can recall about 6 group rides I've actually enjoyed. All were fun, positive, and plenty fast in spots to get work in if one was so inclined, you know, the way rides used to be...

Not much else going on...
Good spin on the road bike this morning. First ride on the Mavic shoes. They are really nice. I just need to get all of the wedges, insoles, and various other scheisse that I require, dialed in. A few more sub-2 hour rides on them, and we'll be good to go.

Pretty nice out there this morning...

I'm sorry...

...did I break your concentration?


Want to touch the hiney...