More Snow?

My wife thought these mysterious snow shapes man-made. I assured her they were natural. She also dreamed Tom Cruise and I were making a movie together and that I was famous.
(Tom... call me.)

I got Misao some Godiva Chocolates and an exercise DVD for Christmas. That's what she asked for. Denise Austin. She really enjoys it. It was a basic fitness DVD and she had more advanced workouts to buy. If people paid me for all the endorsements I give I'd be rich.

Three days straight at the gym. Can't believe all the weight I gained. It perplexes me. Forgot to make the rice pudding for Christmas with all the cookies and candies around. Maybe I'll get to that tonight. Starts with cooking 3/4 cup rice in a quart of half and half. (recipe in comments)

'Juno' was a good movie. Over $200 in entertainment gift cards for Christmas. I wanted to see 'I am Legend' but thought my wife would like 'Juno' better. I asked her if she liked the movie and she said "Yes." I'm trying to figure out what that exactly means.

Alois promises to post in 2008. He's still looking for inspiration. (He's not an imaginary friend. Really really he's not.)

Merry Christmas

Bahhhh Humbug!

No outdoor Christmas lights this year. Too much snow in the way and we need the dollars saved in electricity. No nice picture with this post either. Not that I'm not in the Christmas spirit. It's the hap-hap-happiest time of the year. I just like the title.

Yesterday was all Christmas Cards and shipping gifts. Finished up today and spent some time writing on a couple of pieces for my other blogs. Well over fifty cards total. More shopping tonight. Did you ever notice how quickly one tires during Christmas shopping? Must be the air quality.

Have to get myself motivated to create a winter training program. Felt good to pump some iron on Monday, first time in over a month, and the snow shoveling makes up for missing the gym. I hope. Making sure I drink enough water, its necessity not always apparent in the winter months. Really have to find a way to get riding again, but don't want to expose my bike to the salt. Don't have money for a trainer. Guess I'll have to write to Santa Clause.
Another card.... Bahhhh humbug!

and Merry Christmas!

Let it Snow!

There is a Buddha under that snow. At least I believe there is a Buddha under that snow. If I can't see it is it there? If I am unable to perceive what I cannot see does it exist? Is it really snow?
Yes, "Life" is the one show I'm following this year.

One hour of a walk/run with stretching yesterday. Looking to add strength training and some other aerobics to extend that time to three hours at least once a week. Need to get my endurance up to over three hours for the three hour WEMS races. Hope to do at least five WORS races to get a series score. The WORS Iola race a must. A really fun course and if they continue to keep it the same a good way to measure ones advancement (or back sliding) over the winter.

I try not to fall into any patterns. Switch up my workouts each time. I also take many supplements but not every day and not taking the same combinations when I do. I want my body to be able to respond to adversity so it doesn't go catawampus if expected patterns of activity or nutrition are not received. Don't know of any science behind that theory, just my personal approach.

Remeber When

It was only two months ago at the Wigwam Ultimax... Looks like Jesus came down for one of those double brats they were serving up.

Yes Winter is here. I'm one to keep the dogs outside, but my wife keeps bringing them in. Then I say "Please keep them out of this part of the house." Now they have free reign over the entire house. The old dog needs to stay warm anyway. We have been trying to fatten him up for the Winter with warm milk and supplements over his food. Otherwise he just wont eat enough. I have to watch and make sure he eats it all or Ship-po comes and eats it. He'll just stand there smiling and let her eat the whole thing.
Man-up dog!

Battling a long cold and then had a car accident (I'm fine). Haven't been to the gym but a few times. When I stop exercising I tend to stop eating. No appetite. So I keep losing weight. Then a couple weeks later I sit down, have breakfast, have a huge lunch and after thirds at dinner keep looking for something to eat for desert. Time to step up and get a Winter training program going.

Korean Connection

Jerry Royster, formerly of the Milwaukee Brewers has become the first foreigner to head a South Korean sports team; the Lotte Giants of Busan. I passed through Busan a few times when I lived in Korea. Hope he can make the cultural adjustment. Yes, no money for hunting or an official Cyclo-Cross race but we did dish out to upgrade to Dish networks basic package. We only had the local stations. No it wasn't for the NFL Channel to see the Packers play Thursday (that would be stupid). It is because their basic package includes a Korean language station. Have to beef up the skills I gained there.

So the idea of skipping the Thanksgiving Sundays covert Cyclo-Cross race crossed my mind the other day. I recoiled in stunned disbelief. When did I start entertaining the soft minded thoughts of a pansy? Too much TV? On the internet? Too much time at Church? Have I fallen victim to the medias chickafication of America; the constant assault on manhood? Somehow there must be a way to blame the baby boomers. I shook off the urge to shun my manly duties and determined to race. Then I came down with a cold on Saturday and slept in only making time to go out to church. Bundled up and turned on the TV and computer.

Happy Thanksgiving

It's half time and things are looking good for the Packers. Hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving. Soon it's off to little brothers house to spend the day with most all the family.

Kept under 250 lbs, barely, for six months. Of course that doesn't include the WORS scale which... They say your body stays within four or five pounds of what it considers your set body weight and you need to keep a lower weight six months for your body to reboot itself to your new weight standard. Hopefully this will open the door for more weight loss as I seemed to have hit an impervious wall at 240 this summer.

Michigan tries and tries... Don't they.
Go Packers!

A Hunting We Will Go

Or not.
Just couldn't justify $100+ just for gas. Maybe I'll get out locally before the season is over. One of the first benefits I noticed after starting to bike regularly some years ago was the ability to clear brush and tromp around the forests and swamps of the North Woods all day. Must be something with the fresh air too because there's no way I'm able to walk around Milwaukee all the day through.
My wife picked up this bread maker for $6.99 at a thrift store. Every time the bread doesn't come out right she blames the machine. It's not that the small print made 3/4 look like 1/4 or that she forget to put the paddle back in after cleaning it. It's the machine.
Then she says, "I have to get revenge." That's what she says Japanese say when they fail at baking.
On whom is she inflicting her revenge? I ask myself. The failed attempts were dumped in the trash, but somehow she needs to compete with the machine.
Does it look like it cares?

This is not a race.

If this had been an actual race...
Well, I just had no more excuses. The weather was cold and gloomy with the chance of rain and the price even enthused my wife though she could not make it. Multiple heat format quite enjoyable.
I was quite sluggish with my weight on a slight upturn and feeling a bit irregular lately. Not only need to think about training over the winter but diet also. Still getting in good rides but nothing beats a race like one we didn't have here; at this undisclosed location.
I have a North Woods Cabin concept, two versions, ready to explode out of my head. At least five posts bouncing around for my other blogs. Oh, yeah. there was trail work today. Sorry, I just remembered. Packers. And what's with not showing the Detroit game. The Bears have almost no bearing on the Packers season any more. A Saturday would work better.
....What was I writing about?

I said to my wife, "I'm going hunting next weekend."

"Really? ....Where?" she said.

"Ladysmith. Buying three meals a day, staying in a nice hotel with cable TV and gentle naps in the forest."

She said, "....What!" and gave me one of those looks.

I looked at her and we laughed. OK, I laughed, she just smiled.
With gas over $3/gallon I just don't think I have enough aluminum cans to pay for the trip. Guess I'll save them for Christmas shopping.

Many thanks to our veterans and military personnel.

The End of a Season

The Growing season is over. Took the last couple of cucumbers and pulled up the garden. Put the potted cherry tomatoes to the basement. Sunlight through the windows and an hour of grow lamp in the morning and evening to ripen up the fruit (or is it vegetable?). Now I'm confused. ...

Though the mountain bike race season is done the weather seemed to get closer to ideal for the cyclocross season Sunday with a light drizzle and cooler temps. Alas, I will have to shoot for the final race in Hales Corners because I could not justify the expense this weekend. Did ride to Capital and back on the trails along the parkway and thought, 'This is better than cyclocross." But cyclocross is about the misery not the fun.

Back to the gym today. Been away doing some grunt work for a few extra bucks and despite the absence I benched 225. Was at 255 before the biking season started. Now the challenge is how to train (bike) over the Winter months.

I found this news story on 'Klunkerz: A Film about Mountain Bikes'. Something I'd pay to see in the theater but it's available on DVD already.

Happy Halloween

Cyclo

Went to the Washington park cyclocross race this Sunday morning. Used up a roll of film and took this video and some digital pictures; the infamous Russel in drag for his Halloween costume. Yes, it is not far from my house but I didn't ride my bike because I didn't want to be late for church. Did go for a ride later that afternoon.
Wish I had the money to compete but we canceled the card that had any cushion to it and have to pinch some pennies. I'll have to get those aluminum cans together I've been saving all year and go in and get some money to race. Three more races in the Milwaukee area this year.

So my wife and I were driving down to Kenosha the other night and took note of the full moon.
"China is going to build a base on the moon." I said.
"What? ... " She said.
"They sent up a satellite to study where to build a base."
"Why?"
"To take over the world." I said. By destroying all satellites and wreaking havok down upon their enemies from space I was thinking.
My wife replied.
"Oh.... Controlling the world by controlling peoples mood.... from the moon."
...?!

A...

Ca...

Wha......

Speechless. For everything else there's ... Wait. No there isn't.

WORS

Simply based on the clarity and efficiency of the web site or the publishing of their yearly 'Racer Handbook' one can sense that the Wisconsin Off Road Series (WORS) is a first class operation and they would be right. But more than superior communications and marketing understandable to the most timid first time racer superb organization make each event a pleasure not to mention a value with the countless perks series director Don Edberg rustles up for all racers.
Always even keeled there is no obstacle insurmountable. No hesitation to invest in equipment for the organization when unimagined numbers were reached at the turn of the century has kept WORS far and above the greatest in the world. Don Edberg has shown great talent and could make millions as a CEO of any corporation but works endlessly to share his great enthusiasm for a sport he loves with the public.
This Saturday is the WORS annual Awards Banquet. I wish I could be there and of course it will include great perks and raffle prizes; not that I would be winning any raffles.
Congratulations to all series and overall winners and WORS' Don.
And that's all I have to say about that.

I Got No Money

'What did you say?'
I was intending to try my first cyclocross race Saturday out near Madison when I realized I had no money. For gas for the race fee or just about anything else. So I went and joined a group working on new MTB trail. Sunday I became ill and still feel quite terrible today but that didn't keep me from enjoying the Packer's win. Obviously I'm being punished by God for not racing.

My wife said, "You only wash your bike clothes."
"Huh?" I said.
"You know there are other clothes you could wash."
"I do the dishes.... sometimes." I said.

My wife says I need pictures so my blog wont be boring so I took this picture of my closet.
Yes hunting season is here. Time to bust open my chest of hunting gear but 'I got no money.' First year I have the perfect prep and hunting spot but 'I got no money.' But I can always dream and scheme on how to make more money so I can finance my new sport. My wife actually washes my hunting clothes but I don't want them washed. Have to douse them with scent blocker afterward.

Donations welcome.

Mountain Sport

I've created a new sport if only in my mind. The summer biathlon combining mountain biking and sporting clays. A self driven sport since the competitors would have to start at timed (60 seconds?) intervals the faster going first.
The shooting stations would have to be roughly in a line or semi circle most likely pointing northerly. Immediately behind would be the penalty loops (one lap for each missed target) and leading out beyond that would be 1-2 mile stretches of mountain bike course to complete before the next station. The stations themselves could be close together and some even sharing the same penalty loop. The trail sections could be predominantly single track with the staggered starts with wider areas perhaps serving double duty. The twisting and turning of trail can produce the required lengths in small areas.
Each shooting station would require a finish gate and the first rider through, if the field tightens up, shoots first with the clays automatically flying after 20 seconds if the competitor does not call for an earlier release. If a faster racer must wait consider it a penalty for letting a slower competitor pass him.
Possible intense multiple finishes at each station, penalty loops and shooting stations in a more confined area to facilitate spectators... can you feel the excitement? And what could be better than riding your mountain bike with a shotgun strapped over your shoulder in a fancy safety sling.
My original concept was mountain biking and archery but images of what could happen in a crash I found disturbing.

Wigwam Ultimax

The final WORS race of the year. Did more than usual on the pre-ride. Rode the second half of the course twice. What I didn't know, but began to suspect, was that I was riding parts of the trail exclusive to the Elite-Comp race. Got a bit roughed up on the Pucker Factor. I can't sleep well the night before a race and it was even worse for this one.
Kept my nemesis in sight through the forest and when we hit the flats along the river left him behind. It was a large field (18) and finished 9th in my class. Less than eight minutes behind the leader and about sixteen minutes behind the top overall Citizen finisher. First real water crossing and those roots nearly shook me off me bike on the second lap. Had my tire psi low but perhaps they heated up in the unusual weather.
My nemesis said he had some crashes. Well he let me try his 29"er after the race and... wow! His clips were so tight I'm not surprised he crashed. Could barely get my feet off the pedals myself.
Took some picture of the Elite-Comp race and stayed to the end.

Pucker Factor

At least I think that's what they called it. Part of the Elite-Comp course complete with its own EMS staff waiting at the bottom. Lucky they were there to keep the local kids from ducking in between the groups flying down this slope to go for a ride in the middle of the race. Hey, he was 8 and its their trail.
Just turn your monitor on its side.

The Equalizer

The only momentum into this hill is what you create yourself.
Though known for causing the best riders to dismount 100 five dollar bills were grabbed by those who made it to the top without dropping a foot before half the Elite-Comp race at the Wigwam Ultimax Mountain Bike Challenge was completed. The event in Sheboygan was the last of the WORS for 2007 and included the highest payouts of the year to Elite winners.
Just place your monitor on its side. Sorry I couldn't get blogger to take a video image in portrait format. I tried and tried and tried.

Ahhhhh Cucumbers!

My wife likes to catch the cucumbers before they get too big. Here is one that got away. Those Martha Stewart seeds were great. Misao is sad that Martha went with Macy's. She says everything will be too expensive now.
Stopped by the official opening of the Hoyt Park Trail for the bicycle chain cutting (that would be for a multi-purpose trail). Free food
and a nice group ride though I skipped out of the night ride; no lights.
If only I had gone to the Firecracker I would be almost certain for a 5th place series finish and a medal for the event. As it looks a single speeder will pass me on his 7th and the seasons final race by showing up. (best 7 of 12 races for series scoring)
Cyclocross looks so tempting. The season started this last weekend. I'll have to try a race or two.
Want to get back to 225+lbs on the bench this winter.
The final race coming up in Sheboygan and chance of rain good. Think I'll get my pre-ride in during the week

Tater Bake

Thanks to the Iola Winter Sports Club for another wonderful WORS event. Loads of free fresh dug potatoes for all just one of the great perks WORS always provides that make it not only the best racing series in the nation but one of the best values.
Very tough field. Fourteen minutes better than my time at the series opener on the same course and twelve minutes behind the leader. Forty seconds behind my nemesis, whom I had passed twice in the opening moments. He switched bikes. A 29" hard tail, lighter than his full suspension and providing better traction and acceleration not to mention the larger wheels roll over the roots easier. Can think of a dozen places I could have done better and caught him in the end, all irrelevant if I had more red blood cells. One series of climbs I was just to winded to complete without dismounting.
I made it out of the bowl my second attempt, almost on my first. Set my bike in mid-gear and let it roll. Muscled into the momentum up the other side and just a tad short on the first run. No shifting with so much pressure on the cranks. Tried to get a video of the sport racers but couldn't see the camera screen in the bright sun and was mostly useless.
Took two small bags of potatoes. Five or six of the biggest I could find and then a dozen or so of palm sized. I get the impression my wife doesn't like waiting so long for potatoes to back so I got the small ones to bake quicker. Maybe homemade french fries or something out of the large ones.
I listened to the second half of the Packers game on my way home. 2-1/2 hour drive. Go Packers! Came across a lot of road kill on the trip.
When I bought the wax based lube (White Lightning) the sale person at Crank Daddies said to let it dry after application. After fixing my bike I let it sit an hour before riding it after lubing. The chain seemed to pick up a lot of dirt but it always came off easily but wasn't too happy. Cleaned it thoroughly with a cotton cloth and applied a good amount of more lube and let it sit overnight. Doesn't collect as much dirt know. Fairly clean after the race in the dusty sandy conditions.

Something Odd is Going On

The chain broke again and it just makes me worry over the next race. What was the culprit? We used one of those pins with a lead to join the chain. You snap off the lead when the pin is in place and it was this pin that failed.
I jerry-rigged a work stand for my bicycle by passing an old inner tube over a joist brace and hanging the seat from it. Couldn't find a new pin for my chain tool and never liked that model so I ended up buying a new tool and greatly prefer it over the old one.
Did some work on the Church property this morning, fixed my bike, time to do some writing, attending an Architecture presentation at UWM this evening and of course we work tonight. Just happy I got my bike working correctly. Nothing like You-Tube how-to clips. I added two new clips to my 'God's Good Earth' links. I had an even better addition but I found the music objectionable.
I'm 12 lbs under what I was exactly six months ago. Weighed in 4 lbs higher than last week at 244. I've noticed an unusual trend. Every time I reach 240 my wife creates delicious baked goods and buys me ice cream. Not sure of the motives but I have to say.... Yum!

Ohhh Sweet ......

Missed the last Wednesday Night Race. Couldn't get my bike back together in time. Had some help but had to fine tune it myself. Crank Daddies on the East Side was very helpful and friendly unlike Ben's. Emmery's on Lisbon is always friendly also. Front derailleurs were created for my eternal torment.
Oh Joy! Oh Bliss! What a sweet ride. The brakes have a beautiful touch I never experienced before. First ride Friday on the new gear and ran across a large six point buck on the Hoyt Trail. Next race is a repeat of the season opener. Will be racing the clock as well as the field to mark my improvement. Switched to a wax based lube.



Went to the north woods last week also. I guess I'd have to call the whole week vacation. Hunting season is here. Have two great stand locations.
Took a special picture to bring home to Misao. The new Walmart in Ladysmith. Last year Quik Trip came and everyone was excited about $.29/lb bananas. I believe that is the eighth gas station in the city, fuel depot for the north woods. And this year a new Walmart! Can things get any better? I believe I see the future of Wisconsin. Where it's all happening.

Sunburst

"Awards at 12:00 o'clock." Oh yeah. My best start ever. Finished the long protracted climbs up ski hill and through forest and find myself right behind those I need to beat with time on my side. Looking so good. What a race! 7018 whom I have beaten before finished fourth, five minutes behind the leader of our class who was of course...... I forgot. My chain broke and after a makeshift fix (the die was missing from my chain tool) I made it a bit further before it broke again for good though I made a desperate attempt at a second repair.
What a tight exciting finish I could have been apart of. But I'm happy for those who won. Really. It's true, I'm not kidding. Really really hap-hap-happy.
Sorry to Sunburst we didn't buy their brats or burgers. I hope they sold out. Saved a couple bucks and stopped at Culver's on the way home. Sorry no pictures to share. Was intending to hang around and get some pictures with our new camera of the better racers but after pushing and coasting my bike nearly eight miles and looking at the results board....
Yeah, I finished the race and stayed to applaud the award winners.
But the Packers won so it's all good. Got home to see the second half in the basement on our old magnavox cabinet TV while I disassembled my bicycle into little pieces. Time for those new parts my friend sent me.

Ahhhhhhh Crud!

There I am pushing my bike and before that coasting out of the forest for my second attempt at repairs. Nice to find my wife waiting with her camera. Finally the offending party or parties taken a day prior to the incident. Maybe I shouldn't have made slight last minute adjustments.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Wednesday 'Night' Race

Strange dancing lights in the night forest may lead some to create ghost stories but mountain bikers know better the things that go bump in the night.

Went to the gym today before the race working the chest and back (bis, tris and shoulders on Monday). No energy bars or the like and the heat was a bit more than I like but just missed breaking the 30 minute mark on my laps. Fatiguing the upper body makes the ride more tricky and I've been riding some every day since the last race. Now it's time to rest a couple days and concentrate on some real work. Need some good sleep with this break for my body to recuperate since I wont get much sleep the night before the next race.

Did you see that Polaris commercial where the guy sits all big and proud about riding his ATV up hills others wont? Does the same word come to mind? For me its 'pansy'.

It took me half the night to get this video upload to work not to mention I got stung by a bee during the race on top of that. Oh yeah, I won another tube and chamois butt'r at door prize time.

It's Alive! It's Alive!

We think she believes it is alive. At least until she bit off the tongue and came to a sad realization. She doesn't fret and fawn and whine over it any more or try to get it to suckle. The tail and tongue used to roll out when you squeezed it.
I stopped recording my dog walking on my exercise log. Can I get under the 240 lb mark? I seem to get there and bounce back up. I actually look flabbier at 240 lb but I've come to the last hole on my belt. Must be the way the fat comes off.
Yes we broke down and bought a digital camera. Nothing fancy but look to see more race pictures. Maybe I'll have to set up a Flick'r or gallery account to share.
Should I try to get some spinach and lettuce in this fall? Maybe when it cools off I'll be more enthusiastic to plant. Still plenty of cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. How many types of cucumber salad are there? I stopped counting.
Wednesday night racing can't be canceled tonight! It has been a key for my advancement. Now that I recognize my competitors on the WORS field and start to pass seasoned competitors the fun really begins. It makes one feel alive. I hope others are targeting me also.

Smokin Spoke

Another best finish. Obviously I am improving in my technical abilities. Had but one small spill when I lost my line among some other riders and was taken down by a rock. Continuous bumps and climbs challenged everyone's endurance. Whatever was pushing my legs told them to bypass the thinking part of my brain and go directly to the fingers. Click click click on the derailleurs for more speed while my brain said "I'm just here to enjoy the scenery."

Took a new name and let one go. I suspected I could outlast a few racers and as I neared the end got one in my sights. Just passed him when my chain dropped and fought hard to retake him to find one more target before me. Around the last turn a series of speed bumps kept me from accelerating. Hit the last smooth stretch and flew. Maybe if I was more aggressive on the shifters? Missed by 2 seconds.

Everyone commented on how tired I looked. The race was hard and hadn't slept much the last two nights. Had a horrid smokers room at the motel. How appropriate for the Smokin Spoke while Greece burned as we raced. When I close my eyes I see images of those steep climbs and my legs twitch. The one with the big root two-thirds of the way up I cleared both times without a second thought.

Had my tires at 48 psi for my 240 lbs. Actually losing weight again. At least that is what the scale at the gym says. Can't beat the cool weather. First time I had trouble with being able to see the trail. The contrast between mottled sunlight and shadow made me realize why some wear tinted racing glasses.

It's Raining Again, Oh No!

'You know the nearer your destination, the more you slip sliding away'. We saw vehicles with bicycles headed the other way on our way to the Subaru Cup and my wife almost had me convinced the race would be canceled as it rained all day. Of course it wasn't and not being dominated by the elements is just one reason WORS is the best.

Took a name and I ain't sharing. Briefly past a fellow who has always finished ahead of me twice. Near the end I passed again and left him behind. How? Despite the continuous hydration falling from the sky I kept gulping my sports drink and had the energy in the grueling conditions where others didn't. Energy drink, energy bars and sport drink before after a breakfast of cold cereal with milk and donuts. Seemed to work. This mud was sand and not the clay from the last race but I wasn't going to have the same collapse after this race. We had a great promotional bag and I used the Cliff recovery drink and their nectar bar after the race. Hit Culver's on the way home.

Best finish this year and it wasn't for lack of competition. Someone asked me if I fell and I said "I don't remember". I see the mark on my chest where I landed on my handle bar end. The day before I had two great tumbles on my pre-ride. The bruises should start to show in a couple days. I think my wife likes my scratches and bruises. Thanks to her for all her support.

It was planned to be a very technical course as it should be for their signature event. I hope the second day was even better for them.

It Feels Like Christmas

Received a care package from an elite Korean industrialist friend today. A near complete rebuild or two for my bike. I find his claim that these are all parts he couldn't sell highly suspicious. Many thanks. A big project that I may not get to before the end of the WORS season but sorely needed after five years two of which focused on off road.
Haven't gotten out much. Still a bit of recovery going on. None needed for the legs. Got out Monday and the monsters couldn't be restrained. Had to intentionally stay out of the big ring for the safety of those around me. Now if I could only build up the rest of my body. I guess years or decades of depriving your internal organs of oxygen and no sleep takes its toll.
Cucumbers are more than we can handle and now the cherry tomatoes have started. Don't know if I'll plant any more greens as the weather cools. Disappointed in the spinach this year.
The truck wont start and I wanted to drive up for a race pre-ride tomorrow.

Melt Down

Nice place for a morning cup of coffee or to beat the heat in the evening or just relax, pray or take a nap. Built per my direction this is a fantastic space. My wife says I need more pictures. Sorry for the quality, we only have my wife's camera phone.
The weight loss has stalled in the heat of the summer. Only been working on the large muscle groups at the gym. Almost impossible to work inside without AC and a good ride has been better to keep the bodies thermal control system working.
Still had a total shut down this week. That race in the mud wiped me out and tried to get back into the swing Wednesday pushing most of the day and my body revolted.
Time for some ice cream!

That's What I'm Talking About

Just one of many hazards. Thanks to Wolfgang and the WORS Message board for this pic from the Sport race. And it was standing water when the earlier Citizen race came through.

Mudaliscious

Hot or cold there is nothing like a cup at the Alterra Coffee Bean Classic. After a solid night of hard rain we raced. And my wife Misao cheered me on.

Missed Wednesday night's club race but came out Thursday, Friday evenings and Saturday to try the Alpha Trail since I had never ridden it. It was under water and taken out of the loop, but then again much of what we rode was under water. Advantage to those with mud tires and disk brakes. Some gave up. Others like me found our tires frequently frozen tight with mud. And we carried it as it dragged on our tires up the long climbs the course is known for. Lost over 4 lbs.

Again about 20 minutes behind the leader in our class. Ten minutes between the top two finishers and the rest of our class. Must have been the only ones with the right tires. It would be interesting to see how last years citizen Clydesdale series winner was doing in sport class but he only raced once this year.

If I always had the right tires, disk brakes, dropped 45 lbs coming in barely at weight and had one of the better bikes could I take 20 minutes off my time? I think difficult if only training four hours a week but maybe some medals. 2009 is likely sport class for me by the guidelines.

See Dave.

See Dave Ride. See Dave ride sport.
See Dave ride fast. See Dave ride sport fast.
Ride Dave! Ride!

Oooohhhhmmmm...

It's not about clearing your mind to ride mountain bike it's about the mountain bike clearing your mind. And new gloves seemed to help keep away those distracting pains in my hands. 29 miles the day before the Wednesday night race on my road bike and the first lap I had to regain the feel of my mountain bike. Had a few troubles with my front derailleur but all was good and though worn out kept average times for me on my laps and ended strong, feeling I could go some more. They called the track dusty but I believe the noun would have been a more accurate description. That water hazard was filled with a large stone; perhaps they read this article. These races are more like a Sport class race rather than my lowly Citizen level in WORS. Good prep for the upcoming Alterra Coffee Bean Classic. All is good. Looking to take some names. Afterwards I was told that the citizen class will be skipping most of the difficult single track and taking a much easier route. There goes my advantage over those sandbaggers from the north woods.
Ahhh Crud!

Yes, I could use some lube and of course they had plenty of tubes. The prize drawing afterward started slow because most had already left. When we got to some names of those still in attendance my odds looked quite good. It took a lot of time but when we got to the end...
Ahhh Crud!

After more than a couple of months of my wife's car leaking oil I finally took the advice of the dealer we bought the car from. A $2 can of break fluid added to the oil will be soaked up by old seals and stop the leaks. And it worked. Getting fantastic cucumbers out of the garden. Perfect diameter, long and delicious. Those Marthe Steward seeds were the best. Getting the yard looking good. Projects around the house in line. Clearing three days a week for strictly the design business and of course getting stronger on the bike. Things are looking up, feeling better and reaching out to my wife for some help off the couch she says,
"Not 'Golden Boy', olden boy."
Ahhh Crud!

Ben's Cycle

Thanks to Ben's Cycle for the drawing prizes for the Wednesday night races. I won a pair of riding gloves so if you count the scar I got on the week I didn't win something I'm batting 1000. I needed gloves desperately. These were slightly tight and I thought it best to give them to my wife. Then I rode to Ben's on 6th and Lincoln, it was a much easier ride than I imagined for being all city streets, and bought myself a pair of XXL. It is a delightful neighborly place and the prices sure are better than any place I find west of my house.
The cucumbers are producing and we should have more than we need starting...... NOW! until at least the end of September. Maybe a bit late but time to pull out all the radishes and greens and make one big salad. Stirred up a hornets nest cleaning out an old wood pile at Church.

So I walk into the bathroom as my wife is scrubbing the tub with a toothbrush, rag and small bucket. As I'm filling the bucket my wife asks, "What are you cleaning?"
I look at her dumbfounded. "What do you mean?" I say.
"The house?"
"You don't know?"
"Bicycle!" she says.
"Of course."
Cleaned out those derailleurs and gears and applied plenty of new lube. Smooth riding.

Congratulations to my wife tonight. Her first log jump. Actually two, one a double. Also her first crash almost throwing her bike in the water. She's looking proud and pretty.

An unbelievable number of people on the Hoyt Trail tonight; that would be mountain bikers. Already thinking how I'm going to train over the winter so I can start 'taking names' racing next year.

Golden Boy

Well my wife gave me a very nice golden riding top and black bike shorts for my birthday. My good friend in Korea referred to me as 'boy' though I am almost five months his elder. I guess that makes me a golden boy.
No luck on the raffle after the Reforestation Ramble in Suamico but it was truly enjoyable. Average speed just under 11mph. 20 minutes behind the leader in my class; 10th out of 17. According to the announcement at the race there were 716 racers. Matches my birthday.
Before the race I slathered the gears and chain and most everything else with self cleaning lube for the sandy dusty course. Tires at 60 psi I only used the big ring on the opening stretch. Exciting packed race out of the start. Attacked the short and persistent hills up off my seat rather than down shifting. Pushing over and down the other side whether I had someone in my sights or not. The best of the women catching up, several in my group fought to keep up with them but about halfway into the first lap they pulled ahead. Caught several who had passed me at the tail end of the second lap. That single track was torture for hard tails. I find this video and music by 'Linkin Park' a motivator when I'm starting to fade. (Does that make me a bad person?)
The dogs always get excited when I pack up the truck thinking they are going to the forest. I guess I packed up and left without them once too often because when I got home they just ignored me for the rest of the evening.

Happy Birthday

Phillip's birthday today.
Personally I don't like birthday after maybe...40.
Because feel like getting old. But 43 is still half way of life.
Phillip is doing good .Enjoying riding bike then lost some weight.
I found interesting in Billy Blanks's Tae-Bo. I'm doing short one 8 minuets exercise. ( This is old video tape, not DVD, it's video. )
But I felt difference in my body.
I heard he is popular in Japan now. He opened ''Billy's boot camp''

We have to take good care of our body.

Please forgive my poor English.
Couple times I sent E-mail to friends, and I wrote Hell OO instead Hello OO.
They thought I was really angry . ( * * ;

Lucky Me!

Plenty of salad greens and radishes coming out of the garden. The cucumber is taking off. Still a lot of work to do in the yard and on the house. Several hours of yard work Wednesday translated into a pronounced decline each lap at the Crystal Ridge race in the evening, though my first lap on a longer course was quicker than previously accomplished on the shorter course; about a third of a mile longer.

Stiffening the front shock actually helped quite a bit on the downhill, half of which I couldn't see with the sun in my eyes. Raising the seat was an improvement and found the perfect positioning for my brake handles. Looking forward to the next WORS race. Think I'll lift the seat a touch more.

Yes, I have raced four times at Crystal Ridge and won three drawings. I found a new tube in my bicycle box and just groaned wondering why I picked tubes on the first two drawings. No winners choice this time and I ended up with a bottle holder and bottle. Great, I thought, 'I just took the bottle holder off my road bike to have two bottles for the upcoming marathon race but now I can use this new one instead and have both bikes set'. I got home and told my wife of my good fortune. She looked so happy and her eyes grew big; "You can put that on my bike" she said. The next morning I put it on her bike. She enjoys the Hoyt Park trails though I can only get her out there once a week.

Ouch! II

This is the other end of the flood wall and while not a skinny seemed like good practice awhile back. Rode up, bumped up, sitting pretty on top of the wall and then.... ah. The bike stopped and... Maybe I should have thought it out more or just been going alot faster and skipped the whole thinking part cause I just started wondering how I was going to drop off the side without hooking my peddle on the edge. Got my feet out of the peddles and then went Humpty Dumpty (That's Ivy School speak for falling over for those in Rio Linda). Perhaps another day.

The insanity spreads. A single speeder tried to finish the Great Divide Mountain Bike Race.

Sat in the basement with my dogs to fight the heat. Gave the long haired one a good combing.Worked over my entire mountain bike. Stiffened the front shock, replaced a tube, put some new padding in my tattered old helmet, etc. Busted up my chain a few days ago and put in a removable link. Ended up a bit shorter and I'm going to have to buy a new chain. Maybe this will work as a good emergency replacement. Looking forward to getting to another WORS race. Hoping we don't lose the Hoyt Park trail. Still dropping about a pound a week.

Hope everyone had a happy 4th of July.

Ramblings

Near 16 winding miles, 4 laps, on the Wednesday night race at Crystal ridge. Last to finish. No, the bartender didn't give me a kickback to keep people waiting at the bar longer and it wasn't an evil strategy to increase my odds at the drawing (though I did get another tube and some chamois butt'r). My wife and I still made the 10:15 ultra-screen showing of "Live Free or Die Hard." Great movie. Good going to who ever hit the baby bunny and left it in the middle of the trail. Not at top energy and my seat was too low. Since, I have raised the seat about an inch and changed the angle a bit. The lower tire pressure made a big difference down the ski slope and focusing on keeping my weight off the saddle to hold those turns. Have to get in some 20 plus mile days before the WORS Marathon Series race on July 15th.
All in all a good stepping stone to greater abilities considering I was half dead just three years ago. The heat wave might have taken alittle out of me also and this weather hasn't been good for the spinach. Hot and cool waves and the spinach went to seed before it grew much. Tastes terrible after that. Radishes doing fine as always. Cucumber this year and time to keep it well watered to make the most of the garden. Tried pumpkin last year and all I heard from my wife in her sweet Japanese accent was "where's the cucumber, where's the cucumber, where's the cucumber." A man's work is never done.

New Arrival

Congratulations Henry and Bonnie. This past Father's Day Noah Matthew, our newest nephew was born at a whopping 9lbs 3oz.
What a Bloody mess. Smashed my knee at Crystal Ridge at the weekly mountain bike race. Four laps appeared a daunting task. I was admiring the beautiful purple clover like flowers and a low growth yellow bloom covering several parts of the course. Those lilies in the forest just don't want to bloom with their current levels of sunshine. Getting through the brunt of the second lap I was feeling good and getting hyped on finishing my longest race to date. Getting near the approach to craters of the moon coming out of the trees it felt like my peddle hit a rock, and another and another, just not letting go. I found myself horizontal, hips over the handle bars, still thinking I could get control. Alas, it wasn't to be but I love my bike and she me, slowly slipping out from under me letting me down into a gentle velvety carpet of green. Thinking I escaped disaster my knee suddenly hit something hard. Seeing the square head of a cap on a discarded drain pipe my mind filled with dread and finally looking at me knee seeing a deep jagged gash I wondered if the day was over. An initial gush of blood convinced me to walk in and call it a day.
Fortunately there was a doctor on site. The fact that the bleeding stopped fairly quickly (suggesting the lower layers of skin were not broken) and no skin was really flapping around she said I would only need stitches to reduce scarring so I saved myself a trip to the emergency room. Some time later a felt faint and had to lie down for awhile, so if you have any deep gash to the skin and think you can keep going in a race factor in a slight shock factor. You wouldn't want to black out on the course. Maybe I shouldn't have made minor adjustments to my bike right before the race. Also I need to lower the psi in my tires. Will put 50psi. Back was 55, front 55psi.
An amazing day at the races? Not really, but what's really amazing is the Germans ride wood framed bicycles.

Ouch!

When first going off the drop on this feature of civil engineering I landed on my head but a bit of focus and it makes an enjoyable end to a ride. It would be nice if they could take this path along a small flood wall under the expressway and staying on the north side of the tracks (out of view) connect with Canal Street where it connects to 25th Street. A nice bypass of the stadium. The neighborhood association is opposed (not all residence agree) and I have been told the DNR wants the trails to run along the river at fairly level grade but that isn't easy at this bottleneck.
Let us not forget about the Germans and keep up with the Trans Germany race news. Yes I skipped the Wednesday night races and will not make the Phillips Dirt Fighter but still getting out locally.

How does Your Garden Grow?

The radishes are coming up first. The spinach, lettuce and onion will be harvested with the radishes before the cucumber, bean and eggplant cover the entire square. Six foot 4x4s. Got those at the old Builders Square. Can't find anything in Six foot lengths anywhere else.
Couldn't make the Wausau WORS race, the Big Ring Classic. Some pictures of me at Treadfest, if you know what I look like. The time trials were canceled for a little drizzle at Crystal Ridge and trails closed, huh! Went riding to Hoyt Park and by the time we finished the sun was shining.
Those new Tuesday night (1st, 3rd and fifth Tuesdays) novice rides are a good chance to get familiar with the Menominee River area in Wauwatosa. A good sized group showed up. As one rider was quoted; "I usually know when I'm going to hit the ground." No reflection on trail difficulty. Good for any beginner. Ended up about 15 miles total including the trip from my home and back. Longer rides and racing appear most important in my conditioning. Resting heart rate is going down.
Sent out info on the Trans Germany Race (mountain bike) scheduled for June 9th to the club. A fellow mountain biker responded with info on the Trans Iowa Race.

The Hills are Alive

Actually my first time trials at Crystal Ridge. 1:50+ for three laps, 12 miles, my longest strictly off road ride ever. My second lap would have been faster than my first but I had to stop several times for those who were lapping me to pass. I lifted at the gym earlier and didn't eat much so I was far from discouraged at my result which reflected my first two WORS races. Had knee pain. Must be those long uphill climbs. Perhaps if I slide higher in my seat on the ascends I will have less trouble. I tend to get scrunched down a little when I am racing.
Beautiful course with the scent of wild flowers. A whole lot of phlox. It would be nice to get some variety, bluebells lily of the valley. Lining that section of road between single tracks with hostas would be nice. It could be called Hosta Vista (hosta la vista). A nice cover of wildflowers on the ski slope, marking the switch backs with a groupings of azaleas and a couple of lilac bushes in some sunny openings in the forest would really freshen things up.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Peter Daniel. This Memorial day birthday was with his parents at the zoo but we had a great party yesterday. Stuffed myself on a jumbo burger and quarter pound all beef hot dog among other things. Immuned myself to the smells of grilling and barbecue as a took a Memorial Day ride down the trails at Swan Boulevard. Still can't follow the loop with all the missing sign posts, but it was a nice ride. Also too many paths. It's confusing. The added wood chips hide the glass but how long will they last?

A Happy Place

A quiet rainy Saturday. Nice time to reflect on my racing. Iola was my first race and going through the course the day before with the next days sport class winner didn't build confidence, wondering if I could even finish the race. All went well and finished well ahead of last place. Those down hills were nail biting on my hard tail. Took some air out of the back tire for Treadfest. Other tips I picked up; there's more stopping power in the front brakes and I really need to do sprints in warm up to get the heart rate higher. I hit a certain grade and everyone starts passing me by.
Weighed in at 257+ at Iola, 251 at Treadfest. Took several days to recover before I could do an extensive workout at the gym, dropped another pound in two days. Experiencing the necessity of high quality components in racing. Never had a problem in the past but now the derailers are just full of complaint and their protests cost me time at Treadfest.
The way things are going I may have to consider dropping under Clydesdale weight and competing in a new class. Let me go through the Iola race in my mind again. This time with a greatly improved cardiovascular and before I start I cut a 45lb plate off my gut. Goooooooo.
I feel like a wide eyed dog with his head out the car window jowls blowing in the wind. Ahhhhh.

All in a Days Work

After investing near a morning every week, at least in the warmer months, trying to whip this yard into shape big changes occurred in the course of a day. Thanks to Scott and Karyn for their help. Received border stone and perennials from Dan, thank you, and today we finished off the flower bed at our church property near UWM. Bleeding hearts, lily of the valley, blue bells, phlox, sedum, rye grass and gladiolas. Plenty of room for more.

Treadfest

My second WORS race yesterday at Grand Geneva. I find myself at a disadvantage when I forget to breath, but going over the practice run the day before in my head I made a mental note and kept huffing and puffing the whole race through. Suffered chain suck on the small ring beginning lap two. Racing mountain bikes on a resort that has its own airport.
Still waiting for promised photos to be e-mailed but found one of myself on Extreme Photos. The camera adds pounds. Weighed in 6 lbs under my Iola weight.