Norba Nationals - Arizona

Looks like Nationals starts up this weekend. I won't be attending as the race is a bit of a drive for me...
Warm weather, good town - looks like the first race is in a good place.

I'm going to try hard to attend most of the Mountain States Cup Races... I'll give the Super D title a run if I can get away with 1 missed race - otherwise, I'll be just competing for individual placement. This will be the first time since the mid 90's I'll be riding without sponsorship or support (did have the last 3 years off). It'll be interesting to see how that flies.

Looks like my first real race will be in May...

Today's moment of Zen -
The Big Lebowski - For those of us with ADD

Lebron James and Cannondale

I don't get it... lebron's bought a stake in Cannondale
Here's the story

NBA superstar LeBron James purchases stake in Cannondale
LeBron James isn't just about big air,


The Cannondale Bicycle Corporation announced this week that it had sold an undisclosed ownership stake of the corporation to King James, Inc., the wholly owned company of Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James.

Although just 22 years of age, James has already racked up an impressive list of athletic achievements, including the National Basketball Association's coveted Rookie of the Year award which he won when he was only 19 (and straight out of high school). In addition, James is proving to be a savvy investor and has lofty business goals, having previously stated that he wants to become the first "billionaire athlete".

"Cannondale is one of the premier cycling companies in the industry," said James. "Biking is an extremely important part of my training routine, and I like to invest in what I know."

Maverick Carter, CEO of LRMR Innovative Marketing & Branding (where James is both a client and part owner) added, "LRMR is constantly seeking interesting investment opportunities for LeBron, who is a smart and sophisticated businessman. Cannondale is the perfect fit for LeBron and LRMR as we continue to invest in companies that are leading, cutting-edge brands."
Thanks for the giant 29" wheels


According to Cannondale CEO Matt Mannelly, "We're very excited to have LeBron as an owner. In addition, LeBron is one of the world's most accomplished athletes and we are proud to provide him with bicycles for his cross-training. LeBron is an astute entrepreneur and investor who recognizes the quality of our products and value of our business, and he will certainly extend the awareness of the benefits of cycling to more people."

Indeed, James has been coined by officials at Cannondale as a "pretty legit" cyclist who regularly puts in "20 to 40-mile rides" (32-65km) as a supplement to his usual training. At 2.03m and 118kg (6' 8" and 260lbs), though, it should go without saying most off-the-shelf 'XL' frame don't fit James all that well. To accommodate the towering forward, Cannondale built a custom 29er based on its Caffeine model that incorporates a set of Hollowgram Si cranks and a custom Lefty fork with an extended steerer tube that places the handlebars about 9cm (3.5") higher than normal. Naturally, the bike is painted in James' Cleveland Cavaliers team colors.

Cannondale has also partnered with James in supporting the athlete's philanthropic endeavors as well, having provided bicycles for the James Family Foundation's annual "King for Kids Bike-a-thon", a charity event in Akron, OH created to benefit children and single mothers.

Tire Selection

I've been bitching about my tires lately and have been trying to find "that perfect pair". All this searching has been driving my up the wall...

So here's what I thought my criteria was -
lots of air volume (2.3 or larger)
Wide Knobs, Widely Spaced
Weight at or under 700 grams
NON-Tubeless (my friends give me crap, but I don't think that they feel the same)
Low rolling resistance
Solid Cornering


I figured that I out to try some different tires of mine to find out what I liked and what I didn't like about my current stock. So last night I rode a lap at Heil Ranch on my Michelin All Mountain Extreme's and a lap on my Bontrager Revolt's.
Trail conditions - wet enough to be slippery, but no deep mud. LOTS of loose rock, moderately steep pitch in parts, sandy over hardpack and hardpack dirt mix
Michelins - 880 grams per tire, aggressive "All Mountain" tread, 2.2
Bontrager - Small knobs, slightly larger on edge, low and small down middle, almost a semislick (some call it a semislick) 2.1
Here's what I found out -
I love my Michelin's, but they are HEAVY and roll like velcro. The time to love them is on tech stuff, the rockier the better. They are predictable and stick - they hold a line better than anything short of a dh tire.
Ride up - smooth and lots of not thinking. Just roll everything. Had to little ring it up, but big ring it down.
Ride down - Jump everything, even when wet - or power through it, you'll never loose your line.

I hadn't ridden my Revolt's in quite some time and I now regret not using them. These things hooked up in the dirt really well, no sliding at all. They roll SUPER fast - I middle ringed almost the whole climb (that's pretty good for me). They did slide on most flat rock surfaces (was wet), where my michelin's didn't. It's wasn't enough to slow my climb at all, it was like 2 different people climbing.
Ride down - was quite different. I wasn't jumping much (unless it was all dirt) and had to be more careful about my lines. It was kind of nice to have to think about where I was riding, I haven't been able to do that in a while (it all been brainless with the big tires). I wasn't hugely slower on the way down, but there was a pretty big different in fatigue.

What to do? I'm not as obsessed as I was before about the large tire size or the big knobs - but I might just need to have 2 sets of tires, some big knobs with large volume (at or under 700 grams), and a pair of smaller knob lightweights (high roller 2.1's).

I think that I only made it worse.

Wet Weekend - Tequila and OJ

Jeez, got a little teaser of good weather - enough to start drying out the trails, and then the skies open up. Really - I'm gonna bust if I can't get in a solid 5 days of riding a week. This whole being fat and slow thing is starting to get kinda old.

On to more important issues... alcohol
I considered giving up drinking to help with the weight loss, get fast routine. Obviously that consideration quickly died.
I've been toying with the idea of a compromise. No beer? I know that this is unfathomable to those who know me... but that belly's been screaming to be downsized. If the no beer idea becomes a rule - then I'll need to find a less dangerous (to my midsection's diameter) alternative. Tequila and OJ? Tequila straight is always fun, but that seems like running down the slippery slope instead of trying to avoid it.
The problem with mixed drinks is the effort level and complication involved. It's pretty tough to get store bought mixes to taste right, and I really don't want to be making something complicated on a daily basis. I like Tequila and OJ - you don't need to buy anejo (silver works just fine) and it's a 2 component drink. Easy. I know, I know - a little grenadine goes a long way... but 2 components seems awfully easy to manage, and hard to screw up.
I don't think that I've ever gotten a hangover from this combo... but there's always a first.

So I have yet to find a name for this concoction... it seems to be too archaic for the masses. I'll deem this drink the "Wet Weekend" until I come up with something better.

Today's words of wisdom -
"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them." Mark Twain

Iggy Pop

"I wanted it made known - in the most stringent terms possible - that it would be very foolhardy to mess with Iggy Pop. See, I started reading in the newspapers about me being 'The Godfather of Punk,' and figured, well, if I'm to be the Godfather, then I'm going to be a real Godfather - mafia style. Taking no shit from anyone and screwing anyone who tried to screw me."

—Iggy Pop

Back in the Saddle Again

Back again... feeling a little more closure and ready to get back to life -
I'm feeling some need to get to Dakota Ridge... but I'll leave that for the weekend.
I guess you're all expecting me to make some comment on the firing of 8(?) US Prosecutors.

So here it is -
Dumbass

Comment on telling congress they'll have complete and unprecedented access to facilitate their investigation and then turning down congress's first request?
Dumbass


Anyone surprised? I didn't think so - this has become status quo... promise and promise, and then no follow through. There have been lots of presidents during my lifetime - and I've disagreed with many political desicions, as well as many of their political affiliations - but this is the first president that I've deemed to be an idiot and a "bad" president during my lifetime. (was born during the Carter Administration)

Today's Words of Wisdom -
Under Promise and Over-Deliver
and don't forget to ride your bike - enjoy it and you'll remember what it's all about

Cyclocross

short posting today - just a fun cyclocross pic, motostyle
Makes me think there's hope for roadies.... maybe

Karl's Rove

I'm depressed.

Holmes sent me a little something to cheer me up...
It worked at first, then I started to get fired up about a whole lot of other things - like someone who uses the term "unpatriotic" every 5 seconds, then purposely (at best carelessly) endangering the life of clandestine civil servants and not getting his ass throw in federal pen for life (you know what happens to middle aged fat political white guys' asses in federal pen).

I'm out

Today's Words of Wisdom
Don't be a Dick - or a Karl.
Don't shoot your friends in the face, and don't put good people in bad spots

No Posts

Sorry folks... been called away for a few days to deal with death, not alot of fun - but you play the cards you're dealt.

I'll be back in a couple - sorry for the outage!

Colorado Crankworx?

Is it true? Can it be happening?
Click Here to Stay up to Date with the Latest on this News!!

Hall Ranch Report

Hall Ranch... It's good stuff.

I'm still sick, but needed to get a ride in... again, big mistake. Felt like crap afterwards, but it was nice to get on the bike for a bit.

Drugs.... anyone?
I'm dying, just let me go die in piece...

Today's Word of Wisdom,
Heed your own advice when you know it's good advice

Heil Ranch Review and Report

It's rocky... really rocky. This is another Classic Lyons, CO ride. It doesn't dry out as fast as Rabbit or Hall because of almost 100% tree cover, but it's not too bad.
You'll find a basic lolly-pop configuration, the out and back is all uphill, and the loop (can be ridden both ways) is pretty much up and down - just small climbs and downhills. As I mentioned before - it's pretty darn rocky, so bring suspension and big tires. It's not like baby-heads or loose scree. It's almost all embedded rocks with square edges. Yup - you know how those feel. Riding back down the loop is a pretty good time - nice long DH run with perfect turns (although rocky). Not as long as Hall, but not as crowded either.
As of 3/12/07 - the trails are in perfect condition and 100% ridable. No snow drifts or big puddles. Please don't ride around the puddles - it'll widen the singletrack.

Today's Words of Wisdom -
lube it and love it, take care of your bike or it won't take care of you

Rabbit Mountain review

Took a ride up to Rabbit Mountain this weekend, thought it might make me feel better. Not so much...
Let me back up a bit - I got pretty sick on Thursday night last week, on top of my normal "I'm sick of not being able to ride" syndrome. Weather's been in the 60's all week, the sun's been out, but the trails have been wet.
Friday morning rolls around - I should have just stayed at home, but I forced myself to get out of bed and go into work. Skipped Friday beers after work, headed home and crashed.
Saturday involved me waking up and getting so mad about being sick (Ill and pissy about not riding) I got on my bike and headed up to Rabbit Mountain. I've never been to Rabbit Mountain, and I've heard it was an easy ride but still singletrack - so I gave it a spin.
It's a decent trail (not long or challenging), good for early season rides and short jaunts. I wouldn't spend time on this trail unless other trails are wet (RM dry's out quick) - and that just happened to be the case on friday.
So - here's the not feeling so good part,
I just had to go ride, and ended up making myself feel bad because I'm
A) - out of shape and slow
B) - Sicker that I was before I rode

I feel like an idiot....

Today's Words of Wisdom -
When in doubt, stay in bed

Riding Weather?

I'm dying to ride... I'm starting to watch YouTube videos and some DVD's to get my fix, but I think that it's only making it worse. (earthed 4 is pretty darn good)
It's been in the 60's all week here, and is supposed to hit 70 before monday comes - but all that snow has been taking a long time to melt. Even the exposed trails seem a bit muddy. I'll be heading out saturday morning to ride some dirt (even though I'm fighting a cold) and I'll post a trail review here later that same day. I'm thinking I'll be trying something in the Lyons area, that stuff always drys out the fastest.

I'm out

Historic Markers

Thank god someone's doing this. Some of my fondest memories growing up (and even from my racing years) were surrounding road trips and stopping at these random historic markers. Looks like there will soon be structure to the chaos, at least part of it, due to the efforts of www.historicmarkers.com

Do yourself a favor - heck, do your kids a favor and take some pictures and post 'em at this site. I'm sure everyone's got some history nearby, and most everyone takes road trips. Contributing to sites like this is just as important as volunteering in the community. Step up and post a marker every once in a while.

Today's Words of Wisdom:
Keep it Single

Debauchery and blowing stuff up

It's work safe - you'll need audio - and yes, it's worth it.
Dynamite Surfing - The funniest home videos are here

Beer Launcher Fridge

Want to know what to buy me for the big 3-0? I'm accepting shipments immediately...


Robotic Beer Launching Refrigerator - Click here for another funny movie.

Road Racing

Who here road races?

Remember mile 87, knowing that your about to hit that last big climb for the last time of the race? You're in the significantly sized break, about :45 in front of the peloton - and all you can think about is not getting dropped during this next climb, but conserving enough to stay on Marcello's wheel during the final sprint.


And then you see this -


I'm glad I don't race road bikes anymore.

Today's words of wisdom:
Pedal lightly, and carry a gun

The Golden Fist

I'm sure you've all heard the rumor's about the Golden Fist - and it's saga.
Those F' Heads at Cannondale trashed the award (award??) about 2 seconds after they got it.
Wow - that could have been a redeeming moment for the crap holes at the 'dale, but all they did was solidify the fact that they might make bikes - but they just don't get it.
Today's Words of Wisdom -

An entire industry gets together and says
"Hey you - yea you!"

You turn your head to then realize that the Industry is talking to you.

The Industry then proceeds to tell you what it thinks of you,
"Go F yourself"

Maybe this is a good time to have an epiphany and realize you're doing something wrong.

Or not

RAD The Movie

You know what it is.... you love it

It's possibly the best (?) cycling movie ever made. I guess it depends on who you hang out with and your level of alcohol intake.

100% of the Hour and Thirty Two minutes is posted on Google, you can view it below -


Download For Windows Here
Download for ITunes Here

Compliments of Scott Hart

Today's word's of wisdom:
*This*... is ass-sliding.
or
Me, I ride for me.

take your pick - either way, it's all about good times

Tour De California

This year's running of the race is firmly backed by the bio-tech firm Amgen. You've heard of them before, but you may not know exactly what bio-nutrients they create.

EPO. No f-ing bullshit. The number one supplier of EPO in the United States is sponsoring the top race in the United States. Why let this happen? Money. The 2007 Tour of Cali is projected to rake in over $100 million dollars from advertising, sales, and local business revenue.

So if it's bringing in so much money to cycling why is it so bad? Think of it this way: imagine a steroid supplier advertising at Fenway Park. Or the Columbian drug cartels sponsoring the super bowl. Yeah that f-ing sad.

Cycling is dead.

Salami Fighting????

I don't know what to say....
Words alone can't describe...... this ..........

that's it, good luck -

I got nuthin