Say Godamn, Godamn

Been looking at a lot of this lately.

Instead of this.

Because of this.

Out!

Time to HTFU

I have the next 6 days off and the only day that really looks good to ride is Christmas.  Fuck you, Murphy.  I will ride.  Sick and all.  It is how they say, time to HTFU.  I will let you know how it goes.  

Out!

Three Mother Fuckers Redux

Doh!  Recycled picture.  And yes I took it.  I did not stop on the Three Mother Fuckers ride today; it was that fucking cold. In anticipation I slathered on the embrocation so thick it looked like snot was pouring out of my ... legs. I layered up top and nailed that, especially since the fire road is wide open and the sun was a shining.  I set a PR on the climb today and, honestly, was not trying all that hard, so I have that going for me which is nice.  And, maaaaaaan, do I want that downhill record.  But I cannot catch a break - people everywhere today.  Oh, well.  There is always next time.  And speaking of next time, next time will hopefully be later this week or early next, as I have six, count 'em, six days off. May the rain leave an open window for me each day, I plead, sose I can maneuver my sled on each and every of the six. 

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Three Mother Fuckers

You can read my take over at Cycling Illustrated.  Here's the link MY WRITING

The three mofos piece was submitted this morning so it may take a while before it gets posted. So keep on checking back.  And leave some comments so the boss over there knows you are reading my shit.

Word!

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Early Resolutions

As the year winds down I find myself winding down as well.  The truth is I should really be ramping up but, as is often the case, I don't do the things I should. So this post is an early 2013 resolutions post .... in pictures.  A bit of clarification, as those of you who truly know me know that being a good father and husband are the most important things in my life.  This resolution list is of those things that I love but sometimes let slide.  Not this year:

Right.

Write.

Rite.

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I Will Be Posting More Frequnetly

First things first.  If you read this blog and haven't gotten $0.99 worth of pleasure from my antics and or belligerent rants then fuck off.  If you have gotten just shy of one fucking dollar then please purchase my book HHHHHEEEEEERRRRRREEEEE  Thank you.  Carry on.

Next

Yeah, that's what it looks like from the top of Tam/. Was there this weekend.  Took this picture, in fact.  I have become re-acquainted with my mountain bike and that is both a blessing and a bane: the blessing is that there really is nothing like ripping dirt, the bane is that it is not good for 'cross racing....... Oh well.  

And

If you come upon this bike path I highly recommend that you turn it around and high tail it out of there, if you will pardon the pun, and unless you are into that sort of thing.........

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Yvonne Strahovski ... The Weather ... And Tam

It's cold .... for here.  But, and there is always a but, the rain has gone and the Hero Dirt is here.  Today, the Poly-wog and I are heading on a full mountain Tam shred.  We leave at dawn in the 30 degree temps and shall return in 2 plus hours.  It shall be a blast - I assure you.  That is the good news.

The bad news is no racing for me this weekend as my 'cross bike, the one that was rear ended and jacked, is still jacked.  After all the bullshit at the shop they failed to notice the bent spider on the crank.  Seriously, I went in there and told them that it was in a car accident, to check it out, because I needed it fixed so I could race.  Nope. Why is it so hard.  I wish I had more time so i could take care of all of my maintenance.  Actually,fuck it.  That's what I will do.  Starting today.  Bam - just like that. 

I miss the show Chuck - it was a great wind trainer show.

Intimacy with the Trainer

That's my foot.  And my garage floor.  And it may be hard to tell from the weak ass photo but that is 4.5lbs of sweat right there in front of mt right foot.  Yeah, been spending some time on the wind trainer, what with the "RIVER OF RAIN" and all (that's another story for another day).  Since Sunday I have spent almost 8 hours on the trainer: 3 hours watching football Sunday, 2+ yesterday and 1+ today.  Today I did The Sufferfest Revolver interval workout.  Shit's about a bitch, but then all intervals are if you get after 'em.  Honestly, the reason I have been keeping it indoors is because I saw this little fellow out riding the other day and realized that on any given Sunday (read as ride) I could get ate:

Yeah, that's a Badger.  and he was diggin'.  The truth?  Ok.  That was taken at the zoo.  But the nightmares are fucking real I tell you.  And I won't tell you where that little fellow is burrowing in my dreams cause then you might be plagued by the evil sleep as well.  And, honestly, I wouldn't do that to ya'.  Welp, looks like tomorrow may be another trainer day, watching the football game, three hours of spinity-spin, and then my cross bike should be ready for some real riding by Monday and back to racing the following weekend: BASP or Sacto - not sure yet.

Out!

Frickin' Awesome Day

Yeah.  I know.  This is what it looked like on my ride today.  Gorgeous, not a breath of wind ... unless you were behind me then it was foul and odoriferous of the fecund and putrid sort.

Out!

Bam, Just LikeThat

Went on vacation and all I got was a jacked up 'cross bike.  We headed down south and while sitting on the 210 in a friggin' parking lot we got slammed by some kid changing his radio station.  My bike is screwed.  My family is fine.  The new car is slightly worse for wear.  Yes, I was/am bummed.  I am out of the 'cross racing scene until 12/09 - like it or not.  I guess that means I will swap some MTB time for what would have been 'cross time while my bike is in the shop.  

In other news.  Life is good.  Family is better than ever.  My dog is awesome and smells, well, like a dog.  Things really could not be better; don't mean to gush, but we recently trimmed some fat in the way of un-worthies and the quality of life around here is saweet.  

Well, off to the dirt.  Smell you later.

Out!

Hit A Bump

So yesterday I raced the BASP series.  I jumped up to the Master's A 35+ category and toed the line with multiple, multiple National Champions, not to mention the current World Champion; he was emblazoned with the rainbow skinsuit in all its glory.  So they had a call up.  I received none.  In fact I was the last in line and it more or less remained that way to the finish.  But finish I did.  And I was totally fucking cooked.  Mt chest felt like it was being pried apart form the inside out.  But there is always good news.  In fact, I was told that I had the best form ever seen, best form plucking dollar bills from empty beer bottles.  You see, my personal opinion is that while at the back of the pack one may as well try to make some cash.

So all was not lost.  And I did not get lapped nor did I get pulled.  Sure, I my first race with the big boys - got smoked.  Nowhere to go but up, my friends.  Humbling?  Sure.  And I have all these wounds on my calves and my thigh and I did not crash; came close a lot but never hit the turf.  And the wounds?  Didn't notice them til I got home and my daughter pointed them out.  She hates blood.  

My boy rallied and railed dirt and took 6th place in a stacked juniors field.  Way to go, kid.  All in it was a great day at the races.  Did I mention it was a night race, under the lights.  And a re-learning experience.  It has been a long time since I toed the line with the fast and hard men of NorCal.  Until next weekend.

Out!

Behind the Barriers

Behind the Barriers

Racing ... Sort Of

Agro pissed at taking 2nd in the Masters Men's A race

Max working his way to a 4th place in the Juniors 10-14 cat.

I started well but had some rear wheel issues and after a change finished right near the rear.

It's Back

Sort of.  It's on the other foot now.  I was planning on racing yesterday but that goiter, family, and the course description got in the way.  As it is, I will not be able to race for the next few weekends and yesterday was a 'just because' race so I nixed it; had plenty of shit to do as it was.  Plus, I want some mud, please.  And 3 weeks of 'heal' time, if you will pardon the pun.  

Anyway, gotta run.  Hah.  

Out!

El Dorado Hills: 1st and 9th

Yup, me and ole El Agro got out and mixed it up on the dog track.  He kicked ass and won his race, while I ended up in 9th for my first race back after a year off with injury.  Not a bad outing, if I do say so myself.  

YOU CAN READ ABOUT IT HERE

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Bitchin' Tam Sesh with The Puppster

Honestly, there is nothing quite like a Mt. Tam shred with a friend.  We stole out early and made like thieves among the redwood trees and roots and rocks and had a brilliant shred.  There is really no other way to say what happened other than we wore ear-to-ear smiles for the rest of the day.  

There was one bad part.  My MTB started screaming at me and I am as of yet unsure whether she be broke or not?????

Any thoughts?

Out!

I Am Writing a Weekly Column for Cycling Illustrated

Today's post is a simple one, one that should have you frothing at the mouth.  One that should have your backside alight with the prospect of awesomeness.  I am lucky enough to be allowed, for now, to write a weekly column for Cycling Illustrated .  If you have not heard of or checked out this sweet site I am afraid I must let you know that you are missing the boat.  It is a top notch news and color site that is all cycling all the time.  Simple.  I just handed off my first attempt at something real and we shall see if it gets posted any time soon.  I will certainly let you know. 

As for me.  Riding.  Lots of it.  Road.  MTB.  'Cross.  Dressing.  En toto. 

Out!

The Tunnel of Redwood Love

I know it’s a Friday and I should not rant on the gateway to the weekend.  But rant I must, even though I took down Mark Weir on Strava for the KOM on this short little uphill piece by my house.  Yes, that Mark Weir.  So anyway, I was just riding along, having a great little road spin out through the redwoods because I am not sure if I will get to ride this weekend; daughter has a 2-day softball tournament and I am a coach.  We will travel and play both days so a ride is unlikely.  Anyway, on my home and up the last ascent to Big Rock and I am in the big ring and smiling and feeling great.  I am seriously looking forward to the descent, can taste it even.  As I near the top I cast a peak under my left armpit to see if any cars are coming.  Yup.  One.  I stomp on it and try to beat it over the top.  It speeds up and passes me right on the crest.  Oncoming traffic is honking at this genius because he is over the center line and he swerves right in front of me, narrowly missing a stream of oncoming cars.  And you know what?  I'm not pissed, just disappointed.  I was so looking forward to blasting that swooping descent.  Carving turns and flowing gracefully down the mountain, not setting any records, mind you, but fluid and smooth as it should be.  But no. This cat in his Oldsmobuick is managing about 16.3 mph and there is no room to pass because of the construction.  Seriously, dude!  That’s your move?  Sheeeeit, I think I need some new break pads after that debacle.  Now I know I am a cyclist and conscientious of other cyclists when I drive but all drivers should be cool and aware, way cooler and way more aware than that dude.   Well, that’s my Friday rant.   Enjoy your weekend and get out and ride for me because it looks like I wil be sequestered to the softball diamond all weekend – happily.

Oh, and that is the space shuttle Endeavour out my office window.  Just a day of history in the making.

Out!

A Dirty Shorty

The picture above was taken at the halfway point, at the top of 680 trail.  My daughter has softball practice so today was a short effort day.

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A Day in Dirty Pictures

Marin is cyclist friendly.

And sometimes foggy.

With cool perspective.

See what I mean?

She can also be a little unforgiving.

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This is 'Cross

Yup, folks.

Out!

PS - Thanks for the vid - Agro.

Olivia(s) Wilde Ride

Meanwhile, back at the ranch ....  Can you see that range right in between the hill and the Big Rock?  Way back there.  The one with the radar towers on it?  No!  Good!  Because there is some sweet riding up and off of there.    But that is not where I was today, today was road spin day in an effort to get ready for tomorrow's dirty rip with the boys.  The route you ask?  Good question. What I can tell you is this: TL roll out 7AM, Fairfax, Tamarancho, Pine Mountain and then some singletrack that not a lot of people know I about - i hope and think - that I was shown by a friend.  Super sweetness.  And then back up an over and down the newish Metallica 680 trail to the homestead.  Yes, that Metallica.  The trail cost like $680,000,000.00 to build around his property near my house - hence the name - or so I say.  Sunday shall see me out on the road sled early in an effort to get back home so I can watch my fantasy football team kick some fantasy ass.  And get this.  Captain Agro and I are getting the band back together.  You see, he is busy like only Agro can be til mid October, and I have 2 spawn in Fall sports and Oct./Nov. is when things should free up some for me.  So - there may actually be a 'cross season. Race til January if the feet hold up.  Dang, y'all; that's almost a whole 'cross season.  And I have never been a fan of this Olivia Wilde actress until I saw her today in Bickford Schmeckler's Cool Ideas.  What think?

Well, that's about all I have for now.  There will be some post ride sweetness post ride, and maybe even some blood - tomorrow.  Check back now, ya hear.  May even have a 'cross race report from our man about the globe - Captain Agro - as he takes on some of Boulder's elite.  Never know, bitches.

Out!

Learn Something New Every Day

So there I was ... feet all blown up after railing the Skywalker singletrack.  I mean my dogs were barking, growling, and pooping themselves at the same time.  I stopped at this little market on my way home and took off my shoes in order to let my swollen feet air out and the words "Always lead ... Never follow" written on the toungue. Now I have had these shoes for going on 2 years now and, get this, I had never noticed that tiny bit of wisdom printed on my feet.  My something new, you ask?  I can be a dipshit.  Stop it!  So can you and you and you and you. Don't judge.  

Yes, it is beautiful here.  And tomorrow I go the Dr. and she is supposed to draw some fluid out of my feet with a syringe in order to hopefully determine what is ailing me.  I have my fingers crossed.  And I just washed the SuperFly 100 and dialed her in for tomorrow's post Dr. dirt excursion.  I have been having this wicked creak lately.  In fact I thought that maybe I had cracked my carbon framed whore, but after a wash and a once over I found this 10mm swingarm bolt that was a little too loose.  I threw a wrench on that baby and spun her up the hill and there was not a sound to be found.  We shall see if that was the culprit tomorrow, eh.  Any of y'all wanna come with?  Let me know.

Out!

Smells A Little Funky Over Here

If being delightful was a crime, I'd be breaking the damn law.  And that, people, is the truth.

Reading this.

Riding this.

Out!