What Happened to Video Wednseday?

Video Wednesday seems to have fallen to the wayside...  so here's a couple that I've enjoyed recently:


Portal from Linus Platt/SolarSlash Digital V on Vimeo.

Back in Action

I took it easy that first week after the crash. I was using the laser therapy and popping the ibuprofen in an effort to speed up the recovery process. It must have worked because I've been back on the snow for about a week now. I'm still probably only at 80% give or take, so I've been going extra slow on the downhills to avoid another crash. I was a little worried in the first few days following the crash that it would f**k up my first big race of the season, but the last few days have restored my confidence. Sunday I got out for a good solid 21 km classic ski at race pace, and yesterday I got a hard 10 km skate ski in. I'm going to keep trying to ski hard through the end of the week, and then I'll start resting up and getting ready for the race. Hope everyone is having a good winter and getting out to enjoy the snow. Over and out.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEDRO!

Gearing Up in the New Year

It's been a bit quiet around here lately, on the Team Terpening blog that is.  I suppose the weather and time of year is mostly at fault as people switch from moving on wheels to moving on sticks strapped to their feet.  I suppose I'm at fault, too; I haven't posted since Christmas - been a bit busy lately.  With the new year upon us, I've been concentrating on the new season of cycling and getting things together for a great year on the bike (had my first ride of 2011 on 1/4).

Sick's New Bike Route:  May Be 10 Miles Out Of The Way, But He's Committed To It

Although I plan to continue making blog posts here, I have started writing on my own blog once again, The Resurgence of Sarge.  I deleted all of the old material and started out with a clean slate as part of the 2011 program.  Please feel free to check out the new layout and content.  This time I'm trying my best to keep it completely cycling related with an emphasis on my 2011 program for riding, fitness, diet, and health.  I'm also making a conscious effort to post on a regular basis.  Check it out.  Speaking of blogs, I've added some links on my site to other blogs that I enjoy reading.  Since he's a member of Team Terpening, I added Action Chuck's blog to my list...  and I'm still waiting to read the first post, Chuck (hint, hint).

As most of you may know, we welcomed our first child into the world shortly after Christmas.  We're so excited to introduce the newest member of our family, Chas Anthony...

We'll Put Him On A Bike As Soon As Possible, Can't Wait To Teach Him To Ride

In other cycling related news, I've decided it's time to treat myself to a new ride.  After thinking about it for a while, I realized that I've only purchased two new bikes in the past 8-10 years (?).  Notice the key word there - purchased.  I have had several different bikes based off of one purchase thanks to Gary Fisher's stellar warranty policy.  It all started with a Gary Fisher Kaitai.  A stripped out bottom bracket shell led to a warranty Big Sur which was eventually replaced after I broke the frame.  After a second broken frame, I upgraded to a Sugar 2+.  I broke one or two front triangles, then a rear triangle; and, at that point, after warranty parts arrived, I retired the Sugar in lieu of a Surly 1x1 which has been my trusty steed for the past three or four years.  As much as I love singlespeeding, I feel like I might enjoy some gears and suspension from time to time.  So, I'm in the market for a geared bike with at least a suspension fork.  Not sure what it might be, but I'm currently looking at Specialized StumpJumpers and a Redline D660.  I'm really stoked to have gears and suspension, but I'm trying to be patient in order to find a good deal on a new bike.  I kind of hope something comes along soon.

I'm not sure if anyone has really noticed, but the 500th post on the Team Terpening blog is approaching quickly.  It'll be interesting to see what our team leader has in mind for this monumental event.  I'm already looking forward to it.

Well, I wish you all a happy new year. Ride on.

I Hurts

Finally got back on the snow Tuesday for a wonderful 1.5 hour skate ski session with Hugh. At the very end, coming down the last hill, I crashed and my ribs made extra firm contact with the frozen ground. The wind was knocked out of me, but I got up quick enough and we made it back down to the car without incident. Now my ribs are very sore. The pain seems to be radiating from the bottom of my sternum outward and down. I've been treating them with a combination of heat, ibuprofen, laser/electrode therapy, and beer. Today they feel a little better, so I think I'll fire up the snowblower and maybe tool around behind the house on my fat skis. For those who have not experienced a blunt force trauma to the thoracic region, I don't recommend it at all. First marathon of the season is only three weeks form tomorrow, so I'm hoping to get back on the snow serious style come Sunday. Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Another Year

I tried to summon the energy for an end of the year re-cap post, but it's raining out and I just don't have it in me. So I give you the "reader's digest" condensed version instead.

I had a good ski season in 2010, but it wasn't super. I did a couple of new to me marathons (Noquemenon and Birkie), and what I learned in those races will hopefully translate to some better results this winter.

My bike season was filled with ups and downs. Getting shut out of the Lumberjack threw a huge wrench into my schedule. Having a 100 mile race on the calendar in mid June forces me to build a really good base in the spring, and the actual race gives me a great boost of fitness that generally lasts me threw the summer. We'll see what happens next year.

Thanks to all the WNRiders for helping me to at least maintain some sort of fitness and structure. Special props to the hearty few that kept her going up to #40. And thanks to Sarah for putting up with me and helping out at all the races.

Happy Holidays



Merry Christmas!!!



WNR XL

A GREAT way to finish the 2010 riding season with our 40th Wednesday Night Ride in the snow! Commemorated appropriately with a 40 of Post Bicycling Refreshment...thanks to Secret Steve. If you've been paying attention, you'll understand the title of this post (if not XL is the roman numeral for 40) and that the moniker doubly symbolizes the essence of the 2010 riding season. As if 40 weeks of riding weren't enough to make the year extra large, the Wednesday night group grew in number of riders and also in it's caliber of participants. Not since the 'old days' with Drew & Sarge have we pushed the group ride envelope in the way that we did this year. More rides, more riders, more trails, more miles, more races & much more fun. From starting the season on St. Patrick's Day to continuing into deer season (riding trails closed to hunters) and beyond, into 4 consecutive Snow rides! Including #40 with the crew pictured below. The quartet consisted of myself, Charlie, S.Steve & Kevin all determined to complete the landmark ride. Thought we might coax a few more out either to try their wheels on the snow or to join us on skis, snowshoes or even by dogsled...no such luck. We met just above the Meadow & rode down Warwick road to the snow-mo-bike trail, only saw one snowmobile on the trail and only passed one truck on the roads to & from so we know there were witnesses besides ourselves...in case you think the photos were staged.

The bar was set awfully high in 2010 (in more ways than one) and not likely to be replicated any time soon, barring a serious climate shift or a group shift to more southern latitudes...not bloody likely. I want to say that it was an absolute joy to ride with each and every one of you this year (even up the cart path) and I look forward to our continued single-track adventures! Merry Bike-mas & Happy New Rides!

Merry Christmas

Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday this year. I'll be skiing.