Dopers Suck

I saw this picture on another biker's blog, and I just couldn't resist stealing it for my own. Priceless, wouldn't you say. The tour ended yesterday, and I'm glad it's over. I didn't follow the race too closely this year, in large part due to the rampant use of perfomance enhancing drugs. It's assholes like this one pictured above that have really ruined a sport that I used to take great interest in. I'm not even convinced that the athletes standing on the podium yesterday in Paris were all clean. On a brighter note, had a great ride yesterday in spite of the long work weekend. Hugh, Chris, Rob, and I did a 25 mile mountain ride with 3,214 ft. of climbing in just over 2.5 hours yesterday. My legs felt like complete crap all day.....until I got on the bike. I felt awesome for the majority of the ride, and I was even able to duke it out with Hugh on all of the HC climbs featured in yesterday's route. Day off the bike today for scheduled trail maitenance. Gotta get the trail ready for WNR at Headquarters this week. Hope to see everyone there, the trail should be in great shape.

Ugotta Regatta

For those not in the know, this marks the weekend where a large group of wealthy sailors visit the town to drop off thier annual donations. I've been up at four the last two mornings in order to meet Kate at the store at five. This picture of the moon setting over the water is just about the only good thing I have to say about getting up that early. It was so darn pretty I just had to stop at the Angel Farm for a quick snapshot. I'm doing a three hour ride this afternoon with the boys to replicate the Ore to Shore that's coming up in just two short weeks. This should be a real interesting ride after two back to back 12 hr. days at the office. We'll see how I feel tomorrow. Until next time, ride well and take care.

SBYC

Had a great time at the yacht club yesterday. Chris, Rob, Matt and I did a little mountain bike ride before hitting the sand and surf, and the North Country is in pretty good shape overall. The beach was great. The water was perfect, and there were no bugs to speak of. Curiously, there was not a soul over 40 in attendance yesterday. We'll have to consult the old guard to find out how long it's been since that was the case. I'm willing to bet it's been a while though. Mitchell developed a new spa treatment for the beach. He's calling it the Sturgeon Bay Special, and it is available in small, medium, and large sizes. He fills a bucket with a bucket with a mixture of sand and water. Then he slowly drips the mixture over your feet in whatever size you ordered. I had two large treatments throughout the evening, and it actually feels pretty good. We're thinking next week he can start charging fifty cents a treatment. WNR this week at the corner of Stuts. and Pleasantview. Be there or be square.

Stupid Crap on the Web

It was actually slow enough at work for me to do a little surfing today. I found some funny ass videos on YouTube, and so far this on takes the cake. I can't even really figure out what this guy was trying to do, but it sure looks like it hurt. Take care.

Cyclocross

The idea of cyclocross racing has occupied a space in the back of my mind for some time now. This is the year I'm going to make it happen. The list of pros is just too long to ignore: One, all four races in November fall on a Sunday (we're closed on Sundays in the off season). Two, they are all in the Grand Rapids area which is only 3.5 hours away. Three, the entry fee is only $15 per race. Four, it'll keep me training until I can start cross country skiing. Five, it's something new to do on a bike (always a good thing). I've been scoping out the cross bikes online, and the best deal I found seemed to Cannondale's entry level model. I stopped into Latitude the other day to check out availability, and they just happened to have a 58cm (my size) in stock. The stars truly have aligned. I'm going to take her out for a test drive next Thursday morning after yoga. The best part of all: the bike is a lovely blue.

Getting on with the job at hand

Currently the job at hand happens to be fitting in workouts with my insane work schedule. I've gotten my plan tweaked a little for July, and it looks like I'm going to be able to hold onto my form through to the Ore to Shore. On the WNR (thursday because of independence day) this week I really pushed the envelope for the first time since the Lumberjack, and it actually felt pretty good. Hugh was right on my wheel the whole time though, he just won't be dropped. I really don't have anything interesting to report, so I've just included this video that Scott filmed at the end of the ride last thursday. Side note: He's currently on the injured reserve due to a cruiser bike crash up in the village just over a week ago. Next weeks ride will be in Cross Village at the aforementioned injured riders house. Hope to see you there, and keep the rubber side down.

In for the long haul

The summer season is now officially in full swing. Traffic/Parking is a nightmare. The vast majority of people that I deal with on a day to day basis now appear to be oblivious to the world around them. This is bad enough when you're attempting to talk to them in the store, but out on the streets it becomes downright dangerous. The only good thing about these two months is that it's only two months. I shouldn't complain too much because the money they spend does allow me to buy shiny new bikes and skis. But I can honestly say that if we were this busy year round I'd be looking for a new job.

I normally have a hard time keeping up with my training this time of year, but I'm really comitted to sticking with it this year. It may mean getting up early and doing some of my rides before work, but I've put too much time in already this season to just let myself go to shit now. I'm thinking that my fabulous new road bike will help motivate me to a large degree. I can't say enough good things about the job Scott did building my dream bike. It fits perfectly. The paint job is beautiful. The Campy stuff works like a charm. If you're ever interested in a custom ride I would have absolutely no reservations steering you in his direction.

Since the fourth falls on a Wednesday this year, the WNR will be on Thursday night at Team Headquarters. Hope to see you all there. In the meantime, take care and ride well.

The Quiring Special

It's here, and it is everything that I hoped it would be and more. I got up around 5:30 Thursday morning for the trek down to Charlotte. I was home with my new baby just a little after 3:00. I put some bottle cages on, pumped up the tires, changed my clothes and was on the road by 4:00. I did a great 27 mile loop with some big climbs and a few northern michigan cobbles thrown in for good measure. I can't begin to describe how wonderful this bike feels. Perhaps after a few more hours in the saddle I'll be able to articulate my impressions a little better, but until then I'm just going to ride. Working with Scott was great, and I'm pretty darn sure this won't be the last frame he builds for me.

Have a good thought for our buddy Doug. He's in Marquette this weekend for his first forray into road bike racing.

Mission Accomplished

It's over, and I guess you could say that I got what I wanted out of the race. I finished it. I would be lying if I told you there weren't plenty of times out there on the course when I seriously considered throwing in the towel. It was far and away the toughest race I've ever done. It was so hot and dusty. But you know what? It could have been a lot worse. I didn't crash, and the Scalpel performed perfectly. My goal for a finishing time was somewhere in the ten hour realm, and I just made it in 10hr49min. I'm really curious to see how many people dropped out. I heard there were quite a few, so just the finishing part feels like a huge accopmlishment. Hugh ended up finishing 5th in the Masters class, and Will finished an amazing 2nd in the Singlespeed class. Congratulations to both of them, great job. In the overall men's class Doug ended up 56th and I scored a solid 70th. Somwhat suprisingly, my neck and shoulders are the sorest part of my body. Following closely in second place are my hands. My fingers are still a little numb even today. Special thanks go out to the pit crew. Sarah, Denise, and Secret Steve did a great job keeping us topped off with all the right food and drinks. All in all it was a great event, and I'm already looking forward to going back next year. Who ever knew that self-inflicted abuse could feel so good? WNR at Boyne this week. I'm looking forward to getting back on the singlespeed. Until then, here's some pictures from the Big MFer (Lumberjack 100).

Chris Eatough coming in for the win.


Hugh psyching out the competition before the start.


In the pits after Lap 2.


Doug and I waiting for our turn in the shower back at the cabin.

I want to be a Lumberjack

Well, race day is less than 24 hours away. Hugh, Denise, Doug, Sarah, and I will be departing the Clock Tower Plaza at appox. 3:00 this afternoon bound for Udell, MI. I've done just about everything I can in terms of preperation, so now I'm just anxious to get started with it. The forecast is calling for a high of 83 with a chance of rain in the afternoon. I guess that will have to do since there's not much you can do about the weather. I'm shooting for anywhere in the realm of 10 hours for a good finish time, but since this will be my first 100 mile race just finishing will be an accomplishment. I'll report back later this weekend or Monday. Until then, ride well and take care.