There is hope

http://www.accuweather.com/forecast-15day.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=1&zipcode=55101&metric=0

Looks like Global Warming will finally make a comeback...

Ken Woods

I decided to take a little time before I said anything about the race. Mostly because I don't really remember it. It was as if had blacked out or something. I knew better than to show up under those conditions, 40 mph winds, to be specific. I just get so desensitized. Yeah sure I dropped my chain on a climb, but that wasn't the reason I sucked it up so bad. Just didn't have the legs or the toughness. I think I was just trying to forget it like a bad dream. It wasn't fun falling out the back of the group I was in half way through the 1st lap. :( Oh well, live and learn...

Can't make Marty this weekend so hopefully I'll be able to hit the Sunday or Monday race in Duluth over Memorial Day weekend. We'll see.

No Opus for me tonight

Had to put in some hours of yard work around the house tonight to get a pass for this weekend for Ken Woods. Looking forward to my first road race of the season. Should be a good time!



It's a little over due but... Great job at Durand last weekend in the 3/4's race David! Sounded like an exciting finish with your Dad's lead out.



See you all this weekend. I'm picking Tuffy to pull out something special. So I'll try to stay on his wheel. ;)

AM workout

Got out for an hour long ride this morning before work. A bit chilly but well worth it. I have company coming in tonight so I won't get out again until Sunday afternoon, hence no Durand for this guy >:(

That's all I have for now.

Go get your Wild on!

Anyone want to ride out my way this Sunday afternoon?

Wow!

So I logged in my first 1/2/3 at Opus. Man What a difference. It's nice not to have to worry about sketchy riders, and the speed, this is why I love racing.

I was pretty stoked to not get shelled off the back and with 2 to go I decided that hanging out in the pack was too comfy. Nothing stellar, but tried to make my way up to the front and do some work. I really didn't do much, but I tried.

If I race next week I think I'll just stay in the group and reserve what I can for Ken Woods.

I say it every year, this is the best sport!

Side note: Bantle, what happened?

Nerves

All set and ready to race tomorrow. 'Bout time!

I always get nervous for my first race. I'm always afraid that it might be a huge let down and come to find that my fitness really sucks!

We'll find out soon enough.

See ya at the park!

Mental Toughness

Thought I'd go out for an easy 30 mile ride today. Then I thought I'd finally do those hill repeats on the coulee that I always said I'd do. So I did. 7 in a row in fact. Would have done more but ran out of time and had to head back to run some errands with the fam. The strangest thing that I found during my ride was that after the 1st climb, each one seemed to take less time than the descents. I know that's not true of course, but I guess I was just able to focus every bit of energy, both physical and mental, to the legs.

Hope I'm not too burnt to hang with the big boys at Opus on Tuesday. We'll see.

Could have been great...

Just imagine how awesome Oxbow would have been today. Talk about horrible conditions, perfect! Global warming? Yeah right!

Maybe next year.

Not so Mello, The interview

1. First bike? Trek 8000

2. Pancakes or French Toast? If the Grizz is making French Toast I'm in!

3. Train solo or with friends? Depends on what kind of shape I'm in.

4. If you designed a bike, what would you put on the head badge? A can of MelloYello

5. Electric, waxing, razor, fuzzy? Fuzzy 99% of the time.

6. What race are you most proud of and why? Probably Afton Alps a few years ago. I ended up being really motivated to race because my dad was there and my mom was battling cancer. I ended up something like 7th overall and 1st in my age group.

7. What is your favorite pre-race meal? I get nervous before a race so I usually go light. Peanut butter toast, banana

8. Your significant other is bitten by a zombie. What do you do? Run like Hell!

9. Transformers or Star Wars? Star Wars

10. Why do you ride in groups? And why do you wear matching outfits? So my teammates do all the work as I sit on the back. I am a true wheel sucker. Its what I do best.

11. How did you get such a lucrative contract with BCR? We are in negotiations currently. So on the advice of my agent i cannot comment.

Guess I'll keep the yap shut

Didn't make it to the MCF meeting tonight, shocker. Had a better offer to go eat pizza with the fam. Besides, what could I really bring to the table to help out in this decision? Chip timing is going to happen, it's just a matter of how.

Personally, I think the decision should have been made a while back. Slowly bringing it onto the scene piecemeal might get a false negative result. Does that even make sense? Also, with the expected increase of gas prices and now an extra $5, to some, may be too much. We'll see. Of course I'll just buy the damn thing!

Chip Timing for MCF events?

Pros:

1. Total and lap times
2. Easier results posting
3. Maybe less dependency on officials

Cons:

1. Cost; to buy, lease or rent, that is the question
2. Cost to promoters
3. Cost to MCF
4. Dependability (see Pro #3 from above)

I've had experience in chip timing when I raced mtb's and I think even a triathlon, don't tell SickBoy.

I'm just getting into this at the eleventh hour so I'm heavily considering going to the MCF meeting tonight to get the skinny on all this.

I've read some comments that people are worried about the impact that handing out chips will have on lines at registration. I say preregistration to that! Again, not sure where we sit on the whole preregistration thin either. Hopefully that well be discussed tonight as well.

As for my opinion on chip timing. It's definitely the way to go. My biggest question is why so much, and why do I have to own it? I know there is a lease or rental option, but I don't recall this being an issue to race in the MNSCS. Then again, this could be why they disappeared.

Hopefully I'll make it to the meeting and have a better understanding of what this means for everyone. I hope someone will be presenting a cost benefit analysis of this whole undertaking.

If I don't make it, I'll keep my yap shut.

And everything was right again...

What can I Say. It was a perfect day for a ride. Dan was the only brave sole to venture out with me today. Thanks Dan for making it out. I would have eased up too much had I gone by myself. And yes, I did chase Dan around for a little bit. Riding strong man!

We left the school at about 10:30 headed down toward Spring Park west to Watertown up over to Maple Plain, then up to Loretto and then back into Wayzata. Just shy of 50 miles. My legs were feeling it. Stopped at Caribou for a coffee and rode Dan back to his car. I lied Dan. I went out for another 12 miles to stretch my legs getting my total over 60.

The nice weather brought out the riders, Looners, Flanders, some Hut riders, Gear West, Tonka and Silver. This is the best time of year if you ask me.

See ya all out around Afton tomorrow.

Saturday Ride the Western Suburbs

I'm planning on riding from Wayzata heading west around the lakes. 40+ miles. Looking to keep the pace high enough to give the legs a good test.

Who's in? All are welcome as long as you're ready for a workout.

Start 10:0 am at Wayzata West Jr. High School near Wayzata Blvd. and Ferndale Rd. North.
Back between 12:00 and 12:30, maybe even 1:00 if I decide to go out for 50+ miles

*Time changes are in Red*



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Ready to race?

I just had to post this picture when I found out that G.I. Joe is being remade into a movie.

Hook, Line and Sinker

I was going to write something about Steve's report on GM buying Specialized, which I too thought was sweet. But after further researching this I found it to be an April Fools joke.



Ha ha! Very funny Specialized.



I must admit that the joining of these two companies wouldn't have been such a huge surprise. If I recall correctly, back when I worked at Erik's, GM and Specialized collaborated on some components for the Vette's using S's Metal Matrix material on some engine parts. So who knows...