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...

WTF?!

Seriously What The Frick?

Is cross season starting all over again. Did we not just enjoy a great weekend of warmer weather riding? Thanks to all this fresh snow I'm back on the dang trainer 'til the weekend. :(

Ahhhhhhh!

Like a day at the spa. OK, I don't know what that's like but it seemed fitting. That's what riding today felt like. It was my first real ride outdoors this season and it was long over due.

Rode for over a couple hours around Afton with Mr. Roy himself Russ Loucks today. It's not everyday that I'm able to get someone out my way to ride. In this case he had already planned on riding out here and I jumped all over the opportunity to not ride be myself. Thanks Russ for letting me tag along. The wind was a little strong coming from the south so finding cover in the valley was key. That's probably why my legs are burning a little bit, but I'm not complaining. I was pretty impressed with how I felt out there and looking forward to getting some more in tomorrow.

You know the season is around the corner when you start seeing more riders on the road. Came across some Tonka riders, GP and I think a Dakota Cycles rider and a hand full of others. Hard to tell who's who in our winter gear.

Look for you all tomorrow around Afton!

Salty

So I, like everyone else, was looking forward to Oxbow to open my season. Guess not huh. It's too bad that the promoters weren't able to pull things off this year. The one question that's floating around in my head is, why didn't they communicate this to anyone so that someone else could maybe pick it up. It could have been an opportunity for a few smaller clubs to band together to make it happen. I suppose there was more to it than just having the resources to pull it off.

Oh well. That's the way it goes sometimes.

The downside, I won't be able to start racing until Ken Woods. I have friends (if you can call them that) in town (ruining my race weekend) from Maryland during Durand. That just leaves me more time to train right? Yeaaaaaaa! I'm sick of training. Not that it's been intense but I really haven't stopped training except for a couple weeks after Cross Nationals. 90% of it has been indoors (read boring). And this snow isn't helping. I need to freakin race!

In lieu of Oxbow, would anyone consider the Finchford Roubaix?

------

This just in...

LGR has canceled event X

crud done, training back on.

Crud part 2

Tried to go out for an easy 30 miles today even though I wasn't really feeling up to it. Turned out to be an easy 10 miles. I don't normally cut rides that short but I really felt like crap and knew it would be a bad idea to tough it out. Just like some of the other riders out there know, these kinds of colds have a tendency of hanging around. Couple more days of rest and we'll give it another go.

I got the crud >:-(

Damn it! This sucks! Was going to do a 4 hr ride with a group but have to bail since this crap got the better of me.

A long ride would have been nice before Oxbow.

Oh well, there's still time. :)

Lalla's B-Day

Say hey

I hope people are riding right now. I'm stuck at work watching the snow melt. :)

Weather

Just in case you haven't check lately, the weather is going to turn around quite nicely after this weekend. Mid 30's to 40's and it looks like we won't dip down again after that. And of course with daylight savings we get that additional hour :)

Who needs warm weather training trips/camps?

Guess I'll have to shave the legs soon. :P Could be riding with just knee warmers next week. :D

Would you look at that...

I don't know what to think of this. Pressure or motivation.

I'll go with motivation.

I've kinda stalled out, like most, when it comes to blogging. But with a write up like this it's got me back in the buzz of the blogoshpere. Not to mention we have about a month until Oxbow so it's about time we all start chatting it up a bit.

Quick side note: Kudos to The Bike Throw Dot Com! I hear you're a little fed up with some of the feedback you've received. I'm sure some of it has been helpful but then there is always those clods that think they know how you should run the show. F 'em! All 3+ of you do a great job! And although Tim won't want to hear it, it's nice to have our own local Velo News.

Keep it up!

So this write up has got me thinking about cat 3's now and I realize that I don't know too many of the riders coming from a mainly mtb background. I found the matrix that BTDC created very helpful, though still I find myself anxious to race with the 3's. I will no doubt get dropped in the 1-2-3 race at opus at the beginning of the season. It's what I do. But hopefully after supporting my teammates my legs will come around mid way through the season so I can be competitive.

Guess I need to start training now. Damn!

Love it

http://www.citizensugar.com/1093812

time to post I guess... 'cause Ty said so

I think there is something wrong with me

It's only February 21 and I'm having dreams about racing. Am I all by myself here? Does anyone else find it hard to think about anything else? I'm gonna get my but spanked all season but I still can't wait for that 1st race with my new team. We'll have some pretty strong riders that on any given day could really cause some havoc in the group. I'm expecting Lalla to come out blazing this May when he returns home from Texas, such a beautiful country, um, I mean state. Then there is the 'Bomber' for long attacks, Eric is always good for an attack or sprint. Then there is the other new rider for the team this year, who will remain unnamed at this time. He's very strong and although I didn't follow his results from last year, he can kick some serious butt in other cycling disciplines. Then there is Ben, Matt and myself to round out the team.

It's going to be a great season...

There I go again. I'm dreaming about racing. Oh the madness! Will it ever stop?

Skiing tomorrow anyone?

I'm fixin' to go skiing tomorrow morning from 9:15 to 10:45 @ Lake Elmo

Any takers? I'm not all that great at skate skiing and will be taking it easy.

Skiing

FYI-
Just went skiing at Lake Elmo. The conditions were perfect. Get it in before the cold wind moves in. :)

Grizz you missed out! ha ha!

Lazy

Just can't find the motivation right now. Just plain lazy really. The Grizz has a new blog (see right) and sounds like he's going to be serious this season. Everytime he does that he kicks my butt. There's really no point now. Maybe I should sell my bikes and get back into golf.



Maybe I'll wake up early tomorrow and ride before work...
...or maybe not.

I have plenty of time before Oxbow, right?

Besides, I have two US teams to cheer for this year. And that will take up most of my time.



I'm gonna go eat some icecream