Semi Back & Disappointment

After a week of 14 hour work days, late nights and a bit of stress things are almost back to normal. Now all I have to stress about it that I'm almost out of some sizes of t shirts, and my sticker supply is almost out! I ordered more about a week ago, but they haven't shipped yet. FRIG! Oh well, these are NICE problems to have. Better than sitting here surrounded by stacks of unsold stickers and t shirts, that's for damn sure.

This weekend was to be a 50+ mile mountain "alley cat" event with friends in the depths of the southern West Virginia woods. But, Old Man winter decided to hand out some mushroom tattoos and send ANOTHER snow storm up the east coast. The result? I'm here, typing this shit and Sooooo not in the woods being schooled by faster, fitter friends. Frig!!!

So far this season: Southern Cross was postponed and I couldn't make the make up date due to blowing my wad on gas, (I drove as far as NC before I found out) and a hotel that wouldn't refund my money. Now Brad's KSF'ed up weekend took the blunt of O.M.W's knob end. Next weekend is SUPPOSED to be the Camp Hilbert 5 Hour, but I am NOT counting on it. EDIT: WELL HILBERT GO F*CKING MOVED TO 4.11 DUE TO SNOW. That's it, I give up!!! How far do I have to travel to ride?? Apparently 5.5 hours south is NOT enough.

So today instead of an epic ride, I was once again on the trainer for 1:15 followed by 45 minutes on the treadmill doing 10% "hill climbs" and running. The only good part of all that was I found a freaking AWESOME Stone Roses bootleg from Leicester, 1995. The live version of Daybreak is a 15+ minute jam that grooves forever. The only other long ass jams that I have that I dig as much is Built To Spill's live version of Neil Young's Cortez The Killer, and a couple versions of The Cure's A Forest, that fat Bob takes into the 10+ minute range and ad libs some lyrics.

Wifey found out today she got selected to test of a bad ass position with the Feds. She's very excited, so in turn I am excited for her. Long process, but if she gets it, it would be one of those life changing sorts of things. In a good way for a change. Like the sort of way that might have me typing this dross from some place NOT here next year. All I can say is if it DOES happen, please don't let it be someplace cold and snowy!! LOL!

I have been experimenting with bad light beer lately. Don't ask why, it's a calorie thing, you wouldn't understand. The first test was "triple hopped" Miller Light. Not sure what makes it triple hopped. I'm not convinced that it even contains hops. 99 calories. SCORE: About a 4 or 5 of 10. Keep in mind this is 5 on the BAD beer scale. NOT in my REAL beer scale where it would score in the negative range. Today's test: Yuengling Light Lager. First reaction? "This ain't that bad for 99 calories." At least it looks more like a beer, and tastes better than the M-Light. Taste is about a 7+ right now (again, this is on my the BBS).

Gotta split, gotta pack some t shirts!

Later.

A New Beginning

Wow, these past few weeks have been HARD! No riding (outside), lots of snow, and LOTS and LOTS of f*cking work. Lots of 16+ hour days, and other such madness. When I worked for that suck newspaper that steals souls and shits them out, I hardly worked at all, and made an adequate living. Right now I work like a f*cking Malaysian sweat shop worker pumping out duds for Calvin and don't make enough to buy.... well to buy much of anything! HA! Thank God for a wife with brains, a good career, and things that "heave!!" LOL!

Having said that, this whole XXC thing is one crazy trip. To work on what I want, when I want, with whom I want, is a f*cking dream! Especially compared to the shit I used to have to deal with (used car dealers asking to "make the logo bigger!"). At my old job I used to think about quiting on a daily basis and hardly worked at all. Now I work my ass off, make 99.9999% less than I used to, and all I can think about is what I can do to make it better.

XXC is not Bicycling, Bike, or Mountain Bike Action (not that there's anything wrong with those pubs, I've bought enough of them!). I just don't know if I want it to be them. Sure I like advertisers- A few extra bills or some goods is great. But I do NOT want to become a tool for them. There has not been an advertiser in XXC yet that I didn't already use, or believe in.

How many ads were in #6? 3!... Salsa- been riding them for 5+ years with no end in sight. Bikeman.com- I used to ride for them, they're great folks, who know bikes, ride, race, and are damn cool. I'd still be with them, but I went local for the support, bonding, and hands on help that only a fine local shop (Pro Bikes, 3 Pittsburgh area locations to serve you) can offer a wrench-less ass like me. BUT I still believe they are some great folks. When you can't go local, or need something fast- Go bikeman.com, and tell them Large Marge sent ya. Or Jason from XXC.

Lastly was Kyle from byeKyle Simple Straps. Dude sent me a strap to test. It rocked. It did what I wanted, when I wanted and how I wanted. On top of that Kyle has been cool with me and what XXC is all about. If you need to strap one on, do NOT go with the "Persnickety Penguin," go with Kyle. BTW I dare you to Google Persnickety Penguin!!!!!!

You may (or may not have noticed, slacker!) there were NO reviews in this issue. Yep. None. There may be one here or there in the future, but I want the pages of XXC dedicated to the ride, the race the EXPERIENCE of endurance racing. Not random product testing. Plus, I'm a mid pack at best racer, If I told you a bike or piece of equipment was titz, would you buy it?? Why???

The worst part of the past week was when a potential advertiser asked what my "circ" was. I told them. And lets just say they're not in the issue. When I was giving XXC away the numbers were out of sight! When I went to pay for... not so much. I guess what I'm trying to say in this Hop Devil induced diatribe is that I love my job, I wish I could give XXC away like I used to, or only charge $5.00 for the print mag, but I can't. I make the same from the print sales as I do from the digital, and that is sort of sad.

While my goal is to get as many folks hooked on the crack that IS endurance racing, I also have to at least TRY to make a buck. I might succeed. I might fail. But either way I'm having one hell of a good time trying!! I hope those of you who read the mag dig it. There are surely a lot of mistakes. For that I apologize. I'm working with someone to make that better in the future. My goal is to let the world know what a kick ass sport this is. To let baseball, football, hockey, basketball, etc., know that they can go have sex with themselves. You want to do something hard? Do a 24 hours solo. Shit, do a 12. Cramp, puke, DNF, see God, whatever. Just don't DNS!

Oh well, it's been a long few weeks. Snows have now put an end to yet another bike adventure scheduled for this weekend, but have not put and end to my will.

Thanks for letting me blather tonight. I needed it.

EDIT: XXC #6 IS OUT BY THE WAY :)

Later.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

I am soooo close to having XXC #6 done I can feel it in my nuggets. Just waiting on one piece to be finished up and then it's game on. It's almost a good thing that I've had some extra time, because it has foreced me to make some needed updates to the web site and to the Merch page, but I can't ACTUALLY go live until the eMag is done. The print mag will be ordered as soon as it's done, and will arrive about 7 days later. Every print mag ordered from the XXC site will of course get the digital free upon ordering and a couple stickers thrown in for being swell enough to order up.

I had some other thing I wanted to talk about, including this coming weekend's "sort of a race" that I'm going to in the woods of a state to my south, and NEXT weekends 1st race of the year. I can't wait to feel the burn, pain and puke of a race. But first I need to publish a mag!! LOL!/UG!!

Later

Barbarism Begins In The Stankment

Jay: Are you bent?
Simon: What?
Jay: Because right then you sounded really, really bent.
- Inbetweeners 1.6

What a difference a week makes. This time last week I was lamenting the downfall of civilized American society, and yesterday, with the sun shining and the ballz deep snows starting to melt back a bit, people were like over the top lovey. Waving, making small talk in line, smiling... I was mildly uncomfortable with the situation.

The week has been a bit madcap. Working to tidy up Issue 2.1 of XXC, picking up T Shirts, getting it all up on the web site, and obsessing about the readership, etc., On top of that, I've been putting in at least an hour a day on the trainer, which is about as fun as smelling a fat mans undies.

Random chick: Are you bent?
Jay: What??
Random chick: Because right then you sounded really, really bent.
- Inbetweeners 1.6

Funny thing about the week before I put the mag out. I become a total spaz. I find myself just arriving at destinations when driving, with little to no recollection of driving there. I take empty water bottles to the Stankment® for my workouts, I obsess over the amount of readers that went away upon moving to the pay per download, I second guess, I ponder, I over think. I'm spaztastic!!!

But, I bounce back, get focused, get my work done, and get generally pretty freaking fired up to unleash XXC 2.1. It helps that I have some great folks contributing to this issue (as per usual).

As I mentioned earlier the snows are melting back a bit, and the roads are getting clearer to drive on, but the sides are still pretty ice-tastic for my tastes. I'm sure many folks headed out to ride today, but in my opinion road riding is dangerous enough 'round here without having to ride down what is practically the middle of the road. I'd rather live to ride another day thank you.

I needed to get some saddle time in. So it was time for me to bust out a 2 hour trainer session. I upped the mental anguish of riding and going nowhere by listening to 31 live Smiths tracks in a row whilst doing it. It was great! In that "could this be any worse?" sort of way.

John the geek: You didn't say please! What about opening up and trusting??
Jay: Oh f*ck off, you fat wanker!
- Inbetweeners 1.6

I got 7 hours of riding/jogging time in this week and not one bit was outside. Next week will have me slogging through the woods in WV with friends doing God-knows-what, and the week after will have me in "Vadge" for the first race of the year. I weigh more than I have in 10 years, I haven't been outside to ride in over 2 weeks, and I have a mag publishing in a few days. This is gonna be one f*cking bloody train wreck!! Fun, but a mess! LOL!

Later.

More Of That Loving Feeling

More of the same, so I won't bore you too much with my attempt to become the worlds skniest fat man other than to say today was more of the same workouts: Took the day off the bike that goes nowhere climbed on the sidewalk to nowhere (he treadmill) just to burn some calories and get my jog on.

The rest of the day was spent in a haze of finishing up all but one story for XXC #6, better known as Season Two, Issue One, finishing up some other mag "bidneth." Look for it soon!

More of the same weather: More snow overnight, more cold, more wishes for the end.

More of the same level of suck people: In between the time Wifey went to the gym and came home from the gym, someone rear ended her xA. Left a nice big dent in the bumper. Most likely occurred in the parking lot at the gym. Of COURSE there was no note, no nothing. I was able to 98% push the dent out, so no worries there, it again is the principal in which modern society is based: it 98% stinks.

Speaking of that 98%- I have an interesting "Curb-like" story from yesterday's B-Man pick up. Kindergarten parents are required to wait in the foyer until all the bus kids get out the exit, then we can go in. The doors to the foyer are locked and you have to buzz to get in. Most of the time another parent or guardian will just open the door for you. As I approached the door I made eye contact with a middle aged urban woman in the foyer talking on her cell phone. I gave her the "hi, can you open the door?" gesture. She then proceeds to NOT open the door, and gestured for me to use the buzzer for the receptionist. The look on my face had to be just that of freaking amazement.

So I buzz, and get one word out of my mouth and another woman in the foyer who's back was to me earlier let me in. Of course as I went in, I went out of my way to thank the woman, saying it was so nice of her to open the door for me. I then proceeded to open the door for anyone within 30 feet of the school and tell them that it was "no big deal," and "the least" I could do." Then I glared at the cell phone freaky woman until she felt uncomfortable enough to leave the foyer. Sadly, I guess I joined the 98% with those moves?

The best part of kids is the stuff that your realize is on their mind at the strangest moments. As I'm driving B. to school in snow showers, ice and slick roads with my hands in a death grip on the wheel, this transpired...

B.: Daddy, can I ask you a question?
Me: Sure Brenn, what's up?
B. Who do you like better, Spider Man or Venom?
Me: Well, I guess Spidey. Venom is cool looking, but a bad guy. Spidey is cool AND good.
B. Yeah, me too.

Conversation over.

Gotta do a T shirt pick up tomorrow. Woot-woot!

Later.

Mr. Thick Thighs

There was of course NO riding today, and there will most likely be none for the next month or two, Just trainer time. But for what it's worth, and what it was, it WAS hard. Some warm up, some cool down, and one big ass 40 minute mo-fo of an an interval just below, in, and/or above threshold. I found myself cursing like a Turrets syndromed kook. during the last 5 minutes or so. (Caution on that YouTube vid if you're at work, or sensitive like). Other than mag work all day, THAT hour on the trainer was the extent of my "cycling" today.

On to a more important subject: My thighs.

All my boxer shorts are shot. Paper thin and nasty. They are the the male equivalent of "period panties." Anyway, the time had come for new ones. I found a deal on some at Target so I picked a couple packs up. Well once you have good ones the old nasty ones just will NOT do, I gotz to represent!... So I went to buy more. Frig, they were out of my size in the brand I dig (no idea what brand that is right now, but it's surely some pseudo cool sounding, but actually lame brand for sure), so I picked up another brand. "How different could they be?" I asked myself. Different enough. Damn!

Seems that Fruit Of The Loom designs gutchies for men with normal waists, but freaking skinny ass thighs. If I move even an inch, the f*ckers creep my my quad sand put a strangle hold on my thighs. Who the f*ck are these guys with 34" waists and asses, but skinny ass chicken legs?? Who has a waist that big and quads that small?? Granted as a cyclist my quads are tad bigger than Joe Six Pack (or Joey Canuck for all you people north of the border.), but they are not like freaking Marty Nothstein's! So now what the hell am I going to do with 4 pairs of unusable nugget covers?? I guess I could use them as bike rags, but not sure I want to show up at a race with a bunch of freaking undies in my pit.

_______________________________________________________

This evening I had an inner debate (Yes, I'm a chronic innerdebator) on whether to have Cheezy-Dijon Chicken Broccoli, Whole Wheat Pasta Bake, ORRRRRR, skip the added calories from the chicken and make up for it with a couple Hop Devils to attempt to kill the pain that IS more snow falling? Chicken-shmicken, I'm up to my balls snow, the Hop Devils won! I am so done with the cold and snow- if you sat a kilo of coke, a bottle of Jack, and sheet of blotter acid in front of me I would do it in a heart beat if it meant forgetting the f*cking snow and cold. I'm kidding of course... a few beers will have to do... for now... but anymore snow.... ;)

Later.

East Coast Freak Outs and Swankness

I won't bore you with my endless indoor workouts due to the sick amounts of snow and ice we have, so I will do my best to entertain with the side show that is Western PA. Snow is still piled high, people are on edge and I am ready to get out of Dodge for good.

Twice in one day I had irate motorists freak out on me. First- I drive down my front street, which due to piled high snow has only enough room for one vehicle, and a dude turns and proceeds to come at me. A classic game of chicken. I stop, and contemplate where I might go. Just as start backing up the guy starts flipping the f*ck out on me. Screaming, hand gestures, waving of hands, veins popping, etc., Seriously? Where was I gonna go? I was trying to back up. Oh well, I back up enough, gave Mr. Douche enough room, to get over a bit and he hurled curses and hand motions at me and B-Man. I gave a thank you wave and went on.

Then 2 hours later as Wifey and I proceed to go out, and a dude is doing I don't know what, but not in the right lane (that had been blocked, but no longer is), and not in the left lane. I pull along in the left because I'm IN the left land and and making a left turn. The dude starts FREAKING out on me. Again, I just had no response.

I'm no fan of leaving the house for anything other than to ride, and this was not encouraging. I need to move. We need to move. Every year I find myself less and less thrilled with this uptight east coast coal in ass mentality. And yesterday was NOT helping. It's even getting to Wifey now, so I know it's bad, since she's the sort that could be nice to Hitler. "I felt so bad for Adolph at the party, no one was talking to him. He started talking about race and religion, I didn't know what to say, so I just nodded and smiled.- He seemed harmless enough though." LOL!

Well I wasn't going to let two obvious douches get in the way of a planned kidless night out in the city with Wifey to celebrate V-Day. First we hit some pub-grub at the Harp and Fiddle and then got all swanky and spent the night at the William Penn (my Christmas gift to her). It was a very good time. A VERY good time.

Of course I got home today to find my parkring space. You know the one I spent 4 hours over 3 days shoveling out . I wanted to just FREAK out, but I was not about to ruin the weekends good vibe with freaking out. I knew who's car it was, so I forced myself in to was was left of their plowed spaces, got stuck, shoveled myself out, then did some deep breathing, and meditating before I had a breakdown! LOL!

I had no real issue with the persons car being there, what did sort of bother me is that I spent 4+ hours shoveling my spots, they called in friend to plow their drive way, but didn't ask if we needed some help, and then failed to park in said plowed drive, OR the half assed plowed spot that I forced the xB into.

Soon it was time to head to my Dad's to get B-Man and celebrate B's birthday. Of course there was only four of us, due to schedule conflicts, but B-Man was cool about it and we had pizza, cake and a good time.

The piles of ice and snow are really getting to everyone. Driving is a bitch, folks are dealing with ice and water damage, wrecked cars, power losses, etc., You would think times like this would draw folks together. But this is America 2010. Maybe it's just where I live, but from what I can see it's an "everyman for himself" type attitude. I'm not so into that.

More deep breathing, more meditating, more hours on the trainer, more beer, and soon the sun will shine. Right????

Hope you all had a good weekend with you signifcant other or others if you a player. Even if you "other" was a nice pint of beer, I hope it was good. :)

Later.

+ Cool ass photo found at mmemes.com.

Maintaining

Not too much to talk about, so I won't. XXC 2.1 is ALMOST ready, looks like a week or two tops, and waiting to hear back from my screen printer on the new and restocked XXC shirts.

Today was spent as most of the week was spent- shoveling snow, and riding the trainer. Today was a solid 1:35 whilst watching Green Street Hooligans. Solid film. REALLY enjoyed it.

Watching movies and bike racing has been KEY to riding the trainer this winter for me. You can read more on hat biz in the next XXC.

Then after a day of proofing some stuff, and errands, it was time to chill with a few Hop Devils and watch Scratch. I've had the soundtrack to Scratch for f*cking years, but just now found the movie with some help from NetFlix.

I am no fan of rap and Hip Hop, but scratching and DJ music can be f*cking rad. Ditch the modern day idea of "rap" and all it's gangster shit, and you'll dig it. If you find yourself digging bands like the Chemical Brothers and Crystal Method, (BTW if you have EVER raced a Granny Gear race, you've heard Crystal Method, Laird's been playing them at the races since the dawn of time!!!) then give some turntable guys like QBert, DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist and listen, you'll be glad you did.

Wifey and I are off to spend a kidless night in the city tomorrow. So, oh great god of Crime Fighting, please deem it so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW- this is some Pittsburgh Justice....

You shovel your ass off all day to clear your car out and some douche parks in it? Yep, bury that f*cker back up! This pic was in the slightly friendlier Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh. I shoveled my ass off for two days to open up my spaces, if that shit happened here, there would be a LOT of broken glass for that douche to clean up. Just sayin'.

Later.

Groundhog Day

Since Friday, my life has pretty much been like the movie Groundhog Day. If you're not aware of the movie this gist is that the funny, but uber unattractive Bill Murray is sort of a wank weather man (is there any other kind?). He's covering Groundhog Day, yada, yada, yada- every day is the same.

That is sort of how my life has been since the blizzard hit last Friday, except I am not a weather man, and I'm not pursuing a semi-hot brunette chick, and this shit is sssooooo not funny anymore.

We are all at each other's throats! It's like one big circle of suck. I have to work (yes, I do work) since my office never really closes, Wifey's works at home 3 days a week (but her office is closed), and B-Man is off school. I can't just not work on stuff! WTF?? Wifey is so bored she could kill, and B-Man is so pent up he's bouncing off the walls. It's a bad, bad, combination. I have never longed for my wife and son to be out of the house like have the past two days.

I on the other hand, I'm doing what I can to hang in there. Shoveling snow daily, and getting some nice workouts in the Stankment®. With the 2+ feet of snow on the ground here it's hard for me to even imagine being out on the trails, BUT you do you what you gotta do. Stay focused, keep and eye on the mid pack prize of trying not to completely suck ass come race season.

______________________________________

Another suck byproduct of this storms is that B-Man has now missed out on TWO birthday parties. He turned 6 today. We were supposed to celebrate with family on Sunday and that got snowed out, then we were suppose to go out for pizza with Wifey's family today and THAT go snowed out. Poor kid has been off school since Friday and can't even take cupcakes to school for his friends. He's been a trooper about it though, and we saw no tears.

Can't believe he's 6 already. Seems like only yesterday
this photo was taken back in '05 (I miss being that thin and THAT young!!)

And 2006


2007


2008


And 2009...

It's been real cool to have B. around and around bikes and racing. He digz it,
and I dig havin him apart of it. Happy Birthday dude!

Later.

P.S. I had some pics from earlier races but they were in my pre digital days :(

Cross Bike vs. 29er Rigid

OK, here's my dilemma/problem/lusty issue right now. I don't race cross, but I love the things that a Cross bike can do. That being a bike tough enough to handle rough roads, some dirt roads, and some fatter than 23 or 25c tires.

While I have done some Cross races (2 to be exact), I am more interested in a Cross bike for what I like to call "Enduro-Cross". Iron Cross, Southern Cross, Hilly Billy, and a multitude of mountain and ghetto farm road loop that I've been doing over the past two years.

I have looked at a couple bikes that are catching my attention. One being the Cannondale CX 5, the other being the Bianchi Axis. I could score either at a very good price via my shop sponsor, but I just don't think I can justify the expense given other options. The other option being a couple parts swaps to the Mamasita or the ordered but not even close to having yet Salsa Ti El Mariachi.

A swap to a rigid fork and fatter cross tires, or 29er semi slicks like the WTB Vulpine would have the 29er in the stock weight range of either of those two Cross bikes by only a pound or so. A semi slick could easily be set up tubeless for flat protection, AND there would be the comfort factor (both mentally and physically) of using the bike that I most often race on. Not to mention hydraulic disc brakes (bling!).

Sice I have no plans to race legit cross, it's totally legal to race a 29er in the above mentioned races, and I have some pretty sweet 29ers, it seems like a no brainer to me. For about $275 I can get the Mamasita built as an Enduro Cross/Shit Road bike, and stick with the 29 inch wheels that done brought me. Hell with the money I save not buying a Cross bike I can get a freaking light ass wheel build to propel me further to the head of the mid pack.

By all means weigh in on this if you have an idea, recommendation, etc.,

Later.

Blizz-eh To The Izz-eh

Sheeeeit.

After 15" it became pointless to bitch, at 22+ inches it became laughable.
What are you gonna do?

I did get 4 hours of shoveling in over the past 2 days, and a nice workout today on the trainer, so at least there's that! I would have liked to have gone for a ski or something, but to even get as far as the local park would have NOT been a good idea in the xB. I did think about going for ski on the roads/sidewalks, but my cabin fevered mind was in no mood to hear insults hurled at me from the local yokals. "That guy's out there on skis!! He MUST be some sort of asshole!! Throw shit at him!!!"

Today we were supposed to have a small, family pre-birthday (the official day is the 10th) celebration for B-Man, but due to the weather and said 25 f*cking inches of madre fornicating snow, the party is delayed till next week. That didn't stop us from giving him his gift yesterday (Guitar Hero for Wii). Dude loves it. And as you can see from this video of B-Man doing Pat Banetar, whilst a red haired Meg White plays drums, he really digz it. I will say if I hear "Love Is A Battlefield" one more time, I MIGHT go insane!!! Ha!

Pay no mind to any heaving bosoms in the movie.

To my surprise, I did get the xB out and about today, or at least to the store for some grub. It wasn't good, but I was out, and that at least saved me from finishing off every drop of alcohol in the house (Russian style), putting my head in the oven, OR walking across the tracks to look for some sort of mind altering herbal substance that would surely have Wifey pissed, and me arrested. BUT at least not having to mentally deal with the now twice mentioned 25" of madre fornicating snow. I'm kidding of course. It's all good. Snow melts, the bike will be ridden hard soon. Unlike me. Sorry, too easy.

B-Man's school is already cancelled tomorrow, and Wifey has to work. So now I'm forced to be really a selfish Dad/prick and say things like "when the hell am I gonna get a work out in?" LOL! I'm joking, but I will say, we are movied and video gamed out, and pretty much tired of looking at each other's faces. At least that's what Wifey and B-Man told me today- Thus my attempt to drive the xB on frozen assed, snowy roads. LOL!

One more great thing about not having a "real" job, is that I don't have to worry about a snowy A.M. commute or any crap like that. I used to love/hate when I worked for the #2 paper in Pittsburgh and they would act like it was a matter of life or death that the commercial artists were in the office, no matter what.

I mean WTF? You would put peoples lives in danger so you could not sale one of my layouts to a car dealer? LOL! I HATE that shit. I'm coming up on one year since I left my job and started XXC, and I don't regret it for ONE second. I may never pay any bills with the decision, and God knows Wifey and I would be better off financially if I would have stayed, but you only get one life to try to do the shit you want. I am truly blessed with and opportunity to try to do that. FYI- This at the bottom of glass of wine #3. ;)

Be safe out there people.

Later.

While I don't dig it...

I tend to hate those cheesy cycling crash doc DVDs. I think they are promoting cyclists as silly, and give an air of disrespect and cartoonishness to what we do. It's hard enough out on the roads without people thinking we will simply bounce back up, dust ourselves off, and get back on the bike. So that is my disclaimer before I post this next link, which is a CX crash compilation. For the record I don't think any of this is "funny." I think it an exclamation point in the sentence of "CX racers are freaking nuts, and TOUGH!." Take a look...

Later.

Feeling Grey

Grey mood? Nope.
Grey skies? Well yes, this is Western PA!
Grey hair? Nah, not yet... I'm talkin' bikes here. I'm talkin' Ti.

My love of Ti (that's Titanium) is no secret. Since I sold my Titus HCR a few years ago, I've pretty much blathered on here on the blog about how I miss a Ti frame. I tried full suspension a few times, and while my back and body took to the comfort, my mind did not take well to all those moving parts and things to "set, tightened, and maintain." I love my Dos Niner, I love my Mamasita, but what I've missed is the ride feel, easy care, durability and let's be honest- the freaking LOOK of a Ti hard tail.

After years of job switching (Wifey), having a kid (B-Man) and most recently- leaving a job and starting a magazine (me), I accepted that my Ti days were done, and I accepted that easily since I have me some kick ass bikes!

Then came "The Leak"

I had a feeling in my nuggets, by reading in between the lines here and there, that the Spicy "S" was kicking around the idea of a Ti frame. But the model, look, builder, MSRP, etc., I had no idea about. But then "the leak" happened... Salsa had a meeting with some dealers about their 2010 models, and BAM! Before you can say "my credit card number is..." some shop rat/loose lipped dealer put the info on the Net. Word was out.... Salsa was going to be releasing some Titanium frames in 2010. Interesting. No, MORE than interesting.

The offerings would include a Titanium version of the El Mariachi sans EBB (not a fan of EBBs, go ahead tell me they're "great" and "versatile", I will tell you that if I had one it would creek, slip and be a general pain in my ass. Plus, I don't need versatile in the gears dept., 'cause this kat ain't ridin' no single speed). This shit's hard enough WITH gears.

Why do I think a Ti E.M. is so cool? Well, since you asked.... 1. It's Ti (duh) 2. No EBB, 3. No sliding drop outs of any kind, 4. El M geometry is pretty much exact as my fave bike (the Dos Niner) and 5. It's Ti (duh deux).

While I felt bad for my friends at Salsa, in that their marketing plans fell through, I can't say I was disappointed to hear such news confirmed. What I was disappointed about was realizing that while the frame looked incredible (I speak of the El Mariachi, although the Ala Carte, looks great too, except for those tiny wheels) I didn't see how I could possible get one, especially since I had pretty much made the ballzy and now proven untrue declaration that I would be "semi retiring" from racing, only racing a couple times and in no need for fancy pants frames etc.,

But, as the days went by after after the product news leak I found out some info from my contacts at Salsa, and from my shop sponsor (Pro Bikes- 3 Pittsburgh area locations to serve you), that while it wouldn't be Wal Mart Huffy cheap, something could be worked out for sure. Hmmmm....

Well I'm very happy that planets aligned, great support was got here and there, and it all came together. Also happy that the not so aggressive/all too loving power of Wifey was easily tamed (thank God for boxed wine), and barring Armageddon or other some Old Testament, "Wrath of God" type catastrophe, this spring my aging, saggy ass cheeks will be on a Salsa Ti-EM, and trying to get back to the head of the mid pack.

The only downside that I'm probably looking at April or May for delivery. But who cares? Till then I will continue to rock the sub 26 lb. Dos Niner as the race bike and the Mamasita will my back up. But once delivery takes place all the goodies on the Dos Niner will move to the Ti-EM. THEN if you're looking (and I know you are) a 2009 Mamasita (as of now) will be for sale with nothing wrong with it other than the misfortune of being born the wrong metal type.

I told myself I wouldn't' blather on about materialistic bike lust things in 2010, but f*ck it, I'm stoked to be able to get hold of sweet ride like this. For what it's worth- I also lusted the steel El Mariachi, and tried to get hold of one last summer even with my distaste for the EBB, but Salsa had already begun phasing it out. Only a few Large ones remained and they were committed to Salsa dealers... Anyway the new Ti E.M. looks to be spot on for what I want out of a bike. I also can't thank my shop (Pro Bikes- Three Pittsburgh area locations to serve you) and Salsa Cycles for assistance. Every good deed by a bike shop and MFG keeps a 5 year old from white slavery. (That's a fact! I saw it on the Internet!)

I can't tell you how anxious for spring now. Races are coming up, a bike on order, and with XXC a bit more established I feel like I can focus a bit more on what I truly want out of riding and racing. Just don't ask me what that is.

Later.

Doing It All

I wish I could do it all. I keep seeing more and more races that I wish I either A. had time for, B. had the talent for, or C. had the money fore. Damn! There are just so many cool endurance events too choose from these days. Some of them are even freaking free! Case in point the newly announced Chequamegon 100 in Wisconsin (hot bed of mountain biking, cheese, Miller Light, and The Schmalzers).

About 5 or so years ago there were a few here and there, but now shit's just blowing up. I love it!

I also love that fact that I was able to get outside and ride in the woods today. It was freaking sweet. The light snow was pretty grippy, the muddy areas weren't too bad, and there was little ice. I only rode for a bit under 2 hours, but it was nice to get out on the mountain bike and even nicer to feel like I had not lost and maybe even gained some fitness, EVEN with being on nothing but the trainer/treadmill/weight bench for the past couple weeks.

By the time I left Boyce (around noon), it was starting to get a little worse due to some melting snow. The grip was gone. Oh well, I was done anyway. It looks like a kick to the balls in the form of a "snow event" tomorrow night. That makes me want to cry. And/or get a six pack of Imperial Oatmeal Stout and drain it like a weathered bar fly with pocket full of bills.

Did I mention it was nice to be out on some rideable trails today?

Time for a Miller Light (I wish I was joking).

Later.

A New Event Commeth

Wow, I think I had more comments yesterday than ever before on this blog. Holy crap. Looks like folks dig talking about races. Cool.

Big thanks to Ben who posted about a race I had not heard of in 2010. 9 Hours of Cranky Monkey in Maryland will be my May race. Best part is that it's only a bit over 2 hours from my crib. Totally dig that. My aging ass doesn't handle long ass car travel like it used to. I've done the 12 Hours of Cranky Monkey down in Vadge twice. Not sure how this one will be, but EX2 seems to put on a pretty good race. So we'll see.

My outside ride plans got stuffed today so, I did a non bike indoor workout. As much as I love riding bike and even riding the trainer sometimes, on occasion it's nice to mix things up a bit. Planks, stretching and an hour on the treadmill at various speeds, and inclines was sort of nice. Wifey digs the newly acquired treadmill for convenience sake. I on the other hand don't see a need, since I can walk or jog any time, anywhere, anyplace all the time. BUT there is something cool about getting a jog in PDQ/ASAP right in your house wearing whatever you want or DON'T want (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, know-what-I-mean?)

Really hope to get some shit done and get out for a ride of some sort tomorrow a.m.. Looks like a "snow event" could happen this weekend. Dear God- I MUST MOVE!!

Later.

Issues Of Debate

My goal of not doing much racing in 2010 has pretty much gone out the widow like bread for the birds. As of now I'm signed up for Camp Hilbert in March, the Bakers Dozen in April, and soon the 12 hour race at this years 24 Hours of Big Bear.

I thought about doing the Mohican 100K, and still might, but it's doubtful. Yes, it would be nice to get 5 hours or so of single tracking riding with good friends in, but if I do that means two weekends in a row of racing. Sure that sounds great, but I also need to look at the bigger picture that includes family life.

Two weekends in a row of me racing, means two weekends in a row away from home and Wifey on full time kid duty. Not to mention I will be attending the Hilly Billy Roubaix on the 26th, so that would mean 3/4 weekends out racin'. Of course the Hilly Billy is a one day, soon to be mid summer east coast gravel/cross classic, but you know what I'm saying. If you don't have kids you probably won't understand all this, if you do have kids you know what I'm saying.

What I don't dig is that there seems to be a black hole of racing for me from Leesburg until Big Bear. The only thing catching my eye and coming at a good time is Mud, Sweat and Gears on May 15th. But I'm not sure I really feel like driving to Tennessee to race, but not ruling it out. There is also the change of returning once again to the race "on the rocks" at French Creek for 6 hours on May 8th. French Creek is a great race. Lots of rocks, ups and downs. Racing for 6 there is like racing for 10 or 12 many other places. It rocks (no pun intended).

After the Hilly Billy another void opens up until either the 6 Hours of Dirty Dawg in Vadge, or the Wilderness 101 in Pee-yay. Then probably nothin' until the SM100 in September. The after that HOPEFULLY I will finally make it to Iron Cross.

So you see my obsession with races that make me yack all over myself seems to have not gone away. The way I look at it, even if I don't do well, at leas I can cover the races for the mag. Can I can a tax deduction on race fees? ;) I'm sure gonna try!! LOL!

Now that that is off my chest I can start more bike debating and waffling... I mentioned all this crap-ol-la the other day, but damn it's thoughts like these that keep a junkie going in the winter.

On a sick non bike subject: I made Guacamole the other day. The avocados cost me $2.50 a piece. Yesterday I was at the Post Office near Wal Mart, so I figured I needed a couple things, I might as well stop in there... To my amazement they had avocados on sale for .78¢ a piece. Now I know that Wal Mart can be/is a sort of industrial food personified... BUT were does Gian Eagle (NOT a "mom & pop" store!) get the giant eagle sized balls to charge $1.72 MORE? I mean we're not talking about a few cents. Sick. Granted I can't get the Wal Mart smell off my skin (bacon wrapped hot dogs, pop corn and b.o?), but for .78¢ avocados for homemade Guac, I just might endure it!

Later.