A Just Post To A Good Ride

I had updated yesterday's post, with some video n'at, but I figured I'm bored, sort of might be sick, mentally drained from dealing with more snow again last night, and 7 digits away from getting back on the train to normal, so I figured "what the eph, I will just waste some time with a proper post on yesterday's ride. Because really, who doesn't love reading about an aging, slow, non pro cyclist riding dirt roads?

My plan as usual to deal with solo base miles, on pretty un-challenging terrain is to take the camera, and piss around with it as I see what I see in/over the amazing rural landscapes of central Michigan. I also wanted to do some video, comparing my new Canon s95 camera with my Kodak PlaySport video camera. Some of that of course involved my good friend Mr. Tri Pod, and a heaping dose of looking like a narcissistic goof with too much time on his hands.

One of the best things about living here in MP is the ability to ride out my back door, and 3 short miles of pavement later, have an endless system of dirt roads at my disposal. Low to no traffic, peace, and no yahoos (yet) to scream at me to "get the f*ck off the road" or call me an asshole. While it's in NO way perfect (NO CLIMBING!!! MY GOD, MY LEFT F*CKING NUT FOR AN EXCUSE TO GET OUT OF MY FRIGGIN' BIG RING!!), it is nice.


I didn't know that to expect from the dirt roads, but dealt with it. For the most part they were snow and ice covered. There was the occasional band of dirt to ride, but for the most part it was snow packed that hooked up pretty good. There was the occasional rutted slippy spot, but for the most part no worries and the rubber stayed down.

Most of the first 1.5 hours was great- I felt warm enough, was taking some pics and wasted a few minutes with my video project. After that though, I put the cameras away and just hammered out the rest of the ride. I hit some new roads, thought I was lost a couple times, and started getting cold. Real cold.

The route I did was one of the better ones I've done, in that I was able to incorporated some of the climbs (rollers that hurt) that local dude Mike S. turned me on to, and the new roads offered some pretty sweet pic locals that I want to revisit when I am NOT freezing to f'ing death, and have some better light to play with.

Some of the locations I saw would be freaking sweet with some late day sun sets or early morning sunrise action. There are some folks who are all into their urban riding, and that shit, but I have never been. I love the nostril burn of manure, the cows, sheep, pigs, barns, random Uncle Rico RVs, and of course the low traffic roads to get my ride on.


The thing I love most about the rural landscape is the unknown stories in which they offer. Take the farmstead photos I have shown here. What is the story behind there abandonment? Why were they all painted that unique shade of green? How old are they? Who lived there Maybe I think too much? Maybe my inability to ride past these places (both here in Michigan and everywhere) and not stop to take pics, or think these things is what keeps me from success on the bike? Or is my ability to think these things, take pics, and have this training crippling thought process what allows me the ever so minute personal success of using my God given, non career having, non money making creativity?

I guess it's best to just not think about all that and just keep doing what I do. Happiness comes in many different packages, I rarely pick the right package, and when I do I am to wrapped up with being a mental train wreck to appreciate it. But that's my own thang.

Here is the video that I took. For the camera peeps- the first video was taken with the Kodak PlaySport (a very good hand held video recorder) the second was taken with my new Canon s95. I like what the s95 did a whole lot better. The thing with the s95 is that it costs a shit load of cash for a high end point and shoot, and isn't waterproof. The Kodak is water proof, shock proof, and is only like $150 (I can't remember).



The ride ended up being about 2:50 of ride time + about 10 minutes of time taking pics and video. A pretty good way to kill time on yet another snow covered Saturday in Michigan.

Later.

Just Because I Love It, Doesn't Mean I Don't Hate It

Woke up to a little bit of snow today on top of what we had. I was NOT pleased, and I wanted to suck on the business end of 9mm, but since I don't own a gun (and never will), and I'm scared of dying, I thought it best to HTFU and get out for a ride. I was damn glad I did. I was f*cked off that I did. Ummm, OK, I was pretty darn, not to unhappy with having manned the eph up, and gotten outside.


I have some video and pics in the works, but for now I will share a pic below, and move on to drinking beer, playing Wii hockey, making chili, and watching Ghostbusters I. When I get time I will update on the pretty darn not badness of the day. Ended up with a bout 2:50 of riding, fingers numb, toes not too bad, and more snot on my face, bibs, and jacket than ANYONE wants to see and or hear about.

Later.

Baby Powder Nut Jobs

I've got nothing. The extent of my "doing stuff" the past two days has been a trip to the gym, and time on the trainer today. Work has consisted of mostly online News posts. No real content for XXC #11 in the works yet. Probably going to delay the next issue until mid May. I saw thing on TV this evening as I was flipping the channels about some chick that eats baby powder. Yeah, and I’M THE ONE that needs medication.

Seriously, she has to just be making that shit up. If I was the host I would have brought here a big bowl of it and said “Eat up nut job!” Late this evening, I couldn’t shake the baby powder nut. In fact I found myself going to the basement to change tires on the Jake to my Ritchey 40s, with a giant ass tub of baby powder in my hands.Strange.

So I spent some time getting the Jake back in shape for some spring gravel and the Barry Roubaix (which is coming up in just ONE month!). Not that one trip out in the “snirt” won’t undo all the work I did, it still felt good to get intimate with it, and of course talc my tubes before slipping them in the rubbered hoops.

Once I was done, that big tub of powder just sat there staring at me. It looked so inviting. I picked it up, took off the top and was just about dig in like the Doctor So and So Nut Job Baby Powder Eater when I snapped out it and ran up the stair screaming. Spring needs to come fast, before I just have a complete freaking meltdown.

Later.

OK, I'm back... I needed to add this shit:

Rapha Jeans....
OH YEAH! I GOTTA GET ME SOME $225 BIKE JEANS!!!

I want to go on, and on, and on, about these. But I won't. Except to say my $16.00 Wrangler jeans with the leg rolled up will just never feel the same again. I MUST have some straight cut, stretchy skinny ass jean with pink detailing that "isn't overdone." $225??? I don't think my bibs, jersey, socks, and cap combined = $225. If you have $225 to spend on "riding jeans" you have so much money that you are probably not riding your bike anywhere. And if you are wearing jeans to commute in or to work in on the bike (AKA bike messenger), you are NOT spending your extra coin on jeans like this (it would be PBR), and would most likely smash your U-Lock ("rear pockets are also riveted for strength and sized to accommodate a standard U-lock if you're commuting.") in the face of the douche that showed up for work in these pants. Or knock him out and take his wallet that is surely stuffed with hundreds. Plus, I can get a SWEET pair of Hincapie Jeans for only $145!! What a rip! Ooop! Looks like I went on and on. My bad, the meltdown is starting.... NOW!

Later.

Laying Low And Not By Choice

So as you saw from my last post, winter returned to Michigan and gave us 7 or so inches of snow. Monday was spent digging out and on the trainer, and today was spent TRYING to entertain B-Man who was off on a snow day, even though the roads were fine (?). Wifey used some comp hours to get home early so I could get out for ski or workout. But truth be told I was mentally burnt the eph out from winter's return, and some cabin fever.

I decided to skip skiing, because just looking at the snow makes me want vomit in my hands. OR drink 3 cases of beer... or both. So I climbed on the trainer again. I rode for about 5 minutes, couldn't even get my HR over 100, and said eph it. Climbed off, changed and napped for a half hour, then made some Mexican food.

I think the only thing that has kept me sane over the past few days was playing the newly purchased Wii NHL Slapshot with B-Man. Damn is it fun. We don't like using the stick though, that's sort of pain in the ass. But damn, it's a hoot to play, finally a rival to FIFA '11. Damn, I am turning so freaking lame. Maybe this weekend I'll buy some comic books and play Dungeons and Dragons! It will be like reliving my teen years, just 100 pounds lighter. LOL!

In SOME shred of bike news: Back ordered parts for the Spearfish should FINALLY be at the shop late this week. So HOPEFULLY by next week I will have it in hand. Also, but making a ton of posts on the newly revamped XXCMAG.COM. So if you feel inclined take a peep, and say hellow to the advertisers while you are there! LOL!

The goal for the rest of the week is to just NOT put my head in an oven. Spring will be here eventually. Right?

Later.

Short Lived

Not much going on today except taking B-Man to basketball practice, riding the trainer, and work. Yes, work on Sunday. If I didn't love my job I would hate the fact that I pretty much work 7 days a week all in the attempts to make over $1,000 a year. LOL! Some day it will pay off. Right? Ahhh, who cares!!

As expected, this week's snow melt and riding was short lived. Back to the regularly scheduled fluffy white suckness of winter.

I did have a little bit of fun taking the El Mariachi into town tonight. NO one was on the roads, and they were covered with 5+ inches of snow as more continues to fall. Just cruised around town, taking in the vibe and pray for spring as wet snow blew in my face. It was fun, so I won't complain until I can't get my car out of the driveway to go ski tomorrow! Ha!

Later.

Calmish Before The Storm

OK, bad shit out of the way first. The helmet headed Weather Douche on TV is calling for 8 to 10 inches of snow in the MP area tomorrow afternoon - evening. To him I extend a warm uninviting bat wing. The only good thing (and I am struggling here so as to prevent fixing a warm bath and looking for the the razor blades) is that at least there will be enough of Satan's Poo falling to make XC skiing a possibility this week. Still sucks non-bike riding donkey dong, but such is life in February.

OK, strike that, reverse, and replay today- today was super cool. The sun was out, the temps were in the 30s and I had more gravely base miles on my mind. Then my friend Mike S. posted that he was interested in hitting some dirt roads today too, and BAM! I had myself a slight change of plans.

The first 5 miles or so were pretty normal to my usual. But then Mike pointed me in a different direction and there they were... HILLS!! OK, there weren't the granny gear, nose of the saddle half way up my poop chute grinds that I am used to in Western PA, but they were indeed hills and not just hammer, hammer, hammer, like some of the roads. It was fiiiiiiine.

We had a nice endurance pace going, and I pray to God that that burned some of the excess winter weight that continues to hang about my mid section. But truth be told I don't care. It was a fun ride and a great way to spend 2:30 of my Saturday.


Big thanks to Mike for showing me those hills, for I am 110% certain that I will be incorporating them in almost all of my upcoming rides. That is of course once all the snow that we are certain to get melts. C'mon spring!! Why you gotta be such a bitch?

Later.

Update Of Sorts

No "real" ride today, but I did get an hour in "doing stuff," along with updating the new xxcmag.com website all day and night for the past 5 days. Still a ton of updating and tweaking to do, but I am getting more and more comfortable with WordPress. I really can't believe I just said that, because this time last week I was ready to stick my head in an oven due to the fact that WP made NO freaking sense to me. Once I realized some tricks and the fact that WP is not a WYSIWYG editor, but a WWPSIWYG (What Word Press Sees Is What You Get) editor, it all started coming together. Well, I don't want to got honking my own platypus yet, given I have a ton more to do, but I am stoked I figured it out. Not so easy for a web grouch.

I mentioned my snot yestersday. Upon closer look it seems the booger on my lip was actually gravel goop (sort of like wet cement). Still not sure about the bloody nose though. I swear I was NOT doing any "blow" out on the roads yesterday!

Hope to ride tomorrow on the dirt roads. Gonna be MUCH colder. Freaking psycho weather!

Later.

Spring Tease On Dirt (Roads)

While it is not even CLOSE to being spring here in Mid-Mich, Mother Nature DID let us briefly suck at Springs teet today. It was gooood. We had some thunderstorms last night (so I'm told, I miraculously slept right through them), and some moderate mid 40 temps the past two days, so snow and ice is melting fast. Although winter will be returning in the next day or two, I was not gonna let anything, including finishing up the work on moving xxcmag.com to a WordPress.org site, get in my way.

The ride was not all that long at just 1:35, but I was able to squeeze on in and NOT have my bottles freeze! At times I felt I was even overdressed with legwarmers, and would have been better off with knee warmers and a vest.

The dirt roads were sick! The rain and melting snow made for one hell of workout. At times I was going about 8 mph on false flats! Amazingly there was still snow on many of the shaded roads, and that made things pretty interesting to say the least. I ended up ducking back to some pavement when things starting getting too wet. I made up a little video (like I don't have enough other shit to do). Check the icy section at about 1:37 or so. I was holding my breath through that whole stretch. Anyway, here it is...

Funny bit from today's ride: Heading out to the dirt roads, I have to cut through CMU's campus, on the way back I'm feeling good from the ride, taking in the scene, etc., Feeling pretty damn good about myself as exercise is prone to do. Until I get home and see that I have a bloody booger smeared all over my lip and cheek. Oh yeah baby! I have a pic, but not sure I need that out there. Next thing you know my face will be PhotoShopped into a pic of two dudes in VW Cabriolet.

Not sure about a ride or workout tomorrow, since even though it will be a bit incomplete I hope to have the new XXC site up live tomorrow. All the important stuff has taken shape, the rest- like linking 700 or so events on the blog, can be done a bit each day. I just want to get the blog (which will be called News, not Blog I think...) up and running so I don't have to update two sites . Just need to figure a few things out, which means I will work on them all day, and then get it right accidentally! LOL!

Later.

Quick & Snirty

I have be sequestered in the oak and labia pink walled office of XXC Magazine World HQ (not a joke, it's needs a paint job. Or not, it does have a certain warmth and charm to it though) for the past 2 days working on the new(?) web site. Nothing's live yet, just working, but it's starting to take shape.

As much as WordPress tends to drive me nuts, in the end I always get suckered in by the clean look of it. Having the mag move to WP will help get things more organized, and help me do some things that iWeb just won't allow. Been a hell of a learning process. Just a word of advice- If you ever want to buy the book WordPress For Dummies, don't! Just about every question you have can be answered with a trip to Google. But hey, I assumed that by "dummy," they meant me.

The sun was out and the temps got up into the 30s today! Spring-like? Hmmm, not so much, but freaking warmer than 4 degrees, or whatever it was last week. In fact the sun has been warm enough to melt a LOT of the snow that has been on the ground and roads since about August. I kid of course, since December, but I DID see a patch of grass today! WOOT!

Given the heat wave and clearing roads, I was able to ditch the gym and trainer, and get my ass out on the "snirt" roads outside of town today for a short 1:40 in the saddle. I had never heard the term "snirt" until I moved here, but my friend Mike turned me on to it. I questioned what "snirt" was to him and was told that it's a combo of snow covered dirt roads. Luckily MOST of the ride was just on frozen dirt or soft wet sand, but there were enough frozen and rutted sections to make things dicey now and then. Mahokey's Law of Road/Dirt Road Riding: The road will be clear of ice, snow and ruts EXCEPT when there is a tractor the size of small house coming at you. It's a fact.

Thank God I took the El Mariachi and not the cross bike. I have never been so beaten up on a (dirt) road ride. Icy ruts, tractor tires, pot holes and craters. But again I say "DAMN, it felt good to be out!" One of the highlights was seeing a big ass tractor spreading manure over a rare snowless field. I stopped and sniffed in the "spring is coming sooner or later" goodness that is cow shit being shot out of a cannon-like hose.

More web work tomorrow, and maybe a quick trainer ride or trip to the gym. Weather is supposed to be pretty OK, but I got a lunch date tomorrow and a ton of work to do.

Later.

Spen Wallowing

Wallowing, floundering, belly flopping, you name it, I was doing all of that in a deep pen of WordPress suck (I think I really hate those people). I really want to move the XXC site from its iWeb based isle of suck to a something more web friendly and integrated. So I recently found a theme that I wanted to go with and am trying to tweak it to suit my needs. I think I can do just about everything other than Merch page. Which is pretty freaking integral for me to eek out some beer and entry fee cash. Anyway I got a LOT done to day on a project that may or may not EVER see the light of day. Yep, spending time, money, etc., on something that might just sit out there in FTP land. UG!!

Bonus Suck: the bat(s) that we have living & hibernating in our attic decided that last night's warm temps meant that it was a good time to come OUT of the attic, into the basement, and fly up into our living room and dining room. I tried getting it out the front door as Wifey and B-Man yelped from the couch, but I ended up dropping to my knees as it circled the house, dive bombing me, and in then end it either flew out the door or back down to the basement to return to his home in the attic. Called the critter guy this a.m., but there is still nothing he can do until spring and warmer temps officially have them leaving the attic for food. Frig.

The Spearfish is still at Terry's awaiting some parts. Should be in soon. Just need some small parts to allow me to use my current fork with the frame, and a new rear brake line. Not that I can ride the trails anytime soon, but it will be nice to have it and get it all dialed in for when the snow is gone. Speaking of which I saw some grass in my back yard today for the first time in a couple months! C'MON SPRING! Get here soon so I can get my pasty ass outside, and the freaking bat out of the attic!

More WP work to do. Did I mention I hat those ephers?

Later.

Making Due While The Sun Shines

No ride today. I'm sure you are as shocked as me. But it was still a pretty sweet day to be outside. The temps were almost summer like and in the high 20s, with blue sky and plenty of sunshine. After an a.m. of XXC work, and e mails, I ate and headed to Deerfield to get some skiing in.

Did a couple of laps and some crisscrossing of the trails and ended up with about 1:30 of skiing in. I wore my HR monitor for the first time, so as to compare some HR to that of riding and being on the trainer. I was pleasantly surprised to see my HR comparable to tempo pace when riding the roads. And times when I was putzing with my camera and just skiing steadily I was able to get it up even higher.

It was so freaking nice to be out in the sun. It was so bright and felt so warm, I was shocked that I didn't get sun burn. As I said the temps were in the high 20s, but I was soaked with sweat and did not feel cold at all! I was starting to think that MAYBE spring was on the way with the way the sun felt. But later tonight I looked out and saw it was snowing again. Oh well, spring has to come SOMEDAY right?

Might be able to squeeze a ski in tomorrow, if not I will have to hit the trainer, as we are taking B-Man to his first basketball practice late morning. Not sure I have the energy/want/will to get up too early and ski.

Time for some sleep.

Later.

Why Do They Do It?

Why do they do it? No, the "They" is not the Euro pro road dogs who are willing perform blood transfusions on themselves just tor race, or lie to their fans, their teams, and themselves in the pursuit of bike racing, endorsements, and Tour wins. You may even think that I am referring to a certain shirtless GOP congressman and his ilk, but I'm not.

The "they" in question is quite possibly an even stronger, more sinister, some may even go so far as to say "dumber," group of folks.... The dumb ass people who walk in front of me while I'm on the StairMaster at the gym.

I mean they HAVE to see the sweaty spray, and no doubt the sickening smell that is surely pouring from every pore and orifice on my body, yet they do it. I see a guy sweating, panting, and generally looking like a goof flailing around on some machine designed to simulate stair climbing, but being used in this case to simulate out of the saddle climbing, because he's bored of doing it on his trainer in the basement, and there isn't a hill not covered in ice and snow for more than 700 miles from his home, and I stay the f*ck away.

So who is to blame if one of these folks gets hit with a salty gob of sweat blown from the tip of my nose? Who is in the wrong? Surely you think it's me (because that's the way you are). I say "NO! It is not!" There is plenty of room to walk further way from the machine, my aging, sweaty, sagging self, and the two white as paper, hair stubbled limbs I call legs, which are doing the above mentioned simulating.

Sure I have a towel, I use it. I try. But sometimes it just can't be helped. If they think I am going to apologize they're nuts. I want to do the right thing, I want to be nice. Hell I might even make a small neon yellow or orange sandwich board sign to put in the front of the machine that says "CAUTION! CREEPY ALMOST 40 YEAR OLD MAN PANTING, SWEATING, AND SPRAYING SWEAT WHILE STAIRMASTERING AND TRYING TO WATCH BOTH THE VIEW AND THE BUTT OF THAT CHICK ON FAR RIGHT ELLIPTICAL TRAINER." OK, I might need a bigger board.

I can not wait to be done with typing about the Goddamn gym, and the trainer. This 4 degrees, 15 inches of snow on the ground, ice everywhere shit needs to stop! Oh well at least it's been uber sunny here. I still want to stick my head in the blades of an oncoming snow blower, but at least I would be rocking some healthy Vitamin D.

Some XXC news up today concerning getting the digital download AND the print mags from MagCloud. Trying to streamline the business side of things.

Lastly... Happy Birthday to B-Man!

While I know it's seven years today, it sort of seems like yesterday that I was standing beside his mother watching him being plucked from her cesarean section cut open belly. While that day was amazing, today was much better. There was less blood and we had a great time taking him to him out for his favorite fries at Bennigans. I have never eaten at a Bennigans "just because." It's always been because it's been attached to a hotel or across the street from a hotel I was staying at and too tired to walk anywhere. Does anyone BESIDES B-Man eat there "just 'cause they like it?" I suppose so... Seems odd though. B-Man digs the fries, I know that!

Later.

400 Pound Intervals

After a basically a week off from the gym and "doing stuff," I really don't know why I thought it was a good idea yesterday to reintroduce myself to "doing stuff," by upping the leg press to 400, AND upping the weight on the leg extensions. Today my ass (or the Latin saggus-oldus-uranus), felt like two swollen hairy lumps and my quads felt like I had the jimmy legs. A perfect day to do intervals on the trainer!! Woot!

It took every mental game, and every ounce of coffee, and potential (increased) anti depressant worthy self loathing to get myself on board the bike today. In the end, I ACTUALLY had a pretty good workout. The legs hurt anyway, so more pain didn't feel like much more pain at all.

Found out about yet another Michigan race that I would like to do- The Ragin' Raisin Dirt Classic. It's a 36+ mile gravel race, but it is the day before the Yankee Springs TT. So I will probably ditch it, so as to be in prime early season mid pack to back pack form for the TT.

Oh well, time to head chillax and get plead for mercy from God above to let the unrelenting cold, snow and ice melt already. UUUUGGGGGGGGGGGG! I'm OK, just needed to get that out.

Later.

This Thing Is Slipping

I looked back at some recent posts here. This blog is way more lame than usual. Went from a cycling blog to some pumped up version of Facebook or something. "I did 'this' today." BFD! I guess on one hand it all plays a part in my attempts to not completely suck on the bike, and shows why I DO most often completely suck on the bike, but it's still pretty lame. I used to post way more shit about cycling, now by the end of the day of at XXC, I feel like I used up anything anyone would really care about.

I guess it is the off season, but not for much longer. Barry-Roubaix is only about 7 weeks away, then I can at least start talking about shit more bike related. Still not sure whether to use the Jake The Snake for the race or the Ti El Mariachi. Every time I lean towards the Jake, I start thinking that I want to use the E.M.. What I would REALLY like to use is freaking new Salsa Vaya! This thing is going to be sweet machine for gravel and dirt road riding/racing. I was sort of intrigued by the 2010 version, but the '11 turned into a sweet looking orange frame, and now I deem it lust worthy. While I will have a new Salsa joining the Ti El Mariachi for racing and riding in 2011 (and being built up at Terry's) it ain't gonna be the Vaya. Unless the Vaya has all of the sudden turned green, and gained 80 mm of rear suspension! But then again if I sell the J.T.S, and my road bike... (Insert evil laugh here). Kidding. I think I can manage with the steeds I have.

Glad to be back home in Ehm Pee. Back on the wagon today, back to the calorie counting, and back to the gym and back to trying to get my slack ass in some sort of mid pack race shape.

Later.

More of Nothing

UG! What week, what a weekend!! There were some really fun things this week, and some good XXC stuff, but for the most part it sucked a bit hairy one.

I officially got roughly 3 hours of "doin' stuff" in this week. One trip to the gym, one trainer workout, and one short walk on my father in law's treadmill, just to remember what it's like to walk more than 30 feet to go pee.

A big snow, and snow days ruined the week, and then we had to come to PA this weekend for a baby shower, and to celebrate B-Man's birthday early with family and friends. So it's been 7 hours in the car, more driving here, more eating there, a cake here, a meal there, a few beers there. Since January 1 I lost about 7 pounds. I now fear that I gained them ALL back in the past 3 days. Me thinks I will work doubly hard to develop my midlife eating disorder this week (to go along with all the other disorders I have).

It was nice to see grass this weekend. While PA has some snow, and it is cold right now there were SEVERAL patches of grass to be seen. Something I haven't seen home in Michigan for some time.

So that's about it. A bunch of nothing. Sorry you spent 4 minutes of your life reading it. I can't believe I wasted 10 minutes of my life typing it! Tonight we are going to hang out with some friends and watch the Super Bowl. (BTW it its just CRAZY here right now. I was getting grief yesterday for wearing a green sweater!). We will be doing more hanging out than eating, for sure. For as I've mentioned I can name about 4 current Steeler players and NO Green Bay players. Not one. Oh well.

One more day here, 7 more hours in the car, and HOME! I need to get the snow melted (or at least stay good enough to ski) and get some serious hours in. The Barry-Roubaix is breathing down my neck at the end of March.

Later

Closing In On Nothing

So the week is almost over, but sure as hell doesn't feel like it. Where Friday would normally be a relaxing night in with the family, this week it will be travelling to PA to deliver Wifey to a baby shower, and B-Man to his "pre" birthday party with family. If it weren't for the party I could bail,stay here in Michi-go-go-gan, ski, and have fun. But as it is I have no choice and will continue this suck week by traveling to PA.

So far this week I have 2 hours of training in, with no REAL workouts in my future until MAYBE next Tuesday. Color me fat! I have washed away the ends of two snow days in 48+ o 148 oz. of fine beer, and really don't see anything REAL in my future. CURSE YOU VILE WINTER!!!!!!!!!! AND untimely trip to PA.

I was stoked to take delivery of the 2011 XXC team kits today. ALL pre orders went out today, so most everyone should have their XXC Lycra next week. Unless you live in Australia or New Zealand, then you either already have it, or will have it 3 weeks from now. Not sure how that all works.

I will have about 13 extra caps for sale on a first come first serve basis. Not sure on price yet, but I believe they will be in the $15.95 range. Stay tuned to xxcmag.com for more info, but not before next Tuesday.

The 2nd snow day in a row took it's toll on both me and B-Man. BUT we managed to have fun, and he was a BIG help in helping get all the kit orders out before we left for PA. Big thanks to him. Even though he DID sort of "attack" during the above cap photo shoot.

I of course then put him in "time out" for the rest of the day, and made him watch me play Wii FIFA '11 all evening. *Sigh* the joys of being a father.

Let the weekend of nothing start now. As long as I can return Monday having NOT gained the 7 pounds I've lost since Jan. 1, I will be damn happy.

Did I mention I like Wisconsin cheese WAY more than Iron City Beer? Well, I do.

Later.

Federal Buttocks Pounded Wednesday

UG!!! As expected, we got a face full the white stuff last night. 10+ inches of snow, and a bunch of blowing and drifting. I know there was a ton of perverted double entendre in what I've typed so far, but I really don't have the mental power to enjoy it. So just deal. Wifey's office was closed today, B-Man's school was closed today (and tomorrow), and XXC was sort of closed due to the fact that I was busy with all of the above face full of white stuff. Great.


Spent 1.5 hours shoveling my driveway, walks and the 85 year old neighbor's walks. Then inside to warm up, and THEN get on the trainer to struggle through a 60 minute easy spin. UG! It was NOT easy. But I had some killer new music to listen to, so I was doing OK.

Now it's 4 in the P.M. the sun is out, I treated myself to a couple beers (even though it went against my diet plan), and life is not bad. In two months I will be racing, riding, and life will be at 115%, so this is not bad. Of course I would rather have NOT had to deal with 10+ inches of snow.

Later.

Sitting. Waiting.

I sat around this a.m., thinking of reasons not to go skiing. The only reason I could think of is laziness. That was good enough to me, so I putzed around until riding the trainer seemed like my best/only option. I hate myself.

I got a good, but short 60 minute workout in, but I still should have gone outside to ski rather than sit in the basement sweating all over myself like a naked fat man, cooking up fried chicken inside a Turkish Bath House.

I then got all gussied up and took the Dos Niner down to Terry's in Alma to get one of it's vital parts swapped out for a new one. Dropped off the Dos, lusted over the new part, hung out with Mike (and his beard) for a bit and then hit the road to get home.

But first a stop at Wal Mart for some vital pre blizzard grocery items- Teriyaki Sauce and a printer cartridge. Not sure, but it appears that folks up here in the Wolverine State do not take to panic and hording of goods the day before a snow storm like the folks in Western PA. I experienced no long lines, no panic, and there was plenty of milk, toilet paper, teriyaki sauce and printer cartridges.

Got registered for the Lumberjack tonight. Damn thing sold out in 14 minutes. Back in 2009 I was able to do 4 of the NUE series races, and while the Lumberjack was not my fastest time, it ranked as one of my favorite courses. It was 4 laps that year, looking forward to this year and the 2 lap format. I took home a lot of good memories from that race. Never thought that just 2 years later that it would be my "home" NUE hundie. This year there is also the Hanson Hills 100 just 3 weeks before the 'jack and only 1:20 from my crib. So that is an nice option. Not saying I will be able to do it, but a nice option nonetheless.

OK, gotta split, have some XXC issue to deal with.

Later.