It's Really the Last Day of January?

67 degrees and winds gusting to 25mph.  I will take it!

Todays plan ride from mi casa to City Market Coffee House.

That could be a flat?  What da you think?

Bag O' Raisins for K-Lou

Don't focus on G-Love fixing his flat, look at the two cars going through the intersection!  You know your in the hood when ________.
Yep, it was actually warm enough for K-Lou to shed his winter gear.

This is proof how strong the wind gusts were. Suck!

More evidence of how warm it was today!
Big City ridin'
Our destination City Market Coffee House and that's a roaster.

Reserved Parking for crusty!

So the picture above relates to why K-Lou is rolling around on the pavement below.  How you might ask?  Well as K-Lou started to track stand in front of the sign his old arse foot cramped up and he fell just as I was taking the picture with which was suppose to be him in the foreground. Instead I got him cleaning the pavement.

MAN DOWN, MAN DOWN! Swweeettt! K-Lou show me how to do that trick again, would ya?

Closing shots of the day...

Preparation Is Everything

Laying down the foundation is one thing.

Knowing what your body needs over a duration of an endurance event is another.

Acclimating the body to rigors of equipment to be used during said event is something that becomes essential for said athlete.

So I made my own little "Half Ouachita" to see what needs to be dialed for the event.

Sweet Double Track Loop to start the 'Loop'
It was a little chilly with the NW wind @15-20
A little 'BC' in Misery!

I can't get enough shots of this big fella'
That is truly an understatement.  The picture doesn't give it justice.  Plus this comes off a really steep road that was snow/ice covered.  Very high pucker factor

More double track.

Half way.  Lunch Break.

There is a trail, look really hard.  After this a little bushwackin'

I'm toast.

So what did I learn from my experiment?

1.  My Deuter doesn't need to be so snug.  

2.  I need my sugar's in my system.  I only had one bottle of 'go juice'. But had several gels.  It didn't quite cut it though.  In reading this guy's exploits I need more sugar's to sustain high exertion levels in the aerobic/anaerobic zones.

3. Get a little more acclimated to the rig with the loaded pack.

I'm glad these are easily correctable and will be doing some more of the '1/2 O' to get everything to a "T".  

For my boyz in Wisco here is a little rollerific tunes to keep you entertained while you are inside!

On the Seventh Day, The Wicked Rested!

Brunch at crusty's Bowl of joe and Honey Apple Bastard, no I meant Batard!

So the Boss and I went to the ice sculpture contest yesterday.  Damn it was cold too!



This three dimensional was really cool.










Ice cock!

Since the temps have been settled back into the 'normal' range now, I have made another soundtrack ROLLER RAMA! Enjoy it!

3 Layer Day

and how!  Layer one.

 Layer two.

                 Layer three. but I have the vest.

Setting right at freezing and with the winds howling up to 30mph made it quite an adventure to get all my gear and bike rolling without freezing my arse off!

So to say the least there aren't alot of photog's today.  Nature called and I wanted to give you an idea how well the trail conditions were in some spots.  I would say 90% of the trail is bone dry with some of it reminding me of summer.  The reason for that is that the trails had alot of dust, amazingly.

Overcast and somewhat gloomy.  Good day to do an adventure.

Bed pan of days of ol'

For some of you old MTBr's you might remember this area of Landahl, the old trail 10,11.  The old back way is still there but it hasn't been ridden that's for sure, but to my surprise someone has been maintaining parts of the old trail.

Note the orange arrow.  They had parts of old Moab marked on the rocks and the trees also with the orange arrows.  It was really well kept, leaves off the trail, trees trimmed the whole nine yards.

Brought back the days when were scouting that stuff to make into trail.  It was definitely a shit-grin ride through the old trail.  I went through the rock cropping that CSt tried to take off my shoulder on the tandem.  He kept forgetting he was riding a tandem.  To this day I can't believe we rode through 10 on that thing.  I need to get that flow back again, that's for sure!

Ho, Hum

On schedule today the Cultural Enhancement Tour(CET)...

So off K-Lou and myself go towards the great urban core of Kansas City from our suburban mecca. 

Some of the shots taken today are more of "Where's K-Lou?" than anything else.

K-Lou's best Zoolander!

It was really one of those kind of days.

Told you, it was one of those kinda days!

I don't think were in the burbs, baby!

Da city!

Yep, that's a chick, and she does have a wallet!

The BEST Macchiato in town!

K-Lou preparing for a 'snack'

I have a knack for finding 10% and above for K-Lou!

It really is this steep. uugghh!

K-Lou wasn't likin' this to much!

So here are some interesting closing shoots....
Hey Pa, I think we have everything plus the kitchen sink, refrigerator, and air conditioner!

I'm really sure that this is poor sponsor representation.

The clouds did start moving in towards the end.

Hmmm, deep thoughts...


I think this means 'Enter at your own risk' without really having to put up the official signage.

Today's parting shot...

Another Day To Ride

Well it's coming in waves... weather that is.

Nice

The nights are cold enough that the lakes are staying frozen....

Blue skies abound...

It was nice having company today to enjoy the weather and the hills....

Actually this should mean 'no pee at anytime'

Good company today.  To go along with the weather!

Movin on up!

A nice little 12% for K-lew and the Boss

Can you hear the Boss breathing?

With the weather getting ready to turn nasty again I have made a little ear bleed for you guys when you get ready to hit the trainer!

Enjoy!

Someone please call the fashion police!  Wheewww pullover stallion!

The parting shoot of the day...

Ze Rideland

Last night was the Lederhosen ride.  

So K-Lew and I decided to leave from the casa to add some miles to the ride.  About half way to Bennettis K-Lew asks which way were we taking to get there.  After my explanation he wasn't to excited.  Taking the back way to R-town is somewhat tricky.  A little jog on Old Noland up Rickey/Hilly Road and BAM!  there we are at Bennettis.  So what do you get when at Bennettis?

After our cup's of joe we head off towards Rhineland

What can you say?

Again, what do you say?

You must start with one of these though!

Mass of Beer


Zis iz big az ze melon! I must use two handz to drink!

K-Lew trying to get us a discount in his 'German' kit

I can zee ze da bottom of ze Mass!

After ze Mass of beer we ordered food.

K-Lew's meat

Guess who's this is?




Ze grease on ze trigger finger!

Ze CurbDestroyer en ze houze!

After our meal we get ready for the ride back.

Zis bathrum iz to small for my large ass!

Ze CurbDestroyer doin ze break dancinz.

I Love You Man!

I can ridez bike drunk.  I must lean zis vay doe, to go straight!

After our safe arrival back at Bennettis...

One for da road!

Yea baby I really dig this place!

K-Lew looking worse for wear.

So you think you can dance?

Interesting Concept from Across the Pond

From Cyclingnews.com

Inexperienced cyclists on the rise

Mounting financial pressures have led to a surge in inexperienced cyclists taking to the roads in Great Britain, resulting in a 29 percent increase in road accidents involving cyclists in the past six months.

A lack of formal training may be one of the causes of this problem, with more than half (52 per cent) of cyclists admitting they have never read the Highway Code's advice for cyclists and just 42 percent have taken a cycling proficiency course.

In the past year one in three cyclists have cycled the wrong way up a one way street, one of the most common causes for bike-car accidents.

Emma Holyer, Spokesperson for LV= car insurance, asked for compulsory cycling proficiency training. "Cycling is a cheap and enjoyable way to get from A to B and great exercise at the same time but it's essential that cyclists are fully equipped to deal with the busy British roads to ensure their own safety and that of other road users.

"If cycling training was compulsory, and cyclists were better equipped to follow the rules of the roads we believe motorists, pedestrians and cyclists themselves would all benefit from fewer accidents and a safer environment on the road."

Starting '09 In Style

What can I say? The kit and my uncanny style attracts the photos?

Just wait till they see the '09 kit!  

Crusty Fall Down den Get Up

UNATTACHED Thoughts

Well that is how my season is starting, pink slipped.  First race of the season is in the books. 

 Tell me if you can tell by this picture how I felt today...
Interesting day I must say.  First I get a industrial sized zip-tie in my chainring on the first lap.  That damn thing was woven between the chainring and chain from top to bottom.  I had to pull as hard as I could and rotate the crank to get it lose. 

My nail in the coffin, at least I'm treating these as "TRAINING" for those who care to make dumbass comments! PHUCKNUT! 

After that I took an embarrassing little digger near a tree. DOOHH!!  Oh well, it's 'training!'

And now for something completely different....

I know something alot of you don't!

And now for something completely different part deux...

You want to know how to really get strong and fast?  Go here and scroll to pics 21-26.  

And now for something completely different part tres...

Well this guy can do it, why not me?

Smoke 'em If You Got 'Em?

Well that's in a rhetorical sense!  I don't smoke!  Nor do 99% of the peep's I hang with! But why would I start this damn blog with it?  I can put it this way, the days are great so why not Smoke em if I can?    

Today hit 61 degrees at about 4 pm, but the wind was coming in about 10-15 mph constant keeping it right at around the mid 50's when I rolled out. Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining, I'm in seventh heaven!

So to the pics and description of todays journey.

You know your in the country when this is the in road...

Holy shit pie!

Another picture perfect day in the country!

So the plan this year is to really concentrate on what has been my downfall for sometime now...climbing.  Getting my arse up the hills has always been a chore.  Now I'm going to try to fix that once and for all.  Well at least for this year.

I know some really good routes to hit so I'm doing those to build a base.  I'm tracking the data and will use it to 'test' every month to see how progression with mad science is progressing or regressing.  At this point every ride is a data point to which to look at and go hmmm now what?

It's always a little harder to coach yourself than to coach others.  I have found this out over the years.  Ok to much shit...back to the ride.

Many have done this loop with me, the Lone Jack Lollipop.  It's a fun one to do.  I was impressed with the altitude of Lone Jack climb 1011ft.  Not bad for Missery, I'm must say.

This poor soul doesn't know what he's missing!

Here is the route he should have taken.

Meandering rollers, good for the soul!

Dropping into the valley.

The side profile of the beast.  Doesn't look like much here!

Welcome, the hill says.

Just the second step up.

The third step.

Are we done yet?

Damn, a false flat to the top.

Finally the top! Holy shit that sucked!

For those who back in the day that did this loop with me now will appreciate the fact that Fast Eddie and company are behind a half-ass fence.  Man he was really pissed off today.  Plus I'm glad there was no hole in the fence as I took this shot.  Again, Fast Eddie had the line to bite.  I do miss the sprint for your life or when others showed up the Darwin Sprint.

In closing I leave how well the roads are turning with all this crazy weather.  Almost perfect!

Might As Well Get Use To Pizzaz

Well you might be wondering why I would use the word pizzaz?  It has to do with the new my wife kit for '09.  That's just one, here is the other one!  If you want one you have to contact this guy.

I'm starting to warm to the idea by doing this...

Wearing my brightest and gaudiest cycling clothing I have to introduce the local community to what will be coming in about 8 weeks time.  I'm so excited.  I can't wait to add some flair to it!

So to change the subject about the new kits and focusing on the cold arse weather that has finally hit here!  The lake wasn't frozen yesterday.  But that changed last night.  The thermometer said 41 degrees but with the wind chill it felt like 33 degrees.  Damn I was cold when I started but finally got into a groove going through the lake.

Not alot of pictures due to me having to take off my gloves, but I had to stop and take this one.  

Holy shit he's a biggn'

Gone Hikin'

So Mother Nature is having fun with the weather that's for sure.  Yesterday's high wasn't even close to the temp when Maximilian and I left for our little hike.

Again, I loaded up the daypack with 2olbs and commenced to hiking.  Needed a little change of pace, actually I just needed a day off the bike but still needed to get some exercise.  So off to Landahl we go.

Interesting signage I must say....

I didn't see that name on the trail map.

Hello MOTO!


The only shot I could get of the both of us!

Most of the trail was like this, a mix of ice and frozen mud.

Perfect way to end the hike.  Nice cup of joe from here!

Global Warmin?

That was yesterday's temp!  Unreal!

So I convinced the Boss to hit the road.  Unknowingly towards  P-Hill via this route...

Swweeeettttt gravel!



Can you see the smile from the Boss?

I'm not sure if this is a smile of joy or fear?

Short sleeves, no arm warmers or gloves! Fabulous Baby!!

It was actually warm enough to force me to drink two water bottles today.  It was just like an early March day with the winds coming out of the south at about 10-15mph.

This is how the Community Center use to look long, long ago!

Could you be fooled into thinking this is Belgian road with shit piled up next to it?



Even the turkeys were confused.  I haven't seen that many big turkeys since Nationals.

So as I write this today the high was 26 degrees.  Unbelievably cold, which made me think twice about racing today.  I didn't race and stayed inside nice and warm.  I was still tired from getting back into saddle and hitting it a little to hard.  

The total for the week was 122.3 miles not including racing last Sunday, and Wednesday.  Yikes, I better slow it down a little.  The good weather got the best of me though.  I will get back into a more 'normal' schedule this week with a little more diversity into my routine.

Here is a warm and fuzzy parting shot...

From the Editor's of Velonews...

Don't Be That Guy in 09

....who ignores pointing out debris and potholes on the road

...who is unnecessarily sketchy in a race or group ride

...who turns up late for a three-hour training ride sans water, food, spare and money, then tries to dictate  the day's labor

...who does the same ride over and over and over and over

...who slams on his brakes in the middle of a group ride to pick up stuff on the road

...who creeps up and drafts off someone riding on the road or bike path without saying anything

...who yells obscenities and throws his bike in front of kids and other fans after a flat or a mechanical or gives someone the Craft finger

...who tilts his saddle more than a few degrees up or down

...who half wheels his training partners  

...who gets to the race right before the start. I'm guilty

...who overcooks himself with mega-miles too early in the season

...who rides through red lights

...who takes care of ill-timed business at the front of the group

Please take notice of what you do in the early season and make a resolution to correct any of these things above you might think you do.  If not please be THAT GUY who informs an offender to make a difference hopefully in the future.

Have a safe and Happy New Year!

New's Year Eve and Day in a Nutshell

Well let's just say the race was fun!  I wasn't on rollers or inside. Although I don't think I could ever generate any power to get my legs to turn the pedals at all.  Oh yea, no pics but this one.

Yea, that's reuse policy, our CX guys are green!

So today was the New Year's Day ride.  It was really amazing how many showed up to the ride today.  I would say at least 200 people.  The weather did help today it was 43 degrees. Outstanding in those regards...

I'm still amazed at 'mob mentality' of cyclists!
The whole ride was like this, until I turned off.

White line to yellow line no matter what.  

So I wound up with this group of riders aka Big Ring Rally Riders...

A barcalounger next to me!
Again everywhere we rode this was the scene from the group. No one seemed to want or cared about forming a double pace line or single.  A clusterphuck as Clint would put it.  It only got worse as we entered the skinny country roads. 

 The reason for my early departure was this...the group is approaching a ice patch covering half of the very narrow country road with some on coming traffic as ways down the road.  Several of us tell the two in front about the situation, several times to no avail, so I take the matter in my own hands, I don't like situations like this...I make an acceleration to separate myself from the impending disaster.  As I accelerate its considered an 'attack' several racers jump on my wheel at this time I decided I had enough companionship.  As I slow down and pull out to make a turn some yells that 3-4 riders ate shit back there.  

Great, Happy New Years, I hope you can come out and ride with the group some other time!

Here are some shoots I took of some excellent conditions to ride your road bike on...

I considered myself special on this one!