Fat Tuesday!

For the last several years I have had a Fat Tuesday party...usually moved to Friday. This year there will be no party, but my wife, daughter, and I definitely partied, well...family style. Started out with some Bravo Burritos. For those unfortunate enough to not know Bravo's, it is the best burrito shop, hands down. Next we had some DQ Blizzards and Dilly Bars. Now that the kiddie is off to bed it is time for some king of beers and that sweet, cold (if stored in the freezer and not Molitor's Surly flask) nectar of Scandinavia...maybe mixed with some lemon-lime soda! That just gives me goosebumps.
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten season. I am Catholic but not very active. However, for some dumb reason I like (or feel the need) to give something up. I think I consider it more of a challenge than anything. So this year I figured to make it a good one...no booze. It will probably be good for me so why not. The bike shop I work for is already planning a St. Patty's day ride and a long over due X-Mess party the following day, but there are always excuses, I just need to buckle down and, as Larry the Cable Guy says, "Gett'r done". I don't care what anyone says, he is funny shit. I mean, edible underbritches...that is funny shit.

On a different note I went skiing today. Surprisingly the trails were great, for skating. It sure beat me staring at a 13" tv in the basement while riding the trainer. Tomorrow I am to do another 2 hours of riding but I think the ski trails will be calling my name. Thanks to Matt & Kyia for grooming and Evel for letting me know, "it is still ski season".
CHEERS

Saturday turned into Sunday

Not sure where to start. Saturday morning I met up with some team members and road 4 hours in the "butt-ass" cold weather. It was so cold that my freehub body did not want to work so well that I could never stop pedaling. Otherwise I would be in a constant "freewheel" movement. Thus, I took corners at a high speed, I guess that is good "crit" training, like I would know. What were we thinking? EVEL would tell me to ski instead, but fuck klister! A fellow team member, I will call him Red, is house sitting at this sweet ass place out on Big Fish. We thought it would be a good idea to hot tub and suana after a cold ride. I figured a little night cap wouldn't be all that bad of an idea either so I stopped on the way out to pick up a little something, something. God knows why but I wanted Scotch...I hate scotch unless I mix it with Coke when "people who care" aren't looking. Like wine I decided to buy by the label. If it looks good it must be good, right? So Pig's Nose jumped right out at me...and with a describtion of: "In Gloucestershire 'tis said that our Scotch is as soft and as smooth as a pigs nose", I thought it must be good. On the drive out to Big Fish I wondered about the description. Pig's nose? Who knows what the hell a pig's nose feels like? Call it "Baby Butt"!
Scotch, hot tub, beer, scotch, sauna, shower...by myself, water, scotch, Tour of California (ESPN2 @ midnight), wow, they have Cinemax (wierd with just two guys), scotch, Pulp Fiction, "should we finish the bottle?", "yes", scotch, water, water, 2:45am, pee, water, sleep, 8:45am Caribou Coffee (stupid Meeting Grounds in St. Joe doesn't open till 9:00?!), play dolls with daughter, PBJ sandwich & pretzels, nap time, should I?...nope, hit the trainer for 1 hour,(not much but better than McDonalds, right?).
Man, I love weekends. In a week I head to sunny and hot Florida with my wife, daughter, in-laws, brother in-law & friend. Wasn't excited at first, but with the current weather situation I am stoked. I am not bringing my bike but hope to rent a cruiser and Burley trailer and hit the trails with my daughter.
Gotta go cook the quintessetnial "Sunday" meal.
Thanks for reading.

No Joke...these are books we got for my 2 1/2 year old daughter. She has issues with going on the "potty". I on the otherhand have no issues, like clock work!

"50 cups of coffee and you know it's on..."

Gotta give props to the Beastie Boys for the above title. Oh, and it is so fitting for my life this past week. Started Monday off with a quick few hours at work and then busted off to Madison for a winter trade show, (skis, boards, clothing, etc.). Tuesday and Wednesday were spent seeing next years products. Back in the car, home agian...home again...jiggitty, jig, jig. 760 or so miles by oneself gets a tad boring, thus between the trade show and miles on the road I easily consumed 50 cups of coffee! And the crap food I ate, man if I was a rep I would be huge. Walked in my house to a sick child and a crying wife, and I hurried home why? Now it's Friday morning and it is my turn to stay home with our child. Two nights of getting up everyother hour lends itself to poor sleep and about 50 more cups of coffee. The last two mornings my alarm went off at 4:40am, telling me to go ride my trainer. No such luck, I was too tired, coffee or not. Plan on riding durning nap time today. Half my team is in KC riding a huge weekend, and the other half is doing it here. Hopefully I can hook up with them on Saturday and Sunday. Well the coffee pot just got done making the finishing sounds that turns me into one of Pavlov's dogs...yep I'm drooling.

What am I thinking...Nascar or Biking?

I've been struggling lately. Am I doing the right thing? As previous posts state, or as many of you know, I work at a bike shop. We sponsored a team last year with many of my friends on the team. I sucumed to the pressure (all good and positive) and my wonderment of "what can I really do?" and joined the team. But, damn if riding on the trainer for 6-8 hours a week doesn't get a guy to wonder...what the fuck, what does? This weekend I was suppose to ride 4.5 hours each day or do something similar. But I have a 2.5 year old daughter, a 6 month pregnant wife, a business trip to pack for, and a brain that won't let me ride more than 2 hours on the trainer. But you know what: who fucking cares? I am not going to "rule" Minnesota on the road scene, nor is half of my team. I have always been about "justride", hence the blog title, so why change now, but can racing and "just ride" coexist? I am starting to wonder.
Oh well, let's sit back and find out. I am off to the mad-city (Madison) for a trade show. Check back in on Thursday...or maybe Friday. And go Dale Jr., gotta love #8!
Cheers.

-42 Windchills, Tacos for Wheels, & Big Screen Monkeys?

Damn...now this has been a Friday. Woke up this morning to -18 temps with windchills reaching -45! As I am preparing to ride to work my wife ask's me why? Is there a "good" answer? She has already called me weird this morning...stemming from my doing several series of sprints on my trainer at 5am and then telling her how much weight I had lost going to the bathroom while she was eating cereal, oh yeah...she's 6 months pregnant too! Now that is a sign of a good marriage, right?

Dressing for the ride into work this morning most likely took longer than the ride, but it was worth it. About 3 minutes from work I was proud at how well I dressed...wasn't hot or cold...then shit if I wasn't hit by a car. Yep, taken totally out. Rolled several times, jumped up and ran out of on coming cars. What just happened? Damage? Nothing to me, somehow. But my rear wheel turned into one big taco. No fixing that. The lady who took me out was super cool. She insisted on calling the cops, gave me a ride to work, and is going to buy me a new wheel and fender. Thanks lady...you were cool. At work I was able to scrounge up a substitute wheel, but at the end of the day I called my wife for a ride. Several excuses: didn't trust the "ghetto wheel", it was still damn cold, and mostly I was still shell shocked...getting hit by a car is a humbling experience.

Took my daughter to "Curious George" , the movie, tonight. Before hand we hit up the best burrito shop, Bravo Burrito. Nothing like taking a 2 1/2 year old to a movie, I love it.

That's it...that was my Friday. I guess it's better than any Monday.

CHEERS

Ahhh...Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

What can I say, besides " I'm an idiot". I have been commuting year round now for about 6 years. Mind you I have taken time off, but more recently commute no matter what. So what posessed me to wear the same clothing this morning (-11 wind chill) as I do when it is 30 and sunny?
I froze my chestnuts something fierce and at the time was wishing they were over somebody's fire.
Live and learn...right?

Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, I live in MN and am Blue Too!

Yeah...so what, I am not a poet and I know it too. I have been known in my day to come up with some o.k. stuff, but lately...uhm? I am hoping this blog will help.
Being Blue? Well, I talked to a good buddy today, who has recently transported himself and family to Golden, CO (home of Coors). This weekend he and his wife are going to go snowboarding in the mountains, about a 45min.-1hr drive. While I was talking to him, he was on his lunch break heading to some local trails to get some mtn. biking in...he said it was about 55 degrees.
Why do I live in Minnesota? Today it got to 36 degrees, made the roads sloppy as shit, and by this weekend we will be lucky to see 5 degrees as a high. Continually hearing such stories puts a freakin bug in my ear that won't stop churpping. The problem is my wife has a kick ass gig going on as a teacher at a local highschool. She has just over 8 yrs there, thus commands some respect. A teacher with 8 yrs experience, Masters degree plus some more, etc. are not "hot" commodities...cause teachers with experience and education cost too much, besides we'd rather buy a new SUV then pay our teachers, right?
All right, enough bitching...I am off to take the above said wife to a Valentine dinner of steak 'n potatoes. What? I am from Minnisoota after all.

Snowballs, Turkey Balls, and my back?

Wow! What a Saturday I had. Met up with Speedbuggy, Luby, bg and Horky in the morning. We biked over to Hurl's new place, CRC Coffee. While hanging out the killer bike racks out front started to fill, with most on their way to Snowballs. The bike culture in Minneapolis is simply amazing. Done with the coffee we saddled up and headed to Snowballs for a little biking on ice.
This was my 3rd Snowballs and the biggest. Lots of riders and spectators. I think I may have spent more time on the ground (ice) than on my bike. It started out with the Dash for Cold Hard Cash, frozen $20.06 for the prize. About 10' from the finish line Luby took me out effortlessly. Next was the figure 8. The tires stuck pretty well with only 20 or less for psi. On one of the laps I got a pedal in my back, a handlebar in my ankle, and sometime during the day my face found Luby's tire. Sitting in chairs suck right now. Almost forgot, MM from QBP brought out the "wild" TurkeyBalls...mmmm good.
Stopped at One on One to check out the junkyard and Tour photos. Saw some kid pick up a Gary Fisher BMX bike. He was grinning ear-to-ear...I love it when kids get "jacked" on biking. Back on the bikes to Grumpy's for some burgers and Stella...speedbuggy opted for the Lonestar...always new he was partial to Texas!
Back at Luby's place I licked my wounds, splashed water on my face, and was back out the door to Pepitos to meet my wife and some friends for a little Mexican food. I got there early, found the bar, and stared at the bartenders tattoo and (sorry mom)...chest. Got my burrito and asked for some hot sauce. What kind of Mexican food joint (yeah I don't know how to spell the "r" word) doesn't have hot sauce...bummer.
After some drinks and games we finally ended back at the in-laws sometime in the am. If only every Saturday could be this good.
Hope you enjoy the pic's. They are random as I am still learning this blog/computer/technology thing.
Cheers.

Still No Plows...but Cherries!

What gives? Still no plows on any of the streets. We got 3" of snow. On the way to work this morning I was told by a cop to use the sidewalk. I took him seriously as he had his cherries on. Turns out he may have been in the process of pulling someone over and I was "sort-of" in the way. Plow the streets and I will get over. The sidewalk wasn't too bad...lazy homeowners need to shovel. The packed snow made for some sketchy spots. No crashes so all is good. I am excited to head to Minnapolis this weekend, it's been a long time. Hope to see a lot of people and Snowballs Chance in Hell.
Word.

Lunatic Biker

Lunatic Biker

Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

Yep, it snowed while I was bored at work today. Made for an adventurous ride home. No plows out today, thus I was too far out in the road for cars...they didn't like me and I didn't like them. I gave in and road the sidewalk. Making it home to see my daughter...the middle picture. Sacrafices.
I am new to this blog thing so I apologize for the strained neck image of my daughter...I will figure it out.
Back to the bike: it is a Bridgestone acquired during a drunken ebay surf. I regretted it in the morning but never again. This bike has been a dream for commuting...no worries, I love it.
Till next time cheers, and oh yeah, this Saturday the Snowballs Chance in Hell bike event goes down this weekend in the cities, Minneapolis...see you there.

Is Anybody Out There?

First Post! It's kind of like doing an essay test that you didn't study for. Overall I am not too sure what I am going to write about. I have been reading blogs for sometime and have decided to make my own.
The title reflects my feeling on biking, which will be the premise of this blog, just run what you brung. Forget what others are doing and do your own damn thing...just ride damnit!
This is short and sweet but I hope to be faithful and come back more than not.
Word.