Warm Temps Makes Work Crazy

Yesterday, Wednesday, we almost hit 60 degrees. This morning at 5:30am it was already 46 degrees! The entire day at work yesterday was a somewhat controlled clusterfuck. I like it cause we are busy and the day goes by fast...I hate it cause none of the stuff I need to get done, gets done. It's like this every year...slow than one nice day and BAM, chaos. That is why I am at work before 7 am today. There are bikes that are due this morning. Nothing like a strong ass cup of coffee and your hands in the parts washer to get you going in the morning. The pictures on the wall aren't too bad either...unless you're Amanda.
Here's to a great summer of bikes.

I'm Free

Well, here we are...all looking like the GreenBay Packers or Team John Deere. Nah, I like the kit and we are easily spotted. That's the whole point, right?

Finally, a nice day. Yes there was wind, but it was warm and sunny. I got a 3 hour ride in before work. Not much for wind or traffic at 5:30am. For my commute into to work I was able to shed ("free") my winter clothing for some knickers, Surly l/s wool jersey and a Pearl Izumi vest. Man was that liberating. Took have the time to dress for the commute and the range of motion is just amazing. It comes down to "knickers rule". Don't believe me, check out this guys site: CRC
WORD.

Live to Ride

Got back yesterday late afternoon from 3 solid days of riding. 3 days and a little over 270 miles. It was all suppose to be level 1 ( a little tougher than "easy"), but La Crosse has many a hill so the pace and effort was all over the place. It was a surreal time. Wake up, eat tons of food, ride for 6-7 hours, get back and eat tons of food, watch NCAA basketball, go to bed, and start all over in the morning. I loved riding in La Crosse and would go back in a second. The riding is so different from St. Cloud. At the time it was easy to complain about the long, grueling climbs but they really broke up the ride and what you go up you must go down. Some of the descents made my knuckles white...I need to work at the descents and find some balls too. Some of the corners I wanted to just let it ride, but at the last second I chickened out and pulled on the brakes. Oh well...we don't really have too many hills in MN that are sketchy so I don't have too much to worry about.
I tried to insert a team photo but blogger didn't like it or me so I will try again later.
Just won and eBay auction for a Dura Ace 7700 front hub to match my rear. I always regret an eBay purchase immediately after but time heals everything.
Word.

Is It Really Spring?

Man, I am sick of this weather. Snow and rain today...ugh. Several of us aare heading to Lacrosse, WI to ride the next few days. I hope the weather down there is better than here. Short post and real boring...hopefully I will have some good stories and pic's from this weekend.
Cheers.

As Spicy as You Can

Went out on a date with my wife tonight! First time in a long time without our daughter. Went to a "nicer" restaurant...not fancy but not McDonald's either. I ordered the Curried Chicken and asked to have it as spicy as you can. The waitress laughed and walked away. That should have been a clue. I love hot food, more than most people I know. But it's been 2.5 hours later and my insides are still hot! Instantly after the first bite I had sweat form under my eyes, my nose was running, and I needed more water! It was still tasty and I would get it again. Ask me in the morning how I feel and I may be singing a different tune.
Road for a few easy hours by myself today. I was suprised at how good my legs felt after hell week. Now if they can hold up for the upcoming training camp this weekend. Nothing like 20 hours of riding in 3 days!
Gotta go blow my nose and put out a fire.

Daughter like Father...poor kid!

Makes me proud to see that I have already warped my daughter into thinking burritos are the "worlds" best food. Tears in my eye. Made some kick-ass burritos last night and had enough for lunch today...gotta love that.
I finished hell week. Overall it was a lot easier than I thought. Well, not easy, but more obtainable than I originally thought. Thanks to my wife for allowing me the time needed and helping me around the house. This was a multi person effort.
Yesterday a crew of 12 riders went out for a 4 hour ride. With the sun shining the ride went by fast. This morning I was back out the door for a time trial and some recovery. Could tell my legs have been put through the ringer. It was difficult to get my HR where I wanted it, since I had green Jello for legs. I usually get side aches but today they were manageable. I did get a bloody nose half way through...not sure what that was all about. I must have looked funny to passing cars: snot, sweat, blood, and tongue...all over.
Almost home I got my 3rd flat of the week. I have to be done for awhile. I am excited for the upcoming week...low hours and a day off! We have a training camp this upcoming weekend with some big hours. I am excited to hang out with my team members. I know all of them but would like to get to know them better. 3 days, 20+ hours of riding, and 1 hotel should get us all very aquainted! I promise not to eat greens this week if MCS doesn't eat broccoli (smell what I'm saying?). I already washed all my cycling clothing...my wife made me.
I'm sucking ass big time in the NCAA pool I am in. My wife's Grandma and pretty much all her relatives are killing me. Why do I watch ESPN every morning?
Here's to a sunny and warm week and smooth commuting.

Wake Up With some DKM

Go get yourself a CD today...should've put this up yesterday.
Happy Saturday.

St. Patty's Day...sober?

It St. Patricks's day, Friday evening, and I am at my parent's house eating cornbeef and cabbage while drinking near beer. What's wrong with this picture. Stupid Lenten resolutions. At least I won't be hung over for the 4 hour ride Saturday morning...everything has a silver lining, you just have to find it (right?).
I have good friends out in Bozeman wondering, "what the hell are you training for?" I am training to not finish last in my inaugural road racing season. I thought I may lose some weight too, but that's not working so well. Hopefully all this riding will pay off in the end.
Shout out to Speedbuggy...I had a McDonald's Shamrock shake after my cornbeef and thought of you. Check out his blog: www.speedbuggy3.blogspot.com
Short and sweet and not too much fun. Begining to wonder if the booze helped fuel my creativity? Brinna's gotta go to bed and I have to finish watching SCSU kick some Gopher hockey ass and a little madness to boot.
Go get some miles.

Who the Hell Did I Piss Off?

I must have made someone mad at me: God, Buddha, Zeus, Luby...cause my tempo & sprint ride today was one for the books. Left the house in the dark. It's peaceful and not too much wind. After a good warm up (feeling great) I am mentally gearing up for my tempo. Not so fast, rear tire starts to feel spongy. Damn flat in the winter, that sucks. After I stopped bitching, I do this a lot, I changed the flat no problem and I didn't freeze. The tempo is going along great...I can't believe the difference from my trainer to outside...I'm loving this (sounds like McDonalds). Almost done with the tempo and...Yep another freakin flat. I have used my only tube and co2, and forgot my cell phone, but have a frame pump and figure I can nurse it home by pumping the tire up after each sprint. Put the pump on the valve flip the lever and "crack" the lever snapped off. Oh, I said some words, kicked the ground, and damn near broke my fist on my handlebars. Somewhat regaining my composure I try to pump it up one more time. Miraculously I am getting some air in then the rush of air...WHAT? The valve broke! I said fuck it and rode the damn bike: 8-10 miles standing up, I couldn't stand the pain in my legs anymore so I road the rest sitting and standing. I was suprised at the lack of damage to the rim and tire. The wheel was still fairly true. See what I said about big T's wheels, they're built to last.
Got a new wheel and finished the sprints after work w/two tubes, cell phone, 3 co2 cartridges, and a new frame pump. Was actually pretty excited to do it all over again (the workout), the next morning. But alas, it is snowing again.
See you in the basement.

Ugh...It's Still March

Went to bed Sunday night pretty excited (or as excited as one can be) to start the "Hell Week" of training. Woke up early Monday to the weeks first high intensity workout. On the way to the bathroom I noticed it was too bright outside for 5:20am. Damn, it snowed...nobody told me. I guess being in Florida for a week made me forget March in Minnesota. After all it is tourney time, which equals stupid amounts of snow. Needlesstosay, I went back to bed. The commute in to work was actually pretty fun and uneventful. At work I was dreading the trainer. The snow actually melted off most of the streets. Great, I can still ride outside...Damn again: we meet with our tax lady at 4:00. Back to dreading the trainer. The tax lady "hooked" us up so I can actually pay for my shiny new road bike, that is too much bike for me!
Back at home I am stoked on the tax return results that having to do yet another trainer workout doesn't bother me anymore. About 15 minutes into the intensity part I get some crazy side-aches...it's starting to bother me. I recover and feel pretty good towards the end. Overall, I am pretty happy.
Tuesday morning I was out the door on my bike at 5:50am to meet some friends for a 3 hour ride. The moon was killer, maybe that is why I didn't notice the 12 degree temps with -1 windchills. The moon disappeared and I got freakin cold. This ride by itself wouldv'e sucked but with some others suffering along side of me it went quite fast.
Tommorrow I plan on getting out early again for another intensity ride. Here's to me hoping for no wind!

Two days done...how many more?

What the ....?

No kidding (see picture below), my daughter and I went to my parents house for the weekly Sunday dinner. Jen, my wife, was home sick. We think she may have what I had in Florida. I feel for her. I was checking my e-mail and damn...nothing as usual. Went back into the living room, where my dad was playing with my daughter. I sat across from where they were playing and this is what I saw...what the @%$&! (my dad said he thought my blog was too vulgar & the dolls postitioning was purely coincidence...mmm)
My mom wanted me to know that these dolls were from my sister, so some 20 years ago or so. So she tossed all the clothes, since they smelled "musty". Nonetheless, this just proves...never leave home without the camera, or in my case my mom/dad have the same one.
On the bike side of things, EVEL and I did a 2 hour ride. It was great to be back on the bike. Nice easy pace, great conversation, and warm weather (w/out the predicted snow). EVEL taught me a new word and I loved it, I like words. But I forgot it already. It started with a "t" and referred to the speed at which water could travel through somekind of surface or something...I just asked about septic systems. I am sure I messed this up and will be quickly reminded of my errors, but then I will not forget again...or so I hope.
Monday starts "hell week" for my training...wish me well.
Cheers,
Ben

I'm Back and I Didn't Miss the Bike!

It's good to be back in Minnesota after a week in sunny Sanibel, Florida. Don't get me wrong, I had a blast...more than I expected. Nonetheless, traveling is grueling as the first picture illustrates...two victims down!
So the picture didn't turn out the best but the view is great. This was our front yard!
Here my daughter and I are doing what we both do best: "being crazy"!

"Big Daddy", remember the camera adds 15 lbs, and "little brinna".

Nice nose shot. Never knew my nostrils were not symmetrical...go figure. Maybe it was when I was a baby and jumped out of a chair, caught my nose on a table, and pretty much ripped it off...just hinged at the top, ouch.

Before we left on the trip I was "jonesing" big time about missing out on ride time. Soon as we got there I lost all those feelings with the sunny skies, warm temps, and tropical smell in the air. Odd, you would think it would be the opposite but it wasn't, I just wanted to relax. It was the best thing we've done as a family. I was able to play with my daughter everyday: pool, beach, and way too many sandcastles. This afternoon I found sand in my belly button. Speedbuggy, If you were around I'd let you touch it. We actually rented bikes but didn't ride them as much as we hoped. They were the beach cruiser type...perfect for Sanibel. I got out on an hour ride pulling my daughter and did a 3 hour walk another day. Other than that I ate a lot of sea food, great stuff. Wanted to get back to Cheeburger Cheeburger and tackle the 1 lb burger, but never made it...was laid up sick the day I wanted to go.

Sunday I am planning an easy few hour ride with EVEL...hoping to get the body ready for "HELL WEEK". The next week of training steps up big time. Before we left on this trip I said there was no way I could do this schedule. Now, I am excited to take on the challenge. Maybe this was the best thing for me? For sure mentally...I will keep you posted on the physical part. Hopefully I will lose the 15 lbs the camera adds!

It's good to be back.

It Must be March

Only the 2nd of March and the weather has given us a smattering of everything in Central MN. The 1st brought us sunny skies and temps pushing 40! I wore shorts to work that day. Figured I should start the month off right. Woke up this morning at 4:45am (no, not to ride but to a crying child) and noticed the streets were covered with 2" or more of snow! I didn't even know it was suppose to snow, pretty much like the weather guy. I almost bailed on the commute in but at the last minute threw the studded wheel up front, yep I hate changing tires so I have a studded tire that it is always on a wheel, and headed out the door. (Man, that was a long sentence, grammatically incorrect I am sure) It was an uneventful and very enjoyable commute. The lady that smacked me about 2 weeks ago stopped by the shop to pay for the damage. The bill came to $57 but she gave me $75! She also told me she has become a much more alert driver and continues to "look" for bikers. She was a cool lady. The sun came out during the day and melted all the new snow and some of the old...gotta love March weather. Big "T" finished my wheel to replace the "tacoed" wheel. I was able to discard the hoopty sub for a bomber replacement. You want a killer wheel see big T. Below are some pic's of my basement. This is what I stare at while on my trainer. I thought I'd share the vista.This is my shop, notice how clean it is.
Again, sorry for the side image. Blumboy needs to edjucate me. Nonetheless, this is the sticker fridge.
OOOO...AAHHHH...the bike
This is me with shit on my face. This is what my face looked like after I got my March training schedule too. I may have to quit (or quite...I can never remember) my job and divorce my wife but I will conquer.
This is my little 13" TV/vcr combo with a $24.99 Target DVD player...sweet oscillating fan too.
With such stellar riding quarters I wander why I bitch about it so much...if bitching got you in shape...WOW would I be ripped.
If you made it this far, thanks. I actually have to do some work at home, preseason orders for next fall/winter product. So I am off and off to Florida Saturday. Hopefully I will have computer access, but if not check ya later.
Just got the 411 on ski trails. North loop and warm up loop were groomed Thursday night (tonight). Reported to be in o.k. condition.
OUT.