Recovery ride and things....

Kerkove rollin'....
Super Saul and Jackal....

Back to Waterloo....

Uh huh.... Kerkove has the mate....

Things....

Jackal's carbon Rush....

The Europa Cycles/Cannondale pit....

The Ergon pit....

The Ergon Man....

Squirrel to the left, Jackal to the right....

Click the pic and check out Squirrel's ink....

Jackal....

Kerkove....

Rode with Jackal, Super Saul, and Kerkove this morning. It was good! We ended up with about 28 easy miles for Jackal and Kerkove's recovery ride....

Met Eduardo in Hudson on his singlespeed. That guy can spin!

I punctured on the Ho Chi Minh Trail on the way north out of Hudson. Everyone was kind enough to wait for me while I changed the tube. This hasn't been a good year for flats! I was definitely thankful for the portable "Kerkove Repair Stand"....

That's it for now.

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

12 Hours of Branched Oak....

Jackal came to pick me up Saturday morning....
I'm good to go....

Kerkove's pasta bowl in Lincoln....

Jackal, Kerkove, Dave Kerkove in the pits....

Kerkove spying on the competition...

Jackal says "Feel It"....

Squirrel's Monkey....

Dave reading the paper pre-race....

The twins at the pre race meeting....

The start....

Squirrel had mechanical difficulties after an excellent start....
Kerkove at the end of lap 1....
Squirrel running in with a drive train problem.... The Twins at IHOP after the race....

Kerkove won with 17 laps. Jackal finished in the top 5 after suffering dehydration problems in the middle of the night. Could have been his inexperienced pit crew....

Met Squirrel, Endurosnob, and CVO. A good time was had by all.

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

Friday....

It's Friday! Woohoo! I'm ready!

Not yet sure what I'm doing this weekend....

Tomorrow is Little Jake's birthday party up in Readlyn.

Jackal and Kerkove are racing a 12 hour in Lincoln tomorrow....

Judy's b-day is Sunday....

No work on Monday. Perhaps Jackal and Kerkove will want to do a nice slow recovery spin? Something that I can keep up with.

We'll see.

I hope that everyone has a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend.

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

Fun at Camp....

Ok guys, does anyone know what we're doing.....?

Cap'n Bob rides "Big Mo" in the Petrified Ostrich Rodeo.... He made it nearly 2 1/2 seconds before being thrown....
The Cap'n clearing one of the many technical sections....

Eduardo testing his mettle on the "Hell of the Midwest"....

Whoa.... Tight fit....

Kerkove mining for gold. Nahhhh, it's a yoga exercise. Helps him relax.

Jackal cutting grass....

On Saturday the 19th several of us met up at camp to put the final touches on the course for Eduardo's race. It was a good time and everyone was in great spirits. Eduardo may have been a bit nervous but that's the way he is. He wants to put on the best possible event and that makes him worry. Well, maybe the crew of misfits working for him make him nervous....? Can't blame him for that. Anywho.... It all worked out and everyone had fun. The "Hell of the Midwest", A.K.A. the sand hill had him giggling knowing that the athletes would be "surprised" when they saw it on Sunday. I think it was a nice touch. That and the Le Mans start. And the "up downs" on the obstacle course at the start of the running portion of the event.... Oh yeah! It was unique and exciting!

That's it for now. I really just wanted to share the pics.

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

More DU....

Baby Rhea watches her first duathlon from the Ergon tent in her Twin Six shirt and cool shades....
The Event Director, Eduardo....
Brent takes in pre-race protein in the form of a centipede that he found on the ground....

Chad Juel and Deerslayer....

Ready to start....

Ummmm, Yeah.... What is it we're doing?

Brent starting lap 2....

Deerslayer rollin'....

Kerkove starting lap 2....

Deerslayer comes into the transition for the run....

It's all good!

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

Do the DU....

Thanks Kerkove....

I like them.
Brent Johnson running the 5k in his cycling shoes. This guy is HARDCORE!!!!

That's green, baby!

Eduardo's Upsidedown Duathlon went off without a hitch today at Camp Ingawanis. Neat event!

Kerkove and Chad Juel won the team competition with Kerkove on the bike and Chad doing the running.... Very fast. Kerkove has posted some pics and has a photostream on Flick'r. Check it out!

Rob "Deerslayer" Houlihan won the individual event. Also very fast.

The event consisted of 2 laps on the 4.6 mile bicycle course through the killer hills of the camp followed by 3.2 or so miles running with another lap on the bike following that. An unusual format? Yes. An interesting event? Hell yeah! Superb! Everyone appeared to be having fun and the weather was awesome!

Brent Johnson, owner of Bike Tech in Cedar Falls decided to register for the solo event about 5 minutes before the race started even though he didn't have any running shoes. No one else in the area had a pair of size 15's but Brent didn't seem to mind. He ran the running portion of the event in his Specialized Carbon MTB shoes. Had a respectable race, too!

A big "Thank you" to Brent for what he did after the race. You know what I'm talking about! You didn't have to do that, but it is certainly appreciated. Thank you!

Eduardo.... You did good, Brother! You need to stop worrying so much! You've had two successful events so far this year and the rest will be fine too. Relax!

Got a 25 mile ride on the Surly this evening with the new smaller Ergon grips. It was good!

That's it for now.

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

Today....

Bar tape that matches saddle....
New cables....

Fat Albert's helmet....
photo courtesy of Jackal....

Winds out of the NNW at 20 to 30. FUN! Not! Rode down to Hudson and back this evening. Not all that far but a good workout just the same. 65F. Yeah, it has cooled down to more normal temps for this time of year.

You see Fat Albert's helmet up there? A by-product of last night's group ride. Go to Jackal's or Kerkove's site for the low down on it. Let it be a lesson to the morons who think that a helmet is unnecessary.... A trip to the pavement at nearly 40 mph with a one point landing square on the noggin'. It would have done serious damage to a lesser man! He's ok and will be back on the bike before you know it. A few stitches above the eye, some scrapes and bruises, some sore muscles. He's a tough little guy, and I'm glad that his injuries weren't more severe. It could have been a lot worse. Oh yeah, his sunglasses are ok. He wants Fudge Rounds!

That's it for now. Gotta eat....

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

Singlespeed Sunday....

Goose....
Hartman North....

Surly....

Blue Colnago with new tape and cables....

Baby Rhea....

I went out and rode the Surly today. I wanted to get a ride before it rained so I left early while it was still chilly outside. It never rained. It was a good ride up to the north end of Black Hawk Park and back. Pushed it as hard as I could and got 26 miles.

We went to lunch with Jackal, Moo, and Baby Rhea. Judy and I went to the mall to get her a Mother's Day gift after lunch. Did some yardwork and watched World Superbike after we got back home. Did a little more yardwork after the races were over. I love the loppers!

Jackal and Moo came down shortly after that and we put the new Jagwire cables on the Colnago and re-wrapped the bars with Fizik tape that matches the Fizik Arione saddle. Pimpin'! Thanks for your help, Carl!

Winds are forecast to be 25 to 35 out of the southwest tomorrow and then maybe some rain on Tuesday. I'll ride tomorrow and rest on Tuesday. It's all good!

That's it for now.

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

Beautiful Saturday....

Discing prior to planting....
West on 27th....

Welcome to New Hartford....

The Blue Colnago....

When I left for my ride this morning it was 53 F and I had no specific route in mind. I was just going to follow the front wheel and we'd go wherever we went.

I ended up heading out 27th Street with plenty of time to figure out which direction to take when I got to the "T" at the end. The wind was out of the east by north east and I decided to ride up to New Hartford so I turned right and headed north. From New Hartford it was east into the wind on Beaver Valley Road and up over the Hills of Doom. My legs must be getting stronger because it didn't seem so difficult to crest them today, riding into the wind. The hill is actually 4 tiers and it's about 3/4 of a mile long. Usually kicks my ass, but not today. A couple more small hills then about 2 1/2 miles of flat road to the "T" at Union. I went back to the north there to Cedar Wapsi and then east back to old 218 and south into town. 42 great miles.

When I got back home it was off to the shower (Judy said I smelled like my hockey bag....) then over to The Village Inn for lunch with Judy. Chili Verde Crepes and a coke. Most excellent lunch!

I hope the weather holds for awhile. It is about as good as it gets right now.

I received a couple of tee shirts for myself and a couple of onesies for Rhea that I had ordered from Brent at Twin-Six. Neat stuff! If you're in need of some new tees or "alternative" cycling jerseys, look 'em up on the net or give 'em a call. You won't be sorry. Very nice products at a reasonable price from a couple of "true" cyclists. I also received an art print from them that is wayyyy cool and is from a very limited edition. Check them out on the web.

That's it for now.

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

Holy heatwave, Batman....

91F on the 10th of May....

An uneventful day at work today. Can't complain about that!

I went down to the Thursday night group ride tonight on the Surly 1x1. I only received a few of "those" looks, like, "what the hell's the matter with you? This is a road ride!". Told them that I was planning to put the hurt on them! I think I may have scared a couple of them....

We pulled out of the parking lot behind Bike Tech with me bringing up the rear right behind Jackal and Fat Albert. I know that they were worried, wondering when I was going to make my first break and the whole pack of about 12 riders was preparing for it. God, I love it when I can make them nervous like that! :) It didn't take long. We headed out on second street and when the peloton went west through the intersection I pulled off to the right and headed out Main Street to prove to myself and the peloton that those railroad tracks wouldn't get me 2 days in a row. I looked back when I was crossing the bridge over the Cedar on North Main and not a single one of them was anywhere to be seen. I didn't look back again.... Just kept my head down and pedaled! I'm hoping that Jackal will call me when he gets back and let me know that everyone survived. I suspect that they probably got lost somewhere and couldn't find me. Ahhhh well. Such is life. You win some and you lose some. Today must've been my day to win.

91 degrees according to the thermometer at the Chambr of Commerce in CF. The heat wasn't so bad though. It was the gnats and skeeters. I must've killed a million of them! That'll teach 'em to land on me when I'm on a break-away from a bunch of roadies!

That's it for now.

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

I hate punctures....

I left for my ride last night planning to head over to New Hartford and back. 80 degrees, virtually no wind. Perfect!

I headed down through Cedar Falls planning to head out around Big Woods Lake and up old 218 to Cedar Wapsi but when I went across the tracks on the north end of the Main Street bridge I flatted. I didn't hit the tracks all that hard but my water bottle went flying and my rear tire went woosh..... POOPIE!!!!!

I changed the tube and pumped it up with my hand pump then headed up to Black Hawk Park, back through Wyth, and out around East Lake. Bummer. Only 25 miles. I get really paranoid riding without a spare tube. My patch kit is in the seat bag on the Surly. Piss Poor Prior Planning Prevents Perfect Pedaling.

Had a gentleman by the name of Larry Miller stop and ask if I had everything I needed to fix the flat. He stayed and talked while I completed my task, then he was off..... He has a sweet Waterford tourer. Nice man. He told me he's off to Colorado in a couple of weeks. Apparently he works out there 5 months out of the year. Said that he comes back here to play. Hmmmm.... Sounds like he has that backward! Oh well, to each his own. Thanks for the company. It's all good!

Jackal helped me out with some more tubes when I got back. Thanks, Buddy!

That's it for this morning.

Ride safe.

Peace out, Yo!

Trail work....

Kerkove says "Lookie! I found the nippers"
Sasqwatch? No, it's Guitar Ted!

Jackal and Kerkove wondering "Are we lost yet?"

The Ingawanis movers and shakers....
Jackal, Kerkove, Casey Dean, Casey's grandson....

The Sand hill....

Pre-race instructions....

The expert class winner, Cam Kirkpatrick....

Staying warm before the race....

Ummmmm, yeah....
A good day for singlespeeds....

We spent all day Saturday at Camp Ingawanis preparing for Sunday's MTB race. Except for the hordes of thirsty skeeters and ticks, Saturday was perfect! The trails were awesome and the new course was the best ever.

Sunday rolled around and we headed up to camp at 6:30 in the morning with ugly clouds in the sky and winds that were down right scary. All the prep was done and the racers started showing up slowly. The beginners started their race at 10 sharp and the kids race went off without a hitch at 10:30. Toward the end of the beginners race the rains started. By the time the sport/experts started it was raining hard. This course was intended to be 6 1/2 miles of mostly singletrack with lots of climbs and fast decents. Whoaaaaa..... It sure changed quickly. MUD everywhere! What was neat though was that there was no whining. Just racing and smiles. You'll have to check out Kerkove's site for 140 pictures. (Don't pay any attention to the handsome bastard standing outside the porta-pottie) The sand hill was a nice touch. It was about 60 to 70 meters of deep sand at about a 15% grade halfway through the course. Not ridable. Old school. Classic. Awesome. The racers actually liked it! Woohoo!

It couldn't have been done without the leadership and vision of Jackal, Casey Dean, and Kerkove and all the sponsors and volunteers who made it happen!

Ivan Basso's situation makes me want to cry.

The state of professional cycling in general, and the witch hunting paranoia of the governing bodies in particular, make me want to puke. Cycling can't "clean up" it's act until the governing bodies clean up their own. I believe that all of the governing bodies have lost all credibility and that the direction that they are taking is futile. Actually, I'm not sure what I believe any longer.... Whatever it is, it isn't good. I'm jaded.

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

Group Ride from Hell.....

Sounds like last night's group ride was the "Ride from Hell". Check it out here and here....

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!

Wednesday.... Spraying....
Speed hump? That's Iowan for "quickie", I think....

I rode south to Shaulis Road then over to Orange tonight. Winds are 20 mph out of the east. Will they ever stop? I think it took me longer to do the 2 1/2 miles fom Hwy 63 to Ansborough on Shaulis than it took to get from Orange to Hudson, which is about 8 miles. I guess the tailwind is the reward for suffering the punishment of the headwind. 31 miles total. I met Kerkove and J. Fry on Katoski on my way back into town. We whooped and hollered at each other and kept going in opposite directions. Good seeing you guys! I suspect that they had been out doing the Wednesday night TT on 27th Street.

Went to Gary's funeral down in Reinbeck this morning. The church is a fairly large one for a small town and it was packed. The preacher had everyone laughing a couple of times during the service and all was good. I asked Daryl where the party will be at tonight and he said that it happened last night. A bunch of Gary's friends and classmates came to town from all over the place and I guess they had one heck of a going away party. Good on ya, guys!

That's it for now. Judy has home made pizza in the oven and Moo is here with Baby Rhea. I 'spose Jackal will be here in a few minutes. The shop is closed and the lights are out.... I need a shower.

Ride safe.

Peace out, yo!