Danny MacAskill

This is a pretty cool video. Enjoy. Will post later.

Blog report

After talking to Doug on the weekend I have decided that I'm a weak blogger. So, I'm going to try to keep everybody updated on my riding adventures (I'm apologizing ahead of time).

The car has been parked for a full month now, and I now officially hate to ride in the rain. Bub I don't know how you ride in it all the time, I hate it. I would rather sit on the trainer than ride in the rain (I'm a fair weather rider and I'm proud of that).

Looking back at my weekly riding log-
I had a full week of riding last week, I rode to work everyday and even rode on Saturday (first time this year). That's sad I know, but I haven't ridden everyday in a week in about 3 years. I only put in 150 miles, but this week I'm already at 95 with three more days to ride (I should pace myself I know). This week could be my biggest week of the year (I'm planning to get about 180). After typing that I might take Friday off. I looked back at my riding log last year and discovered I never went over 200 miles in a week except the week of LotoJa, and I only did 240 that week. So I guess I've never been to big on training (Maybe if I did I could win a crit without everybody else crashing in the final turn).

My commuting adventures-
I an effort to win a crit this year I have been TT twice a week to work (Mon and Wed about 14 miles). The best effort I've put in was a 23 mph average. It about killed me and I averaged about 16 on the way home after a full day of flag football (which I went 6-0 I might add).
On my non TT days I try to time my ride to draft a school bus for the last mile and a half to my school. If I time it right I can jump on the bus as it makes its last turn and ride it all the way to the school (I just have to make sure I draft the Jr high bus as it is has a straight shot to the school with no stops). I timed it perfect twice last week and even cranked it up to 38 (had a nice tail wind) in an effort to pass the bus before the school zone, but the bus driver put the pedal down and I couldn't get past safely (Pre-marriage and kids I might have went for it). The students were going crazy shouting out the window (it was fun) and yelling at the bus driver to speed up.

Other than Saturday rides on the tandem and commuting to school I really don't have anything cool to blog about, but if you find that exciting then you'll love reading my weekly article (I hope to make it a weekly thing, but that might be more of a miracle than me riding everyday).

Go Levi, I'm loving channel 5.2 not the best commentators, but it's better than nothing(no cable or dish in this house)

Is Lance Good for the Sport?

Is Lance good for the sport of cycling? Heck yes! Lance is in a win - win situation here. Lance has brought cycling back from the dead. Last year all people cared about was who was doping and who was under investigation of doping. We all know they do, but atleast it is not on the main front. Now it is about which race Lance is riding in, then whomever else is riding with him. Even if Lance doesn't win he will just claim he is here to give support to his teammates, which just gives him more publicity and allows him to reach is own agendas - promote his companies and get his name out there for all to see. The thing is - people want that person to love and cheer on. Even if he doesn't win. All in all it is good to see cycling in the news for a good thing again. Win - win for Lance.

Personal note. Not much riding this weekend. Had class all weekend. I have one more weekend of class, a few projects, a big test, finish my portfolio, and I am done with the admin program! Almost there... Maybe I will get some better training in then.

Cowboy up

I took Russ over his snowboard on Saturday and as I walked in the barn I hear this odd noise. It didn't sound like a horse, chicken, dog or cat. SO, I looked in the stall to see a calf. Russ got a cow (now he truly is a cowboy). So I called him up and he said he could get me one as well. So I talked to Mindy and we are now the proud owners of the white calf. He's name is steaks and Russ's calf is named Dinner (nice names Press). Some times you just have to COWBOY up in life and get a cow.

Russ the cowboy in his true element

This is our first pet and we hope to eat it (do we have issues or what).

As far as riding goes, I'm happy any time I can get a few miles in. The only problem is Russ keeps distracting me away from riding with Cowboy stuff. Watch out I might start wearing wranglers.

Bub or Doug, are we going to order more GC Connection gear?

How soon do we need to order it to get it before Lotoja?

Can only you two order it or can any of us do it?

I wish!

I asked Liam, "What does dad do for work?"

"You ride your bike!"

Don't I wish!

First Race

Doug and Betty came up to vist Lis and her soon to be baby. They made a pit stop here in Eugene before heading up to Portland. But we were able to have Betty here for her birthday and Doug here for the Eugene Roubaix. It is a 14 mile loop, and our group did 3 laps. It was nice to be out for my first road race of the year. It was Doug's first road race (I will let him write about his perspective later - look for the Cottle stomach/curse coming into play). He road in my group the cat 4/5. My knee is feeling a lot better, but I haven't been riding as intense or with a group. I started a great diet a few days ago as well. It is the get a stomach bug diet. I lost 10 pounds in 4 days and was a little weak, but was suprised at how good it felt riding hard after that.

I was at the front the whole race and felt pretty good. My gears were having a hard time shifting in two spots so I had to ride all the hills in a higher gear, but it wasn't to bad. The last mile of the course is a dirt/gravel road. It is pretty scary hitting the dirt section at 27 miles per hour.

Coming into the final dirt section I was in the top 10. A guy in front of me got a flat, so I decided to take a chance and create a break and hold. Well my body couldn't keep up with my great idea. I went a little to early and died with 400 m to go. I got passed by a lot of rides and sat up to ride in. I was blown! I have to work on the stamina thing.

A few more pics

I had to ride solo this last week and missed my conversation partner. On the tandem I always have someone to talk with, which makes the not so great miles go by faster. Plus, it makes me faster for the crits (I hope). Doug taking pics of the team.

Crazy Russ with no gloves, arms, or legs. I don't know how he did it, because I was cold until about mile 70 (Even in St George).


Nothing like starting the ride with a flat!

The way to HAPPY GC Connection Ladies.

Even Happier at the end of a great day for Bonnie. We need to get Russ riding hard so Chelle can ride Lotoja with Russ on the other Tandem. She is strong enough, but is Russ (yea, I'm calling you out)

More smiles (If you can't tell Mindy had the camera)

Bonnie and her Helmet Hair. Know I know why Russ is so Photogenic.

Doug Looking really happy, and I'm really not bald. But is was a good day on the bike. Nice job Kim and Bonnie.

Mindy now knows how hard I work after she climbed hills on her own. I don't mind as long as she keeps telling me it's worth it for the crits. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I guess that's why Doug keeps getting on his non-road bikes.

Where are we riding on Saturday?

Back in the Saddle

Well it our first team ride of the year. We had six guys and three gals all ready to ride the Tour de St. George. The guys rode the 100 and the ladies rode the 70. There were alot of firsts this day, in distance and intensity. The ladies did great and really enjoyed the beautiful day. Bonnie did great in her longest race outing. The course was very hilly and not an easy ride. 6000 vertical feet of climbing. We had a couple new GC guys and Rick and Dave did great. It was just a very enjoyable ride and with all the climbing we got to see some of the beauty of the Dixie Red Hills.
In the hotel, Adam saying I don't want to get up.

Mindy, Michelle and Bonnie all excited. Russ in his happy pose.

Not good, a flat in the parking lot before we started.

Bonnie and Kim all smiles in joyous anticipation.

Nice hemotoma from last weeks crash. The broken rib wasn't feel all that great either.

Adam had to make a deposit at the bottom to get up this hill!

Some people will do anything for a break.

No intensity here!

We can make it, the GC train climbing out of St. George up Snow Canyon on the Marathon Course about mile 60.

Group hugs at the end of a great day! It was a great trip and no matter how we all felt, it was nice to ride together and in the warm(as the day went on). Looking forward to our next ride, try to keep those bike upright and be safe.

Doug

new computer

I have been very pleased with my P-Brain, but unfortunatley Specialized doesn't make it any more. Last week I found out that I couldn't read my computer. I thought it was the battery, so I changed it out. But that didn't work. Now I am stuck wondering what kind to get. Usually I look for one made by Specialized, but they don't make one that has a heart rate, which I have to have. Also, I want one that doesn't mount on the handle bars. I want it on the stem. Any suggestions??????????

In Oregon?

Oregon has a reputation for being ahead of the curve when it comes to being green. I think that got it backwards when it came to the new bike tax. According to the new bike tax that might get passed, cyclist will have to pay $54 to ride on highways. Confused? So was I. Why would you make someone pay to ride their bike. If anything you should be paying us $54 for getting our butts on the bike and doing something for our health and the environment. It is just like the government to look for any angle to get a buck. Way to discourage people to ride.

For the whole story: http://www.kval.com/news/40909997.html

or

By Adam Ghassemi KATU News and KATU.com Staff


PORTLAND, Ore. – A proposed bill would create a registration fee for cyclists who bike Oregon highways, a concept some embrace while others call it a slap in the face.

Under House Bill 3008, those 18 and older who ride on any highway in the state would have to pay $54 every two years to register their bike. They would have to attach a sticker to the frame of their bike. READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE BILL

That money would go toward a Bicycle Transportation Improvement Fund, which would pay for bikes lanes and paths as well as future projects.

Those who fail to register would face a $25 fine.

The bill, sponsored by three Republicans from southern Oregon and a Democrat from Happy Valley, has some cyclists upset.

“I'm already paying for the streets and that is sort of a double taxation on bicyclists,” said cyclist David Barts.

Cyclist Travis Blue said he believes the bill targets the wrong people.

“Well, we're not the ones taxing the environment and using up resources and taking up space and causing urban congestion so I think that it'd be a lot more fair to put that on to motorists,” he said.

David Guettler, the owner of River City Bicycles, said he didn’t think the bill was a bad idea.

"I don't know too many cyclists that would not sign up for $50 every two years to increase the level of safety,” he said.

But he’s worried some who rely solely on their bikes to get around might suffer.


Paul Burns of Salem said cyclists "do a lot of complaining about the condition of the streets and roads so why shouldn't they pay a share of improvements?"

He added that bike registration would help law enforcement return stolen bikes to their rightful owners.

pretty funny

WHAT DID WE DO TO DESERVE THIS!

Three feet does make Mt Ogden look nice.

My new snowblower.

Here is comes again!

It is about to cover the house.

The pile is taller than I am.

With my snowblower in for repairs with a back ordered part, I have had to go back to the manual snowblower. It wouldn't be so bad, but I do mine, neighbors, mother-in-laws, office and rental home. This week we got dumped on here in Ogden, about 16inches at my home. I got to do two passes at the whole bunch. It wasn't that light fluffy either. My back is never going to be the same. I was not happy with the repair place so I called again and they said they can't get the part. I got the part number and had it ordered online in about 5 minutes. So I will be repaired about the time we don't get any more snow. It has been good for an upper body work out, just what we bikers need. Hopefully there will be some outside riding soon. Off to another spin class. Ride safe

As good as it gets

There is a great movie that was out a few years ago called As Good As It Gets. It is a comedy about Jack Nickolson, who is OCD, and his interactions with others. Nickolson fit the part really well. He has to lock the door three times before leaving or entering, he can't step on a crack. The funny thing is is that we all have our own OCD. While some are not as obsessive as Jack's. Mine - I have to ride my bike. It is hard for me to take any time off the bike. I would be a lot worse if I had a more lenient schedule. I could easily fall into tracking every work out, diet, and working on off season training reports. But time will not permit me to do so.

But my knee is not getting any better, and it has been since September. This week I vowed to not ride once, and I am proud to say that I have not ridden my bike all week, the first time in many years. I feel pretty lazy, but my knee has started to feel a little better. Along with taking it off I have been trying not to walk on it as much, especially at work, I am taking 600 mg of Ibuprofen twice a day, and icing every night. I will be going on a test ride tomorrow to see how it feels. I have some races coming up in the first of April (all races are on Sunday up to that point) and I want to be ready for them and be fully healed.

Go Levi! It is cool to see all the energy and hype for the Tour of California. Long live the American Tour!

Michael update

What a nice little broken leg with broken heel. Mike did quite the number. Metal posts and loading jacks don't mix.

This is with the rod and swrews in place.

See all the small insisions to position the rod and reduce the fractures.

This where they inserted the two foot rod.

Nice foot shot.

Nice heel, two screws and alot of fat pad missing.

Just a quick Michael update. I took him in last week to get his staples out and took some pictures. It is a mess, and they hope his heel will be able to take the force of day to day living. Kim and I and a friend from work, Rick did our 50 mile route. We flew through south weber as the wind was howling. Chase Lane didn't get any less steep over the winter. We are all getting excited about racing in St. George next month. Hope you are well and riding safely. I just about got run over the other day, I will have a picture update soon, as I am going back to the scene and take a picture of the near miss. Ride safe.

So close

I blame Doug (he wasn't able to make it to the game today)!! No love for the championship game? I thought the team would be OK because my mom came (the team was 6-0 with Marilyn in the stands). Doug came to last weeks playoff game and my team had one of the greatest comebacks I've ever coached for an great win. So in the championship game we came up a few points short 45-38, and it couldn't have been my coaching job so I blame Doug (because it can't be me and Marilyn was at the game). It was a great season (8-3) and I'm done coaching for the year (no baseball this year). It's going to be odd not helping with baseball, but I'm hoping to get my butt in the saddle and my homework done on time for once.

California anybody?

I just looked at the roasters for the Tour de California starting next week and I wish I could go watch. The field is world class. I know I will never make it across the pond to watch the Tour de France, but maybe next year we should schedule a trip to go watch the tour de California(especially if the field is anything close to this year). I thought it was cool watching the Tour de Utah and Rock Racing, but I would love to watch Lance and the Astana boys or Saxo Bank and the Schlecks, and all the others I don't have time to write about.

Is anybody recording the Tour de California? I get highlights online, but I would love to watch the whole race even if it is a week or two after the fact (great stuff to watch on the spinn bike).

Are We Having and Fun Yet?

Hard to believe this is Ryan. He torqued out of his borrowed ski's.

I hate trainers. So I have been spending some quality time in spin classes. I've been doing two a day with some outside riding when the weather permits and I can't stand the cold, I want warm.

This is what my office looks like now. After 25 years it is weird.

This is one scary mogal run. The World Cuppers raced on this Sunday night. There was no soft in this run. Steep, hard, icey mogals, I don't know how they do it.

Ryan thought he could have done these a few years ago. Pretty freaky.

T has become an excellent skier, and more importantly an excellent biker. His wide body skis weren't so happy with the steep icey conditions

Daren making some great turns!

It looks so soft and nice, Not! Daren's boss Greg. Lucky Greg is off to hele ski next week.

We had a great day skiing and being together at Deer Valley on Sat. It was a beautiful day, but the hard icey conditions made our knees and backs a little worse for the wear.

It seems like there isn't much to blog about these days, but things are looking up. It's hard to get too excited when you are riding bikes that don't tip over! We had a great father, son, brother, cousin ski outting Sat. at Deer Valley. The place seems alot different with snow. You can go down those steep climbs of the summer in no time. My old back isn't enjoying the hard mogals today. I just finished watching the world championships of cyclocross and those boys and gals can ride fast. The course was hard and fast and it looked like a crit race, team tactics included. I have been doing some looking for the Sutt's and we should be able to get so lbs off the tandem. We don't want to make the climbs to easy for Sut. I for one am looking forward to some warmer weather and some great rides. Think about riding safe. Doug

Frame or Upgrades

I'm now thinking of keeping the black beast going, but changing the wheels (upgrade) and other components to make the beast a bit lighter and faster (cheaper). We (Mindy) isn't sure she wants to pay that much money on a new frame when we already have one, but we will put some money into the tandem either way (Components/ wheels or frame). I'm good either way and I'm starting to lean towards upgrades and wheels (decisions, decisions, decisions).

Doug I might need some help trying to figure out which wheels and other components will work with the black beast. I'll give ya a call.

the stale blog

Sutt thanks for stepping up to make a post. My new theory is that the blog is a reflection of our riding at the moment - stale. I have been commuting to work and that is about it. It has been pretty cold, around 26 degrees in the morning. But it has been dry, somewhat. I have gone on a few 40-50 milers, but am still having trouble with the knee. I don't know if I should go to a sports doctor? The regular doctor didn't do a whole lot in how I can get it better. The racing starts out here in April for me. Racing starts earlier, but all of them are on Sunday. I am sitting in class today on a sunny day instead of my bike. Hopefully this will pay off in the long run.

Anything New?

I guess or hope we have all been spinning hard, because nobody has posted in over a month. But I'm willing to bet that none of us has put much time in the saddle. I'm happy if I spin three times a week.

I'm posting in an effort to hear the teams thoughts on something? Mindy was saving up to get me a cross bike (summer graduation/ tax return present), but I'm thinking of getting a new tandem frame instead or putting the money to something better (house payment-boring). I'm trying to talk myself and Mindy into the tandem frame, but we will see. I love the black beast, but I would love to have a new (lighter and faster) tandem frame to ride the Tour de Park City (yes, we are going to ride it again) and Lotoja (again) this year. I've been e-mailing co-motion for the last few days trying to decide which frame I want, but I can't decide yet. I will also need to get a new wheel set if I get a new frame. I'm looking at either the Speedster of the Supremo frame set. Any suggestions on wheels (looking for middle range tandem wheels)? Does Roval, Easton, or Mavic make a beefy or tandem Wheel sets? Let me know what you think on the frame or rims.

The tandem (New or black beast) will climb the divide this year (or Mindy will get tossed off in an effort to make it to the top). I can pick her up on the way down.

We signed up today for the Tour de St. George today. We might do the Tandem or I'll do the Century and Mindy will ride the 67, but we'll see in another 2 months.