The girls and I have been enjoying some fun in the snow. In the summer this area is too overgrown to hike in. It always make for a good loop in the winter.
These two love playing 'hunt and be hunted'.

More fun on the trails.

Ride on!

Finn got his first bike. And not just any bike, it's a Siren. Now he's not just part of the team but he's a rider too.

'Is that for me?'
'Is this where I put my feet? Papa you know it's missing the pedals, right?'

One of many more to come. I mean let's face it I'm almost 40 and I'm still falling off my bike.

No worries, we just get right back on.

Sweet ride. Once again Siren has brought more happiness to the world.

Ride on!

We've been enjoying the outdoors. We got out for a hike in the morning. We just did a loop that takes us through the the state park that is across the street from us. I also got some spinning in. Last night was the winter orchestra concert. Once again the kids did great! After we wrapped up I got to get in one more run before calling it a night.

Here's a shot of Lucy cooling off, she is such a Hot Dog.
Chance, making sure all is well with us before she takes off again.

Finn and I looking for birds and squirles.

Ride on!

I got this link from a friend in England. Kind of fun to think about.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8392451.stm

Ride on!

Hey winter hit hard yesterday. This morning running into school was a chore. What usually takes me about a half hour to do took twice that today. It'll get me in shape for running back in WI. I understand they are in the throws of a good winter storm as a write this.

Looks like Finn's X-mas present is coming a long nicely. It's been to powdercoat and back, now it's time for assembly. I don't know if he'll get to ride it outside much with all of the snow. Next bike in line for the Carpenter family is that new Siren road bike. We order parts for it this week, and I've been getting some advice about wheelsets. It's a good thing I know people who know things. I am totally lost when it come to road bikes.

Ride on!

Finn turns two today. It's true what they say, the time flies by. My best advice is to try to stop and take it in every chance you get. Don't be in too big a hurry...don't always be looking ahead, enjoy where you are. Sounds like the advice of a guy who's been on the trainer as of late.

Ride on! (But stop some times too)

A change in the weather. Yesterday I got a bunch of miles in hiking and running. I took this shot on my way back to town after getting a hike in with Gary and Cool hand. As you can see the clouds were starting to build.
We woke up this morning to our first snow of the season.

Today officially starts the indoor trainer season. I kicked it off while watching the 2008 RAAM. Other hits I'll enjoy during this time will be, Montezuma's Revenge 2005, and 2006, several tour's de France, and a few spring classics, a couple of adventure races. Oh, and sprinkle in a few old Packer games.

Break is coming to a close, it's been fun and busy. Things didn't go as planned, for one we still don't have our truck. We are now in a nice 2009 Tundra but it doesn't have four wheel drive so our trip to get groceries was scrapped, again. Our frig looks like it does when we get back from summer. What did go as planned was our Thanksgiving day. We spent it with some great friends that host a Thanksgivingpalooza. About 40 to 60 people attend, depending on the year. The amazing thing is we all sit and eat at the same time. We first met this family when their son came to our school as a Freshmen. Wow time flies! We when to his wedding this past spring. It's times like these that being a teacher really pays off. To see your former students growing into people you can look up to. It doesn't get much better than that.

O.K. let's talk bikes. Siren is working on Finn's first bike it is going to be so cool! I can't wait. Bonnie has already told me I'm getting a little too excited about it. Once Santa comes I'll have pictures. Let's just say we are skipping the training wheels.

Ride on!

What do you think of the new car?

Finn Loves it!

O.K. the truck is in for a bit of work and this is what hey gave us...just like a truck right? One more day and it break time. We get a week off for Thanksgiving. Finn and I took Bonnie down to the airport yesterday. She is back in Wisconsin for a few days. This morning I figured I'd get up early and spin. Only got an hour in and Finn was ready for action. He is sleeping pretty head now so he's making up for lost zzzz's. I'll try it again tomorrow morning and we'll see what happens.

Brendan and I have been talking RAAM bike. The next step is to see what we'll build it up with, and how he'll design the frame. It's getting exciting!

Ride on!

The show went well. The kids did a great job and I heard many well deserved complements being showered on them. Now it's time to get be to the regular schedule, sort of. I'll start getting my morning spin beginning Wednesday. Tomorrow I have to take grandma to the San Diego airport and hopefully squeeze in a bike fitting. Then I guess the regular schedule will be effect for almost a week, until Bonnie leaves town to adjudicate the Wisconsin State One Act Festival. Then Finn will dictate the schedule. Ya know come to think of it what is the regular schedule? I mean things are always popping up. It would be a dull existence if they didn't. Speaking of which I'm off to a production meeting for the next show, we don't mess around here.

The girls and I got out for a hike this morning, I know where's Chance? She didn't want her picture taken I guess.

Another opening, another show! Yep that's right we open tonight. If you're in town and lookin' to take in a little Irish comedy show starts at 7:30 sharp. It's been a long week but worth it. The set looks great, the kids did an outstanding job on it. Looking at the set you can't believe that just weeks ago some of the kids didn't even know how to use a tape measure.

With the show opening that means it's time to get back on the bike. Don't get me wrong I've enjoyed all of the running and hiking I've been doing but it's time to make sure I still know how to put in some long saddle time. Tomorrow we are headed down to Palm Springs to soak up some sun and hang out. The plan is for me to leave a couple hours ahead of everybody else on my bike and meet them down there. I'm really looking forward to it, the last day off Bonnie or I had was the weekend of Moab.

This week I'm hoping to get a bike fitting in. Now that we've got some time Brendan and I can start figuring out this new rode bike. I'm really excited about moving in his new direction. Kind of like when I first started going 24s.

Ride on!

Hey Grandma is in CA as I write this. Bonnie went down to San Diego to pick her up, Finn is sleeping so I got some spinning in. I managed to get in a couple of hours even though I probably should have stopped after one and got some work done. But Bonnie and Grandma aren't due back up the hill for another couple of hours so I'll take care of business then. Things definitely get a lot easier when Grandma gets to town. It's great that she can come out every time we have a main stage production. I don't know what we'd if we didn't have the help.

As far as training it looks like I'll continue to goof around until after the show closes. I'm gong to try to set up a bike fitting a couple days after we close. I gotta get moving on a road bike if I'm going to have the time to train on it.

Well better knock out some sound for the show. I need to build a 10 minute thunderstorm that's apparent but doesn't upstage the action , with the exception of the opening of the show where the sound should motivate the opening entrance...I'm I giving too much away? I digress.

Ride on!

I thought I might put up a quick post since I have the time at the moment, and I don't know when I will again. This weekend is the San Jacinto enduro. Won't be able to ride it because of work but I'm looking forward to the stories I'm sure will come out of it. I've been working on getting the bikes cleaned up from Moab. The front brake on my Song is giving me some trouble, good thing I really don't have time to ride it. We open a studio show tonight. We got to tech it yesterday, I think it should be well received, it's very entertaining.

On the Wisconsin front, good news from my brothers family. Taylor, my niece who helped crew at 9 mile, shot her first deer. Way to go Taylor! Hard to believe she's already old enough o hunt.

No real plans to start training regular again until after the mainstage show closes the second weekend in November. I'll just goof around until then. I guess if I really look at it that's kind of what I do year round. But let's face it, it's just riding bikes, it should be complicated. Which reminds me, If you're in town next weekend, unicycling club starts. Sunday morning at 10, be there.

Ride on!

Recovery is going well. No real time on the bike, just commuting and spinning. I got in some running yesterday and this morning. But for the most part I'm just taking it easy. This is a good time to slow down on training as work is really picking up. We are in the thick of it in the scene shop. Next week we have a studio show that goes up Wed. and then the orchestra concert is this the weekend after that.

This weekend the plan is to stick around. It'll be a good time to get the bikes cleaned up and take care of some stuff around the house. Ahh the off season. Ride when it fits in, cross train all the time, do it because it's fun, not because you should.

Ride on! or whatever trips your trigger!

What a weekend! We wrapped up the season in Moab, the last race in the 24 hour national points series. At the start of the race Brad was in third and we wanted to make sure he held on to it. Chris and I were in fifth and sixth, if we could move up a place each that would be great, but brad was the focus.

We headed out of town on Thursday morning. Didn't get as far as we hoped, we ended up spending the night in St. George Utah. We found out the Senior games are held there the first two weeks in October each year. I told Bonnie not to be surprised if we are back in St. George in 30 years or so. We rolled into Moab Friday afternoon and made our first stop at the poison spider for a couple for things I needed to pick up. Then we headed into town for lunch and who do we run into...the rest of the team on their way out of the restaurant. We come up with a plan and parted ways. Now would be a good time to let you know who was all involved in our weekend of fun. Four of us were racing. Brad, Chris, Charly (friend of Chris), and myself. The crew that total rocked it was Todd (Brad's bro. in law), Sean (chief mechanic), Kim ( Chris' wife) Kate (Chris' daughter) Bonnie and Finn.

Friday afternoon we set up our pit. The other racers and Todd prerode the course. After getting things set it was time for packet pick up, dinner, shopping, and sleep. Saturday morning we woke to very pleasant conditions and lucky for us they stayed that way the entire race. No wind, mild temps. and an awesome moon Saturday night.

The race started and things were going as planned. Brad and I rode together, not pushing too hard. I have heard just terrible things about this course, and many of my friends who are strong racers have dropped out of this race because it is so long and difficult. I was happy to take it easy and see how things panned out. Lap two we ran into Chris. He was having some troubles and wanted to work on them alone and assured us he'd be fine, so we passed him. Unfortunately Chris did not have the race he was hopping for. The next couple of laps went along pretty uneventful. On our fourth laps I suffered a mechanical like I've never seen. As we were descending a steep fast down hill I go to grab my rear brake and I hear a noise and then no brakes. I hit my front brake and flip into so very soft sand. Brad stopped and we assessed the damage. My rear roter was missing all but one screw. The one screw that was left ripped off the hub. We limped it in making sure I didn't do anything to damage my hub any further. Sean switch out he rear wheel on my back up bike and we were off and running. By the way this is the only mechanical Brad and I had the entire race. Our Siren Songs held up great.

The rest of the race went like so many. Lap times got longer, we got slower, the crew stayed ready and willing and able every time we hit the pit. We had a little bit of excitement when Brad lost his lights...on two different laps. When the sun came up we were able to trudge out two more laps to finish with 13. We did it, we finished Moab!

Now came the wait for awards. And we waited. But it was worth it. Brad didn't keep his third place for the series, he moved up to second! Way to go Brad! He had a great season we are all proud.

Here is a shot of our pit before the race.
Don't we all look nice and relaxed before the fun starts.

These were my weapons of choice to take on the dreaded beast call 24 hours of Moab.

This is the guy that took care of all of our bikes, 8 total, throughout the race.

Here Brad and I are as we come in for the last time. What a ride!

So that it the 2009 season is over and I'm looking forward to goofing around. A huge thank you goes out o Bonnie and Finn for all of their understanding, support, and love. I could not have this lifestyle without them. Thanks to Siren Bicycles for dependable, fast, and comfortable bikes. My new Song SL was just the bike for this season. I could spend the rest of this entry thanking everybody but I think I'll just do that in person. Stay tuned we have big plans for next season, brad and I have some different ideas as far as endurance racing is concerned...

All of Bonnie's softball games were in the morning so we headed off the hill to run some errands in the afternoon. The plan was after we were done she would drop me off and I'd run home. Well things popped up as they will and with the days getting shorter I ran out of time. Plan B was for me to get up early this morning and go for a long run.

I didn't get out too early, about 6:30. Finn woke up early so I hung with him to give Mom a little more sack time. She still has more softball today so she needs her rest. Did I mention that she played three games before noon yesterday!

It was cool this morning. As I started up the control road to the South Ridge trail head the sun was coming up. This shot is fuzzy but it's a look west where the clouds are still below the hill.

As you can see still sunny on my way down to May Valley.

Came across this little guy trying to get warm in the morning sunshine, I was doing the same.

Several mountain blue birds were taking advantage of this water source.

It felt good to get out for a few hours on a nice easy trail run. It's a great way to start the day. This afternoon I hope to get my bikes up and running for Moab. Bonnie is at her first game of the day right now and Finn is napping. Hopefully he'll get up in time of us to catch Bonnie's next game.

Ride on!

Go Packers!

Had a light week of training. I guess we'll call it the taper before Moab. I got together with Brendan and we talked road bike. Looks like the next step is to get me fitted. I don't know why I need to be fitted for a road bike but not a mt. bike. Stuff is coming together for next weekend as well. We are all in contact with each other, ready to converge in Utah and have a blast wrapping up the season. I'm ready for some suffering and as I understand it this is the course to do it on. This weekend I'll get one more nice ride in, build up my bike and catch up on some homework. Bonnie is in a softball tournament so my plans will depend on how well the team does. Go Idyllwild Arts!

Ride on!

Training was good this weekend. I got to pre-ride the San Jacinto Enduro. The plan was to get up nice and early to get a jump on the day. I rolled out of bed at 3:45 and was on the bike by 4:00. I got to the Lake Hemet Market, were all loops start and finish, around 4:30. Just a heads up, it's cold at the market at that time of day, and mind you we were having unseasonably warm weather. I guessing by mid Oct. it'll be down right frigid. I've never ridden Rouse Ridge so I think I'll need to go back and hit it again, most of my ride on Sunday was in the dark, I'll bet the views are amazing in the daylight. At the bottom I refilled my water and was headed back up to Idyllwild. At the top of the climb, at the Idyllwild Arts campus, there is another opportunity to refill water bottles. I think this loop a rider should be able to do it with just two big water bottles, but if you want to be safe a pack isn't a bad idea. With the course passing just a couple of miles from my house I decided to swing by and see Bonnie and Finn since they would be gone off the hill most of the day and I wouldn't get to see them until evening. After that I shot up to Cowbell and down to May Valley on some super fun single track. This part of the loop makes all of that climbing I did well worth it.

Loop one concludes off of Hurkey Creek and back to the Lake Hemet Market. I refueled at Hurkey Creek where the water is free, however if you want snackens then the market is the place to go. Loop two was hot this weekend. Like I said earlier I think it'll be considerably cooler in a few weeks. Nice views all along this loop.
On this loop I'd take two bottles and a pack. It's shorter then the first loop but there aren't any places to stop for water, once you're out there...you're out there. There is horse traffic on this loop so be sure to keep that in mind when coming around blind curves and always give them the right on way. The only place on the entire Enduro you might encounter hikers is on the Ramona trail. This is a fun decent with some good techy stuff to test you after a long day in the saddle.

One thing I really like about this course is it's set up to be social. Here's what I mean...there is a lot of double track and control road. Offering ample time to ride side by side taking in the beauty of the San Jacinos. Riding this course is a fun way to wrap up a good season of racing and training. So if you get a chance treat yourself to one more good hard day of mountain biking fun this season!

For more info just go to www.sirenbicycles.com look at the shop blog.

Ride on!

I had a fun weekend watching the race. Bonnie dropped me off at Cowbell and I ran a few trails down through May Valley, in fact they were the trails that Brendan and I rode earlier in the week. I made it to the half way point on the course in time to see the first of the racers come through. As the racers thinned out I started to run the course in the opposite direction of the race. I just love watching a race in this way. I get some good trail running in and I see more of the action from all over the course. Bonnie and Finn met me at start/finish after I got 2.5 laps in. We hung out there to cheer on the usual suspects, folks that I 've raced over the years.

I was talking my teammate Brad this morning and have come to realize that we're never happy where we are when it comes to racing. While racing we think gosh it would be fun to just watch a race. While watching I was itching to be out there with everybody racing. Oh well I guess that's what keeps us moving forward.

Sunday I went down to watch the closing hours of the race. The winners of each cat. were pretty much set and everyone was looking spent. I stayed until about 9:30 and then headed over to the ranch for a hike with Gary and Cool Hand. The rest of the day was spent like a Sunday, some homework, football, light run with Finn and time out on deck goofing around. We ended the day wishing for one more Sunday in the week.

Ride on!

I hit it early yesterday so was able to get some good miles in before work. Did a bunch of climbing too. Later in the morning I got together with Brendan for some fun down in May Valley. He was working on details for the San J. enduro so we rode some of one of the loops. It should be a fun event, if your in the area you gotta give it a try. While riding we talked about some of the cool things he has brewing at Siren. We also chatted about the RAAM bikes he is conceiving for Brad and I. Not to mention a little something in the works for Finn. Overall it was a great morning of riding that Brendan and I haven't shared in far too long.

Today I'll take what I can. I've already got some spinning in, and Finn and I will run some trails to school. But other than that maybe just some commuter miles tonight running or riding, I'll see what I feel like. Yesterday we checked out part of the Hurkey Creek 24 hour loop. They are doing a nice job of removing some of the sand so it should be a fast lap. I'm looking forward to watching the race. I just hope there are more 24 hour racers at this fall event then there were at the spring event. Best of luck to all who race!

Ride on!

We're back to it again, work that is. Meetings all week, and students will be showing up all weekend long. Time has been tight so I've been getting up early and spinning. Any other riding and running I can get in throughout the day is a bonus. Luckily I've been able to sneak in runs and rides each day. Next weekend we have a local 24 hour race that I think I'm going to pass on. With Moab only about a month away I think I'll get one more long day of riding in but racing might be a bit too much.

I'm really looking forward to racing Moab. I've done a bit of riding there when we've passed through on our summer trips to and from Wisconsin and always had fun. I've never made it out to the race course so the only info I have on these trails is what I've gleaned from teammates. It sounds like it'll be brutal, I can't wait.

Ride on!

number 9...number 9...number 9...

Ride on!

All kinds of riding yesterday. Pulled Finn around town in the trailer, in the afternoon I spun and in the evening I hit the trails. I was supposed to ride with some friends but I was running a bit late and missed them. With a the trails fresh from the afternoon rain I was able to track them but never able to catch them. This was the first I got my new Song out on the Idyllwild trails and it felt great. Nice and nibble in the tight turns and it was just jumping over the rocky techy stuff. I gotta get it down to Hurkey and see how it rides there.

Today time will be tight so it looks like just spinning in the morning and then maybe some riding with Finn in the afternoon. We'll have to sneak in a stop at the park. This evening Gary and I are planning on a hike.

Ride on!

Gary, Cool Hand and I went for a hike yesterday. It was cool to watch a storm build as the afternoon passed on. We got hit with rain as Gary was pulling the tack off the horse so timing was just about perfect. Got home to find we didn't get any rain at all, rats.

Today Finn and Bonnie are headed off the hill this afternoon so I'll get some riding in then. The trip down to see the shop didn't pan out so instead Brendan Dave and I are going to do some riding in May Valley this evening.

Hey no rain yesterday but it's falling now, gotta go!

Ride on!

I hit the trails running yesterday. I put in about 14 miles with 3,000' of climbing, topped out at 8,500'. I've heard Moab is a good race for adventure racers so I guess I've been training like one.

Good news on our fire front. As of yesterday there was full containment. Today Gary and I are planning on a hike down in Mountain Center and after this post I'll enjoy a spin on the trainer. I gotta get some good training in before work starts up.

Ride on!

I got that ride in down to Palm Springs. I was surprised to find that even though I went from 5,600' down to 400' there is still over 2,000' of climbing. The last few miles are all downhill and with temps around 115 it felt like I was being blasted with a giant blow dryer. Yesterday I just did a little running and a family bike ride down to the jazz fest. We ran into Brendan and Mary, I might get to see the new Siren bike shop later this week. Today I'll go for a run this morning and then a ride this afternoon. I'm still getting used to the altitude.

Ride on!

Back in CA

We had a good trip back. First night we stopped at Anita Lake in Iowa. Great campgrounds nice lake. Next couple of nights were spent in Colorado. I managed to sneak in some riding here. I got to ride a bit of Loveland pass. Next night was Moab. We eyed up our condo for the race in Oct. The last nigh we camped in Oak Creek Canyon just below Flagstaff. This was the place where we started our trip back to WI back in June so it just seemed right to end the summer the way we started it. Here too I managed to squeeze in a ride.

The day after we returned, only 24 hours after we pulled into town we were greeted with a forest fire that broke out just 5 miles down the hill. As of this morning 2200 have been burned and it's only 10% contained. Gary, Cool Hand (horse), and I did a hike yesterday morning and the air quality was poor. Later in the afternoon I ran up Deersprings to Suicide Rock. The air was pretty clean up there and it felt good to do some trail running. Today we might head down to Palm Springs to get some groceries. If all goes well I'll ride down, we'll see. Fin is sleeping so time to spin.

Ride on!

Where did the summer go? Time is getting tight, we are headed back to CA in about a week. I'm hoping to get together with teammates Brad and Chris before then, and maybe get a bike fitting in with Sean at Johnny Sprockets down in Chicago. The calendar is filling up like it always does just before we go. Today I might get a long ride in. It might be my last one here in WI. Now I'm a little sad. I better go spin and get over it.

Ride on!

I didn't get together with Chris this weekend. The rain proved to be too much for me. I don't mind racing in the rain but I hate trashing my bike just on a training ride. I ended up running for a couple of hours in the rain and than getting together with some family friends in Madison in the afternoon. Yesterday I got up early and road to the lakefront. Got back in time to take the girls for a walk and head over to my parents house for the day. Finn got some good gma and gpa time in. It looks like I've slipped into a pattern with my training. Get up, spin, walk the girls, stroll Finn to the park, ride or run, evening walk or ride with Bonn and Finn. I love summer!

Ride on!

Hey quick update. I know what's with summers off and no time to post...I don't know??? We're all recovered from the race. I've been mixing it up with running, riding and playing at the park. Still doing more research on the RAAM, and ramping up for Moab. I might be able to get together with Chris this weekend for a trial ride. Looking forward to getting out with Brendan and Mary when we get back to CA. As always, Go PACKERS!

Ride on!

24 Hours of 9 Mile

Let me start by saying it's always good to race with friends and family close by. Once again our pit was the best. For the first time our niece Taylor, who turned 13 on race day, stayed out for the entire race. She had a blast and we were proud to have her working the pits with us. My sister Shannon was able to make it to this race after running into trouble getting to the first two races of the season. She was the gasoline on the fire. Getting us in and out of the pits before we knew what happened. Bonnie kept it all running smooth. Every time I hit the pit I knew she'd have everything and everybody ready, and she did. Finn kept the race short for everybody by keeping them busy when they weren't getting ready for us to come in. There were other surprise members in the pits as well this year. A racer I look up to and admire didn't have a good day. Early on he had to pull out. Despite that he and his mechanic stayed the entire race and helped out team WBR-Siren. Scott and Scott were a huge help and need to take some credit for our successful race.

O.k. on to the race recap...Early on the plan was to race together if we felt of the same ability. By the time we hit the second section of single track Brad was off like a shot, or so it seemed to me. He was feeling strong at the start so I kind of changed up my plan to mimic what Scott Cole had done the year before, start out slow and steady and continue to turn out consistent laps. Maybe I would avoid some of those dark times in a race. Early in the race Brad and Chris were able to ride together which I think worked out well. About 13 or 14 hours into the race I caught up to Brad and Chris and we were able to ride together until sunrise. It was the WBR-Siren Solo Pain Train chugging down the trail. At sunrise Chris wasn't feeling right and told Brad and I to head out without him. We did and by the next lap Chris was back with us and feeling much better. I was glad to see that he was able to bounce back from whatever was getting him. After cranking out 17 laps, we all finished at about the same time.

We each had been racing on Siren Songs and they held up great. I had an issue with a crank that has been showing up with great regularity so I think it's just time to replace it. But other than that no other problems. The Song is the prefect bike for this course. It smooths out the rocks and roots. It lets you really accelerate out of the windy single track. And the big 29" wheel up front saves you when you're late in the race and you're not picking the best of lines through the techy stuff. We were each riding Kenda Small Block 8s. These tires raced fast when the course was dry and even when we got rained on for about an hour or so.

As always a special thanks goes out to Bonnie and Finn for living the lifestyle of an endurance racer with me. These races take a lot of time and sacrifice, not just on race weekend but all year long. Because of their understanding and support I'm able to put in the time and effort needed to keep us competitive. Siren Bicycles earns huge props for such a great product. It looks like three of the top five places in the National points series are riding a Siren. If you're into endurance riding and racing you need to check out these bikes. As I mentioned earlier in this post thanks to Shannon and Taylor for everything you did all weekend long. Weekends like this are what summer memories are made of. And thanks to Scott who's true love of cycling really showed through when he had to pull out of the race but yet still made sure he and his mechanic Scott did everything they could to help us have the best race we could. I know I say it all the time but good solos have great crews and the three of us that raced for WBR-Siren this past weekend had the best crew.

Here's a shot of Taylor showing off another tradition, inspirational posters made by her and her brother and sisters.

Brad as he makes his way into start/finish to secure his fourth place spot. Nice work Brad!

The WBR Siren Solo Pain Train after a good hard race...Let's hope we look this good after Moab.
Ride on!

Ahh the power of Bicycles. Here is a shot as the racers come into sight during an early race in the day. Here is a shot as the racer whizz by in the last race of the day.

Finn and I have by hitting Super Week pretty hard this past week. For those who don't know Super week is actually more like Super couple of Weeks. It a series of road and crit races that take place primarily in South Eastern Wisconsin each July. It ranges from cat. 5 to pro so there is a lot of good racing to be had. I gotta tell ya every time I watch a crit. I'm so impressed with how well they all move together. I don't think I'll ever do such a race. I would be the guy everyone is mad at because I can't hold, what should be 'my line'. No I'd much rather stick with the 24 hour mountain biking where I could go an entire lap without seeing anyone. Much safer for me and the other racers.

So speaking of 24 hour racing...Things are coming together. My new rim came in yesterday, so this afternoon I made some decisions and got some tires mounted up. I'm going to start with Kenda Small Block 8 front and rear, like I've done the past two years. Then because it looks like rain is on the way and things could get sloppy, I mean it's call 9 mile swamp, I've mounted up some more aggressive tires for the slop should I need them. My fork is on it's way back from SRAM and boy did it need a lot of work. I need to get together with my teammate Brad to get the cassette off my old rim and put it on my new one. Then all systems should be go as far as bikes are concerned. We'll get all the other stuff figured out as the week goes on.

Tomorrow I think Finn and I are off to the lakefront to watch more racing, if the weather cooperates.

Ride on!

I've had a good solid week of steady taper rides and runs this week. I'm going with a little different approach for this race. Because of injuries sustained during 24 Hours of Big Bear I needed to take some time off. I think this could be helpful. The theory is that I'll have fresher legs on race day, and I think there is something to it. The past couple of weeks I've been able to go for all day rides and the next day I feel like I just did a regular training ride the day before. I guess we'll find out next weekend if my thinking was right.

Ride on!

Quick post, Grandma is reading Finn a bedtime story. I got another ride up north this weekend. It only took me 10.5 hours, what a difference a little wind makes. This week it's all about staying healthy, and keeping the fitness I have. Things are coming logistically. Chris is taking care of getting us a great pit. I've been in touch with Stan's about getting a new rear wheel. After 2.5 years of racing and training a rim started to crack. Not too bad considering the beating it took. You really gotta check these wheels out. I wouldn't replace it with the same rim if I didn't think it was of the highest quality. I've been in contact with my pit which is going to be awesome. The 25 of July is my nieces birthday, she has been asking for years to stay for the entire race, this year she will be. More later...Finn is sleepy and it's the All Star Game.

Ride on!

So how is it that it's summer and I seem to have less time to keep up on things like blogging? This weekend I got some great training in. We all headed up north and I got to ride. 12 Hours later I was feeling good and ready for a fun weekend at the lake. Plenty of rides with all the kids, 11 in total. Good news it looks like it's going to be more of the same next week. If I go up Thursday it'll a 400+ mile week for me. It's about time! Ribs felt good, even when out of the saddle. Shannon and I went for a run on Saturday and that felt good as well. I need to start running more as Shannon I are slotted to do a marathon the second weekend in August.

Ride on!

This has been my view the past few days. Wisconsin has some of the best road riding.
The ribs are coming along. I don't think I'll hit the trail for a couple of weeks yet, even some of the rough spots on the road hurt. In other news the garden is in, Summerfest was fun, and our first fish fry is less than an hour away. AAHH summer in Wisconsin. Sunday I get to take in the annual crit in downtown Waukesha. These guys are nuts. That close at those speeds...yikes.

Ride on!

Hey we're back in WI. Got home a day sooner than we thought. Finn was a good traveler, and the girls were too. My ribs really stared bothering me in the fourth day. Bonnie could tell because it was affecting my mood, so I broke down and took some ibu. I hadn't taken any before because I figured the pain was a good warning for me not to move in certain ways. Well the pain was constant so it didn't matter. We had a nice treat along the way, the RAAM. Since I was a kid I can remember dreaming about this race. It just seemed so fantastic, so unbelievable, so out of reach. We got a chance to stop and talk with some crew members, and cheer a few racers on. It was amazing! Bonnie asked if I'd ever want to do it, and said 'heck yeah!' It looks like we going to give it a go. We called Brad, ya know the guy who took third at Big Bear, and asked if he was down. It looks like Siren WBR will have two racers taking a shot at some road endurance racing. Hey if Tinker can do a little cross over why can't we? Brendan at Siren is cranking up the think tank on this one. He always has such great bicycle design ideas, I can't wait to see what he comes up with for this one.

Since we've been back I got on the bike just see if I still know how to ride. I got out for an hour or so yesterday and could tell I had hurt myself. Today I'll get out for more of the same. Just easy spinning to keep my legs. I don't know if I'll get much stronger before 9 mile but I sure won't loose any fitness.

Ride on!

Quick Update

Thanks to everyone that made this weekend possible:
- Bonnie and Finn for giving me the father's day gift
- Chris for getting all things logistic figured out, and building up my bike
- Siren for great bikes
- Dennis Nolan and Dillon for keeping us going
- Brad for the teamwork on the course, and the inspiration after I had to pull out
- Friends and family that watched and cheered us on from a far.

In short Chris and I had troubles that caused us to have to pull out, leaving Brad out there to take it on his own. He raced hard right to the end to get a well deserved third place. Truly inspirational.

Here is a shot of the awesome ride Siren made and Chris built up before I get it out for a lap.
Brad racing all the way to the end.

Brad where we've seen him before, and will likely see him again soon. Man, he's strong!

We're packing up and and headed to WI tomorrow morning. Friends are moving in tomorrow so we have to make the house welcoming. I had plans to ride on some of the hots spots, ya know Sedona, Durango, Colorado Springs, but with the injury I think I'll just rest on the way home and start up back in WI.

Ride on!

Summertime and the Livin' is Easy

First official day of summer. Me Gary and Finn hike up to saddle junction. Hang out, head back down.

Tomorrow I head east for the race this weekend. It's going to be good to see the guys and get another 24 under my belt. Can't wait to get a leg over that new Song.

Ride on!

The twins are here

What more could we ask for?
Hope to see you at Big Bear in a few days. Go team WBR-Siren!

Ride on!

Graduation was this morning. I can't remember the last time I was that cold. Usually we roast in the black robes we sport but this year they were the only thing keeping us from becoming one big facultysicle.

I've been in touch with Chris, a teammate in Chicago. Siren got our frames and a boat load of parts off to Chicago on Friday. Chris is building up my bike today and then it's time to break it in and get both of them off to West Virgina. Now that I have some time I can start to get things in order for next weekend. What a way to start the summer. It will be great to see the guys and Shannon and Becky. It is too bad Bonnie and Finn can't be there. But it's too much traveling for Finn to handle. We want to make our times on the road/in the air fun.

Time to spin a bit before the parties start.

Ride on!

Another good day to be in the mountains, looks like 'June Gloom' is in full affect down below.
I stayed on the road today. My brakes pads are past time to change them and on the road there isn't too much braking going on. I headed over to Poppet flats and back. I felt pretty good. How could I not feel pretty good, this time next week I'll be starting three months of Saturday. Sweet sweet summer!

Nobody fishing today. Maybe they're all out riding.

Ride on!

Saturday morning me Finn and the girls went for a hike up Sunset trail. The girls tore it up but Finn and I just kind of explored.
Wasn't the recorder every body's first musical instrument? Yeah that's right, one handed.

Then in the afternoon I got dragged around May Valley by a friend who is in the shape of his life. His been training like an animal and it shows. This morning we had the last running club of the year. We went long and did some different trails. How cool is it that after a year of meeting each week we can still find some different trails to run. This afternoon Finn and I ran up to Humber and back, just to mix it up. I was going to go riding between runs but my brake pads are shot on my firm tail and the Songs brakes are singing. I told my friend yesterday that these brakes are made by the same company that produces the bear bell, both are effective at keeping bears aware of my whereabouts. New pads should be on there way in the next day or so. Looks like I'll wrap up the weekend with some spinning.

Ride on!

Been hitting the hills. I rode over to Black Mountain yesterday morning. Ended up getting around 5,000' of climbing. As you might guess we had another beautiful day in the mountains. I hear the coast and valley are stuck under the marine layer most mornings.
This morning Finn and I got out for a short hike with Gary and that I met up with a good friend from Big Bear and one of his buddies. We spent some time tearing it up in May Valley. I had to cut out early while they continued on to do a Hurkey Creek lap.

Here is a shot of my new ride. I think I'll change out the rubber but other than that any upgrades or changes I make will happen after I learn how to ride it.

I'm hoping to get for some good miles over the weekend. In a few days I'll need to start thinking about a taper.

Ride on!