Started out strong this week and ended weak. A chest cold worked its way into my system and knock me on my can yesterday. Just walking up stairs with Finn in my arms left me winded. I told Bonnie it felt like I was on my second to last lap of a 24 hour race. It took everything I had to get an hour of spinning in yesterday. Today I think I'll just take off. I'll see how I feel tomorrow, I should be able to at least get some light spinning in.

Stopped over at Siren home office yesterday. I got a look at my new Trauco. Its decal/paint scheme looks a lot like my Song's WBR/Siren team theme. White with red decals, this bike will be prefect for races like the Julian Death March, or Trans Wisconsin. I think this scheme is what we're going to do with the road bike as well. Speaking of which fab starts this week. All parts should be trickling as the week goes on. I would think by the end of the week it should just be a matter of putting it all together. Now if the weather will just cooperate, we got some snow yesterday. I thought this was SoCal.

Ride on!

Got some good news late last week. Looks like we'll be racing the Furnace Creek 508 in October. This news was mixed with some more good news and some bad. Teammate Brad also got in, however our former student and good friend Eric did not. Maybe we can talk Eric into helping out on the crew, he would definitely be an asset.

In other news I think we've wrapped up all of the planning for the road bike. Brendan and I got together Sunday and hammered out the specifics. Orders are being made this week and fab should start next week. I'm also looking forward to getting my new full 29er built up. The frame is all done I just need to find the time to slap some parts on it.


Training has been more of the same, spin early, run later, hike in between. These are images of me, Finn and the girls out for our weekly Saturday morning hike.

Ride on!

The full Red group showed up today. This bike is going to be sweeeet! Wait a minute, where's the granny? and what's with all of those teeth on the big ring?

Ride on!

I had a chance to do some looking around last night on line and came across this: http://www.transwisconsin.com/ Thanks Scott. Might be something to consider?

Another week another blog update. This week went by quick, with a lot of highlights. First of all Finn got to meet Alex. It will be cool watching these two grow up. And if I thought this week when by fast, I can only imagine how fast these guys will grow up.
I got a package on Thursday. Sean sent my wheels from Johnny Sprockets in Chicago. These will be the foundation of the new Siren road bike. I know very little about road bikes but as I understand it tubeless systems are new to the scene. I'll be very excited to give them a whirl. This week Brendan is going to be working on getting the frame built up so I could be riding it in another week or so. I can't wait!

This weekend we did something different. Instead of hanging out in the desert near Oracle AZ we enjoyed Bonnie's birthday in a more conventional way. Yep, we didn't race Old Pueblo this year. Things weren't lining up to make this race happen so we decided to stay home and have some time to just be together...it was great! It also gave me some time to work on another cycling goal. I got my application in to race the Furnace Creek 508. http://www.the508.com/ Check it out it's a very cool event. I find out Friday if we are in or not, so keep your fingers crossed.

Ride on!

Well we had to let grandma go this morning, that meant the girls and I go some time at the beach after dropping Grandma off at the San Diego Airport. It was great having her out here for such an extended visit. We couldn't manage work and the Chicago trip without her. We sure are lucky that she is willing to come out and take care of us.

It's always a blast running and playing along the Ocean. I have to admit being a Midwestern boy it's always a little surreal going from snow and cold to sharing a beach with surfers. This morning it was business as usual. Up before Finn for and hour or so of spinning. I didn't get much else in with the exception of goofing around with the dogs. Tomorrow I'll do the same and maybe get some time running the trails. Looks like another storm is on the way so the trails are still off limits for the bike. Snow level for this one should be around 3,500' so no rain for us.

Ride on!

It's been a while since my last post and a lot has happened. To quickly sum it up we've been to Chicago and back with our Seniors. It was their annual audition trip. We got together with Brad and Sean as well. I also have my new wheelset for the road bike on its way to CA, thanks Sean. Brendan and Mary had their baby boy and everyone is healthy. How cool is that? This weekend is the winter Orchestra concert so I'll be busy with that. I think after the weekend I'll get back to training with some regularity. I'm hoping to be on the road bike in the next couple of weeks, but for now I'll be happy with spinning. I really can't hit the trails as we are getting several inches of rain over the next couple of days. I don't mind running in the rain but riding isn't as fun. I can't get past all of the bike clean up I'll have to do once I get home. Well better run, the trails are calling.

Ride on!