BB

BSG

2012-02-04T23:31:00.001-06:00

Did my first marathon ski race, 43k skate Badger State Games. Finished in 2 hours 59 minutes, so maybe a 3:30ish Birkie? Probably twice as hard but I'll find out in three weeks!

Beech

2011-10-21T22:06:00.003-05:00

There's something about the Beech.......and then Sam shows up.

Introducing: Black Stallion

2011-04-30T00:56:00.004-05:00

This black beauty '85 CJ7 is all mine. Just got delivered this afternoon. Had to ship it from Tennesee since they're all a little rusty around here. Only 87,000 miles. It's the third CJ I've owned, but the first in the last 15 years ago.

People keep asking me why.

Why not?

Sponsor?

2011-03-11T22:14:00.005-06:00

Dude's already riding a Specialized!

Go Jonny Go!

2011-02-25T21:11:00.002-06:00

I consider Hirsch my ski mentor, I've learned so much from him, and he takes the time to let me ski with him when it's obvious I slow him down. One day at Nashotah a month ago made a huge difference in me relaxing by skiing within myself, and centering my climbing.

Hirsch tackles the Birkie tomorrow sometime around 9 am. Send him a text or some good vibes, because he's gonna kill it!

HELLO!

2011-02-16T21:19:00.002-06:00

Unlce Leo passed away today, aka Len Lesser. I always thought his character constantly stole the scene.
Aside from that, this warmup sucks. Usually I'd be exited from a thaw, but what does it matter in mid-February? It will get back to being cold for a while, and all that great blizzard snow is gone. I got one last ski on Saturday, and that was probably the warmest I've ever been out. I always jump in the classic tracks on the downhills, and could tell the wet sluggishness when I had to step out earlier the entire time. Hopefully, we get one more good snowfall to round out the season, but this year has been good. I feel the best ever technically, and I'd like to get more time in.
Quinn had a doc appointment today, and everything is good, totally healthy and developing fine. He doesn't go back until he's two. I'm sure he'll be fully recovered from the birthday rager he'll have in the backyard.

Seriously?

2011-02-06T23:57:00.002-06:00

79 freaking Dollars to do Cheqamegon now, plus they upped the field limit?
I feel a little Ragin' Ron temper coming....

Relax

2011-02-01T20:27:00.002-06:00

So I met Hirsch at Nashotah for a ski Sunday. Trails were mint condish, and with temps around 27, I could dress light and bust out my new Craft vest. Of course Jon had a bunch of miles in already when I got there, but he's a freak.
Out of the gate, I'm trying to show him my improved skillz, and I think we're going at a good clip, but I'm not efficient. I'm on the inside of my ski's too much and I'm too choppy up the climbs. I was starting to pay for it because I'm redlining too much. Finally, I told Jon to go ahead of me, and watching him I can see he's fast because he's smooth. Staying on one ski longer adds up, and the next five miles were much more enjoyable than the first. It was like finding cruise control.
Thinking about putting down a flatter ski every time up the climbs and a little wider step made even the steepest climbs no problem. I know I used a whole new set of muscles because yesterday I was sore for the first time after skiing.
The best part of this blizzard is how awesome the trails will be once they set them up.

Still worth it

2011-01-20T23:53:00.002-06:00

The only chance to get out on a weekday ski was after Quinn went to sleep tonight. Luckily Hirsch was down for a night ski, so we met at Pike Lake at 9 pm. The news today said it would be the coldest night in two years, wish I had the full face hat on tonight. Of course there was nobody else anywhere near us, and other than a frozen face, the cold wasn't a big deal.
What did suck was the snow, it was pretty much like trying to glide on gritty styrofoam. Add to that I was on my new ski's for the first time, and even though they were hot-boxed and I waxed them, the bases are still a little rough. Working hard to barely go, we did one loop and bagged it. Luckily I had a few homies in the trunk so it was cool. Either way, it was still better than waching TV. The next couple days at better trails should be great, not many weekends like this during the year, so gotta take advantage!

It's time

2011-01-16T16:19:00.002-06:00

Got on the ski's yesterday at Lapham and today at Pike Lake. Snow was great, a few thin spots on some of the uphills, but much better than I thought. Other than how narrow Pike Lake is for skating, it was great. I didn't want to pull out the new Cheetah's until I had 5 ski's in, and now I do. With a few more inches due tomorrow, the trails should set up good enough to bring out the first stringers. Here's to hoping the cold temps stick around for a while.

Shutout

2011-01-14T21:25:00.003-06:00

My first bike swap in Madtown was a good time. Got to Ronko's by 7:30 Friday, bro came later, and eventually Sammy rolled in. The homie bottles I brought didn't last long, and it was off to a local tavern. It was a good time like the old days, but 8 am came fast, and it was off to the swap. Andy said I reaked like booze, but no offense taken. Maybe that was why I couldn't sell thing. I brought the Niner frame, Principia frame/fork, and Motobecane bike. People looked at the Niner, Motobecane was full of road grime from the roof rack, and exactly two people had heard of Principia. So I went home with the same gear I brought.
I honestly didn't care, it was fun, and that's all that mattered.
Saturday was football and dinner with everyone, met Calvin for the first time, he seems like a cool dude.
Can't wait to go next year, going to bring components which sell much better than frames/bikes, and enough homebrew to last a week.

Off to Cross

2011-01-06T22:15:00.002-06:00

Got a weekend pass, and I'm heading to the Bike swap. Ragin' Rons crib is home base tomorrow until Sunday. I'm table poaching Ron and Andy to try to move the Principia Frame/Fork, Niner frame, and Motobecane. Whatever I get, I'll probably turn around and blow on something else or a Cross Plains tavern, but what fun would it be to take it home?

Crunch

2010-12-15T22:08:00.005-06:00

The weekend weather did a number on the trails. The rain turned the old snow into ice, and the new snow to very cold temps added crunchy sandpaper on top of it. I got out to Lapham this evening at a balmy 4 degree's. I should have known it wasn't the best conditions as everyone was in the chalet with a fire going, and drinking beer. I was trying to get some time in and get home to see Quinn before bed, so no time to waste.
A mile into it there wasn't a soul out there. The worst part about when it's so icy is you can't get a little edge on the ski you're stepping off of. So I overfocus on getting off a flat ski, and overdo it and bam, crash. No matter the condish, it's better than not getting out at all. Plus, I made it back in time to see Quinn enjoying a little nightcap. He's got the bottle part down, just needs the bike.

Busted

2010-12-11T20:50:00.004-06:00

Better

2010-12-10T21:10:00.003-06:00

Got out to Lapham for the first ski of the year. The new carbon s-lab boots were way different than the old ones. It's a unique feeling, getting the foot into the inner liner isn't easy. Once in, the foot is locked, but not pinched, and you have constant light pressure all around. Plus they weigh nothing.
I was surprised how good conditions were. Save for a few roots poking out on the way up the steeper hills, coverage was fine. Not good enough for the 1st string ski's but not as bad that you tore up the old one's. I did two loops and called it a day.
For the last half of the second lap, I heard this dude breathing down my neck, but I held him off. At the end I was going to tell him, nice try, Rotten Ron style. When I finally got a good look at him I realized he was probably around 12 years old.
I know.....Rotten would have said it anyway.

Bring the Snow

2010-12-01T23:42:00.002-06:00

I found a great deal on a new set of Atomic Cheetah's in August. Brought to the Bike Doc in September for bindings and hot-box and they told me I was the first person of the season to bring in ski's.
Quinn needed to get out of the house Saturday, so we took him to Dousman to pick them up. It was funny, he was kept walking behind the counter where the action was.
I gave Josh my boots a few months ago, because Jonny's carbon S-Lab's always looked so cool at night, and I've wanted a pair.
After searching for almost two months, I finally found a deal on my size at a store in Spokane, WA.
They should be here any day, and then it's back to the Doc to get them heat molded to my dog's.
The additional benefit to new ski's is the old one's are now my rock ski's.
I will not use the Cheetah's until the 5th ski, so I get the kink's out on the Honda Accord and then switch to the Ferrari.
Just need some snow.....

Loser

2010-11-24T16:12:00.003-06:00

Hope winning those tires or restaurant gift certificate primes were worth it!

De donde es el sol?

2010-11-12T20:47:00.002-06:00

Is what we were asking a few times. Went to Cancun for a couple days of R&R. Day 1 we didn't get there until late afternoon, Day 2 was half sun and clouds. Day 3 there was no sun, and rained. Luckily, Day 4 was sunny all day. Day 5 was breakfast and go home. Everything was great, and there was plenty of food and drink to not care if the weather wasn't perfect. Quinn was great with Grandma and Grandpa and is now walking better than me. Five days away was stretching it, and we tried our best to not talk about him the entire time.
On an unrelated note, looks like the Madison bike swap is Jan 8th, and I'm going this year no matter what. I think there's room for a trainer/kid trailer towing bike in the brewery. I'm sure Rotten Ron and his mustache will let me crash as long I help him offend some random person.

Coming to a Blaster Near You

2010-10-15T22:27:00.004-05:00

Unfortunate

2010-10-06T08:42:00.003-05:00

It wasn't meant to be. Jeff Littman was taken off life support and passed away. There are a lot of stories and tributes out there to a person who lived his life to the fullest. Seriously, how many people do you know who switched from competitive bodybuilding to bicycle racing? My conversations with Jeff were not much more than hello's and how's it going. But we both had good mutual friends, he knew who I was, and of course like everyone, I knew who Jeff was. Most of what I knew about Jeff was from my buddies, and I'll never forget the day in Tucson at Seguaro National Park when Andy refused to start the ride without Jeff who was running late after flying in.
"You guys don't understand, this is Jeff, we have to wait".

In a pack of 60 riders, he was the easiest to recognize. I've seen him suffer like a dog trying to drop a stud half his age, only to go back to the front and do it again and again.
Jeff did his own thing, he will be missed.

Say a Prayer

2010-10-01T21:34:00.002-05:00

Jeff Littmann was seriously hurt after a car hit him while out on a training ride this morning. He was flight for life'd, and is in critical condition right now. Most everyone around knows Jeff as the built dude rocking skin-suits and tatoo's. I've ridden with him many times, don't know him that well personally, but remember friends saying he'll give you the shirt off his back.
He's a tough dude, came back from a nasty crash a few years ago, so there's no doubt he'll pull through this.

Is the Blaster out there?

2010-09-11T02:17:00.002-05:00

Earn your keep, boy

2010-09-03T23:05:00.003-05:00

Just accept it

2010-08-24T20:32:00.002-05:00

It's pretty much not feasible these days to ride consistently. During the week means almost no time with Quinn, and weekends I'd rather spend watching him grow up. Maybe next year when he's older I can find more time, but now I need to find a quicker way to keep the engine burning.
I was thinking I have to do something because what little I do isn't cutting it.
Can't ski in August, and the only other thing I know how to do is run.
So I figured I'd buy a new pair of running shoes, and run in the mornings. Back in the day, I only trained on Saucony Jazz 3000's, but they don't make those anymore. So I went to the Saucony site and entered what kind of runner I remember I was and they said the Saucony Fusion 3.
They'll be here by the weekend.
The last organized running I did was my stint on the UW-Parkside cross country team circa 1995. Don't call it a comeback....really, don't.

Flying

2010-08-06T21:37:00.003-05:00

The days are going by fast. Quinn had his first birthday party a few weeks ago. We had the back yard rockin' with canopies, bag-toss, food and homebrew. At one point we counted 43 people.
The next weekend I was off for my first visit to Cooperstown to see the Hawk get inducted. 29 hours of driving in 4 days but it was worth it.
The bike has been sporadic, not for lack of effort, but the back has been so bad, there have been a few 15 minute rides where I couldn't sit on it any longer. The next step is to meet with the doc and see if a steroid injection will calm the disc down. Could I get in trouble at a race for that? I'm 1 for 1 so far on the random tests. Then again, you have to race to get tested. If that doesn't work, cut me open.
Quinn is pretty much a little boy now. He feeds himself, drinks from sippy cups, and is on whole milk, no more formula is great. Looking forward to a few ballgames this weekend, taking Quinn to his 4th Brewer game Thursday, and hopefully some riding.

Guts

2010-07-10T00:15:00.003-05:00

Insides of Jonny 5, got room for two more.

4th

2010-07-06T20:18:00.002-05:00

Good holiday weekend. On Saturday we caught a ballgame in the afternoon. Intended to get to Cedar Lake, but Quinn was kind of fussing and with the mosquito's thought it might not be a good idea. Sunday saw another ballgame, where our team lost a tie in the bottom of the ninth on an overthrow to third. Swimming afterward with a few beverages, topped it off.
What to do on Monday with being off work?
Brewed a clone of this..

It's come to this?

2010-07-02T23:43:00.002-05:00

The random monkey's who see me riding into work ask me what kind of drugs I take or whose blood I have in me. I tell them it would be pretty pathetic if a random Wisconsin ametuer took drugs to be faster than the other local amateur's.
So they answer, "Well, don't all the pro's do that"?
No, a few cheats ruin it just like other sports.

So now they're X-raying bikes at the Tour this year in case some riders are "mechanical doping" with electric assistance.
If they're testing bikes, you know they have proof someone did it.
Thanks again assholes.

The Chicken Runs at Midnight

2010-06-30T21:44:00.006-05:00

Remember the winning run Crag Counsel scored in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series?
Turns out there was something else going on there.
If you don't get chills reading this, you have a problem.

From espn.com 5/15/10
When then-Pirates third base coach Rich Donnelly would crouch down, cup his hands and shout to the runner on second base, his daughter, Amy, once asked him, "Dad, what are you yelling to the runner, 'The chicken runs at midnight'?" The statement had no origin, no specific meaning, yet became a buzz phrase in the Donnelly home, and among the Pirates. When Pittsburgh second baseman Jose Lind ran on the field before a game in 1992, a microphone caught him yelling to teammates, "Let's go, the chicken runs at midnight!"

Amy Donnelly was diagnosed with a brain tumor in spring training 1992. She died nine months later at age 18. Four years later, the Marlins won the World Series, and it was third base coach Rich Donnelly who waved home Craig Counsell with the winning run in the 11th inning of Game 7. Counsell was nicknamed "The Chicken" in the Donnelly house because he flapped his left elbow as he got ready for the pitch to be delivered. As Counsell crossed the plate, and bedlam followed at Dolphin Stadium, Tim Donnelly, one of Amy's younger brothers, looked at clock on the scoreboard. He screamed at his brother, Mike, who also was a bat boy that night. Then they screamed to their dad, Rich Donnelly.

"Dad, look at the time! Look at the time!"

Rich Donnelly looked at the scoreboard clock. It was midnight. The chicken runs at midnight.

"It's a true story, you hear it and you can't believe it happened, but it happened," said Counsell, who is a utility infielder for Brewers 13 years after scoring the winning run in the '97 Series. "I've said that someone should make a movie out of this story, that's how amazing it is. Anyone who hears it is moved by it. I get chills every time I think about it."

Amy Donnelly is buried in Arlington, Texas. On her tombstone is the inscription "The Chicken Runs at Midnight." It has been 17 years since she died, and Rich Donnelly says he thinks about her every day. He was a major league coach for the Rangers, Marlins, Brewers, Dodgers and Pirates, as well as a minor league player and manager, for 42 years. He is looking for another job in baseball, preferably as a third base coach in the major leagues, or a college baseball coach, but as he waits, he does speaking engagements across the country. Many times, he recounts his beautiful daughter's story of The Chicken Runs At Midnight. And a week from today, a town will close down and run a race at midnight for Amy, and for children all across the country who have serious illnesses.

"When those people line up to run at midnight …" his voice cracking, as it always does when he thinks about Amy … "it will be the greatest tribute ever to our Amy."

Indeed. The chicken runs at midnight.

Lucky

2010-06-24T22:20:00.004-05:00

I've probably done hundreds of rides on the road since the first in 2001. Thousands of miles in different area's of residence, and no more than a couple car's buzzing me or a few knuckleheads yelling something silly. It's to the point where I don't even think about it much anymore, just go out do my thing.
Last spring on the day of the H8tr, I did a training ride in the morning with the new road team, Colavita. We did a hard 3.5 hours, and lost a few guys who turned back early. I remember one guy giving everything he had to hold on. His name was Brett Netke.
The few road races I've done since then, with our races at different times, I haven't seen him since.
Brett lived in Waukesha with his wife and three kids. He did the Tour of America's Dairyland Race Friday night. On Sunday, which was Father's Day he went for a training ride. While riding down Hwy 18, he was struck from behind and killed.
A couple people have commented who were at the scene and said it was frightening. The young man who hit him was in shock, and his Father was there saying a prayer for Brett.

A fund has been established to send his three young kids to college.
If anyone would like to donate, information is as follows:

Brett’s Echelon
c/o Duane Weber M80
507 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202

That's a new one

2010-06-20T22:15:00.005-05:00

We're at the Lannon at Menomonee Falls baseball game, and then hear a crash. The home plate umpire jumps out of the way to dodge a car that drove through the fence between the dugout and home. I guess some old guy was disoriented and took the gas for the brake. Lucky that Lannon was on the field, if they were batting, he would have taken out the guys on deck.
Other than that we had a great Father's Day.
Last week we went to the farm, Quinn met his Great Grandma and did 12 hours in the car one way. Tomorrow he will be 11 months old. In the last week he started crawling and swimming.

Sickee

2010-06-06T22:47:00.003-05:00

Quinn has been sick lately. Mostly in and out of the Pediatrician office he's had a bad cold, respiratory illness, fever, stomach virus, and double ear infection. Each time on it's own but can't make it to a follow up appointment at the doc without coming in before it with something new. He was on antibiotics and now probiotics.
Then Jess must have caught whatever bug he had so she's been laid up too. Luckily, I've been fine so things are OK.
On a totally different note, love to see Ray Allen still killing it....traded for 28 games from Gary Payton and Desmond Mason (the first time).

Sorry, I'm new

2010-06-04T21:28:00.005-05:00

Can't stand hearing those words from the server when sitting down to a dinner out, which with a baby, is more of a treat than it used to be.
What kind of beer do you have on tap? Let me check.
I'd like a dinner salad, what are your dressings? Can you find it on the menu?
What's a good pasta? They're all good.
Do you have any specials tonight? I don't think so.
These are the answers from the server.
Has something changed recently? I thought one of the main points of waiting tables was that you know the details of what food and drinks your restaurant sells. Back in the college days as a waiter, they didn't allow us to take tables alone if you couldn't explain the menu and entree's, rattle off every salad dressing, side items, tap beer, and knew the specials of the night.
If you were new, you trained until you knew what you were talking about.
I'm not an A-hole to them or get mad, just saying.

Farewell Campione

2010-05-30T09:44:00.003-05:00

The great champion Simoni will pin on a Giro number for the last time today. A month ago at 38 years old, he was worried if he could even finish the three week race. He signed with his old team just so he could go. He suffered for three weeks, but his form came around right in the end. He attacked yesterday and gave everything to try to win the mountain sprint for the Cima Coppie, the highest point in the three week race. He ended second on top of the mountain and eventually was caught by the peleton. Simoni was old school, rode with panache, his pride meant everything to him, and riders who insulted him years ago, he still refuses to speak to. After past Giro wins, he would talk smack to Armstrong about whupping him in the Tour. He never did, but he feared nobody. He didn't have much of a sprint and couldn't time trial to save his life, but when the race went to the mountains and the road went up, Simoni shined.
I will miss the Italian Champion.

5?

2010-05-29T01:26:00.006-05:00

Did the Doc ride Wednesday, I thought it would be harder. Granted, most of the strong guys were just that, but I thought we would go up the two step hill faster. Either way, it was nice to ride with Andy and see a few guys.
I guess the Tuesday night Centennial ride kind of fizzled. Too bad, it was a nice ride, and I still do the route now.
Quinn is a little sick again so we're taking him to the doc tomorrow. Hopefully, it's just a little respiratory deal.Last and least, I got a new chest freezer delivered. I'm converting the kegerator over.
It will have 5 taps, and will be named after the first robot that realized he was alive.
Johnny 5.

Not as bad

2010-05-23T22:11:00.004-05:00

So I've been putting off racing each week. I haven't been in a race in about 20 months. The last time I pumped up the Zipps and was on a start line was 2008 Downer Ave Superweek....Jeez!
Colavita has been cool, and I've been fortunate that they've been OK with taking a year off.
So I jumped in the Chiropractic Crit P/1/2 race not even having been on a group ride this year.
I haven't felt an effort like that in a while, but it felt good to suffer. I won't say that I did much "racing", more so just trying to hang, but I'll take it. I dangled in the back and had a rough spot with 10 to go, but finished it. It was never as bad as that first day of Superweek Pro race when I was in shape and got punched in the mouth.
I did have every intention to race Sussex today, and went to bed early. I got up and legs were trashed. I took a little 45 minute spin and knew I couldn't race today. So I bagged it and saw a ballgame with Quinn and Jess, and had a great time.
Got home and gave Q a ghetto bath in the sink.
Life is good.

Behold

2010-05-22T11:51:00.004-05:00

She is complete. 15 lbs 7 ounces....totally legal.
Going to race it today in Hartland, might get slapped around, hopefully not.

Not so fast

2010-05-16T20:28:00.003-05:00

Celebrated Reuben's 30th last night. Littlest bro is 30 already. Everything was cool except for the fact that Racine doesn't have cabs! Jess and I asked the bar to call a cab, and they looked at us like we were from another planet.
Picked up Quinn at his grandparents this morning and he had a little goo in his eye. We were just saying the other day how lucky we are that all he had was one ear infection in 10 months. A few hours later he was in urgent care at Elmbrook hospital. His little eyes are swollen and crusty, and he just wants to be held. Turns out his ears are OK, he has an eye infection.
Whatever, there's nothing more sad than a baby looking up at you in pain trying to smile. He's a tough little dude though, and I know he'll be OK.

Two Days

2010-05-10T20:27:00.003-05:00

The Xenith is all put together except for the fork. I didn't want to take the hack saw to the steer tube unless it was in a saw guide. Problem is, no shops around here carry them..."we don't exactly sell a lot of those" they told me. So Amazon will have it here Wednesday.
Rode the single speed roadie tonight. Not much fun, cold, windy, way overgeared for hills, and I felt bad since Jess and Quinn are sick and didn't think I should be out riding.
I've got graveyard shift if my little buddy doesn't sleep through the night.

I don't get it

2010-05-09T09:51:00.005-05:00

Wouldn't it be "Los Sols"?

I almost barfed when I saw Steve Nash yapping about his outrage with the Arizona Governor, last time I checked Nash was Canadian. You don't see Shaq giving interviews on how he feels about the Premier of Manitoba. I'm sure it's all about the team protesting equal rights too, and nothing to do with marketing.
Guess what jersey was selling like crazy?

Bam

2010-05-04T21:03:00.004-05:00

The SuperLight is here, should be riding it by the weekend.

They are out there...

2010-05-02T21:07:00.003-05:00

The next time you're on a solo ride through some singletrack in the woods, you might not really be alone.

Nicolet student attacked in woods by boy dressed as ninja
A student at Nicolet High School was taken to the hospital for minor head injuries after police say he was attacked in the woods near the school by another boy dressed as a ninja. Police say the suspect confronted the victim in the woods and hit him in the head with a sword.

Weihenstephan Weizen

2010-04-30T23:08:00.002-05:00

Learned something new with the first German Weiss beer I made. The cool thing about the style is they drink best young as soon as they finish fermenting, keg and carbonate. No need for another 2 weeks to clear, since a good Weiss is cloudy and tart with a little banana and clove flavor.
Well, I guess I didn't read the yeast strain close enough suggesting a third of the fermenting vessel should be reserved for foam...I came home and the top of the fermentor was blown off and sludge was everywhere.
Other than the mess, the beer should be fine, in the old county they purposely leave the top off so it can expand and a little exposure to air works well with the tart, sour flavors.
We'll see how it turns out, it's no triple hopped Miller Lite.

The Peleton Grows

2010-04-26T21:31:00.002-05:00

The Bartoszuk peloton that is. Josh and Amy had little Jake on Friday, and he's doing great. We have to get to see him as soon as possible, Quinn really wants to meet his cuzz. We're going to have some killer group rides at holiday time in about 15 years.

Time for a change

2010-04-21T20:30:00.003-05:00

Thirsty?

2010-04-16T21:50:00.001-05:00

Inevitable

2010-04-12T21:33:00.004-05:00

Eventually it had to happen on a ride....getting hit by a dog.
I've been riding since 2002, and I've had my share of dog chases, but those dummies always ran to where they saw me, so they were always behind trying to catch up, which was futile.
This dog must be a hunting or frisbee dog, because it sprinted to where I was heading.
I'm riding through my backyard, Holy Hill. It's early, just went up a rise, going through a flat section probably 18ish mph. All of a sudden I can see a yellow lab going full bore down a driveway I'm coming up to, he's not running at me, but in a beeline right to where I'm about to be.
The owner lady is screaming JASPER! JASPER! I jump off the seat and accelerate, and WHAP, he nails my rear wheel in a full sprint. I lose a bunch of speed trying to keep it upright, which I did, but this beast shakes it off, and starts coming after me. I try to get back up to speed and now he's next to me snarling and nipping at my heels. I keep pushing and finally start to move away and he finally gives up. I could see the owner way down the road, so I scream a few WTF's that way, but I wasn't heading back.
The rest of the ride was quite lovely.
Found a free video stream of Roubaix live, just had to deal with it being in French, but you could tell what was going on putting it next to Velonews. All I have to say is, watch out for Boonen next year. This was his first year after his "got drunk, don't remember doing lines" trouble. He's going to be pissed and will ride like a mad man in 2011.

Crack

2010-04-10T08:30:00.003-05:00

Back at the Chiro. X-rays say I have degenerative disc disease. That sounds bad, but everyone gets it at some form in their life, usually in the latter years. My problem is the doc says mine is worse than he would see in a healthy 33 year old. So he cracks the back, moves things around to get fluid to it. Electric stimulation should help too. Whatever it takes to ride pain free. I don't know why this spring is worse than others, but hopefully it will settle down soon.
No bike time this week, had a cold, but am coming out of it. So sickness gone and hopefully back good, next week is looking up!
Still combing the ads for a new road frame. I have two models in mind, just haven't popped up in the last month.
Can't believe the Brewers lost on the last strike yesterday. I'm kind of split on Hoffman blowing it. Yea, it was a fluke golf-shot homer, but his job is to close it. I think he'll be fine this year, he's smart enough to keep getting guys out.

On Tap:
House Brown Ale 5.9%
Czech Pils 5.4%
PC's Ale 6.3%

Commute

2010-04-03T08:50:00.003-05:00

Finally got to commute to work on two wheels. Ducked out early and went for a longer trip home. The back has been acting up more than normal. I hate to do it, but I'm going to a chiro for the first time in a few years. If cracking the back a few times helps, so be it.
Still no Cheq check cashed. Pretty sure an envelope explaining how one can beg to be let in is on it's way. Not sure I'm up for begging anymore, done that 4 times.
Took the newly converted single speed Niner out for a ride on the gravel path. Can't wait to get it out on a regular trail soon.
The brewery has three on tap, carbonated and flowing, if anyone wants to come to Sussex for a pint, do it.

On tap:
House Brown Ale 5.9%
Jessica's Honey Ale 7.9%
Czech Pils 5.4%

Typical Musician

2010-03-27T10:09:00.003-05:00

Always taking it out on the equipment

Difference

2010-03-20T00:03:00.003-05:00

I'm spoiled, since I get to pick Quinn up from daycare when he's so happy to see me, and mom can only drop him off. Yesterday, Mom got out of work early and picked him up. He was so exited to see her.
We decided it was too windy to take Q for a walk so I went on a ride.
Riding through the backyard of Holy Hill with only a long sleeve jersey felt great, and two hours later it was over. It's crazy how much faster you feel with less on.
Aside from all of that, we're getting pretty exited for Josh and Amy's arrival. Looking forward to being an Uncle.

Swinger

2010-03-17T23:09:00.002-05:00

Our last walk with Quinn was probably September? Only a few months old then, he pretty much could only lay down and look up.
Fast forward, he's almost 8 months old, 65 degrees today, Jess and I took Quinn for a walk to the park. He's big enough to sit up on his own in the stroller, while his legs hang over the front. He's interested in everything. He could even handle sitting in a swing while we pushed him. Seems simple enough, but it was great.

What stinks, has 2 wheels, and 4 legs?

2010-03-15T21:03:00.006-05:00

Got Hops?

2010-03-09T19:15:00.002-06:00

Found a farm out in Washington with killer prices for hops by the pound. So I grabbed a Centennial, Columbus, Pearle, and Czech Saaz. Considering an average 5 gallon batch takes 2-3 ounces, I should be good for a while. Not making all IPA's, just wanted to stock in case there's a shortage. I was going to go in with another dude and split them, but screw it, they all mine!

Old?

2010-03-08T22:31:00.004-06:00

Getting back on the bike felt a little rickety. I rode a bit on the trainer, and outside the other week, but with the temps nicer this weekend, got some hours in. Still trying to find a new road frame, lost out on a few auctions, so I'm back to waiting for the model/size I want to pop back up.
Noticed a few weeks ago that the WCA decided to change Masters to start at 35 instead of 30, so I guess I only qualify for one race now, whatever. I'm sure some of the older dudes are stoked they can be top-5 out of 20 starters again.
Not really sure where the schedule will take me. Just want to have some fun, get in some dirt, and perhaps be decent enough to get back to the beloved Downer.

What?

2010-02-26T20:32:00.006-06:00

You talking to me punk?

Proud Papa

2010-02-04T23:23:00.009-06:00

Dude can grow a better 'stache than I can!

Thanks

2010-01-19T22:24:00.004-06:00

I try to explain to people that just because we ride bikes doesn't mean we're a bunch of homo's....and then the Italians mess it up.

It took a while

2010-01-15T17:47:00.005-06:00

But I believe I have finally perfected my lager's. I cloned Stella Artois, it tastes pretty close, not quite as sharp as the real deal, a little more smooth. Probably due to mine at all bottled water with a lower PH than mixing in tap water. One month at 50 degrees, one month at 32 degrees. I even grew my yeast at 50 degrees so it wasn't shocked when added to the unfermented beer (wort).
The only other part I missed was the alcohol percentage. I always use a few extra pounds of base grains to boost the sugars and ABV chances. The real one sits at 5 %, mine came in at 7.1%. Whoops!

About Time

2010-01-08T23:17:00.002-06:00

I grew up in Racine when the TV stations were the same as the channel on the dial.
Being so close to Chicago we got WGN Channel 9 in crystal clear.
Sometime in Junior High I got into the Cubs. I used to watch Steve Stone and Harry Carry on the pregame, and would follow every game from start to finish.
I loved Dunston, Amazing Grace, Ryno, Walton, Martinez, Sutcliff, Davis, Berryhill..even Joe Girardi cought towards the end.
But there was one player who I adored more than anything else.
Andre Dawson.
I remember running to tell my Mom doing laundry "Dawson just hit a three run homer and tied it up!" I can see him grab a single in right field on one hop and throw a rope to third that didn't get more than 5 feet off the ground.
I still have binders full of his baseball cards.
He played the game the right way. He stole bases, hit for average, hit for power, field, and had a cannon arm. Like Jon Kruk said, everyone feared him.
Me and my bud Dan are making arrangements to go to Cooperstown.
Hit it over the True Link fence, the wind's blowing out.....

Inglorious Bastards?

2010-01-03T01:37:00.008-06:00

Is that Mike Meyers with a German accent, on top of a Scottish accent, on top of an Austin Powers accent?

Slippy

2009-12-12T00:48:00.003-06:00

Got out for the first ski today. It was better than the first of the year the last time around, but it's time for new ski's. Hoping to get out again Sunday to Zillmer, heard they have 14 inches.

Dziękuję

2009-11-24T22:39:00.003-06:00

All night

2009-11-20T00:16:00.003-06:00

Quinn has been sleeping through the night now. It feels like heaven, we even reconfigured the living room we never use as the "adult room" and moved the bigger flat screen in there, and now have the family room as the baby hang out lounge. It's getting really cool now, he's smiling, laughing, making noises, developing a little personality. The best thing is he's big and solid, pushing 16 pounds over double his weight he was born at, plus he's tall too.
I think he'll be a Cancellara type rider. I got a back carrier and he likes it, so next Spring Tuesday's at Beechwood might just be us taking pics of Uncle Josh, Joe, Mitch, Steve and crew, but we'll be there, maybe with some homebrew.
Maybe I wasn't smiling so good on this pic.

On another note, congrat's to Robin and Andy on little Calvin...perhaps someday they'll battle each other like their old men did.

Silver Spoons

2009-11-07T01:50:00.004-06:00

I remember when I was a little guy, watching Silver Spoons.
I couldn't believe a kid had arcade games in his house.
Me and my big bro Josh used to walk to Shop-Co and then Randal's with Jose and spend our paper route money and play Double Dragon until we were out of quarters.
Josh was always better than me at games, he had the touch.
I look forward to see if he still has it!!!

Don't call B.A.

2009-11-01T09:32:00.005-06:00

If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find him, maybe you can hire, Monkey-Boy!

3 Months

2009-10-24T14:34:00.002-05:00

It's been three months since Quinn showed up. He seems to be different every day, and takes everything in stride. He handles day care no problem twice a week. He already got and beat his first cold. The nights are getting better, sometimes 5 hours in a row!

Q

2009-09-25T22:23:00.012-05:00

Quinn is doing awesome, had his 2 month checkup Wednesday. The Doc says he's perfectly healthy, his height and weight are great.
Jess goes back to work in two weeks, and Quinn goes to day-care a few days a week. That'll be new, but I'm sure he'll make some baby friends.

Back off

2009-09-22T21:28:00.004-05:00

This here's a fist, and when I start throwing it around, things get messy.

Enjoy Little Grasshopper

2009-09-15T22:10:00.003-05:00

Quinn got a new papasan swing this weekend. He seems to like it, and we've been able to eat our entire dinner the last two nights! In the last week he started to smile and kind of laugh. It's actually pretty wild seeing him trying to communicate.

Fetch?

2009-09-13T15:54:00.004-05:00

This is Mitch, he was named after good ol' Mitch Curtes. He's a Russian Blue officially, but he's a typical Ruski.
When he's not drinking vodka, he like's to fetch. He's kinda bad-ass.

Bumbo

2009-09-10T22:42:00.004-05:00

Check out the little guy in his first chair. Only 7 weeks old, and Quinn can sit in his bumbo, holding his head up no problem.

Sneezy

2009-09-05T12:58:00.002-05:00

Expansion

2009-09-01T22:48:00.003-05:00

Scooter would be proud.....
The first 10 gallon batch, a nice Irish Red Ale.
Next up, Beechwood Octoberfest!

You talkin' to us, punk?

2009-08-29T02:07:00.005-05:00

Small racks suck

2009-08-26T22:31:00.008-05:00

Wine rack that is. Bottled wine batch numero uno Saturday. It used to take a while to fill a 24 bottle rack, but now I'm looking for a 200ish bottle rack for for the basement winery.
Bottle day went well, corking was interesting. One month aging in the bottle and it will be ready to pop, 6 months and it will be really good, 1 year and it'll be crazy good.

Maybe Joe....

2009-08-20T21:07:00.002-05:00

...will let me ride with him.
Should be here Tuesday.

Sleep?

2009-08-11T23:04:00.003-05:00

It's seems like a long time ago where we could sleep as much as we wanted. If we wanted to sleep in on the weekend, no problem. Fall asleep on the couch in the evening, big deal. Now it's a three hours here, two there, but it starts to feel normal. I can't complain, I'm sure it could be much worse. The little guy seems to be getting better, he's gaining weight and filling out his arms and legs more. Every day, I look forward to getting out of work and seeing him and his mommy.
Riding is pretty non-existant. Evenings are my chance to hang with him, so I'll take it. I think my chance of getting out on a regular basis is to ride to and from work. I need a good single speed roadie as my wheels. I used to have the perfect commuter Milwaukee Bike Co, but I foolishly sold it to fund something else.
Anyway, here's a pic of the little guy at two weeks old probably wondering why he's dressed up in baby scrubs.

Inventory

2009-08-01T23:16:00.003-05:00

Aside from the getting used to having a son, when he sleeps I have a chance to get back to doing some other things during my time off. Did the old garage cleaning today, that was fun.
On top of that the brewery has diversified lately.
I started making my first batch of wine a few weeks ago. It's a merlot-cabernet blend, with juice from a vineyard that won some awards last year. I'm at the stabilization and clarifying stage right now, 3 more weeks and I can fill and cork 32ish wine bottles.
The Fat Tire Ale clone is on tap and coming out great, pretty close to the real thing with just a hint of a sweet finish, but you can definitely taste that biscuit flavor.
The Belgian Duppel is a few days away from carbonated, but tastes awesome so far, if you like Belgian Ales, pretty easy to drink...and ended up at 7.0% alcohol.
The Beechwood Oktoberfest test batch is lagering away at 34 degrees, three more weeks and she'll be ready to keg and carbonate. I'll have to get Mike over for the official approval for mass production ala Blaster.
Here's a pic of mommy and Quinn, we caught him just at the right time.

All ours

2009-07-31T23:39:00.005-05:00

I still have to check myself that this little boy belongs to us. Not that he's different, more like I can't believe we get to have him. We took him to Mayfair Mall today, he was totally cool in his stroller while we bought him more clothes and some for ourselves. A burrito at Q-doba topped it off. I even got out for a ride later, much better the second time around after a layoff.
Quinn's grandparents came over this evening, and finally he was awake and alert the whole time.
Here's a pic of him wondering how the Brewers can put up 7 in the second inning, against the sh*tty Padres the worst hitting team in the NL....and still lose! I don't blame him for spitting up moments later.

Firsts

2009-07-28T22:03:00.004-05:00

The days are flying by, Quinn is a week old already. It seems like everything we do is the first time we've done it with him. He went to his first ballgame Sunday, first stoller ride through the neighborhood today.
He met the rest of his uncles yesterday, that was cool. So far, he's been really good while conmpany is over, night time can be a different story...
It's great getting up each day with my only to do's are having to take care of him and show him around.
I have one more week before the man makes me go back to work, so I'm trying to block it out as best I can. I actually snuck out for a bike ride today, it was as good as to be expected considering the last time I rode.
Here's one of our favorite pics, he looks like a miniature adult thinking.

Nice

2009-07-26T20:56:00.005-05:00

Quinn found out his Uncle Josh won the 24 Hour Duo Championship and he wanted to send his own shout out to congratulate him.

Introducing...

2009-07-21T21:22:00.003-05:00

Quinn Douglas Bartoszuk
Tale of the tape
Weight: 7 lbs 3.5 ounces
Height: 21.5 inches
Hair: Fuzzy
Strengths: All-arounder
Team: Fuel Cafe/Twin 6/Garage 864
Hobbies other than riding: pooping, sleeping
More to come, here's a video...

Not Yet

2009-07-19T20:19:00.002-05:00

So we had some early indications that the baby might come this weekend, but it wasn't to be.
Our doc gave us the option to induce two days ago, but we figured we'd wait it out and let it happen.
Josh is off the hook for sharing his birthday Friday,but his nephew is coming soon!

It's official

2009-07-16T21:53:00.004-05:00

I hooked up the baby seat in my car. Since when did they start putting hidden hooks for baby seats in the car? I didn't even know they were there.
Today the doc said Jess is dialated and ready to go, maybe this weekend.
The next post might be of me with my little guy!
I went to what I thought was another I.T. meeting in the middle of the day to discuss coding, and they gave me a hand knitted Afghan!
Man, I can't wait to be a Dad.....I'm cool with the idea of someone calling me "my old man".

Bags and the 4th

2009-07-06T19:55:00.004-05:00

We did the last step of planning before the baby comes. We packed the bags for each of our cars in case we're both at work when he decides he wants to be on the outside. We pre-registered so we can walk in without messing around. I just found out that hospitals have birthing suites. When did that happen? Apparently, there are flat-screens, couches and everything. I never saw Turk and J.D. near a birthing suite in Scrubs.
Had a great time at Cedar Lake on the 4th. I was a little disapointed I ran out of Double's Double IPA after filling the first growler, but that's how it goes. The Curtis spread was awesome as always, Mike's parents are the best for opening up the place to everyone, and making them feel at home.
Unfortunately, I decided never to come again...............without a keg of homebrew with me. It's the least I can do.
It was such a good time, Max pulled Mike aside and told him it was the best party he's been to in his whole life.
8 year olds don't make that up.

Why Try?

2009-07-02T21:36:00.006-05:00

So I told my group they HAD to leave at 3 today. If they didn't, I would be upset with them, and don't feel obligated to stay, because it won't do you any good. I wanted them to feel like they could actually go and not feel guilty. I checked in on them around 3:30 and they were gone.
So then I thought I might be able to duck out early too.
I left at 6.
Going to ride up and down Holy Hill in the morning, and then cook up the Beechwood Octoberfest trial run. I got a Liter of Bavarian yeast on the stir-plate right now, growing big and strong for tomorrow's brew. This is going to be a hard one with being a Lager and all, needing colder temps and two months to ferment/age, but that's how the monks did it. Not a problem, another benefit to living in Wisconsin...chilly basements, great to ferment lagers.
Cedar Lake Saturday, can't wait to see the buds again. It's nice to be in a little tradition for a few years. Next year we'll be telling Quinn it's his second year at Uncle Mike's.
Most important, Jess is down to weekly appointments, three weeks at the longest. If no baby by July 24th, they'll induce on the 24th. Supposedly, he's growing an ounce a day. Sound like a much?
What if you gained almost a half pound every week while you weigh 170 lbs?
Now imagine the same thing, but you weigh 5 lbs.........
Seeing Jess deal with being huge and pregnant, it's inspiring.

3 for 3

2009-06-26T21:10:00.003-05:00

Gotta have options for what pint you want after a long day. Capacity is up at the brewery.
From left to right we have
Double's Double IPA 8.3%
Sweet Stout 5.1%
Cascade Summer Ale (w/ orange slice) 5.0%

The IPA and Summer Ale are lighter than they look, the pic came a little dark. Hold the IPA up to the light and it's a bronze-amber. The summer ale is beautiful orange like I hoped.
Got a Fatter Tire Ale Clone fermenting away. Take a guess why it's fatter, should come in around 6% but smooth as silk.
Tomorrow I'm cooking up my most complex to date.
Belgian Dubbel, all belgain strains of yeast and grain. Lightly hopped so the malt shines through. Going to age it for four months so it finishes complex and smooth, then invite a select group of buds over to crack it open.

Turn it up

2009-06-19T23:46:00.003-05:00

It's Friday, and I was thinking the stars might align and I could get out of work by 4? By 6 I finally leave, knowing I have to log in after I get home later, and I'm a little ticked.
I hear the guitar start on Half-Truism by Offspring, and I turn the knob as high as I can take it.
Funny how a blaring, fast song chills you out.

Hell yea, thank God for bands like Offspring.
"...all our light that shines strong, only lasts for so long"

9 days

2009-06-18T22:28:00.003-05:00

That's how long since my last ride, due to this and that. I finally clipped in this evening and hit my backyard Holy Hill. The leg was good, actually wasn't too bad, how could it, when it's close to 80 degrees and sunny? I gotta be careful not to have too many of those gaps again.
Am I the only person who's head doesn't feel right when you go too long between getting the heart rate up? It's like restarting your computer when it's bogging down, everything is crisp again.
Ben's brewery has been getting some upgrades. Drilled more holes in the beer fridge and dodged freon tubes to mount the CO2 on the outside, more room inside now.
75 lbs of malted barley is in airtight containers, tomorrow I'm cooking up the Fat Tire Ale clone, maybe the Octoberfest Sunday, kegged the Cascade Summer Ale (5.0% ABV) this evening, and my special reserve Double's Double IPA is two days away from perfect carbonation. I've already been sampling, and it's out of control good, it needs a warning sign at 8.3% ABV! More to come on that one.

double-whammy

2009-06-15T18:51:00.003-05:00

I busted up my leg pretty good last week at Beechwood. I would consider it the worst crash I've had on a bike. I guess that's a good thing because it wasn't like I went the hospital or anything, but I've never layed it down bad enough to not be able to ride for a period of time. I've bounced off pavement at Superweek, and it was uncomfortable for a while, but was still able to ride.
I tried to get out this weekend, but made a total of 2 blocks, just couldn't put any weight on the right leg. I can tell it's started to heal now, but I'm still layed up, home with a cold. How do you get a cold in June? It's 75 degrees out!
So it'll probably end up being a week and half off the bike....bummer.
The baby is supposed to come in a little over a month, so I'm not much for leaving for periods of time. Not sure when the next race will be other than Cheq, but there's plenty of racing ahead.

Nice

2009-06-13T09:37:00.003-05:00

We had three baby showers, my work, her work, and then family and friends.
I guess I never realized how much people hook each other up on the first baby. I can't wait to pay back the favor. We got so much stuff that we needed, cool gear and even little Twin Six gear so he can fit right in with his new buds at Beechwood.
We did go to pick up the stroller/carrier/car seat the other day. The tech these days are crazy, hit a button, and it folds into nothing.
D1 came over last night to check out the kegging setup. He was talking trash on how he used to kill the ping-pong back in the day, so we took it to the basement table. Even with a bum leg from a Beech crash, the 1988-1989 Church champion dominated him!
I welcome all challengers, homebrew is provided.

120

2009-06-04T21:43:00.003-05:00

So it's been a few months since I bought beer at a store. However, I've been reading about Dogfish Head brewery and how the owner went from a guy making beer in his apartment to the second largest craft brewer in the country (behind Boston Beer Co aka Sam Adams). They make creative and extreme beers and don't care what people think. It's actually what the brewers used to do before everything was commercialized, consolidated and dumbed down.
Anyway, they make a what is considered the strongest IPA there is.
It's 17% alcohol, yea 17! They add hops at each minute for 120 minutes during the boil, every day during fermentation for a month, and then age another month with whole flower hops. You can only buy it in single 12 ounce bottles and at $9 each. I figured drink it in a snifter to smell that hop action. They recommend you open a bottle with another person, it's so strong.
It took an hour to get through this thing, it's pretty insane. If I didn't know any better I'd think it was some sort of hard alcohol. Try it sometime.

That was different

2009-06-03T23:51:00.003-05:00

Been riding mountain bikes since 2001, racing them since 2002, had a break for a few years, and now trying to get back into it. I wanted to try out a single speed 29r and see why my buds like them so much.
I'm at Beechwood last night, my bro has a steel single speed 29r, and says "lets swap bikes for a lap", we do and then I soon realize I ride a geared mountain bike like a lazy piece of sh*t. I then did another lap on it, same conclusion.

Ah, Daniel-son

2009-05-31T02:20:00.002-05:00

I figured out a double sparge of two gallons each is way better than a single sparge of four gallons. It rinses more sugars out of the mash and gives better efficiency. I cooked up a new batch yesterday that I call Cascade Summer Ale. No recipe, my own grain choices, so I feel I can name it. There's coriander, orange spice, and some other secret ingredients to make it easy to drink for the ladies, but also enough booze to make it honest for dudes too.
Been reading a lot about the craft breweries in the U.S.
Not that Miller, Bud, and Coors are bad, because they're not, we all know good times have come from them. Have you ever realized, they're all light-lagers? They have subtle differences, and some are better than others and have a little more ABV, but really they're all in the same class. They planned to appeal to the masses, saturate everybody and differntiate by marketing. Pump tons of money into advertising and make it about everything but whats inside the bottle.
Now, I'm down with a cold High Life with my buds, but just think about it.

Day off?

2009-05-28T23:39:00.003-05:00

Our fiscal year runs to May 31. So a lot of us end up with vacation days we're unable to use due to the neverending projects, or the "we're growing so much, that's a good problem to have". I still hate that last one, just another reason to get 60 hour weeks out of people. So I'm stuck having to take vacation or lose it, so I'm not working tomorrow, yet I'm logging in to work from home on my vacation day after finishing tonight at 9. It's to the point where I can only get away if I leave the country to a place with no service
On a better note, the doc appointment went good today. The little guy is doing great, got a good close up of his face. He was yawning the whole time, and just chillin' in mommy's belly, staying out of trouble. Seven more weeks and he'll want to come out.

Might I interest you in....an Imperial?

2009-05-24T10:44:00.002-05:00

I wanted to see how big of an IPA I could cook up. Sort of, find the ceiling, and then adjust from there in the future. I used 19 lbs of four types of grain, 8 ounces of three types of hops, and a big yeast starter to work through the sugars. That's pretty much enough ingredients to make a solid 10 gallon batch, so cram it all into five gallons and you have a monster. By my last run-through of water through the grains I was still getting a decent amount of sugars out. I had to adjust my boil to an extra half hour to get that sucker down to 5 gallons. Depending on the outcome of the ferment, the beast will be 8 to 8.3% abv.
They consider over 7% is Imperial territory, so I'm going to have to rethink the name.

Change of plans

2009-05-22T00:22:00.002-05:00

The first recipe where there is no recipe.
15lbs 2-Row
1.5 40L
1.5 60L
1.0 Carapils

Amarillo, Centennial, Cascade....6 ounces, should get 7%.

Beech #1

2009-05-20T21:09:00.002-05:00

Got to Beechwood for the first time of the year. No matter how much riding you do or what month it is, the first day out there of the year is a reminder of how tough it is. Had a good crew out there, and a big group for the first lap. I felt pretty good, totally recovered from my sorry "race" Sunday. First lap was good and mostly together, second lap was hard, and it was all I could do to stay on Mitch's wheel, until I slid on a root and layed her down. I seem to biff on the little stuff, and get through the hard stuff. I thought two was going to be it, but then saw everyone getting ready for another, so off we went. Three on the first night is nice, unless you're a freak like Joe and did four.

That's how it goes

2009-05-18T22:06:00.007-05:00

(Photo by Mountaingoat)

Did Iola this weekend. I was hoping to conjure up some old vibes from back in the day. The two times I did Iola, I won my class each time. I hadn't seen the bowl since 2003, but it was pretty much the same deal. Rode up with Joe, Mitch, and little Sam on Saturday morning in the Curtis black Dodge with trailer in tow. It was nice, plenty of room for lots of crap. After a quick pre-ride, we had a little homebrew and cooked some tailgate pasta.
Sunday morning came, weather was good, and found myself in the middle of the Elite race wondering what I was doing there. The start went OK, up the hill didn't seem too crazy, and I maintained for the first lap. I crashed on the second lap, wrenched my back, did another lap, but had to pull out a lap later. It kinda sucked because the rest of the boys did great even Josh who is an Iola champion now.
No big deal, that's why they have 12 of them. After a night at home, and some ibuprofen I think I'm OK now, and am going to get the first Beechwood night in tomorrow.