Viva Las Vegas

Well - I will be honest - not all that spectacular...really. There are some really neat things but I would seriously rather take a punishing day in the hills riding with Neil than spend more time in Vegas. Now - I didnt have a chance to leave at all while I was there so we walked alot - spent WAY TOO much on EVERYTHING - man, you can get there cheap - forget having a cheap vacation there. I will say, we stayed at the coolest hotel - the Venetian - by far the best - spectacular!

I was perplexed - the city of LV was advertising how "family friendly" the city was ...then everywhere you go - its porn "playing cards" of hookers on the streets, lots of adult entertainment stuff...everywhere...family friendly? my kids wont be going there.


Glad to be home! I have to get out on my bike....


andy

Note to self - Vicodin Does NOT Help in Fitness

Well - I had a root canal done yesterday and with all the advents of technology - they had a tough time getting one of the roots numb...in the efforts of time as they got me in on standby, I said to go ahead without the one nerve numb. They already had half my face numb - i didnt need more. So they gave me a couple vicodin - crushed which actually helped alot...problem - that was about 3 pm and I was biking at 5pm. Well, it wasnt all that bad but a lesson in nutrition - my tooth broke over the weekend and living on pain meds and anti-biotics - and not nearly enough food - really took its toll.

I went into yesterdays ride thinking I could fake the fitness - I was wrong. Why is it when you basically fall apart - do you only see the where you went wrong. Bonk...yeah - that happened - throw in some pain meds and it makes for an interesting ride. I wont be riding with medication again - vicodin does not help in fitness. Great job to Mellissa - new girl took super prime out of the hands of Brian...

see ya on Thursday hill climb - i will be well fed and off the meds.

Is comfort different for everyone?

I am a bit perplexed. As of late, I have been addicted to my old Cannondale - 88-89 ( one of the two). It is the 3.0 frame set - I say that like I know what that means - I really don't. Anyhoo, it is rigid, stiff and you feel everything on the road. Its compact and tight and exceptionally nimble - climbs like a goat. Last March I purchased a Bianchi Virata - the opposite in some respects - a little better and of course some things I can do without.

I went out tonight after a rather stressful last couple of days to the Fletcher TT course - a little course that is 9 miles that has hills, straights, flats, wind and ends with a good climb. I just got the Bianchi back from a tune up - thanks Mason - and was thinking...man this should be a good time to post. It was, I was happy but not comfortable. I am trying to put a finger on it but I cannot - maybe someone out there knows how I feel.

Virata - steel frame - carbon stays and fork. This thing has one heck of a smooth ride - holy crap it does. It is really like riding on water but I am thinking that might be my issue. I have been used to riding on the Cannondale for so long that still after a year and a half - I'm not used to smooth. Power transfer...frame flex...I am guessing I like the type of ride that you feel the road...

Am I crazy? Well, maybe this is the excuse I have been waiting for to get a different frame. Hmmm...less money than a new bike...Is there a good stiff compact frame set I should consider?

Your thoughts are welcome.


andy

100 miles and running...

BlueThunder SS

I made it....along with a great group of 9 or 10. We did what was dubbed the "wussinator" and what a great ride - down south to Wayzata/Hopkins - into Mpls/Stpl and came back to Champlin...the actual route was like 86 miles and i would say the moving average was between 20-21 mph. Actual just under 20 - lots of stops. With my ride in the park prior to and after - getting pizza and goodies at PDQ - i topped off at 102.7 miles for the day on the trusty BlueThunder SS. I managed to sneak out 4 legit sign preems - Dayton, Corcoran, Maple Plane or Medina - I cannot remember and the last was Hopkins. Bernie took the hilltop preem of - Maple Plane or Medina ( i got the two mixed up) with a hearty series of grunts...he told me I needed to grunt earlier. Well, my grunt was more along the lines of pain rather than trying to muster up some magical strength. Bernie also sneaked in the hand painted city sign of Orono - good eye Bernie - that sign looked like a work of art not a city sign. Bergerbergermeister handled the Rogers preem on a solo sprint - never looking back once...almost missing the turn to Fletcher Ln. If I am missing any, sorry. There were some creek/river preems and city watershed signs - which were pointed out to me that they are more *personal* points rather than actual group victories.

Great show of people and great riding - I would love to do that again! Of course - we did miss the likes of Neil and Jay....and where was Erik???? On a particular note - Bernie and I were talking about how strong the entire group is at TH...I mean seriously, everyone was and is strong and not just for 20-30 miles...I mean 80-100 miles! What a blessing to have such desire and motivation. The neat thing...no one is really race motivated - they do it because it is about the ride.

So thank you for a great group and thank you Larry and Pam for putting up with us.

Camp Bluedog

bluedog cycle

My buddy Pete Taylor runs the shop in Viroqua WI...great place to ride. The shop is connected to a great sandwich shop - called the Cheese factory or something like that. If you are ever down there - stop by - closed Mondays.

He is hosting a camp for the area for intro into Mt.Biking and cycling in general - this is the logo I designed for the camp. All done - had to share.

Hills, then some more hills...oh, and then one more for good measure

Riding in LaCrosse is truly amazing this time of year. If you get a chance to ride in southern Minnesota - near Loon Camp or in La Crosse - DO IT. Perfect weather all three days I was riding. I dared myself a bit and ended up taking the SS to LaCrosse...I normally run a 42x15 on that thing but put a 17 on the back for the hills - I think I actually pulled a butt muscle. My time was limited - after all I was on vacation with the family so I had to make hay while the sun shined - super early morning rides. Friday was two rides totaling 30, Sat was 25 morning (hill repeats) - 25 evening same route...Sunday was the fun day - Hills and a major drop into Barrie Mills and back home - 35 miles. Not alot of miles but all hill repeats and insane. I didn't break a chain and I was maxed on output - constant climbing. I have a new TT for DIYTT - the Alpine TT....the base of Grandads Bluff to the Alpine Bar - 7min 48 sec - SS.

Riding down there makes me want to live there once again - the views, the rides....its all there. I hope to be back on a reg schedule with the group this week.


zuko