All Apologies...

The three or four people who actually visit this site may remember my off the cuff rant about Greg Lemond, circumstances what they were at the time, (Landis in trouble) I just couldn't help it. I'm not even gettin into a doping debate here but just to show how Greg and I have reached common ground. I purchased one of his bikes. Its the "poprad Disc" cyclocross-er. Yeah I know, the seasons already over and its about 9 months till it starts again, HOWEVER, if one were to ride say, across (around) 320 miles of gravel in the coming months this could be your weapon of choice. Since I'm in the repenting mood, Missus Brakeville would like me to retract another statement I made recently concerning her four legged companions. According to the information I received yesterday evening, these three beautiful canine specimens are of the HIGHEST pedigree, and have some sort of registration papers to prove their bloodline back 10 generations. I will not refer to these fine animals as "mutts" in the future, nor will I refer to these three Aussies as the bitch and two bastards, dumbasses, hairballs, morons, STOOPIDS (my favorite), or ANY other derogitory name. My sincere and freely given apology.

Butt wrenchin COLD!!

What do you do when its REALLY cold?? Go Hiking of course! So at +1 degree and -25 wind chills the Missus and I along with the PACK, "hiked" (more like slid) up Flint Creek from Starrs cave to Highway 61. Apparently the Beavers thought that tree was yummy, Mutt #3 TRANGO there for scale, I'm not sure how the Beavers intend to move this onto the dam they've built here but hey, whats better than a refreshing swim in your own private lake?? We didn't run into ANYBODY on our hike, not even the Tiawanese...

MIDWEST MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL

This year, The PREMIER event in Mountain Biking will be held at Farmdale (Peoria) Reservoir.

Check out the link for dates and event times. The trails at Farmdale are awesome to ride and race anyway. The Peoria Area Mountain Bikers have created and MAINTAIN at least three sweet trail systems in this region and play host to a number of the "I-74" series events including gettin your DOWNHILL and FOURCROSS on, as well as some of the most technical XC racing around, in fact, I ended my "bar-end" phase at Farmdale after one too many hook-ems on schrolls trail!! Follow the links kiddo's for some early spring action in the Land Of Lincoln

Snow...in JANUARY?

Rico Suave' on wheels...blah

Jill in Alaska rides like this EVERY day...

Attacked by the wolf pack...

WOW, check out the speed. Riding in 5" of snow, one handed, while

shootin pics

Roller Racing

Tater Enjoys this.

Or if your REALLY frisky , try the log rollers!!!

Donnies Indoor Cycling Experience

Owwwwieeeee...

Wrong Kinda Miles...

Some Folks get to go to VEGAS for work...not me. Can you guess where I am, hint "its a TWISTER"!!!

"kerkove" shot

The TRANS IOWA crew was talking about virgin goats, well them's goats but I'm not sure of their sexual status. They looked relatively untouched...also for your viewing pleasure the climb up Stoney Hollow road.

Mattonne

I'm not a Carpenter

Its been three years since we moved into our house and aside from some painting and minor repairs I've had to do very little in the way of any serious changes. One of the main reasons we picked this house in the first place was the previous owners had done everything before they moved, the one place that wasn't finished was the attic. A full third story, completely open, one BIG room with high ceilings that slope down to the floor. The Missus and I envisioned a climbing wall built into the larger ceiling panels, a cool place to literally "hang out" with the family. Well if the weather ever gets crappy enough I'm going to start this project, and add a "spinervals" section as well. ALL our outdoor stuff will eventually make it up there, a place for everything and everything in its place. I hope it rains alot or this project will never get done...

Sometimes...you gotta!

The Mrs. has always been understanding of my cycling addiction, if this were a 12 step program she might even be referred to as, an "en-abler". Going to watch a mountain bike race is like watchin paint dry, but she's been to more than a few, even gets her RACE ON once in awhile. So when your best friend and lady asks you to participate in one of HER activities its hard to say no. So i found myself in front of the TV doing a workout from the "FIRM", yeah... Needless to say my rhythm and dance skills are pathetic at best, and if any trained emergency responders had been around they would have assumed I was having some sort of seizure. I will say the "abs" workout was actually killer and I was sweatin like hell. My kids could only stare in that wide-eyed teenager sort of way that says "GOD, I hope my friends don't see this". Now do I really want that new 'Cross bike or a two stage fanny lifter step and a set of velvet covered weights???

New Year

Since I'm a technophobe we didn't have a DVD player until 2006, I figured for 2007 I'd finally break down and get a digital camera. Some shots of a new years eve hike around Geode and Bike Burlingtons New Years day ride. My Father in law testing out his brand new TREK pilot, full carbon with SPA. Good on ya Bubba!!!