Listen up!!

After having watched one too many Warren Miller films lately, I've been thinking about the sound of things. Noise that is music to the ears. I know this is a bike type blog but for me the biking thing is a relatively new interest in a long list of activities in my four plus decades. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the sound of a Chris King hub in the quiet woods, even the buzz of my Conti's on hard pack. YEARS ago it was the sound of a 10 gauge Remington autoloader as you jacked in a fresh round right before shootin hours. Earlier still it was the roar of a tightly wound V8 with 325 degrees of duration and all the N20 it could inhale. But back to Warren Miller, if you are even remotely interested in snowboarding or winter sports Warren makes a film every year (since 1946) that chronicles the highs and lows and the most EXTREME examples of fun in the snow that went on while us Midwesterners were shoveling the stuff. He even pays homage to those crazy "Red-Bull rampage" downhillers once in awhile. Actually its a good thing I don't live near Aspen or Breckenridge (yet) because I would be into POWDER snow deeper than any Carbon Fiber dream bike could ever hope to equal, except maybe an Eddie Merkx AXM.YEAH but I'll tell you what the BEST sound in the world is right now, and even though these trips have become few and far between, due in large part to my "new" addiction to cycling,is the sound of a full rack of climbing gear jangling off my shoulder. I'm talkin about Black diamond cams, Petzel Grigri's, biners, chocks, repelling devices, and all manner of quick draws that STILL generate adrenaline in the system without even having to tie in. Sometimes I'll just sling that rack around to remind myself of why in need to go to work in the morning. I dunno, its cliche to say if I have to explain it you wouldn't understand. Just ONE peak in Iowa, is that too much to ask?? I hope global warming doesn't melt all the snow before I get out there...

Bypass X 2...

We got 5.03 miles of trail at DEHN's Brother! Can I get an AMEN? I wonder if that will get Burlington a blip on the singletrack radar now? Oh yeah, you have to include TATERS "goat hill" into that mileage as well. Speaking of, he really needs to post a photo of the gonzo rig he was riding sunday, that my riding friends, is a bike for all seasons...I bet the tires came off a Terra Gator fertilizer truck.

Bypass...

If your riding Dehn's in the near future be careful on the new bypass for the "executioner", ( I was Bored Wednesday ) its going to be a bit soft on the left side for a bit. I have not even tried it yet myself so let me know what you think. I went down just to smooth off the off camber sections a bit then got carried away. There may be one tree that has its days numbered as well but if I don't have to cut it I won't. Got some ideas on how to get around the quickly deteriorating trail down near the creek right before the hill back up to the "Y" too!

Winding Down...a bit

Raced at Peoria in the final event of the I-74 series, had a decent finish for a change, (4th)which for me is pretty good, plus I felt really good during the race as Farmdale reminds me alot of Sugarbottom but much smoother. Its kinda tuff to decide which series to go to sometimes as Burlington sits smack dab in between most of the places these races are held. Saturday went to the "Panther Creek Challenge" near Springfield Ill. Except this years race was 102 miles, and you could have a three person team or SOLO. I went the solo route, even though I have not even trained for something like that, you never know how bad it could be unless you try right? The course is about 50/50 single track and open field (read GRASS) and each lap was 17 miles. The Milkman (Howie) and I kinda led the solo's for the first two laps and we were keeping the pace almost as high as the Team lap times, near the end of the third lap I started gettin some nasty pain in both my feet, that was a new one on me, felt like I had marbles in my shoes and each turn of the pedals it got worse, I stopped for a bit after I finished 50 miles to try and loosen up my feet but they weren't cooperating so I called it quits. Next time I try something like this I'll be a bit better prepared, Howie has a GREAT system goin and his Mrs. was working his pit like a champ. I know I won't try to drive home again after a race like this either. I was doin the "three man weave" by myself. Could be a few more races I hit this year, I still want to try a CX race and "THE MILKMAN 100 is the 21st. Adio!

Nobody has this view in the races I enter, unless I'm being lapped

M-O-O-N, that spells moon. Where does that line come from? hint only a Steven King fan would know. Still no word from the parks dept. They must be too busy shoo-ing folks out of thier homes in the "manor". I looked at my bikes the other day, I think they miss me. I'm gonna try a 100 mile XC race Saturday, I want to make the 4:30pm cut-off time for the last lap (6 total at 17 miles per)thats the ONLY goal I have for this thing. I am also aware that it could be a very long day in the saddle...ouch.

Don't be afraid of the DARK

I know I'm late to the party alot, but I finally had the chance to ride Dehn's after sundown for the first time. Props to TATER for loaning me his nightrider headlight, which by the way is brighter than a barge spotlight, and we headed for the woods. I'm wearing an idiotic grin cause thats about as much fun I've had riding a bike. Better late than never HUH? If on the remote chance you've never experienced riding your local trail loop "under the lights" your missin out! I was thinking about ALL THOSE MILES ON A TRAINER in the winter, I love my trainer, but damn it gets old quick (like the end of January), I could have been rockin the woods, guess I'm gonna start saving for a nice headlight. I could kill two birds and wear a coon-huntin hard hat wheat lite combo???? SAWEET!

Almost Famous????

Heres the MAN, right outta VELONEWS!! Dennis in his flying recliner. I hate when he uses it on the group rides, its damn near impossible to draft off one of those things.

Be kind to animals...

Even though they KILLED Steve Irwin, "Crickey! Took that one right in the chest...oh fu...Dateline 9/6/06 A confused and terrified red squirrel jumped out in front of me at Dehn's and made THREE course corrections before i actually, and ACCIDENTALLY I might add, ran directly over the little bugger. I believe the only thing that spared this critter was the 4 inches of buttery smooth travel in my REBA fork. Maybe he was just messin with me, I had visions of him gettin stuck in my front wheel and sending me ass over tea kettle. To quote Arnold, "He'll Live". Dateline 9/10/06 During the 30 mile XC race at Comlara Il. this weekend I once again ran over a snake, believe it or not I was traveling at a high rate of speed and had NO time for an evasive action, I did not see him/it on the next laps so he escaped with minor ijuries, "good on ya mate"! Had I not been on the clock I would have stopped to examine this "Beauty". This is even after the three close calls with; Two young racoons Two Coyotes one MEAN lookin Possum, all at Dehn's in the space of one week, they must like the way the trail flows too!!! The possum spooked me the most cause he stood up and hissed at me, the cranky little bloke. I am striving to make XC riding as animal friendly as possible but they ain't helping...

Back to Riding...

I have not posted anything about actually riding my bike for awhile so I thought a quikie update is in order. Geode has some nasty type of poison oak/ivy/sumac on the backside. I did four laps the other day and inside my elbow is itchin like CRAZY, Dehn's is about the fastest drying trail I know, you can ride it (uptop) anyway about 5 minutes after the rain stops with nary a puddle, watch the bridges though, they get SLICKery when wet. There are a few XC races coming up, but the ONE race I WILL make is PAMBA's Festival. I know, I know, whenever I say something like that I miss it and I'm a liar. I'll be there! I must be bored-dedicated-wierd to put in 25 miles in Dehn's, but those are "normal" distances for the races so I gotta train to em right??? I've ridden it forwards, backwards and sideways to break it up some. And STILL no word from the parks guy about the trails. Can you say backburner? You can tell that its the end of the season on the roadie rides, everyone attacks and attacks again, those training rides are about my limit (are about my ASS, they ARE at my limit)But it is pretty cool to see who and how is pushing the group into the red and can you respond in kind???, I've seen 197 BPM's chasing these kids and ELDERS around, but its a great workout that has helped me on the trails as well. Looking forward to putting a number on my bike again soon, maybe even try a CX race, although I run like old people F_ _ _! Stay warm!!!

What the hell does this have to do with riding...

Not a thing, but DAMN Carlin is GOOD!!! "I'm a Modern Man" George Carlin, November 5th, 2005 Beacon Theater, NYC I'm a modern man. I'm a modern man. I'm a modern man. I'm a modern man. I'm a modern man, A man for the millennium, Digital and smoke free. A diversified multicultural postmodern deconstructionist, Politically anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I've been uplinked and downloaded. I've been inputted and outsourced. I know the upside of downsizing. I know the downside of upgrading. I'm a high tech lowlife. A cutting edge state-of-the-art bicoastal multitasker, And I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond. I'm new wave but I'm old school, And my inner child is outward bound. I'm a hot wired heat seeking warm hearted cool customer, Voice activated and biodegradable. I interface from a database, And my database is in cyberspace, So I'm interactive, I'm hyperactive, And from time-to-time, I'm radioactive. Behind the eight ball, Ahead of the curve, Riding the wave, Dodging a bullet, Pushing the envelope. I'm on point, On task, On message, And off drugs. I got no need for coke and speed, I got no urge to binge and purge. I'm in the moment, On the edge, Over the top, But under the radar. A high concept, Low profile, Medium range ballistic missionary. A street-wise smart bomb. A top gun bottom feeder. I wear power ties, I tell power lies, I take power naps, I run victory laps. I'm a totally ongoing bigfoot slam dunk rainmaker with a proactive outreach. A raging workaholic. A working ragaholic. Out of rehab, And in denial. I got a personal trainer, A personal shopper, A personal assistant, And a personal agenda. You can't shut me up, You can't dumb me down. 'Cause I'm tireless, And I'm wireless. I'm an alpha male on beta blockers. I'm a non-believer and an over-achiever. Laid back but fashion forward. Up front, Down home, Low rent, High maintenance. Super size, Long lasting, High definition, Fast acting, Oven ready, And built to last. I'm a hands on, Foot loose, Knee jerk, Head case. Prematurely post traumatic, And I have a love child who sends me hate mail. But I'm feeling, I'm caring, I'm healing, I'm sharing. A supportive bonding nurturing primary care giver. My output is down, But my income is up. I take a short position on the long bond, And my revenue stream has its own cash flow. I read junk mail, I eat junk food, I buy junk bonds, I watch trash sports. I'm gender specific, Capital intensive, User friendly, And lactose intolerant. I like rough sex. I like rough sex. I like tough love. I use the f word in my email, And the software on my hard drive is hard core, no soft porn. I bought a microwave at a mini mall. I bought a mini van in a mega store. I eat fast food in the slow lane. I'm toll free, Bite sized, Ready to wear, And I come in all sizes. A fully equipped, Factory authorized, Hospital tested, Clinically proven, Scientifically formulated medical miracle. I've been pre-washed, Pre-cooked, Pre-heated, Pre-screened, Pre-approved, Pre-packaged, Post-dated, Freeze-dried, Double-wrapped, Vacuum-packed, And I have an unlimited broadband capacity. I'm a rude dude, But I'm the real deal. Lean and mean. Cocked, locked and ready to rock. Rough tough and hard to bluff. I take it slow. I go with the flow. I ride with the tide. I got glide in my stride. Drivin' and movin', Sailin' and spinnin', Jivin' and groovin', Wailin' and winnin'. I don't snooze, So I don't lose. I keep the pedal to the metal, And the rubber on the road. I party hearty, And lunch time is crunch time. I'm hanging in, There ain't no doubt. And I'm hanging tough, Over and out. TAGS George Carlin, Life Is Worth Losing, Beacon Theater

Optimistic Opportunity

I talked with Chris Nosbisch from the Burlington Parks Dept. He was hoping to meet with everyone who rides Dehn's. Apparently he rides a bit himself and needed some help with this project. I can tell you this tidbit of info, regardless if the Dog Park gets built or not, the trail system WILL be a reality, owned by and cared for by Burlington. Chris was very clear on his ideas for this trail, and they were to keep it as NATURAL as it is!! I.E. SINGLETRACK, DIRT, NO MOTOR VEHICLES. Even the Parks Superintendant agrees. He wants to meet ASAP with anybody who's willing, volunteers needed and appreciated. I think this is a chance to make our Mountain Biking trail a real and legitimate asset for all of us. Spread the word kids, lets set a time when everyone can meet these folks!!

Dog Park = Trails?

Burlington is planning to build a dog park right next to our beloved Dehn's trails. Yeah, I said "Dog Park", I wonder if the Naked Guy knows this? Anywho, they also are going to legitimize Dehn's trails in the process, could be a good thing in the long run. I see the local newspaper (The Hogeye) refers to Mountain Bikers as "BMX'ers", which is quite confussing to the local folk. The only thing that scares me is they talk about "improving" the trail system. I think that means being able to drive a D-9 Caterpillar around the loop without scuffing the paint, I am going to try and talk to the powers that be and maybe find some common ground and maybe even (GASP) volunteer to do the trail work I'm already doing voluntarily. I know there are alot of riders now cleaning-mowing-maintaining the trails as well. If I can get a meeting with this guy I'll post it here. Anybody interested???? Could be a future race venue if with a little co-op from the YMCA Hmmmmmmm...

Sugarbottom Scandal???

Check out Squirrels blog, the Sugarbottm Scandal is secheduled for Aug. 13th. at 10:30am. Pirate XC race, winner gets nuthin but congrats and braggin rights should be a great time. On a more somber note, I take everything back I said about GREG LAMOND, Greg your my new drug free hero, but I still won't buy a bike with your name on it HA HA. For ALL the info about Sugar bottom you need to hit up right HERE Could be a better race than the "real" one, although most of it will happen WAY ahead of me. ADIO AMICO!!!

Greg LeMond...

Worthless whinning PRICK, or just a sore WINNER? Chime in as Greg has given the whole world his view as a "clean" cyclist, and condemned EVERY other American out there! With a Fenchie name like "LeMond" its not surprising he's already convicted Floyd Landis. I wish he would just shut the hell up. We know you won the TDF THREE times Greg, we know you were the FIRST American to win a TDF Greg. Now go support the sport instead of tearing it down every chance you get...Swinging TOOL!!! Thats my RANT for the day... :)

Just when you thought it was safe...

Its the stuff of legend, whispered about in hushed tones and passed on in tales and stories by those that have heard or witnessed the frightening truth. Dehn's woods has a spirit, a "free spirit" if you will. I had heard about this phantom that roamed the woods at dusk in the summertime, that magic hour between light and dark, where shadows can play tricks and the eyes. Unexplained sightings of a guy, a NAKED guy, who has been seen only by a few of the "lucky" riders who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Right in the middle of my training ride last night, third lap, I was getting tired and focusing only on the trail flowing under my front tire, right before my very eyes the trail I was concentrating on turned into a rather large, middle aged, ASS. Attached to this ASS was the rest of the "NAKED GUY". I stiffled a laugh as I quickly dodged him and said aloud "now theres something you don't see everyday!" The "NAKED GUY" was silent, he seemed more concerned with the dog he was walking (leashed, but naked as well). 100 yards up the trail, morbid curiousity took over, and just like a car accident, I couldn't help but shoot a quick glance behind me, maybe just to assure myself I actually DID see the "NAKED GUY", But he was GONE. Disappearing quickly into the fading light with his trusty sidekick (no, it was NOT a weenie dog). There are unexplained sightings of crop circles, bigfoot, even the loch ness monster, beware Dehn's woods. For a "NAKED GUY" haunts these lonely trails, elusive, and unashamed...

Loose ten pounds in a day!

Easy way to drop some weight, ride your bike when its 100 dergrees outside. Of course you may croak but the weight just drips right off. Bummer about Sugar bottom XC event, maybe there will be a replacement??? Should be racing in Peoria this weekend, haven't been over for awhile and I'm looking forward to seeing the PAMBA folks again! HOT DAMN, just watched FLOYD LANDIS come back and KICK ASS in the "tour"!! Try THAT sometime, solo away from an elite field of racers for 100 miles, in the ALPS, no help from ANYBODY, gain back all but 30 seconds for the yellow jersey. I can't even begin to feel the pain of that ride. I know the tour is a roadie thing but it is inspiring this year!!! GO FLOYD

I still ride...sometimes

And I have the scars to prove it! Dehn's is REALLY fast right now, and I'm guessing just like the rest of the trails in the midwest DUSTY and loose in the corners. Kinda like a sandy sidewalk. Remember how I said I would not replace my old LX shifters until they were damaged? Well, one of Dennis' super logs made short work of them, along with a derailure hanger, a couple of spokes, and a cable. I'm not sure how many more times my knee will heal before it just turns to mush but it's OK for now. I'm prolly gonna hit up the "Iowa Games" MTB race this Sat., although its supposed to be near 100 degrees again this year. Note to bike shops, when servicing requires messing with a disc brake, WIPE THE OIL OFF IT!!! Its so much easier to stop when the rotor is DRY. I'm whinning I know. I'm kinda gettin burn out this time of year so I better refocus a bit, less miles more intensity may help, also gettin quite lazy with bloggin updates, too many other irons in the fire. Stay safe and watch out for cars all you roadies out there...

It used to be broken Bike parts...

There she is, The Jersey Devil. Its not Broken, its BRITISH!!

Great Beyond

I'm not dead yet. I had a BADBike weekend. I will be a certified auto mechanic soon. I will post again. I need a vacation. Viva le TOUR!