Friday, October 28, 2011

Trek Demo Day

Just a reminder to all. Trek will be hosting a demo day at Patapsco Valley State Park in Maryland on sunday from 10-3. You will be able to test ride Madone’s, Ex’s, 29ers, etc. Great way to make that descision on a new 29er from Trek!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

A good afternoon ride

Well, despite how my legs felt friday, today I felt much better. 19.6 avg for 40 miles and 2985 ft of climbing. Avg HR was 165.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Felling a Little Tired

Well, now that the mountain bike season is officially over, I can kick back a little and just ride. I am doing 3 more CX races. I dont think I will train specifically for those; I will do some things here and there, but I am just going to enjoy riding for a bit. Legs are feeling the overall racing and training.

This year was a great year for me personally. Learned a bit more about myself. Met some great people and formed some new friendly rivalries in the singlespeed class. Lots of podium spots-8 to be exact. Finishing 1st in the points series was the best I have to say. I have been racing the Cranky Monkey Series since 2006 and this year my hard work paid off. Finishing first in the 12 hours of Cranky Monkey was also a great highlight. Last year saw us in 2nd in the Male Duo 80+ cat. This year teamed up with a 17 year old youngin' and raced in the open class and nailed down the top spot with 12 laps-2 more than last year.

Tomorrow will be a nice road ride and maybe some intervals-eh, its my ride.

Top Songs of All Time Part II

Here are the next 65 songs of my list. I havent decided where it will end; I guess when I get tired of typing.


  1. Take on Me - Ah Ha
  2. Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
  3. Sugar Kisses - Echo and the Bunnymen
  4. The Cutter - Echo and the Bunnymen
  5. Bring on the Dancing Horses - Echo and the Bunnymen
  6. In the Year 2525 - Zager and Evans
  7. Manha Manha - Sesame Street Skit
  8. When a Man Loves a Woman - Percy Sledge
  9. Youre the One - The Vogues
  10. Pick up the Pieces - The Average White Band
  11. Rubberband Man - The Spinners
  12. Lido Shuffle - Boz Skaggs
  13. My Maria - BW Stevenson
  14. Love is Alive - Gary Wright
  15. Every Boston Album - Boston
  16. Runnin on Empty - Jackson Brown
  17. Martian Hop - RanDells
  18. Lola - The Kinks
  19. Everybody Plays the Fool - The ChiLites
  20. Me and Mrs Jones - Billy Paul
  21. Fly to the Angels - Slaughter
  22. Party Hard - Andrew WK
  23. Tennessee - Arrested Development
  24. Mr. Wendel - Arrested Development
  25. Goin to Disneyland - DaDa
  26. Take a Picture - Filter
  27. Groovy Train - The Farm
  28. Dance of the Gremlins - Count Basie
  29. 1 o clock jump - Buddy Rich
  30. Life of Riley - The Lightning Seeds
  31. Pure - The Lightning Seeds
  32. Peaches - Presidents of the USA
  33. Bitter Sweet Symphony - The Verve
  34. Battleflag - Low Fidelity All Stars
  35. Hot n Cold - Kate Perry
  36. The Middle - Jimmy eat World
  37. Jin Go Lo Ba - Fat Boy Slim
  38. Entire ABBA Gold Album - ABBA
  39. Every AC/DC Album - AC/DC
  40. Ace Frehley 1st Solo Album - Ace Frehley
  41. A Little Below the Angels - Ace Frehley
  42. Everything by Adam Ant - Adam Ant
  43. Sister Golden Hair - America
  44. Ventura Highway - America
  45. Sleigh Bells - Andy Williams
  46. My Obsession - Animotion
  47. I'm the Man - Anthrax
  48. Respect - Aretha Franklin
  49. First Album from Asia - Asia
  50. Everything from the B-52's - B-52's
  51. Cant get enough of your Love - Bad Company
  52. Tarzan Boy - Baltimora
  53. I heard a Rumor - Bananarama
  54. Robert Deniros Waiting - Bananarama
  55. Everything from the Bangles -The Bangles
  56. License to Ill Album - Beastie Boys
  57. Hello Nasty Album - Beastie Boys
  58. Check Your Head Album - Beastie Boys
  59. Odelay Album - Beck
  60. One Night Only Album - Bee Gees
  61. Rush - Big Audio Dynamite
  62. The Globe - Big Audio Dynamite
  63. The Bottom Line - Big Audio Dynamite
  64. Every Big Country Album - Big Country
  65. Every Billy Idol Album - Billy Idol

Saturday, October 15, 2011

My top ??? songs of all time-Part I

Yeah, I am getting ready to retire for the night, so I figured I would leave you my top ??? songs. This is my list, not yours; so deal wid it! My qualifications? Simple, if I can listen to the same song over and over and not vomit, it makes the list. This list will be ongoing for whatever reason. These are in no particular order.

  1. Every Janes Addiction Album - Janes Addiction
  2. Between Something and Nothing - The Ocean Blue
  3. Delta Lady - Joe Cocker
  4. Tuesday Afternoon - Moody Blues
  5. The High Kings - The Black Velvet Band
  6. Cars (Live) - Gary Numan
  7. One Tree Hill - U2
  8. Pride (Live Rattle and Hum) - U2
  9. The Refugee - U2
  10. We Want a Rock - They Might be Giants
  11. Can't Explain - The Who
  12. Behind Blue Eyes - The Who
  13. The Skin Deep - The Stranglers
  14. The Stone Roses - Love Spreads
  15. The Spencer Davis Group - Gimme Some Lovin'
  16. Bauhaus - Bela Lugosi's Dead
  17. Street Fighting Man - The Rolling Stones
  18. Ghost in You - Psychedelic Furs
  19. Vote Elvis - The Popinjays
  20. Miss Gradenko - The Police
  21. Good Girls Dont - The Knack
  22. Saved - Third Day
  23. Sunday - Tree 63
  24. Made to Love - Toby Mac
  25. Do it Again - The Kinks
  26. The Grass Roots - Midnight Confessions
  27. Are we Ourselves - The Fixx
  28. Less Cities, More People - The Fixx
  29. Deeper and Deeper - The Fixx
  30. Satisfaction Guaranteed - The Firm
  31. Dangerous Visions - The Exploited
  32. Save it for Later - The English Beat
  33. Disintegration (Entire Album) - The Cure
  34. Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, (Entire Album) - The Cure
  35. Wish (Entire Album) - The Cure
  36. The Cult - Love Removal Machine
  37. Cranberries - Dreams
  38. Every Album from - The Clash
  39. Bye Bye Love - The Cars
  40. Let's Go - The Cars
  41. The Dirty Boogie (Entire Album) - Brian Setzer Orchestra
  42. Light a Candle for Me - The Bogmen
  43. Every Album from - The Beatles
  44. 409 - The Beach Boys
  45. Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys
  46. I Get Around - The Beach Boys
  47. The Golden Age - The Asteroids Galaxy Tour
  48. Around the Bend - The Asteroids Galaxy Tour
  49. Along Comes Mary - The Association
  50. Beat Me Daddy, Eight To The Bar - The Andrews Sisters
  51. Once in a Lifetime - The Talking Heads
  52. It's My Life - Talk Talk
  53. Action - Sweet
  54. Fox on the Run - Sweet
  55. Couldnt Stand the Weather - Stevie Ray Vaughan
  56. All Things New - Steven Curtis Chapman
  57. Higher Love - Steve Winwood
  58. Aja - Steely Dan
  59. Reelin in the Years - Steely Dan
  60. Hell - Squirrel Nut Zippers
  61. True - Spandau Ballet
  62. Tears of a Clown - Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
  63. Peek a Boo (Entire Album) - Siouxsie & the Banshees
  64. Superstition (Entire Album) - Siouxsie & the Banshees
  65. Belfast Child - Simple Minds
  66. Librae Solidi Denari - Shaman
  67. The Odd Get Even (Entire Album) - Shadowfax
  68. Magic Theater (Entire Album) - Shadowfax
  69. Big Dog (Entire Album) - Seven Nations
  70. The Factory (Entire Album) - Seven Nations
  71. Old Ground (Entire Album) - Seven Nations
  72. Let Me Go - Scott Stapp
  73. The Great Divide - Scott Stapp
  74. On the Loose - Saga
  75. Every Rush Album - Rush
  76. Avalon - Roxy Music
  77. More Than This - Roxy Music
  78. Happy? (Entire Album) - PIL
  79. 9 (Entire Album) - PIL
  80. Delirious - Prince
  81. Middle of the Road - Pretenders
  82. See Emily Play - The Pink Floyd
  83. Arnold Layne - The Pink Floyd
  84. Every Porno for Pyro's Album - Porno for Pyros
  85. Daughter - Pearl Jam
  86. Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town - Pearl Jam
  87. Helen Wheels - Wings
  88. Flying High Again - Ozzy Osbourne
  89. Tesla Girls - OMD
  90. Dead Mans Party - Oingo Boingo
  91. Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam - Nirvana
  92. All Apologies - Nirvana
  93. He Reigns - Newsboys
  94. Always - Newsboys
  95. Steppin up to the Microphone - Newsboys
  96. Love Vigilantes - New Order
  97. Cherry - Neil Diamond
  98. Dr. Feelgood (Entire Album) - Motley Crue
  99. A Little Bit Me A Little Bit You - The Monkeys
  100. Two Base Hit - Miles Davis
  101. On the Corner - Miles Davis
  102. Black Satin - Miles Davis
  103. King of the Mo
  104. Mountain - Midnight Oil
  105. Come to the Cross - Michael W Smith
  106. Black or White - Michael Jackson
  107. Don't Stop Till You Get Enough - Michael Jackson
  108. Aria (Delirium) - Mediaeval Baebes
  109. Ecci Mundi Gaudium - Mediaeval Baebes
  110. Monday, Monday - Mamas and the Papas
  111. The visit - the lady of shalott - Lorena McKennitt
  112. Mummers Dance - Lorena McLennitt
  113. Vivid (Entire Album) - Living Colour
  114. Every Led Zeppelin Album - Led Zeppelin
  115. Cold Shower - Kix
  116. Cold Blood - Kix
  117. Patio Lanterns - Kim Mitchell
  118. Eighties - Killing Joke
  119. Every KC and the Sunshine Band Album - KC and the Sunshine Band
  120. Both Side Now - Judy Collins
  121. Love will Tear us Apart - Joy Division
  122. Stone in Love - Journey
  123. Wheel in the Sky - Journey
  124. One Piece at All - Johnny Cash

Friday, October 14, 2011

Decisions

As most of you know, I am an artist by trade. Being in the bike industry for a while has allowed me to ride for the Trek 29er Crew, meet very cool people and even work with (I can count on 2-3 fingers) passionate people. There comes a time when you have to say, at any job for that matter, does stress equal a good, healthy life? Heck no. So, that being said, I have to make some decisions about my future. I have been very lucky to be able to go back to the bike shop where I currently work when things have gone south, but it always turns into a negative; and bikes aint negative, man. There are a few people there that I really enjoy, we all share the same feelings on the issue.  I aint gonna lie, I love cycling and everything associated with it, but being negative and angry isnt gonna get you anywhere but an early grave. So, if you are in the same situation as me, dont get down on yourself; it is hard-trust me, but do what you think is best for you, not the other way around. Hopefully things will turn out for the best and I will get back to feeling groovey again. Over and Out.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Just a good day to ride

Well, decided to head out to the trails at Gunpowder this morning with the Superfly HT Elite. Legs are still not 100% after this weekends SS race, so figured this would be a good choice. What did I discover today. Well, let's see...hmmm-my technical skills are as rusty as Lemont's fenders on Sanford and Son. Man, like a fish out of water. The road bike certainly has made me faster overall, but not being on the mountain bike on a regular basis will make you a bit apprehensive. I was finding myself second guessing myself in areas that I would normally rock over. The HR reached only 169, even on the steeper stuff. So that's it. Over and Out.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

1st and 2nd on the Same Day-Fountain head

Well, it finally came to fruition. I think it was in one of Nostradamus' quatrains: He shall rise from the depths to  claim the polyester prize of purple and black; his enemies shall fall-except for one. Eh, maybe not. It took nearly 2 months to finish the series, but today was the final race in the Cranky Monkey series. I was a little worried because my legs werent as fresh as I would like them to feel.

Fountain Head is a brutal course. I liken it to Michaux, but in a condensed version. Rocks, roots and crazy steep climbs with no recovery. I never look forward to racing here. It is a must, though. Would I change it, no. This race weeds out the guys and gals that can through it down. If you can ride here, you are good to go anywhere around the region. Anyway, I was 1st in points coming in with 75, which was only 13 shy of last years 88, so I was a bit nervous about being able to hold on to it. Doug Pepelko, Blake Bricker and Stephen Viers were all here, so it wasnt going to be an easy task. I started were I normally end up, 2nd into the singletrack. I followed behind Doug for a bit and then I took over about 3 miles in. I hate being in first...PERIOD. I am a better come from behind rider. I dropped back behind Doug again; about 18 seconds behind. We stayed that way to the end. So 2nd is where I ended up for the race, but I did manage to hold on to the overall lead and finished with 111 points.

You do get a very nice jersey for being the series champion as well along with gift certificates to The Bike Lane-a class act bike store indead. Be sure to visit those guys in the Fairfax, Va area. If you have never raced an EX2 race-DO IT! SEAVS is also a great sponsor and show what people can do to make this sport so cool.

I rode my Ferrous SS with 32/18 gearing. It was the first time I rode the steel bike here, and it was worth the extra weight. Fountainhead is brutal on the arms and legs. I rode the 29.2 tires and turned out to be not the best choice. These are great on hardpack, not loose rock and loose dirt. The Evoke 3 saddle gets comfier the more I use it. Funny, I get more questions on the RXL carbon cranks. Of course you cant get these beauties any longer, but I have them on 4 bikes-and that is where they will stay. Again, head on in to your Trek dealer-which The Bike Lane is-and get hooked up with what Bontrager offers.

It has been a good start to october so far, so maybe my cx season will follow suit. This year wrapped up a great mountain season. I finished 8 out of 9 races on the podium with a 2 1st's a 2nd and 5 3rd's. My best season so far and all in groovy 29er Crew fashion. Thanks again to the EX2 crew and Jon Rogers!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Finally... an end to it all

Well, it took nearly 2 months, but the final Cranky Monkey race is a go for tomorrow. I can finish as low down as third and still be the overall leader, but that would be cheating, sort of. I thought I would be really excited about it, and I was back in august-but now I just want to get it over with. I am leading in points, or I would be at Hyattsville racing a rather crappy cyclocross season. Fitness level is pretty good right now, at least in my mind. 


I having been putting in some running time as well. Maybe that is the missing puzzle piece in my dismal CX season. I did a 5.1 mile run on friday at a 7:21 pace, so pretty good-for me. Anyway, hopefully everything will come together tomorrow and I will be in the Cranky Monkey jersey.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Run-Bike-Run and a 2nd place finish

The sign says it all
Ok, I have been known to do some dumb things in my time. Some of which I am actually proud of. I thought one of the dumbest things I was in line for was doing this Tri thing. Well, it ended up being a run/bike/run thing due to the water quality. So here how my training went down...ready? 3 runs since may of 1987, all of which came in last 3 weeks totaling 10 miles. The bike thing is just , well the bike thing-right in the middle of cyclocross, which incidentally hasnt really been going well anyway. So as you can see, I was well equipped for failure. Ah, but alas, you seem to forget that I am clothed in the latest fashions from the Trek 29er Crew. I do believe the kit does possess certain superhero powers.

Comear dang shoe
So on with the details. 1.5 mile run 13.1 ride and 3.5 run. Yeah, running sucks. I hate it.  So off we went at 8am. I started at the front not having any clue on how to pace myself. Funny, I feel pretty good. Turned in a 6:15 and good enough for 7th at that point overall and 1st in the 40-44 cat. The transition area looked like Woodstock after the rains came. CYCLOCROSS!

Got off in a decent time of 34 seconds. On to the bike. Now, if you have never attempted one of these things, let me advise you on something. You may claim to be a great rider or runner, but now you have to put all together in a tidy package. I still felt pretty darn good. I was keeping a 22.1 pace throughout the ride portion and turned in the 7th overall fastest time and 2nd in the group. I of course was riding the "Mad-one" and it performed as expected. The roads were wet, but everything stayed put, so after a 51 second transition, it was back out for the 3.5 mile run. This is what I dreaded. I didnt know how I would feel after the ride, but much to my surprise, I felt really good. 1st place was 20 yards in front the whole time. I ended up turning in a 7:05 pace for the last leg and just couldnt catch number one which ended up being 3 seconds ahead.

 I ended up 2nd in the 40-44 group and get this...5th overall with a 1:08:11! I will have to say this was the best time I have had this year at any race. I did well, stayed strong and managed to do something I would have never thought I would have. This certainly wont be the last time for one of these. So a strange, but 2nd place finish for the Crew and a 5th overall out of 132!