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!

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.

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
66. 
    

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
125. 
     

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.

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.

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!

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.

Final Results from Hammerman Tri

Just the final results (top 20) here. Everything else there...http://www.eliteracemanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/OVERALL-RESULTS3.pdf

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!

Cross Season at a Glance

Tacchino HR Zone Distribution

Ever wanted to do something so bad-and be decent as well-and it just doesnt quite come together? That is how my cross season has been so far. I cant quite figure out what is the issue(s). I am maintaining a 183 avg HR throughout my races, for 40+ minutes-which is 6 bpm over my threshold HR. Maybe lack of off road riding; only 2 since august.

Now, cyclocross isnt nor was meant to be "my" thing, but I am not a quitter, and I always go all out for whatever it is I am doing. I almost feel like I did a few years back in MT bike racing. I would become complacent and be ok with people passing me and not making efforts to re-pass at some point. This does concern me a bit. Starting so far back in the pack in a cyclocross race is almost a death certificate. Trying to fight your way up in such a short period of time is tough.

I am not used to not being in the top 5, so it is a little strange to be finishing 70th out of 120 or so, but this is cyclocross and there is nothing else like it. No other sport is as demanding for a specified time. You are required to redline the entire race, and you will do so right from the start wether you like it or not.

So, I will continue my quest to become mediocre at cyclocross and like it, unless of course my mountain bike attitude leads me elsewhere. Eh, maybe I am finally at the age were...gasp...I am just not cut out to be as good at this as the mountain bike thing.

Charm City Cross

Just a few pics from todays race. Felt pretty good overall. 176 average Hr for 47 minutes. Not sure where I place, but being in the cat 1,2,3,4 race with no designation for cat groups, I figure top 60 out of 125. My son Alex finished 2nd in his race.

 

Tri or Try; that is the Question

Being a Moron allows for certain levels of experimentation. I mean, normal or sane folk are afraid to venture outside the box-or I prefer a dodecahedron, simply for the reason of the box has only four corner, which doesnt allow too much freedom when you are in the box.

So I have decided to do my first sprint tri. Yeah, I know... Anyway it consists of a 1/2 mile swim, 13 mile ride and 3 mile run, not too bad. I am pretty strong in all these areas, but never had to combine them all in a neat package. Got my wetsuit today, so I am ready to roll. In my head I tell myself finishing in the middle of the pack is cool, but my head isnt always thinking what I am. Go full out baby! It is in Gunpowder so 3 miles from my house gives me home field advantage, maybe? I did a 3.8 mile run today at a 7:12 pace, pretty decent for not running in 9 months.

I think I will look pretty buff in my wetsuit, though. My fear is that it will attract to much attention and cause a distraction to me and others. So my thoughts are to get some bubble wrap and stuff it every wear so as to look as if cellulite rules my world; then, like a sleeper car just dominate and give Richard Simmons all the glory. I will post some pics of me before hand. Over and Out.

Has it come to this?

Yes it has. I just finished eating...3 "gourmet" hot dogs, now mind you, I havent had a hot dog since...hmmm the Orioles went to the playoffs-you do the research. Each one has 20g fat, thats 60 grams for 3! I dont even feel guilty, ok a little-I am about to get on the trainer to make myself feel all warm and fuzzy again. Over and Out.

First Time for Everything

Well today I found myself in a club that I thought I would never be a member of; the 20+mph club. Today I did my usual Western Run loop, but added an extra 5 miles and 1000 feet of elevation. I felt ok at first, but felt really good at the end. Funny thing about fitness levels, no matter how good you feel, you still have to work through the pain and suffering. Whether its 15mph avg or 20, its all relevant in my book. I finished with a 20.7 average, which blew away my previous attempt at 19.9 with less climbing.

Its been such a long time...

Yeah, I would have some underwear thrown at me lookin this fly

I love Boston. Shame Brad Delp decided that no one else should hear him sing again, or that they never gave me a shot at being the drummer. I look good in an afro. Anyway, It has been 29 days since I last straddled my trusty SS; since Schaeffer Farm to be exact.

Nice Patapsco ride today. 10.7 average speed; not bad for some slightly rusty mtb skills. Really good power output. Felt kinda dead the first 4-5 miles, glad I got over it. Last mtn race of the season next weekend at FH. Gonna hit the road some more to get some enduro stuff in.

The Good, The bad and the Ugly

Well, its been a few, so I will get right to it. Thanks to Irene, Fountainhead was postponed until 9/11. Charm City Cross is the following weekend-AAArgghhh!

Ok, now the good. My house did not flood from the Irene's liquid offerings. The bad;The trails are a complete mess. The ugly; thanks to Irene, I now have on half less of a tree than I had on friday. Like someone sliced it right down the middle. All told I was pretty lucky compared to some I suppose.

Training has been going well. I logged 658 miles in august, but have been a little uninspired as of late. Dont know what to make of it. Maybe the end of the season is here and I am not looking forward to another cold one here-yeah, I will go with that one.

The Madone has been a blessing to ride. It has really aided in my training. Hmmm...how will I convert it to a Single...! Really excited about cross season this year. I think I will be pretty competitive, or I could completely impload like a white dwarf and create a black hole which would envelope my competition and leave me as the only one left...to...brag.......ab..ou..t That was really stupid. Anyway, I have a 50 miler planned for tomorrow to get me ready for Fountainhead. Over and Out.

Tally Ho!

Well, my year for mileage totals has come to an end today. I cant believe how much training and mileage I have put on the bike this past year. All told, I logged 4,594.44 miles since last august 21st. My actual elevation gain was around 412,000 ft due to using another computer when my Garmin 500 took a dive.

I had some pretty long road rides this year as well. Quite a few 50+ milers and a few 60+ miles on the SS. Last year I had around 1,400 miles total, nothing to write home about.

With only 2 mountain bike races left, it is time to start switching gears - eh, I always wanted to use that in a sentence in conjunction with a cycling blog-to cyclocross season; meaning more intervals and less endurance, sounds like work to me, uughhhh.

Very Nice road ride from Forest Hill to Pennsylvania

Just a nice, but difficult ride to Pa. today. New route for me and wanted to get some good climbing in before Fountainhead. Sit and Spin...I dont think so. 53/21 all the way, except short Walters Mill climb, which registered a leg blistering 21% grade for 550 feet. There are a few 1+ milers that are 10-15% grades in spots as well. Still able to lock down a pretty fast 19.4 for the total. Legs felt a little heavy near the end, but not to bad. Was able to crank out of the saddle and maintain 20+ mph on some of the climbs.

Bike is handling great. It did get a little twitchy on some of the 40 mph descents, but there was a bit of a cross wind to contend with.