Team Gnarf!ck

Wanting what

2012-01-18T01:10:00.001-06:00

I would love to live here.

Vacation resolutions

2012-01-15T02:09:00.003-06:00

Fact: running sucks.

-running on vacation sucks harder.

-running shoes you don't use are useless.

Fact: riding bikes is awesome.

-riding a bike on vacation is equally as awesome.

-renting a bike is cheap, and i don't have to carry it.

Resolution: leave running shoes behind, rent a bike m

ore often.

Shameless plug

This would be such a cool house/clubhouse. Ideas.

Thailand!

2011-11-23T08:44:00.000-06:00

I'm in thailand. check it

air drumming the day away

2011-10-06T11:35:00.002-05:00

Bike riding is the best in the fall. That sweet smell of rotting leaves, the trails you can finally see, the ability to just ride into the trees and make your own trail. Get lost, see a lot of deer, ride in the amber light as the sun sets. Makes me feel a little like this video.

fire sale

2011-09-27T20:36:00.002-05:00

fleeing the country, buying monkeys. don't ask...

150$ for the fastest slow bike ever.

Niner sir 9 (short person size)
carbon fork, shimano cranks, juicy seven's w/straightline levers, new wheels and drivetrain, other stuff that doesn't matter as much.its twenty one pounds. and awesome.
900$

Lights?

2011-08-23T00:34:00.001-05:00

night riding season is soon.
i have lights, for you maybe?

This bike is amazing

2011-08-18T01:17:00.000-05:00

firefly commuter

Gnarf!ck approved

2011-08-08T16:25:00.001-05:00

middle finger braking. always a good idea

Road racing generally sucks

2011-07-30T14:41:00.000-05:00

but this is pretty awesome

this is insane

2011-04-29T14:23:00.001-05:00

sean burns

this is fucking nuts. this dude has no fear

the good times are killing me

2011-04-18T14:34:00.004-05:00

I've been racing bikes for a while now, its always a good time. What i find fun is not necessarily the race. Getting up ungodly early, drinking coffee crammed into the back of my dads pickup truck, telling the anxious butterflies in my stomach that keeping my rushed cooked a little runny eggs down would really be ideal today. Bike tinkering the night before, deciding what to wear, what to eat, when to eat, remembering to register and getting there on time. This race was different, it was a road race. I've had the er, "pleasure" of doing a gravel road race before, but it was really long and on an mtb so this one was a just that much different. The race was great, good times were had and vitamin G is always good for the soul. Whether this counts as a road race is up for discussion but either way it was a first for me, my only regret is riding a bike with no gears, but hey, not the first time i've given myself that handicap. So what really is the best part of racing a bike? On the drive home the radio will invariably be playing The deep roots. Between the conversation, the folk music, and nodding off with my head resting on the back seat speaker, the drive home is really what makes a bike race.

2011-03-14T13:41:00.003-05:00

I'd been dreaming about buying myself a boat, probably a canoe or something. But then i saw this:

f'ing around; ceased.

2011-03-12T14:51:00.002-06:00

bar; raised

2011-03-06T12:33:00.000-06:00

A Hill in Spain from chris akrigg on Vimeo.

2011-02-15T12:44:00.004-06:00

I keep hearing people talking about "the end of trainer season" all i can think is that it brings the beginning of ruined bike season. Rusty chains, sandy rim brakes, corroded cables, seized bolts...the bane of my existence.

Winter sucks

2011-02-01T11:59:00.002-06:00

It's not always easy being a bike ninja.

hey, you want these wheels.

2011-01-08T19:39:00.003-06:00

i bought myself new wheels.
this means the ksyrium sl's i bought three years ago and never used need to go.

they look like this.

they weigh 1545grams, and they're stiffer than a teenage boner.

550$ takes em.
i'll true/rebuild them for you even though they don't need it.
i'd be willing to trade them for a 29'er suspension fjork too...

skills

2010-11-30T00:35:00.001-06:00

he has them

Gnarf!ck approved

2010-11-23T21:54:00.006-06:00

You think you're hard? meet DaveD.
Yes. Those are folgers containers.
Like i always say, windproof is really the most important thing.

/

2010-11-23T21:54:00.005-06:00

this is a stable. we have those.

2010-11-17T00:34:00.002-06:00

God damn

2010-11-14T00:51:00.004-06:00

I said god damn!

I don't care what you say. Tommy turbo won provincials. I had trouble riding that hill. Despite his lack of air time, The devo team managed to acquire one last podium spot. Remember that take over I was warning you about? Don't say i didn't warn you. With the Deisel team out of commission for supercross due to a loosing battle with a sidewalk, there won't be another chance for victory until 2011. Be ready, its coming.

things not to do

2010-11-06T01:57:00.001-05:00

bunny hop barrier.

sketch out, go around second barrier.

the bar is still high

2010-10-25T01:15:00.003-05:00

it has been significantly raised yet again.

It's great to see a field big enough generate a haze of dust you couldn't see threw.

Here we have team Gnarf1ck Devo team rider, diesel employing the tongue out barrier run technique. this is in order to acquire extra protein from any insects that may be in the air.

Here we have Anny bannany with a more traditional smirk and perfect knee extension.

I don't know if you noticed or not, but pauly B really seems like he wants to join team gnarF!ck. You're not quite there yet young grasshopper. Although there my be room in the budget for a airtime specialist.

2010-10-04T19:28:00.008-05:00

2010-10-04T19:28:00.007-05:00

Team GnarF!ck riders ride alone.
Tristan, he rides alone at the front, I ride alone at the back.
The Devo team now has a cyclocross win under its belt. From the second lap on tristan solo'd off the front to win with a decent gap. He missed lapping me by about 2 feet. I didn't get lapped this race, I guess that's an improvement.

As for Clayton, well he sucks bag.

now that's a cross race

2010-09-26T15:39:00.002-05:00

The top female GnarF!ck rider Annie Bananie sporting a new helmet. thank god.

It is three forty pm. almost exactly twenty four hours since menno cross. I just sneezed, there was mud in my snot. I rubbed my eyes, and mud came out of my tears ducts. My shoes, soaked, my shorts/jersey are a muddy mess and everything seems to creak on my bike now. Don't think im complaining here. That is how cross is supposed to be. The bar has been significantly raised, MennoCross will be hard to top. Mud, climbs, flow, well placed barriers, perfectly marked course, superb organization, great atmosphere, did i mention mud? As far as myself, I sucked about as much as I could have. I did have fun sprinting from the back to front from the start, then crashing like an idiot in front of the entire field. just reppin' gnarf!ck, its all apart of the game plan. After that point my race slowly slid down the muddy slopes that was the grassy hills of the CMU. I Crashed every lap (more than one on a few) for 7 laps in a row. Blew up like a fire cracker on the fourth of july about halfway through. By the end it took all I had just to stay upright. Someone told me i looked like I was about to cry. I was. I've never been so happy to be lapped in my life, making the 2 laps to go into my final lap. Well, Tristan set the bar high, I set the bar low. All I can do now is improve.

Team Gnarf!ck out.

Always the hard way

2010-09-20T18:16:00.002-05:00

team gnarf!ck devo team rider diesel Geisel winning the first cross race of the year, if only for a brief period of time. It is a bike race right? the objective is to win, or at least try to win. Objective attained. Petering back to a fifth place finish, we've set the bar high in my books. this all depends on your bookkeeper I guess. Just wait till the hangover wears off. There will be racing, and plenty of it.

2010-09-06T19:57:00.004-05:00

At night? sure why not

You sure get some crazy looks riding a cross bike on a pump track. Great way to spend a monday afternoon. Need to go back riding a mtn. bike.

Pump track time trial anyone?

New drivetrains

2010-09-01T19:44:00.002-05:00

Every year or so. I always look forward to it.

I finally had to retire my 16T white industries fw. Ive had that freewheel for almost 6 years. about as long as Ive been at olympia. hopefully I'll get another six out of this one.

gnarfu!k @ Nats.

2010-07-21T04:20:00.001-05:00

From the moth of the rider, Tristan.

Returned home today @ 3:30 am, after a 17hour return from my contemporary pilgrimage.
Things I’v learned about biking/racing/myself/
1. I can climb despite my prairie training, the only place I caught people were on climbs.
2. But I can’t go down hills very fast, the descent only had flow if you were on a fs, I just hung on and droped back..
3. I require more then one day to adapted to high altitude. Mike and I felt very week riding the first two days (race on the second day) but everyday after the race we were able to ride longer and faster. We were the only two whom showed up so close to race day.
4. I am fast enough to compete nationally in my category.
5. xc courses literally go up for 15min, then down for 5.
Things I’v learned about mountain’s and there people.
1. riding a hardtail makes you stupid/ hardasfuck (especially on those downhill runs we took on Monday)
2. A xc bike means 120 front and back
3. 100 front and back is a commuter, typically a Yukon fx, Myka FSR.
4. hardtails are kids bikes.
5. roller skiing is the second largest outdoor summer activity next to biking.
6. seeing some one ( or a pelleton) coming down a hill on rollerskis in an aero tuck, wearing a helmet and spandex is way dorkier then any form of biking.
7. There is more single track in the town of Canmore then the province of Manitoba.
The coolest thing I saw was an ancient 5spd cruiser with Hutchison Pythons. The owner said that she rides singltrack all the way to work on it!

Back to the race, I spent most of the race near the back, climbing up to 16 on my third lap then crashing and cracking my helmet (as you may have seen on tv) dropping back to twentieth. (which appears on the results as last but of those four dnf’s at least three did it so as to not show up –1 on the results)

Summery. This experience has increased my passion to train and improve, opening a new level of competition for me to best. And something about mountains being the most awesome thing ever and me belonging in them. Wow were they awesome!

Gnarfu!k

secret training.

2010-06-20T01:13:00.003-05:00

Do you know how hard it is to ride a 40lb bike?
Not riding hurts more than riding, oddly enough.

2010-06-16T01:04:00.003-05:00

Remember when we told you the take over was just starting? well, its here. The Gnarf!ck devo team claimed its first elite mtb win.

While everyone was quiting and whining about it being wet, shitty, technical, and generally all around a difficult the diesel grunted along to gap a ten minute lead. That's how you get shit done. Don't bother looking over your shoulder, he'll be right there.

what its all about

2010-06-11T00:08:00.000-05:00

2010-06-05T01:54:00.000-05:00

If you're looking for moral guidance this is not the place to be.

all abord

2010-05-28T00:19:00.005-05:00

Do you want a Gnarf!ck jersey?
We know you do.
45$ for a jersey. champ sys summer ones.
They will be well, gnarf!ck. Black, with white and red writing. simple.
A jersey is a must. other stuff will be available. Full team kit will include jersey, bib shorts, long sleeve wool, and 3/4 fleece lined knickers.

We need at least ten, but really, four are spoken for. so that only leaves six.
six.666. of course.

gnaf!ck
update: we have two more. that bring us to six. this is getting weird.
4 more! get some!
upupdate: All right there is enough. maybe well design (mspaint) or maybe it will just be a surprise. All i guarantee is they will be Gnarf!uck.
UPDATES LIKE NO ONES BIDNAS

they will say "Gnarf!ck" on the front, white lettering w/ a redm "!". the back will say "If you're looking for moral guidance this is not the place to be." The shorts will be something similar. black.

Gnarf!ck

2010-05-07T23:14:00.003-05:00

Its been brought to my attention by the Gnarf!ck legal adviser that perhaps a minimal amount of censorship may benefit our cause. As long as we're all clear what it means regardless.

Genetic malfunction

2010-05-02T22:19:00.002-05:00

I decided, or rather, my body decided to take a new approach to bike racing this summer, by substituting the beginning of bike season for a nice long rest off the bike. Although it may seem a bizarre strategy, trust me when testicular torsionis the cause, you don't question it. All said and done I've got a really sore crotch and i won't be riding a bike for a while. I've still got two, no chance for a third lung a-la Lance.

In other news, a little birdy told me team Gnarfuck's devo claimed a podium spot today.
The take over begins.

three things you should all do

2010-04-19T01:26:00.002-05:00

Bruxelles!
drink bear on the trails
ride your duraace road bike off road

gnarfuck

2010-04-11T23:29:00.004-05:00

New bike. niner sir9, charbon fork, thomson/thomson, king, 240s/revs/crests/2.25 ralphs, ponza lux, racelite 17 degree, raceface turbines/ti bb, xt rotors, khe chain, salsa skewers blah blah blah 19 and a half.

The ride is amazing, ive ridden it everyday since i got it, still smiling ear to ear. The geometry and fit is spot on, ive never had a bike feel so "right" before. The carbon fork just soaks everything up, roots and rocks seem smooth, the front end is so easy to pick up and the rear lands right where i want it to with ease. I'm impressed to say the least. It rides like it has a mind of its own, i just point it where i want to go and it does the rest.
Pure awesome.

more on this later

2010-04-10T01:50:00.001-05:00

2010-04-07T01:56:00.000-05:00

We don't patch inner tubes.

One race i'll never win

2010-04-04T23:41:00.002-05:00

The rain wins every time.

2010-04-01T00:55:00.001-05:00

i think i want gears.
and suspension.
maybe a rip nine?

wicked awesome

2010-03-17T01:49:00.001-05:00

first funny bike ride this year, riding trials is fun. my hand really hurt now.

springing forward

2010-03-15T21:33:00.001-05:00

Bikes, riding them, is starting to be fun again!
Had my first spring crash, sand is a bitch.
get out and ride!

.

2010-02-07T14:49:00.003-06:00

I haven't posted a race recap in a while, figured i might as well while i wait for my toes to de-thaw. With some fresh snow and a crisp wind the race started with a good deal of standing around on the start line getting colder and colder, by the time we were off i had numb hands and toes, thankfully Dan N decided it was going to be a fast race and went off the front right away. I decided i wasn't going to let him walk away without a contest, bridged the small gap pretty quickly, we danced back and fourth for most of the first and second lap. Every flat he'd pull away and anything soft i'd catch back up. He let me in front a couple times just to make me work, just for good measure. Right at the beginning of the third and final lap, Dan looked back, put his head down and dropped me like a wet blanket. I tried briefly to reel him in to no avail. After three fourK laps i came in second, toes still cold but the rest of me was warm.

Pictures stolen from ScottW.
Set up my Slury Cross check with some bontrager team issue "1.9's" (1.7) fatties fit fine. Gotta' love a bike that goes from a road bike to a mountain bike with a change of tires.

Its been a while

2010-01-10T17:40:00.002-06:00

It's a long winter, unicycles in the hallway make it fun.
Riding is simply routine, too fuckin cold to have any fun most days. Twenty minutes each way means i'll still be slow, still not doing anything about it.

See ya when i see ya

wow that was cold.

2009-10-11T00:36:00.004-05:00

stolen from the FGBC

It feels like winter all of a sudden, way to early. tons of fun, best course ever i ever ridden. Supercross is turning out to be the most memorable race every year it seems. I always enjoy sliding and falling all over the place, even i suck and go really slow. Fries and mayo was my highlight. Food, make sure you eat it before racing your bike. water, thats good too. All my muddy stuff needs a'washin. have cleaning yours!

bourkevale cx

2009-10-05T19:10:00.002-05:00

so, they game plan foolish as it was, was to go as hard as i could from the start and lead for as long as i could. Then blow up and slowly fall back, hopefully satying in the top ten. wich i did. led the first couple laps, after that i was just trying to hang on. bad game pla, but it was fun. cross isn't about sitting in the pack anywayz, y'know?

before blowing up like a hand grenade

jumps are fun.

Dylan won by some huge margin, he made us look stupid while looking like a goof himself. impressive indeed.

whats up in your world?

2009-09-30T01:52:00.002-05:00

haven't updated in a while. not much has been goin' on, missed the last couple races 'cause i was workin/not there. Been riding, just not the kind that helps you get fast, mostly the kind that helps you drink and have fun. Lifes about to change, no more kid life.

ps:

ovr/out

2009-09-15T02:14:00.003-05:00

craig the eventual winner and the impaler

there were jumps tristan did it every lap the whole race, twice!

Love the shades dude

Brian didn't do the jumps
but he made up for it in beer

vic took home a month's supply of powered by perogies finest pergies courtesy of brian S. everyone else got beer and cinnamon buns. good times were had.

cross racing you say

2009-09-05T02:30:00.003-05:00

just need to ditch the slicks. maybe a crit? we'll see.

but which bike do i race?

2009-09-02T02:05:00.003-05:00

still kids

2009-08-31T01:53:00.004-05:00

just playing in puddles

2009-08-25T18:55:00.003-05:00

Me john and tristan went camping/night riding, i'll let the picture tell their thousand

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alter 8 eight

2009-08-17T19:08:00.002-05:00

If you weren't there, you missed the fuck out.

Free beer, free hot dogs, good people, good times, good course.
oh, and they let me wear my ipod and reg late!

The course was the best that ive ridden at birch, the organization was swift and relaxed, and the accommodations were top notch.

Me and johnnyM rode a duo a team together, lots of fun. We had no intention of winning, or even trying to sorta do well. we just wanted to have fun and ride bikes for a while. I got in five laps, he did four. I think we beat a team of teenage girls. Maybe.

So far it was the funnerest race of the year, other than nine mile.

I'd like to say we missed you if you weren't there, but i didn't. You suck. big.

See ya on the barriers!

Wed night pics. overdue.

2009-08-03T21:39:00.000-05:00

rocks :2

2009-08-03T18:43:00.002-05:00

Bad habits are hard to quit.

2009-08-02T16:50:00.001-05:00

Its not about where your from, its about where your going.

9mile

2009-07-28T01:27:00.002-05:00

Done. I don't really know what to say. Went about as well as i'd hoped, better than i'd expected. Didn't die on the drive, didn't get lost, didn't run out of money, didn't run out of gas, didn't get searched, got there in one piece. This race was just as much a test of whether or not i could do it. Not so much the race, I knew i could screw that up without much problems. but, nothing went wrong. nothing. I had a good race for myself, riding for so long blurs my memory, i don't have much of a race report, more a mental note of good times.

As far as the race goes, i one up'd my 11 laps of last year. Success. I rode more than last year at night, and more in the morning. Slept less, ate better. rode smoother and had more fun. 176.4 miles, 12 laps, 10th place. Good enough by me. Lights worked, bike worked good. Squishy bits saved my hands from being iced and numb, that was great.

Thanks to Russel for the good times, pitting, and driving home. all after riding yourself into a gimp with me all day. Thanks Padddy/Naomifor the best pit ever, and the encouragement and inspiration. Paddy you're a freakin' crazy, In the best way. good job. Naomi rocked the house, hard. thanks to the coop for the fork. Dad, thanks for trusting me with your truck, and the moral support, it was reassuring knowing you were up with me, even ten hours away. Sure missed you telling me to get of my ass.

Now, my shit is still all over the place, and my knee still feels like a bungee cord, so i need to get to sleep. ovr

Registered.

2009-07-21T00:53:00.001-05:00

See you at nine mile. Put a suspension fork on. Courstesy of Scott and Deanna Wiede, aka The training coop. Now, just how am i getting there?

maybe i shoulda raced the townie...

2009-06-25T12:12:00.003-05:00

riding my moms townie on tuesday night

racing on wednesday.

although the picture looks like i was fast, i wasn't.
I crashed everywhere, once really hard when i caught my bar end on a tree. When i got up from that crash my wheel was in the bush off my bike, my bars were turned and my brakes twisted. I always liked racing in the rain, but i forgot about the fact that my prescription non-biking classes fog up instantly and i can't see shit, but if i take them off i can't either... oh well. i sucked, i finished tenth. the dog fest was great considering it was raining and cold. I drove home im a soaked samurai, which was surprisingly pleasant in comparison.

oh btw 620 bars+bar ends+30 psi? what in the fuck was i thinking. never again.

beeeeeeeeeoom

2009-06-16T01:08:00.001-05:00

I can't ride trials.
Liam can.

I can take pictures of it.

knife to a gun fight.

2009-06-11T23:02:00.002-05:00

Riding home from the BHP KOM race. Led the under 7's the wrong way through the wierdest marked started/lapping/finishing shoot.
bejeeezes

I hate giving up.

2009-06-07T22:03:00.002-05:00

I tried my hand at the back40 today, and well, failed.

From the get go i snapped my chain, as i stopped to fix it, Sir Robin took a hard spill in front of my eyes, breaking/hurting/dislocating his shoulder. What a start. i struggled for a while to get my chain on, did my best to make sure robin got out okay, then began hammering to catch up. Five minutes or so later i stopped to help casey fix his chain, putting more time between me and everyone else. i was just so fired up to ride i couldn't help but ride as hard as i could. After about a lap and a bit i caught Tristan and settled in riding with him. My idea of "making up time" clearly was not smart. after only two laps i was wrecked. I dragged my sorry ass out for a third, we were slow, but we did it. After some convincing and pride prodding i left for what should have been my fourth lap. I needed to get it done in under an hour, which seemed fairly impossible, but i vowed to try. About two minutes in i snapped my chain again. that was it. there was no way i was doing that lap in time for the cut off. i could have ridden it anyway, but i was hurtin.

that was my day.
this has not been my year.

I gotta give props to the tinker/morden/boys who put on the race, fkn wicked fun course, well organized, good food, good times. thanks doods. i'll be there next year, with spare chains.

my w.o.p

2009-05-24T15:54:00.004-05:00

my CX check with 1.8 mtn tires has been the bike of choice as of late.... still kinda fast on the pavement, perfect for the gravel paths, and good enough for some trails along the way to work. The extra 'cush has been nice for not rattling my head around to much too. Gotta love monster cross.

ripjackedface

2009-05-22T02:30:00.002-05:00

sunrise

sunset

2009-05-20T11:46:00.002-05:00

I got my first stitches on Monday night (er, tues morning) hit a tree on the right side, bounced to the left off the off camber train track trail at Whittier park, down the hill, a rock broke my fall. right above my left eye, 12 stitches, 3 inside holding my muscle back together, 9 outside. my eye was swollen shut this morning. I'm gonna look like harry potter. As far as material damage goes i broke my glasses real good, lost a lens, dented/ scratched the top tube of my salsa, bent a brake lever, bent my ring, and cracked my helmet. Doc said i had a mild concussion, but it was the least of my worries. Took over 2 hours to clean it, and another 2 to stitch it up.

Looks like will be MIA for the Brandon hills race...

2009-04-25T19:21:00.001-05:00

lO AM, assprak duck pond.
me and the ratt are riding.
most likely hart, bring your WOP.

gunk in my lungs

2009-04-05T00:21:00.001-05:00

acid in my legs.
"logged" just over 6 hrs in two days... i feel that...
that may sound normal to some, but tell that to my heart rate ...

And they said we'd tear ourselves apart, and it turns out, they were right.

2009-03-30T00:19:00.002-05:00

I would love to post about all the riding Ive done and how hard as fuck i am, regale you with stories of my epic riding journeys and make you feel all weak and scrawny. You know, the kind of blog posts that begs to say "fuck if you're staying on my wheel this year, bitch." That would be dope.

But, I won't.
Why?
because I'm a man or morals. i don't like deception. games are fun when they're on a board, not a blog. So, I'm just going to leave you wondering if i actually have been on a hail-mary-oh-fuck-i-need-to-get-fast-right-now-training-plan or if ive been getting drunk nearly daily and haven't touched a bike in almost a week.

Lets leave this up to reputation and history.

History does of course, repeat itself.

mother nature is my trainer

2009-03-07T18:15:00.002-06:00

Lookin' like a goof, luckily i think the fashion police were all at home on their trainers...

Rode till my toes froze than doubled home. 25-30K without leaving the downtown area, as much as i hate this city, i love this city.

-38C

2009-02-26T09:13:00.002-06:00

Check ya'self b'fore you wreck ya'self.

I refuse to accept this.
This will not stand.
It will warm up.
please?

Hump day

2009-02-20T01:21:00.002-06:00

Winter commuting has gotten more bearable the more I do it, I've only driven a few days this month, despite the funny frozen face. Dressing is more of a science, than an art and my bike couldn't be better. Good lights make the dark a little less dark, comfy curvy bars with thick cork grips absorb shock on my wrists and insulate great, good flat pedals, a decent drive train and my former croSS wheel set make it fast. Fenders, You're a fool without fenders. I'm running a rear fender in the front for much more coverage, and dry feet. S-m-r-t, I know.

Metta

2009-02-18T00:40:00.001-06:00

"you can put a knife in a man and draw it out, it won't matter how many times you say 'I'm sorry', the wound is still there."

2009-02-10T23:34:00.003-06:00

I had some long post typed out in this ones place. then i read it and realized it wasn't what i wanted to say.

Being away from your friends sucks, being away from your friends when they left for half a year and left on bad terms is worse. They key? don't live on bad terms, forgive, but never forget. Just don't hold a grudge.

Keep what you want in the sights, if your questioning what it is you want, aim high. even failing will be a success.

Normal shoeing

2009-01-28T02:33:00.001-06:00

Snowshoeing was the plan, but huge sorels don't fit the rent-a-shoes. We spent the better part of the afternoon wandering around fort whyte, its a really fun place.

2009-01-26T20:00:00.002-06:00

-40 w/ the windchill this morning meant no ride for me.
Spent just over an hour getting more acquainted with my arch nemesis, my rollers. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer, so they say. After survivor man, there was nothing else good on t.v. to keep me entertained.

I survived another year

2009-01-24T17:30:00.002-06:00

Happy birthday to me, i decided to scrap selling my surly and build it into my winter bike/beater bike. Rides wicked.

-5C!?! freakin awesome

2009-01-18T18:51:00.003-06:00

I took advantage of the nice day and went skiing, and a little ride with my dad. Its just nice to not freeze for once. I could get used to this not minus forty stuff.

2009-01-15T01:46:00.001-06:00

Old pictures. good times.

My ankle caught on the wagon as it passed me by

2009-01-13T18:43:00.003-06:00

I've been dragging behind the wagon lately, i wouldn't say I'm on it.
Been riding to work most days for the past couple weeks, went to hot yoga yesterday, and I've done a few push up/sit up style workouts for maybe half an hour a couple times. I'm going with the not pushing myself till i burn out training schedule. I think i'm gonna pick up some rollers, i can't hack the trainer. Who knows... maybe I'll get a cadence computer and call it real training. Doubtful.

Blog revamp. pre-made template and fonts. meh.

I've always been and over-thinker

2008-12-26T22:37:00.002-06:00

My goals have always been simple ones, for 09 they shall remain as such. My goal for next years bike season? Not setting goals, goals are limits, goals are daunting hopes that get crushed, goals mean you're focused, goals mean you think. My "goal" as it were, is very simple. More, less, better. More riding, more fun, more defeats, more success. Less thinking, less hopes, less plans, less. Better? better what you ask? just, better, better riding, better fun, better defeats, better success, better thinking, better hopes, better plans, better less, better better. What does it all mean? nothing. that's my point.

Race results have never, and will never be my main objective on a bike.
Heavy words are so lightly thrown.

As far as where i stand now, i know I'm behind fitness-wise compared to last year. With working full time, being sick, and this freakin shit weather Ive been lacking motivation.
So, let the pieces fall through the cracks, and land where they may.

Off to ingest some VitC and somehting warm.
over/out

I think i live in the deepfreeze in some large guy's basement

2008-12-14T23:56:00.002-06:00

and he really wants his chicken fricken cold.

A cold and a wicked fever have had me not only hibernating, but hiding from everything the past few days. Finally bit the bullet and bought some skis, managed to get out a couple times before the cold hit. So, apparently, skate skiing is actually harder than it looks. I could barely propel my self forward sans poles till someone told to stop putting my skis on edge...just like hockey my ass...

for now, lemon ginger tea and christmas oranges are my get better diet.

There are no good ol' days, they are today, they are tomorow. Its a stupid thing we say, cursing tomorow with sorrow.

2008-11-30T02:50:00.003-06:00

My minds been away from the bike lately, i've been more about drinking, going a little too far and barely keeping it together lately. Let me tell you, i feel it.
Gotta get back onto the wagon before im left for dead...

nordic cross?

2008-11-11T12:30:00.001-06:00

thanks tom!

freakin cold.

Lessons learned

2008-11-02T23:43:00.002-06:00

The lead-up to my double cross weekend entailed far too much alcohol and far too little sleep, thursday and friday went down as nights i barely remember, and mornings i could barely open my eyes. I could barely function normally by the time saturday rolled around, but i still stepped up to the line for provincials at wildwood. Lets just say i didn't do well. some highlights, blacking out momentarily and riding into a tree, stopping to puke in the bush, saying "oh fuck me" just a little too audibly in front of everyone, and getting passed right at the finish with nothing on my mind but getting to the bathroom to purge whatever it was that was coming up my throat.

Upon returning home i crashed till about 7:30 and ate, and was in bed by midnight. with the daylights savings and a early night (for me) i woke up feeling okay. Went to coras for some yum for about 7:45 Am, ish. Helped set up the course and create the bog of death, and before i knew it we were knee deep in lap one. lap one had me riding right into a crashing daniel; victim of the bog. I was feeling pretty good, i don't really remember lots of the race, i was just trying to stay up right and keep moving. at some point i was behind daniel who went down on an off camber turn, my first instinct was ride around, but i saw his hand comign down across my front wheel, right in the elbow breaking zone. So i pitched myself over the bars and threw the bike back. The relief of not breaking his elbow was sweet. At soem later point allan caught me and jumped in front declaring "lets catch hal" I couldn't argue with a little drafting, so i chased his wheel for about half a lap till he went down in a chicane and i rode off solo to eventually catch Tomek and finish fifth. Behind Olli, Ratt, Dylan and Hal. not a bad bunch of dudes to get beat by IMO. The bog of doom proved impassable as a few courageous riders gave it a shot, Knowing it was slower. I made it about 2/3'rds apparently.

Once again the Belgium club proved to be the best host, and boasted a very technically challenging course. It was a suffer fest forsure. The MUCR skin suits adorned the "pro-est" looking riders, damn those things are sweet. After spending like 10$ cleaning the bikes, and a long shower I'm still finding dirt in the oddest places ( inside my seat tube, my tear ducts...)

I learned the hard way, don't drink and race.
It will hurt.

Dollah dollah bills yalllllll

2008-10-23T00:37:00.004-05:00

er... coins...

2$ during and 10$ for 3rd, i think thats the most money ive ever won in a race...

Picture me throwing a towel

2008-10-23T00:18:00.002-05:00

I have tried, and tried and tried again to mount my cross tires tubeless. ive tried my ritchey wcs sheels, with the stock plastic rim tape, schwalbe tape, stans tape, olympic valves and regular, setting one side with a tube, compressor, no compressor, no valve core, ever trick i know. Then i tried all the same, but on my stans 355 tubeless rims, and i just get can't get them to seal on the ritchey's, and can't even get the bead popped on the 355's.

so i give, you win tubes.

south CX tmrw

2008-10-18T23:07:00.002-05:00

And its raining!

I hope it raining down in Altona, get ready to ruin your clean jersey.

You know you want a cross bike.

2008-10-18T22:43:00.003-05:00

My surly resides in the "bikes i don't ride or have a use for anymore" pile. So, i'm deciding to part with it. Its a surly CX-check frame/fork size 46or48. I seem to remember it being a 48 but the surly site only shows 46-50. Well, regardless, it'll fit someone from about 5'8- 5'4 ish. It fit me with with a 100MM stem and i'm 5'7. Mavic cxp22 rims/shimano hybrid hubs, with a surly fixxer on the rear. Its got a (new)16T freewheel on it right now, but can have pretty well any gear you want fixed or free. A (new) shimano hollow-pin chain, and a blackspire 42T ring. Shimano compact ext. BB crankest, (new)avid shorty5 brakes, giant carbon post, easton ea30 bar, bonty raceXlite stem, (new) dedda bartape, tektro hoods and a (new) selle marco saddle. As it sits its 20lbs 13oz, if you care.

It can rock fenders a rack as a commuter, no brakes as a fixie, slicks for a get to work fast bike. And best of all a wicked cross/race bike. It rides great as a cross bike, nice and smooth and solid.

I'm letting it go for 725$ .
I have a set of mavic cxp33 rims on a paul word/revs, and a dura-ace/comps if you want them, good strong and lite cross wheels.

MMMMMMRREEEEOOOOWWWWWWW

2008-10-05T19:49:00.002-05:00

Today is the first time in my 4-ish years of racing that i've used "racing tactics" (intentionally). I feel both hypocritical and kinda stoked.

So i found myself someone in the top 6-7-8 or 9 people of the line, after a while i caught a few dudes and ended up behind dave. Normally i would have been like "wtf, what am i doing? i'm about to get dropped" but instead, i realized "hey, i can go faster than this..." and so, i jumped. Kind of hoping dave would respond and either shut me down, or sit behind me so he could pull next lap. Gasp! tactic numero uno. But alas, no. I was flying solo. I don't quite remember what happened between then and when i was chasing brian, and shop ratt, probably nothing that you care about...much like this blog. But at one point i realized i was no longer reeling them in, but they were working together (and fitter) and slowly dropping me. Turning a corner i noticed hal only a few seconds behind me and was thinking about attacking the empty course in front of me to try and drop him. But i then i thought, this race is only like half down and i don't have the energy. So get this, I just kept going the same pace till he caught me. Tactic numero dos. Beign that fine cchap he is, hal jumped infront and pulled for a bit agreeing on working together. Tactic numero tres. I jumped up to pull for a lap but got a bit too much infrotn and didn't help him, the next lap he was on my wheel so i stayed up front trying to be a fine chap as well. then it was his lap to pull, wich brought us to final 2. I'm noty sure if you people agree, but IMO, 2 laps to go sign means every man for himself. So on the first climb of the lap I downshifted and hammered up. passing hal at the crest. I did this for two reasons, I knew i could ride the hill faster and he wouldn't expect to passed on a hill. And the chicane section greatly favoured a geared drivtrain, as i could spin out of the turns and carry more speed, i also realized i could probably use my youth and run the hill faster. Tactic numero quatro! after my little attempt to open a gap went of without a hitch i dropped the hammer (what little was left) for the remainder and kept Hal at bay till the finish. i rolled in fourth.

A few notes.

Spot one, two and three were all guys who train like mad. Jared, Brian, And Adrian, respectivly. Just goes to show you training pays off.
Less is more, i usually spend the entire cross season going balls to the balls and sprinting every race. Thinking pays off too, i guess.

and lastly.
We need paddy back, or someone to organize a race in paddy style. I remember more mud bogs and tight turns when he was around... Oh well. Guess i should put my money where my mouth is and get some ground wet.

over.out.

(ps: this was by far the most comprehensive race report ive ever written. Sorry, i hope you're still awake)

2008-09-28T18:43:00.002-05:00

Started my season off with a disappointing race at wildwood today, bad starting spot, and i crashed twice within the first half of the first lap. Went into a loose-leafy descent-turn faster than the person in front of me, had to hammer the brakes to not hit them, and my front end washed out. Grabbed my bike, jumped back on and my D-train was full of grass and a stick in my spokes. down again. spent way to long picking shit out of my cassette so i could semi-ride again, my chain skipped, hopped and jumped for almost three laps. (silly geared bikes.) I ended up a good quarter to third of a lap down from the lead racers. I completely annihilated myself in a massive attack-sprint for two thirds of the race trying to make up time. Someone told me four laps to go and i realized i did not have four laps left in my legs. I let up a tad and the pain train i had been leading for quite a while passed me, then i decided. fuck that, i'll finish hard, and caught one of the three. finished somewhere midpack-ish.

happy with the effort, not the result.

pictures...

2008-09-22T23:38:00.002-05:00

courtesy Dave B

Team empty caring tank.

2008-09-22T11:25:00.001-05:00

JohnM and did the 8hr fall classic as a team yesterday. We stayed true to our motto by showing up late, five minutes before the start. I seem to remember wanting to leave earlier... But once we actually got there, John's first lap had a broken chain, took him almost an hour and a half to get back. whatever, no big. we weren't there to win anyway. so i went out, did my lap and got back, John thought he fixed his chain, but alas, no. Broken chain on lap two. I went out again, had a little crash. but overall i was riding okay. John replaced his chain and went out while i decided to go down to a 32X18 from the 34 i had on. John finally got a full lap riding in and got back in respectable time. I wen out for my third, and instantly felt the gear to be way better. I caught up to Leonard about the first real climb, crashed again. stupid mistake, i just let my front wheel fall off a ridge and i went head over heals. knee'd my stem and somehow cut/hit my calf. It wasn't bad, but the cut/bruise on my calf made my muscle really tight. oh well. I rode with Leonard till he dabbed in a corner and i snuck by, to my amazement i stayed ahead of him. John went out again, had a good quick lap and came back with the "if you do this lap in less than an hour we can do one more" throw down. So i went out with every intention of killing myself to make it back. I rode all the climbs but half of gerburts grunt (or w/e), and the top of cardiac arrest. I finished the lap in under 45, and had i been checking my lap times, i would have known that pretty well all my laps were sub an hour. meh. John went out and took his time finishing us up. we rode nine laps, five foru john, four for me. Had we not had chain issues at the beginning we could have done at least 10, maybe eleven. The caring tank truly was empty by the finish. A couple beers, some chili, and we packed up and left. We also ate an entire bag of chips. Don't tell anyone.

Look at me, fuckin trainin'

2008-09-09T23:45:00.002-05:00

Went to garbage hill this morn' before work for a bit of hilltervals. No real structure, mostly just sprinted up the hill, recovered down, sprinted back up, ran up the steep entrance hill a few times, etc. Defs need to do this some more to get my legs in cross shape again.

Something resembling fuckin trainin' should happen tomorow, probably mostly run-ups and light ride around the hood. saw some intriguing stairs by the bridge on my way home...Then plans are to go to hot yoga with the Girlfriend. You know me, supportive boy friend, open to try anything "you enjoy it, i enjoy it" attitude.

Late updates

2008-09-09T10:25:00.002-05:00

I never bothered to write anythign about xc8 right after, i guess i just really have nothing to say. I rode mediocre, i wasn't fast, i wasn't as slow as ive been. I think ive just done one too many enduro-type events this season without the proper, aka any training training for the, and i think its taken its toll. the results have me as i riding 5 laps in six hours something, but, me and my pit crew/dad are almost positive i rode 6 in seven something. But i honestly don't really care. The course was hard, im not used to that much climbing, by the end i was walking too much for it to be fun. My decision to ride gears and suspension seemed like a good choice, with those hills and descents, i was liking them. Th MB crew was ever present, and i had fun watching everyone destroy me. the former MB contingent was great to see again, races just aren't the same without paddy and naomi... Speaking of that, props to "pat", topping of the SS field and nearly hitting the podium. Next year dude, next year. And another kudos to dave for toughing it out and coming in a solid bronze. One last shout out to Greg, rode really strong for his first eight hour, always with a smile too. Watch it, he's coming for you.

CROSS SEASON

begins

now.

Time to go practice some run-ups

tattoo

2008-09-03T10:46:00.000-05:00

Done yesterday, should lighten up and show some more detail by the time its healed.

provincial suckage

2008-08-24T22:41:00.002-05:00

I super suck, bonked/cramped/puked after half a lap, rode out the last 3 1/2 battling the DNF demons in my head/stomach. Rode with Brennen, the other junior EX not winning, at a mega slow pace. finished third or three.
oh well. life goes on.
seems as i was underfed/dehydrated as i ate like a cow and drank a ton after....and im still hungry...