Fancy Shoes

These are my new MTB shoes. There are many like them but this pair is mine. These shoes are my best friend. They are my life. I must master them as I master my life. Without me, my shoes are useless. Without my shoes I am useless... (can you name that movie?)

I can no longer make a face when Rachelle brings home a new pair of shoes. I'm starting to collect a pile of my own in the garage. But my collection was lacking a pair of patent black leather for those special days.

I could probably get away with wearing these with my suit on Sunday, or with my fancy jeans for a night on the town (I made that part up....I don't own fancy jeans) but they go best with my lycra shorts.

Mounted up with a fresh pair of Time ATAC cleats, these shoes are ready. Now I just need to find some dirt to ride on.

The jeep trail in Corner Canyon looks like it might be rideable. Anyone have a trail report they want to share?

Business Casual

Finished a double Suncrest lunch ride with a group of 6 others. Made it back to the home office just in time for a conf call. Working from home while wearing lycra is my kind of business casual. I need more afternoons like that.

Closet Training

Earlier this winter, I got up at 5:30am for a spin class at the local gym. Proud of myself for having the discipline to train during the off season. Hoping this would give me a small advantage over the guys I usually ride with, or at least help me keep their wheel come Spring. After the class was over, I was on my way down the stairs and ran into Tony P. who was on his way to cycling camp.

We both stopped. Surprised to see each other at the gym that early on a week day in the middle of winter. I remember feeling a little annoyed. Annoyed that one of guys I am most competitive with was also up early during the winter for a "training" session. Annoyed that my spin session was not giving me any advantage.

We said our hellos. Much like Jerry and Newman in Seinfeld. Later that morning, I got an email from Tony.

"you looked surprised to see me at the gym this morning...."

It's funny to catch a friend sneaking in an extra workout. I think we all have our secret sessions that we don't talk about. It gives us hope.

2010 Colors

A new look for 2010. Gone is the green/white/grey.

A New Kind Of Pain

These are my new black running shoes that Rachelle bought me for Christmas.

I've been avoiding them.

But at the moment, I'm in San Diego on a little vacation with Rachelle. No bikes. So I've been chasing Rachelle all around the boardwalk while wearing these bad boys. (you'll notice that I'm wearing cycling socks to remind me where my roots are).

6 miles yesterday cold turkey. No warm up run no break in period. I feel like my quads have knives in them.

4 miles today.

I know these distances are not far but for a non-runner, 6 miles even 4 miles hurts.

I love that my wife can kick my butt and make me hurt.

I already have the perfect Christmas gift for her next year. It's rhymes with "Shingle speed"

Salt Cycling Bib Shorts

Simple, Basic, Functional. Get them here.

I did a min order so limited qty's are available. Expected deilvery is March 2010.

(MFG is Verge. This is an "Elite" style bib short w/ the ESP2 chamois)

Squaw Peak Race

The first race of the 2010 season happened at high noon today in Utah County. A group of nine of us showed up for the Squaw Peak hill climb ride which quickly turned into a race.

Squaw Peak is in great shape. It's snow packed but there is a nice wide line all the way up. It was like riding on white dirt (up and down). Very good traction. Go check it out before the snow hits again and messes it up.

I made the podium but barely. Kenny 1st, Brad 2nd, me 3rd with Grizzly Adam taking 4th and the others not far behind. (to be fair, not every one considered it a race).

It felt good to open it up and test out the legs.

Also, check back in a day or two. I'm doing a very small run of Salt Cycling bibs and should have a picture posted tomorrow.

Backcountry With A Gazelle

This guy joined our group this morning for a tour in Days Fork. I'm having a difficult time coming up with words to describe how insanely fast he is on the climb. It was impressive to watch him climb out of sight and drop the group.

By the time I got to the top, he had dug a snow pit. He says he dug the pit to check the snow pack but I think he dug it for a shelter to take a nap in while he waited for us to catch up.

I am depressed now. I think I'll go eat a cheeseburger for lunch and give up cycling for good.

SSWC 2010

Details here.

Any ideas on how I could "plant the seed" with Rachelle for this hall pass?

Maybe this should be an event that Team Fatty attends in 2010. Fatty has a way of making things happen.

Dirtbag Purchase- Kombi Lifty Gloves

I picked up a pair of Kombi lifty gloves for the backcountry days. Durable, breathable, good dexterity, very stylish, but most of all cheap-$29.

It only takes about 1 season to go through a pair of gloves. And duct tape can only do so much to patch the holes. For $29, I can buy a few pair of Kombi gloves and several rolls of duct tape for the money it takes to buy one pair of nicer gloves.

Slap some water proofing wax on the leather and these are good to go.

***Not recommended for Dug. He has hand issues and no matter what kind of glove he wears, his hands are always cold.