The End of the Internet

While stumbling tonight I think I finally reached the end of the Internet. Yep...

It's Not How Hard You Hit...

"Its not how hard you hit, but how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” That's was Rocky’s decree in the last of the fabled series. Admittedly, I'm a little behind for what’s considered in vogue within the movie viewing department, but as I was watching the film (from ‘06 I believe) for the first time while spinning away on the trainer last night, I got to thinking. “…keep moving forward” sounds like cycling to me. This movie was brilliant, not for the acting, but for its message. As a synopsis of the flick I would include the obvious themes of never giving up and fulfilling your dreams, but also embrace some more subtle undertones that for me are much more essential. Rocky had something “burning” inside him, a smoldering that in all essence defined his being. For him, the thrill of competition fueled his very existence, and without it his tank would empty. You’ve got to feed the beast inside, or it will die and take you with it. For me the beast takes the form of aluminum, steel, titanium, and carbon fiber. That consistent need to push the boundaries of what my fitness and sustainability can be, not to impress others, but to oppress my own need to feel fit and fast over a long ride. Bike racing and riding will hit you, sometimes hard, and you must overcome those blows relentlessly to keep moving. Its those blows, and how you compensate for them that keeps me continually training to get better. To be able to withstand a multitude of nocks and keep pedaling on keeps my beast happy and fulfilled. Sometimes the people I work with question me with dismay as to why I’d spend the hours I do spinning my wheels. Well from now, I’ll just tell them I’m feeding the beast!

So figure out what the beast inside you likes to eat and feed it regularly. Then repeat.

Ice Biking...

Ice biking rocks! Dr J and I, on our crusade to arrive in top form in March, put on the extra layers and braved the two inches of snow, under layer of ice, 16 degree temps, and cloche of darkness for a ride at COSMO and the Bear Creek Trail. Dr J was supportn his new Schawlby carbide ice spikes, and me on my home mades. Even though I was getting schooled on every climb due to my complete lack of legs, it was a blast, and considerably more fun than a night on the trainer. The feeling and sound of 600 screws biting and clawing the ice, ready to rip your leg to shreds should you tumble, and the crystallizing air smacking you in the face as you plow downhill like the Jamaican bobsled team, is well….awesome!

Oh, and HeavyD, the cheerleaders cleaned every switchback despite the snow, ice, and dark. Put that in your pipe and smoke it! Ha

CX Nationals in Kansas City

Sunday I was lucky enough to view a World Class Cycling event almost in my back yard. The Cyclocross National Championships concluded in Kansas City for the second year in a row (it will be in Portland OR next year). With this in mind, I felt it paramount that I attend this year, and off I went with a couple friends from BOCOMO. It did not disappoint. Watching some of the best riders in the world, take to a very challenging course in fridged temps was invigorating. One of the most inspiring rides came from 49 year old Steve Tilford mixing it up with guys half his age. Although not possessing the speed of old, he’s still there giving it his all, and thats commendable. The local MO talent showed well racing hard until the last laps. Here’s some pics: http://www.pbase.com/mike_best/cxnats08

Leo = 2, Me = 3.5

Leo could quite possibly be the most spoiled dog ever to lick his balls. (oh wait, we had those removed) Anyway, its common knowledge that I reside somewhere around 3.5 on the hierarchy of my household, with the wife taking CEO duties, Leo slotted in at the VP slot at number two, and I’m battling it out with the cats for the third spot. The lovely assortment of treats on my kitchen counter (see above) is not a selection of goodies from grandmas house, but rather Leo’s “treats.” Seems that he has an estranged lover in the form of Cathy’s friend Pat who buys him a menagerie of delectable goodies from the Dog Barkery. Add this to Leo’s collection of dog sunglasses, fashion dog footwear, reflective walking capes, and blinky dog collars, and you have the canine equivalent of Paris Hilton.

For all his faults though, nothing beats coming home from a hard day of work, to find his wagging tail behind the door.

ASS!!!

That pretty much sums up my weekend on two wheels. Socially it was a blast, including a Christmas party with the wife’s working buds, and a trip to Flat Branch for dinner with my Cousin and his new wife, but any time I threw a leg over the bike, I was stinking it up like a Dirty Jobs episode.

As you can see above, I made an attempt to flash the world my goods during a trip to Pine Ridge with Jason and Co. Had it not been for the 20 year old tights underneath, my whiteness may have been more prevalent. Funny thing was, even though the temps were in the upper 30’s my butt was still warm. Could have been the stares from Dr J and Fred riding behind I guess.

Late in the week I elected to jump in the State CX race. Much to my surprise, the race took place without me. It appears that social riding for two months, post injury, living on a steady diet of pizza and homebrew, and a two hour ride the day before, equals suckage! The event started well enough, although I got a terrible pick of the gate. I was making some headway and moving up and going full bore. About the ¾ point of the first lap I started to notice the field pulling away, albeit slowly. I went to dig a little deeper, but there was no response from the pistons below. It was an odd feeling really. Aerobically I was comfortable, but I just did not have the power to ride with the leaders, or the mid pack riders, or even the pack fodder near the rear. 21st out of 26 is not something to write home about. Probably the worst race of my career. Oh well, some motivation for the winter months to get back on form. Really I don’t see how anyone can keep it going 10 months out of the year without some serious burnout. My hiatus over the past 7 weeks, corresponding with my little finger mishap, at least has left me ready to go and hungry for success in ’09.

A lesson to all you kids out there looking to be fast, more riding, less beer.

Its a Sickness...

My B-Day is coming up...Hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm??????

The ComeBack Kid

I don’t think any objective source could dispute the fact that no other person has done more to bring cycling into the public eye than Lance Armstrong. There will always be pundits that will look to punch holes in his career, and discount his character. Everyone has their flaws, and Armstrong is no different, but ask yourself this: Would the Tour have ever reached water cooler status, had it not been for a certain guy from Austin who refused to loose? Better yet, how many bike shops stayed in the black for seven years because a litany of weekend worriers gracing their stores trying to emulate his greatness?

Now hold up, this blog is not turning into an Armstrong love fest. What I wanted to bring to the table was the latest info from his Twitter Page, yes his comeback and the Tour. In particular the most recent account by CyclingNews that indeed he WILL be riding the Tour in ’09. Much has been speculated about his return. Everything from his conditioning, to his motives. Can he do it they ask? Is he really in it to win it? Could he possibly be doing this just to bring attention to his foundation? I believe his reasoning his much simpler, he’s board!

There are people in life who live just beyond the fast lane. Wide F’n Open we call it. Life cannot move fast enough, and they simply must have an unprecedented amount of stimulation just to survive. We all know the type. Their desk is covered in paper, they text an update to their Twitter page with one hand, drink a granda mocha in the other, drive with their knees and adjust the radio all at the same time. I think Lance is the same person. He’s known to be on his “Crack-Berry” constantly, balancing his public speaking schedule, with his foundation’s schedule with his training schedule. He’s a father of three, on the Presidents Council of Physical Fitness, and who knows what else, yet that’s not enough. Fast forward to 2009 and now he’s back in the grove. He’s got the F-One team cracking on the latest tech gizmos, Chris Carmichael emailing him the days workouts based on his V02, resting heart rate, and yesterdays poop size, and Brunel calling about the strategy for the Tour with three leaders banging heads in the team buss. He is got to be loving life now.

Pull up a chair, sit back and relax. The show next summer, and the days leading up to it, will be interesting to say the least. How it will all play out is anyone’s guess, and you know everyone will be guessing. And as luck would have it, I’ll be on the slopes of Mont Vento ready see it with my own eyes!

No F'n Way

Holly Hamster Crap!!!