Tightwad, MO

Traveled to Tightwad last weekend for some family X-Mas fun. Lucky for me the temps stayed below freezing and I was able to check out the new trail system just a few miles down the road at Warsaw. 10+ miles of flowy singletrack goodness. The trails are a little “raw and untamed” at this point, lacking a worn in grove, but with some use will be double fun. Check em out if you’re in the area.

Man Cave

I’ve always like building things. My father is an Industrial Arts teacher at my high school, and in the summers as a teenager and most of college, we would complete room additions, remodels, etc for some extra dough. My Dad used to say teaching was just a hobby, as he made more money during the summer. Anyway, along the way he taught me how to sweat a joint, mud and tape some rock, wire up a panel, and lay a straight single. Invaluable stuff every homeowner should know.

This is a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I feel I can handle most issues with my house, and a curse, because I feel I should always do something myself as opposed to having it done for me (saving mucho time).

I’ve been working for a few weeks on the “Man Cave.” Progress is slow, due to Holiday commitments, but steady. With any luck, I’ll be ready for paint by 2010, and some new toys will arrive soon after that.

Stay tuned.

Catching Up

Seems I’ve been neglecting my blogging duties lately. Not much to report I guess.

Everyone likes pictures, so here you go:

This rider will try anything if you present it as a present:

Watch out for this guy, he can bust a move on ANY bike:

I’ve been working in the basement a bit. I’m in the process of finishing off my shop area for some super secret equipment to arrive shortly. I’ll get some pics of that soon enough. But THIS will hopefully arrive before X-Mass.

After a month + of off season, social rides, and too many calories consumed as a ratio to calories burned, I decided to show up for the State CX race totaly unprepaired. Stoked to see the local CX heros ride off into the muck, and busting out some two wheel drifts into the tape, I almost forgot how hard I was pushing. The decision to race was all I needed, as a little competition has got me fired up to resume some dedicated training for next season. Weight room here I come. Pics HERE.

Props, to THIS guy for breakfast, coffee, hot coco, homemade relish, brats, etc, etc… Sometimes I wonder if he prefers cooking for friends over riding. He does both very well.

Finally, my little boy turned 3 yesterday. Pictures of his birthday cake to follow. (yes he had his own peanut butter cake)