Saturday, August 25, 2007

Saturday ride update!



6 and then 7 riders rode out from trailhead today on cool saturday morning. We are getting into one of the best time of the year to be out on the bike. Comraderie and competition were the order of the day. Saturday rides are always good when you can take alittle time to enjoy the scenery. Riding in the northwest corner of the metro area brings the advantage of having the luxuries of suburbia while being able to ride in the country. It was good to be able to get out on a fine saturday morning. For all of those participating in the State Road race, Good Riding and Good Luck!

Tom Danielson has announced he will be joining Slipstream-Chipotle next season giving them a potentially strong GC rider. I think this is a good fit for him. He never fit in with the Belgies at Discovery. I think Vaughters will be good for him and be able to manage him better psychologically. He never did well with the pressure of being tagged the "next lance". He will ride with less expectations but still have a good supporting cast. He and VandeVelde can work to gether on GC in stage races. I am excited to see this american team grow. I think they will better represent what American Cycling is about. Discovery seemed to have lost it's moral compass (if it ever had it). Vaughters brings a "ride clean" attitude to a sport the sorely needs it.
Ciao for Now!

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Chipotle Challenge

the true heroes of America. 3 guys. All 15 chipotles in Manhattan. 1 day.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Chasing Lance: 100 Days to the Tour

Never saw this. It is long. Crack an beer. Hide in the basement and enjoy the memories.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Tony Hawk 900

This one's for you Bill!

Monday, August 13, 2007

ride diary

My challenges with regards to getting riding in are well chronicled of late. Finding time to ride is always the challenge and getting up the motivation to ride when the stars align and you get the option is always present. Tonight I was able to find both and got off work alittle early and fired around elm creek for a one lap lactic acid body bath. I broke 20 mph for the whole lap (20.2). Lap time was about 42 minutes clockwise around the loop. For those of you that don't ride it often, it is very hilly and sneaky in it's difficulty. Conditions were windy and I really had to hammer to keep up momentum. You high mileage guys might scoff at this feet but for a present weekend warrior this was pretty good. This was my Personal best for the year.
Ciao for now!

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Cycling update.

Disco is gone and they cite the current climate in cycling as the reason they decided not to take a new sponsor. I speculate they couldn't get it done because of Basso and some of the rumblings in the industry about their "practices". Jens is in the leaders jersey in the Tour de Spetzel. We'll see if Levi can make a go of it. Slipstream is apparently almost maxed out to sign any of the castaways from Disco. They done good as it is.

On a local note. I rode my first "coffee ride" with the group yesterday. We probably have one of the fastest "coffee" rides in the cities. Especially when Bernie has a time deadline :)

Jorge putting the Iced mocha in one of his water bottles and then claiming style points was classic. These new riders are great. It is good to see the group grow. Team Trailhead seems to be firming up. It will be good to see it happen. See you on a ride!

Saturday, August 11, 2007

The Simpsons - Team Discovery Channel

Sadly, Discovery Channel is no more. I will miss their successes but one has to admit that the controversy was wearing a thin. America's team was hardly America's team any longer (as if that matters). Team Slipstream seems to be taking up the torch with a new more ethical philosophy dedicated to growing home talent. It is the end of an era in American Cycling and the beginning of a new one!

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Slipstream Update III

Magnus Backstedt has confirmed as the newest addition to Slipstream-Chipotle. His addition adds a strong classics rider and confirms speculation that a former Paris-Roubaix winner has joined the team. These guys are serious. Not really a tour rider for GC yet but at they rate they are signing guys they could be a strong protour team tommorrow!

Sunday, August 5, 2007

Saturday, August 4, 2007