Blogging with Bullet Points

Lots of Additives to report.

I visited Sologoat's Blog last night. This pic speaks to me. Espresso, Chops, Cycling, the Triple Crown of EnduroSnobbery. (Having said that, I guess I need to grow the chops back.)

Added a new header and "How?" Expanded to the Epic Blog.

If you didn't notice, Jonathan Page was 10th at Cross Worlds. Wells may be National Champ, but it would be hard to say Page isn't the best American male racing cross today.

This post was brought to you by The Olivia Tremor Control, "Black Foliage: Animated Music Vol. I."

Starting the Day Off Wrong

What's the best way to start your Monday? A trip to the Dentist. I still can't feel the right side of my face.

The TransWales sounds very cool. (The site intro is also pretty nice.) I think a team stage race needs to be in my future.

Does this read like a sign-off to you? I hope not. I enjoy my daily "lament."

Someone has some cool header action going on. Those are skills I do not have.

Pieces Falling into Place

Good ride today. ~45 miles consisting of primarily soggy, but not too wet, gravel with a nice cast of characters. Rolling hills, friendly dog and an empty missle silo. Everything you need. No pics though, I was concerned the camera might get soaked.

Afterward, stopped by Rock D's for some bike frame eye candy then tacked on a few more miles on the way home. Good day, Great Weather. No excuses not to be ready for April.

I owe Sam an apology. He arrived at the casa at 9am and we left at 8am. Moto Mocha's on me next time Sam.

Pics from AZSS06 are now up on the Swizzle Site. (Yes, I do wish I had gone.) Looks like adopted Lincolnite Cameron Chambers was enjoying the fun.

Have Route - Will Suffer

There's a lot on my mind, but this will be short because DAMN is it nice outside.

Rock and I have a route for the EPIC. The more I think about it, the more I love it. In some ways, it may be a nice bridge between something like TI and one of Mike Curiak's races. (I have never done the latter so some of that is based on description only.)

Route Teasers:

The Bad. We will need to start with a long bit of pavement. I wanted to avoid pavement at all costs, but there aren't a lot of options at certain points. One thing the pavement will do is force a few decisions, which I think is excellent.

The Good. The Course will encourage people to keep pushing themselves based on the way it's laid out. My hope is that it will help people dig deeper into what they can really do. This course will let you do that.

The Ugly (But it's Beautiful). There is a long stretch where racers will be truly on their own. No cell coverage. Your cue sheet, the Wilderness and you. Mom's not coming. However, if you have the heart to get through it, we reward you in Spades.

The more I work on this, the more excited I get. I just hope a few people show up.

Your Gonzo Race Director,

The Snob

2006 - The Year No Schedule is Safe

First things first. Happy Birthday Sam!!!

24 Hours of Landahl in KC. Thought about doing a 24? Now there are no excuses.

Unfortunately, it does conflict with One of the Three Marathon races now on the local schedule:

--May 13-- Battle Royale Marathon @ Platte River State Park, South Bend, NE
--June 10—Ponca’s Revenge Marathon @ Ponca State Park, Ponca NE
--September 16 & 17—Rave in the Cave Marathon MTB Weekend @ Indian Cave SP, Shubert, NE

You can see the rest of the Psycowpath Series information on NebraskaCycling.org.

Map work tonight on the Epic.

Note: I have also just added a post regarding the Spirit of the Epic to the race blog. (12:49pm)

"This one goes to 11."

Back in the Saddle

Did a very odd triple session today. Kept everything short due to my recent bout with the flu. Rode to work then tacked some on for an hour. Rode at lunch with Jeff for a second and then rode home via the shop to replace a broken Sidi buckle for a third. (Thanks Matt.)

I was spending some time on Mr. 24's site today and, in looking at his schedule see a certain Branched Oak 12hr race listed. It will be fun watching Big Skinny defend his title and it will be fun have Jeff flying around the course.

Now if we can get him to wear cut-off jeans and no shirt like Cameron did when he won it, we'd really be rocking.

Soft Pedalling

I can't call it a comeback, but I do feel better. As a few people have pointed out, it's like a blog roll call of people who have gotten hit by some sort of illness. There's a joke there somewhere involving a "virus" in cyberspace, but even I am not that lame.

Speaking of blogs, many of us like to shot some photos and then put them up. Here's a bit from McSweeney's which should probably made us think twice.

Getting a bit impatient waiting for the Taxman to return to me what is rightfully mine. A new ride is waiting.

Funny moment from Sunday. Mr. Bike Shop Owner and I are talking about my pending bike purchase when we went through the creek bed on the South end. As I rode up over the other side, I threw the chain on the Fascist Killer. As Jay passed me I could only smile and say, "Not that I need a new bike." Laughter followed.

Rock D and I are getting together Thurday Night to work on the Route of Pain. I love maps.

I wonder how many signups I would lose if I made people actually navigate?

Snob Down

Nothing like a mild case of the flu to force a bit of rest. I did do a bit of work today but it took twice as long as it should have. Tried to work on the Epic a bit, but the concentration just wasn't there.

Caught by a Team Director

Went out for about 3 plus today. Proved pretty boring until near the end when a certain Mr. Bike Shop Owner pulled up on my left. Good conversation, dropped into Wilderness then paused to help knock down a stubborn dead tree that wasn't about give it up for anything. The chainsaw would take its legs out, but it kept grabbing other trees on the way down. Finally, the tree dropped and we were on our way. Photos would have been great, but the camera just remained in my Camelbak. Genius.

Jesse Lalonde also has a nice logo the KC store could use. If they can race Trikes.

Chalk Up Another Saturday

Low is the level of interesting items or overall moto.

Midwest Trek/VW Squad rocking with local flavor. Nice work fellas.

Dates are now set for the EnduroSnob Epic. Thanks to John Jr. for the Cross Dates so that cross and epics can mix.

Ride Alert. 8am. Snob's House. Rock D is also going out around 1:30 if that fits into your Sunday a bit better.

This post is about the Future.

The Cat's Out of the Bag

So I created a blog regarding The EnduroSnob Epic in prepartion, while I mulled over whether or not I wanted to really make it happen. I didn't really consider the fact that said new blog would be under my profile or accessable within a blogger search and now the word is out:

IT'S ON!!

Already, the support is high.

Rock D has already emailed me a few times today telling me about routes he is looking at on his screen.

Creepy Friendly has also agreed to help with art for the flyers. Now if I can just get he and Marko to come race...

Your friend and Gonzo Bike Race Organizer, The EnduroSnob.

This, That and Your Mother

Kidding.

Someone we know and love has a frame lying around. Is it the IF on the right? Maybe. (No, it's not the Snob.)

For the TransIowa signups among us, JB set up a Frappr map to show where participants are from. Lincoln representing? Not really, I think I am the only one to sign-on at this point. I believe we have the most racers from any city so why not be proud? (Thanks to JB for creating it.)

Lots of clandestine work right now.

Wouldn't fall be a great time for a long ride in Northwest Nebraska with a number plate on your bike?

Trying to Keep my Mouth Shut and Head on Straight

Lincoln is going to have The Link. As I mentioned in a previous post, I have some Snob Rules about what makes a real AR. It's not an AR. It does sound like fun.

It also sounds more like the Bike Shop Scavenger Hunt we had talked about doing for Halloween. (which remains a great idea.)

Here's another item that shows my head isn't on straight. I woke up and rode for a couple of hours when it was ~20 degrees. Then, it warms up to 60 degrees and all I do is commute home the eight miles from work.

Talk about poor planning.

Tattoos in Modern Cycling: Part II

Ira Ryan. Some of you have heard me tell bits of his story before, but I think it's cool enough that it's coming at you via the Snob.

The first frame Ira made, he took to TransIowa last year and won on it. He has a sweet tat and a nicely done website as well. Did I mentioned he apprenticed under Sacha White at Vanilla? Plus, he's got midwest roots and first learned to ride in Indiana, which is where I grew up. (Of course, I moved West and then moved back. What's wrong with me?)

The above and more information above can be found on BikePortland. You can also read a funny blurb with some pics on L'Equipe Veloshop. And, thanks to Guitar-Ted for the original heads up.

I've got an email into Ira regarding deposits and turnaround time. I will let you know what's up.

This post has been brought to you by The Minutemen "Double Nickels on the Dime."

"I Have a Dream..."

Word. If you have five, take five and check it out.

On to far less important things...

The commute to work just got lighter. I now have a desktop machine and can leave the laptop at home. This would have made for a nice commute except I was bucking a nice 30mph wind that was flowing down from Canada.

Loading up the new iTunes. So far, it's been pretty mellow: Galaxy 500, Olivia Tremor Control, Heavy Vegetable, The Shins, Rilo Kiley and I just added an audio cd of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

"A job like this needs real equipment and cash on the line."

Punchdrunk Weatherman

Sixty degrees and Sunny in January. I barely know what to say. I feel sorry for Paddy. That man's got heart.

Jeff and Butch discussing hydration after the mass exidous to the ditch.


Dr. Avey in the operating room. Chain Throw to EBB adjustment. STAT.


Jeff gets back on the road and I turn to my bike only to discover a completely flat front. Seems like this gesture is becoming a habit.


Rolling Thunder: KW, Paul C, and Big Skinny.


The Snob Predicts that MW and his really pink bike will finish TI with flying colors.

Cleaning Out the Attic

As I mentioned earlier, I began doing longer rides in the morning before work this week. With these little jaunts being solo efforts, I have found my mind really unwinds after a short while of riding in the quiet.

Here are a few of the things I found under the cobwebs:

I'd really like to put on an "Endurosnob Epic." Would there be a draw? Good question. I think that the act of putting it on would be fun. Tenative thought of starting in Valentine, NE, riding through the Chadron area and back. The jury will continue to dilberate, but I am open to any thoughts folks have.

There seems to be a certain attitude among the people you see out on the paths early in the morning. A bit friendlier. More Core? Perhaps. I've gotten more truly nice hellos in the mornings than at any other time. (Except Bonsall (sp?) who looked at me like I was a serial killer when I waved to him on Wednesday.)

I also started thinking of other races aside from TI. Now the problems is scheduling conflicts.

Cedar Valley is a week before 9 Mile.
Afton looks to be a week before 7 Oaks.
12hrs of Dino appears to be a week before the Soul Ride.

Some of the dates I am using are from 05, but things don't usually seem to change too much so...

A Message from Johnny Cash

Single Speed Outburst

2006 SS Worlds in Stockholm.

Mental Jibberish to consider: Stockholm Syndrome and Single Speed both start with SS. Maybe that's why those who try the One Gear often don't return.

OneSpeeder.com is now added as a reference of choice. Gnomes, Napkin Art and Single Speeding. "Number One cause of Death? Birth." I like it.

During my predawn ride, I made the decision that everything will be done SS this year. Further conversation this morning cemented it. Is this affecting the bike selection for this year? You betcha.

"But what if they get rid of some of the single speed categories?" asks Mrs. Snob.
"Screw it."

More Fun for 2006

Mr. 24 passed this little gem along: 12 Hours of Cedar Valley. $30 bucks, 5hr drive. Calling all Tall Skinny Bastards... Corey? You with Gears? Me without? Check your calendar (Twice) and let me know.

I've loved Canada since I first visited to do a Raid the North event. Here's a reason to return. Sprucewoods 200 Miler. I bet good beer will accompany.

This post would have occurred earlier, but G-Ted put me into my usual Team Over-Analysis mode and I wrote a Hallmark card as a comment to his latest post.

Sunday Sundries

Nice morning ride today. Corey, Jeff and even JK "My IF collects dust" Purtzer went out for a little morning patrol of Wilderness followed by some short gravel love. Further proof arrived that it's time to up the gear ratio when I punched it going up a short, steepish hill and just spun out. Time to chat with the Mohawked Genius. A bit of yoga and fitness ball work in the afternoon and Ahhhhhh.

My Leadville Entry Form arrived today. I deliver a respectful "thanks, but no thanks" to that option. Too many other races which are much cheaper and I suspect better terrain. I am very happy I did it, but didn't get the buzz to make me want to go back.

Beginning 2hr rides before work tomorrow. I suspect the espresso machine will be working overtime this week.

The World of Illusion

Below you'll see photographs which appear to be Cyclists out on a training ride. Do "not" be fooled. These are simply photographs taken to provide the illusion of action and comeradeire. It's all bullshit. None of these cats can ride. They have eating disorders and smell like over-priced European calogne. Except, Jeff who wears Old Spice.

Gathering shots like this require models with excellent track stand skills to create this stills. Tall guys in the back Corey!!


Kevin Burke did an excellent job of scouting location all day. Here we had to back track to recreate this shot of cyclists heading up a Dirt/B Road.


Wilbur, Nebraska is also the Czech Capital of the state. The town provides a Twilight Zone experience in a very positive way, including Czech music playing in the streets daily and a bar called The Czech-red Flag. Here Sam poses to ask, "Are there any bakeries this good in any of the pass-through towns in Iowa?"


A Shot take inside the Wilbur Bakery. For some reason, RockD wanted to be sure we included a shot of his beautifully styled hair. Smelled like mousse.

Single Swizzle 06 Final Warning from Dejay

SingleSwizzleRoute
Originally uploaded by Endurosnob.

"Here it is all you need to know about ssaz06. Friday night the 20th we will be gathering at No Anchovies 7.30ish ( http://www.noanchoviespizza.com ) 870 e university blvd Tucson, Az. From hear we will head back to the Swizzle House (when we are good and ready) to get ready for the 10.30am START!!!! on saturday at Agua Caliente Park ( http://www.dotucson.com/visit.asp?qry=425 ). You can get a map to the house and leave early if necessary. If you cannot make it to No Anchovies email iinfo@singleswizzle.com and we will give you directions to the house.

The weather here has been great lately 70’s plus in the day, but anything can happen. THE RIDE WILL GO ON!!! It would be wise to bring what you may need for up to a 5 hour ride (just in case). Having sealant in you wheels would be a wise idea and spare tube(ssss) is a must. We will do our best to get everyone from the Swizzle house to the park and back. Car pool style. We will have at least one helper station that will be at the top of the first climb (10 mile marker).

After the ride the activities will begin back at the Swizzle house. The mini bike crit race, head to head double elimination, DON’T FORGET TO SIGN UP. Winner takes all. The 2nd Annual Edward 40 Hands Contest will take place as well and what ever else we come up with. If that is not enough for the week following the event mtb rides will be going on daily ending with the Rudi Nadler Epic rudinadler@sock23.com . I had a ride planned on that same day, but Rudi wins this one. Maybe we can do back to back.

Find all other info here http://www.singleswizzle.com/ssaz06.htm

Do not feed the wildlife and please don’t pet the cactus!!!

Head up, Wheels down, Smile on"

** This would make one killer roadtrip.

Cleary, I Have a Screw Loose...

... and the threads are stripped.

Riding to work... Thoughts of TransIowa. Dinner with Friends... TransIowa. And yada yada yada ... TI.

Jesse LaLonde is serving up a bowl of soul cycling style today.

I love Freaks. Freaks without gasoline and matches are better.

Secret Training in the Land of "Nots"

First of all, THIS is "Not" freaking hysterical and this post is "Not" in the spirit it provided.

There will "not" be a ride rolling from Sam-I-Am's casa on Saturday at 8am. Why Sam's place? Why to ensure he actually makes the ride, of course. Think mucho time in the saddle.

That cartoon always makes me smile.

Arizona Trail 300

This race info was forwarded along to me from PopShuvIt. If you feel like raising your game up a notch, maybe the Arizona Trail 300 is for you. Word is just starting to spread on MTBR as well. Looks like I won't need to put on an Endurosnob 400 for us to have our "Triple Crown."

"It was dangerous lunacy, but it was also the kind of thing a real connoisseur of edge-work could make an argument for..." Hunter S. Thompson.

Welcome 2006

2005 left a parting shot by giving me a pretty bad cold, which dealt a blow to the epic ride I had hoped to do today, but Snobbery prevailed.

Corey and I, hacking and running noses firmly in hand, rode to the evil entity and played a game of chess. We then bumped into the mohawked genius on our way home. Despite coming up sick, these two weeks have been a great way to gather some miles and, hopefully, turn things up a notch this year.

Decisions now must be made on what frame will rest under my ass this year. Creepy Friendly seems to be mulling along similar lines. Except a decision about the middle of the month and action to follow shortly afterward. As Marko would say, A is for Action.

2006 is looking good already.