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.

A Final Salute to 2005

My Goodness, My Guinness

Visiting Patrick Humenny's blog today, I found that aside from sharing an enjoyment of a bit of suffering. His post race beer of choice seems to be Guinness.

Because I know Sam enjoys the same fine beverage, I felt pretty comfortable offering up a post race pint.

As a few folks are aware, when my focus was more on the adventure racing front, we began a tradition of drinking Guinness after a win which qualified us for the USARA National Championship. Race for 24hrs, then pour a pint. No better celebration to be had.

Which begs the question, what's your post race beverage of choice?

Two Weeks is a Long Time

There's been a lot of this going around at Snob central lately:

Wake up. Make espresso. Wonder why my machine seems to be pushing out my medicine slower and slower each day. Spend time with the family. Ride. Gravel. Roads. Hills. Good conversation. Return home. Make some food. More time with family. Relax, Rewind, Repeat.

With the riding come some highlights:

Riding with a great group of people Saturday morning who, except for RockD, I have never really gone on a ride with before. Thanks everyone.

Finding a couple of 'B' roads which will provide great tire testing areas for the final decision between the Nano and JonesXR.

Scraping mud off of my tires with a stick so that I could continue the climb up one of the previously mentioned 'B' roads. (And wishing I had brought my camera.)

Wandering into a "luxery" housing development where homes of ridiculous sizes sat perched on hills overlooking the cookie-cutter sprawl of Lincoln's southside. The best part was that a tree house in the development was nicer than my current house. (And again, wishing I had brought my camera.)

Side note: If I ever have that kind of money, I am not going to show it to you and, if I did, it wouldn't be like that. (I might have a couple of sweet bikes though.)

Cool Art, Cool Cause

Rudi Nadler is racing the Great Divide Race in 06 and, as opposed to just looking for handouts, is selling a very cool print in exchange for your support. I'd also recommend looking at Rudi's portfolio when you visit, plenty of pieces worthy of your wall space. Don't have the cash? Get your roommates, take something out of petty cash at the shop, pool your resources and help a brother out.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Finally, There is More on the Kansas Race

This comes straight from Guitar Ted's Blog. Make this man a regular visit. He's always got something good to say:

"This is the event "spawned" by Trans Iowa. It's going to be in Kansas. It's going to be a 200 mile loop through the Flint Hills region of that state. It's going to be SUPER TOUGH!! It's tentative name is The Flint Hills 200. The name may change, so do not bank on that yet. When? Keep May 20th open on your calendars and look for more details soon! I'll post here, or check mtbr.com. "

Time to start thinking about doing the "double."

Now we need the "EnduroSnob 400" for the triple crown of Midwest Sufferfests.

Notes From Dejay

croppedgear
Originally uploaded by Endurosnob.

"Finally proof that geared bikes go to hell. It's to bad that the singlespeeders have the closest seats by the fire.

"Just a month to go to experience the singlespeed!! I just can't ride this trail enough. On saterday a group of us took it for a spin. Starting at 6.30am, it was 24 degrees, but 2 miles into the ride i was all warm. Threw out the ride i was able to take a few photos. I attached a goodie, this is singletrack!, but for the rest go to singleswizzle.com.

"The games following the event are coming together nicely. B.I.C.A.S. the local non-profit bike shop are donating some 12"-16" bikes for the mini short track.
now go for a ride, but first forward this to all that are worthy.
D---- "

"Notes from Dejay" are musings, info and general good vibes from Subaru/GaryFisher's Dejay Birtch.

JonesXR

JonesXR
Originally uploaded by Endurosnob.

What tire would you run for TransIowa? Here's my choice. Thanks for the photo, Sam.

December Heaven

47 degrees, Sunny, No Wind. Can I get an Amen? Off to ride.

Apparently, I Really Am a Snob

When Sam and I were riding yesterday, we discussed his rule to not post on forums. He said he may follow the TransIowa thread though as he wants to do well and pick up what value is there. After visiting today, I think Sam maybe on to something with his rule... jeez.

I have several very good pics that Sam and Dejay Birtch sent my way, but I couldn't get them to upload. I will try to get it sorted as all are of interest and worth a post in-and-of themselves.

In case you haven't looked at the comments in the last post:
Christmas Eve Ride. Snob's Place (bar name?) at 7am. Riding until ~10am. Gravel Grinder heading South. We'll finish on time. No angering the family during the holidays.

I wonder what would happen if I got on the forum and asked if I should "run" chops?

That confirms it, I guess I am a Snob.

**This just in. I checked some other blogs I like and apparently I am also a bandwagon jumper. Crap.

The Draw of Endurance Events

The FolksFromLincoln blog, which is a local portal of sorts for the Lincoln, NE cycling community has an interesting post about bringing more Marathon length races to our area. As most of the readers from this blog are from out of the area, if you have input on how marathons and endurance races have grown in your area, please visit and give your two cents.

Nice ride today with Sam, Mark and Jeff. Good weather, good people, I wish I could have ridden longer. Sam and I were tentatively talking about doing an early morning Christmas Eve ride. If you are interested, give a yell.

Defining "SingleSpeed"

The TransIowa discussion on MTBR has now turned to the matter of what is, or is not, a single-speed. I thought I would bring the discussion to the Snob as well since I think the same dialogue applies to other races and events.

Here's my two cents. Give me yours.

Single is one, which for me begins and ends the discussion. As soon as you start flip-flopping, wrenching or being clever in order to change your gear ratio, you've just shifted. It's no longer a SS. As you'll see from the thread, people have a lot of valid reasons why they might want to change things at some point in the race. The course does this and that, etc. Which is simply another way of saying, "I might decide at some point that I need to shift."

As I was typing this, Mr. 24 just posted the following to the thread: "For all singlespeed and fixie...Show up to the start line with a gear. Run it all the way to Decorah. Simple as that."

I couldn't agree more. What about you? I'm not afraid to admit I am wrong, but you'll have your work cut out for you on this one.

Step On

Weird day today. I think I will chalk it up to the start of a two week vacation.

Rode for only a couple of hours today. 20 degrees. Fairly windy but really pretty comfortable. Planning something similar tomorrow with Sam-I-Am.

Nice crew out at Yia Yia's tonight. I think we were all a little tired from the weekend. Thanks for joining me fellas.

MW is ready to plan it all out and go to Iowa tomorrow. I love his enthusiasm.

Two decisions I have made regarding TI.
1. Go out with the lead group until it stops making sense. (Last year I purposely started in the back.)
2. Not make any stops until Algona. (The halfway point.)