How Old is Too Old?

Again, cross is on my mind. I have yet to make a single move toward putting the Redline together. It appears that many of the CW gang will be going SS for cross, which makes me wonder if the SS category is going to go the way the Marathon race did. Many A/Expert racers putting the Snob to shame. Probably, but who gives a shit? In related ponderings, I wonder who the oldest rider to move up to A's has been and how old he was. Seems like a nice goal to shoot for since it's not happening now.

If memory serves, Cameron Chambers will be at the mercy of our man Sam this weekend, getting his bikes prepped for Moab. Seriously, if you're Cameron, how good do you have to feel with Sam guarding your back?

CVO posted regarding the duathlon course, which looks hard and fun. Me Likes!! Is anyone else going to do the thing solo?

Just made plans to hit Cafe Italia tonight. If you get a chance, try that place out. The Snob hails it as the best espresso in Lincoln.

Walk Idiot Walk

When I woke up this morning, the chill in the air made me immediately think of Cross. How sad is that? The above pic is from the Indy Cyclo-Cross Series in my former home state. It appears they are doing some sort of LeMans style start, which prompted me to think, "WTF?"

Speaking of Cross, things are already under way in Europe and Jonathan Page, our National Champ three years running, has already raced twice. It sounds like if he could keep from flatting he'd be right in the mix with the top dawgs.

I went for a run last night on the Rock Island, both for the duathlon and cross purposes. It's amazing how many people are out there with no lights well after dark. I wasn't happy and my legs weren't happy. I felt fine aerobically, but was stumbling around like a drunken sailor. It was like my muscles had forgotten how to run.

If you are wondering about the Post Title, that's just the song I was listening to when I wrote this. It's an easy one, but points awarded for correct identification.

Chops In Modern Cycling: Part IV

Ernesto Marenchin, aka Sologoat. Sure, he's sporting peach-fuzz chops, just like our boy Corey "Big Skinny" Godfrey, but he's rocking the endurance race scene.

The Goat took second at 24hr Worlds, took nearly every, if not every, 8 hour race he entered, and won 24hrs of Big Bear as well. Chief Rocka!! He also took the line at TransIowa, but only made it to Algona shortly before the Snob, which shows that everyone has a bad day every now and again. Keep your eyes on this cat.

My prediction. Eatough goes down next year and the Goat takes it.

Running on Empty

Platte River Duathlon in a few weeks. Should be fun and interesting. I missed on early season race this year as it was the same weekend as TransIowa. Hopefully, I can represent well this year.

Speaking of TransIowa, the word is that the course is set and that the updates should be coming much more frequently now. Jeff Kerkove and Guitar Ted are the masterminds behind this little sufferfest. As long as the gnomes return, I will be sitting online ready to go when registration begins.

Song of the Day: A Change is Gonna Come by Swervedriver.

Bummer of the Day: Sheppard's Open Letter about getting busted. Having had a mildly promising baseball career ended by a torn rotator cuff, the snob feels for him.

Weekend of Sundries

Lots of cycling related items of the weekend, starting with the moment of silence and drinks raised to my man Jeff Avey. The curtain went down on his career at Cycleworks Sunday. I know Jeff and Nisha don't really have a defined path in front of them yet, but it will be cool to find what they do when they get their route chosen. Much love to them from the Snob.

I've now shown up for the night ride through Wilderness with inadequate lighting. Nothing like learning from your mistakes. However, if you follow Sam who's rocking this, you don't really need much.

Jeff Kerkove recently updated his site and in his last post asks about Sam's boy Cameron Chambers, wondering if Cam's healthy and ready to go. I thought it best to keep the mystery alive.

It was mainly a "junk mile" weekend on the Fascist Killer, but I did go to Wilderness Saturday and try to do some Homework. Warmed up for 20 minutes, cranked it as best I could for 60 minutes, then cooled down on the Rock Island heading home. While in the park, I only saw two people, Paul Chapman (who I was able to say 'hello' to as we passed) and Mr. Bike Shop owner, (who I saw while cross-eyed at about minute 45). Chalk the no hello up to inadvertant snobbery and being worked.

Despite the fact that I will be getting my ass crushed, the Redline is officially going to go SS for cross. So if you were considering it but worried about coming in last, I've got your back. Literally.

"What do you mean, 'been with Sheryl'?"

I found this picture and have just been in smartass mode since. Others that come to mind include:

Travis to Lance - "Seriously, you really can't grow chops?"

Travis thinking - "Look at Lance going all tough guy. I could take him."

Trek Worker thinking - "What a couple of premidonnas. Is it five o'clock yet?"

The guy between Lance and the Trek worker in the foreground thinking - "Hey, if I put my hand to my chin, I'll look just like Travis Brown."

Your turn and I think everyone whose ever posted here is more clever than I am so the beer is on me for the best caption.

One Million Reasons not to, but...

For whatever reason, this race floats around the back of my brain constantly. The Iditarod Trail Invitational. I brought this up at the shop once and found even those who enjoy a good sufferfest thought I was nuts. Any race that has to say "evacuations from the course are the racer's responsiblity" intrigues the hell out of me. I can't be too crazy. There are two records recognized for this race due to different courses and changing regulations. The names attached to them are Mike Curiak and John Stamstad.

Maybe I should see how commuting through the winter goes first, eh? Still... 07 isn't that far away.

You TOO should have Chops!!

Two cases in point.

One. The Saga of RockD. The additional facial hair could potentially have served as air bags, cushioning our friend's impact. Now let's get the scabs healed so we can add chops to the Kramer like afro the Rock often sports.

Two. Geoff Kabush. Check the cyclingnew.com diary regarding post world festivities. If you still don't believe, check the fiancee.

VIVA LA CHOPS!!!

The Fun has arrived

It's Monday. I'm in worker bee mode going through my Inbox when the phone rings and my good friend Mr. Avey informs me that a Conquest Pro frame has arrived with my name on it.

Smiles, Everyone!!! Smiles!!

Now the question is, build it up and race it SS or geared? Opinions?

Blogging at a first grade level

I am a bit frustrated at the moment because Corey sent me some nice pictures from our Platte Homework foray, but I can't seem to get them to upload. I would assume it's because the file size is so large, but don't have the patience to work at it beyond this. Travis Brown rocking cross style. It's in the air. Of course, my friends at Redline don't hurry up and replace my frame, you'll all have to deal with me going cheerleader on you while you race.

Speaking of Travis Brown, he wins the Marathon National Championship, but had shaved the chops. Think of the potential a National Championship in and endurance event rocking chops. The Snob would have been so happy, but alas, it wasn't to be. No points awarded, Travis.

I worked the short shift at the shop today, taking the place of the Rock as he mends. Working at the shop is like putting on a pair of jeans you haven't worn since summer started. A bit stiff at first, but after a short while it's all familar and comfortable. One guy came in and bought a Trek 820 and then wanted the "other" unbuilt color. I told him Wednesday would be a realistic expectation for it to be built and ready, knowing full well that the shop wasn't that backed up. He received a call a few hours later and now thinks we are kings of customer service. I love that. Under promise, over deliver.

Heal up Rock. You're not getting out of an AR that easily.

Homework Grade: Incomplete

Corey and I did indeed roll out to Platte on Wednesday for our Fight Club style homework assignment inspired by Sam. C-Funk rolled on his IF 29er and I took the Fascist Killer SS equipped at 32/16.

This would be only my second time riding the Killer on singletrack and the first was at Wilderness. Mistakes started to pile up quickly. Before I even made it down to the course, I overshot a turn no thinking about the fact I wasn't running discs.

As we started riding up the big climb, Corey looked over with a "you better get your ass moving" look on his face. As the climb tiled upward for the first time, I clued in and got up out of the saddle, holding possibly the slowest cadence I have ever held up over the top. Ouch. Should have warmed up before that.

Shortly thereafter, I went down on a sketchy section of the new trail. Not really a tech section, but certainly something that may need to bit of maintence. (Corey knew the term for the worked needed, but I was clueless.) We actually rode for a while after that without incident and I seemed to be constantly out of the saddle. Finally, about two thirds of the way through a lap, my left calf cramped and I had a new location for one of my calf muscles on the inside of my leg instead of the back. Ouch again.

I cruised to the end of a lap, left Corey to do another and went back to the access road and did intervals up it until Corey finished up. I found quickly that if I didn't get out of the saddle the leg was okay so started cranking it up.

Gagging Fit: Check.
Sour Stomach: Check.
Actual Vomit: Negative.

Final Grade: Incomplete.

Dammit Chris. Not you.

I have always thought of Chris Sheppard as a pretty cool rider and paid attention to his results. He always seemed like one of those guys on the cusp of doing really well but never could get over the hump.

As many of you have probably read, Shep just got nailed for EPO. Two year suspension. Fired from Haro. Game Over.

Here's what I find interesting. This is what his former employers had to say about it.

“We’re obviously disappointed with this news,” said Jim Ford, Haro’s President/CEO. “Chris has been a great ambassador for Haro and the sport of mountain biking for many years. Despite the serious nature of this situation, we still view Chris as a good person who made a bad mistake.”


"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attibute of the strong." -Mahatma Gandhi

Chops in Modern Cycling: Part III

Geoff Kabush. Skillz? Check. NORBA XC Champ? Check. NORBA STXC Champ? Check. Canadian Cross Champ? Check.

Chops? But of course!!

Kabush also has some enjoyable reads in his journal entries on cyclingnews.com.

Homework assignment at Platte tomorrow. Corey and I will be heading out from my office at 4:30. Parking lot at five.

Don't worry, I'll bring mouthwash.

Homework Assignment

"I ran. I ran until the muscles burned and my veins pumped battery acid.

Then I ran some more."

I'm giving myself a homework assignment. Ride until I puke.

Platte. Wednesday night.

I want to breathe smoke.

Cross Endurosnob Style

Inspired by a race in England called the "Three Peaks," the Iron Cross is 60 miles and 6,000 climbing feet of cross pain.

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever." - Keats

What about AR?

The Snob received an anonymous email today with the simple question, "What about adventure racing? Everything on your blog is about cycling." Point taken.

Let me clarify what I will and won't be referencing here on the blog. If the event doesn't make you navigate, it won't be spoken of. If it's not at least 24hrs in length, no thank you. Novelties and "special events," not bloody likely.

Some of you should be prepared to have me try to con you into this: MMM FUN!!

For the dreamers like me, the Primal Quest will be in our backyard (for an expedition race) in 2006. (That 8k for entry is pretty tough to pull off though.)

Side note: Anonymous doesn't live hear. If you post, own it and put your name.

Who's riding tomorrow night?

"This Machine Kills Fascists" with One freaking Speed

Mohawk Industries, in association with Avey Parts and Supply bring you the rebirth of the Fascist Killer.

On the way back from Leadville the idea was broached about turning John's old Specialized into a single speed. Mission Accomplished. After cobbling parts for a bit, Jeff's donations allowed us to finish the beast last night.

My first single speed jaunt was my commute to work. Even though my mind kept wanting to shift, it was a sweet, sweet commute and I can't thank John and Jeff enough for the generosity.

You may see the FK riding the last mtb race of the year, single speed category with Corey providing vodka tonic handups along the course.

Cheers.

24 Hour Race Reports

Two Endurosnob favorites raced over the Labor Day weekend, both kicking ass in the process.

TransIowa mastermind Jeff Kerkove put the training he had put toward Worlds to good use by crushing the field in Iowa over the weekend. Always one for a good race report, he even includes a nice snapshot of race food vomit this time.

TransIowa racer and Big Bear kingpin Sologoat took second in the 24HOA worlds race. He enjoyed the luxery of riding in the rain for all 24hrs. In some ways, taking second to Eatough is like a win, but I suspect the Goat is already plotting on how to make up the ~30 minutes he lost by.

Hey Sam, no Cameron Chambers at Worlds?

Still debating the idea of trying a regular XC race before the season ends. Thoughts?

Warning: The Fascist Killer is rising from the dead.

Chops in Modern Cycling: Part II

"My chops? They're about this thick."

Travis Brown. I don't know that I can quit call him punk, but I dig him anyway. Not only does he rock chops, but always seems to throw out the original bike setup. Moustache barred SS during a NORBA short track, pink one-off single speed in Cross Season, with the latest being the 69er (26in wheel in the rear and 29in in the front.)

He's also got a daughter named Zara and describes fatherhood as "a higher plane of existence."

Word.

Long Live Long Rides

Rock D dropped the following Comment on my post regarding races for next year. I would love to hear what thoughts this prompts in everyone's minds.

"during one of the hikeabike sections at leadville, I had time to reflect on why I ride bikes.

I ride to go places and to get great stories. I realize, now, that I have taken a detour these past few years and have been trying to go places fast, not exactly what I started out to do nor do I do it fast at all.These races are fun(?) and are the source of great stories.

Do you suppose they would/could be just as much fun if say, you did the Kokopelli trail in two three days at a nice pace? Do we always have to race, so to speak?

Just wondering, if you think so, think about doing the White Rim trail, should be doable in about 4 days, sometime in Feb or early March."

I really considered a lot of this heavily over the last few days, particularly on a gravel grinder I did solo last night. More of my thoughts on this to come, but bring it on...

Racing, Long Rides, and the balance between them.

Thanks, Rick.