a rich tapestry of posty goodness

okay, so I'm feeling a little less like this on the bike

and I'm certainly feeling a little smarter than this

You think she really fell asleep while getting tattoos on her face?  Sounds like Dad didn't dig the new look.

this is what I feel like I'm facing as I try to return to form.  The Rapha Gentlemen's Race is creeping up and Portland is calling my name.  It's going to hurt, but in the best possible way.

okay maybe thats just how this road back to fitness feels, but damn its going to take some work!!  Anyway there's lots going on so here's a little catch-up for us all.  Really I think it all comes down to communication.  And a design team for whom english is a FIRST language.  I dunno, maybe Im just too critical.

and flying depend on insanity.  I almost got off the flight when I saw this.

There was a sweet interview with our boy myerson on PEZ cycling news.  It certainly beats a sharp stick in the eye. RESPEKT!!

check it out, it's a nice read without going all fan-boy

here you go

Closer to home things are no less exciting.  First the papist gets attacked by nature during a race.  Could swarms of bees be any more clear of a message that road racing season is over?  What do you need man? a burning bush?  My people are good at recognizing a sign.  Get out the cross bike now my friend.  It's too hot to go roadie.  Time to play in the dirt.

Another sign of the apocalypse, Dug outside riding with the tri-kids.  In the morning.  EARLY!!! I'm not just writing this to appease Duane.  It looked just like spinning class except for the moving pavement.  Interesting.

Master's Nationals have begun and our good friend Tracey "the toaster" Tolson has repeated and maintained her national championess.  The crit's are next weekend, inside Churchill Downs.  Could there be a cooler location for a race?  Doubtful.  Looking forward to heckling mrgarner and any of the other friends of ltp that are going around in circles.

I'll try to have more race reports here, but remember...if this is your source for news and facts we need to talk.  seriously.

welcome back Kotter

so the travelings done and now its time to get my job re-started, and start my ramp up for cx.  Probably a bad idea to take 3 weeks off the bike before starting this, but btw getting sick, going to disney and china....whats a brother gonna do?  It would've been really easy to fall off the wagon for good.  We at some point invested in a really comfortable couch(never noticed it before), and these snacks that the kids are into are quite tasty.  No, can't do it.  I spent last night at kidscx, with my kid, I know MJ's gone and no Im not trying to fill his shoes. "gee mister, that is a neat van...and there's candy in there?"

Anyway, I spent a good part of the evening talking to mr fagerberg, who is now working with my coach... as a coach(wow, english is tough.  those people were right).  It was good to chat with someone who is a great cx racer and has a feel for what I'm doing.  motivation slowly coming back, but I was actually a little nervous about riding.  Curtis had a 3 hr ride with hell repeats(not misspelled, at least not how I see it)

Off I went, remembering zanne's post about nutrition, i wedged a clif bar and a gel into my jersey pockets and next to my fatted ass.  It turned out to be a good but tough ride.  2:45(sorry coach) of getting the feel of the bike again.  The hills in sleepy hollow have always been tough for me so that was the tgt.  After finding out that the bridge to propect was out(construction of the new bridge begins!!! F yeah!) and turning to go the other way finding out that there was construction at the normal entrance to sleepy hollow.  Actually, construction dude was real supportive.

construction dude -"can't go this way"

me -"what? seriously"

construction dude -"take chamberlain lane and go allll the way around, it'll be a nice bicycle ride for you"

I thought about explaining cyclocross and the fact that I could ride the gravelly area he was working to protect, but I took my self for a "nice bicycle ride".  In all fairness dood was right.

So, hills, heat and a little saddle time.  Am I back and ready for the world?  Not yet, but Im at least excited about the work.  I know that if I follow the schedule, it always comes.  My friend Dorothy taught me the most valuable thing possible "knowledge becomes wisdom when it's used"  time to apply some basic knowledge and see if I get wise.

lets close the china chapter

Here's what I learned in China


Knowledge becomes wisdom when it is used- someone famous probably said that, but I heard it from my friend Dorothy so she gets the credit.

Chongqing is like Houston, its hot w spicy food and beautiful women, but nobody realizes how big it is

There are no real traffic laws observed in China. Lanes and space are what u make them. If someone has to come in your lane, they're coming in. No one gets crazy, it is what it is.

The Chinese don't tend to exagerate.
When someone in China says something is spicy. They mean it. I ate something so hot I can't remember half my childhood. It may have been cow lung.

A motorcycle can carry 3-4 people more easily than you think.

When something in China is old, its old. Thousands of years. When something in the states is old, it just needs a polish.

Familiarity breeds contempt, with a billion people, etiquette is mandatory. the tradition of formal politeness keeps people from fighting and bickering.

The fork is overrated

This is a country not run by lawyers and frivolous lawsuits. The heavy hitter would be very skinny here. The Chinese expect you to use common sense instead of safeguarding everything. Slippery stairs-watch your step. Dangerous building?-dont get too close. Isn't this better than being protected and allowed to be a complete dumbass? Coffee is hot. Yes, dumbass. It is.

Chinese Lineup- there is no line, just go.

China has some of the most beautiful women(outside of alabama) McDonalds will ruin that just like home.

The food is different in every region(as u'd imagine), most of it is fantastic, but really. I can't eat another tentacle(that was TENTACLE duane)eventually you quit asking what animal it is and just it eat. If it tastes good, then ask.

For people who claim not to have religion, when things go bad, they pray. Then they go back to not having religion. Its the same as in the states. They're just more self actualized about their faith.

I quit trying to explain where Louisville was. I just explained that's where KFC is from. I think they were impressed.

Now its time to refocus on getting my fat ass back in shape and getting ready for cx! Finally "that time of year" is bearing down upon us.

Felt Recalls fork on all F1Z CX bikes

In addition to furthering international relations, Mr. Segal emailed a recall announcement on Felt F1Z Cyclocross bikes.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Felt Bicycles has a voluntary recall of about 1450 2007/2008 F1X Cyclocross bicycles.The bicycle’s fork steerer tube can break, causing the rider to lose control, fall and suffer injuries. There have been six reports of these forks breaking with minor injuries reported in two of the incidents.

The recall includes all 2007/2008 Felt F1X Cyclocross Bicycles. These bicycles are available in Semi-Matte Black and have aluminum frames with carbon fiber forks with aluminum steerer tubes.

Get your bike to your local Felt dealer!

peace.

Seiler

my most american moment

I've been really absorbed in the culture here. I haven't used a fork in over a week, and although it was thru a translator, I spent hours teaching sales training while being sensitive to the cultural differences btw our mkts and std practices.

But last night while walking around the massive downtown in chongqing, my inner american came out. We passed a street musician, playing guitar on a busy corner and it happened.
I'm not proud. But I did yell "play freebird" as we walked by.
It sounds really wild in Chinese. Possibly better. He got quite a tip.

deep, deep in-country

I expect to trip over Col Kirtz any minute now.

Day 2 in chongqing(pronounced chong ching), people are amazingly friendly. They have a lot of questions about the US. They know a lot more about us than we do about them.

This is a city of 30 million people and my dumb american ass had never heard of it until I had to come here. Scratch that. GOT to come here.

Spent the day learning about Buddhism at Dazu(which sounds frightfully like "die jew" but isn't)
I could never really be a good Buddist. Too much elimination of desire and greed. Shit, those are my GOOD qualities.

Its all good, but I miss the family, cycling and M&M's. That last part may be good for me. If cycling is sanity for me, these are tough days. Running has helped, but seems to confuse the average Chinese person. They always seem to be looking behind me to see if someone's chasing me.

Once again, my life serves as entertainment to others.
Maybe that's enough?

I do miss riding. I tried to pay a rickshaw driver to let me pedal. I can never really explain myself in this climate as Dr Thompson used to say.

Just a few more days. Time to get onstage and try to teach sales skills thru a translator. What could go wrong with that?

free-king duck!!

Apparently between 930-10p they take the shirts away from all the old drunk dudes and make them take a walk. Its quite the parade of sobriety, etiquette and dental creativity.
I don't think the "white strip" has made it here yet.

My nxt cx bike
My next cross bike.
Chk out the cable routing. The dismounts would be fine, but suitcasing that thing may cause me to alter my shaolin style.
"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Hernia"

I went with Rico to sit shiva while he got some new ink. I stood on the balcony and kept wondering why people kept staring at me. More than even is usual for a white guy in China.
Then I realized the other 2 businesses on the block are whore houses.
Glad noone I knew saw me.
Tattoo dude says its 300 Yuen. That's like 21 dollars. I don't know what you get for that, no one would admit having been in there, although they seemed familiar enough with the price list.
I've had 21 dollar sex before (or however much Boones Farm and Crystal burgers cost) and somebody usually ends up apologizing.

I consider myself a 26, maybe 27.50 piece myself.

And no Ari, I really didn't go in.

Our tour guide "bill" (probably not his real name) and our driver "driver" have done the big, big schlep with us today. From the great wall( and its even better than the name) to the birds nest to the tat shop.

Now its on to Chongqing.

the occidental tourist speaks

After twenty some hours of travel, we cleared customs, proved we didn't have swine flu and made it to Beijing.
This is a big bustling city. We are posted up btw J&J headqtrs and a rest district so alls good on the accomodations.
Our first 2 days are filled w tourist stuff. Tiennamen Sqr, Forbidden City etc. Amazing to see the ancient and the modern on the same block. When they say something is old here they mean OLD. In the states we just mean it isn't new anymore.
We've seen unbelievable extremes of both wealth and poverty.
They love the euro cars here. Audi's, V-dubs, Mercedes. It finally occured to me why I hadn't seen many Japanese cars. They really don't dig the Japanese. History. What can you do.
We leave for Chongqing soon to start working. Another big city.
They say Portland is the cycling capital but they have nothing on Beijing. I haven't seen a bike worth more than 20 bucks american yet but there are literally millions of them.

Pictures later.

Be well

Fall Wardrobe (doug)

Holy Crap. You read that entire last post and still are still awake and willing to read this blog? Good for you. You are exactly the blindly dedicated idiot we are looking for (present company included).

Over the past couple of days, I've had the pleasure of talking (e-mail counts as talking nowadays, right?) to a fellow cx fan in North Carolina who wanted one of our cool LTP t-shirts, and who is part of a CX team down there. Since we haven't been working the shirt thing since last season, I had to dig around, and realized that we only had XL's left (except for the one Large that I was able to send her). Anyway, I mentioned to Brian that we should 1) donate to charity the 50 XL shirts that nobody bought b/c all of our cycling friends (except for B and me) are either tiny manorexic Small's, or "whoa you're huge" mediums; and 2) order another shipment of either the same shirts, or a new design (sans the XL's) for this upcoming fall season. He liked the idea, and although he is currently in China where we could probably have the shirts made more cheaply, thought we ought to put out some feelers to see if anyone is paying attention and might be interested. Keeping in mind that most of the LTP apparel sales took/take place at actual races, if you'd be interested in a shirt like the one at the top of this site (although I'm thinking black on yellow, or white/black on grey for this season), drop us a comment. Brian's dying to do cycling caps, too, so don't be surprised. Let me know if you'd like yours with a little helicoptor on top or not.

Getting my feet wet (doug)

So, after all the fun "discussion" about spinning and CRIT workouts vs. going for bike rides, I thought I'd throw in a quick status update and some thoughts on Muncie, as we approach T Minus 21 days and counting. When I last left you, I was trying to find a way to get into open water, since I'm an idiot and mis-scheduled the Shelbyville Olympic Triathlon for a Sunday on my calendar instead of the actual Saturday race day. I've fortunately been able to do that, and found a regular group to help me ramp the training up in an attempt to salvage a plan for the Muncie race on July 11. I had to go back like 3 pages to find my last post prior to that one, which turned out to be the controversial "spinner" post. Man, Brian (and our guests) post a whole lot, don't they (not that that's a bad thing). Anyway, the weekend before the Shelbyville race, I was able to get out with a friend of ours (David the triathlete) and join his training group for what they called a "triple brick". These nuts were doing 20 miles on the bike, then 3 miles running, 3 times in a row. I, fortunately, had some family (wife) planned "fun" to attend, so I could only join the group for the first two sets. I had a really good time, enjoyed the ride, and met some cool people, some training for Muncie, and others for the full IM in Louisville. More importantly that morning, I learned that this group does a weekly group open water swim training in an old local quarry that is now a small residential lake. I was able to meet them one evening and swim 1.2 miles in the 67 degree water, in the wetsuit. It didn't go great, but I finished.

This past weekend (the wknd I was supposed to do the Olympic Tri, at which, by the way, our Rogue teammates performed wonderfully), Al, me, and the kids went to my hometown (Dayton, OH) to see my folks and my sister, and to go to a concert featuring The Menus, a well known local band from Cincinnati that has been around forever. Alison and I (and my sis) ended up taking Kyle, my 7 year old, to the concert with us, and he had the time of his life. He's a big musician, as I think I've mentioned, and loved most of the 80's and 90's covers that the Menus played. He knew all the words, and yelled, screamed, and played air guitar with the best of them. I did, because of the weekend in Dayton, however, end up not getting any workouts in over the weekend.

I came back this week motivated to get at least one last strong week of training in before starting to taper slightly. I ran 12 miles on Monday and felt great. Life got in the way a bit on Tuesday, but I was able to squeeze in a 60 minute spinning class (that's the equivalent of a 3 hour ride with Duane if you've not been here in a while). Yesterday (Wednesday), I had an interval duathlon class in the morning because of the stormy weather (the tremendous benefit of this class could be another post altogether, but it might really tick some people off...so it's coming next), and then a tremendous swimming session with quarry swim group that has me actually excited about the swim portion at Muncie. I'd actually like to elaborate just a bit on the swim, since it was just last night. Last week, my first try at open water since Columbus, IN last August, I was a bit scared, which is part of the reason I needed to do it. I had my panic moments, restricted by the wetsuit, unorganized breathing, cold (67 degree) water, but rested between 150m laps, and finished. This week went WAY better. Jumped in, gained composure, and swam the entire 13 laps (1950m, 1.2 miles) without resting. I'm not fast, by any measure, but it went smoothly, without incident or panic, and felt great. I still have at least 2, if not 3, more weeks to get out there and practice, too, so I really think I'll be comfortable enough to get through the swim unscathed (assuming it's at least a wetsuit optional race). Anyway, so 3 decent days in so far, although the run and ride (in the duathlon interval class) felt like I was really pushing myself. I'd been using the legs for a tough run or ride for 3 days in a row, so I took today off. I had a ton of work travelling to do anyway, so I decided to give the legs a rest. I have a short run tomorrow, and then CRIT (and then a wild night at the Downs After Dark, inaugural night racing event at Churchill Downs). Then, on Saturday, there is a huge group of folks coming in from Ohio, Michigan, and elsewhere (including Heather Gollnick) who will be riding the entire 112 mile Ironman course. Assuming I have as much fun as I plan to on Friday, I'll meet them for a 50-70 mile portion of that ride, which is plenty. Then, Sunday, the regular tri group is doing another triple brick (20 bike, 3 run x 3) that I will join them for 2 sets of.

After that, I'll have 3 weeks left exactly before Muncie. I'll probably try to get one more 10 mile+ run in next week, and one more 40+ mile ride in one evening (or even next Saturday), plus a night of swimming and the usual spinning, CRIT, and now Interval Duathlon classes, and then start to taper it down. I've been waiting for the ramp down period to sign up for a trial week at a different Bikram studio, so will probably do that, too. I could use a little stretching for sure.

As a final note, let me address Michael's comments about my 7 hour goal. I'm happy to admit that he was right, and it was a "fall back" goal, or even a goal based in fear and wild "conservatism", especially as it related to the swim. Doing some math after these few practice swims, while still giving myself room for error, panic, and transitional issues (I've never raced in a wetsuit), etc., I think I should be able to finish somewhere between 6:30 and 6:45. I will be thrilled with anything under a 6:30, will be happy with a 6:45 or better, accepting of a time under 7 hours, and disappointed over 7. There you have it, short and sweet as usual.

PS: I know this bores the bejebus out of most of you, but glad there's a forum. Can't wait until CX season, when we can all get along. On that note, I noticed that Adam Myerson, our favorite Pro, posted a blurb about starting to train for cx already. Wow, no wonder the dude is so fast. If he only did CRIT and Spinning...

last words of advice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YbpcDULz6c

enjoy

Hard Core Fitness (doug)

Despite Duane's suggestion that I only ride my bike (which I've admitted WOULD make me a better cyclist), I'm going to keep doing the CRIT (aka Hard Core Fitness).

If you'd like to give it a shot, please do. Here is a link to a .pdf file with more info. Danielle would love to have you in class -- even you, Duane.

HARD CORE FITNESS FLYER AND SCHEDULE

chinese democracy and comparative customer svc

My visa showed up last night at 7:30 after some serious use of my "capslock voice" with both fedex and the visa processing company.

holding the visa in my hand finally made this real to me and I immediately wanted to go hug the kids and wait a few more days before I left. I can only make part of that a reality because I'm under 24 hrs from lvng. Crazy.

I'll try to update from the other side of the world, hopefully my stuff will all work without too much trauma. Or at least less trauma than I had getting my papers in order.

If the whole "world wide web" isnt so world wide in china, then I'll catch you peeps on the flip side.

No carry on with your arguement about Dug's workout regimen.

Louisville dirt club's new address

With apologies to Mr Molnar, I must have misread a communication.

The new address for Louisville Dirt Club is linked to your right or they're available at

www.louisvilledirtclub.blogspot.com

enter at your own risk.

Now back to arguing about workouts......

sigh

I dare you...(doug)

So I've been dying to get back on the blog to post this, but have been silly busy. I finally find myself in my hometown of Dayton, Ohio, visiting family, with some time to kill.

In the past, if you've bothered to read my infrequent posts, you've read about my CRIT class that I love so much. To jog your memory, CRIT is the "boot camp" class that I take at the Northeast YMCA, taught by the most fit person you will ever meet, Danielle Sullivan. CRIT stands for Cardio Rope Interval Training, and it is silly hard (in my opinion). I've said more than once that I attribute all of my "success" in both my triathlons and (more so) my cyclocross racing to this class. Despite being brand new to the sport of cycling, my inability/unwillingness to train riding a bike, my numerous distractions and A.D.D as it relates to training, and my affinity for "socializing", I have been able to not only stay in what I would consider decent physical shape, but to actually compete in both triathlons and cyclocross with people who I know have made it a priority. I have attributed, and will continue to attribute, this to the fact that I regularly participate in this CRIT class. I think it helps develop explosiveness and strength that you simply cannot get from any other kind of workout, while still keeping the heart rate at a top aerobic (and sometimes anaerobic) level for a full 60 mins. My cyclocross training last season consisted entirely of spinning class and CRIT, and I managed to finish 10th or so in the season standings, behind only the best, strongest cyclist in the city in my category (I say that half jokingly, b/c I am in NO WAY in their class of cylist). I realize that the class doesn't help me specialize in anything, but it requires me to use almost every muscle (many of which I didn't even know I had before the class) to it's fullest extent, as well as pushing me cardiovascularly (is that a word?) to extreme limits each time I take the class. I've been taking the class once or twice a week for the last year or so (except for a break or two for specific sport/event training breaks), and there are still days that I cannot keep up and complete the entire class without taking a break. I have brought friends and family members to the class (some former collegiate athletes) who have not only "bonked" in the class, but have unequivocally stated that it was "the most difficult workout they ever tried to do".

Until now, I had to use one of my few YMCA guest passes to get these friends/family members into the class once or twice, more in an attempt to see if they Loved the Pain as much as I did (hoping they would join the Y), but now Danielle is spreading the "joy/pain". She has started offering CRIT to folks outside the Y family. She has started offering HARD CORE FITNESS, twice a week, to non Y members. It is essentially our same CRIT class, designed by Danielle, but just open to the public. Now, since it's not at the Y, and she doesn't have the jump ropes at her disposal, the class may be slightly different, but it is similar enough that I feel I can speak to it's effectiveness. It may even be tougher. I actually suggested she just change the "Rope" portion to "Lifting", and change the name, but Danielle said that the city wouldn't appreciate the flyers with that anagram posted everywhere. Anyway, the class takes place at Hountz Lane park, on Thursday nights (7-8:15) and Saturday Mornings. Basing my opinion on both my experience, as well as the opinion of people I respect, I feel comfortable saying that this will be the toughest, most rewarding 1 hour workout you will ever participate in. It doesn't take the place of sport specific training by any means, but if you want to add some variety into your workout week, you need to try it at least once. In fact, I would like to do it with you. I want you to feel comfortable, and will help guide you through the class (including when to tactfully rest). I actually challenge any of our local friends, training partners, and teammates to come take the class just once. If you love the pain, and appreciate a great challenging workout as much as I know you do, you will LOVE it! I'll even cover the $15 charge for you if you can keep up with me for the entire class your first time (unless your last name is Seiler). Anyone up for it next Thursday?

Stuck Inside Of Disney, w the Memphis Blues Again

Ended up missing our flight because I insisted we hit Tampa before we left, to go and hang with our old friend Hank. Good guy that, when we moved to Tampa/Davis Island showed us the town and was a great friend. another Alabama grad. Picture the h3 with the Bama sticker on the back. Thats our boy. Luckily he married a fantastic woman who seems to be keeping him straight. We got to show the kids the house where we used to live. I miss Davis Island, it was one of those moments when it seemed like everyone was your age and headed in the same direction. Granted I was way naiive but hell. It was a good time.

If I ever get home, I'll be surprised. This many days disconnected from reality leaves you ready to make dangerous and irrational decisions. I need a lego key chain!!! by god we all do.

I need to get out of here before those Tommy Bahama shirts seem reasonable.

Charlie don't surf, and there's no cyclocross in Florida.

You know the one thing we havent seen the entire time we've been here? A bookstore. Not one. that should explain a lot.

Shhhhhh. They're coming. Mickey's reunited the boys from the STASI and they still have their chops. Savage bastards that've been hiding since the wall went down. Who the hell wears long black leather coats in Central florida? Have they completely lost the desire to stay in the shadows? I guess working for the rat lets them walk around in broad daylight. We're on the morning flight. I just have to lay low untill then. The rat demands a wallet biopsy every few hours. If I can shake him until we board the plane we can get back to our version of reality.

I can't tell you where we're holed up, best you don't know for your own protection. They psuh people to "inform" on each other, and I don't want to put you in that position. Maybe this is good preparation for China?

CX Magazine-solving Doug's need for multiple sports

Our good friends at CX Magazine have a solution for our hotly debated topic related to finding news ways to harass Dug.

witness

Bored in the off-season? Want a taste of competition or ready to start your cyclocross training? Think you can doggy-paddle 500 yards in a pond and jog 5k?
USA Productions is hosting the Silicon Valley Mountain Bike Triathlon on June 20th in San Jose. Although labeled “mountain bike,” the bike event is almost tailor-made for cyclocrossers with a 10 mile bike that’s half paved, half trail with a stream crossing and muddy run-up. The short 5k run is all dirt.
The promoter is offering CXM readers a 10% discount to the event. Event details below:
Silicon Valley Mountain Bike TriathlonAlmaden Lake Park - San Jose, CASaturday, June 20th, 2009500 Yard Swim - 10 Mile Mt. Bike - 3.1 Mile Run
By adding this off-road triathlon, we’ve turned the Silicon Valley Olympic Distance Triathlon weekend into a two-day celebration of sport. The smaller distances, extra mud and off-road terrain, make this event extra appealing to the first timers, cyclocrossers, mountain bikers and experienced triathletes alike. This event encompasses a perfectly fit weekend of sport, and is a great introduction to the famous Silicon Valley Olympic Distance Triathlon.
CXM Readers can use promotion code “2009usaevents” for 10% off registration.
For more info: USA Productions Website

the spectrum-both ends covered

If you honeymoon at Disney you either have the most pathetic sex life ever or you have, without doubt, the most no-holds barred, costume-oriented shit going on imaginable.

I can't see a middle ground.

You're either doing it w the PJ's on or freaky freaky freaky. "Call me a bad duck, bitch!!!" Kind of stuff.

Either way, enjoy.

notes from the road

Just a note from the road. I'm in the first of 2 communist countries on the agenda.
A few notes from Disney

Observations
1. Getting to participate in the "circle of life" doesn't mean u get to kill something, no matter how nicely u phrase it.
2. Animal Kingdom-a large percentage of the african names they've made up for things sound like euphemisms for "female genitalia" example -punani, mumjumba cove, punjani forrest.Is it just me?
3. When people are "disney-nice" I always think they're making fun of me.....because they are.
4. Heavy West African Meal+2 hrs of Water Slides + small hotel room=flammable conditions

Nothing looks more out of place than people smoking at a theme park.

The fast-pass is the greatest invention ever.

Hijacked Blog Posting (Seiler)

I just could not resist the temptation to hijack LTP and help the Pontiff out with making sure LTP's dedicated readers (all 3 of them) were not left in a lurch while Segal is doing something to a rat and then furthering US/China relations. Good news, Brian, they don't believe in either Testament which makes you just 1 Testament away from being Chinese and Communist.

The Project cotinues to grow with each passing Sunday long ride. I thought the cap would get stuck at 9 (including 2 BC/TLers... shhhhh...) [Sidebar: Do they have to do an extra ride to compensate?]. That ceiling was crushed this past Sunday when we had 13 Rogues (ok... 12 Rogues & The Pontiff). The group headed downtown and split at Slugger Field with 9 Rogues heading down River Road with Tallgirl leading the ride while Fatty, Pope, Sully and I headed over to Southern Indiana. Both groups had great rides although Sully burned up his brake pads coming down Corydon Pike.

The other group spotted Doug's triple-brick group on the road. So we have visual confirmation that Doug was actually riding outside but not with the Rogue folks. I'm still scratching my head at a triple-brick but what the hell. Between that and hearing about Tammy/Pam's workouts, I shot a note off to my coach this morning to see if I should be cranking up the volume or were they crazy. He would not confirm the mental state of Doug or Tammy/Pam but he did say the volume will be kicking up.

The last thing I want to address in this hijacked post is Doug's Muncie goal of 7 hours. Sack up, Doug. If you do 7 hours, something will have gone wrong. You are much stronger than that and Muncie is a PR-type course. 7 hours sounds more like a fall back goal when you're walking the second half of the run. Can't you just rely on all those spinning classes? [ok that was a cheap shot.] This really is intended to be a compliment but grow a pair and set a more aggressive goal.

Pope, Tallgirl and Fatty and I closed up our Sunday at the Flanagan's Beer Festival. My 2 favorites were the New Albanian Double IPA and the Bell's Hopslam! Great way to close out a weekend.

Pope, you care to weigh in here?

All that ends well...

A beautiful weekend here in Kentuckiana (yes, that's a word) yielded some excellent biking conditions. The influx of my parental units did not allow me to attend the Indiana RR State Championships, but I did manage to get out and get abused on a bike.

Due to said parents, I missed Fatty as he swung by this end of the park on Saturday morning, but I managed to get out solo and put in a good 15 miles before I was called back home. I also did the entire ride without changing gears, staying a gear down from the middle on the rear cassette and in the middle big ring. Not a big accomplishment for most, but it got me thinking about a change to a singlespeed. And, if steady employment ever decides to rear it's ugly head, I'm seriously considering the 29 inch option. I know some of you have an opinion on the subject, what do you think?

Sunday morning brought an early wakeup call and a ride with the folks from the Rogue Racing Project. Mr. Seiler led Fatty, Sully the Triathaloner, and myself out to Knobs in Southern Indiana for a spirited 60 mile ride. Seiler was even kind enough to drift back and converse with me after the largest of the climbs. It went a little like this:

P: no no no, I'm coming. (Pause to catch breath) I was just eating a gel.
S: right. So it sure is pretty out here in the country? So far so good. And I had a gig last night, I was out until 1:30. I was a little tired this morning, but feel good now. How about that climb? Did you see me pass everyone about halfway up? Man, this weather is nice, etc, etc, etc.
P: (wheezing)

Post ride was spent at a craft beer festival with the usual gang. Even Mrs. Papist got out and enjoyed some insanely crafted beers. While a lot of my favorites were represented, Roger brought his "A" game. Damn fine stuff.

After an afternoon of drinking beer, and after a ride that took a little more out of me than it should have, it left me feeling, well...

Back with more drivel later. If we're lucky, maybe Duane will stop by and complain in the comments.



Yes, that's a man consoling a monkey who just puked. Awesome.

Whoa, the "Pope"? (doug)

I would normally not post more than my "once per month" allotment, but I was drawn to the blog by an outside force. Welcome Pope! I hope you can fill B's big shoes. I got an alert from Blogger that we had a post from a guy who actually finishes races posting on our blog, so I wanted to respond.

Now I'm still not sure that Brian's posts from "China" are going to be coming from oversees, or if he's just confused by the EPCOT section dedicated to China after his first few hours in the German beer haus, but either way, let's hope he travels safely.

I screwed up my schedule, mixing up a Saturday with a Sunday, and am going to miss the Olympic Tri I had scheduled for next weekend, so am trying to find one in Ohio to replace the one I'm going to miss. I need to get at least one good open water swim in before the Half Ironman (which, by the way, my friend Jon Coleman is going to join me at...more to come on this excellent addition). I do, luckily, have a great 112 mile ride (the Louisville IM course) coming up in a couple of weeks to finalize that confidence, and have the running distances and times up to the point where the 13.1 is not an issue. I didn't think the marathon took that much out of me that day, but it did leave me in a motivational funk for a while.... Now, however, all is right for Muncie (minus the swim hesitation), but I can comfortably say, as a first HIM, that this is a "finish, not perish" goal, to get my feet wet, so to speak, to see if I want to push this distance. I've got a 7 hour goal in my head for Muncie, and will be happy in the vicinity. I think it will/could be better if we have wetsuit legal temps, but I'm not counting on it.

Sorry for the triathlon digression....Take it away, Pope!

This Should Serve As a Semi-Parting Shot

enjoy the subs.

mgt

Allow myself to introduce...myself?

While Brian is off to do various and sundry things like feeding the rat and globetrotting, he asked me, the papist, to fill in for him and keep things afloat around here. Between me and Holden, we should be up to task. We'll see if Doug even notices he's gone (of course, he's busy inside...).

Don't expect any huge editorial changes, we'll have the occasional cycling story (like the one where I actually finished the race or the one where I actually showed up for the ride) and your regular fill of fart and dick jokes. But since I'm not up on my punk rock music, Myerson will probably quit reading which will probably cut the traffic in half. And to think this hadn't reached bottom yet...

Two parting thoughts:

Good luck to BC/TL in the Indiana State Championships today, rip the legs off.

and a sad RIP to the Runzen Mobile. Here's to buying a car with an armrest on the passenger chair. Now I can ride to the CX race in style.

The Papist.

KidsCross Rocks

You saw the shots of the boy's first cx bike.  shiny, shiny Redline.  Pretty sweet.  He's had me out to the cx park at rrcc a few times and is really loving the offroadiness of the whole thing.

Tonight was his first kidscross.  I have to say that what Bobrow, the McShanes, John Haley and the rest do is pretty phenomenal.  I purposefully left my bike at home so I wouldn't be the soccer dad that interferes too much.  I stayed on the sidelines and watched.  It was a blast.  Let's face it, here is a 10 yr old having Mike McShane teach him to dismount.  Not too shabby.

As far as Faegerberg's  vintage Kansas t-shirt? I don't think my man was being ironic.  Can you fault a man for loving hippies with violins? well, probably, but his kid was out there tearing up the place with training wheels!!!   Fearless and under four, what are you gonna do?

As for #1 son? He made friends, he rode hard and by god that kid is gonna sleep hard tonight.  Really a great way to spend a Friday night. After drilling out the assembled children, they had a series of races...medium kids vs same, little kids vs same, big kids ripping up the pace against other big kids.  It was fun to watch all of them and some of those big "kids" are scary fast and flow with the course in the way they"re supposed to.

Granted they were chasing Clayton Omer, but man they were moving.

As for me, with work the way it is Im bound for a little time off the bike.  We're taking the kids to genuflect to the rat of commerce in Orlando.   That should be great for someone who despises his fellow man on principle.  Obviously I love these children.

When we return home I have an amazing opportunity to teach a training class in china(which they tell me is someplace different than Disney, but Im skeptical).  Do you say "no" to an offer like that?  Not a chance.  Right now Im up to my chesticles in paperwork for the People's Republic proving that I mean them no harm.  Nothing intentional, just a few mild disturbances.  What could possibly go wrong with that?

Seeing that I'll be deep in country and then in a very foreign country, the papist hissownself has offered to play the Joan Rivers to my humble Johnny Carson(not cochran) and guest host.  God help you all.  especially you zanne.  we may need an excorcist and some clean towels........

If he finds a way to get us kicked off blogger, I apologize ahead of time.

I'll catch you up as I can.

Peace and no hamthrax!!!

Hey, Maybe Ari's Been Right All Along?

Who doesn't like a big bag of honesty like that?  Take that however you'd like.

Cyclist-Hating Ari is almost smiling. You can hear it creaking.

The Other Louisville Lip

I know. Here I go waxing poetic about a PBS documentary.  I am kinghell retro-grouch. fuck it, I am the lord god of all retro-grouches.  And I don't care.  I'm a sucker for an Ali documentary.

If you grew up in Louisville, or Miami or on planet earth in the 70's, Ali was and still is the greatest. Tonight was the re-broadcast of Muhammad Ali;Made in Miami.  It's still shocking to believe that we live in the same country as they show from the mid-60's.

Here's how he explains it.

A little youtube from the man.

If that doesn't get you pumped up for whatever Tuesday has laying in wait for you.....well, you could always call Foreman.

Those early Ali fights are an amazing allegory for life and struggle.  In the first Liston fight(look it up suzanne), Sonny Liston, the baddest man on the planet doesnt come out of his corner in the 7th and therefore ends the fight.

In the re-match, Liston never sees the punch that takes him down.  And this was the scariest man alive at the time.

I've felt like both of them, sometimes in the same day.

And I don't have nothing against them viet congs either.