Wow, I haven't putting something on my Blog for a serious ass longtime. Thank or damn Facebook. I never really got into that Twitter crap so I update that as much as I do to this Blog. But, here I sit in Caribou with nothing to do. After a double-flat ride cut my day short I decided to go kill Best Buy with money I don't have. Hey, I got Idiocracy and American History X for cheap.
One more race weekend ahead. Toftoy and I will head down to the Tour de Gruene in south of Auston, TX to compete in an ITT and 2-man TTT. Along with that I have some demo work to do for Hed Cycling and have to make a stop at Mellow Johnny's to update our stickers on the wheels. After that, a break. Hopefully I can find a discount at the local Lifetime for the off-season.
November also brings on the new Tattoo. (See Below). How I am going to afford this is beyond me but I have put it off for years. Across the center of the back. Looks like I will be sleeping on my stomach for a week.

It has been a year of time trials, disappointment at Nationals (mechanical and rushed travel), and a missed Master's Nats (I had form) to start a long-sought after job at Hed Cycling Products. It is a busy place and the learning curve was to be expected. As with any job you pay your dues at the bottom and work your way up. And while I work that way up there are a lot of things I would like to see finished and "set-in-stone" down here at the bottom. Great place to work with great people. If you have ever met Steve and Anne Hed then you know what I am talking about. Plus, the assembly crew and office staff rock. I could not give you one single name of a person I dislike. I believe everyone has the best interests of this company in mind.

Of course, a real 9-5 job differs from the days of bartending when you have days off to ride, and in return my riding has suffered. But, at 38 going on 39 some important decisions need to be addressed in life. The bike will always be there. It will be the turninga-mya-head on the competition that will be hard to walk away from. A move to the Cities, working full-time, and trying to rest a bit when not at work redefines my priorities whether I wish them to or not.

But, hey, I can live vicariously through people like Taylor in his U-23 Worlds win. I built those wheels, stickered them, and glued the tires on. He went on to win Worlds on them. I am cool with that.

So, new stones are turning and I am excited to see what is underneath them. Maybe things are not ideal but I am happier where I am at now then where I was. That in itself should be the progressive life-goal of any man or woman. Ciao -Ian

TOOL-THIRD EYE-LIVE EXCEL ENERGY CTR -ST.PAUL,MN 6/29/10 207_0368.MOV

TTT TRAINING GIRO 2010. TEAM SKY.

Holy Hell, where have I been?

Well, there it is. That is the new Trek Speed Concept sans their TT bar cockpit. What can I say, as I am finding my fit on it and I am loving it even more. It is going to be a bike that will build an intimate relationship with me. But, for now, that is all I can say.
Racing has started, I am missing Joe Martin due to work, and I am feeling pretty good for what some would call, "An old guy." Well, I know better and that is simply not the case.
Not much more to say for now. When the TT's start then I will have something to say. Changes on the horizon? Well, something is changing. Ciao -Ian

Before I Ebay.....

I am selling a few things. Being that time limitations and the plan to be motorpacing far more this summer, the track debut has to be put on hold tentatively. So.....
2010 Trek T1 58cm. Stock except with 42cc bars and no saddle. Live within my driving distance? (aka Twin Cities?) $550

Oh, say it isn't so! Yep, the TT bike has been taken apart and the frameset is for sale.
2009 Medium Trek TTX 9.9 SSL. Mint condition, light, stiff, and thus fast. Again, in the area? $1800 with newer carbon seatpost and fork with lots of steertube left. Don't like orange? You will after being on this frame. Get a black disc and deep dish wheel on it.......Ya!

Last but not least, the Gary Fisher Paragon 29er. I am going back to a 26 bike. What? Going with my own personal gut on this one. This is a 2008 19 inch Gary Fisher Paragon frameset with Shimano XTR throughout except for the SRAM X-9 front deraileur. Brand new XTR Shadow Rear deraileur, Kent Eriksen Ti seatpost, Thomson X4 110 stem, Race Lite bars, Race Lite seat, new grips, and in great condition. Brand new, never rolled, Race Lite 29er wheelset with Bontrager XDX tires (lightly used). New chain.
Any questions? email me at istanford64@hotmail.com

$2000 delivered locally.

Gett'in close

Well, the race season is nearly visible around the corner. Some early races in the Midwest are very "weather dependant" but we'll see what they look like as we get closer.
March is also the time I like to get out of here from a week or so. Austin Texas is the destination this year and staying with family that lives in that area. Tucson burned me out last winter and I lost my lust for the beat-to-hell-and-then-patched-poorly-again Mission Rd. Old Spanish Trail Rd. is just that, old. Despite not getting to go to Madera, Saguaro, or Mt. Lemmon, Austin has a bike scene that is more than alive and well. Something to do with this "Armstrong" guy. Apparently he is the first guy to step on the moon or something. Anyway, space junkies must love cycling then.
The last time I was in Texas was for the ALMI Crit many years ago. I found myself in the decisive breakaway with Brad Huff, Jason Sager, and two other dudes. Unfortunately, with our healthy 30 second gap one of the "other dudes" hooked my bars as I was coming off the front and took us down hard. I destoyed both wheels, both hips, road rashed my ankle, knee, leg, hip (both sides), hand, and face. I looked great for the Ride for the Roses the next day.
Just ordered up a Shimano Di2 group for the new TT rig. Thanks Wayne Stetina at Shimano for all the help with getting this going. Monday the current Trek TTX frameset will be up for sale if you are interested. Find it here or Slowtwitch.com
Be sure to check out the happenings at Fascatcoaching as Frank is setting up his own coaching performance center.
And if you have not become wise yet to what the fastest wheels in the world are then you better get on over the the Hed Cycling Website and get with it.
Well, need to find some plane tickets. Think sun and warmth! Ciao -Ian

It's still snowing

Wow, I have not updated on the old blog for awhile. I guess Facebook and Twitter are just quicker. Once the race season gets upon us their will be more to write.
Weightroom, minor XC skiing, snowshoeing, and hitting the trainer is all that has been going on. The season is planned with me racing with the Grandstay crew once more. Race plans will focus on both the time trial Nationals (Masters and Elites) and Worlds in Austria.
I have been given an incredible opportunity to work with a bicycle company on the design of their new time trial bike as a "beta tester." More on that as it comes together. As of now I have been sending my personal body dimensions and bike measurements so we can get the framesize correct. I am a tech geek when it comes to fitting a bike. I measure, measure some more, and then measure to make sure I measured what I measured correctly. You see where this is going. So, I know what I like and how it should feel. This opportunity with this bicycle manufacturer I think will be helpful and beneficial to all.
Hed Wheels is still, and always will be, what I roll on. I have been working hard on being able to make the wheels go faster just as Hed has been doing the same. I sense our combined efforts will reap some nice rewards in 2010.
Snowing hard right now, can't sleep, and ........well, maybe I should go to sleep. Hope all is well with you all and there will be more written more often. Stay tuned. Ciao -Ian