One Revolution at a Time

2010-10-17T13:17:00.002-07:00

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

2010-07-05T21:02:00.000-07:00

TTT TRAINING GIRO 2010. TEAM SKY.

2010-05-12T22:07:00.000-07:00

Holy Hell, where have I been?

2010-05-03T18:51:00.003-07:00

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.....

2010-03-23T08:30:00.002-07:00

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

2010-02-26T10:00:00.004-07:00

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

2010-02-08T23:50:00.002-07:00

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

Team RadioShack Goes to Camp

2010-01-13T20:19:00.001-07:00

Ohhh, Bjorn has to have the exit. I like the, "I am the man" lookover on his strut. Well Bjorn, you are. You should have called "shotgun!"

Zirbel. I'll tell you what I know

2010-01-07T20:36:00.003-07:00

I met Tom Zirbel probably in 2003. I was living in North Boulder in some gigantic condo complex off of 30th street right by Vics II. Anyway, I had the bike outside one morning cleaning some winter crud off when A guy came out on his deck and asked me "Do you race bikes?" I said I did and he told me he was just getting into it. Cool, I thought, a neighbor I can get some rides in with.
We hit some rides and he was quickly racing local Cat 3 races. Cat 3 racing in Colorado is pretty intense but Tom took to it quickly and was winning everything. I told him I was going to the Tour of the Gila and he that he should go. So, we hit Silver City in his rental car. He raced the cat. 3 race and I hit up the cat. 2 race. A buddy, Jesse Reints met us down there too and noted that Tom was a huge rider. The nickname "Thor" came about on this trip. Anyway, Tom won the TT huge, Stage one, crashed and chased the leaders back to the line on stage three (he was torn to shreds, went into shock, went to the hospital, and still started the next stage. Won stage 4 and 5 and took the pink jersey from start to finish. Holy hell, I knew this guy had "the gift."
We got back to Boulder and I told my coach, Frank Overton, that I found this guy who needs a coach, can't afford one, but must be discovered. Frank took him on and agreed with the obvious natural talent and the crushing numbers he put up on the SRM. Tom moved up through the ranks to cat 1 in a season. In an area where the competition is a "who's who" of cycling, this was a feat. Tom trained hard. I mean really hard. Snow, rain, wind, and not coasting ever because "it burns no kilojoules." Big miles, solo, and hard. Tom raced for some local teams successfully. We took him to TT nats out in Salt Lake. He took 4th only 13 seconds off the Pro podium.....on a stock road bike with little aero gear. Zabriskie won. Since he was a Cat 2 he couldn't do the road race so on the TT podium, he asked the President of USA Cycling for an upgrade. The President gave him a business card and told him to call him next week. Yep, he got upgraded to Cat 1 on the podium. He then took off for the killer Elkhorn Classic and won the Pro 1/2 on his own, no team, and doing it completely without any support. Of course, he crushed the TT course record too. All this while working as a pizza delivery driver. It was clear, Tom was a talent. Priority Health picked him up as a neo-pro and it was full steam ahead.
Priority Health changed into Bissell Pro Cycling after some management change. Tom took off into the pro scene with time trial successes everywhere. It was no wonder why either. He had it in him physically and mentally. His mental approach is incredible. At one point in my own cycling I got so depressed about racing that I nearly quit. Tom wrote me an inspirational email that, to this day, I still have hanging on my wall. He kept me going and still does.
Recent allegations attacking Zirbel's character are unfounded. Yes, Tom has a positive A test. Who knows? The B may show the same. But, I am writing this as a friend to Tom and as someone who understand this guy. He is not a doper.
Over the years Tom and I have had long talks about the doping in the sport. I too, hate it. Hate it! This last year, when Tom's teammate, Kirk O'bee got popped, Tom nearly quit the sport. He was so frustrated that someone on his own team, a fellow teammate, would do this around him. Tom is and has been outspoken about the doping issues in the sport.
So, what is happening? Tom is still awaiting for the B test. If it is clean, then that is it. If it is dirty he will be looking at 2 years out of the sport. Maybe he would race again, maybe not. If it is dirty, I, like many others have told him to find out how this happened. Tom did not put anything in his body that he knowingly knew was illegal. Tainted supplements, someone else crap, fouled testing, whatever. Look at the facts. 21 or so tests last season clean, some close to this one. Clean at Worlds. If he was masking something then why didn't anything show up on the test before or after this one? Doesn't make sense. DHEA in a urine test?
Tom is one of those guys you count yourself lucky to meet in your life. Not just a talent, but a damn good human being. Smart, thoughtful, unselfish, open eared, and in this case most importantly, honest! You are all allowed to have your opinions about Tom. That is your right. I am writing the facts about him. I know him.
I pray this test is clean for the sake of our cycling future. Tom is part of that and he has many great races left in him in Europe. Big results and to make a name for himself. He deserves that chance because he has WORKED for that. See, not every talent needs to dope. Tom doesn't need it and he knows that. So, he doesn't. Tom was already signed in March to Garmin. The job was secure. Vaughters saw the talent. He knows the truth, but Vaughters has his hands tied on this one.
Yes, there are dopers accused rightly so. Yes, there are the accused who have not doped. This system is errored. Any test is. Clean guys get caught, dirty guys walk away. And, if we are responsible for everyting that goes into our body, who pays to have everything you eat and drink in a day to be tested? I know a pro cyclist cannot.
In the end, it will be a shame if Tom is convicted for this. I hope it will wake up USADA, USA Cycling, WADA, and the UCI to what can happen when their tests do show their flaws. You will have wasted a rider. A rider that they hope their doping control efforts will produce. If USADA has not already seen the outpouring for pro riders around the world on behalf of Tom, they should. When has that many riders come out in support of an accused rider? Never. This is different rider, Tom is a different rider. See, be afraid of it as you may, but, Tom simply has "the gift."
Best of luck Tom! I am with you through the end and beyond with this. Free Zirbel! -Ian

Cyclist crashes on wet streets from Universal Sports

2010-01-04T17:33:00.001-07:00

Greatest "Team Mechanic" in the world. Maybe he should get a Maglia Rosa Too!

Cycling Accident

2010-01-04T17:30:00.001-07:00

Not sure what is going on here at :35 seconds in. All I can say is that looking down the road for the start is good, but get that first 8 feet figured out too!

Building the Team Radio Shack Trek Madone

2009-12-31T12:56:00.001-07:00

takes a wee bit of time there

Negative Creep Live in Amsterdam 91

2009-12-21T21:28:00.001-07:00

Watching this and I lose my negativity. One band I dearly miss not seeing. I still have untorn concert tickets for the at First Ave with Sonic Youth. The old Chevy Blazer became a negative creep on the way to the show. Oh well.

Them Crooked Vultures - 03 Mind eraser, no chaser (Pro-shot, Reading 2009)

2009-11-30T09:27:00.001-07:00

I am pretty sure Dave Grohl has the coolest life on the planet. Plus, he has perhaps the most talented musician on earth standing in front of him in John Paul Jones.

A quick 2009 season in review

2009-11-24T09:54:00.002-07:00

Well, where do I start. First off, these pictures are in no particular order and thanks to those of you who took them. Every year I have to start of with a team camp or a solo camp somewhere. Over the past few year I have either lived or visited Tucson and pounded out some miles there. A&F would meet in Macon, Ga, and luckily, I have a great team now in Grandstay that enjoys emptying the closet at my step-father's lake home every spring. This past spring was no exception. Doug was missing understandbly with the birth of his and Anne's daughter, Stella, and Casper was on his whirlwind tour of the southwest and west coast, but everyone else made it. Good times, cleaned them out in poker, and didn't even attempt to play basketball against some of these MJ's.

I was very lucky to get my season started with an invitation from Steve Hed and Dino to go to the A2 windtunnel in February. Hey, that is a tough time for a winter climate cyclist to go do 1 1/2 hours of intervals in a tunnel. But, it was an incredible learning experience in learning what these two aero gurus know about going fast. Put into the equation Mike Giraud and Boone Lennon at the tunnel as well, well you won't leave slower that is for sure.
These race season started with our typical "spring classics" in the Midwest. Over the year since I stopped getting down to Joe Martin, I have used these races to get my season going. Knowing that Doug craves these races it is an excellent time to use what I got to help him in anyway get to the line first. Casper is usually flying too so Mean Dawg and I put to the grindstone and wait to see if Danno, Doug, or Casper can slip away. The season started of right with a win at Durand for Doug and the team. From there, we kept it going through the season. We managed all the State titles on the road. It was all too familiar to our Nature Valley Days. A good mix of guys who seem to have a good read on each others. A team.
Of course, my focus was time trials this year as it will be next year. Hitting a couple more this year was especially important to get more familiar with them along with getting used to the new Trek TTX. St. Peter sttod out this year due to the rain and shivering cold. Ask Jens. It was a brutal TT and I still have dead spots on my fingers from where my TT levers froze my skin to death. But, a great course where I have won the State TT three times before. This year is was a stand alone race and fun. Great turnout for the weather.
Synergy TT was a windy mofo. After calling Dino on wheel advice, I put on the Hed Stinger 6 on the front. Holy hell did I have a fast set-up. A good win despite almost getting levelled by a motorist who did not stop for a course marshall. I am sure there is still orange paint on the side of that SUV.

We managed to sneak 4 guys into the Nature Valley Grand Prix, which is no small feat considering the odd requirements for "local" guys to race it. I mean, fellow Minnesotans to race it. Unfortunately, I got sick prior to the TT start. While some thought I had a great TT I can assure you, that was not a good one for me. Jens completed his first NVGP and looked good, Mean Dawg was tried and true, and Micah did exceptionally well for his first big NRC. It was fun especially after I said I would never dot it again in 2008.

Masters TT with Casper and Timmer was a good time. Unfortuantely, I had read the course wrong on Google Earth mistaking the meters for feet. We got to the course and I was a wee bit surprised and lacking a 56T. I felt great and put in a great TT but was simply outgeared on the downhills. 2nd in age group but never really had the upper-end I am used too. Perhaps just a little too exhausted going into it. Fun though and great crew to travel with. No one got shot at the Quality Inn either.
A couple local Stage Races worked out well for the team and myself. We won both the overall's in Duluth and Granite Country. I love stage racing and the teams worked hard. Casper, Lance, and Schueller killed it for me in Duluth, and Danno, Doug, Mean Dawg, Schueller, Micah, and Lance in Granite.
Elite Nats TT was spent with a long drive to Oregon, hanging out with my old coach-new coach again for 2010, Frank Overton. After previewing the course over and over, talking about it with the IS Corp crew and now Radioman, Matt Busche, and hitting Zirbel up for course ideas, gearing was picked. Ice clothes and staying cool was the call of the day of the race. 106 degrees on the start block made for a tough one. All in all I had a good race. I forgot a couple key components to the aero aspect of time trialing but I hope I made up for them with my mind. Good race and snuck onto the podium for 5th against some tough dudes.

The rest of the year was TT's in Wisport, having Bjorn (another damn Radioman) school me, and getting sick the Monday prior to Chequamegon. Chequamegon was a bust for me personally. I felt something coming on Monday, and knew the day before the race that I was in trouble. In the end though, it was fun. All was definitely not lost since Cam scored a 2nd place in the Short and Fat in her very first mountain bike race ever. Amazingly strong she is. A few beers that night, and riding some new trails the next day. That is why I am there, for some damn fun.
Next season starts for me next week. Back to the weights and some specialized training prescribed by Frank. Last year I planned everything by myself based on past experience with FasCat Coaching. This year, Frank is back to fine tune those things I am going to need to win these National events. Plus, adding in World Master's in Austria for 2010 will require the top-of-the-game approach to all of this. Frank will get my ass moving. Matt Williams and Grandstay will be my team again for 2010. Matt has been nothing more that completely supportive of what I am doing and has given me some more freewill to focus on the TT events next year, plus the guys on the team are top notch to hang with. Like Matt and Grandstay, without sponsors like Hed, Trek, Specialized, Rudy Project, and my own wallet (Discover, Mastercard, Visa, and Franklin) this just wouldn't get done. Yes, I will be 38 next year. But, you know, I quote from Lance in "The Race Across the Sky" hit it on the nose. "I feel just like I did ten years ago...." Just like Lance, the upper end is not there, but the mind is. Seasoned? Experience? Mind? Body? Hey, I am more now than ever satisfied with them. The focus only becomes that much greater. I just wished this would have happened at 22 years old. Ha ha. Thanks for the read, the words over 2009, and see you all in 2010! Ciao

Not much new to report

2009-11-09T21:48:00.003-07:00

well, Bjorn is bro'ing down with Lance down in Austin so he is living the dream as he should.
Fall has set in and is about to pass. A mild winter is on tap but who knows what we will really get from winter when it is all said and done. All I know is that I have to learn to skate ski this winter so there is hope that the winter won't be too cold.
Next year is already starting to take shape minus all the stuff I need to sell. 2010 is all about the time trials and a couple ultra endurance mountain bike races. Time trials will be priority to the point that I am working with my old coach, Frank Overton of Fascat Coaching, once again to fine tune and perfect that what needs to be done. I need some stars and stripes in the time trial so I want as many as I can get. Top that with the goal to go to the Masters World's Time Trial as well.
Yes, it is only November but I am beginning to chomp at the bit for 2010. My off-season is nearly done. Good rest and a reset mind.
More on next year soon! Ciao -Ian

FabianTT Recon

2009-10-29T22:15:00.001-07:00

Nice bike!

SNL-On The Ground (Real Video)

2009-10-26T20:22:00.001-07:00

I think I need to get into songwriting. Andy Samberg seems to be well with this.

Stormtroopers reminisce about death star

2009-10-17T22:26:00.001-07:00

A good laugh

For sale Zipp 808's.

2009-10-16T08:22:00.003-07:00

Hey, get them before I slowtwitch them. 2007 Zipp 808 clinchers with less than 350 miles on them. Come with Zipp Tangente 21mm Tires, 2 valve extenders, Zipp Skewers, and shimano hub. No cassette. Perfect condition and like new. Bought new in 2007 and under one under with a light riding. Never crashed. Once they hit slowtwitch they will be gone. $1650 obo with free ship in Minnesota/western Wisconsin. Or Colorado if you let me know by next Thursday. Please contact me at istanford64@hotmail.com with any questions.

UCI Road World Championship 2009 - Men TT - Bradley Wiggins out of race.

2009-10-15T17:19:00.001-07:00

got to love brakes calipers on the chainstay.

American Zirbel just misses podium - from Universal Sports

2009-10-03T20:30:00.001-07:00

Nice wheels. Zirbel's 4th place finish at Worlds. Hell of a job!

2009-09-23T21:09:00.003-07:00

(photo by skinnyski.com)
Well, this photo sums up my 2009 Chequamegon. Last week I battled a blown up, brand new, Rock Shox fork, had it sent to QBP, and got it back working a bit better. Stress that was unneeded. We got up to Hayward Thursday and bummed around. Friday I went and rode the Short and Fat course along with a few openers across Rosie's Field. My legs were flat and would not open. I knew that this meant for the 40. I felt a bit better on an 8-mile ride to the start but within a few minutes of the start I knew I just didn't have the legs.
The race went like a bat out of hell and all you could so was stay on and not get gapped. I fought back onto the lead group and hung on until right before OO. After OO I dropped and double wrapped my chain around the rear deraileur. Took a minute or so to unwrap it. Regardless, I didn't have the legs and was stuck in no-man's land. A chase group was coming up so I slowed up to wait for them. I jumped into their group and just rode it in for the day. No, I am not happy with 27th place. I am stronger than that but not on this day. Simply no legs. I am still feeling it today.
Cole had a great race and Matter showed us how it is done again.
Cam took second in her first mountian bike race ever. 11th time on the bike and her first Short and Fat she finished 16 seconds from the win. Awesome result and I am very proud of her finish. I can see more on the mountain bike for her in the future. A more competitive bike and some more experience....watch out!
Tomorrow is Zirbel at the World's TT......awesome. Rumor that Matt Busche signed to Radio Shack........awesome, and one more race of the year....awesome. Brone's Wisport Worlds TT will end it for me. I am in very rough shape physically and mentally right now so I am going to use the race to experiment with a new TT fit I have been working on. Not expecting anything other than what I get from working on this fit.
And remember.....

Ciao -Ian

For sale

2009-09-15T06:52:00.004-07:00

Do you like? 2006 Trek Team Time Trial size small. If you are interested please contact me at istanford64@hotmail.com

In the news

2009-09-14T19:09:00.002-07:00

Douchebag and no talent. Jay-Z, do us all a favor and bury this guy.

Talented. Writes songs, stood there and took Kayne's crap, and has a huge future. Taylor could probably bury Kayne herself. I would love her more if she did.

Talented and gone. Sure, made some bad movies but made some memorable performances in them. Plus, had a sense of humor.....and was part of my all-time favorite skit on SNL.

GOING TO WORLDS!!! Hell ya, Zirbel is taking it to Switzerland to show THE WORLD what's up. Congrats man.

Chequamegon weekend is fast approaching and I am feeling sluggish. Oh well, it will be what it will be. I can't change that now. Ciao -Ian

Download Cord is in!

2009-09-02T07:08:00.003-07:00

I finally got my download cord for my Nikon camera. Thanks to Dewey and his Hong Kong connection. It even came gift wrapped....?

Hell, there is even a couple TTX's missing in this photo. Is Corp and myself were able to fill the garage at Nats.

Jens and his Race the Lake winnings.

Kites and kite boarding on Lake Winnebago

The rare U-23 podium shot at Nats. Bjorn is in the black Livestrong kit. They never called the entire podium up for awards so a "staged" one was required.

Andy (Frankenstein) at Hed has got the mountain rig for Chequamegon this year. Yep, tubular mtb tires on carbon rims with a rear disc with a disc. Got that?
This past weekend was a busy one and required a lot of travel. First off was the Hudson TT. Great course and typical chill environment of a Wisport TT. Traffic was a little nuts on the back of the course and a huge F350 diesel truck almost wiped me out on the centerline. So, I decided to ride near the shoulder and forego the cutting the left lines in the road. Plus, my time is exactly 30 seconds off from what my computer has so there was some timing issues. Bjorn Sealander won. He was smart. He had Dag, his dad, follow him on the course which allowed him to use the whole road. Good win though, he is riding very well. Timmer was there and his Hamms looked damn refreshing. I am looking foward to October.
That night we went to dinner with Dino from Hed before his Eurobike flight. This required a stop at the house to check out the remodeling, meet the new cat "Thundercock," and go to Fed Ex and watch them attempt to make Dino's business cards. A couple Bells Oberon's later the night ended.
Mean Dawg and I met up early in the morning and headed to the State RR in Henderson. The Swansons, Micah, Schueller, Jens, Mean Dawg, and myself made up the Grandstay team for the race this year. Being that I am working on fitness I jammed myself on the front and worked all day. 45 miles of rotation, 20 miles of breakaway, 5 miles of a hard chase, and 1 mile of blowing up on the final climb. Mean Dawg and I worked with the Synergy guys a lot, and then schueller and I got in a break with Patty Cakes, Tony Olson, Hackworthy, and Adam. Patty was attacking me hard and I had to dig with all I had to catch back on to him. I was already partially blown from the first 45 miles and Pat was zapping out whatever else I had left. The race came back together and the race was decided on the final climb. In the end, Dougo won and Grandstay finished the year with the 3 State titles on the road, TT, and crit.
Back to Mpls, I switched out the bikes again for the mountain bike and we headed to Chetek for the cabin. A beautiful night up there and a frozen pizza led to a morning trip up to Hayward to pre-ride the Chequamegon course. Good ride there and back to Mpls, and then back to Winona.
No racing this weekend for me and the next event will be the Henderson two-person TT. Mountain bike time now. Back to coffee and off to work. Ciao -Ian

He hates these cans! - The Jerk

2009-08-22T21:34:00.001-07:00

I couldn't resist. Here is some more!

The Jerk - 'Navin Hits The Bottom'

2009-08-22T21:33:00.001-07:00

A classic movie. "The Jerk." Unbelievably, some of you have not seen it. Shameful!
Matt Busche is putting in a sweet ride at the Tour of Utah. Former IS Corp rider now riding for Kelly Benefits. Sweet performance man!

Zirbs, broken bones, and bike builds

2009-08-21T21:10:00.002-07:00

(photo by Jon Devich)
Well, the Tour of Utah was a good test for Zirbel and his equipment. He succeeded even with a bit of illness. Congrats man!
I decided to get my left elbow looked at today only to find what I feared, it has a compressive hairline fracture through the dome of the capitulum. O.k, that does that mean? It means that I cannot crash on this for 5-6 weeks. Other than that, keep on riding. Funny that an X-ray was not needed to know this but we took one anyway. Yesterday was 1.5 hours of deep tissue injury massage. There I was notified of my whiplash. Really? No kidding. I can't move my damn more that 30 degrees. It seems my injuries were worse than they were after the crash. No matter, doesn't stop the riding.
Getting new parts on the mountain bike. New shock that we need to knock down to a 80mm travel from 100mm, new XTR pedals since my Time's have bent bars, a Shadow rear deraileur since it keeps the cable facing rearward and has 4X more spring tension (lost my rapid rise option though), setting up wheels, new chains, and a new front brake caliper (damn this leaving the IS brake mount for this dumb crap "Post" mount thing.) Dumb idea. SO, I have to change all sorts of stuff. Repaired the roadbike from the crash, and put the TT bike back together from it's episode at Nationals.
Blackdog this Wednesday is the last one this year so I should come up and give her one last go for the 2009 season. Plus, afterwards.....
Well, waiting patiently for my camera cord. Ciao -Ian

Barney Frank Confronts Woman At Townhall Comparing Obama To Hitler

2009-08-20T07:20:00.001-07:00

Whether you agree with a national healthcare plan or not, learn how to defend your debate. This woman "failed!" Barney, in so many words, told her to sitdown and shut up.
I talked to a friend in Germany about their national healthcare. He loves it and has never had a problem. I had the same response from a good friend in Canada. I sense we are not hearing the whole story for those against it. What is really funny is that we already have a National Healthcare system in place for those of us who go to war and fight for our Country. Yes, the Vererans Administration (VA). If we feel it is good enough for them then what is the problem with having it for the rest of us?
I ordered a download cable for the camera. Thanks for the link Dewey! Raining again. Weak week for riding. Oh well, time to heal and work on the bikes. Ciao -Ian

Race the Lake and kiss the pavement

2009-08-17T21:23:00.002-07:00

Hey, if you work for Nikon please contact me. I cannot find a new download cable for my camera anywhere. The salesman at Best Buy showed me some $55 multi-cable that would work. Dude?
So, this weekend I skipped Downers and went for the money at the Race the Lake. Racing around a huge lake like Lake Winnebago sounded like a good plan and a crashfest.....and that is how it played out.
Jens and I got over to Fond du Lac on Saturday and met up with Camilla at her brother's cabin. Hit up the registration and then hit the lake. There was not too much play time available since the race started at 5:50am. So, getting up a 3:45am was going to come quick.
We actually woke up, had breakfast with a lot of coffee, and got over to the start. since all there of us were in wave one it would be easy to get out on the road.
The race took off fast and we had a tailwind all the way to the top of the lake. Teams like IS Corp, Wheels and Sprocket, and Frankie's team help to keep the pace high. A new course record would equal and extra $2000 to the winner.
Coming through the small cities on the way was always skethcy. Oddly places road pylons, quick turns, and oddly placed railroad tracks kept everyone on their guard.
Coming up to the big climb ($500 to the K.O.M) Ryan Baumann took a flyer. I chased but was feeling a little funky. BK came up and put a good pull too but Ryan had the clip-on TT bars on and it was paying off. I made once last pull into the climb when Frankie came around me and took off sprinting on the climb. I bridged my way back up to the front and worked on keeping the pace high. After hitting the top, the pace dropped and a lot of riders regrouped.
We hit a hard crosswind section and were now coming down the east side of the lake into a prominent headwind. Riding up front, a Wheels and Sprocket rider riding Zipp 808's came by me on the left. As he neared the front the wind caught his wheels and threw him into Jordan from IS Corp. We were moving at a good pace and it just happened so fast. Jordan went down and I had nowhere to go. I went down hard and then got hit hard from behind. Hard enough to break the headtube off of the bike of the rider who hit me. I was quite dazed and definitley had a slight concussion. I got up, put my chain on, picked up my waterbottles and glasses, and discover a flat and sliced front tubular. The wheel car was there but no one was helping. I took my wheel out and grabbed my own spare out of the vehicle.
Now it was time to ride, rate the wounds, and chase for the next 22 miles solo.
I caught on, became the "dick" who yelled at riders trying to formulate a working group in the winds, and we brought the who race back together. Another move went which looked dangerous. I decided I would try to bridge it but as I went a spoke broke. 5 miles later another one went and I knew I was in trouble once again. with the move off everyone sat up looking for 5-10th place. I took a right turn to the finish and the wheel felt good. However, the next left, at speed, indicated that my wheel was in an unsafe sprint condition.
In the end, Ryan Baumann won it all and about $4500. Frankie took a great third place, and I ended up 16th.
Cam took second in the women's race which was an incredible result and 20-minutes faster than last year for her. Plus, she hit $$$. Great job by her and she showed her strenghts.
In the end, I got some road rash, a post concussion headache, a new tubular destroyed, but a good time and good fun.
Strong rides by the IS Corp guys who helped with the chase a lot. Ryan for riding smart and taking it to the end, BK for always being an ox, and a couple of the Brone's boys for rising to the occassion.
We hit awards where Jens was third in his age group, I was first in my age group, and Cam was 2nd in the women's race. With awards done, we went back to the lake. Jens took off, and the rest of us went to eat some damn good food. A couple few beers, perhaps some bourbon and bloody mary's, and.......hell, the race was over by 10am! Sitting by the lake watching Cam's brother, Matt, and his friends kiteboard was pretty cool. A pet duck (Howard) running around, and just sitting around fairly sore from crashing still was relaxing.
Today? sore back, whiplash in the right side of my neck, bad bruising on my ass, and roadrash. errrr. I hate healing. A couple days off, massage, and rest are in order to heal up.
So, damn fun weekend and I am glad I went this way. Sorry if I was being a little too controlling in the chase group. I was just trying to find guys that had legs left to help in the chase. Someone had to take charge and keep it going. Great job by those who worked their ass off in keeping it together.
Hey, I need some sleep. Pictures someday! Ciao -Ian

do you suppose?

2009-08-06T19:16:00.004-07:00

Do you suppose if I gave the finger to everyone at the finishline I could have a personal hat with the "finger" logo it? El Fingeralero!

Do you suppose if podium girls were more friendly like these two that our races would be bigger? We need podium girls. We had one at the TT Nats podium. She kissed me twice. I am going back to Nats. See, it worked.

Do you suppose Fumy has been practicing this rare road bike talent or is he about to have a really bad day?

Do you suppose that a coocoo clock would be an incredible first prize gift for winning a time trial? Is that too ironic?

(Thanks Timmer for discovering this photo)
Do you suppose this biker guy just F'ed with me out on the MN State TT course? Hell ya he did. Freak'in prick. Should have seen his face as we came around the corner and there was an officer-of-the-law sitting there. Instant Karma baby!
Weekend off. Hitting the mountain bike and wondering about Downer's next weekend. Racing for sure somewhere. Right Jens? Congrats to Timmer and Cam on the Firehouse TT wins. Timmer went really fast. That is like two TT's in one. Ciao -Ian

USA Cycling TT Nats

2009-08-03T17:58:00.007-07:00

Well, Oregon officially owns my download cord for my camera so pictures will have to wait.
we took off for the long drive to Bend, OR last week. Greg Brandt, his brother and father, and myself made the trip. We drove straight through to Bozeman so that JM could look at the university there. From there we drove to Pasco, WA and stayed in a pretty kick-ass Holiday Inn Express. Dealing with the 105 degree weather, Greg and I hit a big 30 minute ride in. Greg tried to get me to drive into the barrio. Obviously, I am typing right now so I clearly didn't not take that turn.
We made it to Bend late the next morning and hook-up with Frank Overton of Fascat Coaching and his two athletes, Austin and Melissa. The IS Corp crew was staying with us as well and they pulled in at the same time. We unloaded, hit groceries, and started in on bikes. We got Greg's family into the Holiday Inn Express and it was race time.
First up was Austin in the JR 15-16 road race. Heat hit him like many others as well as getting caught up in an early crash. His day ended early.
The IS Corp crew got the next day in the U-23 race. Heat once again took a field of 178 and turned it into about 43 finishers.
The next day would be Melissa in the women's road race, and Greg and the IS Corp crew in the Elite RR. Melissa hung strong and finished 1:43 back from the Winner, Meridith Miller (eeer, Hed sponsored!) from TIBCO. Greg rode strong and smart but a mechanical took him out. Matt Brusche finished 5th from IS Corp which was a strong ride. Frank, Greg family, and myself sat at the feedzone and handed water to nearly everyone. It was hot! A lot of riders were using "wet lube" out there. But, it was too dry and dusty for that. A lot of chain suck and problems. I set up all the bikes I worked on with a dry lube for this reason. That night I worked on TT bikes for nearly everyone. A long night.
TT time came. Austin when out first and discovered that the turnaround was further than we thought. Oh well. Melissa was the first to deal with the heat and it showed when she got back. Frank had the "ice towels" going strong and they helped. The rest of us got warmed up with me going last out of our group.
The winds picked up so I ditched the Stinger wheelset and was on the Jet C2 disc and Hed H3 front. I started off into a crosswind and could already feel the heat on the road. The air was dry and demanded a lot of sips from the bottle. The day before I was joking about a headwind up the climb. Well, late into the U-23 men's race and early into our Elite race the winds shifted into a headwind for our 7-mile climb. Talk about a trudge. I found myself in gear patterns that I was not prepared for. I rode the 56T when I could and the 44T when I couldn't. I got to the turnaround after about 20 minutes of fighting the urge to drop out. It was stupid hot. At the turnaround I had about 1:20 on Colby Pearce and 1:40 on Olheiser. However, I later learned that the last 5 riders (which I was one of) were sent off in 1-minute intervals (that would explain why my 1:30 and :30 man seemed absent at the start). So, in actuality, I had 20 seconds on Colby and was down 20 seconds on Olheiser. I was racing them on wrong time gaps. Not good for the thought of my progress.
On the downhill I was full-on the 56T and that was even spinning out (considering Zirbel rode a 58T with an 11-23 round trip on this course a week earlier......freak). Still, it was a smart ring, and I kept the cadence high and the body aero........"hell, I forgot my shoe covers!" Being that I missed 4th by 15 seconds and third by 22 seconds.....well, you TT folks know how much time shoe covers give you. Frustration strikes! I got to the bottom and nearly cooked the corner into the final 6K lap. Up, down, into the wind and out, the final circuit was designed to clean you out of whatever you had left. I paced it wisely and used the final 3K to my favor. In the end I was 5th overall. A podium spot but it SHOULD have been better. My error, my mistake, my loss. Next year will be better based on what was learned here this year.
That night, the IS Corp crew bailed back to Portland for a 12:30am flight back to Chicago in order to get to Elk Grove by 1pm........crazy fools. The rest of us went to the awards podium for my finish. Bjorn Sealander put in a very impressive 2nd place in the U-23 ( I have the rare set-up podium that did not happen for the U-23 men to post soon) and Jordan Cullen was 2nd in his age group on his new Hed wheels.
After killing Ben and Jerry's, we hit the grocery store.....errr......beer store, had Lance Niles and Maggie over, grilled some mean burgers, and enjoyed the final night in Bend. The next morning we were off.
We drove straight through with a stop in Bozeman for the sole reason of their killer CO-OP. From there is was Sturgis bound motorcycles and long roads. Now I am back.
I have rehearsed and re-run this TT over and over. I am bummed about my rookie mistakes but I am happy with a result such as this with the guys I was racing against. I know I can do better and I know I will the next time. One can only perfect the unperfectable. It is a constant struggle but for those who stay on it, well, they will break through eventually. You will get it right.
Big thanks to all for the support. Of course, Hed wheels and Dino for the rare wheels and tech knowledge, Grandstay for letting me travel to these things, Greg, JM, and Tom Brandt for the drive and travel, Frank Overton at FasCat Coaching for all the years of support and friendship, Trek Bikes and Maury for the incredible TT bike, Rudy Project for helping me see clearly, and the family for encouragement in a very frustrating discipline of the sport. This is a tought sport without support like this. Period!
I rode a mountain bike tonight! I have some work to do. Speaking of mountain bikes, take a look at Lance's new Trek for Leadville. Awesome! Ciao -Ian

Greatest cover ever!

2009-08-02T20:52:00.001-07:00

Dave shows he is a man of many gifts

Here in the Bend

2009-07-30T08:39:00.002-07:00

Is it ever hot out here. I can see snow on the mountains from my windown yet the high will get to around a comfortable 98 degrees. Odd for Bend and Pacific Northwest. Odd for me.

Tomorrow is the TT and we decided to bring some wheels out here besides my own. Frank's Fascat athletes should be fairly set. Yes, you can imagine the carload.

The house is nice and we have been cooking nightly. Frank, Melissa, Austin, Greg, the ISCorp crew, and myself are fast becoming culunary gurus. Actually, I think Melissa is one. Not sure on that but may have overheard something to that effect.

The drive here allowed us to skirt the Washington/ Oregon border westbound along the Columbia River. Lots of grape vines, onions, powerplants, windmills, and more grapes.

So, my start time for the TT tomorrow is at 3:04 pm. For those of you that understand how the sun/heat hits the high of the day.......well, I am right on the mark for that one. It is suppose to be about 95 tomorrow so heat will be the deciding factor in our TT, not power, aero, and endurance. I have Colby Pearce and Mike Olheiser behind me so the press will be on. We are working on ways to beat-the-heat but in the end it will slap you in the face. It just comes down to how you take that slap. While I feel good I haven't had to race in this type of heat this year.
I am off to hit the TT course one last time to confirm gearing. It is a toss up on the big ring. 55 or 56? In the end there is a balance of pro's and con's between the two. I will have to have that decision locked down today.
The road race is today for the rest of the crew. 200K at 2:30pm. I think you understand. Watch for results and lets hope for some Red, White, and Blue. Ciao -Ian

How much further?

2009-07-27T21:47:00.000-07:00

wow, this is a long drive. A few more hours in the morning and we are there.

Hope for the best!

2009-07-21T11:04:00.001-07:00

My stomach dropped when I saw Jens Voight crash today, and I wouldn't dare post a photo of the after-crash results. All I can say is that I hope he gets well and back on the bike. He is a class rider and a beast-of-a-rider.

It's been awhile

2009-07-20T06:53:00.002-07:00

Well, I buy a new camera and now I don't use it.
A lot of racing again and a lot of miles being put in leading up to Nationals. Last week was the Stanley TT in the Wisport series. It rained but I still put in a 33:57 on the 16.4 course for the defending win. Lance Niles was in second and Mark Brone put in a good one as well. Conditions just felt fast so I went with it. Timmer has kept hinting to me about cadence, and I did pick up on that. So, the last three weeks have been very cadence orientated.
This past weekend was the Tour of Granite County. Good racing and I wish more people would attend. A rare event happened on the first road stage as in I won. I had been working all day with Mean Dawg doing tempo, chasing, and tempo again . I finally got into a 5-man break with about 6 miles to go. We hit the longer climb to the finish and I took the lead. I kept increasing the tempo, listened to breathing, came around the last turn, mock punched it, saw no one able to respond, so I punched it again to the line. 25 seconds on the line so it was nice to solo away right there. One-arm raised though. I don't need to crash on the crazy road surface on the climb.
Yesterday was the TT at 8 miles in length. Teammate Doug Swanson gets me in this distance all the time and yesterday was no different. However, I kept it closer this time and he beat me by.......1/10th of a second (16:12 vs. 16:12:10). Not kidding. He had his timing chip on his fork, I had mine on my leg. That is the difference. I will listen to Mean Dawg's advice for now on about timing chip location. I like to win TT's but it is pretty cool to be in a TT result that close to a respected teammate. Micah put in a good TT and had time bonuses to boot from the day before.
The final road stage was about control so that we could either grab time bonuses for the GC or swallow them up. Multiple attacks were taken back, and Doug and I were able to grab more time. Micah was able to grab more time to move up a position in the GC. Dave got into a break at the end and rode smart. He ended up taking the sprint for the win giving Grandstay 3 out of 3 stage wins. I pulled hard at the bottom to take Doug to a sprint should someone go after the break. I perhaps pulled too hard and snapped Mean Dawg off. He had been working ALL DAY hard and I simply pulled to hard. I looked back and saw it, sat up a bit, but it was too late. Doug got out of position due to this and it turned into a free-for-all. Still Schueller pulled it off. My fault of the power throwdown. In the end I took the GC, Doug a very close second and a TT trophy, Micah in fourth and Dave rounding out the top ten. Great riding by the team. A lot of power in that circle of guys.
Now it is lighter training up to the State TT and turning it off for Nats. Hed has got me set up on some "real deal" wheels for Nats. Lighter for the 7-mile climb. I don't get to keep them but I get to ride them. The disc goes to Zirbs afterwards. Big thanks to Dino at Hed on these babies. Now I need to order and glue up some more tubulars.
O.k, we are up-to-date. Ciao -Ian

Northfield and the Danno win

2009-07-07T21:50:00.003-07:00

I like Lance's new bike.
Northfield went off well, and Jake Boyce and the synergy crew put on a great race.
Grandstay showed up with 5 guys in Jens, Danno, Casper, Schueller, and myself. Jens made some solo attempts, I policed the front, and Casper made a great escape with 6 to go. In the end, Casper got caught, and Danno and I got in the front group after a gap on the top of the final climb. Coming around the last turn Danno had 3rd wheel and I had 5th. I knew he was in the ideal position to win so I went into sweeper mode just in case. But, Danno kicked and I knew he had it well before the line. I finished 3rd, and Schueller rounded off the top ten. Good race. While we talked about the race ahead of time everyone just had the read on each other. I stayed up front to chase and control to be sure it was good for one of the finishers.
Afterwards we went to the Linda/Dan party

Crazy Flander's ladies. Linda has got a bike!

The boys discuss the proper way to cook turkey and veggies burgers on a grill. Give Danno matches and lighter fluid you will have a fire. No worries, Casper and Linda were nearby.

Who is this guy? Flock of Seagulls man.

I have been pretty blown out lately. Travel, races, stress, etc. In the end I am just out for long enjoyable rides. Good shot of a towboat coming under the Winona bridge. I think that is concrete in the barges. Wisconsin has some good riding and it is easy to get lost over there. Besides the multiple flats I had with a torn tire, the ride was good.
TT bike is now set up with the Hed (UCI Legal) Corsairs for Nationals and a new seat. Something was not feeling right with the last one so I grabbed a Selle Italia SLR TI. Odd looking but I think it will work. I have a couple weeks to dial her in.
The Tour has been a good one. I think it will get even better. What a team TT. It doesn't get much better than that. I need some sleep. Ciao -Ian

Master's in Louisville

2009-07-03T07:03:00.002-07:00

Whew, after powering out of St. Cloud on Sunday from the Minnesota State Crit, Tim Mulrooney, and teammate Dan Casper and I bolted back to Minneapolis to unpack our vehicles and repack for the USA Cycling Masters Championships in Louisville Kentucky. With the HED Cycling van packed tight we jetted out of town.
We made it to Madison for the night and stayed at the Grandstay. Off in the morning we made it to Louisville in time to pre-ride the TT course, get checked into our motel, and get registered. Next up, dinner. Upon recommendation, we ate at Ramsi's on Bardstown Road. Lets just say we went back.

Timmer and Casper did their 40-44 road race. I skipped the 35-39 race because it was an early morning race. Looking back, I should have did it. Anyway, the 40-44 field was pretty big and had about 100 riders. They rolled it out quick on the technical Cherokee Park circuit loop. From what I observed, Minnesotans know how to race. Casper and Tim made it through the first selection and made it into the final groups. Casper found himself in the first chase group, and Timmer in between the first and second chase group. Casper was clearly the power in his group and they would not organize to help close the 5-10 second gap. In the end, the breakaway misunderstood what lap they were on and continued around the course again. This left the winner to come from the Casper group. Being that they did not know what just took place they sprinted for position. Casper was second and took second in his Masters Age class. While there was controversy I believe that as a rider you should know how many laps you have done, how many miles you have done, and know when to finish. Did the officials screw up? Yep. But, so did the riders. Congrats to Dan.
Timmer went to finish for a top ten and got crashed by a heads-down sprinter about 14cm from the line. Timmer got out lucky since he slammed his head enough to crush his helmet. But, he reactivated an old back injury and would have to deal with that in the next days time trial.

The time trial was friendly to some Midwesterners. I took second in my age class, Gerry Finken in his (4/10ths of a second from the win....errr). Nice hats!

Gordy switched steps a few times to find his finishing spot after USA Cycling Officials revealed no spines and reversed a road officals call after the 15 minute protest period was over. While first and second are strong time trialists they broke the rules, cried to the officials, and used their seniority to get their steps back. Poor sports. They didn't deserve to be in this photo.

Finken on the second place step. He even dropped his chain in the time trial. He will win next year. Nice hat!

I too took a seond place step. Peter Cannell started as my 30 second man so I had the advantage of having him in my sights. On the first 1-mile climb I took back 7 seconds on him but then he killed me on the downhill. I thought cadence may have been an issue so I matched his. Still, he pulled away. Over the next few climbs I pulled the gap back to our starting 30 seconds before the turnaround. I f-ed up the turnaround and that cost me 5 seconds. I chased up the back climb and had the right gap. However, on the next big downhill he pulled away again and this time it was too big to get with what was left on the course. In the end he got me by 28 seconds. Can I beat him? Hell yes. Another time, another course, another day. I was rolling at about 90%. I felt tired and perhaps hungry after our 2-hour starting delay. The Trek TTX was perfect, the Hed Jet 9 and the Hed Jet C2 Disc were fast. In the end I think maybe a tri-spoke and a 56T front chainring. I have more power than could have been used on the downhills that I wasn't able to get to. He was on a Hed Stinger 9 and disc so I knew he had fast wheels too.
I was ready for the time trial. Not nervous at all. I just came a little more tired than I would have preferred.
Timmer rode a good time trial but was, and probably still is, in pain with the crash injuries. Casper put in a great time but had an age group with some speed demons. Plus, he may have burned a few matches in the road race but I doubt it. We are talking about Casper here.
We hung out for awards, Timmer and I discovered we were in a dry county, we loaded up, and made it back to Madison and the Grandstay. From there we finished off the drive home.
Good ride, great travel partners, and a great place to race in Louisville, KY. Thanks to HED Wheels, Steve and Anne HED, Dino, Paully, and Timmer, Grandstay and Matt Williams, and my teammates. I have one more big TT at the end of the month for the Elite Championships. The fire is burning! Now the Tour de France! Ciao -Ian

Blow off the cobwebs

2009-06-22T07:46:00.002-07:00

This past week was dedicated to get healthy after getting sick though Nature Valley. Friday, at the Uptown event, I knew something was up. Bad sleep, breathing issues, drousiness, etc. Something was not right. It took until yesterday to get back to normal, and even then I am a little off.
So, I glued tubulars from those destroyed in the Cities, dusted off the mountain bike, and have been riding the TT bike non-stop in preparations for the Master's Nats. Trying a few things with saddle position to see if I can find a little more power with a smoother pedal stroke. We'll see.
Of course, no one from the Minneapolis Police Department got back to me about my car break-in. Somehow, I am not surprised. In the end it doesn't matter since nothing really can be covered through my insurance. CD's? Nope. Cash and change? Definitley nope. Camera? Yep, but doesn't meet the deductable. So, I have an open note to the bastards who broke into my van....
(explicit)
Dearest assholes
Imagine my surprise as I came out to MY vehicle to find the side door partially ajar. Thank-you for somewhat reclosing it so that passer-byers didn't take everything else. I hope you are enjoying my CD's. There are some classics in there. Nice camera too eh? Brand new. The color is Plum, not pink. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Thanks for leaving the Dura Ace groupo, the Dremel, and the big CD case that you didn't see behind the City Pages. You organized the van in such a way that it almost looked artistic.
Now, why you guys suck. First off, you missed about $1500 in bike parts, about $600 in CD's, $400 in some tools, and you dipshits dropped my $350 watch on the boulevard. If you are going to break into a car do it right. Are you such a waste to society that you can't even break into a car efficiently. Heard of karma? Better yet, have you heard of Instant Karma? I am hoping your life and the ways you live it are affected by instant Karma. If not, I hope that simple Karma catches up with your ways. Speaking of ways, be sure to be looking both ways. Karma has a funny way of sneaking up on people like you and snuffing them out. Poof!
Again, enjoy the camera. Sorry I didn't have the instruction manuals in there for you. May take some time to figure out that menu. And, as to my Minor Threat Discography CD....well, that was a societal taboo to steal. You will experience some sort of wrath for taking that. "Sometimes good guys don't wear white!"
Oh well, I actually found a camera I like even though I dont' have the $$$ for it yet. I will purchase it though by making money at a job where I work.
I have been looking over the Tour de France route. Wow, Dino at Hed had mentioned something about going to TT start but $$$$$. The guys are looking fit. I just found a picture of Lance in Aspen. Oh boy, he is back down to his typical Tour de France figure. Skinny and ripped. Not like his Giro appearance. While I still believe he will ride for Contador he will be in there.
Master's TT on July 1st is looking pretty flat and direct in lines. It is going to be short enough for a big gear on the mash. It will seriously come down to wheels. Thank god I have the connection to the greatest wheels on earth. HED. Lets get some more red, white, and blue! Ciao -Ian

Nature Valley GP. The long post

2009-06-14T19:56:00.004-07:00

Well, where should I start. Lets start from the very beginning.
We went to the riders meeting and it ran long. Then, Texas Roadhouse had a spot open on their team so Timmer followed USA Cycling rules, signed out of his team, and signed onto theirs. Well, LaPorte told him that he couldn't because he is a "MCF rider." How is that for Minnesota Cycling? Well, no pointing of fingers until something get hashed out with MCF, LaPorte, and how to better the NVGP for more Minnesota talent. We have it, let us use it. Our teams are no different than other Stage regional teams that were allowed in with all eight guys. Dave puts on a hell of an event but we need to stike some sincere and honest communication with him. It benefits all involved. We draw a lot of fans. Ya you!
Mean Dawg and I got in a good warm-up ride the day before the TT and hooked up with Jeremy Powers of Jelly Belly for a bit. Good guy.
Stage one TT included water from the sky. In the end I posted a 13:13 even after feeling like Poo. Happy, unhappy, and I'll still take it. Almost crashed and died through the chicane on the way back.
Stage two St. Paul Crit. I got a call up, slipped my pedal off the start, finished in the pack. Safe. Much better layout of a course.
Woke up, went out to the van, found it broken into. Digital camera, 24 cd's, money, and my watch (which they dropped on the boulevard). Bike parts, receipts, and glove box thrown all about. Miss my new camera already. I hope they are dead already. Karma is not a nice thing at times.
Stage three. Cannon Falls. Open road crashes, gravel crashes, and circuit crashes. Luckily missed them all. Patty Cakes and I missed a great one on the last lap. Made it home alive and in the group.
Went on a ride with the race leader and good friend Tom Zirbel, and Greg Brandt. Took him on a tour of Hed cycling. Timmer got us on the espresso, we hit the coffee shop for pasties and more coffee. Easy ride and good time to catch up on my lost time in Boulder.
Stage four. New Uptown crit. Great course, great crowds, got caught behind a crash in laps 12 to go and 10 to go. Chased back only to have some dumb ass let a gap open between the two last turns. Sprinted for my life to close the gap. Unsuccessful.
Went to Hollywood's bash for brats.
Stage five. Off to Mankato. Great race and easy out on the road. Mean Dawg flatted and had to do a monster chase back on. He made it. Came into the circuits, got caught behind a crash, got T-boned and went down too. Mean Dawg waited, got up, chased for dear life only to have the officials stop us going onto the last lap. Dot Abbott, the chief judge, admitted her mistake but she still gave my group a 7:40 pro-rate for a lap that was only averaging 6:09. ? I was 2:20 behind the yellow jersey group when I was stopped. She admitted all the mistakes about the Mankato circuits today in stillwater. I am sure nothing will be done. If you don't speak your mind nothing will get done. The rest of you should have spoke up.
Stage six. Stillwater. Started near the rear but felt good. Second lap up the climb I got pushed over towards the crowd on the right, ran over something, blew my front tire. Dismounted since I was in the big ring, ran, remounted, and Hollywood push me the rest of the way. I got off, pushed through the fences, remounted and rode down the back side of the course, cut through the side street, and got back to Shimano. The pushed me into the rear of the peloton. It had momentum, I did not. Game over. The last time up the climb I found my climbing legs. Unfortunately, lady luck was still in bed again. Micah hung in there until the end. Mean Dawg says he has found his "old man legs." Jens had his rear deraileur ripped off and did not finish.
whew. That is the sum of it. For me it started from good and went bad. Crashes, car break-in's, stolen property, flats, road rash, and a head cold made up my final days. In the end I leave with great legs that never really got used.
Thanks for all the support out there from friends, fans, and cycling lovers new and old. Thanks to Hanna and the GP guys for looking out for the Grand Stay boys, Hed Cycling (Dino, Pauly, Timmer, Steve and Anne, Andy, and the rest of the crew) for taking care of wheels issues, Jelly Belly for the ample supply of sugar, On-Support for looking out for the local boys, Vittoria Tires for hooking up Mean Dawg, and anyone else who stepped up and helped us out.
I am sure I will have more once I think about it. Until then, wait until MSP Police get back to me for my report so I can make an insurance claim, glue two new tubulars, clean up bikes, loads of laundry, throw out torn kits, clean bottles, massage, and lots of rest before Master's Nats.
Hope all the Kenda guys get healed up, Minnesota Cycist become "somebody" to the Minnesota Bike Festival Promoters, and oh, thanks for all the cookies everyone.
Bummer Zirbel lost the jersey by 3 seconds. He deserved to carry it until the end. I wish I could have been their until the end. Hell, I would have braked on Rory. That is o.k, Zirbel has bigger fish to fry.
My legs is dripping. Time to fix up the road rash. Ciao -Ian

Rain + Cold + TT = Rainy cold TT

2009-06-08T11:58:00.002-07:00

Well, after 51 hours it has stopped raining. Looking out my window it looks a little flooded

Actually, I wish I was there. In that time of the weather we had the St. Peter TT presented by the SPBRC. I dragged myself off the couch in the morning after debating whether or not to do it. I knew the guilt would weight me down for the rest of the day so I went. Jens and his dad, Kevin, drove up so I had the luxury of sitting in the U.S. Secret Service Suburban to sleep and hide from the rain.
Upon arrival I was surprise by the turnout. Right on! Minnesotans are a tough breed.

(Photo by Seth Iverson)
So, I froze on the trainer while getting rained on. No tent to be found. I loaded up the extra cold leg warmer gel on and had an o.k warm up. Kept the rain jacket on until the start, helped Jens with a front flat right before the start, started, got wet quick, got cold, went harder to warm up, realized my calves were frozen, rode the wind, took the turn, froze my fingers and quads, rode harder into the wind and incline on the way back, and took the win.
It was a tough time trial because I felt like I didn't go nearly all out. I was not at all tired at the finish. Ahh, but that is the cold weather messing with you. If you can't feel the normal pain of the ride because you have the pain of freezing your limbs.....well, lets just say it is hard to judge what in the hell is really going on in your body. In the end, I know I went hard because the slowly thawing out leg muscles were sore. Oh boy, were they sore.
Well, I am basically packed for the week up at the Nature Valley Grand Prix. Tomorrow is a lot of errands around the Twin Cities but I need to stay relaxed as possible for the 6-mile TT opener. Pre-ride the course for sure one way or another.
I hope the all the rest of you have thawed and dried out. Ciao -Ian

Laundy time equals blogging

2009-06-03T10:36:00.002-07:00

whew, I got my internet back today. Again, thanks City of Winona for short circuiting our building.
Well, there has been a few races since my last update. East Union windfest was pretty straight foward. The team rode strong but perhaps played the wrong cards. Oh well, in the end we looked it over, agreed, and moved on. Some teams can do that. It is a local race and in the end we are having fun. Some take it too seriously and you would swear it was the Tour de France or something. I don't make money doing this, and it is something I do for myself and my sanity. I don't need insane people around me because I have that issue fulfilled at work everyday.
Yesterday was the last NVGP Qualifier at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds. New course and tight right chicane. I was having issues tight right and of course, clipped a pedal good once. The key with clipping pedals is to keep pedalling. You have to pedal through it. It is when you stop that you slide. Anyway, there was a solo breakaway move with one half the race to go and it was clearly not worth chasing. It didn't pertain to the points qualifier and it would have been a worthless chase anyhow. In the end, we stacked the front and that worked out.
Afterwards we hit the Old Town Hall Brewery for a post graduate Mean Dawg party. Congrats man. Some Oatmeal Stout was on hand too so that was my "recovery" drink. The Grandstay boys showed, Brandt, Timmer, Hollywood, Christy, Muyres, Cleary, Boyce, and a few others help with the Oatmeal Stout and some it's friends too! Good time. In the end, if you can't laugh after the race you are taking this stuff far too seriously for what it is all really about.
NVGP? The big question. I don't know yet. I know I could take the Amateur jersey off the time trial but with only three other riders it would be hard to defend. If I race, fine. If I don't I hope that the Grandstay, Flanders, Grand Performance riders, and Boyce coop together to show that we have strong riders in Minnesota. Each of the teams has four riders or less which set us up for a disadvantage from the gun so they need to work together because in the end, we are all in this together. So, if I do it....good luck to all. If I don't.....good luck to you all.
Tonight is our 100 mile Lansboro night road ride loop. Lights are charged, the rear blinker is blinky, and it should be a good time (cold in the end).
Next up, the St. Peter TT on Saturday. See you all there. Ciao -Ian

Duluth Classic Stage Race win

2009-05-27T20:45:00.007-07:00

Well, I guess I was able to hang onto the GC after my performance erred TT. I can thank Lance Beuning, Dave Schueller, and Capt. Dan "Ghost" Casper for that one. These guys pulled out the work roles to help me protect the GC when there were teams with a few more guys than us. In the end, we took the GC overall, 3rd overall (Casper), and 2nd in the Sprint Competition (me). We had a 1st, 2nd, and two 3rd's in stage results. I had a chance to win stage two but had too far to the line to go. Timmer and Crosby came around and I had no more gas. Stage 3 saw Timmer set up the climb to the finish but we both got passed on the way to it. I tried hard to close the gap and threw it into the big ring. But, I couldn't get the momentum up to finish the job. In the crit. we tried to get Casper off late to see if we couldn't move him into 2nd overall. It didn't work since too many guys attacked out of the chase and his group didn't appear to be organizing. It was worth the shot though. In the end, Timmer and I jockied a bit in the last half of the lap until he punched it up the climb. I went with him and he took the win all the way to the line. Nobody had the kick up the hill to chase us.

Not all weekend is deidicated to racing. Dairy Queen, coffee, groceries, and Casper explaining how to maintain a 2% body fat while at Hell's Kitchen on Canal Park

As evident by the size of that sucker, there are some big ships coming into the Port of Duluth. Think that took some time to build?

stage races can get tough on the hotel room especially when laziness abounds. Laziness is good though. Rest. Hotel time is for pinning numbers, eating, watching the Giro, eyeing up the DQ across the way, wondering if there is any hard icecream somewhere instead, and hiding bike equipment for would-be break-in car thiefs.
In the end, it was a great race. It was good to see the field size grow over last year. Timmer and Synergy were bigger, Lance Niles and Brone's were in the field, Alex and the Nature Valley crew were in hand, Finken brought more big guns, and many others to fill out the field. You couldn't beat the weather. Maybe a little cold at times but compared to last year, perfect. I missed the Porto-potie's and we all learned to be clever in hunting down baseball fields, construction sites, and parks. The new crit course was fun and pretty safe. All in all, a great time.
Racing in the Midwest local scene can be pretty enjoyable compared to other regions. Sure, there are bigger races but is is not always about that. Tone has worked hard putting Duluth together plus there are just some good guys coming to have a race. While Quad Cities may be the big regional race at the time, I just don't feel like getting involved in the suspect hoopla that clearly surrounds those events. To some, that is racing. To some it is a challenge and the experience (that is what it should be), To me, it seems it is the all-for-nothing hunt for a result for the winners. If that is the case, it is not racing. It is selfishness. Duluth can be a fair and square race with laugh and stories at the end. Ya ya, sounds corny, but did you ever get on a bike not to have fun? If so, rethink what you are doing.
Thanks Team Grandstay and to all the other racers and volunteers in Duluth. It was a great time.
Next up, East Union and a new stage in the training season. Ciao -Ian

Memorial Day

2009-05-25T06:35:00.000-07:00

Big thanks guys and gals!

How not to ride a time trial

2009-05-23T07:32:00.002-07:00

well, we are up in Duluth for the Duluth Classic Stage Race. Last night was the 16.7 mile individual time trial.
The weather was pretty nice when we were hanging out in the parking lot but then some clouds moved in and it cooled off. Before the start I was pretty tired, tired to the point that I biked down some little cafe to grab some 10 hour old coffee. Didn't do the trick. I biked over to the start and was absolutely freezing. Got started (right chainring this time) and found my legs to be completely frozen up. That is when the riding got stupid. I wasn't cutting the turns and bends for the first 7 miles. Basically, "taking the long way around." The shortest distance between point A and point B is a straight line, not on the outside of the curves. So, my second "rookie" move in a time trial of the week.
In a time trial, it is not always essential that your legs be 100%. When they are not, you look for the other little things you can do to make up time. More aero, smarter course tracking, better gears, etc. Well, I didn't have the 100% legs and I did not follow through with "the other little things." I found myself with my head up countless times. Maybe I am just having a little TT burnout. It was the 4th TT in 6 days.
Regardless, I won. Lance Niles was a very close 2nd @ 10 seconds back, and teammate Dan Casper was a close 3rd. For me, time trials are a "personal" time for me on the bike. It is not always about winning. I am more concerned about performance and the perfection of riding a COMPLETE time trial. Sure, I won and I am happy. But my performace was a lose. Those little mistakes will not happen again. That is for sure.
Sunny day today and light wind. The field is pretty good up here this year. With Brones, Synergy, Nature Alley, and some smaller teams and individual riders it should keep it interesting until the end.
Man, our Giro coverage stream is hit and miss. Errrr. Time to go get stuff ready for the race anyhow. Have a great weekend. Ciao -Ian

Dougo goes record fasto

2009-05-20T22:36:00.003-07:00

Well, any doubts that I had about trying to set the new record at Blackdog have been wiped away and put into place when teammate, Doug Swanson, laid out the 13:44 tonight. That is the new record and fairly untouchable. Doug is a speed freak at the sprint distance time trial and pretty much in a league of his own in that regards. The rest of us line up t race for second place. Great job man!
I pulled the rookie move of the year (you need one every year to keep it real) when I looked at my cassette gear and was happy with that. I failed to look at my front chainring. Imagine my surprise when I sprinted from the start and realized I was in my 44T. Imagine my curious mind as to why I couldn't get shifted up to my big ring until the bridge 200 meters later. Talk about some time loss. However, I like to think that I went harder to catch back to my pace than I would have without the rookie move. Either way, Rookie.
Anyway, this was a Nature Valley GP qualifier and the Grandstay crew took: 1st Doug Swanson, 2nd Ian Stanford, 3rd Dan Casper, and 4th Jens Brabbit. Lets just say we scored some good qualifier points. The top ten was finished out with the typically strong time trialist like Timmer, Brandt, and other speed demons.
The winds were dangerously intense. On the way up I saw two semi's on their sides. The horizons were orange with dust and dirt. My eyes sting.
Next up, Duluth Stage Race TT start on Friday afternoon. Tomorrow is the Giro TT. Stay tuned........Ciao -Ian

A "race against the clock" weekend

2009-05-18T06:34:00.005-07:00

Well, did you all have enough wind? It was a gusty one Saturday for the Synergy Sports Withrow TT. Gusty would have been nice. It was more constant than anything. I messed around before the start trying to figure out the right wheels. Of course, the disc was going to be awesome in this but the front wheel was coming down to the Hed Tri-spoke or the Hed Stinger 6. A quick call to aero guru Chris "Dino" Edin at Hed confirmed the Stinger 6. I had a good start and quickly dealt with the crosswind and the gale force winds coming off the lake a mile in. Sketchy would fit that description nicely. I pushed through the rest of the headwinds, crosswinds, and almost getting killed by an SUV that did not stop or would not stop for the course corner marshall, got onto the back stretch, and let it roll at 38mph. In the end I was able to put in a 55:04 in the 41.6K course. The hard winds had a benefit when it came to the tailwinds. Teammate Dan Casper scorched a quick one in for second place.
The bike

I found this bike set-up to be extremely loud. Put into factor that fast and stiff Hed wheels with the very stiff and very hollow tubing of the Trek TTX.....well, it sounded like I was inside a jet engine. Don't get me wrong, that is the sound of "fast" so I went with it. But, it actually hurts my ears. Seriously.
The set up is pretty straight forward. Trek TTX 9.9 SSL OCLV Red carbon frameset, Hed Blackdog flatbar and extensions, Hed Jet C2 disc, Hed Stinger 6 front, and all the little devices that shift your bike. I took off the Bontrager aero bottle due to the high crosswinds and opted for something a little more 'round' to let the wind roll by. Tire pressures and gearing. Top secret for most of you. Ha ha.
Matt Muyres captured my start. At some point you have to stop screwing around, look down the road, get your breathing going, and get serious. That is hard to do sometimes.

The next day was Blackdog. I crashed at Dino's the night before. Strip Mall Mexican food and few Stella's for Dinner, and very good espresso and fine Italian cheese for breakfast apparently are good for recovery and power. Dino is always good for the latest and greatest about wheels. Don't ask? I will not tell you anything so don't even bother. Seriously. All I can say is that Steve Hed is going to rule the Earth someday. But, Dino has probably one of the greatest jobs on Earth. Envy? Hell yes! That guy "sees" aero while we all only guess about it. We messed around with his new TT bike, and his incredibly stiff "Team Edition" Scott Addict that he got from Team Columbia. Holy balls, that is stiff. Anyway, I rolled in later than I wanted to for the start but felt pretty good after a 40K with only a little tightness in the legs.
Jens and I went previewed the course. Most of the potholes have been roughly filled in but it would help to roll better. On Timmer's advice, Hed C2 wheels were the call of the day. Good call Timmer! I felt a little rough on the preview but when it came to the start all was good. The new start out of the parking lot was a bummer (safety) and cost everyone a few seconds on the personal bests. I got to the turnaround with about a 6:40 and knew I had a good time going. So, I decided to increase "the hurt" and give the course record a go. We didn't preview the S-bend turns before the finish. We should have. Some new patchwork under the bridge caught my eye funny and I sat up part of the turns. That cost me the record. But, I am happy with my first "under 14" at Blackdog especially with the road the way it is. I sprinted for the finish and I knew it was going to be close. The time keeper clock was 5 seconds off of mine. I thought I had it, official results said "no." It is what it is. No objections from me. I still had a good race. Teammate Casper again blazed in right behind me, and Timmer screamed in with an incredible time on a fix gear! Remember, he had to start in that gear! ouch.
Jordan Cullen ripped out incredible times all weekend.....and he is 13 years old! Oh boy, here he comes.
The rest of the crew hit the races in Wisconsin with Wheels on Willy and the "I forgot the name of the hard road race the day before" race. Micah took 6th in the road race and I am still awaiting their results from Wheels on Willy.
Wednesday is the NVGP Blackdog followed by the Duluth TT Friday. A lot of time trials for one week. (Four?). Anyway, I unfortunately have to work on my feet and legs all week which is never good for rest (part of the job). Oh well, light spinning and gear-checks all weekend. Long week ahead and then some rest. Ciao -Ian

What a week

2009-05-13T08:06:00.004-07:00

Well, last weekend was a busy one at work. Two University graduations, a bowling tournament, a horse show, and Mother's Day kept us drilled at work. In the end, no riding, no time to ride, but still an incredible workout at work.
I missed the Sibley RR but the Grandstay crew still put the W on the board with Jens winning a breakaway group sprint. Congrats to Jens and the crew. I heard there was a Bikethrow.com worthy bike throw after the race. Guys, listen.....throwing your bike in anger after the race reveals a lot about you. It is lame, your sponsors would think it is lame, and it is disrepectful to all that great free stuff your sponsors give you to race on. Show some respect to those "floating your boat." Plus, as I have mentioned many times before, A bicycle has a soul. Respect that at least if you can't respect your own. Luckily, I am on a team of guys who would never do that. Maybe that is why we can win. Now comes the TT's and Crits.
Nice to see gas prices coming up just in time for the traveling period of racing. Timing? Economic conditions? or just my luck? I say the latter.
My lack of cable and surprise to see no Giro on cyclingtv was quickly recovered by Universal Sports stream of the Giro. Pretty good coverage besides the messed up streaming that always seems to take place in the final kilometer. That is like when your favorite show cuts to the next broadcast just as your most hated character is preparing to have his or her head lopped off. Well, may not exactly like that in the sense of "thrill." Perhaps "suspense" would better describe it.
Lance was not the Tour Lance today but really, what does this guy have to prove? To me? nothing. Bummer that Christian is out. You know he was fit. Horner and Levi are pounding it out. Cunego shocked a few. Basso is back or something is. DiLuca is back or something is. And of course, the Dolomite Region of Italy has me in tears with it's beauty. I really need to get back there......for good.
Boonen got popped with the "Blow" again. Think of it what you will but the guys need to seek some help. You can not deny that this guy is a great cyclist but the "star" aspect of it has contaminated him. A lot of "friends" who really are not that around him. I wish him the best of luck and hope to see him back cleaned up. Not for cycling's sake but for his own.
Synergy TT this Saturday. I feel pretty good but still am not comfortable with the tunnel fit. I will give it a try in the TT. If it doesn't work then I will re-adjust back to the old fit. I need these TT's to get things dialed for the National events. My current fit is putting pain in my lower back because I am pedalling with that part of my body with my current torso angle. It skips my hip flexors, and in time trialing, the hip flexor is where the money is at. I dropped the height a bit yesterday and that helped. Today it is raining so I am going to kit up, block the bike, and ride in front of the mirror for an hour.
The Charity TT is the next day. I was hoping to go to Madison from the Synergy TT for Wheels on Willy but I don't think it will work logistically. So, the Charity TT will be fine. I hear the course is a bummer as road conditions go. The statement made by someone of, "Be sure to ride your junk time trial wheels" caught me as a bit funny. Do any of you have "junk" time trial wheels in your arsenal? I have what I have and they are definitely not junk nor do I wish to turn into that. Something needs to happen with the Blackdog course soon and fast.
Sorry, no pictures. eh? call it laziness. Ciao -Ian

Casper makes Captain

2009-05-08T07:58:00.002-07:00

Teammate and powerhouse, Dan Casper, just made Captain with the Minneapolis Fire Department. Hey, that is pretty huge. So, I thought I would put that onto the scale of some other famous Captains.....

......see what I mean. Seriously, congrats to Dan on a huge achievement in a very tough and demanding job field. He clearly wants more of it.

The weekend that was. Whoa, that's aero

2009-05-05T07:46:00.003-07:00

Whew. Well, that was a busy weekend. Drove up to St. Cloud Friday afternoon and crashed at the Grandstay Hotel downtown. Saturday we races the NVGP qualifier Marty RR. We went into the race with a pretty good plan but had to make some adjustments due to the wind. I found myself working a lot which was fine, it felt good. In the end, Doug behaved, lets us work, and took the win. Good job by the Grandstay guys. Beer and Buffalo burgers afterwards.
Drove back to Winona, spun down, and ate good food. Sunday was the LaCrosse crit. I entered the 30+ 1/2/3 race as a warm-up. Finished 9th after deciding not to mess around with the sketchy riding going on. Some need some work on how to take a corner. It was that or the first crit jitter for some. Good course though. Got done, rested for 40 minutes, and jumped into the Pro 1/2 for another hour. This race stayed on the gas and was much smoother. Guys know how to corner besides the pedal clippers. I finally figured out corner one after getting the wrong angle on it the first two laps. I was hunting for an early move but just could not get the right mix. Koeneman went for a prime and I decided if I could go with him we could power out a gap. He cooked the next corner and we got caught. Corner one was a really odd corner. Just over 90 degrees, slight uphill, bermed inside and off camber outside, and shadowed. IS Corp kept the pressure on chasing their "danger men" and then relay countering the catch. In the end, Casper and I got up in the front but got caught behind Jordan of IS Corp's after someone dived the corner, clipped it, and body checked Jordan off his line. Lame. Went from top 10 to top 25 position on a whim. I should have went inside and was thinking that down the back stretch. Rookie error on my part. Crit racing. This was what I call a "crapshoot crit." It was nearly anyone's race.
This is an egg

Levi studies eggs

That is aero. Granted, he is on a downhill tuck but that...is....aero! Levi is a TT tech addict. He lives on this bike, sits in front of mirrors, and has a frequent flyers punch-pass at the San Diego wind tunnel. Pay-off? The "W"
He is the king of the low CdA
Ciao -Ian

Leipheimer, Zirbel, Armstrong

2009-05-01T13:02:00.002-07:00

Yep, Leipheimer, Zirbel, Armstong. That was the finishing order for the time trial at the Tour of the Gila today. I am still waiting for the podium photo on that one. It would have been nice to see Zirbel win that one against those two sandbaggers. Uh, wait, this isn't the first podium that he has stood on with "the big guys." Zirbel, you are a "sandbagger" now too! Congrats on the sweet finish with those guys. You may have not won the time trial but look at who is standing on that podium with you. Definitely not a bunch of chumps.
Heading to St. Cloud soon and crashing at the Grandstay for the Marty RR. This race is a qualifier for the Nature Valley Grand Prix. Hmmm, good luck to all of you who are looking to qualify for the Midwest World Championships. I am wondering if I was a Wisconsin resident if I could just register for the race like all the other out-of-state teams? Who knows? Sunday is the new LaCrosse Crit. Pretty exciting to see a new race in the area especially in the cycling-friendly town of LaCrosse. Should be a good one.
O.k, got to pack. Ciao -Ian

Random thoughts and photos

2009-04-24T08:47:00.002-07:00

Well, this is the bike I am riding right now. Still property of Matt Williams since I am broke and have to make payments to the Man. Still, Specialized came through with a good deal for the Grandstay Team. I am riding a 56cm Specialized Tarmac Pro, Thomson stem and seatpost, Hed Stinger 6 carbon tubulars, Bontrager Race X-Lite Pro 23cc Tubulars, Sram Red components except for the Specialized Crankset and Shimano DA 7800 brake calipers, Selle Italia Classic Flite (looking for another one if you have one to sell), Kestrel Classic bend carbon bars, and Bontrager carbon bat cages.
The Hed Stingers are fast. Nothing more to say about that. With the V-shaped tire well, gluing a tubular is easy since the tire literally self-centers. Brake adjustments takes a few tricks and Shimano calipers seem to be best suited for this. Very stiff wheels. Sprint and I feel no flex. None.
The frameset is much more forgiving than the Scott Addict. Not so much that it takes away from performance. This frame is built to race, go long, and finish the ride off. The 27.2 seatpost remains stiff but takes some of the bite out of the stiff rear triangle. Everything else is what it is.

Photo from team camp a few weeks ago.

Not the cause of my allergies!

4 pairs of pocket-pairs at our team camp poker game. I had the pocket aces. Last card up? Ace. Bingo. Thanks guys.

Fed Ex simply had to send this from Minneapolis to Winona. 110 miles max. Thank god the Hed crew knows how to pack wheels. Wheels were untouched. Box? touched.
O.k, got to go sneak in an hour before volunteering my bartending services to a large Breast Cancer benefit here in Winona. Ciao

Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey 2009 Stage 8 Final Kilometers

2009-04-20T06:48:00.001-07:00

Thanks Lance for pointing this out. Watch what Bos does at 3:43 in down on the lower left hand of the video. Throw him out of racing forever!

Durand

2009-04-19T10:26:00.002-07:00

You couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day for a bike race. The weather for this year's edition of the Durand Road Race was incredible. Grandstay brought nearly the full squad for the 1/2/3 race. Everyone rode great and in the end it was Doug taking the win from the final climb to the line with Greg Brandt giving a go and taking second. Hard efforts by all paid the day. Casper, Danno, Lance, and I took our pulls, covered, and did tempo work. Doug put out some attacks that startled people, and Jens and Dave kept the pack staying in reserve should everything fall apart around us. Mean Dawg flatted as early in a race as you can. He will be back to fight another day.
Brone has brought his boys from the "trying" stage of a team into the "doing" realm of racing. Great job guys. Welcome to the scene.
I love the first race of the year because it is a chance to see everyone again. While I have raced in a few cycling hotbeds around the country the Midwest scene is, by far, the coolest scene of the all. The Synergy crew, GP, Revolution, Hollywood, Flanders, Dewey (I think you are your own team man) and the other various teams keep it real and are made up of good guys. Ego's are pretty low and guys just race to race.
I rode the new Hed Stinger 6's out there as well. Lets just say that they are super duper fast. Stiff as all get up. And gluing tubulars to them is as simple as it gets. The tubular literally will self-center once you snap it on. Brake caliper set up can be a bit funky. If you are looking for tips on how to set up the brakes give me a shout out and I will guide you through it. Like every Hed Stinger before these, they bring a smile to my face once I roll out on them.
Anyway, congrats to the Grandstay boys once again. Great job guys. See you all at Kenwoods. Ciao -Ian

Damn the Hotmail (new email)

2009-04-15T08:31:00.003-07:00

Nice photo eh? Casey Gibson caught this photo just right. "Hey, check the glue on the tubulars..." I just glued two sets of wheels and now I am typing with contact cemented fingers. Tough going.
so, working until 3:20ish am last night was a bummer because I am still on the couch due to it. Plus, my Hotmail account got infected thanks to a fellow cyclist out there who will not get the hint and get a new email account. So, "fellow cycist," I can no longer be reached by you via email because I will not open anything from you. My bomber security system has caught it and killed it from through my home computer.
Seriously, who sits around and creates these spambots and spyware programs. Oh, I know, complete nerds. About as useful as the cat dropping in my cats litterbox. Anyway, my new email address is: istanford64@gmail.com
Nothing changed in the front of my email, just that hotmail B.S. Send me an email so that I can get you into my new contact list.
Doug is Opus Dei for the day so congrats to him. Durand is Saturday and I need to get the new Stinger 6's glued up. Thanks Pauly and Dino on coming through with those. I know supplies are limited. I seriously would have been cool with a pair of the older Stingers. I am 37 or 38 now, I can't remember, so I am not too picky. I would eat dirt if it tasted like Sambuca.
Well, I suppose I should continue my attack on the headcold, drink some coffee, and get on a ride. Ciao -Ian

Idiocracy - Starbucks

2009-04-13T20:05:00.001-07:00

a one liner of one liners

Guitar Center's Drum-Off '07 Champion - Donnie Marple

2009-04-12T20:38:00.001-07:00

Damn, pretty good. He has got the Buddy Rich style going.

Grandstay Team Camp

2009-04-06T22:03:00.002-07:00

Photos by "Doc"
Well, I have no idea the order of the pictures so I will sum up the camp with words. Good time, great teammates, new talents in Dave and Jens, great sponsors, wonderful place to ride and hang out, and more laughs.
After having lived within he shadows of a fairly hard winter it is nice to get back together with the crew of Grandstay for the upcoming season. Mean Dawg and Danno had me laughing from the get-go. Matty brought food for an army, and we drank more coffee than any army ever has. The weather held out until Sunday even though I think we could have ridden anyhow. I sense that some of the guys didn't feel like riding Sunday. Understable under the circumstances.
While I am still battling some fit issues (both bike and body) I still had a great time. Everyone looks their normal "fit" for this time of year. I learned that I can still win Poker games (thanks for the gas money guys), and drink a beer or three without much guilt. Doug and Casper were our missing men. Casper is on vacation and Doug........Well, Congrats to Doug and Anne on their new baby girl, Stella Swanson. He didn't miss a thing, he had a great weekend. We'll make it up buddy. So, here we go. Ciao -Ian

The season almost feels like one

2009-03-29T22:00:00.002-07:00

Well, some things take a bit to get use to in cycling. Seeing Lance on the ground and not getting back up, well that is a first. Too bad. Love him, hate him, I still like to watch him race. He has a presence in the field that not many others can bring. Plus, I am excited about the Giro this year. Get well man!

Oh, bless you guys. Tool announces a 2009 U.S. Tour. Me there? Count on it.

Push yourself hard enough and long enough in your passion and sport it will either reward you or take it all away. Either way, it is all rewarding. What? Well, Shane McConkey died in Italy this past week doing what he loved. Not driving down I-494 during rush hour. If you step into the ring you have to roll with the punches. No matter how good you are eventually one of those punches is going to get through. RIP Shane!

Cole wins GP Waregem in Belgium. A huge U-23 race and a huge win. Congrats man!

Well, I have been sneaking some riding in between getting my ass kicked at work and getting my taxes done. Yesterday Jens and I went and rode with the Brone's crew. Great ride and good guys and gals. I have been getting out on the TT bike as well. Today was a couple hours of riding, adjusting, riding, adjusting, shadowing, adjusting, and finally left wondering if I got it right. Tomorrow will put some effort into the final position from today. If it works it works. If it doesn't, out comes the Allen wrench and the process begins again.
This weekend is the Grandstay camp. Great time and great to see the crew again. Dougo will be missing and for good reasons. Good luck you two and early "Congrats!" We will make it up.
I need to sleep. Ciao -Ian

More from sandlands

2009-03-22T08:01:00.002-07:00

Nice view. Same photo as last year, the year before, and the year before. Taken from the same seat and the same pitstop on the same long ride.

I slept down this way. Of course, no bikes down in the basement.

The day I arrived a rider had been hit from behind and killed on Old Spanish Trail. My first day was out on Old Spanish Trail and it was sad to see this.

When I Arizona. Whether you like Maynard's music or not (Tool, Perfect Circle, Puscifer) you are sure to like his wine. Maynard is also a vineyer. Along with a couple other wine masters, he started a couple vineyards between Phoenix and Flagstaff. The Stronghold wine was probably one of the best red wines I have ever tasted. Sorry, not in Minnesota until 2011. Still, when in Arizona....

No Oaks here, just gigantic Saguaros.

Back in the M.I.N.N

2009-03-20T12:35:00.002-07:00

Don't see these growing around here at all.
Back from Tucson. Dino was priviledge to picking me up at 11pm at HHH with the "family van." Deep down, he is self-admitting that he loves the minivan.

When in Arizona you WILL run into people from Minnesota. Jesse, on his annual winter layoff can be found in Tucson, and Casper and Sone can be found there too in between their shifts at work. We drove down from Tucson to hook up with the Flanders, Casper, Sone crew for some riding down to the bordertown of Naco, and then back up to Bisbee, dodge a freak rainstorm, and back to Sierra Vista. Casper then fed us. Go figure. Firefighters become firefighters not to put out fires, they do it because they seemingly are very good cooks.

Meanwhile, I was staying at TJ Woodruff's. He bailed me out when my housing fell through. He has got the craziest little apartment/guest house. It works and is the perfect size for the cyclist in you. TJ is getting into blood as a coach now. Blood Lactate test. Fun, fun, fun.

On the way to Madera Canyon solo via the cobbled Mission Rd. Tucson does not have paved roads, it has patched ones. From here I need to bike up into the saddle between the two mountain tops. Not bad, only 40 miles from here.

All good trips come to an end. We took a cool flight path out of Tucson. Had I been on the otherside I would have had Lemmon in the shutter. Instead, I found some new terrain on the starboard side of the plane. More photos later. Now I am sick. Again, go figure. Ciao -Ian

Tucson and old shots

2009-03-16T09:48:00.002-07:00

Wow, and old friend Facebooked this photo to me of a trip to Neihart, Montana in what must have been the early 1990's. We were hitting up the Showdown Ski Area, drinking a lot of Olympia, and eating burgers galore at Bob's Bar and Beds. Good memories and an incredible trip.
Well, Tucson has been o.k. Thankfully staying at T.J. Woodruffs, been getting thankfully driven around for my needs by Jesse Reints (getting married on Chequamegon weekend, come on man, come on), and have been working in the new bike. I think I started a little too low and foward on the saddle when I first got here. Made the adjustments but I am afraid the knee and achilles are paying for it now. Day off, re-adjust.
We headed down to Sierra Vista a couple days ago and rode with Casper, Sone, and the Flanders crew. Nice digs and good roads. We rode down to the border town of Naco and then back into Bisbee. A freak rainstorm cut the ride short and we had to skip riding to Tombstone (I'm your little daisy, great movie.) After being fed once again by Casper and Sone we came back to Tucson. Mt. Lemmon yesterday. It was a beautiful day up there but the ride revealed my fit issues. Depressing to say the least. Ran into Muyres on the way down.
Tucson hasn't changed much. Trashed roads, sirens all day, traffic that seems to always be at rush hour capacity, skies that sound like those above Bagdad, but the sun and warmth win out. I leave Wednesday afternoon. Due to the injury I will be on short rides from here on out. I had some big rides still in the plans but I have to be sensible. Get home, recover, re-measure, and get ready for team camp.
I have photos but have been to lazy to load them. Sorry yo. Ciao -Ian

2009-03-10T08:35:00.002-07:00

A funny photo I found somewhere. I don't work with people this clever.

It's on! Jane's Addiction is back with the whole crew. Perry Ferrell, Dave Navaro, Stephen Perkins, and atlas, Eric Avery. Top the tour off with Nine Inch Nails opening up, and Streetsweeper (Tom Morello's new band). Yep, this is the tour of the year. Sorry Zep fans, Plant won't do it. Bummer. Anyway, KC goes on sale today at noon. Nearest show to Minnesota. Of course, all the dates have yet to be announced. Denver is an option too and an excuse to go out to Boulder. The day after the Duluth Classic so that just may work.
Flying to Tucson tomorrow to link up with Reints, T.J. Woodruff, Bobafett, and the Casper/S2 connection. Hopefully Brandt and Marcotte get down there and we will have a crew to "represent." Long days, big miles, distant roads, In & Out Burger, and Stronghold Vineyards wines. Only catch? I have to drive through shit weather to get to the Cities. I guess you have to earn your turns at times. Photos from the SW soon enough. Ciao -Ian

Demetri Martin -

2009-03-05T22:42:00.001-07:00

You need a good laugh so sit back and listen....and watch.

Lance still rules the road

2009-02-26T06:12:00.000-07:00

Oh, that is funny stuff. Lance wins this one.

Give it back yo!

2009-02-24T18:24:00.004-07:00

Would you steal something from this man? Well, someone did. While Dave was up on the time trial start box laughing and joking with the fans, some assholes were breaking into his house and taking basically all his bikes, all his olympic stuff, and anything else that had any significance to him. Lame! May Karma roll tight and stike you down. Clearly done by someone or someones who knew he was gone, where he lived, and exactly what to take. Inside job within the cycling world.
Ciao -Ian

So Pro

2009-02-23T22:42:00.001-07:00

I once watched that rider tear into another about "proper" riding during the Boulder Roubaix. In the end, that rider rocks now and this one, well, this one steals waterbottles from George. Now, that is Pro.

7th

2009-02-21T11:13:00.003-07:00

(photo by Graham Watson)
Well, what was probably the strongest TT field the ToC has ever has for a time trial (minus Fabian), Zirbel was able to finish 39 seconds back of the winner, Levi. In the end, 7th place was the deal. I know he wanted a podium but top 10 is nothing to shy away from especially when you look at the "names" around him. He rode a greattime trial. As cyclingnews put it, Zirbel has put himself now amongst one of the fastest time trialist in the world. You can take that comment to the bank.
Again, look at that sweet disc. What is that thing? Anyway, it is time to "nickel and dime" Zirbel for some extra speed. I know just the people who can find that.
It snowed again. I was really enjoying get outside and get some miles on the bike. However, today it is cold and messy. Back to the trainer.
Tucson March 11-18th cannot, I repeat, cannot come soon enough. Ikes, Wild Oats, In & Out, are all wonderful rewards for the long miles ahead. With T.J living down there, and Reints, Muyres, and a couple others floating around in the area there should be some good long days. I am still up for the Oracle/ Lemmon superloop if the weather plays out, and last year I wasn't able to get out to Kitts. Make-up ride is due. Coffee, couch, MPR, and tired from work. One more night, one day off, and then 2 days in Eau Claire to punch numbers. Arrr. Ciao -Ian

Soul of the bike

2009-02-18T11:05:00.003-07:00

(photo by D. Parks/pezcyclingnews)
All bikes have a soul. They really do. Why do you think they are so hard to sell at times? They have literally become a friend. You have shared good times, bad times, and sometimes, more time with this friend then your actual breathing and walking friends. While you should be taking a shower or getting your haircut, you are found cleaning chains and polishing frames instead.
So, when I heard that four bikes were taken from Astana I had to think about what the riders of those bikes thought. First off, do riders of that caliber actually become attached to certain bikes? i.e. does the rider have a soul? Would Lance really care that someone took his TTX or is it simply the principle of it for him?
Well, regardless. Whoever took the bikes does not have a soul. Stealing bicycles is a heartless jesture that cannot possibly lead to a soulful rider. Change of heart? Maybe. Jani's bike magically reappeared today at the hotel that Astana was staying at that night. But, lets be real here. What are you going to do with Lance's custom TTX. Sell it? Where? How? Will Lance even want it back now? Ah, the trust a rider has in his or her bike also creates or destroys that soulful connection.
I could make a lot of money if someone stole my bikes but that is not what I would ever want to happen. First off, they are MY bikes and I don't want to go through the hassle of getting new ones. Second, they are my friends. You F with my friends and someone is going to die. Simple as that. Soul? Perhaps it is the karma you create around your bike and riding. If it all connects positively then surely is it is soulful.
Now, who is interested in a Trek TTX (Medium) in a Livestrong custom paint-up. Ridden once? SRAM Red group with aelous 90 front, and lightweight rear disc. Shhhh

AToC and Mr. Zirbel

2009-02-15T08:47:00.002-07:00

Well, the crowds looked huge for the Prologue of the Tour of California. Zirbel, posted a 12th place, 5-seconds back

(Photo by Graham Watson)
Off his start he looked like either a gust of wind caught him or he his that funny bump in the pavement oddly. Quite a few rider had quick and almost disasterous issues with this spot. The U-Turn was interesting as well.

(Photo by Darren Maden)
In the end I am sure Zirbel was seeking the mid-top 10's. His time was right there. It just came down to the fractions of seconds that are so crucial in the short Prologue like this. Hmmmm, interesting rear disc he has there. Hmmmmm. It will be interesting to see what he thought of it. Now, we just need to get some speed off of a front wheel.
I still expect big things ou of Thor on the time trial next week. That will be the One!
Great race, now I wish I had cable. Is this on cycling.TV? I will find it somewhere.
Sun Country had the flights, I didn't have the money, but I am sick of winter so I am off to Tucson March 13th-18th. Thank God. Let me know if you are going to be down there. Ciao -Ian

More of the tunnel

2009-02-11T10:36:00.002-07:00

Thanks again to Jason Goldberg for the photos while I was trying to get faster

Various positions starting from low to high, back to front, head up, head down, looking for what is going to drop the drag grams.

Chris "Dino" Edin telling me that we are posing for the photo.

Well, the old tranny is getting fixed today for $$$ that I simply don't have. I am trying to get my fat Minnesota white-ass down to Tucson next month but I can't get a hold of the guy I was going to stay with. I think he and his wife are on vacation. Still, I need to book my flight this week so, "Tony, where are you?" If anyone has room for me in Tucson I will buy you In & Out burgers nightly!
Bike swap was pretty successful. Good to see everyone again and good to be in the bike circles again. I scored a sweet jersey off of Dougo, and I got rid of a couple big ticket items to help pay off the new road bike. Speaking of which, time to go ride. Ciao -Ian

Open your Homes!

2009-02-07T09:34:00.002-07:00

While it may seem early to bring it up I will do just so. For the 2009 Great River Energy Festival/ Nature Valley Grand Prix, Dave LaPorte is looking for additional Host Housing for the teams coming in. If you live in the Minneapolis area or a centralized area to the various races, and have the room to host a team, please contact Dave LaPorte through www.minnbikefestival.com. Click on "Volunteers" and fill in your info. If you have any friends who may be able to help urge them to do so as well.
I am putting in an extra plug for my old team which is now called the Kenda Pro Cycling Team. They have a full squad coming along with a few support staff and need a place to stay. If you can help them out please contact me at istanford64@hotmail.com or again, contact Dave LaPorte.
Money is tighter than ever in cycling and we have a great race up here. Anything we can do as a Midwest cycling community would greatly benefit everyone involved. Thanks a lot! Ciao -Ian

Back from the A2 Tunnel

2009-02-02T20:45:00.003-07:00

This last week I was fortunate enough to be invited out to the A2 Windtunnel in Charolette, NC for a check of my aero position along with watching a few others going through. I am still waiting for photos of myself going through and will get them posted soon. Until then, my photos and Jason Goldberg's.

The opportunity to work with Steve Hed, Dino, Mike Giraud, Boone, Jason Goldberg, Lars Tuetenberg, and the many athletes who showed up was unbelievable. It was one of those moments where I was sitting in between runs in the tunnel thinking, "Holy crap, what is going on?" There was so much knowledge and talent around my mind was blown and still is.

Well, in the heart NASCAR Country you can expect to find windtunnels and anything that supports NASCAR. While we were in a more bike friendly tunnel, right across the parking lot was the monster tunnel that was running cars. On the right side of this photo you get the bike gurus, on the left side you get Joe Gibbs Racing's Aero guys. Steve and the Gibbs guys hit it off instantly.

Yep, fast. The Columbia guys came and it was all business. Great guys and a wee bit fitter than me. Ha. One thing you should always do before going to a windtunnel is to make sure you are in shape. It is an interval workout. I got spooked out when I saw the guys breathing hard in between runs. I then realized that it would kind of hurt. It also taught me and reminded me that it is time to step up the interval work.

Big, big thanks to the guys on each end. Chris "Dino" Edin for helping me out over the years with wheel tech, aero fit, and being Dino. And of course, to Steve Hed who makes it all happen. The guy breathes this stuff. Nobody knows this stuff like he does. Not even close. He has been a great supporter of myself and many others. I more than appreciate what he does. Thanks Man!

O.k, Jason Goldberg has a far cooler camera than mine. But he snores too damn loud and I don't so it balances it out. Great photo of Dino and Max.
So, what did I learn? Simple. First off, I eat this stuff up. I love everything that was going on. The numbers, the fit, the power, the positioning, and what it leads up to. How to make someone faster. Sure, power helps but it is not the end-all. Being around people who understand this stuff suits me just fine. I learned that old myths in fitting are just that. I learned that just because it looks aero doesn't mean it is. If you are serious about your time trial abilities and skills definitely look up Mike Giraud at the A2 Windtunnel and get it done. It is affordable and it works.
More on the story when I get my photos. Ciao -Ian

Bjorn is now "officially" at Stud

2009-01-15T17:58:00.001-07:00

Find Bjorn....
Bjorn, you need to score me one of those jerseys. Good luck and Congratulations on getting on this killer team. You have worked for it.

Finished!

2009-01-11T13:14:00.001-07:00

New TT bars and stem on the way so no steer tube trim yet. Yep, I am switching from my old guys. Love them though. Ciao -Ian

Facing the Facebook

2009-01-03T20:58:00.003-07:00

Damn, I have been officially forced into the Facebook Community. I am left wondering where some of you find all this time to sit on Facebook? I think we are all becoming "wired" into the Matrix. Do I hear a phone ringing? So, while I organize that huge bundle of joy and have battling many other things.
Trying to get this TTX built and ready to go by the end of January. Measurements need to be spot on and ready for review. I just need to get some black Shimano cable housing so that I can rid the bike of that nasty Jagwire stuff. Dear local shop, drop the order so that I can get my housing eh. Plus, I had to order a shorter XXX Lite stem. $$$. But, the 90mm was making things a little UCI un-cool. Speaking of the UCI, they still don't know what they want to do with the new TT bar rules. Enforce now or 2010?
Fixing the body too. The weightroom ended up triggering up an injury deep in my right hip. My local hospital dropped the ball on the examination so I headed to Gunderson in LaCrosse. Well, it would appear that my injury from crashing at the Nature Valley GP MPLS Crit has something to do with this. It is funny, while the fall was nothing new in cycling I did find it odd that I fell so directly "down" instead of skidding. I think it was because I tried to save it and instead high-sided. Either way, I knew that the fall had a funny feeling about it. So far, I still can't sleep in my right side and now I have a pulled muscle (Psoas region) that is related to the big-ass bump I have on the outside of the hip. Ultra-sound to come in a week or so. This muscle pull sits right through a region with a high amount of lymphnodes so I am feeling pain in my leg, back, stomach, and of course the hip. I thought it was a hernia at first but it definitely is not that. The great part about it is, it was lifting beer kegs at work that caused this new pain. Well, all in the name of beer.
Muscle pulls that upset your stomach make you either eat a lot or nothing at all.
I need to sell bike stuff. I am going to need two tables at the Bike Swap in Blaine at this rate.
Headed off for the cabin for New Years. Family and friends, beer, way too much food of the unquality type, but fun all the same. Got a sweet Christmas gift from my cousin and sister of 10 mini Lance Armstrong Sports Illustrated covers with one full-sized one in the middle with the man's autograph. They spent way too much on me for Christmas but they blended it into my B-day gift for this week too. 37. Boy oh boy.
Congrats to Jesse and Annie on what is to become a marriage! Cabin soon man! Ciao -Ian

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T21:20:00.001-07:00

God, you have to both really love hotdogs and battling bears in their survival instinct. Now, who sits at the T.V and watches this? Oh ya, Americans. Happy New Year. Use ketchup and mustard.

Merry Christmas, shitter was full

2008-12-23T22:22:00.001-07:00

Merry Christmas and......check your shitter.

Gear up, and locker room no's

2008-12-21T08:42:00.004-07:00

Dearest Grandstay crew. The team camp for 2009 will feature a new addiction. Yep, a hot tub. Chicka-chicka-ya. The damn thing is like the Disco Inferno of hot tubs.

Well, a couple new items came together. Thanks Mark from Specialized for helping the team out. Thanks Maury from Trek for getting me the time trial gear I feed off of.
White bike with black deep carbons, orange bike with black deep carbons. Ya, looks good and fast. I need to score some new " UCI legal" TT bars before building up the TTX (Hed is working on them)(Damn the UCI and their never ending TT fit rules), and Mark has a pair of 175 cranks so that I don't pull the stupid move I pulled last year.

The snowshoes hit the trails yesterday. With a lot of new snow, 30-40 below windchills, some serious wind and drifts, and late January like Minnesota weather......well, it is just plain winter. Rollers, fluid trainers, weights, xc skiing, and snowshoes. There is plenty to do. Right Sager?
The locker room at the local YMCA is somewhat of a comedic stage of events and talk. A comment heard over the lockers a couple days ago led to me thinking of things you should never say in a men's locker room.
1. (This started it all) "Ya, I am going to the Celine Dione Concert tonight."
2. "Does this jock strap make my ass look big?"
3. "Crap, I forgot my towel. Can I use yours?"
4. "Man, playing baseball just wears me out."
5. "This itch is driving my nuts nuts."
6. "Hey, did you read that article in the recent Playgirl about...."
7. "Jazzercise was so damn fun today."
8. "Dude, I am way bigger than you."
9. "Dude, you are way bigger than me."
10. "Could you possibly squeeze this thing on my back for me?"
I could go on and on.
I'll tell ya, the men's locker room concept is always been a crude working study of a man's social network skills. It is a community that needs to have a bowling ball roll right through the middle of it. I have seen pigs in a holding pen communicate in more humane ways than that of the human man. And ladies, you are no exception apparently. I have heard the stories. So, I guess it is just human.
Stuff forsale? I need to build the list first.
I do have a new pair of Mavic Ksyriums SL's, and a pair of Bontrager Aelous 50 carbon clincher Timex Edition's that have got to go. Also, a pair of Bontrager carbon TT bars. SRAM Red crankset in 175's. All new. That will all be in the next update. Happy Holidays. Eat cookies please. Ciao -Ian

The Fireplace

2008-12-12T08:26:00.001-07:00

Who didn't see it coming?

2008-12-07T08:19:00.002-07:00

No picture worthy or warranted

Sheboygen Superweek Stage of 2007. Coming around corner four in the torrential downpour with only 5 laps to go the announcer tell the 26 or so riders that are left that "USADA is on site and will be testing the winner and randoms." This race was a spooky one that kept you in pure focus. But, upon hearing that I smiled. See, there were a few guys in the race that maybe needed to visit with USADA. One such man has escaped the clear and honest scrutiny of the USADA, Kayle Leogrande.
Now, I know some of you love this man because he simply does not look or act like a typical cyclist. He has tattoes up and down (which is perfectly fine in my books, he owns a tattoo shop, rides for Rock Racing (which I have stated in the past as saying that I believe that Michael Ball is actually good for the sport [Hey, he took a chance with us]), and that Kayle can come from the back to take on the front for the win.
The problem is that he keep producing doping tests that are suspect. Well, Superweek, his nervousness, balls-worthy testimony from team staff, and the USADA's non-stop approach on suspected dopers finally took him down. In more ways than one. Kayle was given a two-year suspension from racing last week.
This was the same Superweek were I heard two USA Cycling referees states that Kayle is amazing, look at his legs, he doesn't even look like a cyclist. I remember that my teammate and I laughed about that statement and then threw questions marks over our heads for even wondering why the officials were so naive.
I cannot speak for Kayle or anyone else who is or has been caught doping. They do it for their own reasons on their own accord. It is a selfish act that only takes their own person into account. All the other clean racers are the one's who suffer, the sport suffers, the competetive spirit and the image of our sport suffers. And in the end, it is not just the guilty rider who is sanctioned, but all of us.
It is a selfish act.
Passion for the sport, respect for my body, earned accomplishment, understanding that this is not an "I" sport. Perhaps these are just a few reasons why I have never, and would never, consider using performance enhancing chemicals. Again, I speak for myself on myself. What you do is your business in the sport, just don't make it the business of the rest of us who are truly passionate about the sport of cycling.
My blacktop roads are now ice-covered, salt-ridden, slush-bombed, hell-holes-of-a-mess. Any hopes of clean riding exist down south, not here. Put into place the Minnesota is 5 billion in the hole and we can expect limited snow plowing efforts for 2008-2009. So, the weightroom has been my friend and my back's enemy once again. The fluid trainer and I are back on speaking terms after a solid year apart, and perhaps the six weeks off have created a motivation I have been seeking for some years.
Anyhow. happy holidays to you all, Eggnog is an odd item, Bob's mini candy canes rule the earth, and my credit card has went purposely missing. In the end, I absolutely love living in an area where I do get to experience all for seasons. Good for the body, good for the soul. Good for some rest. Ciao -Ian

Turkey Ride showdown

2008-12-01T20:16:00.003-07:00

I guess cool temps don't hold back the hardcores of Minnesota cycling.
Getting up at 4am in order to get to Minneapolis from Winona in time for the Turkey Ride ended up being a good idea. No holiday traffic meant a smooth 2 hour drive (3 to get back the very same route!), a closed-but-suppose-to-be-open-Caribou (leaving me with the fear and dreaded McCoffee option), and a shivering in the back of the van to get dressed moment made up the morning.
I got to the Depot and Danno arrived first. That makes two times this year that Danno has beaten me to an event. (State Cap. Crit.) I took notice that his coffee appeared to have a bit more coffee-likeness than mine but kept my mouth shut. Everyone else poured in a few minutes later.
I am not big on cold weather riding because I am simply injury prone with it (I destroyed an achilles this way.) But, it tends to be easier to forget the cold when 25 great people show up to ride. We took off for the River Bottoms trails, stopping occasionally to regroup. It was a bit cold in the beginning but I manned up as we went. A mix of cross bikes, mountain bikes, and 29'er's with cross wheel set-ups made up the pack fleet. I had the Gary Fisher Paragon set-up with the ever-so-sweet Hed Ardennes built up on disc hubs with cross tires. Like riding silk. The Grandstays, GP's, Nature Valley's, Flanders, and everyone else's showed up to represent. The cycling scene in the Twin Cities is something to be proud of.

Before the ride and holding a coffee as well, Doug mentioned the feared "loosening" reaction coffee can sometimes afford you. I recall I scorned him for such negative remarks. His foresight became my weakness throughout the ride. It is like some sort of coffee poisoning. To say the least, I was working hard to keep it together through the ride. Great.
We got to the pontoon crossing and some had heard that the ice was crossable. Sometimes you can never have a camera ready for extreme and instant moments. I rode over to the area where Adam Bergman was going to make the first attempt across the ice. Let's just say it failed and his feet got wet. With the myth of a possible ice crossing dispelled, we all took our turns pulling across on the pontoon or going "jungle-like" across a huge downed tree. We got to the turn-around point, ate whatever mystery bar lurked in our back pockets (Doug had a 3-year old Harvest Bar [now that can lead to mudd-butt] and was openly concerned as to his future well-being for eating this prehistoric energy bar), we got going back and retraced our steps towards the Mendota Bridge. The final miles turned into a time trial. I took a long pull with a sustained tempo but was replaced, and later blown off, by repeated hard, short tempos of the "in form" cross superstars. Mica is a monster right now and Cross Nats should be a good one for him.
Mean Dawg showed up as we got back. An early morning puncture left him 86'ed from the ride. Bummer.
We finished up, threw everything in the van, hung out in the parking lot a bit, drove off to that previously mentioned Caribou, called some friends in Colorado to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving, got home, showered, met my mom for a late lunch, slept, went to my cousin's for dinner, drank 5-too-many Schells Snowstorms, and finally called it a day. Hectic, fun, and a day to be thankful for. Ciao -Ian

look'in at the old photos

2008-11-23T08:05:00.004-07:00

(Photo by Matt Moses)
Patty Cakes called it and it was a good idea. Why not? I made it into the finish circuit with two minutes with Johnson but then it all fell apart. Loose cassette and the Toyota train there to destroy it. A lot different then this past year. Thursday I went back to my Sport Therapist in LaCrosse because I am still unable to lay on the right hip. Ever since the crash in the Minneapolis NVGP Crit. I have had a sharp pain in my hip whhenever I lay on my right side. She did another two X-rays on it and we'll see what we get. I am trying to avoid any MRI jazz. The muscle is still knotted in there but she didn't think that should be the cause. Hmmm

(ya, ya, I know. The photo has that dumb little stamp on it)
Greg Brandt, and anyone else who has been up Mt. Nebo can testify to my face. They had one too. The thing is that it is a real hard climb, but such a fun climb that it doesn't really hurt in the sense that most bastard climbs hurt. For one, you never see down the road more that 50 yards at a time. It won't hurt so bad if you can see it.

First time I ever did the NVGP. Ah, Stillwater. All I remember is that it was hot this day and I just missed a bad crash. Got gapped but stayed out of the crash.

After the finish of the closest Chequamegon ever. 7 guys all within like 3 seconds. If you were there you saw us all drop into the bowl together. Each of us taking some different retarded line. The one who ended up with the least retarded line won. Doug thought he had taken a super retarded line but it ended up being the least. This was the great year that I broke a rear spoke 10 miles in. The damn thing took a rock, snapped right in the middle, and the inside half wrapped around the back of my cassette. Thus, I was "fixed" the entire race with a wobbly wheel. Cleaning the bike that night I horribly discovered the left side of my rim eaten alive and absolutely no brake pad left in the left brake. It had all worn away from the wobbly wheel. Next year, I said, disc brakes.

A great photo of the 2007 Downer's Grove Elite Nats. It rained, rained, and rained some more. In fact, it never stopped raining the whole weekend. Every race I did it rained. But, it is fun to battle it out with Tilford. You may have a plan against him but he has 15 plans against you. Veteran of the sport who has seen it, done it, is still doing it, and knows the play book.
Well, time to change out the Stan's laden tires for some cross tires on the Paragon. I have been procrastinating this process for over two weeks now to the point that I feel like I may becoming some sort of lazy, winterbound Minnesotan. Hey, I am just simply adjusting to the seasons. Happy T-day on the way! Ciao -Ian

Turkey Day Ride

2008-11-20T20:56:00.002-07:00

Well, Danno has it all planned out again starting at 7am Thanksgiving Day leaving from that little depot thinga-ma-gig building off of Minnehaha Ave, Minnehaha Falls.
4 hours of calorie burn which just makes your meal that much less packed with guilt. Coming from the Winona area? Let me know and tag along.

Awesome Bicycle Stunts

2008-11-19T07:09:00.001-07:00

Humbling. I am lucky if I can stay on a sidewalk. Back in the weightroom, watching all the transfers to other teams, trying to get equipment together for 2009, reading "Infinite Jest", watching the dopers dope and the caught-dopers appealing, watching pirates catch ships the size of a U.S. Aircraft Carrier, wondering if I should become a pirate (I could take over the corn-trade here on the Upper Mississippi, watching people do the "double take" when the open their wallet to pay the bill, turned the heat on (keeping it lower this year), looking for a winter trip to Austin, San Diego, and possibly Tucson (pick two of three), and putting bike back together for the 2008 Annual Dan Swanson Turkey Ride on Thanksgiving Day leaving from the Depot thingy in Minnehaha Falls at 7am. Be there or or stay home and get a headstart on the food. Regardless, 4 hours of pre-burn. Ciao

Hed in action, Patriots, I spy, damn, I told you so

2008-11-06T21:01:00.002-07:00

OH, what a surpise. I can't believe it took this long for this bastard to get prosecuted by a cycling body. CONI in Italy is going to stick it to Stevic. I have said for years this asshole is riding dirty. Well, I hope it all crashes down on him as hard as possible. Get the hell out of OUR sport!

I spy Travis Brown taking Trek's version of belt-driven bikes into the next level, racing.

Democracy in action. The recent windows knocked out by rocks at the Democratic office in Winona is more likely racism in action. However, if it is political I guess that is what it really means to be a "Patriot" in a "Democracy." The "People" have spoken, now finally deal with it. Personally, I am damn proud to be an American during this time. I have always hoped that I would live in the United States during some very historic moments. Here is one of them right now.

Man, you feel pretty cool getting a time trial fit with Steve Hed when you see him fitting....

....The Man. Lance looks old, but he also looks fast. Unlike me who looks old, and looks fat. I remove the "s" from fast.

76 degrees, Nov. 3rd, Go Vote tomorrow!

2008-11-03T19:26:00.003-07:00

(pictures of out of order again. "Damn you Blogger!")
Whew, I was able to sneak out of work early today being that this week will be a bit slower for us. Oh, your business too? Seems to be a trend. Anyway, got across our recently temporarily repaired bridge and into my secret riding gardens in Wisconsin. Anyone who knows the above intersection knows of the straight-up, literally, crazy climb to come. We took Bjorn up it a couple years ago and it was the first time I saw his "unhappy" face.

....and the climb. Like all pictures that don't give gradient credit, the likewise is applied to this photo too. In the end, I am still addicted to this damn thing. In shape, out of shape, whatever. If I am biking by that intersection I am heading up that beast. Now coming down it is hairball.

Wisconsin has some serious climbs and downhills all along the Mississippi River Valley. Minnesota puts gravel down, Wisconsin puts down blacktop. Minnesota has more sustained climbs, Wisconsin wasted no time getting to the top.
Tomorrow you have to go vote. It is not a priviledge, it is your duty as a citizen to this Country. Vote for who and what you know, leave blank what you do not, and take down your damn election signs please. I don't want to see anymore "W" and "Bush/Cheney" stickers left in windows from 2000 and 2004. Seriously, there is nothing to be proud of there. Got to go. Ciao -Ian

Congrats to the old crew

2008-10-31T20:52:00.002-07:00

While my old A&F team has went through some transformations since I raced with them, those behind the scenes kept the vision alive on getting "pro status" for the team. Kenda Pro Cycling. Congratulations guys and best of luck with your inagural Professional 2009 race season!

The Magical Disappearing Act 2008

2008-10-28T20:17:00.003-07:00

Sometimes a lot of this type of riding and scenery can lead to no Blogging. Priorities in place right? Yep.
I can proudly say that I have ridden 7 times in October. Call it my rest month, call it my catching up on life, money, friendships, and rest. Call it the time to enjoy the riding a bit more than in the summer. No focus. I love riding in the fall, especially on the trails. One of these photos is the beginning of a long side-hilled trail simply know as the Cistern due to it relative proximity to an old Cistern. Some call it the "Wildwood Climb" but we have since killed everyone who foolishly did that. Much easier to accomplish when a cemetary is only 40 feet away and downhill. Makes dragging bodies easier. Less gravitational forces. Anyway...

Magically, I have only put on two pounds this month. Good to go as I start into the weightroom an a week or so. Next week was D-Day for that but since I suddenly got sick this weekend I have postponed my reunion with the Weilder wearing T-shirt crew at the local YMCA. About time someone show them how the leg press works. Just keep me off of the bench press. I will die. The photo section of rocks, tight trail, leaves, and a tricky ass climb just out of sight is known to me as "Sleepy Hollow." Maybe because it is always dark through here or maybe because if you crash here you are out of earshot of help. I had a friend go down not to far from here one day. By nightfall we were all hanging with his roommate getting ready to hit the town, but no Shawn to be found anywhere. Finally, 9-hours after he left to go ride he comes back in beat to hell. He had crashed, knocked himself out cold, laid on the trail for 6 hours, and came back to at night, dazed, confused, and thus lost. We welcomed him back and that was that. Wear your helmets fools.

Ah, I used a familiar photo of this spot last year. I call it "Why Turn" for the obvious directions of the trail. It is always bright as hell through here during the changing of the leaves. It makes you put your hands up and scream. Pure amazement.
Hey, Nov. 4th is an important day for us in the US. Go vote! I don't care who or what you stand for but go make an EDUCATED vote either way. If you don't know the candidates then leave that line blank. Vote for what you know, what you believe, and what you think is right.

Sometimes you drag the locals with you, sometimes they drag you. The first photo is of P.K. who is a bit more techy than I on some of the sketch parts, Jake is the fast improver. Change his diet of Saltines and peanut butter and he will be strong. Either way, true riders and stewards of the trails.
You know, this damn Blogger posted my photos out-of-download-order. Lammo
O.k, so some know I walk my cat, Tom....and not with a leash. Hey, I live in a small apartment and he is a cat. So, I figure the dude needs to stretch the legs too. A couple nights ago he decided to step up a notch in catdom and chase down a mouse in the parking lot. However, upon his successful capture I shook it from his mouth and it took off. Me, a Pacifist? Nope, just don't need any odd vet bills right now.
Carved a pumpkin tonight. Basic wins everytime. I missed the annual pumpkin carve-off at work Sunday due to being sick. Hell, if I would have carved a pumpkin based on how I felt all I would have had to do was throw one down onto the pavement hard. Perfect representation. Since I schooled the staff last year with my Stuey Pumpkin I have now been made honorary judge this year. Hey, $75 in coffee gift cards and various party gifts at stake.
Selling a Trek 56cm XO1 cross bike. Let me know. More info soon.

Oktoberfest= das hangover

2008-10-08T20:38:00.004-07:00

Last weekend was the wedding of Scott Sherman (Olympic Supply), and Lindsay Bradley (Trek WSD) in LaCrosse during Oktoberfest (Too much beer). Anyhow, the wedding was beautifully done in a gardens down by the river. NO, not a beer garden. Next up was a 3.5 hour cruise on the river playing "buoy" with only Bud or Miller as an option. Since no one in their right mind would drink any Miller products I was forced to drink "The Diesel" each time we passed a buoy. Damn the Corp of Engineers and all their damned buoys.

ahhhhh

There are too many photos at weddings. Especially when the photographer is being photographed photographing.
Some guys play it cool and sophisticated when sipping on an ice-cold Bud. Errr...Bud!

and some somehow got some Bud when no one was looking (been there, done that). Man, this kid should be on Broadway with all the moves he broke out. He kept all the adults at bay while he stole the floor. After the boat is was downtown LaCrosse baby!

And when drunk feel free to pose for any photo by any person taking a photo....or attempting to take a photo. I am not sure how I managed to snap any photos after this point. Too many beers, Jim Beam and Cokes, and then put out of my misery by shots ending in the word "Bomb." They put that word in the name of the shot for a reason. Once that hits the stomach there is a reaction that relates to bulemia. To say the least, I needed a few minutes to regroup at the end of the night.

Ahhh, the off-season.
But that time is ending near as I transfer my sorry-drunk-ass back onto the bike to start of tension intervals leading back to the weightroom. It was a fun three weeks off but time to get into AA and back on the bike.
How about those latest dopers. Yea!
"Keep a cool hand on the tiller." wtf? Ciao -Ian

08 ends with a "W"/ Dear Tom....

2008-09-24T18:21:00.005-07:00

If you think this is a bad ass wheel then...

check out this mofo. Flame Rouge = Super duper fast.

Meanwhile, the Hed crew is in Vegas behaving and I am drinking I Sam Adams Octoberfest and looking back. Hmmmm, beer makes one look into the history, and make them create a blurred future. Well, I am one who believes the future was already there.
Last weekend was the Wisport World's Time Trial. I decided to go with no riding in the legs after Chequamegon. I got on the TT bike and thought my seat was too high or something was up. Too much time on the mountain bike apparently. Speaking of which, still sits in the stand looking for love after getting violated by mud at the Chequamegon. I see you baby.
Damn, my Scott Addict R2 just hit it's Reserve. Sorry to see you go baby. Great frame. Stiff and oh so light.
So, I went to the TT and won. The course was flat and straight foward. I figured my nearest competitor, and the man to watch, would, and was, Lance Niles from Brone's. He finished 37 seconds back or something like that. Lance is defintely proved he is the new Midwest TT contender. Welcome to the club. Timmer showed up late! on his sweet singled out rig. Casper is in Japan eating live fish and taking pictures of Buddha. It was nice to win at the end of the year. Being that every win I had this year was in a time trial I should be pretty happy. This coming from an ex-hypicritical time trialist who used to absolutley used to hate and deplore time trials, and the entire concept of them. Speedy recovery to the gentleman who went down hard in the TT. Better to fall in the Fall.
Now comes a serious break. Riding when I can and when I want to. No weightroom action or serious riding until October. Well, riding in October and weights from Oct to Feb. Cross? Still nope. I may spectate and see if Timmer wants to help me clean out this cooler of these strange brown bottles of an intoxicating substance.
Now, as for you Tom. Sure, you can kill it on a bike. You put out power numbers that have caused SRM to add another digit to their computers. You have legs that make people look at theirs and cry in disgrace. Your time trials are fast enough to make any photo of them a blur, even at a 1000 speed shutter speed. But man, the hair. Pro or not, the mullet is become a serious topic amongst cycling circles.

But, here is how I see it. It is you. You have had that thing clinging to your head ever since I met you in Boulder. It is one of the parts of "Thor." Plus, you are from Iowa so it is mandatorily acceptable. So, keep it and F the rest of those wish-I-had-a-mullet-like-that critics. When you can slay all those around you on a bike as you do you can proudly fly the mullet.

..and man, great job on the USPRO TT. 2nd? Look at that podium you are standing on and with who. Damn impressive. Many more years to win that sucker.
And to the railroad workers who sat at my bar last night and killed $400 in beers. This Buds for you! Ciao -Ian

Juan Antonio Flecha steals flag for fan

2008-09-22T08:20:00.001-07:00

What does a man with antlers on do after losing his flag? Look stupider.

Post-fat and "now what?"

2008-09-15T19:45:00.003-07:00

(photo by www.skinnyski.com)
Another one in the books and not on the page I would like to put it on. The weather set in on the Chequamegon course on Thursday which was guaranteed to leave the muck. Friday we rode into Hayward via the pavement, got coffee, got a Powerball ticket (ya, go ahead and laugh. Someday....), and went back to Rosie's Field for some openers. Other than that, stayed off the greaseball trails.
Sunday was nice but the rain opened up shortly into the race. The rollout was ungodly fast and some serious crashes complicated things for many. Hareland went down hard and ended up with a few packs of bacon attached to his leg and hip. He still finished around 50th. Tough. Anyway, the pace to Rosie's got up to 37.1 mph, which on a mtb bike is too fast. We all looked around at each other waiting for someone to make the call to slow it up. Finally we did, got into Rosie's, caught Cole on his cross bike, and then drilled it to Hwy OO. Shortly after that I hit the big puddles and contaminated my rear deraileur housing in the back loop. I quickly found that I could not bring the deraileur up into an easier gear unless I unclipped and kicked it up. So, with a serious issue with the bike I set out to make the best of the situation. On the way to Boedecker Rd. I got dropped in the series of little climbs. 30 seconds back and I chased on with another but the time there would be short lived with more required shifting ahead.
I came into Firetower with the lead group minus Jeff Hall who was 45 seconds up on us. It was at this point where those who had ill racing bikes would be tested. I was stuck in an unforgiveable gear and had to grind the Firetower out. That was it. I had such great legs but not all the functions I need for my bike. So, I settled in and just tried to keep it real.
We hit the Telemark climbs and I was bummed to see Doug up ahead of us. He was having a difficult day in the end as well. It was great having a teammate out there but the weather was not going to let us take advantage of that. I think he was going strong, and I knew I was, but things were not working out for us. Again, I grinded out the Telemark climbs and proceeded on now with my newly added chainsuck. Shortly before the finish Dewey and Schnell caught us with good-to-go bikes. We passed Matter having issues with the bike and I knew this was a "no bad luck" race. I heard a knocking in the front end of the bike and finally attributed it to a loose skewer on the front wheel. But, being that I was not being chased and would not catch the rider in front I rode it in. Lesson learned by Simonsen (You really have to tighten down your skewer on a rigid fork.) I finished 13th and not tired one bit.
The bike worked great otherwise. I opted for a bit more pressure at 29lbs in my Hutchinson Pythons on the ultra-cool Hed Ardennes with the DT 240 disc hubs. They did their job and performed absolutley great. The Gary Fisher Paragon rode as good as I expected it to and furthered my choice on passing on a Superfly. The bike rode great even with the rigid White Bros fork. Last second changes in saddle position and saddle made a world of difference.

So, Johnathan Paige took a play out of the "road" manual and school us in the end. Jeff made a great move and it is too bad it didn't succeed. TJ was always going to be a factor and he round out the podium. Hell, he even won a bag of decaf coffee. Just what every cyclist loves.
Speaking of coffee. 53 X 11 was there serving up some seriously needed coffee. Thanks to Evan for keeping me energized and full of warmth. Thanks to Gary for the nearby PortiPotties.
My cat loves coffee too. Nice neck piece.

So, this weekend will be the TT for sure being put on by Brone's Bike shop in Fountain City, WI. I may squeeze the road event in as well but may have to get back to work due to the WSU Homecoming. Do I still have TT legs? Who knows. All I know is that my legs now have a few beers in them topped with some Ben & Jerry's. Hell ya! Ciao -Ian

And for Chequamegon

2008-09-11T08:20:00.002-07:00

Thats the rig. A 2008 Gary Fisher Paragon with full XTR except for the front deraileur. Hed Ardennes rims built onto a pair of Hugi/DT Swiss disc hubs. So far, an older set of Hutchinson Pythons (better to seal up). White Bros. rigid fork, Thomson stem, Ericksen Ti seatpost, and Bontrager 7 degree bars. It is a rough set-up on the Chequamegon course but that is the give a little, get a little approach.
No Lance since he likes Aspen better. "Ah, California is beautiful this time of year." We get Page instead. Yikes. Fast. Fun. Weather? Who knows? Does anyone ever really know?
See you all up there. I feel like crap so things must be status quo. Ciao -Ian

The TT Rig

2008-09-07T11:27:00.003-07:00

Well, for a few year now I have been riding and winning on a Hed VO4 TT frameset and various Hed wheels.

While the frame may look simply in time trial framset terms, it is a very responsive and stiff frame. Oversized aluminum tubing sets with a stiff carbon rear end, and stiff bottom bracket have kept me on this frameset this long. The bike hugs the road. I would like to see more of the cablesets buried though. Who knows, maybe I will modify on my own. Nokon cables from the bars to the frame. I have looked at several framesets other than the Hed but it is the rare geometry of this bike that keeps me coming back. I can jump on it and be set to go. Steve Hed and Dino dialed in my fit a year ago and it still fits like a glove. Normally a Bontrager TT waterbottle and bracket for races.

I still use the older Hed TT bars. Mainly because I hit my knees on the new ones when out of the saddle. Plus, I like the way the extensions are set on this base bar. Very stiff. S-bends are the way to go if you have the wrists for them. I used to use oval arm rests but ended up with these while waiting for oval ones from Hed. The irony is that I now like these better. I use a low profile padding set and have the bars locked into their lowest position of a -10 degree 80mm stem. A new Bontrager saddle finishes off the cockpit. I use a mix of components. SRAM force crankset with a 55/44 Shimano Dura Ace ring set. I can push them so I use them. My position allows for me the get over them well. Dura Ace pedals and TT levers, and a SRAM brakeset. Sigma computer with average speed, speed, and time all displayed at once. Yes, I depend on my computer in TT's. Helmet? Giro Advantage II and size small skinsuits. You have to stay away from Ben and Jerry's for sure in order to get that fit.

I left my tubular Hed Standard Disc behind for a prototype Hed C2 clincher disc. It is essentially a Hed Ardenne with a carbon covering. Fits in very few TT frames unless you have a Hed, Trek, Stork or something similar. Extremely light and stiff. My damn ceiling fan had it spinning around all night from a distance of 12 feet away. That is aero. Climbs like a mountain goat. On the front I use various wheels from Hed Stingers to the Hed tri-spoke. Bontrager 19cc clincher on the front, Bontrager TT 23cc clincher on the rear, both at max. pressures.
Last weekend was a good pre-ride on the Chequamegon course. Yep, that is Rosie's behind us. And there is my rig on the ground. Check out the secret wheels. Oh, you can't see them? More later.

No more mountain biking until Chequamegon. We went and rode the Human Powered Trails (HPT) in LaCrosse yesterday. Nice stuff. I crashed hard early when I was coming around a fast swtichback only to find freshly fallen deadfall outside of the turn. It ripped me from my bike and threw me into a tree. In the end I got back up, rode for a couple hours, and now am dealing with a pretty bruised right knee and quad. Freak'in brilliant. Not worried though.
I started a new blog to voice my own political views and such. This blog simply is not the forum for such blaspheme. www.isthiswhoweare.blogspot.com
Like it, hate it. I am pretty much open to tear into both parties because they both seem to miss the point, you and I.
See you all in Cable next weekend. Ciao -Ian

RATM: Zack's speech @ Chicago Lollapalooza 2008

2008-08-26T20:27:00.001-07:00

Just wait for the Minneapolis show on Sept. 3. The last eight years may just all come crashing down that night. Maybe we will see how "the People" really feel about things today. Just my thought. Have your own.

Weddings and State RR

2008-08-26T06:20:00.004-07:00

First off, Congrats to Kathy and Nate Merten. For those of you who don't know Kathy, she is the goddess of massage. Hands from heaven. She went to school here in Winona, ironically moved to Boulder a few weeks before I did, ironically moved back to Winona a few weeks before I did, and she moved to Minneapolis. Then she met this rock climbing stud, Nate, who is a damn cool guy. Note: Her dress and his shirt for the wedding are from Patagonia. Classic! My kind of couple.

Next is Scott and Lindsay's wedding over the last weekend of Oktoberfest in LaCrosse. Oh God. Scott works for Olympic Supply, and Lindsay is the Trek WSD rep. and a fellow bartender with me. Biker wedding....october......in LaCrosse......over Oktoberfest......with Trek people in attendence......with my old crew in attendence...I hope I survive this one. I am too old to go down with an Oldstyle can in my hand. Nope, I am behaving at this one. I am staying at the Grandstay in LaCrosse so I need to be on my best behavior. Right Matt?
The State RR was last weekend. For the last time this season the Grandstay Team assembled looking for another road win. After failed early break attempts I managed to get the jump with Hareland and a few others for a 20 some-odd mile break. Eventually, Doug and a few other bridged over and the winning move was established. It was a full on who's who of Minnesota racing minus a couple guys. Maybe that made it predicatable or maybe that meant it was going to be hard in the end. Who knows? I never do. With Doug in the break I went into domestique-mode and tried to keep him from working too much. He was going to need good legs on the final climb to the finish. Knowing that Hareland was working for Timmer, Olson was riding wisely, Flanders was missing pulls, and GP was doing whatever they were doing (Pat attacking, Paully riding very sly, and Dale doing his monster drives) I knew we had to keep it together until then very end. I got dropped about a mile out after chasing Dale repeatedly. Thankfully Dale dropped too which made me feel more human. I saw Pat attack the group and unhappily chose to chase the group back down. I chased through to keep the pace as high as I could get it about 1/3 the way up the climb. Four came around and Doug took the win. Mission accomplished and according to plan. Racing is much easier when the team is riding as a team. When we have the full team present it is on. I think a cold spring, various injuries, and odd schedules left us without the team advantage for a couple months. But, in the end I knew why I came to this team in the first place. I know these guys and I know what they are all capable of. They did not disappoint. If anything I was the disappointment early on. Hell, even I was worried.
The off-season is upon my after Chequamegon. No cross or very little. I can't afford this gas stuff. Time to regroup and reorganize, pay the bills, rest, do some trail work at the Zinger, and start into next season. TT's and Enduro Mtb are 2009. Seriously. Distance and endurance. I like these events and should be doing more of them.
Anyway, I will be profiling each of the rigs over the next few days. Some people are curious as to what my TT rig is set up to. And, what is in store for the start line at Chequamegon. O.k, fine. I will let you take a look later this week.
Until then, off to Cable Saturday to ride the course and then back to Chetek for a break on Sunday. Anyone have extra Rage Against the Machine tickets to sell? Contact me. Ciao -Ian

Bees, beers, babes, and bikes

2008-08-18T18:26:00.002-07:00

I forgot my camera so no photos. Man, I got stung by the biggest bee ever today. Right on the inside of my elbow as I was descending a sketchy singletrack downhill. He was just stuck in my skin and kept pumping his vial stinger solution into me. Thank God I am not allergic to them otherwise I would probably be laying on the trail.
This past weekend was was Downer's Grove. Maybe it was the late season, too much travel or too much work lately but I was just not into it. I rushed for nothing to get down there on Saturday morning. The Master's race was uneventful yet sketchy. I love Master's 1/2 races. No offense cat. 3's, but a Master's 1/2/3 race is a but too much for a National event. Some realy rookie riding but it didn't matter since my legs were left in the car.
I met up with Mean Dawg and Woell which somehow led to beer and cheap food. The beer was good, damn good. The food.....eh? It was a restaurant that was recommended by fellow racers and local Chicagoians. Well, they have bad taste. The joint was strange.
The next day I found good legs but no real focus. If I wanted to go to the front I found that I could easily. I just wasn't into the race. I decided to go up with 6 to go and made my move. Half way around the course I got my spokes sawed by some jenius rider who swerved over for no reason, hit me, and then went back to his position. I think he was switching his grip on the bars and his hand slipped. Regardless, I got the wonking wheel. With no "free laps" remaining I tested the wheel for a lap and decided it was good-to-go. I decided to get back up to the front area of the race again but made the mistake of sitting too outside going into the infamous Turn Two. Of course, there was a crash caused by a Waste Management rider which blocked up the outside. I didn't go down but was held up. I knew it would be next to impossible to make up the lost positions now. Oh well, rookie error and not really into the race never bodes well. Marco lost the race by a bike at best. Bummer, I would have liked to see him pull that off. That would be a good jersey for him.
Ran into the old A&F crew with Marco, Bennett, Harper, Jaime, Josh, and Frankie. All good guys and great cyclists.
Woell chews and Mean Dawg ganks a pinch as well. Nicotine freaks. Just like Frankie's Nicorette expenditures.
School is back in town. Lots of ladies everywhere. Bummer, real bummer.
And bikes. Road season is nearly done and the mountain bike is getting fully dialed and ridden. But, this brother has got to work and and make some money.
Time to go check the laundry. I still have clothes from California in the "out" basket. Ghetto! Ciao -Ian