Its Come to This...

It was either new socks or new tubes. I think we already know what was done, what had to be done! Finally got the Michelins mounted on the wheels and ready to roll. I really can't stand these Gieppeme wheels, they are garbage..but they will make good spring beater wheels. Until the potholes get filled in, the spring rains wash away the sand and salt, these wheels will have to do

Hit up Deep Ellum for some carbo replinishments on saturday evening with ESC. A great selection of rare beers on draft, not too mention there huge selection of bottled beer. Dickel and Coke, not something that comes to mind often...or for that matter, ever...Dickel You be the judge. Sunday morning woke up and hit the rollers while ESC was off drooling and recovering from a rough night of Heelys training. Even met up the Brazilian Bike Guru for an afternoon of insightful one liners and roadie wisdoms. Though to my horror in his all Campy glory, I did see some Shimano brake pads, not tight roadie..not tight...

Scheduling Conflicts

Damn, was just looking over the Root66 and I noticed that the Winding Trails Fat Tire race is the same weekend as my anticipated debut of suckage at the Sturbridge Road Race. I don't have the fitness to do both so I have to decide where I can do my best inpersonation of a bike racer. Tough decisions must be made and then I must be granted parole leave for the day to attend the chosen event. Does it really matter either way.
Someone asked me how much off-season training I have been doing. I think they were little shocked to here that I've done almost nothing. If building up the bikes, putting on some new tires, usuing my deep fryer and the occasional spin on the rollers counts then it would be a different story. However, lets be realistic, married with kid(s) and a full time job should be its own race category. There will be no competing for the win or sprinting to the line, just a good all out effort to place and avoid the DNF. In the end, it's all fun.
On a seperate note, gotta think about the 24 hour race idea. One or two of the crew have expressed interest, even got the Gus on board for support and one-liners. An 8.5 mile loop, one hour lap times, it could be possible to bang out 20 laps with a group of 5 riders. Run the open-class at 24 Hours of Great Glenn. All are just thoughts on a page

Food Thought of the Day: Ice Cream cake....simple yet delicious

Training is Right on for Remote Controls

The gift that keeps on giving (tilt head sideways)

I can't think of a better place to begin than with my latest culinary upgrade, which will help keep the energy stores up. Thats right, all those suckers that got flowers and chocolate, what does the warden wrap up for me, a little deep fryer, cause she cares. Whats better than some homemade fried wings after a short training ride...maybe some fried jalepeno poppers, or fried apple dumplings...maybe some homemade donuts after an even shorter training ride. Below is the secret ESC recipe which is pretty easy and I'm going to divulge to you, the reader: Butter, Salt, Butter, a pinch more salt and a touch of Red Hot, and some more butter


One spinning class, two trips on the rollers all in one week and Febuary started off strong. However as all good things, they must come to an end. The warden is got some work deadlines so it's more face time with the kid, which is fine with me becuase we are on the same level most of the time, crawling around looking for food and drooling while watching TV or reading the lastest Mountain Bike Action. After his 6 month quest to sneak up, attack, and consume the remote control. He has succeded. The remote control was always his un-attainable goal, he set up his training around grabbing that sneaky black device with blinking lights and oddly colored buttons. Sit-ups, spit-ups followed by a strict regime of pulling up on kitchen chairs, hallway sprints in the ESC custom walker, attacking cheerios with ferocious tenacity to keep his strength and energy up, followed by more skooting, rolling and screaming lung exercises. All this made him a fit, fast, crawling machine. His current crowning acheivement, ode to remote control


For those wanting to read something about bikes...the WTB Exi-Wolfs are mounted on the Cane Creek rims and ready to roll. The Schwinn is just about dialed in, just gotta work on saddle position some more and i'm ready to get smoked in late march.

Whats in Store

Broke free from the constraints of work and family for a little while friday evening and had the Brazilian over for some bike talk, bike wrenching and general chat about the crazy ladies upstairs. The new Schwinn is still in top tune, yes...it's tight. The old schwinn is up on the chopping block for sale.
Even had a spare moment to mount up the new race tires. Though racing on tires I have not ridden yet will prove interesting but i'm hoping at least a few quick strolls into the belmont hills will yield insight into their grip, puncture protection and genereal handling, not to mention a chance to get them dirty. Might even Stans' these up if I ever get around to it. These WTB seem to have a side wall that goes on forever.


Sunday was a treat, even had time for 70 minutes on the rollers while catching up on the Sopranos season 6. Post rolling, cleaned the compound up, got the stuff organized, x-mas stuff is away, extra toys stuffed into bags and stored, baby stuff tucked away, beer....well the brazilian dented the supply friday night, tools hung back up, garbage amassed. The compound is back into shape ready for spring or until more stuff appears down there which seems to happen more often these days. Note, see the dust build up on the white bike, guess who's that is...(no..not ESCs, though his might be just as dusty) There will be only a quick update on the ESC training for his Century...no update.


Food thought of the day: Spicey Calamari

Rookie Mistakes in the Compound

Finally got a few minutes of free time. Headed to the basement, figured it was about time I take out my Easton rims and mount up the race tires for the road bike. Right now the Schwinn is running Giepemme wheels with Vittoria Rubino Pro's and though the setup is great for the trainer and casual strolls, they are damn heavy. The Easton Vista's are considerably lighter and with the Michelin Carbon Pro2 races, they will round out a nice package, not too mention i'm more familiar with their handling. I mount up the first tire, the bead is very tight and it takes some patience and muscling to get the bead set. Go to inflate the tire..rookie mistake. Regular tube in a deep dish wheel. All that work, for nada. Gotta go out and pick up long stem tubes now. Oh well, least I was working on the bike.

The Giant is back from the shop. All tuned up, or at least better that it was when i dropped it off. I might have to wipe it down as there seems to be extra splatters of chain lub or wax on some of the tubing. The rear derailleur is pretty good but I might have to entice Vuth with some cerveza's so he can put his wrench to it before first race. The Cane Creek wheels are still true so I've decided those will be the race wheels and the regular riding wheels will be the Mavics.

Wednesday, Participated in a simulated Mnt Washington Hill climb, I'll briefly say it was instant suffering followed by "Welcome to Bonkville, Population One-ME", then complete abandonment of the stationairy ride to uphill nowhere. Also of note, the ESC mentioned a century ride this spring, the EMTs have been alerted. Just the mere thought of a century ride might cause him bodily harm. Ouch...ESC...fire up the GT and dust off the rollers. Did somebody say Steak?

Food thought of the Day: Chocolate Creme Pie with Warm Peanut Butter sauce

Updation Numero Uno

Where has it all gone. I don't know exactly where to begin so I'll just start at some point in random time. Last thursday, decided to actually abandon work in favor of taking in a few pints before and during the Bruins game. Joined up with ESC for a few pints or a few jack n' cokes prior to game time. First game all season. It was a great 1st period followed by their slow death in the 2nd and 3rd period. There offense wasn't physical enough on the cross-checks and board hits, the defense broke down on some simple plays. Brad Boyes tried to get the team fired up with a good fight but it was short lived. Still, good to get out for a few and talk snowboarding with some of their friends (can't remember his name, ). He knows his decks and old school planks as well. NICE.

Friday...decided that once again work would have to wait. Noon-time...Spinning. What was I thinking? I haven't been healthy in months nor have I actually logged any bike miles, the only time my heart rate elevates is when I walk to get my car. Surely this wouldn't be as painful as I thought...I was wrong! It was a hills day and the instructor apparantly noticed my weakness and really pushed. I kept up for what felt like 45 minutes but only to bonk when it truly was only 15 minutes in. Had to bail out and spin at a lazy pace just to keep from puking. Maybe i'll get up that imaginary hill next time.

The weekend yielded a nice chill time. Met up with the Italians in H-square for some Border Cafe and Aidan time. The ladies dragged us to some choclatier, the name escapes me right now, but it was their downfall. Aidan sparked to life in front of all the strangers and charmed all the young college ladies. Rounded out a nice day. Saturday late afternoon was spent spinning away, once again, on the rollers going nowhere fast. 65 minutes. Sunday...65 minutes again before the big game. No comments on the game other than the Ribs, the Chili, the Jalepeno Poppers, Chips, Beer, rounded out a good evening.