The Last Ride

Well the end of another year......I've got three days to do nothing so some good miles on the bike are on tap. No LSD just good old climbing. I'm hoping to get 13 hours in over the next few days. No snow ans lots of sun. You can't beat that.

The roads are a little snow covered but the cross bike eats it up and up and up. I'm hell bent on training myself into a bad climber if nothing else.

It was a little nip'y to start out. So, yes I over dressed........ My Tommy "D" look the chic's just love it.

Colorado bike rack......Doesn't it look sweet shining in the sun! There's nothing like a little bike porn.

Stripped down and working on the Biker Tan.....Yea, it's snowy but when the sun is out its toasty hot....I could go naked.

There nothing like the sun at your back.......75 in the bank. I guess it time to close this years passbook and open up next years account. Happy Year!

Skate, Skate, Skate

I hear those Canadians are stepping up border patrol….




I’m really starting to get into this X-country skiing stuff. Not because it will keep me in shape for biking, not because it will keep my weight down in the winter, and not because it’s something to do filling my otherwise mundane day. But because it gives me another reason to wear spandex and anything that can put me into spandex is Cool. Went out for a couple for hours today and another 30k is in the book. Now it’s time for the important thing of the day. What's that Mitch Man? Well kiddies it’s a BIG espresso and some serous Web surf’n…..Might dis some people on the WORS board, maybe type some nasty up in your face stuff on “The Tool Shed” or snuggle up to some good Web Porn.

Speaking of “The Rusty Tool Shed” the guy that runs that blog has been hang’n with my friend “Mountain Goat” (Goat for short). Now everyone that packs up in this circle has a Nickname. This guy has no such name yet, no phrase to describe character, to use in vain, to call behind his back. It’s time to change that. I’m think it has to be sometime from his own word’s. Like the name “The Rusty Tool Shed” I’m think we should just short’n that and call him “Tool” or “The Tool”……It works for me…..

Days gone by......

Don't you kind'a miss old Billy Bob?

1,2,3,4,5.......

Day-6, it’s been like 50deg in here in the Canyon and a balmy 35plus in Aspen. But a front move in and it’s Dump’n Snow…….Like 6” inches over night and more on the way. So I’ve layed a fresh bead of wax down on the boards and I’m off to Vail to “Shoot the Goob’s” (Ski in and out the Tourists) as they say. So this will be my 6th day in a row on skis.

I’ve got all kinds of sweet backcountry photos from this week-ends trip but no time to post them. Maybe later…..maybe not. O-yea I've also got a great Christmas Cheer story to tell. This lady got up in my grill at the gas station. Hands waving frantic above her head and everything. All because I wouldn’t shut my engine off. It was great, I had a smile on my face the whole time as insult after insult was thrown at her. The one that made her postal was “I feeling sorry for you husband” which deep down is true. But it was Great she couldn't controller herself and the more she rant’d the more I laughed. This all ended with me saying “Marry Christmas” and her spinn’n tires away from the pump…Some how I always find the humor in someone elses madness and if I can push them to it even better.

O-how I love the Holidays. It brings out the best in people…..

Call it what it is........

Why are 29er wheels (700c) really like 24.5” (622c) and a 26” wheel (650c) more like 22” (559c)? Yes, I know if you add on the 2” tire you get 26” tire but then why call it a 650c wheel? And even if you add on a huge tube town’y tire on a 700c you’ll never get close to 700…..so what the deal?

A new day at the office

Ok....I had to go into the office early today, a few hours of skate ski. Skate skiing....I don’t know if I love it or I hate it. I have been attempting to get into it but I haven’t been able to get aroused about it. But yesterday I was so bored I was sorta, kinda excited about them laying down a few K. The skate ski is loaded with long nosed snobs that love to look down at the unskilled. “Why would I waste my time give a pointer to someone new? When I can blow their doors off” Very similar to the road bike racing. "I'm better than you and not going to give you the time of day b/c I'm busy being me" Now that I think about it, thats the Goats daily affirmation. I suck at gong up, but downhill is where I put the hammer down on the stick man. Speed is my friend, my friends. Then on the flats I skate like my ass is on fire'r! I may not have the moves and all the fancy gear but a some point the downhill skillz take over and I'm a wild man skiing. Hell I’m like the fat guy with un-shaven legs in a CAT 5 race. If I can’t look pretty kicking your ass I’ll run you OVER! Get out of my way you Vail Freak! 30k and out! Back to office (That’s code for “where’s the remote”)…………..

I'm Bored.....and have nothing new to say.

I'm out sick today

and the next

and the next........

Somethings never change

Even if we think they do........

Dog Daz's

So last night was the Full Moon and the thing to do is NIGHT skiing. No not at an area with light but under the Moon light. Smart? Maybe not. Fun? Yes sir! So we loaded up the Dog and crew and headed up Sunlight Mountain. We started out at dusk and summited about 7:30. Nothing like a 3 hour climb before skiing…….or should I say dodge dog. The Dog loves to cut in front of me when we go skiing. Last night not being the different. The little bastard steered me into a rock pile. Ouch, so today I’m sporting a big black/blue buttocks and sore neck. But no time for crying, got to meet up with some Buds at Vail…….

Feed Me.....

I guess the saying is “Never look at a great biker with his shirt off” or is that “Never look in the Kitchen of your favorite Deli”. Check out Mayo! Or the Great Dane, the awesome climbing polka dot jersey winner. These guys look so powerful on a bike. But you got to be kidding me; they look like they’ve never been in a Deli. What they need is a sandwich! Please quickly before they die.




So if you are currently training for the Tour or if you are working to win that next Cat 5 road race. I’d study these pic’s and tell yourself this is what it takes to win. Please feel free to printing these pictures out and posting it on your fridge. So the next time you are reaching for a morsel of food you’ll be reminded “This is what I need to win” well maybe that and some EPO’s………

Story of my life.....

The best and the worst....



















The best is:
I go south 30 min.s I'm sking Aspen, 30 min.s to the East I'm sking Vail with the beautiful people. 30 min.s to the west and there warm weather and green grass perfect for riding.

The worst:
F'n Goat Heads......

Base Miles.....My Way.

Guess What? It’s snowing again and I’m not going skiing today. I’ve been skiing 4 days in a row now and it’s time for something different. I think I’ll take the Cross bike out for a ride and do some Coffee shop training. I’ve got a little circuit with about 5 miles between shops. Nothing like LSD's in the winter……Plus if I ski today I’ll be all worked for the Merk-man. He’s a Bro from Wisco making a pilgrimage out to the La-La land of Vail to Ski some of the white stuff. It’s been a great early season so he should have some great snow to hammer the edges on. Well I need to get my block mileage in……

Picture Blog

First it’s was so cool listen to the Cross nationals with on-line (real-time updates) text online, next year maybe video. Wells pulled it off what a great race. Listening to it just made me want to ride my Cross bike.

Second, it was able to strike a deal with the buyer of that sweet Trek Frame and it’s on the way to the Freeze Zone (Alaska) its new home. I guess that bike was meant to be a cold weather machine. You know most bikes I sell there’s a soft spot in my heart for, not that one. It was like a boil (on my ass) that needed to be lanced. I can only hope the new owner loves it like I…….

Third, I got the AT gear a working for some back country skiing. So I loaded up the truck with gear and Dog to bag some sweet powder runs off Williams Peak. Can you count the lines?

The Sky was blue; the Snow was deep, too deep for the dog. Even with 4-wheel drive he was having trouble negotiating the snow. I guess when it’s over your head its tough. Yes that’s his head peak’n above the snow.

It was so nice I think I’ll be going back today, to track up the rest and huck off this cliff I scoped out. I wounder if the dog is up to it?..........so I better get going.

Anybody check out the Chic's race in Aspen this weekend? Not me, who'd do that with snow like this?

Ding Dong.......The Sun is out

Did my 1st long indoor ride last night. Watched some crapy movie and rode the rollers for 2 hours......only rode off 1 time reaching for a towel. I'm working on the No-handed thing......

The Women’s World Cup is in Aspen starting today with the Super-G. My personal favorite…The speed and technical skills are just amazing. So I’ll be checking that out today along with the throngs of Sweet Racer girls. Chic’s that ski (and I mean ski hard) are HOT! Maybe I’ll take my camera with me and post up some of the scenery. But somehow I don’t think most guys lust after Ski Chic’s like me. It’s just a sick fetish I guess…….Got to go wax my skis and my leg for the big show. The question is “White or Blue” wax today. White with a little CERA “F” for the skis and Blue with Citrus for the legs……

Cross Nationals

40-plus. Dale Knapp or some other old dude, O-wait that’s me……but who really cares?

In the junior 17-18 category, Bjørn Solander is going defend his title against Colorado’s TIAA-CREF-Clif Bar boys who are strong and drill it with 24volts.

Under-23 class, "Rude" (Troy Wells) he’s got a suit case full of hurt.

The elite women's race I like Katie Compton or Ann Trombley and super sexy blond bomber Sandy Bloomer (if she makes it to the race).

The elite men Johnny Page has to be the favorite, but I also like Tree Farm and Wells as my dark horses. And it would be cool to see a Wisco boy in the top ten……

Are E-bay WINNERS all losers?

I love EBay! When I lived in Milwaukee I’d buy every S##tty bike Bens had convert them to Fixy then sell them on EBay. I didn't make money. So why did I do it? It was fun, the bikes were cheap and the buyers were cool. I think I sold over 50 bikes like that, but EBay has changed. Long gone are the deals, the cool people and the Dumb F%#K’s have taken over. They want something new to pay nothing for it, then bitch about everything. Kind-a-like the Baron at Albertos. 3 examples of this: I sold my old Gunner Frame and listed it as use and when the guy got it he was pissed because there were a couple of touched up nicks. Now he only paid like $175.00 for it which is cheap for a used Gunnar, but I offered to refund his money less shipping. That pissed him off and I received a ranting e-mail about how he was going to hunt me down and kick my Ass. Then there was a Fox Fork I sold. My ad stated “USA, Lower 48 Buyers Only” and this Canadian buys it, WTF! I send him an e-mail explaining that I can’t cover the extra shipping and guess what? He go’s off on me…..another winner! So I split the extra shipping and off the fork goes to it’s new home in Canada. 4 weeks later I get an e-mail from the “Beaver Hat” wearing idiot about how I “ripped him off”, sold a “bill of goods” and I should refund his money. Which I agree to, but when I tell him I need the fork back first. The “Up Nort” dude gets up in my grill. Another great E-bay customer. Now the latest, and yes it has to be Goats frame (BTW this is the 3rd time I’ve try to sell it before. 2 times the Winner never sent me my money (Non-paying E-bay buyers is a whole topic on to itself). I though I’d hit gold, $15.50 for it and received the cash within 2 min.s and the guy e-mail me like 3 times asking questions. Then I went to ship it and the Winner is in Alaska. Not a big problem, USPS only wants $125.00 to get it into the freeze zone. Now are people that stupid? Don’t they read? (Now I can’t spell or put six words together, but read? No problem) Again in the ad “USA, Lower 48 Buyers Only” I think I’ll just take the Frame and throw it into the river………

He's a Winner

Sean Murphy, Is now the proud new owner of a Sweet Trek frame.........

Sweet Snow.....

Well it’s still snowing but the temp has drop like a stone. So it's a little cold for skiing even though there some sweet powder right now. It's early season so the Goob’s haven’t shown up yet. After Christmas things will get crowed. All the fast’d paced hip city Dude’s will be here trying to impress everyone with how important they are. They’ll be clogging up all the lift lines with their $1200.00 (Fag Bag) one-piece ski outfits, just out of the wrapper skis and blue-tooth headsets. Talking to their all important friends “Hay, guess where I’m?” In a lift line looking like a dumb f***, you dumb f****. Hang up the phone douche bag! What the hell is with “Blue-Tooth” can’t people divorce themselves from their phone for an hour or two. Or is it some other under lying thing like, I want to be a “Star Trek” character? Unless you are swing a Billion dollar deal you look like an idiot. No, you look like an idiot, deal or not.

Stick a fork in it....

Three days of skiing and I feel like a bag of marbles. The only thing I’m doing tonight is heading over to the club for a steam and then hit the couch.

Snow............

(More on this later....I've got some powder to ski)















Some Goob steal'n my line!

The Big Dump......

Well I went to dinner on Friday night in Vail on my way to Denver for the Cross race. Why Vail? Because the pass was closed. We are getting hammered with snow. So I got off in Vail to wait out the storm. Had dinner at Sweet Basil and guess who showed up? Cameron and Justin, there they where at the next table. So I guess their still on. They just need a little help from MitchMan to hit all the HOT spots in Vail. Jack showed up after that and the party was on. See all stars turn up when MitchMan is throw'n down.
The pass wasn't open'n up anytime soon so I head home and Bagg'ed the Cross race. There was no way to get there. But all wasn't lost, Aspen got a 17" Dump, so we went and did Powder turns all day on the new boards. Another 15" droped on Saterday. so it was more Powder face shots on Sunday. It's still snowing so guess where I'll be Monday......
Did anyone catch the World Cup Sunday?

No Winner!

Well she’s, yes a she, from Colorado Springs. Yep, that ugly mug is a Chic track star on the US team. And guess what she was just banned from competition for life because for a second positive drug test. She was suspended for not one but Two positive drug tests having elevated testosterone levels! Imagine that! LOL…..I have a question How can a Man have elevated testosterone levels? Five-O-clock shadow and all, that’s right I say that’s no Chic! She/he doesn’t even make a good look dude. What an ugly mug…..Plus she/he (I’ll beat she got bigger balls the MG) is trying to sue people for calling she/he ugly. Well why can’t someone call some else ugly when they look like that? Isn’t it just telling the truth? Plus I think it is funny as hell that’s She/he tested positive for dop’n. Do you think they (USA cycling) had to work long and hard to pick THAT out as a Drug User?

O-yea for those that care Daron Rahlves and Bode Miller 1-2 in the Birds of Prey downhill at Beaver Creek today......Sweet. Daron skied like a mad man and Miller ski like he was wearing a dress but hung on for second.

Lets Play a Game

Name this Ex-Racer, Specialty and Sex for a prize.

Upgrades and stuff

Well the Tool Shed has come on-line and quickly moving through the field. Crushing those in it path. Earning a Cat 1 license in record time. Some move up some move down that’s the way of life. I’ve also add a couple more blog’s to my links. I’m also thinking about a new Cat…..”Hot Chic's that Ride” but we’ll see.

I’ve also added a link to my E-bay junk. Not because I need to sell crap just because I what to be just like MG…….Bid High and WIN!

I’m heading over to Beaver Creek in a couple of min.s for the start of the Men’s world cup Super-G. I don’t know how much I’ll watch it’s been dumping snow and they my not get it off. Isn’t that great? Too much snow to hold a ski race! That’s ok, I’ll just go ski powder. I win ether way. Happy Turns

Beer anyone?

You have to love the Dutch only they would have a beer machine in the hotel. Coke? No, Pepsi? No, Candy? Beer? Yes!




















Here’s my Drinking buddy….didn’t say much but at least he didn’t smoke. Unlike they hairy Dutch Chic’s, who drank a lot (which isn’t a problem) but smoke and talk way too much.
















My Div’n buddy…. You got to love that deep blue water.
















(Using a French accent) I round the huge brain coral and descend into the deep blue in-search of the Man eating Leopard Shark.
















More drinking with my Dutch friends……..nothing like Happy Hour when you’re the now English speaking drunk in the Bar! And you know what? You can’t order a PBR!
















(Using a French accent again) descend into the deep blue the Man eating Leopard Shark is near. I can feel it presence, the hair on the back of my neck stands. “Pe-pa, Pe-pa” I call for my faithful side kick.
















The waves lap up on another day……..

To be a Peace-nic

Hug's and Kiss's for everyone

Life in the slow lane....

I’ve grown gill’s…Well maybe not gills, but it feels like it. It’s been hot and sunny everyday. My biker tan is gone….Speaking on biking, we headed out for a little riding on some of the hotels MTB’s for a little island hammerfest, LOL maybe more like junk miles but it’s was nice to turn circles for a couple of hours. The days of laying on the beach like a whale, eating like a Roman War lord and sleeping till noon are numbered. Which’s ok. It’s been dumping snow back home and I’ve got a lot of new ski equipment to dial in before the First race in December. Speaking of racing the Men's World Cup is at Beaver Creek this Thursday-Sunday. I plan on checking out the Herminator lay the smack down everyday but Saturday. That’s the day of state cross race. I can’t wait for that……..I’m going to drill it till my eye’s fall out, which should cover the first lap and then die.

On some level it will be nice to get back to my high speed net and dark tasty coffee………..OUT!

I should just retire....

Well when I work back home (Yes I did say WHEN) I get up about 9:00 drink some coffee, eat some food then ride.....With work mixed in. Then eat some food and hit the sack around 11:00. Now I've been getting up about 10:00 then drink some coffee, go scuba dive, lay in the sun then eat. Dive again lay in the sun some more, watch the sun go down and hit the sack around 12:00. Is there really a difference? Like I said....I should just retire.

Well There's always one....Yes I'm Talk'n about "Scuba Steve" the guy who talks like he races pro and lines up with a trek 8500 in Cit. You know, the guy who knows everything. Well I've had the pleasure meeting "Scuba Steve" of Bonaire. He's been doing battle with creatures from the deep and not about to let you get away without hearing about it. It's like trying to get away from the "Old Man" after a MTB race.....

Well the state Cyclocross race should be a gas after sitting on my butt for a couple of weeks....

I wonder what Goats doing right now?

Dive, Dive, Dive

Taker down captain.....

The food is good the diving is great and my time is short. I'd give you all the details but that would be boring. So I'll spare you the BS. The Baron would be proud of me. We did a little bitching and got an upgrade on our room. Well maybe not a that great of an upgrade.....LOL. Just the best room in the resort. You know the one they'd put "W" in if he were com'n here. But they still need better coffee and faster internet. But hay got'er going down the right path.
Get'R done in Bonaire.....Now Back to Diving and the Sun.

I wonder what the poor people are doing?

O-Yea I almost forgot something, at the Beach Bar today was a Fat Gringo wearing ape suite (Yes he was hairy) in a Banana hammock. But the best part was the front half was beet red and the hairy back was white as snow.....Sweet. I only wish I'd a had my camera. OUT!

Life in the Fast Lane.....

I mean slow lane or maybe mid-slow or something like that. We made it all the way without too much trouble other then 24 plus hours of no sleep. Had to hangout on Vail pass for a couple of hours. But survived with a little help from my friend COFFEE...O-yea the coffee here SUCKS. Someone needs to come here and show these people how to brew a good cup COFFEE...

Got alot of dive pic's to upload but no means to do it. I'm in some back room tapping away on a 386 with dialup. Some uploading anything is out of the question. Plus they are clip'n my $12 an hour for this great mach....I'm just a Soft Gringo and need all my Soft Gringo things.....I wounder what Goat is doing right now? Back to the Sun! OUT....

Get No place fast

It's dumping snow (1 to 2', yes I said feet)it was a 10 hours drive from GWS to DIA. I've slept 1.25 hours in a 1-1/2 days...Will my flight leave on time????

This Just In

Crazed Cyclocross racer jumps to his death......


or so he thought. He was heard saying “I’ve had enough of you Freak’s holding me down” and off he jumped. Only break a nail and find out he then had to run up 76 stairs……..)*&%%$%^#$@ was heard as he headed down the trail.

Time to cut WOOD.

Random Shots

1) It’s nice to see the Baron back into to the verbal smack-down…..We all miss that! Maybe that means a resurgence of the “CHAMP”

2) Weekend Cross wrapped up with my 1St victory and overall points leader. Along with Sandy turning the screws on the women’s field and undefeated season going into the Championships. We both walk away with some very cool prizes (Sunglasses, Bike parts, Case of Beer and Tee-shirts) and 100 bones for the effort.

3) Score another sweet Cross bike (Purple Banchi), I think I’ll be making it into a 1x1

4) It’s dumping SNOW……Looks like there will be some nice lines when I come back.

5) I wonder if Gary’s got his ski’s all waxed up and ready to go?


That’s it, I’ve got a plane to catch……..OUT!

You missed the deal of a life time!

Sometimes it's better not knowing about the things you missed out on! Then again maybe not.....

Pant Load

Well I need to work some demons out so I headed over to Grand Junction (It’s still summer there) to ride…..It did the trick.

First the Load
1) Mojo Drink
2) O-Goodie Bars
3) Repair junk
4) Phone
5) Keys
6) Camera (I’m using it so no picture)
7) Bike (on the Car)
I’m gone!















The tail…….Mary or Steve’s Loop or some like that, but who cares.















Lost somewhere…….But there’s the Colorado, so I can always make a raft and shoot the rapids…














Then the reload……Nothing like a Triple shot and a Cookie to fill the void…..















On tap for this weekend is More Cross and more fun…..This will be the last race I’ll be able to do before state. But a couple weeks roasting in the Sun with out riding I’ll be ready! Yea right…..Plus I need to get the rest of my gear dialed for my trip. That shouldn't be a problem. (2) Old tee-shirts (One Maxxis, One Ritchey), pair of shorts, my Dive Bag, Camera Gear and I’m good to go! I’ve got a great flight out. Denver, to Miami, To Santo Domingo DR, to Aruba then to Bonaire. Do you think I’ll make all my connecting flights? It mostly all jet service LOL. I know I’ll make it but will my gear?
Got the Laptop all dialed so I’m going to upload some of my Dive Pic……If I’m sober!
Out

Don't You Think This is a little Overprotective?

Who's that? I told you I was sick!

Ding, Ding…..Goat win’s the prize! That is Doc Holidays grave. There’s a great MTB trail that loops thru the Graveyard were the drunkard is planted. Just a little Glenwood history for ya. Makes for a great night ride. But why ride in the dark? Well I’m mostly ready for the up coming trip.

Scuba Gear-Check
Camera-Check
Cash-Check
Plane Ticket-Check

Yep I’m ready……

The Hot Chic's Ride Bikes!

Daddy Like , I need to add her to my hot links.........and I mean hot links!

I got stuff to say but no time to type it.......

So, I'll just say this















I was surf'n some pic's from the Wisco cross race and ran acrossed this little diddy.
This guy has the Gay'est Cross style I've ever seen. I hope the Rusty Tool Shed kicked his Gay Ass! Not that there anything wrong with being gay. It's just gay thats all. Check it out, He's even wearing a Seven jacket....the only thing that would make it better. If he was riding a "Gay Boy" seven bike.

Photo Blog....it's all I can handle!!!

Friday first it was a stop at the Beer Depot for some PeeeBeeR's and a little local wisdom. Then it was off to Moab for some More-Fun...


Slick-rock and stuff.......


More slick rock, I ate shit just after taking this picture. The worst part about eat'n it at slick rock is it all ROCK! And it hurts. So my knees, elbows are all f'd up again. There's nothing like biking around with blood drip'n


Me and the Doggy......on the rim


The rim trail is awesome, just don't steer left....


Looking over Negro Bill canyon...Sandy and the Doggy


One more over the rim.....


One more muddy Cross bike after a muddy cross race.....Want a drink from that bottle? You would after about 45 min.s of rac'n...... Mmmm Good. Well Sandy and I lock up the overall's and now it's on to the State Champ Race after next weekends race.

that's it for the weekend...Out!

No posting today!

It's snowing and I'm skiing!

The game of life!

Yesterday I took a little trip down to Telluride. What an awesome place. I got business down there, so some riding was on tap. This got me to thinking I need to get more business down there. It’s some great country. But with the fast sinking sun there wasn’t a lot of time to ride. You can’t beat a day in Telluride.
I got my laptop running at about 80% now so it picture blog soon! I’m trying to get it rolling before my dive trip to Bonaire. That’s right I’m going on vacation from my permit vacation. The high stress of my life requires me to take as many vacations as possible. A couple of weeks in the sun is what the doctor ordered.

<








O-yea, I just got my care package from Solomon! My new GS and SL skis are HOT! Can’t wait to “bang some gates” Dry-land training has started and can’t wait to get on some snow. This year I’ve got a full schedule of racing planned. Starting with a Super “G” at Apsen……Now that’s rac’n!

The Beast on a bike! Now those are biking Legs!