Yep, who woulda thunk it? I don't know what seems more unlikely...that I'm sitting here in the Bike Room @ the JDRF Sonoma Ride to Cure bloggin' away on my laptop (!!!!!) OR that I'm here in the capacity of Head Mechanic. As long as all you guys keep quiet for another 24 hours I think I can get outta here w/out blowin' my cover!
I've been here since Wed afternoon. It's a small ride - only about 70 riders - so the workload has been more than manageable. The weather is awesome, except for the constant haze from the 1000 or so forest fires said to ragin' out of control as close as 50 miles from right 'chere. It's been great to get a dose of what makes theses rides and this organization so special to me............the folks, the enthusiasm for the cause........the whole enchilada. I've never been to the early rides and I've met quite a few folks that I might not have ever met if I hadn't come out.
Back home our Team is getting ready for Asheville and Death Valley. I'm getting lotsa kudos out here for the size, passion and reputation of the West Michigan Team.......like it's cuz of me! When people ask me how and why our Team grew so much I have to admit that I have no idea........a weird combination of luck, timing and personalities. It never seems to be a satisfactory answer for them but it's the best I have.
I'll be driving a Sag Wagon tomorrow, so I'll get to see the course and the area. So far I've seen the bit from the S.F. airport to here, the Bike Room, the dining room and the 10 miles up to the closest bike shop. By all reports the course oughta be awesome.
This ride is gonna go down in history as the ride w/ the largest Support/Rider ratio in the history of cycling! There are 7 Sag Wagons, 6 Coaches, a Med van, an ambulance, 7 food stops, 3 cops and a ton of other volunteers and staff to watch over 70 riders! Hell....in the event of a terrorist attack we could literally sag everyone off of the course at once! The reason for the excess is that this is rehersal for the next 4 Rides and we have a new Ride Co-Ordinator and he's working out the kinks.
Okay....almost dinnertime. I have all the bikes ready, I'll just hafta get here @ 5:30 to get all the tirs topped off and everything else ready for tomorrow. It's been great but it'll be great to get home Sunday night too.
Tlak to you later, gotta go!
MC
Friday, June 27, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
On the subject of waving..........
.............at each other as cyclists, by the way. Not @ ball games or from parade floats or whilst signing off on TV programs.
I was just reading long-time bud and bike-writing-hero Maynard Hershon's post on this subject and ....well.....here we are! His comments (and you really oughta go read them, like right now. I'll wait) were to the effect that he's always waved and for years has kind of keep track of who did and did not return said waves. That habit, which he referred to as "keeping tabs" has become a scab that he was unable to resist picking at and has affected his enjoyment of this fine sport that we love. So....his new plan is to continue w/ the waving but to quit keeping tab.
Now...as someone who, like M.H. has always waved at fellow riders and who has been heard to remark on the White pine Trail that "the next jackass that doesn't wave is gonna get chased down and put into the weeds" this notion of Maynard's kinda resonated w/ me. Why DO I wave? Why do I give a crap whether THEY wave back?
I'm not sure. I wave 'cuz back-in-the-day there just weren't all that many of us, y'know? Chances are if you passed another rider around here in the 70's you knew him or her and would run into them again soon. (And they'd ask - "Hey, din'cha see me on South Shore yesterday?). It was a fellowship thing. Nowdays - not so much. I did my part and lead the club ride last week and there were 5-6 guys I'd never seen before.
Lotsa riders these days...that's my point.
I could go into the different "types" of riders and how their catagory affects their likihood to wave back.........but somehow I don't see how that's gonna lead to less fragmentation and more brother/sisterhood.......so I'll fight the temptation. I'm gonna go w/ Maynard's theory that those that don't wave back just never learned that you're supposed to. They're not rude, aloof, arrogant, clueless or too self-important.......it's just never occurred to them.
Still............I DO wonder why at least as many motorcyclists wave at me as other riders. Why should they feel a kinship w/ a chubby olde farte in lycra that other riders do not? Is the whole "we're on 2 wheels and they're on 4" thing so strong?
I wave back, but I feel a little silly.
Speaking of waving back and feeling silly...............there's the whole "Jeep Thing" too. When I drive I'm likely to be trundling around in an old Jeep Wrangler, (to which I have alluded earlier if you are keeping score). It's safe to say that my reasons for choosing such a fundementally silly vehicle are for the most part "un-Jeep-like" and like the sticker says "It IS a Jeep thing and I DON'T understand" but the other Jeepfolk can't tell that at a glance so they wave.
All of them.
Every time.
And every time I wave back. And my wife smirks. How can I NOT wave back? After doing all this bitching about riders that don't?! So......Jeep guy that I'm not I still do the little "head nod and 2 fingers off the steering wheel thing" and trundle off along my way, content in the knowledge that whoever I just waved at will not and has not given much if any thought to this whole topic.
Good for them.
Still...........as cyclists I think that we should wave and aknowledge one another. Why not? What harm could it do? (Assuming you can do it w/out swerving into a pothole or fellow rider, that is? And if you can't..............you should practice! Maybe on your trainer or rollers.
Besides...I promised Maynard that I would keep waving.
So...if I see you on the road I'm gonna wave. If you wave back - great. If you choose not to....well.....not-so-great but okay. Your call.
Editorial Mode - off.
Otherwise BikeLife is full and grand - I'm off to Sonoma CA first thig tomorrow to spend the rest of the week as the Head Tech for the 1st JDRF Ride of the season. I'm looking forward to driving sag on Saturday - it'll be the only chance I have to see the area since otherwise I'll be buried in the Bike Room 24-7. Our local team is doing great and the Asheville Ride is only about 8 weeks away! Then it's on to Death Valley in October.
The shop is crazy busy and it shows no signs of slowin' down. Next month Ted goes easy for 10 days to be the Head Wrench for the Kenda/Titus team @ 2 big pro races. He's excited and scared and that's a good place to be! Shop rides are rocking - folks are riding bikes - life is good.
Speakin' of rocking..............last night my band crashed the party down @ the just-opened Saugatuck Brewery and held an impromptu rehearsal/performance to make sure that we were the first band to ever play there. "Twas a hoot and it's gonna be a sweet place to hang! 'Tis already, for that matter!
July brings the Holland Hundred, lotsa other rides and a buncha cool stuff! Can't wait!
I was just reading long-time bud and bike-writing-hero Maynard Hershon's post on this subject and ....well.....here we are! His comments (and you really oughta go read them, like right now. I'll wait) were to the effect that he's always waved and for years has kind of keep track of who did and did not return said waves. That habit, which he referred to as "keeping tabs" has become a scab that he was unable to resist picking at and has affected his enjoyment of this fine sport that we love. So....his new plan is to continue w/ the waving but to quit keeping tab.
Now...as someone who, like M.H. has always waved at fellow riders and who has been heard to remark on the White pine Trail that "the next jackass that doesn't wave is gonna get chased down and put into the weeds" this notion of Maynard's kinda resonated w/ me. Why DO I wave? Why do I give a crap whether THEY wave back?
I'm not sure. I wave 'cuz back-in-the-day there just weren't all that many of us, y'know? Chances are if you passed another rider around here in the 70's you knew him or her and would run into them again soon. (And they'd ask - "Hey, din'cha see me on South Shore yesterday?). It was a fellowship thing. Nowdays - not so much. I did my part and lead the club ride last week and there were 5-6 guys I'd never seen before.
Lotsa riders these days...that's my point.
I could go into the different "types" of riders and how their catagory affects their likihood to wave back.........but somehow I don't see how that's gonna lead to less fragmentation and more brother/sisterhood.......so I'll fight the temptation. I'm gonna go w/ Maynard's theory that those that don't wave back just never learned that you're supposed to. They're not rude, aloof, arrogant, clueless or too self-important.......it's just never occurred to them.
Still............I DO wonder why at least as many motorcyclists wave at me as other riders. Why should they feel a kinship w/ a chubby olde farte in lycra that other riders do not? Is the whole "we're on 2 wheels and they're on 4" thing so strong?
I wave back, but I feel a little silly.
Speaking of waving back and feeling silly...............there's the whole "Jeep Thing" too. When I drive I'm likely to be trundling around in an old Jeep Wrangler, (to which I have alluded earlier if you are keeping score). It's safe to say that my reasons for choosing such a fundementally silly vehicle are for the most part "un-Jeep-like" and like the sticker says "It IS a Jeep thing and I DON'T understand" but the other Jeepfolk can't tell that at a glance so they wave.
All of them.
Every time.
And every time I wave back. And my wife smirks. How can I NOT wave back? After doing all this bitching about riders that don't?! So......Jeep guy that I'm not I still do the little "head nod and 2 fingers off the steering wheel thing" and trundle off along my way, content in the knowledge that whoever I just waved at will not and has not given much if any thought to this whole topic.
Good for them.
Still...........as cyclists I think that we should wave and aknowledge one another. Why not? What harm could it do? (Assuming you can do it w/out swerving into a pothole or fellow rider, that is? And if you can't..............you should practice! Maybe on your trainer or rollers.
Besides...I promised Maynard that I would keep waving.
So...if I see you on the road I'm gonna wave. If you wave back - great. If you choose not to....well.....not-so-great but okay. Your call.
Editorial Mode - off.
Otherwise BikeLife is full and grand - I'm off to Sonoma CA first thig tomorrow to spend the rest of the week as the Head Tech for the 1st JDRF Ride of the season. I'm looking forward to driving sag on Saturday - it'll be the only chance I have to see the area since otherwise I'll be buried in the Bike Room 24-7. Our local team is doing great and the Asheville Ride is only about 8 weeks away! Then it's on to Death Valley in October.
The shop is crazy busy and it shows no signs of slowin' down. Next month Ted goes easy for 10 days to be the Head Wrench for the Kenda/Titus team @ 2 big pro races. He's excited and scared and that's a good place to be! Shop rides are rocking - folks are riding bikes - life is good.
Speakin' of rocking..............last night my band crashed the party down @ the just-opened Saugatuck Brewery and held an impromptu rehearsal/performance to make sure that we were the first band to ever play there. "Twas a hoot and it's gonna be a sweet place to hang! 'Tis already, for that matter!
July brings the Holland Hundred, lotsa other rides and a buncha cool stuff! Can't wait!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Lumberjack 100 Report
Well..it was SUPPOSED to be the "Lumberjack 100", dammit. Alas - for the 3rd time outta 4 tries it was once again the "Lumberjack 75" for this boy.
Sigh.
No cramps this time. No dehydration-induced delusions, no babbling about freezing to death if I slept or hallucinations. Nope.......this time the problem was pretty simple and basic in nature.
I wasn't strong enough.
I wasn't strong enough to power the single gear that IU had w/ me over 100 miles of rolly Michigan single-track. I was....for about 65 miles. In fact, I was even going kinda fast (for me, mind you) and I was havin' a blast. My 2nd lap was easily the best lap I've ever had outta the 13 that I've ridden inthis race............I passed a buncha folks and was able to stay on top of the gear.
And that's the thing. On a single-speed you are either on top of the gear (turning it nice and fast) or you're not. And if you're not...you are screwed.
And screwed I was, after 2 and a half laps. I hit the wall and didn't have the juuice in my legs to spin that gear up the l-o-n-g grinding uphills that seemed to comprise the entire last 1/3 of the course. When your legs hurt too much to climb seated and your arms hurt too much to stand up...well, you got troubles my friend! I made it into the pits for 3 laps w/ time to go back out but it woulda been foolish as all hell. I might still be out there!
Guess I shoulda had a lighter gear, huh?
Congrats to buds Marsh, Gid and Conrad, all of whom finished. Congrats to Danielle for powerin' through a massive bonk to a podium spot and kudos to anyone that took on this race. It's kind of a badass!
Next year!
Sigh.
No cramps this time. No dehydration-induced delusions, no babbling about freezing to death if I slept or hallucinations. Nope.......this time the problem was pretty simple and basic in nature.
I wasn't strong enough.
I wasn't strong enough to power the single gear that IU had w/ me over 100 miles of rolly Michigan single-track. I was....for about 65 miles. In fact, I was even going kinda fast (for me, mind you) and I was havin' a blast. My 2nd lap was easily the best lap I've ever had outta the 13 that I've ridden inthis race............I passed a buncha folks and was able to stay on top of the gear.
And that's the thing. On a single-speed you are either on top of the gear (turning it nice and fast) or you're not. And if you're not...you are screwed.
And screwed I was, after 2 and a half laps. I hit the wall and didn't have the juuice in my legs to spin that gear up the l-o-n-g grinding uphills that seemed to comprise the entire last 1/3 of the course. When your legs hurt too much to climb seated and your arms hurt too much to stand up...well, you got troubles my friend! I made it into the pits for 3 laps w/ time to go back out but it woulda been foolish as all hell. I might still be out there!
Guess I shoulda had a lighter gear, huh?
Congrats to buds Marsh, Gid and Conrad, all of whom finished. Congrats to Danielle for powerin' through a massive bonk to a podium spot and kudos to anyone that took on this race. It's kind of a badass!
Next year!
Friday, June 13, 2008
SABINE! SABINE! SABINE! SABINE!
One of my favorite books about music is "The Worst 100 Records in Rock and Roll". It's just that...a list and page or so about all the horrible stuff that's been recorded over the years. It's written by 2 music journalists and it's hilarious. (I can't find it, by the way....did I loan it to you?)
Anyway..........while tearing Billy Joel a new one (one of my favorite parts!) they say, in reference to his stupid "We Didn't Start the Fire" song", that "A list is not a lyric!"
Yeah......Lists.
I shoulda listened to my little inner man as I wrote that list of parents and babies a week or so ago. My L.I.M. was sayin' "You know damn well that you're gonna leave someone out! Don't do it! You fool!"
And so I did. I'm not surprised that I missed someone - (I AM kinda brain-dead, after all) - but I was sorta surprised that I managed to miss listing the Most Darling Sabine Adora Wilkins- Berghorst, her lovely mother Joy and her Rightfully-Proud Daddy-O Jeremy. (We call him 'Berger" 'round the shop)
Duh.
So..............welcome to the club Sabine -n -folks! Sorry again!
(Can I have my wallet back now Berger?)
On the Bike Life Front there's lots happening. I'm off to Sonoma CA in a week and a half to do Tech Support for the 1st JDRF Ride of the season. Then Ted goes to NY and VT to work the NORBA race circuit for the Kenda/Titus team. He's stoked and I don't blame him. The Holland Hundred is coming up too soon, the shop's rocking, the rides are huge, Grattan was fun again (except for Marshall nippin' me @ the line for 3rd!) and this time tomorrow I'll be deep into the Lumberjack 100.
Wish me luck, the forecast calls for pain!
MC
Anyway..........while tearing Billy Joel a new one (one of my favorite parts!) they say, in reference to his stupid "We Didn't Start the Fire" song", that "A list is not a lyric!"
Yeah......Lists.
I shoulda listened to my little inner man as I wrote that list of parents and babies a week or so ago. My L.I.M. was sayin' "You know damn well that you're gonna leave someone out! Don't do it! You fool!"
And so I did. I'm not surprised that I missed someone - (I AM kinda brain-dead, after all) - but I was sorta surprised that I managed to miss listing the Most Darling Sabine Adora Wilkins- Berghorst, her lovely mother Joy and her Rightfully-Proud Daddy-O Jeremy. (We call him 'Berger" 'round the shop)
Duh.
So..............welcome to the club Sabine -n -folks! Sorry again!
(Can I have my wallet back now Berger?)
On the Bike Life Front there's lots happening. I'm off to Sonoma CA in a week and a half to do Tech Support for the 1st JDRF Ride of the season. Then Ted goes to NY and VT to work the NORBA race circuit for the Kenda/Titus team. He's stoked and I don't blame him. The Holland Hundred is coming up too soon, the shop's rocking, the rides are huge, Grattan was fun again (except for Marshall nippin' me @ the line for 3rd!) and this time tomorrow I'll be deep into the Lumberjack 100.
Wish me luck, the forecast calls for pain!
MC
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Grattan.......
....was a blast again last night! 47-ish miles in 2 hours-and-a-bit. No crashes, despite the very occassional drizzle. No drama. Congrats to fellow-Velo A.V.W. who f-i-n-a-l-l-y scored a well-deserved victory w/ a perfect move as we all jockeyed for the sprint.
Nice move, man, nice move.
M2 was 5th, I was 10th...........it was fun.
You know - I think it'd be cool if everyone did a race at least once. Now...I'm NOT one of those "Racing is cooler than everything else" guys, really I'm not. Most of my buds don't and, let' s face it, why wouldja?
It costs money
It hurts...sometimes a lot.
You can get crashed and bust bike and/or body parts.
You might suck....in public no less.
Still.............there's a poetry and a music and a vibe in that paceline that I don't think you can get anywhere else. The pack has a sound and a look that 's kinda special and at least once a race I find myself grinnin' and thinking to myself "Man, this is just SO COOL!" The sight of 50-75 brightly-clad racers pounding through the s-turns @ 25-28 mph is not something that you're gonna see on Tuesday night, y'know? The sound of 100-150 high-pressure tires whippin' through that hairpin @ the bottom of the hill........ditto. The feeling that you get when we hear the bell that means "1 lap to go" and you realize that you have a little something left and it's time to plan your move.....it's a good feeling!
We are way lucky to have the Grattan Series around here. For something like 28 years Skip and Diane have been runnin' races out there N.E. of GR. It's the best way to try road racing that I've ever seen and if you have a notion to check it out...........stop in and let's chat about it, 'kay?
Like I said...'tis a hoot.
It's great for this boy 'cuz @ this point in my cycling life it scratches my road race itch completely. If there was no Grattan Series I'd be tempted to waste a few Sundays a summer drivin' over to the other side of the state to have my ass handed to me by strangers. I ain't got time for that, y'know? The Grattan Series gives me a chance to race every week - it's (kinda) close by - it's cheap - it's pretty safe - it's competitive w/out being depressingly cut-throat.........what more couldja ask for?
(Well...besides a better leadout from M2, that is!)
You might wanna check it out sometime huh?
MC Out
By the way...........I want to offer my heart-felt congrats to everyone in the shop's orbit that's either a new parent, expecting or both! It seems like there's a major child-birth epidemic goin' on around here........(careful Jasker!).........and it's pretty fun to watch! So congrats to Scott, Krisanne and Miles, Chris, Dawn and Ella, Ted, Sarah and Hazel, Dan, Amanda and Riley, Marshall and Marci, Doez and Mel, the Pierces, Aaron, Renee and Levi, and any one else out there in the same boat!
Nice move, man, nice move.
M2 was 5th, I was 10th...........it was fun.
You know - I think it'd be cool if everyone did a race at least once. Now...I'm NOT one of those "Racing is cooler than everything else" guys, really I'm not. Most of my buds don't and, let' s face it, why wouldja?
It costs money
It hurts...sometimes a lot.
You can get crashed and bust bike and/or body parts.
You might suck....in public no less.
Still.............there's a poetry and a music and a vibe in that paceline that I don't think you can get anywhere else. The pack has a sound and a look that 's kinda special and at least once a race I find myself grinnin' and thinking to myself "Man, this is just SO COOL!" The sight of 50-75 brightly-clad racers pounding through the s-turns @ 25-28 mph is not something that you're gonna see on Tuesday night, y'know? The sound of 100-150 high-pressure tires whippin' through that hairpin @ the bottom of the hill........ditto. The feeling that you get when we hear the bell that means "1 lap to go" and you realize that you have a little something left and it's time to plan your move.....it's a good feeling!
We are way lucky to have the Grattan Series around here. For something like 28 years Skip and Diane have been runnin' races out there N.E. of GR. It's the best way to try road racing that I've ever seen and if you have a notion to check it out...........stop in and let's chat about it, 'kay?
Like I said...'tis a hoot.
It's great for this boy 'cuz @ this point in my cycling life it scratches my road race itch completely. If there was no Grattan Series I'd be tempted to waste a few Sundays a summer drivin' over to the other side of the state to have my ass handed to me by strangers. I ain't got time for that, y'know? The Grattan Series gives me a chance to race every week - it's (kinda) close by - it's cheap - it's pretty safe - it's competitive w/out being depressingly cut-throat.........what more couldja ask for?
(Well...besides a better leadout from M2, that is!)
You might wanna check it out sometime huh?
MC Out
By the way...........I want to offer my heart-felt congrats to everyone in the shop's orbit that's either a new parent, expecting or both! It seems like there's a major child-birth epidemic goin' on around here........(careful Jasker!).........and it's pretty fun to watch! So congrats to Scott, Krisanne and Miles, Chris, Dawn and Ella, Ted, Sarah and Hazel, Dan, Amanda and Riley, Marshall and Marci, Doez and Mel, the Pierces, Aaron, Renee and Levi, and any one else out there in the same boat!
Monday, June 02, 2008
Wow! Whatta Weekend!
You know - every once in awhile a weekend comes along that's off-the-hook even by my standards and it could be argued that this past weekend was one of those.........the MS Society's ride was in town so there were 800+ extra riders in town from Friday night 'til Late Sunday. We were open late both Fri and Sat nights offering on-the-spot repairs, lotsa snacks, specials, massage therapists and such and it was pretty much a full-tilt-boogie zoo! It's SO COOL having all those new faces inthe shop, hangin' out, eatin' cookies and talkin' bike talk. Ted and I were talkin' today that there needs to be a big tour through Holland at least once a week.
So....after all those extra hours for the tour Lin and I hosted the JDRF Team at our house for a ride and fajita bash on Sunday. We had a great turn-out...27 riders and probably 33 eaters. A greta time was had by all - but I was up to my ears in the ride and the food from 6:00 am 'til we finished cleaning up about 9:30. Needless to say I crashed hard after that!
still....whatta great week! I got out to Grattan for the weekly road race for the first time all seasonand had a blast. It was wicked fast (or at least seemed that way to me!) but I was pretty fat and happy inthe pack, jawin' w/ Jay, shootin' the shit w/ Surly and just hanging in, y'know? I had some left for the sprint and managed a 5th place finish. (Pretty sure I was #1 Olde Farte) One thing is for sure - I don't remember ever doing a Grattan race inMay where we averaged 24.o mph for 47 miles before! Man- it's gonna be a fast season out there!
The other rides this week were a blast too. I did the MCC ride on Monday Morning since it was the holiday, did the shop Tuesday Night Ride, and the Thursday Morning Recovery Ride as well. That rainstorm on Friday morn came along at just the right time...I needed a day off.
Now it's June. There's a ton of stuff comin' up - 2 more Team Rides, the Lumberjack 100, club rides and meetings, shop rides up the wazoo.......HooBoy!
I better go rest up!
See you out there!
So....after all those extra hours for the tour Lin and I hosted the JDRF Team at our house for a ride and fajita bash on Sunday. We had a great turn-out...27 riders and probably 33 eaters. A greta time was had by all - but I was up to my ears in the ride and the food from 6:00 am 'til we finished cleaning up about 9:30. Needless to say I crashed hard after that!
still....whatta great week! I got out to Grattan for the weekly road race for the first time all seasonand had a blast. It was wicked fast (or at least seemed that way to me!) but I was pretty fat and happy inthe pack, jawin' w/ Jay, shootin' the shit w/ Surly and just hanging in, y'know? I had some left for the sprint and managed a 5th place finish. (Pretty sure I was #1 Olde Farte) One thing is for sure - I don't remember ever doing a Grattan race inMay where we averaged 24.o mph for 47 miles before! Man- it's gonna be a fast season out there!
The other rides this week were a blast too. I did the MCC ride on Monday Morning since it was the holiday, did the shop Tuesday Night Ride, and the Thursday Morning Recovery Ride as well. That rainstorm on Friday morn came along at just the right time...I needed a day off.
Now it's June. There's a ton of stuff comin' up - 2 more Team Rides, the Lumberjack 100, club rides and meetings, shop rides up the wazoo.......HooBoy!
I better go rest up!
See you out there!
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