el WEEKEND GRANDE'!!!

WOW! I gotta tell ya - big weekends aren't egg-zac-lee all that unusual 'round here but this past one..........whew! Lemme tug on yer coat* about it a sec.........

Saturday was the 35th Annual Holland Hundred Tour. The shop and I were both up to our arses in this - I was on the committee since Day One and we were committed to provide a SAG Wagon all day too. Friday nioght we had early registration here @ the shop and that was a zoo w/ a capital "Z"......roughly 28 bazillion gazillion folks crammed in here all evening, signing up, buying t-shirts, buying other stuff........fun! We had a pre-ride bash 'cross the street @ the brewery too so that was cool. It was cool and wet all night and that didn't bode well.

Saturday dawned (I know - I was up @ 4:30) kinda cloudy and I was sort of worried about the weather. We had nearly 780 riders pre-registered so we were kinda expecting 1200 or so but I was afraid the weather might keep some local riders in the sack. It stayed dry all day and was actually pretty damn perfect for a long ride.......temps in the high 60's/low 70's range, no humidity, some sun,. some clouds. There was a nasty headwind for part of the day but whatterya gonna do? I was on site before 6:00 and there til 6:30pm. By then over 1250 riders had enjoyed a helluva day. I was WAY glad to have that day behind me!

Sunday was "recover from the HH day" for me and i had the perfect plan - spend all day sitting in the sun and listening to bluegrass and folk music @ the first ever Green Food - Blue Grass fest out @ Felt Mansion. My fav band from my "youth" (okay - mid to late 20's) was playing their 1st gig in the area since the early 80's! Cabbage Crik has a lot to answer for 'cuz w/out them there'd be no Last Call Band! It was great and I.Did. Nothing. all dang day.

'twas grand it was!

Okay - now iot's time ot get all the Bike Room stuff worked out for the JDRF Rides! No more "I can't deal w/ that 'til after the HH!" Jeremy's off to KC on his own 'cuz I gotta gig then a big crew to VT and then just me to Montana. That covers the next 7 weeks - then we have time to catch our collective breath 'afore Death Valley.

Guess I oughta get after it, huh?

later, MC

MID-SUMMER DAZE........ER....DAYS

Man - things are just full-tilt-boogie madness here @ the shop lately! Lotsa new bikes goin out, lotsa old bikes comin' in for service, ton's o' folks @ the rides, the phone ringin' offa the wall w/ peoplekl askin ''bout the Holland Hundred..........what a hoot! Still - I'll be pretty damn glad when the HH is over and those of us on the committee can look around @ 1300-1500 happy riders and slap some high fives on each other!

This past weekend we had a great Team Ride - the "Tour de Taco" rolled from Casa da Clark on Sunday for miles of smiles and LOTS of chicken, steak, veggies, beans, rice, cheese, tortillas, guac, salsa, cheese, cabbage, cilantro, salad, cookies, cupcakes, brownies, strawberry shortcake............whew! Lotsa folks and big fun was observed being had. THis am I got to ride w/ buddy Zac from Seattle and his lovely lady Beverly. Berger joined us as well rolled out to the lake and back. Then they split and JB and I sat outside @ the bagle shop and tried to get a handle on the rest of the season.

I gotta say right-dang-now ...our staff rocks! Everyone is workin' it hard, keepin' it in the big ring and ridin' on the rivet as we try to keep up w/ everyone's needs and wants. Fun! (Mostly)

Tomorrow is get-the-scoop-on-2010-Cannondale day, then it's pretty much Holland Hundred 24/7. (Lather, rinse, repeat).

Gotta go - more later, I promise. ( I know - you've heard that before. What can I say?)
MC

Wow, I Suck Worse that Usual!

Yeah - great job keepin' up w/ this, huh? i was kinda amazed to see that it's bene since mid-April since I wrote anything - pretty week. Lessee - what's gone down since then.......?

I've been up to my ears in the shop stuf - we've been crazy busy, which is awesome. Berger has been a force in the shop, everyone is rockin' it hard and we're having fun. The rides have been awesome and full.

JDRF stuff has been keeping me busy too - I just got back from Santa Rosa @ the 1st Ride to Cure - 'twas a big weekend! I was doin' the Head Coach thing so Berger was there to rock the Bike Room and rock it he did!

The band's been busy - 5 gigs comin' up in the next 6 weeks.

I'm riding a lot - at least 5 days a week. Legs aren't bad but I dunno if I have any real speed - haven't been to Grattan yet and I've been doin' the Sprint Ride on the tandem.

Michael Jackson is dead, Bernie Madoff is still scum and le Tour starts Saturday. I wish I was more excited about that...it's liable to be what my grandfather called a "real barnburner" but I'm so tired of all the cheating and doping and lying..............blecchh!

Still -= Bikelife is full and fine and for that I'm more grateful than I can tell you. Ride lots, be careful out there and stay in touch, okay?

MC