RIP my good friend

After a long day of worry and some tears of pain we had to put Max to sleep today. A very hard decision after his long life. It was something I never really thought about as he just kept going no matter what his age was but after this weekend all the signs were there.
For those of you who never met him you missed a very loving dog, never a bite or a nip(unless you were a dog and tried to take his bone) and he loved kids almost to a fault.
A better dog you could have never asked for.
All of you that have pets and have ever had to do this you know how it feels, as I sit here I look around for him to see if he need to go out not realizing he's gone, now comes the hard part with putting all his stuff away.

My friend when it is my time to go I hope you are waiting for me at the gates with a ball to play and a leash for a walk.

You will be missed by us all.

A weekend up north

Got to the parents place around 3 AM and it was right to bed cause thats a long ride in the dark.
Got up the next morning and it was 8:30, wow I don't remember the last time I slept till 8:30. Got the motor going and decided it was time for a ride, off I go not knowing where I'm going but figured I'd fine my way. Out HWY 47 and figured I'd head towards Lake Tomahawk and before I knew it the computer was reading 24 MPH and I was feeling better then I have in a while.
Got to the lake and just kept going, 4 miles past and I figure its time to get home, hit the u-turn and WHAM the head wind is brutal, from 24 down to 14 and I'm giving it all I got to get the speed up, get it cranking and I'm sitting around 15.5 and a average of 230 watts. Make the turn back towards Woodruff and I am feeling the burn but it felt good to get out.
Got back and all the girls went to town so I figured I could get in a shower before they get back.
The thing with the shower is there is not a huge hot water tank so you have to have a plan to shower and stick with it or your in a cold shower. I don't know what it is but I think the shower right after a good ride it the best, you feel brand new and clean clean clean.
So after all that I make a phone call to find out where the girls are and find out what were doing today, Erica says, were going to Eagle River, want to go, and away we go. Its a fun time to walk around and look at all the crap thats for sale and it all the same stuff in every shop but Erica got some stuff for Tess and we had a good time.
Got back and my nieces wanted to go swimming so we hit up the beach. The water was cold at first but then got better. Tess was like a fish to water, she wanted to jump right in, hopefully she will be a better swimmer then her father a I sink like a rock.
After that we hit up the play ground and played on all the slides and tee-ter-toters and thats where I thought it was going to end. My niece and I were on the teter and all of a sudden she was on the ground, its not really clear what happened but she says I tried to kill her but I plead the 5th. In the end she was just fine and we all had a good laugh and something we will never forget.
Sunday we hit the road around 10am after some good donuts from Paul's next store. We made some stops on the way and the the best of them all "Union Star Cheese" if you've never stopped you must. Their curds are the best and cheap. So from there it was a straight drive home.
On the way I call the SUG to see how the race went and he asked if we wanted to meet them and go to the Whitefish Bay race, well what the hell, home for like a hour and a half and right back out the door. It was a good race and Tess had a blast watching all the bikes go by.
All in all it was a good weekend and I wish we could do them a lot more. I put in some pictures of the weekend, sorry for the color,there form my phone as the batteries in the camera were dead.

On a sad note it looks like my long time friend and companion Max (our dog) is going down hill fast. at the age of 12 the rear legs are going out and the weekend was hard on him, as much fun as he had I think it may be his last trip. I was in hopes he would make it though the year but I guess thats all up in the air now. The worst part of this is Tess and him are like best friends and she loves him so much. He has had a long life but I just didn't figure it would be so soon. Well I'll know more after I get home and see how he's doing. The Vet says there not much to do just let him have fun and keep a eye on him. I just hope he turns around and makes it a while longer.

Got to go
See Yaa

No Wednesday No Sunday

As the title says I'm out for the racing at the ridge Wednesday and the Sunday WORS race.
Works is ball to the walls as of late and I will be in early and out late the next couple of day as I will be showing one of the office guys how to do one off my jobs they took off my plate. But as you know if your job gets easier it won't be for long, well one day to be exact and I got more stuff added to my title, not much but about another 5 to 10 hours a week of field time to keep my eye on things.
At first I was not very happy about this but after a couple of days its taken hold and rolled in my everyday list of things to do.
For Sunday it looks like we will be up north at my folks place for the weekend, we have been trying to get up there for the last two months but we just couldn't find the time until this weekend. Its a hard choice but Erica really wants to go and after this week with work I think I need some time away and the folks place is just the ticket.
As a added side note, anyone that reads this think looking for a job? My company is looking for a installers. Do you have experience installing cctv ,alarm or access control system or are you good with tools and have some electronics background? We could be looking for you.
Ok back to everything else.... Had a great weekend really doing nothing. Went for dinner with the Sug's and got my sushi fix, caught up with all the tour stages

Ridge Racin

Had fun at the ridge last night, finished two of the three laps of the course as the shoulder couldn't take any more pounding. Most of the course is in good shape but there is still standing water at the bottom of the start hill and sections of peanut butter mud in like four spots.
We ran the WEMS race course last night and I have to say it really felt like a long lap and I wasn't the only one who thought that. We ran a lot of the south west side of the single track backwards and for me it sucked, I can never get any flow in that section anyways but then do it backwards and it twice as bad.
We heard the Ty is thinking about running the downhill switchbacks in reverse, YES more climbing. It would be nice if the course is set by next Wed. night for the race as I would bet the turn out will be big with people who want to ride the lap early.
The bad part is rain is in the forecast for this weekend and next, lets keep our fingers crossed that that changes.
Got some great news from my Mom the other day about my Dad, the first eye surgery was success and the doctor moved up the other surgery to the first of the month, thats great as it was unforeseen how it was going to go. Now their telling him if the second one goes as good as the first he my not even need his glasses anymore, wow, who would of thunk it.
Got a update on my niece too, the surgery took about two hours longer then they said as there was a lot more damage then they figured, it all went well but she had trouble dealing the the meds. so she had to spend the night in the hospital. The next day they had her up and walking with crutches but she said the foot just didn't feel right but they just figured it was from the swelling so she got to home. The next day she ended back it the doctors office because she couldn't stand the pain, off comes the cast to find out it was to tight, so a new cast hand she feels a ton better.
So this weekend will be fun as Erica and I are off, a fun weekend with Tess will be had.
See Yaa..................

Its a TREK thing

I have been thinking about this post for awhile but wanted to do some research before I posted.
I have been hearing people bitch and moan about their products for years but what I found is really funny. Look at all bikes you have in your collection, I will bet at least one of those bikes have something from the Trek bike company.(about 80% of the time)
Its funny but look. Tires,saddle,bars,post,stem,fork,frame all the way down to bar end plugs.
I heard people say "I will never buy a Trek product" but then you look at there bike and low and behold Bontrager componets, "but thats Bontrager not Trek" ya OK...........
Its just a funny little thing to think about.

Great weekend

Even know I wasn't able to get any riding in it was a good weekend. Spent a ton of time with Tess, its hard to believe shes almost two years old, wow has that time gone fast.
We were going to go down to see Candy and Lynn do their Tri but were not sure if we would make it back in time for Erica to get to work but it sounds like all the girls did well, Congrats.
Looks like the week is going to be another full one, jobs are backing up so it time to do some interviewing again. Its not that I hate doing them they just take time that I don't have right know but we need a couple more people to fill our gaps.
Last night was a great night..... NOT....I spent my night in the office till nine trying to play catch up with paperwork since I've been in the field a bunch. The fun part was Erica and Tess came with, it always funny to watch Tess run around the shop like she owns the place. Erica was in shock that she knew right where my office was and how she loves the stock room, it was funny.
Now to the bike stuff, I will try to race on Wed. at the ridge as my fat ass really needs it, I plan on bringing the road bike back to the office so I can stat to ride at lunch again but I haven't even got the tire and cassette back on from when Russ worked on it, so i will plan on doing that tonight after Tess falls asleep.
Looking ahead the weekend looks good, Erica and I are both off so maybe I can get some riding in. Sundays shop ride is a for sure and well have to see about Saturday as I know we really need to clean the garage and basement but who knows. Oh plus we have to get together with the Hoffmans as we haven't seen them in ever and a year.

well got to go
See Yaa.........

Crazy week

The week went by quick with not working Monday so it was like putting 20lbs of sh*t in a five lbs bag but I got most of it done. This is the busy time of the year for our company so all my field guys are now going onto five day weeks. Normally they work four tens but as the work load gets bigger so the days get longer. What that mean for riding, well it means the bike gets put in the work truck with a change of riding stuff and I will get on it when I can.
I got a call from my Mom last week saying my Dad is going to have eye surgery because the found cateracks in both his eye, so Tuesday he went in and got the first on done and all is well, talked to Mom and him yesterday and I guess he can now see better out of the eye they just did so thats good.
Then I find out my niece goes in got surgery today to have her ankle fixed. Shes a baseball player and she slid into a base and screwed up her ankle up, the doctor they went to said its OK just some tendon damage just let it heal for six weeks well not so much. There going in to break her tib/fib add like three screws and re attach the tendons "IF" they can. So shes heart broken because shes out for the rest of the season but shes taking pretty good. So I hope all goes well with that.
Dropped the power tap off at Russ's last night to get it re laced THANKS RUSS. It keeps popping
spokes and its driving me crazy to have to keep re truing it.
Other then that I think Tess has hit the terrible twos early, the last week she has got into everything along with putting a scratch in the plasma t.v. and just about killing one of the cats, and were talking about another one?????? All in all shes pretty good and the words are coming fast and loud (what would you expect she is mine). The best one so far is the statement OHHH NOOO with such conviction, its had not to laugh its so funny.
So my weekend is set a Erica has to work all weekend so I will be playing Mister Mom, got to figure out some stuff to do so we not in the house all day, maybe the museum... the Zoo out since its going to be like 95 tomorrow. We will see.
Well go to get some stuff done.
See Yaa.............

Downgraded

It sits like a pit in the stomach but it was all for the best.
The race went well, all but the start as I ended up in the back but with a little work I started to work my way up from there. The trail was in great shape and all was going well till we got to the pines, way to fast and not enough control, BAM I hit what I think was the only stump in the hole trail. Jacked the shit out of my shoulder but stayed upright. The rest of it was a race and I finished OK, still 2 min down from the leader but in much better shape then other races. The time and distance fits me much better right now and that's what I was hopping for. I figured I would take some shit for it and I was right but in the long run I know it was the right thing to do.
All in all it was a good weekend, I think the best part was the ride home, yes it took forever but Erica and I got time to talk about thing that we have just been taking for granted lately. With my work load we don't have much time together right know and then when I am home she's at work so it ended up to be a good drive in the end.
Yesterday got to do the recovery ride with Tool,Coop(the shit giver),Bubba and Megatron. It was a good 27 miles in around two hours. That's the kind of riding I need but just can't seen to fit in my time line right now, well we'll see what happens in the upcoming weeks.
See Ya.

a sour pill to swallow

Well as I sit here after pre-ride I feel like I kind of took a shot to the ego today. After all that has happened in the last year I made a decision to take a step down in racing classes. After the crash in fall(shoulder still not right) and the lack of training in the off season my racing has turned into a shit pile. So after the week on vacation and really seeing what my fitness level is I made the decision to go to citizen and start over.
Its a hard step but it will be for the best, after finishing most of my races more then 30 min behind the leader its really is the right answer.
So Sunday will be the first race as a Cit. Clyd.
I think the biggest change will be the start time and trying to get ready. As much as it will be a change I know its for the best.
So we will see how tomorrow goes,lets hope I don't take to much shit for it.
See ya at the race.

Vacation

Well we left Tuesday morning to head up to Eau Claire. we figured Erica's family lives up there so we'll make a week of it. The drive was great, a couple of stops to`shop at the outlet malls and the next thing I knew we where here. The weather up here has been great, mid 70's and a nice wind to make it feel great. Hit up the race trail yesterday and the trail is great. There are a couple of places of some wicked sand that will grab the front wheel but the rest of it is dry and fast.
I spent some time today changing the fork out on the bike back to my shock, after last week at the ridge the shoulder has had be still hurting so................... the shock goes back on.
I not quite sure I rode the total right trail as its not marked yet but I know I got to ride a lot of it.
I don't remember there being so many log crossing in the race last year but just another reason for the fork change.
Today we went to a really cool museum about logging in the local are and another museum about Indians from the area. It was fun Tess had a good time until nap time caught up with her.
Well thats about all for now, I just sitting here watching the Blue Collarcomedy tour and eating sour patch extreme candy, now I feel like Jay, you know you just can't have one.

This + This = Trainning

Fowarding from Bubba

MEMORIAL DAY RIDE........ ......... .........

How 'bout a Memorial Day MTB ride on the fine trails of Wauwatosa???

The ride shall depart from Casa de Bubba at 11:00am and hit the woods
for a few hour tour of all the places I've been hurting myself lately.
We can lap past my place a few times in case anyone needs to knock off
early. Fast folks, slow folks....We can break into 2 groups if
necessary or the fast guys can wait for me at intersections and other
strategic points.
After the ride, I will be firing up the grill for some backyard
grilling and bullshitting. So load up a cooler with your favorite dead
animal parts and a few drinks and we'll have at it.

Casa de Bubba is located at 3215 N Menomonee River Parkway
Wauwatosa Wi

Better Late then never

WOW, What a weekend. After the hole thing with Tess we got on the road to Iola around 10am and had a great ride all the way up (thank God for DVD players in the car). Pulled into the parking lot and found out where we could camp, well for three hours until they made us move but it was for the better.
Got all set up and Tess started with a fever again so Erica took her into the trailer and turned on the heater and they watched DVD's till she fell asleep. I on the other hand got to hit up the pre-ride.
Felt good but not the best ever, so I just rolled though it and tried to read the course the best I could. I can tell the difference with the weight loss but the fitness is not up to par yet.
Had a great night sleep even know it was cold as hell out side. We turned the heater up and sleep like a baby until 6 am when the real baby decided it was time to wake us up. Got her out of the loft and she fell right back to sleep until around 7:30 when Erica said is it hot in here or is it just me?I peek my head out and low and behold the suns out, thank you.
So I start to get ready for my race and everything feels good, head out for a warm up and get to the start line, this is weird as I haven't been in this mix in over a year, see a lot of friendly faces and the nerves start. Hear the first GOOOOOOOOOO and now its real, line up and I look up, I'm in the last row but it was all good.
The plan was just to hang on and not DNF. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO and were off, had a great start until the brain figured out what I was doing and then it said to the lungs "No Way" but I held on for awhile. End of first lap and I'm over heating, I knew I shouldn't have left the long sleeve base on. I stop a the team tent and strip it off and head back out though the bowl and up the gravel to the first big climb on the second lap "Shit" I feel like shit, the stomach wants food and the legs are empty but there is no way I'm quiting.
I sit in for the ride and by the end of the second lap the hunger went away but the power is fading fast and the last lap is spent talking to myself to go faster FAT ASS. The last pines area was like I was in slow MO even know I knew I was almost done.
Pop out of the pine to stand and put some power down and get a right leg calf cramp that felt like someone shot me but who care I finished.
All in all it was a OK race, not my best but not my worst either. Had a great time and Tess had a blast outside or at least we were lead to believe.
Monday morning comes and the calf is a knot and it painful to walk but it work though it. I took a vacation day to spend the time with the family. Erica says to me that it looks like Tess got jelly in her hair, I'm like OK we'll have to give her a bath later, so we go about doing other stuff during the day and around 3 pm Erica says "LooK at this". "Thats not jelly", "Nope thats a tick" SHIT.
Yep a f'n tick, I cover it with vasaline and let it sit to back out, give it some time and grab it with a tweezers and the things snaps in half,"SHIT".
Call the doctor and we off to children's hospital to have the head cut out, three hours later and its out and Tess took it real good, a couple pokes and a scaple cut and she was good to go.
So all in all is was a soso weekend but it is good to be racing again.

SEE YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA....................................................

IF'ie weekend

Well were almost all packed as of last night and set for the weekend and then..............................
Tess hit a 104.3 temp and now all the plans are up in the air. I really want to race but shes way more important then the race. Plus there are eleven more.
So I will keep my fingers crossed the med work and we still may make it but as of right now its not looking good.

Getting better

Things are better all around. The mountain bike is getting all dialed in. Took it out again on Saturday and things all worked great until I got a slow leak in the front tire, babied it home but still got a good 2 1/2 hours in.
Sunday hit up the shop ride and ended up with a good turn out with about 10 strong, did the 23.5 mile loop in 1:26, not bad for a recovery ride. We got about 3/4 of the way though the ride and then everyone started to get antsy, Karrie started of the stop ahead attacks and it was on from there. I would say we went about 6 miles with attack after attack until about 2 miles to go when we all settled back down for the spin back to the shop.
All in all it was a great weekend even know Erica had to work. Thanks to Nana and Papa(my Mom and Dad) for taking Tess for Sunday morning so I could get to the ride.
Did the lunch ride again yesterday and it was awesome outside, thinking about it again today if I can stay in between the rain drops that are coming down right now.
See Yaaaaaaaaaa..........................

GOAL................ Two of them

Weight goal #1 reached. Bike all put together and got out on the dirt. So that makes another two a day as I also road the road at lunch.
The only problem right now is after the first dirt ride the shoulder is killing me. Lets hope this is only because of the first dirt ride.

See Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...............................................

Part of my mind is made up

So this is how the day started, staring at this thing trying to figure out what to do.
Between last night and this morning I made a small step as I figured out I won't be racing single speed in WORS or for the fat tire 40, so what will that mean?

It means the Ferrous gets it first set of gears in two years. X9 all the way around, I really wanted to go with the XO but I do have diapers to buy. So the only thing left is the front derailer,
I am going to have to order one as our shop has none and none of the local shops have one either.
I also upgraded the saddle,pedals and bar ends.
So as it sits right now it will be a 2x9 ridged ass kicker(my ass).
All thats left then is the cables and the front derailer.
See Yaaaa........................

One more piece of the puzzle

One more piece of the puzzle was picked up today,I have been looking into these for awhile and last week I dropped the bills for them. I have been riding SIDI's for the last couple of years but have been waiting for a carbon sole, and look what came out this year.the great part is even the carbon is replaceable.
So all the pieces are together for the year, now I just have to figure out what class I'm going to race this year, singleseed, Clyd or age group? So what do you think? Any help would be great.
Now the weather, rain all day well at the bike shop wasn't that bad but I really need to get out and get a good ride in. The trainer is getting old.
Well its getting late and I need a good nights sleep for once. Soooooooooooo....................
SEE YAA................................................

211

Thats right 1lbs from my first goal of 210, yep thats right 31lbs. The diet has been working and the food has been great, haven't cheated once and I think thats the goal. Last week was a full week of riding, yep seven days straight every day. Then we come to this week and I haven't got a ride in yet.
Work have been a load this week and next week will be the same but I hope to get out tomorrow and Friday.
Got the power tap back and holy shit, they replaced everything even the head units and wiring harness, what a great company. So I will hopefully have a update on that in the next few days.
Short post today but its better then Bubba just cutting and pasting some ones else's stuff on his blog.(After awhile I was starting to think that picture was Bubba)

SEE YAAAAAAAAAAAA.............................

Road Ride 4/6/08

Sunday 10:00 am
Place Extreme ski and bike
Pace No DROP
Course mostly flat
Length 1 hour 30 min

Come one come all