Welcome to the Dungeon Baby, its time for you to die.

Well it’s almost time to start the training and this year I going into it with guns a blazing.

The diet is all worked out and tonight is the time to get the basement in order for the training dungeon,

I even gone as far as getting myself a super secret coach, yes that’s right, a super secret coach that will layout my training program and help me with the issues I have had in the past. The goal is easy, sport. Yes just sport and “NO” Clyde this year just plain old age group.

The plan will be much different than in the past, as the goals have been set for almost 8 weeks and I need to stick to them, no matter what.

The bike plan is all set, a new 09’ Rig and new 09’ HiFi. One for the flat and fast, and one for the bumps and lumps. The Rig is set to go, maybe a new bar but that should be about it. The HiFi is another story, as this will be my main ride I’m taking a little more time with this one.

It lies out like this……

Frame 09’ HiFi

Fork Fox (taken from the Rig)

Wheels Sun (thanks Russ)

Stopies Hayes(thanks again)

Gears X9 all around

Cranks Bonty Xlite carbon ,running it 2x9

Stem and bars XXX stem and Xlite big sweep bars

Seat and post RXL seat on a Xlite ACC carbon post.

Grips None(I run bar tape)

So that’s the plan, well as much as I can tell you anyway. We will see, but my goals are simple and I don’t thing to far out of my reach. Now I just have to stick to it and the rest should fall into line.

See Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

MARRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

gotta do this to get rid of that

Broken things cost money

Yes they do. So at Shawno I figured out I broke my Ferrous frame, Great I really liked that frame and the color, but I figured since I already ordered a new RIG I really have no need for another hard tail so I am getting a HIFI as a replacement. But there was not a chance I was giving it up till after Shervegas and......... well here it goes.
The race it self was OK for me this year, I really wanted to make a good showing and work for a top three, Don calls go and were off, I'm sitting good and watching the leaders right in front about five bikes up. I'll sit here I figure and just watch for awhile, then some guy eats it in the first single track and there is no way to get around, SHIT..................... I'm f'd as the lead group is gone. I get back on and I have two guys to work with and we do well all the way into the tall pines when I see the group ahead and push to catch them(BIG MISTAKE). I was getting tired from playing catch up but figured as soon as I caught them I could sit in and take a breather.
I stand to catch up and hit the ground like sack of shit, I hit the ground HARD BOOM!!!!!!!!!! A sharp pain in the hand as I look down to see the last three fingers on my left hand bent backwards touching my wrist, Shit I figure I broke them, I roll around on the ground in pain for awhile, the two guys behind me stop(Thanks) long enough to get me and the bike off the trail.
I think to myself I'm done..........Fuck that I'm finishing, rip off the glove, pull off the wedding ring(good move as you'll see later) and pull my fingers back into joint, and ya know it didn't hurt that much. Put the glove back on and off I go.
The hand hurts but I figure I'll just put it out of my head and it worked. Road the rest of the single track and across the road trying to make up some time, got to the hill and figured giver and I did. The first time in five years I mad it up the EQ. and i even got payed.
Made the rest of the lap and stopped by Erica to off load the ring and the five dollars and off I went to finish the last lap. It was a good race and I even ended seventh in my field(I figured for sure I was last).
The hand was a hole bigger problem, by the time I finished I could hardly move my fingers and the swelling was getting bad but there was no way I was leaving. The rest of the night was spent in pain but not enough that a few beers couldn't help.
The next day I get up and my hand looks like a rainbow, Blue,Yellow,Purple and Green and the swelling is so bad I can't move the fingers at all(thank God I took off my ring), so i figure I should go to the doctor but I have to go into work first to get my guys to their jobs and take care of some stuff, yes I am bull headed.
Well by the time I got to the doctor it was like almost seven pm and I still need to get X-rayed.
At first look they see no breaks, WOW no breaks so back home to ice I go and by Tuesday the swelling is down and the colors Oh the colors are much worse.
At 3:00pm my phone rings, its the doctor from yesterday" Randy is your pinkie hurting or giving you any problems" "well yes it hurts more then the others" "well that's because you broke it at the second joint and it giong to hurt for awhile" "Thanks for the info".
Not much they can do for it but he was right it hurts.
Other then that not much has been going on, went to the WORS banquet, it had a low turn out from years past and I still didn't win anything. Then the sickness came to the family and for almost two weeks we've passed it back and forth till the last two day we seen to be coming out from under it.
Tonight were heading to the SUG's for "Trick or Treat" for Tess and then it's up to Green Bay for me to do a Ski swap for the bike shop. So its another full weekend.

See ya...........................................

On the note of my blog has been taken over buy a cut and past hacker I will add this.

Who are you voting for?

Lets hope he has a good firewall and virus scanner.
I love computers and what they can do for you and to others.

"I AM ALIVE"

Yes I am. I know its been awhile and I've been taking some shit because I haven't updated but I've had a lot to do and to blog you have to have time, unlike ASHOLE who just posts pictures of his man crush.
So where do I start.... the 40 will do.
This year was not the best, had a great ride up with John S. and Dave D. but the race was totally different. Git up at the crack of dawn to get some bikes out, then it was back to the house for some breakfast and a last check of thing to make sure I had everything and before I knew it we had to go. Got to the start line to stand around and wait( same old same old) then we were off. The road was OK but I went a little to had pulling Sug and got slammed in the field, tried to grab a wheel but the legs felt like concrete so I just sat. Felt good in the beginning, saw Regina get a flat and asked if she was OK, she was and passed me later. Saw most of my team pass me also but I figured that was going to happen, I looked at it like this, my plan was to have fun no matter the time.
At around eight to go the back started to really act up and I was all over the bike, I couldn't a place that was comfortable to sit then the rain, the rain o shit the rain. It was OK at first but around 2 to go it came down with some force and the bike suffered for it. The last hill before the finish I chain sucked and bad, it took about 5 min to get it out and I figured it cost me about 30 places, but all in all it was fun.
I did something I really wanted to do (well almost) I climbed 3/4's of fire tower hill, I couldn't climb the start because some guy fell in front of me but I got the rest and it felt great.
It was pouring when I finished so it was right to the Hayes guys condo to warm up and shower(thanks guys) so I missed alot of the stuff that was going on and never go my time till the following day but I knew it was bad so it was no great loss.
Skipped Rhinelander because of work and really wanted to make up for it in Shawno, decided to Camp even now it was going to be cold and all in all it was really comfortable (except for the leak in the air mattress).
Had a OK pre- ride, the course seemed long and very rough, not good for the back, but I liked it.
Sunday morning came and I was running late with my pre race to do list, never got to warm up till 9:30 so I was worried about the start. Got in the shoot and had a good line up, second row middle, Don calls go and were off. We all stuck together until the third turn and then someone jumped, I knew if I wanted have a good race I had to chase because the first single track has no place to pass. I gun it and I'm about 7th back, a good place for me and I feel good so I hold it.
Into the tunnel and I'm OK sitting about 6th as I get passed but a guy in my age group, well I can't let that happen time to pick up the pace.
First lap on the other side and the legs feel good and I've passed two more guys in my age group, I figure I'm forth in my group and I'm happy with that for now and set the cruise, just then I get passed by a 35+ clyd, "SHIT" I'm in for the chase, I sit on his wheel figuring he ca pull me when "SLAM" he hits a tree and he now behind me again. So what to do? I test him and every time I go I get a gap so the next straight away I go and I'm away I keep pushing and were at the down hill with the soft climb after it. I rail the down hill and get cut off on the climb and what do ya know he passes me again, Run FAT ASS is all I can think at the time.
Were at the lap point and he must have had someone giving him a hand up because he was off the course when he hit the sand and down he went again. I figured I was ok and I needed to turn it back a little because the back was starting to hurt a little and I need some power for the finish.
So I just ride smart and clean everything and make it though the tube clean, one more lap on the start side and I'm in for fourth. I get to the corn field and what do you know he's back(well he's nothing but consistent) I figure I'm not going to give up this way and I giver, I keep the line and I'm first into the single track, I clear all the hills and the rocks and I'm testing him as we go. We hit the last open field( I thought it was the last) and I give it hell to see if I can drop him, it works and i figured I was in the clear until I don't see the finish and realise I went to early, SHITTTTTTTTTTTTTTT. We pop out to the finish road and He passes me and my tank is empty.
I still felt good and I really had a good race. I checked the results and I ended up forth and I was in the race for third, O well it was a good time.
On the home front all is well, Tess will turn two in November , wow where has the time gone. other wise all is good. I will try to post more.
See Ya........................................

Its Offical

Its never really been a problem for me but on Sunday the cork popped and I was in the hurt locker.The worst thing is it happened on a recovery ride. Had a good start, launched a stop ahead attack and the legs didn't like it to much but I just chalked it up to going to hard to early in the ride.
So I sat in for awhile(about 15 min) and started to feel better, see the next sign and off I go, felt good and then POP the legs let go. I look up and here comes a hill and before you know it I'm off the back and when I mean off the back I mean way off. It ended up taking me like 10min with some help to get back on and from there I just sat in.
Its been awhile for that to happen to me, I've tried to stay out of the hurt locker the hole year because I know how it makes me feel for about two or three days after.
Monday when I got up the legs felt like shit and the back was no better so it was no bike but the beer at the Timm's was good. I'll take today off also and maybe the legs will feel better for the ridge on wed. night.
As of right now the race this weekend is up in the air, at first we planned to go up and camp, but with the 40 next weekend and our 5th anniversary on the 13th I don't know if we can swing it with everything else that's going on but we'll see.

The last thing is if anyone is looking for bikes I'm selling. Looking to get rid of my Ferrous and my 5200 road bike.
My Ferrous is a 17.5 and is in great shape and I'll post some pictures later.
The Trek 5200 is size 54 and is like brand new and it has a powertap on it right now, I'm willing to sell it with the powertap or without as I still have the original rims.
Drop me a message if your interested and we'll talk price.

See Yaaa................

First time in a long time

Well for the first time in a long time I had a great race and felt good doing it. At first I figured it was going to suck since I haven't touched the bike since the last race but I even surprised myself.
I got to pre-ride the course Saturday and at first I figure d I was going to die on the climb but then I got into the single track and felt a lot better, the course was fast and had good flow and I figured I could push pretty hard on Sunday. Got back to the hotel and waited for the Sugs and we headed back to the course so they could ride and Erica and I sat and talked to the BIG Gooooooooo! man himself(Don). After we had a good dinner and then it was off to bed.
This morning it was up early to get to the course, the nerves were in full effect and I was second guessing the climb, what to wear(knee warmers ,no knee warmers)(Thanks Goat)and if I ate enough or drank to much before the race, but it was start time and off I went. I did one good thing I warmed up real good on the road, something I mostly never do and it payed off big on the hill climb.
The climb that killed yesterday was a steady pace today and before I knew it we were at the top. Coming off the climb I figure I was eighth or ninth and needing to get off my fat ass and make up some places, passed a few in the field and got another just before the single track, I figure I was about sixth. I then got behind a day of guy that was moving at a good clip and we worked together in the single track but he got a little freaked out in the last section of single track and that was my key to but some time on him.
Into the lap area and I skipped the bottle hand up from Erica and tried to push the tempo to see if I could make up some more spots, up the hill and the flat and into the single track feeling good and the legs were holding much to my surprise.
Half way though the second lap and I eased off just a little knowing I still had the switch back climb to do and knowing what I know now I should have just pushed and not backed off.
Though the single track and I was all by myself pushing just to see if I could catch someone. Into the the last section and I catch two more young guys but no Clyds, I hit the open finish and push as hard as I can but in the end I was 30 sec. short of third place, but this forth felt a better then the third at Sunburst because I really pushed myself to how I know I can ride.
So all in all it was a great weekend. As I sit here and type were in a hotel in Black River Falls as I have to check up on one of my customers tomorrow and program their DVR on there network and do a training class for them, so it really worked out OK in our favor. Hope everybody else had as good of a race as I did.

See Yaaaa................................

Drive up

Had a great drive up, 3 hours and 45min to Eau Claire to stop and see Ericas family. Were heading out for sushi for dinner and then were going to drive up to River Falls.
As of right now the weather looks good, 70's up here tomorrow and mid 60's for Sunday, just the way I like it. The rain they were calling for so far has held off. I'll up load some pictures tonight if I can get on the wireless at the Hotel or at least a better signal on my air card.
More later.
See Yaaaaaaaaa.................................

A wwekend away

Away for the weekend, off to River Falls and then Eau Claire and Black River Fall for work.
Will update when we get up there.

See YAAAAAAA.............................

Pics from Sunburst

24-9 Weekend

Wow what a weekend, 5 hours of sleep and I didn't even race.Had a great weekend with Rob and Candy the Wife and Tess. The weather could not have been better seeing what we have today it could have been worse.
The Sugs(both of them) pulled off a great race, cause at 1am they where in 12th place and by 7am they had moved to 4th even with Rob meeting with the ground a few times.
Times were pretty close every lap and they looked good for the hole 24 hours.
Its weird being support and not racing but it was still fun. Got to see a lot more of things going on and I was a lot more busy then I figured I would be. The hardest part was washing bikes at 4:30am with nothing but a l.e.d head lamp on but all in all it was a fun time.
I also got to see what trouble the timing systems ended up to be for the racers was. The system is a sound idea as I work with RFID for my job but it was all set up wrong in my eyes, instead of three readers they could have used a portal(larger read range) or a double read systems. That way you wouldn't of had to scan your card but I guess it all worked out in the end. The live updates were cool as we could see lap times from all the teams while sitting in the screen tent.
So as I sit at my desk I'm still tired cause I didn't go right to be, I fixed our TV so all the components are know in the bedroom and the only thing you see in the front room id the flat screen, it kind of cool, I got a IR router to move the signal from the front room to the bedroom and it works great and cleans up the room, and know Tess can't kiss the TV any more.
Well I should get back to work, Man I need a nap.
See YAAA...............
will load pictures from 24/9 later.

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.