whoa

I have no idea what possessed me to actually update this blog.
Probably weather depression. My blog is filled with pissy posts about the weather so what's one more? I know that it won't be cold and rainy forever, but still...
Reading my last few posts the Superfly is gone; it'll be replaced by a Form shortly. I suppose I should be sure all of the parts we need are in. I need to make a list. I'm going to sell the Eriksen. I stopped racing cross. Once the weather turned to shit I hung it up. No regrets. I found that I enjoyed hanging out with the crowds and watching John. He raced right after me so I'd miss everything. I'm just not a competition person I guess. I think I like mountain bike racing because for the most part it just seems like a hard mountain bike ride with other people. With cross it seemed like the prep was longer than the race. Just wasn't for me.
The girls are good. Casey started tumbling, Zoe will be starting dance. Everything is so expensive. I can't believe Casey is 9. She is so unbelievably smart and creative. Zoe is 4 going on 15. She loves to sing, dance and be a drama princess. We finally got a trail-a-bike so hopefully we'll have some family rides (when the weather finally warms up).

I can't believe Iola is less than two weeks away. It's going to hurt.

Superfly for super sale

John's getting rid of the Superfly.
It's in Gatto condition- however there is a scratch on the toptube from his handlebar (rookie).

Gary Fisher carbon 29er hardtail frame- med, 17.5"
RockShox Reba XX 29er fork- white
240 DT Swiss wheels- hubs are very lightly used, rims are still in the plastic- they were just rebuilt to Stan's rims.
pics are of the 190 wheelset that are being kept.
SRAM XX triggers
SRAM XX rear derailleur
SRAM XX front derailleur
SRAM XX disc brakes
SRAM XX 175mm 42/29 carbon crank.
Truvativ World Cup stem 100mm
Truvativ World Cup handlebar, carbon, flat
Cane Creek headset
Bontrager carbon ACC seatpost
Bontrager ti saddle
991 chain
1099 11-36 cassette
ESI chunky lava grips
No pedals.





$2700 complete or $1500 frame and fork.
If you want more pics or are interested email me if you'd like spicyride at gmail dot com.

blogging

Someone asked me to update my blog or why don't I?
I don't know why. Time?
I always think to myself I should update it more. Even if a pic or two here and there. It always seems like at this point it overlaps with facebook.
I know I love to go look months and even years back to look at the photos and see what I had to say. I think I'll miss that.



No resolution or anything, but maybe I'll try and update more. Not for anybody else though, for me. Which is who this blog has always been for anyway.

Cross and things

It's been awhile since I've updated.
Not much going on really.
I've raced cross 3 times, and although it's fun, it's yet to hit me as the best thing ever.
I long for roots, drops and twisty singletrack. However I do enjoy it for a good work out and hanging out with people.
I upgraded to a Cat 3 knowing I'd get my ass beat, but at the same time I didn't feel right racing the 4s, especially since the category was filling up so quickly. I guess I just felt that the women that were being kept out of the race, were true 4s. I don't really notice or feel much difference in the extra 15 minutes. The only thing that's changed really is instead of finishing in the top 10 I'm near last. I'm pretty used to that. John's been doing very well. Podiums for the most part every race. He won the 30+ this weekend and then took 4th in the 1,2,3. So good on him.
I sold my road bike. The Eriksen is still safe... for now. However, I did wake up one night in a cold sweat having thought I sold it. Perhaps that was a sign saying DON'T DO IT.
Halloween is coming. I have two costume ideas. Casey will be Hermione from Harry Potter and Zoe is Ariel from The Little Mermaid. I still have to pick up a few things which is sort of annoying as I just want to have it done. Hopefully tonight.
This weekend we'll be racing Campton on Sunday, not sure of Halloween Cross in WI. Just a lot of driving and a lot of cash.
So much to do at home. I'm starting to get a bit stressed out at how unorganized the house is right now. It's starting to get old.
I don't know when I'll be on my mountain bike next. Hopefully before the weekend.

Last one.

I love Sheboygan.
I don't know what makes it so special. I think it's the crowds of people everywhere on a super fun course. It has a little bit of everything- roots, big fucking roots, log overs, a log drop, wooden bridges, a quarry, twisty singletrack, pines, river edge singletrack, steep leg cramp climbing, a creek crossing... There isn't a place on that course that I do not look forward to. It's all good.
I haven't done a WORS race since the beginning of July. I knew it was going to be tough if only because I haven't raced or ridden that intense in quite some time. Sure I did other races, but nothing compares to the competition of a WORS race.
My first lap was fun, going back n forth with a couple of ladies. Second lap I was still feeling good... I was starting to relax and get into a rhythem. Third lap I took another gel and my stomach cramped shortly after. I think I took it too soon not thinking that the laps at Sheboygan are pretty short. I knew right away after I took it that I wasn't going to feel well so I willed it away. Luckily it didn't get too bad.

WORS #12 ©WORS Danny Marchewka

My legs still felt great through my 3rd lap. I don't know exactly where it was, but
on the 3rd lap I did something to my back. I thought maybe it was just tense from all the roots and having too much air pressure in the back tire. But it didn't exactly feel like that and still today, my back hurts. I don't even want to ride my mountain bike. The thought of it causes me to tense up. It's just this one spot by my back rib.
Anyway, Sheboygan is pretty rooty so it was pretty intense at times, I could barely hold onto the bar, so I slowed down quite a bit. At first I was pissed off. But then, I was like, whatever. It wasn't like I'd be missing out on anything if I could pedal faster. So I just dealt with it. Weird for me, though, to actually look forward to climbing...
I guess it was kind of a bummer if only because I'd like to see how I would've finished without that issue as my legs were totally fine. But I'm sure there were other racers that day with their own problems as well.
In the end I had a blast and that's what it's all about. I still look back on it and smile.

I'm hoping to get an epic mountain bike ride in this weekend. We'll see. I'm not one for making plans. I either change my mind, or get disappointed if what I wanted to do doesn't work out.

John, me and the mesa

So I did make it out to the mesa yesterday. Much later than I thought though.
John ended up riding with me. I felt sort of off. I wrote it off to not having been on a mountain bike in awhile, that time and just tiredness in general. I also need brake pads dearly.



There's a new bridge out there on the middle finger. I wussed. John even offered to spot me and I still wussed. I don't know what my deal was, but that sucker is mine when I'm out there next... I think.

Anyway, it was a short ride. I didn't ask my mom to watch the kids so we were pushing it time wise. Good thing too as the skies looked pretty angry as we rode home.

Today I went to work for what I hoped to be a half day. Turned out being a full day. I was hoping for a light week since every body is in Vegas, however it's been turning out to be the busiest week in recent memory.

We interrupt this mountain bike season

to bring you cross.
Yep, that's right. Hell froze over. I raced my 2nd ever cross race.
I had a good time. I was on a bike, how could I not?
52 women started with me on Sunday. I finished 10th.

above image stolen from ©Edmund White

I'm ditching work here in a few to go for a mountain bike ride. It's been awhile.

obligatory

unorganized

I left my laptop at work Wednesday night; so after Casey went to school Zoe and I headed out to go get it.



Zoe wanted to stay for a bit so I was able to get some work done there... which isn't that interesting in itself, however we were there long enough for the UPS dude to have dropped off some goods for me.

My day was just so off. Not having my laptop, then being at work, then a conference call. It doesn't seem like a big deal but I was thrown off and had a hard time getting into a groove.

I ended up riding for a short time when John got home. Sucks that it gets dark so fast. At least I had something to look forward to when I got home.



My Ultimate Shorties and tires come in tomorrow. 17.01 lbs with Rival and WTB 38 tires.

it's still today... barely.

YES!

OH, HAI THERE RAGWEED. It's been awhile.

My cold is dwindling only to be replaced by allergies.
I hate allergies.

I want to ride my bike kickass tomorrow on singletrack, so please cold and allergies, not to be rude, but seriously GTFO.

New frame coming on Wed (*crosses fingers, no pun intended). I think all I need is a crank and front derailleur. I should make a list. I love lists.

Here's an awesome picture.

Friday Night.

The long *ss weekend

Heading out Friday night I thought for sure the mesa would be wet. I half-heartedly headed out on the paved path. When I came up to the steel bridge I noticed how dry the singletrack was. It meant one thing, the mesa is dry. I'll admit to being very surprised at how great conditions were. Not one wet spot. Perfect actually.
On my way back home from my ride my phone rang. It was Ben Popper. He and a few others wanted to give the mesa a shot Saturday morning if I was up for being a tour guide.
HELL YES.
When I got home I called my mom up right away and asked if she wouldn't mind watching the girls. Being the good sport she is, she agreed.
Mike, Ben, Brandon, Dave, Al, Paolo, John and I headed out around 8am. It's been a long time since I've been chilled on a bike ride. Once we got into the woods, it ended up being perfect. Well until Dave had a chainring mishap on the first hill... John ended up towing him back to our house and gave him th3ocon's bike.
It was a good ride. I don't think I've ever ridden Sublime that fast the second time around. I'm sure John's challenge had a bit to do with it...
Sunday we headed up to the Klugs. John and Kevin headed out to the Kettles while Holly and I gossiped while hiking and hanging out with the girls. When John and Kevin came back, Holly and I headed out to Emma. We rode Emma and the connector. It was my first time on Emma since they re-did the trails, I approve big time. I think it may actually be one of my favorite sections. However I think the connector on the way out from Emma still rates pretty darn high. Another good ride. When we were done it was brats and frog hunting.
Monday I headed out to Palos to participate in the women's only Half Acre ride. There were about 14 of us, I think. We ended up in groups. It turned out to be another great day on the bike. Fabulous weather, good company, fun trails, we saw a dude endo spectacularly on dynamite road and then a dude puking on three ravines. Nice.
My weekend ended with a beautiful breeze coming through the doors while I sat on the couch drinking a beer watching Phineas and Ferb. Awesome.
This coming weekend has a lot to live up to. It's at a disadvantage already seeing as it'll be a day short. I am however looking forward to seeing some WORS peeps. Last time was Eau Claire, I think.

Today...

Meet Fucker Log

aka Rachael's log. It was named after me because the first time I went over it I almost broke my neck. I crashed off it and knocked myself unconscious. 4 years later I rode it again, successfully, many times.





I am never riding this again as most of you know, because I crashed going the other way a couple weeks ago. Fucker.
I'm bitter about it.

No, I didn't try it again, but clearly you can see I'm not over it.

It's weird looking at it, you may not think much of it. It's a veritable beast, however.
You may ride it once and be like this isn't hard at all, and then 10 times after, but one day... it will get you. Don't say I didn't warn you.

My Form part 1

I was never a hater of 29ers. When they first surfaced, I initially thought "they weren't for me, but for big dudes." Slowly my thought processes changed.
The color purple became one of my favorites, so of course I had to have a Rig.
I remember my first ride on it. I was cruising down Ridgeland on my way to the Mesa and right away I was like "holy shit, I can't believe how much momentum I'm keeping!" I was stoked.
I rode the Mesa. I remember braking hard into turns because I was cruising so fast into them... but unfortunately also because I had to turn that thing. As cool as it was I felt like I was driving a bus on some of the trails.
As much as I liked the Rig, I wanted something custom. I got the Waltworks shortly after. Singlespeed and rigid. It wasn't suspension corrected so it steered like a dream. It was almost too quick for me. As much fun as singlespeeding can be, and rigid... it just wasn't for me every ride.
Fisher came out with the Ferrous. I thought about that blue almost daily. The bow seatstays were beautiful. The simplicity and small little details made it the frame I had to have. With a little help from some creepy guy I was able to get my hands on one.
I loved that bike. I rode it rigid for awhile. It steered in the singletrack much better than my Rig. The Ferrous, IMO, was one of the coolest production bikes ever built. I still see the one I used to own and almost have regrets. Almost.
As much as I loved the Ferrous it was a pig. 5.5 pounds for a hardtail frame... ouch.
I wanted something light. I wanted to race a 29er. I was lucky to get a Superfly frame only and built it up rather quickly.
Right away I noticed it climbed like a goat. However I HATED how it rode in singletrack. It took me weeks to adapt to it. I didn't like it. I don't know what it was? 69 degree head angle?
I ultimately bought the Superfly to see if I dug a lightweight 29er and I'd eventually go custom.
John and I went on vacation to visit Zach and Sara a few months ago and we met Daryl from Form. After talking to him I pretty much knew he'd be building my next frame.
How cool is it to have personally met and ride with the guy designing your frame???
It's fucking cool.

I'd continue on about getting my Form... but I think I'm lucky if you stayed with me this far. Part 2 will happen at some point.

The Meltdown

You totes know this is gonna be a kick ass time. Save yourself a few bucks and get yourself registered before the 15th.

Pretty rad eh?

Finally. My FORM bitches!
John and I knocked it out a few hours ago. He did most of the work, and by most I mean all. I just did like rotors, tires, cages, etc.
I still have, well John still has a few things to do like cut the steerer (I was playing it safe), move my triggers (they are totally in the wrong spots, wtf?) and probably just some minor things here and there, rotate bar, levers, etc.

I'm stoked. I don't even know how to explain how awesome this bike is. Seatmast, zero stack, custom gusset, internal cable routing... sigh. I hope I can do this thing proud.

I'd like to get someone to get some good pics of this. Tonight when I went out there the camera immediately fogged (hello 78 degree dewpoint) and there was a fucking skunk. I feel like I still smell like the skunk. Made my nostrils burn.

Where to begin? Maybe in reverse.

I feel like I've been gone forever and it hasn't even been a full week.
We just got back from Eagle River a couple hours ago. The drive was long and tested our patience big time.
Eagle River was nice. Totally relaxing. We made it there on Tuesday early evening. Just in time for dinner. It was a beautiful night. It was great to see the girls.
Wednesday turned into a big storm fest. I didn't mind really... it was good to just relax in the cabin and do absolutely NOTHING. I also see no point in being upset for the whole day when there's nothing you can do about it (hypocrite).
Thursday was just beautiful. We tubed the whole day away. You can see on my chest where I missed putting the fucking sunscreen- OW!
Friday came way too quick. We pretty much just packed up for our torturous drive home. Ugh.
Prior to Eagle River John and I stayed up at Brent's in Minneapolis. We've been planning on doing this for over a year but it never seemed to work out well. This time it was perfect. My kids were with my family in Eagle River already so we headed over from Eau Claire.
We rode Lebanon Hills on Monday and Murphy on Tuesday morning. Both awesome trails. I have to give Leb more props though. It just suited my riding preferences more. It just flowed so well. I felt like I was going downhill most of the time, yet I barely remember climbing? I also love rock gardens and log crossings. It was just a little more technical than Murphy.
Thanks again to Brent for letting us hang out at his house and being tour guide on the trails. If he's up for it, I'm totally game for same plan next year.
Which brings me to WORS #6. I can't believe WORS is half way over! WOW, time flies.
Eau Claire is one of the courses I really enjoy. If it weren't for that field section it'd be top 2-3 for sure. I hate that field. I suck in it... and it's not so much that I suck, but in Elite there are soooo many girls so fit and fast that makes it more dreadful.
Anyway, my starts suck ass. I just can't pull off the effort at all. The only good thing about it is it appeared that by the time we got to the rock garden switchback, the back up wasn't too bad.
Sunday was one of those races where I actually felt like I was racing. Not many comp issues (except, why the fuck would you pass on the inside of a turn that went into open? WTF?! settle down and think) and I went back and forth with some gals. I love racing with Brenda, she always reminds me that this is supposed to be fun. I spent time with Lindsey and MK off the top of my head.... Christine, Sara, Patti, Heidi... everyone shouting words of encouragement. This is why I love racing WORS.
On the last lap I caught up to Patti. I wanted to pass her in the singletrack but I just wasn't powerful enough to do so. And it was sort of intimidating, IDK why. So I just stayed on her wheel until we hit the rock garden at the end. She dismounted and I rode. I was so nervous. It was so fun to be with someone so near the finish. Those rocks sort of toss you where they want to and at the exit I always wanted to stay a bit right, but would get kicked to the left. And being so tired I thought I'd poop out. I don't know what happened after that. I kept waiting for her to pass me but she never did. I don't know if she gave it to me or what. But whatever happened I'll admit to being happy for being rewarded for riding that section and then coming out ahead.
I'm not one to usually like a picture of myself, but I do like this one that Brittany took.


I'm dirty, dehydrated, I know I'm focused, I didn't notice my sleeve fell, I'm hovering over the saddle, my arms are tense because I was holding onto my bars fairly tight- just looking at it I can totally remember riding through there and how the bike moved under me. It's funny, I always get nervous before a race riding through a "crowd section", but when racing, I don't even hear them really.

See y'all at Alterra.