• OK, mission accomplished. First day of intensity, and I got "worked". My scheduled workout session kicked my butt, then followed that up with the YMCA spin class that drug me under a semi and backed over me a dozen times. You know that feeling and what i am talking about. Anyway, I am trying the Recover Ease today. I took it right after the spin class just like the directions say. Now it's a waiting game to see/feel the results.

    Tick...tock....tick...tock...tick...tock....

    I just got done slamming down some egg whites topped with whole wheat pasta, olive oil, and p-cheese. Mmmmmm. Delicious. Everything you need....nothing you don't.

    Time for a little nap before heading to the shop. Speaking of the shop, have you been in there lately? New paint, lots of new road rockets, plus some other changes you just have to see to believe.

  • The Recover-Ease sample packets showed up at the shop today. There's a bunch for those of you crazies racing in Trans-Iowa V2. Plus, I have a ton to give away at the shop and while out traveling and racing.

    This is a new product...both for me, and the sports market. Since I am going to start hitting the intensity a bit harder over the next 1.5 months it will be interesting to see how this supplement effects the way I train and recover. I am actually pretty excited to try it. It's either going to work or not work. I can't wait!!!

    So if you are in the Europa Cycle and Ski area swing on in for some free samples. Plus, when you see me at events, come up and ask for a sample. I have tons to give away. There is no way I could use it all. Also note that with all samples and per e-mail request there is a promo-code that can save you some $$$ if you decide you might want to purchase some.

    Here is to recovery. [holding glass of water in the air]

    Don't forget about the ELETE also. Lots of free samples at the shop yet.
  • So this weekends weather didn't lend itself to long hours. Temps hovering just about freezing and non-stop rain are NOT the kind of weather to put in 6 hour rides. So I opted to tweak my training and use this weekend as an active recovery. 3ish hours on Saturday, and 2.5ish hours today with Super Saul, and now my legs feel really good. As in scary good.

    February 1 marks the start of intensity. There will be longer interval sessions at endurance race pace....not XC race pace. All this for about 5 weeks to prep for the Ouachita Challenge. I can't wait. Speaking of can't wait. I wonder when I am going to start seeing gear for '06? Time is drawing near to toe up to the line. I hoped things come together soon.

    Now, a little fun with Photoshop...


    One last thing...
    I am messing around with rotating headers on this blog. Every set number of times the page reloads, a new header pic should show up. Comment, if you are having issues with it, cause I might put the axe on it if it becomes a pain in the arse.

    OK, I need some sleep. AM weights will come early.
  • That is what you have to ask yourself on days like today. It's 40 degrees, and pouring rain. What do you do? Well, if you want it bad enough, you have to get out in the elements and deal with it. Mother Nature might not be nice on race day. So why only train in the good weather? So suck it up. Throw on the rain cape. And get out there. The sweet, sweet rewards will come later in the season.





    Ask yourself...How bad do you want it?
  • Wahoo! Just got my Tifosi product for the 2006 season...and for the Trans-Iowa V2 racers who do well. Here is a taste of what I will be using in 2006. The pictures below represent the colors and styles I get to pimp for 2006.

    First up is the Backlash. Great for off the bike chill'n like a villan.



    These are going to be my new fav's. This is new for 2006. Say hello to Q3. This little treat has fototec lenses, which means they automatically change tint base on the amount of light you are rage'n your bike in. Sweeeeeeeeeet.



    These guys are the Quam 1.5. For a whopping $50 dollars you get yourself a set of shades with 4...count 'em...4 sets of lenses. Who can beat that? Really, who can?




    I wish I had a pair of these for myself, but these were sent to me for prizing for the ladies for Trans-Iowa V2. So, ladies you better be train'n yer arses off cause these are H-O-T, Hot, Hot, Hot!!

    Tomorrow will be saddle time with Tifosi product testing. I can't wait!

  • Today is all screwed up. First up is to the shop at 7 AM for a "how can we be a better bike shop" meeting. That goes till 10 AM. Then I hop on the bike for some riding till 12:30ish. After the ride it's back to work from 1:00 to 6 PM. Then chances are when I get home I am going to have to get the Smith's kit "art-ready to send off to Hincapie Sportswear. Oh, and if you haven't been into the shop lately...you might want to. Lot's of new road rockets in stock! We hit the mother load!

    Buchanan-I-Have-My-Bike-&-Jeff-Doesn't has a first thoughts review of his sweet new C ride. Have I mentioned how excellent his bike is? It is. I swear! It's great for sweet jumps.

    G-Ted has some most excellent news to share, but his site has gone A-WOL, so I'll wait for him to spread the good word. One word...Ferrule

    OK, I have to gear up to get down. More coming later.

    Side Note: The current song playing on iTunes as I type this is I Will Be Heard by Hatebreed.
  • Busy.
    Busy.
    Busy.
    So, I put up the Kerkove Media site, and now I have requests coming out of my ears! It's a good thing though. I am going to try to take on what I can as not to get too swamped and piss off clients with slow turn around. So day by day, and free time by free time I will whip out designs on the computer. Stay tuned.

    What else...
    The Granny Gear event that is coming to Missouri is going to be great. Finally, a major 24 hour event less than 6 hours drive away. I am peg'n this as a "A" race. Bring it!

    This morning I did my bike workout indoors. It was some major Force and Intenisty work. I thoug my head and legs were going to explode. It's funny how the legs burn with lactic acid for 15 minutes, then all of a sudden the pain stops and you just continue on. It's very scary-weird-bitter-sweet when that happens. But it's sweet to see my body adapting to the stress I am putting it through. Tomorrow I have early AM work at the shop...followed by either hill workout or gravel grinder...then back to the shop. With temps in the 50's I can further my So-Semi-Pro tans.

    Well, that is a wrap for now. Time to shut up shop, and get ready to go pick up the car from it's oil change. Needed to get this done, cause next weekend is Trans-Iowa V2 recon. G-Ted and Myself are driving, mapping, and routing out the most evil course we can.

    And, as requested by the readers of this blog...
    Here is half of my recent MP3 player play list for my bike workouts.
    1. More Than a Feeling by Boston
    2. Bring It On by Godsmack
    3. Lose Yourself by Eminem
    4. Wasteland by 10 Years
    5. Click Click Boom by Saliva
    6. Clocks by Coldplay (a good recovery song)
    7. Holiday by Green Day
    8. Come On by Andy Hunter
    9. Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve
    10. Cowboys from Hell by Pantera
    11. This Love by Pantera
    12. Traffic by DJ Tiesto
    13. Name of The Game by The Crystal Method
    14. Trip Like I Do by The Crystal Method
    15. Epro by Beck
    16. For Whom The Bell Tolls by Metallica
    17. Mona Lisa by Matrix Reloaded Soundtrack
    18. Harvester of Sarrow by Metallica
    19. Charly by Prodigy
    20. Bitch by 7Dust
    21. Rock Superstar by Cypress Hill
    Cheers.
  • Can I get a huge HELL YEAH for a Granny Gear event coming to the Midwest! Check out the press release for 24 Hours of Landahl down in Missouri on Ride424.com

    Time to start rearranging the race schedule...again.

    Happy.
    Happy.
    Happy.
    Happy.
    Happy.
  • Lifted weights this AM. Feeling really, REALLY good while doing my single-leg leg press machine workouts. Right now I am sitting at 3 sets of 20 lifting 200lbs at a fast pace. Feel the burn! Next phase will have me up to 3 sets of 50. I can't wait.

    Tons of design work to do.
    Bike World...I am working on it.
    Smith's Cycling Fitness...you'll see it Thursday.
    DQ and IORCA...working on it. Try to figure out how to immortalize Cam Fart Man in the header.

    Trans-Iowa V2 stuff still being worked on. Next weekend we drive the route.

    Almost time for work at the shop from Noon till 6. I hope the new road bike came in today.

    Bike frame sponsor for 2006 is still not set in stone
    ........nervous!

    Getting body weight down to where it should be for this time of the year.

    Warmer weather on the way. Long rides are planned for the weekend. Friday will be hill workouts at Look Out Park Hill.

    I like Vanilla Crisp Powerbars

    I use ELETE in everything.

    Time to gear up for work.
  • Here we go! I am feel'n better this AM. Taking yesterday off was a good call even though I feel lazy for doing so. Yesterday, gave me time to get a site up and running for Kerkove Media. So, now I have a somewhat professional way to pimp my design skills. So, since i am feeling better, I am going to him up some intervals this morning at the YMCA. Lots of sweating. Lots of burning. T-minus 2 months give or take till the Oauchita Challenge. Now, just hope to have a bike...

    Speaking of bike and equipment. Yesterday I submitted my FSA needs to my team manager so he could request them from FSA. I requested a flat bar vs. a riser, cause I am running Ergon bar-ends, plus riser bars are not my thing on an xc bike. Sloane, I guess requested one also. My team manager said that we were old school. So, is a flat bar that old school? So what is every one riding/racing on? I run a riser on my Surly, but that is because of the leverage factor needed. Oh well, looks like the trends haven't caught up to us Midwestern folfs yet.

    Also got an e-mail stating that the Recover-Ease was shipped yesterday. I am excited to try this product. I am curious as to how this is going to help me race and train better in 2006. Stay tuned.

    Well, it's official. I am now officially So-Semi-Pro. I knew USA Cycling wouldn't give me my Pro upgrade since I haven't done a NORBA event in like 4 years. But my endurance results were good enough to get me up to Semi-Pro. Even though it means nothing in terms of fitness and skills, it's still pretty cool. I guess now I can be called "So-Semi-Pro-Jeff"

    Current thought of the moment...
    "Dang it! I want my very own power meter. SRM, Cyclops, etc, etc. I don't care. I just want to try training with watts."

    Now I am off to make the spin bike felt pads burn up in flames!
  • OK, screw it! Really, who uses I.E. anymore anyway? I am here to say...Take Back The Web! Get on it right now and get Firefox. It will make web surfing happy. Just click the the picture below I say.

    Upgrade to Firefox 1.5!
  • I see I.E. web browser is messing with this blog. Looks like I will have to change some things later
  • D.L....as in staying on the down low. Woke up this morning with no energy and the chills. Decided to take today off. No training. Better to rest than to suffer a major set back. Hope this is one of those 24 hour virus things. I really don't feel like having the dreaded 1 to 2 week sickness.

    So to pass the time this AM I designed THIS and put my order in from HERE for the 2006 season.

    Time to shower.

  • My legs did feel like going today. It's a good thing a huge ride was not planned outside. The forecast was to be near 40 degrees, but I think it only got to like 26 degrees. So, today I opted for an active recovery. I walked to the YMCA for a 1 hour spin session at low resistance and a average recovery HR of 115 bpm. I followed that with a walk home and some major food loading to refuel the body from the rigors of the past week. Granted, I probably ate too much, but hell, my body is talking to me. As an athlete you learn to listen to your body. When you're hungry....eat! When you're tired....rest. I think tomorrow I am going to take the entire day off from training. Might just commute to work by Surly. Just have to see.

    Remember...
    Train hard. Rest even harder.

    I have a few simple requests for this next week...
    1. Train hard...and smart
    2. Maybe see some gear for the up and coming season.
    3. Get outside and ride if the temps are happy.
    4. Be busy at the shop with actual bike shop related work
    5. Watch HAL take over the World and spare my life.
    6. I lust for Part I
    7. I lust for Part II
  • So it's way early. I had some design stuff that I thought was going to take some time, but DQ when ahead and did some of the smaller tid-bit items for me....Thanks dude! Over the past few days I have been working with DQ and Rasmussen's Bike Shop out of Des Moines to establish a different kind of blog. It looks like a blog, but it has external pages like a traditional website. Go check it out and tell DQ and myself what you think. There is still a few items to "tweek", but I think its looking good here.

    Yesterday's spinning was a death march. I was rock'n the spin bike from 7:30 AM till just about 11 AM. My workout that i had planned was killer. But, after that I went to the mother of all spin classes. There were a few of local group ride guys in there, and the pace was fast. I had some pretty good efforts. A few of those efforts were the kind where you kick in the ass....then your legs burn....then your beathing becomes panting...then all of a sudden overything goes silent and the only thing you can hear is your heartbeat inside your skull. Those are some good times.

    For today, I am not sure what I am going to do yet. I will see how my legs feel here in the later parts of the morning. It will either be indoor spinning at the "Y" or some outdoor gravel. Stay tuned.

    On a side note I added some more samples of recent work on the Kerkove Media teaser page.

    And...
    Since my sidebar was getting lengthy, I took the same pull down menus used in the Rassy Blog and utilized them here. I like it. It gives it a cleaner look. If you are interested in where I got the codes for this you can check it out here.

    And...
    This is mucho important to me in 2006!
  • Here is a good reason to pay attention in the foreign language class that you either take in high school or college. I took no Spanish in high school. But in order to graduate from UNI I needed 2 semesters of it....sigh. That was over 4 years ago. Well, needless to say, I needed those skills yesterday at the shop.

    Anyway, an older gentlemen come into the shop. I let him scope out the shop for a few minutes. He then comes up to the counter, and asks for a few parts. The bad thing was that he spoke NO english and it was all in Spanish. I had the look of...."What?" on my face. Since we both quickly realized that this would be a challenge, the converstation quickly turned into a game of Charades. He would act out the part he needed in hand justures, and then i would give him that black stare. It was worth less.

    Then I had a swell idea. I had him write down in Spanish what he was saying. I would then take his written words and type them into the online translator Babel Fish. After I typed it in I could see what he was saying. To reply back to him, I would type in English the answer on the same program and translate to Spanish. Then copy it to paper and give it too him.

    This went on and on for almost 45 minutes. Finally, we got it all figured out as to what he needed. And he walked out the door with parts in hand. Good thing the shop was not super busy, except for Bidwell slobbering all over Buchanandale's sweet ride at the shop.

    So there you have it. Another day at Europa Cycle and Ski.

    What's on tap for Saturday...

    First, lots 'o spinning at the YMCA. We got about 2 inches of snow yesterday, so I am by-passing the sloppy conditions for a controled environment so I can focus on the task at hand.

    Next up will be mucho design work for Smith's, Nooner's college team, and DQ and Rassy's.

    Lastly, good to see G-Ted got some good gravel in!

    Off to suffer!
  • Suck I say. There really isn't anything to exciting to blog about. So for viewing pleasure, I am just going to start typing some more blah, blah, blah......

    It seems that Trans-Iowa has been sleeping around more than we thought. First came the Dirty Kanza 200, and now this at the end of the 2006 season. Sweeeeeeeeeeet. We Mid-Western folk sure do know how to have a good time. And, NO, square dacing is not a form of entertainment in Iowa. Maybe it is in Nebraska? Ah, I don't know.

    Easy day of train'n for me since I am covering G-Ted's hours at the shop so he can go on an all day mnt bike adventure. Or, was it wait for a stove to be delivered to his crib? Yeah, I think it was the stove. Ahhhhh......Crap!

    Oh boy.

    I ordered my NORBA card thingy-mo-jobbie yesterday, so I can race 24 Hour Nationals in Cheese-consin. That was a first for me in like 3 years. I came through OK with no crying or thoughts of mixed emotions.

    OK, this does NOT suck. This is off the hook! Check it out!!!

    Here is a list of things that people type into a search engine to get to my site yesterday. They are listed in order of most "Googled" key words.
    • jeff kerkove
    • giant+anthem
    • lightsaber
    • Jeff Kerkove.blog
    • nudity
    • jeff kerkove blog
    • Lightsaber
    • recover ease
    • endurance mtb rider maxxis cateye enduro
    • reinbeck enduro iowa
    • gnomes+evil
    • bike across iowa
    • tried, giant, anthem 3, mountain bike
    • anti monkey butt powder
    • cateye "double shot"
    • 24 hours of adrenaline
    • does it snow in cedar falls iowa
    • Mike Curiak
    • comparison giant NRS anthem review
    • cat eye double shot
    • endurance ban iowa jeff blog
    That is a good list.

    Our computers at work are like Gremlin's. You put a drop of water on them, and they multiply like a bad weed. Pictures maybe....sometime today...hello....buddy? I fear for my life at work. It's like the Matrix! The machines are going to take over!! On average, we are on pace to gain 1.5 new computers a day. Do the math people. Soon we will be known as Europa Cycle and Motherboards. Kind of has a nice ring to it.

    I just remebered how much I like the song "Message in Blood" by Pantera.
    Rock! Rock! Rock!

    OK, Time to go lift at the YMCA. This weekend is going to be some looooooong rides. Anyone want to join?
  • Ha! Ha! Fooled ya! I did not get my new ride...yet. But Mr. Buchanandale got his yesterday. As an endurance racer, I can say that his new ride is totally dedicated to that form of riding and racing. He will have it at the shop for people to scope it out. Seeing it in real life doesn't do the catalog pictures justice.

    Othings happening...

    I am training my ass off. I cannot wait to race!!

    Trans-Iowa V2 stuff coming along as planned.

    Are you racing Trans-Iowa V2? Check out the pictures on G-Ted's blog of my singlespeed after some riding in some moist gravel. Note, that the gravel was moist...NOT wet!

    I wish I had the funds to go spend a week out in either Moab area or the foot hills of the Rockies to do a Spring training camp.

    I have come to the conclusion that if Giant is our bike sponsor for 2006, I am going to sell my back up NRS, the Surly 1x1, and my current Giant carbon road bike, so I can get one of these. Can I get a HELL YEAH!!!

    How about a huge WTF for Jan Ullrich's early season mop!

    That's all for now. I need to throw down some coffee and get ready for a bike workout.
  • Yesterday was a good bike day, eventhough it was all inside. I spent the better half of the AM hours sweating life juices on the floor of the YMCA. From 7:30 till 10 I was getting thumped. At 7:30 I did my specific workout that I had planned. Most of my workout consisted of climbing like intervals, and power work. You know what I am talking about...find the burn, then turn it up more to make the burn hurt so bad that the room goes silent and all you can hear is your heartrate in your head. Not to mention making those felt pads start to smoke on the spin bike. That would be cool. I wonder if that is even possible?

    Anywho, after that bike workout it was time for the 9 AM spin class. These classes are great, cause they are like mini-races. There is NO sitting back you go hard and the instructor dictates the pace and intensity. Either you go....or you get left behind. Yesterdays Spin Bike Instructor of Doom worked us over. There was about a total of 5 minutes worth of recovery during the entire 60 minute class. I felt really good, as my legs were ticking over and the HR was low considering my effort.

    But...
    I would pay for my efforts. The rest of the day sucked at the shop, cause my ass muscles and hammies were raw. Bending over to pick things up was a treat for everyone but me. As I type this right now I feel good. I getting readdy to suit up for my YMCA weight session, followed by worky at the shoppy from noon o'clock till 6.

    One last thing...
    Nobody figured out what G/13 is. I am disappointed. Well, here you go.
    G/13 is also known as Group 13. This is a group of hand-picked product managers, industrial designers, and marketing personnel at Giant Bicycle. These 13 freaks are the one responsible for bringing you the top notch technology from Giant's line up for 2006.

    And now you know...
    ...and knowing is half the battle.
    G.I. Joe!

    Since I can work it on the Stairmaster, maybe I should try this. Just a thought.

  • Don't have anything good running around in my head to put a good post together, so I will just take some tid bits and make a list that is easy to read and not very time consuming.

    OK, here we go...
    Finally got my X-Mas present to myself from Fed-Ex yesterday. I ordered these sweet kicks from Salomon called the XA PRO 3D. I wore them yesterday at the shop and they fit like a glove. Not to mention they are ultra light weight. No wonder adventure racers swoon over these things!

    24 Hour NORBA Nationals registration opens March 1!!! Entry fee is hell-a cheap. Plus, Buchanandale inquired about having to have a NORBA liscence, and the answer was YES, you have to have an annual liscence to compete in the NORBA Championship part of this event. That means Jeffy needs to give USA Cycling $50. I haven't done that in like 4 years.

    Pop quiz hot shot. When talking about 2006 Giant Bicycles, what does G/
    13 refer to? Anyone know? (Hint: It's talked about in the 2006 Performance line catalog.)

    Speaking of bikes...I can't wait to be at the shop when Buchanandale's new bike shows up so I can see him get all giddy like a school girl.

    Right now I am getting ready for my spins bike workout. More strength work, but with a bit more intensity added in. My muscles are a bit sore from the start of PE weight lifting yesterday, so today might only be an AM workout. Have to see how I feel later in the day if I am going to hit the rollers at the HOP tonight. What's PE weights you ask? Power Endurance. This is lifting with explosive movements.

    Waiting for new gear for the 2006 season is eating away at my insides. So far I have a saddle. It's a special saddle. A magical saddle.

    Some interesting new floating around about some of the Trans-Iowa V2 crazies riding to the start line from Eastern Minnesota....racing the race....then riding home from Decorah. That's cool.

    Speaking of cool...How about the sister event to Trans-Iowa now known as Dirty Kanza 200.

    OK, that is it. time to load new music to MP3 player and go put out some massive wattage at the Y.
  • That's a wrap folks. 3 days of no worky at the shopy has landed me with 11 hours of saddle time in 3 days. It was good to get out and log some longer hours in my final phases of Base. Today's ride was awesome! It not very often it hits 50 degrees in January, but today it did. So, at 10 AM 5 of us left Pfieffer Park to head south out of Waterloo into the 20 mph headwind. Todays ride included the following people...John Adamson, JY, Houlihan, Robert Fry, and Mark Sorenson of Iowa City. My bike for today's ride was my backup 24 hour race bike...my Giant NRS bike #2

    I forgot my camera today, so I will attempt to retrace our route with the map below...

    Like I said earlier, we left town at 10 AM. No more than 10 minutes into the ride we come to 1. Here Houlihan would get a flat front tire on his GF 29er. So while he fixed the flat, I pee'd and got rid of my booties. Next we headed south. The wind was pretty fierce today. We did a pace line down the road at about 17 mph into the head wind. With this large of a group it was pretty easy and not much crazy effort was used.

    At about 40 minutes into the ride we come to
    2. Here is the spot were JY turned around and went home. He said something about the Italian Mafia and some guns coming to his house around Noon....or was it the Colts game? Oh, I don't remember. Anyway, he split and the 4 of us remaining riders kept heading into the winds of hell.

    Finally, after another 20 minutes of pushing the wind were were in the clear. Now we would have a tail wind or cross wind till we got back to town. The section of the ride between numbers
    2 and 3 were a blast! Lots of fast roads and cruising at 20-25 mph. I think it was here that Houlihan would start his bonk. For the majority of the ride he was off the back with John.

    When we got to Reinbeck (3) we stopped at the Pronto Station where the local high school cool guys were hang'n with their buddy who was working the counter. We stocked up on some calories to get us home. One thing is for sure though...those punks in the Pronto were eye'ing us like we just stepped off a spaceship. Atleast one of them spoke up and asked us where we cruised in from.

    After we left Reinbeck we started the final 15 miles or so back home. With only about 8 miles to go Houlihan hit the wall (see 4 and skull). He was officially cooked. I sat back with him to keep him company while Adamson, Fry, and Mark contiued ahead. It wasn't until we got outside Hudson that the group got back together. Once back together we pedaled back into town where we all went our seperate ways to get home.

    Overall, the ride rocked. My legs feel like a million bucks and I am very confident in how the off season training is progressing. Todays ride last a quick 4 hours and 10 minutes for me.

    Monday will be a day of only biking to work, and AM weight lifting.

    What did you do Saturday and Sunday?
  • Four hours of glorious road riding. It was good to get out and spin the legs at 20 mph. There was only 4 of us, but that was fine with me. No speed records were broken, just some legs getting back into the swing of things. And for me...getting my arse use to sitting in the saddle.

    Right before we left Cedar Falls, Guitar Ted came flying by on his way out to ride some dirt. He was sport'n his new Saeco Team Issue thermal bibs in a lovely shade of Santa Claus red, and Moots water bottles. Where did he get the Moots bottles from you ask? Well, he stole them from Mike Curiak last year at Trans-Iowa.


    Super Saul showing that neon is making a come back in 2006.


    Same goes for JY. Speaking of JY, check out his blog for picture from todays ride.


    Ahhhhhh. Easy cruising speed at 20 mph in January.


    Snow is 98% gone off the ground, but the rivers still need some work.


    "How about a round of Power Gels for everyone?"


    Screw the gels! How about some Cherry Garcia!


    Or, just stick to the tried and true Power Bar. Vanilla Crisp to be exact.


    Lets see a show of hands...How many knew that Super Saul is also a Super Ninja?


    JY knows people.


    That's a wrap folks. I'll just let Super Saul and Fox do the work back into town. Good ride guys. Rest up, cause we are doing it on Sunday.

    Oh, and for those keeping track at home...
    Jeff K: 2
    JY: 0
  • So, I guess Noo-Noo has a thing for bunnies. So what a better way to show your love for bunnies....and bikes, than with the official Kerkove Media designed Noo-Noo Bunny Love T-shirt. Get 'um while they are.....ummmm....err....hot?
  • The blog entry title says it all. Colder temps and crazy winds kept Buchanandale and myself in town for some urban miles. Not too bad of a ride. Long hours to come on Saturday and Sunday. See bottom of post for details.










    Saturday ride details:
    Road miles, 4 hours, Meet at Pfieffer Park at 10 AM.

    Sunday ride details: Gravel miles, 4 hours, Meet as Pfieffer Park at 10 AM.
  • OK, I didn't fall on my keys, but it's still a classic line from Wayne's World. Anywho, I have a 3 day weekend. Since the shop is closed on Sunday's for the Winter months, and I have reached max work hours, I get my own little 3 day mini team training camp. Yipee!

    So there is going to be lots of loooooooong slooooooooow miles, with the occasional stop for encased meat products. OK, no meat products, but maybe a small cup of speed or something else that might meet my nutritional needs at the time. Today, I am going out on the road. Should be a great ride. Temps will be hovering around balmy at 33 degrees. Plus, throw in a NW wind near 30 mph hours and you have good times. I think Buchanandale will be joining me on his Cannondale Salsa road bike. Pictures coming later today.

    Random mode on....

    Some day?

    The H2O voting went over well. As I type this post 21 people voted and here is how it broke down.

    Bottle 1: 6 votes

    Bottle 2: 2 votes

    Bottle 3: 10 votes
    Thanks to my ed-ja-macation from UNI, it looks like bottle 3 is winner, winner chicken diner! We'll all have to hold our breath to see which one goes to production. Other shop related news...new road rockets on order and coming soon!!!

    Time to prep for the ride. Need some calories, so Carlosdale doesn't have to carry me back into town on his back. That would not be cool.

    Thinking of maybe going up to the Decorah area for some road miles on Saturday. Any takers?
    With hills like this, it will make for some good riding. This should have all T.I. V2 riders cleaning out their shorts right now. He, he, he, he!

    This very well might some of the funniest pictures I have seen.



  • Sorry guys, no frothy bubble beverages here. I don't consume the dark golden beverages. Anywho, just a bunch of stuff to lay on the table...

    On the weekend of Feb 4-5, G-Ted and myself will be getting surly in a motorized vehicle as we cross the state in hopes of laying out a gravel road route of doom. G-Ted has some very evil stuff up his sleeves, and I can't wait to see why. So, parentals if you are reading this, we will be staying in Algona on the evening of the 4th. After we leave Algona, we will be heading to Decorah on Sunday to map the 2nd half of the route then meet up with Ward of Decorah Bicycles, and Rich who puts on the time trial event to chat about logistics of the 2 events.

    What else...
    Europa Cycle and Ski is putting together some water bottles for the shop. Which one do you like best? Suggestions? Speak to me people. Your wise words will be taken into consideration.





    On the bike...
    The next 4 days will be long bike days. Nice weather + low work hours + training plan = fat miles. Not a ton of intensity, but rather long miles to get the rump in shape and build a bit more base. Speaking of the bike, I need to slam the rest of this coffee and get ready to head to the Y for some MT work and on the bike strength workouts.

    Salsa Queen, whatcha up to?
  • Say hello to the Cateye Enduro Team saddle for 2006. This slice of heaven is the Gobi, the newest mtb saddle to go public from the Italian threadworks masters at Fizik.
    Yum! FSA controls, and cranks to stomp on. Sweet! Ultra bling parts, should look great on the team framesets. More sponsor info to come.
  • Damn! That bike is hella fast.

    As I sit here slamming my
    black goodness, I am very anxious and unstable about recent word on 2006 frame sponsor. Some recent e-mails have me licking my chops. No, I am not going to disclose any info...yet, but if I hear anything soon word will be posted here ASAP! I am too excited and can't stop thinking about it.

    2006 is going to be a great year for the team. I just have this gut feeling. Everything is going great in terms of training and planning out the season. I am looking forward to the Oauchita Challenge to kick off the season at the end of March. Right now the plan is to drive down with the enduro freaks from Team New~Mart out of Minnie-apple-us. Looks like there is an arse load of Eye-we-gens heading down also. That is great! Corn State reprezent!

    My teammate, Sloane Anderson, is also starting to ramp it up. Normally he has been gun'n to go for Old Pueblo, but not this year. He is delaying the start of the season so he is fresh come 24 hour Nationals in Wisconsin, and some later season events.

    What will happen in 2006? Who knows for sure. But, I think it will be great.

    OK, it's time to prep for my AM bike workout. Power and tension work at the YMCA, followed by work at the shop, followed by rollers at the HOP.

    Sweeeeeeeet.

    Oh, I almost forgot. Here is a brief run down of a conversation with a somewhat sober consumer last night at the shop. I will cut to the point and start mid conversation...

    Consumer: "I used to work for the Iowa DNR. I was with them for 7 years till I got caught selling weed. I used to feed it to the wolves."

    Me: Oh really?

    Consumer: "Do you know how to kill a possum? See here, you have to stick the 'lil bastard under water, then wait till there are no more air bubbles."

    Me: (trying to hold back laughing) "Really?"

    Consumer: "I ride my bike along HWY 20 looking for cans. You wouldn't believe all the beer cans that are half empty. Some are full of beer and others are full of pee."

    Me: (thinking to myself...how does he know which are pee and which are beer) "That's neat."

    ...end transmition...

    Who says the off season at a bike shop is boring?

  • The Bike Tech Team has just announced the info for the 12 Hours of Cedar Valley.
    Click Here to go to the team website.

    Click Here to download the PDF file for the event.
    Check it out. It's only $30. That's a good bang-for-the-buck!

    Then, I stumbled upon this...
    24 Hours of EROCK.
    This looks like it might just fit into the schedule for 2006. Plus, the race is on Friday/Saturday. Bonus!

  • Headed out on a ride with some of the local cycling yahoo's. We started with 7, and finished with 5. Today's ride took us East to Dunkerton and then North to Denver, and then back to the 'loo. Something in the area of 4.5 hours for me with a hair over 60 miles. The reasoning for heading East first was because of the East wind blowing at around 18 mph. My 34x17 was perfect into the wind, but coming West with the wind at my back I was undergeared and spun my crotch to never-neverland. So without any more blah-blah-blah, here are some pictures.


    Heading east into the wind.



    Stilllllllll going.




    Then there was just 4 of us. At this point we are about 4 miles from Dunkerton.



    Once into Dunkerton we stopped at the Kwik Star to grab some food.....and watch JY play with the encased meat products. Why is JY wearing his shades in the store? Is it beause of the grease shining off the wieners?



    Super Saul happy to have his Gatorade finally.



    Remember, only 2 flats per person per day. I am happy to report we had no flats.



    Some of the local punks...err...kids, rock'n out in the candy section. This is were the classic Dumb and Dumber line came in handy...."Big Gulps hey. OK, by."



    JY gives todays ride a thumbs up.



    Here we have John rage'n. Look out 60+ Age Groupers at the Leadville 100. Someone is gun'n for a win.



    "Whatcha got there Super Saul?"



    Glub, glub, glub....BURRRRRRP!



    Yes, even Super Saul consumes the Hammer Gel goodness.



    My bike is part stone! All you Trans-Iowa V2 racers better pray for NO rain.



    That's a wrap. And off into the sun set we go.
    JY should have more pictures.