One last thought on 08!

So here are a few thoughts and reflections on 2008.

*Obama- Thanks to everyone who voted for a change!!! Its a pretty big hole that we're in from the past 8 years, but Obama is looking good so far. Man it sure was fun watching the republican party maneuver.

* Oilgate-in the 70's we had Watergate, for sure there will be some good stories in the future that will explain the oil prices per barrel from $60/b upwards to $150 and down to $37. Funny thing with freight charges and airlines charging extra, so far they have not removed any of these fees...wtf? Bush retirement package I figure.

* Bailouts???great..extending credit and putting consumers in debt is what got us into this mess.

GM-Ford-they started sucking in my opinion after the 60's. Ford Pinto, Taurus, K car, Nova, Escort. yup my parents had a couple of these when I was growing up! I still think the 67 Mustang Fastback is the coolest car on the planet. I wonder how much of a rebate it would take for me to buy one?? $10k, $20k,..nope..for me I think it would have to be around $25-30K. Probably never know, I'll just have to pay for the bailout in some way for sure in the future.

* Media sucks! I think they are one of the biggest reasons the US is floating in the crapper..I consider the financial terrorism that they are promoting crippled everyone. They just groan endlessly about housing foreclosures, consumer spending being down, oil prices, fear, etc. Turn off the TV and go ride I say!!

* Masters Track Nationals- can't complain, highlights was the TTT going up against Bostick, I raced against him in 87-88 when he was a legend. We had a great team and smoked our PR during training. Thanks to everyone who helped get it here in our back yard and congrats to everyone who raced.

*Hopefully no more back surgery in 09!

*Thankful for people who get that Spain produces some kick ass wine! There really is no rival for the quality for price ratio. People are starting to get it...

*** Most of all thankful for the little Rylee that is very healthy and the best thing ever. If I had a dollar for every tom, dick, and harry who told me.."say good bye to sleep..or your life is never going to be the same" well she would have one big fat college savings. Thanks for all the family & friends that really supported us and helped. 

Having her is the best thing that happened to me. One smile a day is all I need today I got two.

Happy New Year!

Whoo ville. look who just moved in.

Holy crap, I was pretty pessimistic about getting an owl to move in to the house I bought Tracey last year.

I went to the tree today, thought I'd take a look and see if I could pretty it up with hopes of attracting an owl. I read the manual on installation last year, it didn't say anything about getting your girlfriend on the chainsaw, but oh well sometimes you just have to get creative.

I opened the box and saw these big amber eyes looking at me..I almost fell off the frickin ladder.

What to do next??? get a camera, take a picture and never bug the little owl again.

East meets West- MSTS Bikes for Kids event.

This weekend we were riding, eating and drinking like there was no recession, no war, gas prices were $1.65/gal, Dow was 10,000 and Clinton was the president. ahhh the good old days!

 Shawn Oliver pulled off another great charity event for Bikes for Kids. We started off making it to the ride not so fashionablly late. Good group of friends that I haven't seen for tons of moons. The ride had its share of drama as all group rides, flats, bumps and bruises, etc.  All is well.

The dinner on the other hand, what a party! I started going to Bikes for Kids event 4 years ago, then I was there on a cold wet December day and helped give the little kids the bikes. Seeing them light up when they get to pick a bike was pretty cool.

Phipps our Masters 35 climbing superstar collected all the wining$$'s & t-shirts we picked up for the year and donated it for the kids.  Then the auction started when the wine and lobster boil started to kick in. This year I did have a little hangover, but didn't have.."ohh I shouldn't have bought that" hangover. Good thing I had a breathalizer on the bidding paddle.

My guess is the Bikes for Kids-Morgan Stanley event has raised over 500 bikes over the years. 

Astana is the Dope!

I just heard the news... Vino, love that part. Wants to come back. Thats just what cycling needs..

I think this all time team would be great, and why don't they get Amgen as a sponsor so they can get a Bro deal?? Top fuel!

Coach

Fuentes

DS

Johan or Riis pretty equal.

Armstrong

Heras

Hamilton

Landis

Tricky Beltran

Levi

Vino

The Brother Schlecks are next to take a fall. Transfering $10,000 is alot to pay Fuentes for intervals.

Palin supporter recently wrote a bit...

"I knew you would take down my comment, pussy liberal bitch. Just like liberals, tolerant with their views, but not others".

Thanks , this is most excellent!

I suck at bike racing too:)

Woman of the Year...please vote.

PBS is doing a poll which asks if Sarah Palin is qualified to be VP. The right wing has organized a yes campaign--and currently the YES vote is leading in the poll.

Translation: Sarah Palin's competence as a powerful woman and a world leader is currently WINNING an N.O.W poll. N.O.W.. that's the National Organization of Women... Champions of choice, equal pay, women's health and other issues that Palin doesn't give a hoot about...
Please take a few seconds, go to: Vote NO!


thank you,

TTT- Golden ride & one Hell of a year.

Cliff notes:
We busted a 4:40 for the 4k for gold.
A couple of weeks ago the Special kids did one of these 4:40's I was stunned and amazed with that time. Plus they looks so damn fast!
Fahey showed up with his A game, Dan Smith has been riding great since we called him up to the team after a Special shuffle, Metcalf was on fire all week and always gets us rolling into those 22's, and I needed to ride smart...

I heard there were a bet being placed on the Amgen guys, Tracey always has my back!. They were out gunned today, but kept us focused and when we saw the likes of Bostick and Thurlow coming to Hellyer. Fahey & I thought it would be really cool to be standing one step up from those cycling legends. You kids out there may be familiar with Thurlow, but for me I remember reading Winning magazine before the internet and endless articles about Bostick's TTT's. I did see him in action in 1988 at the Olympic trials and it was impressive.

Bored yet??

Tracey knows splits like no other, this morning when she was getting ready for work she says" do you get much draft in the start?" I think you left a second there...this track stuff is a total different language. Tracey has been soooo supportive of the TTT and the TT this season. Long days and nights at the track are coming to an end. It was a really great vib to have the nationals here and us locals gather so many medals.

Nationals will never be the same. Thank you Rick, Warren, Peter, Simmons and everyone else that helped, sponsored, or just came and cheered.

Got some vino to sell,

Later,

Hotter at Hellyer-Bronzed again by a taint er

on with the 3k, its a pretty boring day up until the 10-5,4,3,2,&1 beeeep.

My start is like pouring molasses out of a cold jar. I didn't even think about the start honestly, just was thinking about when I was going to catch the rider on the other side of the track. Coming into this I knew I'd ride fast hoped for the ride of my life. It didn't happen.

Warren got me all worked up with about 4 laps to go when he said I was down on my track mate on the other side of the track...I was like wtf??? Who is riding faster then me today??

It was good motivation Tainter beat me by 1/1000 of a second for second place. The 333 was the hottest time of the day. I figure I can get there, just need a better start- as Warren said"Its painful to watch your start"

Points racing last night at the track was a blast!. THis was the first time I was in the stands on the outside looking in. The crowd was pumped and cheeery and for sure buzzed. Gary Westby local champagne ace showed up in style with a Magnum of bubbly, lots of good vino in the stands and it seemed at one point I was triple fisted.

Then it dawned on me...every time I've done well at nationals I've never changed my routine except this year when I skipped the beer and vino all week.

A little lovin in the afternoon, a nap, couple of beers, and a glass or two of vino. Thats the secret!

Guess I better go pack up the car to go and pick up our gold today in the TTT:)

I had a dream, I won the points race!

Then I woke up, went to the garage at 5am to look at the sweet Hooptie grid of all the riders and sprints.

Yup, still third. Its amazing what 42 gels with caffeine loaded gels and cola cliff blocks will do to your sleeping pattern.

It was a great race, no real BS, just good fast racing. It was great to have some help from the MS/TS crew on the track, but I gotta give it to everyone who shouted encouragement last night. It really helped keep me in the game.

Highlights-
Seeing my first ever cycling coach for the first time in 18 years! No shit, he races the 45-49 points race. His name is Bill Pedlar, really with a name like that I guess you gotta ride a bike.

Support from Tracey/ Proman, friends and family.

Podium chick.

Seeing Bostick roll a 56x14. I'm still trying to figure out how many inches that is.

Metcalf's winning ride.

One more thing....

Big thank you to all the volunteer's, sponsors and especially to Rick Adams and Warren Geissert for bringing track Nationals to Hellyer.

Labor day Taper. "laughing, crying, and going out on a limb"

So Tracey and I had a great weekend. She has been bucking up with coming to the track commute the past few weeks shouting out splits, writing them down, etc. Its been great having her support the track thing...an ex-con said to me 20 years ago.."the same thing that makes you laugh makes you cry" well Tracey is the one who really got me to the track in the first place, so its kind of her fault.
Last year when I went to the track the first time I felt like a foreiger, different language, different people, having no clue what was going on. I still do loose my bike every now and again, but I think I'm getting it figured out. I'm looking forward to the points race on Wed for some good warm-up for friday. Just hope its not as stoopid as the entire master districts were for me. I hope I've my head out of my ass this week and some good bike Karma too.
40-44 Masters
Wed PM Points racing (around 6:00 I figure)
Friday am 3 K pursuit ( around 12:00 estimate) this is where the fruit is...
Sunday TTT 11:00?

No name yet, but got the grandmothers attention!

Tracey and I had a visit to Siemens for some 4D ultrasound. They say a picture is worth a 1000 words. I think this one will keep us taking for awhile.

Olympic yawn.....

I'm getting tried of swimming, swimming, and more swimming and a little gymnastic and beach volleyball marathons.

Lets see a bit more of the other sports pleaze. I hear we USA's went gold, silver and bronze in the sword fighting for the chicks.

I'm so sure the TT and the track cycling will get nada.

Oh yhea, Tracey and I agree the synchro girl on girl shower sceens could have some xxx potential.

Chinese - Food for thought.

Overpopulation, industrialization, oppression, Communism, cyclists wearing masks...baby girls!

Tracey and I had a discussion about the athletes wearing masks in the airport thing this am. I never take it personally when I see a person wearing a mask here in the states. In fact after a few months of those fires I've been having some problems with my VO2 bags too!

I really think its pretty stupid.

Tracey also told me that there was a list of do's and don't that was sent out to all the residents of China about what they should or shouldn't do during the games.  Like women with thick legs must wear black stockings. Man in that heat...nasty!

Eight Don’t-Asks” When Chatting with Foreign Guests


Rules for Interacting with Foreigners

Don’t ask about income or expenses, don’t ask about age, don’t ask about love life or marriage, don’t ask about health, don’t ask about someone’s home or address, don’t ask about personal experience, don’t ask about religious beliefs or political views, don’t ask what someone does.

General Rules for Etiquette with Foreigners

One’s manners and bearing, and image should be graceful;
Be neither humble nor haughty, but at ease and self possessed;
Seek commonalities while reserving differences, have reason and integrity;
Adapt to others’ customs, respect ethical code;
Abide by agreements, adhere to promises;
Be enthusiastic in moderation, differentiate between insiders and outsiders;
Be appropriately modest, be affirmed in yourself;
Do not ask private questions, respect others’ customs;
Ladies first, be gentlemanly;
Seat honored guests on the right, and get along harmoniously.

Man I'm so wanting the people to stand up for their rights. Come on Tibet!!! 

Baby dictionary

So I get a email from Tracey today who has been busy recovering from the back  surgery. She has been making great progress and has been telling me that we are going to need things for the baby.

Ok, she has a list of about 1000 and growing.

Swaddling blanket, premie outfits, boppy slip cover, breast pump (ok I can figure that one out)..

Gotta go shopping.

Le Tour ouch!!!!!

Ohhhh man, the guy from Gerolstiner nailing the traffic sign yesterday doing a flip and landing on his back made me not wanna race 40 mph around traffic islands.

The bike broke in two pieces..

Bon Voyage Barlo (go up climbs) world. Un frickin believable that riders are still doing drugs this season.

Windy city to PDX

So a quick trip to Chicago for some tastings. 300 bottles of vino on the wall, lips were blue, teeth purple and brain was empty after our annual distributor tasting.

Then here in PDX with some first class accommodations with friends, great food, wireless, TDF on TiVo. Life is good. Just wish Tracey could make the trip. She is home suffering with the back and the little girl has been doing some serious kicking. I think that's pretty cool. 

If anyone could drop her off a veggie pizza that would be cool. Call me and I'll give you the details...thx

A friend of mine just had a baby boy this week, the little guy got his nob trimmed today. Glad we don't have to worry about that with our girl.

I got a couple of  hrs of sleep on the plane yesterday, drooling on people I don't know is always kind of weird, but what ya going to do??? I was happy to get some needed rest.

Thanks to Kelly B for bringing my bike and gear here, Hooptie and Shelly are doing 90 in my rig and it should be here tonight. Its a really cool track scene and being from out of town we all kind of gel and bond a bit.

I made it to the track for a warm-up ride, got a little scared with the steepness...hoping I didn't make a fool out of myself and slide down the wall. I jumped into the Thursday night elite race. It was a good leg opener and had a chance to blow off some carbon and vino. Ended up being a little out gunned and out numbered. First looser in the points race, but it was good practice for the weekend.

Today I did the 3k 40+ race. Me and Tom Fahey were neck and neck. I just squeaked by in the last lap by a nose. He is really going to keep me on my game for nationals. Mark was giving me lots of inspiration and time splits. It totally made a difference.

The 4k was pretty OK. I did a 5:17 for 5th, I was hoping for a low 5:00, but oh well.

Then a quick few sales of vino and back to the track for some points stuff.

The NorCal squad is looking tough...Mark Alt, CC, Peterson, Gio, Hooptie, Kelly B, Shelly, Jon Simmons, and of course Pete Bohl and a bunch of others..

Snowballs chance & Coyote creek

Home late Thursday night, early to rise..not ride:( on Friday

So after a full day in the office which means driving back and forth to Napa, violating the recent hands free laws (due to not being able to find my blue tooth), making promises I hope I can keep etc. I finally made it to the track for some racing.

The Velobella party was first class. Don't know why anyone wouldn't come to the track for these races, cool people, killer beer, and well lets say some of the best damn  cured meats and sausages and I'm an authority here. Thanks to Mary for cooking up a ton grub for the racers after we were finished.

The races were fun. I did the snowball first time. Gio was leading out Hooptie for a sprint and I got a free ride. When I was of the front for the last few laps..I kept thinking..snowball..

snowballs chance in Hellyer!

Anyway after seeing some friends get injured (our best wishes for a speedy recovery) , I kind of started thinking...which means sprints back and forth to the keg sounded better then racing the last couple of races.

Then the Coyote creek local race was fun sat afternoon, slept in and drove to the race. Coats and a few others went up the road early, good thing. My legs and lungs were not working at full capacity. Maybe its just I'm getting older and wiser..? The air really did suck today, lungs still ache.

Then Tracey and I went to a little bit of Vietnam here in San Jose. We found a really cool Vietnamese restaurant off Tully road called Anhhong

 Check it out !

This week a bit of wine will be tasted in the windy city, then off to the races. Looking forward to some good racing at Alpenrose for the weekend.

Hellyer

So I did a little wine delivery to Testarossa yesterday for Rob(I love it when winemakers ask me for vino). He has a really cool new label comin out soon and his office is full of car racing, bike racing and an occasional bottle of wine on the floor.

He started showing me pictures of Hellyer, it was way cool and thought about what it was like some 20 years ago racing at Hellyer.

Happy 4th of July!

Weavers on VS.

So the coverage on VS was underwhelming to say the least. However, I do want to join the PA cycling team The Weavers..

Great job Daniel!