Crank the Kanc 2008

So I signed up for the firat event of 2008. Crank the Kanc is a 21 mile Time Trial Hillclimb. We did it as a team last year but this year we went back to the solo catagory. The race is May 17, 2008. Exactly 2 months from today. I have not ridden outside in months it seems and the spinning bike has seen sporadic action at best.

Guess it is time for me to try to get on the bike since this is an individual time trial and I won't have DEA and A1 to tow me up the climb this year. Not sure when that's going to happen though since we're supposed to be getting 2-4 inches of snow today. Skiing was nice this moringin was I was doing course maintenance for the Easter High School Regionals slalom race at Cranmore Mountain.

Team Bikeman.com from 2007 Crank the Kanc


See ya on the road, or more likely on the side of the road sucking wind or just throwing up.

JJ

Finally!

Finally got back out on the bike as a means to get to and from work. That was the longest stretch I've been off the bike in a LONG time- don't really want to do that again.

It felt great to get out on the road, and put me in a much better frame of mind (at least for a few minutes) when I got to work. It is also giving me something to look forward to for the end of the day.

So thtat is the extent of my excitement.

Now for my random questions/comments about the world.

Why is the UCI behind getting Contador into the Tour but did nothing for the Rock Racing guys? (aren't all of them somehow tied to Opperation Puerto)

We have two US skiers who look to take the overall world cup- Bode and Vonn- pretty cool, yet 99.9% of the country doesn't have a clue- oh well.

Ok gotta go back to work.


DEA

new 24HOGG site

The new 24 Hours of Great Glen site is up and live- interesting site. I'm playing the role of moderator so that should be fun.

Now I just need to get my ass out on the bike!

By the way box season is still underway- I'm tracking a box of SRAM parts coming in today and a big box from Salsa came in earlier this week. I'll get some photos up of it soon!

later,

DEA

North Country Traffic Jam

JJ

A view out my front door

JJ was talking about the snow- this is the view out my front door- the snow banks are taller then my wife and her car (you can't see my truck- blocked by snow) oh me oh my.


DEA

Box season and shoveling my roof

Not much of connection between DEA's proclamation of the beginning of "Box Season" and me spending a bunch of hours shoveling my roof, other than I placed my order to Team Bikeman.com's World Headquarters yesterday to get all the necessary parts to complete the Dos Niner frame that's on order. I was told the frame has been shipped from Salsa land, cause that's where they come from. It should be at the shop shortly. Ordered the Mavic 29er wheelset, actually 2 sets, one for me and one for DEA. Hopefully it will all be in in a couple weeks and I can make the trek to Bath, ME to Bikmean.com.

So after feeling good about getting that done yesterday, I left work early to go home and shovel some of the snow that has accumulated on our front roof this winter. I have been told we've gotten 14+ feet of snow this winter and I was starting to get concerned about our roof as a lot of places here have been having major problems with collapsing, etc. I got 90% of the front shoveled off and it made such a huge pile of snow on the ground we have a 5 foot high wall of snow blocking our front door. Now I have to shovel that mess. I have free beer for anyone who wants to come over and help shovel!!

JJ

box season begins

First box of the season arrived yesterday, inside a pile of SRAM mountain bike parts- brakes (Juicy 7's), rear shifty thing- x9, rear shifty thing controler- x9, a shiny thing with teath and with that the box season has kicked off.

Now I've got three more boxes that I'm waiting for- new team clothing, SRAM road parts, and of course the ever loverly Salsa Mamasita frame. Then of course comes the additional boxes from Team Bikeman.com world HQ as I'll need wheels (Mavic c29 is the goal), seat, seatpost, headset, crank + BB, bars, stem, grips, rubber, chain, tubes, bottle cage- I think that does it (I hope).

So here's to box season!


later

DEA

Rant con't

No Astana? Not suprising. Look at last year's Tour. I think there is a conspiracy amongst the French to try to get one of their own to win La Tour Da France. Maybe its because the sport is run by folks who have a horse in the race and not by someone that can trump them. I'm not saying that we have it all figured out in the NFL or MLB by any stretch, but with a commissioner for each league there is a person in charge to make tough decisions and their goal is to promote and protect the sport. I wonder if the organizers of the grand tours are more into protecting their own than protecting the sport in general. It seems more like a scenario where its a kids game and he keeps losing so he decides he's going to change the rules and not let the ones whio keep beating him play anymore so he can finally win. I wonder how much the organizers of the Tour figure they lose each year that a French rider or team doesn't win the race. I can't imagine that doesn't factor in. I also bet the champagne was flowing when Discovery folded up shop. I also think its a crock that a rider is ineligible if there is suspicion that they may have doped. That should be reason alone for the riders to get together and organize to protect their jobs. One nice thing about rants it their lack of flow. I am definately not a big union supporter, but it seems pretty clear that the riders that get screwed by the lack of any process would want to raly their mates to say "guys, this can happen to you too, we need to protect ourselves." That is unless they are all a bunch of cheating dopers. Regardless, I think the appeal of the sport is suffereing, not from the doping scandals so much as the fact that the stars of the sport are being excluded from the biggest stages. When a race can just not invite a team that has a load of world class riders including the most recent winner as well as another person that was on the podium, when all that remains from the team the year before is the corporate name seems ludicrious. More of the "I'm taking my ball and going home" mentality on display. Not by the UCI, but the ASO. Why is the ASO in charge of anything? Why dont the riders & teams say we're doing our own thing and tell the ASO to go run your race without us. It would seem that with some good leadership that the respective teams could get together and organize a race series that is run by a group with the goal of promoting the sport and its riders and allowing everyone to make a good return on their investment.

JJ

The state of cycling

I'm going off on a tangent without knowing all the details- which is dangerous to do- but also keeps life entertaining.

So here goes: I've been a Tyler Hamilton fan for a whole pile of years that requires me to take off my shoes to count them all up with my digits (and while I did take the tip of my middle finger off with a table saw in 8th grade I do have all my fingers)and while Tyler has long been one of the guys I get excited about watching race I'm not here to say he didn't dope in '04- cuz frankly I don't know. At one point I cared if he doped or not, but I don't really care anymore- but what I do care about is the fact that this dude served his time and has basically been getting f&*cked ever since by the cycling "powers that be". Now here is the thing I just can't get my head around- Operation Porteo or what ever the hell it's called- has been opened and closed more time then the beer cooler door at the local mini mart- at what point does this end?

The guy got busted and did his time, how do they then say they're going to go after him for other offenses that happened before that? If that is the case then anyone who has ever doped twice (two different injections) should be tossed out of the sport with a lifetime ban. Isn't that the logic here? I guess if this is a full on criminal situation that makes sense- I mean we do check prints of crooks against past crimes so I guess this works for cycling. I just don't know.

What sucks is here are a group of riders that have done their time and should be allowed to get back to making a living and they are being blocked. If that is how WADA/UCI/USA Cycling and all the others want to play make it a one offense and you're out for good rule.

It just drives me nuts, and on top of that nobody seems to have the story. This thing has been going on for years and we still know nothing.

While I'm on this- no Astana at the tour- WTF? I think Lotto should be banned as well- since Cadel was in proximity to both Contador adn the Chicken and I'm sure that means he doped and if not then he got doper sweat on him so he's contaminated as well. This sport (from a racing fan point of view) is really starting to smell like burnt rubber.

Ok rant off. Did some some trick pics of the new electric DA10- damn that looks good. A long way from Mavic Zap!

JJ's bike looks sweet- I went with the more subdued black Mamasita- can't wait to build them up.

later,

DEA

New frame for 08

Dos Niner

Well I pulled the trigger and put in my order for a new Salsa Dos Niner. Plan is to build it up with gears as a race bike with a set of new Mavic C29ssmax wheels. Paint color is a bit loud, should be safer during hunting season though. We'll have to see how light/heavy it ends up once its built. It will be interesting to compare it to the Mamasita DEA ordered.

JJ

My New Shovel

Let it snow.....

Here's a pic from last week. Since then we have gotten close to another 2 feet of snow. We had about 10 inches this morning, wow. Took a run at Cranmore this morning on skis and it was great. Just wish I had my snowboard. Crazy thing is we didn't really get any snow last year until Valentines Day. Our plow guy told me yesterday that we've gotten over 13 feet of snow so far this year. Not sure if that's accurate, but it wouldn't suprise me.

Time for me to go shovel.

JJ

Slackers

I don't know what to say- it's been awhile since any TWAF member has posted- sorry about that!

What's new- hmmm, lots of snow. As I write this there is a large bucket loader trying to remove parts of the huge piles around our office- not sure where they are taking the snow- but that's what they are doing. More on the way later this week- it's the first time I can ever remember actually being sick of moving snow. I'll post some pics later of our front yard- but the banks are over my head. Actually yesterday my wife and I skied off of one pile yesterday- one of them is large enough to do a front flip off of it with skis on- yes I'll post the video.

So the skiing is epic- and will be for some time.

Rode rollers last night- ok so I'm out of shape- hopefully that will change quickly.

Thats it for now.

later,

DEA

Weekend ride on the new Studs

WVT

Last Sunday I met up with Ward Solar to get out for trip on the Wildcat Valley Trail. Ward and I met up in Jackson to stage a car and then I piled into the back of his new Element and Rebecca drove us up to dump us at the base of Wildcat.

I was in my full ninja black uniform- very stylish. You'll notice that Ward has full on tele gear and skins and I was running a pair waxless Karhu Catamounts- which is a good choice of ski but was a bit lacking on the climb.

The trip up was good, nice even pace, took about an hour to climb the 2100'. It was cold but we were working so it wasn't bad. As we got toward the summit the wind was a bit bitting. The entire trip up the views were unreal of Mount Washington and while we didn't spend much time at the summit due to the wind we did take a minute to enjoy the view (this isn't a shot we took, but it is from the same spot).



We quickly got into the woods to get out of the wind and it was amazing how much more comfortable it was in the woods. We descided that brunch at the Red Fox would be in order after the trip so I texted K to let her know that was the plan and then we pushed off.

The snow was great, there were a couple of sets of tracks so speed wasn't and issue and when the pitch was there you could get into the untracked and enjoy some nice turns. About a quarter of the way down we were complailning that neither of us brought a camera and then Ward realized that he had a camera on his phone- this is me looking dashing in the woods:

It was a great trip down and the Birch Glade was, as always, amazing! Ward was making some nice turns and got me wishing that I had brought "big gear", but I was managing fine just not able to be real aggressive with my turns. Of course the tables turned when we got to the flats and I was digging being on lightweight XC gear.

There were a few sections of old logging roads that had some interesting waterbar sections. Ward and I were doing out best 1980's spread eagles and Ward even threw in a very stylish back scratcher

It was fun skiing on the edge at times and there were even a few "gaps" that needed to be cleared at speed as some of the waterbars had running water going through. It should be noted that at one point we skied up to a small stream and I felt that I could jump it- Ward felt it wasn't doable- even trying to get his camera out to record either me laying in the water or me with broken skis- but I made it (barely) and then on his attempt he put a ski in the water which made gliding a bit interesting for a short bit.

We finally made it out to Carter Notch road and intelligently took off our skis and walked the half mile to the car and met up with everyone at the Red Fox.


Ok so we didn't do that- instead we began a foolish bushwack that included me beating up a blister to the point that I'm still wearing clogs four days later- but I won't go into details on our foolishness. Needless to say we made it out and then went and chowed down at Brunch.

It was great to get to ski with Ward and then catch up with Rebecca as well. If you haven't read her posts about here first crack at racing cyclocross in Belgium this past December you should- good stuff.

That's it for now- but we'll do the trip again- this time Ryan up at GGTOC won't bail on us- and we'll get JJ and my wife to go as well.

later,

DEA

Epic Ride Planned

What are you doing on Saturday, June 21st? TWAF is planning on an estimated 12 hours of quality saddle time. Start in Center Conway, head out to Bartlett and go up and over Bear Notch, then up and over the Kanc, down into Lincoln and then up Rt 3 through Fanconia Notch, bang a right onto 302, ride by the beautiful Mount Washington Resort and then through Crawford Notch, roll into Glen and bang a left up Pinkham Notch, go by our friends at GGTOC, into Gorham, take a right onto Route 2 and then a left onto North Road into Maine then up and over Evans Notch and then home. Estimate 180 miles and a crap load for climbing (I'm guessing 15,000 to 20,000 feeet)

This ride needs a name- thoughts?

We've been looking for motivation to train- I think we've found it!

later,

DEA

First Ride of 2008

Snuck out for my first ride of the year yesterday. Grabbed the El Mariachi and hit the road with no real game plan. I was thinking of just riding pavement as we had had freezing rain the day/night before so the roads were a bit sketchy on the edges. So cruised down Mill and then hit Browfield road. I got up to Potter and decided to see how it was holding up. It was very icy but there was enough texture in the ice to make staying upright very doable.

I figured I'd ride out to the end of where they plow, turn around and go off in another direction. The views along the lake were fantastic, it was fun to ride it in the opposite direction. When I got to the end of where the town maintains the road I noticed that it had been sort of plowed/packed down. The road looked awful and very icy so I went for it. It was a bit of a sketchy ride at times but I took it slow and managed to stay upright. Then over to Greely which had been plowed and sanded- prior to the freezing rain. Again there looked to be enough texture to get traction so I went for it.

I had forgotten that in this direction it was a good climb, and that combined with the ice made it a good challenge. I slipped a few times but managed to not dab and made it to the bottom of Leavitt, which is paved- but not maintained. Fortunately it has a southern exposure so pavement was showing but it had a thin breakable layer of ice on top. I headed up having to stay seated to make sure my rear tire didn't slip- I got almost to the top and slid out and then it got interesting as I was standing but sliding down the hill backwards holding my bike. I aimed for the snowbank and managed to "self arrest" but was then stuck for a moment while I planned how to make it to the top. I found that if I used the very edge of the snowbank I could get footing and climb my way up- I must of looked pretty foolish- but I also knew that anyone that could see me would be dealing with the same issue!

At the old farm house at the top I stopped to enjoy the view, it was pretty spectacular with clear skies and all the mountain summits very white as they broke above treeline.

I new the descent down Gulf road "should" be clear- but I was nervous as I rolled up to it. I took the approach to let the bike run when it looked glossy and grab two handfuls of brake anytime I saw road that had dirt on top of the ice. It made for an exciting ride!

Then up and over the back of Davis, with a tour of the new lots up on top- still looks like their all for sale- anyone want to be JJ's neighbor?

Then home via Mill St/302. It was a good ride, took about 1:40- certainly not record pace- but it felt good to get out.

Now it's time to load up the car to go get in some Nordic up at GGTOC.

later,

DEA

Bike? What Bike?

My bike work area is MIA, completely hidden by waxing benches, irons, brushes and lots of skis- and that's ok with me! Ski season is in full swing and what a season we've been having. Pretty much 'cross season wrapped up and skiing got underway with little hesitation in between.

This past weekend the skiing was excellent- once again. Skied with Emma at Cranmore on Saturday, while K and Lillo ripped around with K's sister and her family. Emma is close to being fully solo up on the mountain- but not just yet. She still has a "bowling for skiers" attitude at times. Then on Sunday we headed up to GGTOC for some nordic, Lillo is doing the BKL program and Emma, K and I skied out to Great Angel again. Emma had a couple ripping downhills where she stayed in the track and just railed around the corners at a good clip. I was nervous a couple times as I wasn't sure she'd make the corner and if she didn't how far off into the woods she'd end up. But it all went well and whe was pretty proud of herself.

I also got out and snowshoe packed our ski trails that are between A1's house and ours. The dogs came out with me and seemed to have a good time- the only down side was that the snow is so deep that hte dogs are doing their business in the track- oh well (klister and dog poo- great combination)

So that's it at the moment. I'll be riding for Bikeman.com again this year as will JJ- looking forward to that. Didn't get into the SSWC out in Napa, oh well. We'll still have the North American Championships here in the Valley next fall.

That's it from here.

later,


DEA

Good morning

The day started like this- get up and snowblow (again- but I'm not complaining), get in feed the kids, pull thier stuff together grab my stuff for work- make sure to not forget my laptop, get the girls ready, get little E into the truck to drop her off at daycare, roll out, get half way to town and realize I left my computer at home, turn around, start to sweat that now I'm going to miss first chair, get the computer speed back to town, drop off little E (she took here time getting out of the truck and walking in), roll to the mountain- see they did an early load- f$%&- oh well- no panic, get to the lift drop my skis put them on- left binding bail snaps- crap! figure out a fix, get on the lift- breath easily again, get down the top half of the mountain with grin that went ear to ear both on the top and bottom of my head (that's a big grin), get over into some terrain where they were blowing snow, did something wrong went ass over tea kettle and landed on my head first- saw stars, stood there for a minute to figure out which way was up and which way was down, skiied down to the lift and shook the fog off, went up again, oh my the snow was so good! Took a few runs hten went back to work. Head still hurts, but damn it was worth it.

I love powder days.


DEA

Happy New Year

I can't believe it's 2008- yikes. Anyway it's snowing like crazy and I've got to go fire up the snowblower.

Happy New Year and let's make 2008 a great year.

DEA