Okay I suck...

All's quite on the blogging front. I've been training my but off for cross season, the shop has been busy, and I have been brainstorming ideas for this -----

www.mywifeinc.com

It is still in it's baby stages but swing on over and take a looky and tell me what you think.

only 50 more days until Jackson Park...

Amazing...

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

Sunburns, dirt, dogs, and sprints...

This is how I spent last week. LeBam was out of school so the fam headed south back to KC for the week. We hung out with some old friends and I got to ride all the places I miss so much. I got sunburned on the first day down there - I forgot what it's like to not where arm and knee warmers. It was the best vacation that I've had in some time, and the first non "race vacation" the family has had in some time.

This is one of my favorite signs, it still makes me laugh every time. It is the reason I first wanted a small digi cam to take on rides with me. You just never know what weird stuff you are going to find out in the country.

Crusty first introduced me to gravel road rides. I think roads like this are what I miss riding the most since moving to cheeseland. There is nothing quite like making the turn onto a nice gravel road, dropping down a gear, and just floating through the soft stuff - it brings a smile to my face just thinking about it.

They have had a bunch of rain in KC so most of the gravel was packed down quite a bit, but there were still plenty of spots where loose gravel was lingering. I can remember a few times turning onto one of these long gravel sections right after they laid down fresh gravel - nothing makes you pucker up quite like hitting loose gravel at speed.

The trail gnomes down in KC do an AMAZING job of building and maintain trail in the area. There is all kinds of XC trails from smooth and flowing to rocky and technical. One of my favorites is Rim Job at Landahl Park. It will make you sharp and keep you honest about how good of a technical rider you are, let's just say I was a little rusty in the handling department.

Rocks.

More Rocks.

Lots of exposed limestone on Rim Job. I didn't take as many pictures as I should have to do the trail justice, but I was to busy having fun. There are quite a few of these exposed outcroppings that you ride up, over, around, and through on the trail - it's a blast. Although there was a time when it was my least favorite trial in KC, funny how some experience and saddle time can charge your opinion of a trail, it used to kick my ass all over the place almost as much walking as riding. There is so much to ride, but time and weather constraints kept me to just one day and a few trails. I need to take a MTB only trip for a week, I could ride somewhere different every day and never leave the metro area!

I don't think he's trying hard enough...

Crusty and I hit up some Roller races on Friday night, it was tons of fun. $5 to race and more swag than I have seen at a race in a long time. I came away with a set of Surly hubs and a Jethro Tule not bad for First Place, I would have just taken the satisfaction of beating Crusty - the hubs are just a bonus.

The final showdown. This was our first race of the year against each other - not a good way to start off the year Crusty. Is his defense, he had some beers (I couldn't drink anything after the first race I thought for sure I was going to puke from the effort) and had to race one more heat than me (that's what he gets for not posting the fastest heat time), but a W is a W and I will take any I can get.

Got to ride with Crusty and G-Love on the most assbackwards route I think I have ever been on - thanks G-Love.

I also got chased by 6 dogs during the week, one of which was a wiener dog. I have never been chased by a wiener dog before, I was amazed at how long he chased me. After I realized what it was that was chasing me I slowed down a bit and he just kept coming. Most dogs will give up once they realize they aren't going to catch you, but this little guy just kept coming. I only had one close call, but it was enough to remind me how much I hate being chased by dogs when riding solo. I don't mind the dogs when I'm riding with others because there is always someone slower or less attentive than myself.

Lots of riding, dinner with old friends, and some R&R just what the family needed.

Now that I am back, I am going to make a serious effort to vary my routes this year, it's getting boring. I have pretty much ridden a variation of the same few road routes since moving to Wisco three years ago - it's time for some variety!

Bike spotting...

Looks like a Sponsored rider got his hands on a yet to be announced Carbon 29er Hardtail from "S". He says it currently weighs in just over 20 lbs.I was hoping the "S" would use their own FS forks on their new 29ers, but this one has a Reba, does kind of look like the bottom of the head tube is flared out? Maybe RockShox is coming ouut with a tapered steerer tube fork... Or maybe it is just shimmed down, or it could just be me wanting it to have a tapered 1 1/8 to 1 1/2 inch headtube. At any rate it appears The big Red S is bringing Carbon to their bigwheels for 2010.

looking forward to a test ride...

edit:  origianl posters blog has been changed and any mention of this bike has been removed....

Product News...

So I have been wishing for some wider tubular rims for cross. Not only did I find out there is something available now but there are options...

Wisconsin locals - Sun Ringle have a new aluminum tubular rim out called the Vista Cruiser, I am guessing a nod to That 70's Show. It is a 32 Hole Black 21.2mm wide 14mm deep 385g tubular rim and retails for $45.

Another northern Midwest company has their C2 rim profile now available in a carbon tubular - HED Stinger 6 23mm wide 60mm deep carbon tubular wheel set. Retail $1500


From HED -
"The C2 tire well secures the tire in a wider and slightly deeper “cradle”. With increased support of the tire carcass, sidewall flexion is reduced, and less flexion vastly increases cornering stability and general handling. It also improves tire efficiency. One hard corner at speed will show you just how much the C2 well decreases tire wash under heavy loading."

Sure they are talking about typical road tubular widths, but the same should apply for cross tires as well. I am intrigued by the idea of a larger gluing surface for tubular cross tires. The idea makes sense especially with the increased casing size of a 32mm cross tire. A wider rim is going to better support the wider tire and allow for better handling, a larger contact patch, and better rolling. Just look at the evolution of 29"er MTB rims guys were using 19mm wide road rims in the beginning, but now the standard has been pushed into the mid 20mm and even into the 30mm wide range all to support the larger casing size and give better handling.

I think I may have to have one of each this year. I love trying out new technology and every season it is something different. Wider rims may be just the ticket this year.

The Good, Bad, and Ugly...

Got out for a sweet sunny Saturday sunshine ride. New route, new kit, and good times.

MWI team member and good friend Paul "Chili" Warloski was involved in a bike meets truck accident on Saturday afternoon. Resulting in some new Titanium hardware in his left Femur.

I started this post a few days ago and just wasn't feeling in the groove yet this year, I was thinking about getting some structure from coach Crusty. I haven't been motivated and haven't been sticking to any sort of routine. I am over the winter weather!

Today I went out for a solo ride for a couple of hours and now I feel like the batteries are finally recharging. I can feel the internal wheels starting to move. I am looking towards the fall and getting excited. It is coming....

Heading out..

Coming Back.

One for Chili.

Stopped by and saw Chili today at the hospital, he is doing well and his spirits are up, and already talking about traveling to Kentucky, Ohio, and Iowa for cross races. He has some serious rehab in his future, but Paul is one seriously motivated guy so I am sure he will be ahead of the curve and back on a bike sooner than expected.

enjoy every ride, you just never know...

Watch the equipment...

Spending a week at Specialized was great...

Riding some sweet bikes was nice, the BG Fit class was amazing, but the best thing I saw...

A live penile blood flow saddle demonstration. Yep Dr. Roger Minkow hooked a sensor up to one of the male instructors "equipment" to measure blood flow and had him ride a few different saddles while a monitor showed the real time blood flow loss. I have never been overly picky about saddles and have always told customers if it doesn't hurt go with it when it came to picking the best one. Those days are OVER. After watching the blood flow drop to almost zero in less than a minute while he was riding a very popular saddle without feeling any signs of discomfort or numbness I am fully on board with the Specialized BG Saddle program! They had data from all of the major saddle brands and majority of them had similarly astonishingly poor results. The Specialized Toupe is the best tested saddle, but it still restricts up to 20% of blood flow. The kicker is guys can not tell that blood flow is being restricted and are totally unaware. It's one thing to have someone tell you about the study, it is entirely different to watch the number plummet while the rider is telling you that he actually finds the saddle to be quite comfortable! I am all about keeping the blood flowing.

Looks like the weather may finally break here in cheeseland...

...keeping my fingers crossed.

The Rider...

"...after the finish all the suffering turns to memories of pleasure, and the greater the suffering, the greater the pleasure. That is Nature's paypack to riders for the homage they pay her by suffering. Velvet pillows, safari parks, sunglasses: people have become wolly mice. ...Instead of expressing their gratitude for the rain by getting wet, people wak around with unbrellas. Nature is an old lady with few suitors these days, and those who wish to make use of her charms she rewords passionately."


Buy the book it is AWESOME: Time Krabbe "The Rider"
If you have it read it again!

it's all about the ride...

Loud and Proud...

2009 My Wife Inc kits are here. They are loud - "deliciously hideous" I believe is my favorite term. I am not sure why I look so pissed in the pictures, I am actually quite happy with how they turned out. However It never fails that there is always something you would do different after they show up, but they turned out how I had planned.

notice the room on the left side for a number...

The sponsor put the nix on the "Cavendish Pose" picture.

I have some extra arm and knee warmers left if anyone is interested. Otherwise the next kit order will be later this summer, unless demand for it comes gushing in sooner.

Can't wait to start getting some miles in the new kit.

Remembered...

I forgot I brought the camera...

Rollin' out. Wanna guess the retail value of our ride?

Over the shoulder "Boulder Holder" - John works at the Cross mecca of the Front Range

Helmet Cam?

Top of the climb.

You know the guy who fit the Saxo guys - you know the one -that's him. Scott Holz

Not a bad ride eh?

My brain is reaching capacity, I am learning new skills, riding some RAD bikes, having a peachy time, and enjoying the ride.

Too many words...

Too many words here lately...leBam made this last week in Illustrator. She was playing around not trying to make anything specific just experimenting with shapes and color (she's six afterall) I was amazed by her creativity in naming her artwork "Little Fairy and the Light of Hope"

you've got to love children's minds...

Okay...

I was cranky! I am big enough to admit it. Travel and lack of sleep will tend to do that. But a couple of days riding and it's all rainbows and unicorns.

We finished up the product training portion of the week here is California, and yes Specialized makes some awesome product nothing earth shattering there, but.. I am amazed every time I have the opportunity to hear about what goes into every product they make - these guys do their homework and don't mess around! There is a ton of technology and solid research that goes into what they bring to market. Specialized does not simply follow trends and make "me too" product these guys oooze passion and it shows, not just the "PRO" culture that is everywhere these days but passion for all things bicycle - kids bikes, commuters, and just plain ole' bike ridin' - do I like everything they make - nope but I have mad respect for them.

The fit portion of the class started today - lots of information to absorb! I need some test bodies when I get back in town, any volunteers? I really like the way that Specialized approaches the fit process, it's is very similar to how Barnett teaches mechanics, it's very procedural oriented. One step leads into the next in a very logical and efficient manner, this not only makes it easier for the fitter to be consistent in technique it also give the customer a very professional experience that is detailed and thorough.

Rode outside today, it was nice.

Random - Disc brakes on cross bikes? It's the off season and the debate has popped again. It appears the UCI is rewriting the rules that apply to this issue. No thanks I like my cross bikes just the way they are. There is no reason why a rule can not exist solely to protect the heritage of a sport. When you begin to allow a cross bikes to morph into skinny wheeled 29ers then you begin to erode the very essence of what make cross racing so special. Disc brakes would change the course design even more than the current UCI trends - into to something more of a MTB short track. Part of the mystic of Cross is the technique involved - the ability to corner, dismount, and maintain your momentum, it's also the equipment it makes the bike different and by different I mean special.

Ahhh bikes so many ones to love.

enjoy the ride...

California is dreaming....

So I am out in California for a week of "Bike Nerd School" as my wife calls it - Specialized Bicycle Company University is what they call it, for some product brainwashing, I mean training and Body Geometry Fit School. I am most excited about the BG Fit school portion of the week which starts on Wednesday. But first - What is the deal with everyone being afraid of the rain?! It rained today not hard, just steady - what we in the Midwest would call a drizzle - sure it was windy, but come on let's ride! Nope no ride today. I feel the best part of the SBCU experience is getting to test ride all the latest bikes so that you can use your personal testimony of the bikes to sell them upon retuning. I mean ultimately that is why our bosses pay for us to go and Specialized offers these classes is for us to be better educated on their product and have the proper tools inform our customers.

I think I am just grumpy about sitting in a classroom all day listening to everyone try to one up each other, it was kind of like the group ride where everyone half wheels each other trying to force the tempo, it got real old real fast.

Tomorrow brings another day - hopefully it will be drier so I can enjoy some riding!

Under the weather...

I have been sick all week - boooo. At least the weather has been crappy so I don't feel bad for not trying to get out and ride. In place of riding I have been spending my time on some design projects that have been lingering - look for new MWI shirts coming soon. Speaking of new shirts, these guys have one out in my favorite color, check it out.

In sneaker news Onitsuka is celebrating their 60th year in style...





Already have my first pair of Zodiac inspired kicks...


I really hop this bug is gone by the time I leave for California on Sunday!

Ho Hum...

I have been laying low.  We got a nice weather spike last weekend - it's gone and so is my motivation to ride indoors.  I was so desperate for a ride outside last week I went out for 1 1/2 hours in the pouring rain , but at least it wasn't snowing.

I even shaved the lazy "winter beard" in hopes that it would spark some springitme love.  It hasn't brought the weather, but I mustered up 4 1/2 Max Power Ramp intervals this morning on the Computrainer.  I think it's time to call the coach and get some structure! 

I need to find a way to pul off the extended pre-season training camp somewhere warm, too bad leBam's spring break isn't until Spring...

50 Mile Kind of Day...

Fenders were not optional yesterday! All the snow was melting and the streets were rivers.

Chili wanted to stop for some food.

Yesterday was a warm one for a Wisconsin Feb - 50 degrees - but windy as hell. Arm and Leg warmers required. I have been waiting for a day such as this to kick start my motivation for the year. I know that it will get cold again and the temps will drop, but it is a start and the warm sunny days are just around the corner.

Is it bad that it is only February and most of the conversation revolved around next cross season?

Postcard...

Our newest MWI cross racer brought back this postcard from his skiing trip out west.

News feed...

So I stumbled upon this. Funny it is basically a feed of all the sites I read anyway but in one convenient spot.

Stupid Groundhog....

Six more weeks of winter = blah!!

So the CX World Championship = blah!  Kind of Grass Crit-ish.  I am not a fan of the UCI mvoement towards faster courses.  I like a course where the best BIKE rider whens not the rider with the biggest engine on any given day wins.  TA great cross course should reward those with superier bike handling/line selection and punsih those without.  

Congratulations to Brian Matter JPow, and Matt Shriver for an awesome season and performance at Worlds!  Too bad JP had so much drama again this year, hopefully his sponsrs will stand by him and he can come back next year stronger and motivated. Too bad Trebon got taken ot by some camera equiptment - pretty crappy - he seems to have some bad Karma at big races (KC 2007)

Overall I feel that the US team represented well!  The women killed it, the juniors, and U23 held their own to some very respectable results.  Can't wait to see what next season brings!

Despite the Groundhogs predictions I still managed to ride outside this morning.  I'll take 6 more weeks of winter if the temps stay up in the double digits.

Required reading...

For all you group riding and racing roadies - Here.

Food for thought going into Spring. My favorite one is this:

'When you see a hole in the road, it is absolutely NOT acceptable to yell “HOLE” at the top of your voice, then weave around it at the last minute. It is also unacceptable to yell “SLOWING” when you slow down. If you can’t see the riders in front of you are slowing down, then maybe you should stick to monopoly on a Sunday afternoon."

I have noticed in every Crit that I have done here in Wisconsin some bonehead is constantly yelling about slowing down! It drives me crazy. I learned the fine art of subtle hand signals from the King himself Crusty. No words just a quick wave of the hand, perfect. I am sure he will have a post of his own on the subject, here.

Maybe that's why I haven't done much group riding since moving up here - it's all the noise. Even the first Cross Country MTB race I did there were guys yelling "Slowing" going into every swithcback - Holy Crap! Really do you need to announce that!

I'll jsut keep riding solo, until I find somone with a scooter...

Last Week...

Rode outside.

Was forced back inside.

Got some new sneakers.

Not a bad week. I also ate here twice on Saturday while sneaker shopping. Yes I have a horrible diet I know, but at least I still beat this guy last year in spite of all his good eating habits. Brian Matter is getting ready to kill it on a Blue CXC at Cross Worlds next weekend. You too could be the proud owner of a Blue CXC in the exclusive My Wife Inc livery. LeBam was obsessed with being on YouTube on Saturday and was making music videos all day so she could be famous. She wanted me to give her fashion advice so she could look professional. I told her she shouldn't worry about looking a certain way and to rock her own style. Her response "That's excellent advice Dad. Thanks!" Are all six year old girls like that?

Is it Spring yet?

Rumor Mill...

So I was planning on selling my mountain bike, as I do just about every year, but I might just hold off a year and wait for the bike I have been dreaming of since my first 29er! Looks like I may have to put some endurance MTB races back on my calendar for 2010.

Let's just say 2010 with be an Epic year!

Oh and there is a chance Blue Competition Cycles will have someone on their CXC at Worlds even if JP isn't racing.

Today's show is brought to you by the letter "D"...

Dermatone.

Dumb, Dumb.

Finally got my sorry butt outside for only the second time this year. Way to much trainer time for me already. With the windchill in the single digits it meant breaking out the Dermatone. A hold over from my Mountain Man days this stuff rocks for keeping your face comfy. It acts as a wind barrier when applied to your exposed skin and lips. Its from Sweden so it has to be good right. Anyway it's the real deal, you should pick some up, your LBS can order it from QBP so no excuses!

So I thought I would come home via part of the Oak Leaf trail and avoid some potholes, Dumb idea. The winter walkers hadn't packed it down quite enough yet to make it "easy" going, really they have just chewed it up so that it is unrideable. So I forged fresh tracks, which was a blast until you hit a buried hole, log or frozen squirrel and came to an immediate stop every 50 feet or so. Luckily I wasn't on it too long. It was really nice to be outside, off the trainer enjoying the crisp winter air.
Now if the snow will jsut stay away so the streets stay clear maybe I can make it out for #3 this year.

Enjoy it when you can get it...

Anticipation...

I have a somewhat unhealthy obsession with sneakers. If only bike parts didn't cost so much I would have to build a sneaker room to store them. Currently I am not so patiently awaiting the Spring release from my favorite sneaker company - Onitsuka Tiger.

I really need the weather to break so I can go outside and ride.

Awesomeness...

Punk buttons courtesy of Chad's wife. Super sweet - THANKS!

We have brought another one into our fold - Paul "Chili" Warloski will be flying the Jackalope in 2009.

Last chance to order kit for Spring, the final order is being submitted next week.

Now if I could just get some double digit temperatures so I can venture outside.

Best account of the Euro experience...

Will Dugan of Team Richard Sachs gives an amazing account of his adventures at Euro Cross Camp and beyond.

"HOLY MOLY those guys are so fast. They know how to just attack attack attack. They'll attack just to blow up. It's crazy. But they'll also wait. They don't do that long tt effort. They just snap and bridge."

"The biggest contest is against your own head here: how to you keep the fight at 100% every race, every turn. "

"...but i know what to do in the future. it's a little better to race in the group than to drill it solo and blow completely, and the race isn't over until it's over- sprint to that line!"

Read his entire account here -

http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4526

And major CONGRATULATIONS to Wisco Pro Brian Matter for making the US Cross Worlds Team!!

Favorite Bike of 2008...

This was one of my favorite bikes this year. Lisa Strong's custom Titanium Black Sheep. Lisa races for Tough Girl Cycling and is a friend of mine. I snapped these pic at Jingle Cross this year and was hoping to get some better shots at Nationals, but after Lisa's stellar performance in the Masters race she got a little stomach bug and was out of commission the rest of the weekend and I missed my chance. Lisa had James do a titanium fork, which to some may seem odd because of the added weight. Lisa mostly races on super bumpy courses in Colorado and the added comfort from the Ti fork is worth any added weight. The coolest part about having a Ti fork is that you can persuade the builder into welding on an integrated cable hanger for your canti-brakes. How RAD is that!? I often get the question in the shop as to why someone would buy a custom frame if they don't have specific geometry needs - well this is the answer, to get Trick details made for your riding location and style. Lots of people spend time every year trying to build a better mouse trap when it comes to solving front brake cable routing/chatter/shudder issues and this is the best solution I have seen yet!

Super Rad detail!

Custom all the way.

Love it or Hate it...

Well I sent the templates off. So that makes it final right? All it really means is it will take longer for the kit to arrive if I make any more changes. So the "Crusty" orange is a new addition this year. I like that everything on the kit has some sort of story behind it and Crusty begged and pleaded to have some orange on the kit this year (Really he just said "How 'bout some orange?") and I can't let my boy down, and love it or hate it MWI went a little orange. The response to the orange has been... Well my favorite description is - Deliciously Hideous.

Decide for yourself.



Order is going in ASAP! Please send me what you want, next order won't be until July. I have been asked about knee/arm warmers, and it's not a problem I just need a minimum of 10 orders to add them.