J J K

Portland Short Track Series

2011-08-03T16:21:00.000-07:00

So for the past 2 months I have been dabbling in the short track series that Portland does every summer out at the International Raceway. Around 1-2mi laps with a mix of motocross jumps, grass fields and single track you go round and round till they yell last lap. The first race I did I just tried to figure out what was going on and how painfull full throttle racing can be, I took 8th about mid pack definitely got me focused again on my fast quick bursts of energy. Fast forward a couple weeks and I took 2nd two mondays in a row to the same guy winning the whole series. The final race of the summer was the other night that's where these pics are from. I got teamed up on from the start by the usual leading suspects the 29er Crew Trek team. One of them Shannon Skeritt the leader of the series and same guy I have been chasing for weeks and his teammate Arron Tuckerman who has taken third to me 2 weeks in a row. Lots of rubbing elbows and back and forth racing. Each of them trying to get rid of me. The most exciting 40min I have raced in awhile. The only bummer was when they never rang the "last lap" bell and I was caught unaware of being in the final lap. I was planning on draining the tank to secure 2nd in one more but before I knew it Arron attacked, I got smoked for a sec and there was the checkered flag. Damn! I was pissed. Oh well thats racing and I had a good time and Rachel got some cool shots.

The Mighty Columbia River

2011-07-23T21:26:00.000-07:00

Lush amazing fun...

2011-06-24T17:13:00.000-07:00

Ashland Super D

2011-06-19T17:56:00.000-07:00

A bit of a different start than I'm used to. Me, the clock, 12mi of trail and 5000' of drop... oh yea it's on!

I was the only pro to ride a hardtail that day. I got a bunch of funny looks without huge suspension but my finishing time spoke for itself. The fact of the matter is that I am used to riding "downhill" trails on a cross country bike and it gave me a huge advantage on the one climb in the middle of the race. Rachel and I had to get back to Portland so I still dont know what place I finished in but if I compare times with last years than I got in the top 20 with a 36min race time. Adam Craig, USA's past Olympian came in at 33min but people were still coming down when we took off so we'll see. All in all it was a scary fast fun ride. Here is a link to what the local news channel got that day. http://kdrv.com/news/local/215489

Camping at Emigrant Lake for the weekend. Very beautiful area.

Morning commute halted by the Navy

2011-06-14T11:22:00.000-07:00

I was trying to go to work yesterday morning and was stopped by raised bridges and police. Fleet week was over and these massive ships had to move on out. Since I was already late for work now I decided to snap a few photos.

Patio Season in full swing

2011-06-10T10:22:00.000-07:00

and look no mud!

2011-05-11T12:33:00.000-07:00

Sumners Pics from the race

2011-04-20T19:39:00.000-07:00

Oregon Racing

2011-04-11T22:28:00.000-07:00

Took home 4th in Pro! Not bad after working two jobs and trying to train when possible.

Peacocks hanging out cheering us on.

The absolute muddiest ride/race I have ever done. Enough to make a bunch of people throw in the towel. I'm not in Arizona anymore.

My couple hour nightmare to clean.

Santaria

2011-04-07T08:26:00.000-07:00

After 9 months of living in the "food" city we finally found some good south of the border grub

Coffee Time

2011-03-26T20:29:00.000-07:00

Getting more consistent with free pouring latte art. Just took 6 yrs barista experience and moving to Portland to figure it out.

Spinning out of the rain

2011-03-04T18:11:00.001-08:00

Seattle Bday

2011-02-27T11:10:00.000-08:00

Ride ride ride

2011-02-14T14:25:00.000-08:00

Doesn't look like much but 22% grade road straight up. Ouch!

Running from the wall of rain coming

No shortage of dirt in Portland

I like these...

2011-02-04T17:16:00.000-08:00

6am at my day job

Got pastries?

Night ride

Long ride

Muddy ride...no kickstand required

Big boats on the Willamette

Cool dog park

Salmon Anyone...

2011-01-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

My 1st fish caught on a fly rod...not too bad

I love these bridges.

2011-01-07T19:20:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone!

2011-01-07T18:58:00.000-08:00

A very quiet but "spirited" Portland Christmas.

The tough bunch I roll with.

Walle's new sheek Portland wear. Modeled to a tee.

2010-12-29T16:11:00.000-08:00

USGP Cyclocross

2010-12-05T19:13:00.000-08:00

Cold start...wish I was racing but glad I'm drinking a beer wearing a down jacket

Ryan and Todd at the front

Olympian Adam Craig not having such a good day

Jeremy Powers taking the win

Overall a cold but beautiful day for a bike race

Squirrel Art

2010-12-03T17:29:00.000-08:00

Bridgetown travels

2010-11-29T11:56:00.000-08:00

Tall bike commuter above the railing on the Broadway bridge. That's a long way to fall to look cool.

Loop around the West Hills of Portland

2010-11-08T13:51:00.000-08:00

The view from my morning commute

2010-11-02T20:55:00.001-07:00

Muddy urban adventure

2010-11-01T18:09:00.000-07:00

Cross season is here and in full affect. I wish I was out racing pushing myself but after a month off with a broken bone just getting back out is my challenge. This ride was awesome, it was what everyone describes "Portland Riding" to be. Lots of rain, urban assault mixed with muddy park roads/single track. Thank goodness for gore-tex and getting out of the house : )

Portland is beautiful...

2010-10-29T18:54:00.001-07:00

In a place full of traffic, rain and hipsters parks like this help the psyche.

Monkey Puzzle tree

Zooom...Zoooom...

1st ride back after breaking myself 4 weeks ago...... Yeah!

2010-10-27T19:00:00.001-07:00

2010-10-26T20:56:00.001-07:00

Spending the night on Hood before I broke myself

2010-10-05T19:37:00.001-07:00

Wear your helmet

2010-10-04T13:50:00.000-07:00

X-rays from my most recent adventure, flying off my bike onto asphalt. I shattered my helmet cracked my clavical and knocked my self into loony tunes land. A quick CT scan, a few morphine doses and I am on my way to a very painful few weeks ahead. Keep you posted...Wear your helmet I'm glad I did.

Hood & Mirror Lake Hike

2010-09-15T09:21:00.000-07:00

Ramona Falls

2010-09-10T20:56:00.001-07:00

Beautiful glacier water

Thursday Fish Stories

2010-09-04T18:28:00.000-07:00

Hooked and then lost the largest fish I have ever fished for.

Huge at least the length of my leg.... I swear.

Portland Assault Vehical

2010-09-04T18:22:00.000-07:00

Oregon Pino & Roof Top Gardens

2010-08-31T19:53:00.000-07:00

The veggies served at this wine bar are as local as it gets...10 ft above your table.

I need a boat

2010-08-25T18:25:00.000-07:00

Meet you on the roof...

2010-08-18T17:55:00.001-07:00

Sippin Micro brew and eating sushi 15 stories up....I'm not in Flagpole anymore

Sumner & Juliette Chillin enjoying the view

"Departure" looked like The Jetsons meets Star Wars.

Stumbled upon a downtown Crit...

Doggy Beach Nap

Columbia River Gorge

2010-08-06T16:44:00.000-07:00

Portland Rose Garden

Mt Hood Over the Clackamas

2010-07-26T12:29:00.000-07:00

Blackberry bushes are evil

2010-07-23T18:46:00.000-07:00

A New Type of Shreading

2010-07-21T13:50:00.001-07:00

Deronde Portlandia

2010-07-20T14:55:00.000-07:00

Farmers Market at PSU

Sweet doggy beach park

Rachel & Walle hiking the best urban trail I have ever seen

Blackberries everywhere

Big Beaver at eagle creek.

Doug's pup and me trying to catch dinner

Family Photo

Some cute girl and her dog

Sasquatch's Home

2010-07-07T22:54:00.000-07:00

Forest Closed and Winds Shifting

2010-06-21T18:42:00.000-07:00

Fire coming up and over Schultz peak heading in an opposite direction than before.

Probably my last Mt Bike ride in FLG.... on to my new home. Got to talk to a ranger that told me the winds were shifting and all of the forest north of FLG is closed now. Sad stuff, a lot of beautiful forest, trails and wildlife gone : (

Todays New Fire

2010-06-20T17:04:00.000-07:00

This one started somewhere behind Elden by Schultz Pass Rd.

It looks like a bomb went off. The forests are sure to close soon.

Fire Season must be here

2010-06-19T19:06:00.000-07:00

Took a quick ride up Elden to get a birds eye view

Backyard Camping trip

2010-06-18T22:03:00.000-07:00

2010-06-13T13:57:00.000-07:00

Lookout to Town from "pickle"

Schultz Creek Flowing after a water pipe busted up above

Angel Fire (Crier)

2010-06-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

3900' of climbing 90deg out and severe back pain = mid pack finish. The weekend didn't go the way I planned but race and learn and get better. I have been battling this muscle pain from the beginning of the season. Sense the race I have changed my position on my bike, went to a great sports therapy person and I hope now am on the mend. Keep you posted...

Flagstaff Frenzy...AZ State Final

2010-06-08T08:38:00.000-07:00

Professional Photo

4th Pro, Fastest Flagstaffian 2 yrs running

FLG Shreddin

2010-05-08T20:38:00.000-07:00

50mi of fun

2010-04-29T15:19:00.000-07:00

Cold 7:30am start with 200+ racers

22nd place 3hr 43min later. Ouch!!

The Whiskey Cometh...

2010-04-21T15:56:00.000-07:00

North Facing Mt Elden

2010-04-05T21:06:00.000-07:00

Missing my summer home

2010-03-05T20:11:00.000-08:00

Feeling the Vortex

2010-02-05T19:20:00.000-08:00

Ryan "the tiger" Giger getting low up on high line trail

15 and pure potential

The "Vortex" messin with my head

Backfliping my bike

Nature is in Charge

2010-01-28T13:09:00.000-08:00

The snow this year has been epic. Deep and plentiful. So deep that there is avalanche danger inbounds. Well sort of inbounds. This one I set off just by stepping one foot off of rock into open snow (I quickly stepped back and watched it go.) Luckily it was small and just shifted a few feet but still gets the heart going watching a car size chunk move past your toes. I decided that was far enough and strapped in and took off across inner bowl for an amazing pow run.

It just keeps snowing...

2010-01-22T18:02:00.000-08:00

Schwinn gone

Alley way a bit deep

Just enough room to squeeze through

Buffalo Park hill

Storm 2 of 3

2010-01-21T16:55:00.000-08:00

.
.
.
.

Storm 1 of 3

2010-01-19T14:31:00.000-08:00

...

High line trail amazing

2010-01-17T15:58:00.000-08:00

-10 Windchill

2010-01-15T20:03:00.000-08:00

Really Cold and windy but 5in of fresh pow.

The clouds were moving fast all day. Crazy...

2010-01-10T20:02:00.000-08:00

High up on Baldwin Mt Sedona

Sporting the new team colors.

Turns Before Work

2010-01-08T19:15:00.001-08:00

More Sedona Fun

2010-01-05T17:45:00.001-08:00

Sedona Group Ride

2009-12-28T19:27:00.000-08:00

Linden & Chris In the Cold Shade

I was the odd man out on the Absolute Bikes Team Ride

Future Olympian Ryan"the tiger" Giger.
15 and Pro fast

Made In The Shade Tr.

The Winter Glow

2009-12-12T20:44:00.000-08:00

Embrace the Snow

2009-12-11T20:20:00.000-08:00

I took my annual hike up Snowbowl yesterday to get some fresh lines in before the onslaught of people arrive on its slopes. It's a great workout and feels good to "earn your turns". No crowds, employees or ski patrol, just a quiet mt you and your board. Awesome! The snow was nicely groomed and pretty deep in the resort. Easy to hike on. Up higher the winds had blown the snow out of the upper bowl. It goes from chest deep to dirt in just a few feet, according to how the wind stacked it up. Crazy. I'm excited for the days to come especially when I can board in the morning then ride my bike in Sedona in the afternoon. It's truly epic in Northern Arizona.

Just a few feet

2009-12-08T18:51:00.000-08:00

View north from work

Off the balcony

Buried Subaru

Nice and deep downtown

Choose Your Own Adventure

2009-12-03T17:55:00.000-08:00

Fresh lines after work.

2009-11-28T17:58:00.000-08:00

Fast Swoopy Goodness

There's a 12637' peak right behind those clouds

Red rock? Yes please...

2009-11-27T20:06:00.000-08:00

No Pink Jeeps tours out here

White band=trail

Epic Adventure

2009-11-16T19:42:00.000-08:00

Kauai 09 Photo Gallery...

Island bound...

2009-10-30T19:32:00.000-07:00

2009-10-28T16:44:00.000-07:00

Night Riding, Snakes & Dogs

2009-09-25T20:31:00.000-07:00

Final Results

2009-09-24T08:42:00.001-07:00

Ok my bad I guess I took lucky # 13 instead of 12th this past weekend. Here are the official unofficial results from sswc.

More Sweet Photos

2009-09-22T16:20:00.000-07:00

I think I'm in picture #15,16. Some cool shots by somebody.
Cool Photos

Lucky #13 at Worlds!!!

2009-09-20T17:14:00.001-07:00

New Belgium Booze Fest

Special thanks to Bussman and the Fat Tire Crew for the free beer

Lining up with 1000+ people

Go!

still going

and going...

and going...
5th after lap 1

trying to hold off a sprint to the finish.
Timmy and I glad to be done

Video from the Durango Herald News

SSWC09

2009-09-18T21:32:00.001-07:00

Single Speed World Championships

A Break from the Stress...kinda

2009-08-15T17:21:00.000-07:00

North of the peaks on a sweet loop

Ferngully!

My new Pimp Subaru to get me places in style.
Now I really am a Flagstafian.

I am so bad at keeping up with this site. I apologize. This summer has not gone how I expected it to. After my last post I raced the MBAA State Final up here in Flag. Considering I only had about 2 weeks of good riding leading up to it 3rd in pro was alright with me. Timmy took 1st and Scott Keller took 2nd I ended up about 3min back. I just wish I was training and riding more consistent this year, not ride hard for a month then hurt for two. Oh well I guess this is the year from hell for bike racing. The past 2 months or so I have just been trying to do everything else I love in life and not get so upset about biking. It has been good to take a break from stressing to be a "super pro" but it's time to get back in the game the monsoons hit and fall is just around the corner and that means single speed worlds and my annual trip to Kauai. Ok so when all you think about when not riding is riding the 1st thing you want to do when jumping back on the bike is go fast. Well here is what happens when your skills are not honed in to what they should be.

Tissue growing back into the void.

This is the second time I have fallen on a wide open mouth. I came into a section of trail just like any other time except my focus was not up to jedi standards which I believe is required for the speed I was going. Now flying through the air at about 20mph with my bike attached to my feet behind me I knew this was going to hurt. If any of you have ever fallen on rock in Flagstaff you would know that its not very forgiving. My hands hit but could not take the pressure then my lower lip and jaw became in theory a back hoe digging into the ground. I knocked the wind out of myself, my bike hit the back of me and my mouth was now filled with dirt and blood. I took a tooth count and made sure nothing was broken except my pride. For the next 12 miles or so I spit dirt filled dark blood all the way home. I thought that it was just a bad case of road rash in my mouth then the tooth ache and jaw pain started and in about 5 days it has tripled in pain. I feel like I can deal with alot of suffering but this truly is so painful, even my own spit stings like a bee sting over and over again let alone eating anything. I knew that going to a dentist would cost a bunch but luckily this town rocks and everyone helps everybody out so I called my fellow cyclist/dentist friend Jim and he hooked it up with free x-rays and advice oh and some prescriptions to help with my wussyness. I need to go back in on mon to make sure things are healing but no broken teeth or jaw that he could see just a lot of swelling and tenderness. So here I am now typing this blog on about 1000 mil of hydrocodone wishing the pain would stop. I need to get better soon b/c it's time to train hard for a week and then go race my shops "Old Fashion Mt Bike Race." I have won the single speed cat a few times but I want to win the whole thing this year. My head wants to race now its time for the rest of my body to cooperate. Keep you all posted sooner than later.

Long Time No Post

2009-06-05T21:31:00.000-07:00

So no news with me is bad news. Sea Otter was a pretty big let down with how well I felt. The day of the race my leg would not loosen up so I ended up pulling out. Bad tendinitis and a 12 hour drive was not the race ready form I was hoping for. I am just not down with putting myself through such horrible knee pain again that sucked. I must say that the start was the most intense thing I have ever been a part of though. 30 sec into the race I narrowly missed a 4ft tall steel barricade that held the sign "Start of Feed Zone". A few guys that were funneled by the 100+ pro field to the inside could not make it quick enough and I watched them fly over the baracade while doing about 30mph. Then as we jumped onto the dirt road decent the pack was so tight I could barely see the ground. Crazy fast and crazy close contact. I definitely want more of that and by now (the time of this post) my knee has stopped killing me when I ride hard, so that's good but I think I'm a bit psyched out about it all. This year has really been a test to see if this sport is for me. I know I truly love to ride my bike as fast as possible but when the fun goes away whats the point? Well for right now Im just trying to get in tune with my body a lot better before I go torture it out in a race. On a better note the trails in Flag have been in perfect condition for the past few weeks with all the rain that's fallen. When this place receives moisture you can almost ride upside down there's so much traction. So it's time to have fun with going fast and see what happens for the rest of the season. I know I can't stop racing but a break from the stress I put on my body for a bit would be good. Here are some pics from recent shreds.

Sea Otter Here I Come

2009-04-16T16:38:00.000-07:00

This weekend is the infamous Sea Otter Classic Bike Festival in Monterey CA. It's going to be my 1st race on a geared bike ever so I'm pretty excited. The field as of yesterday was up near 150 pros registered. Now that's a bike race! The 38mi course is a true test of knowing your body and racing smart. It's short enough to go really fast but long enough to hurt you, so you have to play it safe. It's almost like a road race on dirt. Last year this was definitely my hardest and most memoriable event. I got to race in a 65 person single speed field and podium with a past olympian, it was awesome. This time I am just trying to do well in such a talented field. These are the types of races that teach you how to grow as a cyclist so it's going to be exciting. Keep you posted as time tells...

Cold Friday

2009-04-03T18:26:00.000-07:00

I decided to go for a quick ride after work today and this
is what was ahead of me.

It started out fun making fresh lines, then turned into survival to warm my feet and hands.

A view of my bars at the bottom of the mt, notice where my hands were. They were pretty much useless by then. Probably the worst thawing pain I have ever felt when I got home. Time for some hot soup.

Epic Ride on Everything Not White

2009-04-02T17:34:00.001-07:00

Top of Mt. Elden

A view of the Peaks atop Sunset.
South Facing

North Facing. Very dramatic snow difference.

Lower Overlook on Secret Connector

FlagSprints

2009-04-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

FlagSprints Photo Gallery

Video Link

Geared and Ready to Go!

2009-03-27T10:33:00.000-07:00

I went and had my knee x-rayd and got the go ahead to start riding again. Turns out I have severe tendinitis in my right knee, the joint itself is in strong working order. My right IT band is so tight that it is pulling on my knee cap moving it out of alignment hence the poping feeling I was having. I have taken more time off the bike in past few weeks than ever before and everything is starting to feel much better. I signed up for the Sea Otter Classic race in Monterey CA on the 19th of April. This is going to be my 1st geared race ever, and a really hard one at that. This one day XC race brings out the best of the best in the country and is a grueling 38mi fast pace power course, so well see if my fitness will be up to par. For now its a blast shreding on my 1st geared bike in 6 years, it feels so fasssst. Scary fast. The snows melting and my knee's on the mend now it's time to tune everything in to race mode.

US Cup #1 and Some New Developments

2009-03-06T11:44:00.000-08:00

My first race of the year was kind of a bummer. I felt very prepared fitness wise but had knee issues 45min into the race. I have been dealing with some sort of tendinitis in my right knee for about 6 weeks now and was doing physical therapy on it. I thought that I was in the clear doing the right stretches and keeping it on the down low but the effort that I put in at Bonelli park on Sun made my knee swell and start popping. I finally was racing smart and just doing what I needed to stay in front instead of killing myself to put 5min on the field then when i decided to make a move my leg did not want to bend for a pedal stroke. Immediately following a popping knee cap feeling my leg felt like it was being stabbed for the remainder of the race..only 14 miles of agony. So I had to watch everyone blow by me as I was now in survival mode. Ohhhh Well that's racing I guess. I took 2nd in the Pro Single Speed by default. So I am now on a break from the bike until I figure out whats wrong with my knee. I also hate to say it but I don't want to race my single speed this year. I'm getting tired of only racing a few people and also feel like the bike is holding me back from what I can really do. Not to mention that it is taking it's tole on my knees. So instead of sitting in an empty apt in Huntington waiting to get better I have come back to Flag where I am comfortable and I can get health insurance right away at Absolute Bikes. I am pretty bummed but I want to be able to walk when I'm 50 so I guess bike racing and living the "Pro Hollywood life style" can hold off for a bit. Keep you all posted when I get some news.

My New Backyard

2009-02-25T11:10:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I took the plunge and moved myself out to socal. Talk about a culture shock, Flagstaff to Huntington Beach damn! I think it will take a bit to get my feet grounded but between my team manager and team owner their making it easy for me. I do need to find a new vehicle in order to keep up with these crazy people. It seems like everyone is in such a hurry to get nowhere. It's like keeping up with the Jones's on steroids. I just need to remember why I'm out here and stay focused on that. It is pretty sweet riding along the PCH on my new road bike with the ocean breeze to my back. I'll see what happens these next few weeks. The opening round of the Kenda cup west is Sun so racing season here we go...
Ohh yea and today I turned 26. Yeay getting old!

New Shred Machine

2009-02-06T06:51:00.000-08:00

So this year I was going to race a geared bike but ShoAir approached me again and gave me an offer I couldn't refuse racing single speed again. They want me to round out their Specialized National Factory Pro Team with a pro single speeder. It also looks like I am going to be moving out to Huntington Beach for awhile. Scott Tedro the owner of ShoAir is hooking me up with a job and free room and board 3 blocks from the beach. They and I believe that this is the next step in becoming a legit pro. I will be riding and training with some of the best in the country and will learn what I can from those guys. It's going to be a huge culture shock going from little Flagpole to "The O.C." but I think it's worth it. They want me riding the Specialized Stumpjumper Sworks Carbon hardtail so that we all can represent pro style for Specialized. The bike feels so fast and right now its under 19lbs and I think I can shave 1.5lbs more off it with a race wheel set. It's definitely a race machine. I'll post more when I know whats going on, for now it's just time to focus on the trail.

Single Speed World Championships Here I come!

2009-01-16T06:36:00.000-08:00

So it's official I finally get to race the end all in Single Speed races. I got screwed last year when the link that I had to click on at midnight on new years would not open and my entry was too late. My mail in entry made it in time this year. YESSSSSS! Durango Sept 19 I know what I'm doing. The site with the start list is here. This is going to be the toughest competition yet with a roster containing some people like; Travis Brown, Adam Craig, Carl Decker, Ned Overend, Joe Murray, Andy Shultz and not to mention about 20 rippin fast people from Flag. 2 Olympians and a couple hall of famers no problem, the winners tatoo here I come.............

Sedona Sedona Sedona

2009-01-13T16:11:00.000-08:00

Sedona Photo Gallery

Time for Sedona

2009-01-05T18:38:00.000-08:00

Classic Broken Arrow Trail

A quick snack at Buddha Beach.

Lost a fight with a sticker bush.

Dry Creek not so Dry.

Lots of Snow in the North Country

2009-01-05T18:18:00.000-08:00

A little over 3 feet deep at the bottom of Shultz Creek Trail.
No mt biking here.

Loki trying not to punch through.

A few runs on Snow Bowl before all of PHX comes up.

Kauai 08

2008-11-01T16:09:00.000-07:00

My change of Pace...Kauai Backpacking Oct 08 Photo Gallery.

Vegas and Such

2008-10-01T17:42:00.001-07:00

This past week I got the opportunity to visit lovely Las Vegas. Normally this town is one of the last places that I would throw my money away in but the shop helped pay for me to go to the great Inter bike. I have heard stories for years of this epic bike show. Finally I am there. This was also a great opportunity to get in some good urban assault on the fixie. The show was cool but overwhelming. I saw some really shiny stuff and a lot of the same thing. I did score some expensive compression tights for free that I have been meaning to get. I also got to talk to the owner of Niner about sponsorship next year. Other than that the white and gold XTR groupo was the coolest thing I saw. So after many hours of wondering around the show Eric and I ended up upstairs in the fake sky room in the Venetian sippin on some drinks. I have to admit that area is crazy and it feels like sunset all the time. Definitely the coolest fake thing I saw in plastic Vegas.

On to the fun...After a scary ride over to an all u can eat sushi place I decided that riding in sandals on a fixed gear bike in traffic is not fun. I threw on my shoes and went with Eric downtown. We were to meet up with Randy, Bussman and the Gnome at a hole in the wall place called the Beauty Bar. As soon as we walked in I was entered into a race known as Gold Sprints. A stationary race on rollers on top a stage, hooked up to a computer, showing your color's progress in about a 20sec sprint. There was a dj, lots of tight knickers, cycling caps and plenty of beer. My career in this sport was soon over when I flew out of the toe cages with my clip shoes on. Eric won and I decided to just stick to my day job on the mt. The Gnome and Randy moved on to semi-finals but I think some kid from San Fran took the fastest time of the night by a few seconds. Having enough of that we took off back to the strip.

A security guard at the fashion mall did not like us skiddin up and down his nice pavement but it made for a great trick location. I bruised my hip a bit trying to spin completly around in a 360 whip. On to the Mirage where eating breakfast at 3 in the morning with a Busch light is the norm. It was a good close to the evening. Bussman took to the floor in our hotel room like he was at home. I guess traveling with the Fat Tire crew makes for some good hotel training. The 2 days was all I could take, I had to get back to the fresh mt air. I had a blast but even my time there didn't feel real, what a crazy city.

North of the Peaks

2008-09-02T21:15:00.000-07:00

A fire ant found Travis's grip very tasty.

Travis loving life

Me with my favorite single track above my head.

After a day of changing many tubes for people Travis from the shop and I went for a change of pace ride. A cross country ride that required my truck. I know it's rare but we needed to get far out and fast before the sun set. We sent out for a quick but scenic ride through the white horse hills northwest of the peaks about 20 miles from flag. Scenic, scenic, scenic! I was showed this trail last year from a friend and love how far out it is, you will never see anyone while your out there. Truly a Mt. Bike ride. Good climbs, great views, fast single track and deer everywhere to boot. Every Tuesday should be this fun.

Daily Life...

2008-08-31T09:48:00.000-07:00

To the Ride

In the Ride

After the Ride

Night Ride

XC PRO

2008-08-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

For the past few weeks I have been waiting to see if USA cycling has approved my pro upgrade status. Well just the other night I was approved. I am now a International XC PRO. Yay! I can't believe that I have come this far on a single speed bike, never racing with gears. I think next year will be a lot harder given the competition that exists in this pro field. I'm excited to line up with the best in the country and see what I'm really made of. It's make or break time. For now I'm going to chill out in Flag and try not to go anywhere soon. Although I really want to go to big bear in Oct to insure my Cal state single speed title from my teammate Brad but my legs need to rest. My teammate Ty informed me that they want me to come live in Orange County for the winter and maybe the racing season so that I can train with Manny and Sid, my other pro teammates. I don't know when I would be leaving but getting away from the snow might be a good idea. It was not that fun being on my rollers in my garage last winter. Huntington beach in Jan sounds good. For now my buddy Eric, his girlfriend and I just bought tickets to go backpack to my favorite place on earth Kauai. I have been going there almost every year sense I was 16 and got it down pretty cheap now. I need to go zen myself in the mango trees and put my feet in the sand. It's time to get away from the bike for a bit, before serious training takes place.

SoCal Race #6 Rim Nordic

2008-07-28T20:18:00.001-07:00

This weekend I flew over to the O.C. and tried to redeem myself from the previous DNF at Vermont. I never had ridden this course before but with it being at elevation 6000+ ft and the terrain looking like flagstaff I figured I had it made. The semi-pro and pro's went off 2min ahead of the single speed field. I lead into the first single track and quickly hit traffic on some steep steep uphills. I could not slow down climbing this stuff b/c my gear was so hard. I ended up cyclecrossing the steepest pitches which makes your heart rate soar. So by the end of the first lap I knew I was in for some suffering. With 1 and a half laps left I was still leading but my energy just left me completely. The temperature and sun intensity was so much that now I was in a survival race. My legs and arms went through the motions but I had nothing. Brad my fellow pro single speed teammate now caught me and was soon gone. He is a steady racer, something I need to learn to do. I know he was spinning a easier gear so his climbing effort was much easier on the steep pitches. I am actually very proud that I pulled off a 2nd place considering half way through the race I pretty much shut down. I didn't have a single cramp but I just felt tired and had no power, I actually yawned a few times during it. I guess I need to go to bed for a bit. My teammate Johnny O' Mara actually suffered from heat stroke and he had to be taken to the hospital. He could not hold any liquid down back at the car and he told Ty he needed help. So off to the hospital we went where they hooked him up to an IV to bring him back. Ty and I where already going towards orange when we got a call finding out that he was feeling much better and was driving home. Johhny O is one of the toughest super stars out there. This guy has gone full throttle for so long, if anyone can take it it's him. To be racing some sort of a bike for nearly 30yrs is very impressive. Well I hope Johnny is doing well and I think we all need a rest right now.I was hoping to do the 4day stage race in southern Utah here in a few weeks but that might put the nail in the coffin for this years racing. I don't know if I can pace myself for 100+ miles of fast racing. I guess I will wait and see how I feel. Oh and free beer and wine on the puddle jumper from Flag to LA was a good ending to the weekend. Bed time.