I've got a golden ticket!

We did it! We now have an account with the Willie Wonka of bicycle parts. Their offerings are so many they actually send two catalogs. Getting ready to order early next week. If you need something, speak up - just don't be drinking the fizzy lifting drinks.

Red Dragon

I like my friends

Today was another spectacular day at the bike shop. A big lunch crew showed and we all had a great time cracking on each other. We tried on the fit kit for the vests and jackets so the clothing orders should be settling down. Looks like we are signing on with the top wholesale in the business which should enable us to really expand the types of products we offer.

I weighed in today and the scale says I've lost 4 pounds - which is about what I'd expected. My short term goal is to solidly dip into the 170s. Hope to do that before the end of November - 6 pounds to go. It is tough because pretty much all I think about is food and I love chicken wings - hence the photo. The point I am not getting to is that depriving yourself for a greater good really sharpens your focus. One of the benefits for me is that it has me motivated to simplify my life. Clean all the crap out of the garage, clean my car, get organized etc... I know if I make some sacrifices now it will pay off later. I'm on "New Kent" # 93 of the year so let's hope this one really takes.

The other thing about setting goals and simplifying your life is you start reflecting. Instead of blabbing away the whole time at lunch, I actually sat and observed a few times. It was a neat experience and makes me realize how I have a cool bunch of friends. So to all the bikechain and extended crews, thanks for all you do.

Ring a ding ding

Wow. I am really tired. Saturday was a very cool day. We held a birthday party for Ice Berg and myself at bikechain. The day started with a big off-road ride. By the time we got to the start of Cadillac, I had flatted twice. Fixed the flat and everybody took off. I gave chase and was blown up by the end of the roller coaster section. I was worried about making the rest of the ride. I caught an early second wind and pushed on with the "A group" out to the drop off. Pleased with myself, I could have easily turned around but silk had this evil grin that said it all - we will be pedaling. He led us out on a route that had me turned around. Big Worm weighed in with the best quote of the day - something like, "it may be soft and grassy, but it least it ain't fun."

The worm and I prefer single track but I was game because this type of riding is what I need. Finally we pop out and I figure out we are headed toward the greenway. To this point I had embraced the "miles" of pedaling but now I just wanted to click my heels three times. We get to the greenway and it was decided the A riders are going to head out for another 20 minutes. I filled my water bottle and looked towards town and realized my B rider crew had already pedaled out. I mounted up and gave chase. After about 20 minutes I had pretty much given up trying to catch Wrecking Ball and the worm. I finally reached the greenway parking lot and was looking forward to some easy miles on pavement. But wait, I spy my prey, and duck behind some cars. Slam it into the big ring and hammer. Wrecking Ball's startled look when he realized that I was drafting them was priceless. The double take and burst of laughter was worth the price of admission.

The after party - so we roll into bikechain and Wrecking Ball fetches some platters from Tijuana Flats. Ice Berg's mom soon arrives with a huge spread of food (Thanks Mom!) and a cake from Cupcake Steve. As the A riders trickle in we fire the grill and everybody has a good ole time telling stories of the day. Truly good food, good times.

Highlights for me - Berg wheelie'ng into and out of the shop, prank candles on the birthday cake and a really cool bike picture frame from the Bergs. Thanks to all - Red Dragon.

Gotta Go!

So yesterday I’m sitting in my windowless office moving papers from this stack over to that stack while dotting the I’s and crossing the t’s and then , all of a sudden, the urge just hits me. I could feel it welling up inside all morning and even though the urge was great it did not appear that relief was forthcoming. However, last night around 5:45 the flood gates opened and relief began. I’m talking about nighttime mountain bike riding of course.

The bike posse was out in force last night and we were able to get in a really good ride. Even Big Worm, who has been nursing a bum foot, was able to join in the fun. It just doesn’t feel right when Worm’s not a part of a ride so it was definitely awesome to have him back. The only real excitement last night was Marko trying to impress us by trying to throw his bike, like a Frisbee, while still being attached to it. Now that was impressive, but not as much as his imitation of a major league baseball player sliding into third base.

The only thing missing last night was Wrecking Ball and the Red Dragon but both had domestic obligations.

So there it is, and this morning I’m feeling relief because sometimes you just gotta go!

Enter the Dragon

Today is the day. Today really starts the hurt. I am now focused on the March 3rd AMBC in Gainesville. I fully expect to win this race going away. This is one of those deals where I know what I have to do - now I just need to do it. I will be looking to bikediet and ricky silk for advice. The first step is to up my capacity for exercise while trying to lose some weight. I ride maybe once a week and over the last few months it was once or twice per month. So ramping up to 5 days a week will be a chore. Looking back at the original posts to this blog I had been feeling like a failure. I weighed last night on the scale and realized I have actually lost 16 pounds this year. I impressed myself while realizing I must have been really fat. I did not reach my goal of "training" so that is a disappointment. I am not nervous but I am uneasy about the sacrifices I am going to have to make. For me, this will be a major change because I pretty much eat whatever I want and a lot of it is junk. I have been here before. Current weight 186 (down from 202). Goal weight 160.

"You are either a winner or a participant, and I'm not participating" Kent Whittington, circa 1989 - backyard football game.

Red Dragon - out

Weekend Race Report

This past weekend, bikechain.com had to split up teams. David Berg and crew represented in Miami, FL for the Florida State Championship Series, and we had a crew throw down in Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA. Well, David did what he likes to do; win. An early encounter with another racer left him racing as a singlespeed in the rear, only able to shift between big and middle ring in the front. An additional crash put him finishing out the race with a pretty banged up shoulder. Tom and Graham Gillis put forth a solid effort until the sharp coral took care of their tires and caused them flat induced DNF's. Tony (Atomic junior) had a strong run and finished in 4th.

The PMC (Pine Mountain Crew) posted a first place in expert (Darien), a first place in sport (Mark), a second place in beginner (Kent), and a DNF(Jim). This course was super fun. It was all double track which goes against all traditional singletrack mindset, however, it was fun none the less. The climbs were not as tough as Bump and Grind in Birmingham, but they were definitely tougher than anything in Florida. The descent was so fast that you were glad it was double track, just so could stay out of the trees. It was a 27 mph big-ring small-cog 2 mile descent over loose gravel, roots, through creeks, over water bars, etc that had a pretty good hold on your attention. The rocks were so unforgiving that they caused flats for all of us. Jim flatted and DNF'd because of it. Darien flatted, changed tubes, and still won. I partially flatted, but since I was running Stan's, I hit it with a CO2 - two times, and rolled to the finish line with 15lbs of air in my rear tire. Kent flatted, but it must have been a slow leak, because he didn't even know it until after the race was over. Jim was in the lead when he flatted, and with less than 15 minutes left in the race, he was pretty confident that he was going to win. At least he walked away knowing that he was riding strong enough to win, and he learned a little lesson about flat tires.

Well, there are too many stories to tell, and not enough typing ability. So, there ya go, thats the gist of it. If ya need more details, you're gonna have to get them on a ride. Charge up your lights........

Throwing Down the Gauntlet

So I have been known to throw down the gauntlet. There has been boot camp, focused and disciplined, 12 minutes, red dragon and more. But this time it's for real. Prompted by the "new guys" thinking they are faster than me; the "old guys" knowing they are faster than me; my cousin weighs 40 pounds lighter than me; my 20 year high school reunion is next year; we now have a regional race team; and many other selfish reasons - I, Red Dragon, here by throw down a weight loss challenge. Weigh-in is November 6 at bikechain. End date will be negotiated at that time but a good bet is March 1. Terms are percentage weight loss. We do need a name for the competition so give me some feedback. Reward/punishment TBD. March 3rd is AMBC # 1 in Gainseville. Get your popcorn ready.

Red Dragon

BTW - that was my dinner last night. Carbing up for Callaway Gardens.