The ship of the SPH crew

The Winter Doldrums

2012-01-28T10:40:00.001-06:00

Luckily we've been able to get out and cross it up still... we need more snow to get out and SPHski....

Still... trainer rides, core workouts, and the occasional 'cross race are not bad ways to pass the time in winter.

Ole Scraggs has talked me into the Med City marathon... I'm such a moron. Anyways... once February hits my running training kicks into gear. Not sure if I'll hit the Y or the slippery pavement, but I'll have to get my butt in gear.... that one is at the end of May... also looking to tackle (and complete) the Sandwich 50 again (if it is held).

Tis the season!

2011-12-16T20:42:00.002-06:00

Off offseason training regimen

2011-12-11T21:42:00.001-06:00

Cyclocross withdrawals....

2011-12-01T21:31:00.001-06:00

Boo hoo!

No more cross racing for the year... thinking of adding 17 or so more gears to the ride for next year... and now... to help with those trainer rides...

If there is a little snow Saturday night I'm planning on doing some sort of ride on Sunday.... stay tuned for details.

Be Thankful! Or just have another turkey leg....

2011-11-24T10:08:00.001-06:00

It's that time of year... the cross bikes are all hung up on the chimney with care. And visions of crappy trainers rides are dancing in your cranium. The end o' the year. It was a pretty good one for SPH Cycling presented by Wheelhouse Cycles. The Mad Man Marcus continued to get faster than pretty much everyone. No one got seriously injured (Matt... take it easy on that knee). And we seemed to have some good times. GCSSC !!!!!!

Thanks to the whole gang for another great year. Y'all are the best!

Some thoughts on '012.... we should plan at least one camping weekend/overnight to Cayuna or Levis or CAMBA. Or a longer weekend to Rapid City (though that will be a bit tough). Lets try and get a one-lap race going up on the bluff (maybe before our standard Th rides) just to keep the competitive juices flowing. Keep up the 'cross action... it was a blast! And last but not least... lets make a pact to try not to get burned out by helping put on (or heck... putting on) the race. Let's make it fun by putting on our own stamp. Which is probably sort of like a tramp stamp to be honest...

You know it's time for States....

2011-11-17T21:13:00.001-06:00

You know it must be time for the big State Champs 'Cross weekend when the weather starts to turn from this , to this!

Well... it'll only be a half hour (no singlespeed race this year) so whatever. Should make for some interesting times for sure.

Odds are there won't be a stream to run through though...

INUKSHUK!

2012 Jersey Plan...???

2011-11-11T17:01:00.001-06:00

Hey all... Matty Ice was getting pumped for next year already (as Matty Ice is wont to do) and wondering about the jerseys for next year.

Now... we've sort of done a new jersey each year for the past few years... but I think in general people seemed to like these jerseys (plus they are pretty decent ads for Andrew's shop... whether they ever got someone to stop by the shop is questionable). So... we could have another year on the current design. It is gaudy yet respectable. Or we could re-write the script and come up with something a bit more garish and true to our origins...

Vote for your favorite option:

1) Keep the same jerseys (we could do another order of these)
2)New jerseys/shorts/etc.

Jake and I were throwing ideas around and if we wanted to get stupid we had the thought of puzzle pieces... orange and green and stuff... or we could resurrect the lederhosen... or go totally old school with the original black design that we had screen printed... MELTY!

KEEP GETTING PUMPED!!!

2011-11-08T18:22:00.002-06:00

So... only a few weekends of racing left... this Sunday will see at least one SPHer in Bayport to tackle another 30 minutes of pain (I really need to just upgrade my license even though I am slow). Then at least once next weekend (19-20) will see the crew heading up to take on the fabled course in Crystal for the State Championships...

For a preview of the course....

There are a couple of races in December in Rosemount but who knows how cold that will get. I'm sure at least one of them will see us try our best. Watching the extended weather forecast pumps a guy up!!!

GET PUMPED!!!

2011-11-08T18:14:00.003-06:00

Last few weeks of the 'cross season (for those of us not racing in Madison in January... Matty Ice... REPRESENT!!! )

GCSSC Official results

2011-11-06T20:05:00.002-06:00

GSCCS 2011 is in the books. With enough wind to set sail almost all of SPH decided to take to land instead. Here are the Official result signed by the President himself.

Jake "Scraggs" Huot 1:26
Marcus "kusethegoose" Warrington 1:29
Elliott "Cabin Boy" Krizek 1:43
Larry "Lar-dogg" Warrington 1:43.29
Isaac "Blackbeard" Giesen 1:46
Eric "The Red" Fredrickson 1:51
Job "Asain Express" Petersen DNF (did make if further than last year)

A big thanks to Matt "Matty-ice" Riley for keeping time and cheering us on. (knee issues stopped him from dominating).

GCSSC 2011 - TOMORROW!!!

2011-11-05T09:10:00.003-05:00

Just a reminder...

The second annual Goodhue County Single Speed Championship is tomorrow (Sunday the 6th), beginning at 2 pm.

Meet at the Lower Quarry Parking Lot up on Memorial between 1:30 and 1:45 to go through the details of the course and to make sure that we get going on time.

Rough course outline - North trails on the bluff - Lehrbach, Orchard, Flueger, Lehrbach - south trails on the bluff. Typically we've gone red trails on the north side and blue trails on the south side.

It is deer opener this weekend so our bright colors will come in handy.

Classic!

2011-10-31T19:41:00.001-05:00

Wha!!???

2011-10-31T19:15:00.000-05:00

http://champ-sys.com/custom/cycling/custom-saddles

A Sa-weet Weekend of Racing!

2011-10-18T19:45:00.006-05:00

The cold wind was a blowing as we headed up to Centuria, WI for the Baker Orchard Cyclocross race. This has been a race that I've sort of wanted to do for the past couple of years, but it just never worked out. Well, this year, my awesome wife and I were looking for a reason to get out of town and spend some time together, so.... why not start the day with a 'cross race that is 1.75 hours away!

After a slightly wrong turn we eventually got up to the Baker Apple Orchard with maybe 45 minutes or so to spare. This was pretty much perfect timing for myself... not too much time to get freaked out or do too many laps, but enough time to comfortably pin on the number and get one full lap of recon in. Maybe I should try and get more laps in before the race to really loosen up the legs.... after my recon lap I was pretty pumped up... a little (bit gimmicky) trip through an old barn, a three log run up, a couple sets of barriers, and a big ole sandpit were the obstacles to tackle on the course which didn't have any singletrack but did have quite a bit of winding tree-ey goodness.

Apparently there are some stuck up cat 4 guys, as we staged I heard a lot of swear-laced muttering from behind me. We were put in the blocks by order of registration and a few sandbaggers didn't appreciate it. Lighten up Francis!

The whistle blew and the hot heads pretty much plowed their way past all of the guys that were out there to push themselves and have fun. Sandbaggers must be eternally drawn to hang out with their own kind... anyways... we did the little prologue and entered the course before the first set of barriers. Now, I'm not that awesome at getting back on the bike (stupid stutter step) but compared to middle to back of the pack fodder in the cat 4 race I'm freaking Sven Nys! At each dismount spot I would make up time... then someone piled up right alongside me going intot he barn.... don't really know how... anyways... I got into my groove and spent the first lap trying to dial in the course and where I would sit in the pecking order. Consistently I would put time in almost everyone around me in almost all of the sections. The woods stuff was flowy and I could glide through the apexes while others seemed to always just go down the middle of the trail. There were a few small rises that I would hammer up (as a singlespeed is want to do) and pass even more people.... I think eventually even though I am slow I finished in the first half of the finishers! BOOYA!

Sunday saw Larry, Matt and I testing the legs at the new Hudson Y course. Lots of fun swoopy in the woods sections, a tricky set of stairs and a couple of sandpits were some highlights of the course. I think the circle of pinwheels of death was the highlight for all though. So big. So fun!

Matt got 2nd! in his first cross race ever! SANDBAGGER! I got about 38th I think... Larry 44th. A decent amount of finishers behind us and we didn't get lapped... so all in all a great weekend of cross!

Testing Testing one two one two

2011-10-14T18:42:00.002-05:00

Well... things got a bit crazy there for a bit... moving into a house... travel for work... all that good stuff... BUT!!!!

It is now the beginning of the meat of the best racing part of the year.... CROSSS!!!!!!!

Blackbeard tested his SS machine up in Hudson on what could be called a glorified mountain bike course... we'll see how this weekend treats the Grey Goose as it'll be called into action both Saturday AND Sunday! Baker Orchard Cross tomorrow and the Hudson Y race on Sunday. Bring it fool! Should be lovely weather!

results from the SPH off road duathlon

2011-09-16T18:29:00.012-05:00

Person, Bike1, Run, Bike2, Finish

Matt , 22:07, 20:45, 21:33, 1:04:25

Marcus, 22:45, 23:52, 23:49, 1:10:26

Larry , 26:31, 25:54, 28:50, 1:21:15

Scott , 26:51, 35:45, 28:24, 1:31:00

Isaac , 26:14, 36:41, 28:07, 1:31:02

Dave , 34:00, 30:45, 32:03, 1:36:48

Mike , 30:10, 37:36, 30:54, 1:38:40

2011-08-22T19:19:00.001-05:00

Elaborating on the last post

2011-08-13T13:54:00.002-05:00

As mentioned in the last post. Cross season is almost upon us. Everyone should head on over to the MCF website to check out the schedule. The season starts up towards the end of September with a double helping of cross goodness every weekend through most of November. I'm certain that I won't make every race, but my goal is to go to 6-8 of them... missed out on the early season MTB races and have some making up to do!

The "A" races... ones that I would really like to make:

Red Barn CX, Velodrome CX, States/Zac Daab, Hudson Y, maybe the Green Acres one as I've heard good things.....

What ones is everyone else excited for?

Oh.... also... keep Jan 4-8 open... SPH roadtrip to Mad-town for 'cross nats! Not sure if anyone will race, but if the pros are gonna bring it in the snow and cold I think we better be there to witness!

The clock is a tickin'!!!

2011-08-09T17:22:00.003-05:00

It's almost cross season!!!

No... not quite....

Ummmm... nope....

There we go.... CROSS!!!!!! HUP HUP HUP INUKSHUK!!!!

2011-07-25T16:42:00.002-05:00

WAZZZZUUUUPPPPPPPP

This Friday.... 7:15.... normal spot.... SSSS

That's right... the next installment of the SPH Super Sprint Series.

Man it's hot!!!

2011-07-18T17:06:00.002-05:00

Hmmmm

2011-06-27T22:25:00.003-05:00

Now that the local mountain bike race is behind us (way to represent 4/8ths of the main team!) it's time for the real season to re-kick off....

Free and fun SPH races!!!!

Firstly... the next SSSS has to happen, and soon! This week... check your calendars... tentatively Friday but heck... tomorrow works for me! We'll be at the standard drag strip... 5 rounds of pain.

Secondly... a few of us have mentioned a Duathlon... well... let's do it! Again... date to be determined... along with the logistics... but we'll try and do a lap of the bluff on the bikes.... a lap "running" (running is in the quotation marks as I don't officially run... but more waddle and walk)... and then another lap on the bike. Maybe 10 miles biking roughly, 5k running?

Thirdly... Remember for the early fall Goodhue County SingleSpeed Championships... Jake won last year, but is this the year that Matty Ice steals the crown?

And now.... for the good stuff...

Ahoy!

2011-06-23T21:03:00.002-05:00

Well... somehow it's almost July... lots or maybe not lots of things have been happening since the last post... in order of no order...

1) Blackbeard is now Mr. Blackbeard as Carly and I got married a few days over a month ago.

2) We went on a long honeymoon to Maui.

3) Marcus is dominating. We need to make sure to be nice to him so he'll talk to us when he's all famous and winning Expert races.

4) Memorial is this weekend!

5) Our kit is awesome, but still sort of hard to pick out of a crowd. Hmmmmmm.

6) Eric the Red, Captain of the Hildr (or whatever his signoff on emails is), broke his freaking collarbone. OUCH!

Now.... we got all of that out of the way...

1/2 the kit is IN!!!

2011-05-26T20:56:00.002-05:00

AGH!!! All of the bottoms have been delivered... hoping and hoping that the tops come in... the skinsuit that I got is amazing and I know that the jersey will be even better (the narwhal isn't lined up on the back of the skinsuit....

Mmmmmm tasty

2011-05-24T21:33:00.001-05:00

Can't wait to eat all sort of beef jerky while on the roads of Ill-i-no-is!!

I hope it's not just a bunch of hipsters...

SPH - Wheelhouse Cycles team ready for the season to begin

2011-05-06T11:06:00.002-05:00

(AP, Red Wing, MN)

As the Sandwich 50 draws near, final preparations of bikes, nutrition, and bodies are underway for the SPH - Wheelhouse Cycles team. There is an air of confidence and excitement amongst the group. While the first race may also be the biggest of the year for those in the contest this weekend, there is contentment with whatever the results may be and wonderment with how the bodies will respond to such a test.

"We've created a great atmosphere on the team. The guys are all tight and Larry (Warrington) and Isaac (Giesen) have managed to transmit motivation and tranquillity to the entire group," explained directeur sportif Andrew Petersen. "We're setting off knowing that we've prepared very well for the race, which is a very important objective for us."

Both team leaders were aware of the difficult task ahead, but not without confidence. "It's going to be quite a hard Sandwich 50, from the first lap to the last. I think it'll be the most challenging out of all the ones I've faced so far," said Isaac Giesen.

It's almost go time

2011-05-05T21:52:00.002-05:00

Like the sweet spinning backhand at a ping pong table the racing season is finally upon us....

Carbo loading has commenced by eating hot wings, little pork tacos, some Chipotle remains, and sample wedding cakes... tomorrow the plan is to drink lots and lots of water

My saddle has been swapped out to something that isn't worn out... and then swapped back to the old stand by. The gearing has been swapped from a real man's gear 36-18... to the more reasonable 32-18...

Let's rock!

Friday Music Flashback!

2011-04-29T07:22:00.001-05:00

Huh?

2011-04-22T10:17:00.003-05:00

This is spring? More like spwinter! If the weather doesn't get a wee bit warmer and drier soon me thinks that the schooners won't be on the singletrack til nigh on the middle of May! Luckily Lar-dog, probably the youngster Marcus and ole Blackbeard are looking to work our singletrack magic in Rochester for the wacky race called the Sandwich 50 in early May.

SSSS is fassssst approaching!

2011-04-06T21:26:00.002-05:00

With the weather finally changing the first SSSS (SPH Super Sprint Series) race is fast approaching!

Meetings are already happening to try and unseat Jake as the undefeated sprint champ.

Initial planning shows that race #1 will be on April 15th, at 6:30. Pre-race "meeting" will be by the old starting line or something like it. We could also meet in the work parking lot and cruise from there.

2011-04-04T18:34:00.002-05:00

Here is a sample live chat thing.... for the race... maybe.... starts at 7 if you're interested.

(live chat deleted to make the page load faster)

Have fun!

Weekend ride report

2011-04-03T21:20:00.003-05:00

I heard the following SWEET! song so determined that we would have to check out a little bit of the 'rok (please insert the oomlaut) course...

Lar-Dog and I hopped in the man-of-war to get to the testing waters. Some steep uphills and fun downhills preceded a section that I would call "slick"... in fact if you were Dan Jansen you actually would have been in your element...

The snow was our salvation. That turned to sweet sweet gravel... which turned to lava flow looking piles of river silt... which turned to a pile of sand... which turned into 3-4 shocked people out for a nature walk...

The race next weekend should be interesting.

Hmmmmmm... I could go for a cupcake!

2011-03-27T18:25:00.003-05:00

After getting in a short ride this afternoon I am craving a sweet sweet cupcake!

The roads were pretty good but it was cold enough where stuff was still frozen. Even when it is 32 degrees, it's awesome to get out and climb some hills. The combination of gravel, hills, and the newly repainted Waltworks was like finding a long lost friend...

Jerseys have been ordered...

2011-03-26T14:03:00.002-05:00

Well... the 2011 jerseys have finally been ordered. I would expect them to be around easily a week or two before the first Minnesota Mountain Bike Series event. Big thanks to Andrew and Larry for getting moeny to me in advance. Everyone else... I know where you live so try and get me money whenever you can. They charge 50% upon placing the order and 50% when delivered so it's not a huge deal but I want to have all monies by the beginning of May if possible.

This will be a good time to thank our sponsors (both real and fictional):

Wheelhouse Cycles : Andrew was a founding member of SPH way back in 2007-2008. He now owns a pretty ballin' bike shop down on Old West Main Street in Red Wing (the old Route location). If you need gloves, a saddle, or maybe a helmet... he's got you covered! He also runs an unofficial bike museum with many pristine and really high-end bikes (most around a M or 54") that are lightly ridden. So if you need just a little eye-candy. Swing on down. This year Andrew is also running a more road cycling focused club. Details are being formed now, but weekly rides and maybe some racing sounds to be in the plans.

A Very Swell Idea Inc.: Amos is a swell guy and is great at making your swell ideas become reality. He helped out with our jerseys (he made them look sweet... we subsequently made them clown show again... so don't blame him). Design, engineering, or making Boogerballs... he can do it all.

Cakes by Claire : The name may change, and there may or may not be a website eventually... but Claire is a local baker who is just starting her business. She's made a few really cute cakes, and they are always tasty. The fact that she is married to Jake means that to try and help get her name out... she's a sponsor!

Acme Can Crushers : The summer of '07 (or '08 maybe) was the beginning of it all. All it took was watching someone trying to crush a can with a flat palm in the grass... if you need a great can crusher, you can't do much worse than Acme! Always Recycle!

Thanks all...

The Rains of December have come early!

2011-03-22T19:23:00.002-05:00

After getting the "Grey Dart" (or "Gray Dert") ready to go for the SSSS (it's just like last year's SSS but now with more S) I decided to watch some sweet youtubes.... it doesn't get much better than a combination of Salad Fingers and Strongbad....

Happy Monday to Ya'll

2011-03-21T20:04:00.002-05:00

The gravel is a-drying and the temps they are a changin'. Twas a good Monday with a busy day at work and then 4 quick lung-busting climbs on some dirt roads.... That deserves a sweet song link thing....

You're welcome.

The Weather is a Changin'

2011-03-15T21:59:00.001-05:00

Whoops!

2011-03-05T18:08:00.002-06:00

http://www.cheqfattire.com/

We need to get the entry in if we want to give this one a go again...

I think I'd be in, but I won't be heart broken if we don't do it. I would rather do a U.P. race and maybe a WEMS race.... with gas about $3.50 already we'll have to factor in traveling to some of those races.... like I said... I'd be in regardless if others were... probably staying at the KOA campground....

Remember when...

2011-03-05T17:59:00.002-06:00

Remember when SPH was just forming and we had already been biking for a solid month on the gravel roads by the time March came about?

GAH! I love winter, but I feel like I have no hope of being in good cycling shape by the time the weather actually gets warm enough to spend 4-5 hours without being totally bundled up. And if I need to be bundled up, I want to be out on skis.

Some things to think about:

1) Let's get our jersey order in by the end of next week if possible. Let me know what style and size of jerseys/shorts/etc. you want. http://www.champsys.com should have the styles and prices. Remember that you can get race and club cut, and 3/4 or full zip jerseys.

2) Big storms predicted again for this week.... GAH! Let's get out on the skis yet again sometime! (I am gonna try to go early tomorrow morning... maybe on the CVT for ease for myself).

3) Chaindrive this year? When do we have to send in Cheq entries?

2011-02-28T23:27:00.005-06:00

The Proof is in the Pudding

2011-02-28T21:44:00.002-06:00

Read them and weep...

Do ya!!???

2011-02-21T20:38:00.001-06:00

It's almost GO time

2011-02-07T19:41:00.002-06:00

Winter is starting to fade (though it's cold this week!)... skiing is still going strong but the bikes have hit the road a few times too... time to load up on protein and some carbs....

Dorkfest 2011

2011-02-05T10:34:00.000-06:00

Not only are we kickass on bikes, but some of us also have brains(not me). Good luck to Blackbeard and soon to be Mrs. Notsoblackbeard, bring home the 3 peat at the Trivia festival of Rochester, MN(something to do with Mayo High School).

huh?

2011-01-31T22:19:00.001-06:00

Whiskey - Tango - Foxtrot

It's the off season!

2011-01-25T20:44:00.003-06:00

Though our singlespeed machines are our outdoor transportation weapon of choice, us scallywags like to mix things up a bit in the winter. This past weekend the Midnight Rokkers - Larry, Jake and I - headed to Frontenac to partake in a little cross-country skiing.

The great thing about Frontenac is that when it's 5 degrees outside and there is a Packers game there aren't any crowds! Actually the great thing about Frontenac is that the trails are fun and the park is a whopping 15 minutes away from town. The trails were in great condition! Scenery was pretty neat too.

There was a candle-light ski the night before we went out, so they had a special trail that went out to the main overlook. Normally this trail isn't there, so we were extra lucky! Look at the view!

After about 2 hours and 8 miles Larry still had a little energy left... is this the next great USA skiing star?

What say ye?

2011-01-18T23:40:00.001-06:00

Zeroing in....

2011-01-17T22:05:00.000-06:00

An update... what say ye?

More jersey discussion!

2011-01-15T10:21:00.003-06:00

We have Lederhosen (orange shorts that would be as lederhoseney as possible)
We have just a really simple light colored, no real crazy SPH things (probably black shorts with lots of white, green, and orange):
Some nice SPH embellishments... (orange shorts probably)
If we go with the last one we'll need a better set of pocket logos... I sort of like the Narwal peeking out of the pocket... maybe just have that and Claire's info on that pocket and nothing in the middle....

Back to the jersey discussion

2010-12-22T22:26:00.003-06:00

Sneak preview of another option for next year's jerseys... these look WAY more professional, but also give WAY more props to our title sponsor - Wheelhouse Cycles (which happens to be your clear view to quality service).

In the next few weeks I'll try and get a bunch of options out there so we can pick one...

2010-12-21T22:22:00.001-06:00

HO HO HOOOOO!!!!!

Congrats to Eric the Red!

Nobody else to congratulate though... I guess Elliott on losing his scarf or something and posting about it on facebook. That's always cool.

JAKE TAKES THE FIRST ANNUAL GCSSC!!!

2010-11-07T17:28:00.002-06:00

With a dominating start, Jake rocketed to victory in the first annual Goodhue County Single-speed Championship held today on Memorial Park and the surrounding gravel roads.

Results

Jake "I Designed a Cross Course" Huot - 1:28.02

Matt "Whoops I Went Out Too Fast" Riley - 1:33.10

Isaac "Spinning Sux" Giesen - 1:42.48

Marcus "The Dominator" Warrington - 1:43.41

Larry "I Ride a Rickety Singlespeed" Warrington - 1:45.58

Mike "My Singlespeed has Gears" Harper - DNF (got to Lehrbach)

Andrew "I Rode my Bike for the Second Time and it Broke" Petersen - Epic DNF

The course was sweet with a big gear and a fast rollin' set of tires. This old man was so spun out that my legs HURT!!! The climbs were pretty sweet though... almost too spun out on them too. Jakes course was heavy on climbs, climbs and more climbs. Great job Jake!

Next year, maybe we'll have more singletrack... maybe not... it certainly was fun and HARD!

GCSSC

2010-11-04T21:01:00.002-05:00

SPH is proud to present Goodhue County Single Speed Championship. Sunday November 7th, 2010, 1pm. Meet at the lower parking quarry on memorial park in Red Wing. Race will involve mtb trails and gravel roads.

SEE YOU THERE!

ps leave your gears at home or wrap your chain around one gear!

Cross seasonis in full swing!

2010-11-03T15:29:00.002-05:00

The most fun time of the year - no not Christmas... Easter... the Oscars.... - but CROSS season is in full swing (and unfortunately will be winding down in a few weekends) and many SPHers have been enjoying the wonderful booty provided by the many 'cross racing opportunities.

SPHcross has been going swimmingly. Other than one hiccup every Wednesday we've invaded a park and dropped multiple hammers. Unfortunately or fortunately (if you're Jake), Jake has completely dominated, only being beaten once. All other races have been won in landslide fashion. BUT, the lower ranks of SPHitude are slowly catching up... last week for instance Jake only lapped Job once... AND he didn't lap me at all. So... HA HA!!!!

Larry and I meandered up to Taylor's Falls to partake in a little Red Barn CX action. And a fine morning it was. My race report is as follows:

At the starting line for a while me and Larry were alone. Thinking a front row start wouldn't be the smartest for the likes of us, we commenced stepping backward a few feet. As more and more people straggled to the line I was struck by how many freaking sandbaggers there are in cat 4. Or at least how many people by massively expensive bikes to dominate beginners and slowpokes.

As the whistle blew to signify the start of the race we proceeded to get dropped by everyone. I think an old lady in a wheelchair actually rolled past us up the little soft grass hill. Eventually though we started going and picked off a crippled kid and maybe a few dwarves that could only pedal with one leg.

The opening part of the lap was grassy and fast! A few corners here and there as you wind a bit through the tree farm (did I mention it was at a tree farm?). The first time off the bike was for a weird double barrier. Over one. Turn 180 degrees and over another. Then the course proceeded to hit some very loose chipped rock gravel. I really sucked on this as my crash last year on gravel on the grey tubies has me very skittish. Larry would pull ahead of me a bit here and the crippled kid that I thought was in my rear view mirror also gave a bit of a dig.

Once through the long gravel section I dropped the hammer on some more of the twisty grassy stuff. Over three (yes 3!!!) barriers and up a little hill down a little hill and I was getting in my groove. Still a little behind Larry but catching up. 44-20 is dominant (against slow people) on the grassy flat stuff. I was just behind Larry when the twisty course sent us down a steep hill and to a wall of dirt that we had to climb up. Running up this pretty much ended the lap.

I was getting a bit faster on all of the parts except the gravel, which would hinder my performance. Larry would always catch up and then I'd have to work hard to pass him.

On the last lap I dropped the hammer just after the triple barrier/hill. Running past people who were walking up the steep dirt climb meant a solid finish ahead of a few guys (and Larry) that I was fighting with the last lap or two. Unfortunately the digs required when combined with a smoky camp fire proceeded to make me vomit. Just a little. And it was all water. Unfortunately this moment was captured for all of time...

It was a great race and I'm looking forward to the 2011 Red Barn Classic!

New Sponsors?

2010-10-19T17:22:00.003-05:00

Some information has begun to leak out of SPHcentral about some possible new sponsors to join Wheelhouse Cycles and Acme Can Crushers. We here at SPH are excited about the new synergies and opportunities these prospective new sponsors will offer us as we continue to strive to push the limits of mediocrity to new levels. More news when it is available.

Next year's jerseys?

2010-10-05T21:16:00.004-05:00

Blog Rediscovered

2010-09-17T11:28:00.004-05:00

So, I just checked the blog for the first time in months. Figured I better make a post of something. Here is a throwback to 1989 just for the heck of it. Back when cross racers were men and you rode without saddles.

">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAxNUK6bqgs

SPHcross #2 - TONIGHT!

2010-09-15T16:43:00.001-05:00

AP Anderson is the place...

2010-09-12T11:53:00.002-05:00

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FANTASY FOOTbALL? MADISON STYLE!

Cross season is upon us!

2010-09-06T16:25:00.002-05:00

Thank Heavens! It's finally getting to be the end of the humid season and we are about to embark into the beautiful horribleness that is 'cross season. The Cross-Check needs to get dusted off... tires pumped up (heck... maybe new tubies glued on... some of the Challenge ones look sooooo tasty!!!)... then back to practicing the art of hopping on and off. I've got the getting off part down (nice... ugh) but getting back on seamlessly still eludes me a bit.

Oh... and just in time for the fall mountain biking season... Jake has a freaking Mountain Bike!!!!!!

Sweet Moustache! Willickers!

Dog days of Summer

2010-08-07T10:50:00.003-05:00

It's that time of year where people are sick of trail work and wishing they had ridden a bit more... here are some pictures of SPHers at the races to try and pump yourselves up...

Still alive and well

2010-07-08T07:04:00.001-05:00

One of these days we'll actually post! Almanzo, Chaindrive, etc. etc. etc. Snooooozer.

2010-05-23T10:53:00.002-05:00

For your voting pleasure (if my brother keeps on going....)

http://cakeversuspie.blogspot.com/

2010-04-30T17:48:00.001-05:00

and now... without further ado... just 'cause....

Time for a ride!!!

2010-04-22T16:50:00.003-05:00

YARGH!!!

TOO many days down with a cold... the mountain bike (with fancily administered green tape on my old barends) gets to hit the trails! AND the only shorts I have left that are clean happen to be white!!!! (commence the hoe-down!!!!)

Only a few weeks until Almanzo... crap on a crutch! (commence the curling up in a ball of fear!!!)

Ragnarok 3 has came and went

2010-04-14T21:40:00.002-05:00

Well... SPH presented by Wheelhouse Cycles had another great day last Saturday and with the help of a pile of racers who generally rode safe and stuff another 'Rok is in the books.

Even though we were busy all day and running around... this is essentially what it felt like at times:

The leaders really rocked the house down and averaged like 7,000,000 knots (which I think is the conversion for 17 or so mph). Of the SPHers who tried the event Elliott did awesome! Finishing on a ridiculously spinnerific gear. Eric did awesome in his own right. Making it to the checkpoint where he decided to live to plunder another day and call it off.

A few of us still have Almanzo coming up... we'll see how that goes. I'll have to squeeze in some long rides right after work as my weekends are getting more busy than these guys:

What a great ride!

2010-04-02T17:29:00.002-05:00

Luckily Scraggs and I didn't need no doctor... that lightning was awful close.....

Good rides today for Scraggs and Blackbeard. We went the first 30some miles on the 'rok course and then had to get back for tennis practice. Which was then cancelled as we sort of rode through a lightning storm. Crash bam boom!

SPH rides again!

2010-04-01T21:29:00.003-05:00

The warm spring weather has let the ships out of port earlier than normal for the scurvy dogs of SPH. Gravel, road, and mountain biking routes have all been plundered.

Tonight it was attack of the spinners as only one SPHer was at the first official RAMBO ride of the year (at least by the time we left... the Express showed up just a hair late... and maybe had a better ride). Here are a couple of examples of spinners....

Which would have been a bit more enjoyable while also being very toe-tapping.

And the spinners I'm talking about isn't this either:

The spinners I am talking about don't need any introduction. It was still fun riding, but push 20-24 up some of those hills gents. You can do it. Maybe I just shouldn't have 34-18 at the beginning of the year... but I guess it was doable.

On the road this week one of the old dogs and the young pup were at the ride. It was a tame ride for the most part. Young Riley and Blackbeard did test the groups' legs on the one climb on 3. Riley was up to the task, but Blackbeard has some climbing work to do.

Here is essentially what happened...

Blackbeard looked like this....

But... we all joined back up and it was Blackbeard leading out Riley for the sprint win...

Riley did great but couldn't quite shake Mr. Patterson. A better lead out from Blackbeard and maybe next week will be different.

Sponsorship Announcement!

2010-03-25T21:51:00.003-05:00

Those at SPH headquarters are pleased to announce our new partnership, for the 2010 racing season, with Acme Can Crushers.

"We're looking forward to crushing the competition with the same efficiency and completeness as an Acme Can Crusher crushes partially crushed cans", said team spokesman Isaac Giesen. "Acme Can Crushers are some of the best crushers out there for the money and we'd like to think that we bring the same values to our races. We might not do the best, but by golly we'll try. And we won't expect much from others. So in that sense we're a perfect fit."

For the 2010 season Acme Can Crushers will be providing all of the crushed cans for SPH Cycling presented by Wheelhouse Cycles. Join in welcoming A.C.C. into the fold...

YARGH!

The Season is FAST Approaching!

2010-03-25T21:23:00.001-05:00

SPH Cycling 2011 Jersey designs have leaked!

2010-03-02T22:48:00.005-06:00

Anonymous sources have leaked out SPH's 2011 jersey designs. They are only preliminary according to our source, but appear to be returning to the ridiculously awesome design of 2008 after the awesomely PRO looking ones of 2009-2010. The team is apparently taking suggestions (and will be placing an order on the 2009/10 version of things this week) and the design is very preliminary. Perhaps shorts designs will leak shortly....

Think Spring!

2010-02-20T15:13:00.002-06:00

While skiing, snowshoeing, and running on ice is fun... spring can't come soon enough. The Jawbones are all ready to go... the winter training has almost happened... bring on the gravel road races!

Where can you find SPHers?

Ragnarok, Almanzo, Dirty Kanza?, Chaindrive, MNSCS races, some road races, Chequamegon, some 5k and 10k running races....

SPH Flagship

2010-02-11T11:46:00.003-06:00

Eric the Red and Scraggs are fortunate enough to find gold! Gold in the form of an SPH Road Machine! They are slowly building it up as bits of silver and gold (parts) come trickling down the road side. I keep throwing my hand in there and put pieces on because well...what better things do I have to do...other than plunder and pillage. Soon we'll all have to have matching bikes and slowly take over the world.

World class painting done by Anthony Pete. If you would like something as cool as this, let me know and I can get you his contact.

Oakley Jawbone SPH Edition!!!

2010-02-09T12:36:00.003-06:00

The new SPH Oakley Jawbones are in! We did a limited run for starters. Gosh do they look perty. We can get more instantly for you SPHer's who feel like you've missed out on an amazing opportunity to sport to most vibrant sunglasses known to man. Well enough chit-chat. Here is a picture of the first run.

We need some pictures...

2010-01-20T21:01:00.003-06:00

But SPH hasn't been docked in the bay for the whole winter. 3/6ths of the team is enduring something ye landlubbers call "Biggest Loser". Which I think is always brought to you by Gladware or Gladtastic or McDonalds... I don't remember.

Anyways, the Asian Express, Scraggs and Blackbeard (along with their significant others) have started on a mission to drop a few pounds.

Wait a second... I know you are all asking yourselves... "SPH, but why oh why would you want to drop any fat off of those bones? Aren't you all studmuffins already?"

Well, yes we are. BUT that doesn't mean we can't improve ourselves just a little bit. The Dread Pirate Roberts was dangerous when he had a big boat, but when he got a sloop (or something else nautical sounding) is when he became famous. So... the goal is to take SPH to new levels of fun and competitiveness...

Blackbeard, for his part is dropping weight so there is a chance that he'll be able to climb with the Lar Dog and maybe beat Marcusman for one more year.

Some things that we're doing if you want to emulate your heros:

- eating a little better (ie not eating out EVERY night)

- running (slowly)

- hockey league

- cross country skiing

- snowshoeing

- trainer rides!

- stealing the booty

Check us out!

2010-01-17T08:35:00.001-06:00

With high hopes of actually going to the Keweeanaw Chain Drive this year. I checked out there website only to find a promo video featuring the crew of SPH.

Check it out! www.chaindrive.org

BMX bandits!

2009-12-01T20:57:00.003-06:00

Movie reviews.

If you ever get a chance to watch it, Nicole Kidman and Angelo D'Angelo is in it. I did not make it past the opening credits so you'll have to let me know how much of your life is wasted.

2009-11-26T16:46:00.001-06:00

Happy Turkey eating from all the crew! Make sure you thank everyone that has cooked all the delicious food.

See you on the ship.

"EricThe Great" wins the "pole"

2009-10-24T13:49:00.004-05:00

So Eric is the champion of our blogspot favorite SPH Poll. 17 votes takes the win. Blackbeard falls short by 5 votes into second place. Scraggs gets 9 votes and the Asian Invasion loses with a measley 6 votes. This is an attempt to revive the Blog. Cross race coverage soon to come by someone.

<---Eric The Great's VICTORY dance!

Trifecta of race coverage.

2009-07-03T15:01:00.005-05:00

Is been a while for ole Scraggs to post, so long that I no longer have any scragg on me!

With the crap-shoot aka Afton out of the way, the ship sailed half crew the Houghton, MI. With better than usual finished we were happy to head to CB's forecastle for some firework fun!

Next to Mt Kato for the Bluff Riders Charge. The RW crew showed some pride with three podium finishes. We could of had a fourth, Ole Blackbead had a misfourtune of a broken chain on the first climb instantly loosing a bit of time, a big yarrrrgh for him!

Kit is ordered the season is underway!

2009-06-12T13:22:00.002-05:00

So... the kit is finally ordered (ummm... to be delivered hopefully before the Red Wing race....) and everything is heating up race wise....

The mountain bike season officially started with most of the crew embarking on some dizzying laps of Salem Hills up in Inver Grove Heights for the Spring Cup. It was COMPS all around (other than Eric who had to be someplace so he did citizen). Elliott, Isaac, and Larry all finished with aplomb, but ole Scraggs had some issues with his recently returned bike and DNFed. Oh well.

Next up was Afton where Scraggs dominated the clydesdale field and Larry didn't do too bad. Eric and Isaac finished the Sport race with what could maybe be described as smiles on their faces... but as always at Afton have vowed to never race there again....

Next up for some of the crew - Chaindrive.... UGH!

2009 Team Kit

2009-02-24T20:19:00.007-06:00

YO HO HO and a bottle of crappy tasting Boone's Farm! The 2009 racing season is slowly creeping up on us and lo and behold look what fell out of Davey Jones's Locker?

Yep it's the new team kit designs (still to be finalized):

So that's the jersey design... pretty sweet ain't it? And the shorts are pretty keen too.....

And of course... no team kit would be complete without socks! BAM!

If you are on the team (or a ummmm... really cool?) let me know what you want to order... we'll be getting some jerseys, bib shorts, skinsuits for cross and maybe a vest or two. Once we get ten of one item the sky is the limit for odd articles of actual clothing that you can get. See Champion Systems's website for prices and details.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T11:27:00.002-06:00

This is how we bring it in!

More coverage from the State Champs

2008-11-19T20:02:00.005-06:00

Blackbeard checking in again... the official 'cross season has come and gone. No big wins by the SPH crew, but some fun was had. As was the case last year, many of the SPH crew wish that they had made it out to more races. But, alas it wasn't meant to be. One week after not reading a race flyer and missing the VeloCX, Blackbeard loaded up his car with Lar, Little Lar, and Job in tow. Jake and Big Huot followed. That's right... 5 of the 6 SPHers were fired up to represent. (Little Lar, aka Marcus, aka Pierre is part of the team SS or not).

The temps were around freezing, but the sun made it seem at least 5 degrees warmer. Luckily the wind made it seem about 7 degrees cooler, so it was cold. Isaac almost wore a winter hat cold.

The first race started out dumb as always... way in the back and wondering what the heck I am doing. Running through the sand pit the first time left me falling off the back of the main pack. Not a big deal, as I'm not main pack material. As I started to wind up the legs I slowly started to pick people off. Riding through the sand pit helped in this quest, though I would pay for it in the second race. The first race ended with Jake in the top 25 or so, me in the top 50, Larry top 75, Job and Pierre were top 100. Not too shabby!

There was about 5 minutes between when the first race ended and when we had to be lined up for the second race. Whoops. What am I doing? The plan was survive as long as possible. As the race started the fast guys (and they were fast) pulled away like they were on motor bikes. The slower crew though started to settle into a nice pace. Not sure how I did, but anytime I almost don't get lapped in a 45 minute race (heck, I'm happy when it's a 30 minute race and I don't get lapped) I'm a happy SPHer.

Highlights of the race were: the sand pit... it was fun powering into and through that thing. The stair hill climb was also "fun". Anything that brutal is fun in my book. What didn't I like? The long straightaways (that doesn't seem like cross to me) pretty much were it. Everything else was sweet.

Next year I'll be racing Bs. And might try to do well. We'll see if I can actually train and mountain bike race (new bike... that is way too nice for this cat).

2008-11-18T12:34:00.005-06:00

The ships set sail to Crystal, MN Saturday the 16th of November. Destination.... Mn state cross championship. With The Great making an appearance in spirit (see pic), the whole SPH team was ready for domination*.

The course- stupidly long with a 3 barrier run up, followed up with a 30 step staircase, flooded with goose turds!

At chime of 11 o'clock SPH'ers were off with Little-Lar packing a punch the crew finished with respectable finishes. The second race being the SS state championship... ex-member of the ship finished up in a strong second, behind a dominating Ez Taylor (Kenwood Cycles).

Happy to be done for the day and year it's off to the trainer. See you next year!

* Domination- Showing up, riding, and not getting dead last.

Blackbeard domination!

2008-11-03T12:04:00.003-06:00

Watching from the sideline with the soon to be Mrs., we watched the dominating pedal power from Ole Blackbeard. The course ranging from soft grass, to gravel roads, to one nasty run up. On this day hopping off the bike and running was where it was for Black. When he dismounted the steed, it looked like everyone else was standing still. Passing up to seven people at a time. Coming in at what I believed to be his best finish in a cross race!

Right along side Black was Lar-dag and Little Lar. Conquering their first cross race. LL with a bike weighing more than he does, proved himself to be the coolest little guy I know. Lar-dag following up with a broken saddle that took him out of contention.

Next race hopes to see a bit more of the SPH crew... I better check to see where to set sail.

SPH at the cross races '08 part 2 - Racing in Hudson???

2008-10-19T19:25:00.002-05:00

Round two of the SPH cross season (I think it's like round 8 for those who race twice every weekend) landed the crew at the Hudson YMCA. Lots of 180 degree corners, off camber riding, and one fun little maze section were the name of the game.

Big props to Turkey Creek for showing up to cheer!! Even though we suck at cross racing every cheer helps! Get a cross bike and get out there Kate!

Toeing the line for the orange and green were the soon to be shaven Scraggs and the never to be fully shaven Blackbeard. Once again the strategy of the day (at least for Blackbeard) was to sit back at the start and then pick through people. While this makes for a less stressful day, it does make the first lap a bit of a snoozer. Maybe, just maybe one of these times I'll try and stick my nose in the middle of the pack or something. Eh... maybe not. I did hold off the women for most of the race though. Which was a bit of a win I guess.

Where were the Asian Express and Red Beard? Perhaps they were trying to keep up with the accessorizing of last week by Scraggs. Who knows.

Next week? Afton on Saturday and maybe, just MAYBE some racing on Sunday too.

SPH at the cross races '08 part 1

2008-10-12T21:57:00.005-05:00

The new ship (aka Job's car) made the voyage up to Theodore Wirth Park and the first year of the Theodore Wirth Park Cross Race. The Asian Express and Blackbeard were the lone SPHers to make the trip as "the Red" was out of town, ole Scraggs was being fitted for his new skirt, and Supa Dave has turned in his orange and green (we won't kick Dave out, but if we happen to stick a tire iron in the spokes... eh), racing for Grumpy's.

The course was made for a mountain biker. Not loaded with rocks and log piles, but adding any bits of singletrack seem to make roadies cringe. And this course had some sweet flowy singletrack.

Of course, we sucked. Which is fine. We also had a blast. The new SS cross machine worked awesome and the green and white Salsa was also sweet for Jobber. The brakes are a bit squeaky, but no worse than lots of other guys.

No team photos from the event, but a covert operative did catch Scraggs in the act of purse shopping. Remember don't wear white after Labor Day.

Eric the Red is victorious!!!

2008-10-07T17:06:00.001-05:00

In a muddy, rain shortened race, Eric destroyed all other SPHers (who couldn't even finish) at the third annual U of M XC race. In the process he also took 2nd in the Expert race. Don't ask how many people actually finished.

Nice job Eric! The traveling SPH trophy resides with you (once we make one).

Next week it begins..... I think

2008-10-04T09:28:00.000-05:00

Have an hour and a half to kill?

Fat Tire Fest!

2008-10-01T20:04:00.003-05:00

Eric and I headed up to Cable for the big 40 miler at the Chequamegon Fat Tire Fest a couple of weeks ago. Eric with a man's gear of 34-16 and his new (as in not for sale yet) Salsa 29er, me with my standard 34-18 Waltworks Eno-ified. I think we were both pretty happy with how our races went. Maybe me more-so as I was the top SPHer at 3:20 or something like it.

Some highlights for me of the race weekend:

- hanging out with Norma, Katie, Lars and Eric
- getting to the start area with about 10 minutes to spare. Looks like we'll have tons of people to pass.
- Katie and Nora's water bottle hand-up about halfway through. THAT HELPED SO MUCH!
- "SON OF A #&$%@!!" as I passed Eric on a hill
- the lovely sound of gears and chains and cassettes popping and cracking after a couple hours of damp sandy goodness
- feeling like a superman as I passed tons of geared riders every hill... seriously... is the granny gear that necessary???

One thing I learned: I either I'm a freaking beast (doubtful) or I need to get a clue about how to maintain my drivetrain. Tally after the big puddles of the 40? New Bottom Bracket, New Freewheel, new hub.

NEXT YEAR: Utter domination of at least 20 more people!!!

Season Recap so far

2008-08-16T21:43:00.002-05:00

So we sorta suck at the blog thing.... I'll keep it short mainly because I've wussed out/passed on a few races due to not wanting to throw money at some events that just didn't seem perfect to me (doing 5 laps seems too much like cyclocross racing for a mountain bike race, stupid reason with 'cross coming up fast - and I HATE Afton for some reason even though I love to climb most of the time).

I've decided that when I get angry that I didn't race in a race I need to just register for the next race that I kinda want to do. Next race: Border Battle. And I'm registered. Stupid bridge is already giving me worries... that's a dicey thing for a sport race.

Chaindrive '08 or Rocky Horror Picture Show

2008-06-17T20:58:00.002-05:00

Roughly half of the SPH crew made it up to da UP eh for the annual Chaindrive Festival. The weather was perfect, the trails were awesome and the driving was tedious (but the Garmin's sweet voice kept things interesting).

Big Lar and Mad Man Marcus competed in the 16 mile race and clocked in just under 2 hours. Considering the amount of rocks and climbing on the course that's pretty sweet. Props to Larry for stopping and helping a few guys out on the course. Representin' the colors baby.

Eric the Red and Blackbeard decided that riding 32 miles on rigid singlespeeds would be a good idea. All in all, I guess it was.

Race day started with the cell phone alarm going off at 5:30 EASTERN so I could make sure to take care of a little business before starting the 2 hour drive to Houghton. Unfortunately one of the items I forgot to take care of was eating. One banana and a granola bar was my breakfast of choice. 5 bikes on and 5 people in the Civic and we were ready to roll. Passing through L' Anse, ummmm... Baraga... maybe some other small towns was a treat as we got to drive up Lake Superior on highway 41. Very scenic. Plus we threw on some sweet tunes (Who stole the Kishka again?). Pretty soon Houghton was in our sights. Side note: I don't think one vehicle (buses included) carried more people or bikes to the race. Thanks Larry, Marcus and Elliott for not being big!

Signing in revealed that I drew #6. Crap, I'll look like a pro. Luckily Elliott drew #3, so while he does look like a pro, I didn't feel quite so stupid. Of course we were there a bit early so we went to the bathroom a few times.... stood around.... basked in our orange and green glory... etc. etc.

Upon starting (again in the back) we promptly started to pass lots of folks who were doing the 16 miler. Rolling through town and across the bridge is pretty sweet/neat. Here the 34-20 gearing was questioned... a few of the hills heading out of Hancock left more gearies in the dust. I was actually feeling pretty good as I pounded up Cemetary Hill. Somehow this small paved hill is the bane of a large portion of the less serious 16 milers' existances. It's not that bad.

Clogged initial singletrack (that would be sweet to go at your own pace on) led to the rockiest bits of ATV trail that you could imagine. Climb, bomb down an insanely rocky hill and repeat. I was still feeling alright, but was starting to get bits of trepidation creeping in. We were 6-7 miles in super fast.... and my back, legs and arms were feeling the rockiness.

Most of the singletrack (which is predominantly in the final 24 miles, which is largely singletrack) was a bit of a blur. I was still passing a few people that were having more cramping issues than I. But I also was being past (usually on or right after insane rocky descents). Eric was doing sweet and passed me in "Drunken Sailor" (which is beautiful trail). I wanted to stick with him, but soon after there was a big climb and both legs seized up. Some goo, half a powerbar, and a gulp or two of energy drink solved that problem.

Lots of singletrack, lots of rocks, lots of climbing preceded the creek crossing, which after "Drunken Sailor" was probably the next coolest part of the race. I didn't really know what was going on at that point, so I didn't exactly bomb through the creek. But the cold water felt awesome and I made it 75% of the way through. Next year I'll be fine and bomb it.

Long story a bit shorter, Elliott finished in 3 hours 5 minutes (approx.) and stakes a claim to being on the team. Eric dominated and finished in roughly 3 hours and 10 minutes. Isaac didn't do too bad either (hey, I finished), crossing the line at 3 hours and 15 minutes. Over 32 miles, those aren't huge time gaps. I was hoping to at least beat Elliott and Eric, but that will have to wait for Chequamagon... Nice race guys. Seriously. Awesome job. It was fun, and I'd be up for it again. Rigid. SS. Next time I'll be under 3 hours.

HEY! SCRAGGS IS BACK!

2008-04-06T21:08:00.002-05:00

Ole Scraggs is back in a big way, taking his Mad One all the way from Colville to Colville. Completing the complete Ragnarök 105 course on those cushioney 25c Gatorskins (they were down all the way to 100 psi). I thought I was a tough guy for riding it all on a singlespeed.

Some pics... actually just one. I think Larry might have lost a contact or something in the woods and he and Jake are looking for it.

Snow in March is for scurvy dogs

2008-03-22T11:44:00.002-05:00

Here is the state of the opening climb of any gravel road ride as of yesterday. I'm pretty sick of winter right about now. Lehrbach (I can't spell it correctly!) was actually rideable up the easy side. Sloppy all the way up, but not too bad.

But once on top of the bluff/hill things got a bit more dicey. It was definately only a one lane thoroughfare as I don't think an official plow had done anything up there. Just some kind soul with a 4x4 and a plow on the front of it. This sketched me out as I didn't trust that I wouldn't die going down the harder side of the hill, so I packed it in and bombed down the hill back to the golf course.

Which left my bike half encased in frozen Goodhue county gravel muck. This stuff is gross, and probably destroyed my BB. We'll see....

Here's hoping for 2 things. 1) A couple of warm weeks to get the Ragnarok course in shape and B) that our Chequamagonagongagon checks are cashed.

Happy Easter all.

Man Down!!!!

2008-03-04T22:01:00.003-06:00

Get better soon Scraggs! Don't worry... we'll hold down the fort racing wise until you're back up and sucking in the MNSCS series and stuff. Now you have an excuse for me kicking your arse.

Lose that extra gut that you're growing and build up for Chequamagon! It's only 8 or 9 months away!

Decision time - Finally some real outside riding

2008-03-02T08:50:00.003-06:00

I'll let the pictures do the talking. Only enough time for 30 miles... Lehrbach-Orchard-Flueger-Old Church-Hill Valley-Kolshorn-Old Church-Langhans-Flueger-Orchard-Lehrbach.

Chilly Chili Maaaaadness (said in over dramatic commentator voice)

2008-02-10T12:53:00.000-06:00

The rickety ole ship sailed on over to Bush Lake in the fine municipality of Bloomington, MN for some always interesting ice racing action. Previous years of ice racing have brought us (in no particular order):

below zero temperatures
multiple shazzy lake to land transitions
mud
inches of slush
tight and twisty iciness

As the maroon schooner pulled into dry dock it was obvious that the orange and green army was in for something different. The weather was actually halfways decent (wind was cool I guess, but mid twenties is a blessing in Feb). The on-ice sections were less twisty and less snowy than usual, but fishermen had left the course rutted out with waves of ice that would prove to crash against the bow quite lovingly. The normal hill climb was still there and in perfect shape. The off-season of penguining and a little spinning made climbing the hill seem as easy as trying to make off with a scurvy wench (which I hear is easy, but I have no experience with... so it might not be an apt comparison).

Onto the downhill. Which was shazzy... no... make that SHAZZY. The lead in was 8-12 inches of crusty snow that made getting to the hill a bit crazy... then you get to the top of the hill... and ... lap one left Blackbeard wondering what to do. Someone was on the ground sliding down the hill so he stopped. And then let 4-5 people through so they wouldn't have to try and avoid hitting him. What a doof.

Lap 2 produced this:

Yes... that is the "I'm about to go down and maybe hit some trees but I'm not going to wuss out again" look. With luck the hill wasn't that bad.

Lap 3:Whoops. Guess making it once doesn't mean it's any easier.

Not sure of the finishing place, but top ten for SPH is pretty decent. Not too many SSers finished ahead of the black ship (though not too many were around anyways).

Super Dave represented big time in the A race. He was no match for the SS serenity that is Ezra, but a solid #4 showing and some major style points in making it down the hill every time made the day a complete success.

Thanks to the Asian Express for making the voyage even though his bike was in pieces. Watching a kid almost get taken out by a flying death bike made the trip worth while for sure.

First race of the new year!

2008-01-16T17:41:00.001-06:00

Blackbeard and Scraggs hop aboard the maroon cannon and shot up to Elk River to give our best at the Cold Bear race at Hillside. The snow was packed so nicely it felt like riding on dirt. That made the hour and half drive "bear"able. Here is a couple pictures for your eyes to enjoy. We will never be shot by hunters!

Cold days of winter.

2007-12-21T15:15:00.000-06:00

Winter duldrums of a biker hits hard sometimes, but here is a way to take care of it. The other way would to man up a little and go outside but this night was not one of those nights. Congrats to Sexy Dave on his nationals results, in the harsh conditions.