Getting Married to a Baker :)

One of the many benefits to marrying a baker are gluten free stollen samples in August. 

The tasters professional opinion . . . more butter.

 

Less than 4 weeks to the big day!

Happy and excited.

Rest well.

Ridley Dean TT Bike For Sale

• Shimano PRO Missile Bars
• Dura Ace Front Derailleur
• Dura Ace Rear Derailleur
• Dura Ace Shifters
• Dura Ace Chain
• Shimano RS80 Carbon Wheels
• Tektro Carbon Brake Levers
• Size Small - 54cm effective top tube
• SRM PCV
• Dura Ace 172.5mm Crank Arms
• 53/39 Dura Ace Chain Rings
• All cables, wires, charger, & computer stuff
• $3500

Finale approaches fast!

A Ripp down ye ol' Gallop'n Goose at 6am and Chumbawumba jogged the morning memory of a KHS Kilshaw & Son Rebuild.

That bike was awesome. Rebuilt from the Cro-Mo up, she had a blue frame & yellow rat trap. True to the core, she was 100% Deore, LX that is, rapid fire shifters and all. Good memories of the bike & even better of the build.

"Wanna throw on head lamps & rip our bikes off the GC sand pits tomorrow morning?"

"Definitely."

Night rides have always been hi pri through the off season and this weekend it was a wicked way to match the awesomeness of a classic XC run, the Thetis 20K Relay.

Lap one with the lead pack was fun, but the legs need to last a little.

Lap two found a groove & made it 1/2 way to the hobble.

Lap three was actually pretty fun.

Lap four was a gut fest up & down those final two climbs.

Shouts out to Phil, the "Island Runner," & Mr Bob Reid for putting on the event.

Cross the rock finale approaches fast!

Rest well.

Chicken Fat:

If it smelled just a little better, I would cover all my cycling clothes in it.

***

Mr. Scotty C says, "Make space my friend, make space."

But how can there be any space for space when I'm stumbling over all these roots, rocks, and logs?

"Make space."

But the moss is to slippery to make space.

"My friend, make space."

The trail is too narrow. I need to fit right here.

Then the moment when you see.

The trail is moving.

The trail jogs left. The trail jogs right. The trail winds up, before carrying you down.

The body is moving.

The trail is living, just as you are living.

As you move, the trail moves.

We are moving together. We are dancing.

The moss is grace, the ups are strength,

And the downs are speed.

All this space when we are dancing.



Rest well.

Cross the Rock

Back to the series!

3 years? Really three years since Juan de Fuca cross? You betcha.

Man oh man this stuff is fun. Here are a few thoughts by play.

First, the Cross the Rock series is wicked fun. It has the grass roots feel all over, and is run by a wicked awesome bunch. So chill, yet so let's-get-out-there-and-just-giv'er. How many series are there where the race director hops into the final race of the day? Norm does. Wicked cool.

Pre-ride was groov-tastic. An attempt to stick the tracks of super rock star T Trace for a loop proved handy for figuring a few corners. Honestly, riding behind a guy like that is like putting your learning curve into over drive. It's amazing. Just watch. Then do. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Throw yourself in race mode and it's a must do situation. Must keep up. Must ride that line. Must hop that ditch. Must ride that sand pit. Must round all seven hundred eighty nine corners with minimal breaking. Ahhh the key.

There are of course a few situations where the skills are just a little to far spread. Who do we call? Mr. Engine.

Come on. When are we going to be at that massive climb, followed by the other massive climb? That's were we catch 'em. BUILD THE BEAST.

On 4/6 loops, just post stair climb, the hi was a little too high before landing low.

Hiiiiii-Ho Silver . . . Thbthbthtb.

Lap 4 - 5 was a running lap & I think I was faster overall on the windey bits.

The Vegan Dove himself caught me & offered a wheel. Wicked cool.

Round the 'bout and it's one to go. Hi Ho Hi Ho.

Thanks Bro for riding up for the show.

Off to work we go.

Rest well.

Build the Beast!

Chin ups to the extreme.

+ 2 days and the arms still seem to be stuck at 160 degrees.

"Come on . . . you can do one more . . . "

Todd says.

"You want strong legs. Do lunges for 60 minutes with a 50lb vest."

BUILD

THE

BEAST.

Rest well.

High tides, Pumpkins, & Firecrackers

We travel to become along a road named aspiration. We pass through valleys, over mountains, and cross rivers.

From the top of a mountain we can see a path to the sea.

From the valley we can see the mountains we have just climbed.

At the river we can pause for a drink before jumping in.

***

It is time. There's excitement for next season and appreciation of the last.

Apples on the lawn, chestnuts on the grass, & logs on the fire.

Mid terms, roller skis, & new Yoga routines.

Squash in the oven, soup on the stove, & sand on the tires.

Early sunsets, late sunrises, and dew in the morning.

Let's go ride bikes.

Rest Well.