In my first attempt at going it alone with the three rascals - I've managed to get them all out for a long walk, fed, cleaned up, and to night-night before midnight (I'm just thankful they all came back after their long walk on time); that's pretty good. I'm hoping the streak of sleeping mostly through the whole night continues, but at only 12 weeks-old they're not yet on a very predictable schedule.
Though tomorrow's another day mostly solo parenting until late afternoon - depending on whether the wife gets home in time will determine if I'm racing PR tomorrow night or not. Let's see - 1 in the copilot seat and 2 in the trailer; I could still race like that right? Rory??
Monday, July 30, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Silverdale souvenir
One third of a lap into the start of today's CAT 1/2 Crit somebody in the middle of the pack of 40 bites it. A domino theory ensues but I manage to avoid the mayhem - sort of. I'm off to the side of the bunch who're stopped or about to stop when I get bumped into a hedge at the side of the road. No biggie except after the race I notice that I have a small tear on the left shoulder of my jersey. Sure enough a big scrape of bloody skin.
Well about 15-20 of us pull into the pits for our free lap and are off to rejoin the back of the pack - fine I guess this is about where I started anyway. Except now I've got this funny rubbing sound coming from somewhere. So I stop in the pit again to see if I have a stick stuck somewhere or something loose - nothing obvious. Though the USA Cycling Official says "you've already had your free lap you're going to have to chase on." Great! Same noise again as I roll through lap three, and discover my right front brake pad is about to come off - pull in the pit for a third time in three laps, get it tightened and off I go again. Wait for the race to catch me as I chat with the wife. I get yelled at by Mr Race Director himself for taking a bad line thru a corner that his own teammate forced me into and survive the rest of the race to finish 17th or so in the field sprint, just edging Brian Hall.
But with 1 or 2 laps down I think I am officially listed as last place - oh well at least I didn't crash. So AxleyUSA bookends the field as Chad rocks up front to take top honors.
Well about 15-20 of us pull into the pits for our free lap and are off to rejoin the back of the pack - fine I guess this is about where I started anyway. Except now I've got this funny rubbing sound coming from somewhere. So I stop in the pit again to see if I have a stick stuck somewhere or something loose - nothing obvious. Though the USA Cycling Official says "you've already had your free lap you're going to have to chase on." Great! Same noise again as I roll through lap three, and discover my right front brake pad is about to come off - pull in the pit for a third time in three laps, get it tightened and off I go again. Wait for the race to catch me as I chat with the wife. I get yelled at by Mr Race Director himself for taking a bad line thru a corner that his own teammate forced me into and survive the rest of the race to finish 17th or so in the field sprint, just edging Brian Hall.
But with 1 or 2 laps down I think I am officially listed as last place - oh well at least I didn't crash. So AxleyUSA bookends the field as Chad rocks up front to take top honors.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Best 87-minute Movie Ever!
The Simpsons hit the big screen after 20 years (starting as a short on the Tracey Ullman Show) and over 400 episodes. Why pay for a movie when you can get your fix every Sunday evening at 8 O'clock on FOX (or every evening in syndication)?
Because, well ah, you know, now there's... Why do we go out for dinner at a fancy restaurant every now and again (anniversary, birthday, just won the lottery, etc.) when we can cook at home? Why do we go out and watch a game at the ballpark and pay $5 for a cup of warm Duf beer when it's live on TV and the fridge with a cold one is right there (or at Moe's)?
Hey - it's the SIMPSONS (da da di da da daa da da dadada dum) and somebody has to pony up for the $65 million in production costs! Doh!!
Now I still have a special place for my all time favorite - Airplane (1980, with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lloyd Bridges, Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, Peter Graves, Ethel Merman, Otto, et al), but that was an 88-minute movie.
Now where's my Squishee?
Because, well ah, you know, now there's... Why do we go out for dinner at a fancy restaurant every now and again (anniversary, birthday, just won the lottery, etc.) when we can cook at home? Why do we go out and watch a game at the ballpark and pay $5 for a cup of warm Duf beer when it's live on TV and the fridge with a cold one is right there (or at Moe's)?
Hey - it's the SIMPSONS (da da di da da daa da da dadada dum) and somebody has to pony up for the $65 million in production costs! Doh!!
Now I still have a special place for my all time favorite - Airplane (1980, with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lloyd Bridges, Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, Peter Graves, Ethel Merman, Otto, et al), but that was an 88-minute movie.
Now where's my Squishee?
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
TdF predictions - part 2
Didn't see that one coming!
But I did correctly point out -
But I did correctly point out -
- that Sastre would be on the attack early
- that Disco would dance the 1-2 punch
- that ultimately Rasmussen would be thoroughly licked (I didn't figure it'd be by his own team though)
- and finally that Contador would be in yellow by days end
I should be flying off to LAS tomorrow instead of DFW (I did however fail to predict PruDogs untimely sniffles).
EZ days until the ITT Saturday for our top three podium contenders - who all have too much time on the remainder of the field to worry about anything but the final shuffle. So with the final 3 riders determined what about their podium order?
Unless the doping days of controversy continue unabated - Alberto will hold off a charge from Evans, but Evans will falter to a hungry Levi. Disco rides into Paris 1st & 2nd. Evans still makes all of Australia proud in 3rd.
TdF Stage 16 - Orthez to Gourette
A little after 3AM & the boy and I are up feeding (me blueberries, him milk) - so we'd like to share our predictions for the stage outcome for today.
Rather simply - it'll be chaos for the yellow jersey. One after another (some together even) all the major podium contenders - be it Evans, Sastre, Zubeldia, Levi, or Contador - will attack.
Disco has a major 1-2 punch sitting in 2nd and 4th and will use them effectively, with Levi going mid-stage to claw within time he can still take away during the ITT on Saturday. Contador will wait until the lower slopes of the mythic Col d’Aubisque (16km at 7 percent) when Rasmussen will be exposed without any further teammates to cover every move thrown his way. Contador's repeated accelerations will prove too much for a tired Rasmussen to follow.
The results will have Sastre or Evans as the stage winner, with Contador in yellow. Rasmussen will cross the line thoroughly whipped. Levi will move into 3rd on GC (behind Evans) as a result of the ITT. Then on with the sprinter parade into Paris Sunday.
Rather simply - it'll be chaos for the yellow jersey. One after another (some together even) all the major podium contenders - be it Evans, Sastre, Zubeldia, Levi, or Contador - will attack.
Disco has a major 1-2 punch sitting in 2nd and 4th and will use them effectively, with Levi going mid-stage to claw within time he can still take away during the ITT on Saturday. Contador will wait until the lower slopes of the mythic Col d’Aubisque (16km at 7 percent) when Rasmussen will be exposed without any further teammates to cover every move thrown his way. Contador's repeated accelerations will prove too much for a tired Rasmussen to follow.
The results will have Sastre or Evans as the stage winner, with Contador in yellow. Rasmussen will cross the line thoroughly whipped. Levi will move into 3rd on GC (behind Evans) as a result of the ITT. Then on with the sprinter parade into Paris Sunday.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Favorite bottle of vino for Vino?
Red of course.
The irony being that at last year's TdF Vinokourov was not a suspected participant in the doping affair of Operacion Puerto (which took out favorites Basso & Ullrich), but he was not allowed to start because 4 or 5 of his teammates (including now Disco wonder-kid Alberto Contador), were on the list (though all were subsequently cleared). Thus because the team was below the minimum of 6 no '06 TdF.
I wonder if the pressure of being deemed the pre-race favorite (a favorite Bruyneel tactic used successfully in the past against Ullrich) proved to be much to race clean? Or (assuming the B sample comes back positive as well) has he been a cheat all along? Which if that's the case - why did it take the UCI & the WADA so long to catch him?
Oh - good news bike-wise is that I found my Pocket Rocket.
The irony being that at last year's TdF Vinokourov was not a suspected participant in the doping affair of Operacion Puerto (which took out favorites Basso & Ullrich), but he was not allowed to start because 4 or 5 of his teammates (including now Disco wonder-kid Alberto Contador), were on the list (though all were subsequently cleared). Thus because the team was below the minimum of 6 no '06 TdF.
I wonder if the pressure of being deemed the pre-race favorite (a favorite Bruyneel tactic used successfully in the past against Ullrich) proved to be much to race clean? Or (assuming the B sample comes back positive as well) has he been a cheat all along? Which if that's the case - why did it take the UCI & the WADA so long to catch him?
Oh - good news bike-wise is that I found my Pocket Rocket.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Menzie's Sucks
The ramp crew in SEA which loads our jets lost my bike last night on my one leg to DCA. I personally saw the Menzies employee (kudos to whoever thought it'd be good to outsource these jobs) take it down off the Jetway to load on my plane, which has been about the extent of my supervision (ensure the bag with my bike makes it off the Jetway and down to the ramp). With cargo doors still open I assumed (I know, I know) that the bag (w/bike) would be loaded; as it has been countless times previously in the 15+ years that I've been doing this. I'll have to modify my routine from this day forward...(fool me once shame on you, fool me twice...).
SO much to my chagrin when I arrive at DCA expecting my bike bag to be brought up to the Jetway nothing shows. I go down to the ramp, they haven't seen it. I go to baggage claim (as the rest of the crew goes to the hotel) and wait, and wait...AND WAIT. Conveyor stops pumping bags out, carousel comes to a stop, passengers have disappeared, still no frigging bike bag.
I talk with the Alaska Baggage Claim guy and lay out my story & we start our search. Ultimately it's determined it wasn't on my flight (whatthe???). SO hopefully some Menzies guy who is looking to score a bag full of goodies from which to poach some wares is very perplexed when he opens my bike bag (not that they actually EVER do this) and returns it to where he found it (I'm sure it's just an innocent mistake), so that when I return to SEA later this evening all's well (it's going to be a logistical nightmare chasing this down).
Then the S__T will hit the fan.
For now, on a great day back east I will bide my time getting a workout indoors at he workout center (I shudder) and get out for a good look at what our Nations Capital has to offer for the next 6 hours (before I must catch the bus back to the airport).
If - and that's a big IF - my bike has been lost to baggage claim heaven then perhaps it'll be my chance to upgrade from my old Pocket Rocket to a Ritchey Break- Away or some other cool new collapsible bike with S&S couplers like the Co-Motion Co-Pilot Expresso (ummm tasty!) or Rodriguez Six Pack (ummm thirsty for that one too!).
But I'll have to await the outcome of my predicament when I return to SEA this evening before I even begin to entertain another future travel bike.
SO much to my chagrin when I arrive at DCA expecting my bike bag to be brought up to the Jetway nothing shows. I go down to the ramp, they haven't seen it. I go to baggage claim (as the rest of the crew goes to the hotel) and wait, and wait...AND WAIT. Conveyor stops pumping bags out, carousel comes to a stop, passengers have disappeared, still no frigging bike bag.
I talk with the Alaska Baggage Claim guy and lay out my story & we start our search. Ultimately it's determined it wasn't on my flight (whatthe???). SO hopefully some Menzies guy who is looking to score a bag full of goodies from which to poach some wares is very perplexed when he opens my bike bag (not that they actually EVER do this) and returns it to where he found it (I'm sure it's just an innocent mistake), so that when I return to SEA later this evening all's well (it's going to be a logistical nightmare chasing this down).
Then the S__T will hit the fan.
For now, on a great day back east I will bide my time getting a workout indoors at he workout center (I shudder) and get out for a good look at what our Nations Capital has to offer for the next 6 hours (before I must catch the bus back to the airport).
If - and that's a big IF - my bike has been lost to baggage claim heaven then perhaps it'll be my chance to upgrade from my old Pocket Rocket to a Ritchey Break- Away or some other cool new collapsible bike with S&S couplers like the Co-Motion Co-Pilot Expresso (ummm tasty!) or Rodriguez Six Pack (ummm thirsty for that one too!).
But I'll have to await the outcome of my predicament when I return to SEA this evening before I even begin to entertain another future travel bike.
Friday, July 13, 2007
9 1/2 Weeks
No not the original erotic thriller you sex starved onlookers - but the real deal.
I've had the opportunity to witness my twins daily growth firsthand (thanks to WA State Family Care Leave). Skyler increasing her weight by almost 5 pounds with original lightweight Kaden picking up just shy of 6! Both still get Mom & I up at least twice each evening but they're settling into more of a routine. Their little personalities are starting to emerge as well, and their smiles will just melt you. And while frustrating at times, the joy - yes joy - of holding one of these bundles of love at oh-to-early in the morning is something indescribable.
I return to work in a few hours (0700 flight to SMF) and the routine of my flying schedule will return to normal. I'll be able to actually have the chance to sleep uninterrupted for the next two nights and get in 2 consecutive days of training on the bike (in Chicago and Oakland) this weekend. But something will be missing that I won't ever be able to get back.
Wish good luck to my wife, she will definitely have her hands full until I return.
I've had the opportunity to witness my twins daily growth firsthand (thanks to WA State Family Care Leave). Skyler increasing her weight by almost 5 pounds with original lightweight Kaden picking up just shy of 6! Both still get Mom & I up at least twice each evening but they're settling into more of a routine. Their little personalities are starting to emerge as well, and their smiles will just melt you. And while frustrating at times, the joy - yes joy - of holding one of these bundles of love at oh-to-early in the morning is something indescribable.
I return to work in a few hours (0700 flight to SMF) and the routine of my flying schedule will return to normal. I'll be able to actually have the chance to sleep uninterrupted for the next two nights and get in 2 consecutive days of training on the bike (in Chicago and Oakland) this weekend. But something will be missing that I won't ever be able to get back.
Wish good luck to my wife, she will definitely have her hands full until I return.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Race Director (aka juggling artist)
As Race Director for the WA State Masters/Juniors Championship RR this last Sunday; my first attempt at getting on the other side of bike racing - my organizational skills were put to task.
With a little time on my hands to try to salvage the race after the original cancelled the June 10th version that was supposed to be held in Elma. Getting through the necessary hoops and hurdles of USA Cycling - thanks Sarah, and the Pierce County permitting process was not the main concern. All the logistics from ordering Honey Buckets, reserving the host venue, notifying the Key Peninsula FD for standby paramedics, etc. was all able to take place well before race day. Going over my pre-race game plan trying to ensure all the contingencies were in place for whatever came up, and coordinating with the local officiating crew was taken care of well before race day. Making sure the various paperwork necessities got done, placing race flyers on several internet sites and local bike shops, and getting the local media informed, were all a part of the process. My first test was ensuring I had enough volunteers to staff a safe course. Thankfully several women from Taem Group Health stepped up as did a good contingent of family and close friends. I would've liked to have had more, but I think we covered the basics for a safe racing environment.
When race day arrived the reality test was about to begin. Can I get the signage and registration up in time? Are my volunteers really going to materialize in time? What's with this cloud cover - it's cold. When it burns off will the sun wilt my volunteers? What about the racers? Do I have enough food & drink for my volunteers, paperwork, pins? Doh, I've got to set up the Feed Zone! Is anybody going to show up at the end of what some would call a 5-day weekend (after the 4th on Wednesday)? Am I going to meet or eat my expenses? Whose playing that banjo (was that Ned Betty I heard squealing)? Lots of questions clogging my feeble brain.
Master Women and most of the Juniors start filing into the parking field and milling about. Some starting to hover near the registration table before the 7:30 opening. Registration is skillfully run by Joanna Babbitt - I'm in good hands. Suddenly were racing - women are off, all 18 of them. The Juniors B, C, & D's are next in waves of 3, 3, & 5 respectively. This is what I'm used to racers on the road - and that's what they've come for. Race wave one under way.
Next Wave of Men's Masters C & D's with the Junior A's (all 3 of them) go at 11. The last wave of Men's Master A's & B's go off a bit tardy at 2:15 (verses the scheduled 1:30) - sorry! The Men's CAT 1/2/3 field has 2 guys (1 who paid & 1 who volunteered earlier in the day and is comp'd), they ride with the Master A's. Where'd that field go - only 2 guys show for the under age 35 race? And it was the only field that offered prize money, I don't get it. Finally the officials are ready & everybody is off and racing.
I follow the Master B's as neutral wheel support. It's not quite like listening to Phil, Paul & Bob Roll, but on race radio it's sure interesting to follow what's happening as well as seeing what's going on in front of you.
All the fields were smaller than what I would've liked. I think the combination of a long holiday weekend had people outta town with family, the fact that Redmond Derby Days Crit. was the previous day, Boise had a lucrative SR this same weekend, Master's Nationals also started this weekend back in PA and stole some top Masters guys, and Pruitt no-showed (which put the kibosh on the entire Axley contingent).
Races over, results up, medals handed out; tear down everything, put it all back in the boxes. Gather the signage, pay the officials, clean up the grounds, sanitize the hands one more time, drive course one last time to ensure everything's cleaned up and nothing left behind or out of place. Want to leave it as we found it, if not better.
After a 13-hour day it's off to dinner at Ruston Way waterfront with family, celebrating my Mother-in-law's Birthday. My slim vision of getting my bike packed and ready to go to catch an 8:30AM flight back east Monday morning to race Masters Nationals on Tuesday dwindle away as I get home utterly exhausted wanting nothing more than to sleep in for a day or 2.
Who's that crying - Kaden? Skyler? One of my 9-week olds needs me.
With a little time on my hands to try to salvage the race after the original cancelled the June 10th version that was supposed to be held in Elma. Getting through the necessary hoops and hurdles of USA Cycling - thanks Sarah, and the Pierce County permitting process was not the main concern. All the logistics from ordering Honey Buckets, reserving the host venue, notifying the Key Peninsula FD for standby paramedics, etc. was all able to take place well before race day. Going over my pre-race game plan trying to ensure all the contingencies were in place for whatever came up, and coordinating with the local officiating crew was taken care of well before race day. Making sure the various paperwork necessities got done, placing race flyers on several internet sites and local bike shops, and getting the local media informed, were all a part of the process. My first test was ensuring I had enough volunteers to staff a safe course. Thankfully several women from Taem Group Health stepped up as did a good contingent of family and close friends. I would've liked to have had more, but I think we covered the basics for a safe racing environment.
When race day arrived the reality test was about to begin. Can I get the signage and registration up in time? Are my volunteers really going to materialize in time? What's with this cloud cover - it's cold. When it burns off will the sun wilt my volunteers? What about the racers? Do I have enough food & drink for my volunteers, paperwork, pins? Doh, I've got to set up the Feed Zone! Is anybody going to show up at the end of what some would call a 5-day weekend (after the 4th on Wednesday)? Am I going to meet or eat my expenses? Whose playing that banjo (was that Ned Betty I heard squealing)? Lots of questions clogging my feeble brain.
Master Women and most of the Juniors start filing into the parking field and milling about. Some starting to hover near the registration table before the 7:30 opening. Registration is skillfully run by Joanna Babbitt - I'm in good hands. Suddenly were racing - women are off, all 18 of them. The Juniors B, C, & D's are next in waves of 3, 3, & 5 respectively. This is what I'm used to racers on the road - and that's what they've come for. Race wave one under way.
Next Wave of Men's Masters C & D's with the Junior A's (all 3 of them) go at 11. The last wave of Men's Master A's & B's go off a bit tardy at 2:15 (verses the scheduled 1:30) - sorry! The Men's CAT 1/2/3 field has 2 guys (1 who paid & 1 who volunteered earlier in the day and is comp'd), they ride with the Master A's. Where'd that field go - only 2 guys show for the under age 35 race? And it was the only field that offered prize money, I don't get it. Finally the officials are ready & everybody is off and racing.
I follow the Master B's as neutral wheel support. It's not quite like listening to Phil, Paul & Bob Roll, but on race radio it's sure interesting to follow what's happening as well as seeing what's going on in front of you.
All the fields were smaller than what I would've liked. I think the combination of a long holiday weekend had people outta town with family, the fact that Redmond Derby Days Crit. was the previous day, Boise had a lucrative SR this same weekend, Master's Nationals also started this weekend back in PA and stole some top Masters guys, and Pruitt no-showed (which put the kibosh on the entire Axley contingent).
Races over, results up, medals handed out; tear down everything, put it all back in the boxes. Gather the signage, pay the officials, clean up the grounds, sanitize the hands one more time, drive course one last time to ensure everything's cleaned up and nothing left behind or out of place. Want to leave it as we found it, if not better.
After a 13-hour day it's off to dinner at Ruston Way waterfront with family, celebrating my Mother-in-law's Birthday. My slim vision of getting my bike packed and ready to go to catch an 8:30AM flight back east Monday morning to race Masters Nationals on Tuesday dwindle away as I get home utterly exhausted wanting nothing more than to sleep in for a day or 2.
Who's that crying - Kaden? Skyler? One of my 9-week olds needs me.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
AAAAAAAAAAAAAJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ
After a win earlier this last weekend at the Capital Crit our young budding local made the type of mistake a CAT 5 would make. Yesterday the 4th at Joe Matava no real moves could muster the necessary horsepower to go away & stay away. So the pack ebbed & flowed with attacks and counters but it all stayed together.
With 3 laps to go just after rounding corner 2 the group was getting edgy for getting a good position to set up for the last lap & the finali. In the midst of the buzz mid-pack AJ (unattached)over corrected and took out Arnie Latie's (The Valley) front wheel with his rear. Now maybe Arnie shouldn't have had his front overlapping or should've sensed the buzz and backed off just that lil' bit or AJ shouldv'e held his line better or.... whatever - right now Arnie is down! Knocking somebody's front wheel out from under them tends to do that.
With me on Arnie's wheel, the next thing I know is Arnie is down perpendicular to my immediate progress and I hit him mid-torso with my front wheel. This has the immediate effect of propelling me over my handlebars (a la superman style).
I fully expected a domino reaction throughout the rest of the field behind us; but to their credit - everyone else managed to avoid the mayhem. Though I understand that as a result of the crash the racers behind were unable to catch up to the split in the field and pulled out to watch Richter (who sat in all race) pull off the big W (for $100) with teammate Chad (AxleyUSA.com) rolling across in 2nd.
The fireworks began early!
With 3 laps to go just after rounding corner 2 the group was getting edgy for getting a good position to set up for the last lap & the finali. In the midst of the buzz mid-pack AJ (unattached)over corrected and took out Arnie Latie's (The Valley) front wheel with his rear. Now maybe Arnie shouldn't have had his front overlapping or should've sensed the buzz and backed off just that lil' bit or AJ shouldv'e held his line better or.... whatever - right now Arnie is down! Knocking somebody's front wheel out from under them tends to do that.
With me on Arnie's wheel, the next thing I know is Arnie is down perpendicular to my immediate progress and I hit him mid-torso with my front wheel. This has the immediate effect of propelling me over my handlebars (a la superman style).
I fully expected a domino reaction throughout the rest of the field behind us; but to their credit - everyone else managed to avoid the mayhem. Though I understand that as a result of the crash the racers behind were unable to catch up to the split in the field and pulled out to watch Richter (who sat in all race) pull off the big W (for $100) with teammate Chad (AxleyUSA.com) rolling across in 2nd.
The fireworks began early!
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