Just Ride Baby

Things are Heating Up

2008-10-29T22:08:00.000-07:00

Up here in the Pacific Northwest there is an infamous "trophy" that goes by the name of the Grail de la Grunge (or Grudge). There used to be alternating races in Portland and to determine the winner of the Grail. Now, it seems that the protocol for gaining ownership of the Grail is trickery, treachery and other underhanded dealings.

Seattle has the Grail right now. Portland pretends like they don't care. But we must stay vigilant. In fact, there was an attempt on the Grail just this past Sunday at our Series race at Ft. Steillacoom park. The Grail remains safely in the hands of the Seattle illuminati. Have no fear. There are many that stand guard. Some in plain view, others in the shadows. Interlopers, you have been warned...

The Unicorn Has Landed

2008-10-05T16:59:00.000-07:00

The Seattle Cyclocross Series officially kicked off on Sunday September 28th. The first race was at Evergreen Highschool - one of the locations that typically has a kick ass layout. The course did not disappoint. Once again, it was a killer layout with plenty of technical and power sections. This course also includes either the second or third longest runup in the area. Number one is the Knapp time runup at Ft. Steilacoom.

This is also the course where the Speedvagen made its debut in 2007. So, naturally, this was a great course for the Speedvagen to make its way out of the stable and once again rain pain down upon us mere mortals. After six lung searing laps I did indeed feel as if I had been smited by the mighty Falcon despite the best efforts of me, the Unicorn and the Speedvagen. Final placement - 16th. No major crashes but one beautiful slow motion endo that resulted in me watching about 5 riders pass me and ride away...

USGP of Cyclocross in Portland

2007-12-04T21:49:00.000-08:00

It was a bit muddy in Portland this weekend.

The Crank Bros USGP of Cyclocross wrapped up with the final two races being held in Portland over the weekend. The racing rocked and so did the weather. Snow on Saturday and big winds and rain on Sunday. The weather was definitely a factor. I had a good crash on Sunday where I ended up on the mud slip-n-slide for about 30 feet on the right side of my face followed by the rest of my body.

There really is nothing quite like a cross race in Portland. I love it!

WA State Cyclocross Championships

2007-11-19T21:11:00.000-08:00

The power of the unicorn remains strong!

The State Cyclocross Championships happened here yesterday and I finished in a solid 4th place in the Single Speed Division. One spot off the podium. A minute and change off the podium that is. I'm getting stronger, but still have a ways to go before I am really riding strong enough to hang with the fast guys. Until then I will continue to chew the Unicorn Power gum and hope it goes undetected in the event that I get called out for an in season drug test...

Power of the Unicorn

2007-11-11T21:16:00.000-08:00

Race report from The Day of the Speedvagen.

Sunday, November 11th was the official Day of the Speedvagen. The power of the Unicorn made sure that all stars, rainbows, honeysuckles and waterfalls were in alignment to bring the full force of the mystical power to my races. Yes, that is selfish to think it was all about me, but that's the way it is. Tell me more about how my other Speedvagen brethren fared on the glorious 11th day of the 11th month so we can all bask in the glory...

This was a double race weekend out at Fort Flagler on the Olympic Peninsula here in the upper left hand corner of the country. Saturday's race included a Belgian style sand pit. Plenty of carneage courtesy of those who chose to ride it. I rode the pit 4 out of 5 trips through even though my pre-race strategy was to run it... My finish in Saturday's race put me in 11th place for the Single Speed Division.

You know what that meant, right? I raced from 11th place on the 11th day of the 11th month. I was takin' it to 11 just about as much as any human possibly could without bursting under the mystical force of the Unicorn. Any doubters out there as to where I finished in today's race? That's right - 11th place!! That is it. I might as well just retire right now as there is no way I can possibly do that again. Or is there? Don't sell the Unicorn short - let's see what happens next year...

Day of the Speedvagen

2007-11-05T20:16:00.000-08:00

It's coming. Can you feel it? Yes, that is the feeling of eleven. And if you think it is unusually strong this week, you are right. That is because 11/11 is fast approaching. Yes, November 11th is just around the bend...

Announcing The Day of the Speedvagen to be recognized on November 11th, 2007. This is the inaugural Day of the Speedvagen and you should anticipate that the date of 11/11 will be celebrated from this date forward honoring the spirit of taking it to eleven. Your "it" may be something else (and that is OK), but in the case of the Speedvagen "it" is all about Cyclocross racing and eleven means going to extremes. Especially extreme suffering...

This year Seattle's Day of the Speedvagen will be celebrated at Fort Flagler, Seattle Cyclocross Series race #7. It is unclear exactly what activities will take place during the celebration. All that can really be said at this time is that it will be Spectacular.

Brought to you by the Single Speed Champion of 13th place. Putting the Spectacle back in Spectacular. I will be bringing the power of 11 unicorns to smite all who attempt to dislodge me from my rightful (13th) place in the Seattle Cyclocross Single Speed category.

Adendum to the above. If a Cyclocross race does not occur on 11/11, then the Day of the Speedvagen shall be celebrated on the date of the Cross race occurring in closest proximity to the actual date of 11/11.

That is all.

Taking Style to Eleven?

2007-10-28T19:04:00.000-07:00

Yo Suckas,

Taking my bling to 11 on the Ft. Steilacoom runup on Sunday.

Photo by Joe Martin

Check out all Joe's photos from Sunday's race.

Action!

2007-10-23T22:05:00.000-07:00

Going over the barriers at Kelly Creek.

Photo by Joe Martin

Forget about 11 - I'm going to 14

2007-10-22T22:06:00.000-07:00

14th place that is. Two weeks in a row, two different categories, two 14th place finishes. I don't know if you can really say huray for consistency. If I'm really racing then I should be trying to improve my finish. You know, like trying to finish 11th and feeling bad about finishing 14th...

Well, I will take 14th for now and keep on cranking away at getting faster and stronger. Coming up next is Ft. Steilacoom. Home of the Kona Knapp Time Run Up. If you have not experienced this yourself you need to visualize something that pushes the envelope of "UCI Approved" run up length. If you have felt the pain you will know what I mean when I say I think I will cough up a lung if I have to go up that thing 6 times (even worse if it is 7 times) on Sunday.

Way Faster... Looking

2007-10-14T21:16:00.000-07:00

First cross race on the Speedvagen today. I finished 15th. Up 4 spots from our first race two weeks ago. I can't say the move up was all because of the Speedvagen. But I sure felt good on the bike today. The Vagen is an amazing machine. I had a Unicorn on one shoulder and the devil on the other. Everything the devil egged me on to do the Vagen was able to handle. Thank you Unicorn Master!!

Eye Candy

2007-10-04T23:50:00.001-07:00

Here are a few pics of my Speedvagen - code name "Sparkles"

It rides as nice as it looks. Now I know what the power of the Unicorn is all about!

Eleven has arrived!

2007-10-04T23:40:00.000-07:00

Yes indeed. I swooped down to Portland and picked up the Speedvagen today. It is amazing. Sacha and the crew at Vanilla were totally cool (what else did you expect?). I can't wait until the 14th. That is the next race in our cross series here in Seattle. I might not be much faster, but I am going to look damn good doing whatever it is I do out on the cross course!

Let the Suffering Begin

2007-10-01T17:08:00.000-07:00

Sunday was the first day of the Seattle Cyclocross Series. I suffered mightily! On the Bianchi I might add.

No mystical falcons, unicorns or other such figures delivered the Speedvagen to my doorstep before the race on Sunday. I do hear that the Speedvagen are being assembled by mystical servants of the Unicorn in some far away land. When the bikes are complete they are delivered via Falcon to the humble recipient of each fine cross racing machine.

I'm not sure the Speedvagen would have lessened my pain, but I would have suffered in much more style. Yesterday was mud like I have never experienced in Seattle. Portland, yes. Seattle, no. We are off for two weeks and then back on it again on October 14th. For this race, I am sure to have the power of 11 unicorns to call upon so that I may smite down my opponents...

Speedvagen at Interbike

2007-09-25T23:39:00.000-07:00

Hell Yeah! Look what I found...

Check it out peeps. This page has photos of the Speedvagen in all its glory. Scroll down a bit toward the middle of the page and check it out. I can hardly contain myself!

If you are signed up for Robin's Egg Blue then this is what you are going to be getting.

Retirement Ride?

2007-09-25T23:25:00.000-07:00

Was this last weekend the final ride for the trusty San Jose? I can only cross my fingers and pray that the Speedvagen is complete by Sunday. The latest word from my Speedvagen mole down South is that the frames were sent off for paint on Friday and should be back at the Vanilla Workshop this week. I continue to hold on to the dream that I will be racing the first Seattle Cyclocross Series race on the Speedvagen this coming Sunday.

Speedvagens Unite!

2007-09-20T22:05:00.000-07:00

Hey,

Any of you cyclocross racers out there that are fortunate enough to be one of the original 30 - you need to get yourself on over to the unofficial Church of Speedvagen website. Check it out at the VAAGEN This is the blog for all Speedvagen racers to congregate and talk all about our exploits.

Cheers!

So Whatever Happened to...

2007-09-16T22:05:00.000-07:00

You might be asking yourself this question: So whatever happened to that old Raleigh Grand Prix that was going to get turned into a fixie? Indeed. I finished that project long ago. I just never bothered to mention it to you!

Here is a link to photos of Baby Blue on the Mobius Cycles website. By the way, Mobius kicks ass. They are super cool and located right in the heart of downtown Seattle.

Labor Day Cyclocross Championships

2007-09-03T21:07:00.000-07:00

The Labor Day Cyclocross Championship race was held today (hence the name). I didn't win my division, but did finish the race in 13th place. Not bad for my first Single Speed Cross race and running with gearing much more suited for commuting to and from work than for cross racing.

The weather was great, the course was great, all the kids won medals in the kids race and my whole family had a blast.

The Vanilla team came up from Portland and took the first two spots in the Elite Men's race. I know you can't buy speed, or skill, but dangit I am hoping that the Speedvagen brings me at least a little bit of the mojo that Shannon Skerritt and Molly Cameron have on a cross bike!

Only One More Week

2007-08-27T21:48:00.000-07:00

OK Suckas,

Only one more week until the first cross race of the season here in Seattle! Things get cranked up with the Labor Day Cyclocross Championships at the one (and only) South SeaTac Park. Get ready for dust, sand and more dust. The action will be hot and (did I mention?) dusty.

Everybody that is not out of town for the three day weekend will be amped up and ready to let 'er rip. So lookout below. There are sure to be plenty of spectacular crashes, pileups and other miscellaneous disasters. And that is just what I plan on perpetrating on the unsuspecting masses...

Long Time Coming

2007-08-25T12:03:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been more than a year since I wrote anything here! Where has the time gone? Who the hell cares, let's get on with things...

Cross season is quickly approaching and I am planning to race the single speed division in the Seattle Cyclocross Series. To ensure my commitment to the season I am dropping silly money on a Speedvagen from Vanilla Bicycles out of Portland Oregon.

Check out this link for more details on the Speedvagen -> http://www.speedvagen.com

Check back for more details on this outstanding project and my cycling sickness...

Century #3 - 2006

2006-04-08T14:27:00.000-07:00

We did it!

My friend Chris and I completed 100 miles on our fixed gears. We road from Sea-Tac north around Alki and then South out to Orting and back. We had great weather and it was quite the feeling of accomplishment to have covered 100 miles on a fixed gear.

This also turned out to be the retirement ride for my Peugeot. I have now completed building up my Raleigh and have completed two rides home from work already. I have decided to use this as my commuter for the remainder of the season. More on that later...

Chilly Hilly Fixie Style

2006-02-27T22:04:00.000-08:00

Well now...

I thought I was going to get my Raleigh all built up as a fixie prior to the Chilly Hilly ride. Unfortunately I was denied. It turns out that the Brits at Raleigh did their own crazy proprietary fabrication on bottom brackets. So, I assaulted the Chilly Hilly on the Peugeot fixed gear. My friend Chris and I ended up riding a metric century with the Chilly Hilly route comprising the middle 32 miles of our ride which included 2700 feet of climbing (and descending).

We had a great day - slightly overcast, but no rain until the ride from the ferry dock back to Sea-Tac. And a great crew - about 12 riders, 2 others on single speeds, one pulling his son and many more friends and family on multi speed bikes. Everybody had a great time.

Now having completed the metric century we are confident that a full century, fixed gear style, is in our future. Stay tuned, that may end up being the March Century for 2006.

Century #2 - 2006

2006-02-14T18:44:00.000-08:00

Recovery!

It took a while, but the effects from the Seahawks losing the Superbowl have finally worn off. What better way to rid yourself of the demons than a nice century?

My friend Chris, his son Spencer and I rode our February century on Sunday. It was an awesome day here in the Pacific Northwest and we explored a part of the PNW we don't ride too often. Thanks to my friend Nick, we had a great route and only got lost one time... This ride started in Renton, wound its way through Issaquah, Redmond, Woodinville and back to Renton through Carnation, Fall City and Duvall.

Highlights of the ride included Chris using my tire pump as a valve extractor on the tube of his front wheel before we left the parking lot. Lots of sunshine and a brisk ride down the shoulder of I-90 from Duvall heading back in to Issaquah. We even finished the ride before dark.

All in all it was an excellent ride and a great way to recover from the angst of the Superbowl.

The Next Project

2006-02-02T19:09:00.000-08:00

This is my next fixed gear project. I bought this Raleigh Grand Prix when I was in Junior High School, so I have an extra special connection with this one. Right now this thing is a tank. The bike weighs in at about 30 pounds. That is probably because it still has all the reflectors that came on the bike as well as the kick stand!

My goal is to have this converted in time to ride it for the Chilly Hilly the last Sunday in February. I have a flip flop rear hub so will be riding it single speed style for that ride. I'm more worried about the down hills than the up hills. I don't think I can spin fast enough to keep my feet on the pedals...

Cyclocross World Championships

2006-01-29T09:13:00.000-08:00

The Cyclocross World Championships were held this weekend in the Netherlands. If you haven't heard of cyclocross, it is one of the most fun things to do on your bike while feeling like your heart and lungs are about to explode. And did I mention that some of the best riders in the world are right here in the Pacific Northwest?

The racer in the photo above is Ann Knapp, she is from Des Moines Washington and placed 9th in the Elite Women's race today. She was the top US woman, finishing just ahead of Lyne Besssette (of Canada). Lynn dominated Women's cyclocross in the US this year.

Ann is a great rider and an even greater person. She is always cheering people on and encouraging them to do better. My dad got to know her pretty well while he was rehabing from a broken collarbone last year (that is an entirely different story and I have to take partial credit - blame? - for that accident).

The top US Men's finisher was Jonathan Page. This was his third or fourth year of racing in Europe and he has consistently been a top 20 finisher in the European races this year.

Read more about this at Cycling News or Velo News

Go Huck Yourself

2006-01-26T23:24:00.000-08:00

Some of the world's best free riders will be in Renton WA this weeked for THE GATHERING I am heading down there with some buddies to check out the action on Friday night.

Bike Lingo Translator

2006-01-24T20:59:00.000-08:00

I cannot take credit for the sayings below. They were sent to me by a friend. And are too funny not to share. So read on...

"I'm out of shape"
Translation: I ride 400 miles a week and haven't missed a day since the Ford administration. I replace my 11-tooth cog more often than you wash your shorts. My body fat percentage is lower than your mortgage rate.

"I'm not into competition. I'm just riding to stay in shape"
Translation: I will attack until you collapse in the gutter, babbling and whimpering. I will win the line sprint if I have to force you into oncoming traffic. I will crest this hill first if I have to grab your seat post, and spray energy drink in your eyes.

"I'm on my beater bike"
Translation: I had this baby custom-made in Tuscany using titanium blessed by the Pope. I took it to a wind tunnel and it disappeared. It weighs less than a fart and costs more than a divorce.

"It's not that hilly"
Translation: This climb lasts longer than a presidential campaign. Be careful on the steep sections or you'll fall over -- backward. You have a 39x23 low gear? Here's the name of my knee surgeon.

"This is a no-drop ride"
Translation: I'll need an article of your clothing for the search-and-rescue dogs.

"It's not that far"
Translation: Bring your passport

SUPER BOWL

2006-01-23T21:14:00.000-08:00

The Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl. Yeah baby!!

Century #1 - 2006

2006-01-22T21:15:00.000-08:00

I rode my first century of the new year on Saturday. For this ride I took out my trusty multi-speed bike, a Novara Strada that I have had for almost two years now.

This century marked the one year anniversary of our riding goal from 2005 to complete one century per month for the entire year. I managed to ride 10 out of the 12 centuries that my friend Chris rode to complete his goal. After completing all 12, Chris learned that a friend had been able to extend his one year goal to 14 months. Naturally, the new goal is to go for 15 months of riding a century per month.

Yesterday was century number 13 and was ridden on the same course as last January - the Daffodil classic in Orting. This year we did not get lost and completed both loops as designed by the Tacoma Wheelmen. We rode the South loop first and were joined by two other friends and a rider from my God Son's Jr. racing team - ASC Junior Racing (aka Oh Boy Oberto!). This loop seemed pretty flat and I actually rode the first 25 miles in one gear and then the second 25 miles in a slighter higher gearing when Chris decided to "up the tempo."

The North loop was after lunch and was just Chris and I. This one has a steep climb after about 8 miles on the flat. This loop was not to be completed pretending to ride a single speed. We got wet, muddy and had a fun time. The sun even came out for the 25 miles or so of the ride. As we were riding through the neighborhoods of Orting (putting in enough miles to get up to 100) we saw an eagle and got some awesome views of Mt. Rainier.

The South loop included some adventure riding when we encountered a road sign. Did we follow the detour? Of course not. We rode through the road closed signs and eventually had to get off our bikes and poach our way through the construction site by crossing over a bridge that is being rebuilt.

It isn't a ride unless you have a bit of adventure! All in all it was a great ride. Of course, it is a great ride any time you are on your bike.

First Alley Cat

2006-01-20T17:50:00.000-08:00

This is the flyer for my first Alley Cat race.

My friend Chris and I rode our first Alley Cat race last Saturday night in Seattle. It was sponsored by Cranked Magazine, celebrating the first issue of their new mag. Check them out if you get a chance. It is a pretty cool publication.

Now, on to the details...

The race started at 6 PM and it was raining like a mofo. We got plenty soaked, but had a blast riding through the streets of Seattle to the four stops listed on our manifest. At each stop we got another clue that sent us to another location to get some information and also gave us an item to pick up along the way to the finish - The Rendevous in Bell Town.

I'm kind of dense, so did not put all this together until the day after the race. Each of the stops was at a newspaper of some type and each of the items we had to pick up were free news papers, except for the Real Change which costs a buck. So, the whole theme was based around publishing - which makes sense for an Alley Cat sponsored by a magazine celebrating their first publication!

These were the stops on the race manifest - The Seattle Weekly, The Stranger, The Seattle Times and the Seattle P.I. The start was at the Owl and Thistle in Post Alley and (like a said earlier) ended at The Rendevous in Bell Town. You could go to the four stops in any order and follow any route to get there. We chose to go in the order I listed the stops above since The Weekly is only one block away from The Owl and Thistle.

That is where the fun began. Chris and I had agreed to ride the race together and reviewed our strategy for stops and a very loosely designed route between them. At the start he fired out of the gates... And took a wrong turn! You might be asking yourself "How do you get lost going one block?!" The answer - You follow somebody that does not know where they are going. The last I saw of him he was headed toward First Avenue. By the time I got him on his phone he had made it to Pike Place Market - about 1/4 of mile North of our first stop!

To be continued...

Just Getting Started

2006-01-19T22:15:00.000-08:00

This is my first fixie. It turned out to be a way bigger project than I thought it would be. The bike looked cool. Little did I know what I was in for. The French do everything their way. In other words, all the parts for the Peugeot must be the French standard. Which is not the same as the standard that everybody else in the world (well almost everybody) follows. Enough said. It was worth the extra effort to get this bike up and rolling.