Work Reunion ?

My dad put together a reunion of some of the guys we worked with at Chris Hoerr & Sons,guys we havn't seen in about 13 to 15 years.Not a bad turnout and I think some guys that didn't show are going to wish they had.
Brain,me,Jeff and Roy all worked together in the warehouse.
It was nice to see those guys and the drivers Chad Zike and Jeff Wing whom I havn't talked to in a long time.We all hope to get something together this summer if I can find time with the races I have planned.



Tukey time is coming before long with this weather changing
I hope to get back to 24-9 mile in Wausua,WI but some high race fee's might cancel it for the first time in 5 years.

Midz will be over tomorrow for some Dungeon work I need to repay back for not hitting it today!(a little to much adult beverages)

See ya !

Weather is about to change !

Good weather is about to come our way here in Central Illinois and I sure hope I can get some outside miles in this weekend.The brutal cold has left me inside to train again this week so spinning and treadmill work is the norm.

I'm still on schedule with the simple fit workout( getting tougher)I am still doing dips instead of pushups,and I did core workout yesterday right on schedule.

I ran 15 min. spin at LT for 30 min. ran 15 min. this morning right after I did the sinple fit.

Race schedule is getting full it's getting down to what are priority races and what are not,I still don't know if I'm doing a 24 hr. solo or not this year so I really don't have a priority A race. I am looking at the Ultra-Midwest 12 or 24 hr. road race in Northern Il.

Iv'e been off work since Saturday afternoon and go back tonight for my 3 days of probably 40 hours then I'm spent for the rest of the day Saturday.

Did I say " GO Steelers" I thought so !


See ya !

3rd week simple plan

Just completed my 3rd week of the simple plan workout from Middz and my secound week of Cyclo Core workouts.Both are compatable with each other but I'm only do the core workout twice a week.

Amazing how strong you can get by doing just body weight workouts in a short time but I feel stronger and tighter (pumped) in just the 3 weeks of doing them.

Spinning and running is the main cardio right now,weather sucks just to cold to mess with so the dungeon has been getting used pretty good.I'm about done at the gym ,my 3 months are up next week,besides I havn't been there in a couple weeks anyway. I got what I wanted and that was some motivation to get working out and I look forward to going downstaires.

Monday I ended up doing the 1 hr race spin by myself,Middz had to work and I almost had to but I didn't have turn time to take a run up to Chicago.
I'm spent after this fast paced spin.

Wednesday I did a "block "I think they call it,I ran for 1 mile,spin at LT for 20 min. and back to a 1 mile run...I'll kick up that time by 5 min. each week.

I-74 Race meeting after work Saturday with all the clubs from Illinois just to hammer details out and then It's Super Bowl Sunday night !

Yeah ! I'm a Steeler Fan ! with Monday off so I can stay up and watch plus last day to pig out on the good food before race season starts...( lost 5 pds this month)

See ya !

Yeaaaa!

I finally figured out how to post a logo on this blog!

Midz came over yesterday for a dungeon ride,we hope to step it up next week at do the expert race part of this DVD I have.It's pretty tough I did it last week and it pushes you hard for 1 hr.I did body fit workout yesterday for the start of the second week.

Today I took Tucker for a walk around our property then I ran for 30 min. on treadmill and did some core work.

Spin class or ride outside tomorrow.

See ya !

It's been cold !

Way to cold to be outside so spin,spin,spin ! Maybe next week I'll get a good ride to Hannacity!

See YA !

RPM class

I need to take Cindy to work this morning so I hit the gym in town while I was there.I ran for 30 min. then hit the RPM class(like a Spin class)at 10:15am these classes are fast with little recovery time for the whole 45 to 50 min. class.

After a short warm up you start kicking it up to race pace and you don't let up,the hill climbing was really putting me at my max.You get what you put into these kind of workouts and I just about gave to much right at the end of the class,as I was looking for a bucket but didn't lose it !

I'm spent and that's good...PAMBA meeting tonight !


See Ya !

Hit the Dungeon

Yesterday morning was a good leg burning,sufferfest,swampass kinda ride on the spinner,I did the 1 hour race section of the DVD Midz and I have been doing.We have been only doing the 45 min. endurance part and I thought I would step it up a little Sunday morning.

I needed to really push myself to get thru it and I'm glad I did, I was soaked with sweat by the time I finished,I stayed above 80% with my cadence above 110 to 120.

I just finished the first part of a body workout Midz gave me, a 20 min. workout then just 5 and 10 min. workout on Wednesday and Friday.

Cindy has the ladies coming over for Bunco the Girls and I are going to hit a movie tonight.

See Ya !

Hit the trails

I was able to get a good two hour ride in at Farmdale Friday with the temps in low 30s.It was nice to get some climbing in and suffer a little.

I seen a couple of other riders but I had the park to myself for most of the ride,not to many people ride this time of year around here but I try as much as possible.

Of course I didn't have my camera but you know what woods look like.

Ergon is my latest sponsor for the 2009 season and I'm excited to be part of them, I already have some product I want to order for the new year.

I'll ride outside in the morning or maybe a good 1 hour spin in the Dungeon we'll see !

PAMBA meeting this Tuesday night first one of the 2009 season.

See Ya !

Training in full on mode

Happy new year everybody ! Now lets get serious about the 2009 season !

Midz has been coming by on Monday nights to hit the dungeon with me for about an hour of spinning fun,and we both have been getting some running in on the off the bike days.

Getting my weight under control is my first priority for the new year, I do this every year so no big deal but I do have a target weight I want to get to by April.

A little snow on the ground this morning but I really wanted to get some time in the saddle outside on the bike ,so I grabbed all my gear and broke out the NRS composite and hit the road.

Trying to keep the feet warm neoprene socks,heat pads and booties

Lots of layers under armor,leggies and I went with the baggies today

Heading towards Hannacity to Mom and Dads house



Mom was the only one home Dad was Ice fishing I stayed about 10 min. to warm the toes and I was out the door


On way back home and I only had 1-1/2 hours in the saddle if I go right here home is only ten min. away if I go straight I'll get another 1-/14 hr. of saddle time.Toes were still OK so went for the extra time on the bike and ended up with a nice 2-3/4 hr ride.


Good things about the ride today
1)I was outside
2)I wasn't inside
3)being on the NRS composite instead of road bike
4)riding by myself
5)low traffic
6)drinking my cytomax and Hammer Perpetuem love the combo
7)not having my I pod and enjoying the quiet
8)just good time in the saddle
9)stayed pretty warm for the most part.

Bad things about the ride today
1)It was cold
2)toes did not stay warm
3)no one to enjoy the ride with
4)it was getting foggy and I didn't have a red blinky light
5)not having my I pod

Good things Win so I think I'll ride my bike again ! Yea !

I'll be posting up my race schedule for the season with intentions of hitting them all but work really needs to get me off on Saturdays to help out,lets hope.

My oldest turns 23 today Happy B-day Mike Jr.


Some GREEN Motivation for the 2009 Season!

I grabbed this off of Scott coles blog

ERGON USA ANNOUNCES 2009 TEAMS AND ATHLETES
Posted on January 1, 2009 by ergonusa

Ergon USA is proud to announce its partnership with the following teams and athletes for the 2009 racing season. Look for them at adventure races, 24 hour races, XC races, and other cycling related events across the USA, Canada, and select International events.

–Mountain Bike Teams–
Team Kenda
Team Low Riders
Team Big Ring Racing
Cannondale Factory Team (USA)
Guinness MTB Team
Ride Against the Machine
Sorella Cycling
Team Bach Builders
Team Chainring Sports
Team EVOMO
Team EWR/FFRP
Team EXPO
Team Faster Mustache
Team Gripped Films-Kenda
Team Independent Fabrication
Team Scott-Kuhl
Team Mountain Bike Riders
Team Troupe Racing
Team Vassago Cycles
Team Big Wheel Racing

–Adventure Racing Teams–
Team Dart-Nuun
Team SOLE
Yoga Slackers
Midwest Cycling Adventure Racing

–Individual Athletes–
Hans Rey
Monique “Pua” Sawicki
Louise Kobin
Adam Lisonbee
Allison Mann
Andrew Howe
Arleigh Jenkins
Brandon Harpster
Carey Lowery
Christopher Averett
Dave Harris
Dave Nice
David Hall
Derek Fish
Erick Auger
Ernesto Marenchin
Evan Plews
Greg Francis
Harry Precourt
Jason Mahokey
Josh Tostado
Justin Farmer
Kurt Refsnider
Luke Wiens
Lynda Wallenfels
Michael Mathers
Mike Gore
Mike Howard
Nathan Drozad
Peter Glassford
Rebecca Stauber
Rick Nelson
Robb Kranz
Ryan Geiger
Sally Marchand Collins
Scott Cole
Scott McClave
Steve Schwartz
Tamari Prius
The Steven’s
Thomas Bender
Travis Williams
William Burleigh


See ya !

Trying to keep on the bike

This time of year it gets pretty tough to get any good miles in so I spend alot of time on the spinner,I did get a couple of hours on the singlespeed Wednesday.I rode to Hannacity then stoped at the F/S gas station to warm my toes and have a cup of coffee.

The gym is going ok but I really want to hit some long miles on the bike I'm bored with winter already...I'm going to try the workout James gave me on Monday and keep it up for aleast the 8 weeks it calls for.



heading into Hannacity

See ya !

Back in the Dungeon

Hit the spinner tonight in the dungeon for a quick 45 min.interval workout,I'm going to keep the rides quick and gut wrenching,no long rides if I can help it.The gym has been going good but could be better,the atmosphere at this place is not keeping me motivated...I'm use to a sweat shop kind of gym where guys are yelling and grunting with loud music ! Riverplex is a proper,don't make any noise kind of gym with way to many seasoned citizens.
pic from last year getting my sweat on!

Have a good turkey day !

Bridge Work at BP

PAMBA put in 11 bridges in the last two weekends at the new Black Partridge Park in Metamora,Il just outside of Peoria.Black Partridge will be the 5 th park PAMBA takes care of in the Peoria area,YES we keep busy just trying to maintain the parks plus with all the reroutes and new trails being built we do our share.



inca slaving the bridges in !

setting them into place

Driving them into place

Screwing the planks down

Les and Morgan,another nice job done !

Tony checking out the handy work,Tony is the fabricator of all the metal frames of these bridges PAMBA owes him allot for being able to do all this work at his place of work.

bringing down the last bridge of the weekend

Matt,Ben,Carrie and Les glad the last one is here !Check out the wheels that Tony fabricated to haul the bridges that's the back in I was at the front end with a steering handle ! Tony amazes me with his ingenuity !

Joined a gym a couple of weeks ago to keep motivated thru the winter,Bob goes there also so we can keep each other honest,I did a spin class last week and hope to tonight or in the morning.I'll lift weights heavy for about six weeks the start to lighten it up and get into more higher reps for endurance building.

Cindy and I celebrated our 24th annv. last night! I sleep good last night !!!!!

I have a few sponsorship request in for 2009 hope to hear back soon,of course Bushwhackers is on board again.

See ya !

Mug A Dirt ride

I put this ride together on October 19th I called the "Mug A Dirt" 5 parks in 10 hours here in the Peoria area.We kinda did a quick version of what I really want to do,more hours on the trail or ride by bike to all the parks.

Me and seven other guys headed out at 8:ooam to ride the first park Black Partridge in Metamora,Il then Farmdale Resevoir in East Peoria,Indy and Dirkson Park in Marquette Heights and end up at Jubilee State Park in Brimfield,Il.

You can get to all the parks within 20 to 30 minutes from downtown Peoria and from each other,we are so lucky to have this much riding in Central Il.

Riders that showed up for the first ride were Tony Thaller,Mike Staub,Doug Morgen,Matt Brown,Jeff Hardway,Les Gifforn,Doug Urbaniak and I.



Getting ready for Black Partridge 1 st park and temps were in the high 30s

Tony,Doug M and Matt rolling on thru !

Stauby showing us a new reroute !

Getting ready for park #2 Farmdale

Jeff,Doug and Matt rolling thru the creek at Farmdale

Yep still back there !

Stoping to do a little trail maintenance

Park #3 Indy

Get it Matt !

Les,riding more in one day than he has ever done

Tony rolling the creek

Matt needed a little nudge to keep going ,maybe 24-9 next year Matt?

Refuelling at Tony's after Indy,Doug M took a nasty pinch flat to his rear tire and had to DNF

Doug,Jeff and Mike S eating Subways that Amy had for us between Indy and Dirkson

Heading over to park #4 Dirkson,Nice pic ! and only pic of Dirkson "getting tired"

park #5 Jubilee 7 riders left

getting all caught up with 30 minutes to go !

Matt Brown provided us with all the carnage for todays ride !

Cindy had some BBQ and pasta for us to celbrate our first Mug A Dirt Ride

Great ride Guys Can't wait for next year !

Seven Oaks

Went to Boone Iowa this weekend for my 2nd 24 hr. race this year and I had to pull the plug after only 6 laps.Short story is not my kinda of course the climbs were short but way to many I'm not a strong rider I can do steady climbing but these climbs just killed me.

I don't think I went out to fast I was in the top twenty riders at the start but I knew this might be trouble when Guys were walking up some switchbacks on the 1st lap.Anyway legs never came back and were drained and i was in granny gear already YEP I SAID GRANNY GEAR ! pulled the plug and live to ride another day !

Nice to see Paul Jacobson from Trans Iowa #3 when I was there so I'm glad I went !

I'll Try to get some pics up !

See Ya !

Rock Star ?

PAMBA hit the air waves Thursday ...From the National Geographic article...I can't get this to link up right so cut and paste
http://www.hoinews.com/news/video.aspx?id=178536

2nd Place Finish at 24-9

I was hoping to get some pics up but I will try and insert them later,So the good news I hit the podium two years in a row NICE ! 2nd place and I had a good strong race.

The race started out fast and my plan was to go out fast for a couple of laps then shut it down to my own pace,but I was feeling good with no problems so I keep the pace up for a couple more laps.I new I was going to have to slow a little but I was still turning in good solid lap times and no real issues yet as I was into my 5th and 6th lap.

First goal was to be out for my 7th lap before last years time of 6:55pm and I was out at 6:25 so I was now setting my next goal of 8 laps done before the 12th hour.At 9:52 I was out for my 9th lap so I was feeling good still but really new it would be hard to maintain the 1:30 min. laps the rest of the 12 hours to get my 16 laps I was hoping for.

The course was dry and dusty,really bad dust and it was everywhere you could tell who was the solo guys just by the amount of dirt on them.I think it was the start of my 8th lap that I washed the dirt off and changed into my Giant clothes just to feel better and get ready for the long night.

Lap 9 and 10 were fast for me and I was tearing up the singletrack and getting back to the pit in 1:30 to 1:32 the maybe 4 to 5 min. in the pit changing lights and refueling and I was gone.( Cindy was great )
Compare those times to last year I knew I was ahead of the game and creeping up into 2 place.

Lap 11 and 12 it seemed I would feel good for a while and I need more time in the pit with the lights but lap 12 I felt drained on the first half of the course and I had to snap out of it and make myself eat some gel to get the energy I needed. I think that's when I stoped at the bike patrol tent and took on some Gatorade.

Lap 13 I knew It was the last lap with the lights so I put on Tony's Jet light on my helmet and rode the rest of the race with only the helmet light.I'm going to check into just running just a helmet light because of all the other problem of having to much to do in the pits.

Lap 14 and 15 was just ride the laps and enjoy the morning sun warming me up I had 2place wrapped up and I was going to be able to stop before 10:00am instead of going out for a last lap just in case !

15 laps in 23:28 and last year it took me 25:00 hours so hell yeah I'm happy and feeling it today and yesterday and will tomorrow but it's a good hurt !

PAMBA had a good crew up from Peoria with the Proctor Cycling team kicking ass also Five podium spots from Peoria Nice Job Guys !

My Friend Bob tried his first 12 hours race and made it to the end with some strong determination to get back out and do two more laps after he bonked real bad earlier in the day...Great Job Bob ! You have been with me all summer on most of my long training rides and keeping me focused on what it takes to get on the podium at such a let's say rough mountainbike event !

How about BOB WOO ! Was he great ? Mr. Woo is the wrench guy at Bushwhackers in Peoria and he brings everything but the kitchen sink and wrenches for PAMBA,Proctor and me Thanks Bob and Cindy thanks you also !

Thanks to Bushwhackers and Maxxis tires for getting me thru the race the Ignitors tore the singletrack up.

Everybody that races solo knows it can't be done without some good pit times and my wife Cindy has gotten it down to perfection,she seems to know what I want and when I want it and has sacrificed thru the night and day to be there for me ! Thanks you Honey I wouldn't be as good without you !

Next year maybe team ?

It was always good to see the friends from 24-9 Good job Constantine Peters for his 2nd place finish solo singlespeed and Dallas for his fourth place finish I was able to talk to them both out on course for a while,hope to see them next year or at another race.

Time to recover and look at some more races !

See ya !

24-9 week

Getting ready for 24-9 this week ,I took the week off from work so I can get some good sleep and not be in a hurry about packing up.I'll hit the road Thursday morning and get to Rib Mnt. around 11:00 am or noon go help out at the venue and maybe stake out a spot for the weekend.

There is around 24 riders going up so it should be a blast,the down side is I don't get to enjoy the venue and all the things going on,it's fun just to walk around and watch what people are doing.

I don't know what pro's are coming up SoloGoat is about all I do know I hope Mark Hendershot is going to make it again.

Let's hope for another podium finish and good weather !

See ya !

Long road miles

Got in another 102 miles on the road today just over 6 hours at 90 degree temps, Bob lasted for around 85 a good ride for him.

Taper down for a couple weeks no more long rides, a night ride Tuesday will be fun.

Cindy has been in shy town since Friday with my mom and sisters she'll be home some time tonight but I'll be in bed.


See ya !

Rain out !

Bob and I got 1one hour away from Franklin,Wi. and the race was called off due to rain ! Shit! turn this buggy around Bob and head back to Peoria,three hours into the ride and three hours back home...Oh well good talking with Bob and well try and get a long road ride in the morning.



See ya !

Test ride single speed

I took out the K2 yesterday at Jubilee for a test ride and all is good,I like the light weight of 22 lbs.

Group ride at Jubilee good time !

Going to the pool today time to rest !

6 hour race Saturday - going all out ride like it's a XC race
then back off the training for 24-9

See Ya !