Season is coming to a end

Two more races and I'm going to call it a year ! The last PAMBA race is this next weekend and my last XC race.The Festival has gotten bigger and better every year,with a fun night ride kicking it off Friday night....I'll be camping out all weekend and helping with the Downhill and MTNcross Saturday and racing Sunday....We cleaned up the course today to get it ready and I got a small ride in !

I raced last Sunday at Bloomington,IL I didn't do to bad ! I felt good for the whole race and finished strong.I have a 100 mile race on October 7th down at Panther Creek and that will be my last race of the year.I do have a Century road ride I'm leading from my place on October 21st.....sounds like I will have a good showing of maybe 10 or more people.

Looking ahead to next year,I'm going to stick with the endurance racing and hope to travel out west for some races....It's that time of the year to get some trail work done and I want to get some more trails in at my place.

See ya !

Spinning out the legs

Today and checking out a road course for the century ride Midz and I are planning for in October.I had 50 miles in and was hoping to get 15 more that would take me home and a spoke broke on my rear wheel.The wheel was so out of true that I couldn't ride it and called Cindy to come and get me north of Brimfield ,Bummer ! I had a good ride going and the legs were wanting more!

Looks like Jeff and Carl kickass up in Minn.! also Paddy and Naomi did the same way up north !! nice job everybody ! I feel bad I didn't suffer like they all did !!

I have the rest of the XC races to finish up for the year and I might look up some cyclocross races up in the windy city to keep my year going.


see ya

Just Riding Around

Is about all I'm up to right now,I've been doing some more base work on the road bike and some running.I did a 5k last weekend with midz and might do a dualathlon the first weekend of September...

PAMBA had a race down in Danville today,but I stayed home and did a road ride with Bob,I'm not ready for a hard XC race yet....I might go down to Lake Shelbyville for CIMBAs first MTB race next weekend, it should be a easy race,not to long.

Next races I'm looking forward to...

September 2nd....Dualathlon..2 mile run..9 mile mtb..2 mile run...Hudson,Ill
September 10th....Mud,sweat and gears...PAMBA...Bloomington,Ill
September 22nd....Farmdale Festival....PAMBA.....East Peoria,Ill
October 7th.....Panther Creek Challenge...100 mile Chandlerville,Ill

See ya !

Time to get back

On the bike ! I took the whole week off because of the "rash on the ass" I'll get on the road bike in the morning and spin the legs out and get right back on sked. this weekend.

I'm trying to figure out what races I want to do, I have the PAMBA XC races for sure but I want to get some endurance races in. Maybe 12 or 24 hrs in Indiana or the 12/24 in Iowa. There is the 100 miles of Panther Creek 1-1/2 hrs south of here so I'm planning on it for now......I also qualified for the worlds solo champ. but not at$375.00.

It was nice to see the race bloggers at 24-9 and meet some new guys Sloane,Dallas,Naomi and Carl.

If any of you guys are traveling and need a place to stay in Central Illinois while passing thru ! Please get ahold of Cindy and I ! We don't have a fancy place but we sure are in the Country and would be glad to put ya up for the night. !


See Ya !

Wild 24 hrs of racing

What a crazy time at the 24-9 race this weekend ! Heat and thunderstorms were a factor for everybody and the race was called early.

Friday Cindy and I set up camp and soon Midz showed up around noon and we did a pre-ride of the course.With some new singletrack and much of the same trails as last year the corse was going to be fun but take a little longer.

Friday night a storm came thru around midnight and blew some tents over and stired everyone up then the rain came in and soaked the place for a couple good hours.

Morning of the race was cloudy and a little rain but it soon cleared up and we were off at 10:00.I Talked to Scott and Doug at the start and wished them good luck and to be sure and say hi if they saw me on the course.

1st-lap Was slow,too many riders in the singletrack and it bottled up in a couple places but I had long way to go.

2nd-lap Was much better and I was learning the course and riding with some people,if I could keep up this pace I knew I could do damage.

3rd-7th-lap I was alittle behind on where I wanted to be, I wanted to come in before 6:00pm on my 6th lap but the new singletrack was slowing me down and I was really hating that part of the course,It didn't flow at all and mentally taking me out of my game! the course after that was fun and I looked forward to it plus I knew I was only 25 min.away from the finish line.

8th-12th-lap Time to put the light on and I was looking forward to some fun riding and maybe making up some time on the other racers....But that wasn't in the cards for me this year,my first lap was fine with only my head lamp on low and handlebar on for maybe 15 min.I went out for my next lap and the head lamp went out right before the fun sinltrk so I had to slow my pace down.I had midz put on another battery and was off when it didn't last 15 min into the lap.( SHIT!) came in from that lap and changed it again.

13th - 14th lap When I came in to the pits from my 12 lap I had midz change both sets and I would be good and it would be daylight soon!I was 45 min into my 13th lap and both light went black and I was in the dark at 4:30am with 45 min till the end of this lap.I had just come out of the rocky switchbacks and hitting the open road by Twinkie trail and still had the crappy sinltrk. to go.....I road down the fire road staying in the middle as much as I could when I hit some loose gravel and almost went down...thats when I slowed down (normal speed 29-30mph)....I had to walk thru the crappy sinltrk.(cussing of course)..and was almost thru it when a rider with no light was following a rider with lights and a rider behind him with lights and they told me to get inbetween them ! Yea! you talk about being wide eyed, guessing and hoping you hit right line WoW !

I can't say enough about these guy's that helped me and the other guy get out of the woods It started to rain and it came down hard and made it more epic than I could think of. ( IF you believe in Karma I helped a guy on the course right before sundown with a broken seat post and I stoped so he could use my allen wrench )

When I came into my pit it was pouring down rain and I wanted this lap to count so I went to the start finish and they said it was suspended and holding all riders.

I was wet,tired and needed to get to my pit but I had to stay there until they start the race again.....I was there about 30 min when they turned on some flood lights and me another couple riders stood in front of it to warm up.They anounced the race would start back up in 10 min. when Cindy showed up with a blanket That's why I love here ! she's always thinking of me !!

At this point I was ready to stop and I couldn't gain anything with the 3rd place guy a hour ahead....But since I went thru the finish line I had to do another lap and wait outside the finsh till the end of the race....I went back to my pit and changed clothes had a cup of coffe and p/j sandwich.The rain started up again but I didn't care, this was my last lap and it felt good knowing it !

I had about 1/2 hr left when they told us the race was cancelled and to get back to our pits......the end !

I looked forward to this race all year and thought I would enjoy it more than I did.The weather didn't bother me, heat or rain but mentally I dreaded parts of the course and it really got in my head....Physically my hands took a beating and I wanted to just stop holding the handlebar...My right Trap felt like I was being stabed at times but I guess this is all part of the game.

I need to give a shout out to Karl Etzel! who helped me get my first 12 hr podium spot and get me prepared for this race and finsh a spot better than last year !

Thanks Middz your the best !

My biggest fan is always there for me Cindy ! Thanks for putting up with me all year ,thru all the training and talking about 24-9.

Hot training rides !

Sister-in-law lives 2 miles up the road and has a pool and I pass it on my way home from my rides........90+ degress I strip to the spandex and cool off for 15 min. then ride home !!! enough said !



see ya !

I need to ride !

Thursday... was day off on bike...
Friday...13hr workday rode spinner for 35min. and put heat on back of knee and massage.
Saturday...work around the house and trails at home..planned on getting ride in and it didn't happen !!!!

Sunday...I'm heading over to Jubilee to work on the trails and taking my bike to ride first thing this morning.

The next few week looks good for nothing but training for 24-9.

Yeah ! Yeah !

I don't have time for this crap ! I have training to do ! 9-mile is weeks away! I have a sore leg ! I'll be back !

Good race !

The Metro 12 was a fun,hard and a good showing for me ! The course was great with alot of singletrack and the climbs didn't dissapoint with the long grinding hill to the finish line.

My first goal since I knew Jeff was going to be there was to hold him off as long as I could before he lapped me ( we all knew he would )and I did for a good five hours.When he did he didn't hang around for long, we said a few words and he was gone ! Next goal don't let him catch me again, my legs felt real good and strong and I was able to keep my pace up,if him or the 2nd place guy (who never caught me)was going to catch me,I was going to make them work for it.

Next goal after Cindy told me how I was doing in the standings,I want third place bad ! and my first podium finish.As I was going out for a lap in the 6th hour the third place guy was right in front of me so I stuck to his wheel for the whole lap,he tried to drop me on the climbs and kept looking back at me and there I was, right on his wheel.When we came out of the last singletrack he pulled over and let me pass and said it was my turn to lead for awhile,when we came up on the climb to the start/finish I told him I couldn't hold this pace and have a good race

Next goal, keep 3 rd place in sight and don't let him get away ! two laps later His legs must have exploded and I took the lead at the start/finish line and I never saw him again.Each lap I gained 10 to 12 min. on 4 th place and ended up almost lapping him by the end of the race.

I'm feeling strong at the end of the two 12 hr races Iv'e done and hope this last at the 24-9 mile race.

The other thing that has me wondering what's going on ! I did this race in the big ring on the whole course except for the two main climbs ! I could tell my pace was so much faster than spinning like I normaly do !

I'll get some pic's up soon !

It was nice hanging out after the race talking to Jeff and his mom and dad ! Real nice people !

Getting ready for Metro 12 hr

I had a good race Sunday,not many there to race against,but I usually end up last anyway.I took home 3rd place ! my first time I hit the medals and money in two years as a Expert.My legs felt good and strong the whole race, the LT would flush out quick and I would recover feeling strong.

The weekend was a long one with the Downhill and Mtnxcross going on,I helped Cindy with the food and went out with Tony and finished up the marking of the XC course Saturday late afternoon.I think we rolled out of Farmdale at 6:00pm and was back to race Sunday at Noon.

The rest of the week will be recovering for the race this weekend up in Franklin,WI. The weather might be a little wet,but I'll just have to suck it up and ride.

If anybody has some sugestions on what to bring for a 12hr mud race I'm all ears !
I can get thru a XC race in the rain,but what do you bring extra for 12 hrs of suffering ? I do have the extra bike ! What about clothes ? Socks ?

Almost 5:00pm bed time !
See Ya !

Race ready !

Big weekend is almost here with alot of work going into it ! I'll help out tomorrow then get a ride in on the race course, I hope the legs feel good and they should if I stay off them.

I'm realy looking more at next week up in Franklin at the Metro 12, I did the six hr last year and came in 7th place not bad for my second six hr race.I told myself that 12hrs would be a killer and I'm going to find out ! The hill are long and the one at the top of the ski hill gets pretty steep.I need to push hard in the race and watch my nutrition good I hope it gets Hot ! I don't know why ,but I seem to have good races in the humid weather.My Idea weather at the 24-9 would be high 80's or 90's and just sucking the life out everbody !!!!

Lets get thru this weekend first !


Just a cool pic !

Pre- ride

Ran over to Farmdale around 11:30 after work and did a couple laps of the course for this weekend,and it's going to be fast if the weather holds out for us.I'll race no matter what it does I need to suffer for a couple of hours.

I'll help-out with the downhill and with Cindy cooking,I hope to get a small ride in Saturday then get the hell off my legs.

Thursday get a quick spin in after work.
Friday -off day

Good luck Matt in Iowa ! and Midz at Steamboat days 4 mile run.

See Ya !

Rain ride

I took off this morning knowing I was going to get wet,but I needed this ride ! I had some winter gear on with temps in the low 50's, 2 bottle's of Heed and Substained Energy and a bottle of Red Bull and water,two flasked of gel(I didn't eat anything before ride).

I didn't see any rain for my first 20 min. then the rain came slowly has I headed north out of Trivoli,after about 30 min. I ran out of it and the road was dry for the next 30 min.I was wanting to get a long ride in,but the rain came down pretty hard and after two hrs of it,and I was getting close to the cut off to home or staying out for another hour I chose home.

Atleast I was able to get 2-1/2 hrs in and not wear myself down and risk getting sick! I don't get sick and don't need to push it being so close to 24-9 race.

XC race this Sunday PAMBA #3 It will be a good training ride to get some singletrack riding in before I head up to my next 12 hr race in Franklin,Wi. Metro 12.

See Ya !

Rain screwed me again !

I put some semi slicks on the NRS#2 last night so I can start getting some long road miles in and had it all ready for a planned 5 hr ride,but thunderstorms put an end to that idea.I was going to head out to the RIT this morning and I need this ride ! The weekend is my only time I can get my endurancs miles in ! through the week I can manage a couple 1-1/2 or maybe a 2hr ride and they are usually Intervals and a TT ride.

The big group ride at Farmdale tomorrow will be cancelled ! so there goes another day I can't get in the woods !

I guess I'll go downstaires and do some lifting and run on the tredmill and maybe spin this afternoon !


I have a few pic's from 12hrs of Gears



Getting the pit ready



coming and going for another



First 12hr is done ! Can I stop now ?

Still here !

I recovered good from the 12 hrs of Gears and training is on target ! I'm getting ready for the Metro 12 and just made reservations just south of town for Friday night.I don't look forward to the road trip after I already have driven 400+ miles for work on Friday,but I need to be up there early.

Did trail work Saturday for 4 hrs at Farmdale getting it ready for the race on the 18th.Seems to always be the same guys showing up for work days ! nobody new!,but when we were leaving,the parking lot it was full of riders getting ready to go out get their ride in ! I should have said something smartass to them ! everybody else knows I'm crochety ! I was to wiped out to get my training ride in so I went home to get some work done.

I got in a nice RIT ride Sunday 4hrs on the road bike, I need to stay on the NRS Like Kerkove says and get those legs burning in the big ring ! Intervals tomorrow,quick ride Thursday,Maybe trails Friday or Lift day,Saturday long RIT ride 5hrs and Trails Sunday.

Heal up fast Midz !

See ya !

First 12 hr done !

I headed up to 12 hrs of Gears for my first 12hr race of the year and things turned out pretty good,but I was hoping for a atleast a 3rd place spot.The course was fast and only 4-1/2 miles long so you could do a few laps before you needed anything from your pit.I would compare the course with the main loop of Jubilee,wide open trails with plenty of room to pass the only singletrack was short and up hill before it it dumped you out to some pine trees.

I started out the first lap getting to know the course and seeing what lines to take and getting warmed up.I knew right off this was going to be fast with alot of laps when I seen the killer downhills getting up to 27 mph ( three of them) and the climbs weren't hard at all,( wide open and nothing bigger than Jubilee).Ther was nothing technical at all ! I was in my big ring for over half of the course and some of you know I'm not a big ring guy.

I didn't stop for my first pit until I had 40 miles in, but was taking handoffs from Cindy and I was feeling good and strong,after that first pit I would pit every 2 laps.Most of my pit time was 15 seconds the most was a couple of 30 second stops.

Most laps were in the 22 to 28 min. range,after I was in the 12 to 20 laps I need to stay in my comfort zone and pace myself more,the legs were getting heavy and the mental part was kicking in ( Why was I doing this ? It hurts ! I don't feel good !)
Once you get pass that crap you start looking for for some faster laps.

My inner thigh did cramp into the the 5th hr going up one of the hills ,but I worked it out and it only lasted for around a min.and that was the only time I had a problem I took it as sign to slow it down alittle on the climbs.

Going into the 10 the hr. I started to feel strong again and picked up my pace knowing others might be getting tired,my last three laps I push real hard and had some good times hoping to catch or not get passed by anyone.I was pushing to get two more laps in at 7:11pm and came in at 7:37pm but left everthing I had in me on that lap and didn't go back out for a 27th lap.I see now it wouldn't had moved me up in the standing so I'm ok with it.

Cindy was great and always ready for the handoffs and keep track of all my food and drinks ! Thanks Honey !

I lived on Hammer Heed and Substained Energy, Apple Gel,Cold apple sauce,and for my last 4 laps Red Bull.My new NRS was great I have a few adjustments I need to make but I loved it,My new Sun Rims were great and Intense Tires were perfect and Six Six One gloves and helmet did their job.

Yes my but is sore ! Recovery ride tomorrw !

NRS has a new home

Jeff's NRS has made it's way to Trivoli for a new home and a owner who won't be has skilled on the trails and not ridden as hard I'm sure, but I can't wait to get it in the woods.

I'll get it put together Friday night and ride Jubilee Saturday before I go to Danville Sunday for PAMBA# 2.

I feel ok,but I don't know if my training is on target or not.For the last few years all my traing was just get out and ride the trails as hard as you can or get as many laps as the race your about to do.That's how I gauged my fitness and I don't have any idea what my fitness is like right now,am I ready ? we'll see this weekend! hopefully on my new NRS.

See ya !

Training on Target

This week has been pretty good!I feel better when I get my rides in and the lifting goes as planned.I hit the trails Sunday for some hill intervals,and this week it was back on the road bike for some flat intvals and a good long spin day yesterday 3-1/4 hrs. after work.

Next Sunday will be my first XC race down in Danville,Il PAMBA #2,a long 30 miles course.

I'll start loading up on Hammer Products Monday and thru-out the week.

Hopefully Wife will talk to me by then ! Huh Midz !


See Ya !

Yeah I'm here !

I'm still riding but everything has hit me at once ! Grass mowing is getting to be a pain in the ass already ! 13hr work days still suck ! Training is kicking up with more intervals and longer endurance rides,I wanted to race this weekend but it's not going to happen. There was a race in Iowa and Indiana but I'll wait till the Kickapoo race, then the next week I'll get my first 12 hr race.

I always get online and check a few things but I don't take the time to post on here! Reading about others is more interesting....To bad about the Trans-Iowa race ! I would have been better if it was cold ! I hope next year I'll get Matt to join me to suffer across Iowa !

Midz ! love ya like a brother dude !


See ya !

Bad Week For Riding

I can't let this kind of week happen any more ! I didn't get on my bike until today since Sundays ride.Work and mowing yards took all my time and then I get depressed about not training ! I had a chance yesterday to get a hour ride or run after work,but I went to bed early and got a whole 6 hrs of sleep.I jumped on the NRS this afternoon and rode my trails for an hour with 30 mins of hill intervals and I'll get a good 4 to 5 hr road ride with Midz tomorrow.

My schedule has changed again and it looks like I'll be doing more of the PAMBA races instead of so many 12 hr races.I'll get two 12 hr races and I might get the Proctor road race in this year July 1st ! Hey Matt are you going to make this race ?

I still don't feel real strong on the trails and I know my traning at this pace I'm not going until later in the season,I need to remember I'm training for 24 - 9 race.

It looks like a new bike for this year isn't going to happen, to many things have gone south for me all at once.$2500 for a new lawn tractor and now a new engine for my comercial mower another $800.If I new this was going to happen I wouldn't have sold my Razorback, but what can I do ? I'll just keep my head up! I have my health !

See ya !

No Show for Slvan Island

I had to pass on PAMBA's first race of the year and will miss a few more I'm sure.The expert class was starting way to late for me and I didn't want to do sport since I've been Expert a couple years.I called my couch and he said I was better off getting a long training ride in at home so I hit R.I.Trail for 4-1/4 hrs.

Looks like Matt is going to fit right in the Expert level, I use to be able to beat him on his bad days, I know with all the road riding he does it has made him a faster racer.Now if we can get Tony off the trail a couple days a week and on the road he would do the same.

My training is the same this month Lift wieghts,ride on the road in heart rate zones,plus two day's a week of intervals.

I hit Indy today for the 1st time this year,legs felt like stones since I'm coming off of a lift day and intervals from yesterday.


Bed time !! See ya !

Quick ride

On the RockIsland Trail after work thia afternoon,2-1/2 hrs in my spin zone workout. I forgot my food and had only one bottle of drink so I kinda petered out at the end and came in a little weak, not a good thing to do right before a race.I could have and should have stoped at Caseys and grabed something, but I didn' want to stop.

I'll take Friday off for sure and get a small ride in Saturday to keep the legs fresh,I don't know about tomorrow.

See Ya !

Friday night and not in bed !

So this is how the better half lives ! I'm not in bed at 5:oopm ! Nice !

I did get on my spinner for 1-1/2 hrs and will hit the hills for some intervals in the morning.

My routine has been a push day then spin day followed by a lifting day and on two day's a week i've been spinning and lifting.The weights and reps are greek to me ! I'm use to bodybuilding not this 20 to 30 reps and light weights.

It would be nice to get in the woods before the first race of the season, but that might not happen.Oh well ! It'll be a fun race not to serious ! My first real race will be in May at Sugar Creek in Ferryville WI. 12 hr

See ya !

Worked my last Saturday

At least for awhile ! Next week when I get off work on Friday,there will be no more rushing home,eating,showering and going to bed at 5:00 pm to get up at 10:00pm for work Saturday.It'll be nice to wake up early to get a ride in and not be tired from work.

I received my new training schedule for April and like I said before, the intervals are getting kicked up and I'm going to try and get some 4 or 5 hr rides in.

Midz did his first run this morning down on the riverfront 26.32 Good job Prez.

I just got off the spinner,I spent 2-1/4 hrs on it and did 4 -5 min. standing intervals.I brought it upstaires so I could look out the slider into the woods and wish I was out there!!

Union meeting tomorrow at 10:00am and I hope to get a ride in after the meeting at Rock Island Trail or the roads in the area.

See ya !

Staying inside today

The snow hit hard yesterday with 8 inches out here in Trivoli and around 5 in Peoria.
The 2nd day of Spring and everybody wants to hit the woods, but not this year.The training schedule I'm on is realy for the road there is no way I could keep my heart rate in the zones I need.

We had a PAMBA meeting Monday night, we have a lot of work to get done again this year.We also had cup cakes for my 45th B-day witch is on the first day of spring!



The gang was chowing down on some God Father's Pizza before and during the meeting

A couple pic's from a few weeks ago !

The calm before the storm down in the dungeon

The main crew! nobody wants to come and play

As far as training goes I have the rest of the month hitting the base and weight's then I'm sure I'll get in to some major interval's and hill trainng.I'm on a 9 day schedule with no day's off the bike and three day's a week of high rep weight lifting.
I was on the spinner ths morning for 2-1/2 hrs and I'm heading back down in a few min. for some lifting.By the way my weight is down to 170 right on target and not losing it to fast ! Thanks to two salads a day and my Natural Peanut Butter !

See ya !

I'm to busy !

Monday - work -train
Tuesday - work on house -train
Wednesday-work overtime -train
Thursday -work way to long - eat sleep
Friday - work way to long -eat sleep
Saturday - work - train
Sunday - ? - train

Next week - pay attention to wife and kids !

Dog still loves me !!!

Started a new program

First day on the new schedule ,I hit the road for 2-1/2 hrs and I hope to get the same tomorrow.Some of us helped Stauby move today I couldn't make it to his new house I hope to soon.

Monday will be another spin day in the dungeon Midz should make it I don't know if anyone else will.

See ya !

Cyclist Killed Last Week

A 47 year old man was killed while riding his road bike in Northern Peoria County last week.He was training for his secound season as a triathlete,he left behind a wife and kids and like I have so many times told them he would be right back and four hours later with a knock on their door their lives were changed forever.

One of the bad parts of driving a truck for 10 hours a day is you have the time to over think things that are in your life good and bad.When the story broke about the accident I spent the next two day's at work thinking of my own mortality and passion for riding. I started to road ride for the training in XC races. After years of only trail riding I finally learned the rewards of training on the road. I didn't even think of how dangerous it could be until the first few times cars didn't give me any room and missed me by what seemed like inches. I started to think about how much money I have spent on bikes, races, traveling to races, and nutrition.. and the worse the thought of the sheriff or a preist knocking on my front door to tell Cindy and the kids that I have been killed while on a training ride that I don't have to be doing. Was this really worth it?

So Saturday, I went on a late road ride around 4pm, on my regular quick 25 mile loop. I might see four or five cars and never have any problems and while I was enjoying riding by myself, I couldn't help but think why I had a passion for riding.

12 years ago some guys from the gym talked me into buying a mountain bike to go riding with them. I bought a Trek 930 and went to Jubilee State Park for my first trail ride... I wasn't in the woods 10 mins when my childhood came rushing back to me!

When I think about how old I was when I started riding bikes in the woods back in '71 or '71. I grew up on Tower Rd, just 15 miles from where I live now. It was a dead end road with eighteen houses on it, nine on one side and nine on the other with woods at the end. The kids on Tower Rd spent sun up to sun down in the woods, taking only enough time to go home and eat. Our main reason to be in the woods was building trails to ride our Stingrays on and build cabins to hang out in.We would get our dad's rake's and shovel's and any wood we could find to build our trail's and cabin's.The trailbuilding was just clearing the leaves and deadfall enough to make a path for our bikes.
Then the races would start and what a blast we had ! it wasn't radical but we had
some great races.On the day's we didn't race we would just hang out in the woods on our bike's, just sitting on our bikes while talking or killing time on a hot summer day or staying in the shade of the trees was cool enough.Is this where my passion for riding came from? I don't know but when I rode Jubilee for the first time 12 years ago I was back in 1971 and smiling like a kid again !

My thought's were also of Cindy and the kid's,we have a blast riding.Cindy and I are looking forward to putting in some long miles on the tandem this year and traveling to races and seeing some friends we have made along the way.Do I have a passion for riding ? or a passion for staying active as I get older ?

As I was about to finish my ride Saturday my last thoughts were of all the friend's Iv'e made because of my bike.Some close friends Midz,Thaller brother's and Stauby the PAMBA crew and the guy's I talk to on the blog's.I can't count the people at all the races !! I have an old childhood friend who built and rode the trail's with me on Tower road."Bob" has started to race and our friendship has been rekindled after years of raising our family's and being to busy to vist each other !

I hung up my bike in the garage Saturday... looked out to the sun that I just beat home and thought"I can't wait to ride tomorrow"

Time to step up the training !

It's getting close to the first PAMBA race to kick off the new races season, it should be a fun race with alot of racers. Illinois and Iowa will start the season together at Sylvan Island in Moline Ill, a short singletrack course with laps of 2.5 miles I think Experts will do 8 laps.

I've been running on most mornings aleast 2 miles to help with losing weight and hitting the weights three days a week.

Sunday I did a threshold test on the spinner to help with some new training 153 average.
Monday was a spin in the Dungeon by myself, I put on my Down cd and cranked it up !!!
This might be my new favorite cd to train with.....if you like Pantera you will like Down !

I ran this morning then worked getting Mike's bedroom remodeled I had cut a whole in the wall for a new window .........No Fun !!!!!!!!........but glad I didn't have to pay someone to do it.

I took off around 4:00pm on the road bike for a quick 1-1/2 hr ride and then get home to take Kelsi to her B-game.

Road ride Tomorrow afternoon I need to get up early and work on the House.

I need to get some tires ordered from Intense and I can now order some rims from Sun-Ringle
If anybody knows Sun- Ringle rims what would be a good disc rim I can put on my NRS for endurance racing ?

See ya !

Keep it up !

Summer is almost here and the training needs to get outside. Monday night was in the Dungeon with Staub and Midz, it looks like we might have 4 or 5 guys over next Monday.

Pantera DVD's were the main source of motivation.

Tuesday was a 3 mile run and weightlifting..........Start on remodeling son's new bedroom.

Wednesday Midz came over to the dungeon for more pain .......He's training better this year even though he's not racing but wanting to keep in shape.

I'll be ready in a couple weeks to start some hard interval training, the first PAMBA race is April 9th up in Moline,Il and the first Wems races is in May.

See ya !

Run,Run,Run !

Running is all I seem to have time for when it's the end of the week. My day's at work are 13 to 14 hr's long but, I have been getting up and running before work and getting it done.

I need to lift and do some quick spinning today a 45 min. leg speed workout then back on the spinner the next 3 day's for longer workout's.

I might be getting Saturday's off from work here in the next few week's ! That will help out with the races I want to do this year and not having to use vac. day's for a race.

See ya !

Back to work tonight

I had a couple good days of training and and it's back to work tonight.......Midz came over to the Dungeon Monday night and came back for more Tuesday morning....It looks like we might get some to come over next Monday night........I ran 4 miles this afternoon and I'll get up and run for 30 min. before work.

I'm going to look at getting some help with my training so I can get thing dialed in a little better.I'm all over the place with my training I need to get a better plan with my kind of schedule.......I'll check back in a couple days ...maybe Kerkove will have a new frame for this year !!!! I see Paddy doesn't have 24-9 race down on his schedule Bummer ! I was hoping to catch up with him and maybe Russel ! Cindy will be disappointed she had fun talking to the guys from Canada !!

See yah !

Cold again !

The weather is getting back to normal for Feb. cold and a little snow,I hit some bad roads around Pontiac Saturday on my way back from Chicago.When your trailor is full the weight gives you traction but, I'm empty on my way home and the trailor can get cut lose feal fast.

Thursday-off day
Friday-ran 25min. when I got up before work
Saturday-ran 35min. before work-30min after work and lifted
Last night- took Cindy out to eat with some friends and went down to Rythem Kitchen
Today-I had my oatmeal late so I'll spin later I need to get a couple hrs in and see if anybody can come over tomorrow night and spin .

See ya !

Yea I'm here !

I had the last 4 days off of work ,I'm back at it tonight or morning 1:00am Thursday.I lfted this morning and jumped my reps up ,I was hoping to get a run in but Not today !!........Sunday I ran on treadmill for 2 hrs....Monday was 2 hr bike ride on Rock Island Trail.....Tuesday was 2 hr spin.

Thursday will be an off day or small run......The weight isn't coming off like I hoped it would this week, I need to keep my calories under control.

I'm looking for another NRS 2 frame to transfer my K2 parts over, I want two of the same bikes for this year . I hate to give up on the Razorback it's a great singltrack race bike.

See ya !

Friday run

Not much today , Thursday was off day , Friday's are long but, I got a three mile run and some core work (abs) in.

Back in at midnight for work, spin and lift for Saturday !

_o
-\ <.
(*)/(*)

See ya !!

MIdz and I

Got outside today and did around 26 miles in the wind ,It took around 1hr-50 min. so the saddle time is what were wanting.....I didn't do any training yesterday but I did get my truck tuned up plugs,rotor,distibutor cap and oil changed. I'll do some core work this afternoon and take Thursday off and then back at it Friday and the weekend !!!

Base miles through Feb.
I don't know what I should start with in March, Intervals and then Hill work in April or viceversa any Ideas from anydody ???





Midz taking the lead !



I'm on my way !



What do you do with all your race numbers ?

Sunday on the treadmill

I spent 2hrs 15min. on the treadmill ,I would walk a half a mile then run two miles while watching another Star Wars dvd...... I didn't take in enough calories for the rest of the day and it's going to catch up with me, I can't drop the weight to fast.

I'm going into my final phase of weightlifting I'll kick up my reps back up to the 12 to 15 range and do a whole body workout and keep the cardio up.

Workout tonight....weights and spin for a hour

I see Matt from Iowa has a blog !! I'll keep checking on him , He has been my main competition for years and alot of fun to race against, except I havn't been much competition for him since last year!....... I'll be back !!!! He turned forty and should be in expert this year !!!!

See ya !

Spinning Time

I took 2 days off of training ,but not because I need it ,but because of work. Thurday and Friday was 14 hr days with enough time to come home and shower, eat, and get to bed !

Jim came over at noon today and we hit the rollers for two hours and then I hit the pizza place !
I'll run it off in the morning , my diet beens pretty good I lost 6 pds this last couple of weeks. I hope to be close to 160 by May 1st.


Tucker keeping an eye on me !

Just another week !

Of work and training ,I worked Monday night on overtime, kind of hard to pass a drop and hook up to the windy, 9 easy hrs....Tuesday I took a nap when I got home and then jumped on the spinner for 2 hrs ,trying to get some more base time in before I get started on some hard intervals and hill time.

This morning I had a couple cups of mudd 2 serving of expresso and headed to the treadmill for 2hrs -20min. of running and walking while I watched a Star Wars movie .....I hit the ten mile mark right when the movie ended, my legs were cooked....I went through 2 bottles of Heed 4 serving of apple cin. gel and I was getting hungry by the time I was done. I can eat breakfast as soon as my feet hit the floor in the morning so I was looking for some grub fast.

I'll take tomorrow off or maybe I'll lift when I get home but Friday I'll try and get a road ride in that afternoon.

See ya !

Steeler's Win !

Steeler's are goning to the Super Bowl ! I take Monday morning off every year just so I can stay up and watch whoever is playing It's nice that my team will be in the big one !!!

I ran 3 miles this morning then I had to get to a union meeting ,our contract is up in April !

Monday night I'll get back on the spinner and get some road miles in on Tuesday and Wednesday.

See ya !

Long hours at work!

Thursday,Friday and Saturday all 13 hr day's 1300 miles so all you guy's can have some milk with your cereal.Top it off with 6-10 inches of snow last night up in the windy city........

I was on the spinner Wednesday 1-1/2 hrs inthe morning and I lifted that afternoon.

Thursday....off day

Friday....Ran 3 miles

Today..... run and lift

I'm going to try and do 5 Wems races this season, all 12 hr races, that will qualify me in the seasons standings.

Race schedule for 2006

April 9th XC PAMBA - Slyvan Island Stampede Moline, Il
May 9th 12 hr Wems -Sugarcreek Ferryville, WI
May 21st XC PAMBA - Kickapoo Bash, Danville,Il
May 27th 12hr Wems - Gears Newfame,WI
June 10th 12hr Wems -John Muir South Kettle moraine,WI
June 18th XC PAMBA - Farmdale Frenzy East Peoria,Il
June 24th 12hr Wems - Metro Challege Franklin, WI ( ski Hill )
July 8th 12hr Wems - Blue Mounds,WI
July 23rd XC PAMBA -Jubilee Jam Peoria,Il
July 30-31st 24hr Nationals 24-9 , Wausua,Wi
Aug. 20th XC PAMBA -Kickapoo Epic Danville, Il
Sept. 10th XC PAMBA-Mud,Sweat& Gears Bloomington, Il
Sept. 22-23 XC PAMBA -Farmdale Festival East Peoria, Il

I'm still looking for another 24hr race at the end of the year I hoping the one in Iowa I can make this year. I would like to make the Sugar Bottom race In Iowa this year I did 2 years ago in the Mud and came in 5th in my age class -Sport........Getting the time off from work will dictate if I can make all of the races I want.

See ya !

First night of spinning !

MIdz and Stauby came over last night and we hit the spnners for 90 min. It was nice having some company while you suffer. We didn't hit it hard, just some saddle time right now !
Tony might make it next week if he can get away from his kids ! I know the feeling !

I ran 3 miles this morning on the tredmil while I watched a new Alice in Chains dvd ..... I can't get enough of thier music.....I seen for the first time the song Rooster is about Cantrell's dad who served in Vietnam.........That song has so much more meaning to me now !.........my emotions run so high when ever the men from Vietnam are involved !

Weights in the morning and some spinning !



The new "Dungeon of Sweat"

Weekend of football !

Sunday I watched the Steelers win ! and Bears lose ! and read some more of Lance's book, It's hard to put down.

Some of PAMBA's race team is going to come over tonight and we are going to do some spinning and watch some MTB vidoes to keep us going. I think Midz is looking forward to this I hope we get a good workout in.......I really started watching what I eat and cut my calories down a bit but not to much I can't train.... Salads with chicken ... good stuff.

A big order of Hammer goods came today ......New bottles, Perpeteum, Heed, apple cin. gel... I got a good discount.... $30.00 bucks !

I need to get ready for the Dungeon of Sweat ! see ya !

Thanks Jeff

For the info on 24-9 I hope my year goes good so I can train for this race !

Not much today I worked 13 hrs and ran 3 miles when I got home the weather was great for a bike ride but I don't have much time on Thursdays so a run works out better.

I have a big order from Hammer coming in I hope I get it quick I'm out of everything except I do have some Elite I've been using !

5 hrs till wake up ! see ya !

Run and weightlift day

I put off running and lifting untill tonight,but I got them in ! I was off today from work and did some chores around the house I'm about to knock out a wall and make a new den area it should be nice when I get it done.

The PAMBA meeting last night went good It's the first one of the year and there is plenty of work to do this year,we need to get Tony's extension done and get more done at BPP.

I found out Tinker has the 24-9 race on his schedule, I hope you don't have to qualify for this race, it's my priority race for 2006 I should do some checking to find out.

I'm off again tomorrow I get a bike ride in or a long run !!

see ya !

Get outside !

The weather is going to be nice today so I'll get a road ride in or I might go out to Rock Island Trail and see what it looks like if it's soupy I'll stay off.

I got a 2 mile run in yesterday when I got up for work then I did 1-15min. On the spinner after work while I watched a tape of the one and only Norba race at Alpine Valley back in 2002 or 01
That was a blast seeing all the pros , that's when Cindy and I meet Tinker at breakfast...And I was on the podium for 2 nd place I think 40 to 45 beg.

I need to get the bike ready to go.......I have to get back before football starts !!!

See ya !

Inside today

I jumped on the trendmill this morning and put a movie in to watch, the next thing you know
an 1 hr 50 min, goes by and I'm feeling pretty good. I burned around 1600 cal. and needed some oatmeal fast I was hungry. I would walk for 15 min. Then run 15 min. Not bad but a good way to start my morning.

Midz and I got in some road miles yesterday, nice weather for this time of year, I did a quick 10 miles before hooking up with him then we did our regular route.

I need to lift some weights later this afternoon and take tomorrow off then back at it Friday after work.

It's hard to tell what kind of base I have I don't know when I should start doing some interval training or stay with SS miles.

I need a &%$#$%$#% plan !

see ya !

Time to get serious !

Training has jump up a notch ! I'm getting my races in order and hope I can get the days off I need. I'll get a ride in tomorrow and Wednesday, I need to take advantage of some nice weather.

I think Midz and whoever else wants come over will start doing some training down in my basement, all they have to bring is there bikes and trainers.If anyone else wants to come over I have a nice weight setup and trendmill......I'd like to keep this up for at least 8 weeks, the weather should start to break by then.

PAMBA meeting start back up next week...... We have a lot of work to do this year on the trails, we could easily be working on something every week.....But we have to remember we are a biking club also not a trail building club.

See ya!

Happy New Year !

I hope 2006 goes as well as 2005 did and is better in other ways!

My racing will take a whole new path along the way of endurance races and a few XC races, It would be hard to give up XC races all together with the PAMBA I-74 series so close and it keeps getting bigger and bigger.

The one main thing I don't want to see or experience as I did in 2005 was the hard falls I took, while racing and in training. CRAP ! I took some bad hits the worse was down in Danville when I endoed down that small hill, It knocked the slober right out of me !

The training needs to get jacked up as far as cardio and I will start to work on loosing the weight I seem to gain every winter. I get to lifting weights and I start bodybuilding ,but I'll work on more bike specific lifting this month.

My Peak race for 2006 will be the 24-hrs of Nine Mile again and Wow ! Will it be fun this year with it being a National race, I wonder who the big stars will be that make it ? Besides Jeff K and Paddy H. Will I even be able to compete ?

It's 4:30 pm and I need to get to bed for a 10:oo pm wake up for work ! the Milk Man always delivers !!! See ya in 2006 !!

Merry Christmas everybody !

I'll keep my eating in check, but I don't do real good at this time of the year !

I missed some good weather today for a outside ride ,but work was long and I need to be back in at midnight......I might get up early and hit the tredmill before work.......lets see 5-1/2 hours of sleep or 5 ?

I'll lift for sure when I get home in the morning.......I've been going heavy and will for 3 more weeks.

At the first of the year I need to start my cutting diet ! It's not the best thing for a cyclist , but I can drop some serious weight.

I do have some new sponsors for 2006 Six Six One and Intense Tires, I can't wait to order some tires and a new helmet,I have some new gloves on the way.

Yah ! I keep checking in on the T-I race and will throughout the year !!

Pass On Trans-Iowa race

I feel like crap that I didn't get in the TI race but it was the right thing for me to do !

The training it would take so early in the season was the main factor in the decision to pass.
I can still keep my training schedule inline with the Wems races and PAMBA I-74 series,

I need to go downstaires and lift and get some running in !

See Ya !

Snow Ride

I hit the Rock Island Trail after work this morning, the snow was to deep to get any good miles but I still got a good workout. I only went 8 miles but it took a 1-1/2 to do it, with my heart rate at about 85%.

We have our PAMBA Christmas Party tonight,I'll take some pics to post it'l be fun !

See ya !

hitting the gym

I'm trying to stay with the cardio I ran this morning on the tredmill, and went Christmas shopping with Mike Jr. I was going to get on the spinner tonight but work called . I need to be at work at 4:00am for a local run in Peoria, getting the big money will make it worth it.

Can it get any colder ? man it's cold and the snow came early this year!
I need some more cold weather gear to get some rides in.

See ya!!

snow !!!!

It's time to get on the spinner , the snow has been falling and the ground is covered....I guess I need to just get on my bike and be sure to dress warm.

I will get to the gym tomorrow and spin again Tuesday I might even get on the stairstepper at the gym thats always a good workout.

Signup for Trans-Iowa http://transiowa.blogspot.com/ is in a couple weeks ...... I need to think this over if I'm going to get in it. I want to, but what if my training doesn't go like I want it to or crap happens that I can't make it ?....... I'll need some help trying to figure out a training plan for this race ........ This will be a race to try and fininsh and not worry about winning.

See ya !

Going heavy !

I started my next phase in lifting I'm doing 8 to 10 reps a lot heavier weight I went from 135 lbs at 15 reps to 215 lbs for 8 reps. I do rap my knees with this heavy weight !

I ran outside today I have some trails I've been working on at home it's kind of nice to have my own trails to train on !


new training ground


backyard fun


a new playground ?


I'm trying to get my 2006 race schedule in order,I'm looking at getting up to Wisconsin for atleast 4 or 5 Wems races, PAMBA will have 7 races , I'm hoping to do a couple 24hr races and maybe get out west for a 24 hr race or 12 hr.

see ya!

Turkey burn ride !

I just got home from PAMBA's annual after turkey day ride and we had a great turnout of 20 riders ! We rode Indy and some when off to Dirckson but I had to get home the pace was slow but it was a social ride. We had one guy break his collarbone doing a flip over his bike other than that it was a fun ride and great weather.

The new news is the Nationals are going to be at 24-9 mile this year so we should see some big name riders up there.

I'll start my second phase in the weight room ,I'll go down to 8 to 10 reps with more weight for 5 weeks then go into phase 3 doing 4 to 6 reps.

I'l lkeep getting on the bike when I get a chance and the weather is good !

See ya !

New again !

I lost everything on my last template for some reason I don't know why !

I'll get some things posted soon.

I have still been working on the weightlifting and not to much cardio ,but I will get serious next week.When I see jeff and other endurance racers getting back on the bike so soon after this last race season I better get back on mine if I'm going to try and get in the Trans- Iowa race.

Bears Win !

See ya !

What Happen ?

Anybody know what the problem is here ?

Winter is here !

Nothing to do today, stay inside weather sucks,time to get on the tredmill and then do some core work.

I was on spinner Sunday for 30min. I'll get back on it this week.

I'm still looking for a NRS frame to switch out my Razorback parts to but, it's a little to close to X-mas for me to be spending money on myself.

I need to go downstairs and do some lifting ......see ya !

Last ride at Jubilee

I met Cindy over at Jubilee Saturday for one last ride before they close it for the year. Leaves covered the ground and deer were everywhere ! Jubilee won't open again untill April 15th 2006,

Yea I'm on a trail !


Was this done by biker or maybe a horse on a trail he is not suppose to be ?



The nice thing about Peoria we have 3 more parks to ride and stay open all year,plus we have Rock Island trail.

I lifted Friday right on schedual and will again Monday I hope toget on the tredmill today.

See Ya !

Off day

I'm taking it easy today I'm just a little sore from yesterday !
I might get a run in when I wake up 5 1/2 hrs away !! See ya !

Work then the gym

Work was tough ! I hate going to Joliet we have a drop off there and I have to unload
40,000 lbs of milk 120 lbs at a time and you touch it twice so that's 80,000 lbs.

Then I go to the gym !

I hit it pretty good, I used some machines that help hitting the muscles at a different angle,
but the weights weren't as heavy. It was nice using the leg press and squat machine instead of free weights.

Well the winds a blowing, and I need to go out and blow some leaves out to pasture !

See yah!

Yard work or bike ride ?

Yard work won ! I have a few yards I take care of and I needed to get them done, leaves are everywhere besides It puts a few extra dollars in my pocket for bike parts. I didn't run this morning I figuired walking behind a mower for 4-1/2 hrs would be enough.

I got called in tonight for work so I might stop off at the gym when I get off in the morning, I havn't been there all summer since I have a pretty good setup at home.

I have my workout down to 1-1/4 in time and it's a full body workout but, thats without cardio !

It's nice to Mr. 24 hr Jeff K. out doing some trail work, you can never have enough people to help and as racers we need to do our share. I was trained by IMBA as is all of PAMBA's trail coordinators I think I'm going to be Jubilee State Park's Trail coordinator unless someone else takes I need to talk to Pres. Middz .

I need to go to bed ! see ya !

Nice weather for a ride !

I got in a 1-1/2 trail ride in at Farmdale with Bob and Peggy, horses were everywhere they had some kind of an event going on. It wasn't to bad though we didn't see to many.

I checked some milage at my place and I have 1/2 mile in with no problem, I think I can get at least 2 miles of trails or more, that would be cool to have some place to train all year round on my own property.

I'l lift in the morning and maybe run then it's football time.




This is Midds bike looking from my driveway " nice "

Gym Time !

I did my new lifting routine this morning it's differant from what I useually do, I need to get the whole body done in one day and I can't do it like I use to like a bodybuilder.

this is what It looks like

Squats - 3 x 15 - 3 sets
dumbell lunges or step-ups 3 x 15-3 sets
stiff leg deadlifts 3 x 15-3 sets

flat or incline bench 3 x15-3 stets
dumbell flyes or dips 3 x15-3 sets

lowpulley rows 3 x15-3 sets
widegrip chins or cable pulldows 3 x15-3 sets

behind the neck presses or arnold dumbellpresses 3 x 15-3 sets
dumbell lateral raises to the side or front 3 x 15-3 sets

I will get some arms in on the next day !!


I'm going to get a trail ride in tomorrow, it's been hard to stay off the bike for awhile
I'm wanting to start training for next year.

Here are some pics from 24-9 2005



My nunber one fan Cindy and me on Friday



My pit man and president of PAMBA Midds




Were off !




222 miles later I'm done with my first 24hr solo !




A needed drink and I'm hooked on this solo stuff !!

Back to work tomorrow ! see ya !

posting pics ?

Typical Monday morning in Chicago southbound 294
this is my office !
















Maybe this why I don't work indoors !!!!!

I'm tiered !

Long day Saturday , I worked all night and then went to trailday to help with the new extension then came home and mowed some pasture and work on my own trails.Went to my sisters for moms b-day and finally went to bed around 10:00pm...... just another 28hr day .

I was up early this morning and lifted weights and went outside to cut some more fire wood......then watch some football. I missed a good day to ride the bike in the trails.

I'll ride Jubilee or Indy this week and hopefully a road ride......See ya !

New Blog !!!

Hey not bad ! I didn't know I had it in me, I picked up a small book on publishing a Blog. I'm learning !

Remember I don't know squat about PC's !!

Other news I lifted last night, I had my DOT phisical this morning, Can you say" pee in this bottle" I was worried about my blood pressure but I was fine. It was a little high last month ,the stolic # was up ,but I was drinking alot of Elite and eating pretzels for training for that last race.

My weekend is about over I did get some wood cut I have good pile that needs to be split,and Iv'e been working on some trails in my woods they will give some place to play. See ya !!

Playing with blog !

I'm playing around with this blog ,trying to get it more interesting to read . Jeff told me how to post the Trans Iowa thingy, looks cool ! I'm going to getting some links up and a new background with a picture in it !

Midds is coming over to watch M-night football !!

Work sucked ! rained up in Chicago, 294 was a mess !!

I'll get back with the weights tonight and keep running, I'll get a road ride Wed. seee ya !

Last race of the year done !

I finished this season at Panther Creek doing a dualathon 22 mile trail ride and a 4.5 mile run.This is the secound year I done this race and finished 9th out of 50 riders, not to bad but I finished 8th out of 40 riders last year so I was hoping do a little better.

I came in 6th on the bike (same as last year) and felt good for the run , the first mile is so tough, the legs are pumped full of blood from the bike ride.I caught 5 th place about a mile in, he was cramping up but he caught up with me before the 2 mile mark. A couple tri-guys passed me up around the 3-1/2 mark, they always catch me on the run, I need to train more for the running portion,nobody should be catching me when I get off the bike, most of the racers are sport riders so I could be finishing in the top 5.

It was a fun race exept for the trail conditions, witch everbody was talking about, Thorns and sticks all over the place. I tried top re-ride Saturday and had two flats within 4 miles into the trail, Sunday my friend Bob had 6 flats and didn't finish the bike race.

I'm going to keep running the fall and winter , I start training on the bike
for next year !!!!!!! ( maybe a little time off ) see ya !

What race ?

Cindy let me stay by myself camping Saturday night and she shouldn't do that ! I got into some Redbull Vodka ! and ended up staying up till 2:00am !

Soo ! I didn't race and just rode sweep for all the races !!

I still had a blast Saturday night I havn't done that in 12 or more years not that I have a problem drinking , I just try to live healthy and only have a social drink once in awhile.

If I can get my son to help me post some pics I'll start to get some up.

I have a dualathon this Sunday 22-mile trail ride and 4.5 mile run after the ride, I placed 8th last year but the field should be double the amount of racers.They are going to put us in age groups this year to so that helps us older guys out!

Tony and I rode Indy and Dirckson yesterday around 2-1/2 hrs of all singletrack!! see ya !!

PAMBA FESTIVAL

The big fall Festival for PAMBA is this weekend and should be a blast ! Sharms March is coming with RED BULL , all the downhill guys are pumped !

The XC race will be short laps , 21 miles all together, and will be fun. If I get thru this wekkend ok I have one more race for the season, a 22.5 ride and a4mile run at Panther Creek in Spingfield. I placed 8th last year but the field will be alot bigger this year. Bob and Tony will make this race even better, Tony will be hard to keep up with on the ride and I should get a lead on Bob but he will be hard to hold back on the run , he can keep a fast pace running.

Training hasn't been good this week but the season is almost done , I even got down stairse and started to hit the weights.

See ya !!!

That Race Sucked !

Or I should say, I sucked ! I thought I was going to have a good race but the legs said not today ! The first lap was fast but I couldn't keep the pace up like a expert should. I was passed by sport racers before I was done with my first lap, me and two other experts were keeping together when I see Matt catching us ! I yelled at him " is that you matt " and sure enough it was him.

Well If that didn't piss me off I couldn't keep up with Jason who hasn't raced in two years and comes out and beats me ! It seams I can't get out of the steady endurance pace and I can't keep up the XC pace.

Oh ya ! I still come home with a first place plaque for 40 + Sweet !!!

I ran 2 miles yesterday walked when I mowed 3 yards for 3 1/2 hrs then road the tandem with Cindy for 12 miles, It was nice getting on the bike with her, I miss getting in those long rides and being able to talk and spend some quality time together. No baloney this weekend ! 50 miles of eating ! maybe 75 ?

see ya !

Race Sunday

I just got back from a quick road ride, just enough to keep the legs fresh for Sundays PAMBA race in Bloomington.
Work was long as usual 520 miles of dark highways and fog , nothing exciting happen.

The race should be good, the course at COMLARA is mostly singltrack with only a couple of climbs. There won't be but a handfull of Expert racers so I don't look at finishing great , I just try and not be last. My legs seem to be getting there snap back in them after training so much for the 24hr race and other endurance races I didn't have that XC race pace quickness in them.

What do I ride tomorrow ? Razorback ( pure race bike great in singltrack) or NRS ( great all around bike ) The NRS has alot more pedal clearance from the ground, I can keep pedaling over roots and rocks or around corners and the Razorback I have to stop pedaling to make sure I don't snag something and end up doing a endo.

Maybe I'll take them both and do some preriding of the course and see which one screams at me RACE ME !! RACE ME!!

I see Mr. Kerkove might be learning to speak Japanese WOW ! how cool is that ?

I'll miss most of the football games Sunday that sucks ! but Monday night is going to be a doubleheader of football and I don't work on Tuesdays sooo! I'll be up late watching !!!!!!!

See ya !

Road ride

I got back on the bike yesterday and today, 34 miles with Bob at a pretty good pace but my right calf has been cramping, whats up with that ?

I'll hit the trails Sunday with a bike ride then a trail run, I need to get ready for the Oct. race.

Work was a bitch this week 60 hrs in 5 days and almost 2300 miles behind the wheel, I seen alot of accidents in shy town.

I'll try and keep up on the blog , I want to find someone to help design something for It and show me how to post pics.

Seee ya !

Ya I'm still here !!

Sorry no post in a while ! Iv'e been working a lot of overtime and back too my crapy work schedual. I have been riding with Bob alot and getting some road miles in I need to keep running so I can compete in the race in Oct. I would still like to find a 12 hr race before the end of the season. I have to go Dad is getting a Angigram done to day !!

see ya !

Time to get it done !

I just got back from a road ride then a 2 mile run , I feel pretty good ! This sunday at Farmdale went great,those MTNCROSS and Downhill guys are Nuts !

When I got home from work today I suited up and tore off 20 miles at 20.2 mile average and then threw on some shoes and ran 2 mile at a slow pace of 9 miles hr.

Bad news at work I have to go back to my old schedual , that means back to Saturdays This Sucks !!


See Ya !!

can things get worse for me ?

Boy!was yesterday a bad day for me ! Cindy and I was getting ready to go to the race at Farmdale in the morning and I needed to get the water tank out of my truck when I busted it ! So I need to get a new one today $200.00 out of the pocket.

We started to run late getting to Farmdale so I try a shortcut and it only makes it worse and I'm getting pissed, we finally get to the race and I calm down. I rode Sweep behind novice class and things were goning ok when I decide to go around a short part of the course and it turned to mud, sticky, tiress won't turn,kind of mud. Another bad decision today and I'm pissed again !!

Alot of people at the race were giving me alot of Good Job Mike ! on my 24hr solo race , thats pretting cool to get the respect from so many differant people ! Thanks Everybody !

Cindy and I finally got home and needed to get to my dads house and then stop by Farmking for a water tank, thats when things got worse. I wanted to get the pipe out of the tank thats was busted up and it was giving me problems so I just started to pry it off and when it came off it hit me in the cheek and busted me wide open ! BLOOD all over I hollerd for Cindy as Blood was flying all over. So now we off to get stiches , 7 stiches later we head to dads house and I'm calling it a day !

Sunday is Downhill and Mtn cross races I'll go help out !!

See YA !!!

Farmdale race

Big race this weekend and I don't think I'm going to do it ! This is the make up race that was rained out in july. I'll go help out the race crew and help Cindy and Amy cook food to sale.

Reason I'm not racing ! I have had such a shity 2 weeks of riding , no hard rides, no long rides, and I only been on the bike maybe 4 times . I rode the race course yesterday and fell 2 times one endo and the other I couldn't get clipped out and fell down the rocky hill at 4 way, and yes I fell to the down side of the hill OUCH ! if that wasn't enough to piss me off I fell going around the jump on the IMBA reroute ! SO SCREW IT !

The new NRS dosn't handle like my Razorback , so it will take awhile to get use to it.

see ya !

Rain !

I still have not been on my bike since last Monday ! Rain and work day screwed me yesterday and work called last night for a overtime run up to the Windy City this morning. It's still raining so I'm going down staires and get on the trendmill and stationary bike for at least a couple of hrs. See ya !

bad week of riding

Boy ! does this week suck for getting any riding in ! I havn't been on my bike since the Monday night ride. I wanted to ride or do some running but work and not being focused on my training has kept me off the bike. Looks like I'm not going to ride tonight also, this sucks! I suck ! the more I stay off it , the shitier my moods are ! Cindy will hang me by the balls if I don't change my attitude . Bob called and wants to ride Farmdale in the morning that will help !

I need to get a long rode ride in, I really miss those 4 or 5 hrs rides , I need to kick them up to 6 or 7 hrs.

Trailday tomorrow, again !! We need to get Tonys reroute done before we start anything else,I hope we get a good turn out.. see YA !

Night ride tonight

Sunday turned out to be a rest day ( honey do list ) cut grass for 2 hrs and take care of things around the house and pig ouy on home made lasagna OH YA !!!

Went back to work today after being off for 10 days YA ! It felt like crap to get back in the truck and Chicago traffic,It took me 2 hrs to go 45 miles on I88 heading into shy town. Oh well ! you have to make a living, it turned into a
13 1/2 hr day, glad I get payed by the hr.

Tony and the gang is going to do a night ride at Indy tonight, I'll be there, a little tired but ready to go ! I don't ride real fast in the dark ,but I'm sure someone will be there I can stick with. I just ate the rest of the lasagna ,I need to get some Elete in me and my camelback.

I have some yards to cut tomorrow ( MONEY for BIKE PARTS ) thats will kill my road ride unless I get up early and get it in before I start cutting, Will see ! See YA !!

getting back on the bike

I just got back from an early trail ride at Jubilee with Bob ,almost 2 hrs of easy riding,then I walked plank with Midds and cut the weeds back . That was another 1-1/2 hrs of walking,legs are feeling good and back to normal I think !

I'm trying to figure out want race I'll do next,I guess the PAMBA make up race on 8-20-05 it's a Saturday race witch we don't normaly do, but it'll be nice to get it out of the way then I can help out on Sunday for the Downhill and MTX races.

I rode the new NRS and really like the way it rides and the Skareb I'm getting use to,I'll put Sram on this winter I can't stick with Shimano It's okay but I like my Sram. I'll put the Razorback up for sale this winer also,It's been a good XC race bike but I'm going to start getting into more endurance races and the NRS feels and ride better.

I talked to the PAMBA team this week and everyone is doing ok and getting back on the bikes , I really did miss hanging out with them at the 24 hr race. Tony wants to start doing some night rides at Indy on Mondays, that will be fun as long as I take it easy and not get hurt.Tony and Staub can fly through the trails in the dark ,I just take it slow I hope to make it out in one piece .


I hope to get a long road ride

24 hrs of Nine Mile is in the books

My first 24hr solo race is done and I did so much better than I thought I would. 5th place out of 40 racers is way out of my range or I thought it was. A couple of good things going my way and bad things going to my competitors way helped me almost get to the podium.

The weekend started out by getting up to Wausua at around noon Friday and setting up a pit area so our president Midds and my wife Cindy could have a support area right next to the course, which is a premium spot. One of the first persons I saw was Jeff Kerkove, the stud of 24 hour racing. If any of you have ever heard me talk about endurance racing, I read Jeff's blog everyday to see how he is training and to learn whatever I can from him. He is a great guy and it was really cool having my pit close to his and next to Paddy H. and Russell from Cananda.

I did a pre-ride with Midds, Staub and the Pamba team to check out the course, and there was way too much open road for my style of riding. The singletrack was fun, the rock gardens were rough but not enough of it. (There were enough rock gardens). After going into town with the Pamba team and having a big Mexican dinner, Cindy and Amy and the kids settled in the hotel, and the guys went bakc to camp and sat around the fire and told stories.

Saturday morning I started the day out with 600 calories of oatmeal and 3 cups of mud, then I started drinking water with elite. The race began with a lemans style start which was a quarter mile run. I ran behind Tony who was starting off for the Pamba team. I got to the starting gates right behind Jeff Kerkove, found my bike, and headed into to the trails with the first 40 riders.

Lap 1 was just like a regular xc race, fast and everyone trying to get to the singletrack first. My lap time was around 1 hour and 7 min. That was my fastest lap of the race.

Lap 2 I tried to keep my pace up and finished it in about 1 hour 11 min with no problems and the singletrack still clogging up a little bit with riders.

Lap 3 was time to shut it down and get into my pace. My legs were feeling thick and heavy and I needed to slow down my heart rate. Midds and Cindy were right there at my pit ready to give me more hammer products and send me on my way. Midds was so excited everytime I came in he was ready to throw me my fuel and send me on my way,he was great.

Lap 4 I was doing ok still taking some Perpetrium and gel but not taking enough water with me so I was stoping on the course 1/2 way around and getting some more water at a pit stop they had set up. I just got in some rock garden and there was a back up when some guy hit my back wheel. I didn't think much about it because we had to walk out of it but when I got back on my bike he had hit my rear derailure and bent the hanger. SHIT ! I was pissed ! I couldn't get in the gears I wanted, I needed to get back and switch out bikes.Midds was great and switched my plate number and seat bag and I was back on the Razorback ,It felt good and rolled better then the new NRS but was beating the hell out of me .
Midds took the NRS to Sram to see if they could do anything, they dailed it in the best they could but with a bent hanger it would have to do.



Lap 5 I was feeling alright, then Betsy S came around me and I rode and talked with her for awhile and she was really pushing for a podium spot. When we got done with the singletrack and started for some hills, I told her I had to shut it down and get back into my pace and wished her luck, within seconds, she was gone.

Lap 6 took 1hr 36min. I don't know why It seems I would have a good lap then a bad lap, Midds said he was about to jump my ass and keep my head in the race.

Lap 7 started out at around 6pm and ended up taking me 1 hour and 36 min to do. Mentally I was struggling thinking that there was no way that I could do this. I ran into a couple 12 hour racers and talked to them, and they told me to not think about the race, or how I was hurting but to think about something else. I tried to think of working on the house or some music that I like ,Velvet Revolver stuck for a while.
Lap 8 started out at 7:30 with a full set of lights and I knew that hings would slow down and I started to feel better.

Lap 9, 10 and 11 seemed like I was focused on the trail better and I was in a groove. The laps weren't fast but I felt good. The laps were still taking over 1hr 30 min to do. I ate good during these laps, a turkey sandwich, chunky apple sauce which really hit the spot and some red bull that I drank in the pit area at every night lap.


Lap 12 took me the longest of the night starting out at 2:05 am and I think this is where I had my seat bag fall off and I had to stop and retrieve everything. When I came in I had some fruit cocktail and another red bull.

Lap 13 I knew would be my last full night ride and it felt good knowing that the sun was about to come up.

Lap 14 started out at about 5:10 am and it was just getting light, I had half of a pb&j sandwich and another red bull, and flew around the course with my best lap since 4:30 saturday afternoon.

Lap 15 When I came in Midds was telling me that I was in the top 7 and could be looking at a podium or at least an invite to the Worlds Championship in Canada. At the time I was wanting to take it easy and finish out the race, but now I needed to some how crank it up a notch.

Lap 16 I went out at 8:10 hoping that this would be my last lap and I could relax and get the hell off this bike. When I came in at 9:30 doing about an hour and 26 min lap, Midds and Cindy said that I should do 1 more just to make sure knowing that I would beat up myself if stopping at 16 would hurt me in the standings. So I sat in a chair, ate a banana drank a red bull had MIdds help me out of the chair and went off to do 1 last lap.

Lap 17 the course was bare with everyone packing it up and team riders flying by trying to get in that last lap. When I came around tha last corner of singletrack to the last stretch to the finish line, Cindy and Midds and the Pamba team were waiting and cheering me on as I finished my first solo 24 hour race witch turned to a 25 hr race, That was a good feeling.

How do I thank Cindy and Midds for helping me get through this race ? I can't thank them enough !! Mike Staub helped through the night with the Jet Lights. The PAMBA team and club with all the support , I missed a few trail work days because I needed to train. Buchwhakers and Bob Wo with the help thanks guys !!

I know this may be corney or get over it guy ,people do this all the time, but this is something I wanted to do since last year when I did the race with the PAMBA team. I have eat and trained for this all year , did two 6hr races , one 12hr race this year to see if I can do this. This was proving to myself at 44 I can push harder than I ever have,suffered more than I ever have, and finished knowing Ya I could have done one more lap !!

If you want to know Yes I'm hurting , all over and bad !! My legs are swollen , my right shoulder won't stop hurting, and my hands are still numb. I'll recover but it will be slow !!!

24-9 update soon

I'll tell the whole story on my first 24 hr solo tomorrow , I'm tired and sore and going to bed early !!

( I did good! real good !)

preparing for 24-9

I tried to post yesterday but the electr. went out as I was writing, I did get a 4 hr ride in Saturday and it was hot!
everything I' m doing is for 24-9 race I hope I'm ready. I wish I was a little lighter but I didn't want to try and lose any weight so close to the race, I have needed all the calories I could get for training.

I'm going to do a night ride with Tony and Staub ,maybe Steve tonight to check out our new Jet Lights ! They Rock !!
Tuesday I'll get some more miles in on the road. Last Wednsday I went to Jubilee and did some Hill repeats,5 sets of up and dowm West side and KME was one set,my leg were spent then I went to the entrance to the college on the road 13% grade ,then just spinned the legs out for a hr.

I'll get the rest of my gear ready for this weekend and get my new NRS from Bushwhackers Wednsday, were heading up to Wausau early Friday morning. Midds and Staub is going up to help out Cindy in my pit so I should be taken care of pretty good. I'll get back before I go !!!

see ya !!

I'm here

Sorry no post lately I had a race Sunday at Jubilee in Peoria, I got 5 th place in expert but 5 guys droped out it was way hot !! I can tell I have been training for endurance races I didn't have that quickness in the legs I was fine when I slowed down and got in a rhythm but xc race pace was hard to keep up.

I just did a 2-1/2 hr road ride to spin the legs out ......Time to eat !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

see ya !

Race this weekend

I rode 61 miles this morning I didn't feel like I thought I should,legs were a little tired. I had a bad week of getting on the bike only Sunday and today (Wednsday) I can't keep doing this I have to get on the bike but 13 hr days at work don't help. My schedual might change at work I should get weekends off so no more staying up 29 hrs on Saturdays

Jubilee Jam Sunday ought to fun all singletrack and some nice hills, I'll go hard 1st lap then just take it easy I don't do good against the experts anyway !!!. I'm getting up for the 24-9 mile race at the end of the month I just registered today for $100 bucks !!! PAMBA is taken a team up to the one I was on last year. see ya !

Breaking it down !

Wow ! was that a hard race ! A little over 93 miles of trailriding in less than 11 hrs.
The race was fun and started with a real shotgun start and at XC race pace I stayed with the second group I knew I couldn't stay with the leaders at that high of a pace. The course was sandy with some roots and a real cool winding trail around to the top of the hill, a slight screw up and you could fall into some trouble.

I don't know my exact time on my first lap but I think it was around 1 hr ,then they stoped us because of some problems with the course being marked. I think we wasted about ten min. then they told us to go ahead and off we went.

Laps 2 to 4 I felt good and stayed with my Hammer products and Elete
Oh ya ! on my second lap I went over a small tree limb that looked real freash and my chainring dug right into it and right over I went ENDO ! I caught myself pretty good though and didn't get hurt (LOTS OF SAND )

laps 5 and 6 I stayed with my plan of just pacing myself and don't worry about the times I realy needed to finish this race and see how my body is going to respond to the suffering. I made the mistake of not taking in some more Gel and I think it drained me of energy on my 7th lap.

On my 7th lap I barely made it back I was cooked pretty good ! I could have quit real easy but I had Cindy give me some REDBULL and Fig-Newtons and they seemed to get me going again.

8th lap I felt good by time I got 1/2 way around and was trying see if I can get 2 more laps in by 8:00
when I came in on the begining of the 9 th lap I need a good time if I was going to get in 10 laps .....

But it was not meant be I needed a fast 1-1/4 lap and I didn't have it in me and I wasn't going to do a lap and not have it counted,So I stopped and 2nd guessing if I couldv'e made it ?

I think I ended up in 7th place out of 21 racers ! not bad for the old man ! I'll get out tuesday for some easy road riding ,I need to get ready for Jubilee XC race July 10th and 24-9

The only pisser I had about the course is I have never been hit so many times in the face and head with tree branches at least 8 or9 on the course I even called one the back scratcher , you ducked your head and it went down your back every time !!!!!

12 hr solo done !!

I did my first 12 hr solo this weekend and thing went well ! I did 9 laps and I think 7th place out of 21. I'll give a full report later on. I'm tired !!see ya !

12 hr race !

I just got back from a easy road ride , I need to get things ready for this weekends 12 hr race. I hope the weather stays nice, I need to get some more Gel but Rich is out of town now I will have to try some other type of gel and thats not good.

I watched the Proctor road race this weekend I marshaled on one of the hills,I wish I would've raced but maybe next year.I didn't find Sean Noonan after the race ,I couldv'e showed him some nice trail at Jubilee.

I need to get by bike and gear ready so I wont have to rush Friday when I get off of work,we'll head up around 11:30 and relax at the Hotel Friday night.I should go and pre ride the course ...I might go and do that!! I'll right back Sunday after the race !! see ya !!

reason I didn't ride today

Why didn't I aleast do a hour of sprints ? Well let me see if I can come up with some excuses !!!!!!

1- I worked 13teen hrs
2-I'm tired
3-I couldn't talk myself into it !
4- I talked myself out of it !
5- the weather was too nice I needed to water the garden
6-I'll ride harder tomorrow !
7- I'm a puss ! ! ! ! ! !

I better get on it tomorrow for aleast a hr. I need to pickup my bike from Bushwackers I busted off my x-o rear derellure Tuesday 180.00 bucks shot !!!!!!!!!! I'm putting a x-9 back on $75.00.

I might do the crit Sunday in P-town It's fathers day

I'm goning to bed ! see ya !!

Rain !!!!!!!!!

It rained today in EastPeoria and washed out the XC race for tomorrow, we got in the downhill and just started the new MTX course and the rain let loose !!!. It rained for more than a hour so the Prez and race cor. called it off. I told them even if they run it I'm not going to race !! It was way to wet and no way was it going to get better in one day. Iv'e done to many mud races and they are hard on the bike and the body,It's one thing if your already racing and the rain hits but when you know its muddy before you start, it's better to race another day.

I'll hit the road in the morning for some long distance , I better get to bed Iv'e been up for 28 hrs !!! I do this every freaking Saturday because I work Friday night and don't get off work till 9:00 am Sat. who wants to go to bed on a Saturday morning when the sun is shining ? This crap can't be good for me !!!!!! Sorry I'll quit whining !!!!

see ya !!

Race this weekend

Xc race is going to be hot ! and humid ! I just stoped by rich's place and got some more Hammer products so I'm good for a while.

We had a PAMBA meeting tonight at Terry's house It's always a good time,we got a lot done with the race going on this weekend we all have alot to do.Cindy and Amy is going to sell food at the race on both days,the club should make some money .

I'll ride the trails in the morning to keep the skills up on the singletrack,the race is at Farmdale and the course will be tough.I think I'm going to race it like a training ride and do some extra laps,the race is 3 laps I'll try and do 5 or 6 and have Cindy hand off my fuel. SeeYa !!

First century

I did my first century ride on the rode today !! 101.2 miles and I'm pooped. I took 2 days off after my 6 hr solo race and did a 1-15min. ride yesterday. It might not have been a good idea to try a 100 miler but I wanted to push myself hard this week. I have a XC race next week so I'll need to taper down a little ,I don't think another century next week is a good idea.I'm planning on a 12hr solo at the end of the month in WI.
see ya

Metro 12 hr

I made it thru another 6 hr solo in WI. 7th place out of 22 so I feel good on the results.Hills,Hills,Hills and that sums up this race,the hills were killer steep and nice and long,the only way I can look at these races are as training races.My next one needs to be 12 hrs I need to see if I doing 24 hrs is going to be possible.Tha race went well and food was good with the Hammer gels and drinks and e/caps.I met Jeff finally I read his blog every day I feel like I know the kid,his dad is a nice guy and is there for his support crew. The 11 laps were a good pace for me and wonder how much I could have done at a slower pace but for 12 hrs ? I 'll see if I can make the Hatfield race . I need a recovery ride tomorrow I have the 2nd PAMBA race next weekend it'll be tough. see ya !

12 hr race

This weekend, I hope it dosn't rain there isn't a refund.I did a recovery ride this morning 1-1/2 hr zone 1. I should be ready for the race.Cindy and the girls are going up with me Friday and we are going to stay in Gurnee and shop for the night.I better stay off my feet .Bike is all ready to go, i'll pack thursday, witch reminds me I need to get some Hammer gel tomorrow.I'll post back after the race !!

Kickapoo Race

Was last week and it was my first DNF ,but it's early in the season I hope it's my only one.I took a bad endo at the top of a small 6 ft. hill ,my pedal hit a stump and over I went and landed on my back and head. I'll live but I talked myself out of finishing the last lap,I wish I would of done it. I'm waiting for Tony to come out for a road ride today ,we have a road race in June to get ready for.I'll be going up to Wi. next Saturday for the 12 hrs of Metro I'll do 6 hrs solo again and then my next race in need to go 12 hrs. I'm looking at the NRS 1 or 2 for a 2nd. bike ! I love my Razorback I don't know if I can give it up. I'm going to get a quick nap in before I ride today See YA !!

I'll get back

To this post tomorrow , I seem to never have the time !!!!!!!!!!

6 hr race !

Well I just got back from turkey hunting and no turkey for me this year I had fun but I couldn't call a couple in close enough to get a shot today. I did my first 6 hr solo at Kettle mer. Saturday, it went well I got 11 th out of 33 so I'll take it. I don't think some of the riders were to serious some only got 2 or 3 laps. I went out hard with the main pack for the first lap and into the second then I had to start pacing myself a little better. When ever some one would come around me I would stay with them for a while to keep me going. My legs cramped up at the start of the 4 th lap and I had to walk it off for around 5 min. then I was okay and I slowed down and acually felt pretty good on the 5th and 6th lap.I need to find out why I'm cramping I need more training and some kind of supplement.I used the Hammer Heed ,Perpetuem and gel ,I don't think I used the perpetuem right I'll checkwith some other racers. the next Wems. race I can do is May 28th, I'm looking forward to it, 6 or 12 ? I'll see how training goes.