Wednesday, August 29, 2007

No time like the present...

I have my endurance race next week, but I do not have a racing bike prepared. I have sold all my racing bikes to get ready for the next season on my new 29er Vassagos! Cannot wait till, I can get my hands on one. Right now I have a road, cyclocross, and a 29er Peace single speed. I think that I will ride my 29er Gt peace single speed for the race. I will change a few parts to make it as extremely light as possible such as tubes/wheelset/tires, pedals (perhaps crankarms), seapost/saddle, stem/bar-I hope to take off a pound or two, and fool around with what cogset to ride. Right now a 32/18 but the course that I will be on will be extremely steep. I am afraid that on the flats I will spin out extremely or on the hills not be able to pedal up.
Not only do I have this on my mind, I also have work. I teach and have an intern this year. I was at school at 7:30am and left @10:30pm. Long day and the first real day is tomorrow.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Back to tha grind.

Well, it is time to teach again. Been going to school to organize things and trying to get motivated for the upcoming year. I am a really strict teacher with high expectations. I figure, that my salary pays me to have children come to class and with my guidance get the education to better society... I have a huge responsibility. I found part of a quote, "teachers have the language and words to hurt and to heal." So true!!!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Peace


Hey everyone, I just got my new GT peace 29er single speed. It's awesome! I am mainly using it for commuting and training. It has a 32t ring and 18t cog. It feels alright, but I am wondering what my other teammates are riding this year? I am going to set up one of Vassago's as a 1x9 and the other one as a single speed. It's not white as in the picture, it's a bronze with camo writing...sweet. It's a little muddy now, but I could not resist.

I went on the same trail, that I did with my full sus. 26er. It felt way better on the 29er. It just rolled over everything. I had no problems whatsoever! I still have to play with my saddle height and stuff. But, for $500; how could go wrong getting a complete bike.

My stomach is a little sore, but hell getting a new bike sure did pick up my spirits. After a ride, I usually gorge myself with some food; but I can only have fluids for the next 48hrs. 24hrs to go...I'm so hungry.

2 days of just fluids..

Hey everyone, just got back from the hospital. I was admitted due to abdominal pains. I had surgery around 10yrs ago, where they took 12 inches off of my colon. I have some scar tissue, as a result my bowels were constricted...long story short...painful. But, things have subsided. I got some new painkillers and a new diet for the next two days before solid food. I think this week will be pretty minimal for the intensity.

Cheers!

Friday, August 17, 2007

P.O 'ed!!!

Some person just put a claim for me on paypal. I have over 275 positive feedback from unique users and almost 400 altogether, no negatives! Piss me off man, first I let the guy pay late....hmm no use wasting energy, talking to the paypal guy sounds like I will be victorious. I need the energy for intervals. No negative energy Mel (repeated over and over).

Cheers everyone and have a great weekend! Looking forward to riding, eating and drinking. Livin life!

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Selling bikes and more, great deals!!!

Hey everyone,

I am selling my last of my Brodie's. I have a mtb and a road frame/fork/seatpost for sale. They are up on eBay right now. But email me and I would love to do business outside of eBay.

  1. I have Full Sus. Brodie 2005 17" rocket. It has full 9spd Shimano Deore Disc. I will let it go for $900 regular retail is $2300CAD.
  2. I also have a Scandium Brodie Roadie frame/fork/seatpost for sale. It is a 50cm and I am letting it go for $300.
  3. I have a set of Cane Creek Team Ti tubeless wheelset with Titanium spokes and Conti Explorers tubeless installed and have an extra pair of Conti twister tubeless. Letting go for $450. Retail $850USD.
  4. I have a set of Sun Ringle Black Flea, super light and they have 2 set's of Maxxis tires to go along with them. $250.

Here is the link to the items, I still have to put the wheelsets on:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260148303003&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

I forgot how much intervals hurt...

Hey, I finally got my fitness somewhat back and I am beginning to pack on the hours again. That whole house thing is draining. But it is time to build up some good base and get ready for next year. I plan on racing cyclocross or participating in the local races, so I need to get some higher end intervals in.
I was supposed to 4 on and 2mins off, but decided to stack them and do 8mins on and 3mins off. I kept my heart rate in the 170's and it felt pretty good. My max hrt is 195bpm, so I was in a decent higher end for the 8 mins. If I could extend that to 15mins then 1/2hr that would be great for cross season. Cross is basically a time trial with running in it. I find it really hard to keep a constant pace because your on the edge so much.
More intervals tomorrow, will let you know how it goes.

Finally getting settled in...

Hey everyone, I have different perspectives of blogs. But I am going to use mine like my personal diary to drain my thoughts about my training, workday, and life in general. I have 16 more days for holidays, then I go back to teaching. Not too bad.
My wife and I finally feel at home at our new house and the stress level is finally down. I have been training everyday (switching from running/bike/weights), so that feels awesome.
This week, I am starting up with my regular training regimen. Mon. weights, Tues intervals Zone 4/Zone 2 4 mins on, and 2 off/2 sets of 5/ with a 10min break in between sets. Wed. Sprints 30sec. on/3 break zone 2, 3 sets of 6 reps, with a 10min. break in between sets. Thurs. recovery ride. Fri. Power intervals zone 5 for 2.5 mins and a 5 min break, 1 set of 6. Sat. 100km road ride and Sun. easy trail ride for a couple of hours.
As a final note, I sold my last 26er and I am fully committed to the 29er movement. I will have to borrow my friends bike until mine come in. I am going to build a single speed and also a geared version via from my sponsor Vassago. Awesome people work their, they email me, don't mind having conversations on the phone, there gggreat!

One of the coolest quotes ever!

Miyagi: Now, ready?
Daniel: Yeah, I guess so.
Miyagi: [sighs] Daniel-san, must talk. [they both kneel]
Miyagi: Walk on road, hm? Walk left side, safe. Walk right side, safe. Walk middle, sooner or later [makes squish gesture]
Miyagi: get squish just like grape. Here, karate, same thing. Either you karate do "yes" or karate do "no." You karate do "guess so," [makes squish gesture]
Miyagi: just like grape. Understand?
Daniel: Yeah, I understand.
Miyagi: Now, ready?
Daniel: Yeah, I'm ready.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

singlespeed or geared...to be or not to be...that is the question..

Hmm, ride singlespeed or geared for next year? I have always ridden a geared bike for racing, commuting, etc. I just ordered a GT peace for commuting for this year. I have my trusty ole Kona Kiluea rigid geared that I have been riding all year round for the past 4 years. Most of the other Vassago team riders ride a ss. I don't want to stick out like a sore thumb, but I am definitely intimidated by the single speed phenomenom.

I think that I will do most of my training this fall and winter outside on my GT, but build up a geared and a single speed for next year. I hope that I get my goodies soon. If there is anyone out there looking for high end 26er stuff like wheels, frames, etc. Let me know. I will be getting rid of my stuff.

Well, I got to ride on the road for a few hours today, but tomorrow I am looking forward to put a 5hr day in. It's been so long, because I have been so busy moving and such.

Just giver!

Monday, August 6, 2007

First time ever-Time 2 giv'er

Well, this is my first time ever blogging. This racing season has been very uneventful, due to packing and moving from our first home to our second home. Let me tell you that the experience has been enlightening! I have not gotten on the bike for about a week just because I am way too exhausted moving and organizing our things at home, then trying to get all the service people to come in, people still coming in @ 6:00am to finish painting, etc. etc...
Well, some more positive things. I am happy to say that I will be riding for Vassago bikes this upcoming season. Misty and the rest of the crew, you guys have been awesome to work with thus far and I look to meet you guys soon. Unfortunately, I live way too far to ride with the other team riders Kevin, Brian, and Namrita. I do want to meet up with them for at least one team event next year though.
Off to do more organizing...sucks!