Guilty Pleasure

Growing up everyone has Heroes, whether it's your Parents, a Dog or Cat, or perhaps even a Police Officer. In my case it was MJ. Yeah, I think a lot of people liked Sir Air-Dunk. 

I recall going to my neighbor Caleb's house & trying to shoot hoops in his Driveway turned Ball court,with the older kids from my NorthWest Omaha 'Hood. Most of the time I would end up watching, wishing I was Tall or Big. I could have used the height becuz my game was not what you'd call pretty.

Anywho, ( I totally jacked that phrase from Munson, thanks by the way)I loved the NBA and watching the Bulls of old with Pipp, Kukoc, Rodman, Harper and good Ol' Fire Crotch as Caleb liked to call him.

My neighbor and I watched games together and dreamt of every kids dream, being a professional athlete. And while I'm not in the NBA,(yet) I think I'm doing pretty well just Pedaling, and striving for others to turn the cranks instead of the keys.

HIT THE STREETS OMAHA!

Birthday Daydreams

If you happen to see Diane Keaton walking her dog around Dundee with a hot latt'e in hand,wish her a Happy Birthday from me. (And let her know I'm single)

Oh and if you're in need of plans this evening check this out.

So you know where I'll be at 6:30, with cookies and perhaps s-more coffee.

Feel free to join me. one wrinkle though. You must Go by Bike.

Sailing High on Tomorrow's Pedaler

Words cannot express what I experienced this weekend. Scratch that this week.I learned and expressed things, had monumental life changing chats, and pedaled. But looking back on all these rides and conversations (with people that you've had man crushes on) and tears shed from a quiet place, (well with the Faint bumping in the background) I can say that its not about racing, or hey even bicycles and pedaling things-

Let me tell ya what its all about-

FAMILY

FRIENDS NEW AND OLD

HEROES

Day One

Ahh the first pedal revolutions were divine to the land of uncharted territory (sigh) West Omaha.
Really stinking odd to ride out there again, I think the last time was probably summer? I don't get out much people-
After a faster than expected gut check ride home to beat the darkness, I went to see this with a friend.
Not too shabby.
Oh, and there's some bikes to my left, I like em alright.

The Switch

Well thats it 2008, we had a pretty decent time together.We started strong with hopes of granduer and ideas a plenty.
We cruised through the spring banishing books for baked goods and pedal power.

I remember an awakening occured while on the 29er Trifecta ride in March. Something about getting a group of guys and gals together and riding the streets that I deliver on and know, oh so well. The route was a thing of beauty orchestrated by Mr. Savery, linking Omaha's historic neighborhoods and boulevards.That ride started many things for me, one being a strong desire to be a part of Omaha's community of riders. I no longer wanted to be the recluse I once was, pushing big gears and riding like a skeleton in the night.

I learned of strength in numbers and the joy you can recieve from new friends and beers at the end of it all. Summer came and friendships were lost and found. It wasn't always Hunky Dory,but I kept my head up through some tough times and came out alright.I really wanted results in 2008, but those don't just fall into your lap. It requires alot. And in all honesty it was my first taste of the race scene.

See, Its been my dream to race since I received my first bike, a Kona Blast. I rode dirt trying to hang with local legends like Ben Cleveland and James Hermsen. These guys were my Supermen.They shaped the rider and individual that I am today.
Soon later the Spoke-Daddy and I found an old Cannondale
with downtube shifting and Shimano 600 groupo.This aluminum wonder was found at a South Omaha rummage sale and was my first commuter bike,and first taste of singlespeed riding.

Here and there I would show my little 19-year-old face at Wednesday Kaos rides. I recall thinking I was the Shit, and tried to race everyone up hills on my single as they warmed up for a 50 mile ride. Yeah I was that guy keeled over in the sub-division dressed in black twenty minutes later.

I would pedal hard but with just little ol me. And I started getting this ego and belief that I could win any race, only because I commuted on a really stupid gear ratio (53:16) which made me pedal like an angry pirate and have terrible form to boot. Anyway I thought I was so radically different because I did this, and then to make matters worse my ego was notched a bit higher after picking up a delivery gig.

So I guess the point of this bedtime story is this- I've enjoyed the people I have met as the result of choosing community versus seclusion. And am looking forward to road rides that leave me breathless on Wednesday evenings chasing some of the best on the rollers of the Omaha Trace, Crazy Gravel Adventures with the Lincoln Crew, and Luke and I killing each other anytime we happen to ride side by side.



Here's to 2009

Lunch Hour

Triple Threat

Today's lunchtime delivery from 11 to 2 will make it three straight. Some folks make three pointers,some score hat-tricks and some have triplets. I deliver.

Sometimes it's just for the hilarity of responses I get from those hungry folk. Sometimes its for wanting to stalk around at night like a cat burglar when your lights run out of juice.Sometimes it's to clear your head when tough times linger. Sometimes its to eat endless amounts of Jimmy cookies.

But really, nothing beats getting out on the bike.

Over and Done With

My last fall semester is in the books,
that means more coffee consumption,
more rides to Grandmas house and beyond,
more midnight donuts,
more economic stimulation,
and perhaps a trip West.
We will just have to wait and see.

Sure hope snow begins to fly,
I wanna go X-Country Ski.
Then sit by the fire
sip hot beverages
while watching this.


Photographic Slander by this f#@k

KCCX CONT.

Well, Well where did the adventure leave us? Ah I remember now, 10 minutes until the start of Cyclocross Nationals (which by dumb luck was the first and only CX race of 08)and I'm still getting dressed and warmed up.

I sprint to the porta-pottie while Lucas rode the Breed back to the car in hopes of finding some pins to attach those pesky race numbers. You're all probably wondering, "Why didn't the man with the USA cycling windbreaker just give them to you like everyone else?" Well they apparently ran out and I was out of luck.

Lucas and I met back near the start line, I touched my toes while he attached the numbers to my back with the pins he dug up in his Malibu.
Then the Big Whigs through the speakers asked for all those singlespeeders to come on down- IT WAS TIME.

Everyone was already lined up as if they had been camping there the night before for prime start position. Knowing nothing of CX etiquette I place myself smack dab in the middle of the front row.Moments later they explain start position is by race bib number and I was in the wrong place.

I lined up next to the eventual winner, James LaLonde. The youngest of three brothers who could quite possibly be the best one-speeders around.You can see him in the photo below, with little old me primping myself before the 45min of speed and deep breaths begins.


The race begins and I start out fairly conservative in around 15th position. We started on a paved road, then dipped into the dirt. Upon entering I decided to drop the hammer and try to pass some folks up, (Because that's why you race,to win, and to have Fun) Anyway, I really started to crank it on my freshly changed 44:21 gear.

The legs responded with the pedals turning, and I gotta admit I felt pretty darn good and things were all Hunky Dory.But FYI I made a late swap from my 16 tooth surly cog with this 21 tooth cog.It being some aluminum jobber off a crap road cluster that some rent-a-mechanic from BikeSource in KC gave me. It had me worried when they threw it on, but test rides prior to the race led me to believe it would do its job.

I was dead wrong. After an attempted surge the chain popped off. I leaned over threw it on, and tried to push once again. Chain wasn't having it. I continued to ride and just tried to deal with it. There was really no way to pedal the thing so I just picked it up and decided to run with it. At the end of my second lap, The entire field had passed so my race was complete.

One of these days issues like these won't come up.I unfortunately have had my fair share of problems with bikes and registration this year,But 2009 is on the horizon.Making it no better time to look back and see how things went wrong and how they won't bother me in 09.

I'm already locked in for Trans Iowa v5, and Dirty Kanza. Sprinkle in some road races and perhaps the 24 hr series and the plate is pretty full.
My time will come though, gotta stay positive and just chuckle about the past.

Iv'e already ordered my very own chain whip and set of Surly cogs.
After all its tough maintaining seven bikes.
Photos taken from here and here

KCCX LOVE?

Went to KC for Cross Natties....Forgot USAC liscense.... Barely made it to start line
....What do you think happened next? (I suck at prepared-ness, seems to be a trend this year)
More to come after finals....

Busy Beaver

I woke up at random this morning around 6 am to white stuff littered outside my windows. Fun Fun. Its really odd, some mornings are just like that- you pop out of bed with this sense of purpose.

On pretty much each and every Saturday I eat quite a hearty breakfast followed by a glorious amount of coffee. After that its typically some good R&R or a jaunt down to Film Streams. But yesterday, I apparently was a bit more motivated.

Before bfast I hit the rollers for a good 45 min and knew my time was up when puddles of sweat formed on the wood floor, that and my stomach crushing up against my spine needing some nutrition.
Following some eats, I whipped out some homework then pedaled to the grocery store. While at the store certain items always call out to me and beg to be bought, on this particular day it was the hostess powdered doughnuts. And I answered that call.

After putting my bounty of food away, I cruised down to the bike Co-op with hopes of swapping tires on the LaCruz. Time kept ticking and conversations were too plenty, so no swap for the 700x 38's. After all that I buzzed off to see Creighton handle Uconn an overtime loss down at Morrison Stadium.

I got home at 4:15 having to deliver at 5. I changed into a full wool ensemble complete with down booties, then went for the stove and heated up lentil soup with, ahh yes fresh cilantro. Luckily I had set out much of my gear the night before and didn't have much to do before my shift.

It was overall a fantastic evening complete with near ice sliding and red rosy cheeks.

A kid answered the door on a delivery to North 33rd St. and proclaimed with the swing of the front door," What the heck do ya want" Mind you this kid could not have been older than seven. I respond "Jimmy John's Delivery for Ira" Moments later a parent lurks down the stairs and signs the credit receipt. As I'm about to leave the young boy says," What do you have that thing on your head for?" "Safety", I said.
He then responds, "Why don't you just drive a car" and on top of that, he murmurs, "How come they let you have a job without a car" Yep you can definitely think of all the ultra violence I wanted to bring upon this squirrely looking boy. But I bit my lip and said nothing but have a good night, then slammed the door and hopped on the bike.

Round 2 tonight at 5.
Looks to be a goody with snow on top of all that slippery stuff.
Might have to bust out the studs.

Why does this crap have to happen by bicycle?

Potential Sidekick

Ahh, Delivery last weekend was as always a killer time. One of these days I'll take my camera along and do a little snappy snappy. Speaking of snappy,these look pretty sweet,ear flaps are good!

Saturday night the weather obeyed, and hovered above freezing for the duration of my shift. I delivered to a guy south of Leavenworth, who had this lil' pup beagle named Cooper. Upon leaving Cooper began to follow me, ignoring his owners calls and stalking me at a distance. I turned on my little friends that flash, as Cooper stood on the top of the stairs just gazing at my bike and I in the cold dark night. It was at this point that I thought of placing Cooper in the Chrome bag and taking him for a little joy ride. Instead I rode up to him picked him up with a nice clean scoop and pedaled him back to his owner.I still think how great it would have been to just have a pup with his head hanging out barking at autos while I roamed the streets.

Is anyone in the Omaha metro area planning to do Jingle Cross?
I could use a lift-

A fine way to spend your time

Clicky here

Cranksgiving B-Fast

Anyone wanting to have some eats before Cranksgiving can meet at my house (114 N. 35th St.)
Probably eggs,pcakes,coffee,maybe even bacon?
B-fast starts at 9 a.m., then pedal out to the shop for the main event.
Comment below or email me if you plan to attend

TI 5

-It's in the Mail

Wanna see if you can go the distance? Go here

The Times they are a Changin

After an early rise I had high hopes of hitting the books, Instead I placed stickers on bottles for 45 min,
did laundry,wrote a few checks, ate some steel-cut oats, drank a pint of coffee, stopped by the Bicycle Co-OP, ran out of coffee cycled for more, cycled round town while getting bullied by the wind until I decided to wear this bad boy.
Then about 4 p.m. I realize huh, I've gotta deliver in an hour, I'll just get that school stuff done tomorrow. Yep that's a typical weekend round here, procrastination station.

Delivery as always was pretty great, Temps hovering right below freezing at the dawn of my shift. I wore some knickers with these underneath,

Yep thats right wool, made by the boys and girls at Defeet. Everyone talks about it, lucky folk ride bikes in it,I prance round the house in nothing but them. Anyway for a brief review, buy them, they are quite a bit warmer than any pearl knee warmer out there, plus they make you think you're dressing drag.

There were many favorite moments from the evening, folks glancing from their autos wondering what a maniac would be doing outside when its so cold. Ha I thought it was nice, really nice. I can't wait for the looks when the single digits appear.

A car full of girls yelled in my direction at a stoplight, "What are you doing on a bike" I reply, " I'm working" then turned the cranks forward.
Another delivery had me rushing off to the 49'er with 12 sandies strapped to my back using this old friend. I blew past a few autos on the initial turn from the shop at 40th and Dodge heading west, then continued to push when I looked to my left and found two females, yelling out their windows in scantily clad jagermeister gear. They continued to drive right beside me until I had enough of them. I blew them a kiss goodbye and charged up the hill to 49th St. When I hopped off the bike the girls pull up and get out shortly after, I realized they too were going to the niner, so like a nice gentleman that I am, I held the door open for them. I think they appreciated it.

Round 2 tonight.

A Pleasant Surprise

Typically I'll have class on Thursday evenings until 9 p.m.But yesterday had a different song and dance.Chris Burbach from the OWH came to speak with our class, What he spoke of was great but i was more stoked by the fact he came to the class with a blue giro helmet in tow complete with panniers and a soft-shell jacket. Damn it's good to see people getting out on bikes for transportation's sake. Job well done Mr. Burbach.
Anyhow, due to the guest speaker class was let out at 7p.m.( which got me feeling all hunky dory) And thanks to that early exit I was able to start the Kubrick series at Film Streams with 2001: A Space Odyssey.


That flik is outstanding on the big screen though, it really takes you to this complete different world that by its end you almost feel as if you had dreamt the entire time.

On another note, I'm liking the fact that cold weather is finally upon us. Coffee tastes better, school seems to pass with ease, and yeah its swell being on a bike. Yes, Yes, soon it will be the time for lobster gloves, ninja garb, and face freezing for miles and miles. These are exciting times my friends.

City Council by Bike

Yestersday evening my News Writing & Reporting class had to cover a Bellevue City Council Meeting. The meeting started promptly at 7p.m. with our anticipated arrival quarter past six. I was not only stoked at the idea of a field trip,but also the ride and route that would take me there. It went like this...
Downtown to 13th St. headed South on the pearl white Soulcraft, then hooked up with Bellevue Blvd. (which is spectacular by the way) The Blvd. is lined with brick for the first half which was quite a delight in the dark and steady rain conditions, I pounded up hills and raced cars like I was on the streets of Belgium dodging other fellows clad in multi-color spandex.It was especially great when I rolled up to the City Council Mtg. on Mission Ave. and "parked" a foot from the door while my classmates scoured Old Towne Bellevue for the closest availiable spot.
The meeting covered three topics- annexes,beautification of Bellevue building and design and the use of temporary signs. The meeting lasted over three hours and was a freaking riot. Can't wait to write my story! (sarcastic tone)
Would have much rather been hitting gravel in Iowa our racing a death-crit against autos on the B.B.

Aches and Cake

About a month ago I acquired a toothache that came and went as it pleased, it wasn't too much of bother at the time, I mean nothing some good Ol' whiskey couldn't fix.
Now I'm suddenly having sleepless night after sleepless night,bouncing round the bed in agony from this freakin toothache, if I take a sip of water it fills the gaping hole and pain ensues, Eating isn't fun anymore as I'm left chewing everything on the left side of my mouth like a squirrel packing acorns.
Having a little break from school I had time to visit the dentist in hopes to regain my sheep counting regimen and chewing food evenly in the left and right halves of my mouth.
After 15 minutes of my time an x-ray is taken, I'm then informed about a root canal complete with a crown that is needed to save tooth #4. Prescription of antibiotic and vicadine should make life interesting in the meantime.

As for tonight I'll be dodging thundershowers with bags beneath my eyes,hopping to and fro with sandwiches nestled against my back.
Just another night of delivery eh?
Last weekend was full of its own tales,(VA nurses telling me I'm nuts, cops giving props, and your run of the mill guy asking me why I don't use an automobile for delivery)
I'm sure folks won't disappoint tonight.

I'm listening LaCruz

The maiden voyage was just what the doctor ordered.