What's goin on in the Kitchen?

Thought I would just provide an update on the latest happenings of the hogg. I just finished reading Beecher's blog and I am pumped for next year. The goals are as follows:

* 8 century rides...(both organized and non)
* 3500 total miles for the year
* At least 1 Cat 5 race
* HHH sub 5 hours (finish with Cole and Beecher all together)
* Col de Hamilton - Less then 1:50


I think these are all real. I even might bake in a triathalon. We will see how the summer is going. That is one thing about Cali is that there are so many things to do.
This week I hit Spin class both Tuesday and Thurs. I felt pretty good on for both, K joined me as well and she is starting to find her second wind. On Friday, I took the day off so we could do some shopping. We went early in the morning to do Body Pump and that class kicked my butt. I am very sore all over. It was a great class however and really builds your core. My focus during the winter will be to build up my "Planet Core" (star wars 1). I feel that was a huge weakness for me this year and I need to get stronger there. So that means a ton of actvities I hate such as sit-ups and crap. I have been eating pretty good as of late so I can stay lean....although the holiday season does not help the cause. I went for a 40 miler yesterday. I cut it short because it got dark and I was underdressed. I spent the evening tinkering with my seat still to find the best fit. I will take it in for a tune up shortly at the LBS. Ohhh during my ride I was the victim of my first drive my punch. Some punk kids pulled up next to me in their car and this guy leaned out the window and took a swing at me as they passed me. He hit me square in the ass. It did not hurt at all..(since it is rock hard) and they thought it was pretty funny. Cowards!! They will get there reward someday.

Last night K and I went to go see the new Bond movie. Very good if you like Bond. I thought the new guy who plays Bond did nice job. I would recommend this. I give it 3 out of 4 Hammer Gels. K and I did feel bad that we did not get back home until 1 am. It is a long movie...

Work is going good. I have all the countries coming in this week for a leadership focus. I plan on taking some of them to a warriors or sharks game.

They announced the Tour De California 2nd stage and it goes along the route I took when I rode in Napa Valley. Pretty cool. Th third stage will find them in San Jose...just not sure where yet.

I plan on hitting that one as well. Maybe ride to where they will roll by to see if I can sneak in some camera time.

Breaking her in

I took the new ride up the Col' de Hamilton. I felt really good and I did it in under 2 hrs. That is a little above 10 mph. Not too bad for me. I talked to this guy on top and he gave me some ideas on some other rides that are similar. I felt really good all the way to the top. It was really cold but so clear I could see all the way to San Fran. There was a stretch there where I just looked around and thought.."Wow, this is a nice ride". I found out I can go faster down-hill with the new ride. The carbon frame really takes in all the pounding that I normally would feel with my old bike. I love my bike. The seat still gave me some issues but I finally I found a good way to place my booty.
We had a pretty good thanksgiving. K put her foot down so I stayed home that morning and did not ride. We went to Dan/s home and it was really nice. They had a Madden tourney set up and Mark and Chris would be proud of me as I went undefeated. Sure some of my opponents were only 8 years old and I figured out they only ran 2 plays...but I still killed them. I finished their dads off as well with my Peyton to Harrison combo.
Today after the ride we saw the Mvie Happy Feet. It was OK. I would wait for blockbuster. I am going to play some hoop in the morning with some guys in the ward. It has been maybe 2 yrs since I have drove the lane and rocked the craddle backboard shaking, game delaying, dogs crying, cats crying, babies crying...if you ain't movin you best get movin. I hope I still got it...not sure if I ever had it. My conditioning should be fine...but hoops work different muscles. We all saw what happened to Lance in the NY marathon.

Ride it like you stole it!!

I am not sure what just happened but I think I rode 60 miles and I don't even remember it. I went out today on my new ride and I felt like I was one with the bike. It was very nice. A huge difference form the Trek. I did not hook up my CAT so I could not tell how fast I was going...but if it was hooked up, the display would say.."Movin". I rode the Uvas route today and it was a very nice day for a ride. I had to make one seat adjustment about half-way out since I felt it was not a good fit. The only thing wrong was my seat itself. It just does not feel right. I will give it a few more rides before I think to dump it.
I liked the compact and I just need to get used to the new gears. I had no problem moving up the hills around the house. I also had no choice to go higher so that helps. Now I need to clean out the garage some to make a better stable for my Arabians.
I look forward to many more miles and days on my ride. I am not sure what to name her yet...that will come soon enough...

What did I do?

I bought a new Lady. Sure I was inspired by my boy Beecher and his new wheels. I am so pumped. I pick it up Friday I hope. That means a nice ride on Saturday if all goes to plan. I think I will also take an extra day off during Thanksgiving week to get on the road some more. I can't wait. My Trek has done me just right and I will keep it for a rainy day or when I feel like I have neglected her long enough. So, my new ride is a 2006 Giant TCR1 Comp. The new 07's came out so I got a sweet deal from the LBS and they are shipping it up here from San Diego...(That place is like Bike Heaven...they are all born from San Diego). Anyway, I am dropping some Shimano RC 700 compact cranks on the ride as well to make sure I can handle Col' de Hamilton on any given Sunday....I mean Saturday. I will have pics shortly. It comes with all the upgrades. If anybody knows me, they know I debated for days on if I should or not. I finally had a good chat with K and she was all for it...(maybe so she would not feel guilty for hitting the outlet malls) but nontheless...I bought it. 2007 looks like it will be a great year for riding. It sounds like Beecher has all the routes lined up. We just need our long lost Cole Trickle to Trickle his way back to the fold. The way he rode in the HHH this year....he does not need a bike upgrade.
Anyway, now you all know what I got for Christmas. If you had a new bike for Jens on your list this year, you can cross that off and think of something else to get me.

The Look

Today I rode the Col de Hamilton. A buddy in my ward is a mountain/road biker and we went for a spin. We were going to go mountain biking but it was like 100 bones to rent a bike...no thanks..I will stick to free bikes and free roads. I felt great in the ride today. He was having a bad day and I could tell by his breathing after the first hill...the quarterback was toast. I felt very good. In fact, I was movin all over the place, I felt strong standing - sitting - resting. I was giving every soul "the look" when I caught them. I felt so good....I kept it out of the Granny the whole ride. I was lovin it. One of my best rides. I waited up top and can only imagine Beecher doing the same only a few months back. On the way down I realized it was time for a new ride. My bike just does not roll like others do and my wheels are messed up. It's about that time. I will have a new ride come 2007.
Anyway, we will be heading to the Beechers next week and then a trip to Legoland. It will be nice to get away from work for a few days. I am takng my bike with me to ride with Beecher on Saturday. That will be nice and Kristin is going to stay with her sisters for a weekend in San Diego....
Anyway, I am tired and am going to go get horizontal in a minute. \

Hangin up the cleats

Well not for good....just for this year. I will not do anymore professional rides this year as it is time to give my legs and my competition a bit of a rest. I feel like I finished the year pretty strong. In fact I did San Felipe yesterday to see where I am at and I finished with ym best time ever....19:41. I went all out and I passed two strong riders up the hill. I actually feel stronger then I have ever been...while not doing as much training as I hav in the past. I have been doing spin classes almost without fail 2x a week and then a long ride on Saturdays. Next Saturday I am going on a Mountain bike trail all day with this guy from my ward. That should be interesting. I have been doing some more "core" work which I think has helped me. I just feel stronger. I plan on keeping this up over the winter to be ready to hit the road again w/ Chris and team next year. It looks like there is a ride in March that will be the first of many. I can't wait to hit the road again with those guys!! It would be nice to be on some new wheels next year as well....we will see how my bonus goes....Speaking of Bonus, it looks like I hit for the 3rd quarter and it came just in time. Our computer crashed the other night and it has forced us into getting a new one. I had the old one backed up and then Dell did a memory dump and cleaned off the hard-drive. The kids now have that computer and Kristin and I have a new MacBook. Pretty sweet little laptop with all the bells and whistles.
In a few weeks we are lookin

RIDES

Here is a link to a number of Cali rides. It has the Coyote ride.

http://www.cibike.org/page7.html

8 point Buck

I have been in Salt Lake all week. It was a last minute trip to visit our site there and meet some of the teams that support us. It was ice cold and snowing. Very strange for this time of the year. The only thing I like about travel is that you eat good. I was impressed by all the selections Utah had. They have built so much since the last time I was out there. I tried to visit some old mission buddies but I could not find the house. It was a half-hearted effort I will admit. I was tired and it was late when I went for a drive that night. I would not mind living in Utah. You can get some good house for your money. I'm not sure if I could hang with the material side of the city. I still get the vibe of "keeping up with the Jones" when I am out there.

Work is going good. It is the end of the quarter and this month has been crazy. K and I had our Birthdays a few weeks ago. We went to PF chang's and walked around a bit. It was nice to get away and talk.

I have the itch to get a ski boat right now. This itch comes and goes. I know for sure one day I will have one...but for now, I need to keep it real. My "real" itch is to buy a house or some land. For me, that will happen in the next year.

I have been on the bike 3x a week still. Not too bad for me. Today I rode up to the dirt-bike park. On the way there I came across a Buck with a huge rack. It was no more then 10 feet from me. I was a little scared I have to admit. It took one step towards me and then froze. I played it as calm as I could but inside I was twisted up in the game. I rode by it and looked back at it just standing in the road. I thought to take a picture of it, but I took my old cell phone with me that did not have a camara on it. I will keep that picture in my mind at least.

Anyway, I think I am going to go watch some Football. K is out at the womens confrence with Dena and I am here with the kidz. Peace out...and stay classy San Diego.

Life after Death

Well,

Now that the HHH is over, what do I do next?? Last year I went into hibernation and hung up the cleats. It was hard for me to get back out on the bike so I vowed not to let that happen again. SO lately I have been riding 3x a week...if that. I have gone out at least every Saturday for a 40+ and the week days have been filled with some spinning and what not. I kinda like keeping the legs fresh and I have committed to the C Creek Challenge in October. It is only a 62 miler and it is on my turf....so it should not be too bad. The Weather here is really nice. Last Saturday I went out in full leg gear. I don't mind the cold after a few miles under my belt.

I will continue to give updates on my biking adventures...but it will not be the same when I can't talk smack with my boys. So I think I will switch gears a bit and talk about life, Work and family......in no particular order.

Today was chill. We just sort-of hung out. It was Stake confrence and we both looked at each other and knew it would be a challenge to take the kids and sit in the back. So we opted out. Not the right thing to do...I know... I played Reagan and Briggs in "Harry Potter Uno". It was their first time and Reagan kicked our Butts. Briggs said he wanted to join Reagan's team later tonight as they Challenge Mom and I so he cna help Reagan beat us. Mom reminded Briggs that he just got beat 3x in a row by Reagan and it did not look like she needed the help.

Football season has started. It was good to see some games this weekend. ASU is 2-0 and they are in the top 25. I think if they beat Cal, they can move up some more. This big one will be USC. I also watched some Cardinals today against my old team...49ers. I was pretty impressed with the Cardnials. Neither team had a defense at all. Briggs starts flag football in a few weeks. We went to the park the other day. He is pretty fast...he just does not have alot in his tank. He needs to get out some more if he wants to hang for more then a quarter.

Anyway, work is work and I am trying to like it?? Actually it is going good and I will be taking on a couple of HUGE projects in the next few months. More to come on that. I don't see much travel coming up since we are conscious of our budget. Fine with me.

That's all I got in my head right now....late

66... a Highway speaks

What a weekend. It all started at Beecher’s Pad where we embarked on our 18 hour trek to trek. Highway 40 was our route of choice. It runs along to O.G. highway 66. Bono paid homage to this road in the song “heartland”. It was only fitting that we used it. The drive was full of anticipation…which made it much longer. But we pressed on. I even got pulled over and placed in the cop car close to Amarillo,TX. I decided to turn on my San Antonio charm mingled with some talk about how the cop’s wife can use eBay better…..and I got off with a warning.
The next day we finished the final leg to meet up with Mark Bennett…AKA..Yoda....(needs no explanation)….and new AKA…Cole Trickle…(needs some explanation). I enjoyed spending the day with them as we checked in, ate some grub, checked out all the new bikes and expensive things you could add to your bike. We all bought a jersey and agreed to wear the team colors. We also agreed to make new team jerseys for next year. Just need to think of a team name and design. That night we played some madden. I allowed Beecher the pleasure of beating me. We finally got to bed after fighting with the AC. The repair man came by to fix it and Beecher was the only one who understood him. Of-course the AC did not work as it should have and we went to bed sweating and woke up shivering.
The day of the ride was intense. My heart rate was pumping already. I just wanted to get going. 11,900 riders had the same feeling as well. We stood right by the howitzer as it shot off….and we were off. The first few miles were typical 24 mph movin…until the event happened. Just as Cole Trickle decided to go through the smoke, Mark decided to bunny-hop a group of riders that had crashed in front of him. Amazingly, he was fine and we can all laugh about it now. He kept moving. I felt like a million bucks for the first 65 miles. I felt like I could take on anybody and kept a good pace. Even at mile 75 I was a little spent, but I still felt I had some juice in the legs. I took off from the rest stop feeling pretty good. I saw Cole T come in for a pit stop which was a good sign since he could have given up miles ago. As I turned that infamous corner for the remaining 20 miles it hit me, the wall, the bonk, the wind and the stomach. I was in bad shape. I thought I could just hang behind some guys and draft in….nothing doing. I finally made it to the Hot dog stop and but some food in the belly. I could not hold anything down. I could not even drink any water. Really weird. My mind was playing games with me. “Just quit, the other guys on the side of the road are…You need to survive, this is insane just jump on the sag…don’t be a whimp…be a man…is that a rest stop over the hill there?” Yes and it saved me. Mile 90 was where I gathered myself for a good 30 min. I laid on the cot stripped down and just chilled. I was determined I was going all the way. I was about to head out when I saw Cole T. Like a 7th grader in the corner of the gym at the dance. I walked over and asked him to dance. It was nice to see him there and we decided to finish this thing together. We paced ourselves the last few miles and crossed together. What a feeling. I don’t even know my ride time. I just know it was not better then last year. The win in all this was that I finished…and I finished with a great group of guys. We all went to eat that night and I was toast. I could not function until later that night.
The next day we kissed and said goodbye. 19 hours back to the valley. It was good hanging with Beecher on the ride and glad he came along….His kids made a sign for us that said Welcome back. It was also nice to see my kids as well. A special thanks to all the wives…Sam-Christine and Kristin. Thanks for the support. It create a great memory for your husbands……having said all that…here are my lessons learned:
· Drink more water
· It’s not about the bike….I would have finished in the same time with a 5000$ bike then I did with my “lady”
· Pickles really do taste good at mile 90 (if you know me…I hate pickles)
· San Felipe was 80 miles shorter then the HHH
· I have good friends
· There is a Dairy Queen in every small town
· You really can Bunny-hop a road bike
· Heat does crazy Shiz
· Oranges don’t really work for me

Until next year….this chapter has closed. I have another ride in Oct. that I will prepare for…just won’t be the same….

TO ALL the LADIES in the HOUSE!!!!

It's about that time, I will consider this my last post until after the ride. I leave Wed eve, pick-up Beecher then hit the road. I can't wait. My mind has been on it all day. One spin class tomorrow to keep the legs loose. Even considering a Firday afternoon ride to get out of travel mode depending on what time we arrive. Maybe Friday morning where ever we are. I just want to ride. It is like Christmas, this only comes once a year. And this is the grand-daddy of em all. Tonight I clean the bike, just like washing down your race horse before the derby. He knows something is about to happen. The oats I feed him are extra crunchy. Rubbin down those rims will feel very nice to him...or is it a her? And then a touch of the Magic "purple lightning chain lube" tradition from last year. No need this time of taking my bike to some dude who gives me dirty looks because of the way I treated her in the past. I understand now, how I used her and did not take care of her. (He still was a pompus jerk who forgot about the fact he was cleaning bikes for charity). I should have been better to her, but I been this year. I gave her a new chain..(last year I carried a chain in my back pocket because the "jerk" again said it was going to snap any minute....btw...I put on another 700 miles after that race with no issues). I gave her some new handle-bar juice, I gave her some new tires...GP's 4000, and finally I gave her the TLC she deserves.....Sure I have looked for others to replace her...she does'nt need to know that, that's between me and this blog, it ain't cheating, someone once said..."If you look once..your a man...if you look twice.....your still a man. So now I will go clean her up for the big parade, her signal will not be the sounding of a bell but that of two jets and a mini howitzer. To all the other 15,000 riders out there with their "trophy wives", take a good look at my lady as we roll on by....and ask your own lady..."Why can't you be more like her"? And all she will be thinking is......why can't you be more like him!!

10 days

San felipe split...20::26.... That is as good as I get for now. I was flying up the hill...for my standards. Kristin is back and it is nice to have her and the kids here. It is not good for man to be alone. I will be working from home tommorrow so that will be nice to hang with the kids some more....
I have two spin classes left, one 50 miler on Saturday and I should be ready. I bought a new from tire to match the back so no more party in the front....it's all BIZNEZZ. Anyway, things are going good at home and work....peace out

The Ride vs. the Rider

What a day, I kind of discounted the title of my last blog by calling it "Nappy". So I apollocreedigize. It was an epic ride. You can follow along with a Map if you would like. I arrived in Younville around 8am. It was kinda cold and misty. I parked at the Veterans home and saw a bunch of guys in eletric wheelcahirs with American Flags on the back. Kinda got my juices going. Yountville is a really nice town. Tons of shops and roadies on their bikes sippin their Java. I headed out to the Silverado trail which is the main-strip of wine tasting and bike tours. I turned left and headed towards Sage Canyon road. Enough of the flat stuff....head to the hills I say. The sun came out just as I hit the lake. I made a left turn on Chiles Pope Valley road. This was another canyon that puts the "Scenic Loop" in San Antonio to shame. It was sweet....and 15 miles of riding along a river grapes. I thought, not too many hills...this is nice. I finally got to Pope Vally and made a left on Howard hill road..(I think that is what it is called). I hit a wall. They call it "ink Grade". 3rd toughest climb in all the valley and it smacked me in the face. I said bring it....It now made sense all the days on San Felipe....I have prepared for this moment. After about an hour and close to 3000 ft of climbing...I made it to the top. Up and over into a Seventh-day adventist College town that looked over the valley and you could even see the Golden Gate bridge in the distance. The descent was crazy...but it felt good to get in some "free" miles. I came back to the floor and hit the Silverado trail. I headed back to the truck to re-charge and fill up the fluids. THen back on the trail to Napa city. All in all, 67 miles. Not too bad. I feel I might have gone longer....but that hill toasted my legs. Next week it's Hamilton...and I will be ready. I am debating on doing a long flat ride to stay on the bike some more because my back was not feeling too good after today. That seems to be my Kryptonite. A little late now to have discovered it....but every Superman has one. I would have enjoyed it more with Beecher or even Salty on my wheel....maybe someday....They will be on my wheel soon enough.....

Nappy Valley

I have 2 Saturdays left before big Papi. I have this weekend to myself since Kristin has extened her Vacation a few more days. I am going to drive up to Napa Vally and ride all day. I look to put in at least 75 miles. Next Saturday will be a 50 spot to the top of the col de Hamilton...and I should be ready!! I am geeked up for the ride tomorrow. I hear Napa has some of the best rides so I should be able to go long and mingle in some climbs. Yesterday in spin class I saw my dos hombres in the mirror behing me. Yoda and ob1. I was in pain because they were. That's the thing about biking. The guy next to you is also about to crack. The question is, do you have what it takes that day? Did you prepare, did you sleep well, are you eating the right foods today, have you paced yourself just enough to make the other doubt, when will you make the break? 2 Weeks we will be able to answer these questions. Anything can happen. It all depends on who shows up. I can't wait...

San Felipe update....

8/8....San Felipe Hill,,,,,,,20:45........OHHHH Snaaapppp. I might get under 20....

Can you smell what the Rock is Cookin??

Yesterday I did a 50+ mile ride. I heard about Uvas Canyon was a nice place to go hiking and see some good waterfalls. I gave Kristin a Map on how to get there and told her I would meet her there. The ride takes you through my side of town and along 1/2 half of the Tour De California time trial. While I was on that road, I met up an adult cycling team. They were leaving at 30 second intervals...so I joined right in. I caught the person in front of me and almost the person in front of him. I was movin. I will mention I had a few others who kicked my butt as well. Even two girls. I swear they had some synthetic testosterone in them. I think their mustaches gave it away. Well, they turned and I kept going around 2 lakes. A really nice ride in some wine country and over some good hills. I finally turned down the road to Uvas Canyon park. You should look it up on line. It was really nice. It is 4 miles off the main road and you wind through the bottom of a huge valley. Near the end you slow your speed down to 5 mph as you pass through a "Sweedish" community that lives up there. Kinda weird..almost cultish but they all seemed really nice and it looked like a big Family reunion. Kristin was already there with the kids. I was shakin because I did not anticipate 50 miles of hills. I had originally planned on riding back....but the quarterback was toast. We went on a mile hike with the kids on "waterfall loop". They really liked that. Eryn just wanted to play in the water so hung with her and Briggs while Kristin and Reagan kept marching up and down the loop. Briggs used the Bug catcher that Oma got him to collect his victims. It was a long day but I felt really good. I only have two more Saturdays left to put in some good rides. I also only have 5 spin classes remaining to get into shape. I feel like I am at least at par or better then i was last year. The true test will be in a few weeks. Master Yoda and OB1, you boys keep playin your games.
It's August baby and the Hogg is in the kitchen cookin up something special. You won't know what it is until you are at the table. It will be a full course meal with all the fixins. Topped of with a 42 oz. can of whoop-ass....

Bobby Seager

Nothing like Bob Seagar to keep you "rollin". Saturday I went 46 miles and I felt good. I went 15 miles to get to the start of the 2006 time trial of the Tour De Cali. This is the one that Floyd won. It is a 17.5 mile ride. It was a really nice ride. Wind was in my grill all the way until I made the final turn and it was 10 miles of movin..rollin. I got behind a tandom bike and we were really movin. He kept looking back at me and then he stopped and said they were turning around. I told him I thought I could just hang-out behind them for a few. HE said "no". Really weird. Maybe he thought I was checking out his wife's sandex. Far from it. If he was riding where I was....he would have known that was not the case.
Thanks Beecher for that quote. That really put things in perspective..."it's not about the bike". give me two wheels and a seat...I will be good!!

See you all in August...

Ice Cube!!!

It is finally cold here and we have ice cubes. After a few weeks of record heat, the weather is back to it's normal mid 70's here in No. Cal. It was intense this past week with no AC. I was sweating bullets. It made all of us very iritable and we wanted to rip each others lips off. But it has all passed. This weekend will be very nice. I plan a good ride tomorrow up Mt Hamilton and plan on starting whenever I wake up. The heat has not stopped me from riding and I have improved my 4.7 mile San felipe climb with the following splits:

Last Wednesday = 26:50
Monday = 25:30
Wed = 24:26....I was movin....breathing was good and it was not as hot. I was bouncing on my pedals.

In between I have been doing spin class with my girl. She has been doing good and is also getting better at it.

Unfortunatley there are no hills in the HHH. I hope all this hill training will make me stronger for the longer rides. I know my boys OB1 and Yoda will resort to EPO for their training methods since they don't drug screen for the HHH. I will keep it all natural. I went to the bike store the other day and purchased some new gloves and socks. Not big needle movers but you need to feel and look good I say. I am still tempted on buying a new bike. I need to get that taste out of my mouth. I think if I can get past the HHH with old faithful, I can last the year. I just need to keep riding after the race. Last year, I was done until the MS 150 came along and I did not prepare. That kicked my butt....and I was really done after that. I hope the Cali weather allows me to ride all year long. I plan to do some of the tour de Cali rides here in the next few weeks. I looked them up and I found the last time trial course is just down the road from my house. This is the course that Floyd tore up. I think I can beat his time...I just need one of those long funny looking helmets and some drogas. I am bitter about this Landis thing. I am not sure yet if he did it or not....but it does not look good. I hope he is cleared for the sake of the story. He inspired me on that stage 17. I felt like he on stage 16 when Beecher blew by me on "col de Hamilton". Now I feel like he did on stage 17.

One other note...I was riding back on San felipe road the other day and I noticed these papers stapled to the trees. They said that bikers were not welcomed since the locals are tired of calling the fire dept to scrape us off the road. They said we are the biggest hazard and that 10 bikers have died this year and 2 injured. Not sure if that is true or not...but kinda amusing. Riding around the corner I almost ate it as a car went wide. It felt like the twilight zone or something immediately after that incident...like I read my future. I roll on!!

Grizwald's in Europe

Well, I have been back for a week now from my Grizwald European vacation. I hit England, Ireland, Holland and Germany. All in, not too bad. Good food was a plenty. You can't beat brats, schnitzl, pommes and boxty's in Ireland. Traveling with my boss and peer was a treat as well. Business class on the long flights was not too shabby. British Airlines was clearly the better airline then Lufthansa. I could have sworn I herad "Big Pippin" as I laid out in my own little room on the 747"s.
I was not able to get to the tdf. It cost a ton of cha-ching and they only had 2nd class smoking sections available to France. You all know I don't roll like that. But I do roll beach cruiser style on the Main river. I took my OPA's bike out for a 25 mile spin. It was nice. It felt good to ride that 2 ton bike....then get on mine and feel like I was Floyd on stage 17. It was great to see Marina, Bernie and Oma. It has been too long since I have seen them and I hope this new job will continue to provide the opportunity in the future.
The flight back was ok. I just missed the kids and my girl. Now I knida wish I was back in Europe because it is HIIZZOTT here. My Mom is in town as well and I feel bad that she went from 115 degree heat to 105 degree heat....but with out AC> We are dying. Of-course the heat has not stopped me from riding. It has only trained me better for the ride in August. I have been on the bike more lately and I feel I am coming up to speed. I still have a way to go so I can get into HHH shape. I have been focused more on longer flats...however I am still in the hills. I am thinking of shaving my legs...but I don't know if I need that advantage on ironman and OB1. I beat guys last year on better gear and shaved legs. It depends on the mode. I'm not scared to show my feminine side. Are you? Ironman and ob1......it's go time. 4 weeks left until the ride. Who is going to put in the hours....or get on their bike when the other is not? Who is willing to keep it out of the grannie gears. Who will buy??

New Tires

Or make that...new Tire. I went to this new Trek store today to pick up some new 23's. I found some nice ones for 60 bones that I read about in a magazine. Champion 4000's. I also saw my next bike....a 5.2 Madonne. Wow...very nice!! I almost bought it with my pocket change...that's how I roll!! But I ended up with a couple of tubes, new tires and some purple lightning lube...a must for the HHH. When I got home I open the tires up and found out it was only one tire. 60 bones for one tire....that is not how I roll. It was too late to go all the way back...so I have a pimpin back tire now. Kinda like those old trans'ams with sweet wheels on the back and cheesy ones in the front......Like Randy Johnson's old mullet....business in the front...party in the rear. I went for a backwards San Felipe. It was nuts. The bike rode fast...almost too fast. that is a hill you can't go down....only up. I rode the breaks all the way down. I came back up the silver creek hill and I felt really good. If the HHH had hills, I would dominate. I guess I can dominate on the overpass...the biggest hill on the entire 100 miles. I can't wait. I too love to watch the scenery on the tour. I am even more pumped that I will be there this time next week. I will ride tommorrow some flats...possibly to Gilroy or Morgan hill. We have a pancake breakfast in the morning at the church...cuts right into my ride...The wifey will not let be go riding until I attend with her. She looks really good wearing the pants sometimes...

You know your getting strong when....

You know you are getting stronger when.......

- Beecher wakes you up
- Salty has heart
- The Tour starts...and your drug free
- Your staying out of the grannie with 2 miles left on Mt. Hamilton
- nobody passes you on Mt. Hamilton
- your passing people on Mt. Hamilton
- Fly's don't land on you
- You fly past the rest stops from your last ride
- you still have ice in your bottle on the top
- you can't wait to do it again...

These are just little victories....but I will take them after a week of training. This week I will go hard since I will be traveling the next week. I might even do Mt. Hamilton again on Tuesday. I am going to get to the bike store in a few to look at some new wheels. On the way down today my rear tire exploded. Scared the SHIZ out of me going 25 mph. I thought I was a gonner. Luckily I lived.
Anyway, Next Saturday I leave for Europe. I am doing a tour of the UK, Ireland and Germany. After the trip I am going to try and take a night train to Montelimar to catch stage 14 of the tour. I hope I can find a seat on the train. We will see. Just more mental juice for the HHH. It will also be good to see Oma and Family. It has been 7 years.

Rollin N' the hills

"" WAAAAAA,, Dunford just kicked my Butt on the HHH......there must be something wrong with my tires "" He must have been training hard a few months before the ride.....he is. Thanks Beecher for waking the monster........It's on like Donkey Kong.

I got a ton of work to do since Beecher will have a 200 banger under his belt. It will make the HHH look like a ride to the corner store. Not too woried about Salty....I just hope he has enough to buy my Chimmi. You never know...it will be a fun ride...

Another night

This will be my last night alone. There was no dancing in my underwear with Bobbie Segar, no ladies, no Bud, no Chronic, not even a 187. Just me chillin with my pot pies and the Suns. They drive me crazy. They go up by 10 only to let those freakin Mavs come back. I can't stand the Mavs. I so wished the Spurs would have beat them. That would have been a great series. I know the Suns can't win it this season because Shaq Daddy is on a mission this year. I just don't want the Mavs to be in the finals.
This week is the big move. I will fly back to SA and pick up the kids. I am not sure where all our stuff is going to go....but we will manage. Kristin is really good at this stuff.
This weekend I went for two long rides. On Sat. I took a ride down to Morgan hill for the "Mushroom festival". I then turned around against the wind for another 20. I tried to take the San Felipe Pass back to our house and I boked 1/4 up the hill. This hill is a monster. It is 2.2 miles of hill but steep ASSS. I knew I needed to save some in the tank to get over a longer flat hill...so I backed off. I kinda felt like a punk that I did not make it all the way up...but I already had 41 miles on my CAT so I justified it...along with the last two hills before the house.
Monday I took-off from the apt. and headed towards Mt. Hamilton. I could only ride 3 hours since I had a B-B-Q so I went as long and as hard as I could for 1 and 1/2 then turned around. I felt really strong. I passed other dudes going up the hill and I had good rythum. I am going to miss riding this weekend. I am starting to feel a bit stronger...just need to keep doing it.
Anyway.....wordlife to all you mutha's....

jd

Valley of the Sun

Just chillin right now watching the Suns do their thing. It was good to see them get a win the other night. We will see if they get one more and sweep these fools. I am going for a long ride tommorrow. I am going to ride down the 101 towards Gilroy for about 25 miles or so then come back. That should give me a good burn. It's been a few weeks since I have been on the bike. I rode the stationary 2x this week. I had a great time in Hawaii with my girl. Everything about it was perfect. It was difficult coming back and doing the old away from home apartment thing. This however is my last week on my own. I will fly back Wed and then bring the family back to San Jose to begin the next episode.
Work is going good. There is plenty of it. I am still trying to get my sea-legs in some areas.
Well...now for a final session of "Things on my Mind" -

Suns are pretty good...wait until next year!! I'm Carol by Briggs. Kristin leaving the computer on. Eryn saying " I like poop " , LOST, my ride, pain, a new bike, a three day weekend, the move.

Not much on my mind right now since I am watch the Suns lose game 2. See ya SUnday..

KOH

Well I did it. I wanted to turn around 2 x out on the hill. But I knew it was only 20 miles. I could do that. It does not seem like alot..but when every mile is all up hill, those miles get long. To get to Mt. Hamilton, you nedd to attack three hills. The whole time you can see the observatory saying.."come and get me". Tha last hill was a killer. Switchbacks all the way up. I had it in my grannie and standing up. I saw a bunch of riders come down the hill and it gave me some power to do what they did. I finally made it to the top. IT was windy and cold. I had to stay up there for about an hour to recover. It was nice to think I had 20 more miles of all down-hill. My brake pads got a work-out. This will be my new hills ride. I think it will get easier now that I have done it once. The first time seems to be the hardest since you don't know what to expect. On the way back, I passed a bunch of old guys coming up the hill with their sadlle bags and all. I want to be able to do this hill at that age. You can't beat the views as well on the trip. I felt like I was in the back country of Germany.
Anyway, I came back home and sat in the jacuzzi. It was nice. A few more days until I go back home...can't wait. The Suns won today and they looked like they have all year. I can only guess what they would be like w/ STAT healthy as well. I think the Clippers are going to give them a hard time. We will see.....I watched some of the Rocky's today. I laughed when rocky was in the pool trying to swim. He looked like a begginner. Then we his wife made him admit he was scared and the music started and he was training like a champ....he all of the sudden knew how to swim...too funny

Just a hill

This Saturday it will be me against the hill!! I am going to the top of MT. Hamilton. 21 miles of incline to the top. I figure a total of 42 miles...half is all uphill. I can do it. It would be nice to have the ironman and Beecher with me on this one. Just not the same when you reach the summit on your own. Anyway, I will tell you all about it.
Work is going great. I am starting to understand what it is they pay me to do. I am still trying to get into the virtual management thing. I am used to going out on the floor and checking on things or fixing things. My floor now is in Europe. I can't go out there everyday. I will be going out this summer for a week or two. Each country has it's own collection law and they can do some crazy stuff there. So I am just trying to get used to that.
I can't wait to get home. I fly out on Tuesday night after work. THen I will play Magnum PI for a week. My kids sound like they are getting older each day. I don't know how I would do it if I was in the service. Well here is my recapp for the week of things on my mind:

The Suns should be up 3 games to 2. The Spurs should be down 3 games to 2. LOST was a good one. I am tired of Terri talking about sex. Tom Cruise is a nutcase...but I will still see his movie. House prices are messed up in Cali. I love the weather here!! Man should not be alone. My Amazing Race couple is still in it. Go hippies!! I miss my wife. Chicken pot pies are really good. I wonder if they are going to make a movie about the book "The Davinci Code". I love Sunday nights on OLN...Cycling night..Giro de Italia this week. I hope the Suns can pull this one off tonight. I'm out...

KOH

Well -

Thanks to Kristin and Oma, I was able to get on the bike this weekend. They shipped it to me, I had a store put it together and I hit the road today. One of the best rides I have ever been on. It was called Mt. Hamilton. Turning onto the road I saw signs such as, "observatory..15 miles", " Caution", "no big trucks", hills next 19 miles. It was a monster. I rode 11 miles to get there when most people drive to the bottom and then begin the ride. Anyway, I hit the hill. It was all uphill. I climbed above the fog and it was the sweet!! I felt like I was on the Alpe de Huez will all the cows on the hill. There were a ton of other riders on the road as well. Some kicked my butt...others...I kicked. I did not make it all the way to the observatory since I already had 25 miles on my CAT and I knew I needed some juice to get back. But is was great. The fog cleared..and you could see all of the south Bay area. This never would have happened if it were not for my girl. Thanks K- I will pay you back with the best juice you will ever have.....see ya

European Vacation

I feel like Clark Griswald trying to communicate in all the lands he visited when he dragged his family over to Europe...wait they won the "Pig in a Poke" contest or something like that. The only thing I have not done that Clark did was ask for "sex" when looking for the number six. Anyway, things are going good with my new job. I had my German team in last week and the French team is in this week. The French team had a translator with them and made the long meetings extra long. I am still drinking out of a fire hose but it is getting better. I miss my kids and wife really bad. I thought I would like hangin out here on my own...but it gets old really quick. (it is not good for man to be alone) You can only eat so many frozen dinners before your right eye begins to twitch. I have been working out everyday which has been good. I have been on the spin bike for about 30 min each day. Not much...but gives me a good burn. The apartment I am in is worthy of an MTV cribs tour. Well, gotta go work-out so all you other ya-who's don't get the impression that I am getting soft. I found a ride called San Felipe. It has an average of 10% over 2 miles. I drove it the other day and found bikers hunched over like they got punched in the gut.....bring it

California Dreamin

I have taken the plunge. I start my new job 4/17. Can't come soon enough. I sit in my office right now with one foot out the door. Trying to find some motivation. My team still motivates me to motivate them...so I will. Friday will be my last day. We are looking to go out to PF Changs with my team and boss. I will miss them greatly. I have always tried to build strong teams....and I have one now.
I have not been on the bike for a week. I went last Saturday and did the upper balcones heights ride back down scenic loop. I felt pretty good. I need to get out more but this move thing has got me all twisted in the game. Yoda called me to ride and I turned him down. We are going to try and get out on Sat. My days are numbered here. K and I are going out next week to San Jose to take a look. I will stay out there....and she will come back. That will be hard...but will make Hawaii that much better. I think we will take a stroll up to San Fran as well. Thanks Mom for coming out to watch the kids!! Anyway...I will keep you all updated as things happen. The bike will come with me in my truck when the ship it....no excuses...

jd

LL Cool J said he did not think he was going back to Cali....I think so. I will know for sure next week...But the "GodFather" made me an offer I can't refuse.
Had a ton of thinking to do this weekend...so I went for the old "Talley" ride. Since Yoda never called, I thought I would go Han-solo. It was windy and slick. I almost turned around at Rio Medina...but I knew the wind would be at my back when I made the turn on 1280. I was movin. I also turned salty when I made it back to the 471. 43 miles. It was a good ride. The mix of choice was Snoop Dog, DRE, Ice Cube, LL, Heavy D, Beastie Boys and even a bit of Mace kept the legs pumping. Some nascar redneck almost ran me off the road...well I think his neck was red...could not tell with the mullet.
Sonny and Crockett...wow that was deep. I think that is where the Ferrari Testorossa was introduced. Also wicker shoes.

Anyway...I like my Chimmichanga w/ Green Sauce and sour cream

out

Rex Kwando

......."You think somebody wants to get a roundhouse to the face with me wearing these.......forget about it!!!"

Rex


Well....Jens Voigt finally got back on the bike today. My legs were on fire on top of Babcock. I did 32 miles in a little over 2 hours. My return on the I-10 I had the wind at my back and I felt stronger. I caught a group and hung with them until they turned on Bandera. I even dropped a couple guys like a ball thrown at Stevie Wonder. I found where they built the new Best Buy at La Cantera....I am in trouble.
Anyway....I got a bunch of "mental" bike riding in when I watched the AMG tour. Pretty cool. I thought I saw Chilly C out there running with Jose and Manual ringing the cow-bells.
We had another B-ball game the other night. It was my worst outing by far. I felt good from a conditioned stand point...but I could not get in the flow. I even had my drop step get blocked. Yep..it was that bad. Then the same guy a couple plays later came down and did a cross over on me that came out of nowhere. I eventually fouled out...more from frustration then anything. I pushed a guy down who was doing a moving screen on me and I had it.
Things are going good on the home front. K and I are getting ready for our Hawaii trip with nightly pilates, yoga and other "conditioning" activities. We need this break. It will be nice. I signed us up for a 38 mile bike ride down the side of a Volcano. K is a little nervous since she has not been on a bike for a number of years. They say it is 500 yards uphill..then downhill all the way. You start at 3am in the morning and watch the sunrise as you coast down. Should be pretty cool. Well..I need to get horizontal for a few minutes to get a power nap in....
OHHH...I got the HHH info for this years race. Looks to be bigger and better then ever. I hope I too will be bigger and better then ever...

Today was a good day!

"Just wakin up in the mornin gotta thank God...I dunno but today seemed kinda odd..no barkin from the dog and no smog...and momma cooked a breakfast with no hog..."
I got by biking grub on yesterday and hit the hills. It really was a "good day". I was going to ride with the SA wheelman on the Camp Bullis ride...but I felt since I had not been on the bike for a week I would get schooled. After my ride...I wish I had. The power I guess you get when you don't ride for a week is pretty cool. I felt like a school boy. I choose the Cieola Vista ride. Early on I racked my right nut so I stood up almost all of Scenic Loop...sorry if it is TMI. Once I got to the top of the loop my BPM was 187. I could feel my heart beat in my teeth. That was the worst part. I recovered pretty quickly and Deez nutz felt better and I was movin. I felt really strong the last 15 miles. I had one of those 20-25 mph returns on scenic loop. My goal was to never use my granny and it worked. So I am convinced I need a double. Might be wishful thinking because the ones I want are almost as much as I bought my bike for. Anyway, I finished the ride in exactly 2 hours. I spent 1 hour and 6 min in my target zone of 163-175. A pretty good work-out. I came home, went to Target with the wifey and took a 1 hour nap and felt great. We went looking for a spin bike yesterday cause Kristin wants to ride. No luck. She now is thinking eliptical or a Spectrum membership.
Today we had stake confrence so it has been pretty chill. Just getting ready for the new week and goin to watch the game tonight. Not really the same doing it alone. Last night I explained why Mike Irvin did not get into the HOF to Krisitin. You could only imagine. She did watch sportscenter a bit with me as we watched the ending of the Illinois game. A mustard seed of hope. Anyway, my goal is to ride on the trainer this week 2x and 50 miles on Saturday.

It's been a few since I have posted. I confess....I have not been on the Trek for over a week. This last weekend the weather was crap and we had a bunch of family in town for my son's baptism. It was cool. Briggs was pumped and he thinks he is pretty cool right now. I have however returned to the court. I feel like I can run all night....it is NICE!!! I see average Joe's gasping for air and its sub after sub. Not me.. I feel great. I am even starting to get that Shawn Marion bounce back in my legs. I felt like I could have thrown down a couple this evening..(and that is not "Steve talk" either) Our record is now 2-1. We have a pretty good team this year. Charlie is point and he brings a friend along who plays the 2 gaurd. Josh myself and Brian are underneath. We have a bunch of other big guys off the bench as well. We are the biggest team this year...no more Leon Valley Freaks who run the show. Parkwood and 3rd ward look to be our Clubber Lang. I just hope we have Adrian with us to slap us around on the Beach when Apollo Creed out-runs us.
Staying with the Rocky theme...I too am looking forward to August. All I need is some snow to run in, a rikshaw to pull Paully and that black trainer guy that nobody knows his name, some meat on a hook, baby oil, Micky, Tommy, "Pain"..(in Clubber 'Lang'uage), a tennis ball, a robot that serves me drinks, some stairs to run up with a bunch of kids behind me, gray sweats and black converse. I also need a mountain to ride to the top and shout-out.."DRAGO------DRAGO". That's right, come August I am going to blow buy all those guys this year with their $10,000 dollar bikes and 300$ spandex. Drago had all the cool gadgets too....but Rocky still opened a can of "Adrian" on him.....yo Adrian...

I rode 211 on Saturday. Trying to get under 60 min. I have decided to change my goal to get under 65 min by August. It was that kind of a ride. After seeing where I was at the 60 min mark..I knew I needed to make some changes to my goal. I actually finished in 73 min and 20 sec. This is just about 2 min slower then the when we rode it a week before HH. So I consider it a win. A win because I really did not kill myself, a win because there was some wind in them hills...and a win because I did not have Beecher behind me pushing me. I talked to a guy at Roger Solis and he said they begin training on that ride in March and they have different pace groups..I think I will join and show off my tight ass.
I am going to ride Monday as well. Not sure but I think I will do the Babcock loop. It's been a few months since my tires have graced those hills.
This is the big week for me at work. Bonus week. I have no impulses right now which is a good thing for me. I will be going in early tommorrow to thank all those who came in for OT and catch-up on some annual reviews.
When I saw that the Steelers won today, I thought of Beecher pumpin his fists. What a win. Suns are winning too....can't wait for STAT to come back...look out.

jd

We had our first ward basketball game last night. We played my old ward (9th ward). We had the typical 15 guys show up for the first game of the year. Of those 15, we actually can make a pretty good team. We ran a 2-3 zone and the trouble with zone in church hoops is that you normally have 2 guys running all over the place and the zone breaks. We ended up getting beat but we walked away knowing we could have won. I had not played ball since last year. I was R-U-S-T-Y. My legs and conditioning felt good though all game...thank you bikey. I even hung around and played in a quick pick-up game. Anyway, we will see how the season goes...it will be a long one (April is our last game ...then it is on w/ the stake tourny). I will try to post results as I play.
I am pumped that I have a three day weekend. I look to go on a ride tommorrow and on Monday. I am going to ride 211. I want to time myself and see how I improve over the next 6 months. My goal is to get under 60 min. Last time I timed myself I did it in 72. That is the bench mark. Should be a nice day as well. I will post results to help me keep track of progress...or not.
Work is good. I have been busy writing annual reviews and planning my attack for 2006. I feel really good I have the right people in place and we are going to do some great things this year. 2005 was not bad as well.
Anyway...time to get into my spot on the couch and watch some ...da-na-na....da-na-nuh

No-mans Land

Today I traveled to no-mans land on the bike. I call it that because it was a ride that I have never been on. My biking buddy Chris moved to Cali so I was on my own. I was told that the roads were just paved on highway 46 that connects the 16 to Bourne. My mind was prepared but my body was not. I had not been on the bike since the previous Saturday when Chris and I rode 211. I felt good that day but today I bit off more then I can chew....so I had to swallow. Bandera was windy as ever and I flet like I was pulling a wagon. I was about 22 miles out when I finally found the 46..(tons of hills). It was NICE!!! New road and all. Some guys in a Dodge truck passed me and yelled out.."Nice Ass". They were laughing and I thought it was actually pretty funny myself. The wind was at my back for the 12 mile trek to Bourne. I was movin. All along however I knew that I would need to turn back south and head into the wind. I used the upper balcones road to head back. I forgot all the hills on that road. I passed "Jurasic Park" and a couple of guys passed me..(seems to happen alot on that road). I really did'nt care since I knew I had already 40 miles on my odo. Turning onto the famous Scenic Loop I bonked. I only took water and granola bars with me and no gatorade. I got all salty and I was struggling to get over 10mph up the back portion. I called my wife to pick me up at Rogers Solis since I knew I was toast. Pretty stupid. I was on the bike for close to 4 hours and had traveled 58 miles. I think I need to do some shorter runs to get me back into shape....but it was just such a nice day that I kept movin. It would have been nice to have Chris out there with me. Not just to hang with...but to also break some wind for me. Anyway, Krisitn ws upset because of course I had a bunch things on her list that I was not able to do because I was horizontal the rest of the day. Now I am just watching the some football while Kristin and the kids are at her sisters...