Stoch

Week of October 24-2010

2010-10-26T18:41:00.000-07:00

Monday

Run 6.5 miles (time - 42 minutes) Derryfield Cross Country Course - Manchester, NH

Felt tired - not much sleep first night of Makenna's first night

Tuesday

Track Workout (10x400) (secs - 71,84,86,86,85,85,85,83,83,83) - solid 17:25-17:30 pace

Felt strong - last 2 were mentally tough. Ended with striders & heel kicks.

Wednesday

Ride - Tempo with Pedro's Elite racer Josh Lehmann - 90 minutes (40xSST+, 5 Hill Repeats)

Thursday

Run - 5 miles - (time 37:10)

Friday

Run - 5 miles (time 36:22)

Saturday

Ride - Tempo Hill Ride @ SST 90 minutes

Sunday

Run - 3 miles (time 23:10)

Totals

Run - 25 miles

Ride - 180 minutes

Week of October 17-2010

2010-10-23T04:44:00.000-07:00

The legs seemed to be coming around this week. I got a little more bike time in this week. Early mornings are a product of my youth. All the years and years of early saturday mornings to car pool to Toronto to hit the ice for practice, or the summer soccer travel teams has my clock static. The trend of early am efforts is not a trend but for me part of my day.

The highlight of my week (besides finding some new sweet trails at the Winnie Castle with a friend) is running the Kelly mann Memorial 5K in Nashua NH to help fund Bridges center for domestic violence. The story of Kelly is horrific. The community drive to raise awareness is evident.

Ker' and the girls again offered to watch yet another 5k on Saturday. This would make # 5 in 6 weeks back running. After a 4+ year hiatus from running I had now raced five 5k's in 6 weeks. Let alone the legs are not even under me yet, the muscles still are soft, it feels good to run.

The 5K was a local race in Nashua, NH. After registering I found a nice place to warm up around the middle school in the trails. I was cold. 40 degrees was the start temp. It was my first race in long sleeves and a solid warm up outfit of many layers. I found some familiar faces at this race. Ken Kalil was a friend I raced with on Whirlaway. He was warming up banging out striders. A few other young HS kids looked pretty fit.

Grabbing Kenny at the line I asked what he wanted to run. Zonkers, he had not been running and said he just wanted to break 20. I had been running in the low to mid 18's so figured I should pace with Kenny and see how it would turn out.

After a few announcements and the opportunity to hear about Kelly Mann we were off. It didn't take a /4 mile to realize it was me and a high school kid and a 1/4 mile gap t Kenny's group. The lead out was a mountain biker. At the 3/4 mile I put in a few surges and began to pull away.

1 mile marker was not legit. Had me at 6:30 and aprox 11 seconds on the young buck on my heels. Mile 2 had me at 11;58. Mile 2-3 was a blur. It was cold, I am not in running shape and was feeling so slow. There were gradual climbs from 2-3. At mile 3 it was an uphill gradual finish. I was slow....but somehow I was alone to win the race.

I crossed in 18:52 by my watch or 18:56 by the timer. My first 5k in win in 5 years and it was cold, I was slow. After a few minutes to cool down I managed to grab some post race food with the kids. No payouts, no money, but a trophy, medal and a great cause.

Monday - Run 6.73 miles trail run in 1:03 with Zen

Tuesday - Bike 30 miles easy AR

Wednesday - Ride 23 miles

Thursday - Run 5 miles Winie Kinnie Castle

Friday - Mountain BIke 11.5 miles Winnie Castle

Saturday - Race 5K Kelly Mann Memorial 5K 18:52 (polar)

1st Place overall & 1st place M 30-39

40 degree at start - cold run - felt slow

Mileage - 8 total

Ride - 3 miles CX with Ella - worked on drills for Ella

Sunday - Run 12 miles (time - 90 minutes) - @7:30 pace

Londonderry Trails run - felt very good

Total Run - 32 miles

Bike Time - 70 miles

Week 10-2 through 10-9

2010-10-11T04:51:00.000-07:00

My entry into the barrier run up in the men's Elite race at Night Weasels.

I am in the thick of event season. We seem to have our weekends full of race support. No doubt I have been burning the candle between race event support, travel, and balancing home with the girls. The girls & Ker' have been super patient with my event support.

After a solid weekend in Gloucester we were slated to be the official bike support at the Night Weasels race in MA. A mid-week night race under the lights on the off camber of a ski mountain organized by the crossresults.com & HUP United crew it was going to be an event of sorts; no doubt.

Matty B and I set up early the team tent lounge, bike wash support & pit tent area. Washing /cleaning started at 4:30 and ran through 11pm. The course had the bikes rolling in caked in split seed grass 1.5 inches long & thick. Took two of us to scrub and wash each bike, typical turn around of 3-5 minutes/bike. Too many comments that folks found it so strange the company President & Vice President were thick into our knees in suds, scrubbing bikes. Let me address this. Our company was founded in grassroots during the MTB explosion in the 80's. It is typical to find any of our employee's at any time deep in the muck entrenched in worrying more about another rider than themself, so seeing myself & Matty B washing hundreds of bikes was exactly how it should have seemed, appropriate. Thanks a ton to Jeff Bramhall (Internet www.thejeffreybramhall.com) for hours of washing alike

After washing in mid to upper 40 degree weather for hours; I jumped into the men's elite race. Now mind you I have gone on and on about my NO training for the 2010 cross season. It is true I have NOT been training but rather running more than holding the drops (all in caps to make the point, so as you don;t laugh about my results - and I have every excuse nailed down). Combination of event support for our company, work hours, travel schedule, about to be a father again for # 4, etc, I have spent NO time worrying about training, so.......the thought of racing 60 minutes of a men;s elite cross race in the company of Myerson, Bold, and good company was sure to end as a shit show for me. I managed an ok performance, finished my first 60 minute cross race, and had way too much fun racing in harsh conditions infront of a tough crowd! This leads to this weeks running race....

After a tough & hilly cross country 10 mile training run Saturday in the forest & woods of Litchfield, NH I decided with Ker' to run a 5K in Milford, NH. It was an early start but the money would go toward the Milford HS track program. Seemed the registration would get over 150 runners in the 5k alone, but there was also a 10k run. We had family visiting from Montreal Canada, so 6 girls and I crammed into Ker's car and we hit the road on coffee and good will.

The 5k let off at 9am, toeing the line was a ton of local HS kids, a few collegiate kids and some local legit racers. I figured to sit in somewhere in the top 10 thruogh the first 2 miles then make a decision.

It didn't happen as planned. At the gun I was second stride behind one of the collegiate kids (Alec Davis). He looked WAY too comfortable in his stride. There was no first mile marker but I recalled from the drive in there would be a second mile marker. At the 5 minute mark I watched as Alec's stride turned over at an interval pace and we was making ground on me fast. On his heels was a very legit looking racer (Jim Sullivan). Jim was sitting on Alec's heels and they now had about 200 meters on me. Behind me, no one as far as I could see.

I figured if I sit in the pain funnel now I could end up in third. At a corner turn heading to the 2 mile marker a lady standing on the side said to me "here they come".....I looked back to see a small group working to bridge to me. Wait a minute, the one doing the work on the front was the young girl I saw warming up with the kid running in first, and she was closing on me fast.

I worked on my 10 second leg turnovers, quick turnover (6-8 strides) every 10 seconds on and off. An old trick my ol'running coach taught me on how to turn a gap over fast. It was working I was pulling away from the group. I knew we only had a few turns left before we hit the track for the 300 meter finish but I was in the pain funnel.

The 2 mile marker had me at 11:37 split for 2 miles (5:48/mile pace). I have been doing NO speed work so I was in another place (BPM - 183 = maxmaxmax). With 2 solid hilly climbs to go I kicked the interval pace again. I had secured 3rd place as I hit the track for the final 300 meters. The lead runners only had 100 meters on my pace but I did not have a youthful kick so sat in the pain funnel through the finish.

My Polar had me at 18:22 result show 18:25. Good for 3rd place overall, and a 1st place in my age group. I was more impressed by the 15 year old girl that finished behind me. Apparently a sophmore at Milford HS Courtney Hawkins. I don't feel to bad as she seems to be very legit with a huge future ahead of her.

Training Week of October 2-9

Monday

MTB RIde - winnie castle - 75 minutes

Tuesday

Run 6 miles (time - 40 minutes) (5k in 21:29 + 30,60,90 sets of 3)

MTB Ride - 80 minutes easy ride

Wednesday

CX Race - Night Weasels - Men's Elite Race

Thursday

Day off

Friday

Run 6 miles (43:40 minutes)

CX RIde (easy) 3 laps of Providence Course - 30 minutes

Saturday

Run 10 miles trail run (time 1:17)

Sunday

5k Race 18:22 + warm up

Totals for 10 2-9

Run Mileage - 25 miles

Bike Time - 190 minutes (3 hours +10min)

iVideo - Gloucester Masters 35+ A & Winnie Freeride

2010-10-05T16:07:00.000-07:00

Training week of 9-27

2010-09-28T07:42:00.000-07:00

Monday 9-27

Run - 6 miles (time 40:48) - pace 6:48 min/mile

Winnie Kinnie Castle - tempo run felt good. Legs felt strong.

Tuesday 9-28

AM - Run 5 miles (time 35:06) - pace 7:00 min/mile

Run - Londonderry, NH local course

Wednesday 9-29

AM - Mountain Bike (Harold Parker) 40 minutes

PM - Run 4.5 miles (time 30:00) - pace - 6:40 min/mile

in Haverhill, MA

Thursday 9-30

PM - Run 4 miles (time 29:00) - pace 7:17 min/mile

Ran at Mines Falls Nashua, NH

Friday 10-1

AM - Run 4 miles (time 29:01) - pace @ 7:15 min/mile

Felt tired - ran Winnie Kinnie Castle Nashua,NH

PM - Mountain Bike 36 minutes - pace easy

Winnie Kinnie Castle Haverhill, MA in rain

Saturday 10-2

CX Race Gloucester Grand Prix

Master 35+ A field race

Place - DNF (mechanical) lap 2

Sunday 10-3

Run - 10.16 miles (time - 1:11) - pace @ 7:05

Felt good - pushed back half of run to run negative splits

Week Summary

Run: 33:4 miles total this week

Bike: 156 minutes (2:30 hours)

Frequent Flyer Club

2010-09-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

Flying September 12 to Disney for the week, my training resorted in a solid week of running in hot conditions in the summer Florida heat.

Week of September 11-2010

Monday - 5 miles in 39:02

Tuesday - 5 miles in 33:12

Wednesday - 5 miles in 39:38

Thursday - 7 miles in 48:08

Friday - 4 miles in 26:12

Saturday - 7 miles in 48:12

Sunday - Day Off

Total Weekly Mileage - 33 miles

Yes I ran most at tempo. With no CX racing in 2010 I get what I get when I can get. The legs are coming around, the running form is comfortable.

The next week I flew to Interbike in Las Vegas. I knew I would not be in any form to race CX Vegas. After all I had ridden my bike less than 5 times in 7 or 8 weeks and frankly my coach CPC (Cramer Performance Coaching) can attest I am doing NO interval work.

So the debate was in between Interbike and our customer meetings, walking the show floor I was pretty sure I would not have enough engine to finish CX Vegas let alone start it.

After 3 laps of warm up I hit our team tent area considering not racing after all. I had a call up as I managed a top 10 result last year. After some laughs and understanding it would be what it would be I pedaled out at the start of the race in 3rd gear. I never got myself pegged or pinned but rather on no fitness raced to save gas.

Managed 20th place. The evening was real. Got to chat with some good human souls.

Back at home but on ice. Ker' is due in a few weeks. The frequent flyer card is in the top drawer. The to-do list is shrinking this weekend. I surf 'the net' to check on the USGP and Noreaster run by Adam. Seems like CX is alive again in 2010.

2010 has been an 'off the bike' year for me. My fitness has been strong but frankly no need to race. A new job, a busy family life, and life in general I am happier racing less. After all, it's not about the bike, period.

Henniker, NH Covered Bridge - 5K

2010-09-06T03:24:00.000-07:00

ONE HILL........

So by now I have been able to get the bug back for running after all these years away from the sport with little hesitation. Keeping in check my will & desire I still have found myself wanting to race on my feet more & more. I have surpassed my last 3 months of bike racing now by racing more races on my feet than two wheels.

Henniker, NH is special oasis for my wife & I. The town we met in, the town that holds countless hours of my hockey practices, games, lacrosse games, miles of roads driven back & forth to Concord to get away from the very town I enjoy going to after all these years. The town holds countless hours of school studies, walks to classes, teacher meetings, friends laughter.

The 5k was advertised by 3C as a start/finish from the covered bridge and had a great scenic course around the campus. It was not by design however a certified 5k so I knew it would be correct, wrong, or a complete mess of course. Gauging from the course map at the registration table it was going to be hilly as hell (with 1 HILL) and a mix of 50% trail, grass, dirt, sidewalk bursting climbs and ONE BIG HILL......

My newness back to running, my lack of any sort of resemblance of speedwork and positively 0 hours running hills up or down, this was going to prove to be a cluster F from the start, but my ignorant confidence of the past 2 races had me believe the end result might be different....

I started in the second row behind the Concord, Nh High School CC team. Yup 8 of them. All wearing their HS kit. Looking around there were a bunch of 'fast looking' dudes and dudettes. Go....Into the trail rock section, hard right around the athletic fields, up a grass banked hill (>10%) for 50 meters, then back onto the rocks, through the covered bridge, behind the ice arena, up a short rock hill (>8% for 100 meters), around the business school building, and the hill starts.......(at this point I was sitting in 10 spot behind the high school team and some fast dudes).....

The HILL was >10% for 900-100 meters (think 2+ laps on a standard HS track). It HURT. I managed to pull through 5 of the CC high school kids and get a gap of 100 meters by the top of the hill but it would prove to be the wrong move at the end of the race.....

The crested and then descended sharply for the next 400 meters with a sweeping left that had a long flat section before another short descent setting us up for a short rock wall. I was sitting in 4 th place with the high school kids chomping on my 37yr+ heels. I learnt something very valuable. High school CC runners can run FASTER downhill than I can. They were making ground on me with the downhill sections. Last mile or so (no mile markers on the course) was a blur, I let a few of the kids come through me and at the turns and hills I could see the others coming up.

Final hill bump to the covered bridge finish another high school kid came through, how many more of these kids are on this course? He kicked, I had nothing. I came through in 8th place, managing a top 10 in a 80 runner field. A minute slower than last weeks 5K but for so many reasons I will take it. Need to begin working on my hill running up & down, and perhaps put some mid-week speedwork into my training, and try and run more than twice a week ;0

Was fist in my age group, winning.........yup, another PINT glass (Zen is going to be so jealous). Next race? Some good one's coming up this fall, but trade show season begins soon!

See you on the roads.

Moose 5k CC - Concord, NH 8-29-2010

2010-08-29T11:48:00.000-07:00

I have slept less than 5 hours/night now for what' seems like 2 weeks. Traveled to Canada, Philadelphia, ridden a fundraiser century, managed to bang out a 3 day company strategic plan build session, and now am getting ready to board a plane to Switzerland, back for a few days before we head to Florida Disney with the kids, then off to Interbike in Vegas for our industry show, then race CX Vegas.

With the rest of the team in Canada to manage World Cup MTB at Mt.St.A, I headed with the family to a cross country 5k in Concord, NH. My second race in 2 weeks, no speed efforts, no training, but I have been enjoying running in between my time on the bike.

Work life in my new role has me working hard to balance, work, life, fatherhood, being a good husband, travel, and training to race in any discipline.

The 5k was categorized as a trail XC (cc) 5k race along the Merrimack River. Managed by good guy Michael Amorello of 3C LLC (race director). I knew Mike from my racing days but really hadn't seen him in years. The course description upon arrival seemed to have a hill up/down over rt 93, some trails, and managed to cover plenty of NHTCC campus. All in all, $16 registration and a chance to run tempo it was an easy decision.

Wish I could tell you the race details were exciting, but simply laid out like a a development plan in the bronx, it was complex. First mile split was 5:43. The legs were light but the stitch setting in was kick-a$$. My right side was stabbing (seems I need to do some speed work) - HR was 173avg at the split, a bit under my typical CX race. Mile 2 was a 6:12 split, I was running in 5th spot after jumping in the heals of another runner that had come through me like I was standing still. I watched up ahead as the lead rider was G-O-N-E (gone). The final mile was in the open sun heat (92 degree heat). I knew I had one more hill to get up. I was closing on 4th place runner ahead by the time we managed the slight bump (hill) over the pass-way. Only a few turns left and we had a 300-400 meter straight finish. I missed his jump (he already had 30 meters on me into the final turn). I focused the last 400 meters on (well, not dying).

My final 100 meters I saw Ker and the girls off to my left on the picnic blanket. Was that a cookie Anna was eating? Ok, so I notice these things when I race. Looking up the clock was in the low 18's. WHAT? I had expected to run 20minutes here. Recall my single reader, I have not raced for 5 years, and frankly have been running for a few weeks under #CPC, and these 2 races I have done were for fun. How the heck am I in the 18's?

I managed to hold on to 5th place and run a sanctioned 5k course in sub 6 minute/mile pace, or an 18:26 official time. Polar 72 watch time reads 18:19, but either way running sub 6 for 3.1 is a gift and beggars can not be choosers at this stage, and age.

Managed to win a pint glass in my age group (did I mention pint glasses are my thing). Not bad for $16, in and out in less than 1 hour. Hmm.....

Livestrong Philadelphia 100 miler 2010

2010-08-25T11:24:00.000-07:00

To say the experience was less than epic is offensive.

2010 was my third year attending the Philadelphia Livestrong weekend to raise funds & support the Livestrong foundation.

2009 August my mother was diagnosed with CLL-Lymphoma. After some bouts with pain in her abs, fatigue her blood test was 'abnormal'.

For anyone that has received the call post diagnosis, your life changes in that instant. In 2008 I rode Livestrong with my uncle for his company for no great reason, like a burger after midnight it was without personal meaning. Sure, I believe in supporting and raising funds for many causes. Each year Ker' and I give to the children's hospital oncologist unit, we give to our local church, and we give to a few unnamed causes. We give because there will always be the need.

But 2008 I was not thinking cancer in our direct family. The call in August of 09 was textbook. My mother announced the doctors had 'found' something but to not be scared because it was too early.

2008 I rode as part of Team Shire. My uncle is an avid cyclist, Lance Fan, and works in the health care industry in the benchmark pharma company. Our bond is years of family lines, roots and road miles. 2009 Livestrong was the shift. Shire is able to raise enough funds ($130K over the 3 years) to attend the pre-ride VIP dinner. Last year I traveled with a great friend to see the experience differently. I now see the event through the eyes of a 'caring for'. Last year at the VIP dinner LA's friend college lightened the room before the Internet's good friend Fat Cyclist brought the rooms to tears. My 2009 dinner was spent in the space of time. I drifted to think what was coming. The 2009 ride was ridden with meaning, cause, purpose and defiance.

For the next 12 months I watched my mother's health fluctuate. Her doctor's in Canada seemed to be like any medical professional, treat with matching intent. July I made a phone call to a family member to advocate for/with/to my mother. He spleen had enlarged as a result and was causing significant discomfort for 12 months. TWELVE MONTHS.

The sit & wait mentality was not working. I was angry. Cancer causes anger. Cancer breeds anger. Three & a half weeks ago I and Ker' boarded a flight to Canada alone to attend my mother's emergency surgery. Her spleen was coming out. Her fight was strong but her health was suffering. With the family together for the first time in a long time we watched my mother fight. We get older and our parents get more beautiful.

My mother is the center of our family. Our rock. Always has been always will be. Her love for family and my father is simply put as 'life'. She breeds life, she exudes life, she lives life. Her FUCK you Cancer attitude is contagious. She spent the past 2 months telling me why it was more important the doctors treat the 'other' sick patients before her, because they were likely more sick, and she should wait. Who should wait to kick cancers ass? We were all around her as she wheeled into the Op room, we hugged as a family, cried, then we waited. Not many words, tears, smiles, odd laughter said enough.

Her recovery in the hospital was epic for us. Her stories of strippers, drinking, our youth, her youth, the 'hot' doctors, made me fall in love with my mother again with each laugh. Then I got angry. She began to be more worried about everyone in the room. Were we comfortable, was the room too hot, we should get some sleep, we should eat more. She has tubes down her throat, in her nose, in her side, other places, is on countless drugs, antibiotics, and she is worried about our comfort. After four days Ker' and I had to get home. I left the hospital angry at where we were twelve months later.

2010 Livestrong Philly was another chance to ride in honor of my mother's battle. 2010 was going to ket it's ass kicked. I traveled again with a good friend from 09 to visit my uncle and ride the 100 miler. Last year I managed to raise the bare minimum entry fundraising fee. This year I managed to raise 4x my 09 figure. People in life are kind. People give a shit. People when pushed and think; understand. The funds deserve another entry so I will skip my thoughts for now, but will return to why funding for any cause of belief deserves the right to live.

The 100 miler ride was plagued with rainfall and extreme conditions. Last year our train of 4 broke the 20mph over 100 miles and 7k-feet of hard tough PA climbs. This year I wanted to ride stroke for stroke with my uncle. It was after all his sister battling cancer. This year it was not about the speed, nor the flashy bikes, nor the kit, fuck it was not even about the bike, it was about the journey to see a loved one fight.

The ride was hard. The climbs were tough. Team Shire had a solid outing again raising $35k for the event. The rain sucked, the descents sucked, at times I wanted to fold and walk away. I thought of the friends that donated on my mother's behalf. I thought of my mother in the recovery room and how scared she has been and might still be.

Me riding 100 miles is not about me. Never was, never will be. It is not about the Livestrong Foundation. Never was, never will be. I believe in Livestrong, I am a strong supporter, always will be. They talk about the issues, the raise the issues, the share stories, they have created a community of fellowship, they have created hope, but for reasons as appropriate as pizza on a friday night, the ride was for my mother and for my family.

2010 Livestrong Philly ride is in the books. There were tears and laughs again this year. My mother is home recovering, and stronger as ever to continue to kick cancers ass.

So cancer - FU-Cancer.

Mines Falls Summer Series XC Trail 5K - August 16-2010

2010-08-16T18:50:00.000-07:00

You could call it a kind of 'coming out of retirement' but frankly I only laced the sneakers up 2 weeks ago to try and put some high tempo (heart rate) miles in for cross season this fall.

Results here of one of my last (if not) last 5k XC races.

The last time I raced a running race was Providence US Grand Prix in 2004 running with the open team Whirlaway. After that race I managed one tempo run with a few friends in the hills of NH before blowing out my Achilles and limping home. Add 1.5 years of no running I picked up a bike to trim the waist, and never went back to running.

Each year I dabble in training. After logging a few weeks I convince myself like a cheap suit I am back, but after a month into cross season I hang up the shoes and trade them for interval sessions in my cold damp dark basement.So much the same, two (2) weeks ago I managed a 20 minute run. After 4 days of not being able to shake the pain and agony of post first run I ran again. Repeat the cycle for 2 weeks.

I have had the last 3 runs feel good. Managing to clock sub 7:15 miles for 5, dabling in sub-7's on a few miles I planned a run this past Saturday of 6-7 miles. Coming off only 2 weeks and years of ignoring the sport my 6.3 miles on Saturday left me on a high. I slowed my pace down and managed to tick off 7:20-7:30's with ease. Russian roulette.

Fast forward to Sunday night, tinkering on my ol'favorite site coolrunning I found a local XC summer 5k-5m series. Why not?

Tonight I paid my $5. 100% of the fee goes to the trail preservation of Mines Falls (race location). Ker' and the kids jumped in our rig to come watch. On the drive over we took bets on how slow I would run. I figured 23:20-ish. I managed 24:10 for 5k Saturday feeling smooth as butter so 20sec/mile faster seemed reasonable. Paid my entry fee kissed the girls and hit some hill repeats to warm up.

At the line I didn't notice anyone. Wow, I have been gone a long time from the local race scene. With 50-75 runners I knew no one, this in a summer series that weekly sees 50-100 finishers. My race strategy was to 'sit in' and just run for the cross workout. I wanted to hit the first mile in 6:35-6:40. Going into the woods I was somewhere in 15th spot. Up ahead was a group of 4-5 high school XC runners leading us all into the woods. Around me there was a small 3-4 person group, and another 4 man group in between the lead runners. At the 3/4 mile spot I put in a small 5-6 stride surge (ol' race team trick Coach K taught us). I gapped 2 runners, pulling through them. Managed to pull in 1 more runner before I was overtaken by 1 runner (Jim Hansen).

At the 5k/5m split we hitched a right over the bridge to hit mile 1. 6:08 first mile - shit. Faster then I wanted but why did it feel so smooth? The guy that had come through me was now on my shoulder. My bike racing tactic kicked in, and I had a f-it moment and popped behind him and sat on his shoulder for the next mile. Fearing I would upset him I pulled through at mile 2 coming back on to his shoulder. Shit I missed the split I had hit 'stop' on my borrowed watch instead of split. The time still read 6:08. No knowing where we were I asked the guy what he runs for 5k's on this XC course. His suggestion of mid 20's had me feeling ok. Slow i comparison to years past but for my first race in 5 years and running for 2 weeks mid-20s, hell I was retiring from bike racing and running with Pre. Look at me boys! (NOT)

I knew we had less than 1/2 mile and remembered the 3M chalked onto the gravel finish. Behind us a runner was getting ready to pull through and knew he would kick given he had chased us down he had the guts & energy to kick. At the 3M chalk he went. I jumped on his train we gapped. It was a straight finish up the gravel trail. I pulled around finishing 2 bike lengths (did I just refer to a running race finish as bike length)?

Good for 6th place finish in the 5K with a 19:51 finish (6:24 pace). For a XC trail 5k, running for 2 weeks not racing in 5 years, no speedwork, I'll take it.

Running I have missed you, oh so much.

Matty B & Gary Smith (Independent Fabrication)

2009-12-22T07:29:00.000-08:00

The other side - GARY SMITH

The bicycle industry is a dynamic culture. A 'bro' culture. A culture of innovation through dysfunction. I am new to the industry, perhaps my fresh young eyes see things with a horizon.

I like resolution. I work with in the confines of fences. I work well in black, white and have had to develop my color blending.

There are always two sides to any incident.

** Photo of Gary Smith from IF (www.if bikes) web page **

When I sat with Matt Bracken to discuss his abrupt and unannounced departure from Independent Fabrication (he was President of IF Bikes) he hesitated for less than a second. We had spent much time over the months discussing at length who he was, and how his departure rocked his core. Sure, he admits, he did many things wrong, sure everyone has a 50% approval rating at best (amongst peers, family, friends), but to know one is to understand their strengths and weaknesses.

If willing to take the time to invest emotionally in a family member, a friend, a colleague, an friend of a friend, you will learn much. I have always said you learn the most about people when they are faced with the hardest of hardships. What do people think of you? What does my 50% of non-approvals say about me. What is their side?

No one has realized the fact that Matt Bracken has a history in the cycling industry that surpasses almost anyone else I met. There is a reason he is a rock star at Interbike (I gave up trying to walk the floor with him). BUT - there are two sides.

I am very sure Gary Smith also has a 50% approval rating. (as do I - as do you). So I thought it prudent to produce an entry to allow Matt Bracken FOR THE FIRST TIME to tell his side of the story. Read it, how impressive is it the guy still speaks praise of the company that let him go after 9 years, unannounced, from a man who has not yet spoken his side.

So - I reached out. I sent Gary Smith a personal e-mail sending him the link to this blog. I though a chance for the new President of INDEPENDENT FABRICATION BICYCLES to see what the former President Matt Bracken has said, his first time speaking about his departure.

I am a fan of the brand IF Bikes - I am blessed to have Binary Code Ti-CX and SEC Svelte Cycles. My original post has had nothing to do with the brand but rather humanity.

I was offering the chance for Matt Bracken & Gary Smith to clean the slate. Rise above the industry bull shit, the 'bro' crap, the grudges the industry drama seems to harbor. The Trek vs. Specialized drama is lame. I come from the food industry; I used to work close with Pete L my biggest competitors guru. We talked, we shared drinks, this bicycle industry drama is lame.

I also see the smaller brands like IF, Seven, Spooky, Geekhouse, they should have a special bond, culture inside & out. What does the brand speak (or 'reak') of if there is no integrity before and after someone joins a company. Trek vs. Specialized turf war is a drama. I have pity on the management teams. Self absorbed arrogant a-holes. That is my description of these big bike company ego's.

So - I offered to Gary Smith a chance to reply to Matty B.

Here is what he said (in my translation) - not prudent to post his e-mail, and not ethical.

"Thanks a ton for supporting the brand, I recall meeting you at Interbike. Thank you for the offer, but it will do no good for anyone for me to reply. We need to move on".

I will not push 'the other side' out of Gary. I thank him for his reply. Confident he replied as I am a customer, he is a smart man. He has achieved becoming the President and majority shareholder/owner of one of the strongest brands in the industry, so chapeau Mr.Smith. I remain, I have no personal side, nor position, Matty B is a great friend,...but like any friend I am smart enough to realize there are two sides.

The industry should see this possible reconciliation as an example of two men parted by posturing coming together for the good of the brand and humanity.

But - hell, maybe I am naive.....I am new to this dysfunctional industry. Too bad the line in the sand was not drawn, and two men said fuck it, let's man up and set an example, no more....but they didn't.

Happy Holidays.

THE OTHER SIDE - Matty B

* Image on loan

Sitting in small coffee shop in North East Massachusetts, I am to meet my potential boss, possible colleague for my final interview. The company, a bicycle industry 20 year old brand. The people, both 20+ years in the industry. Brand time with Merlin, Mavic, Specialized, Saris, Independent Fabrication, these guys have for sure animated haunting stories. I am going to walk a fine line in my questioning, I am but a rivet in their hub.

Here go's.

We greet. I know the chief character, call him Mr.Z. This interview is his counter part, Matt "Matty B" Bracken. Simply put, MB is as fresh as EZ-E speaks. He is the equivalent of a modern day blacksmith. He dabbles, he tinkers, he is sophisticated, he leads, he follows, his respect in the industry is second to none. I noticed his handshake was humble. His hands have crafted countless thousands of custom weld joints, customer fittings. His hands I am sure, but will not ask, how many beers he has tipped with industry hipsters. I look at his face, wonder what if he would have been a hipster had he not attended a 'preppy' college. His choice of car is of interest to me, but with a dog like his, Charleston deserves a lap of luxury.

On a tangent, we are often treated to irrational BRACK ATTACKS, with his own town line sprints; often the marker is a tree, or a leaf on the road,...either way he keeps our lunch time rides full of laughter. He brings charm with his vintage classics bikes, his Fred like kits, his abundance of IF classics,....he makes our group rides. And don't be fooled, this boy has fitness that has been lying like a smoldering fire, just add air....the rest will take care of itself.

Here is what took place between that day and today - now, Matt is a good friend, we have a trust like an iron horse, we are now the Matt 1 and Matt 2 in the industry for our small, tidy bike care company. We have found ourselves in deep deep deep discussions. I know Matt's plan in 5 years, I know his strengths. I know what many should fear, he is smart as hell, a leader, an innovator, he has vision, he is humble,..the first week of his life, he was not supposed to live. Fear Matty B. He is legit....life is a full circle, karma comes around.

Matt (1) – ME

Matty B, it has a nice ring to it,....strange to be surrounded by so many Matt’s in your life, let’s keep it real, and keep it rolling huh? We should start a Matt club. Has a nice ring to it......but seriously, who is this Matty B guy? Why at '09 Interbike was I in the presence of an industry icon and rock star? Seriously (he laughs) - you toured me around, SRAM, CHROME, SPECIALIZED,...you were the man in demand! (he's still laughing)...so, who are you anyway?

Matty B

My parents were sent home, I was not supposed to make it. Fuck it, I made it.

I grew up and played sports, soccer was my game my friends would occasionally call me Matty instead of Matt or Matthew. When I entered the bicycle industry in 1990 fresh out of college and worked for Mavic I was lucky enough to work with another Long Islander who is now the head of OE sales for Shimano, USA, Adam Micklin. Adam and I hit it off out of the gate and loved all things cycling. When we would visit shops or do seminars with distributors at the time he would introduce me as Matty b. or as he would say it, “Matty bbbbbbbbbbbbbb”
Leaving Mavic in 1993 I was hired away to Merlin Metalworks in Ca

mbridge, Ma. There I worked with a great group of people, many who work at or own Seven Cycles now in Watertown, Ma . One was Matt O’Keefe. People at Merlin were funny and would say stuff like Matt squared or Matt 1 and Matt 2. To simplify things Jennifer Miller, head of Seven Marketing efforts, formerly of Merlin for purchasing would call me Matty, along with our President at the time Ashley Korenblat.

What I am saying is the name stuck a long time ago. People who know me well call me Matty b. People who usually don’t like me or others usually refer to you with your last name, like Bracken, that Bracken, or what did Bracken do again. I can honestly say not many people say Bracken, usually Matty b.

Matt (1) – ME

20 years in the industry huh?, you are one jaded mother fucker! You have seen the industry transform in so many ways. Let’s kick the tires of technology for a moment, you have welded with the most basic of materials to day age/space age materials. What structurally has been the biggest shift in technology? What keeps Matty B up at night with these new designs?

Matty B

The convergence theory!

We are now living at a time when the build it and they will come attitude no longer works. Today if a bicycle can’t boast excellent materials, excellent construction, and killer graphics and finish work you are no longer in the game.

The larger companies like Trek, Cannondale, Schwinn, Giant and Specialized have all been applauded for being complete bicycle companies and offering great products at a fair price, but in the last ten years all of these sleeping giants have woken up.
The internal resources in their companies for Sales, Marketing, Procurement, Planning, Engineering are world class and if they aren’t constantly exploring the order boundaries of what is possible moving forward not one of these companies can truly hang their hat on being best.

That said we are see the convergence of most companies large and small of Engineering, Industrial Design, and Graphics.

How many ugly bikes have we seen lately?

What is driving people to brands these days besides all the givens of what is listed above is finding a place they are comfortable. Earlier this week I attended a money raising event for a local steel builder Geekhouse. The event was packed and the crowd that attended looked to be having a good time. I felt a little out of my element being one of the oldest in the room at 41 and finally when a friend showed up we laughed at feeling like outsiders. But, more importantly than how I felt about being alone I could feel the positive energy around me for Marty Walsh and his bikes and all the things assocciated with it.

Besides the 3 points of convergence above, Marty is building a brand and a social network where people can be who they want to be. It was no different than my many years at Merlin in Cambridge, Ma or the 8.5 years of working at Independent Fabrication. These people were where they wanted to be.
Good stuff

Final note, You can be the most talented designer, engineer, or painter in the world, but if your attitude is bad it won’t matter, people won’t buy your stuff because sooner of later they will figure out you are non genuine to their ideals and why they were attracted to you and your brand in the first place. Do it because you love bikes and be grateful to those who are paying you to do it. Once you drink you own Kool Aid you are done.

Matt (1) - ME

Wow, deep. It’s true what they say about Matty B....you are tight.
So – seriously, you are saying, the biggest shift in the industry in the past 20 years is vanity? And by the way I have seen a shit ton of uguly bikes, have you seen the Geek House Bikes? (with all due respect, I have some friends on the team, and have heard stellar things about Marty – so of course said tongue & cheek – hell I am of brit heritage).

The local Boston scene seems to have a huge offering for custom, what with Seven Cycles, Zanconato Custom Cycles, Geekhouse, the re-birth of Spooky, Independent Fabrication, just to name a few of many more; why the cluster of custom rigs in Boston? It can’t be the shot gun pellets from Fat Cycles, can it?

Matty B

Your question is too big for me to answer is less than 3 paragraphs, but that said if we can trace the roots of Heavy Metal to Led Zeppelin I definitely agree most of the modern Boston Bicycle seen was connected at one time to Fat City. Fat City’s legacy as a bicycle company was it was cool to ride bikes and have fun. Unfortunately the business of running a bicycle company caught up to them in the end as they were not taking a long term strategic view of what Fat City might be one day when it grew up.

Hell, I owned three. A team Fat, 2 years before the Yo Eddy came up, a 1oth anniversary and finally a Slim Chance. All great bikes built by a company I was proud to support making shit in America and the Boston made in New England Yankee workshop attitude..

If you didn’t work for Fat City you worked at Rhygin or Dogma or created Igleheart or Spooky or Seven Cycles, or fell into Indy Fab. Incest, not what you want at home, bad for the gene pool, but a good thing for bike culture in and around Boston.
I sure based on where you live in the country, Madison, WI, SF, CA or Portland, Or this situation is similar.

Vanity, fuck yeah. Look at the Young Republican Club who all shave their legs and race road! Vanity is a duel edge sword, it can give you a nice clean shave or it can cut your aorta.

Matt (1)- ME

Shaved leg’s = vanity, yeah....totally get that dude, totally.

So; the industry was abuzz a year ago when you left IF after 8 years. There are always two sides to any incident, some would gather your role in securing equity is yet another way you put your beliefs in front of your wants. But; really; what happened? And why is it you still believe in; and support the IF brand? Most would say fuck it; and spread the poor gospel, you have done the opposite, why? (Matty B was the President of the employee owned IF of Somervile, MA for, working 8. years at IF)

Matty B

Independent Fabrication will always be a place that I treasure for many reasons, but the chief among them was taking care of our customers and the dealers who supported the brand. When I left I.F. I never sent out a letter or explained what happened and none of that is important. Why support a brand that in many people’s eyes or opinions has let me down? Why would I ever tear down a company that I built up? There may be some people out there who may say I said something or did something to deserve being let go, but the truth is I did my job and looking back I must have done something right if you look at the success of the brand. I helped build a brand and it was a great thing. This brand paid a lot of paychecks and gave many of us a reason to get up in the morning. It is much easier to create and nurture than to destroy. I do find a lot of humor how history has been rewritten at I.F. And that my 8.5 years have been erased. Funny, google me up and there are many links between my work and IF, yet according to the latest IF website I never existed. I can’t figure that out but so well. One chapter of your life ends and one begins. The irony of being told to leave by the new owner of IF is that very same day I found out my lovely wife was pregnant with our daughter Madelyn was overshadowed by her coming... Funnier was having my image and likeness on the IF website for over 8 months after I left. Many a IF dealer and customer emailed with a chuckle over that since most had already read about my move to Pedro’s that August to work in Product Management. Was it a amicable break up? No. But the truth and history in a quick synopsis is below. Believe me, there is enough to write an extremely entertaining short story, but that is it, story, not a drama.

Independent Fabrication was founded over 14 years ago by a group of men and women who used to work for Chris Chance at Fat City Cycles in Somerville and once it was sold to Serotta Cycles at the time instead of laying down they banded together and founded Independent Fabrication. They were Steve Elmes, Mike Flanagan, Jane Hayes, Jeff Bucholz, and Lloyd Graves. Others were part of this new venture, but I never worked with them when I joined I.F. In December 1999 after leaving Merlin Metalworks in Cambridge, Ma after 7 years working there. I could smell the potential that this small brand had and on many fronts it was ahead of the curve. Steve Elmes was the forerunner of being a huge believer in American Cyclocross racing (he chose Jonathan Paige and Tim Johnson to race for IF), single speed off-road racing (remember Christina Begy?), and the belief that if IF was ever to get ahead it needed to be a multi faceted brand in multi materials and custom to boot! Steve is one of those unsung heroes of IF and I wish him all he best in Colorado. The day he decided to leave was a big blow to me personally as I was going to miss his big heart and huge laugh.

The company was founded on the premise of employee ownership and being a place people could work and over time build a brand and company through sweat equity and heart. I was approached by Steve Elmes and the recently deceased President of IF at the time John Barmack in the summer of 1999 and asked to come in to whip the dealers and sales programs into shape. At this time IF was only selling steel and only 6 models, the Deluxe, the Special, Club Racer, Independence, Crown Jewel, and Planet Cross. All of which were made in steel only, 4 decal choices, and non custom, unless you wanted to pay a small fortune. I told John for 5 months I had no interest in coming to Somerville and working with a group of people in the industry who only believed that steel is real. John told me that it wasn’t money that would persuade me, but making a difference and making change. In the end, he was right. John was a great man and if not for his perseverance and power to broker deals IF would have fallen into oblivion many times. John passed away only a few weeks ago and it was an amazing memorial service that looked back over his life and all those he touched. The synagogue was packed with people of all ages, color, religion, politics. Who didn’t John know or get to know I wondered? I realized the greatest thing he ever told me was how important it was to treat people with dignity and respect even if it came at the price sometimes of your own happiness. Real character was shown when people didn’t look the other way and stood up for what was right. John never let the “turkeys” get him down and was thoughtful to concentrate on the problems on hand and not to make it personal. John was the person responsible for IF’s first business plan and convincing Catholic Charities to loan IF money to start. John never left the brand or company, it left him!

My immediate job back in December 1999 was to find the right dealers, get our prices up to pay the bills and to bring IF into the world of custom. It took two years and it finally worked. As the immediate interface with customers and the shop I was constantly asked why IF wasn’t building in titanium and painting ti because some of them new about my many years of work at Merlin and the fact that some of our best shop folks could easily build a titanium frame. The first ti frame we ever built in the summer of 2001 was a single speed Ti Planet Cross for no one else but Steve Elmes, our head of Marketing. It met great reviews and totally annoyed some of the other local Boston builders who claimed to be the best custom ti builder in the world. In the Fall of 2001 we showcased the first Ti Crown Jewel custom and the rest of the models followed over time. The revenue created by the sale of titanium IFs and the deposits taken by the dealers helped IF grow over the next several years as we increased quality, options, developed a well followed website, improved the paint department with the addition of several new painters and attitudes within the shop.

Once we hired Chris Rowe and changed the paint department to accept custom paint it seems as is things took off. Chris was smart to hire Jill Rogers, who no longer is with IF and works down in Somerville at the Diesel Café in Davis Square. When Chris decided to leave Jill took the reigns and once again the process improved and the paint got better. The customers always loved the fit and feel of an IF, but wished for more paint. They always want more don’t they? The real question would be if we could deliver and at what price? Well we did and again the brand moved forward. What good is a great bike if it doesn’t speak to you? Vanity? Hell yes. IF is still one of the best paint shops in the country and I have enjoyed over the past year watching what has come from the shop. It looks great, especially the Svelte Cycles stuff, it is tight and well thought out. I like that, clean. Shit, I’ll say it, they look pretty. I think Clint and whomever else is working with him are doing nice work and it shows.

My favorite bicycle ever is an IF. My gold Xs. It was built back in December 2006, this was the second year in a row that IF won the “Dream Bike Award” presented by Bicycling Magazine. It was gold because once the ti lugs were fabricated there were hand polished and send off to be Titanium Nitride coated. This is the same coating used on high speed drill bits to keep them sharp longer. Along with the mirror finish gold finish of the ti lugs the ht badge was cast from a solid ounce of 18k gold from our casters in Maine. To add more bling the carbon tubes, seat stays and fork were all tinted with a Harlequin gold to pink finish. The new Record 10 spd Ultra Torque crand, Deda bar, stem, and post rounded it out with Campagnolo.

By Spring of 2007 I came to the realization that I was a bit burned out from travelling for the brand and spending too much time speaking about bikes and not enough time enjoying them. That is when I came with the idea of quietly approaching a person or person who might be interested in investing $ in the brand. I knew if this happened I would lose most of the percentage of ownership I enjoyed at the time, but taken from your initial question I put the need of the brand before my own. It was important if I were to leave IF one day that it would stand the test of time and do better. IF always suffered from lack of cash flow and as demands on cash increased with customer demand it was pretty clear that we find money or close the doors.

I approached a person who I felt was the right individual with the right resources who could help move the company forward again. By the Fall of 2007 this individual was prepared and ready to invest. It was February 2008, after the 4th annual North American Handmade Bicycle Show that this person took 66.6% of the shares of IF in exchange for the majority control in our brand. When the inked had dried and the celebration was over I realized in order to help fulfill the destiny that IF deserved I was selling my own out. I didn’t want or need a boss, all I need was this investors money. All my former co-workers wanted was a boss and a job.

Friday the 13th, 2008

My day started out as usual, coming to work with Charleston my yellow lab, checking emails, making revisions to designs to be signed off on, etc. By 10;30 I was packing my desk. I remember crying a lot that morning in front of Joe Ingram, the bookeeper at IF and Joe was nice enough to remind me that it was all for the better and that better days lay ahead. He was right...

Remember, this was the same day I found out in less than 8 months I was going to be a dad. I was the youngest of ten children and the one thing my old man taguht me was no matter what you did in life you couldn’t take it with you. All you had was your name. People won’t remember you for your money or possessions, those things are often a cover for lack of security by some. But, being 20 years in this industry I was offered 5 interviews and 3 excellent offers upon my departure of IF.

Pedro’s is a lot like the original IF I joined back in 1999. The people are kind and considerate, the work is challenging and the brand is continuing to reshape itself. I am proud to be a part of the efforts moving forward and look forward to many years of helping to be part of the culture and process of improvement. The major difference in my new job and this is true for anyone who dreams of success is that I have the authority, accountability, and responsibility to do my job with the support of my co workers. This was not true at IF my last few years. There were definitely days people all wanted to be the boss or days when convenient they wanted to be just an employee with the right to express their unhappiness about everything. As a former IF employee said, “It was like herding cats”.

I wish the best to the new IF and I am glad I am no longer part of it’s history as expressed on it’s current website.

Special Thanks:

John Barmack- For his convictions to stand up for the oppressed and forgotten.
Steve Elmes- For his big heart and willingness to work till he could no more
Jane Hayes- juggling the books and making me laugh when things looked bleek
Jeff Bucholz- for being one hell of the reason why IF bikes are so well made and straight. If not for Jeff’s love of precision and quality they would not be what they are today.
Jason Williams-for being a great listener and friend to Charleston
Keith Rouse-For hanging on at such a crazy place as long as you did and never getting the credit you deserved for your work or support of your family
Shawn Estes-For his love of Rush, being one hell of a dad, and being the clown who introduced me to my lovely wife Alyson. You are responsible for my little lady Madelyn Mackenzie!
Shanna White-Big Bellie laugh and willingness to learn
Chris Rowe-For making our paint dept better
Jill Rogers-hard work and excellent perspective on what really matters
Brian Kelly-Precision and skill, a great travel partner and excellent mountain biker
Mike Flanagan-Founder and now owner of ANT bikes in Holliston, Ma- A big thanks to my Irish Texan for keeping it real and following your dreams
Lloyd Graves-We may not have always seen eye to eye, but I am proud of Lloyd for hanging in there as long as he has, he is he last founder standing and now a proud father with a little boy named Lloyd junior
Tyler-Mad skills as an artist and welder. Good job on the new blog
Tom Burnett- for getting out when you did
Joe Ingram-keeping the books

We finish the interview, Bracken is passionate He is passionate toward the industry. He is extremely humble. He can still throw it down on the lunch time rides, he can build bikes in minutes, he can build wheels like no one. He was fun to sit down with.

We end our interview - he offers a fresh espresso. I take him up on it. The conversation changes to his family. He starts to share his baby stories. If you wonder, yeah, he is well, really well, and will again be a force to be reckoned with. Tick Tock.

Thanks for reading.

"The Other Side" from Kicking the Can - Matty B and IF

2009-12-19T04:27:00.000-08:00

The other side.

The bicycle industry is a dynamic culture. A 'bro' culture. A culture of innovation through dysfunction. I am new to the industry, perhaps my fresh young eyes see things with a horizon.

I like resolution. I work with in the confines of fences. I work well in black, white and have had to develop my color blending.

There are always two sides to any incident.

** Photo of Gary Smith from IF (www.if bikes) web page **

I am a fan of the brand IF Bikes - I am blessed to have Binary Code Ti-CX and SEC Svelte Cycles. My original post has had nothing to do with the brand but rather humanity.

So - I offered to Gary Smith a chance to reply to Matty B.

Here is what he said (in my translation) - not prudent to post his e-mail, and not ethical.

"Thanks a ton for supporting the brand, I recall meeting you at Interbike. Thank you for the offer, but it will do no good for anyone for me to reply. We need to move on".

The industry should see this possible reconciliation as an example of two men parted by posturing coming together for the good of the brand and humanity.

Happy Holidays.

45 - Side A

2009-10-28T08:44:00.000-07:00

Side A = I LOVE MY BIKE

Picking up the vinyl from my last post of 'two sides'; side A are 3 solid cuts + BONUS track of I LOVE MY BIKE. With a mix of cultural reasons, this side of the album has cuts from my life.

Side A - Cut 1 - Cross Vegas - This year found me at Interbike 2009. My first year in the industry. Joining a local brand, likely one of the most popular brands on the P&A side I ended up in NV. Zigs picks up bike travel for all employees, so taking the IF to NV to race CX Vegas.

Results

This is likely the most epic (fu if epic offends you) cross event I have participated in. Stoked to share it with my boy CCC. If you question that, my pit manager (yes I had a pit guy - his offering and push - and boy was I humbled) - my pit manager (Zigs - my boss) that has pitted for many of the best CX racers ( TJ & LB), he agreed CX Vegas is an epic event. Sure it has issues, sure they entry fee is topic of displeasure, but Richard Fries calling, top guns showing to go, the beer tent, the EURO PRO noise makers, the night time lighting, the run ups crowded by industry passionate mates.

I raced my nutz off,....38 seconds from the win (Jon Cariveau - he was winnner at PVD - 35+ elite masters), 18 sec behind Markey Mark......good for a top 10. Lucky day for me, but the effort was there.

The track ends with sounds of delight. When the needle flicks to track 2 - the race was enough for me to hang my cycling legacy (legacy to myself not meant as outward projected) - on, I could hang the bike up today and racing CX Vegas was enough...

CUT 2 - FRIENDS (oh baby, you say we can't be friends)..

I am new to the sport. I came through a running injury 3 years ago. Have not raced much in 3 years in comparison to many of the folks I know/read. The friends I have met/made through my bike are priceless. Eric Marro was my first contact in the sport, a country hero (served twice as active duty) - hell of a good friend still, Dave Foley (aka - Solobreak) again, a great friend and been a huge help to me over the years, the list goes on, Soups, Cort Cramer, Ronnie Bingham (Goodales), Markey Mark Jr, JZ, Oscar the Matidor, Ronnie Steers, J-Spin (team sponsorand winter ride partner), the German Tank, G-Willi (for all his good qualities!), Duano (you just have to know this guy), Peter Brennan, Guenter (the goat Stun Gun), Rosey, Bailey & the Pedro's + 3 crew, Chipster, Bobby Hale, Jimbo, The HUP NE Godfather Yash, and some new friends, Greg "I kick your ass' Whitney, McKit'rick, Bracken, Zigs, Jay-Z-S,.....the list goes on,......these are the guys that make my race weekends. The faces you see when you roll into the parking lot, the laughter, the shit these guys are (my yoda speak)....

This track features 'slow walks on the beach" musical lyrics like Battenkill explosion, my boy Cort and our Tomatino's pizza, I'm cramping, and who could forget the musical genious of Gloucester 2009 Day 1 mud fest....

The friends track is one of my favorites,....don't try listening to it backwards however, bad things happen....

CUT 3 - MUD

Enough said......

Image on loan from PEDAL POWER PHOTOGRAPHY!

BONUS TRACK - in recording - to be published soon.....

Vinyl release is scheduled for 12/10-2009 in Bend, OR.

Accepting pre-sales now.... SIDE B - I HATE MY BIKE