8.04.06

"Staff Meeting"

So...it's been too long since I have had a minute to post anything. First it was Nationals right here in my backyard. I managed to have a career best ride in Short Track on Sunday the 16th. The temperature rose to 105degrees for the start. Larry Longo, the announcer for all NORBA Nationals, calls Short Track the "Hurricane of Pain." A fellow Rider/Blogger, Nick Martin compares Short Track to that of giving birth to a cactus. I would like to add that it is always all those things and more, but on Sunday, with the temps...well...the only way to describe it is imagine wrapping your lips around a hairdryer while going anaerobic. Let's just sat, "I melted the motherboard." And I had a great time doing it.

The next day, I started my new career at Clif Bar. My game plan in job acquisition was to loiter there until they gave me a desk and a paycheck. My plan only took the better part of 6 years to implement. While the first week was filled with a lot of meet and greet meetings and learning a whole new lifestyle, I loved it.

At this "Meeting", Finance, Upper Management, R&D, Customer Service, Luna Chicks Team and Marketing departments all "Collaborated" on future initiatives.

The first week of any job can be a bit on the difficult side. For me, coming into Clif Bar, it was more like returning to school from Summer Vacation. The company is filled with new and long time friends. Most people thought I already worked for the company.

I have a feeling I am home.

I mean, where else can you drop your boss at a meeting.

I celebrated my new job by heading to an Extra-Innings Giants game with my mom, uncle and cousin in the afternoon sun. It was only 102degrees. At least the seats were close to the action.

Adendum: I am not complaining about the weather, I am merely commenting. I appreciate any day that it does not RAIN.

WInter Wonderland

Sonoma, CA 105degrees...
Pretty Busy...started my new job at Clif Bar...
More details to come...
But for now, chew on this...

You know you're big time when you can call your Blog in.

Another Birthday...

Nathan, I could not ask for a better brother. I will talk to you soon...

Black Lung

Park City, UT
I think I have Black Lung...(cough...cough)It's been three days since my latest dive into the dry pool of pain and I am still coughing up the dust. This time I emerged victorious. Well, I didn't win the race, but I managed to get my best pro result of my short career (38th out of 97) in the cross country. I felt good going into the race on Saturday, did my normal warm-up, and then gunned it from the start. I had to starting on nearly the back row. That's what I get for missing the last two races. I managed to pass a bunch of people right at the start as it was the typical Ski Area Start...straight up. I always do well when it goes like that since I am not trying to haul a huge carcass up the hill.

Upon reaching the bottom of the next hill, I was staring at the back wheels of guys I never see in races...just at the start line as they get called up way before me. This inspired me to stay on the gas. I managed to pass a lot of them too. In my mind, I cannot believe it...then again, after all of the training and planning, I can. The most unbelievable thing besides a working class pro like myself riding with the full-time pros, was this was at altitude. Something that a sea level person should be feeling the effects of, yet I was floating instead of drowning in Hypoxia. Normally riding that hard at that altitude feels like breathing fire through a soda straw. Yet both the lungs and the legs felt great.

All systems were go, so I stayed on the gas the entire race. I never had the feeling of crumbling or pain so bad that you are looking for any reason to quit. You know, excuses like, "Ummm...I think my tire is flat and I got a stick stuck in my spokes...and I am trying to save myself for tomorrow. My feet hurt. I think my frame is cracked. I sure am hungry. " I have had all of those reasons and more run through my head many times...but not this time.

When I ride through the feed zone, I can always count on the moral support of a few people regardless of how far back I am. This time, Jon from Fisher/Subaru was feeding me. The first time through he had this look of amazement on his face. When I saw that, I knew I was having a great ride. Poz from Trek always gives me a shout as well as Waldek from Luna and Gary from Maxxis...and this time, they were louder than ever...they knew I was going good too. As I ride past the start finish line, I always get props from Longo, the announcer. This time he did not even see me as he was probably expecting to see me 20-30 places later. Even Frosty, standing on the course at the start/finish line will give a yell, but he just stood in amazement. Those guys are always there for me...rain or shine as well as many others all around the course...all around the country...I may not see you or recognize you...but I hear you...so thanks. This is a day I will never forget!

For the latter part of the race I was locked into a battle with a couple of guys, one of which is a fellow Northern Californian and good friend, Aren Timmel. Aren and I kept yo-yoing for the final two laps. I think he was having some mechanical issues. We also had two other guys that were latched on. On the final climb, both Aren and I gassed it trying to lose the other two. I know I was on the edge of blowing up so I backed off a little bit, allowing Aren to get a 5 second gap. The other two Yahoos caught me on the final descent, but I managed to pull it together to surge one last time, caught Aren at the pavement, but ran out of room to pass for the finish sprint with the other two only seconds in arrears. It made for an exciting race right up to the finish...something that rarely happens when I normally finish further back.

With the US National Championships in my backyard this coming Friday at 2:00 and Sunday at 2:30 up at Infinion Raceway things could get real interesting. My form is definitely coming around. We will have to see what this weekend brings, but if Deer Valley is any indication, it should be another great ride. Stop on by the Luna Truck and say Hi if you are in the neighborhood.

Enjoy the ride...

Happy Birthday Seth

To a great friend who for the first two months of knowing me in college thought my name was "Simon." Seth, "My name is NOT Simon."
Seth is the kind of great friend that inspires you to be better than the best. He has seen me at my worst, and has pushed me to be my best. And throuh it all, his friendship has never wavered.
Happy Birthday my friend.

Mom Always Said...

Never trust somebody with ankle weights....

...and a bad-ass adult size Razor skooter.

Anatomy of a Group Ride

Step 1: Ride to San Anselmo Coffee Roasters, and rack your bike in a prominent position for the quick get-a-way.Step 2: Step on inside and order a cup of whatever you wish and a bite of whatever you want...and wait for your crew.Step 3: I don't care what everyone says...If there is more than one person on the ride, it's a race. We just hide behind words like zone 1 or soft pedaling...Yeah right. Go ahead, it's alright, size up the competition. Step 4: Get on the cellie and hunt down some more bodies that said they would be there. You have every right to get mad...You said 9:00 and it's 10:30 and you have spent all of your lunch money on coffee. Step 5: Moto Envy...Step 6: Keep waiting...and while you're at it, work on the tan lines... Step 7: Be prepared for a flat...or three. It will happen when you least expect it...probably early in the ride just to slow the progression even further.
Step 8: Stop for coffee at Bovine Bakery.Step 9 : Get the Blueberry wedge too...they're GOOD! Step 10: Try to do something new and different everytime you ride..like ride that dirt road that has always tempted you.

Enjoy the ride...Always.

Say Hello, Wave Goodbye...

Friends, Family, Customers and Colleagues,

There comes a time when one must look for the next challenge. Now is my time. On July 12th I will lock up the shop for the last time as General Manager of Paradigm Cycles. On July 17th, I begin my next adventure with Clif Bar in the Specialty Retailer sales department in Berkeley, CA. I will remain living in San Anselmo.

In April of 2003 I took a position with Paradigm Cycles as a Retail Development Consultant. Julia, the owner, and I set out tackle some ambitious goals. At the time, the company was in its first year as a start-up bike shop in an already saturated market. We wanted to establish the shop as the leader in the custom bikes and wheels, customized bike fits, and pro level service. We also wanted to develop the infrastructure to support those roles as well as an online presence and ultimately become profitable. Looking back on the last three and a half years, I can say that despite many seemingly insurmountable challenges, we have accomplished all of our goals that we set out on. I will leave proud to be part of such a great organization with incredibly talented people at the helm.

I am sad to leave my family of colleagues and customers for they are what made my job so rewarding. I have had the pleasure of spending every day living vicariously through each and every person that I have come in contact with in the shop. I have watched many of you set foot in a bike shop for the very first time to make your first bike purchase. Everybody there has dreams and ambitions to do something on a bike whether it is riding to the store to buy groceries, a metric century, the Death Ride, national champion, world champion or an Ironman. I have had the pleasure of being a part of that quest through sharing of knowledge, training tips, fitting advice or merely moral support on a rainy day. I will truly miss you all. I hope that you will continue to support Paradigm Cycles after my departure. I cannot think of a better bike shop in the Bay Area and I only see them getting better. They are all very passionate about the shop and the people they work with.

My new position at Clif Bar in the specialty retail sales department will provide me with new challenges and the chance for career growth with another great group of people. Clif Bar has been my title sponsor for the past six years racing bikes. I am already great friends with many people in the organization, so it should come as no great surprise that I will find my new home there. My new position will keep me in touch with many of you in the bike and ski industries and I look forward to future meetings.

Clif Bar has graciously agreed to allow me to finish out my final year of racing professionally as I still have high ambitions for the remainder of the season. These final two months promise to be exciting with so many important races so close together on two continents.

As always, enjoy the ride and be well. Peace, out…