wow

this is insane. in a good way.

another good movie

I just saw this documentary last night, and it was really fantastic. It's called "How to Draw a Bunny" and it's about the life of Pop artist Ray Johnson. Apparently it's hard to find. Here's an excerpt.

watch this movie

This is a seriously good movie. One of the best soundtracks also, done by the RZA.

Dan

My cousin Dan has a lot going on in medically his life. Most of you know him, and you should really read what's going on on his blog. I am not medically inclined whatsoever other than watching house, so it's hard for me to understand let alone paraphrase on here. Please just keep him in your thoughts. Positive Vibrations.

Checking In

So. It's 2010, and time to start training. I took an extra week off, trying to get a bit more rest. I don't feel like I ever did that seriously last year, as I kept on with the long weekend rides. I think it's really important physically and mentally to take a break though. I finally feel rested. Problem is, it's been 20 and below for the last two ish weeks. It was fine for the week that I was off. But now it sucks. And it just dumped 4 inches of snow yesterday, which isn't going away anytime soon considering the temp is holding at 9 degrees right now. It warmed up to 25ish on Wednesday so Keaton and I headed out for a short spin. It felt good to be back on the bike, first time since team camp. I didn't feel slow at all, which is good. Keaton and I have been trying to get some exercise in the last week, and have been consistent. We've swam pretty much every day this week, minus the wednesday ride, and have hit the weights 3 times also. The swimming is nice, and it feels good to be doing something other than riding a bike and running. I think swimming is my new preferred form of cross training, no more running, running sucks.

As far as other things go, I came to the conclusion on my break that I was really happy cross season was over. This is the first year I can say that, but I think my cross and road seasons were both longer this year. I started cross with Bearcat Cross in early September, which was a mistake, and then raced pretty much at least once a weekend from then till nationals in early December. I think I also had some bad luck in the last few races before nationals, and wasn't super psyched. I also have to admit, that had I waited till mid cross season to Order tickets to bend, I don't think I would have gone. My registering for Nationals was spurred on by the early season excitement, that faded throughout the season. The cross season was preceded by a solid road season that was from March-August. I think I added up something like 60-70 racing days this year, including tuesday nights. That's a lot. I have a really hard time letting a race go that I could be at. I think for cross next year, I'll be starting later, maybe with the Hermann night race, and then wait till Bubba. I'm planning on doing the UCI races at Louisville and probably Jingle Cross, and then probably heading to Nationals in Bend again.

this should help for those UCI races, and having my Crosswind in the pits.


Exactly opposite to that, I am very excited about the road season. I have been keeping up with the Aussie scene, and It's making me crave crits. It looks like we're going to hit quite a few big races this year, with a focus on road Nationals in June. I think we might do GIla, Joe Martin and Tulsa as the handful of earlier big races. I'm really looking forward to our first race together. Still trying to get a bike squared away for the season, but I should have something new come racing time.

I'm also trying to think about studying abroad. An original plan was to go in the fall, to our campus in the Netherlands and try and race some cross. But this is my last U23 year for cross, so I think I want to stay here. Vienna is another option, more likely for the spring. Wherever I go I'm not sure how much racing or training I could get in, which is causing some hesitation. An option where I could race and train would be heading down under where there are races going on in our winter. I'll have to think about everything more. It's supposed to get above thirty on Monday, maybe I can go ride. Too bad it'll be a slushfest.

my anthem

yeain't fresh azimiz

slow

i'm sitting at shaw's coffee on the hill right now. this is my girlfriend mary 20 minutes deep into her latte.



i can't believe it either.

what i learned in 2009

this is a work in progress over the next few days.

-Superweek is dwindling but was still the most fun bike related thing I did all year.
-CX Nationals would have been more fun if the Hostage had been freed (Hostage take note for next year)
-I can finally feel the difference in tires; griffos are far inferior to fangos, but everyone else rides dugast.
-Single Speeds are an excuse, except of course in BMX where they are standard.
-Pit bikes are necessary at anything bigger than a bubba race.
-A wise man once told me that traveling was half the fun of bike racing, somewhat agreed, but more of racing out of town is half the fun of bike racing.
-Road or Cross is the best season all year; whenever it is that season. Mountain is still no fun.
-Everything is going to be bigger and faster this year.
-The Portland scene is a lot different than I had heard rumored. More stoopid less fast. More like this.
-Socks reminiscent of soccer socks for bike racing are stupid.