tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315813962024-03-19T12:40:05.779-05:00storktorqThe Official Guide to the Wood between the Worldsstorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-27523246614388547452007-06-27T17:36:00.000-05:002007-06-27T17:38:12.284-05:00Move on overHello are you still out there? Please tune in at <a href="http://www.travissaeler.com/">www.travissaeler.com</a> Have you tryed the new typepad site?storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-29429020175334693232007-05-16T12:23:00.000-05:002007-05-16T12:28:45.976-05:00Say Goodbye tp the old and Hello to the NewWell I hope that everyone has found their way to my new site but for those of you that don't log on thru <a href="http://www.travissaeler.com">www.travissaeler.com</a> you maybe wondering where I've went and why there hasn't been any new posts. I've switched over to a newer style of <a href="http://storktorq.typepad.com">weblog </a>where I can posts better links and photo albums with a lot more pictures for those of you to view.<br />Thanks for reading and enjoy the new site......<br />storkstorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-80006059257918631982007-05-03T04:56:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:33:55.559-05:00When is it considered a "bad" ride?After another day of misery at work, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">which</span> seems to be the norm recently I loaded up the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">SuperCal</span> 29er and drove off to Moraine. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">TJ</span> had given me his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">wheelset</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">with</span> the new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Bontrager</span> Tubeless <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ACX</span> setup so I could get them "ridden in". For those unaware of how tubeless works I'll explain.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KS2QZ5Y7DgvtQZsSHbCKkSJTs-tS3zmJwjQk7eUAGF3TaJMCmQMGCeeocd623IyBVp8sYVneySxnB1jh4MpPYoRq8oDeBSc0a-ESaLROJEz3w5nkszPr_AEHnzjBz41mOjxwwA/s1600-h/Z+broken+cable+(3).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060271546274481746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KS2QZ5Y7DgvtQZsSHbCKkSJTs-tS3zmJwjQk7eUAGF3TaJMCmQMGCeeocd623IyBVp8sYVneySxnB1jh4MpPYoRq8oDeBSc0a-ESaLROJEz3w5nkszPr_AEHnzjBz41mOjxwwA/s320/Z+broken+cable+(3).JPG" border="0" /></a> The wheels get a strip installed on the inside with a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">permanent</span> valve stem, you then install the tire but before rolling the last section of bead onto the rim you put some type of sealant into the tire. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060279642287834738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoxC-s4TPlDoWTFtaQnfCFzGkWOEZkajI08v0gFcPMjGaphit9OcXhXzGOAWGBidYB-A6MBZ6N7hSumEWsnrTyjZEvVxFZNdpzklwidQiQL8QqMaaHefXntqcwGCSMJ6sbTSFwA/s200/IMG_0764.JPG" border="0" />In this case we have chosen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Bontragers</span> Super Juice. You then air the tire up and continue until the pressure goes somewhere above 60 pounds and you'll hear the bead "pop" onto the rim.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060280243583256194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aIjx9yLOa_u2MTxllTrPkZpkeKJPytobN51cZP-axSw3SHmowFQM-l52QlxcpJb30xuCXhe2U_uiTV8tizitPzWgmHl9etUon4WrjwdwdV21Ry_9qPcsUjle1edV6NIy72_X9g/s200/IMG_0773.JPG" border="0" /> You will also see the sealant bubble in areas around the bead. Once you have done this its best to leave the extra pressure in them for awhile then air them down to your desired pressure and ride them. Riding them gets the sealant worked around the inside the best and will usually do the trick for getting the tire <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">completely</span> sealed. This is what I was doing for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">TJ</span> since he didn't have time to ride off road before this weekends race.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGH3C0Icz5u_NiKMZitfqlM-P1cmaokN6RhPDZYVolT2mtNVfiA_79vWjSqTOFMmqcEtkyldbJSBLwETdhxYQrz2aIiCbIHypEjSHNEyzpVq3-ja_2s8tGl507Oz-xxQe_aDylkg/s1600-h/Z+broken+cable+(5).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060271550569449058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGH3C0Icz5u_NiKMZitfqlM-P1cmaokN6RhPDZYVolT2mtNVfiA_79vWjSqTOFMmqcEtkyldbJSBLwETdhxYQrz2aIiCbIHypEjSHNEyzpVq3-ja_2s8tGl507Oz-xxQe_aDylkg/s320/Z+broken+cable+(5).JPG" border="0" /></a> So Moraine it was again, except everything seemed to be working against me. First up as I bombed down <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">thru</span> some rocks a stick kicked up and into my front wheel thus ripping my computer <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">transmitter</span> from its mount. What could I do? Nothing so I just shook my head & continued.<br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_elLE2C_jPrgF2vQ6n0o5uG6RDUGMpjYd6D0nCasuaPaKgkIYv2-agnRDsHLyahcNU0Tw7FKCAJ3kNdka19qy2jo4NyUNKcx8MDKE_E9F0qQza4lzySAYqDQ4fZ6sTxi8qswJA/s1600-h/Z+broken+cable+(1).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060271232741869122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_elLE2C_jPrgF2vQ6n0o5uG6RDUGMpjYd6D0nCasuaPaKgkIYv2-agnRDsHLyahcNU0Tw7FKCAJ3kNdka19qy2jo4NyUNKcx8MDKE_E9F0qQza4lzySAYqDQ4fZ6sTxi8qswJA/s320/Z+broken+cable+(1).JPG" border="0" /></a> Well it didn't stop there. Only about 5 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">mins</span> later I twisted the shifter for the front drive train and "snap" nothing! I stopped and rolled the bike over only to see that a rock had rolled up off the front tire and smashed the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">derailleur</span> cable leaving only a strand or two holding it together but as soon as I tried to shift it broke <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">completely</span>. Now I'm part way <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">thru</span> the park and my ride officially reached the status of "bad"! Broken transmitter, broken cable what next? Well let me tell you that a "bad" ride beats out no ride so I did as anyone in my shoes would do. No I didn't get out my tools and reset the limits on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">derailleur</span> instead I road the remainder of the ride in the little ring spinning a high cadence and sitting most of the ride. It was a bit different but never the less I completed the ride. Oh well off to the shop to make a few adjustments & repairs, but remember "bad" rides are expected on occasion so don't fight them just find your way through <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">something</span> good may come of anyway.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>stork<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-39731745500644695242007-04-30T20:48:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:33:56.635-05:00Greenbrier<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJyZ6cbn3wDkfLyLFt8v3nKhf5RxA90BI2zMZ-QqvlIOm8rVX20vYAPWIu5VKTubVIVWhwc1LQVDqjuixqiXcm6rU2rhbc20J6Rk82kg6Ai8UYZrT87U9k59SoIqPlfbRXaGRxg/s1600-h/IMG_0803.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059404177629054402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJyZ6cbn3wDkfLyLFt8v3nKhf5RxA90BI2zMZ-QqvlIOm8rVX20vYAPWIu5VKTubVIVWhwc1LQVDqjuixqiXcm6rU2rhbc20J6Rk82kg6Ai8UYZrT87U9k59SoIqPlfbRXaGRxg/s320/IMG_0803.JPG" border="0" /></a> Outside the window of our table @ Dennys in Hagerstown we watched this happy little duck waddle around the parking lot before nestling down in the dew covered grass just beside the entrance, as if to lay claim to its territory. It made me think about my race that would start @ 3:30 that day, would I be waddling around the course looking all happy? laying claim to the territory? Probably not but never the less we finished breakfast and headed in the direction of Greenbrier State Park.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059407325840082386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiq651Fjlt0GQPAd8HppyxYold9ydMS8yqys7Kqri13qM-ELxhE1hiYYcVetSIv9vw5emF5kbLU5i-t7erX-BSy5OoxMlRiaHlnFc4fHfJ5ryR1VloqKyw4_P1tHM4PTyrRYJ8Q/s320/IMG_0808.JPG" border="0" /> Today's race held the fate of my riders dreams. It would be a qualifier for an invite to something in the way of a National race. Also the UCI (pros that ride for a living) riders gather points from races like these for Olympic qualifiers. So the field of riders would be many and would be strong. Above is a picture of me & Jerry Bliton who was back on the bike for the first time in weeks (since some back surgery) and tooling around the course showing his support to all. Thanks Jerry as always it was great seeing you and thanks for all the encouragement! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059408468301383154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPusk83qijgzAgR7Rh9oVQnYj0bln4uiTJx_APz174F3iVfUk4pw7cQL19Xwaz67HmaNyQzDDyfJN2wsKJJKv-hfkaBqcajwJlbX85tHrmjWYKysh47lZo3fKM6pJUFmnvhB09A/s320/IMG_0856.JPG" border="0" /><em>Chris & Jeremiah after a good but unsatisfying finish. Both guys are great athletes and very normal people. I spoke with both of them in length while hanging out at the Trek Tent with Stephen Hoover (Trek Regional East Team) who included me as a member for the weekend.</em><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059641392967779890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RL23gSnDWmSI8n-OgsnP_vrBC8dRpmYKIgt_6WovCOQp61EMymTd-4QAJbYR05-FnMM76MKxfG8xX00JS6J1IXWuAG7dFlpsk_lh2ztfCi-4tbbavtnBwXr3IX0cxsJZfMZydg/s320/IMG_0840.JPG" border="0" />Michelle, Gunnar, Chris Eatough & his wife with their new baby, Congrats to them!<br /><br /><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059408459711448546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUmAUJ4UPu99nx9acKmzjIJXuZcrmkL8lo5AGnN-Ro2xwuFiOFy6c5cljEpW5SqnrP0LWnx1K8xapO8k3T4Mxz7zYPUDv0x9OuPocSLpGK0aVOAoxS5OGGW09ttbJ9T1KMsgWaA/s320/IMG_0844.JPG" border="0" />Heres two more well known faces... Gunnar & Betsy (bunny) Shogren.<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059408476891317762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPpBAjsieJwuVEw8Q32JEilD7MnQNt248qSivJFRth-peiCzKEBodyZCjdnBeGKndjuWVSj5wLaB2hoaNjrvxRoKwDnrKJifBE6tSsjvCv2UxxQDuzYKF7rgCl-cXLwjTfyiG9w/s320/IMG_0832.JPG" border="0" /></div></div>Michelle entering her second lap for a victory in the 30/39 Female Sport group! Great job Champ! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXLeS_300GFp_D1HTc5NixFotugeIMuxBzbHQ36H0UEJEcn1j1fzC2Phyq5ZUZpuS9GIwYbvMc9RkDA70WrCrSMTHVc_Ujim3XzXtsmojEmf-LGv6vpU0UmsmyYXktbd_skvMZA/s1600-h/IMG_0811.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059637763720414738" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXLeS_300GFp_D1HTc5NixFotugeIMuxBzbHQ36H0UEJEcn1j1fzC2Phyq5ZUZpuS9GIwYbvMc9RkDA70WrCrSMTHVc_Ujim3XzXtsmojEmf-LGv6vpU0UmsmyYXktbd_skvMZA/s320/IMG_0811.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Ok So Michelle kicked some butt @ 10:30 which leaves me to race @ 3:30. By this time of the day I'm thinking of driving home and calling it a weekend, but that isn't how you do things. No even when you're feeling like doing something else duty calls and you're lined up at the Start. I was riding the new Ferrous for its first race and was a bit concerned about how it would handle and perform with the fast, rocky course. Nothing to worry about the starting whistle blew and off the 28 singlespeeders go! Several of the guys in my group are really strong riders and one of them I have raced several times. Most of those times I came out the victor but today's stars where not aliened in my favor. Shortly into the course two riders went around me and hung out in front But within my view for the first 2 laps before pulling away on the 3rd. I did somehow manage to hang on to my 3rd place position for the Bronze. It turned out to be a very tough day for me but there's a long season ahead with many more fast competitors to square off with.<br /><br /><br /><br />We hung around for the awards with Gunnar, Betsy, Mike & Erin Yozell, Amy Breyla & CB before packin it in and turning toward the west.. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059641388672812578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxCel60x29m_8bUolHyewbfSQN8CXrwQVR-gptZUdbumlCEJ_Lbd0Z0Nu64AkC8WOU-OcnoqVwHyPpWhyX87gbX_EKvgav2173ejfnrPb0uhyphenhyphenoU-sXcWL9YBQQdHw_Ovdp58msA/s320/IMG_0870.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />storkstorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-18711356568775612932007-04-28T17:26:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:33:57.539-05:00200+ miles from HomeSaturday April 28th<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058616437677295010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8ZOca5K2j9Mf2gNs_JE649Ud2OuTo2xwuyaNTbcZV2RHpgqMBYLlvaifxXAfp7HD-lInwLaZSF3N4fBVEb2v5fyuYWUFLDzRhCORgfja-kNKelctWEgwFGJl0rNS5j2JTTogWw/s320/IMG_0793.JPG" border="0" />Michelle and I drove into Maryland around noon today, straight to the State park (WHERE WE HAD TO PAY $4 PER PERSON TO ENTER) remember how much you paid to "use" your favorite PA Park? Nothing? Correct! ok there,s probably tax money in use to operate them but this subject is better left for another post, sorry. Anyway we unloaded the Cranberry Tart (Escape) and got ready for a little pre ride.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058611309486343554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_L5uo0bOkMrY6pEB4l33uVmx5VHZ7eFTfnaPFMtD26PeNOrZVrbDx3hsVvfTBX1hio7nS12vf6gttCH6f4k7E3yC5Rdt1bs4U686hXOa9WU0quV1NC75yP1exeH6hrYmShH0xwQ/s320/IMG_0787.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058611511349806482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdIRG6p5oPJ6UlgugY8Lv4WbiZ1kdP1w577d5gaol7YEvGcwp2EWlQ2dcHvv7EckT_LATP0c5nDv2OGttA-X7jmX169pXWJ6Pe6SsoYekJoS4hOJTPiomJQBtHgpPyN_tv4rdzg/s320/IMG_0786.JPG" border="0" />Since I just got this new SuperCal 29er Built yesterday I thought that using it for my pre-ride would be a great way to check for rattles & squeaks. This was a mistake. I loved the feel of floating over the rock littered course! And the climbs.... sitting, spinning, and pain free lower back! Traction was almost to much with the new Bontrager ACX Tubeless Ready Tires that I had mounted to the Race X Lite TLR Disc 29 Rims. A Big thanks to TO for hookin me up with this stuff! I'm very impressed with both the rims & the tires and will most definitely have these Tires on my other bikes as soon as I get my hands on more.<br /><br /><br />Ok since fueling up @ the Longhorn SteakHouse we're now headin out to the DQ but check back tomorrow night or monday morning & keep your fingers crossed for me. I need all the help I can get.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058616437677295026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOC7UnsgdI0GSHawnVmCntFJrDPvn5F3tFsAnhzWtWvzyP56BtU8AhRsiPICEkLgwYXTgGrj4PgkQEWQ3qs-QfhsqT9ANnc0sGHXgYmPjXM5lTw9LjAGJvjRtkJqc5JA6nMRvKMA/s320/IMG_0794.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058609509895046514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlTvidSkIvRhNsbGSRBXBaWF27AmMe-X_eQSVl8cib9liq_dXVRlFccPCEwD7LK8XIzlghb9gNSY1w7wcPvcgGv4k9fsTLJYMdD7dOE4J3l1GQFTjYV3vFifX7U0qI8z6hAyzTw/s320/IMG_0799.JPG" border="0" /> Summer life on the road!</p><p><br />stork<br /><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-45100062248072494412007-04-25T19:33:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:33:57.802-05:00The Planting of the Tree<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZ0F-SWhu-JN4NTSjfd3wlRbzxmo33AHUaFBWaATRQlieYMPTCOSiSqzqVYzRxZC5dJPULVrnWJV-0pi6gv9_ipaln1pSenUQF11OPNp9R3S_5IFW8qGvV1tHxPMQjkjbbPHAzg/s1600-h/Moraine+4-24-07+(11).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057530528210945362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZ0F-SWhu-JN4NTSjfd3wlRbzxmo33AHUaFBWaATRQlieYMPTCOSiSqzqVYzRxZC5dJPULVrnWJV-0pi6gv9_ipaln1pSenUQF11OPNp9R3S_5IFW8qGvV1tHxPMQjkjbbPHAzg/s320/Moraine+4-24-07+(11).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Its coming. What you ask? Well how about a new updated cutting edge website! I've been working dilegently infront of the monitor for the past few days on the new layout & design of travissaeler.com Soon I will be converting from the eblogger to the new server. </div><br /><br /><div>Quick links to some of my favorite pages, </div><br /><div>a photo album section for you to scroll through including photos of some of the cool bikes and gear I get to try.</div><br /><div>But I've promised myself that i wouldn't be posting it until its fully complete.</div><br /><div>It's been several months since I've started this site and now that I've learned how to operate it and understand a few things better I thought that it would be best to make the next step towards a professional weblog. I'll tell you that it takes a ton of time and I'm sure my results at this weekends race will reflect it but its just a temporary thing. Once the site it built and running I'lll be back to just adding posts as they come.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057531979909891426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNPEm6MF6I3msLjKl12lQ96NEyEebXL6C3E_Y1zt0bPUXQLaGiJzTTTUnysSBDEhJ_ITgiE9DnL2turPMDgBvYdVgV7qrPLDxaxoT7uEc17YLb20Gr_ND2jZSer6PHqCIuRs_Pw/s320/TJ+4-24-07+(1).JPG" border="0" /></div></div><br /> . .. .. .... .. .. .. . ... .... ..... .... .... .. .. ... . .. .. . .. .... .. . storkstorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-24500323978694943532007-04-22T19:53:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:33:58.144-05:00Welcome to a world of Pain episode #33<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1g5hyphenhyphenDPmRlQrVxDOIdhXDgUjFbfnGr784JlBFDQAInOf34zMbe3oV5tM19W6ElIw4dbtURTdBsKq0t7u4aHuuLRTclP3T41rwPiuBnTI8G7IhDSAHdzq9rqiMI1o7sAzF8aDCQQ/s1600-h/Big+Bear+Lake+2007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5056431721497015442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1g5hyphenhyphenDPmRlQrVxDOIdhXDgUjFbfnGr784JlBFDQAInOf34zMbe3oV5tM19W6ElIw4dbtURTdBsKq0t7u4aHuuLRTclP3T41rwPiuBnTI8G7IhDSAHdzq9rqiMI1o7sAzF8aDCQQ/s320/Big+Bear+Lake+2007.JPG" border="0" /></a> Wow what a wake up call todays race turned out to be! Michelle & I rolled into the New Ken Eatn'Park to meet TJ. Some warm oatmeal, eggs bacon & Coffee and we where off to Bruceton Mills West Virginia for the Second WVMBA race @ Big Bear Lake. Since today was sunny & warm the turnout would be be big. As we arrived the parking lot surrounding the building already had tons of cars loaded with bikes and gear while their drivers filtered in to sign up. Almost immediately upon getting out of the car I'm spotted by Mike Yozell (who races many of the Mid Atlantic Super Series races with me last year). I then knew this was going to be a hard day because with guys like Mike the pace was going to be blistering. Most of the times Mike & I squared off last year I managed to stay out in front even with the handicap of my single speed but he was always a close chaser forcing me to step it up. I would be piloting my older Fisher Paragon 29er with the multi gear drive train. I spent most of Saturday piecing this bike back together because I didn't want to use the new Ferrous until I worked out my crank issues. I've always felt that I'm a bit slower on the geared bike but with reservations I brought it anyway.<br /><br /><div><div>The Race started off with a mass start of all expert classes and I managed to stay up front with TJ, Jeff Shaulk (Trek East Coast Regional Team) & an older training friend Andy Gorski. Jeff pulled out of site once we hit the gravel fire road so Andy, TJ & I worked together until hitting the single track where Andy & I missed a sharp right hand turn and found ourselves careening through the brush. A quick dismount and some skillfully leaping and we where back on course but a few guys managed to pass us due to this mistake. Never the less they where putting the hammer down and pulled out of site as I followed Andy. A few miles later I, along with a few others, worked our way around Andy and continued on. Somewhere around the 7 mile mark I noticed just how fatigued I was feeling and though about how badly I was pedaling this geared thing. Why can't I manage to hammer when I have more than one gear choice? A few positions where exchanged and I wasn't sure where I was placed at that moment but I did think about eating a Gel. As I ripped open the package and tasted the first bit i bobbed and weaved over the trail, suddenly i noticed it tasted a lot like dirt! No it wasn't the Gel I was now on the ground almost a foot or so away from my bike! What happened I asked myself? As i climbed back on to the bike in pure disgust I noticed the rock I hit while one handing the bar in order to squeeze the gel down my gullet. My skills suck! During my lust to taste the earthy dirt below me I managed to bang my knees and inner thighs pretty good, so as I continued on I could feel the bruising and swelling. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5056433151721125042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1KMAkPN8EZE_BYLmuQValfMAQ-v1_V4i9Wou99FlzcZ16JPiYOgNsYJNuL65Br0wWlgPtVJWE46APoYaKzCnoKua4edG_usj1vH5rhc0o8LMQ3CimjXDKBplJralwburR6pzbA/s320/Big+Bear+Lake-1+2007.JPG" border="0" /></div><div><em><span style="color:#000000;">This is why bikers shave their legs. When cleaning the dirt and rocks out & as these scraps/cuts heal it's always better without dealing with the normal leg hair.</span></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Ok back to the story at hand, the pain wasn't real bad but enough to notice as I started pedaling. With only a half dozen or so guys in front of me I convinced myself to up the output and cranked onward but as we neared the end of the course Mike Yozell came screaming up behind me & passed me and anothe guy (Sport Class) but just as he passed us the other guy wiped out and forced me to nose wheelie into another crash! I picked myself up only to see Mike pulling away and holding on to the gap for the finish. Nice job Mike! (also on a 29er). In the end I finished up with a solid 3rd in the Vet class seconds behind Mike (2nd) and we where behind Justin P. (1st also on a Fisher Paragon 29er).</div><br /><div>Lets hope I get things together in the next month or I'll be needing to look for new sponsors next year like Barnes & Nobles (where I could sit and read about racing and riding).</div><br /><div>Thanks to TO, Gary Fisher, Bontrager Components Wheelworks & Tires, Boone Ti Rings, Deans Recovery Milk, Trek of PGH, Don Mosites, Bob Myers & his Trek/Nike Products, & Serfas Glasses.</div><div>Oh yea & Thanks to everyone their who put me in the hurt locker.</div><br /><div>Michelle Did well with a Second Place Finish in the womens Sport group.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5056432408691782818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOh8McNOijOqQIBHPsf956vuVzlgL1tRtS9Dwbxd_I5mIkod0cLcfdRlebVOfptiSvjTbYhi-fuHoMaATGUfME0fHpslycvzu1JpveJs-8orjGEgt5oz4KmA6NBba6S6ow47XBPA/s320/Big+Bear+Lake+Michelle+2007.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>TJ Finished up with a second also in the Mens Pro/Expert. Great job buddy, a little slow starting but as always a locomotive once you get rolling!</div><br /><div>stork</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-35672092732168162462007-04-21T10:29:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:33:58.258-05:00Still Searching Rev 1<div>Day two of testing the Ferrous-</div><br /><div>Changed the cranks from my usual XTR & Boone Ti Ring to the Bontrager SS Race Cranks<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055904226498622578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkDy3Zk1YdVO7NUeV3Tu3nlV2cJA-kKDXfCz-vNhUZqEa_tHGYjcRKzH11Rb75N3t9a-i6a0THLw0qwE4BbkC9E8CMN2ukwHNSB4GHSh53bf3J4-vKfH9tMEsZiWtPyuCxIhrlA/s320/279798+SS+Cranks.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><p>These cranks use a Truvativ Bottom Bracket which have 113mm Spindle instead of the 112.5 of the XTR and these also have a thinner crank arm which with a combination of the two should give me the necessary clearance.</p><p>Again out to the "testing grounds" of Moraine State Parks MTB Trail. Thankfully changing these items did the trick but now I'm forced to use a Q Factor that is wider than I like and at times while maneuvering thru the rocks I noticed my leg/calf still touching the seat stays due to their width. This isn't horrible but I didn't like it. Will I race this bike? Probably because I like the feel of the springy steel. How about racing it tomorrow? No. I still need to dial in a few other things so if I manage to feel ok (still fighting a lingering cold and allergies) I'll probably race the Vet class with my Paragon for a warm up to Greenbrier AMBC race that is coming next weekend.</p><p>stork</p>storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-10231123194270757822007-04-20T04:55:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:34:01.054-05:00How They Discovered Something Worth Knowing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Yos8_f8XtOhnG1QDA0jIux2W3ElHLrOtKGwj3d94n1iLKSSogwOqpnbbCENRy986d7_v7NRk6j7ImGdCQHt__HJnw9bo32KmMRhzrqaw4RPVw2J0iArOHWLqzaT2rx2IICa9Ag/s1600-h/Ferrous+1st+Ride+(1).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055447813208978354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Yos8_f8XtOhnG1QDA0jIux2W3ElHLrOtKGwj3d94n1iLKSSogwOqpnbbCENRy986d7_v7NRk6j7ImGdCQHt__HJnw9bo32KmMRhzrqaw4RPVw2J0iArOHWLqzaT2rx2IICa9Ag/s320/Ferrous+1st+Ride+(1).JPG" border="0" /></a> So I'm thinking of attending the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">WVMBA</span> race this coming weekend if I manage to hold off this lingering cold that everyone around me seems to be getting, so I took that Ferrous I built back in December off the wall hook last night & went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Moriane</span> State Park. I could <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sence</span> the bikes <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">excitment</span> to carve the trails, it was somewhat like the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">excitment</span> a new puppy has when you take it for its first visit to the park. Yea it knows something cool is about to happen but it isn't sure what, never the less it gets real antsy & excited. This is what I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">senced</span> the Ferrous was feeling. Those of you from around here understand the trail @ <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Moriane</span> and just how difficult & rocky it is. It isn't a long trail (yet) looping around for a total 7 miles but its a great testing ground for any new bike and its <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">handeling</span> and ride qualities. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055450214095696834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSEI2_z0IANl9CX5mq4L5lFv9rht9wnKT6zdymm7ejnnDB0Ojsm85F-GlnrwsE126vKTl0YrU1F_ujZ0eO0pnW3BhGjqOTLtISSSwWXcE7aLOQXgE4QKWT4aQA5jH4GqvaQ4bCrA/s320/Ferrous+1st+Ride+(7).JPG" border="0" />On to the trial system I went and I must say I was looking forward to riding this Steel Steed. I always take any bike that I've rebuilt out for a good test ride to make sure everything is working properly and all adjustments suite my liking. I quickly noticed its flexibility as I rocketed across the first section of rocks and small boulders, impressive. As I started the first small climb up the Power Line I instantly noticed a thunk, thunk, thunk, thunk, with every pedal stroke. At the top of the climb I stop to inspect the bike and the origin of the noise. It didn't take me more than a few seconds to notice my crank arm was hitting the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">chainstay</span> as the bike flex under my pedal stroke (also known as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">storktorq</span>). How disappointing! This wasn't something I could remedy on the trial, in fact this will require me to install a wider Bottom bracket or different <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">crankset</span>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055452013686993874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYEJr8orUrrZx8Up4Kpr-EsRLTyKk9TALMhAbfHFhsc_5wk-74kcRgcRd6V4d4N3DW6eaml8hJz7SV7O74VMv7pk7t5mMZ85M-vy3lpr8VtqrrpndbsQn-d_86mwsRENzPGq9dw/s320/Ferrous+1st+Ride+(4).JPG" border="0" />Since the Ferrous has an extra wide rear frame I will be unable to maintain the shorter Q factor (distance between cranks) that suites my smaller build. This is good information for those of you wanting to purchase a Ferrous. Also with this tight fit my heels rubbed the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">seatstays</span> as my pedal stroke came around. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055453409551365090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSsVKZDOnMkyiFuK6Z61owR_cOkObDtkXEM9uC6HYtm6qtmlasMj_aiLsuNV9osrNt3ol_YAGx1iUMTNaE4y8UB_zIlwpaVhAnOAJ3zRQ5Oeo9cqXl4tlmrPE34NCuR9dhE-Rtw/s200/Ferrous+1st+Ride+(5).JPG" border="0" />I was immediately let down but since this fix couldn't be made I forged onward to test the feel & ride of the steel frame over the rocks. I must say that this bike felt similar to my older <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Bluestone</span> Ti frames, springy, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">flexy</span>, responsive & comfortable. I really liked it except for the frame width factor. I'm almost positive that this bike won't get raced much because of this frame width. When you ride as much as someone like me you notice things like Q factors and they become very important, yes I ride other bikes with a wider Q factor but for racing I like my stuff set up a certain way, with this bike I will be unable to get those measurements. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055456501927818226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-wZ7ZvhDrZwLCAfs99tSw3YmHTbUG8kWR0n58P8oRjwoHdICBEcSf1EuAFZB-5yt_OpdubOI32GrVA53BOk9FvK6AR7-cLfVLrzxqsxucscHOoiUKDu5Pat1y48yOr0UgbJR2g/s320/Ferrous+1st+Ride+(22).JPG" border="0" />Well, enough about my disappointments along the trial I came across Greg (below-a student @ <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">SRU</span> and Danny <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Wilsons</span> Room Mate). Danny Wilson has been a past teammate of mine for more than a few years up to this season and currently helps students @ <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">SRU</span> to obtain bikes to travel to classes. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055457970806633474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDThTB_9OlVzrZeEYWj8aq0snMw5R2I2FV8bq-z62I9We_iUIZq42J8mgo6bJMdnaMPnULokvLjriV0Pg-bPlSU-qG0qSoPw4vrw8LdsbjBpSvM1Nr44rwTv8IAKvuAROrFgwUw/s200/Ferrous+1st+Ride+(2)+Greg.JPG" border="0" />Also Out on the new section of trial , yes I said new section (almost 4 miles of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPX_lBcDQXCgQ8AsAjjyzsUcjDv9nkI2-l3IAwUg7NEJbnB6ahV1CKXxzMZXanae6hd3m_KwKlmXAvbMeE2ann7fOy9czXosbKAiNbF3clHEIhWxlyC_UTXmngFONENujAmc73A/s1600-h/Ferrous+1st+Ride+(45)+DAn+Spurk.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055459031663555602" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPX_lBcDQXCgQ8AsAjjyzsUcjDv9nkI2-l3IAwUg7NEJbnB6ahV1CKXxzMZXanae6hd3m_KwKlmXAvbMeE2ann7fOy9czXosbKAiNbF3clHEIhWxlyC_UTXmngFONENujAmc73A/s200/Ferrous+1st+Ride+(45)+DAn+Spurk.JPG" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">singletrack</span> littered with more rocks & boulders) was Dan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Spurk</span> who was building more of the trial. He was eager to tell me just how the trail would finish up with an awesome gradual decline where <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">momentum</span> will carry you over and through a large section of rocks! He's hoping that his group will have this completed before Summer. If you have time look for the Trail building days on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">PORC</span> website. Thanks Dan and everyone else for this new section and the relations between bikers and the Park Manager. We need more guys like Dan.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055460320153744418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfK5TUGQLx3PFvu7ioFaVt7-xrRt_Y254HRHBcSVZtvfvw7LhOEpskyJQfGhyphenhyphenclkSGqfcWAIW9jXZmhBaGBCHfJqQSg9bi27LsX8E3exq2Q3aGqW6n5QaEeoFQJdpgjIHxYZYKKQ/s200/Ferrous+1st+Ride+(42).JPG" border="0" />Oh before I sign off let me add a bit about the new shorts that I got. There a pair of Treks top line Circuit Bibs and boy are they nice. Small chamois, good fit with a rubber lining around the leg ends instead of elastic (which creeps up during a ride). The rubber is just a bit tacky and sticks instead of needing to tighten around your thigh. I really liked these and will more than likely be getting a few more for the race season. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055461703133213746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3NRZbuIccOhpXxNtefyfUYu0JI1RjnVNKeZI7CgHrc0xQa3WqRbZsH1HqFXxltjHHmkVhClMATCHUUCBVuEfV64HQfAct9YdFmecITRIIAhEOfAEZRNDiZLDL30BWsn7NkCKLw/s200/Trek+Circuit+Bibs.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055463803372221538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RhDmEat1neZkcfa4jxbz0abEPOSxB5O-pDZX-7-V-3nobmW-eE448jq7h0Kd6PVWoM33KPkEiFmmNr9PsIGuGn3Btm6GMQ0utXZIRVdagiJAw8WP9U-qi0cilVd-Y1J0zXd5fQ/s320/Ferrous+1st+Ride+(33).JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055462854184449090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMxCRrASBImXwddTPfp_vxxBOxZ1M6beR4CGhw2uxH-Pu0lRV0Q37DL266Hp_N7VpDmYhEbAYL4GQCyUWX6vuuyzy6OAyz8SIbHlElHptyD7Nfjy6N8lWsDyKFhVReNppdN996g/s200/Ferrous+1st+Ride+(13).JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5055462862774383698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILX9VB7Pa-srGK_fsrqUpyFWldyKiy4RKv4XthcDwXTT2VCQaCZH7OjCzXqYKMyutg5SQU_Y3lZawUf_lGsPcP2iqEOJfQdh-yUyDUqEgpLyczpBYeNMObbVa9owMKaP6qvTb5A/s200/Ferrous+1st+Ride+(29).JPG" border="0" /> Storkstorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-27403398219861293482007-04-16T19:13:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:34:01.663-05:00Mingo, Mango, Mumba<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR6V2Cm5buhupdnY3g7WtnjBKvviEdAm3FswTCQAwENtTjjrV1G7SvGwjE4vmgHbPvY_y2RzEYscYtRT1LvzHaCRvHB-FoU1aCEzL-fuIqaFhtbzzFyo4ztp7It4HX2BTShKPrA/s1600-h/Pee+Break.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054348272230488210" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR6V2Cm5buhupdnY3g7WtnjBKvviEdAm3FswTCQAwENtTjjrV1G7SvGwjE4vmgHbPvY_y2RzEYscYtRT1LvzHaCRvHB-FoU1aCEzL-fuIqaFhtbzzFyo4ztp7It4HX2BTShKPrA/s320/Pee+Break.jpg" border="0" /></a> Sunday rolled around to see me lining up at yet another <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mingo</span> Road race. Cold weather, raining and a steady wind, how fun! These races are a great learning tool for me. Since I never road race enough to upgrade a license (stuck w/a 4) I never do them because of the possibility of getting hurt and effecting my true loyalty to Fisher & the 29er Crew.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054344458299529330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuF73OfcIxdF7MsF-xshOaXtGc08SxYcr2qolfvTSuiIL6bRTpFvYz16tg9MWc8iV772As3Sh9uD_kToYOFFYHcM8PWNa3crjo2i7hvH4ineHyvbs6X7oerdQc8RzbCCR5HQEhRA/s200/29er+jerseys.JPG" border="0" />But somehow I manage to slide in (accepted by the race promoter) to the Cat 1/2/3 event and the risk of injury lessens because these individuals have had to race in large groups in order to earn the Cat 3 or above status.<br /><div><div><div>This weeks race was missing a few riders but never the less a nice group <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWzlw7VgU6iDbY1ZJTGWo9R95gYfgRAauK-FmZcSDh36Le-6gFW_v9g6t7QyK4R2zhgBLu5wtvuDxJaxE9oXmMlKo0eM9ucXQr6vFnqVFVXFh3Yq6fZyJDAlNImwnCMLUtDBEOQ/s1600-h/Tim+Lyons-cropped.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054347726769641602" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWzlw7VgU6iDbY1ZJTGWo9R95gYfgRAauK-FmZcSDh36Le-6gFW_v9g6t7QyK4R2zhgBLu5wtvuDxJaxE9oXmMlKo0eM9ucXQr6vFnqVFVXFh3Yq6fZyJDAlNImwnCMLUtDBEOQ/s200/Tim+Lyons-cropped.jpg" border="0" /></a>of 1/2/3 racer where at the start line including my good friend Tim Lyons (Freddie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Fu</span> Racing). Tim treated me like his personal intern softly shouting orders to me explaining where and what I should be doing. To bad he flatted out in the first 1/2 mile but lucky for me they let him back in on our start of the 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">nd</span> lap with the restriction of doing nothing to help or hinder the group, meaning he couldn't pull or get in any ones way. He could however school me on the ways of a roadie & school me he did!</div><br /><div>Travis get up there, Travis pay attention to those two, Your wheel should be behind their wheel, when one of those guys break you need to be with them, Travis don't do anything to kill yourself, sit in here, get ready it looks like "go" time. So I rode around a lap or 2 sprinting to someone wheel as they tried to make breaks but once they noticed it was unsuccessful they returned back to the group. Finally on the 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> lap a guy made a break on the small hill and I targeted his rear wheel like a buzzard on a gut wagon., only then he turned and said something about a teammate and he started to slow down. I'm a newbie so I pulled of his wheel and sat up only to see his teammate scream by and pull him off in front of me. I tried to bridge the small gap but working by myself was impossible as I watched them ride off. Hell with it here I am out front of the group riding solo maybe I can make it stick for awhile before getting swallowed up in the group pursuing me. Around the start finish and I see my gap growing so my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">mtb</span> instinct starts to take over & I find myself wanting to make this solo thing last but with 2 more laps to go it sounds impossible to me. Worst thing that could happen? I get caught, right?, right! </div><br /><div>I buckled down and started concentrating on a steady rhythm (no thanks to any music, road races don't allow mp3 players- how boring). Next I hear the bell and still no group behind me in sight. Excellent I did it, I pulled off a solo break in the Cat 1/2/3 and finished up with 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">th</span> Place! </div><div> </div><div>Thanks to Don <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Mosites</span>, Gary Bywaters, Fisher Bikes, Tim Lyons for the instructions & Lunch @ Moes & Especially <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Bontrager</span> Components (my new race <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Xlite</span> road wheels)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054342942176073826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdk2DViglqg-QqVHxJf37M-xCfHS_0VxDaQNa2-3948SN6MSOnnbciUcIBs9MNMl2u6f9D83w3jhF3Pre3BICk8GVmehKOSUc1VdLIVv5MB1QP6SIGY7gaMVplyo918VZV4BA9Q/s320/Bontrager+Aero+Wheels.jpg" border="0" /></div>I couldn't believe the differance I noticed between these new wheels and my existing Mavic Open Pros that are laced to a King Classic Hub. These wheels seemed to freespin effortlessly and something tells me they had something to do with my success this past weekend. They felt fast, stiff & very smooth which are all good qualities!<br /><br /><div>stork </div></div></div>storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-52637731133462503912007-04-15T20:38:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:34:02.920-05:00In Search of Puddleglum<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CwdQtx7-12y1MH6mwkc8tKlVLLpvhoTY2AYZCN5lrE7iiiv68OLYOqpIoY3hgJre_nAOYiNFw8QZv_sbER7Qtl1KtXOtLPkq2VmGkMm2gP6OrREF9mtoViAZmdsF7vKkx0A-2w/s1600-h/Kennerdall+4-14-2007+(3).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053834826070120418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CwdQtx7-12y1MH6mwkc8tKlVLLpvhoTY2AYZCN5lrE7iiiv68OLYOqpIoY3hgJre_nAOYiNFw8QZv_sbER7Qtl1KtXOtLPkq2VmGkMm2gP6OrREF9mtoViAZmdsF7vKkx0A-2w/s320/Kennerdall+4-14-2007+(3).JPG" border="0" /></a>Friday nights voice message was from Chris, one of the guys I rode with on Good Friday. "Travis, Chris here, Mike & I are riding <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kennerdall</span> tomorrow morning, if you're interested give me a call". I sat on the couch thinking how can I tell Michelle that I'm going to bail on our Saturday plans to go ride. Luckily Michelle isn't one of those girls who get over dramatic at something like this & she understands my commitment to riding & racing. My commitment to things probably is one of the things she likes about me best. Anyway with the upcoming race season and my new sponsorship with the Gary Fisher 29er Team she understands that I need ride time. So I broke it to her with the added information that we would be riding early so I wouldn't be home late. She said sure thing, see ya when you get home, but I think she knew that anytime I go riding its never in the allotted time. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053839163987089394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxOXZR3gJ4_2LgQZrO-4uaE4UiZj7cZi7-qfgRhKnkgXIgN0ALBjjEZcq3928Yg1INKXKRfCj9cRriFezJibhFcO6NuaHFWUuKofMdVdiQRS2FZmOs7tGh9vzah8mZnuAxRwMng/s320/Kennerdall+4-14-2007+(23).JPG" border="0" />Saturday morning found me listening to the Bee Gees waiting for Chris & Mike to arrive. We got ready and off to the trials. Since these two had only ridden here one other time I became the official tour guide, which I never mind doing. I really enjoy riding with these guys and we kept a steady pace stopping on occasion to point out different routes & trails while getting a breather. I rode my 2006 Fisher Rig Single speed which hadn't been off the hook since the last race of 2006. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053842295018248226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_9C4Ka4dsiXn3tZBAe-mEQrQ0pYyf07Kq3xbIRxIQxJTzGy6ujsXdAo2YG1wkDpZWuOzsIwLlTtF7LgCcowglP-CJSSm82yLB4oahO-cyBFMenaVULYANo2Yg0h2GOYHxgT3gQ/s320/Rig+on+t-Rocks+2.JPG" border="0" />It felt good to be carving the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">singletrack</span> straddling this trusty steed. This particular bike and I shared several major victories last season and I have a certain respect for this machine, in fact so much that I believe this to be the first time I've ridden it outside of racing since it's been built. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ok</span> a few trail rides around my house to test & tune but never with a group elsewhere.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053839997210744834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFatz6976Gff6ySslKrd6qs9tIgCbqE9Zasd5N1R_Nna6p_sDir8gxrkLEAP0DH0VXum8Wpx4MBIIMNknxPPukar6IbuV5S059lpVnoV6POHTURiwfmqAfOPWXp8_uTg89Fl64CA/s320/Kennerdall+4-14-2007+(19).JPG" border="0" /> <div>Mike & Chris gliding down the "Goat Path" @ <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Kennerdall</span> on their way to Dennison Run. We rode almost 16 miles for the day through all the marshy trails at<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVrzp3sZJlsxDWVNuAIcVvybFKdhVNMv1j0d-1PU_MXsVXKuQzC5nCerwpzDX_rVbO6aOAteJ7QTSH5TR-IQ_8tDUMRbkQq_Qrx5nqWdKQBeXJngFkp6B5t5G7pi56SycIHSB-w/s1600-h/Kennerdall+4-14-2007+(18).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053844549876078642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVrzp3sZJlsxDWVNuAIcVvybFKdhVNMv1j0d-1PU_MXsVXKuQzC5nCerwpzDX_rVbO6aOAteJ7QTSH5TR-IQ_8tDUMRbkQq_Qrx5nqWdKQBeXJngFkp6B5t5G7pi56SycIHSB-w/s320/Kennerdall+4-14-2007+(18).JPG" border="0" /></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Kennerdall</span> while searching for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Puddleglum</span> the Marsh Wiggle. I've been told he can be found fishing along Dennison Run but instead we found this creature </div><br /><div>Yes its a porcupine. Very cool to see something like this. I must add that its not out of the ordinary in this area to spot one. Of all the times I've ridden <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Kennerdall</span> on more than a few occasions I've gotten the chance to <em>observe</em> these magnificent animals. Again I must add that you ain't gonna see stuff like this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">sittin</span> on your couch! Get out and see the our wonderful State! <em>But please only observe the wildlife don't bother, tease or disturb them!</em></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053845971510253634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5RU34-CA5ILWS_OSgMbTUuZBJAUAsUlIGBMlpWuYoHdBZGr2JCxGO9UABuJfVUGIQeuro3p6Kuwg8m7_fSnGDMLTD1zi4gqtbnUo6Moemv5odp2xswZBz4V_b-Ft3VgddGb4gA/s320/Kennerdall+4-14-2007+(12).JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><p>We watched the little critter walk around and climb the tree before moving on.</p><p>All in all it was a great morning ride with some sun before the rain moved in later in the evening. Good company, wildlife & sweet trails. A <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">successful</span> day, Thanks to God and Country</p><p>stork</p>storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-44100010594475376292007-04-13T05:15:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:34:03.093-05:00I Work to Live, Not Live to Work<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlSHOEy51mF1Yi2KbOubsVxz_cIxQGLzRhGTI8bIpbcUWHpnh_tNflbFM4DDi6nhCFbUgCA5R_fBT5ssPNJ7nmZtAgI7ddVBDYPUTSrRXMQ0JUsGMIW_WWVHD0WKVL3zHHya5Ag/s1600-h/Burnt+Church+(10).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5052854697353304018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlSHOEy51mF1Yi2KbOubsVxz_cIxQGLzRhGTI8bIpbcUWHpnh_tNflbFM4DDi6nhCFbUgCA5R_fBT5ssPNJ7nmZtAgI7ddVBDYPUTSrRXMQ0JUsGMIW_WWVHD0WKVL3zHHya5Ag/s320/Burnt+Church+(10).JPG" border="0" /></a> As Spring arrives my list of things to do multiplies daily. A few major things happening at work have kept me from riding much lately. My neglect at the home front is really starting to show and it became a reality when I came home to find a posting from the local authorities warning of No Trespassing due to unsafe conditions!<br />Ok I may be exaggerating but really work has me swamped so much that outside of it there isn't much for me to tell. I missed the weekly Thursday morning ride w/Tim Lyons and TJ to attend work & I can't imagine you people wanting to hear about Furnace Burners, K-Column Dampers, Honeywell Controllers, and Thermocouples.<br />Hopefully I can get some pedalling in before the 2nd Mingo Race on Sunday.<br />Later, work beckons again!<br /><br />Storkstorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-19006472063711905552007-04-09T18:45:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:34:11.073-05:00Easter Sunday<div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoK5trOjMrGmdXGza2jS7QVCDEimMPoSIfKMUkJzLjkMMSPs9oVZ9BN0KUQ2YjamQekF_XwFp5pK1Hux2usINS9RW7ZUdJDLZEGHuxidn9rtBRWD8Ov2ElGeARSMs_ezgXVqA-w/s1600-h/Ducks-Easter+(7).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051579215021454018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoK5trOjMrGmdXGza2jS7QVCDEimMPoSIfKMUkJzLjkMMSPs9oVZ9BN0KUQ2YjamQekF_XwFp5pK1Hux2usINS9RW7ZUdJDLZEGHuxidn9rtBRWD8Ov2ElGeARSMs_ezgXVqA-w/s320/Ducks-Easter+(7).JPG" border="0" /></a> This begins the story of the Cat & the Duck. Once upon a time (Easter Sunday 2007) I was riding my bike (no surprise) and I came upon a cat & a duck hanging out together near the edge of a pond ( in Rattigan). I slowed down as I heard the duck yelling (more like a quack) at me to be more cautious of the wildlife! At this time I noticed the cat sitting there clearly knowing that he was no match for the Duck so he was looking for something else to hunt as he ignored them. I stopped and watched several other waterfowl meandering around the water at which time I notice this guy walking the waters edge with a white goose following him. I immediately became interested & curious so I watched for awhile. The man was walking and cleaning up around the edge of the pond and the goose followed him everywhere and every so often the man would lean over to somewhat scratch the goose as it honked for his attention. It was cool to watch this and eventually the man made his way to a small shack where he scooped some seed or grain and started spreading it around on the ground. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051581517123924690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvEIvoutmlNP_B7YHMXndc6cvzEbtd7vYZQKjTwNyxccgdlsP9P_1wEHcQLrDfa5RvC6Cv9gfmLQEl9KHvQ0yb8nc2GDw301ihKEv2X4ecdJuzteIcRIXDrmgJkVWRk_mi1L3gA/s320/Ducks-Easter+(2)-crop.jpg" border="0" />It was a great morning to be riding and one of the first times in more than a week or two that I've ridden back towards Rattigan. I had Easter Duties to tend to so I had to make this a short & sweet ride but I managed to waste more than a few minutes here watching the Ducks feed in the wet grass and pick at there plumage. They are really magnificent creatures and I enjoyed the time watching them. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051583200751104738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9cnti9VIVxlR-rNVp9p0l2DPQ5IRH1QiS_AXsew5LxaMfT9yokko6a6afgx0PvFeSjetR_ZJuDzisgy0B_td38Fg40WfB0t6YlsmWRUipX0qHyhbOVVDQkzjcQHdIrnSuaVQNw/s320/Ducks-Easter+(3)-crop.jpg" border="0" />Wel thats it for the Easter Sunday ride, not much to tell but as always enjoyable! It never seems to be a chore to ride and once i'm out with the wheels rolling time just slips away.</div><div> </div><div>stork<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-12716104384270223572007-04-07T08:49:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:34:13.511-05:00The Storm and What Came of It<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1WMB6JFWCjXODhy-08kmQbGGds97lZVfgWNU8DB4oF02CXmZviWZGlXT6noWqluWIAn_GBjJ2oIn1_-mbVEgeVa-7rFEoy2ABxXPIXSVNLmlergenv2udHzGzB1f_5GEfUpPUA/s1600-h/North+Park+4-5-07+(9).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050705051737764482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1WMB6JFWCjXODhy-08kmQbGGds97lZVfgWNU8DB4oF02CXmZviWZGlXT6noWqluWIAn_GBjJ2oIn1_-mbVEgeVa-7rFEoy2ABxXPIXSVNLmlergenv2udHzGzB1f_5GEfUpPUA/s320/North+Park+4-5-07+(9).JPG" border="0" /></a> So Good Friday comes and with it a steady light snow storm greeted me when i awoke. Just last week I was riding in shorts, a base layer and jersey! Today I'll be back to the knickers and cut of jeans. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050769669520732834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsBbGNCYHguzD_oCVM87bWwAz4y-yIemxXPlSHlU2xxfC3_q8iFf-mH5bTAm50z-sAAG3T37MHVts_0B7jKih69JUms3h24ukmITB8OWPmVF1k7eAqxMGOA804oEkikj2KXq4mA/s320/DSC01478+003.JPG" border="0" />An Early shot of myself & Scott trying to troubleshoot his rear wheel problem. This turned out to be a broken internal in his hub which ended Scotts ride with us on Friday. Maybe next time, my friend.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>Heres the story..I got a call Thursday evening while I was turning tools on repairs at the ToP cranberry store with TJ as we listening to some music from the Rat Pack. It was Mike, a guy I've ridden with a few times during the winter months and it was always fun so I made the schedule changes necessary to make the morning ride. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2zd83H33Ia-4fHvOUkA0f9njKSV4bXXMsBK109YxhIfjNDmWx68bmI3A6c6Pc375nwv_5oyWZy8hUK91VKEHL7ungwrfNqmuCOPM2nVLouIRUa1AcwCSRn0g5jkKoWNOeJJUmA/s1600-h/North+Park+4-5-07+(19).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050685651370488338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2zd83H33Ia-4fHvOUkA0f9njKSV4bXXMsBK109YxhIfjNDmWx68bmI3A6c6Pc375nwv_5oyWZy8hUK91VKEHL7ungwrfNqmuCOPM2nVLouIRUa1AcwCSRn0g5jkKoWNOeJJUmA/s320/North+Park+4-5-07+(19).JPG" border="0" /></a><br />He told me that there would be several people showing up at the Pool in North Park around 9. A few cups of coffee, loaded up the 05 Purple Rig and I was off. The others turned out to be great guys and two of the younger ones (High School) lived nearby and actually build more than a few miles of the trails through out the Park. So we had inside guides for the day. How cool! Since I have done very little mountain biking over the last few months this ride was a treat! I had forgotten how "rusty" my cornering and traction skills had gotten due to all the road riding. It was so pathetic to watch me hesitate thru corners and off camber trail sections.<br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050694838305534498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqRwWUiok5IueiHkdwaCKk2VKdzveYxEQGXRT1NA7ZeoDw4nKTcby34cytfY0oqunPJ-9guj-KhvolgtKiC5OODTuAzcLVq_UpM48CDRMVPE_EaMU5www7Cin3xXHIUt4ciBD-g/s320/North+Park+4-5-07+(26).JPG" border="0" />Vaughn, Nick & Ken near the end of our ride. We stopped often to goof off and snap photos, but still managed to get a good 15+ mile ride in. Look for Vaughns name in the Month of Mud races later this year and hopefully he gets into the Cross races too. Good Luck Vaughn!<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050695508320432690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCljIoeDlZySm-7TYqdeA81RqZQ1AYJozobhPlKHXJXzEs6_wKZgr937yCgHMjxXGlzmOV5mMET6-5rM44fRlMOGCFGO2GoiXfbi-TEKi9KYjFPL0LFDXOpK52GnWxWzV0YRl0AA/s320/North+Park+4-5-07+(14)email.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050695667234222658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpFBxvUO3e5KpQJ8IaUCpCjAyGY0EPBWl4E7nmT4CRduzw3aWEnDhiz-7cdgfJsViJrFvkebtJMuRO4S5M_QuM2zlF-MCzDAL5OQXxNdKf4jxGSdLsdPwv5U0_uMf1HmR8VmlTA/s320/North+Park+4-5-07+(4)+e-mail.jpg" border="0" />There's a couple of shots of Chris making some sweet jumps! I would have to say that Chris has some mad skills with getting his bike up & over things! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050768892131652242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjHetC9uQl9Xaz-QUpnsID43r0gu2bvdw7FfkRl7FvmCdORIRtzb9ZjYgkqFV6xdE9HQGAgXdtUmpWGQMLqOLUFqDJnyItTNh7qR2w2vtXfg1duN2RnFBRwhos1TH_9lgqk1epQ/s320/DSC01494+019.JPG" border="0" />To bad the camera wasn't faster so we could have captured the wipe-out that followed this aerial! Just kidding, Chris pulled this one off as he always does with a solid landing!<br /></div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050697080278463058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2PSt1KYa7ijKVHp1MOZX5a_Z1WjxigDRS_HqK2Y4yz4GfsdreQPmEhJjoJM7cK1R5ibCRLiMcZz0izFfDvV_jZFlhTJCWy_9nnlQeEFdY70PDZHDI0JL4gVKkx1Ica9XH3KJ0Q/s320/North+Park+4-5-07+(5).JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050697093163364962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZHVMvZu-tCqpYEebVHkt-u58XvSuelR55ROWTriGgGJtiQDOhnIll1SRcwpP_iIu61-7GhKw6EqEfFTo7MyTOKVuyxHDKGaMaK0Rptil-C6DQuGRRWJqYVVS6sOA16Cpkj_llw/s320/North+Park+4-5-07+(13).JPG" border="0" />After all the riding we loaded up and headed to Moes Southwest Grille in Cranberry (beside the ToP store) for some fuel and conversation. I was really glad the group invited me along<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050702556361765490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhkYO4loldlWirL0O7fMjRJ9k8MkfU6Gm2NfecmHaZQN4rX7HSnbUA1H3uT_qn6bXpjjxR6RE2IKlcPXR2YPGNm1pgTlSYmtDsa0l77OEiCB-IUiXnNgt0iPh6HzM0BxhUiFaSA/s320/North+Park+4-5-07+(20).JPG" border="0" />The last climb to the Pool Parking Lot! Hum looks like a few of us where finally worn out. Oh well this climb was a little slick so there wasn't any shame in walking, next time we'll get it! Thanks again to Mike for the invite and i look forward to the next time. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5050770837751837362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-8j681vicZEdnq6FaIjEuYqUbvKsGelb76Y9U0KPk93HJfo2Te-tlnHrP6f2XPvQA9e8I_W-nijm7t9z1hxVt8KZGhVt9EbYg6dy28QbSGdB3WsUQ6SQzvLeSE24H1dajfZKcA/s320/DSC01485+010.JPG" border="0" />Mike riding the trials @ North Park<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>stork<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-23612848553547639722007-04-01T18:49:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:34:14.867-05:00The Pace QuickensWell This morning rolled around and I searched all the weather sites again. But after a few cups of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Joe</span> I decided that the heavy rains and wind due in Ohio where just enough to sway me toward taking the easy way out & go for the 1 1/2 hour drive south to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mingo</span> Road race. I haven't raced on the road for over 3 years and, in a nutshell, you could count the total number of Road races I've entered on 1 hand (not <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">counting</span> a half dozen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">crit</span> races) So this was going to be somewhat of a learning <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">experience</span> for me.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048613822006071682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqBwhZztRLaJ7dDN95QPBAxpBMMKJJbZXMVf89AV3pOFHxTXqdIiLgGCLZO8kBD0Gv91reedLyjICPNsPAWxoKy0ONUL6WOZJZIkWJzVXtzQkUir3JTiIPoaepV7sgpTApNkl9A/s320/Mingo+(10).JPG" border="0" />The start of the Cat 4/5 Group<br /><br />Trek of Pittsburgh Owner/Operator, Don <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Mosites</span>, Promotes these <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Mingo</span> Races and I got a call from him around 8 o'clock he asks "well where are you headed, Ohio?" I told him no I think you'll be seeing me shortly. He replies with a quick "cool!" I told him to get me <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">pre</span>-registered because I would be a last minute arrival.<br /><br /><p>Once in the lot Michelle and I walked down to sign up where I was greeted by Don & Gary <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Bywaters</span>. Don notices my registration is for the Cat 4/5 which is the class I'm listed for on my license and instantly throws a red flag. "Come on Stork you can't race the 4/5" says Don. Hey I can't bump myself up so he & Gary <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">discuss</span> this and then I was instructed to sign up on the Cat 1,2,3 sheet right behind this guy: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Gunnar</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Shogren</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048622180012429714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYf5FMHufI0rfr3DBJMzlJ3v6vrszsHGxKxsrmHp9WxBePFwZm_x-P7N7z3lZT_xQqHiA3fKsGzSLV3oQnxSB4VXzliaiw18bkSxcnPgBuRbqBZZoHictcQHM0zfcZQ_fiPerQA/s320/Mingo.JPG" border="0" /></p><br />So off with the start and I was racing my first Cat 3 Race! How exciting... not really I mainly wanted to use this as a training tool and wanted something to gauge my training from the winter with. I'm truly a mountain biker so it was hard to hold back from going all out and blowing up. To be perfectly honest I can't tell you the exact number of laps I did but they where all fun. These guys can ride in packs and no-one is afraid to pull so it was a steady pace the entire time. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048623455617716642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Qx8UhM4xTxHUiwcH0H2grZrazCpZ-W79g4EsO27BmgzCWpFv1DjSJ1UbarTkAzJ0t2zwlKtQOhe1FV5i3N0LZwpJTRU2rDwijhoLSWWPnUF4pro2LO1rCgG0y8iLlX3CRUo6yQ/s320/Mingo+(2).JPG" border="0" /> I supported the new 29er Fisher Team by wearing the new jerseys (bright Orange/red) and by riding my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Lemond</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Buenos</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Aires</span>. I managed to ride with a small group that lead the first couple of laps until a few guys broke away. I looked around to see where a few friends where and after seeing them still in this group I thought it best to sit tight with them and ignore the break away, especially since I didn't know the guys pulling away. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Nearing</span> the second to the last lap Gerry P. from Freddie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Fu</span> told me that this group was going to "stick" so stay with it. (Thanks for the advice Gerry). I did as he said and rolling into the start of our last lap I was sitting <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">comfortably</span> in with the largest lead group. Only about 5 others where out in front of us. Not bad for my first Cat 3 race I thought! As we started the last rolling climb Gerry & I where out front in our group and I felt my rear tire getting soft. I looked over to Gerry and said "I'm out with a flat". I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">immediately</span> fell <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">thru</span> and out the back. Irritated to say the least, with less than 2.5 miles left! Damn I thought, I've seen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Gunnar</span> ride a flat out so why shouldn't I try it! I started pushing the cranks and actually caught back up with the group I was in but for safety reason I backed off before they made the turn toward the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">descent</span> to the finish. I flat road tire on wet roads is an invite for a disaster. I hung on as the rear end got "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">squirrely"</span> and road it out to the finish. Glad that was over!<br /><br /><p>Whew what an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">experience</span>. A big thanks to Don, Gary <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Bywaters</span>, Trek of Pittsburgh, & my support from Fisher.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048627621735993778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKN-NdACd8FQowQf77Qd5lbm5KMOhH3IUABscAhs9DnB53t6YuR5JTnx8b30z6Dv7cpaACYBqf3V38mQYgKz8UI0cXhp2cQ3gq05LMvsqvHPQFgvbhiuONrHUiNHmp0gDf0sSdMw/s320/Mingo+(8).JPG" border="0" />Above: Notice the BRIGHT orange/red on the left..... 100% stork!</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048627630325928386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwr-_tY0KYkmqbggDZRRrseLoi5VNhr5v_uPX1nI8-_PO3EXYO-LI7UvKsinbklpIo0hfRAUdF2y7SEuO8tE16Crccurjk3V05QmZlKUOKFwrVpjVM7rcdk3jWdXVV_3c6Dqa7qg/s320/Mingo+(11).JPG" border="0" /><br />stork</p>storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-70494264101852152632007-03-31T19:50:00.000-05:002007-03-31T20:01:55.612-05:00Unsure<span style="font-size:78%;">What a day I had. Woke up drank some coffee went for a short ride thru Butler and then got a call from TJ @ ToP. He rings me to ask if I'm coming down and begged me to bring coffee. I got cleaned up and headed down first stopping at Cummings Coffee Shop in downtown Butler for 2 pounds of the House blend. Got to the shop made the bean and then got caught up in the busy sales floor. Next thing I notice its 6 o'clock and we're locking the doors! I really never had time to relax while visiting and by the way "Don where is my pay check?"</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Now I sit here in front of the computer looking up the weather for tomorrow. Rain here in the Pittsburgh Area & rain in Ohio where the mountain bike race is. So where do I go? Its always hard to start the season and I really don't feel like driving 3 hours to race in rain and high winds (warning listed on weather.com) but its a mtb event so I should go. Now a little closer to home there is the Mingo road race but come on I don't know the first thing about road races or how to play the strategy. My first mtb race of the year is always relaxed and I hold my expectations low. I like to get out and get a feel for the trails and my bike during the first event. Its also good to size up the others and look at their performance coming into the start of the year. </span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">So I'm not sure I'll have much to tell tomorrow night but check back</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">later</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">stork </span>storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-49640772163956666882007-03-30T04:55:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:34:15.336-05:00The Hunting of the White StagOk here it is, a fine photo of the Fisher 29er Team Jersey! These things are hot, hot, hot. Since the announcement of the <a href="http://www.fisherbikes.com/happenings/news.asp?id=198">Fisher team </a>(which TJ and I are part of) these jerseys have been requested by almost every shop that sells Fisher Bikes. Sorry to say that at this time only those of us involved with the actual Team will be seen wearing them. Thanks to TO<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghh271u99vfaDwAH0YocOuZL4ZP_GqgHM_z9UZ9BX9am4iH_o4oLrD6IK3M41gePNP8QSL6G0YjGB025IXXlxBTxWCjRC0hQvww7P_CXcyjEqRQdizpVaB2hht3WvDgJbcM72F0A/s1600-h/29er+jerseys+(6).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047654708564234578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghh271u99vfaDwAH0YocOuZL4ZP_GqgHM_z9UZ9BX9am4iH_o4oLrD6IK3M41gePNP8QSL6G0YjGB025IXXlxBTxWCjRC0hQvww7P_CXcyjEqRQdizpVaB2hht3WvDgJbcM72F0A/s320/29er+jerseys+(6).JPG" border="0" /></a> This was Our first ride around Butler/Cranberry wearing the new stuff. We went unnoticed by the everyday person but we felt like royalty hunting the white stag in Narnia wearing our new threads! Although TJ was just getting over a nasty cold, that I'm probably just getting, and our buddy Tim was missing from this Thursday morning ride, it still turned out to be very relaxing and we got the chance to catch up on stuff happening in our lives. Tim, Tim are you there? We missed you, maybe next week?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQSi8g7wc8pRoNO6grg0TZUzNBpETG_zYHIM-B3SM_jVM9lTmHuE__e55NQFOW48wIDnVKreQSUJpq3CS1c7WQDDU1ATRRBQ8KBW4Ys4gbQQHCM7NziJixWL_0fY5BWqt1IwePg/s1600-h/29er+jerseys.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047654721449136482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQSi8g7wc8pRoNO6grg0TZUzNBpETG_zYHIM-B3SM_jVM9lTmHuE__e55NQFOW48wIDnVKreQSUJpq3CS1c7WQDDU1ATRRBQ8KBW4Ys4gbQQHCM7NziJixWL_0fY5BWqt1IwePg/s320/29er+jerseys.JPG" border="0" /></a> So its finally official, We are two of the six guys on the Fisher 29er National Grassroots Team. We have all our sponsorships lined up, bikes built or almost built, jerseys, shoes, helmets and such in hand... all left now is to get out to the races! They're close so check back soon. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047658513905258866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvsWMBTUi7OMSaXF9hYmeoP2bb6ybrjVJLcHHp_Iqp3QuiuaKTf45szi_AXm-Xrju0SmrOnbM2goNZydPbPfGaNuXcl-nJXaaUJB4gwv6mJPopfkiwjc8NU3Y8YrFQwwXvdXc4w/s320/29er+jerseys+(1).JPG" border="0" />stork<br /><br /><div></div></div>storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-29939318994732538572007-03-28T16:42:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:34:16.184-05:00The Ape in its Glory<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiSRLxBQpeX7zwFEMgIo_JUkuEN0UDMQCJtpQcv4zo4FzlXfcYSPclfXr_6L0bhrRJs_qbijpVbaGhc_PtRd4HBY9Z_U-jRrzPsG9cN2awp-qt208BNnIpH4Htqqzfna3gjrj8Q/s1600-h/Garbage.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047094679188574466" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiSRLxBQpeX7zwFEMgIo_JUkuEN0UDMQCJtpQcv4zo4FzlXfcYSPclfXr_6L0bhrRJs_qbijpVbaGhc_PtRd4HBY9Z_U-jRrzPsG9cN2awp-qt208BNnIpH4Htqqzfna3gjrj8Q/s320/Garbage.JPG" border="0" /></a> So what gives with these lazy a** (aka butt) people around Butler? Are they only in my town? Take a look at the photo! Look close, real close & you'll notice that there is more garbage off in the distance too.<br />This is a local road through Alameda Park in Butler. The 5K run uses this route and more than a few runners train on this fairly level stretch of road from the YMCA into the Park.<br /><br />You can imagine my irritation when rolling through and seeing all this crap thrown on the road. I started taking notice of the wrappers and the funny thing was that they turned out to be mostly fast food. Not Whole Foods or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">GNC</span> or anything remotely healthy for you. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047135640291676450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcP1udi8lxYoFZZwXPwUiFTXA7gQzn0QzYIzCgq0P8xREczdKmrcn0BjvAXjUHCObLE-JG9jm0ui7oliS9cgCC5J8j5tn0M20UoKNJbVomV5tEocrMzaDRFYZqTA_x5_6OqSWuw/s200/Alameda+Garbage.JPG" border="0" />Just the normal crap food, soda, and run of the mill sports drinks from the local <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">convenience</span> store! Then I started thinking about the costs of these items $3.50, $ 1.99 and so on.... which eventually brought me to thinking:<br /><p>Some moron,<br />who could afford a car,<br />afford a license,<br />afford insurance,<br />afford gas,<br />afford the Micky D Value Meal (<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">super sized</span>)<br />COULDN'T AFFORD GARBAGE PICK UP!<br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047135644586643762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89jJxAqZgpO4tsYqMHTOlPZ2olbXwz-ojjMjsY2h-_NQesuD5TWwU9jCVK1aEkGvmvnEfyC4oi2Y-FYdhxSQ0kT3SGSb7psvjkrjZ7ZL7oBHr3KhDZakjvgIJKbpHDsgByc64zQ/s200/HPIM0813.JPG" border="0" />Come ON? If I knew who did this I would have gladly picked it up and taken it to their house leaving it plastered to the side of their home! To add to the insanity here is another photo taken on the same stretch of road. No Kidding a Dumpster! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047133595887243538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEak5d0Vv_zqHKgxBFArYguCurYq57hNWwocILERS2qD33Me2Bk_KNyhZetnui3GH3CiIQZpkuRGBnsNfUXpIkdrYPDpITw52Qd5kogIRvnI_A7pOOlypLbFIcuzQ-0C7f8k53NA/s320/Dumpster.JPG" border="0" />If even the lazy a** had stopped and dumped his/her garbage in the Dumpster. Still a cop-out but better than winging it along the road. Seriously folks $300 for Littering? You <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">deserve to</span> be beat in public! There is No excuse for dumping bags of garbage out anywhere. If you can't afford pick up at your house or find a public disposal then keep it in your car or at your house NOT along the roads that I and others use to enjoy running, walking and biking along!<br /><br />Since the snow has melted I notice beer, soda, and whiskey bottles and cans everywhere. Really what the he11 do people think? Is it really <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ok</span> to do this? No its not so stop! Oh yea I hear you, the cigarette toss from the window.... yea <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">that's</span> Littering too! Just maybe someday I'll get the chance while stopped at a light to pick the damn thing up and toss it back into the morons car while saying "dude, you dropped this".<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047138255926759746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib25Incf5e0146U43taQYQFRXXl8IoVG3k61bhCkPQ21-V-N8x-z_otvqctFi1Wymx2dn6CCTIzn1SU6D1ATi6b2R4EJq6CSwhOrJJQTrNcyTLrwsorg6wBnLwXQb9fO0teYI1pg/s320/HPIM0817.JPG" border="0" />Example of a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">proper</span> place to dispose of garbage!<br />Kind of reminds us the we evolved form apes... well at least some of us evolved<br /><br /><br />storkstorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-72278486776266730392007-03-27T05:01:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:34:16.641-05:00Across the Desert<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-006AGSrp1E1kE6_-VGJ46YMOBG7E2hbk5inkcmxGfL3xX0_JWNwPupLl1RoOvfl1rN_4sXg3dIDA_uziGf75nPBA3froeb_MinKR8Z9p-2eQ_L5328unhCxDT-Uq8HRhf_iT_g/s1600-h/Chad+B+day.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5046542603239568114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-006AGSrp1E1kE6_-VGJ46YMOBG7E2hbk5inkcmxGfL3xX0_JWNwPupLl1RoOvfl1rN_4sXg3dIDA_uziGf75nPBA3froeb_MinKR8Z9p-2eQ_L5328unhCxDT-Uq8HRhf_iT_g/s320/Chad+B+day.JPG" border="0" /></a> Happy Birthday to my brother!</div><br /><p>Chad lives in CA and was married just several months ago so he returned here to PA in march to visit family and introduce his wife Lora. Since we wouldn't be seeing him at the exact time of his birthday we had cake a few weeks early. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5046544531679884034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifkiZ1YVsFzFJxZm0bw8gUEKlZkQeJBTIW2vacBdlwJUascLiybC1sjzAoDKawUe-De4JQpgXRGjutA5udbPrs2zqlFXUrjgeET5GUrRSjRqwag0RVInEu_3Fs-NTj3aSLmqFcBw/s320/Chad+B+day+(4).JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p>Enjoy your Birthday day there in Bakersfield and take a bike ride little bro.</p><p>love</p><p>stork</p>storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-4536616242356367762007-03-23T05:04:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:34:17.304-05:00At the Gates of Tashbaan<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iShVJIEsDphjCB7TxW31I37upbE_O-d2XdQJ7ZoEZ4a2mxpu75IFOXcMu_2wBmOP4cpHIu5MXLcEX6-GHiNlxRE6HoI_LWN37tfazYlinvev4TJTZJGE4imt2EF8LNaLVTzSMw/s1600-h/IMG_0591.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045059771946952530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iShVJIEsDphjCB7TxW31I37upbE_O-d2XdQJ7ZoEZ4a2mxpu75IFOXcMu_2wBmOP4cpHIu5MXLcEX6-GHiNlxRE6HoI_LWN37tfazYlinvev4TJTZJGE4imt2EF8LNaLVTzSMw/s320/IMG_0591.JPG" border="0" /></a> The first day of spring arrived and I took the morning off to get a ride in with TJ and our friend Tim Lyons. We meet early at the ToP cranberry store where we enjoyed a little coffee while suiting up for the ride. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045068679709124498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkdoka9QijgCQ1OG-I8d0RIwRGAHJDgneysYaim_Uy-DxU-jfU2aO1CyVOMwYQWAnAOcHgvKlaPKWqsXj24claXlqW_wp0RMDncZpk8q6i96XQP5z6KzHrKWbkujS_mmUICF9lw/s200/HPIM0391.JPG" border="0" />Tim Races for the Freddie Fu Road Team so TJ and I had prepared for getting worked over a little today. Previously we have ridden with Tim on the trails with single speeds where we felt in our element so this was a complete turn around for us today. This would be only my second ride on the Lemond Bueno Aires Carbon. Since the last ride felt a bit stiff I made the choice to lower my pressure from 100 to a softer setting at 80psi. Tim thought this to be a little on the low side but I assured him that with a little finesse 80 pounds can be pulled off. He gave me a look along with a small laugh while muttering something about crazy mountain bikers. If anyones crazy its them roadies and I was preparing to get schooled.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045063847870916466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtvfk0Wj-P6CTCtfwWri-N_bzxK_TZmdx9Mk_3c4PsBnPqWPqqutHttQXRJMDHNXoy0RG8w5vol3hxd_pVoP0rxTkozBM5-XcFUKRTz_nZgFR9FfdaJ-73W-uTvYvvl7K3vnkmQ/s320/IMG_0593.JPG" border="0" />As it turned out Tim actually treated us pretty fair for the day, he kept everything at our level and never did punish us by pushed the pace. The 3 of us did little drafting and managed to maintain a level where talking was capable. The ride took us from Cranberry thru ConnieQ rolled out around Butler and the Community College past the outskirts of Saxonburg and back around Mars, Evans City to our return. It was a really good steady paced ride and I was lucky to have been invited along. When you get a few guys all at a fairly equal fitness level riding together it's amazing how much fun you can have. I haven't ridden with anyone but Michelle a few times & myself in over 2 months so I can't say it enough how much I enjoyed this ride.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045066768448677762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQH6JbtTLZZIIPXfz7u4wn_sQlfzgVozdg1OV7OTpanRNFQPeQyr3MlnfA8zGFjSuRjW8Ki2PuGNBI2oD4sC1CWmQj6hsp53z5DFRXK-P0gWVG-RhmZnSTgfKaZ8OWKvwD6KEjg/s320/IMG_0604.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>A departing Shot of Tim, Stork & TJ just after their "1st Day of Spring Ride"! </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045460500985604018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9nqYLR8i8F6DKjvG3rzfx9JBM2F39hYXjzRD9vy6aPaJp4h0jZactPR5tKruCMKaULCCIMI00E5wGo8CNO6TeLIOoIW5ims_YcG5cEwCGH9vFAe4BJeHXNvjaHRXAPSCPrc00w/s320/220307.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p><br />Once we got back to the shop I hammered down a pint of Deans Ultimate Chocolate Milk that I had chillin in the frig and then Tim & I went next door to Moe's for an early lunch. A little talk about how great the ride was and back off to work I went. </p><br /><p><br />Thanks to TJ & Tim<br /><br />stork </p></div>storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-64301004296033548922007-03-20T12:54:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:34:17.417-05:00Little Something<div>Here is a little something about Scott Daubert (Treks Team liaison to the Discovery Channel Professional Cycling Team)! He will be at the Trek of Pittsburgh Shadyside Location on Monday April 23, 2007 to talk about the Tour de France and Trek product developments. If interested please RSVP to <a href="mailto:info@trekofpgh.com">info@trekofpgh.com</a> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This posting is dedicated to my friend Mike (the official ToP liaison to the Storktorq not so Professional Cycling Team)</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044069352488494898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUUbLLMr2W-TI40oPELIP8lS7df1jKXm1ILeeb3sFBt1P5tRMbUeonLE_dSzK2YI-jgZyujt9c3LngXlxESvKbY_EboXYpgGxcx4Plx1Xa1j6SKnn7F-yiH8LhO6a_FJ0VfmrLg/s200/IMG_0114.JPG" border="0" /> Official Trek of Pittsburgh support vehicle. Look for it on the courses this year<br /><div></div><br /><div>stork</div>storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-25578104464957568492007-03-19T06:04:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:34:17.967-05:00The Wrong Door<div><div>Friday Evening I managed to ride in yet another snow storm which proved to be very tricky with the steady snow coming down making traction a little difficult. Somewhere between Tuesaday and friday I went out the wrong door and eneded up in winter again! Never the less I made the ride & finished up by swinging past the local farm for a few pounds of ground beef. With the extra 4 pounds I finished the last couple of miles in the blinding snow and fell exhausted on the couch for the evening.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBpvOOtCXnaiIKavYZqurI2Miq2US7mgSCcux-5uWHR98N7jCr7pgC12Z9DKXF0D49JSRlws1F4BRsAObTGD1GBD8NKI_3voVplJk4-iw9bOYEe_Xpch4ZZ3qDlZw5np9Do7ovw/s1600-h/Jill+%26+Hannah+%40+ToP+(10).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043590996786802434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBpvOOtCXnaiIKavYZqurI2Miq2US7mgSCcux-5uWHR98N7jCr7pgC12Z9DKXF0D49JSRlws1F4BRsAObTGD1GBD8NKI_3voVplJk4-iw9bOYEe_Xpch4ZZ3qDlZw5np9Do7ovw/s320/Jill+%26+Hannah+%40+ToP+(10).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>As spring & the 2007 race season gets nearer I should be training, concentrating on my skills and improving my weaknesses but hey we all need some time to relax. Yes I rode the bike more than a couple of times over the weekend but Saturday I spent most of the day with two of my favorite girls. Hannah & Jill. We took a ride to the Trek Store to talk with TJ about Training & Coaching. These girls come from a Family that lives for Sports. My Aunt Mary & Uncle Steve have always been educators to the younger ones in the family when it comes to Sports. This is clearly visible in both Hannah & Jill as neither girl is afraid to sweat alittle when it comes to running Track & Field. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043592908047249170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVzPpRpAOURemMN7Tn-3YXpSf1jCN9OF7w0ETi4SxF5E_5ZNYBYoz5MCVujft5nr4ontaxyWnKmZMqRulUxJA5qhyphenhyphenqdYnZTd-C1VfG1d56-tvXjt-NWS1jYiroyRttgh2LFxY4g/s200/Jill+%26+Hannah+%40+ToP.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div>After having Lunch with them and hanging out I returned home to ride. Sunday I got out early for a "quick" ride before going with Michelle and her "workmates" to Bowl for the Big Brothers & Big Sisters.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043595326113836834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXBNxVT-3I1hVA4zMnMNgaf4nv_K6gL2B8Z29RLWRndyql3_fr7OBD4s3vJZ4qCVgWlNHZ7WSvxH44hNdI2As0FTGO25MkmysgRd__2PFAaeTtTasc1apspcm4FOGqTnwCJrj5g/s200/CBS+Bowling+BBBS+(9).JPG" border="0" /><br /><p> </p><p>stork</p>storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-18707462799711214102007-03-18T23:01:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:34:18.396-05:00Crossing out average.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Gs-mV2qZwwgVxkBBuUhY2j8Zw3AcTBGislmPIsSXo10V3c2FXA3GPW95mIAi3w4oIwuieiWI4apZxHJ42JphYEN3DMACIah962-4c9w0R129tM0sz6UMv2ty9SM1aWOCKgvg/s1600-h/Alex+in+front+of+Horseshoe+Curve+sign,+March+07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Gs-mV2qZwwgVxkBBuUhY2j8Zw3AcTBGislmPIsSXo10V3c2FXA3GPW95mIAi3w4oIwuieiWI4apZxHJ42JphYEN3DMACIah962-4c9w0R129tM0sz6UMv2ty9SM1aWOCKgvg/s200/Alex+in+front+of+Horseshoe+Curve+sign,+March+07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043866872010428834" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCrC2oby-vSk2jMj-f8B0Namqd4-5E12m1E5KwekfKPT9_DU4gZv2KRo_Ty4jXImSQTuy3Dc-NKoC2MpVW_b6NFYO3_dqADU0ksxLOIigqy5yeaoGW-V1Hq8KKd-J9JwUZnbi/s1600-h/Alex_with_no_pants.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCrC2oby-vSk2jMj-f8B0Namqd4-5E12m1E5KwekfKPT9_DU4gZv2KRo_Ty4jXImSQTuy3Dc-NKoC2MpVW_b6NFYO3_dqADU0ksxLOIigqy5yeaoGW-V1Hq8KKd-J9JwUZnbi/s320/Alex_with_no_pants.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043866446808666514" border="0" /></a><br />Cross training is a very over-used term. I prefer, "doing something different." It is time to start doing something different on my days off the bike. Hiking with Alex is going to fill up a better part of that time. Last week we scouted out the natural trout waters of Blue Knob. This week, weather permitting, we're going to hike the top section of the mountain. It is a hell of a workout to haul him up over that hill with him on my back, he is almost 30 pounds now. This Wednesday also marks the first Power Test on my road bike on the flat course just outside the house. Some interesting data should be learned from it, I'll post more on it later. I guess some serious thought should be put into training for this season, Stork and I are on some sort of team again. Sounds like a good one too! Ooh yeah. Thursday, road ride with Tim Lyons. He is one of those fast road ride guys, it will be intimidating. I never ride my road bike other than on the trainer, usually just one leg at a time as well. More to come. Enjoy the cute pictures of Alex. He is as cute as Hanna and Jilly, in a different way. Got it. Good!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BGCSCkluX5BCABAflr2wLfV-kOPuM0BHLPgKqEmDiMC3h9oKjEBbah9GcLjQjDaUHr48aJIN4NEGXr-g7EKbSixGGXQo09ujwHXwk41EBcDgMKKsO8Uo8rmqZlH_PxUds4gH/s1600-h/Alex+looking+like+a+big+boy,+march+07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BGCSCkluX5BCABAflr2wLfV-kOPuM0BHLPgKqEmDiMC3h9oKjEBbah9GcLjQjDaUHr48aJIN4NEGXr-g7EKbSixGGXQo09ujwHXwk41EBcDgMKKsO8Uo8rmqZlH_PxUds4gH/s200/Alex+looking+like+a+big+boy,+march+07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043867331571929522" border="0" /></a>TJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10467122351156716000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-74811683400386893502007-03-17T10:22:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:34:18.506-05:00Beginning of the Next Story Chapter 2Just to clarify a few things.. and to be historically correct <div><br /></div><div>Mr. Jerry Bliton 71 years young </div><div>Married to wife Kathryn 50 years</div><div>Started racing in his 50's around 1989/90 @ Hidden Valley PA</div><div>1992 started norba racing</div><div>Several top 3 finishes in the 65+ class</div><div>2003 Worlds 3rd place Masters</div><div><br /></div><div>Kathryn had a 1999 1st place AMBC Nationals Female Finish</div><div>She continues to ride and supports Jerry and all of us whenever she's around.</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042917833677598450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBejLDan596qOPN4v5snSomR_6oTVgW3qWWjC6xEOn7lbadb5RvhU40FHXQNIqYja56u4nHcUVVy0D883UR9P8rNcwRrrTED5cZiHCO_jgqrejj1Q8E0RX2CwswRyRYStcRF15w/s320/Kiernan's+Trek.JPG" border="0" />Hum! Whats this? Jerry passing along his love for cycling! One of his Grandkids (Kiernan) bikes hanging with the grown-ups. Makes you wonder if the elder are telling Jr. of their travels and adventures? Note: the race numbers hanging on the wall,<strong> </strong>yea they're Jerry's.<br /><br />stork<br /><div></div>storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31581396.post-26628955707185325672007-03-15T05:13:00.000-05:002008-12-08T23:34:18.944-05:00Spring? Not Yet!<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5Srax0hB8XKK_prPZ_Gyfr-gyi1rcts5QhufEJnqO63DOPIQoAfWsUCJcft4dKOlMTsyIBgsXwEZCGFexuOVTWqgbE5WGgGcFPlabQvbZKprakwkYnuD-WUP0YT0awDn9ZbYXA/s1600-h/Spring+Day+in+MArch.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042095854246555330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5Srax0hB8XKK_prPZ_Gyfr-gyi1rcts5QhufEJnqO63DOPIQoAfWsUCJcft4dKOlMTsyIBgsXwEZCGFexuOVTWqgbE5WGgGcFPlabQvbZKprakwkYnuD-WUP0YT0awDn9ZbYXA/s320/Spring+Day+in+MArch.JPG" border="0" /></a> What's this? Shorts, no toe warmers, knee or leg warmers! It was a glimpse of the weather to come, but I sit here this morning listening to it rain with my cup of coffee while the local weather woman Rebecca Hower tells of the cold weathers return and possible snow this evening. I was lucky to have gotten in the 70+ mile ride on my new Lemond Buenos Aires. I built this all carbon fiber frame up a few weeks ago but have never ridden it until this week. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042097108377005778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6PXYC0WWGggzE1WqV9S97ZLfvEE1cSaW-LOGOltlfTKQjMiKciDmkNCHH97BGJSLGAuEqx7j_ARQ2i5KEorv4OuzOmr_A6ZYsgANHveQH75yuIt8aNZQ_NFv0mTFrxZtH-Hkjw/s200/Spring+Day+in+MArch+(1).JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042094668835581618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie25p09aJhmLZHOcU2KatgMcbqzFqdE1H6fw2wa0g_-znkHRWrcIhmhWrlhx4m-HeIBh_g7kH6Sc144PuSYYTOz9oakMam196B0ctNn8bMHWvB_LQ1VAPAbkIrrzsd-KT4S7CIqw/s320/Spring+Day+in+MArch+(2).JPG" border="0" />Michelle also enjoyed the mild temps on Tuesday evening along with many other people who where out walking cycling and running.<br />stork</div>storkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06658131655536281711noreply@blogger.com1