ToP Christmas Party

I was standing at the cash wrap @ the Cranberry ToP store while Bonnie talked on the phone trying to straighten out my account when she handed me the phone. "Hello?" I said and a friendly voice answered back, "hello". It was Don (owner, construction manager, and Team supporter) he asked me if I would attended the employee Christmas party that weekend. Of course I said yes and felt honored to be asked so he told me of the details and that was that. Sunday Michelle and me drove down to the Robinson location where everyone from all the stores meet for a few drinks (water for me of course) and snacks. Christian put together a really cool mock gift giving idea at which everyone had a good time with.

After hanging out at the store Don treated everyone to a nice dinner at a local eatery Mad Mex. I myself had a great time spending a few hours with some very professional buisness people. Since I've really only been involved with this shop for a few months one wouldn't expect to be accepted so quickly but I really felt like part of their family. These guys and gals all had regular lives which included husbands, wives, children, families, homes, hobbies and such. This was a comfortable group of people to be with and both Michelle and I enjoyed their company especially Bonnie (Tanya) and her SO Harry. We had some very interesting conversations about Ghosts, Spirits, Music, and Food before Bonnie finished her pitcher of some slushy fruity looking stuff. Being someone who doesn't really drink much besides the occasional glass of cheap cheap wine I was unable to tell you what the stuff was.

I Think its going to be a very good year with these guys and I must say Thanks to everyone there for welcoming me and a big shout out to Don for the party (it looked like over 25 people)!

Shopping

Last Sunday I had a little shopping to do so I added the pack to my Portland and rode off to Cranberry (28 Miles). The weather was a mild 50 some degrees and it was partly sunny which made for a very enjoyable ride. I have my mp3 player loaded up with christmas music to get me into the "spirit". Rolling along Rt68 while listening to the Rat Pack Classics is a great way to spend a sunday afternoon if I must say.

Anyway I finally reached my shopping destination (Trek of Pgh Cranberry) where I picked up a new saddle, two tires for the commuter, a horn, and a floor pump. I loaded all this on to the rack with the help of a few bungee cords and realized that if I happen to tip over I'll need a crane to set my bike back up. It would be like dumping a full dresser Harley and expecting to bring it up on your own, yea right!

A nice shot of Bonnie, Me, & TJ. Ok Her name really isn't Bonnie but I don't think its my place to explain how this name came about or to even tell you her real name. Lets just stick w/Bonnie, ok? She ground up an excellent pot of coffee for the 3 of us to savor while talking shop. In fact she even doubled as the "hand" model in the following snapshots with the chain. She is a very multi-talented individual which is more than likely the reason she is working for the new store. ToP has the distinction of hiring top notch quality people that can be experianced by visiting any of their stores. But enough of that, now just before leaving we thought it best for me to install a new chain on the 10speed drivetrain of the Portland because the chain had some serious stretch.





TJ pulled out one of these newer Wipperman Connex 10 speed chains for me to try. Now the history of me and chains on this particular bike is well known to be short. Short as in the life span of the chains. I've replaced chains on this bike at least 4 times since purchasing it last February. We have verifyed stretch every time! No I'm not some abusive rider but maybe its because of the massive "storktorq" I'm capable of delievering, maybe?


Knowing that I don't ride this bike much in the summer, thats almost a chain a month! They have all been Dura Ace so why not try something else. We installed the new chain but not before removing the seatpost and rack because the bike was to heavy to stay on the Bike repair stand! After completion I again straddled the bike and rode off right from the shop repair area because Bonnie was kind enough to open the door for a clipped in exit!

I found myself stopping several times on the return trip to make adjustments as I found the chain not shifting smoothly. This is expected from a new installation especially since the cassette and chainrings are both worn. Never the less I'll give it some time before making any judgement on it. Once reaching the house I put the bike on a scale which stiffled me with the almost 45 pound reading! I wonder what the pros ride for training???

Thanks to TJ= chain install, Bonnie= coffee, & ToP for the parts.

stork

Night Ride, Finally!

Ok it finally happened! I managed to gather up my equipment which was now working and headed to North Park with Chris and Mike (Mike seen leaning on the tree). Last night with mild temps we started out near the ice rink and headed into the vast trail system thru-out the park. Chris immediatly took authority as our trail guide by leading the way. As we rode thru the mud due to the warm temperature (40+), Chris would explain our exact location in the park and tell us about the current trail we where riding. I was impressed by his knowledge of the park and it was refreshing to be following instead of guiding as I usually have to do on most rides.

Here we see Chris working on his lighting system. Which he had convinced Mike and I of being the most reliable system one could own by showing us the "backup" power supply. I think Mike and I caught on that it was actually a system made for two lights and since he only used one, when that battery cable failed he simply plugged the light into the other cable. Smart idea and even smarter to trick Mike and I into believing that this was the manufactures intent! Funny stuff. Chris was riding a Paragon 29er and seemed to be getting excellent traction in the semi-sloppy mud just as I was on my Rig 29er. Mike on the other hand, needs to upgrade to the larger tires! Yea Mike I said it, get those big tires...you'll love'em. Both guys are great riders and it was a load of fun riding with them. Anyway since we mostly rode I didn't get many pictures. These two guys like to stay moving which is nice! Thanks to the both of them for including me on their ride.

stork

More Photos Punk Bike

Night Ride, maybe?

Here it is thursday evening December 7th and a nice cold front has been moving into the western pa area. The temps have been going down all day and a nice snow fall has started. Winds started blowing and at times its impossible to see 10' in front of you. Never the less I'm in the Escape heading to North Park Ice Rink to meet Chris and Mike who work for a company that I contract with. Mike Tells me that the temp is around 20/21 degrees as we suit up in the lot. The three of us are laughing about how cold it was the last time I had ridden with them. As Mike fiddled with his shoes and gear I unloaded the Single speed Rig from the holding chambers of the Escape. Its always nice to pull out a warm clean bike at the start. Since I had been ready before the others I tooled around the lot warming up suddenly there was nothing. Nothing? yes nothing... no forward motion at all. A complete free spinning of the cranks without any energy being supplied to the rear tire. What the what, is going on? And then like a Vonage phone box it hit me! Bam Kings Hubs+ cold weather= no worky! Stupid stupid me knew this but in my haste to leave the house earlier I never thought to change out the rear wheel. In past winters I always put a different rear wheel on for this reason alone. Several tries to warm it up with the heater in the Escape worked but only got me to the edge of the woods before freespinning again. Finally I told the others that I was officially disqualified from the ride. With my head hung low in embarressment i pushed my bike back to the car. Feeling like an idiot I didn't even undress from my bike gear. A short drive back home, i unloaded and proceeded to the basement workshop where I began filtering thru my stock of parts for the other rim, tire, skewer, and brake rotor. I took the time to set everything up but never put it on the bike but layed it there beside the Rig and just to let it know it didn't get the best of me I saddled up the Portland, turned on all the blicky lights and out the basement door I went! By now it was around 17 degrees and a road ride on the commuter bike was going to be cold. So I kept it short for a nice frigid 8 miles.
stork

Punk Bike Enduro 2006

Sunday December 3, 2006- I meet TJ Platt at Dennys in New Ken, for some hot coffee and a hearty breakfast. We sat and talked about his new job at Trek of Pittsburghs Cranberry store and came up with a game plan for the Dirt Rag Punk Bike Enduro. We both had the same idea, have a good time and socialize! Sporting our new lounging attire (made by yours truly) we headed off to the Dorseyville Fire Hall for the start of the 2006 Punk Bike.

There where the many many "costumes" to be seen there as usual. Such as...

Evan Perone as Santas Elf.

Topher, whos another extremely fast singlespeed racer I have to battle with in the mid-atlantic super series, was there in some real retro gear like his tights that looked like jeans.

How about this Guy, any guesses? Yes Its me on the left but you may not realize who the other guy is. Oh you'll know who he is once I give you his name, still not sure? Ok his Name has been all over the bikes Lance Armstrong used in the Tours and its probably on your bike if its a Trek or Gary Fisher. Now you got it Keith Bontrager himself! He showed up at the Trek of Pittsburgh Store to borrow a Demo Bike so he could participate. How cool is that

Anyway a good time was had by all, I'm sure, as the support van cruised with from stage to stage handing out points for the top finishers. The ToP van was following the Dirt Rag truck to each stop carrying some spare parts, tubes, tools and a tire pump. Thanks ToP. Unfortunaly TJ and I cut out a little early but we both enjoyed the day just as these people did.

stork

New Team & New Friends

Here it is, the official announcement that I'm a memeber of the Trek of Pittsburgh Bicycle Stores new elite mountain bike team. Yes its out with the old and in with the new. As you noticed on the heading of my webpage the shop affiliation logo was changed a few weeks ago. Recently TJ Platt and myself have signed on with this Trek Shop. They are pretty cool so far and a new store located in Cranberry Twp just off I79 has just opened. These fellows know there stuff in fact just after signing on I recieved some clothes to wear and I must comment on the fleece lined long sleeve jerseys and knickers. Man are they great! Over this past holiday weekend I did a few early morning rides and this stuff was excellent. I've never been given gear this functional before. Well for the big news TJ and I will be the official members for this coming year and the ToP (trek of pittsburgh) Store seems excited to finally have themselves a mountian bike team.






Along with a new team I have also gotten a new friend seen here riding with me. Yes Its Elmo! I was riding thru Sesame Street, which is on the West side of Butler, when I heard Elmo shout out "take me for a ride". So what would you do? Exactly what I did, help the little fellow on to my bike and off we went. Elmo & I did several rides over the weekend. In fact he made the first trip to the new Cranberry ToP store with me which started by riding thru the Thanksgiving Day Parade where all the kids shouted out to my new riding buddy. Along the way we counted cars and practiced are ABCs. I have to tell you this is one sharp little dude! Any way look for more adventures which will include Elmo and myself and stay tuned for better information on the ToP Elite Mountain Bike Team.

stork

Turkey

Turkeys, yea we will all eat some this coming week but have you really ever seen them out in the wild? Hanging out looking for food or better yet roosting for the evening? Well in case you didn't realize turkeys sleep in the trees and I was lucky enough to be out with my dad a few sundays ago and got the chance to see a "turkey" fixing its "bed". Seen here in a rare photo, i'm standing below the "turkey". He doesn't even realize I'm taking a picture as he prepares to nest in for the evening.

Ok so its not a real turkey but its my dad acting like one! Why would i say that? because hes in his sixtys and still climbing trees to hunt whitetail deer! This particular weekend I went with him to carry some of the gear he needed in to the spot where he hunts. Now I wish I could tell you where that is but ever since I was 12 and started hunting with my dad he has kept his hunting areas top secret. To the point where my brother and I where both blindfolded before leaving the house and he would untie the blindfolds only after we had reached a parking spot. Sometimes I actually felt as if he just took us for a drive up the road and we where really only hunting behind our house but I'll never be sure of that.


So after getting blindfolded again this wekend and having the flashbacks to younger days. My dad and i hiked up over the hill to an area where he wanted to place a stand. We walked around scouting for some signs but there really wheren't any. He made the comment how there is always something around so he picked out a tree and I helped him put the stand in. Once in place he started shouting out orders to remove some brush from there and cut those limbs out of there and so on. All the while I'm thinking there isn't a dog gone sign of a deer trail anywhere he has told me to clear a shooting lane but whatever I did it. We walked down out a different way just to scout a little more before i was asked to put the blindfold back on for the return trip.



The next night i called the old "turkey" to see how he made out in the new stand and wouldn't you know he missed a small buck right thru the shooting lane we made by clearing brush. Now how in the heck did he know something would come thru there? I have no idea but thats the way hunting has always been with my dad. I remember as a kid seeing turkeys and deer when nobody else was. In fact back then turkeys where nowhere near as abundant as they are now and just seeing one in the woods was something out of the ordinary!

Anyway to this day my dad continues to fill his tags with turkey and deer both. He may be a bit slower getting up the hills or climbing the trees but his sense for finding game is still spot on! Since I started riding bikes and racing I've stopped hunting so I don't get out much with my dad but it really isn't suprising to hear of his bagging a deer as its more or less expected. It was nice to spend the short afternoon with him in the woods and it brought back many many memories. In fact one was how he would always "fly" thru the woods so silent and it was hard as a kid to keep up so we tended to more or less run which made alot of noise. My dad would always look back and tell us to "lift your feet and keep up" but on this adventure I was the one telling him that. Funny how things change! Another memory was one time my brother and I where told to walk up in on the other side of the hill from my dad to our spots. So he dropped us at a fireroad and took off. This was early and it was still dark and both my brother and I where terrified of the dark! As he and I walked up in we made a plan to sit together until daylight then split to our designated spots. This sounded good but if dad found out we where up and moving around after light we might get in trouble for spooking any deer in sight. Oh well we took the chance and never did tell dad. Funny funny stuff.

Anyway besides teaching me how to scout and hunt deer my dad has givin me many other qualities that have made me the person i am today. For instance his work ethics and commitment to family probably are the reasons I have done so well in my career and with bike racing. So I was happy to get the afternoon with him which is usually hard with my training and racing.

stork

Signs

Signs, yes signs are everywhere. They are mostly there for our safety but one must be intellegent enough to understand the message being given by the sign and realize what may happen if we don't follow that message.
For instance the sign pictured to the right with Michelle. These are found all over public gamelands in PA, but what do they mean? Well they tell people that this particular road is not open to motorized vehicles. Does a bicycle fall into that? Some would say yes some would say no! We as responsible riders shouldn't push this issue but we should simply stay off these roadways because as you will see below there are other signs in gamelands that clearly tell us that bikes are allowed.
What then you ask would happen if we ignore these signs? Well in due time the small green sign above (which gives us permission to ride in the gamelands) will be taken down and we will be told that bicycles are not welcome anywhere in the gamelands. Please realize that the game commision has the authority to take your bike if you are found riding on unauthorized trails or roadways. Next we may see signs like the one below!

Everyone out there riding feels like its no big deal to trespass across someones property or poach a hiking trail but every time they do something like this they only make it harder for everyone else. Close to my house I have miles and miles of trails that others have built (mostly quads and horses) that the owners started posting because the riders where being rude and inconsiderate. By taking the time to track down the property owners and asking for their permission I now have access to some great training trails. No one has declined me permission and I provided them with my name, number and address in case they would change their mind and request that I do not ride there.

So please be aware of your surroundings, follow the instructions or warnings provided by signs and get out there!





Stay alert!

Stork

Happy B-Day Gary

Friday Nov 3, 2006 found me driving towards Cleveland Ohio to attend the Season Opening Of Rays Mountain Bike Park. I was invited as a guest of Bob Myers for the event which had Gary Fisher making an appearance. Travis Ott (Fisher Maketing Manager) and Bob had a cake brought in for Garys Birthday which wasn't that exact day but close enough. So Happy B-day Gary Fisher!

Michelle and I got the chance to sit and talk with Gary since he currently has a broken ankle which kept him sitting by the fire. He really is quite a down to earth type guy. It was great getting to meet him.




In case you didn't know, every bike I ride and race has this guys name on it! So getting to sit and talk with him one on one about riding different places and also about designing bikes and what he likes to ride was really cool. After shooting the breeze with Gary we took a few laps on the Gary Fisher 1/2 mile indoor XC loop inside Rays Mountain bike park.



Shortly after arriving I was approached by a guy asking about TRM and Trek of Pittsburgh because of their logo on my gear. We talked for a few minutes before he introduced himself as "Ray".

I immediatly asked "Ray as in Rays Mountain Bike Park?"

He said "yep!"

So heres a shot of Me, Ray & Bob Myers











Ok How about a little shout out for the Park itself! Yea this place was cool! Michelle actually tried a bunch of stuff that she normally would never ride.

Mountain Bikings Future?

Here it is...... the future of mountain biking! Remember these faces and their names because one of them just may be a future Norba Champion. On the other hand none of them may become championship winners, but they all are part of the future of mountain biking in more ways than you think. Beside me (far left) is, Jordan(2nd from the left), Christopher ( 3rd), and DJ (far right). They are students in high school in Ohio. All ride and race for Chris Skinner (Multi Year OMBC Champion). I can't tell you much about these guys outside of the short meeting at races but I can say they are polite competitive well respected young adults. I have donated bike parts, tires, even a frame and a couple of forks to Chris which he uses to build up bikes for these guys to race. At every OMBC race I attend these guys are there competing against each other then loading into the same cars and heading home together. Never have I seen arrogant or unsportsmanship manners from any of them. In fact this past weekend I didn't race but rode around the course and hung with a few of these guys in the trail and each and everyone of them came to me after the race, said thanks for "pushing" them and shook my hand. Thats the future of mountain biking and I like what it looks like so far!

Most of these manners are probably taught to them from Chris Skinner. Hes an individual I meet a few years back at a race series at Beans Bike Park in Ohio (no longer exists). I was new to the sport yet Chris approached me talked to me as an equal and wished me luck (he was the current Ohio State Champ), I was nothing special. Our friendship grew from there and i have nothing short of the upmost respect for him and everything he does.

Teamed with Bob Myers and Trek, Chris helps manages a small mountain bike team, the Trek-Ohio Valley Team, but in addition to that he works with these young adults at school introducing them to mountain biking and archery. How cool is that? I wish there had been programs like that when I attended school. Chris not only does this at school but he has built, along with these students, a trail system on his private property where they train weekly during the season and one of the 12 OMBC races takes place.

So when you start wondering about the future of our sport remember Chris. Think of the time and effort he puts in to helping these students but don't count on him only. Do the same, take some time on the trail or anywhere to talk with newcomers. Offer to show them a trail, meet up answer their questions. Its in everyones intrest to promote the sport otherwise all trails could close and we could all be looking for a new sport. Think about it?

The Godfather: Part II

No I'm not talking about Don Vito Carleone and the Family from the movies here, I'm talking about me, yea me "The Godfather". Sometime back, in the 80s, my Aunt & Uncle asked me to be the Godfather of their newborn baby Hannah, who would already by default be my cousin. What did I know about being someones Godfather at the age of 18? Heck I wasn't even sure what I was going to do for the rest of my life let alone think about guiding someone else along if they needed. But after some thought I agreed to the "responsibility" but only recently have i really come to define and understand what that responsibility was.


Now I'm not saying I haven't been there for Hannah for the birthdays, christmas's, the first communion and such but I really didn't think I had done much more than a normal relative would have. This got me to thinking, what have i really provided for Hannah as her Godparent? World class knowledge, super human abilities, diamonds, silver, gold or other riches? No, i haven't given her any of those things but those weren't the things intended to be gained from a god-father/god-daughter relationship. Instead, Hannah and I have a great friendship which is becoming more enjoyable to me as she matures. I like to believe that she trusts me and would feel comfortable coming to me for advice, help or just to talk to.


After the years of her growing up we have reached the time where she is becoming an adult and we are able to spend short periods of time together simply going to a movie, shopping, talking about her running and my biking, or taking time off work to have lunch. I now realize that the responsibility of being a Godfather was "just to be there" and since Hannah still says "love ya" to me in front of anyone anywhere tells me that i must have done that.


Hannah is an excellent athelete and runs hurdles for the Butler Track Team. During the early spring when practice starts I incorperate the school grounds into my training rides simply to stop by the track, say hi and on occasion get a chance to see her compete. I'm looking forward to seeing her run and compete at the collegic level for the next few years. She is truely a wonderful person and I actually gained much more than she did, by accepting the invitation to be her Godfather.

Look out as Hannah sails over these hurdles and many more in the future.

Happy Birthday Hannah!

The Godfather

Its the Most Wonderful Time of The Year

Here it is, Fall Time in Western PA! What a great time to live in the North East of the country. As seen above, I'm riding in a small local park called Alameda Park. I'm trying to jump a log. Riding when the leaves are changing and falling makes each trail different than normal. Suddenly you are able to see around that turn or you'll notice just how close a house and the trail really are to each other. Wow its amazing how much life the fall brings to a boring old trail that you've been riding all summer!

What an awesome time to ride. I better get out there!

Take a close look...... yea thats correct, its snow! In October, I love riding thru a small snowfall.

A look out my back window as I dress for the exciting ride to follow!



Heres a look from the North East, just outside of Butler, overlooking Rt 422 (not pictured).