Gov. Perry..you are an absolute moron

Say that to the faces of all of gay soldiers who have died defending this country.

Scumbag quote of the day..

Alexandre Vinokourov, denying he bought his 2010 Liege-Bastogne-Liege win:

"I do not understand why some people are always looking to find some stories about me," Vinokourov said. "I am a cyclist, and there is no place in our sport for the gutter press. I don't ever allow myself to attack anyone personally. I wish to finish my career quietly even though obviously it bothers some people that I'm still on a bike."

Can this scumbag just be banned for life! Time to make his retirement official and permanent.

Strava...

make me an ambassador!

Dear Diary.....

"I'm chasing again!"

Letter to bandit pelotonia riders

The following is a letter to Tym Tyler, one of a handful of unregistered riders (and the only one whose name we know) who jumped in at the start of Pelotonia 11 – and then proceeded to race to Athens. The word that immediately springs to mind to describe this type of behavior is … despicable. Perhaps you can think of another more descriptive word or two.

Dear Mr. Tyler (and anyone else who jumped in at the start of Pelotonia without registering):

I just wanted to let you know that Pelotonia is a ride, not a race, with one and only one goal: end cancer ASAP.

I also wanted to let you know a little bit about some of the 4,900-plus riders you so rudely jumped ahead of to race in a ride in which you knew you had not registered for and hadn’t even attempted to raise money for. This, BTW, is something these 4,900-plus riders worked for months to accomplish, pestering their family, friends and coworkers, and organizing hundreds and hundreds of fundraising events.

Miles behind you was our friend Beverly Cote. She’s 77, a recent cancer survivor – and was worried she couldn’t meet the fundraising minimum. She made a pamphlet, carried it in the basket on the back of her old Sears bike – and passed it out to everyone she knew, as well as complete strangers, asking them to donate to our cause. She did indeed raise more than the minimum, $5 at a time. Pelotonia was Beverly’s first-ever organized ride, and she called it the greatest experience of her life.

Was Pelotonia a good experience for you?

While you were racing along in a ride that is not a race, tucked in behind the motorcycle escort arranged for by the Pelotonia staff, Alex Kip was struggling. In the winter, Alex’s doctor told him he only had a 30-percent chance to beat the cancerous tumor in his chest. Alex beat the odds and his cancer – and rode 102 miles to Athens, exhausted at times, but determined to give cancer a kick in the butt. I would say Alex was a winner on this day.

Did you win anything?

The members of the Central Ohio Primary Care, Girls With Gears and Stefanie’s Team of Hope pelotons met once or twice a week for months to prepare for this ride. While I’m sure you’ve ridden hundreds of century rides and this was no big deal for a hot-shot bike racer, many of the members of these pelotons are new to cycling and this was their first century ride. I’m sure you flew up the big hill on Starner Road, while many of these riders struggled to keep their pedals turning. Some had to walk, but none gave up, and when they arrived in Athens, often with tears flowing and their emotions swirling, there were scores of friends and family waiting with cheers, signs and hugs.

Was anyone waiting for you?

John Looker has terminal brain cancer. He struggled mightily to ride 102 miles on Saturday … and then worked as a volunteer on Sunday. John is an inspiration to us all.

Did you inspire anyone during Pelotonia?

I could go on and on, as every one of our riders and volunteers has a connection to cancer and a story of courage, love and generosity about why they rode or volunteered.

In a way, I guess you have a story as well – it’s just a little different type of tale. But, Mr. Tyler, always remember: We ride and raise money to beat cancer … for anyone and everyone everywhere … even the unregistered riders who think it’s OK to jump the start of Pelotonia.

Sincerely…

The Ride

Personal comments:

I would be the first to admit. I've been a bandit rider. But would I EVER consider being a bandit rider for an event like this???? NO WAY.

As for the riders, there is no "winner". That's not what it is about. We were out there not to be winners, we were all out there with one goal...BEAT CANCER.

Pelotonia 2011

Didn't set the course on fire..but I cut time of last year. Another great and emotional weekend

Pre-Pelotonia check

I’m not one to get hung up on miles, despite the fact that I do log each and every one!

Last year going into Pelotonia I remember deciding I would check my year to date miles, and was surprised and pleased to have rode just over 5,000 miles.

This year I’ve had better hours at work,meaning less time to ride. Again, I was surprised. Especially consider how close I am to match last years totals.

Am I ready for this?! Yes!

Bring it on!

Today the pretender is separated from the contenders

Go Andy!

It's been a tough Tour

PLATEAU DE BEILLE - Rabobank-renner Laurens ten Dam komt zaterdag gehavend binnen na de veertiende etappe van de Tour de France van Saint Gaudens naar Plateau de Beille. Direct na binnenkomst werd hij naar het ziekenhuis gebracht. Ten Dam kwam in de afdal, a photo by wijnanders on Flickr.

Laurens ten Dam

The legs of the beast..Thor

Gotta get one of these!

Hoogerland on crash!

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Talking about a tough guy....

A French TV car swerved into the five man break up front sending Vacansoleil's Johnny Hoogerland somersaulting off the road and into a barbed wire fence.


Hoogerland finished the stage, claimed his KOM Jersey on the podium and even did some interviews before getting 33 stitches to repair the damage.

Hoogerland comments:

“We can be happy that we’re alive. It’s horrible,” said Hoogerland. “I can blame everyone but I don’t think anyone does this sort of thing on purpose. I think the people in the car will have a very big guilty feeling and they will surely apologize to me and Flecha…I have three cuts that are about seven centimetres long and quite deep too. I’ll go to the hospital now and I think I’ll need about 30 stitches at least.

“I did what felt like a few somersaults. I don’t know where the car came from. Before I knew it, Flecha was on the ground and there was nothing I could do. I landed on the fence and I looked at my legs and thought, ‘Is this what cycling is about?’ I have the polka-dot jersey but I’m going to spend the rest day in a lot of pain.”

Miss you mom

Marlene Buckner, Sept 5, 1928- May 30, 2011

My life changing moment

That's me on the left! Never the same after this!

Limited Brands Pelotonia Jersey! COOL!

Paris Roubiaix defined- in 2. 5 minutes

Paris-Roubaix Ohio

only missing the cobbles

Brutal in so many ways

The race was brutal in so many ways.

The temps went into the mid 80’s. Winds were southwest gusting up to 35. Was not ready for the  heat, but throw in the wind…it was just survival.

Lost four pounds, and totally cooked.

 

Best day of the racing season..

team kit arrived.

Gotta admit, I think they are sharp. Despite Cycling News’ opinion

Gallery: Deer Creek Road Race 03/20/11

Gallery: Deer Creek Road Race 03/20/11

Racing season is here

First road race in over 12 years

Definitely not the results I had hoped for. Got shelled much earlier than I expected.

 

I wont complain about wind ever again

Bring out the shorts and sunscreen!!

Saturday Night Live - Church Chat - Video - NBC.com

Saturday Night Live - Church Chat - Video - NBC.com

You might Be A Cyclist If...... Roadie Version

1. You tell a family of 5 in a crowded mall to "hold their line."

2. Your spouse says "If you buy another bike I'm going to leave you" and you think "I guess I'm going to miss him/her."

3. You have more water bottles than you have drinking glasses.

4. You have more cycling jerseys than work shirts.

5. Your cycling jersey IS your work shirt.

6. Your legs are smoother than your wife's.

7. The nicest pair of shoes you own have cleats in the soles.

8. You have defined the 8 stages of roadkill decomposition through daily observation.

9. You are walking along a street and you signal left.

10.You go to your local store on a bike.

11.You sulk when in cars, on hot days.

12.You sulk when in cars, on cold, windy, snowy days.

13.You get withdrawal symptoms if off the bike for more than a day.

14.When anybody mentions distance you immediately think of how long it would take to cycle it.

15.You point at pot holes, but you are driving in your car alone.

16.While driving your car you yell at your passenger "Car back" as a vehicle approaches from behind.

17.Your bike is worth more than your car.

18.You put more miles on your bike than your car.

19.Your hands have a strange tan that looks remarkably similar to the pattern on your cycling gloves.

20.Weather forecasts can be broken down into 2 categories: good biking weather, bad biking weather.

21.You put your bicycle in your car, and the value of the total package increases by a factor of 4 (or better).

22.You find out you are going to have a child and the first thing you think about is how you will schedule your rides to avoid divorce and still be a parent.

23.You spend 2X the money on cycling wear that you do work clothes.

24. You can tell your wife with a straight face that it's too hot to mow the lawn, then bike off for a century.

25.You dream of winning the lottery and the first thing you think of is how many/which bikes can I buy?

26.You buy a car based on whether or not a bike will fit in the trunk/back, with the rear seat folded down.

27.You open your car window and yell out "On your left" when passing cars on the freeway.

28.You have not one, not two, but three permanent chain ring scars on your right calf.

29.Your bike sleeps with you in the living or bedroom.

30.You wear a heart rate monitor during sex.

31.You check out all other guys/girls legs to see if they are better than yours.

32.Your spouse can't take it anymore and takes up cycling.

33.You wonder why a $500 bike has 24 gear ratios, while a $20,000car or truck only has 4.

34.You crash...and insist on getting to the bike shop to have your bike checked out BEFORE going to the hospital.

35.You can't seem to get to work before 8:30am, but you don't have a problem meeting your buddies at 5:30am for a ride.

Not in the dark…yet

So far we have survived the Ice Storm of 2010.

Really hard to believe that as icy as it was when I left work last night, that it has cleared off the power lines and trees overnight. As windy as it is right now, that’s a huge plus. Don’t need power lines and tree snapping with the gust of 50MPH forecasted.

However, according to AEP, the numbers in the dark keeps going up. Right now there are 53, 240 in the dark in Franklin County. They are saying it will take 4 to 6 days to get power restored.

Hopefully, luck will be on our side and we’ll dodge this one.

Now, off to the pain cave.

Six weeks until first race of the season!

Pelotonia state of mind!

Yesterday I registered for Pelotonia 2011.

Pelotonia 2010 was my first Pelotonia, and I am looking forward to 2011!

Pelotonia is a grassroots bike tour with one goal: to end cancer. It is a cycling experience that will take place August 20-21. The ride will span two days and I will be riding 180 miles.

The decision to participate in Pelotonia was easy. Cycling has always been a huge part of my life, and this will allow me to combine an activity that I love with a cause that is close to my heart.

This ride is my small effort to assist in the battle against cancer. I'm dedicating this effort to family, friends, children of friends, and colleagues who have faced the challenge or who are now facing the challenge that a cancer diagnosis brings. Their courage is my inspiration

We have all been touched by cancer. We have all lost family, friends, and colleagues. We all know someone who has been affected by cancer.

Large or small, every donation makes a difference. 100% of every donation will fund essential research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. Last year, there were over 4000 riders, and $7.8 million was raised. The two year total was over 12.3 millions. Proceeds will go directly to cancer research at the James. Think of this as a donation directly to The James.

As the Midwest's first and Ohio's only freestanding cancer hospital and research institute, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute is one of only 40 centers in the United States designated by the National Cancer Institute as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. The James is a national leader in creating and testing new therapies based on scientific research, many of which are offered nowhere else in the world.

My first Pelotonia was truly was an amazing weekend.

The crowds along the road served as a reminder of our mission. The true reality and the reason hits hard when someone offers to shake your hand and say ? Thank you for riding. I am a survivor? or Thank you for riding, I lost my mother to cancer?.

With your support, you will help improve lives through innovations in research with the ultimate goal of winning the war against cancer. This truly is a unique opportunity to be a part of something special.

My donation link

Another doper busted

I wanted to believe in Contador, but I have to admit, it was hard to believe. So this is no real surprise. He has been indirectly connected to teams and people that have been shown to be dopers.

The vicious circle continues, the vultures are swarming. When can we put this behind us and move forward to a drug free sport.

Cycling has two camps: those that believe Lance doped and those who don't want to believe. The longer you've followed cycling, the greater the chance you think there's something rotten.

I do believe that Lance will go down. I think the whole US Postal / Discovery team, led by Bruyneel, was rotten to the core. There have been too many people associated with that team who have later been proven to be dopers. Someone has a smoking gun. Who has it? I thought it may have been Landis, but with his zero credibility, it wasn't. Someone knows, and it's going to have to be someone who is not afraid to bring Lance, and anyone associtated with Brunell, down

He’s back…Pee Wee Herman

SHOTS!

It’s TREK LEOPARD

A Trek internal email…

Hello all,
It’s been an exciting week for Trek as we announced our co-title sponsorship of LEOPARD TREK. The anticipation behind this launch is understandable, considering the fire power in the roster. There will undoubtedly be a significant portion of media coverage surrounding the team as the season kicks off next week at the Tour Down Under.
Please follow these naming standards when referring to the team in the media:

• The team name is LEOPARD TREK. Please do not insert the word “Team” before LEOPARD TREK, in writing or conversation, as that is not part of the official name.
• Please do not hyphenate LEOPARD TREK.
• In written communication, LEOPARD TREK must be set in all caps.
• In spoken communication, please use the appropriate pronunciation: LAY-oh-pard Trek.

INCORRECT: The new Team Leopard Trek includes…
CORRECT: The new LEOPARD TREK team includes…
INCORRECT: Leopard-Trek was presented to the media…
CORRECT: LEOPARD TREK was presented to the media…
INCORRECT: Trek announces sponsorship of Team LEOPARD TREK…
CORRECT: Trek announces co-title sponsorship of LEOPARD TREK…
Thanks for your help in establishing the proper team name standards. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.”

Sufferfest Local Hero–available on Jan 14

If you havent tried the Sufferfest videos for training, I highly recommend them. The price is right, and you don’t have to see Coach Troy

Sufferfest Local Hero

New Team- Wonderful Pistachio’s (Cat 4/5 Development Team)

Looking forward to another great year.

I will be riding for Wonderful Pistachio’s Cat 4/5 development team who will be wearing the same kit as the professional team. Gotta say..this is the sharpest kit I’ve ever worn. And it is a great pleasure to wear the kit as Wonderful Pistachios happens to be my favorite snack. I am a pistachio junkie, and I really do believe in all the hype you hear about pistachios. I really do believe they have help me maintain my weight and the antioxidants have kept me healthy.

GET CRACKIN’

 

overdue updates

Didn’t realize it had been so long.

Ended 2010 with 8200 miles!

Overall, it was a great year. I had a cooperative work schedule, and I’m going into 2011 with that same schedule. But I’m certainly open to changing that schedule. It was great for training, but it would be great to spend more time with my biggest supporter.

I also ended the year 25 pounds lighter than last year!