tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116571972024-03-07T17:03:46.598-05:00vandenkombsthe force awakens...van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.comBlogger624125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-35191129995355601942015-07-16T19:30:00.001-04:002015-07-16T19:47:29.588-04:00testing 123... :) van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-38105842653279814052009-04-27T20:26:00.004-04:002009-04-27T20:59:10.639-04:00AprilA week or so ago the "season" started off with Tour of the Battenkill in Cambridge, NY. My first ever road race consisting of about 62 miles of pave and dirt mixed with a sprinkling of rain about 2/3 thirds into the race.<br /><br />I don't do a lot of road riding except on my cross or mountain bike and getting ready for this race consisted of 2-3 road rides (longest one was about 5 hours out to Havard from Arlington ). I decided to use my cross bike (fitted with some 25mm road tires) to help with some of the steeper climbing sections. I did get in some long mt bike rides on weekends at Otis and near home. Longest being a six hour tour that was lead by mtb tom a couple weekends ago.<br /><br />Great weather and course for Battenkill this year. I lost the 3/4 women "pack" about the time the climbing began and the rest of my 4 hrs 44 mins was solo until one of my cross teammates caught up to me and we rode together to the finish. The climbs were tough and my speed was non-existent, but I climbed everything and only stopped for a bottle exhange at the feed zone @ mile 42.<br /><br />The time sort of fly by to that point, the end seemed longer than 20 miles. I did get a flat about 45-60 minutes to end. I took a gravel downhill slightly too fast,. After that, I was paranoid about getting another flat and was more careful.<br /><br />The entire day, all the mens field keep passing me, so it was a bit like a super long cross race. Everyone was fairly friendly and my overall impression of this huge race was good. I think only two men finished slower than me, but I was happy arrive at finish and get this whole Battenkill thing out of the way. I was more worried than I should have been, but if I decide to do it again in 2009, I'll be better prepared and know what to expect. Maybe I'll even do more road riding in preparation !<br /><br />Next big event is Mohican 100 mile mtb race in Ohio. I have done the 100k twice and hopefully this year will be traveling out there with better fitness. Might do some events before then, but am not sure yet...will decide on the fly.<br /><br />Warm weather and now May is almost here.<br />Get out and ride !van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-26273721047621252372008-12-27T18:50:00.008-05:002008-12-27T19:10:18.920-05:00Dreams of 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6AXgyKveuZmpJ7EpQy7bxV4UGzarVh04d8xjErYQIO-iDhjiq92uu23FGcZObBJ6sGMs2BaMQerSGdQgtxnhlQAxiCoSvPNhaqyQt4uwt6WUY_Uzkhp5DmZMxYzAO5LafIaSEQ/s1600-h/IMG_2018.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6AXgyKveuZmpJ7EpQy7bxV4UGzarVh04d8xjErYQIO-iDhjiq92uu23FGcZObBJ6sGMs2BaMQerSGdQgtxnhlQAxiCoSvPNhaqyQt4uwt6WUY_Uzkhp5DmZMxYzAO5LafIaSEQ/s400/IMG_2018.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left">Now's the time to set in motion the preparation for the upcoming 2009 season. Up here in New England we have already had a taste of winter, but we've passed the darkest day of the year and are headed towards more light each day.</div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left"></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left">It is a time of 3-4 months before anything BIG really starts happening, so there is great potential in the air. How does one follow through on possibility with real preparation and stay motivated each day ????</div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left"></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left">Set goals, make a plan, follow through, eat right , get enough sleep, stay motivated.. enjoy the process and have fun. </div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left"></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left">Sounds good, but can it happen ?</div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left"></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left">Wake up, the time is now.</div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left"></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left">Happy New Year 2009.</div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left">see you out there.</div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left"></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left"></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left">"The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don't go back to sleep...."<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-45496389855980692902008-09-03T21:36:00.004-04:002008-09-06T12:00:11.521-04:002008 Shenandoah 100<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ime-FV9sBLLfUHfalEBujdRCl-cCrrwHZYudrr9ULIzH_XUc25o_wPWjVHdHlnOuTmSPFum_t3ydT2PxTHv_r3ieW1JN1dDQS6WMimIMu9pMOlRuXHqbsuAEVj6CFh431MNmOA/s1600-h/SM100_2008.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ime-FV9sBLLfUHfalEBujdRCl-cCrrwHZYudrr9ULIzH_XUc25o_wPWjVHdHlnOuTmSPFum_t3ydT2PxTHv_r3ieW1JN1dDQS6WMimIMu9pMOlRuXHqbsuAEVj6CFh431MNmOA/s400/SM100_2008.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">Pic stolen from Mtb Tom.</span></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">Feeding at Wincester, VA Bob Evans monday am. </span></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">Everyone is hungry after a hundie.</span></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">This year I drove down with <a href="http://andysanidas.blogspot.com/">Andy</a>, Mike Ramponi and <a href="http://cruz.media.mit.edu/tomblog.nsf/archive/20080901-1149%20PM?OpenDocument&count=-1">a little green man </a>to SM100. I skipped the racing part this year and worked support at Aid #5 at mile 75. </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">It was great to hang out and help all the racers and esp my great friends I have gotten to know since my first SM100 back in 2000 when <a href="http://www.ifbikes.com/who2/lloydgraves.shtml">Lloyd Graves</a> was the first and only singlespeed guy racing !! </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">We missed you this year LLOYD !!</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Cheers to all the crazy people I got to see last weekend that make mountain biking so much fun:</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><a href="http://www.mtntoruing.com/">CHRIS SCOTT </a>!! </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">(who got to race this year)</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Cathy DeSanto </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">his mom Judy, Lynn, <a href="http://http//sierramtb.blogspot.com/2008/09/10th-annual-shenandoah-100.html">Karin and family</a></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Julie and <a href="http://www.shenandoahbicycle.com/">Thomas</a></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><a href="http://www.shenandoahbicycle.com/">Tim</a></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><a href="http://cruz.media.mit.edu/tomblog.nsf">mtb Tom</a> and Reenie !!</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><a href="http://andysanidas.blogspot.com/">Andy</a> !</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><a href="http://www.gwadzilla.blogspot.com/">Gwadzilla</a></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">nice to meet the legend in person !!</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><a href="http://athensbicycle.com/info/2008/Rouser/Eggstravaganza/18.html">Athens gun show</a> (esp <a href="http://athensbicycle.com/whoruns.html">Meredith, Pete and Joey B</a>)</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><a href="http://team-bi-atch.blogspot.com/">Gunnar (1st ss) and Betsy</a> (3rd female)</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">kristin E + family</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Churtle (1st female)</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><a href="http://tomi-mcmillar.blogspot.com/">Tomi McM</a></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">DCCofD (Lisa, Paul, Lauri, Jeb, <a href="http://bikesandbeer.blogspot.com/">Buddy</a>, Tom McD, <a href="http://www.forty15.com/blog/">Robert,</a> Liz, Peaches)</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><a href="http://raisindetra.blogspot.com/">Larry Camp </a></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">(10 time SM100 finisher !)</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Kevin from <a href="http://www.plumgrovecyclery.com/">Plum Grove</a></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><a href="http://www.mtnittanywheelworks.com/jim.html">Jimbo</a> and <a href="http://www.mtnittanywheelworks.com/frank.html">Frank</a> (H<a href="http://www.mtnittanywheelworks.com/harry.html">arry </a>we missed you)</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">SCollege crew: Matt and Richie Rich </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">IF teammates: Trish (2nd female), Alex, Chris and <a href="http://www.twowheeledlocust.typepad.com/">ELK </a>!</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Check out Mtb Tom's blog for some pictures and <a href="http://andysanidas.blogspot.com/">Andy's blog </a>for a video including us eating breakfast on sunday morning at Bob Evans.</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Thanks to Mr Sanidas and Mr Ramponi for being such great guys to ride ALL DAY in the car telling stories and googling all sorts of stuff while listening to some great tunes. Life is very good.</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Good luck to the G'burg Cupcakes (Churtle and <a href="http://tomi-mcmillar.blogspot.com/">Tomi</a>) out at <a href="http://globalbiorhythmevents.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=32">Tahoe 100 </a>now !!</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">is it possible the WVa crew went out there too ???</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">crazy.<br /></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"></div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-75290504797711339952008-08-17T21:47:00.002-04:002008-08-18T20:16:40.771-04:00Littleton Epic Adventure<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Em6YJ2OhnFD1bcAuq_yHhcckKV3-8SAVQgklytaPJTy7olKKG1K2YHU-twyaEGm4-1K3UgQerhK-BQTSdTIx-lL8pInYfAiWrjxeIIObIJz4hiEDUio2K5IF06_gnB0Zrb1t6Q/s1600-h/IMG_1883.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Em6YJ2OhnFD1bcAuq_yHhcckKV3-8SAVQgklytaPJTy7olKKG1K2YHU-twyaEGm4-1K3UgQerhK-BQTSdTIx-lL8pInYfAiWrjxeIIObIJz4hiEDUio2K5IF06_gnB0Zrb1t6Q/s320/IMG_1883.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://reeniecg.wordpress.com/">Reenie</a> and I survived another <a href="http://cruz.media.mit.edu/tomblog.nsf/archive/20080817-1047%20PM?OpenDocument&count=-1">Mtb Tom adventure </a>!!</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">idea: Take train from Waverly Sq in Belmont out to the wilds of Littleton.</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Q: How many time will it take to ride mt bikes from Littleton MBTA stop to Arlington Heights hitting all the trails in between ?? </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">A: 8hrs 40 mins (ride + breaks) no mechanicals, but some loser solo dude almost knocked me off a ledge along Rt 3 Beddy trails coming in the other direction to my certain demise.</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">The"rest stops" at a couple stores along the way were needed as the even the eternally energetic, Tom, needed a huge turkey sandwich+bag of chips+cookie @ Fern's in Carlisle for fuel. </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">My legs were dying on the first climb up some hill in the Heights going up to the water toer on Park Ave. A quick buzz thru Belmont trails and we were down at Waverly Sq where our adventure really began.. aboard the MBTA commuter rail.</div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-66648244004026586192008-08-17T21:34:00.004-04:002008-08-18T20:37:35.119-04:00<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZ8_6rU8qPKbjiu65sjAxOz-8oHfZylmkF16w9O2AUUZFE5tqcQwW8nVjuLlQ6fg5BxKgaRQ3y8tQo1exQ2mQ6GToWFGqkSRponhbKKZw26ybpINoCjKVUdbB07HxHRG01KSmpA/s1600-h/IMG_1878.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZ8_6rU8qPKbjiu65sjAxOz-8oHfZylmkF16w9O2AUUZFE5tqcQwW8nVjuLlQ6fg5BxKgaRQ3y8tQo1exQ2mQ6GToWFGqkSRponhbKKZw26ybpINoCjKVUdbB07HxHRG01KSmpA/s320/IMG_1878.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Reenie, Tom and I rode out to Littleton on MBTA Fitchburg line from Waverly where Sally met us to begin the riding. The fare was $4 : only $0.45/hr riding for transportation costs !<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMi4l_WXy1nXEAsQUrIqGt53MjUGnRDWvV-1lynRh0PxXbfeWr_ZWKcXa_CGyq9pE5UzfD8yHLLUxYCbKEGh4klZT9_DBv19mtvt8skgSKRXRpBTPrPgatus9iz21kleraMezLw/s1600-h/IMG_1879.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMi4l_WXy1nXEAsQUrIqGt53MjUGnRDWvV-1lynRh0PxXbfeWr_ZWKcXa_CGyq9pE5UzfD8yHLLUxYCbKEGh4klZT9_DBv19mtvt8skgSKRXRpBTPrPgatus9iz21kleraMezLw/s320/IMG_1879.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Sally and Reenie enjoy the food stop at Ferns General Store at Carlisle rotary. We skipped Great Brook this time around, but there are some fun trails in there to include the next time.<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJoLQl-8cOrzDwReLYl4MW0vnpe6NGMhp74hmGpM0aoTt6EuSYVJo1XDL0oKYOu3czAto0zN6zmwSeK8VQxrUg-omJpmH4B88ICh6Ym4Luj7QyfO9QNDF_fyqs737uouLoq1Okw/s1600-h/IMG_1880.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJoLQl-8cOrzDwReLYl4MW0vnpe6NGMhp74hmGpM0aoTt6EuSYVJo1XDL0oKYOu3czAto0zN6zmwSeK8VQxrUg-omJpmH4B88ICh6Ym4Luj7QyfO9QNDF_fyqs737uouLoq1Okw/s320/IMG_1880.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Mtb Tom interacts with a local natives and for the most part was well received except in Burlington where we were yelled at by one super crazy old man and then made fun of by a group of 7-9 year boys on BMX bikes. After 8 hrs of riding, being threatened by some guy (who looked like he stepped out of Delieverance) who supposedly "took our pictures" and is "calling the cops" on our renegade griup of four just seemed overblown and ridiculous. We apologized and went on our way before any weapons came out of the truck !<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE9WQkvILymK2VHKRNaxHRTPXxAAqMu6N5R0WASDp_f8ZSND3EKnrwRymSMlT2PvirQK1GyPWswbAbR6PBca-tvsm3bzWj_-ZwvJvze6CVk-4rkqFlZz2Sm4meMOic-pQeyvriQ/s1600-h/IMG_1881.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE9WQkvILymK2VHKRNaxHRTPXxAAqMu6N5R0WASDp_f8ZSND3EKnrwRymSMlT2PvirQK1GyPWswbAbR6PBca-tvsm3bzWj_-ZwvJvze6CVk-4rkqFlZz2Sm4meMOic-pQeyvriQ/s320/IMG_1881.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Reenie and Tom relax for a minute before cleaning up and heading out to a party. </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Not even a full day of riding can stop these two !! </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Next up for these superheroes is <a href="http://www.mtntouring.com/mountain/htm/shenandoah_mountain_100/page_sm100.htm">Shenandoah 100 miler </a>labor day weekend. giddyup.</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">thanks tom for leading us home !!</div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-54629189823792269072008-08-12T20:00:00.002-04:002008-08-12T20:17:18.342-04:00Hupcake Express Invades 24 Hrs of Great Glen<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dRI9k3kyKJcGBoz4Z8PKNcK6xLnARpUS4TSr2LDjf9HNmUqPrDFLGiIJicVnditY8bfpFxDXCXj_6teZfgkrryWsDKCrhBdlueWhGZJTDITERcf0XKDXA6CNqhHUy9y66Vdv0A/s1600-h/hupcake.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dRI9k3kyKJcGBoz4Z8PKNcK6xLnARpUS4TSr2LDjf9HNmUqPrDFLGiIJicVnditY8bfpFxDXCXj_6teZfgkrryWsDKCrhBdlueWhGZJTDITERcf0XKDXA6CNqhHUy9y66Vdv0A/s320/hupcake.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">5 racers from Hup Nation step up to the plate, drive through rain, camp in NH wilderness without cable, plumbing or their cushy beds to race the 2008 24hrs of great glen !!</p><p align="center">READ all about it on MegA's blog:</p><p align="center"><a href="http://newenglandcross.com//newenglandcross.com/blogit/blogit.html">http://newenglandcross.com//newenglandcross.com/blogit/blogit.html</a></p><p align="center">I will have mostly pictures and witty banter...</p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Hrb9s03M4rOk2I2akc2BRcKGP3ZA_DO70yZFJl9obtJyoipvUCr19vI7_NJkHvaQMA4B0eX-fULHCzctN3kJbNYjDc7_S3tTKGkApWnykxTr6h1ydYdxCkEmzeWrSte2b5WdPw/s1600-h/captain_justin_andson.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Hrb9s03M4rOk2I2akc2BRcKGP3ZA_DO70yZFJl9obtJyoipvUCr19vI7_NJkHvaQMA4B0eX-fULHCzctN3kJbNYjDc7_S3tTKGkApWnykxTr6h1ydYdxCkEmzeWrSte2b5WdPw/s320/captain_justin_andson.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">Our Captain, Justin and his first mate little two month old Cadell !<br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0LfwrzyRvP4Wzkkv7OeVExP0dJWKlqTaw3UuYwUJSx9bD23I9GwpGmGA-H1JzZKdHRa311VNB8MN9iM-X3oksNGK6zNoetpQF-9aEx5HnBReUIL1KduNAuEggCGQhprEBEOT2w/s1600-h/IMG_1877.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0LfwrzyRvP4Wzkkv7OeVExP0dJWKlqTaw3UuYwUJSx9bD23I9GwpGmGA-H1JzZKdHRa311VNB8MN9iM-X3oksNGK6zNoetpQF-9aEx5HnBReUIL1KduNAuEggCGQhprEBEOT2w/s320/IMG_1877.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Team #189 !!<br /></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOQm3sTUC3niw0P8NKCjGOttAKJpFoGkqV_uXm5Zx0MDPBDWOSZ6-JqJzWwunO2nlXT9ZfsDxxqidyQ6TMgwzkGWRbMwCdF5-fvqq796XYj2vfVeNvihgi_fY1iinRCi04T4Jgg/s1600-h/satam_GG.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOQm3sTUC3niw0P8NKCjGOttAKJpFoGkqV_uXm5Zx0MDPBDWOSZ6-JqJzWwunO2nlXT9ZfsDxxqidyQ6TMgwzkGWRbMwCdF5-fvqq796XYj2vfVeNvihgi_fY1iinRCi04T4Jgg/s320/satam_GG.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Great Glen early morning on Sat </div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-75346855844382281042008-08-12T19:55:00.001-04:002008-08-12T20:20:05.124-04:00<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQZru1BYzZFgWvThDh10oLeyriPLvvcZ1PsL2UDdykIppGux1PiOFWQHXadzfXxptG-ntweop2eTY9_Z-R0OTuJxhhq_QTdqAosU9E3FHU2ZW93lbqVeDCJC7hMmKmPYNDehdow/s1600-h/IMG_1849.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQZru1BYzZFgWvThDh10oLeyriPLvvcZ1PsL2UDdykIppGux1PiOFWQHXadzfXxptG-ntweop2eTY9_Z-R0OTuJxhhq_QTdqAosU9E3FHU2ZW93lbqVeDCJC7hMmKmPYNDehdow/s320/IMG_1849.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">pre-race and before campsite chaos<br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60DDAcYMjhEXAyCFDzV1GxVjgdd-gny3jU2T7nIss7q925y39mgn4zJlKkCVmtzAbluWaCfmTpvfVswKRgW21g34-KHtQYCaFPZAyU9RL_LkVLTk-Qhp-QYDSiVON9hP0eS3WvQ/s1600-h/IMG_1846.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60DDAcYMjhEXAyCFDzV1GxVjgdd-gny3jU2T7nIss7q925y39mgn4zJlKkCVmtzAbluWaCfmTpvfVswKRgW21g34-KHtQYCaFPZAyU9RL_LkVLTk-Qhp-QYDSiVON9hP0eS3WvQ/s320/IMG_1846.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">Cadel practicing his podium pose.<br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBm4CELmQcZtb1qirKl-buTGdzr1mWPHqV2x2GtcMl5mJN8MU5xIflC0GfHC6FdSrQeN5GbfY3LTJolULCK3o3C72IgQaju1RFLqGcgxk7sZHMO33NjlS-7dmL-9PyRLgNz-H4g/s1600-h/IMG_1856.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBm4CELmQcZtb1qirKl-buTGdzr1mWPHqV2x2GtcMl5mJN8MU5xIflC0GfHC6FdSrQeN5GbfY3LTJolULCK3o3C72IgQaju1RFLqGcgxk7sZHMO33NjlS-7dmL-9PyRLgNz-H4g/s320/IMG_1856.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">pre-race: Haavenfrites' DA MAN !!</p><p align="center">Congrats on 1st mtb race ever !!<br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtBn3OydXhH165ZeZ5Enb_uotrDWV2884mDvAj6r7Ffm3lJqmnJrwauhkGsW_qYY_amFCJCWMILB8My15dvFzuZfoEdyHReTgMZcwMjMM7Srtwg2MoqG00hL3Zqbq_WNGh33YQg/s1600-h/IMG_1847.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtBn3OydXhH165ZeZ5Enb_uotrDWV2884mDvAj6r7Ffm3lJqmnJrwauhkGsW_qYY_amFCJCWMILB8My15dvFzuZfoEdyHReTgMZcwMjMM7Srtwg2MoqG00hL3Zqbq_WNGh33YQg/s320/IMG_1847.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">All fun in between laps.</div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-23363994306375265922008-08-12T19:46:00.001-04:002008-08-12T20:33:02.261-04:00<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1-4hiqpnNVBhbBmCsgoc5GQSqWBoat-PIuvGr_-asUChZMRcNb1Cahwx-hAA6ijGOVG8evsFp7MPs6zthfEGtw5bNp_AEVRURQStlgA80nCMhFnDPUW9dKAdOWOAqbkERGw37w/s1600-h/IMG_1852.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1-4hiqpnNVBhbBmCsgoc5GQSqWBoat-PIuvGr_-asUChZMRcNb1Cahwx-hAA6ijGOVG8evsFp7MPs6zthfEGtw5bNp_AEVRURQStlgA80nCMhFnDPUW9dKAdOWOAqbkERGw37w/s320/IMG_1852.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">A cool and collected, <a href="http://untilthesnowends.blogspot.com/">Collin</a> does some brake pad replacement </p><p align="center">literally minutes before his LeMans start !!<br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceDnE25uOCbYrBB0QMR23d6hPTSO770lLc8cOHD8B3pww35dv9sGrxo2iGe_lwjQolYZQE9c4uKOo9pIZJysJrin4ZWvLrUxuTmOd50GG-Mk0f1NsovkyIm78aAeFbgg78XdogQ/s1600-h/IMG_1854.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceDnE25uOCbYrBB0QMR23d6hPTSO770lLc8cOHD8B3pww35dv9sGrxo2iGe_lwjQolYZQE9c4uKOo9pIZJysJrin4ZWvLrUxuTmOd50GG-Mk0f1NsovkyIm78aAeFbgg78XdogQ/s320/IMG_1854.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">An always similing, Linnea fuels up before the start.<br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3XJVUvaP8BWxQ_XEl4LXAWSoKtwMyMApdzXu1L4Cy1y1SgbLnzycBLwbdDODmfniIXrw4XyEJE6TI0SB-G12MDh8l6gJx5BQHUxCXSxaDh8y3ORKsOzuxSgN_LAp1S164gtogg/s1600-h/IMG_1850.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3XJVUvaP8BWxQ_XEl4LXAWSoKtwMyMApdzXu1L4Cy1y1SgbLnzycBLwbdDODmfniIXrw4XyEJE6TI0SB-G12MDh8l6gJx5BQHUxCXSxaDh8y3ORKsOzuxSgN_LAp1S164gtogg/s320/IMG_1850.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">Collin and Linnea, 50% Nuts duo (2nd place) our campmates for the weekend.<br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dzAOXlas8VTR8xlW5W5iC20LkkeiEifC2Ywv4qbsNKk76jLFvUWh8Q9SfcFSxLF3t_Tkhamvl3cQDGirbIUskCc1cPOmckPyntT7G-AcrMfYgtkVZHj7CRqNgLolqvAZYEnj_A/s1600-h/IMG_1868.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dzAOXlas8VTR8xlW5W5iC20LkkeiEifC2Ywv4qbsNKk76jLFvUWh8Q9SfcFSxLF3t_Tkhamvl3cQDGirbIUskCc1cPOmckPyntT7G-AcrMfYgtkVZHj7CRqNgLolqvAZYEnj_A/s320/IMG_1868.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">The crazy guy behind <a href="http://crossresults.com/">Cross Results </a> </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">rocked the house with duo-mate and companion in crime, Linnea all weekend.</div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-8067979002761507612008-08-12T19:38:00.001-04:002008-08-12T20:45:47.033-04:00<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1P8pRvHwboYfCFpFF6IQ02sdDFvSz4suWaUzsod0v_5f4ewY4n10jgGs58IFyWzBSSlvE5RRfTeenyE4qFyM_9nstoQSBWLIwfMuuXswZZGNK365CNMtsKfB3mkEpA-PKO7JJg/s1600-h/IMG_1861.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1P8pRvHwboYfCFpFF6IQ02sdDFvSz4suWaUzsod0v_5f4ewY4n10jgGs58IFyWzBSSlvE5RRfTeenyE4qFyM_9nstoQSBWLIwfMuuXswZZGNK365CNMtsKfB3mkEpA-PKO7JJg/s320/IMG_1861.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">Supermom Stacey posing with little Cadel made the camping mom thing look easy !<br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZfe_Q6nmcxGnaSySWTPbwh3bWFptm67vTidxsAa1WBx0YwAzunIKRRDxYZR5j9piibe73ELAt18Y3L_BxAhbBICl8c2xgp90h_yWnGZdOIa0FJoH8UU2C-tR-9zV1U9LncTE2w/s1600-h/IMG_1851.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZfe_Q6nmcxGnaSySWTPbwh3bWFptm67vTidxsAa1WBx0YwAzunIKRRDxYZR5j9piibe73ELAt18Y3L_BxAhbBICl8c2xgp90h_yWnGZdOIa0FJoH8UU2C-tR-9zV1U9LncTE2w/s320/IMG_1851.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">Chip before the LeMands start...<br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_z_sYb5cdaEUon8Hd86hGsbfAwEABASWJn4T2KhgzfTBvCshwjLgkNY_TuenOYNGvaG6fKthz-8J7PJ6flAeRWxdAVzR87SQTX7i2UNOBET5h6VSCSnzBRMb9X_FD1pnxri0muQ/s1600-h/IMG_1867.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_z_sYb5cdaEUon8Hd86hGsbfAwEABASWJn4T2KhgzfTBvCshwjLgkNY_TuenOYNGvaG6fKthz-8J7PJ6flAeRWxdAVzR87SQTX7i2UNOBET5h6VSCSnzBRMb9X_FD1pnxri0muQ/s320/IMG_1867.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">Hup Warrior Chip </p><p align="center">comes in after his first lap with a spa quality mud treatment !<br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGClzSWk4MTegVL7yVhg2TMjspUzVkhu231R9LVKLz2VrlfXztjWyeHrP4B5m-3qvMXai2wPsJiWuwIKgAmZmZ9NH-ss7Mn8HLUKvPdrNqk3F55Ip3K5WIjU11tdzxmrqtrHKx7g/s1600-h/IMG_1864.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGClzSWk4MTegVL7yVhg2TMjspUzVkhu231R9LVKLz2VrlfXztjWyeHrP4B5m-3qvMXai2wPsJiWuwIKgAmZmZ9NH-ss7Mn8HLUKvPdrNqk3F55Ip3K5WIjU11tdzxmrqtrHKx7g/s320/IMG_1864.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">This group of solos were at the end of the LeMans group walking like lazy teenagers...kind sad.</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> Even back in 2002, they made us run all the way around that pond. I never liked the run part for the solo races I did, but I made an effort to run or jog.</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Enduro Steve, what's happened to the solo fields these days??? </div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-81741999052368436182008-08-12T19:34:00.001-04:002008-08-12T20:47:04.908-04:00<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqGDMp51vP0R3GiP5Y6ZFmGsrBj34bJXvUIdGN0kekoZTbofe85nBQ2u_RKNOmTAG6fyaDE5Wlc-pqmdi5ti5kvSYV-ZFrCxNp7YuSJ788R9-4qe2rSr8auZcHIsRb5n38Jgajw/s1600-h/IMG_1857.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqGDMp51vP0R3GiP5Y6ZFmGsrBj34bJXvUIdGN0kekoZTbofe85nBQ2u_RKNOmTAG6fyaDE5Wlc-pqmdi5ti5kvSYV-ZFrCxNp7YuSJ788R9-4qe2rSr8auZcHIsRb5n38Jgajw/s320/IMG_1857.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">blue skys and puffy clouds<br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QD89B9MQcVJorwLNdgb9BztuBxbpOSHdswTWi25Z813bFHZWkBuyoTGiW1DuXZd6DJwpuOaBnFGT2GeJx5RQlpHZg53eKflpmV4tpyoh2yNF54-zfSwh_MM8izC4YM1QxIkKxA/s1600-h/IMG_1862.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QD89B9MQcVJorwLNdgb9BztuBxbpOSHdswTWi25Z813bFHZWkBuyoTGiW1DuXZd6DJwpuOaBnFGT2GeJx5RQlpHZg53eKflpmV4tpyoh2yNF54-zfSwh_MM8izC4YM1QxIkKxA/s320/IMG_1862.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">wildflowers everywhere</p><p align="center"><br /> </p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2i1oWIG0ZyWRUDy9RVJjuoL1KE1FqFkA-WgxmDLBeo_iJy3cXX-PA33PVY1FymLKbZ3iNNmpbfK299uEaK5kA40nuwF8rUQSFkq458ydqh-9x6fWFJG4MONHILcepDQieqfS8w/s1600-h/IMG_1865.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2i1oWIG0ZyWRUDy9RVJjuoL1KE1FqFkA-WgxmDLBeo_iJy3cXX-PA33PVY1FymLKbZ3iNNmpbfK299uEaK5kA40nuwF8rUQSFkq458ydqh-9x6fWFJG4MONHILcepDQieqfS8w/s320/IMG_1865.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">blue berries, but "only for seeing" !! :)<br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZbrs0XRMiR6-Nrs2AHty8by405XDzKSLiTmCDOGHatdatmG8gdY95KN_UZ78gUVCecmF7IMIfHdeUQUhEAvV9FvLRgxxF0FAzB0s0EnL4L6VJvHXvbJYbrHXrhHWlHK5_xjpJQ/s1600-h/IMG_1866.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZbrs0XRMiR6-Nrs2AHty8by405XDzKSLiTmCDOGHatdatmG8gdY95KN_UZ78gUVCecmF7IMIfHdeUQUhEAvV9FvLRgxxF0FAzB0s0EnL4L6VJvHXvbJYbrHXrhHWlHK5_xjpJQ/s320/IMG_1866.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> </div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-61750733808088439952008-08-12T19:32:00.001-04:002008-08-12T20:49:46.973-04:00<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IUus3pYIS3dtFCSDrYVYIw-bow7zC6FLggCgaA53CUGqNqjsJW7xPs4r3FPYNw_Saz7dTE_ZC5QpQux_sucrzP7U4D6aK16lIRwFzbEX1BX9695bLrvwM8hWG6K7e51Z5Il9Vw/s1600-h/IMG_1876.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IUus3pYIS3dtFCSDrYVYIw-bow7zC6FLggCgaA53CUGqNqjsJW7xPs4r3FPYNw_Saz7dTE_ZC5QpQux_sucrzP7U4D6aK16lIRwFzbEX1BX9695bLrvwM8hWG6K7e51Z5Il9Vw/s320/IMG_1876.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">Haavenfrites: "Houston, we are a go for the night laps"</p><p align="center">Tom goes out on his first night ride ever on a double lap.. </p><p align="center">fun stuff here at the Hupcake Express<br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05j0bnbs-UMWpWOq3kwXLnrlYyaIxuWTdtH7AvBqIFZo7X13jB2J0QHFPO3k5XrB8nf1ZJ2qrhAvcaU1LVVRRXgzlRriuAVjsvoBMFtf8TBljlpX_gcVpjY76082Te4ORnlcg7g/s1600-h/IMG_1873.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05j0bnbs-UMWpWOq3kwXLnrlYyaIxuWTdtH7AvBqIFZo7X13jB2J0QHFPO3k5XrB8nf1ZJ2qrhAvcaU1LVVRRXgzlRriuAVjsvoBMFtf8TBljlpX_gcVpjY76082Te4ORnlcg7g/s320/IMG_1873.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">MegA preps her new camelback for the night double laps.<br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaK3vQPNpjKGLSZVtpbYUOlk1gOwm_om71-nL5-U5LnKg4T9eNAB_S1WRy2bX18mtvBqwtxuAswdzN6uCJ6VmK_nh5pUZKOTBAeyb1K8qRMlZcr_0gFpqYW2AVHvEt6YxmDXYKQ/s1600-h/IMG_1872.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaK3vQPNpjKGLSZVtpbYUOlk1gOwm_om71-nL5-U5LnKg4T9eNAB_S1WRy2bX18mtvBqwtxuAswdzN6uCJ6VmK_nh5pUZKOTBAeyb1K8qRMlZcr_0gFpqYW2AVHvEt6YxmDXYKQ/s320/IMG_1872.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">MegA and Chip hanging out in the Belgian living room.</div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-3151032237795507562008-08-12T19:30:00.001-04:002008-08-12T20:37:13.127-04:00<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLpV7upBv_mklI-2yUn4258NNibk2yk-P9dSqE8M6Y18Qq14iEXt2obbjoDnIcNV2XP87-t7bgPWnUDcxwiBJjWFFAZeUgTm_ttBb2cSv5k9W-CSlxEw87G_CC0Av6lXSt3Ct9Q/s1600-h/IMG_1871.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLpV7upBv_mklI-2yUn4258NNibk2yk-P9dSqE8M6Y18Qq14iEXt2obbjoDnIcNV2XP87-t7bgPWnUDcxwiBJjWFFAZeUgTm_ttBb2cSv5k9W-CSlxEw87G_CC0Av6lXSt3Ct9Q/s320/IMG_1871.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">pretty blue cupcakes everywhere !!<br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe88FEt0KBmtfEZy44v-qUhCTt8tmI3vU6-n1S7lRTpXiwu2U722s6FwNSiIdFHVV-9i1tBD50R7-Zz4DXZRtUTZxshkOnWCiuk4g8gmCQMoxw8Vil8qDgaF4hsFeWh3d6kDUmWQ/s1600-h/hupcake_express.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe88FEt0KBmtfEZy44v-qUhCTt8tmI3vU6-n1S7lRTpXiwu2U722s6FwNSiIdFHVV-9i1tBD50R7-Zz4DXZRtUTZxshkOnWCiuk4g8gmCQMoxw8Vil8qDgaF4hsFeWh3d6kDUmWQ/s320/hupcake_express.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Team poses for final shot in the pouring rain. </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">We are grateful the rains held out during the race since the mud was bad enough !</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">The end.</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Thanks to all the Hupcakes, family and friends.</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Hope you are catching up on your sleep :)</div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-60746045643149260272008-08-12T19:13:00.003-04:002008-08-13T19:18:12.544-04:00Big Ride<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHddkgc6c9WXSjaFmyX3OwifOshK8FGMaPsjxd87iq9hwFqyDNpQgo7Q9WkfzW_YGbDoXJ85c21eHLYWIUyjHNR-8w4ZWvVhv5t5kf6WiopCdA3xpLSka_YeJB2YHJpqwck-mHOg/s1600-h/P8030294.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234144962215223122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHddkgc6c9WXSjaFmyX3OwifOshK8FGMaPsjxd87iq9hwFqyDNpQgo7Q9WkfzW_YGbDoXJ85c21eHLYWIUyjHNR-8w4ZWvVhv5t5kf6WiopCdA3xpLSka_YeJB2YHJpqwck-mHOg/s400/P8030294.JPG" border="0" /></a> Most of the group at the gate off Greenwood Ave </div><div align="center">ready to take on Beverly Farms..<br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"></div><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkVxTRmri4mgyk-8tNCS5IuFYbY4okbvVp3IJCG18BFAHWkfi3I99pDQut07jm0L46AUxAwMdUOSY9QotDC6Z8Vc5_ZTtNFR1bvatyOc7K0F5honfim6mLOQ6O2QxupyXvkt2Rw/s1600-h/IMG_1843.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkVxTRmri4mgyk-8tNCS5IuFYbY4okbvVp3IJCG18BFAHWkfi3I99pDQut07jm0L46AUxAwMdUOSY9QotDC6Z8Vc5_ZTtNFR1bvatyOc7K0F5honfim6mLOQ6O2QxupyXvkt2Rw/s320/IMG_1843.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><p align="center">Lauri Webber and son Jeffrey came up to visit us on the North Shore. We planned a tasty Singletrack all you could eat MTB BUFFET !!</p><br /><p align="center">Breakfast: Beverly Farms</p><br /><p align="center">2nd Breakfast: Gordon College</p><br /><p align="center">Lunch: Manchester Woods -Grassy Woods</p><br /><p align="center">Afternoon snack: Mill Street to West Gloucester full of rocks, roots, singletrack, thunder and lightning and torrental rain !! Train track crossing, closed stores and a lot of road riding int he rain brought us back to N. Beverly !!</p><br /><p align="center">crew: mtb tom leads (w/ special k as "trail selection consultant" )</p><br /><p align="center">reenie, iglebike, lwebb, jeb, north shore andy<br /></p><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdYIsron7jX58VdxpK3zPmpPthspXNp4qq4vwTCpd8k05Pf-XOdSFsD92pXzTpZuu_-urDxHk5N47fYKflzFpUpHlvl2fr_jNMN9_QnT15i7hTK7_e_C04vuDd9v_tDy_99ZQZg/s1600-h/IMG_1842.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdYIsron7jX58VdxpK3zPmpPthspXNp4qq4vwTCpd8k05Pf-XOdSFsD92pXzTpZuu_-urDxHk5N47fYKflzFpUpHlvl2fr_jNMN9_QnT15i7hTK7_e_C04vuDd9v_tDy_99ZQZg/s320/IMG_1842.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbU_mlfP2G0eHm7Py6g6CmSEVWz4zw2s78OLEQVp4py_rEt9m3u4NqAzEQ0z_UlsK9UR037llyo0kJDQY-uXgjoSzjkKIssMlnRagWYrGWG9pbVQed7PmYy5E4LuwyuwSXjIIohg/s1600-h/IMG_1845.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbU_mlfP2G0eHm7Py6g6CmSEVWz4zw2s78OLEQVp4py_rEt9m3u4NqAzEQ0z_UlsK9UR037llyo0kJDQY-uXgjoSzjkKIssMlnRagWYrGWG9pbVQed7PmYy5E4LuwyuwSXjIIohg/s320/IMG_1845.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Former tenant under my shed agrees to relocation near the Ancient Line.</div></div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-58761388176013166682008-07-28T12:56:00.001-04:002008-12-11T16:51:42.874-05:00Hup invades Milwaukee 2008<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJWktj6lmQuwtLp8SHfJGYn6C4Iazq8sFDDTgu7mqqunhRGj7oMj7UFybgxthf6386dc1SnR9OQMT7PooyETL-Flm1771uZfC-lOVXXHI10vbLnve-JmhQ8t5626XShmaVBnXGw/s1600-h/Zank_atwork.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJWktj6lmQuwtLp8SHfJGYn6C4Iazq8sFDDTgu7mqqunhRGj7oMj7UFybgxthf6386dc1SnR9OQMT7PooyETL-Flm1771uZfC-lOVXXHI10vbLnve-JmhQ8t5626XShmaVBnXGw/s320/Zank_atwork.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">New Belgium loses two of its finest for a year ! </p><p align="center">Good luck to Rebecca and Zank as they head out ont he open road to Milwaukee for Mrs Z's fellowship in the great mid-west (don't worry <a href="http://www.zanconato.com/">Zank </a>returns in Aug to finish building bikes). </p><p align="center">Rebecca will be aceing her board exams next monday (8-4) as I start my new job in Cambridge !</p><p align="center">We are going to miss you guys !!!!!!!!</p><p align="center">Hopefully Wisconsin cross is ready for the invasion.<br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfG-c9ei8AbfUUNJprOkEGIoWTkh3HO2bKCE8SKDxY28OAsGvrVNRluViXsI_N7KFFLR1ZYagzNKWOkRBZ-EVqbHWm-bW3MhPr6NDqSy_mGo06TvAFL8q9h1IKOBL_OQ5V5YyyEA/s1600-h/IMG_1809.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfG-c9ei8AbfUUNJprOkEGIoWTkh3HO2bKCE8SKDxY28OAsGvrVNRluViXsI_N7KFFLR1ZYagzNKWOkRBZ-EVqbHWm-bW3MhPr6NDqSy_mGo06TvAFL8q9h1IKOBL_OQ5V5YyyEA/s320/IMG_1809.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Mrs Z, Zank and Matt</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">(Gloucester, MA road ride July 2008)</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> </div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-66282127768694975592008-07-24T22:30:00.005-04:002008-07-27T09:56:14.051-04:00bike questions..Sent to me by the <a href="http://iamchunkymonkey.blogspot.com/">Chunky Monkey</a>,<br /><br />so I will make an effort here to respond..<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>If you could have any one — and only one — bike in the world, what would it be?</strong><br /><br />I would select my <a href="http://www.ifbikes.com/">Indy Fab </a>29'er from Jan-Aug and my <a href="http://zanconato.com/">Zanconato </a>cross bike from Sept-Dec.<br />I reserve the right to have as many tires as I want since depending on conditions !!<br /><br /><br /><strong>Do you already have that coveted dream bike? If so, is it everything you hoped it would be? If not, are you working toward getting it? If you’re not working toward getting it, why not?</strong> yes, I happy with the bikes I currently own. I am working on building up a pit bike for cross which I could have used last Dec out in Kansas.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>If you had to choose one - and only one - bike route to do every day for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why ?</strong> I would make up a monster loop consisting of State College PA Stoopid 50 trails mixed with SSWC05 course. It is unlikely I could do this every day for the rest of my life and still have a job (or life since I would be out riding all the time).<br /><br /><br /><strong>Do you ride both road and mountain bikes? If both, which do you prefer and why? If only one or the other, why are you so narrow minded? </strong>Mountain bike and cross mostly. I am not narrow minded, it's more fun riding on wider tires.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Have you ever ridden a recumbent? If so, why? If not, describe the circumstances under which you would ride a recumbent.</strong> No, there are no circumstances I can see myself riding a recumbent bike.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Have you ever raced a triathlon? If so, have you also ever tried strangling yourself with dental floss?</strong> I have raced some duathlons (mt bike + trail run) but not a trialthon. I don't see myself wanting to do a triathon unless it is an off road one.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Suppose you were forced to either give up ice cream or bicycles for the rest of your life. Which would you give up, and why?</strong> Ice cream<br /><br /><br /><strong>What is a question you think this questionnaire should have asked, but has not? Also, answer it.The better question would be "what would you give up your bicycle for?" </strong>I can't imagine I would ever be forced to totally give up riding bikes unless I was physically unable to, in which case I would figure out something I could take up instead.<br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Can you conceive cycling without racing? </strong>Races can be fun, but I also enjoy rides a lot too. Racing is great to have for goals and for some competition (like cross), but in the end it's about having some fun, pushing yourself and hanging with people you enjoy.<br /><br /><br /><strong>You’re riding your bike in the wilderness (if you’re a roadie, you’re on a road, but otherwise the surroundings are quite wilderness-like) and you see a bear. The bear sees you. What do you do?</strong> I usually slow down or stop let the bear run away. I haven't encountered any bears yet that were charging towards me (1 in Canada , 2-3 in PA)van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-6276399162323253662008-07-22T00:56:00.002-04:002008-12-11T16:51:43.310-05:00NE Cross starts Aug 24th !<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFruewot9b2rvkHhvSccUhf7MvwjPhEBpjE9SeIUsufud3WwZctpotlWIKKr8qGtkU_DaiLHXxDwm0usVJ2VofSoI0ZE6AQ2V7Xb0E1Ac2U6ChwTf2jBftHQpCQ8iepjRI_z9yyA/s1600-h/IMG_1154.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFruewot9b2rvkHhvSccUhf7MvwjPhEBpjE9SeIUsufud3WwZctpotlWIKKr8qGtkU_DaiLHXxDwm0usVJ2VofSoI0ZE6AQ2V7Xb0E1Ac2U6ChwTf2jBftHQpCQ8iepjRI_z9yyA/s320/IMG_1154.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Good news...</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">looks like my new big pro cross contract for fall season is ON !!!</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">secret hup training begins in earnest in the nether northen regions of Boston.</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=6456">first race is Aug 24th </a> (gulp !)</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">the hup squad will also be fine tuning themselves in the 24 hours of Great Glen..</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">AUG 9-10th Gorham NH</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">details to be revealed shortly !!!!!!!!!!!</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">hup.hup</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"> </div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-44739744279482323252008-07-22T00:33:00.001-04:002008-12-11T16:51:43.717-05:00Good Luck Andy !!!<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gRZxLEmc18xqfAyNEkpA1zRMD2q0mXZFG0htu4zKp5iOgXkQPBD3ZTUWDEGGkSOuOpYRyk5rLHCXPPpgystDCZpPKJ2Tlg93e1ofc6o-azl4Okj-3TCVwNon3-ovODugtrJGCg/s1600-h/IMG_1774.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gRZxLEmc18xqfAyNEkpA1zRMD2q0mXZFG0htu4zKp5iOgXkQPBD3ZTUWDEGGkSOuOpYRyk5rLHCXPPpgystDCZpPKJ2Tlg93e1ofc6o-azl4Okj-3TCVwNon3-ovODugtrJGCg/s400/IMG_1774.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p>Good Luck to <a href="http://andysanidas.blogspot.com/2008/07/colorado-trail.html">my crazy neighbor Andy </a> , as he starts riding the entire Colorado trail with <a href="http://www.whittingham.blogspot.com/">JeffW</a>, Glen and Tim tomorrow july 22 !! Follow their progress on a site <a href="http://cruz.media.mit.edu/tomblog.nsf/">mtb tom </a>set up for them to post updates on route here: <a href="http://cruz.media.mit.edu/ctr.nsf/ctr">http://cruz.media.mit.edu/ctr.nsf/ctr</a></p><p><br /> </p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyn-8KGgvdrIxXvvxqCV0kHvw2JG6b2G-jcMoKlptvanWScolaUrVXXmdlojj300QCSP-DOLdAgFJuhgblWFWpW9tFDYUvvkOY0xVo0EC88usSH5GiH30Gq2KDx3Zf3chyLgXrVw/s1600-h/IMG_1775.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyn-8KGgvdrIxXvvxqCV0kHvw2JG6b2G-jcMoKlptvanWScolaUrVXXmdlojj300QCSP-DOLdAgFJuhgblWFWpW9tFDYUvvkOY0xVo0EC88usSH5GiH30Gq2KDx3Zf3chyLgXrVw/s400/IMG_1775.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p>Andy's <a href="http://www.iglebike.com/">Igleheart </a>29'er will be put to the test on 500+ miles of colorado trail riding !!<br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSuS7HO6B4lbhg5W01ybS5T0mF2HLw4yMAlsWa8TbRSH4DuWA7R3DrrnQ-ZM1CZMjhnyi1vw1CNMM03gEHViAC8_xC78tqFRhiQe6nf0R2qkLSzwcg0hb-Zm2kxuCirrwHFKgww/s1600-h/IMG_1776.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSuS7HO6B4lbhg5W01ybS5T0mF2HLw4yMAlsWa8TbRSH4DuWA7R3DrrnQ-ZM1CZMjhnyi1vw1CNMM03gEHViAC8_xC78tqFRhiQe6nf0R2qkLSzwcg0hb-Zm2kxuCirrwHFKgww/s400/IMG_1776.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-30184863764169200092008-06-17T19:18:00.005-04:002008-12-11T16:51:44.607-05:00Lumberjack 100<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKXk02e1LzSNlInt03-6065NsJw5RdLGymCckRsZ13Ge1bfqPrJ8v_a-h1SQvO1u-Ncl5oJeZXdRDDyjlMgrs0HUpMXngTCcQqBN-7NhDgYUQSXVgRXeJFeX44O7A8GGQwQ6zhA/s1600-h/TR_lumberjack.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKXk02e1LzSNlInt03-6065NsJw5RdLGymCckRsZ13Ge1bfqPrJ8v_a-h1SQvO1u-Ncl5oJeZXdRDDyjlMgrs0HUpMXngTCcQqBN-7NhDgYUQSXVgRXeJFeX44O7A8GGQwQ6zhA/s400/TR_lumberjack.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Reenie and Mtb Tom head out from road start towards the trails for a long day of singletrack riding.<br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><a href="http://cruz.media.mit.edu/tomblog.nsf/archive/20080615-1002%20PM?OpenDocument&count=-1">Read Toms recap of race and pictures here</a></span>.<br /></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcDigeyXK4XuFajFbNUk08GSMtki7ewa7BT7XoGOnCfZFWWLHnMMRzwt0HzmClXv2TJsZWL7xT_2dWV4MSQ9l6GqM3nk9IYHKG4HnnkeMSndD0J52M9AuclASxgSpVoagwqQ70A/s1600-h/KC_Lumberjack1.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcDigeyXK4XuFajFbNUk08GSMtki7ewa7BT7XoGOnCfZFWWLHnMMRzwt0HzmClXv2TJsZWL7xT_2dWV4MSQ9l6GqM3nk9IYHKG4HnnkeMSndD0J52M9AuclASxgSpVoagwqQ70A/s400/KC_Lumberjack1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Headed up the sandy hike a bike section with the crowds of lap one while gasping for air.</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nhRRwbCi4L17FS1SF_xXZwSQECbWaEmGB7Lesx2fTEWrVNSBcePUcoTI-ST-2dpbbeCq9t2xQ92vstBjhzgq8ZnWo3P8EB3eGGLn1Gki7haDFPP4wJlllOKZfKfSQwr1giMjCQ/s1600-h/Harlan_LJ.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nhRRwbCi4L17FS1SF_xXZwSQECbWaEmGB7Lesx2fTEWrVNSBcePUcoTI-ST-2dpbbeCq9t2xQ92vstBjhzgq8ZnWo3P8EB3eGGLn1Gki7haDFPP4wJlllOKZfKfSQwr1giMjCQ/s400/Harlan_LJ.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Harlan made some great attacks during the race and placed third.</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IfJIMpxK1CDnGnh0QNZ3Zj_YSE1Gln1ewkTCY5kMjhu0PUAeNqaw7agU8M6m4pkUcyKq3U2yZC5yU9Zpae-XaB1LlbkpFtJCkXIXtdBkHQnhfX_CZKQJ6d7jZw8FJz3whuW7oA/s1600-h/Reenie_LJ.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IfJIMpxK1CDnGnh0QNZ3Zj_YSE1Gln1ewkTCY5kMjhu0PUAeNqaw7agU8M6m4pkUcyKq3U2yZC5yU9Zpae-XaB1LlbkpFtJCkXIXtdBkHQnhfX_CZKQJ6d7jZw8FJz3whuW7oA/s400/Reenie_LJ.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://reeniecg.wordpress.com/">Reenie </a>got this nifty prize for womens ss.</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">It comes in handy as a weapon or if she needs to chop a tree down.</div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"></div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">What's been going on ??</span><br /></div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left">well, I went on a "blogging hiatus" to attend to some other things (exciting news to come soon..), but since then I went to Leesburg Virginia for Bakers Dozen 13 Hour relay race (super fun with Adrianne and Kristin), then out to Ohio to the Mohican for the 100k May 31st. Mohican was quite muddy with lots of singletrack. My bike totally rocked and I took advantage of the muddy conditions with great tire selection, good bike handling skills and a bottle of chainlube !</div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left">Last Thursday, Karen (a friend of Zank's) and I took off on I-90 towards Michigan through Ontario in my car. We arrived in Michigan in the afternoon and checked into our great lodgings (found by <a href="http://reeniecg.wordpress.com/">Reenie</a>). I got a chance to see Churtle and meet Danielle and her husband, who had been were staying together with <a href="http://daniellemusto.blogspot.com/">Namrita</a> and Eddie. I also saw Debi, <a href="http://boxedbee.blogspot.com/">Harlan</a>'s mom, what a nice surprise. Enough folks to make it not feel so far away.</div><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left">After pre-riding part of the 8 mile "inner loop", we went back and got ready for dinner at the Lumberjack Lodge for some local fare before some sleep. Wake at 5 for the 7 am start. I got to meet Doez and two other <a href="http://www.hupunited.blogspot.com/">Hup United brothers</a> before the start. They sent us 1-2 miles down the paved road to start so there would be some sorting out before the singletrack.</div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left">Singletrack. The whole 25 mile course was almost 100% smooth singletrack. Imagine Lodi Farms VA with more trees, Big Bear WV with no rocks, Lewistown Contingent PA with no rocks, Otis with no rocks and less sand. Green ferns everywhere, pine and leafy trees with perfect sunny breezy weather. A couple sections were flooded out from the 7-9 inches of rain that fell Thursday night and some trees were down, that even walking through one part with water up to my knees just made the race more epic.</div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left">Lap one usually feels the worse with the crowds of people. I ended my first lap in just under 3 hrs, so I was looking at 11:30-12 hr finishing time. Lap two to the last third of lap three I felt great. Then I started to get more tired and had a slight cramp on my left inner thigh during a short granny gear steep climb. I managed to work it out quickly, but had to make haste to get to finish before the 4:3o cutoff.</div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left">The last lap was not my favorite, but I made it to the middle aid station and took some ibuprofen for my lower back (which was a little achy from all the constant pedalling). I loved the course, but after 4 laps, I felt ready to end the love fest with the 100 miles of singletrack. Getting in by 12:47. They gave me a patch for finishing and I could hardly contain myself. </div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left">Reenie ended up 7th woman and only ss despite not feeling great the entire race. <a href="http://cruz.media.mit.edu/tomblog.nsf/archive/20080615-1002%20PM?OpenDocument&count=-1">Tom</a> had a much better outing than Mohican and Karen got 2nd woman.</div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><a href="http://boxedbee.blogspot.com/">Harlan</a> looked great when he and Jeff S zoomed by me on the second lap to finish in third. I also got passed by IF teammate Alex, who looked like he was finishing strong. Churtle had an awesome day out there and she seemed in a good zone when she cam eby. <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1934/865/1024/big%20bear%202013.jpg">It almost reminded me of her coming in after Elizabeths lap </a>at Big Bear making up almost all our teams lost time, the kind of stuff that inspires.</div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left">Sorry I missed the awards party, but my later finish, eating and cleaning up required some chilling out on the couch. Congrats to everyone out there racing and thanks to all the volunteers !! </div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"></div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left">2,000 miles later I'm home and feeling ok. Mohican and Lumberjack road trips and racing in two weeks and I'm still functioning !!</div><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: left" align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-77328491326339100082008-05-13T22:30:00.004-04:002008-05-14T23:33:27.422-04:00HERA Bike Gear Raffle at Granogue May 24th<div align="center">Hey gang:</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br />Here's your chance to raise some money for <a href="http://www.herafoundation.org/index.cfm">HERA Women's Cancer Foundation </a>and possibly win some great mountain bike related stuff at the ....<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=6087">Escape from Granogue Mt Bike Race MAY 24th </a></div><div align="center">to honor Andrew Mein</div><div align="center">Montchanin, Delaware</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Raffle tickets are being sold in advance via BikeReg.</div><br /><div align="center">You do not need to be present to win., </div><br /><div align="center">but come out and support <a href="http://fatmarc.blogspot.com/">Fat Marc's </a>most excellent race if you can !!!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">raffle info:</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=6529">http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=6529</a></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.ifbikes.com/">Independent Fabrication</a></div><div align="center">*custom 26" MTB Fork*</div><div align="center">(I have one of these magical handmade forks on my ss !!)</div><br /><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.mtntoruing.com/">Stoopid 50 Race #4 of MASS Endurance Series</a></div><div align="center">(another excellent race !!)</div><div align="center">*free entry*</div><br /><div align="center"><br />White Industries</div><div align="center">*ENO Freewheel*</div><div align="center">(these freewheels rock, I have three of them !)</div><br /><div align="center"><br />Gore Ride-On Bike Cables</div><div align="center">*Sealed Low Friction Derailleur* </div><div align="center">*Sealed Low Friction Brake Cables*</div><br /><div align="center"><br />Maxxis </div><div align="center">*Pair of Ignitor 29 X 2.1" tires*</div><br /><div align="center"><br />Hoss Technical Gear</div><div align="center">*Cycling clothing*</div><br /><div align="center"><br />Ride Your Bicycle</div><div align="center">*Clothing*</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">And much much more!!</div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-74106776449761860022008-04-16T20:35:00.002-04:002008-12-11T16:51:44.750-05:00The road and trail ahead<p style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnfT5zRnDFfP-o3VNKpmmuHFKv7kvoyooxxPMQn2iYFrl6mC9VsLflKr_ehvv-Cxt0v0IWeprByLf2AE5WvY2mwxnhXFU5I_Gnam23n1J_0aHaKa934R5zOnJ0tM5QJioz1PhFg/s1600-h/IMG_6217.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnfT5zRnDFfP-o3VNKpmmuHFKv7kvoyooxxPMQn2iYFrl6mC9VsLflKr_ehvv-Cxt0v0IWeprByLf2AE5WvY2mwxnhXFU5I_Gnam23n1J_0aHaKa934R5zOnJ0tM5QJioz1PhFg/s400/IMG_6217.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">Arghh please don't force me to ride this trail more than once !</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">This weekend I'm heading down again to Leesburg, VA for <a href="http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=5576">Bakers Dozen 13 hour mtb relay</a>. I will be joining two other women, Kristen Eddy and Adrianne O'Neal on the <a href="http://www.mtntoruing.com/">Shenandoah Mountain Touring</a> Bun Patrol in 3 person open. </p><p style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">The race is run by super rad Indy Fab dealership, <a href="http://www.plumgrovecyclery.com/">Plum Grove Cyclery</a>. </p><p style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Last year I did a team with <a href="http://www.fatmarc.blogspot.com/">Dr Doom </a>and Monkey and we all had a great time. The DccofD crew will be in the house with a bunch of teams. </p><p style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Good luck to all the folks heading to TN for Cohutta 100 miler !!!</p><p style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">time to pack..</p><p style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"> </p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"> </div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-49766936406072147992008-04-10T21:34:00.004-04:002008-12-11T16:51:45.120-05:00One dam thing after another<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTR-fB7ItFlf1d3erh04PzsYYaz8AAOLQf1FvQyhrzaRfeGV7rt-wvv74gbwABBdxULjJfyq5aPf95rjiEkAUbDMcPH0kpxtzHDgmsG0ldTRXjqVnqHNCJ6Yu4saWGyzaP1qfL6A/s1600-h/beavers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTR-fB7ItFlf1d3erh04PzsYYaz8AAOLQf1FvQyhrzaRfeGV7rt-wvv74gbwABBdxULjJfyq5aPf95rjiEkAUbDMcPH0kpxtzHDgmsG0ldTRXjqVnqHNCJ6Yu4saWGyzaP1qfL6A/s400/beavers.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><p align="center">What's been happening to the blog ? no posts for a while ..<br />Lots of being sick, working and secret training,</p><p align="center">I submit to you, </p><p align="center">our loyal readers of IF Chicks, </p><p align="center">a ride of eleven mtb riders. </p><p align="center">A mix of 26" and 29", rigid to 4-5" forks, hardtails to FS, gears and singlespeeds..9 boys and two girls...and one video camera:</p><p align="center"><a href="http://andysanidas.blogspot.com/2008/04/how-long-could-it-take.html">video evidence for your consideration</a></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; we: "></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; we: ">Lead by <a href="http://andysanidas.blogspot.com/">Andy</a> and <a href="http://cruz.media.mit.edu/tomblog.nsf">Mtb Tom</a>, we decided to go ride bikes from Andover to Hamilton on the Bay Circuit Trail system. This 50+mile event too place on a raw, rainy, muddy day beginning around 9:30am and would end 9 hours later at the cars in Hamilton. </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; we: ">The biggest challenges were flooded out sections, traversing beaver dams, slimy broken plank crossings, mud, cold raw wind, numb feet for hours and tired legs by the seventh hour of being outside. The reward was that wonderful feeling of getting back in a warm shower and meal, after a solid day of riding. Also gratitude, I made it through the day without flipping off one of those slippery boards into the dark murky water.</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; we: "></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; we: ">Thanks to everyone for an awesome day and Andy & Tom for keeping us on course !</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"></div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-11144005229288565432008-03-16T21:18:00.002-04:002008-12-11T16:51:45.650-05:00Time in the Woods<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LxhoWzOSf-m3KcQg_V8sppFZKyfm10-uRcH0MASTyNncN7ZRxsg8tOjrN_o-aWvJ2RFwec-WgfnitK69xjwgYs65qq74tGbqDUKCo3hFwDk_R9jNm4KRBL3H6l068XbxjJHJpA/s1600-h/IMG_1731.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LxhoWzOSf-m3KcQg_V8sppFZKyfm10-uRcH0MASTyNncN7ZRxsg8tOjrN_o-aWvJ2RFwec-WgfnitK69xjwgYs65qq74tGbqDUKCo3hFwDk_R9jNm4KRBL3H6l068XbxjJHJpA/s400/IMG_1731.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Sunday ride from home started off as a solo mission with the ipod. The trails were damp from the snow and rain we had on sat, but the proper selection of route avoided mud. All the moisture lately has really brought out the beauty of the underrated colors of the woods such as the lichens and moss.</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSGeGaEtvyOjJalr3isyNSnExdDGwkFnrXYKOrpdFfSJRyGfwvjdFhAo2yUp2DI_ZIcRgnO9mEtkN8bciYItHhLACrHd82z_WpiKtxafBIZu85jNjlpz9xQfCaTXwGTMTp_IS_w/s1600-h/IMG_1729.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSGeGaEtvyOjJalr3isyNSnExdDGwkFnrXYKOrpdFfSJRyGfwvjdFhAo2yUp2DI_ZIcRgnO9mEtkN8bciYItHhLACrHd82z_WpiKtxafBIZu85jNjlpz9xQfCaTXwGTMTp_IS_w/s400/IMG_1729.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">We have a lot of rocks here in this part of Massachusetts. Its hard to imagine the people who made all the stone walls we pass on every ride, all the hard work involved.</div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg045TM_rSklqxgwxdLTu7jH0HHEJVHgcOMG1Km-LCFwaCp7JCwlu5CTjG3QYKSH3weBekJvuoZQehBYLGUAHGQ52uF0URogdFJ9qno-3trN3X1tjOfgfvaEXPVjKI7UCKHo3IxYw/s1600-h/IMG_1730.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg045TM_rSklqxgwxdLTu7jH0HHEJVHgcOMG1Km-LCFwaCp7JCwlu5CTjG3QYKSH3weBekJvuoZQehBYLGUAHGQ52uF0URogdFJ9qno-3trN3X1tjOfgfvaEXPVjKI7UCKHo3IxYw/s400/IMG_1730.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">After a couple hours on my own, I was ready to head back on the road but decided to check my voicemail. <a href="http://www.iglebike.com/">Christopher</a> was meeting <a href="http://andysanidas.blogspot.com/">Andy </a>and his squishy friends over on School St, so I met up with him and road over there. </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">The pace was rather fast over the Ancient Line, which was very slippery with wet rocks, roots and tons of leaves. We decided to part ways with the guys to let them play while we worked our way back over the other side of Ancient Line to Gordon. </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Near the path around the pond at Gordon we pick up a friendly lab named Puck who would not stop following us. It turns out he ran away from home and was running around getting into the water, mud and general doggie trouble. We phone Pucks home and secure him near the trail head gate before taking off toward the road to home. We had some light snow, but never rain which made staying warm easier.</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">The riding was fun and company along the way always makes things interesting. My couple hour ride plan turned into a 5.5 hr adventure enjoying the woods despite the weather.</div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-13496716414859593322008-03-03T21:19:00.004-05:002008-12-11T16:51:46.474-05:00SUNSUNSUN !!<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Ok, enough snow. We need a break from all the ice, slush and water this winter has brought. The battle cry from <a href="http://cruz.media.mit.edu/tomblog.nsf">Mtbtom</a> all week was "Yo, let's head to the Cape sunday and ride on some dirt"</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Dirt, sand, singletrack, sun, bikes and riders. This is the stuff that daydreams are made of. Nice flowing singletrack that you could ride for hours. This time of the year, it keeps a person honest in their delusional accessment of their fitness compared to back last season.</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCw7k1sDFWNAb3CqSvl8uBUTaF1_pPe944SvvaI2C-0F0XCWWbHP6mD4B_vkcj5OjLDR5VAIa7eNL6wHNE1ksnFIJd7bsQnOWYsgKWIYM1egBF8qYLqM5FY9t16ITb83Hq8rMTYw/s1600-h/IMG_1717.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCw7k1sDFWNAb3CqSvl8uBUTaF1_pPe944SvvaI2C-0F0XCWWbHP6mD4B_vkcj5OjLDR5VAIa7eNL6wHNE1ksnFIJd7bsQnOWYsgKWIYM1egBF8qYLqM5FY9t16ITb83Hq8rMTYw/s400/IMG_1717.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.jracycles.com/">JRA Brian</a> proclaimed the magic of protein shakes while riding along singing 80's tunes .</span></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Otis is the kind of fun place that seems easy due to minimal rocks and the climbs are never too long, but it can still kick your ass. Once out on a Mtbtom loop, you better be prepared for a few hours of twisting up and down though the pines, people will wait and regroup, but riding back alone is usually a recipe for getting lost. </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Would I survive my first ride down there for 2008 <a href="http://ifchicks.blogspot.com/2008/02/new-if-29er-for-2008-season.html">on my new 29'er </a>?</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Only one way to find out !<br /></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgabzkjQ6n026_J98Gzt87N62Yki6ZlYLaqB1ZNvnKQyq6_NaTdYq52y7Le0hnJJ1UTHwmfUiRNeVD7S44hFj7PbPhnAAZq-e3K5Yb0WsqFnxC7kSJIdKm71cNQP1aCNk_7avVw/s1600-h/IMG_1718.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgabzkjQ6n026_J98Gzt87N62Yki6ZlYLaqB1ZNvnKQyq6_NaTdYq52y7Le0hnJJ1UTHwmfUiRNeVD7S44hFj7PbPhnAAZq-e3K5Yb0WsqFnxC7kSJIdKm71cNQP1aCNk_7avVw/s400/IMG_1718.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></div><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://reeniecg.wordpress.com/">Reenie </a>post-ride anticpating the trip to iHop as was everyone else.</span><br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSEM-GLUDnQ5FIKmw5v7Bo1VWH9lCrvecmw7FBaK1rwxFuq3HHC7AmkaYo7tZL5qTOU793KfiZjP28usvItuFMems-YbEIwVDqQZCZc11iBOxP9b4aYdPljFpwJgMEDd7B4d6NQ/s1600-h/IMG_1715.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSEM-GLUDnQ5FIKmw5v7Bo1VWH9lCrvecmw7FBaK1rwxFuq3HHC7AmkaYo7tZL5qTOU793KfiZjP28usvItuFMems-YbEIwVDqQZCZc11iBOxP9b4aYdPljFpwJgMEDd7B4d6NQ/s400/IMG_1715.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;">It's time for some Guiness !</span> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">Despite my lack of fitness right now, I did great with the new <a href="http://ifchicks.blogspot.com/2008/02/new-if-29er-for-2008-season.html">IF</a> on it's first trail testing. I had made a few minor adjustments to seat height and postion set up by Dave riding around the neighborhood on sat. Never needed to readjust anything during the 22 mile journey.</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">The bike felt like a good fit and I loved the way the 29'er climbs esp on the slow steeper parts. It seemed to be more forgiving of my March legs lack of snap by helping me keep going up all but the most steep grades where power to weight failed . I was pysched the new bike rocks on the first ride !</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="left">The rigid fork felt awesome and will get better once I play around with tire pressure (front tire is a 29" Specialized Pro 2.3", rear is 29" Bontrager Jones XR 2.20"). The rigid IF disc fork is esp nice for twisty singletrack and short uphill standing climbs (running Avid BB7 mech brakes).</div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fWFV8T5IjwBuVUcdAgs8mKud2CVemO_piOmfDxk6v-EqsKWL2NAHr-7GG5EOsgWptIPEzY4oPhsp7iMoHuTfPlH4JHLoHmYgCc_W0cVEvH-glUyjiUiG3OwAjLFptKRmdnrdnA/s1600-h/IMG_1720.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fWFV8T5IjwBuVUcdAgs8mKud2CVemO_piOmfDxk6v-EqsKWL2NAHr-7GG5EOsgWptIPEzY4oPhsp7iMoHuTfPlH4JHLoHmYgCc_W0cVEvH-glUyjiUiG3OwAjLFptKRmdnrdnA/s400/IMG_1720.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:85%;">THANKS Mtbtom !!</span></div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Our fearless leader, <a href="http://cruz.media.mit.edu/tomblog.nsf">Mtbtom,</a> who was riding like he was ready for 22 more miles after we got back to the cars. The ride did not seem overly competitive, until the post ride feed at iHop. </div><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://andysanidas.blogspot.com/">Andy </a>and Tom seemed to be one upping each other with food and drink making the waitress giggle..."I'll have a hot chocolate".."I'll have one too".. , " I want toast".."I want toast".. etc etc. Brian seemed to forget he wasn't that hungry after tasting his huge corned beef hash omelet, everyone was hungry after almost 5 hours out in the woods. Good Times.</div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11657197.post-80356230417628867102008-03-03T21:13:00.003-05:002008-12-11T16:51:47.228-05:00<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZH2stD7pjBY2LG5wFzvtE8z9j9bm7zLAvCtSM7xFYF3haZcMEo4DnkYUx_ebF6XoIjjkvCi-nGw1UUfMdrEzD90MhHtzK0EtR3U_U0dytrfE1nz1gNJnqZtHfxgcYqskxGvSjQ/s1600-h/IMG_1727.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZH2stD7pjBY2LG5wFzvtE8z9j9bm7zLAvCtSM7xFYF3haZcMEo4DnkYUx_ebF6XoIjjkvCi-nGw1UUfMdrEzD90MhHtzK0EtR3U_U0dytrfE1nz1gNJnqZtHfxgcYqskxGvSjQ/s400/IMG_1727.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">NS Andy sporting the new wool <a href="https://www.ewnr.com/site/dept_page.asp?id=42">Iglehoodie</a> (with amazing third eye),</span></p><p align="center">Thankfully <a href="http://andysanidas.blogspot.com/">Andy</a> offered to drive his car with heated seats and</p><p align="center"><a href="http://www.iglebike.com/"> Christopher</a> let me sit in the front.. one thing the Element does not have :(<br /></p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTTIVrTi0e7QGcQWgF6EL8xm71ob7krjdOqjg2Y9gWvsala6zymv2BR1OU-LXmuX-Q-PYJAN8ucei2wbTrNm3_BVbfdo_SbFtxqkvWBDz8pZWobG48-wrbswb-MksPYlK7SyX6Q/s1600-h/IMG_1723.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTTIVrTi0e7QGcQWgF6EL8xm71ob7krjdOqjg2Y9gWvsala6zymv2BR1OU-LXmuX-Q-PYJAN8ucei2wbTrNm3_BVbfdo_SbFtxqkvWBDz8pZWobG48-wrbswb-MksPYlK7SyX6Q/s400/IMG_1723.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">I didn't need my hand warmers after first hour of riding, so I added a layer to my feet.</p><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGYHA1NxrcWlLHQ0W0l2IbvBR2rlqdYdMm9rfioPoTdVhgB_WoNfydLneaA5YKCXF8fMSJx31hvn9M4swtmtpyVXI8JOtLAtlPQq5MB0oXhEZZXHgBFz80D4nHLROWnPWTFU3zA/s1600-h/IMG_1719.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGYHA1NxrcWlLHQ0W0l2IbvBR2rlqdYdMm9rfioPoTdVhgB_WoNfydLneaA5YKCXF8fMSJx31hvn9M4swtmtpyVXI8JOtLAtlPQq5MB0oXhEZZXHgBFz80D4nHLROWnPWTFU3zA/s400/IMG_1719.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">The Greene Fleet.</div>van den kombshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02144262396782034953noreply@blogger.com0