Update update update

For what? I don't know. Today the Niner EMD frame gets delivered. I will canabalize the Lenz to outfit this racing beast. The Lenz is hanging by a thread. It just doesn't fit right. So, what to do? Turn it into greater bike equity. I will sell for a premium and be able to buy this: http://www.transitionbikes.com/Covert.cfm
And this:
http://vassagocycles.com/fisty.html
With money to spare. It's nice to get industry discounts. I will not buy a bike mid season like I did last year. Too confusing to the body and too much time setting them up.

The Trek event went well. I didn't have to do much and it was cool meeting shop rats. They have a different take on riding especially in the flat midwest. They all ride 5"+ travel bikes and some of them have missing teeth. Where are they doing these tooth cracking activities? They all seem to like SRAM and appreciate an American (made in Taiwan) company. A lot of them don't buy our stuff b/c we don't give them a good enough deal. We can't hook up everyone so I'm not worried.

I drank a beer at the Hopleaf last night with my friend John. Belgian hops are pretty good.

Pmac

Critical Mass

Today I will ride for more bicycle transportation infrastructure. The last Friday of every month cyclists gather at Daley Plaza in downtown to take back the streets. It's just a big group riding together, which blocks cars and allows all to get through stop lights. Some end having confrontations with the police but most are fine just out there to stir up some awareness. This will be my first one and I am looking forward to it. What's funny is a lot of SRAM employees can't go b/c they need to stay after work for an event with a congressman who wants to promote cycling. If he wanted to promote cycling shouldn't he be at this ride getting media coverage? Oh well, it should be interesting.

This week at work has been tough. It hasn't been that exciting or dynamic so the days have just been draggin by. I need a changing environment to be at my best. There is only so much internet surfing I can do. Eventually the thrill of cyber waves passes me by.

A bright spot is coming this weekend. On Sunday night I am helping out with a sales presentation for Trek dealers. I will be able to meet shop guys in the area and talk about our road product. I also have my longest ride of the year planned on Sunday. Hopefully I will be able to get 3.5-4 hours in. My El Mariachi is all set up for it. Finally got a rear brake and light rear wheel on it.

PMAC

I gotta have it

I'm going crazy over here. I have all of a sudden switched to wanting to buy everything in sight. What will I be buying? more bikes. The Karate Monkey will be sold by friday which should leave me with a good chunk of change to get something else. The El Mariachi is great as a geared bike but I loved it as an SS. That's it I am buying a Niner EMD (pictured above) and changing the EM back to SS. I'll put a new Reba on the Niner and just ride the pedals off it. I am also going to get a road bike. Probably a CAAD 9. Then I will get a cross/commuter, probably a Vassago Fisitcuff. This is crazy.

I haven't been doing too well in the Tourney. Some of my picks have made it but none of my upsets came through. I'll just watch and drink beer. I met Kobe on Sunday. He's a good/smiley guy who must travel with a barber. He was all shaped up.

Pmac

It's time to dance

No, not move your feet and body to the rhythm of music. I am talking about leaving your blood on the court in March. March madness. My brackets are filled and I am looking forward to the games. I think I have Pittsburgh as a favorite this year. Digger Phelps was a big influence in that. We'll see if Temple or Umich can win a game. I like Missouri and Syracuse as underdogs. It will be interesting. A lot of parody in college bball this year.

Lenzsport

Here it is:

Reba Team w/20mm thru axle

Monarch 4.2

DT240s on Stan's Flow frt Arch rearAvid Juicy Ultimate levers w/Elixir R calipers, 185mm rotor in the front

Truvativ Team Stem/Carbon Post/Noir Race Riser

Noir SS crank

WTB Prowler 2.1 frt tire (tubeless)

WTB Nano 2.1 rear tire (tubeless)

WTB Laser V w/Ti rails

I went all out on this non-race 'fun' bike

Weighs in at about 24.5lbs, It rips.

Pmac

70+

It's going to be 70 degrees today. We are finally turning the corner. I hope this means I forget the horrible winter weather enough to not want to move away from this great city. I went swimming last night for about 45 minutes. I still have the stroke but was reminded how boring it is to look at the bottom of a pool for that amount of time. I will definitely try to ride around on the Lenz today. I also have to finish my Spanish homework which I haven't been too motivated to do lately. Training for the season to come has taken precedence. I only have so much focus in a day. Why am I blogging.....

Pmac

Parties, McPoyles, & a staring role

St. Pat's Day celebration this weekend. I went to a party on Sunday at an unknown location. Viv and I first went to Jaqueline's on Broadway for a shot, some beers and an education on Chicago mayoral corruption. I guess the parking police are ripping people off by only allowing some meters to have a half hour limit. People keep trying to add money before realizing time will not be increasing. Either way it was a good time there. At the house party I saw a man dressed in a bath robe just like the McPoyles on Always Sunny. I had many hard to explain laughs watching this guy.

I am now the main character in a documentary being shot by my friend John. It's mostly about bike commuting on Chicago's lakefront. It will be around 10 minutes. You gotta start somewhere.

I got in about 4.5 hours of riding in with nothing more than mild knee pain. It's seems to be getting better, slowly. The Lenz is almost all together. I will have to get pics up.

Pmac

On my feet

This week has been rough. I've had two PT session which have gone well but they are working me pretty good. I have also been on my feet most the day working in the repair center. I am feeling good but the legs are dieing a little. I also have gotten in about 5 hours of riding with plans for 5 more this weekend. Must...eat...more. I weighed myself on the scale at the gym I used to go to. I usually would never dip below 180 with clothes on. I came in at 174 yesterday with everything still in my pockets. Hopefully that means strength to weight ratio is improving? We'll see....

Pmac

Work weak? No work strong

I am in the ER this week. Not working on sick people but working on sick suspension forks. I am also looking forward to my first PT appt today. The knee is feeling better esp after warm up. I met Sanya Richards and Alan Webb this weekend. Both are olympic runners and Sanya won gold in Beijing. Wohoo!

pmac

Moving forward or is it backward

The meeting today worked out well. I met with our MTB PR manager. I proposed to him a "Special Agent" relationship with a frame builder/pro racer/journalist on the East Coast. We have very little regional prensence and I think it will benefit SRAM to be involved with this guy. I am looking foward to working with him.

So I should say moving backward? Time moves forward? When you think about it no it doesn't. Time moves backward. Every millisecond turns into the past. We are always creating more past. The future does not exist and is not infinite and yet the past keeps on getting bigger. We are constantly pushing backwards. So my question to you is, what kind of past do you want to create?

Pmac

I do business...

So, I started out today doing business. John Firak called to do some business. I told him I'm a business man and I was happy to do business with him. I scheduled a lunch business meeting tomorrow as a follow up to the business meeting I had today. The topic today was how we could do more business in an area we don't have as much business. This all actually means something but I can't say yet. I will update after tomorrow's business.

I am going to meet Bret today to see the new Friday the 13t. Sounds scary, probably is scary, and it should be fun. Finally a little warmer outside. Thinking of taking a decent ride. I set up the El Mariachi with some On-one Mary bars and new Juicy Ultimates. All that's left to do is get a new rear wheel and it's race ready. The Mary made much more comfortable than the standard flat bar I had set up. The 40 deg sweep makes for a very natural hand position.

It's been confirmed...

I have chrondomalacia in my right patella. Just some irritation under the knee cap b/c I have a weak ass. It's good to know for sure and it's an easy fix with some PT. The Dr I went to was great. Very attune to cycling related injuries. He even had coach's and PTs lined up for this kind of thing. Very professional.

Work today has been real busy. I am doing multiple things at once. Warm weather is on the horizon, literally. A high pressure front is just outside the city. Things are looking up up and awayy....

I'm back...

From the NAHMBS. It was a great show. People really love SRAM products and understand we are pushing the limits of the bike industry. I felt extremely motivated and was happy talking with all the dealers, consumers, and bike builders. One bike and builder in particular caught my eye. Thw OWB29er made by Jay De Jesus of Easter Wood Research: http://www.ewrbikes.com/. The guy is a pro DSer and just laid back and awesome to talk to. I think a purchase is in my near future....