Joe Know?

Plan B!

2011-09-04T13:47:00.001-07:00

I usually force my readers (you) to wade through some poorly written story before I provide you with any images, but today we are going to change that.

In case you haven't heard, Oregon is on-fire and we most definitely are not talking about college football (Ducks and Beavs). After a stretch of heat and dry weather there are multiple wildfires in Central Oregon and now Western Oregon (little did I know). Ky and I had planned to do a backpacking trip over the holiday weekend, but were both feeling a little worn thin, so I suggested a challenging hike up Cooper Spur (to Tie-in Rock not the Summit). As we made the turn South out of Hood River, it became clear to me that we needed a new Plan B. So we headed to Elk Meadow.

Elk Meadow was a tougher easy hike than I anticipated (about 6.5 miles RT and 3500' of climbing). Either way it felt good to stretch the legs and let Kona run loose on a safe trail (no precipices), he is still sleeping a day later.

The views of Mt Hood and the accompanying high alpine meadows were stupendous and since we were Southwest of the Mt Hood Fire, we even had blue skies.

After we finished hiking we headed back to Hood River (one of three places I would love to move to) and had a delicious lunch at Double Mountain Brewhouse and a Cupcake at a very unique street cart vendor. Checked out some shops and hit the wineries.

We were too busy enjoying ourselves in Hood River to take any photos, if you were wondering why you are still looking at photos from our hike. We visited the Phelps Creek and Marchesi wineries Ky enjoyed some good wine and I enjoyed some good snacks. I didn't feel like falling asleep on the drive back to Portland since I would be doing the driving.

Back in Portland we suffered through a lousy football game (see links above), but all in all had an excellent Saturday. Sunday has been a day of rest.

By The Way...Do you remember what I was up to a year ago?

Blog-Worthy Event

2011-08-28T14:15:00.000-07:00

Since I don't get around to blogging very often (it's been 5 months since my last post), right away you should recognize I am about to fill you in on something big. This time it is a mountain, the third highest in Oregon to specific, that's pretty big.

Let us start by stepping back a few months, I had overhead a couple co-workers talking about an annual "climb" of the South Sister (her name is Charity by the way). Since I have always enjoyed hiking and what-not I spoke up and asked if I could come on this years trip? I was told sure, just be ready, stragglers would be left behind.

Fast forward to last Monday, I see said co-worker in the hallway and ask what are the plans for the trip. I was planning on heading out Friday afternoon and meeting them at the trail head. Much to my disappointment, I was told just to get going when I was ready and we'd see each other on the mountain. He'd planned on hitting the trail around 7am. I quickly realized that unless I was climbing slow or he was going fast, the only time our path would cross would be as one ascended and the other descended. I told myself not to worry, there would be plenty of people on the trail to make friends with, so on-ward and up-ward.

The only time I had seen The Sisters, was from in-town in Bend and driving over McKenzie Pass. My mental image of the mountain, was not such a mountain, more a large hill. Even though the elevation is that of the third largest in Oregon at 10,358' (Hood 11,249' and Jefferson 10,497') I still didn't really comprehend it's size. That was until I drove over the top of Mount Bachelor to catch this first glimpse, from near where I would be starting my trek.

My first reaction was that I was not prepared to hike this mountain and that I was in store for a world of hurt. After the initial shock and awe wore off I proceeded to find a campsite at the nearby Devils Lake campground. After a bit of panic and a lot of searching, I found one of the last two remaining campsites that would not garner me a fine if a ranger strolled by. The site was worth the effort.

As with all trips, after unpacking I discovered I was missing something, hiking socks. So I ate my KFC in haste, washed it down with a cold beer, and got in my car for a 20mi drive back to Bend to buy some socks. Disaster adverted, I came back to camp, enjoyed a nice campfire, and hit the sack for an early start in the morning.

5:45 I awoke (15 mins later than I planned), cleared camp, ate a quick bite and hit the trail as fast as I could. Having not made the trail until a little before 7a I decided that I need to hike fast, I didn't want to hike the standard 5-6 hrs up and 3-4 hrs down. After the first mile there is little relief from the sun so I needed to get off the summit before it got real hot. So at a pace that set a pretty good sweat I started to climb. The first section is all forested and pretty steep, it is roughly 1 mile in length and a little over a 1200' of climbing. 45 minutes later I popped out of the forest and realized I had a long day ahead of me.

The first on-trail view of the mountain was a real gut checker, did I really have the stamina to get to the summit? Not only was it a long ways up, but it seemed a long ways away from where I was. After another half mile of hiking and not much elevation I was rewarded with a view of Mount Bachelor and Moraine Lake.

As I trucked on, I knew I was hiking at a good pace and making good time, ask anyone that has hiked with me, making good time and staying out in front of the "Boy Scouts" are very important to me. Today the boy scouts were the hoards of people on the trial behind me. About an hour and a half into the hike the trail pitched up again, this time for good.

As I really started to climb, I kept cognoscente of the ever ticking clock that is the sun and put the camera away. Somewhere around the 8000' elevation I took my next break for a quick bite to eat and a quick click of the Camera. Not having an altimeter or gps unit I relied on my previous study of the topo map and felt good about my progress. It seemed I was on track to hit the summit in less than 5 hours.

From here, the trail when from difficult to strenuous, not only was it steep but it was like hiking on quicksand. Every step you took would slide back down in an avalanche of shale and pumice sand. I could no longer see the summit, but I knew I was getting closer.

A thousand vertical feet later I knew I was just over 9000' and only 1300' from the summit. The sun was starting to shine, but it was only 10a, i was doing great. If I pushed hard I would make a four hour summit, which would put me on top and on my way down before the sun began to bake the slope.

After a false summit and a slog through some serious shale, I crossed the summit plateau (which is a crater that his been filled in with snow) and was rewarded with incredible views and the hardest earned, best tasting PBJ sandwich of my life.

Broken Top

Posing in front of the other two sisters.

The views were amazing, the descent was miserable. It took me 3 hours to cover the 6 mile, 5000' descent, only one hour less than it took to climb it.

Next year I have a few summits on the list: Mount Hood, Mount St Helens, and Mount Adams. I am hoping to make at least one if not two of those...

So Long and Thanks for all the Fish...

2011-03-14T16:17:00.000-07:00

Well sort of, I am leaving Portland, mostly. Sometime next month I will be starting a new job at Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB for short), my new position will be Staff Telecommunications Engineer. A little bit of my old, with a whole lot of new. The job will be engineering telecommunications systems supporting the Eugene Electrical grid (and more?). I don't know a lot about the job other than it will give me the opportunity to go back to working on my Professional Engineers license and utilize some of the things that I have learned over the last 7 years. I am super excited about the job and a little bummed about the location. Right now I am in the process of finding a cheap dog friendly apartment that is not over-run with tweakers and frat boys. The initial plan will be for me to spend Mon-Fri in Eugene (down on Monday home on Friday) with an occasional trip home in the middle of the week. The exact details of the plan are flexible, at this point in time Ky will not be leaving her job at Good Sam and we owe more than the house is worth so we won't be selling that anytime soon. Due to Ky's long hours at work, Kona will be joining me in Eugene.

Unfortunately logistically it is going to make bike road races impossible (for now), so I will still ride my bike as much as I can, but with less focus on training for long races. I still plan on doing Crits and Cyclocross (as much as possible). Since I don't know anyone in Eugene, I intend on spending a fair amount of time at the climbing gym and at the gym at work (or the fitness center at the appartment). So hopefully, I might get in better shape as a result of this.

And since you read all of this, now some photos.

My new office (which is also new)

Eugene, not quite the iconic skyline of Portland

The Local Inhabitants

Most Important, the Local Brewery. Ninkasi

Stepping Back

2011-01-30T21:20:00.001-08:00

It has been a few days since my last post, so I figure now would be a good time to step back and fill you good people of the cloud in on my happenings.

First off the good / exciting news, we have decided that it is time to add a second proper bed too our house and take advantage of the nearly 500 sq ft that is going mostly unused in our finished attic. So in order to do so, we purchased a new bed with a split queen box spring (to get up the stairs) and began to research our heating and cooling options. Unfortunately when they finished our attic they didn't decide to do any heating or cooling and they didn't add much for power. So after consulting the good people at Columbia Heating and Cooling, we are going to add forced air off our main system to the upstairs and an A/C system while we are at it. Yay, no more sweating out the blistering couple days off summer. I'll include photos when there is something to include photos of...

The not so good, I have regressed in my healing. Unfortunately I had developed a abscess underneath my scab from my recent surgery. The abscess reveled itself to me and my surgeon after a snowshoeing blister drained. Without giving all of the gory details, I will have an open wound in my ankle for a couple weeks and it is going to require nightly packing and redressing. Fortunate for me I have a lovely live in nurse to take care of those needs. Thanks Ky, I love you!

Going back to the holiday, with the end in sight I began to stretch my new climbing shoes while enjoying the bowl games from my new hammock.

Nurse Ky getting ready to perform her nightly surgery on me.

This blog post is brought to you by, KONA!

Perspective

2011-01-10T07:38:00.000-08:00

Perspective is a funny thing, sometimes you lose it and sometimes you find it, but it is always there. This weekend I regained some perspective, but before we go there lets step back 4 months.

48 hours after I broke my leg Mark from PMR came by my house to drop off my climbing gear that he graciously collected after assisting me off the mountain. In his visit he wanted to convey a message of patience to me. He told me a story of how he was nearly killed in a mountaineering accident on Mt McKinley (Denali) in Alaska. It took 24 hrs for rescue, months of surgery, and 5 years of rehab before he returned to life as we consider normal. As I sat there listening to him tell me to take my recovery one step at a time and stay positive I thought to myself, "this is a bit dramatic, I only broke my leg."

Six weeks into my recovery, lets call that the beginning of phase 2, I was ecstatic to begin modified walking with crutches (upon blog review, I was tired of my "situation"). None the less, I felt like I could see the light at the end of the tunnel, I was beginning to walk. It would only be a short time before I would be free of my cast and back to life as I knew it, or so I thought.

Halloween, Michael Scott post George Foreman Grill

A month or so later, I got the go ahead to ditch the boot and begin full on physical therapy. This is where perspective was lost. I had heard in the hospital that I would be laid up for a couple months and that it would take 6-8 weeks for my bones to heal. I emphasize that I "heard" this, I don't really know what the message was, but that is what I heard. Well as you can imagine, when I wasn't immediately up and running the day after I took the boot off I was a bit downtrodden.

Fast forward another six weeks; I just had a pin removed, my strength was returning, and I had a little more mobility in my ankle. However, I still couldn't walk Kona and it was still painful to stand for any prolonged period of time. I began to ask, what is the major malfunction here, I should have been 100% a while ago.

Phase 3 of my recovery started yesterday, I went for a bike ride; it was my first time on a bike in 4 months and it was the first team ride of the year. It was super important to me that I be there, I needed this to feel like I was making progress. I'm not sure how my surgeon would have felt about it since he wanted me to wear my boot for a couple weeks after taking the pin out for "extra protection". Well I couldn't go back to a boot, I tasted freedom and I like it.

Look close, I'm in there

My team gave me back my perspective; other than Drew nobody knew I was coming on the ride, they were surprised and excited to see me there. It had been quite a while since anyone had seen me and the resounding chorus was how remarkable it was that I was already back on my bike after such a serious trauma. After 25 miles I returned to my car and smiled as my comrades went for another lap around the island. I was exhausted but satisfied and furthermore I had realized I have come a long way over a short period of time.

Tonight, I walk Kona!

30!

2010-12-21T17:36:00.001-08:00

Check-up Check-in

2010-10-18T13:13:00.000-07:00

So today was the 6 week check-up. While my enthusiasm is waning the overall outlook is still good. Today I got the okay to progress to a modified walk putting 50% weight on the right leg while still using crutches for the next two weeks. Followed by one crutch for a week and then no crutches all while still wearing my storm trooper boot, for the next four weeks. Physical therapy is to commence to treat range of motion, rebuild strength, and hopefully cut down on the last bits of swelling.

The hard news, looks like it will be next spring before I am going to start returning to my "Normal" lifestyle, it's gonna be a hard winter.

And since I didn't have any photos to go along with this post, I provide you this instead.

X-Rays and Photos

2010-09-24T13:17:00.001-07:00

Everything takes just a little bit longer, or in some cases a lot bit longer. I had planned on posting these images last week sometime, but unfortunately I wasn't up for it yet. The good news is I am basically off my pain meds (Vicodin) with the occasional need for one or two in the evening to help with sleeping. I have gone back to work Mon-Thrs with the occasional missed day for a doctor's appointment and I have my next checkup the week after I go to Arizona for James' wedding. Ky and I have settled into a groove and for the most part Kona is doing what he can to not be a pain in the ass. It seems Kona understands that I am in a weakened state and he has decided not to exploit me for it. Now, what you really want, photos...

My broken leg, prior to any medical treatment. Trust me, the photo doesn't really do justice, my foot is basically hanging free bellow my leg bones. If it weren't for most of my ligaments remaining in place my foot would look more like a sock of quarters at that point.

The First x-ray showing the three breaks. Obviously my Fibula shouldn't overlap and my Tibia shouldn't be so far to the right and yes the bone bellow it is suppose to be part of it. The third less obvious part is the small rectangular bone bellow and to the right of the Tibia is called the Talus and should be rotated 90 degrees counter clockwise and part of the whole ankle, it's the inside of your ankle structure and is the obvious protrusion. Like I said the previous photo doesn't do justice to how out of wack everything is.

My new stainless steel plate along with 6 new screws that look like they came from home depot, but upon seeing the bill, they clearly did not. My Fibula is back to being a single bone and at full length. Rumor has it that my Doc had to enlist in help to get those bones back in place, apparently I have strong muscles in my leg, who'd figure that?

My repaired Tibia and Talus takes care of my Cankle (at least on the X-Ray). Note the three screws that again look like they came from Home Depot, but cost a whole lot more. I was very disappointed that they weren't titanium or that metal they used in Wolverine. One screw has fixed my Tibia to my Fibula to hold it in place as my ligament reattaches (this screw will be removed). The other two screws at the up and left angle will remain in place and currently hold my talus bone to the Tibia.

The splint that was on my leg for two weeks to allow for swelling to go down. This basically made it impossible for me to shower or take a bath, so Ky set me up with some over-sized towelettes that are used as a modern day sponge bath. However, she wouldn't put on the sexy nurse costume for the bath, so it wasn't quite what I was hoping for.

My new air-cast, still not allowed to walk on it (hence the crutches), but at least it is removable for showers and photos. Ky recently was given a shower chair for me (not pictured) so I can now take a shower on my own, something that is highly underrated.

The inside of my ankle 3 weeks after surgery, still very swollen, but healing nicely. The larger scab is from the abrasion on my ankle from when I fell (visible in the first photo). I am kind of surprised I still have a scab for that since it was really just a scrape, but I guess being in cast with other more important things to heal, that is gonna take a bit.

And the outside of my ankle, looks swollen, but otherwise good. If you enlarge the photo you can see the long incision on my leg where they inserted the plate and below where there seems to be a horizontal line we have the location where they inserted the very expensive stainless steel wood screw. If I chose to have it removed they will cut me back open there and screw it out, hopefully the Doc doesn't strip the head, cause I would hate for him to have to drill it out. But his name is Dr Pro, so I think he'll do just fine.

THE ACCIDENT!!!

2010-09-09T15:25:00.001-07:00

Sorry it has taken me a few days to get to writing this post, as you can imagine heavy narcotics do not make it super easy to focus a train of thought. Although, maybe some of you are wishing I wrote a post from deep inside the land of Morphine and Valium?

Since the number one question so far has always been, "What happened?", I'll focus this blog post there. Future posts will include the x-rays and recovery efforts.

Saturday morning I made an early start up Mount Hood to Frenches Dome, a volcanic uprising on the flanks of Mount Hood just bellow Lolo Pass. Frenches Dome is setup for what is known as sport climbing, whereas the climbing routes are setup with bolts every 10 to 12 feet. The lead climber (me) will clip one side of a quick draw into the bolt (two carabiners tied together with a short sling known as a dog bone) and then clip his rope into the other end of the quick draw. So as the leader goes, he will limit his fall to double the length of rope above the last bolt.

So the higher above a bolt you go, your fall would be double that distance. The added complexity, if you fall while you are pulling out rope to make the next clip you add one times that rope length to the distance of the fall. Falling while clipping is the most dangerous place you can fall while sport climbing and should be avoided at all costs.

So naturally, I fell while I was clipping into the 6th bolt placing me roughly 50-60 feet up the rock. However, since the bolt was at head height I was probably about 6 feet above the previous bolt with the added rope slack of about 4 feet to help with the clip , I fell 20-30 feet (the rope stretches up to 34% of the length of the rope out).

As I fell my right leg clip an outcropping of rock on the right side of my foot causing all of my energy to be transferred onto the left side of my ankle. Breaking my Fibula mid leg on the right, sheering my Tibia just above the ankle pushing it inward breaking off my Talus bone (the inside knuckle).

Once my fall came to a rest, help was requested by screaming to nearby climbing parties and I was lowered slowly to the ground. Once on the ground I was stabilized and assessed by a couple volunteers with PMR (Portland Mountain Rescue) and 9-1-1 was called for extraction and transport to a Portland Hospital (Providence Portland).

The ambulance team and the Reach and Treat (RAT) team arrived on scene together, drugged me with Morphine and Valium and put me in a specialized litter and took me down the mountain. By my estimates from time of impact till time of extraction I was on the ground for approximately 1 hour, pretty fast if you ask me.

My thanks goes out to everyone that assisted in my rescue, help keeping me calm and safe.

September Fitness Fun

2010-09-02T06:45:00.000-07:00

There is a pattern that seems to repeat, some years stronger, some years weaker. Unfortunately, this year the pattern has come back a little stronger than last. So what is this mystical magical pattern? Well it goes something like this; January I start training for crew or bike racing or whatever it has been for the last decade, I lose weight and get in great shape by late spring early summer, I carry that conditioning through the summer. Then in August I get tired and lazy, stop working out, and put on the lbs totally losing the conditioning I worked so hard for. By early October I realize what I have done and fight the losing battle until Thanksgiving and then all hell breaks loose in the form of holiday celebrations of pie and strong holiday beverages. The holidays clear and I repeat the following year.

So this year I am taking a different approach, even though August brought on the Lbs, hopefully I still have some conditioning left. My new approach is to make September a month of exercise, mixed exercise. It is my goal to get 30 mins of exercise EVERY DAY, not strenuous every day, just take Kona for a walk, go to the climbing gym, a nice jog, a bike race, whatever...

Also, I have started the 100 push-up workout. If you are not familiar, it is a 6 week push-up workout with an end goal of doing 100 straight push-ups on the last workout. I am partway through week one and I already have improved in my push-up ability and I am having fun with the workout. I am anxiously anticipating the completion of the 7 weeks to 50 pull-ups workout. I've never been able to do more than 5 straight pull-ups so 50 would be something amazing!

In other news, I am still looking for a new career, and wedding season is upon us. First up, Colorado...

Mt Adams Adventure

2010-08-22T17:16:00.001-07:00

It's been almost a year since the last time Ky and I went for a backpacking trip, so we decided it was about time to checkout the "Around the Mountain" trail around Mt Adams, it was spectacular. But like any worth while vacation, it was somewhat of an adventure.

Since we wouldn't be leaving work early to start our vacation I planned ahead and did all of the "packing" and route setting and the general what-nots. One of those typical things would be to figure out how to get to our destination. Since I knew where Mt Adams was and I knew where I wanted to car camp before the hike, I just grabbed the GPS coordinates and figured I would let the Garmin show us the best way there.

We grabbed a quick dinner, pizza and a strong beer (12% alc), at the Walking Man Brewery in Stevenson WA. With this little bit of beer in the system I blindly followed the GPS North, it wasn't until I saw my first sign for Cougar WA and an INCREDIBLE view of Mount St. Helens from way too close (sorry no photo) did I realize we were not taking a short-cut to Mt Adams.

"Fortunately" a fire closure stopped us before we got really off track, but the long and the short of the lesson was that we were going to be setting up our base camp in the dark. We decided our vacation was now Barker worthy and said oh well as we pulled off the side of the road and set up our camp.

The next morning was cold but not as cold as the following, and the weather was grim at first but it quickly improved. After 7 miles of hiking and one incredibly tired dog we struck camp at Horseshoe Meadow, ate some lunch and took a nap. More eating and napping along with fire and good times ensued before off to bed. As previously mentioned Sunday morning was terribly cold (high 30's) so we were very motivated to hit the trail back to the car, which was a good thing considering the angry storm that was quickly coming.

The hike was a blast and we saw some incredible views. So without anymore jiber-jaber the photos...

Setting camp by lantern

Early on the trail while we still had energy to smile. Mt Adams into the clouds over head.

A valley view of The Gorge and Mt Hood

Crossing one of many streams and waterfalls, all glacial run-off.

Ky showing Kona Mount St. Helens

One of the many different angles of Mt Adams

Our last resting spot before we got to camp, 1.5 miles to go

Horseshoe Meadow

Ky posing with Kona while he surveyed the surroundings

Vacation

2010-08-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

It seems I have been too busy to write any blog posts as of recent, well that or too bored to have anything worth writing that wouldn't come off as sarcastic and moody. Well the truth is probably a little bit of both. The weather has finally improved just in time for the tail end of the summer so Ky and I have been trying to make the best of it. We've done some boating, biking, traveling, walking, hiking, and a few other ings. The families have been in town, yup both Leinewebers and Bennetts. Up next will be more travel to far off places like Denver and Tucson with some backpacking and rock climbing thrown in for good measure. But until then a few select photos from the last month or so.

Kona and I head to a bike race

Ky came too

Ky played Nanny to Hazel while The Barkers and I raced, she got the better gig.

We had an incredible view from our loaner house

Later, at the beach we ate lots and lots of Crab

We took walks

Kona got to play chuck-it

It wore him out!

Kona watched Ky teach Yoga

She had a lot of students

I made Ice Cream Sandwiches from fresh cookies

Obligatory Family Photo at the Annual Pizza Feed

Attempt at being "Artistic"

Most recent, the Bennetts were in town for some Portland fun and Hiking (Punchbowl Falls)

Kona wouldn't cooperate for our family photo

Happy Anniversary

2010-08-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Here's to 3 wonderful years and many more to come!

(Last Day of our Honeymoon in Kauai)

Happy Anniversary, I love you!

Make it Stop

2010-06-02T08:08:00.001-07:00

As I sit at my desk surrounded by "more electronics than I kiss concert" I wax romantic about my jobs I held as a teenager. For those who haven't heard stories or didn't grow up with me I was fortunate to have a real job, not just a high school burger flipping summer job. I used to work construction, both as laborer and as an equipment operator. Both were fun and back breaking in their own special ways and both taught me some things. I'm not talking work hard stay in school life lessons either, I am talking I dropped the ball and got my ass handed to me lessons.

So why would I wax romantic, I enjoyed working with my hands and I enjoyed working outside under the hot sun. It was never cold and it was rarely wet, it was heaven in a weird way. If you've seen the end of Office Space, it was kind of like that "Fuck'n A". I can see how a High School graduate could justify skipping college and going straight to the work force.

So am I glad I didn't go that route, absolutely, the following picture explains why.

The rain this spring has been out of control, this is the first time since I have started living in Oregon full time (2002) that I have heard the lifers complaining about the copious rain. Last night I sat at my desk reading through some of my old blog posts from this time last year, it quickly dawned on me how nice we had it last spring. This time last year I was posting about tan lines and my numerous training rides out the gorge, how much I love Oregon.

Right now, I am ready to move back to AZ, hell, I even applied for job in San Antonio Texas. I hate Texas, I hate it even more than I hate New Mexico! So, if someone could turn off the rain before I do something stupid like move to TX or NM, I'd really appreciate it.

Tomorrow I head to Smith Rock for the day, it better be dry!

Incredible "Rock" with a Generic Name.

2010-05-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

It's a shame the Sheriff or the Soldier that Smith is named after (historians are unsure) didn't have a more inspiring name. For those who have never seen Smith Rock from in person up close, pictures do not do it justice. Furthermore, the view from the Hwy-97 does it even less justice. Smith rock is a place of incredible grandeur, similar to that of Crater Lake. If you haven't been, go, hike, savor it.

So why was I there, because Smith Rock is one of the premier sport climbing areas in the country and maybe even the world, I don't really know enough to make that call. The other reason I was there, was it was sunny outside of Portland and Brian had the day off.

Being mid-week I was able to climb all of the routes I wanted or could handle with minimal wait if any.

Morning Glory Wall, featuring 5-Gallon Buckets (the vertical line of holes to the left-center). The large huecos (naturally occurring holes in the rock, similar to acid pops in tile) made for an interesting climb unlike anything I've climbed before. Guide books tell you that if you get to climb without waiting, you should buy a lottery ticket that day, I guess I should have bought a lottery ticket. Brian tells me that in the hundred visits he has made to Smith, he has never been able to do that, I guess I am just lucky.

Brian rappels down to the belay ledge where I paitently wait for the rope to get to the bottom "Ginger Snap" a fun climb that provided a route to a more difficult climb with an incredibly freaky view ("Cry Baby").

All in all an incredible trip, I've already scheduled my return, this time with Ky.

Breaking Ground and the Law

2010-05-04T06:08:00.000-07:00

Sunday was a busy day for me, Mountain Bike Race, Rock Climbing, and Birthday Party, so many activities!

For the mountain biking I partook in my first ever cross country mountain bike race, which was actually the first time I have ever been mountain biking. That is not to say I have never been on a mountain bike, but it was the first time I have ever seen "Single Track". The race was a novel experience for me with 1700 ft of climbing on a 12 mile loop; it was the first time I was a better climber than most but a terrible going downhill with gravity. The mud was slippery and the hills were steep, but overall I felt like I gave it a good show taking 10th in the beginner class.

After returning from Blodgett, OR (near Corvallis) it was time time to meet up with the Barkers for some evening rock climbing. After much hmming and hawing it was decided that we would try out a crag in the Lake Oswego area, close to home but limited in size. As I was first to arrive I was unpleasantly surprised to see some clearly marked no trespassing / no rock climbing signs posted by the railroad. Cars hidden, ramifications discussed, we decided the signs were merely a waiver of liability by the railroad company. The rock was much better than anticipated, while limited, it was gratifying to climb 20 mins from home. No arrests were made, good times were had.

After returning home and feeding Kona, it was off to Bill's house to celebrate Greg's birthday and wish happy trails to Genevieve. Cake was had, songs were sung, and cheers sounded the room (no photos available at this time).

A day later it has been determined that were lucky to avoid imprisonment and or fines for our trespasses. Accompanied by the 21 mo old baby by the name of Hazel, I would like to see the officer that could have resisted her charms, I think it would have been a stern warning had the Lake'O PoPo found us.

This is What I Call Vacation

2010-04-21T07:02:00.000-07:00

As much as I work, I never seem to have a proper vacation, but that is probably due to the fact that most of my vacation days are spent one at a time for things such as bike races and family events (mostly weddings it seems). So it was due that I take a vacation day (just one) to do something other than fly to a wedding or race a bike, don't worry I am taking two days this coming weekend for the latter and multiple days next fall for the former.

What did I do, I hung out with some friends and partook in the things they love to do, things I had loved in my teenage years. Shoot guns and climb rocks! Granted when I was a teen shooting guns it was at boyscout camp and when I was climbing rocks it was indoors, however these were still things that I loved to do. The biggest reason I didn't do them more were; I didn't have a gun (nor should I have had one)and I spent too much time on the ice to spend any time on the rocks.

And for those in the crowd that are against guns, let me say this. Not everyone owns a gun for crime, hunting, or self defense. Some people own guns for the sheer enjoyment of shooting at inanimate targets. There is a skill to target shooting and I have tremendous respect for biathletes, if you haven't done any target shooting, maybe you should try it. I wont be joining the NRA, I wont ask you to either, and I probably wont ever own a gun. However, I will be happy to buy rounds for my friends guns (Barkers I will bring a box next time).

So without any further ado the pictures...

Our gracious hosts (special thanks to Eryn's mom for the cabin)

Top roping a fun 5.8 "Under Duress", yep "Duress" was the second pitch and a much harder 5.9

Ky shooting a gun for the first time ever, she was successful in taking down a Diet Coke can

The Windy City

2010-03-24T20:32:00.000-07:00

There is a reason they call it the windy city, it's windy, nothing clever just windy. Ky and I are back to Portland and back to work after our fabulous trip to visit the Martin family in their natural suburban habitat. Other than how windy it is there the other thing I learned about Chicago is that from a modestly high building (3-4 stories) you can see the horizon in any direction and there will be houses as far as the eye can see. Yup, it's suburbia by all definitions, including every chain restaurant man can think of.

So what did we do, pretty much everything. We experienced swings in weather from 70's and sunny to 30's with a side of blizzard. We walked the waterfront, went to the aquarium, took photos of Cloud Gate (a.k.a. The Bean), ate Chicago style deep dish pizza, got Chicago dogs, went to Lego Land, walked Navy Pier (really cold and windy), visited the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), and paid way too much for parking but accepted it.

So without any other words, here are some select photos. (More to Flickr eventually).

Mt Hood As we left Portland

Ky blowing out her birthday candles with my God Daughter, Charolette.

Ky doing her best Batman, next to Lego Batman

Chicago from 103 floors above the city

The Willis Tower observation boxes

Words can not describe stepping onto a sheet of glass 1000+ feet in the air

Abby says hello

Cloud Gate (a.k.a. The Bean) tourism photo

Oh yeah, we met Obama!

Sunset on Navy Pier

Still Blogging

2010-03-14T19:43:00.000-07:00

First off, I would like to thank our sponsors of today's blog entry, without Crown and Coke this blog probably wouldn't be getting written. Before you get your hopes up, let me clarify on the last statement, I am sipping on a nice adult beverage as a desert while I write this post, I am not as they say, "under the influence".

Yep, Crown Royal is truly the king of whiskeys!

So sponsorships out of the way, what have I been up to since I have returned from Arizona and why haven't I been sharing it with the people of the Internet. Well to be honest, I didn't do a whole lot at the end of February and March has started off in similar fashion. A little bit of bike riding, a bit more work, and lots of looking for a better suited job.

For the last two Sundays, I have been attempting to race my bike. Not super successful on the racing aspect, however still encouraging for the benchmarking of how my training has been paying out. Today was not what I call a good day, I was dropped off the back of the pack in frantic climb up Lee Hill. I blame a handful of things for this, but mostly I blame not enough time training intervals. Last week, was a much better result, still dropping off the back of the field but much further in the race when my legs had nothing left to give. So for your viewing pleasure a photo from last week, don't worry Mom, the scraggly beard is already gone.

So what's next, A trip to Chicago to visit Judy and the family, meet Charlotte, see Chicago for the first time (not counting from 30k feet), and celebrate Ky's birthday. Bellow I have included a photo of the famous "Bean" it's what some may call Art and I call really amazingly cool. A huge reflective metal bean with a blemish free surface, how did they do that?

As far as Ky's Birthday goes, the celebration has been underway for 14 days now, as one of her friends refers the month of March as Ky's jubilee month. Thus, she has been pampering Ky with little gifts and treats. I fear that by the end of the month a trip to Chicago is going to seem pale in comparison. I wont tell you how old Ky is, she probably doesn't want it published, but I will tell you that she is bring home chocolate cake from work (work celebration tonight) and that she was born in the same year as Abby. So without further ado...

A Funny Thing Happened...

2010-02-21T16:30:00.000-08:00

A funny thing happened today on our way to Multnomah Falls, not funny Ha Ha, but funny kind of weird. Anyone who rides out the Old Scenic Highway expects to have a mostly solitaire ride mixed in with a few Freds (club riders who don't realize they have no business on a race quality bike while wearing a Livestrong kit) and a couple cars every so often. On a glorious weekend such as this one, one would expect to have a moderate increase in cyclist and a little more than moderate increase in automobile traffic. Typically the imagery would be something along the lines as I have pictured bellow.

(Random person on a bike on the Scenic Highway)

Today, however, my riding companions and I were shocked to find ourselves in the middle of a Cat 1/2 friendly ride. It looked something more along like this...

(Cherry Pie Cat-3 Field, photo from Pat Malach of Oregon Cycling Action)

To say the least it was quite out of the ordinary to run into a couple dozen of the top riders from the Portland metro (including at least one local pro) having a friendly duke out on the highway. While we mixed in for a little while, we were more or less chauffeured to the back of the group and given the impression that we should stay more or less on the back where we wouldn't get in the way. While this may seem a bit strong, it is actually common procedure for visitors of a group ride to hang on the back out of the way. Either way we were thankful for the free draft, high speeds, and quick arrival to our destination. I must say it's refreshing to see how smoothly the top riders move in a tight group in comparison to the clown like carnage inducing hell that is cat-4 racing.

After a brief snack and arm stretch, we turned our bikes back towards Portland and began the slog back up to the top of Crown Point. Again to our pleasant surprise, we found ourselves feasting on another strange sight. A large caravan of Volkswagen Camper Vans and Buses along with some beautiful classics and some stranger less common vehicles. I think I counted around 20 VWs all worth taking a long glance at. Very Cool.

(Not from the group, but representative of what we saw)

Last but not least, I have had another job interview with similar results to the first one, no job offer. This one was with what I would consider to be my largest competitor in my current position.

While there was no job offer at the end of the interview, I was received very positively and I found out a couple weeks later, that shortly after my interview the position was put on hold due to "Business Needs." Typically when a job is put on hold due to business needs at large companies in the middle of interviews, it means there is a temporary hiring freeze. I have emailed with the job recruiter and she has indicated that she will be in touch with me once the freeze has been lifted so I am keeping a positive attitude on the mater and hoping for the best. So hopefully in the near future things will become Jobtastic!

It's Glorious!

2010-02-06T11:52:00.000-08:00

3 days in Tucson and I am thinking of moving back, not seriously, but it has been glorious. But, not everything is glorious, traffic is terrible here.

THANKS TO JOEL FOR THE CRAPPY PHOTO!

So far 3 days of riding in the sun with a little over 200 miles, 240 miles left to turn.

ROAD TRIP!

2010-01-30T16:30:00.001-08:00

It's hard to believe, but it has been almost two years since the last time Ky, Kona, and I went for what I would qualify as a road trip. Growing up in the middle seat of a minivan with a Dog, 3 siblings, 2 parents, and way more luggage than room taught me two things. 1. How to cram more crap in a small space than a clepto at a flea market. 2. How to deal with endless hours of boredom in Central California and Southern Arizona. After nearly a two year break, it's time to load up the SUV and head to the Southwest for some much needed sun and fun. The 23 hr, 1400 mile drive, will melt away in no time as it gets warmer and drier.

While the 10 day forecast is not perfect, even with a 30% chance of rain on our first full day down there, the average temp is going to be 15-20 degrees warmer with a lot fewer clouds.

For our drive down, Ky is ecstatic that we will be returning to Pea Soup Andersons, a truckstop/motel on the side of the road somewhere an hour South of Sacramento (for the last 86 years and counting). If you think I am being facetious about Ky looking forward to this, check out the photo from 2 years ago (sorry about the quality, camera phone).

Yep, a novelty head cut-out photo featuring the two "Mascots" of Split Pea Andersons; Pea-Wee and Hap-Pea. Kind of the Odd Couple of split pea soup. Since I was snapping the photo, I am not filling in the role of Hap-Pea in the photo.

Once in Tucson, Joel and Drew will be joining me for a daily bike ride and whatever shenanigans we can find.

We may visit a National Park, an underground cave system, head South of the border to Nogales Mexico, and if everyone behaves the world famous (I'm serious about world famous) Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. If there is time, we may even eat at the same Mexican restaurant (Mi Nidito) that President Clinton gorged himself at on a visit to The Old Pueblo. It's rumored that the tab was well over $100 ($8 for a burrito) for his meal alone, what is unclear, is who picked it up?

Ironically, in the 20ish years I lived in Tucson, I have only done one of those things on that list, I'll leave you to speculate as to what it is that I have done. At the end of each day we should be treated to a fabulous poolside sunset, even if we don't go in the pool.

Hasta La Vista, Baby!

A Tradition!

2010-01-17T20:03:00.000-08:00

Almost...For over a year now my Portland adaptive family of Drew, Joel, Matt, and I have been playing board games about once a month to make up for the fact that we no longer go "out drinking" anymore. The tradition actually started up as a monthly dinner club sans games but with a focus on rich foods and drinks, our waists and significant others deemed it unhealthy so we scaled back on the foods and added games. However, over time, the meals became more elaborate with each host trying to out do the previous host (without acknowledging it). Eventually game night became derailed once Drew offered up a surf and turf featuring lobster and fillet Mignon (just kidding, it was a rib eye).

Okay I am lying again, there was no surf & turf and it may not have even been Drew, but there was definitely an arms race of culinary superiority. I don't know who won, but our waist lines certainly suffered.

However, there is a happy ending, game night is back. This week we have included significant others as well as Dar, Kim, and Gregor, unfortunately Joel will not be available. Eight will be our largest game night yet, we look to play a game like Cranium or Trivial Pursuit.

Since Drew is hosting, he dealt out the assignments for the accouterments of the meal, I was told to bring a desert. So I present to you the last photo of a shot of espresso on this Blog (I promise) with the real desert strawberry shortcake.

However, since this was just a trial of the shortcake I baked, the strawberries and whip cream are missing. But don't you worry, they'll be there tomorrow.

Now that I have told you how great game night is, it is by the way, would you like to join us? We are now accepting applications for substitute players and cooks. Oh, and if you are good in the kitchen there is a point bonus on the application.

Smack Down!

2010-01-14T15:53:00.000-08:00

There isn't anything I could say that Mr. Olbermann didn't (that would be worth saying).

Well Said!

Pulling Shots

2010-01-08T20:20:00.001-08:00

Yes, I know, an off angle photo does not make it art. Unfortunately when I set this photo up I didn't take the time to make sure I got the subject mater on the vertical and horizontal axis, so we ended up with a set of espresso shots that look like they are falling off the edge of the earth. Or, at least what I think a couple of shots would look like if the world were flat and they were on their way over.

So now you ask, what is this "Pulling Shots" about? No, I haven't become a professional barista, even though I would probably enjoy that more than what I am doing right now, I have simply gotten my very first hobbyist espresso machine. Back in the day of Christmas 2005, I asked for an espresso machine from my parents for Christmas and in their infinite wisdom they got me your basic run of the mill Krups steam driven counter top machine. Basically a boiler that pushes hot water through a radiator and out into your espresso grounds. Good enough for making lattes and mochas. It's all I need or wanted and for a long time it sat on my counter top in my condo under utilized. It wasn't until recently that I took it to work with me and started up my newly discovered love of espresso. Quickly I discovered I can not make a decent Americano with a machine that produces no Crema. So I desired a new machine, asap.

Once again, my parents set me up with a timely Christmas gift, a new machine. This machine is a lot more sophisticated (and noisy), it uses a pump to create pressure to push the hot water through my grounds. Coupled with a quality coffee, I am able to pull a nice shot of espresso. So nice in fact, I am now just drinking 2 ounce espresso shots. Mmm Mmm Good!

If you've never had a plain shot of espresso, I highly recommend you come on over and I will set you up. Once you go pure espresso, I promise, you wont want to go back to Starbucks for your Triple Grande Caramel Mocha with Extra Whip. The added bonus, a shot is fraction of the calories so it keeps you on your new years resolution, for now.

BTW, I am off to a fabulous start on mine, -3 lbs.

New Year's Cliche

2009-12-31T14:10:00.000-08:00

Cliche: "Repeated regularly without thought or originality"

So rather than saying 'it', I am going to let you think about what the intent behind the message really is. So what will it mean for you in 2010?

The 2009 review goes as follows; I got a new bike, I rode my new bike a lot, Ky and I didn't kill each other or Kona (but probably would have like to at points...kill Kona), I hiked, I camped, I lost weight, I gained weight, I worked, I vacationed, and I remained more or less in the same overall place I began the year.

The 2010 preview, more of the same?

How about some Christmas Pictures:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Meh-rry Christmas

2009-12-25T05:37:00.000-08:00

Yes, it is time for the obligitory holiday post. So why the Meh, Bah Humbug? No nothing like that, it's just that while the world enjoys their Holiday mine has been put on a 24hr delay. So while I sit and make sure 40k customers can get their un-interuppted delivery of television, enjoy your eggnog and cookies, I'll be getting mine on tomorrow! So in the mean time enjoy a little holiday song.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Approaching the Next Decade

2009-12-22T17:00:00.000-08:00

Well in case you haven't heard, I am now 29, yep that old or young depending on how old you are. Age is a relative thing, looking back, at the last nine years which were primarily spent in the State of Oregon, a lot has changed to say the least. On my 20th Birthday I had just returned to AZ from a my first semester away at UP, I had not gotten involved with rowing or cycling yet, I thought that SE 79th was three quarters of the way to Mt Hood, I had not met Ky yet, I disliked Drew (in fact was not so secretly trying to poison him), Verizon had just formed 6 months earlier, and the internet bubble just burst. Yep, a lot has changed, so what will I be reflecting on in another ten years?

The Birthday cake complete with Happy Birthday Candles (German Chocolate cake from Helen Bernhard Bakery).

4.5 lbs worth of local Dungeness Crab for an early unofficial birthday dinner / treat (last week)

My plate, all of that crab is only about one quarter of the harvest, yes that is a dish of butter in the background. Bon Appetite!

Dancing Queen!

2009-12-17T18:53:00.000-08:00

Do you remember Thanksgiving, it was that holiday a while back that involved lots of eating delicious pie? Yeah, that one that you ate until you couldn't move and ate some more. Followed up by breakfast pie the next morning, yeah you've got it. So to throw a curve ball in the mix, our Thanksgiving included giving thanks to the Northern sport of ice hockey. The Portland Winter Hawks (Winner Winner Chicken Dinner) were in town (Kent, WA) to play a game against the Seattle Thunderbirds. Yes, they do like birds up here in the NW. Yes, I realize there really isn't a whole lot of thunder in the greater Seattle area. No, I do not know why the Seattle Thunderbirds play hockey in Kent, it seams silly to me too.

So as part of the night's program, they have have an impromptu dancing "Contest" for the fans. It consists of playing bad, 90's music, and putting the single ladies up on the JumboTron while they shake their rump. Speaking of the rump shaking, if you've seen Cameron Diaz doing her butt dance in Charlies Angles, I don't know you nor do I know why you were watching the piece of crap.

(See 0:50 to 1:15) That's approximately what Ky's dance entry was and yes she won (she wasn't in her underwear for the dance).

So here are the photos to document the event, thanks Alicia (or Sheesh as I like to call her).

Ky and her letter of Victory!

Ky posing with the Mascot of the rival Thunderbirds (don't worry the Hawks won that game).

And finally Ky performing the Macarena on the Zamboni as she took her Victory laps/prize.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T20:31:00.000-08:00

I present to you my first ever Pecan Pie, a tad more difficult than my traditional Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pies, but definitely worth the effort. I hope? It's been a while since my last posting on this blog, about a month, not much has happened. So long as you don't count being laid up with H1N1 a.k.a. The Swine Flu. Dah Dah Dahhhhhh!!!! It was pretty debilitating, in fact, I lost over ten pounds of body mass just from not being able to eat, pretty sweet diet if you ask me. One more swine flu and I can be at my winter goal weight. Who is feeling a little ill?

I am still job hunting like Steve Irwin looking for Crocks (still too soon?). I have made the transition from cyclocross back to the road and I am stoked about my Feburary trip to sunny Tucson for some winter cycle training or bike practice as Ky puts it. I am sure there will be more to follow about that at a later date, much more.

In the meantime I bake pies and hit the mountain. So for your enjoyment a few select shots from our recent trip snowshoeing on Mt Hood at the White River Canyon, it was gorgeous to say the least.

Kona shows off his newest gear, Mush Dog snow boots, no more cracked pads for Kona.

Ky and Kona do their thing.

Ky poses all so beautiful in the snow.

Like I said, it was gorgeous!

News Flash: I Win!

2009-10-27T09:31:00.000-07:00

If you throw enough darts you'll eventually hit the board and even a blind squirrel will sometimes find a nut. My Hockey team has won a game, second time actually, but I wasn't on the team for the first one. Some how, with a loaner goalie, we took on the top team in the league and took them in a overtime shootout. Some particulars of the game include my team scoring first and leading most of the game. I scored two solid goals (of four) I served two consecutive minor penalties both for tripping both on the same play. Our team was served up seven penalties to the other teams zero, one might say the refs were not on "our" side. I am zero for three on shoot out attempts.

In cyclocross news, I hate flat tires! After racing four Cross Crusade races, I have finished exactly one without dealing with a flat tire on some level. This week I was able to ride on my flat tire, but every corner I had to come to a complete stop unless I wanted to go superman over my handle bars when the tire rolled off of the rim.

So, now I begin my no whammy no whammy no whammy chant in hopes of making it through the Halloween double header in Astoria.

Look Ma I'm on TV

2009-10-21T12:42:00.000-07:00

In my on-going quest to be a mediocre overweight racer, I got some press. So without further ado, here is my second time on TV:

HERE

@ 1:42 and 2:09

GO CREAMSICLE!!!!

Another Week, Another Weak Game

2009-10-14T06:31:00.000-07:00

To say my return to hockey has not been successful is a bit of an understatement, my teams record since I started playing with them has been 0-4. My contributions to the team has been lousy play, a couple goals, and an assist. This is normally where I would insert a photo or two, but fortunate for you, I don't have any. It seems every week that I get slightly better, but we keep on losing, maybe next week we'll get lucky.

Cyclocross, on the other hand, has been going well. Last weekend in Rainier I took a solid 12th place out of 45 racers. With a little more determination and a bit of luck, I feel like I should be able to crack into the top 10. But until then here are a couple photos of my Creamsicle delightness.

Oh and I have shaved the beard, it's time to get aero!

Weekend Wrap Up

2009-10-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

The Crusade is underway!

Thanks to Jim at Oregon Bike Shop I have the above photo from the skilled photographers over at Oregon Velo. Probably the only photo that I don't look absolutely hideous in that orange sausage casing. I guess it is a little comforting that I am not the only one that looks hideous, actually more of us look terrible than look good. One astute spectator pointed out the striking similarity between our skin suits and Aquaman. I prefer to think of myself more as a giant creamsicle.

My Crusade result was mixed; I won the hole shot (sprinting to the front off of the start) and held a top twenty spot until the last lap where I hit a pot hole that was hidden in the grass. With the hit (aka a rim shot), I flatted both wheels and was required to run a couple hundred yards with my bike until I got to the pit and changed out my rear wheel (the front still had enough air). I ended up falling 6 spots, really 7 since I was about to pass someone before I hit the pothole, so I finished the day in 25th.

The biggest disappointed was the loss of finishing points, which grant you a "call up" in the upcoming races. However, all said and done 25th out of 60 isn't too bad. Next week I think the course will favor me, I have high hopes and have a nice climb out of the start to work through the field.

Tonight I play hockey and tomorrow I race the third blind date.

No Wammy No Wammy!

No, I haven't Forgotten you...

2009-10-02T11:20:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since my last posting, which seems to be the norm as of late. I am sure you don't really mind so much, I know you don't need to know what I had to eat for breakfast each morning as I ate it. I have been keeping busy and away from work as much as possible. Last weekend I finally came thourgh and took Ky (and friends) to the WA state fair in Puyallup. It is quite nice having a home base a few minutes away from the fairgrounds. No need to eat fried tweenkies for dinner, those are for lunch.

While at the fair I took some photographs, most of them came out in the meh category, but some are worth looking at here.

After reciving the invite to join a roller hockey team I decided sure why not, I used to be pretty good at the game and it's only 7 years since I last skated. The first game back I realized my gear was in pretty bad shape and I was in worse. In my first game I did little more than take up space and play a little bit of defense, with no offensive contribution what so ever. Somehow against all odds, we took the best team in the leauge to a shootout and I managed to wiff on my shot. We lost. In the second game, powered with new (to me) skates, I scored two goals (one disallowed after an early whistle) and we lost late in the game. My body is still hurting almost a week later, we'll see next week how things go.

Cyclecross is in full swing, we've done two night races and are starting the crusade this weekend. my results in a 140 man field have been around 35th place, so I am happy. More or less I am racing at a category above my crusade category. I have high hopes for the crusade, I'm bringing my B+ game, watchout!

I still need a new job, got one for me?

In the Name of Love

2009-09-25T11:27:00.000-07:00

The Things we do for love, Ky is often trying new things in order to spend more time with me and share my interests. So in reciprocation I occasionally will do things that she wants to do, occasionally. This summer I have been attending concerts with her that she is dying to see and I am not. It's not that I don't like the music that she is into, it's just I don't feel like spending a ton of cash on seeing a band that is better on a really good stereo, a lawn chair, a nice sunset, and a beer in the backyard. So last night we went to The Killers and endured three opening acts for 2 hours and 45 minutes to watch the Killers for 75 minutes. Seems a little skewed to me, the good news was that it was easy to be an arms length from the stage with minimal aggravation. A little bit different from the concerts I am more accustomed to attending (See Family Values Tour). The first opening band is so new, it was their first show and they don't have an online presence (nor should they). The second and third bands were much better, but I am yet to decide on how they had anything to do with The Killers such that they would open for them. Maybe you can figure it out, here is last night's line-up. I must warn you, even though the lead singer for the Mariachi band was stone and drunk, I like the music more and more each time I hear it. I think it could be part of next summers soundtrack.

Nervious Wreckords

Mariachi el Bronx

The Killers

Now, off to the fair!

13 Years!

2009-09-22T06:49:00.001-07:00

It's been thirteen years (aside from a trip to REI Seattle a couple years ago) since I have stepped into a harness, thrown on small uncomfortable shoes, chalked my hands, and put all four to the wall. So when the Bakers (NoPoGirl, BarkerNews, and Hazel) invited me and my family to come climbing I said absolutely, let me check with Ky.

Fastforward, I loaded Drew and Ky into the car and headed north for a glorious weekend.

As seen above, we were treated to an amaizing view of the South East side of Mt Rainier. It has taken me almost 10 years, but I finally got a photo worthy view of Mt Rainier. You would think a 14,000 ft mountain would be easy to get a photo of, well it's not, it likes to hide in clouds when I have had a camera and an angle. It took 3 years before I even knew that you could see Mt Rainier from I-5 South of Seattle.

Back to the climbing, here is Ky working her way up a nice and hard crack route, I don't care what the raiting was, crack climbs are hard. Especially for your first climb ever. Good work Ky!

Here I am, biting off more than I can chew after recieving enough peer pressure that I had to give it a go. It was a very successful weekend of climbing for me, I wasn't as bad as I thought I would be, but it still kicked my ass. There is a reason why you don't see 200 lb climbers on the cover of Outside Magazine.

Victory, our motley crew stands atop our final climb of the weekend, with wild fires burning the canyon nearby.

More photos available on Flickr

Last PotP Post, I Promise!

2009-09-14T23:02:00.000-07:00

Thanks to OBRA race director Kenji Sugahara you too can know what a cyclocross race looks like from outside and inside the action. This video is from later in the day in the master men's B race.

Enjoy!

Race Recap

2009-09-13T08:14:00.000-07:00

First off, watch this YouTube clip to set the mood...

Now take a look at these photos...

So what happened? It was Hot, Dry, and Dusty! I got tag teamed from in front and behind by a couple of dudes weighing in at over 200 lbs. I pulled a superman over my bike into the dirt when I hit a rut in the course. I felt like I was going to die for a solid 45mins. I took 3rd place in my category! I won a couple shirts, free coffee drinks, a medal, and a hat.

Good Times at Pain on the Peak!

Tomorrow's Forecast, Pain!

2009-09-11T11:50:00.000-07:00

Cyclocross is guaranteed to make you cry, sometimes it is a good cry like a painful race, sometimes it's a cry of a painful fall. Last night the legendary NoPoGirl and her squeeze Barker News both took their turn on the later of the cross cries. With Pain on the Peak coming up tomorrow, I am guaranteed to be in serious pain come 10am west coast time.

So here is a little reminder of what that S.O.B is all about.

Okay now say it with me, No wammy, No Wammy, No Wammy...

Ah the Weekend

2009-09-05T09:43:00.001-07:00

Well it's here again and after I blink it will be gone, the weekend. Not much on tap, I have finished another job application for BPA. The only thing longer than writing the suckers is waiting for all of the interns to read them and score you. I am five weeks into the first application without hearing anything, which is kind of a good thing. With BPA you only find out when you are dropped out of the bucket.

It's another rainy day, actually it's supposed to rain all weekend. While that makes me sad to say that my weekend plans are on hold now, I actually wish it would rain all week as well. You may ask why I would like it to rain all week, well that is because Saturday is the first cyclocross day of my year. Last year it was a somewhat dry event (see dust bowl).

Cyclocross should be mud, cowbells, and beer...not dust!

Much better!

Worth Waiting For

2009-08-27T22:41:00.000-07:00

It goes without saying, good things are worth waiting for. So with out much ado I present to you a couple select photos from my week at Neskowin and a link to the rest of the photos available on flickr.

Some amazing drift wood in front of Proposal Rock, keep in mind that log is a good 30' long and 10' high. The last day at the beach was completely fogged in, similar to the previous days, hot in Portland means cold at the beach.

Abby (a.k.a. Little A) playing fetch with Kona and Ky, he usually beat her to the ball, but she still loves "Puppy".

Jack trying to take "Aunt Kyween" swimming in cold salty water.

Sorry it took nearly a month to get the photos up, let me know if you would like anything in particular.

Around the Mountain and Back Again

2009-08-24T20:27:00.000-07:00

14 Miles of Beautiful Hell!

Ky, Drew, Kona, and I made a great decision to get out of town over the weekend and into the deep back country of the Mt Hood Wilderness. Unfortunately we were not the only ones (by far) to make that decision, but as soon as we got more than 3 miles past the trail head the Freds were dropped and the real backpackers started to shine.

All went well except for an altercation Kona had with a couple of Huskies and their clueless owner.

During one of many river crossings, Ky and Drew demonstrate the proper technique in rock surfing/checking.

Elk Cove, our final destination for the evening and probably one of the most beautiful views of Mt Hood that I have ever seen. After a hard weekend the team headed down the mountain back to the car and off to Sandy to have lunch at Calamity Jane's, home of gigantic hamburgers and milkshakes.

Many more photos available on Flickr.

Really?

2009-08-21T14:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I already posted today, but this is too unbelievable to wait until next week.

Please watch this Jack in the Box Commercial poking fun at Costco (and other big box stores).

Now for the truly pathetic part, what was supposed to be mockery, is really reality. Costco Offers different TV "Twin Packs" on their Costco.com website.

God Bless American Consumerism!

It's Been A While

2009-08-21T10:32:00.000-07:00

So I haven't had much to say lately, I am "sure" you have been checking for updates daily, sorry to keep you "hanging".

Since we have last spoke I won my first Prime (a prize given away to the leader at a mid point in a race).

As you can see it is a lovely Jersey coutesy of Intel, albeit a little small (congrats Ky you have a bike jersey now).

This weekend Ky, Drew, and I are heading out to Mt Hood to do some backpacking arround the Timberline Trail. Our destination will be Elk Cove, I should have some photos early next week.

Should be a blast, hopefully next year I will get a chance to do the whole loop arround the mountain. It's on my list of things to do before I leave Oregon (no, don't worry, there isn't anything and I mean anything indicating a departure).

On tap for next week, hopefully, will be my long awaited interview with Verizon Wireless.

Maybe this time you can wish me luck and will mean something.

To the Mountain!

Tuesday

2009-08-11T08:38:00.000-07:00

Meh. (did you know it is a word?)

Meh is about all I can say about Tuesday, it's not the first day of the week, it's certainly not the last day of the (work) week, it's not even hump day. It's Tuesday or forevermore it's Meh-day.

Last weekend was a change for me, it was a weekend for me and the rest of the working world, but I didn't have anything to do. I had a few things scheduled if I felt like following through, but for the most part I could do as I pleased. I have become so accustomed to having something dominate 75% of my time on any given day that I have forgotten that most people wander through weekends from one odd task to another.

Saturday I slept in, took Kona for a walk with Ky and got coffee and pastries. Drove to the nearby golf course to turn around when my playing partner canceled (lame), tooled around my house and did some work on my cross bike (yes the crusade is nearly here), and went to a family function. Sunday I had a 35 min crit, an awesome breakfast at Jam with Ky, an expensive shopping spree at the Nike employee store (thanks Legacy), and did some grociery shopping.

A ton more things done, but nothing signficant, I almost didn't even do my bike race.

In other news there is no news, I continue to look for jobs without getting anywhere. VZ is laying off another 8000 management employees in Nov, no worries about me, I am fine.

Meh.

Anniversary Wrap-up

2009-08-05T10:07:00.000-07:00

2 years have come and gone, now in our third year of marriage more of the same, hopefully. The first two years were a lot of fun with lots of good times. Now, some pictures from our two day celebration of the last two years.

Wine Tasting in the Hood River Valley

Late Evening at the View Point Inn B&B

Campaign "Dom Pierre" at Sunset

Hiking Up Beacon Rock

More photos available on Flickr

Happy Anniversary

2009-08-03T10:40:00.000-07:00

2 Years Ago (8/4/2007)

Good Beaches and Bad Plumbing

2009-07-31T11:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday thanks to NoPoGirl Kona, Ky, and I headed out to Meldrum bar for a little bit of heat wave swimming.

Ky and Kona do a high five to celebrate the excellent conditions, limited crowds, only a little bit of white trash, and lots of cool clear water. We managed to find a secluded section of the beach away from the crowds of children that would have made my existence miserable trying to keep Kona in check.

Kona worked on his dogie paddle, while retrieving balls floating down the river and chasing ducks and geese. As usual, as the day wore on, Kona became the most popular kid at camp and began to ignore us as he played with his new best friends.

Once satisfied with the tiredness of Kona we departed the river and headed home. The evening brought book club (aka wine club) for Ky and a cyclocross training ride (aka beer ride) for me up into forest park. All went well except for a high speed lightless collision between Sanders and Cheevers. I am sure beer had nothing to do with it, Good times.

Today I awoke and prepared to take Kona for a morning walk to find a hissing noise coming from my basement. Further investigation (water on the floor) points to a burst valve on the only old plumbing in my house (the rest was replaced when the house was flipped). The plumber will be in route around 5pm this evening. Anyone want to make a wager, I am placing the over under at $200.

Good Times, Good Times.

UPDATE: Pacific Crest Plumbing rocks, I highly recommend them. With a quick adjustment and a recommendation for some future work my bill was zero dollars and no cents. That's right a plumber who is honest, I highly recommend Nick at Pacific Crest Plumbing. 503-252-8800

Hoist it High

2009-07-27T08:04:00.000-07:00

News Flash: Joel Rosinbum won the Men's TR4 ParaTriathlon National Championship

Hoist that hardware to the sky (A Tiffany & Co. Silver Platter)! Keep your ears to the ground, there will be a BBQ scheduled to celebrate Joel's accomplishment.

In other news, my vacation is over, so sad. Back to "the grind", only 200ish emails, not too bad. On tap for today will be ignoring my boss so that I can finish a lengthy application to BPA as well as an application to PacifiCorp, thanks Jack for the heads-up.

As promised, an update on my efforts to go wireless. I had my "discovery" interview with the manager over at Verizon Wireless. I was told I would be contacted for a in-person interview, it will be a STAR (Situation or Task, Action, and Result) a.k.a. behavioral interview. If I make it through that interview (which I feel comfortable with, I have done a dozen of those at VZ) then it is on to an evaluation of my ability to make a presentation. Picture this; a room full of people that I don't know anything about, me standing up front presenting on a technical subject that I don't understand, me sweating inside my monkey suit, I can't wait!

In other, other news, I'm Fat! No I don't mean Phat. Now that vacation is over and most of my training for cycling is short distance, high intensity, I can't eat like I was this spring. So I am off to Fat Camp, or at least my mental fat camp. The fridge at work is loaded with healthy food, I have eaten most of my bad snacks, and I promise to myself no more cheeseburgers or doughnuts, the latter being tougher. On that note, anyone want a half dozen free something or another tokens for Burger King. I won a few free burgers and breakfast foods at BK through their Transformers II promotional game, I must resist, I must. Good thing my boss is trying to be a hard ass and not let people leave the office on the clock (even though we are salaried).

So here is the target; 10 lbs between now and Thanksgiving (can't lose my Clydesdale status for CX), 10 more lbs before next years Cherry Blossom SR.

Try and stay cool during the heat wave!

News Flash: Freshness

2009-07-18T13:17:00.000-07:00

I have been validated by the hipster world, er or at least my cross bike has been. While running an errand downtown, carless, I was told by a passing gaggle of hipsters on fully loaded touring bikes that my Jake the Snake was "Fresh".

Keep in mind, the above photo is a stock photo, so it does not have all of the upgrades that make my bike oh so fresh.

In other news, vacation is such a wonderful thing, two days in I have already hiked 7.2 miles hilly, gone boating, attended a wedding anniversary party, drank 3ish lattes, worked with Kona on dock diving and visited a bike shop. Tomorrow brings Vancouver Courthouse Crit and the kick off to a week at Neskowin. I will do my best to let the people know how my interview went on Monday, but being a preliminary "discovery" interview I probably wont know much, other than VZW is just like VZ and likes to ask bullshit questions.

As I race on a Sunday, I ask you pray for "Rubber Side Down".

Tabor Done

2009-07-16T09:19:00.001-07:00

Yes the fat lady has sung and the pain train is parked at the station, until next year. Mt Tabor and I had a tough start but I finally hit my stride on the last week and brought my A game. Unfortunately my A game is probably more like a C- compared to the skinny tall guys with tattoos that I race again. But then again, I like beers and burgers, so they can keep their girlish figure and enjoy that leafy green salad with tofu.

My fellow beef eater Mr Brian Barker formally known as Barker News (time for a new blog pseudonym) was also in attendance. He is a bit faster than me on longer climbs or anything that requires more fitness than raw power (no that is not a dig). After giving him a pre-race pep talk I thought he was going to whoop my ass, but it turns out his gas gauge was a little off, as I found him on two laps to go, so we initiated our grudge match. Brian struck first attacking me at the top of the climb of the last lap, after I had given him a nice wheel all the way to the top. He got 'off the front' so I chased him down catching him at the base off the final climb. He gave me the traditional Ironclad greeting, also known as the bird or the finger (we were inverted). I passed him and geared up leaving the bike in the big ring and dug real deep. Brian got dropped and in the process I picked up a PSU rider and pulled him to the line so that he could pip me.

Success, looks like I've got scoreboard, for now. Up next is Vancouver Courthouse Crit followed by the mid-summer crit series, one or two other crits and then the cross and kremese races will be on us!

Now for some beach time (and an interview on Monday, more to follow on that).

Chow.

Limits Found (Updated with Photo of Hood)

2009-07-13T07:02:00.001-07:00

For your reading pleasure, this is version two of this entry with 75% fewer words.

Weekend done, limits have been found. What I had penciled for the weekend was reported to be "core" (as in hardcore) by one of my most hardcore active friends. I just thought it was a busy weekend that would be managed with strong coffee and lots of food. I was wrong.

Friday Night, Coldplay Concert, good show, no hearing damage.

3 hour drive starting at 1am, took some night time photos of Mt Hood via Trillium Lake (absolutely gorgeous full moon view of the mountain). Saw a deer, took a nap, had two servings of McDonald's, briefly fell asleep behind the wheel. Took another nap.

Mt Hood Via Trillium Lake at 3am.

High Desert Omnium, crit race began, I was did great until my calf muscles seized up and I got dropped / pulled from the race. Back to the house, another nap, another race. The time trail was intense, speeds were high, climbs were steep, someone crashed hardcore, I thought I would too.

After the TT it was off to downtown to visit a childhood memory and get a milkshake at Goodys. Still every drop as good as it used to be and for nostalgia sake I even ordered $2 worth of gummy coke bottles.

Food and sleep, one more race. I thought it would be over for me at the base of the first climb, I was wrong. I made it all the way down to and around Craine Prairie before I got dropped, probably one of my better attempts at a race. Next year I swear I am going to finish a road race and sprint for victory, well maybe just finish with the leaders.

I skipped the post race Burger & Beer and headed back to Portland in favor of not crashing the car for falling asleep at the wheel. Heavy traffic and some rain, back home. Ate some food, watched a little TV, back to sleep.

Now I "work". Never again will I attempt this madness again.

I hope.

Drop Chain = Zero!

2009-07-09T06:32:00.000-07:00

I have crossed my final hurdle for the year, not dropping my chain at Tabor.

Mmmm, Cliff Bar

Finally!

2009-07-08T08:31:00.000-07:00

It's been a strange straining relationship with Tuesday PIR and Mt Tabor this summer. My deep roots of racing (1 whole year) were grown racing on Tabor and the Tuesday night PIR with much 'success'. This years racing began in February and included road races, stage races, crits, the whole gamit. Much to my suprise my results on Tabor have been marginal, full of mechanical and mental failures and my results at PIR have been even worse. Prior to last night I was yet to complete a Tuesday night race without getting dropped and lapped.

Fortunately I am starting to turn the corner, I started the evening with a couple leasurely laps on the back of the 4/5 race to check out the scenery, warm my legs, and take a look back at to where I came from. I was actually shocked at how easily I was able to sit on the back and have a conversation with a teamate. Either the competative field has deminished in that race or I have come a long ways from last year.

On to the actual race, I was able to sit in the race and move arround the field more or less at my leasure. At no point did I feel threatened or out classed, so success there. On the second to last lap, halfway through I decided the pace was too light to serve our purpose. So I jumped out and sprinted off the front of the field. Everything went well until I ran out of gas halfway through the last lap and was overtaken by the field. Still a successful race, I served my purpose.

Tonight, Tabor, no wammy, no wammy, no wammy!

4th of July Reflection

2009-07-02T14:02:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I had some free time and a need to bake chocolate chip cookies, but no chocolate chips. So I put on my sneakers and started walking to my Ghetto Safeway. Not that I live in or near a ghetto, did you know the term ghetto originates from WWII? I just have a real crappy Safeway two blocks away and if I can buy two bags of groceries or less I just walk over and get what I need. Anyway, on my walk to Safeway (this one is on par with the old St John's Safeway, for those UP alum out there) I was inspired to think and write about this great country we live in. Being so close to the Fourth of July this post becomes so much more relevant, I think our founding fathers and all of the service men who have fought to protect our way of life (or at least our interest in foreign oil) would appreciate to know that America still kicks ass. But, before you read on, please know I tend to be a little "sarcastic at times" and having blood relations to multiple service men and women, I do appreciate and support the work they do.

So, why does America kick ass? Defiance, Determination, Ingenuity, Anti-conformity, and Consumerism, that's why! So here is the run down on my shopping trip that demonstrated all of these great things.

Defiance - Even though 'The Man' that is Safeway corporate says all employees must wear a tie to work, doesn't mean that tie has to be fastened to a dress shirt. An off shift employee (see name tag, apron, black pants) in front of me buying a Gatorade, decided she didn't want to be ruled by the man, she was going to wear a bright red tie loose around the neck and a bright green tank top. Take that MAN! No taxation without representation. I wonder if she attended one of those tax day tea bagging parties?

Ingenuity - As I walked to the store an older Subaru from the eighties rolled by me, only it wasn't just a beat up, silver non-descript, 80's coup. No it was a statement of ingenuity, granted this ingenuity was infinging upon the designs of those good people at ford and chevy.

But with a twist and an improvement, yep you guessed it, this proud owner had taken his POS and made it a bigger POS by chopping off the roof and window structure from behind the driver/shotgun seats and made his own car-truck monstrosity. Now I am sure you want to know what the improvement is, well, he also added a Rubbermaid truck bed locker box and had unlimited airflow out of his cab, I wish I had a camera with me. Definite improvement over those stuffy weather sealed factory models from the past. Don't tell me that the ingenuity of America's car industry is dead, oh speaking of not dead, I give you the next GM El Camino, only it's a Pontiac G8 Sports Truck or Pontiac G8 ST.

"The Pontiac G8 ST will be powered by the 6.0L V-8 engine, producing 361 horsepower (270 kW) and 385 lb.-ft. (522 Nm) of torque just like the Pontiac G8 GT. In addition, the Sport Truck also comes with a 1.8 meter long cargo bed and 1208 liter cargo space."

Exactly what America want's from their auto makers, more power and less function!

Anti-Conformity - Just because society says you don't need to wear a life jacket to walk across a parking lot, doesn't mean you can't. So one non-square shopper wore his type-II personal flotation device as he purchased his 12 pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon and walked to his car. Maybe he was afraid of tripping and landing in a puddle of 12 exploded PBR cans, you never know. Safety first!

Consumerism - A shopper in front of me, had a coupon. $10 off a purchase of $50 of food product, when he found out that without his alcohol (6 bottles of wine) he was only at $44 worth of food he had a remedy. He quickly grabbed two pints of Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream (which he admitted he didn't need more of). Bam, free Ice Cream and $3 off his bill, That's twice now that the Safeway Man has lost! I should have asked him if perhaps he would prefer some carrots instead?

Determination - Ah the Pièce de résistance, an unfortunate woman needed to park her minivan in a handicap space, a beautiful Chrysler, God Bless American cars, or should I refer to them as Italian now? I can't wait to see the first Ferrari inspired Town and Country Minivan. But why was she unfortunate, because she was on Oxygen. I feel for anyone that has to pull around a canister of oxygen, that would be a real burden, it probably excludes you from some joyous activities like walking dogs in the park and playing a pickup game of frolf. But you know what it doesn't stop her from doing, smoking that cigarette that probably put her in the condition she is in now. She is determined to not let a canister of oxygen or a doctors order keep her from the joys of Marlboro Country.

So yes, this is why America still kicks ass, so have a happy and safe Independence Day and go spend money you don't have on fireworks so you can go blow shit up! It's you God Given American Right!

Joe = Idiot

2009-07-01T07:37:00.001-07:00

No Shoes = No PIR Race = Joe = Idiot

Tabor Tonight!

Weekend Update

2009-06-29T07:07:00.000-07:00

A long time in the works, you never thought it would happen, yet here it is. A blog post that isn't about biking! Well unless you count the fact that I am talking about not talking about biking.

Over the weekend Ky and I packed up Boatie, grabbed some friends and headed out to what has to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the Northwest. Yes that is a huge claim, there are a lot of beautiful lakes up here, but Detroit Lake is pretty incredible. Located up high on the Santiam River, at the foot of Mt Jefferson, the water is crystal and the views are breath taking.

On a beautiful summer weekend with temps in the mid eighties and the shrinkage factor of the water was set to minimal, the lake had somewhat of a party atmosphere. Boats and jet skis were crusin, fish were jumping, children were screaming, music was blasting, oregon was alive.

While it was a great break from the daily grind, it was not without a hitch. Friday afternoon traffic was murder and speaking of murder there are several children fortunate to be alive this Munday morning. While vibing out on the dock Ky was invited by screaming children to play life guard, she declined and the children continued to scream and run around her until she cracked. At this point I was notified that if I didn't come pick her up with the boat in the next 5 minutes, there would be murders. I was quick to respond and return to the dock, thanks to idiot parents, the children were swimming in the docking area and I was forced to try and turn my boat around in shallow water with a bad cross wind.

Guess what, I ran my stern drive into the ground. Not too much damage, just a really ugly looking propeller. Boatie tells me that she is not exactly happy and to punish me, her gas gauge is now malfunctioning. With a malfunctioning gas gauge we ran out of gas in the middle of the lake the next morning. Fortunately a fellow boater towed us back to shore (giving us a very evil sounding laugh while doing so), everything turned out fine.

Aside from some heavy traffic due to construction in Wilsonville, nothing exciting on the way home. Kona was pleased to see us and his house/dog sitter seemed to be at ease. Although he was drinking a beer and he quickly got in his car and left once we returned, maybe we need to ask Kona some questions.

Good Times!

Humpday Update

2009-06-24T07:50:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday, or for seven Wednesdays of the year, Tabor Race day. Yes the Mt Tabor race is absolutely my favorite bike race, even though it is absolutely not suited for me. Since you already know this, there is no update here.

The update is as follows:

The boat sold and then 24 hrs later was unsold. During those 24 hrs Ky and I experienced some serious sellers remorse, I didn't even know that was possible. So, when the buyer backed out of the deal, we shrugged our collective shoulder and said we would wait to re-post the ad. "Boatie" will continue to occupy my budget and driveway. Kona wagged his tail in appreciation, I think he is the biggest boater of the household.

I am still job hunting, I have put in a few applications with a couple high-techs and the corps of engineers, unfortunately with no real engineering or supervisory experience I am in a bit of a job limbo. In today's market place it's hard to find a perspective employer to take a chance on you when there are so many over qualified candidates looking for work. Good news is that I still have a job and Frontier is acting like thy are going to take care of us. If only I could take their word at face value and trust that everything will be kittens and puppies. So if you know of anyone that is looking to hire a 1st level manager for a technical lead let me know.

There seems to be some interpretation for this banner, it is from a job fair in Germany courtesy of ' jobsintown.de ' a German website similar to jobdango. If you can't read the caption it says, "There are better ways to make career."

Elkhorn: Job Done!

2009-06-21T20:57:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day!

That being said, I am home from the battle fields of Eastern Oregon, more specifically Baker City. There were no bakeries to be found, so I imagine that the city must be named after some dude named Baker. The 8th annual Elkhorn stage race is complete and I feel quite proud of how I did. Looking at the official results you might get the impression that I am really bad at bike racing, that is an accurate impression, but I still did better than expected.

Most importantly, I had the best criterum (crit for short) results that I have ever had. I took 45 out of 62 races, but most importantly I had held onto the field until almost the end. I was close enough that I wasn't pulled out of the race early. Had I avoided the pile-up a few riders in front of me on four laps remaining I would have finished in the field and score the same time as the top 43 riders. In a crit during a stage race, the only thing that matters is that you finish with the main group, so 43rd was just as good as 1st.

If you are wondering how the rest of the stages went, I survived and did good enough to maintain my bottom of the pack finish. Most importantly, I finished. Now that I am back in Portland and extremely tired, I think I will have a little snack and head to an early bed. Photos can be found here.

Let it Begin

2009-06-16T07:17:00.000-07:00

Tuesday: PIR circuit race
Wednesday: Mt Tabor circuit race
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Oregon Trail Road Race
Saturday: Pleasant Valley Time Trial & Gold Rush Criterium
Sunday: Dooley Mountain Road Race

Estimate for the week: 245 miles / 15,500 ft of climbing
Around 14 hrs of riding time

Welcome to my 'Pain Cave', I'll let you know if we will be having a pity party later.

A Sad Day: Boat For Sale

2009-06-12T17:52:00.000-07:00

FOR SALE

Fail! Fail! Fail!!!!

2009-06-11T06:27:00.000-07:00

Not much to say about the initial Tabor race, my legs felt good and strong, the competition was stiff, and I dropped my chain 3 times. So, I finished at the bottom of the results.

372 Days and Rain!?!

2009-06-10T13:38:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting 372 days for today (1 year + 1 week, late start) and it's raining! Booo, oh well maybe this means that fewer people will show up and I will have a better chance of surviving without self inflicting a cardiac episode. Oh if you don't know what I am talking about, it is the annual "Velo on the Volcano" circuit race series.

Last night I blew up my legs at PIR and got shelled, wish me luck tonight!

21, a Lucky Number?

2009-06-05T18:46:00.000-07:00

Can you believe I have already written 21 blog entries (counting this one)? I doubt that my reader list is 21 people long, if half of that. So how is it going? Do you enjoy? Surf or skip the writings and just look at the pictures? Let me know, feed back, it's a wondrous thing.

Another lucky thing, Ky, Kona, and I are still alive. In our Thursday/Friday weekend we decided to head out to the Mount Hood Wilderness for an a quick backpacking trip to Ramona Falls, one of Oregon's best waterfalls.

After a beautiful hike along the Sandy River Gorge with sunny skies and warm temperatures we took our time eating lunch, setting camp, photographing the waterfall and deciding if we needed the rain fly. Later in the afternoon the sky changed shade and we decided that maybe a rain fly would be worthwhile, in case it started to rain in our sleep. No sooner than we finished staking the fly, did a wicked wind pick up and rain commence. Shortly thereafter Ky, Kona and I jumped into the tent and began to pray for a shift in wind as a lightning and thunderstorm erupted over our head. Being a good 90 minutes from the safety of our car we decided it was best to ride out the storm in our tent. Kona slept while Ky and I watched lightning strikes light up the thin walls of our tent and count the delay before the thunder crash. While the sound was near deafening, the delay never came inside of 5ish seconds, which urban forecasting says is 5ish miles.

I have been through many many thunderstorms, much larger ones, but nothing compares to riding one out in a tent under fir trees. Although, I must say a night in a single wide trailer on top of a bare hill in Alabama came in close second, literally rolling thunder. Here Ky waits patiently for our dinner to finish re-hydrating. The dinner was a scrumptious backpacker rendition of "Tamale Pie." Not until I started eating did I realize it was a vegetarian dish, some chicken would have been a nice touch, maybe some cheese and sour cream too. As you can see in the photo is more a soup than a pie, apparently when you pour soup on top of stale tortilla chips it makes it pie.

The next morning we awoke to cold and damp weather with the promise of rain, so the pre-hike oatmeal was abandoned in favor of a little bit of trail mix and a quick breakdown of camp. An otherwise uneventful hike brought us back to the car and down the road for a much deserved Sharis feast. After breakfast back to the house for rest and recouporation, I don't think I've seen Kona sleep so hard. As always more pictures can be found on flickr. Enjoy!

Back to PIR

2009-06-03T12:23:00.000-07:00

Well, it has happened, I have returned to my roots and begun racing back at PIR (Portland International Raceway). Racing is a broad term, I don't know how many of my competitors last night would have classified my efforts as racing.

To start the night off Ironclad lead the first two laps in single file line at a light pace, a sort of moment of silence and reflection, for our fallen teammate Kristin McCarthy (Kmac). In case you haven't heard she was in a bad bike/concrete tango at a Monday night PIR that has left her in the hospital with some head trauma and broken bones (and a trashed bike). It was kind of the 3/4 group to allow us to lead the two laps, it meant something special to a lot of people.

Once the two laps were over the fun began in earnest and the pace jumped to light speed. Not 1k into the race pace a Beaverton Bike Club racer experienced a full tubular tire blow out sending his ass to the pavement and several other racers (not asses) to the grass. Amongst the illustrous group was none other that Brian Barker, my nemesis. Just kidding Brian, you haven't earned the title nemesis, yet.

A few laps later I started to experience a bad combination of things, boredom for the back of the pack and the realization that I didn't have what it took to actually compete when the race came down to the line. Also I didn't want to be, that guy, and sprint for a 35th place finish. So as the group came down the home stretch things began to slow down and bunch up, as they always do, so I made my break. The field was busy looking to the right at Dave as he made the same jump as I was making on the left side of the track, so I got away completely free. We met in the middle of the track, inverted and then I shot off the front to give him a wheel, for a better break. You can see me looking to my right making sure that I wasn't about to take both of us out as we were heading for inversion, I didn't want to zig if he was going to zag. Shortly there after Dave fell off and someone from the Shower's Pass team joined on. I didn't last long, as I knew I wouldn't, and shortly there after I was dropped from the race and I retired to the sidelines.

Dropping was fine, I knew it would happen, unfortunately my master plan of getting 4 or 5 people to jump with me and stretch the field was also a grand failure. Either the field wasn't paying attention or they just knew I didn't have a snowball's...

Oh well, as long as I learned, even though I didn't like what I learned.

A sampling of the nights participants. Thanks Eryn for the great photos.

Weekend Update

2009-06-01T07:12:00.000-07:00

The splendiferous weather continues, so Ky and I threw Kona in the car and headed up to Puyallup for a weekend of packed full of activity. Friday night after a mellow drive we were welcomed to Hotel Bennett with fabulous meal and a comfy bed, much rest was going to be needed for the two upcoming days.

Saturday morning Ky and her rents headed out to Bainbridge Island for Golf and Mimosas (I'll let you guess who did what). As usual I hoped on my two wheeled steed and headed for the mountain. Mt Rainier to be exact, after a bit more than 4100 ft of climbing, 75 miles, a bit of gravel, and a couple close calls, I was back at the residence getting ready for the next activity of the day.

After a shower and lunch, I fed Kona and started up the Xterra and pointed north, destination Seattle. A Chinese dinner and Major League Soccer (MLS) game was on the book. Here Ky and I pose outside Qwest Field/Xbox Pitch (yes they named the "grass" and the stadium separately), notice the matching scarfs. Apparently team scarfs are mandatory accessory at Sounders games, even in June, I didn't believe it until I was in the stadium and literally everyone had one. I am not sure if this is a soccer thing (since I have a UP one, but never took it to a game) or if it is an MLS thing or a Sounders FC thing. The stadium was packed, the crowd was rowdy, the game was a tie. After the game back home and straight to bed.

Sunday morning was greeted with coffee and eggs, calories were needed because it was back to the mountains for a hike up to the Green Lakes (think emerald not split pea). Kona decided early in the hike, he didn't care how frigid snow melt is, he is a Labrador and Labradors swim. His first venture was a bit unexpected and fortunately into an eddy, the river was definitely running stronger than his legs could swim. From their on out Kona was on tether and it definitely was put to use. Timid does not describe how Kona now leaps into the ragging river, I smell a Dock Dog.

After a few harrowing river crossings (narrow bridges over incredible rapids) a quick snack more swimming and a picnic lunch it was back to Puyallup for one dinner and then back to Portland, one of us had to be up at 5am for work on Monday (hint: It wasn't Ky and Kona is a freeloader).

More photos on flickr.

Kona had a blast!

Networking and Climbing

2009-05-26T15:32:00.000-07:00

I spent a very lovely Memorial Day playing life sized Frogger on HWY-26 just east of Sandy after too many miles and too many feet of climbing left Drew and Me without enough water to continue on to Estacada. Fortunately the Frogs won and nobody lost, the reward at the end of the road was a delicious subway sandwich of mass quantities.

While in Subway I came to the realization that American consumption habits really have gotten out of hand. I know that to people who have their eyes open, this is nothing new, but to me I just assumed that I was someone who just enjoyed large drinks and there were options for those (like children) who didn't need 20 ounces of coke. Little did I know when I have been ordering a 20 ounce soft drink I was litterally odering the smallest possible size. At the register I asked for the smallest possible soda fountain drink and was handed what was once known as a medium or regular (or a large "back in the day"). When I asked if that was really the smallest size, the cashier gave me a look like I was asking for her first born, in her defense it probably didn't help that I was super sweaty and wearing too much spandex.

That being said, a ice cold coke is quite refreshing and invigorating in the middle of a long workout ride. Something about the mix of caffeine and sugar gets your legs going. At the completion of the ride I laid down on the couch with Kona and took a nap.

Today it has been less about bikes and more about paying for them. I took the oportunity to visit career services at UP and talk about my resume and job hunting. The director of Career Services, Amy Cavanaugh, was very helpful and gave me some good feedback on improving my resume. However, the most interesting thing I learned today was not about my resume, it was about networking. In her opinion, most jobs, excluding gov't agencies, never get posted. The key to these jobs would networking, I have always found networking to be a bogus M.B.A. favorite phrase, but now I find myself lacking in networks. Her recomendation was for me to spend at least 50% of my job hunting efforts in networking. Specifically setting up a Link'd In account and a UP Affinity Circles account as well.

So for all of you networking types out there, let me into your network, I need a job!

Arrrrg?

2009-05-23T09:16:00.001-07:00

Arrrrg, you've got to be kidding me!

Official Whitehouse Flickr Page & probably one of the coolest dogs ever

Hike and Bike

2009-05-22T22:28:00.001-07:00

A fabulous "weekend" for Ky and me, sunny and two days before the hoards leave town for a 3 day weekend and descend upon the states popular tourism spots. Day one of our weekend included a beautiful hike up above Horsetail Falls, under Ponytail Falls, and up to triple falls. All of the falls can be seen on my Flick'r page linked on the right side of the blog. The most beautiful (in my humble opinion) of the waterfalls would have to have been Ponytail falls, in which you hike underneath the waterfall in a natural carve out. Ky was kind enough to put up with my incessant photo shooting and even posed for an artsy shot, I think it came out pretty well considering no tripod or lighting enhancements. I must admit it certainly does help when you have a beautiful subject.

After the hiking we treated ourselves to some smoothies from laughing planet and worked our way up to Vancouver for dinner with some friends and a showing of Angels and Demons. As someone who hasn't read the book I thought it was a good sequel (yes i know the book is a prequel) to the Da Vinci Code.

Today it was back onto the bike for another trip up Larch Mountain making my total for the week 2 trips up that Mountain, 14ish hours in the saddle, and 200 miles rolled. Not too bad, I am getting back on track to the mileage I was planning to complete before Elkhorn (time is running out, literally). It certainly helped to be able ride my bike to work on Monday morning, plus I feel like my conditioning is starting to take shape. just another 800 miles and I'll make my goal.

After my workout and shower it was off for some iced coffee, Du's Grill, and Terminator Salvation with Drew. Yes, two movies in two days, not my normal, but there are some good movies out right now and I haven't seen them all. Tomorrow it's back to work for two more days and then back on my second weekend. Two weekends with two days of work between ain't a bad gig.

"I'll be back" ~ John Connor (Christian Bale).

Tan Lines

2009-05-18T12:55:00.001-07:00

In case you haven't heard, Oregon is now in tan line season, my "SCUBA Diving" tan line is already in development. After four solid hours in a mid-day sun my arms look like a "Black and White" cookie, made so popular by none other than the classic sit-com Seinfeld. I don't want to cause any confusion here, so I guess I should make sure and note, I do not SCUBA dive, merely my Jersey/Shorts leave the same tan line as a shorty wetsuit, the MTB tan line model seems to be into sports tops, not really my thing. Although, I do have a nice gloves/socks tan line, so I guess I am a hybrid between the two.

Not much else to report today, our good weather is going back into hiding for a couple days, but then it is back into some quality sun time. For the cyclist out there, Larch Mountain is 100% clear to the gate with a little bit of snow in the gutters near the 10 mile mark. I did not venture past the gate, but looking up the road, it seems reasonable that one could get a couple miles in without hitting significant snow accumulation.

Remember, "we must look to the cookie!"

Hssssss, Bang!

2009-05-16T22:00:00.000-07:00

80's and sunny, what a glorious forecast for a mid-May weekend day. Doing as I normally do on a sunny day off, I loaded up the bottles with electrolytes and hit the road. Being one of my favorite routes, I headed out the doors with Cascade Locks and the Bridge of The Gods in my sights. My legs felt great, the sun was on my back, and the tunes, well they were in my head. The battery was completely dead on my iPod, I should have seen that as a warning for things to come, but I didn't. Besides, I am not a superstitious person. After the week I had (see previous post), I needed a nice long day in the saddle to work out my frustrations and concerns. Last time I rode the BoTG loop I had a serious meltdown in Washougal due to poor hydration and nutrition, this time I had a plan and I was going execute it to the fullest. It was not to be, 25 miles into the ride screaming down the descent from the Vista House to the Waterfalls I found a pot hole in the middle of a shady section of road. It went something like this, "Thunk, Thunk, Hssssssssss, BANG! Hssssssssssssssss." Apparently 120lbs of tire pressure and a 200 lb rider leads to a gunshot like pop when a tube gives way. In case you are wondering, I didn't pull the tube out for the photo, it came out on it's own accord. With a blown out front and a flat rear I decided to give the ol'wifey a call for a rescue. Not a proud moment, but hey at least I was hanging out in front of a goregous waterfall while I waited.

The rest of the day went much better, I threw some shrimp on the barby and enjoyed a warm afternoon/evening. Watched the Giro d'Italia and got an Icecream cone for desert.

Hopefully the Camby Ferry wont sink tomorrow as I cross the Willamette, looks to be another beautiful day.

THE SKY IS FALLING! Maybe?

2009-05-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

Important days in my career:
May 9th, 2004: Started my new job as a Network Engineer at Verizon
December 5th, 2005: Verizon ends the Management Pension Program
September 1st, 2007: My first major career change to Video Operations from Network Engineering
May 13th, 2009: Verizon divested 14 states to Frontier Communications, including Oregon. I now have a new Employer, Maybe?

More details in time, but at this point let me know if you have any job opportunities for me!

Science Damn You!

2009-05-12T11:13:00.000-07:00

I bet you are asking why I am damning science and why do I have a picture of a Plasma Lamp? That is because it is not a plasma lamp, it is a picture of the common cold, pretty neat huh? But why damn science, I don't know, I just am. It's also a reference to a very funny South Park episode.

So why the Common cold? Because I am sick and sick of it! For the first time in over a year I had to call in sick to work on Sunday and I continue to suffer with coughing and a runny nose all day and night long. Worst of all, because I feel like this, I haven't been on my bike since Friday. Elkhorn is quickly approaching and as they say, those miles aren't riding themselves.

On a different note I have received my first critique on this blog, unrelated to spelling and grammar, apparently a significant aspect of my life has yet to be mentioned on this blog. While I contest that significant aspect has mostly been doing the same old, same old, (aside from a little bit of traveling as of late), I will now make mention official mention of my beautiful wife, Kyleen. Shown here on her 26th Birthday, I'm a few ticks older.

I hope this satisfies you mom!

I drink your Milkshake, I drink it up!

2009-05-09T09:32:00.001-07:00

If there is one thing that you should know about me, you should probably know that I get very into whatever it is I am into. But if there is something else you should know, it's that I love milkshakes. So it should be no surprise that yesterday after I blasted my legs in the Gorge, I celebrated my pain with a scrumptious Oreo Milkshake from Jack in the Box. Not my absolute favorite milkshake, but high enough ranking and convenient enough, so that's what I got.

While I love milkshakes, there is a problem, they are incredibly bad for me. I bet you didn't know that a 16 oz Oreo Milkshake complete with whipped cream a cherry is a whopping 812 calories and even worse 43 grams of fat! Fortunate for me the MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task)calculated for my ride yesterday came in around 5,000 calories, so a Milkshake is acceptable.

So how about some perspective? I spent approximately 6 hours on my bike at a moderate to high level of intensity, that milkshake replaced approximately 16% of the calories I burned, or 1 hour of my ride. How else could I have consumed 800+ calories? How about a Quarter Pounder without cheese, Medium Fries, and A large Diet Coke (790 Calories) or 7 cups of dry Cheerios (770 Calories), or 2.5 large slices of Dominos Peperoni Pizza (810 Calories).

Was that Milkshake worth it? Absolutely!

What a Weekend!

2009-05-04T18:49:00.000-07:00

First off, Happy 60th Birthday Greg! May you have many more years of ridiculous ideas and gimmicks to complicate the natural flow of a golf swing. If you don't know Greg, that's him in B&W on the eve of his 60th Birthday still swinging away, many more times than he should in a round of 18 holes.

Well wishes made, it was a busy weekend of Celebratory Festivities, Tee Ball, Golf, BBQ, Parental Visits, Dog Walks, Graduations, and Rain. The majority of the weekend was spent between wet and quite wet, however, when the sun came out of hiding the best was made of it.

Here Paul shows off his superior batting and base running, watch out A-Rod, Paul is coming heavy!

It was very nice to have my Dad in town to try out our new sleeper couch, the final report is still pending, but the initial polls indicate comfort and a friendly dog that likes to snuggle once the lights go dim. Also making the Trek to the Rose City was my Mother-In-Law, bearing a pie consisting of strawberry and Rhubarb. All parties that were privy to a tasting agreed it was excellent.

Next up is more rain, more work, and then some much needed time on the bike for me. As well as a bachelor weekend, while the wife is off in Sunny Las Vegas playing by the pool, attending shows, and hopefully not too much shopping.

Kona is recovering well, he appreciates your kind words of sympathy, the hardest thing of this ordeal has been keeping the Good Dog Down. Anyone that has met him can imagine how hard it would be to keep him from bouncing off the walls with guests in town and a Doctors order to take it easy.

And to finish it off, a nice spring bloom from my "Garden." The rain has to stop soon, right?

Don't Worry, He is Going to be Okay!

2009-04-29T20:08:00.001-07:00

Kona Post Operation

Don't you fret my friends, Kona is going to be alright in about 14 days, so long as you don't count mental trauma and bald spots. I don't know how long it takes for his fur to grow back, but knowing Kona I am sure I am going to have to drop some cash on a Doggie Psychiatrist to get him over his traumas of being ambushed by a fellow playmate at Doggie Daycare. The footage from the fight is still under review and damages are yet to be awarded, but the school yard brawl will not go without recourse.

Unfortunately in this case, his playmates Bark was not worse than his Bite, Kona underwent heavy sedation to have his wounds purged and to have 3 staples placed in his side. Upon first review I thought I would be in and out of the Vet's office with maybe a little bit of Neosporin and a fresh pack of gauze. However, once the hair was shaved back it became apparent the damage was no simple nick or cut from overzealous play. This was a deliberate attack on our sweet loving Kona. So watch out Cujo, Kona will be back, and this time it's personal!

Limited Time Offer: One Blog Post with Three Times the Fail!

2009-04-28T16:29:00.001-07:00

I have proclaimed "Let Summer Begin!", thus I scheduled my first summer BBQ for the year and began my thoughtful planning. It was going to be perfect; Sun, Games, Grilled Food, Cold Beverages, and Good Friends. Just like this nice slice of Americana pictured to the left, only no small children and add a crazy Labrador who will eat anything. At first the weather forecast looked perfect, it was going to be warm and sunny. Then the weather Gods decided that since I live in the NW they would mix some things up, and the forecast now read 20% chance of light rain. Okay I can deal with that, I thought.

The day of the event I woke up to reasonable weather and decided I better scrub my original plan of getting a bike ride in and get the yard in shape, there will be time for a ride later. FAIL! Yes, I did get the yard in shape, but at the cost of good riding weather; one should know in Oregon you must always capitalize on good riding weather when it presents itself otherwise you will never have an enjoyable ride.

After finishing the yard I headed off to the stores to buy food and beverage. Aside from spending close to thirty minutes studying my different meat choices at Costco only to come away with some Johnsonville Brats, the shopping went reasonably well and I felt prepared to start the summer in style. The clouds had a different idea, as I walked out of the store I felt something wet hit my shoulder, then something on my neck, oh no, it was raining. By the time I got home and got everything into the house it was no longer your typical Oregon April misting, it was a full on deluge, Arizona style. Weather FAIL! The Backyard BBQ now became an indoor party with outdoor themed food. All crappy weather aside, it was still a bunch of fun to see the crew.

This morning I woke up to...RAIN! Again not your typical you just feel damp Oregon rain, no, it was full on wet head to toe, I'm cold and wet missery rain. So again, no time in the saddle. FAIL! After two great weeks of getting my miles in, I am going to fall seriously short this week, I'll be lucky to get 100 miles in.

Did I mention I have a headache that feels like a bass drum?

5 Years!

2009-04-23T16:13:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it, I've been a corporate whore for a whole 5 years now, well almost. Mr Verizon decided to send my plaque of appreciation a few weeks early so that my boss could present it to me with a round of applause and etc. However, that's not really my bosses style, I handed him the UPS package and he handed it back to me and said that is really for you. Low and behold it was my plaque. The ironic thing being that the plaque is packaged with instructions for my "Supervisor" on how to present it to me, what to say, and to provide light refreshments if he so desires, he desires not. Along with a nifty plaque I also receive the choice of crappy corporate gifts (tent, steak knives, coffee maker, step aerobics step), crappy commemorative gifts (gold imitation watch, rings, necklace), or a luncheon for me and up to 3 friends worth up to $80 including tip and tax. Luckily for me we have no tax so that means I get to charge a $80 dinner for Ky and I to my Verizon corporate card in the name of 5 years of service. See it does pay to work for a corporate monster.

So watch out on May 9th I may go a little wack'o when I realize I have just spent five years making sure people could read emails about Nigerian princes that need help collecting their inheritances and watching TV specials about the latest Hollywood scandal. Talk about sense of accomplishment! Even better I have come to the realization the only thing keeping me in my current job is a crappy economy and the unwillingness to sacrafice my extra week of vacation I just "earned".

Wahoo!

100,000 Miles!

2009-04-21T06:26:00.000-07:00

Our Honda Civic reached 100,000 miles this morning on my commute to work. I knew it was coming, but had completely forgot this morning. Luckily I looked down at the dash before it turned to 100,001. Unfortunately I missed the turnover from 99,999. No that's not a photo from my actual dash, just the same make and model. The last thing I need to be doing is taking photos of the dash of a car in the dark while driving down the freeway.

In other news my 1500 mile challenge is going well, I am even ahead of schedule by a few miles. If you recall I need to be logging 150 miles per week. With two "riding days" left in my second week of the challenge I already have 235 miles logged. Add the 30 or so miles I am going to put on this evening and I should be getting a pretty good head start on my next week's mileage quota.

Unfortunately my 10 lbs of weight loss has been going the wrong direction, I have made some corrections and I am re focused with my goal in mind. Elkhorn is just under 2 months away!

Have a happy Tuesday!

Adam's Birthday Photos

2009-04-19T19:37:00.000-07:00

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY ADAM!

More Photos Here!

Bridge of the Gods and Beyond!

2009-04-19T10:14:00.000-07:00

Saturday I had the pleasure of joining Drew, Robbie, and Joel for a delightful ride out to the bridge of the Gods in Cascade locks and back. My unfortunately undependable cyclometer turned 95 ish miles which sounds about right, maybe a mile short. So what was billed to be the first century of this years riding for me turned out just a hair shy, I'll have to do an official 100+ miles in the upcoming week or two. (Photo courteous of Google)

The rest of Saturday was capped off with cooking an authentic Italian dinner for couples "Chamgame Night". Dinner, sparkling wine, and board games. I turned in a good effort but came up in third place for Balderdash, next time I will have to work on my bluffing skills and go for the Gold.

Today Ky and I took a rare opportunity to sleep in and enjoy a nice Sunday morning, although Kona was not thrilled about the late start to the morning. He was up for his 5:30 morning constitutional and feeding. Next we are off to spin around Portland on a beautiful spring morning and then off to celebrate with my cousin, Adam, for his 3rd Birthday! I can't wait to see him and Paul, it's been way to long and I am sure I will be shocked at how much they have changed since Christmas. Check back tomorrow for a photo or two.

A Day in Heaven and a Day in Hell!

2009-04-14T13:50:00.000-07:00

Today I was finally able to get back out to Multnomah Falls via bicycle on the cascade scenic Hwy. If you've never been I highly recommend it, hands down one of the most beautiful and enjoyable bicycle rides in our fair state of Oregon. An added bonus, as being the earliest visit I have made, there were numerous named and unnamed waterfalls that I have never seen before and all of the major waterfalls were in full bloom. Along the beautiful 30+ miles to Multnomah Falls I also encountered the Vista House, although I didn't stop to appreciate the view.

Now it is time for Lunch and then a brisk walk up to Mt Tabor with a well deserving Kona. This day exemplifies why I moved to Oregon and cannot return to the Desert. Don't get me wrong, I love Arizona and it has it's own beauty, but not many places can compete with Western Oregon.

The true reason for my ride out to "The Falls" was to more or less kick off my training for an assault on Mt Dooley a little less than 10 weeks from now. I have scientifically analyzed the stage and have established my plan of attack. That attack requires 1500 training miles and 10 lbs of weight cutting. For those who are numerically challenged 150 miles / 1lb a week. Unfortunately Monday I was shut down by a freak hail and thunder storm so I have another 80 miles to put in this week. Looks like 10 on Tabor tomorrow evening and 70 Saturday morning!

If you think that 1500 miles seems like a lot, take a gander bellow and then think about it.

Yeah, 6000 Ft of Climbing and 100.3 miles!

Why Not?

2009-04-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

In the land of feelings of general entitlement, everyone has the right to feel entitled to "Their God given rights as an American", so I figure why shouldn't I have a blog. Some might say, because you have nothing meaningful to contribute. Well I agree, that is a pretty good reason, but I'm going full steam into this anyway, for now. So what should my loyal readers expect to get out of my blog, exactly what they invest, pretty much nothing. Maybe a laughable quip or two to get them from their third, to their fourth cup of coffee on Monday morning. Maybe a small insight into what I did that week or I plan to do in the upcoming week. Maybe more, maybe less, but mostly spelling and grammar errors. No need to spend any effort to point those out to me, it won't help, It's just how I roll. If you are lucky I will try and proof read before I hit post, but don't count on it.

So what did I do this last weekend besides work and eat egg based meals in celebration of Easter? I bike raced, sort of. I say sort of because as usual, I was only in "the race" for a short period of time before I got dropped from the race commencing a nice hard training ride. The good news, if you are in my corner, is that the time spent in the race is increasing each time and maybe by the time the crits roll around, I may be able to finish in a race, maybe.

Post race, seems like I enjoyed it

At least it is fun, right?