creepyfriendly

Picture takers and high rolling.

Back in July Amanda and I were married. It was a celebration beyond my expectations and very few events in my life come within proximity of that moment. It was an outdoor celebration blessed by a bright sun and 130 of our closest friends and family. My best man was in fine form as he guarded the band with his life. Earlier in the day I added to Marcus's duties by handing him my pocket sized camera suggesting that he takes pictures throughout the day. Indeed plenty of great photos fabricated from the event including a couple late night snap shots that I won't bother sharing due partly in turn by the incident at the reception.

As the men gathered behind me I planned my toss. A miscalculation sent the garter yards short as I looked over my shoulder only to see Marcus dive with a group of others following. His impact was broken by my pocketed camera and ego cushioned by a valiant catch. The result: a bruised but not broken camera. Bruised in the sense that the lcd view finder was cracked and unreadable. I've been going through the last eight months taking pictures without any idea of how they'll look until uploading. The randomness of shots brings a whole new element to photography as does the anticipation of uploading an unknown conundrum. Some unintentional shots have turned into favorites as some amazing adventures botched by my lack of point and shoot ability. After CO it was time to revamp our equipment and thanks to the Griff's we did just that. We're now the proud owners of a Leica c-lux 2 which has taken the mystery out of our photos and makes it quite a bit easier to point and shoot. Don't think the old canon is going into retirement yet. I plan to continue using it during bike practice and other moments which remain as random as it's photos. After all isn't that what lifes about?

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As the season approaches so does the delivery dates on our team gear. Artwork for our bikes was sent out two weeks ago and the eta on the new kits is due a day before our first race. Stoked! Along with some fancy graphics and positive improvements to the gear comes a new blog. A team blog which now has a link on the top left hand side of this page. The Fisher29 team has grown into a plethora of riders who range from endurance freaks to back woods cross country boys who you'll become familiar with as soon as the season kicks off. I'm excited to share my words, photos, and results with my new twenty-niner family. Stay tuned...

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Burning time. Check out some local heros.

Planet Propaganda- Responsible for a bag of Fisher/Trek/Bonty ads and catalogs. Always smooth, always inspiring.

Okay bro- PP's in house pixel surgeon and driving force behind the Marlin re-design hangtags.

Mike Krol- Never met him but get stoked on his work. PP regular and resident rocker. My personal fave? Cha-Cha branding, a whole different story all together.

Lefty Lexington- Design mfg. straight out of Stoughton Wisco. Stellar screen-prints for Fisher and another Marlin re-design add-on.

Analog Forest- The man with a plan and or right idea. Responsible for making us look rad along with a bunch of other pro cyclists. Thanks Mikey. Get some!

MO.

Do you keep track of bike practice? Document miles, heart rate, cadence? I don't. I can't remember thoughts from ten minutes prior. My only recollection of practice is my back blog. In a way it's guiding but then again I haven't blogged about the 15hrs I've pedaled since I've returned from the West and I most likely won't blog about the 4 hours I hit today. Oops. I'll neglect a quarter of my ride time next month because I'll be too busy stretching the pain away that Marko inflicted on me and I most likely won't tell you about all the sweet recovery drinks Amanda's prepared for me because I'm too busy getting gripped. In a way the blog isn't a very accurate account of my life or "practice" as you call it. My ventures are generally more intricate than indicated but then again I'm only blogging about the periods that feel significant or am I?

I live a simple life. I depend on my past for motivation. I hope for fresh milk in the morning, a fresh cup of coffee, and crave spicy foods by evening. I enjoy eating gobstoppers and having a beer after work. The smile on my wifes face is enough to get me up in the morning. I don't mind a snorer and I can tolerate my loud neighbors. Flat tyres don't bother me as much as they used to unless it loses an event. My closet is organized and I strategically placed the neighbor's dog poop on their porch. I write novels on post-its and I think I look good in black. It's amazing what dressing the part does for your ego or in your neighbor's case his attitude. I listen to fast music and am a self admitted mouse operator. When no one is looking I pluck my nose hairs because I think it assists in breathing. I lube my chain once a week check my air pressure twice in that time and double check every bolt on my bike the night before a race. I enjoy the company of a smiling stranger along with the comfort of a fresh pair of socks. I'd own a huskie if it wasn't for my wife's allergies and miss my mom's cat regardless of how much I say I don't. I dislike cleaning up others messes and I respect responsible individuals. My shaving habits need to improve and the mountains hold a place in my heart. Someday I'll retire and live in a yurt with my favorite person...

In the meantime, I'll exist in the positive: gobstoppers, cycles, and Amanda.

I-H80.

Wisconsin is fine, after all you're only spending a buck and change before crossing the Mississippi. Iowa is more scenic than one would think regardless of the sub par rest stops and hard to get to gas pumps however, I wouldn't recommend passing the time in Nebraska unless you're sitting in an airport or prison.

Averaging 85 and stopping only for petro the view of mountains came in a full working day. I'd make the trip tomorrow knowing now what the weather had in store. The drive over the flight is a must as there's something to be said for the intimacy of the trip. Witnessing the route on your way to the destination is half the journey.

We went with intentions of friendship and breathing the thin mountain air both of which fell into our lap. I practiced my bike nearly everyday and while we arrived in snow I managed to find the biker tan by mid week. We explored, drank, ate, conversed, explored some more, and danced on a night that few of us understood.

This was exactly what Amanda and I needed during the monotonous Wisconsin snowfall. We can't thank our hosts enough for the grand Boulder tour. Witnessing the Pros Closet in action as they quickly grow out of their current location left me with delusions of grandeur. By-standing while someone is becoming part of a dream whether they know it or not is both inspirational and motivational. Having an oversized mountain truck pull over in front of you while pedaling down a busy road imagining how your going to make it out alive only to be greeted by an old friend, attaching endless faces with names, or spending quality time together can briefly define this journey.

I need to get out more.

I'm back to my exciting life in Madison and as "always" am greeted with the fresh flakes I have come to love. Tons of goodness to attend to including a bag full of projects in the barrel. Throw some props Marko's way for the stellar news or hi five James for smoking the MMI7 last week. Great job brohams!

Rolling dirty.

Spitting blood.

Sun beating down, muscles twitching, spit spitting. The 36:19 on 2.0's was questionable as I went up a couple thousand feet. The trails are still soft but I'm stoked to see dirt. A near death encounter with a mule deer was the only thing that set me apart from a Vitch sighting.

Destination Boulder.

On Sunday Amanda and I railed I-80 out to Boulder in record time. We were in search of fresh dirt and mountains but instead greeted by rain turn sleet turn snow. We gave each other the WTF look as we rolled into our host's lot. Nick and Tracy encouraged us with the probability of a melt down lifting our spirits before hitting the sack.

Monday, we stayed low as I met up with Nick for a lunch ride. My guide is a seasoned pro when it comes to mapping routes. He layed some ground work for me as we climbed our way out of Boulder before looping back two hours later.

I flew solo today which is always a test on new terrain. I climbed for close to three hours before looping back under the suspicion that I was about to get lost. I could have buried myself in the thin air before backing it off in anticipation for the next couple days.

Curent health: still being ignored.

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Good Morning.

Yep, that saddle sore isn't going away anytime soon.

Regardless of this is that.

2 bottles + 2 clif bars + clif blocks = 6hrs.

It's been awhile since I've pushed pedals with T-da. Our jaunt together was short seeing as how he had business to tend to on campus but regardless it was enjoyable. Once solo I entered the Klevenville city limits and was ready to turn home. Ten miles in and I was ready to pull the plug as I made the right hand turn towards pine bluff. I was feeling the effects of five hours the day prior as I sat up to pop some blocks. With the wind at my back it clicked as I punched myself in the chest and manned up. Damn it feels good to be a gangsta. The motivation kept coming as I big ringed my way back into the wind towards Mt Horeb before flying the shoot into the tyrol basin. The sun was beating down, the heart rate up, and I felt alive! It appears that my body is cooperating with mind just in time.

Once I climbed back out it was apparent why I love this route. The view goes on forever or at least until the blues blend together. I looked across the valley and while the climb up to Blue Mounds park looked appealing I traveled the same route Marko and I rode the day prior. Moyer was fast and full of gravel as I dodged scrambling deer. I sat up and chowed my clif bar in anticipation of heading North. The winds were hard to read in the valleys but once I looped through Black Earth it was apparent that it was in my favor. My legs felt the sting as I ventured up Spring Valley towards the never ending Otto Kerl that we've come to love. For the second day in a row I closed the door on the bonk as my two day total nears 11hours. Now is the time.

Last year I opened my season with the M-B-M spring classic held by the Kittenfactory. Version 2.0 is just around the corner and I'm bummed to miss it. Turns out Marko and I will be Shreading the first race of an Iowa series down at Sylvan Island. Regardless, I highly recommend the H8TR 100. The terrain is unpredictable as is the course. This year is looking to take claim as a midwest underground stronghold with a growing roster that boasts past TI finishers, frame builders, endurance junkies, and many more.

Get some!

Regardless of that is this.

Bike practice went great today despite the overcast and active winds. Marko and I fanned a route we've never linked before. South takes West before checking north. It was a good ol fashion time as we both fended off the bonk. I suffered from eat everything in the cupboard syndrome upon my arrival home before falling on the harsh realization that my meal would consist of jelly beans, Roundies Mac and cheese, and coffee.

We climbed and then we climbed a bit more before crossing west to climb again. Our descent down Moyer just behind Blue Mounds was the majority of what we climbed in a third of the time. The effects of winter reared it's head in the form of sink holes and roadkill. The last couple of miles had us searching for the city limits as Marko looked at me and explained the burn. I'm there with you I replied. I can imagine what he felt like considering the five hours he racked up the day prior. Looks like I'll be back at it tomorrow in the meantime I'm ignoring my health.

Picture 0002 bring us Gene Oberpriller. Mean Gene, Geneo, factory pro Oberpriller. Gene won Chequamegon on a bridgestone X0-1 which was on display at last years race. Man, I wish I still had mine. This photo was taken near my old apt over by Fitchburg a couple years back when the Minneapolis Mafia were visiting for the annual Crono bike swap. I'm not sure what's happening in the photo but I do know we were on our way to the bar after that it was a blur.