Letter to Guitar Ted, and what now??

"After my morning visit w/ Dr. Sundaram, my cardiologist, I regret to inform you that after sharing with him my plans for TI, he shot me down... I had been seeing him for quite awhile for chest pains and breathing problems I experienced a few months ago. I went through an ekg, echocardiogram, and finally a stress test due to my mitral valve being delayed or missing on occasion. Though I passed the stress test with flying colors he said I should sit this year out, even though I feel great. Anyway, I still plan on riding my arse off and doing some racing this year, just not trans iowa. Let me know what lucky participant gets my spot- as they had better make a good showing! As for volunteering, I am undecided. We have our IMB IORCA race that weekend that I was going to delegate out to someone to help run, but we will have to see. It would be nice at TI to volunteer, root the racers on, and get a sure spot next year."

I guess that gives me seventeen more months of miles behind my belt till next time....

Instantly longer Lashes!!

Maybe it's Maybelline, or maybe it's just fudgin cold!

Poor Kid!

Kind-of puts a kabosh to basketball and skiing for awhile.

Nerf Basketball is a dangerous sport!

90 percent done... shopping that is.

Saturday AM= Shopping. Goal= Get the big ticket items out of the way. End result= Useful gifts to make the whole family happy. Cost= ahhhh....forget about it.

Did get a chance to ride w/ Robert, Kat, and John Sunday in the 14 degree temps. Bit windy as well. I wasn't happy with my choice of ss gears though. On the downside of hills, I would about bounce out of my seat keeping up with the cross bikes. Nice ride though. Thanks!

Robert aboard his single speed 1996 Voodoo super commuter

Glad I had the fat Ignitors on this icy stretch.

Could have rode all day, but as always- stuff to do!

Studded tires would be nice

Took about an hour for the 14 mile commute this AM. Nerve racking ride with blowing wind, icy roads, and occassional stupid drivers. But you'll have that. I love this stuff! Went with gears today and am glad when it came to plowing small drifts. Bike today is an older Diamond Back Voyager II, not in its original state, save the solar ray deflector. Tires were Vermin 1.95 that actually kept my rubber side up, however studded tires would have been preferred. Anxious for the ride at 5!

Mini-rant- I adjust my route to stay on the less travelled gravel roads for my commute and when I need to take pavement, I stay on the unforgiving gravel shoulder- always. So what the heck is up with people honking at me. They should be paying attention to the road and maybe slowing down a hair....

Turkey Burn Fun

Woke up to a beautiful cool morning Saturday.Was delighted to see quite the crew at camp to ride. Even some out of towners here for Thanksgiving graced us with their presence. Had a couple left over female socks I thought I'd share w/ them stating " Give these to your wife or girlfriend" One fellow said - "I'll need a few pair....." What a stud.
Rock Garden

The man, the myth, the legend, Scott Gall

Mr. Nosbisch aka NOZ

There, of course, was a bit of bike swapping going on. Here we see cuz aboard GT's very cool Milwaukee Bicycles 29er w/ stupid lightweight yet stiff Edge composite hoops.

Tom Klenske's flat tire made for a nice diversion a gave us a chance to git dirty.

Stump jump practice

3rd times a charm for Craig!

Cuz aboard his powder-coated SZ 29er(Stealth Zion)


Biggest turn out we've had thus far- Thanks for the ride!!!

Nice of mother nature to hold off on the inclimate weather until we got this ride done... again!