Looks like the 29ner is here to stay. They are now being sold @ Walmart.
Notice the quick release front and bolt on rear wheel. Totally gnar-tastic!!!

Sent from my Verizon wireless mobile robot

Ultimate Track Bike Whoop Section

The Jet Set Cyclist stopped by the shop this week to drop off parts for his new track bike. It’s by far the most high end single speed I have built. Just the wheels and frame come in @ $12,000! This is the third bike I have built for Jet Set Cyclist since The BC opened. I could tell just by how serious he was when we were discussing the build that this is his pride and joy, out of all the bikes in his stable of two wheeled steeds.

I matched his fit numbers from his previous track bike. Measured twice and cut once. I have never been so nervous about cutting a seat mast. Even though I matched the same seat height, I still fear I cut it to short!

This is the most baller track build I’ve done!

Anyways,

I rode up to Northbrook with Iron Maiden on Sunday. It was a nice day, Windy, but nice. We split a sandwich and we each had a mini Arnold Palmer half and half and a apple cider donut. I love the donuts there. Their soo good!

This next part is highly confidential. Don’t let The BackStreet Skeet know that I rode without him breaking our man-date.

Iron Maiden and I found a new feature @ The White Clay

This whoop section made me feel like this guy!

I SWEAR I'm not a roadie

So I might be getting some base miles on the road bike. But I'm still a skilled bicycle handler! Here is a video that BackStreetSkeeter shot of me during our road ride after work today.

Mountain bike features on a road bike!

No issues with douchie drivers today. Just a solid ride with BackStreetSkeet and Bionic Becca.

Road Riders: 1 A$$hole Drivers: 0

I haven't posted in over a year, but today's ride got me back on the blog wagon.

Iron Maiden and I departed out of Pike Creek on the "morning loop", we were just looking for a mellow 1:30:00 on the road bikes. So, we are rolling down chambers rock when a silver honda civic is blasting the horn and yelling @ Iron Maiden. Not passing, but being a douche bag asshole.

After they sack up and pass Iron Maiden they attempt to play the same game with me. I don't like to play this game! I fire a water bottle at the car as they pass by.

DIRECT HIT! Thump!

So, Thuggie Tweedle Dumb and Thuggie Tweedle Dumber pull over. The Driver, Thuggie Tweedle Dumber, gets out of his beat up civic and says, "ya hit ma car!". His car, in neutral, rolls forward as his homie sitting shot gun,Thuggie Tweedle Dumb, laughs at his derelict companion. Thuggie Tweedle Dumber hops back in and pulls his e brake. TTDer gets back out and says, "Why'd ya hit my car". I told him that, "I don't appreciate you terrorizing me on my road ride". He hops back in a rolls off, but I know it won't be over that easy.

I go back and get my water bottle, check in with Iron Maiden, because she was still startled by the aggresive douchie honking. Minutes later as I predicted here comes Thuggie Tweedle Dumb and Thuggie Tweedle Dumber. Lets face it I'm in lycra and road shoes, which are awful foot wear for combat, I pick up a rock the size of my fist and prepare for the worst.

Thuggie Tweedle Dumber fires his half empty Monster Energy can out the window completely missing us by 10 feet. We High tail it down Chambers Rock and sprint to the road that runs through White Clay (between the Chambers Rock/Thompson station intersection and Corner Catch, by the ranger station) that is blocked off to cars.

As we cross the bridge that is wide enough for 2 cars a soccer mom flips us the bird in her mini van as she is talking with her cellphone up against her ear. She was probably talking about the latest episode of "Bethany After All" with her best girl friend and didn't want to share the bridge and freaked out.

We then make it to the road and ride back to the GavaganDeathTrail Service Course with out a hitch.

In Hindsight maybe I just should have squirting water on the wind shield of Thuggie Tweedle Dumb and Thuggie Tweedle Dumber or simply flipped the bird and told them to "go F*&K themselves". That would have been more appropriate than getting into a altercation which could have ended differently.

Maybe its best to turn the other cheek and just write it off as I have soo many other times.

But you know What! I'm glad I threw my bottle at those douche bags. I hope Thuggie Tweedle Dumb and Thuggie Tweedle Dumber learned today that Roadies will fight back!

I don't really consider myself a roadie, by any means. But, I hope I have helped Roadies get a more Bad Ass reputation!

I guess I channeled my inner Kenny Powers

USAC Mechanic Clinic Summary

Now that the Mid Atlantic is getting pounded with snow I finally have the chance to update about my journey to Colorado Springs to become a USA Cycling licensed race mechanic.

On the first day of the course we meet in one of the conference rooms of the Olympic Training Center. We were greeted and divided up randomly into 4 groups and then got our learn on!

The Olympic walk

I got to see some Olympic Athletes playing some Ping Pong

Mechanics can from all over the country to take part in the race mechanic clinic. some mechanics traveled from Japan, New Zealand, and United Kingdom.

On the second day of the clinic we took a field trip to the 7-11 Velodrome

These banked turns are steeper than NASCAR's!

My classes mates in the velodrome

We got to check out the shop area of the velodrome

Cool posters on the wall

Mavic Neutral Support was there and taught us how to properly exchange wheels in a race situation

Mark from Mavic taught us the proper technique

Pro mechanics don't get on their knees

Calvin from park tools showed us how to wash bikes

This is how dirty bikes get clean

The last day of the course we had a expo with all the manufacturers and instructors

DI2 TT controls

These controlers are much cooler than the drop handle bar shifter that I installed at the shop

My 15 minutes of fame on usacycling.org
Here I am with Dave from Shimano learning how to use the diagnostic tool for the DA-7970 (DI2)

Certificate time!!!

Here I am with TJ Grove one of the best and most respected mechanics in the USA
TJ has been to the Olympics and World Championships for the US National team

USA Cycling Bill Woodul Race Mechanic Clinic Class of 2009

The 2009 USA Cycling Bill Woodul Race Mechanic Clinic has been something I have wanted to go to the past 2 years. It was completely worth it. I'm proud of myself that I finally went and became certified.

Now I am just waiting to get my License in the mail

USAC Mechanic Clinic Day 1

Day 1 of the course is over. Alot of information has been gone over and there is still 3 more days left. 2maro we get to take a field trip to the 7-11 Velodrome.

USAC Mechanic Clinic

So this winter instead of heading to the west to go snowboarding I decided to take the USA Cycling Race Mechanic Clinic held at the Olympic Traning Center in Colorado Spring, CO.

Iron Maiden dropped me off at PHL at 5am to head to ORD and then COS. While wander around O'Hare airport(ORD) I met one of my instructors, Calvin of Park Tools.

A hour delay and a new plane later we were on our way to Colorado Springs(COS).
Got a ride from the OTC shuttle van with more instructors and checked into the Days Inn and took a nap.

When I woke up I headed to the dinner next to the Days Inn, Maggy Mae's.
I had the whole restaurant to myself

Seriously! Nobody else was there besides the staff.

Off to the OTC 2maro to start the course.
I know I'm very prepared, but
Wish me luck!