It’s been almost three months since Cyclocross Nationals, and I think I am ready to climb back up on that horse. The leg hair has grown long and thick. The shaver beckons me in the shower.

This is my first foray in writing on the internet. Be kind, and don’t let people from my High School find me on the Internet. I don’t want to talk to them, unless they’re hot and want to talk about their massive crush they had on me.

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After racing for years, it feels good to be a part of a mountain bike team again. So it seems appropriate to start with a picture from my first race. Ever.  (tip of the cap to the first person that can name the venue…)

Good thing nobody told me what a ‘dual slalom’ was until after I signed up. Too bad there isn’t a picture of the look on my face in midair.

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Traction Required

Even during the 24+ inches of snowfall that Pittsburgh seen this past week i was still outside riding. Actually logging over 3 hours on the day we saw the most snowfall. No indoor trainer needed! Having a great coach like Chris Eatough who understands my passion for winter riding makes it even easier. He works directly with me to keep the indoor trainer workouts to a minimum and the outdoor activity to a max. I used my older Fisher Paragon 29er wrapped with the ultimate traction grabbers Bontrager MudX.  You ask about staying warm?? Well Bontrager also has all the gear you need to be outfitted for the worst weather.

Make no mistake; I hate snow. There is nothing about it that excites me. You know you are going to spend the entire day clearing it away. Then there are my children, I have 3. So, a choice has to be made. Snow wins.

Every year we have significant snowfall, I will make some larger than life sculpture. Let’s see…My dog, a chair, a dragon, a 30 ft long shark, an indian. So I decided to do something different this year. 3,500 calories and 4 hours later, the toboggan run was ready. Not a De Vinci by any means, but the kids could care less about that anyway. They have something that is functional.

I am still amazed that after all of that shoveling; yes shoveling-I am the only guy who doesn’t have a snow blower and a spare tire, there is still that much snow in the yard. Kinda like when you watch the road runner character eat his grains so that the coyote can drop an anvil on his head, and the food never gets any smaller.

I was smart; rarity indeed. I shoveled the walk and driveway during the storm. I used this as a substitute for my cycling intervals. I knew the day was going to be sunny and did not want to spend it digging out. It is work, but it is for the little one’s, so it is worth it…I think.

My back will let me know tomorrow.

29″ of snow was certainly no coincidence in my book. Even the Big Guy understands the impact of the 29er movement. His way of saying thanks to all who have taken the leap. I would have preferred something a little less back breaking, but I will have to accept it. Still, I  hate snow, but love my kids.

When the news says “stay off the roads” there was no holding back. Only one thing to do….grab a bike and ride the unplowed city. Major streets looked like Zombies had taken over as fewer than a dozen cars were seen on my ride to Dunkin Donuts. The 2010 Blizzard didn’t keep me from a 3 hr ride.
Stork

It seems totally appropriate that on the day of my first post ever to the 29er Crew blog that I spent the day digging out of 29 inches of snow here in Bethesda Maryland.  It’s the most snow we’ve gotten in the Washington DC area since 1996, when we got 26 inches.  Back then I was a racing on a 26 inch hardtail.  Coincidence?   I don’t think so.  Time goes by, people evolve and so does technology.  A light 29 inch wheeled bike is an advantage.  Few would argue that Fisher bikes aren’t among the best.  That’s why I’m here: the bikes are inspiring.

It was a 5+ hour workout for my wife and I.  First we dug out our cars, then shoveled the sidewalk, then our neighbor’s walk (she’s 96 and I really should not be shoveling snow ;-), then another neighbor’s car.. It’s amazing how productive you can be when you think of this “chore” as training.  I try to remember to shovel lefty half the time so the ab-intensive workout is not imbalanced… I’m weird that way!  

Rather than ride the trainer, tomorrow we’re going to head out on our cross country skis through the mostly still unplowed streets of our suburban neighborhood.  Why fight it?

I’m really looking forward to this year riding and representing Gary Fisher… and to maybe meeting some of my equally inspired 29er Crew teammates at the races.

In terms of the calendar, I’m planning on six of the 100 mile NUE races again this year on single speed, interspersed with some local regional cross country events on my geared bike… that is if I can get the Eurovan dug out!

Last weekend I had the joy of Bontrager Brand Manager Chris Clintons company. He flew into Pittsburgh to talk tires with us locals before he made his way over to Rays Indoor Park in Ohio. So you ask what tire am I excited to try here in western PA….that would be the FR4 which is rumored to be better than the notorious ACX.