Time to Think - Happy New Year

Well 2008 is upon us and I've had some time yesterday while on my 4 hour ski conquest about the past year. What went right, what went wrong, and what do I want to do in 2008.

Well to begin with, I will NOT be going to 24 hour world championships. It's bad timing on their (their being 24 hours of adrenalin) part to schedule non usa cycling sanctioned self proclaimed world 24 solo championships not affiliated at all with the UCI in which Landis and Rasmussen could both compete if they wanted the weekend after 24 hour nats. I personally think this title will be settled and should be settled at Moab so I have naturally scheduled that one for 2008 as my version of the 24 solo world championships. USA Cycling once again designated 24 hours of 9 mile to be the home of the national championships on the same weekend the 24-9 race has always been. Following days later was the date of solo "worlds". Come on people (tostado, juarez, eatough, Hendershot, etc...) forget the passports and come to Wisconsin I'll personally hand you a bag of Cheese Curds myself and a Highlife after crossing the line for the finish.

Secondly, If I plan on doing well next season I can't express how important it is to me to NOT get hit by another car. What a nightmare, between the insurance dollars and the waiting and the mental stress, it took more out of me than I could ever have imagined. I don't wish for anyone I have ever met in the cycling community to go through that no matter how little damaged is involved...not fun.

I am looking forward to exploring the races outside of WORS this year such as Moab, lumberjack 100 and others on my schedule. Maybe I'll transition solely to one 24 hour race per month, 2 months whatever in various states, but for now I'll frequent my favorite WORS courses.

Finally, on a high note I was happy completing my first 24 solo event without any sleep, granted I didn't have the fitness I would have liked going into it and some strange heart burn thing going on didn't contribute any good to the cause, but I'll be back for more suffering next year and how great is that the scoletrain didn't hang up his 24 hour shoes.

I hope everybody has a great new year. Remember just over 4 months till the first race. Rasta Rally in Rhinelander....maybe.

This is why I live in Wisconsin

From weather.com: "WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM CST SUNDAY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREEN BAY HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM CST SUNDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 TO 12 INCHES ARE EXPECTED TONIGHT INTO SUNDAY... WITH THE HEAVIEST AMOUNTS ANTICIPATED IN VILAS COUNTY. IN ADDITION...WEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED ON SUNDAY...WHICH WILL GENERATE CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE."

Weekend Happenings

So last Saturday after a meal at the local chinese restaraunt, I was too attempted to do one of these.

Niobium is damn good band based in the Twin Cities. Kirk, a long time hometown friend of mine is their front man. Awesome group, they have opened for some big acts like Powerman5000 and the like and are becoming a national talent. Not for everyone, but that's what I like about them.

Not only do these guys keep it metal on the stage, but they got a thing for entertainment as well.

What To Do, What To Do

I could fill this up and shoot film on....yes...a super 8 this was found in a garage why not use it! HEY PBR COASTERS!

When it's nice out we will be doing some of this!

When it's not so nice out side and after a few Point Specials, we will be doing a lot of this I sense a tournament coming on. Bring it swab!

BKB KILL EM' ALL

New Kit for 2008

EVOMO has come up with a great kit for next year. This kit is so tough that it along with the EVOMO squad is the sole reason why Waldo is hiding. I mean check out those glock 9's last time I saw guns that big I was watching Walker Texas Ranger.

I have accepted sponsorship with Manitou Suspension Products. This to me is great considering the fact that Manitou is the only suspension system other than the ligaments in my knees I've utilized since my first bike purchased in 1995...the Mongoose Sycamore. Its only fitting that I have oufit all of my bikes with Manitou including the R7 and yes even the Axel which came stock on my 2004 Rockhopper Comp. Yeah I am guessing Russell can expect to see more Jamison to come his way that is if I am not doing the lumberjack 100. Also, I would like to welcome Tunguska Blast Energy Drink, Sockguy, and Nuun Nutrtional Products to the list of great partners for the 2008 season. Nuun is going to be a key supporter in the hydration department. With 1 or 2 tablets depending on whether or not your using a Camelbak you have a drink all set which is great if you need something quick while on a ride and can't haul jugs of powder with you.

More night skiing at Nine Mile in prevention of being shot by hunters allows me to get some quality training for xc ski racing cause frankly the skate technique needs some work or i'll be racing in the classic class.

Random

What's with the bad rap 24 worlds is getting and what did I miss?

Am I going to do Iola or Tour De Dells Road and MTB?

After talking with people that are supposedly running a business lately it's no wonder the economy is crap. Office supplies isn't rocket science.

Finally, what class do I renew my usa cycling license in the xc category and will affect what class I race in at Moab, lumbjerjack, etc. Expert?

Tis Da Season

So now that my cross training has begun in the form of shoveling 7" of wet snow out of my driveway. I am now in the christmas spirit. Going to go check out 9-mile today hopefully to begin the xc portion of my year.