Woolastook 5 : Pony up, Clydesdales!

Woot! Woot! Here it is! First MTB race of the season. I'm supposed to team up with Get Rheal, but I see they are offering a SS cat. Hmmm. This is why I'm not team player... podiums are only so big. Especially, now that I'm whipping on my newest steed.

Like a new cat. She gets to stay inside for couple of days.

But, why, Lucky? Why? Your flat broke and Mrs. Lucky is threatening to cut off your beer allowance. For the love of dog and all that is wholly, WHYYYYY?

These wheels were the deal breaker!

You say no. No, no, really... say it right now while looking at this picture.
HA! You can't... Nobody can. Kudos to Glen who built this beauty and gave me a great deal on it before he left for "Little Newfoundland" or Fort McMurray, some call it.

I, personally, like the addition of the Clydesdale category in the 2009 Woolastook 5 hr (ECMTB has added an hour this year, as well. Sadistic bastards!) , even tough I would need 2 fat suits to get in on that heavy action. I wanna see a fat guy on a single speed cleeeean house!

It's even in my new town, so pre-race camping at my place for BBQ, effervescent carbohydrate shakes and review of the safety meeting minutes.

I'm very, very, very eeekcited... very.

very.

Retorting or The making of a second pie

Yaaaaaaaaaah! My comments are working below. Let fly the retorts and playful name calling, you bunch of back water, lily livered, radish stinking, flat footed, not conventionally beautiful, mouth breathing goombas.

It's pissing rain right now and will until the weekend. This is not optimal training conditions, and by actually riding outside my willful mystification of the joy of indoor training has been shattered. Just one evening ride through a local rock quarry, a splash of fire road descent, and that was it. I'm going to have serious trouble planting my ass on spin bike that never properly fit my gangling build, all scarred knees and elbows flying in every direction.

I didn't bring my camera on this ride and regretted it. I saw some great inspirational stuff I will try to share with you through the pensive retrospect of Haiku.

Filled lungs and soul

with crisp air, framing long views

trade thanks from on high

Yep. That just about sums it up. The astute of you will notice the awkward attention paid to kireji.

Jacque and the gang at Velo Cape Breton have formally announced the date for their Across the Highlands Challenge '09. Good times, even though, when I attended a while back there were (unseasonably, I assure you) hurricane conditions at the camp site and it looked like they would need miltary relief. Good times, Good times. Nothing says thanks for coming to the Maritimes like sleeping a family of five in the car while your cooler is being swept away to sea. Seriously, the race was awesome. VCB is a great club, race support was top notch, and I will say with absolute conviction that mountain bike tour scenery doesn't get any better on the east coast.

VCB also has a very informative newsletter. They very astute in covering bicycle advocacy and dirty jokes. Get signed up here.

36" wheels, huh? I don't know how I feel about this. The evidence is there for a good, though somewhat extreme, argument for 29" wheels over 26" for handling the rough stuff. As for fun on the flat stuff, how about a Scarpar.

Only in California (the bay area no doubt!)

I'm already looking forward to a radtarded weekend.

Creative profiling: Just add moxy

It's going to be 14 degrees today and I won't be handling any of my computer problems like the comment fiasco or updating. I do have some thing though. My very first reader contribution! I'm please to feature my celebrity friend (she's a celebrity because she does a morning radio show and is rumored to get comfortably sauced every blue moon. Scandal begets celebrity!) , Changela. She's an ice/rock climber who is convinced that, despite my spindly upper body, that I am also capable of doing these things. We may find out... someday. I was unable to find a picture of her climbing anything, but I did google her leaning on this stack of, what I believe are, antique internetz.

Changela: Smart, not tired.

Upon more searching I was able to find (ahem... create) this picture of her in more adventurous setting, doing battle with the king of monsters.

More eye blasters, Changela! Drive him back to his watery dungeon!

Changela sent this clip of some french dude gaping the Tour de France. Thanks!

This is news, I guess. The season is just getting rolling, so events are sparse. Take what you can get. The Oakley rolling (marketing?) Lab is a-coming to the Maritimes. Here's the poster. God willing they will bring some of the athletes/models from the catalog. Worth checking out on the off chance.

Another event that is a good chance to upgrade. If your in the Fredericton area, Savage's bike shop is having their annual bike swap. There's no poster, but here's the info from Kijiji. I wouldn't promote a sale usually, but this a good way to meet up with newer riders and do some of your own parking lot swaps. Everybody wins.

Savage's Bike Swap and Sale!

http://www.savages.ca

APRIL 17th, 18th, & 19th

At the Capital Exhibit Centre. Doors open Friday at noon -

Don't miss this - over 750 new bikes up to 50% off.

Shop early for the best selection.

What is it?

1) The Bike Swap is a way for you to get rid of an old bike or upgrade into a new bike! Bring your bike down and we'll sell it for you! Over 90% of used bikes sell, so, clean it up and leave the rest to us! You can take either 80% of the cash or apply 100% toward the purchase of a new bike.

2) The Sale: We have over 750 new bikes for sale at prices that you just can't get any other time of the year. If you're buying a bike, this is the time to do it. Typically, we have numerous models below dealer cost. Again, it's our way of saying Thank You!

All New bikes come with full one year service and full warranty from the manufacturer!

If you have a question about the swap and sale, please call us at 506.457.7452. We accept swap bikes all year long, so clean that shed out and bring your bike down to us!

I have not been wasting my time in the innernette. I'm working on a comprehensive MTB race calendar for the entire Maritime region. There's some static between the provinces as far as scheduling conflicts and communication. I'm sincerely going to try to quell this a bit, but will probably just make it worse. If anyone wants to help stir the pot before I throw the whole mess at the fan, get in touch.

Adieu.

Common Ground

It's amazing where you find it and with whom.

I've included a translation (a la Babelfish) for those of you not familiar with the language of the people who brought you baguette, french fries and the art of condescension.

I love the girls from Castel
I love the girls from Renault
I love the girls from Regine
I love the girls that one sees in "Elle"
I love the girls of the magazines at Citroen
I love the girls of the blast furnaces
I love the girls
I love the girls who work with in chain shops

If you are like that Telephone to me
If you are like this like Telephone me

I love the girls that have a dowry
I love the girls that have a dad
I love the girls of Loth
I love the girls without a dad
I love the girls of Megave
I love the girls of Saint-Tropez
I love the girls who are on strike
I love the girls who go camping
I love the girls of Rochell
I love the girls who make old France
I love the girls of Camaret
I love the intellectual girls
I love the girls who make amuse at the cinema
I love the girls of income assistance
I love the girls who make out
I love the girls

If you are like that Telephone to me
If you are like this Telephone

If you are like that Telephone to me
If you are like this Telephone

Note: WOW! That a was a terrible translation. I had to fix that up considerably and it probably still isn't very good.

It's come to my attention that the comments are not working and I'm working on it Until it's fixed I will try not to inspire your feedback.