Old habits

Old habits are had to break. But my bike frames aren't I guess. I have been noticing that the S Works was making a strange creaking sound on every pedal stroke for some time. I have heard this sound oh about 7 times before. I hung the bike and started to closely inspect the usual areas where the other ones have cracked. Low and behold I found the crack on the drive side chain stay. So I stopped at the shop and Andy told me to bring it in and he would take care of the rest. Well I went back with the bike later and Pete from Specialized was there on his routine call and took care of everything right there. He offered a Tarmac Pro SL Carbon or a Roubaix SL Pro Carbon. The Roubaix is a more relaxed fit, the Tarmac a snappy race fit. I took the Tarmac but I have to wait for almost a month instead of a week for the Roubaix but I think the wait is worth it. Can't wait till it gets here and transfer the parts to the new rocket. I think I may need to set up a wheel set in Jr gears for Nate to race it too. He was eye balling the picture already so that would be easy to do it on the cross wheels that hang all summer.


Trusty S Works waiting for a beat down. It took many and stood by my side for many years and just cracked after to many beat downs. RIP.

New frame that will be taking the place of the good old S Works in the next few weeks. Thanks Pete for getting it done. Later..

Friday Fun

Here are some pictures from the St Pat's party at Steve's house. Like always a great time and a great host.

One of the many toasts that went on through out the night.

Here is Coop and Mitch going back to the never ending pot of corned beef and cabbage. By far the best I ever had.

No talking here just a bunch of guys eating.

The great host Steve and the bottle of Old Smuggler. We drank it all. Nothing like the best cheapest whiskey in a plastic bottle. Can't wait till next year. Later..

White crap

Had to move a bunch of this HEAVY white crap today. The snow was so heavy it took 1 1/2 hours to clear it from the walk and alley. I would have used the snow blower but the guy down the block kept stopping to clear his and I seen him sticking his hand in the shoot twice and I figured I would like to keep my fingers and raise the heart rate instead. The snow meant that the Kenosha crit was also called off so Nate and I didn't get to race 1 this year and that is a first in many years that we missed a Kenosha race, oh well maybe next year. A good day take take a day off the bike. I miss bmx racing. Later..

New Baby

New ride in the house.

Nice feature of bottle opener and wrench, can always use the bottle opener.

Just got a new bike to add to the collection. A sour apple colored single speed Felt Curbside. We have it set up fixie right now as Nate is going to ride it to school till Cece starts riding it in the summer. Then we will put is back to free wheel for Cece as she won't like it fixed. Nice bike and should be fun. Later..

MIA

Here is Tina and Jake, as they were relaxing in the bleachers at the races last weekend. Did the road ride this morning and it was cold and windy as hell. Thanks Joe for pulling in the wind again. It didn't help that I felt like crap from all the cheap whiskey and beer last night. I burped a few times on the ride and I could taste the whiskey again from last night. Why do I drink that stuff when I know I will pay for it the next day? I will post some pictures later as I need a nap. Later..

Last Day at the Track

Here are some of the guys on the bmx team. Several of the others were either on the track or getting ready. They are all fast and ranked in the top in the Nation every year. Oh yeah there is a women on the team, Tina and she is also one of the top racers in the Nation. They are all fun and fast.

Time to get ready for the St. Pats party at Steve's. If it is any thing like last year it should be a blast, even if Russell won't be there someone will take his pulls. Later..

NEWS

Nate and I are both in the Chequamegon. So now we are thinking that we are may as well do the Ore 2 Shore then we all do all 3 this year.


In other news that is cool. http://www.velonews.com/article/89758/american-development-team-member-cole-house-wins-belgium-s. Cool to see another WORS racer killing it on the road.

The Thursday night beat down is in full effect. Tonight I was on the rivet a few times as the pace for March was fast. Always good to blow the carbon out. Come and enjoy the the ride, it starts at 5:30 at Wheel in Hales Corners for now. It will start at 6 in a few weeks and I think the pace will be even faster so come and break the legs and lungs in now. Later..

State Qualifer

Here are 2 pictures that were taken at the State Qualifier race a few weeks back. Found them on the net and they look pretty cool. I did take a 1st place and boy I miss the gate practice. Later..

Last 1

Freak'n rain had us inside so why not catch the last 1. SAW 5 these are some good gory movies. A must see series if you are into blood and guts. Check them out but don't blame me if you can't sleep at night. Later..

More BMX Pictures

Got some great pictures from Tina on our Sun Ringle bmx team that her husband Sam took over the last few weeks. There are a few more that I will save for another day as I don't want to spoil you guys. Thanks for the great pictures Tina and Sam.


Me trying to get a good gate here in practice.

Nate finishing his jump into turn 2. He has one of the fastest turn 2 finishes that I see all weekend.

Nate eyeing up Brandon's jump on his pretty pink bike. Nate again beat Brandon to turn 3.

Nate pulling a manual during one of the Wednesday night gate practices. Kid has skills that I can only dream of. You got to get out and try bmx as it is a blast and I think we will try to fit some more races in this spring and summer as the racing is tight and fast. Later..

No more

Nate was nice here he could have sent this rider over but he decided to just push him a little and beat him.

Nate riding a manual over the double out of turn 2.

The indoor season for bmx is done. It was as always a fun time and we will miss the drives to practice and races every Wednesday and Sunday. Today Bradon came to watch and he enjoyed it so he says, just have to get him to try it this summer when he is here with Gus. Nate had a good day as he took a 2nd in cruiser, 3rd in class and a 4th in the open. I took a 5th in cruiser as I didn't take the 20 inch. Saving a few wins for the Nationals this summer. Now it is time to start the road training and get ready for the summer season. See you in the road. I will post a video later as Cece has some school work to finish on the other computer. Later..

Nice day for a ride

It was a perfect day for a ride. we had a small group of about 25 guys and it worked great. Had a few newbies on the ride of Gus and Bradon. They rode like they have been in a group for ever.

Then after the ride I went to visit a friend Paul Warlowski who hit by a car last week. He is doing good and should be out next week. He has a broken leg and a rod put in to put him back together and a skin graft to close the area where the bone went through. He is positive and should be back this fall.

Tomorrow is the last day of BMX so good luck to all racing in Kenosha. Now I have to run and get the Mexican food Cece just ordered.

3 down 2 to go

We are sitting here watching the SAW 1, 2, 3 movies. That just leaves 4 and 5 for tomorrow night. These have to be the freak'n scariest movies out there. They have you shaking with the willies the whole time. The most disgusting things I have ever seen in a movie. Great stuff though. Also sitting here watching the bmx National Championships in Texas on www.go211.com the lap top. Movie is getting good. Later..

Lost Memo

Someone didn't get the memo that it is spring here. The temps on the ride last night was cold and looks like today it is more of the same just a tad higher. Even with the low temps the Sat ride from Wheel & Sprocket in Hales Corners is still on tomorrow @ 9:30am. Just dress for the temps. So see you there. But if you find the memo for warmer weather please pass it on we could use it. Later..

Frozen Beat Down

Nate and I hit the Beat Down ride tonight with about 12 brave souls. The temp when we left was a balmy 32 and when we finished is was 27 freak'n cold degrees. It was a great ride and we were glad we went, but holy cow was it cold on the way back. My feet and fingers were just short of frozen. Couldn't wait to get the heat blasting in the car on the way home to thaw out. When we got home Nate got a nice plate of rice, broccoli, cheese and a hot dog to top it off. That has to be the strangest post ride meal I have seen. Now I need to get under the down blanket as I'm still chilled. Later..

Bored

Just sitting here at a Pest control conference. Not a bad one but just to long for me to sit and listen to someone babble on about bugs and rodents. Work pays so it isn't that bad and the lunch was ok. Just hoping the temps go up a tad before the group ride tonight at Hales Corners Wheel and Sprocket as I will go either way but I was hoping for a little higher temps. Ride leaves at 5:30 sharp. See you there. Later..

Done

Wednesday gate practice is now over for the year. Man did it fly by. If was a blast and I will miss it and now look forward to the Wednesday races at Crystal Ridge. The last indoor race is this Sunday and that will wrap up the indoor season. Fun time and looking forward to the out door season. Later..

Hit'n the road

Today Nate and I got a ride in before my school board meeting. It was a little windy and it almost blew Nate over a few times. But like I always tell Nate the wind is your best training partner as it only makes you stronger. After the ride I got a bite to eat and ran to a school board meeting. I finally got to sit down and relax and eat a big bowl of ice cream.

Last gate practice tomorrow and I'm really going to miss it as it filled a night of training and great people to hang around. Later..

Seminary chapel that we get to ride past to and from the lake, just a beautiful place.

Just a small hill into the wind.

Where Nate goes to High School, poor kid has to ride past it after school to.

1 More

Here is another little film of Nate yesterday. He is on his cruiser in a open gate practice before the races. 1 more practice and 1 more race weekend. Then we hit the road for some racing. Later..

State Qualifer

Short film of Nate's 3 moto in his cruiser.

Today was the State Qualifier at the bmx track, that also meant double point race. Nate took 2nd in the cruiser class today and 5th in his 20 inch. I took a 1st in the 20 inch. That now means I only need 3 more wins and I move up to intermediate. Then I have to step it up and race the faster guys. Now there is only 1 more practice and the last day of racing is next Sunday. We will then try to hit the last Kenosha race as Nate and I are going to hit the Rockford bmx track for a few races before the Nationals there in June. Time to get a few things done as we have been riding and racing for the last few days.

Part 2

Here are a few pictures from the ride this morning and a short film of Nate's 20 inch main. He took a 3rd in 20 inch and a 3rd in cruiser. I took a 4th in cruiser tonight. Tomorrow is a double pointer and Nate is racing both bikes and I'm only racing the 20 inch. Good Luck to all racing the Kenosha race. Time to get some rest. Later..

Part 1

Just got done washing the car and truck. Waxed the car too. Also got the group ride in this morning with a good group at a nice pace. Great to ride outside with a group again ( pictures later ). Now getting ready for part 2. Time to head out to bmx race.

Happy Birthday to Kyle and hope they have fun at the roller derby and hope to see them out for a few beers after the races and the roller derby. Then more bmx racing tomorrow. Later..

Just call me Randy

I was going to go out to lunch with a co-worker but she had a meeting. So I skipped lunch and got home and rode the rollers and lifted weights. But the issue is I'm sitting here eating a family size bag of Doritos. The bag is half gone damn it, and they taste good. Getting ready to head to the auction after having some of the fish Cece just made. See you on the road ride tomorrow at Wheel and Sprocket in Hales Corners at 9:30am sharp. Later..

Nothing

Here is Nate taking a quick lap last night. Any takers on trying to keep up with him? I can't, Danny T can't and Ray tries when he showed up and can't. Next.

With the cold weather today I was chilled all day and didn't feel like practicing my mad skills. So I didn't. I took a day off. I did lift weights though. Nate did his stretching and took a day off the bike too. Tomorrow will be a short ride and then off to the auction to buy some crap. Then 2 days of bmx racing. That leaves 1 more practice and then next weekend is the last weekend of indoor bmx racing. Then we are hitting Rockford for some outdoor racing before the Nationals. Really enjoying the bmx scene and will have to hit more this summer as they are a hell of a lot cheaper and closer then some of the other races that we do. But as always that changes. Later..

Fried

Fried not from the food last night but the gate practice tonight. Nate and I hit the gate practice and pounded them out to the point that I was so tired I almost hit the deck a few times, I knew that I was done then. Nate took a few more and then he was fried to. I was just wiped out on the drive home. Oh I love that feeling. Nothing like a sprint workout for 2 hours, you don't know what your missing. Later..

Gut Rot

I went to the Wisconsin Restaurant Show today and ate a ton of fried foods and cheese. My gut felt like it was going to explode. But it my one time a year that I really go over board. I don't know how Randy does it everyday. I will just have to ride it off tomorrow at bmx practice. Later..

Low High

Here is a film of Nate in his 20 inch main. Sorry for my bad failure to follow for a second. In the main Nate took the inside and did a sweet low high in turn 2 for the finish. It was his team mate but Jacob has done this to Nate a bunch of times and now he is finally doing it back. It only took a few years to get him to do it and it was sweet to see. Now I have to try it. Yeah right I have to get to work the next day. Later..

Busting gates

Today was a great day to be inside at the barn racing the bmx bikes. It was dry, warm and just nice to be riding the bike. No secret hand shake or password needed to do it so come and try it. Nate took a 2nd in the cruiser and then a 4th in in age class. His age class is stacked and he made a nice move to get in to the position to get the 4th place finish. I had a good race today as I took a 4th in the cruiser. It made it a 1, 2, 3, 4th place finish for the Sun Ringle team. Next week is the State qualify so there is racing Saturday and Sunday. We will miss the Kenosha races, that will bite but we are committed to finish the bmx season as Nate is racing great there.
There is just 3 more weekends of racing then the outdoor season at Rockford starts. Nate and I are planning to hit a few of the Rockford races to prepare for the Midwest Nationals in June. Right now we are watching the classic American Graffiti, funny to see the old cars and things that went on in the early 60's. Later..

Things that happened

Last night was the Ronsta Roll. A group of shady folks rolled the hill sides of Waukesha under the loose supervision of Ronsta. It was a great night of riding, food and beer. Thanks Ronsta and looking forward to next one. If you want to know what goes on you have to be there.

I have no idea what this is, your guess is as good as mine.

Had to wait for one who will remain nameless for his lack of bike maintenance.

Today was another day of Jr training and with the rain this is where it took place. They should be ready for the races when they get to the start line. Are you ready?

How we roll

Today Nate, Jessie in tow and myself rolled out along the lake. Jessie was asking if she could come for the ride and nate said I will pull her on the trail along. I said tif you want to pull her have at it. I rolled the SS and Nate rode Cece's mtn bike and the trail a bike. We rolled into the wind and he was tucked behind me but it was a good wind to fight. I tried to ride as upright as I could to give him a nice pocket and it worked. We turned around and with the wind we flew and then we turned for the last 3 miles home and it was into the wind and Nate asked if he could ride the SS and I let him finish the ride on it. Jess was a good rider on the back and as times we were moved down some hills and she jsut hung on no problem as I thought she may have asked us to slow it down, but she never did. We ended up with a nice ride and I hope the weather holds for a few more. See you Saturday for the group ride at Hales Corners Wheel at 9:30 sharp.

On another note the entry to the ICEMAN is in the mail.

Only in Bay View.

There was still alot of ice on the lake. It was cooler by the lake.

Jessie whipping her horse to go faster. I think it worked as he picked up the pace.

Jess taking in the sights as she is pulled along.

ICEMAN update.

So here is the last update to the ICEMAN. I'm going to send it in and Nate and I are going to try to fit it in this year.

12:00 PM Wednesday March 4, 2009
Okay, here's the new plan! If you click on the "Register Now" star, you will find a pdf of the 2009 Iceman entry form. Print that and fill it out. Then throw it back in the mail to the address on the form by this Saturday, March 7th, and we'll take it from there. The key is that ALL entries postmarked by Saturday March 7th will be accepted.
We are close to being able to post a list of the riders who were able to register on Monday evening. SBO has been working around the clock (literally) to clean up the data and to correct duplicate credit card charges and that process is almost completed.
Sincerely,
Steve Brown

What the heck?

Tried to log in to get in the ICEMAN but it was a cluster F*&#. After the first couple of attempts I gave up as I didn't trust what was going on again. I was just going to try to get Nate and I in and see what was happening in the fall next year to see if we could fit it in. I did it a few years ago on a tandem with Mike Owens and it was a blast so I figured it was time to get Nate to enjoy the race to. I will try again when they figure it out and hope for the best. Or I may give it a break and try for the 2010 as the race is great and should still be around then. Good Luck to all that tried and did get it to work. More indoor bmx gate practice tomorrow. Later..

14 plus

This was what I woke up to this morning. Nothing when I went to bed but this in the morning to move before heading out to work. Then there was more to move when I got home. At work I was on the North side of Milwaukee and there was no snow at all and it was sunny, but here at the casa it was snowing all day. The weather says there is more on the way tonight. I thought we were done for this year. The good thing is it is supposed to get warm later this week and that should take care of the this. Go to go and pre heat the oven for the Papa Murphy's Chicken Garlic special pizza. Later..

BMX'n

Here is a little film of Nate's 20 inch qualifier.

It was another day in the barn racing the little bikes. Nate took a 2nd in the cruiser and then in the 20 inch main he took a 3rd place. In the 20 main he was on the outside looking in and trying to look for a hole in all the corners but nothing. So he threw down a sprint to the line and got the 3rd place and the other kid just couldn't believe it. He never gave up, cool to watch.

I just raced the cruiser today and I took a 2nd. One week I was watching and the neck I have a great gate and good gate and I'm in and doing good. Hopefully it continues. More gate practice and then 3 more race weekends and then it will be time to get on the big bikes. Later.