Boned

Jeff, Kyle and Pat in Lake Mills.
John, Kyle and Pate rear ends.
Rolling along outside of lake mills.
Kyle with a full tummy after lunch in Madison before the ride home.
Gathering after lunch for the picture then the ride home in front of Yellow Jersey in Madison.

Shooting the shit.
The gang together before the ride home.
Bob just being happy as always.
Rick giving us the COOoop relaxed look.

Riding out towards the Capital on the way home. It was a beautiful day and it is said that there was about 180 plus riders today. Dan, John, Jeff, Kyle and myself started the ride in Hartland today as we felt a 116 miles would do. The total from Tom's house is 160+ but I have done that and had enough of that and the shorter ride was perfect today. We meet the ride and the cruise to Madison was a nice 18+ into the wind. It never got to fast and as always was the easy end of the ride. After lunch the ride home with the wind was a little different. It was a 27+ all the way back. It slowed a little up the hills but the flats it was 30 so it made up for it. Once we got to Hartland it was nice to be done and the rest rolled on. Then we waited for John and Kyle as they were in the group behind us and then we headed home. I showered and ran around with the punks to try to find a Wii fit but all gone so we have to wait for a couple of weeks I guess. Now after eating I'm going to go lay down. But man what a great day for a ride. Later..

Win and out

Softball is done now. Nate's team won tonight and it was the last game of the year. The game for tomorrow was played the other day when we had a double header as the other team had a thing going on tomorrow so we played the game last week. Nate's team went undefeated and only lost 1 game in the last 4 years. They won the league every year and I think the others are glad to see some of the older kids go away. It was fun and enjoyable to see some of the kids get better each game and the good ones just get way better. Now it is time to ride.

Speaking of riding I took tomorrow off and I'm going to do the Bone Ride with Dan, Jeff and John. Nothing like taking a stroll to Madison and eat lunch and pedal back home. I decided at the last minute as Nate's game was played and it freed up the day. Nate will miss the time trial but he is doing the WEMS race this weekend so he needs to just take it easy as we will have more time to ride more with out softball now.

Just got home from a school board meeting and Cece made some home made french toast and bacon. So time to eat till I can't and get some rest for the ride. Later..

Guest Photographer

Gage at the start on his new bike. Rode it like he stole it to a win. Gage rolling out of the gate.
Gage rocking it after the down hill.
Expo flying down the hill.
Sam rolling after the down hill.
Theo at the top of the hill.

Cody getting to the top of the hill.I don't know what Bubba is doing here. Was there a beer or some food over there?
COOoop giving the evil eye...
Rachael going for the front at the start of her race.
Rachael flying down the hill.

Here are the pictures I had on my camera that Goat took. Then I didn't get the camera out of the car after my race so I got no others. Check around as I know there were a ton taking pictures. Later..

#2 in the books

I have to say this was a fun race and the venue was great. The skinny's did a great job. But man was there a lot of climbing. Pre riding it seemed easier but after cooking the lungs and legs they seemed a ton tougher. A side from that it was a blast. I think that everyone should be able to do the entire rock garden though, I like the longer one as Nate and I rode it yesterday and it was no problem. Maybe next year I can talk Ray and Butch into it. Again great race guys.

Now for the race it went well again as I got to ride with Nate and Myles again. Man is that a great thing that I am so grateful to be able to do. If you ever get a chance to race at the same time as your kids take it as you get to see them grow into great riders right in front of you, Nate struggled on the hills and by the end he was dying but held on for a 2nd place finish. Mitch had a great race and took the win again with Myles charging back after hitting a tree to just miss getting past Nate. Theo also had a great race and took a 2nd in his age. I rolled in for a 10th in the single speed today. Felt good but the gear was a tad tall by the end. Maybe next year I will be able to get a new set of wheels that allow me to go into a little smaller gearing. Legs are tired now and need a good rest. Watching the others suffer made me glad that I was done as my body could not have done another lap. The legs, back and arms were toast by the end.

Thanks Mark for the bubble cover for the pool to help heat the water. As I walked in the girls wanted me to toss it on, but I told them they had to wait till later as I was tired and I didn't want struggle right now. Cece and I Will get it on the pool tomorrow and maybe in a few days it will be warm enough to go in and stay in longer then 2 minutes. Later. .

Got alot done and Rode too

The boys from Skinny's have put together a nice race venue again. A side from the hill climbing the single track is awesome just kidding it is racing. The course was nice and dry. Hopefully the rain holds out and the course stays nice for all the races this year. Nate and I did 2 laps today, 1 just the 2 of us and then one with The Baron, Mitch, Jeremey and myself. Those boys are ready for another great race. The bike was fine even though the gear is a tad tall but that is all I got so I'm running what I have. I may suffer at times but it will work. See you at the race.

Got a lot done in the morning before heading to the race course. Got my hair cut thanks to Cece. Got the pool uncovered and cleaned once more. Cut the grass, washed the truck and car as they were dirty and bird doo on them. I also got the front siding and windows of the house washed as they were very dirty form the road salt and dirt. After all of that Nate and I loaded up at 11am and to get to the pre ride. Got home and Cece, Nate and I covered the pool as no one wanted in today even though the temperature went up 4 degrees. Mark told me to pick up a bubble cover as that will help rise the temperature more quickly. So Next week I will be looking for one. I hear no screaming and yelling so the kids must be tired. Later..

Tooth fairy

Yesterday morning Jessie lost her first tooth. She promptly placed under her pillow and the Tooth fairy proceed to give her a few bucks and the book Junie B., First Grader The Toothless Wonder. She read the entire book already. She is so proud of her first tooth loss. Very funny.
Again today after school the girls wanted to go in the pool. First I pulled the cover and vacuumed and cleaned it and then they jumped in. The water temperature was 62 degrees. They lasted a few minutes and then were freezing and got out. again they wanted in and I just said go ahead and waited for the freeze to set in. Again it was just plain old funny to watch.

Maddie making her way around the edge before going under and getting out. Nate did go in to his knees on the ladder and never went any further. Maybe he isn't as dumb as Randy after all.

Tomorrow Nate and I are going to head over to the race course to do a few laps. Have to check and see if the gear will work on the hills there. I hope as it is all I got, it worked at Devils head a few years back and I always roll a bigger one at Crystal Ridge. Well time to eat. Later..

Thursday night beat down

Tonight was another edition of the Thursday Night Beat Down. We started off with a nice group of about 25 people. The pace was a brisk 25 rolling down Woods road and then it stayed at a nice high speed for the entire ride. Most of the group hung on till the Fox river this week even with the higher pace. The hills after that is when the pace stays high and then the riders start to fall off and the group dwindles down to the final ones for the ride in to the shop lot. The pace was higher this week as the fast guys just stayed at the front and kept it high for the ride. There was a time or 2 when I was in the hurt locker and was just happy to not fall off the back. I stayed near Nate for the ride and he seemed like he wasn't having any problem hanging on and riding in the group. For not getting as much riding as he needs he is hanging on great. he made it to the finish in the fast group this week again. Now I hope he can transfer it to the race this weekend. Later..

Double Header

Tonight Nate had a double header softball game. In the first game they won 17-3. The team played well and made some great plays to end the innings with some of the other teams runners on base. Then in the 2nd game they got in the hole 3 runs to the other team. But the responded by scoring 3 to tie it up after the first inning. Then they proceeded to keep scoring and were up 11-3 after 3. They ended up winning 14-6. They are undefeated and have 1 more game to go. Then we can finally start to ride the bikes a little more. Nate also only has 8 more days of school so he can then get out a little more to. Time to yell at Nate as he got some black cherry on Jessie's white shirt and coat. What a dork, anybody want a slightly used kid or 2? Later..

Softball game

Tonight's game was forfeited as the other team dropped out of the league. I guess that they didn't win any games and instead of finishing it out they dropped out. Our team was not notified and we were there so the parents and kids made teams and played a game. It was fun to play with the kids as some of the parents did real well and the others well didn't do to well, they whiffed a lot. I have to say that I killed it each time I was up. Not that the kids made mistakes and I got on but I hit it at Nate twice and then at Cece twice to get on base. Cece had a nice hit and Nate had a bunch to. But my team beat Nate and Cece's team. It was a fun time and I really do miss playing softball. I can still hit well and play the field but the running is lacking for some reason. It was a blast and I hope we play another game at the end of the year again.

Got the WORS race this weekend and just trying to pick the gear for the single speed this weekend. The hills come into play and that has me going a little smaller for this race. I don't want to go to small but yet to tall for the hills. Just have to see how the pre ride goes. Mate should be ready I hope after the weekend of bmx'n and a few games this week. I hope he holds some fitness for the first couple of races. For that fact I hope I do to as I have to run his butt to all this stuff. Well time to get the laundry for Maddie to fold. Later..

44 and still ticking

My cake that the girls made and put their Polly Pockets on.
Maddie, Jessie and myself with the cake that they are proud of.
Jessica saying that 44 candles would have looked great on the cake. I think not.
My ladies giving me a birthday kiss.

Cece, Joan ( her Mom ) and brother Paul at the house for Mothers day and my Birthday. It was a nice day and dinner together.

Nate made it home safe from Missouri and had a tough couple of days at the bmx Nationals. He had a World Champion and 5 other National ranked racers in his class. He made it to the semis's everyday but just missed making the main each day. He said next time he may try to race the cruiser instead of age. He just wants to try it once at the Nationals and see how that goes. He just needs to get on the track again as it has been 6 weeks since he raced. His gate was there but the others are just a little ahead in the skills but after a few weeks at the Milwaukee track he should be ready for Rockford and Minnesota Nationals.

Today it is my 44th birthday and I never take the day off from work and do something by myself. I keep the day and use it for a race day or a day that I go on a field trip with the kids or Cece's class. My day will still be a day of relaxing and I know that I will have to yell a bunch of times at Nate to stop bothering the girls. But why should my Birthday stop any of that. Well time to get the feet up and relax. later.

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers day to all the Mom's out there. You diffidently earn a day of praise and pampering. Enjoy your day. Later..

Hit'n the dirt

Waiting around for everyone to get ready to ride.
Getting the last few on their bikes and Kyle finishing off some water before the ride.
We were waiting here for the last to clear the log .
COOoop leading the rest of the pack up the hill.
Russell and Rick enjoying the ride.

Rob riding his relic converted single speed. He broke his Rig, I can't believe that. we ran into some riders we race with.
Holly laughing at Russell.
Russell eye balling a guy sitting on the ground eating a bagel sandwich.

COOoop relaxing before the ride back.

We stopped and the Pegasus group stopped to talk as Russell changed his flat.
Yep no air in there.
Best helmet seen on the ride.
Best bike we passed in the trail.

Kyle enjoying the ride. It was the perfect weather for a nice ride. Had a larger group and had to wait a few times for the others but as always a great ride. The guys that are doing the trail work are doing a great job and the trails are in perfect condition and re routes are great. Thanks for the hard work guys.

Looked on line and Nate didn't make the main in his race. There was 21 guys and the World Champion won the race. Nate has one of the largest classes and the fastest guys at every race. I hope that he has a better day tomorrow.

I'm just sitting back and having a nice cold beer and watching the NASCAR race. Cece and the girls are at a ball room dance competition as some of the students from her school are dancing so I have the house to myself, NICE. Later..

Ice Ice Baby

These 2 goof balls have been asking all week to go in the pool. Cece has said no and to them and me being the nice parent has said listen to your mother. Well this morning Jessie asked me can we go in to pool after school? I said oh sure you can. I got Jessie after school and the first thing out of her mouth was can we go in the pool? I said after my ride. I got a qwick ride in and they were at the door asking to go int o pool. I got changed, put the bike away and got the ladder out and checked the temperature. I was 54degrees. Man that is cold but they still wanted to go in. I got the cover moved and they went in. It lasted about a minute and they were out and they are now in a hot shower. I think that will keep them out of my hair for a while about going in until it warms up. Priceless.

Tomorrow there are a few things to do. Do I do the Muskego park crit. There is a nice hill in the race and hate hills. but after the last 2 races the hills are not that bad in the pack. There is just bad karma at that race and I don't know if I want to race it. I talked to Jerry and they are riding at the Kettles but they are fast and I don't want to hold them up. The kids are riding a blue loop ride while they ride the connector. Rick and Russell are riding at 11 and I may ride with them. Or maybe I will ride to the race and watch a few and ride home. But I just have to see what goes down. Cece and the girls are going to a ball room dancing thing that her students are in. Just have to go with hits me in the morning. Later..

Gone

I dropped Nate off with Bryan and they are leaving at 4am to get to Missouri for gate practice tomorrow afternoon. It should be about a 9 hour trip with a few stops for gas and food so it will be a little long but worth the trip. I know that he will have a great time with them and they should all have fun along the way. Like I said the main objective is to make it to the mains as it will be his first National as a expert. Nate just needs to get out of the gates strong and ride smart and the results should come along with it. Hopefully he calls and lets me know how he does.

Shocked the pool today and now it just has to warm up and they can use it. It was 70 degrees the other day but the colder weather did bring the temp back into the mid 60's. They are asking to go in every 10 minutes after feeling the water and know that they would freeze their a%$es off. Just waiting for the nice hot weather ride and getting to jump in. Cece will monitoring the chems to keep it safe as I don't think she trusts me. She is probably right on that one as she wants the kids to be safe and not harmed by the chems.

May try to get a long ride in on Saturday and then she what is planned for Mothers day. Then get a ride in and do something with Cece and the girls. Maybe a early ride in the Kettles or at the trails at Crystal before doing a Mothers day thingy with Cece. Just have to see what goes down. Later..

Another win

Today was another softball game and Nate's team was up 12-1 in 4 innings and the other team quit. That is a first that I have seen in the 4 years of Nate playing. They were never really out of the game just had innings of 3 and 4 runs each and then the coach just said that they were done. That is to bad as the other kids were into the game for the first inning or 2 and then they just didn't want to play any more. Our team isn't as good as in the past years just a consistent team that doesn't make to many mistakes and just executes the plays. They are now 5-0 and look that they may go undefeated if they play the way they are.



Here is Jessie modeling Nate's new Sun Ringle team jersey. I think it is one of the coolest looking ones that will be at the races. Thanks again Sun for the cool sponsorship.



Nate is just about got his stuff ready for the weekend and he is really looking forward to the Nationals. I got his bike ready and he just needs to get his gear ready and packed. It will be different not being at the races with him. This will be a good learning thing for him just like when Pat and Russell take him to a cross race, he has to get ready by himself and be prepared for the race without my getting him in the race mind. I know Bryan and Fred will have him ready though so that is comforting. I just hope he does well. Later..

Good to be a teacher today

Today Nate had a softball game and again the team won 18-0 in 3 innings. The other team wasn't that good and the pitcher couldn't get the ball over the plate. The kids couldn't even swing at some of the pitchers as they were that bad. When a pitch was close they were swinging but the ball is a marsh mellow and it wouldn't go far. But the team is now 4-0. Another game tomorrow. Hopefully it isn't rained out.

Tomorrow night I have to get Nate's BMX bike, gear and miscellaneous stuff ready as I have to drop him off Thursday night at Bryan's. He misses a day of school but he is doing good so he should be fine. He is going to the Nationals in Missouri. He is going with a good group and they will have a blast and they should all do well. Man is Nate lucky as Bryan doesn't mind having him tag along for the weekend as I can't get the time off to get him there. I just hope he is able to get in the BMX zone while there.

Tonight is was a free burrito at Chipolte's for teachers. So after Nate's game we loaded the family and headed to Chipolte's for Cece's free burrito and taco's for the rest of the punks ( we paid for the rest ). It was busy as I think at least 1/2 of the people in there was a teacher getting a free burrito for dinner. It was a cool thing for them to offer that to the teachers as they work their butts off all day and night. I know as that is all Cece is doing and thinking 24-7. Here's to a free dinner for the teachers. Later..

Happy Cinco De Mayo

Being it was the Cinco De Mayo holiday I decided to test a gas meters in the heart of the celebration. There was a bunch of flags hanging on the cars and trucks and the music was loud and proud. As always though the cars looked like they were in a video as they had more chrome and larger wheels and tires then needed. There was a fair share of add on 3 foot spoilers and mufflers that sounded like farts in a bath tub. To funny to watch and not laugh without being caught which happened more times then not. I also seen a large amount of mullets today. I think the Mexican men have more mullets then the red necks do, just my observations as of late. So Happy Cinco Dde Mayo.

Also I stopped at Ben's to talk to Danny and as I was talking to Alan on my way out there was a nice tire screech and then a bang. We looked at each other and ran to the street and a guy on a Harley was talking to his buddy and not paying attention and ran into the back of a pick up truck. The dude smashed his face into the tail gate and his nose was messed up. He was bleeding all over and trying to pick up his bike to get it out of the street. Not going to happen as a Harley weighs a ton and so hard to drag or pick up. So myself and a few by standers went over and helped stand up his bike and get it out of the way. The dude didn't know who he was or what happened after the face plant into the back of the truck. His Harely was fine and only had a broken brake lever. He was so lucky he wasn't more messed up and his bike was surprisingly really undamaged. I left as the lady he hit was a nurse and they called the Police and a rescue squad to check him out. Hope he was alright. It has been crazy as last week as I was driving a elderly lady tripped on the side walk and couldn't gt up. So I quick turned around and blocked the drive way and helped her up. The guys gassing there cars and trucks just looked at her and didn't move. I helped her to a chair at a Chipolte's and she said she was fine and was just going to catch her breath. She thanked me and I was on my way back to work.

Other then that Nate and I mounted the single speeds today and just rolled around. He said his legs were a little tight this morning but after running around at school they felt fine by the time we rode. Now he has softball tomorrow and Wednesday and then he is off to Missouri for a BMX Nationals with Bryan, Hailey and Fred. This will be his first BMX National as an Expert so he should find it tad bit tougher. I think he should do fine if he just gets his timing down as it has been about 5 weeks since his last BMX race, he should be fine. Just hope that he gives it his best and is able to get to the mains. So the way it looks is that I may miss the Thursday ride to get Nate to Bryan's for his trip. Just the way it goes. Later..

1st one in the bag

I rolled out of bed early and got Nate up and we ate a breakfast and loaded the3 bikes and stuff and headed North. I passed a bunch of bikes top of and inside cars and trucks on the way there. 1st Danny right by Allenton and then I caught a con voy of Bubba and his crew, Todd and Lynn, Marcus and a few others. They got in the draft and then we all got there in one line in time to see all the races of the day. It was great to hear Don yell the first GOOOOOOOOOOO. That meant the season was started and we were in for another fun summer of the WORS circus. We Got there and we all got together and moved to a location to get ready for the races. Nate and I lined up together along with Mitch, Myles and Theo. Danny was also right next to me for the start. Well Don yells GOOOOOOOO and Nate wiffs his pedal and gets knocked around and goes backwards. He gases it and catches back on and then he was red lined and Myles, Mitch and Theo are gone. I rode with him the first lap and then he recovers and we catch Myles and Theo and the 4 of us rode together for the first 2 laps. I have gotten to ride with Nate at the Cheq and now this race and have never enjoyed racing more. As the race went on Nate recovered and He slowly rode away and his race looked more like he was enjoying it. He rolled away and I had to chase on after the big hill after the left and it took until one of the last single tracks to get to him. I did catch the single speeder that was just ahead of me for 3 laps and I finished 7th in the single speed class and Nate finished 2nd. Mitch had a great race and he looked strong and took his first win of his sport class season. I had fun and now I can't wait till the next race to get another chance to ride with Nate, Mitch, Theo and Myles. I hope everyone had a good race and safe trip back and forth. It was nice to see everyone and talk to a few but as always to busy to talk to everyone, so have to catch up through out the summer. Also I had call AAA to get Mitch K's keys out of his trunk as he locked them in. The guy was good as he got the keys out in about 2 minutes and he was off to another locked car with the keys inside. Well see you at the next race. Later..

Swimming pond

Today Cece, the kids and my parents moved the jungle gym in the back yard. We moved it from behind the house to the side by the fence. We needed to make room for the swimming pool that I promised the punks for the warm weather in the summer. It is an above the ground one that is 15 x 48 as it was the largest that would fit in our yard. Jessie will be needing a life vest as she is going to have to stand on her tippy toes but she is excited. The others are going to have to be be nice when she is in the pool as not to have the water go over her face. It should be a fun thing in the summer if they can behave other wise Cece and I will be in the pool by ourselves. I know it will be nice after some of the hot rides and races.

I got the kits and bikes ready and then in the morning we are heading out for the race. We are hoping to get on the road about 6:30 to 7:00. Being only the 2 of us now we can just cruise up and back. It will be kind of weird as we won't be needing to get Maddie ready for the youth races and Cece for the citizen ones. Just Nate and I at 11:30 for this race. Cece said she is going to do a few when school is over and they are closer so just us 2 for this race. I may be heading to a few more of the closer races the day of since it will just Nate and I. Well see you at the race if you haven't already left. Later..

Up grades

Feels like a new bike.

After having the Gunnar single speed for 8 years I have made a few up grades for the summer of racing and riding. I put a new Izumi chain. The old one has seen alot of miles and Russell told me 2 to 3 years ago that I should change it and I kept putting it off so I finally did it and went with the top of the line. Man is it smooth and quiet just like the track bikes. I will never use another on on my track bike or single speeds.

I also took the extra XTR brake that was sitting on the floor under the work stand and put it on the single speed. The old LX that was on there did just fine but the XTR is like butter compared to the old one that was on the for 8 years. Now the the feels like a new machine. Now I hope the motor can keep up with the up grades.

Today after work my parent came over as they are in town to see the play Spamalot the other night. So there was a list of things that We got done today. Clean the gas grill from top to bottom, grills like new. It is 14 years old and really needed it bad. It looks like new to. I also got the Fat Boy running. It needed as new battery and now it starts at the touch of the button. I also picked up new grip s and put them on as the other ones were pretty worn out. Now with the price of gas it will be the transportation to and from work. I may need to look at putting a bike rack on it and then Nate and I can go to the races that way.

Now we are sitting back and watching Little Miss Sunshine. See at the race. Later..

Race in train in it

We got to the group ride and I ran in to the shop and picked up a few parts to repair the roof rack. A few of the fork locks were so bad that they didn't work any more. So a 100.00 later out to get ready. Oh crap it was drizzling and I said to Nate we race in that means we need to train in it. It was raining harder in a few spots and not in others but we went on. We cut 2 miles off to try to get out of the rain. It worked and we made it in and didn't get wet. The white socks were still nice and white at the end. Got home and fixed the rack and now it can hold 4 bikes again. Now when Nate Theo and I head to the race all the bikes will be safe on the top. Later..