It's a lovely Monday. It was snowing on the way to work this morning so of course everyone was instantly in panic mode. The snow was not even sticking to the ground yet, but people around here are a bit on the paranoid side.

Saturday afternoon at the shop was really good. Mr. 24 sold a carbon Trek 5000 road bike that has been on the floor for about a year so it's nice to see it finally leave. It should be well cared for and get plenty of good rides in with it's happy new owner. Every other customer that walks in the door is looking for a road bike so I hope they start to arrive soon.

I was hoping to go for a ride yesterday with Mr. 24 but I wussed out to the cold, snow, and rainy weather. I know I should be getting out no matter what the weather but, I am a wuss. Mr. 24 meet up with Mr. Raleigh and Sean Noonan of the Kona Midwest Enduro Team and went on a little road ride. Jeff and Jeff both have pictures of the ride on their blogs so check them out. It's sounds like they had a good time albeit a cold one.

I finalized my list of tools that I still am in need of last night. WOW! I would like to replace some of my older tools while also expanding the arsenal that I already have. Mostly with Pedro's or Park Tools, but there are a couple of oddballs in there too. Pedro's and Park are both great tools so I show no loyalties to either one. I like the Pedro's because of the color (does that sound bad), they stick out better in the shop where everyone else uses Park. It usually comes down to whichever tool is cheaper. One never knows what to expect with the next bicycle repair and Mr. 24 and Guitar Ted continue to expand my wealth of knowledge of bicycle mechanics which means I have to expand my toolbox to keep up. I haven't had many hours at the shop for about three months so the funds are low but my hours are starting to pick up so I need to spend it faster than it comes in.

Well, I don't have any "work" to do at work this morning, so I think I will do some school stuff or surf for a while.

-Peace

I have to sit here and read the live race reports of the Omloop Het Volk in Belgium because OLN's television coverage of cycling is going down the tubes. It sounds like they are only going to air races that Lance rides in. They should leave that to Discovery channel and OLN should cover the spring classics and some of the other races that Americans don't know about.

I say less staged hunting shows on game farms and more cycling darnit!

Anyway reading it on a live report is pretty cool. It's kind of like listening to the radio like my grandpa used to do. One must use their imagination to create a mental picture. Of course I have a big screen TV that usually does that for me. World Superbike racing also starts this weekend in Qatar. They have two races today. Of course Speed channel is not airing them until Tuesday. They have to put all of that NASCRAP on. NASCRAP, NASCRAP, NASCRAP, ARRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!

I worked at the climbing wall last night from 5-8. Who do you think climbs on a Friday night in a college town? that's right, all of the real climbers. The ones that actually climb and the rope is only there in case they fall. They train indoors all winter so that once the weather gets nice they are ready for the good stuff. Not the ones that need to take a 10 minute break halfway up (20 feet) and hang in the air as the belayer holds them. I really makes you appreciate the ones that know what's going on. For clarification purposes, the ones that need the breaks all the time are the children of professors and faculty that have everything handed to them. They really do need someone to hold their hand all the time.

Okay, I am going to get some breakfast, take care of my taxes, and then go to work this afternoon.

-Peace

Random mode engaged

Worked with Kerkove at the shop last night...for a little while anyway. He takes off at 5:30 to head down to the roller rides at the House of Pain so I have the store alone for 30 minutes. Of course it never fails, there are no customers in the store when Kerkove leaves but, they are in there at 6:10...still...after we are closed. Oh well, at least they are spending money.

We are buried up to our eyeballs with work at the print shop. I think I can see daylight, shouldn't have to work tomorrow. The new software installs are slowing things down quite a bit. So much for modern technology.

Group paper due today for my research class. I am in charge of putting everyone's input into one paper and I didn't receive the final install until 10:30 last night. Some people would be upset by this but I feel that my work is better when I am under pressure so it was right up my alley. Finished it up this morning without a problem.

I have the honor of spending a half day working with Kerkove tomorrow (12:00-5:00) so we should have some fun at the shop. I am thinking nachos-n-cheese party at Europa. Anyone interested? Should be decent weather so we will be busy.

Random mode disengaged

Did a 60 min. trainer ride last night while following Mr. Yielding's routine that he posted on 22 February. I like that workout a lot. It actually feels like you have done something afterwards. I printed out a copy of this workout, read through it a couple times, and then kept it handy during the ride for reference. It was a little awkward trying to watch my timer, read the workout, watch the Dakar rally on TV, and pedal at the same time but, once I get the workout memorized it should be a little easier.

They are installing new software at my primary employer to run the "lasers". Of course nobody in management has any clue what is going on so it makes it quite interesting to listen to my management people tell the software technicians from the software company how to do their jobs. It is a truly wonderful thing to watch. To put this in perspective, it would be like me telling Lance Armstrong how to race a bicycle in the Tour. I could do it, just give me a chance. Well, since I have no idea how to use this new software and management won't be here for an hour, I'll see if I can figure it out or break something.

-Peace

I attended the annual QBP dealer show yesterday with my wife, the boss, Guitar Ted, and Mr. 24 in Bloomington, MN. The show allows the dealers and their employees to get a little bit of hands on with the parts, accesories, and supplies so that they have a better knowledge of what we can offer to our customers. It's a fairly small show but, it packs quite a bit of information into a short period of time.

My favorite part was seeing all of the new toys that I want/desire/desperately need.

I think that it is time for a new road bike and the BMC Team Machine SLT 01 such as the one used by team Phonak is very appealing. I was able to talk with a rep about the BMC construction for about 30 minutes and he sold me on it. The Swiss National Champion colors really trip my trigger. I just need to raise a few dollars now.



I am also contemplating replacing the Fuel this year. Frame, fork, cranks, plus a few other parts. It will be for sale if anyone is interested. 19.5" frame, rebuilt Fox Float rear shock in 2004, warranty replaced frame late 2002. Ask for pictures, I have them.

The Fuel's replacement will aslo be a BMC. It's their new Fourstroke with VPP-like suspension similar to the Santa Cruz Blur. Aluminum front triangle with carbon seatstays. Way sweet!!!



Check out the BMC website for all of the info. on sizing and specs. Just to give all of you fair warning, everything is metric except for the MTB size measurement. This includes all of the weights too. They are located in Switzerland after all.

I spent some time talking with the Pedro's tool guy too. My toolbox is part Pedro's and part Park Tools but, the remaining tools that I need to obtain will be Pedro's of course because that look to be well built, I am impressed with what I have already, and they look good in the shop next to Ted and Jeff's Park tools. Nothing against Park, they make awesome tools too but, I like to be different, what can I say?

Okay, I need to get back to work now.

-Peace.

Today I have been continuing my search for a summer internship. Still looking for a position in the adventure travel market, ideally with mountain bikes and/or road bikes but I am also open to positions that involve hiking, kayaking, SCUBA diving, or rock climbing. Many people seem to thnk I have to many hobbies, but I enjoy a broad spectrum of activities and the adrenaline is a little different from each of these activities. The hard part is going to find one that's willing to pay me six figures. Hey, I'm worth it.

I have found quite a few potential places, just waiting to hear back from them now. A few places are just MTN bikes or MTN bikes and road bikes but, I have located a couple of sites that have MTN bikes plus at least one of the following if not all of them: kayaking, SCUBA, climbing, hiking, fishing (do I fish?), etc. Locations include places such as Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wisconsin, and numerous places in Canada, eh.

I must now return to searcing...

Is anyone still there? Wow, long time since I last posted. Pretty busy lately. I have not been posting as of late because I felt that my posting was taking a negative turn, I felt that I was complaining all the time and needed to attempt a new outlook that is more positive. I still feel like complaining about some things, but they can be justified. I just need to gain a more positive outlook because my job is dragging me down bad and I have found that most people can't relate (am I right Ed?) so I keep the majority of it to myself.

Subject of conversation in one of classes today involved solo hiking in wilderness areas and the fears that can be associated with this activity. Some of the fears that were discussed were quite honestly, stupid. People are actually worried about their cars being broken into and their valuables being stolen while they are out enjoying nature. Commen sense question...Why are you leaving things of value in your car anyways?

It was also brought up that people feared being attacked by wild animals while they were in the middle of nowhere. Okay, I will agree with this one, there is a certain amount of fear associated with being put in a situation such as a bear attack. I wouldn’t put down anyone who admits having this fear. There are two solutions to this problem however, either learn how to deal with it or don’t go hiking in areas that have bears. I know, I know, easier said than done. Point is that if you are willing to go hiking in these types of areas, then YOU asume the responsibility for your own safety, not the rest of society. It is nobody’s job to tell me how to handle a potential bear attack. It is MY responsibility to seek out this knowledge and it is my own fault for being there in the first place. Nobody forced me to go hiking there, I did it by exercising my rights to freedom of choice.

Anyway, enough complaining already. This is my last semester before I need to do an internship in the outdoor recreation field, preferably something with bicycles. Trek Travel? Western Spirit? As of yet I am still undecided. We have begun to minimize our bills in preparation of a reduced income over the summer. No more digital cable, no more high-speed internet, no more home phone. It is amazing how much money you can save by eliminating some of these “Do I NEED that?” bills. Still have my bikes, motorcycle, and XBOX so it’s not all bad.

Trying to stay focused for Trans-Iowa but, work, school, and work are doing a real good job of keeping me distracted. I should be alright by race day though. Kerkove explained some of the course specifics to me on Saturday and their are some sections that are going to really inflict some pain. I just can’t wait for those sections...no really I am looking forward to it.

Until next time...