Brutal

Single speeding in the US has gotten big, really big. Whether you hit the local group rides or the racing scene, there any number of guys who can throw down. But there were always those other guys who showed up at races, but were knocking back beers and giving the finger to those decked out in lycra. Here is a group that not only give you the finger but will probably take you out back and rough you up a little. Seems like the members on this forum spend a lot of time behind the computer screen talking about bikes, sex, alcohol and all things on the seedy side.

We picked up DOPERS SUCK for our German venture, I am super stoked on that. Still waiting on my EDGE wheels to show, man USPS really F@#$'ed the pooch on that one...

I have the new Hutchinson CX Tubeless Bulldogs, when the SSX and my wheels show up, I plan on rallying those around the Pfaelzerwald.

1st race is in March...

Fremdsprache

So I am going to take a German course, I was resistant to it at first, but now I am in to it. I stopped by the Volkshochschule to get more info, and the lady asked me if it is for me, and I said yes. She replied really, you speak German so well. I guess learning how to meet girls over here back in the day paid off in more ways...



Here is my riding course I am offering over here, technical riding skills. This is similar to what we did a few times last year, a lot of fun and I always pick up things myself and continue to develop my tech skills. Should be fun! Looking forward to riding with the KL Uni cycling group, mtb rides a couple times a week. Weights and yoga today, followed by two rounds in the sauna, I'm going to bed.

Geduld

Having a little one around, you learn to have patience. Things are out of your hands, and you are on someone else's schedule. Sandi & I cranked out another good ride with lots of climbing, we came a cross a large group of other mtbers out on a group ride, is it January? We get rides in this when we can, having grandma and grandpa around helps a lot. I have learned to get quality in over quantity, more importan things take a priority, training is not that high on my list - although I do have some high aspirations for racing.

Colin has been a lot of fun lately, he is rolling on his own, and looks like he wants to crawl. We need to go on a ride together soon.

CX Worlds

Photo courtesy of Cyclingnews.com ©: Isosport

Worlds are here once again and there are some big question marks on who will take titles home. With Nijs riding not at top form and Boom riding like a champ, you have got to wonder. Verwecken looks on form and a slew of French, Czech and other riders look posed to drop the hammer as well. It seems Nijs has taken his eye off the prize, atleast in cross. I wonder if he is thinking about an Olympic medal instead? I don't see Page matching his performance from last year, in fact I bet against at Nats, and will do so again, giving the nod to Tim Johnson to place higher. Johnson won't make the podium, but a 4th place at Wolrds will be a solid finish for hime. Here is how I see the other three shaking down.
1. Lars Boom
2. Erwin Verwecken
3. Bart Wellens

With the ladies it will be a bout between Hanka Kupfernagel and Katie Compton. Compton has downplayed her chances at Worlds by taking a more relaxed approach, but I still think she is all business. Head-to-head I see a long hard fought race between the German and Compton, but I think Compton will pull it out and will be the only US medalist from last year to make the podium. Kupfernagel 2nd and Van Brand 3rd. It would be great to see Katie go to Single Speed Worlds next year, she would definitely kill it.

Schwarzwald

Another great ride today, this time w/ Sandi. Solid tempo, had some fun along the way playing around on various trails. We have been talking about our racing schedule for this season and are seriously looking at doing this one, www.trans-schwarzwald.de/

Still waiting for the other bikes to show up, clock is ticking on some of my new gear, just received a sweet new Syntace bar, can't wait to try it.

Nur kurz...

Real quick, great ride today, nearly two hours in the woods, mix of forest road, single track, yummy. Miss the skis but am looking forward to a couple of trips to the mountains and some time on the nordic skis. Otherwise it has been good pre-season training, weights, yoga, spin classes, trail running and mountain bike rides.

Ken POV bilder,es ist schoen, oder?
Wo ist dem weg nach...
Verspielt singletrack

Es geht mir nicht gut

It's dark here, the sun barely climbs out over the horizon, but on the up side it has been warm and I have been on a couple of rides. Something in my stomach is kicking my butt, I am drinking a good redwine as it seems to work for a lot of things. I read in a magazine that it is good for stomach aliments. No wonder those French guys live so long...

I will keep this more up to date, sorry for the lag, be looking for some pics soon. Enjoy all of the snow back in Colorado.