Reduce. Re-use. Recycle

6-11-08

My father has kept everything he ever had.  Or so it seems.  But he always finds a new use for the items stacked in his workshop.  In this case, he found a new use for his old, worn out, soft leather briefcase.  He made the below pack for me, two quivers for my niece and nephew (to go along with the bow’s he made for them this past Christmas) and a similar but larger pack for himself.  Pretty cool.

AP 

My 24 lb XL Niner EMD 9 / New pics on the way

6-4-08

Take a look…

*Origin-8 Black Ops Rigid Fork (thanks to a reject at Niner), Cane Creek 110 Headset, and FSA Carbon Riser Bars.  Mavic Crossmax 29er Wheelset with Maxxis Ignitor tires, and Avid Juicy 7 Carbon Disc Brakes.  XT Front Derailleur, XTR Rear Derailleur with XT Shifters and XT 180mm Crankset.  Top it off with a Thomson Seatpost and a Thomson Stem (on the way).  Below are more pics.   

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0BZMWrho5csXlg&emid=sharview&linkid=link4

Special thanks to the guys at the Waukesha location of Cyclesmith!  If your in for a special build or looking for a entry level bike, these are the guys.  When you get in the store, ask for Collin.

AP

Chicago Finalist for 2016 Olympics

6-4-08

The International Olympic Committee today announced in Athens that Chicago, Madrid, Tokyo, and Rio de Janeiro have been named finalists to host the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Rumor is…Lake Geneva and the Grand Geneva Resort could be host to the Olympic Mountain Bike races.  Maybe it is a tough course.

The decision Wednesday was made by the IOC’s executive board.  The IOC is expected to select a winner on October 2^nd, 2009.

*Information from jsonline.com, Off The Couch blogsite.

WORS # 2 — Treadfest / Grand Geneva Resort

Lake Geneva, WI

5-18-08

Crashed.  DNF.

I should leave it at that.  Crashed.  DNF.  I had a great pre-ride of the mapped racecourse on Saturday.  I had an optimistic outlook on getting through the 15-mile race without completely burning out my legs and further aggravating the tendonitis in my right wrist.  There I was, less than two miles into the first of three laps, when a guy goes down in front of me.  I did my best to avoid him, but he tries to mount his bike rather than get off the course.  I veered to the right and crossed the trail to the left and somehow found what appeared to be the only down tree.  Over the handlebars I went…. and zooming past me went all the racers to follow along with the cause of the crash, the guy that tried to mount his bike on the course during a race.  Bruised, scraped, cut and bleeding I finished the first lap with none of the optimism I had just an hour earlier.  I decided to pack it in and watch the rest of the race with Meghan, Steven, and my friend’s wife and little guy.

The course was in great shape boasting long climbs, short and quick down hills, and extremely tight and technical single track.  The more I ride new trails the more amazed I am with the quality of the trails and the thought that is put into each racecourse we visit.  I think I have changed my favorite trail at least a dozen times in the past year.  Each new trail brings a new experience of its own.  

AP

Did I catch a Niner in there?

5-10-08

I finally made the decision (maybe I was persuaded) to scrap the 26″ wheels for the 29″ revolution.  After many recent trips to the local bike shop for constant tune-ups and adjustments I finally realized a new ride is in order.  I love the Cannondale F800 that has served me loyally since February of 2003.  But measuring a tall 6′7″ the 29er suits me better.

I am taking the newer components off my Cannondale to keep the EMD 9 build up on the cheap.  If you need any parts shoot me an email.  As the Cannondale is parted out I will list the available parts.

AP

WORS # 1 — Iola Bump & Jump / Iola Winter Sports Area

Iola, WI

5-4-08

Leg cramps.

Back pain.

Broken rear derailleur.

The first WORS race of the season is over.  Thank god.  But no matter how much pain I put myself through for each race, when I cross the finish line all those aches and pains immediately go away.  After all, it is all about the experience.

After three days of rain the Iola Winter Sports Area dried beautifully to accommodate the 750 racers that signed up to race in the four different classes.  With one mountain bike ride and four road bike rides to prepare for the 15 mile Sport Class race, I did not finish as well as I had hoped but the atmosphere was great.  The racecourse was a good mix of long and short climbs, fast descents and tight, technical single track.  It felt as though each lap was faster than the previous even though it took an hour and forty-five minutes to complete.  The second race is coming up May 18^th in Lake Geneva, WI.  There isn’t much time to prepare for another course with long, leg burning climbs (or so I have been told).

The weekend was not just about the race.  We stayed with our friends at their cabin in Scandinavia, WI.  As we get older it becomes increasingly difficult to keep in touch.  Nate raced in the Sport Class and I raced in the Sport Clydesdale Class.  It’s nice to push each other and have that support before and after the race.  But…next time we need to drink a few more barley pops.

One down, five more to go.  Maybe I’ll add a couple more. 

AP

Ice Age National Scenic Trail / South Kettle Moraine - Dousman, WI

N 42°55.136′  W088°28.413′

2-24-08

M:  I hope we’re heading in the right direction…

A:  Lost?  No, we’re not lost.

M:  All I said was I hope we’re going in the right direction…

A:  As long as we walked further south after traveling north from the trailhead, we should be heading in the right direction.

This was the verbal exchange as we finally met back up with the Ice Age Trail this morning after a beautiful two-hour hike that took us north, south, east and west to finally arrive back at the trailhead.  The trailhead, located just south of County Road ZZ on Hwy 67, was the perfect destination for our Sunday hike after the sun shown his face for the second day in a row.  This is a beautiful section of the Ice Age Trail cutting through marshes, bogs, and colorful bluffs covered in Red Osier Dogwood shrubs. 

Rather than take the Ice Age Trail from the trailhead this morning, we decided to follow a path made by a two-track machine exploring the immediate area.  With the sun on our right we hiked north, parallel to the Ice Age Trail, before turning west and hiking further into the wilderness of the Southern Kettles.  We continued west until the trail split and made the decision to head south rather than turn around and head back to the trailhead.  Walking through iced over marshes and through thick bogs, we needed to find a path that led us back east to the Ice Age Trial.  Finally we veered off the trial and made our own trail back to the Ice Age Trail.  The decision to hike east was a good one.  We found the Ice Age Trail and headed north to the trailhead.  Lesson learned, always mark the trailhead coordinates and pack the GPS just in case you find another trail.

Today was also the first time we came across hunters on one of our hikes.  Two young men walking, carrying shotguns, not sure what they are hunting in February in Wisconsin. 

On our way home we rewarded Steven with a stop at Friends of Nature in Genesee Depot on the corner of Hwy 83 and Hwy 59.  A couple peanut butter treats and a new “webbed” football and Steven was in heaven.

Click here for a couple pictures from our day in the Southern Kettle Moraine Forest.

AP

StepOutside.wordpress.com

2-26-08

2008 Race Schedule

May 4^th               Iola Bump & Jump / Wors

May 18^th               Treadfest II / Wors

July 27^th               Alterra Coffee Bean Classic / Wors

August 10^th               Sunburst Showdown / Wors

September 13^th               Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival*

September 27th           Fall Color Festival / La Grange, WI

*Pending Lottery Draw

AP

Lake Park / Milwaukee, WI 

N 43°04.063′ W087°52.188′ 

2-16-08

Lake Park, located on Milwaukee’s east side, is best known for Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro which is situated in the heart of the park.  However, Lake Park offers four seasons of outdoor enjoyment including hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and in our case, snowshoeing.

Meghan, Steve, and I got off to a late start this morning but enjoyed an exploratory hike through Lake Park.  We started out from Lake Park Bistro and ventured south along the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.  Lake Park provides views of Lake Michigan to the east and views of downtown Milwaukee to the south.  It’s amazing how ducking into one of the ravines on the south end of the park immediately separates you from the city.  We spent 90 minutes following the trails while taking in the various sights along the way.  Lake Park’s history dates back to 1860.  It is home to an old Lighthouse built in 1863 and a statue honoring Civil War physician Brigadier Erastus B. Wolcott which was erected in 1920.

The cold finally got to us and we finished the day off with a hot cup of coffee from nearby Alterra Coffee Roasters.  It was the perfect way to end our morning.  Click here for pictures of our day at Lake Park.

AP

Your Green Guide

2-21-08 

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Online has posted Your Green Guide.  A great article that not only gets you started on your way to being green, but helps you save a little money as well.  

AP