Nebraska Nomad

New studded 29'er tires!

2012-01-08T11:25:00.004-06:00

Rocked the new studded tires on the Fisher Paragon through Frick Park. They made for a great ride!

Big Papio trail - Omaha

2012-01-08T11:17:00.007-06:00

Nearly 50 degrees over Christmas in Nebraska meant that we needed to be on the bikes. We headed out from home and road through our old stomping grounds of Wildwood Park and Ponderosa. Stopped in front of our old house where we reminisced about our younger years. Cruised around Ponderosa for a while where we pointed out homes where our friends used to live. Then through Seymour Smith Park onto the Big Papio trail. Ended up logging almost 20 miles for the entire round-trip ride. It was an excellent way to spend a warm, sunny winter day.

Tranquility Park - Omaha - trail ride

2012-01-08T11:11:00.005-06:00

Ryan and I got out for some singletrack riding over the Christmas break. I opted for the bike rental from former employer Bike Rack. They hooked me up with a Trek hardtrail that did the trick for the ride. I think we did most of the Tranquility loop. We even did the new section that goes farther north past the baseball/softball fields. Several nice pump tracks were added to the trails that were even marked (as blue). Tranquility was one of my favorite Omaha locations to ride and race, and it seems that it even got better with the new additions.

Now 6000+ miles on the Surly

2011-12-18T21:53:00.003-06:00

The commuter bike surpasses 6000 miles just the other day. Thought I should take a picture and post the picture on the blog.

Punk Bike Enduro

2011-12-12T09:27:00.004-06:00

Dirt Rag held its annual Punk Bike Enduro at the beginning of December. It's basically a moving party on two wheels, equipped with outlandish costumes and some, just some tasty beverage consumption. It is still racing (if you choose). The Punk Enduro offers 11 stages of varying difficultly and skills. One such is the bike derby (complete with a ghost bike).
Other stages include a steep run up, and then a steep descent down a chute. This is the steepest chute I've ever attempted, and unfortunately washed out toward the bottom because I chose the wrong chute.
Two other stages had massive road climbs. So the first 7 guys and girls up the road one Punk points.
Yet another stage was an incredible descent down singletrack that ended with this off-camber rocky section where on-lookers could view the action.

I ended up finding a Punk and winning one stage so I did score some points which got me a nice jersey during the free reception. Good times. Looking forward to it next year.

New Pittsburgh bike lane

2011-12-02T17:39:00.007-06:00

It's one of a kind here in Pittsburgh. The first partitioned on-street bike lane near Homestead and the Waterfront. The bike lane is separated from the street with white lines and pylons. These types of bike lanes are very common in Europe. It's good to see that they are making a presence in the US. The second picture is the bike sign and trail that is the GAP. Trail goes all the way to DC. Hopefully get to do that next summer.

Pittsburgh's Dirty Dozen ride

2011-11-30T21:58:00.006-06:00

http://player.vimeo.com/video/32720991?autoplay=1
This video is from the Dirty Dozen's Canton Ave., hill #9 of 13 (baker's dozen). It's a 37% grade, evidently the steepest paved road in the world. This year, I could only make 4 of of the hills since I had to work. I did all 13 hills the previous year, and fortunately all on my first attempt. This year, 300+ riders came out for the event which was the biggest in the history of the ride. Good stuff!

Cross season sadly coming to close

2011-11-12T21:45:00.006-06:00

Unfortunately, cyclocross season is almost over. However, it's been a great season with ABRA racing making for some excellent courses this fall. Favorites were Amity and Bruceton Mills. Amity because of how technical the course was, and Bruceton Mills because of how well I did and the open sprint sections. Just a few more related pics for the blog.

Cyclocross season in on!

2011-10-19T21:47:00.006-05:00

I've been racing a lot lately, both mountain bike and cyclocross. Cross races have been fun and exhausting. Typical cross races with muddy, wet conditions. Here are some recent pictures from the Monster Cross race in Morgantown.

GAP trail ride 2011

2011-08-03T14:07:00.004-05:00

5 Pittsburghers took part in the 2nd annual Great Allegheny Passage Trail ride. Sarah and I rode the 68 miles to Confluence; James accompanied us for 34 miles of it. We met up with friends, Scott and Jeff to camp in Confluence that night. The next day, we rode from Confluence to near the town of Meyersdale and back. It was a 60 mile day. All in all, it was a great trip. Highlights of the trip: peacocks and windmills.

Just surpassed 3000 miles on the road bike

2011-07-27T19:50:00.004-05:00

3000...Not bad considering that I've only had the bike for 2 years. Also, that I have two other bikes that I ride, one of which logs a lot of the commuting miles. With the Surly commuter and Cannondale road bike combined, I am now at 8,200 miles. That's like going for NYC to San Francisco, back to NYC, and then another 8/10 of the way across the USA (we'll say Denver, 'cause I like it there). Plus, I've saved at least 2 tons of CO2 from being emitted from my car. Go by bike! It's more healthy, more environmentally friendly, and simply more fun/exciting.

One of these things is not like the other

2011-07-19T10:04:00.006-05:00

Can you guess the European vehicle and the American vehicle? Dumb question? So if you haven't been to Europe, then you may not know the answer. During my recent trip to Germany for a study abroad, I found it amazing, comparatively speaking, the difference between motor vehicles in the two continents. Small, compact vehicles are the norm in much all European countries. Hummers, suburbans, large pickups, and large SUVs are quite common in the USA. (Fortunately, the Hummer product was sold, so Americans may see fewer of these of the city streets...thankfully.) These larger American vehicles are sucking the gas out of the pumps for the V8 or Hemi or whatever term these manufacturers are using to indicate unnecessary power. So why are these vehicles needed in the USA? Families? No, I don't think a family needs a suburban or Hummer (they aren't going to war). They could get by just fine with a small SUV and mini van. Prestige/power/masculinity? Frankly, I don't recognize this prestige when you are standing at the pump for the 2nd time in a week. In fact, I find that gas stations smell terrible. Safety? Car manufacturers are making mid-size and compact vehicles just as safe, if not safer than larger, less fuel-efficient vehicles.
In a 2007 MSNBC article entitled "US 'stuck in reverse' on fuel economy," a national poll indicated that US consumers would welcome more fuel-efficient vehicles in the US market. 9 out of 10 said they US consumers should have access to higher mpg vehicles. Therefore, the demand is there. Additionally, in the article, it compares vehicle mpg. In 2007, 113 European vehicles were getting a combined 40mpg. The same year, in the USA, 2 vehicles (the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic hybrid) were getting this combined 40mpg. In fact, for the last two decades, fuel-efficiency standards have remained stagnant at 27.5mpg. This all concerns me. According to the poll, the US demand is there, yet more fuel-efficient vehicles are not being released to the public. Are the oil companies having an influence as to what vehicles are released to the public?
I write this because it concerns me. While in Germany, I would ride up to a stop light and be surrounded by at least 4 other cyclists. Usually to my left would be a smaller, compact vehicle that is likely achieving the 40mpg. Additionally, a public transit train/tram would be traveling along the street to take the masses to their destinations. Timely, efficient buses were also common in the city. This is all very progressive and very environmentally friendly. It made me smile. I would like to encourage others to consider their mode of transportation. How are you getting to work? How are you running errands? And, are there other environmentally-friendly and healthier options? Always consider the bike.
By the way, as of the writing of this blog post, I am still on track with my wife's wager. I still have not driven myself to any destination within Pittsburgh city proper. In Germany, I used bus, carpool, train, tram, and bicycle. In Pittsburgh, I have used primarily bicycle, but some carpool and bus. Only 3 months to go for my win!

Rhine valley, Cologne, and Amsterdam by bike

2011-07-11T19:05:00.014-05:00

During my 5-week stay in Europe, I was able to get in a little cycling. I rented an upright Dutch bike in Bacharach and cruised down the Rhine river to St. Goar where I tour the Rheinfels Castle. In Cologne, I utilized the Bulls mountain bike that my host family was nice enough to provide me (given they had several other bikes of their own). I used the bike primarily for commuting purposes to and from the university. However, I did tour around Cologne with the bike and made an attempt of making it to Bonn via the riverside trail. This complete trip was prevented through a few wrong turns near a nuclear power plant and a fast-moving thunderstorm that forced me to seek refuge at the train stop for a return trip to Cologne. Oh well. Last, I rented a bike in Amsterdam and went on a bike tour with Mac Bikes. Informative tour with even more entertaining participants. I think 1/4 of them needed bike-riding lessons. In general, cycling success in Europe even though the bikes were much different from those back home. I was happy to get back in the saddle of my Surly, Fisher, and Cannondale bikes.

Make that 5000 miles on the Surly

2011-05-16T07:40:00.002-05:00

In early September, I posted that my commute/touring/do-all beloved Surly surpassed 4000 miles. I'm proud to announce that as of last week, it is now 5000 miles. Not to boast, but the 1000 miles between September and May is rather impressive in itself. Pittsburgh experienced a cold winter and we got several good helpings of snow. This decreased my bike commuting miles, as I chose to drive instead. However, for the most part, I was good about choosing reasonable days to commute during December, January, February, and March. Ever since April and the looming $4/gallon of gas, I have made it a personal quest to bike commute as much as humanly possible. This has been successful. I filled up the tank on my vehicle on April 7th and didn't put more gas in until yesterday, May 15th. So, I went a little over 5 weeks on one tank of gas! Normally, I would have to fill up my tank every 2-3 weeks, so I figured that I saved about $120 in gas during that time period. Cost for the bike = couple of flats ($5 per tube), chain lube ($7), and the occasional bike clean (time). Not to mention the exercise and the liberation of being on two wheels versus four. Bike commuting at its finest. Go bikes!

From surf to snow

2011-03-22T08:47:00.013-05:00

It's been a crazy fun March for me. Sarah and I went on our long-awaited honeymoon finally in Puerto Rico. Spent 5 days and 6 nights in beautiful San Juan. We explored Old San Juan, zip-lined and hiked in the rainforest, kayaked in a bioluminescent bay, and just relaxed on the beach and beside the infinity pool. This last weekend, I ventured off to Salt Lake City, Utah for the annual ski/snowboarding trip with my buddy from California. Friends in Salt Lake took us in for the weekend and showed us around the city and Snowbird resort. We fortunately received 8 inches of fresh powder overnight, so we had an excellent second day of snowboarding. We got in some amazing backcountry runs with all the pow! Great times!

Surly Cross Check takes on the Pittsburgh snow

2011-01-29T18:43:00.002-06:00

I had the opportunity of doing some snow riding while returning home from class. Surly handled pretty well in the wet stuff, but what helped was the weighted-down rear panniers. Only headache was the leg-burning climb back up to Squirrel Hill from the jail trail. Hopefully living on the hill will help my climbing ability come spring. First race is set for April 17th.

Incredible video of cycling in Copenhagen

2011-01-29T18:36:00.003-06:00

http://www.streetfilms.org/feature-1/
If only more US cities could be as progressive as Copenhagen. They really have quite the system there. Would love to check it out on a trip sometime.

Dirty Dozen video released!

2011-01-29T17:36:00.003-06:00

http://www.wqed.org/tv/its-pittsburgh/watch/
I managed a brief cameo at the 12:40 mark. Sad that I wasn't even on the bike.

The chaos the ensues on Canton Ave.

2010-12-08T17:17:00.002-06:00

Canton Avenue finds solace in reeking havoc on Dirty Dozeners...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3bHNcO_Wwc&feature=related

Dirty Dozen!

2010-12-05T11:59:00.002-06:00

It's a rather sick and disturbing appeal, but the Pittsburgh hills for the Dirty Dozen were a lot of fun. Approximately 150 riders met up on a cold, slightly windy Saturday morning for 13 steep hills (along with 2 tough hills in transition), 55 miles of riding, and 6000 feet of elevation gain. All for the glory of saying that they accomplished the feat. Okay, some elite riders were actually competing for points. Myself, along with a couple of buddies, were in it just to make it through all 13 hills. Things were going well until hill 10 when my legs started to finally feel the wrath of these grueling hills. Some Advil and tons of nutrition got me through the last 3 hills. The picture is from one of the more difficult hills, Logan Avenue. It gets extremely steep at the end of the hill, and apparently the rider behind me opted to just lay down the bike. Top 3 most difficult hills were Sycamore, Barry/Holt/Eleanor, and Logan. Trickiest hill was definitely Canton Avenue at a ridiculous 38% grade. All in all, it was a great time...looking forward to next year's DD.

New sharrows and bike lanes in Pittsburgh

2010-11-23T21:45:00.002-06:00

The sunshine and 60 degree temperatures were perfect reasons to explore the new East End sharrows and bike lanes. Many of these markings are part of my 25 mile city loop. Evidently, the city plans to install roughly 12 miles of bike markings before the end of the year. Keep 'em coming.

Sweet revenge at Canton Ave.

2010-11-14T08:15:00.008-06:00

At a 37% grade, it is supposedly the steepest hill in the Western Hemisphere. The hill is characterized by payment that turns to gapping cobblestone as you make your way up the tedious climb. It's rough...I won't kid you. Last year, Sarah and I ventured out to the South HIlls to try our legs on this hill. It got the best of me as I was only able to make it halfway up. Granted, my climbing legs are not what they are today, and I had my Surly Cross Check (heavier bike with slightly different gearing). This last weekend, I revisited my foe of last year is hope of redeeming myself. Equipped with my Cannondale road bike and running a 11-27 cassette, I was able to crank through this hill not once, but yes, twice (just wanted to make sure for good measure). It was quite monumental, at least in my mind. Sarah didn't seem quite so impressed with a return text that said, "I am proud?" Oh, you should be. Dirty Dozen is less than two weeks away. I've now hammered through 12 of those 13 hills successfully. The trick is doing all 13 in a row without bailing on the 50+ mile ride over Thanksgiving weekend. Should be interesting.

2010-11-03T08:40:00.005-05:00

Sporting the Mexico soccer player costume as I did two cyclocross races this last weekend in Morgantown, WV. I had a good showing in the Cat 4 race on Sunday morning at White Park. Marilla Park, on Saturday, didn't fair so well as I was having some mechanicals (dropped my chain ring twice; one time it got stuck between the crank and frame). However, Marilla Park was an amazing course. It offered up a deep sandpit, barriers, a massive hill with steps at the top, and very tight switchbacks. By far the best cross course that I've ridden. White Park was different in that it offered up two baseball fields. The dirty was quite loose from the relatively rainy week, so it became squirrelly in the turns. All in all, a fun weekend to be on the bike.

Month of Mud race at North Park

2010-10-18T07:50:00.009-05:00

This particular race at North Park prompted over 200 racers to test their mountain biking skills in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. I think the ideal location and perfect weather made for a huge turnout. This race was another time trial, so individual races start at 1 minute intervals. Oddly, I was positioned just behind two friends that were 1 and 2 minutes in front of me. They were act as my "rabbits" in the chase to see if I could in fact catch them. The race began with a tough switchback climb for almost a mile. The loop continued with several steep descents and a few log crossings. One particular section was relatively rocky, so a full-suspension bike would have come in the preferred bike. I managed to pass one of my friends at about the 4 mile mark, but was not able to overcome my other friend in the last 1/2 mile descent to the finish line. I ended up placing 11th out of 45 racers in the Sport division. Again, not a bad showing and an improvement from Bavington's results placing 13th there. That's it for me this year with Month of Mud. Can't do Moraine next weekend because I'll be returning to NE for my college class reunion. Next up, two cyclocross races over Halloween weekend in Morgantown, WV.

Month of Mud at Bavington

2010-09-30T13:54:00.003-05:00

First race of the fall season and my first mountain bike race in PA was decent. I was able to ride 1/2 the course for pre-race with a couple of other Sport racers. I discovered that the tight singletrack did not allow for me to pick up very much speed, even on descents. So, I had to keep the speed in check throughout the entire race. I ended up finishing the 7.5 mile time trial race in just over 50 minutes, which placed me 13th out of 36 Sport riders. Not bad considering it was my first official mtn bike race out here. I realized there are lots of great riders here which certainly amplifies the competition. Next up, my third ever cyclocross race this Saturday. I went through a cyclocross clinic last Saturday, so hopefully the skills that I took from that will manifest themselves on Saturday.

2010-09-13T22:18:00.008-05:00

After I heard the wheezing from my rear tire, I knew instantly that I had a flat. I pulled off the side of the road and began the routine of changing a flat. Found the location of the instigator (see pic) thinking it was a small tack of some kind. No, instead I pulled this sucker from my bicycle tire. Thoughts: Don't nails belong in tool boxes instead on city streets? How did I manage to find the nail with a tire that a fraction of the size of a car tire? I sure hope I have a spare tube on me (I did, fortunately). Before leaving the scene of the flat change, I disposed of the nail in a Doritos bag that was conveniently laying on the side of the road with a number of other garbage items. Another thought arose: seriously...throw away your trash! I took the Doritos bag, with the nail inside of it, and properly disposed of the bag and its contents so no one else would suffer the same travisty.

Surly reaches 4000 miles!

2010-09-13T22:08:00.004-05:00

My Surly Cross Check has reached 4000 miles after just 4 years. This isn't bad considering that I use the bike primarily for commuting purposes and running errands. Of course, it has been my bike of choice on a few touring trips (RAGBRAI and GAP trail in PA). It actually probably has more like 4,200 miles, because I didn't buy the bike computer right away. To put this in perspective, it's 3,200 miles from US coast to coast (Augusta, Maine to Los Angeles, CA). Anyway, my trusty steel steed has done very well over the course of those many miles. Surly Nation!

2010-09-13T21:54:00.011-05:00

Excellent trip back to Raystown Lake and the Allegripis trails last weekend. Highlights: completing all of the Rays Revenge trail without crashing this time (see bloody elbow pictures from earlier blog post), using my new camping stove to cook up some tasty eggs for breakfast and chicken for dinner, riding 47 miles of pristine singletrack in just two days, and visiting a cool local bike shop (Rothrock Outfitters) between rides. Bummer: learning at Rothrock Outfitters that my frame is slightly warped in the seat stays. Conclusion is that the rear tire won't stay even in the drops. So I may have to get another frame eventually. Leaning toward the Niner M.C.R. right now. Anyway, the trip was a true success.

"I didn't pump my tire" song

2010-09-09T09:19:00.002-05:00

Funny video with music from "We didn't start the fire."

2010-08-31T21:40:00.004-05:00

On days like today, I appreciate the fact that I am now a bike commuter (at least to school). Traffic was really bad in the Burgh for rush hour. Bypassed all Strip District and downtown traffic. Probably saved myself 15 minutes. Therefore, the score is Jason - 15 and motor vehicle traffic - 1 (they get 1 point because of Penn Avenue...it's a pot-hole strewn and not acceptable for a cyclist).

Why Recycle...

2010-08-20T11:41:00.000-05:00

http://www.prc.org/community_collections.html

Evolve

2010-08-19T09:34:00.005-05:00

I love this picture! Sarah took it at a look-out spot at Put-in-Bay. A graffiti artist used their artistic touch on these concrete slabs. If only more people could evolve and think of bikes not as a nuisance on the road, but another fantastic form of transportation.

So close

2010-08-10T21:27:00.003-05:00

Criterium paid out 8 places this evening. And, guess where Jason placed? Yep, 9th place. The new Ksyrium SL wheelset is ridiculously light and fast, though. Very much enjoying my time on those. Also, this evening, watched a bicycle crash unfold right in front of me. Luckily, the person immediately in front of me dodged left, so I followed his lead. The two injured appeared to have suffered some decent road rash.
This week is Bike Fest here in Pittsburgh. It's a celebration of the 2-wheeled machine. Lots of great racing and riding going on with both the mountain bike and road bike. The week was kicked off on Friday with an opening party. Thursday, I plan on venturing out to Hartwood Acres (my favorite mtn biking spot) to partake in the festivities with PORC. The weekend includes several other bike rides to round-out the weeklong event.

Great Allegheny Passage ride

2010-07-24T19:51:00.006-05:00

Here are just a few pictures from our recent GAP trail ride. This trail links Pittsburgh with DC. Roughly 330 miles of limestone and some pavement. We started in West Newton, rode 60 miles, and camped in Confluence. There was some beautiful scenery in and around Ohiopyle. A small group of us are looking at doing the entire length of the trail system next year in 5 days. Ride on!

Dirt Fest!

2010-06-04T18:13:00.008-05:00

Where: Allegrippis trails where 400+ mountain bikers converged one weekend into the woods of 32 miles of singletrack. Yep, I'm in. These were some of the fastest, flowiest (if that's a word), smoothest trails that I've ever been on. The Army Corp of Engineers built them just a year ago. They did a fantastic job as they are sustainable and don't involve a whole lot of climbing (just have to know the right direction). As you can see from one picture, a steep dip got the best of me. 3 hours into riding, I crashed pretty hard coming down a black trail descent. Even with the injury, if was well worth it. My friend and I are already plotting when we can return to this mountain biking haven of sorts.

Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds in DC

2010-05-31T20:08:00.005-05:00

Finally, finally. After roughly 10 years of plotting to see Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds live in an acoustic set, I got to see them in DC. The venue was the DAR theatre in downtown DC, just blocks from the Washington monument and the White House. It was an amazing show. He did several songs from DMB's newest album, along with some oldies but definite goodies. Highlights from the show include The Maker, Dancing Nancies, Funny the Way It Is, You and Me, Crush, and closing out with Ants Marching. Tim is an guitar genius, and did two songs on his own. Get to see the full band in July when they come to PNC park.

Aliquippa Criterium Race

2010-05-09T21:43:00.006-05:00

Just thought I would post a few pictures from the race this weekend.

Tough race considering that I'm still recovering from bronchitis. Also, I thought that I was in better biking shape...ends up, I'm not. Too much time beating the pavement in training for the 1/2 marathon. The track was a nice 1-mile loop, though.

What are yinz thinking/doing???

2010-05-01T10:34:00.014-05:00

This post has been a long-time coming. But, I feel the need to get it off my chest after some recent events. Therefore, the title speaks for itself (thought I would throw in some Pittsburghese) and touches on my some thoughts/sentiments for the question "What the heck?" This is a Top 10 list of things I've noticed since moving to the Burgh.

10. Potholes. You kidding me? A small car can get lost in this one...

I realize the city is old, but give me a break. This is not cobblestone...it's an actual street... Do some actual road maintenance and fix it. Yes, that might involve tearing up a section of the road rather than just filling it with the black tar. As you might imagine, these road hazards make road riding a nightmare.
9. Sidewalks are created for a reason...to walk on. Don't walk in the middle of the street. Cars aren't necessarily going to stop for you...especially with some of the road rage due to traffic.
8. Crossing the road. Yep, you're supposed to do that at intersections. It's the safe option. Refer to #9 for reason why.
7. Standing. This too can be done on the sidewalk. If you're waiting for a ride, the bus, etc., or just loitering, then stand on the sidewalk. The road is meant for vehicles and bicycles.
6. Speaking of bikes...stop taunting, driving to close to, or throwing things at cyclists. Sarah and I had trash thrown at us the other day on a short ride home from a friend's party. We are talking 0.8 of a mile. Too short of a ride to hassle with motorist stupidity.
5 Stop throwing trash! Put it in the trash can. Sarah and I live near a McDonalds. Yep, we can see the golden arches from our front porch. As you can imagine, we get people walking through our complex that leave a litter trail as they head home. But, it's not just our area. I've noticed it in other parts of the Burgh as well. Have a little respect and pride for the city that you live in. Clean up after yourself.
4. Dogs...keep them on a leash. #4 stems from an encounter last weekend with a dog that bit me nearing the end of my 10 mile run. Also, there have been a couple of occasions at Frick Park during mountain bike rides when unleashed dogs have been in the way of riders. The dogs get in the way and are a nuissance. Keep them on a leash and you won't have to worry about them getting hit or biting other people.
3. Recycling Center...what's that? Okay, so maybe I was spoiled in Lincoln, Nebraska with 22 multi-use centers within the city. And that's for only approximately 200,000 people. In Pittsburgh, there are 2, yes only 2 centers nearby. And they're not 24-hour operations. And they look like this...The city of Pittsburgh I'm sure has bragging rights with a number of sustainable buildings, but the limited recycling centers are disappointing.
2. It's called a bike. Yes, and it's another form of transportation. And, yes, we do have a right to the road. Better yet, riding a bike is great exercise while you're getting to your destination. The Pittsburgh traffic is only going to get worse unless they figure out how to get more vehicles off the road. Their bus system is good, but there are alternative options, too...carpooling, subway, light rail, T. Let's expand the T so it goes north up to Cranberry. That would make my commute so much nicer.
1. Turn down your thumping car music! Maybe in your teens, it's a cool thing to do. Not when you're in your 20's and 30's. Rule of thumb: When the bass rattles my home, it's too loud. As a matter of fact, when the driver next to you can hear your music, it's too loud. It's a safety issue. You can't hear emergency vehicles, plus it's a distraction.

Okay, that's enough banter for one day. I really needed to post something, since the Snowpocolypse in February was my last blog post. Ride on!

The Pittsburgh Snow-pocalypse

2010-02-06T18:15:00.013-06:00

I learned this was the fifth largest snowfall in Pittsburgh history (ever since they started keeping track). 18 inches of snow was dumped on Pittsburgh in the last 24 hours. At 7 Springs Resort, they posted 28 inches of freshies.

Braving the unplowed roads of Pittsburgh on the trusty 29'er, I ventured outdoors to take in the winter wonderland. I was surprised to find tons of Pittsburghers out wandering the streets (literally walking in the middle of the streets). Most sidewalks were not shoveled, but some of the main streets were. Due to the low traffic and white surroundings, this made for some great wintry riding.

This is one of my favorite pics during the ride...crime scene tape because a power line was down. I was more entertained by all the cars under mounds of snow and the unplowed road that was definitely unpassable on bike.

Night ride in December

2009-12-14T21:32:00.006-06:00

Perfect night for a 25 mile ride around the Burgh. Conditions were 46 degrees and hardly any wind...very nice. I reached 1000 miles on the road bike as well. Not bad after having the bike for only 6 or 7 months, and there are two other bikes to ride. Figured I better get out one last time before the snow hits.

Vikes versus Steelers

2009-12-12T08:39:00.002-06:00

I rode down to Heinz field to catch some of the pre-game festivities (tailgating). I was surprised to see the number of Viking fans. Lots of Favre jerseys. Unfortunately, I didn't have any purple to sport for the ride. No only that, I would have feared being riden off the road by a motor vehicle. Steelers fans bleed black and gold. Still it was cool to see all the action prior to the big game.

Light Up Night in Pittsburgh

2009-12-12T08:33:00.002-06:00

The Surly and I took a trip downtown to check out the fireworks displays...yes, two displays. Pittsburghers don't mess around when it comes to fireworks. One display was closer to Mt. Washington, while the other was off one of the Allegheny briges. Both were very impressive fireworks; plus, the city lights in the background added to the affect.

Great quote...

2009-11-11T19:49:00.001-06:00

"Biking is like a gateway drug to greener living."

Rant

2009-11-03T20:24:00.002-06:00

Announcement: motorists of Pittsburgh...bikes get the road, too!!! I'm getting really tired of slamming on my brakes so I can swerve to miss your vehicles. Tonight, coming home from the gym just a half mile from home, two motorists decided to demonstrate their Pittsburgh lefts and their inability to account for cyclists. I was pedaling down Negley when the first oncoming vehicle decided to turn quickly left onto Ellsworth in front of me (this was as I was practically in the intersection). After stopping to say a few choice words, I began to clip into my pedal again. To my surprise, the second vehicle behind the other car, opted to turn in front of me as well. I couldn't believe it! After the first incident, how could the person in the second car not notice me? Are you that inept and clueless?
Driving a motor vehicle is a big responsibility. It requires thought, skill, and some coordination. Drivers that are using their cell phones to chat or text are only further distracted. On several past occasions, I've swerved or slammed on my brakes to avoid talking/texting drivers. About a month ago on my way to work, a car behind me bumped into my rear bumper. He evidently was looking at his planner on his lap. Just focus on the task at hand...driving. Sorry, but I had to get this off my chest.

4th time is a charm

2009-09-08T21:16:00.002-05:00

Finally, after 3 previous criteriums, I was able to crack the top 10. As a matter of fact, I proudly finished 8th this evening. Tough race, though...we averaged around 25 mph. I won a primes for fastest lap, and should have one at least one more. In fact, I came within inches of winning 3 primes (laps). So, after several attempts at cracking the top 10, and sadly finishing in the middle of the pack, I accomplished my goal at the last crit of the season.
Note on the crit track/course. Pittsburgh has a designated track called the Washington Oval (because it's off Washington Boulevard). This track was formerly where one would take their driver's license test. Therefore, the course has banked turns into the corners. Makes for an interesting race when one is flying into these turns at 20+ miles per hour in an attempt to avaide other cyclists, hold a line, and not crash. It's quite the lung-burning race that's an adrenaline rush.

3 Parks in 3 Days

2009-09-07T20:36:00.003-05:00

The picture is deceiving....the Surly did not make the 3 adventures into the parks this weekend (I took this picture on my first visit to the park in August). Instead, the Fisher 29'er had fun playing in the fast, flowing singletrack of Hartwood Acres, Frick Park, and Boyce Park. All were different and unique. Hartwood was a good mix of technical obstacles and smooth-flowing dirt. Frick has an excellent roller coaster section, some leg-burning climbs, and some tricky off-camber trails. Oh, and the super-steep descent off a chute was a bit nerve-racking. Boyce is all about the logs. There are tons of log crossings throughout the park. Plus, a number of bridges and obstacles that add to the technical difficulty. Fortunately, I met up with some guys riding Hartwood on Friday night, so they could lead me around the park. Same guys were nice enough to invite me out to Boyce on Sunday. Overall, some great riding and the weather could not have been any better.

Mural ride and my first Critical Mass

2009-08-30T17:04:00.013-05:00

So evidently the Burgh has a number of murals throughout the city. For Bike Fest, a week-long cycling event, we did a ride that toured us around the city to observe these works of art. Our group of roughly 30 riders took in some pretty cool stuff.

Critical Mass was absolutely a huge mass of riders. About 40 participants got together to demonstrate bike advocacy. I loved when people on the streets yelled to us to ask what we were or what we were doing. My favorite was when one lady started clapping and cheering us on. You see - there are other means of transportation, specifically my pedaled two-wheel friend. It's all about being in the moment...where it's just you and the bike gliding along in motion. If you need to stop, you stop. If you need to sprint, you sprint. If you need to climb a massive hill like Canton Ave, you can certainly try. You can just do your thing on the bike. That's the simplicity of it, and that's what makes it great.

Riding...and yet more riding

2009-08-30T16:47:00.010-05:00

For the last couple of weeks, my bikes and I have really bonded. It's a very mature relationship, because we've been through a lot over the last month. 1) A move to a major metropolitan city - Pittsburgh (time spent in the back of a Penske truck. 2) Singletrack and city streets that are completely unfamiliar to the tires. And 3) The hills of the Burgh! (killer on the bikes' bottom brackets). Speaking of hills, Sarah and I ventured out to the southside of town to attempt a very specific hill. This hill is argueably the steepest hill in the world (it is the steepest hill in the US). At a 37% grade, the cobblestone makes it only more difficult to climb. I had difficulties going down the slick road, let alone riding up the thing. After 3 failed attempts at the monster hill, I was humbled and slightly humiliated. The Surly (and the rider on the Surly) just could not do it. Next time, I'm bringing the 29'er so I can drop into the granny gear and utilize the knobbier tires on the rough terrain. Here's a few pics, but they really don't do it justice...

Cheat Mountain Challenge - Snowshoe, West Virginia

2009-08-30T09:11:00.007-05:00

Rewind 2 weeks...the Cheat Mountain Challenge ride at Snowshoe resort in West Virginia. With over 10,000 feet of climbing, amazing descents, and beautiful Appalachian Mountain vistas, this ride was definitely worth it. Chris and I decided on the metric century (80 miles) after a relatively tough first 15 miles. These climbs were steady and lengthy, but offered up some excellent descents through narrow back-country roads. Fortunately, this ride has rest stops every 15 miles or so. The ride is completely supported, so riders can stock up on PB&J, power bars, chips, fruit, and other goodies at every stop. The route ends with a grueling climb up Snowshoe Mountain. This is climb itself is 2,000 feet. To say the least, I was in the smallest gear the entire way, and required one stop during the way up the mountain. Overall, a fantastic ride and fun trip.

My new home...the Burgh

2009-08-11T08:55:00.009-05:00

So it's been 2 weeks since I left Nebraska and have begun a new chapter of my life in Pittsburgh. Thus far, it's been amazing. There's so much to do in the city...several huge parks, excellent cafes and restaurants, unique neighborhoods, beautiful bridges all over, old churches, and hill after hill of leg-building enjoyment.
I've been riding a lot. It gives me a great excuse to get out and explore the city. I've been to Riverview, Highland, Point State, Schenley, and Frick Parks. Riverview has an excellent bike lane that runs around the entire park. A great crit for the road bike. Point State Park is where the 3 rivers meet. And, Frick Park has some amazing singletrack. It's techinical in areas, but mainly rolling dirt trails. I had the chance of riding it on Saturday and Sunday with group rides. Took a good fall (endo) on Saturday on a downhill descent (the decents are much steeper here). Aside from the parks, the city has sufficient on-street bike lanes. Many of these are in gorgeous neighborhoods where you can get a glimpse at all the old homes. Sarah and I have also ventured down to the bike trails along the river. These are either paved or crushed limestone. Our favorite trail is probably the on the North Shore because it overlooks the city and runs along the stadiums.
We've also experienced the Burgh's food. We ate the famous Pittsburgher at Primanti Bros this last Saturday. When my parents were in town, we took them to the Church Brew Works...an old church that has been converted into a brewery. Sarah and I have done a few dinner dates at local neighborhood restaurants. We have discovered that Ellsworth Ave and Walnut Ave (Shadyside) have some good eats.
This weekend, I have plans to do the Cheat Mountain Challenge at Snowshoe Resort in West Virginia. It's 75 miles of Appalachian mountain climbs. I'm meeting up with an former co-worker from the bike store in Lincoln. If the weather cooperates, we're going to make this trip happen.
Exciting stuff going on here. Sarah and I are having a blast!

RAGBRAI '09 - Council Bluffs to Martensdale

2009-07-24T15:13:00.018-05:00

Team Skanks loaded up the bikes and ventured off to Iowa for 3 blissful days of self-contained riding. The bike weighed in around 60 pounds, and made the hills of Iowa that more challenging.
The final tally for the 3 days, for my bro and I, was 198 miles (disappointed it wasn't 200). Aside from the rain on Tuesday afternoon, the weather was relatively comfortable. Evenings and mornings were a bit chilly, but nothing to complain about. Highlights of the tour: beer can obstacle course near top of grueling hill, fantastic route out of Council Bluffs, Ames beer (who knew?), pork chops 2 days from Mr. Porkchop, excellent salmon pasta from Pastafari, tent camping, super-steep hill out of Red Oak on Monday (okay, it kind of sucked), flawless pick-up in Martensdale, nice folks in Greenfield who let us set up camp in yard. Good time was had by all!

Fremont Pathfinder Duathlon = best race time yet

2009-07-24T15:08:00.002-05:00

Finished the race under an hour at 59:16. Plus, I beat last year's time by a minute (must be the new, full-carbon Cannondale). I cracked the top ten, and placed 8th overall (out of 84 individual racers). The course was flat and temperatures were very comfortable. This personal best was a great way to finish-out my racing in Nebraska.

Tour de MOPAC East

2009-07-16T09:19:00.008-05:00

I celebrated the completion of my Lincoln job and the upcoming move to Pittsburgh with a nostalgic ride of the MOPAC trail. Started the MOPAC at 33rd Street and rode out to 334th Street (just past the town of Wabash). Aside from a short chase by 3 dogs near Wabash (I had to sprint), the ride was perfect. Conditions were on the humid side, but refueling with H2O and Gatorade at the gas station in Elmwood certainly saved my butt. The 57-mile trip was completed in 3 hours and 40 minutes. Not the fastest pace, but it was a great way to prep for RAGBRAI next week. Ride on!

Indian Cave State Park trip

2009-07-02T23:33:00.007-05:00

My fiance and I had a chance to finally make it out to Indian Cave for some camping and riding. It was great to break out the camping supplies again. Great prep for Ragbrai. That night, while sitting around the campfire, we had an unexpected guest of some kind. Unknowingly, we had an intruder steal a bag of food. We found a trail of oranges from the bag that led into the forest. The girls claimed it was either a pack of coyotes (heard earlier in the night) or a rapeist. So, around midnight, we got to pack up the tents and move our camp closer to other fellow campers (expect now at the RV park down the road). Therefore, it wasn't the most peaceful night.
Sarah and I got up the next morning for some riding. She ventured off on the pavement to explore the entire state park. I ventured into the single track to test trails 3, 7, 8, and 9. With the exception of the awesome downhill and scenic vistas from trail 8, I was disappointed. The horses have again made their mark. I spent a good portion of the ride dodging large horse-hoof divots. The trails are not very bike friendly. You have to know the trails well so you don't have any painful uphills (I experienced one). After such climb, I can across two aquestrians. I made the comment to the first gentleman on horse that it was quite the climb. He replied that is so the bikers don't go on the trails. I thought this was a pathetically rude comment, but I continued on my way as I had to rendevous with Sarah shortly. Overall, a good trip. Glad to have made it out there before the move to Pitt.

Are you...

2009-07-01T23:27:00.006-05:00

Put me in charge of the store marquee, and you are going to receive some biased advertising. This will be my 3rd straight year for the greatest bike ride across any state. 20,000+ riders, Mr. Pork Chop (Pork Chooooooooooop!), spaghetti feeds, small Iowa towns with fantastic hospitality, and again thousands of other fellow riders! This year, Team Skanks will be small in number, but strong in weight. We will all be self-supported this year...carrying all our gear on the bikes. Should be a damn-good time!

Jamming with Dain

2009-06-25T00:43:00.010-05:00

Recently, I had a chance to jam with Dain (formerly of Shaking Tree). A friend invited Dain over for a house concert in which I sat in on two songs. We covered Dave Matthews' "Crash Into Me" and Indigo Girls' "Closer to Fine." Good times!

At least I can ride and run...

2009-06-20T17:13:00.005-05:00

Again, the swim got the best of me. It's as if I panic in the water and I can't seem to reach steady breathing. My swim training has gone well, but open-water swimming is a whole different giant. The mass swim start and the 81 triathletes added to the chaos. At about 50 yards out, I found myself floundering and then flipping over to do the backstroke. It wasn't until the second half of the 1/2 mile swim that I settled down to do the frontstroke. The ride and run is where I made up all my time. I managed to spin the 12 miles at a 22.3 mph pace. Then got off the bike and ran 7:37 miles. Overall, I finished in 16th place and 4th in my age division. Not too bad given the number of participants. Just got some work/training in the swim category.

TNT Duathlon update...

2009-06-14T20:09:00.005-05:00

The race went well. I successfully ran 6:23 miles for the first two miles, then averaged 20.3 miles/hr on the bike. I rounded out the event with 7:15 miles (should have been faster, but some leg cramping didn't help matters). I placed 8th overall, with a final time just under 62 minutes. Sarah finished 3rd in her division, and we both came home with medals.
http://www.teamnebraska.org/TNT%20DU%20Results%202009.pdf

Kanesville Krusher at Lewis & Clark

2009-06-05T09:53:00.005-05:00

The relatively techical course is strewn with bluffs of difficult climbs. Had a chance to run the granny gear and largest cog on the last climb of the course. Nice little roller coaster section with a tree pyramid obsticle that has been built up. Overall, I placed 10th in the Cat 2 Open division. Not bad considering the circumstaces...
1. Poor first lap thanks to a front deraileur that didn't want to shift down to a lower chain ring at the very beginning of the race (gravel road climb). Therefore, I was already in last place because I had to stop momentarily, put the chain back on the 2nd chain ring, and start pedaling again. First lap 28:12, 2nd lap 53:47, 3rd lap 1:19:35. See?
2. Never rode the course with the exception of the 1/2 lap that I did before the event. That's my own fault, really.
3. Bad allergies. Yep, these were kicking my butt days before the race and into that morning.
Great race, though. Scenic vista of Omaha added to the experience.

http://www.nebraskacyclingnews.com/news/mountain-bike-news-on-nebraska-cycling-news/113-kirkpatrick-wins-kanesville-krusher

Sick...this video is incredible

2009-06-05T09:42:00.002-05:00

Thanks to friend, Justin, for introducing me to this rider and the song "The Funeral." Danny has some insane bike skills. All done on a mountain bike. Check it out...

Pittsburgh...2 months in counting

2009-05-29T08:38:00.003-05:00

It's been a while since I have posted anything, so I thought I would provide a quick life update. The preparation for the move is well underway. I have begun to box items throughout the house. Sarah and I have narrowed down our options of where we will be living in Pitt. It is definite that we will be "urbanites" and living near downtown. I'd like to live near Frick Park so that I have singletrack at my doorstep. However, I still would like to be minutes from downtown on bike.
Sarah's dissertation has kept her very busy. She is nearing the end of it, and she hopes to defend in June or early July. She's still very cute, even with the added stress.
I have been riding (a lot) and searching for a road bike. I've narrowed it down to a Cannondale Six of some kind. The Psycowpath series has kept me busy. The 3rd race will be in C.B. this weekend. My performance thus far has been average. I've placed in the middle of the pack in Cat 2. I did Cat 3 Open last year, so the competition has been more fierce. The Surly Cross-Check is still cranking out the commuter miles. Go Surly!
I finished the Iron Man Challenge through the gym. The goal was to complete a full Iron Man in two weeks. Of course, the biking came easy as did the swimming (surprisingly). I had to push myself on the runs, but I managed. In fact, the last run was a 4-miler in which I did 7-minute miles. Not too bad for a cyclist.
Aside from all this going on, I have tentatively made plans to visit the West before we head out to Pitt. A trip to Denver and maybe Moab might become reality at the end of June or early July. Still looking for volunteers to accompany me.
Still roaming like a nomad should,
-Jason

Blue October's new album

2009-03-20T17:31:00.008-05:00

Many of you know that I am a huge Blue October fan. I've been to over 20 of their shows, many of which were at the old Music Box in Omaha. So, I've been following the band since roughly 2002. Tuesday, March 24th, Blue is releasing their 5th studio album. Their first single on the album, "Dirt Room," highlights why Blue is such an incredible band. Check out some of their more popular songs..."Hate Me, Into the Ocean, Calling You, 18th Floor Balcony, HRSA, Breakfast After 10, Inner Glow, and Italian Radio." Seriously, these guys put on a great concert and have a large following here in Nebraska. In fact, they added a second show at Socol in April. You should really get a ticket to see them.
The band engages the audience in the form of inspiration, amazement, and excitement. They congregate an audience with a passion for their music and the meaning behind their lyrics. They've taught me that not everything needs to be perfect nor will it be. It's about feeling "independently happy" and knowing that the "weight of the world" is not a sole burden. Favorite lyric = "To kill a young man's point of view is to kill his only friend." BLUE!

Engaged!

2009-03-20T17:14:00.007-05:00

Wanted to fill you in on some FUN news via the blog. As of Feb. 14th (Valentine's Day), Sarah and I are engaged...to be married, of course! However, we occasionally "engage" in thumb wars in which she has to cheat to win (she uses her index finger). I digress...
I'm sure you're wondering, how did you propose? I will provide a brief narrative. We had just returned home from a Valentine's Day dinner sponsored by our church. I had pictures strategically arranged around the house in the form of a scavenger hunt. The hunt for the beautiful ring started with the roses on the kitchen counter. Written instructions next to the flowers stated that she should follow the pictures, arrows, and music. Sarah correctly followed these items to the spare bedroom where I had her sit down. There, I sang and played a "romantic" song on guitar. By the way, I wrote half of it myself...the rest was compliments of Blue October. Following the song, Sarah was almost crying, but not yet. I then began expressing my deepest sentiments and love (ahhhhhh). Here is where she started crying a little. I got down on one knee and proposed. This is the part when she said, "Yes."
We spent the next few hours calling immediate family, taking pictures, and sipping champagne. Oh, and Sarah dedicated much of this time to admiring her ring.
So that's the FUN news from Lincoln.

Ride'n at Breck in CO

2009-03-09T22:51:00.004-05:00

A recent trip to the mountains of Colorado was nothing but fantastic. Greg, my buddy from California, and I visited the resorts of Keystone, Vail, and Breckenridge for 3 days of snowboarding. Luckily, we arrived just after snow had fallen, then we got more freshies the night before our last day. Fresh pow and the Colorado mountains...very nice!

The Road to Raymond

2009-02-08T10:36:00.013-06:00

Unseasonably warm temperatures for February meant getting on the bike for a gravel roads ride up to Raymond, NE. It's about 25 miles round-trip from my house in the Highlands. I took N. 1st Street up to Waverly road, then over to NW 40th Street up to Raymond. Following a brief Powerbar break in Raymond, I took Raymond Road down to James Arthur Vineyards. Here, I did a little wine tasting. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Nebraska wines, there are few to choose from (and rightly so). James Arthur actually makes a decent red wine, ironically enough called Nebraska Red. A couple of sommeliers at the vineyard made the comment that I was their first cyclist. I found that hard to believe, but they added that they see bikers, not cyclists. It was a proud moment.
After some pictures and wine tasting, I wandered back onto Raymond Road and took NW 27th back toward Lincoln. In route, I was chased by 3 dogs on two separate occasions. The first 2 dogs almost got to me; the 3rd dog didn't stand a chance. Kind of scary, though, when these dogs dart out of nowhere and start chasing you. Overall, it was a nice two-hour adventure on the 29'er.

Whistler/Blackcomb snowboarding trip

2009-02-07T10:55:00.014-06:00

Incredible! A group of 6 ventured up to Whistler/Blackcomb in B.C Canada for a weekend of snowboarding/skiing. The vistas were amazing and the runs were fantastic. All 3 riding days were bluebird days. No new snow in the past week, but we were able to find some pow on the Peak 2 Creek run. This trail has the longest vertical in North America at just above 5,000 feet. It was insane...I had to take several breaks. The natives were friendly and the Canadian beer was quite tasty. Check out all the trip pictures on my Facebook page.

New Year...New Job

2009-01-20T09:33:00.002-06:00

After declaring a New Year's resolution to get a job, on Janaury 10th, I did. Better yet, I can get away with sporting a helmet (like in the pic). My new job is at a local bike shop as a sales manager. I've been there for over a week now, and it's a blast. Finally, I get paid for talking about bikes and not get in trouble for it. Also, I don't have to work for corporate America, behind a desk, making decisions with the click of a mouse. Now, I get to assist people who enjoy the sport of cycling as much as I do. So if you're in the market for a new bike, look me up. I can get you set up on a nice ride. One that can even do some sweet jumps!

29'ers like snow

2008-12-18T10:36:00.006-06:00

The first Lincoln snowfall of approximately 2 inches did not stop the Fisher 29'er from exploring the city. In fact, the big wheels were enjoying the slick bike paths and streets. I rode to the gym...only about 4 miles, but enough time to spin out a few times, jump over a few small snow piles, and take in the cold winter air. Surprisingly, I counted three other bike wheel tracks on one trail, and another five tracks on the Salt Creek trail. By the way, this trail is covered with poop. Yes indeed, Lincoln geese have graced us with their presence by offering up gifts in the form of excretion. The flock had sprayed the trail, and I managed to kick up the poop onto my clothes. I couldn't for the life of me figure out where it was coming from at first. Then I noticed the smudge on my sock. Damn geese. Due to poop residue on the downtube of the frame, the 29'er needed a quick bath after this smelly encounter.

From bike to snowboard, back to bike

2008-12-15T21:39:00.033-06:00

Who said that one cannot ride on Black Friday, snowboard the next weekend, and turn around to ride again the following weeekend. Astoundingly, that happened for me. I completed the trilogy this last Saturday with a singletrack ride out at Branched Oak accompanied by 3 friends. Unfortunately, Branched Oak was likely the last dirt ride of 2008 (much colder temperatures have set in). Pictures are from the Black Friday ride, starting in Ralston and heading north on the Keystone trail. Of course, we had to make a stop at Old Chicago to refuel with barley/hop beverages and watch part of the Husker/CU game. The self-pic on the snowboard was taken in the Sun Down Bowl (super fun black runs) at Vail. Seriously, one of the best blue-bird days ever. Relatively fresh snow, mild temperatures, and light wind made it epic. Oh, and Game Creek Bowl in Vail is a must. Two other days in CO were spent at Breck and Beaver Creek. Oh, and I finally had my first Fat Tire in a can. It was as equally tasty as the bottled brew.

Jamming in Kingdom Come's first acoustic set

2008-12-11T11:09:00.006-06:00

Kingdom Come, the band I'm in, did its first acoustic set at Madonna over Thanksgiving weekend. The set list included: "You Are My All in All, Blessed Be Your Name, One Pure and Holy Passion, Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone), You Are My King, and Sing to the King." The musical message was well-received, and I enjoyed the experience. Also, I had a chance to tinker with my vocal ambitions while playing guitar. I'm no Dave Matthews, but I certainly give it my best effort.

2008-12-04T16:46:00.002-06:00

The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from encounters with new experiences. This is a life that hums with meaning and purpose. Many peole are unhappy with their circumstances because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism. To get more out of life, one must avoid this montonous security. This habitual lifestyle can be draining. Take advantage of all the world has to offer. There is so much to see and do. I, for one, get stir-crazy in Nebraska. I'm prone to wander - I'm prone to be nomadic. To make each day a new horizon. My place in this world is where I happen to be standing at that moment. Now that is living.

Me versus We

2008-12-02T20:31:00.008-06:00

When did the "Me" become more important than the "We?" How did the trust unravel right before our eyes? What happened to a company that was so right, so perfect in its beginnings? What happened to the "We?"

A promise that was made just a few months past - no layoffs. It was said that the company would ride out the economic turmoil. It was a slap in the face, a cold shoulder turned...I was abandoned. Lies, deceit, mistrust, and dishonesty have scorned the company. So absolute, so admittantly sincere in its beginnings, corruption now has its stronghold. Now it's nothing but sorry excuses, mistrust, and dishonesty. Discouraging and absolutely devastating.

The "We," the company "team," will continue to flounder, flailing to keep their heads above water. Employees are drowning under your own weight. And, now, now the "team" is derailing. Uncertainty and fear have led them into a state of panic. They are on pins-and-needles. Sadly, because of this decision to let go several employees that helped build your company.

Fascinated not by the "We," but now the "Me." The "Me"...this pronoun is caught up in capitalistic nonsense. When the stuff/the insignificant material of this world are more important than humanity. It's greed. Exorbitant salaries, unnecessary company expenditures for pleasure, and unaltered Christmas bonuses are continuing. These items should have been cut, not human capital. Unto this, the rich will continue to get richer, and the poor, well, poorer. The lust for wealth is entirely delusional. And, again it must be asked, what happened to the "We?"

KC biking adventure

2008-11-26T23:31:00.019-06:00

Who knew KC mountain biking could be so fun? Seriously, there are some fantastic single track trails around KC. I hit up Blue Ridge Parkway and Landahl. The great thing about these trails is that they are marked - green, blue, and black - just like on the slopes. So, you can pick and choose your desired trail. I found myself enjoying the blues the most. Trail highlights from the weekend included Oxbow Run, Basement Trail, and Bo Ho Ca at Blue Ridge Parkway; Tasty Goodness, Wills Wanderer and Rim Job at Landahl. Recommendation: Print out the trail maps from earthriders.com before venturing to the trails (unless you've done these before). Between the two trail systems, there are miles and miles of endless singletrack - both fast-flowing, smooth dirt and the more technical limestone rock sections. The rock sections can get tricky in areas; believe me, I have the bruises and cuts to prove it. Finally, yes, I was rocking the Fisher 29'er!

The Eagle has landed

2008-11-20T23:50:00.006-06:00

About a month ago, the Surly and I had an adventure to b-e-a-utiful Eagle, NE. The ride out to this lovely nook of the prairie took me on 5 Lincoln trails...Highlands, Superior, 84th St., MoPac, and the John Dietrich. Oh, including a brief stint at the BMX track off 84th St. (The Surly landed jumps even with the panniers attached). As you can see, the Cross-Check begged for a photo opp with the Eagle watertower. It is smiling, by the way. Then the Surly requested a picture next to the train bike at the MoPac East trailhead. Of course, I obliged again.

RAGBRAI!!!

2008-09-16T21:50:00.032-05:00

The picture says it all. Sadly enough and I hate to admit, this is the first time I've actually transported beer on the bike rack. I've carried beer in my Timbuk2, but never actually on my bike. Of course, in Iowa, one has to enjoy the best...nothing but Busch Lite.

Riding with 20,000 other cyclists = this is what Ragbrai is all about. It is a moving party on 2 wheels. You meet tons of people from across the US. I highly recommend it. Seriously, if you have a bike (any bike) partake in the Ragbrai adventure.

The crew that I have rode with on Ragbrai for the last two years are referred to as the Skanks. There's quite a lengthy story that goes along with team name. More importantly, though, is that the name stirs up conversation. We are very fond of the name, and we'll be proudly bearing the licenses on our bikes for Ragbrais to come.

The cute couple

2008-09-16T21:27:00.009-05:00

My sweet, cute, intelligent girlfriend--here we are at one of the many weddings that we've attended together (normally, she's a bridesmaid and I hang out with her family). All right, so here's the scoop (Sarah likes this word) on how we met. A mutual friend, who I happened to date at one time, set us up. She thought there was no way that we'd get along and that we had almost nothing in common. As they say, opposites attract. And, as we talked, or as I listened to Sarah talk, I learned that we have lots in common. Suitably, our first date was a bike ride (at a very casual, chatting pace (Sarah only rides at this pace). I guess you could say, from there it's history. We've been dating now for 2+ years and honestly, she's the best. I couldn't be happier.

It's a rock...shaped like a chimney!

2008-09-16T21:23:00.004-05:00

NE at its finest. Chimney Rock and all its glory. Seriously, I was a little disappointed. Look - the windmill is even taller than Chimney Rock. The cow skull also adds a nice touch.

The farthest north I've been...Alaska!

2008-09-16T09:38:00.023-05:00

First and foremost, Alaska is amazing. There is so much natural beauty in this state. Literally, everywhere I went, there was another picture opp. Restaurant recommedation = Glacier Brewing Company. As expected, it has the best Alaskan salmon and some wonderful micro brews. They have a cask beer that was incredible, too. On a warm day, it's worth the time just to walk around the city (it's pretty small). Definitely one of my best trips ever. Here I am in downtown Anchorage. Rightly so, Anchorage is the "Air Crossroads of the World."

This picture was taken on our way down to Seward for a whale-watching tour. This drive along Highway 1 (Seward Highway) was undoubtly the most scenic of my life. During the course of the drive, there are inlets where you can park and take pictures on rocks that jut out from the shore. Here I'm popping a squat on one of these rock ledges with Cook Inlet in the background.

So, for those of you that know me, I have this slight addicition to riding. It started with skiing, then I learned of the snowboard, and it went all downhill. Particularly, in the winter months, I discontinue riding the bicycle and ride the snowoboard. Here I am riding at Alyeska with Cook Inlet in the background. Officially, it ranked at the most scenic vista from any mountain summit. And, believe me, I've snowboarded at a lot of resorts (don't have me count). For those Coloradans, yes, it's even better than Keystone which overlooks Lake Dillon.