Do you like dessert like I do? I remember my grandmother making some awesome cakes and pies. It's hard to find pastries and pies that can remind us of home. I found one such place. 

Most of you know, and have purchased pies from, Elizabethan Desserts. Check her out, she is saucy and an unbelievable artist. She also now has a blog;

Elizabethan Desserts Blog

For a couple years now I have been searching for some old friends I haven't seen in awhile. I finally found one the other day.

A 1992 GT Zaskar

I'm stoked! This was one of those memorable frames that I should never have sold. It was back when I would sell the old to pay for the new..... I haven't done that in awhile. I have a semi-complete Shimano M900/ M910 XTR group that is going onto this frame. Can't wait!

The other 2 are more rare and likewise will be harder to track down. 

1) A 1992- 1993 Klein Attitude (Green to White to Pink, I called it Aquafresh)

2) A 1994- 1995 GT Xizang (Polished Titanium)

Someday........

Here is a great article on SyCip from Bikeradar.com.

SyCip Interview

Deep though of the day....

I guess of all my uncles I liked uncle cave man the best. We called him uncle Cave Man because he lived in a cave and because sometimes he'd eat one of us. Later on we found out he was a bear.


from Deep Thought by Jack Handey

Well it's crunch time.

I am moving my workbench and tools on Sunday and the rest on Tuesday (hopefully...). I have been organizing, shredding, trashing and packing for the past 3 weeks getting ready. I'll post some pics when I get there. The move is not geographically huge (Leucadia to Cardiff) but, I have been in the sam house for over 5 years now. It's time.

I ran a bunch of errands today. I heard there might be a Red Mango opening up next to Seaside Market. I drove past and it was Open! Since I am on my "nutrition adjustment" desserts have been scarce. The yogurt at Red Mango is awesome. It's really low in calories, no fat and has some protein plus you can add toppings. My favorites are cranberries, almonds and cocoa puffs. Try it out.

The Tour Divide Race

My friend Mary (Siren Bicycles Co-Owner) is racing the Tour Divide this year. She is the only woman competing and is doing awesome. Checkout her blog for pictures and stories. She is using a SPOT satellite tracker you can actually see her progress and follow her. You can also see the leaderboard here.

Blurry I know.....

From this photo (taken in 1977 mind you) my posture and abnormally unbalanced body shape is still there. Yikes. heck with that, check out my afro.

I had a long week. I am glad I have tomorrow off.

Music playing:

Aqueduct Heart Design

Last bike in the stand:

Jens' New Titanium Seven Sola 29er

I am going to make a bold statement...

After watching the Giro on tv or reading the live coverage on cyclingnews, I am not looking forward to the TdF. The Giro had some great stages. There weren't many if any scandals. No reports of doping, etc. The TdF has become a farce, a soap opera if you will. Don't get me wrong I'll check the reports every once and awhile but, I think I am over it.

Anyone else getting that sour taste in your mouth? It's garlic covered frites.

G

Not that anyone will miss it or even know that it was gone for awhile. I am working on a new ProBikeSupport.com site. I want to host my photo's and possibly some of my artwork there as well as info about me.

Go check it out in it's infant stage. 

G

I am afraid to admit this on an open forum but,.....

I am really enjoying catching up with old friends on Facebook. It's not nearly as slimy as myspace but still. It's easier to chat and catch up with friends, you should check it out. 

The shop has been slammed lately, thank god. I love it when it is busy and we are overbooked, I have my work cut out for me. We have been receiving loads of new product including new bikes which helps.

I worked the Encinitas Century again this year. This time I was in the WRX and JRowe was in the B&L truck. This year seemed to have more amateur cyclists than last year if you know what I mean. Either way I had fun, it's great to help people complete a goal. Lots of flats, a couple weird repairs (including duct taping someones sole to her shoe) and really hot temps. 

If you haven't heard through the grapevine... I am moving to a new apartment soon. I am really excited for a change in scenery. I never really wanted the cottage I live in, it just worked out best at the time. The new place is in Cardiff-by-the-Sea (west of the 5) and has an ocean view if you stand on your toes. Plus it has a garage that I have needed badly for awhile.

****UPDATE****

I forgot to mention that I will be living next to the coolest guy in California. Not to mention his friendship was instrumental in me getting the apartment.

That's about it right now. 

G

THIS is what it should look like.

What's the issue with this picture?

I somehow came into contact with something I am allergic to. For the past 6 days I have had itchy, burning red eyes. It was pretty bad Monday & Tuesday, I stayed home from work. Thanks to Zyrtec and Allergan Eye drops I'm beginning to feel like myself again.

I stopped by Squadra to fix Doughboy's BB creak. After repacking the BB, Thile and I noticed the above mentioned "issue". Always check your mechanics paperwork, make sure he is proficient in all bicycles. Dough brought in some Teriyaki from Surf Brothers. It was tasty. There is one in Encinitas, I'll have to try it out.

And they say Neon colors are dead.....

Here is T-Bag and his newly re-built, re-painted Cheeta DH bike. NIce scheme!



Now when he shows up wearing a fanny pack and a Vaurnet T-Shirt i'll start worrying.

Stubby finally purchased a new MTB just in time for his Santa Cruz trip.

He came into the shop yesterday and bought a 2008 Stumpjumper Expert. It's been 6-7 years since he has had a new geared MTB.

I am sort of glad the writer strike happened, they have brought new life to the office.....

Last Friday Geri, TeeBag and I rode Lake Hodges. Too most that doesn't mean much to me it means a lot.

It was my first MTB ride of 2008. The flu, food poisoning and various other sicknesses kept me from riding my bike. I am glad I waited, if I had gotten sicker it could have been worse. Needless to say my tired old legs were out of shape. Plus it was blazing hot out there (90 degrees). I told the guys it was going to be a slow ride but, they had other thoughts. I decided to explore.

I rode out to a trail near the boat docks that I hadn't ridden in 10 years or so. Last time I had been out there my buddies and I got stranded after night fall and had to be rescued by a passing boat. Luckily for T and G, I didn't relay that story as we adventured down the trail. The beginning was tight singletrack followed by some treacherous off camber. Around the bend was a burned out Nissan Pathfinder (I can't remember if it was there the last time). The trail became a little more loose than I remembered and turned uphill. Geri began to huff and puff. TeeBag was blazing a trail for us and I was sweating my ass off (literally).

The views were spectacular, the trail was superb (other than some hike-a-bike sections and the day was exactly how I envisioned it. Geri ended up turning around early but, TeeBag and I headed east to the 15. Most of the trails are closed but, we rode as many as we could before I started bonking. BTW the new Powerbar Fruit Smoothie bars are really tasty.

I don't know whether I have rekindled my love of MTBing or not but, I can say it was a great day.

I love California.


This was my view most of the day.

I'm jealous....

JRowe asked me to work the Redlands Classic with him. To most that doesn't sound too strange. JRowe volunteers for the Mavic Neutral Support Crew (SSC) and he needed a jumper (someone who jumps from a car to change out a wheel for a racer) to help out. I'm in!

I drove up Thursday afternoon and met the team at the hotel before dinner. It's amazing how such different people can come together and make a solid team. Most of the guys are shop mechanics hailing from St. Louis to NorCal. 

Who hasn't noticed the yellow cars and moto's in large pro races. Take a look at some of the photos on Velonews or CyclingNews, you'll see yellow. Although unfortunately I didn't have to get out of the car I was stoked to see the race from that vantage point, the radios, the commraderie between cars and closeup view of the racers.

Stories soon....

The Del Mar Crit was last Saturday. I kind of wish there had been more this year. Saturday's race was epic though. My day started at 7:00am, setting up the tent and my pit.

The first few races were junior races and they were pretty harmless (a few flats, a derailleur adjustment, etc.). Lots of friends stopped by throughout the day which is always good. Stubby and Vanilla stopped by during their ride. Chris Allen from Specialized, BigAss stopped by after the Swami's ride, TeeBag hung out with his camera most of the day and loads of our team riders (DeWalt, SDBC and Jensifer) hung out in the pit between races.

During the 45+ race one of the UCCyclery racers wrecked pretty hard. He was taken to the hospital. Unfortunately the ambulance had to return before the next race could commence. That left the 35+ riders to warm up on course for close to 45 minutes until the ambulance returned. 5pence flew in from Jersey (the island off UK) a couple days before and decided to do the race. In spectacular form he pulled a fourth place finish. Good job little man

.
The Pro 1/2/3 race included a few Rock Racing guys, Jelly Belly and Toyota United. A Team Type 1 guy came into the pits looking for a neutral wheel, the pits are wheels in/ wheels out (riders bring a spare set of wheels to me, if they get a flat on course they ride to the pit and I change wheels for them). How can a pro show up at a race and not have a spare? It turned out he had his wheels at his car he just didn't want to use them. One of the Toyota United guys rolled in with a flat, also no spare. I offered him my trusty crappy 9spd spare. He was in the break so he took it. I rolled him back in and he stayed with the break. As soon as he was off I decided to fix his flat, it was a good thing he was back after 10 laps or so. I installed his wheel and rolled him in. He ended up getting third! 

I was completely surprised when he came by the pit after the race and thanked me for the help. That completely made my day.

It was a long day but, a good one.

Good God how long has it been.....

Wow the shop is kicking right now. Saturday I had a line out the door waiting for yours truly to work on their bikes plus we had 7 or so scheduled repairs to do. Tis the season!

So I was rocking my "Evil" T-shirt today. M&M, The Queen and I are sitting at the Tide and a bunch of people are staring at me. You'd think I would be used to it now that I am famous but, it was kind of wierd. I realized they were noticing my shirt. It's kind of funny people treat me differently when I wear anything that says "Evil". They are just jealous. 

I am getting back on the bike tomorrow. I haven't decided which bike though, maybe the Javaboy. We'll see if some exercise will cure me.

Today's links:

iPhone Atlas 

Software Training by Lynda

Alan Casagrande's Bongo Bay Studio

SyCip Headquarters