End of an Era. (short one)

I always knew this day would come. I have to leave the store and go back to my day job. Don't get me wrong, I like my job and I make good money, but its not the same as working in a bike store. So to try and make good on my last few days of freedom I'm heading up to Door County. Peninsula Park to be exact. Pretty much my fav WI park. One of the best cycling destinations in WI. Both road and MTB. The skiing is not to bad there either I hear.
With the store in the transition between summer and Christmas its been just too slow for me. I need to make sure the full time guys get all their hours so I'm moving on... until spring. I am grateful to have a job that lets me take such long absences.
So starting Monday its back to the grind and I'm taking as much "me" time as I can till then. I love Door County and never get up there as much as I like. I missed this summers century and that hurt.
So dont bother me tomorrow. Im off havin' some fun before I gatta act like a grown up again.
And that hurts. Bad.

DLD

New Wave Wednesdays(Tues nite ride).

Hit up last nites nite ride. 12 riders. The weather has been pretty damn nice for Nov but the temps do drop once the sun go's away. Had a great ride last nite and was in the game most of the nite. I rode the new Top Fuel as opposed to last week riding my old Fuel.

What a difference. So much faster.

Its really noticeable. The effort was pretty damn hard but it was a good hard. It was a stay with the group hard. Not like last weeks I cant see anybody anymore hard. Strange to say this in November but I am feeling a bit better on the bike of late. I'm riding more now than in July or August. Last nite was about two and a half hours of fun.

And here I will leave you with this weeks New Wave vid. Gary Numan came in around 1977, and it was him, along with groups like Devo and Kraftwerk that paved the way for the new wave explosion in the early 80's. This song is timeless. Again a ton of memories from my teens.

Man, I am old.

DLD

Im not Worthy.

This most likely the coolest bike I ever owned\rode. This 56cm XO1 is far from stock and is a rocket. Items upgraded were carbon stem and bar. Aerodynamic carbon post (from a normal carbon post) and of course the tubular Easton\Tufo's.

Since my weight\fitness has me finishing all cross races D.F.L, I no longer am able to race this thoroughbred under the "mancode". Its for sale as you see it or in stock configuration. However I will not part it out. One way or another. Still plenty of races left this fall if you feel the need for speed.

Tonite is the standing Tuesday nite ride and I decided to ride the Top Fuel. It was so game on last week that I need all the help that I can get. I will ride the 9.8 until we start hitting the beach and that's where I draw the line for a bike that retails for five grand.

Until then its wide open in the woods every Tuesday nite.

Very much fun.

DLD

Weekend Update.

Saturday had me on the Breakfast Group ride. This year round ride is in winter mode but with the warm weather gave us a mix of MTB's, cross and a few roadies. I rocked the cross bike in full race mode including the Easton tubulars. Little did I realize Saturday morn that this was most likely the last time I will ride this bike in this configuration. This ride will continue to be about 85% road and 15% woods until the beach freezes. I can wait a bit yet for that. At this point I had every intention of racing Sunday. However I did mention I might retire after Sundays race for the season. And really I was on the fence to do Sundays race by mid afternoon Saturday. However a small family issue made my decision for me and by 6pm I was out. So that means I am done racin for the year. Maybe I'll come to watch a couple.

So instead of spending about 50 bucks, riding as hard as I could for 35 minutes (if I didn't get pulled) only to finish DFL I ended up in the northern kettles of Greenbush with a few buds for 2 hours of greatness. The riding in the woods right now is a blast. The leaves make it a bit of a challenge which makes it entertaining at times. I have no problem blowing off a race of any kind to ride a bike in another venue. A bike ride is a bike ride.

Yesterdays decision to pass on the cross race also made me contemplate on what to do with the bike. I do love this bike, it fits me. Its cool with all the addition of carbon, but I think I will sell it pronto. The Eastons will come off, get cleaned up and packed away. The Tufo's will come off and put for sale.. Its going to be back to my old friend crosspinkie for the duration of the winter.

I cant wait.....

DLD

Forgetful Friday.

So I blast out to Greenbush only to find I forgot to put peddles on the bike. Drove back to Plymouth and stopped at Back Door Bike Shop and Josh borrowed me a set of platforms. I sure did miss clipping in but a ride is a ride. And I got to bust out some old BMX moves. We seem to be getting Octobers weather in November. I love that.

Tomorrow morn I will be doin' the group ride in full cross race mode. Gonna rock the Easton wheels just cuz I can. Should be fun.

DLD