IceCycles, SponsorHunt, and Pink Trees

Mel Brooks is a genius. The producers give me such high anxiety when they have young frankenstein light my blazing saddles, it makes my spaceballs sweat in springtime for Hitler. But I digress.......

This winter's first ice cycle produced some quality, well, icicles (see above photo in case you couldn't wait to read this and missed it). This particular ice cycle was followed up by the annual holy daze of holidays, which when combined means I'm working more on my natural winter 'base' layer than on my winter fitness. New Years is almost here, followed by a New Year's Day wedding (which I am in), and then it's back to busi-nonsense. NYE Note: If you're going to be in Times Square, look for me. This should be a fun game.

In more important-than-me news: My new team is still looking for sponsors for the 2010 mountain bike season. Our big gap is in finances right now, so if you own or know of someone who has a business that would be interested in partnering with our team for the next season and beyond, e-mail us at giantmidatlantic@gmail.com. Also you can go to the team blog at giantmidatlantic.blogspot.com, or visit us on the web at www.giantmidatlantic.com.

So, I stopped down the shore to visit some good friends, and the first thing I find was a monstrosity of modern festive decor slapping me in the face. Yes, that is a pink christmas tree. I didn't touch up the picture to bring out the true color in fear of burning the viewer's retina and attracting many a stiff-suited lawyer bringing tidings of joy and lawsuits. Thank me later.

Have a safe and happy new year!

Snow rides!

Took to the park today for some snow loops on the cross bike. The tight downhill turns were the most adventurous. The only other person I saw out there today was another crazy on a mountain bike. He was taking a pic of his bike (which I had done a few minutes prior), and as I slid by (quite literally) he snapped a pic of me. Hope it looked rad! Rad, ha, what a silly word.

Hope everyone is enjoying the snow and here's too fresh tracks!

It's ALIVE!!!!

Officially announcing the Giant Mid Atlantic Cycling Team. We are a mountain bike team, based in PA, racing in the Mid-Atlantic states. Great fun will be had. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, the Interweb, and the Blogosphere. Hip-hip Hoorah!

For $300, you can make this....

Structure returns

Sup bloggerverse, how YOU doin?

Gettin back to the grind tomorrow, should give me more to ammo to write about. Also, the holiday party season is ramping up big time now, should be a good time. 3 month gym membership starts tomorrow, I can't wait!

First Snow......

First snow of Winter came today. I had to act fast in order to snap a picture of the evidence, since it wasn't sticking around too long. Really looking forward to getting back on the bike next week and reintroducing some structure to my weeks. Suffice it to say, I've been rather bored lately. You'd think I'd be able to keep myself busy for a week or two without riding my bike, sheesh!

Breckius Epicicus

I'm toying with the thought of participating in the Breck Epic this coming season. Mind you, 'toying with' is beneath 'thinking about', which is beneath 'considering'. You get the idea.

Not to say I don't think this event is great. In fact, I think it's amazing! I'm just not sure if I am willing to commit to such a venture at this moment in time.

So what do you think?

www.breckepic.com

breckepic.blogspot.com

Almost Forgot.....

Had so much friggin fun at my 10yr HS reunion. OK, actually it was a little weird seeing all those people again, but I played it off well. Going into week 2 of my winter break and all I want to do is join in on the long rides everyone else is partaking in. But patience is key, and soon I will enjoy the winter chill aboard my bicycle.........

Top-10 2009 Race Pics: Taken by various photographers such as Anthony Skorochod, Dennis Smith, Tom Burrows, and Kevin Dillard. In no particular order.

ALERT!!!! If anyone has a pic of me landing on my face at the Rockburn CX race, post a comment with your e-mail address. Comments are moderated, so it won't be visible.

Taking a fast corner at the Bump'n'Grind US Cup race in 'Bama

Trying not to eat too much of the course at the Granogue M.A.S.S. race

Climbing out of the saddle at the Cowbell Challenge US Cup race

Riding a bridge at the Sewell M.A.S.S. race

Running the barriers at the Nittany Cross race

A well-timed close up in the corners at Whirly Bird Cross.

Breaking the mood at Ed Sander's Cross

Dropping off the top of Mt. Doom at the Hillbilly Hustle

At the top of Mt. Doom at the Hillbilly Hustle Cross race

Running the muck at the Granogue Cross race.

2009 in Pictures: Part 3

I'm still not finished with my 2009 picture story. I plan on seeing this venture through to the end!

Next stop was Down Under, where I got to cheer on some friends at mountain bike world championships. How rad it would be to race worlds..........

And amidst all the travels, it was still important to reflect on the past and remember the sacrifices made.......

Where's Panda?

Hey baby, how YOU doin?

My final journey to the past was of a personal nature, searching for the names of my ancestors who made the journey to America through Ellis Island......

And upon exiting the past, I found myself once again in Philthadelphia.......

I was so excited at this point I just had to dump ice on SOMEbody........

Dude, where's my car?

It's at the Belmont for the Philthy Cross Clinics!

I had so much fun with 'cross this year, I even decided to ride on 700c (29") wheels off-road as well!

Next stop: Race Pics from '09, my personal favorites from the bunch.......

Congratulations Sven!

50 career Superprestige wins and counting. Baaaaaaaad Aaaaaaass!

2009 in Pictures: Part 2

And so the journey continues..........

And by journey I mean couch time at my friend's houses watching blockbuster Will Smith movies, yeah!

At times, things got a little weird...........

And other times the road got a little rocky...........

But always remember that when in doubt, dog drives..........

And often times the path paved leads to beautiful places.........

Though sometimes it leads to torrential downpours in the middle of hikes with the lack of raingear.........

Catching the ever elusive beer-bottle-bubble on camera: Priceless............

A scene from one of my side-journeys to the wilderness..........

A time that reminds me how fragile our civilization is and what forces are really in charge....

As I emerge from the wilderness, I find myself in the 1950's, where the couches were hip.......

Where to next?

2009 in Pictures: Part 1

The year started with my return to Pennsyltucky, many boxes were used........

In order to acclimate properly, I got a few rides in with some old friends..........

Many rides and lunchbreaks later, I felt at home again and was ready to start the season........

I quickly got about with a comfortable set-up for the races, gotta at least look good, ya know....

I even threw down at a few road races in the Spring (notice how thrilled I look)........

I took the occasional weekend off to goof off in the wilderness..........

I spent some time re-acquainting with my lovely Philthadelphia................

I even spent some time at the farm on the tractor, plowing fields......at night........

And it wouldn't be a season without a lot of car time......make that a TON.........

And in between everything, I even raced my bike!

Got a call from the neighbors tonight.........

THE METAL

Hibernation

Photo courtesy of In The Crosshairs

Hibernation: a word which has defined my race fitness over the past few weekends. Ever since DCCX, I just haven't felt the spark. The mental is high, but the physical isn't meeting me halfway. Season ended a little embarrassingly as well, with me on my head in the sandpit at the Rockburn Cross. I was actually feeling half-decent on the day, and had gone through my normal 2nd/3rd lap lull when I started to pick up the pace again. I got caught behind a rider (who had the twinkle of happy children and snowflakes in his eye) who was riding the sandpit rather slowly, and in my efforts to stay upright, I failed miserably and ended up taking myself down onto my shoulder/head. (Editor's note: Evil has been deleted, please move along, nothing to see here, just another angry jew.....I kid, I kid.....)

So my shoulder and neck are a bit sore now, but that will heal in a few days. I'm going to miss some good races the last 2 weekends, which is a real bummer. I'd go spectate, but that will just make me want to race, when I know I really need to take a load off and get ready for off-season training.

I'll throw up some pics and whatnots in the next few days, since they have been absent from this site for quite a few posts now. Maybe a group of my favorites from the season?

Double the 'Cross, Double the Fun!

Howard County Double Cross is my destination this weekend. A few weeks ago, I was pretty much done with the season. A few bad results started me thinking it was time for shut-down, but instead I took a weekend off, hit some long rides, and now here I am. Whilst the Whitmore Super Cross Cup in NY is the bigger race, I think the Double Cross will be a set of courses that suit me more. Plus, they are at two totally different venues, which is great for variety. Doing Saturday's course backwards on Sunday is never as good as two different courses!

Bikes clean, now just have to eat breakfast, get out on my ride, then pack and roll. See you in Maryland!