Hey Steve

You got beat by a girl...who lives in Alaska.

This is why my resolution for 2009 has nothing to do with the number of miles I ride.

Seasons Greetings

Have a Merry Blogmas, a Happy Blognukka and a very healthy Blog Year.

Whoa !!!

Winter weather is upon us..............................

http://www.icebike.com/latest.htm

WGaS Makes Podium at KCCX Natz

KCCX

Congrats!!!!

Our own Wayne Simon raced to a 4th Place finish in the 50-54 Category at the Kansas City Cyclocross Natz yesterday----

Track Racing Nirvana

Made by Serotta built by Albertos

WGaS Championship Jersey

BT's Next Bike

Found this at a cool site called Bike Hacks.

With current conditions, it's either this or studded tires or, >>shudder<< ride indoors.

They also like Pugsley.

Wayne Simon 50+ IL CX Champion

BT + Pugsley = Fun times.

Pugsley Time at Montrose CX

Forget the Cold - There's Always Biking in Alaska

Trainer-no freakin' way

Well-AC and I went out on mountain bikes from DWW @ 9:30 this morning-the temp was actually not a factor 32F-the snow was a challenge-but all in all the choice to ride was a good one-we got in a good effort and it sure as hell beats doing basement trainer time-

Word is that Moots did a solo mountain bike roll out on the Harms Woods path

BT

I wanna take you to trainer time........

Clearly I'm not the only one heding to the trainer-yes, I spent 1-1/2 hours watching Seinfeld and Everyone loves Raymond while on the trainer. Oh well, such is life.......................


BT

Winter Wonderland

PUGSLEY TIME?

Well there's 2-3 inches of snow on the ground-although some may read this as time to amble down to the basement and jump on the trainer or flop onto the couch to watch reruns of "Love American Style"- while there are those with the inclination to roll on winter adaptive bikes-so gentlemen of the 'ton let's get those mountain bikes and cross bikes ready to roll for the winter season.

BT

Gobble Gobble-Eat a Bit of Snow

The Turkey Day ride was a blast-huge group of WGaS (not so huge) and Albertos (huge) riders. Eric, Craig, Steve and I joined Brendan and about 25 others for a nice Thanksgiving ride on the DPR Trail. Fast pace northto 120 which split the group (all WGaS studs with the front). At 120 the groups made a stop and some flipped and then about 12-15 contined north to Gurnee. The trail was agin treachorous with snow and ice causing a lot of moans and graons. But alas only one ride-to this writer's knowledge-bit the snow. Of course, his Steve's name shall not be revelaed to protect his privacy.

And there was a surprise appearance in the Daniel Wright Woods parking lot by Fred Wadman who was out for a solo road ride and Tucci who was solo on a road/trail solo sojourn.

All in all a nice morning with home made scones from Wendy after the ride with Clif Recovery hot chocolate to wash them down.

BT

Whoa!!!!!Sh!t!!!!!

Well, Fronque and I joined in with the Alberto's Tuesday night DPR Trail ride yesterday. There was a nice group that left the Lake Forest train station including Brendan, Wendy, Berman, Stathy, Bill Moss, Brian Haas, Jay Keltner-Bill Hatch and Colavita Rich joined in on the trail. It was a nice well lit ride, but crap there are quite a few sections with frozen snow and ice and others with snow covering ice. All considered the conditions made for a somewhat harrowing rid at times. We went up to 120 pretty much together and then on the return the group split and Brendan, Wendy, Stathy, Bill Moss and another unknown rider were back until Fronque decided to fall back to join us for our companionship and conversation.

All in all a fun ride and I highly recommend it.

BT

Sunday Sunday Chilly Sunday

Another beautiful sunny day to ride-----Although the temp was 29F @ 8am, it was up to a balmy 32F @ the designated 9am ride departure time----Greenie and I pulled road bikes (Fuji 10 spd & Bianchi Pista respectively) from the quivers for a trip up the Harms Woods Path North with a Lake Cook Road crossover to the Bunny Trail Path and on up to the trails end in Lake Forest----FYI: I used my "Bar Mitts" with mid weight Craft lobster mittens and my hands were toasty, I actually had to take them out quite a bit cause the were too warm----This week the temperatures look ominously frigid, but it's a day by day decision on rides anyway, so................................................

BT

Bar Mitts

these cold weather hand protectors seem to be a perfect holiday gift for spouses/life partners/significant others/children/parents/grandparents/cousins/nieces/nephews/next door neighbors to get for their WGaS cyclist---
of course I bought my own at Albertos-

Riders on the cutting edge

Some of the members of the WGaS 'ton are on the cutting edge of technology - they shall remain nameless - but of course everyone knows who they are!

BT - can we order these with flags?

Here is the link to a recent article in Velonews:

http://www.velonews.com/article/85046/bar-mitts

Pablo Showing His Form

Found a photo of Paul. Click on the photo and page back and forth to see the series.

Found a Picture of Eric

IMG_3446

Can't find one of Pablo. All those Colavita riders look the same to me.

Northbrook CX Results

Results are here:

I came in 42nd out of 54 in the 4a race and 27th out of 31 in the 40+


Pablo came in 25th in the 40+

Eric came in 24th out of 31 in the 30+
(see him in the the WGaS kit at 1:00 and 2:29):

Find more videos like this on veloist

Northbrook CX

Fun Day - tough course, good WGaS/Colavita/Alberto's turnout and great fan support. Thanks to all that came out in cold weather to cheer Frank, Eric and myself on.

Here is a link to a video on the veloist to give you some idea how hard the course was - and if you do not believe the video ask Frank!

http://www.veloist.com/video/video/show?id=661421%3AVideo%3A27466&xgs=1


Pablo

Good Luck to all at "Save Ferris" Cross Race

Some of us will be racing tomorrow in Northbrook - Masters at 10:00 (Masters 50+ at 11:00) and 4a's at 2:00. To those racing - good luck! To all others, grab a cowbell and come over to Northbrook and cheer everyone on - Dress warm as they are talking possible snow showers - true cross weather!

Pablo

BTW - I second BT's comments regarding this am - fun ride and good to see some different clubs/groups riding together! Fast Freddy was looking good on his cross bike too!

A Brisk Ride on the DPR

Nice mixto gruppetto this morning for the regular Saturday DPR ride-had riders from Albertos, WGaS, and Colavita. Although the morning looked to be offering ominous weather, it was absolutely splendid until the last 40 minutes on the return when freezing rain and small hail began to fly. Thanks to Bill Hatch-Colavita/WGaS rider-for repeatedly appearing out of the woods from Independence Grove to DWW Bigfoot style shooting photos.

BT

Saturday

Tomorrow, meet at 7:30 at Daniel Wright Woods with your cross or mountain bikes.

Google for the Wobbley Wocket

Bet you didn't know that Fast Freddie has his own Google Search page.

It's a brave new world?

Another sweeeeeeeet autumn WGaS ride----all riders kitted up in the bumblebee kits-

BT

What a splendid autumn morning for a ride-it was great to see so many WGaS riders all kitted up in the colors-I counted 14 in the 'ton-10 in WGaS kits
Nice pace pushed by Chippo and AC------

Hope to get a bigger gruppo tomorrow for another WGaS Indian Summer ride

BT

50+ contingent - are you referring to us elderly members of the 'ton?

I will be attempting to get these old creaky bones lubed to ride in the am

BT

Indian Summer Continues (or is it Global Warming?)

I know many of you guys had "rest days" today - but how many 50+ mornings are left in 2008? This week promises to be beautiful so get your butts out of beds and ride this week!

1-A12, Fast Freddy and I were out enjoying the warmth and something completely different ... light.

Hope to see the Southern contingent out tomorrow - I know it is Election day - but isn't everyone taking the day off anyway???

Pablo

Morning on the DPR

Great ride this morning on the DPR. It was a joint Colavita/WGaS ride and I got some pix:

The paceline:



The plan:



The phone call:



And Tucci looking fast:

For the record, I DID NOT sing-too busy applying ice and whining over my latest self-inflicted cycling related injury

BT

Happy Birthday to Steve G

We had a great Birthday ride for Steve's 40th birthday. Eric is way too nice - he brought candles and bought a blueberry muffin for Steve - we (AB, BT, Eric, Bob G, Michael J and even Fast Freddy in street clothes) sang Happy Birthday to him - you should have seen him cry like a baby!!!!

Happy Birthday Steve!

admittedly i have woosed out for the tues & wed WGaS morning rides this week-and i give looney credits for those who braved the chill to ride in the cold dark abyss of the mornings-nonetheless, that being said:

tomorrow-Thursday-looks to be a offering up a nice upper 50's day and an opportunity for an afternoon 'cross ride-therefore, i am planning to be at the trailhead at Daniel Wright Woods-parking lot just south of St Mary's Road & Everett-at about 3:00-3:15PM-sunset is 5:45 -so i'd like to be on the trail by 3:30 at the latest and thus be able to get in just over 2 hours of ride time

let me know if i should look for any companions-btw mountain bikes are ok

BT

Refreshed

Back from vacation after pondering the deep meaning of life and how great I look in a WGaS hat. See y'all tomorrow.

Glad to hear you enjoyed-perhaps manana

BT

It was a bit Chilly this AM!

Fast Freddy, 1 Adam 12, AB, Corey and I braved the elements this am - where was the Southern contingent????

Frank joined FF and I for a quick conversation at SB as he ripped up the CX trails with GTE.

Who is in for Wednesday am - it will be chilly again - so dress warm.

Pablo.

There was some nice riding this weekend-a DPR cyclocross on Saturday and windy road ride on Sunday---it is looking ominous for the week--but let's not be pussies and retreat to our trainers just yet-neither wind nor cold shall keep the 'ton from its appointed rides-30F in the morning-so have a nice ride

BT

Sat CX ride Options

I am riding from Old School Forest Preserve at 8:00 most likely up to Gurnee and back - easy spin with other Colavita riders - any one care to join me see you at Old School parking lot - first one on the left (before you get to the sled hill) at 8:00.

Pablo

Extracted from the Killjoy Blog after last Sunday's CX race at Carpenter Park where our friend Wayne as well as Ben Popper and others were shanked by some guy:

One of the things I enjoy about Cyclocross besides the racing is meeting new people and seeing them week in and week out. Everyone has different abilities goals and backgrounds, but the vibe is always great because of the attitudes people have. Everyone wants to be competitive in their own right and do what they can to win a race. Often times, you will find them cheering for others when they're not racing, hanging out with freinds at the venue.
Every race start is eventful, bad lines are taken, someone hits brakes too hard, gravel and mud, riders intersect trying to get up front and stay out of chaos. No one really likes when things go wrong and we all try to avoid it. We just want to race bikes. Others tend to develop a reputation for taking on this kind of approach as some type of strategy. It could be lack of confidence in their ability or most obviously, just a lack of respect for other people in general.
I wonder, what do you call someone who at the start of the race,T bones 2 racers at the line taking them out? I wonder what do you call someone who rides for 2 laps, then like a pussy rides off the course ready to DNF? Then momentarily, thinking that he is a pussy and might want to finish a race, to then jump on the race leader's wheel (after already being lapped) and suck his draft for no apparent outcome in the race. Then, when the race leader asks him not to do so to avoid any crash that could cost him a win, crashes into the race leader and rides over his rear wheel flattening his tire so he has to come in and pit his bike? But it does not stop there. He has the balls to make a complaint with the race judge that, the race leader cursed obscenities as a result of the incident?
Some people in that race may call him a pussy, an asshole or just arrogant. Others just wanted to have a word with him to help him understand some respect since it may help him but more importantly it helps the other people that would end up dealing with him down the road. He left in a hurry. I guess there seemed to be a few people looking for him so it was probably best. The only thing he did leave behind was his impression on other people and everyone knows his name.
Despite coming in 2nd and the scolding he took from the race official for "obscene language" directed to a lapped rider, he still had a smile on his face afterwards because he rode his ass off. He grabbed a bullhorn and cheered on Cat 4 racers with the most enthusiasm you could imagine. Even when he travels across the country, everyone knows what kind of racer and person he is.

Wow-political/economic satire on a cycling blog where the philosophy is WGaS-hmmmmm

From My Email Inbox

Lehman Bank employees stage a protest by blockading the entrance to the bank's headquarters ...



As you can see, the public is sympathetic to their cause ...

Cyclocross

Paul, racing cyclocross in Carpentersville:



Me riding the sand pit:



More photos here.

Saturday Ride

On the bunny trail heading home:

Oh BTW-yes I did partake in the 3:10 tour of the Kettle

BT

There is no photographic evidence available-nevertheless Wayne and Chippo did the 3 hr 10 minute tour of "the Kettle"
This was 24+ miles of beautiful, excruciating, challenging, exciting, dangerous riding. Logs, hills, rocks, boulders, ledges, 20+% climbs, rapid boulder/rock strewn descents, hairpin turms both ascending and descending on narrow trails. As expected Wayne's abilities and knowledge clearly allowed his tour leader/guide role provide a reasonably safe ride. I highly recommend the adventure for those who are challenged by such a ride, but not intimidated by the very nature of the challenges.

BT

Hawthorne Cross Race

Some photos from Sundays race.

BT right before the Masters race:



Steve during the race. If a picture is worth a thousand words...



Me during the 4a race:



Me after the 4a race:

Hey!

Don't nobody post no more?

I know, who cares?

Coffee Break

Who wants coffee?

Who is in for Tuesday

Between weather and schedules for Rosh Hashanah, who is riding tomorrow (Tuesday) am.

Fashion Do's and Don'ts

Steve demonstrates how to wear a WGAS kit:


And how not to wear a WGAS kit:

Be a Good Lookout

From the RoadBikeRider newsletter:

It's an unwritten rule that the lead rider in a paceline or pack should warn others of dangers in the road. For those who are drafting, potholes and debris are hard to see. Riders shouldn't need to worry about being led into danger.

But some people overdo the warning. They yell "Pothole!" "Rock!" or "Dead skunk!" at full volume. Others point at the object with such an animated gesture that they swerve dangerously.

Here's a better way to be the eyes of a paceline:

---Alertly scan the road. You can't point out danger that you daydream out of existence. And if through inattention you spot something too late, your after-the-fact warning may do more harm than good. Riders could veer in a panic, touch wheels and crash. So pay attention and look far enough ahead to smoothly lead the line past each hazard.

---Point, don't shout. There's usually no need to call out the name of the obstacle. Your yell may not be understood by riders toward the back, anyway. Simply remove one hand from the bar and extend that arm down toward the side where the danger will be when you pass it. Do this about 10 seconds in advance, then move over smoothly. Some riders like to snap the fingers of their extended hand to wake up those immediately behind.

Tip! One time a yell is helpful is when nasty stuff like glass, gravel, sand or ice covers the lane, like in a corner, and there is no way around it. As soon as you realize the predicament, shout the name of the hazard so riders behind can fend for themselves. Same goes when you see a loose dog up the road or you spot a danger (like a pothole in a patch of shade) too late.

Pablo at Jackson Park

Looking a little gassed?

Outta Hewe

I will be twaveling & out of youwr hare for a few days. (Get it - Hare).

Anyway Fwankie will pwobably gwace you with photos from his archives.

Wide on!

Team Kit Shakeout Ride

Well, the first ride for the WGaS Team Kit starts off with a flat.



But we eventually got up and riding.



The kit looks good, even close up.



Click on the photos to see larger images.

Nice ride today. Great job to BT for getting this done quickly.

We look good, don't we?

Tuesday WILL BE the first Official WGaS ride-we will look kick ass in our new Club Kits

Ride on Monday?

Anyone up for a ride on Monday - after all the rain, it will be nice to get back on our bikes. Who is up for an easy spin?

For those of you who have not seen the team kits - they look great (imho). When is the first team ride - Tuesday???

Making Weight Part 2

This guy, according to his stats, is an inch shorter than me and 30 pounds lighter.

I bet I can kick his ass in an arm wrestle.

Making Weight

So. You think you have to drop some weight. How much would it take to drop a jersey size or let you climb that hill a little faster? Will that be enough to satisfy you? When you get discouraged because that last two pounds won't come off, keep in mind that this guy dropped 300 pounds. In three years.

Man. That's two of me.

If the rain stops, I'll see you tomorrow.

Utica 4 Man Team Time Trial

It was a wonderful day of suffering and fun for some WGAS members at the Utica 60K Team Time Trial....aka the "World Championship". Everyone was geeked out with Aero helmets, TT bars, Disc wheels, and skinsuits. The course was shortened to 45k. The wind picked up and there were some impressive pulls from WGAS.

War stories and plans for the next ride / race were discussed over beers, burgers, and brats at "Shakers Bar and Grill". And, No, "Shakers" is not a strip bar.

Ride on,
LT

Saturday Ride

Great ride today. I got 60 miles at a 20.5 average (which is probably more like 19.5 considering my computer is a little off). Stopping for coffee, the Wobbley Wocket's Wife pulled up for a birthday lap:

Saturday Ride

Looks like part of the ride is meeting here at 7:15:


View Larger Map

Assuming the ride proceeds the usual way north, those of us from the north will meet somewhere along Sheridan road or at Plaza del Lago.

cycling language

I thought you might enjoy this.....ya ya or YO YO!


RIDERS PHRASEBOOK

How to translate cycling's confusing language

Cyclists are the biggest sandbags and secret trainers around – They'll say anything to soften you up for the kill. Don't let this happen to you. Study this handy rider's phrasebook to find out what they really mean when they say:

"I'm out of shape"
Translation: I ride 400 miles a week and haven't missed a day since the Ford Administration. I replace my 11 tooth cog more often that you wash your shorts. My body fat percentage is lower than your mortgage rate.

"I'm not into competition. I'm just riding to stay in shape"
Translation: I will attack until you collapse in the gutter, babbling and whimpering. I will win the line sprint if I have to force you into on-coming traffic. I will crest this hill first if I have to grab your seat post and spray energy drink into your eyes.

"I'm on my beater bike"
Translation: I had this baby custom made in Tuscany using Titanium blessed by the Pope. I took it to a wind tunnel and it disappeared. It weighs less than a breath and cost more than a divorce.

"It's not that hilly"
Translation: This climb last longer than a presidential campaign. Be careful on the steep sections or you'll fall over – backward. You have 39x23 low gear? Here's the name of my knee surgeon.

"You're doing great"
Translation: Yo, lardo, I'd like to get home before midnight. This is what you get for spending the winter watching TV and eating chocolate.

"This is a no-drop ride"
Translation: I'll need an article of your clothing for the search and rescue dogs.

"It's not that far"
Translation: Bring your passport.

Ride on,
LT Jon Sanchez
www.thedadhandbook.com

Weekend Plans

OK - Saturday & Monday - Meet at the Plaza @ 7:30.

4 man teams are training Sunday. Will post Alberto & Colavita ride options as forwarded.

Eat well.

B Rider - Starbuck's Shuttle

B Riders -

No need to collapse a lung trying to maintain the insane pace of our stronger team members. You can still enjoy the FFF, without risking cardiac arrest.

After Labor Day, I will begin daily SAG service providing clean, comfortable transportation to Starbuck's in HP. Pick up will be 6:25 @ the Braeside Metra Station , and 6:40 at the crest of the Russian.

Please stay tuned for further information.

I'm On!

Great ride today. I felt like a Cat 5 racer in a Cat 3 crit trying to hang on to the paceline north.

Are we recovering tomorrow?

Tuesday Ride

I'm back! Did you miss me?

6:03 sunrise. Make sure your lights work.

Sunday Options

For Steve G - BT, AB and Steve are riding Alberto's - 8:00 start from the shop - I have no idea where or how far they are going.

Pablo and ?'s are riding Colavita - 7:30 - Deerfield Train Station - 50+ Cuba Miller with Extension.

See everyone out there!

Weekend Options - Casey Almond on Saturday??

Saturday - Casey Almond ----Meet at the Plaza @ 7:30 - Who is In??