Don Bosco Boogie with AC

Searching for the legend of Don Bosco in the Coastal Range.

Dental Insurance, Wheel Insurance...

A hand built wheel from Harry Gurney of  Spokesman Bicycles is truly an insurance policy worth having. Please note the brass washers on the spoke heads. I know it's psychosomatic but I always feeling more confident and silky when pedaling a set of his artwork / handiwork. Thank you Harry for building my wheels since 1991. I find it funny that the rims have been getting heavier every year since the late 80's. Remember the GL 280's & 330's?

Hook #3 by Tim Neenan

                       Our friend Tim will be coming out of retirement to help with our lonely hook.

Pushing Pedals Peeping Pumas

                                             AC: "I think it's looking right at me"

Santa Cruz vs Santa Barbara...

It was a hard fought battle in perfect conditions with north vs south on the line. In the end, medals were issued, hands were shook and smiles were shared (for the camera). Great job girls!

"see you at the top guy"...

said two youngsters as they flew by me on their fancy pants bikes at the second bridge crossing. Slightly startled, I moved over to the shoulder  because I was concentrating more on unwinding my rubber band from work then putting power to the pedals. I answered the greyhounds back with a respectful little, "have a good one" thinking that they were in fact of the caliber of pedal pushers who can offer up the definitive claim of - we won't be seeing that guy again. They effortlessly rolled off the front with their 29" waists and wheels. I re-positioned myself on the saddle and settled in for a few moments of "unwinding".

Work was no longer bouncing around my frontal cortex as I unzipped my jersey and concentrated on my pedal stroke. Transferring power to the pedals is a funny thing, there are days that it seems impossible and others where the crank rotation is absolutely silky. As I rolled through the first turn as the fire road tilts upward, I was leaning towards the silky side of things today. The road gets punchy for a few moments and I was feathering the throttle to keep from blowing up when I heard one of the greyhounds chatting about me as I approached the next set of turns. It had something to do with my bike. In a moment of defiance, I accelerated passed a lung on a stick runner who was doing interval work (?) and caught the two greyhounds just as the road leveled off. I asked them if they were headed to Santa Rosalia and they said no they were going all the way to the top (is that Mt Umunhum, Hamilton, Sonora, Tioga?). I couldn't help myself and told them as I kept accelerating that they definitely won't see me at the top and to have a great day.

Papa Wuleur & Joe Appaloosa...

Got out with Papa today on some of our favorite little paved and unpaved jems. We picked fruit, talked shop and did some exploring. It is great to see him out and comfortable! Hats off to Grant and his team for setting him up right. I smell a tour in the future.

post a lookout when there is danger

AC on the job...

Salmon Lake Boogie via PCT

                                     Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout 20 klicks round trip

                                     Just above Young America Lake on final approach

                                                           wind whipped at 8800'

                                                Mt Lassen 120 klicks from the tower

I want to ride my bicycle...

VBall...check, 12 yrs old...check, 5'8" tall...check!

                            2016 Main Beach Volleyball under 12's Champions...CHECK!

Olive and Hannah worked through some fierce competition, stuck together as a team and were crowned tournament Champions today. Congratulations! 4 servings of mac & cheese from the East-side Eatery is on me.

Father's Day for a Mama project

Mama Wuleur has needed a new floor for over 10 years so Kev and I knocked it out... on Fathers Day

Wheels of Fire...

  

When I have to replace these guys...I will be a full time bicycle peddler

Jack Bruce knows a thing or two about Wheels of Fire

The wheels on the bus...

I pulled up to the garage this evening after a short spin with DP on my 49' Schwinn DX and realized that bicycles are useless without wheels. I mean totally and utterly useless. I managed to time my wheel usage (both sets worn down to the bone) fairly evenly over the years and found out the hard way that not having a back up set can relegate you to the sidelines. Give your wheels a hug and some love because they deserve every once of it. If you think back to every mile you have pedaled or every sketchy descent you've bombed down on your current set of wheels (my last set have been with me since George W was in office) it is mind blowing that they stay true and silky. Maybe it's just a testimony of riding hand built wheels from Harry Gurney at the Spokesman. I'm willing to wait as long as it takes to get my new set from him (HED + with DT 240 & revolutions T'ed&S'ed).

Speaking of wheels...here are a few spinning effortlessly up the canyon on a fine April morning. Video by Black Dog Productions

Italian Colnago...check, Assos Chamois...check

High school fighting weight...CHECK!

Craig "Tone" Schearer is arguably in the shape of his life and from the look of this photo - enjoyed himself as he pedaled his way into the park formerly known as "Yosemite" and stayed in the village formerly known as "Curry", ate at the lodge formerly known as "Yosemite Lodge" and visited the hotel formerly known as "The Ahwahnee". Craig and I shared a few monster training rides leading up to our Yosemite pilgrimage and let me tell you -it is a luxury and pleasure pedaling with someone who is so organized, prepared and willing to tackle any route that is thrown his way. Thank you for the inspiration, miles in the saddle and great conversation. I can't wait to see the look on his face when I show him our next route.

If we had horses...we'd be walking

                                  Fitz on the summit of Old Toll Road, Catheys Valley, Ca

                                           The troops putting in a hard days work on day 2

                          The Caletti's chewing up the final kilometers into Yosemite NP (HWY 140)

                                         Sir Silky enjoying the first taste of relief in two days

                                                The falls were very active this year

66'...on a wing and a prayer

We have a bet going to see if our support vehicle will make it to the top of Old Toll Road in 110 degree heat for our 11th addition of the Chris Grenier Yosemite Birthday Boogie.

We're packing the route cards for nostalgic reasons these days...and for those nasty last minute rock slides that can reroute you up Old Priest Grade from Hornitos.

Inspiration...the old fashion way

A friend of ours (Peter Flanders) connected with us today without the use of a fancy-pants phone or computer -he visited in person. It was so refreshing to catch up with a friend face-to-face in the Steel  Wul Lounge. We chatted about the dangers of cars, planned obsolescence within the cycling industry, the disk brake phenomenon, and what it means to be a "cyclist" now a days. He gave me a copy of 'The Ride Journal'. This is an eclectic mix of short stories and essays related to cycling. The artwork and photos are absolutely gorgeous. I happen to flip right to an article by Jeremy Powers appropriately named 'Cross J'. Powers described his adaptation from multiple cycling disciplines to cycle cross. He determined he needs to think of himself as an ultimate fighter versus a stage racer. I became inspired and appreciated his transformation and focus as he adapted to his new challenges.

Thank you Peter!

Ormsby Road visit with Peter and Harriet

Our friends on Ormsby happen to be in town this week so I pedaled up to check out their 2 year old grapes and  young olive trees. The views are incredible in every direction and they got an A on their fire safe landscaping. It's hard to believe it will be the 8 year anniversary of the Summit Fire on May 22nd at 0545.

Happy Birthday Luke Grenier!

My nephew turned 16 today and I can't believe what a stud he has become. I'm going to go out on a limb and assume he scored this shot on goal. Keep up the good work and rootbeers are on me in Yosemite.