KC BikeWeek 2009

Well, this is the first year that I did not sign up for the CarFree Challenge. My new contract does not start until next week, so I really don't need to go anywhere this week. So I elected to not participate this year. I am bummed as it is always a good time riding in with my good friend Chris Locke. I want to wish everyone participating this year a safe and trouble free ride. Go Cow Town!

OK, I Admit It, I am a TI Freak

There is no denying it, I am a Titanium freak. I went from a steel Panasonic DX-4000 in 1988 to a carbon Kestrel 200 SCI and then I bought my first TI road frame back in 1999 (a Litespeed Vortex). Titanium bikes offer the gold standard of ride quality -- incredibly lightweight, forgiving and stable while maintaining lateral stiffness, all while being much more durable than carbon fiber. What more can I say? I can't get enough of the stuff. All my rigs are titanium now, so I guess I am done....... Currently I have a Seven Axiom w/ Campagnolo Record, a Seven Muse w/ Campagnolo Record/Chorus mix, a Ritchey BreakAway TI Cross w/ Campagnolo Chorus and a Seven Duo with Shimano XTR. Here are some pics of my current stable.

A Little Here, A Little There

Since my last post, I've been trying to ride at least 15-20 miles a day, as time allows. Sometimes I make it out, sometimes I don't. Went for a 38 mile ride this morning with Chris Locke and his wife Carolynn. They were on their tandem and I was on my trusty Seven Axiom. It was one of the nicest days yet. The wind was low and the temps were in the 60's. I met them up at Worth Harley Davidson and we headed over to and down 210, then up through Liberty and Pleasant Valley to home. I felt great, but definately not fast yet. I should blame it on being out late at my buddy Art's house, but I am still just out of shape.

Good times and good friends, that's hard to beat. Besides Art, my long time friends Jim and Steve were there, as well as others. I've known these guys since High School or longer and we all still hang out and torture our wives with stories of the good old days. Always a good time. Well, Art got the Pacquiao-Hatton fight on pay-per-view. Man, if you didn't get to see it, check out the hi-light of the TKO in the 2nd round. Pacquiao clocked him into next week. He was hit so hard, that his ears shook (no kidding). I clocked out at about 11:30 and headed home since I was riding Sunday morning with the Lockes, but things were still going strong when I left.

I am really enjoying the bike again, so hopefully I can ramp up the training and get ready for some road racing prior to a full cyclo-cross season. I hope to at least do the Tour of Lawrence and the Tour of KC.