Swap Meet Success

I set out today looking for a few items. One of which I was successful in finding. That item would be a time trial bike and brand new at that. I had played with the notion of building up a frame but ultimately I would spend more money doing that for something entry level than I could if I just got some already put together. Today I picked up an 08 Fuji Aloha. The only items that will get swapped out in the near term are the wheels. In the photo I've already got my Rolf Prima Vigors on it. When racing it I will use my carbon wheels. I just need to get a set of pedals for it and I'm rolling. Having never been to the swap meet I was pretty impressed with the number of things for sale and the large number of people in attendence. While waiting in line to go in we chatted with a guy that drove down from Hannibol, MO just to be there at open to have first pick.

This picture is for you Bryan!! 09 Honda Civic Si black on black is what I'm rolling for 2009. I have a Yakima roof rack from another vehicle that I will put on this once my new clips come in.

I got 2 rides in lastweek. One of which I just tooled around Forest Park and the other was a pretty hard hill laiden ride. The legs felt like they had some life but no real kick and endurance in them. I would like to get in at least 10 more rides outdoors before heading to the stage race in Phoenix, AZ next month. Until then I will get a lot more diligent at getting some trainer time in. After hearing what some guys having already been doing I need to get things rolling although last year I didn't really starting training consistently until February.

I've got the Jet Lag blues

I haven't been able to adjust back to this time zone. I'm dog tired everday between 3-5pm. Today, I slept from 5 -645 pm. I probably shouldn't take naps but I have been having head aches and my body has been sore. Then when it is bed time at say between 10 -12 I can't go to sleep easily. More like I'm just laying there looking at the ceiling. Hopefully this doesn't last much longer. This is only my third day back in the States.

returning early

Be back in St. Louis tomorrow.....looks like it has been rEaLLY cold there.

How many ponies you got in those legs?

Toyoda (textile company)/Toyota (cars) Commerative museum.
Shabu Shabu for dinner Sunday.

Cycling related....I've ridden the cyber bike in the hotel gym the past 2 days. First day was for an hour and today 1.5 hour. Goal is to simulate building base miles riding long for the next couple of weeks and then I will add some intensity during my last week in Japan.

Its Monday morning here and we only have one meeting today then we are off to do some more exploring and sushi for dinner.

I've arrived in Japan!!!!!!!!!!

I bring you all greetings from Nagoya, Japan. I arrived here late lastnight after all almost 20 hours of travel time. We encountered several delays which is why it took so long. We flew over on a 747-400. I was in Business Class so we had several nice amenaties to keep you comfortable so the 14 hour flight wasn't bad at all. I watched 4 movies and then took a nap. We met an American woman that was traveling back from North Carolina that had moved to Nagoya 23 years ago and hasn't left! She taught Japanese at an International University and has now retired from that. It was good meeting her because she was able to help us communicate with the gate agents. I ate Mcdonalds lastnight and had to point at what I wanted to order food. Still very surreal being here. I traveled all over the U.S but this is my first trip across the Pacific! Its Sunday morning. I will probably drop a few lines on here as often as I can about whats the haps in Nagoya. A few photos from the flight over below over.

Blast from the past perhaps?

Found this photo today of me on one of my first......gasp.....group rides! This was in the summer of 2005. I hadn't ridden a bike since I was kid.

Here we have my very first race the 05 Soulard Criterium. My goal was to finish and I did.

Holiday Break/2009

Well I spent my entire 2 week break in Cleveland, OH. It was very cold and snowed just about every day I was there, not that I had my bike with me anyway. I haven't eaten to crazy but I've still had several days of enjoying the foods I love most. I hope I'm not to far off from where I need to be. Lots of new things happening for 2009. I bought another car and it's something that should suit me better for cycling, I'll put a roof rack on it in the near future. I'm planning on moving from the loft I've been renting month to month since I moved back. I changed jobs at work so I won't be moving back to California as I had planned on so I will probably sign a lease somewhere soon. As for cycling I haven't done anything cycling related for about 3 weeks now. I have thought about riding but with the cold temps I've only done a number of trainer rides. I despise riding in the cold weather. Today, I looked out the window and by the looks it seemed like a nice day to get out. I walked outside and the wind was blowing with the 30 degree temps. I'm definitely a fair weather rider for the most part. This time last year I was living in California and I had no problems riding in 50 degree weather. All you needed was a long sleeve jersey and you were set to ride. With that said I think I will be alittle slower getting back into the swing of things for 09. The season should start for me and few other Hub Racers at the Valley of the Sun Stage Race in Phoenix, AZ next month (Feb 13-15). Teammate Dave Thackrey has done this in years past and I thought it would be cool to travel to a city I have never been to and race my bike while on a quick vacation. I won't be in any shape for the race as I have a TWENTY-ONE day business trip for work that starts this Friday. I won't return until January 30. I'll be out of country so taking my bike isn't an option. I will resort to doing whatever else I can in the hotel to try and be in good physical shape upon my return for a rush of base miles leading up to the event.

While saying good bye to 2008 I went through all the photos I had of me racing and wanted to post my favorite from the 08 season. Below is what I've chosen. This was during the Gateway Cup at Lafeyette Square. I gave a few hard turns on the pedals to go for an early prem and Chris from Big Shark followed me. He ended up winning the prem and I got a 7th place finish that night. I hope the 09 season is as good as the 08 campaign.