Hopper Schedule 2010

2010...Did I really just type that? It's on. We've decided to run one "Training Ride" a month this year, beginning in Jan like back in the days and going to the end of June. Gonna take some special courage to be the leader of the pack with this Big Mac. Heard the Canadian Mafia will be back in town and rumor has it the Colorado Connection might even make and appearance. Got a special one for ya'll, gotta be won on a cross bike! Stay posted for new and improved routes but don't bother askin' until then. If you're out with me on a Sat. then maybe I'll clue you in.

Jan 30 Old Caz-Willow Creek. Usual loop
Feb 27 Chileno Vly. Somethin' special for lucky number 13
March 27 Super Sweetwater. All I got to say is...better buckle up and bring your cross bike
April 24 Fort Ross-Bay Hill-Joy. Oh, do we really have to go up it?
May 29 Lake Sonoma
June 26 King Ridge. Expect to get that fancy road bike dirty this year

So smoooth

Just look at this road in Chile. Nearly got the dates for the Hoppers. Stay posted. Hope to have by end of this week.

It is about a bike

Maybe it's not about "The" bike, but it is most certainly about "a" bike. Which one? Who am I to say. Depends on the person, depends on the ride. This weekend we completed the 12th annual A.D.E. "All Day Everything" in West County or more specifically "The Ridge". I was inspired years ago after riding the DeLa Marin and so set a date, planned a hard but do-able loop and stashed a couple of coolers in the woods. This weekend it was a Specialized Epic, so far the perfect mtn. bike for me. Next week it will likely be my new SWorks Tricross, my first fully loaded new bike since racing days so expect this years Grasshopppers to have plenty of dirt in them!! 8 1/2 hours of ripping single track and fire roads was enough to overflow my cup, for a couple of days. Here I am Monday, taking a break to reflect, dreaming of more. 8 1/2 hours of bro' time, time standing still. Ever feel like life is what happens between rides? Work, family, responsibilities, commitments and obligations; it all gets put on the shelf while in motion. Especially on the dirt. Maybe this is why I love it so much. On the dirt...on the edge. A distraction, a hesitation at the wrong moment, a stroking of the ego; all will result in carnage. How many trees missed by mere centimeters? Outside edges of trails inches from washing the front wheel, endo into the abyss. It's not all about fitness. It's about focus, concentration, being and non being. Is it the clearness of mind that keeps us coming back for more or is it the fullness of mind? Empy is full. Full is empty. Game on for the Hoppers 2010. Stay tuned!

My Secret Training

Rog asked me what me secret is so here you have it. Warm up tandem rides the day before and jumping on the trampoline with my kids after Skaggs and other hard efforts. This tag along is a blast, what a fun way to spend time together and we always get to stop for hot chocolate and cookies. Don't get to do that on Levi rides.

W.T.F ?

Could a sign be any more clear than this? I hope they post this throughout the Grand Fondo loops.
Brewin' up some Grasshopper madness for next year. Stay posted for details. In the meantime...don't hide it, ride it.

I am Specialized

Gonna bring it! 2019 Grasshopper overall champion

Summer Hopper?

Sure you're out having your adventures. I'm off for the summer...mostly hanging with the kids and of course riding the dirt. Been meaning to give a heads up and a thanks for all the fun this Winter. The Hoppers always give me a reason to ride and something to look forward to. Just might do a couple more next year! Starting at the Occidental C.C. was super; took the pressure off the Union and spread us around town. Thanks again to Kim and the folks who helped to sign people up. This was a step that I did not look forward to. I've always liked that there has been no $ involved in these events but.... My "lawyer" told me it would be best to just "walk away" and maybe not organize these events. I just couldn't do it so asked around and came up with Plan B. The "non-competive" event permit. Doing this allowed me to sleep soundly and ride in bit more at peace. Of course anything can happen out there. I appreciate and respect the skill that our local cycling crew shows on the roads. This year we donated $500 to Gianni Cycling Club. This allows us to keep up our IMBA membership and SCBC dues and purchase tools for trail building and maintenance. We also gave $400 to help with HillJilly's; group rides on the road and dirt. This is organized by Kim and promoted through Bike Monkey. Hope to see more ladies out each and every year. Rubber side down and enjoy the ruby-red poison oak, the toll booth for our pleasures.
Mig