Get moving

I needed a fresh face for Lenny at the top of the page.
Tomorrow will mark 4 months since we laid our friend to rest, and i have to admit, i think about him every day. Every day he makes me laugh about somethin. Today i missed getting the phone call about how T-Mobile is dropping sponsorship, and what trick new part just came out that we both need to get this off season.
I thought a lot of the hours we spent next to each other either on the road or on the trainer.
Its that time of year here that Chicago ends up being a pretty nasty place to ride your bike anywhere but the trainer; and its thanks to Lenny that we both suffered through countless sessions on the trainer together.
Tonight i drug the trainer out, locked down the road rig to it, and pedaled for 30 minutes.
Nothing special, just 30 minutes.
Not a singe pedal stroke went by that i wasn't missing him next to me joking and laughing, mostly because he left me his cyclops training block with the 3 different riser positions, and i figured i might as well use it.
Tomorrow i plan on getting another 45 minutes in before work. and the day after, and the day after.
It will be my own little honor to Leonard, to keep him fresh in our hearts and minds.

Happy Turkey

The usual suspects gathered in the woods for the Annual Turkey ride down at the willow springs woods. We did have some unusual suspects and a guest appearance by Christian Vandevelde.
It was fun to ride with CVV again, the guy is 1st class and funny as can be. He got style points for riding his new Felt cross rig - but threw away some of those points by riding road shoes and pedals, and then endo-ing into a mud puddle in front of me.
We got in 2 hours in the dirt. It was a little sloppy, but a blast.
The temp was pretty chilly, but the big snow flakes in the air made a pretty picture.

I'm typing this now, because i am one of the unlucky ones to have to work today. Blah. Isn't that what i went to college for?

Well this weekend does mark the opening of the 2008 season, and for all you youngsters at home - its time to break out the winter gear and start piling on the hours.

Fat Kid - OUT

LIQUIDATION SALE

Here at STC we are getting ready for the '08 campaign and that means we gotta make room!
Upper management says that this winter STC needs to be more organized and more streamlined...
Let our loss be your gain!

2005 Giant TCR Comp Carbon - Size Small– Dura Ace 10sp, except for cranks – DA 9 sp style. 172.5mm cranks – 39/53 rings. Deda Newton Bars and Stem – 12cm stem, 42cm bars c-c. 31.8 OS clamp size. Mavic Classics Elite wheels, 32sp. Its on Ebay for 1800, for friends 1600 complete.

2002 Schwinn Moab MTB – 17” size. This was the wifes MTB, never really rode it. Its got shimano 8 sp trigger shifters, and shimano components. Disc brakes F and R. Rock Shock front suspension. For friends - $100

2006 Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheels – 20sp Front – Radial, 24 sp Rear – 2 cross. Velox rim strip, used 1 year, MAYBE 2000 miles. Friend Price - $150

Cant remember the year, but it’s a 52cm Jake the Snake Cross bike. It’s a Mix of shimano parts. Ultegra Rear derr, 9 sp. Dura Ace 9 sp shifters, Tektro top mount in line cross brakes, Avid shorty Canti’s, Spinergy Spox wheels and Hutchinson cross Tires. This bike has always been too big for me. It fits like a 54 or 55cm road bike would. 53.3 cm top tube.

Friends - $500

I have pics if you need them, call me or email with questions

Rich

708-284-3262

rjsmott@gmail.com

ride in.. ride out...

So i couldn't pass up the opportunity to enjoy some 50 degree weather in mid November. I packed my gear this am and pedaled into work. I think its the first time in a month, since the entire family was sick for what seemed an eternity. It was nice, brisk in the am, but they were touting high 50's late afternoon. They were also calling for high winds. Well, the wind was delivered as promised, but the temps were barely around 50 when i left to head home. It was motivation to ride faster.
I love the nite rider lights, they are tons better than some of the older lighting systems i have seen. I enjoy nite riding, but im much more comfy when its on a path, or at least out of traffic. The new route home is better than Ogden ave, but still gotta be alert no matter how dressed up like a Christmas tree me and the bike are.

All good... perhaps this will be the start of a new streak..
its about that time to start the 2008 campaign.

Cluck Cluck

Hilly pictures are in, i need to get them loaded in and get a link up for all of you to enjoy.
We have some winners this year and the added plus of NO pics of Nate's pecker.

cheers!

Old Skooooool...

For anyone who has raced a bike, and for those that have recently picked up the sport, its worth your time to go through all these segments and go though time with Superweek.

Teams: Saturn, LA Sherrif, Coors Light, Shaklee, Turin
Names: Wasko, Matush, Gaggioli, Ventura, Carney, Colletta, Wust, Mionski

Old skool indeed.... this was the glory days of Superweek, but i will say i like it better now, because Otto pays prize money the day you win it, not 3 years later like the good ol days.
Check out the trispokes, oakley sub zeros, and some sweet foam helmet covers

Segment 4 has a display of jerseys that is a great throwback to the day that racing had 20 teams show up with 10 guys each!

Go here to check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX1mJd4YGLo