P.S.

This means no group ride this sunday. I can't go to school, work, play drums in a band, write two blogs, train for racing (poorly), and fall of the back and still run a group ride. I am just one person. I am sorry for my shortcomings. Come out to mingo, there is single track and a road race, all at the same venue.


Won't be the first, won't be the last.


My bad.

$60 Closer to Falling off the back...

But why Soupie, where did your $60 go? Did you by lizard skins neoprene for all of your off road bikes? Did you take advantage of the Super Sale price on Helmets, Locks, Seat Bags, Car Racks, WRENCH FORCE DELUXE WORK STANDS and other assorted things?

Nope.

I got my USCF License. Now I can suck, officially.

But Soupie, Where will you be riding to the fullest extent of your mediocrity?

THIS WEEKEND IS THE FIRST RACE OF THIS YEARS MINGO CREEK SERIES, WOOOOOO!


Nottingham Twp., Washington County, PA

Sundays – April 1, April 15, April 22.
Held Under USCF Permit – pending

Entry - $15.00 includes insurance

Registration begins @8:45am

Race Start
Laps/miles
Field limit

Cat. 1, 2, 3 +Masters 40-49
10:00am
7/33
75

Cat. 4/5+ Masters 50+
10:05am
6/28.3
50

Women – open
10:05am
6/28.3
50

(Fields may be combined at the promoter’s discretion) * Cash and or prizes to top 3 each race and each Masters group.
* Course description: 4.7 mile circuit, rolling

* USCF license is required.

* All riders must complete and sign 2004 Standard athletes release

* For additional information contact Don Mosites @ (724) 575-4000, dono@trekofpgh.com

* For more info visit the ACA website at www.acaracing.com

Directions:

The race will be held near Mingo Park, which is near 84 PA, which is in
Washington County PA, which is south of Pittsburgh. From interstate 79 take
the Houston exit east on route 519 east towards 84 PA. Follow 519 until you
get to Brownlee road, and turn onto it. There is a Mingo Park sign right in
front of you on Brownlee. Continue on Brownlee about 1/2 mile, then make a
left on Patterson. Follow Patterson all the way to the Mingo Park entrance.
Then follow the signs to the parking lot.

Course Description:

The race will start out on Valley View Rd. (about 200m from Sugar Run Rd.)
heading south and make a right on Sugar Run Rd. A right on Sundust Rd.
then proceed to Green Valley Rd. At the stop sign make a right and then
another right onto Gilkenson Rd. Follow Gilkenson to Patterson Rd.
and make another right. Then back down to Valley View where the
finish line will be.




If you notice, I will also be riding with the Masters 50+. My plan will be to ride Horst Bernhardt's wheel and then take him in the sprint. I got my eye on you Horst!!!!

My Bad

So, the trails were swamps on sunday, and I needed to put some finishing touches on college graduation plans (so i can better serve the TRM Customer base *wink*). Thus, The group ride didn't happen. I believe that only one person showed up. And to him, I AM EXTREMELY SORRY!!! Please forgive me and come on more group rides, it was sweet having you out on a bunch of them last year. My bad.


In addition to this, Super Sale starts tomorrow. We have a bunch of stuff from Trek that we just got in. More bike are on the way, too. In the hectic warm weather frenzy, a ton of new bikes left the shops to new owners, and a ton of bikes showed up to get some TLC.

Repair wait without special ordered parts is about a week right now. I will continue to keep this time for work updated. The MS-150 is coming up in (yes) many months, but the last 2 weeks of repairs are usually booked up. Be prepared this year, Pittsburgh!


Love,


Soupie

Sweet Dealz

This years Super Sale is just around the bend and the Wrench Force Repair Stand is on sale for $139.99. I have been using one of these at my house to tune up a couple of my rides (which i am continually neglecting. Don't tell the bikes though, they don't know any better). For the Home Mechanic this is an incredible repair stand for the price, and during Super Sale, it is $30 off! All of the "Trek of Pittsburgh" locations as well as TRM will be keeping these in stock for the Sale as well as for the summer.

Don't Like getting knee deep in the gears? Bring your bike in for the skilled hands of the Professor. Right now, the $90 tune up plus includes a drive train cleaning, a full tune up, and new cables and housing. Thats $20 of cables and housing included in the price of our Tune Up Plus.

I think its that time again.

THIS SUNDAY (weather permitting) WILL BE THE FIRST TRM CYCLES MTB GROUP RIDE IN SOUTH PARK!

I don't know who is going to show up, I don't know if the trails are going to be ridable, I don't even know which bike i am going to ride.

So, everyone call saturday for the last minute details. The basic frame work: 2 hour no drop ride, intermediate terrain, meet at 9 A.M. in the Ice Skating rink parking lot. Just like college, we will wait and extra 15 minutes for the professor before leaving without him.


I am hurting to ride single track, So badly, but if weather is crappy, a cyclocross/road ride might be in order. Stay tuned. We (collectively) are going to have a good season off road this year. If it is too muddy to ride, we will stick to the roads. I don't really see a reason to make girl scout, the VIP trail, or any other trails any wider than they already are.

Scott Daubert is Coming!

So Scott Daubert is coming to Trek of Pittsburgh in Shadyside to give us all a glimpse into life on the bus. He is going to give a two hour talk on Trek's Carbon technology and what it has been like working with the USPS/ Discovery Channel team for the last few years.

If you are as excited as I am to see this talk please RSVP to info@trekofpgh.com as seating is exremely limited. Belfore all of you freak on me I just realized that the 23rd is a Monday so come then and not on Wednesday. I kinda leaked this on the TRM blog so all six of you can get seats...

Here is a little more info about Scott if you are unaware:

Scott Daubert has worked for Trek Bicycle since 1992. After graduating from Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO with a degree in English, he worked part-time for Trek as a test rider to develop their full suspension bikes. In 1994, he became the Trek/VW team mechanic and later managed the SAAB and Subaru / Gary Fisher race programs.

In 2002 his title changed to Trek Teams Liaison. His main responsibility is to deliver Trek and Bontrager products to Trek supported teams, namely the Discovery Channel Professional Cycling Team. He has worked at two Olympic Games, attended 60+ World Cup events on 4 different continents, and has followed the Tour de France from start to finish for the past 4 years.

Trail Work Day!!!

PTAG (pittsburgh trail advocacy group) has organized a Trail Work Day at Pleasant Valley Park in Murrysville, PA. Bring Tools: Rakes, Pruners, Loppers, Mcleod, Mattock, Hand saws, gloves Etc. A hike and a mountain bike ride follows the work day. SUNDAY APRIL 1st (no joke!) at 10 AM. Refreshments will be provided by Panera bread and possibly others (according to flyer). Directions and more at PVPARK.ORG.

Trail Eddiekit

Greetings All,

After surviving the first nice weekend in quite a while I found myself compelled to remind everyone about a little trail etiquette. It seems that more than a few users are unaware or have forgotten the rules. I know our Six readers agreeing with me but if you are new, here's a recap.

The ATA (www.atatrail.org) states that:
Average Trail Travel Speed

Walkers and hikers typically average two to three miles an hour; cyclists might cover seven to 10 miles an hour. The speed limit on the trail is 15 mph.

Also IMBA (www.IMBA.com) states that:

3. Control Your Bicycle!

Inattention for even a second can cause problems. Obey all bicycle speed regulations and recommendations.

4. Always Yield Trail.

Let your fellow trail users know you're coming. A friendly greeting or bell is considerate and works well; don't startle others. Show your respect when passing by slowing to a walking pace or even stopping. Anticipate other trail users around corners or in blind spots. Yielding means slow down, establish communication, be prepared to stop if necessary and pass safely.

What this means to the average user is that you need to communicate when passing and Slow down and or yeild to other SLOWER trail users.

I do not want to discourage anyone from riding but I also do not want to lose access to a area as nice as the Trail system because other users do not obey the rules.

Later kids, I'm out

Step it up, Step it in

Let me begin.

......

(awkward silence)

Cycling Super Giant LOOK is promoting their "Step Into Keo" promotion. By simply bringing in the "STEP INTO KEO!!!" coupon from your favorite cycling publication with a pair of your old Look pedals, You can get $10, $20, or $30 off on select Look Keo pedals.

TRM Cycles will be stocking the Keo Classics (odd name for a new pedal, eh?), Keo Sprints, and Keo Carbons.

Step into it!

Congrats Levi, Boohiss NY Times

Levi Leipheimer(hausen) won the Tour of California. Crushing it. Time trialing it. Living it. (Shameless brand plug) By using his TREK TTX Time trial bike with BONTRAGER Aero Bars and BONTRAGER "AEOLUS" Wheels, Levi took the top of the podium in time trials and the overall.

Down to Business.

So I heard there was some controversey over the large wreck after the prologue that halted 70% of the riders and there was some ruling that people were a little jazzed about but was totally legit (From my mailorder sources). Velonews was very informative but i wanted to dig deeper. "BY HEAVENS MEANS SOUPIE, WHAT DID YOU DO?". So i googled it and found a New York Times article by Edward Wyatt (yeah, I'm calling it out) and was rather dissapointed. The Mainstream coverage of one of the big American races by one of the big american media sources truly did not do bicycle racing much justice. Though, there are probably plenty of TDF stories that totally blow, I feel kinda put off to this. Before I really tear into this article, I would inform that I did look at some of the author previous articles that were non-cycling related to try and establish some background/cycling cred. His article informing me on Paula Abduls vow to stay healthy and sober was intriguing but his cycling news seemed strictly based off of the TOC.

So where did I get upset?

"Leipheimer rode the course aggressively, sprinting up its short climbs in a standing position on his pedals. Many of his opponents climbed the same hills tucked in an aerodynamic position. Leipheimer said he also rode hard on the descents, at one point cutting a corner so close that he raked his shoulder against a bush."

WHAT THE HELL! WHY MUST HE TAKE ALL OF THE STRUGGLE AND PAIN OUT OF OUR SPORT!?!?!

Cutting a corner he raked his shoulder off of a bush?? I spent 2 hours raking my shoulders off of bushes this morning in South Park, WHY IS IT SO HARD FOR PROS TO DO THIS?!

Why not talk about the wreck that stopped 70% of the field? Why not talk about the climbers and sprinters who were strong in this terrain?

I am only going to attack this particular part. Feel it out yourselves, all six of you TRM Blog readers. I could say something about how this article catered to the preconcieved notion that Professional cycling is for nerds (which it ...well might be) by describing the tedious technology of wind tunnel testing and "aero positioning". "Raking his shoulder off of a bush" is probably the weakest thing to describe about riding a time trial. If Wyatt took the time to describe an aero position he could have maybe written about the comfort level of aero positioning and its correlation to power outputs.

I wouldn't be bold enough to say that this was a poor article, but I was most certainly upset about it. There was an article in BIKE magezine about the image of mountain biking and how ads and various stories "weakened" the sport, or atleast created a weakend image (Olympia camera ad with Muddy biker). Michael Brown said similar things in a recent Dirt Rag.

Either way, Long story Short.

Biking Good, American Bike Races Good, Not-So Enthusiastic Looks at Cycling BAD

I will leave you with the opening paragraph from the article. This is how this thing started.

"So intent was Levi Leipheimer on winning the Tour of California this year that, oddly enough, he had to force himself to stay off his bicycle on some days last fall so he would not burn himself out too early."

What does that even mean, in relationship to introducing the results of the stage 5 time trial.

Same Planet, Different Worlds

So, I'm on spring break, and rather than "go wild" in Cancun, I decided to pick up work hours. So, after putting in some crucial hours working for National Velo Incorporated, I came to the understanding that working in the warehouse is waaaaaaaaay different than working at 88. First and foremost, 88 is a crisp 64 degrees, the warehouse is a frigid 40 degrees. So how do our brave warehouse lads endure these conditions. Some would guess layering tons and tons of cycling clothing, morphing their bodies in a michelin man like stature, Some would say dressing for the occaision like a construction worker; this is close and does occur but not the heart of my explanation. The warehouse crew copes with the brutally cold winters and sweltering summers by being the junk food kings of the universe. Holy Crap. I have eaten alot of junk food in the past couple days.

Perhaps all six of you at home are saying, "Soupie, your Vegetarian diet causes you to eat more vegetable and your body is just not used to average junk food consumption". I would like to quickly remind those viewers that spending 2 weeks in a van driving around middle america offers little nutrition, especially eating at gas stations in the wee hours of the night.

It all boils down to the superior dollar store. The dollar store has an incredible amount of crap, and there isn't much in this world that will work up a hunger that can only be satisfied with cheap garbage. Lifting boxes, answering emails, talking about how sweet the Descente Aero Tri Suit looks, and wrecking Nick Mosites day really give me a hankering for candy bars, oatmeal cream pies, and 25 cent iced tea.

Tomorow, I return to home base. I trade my "singing black flag at the top of my lungs all the time" for my singing "Paradise by the Dashboard Light once every flash back friday". I will trade my Taco Bell for.....Taco Bell...


..........