Watching grown men cry.

Our legs hurt.

Above it all.

3days, 21,000 feet up, 200+ miles. The cokes aren't small, we've just gotten bigger. The borrowed XS loves the dirt. And I almost ripped my legs off climbing.

I'm Like so There!

In case you have forgotten, I'm in Spain, Granada to be precise, with BICI Fitness. The Picture above is from the Madrid Airport. Don't worry, I'll be back.
A quick update...The day after arriving, we rode to the snow line in the Sierra Nevadas. Per Rick's suggestion we had ditched some clothing before climbing... to the snow, at 2,700 meters. It was so cold going down my bike wouldn't steer straight due to the shivering. I got off a couple of times thinking there was something wrong with the bike, because it was so wobbly. Take note,, when riding an ultra responsive bike like the Indy Fab XS I borrowed from Mr. Strickland, don't shiver on 40mph decents. Fortunatly Rick was the most miserable.
Pictures coming soon.

Weathergate, Springclassic

So things are going well on the Raffle Front, but don't delay if you plan on getting some tickets.
This weekend was pretty remarkable on the cycling front.
Saturday I rode to Emmaus to get in a checkpoint race and sell tickets. After connecting with local gal Selene, we tore up the course, collected all 10 checks and tied for a win. She was the only reason I got anywhere. I was just planning on riding with one person for some fun times and I lucked out!
Oh yeah on the final decent into Emmaus to meet up with the event I went down on the snotty road and acquired a nice bit of road rash. First road crash of the year, and I'm looking forward to more. Cause they are great: the tightness, and uncomfortable sleep, anad oh yeah the hot showers feel great.
So that was a 114mile day. Then Sunday Bob and I met up to ride the Spring Classic. We went early and backwards on the course till we met the group then turned around and crushed it to the start. And yes young Bob and I battled for the win but again, my lack of respect for the power of a car to crush me got me the win when I blew the stop sign 50 feet from the finish line. THen Bob and I went out long enough to make it a hundred mile day.

Raffle Tickets

Raffle Tickets are on their way. You can get them at Bikereg.com. Or you could buy from me directly. Federal law prohibits me from mailing raffle tickets. If you do BikeReg I'll fill out the ticket with your information, and send a confirmation to you that this has been done.
What does this mean for you? Just an opportunity to win a Custom Steel frame and fork from Independent Fabrication. For those of you concerned about the omission of a Cyclo-Cross Frame and fork, my mistake. Yes, you could choose a Planet X if you wanted, or a touring bike, like the Independance. The skys the limit. Maybe you want a 29er frame with rack braze-ons and 6 waterbottle mounts, Spoke mounts and built in IPod headphone routing (maybe not). It's your call. If you want to upgrade to a Ti, Ti/Carbon, Reynolds 953, Steel/Carbon, Factory Lightweight, you can, just by paying the price difference. So lets say you win, and want a Custom Ti Planet X, with a Sterling Silver headbadge and Carbon Fork. Instead of paying $3,850 (ouch), you only pay $1950. Thats a pretty big difference. Of course if you just want a Steel Planet X you get one of the greatest custom frames ever built, a $1900 value, for the price of a $5 ticket (buy two).
The drawing will be on 5/25/07 at the first ever "Philly-Bike Show-Off". This is going to be a Big-Bad Productions event. The Space hasn't been finalized yet, but it will be a big space where people can come, check in their bikes and hang them on the wall, where every-one can Show-Off their bike. Beaters, bling'rs, utility, and freak bikes are welcome. A 12month calendar of Philly bikes will be created from this show. I'll have a studio set-up in the corner to shoot the bikes, and a vote will be taken on the favorite twelve bikes of the show.
Stay Tuned.

Below Mason Dixon with sweet tea, Keith and the Lichtenwaller

Tuesday I rode in this....

Wednesday was 10x worse....
Thursday Keith and I drove 14 3/4hrs to my dads in FL
Friday we landed at RazorBack MTB Park in Reddick FL.
50degrees and sunny....
It's funny getting in a car with people you don't really know and driving for hours. Keith is funny, which makes driving 15 hours bearable, almost enjoyable. I lucked out to have found someone eager to do their 1st 12hr race at the same time I was contemplating getting out of Pennsylvania's worst weather of the year. Keith is new to endurance mtb racing and tho I subtly tried to sway him in the direction of the 6hr race, he wanted all 12. He's his own man so what could I do, but more importantly now we would see what he could do.
So we drove his car, which was a 9yr younger version of mine. Seemed like a wise choice till it started overheating about 6hrs in. What could we do but stop and eat some Mexican food. That seemed to do the trick and besides a few unexpected micro-climates, we had no problems the rest of the trip.
My dad was up and waiting with some grilled chicken when we arrived around 10pm. Senior Price lives in a quaint small town with only 3 blinking lights, so I was a little surprised to be roused from my slumber by the sounds of slurred voices shouting in time with the disco lights of Johnny Law. Expecting to see Keith duking it out I ran to the window and watched as Officer George tried to question the driver of a white truck while his passengers failed to obey orders to stay in the cab of the truck. After passenger #1 got tossed in the back of the car, Passenger #2 minded his mouth a bit more. The Driver got off easy when he explained that he was on medication and wasn't drinking. Apparently that excuse works, because George let him go, while acting as a personal escort. Keith didn't hear any of this. He thinks I dreamed the whole thing.
We pulled into the RazorBack MTB Park's, parkinglot and set up tent right next to the SoloGoat himself, Ernesto Marenchin (sp). He was between fellow IF'er Harvey Minton and us. Ernie had just gotten back from a pre-ride and was now in turmoil, because his travel mate Brett had lost the car keys, and was back on the trail looking for them. We consoled Ernie, set up camp and got ready to pre-ride. Suddenly Rob Lichtenwaller showed up and we both just about pooped our pants in joy, shock and agony. Now the race was really on. Rob, local Trek regional rider Andy Mills and Ernie totally upped the level of competition: there would be no coasting through this one.
Rob lives an hour and a half away from me so my desire to start a 'riders ride share' sight got some positive reinforcement. I told Rob that and he said his new sight was going to have a section for it. Look out for www.veganrob.com. It's not up yet but will soon be. Rob, Keith and I pre-rode and found the course to be it's usual fun and challenging self. Definitely staying focused and on the bike would be important. We got back to camp, found out that Brett had the Keys on him the whole time, they were stuck in his gut!? No really! Okay, just in the front of his shorts, but don't you think you have noticed keys in the top of your shorts?
The next morning it was actually cold when we woke up. Below freezing as a matter of fact, I thought the locals were going to shiver to exhaustion before the race started. Rob and I lined up together for the Le mans run and laughed at the people wearing better winter gear than I have ever owned. By the 10:30 start I was comfortable in an under-tee, short sleeve jersey, shorts and kneewarmers. Thats the least amount I've worn for riding all year.
The run started off with people running like they were being chased by gators. A steady pace saw me at my bike in the top 5 and off I went with Andy behind me. The first lap I took a little fast on purpose. These early season races are for experimenting and I paid for it with a heart rate that didn't drop below 160 the first 4hrs. That course is one of the most fun I've ever ridden, and it keeps the short steep climbs just close enough to discourage relaxing. Because the trail builders had to utilize a limited amount of space you often got a chance see other riders though the woods, but it was sort of disorienting to try to figure out where they were. My team-mate Harvey and I exchanged pleasantries once or twice when we saw each other.
Andy went by me half-way through the 1st lap and Rob caught me soon into the second lap. And that was the start of our yo-yoing. We were pretty much within urinating distance from each other the first 10hrs of the race. We caught Andy after lap 3 besides a brief stint riding my wheel I never saw him again. Apparently he dropped out do to blurry eyes caused by dust and cold weather.
My pit was just before the Start-Finish Line and Rob was just after, so he usually went through first and I would catch him as his wife Sara pitted him. That battle kept the race tense and really made stopping not an option. On the 10th lap I took my longest break of about 4min, because I was feeling a bonk creeping in and it was a good time to put on the arm-warmers. My Dad was there by now and taking good care of me, stuffing salmon down my throat and such. The first few laps I had to give him instructions on how to pit properly. I felt rejuvenated, caught Rob at his pit, and we rode together into the 11th lap. With him in the lead I could sense something was amiss, and wasn't surprised when he pulled over and to take a leak cause he 'couldn't concentrate'. I held my pace without attacking and expected him to pull back up. After about 30min of no Rob I did start launching some mini attacks. I figured he had a lot more experience at night riding and was sure he would cruise up at any moment. After no Rob at the end of lap 12 I thought things were going good, but no one had given me a split to him, and according to my watch I was was going to have to do two more laps before the end of the race. Since the race started 30min late I figured we would have a 10:30pm cut-off. I was due to finish my 13th lap at 10pm so as I went by I told my Dad to be sure and get me a lap as I came through to start my 14th. With about 2miles to go on the 13th it dawned on me that I had seen a sign announcing a 10pm cutoff. Sweet relief! Especially since I was feeling another energy drain and had non Idea if Rob was catching me or not.
It was great to come across the finish line in 1st for my first race of the year. Rob came in about 11min later. It was another great battle between Rob and I. Keith came through in 10th overall but 1st single-speeder. He schooled his first endurance race, and got a big trophy to take home to his daughter. The ride home was going to be good. Harvey Minton book-ended the Podium with me by taking 3rd overall after battling young local Chris JANISZEWSKI. That race came down to a matter of who would go out for a final lap. They were within a minute of each other and just barely made it in time to go out for another, but Chris conceded by not subjecting himself to another lap.
I should thank Harvey's wife Lauren for giving me some valuable race help/info, Kirk for some of the fire in my gut to win and the post-race shower and of course my dad.
Our drive back was fairly uneventful, except for the sore knees, and Maurice's BBQ joint. I imagine if you have any confederate pride you should have a picture of Maurice on your mantle and a bottle of Maurice's special sauce in the fridge.. Frankly I find it a little out of my normal range of beliefs. It definitely made the drive a little more surreal. Weird..........

Ticks and Florida

I can't decide if my left eye tick is a result of coffee and laptops or a decision to go to Florida and race 12hrs. "12hrs of Razorback" is in Reddick Fl. Think thats funny.? Random Kegs on ice are funny, realizing that your cat's name is the same as your friends middle name, and his cat's name is the same as your middle name is funny.
What happens when you return to familiar roads? Familiar territory is a sharp blade. Use it or get cut.
My Raffle tickets are almost ready. Let the 2007 fundraising begin. I'll elaborate at a later date, but be aware that Independent Fabrication (worlds greatest sponsor and frame builder) is letting me raffle a custom Frame and fork (road, mtn, track, touring) to help me. This is grassroots funding, and I believe a sponsorship program with potential. Of course it's not a handout, its up to me to raise the interest and participation. I want to rant, but will save it for later. I'm tired, it's ten and I got a long week coming up.
Oh yeah, There is good graffiti. I happen to like almost all attempts to cover the walls in this world with ink and spray paint. But this one has been around for years and despite one persons lack of respect, it has remained untarnished.
And this is my post race warming device.

Anonymous, needs to step up. I'm no government.

Okay Anonymous, I hate guessing. FG means what? Oh did I ever post these from Florida X-mas Trip? Of course I didn't. I would know. Click on ole


GeorgeWashington.
I love Corn Dogs.

Did I say Granada?

In case you haven't heard, my friend Reuben and I will be leading two training sessions in Granada Spain from March 23rd too April 9th. The first week will be a more strenuous week with a couple centuries and some serious workouts. The Second week will be catered to a less intense crowd. Read about it at BiciFitness. I spent a month in Granada about 6years ago, sleeping in a cave, and Reuben went to school there for 3months. Sure to be beautiful and culturally enlightening. Plus you get to hang out with 'two crazy guys'. Okay not that crazy. We'll be sleeping alot, and eating fried octopus.

Clean out the cobwebs, Click this to Watch METALOCALYPSE

New for 2007
OKay, I vow to keep this going. No matter how mundane the reports, there will be something here. We must push forward.
I plan to revamp this site a bit, add my '07 race schedule, and get a sponsor-link section underway. For anyone wondering, Indy Fab and I are sticking together in the '07. There are plans for traveling and visiting shops and people around the country. You know, growing some roots.
I'm excited about the coming season. INDY is building me a Ti 29'er with.....a Carbon Lefty fork from Cannondale. At 2.72lbs this should be a barnburner of a fork. Plus changing a front flat won't require taking off the front wheel. There are a few other cool features about the Lefty. For one, the same fork works on 29'ers and 26'ers. Just add a few shims and off you flow. The stem-steerer combination is super light, and the fork as a pretty low crown-race height, compared to other 29er forks.
Stan's NoTubes has offered to make me wheel sets for racing, training and auctioning. Another super light-weight addition to my bike. I'm excited about the auction wheelset, because it will be a custom wheelset,..whatever the winner wants from Stan's vast selection of parts.
Another passenger on my train is WTB, who are offering up saddles and tires. I went after these guys after meeting Dain Zaffke at La Ruta. He was a super guy, and I told him how much I loved the holy grail of saddles, the Rocket V. A little back and forth, and we were on our way.
Wool is weal! On board is SmartWool. My favorite sock maker, amongst other products.
Much thanks to those folks.
To more normal news, Did a great ride in Jim Thorpe with Elk, Bob and Yozell. 6hrs of great weather, tacky rocks and valley vistas.
There was another sighting of Elsasquatch. This mysterious man/monolith/manga cartoon never gets to close. I'm hoping to one day have a face-to-face.
In other news I've continued Coaching the RPM classes at Breakaway bikes. It's great getting up at 5am, riding 5miles, and telling people how to do something. I'm on a power high twice a week.
Check out the tees Jeff Lockwood is having made at http://www.rideyourbicycle.com/.

Punnkn Bike Enduroo

WE (topher, Jeff, yarnell) drove to Pittsburgh the night before the punk bike enduro where we watched a ritual of modern kabuki theater. Grown men. Actuating a desire to rumble with other men. The KSWA is the humble begining of any pro wrestlers career. Poorly faked punches and leg pretzel tangles holds. Screaming fans drunk on the theater, that they make themselves entitled to partake in. The fight is better out of the ring, amongst the people. The ring is stage and they may cross into the public but the audience never breathes the air inside the ropes.

Then we woke up after a night next to the surreal fire at Brad Q's house, and got dressed in our own spandexed hallucinations. Our ring of fire and ice. BUrning thighs and lungs: freezing hands and feet. We raced around Pittsburgh in 9 short stages. Young Daniel wins on a Fixed Niner. Topher Fixed his 1982 chrome Diamond back Acent. Me on a fixed Villin and blown fork. Yarnell, Toph and me in stonewashed jeaned tights. Sorry I got no photos of those.
Jeff Lockwood is making some nice shirts over at www.bittergravity.com
Pittsburgh is a city that all Pennsylvanianians should visit. And you.

Halleluah! La Ruta da 3

Our last race night was spent in the shadow of the volcano Turriabla. For some, sleeping at 9,000ft inspired a restless night. The volcano loomed at 11,000, breathlessly waiting to spew it's red love in our direction. At that altitude temperatures were cool enough to start the fire in the wood-burning stove of our room.
The lodge was the highlight of accomodations of the trip. The road to this Lodge Turriabla was an endless spool of shoulderless pavement and bone-jarring dirt. They had dinner waiting for us cooking in 5gal pots on big wood stoves. Outside, It was a toss up as to which was more threatening, the volcano or the 75miles left of racing.
This jungle diorama had to disappear in the dark at 5am the next morning, when we boarded the bus for the ride to day three's race start. The start was at day two's finish and started climbing up the last kilometers of yesterdays desent. Due to some slackers we arrived late at the start and barely had time to change clothes and lube our chains so by the time we got in line, we found ourselves staring at the back of 400 people. Not an ideal situation.
The upside to this was the fun of snaking through 370 heavy legged people. Tim Daughtery was with me and we made a nice two car train slicing up and through the crowd like a knife in the hand of a family butcher. It was fun slaughtering riders, but as we worked our way up the ease of overtaking others was dwindling, and when we passed a googled eyed Hillary Harrison, the slaughter became much slower and tacticle. I lost Tim (who was on a single-speed) on the climb, and began the rolling gravel-pavement-gravel sections. We were cruising through the last of the foothills before the final drop towards the Carribean. I caught one group of about 5 guys, who I recognized from days before, by holding steady on the climbs then gaining on the desents. After rolling up to them I dropped them for good going into the longest (30min) desent of the day. It was all gravel and loose like a late night christmas-party necktie.
This was the best drop of the race with dry sketchy corners that you could risk taking inside lines on, and as the passing continued I noticed a kid from that 5 man group was hanging with me. At one high speed 90 degree corner, I hit the brakes hard and did a 360 powerslide with my right foot as the pivot. The kid ended up being the son of Hert, the bearded, flip-flop, shirtless and jean short wearing rip-van-winkle. Pro surfer and junior national champ, he was the first Costa Rican I met who could desend well.
And he could climb! On the last climb of the day, he tells me at the bottom, this is my hill, I'll see you later. Later being at the end of the day. Did I mention he was 13 the first time he did the race? One nice thing about riding with him for the two hours was his personal feed vehicle. What ever he got I got. Ice water before the climb, cold baby food in sandwich bags, pineapple. We were set. If you go to Race La Ruta, make friends with the locals. Take heed.
So though I never saw Nys again, I did manage to catch some of my other nimesis before the end of the day. Alone on the downhill after getting dropped I suddenly had a missile on target from behind. It turned out to be Andreas Hestler, who had flatted a couple of times. I took advantage of his monster engine and worked with him to catch a group of 7 guys. It was so impressive watching Andreas motor, and though I like to think I did a share of the work he was definatly the one pushing me.
When we caught that group of 7 locals we were once again blessed with their support vehicle. More cold drinks, snacks and random benefits. This part of the course was a long false flat drop towards the beach. About egual to the angle of putting a couple playing cards under the legs on one end of the dinner table.
We hadn't hit the majority of the railroad track section but the thought of it loomed. Andreas had proven to have a huge advantage on them with his full suspension bike, while all I could de was watch him pull away at times. Just before the a major train section Andreas missed the turn and since I was second in line I was first on the tracks while he went to the back of the pack of 8. At the first bridge I decided to ride it instead of walking, which gave me an instant gap on the group. With about 4 more similar bridges and trestles I found myself with a significant advantage. I didn't try to kill it, since I knew they would probably catch me later, but I wasn't going to give up what I had. After a while of pressing on I see a couple of guys moving up on me, and was eventually caught by Andreas and this other annoying Costa Rican, who I hadn't been able to shake for the three days. I pulled over to let them pull through but Andreas refused and when I asked him if he was tired he snapped at me that he didn't like to be jumped!! Ha. I jumped Mr. Hestler himself. But look, he caught me, I knew he could. I just let it roll. Anyways I let him stew for a while, took my pulls. I did feel a little bad because we had worked together, and formed a little bond up till that point. Sharing food and all that. But racing is racing.
It didn't matter because as soon as we hit the last 5 miles of train tracks, he was gone and I was getting swallowed by the guys behind. Apparently racers behind us had had problems with locals trying to knock them off their bikes on this section but we didn't have any problems. After an eternity of riding the ties, we banked a left and were on a jeep road with the Carribean 100ft to our right. A moment later, the train went by!
No one told me there was an active train on the tracks we were riding. THey didn;t look like they could support a train, they were so beat.
So with the end supposedly eminant I taged onto the back of two riders and held on with everything I had. The road was firm but long and flat and the only relief was the view of waves crashing on shark infested waters.
Eventually one Tico fell of and there was only Marcello and me. He was crushing it and eventually I dropped once we hit the pavement. I caught one more person before turning into the finish shoot on the beach of Limon.
That was the hardest day of all three for me. Hot, dusty, tired and relieved, I got a beer, ate some food, and waited for Topher.