Can you say DA?

Click on the Title and see for yourself.

What is he thinking?

I am trying to plan my year's worth of rides/races. I use the word "race" very loosely. They don't call me Heavy D for nothing.

I am planning on doing the Hills of Hell/12 miles of Hell in Lawton, OK the weekend of March 7&8 to gear up for my Kokopeli ride in late April. I definitely want to do the Flint Hills Death Ride which should be mid July.

I highlighted the 4 races closest to Columbia that I will try and hit as well. Are there any other rides you guys are looking at?

2009 Provisional Schedule

March 8 - Oz Epic, Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Kaiser, MO
March 22 - Lost Valley, St. Charles, MO
March 29 - Rim Wrecker, Council Bluff Lake Recreation Area, Potosi, MO
April 19 - Le Tour de Tick, Neosho, MO
May 9 - Castlewood Challenge, Castlewood State Park, St. Louis, MO
June 7 - Rhett's Run, Cosmo Park, Columbia, MO
June 21 - St. Joes State Park, Farmington, MO
July 12 - OMBA Caramba, Sac River Trails, Springfield, MO
July 26 - Show-Me State Games, Rock Bridge State Park, Columbia, MO
August 9 - Spanish Lake, Spanish Lake, MO
August 23 - Cape Race, Cape Girardeau, MO
September 5 - Binder Lake 6-Hour, Jefferson City, MO
September 12 - Castlewood ICCC, Castlewood State Park, St. Louis, MO
September 27 - Greensfelder, Eureka, MO
October 24/25 - Berryman Epic Tour/Race, Steelville, MO

The Christening of JJ

Although I am not sure if John has landed on a name or not for his new addition to the family, I like to think of it as Josh Jr. of JJ.

We had a window of opportunity, so John and I went to Cosmo Park to stretch our legs and give the new bike a test ride.

Here is a video of the Triple "J" threat!!!!

Dude Look at the Penalty for Failure

If I ever hear these words, I will know what to do.

Hint: Click on the title

Beatting the Snow

Mike and I hooked up for a mid-moring ride at Rock Bridge. I can tell I am making some progress, but I have so far to go to get back in the form I was in 18 years ago and to be ready for the Kokopelli Ride in Arpil.

We rode for a little over 2 hours and I had a blast. Mike just followed me around and I am sure saying to him self, "D" you really took an ugly line there; one of these days maybe you will learn how to climb; and on and on. I reached a new heart rate max today 183 bpm and I lived to tell about it.

The sad thing is I really felt like I rode well today. I went the entire flat loop without using the brake. No major spills. Well except for the one where I was not moving, clicked my cleat in and then fell completely over in slow motion. I even hopped some trouble on the trail and had my flow going.

Here are some shots of Mike and I playing around:

There is no thing as the Great Prumpkin, Charlie Brown!

After making Mike jump that log 3 times before I could get a decent photo of him, I think I was able to sky him. I guess I am as good at photography as I am at biking. Takes a few tries, but i finally get it!

Mike tested a small but steep side trail and made it look easy. I lined up for it, but then said no. Maybe another day.

Watch the video:

Notice the "Pro" kick out at the end.

By the time I got home, it started to mist and rain and eventually turned to snow...We will have to see what tomorrow brings....

Front Deraileur

This post will hopefully help my buddy when attempting to change his deraileur. You see he is the proud owner of an Ibis Mojo too!!!

Ibis - Day 1

Well after taking a short layoff (18 or so years) I have gotten back into mountain biking. After going out and buying a Trek hard tail, I gained an appreciation for how much mountain biking and the trails have changed over the years, not to mention my body and my so called skills.

It did not take me long to decide I need a full suspension bike, but there have been so many advancemments in 20 years. I had to do some homework and decide what was important to me.

I finally settled on an Ibis frame with Fox suspension. The DW Link is the bomb! Built up some Stan's ZTR 355s and finished it off with SRAM x-9 coupled with an XT crank. This is a smooth bike and it weighed in at 25.5 pounds. That is 4 pounds lighter than my hard tail.

My first trail ride with the new bike was at Landahl Park ( My new favortie place to visit).

I even made a little video of "the Guys" having some fun!!!

Happy Thanks Giving and see ya on the trails!!!