Showing posts with label beer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beer. Show all posts
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Its that time of year again...
Time for the RAGBRAI!!
I'm heading to Des Moines, Iowa tonight with the OMB. Tomorrow we start riding west towards Breda, the big bagger meet up town.
Looking to be a grand week. Lots of friends to see, beers to drink, miles to ride and fun to be had.
2011 will make 10 trips to the RAGBRAI in a row and will earn me one more mark.
Gonna be sweet.
Full report and fuzzy photos some time after I return.
And possibly even a few of these:
Ride bikes. Drink beer. Talk back to the Police.
I'm heading to Des Moines, Iowa tonight with the OMB. Tomorrow we start riding west towards Breda, the big bagger meet up town.
Looking to be a grand week. Lots of friends to see, beers to drink, miles to ride and fun to be had.
2011 will make 10 trips to the RAGBRAI in a row and will earn me one more mark.
Gonna be sweet.
Full report and fuzzy photos some time after I return.
And possibly even a few of these:
Ride bikes. Drink beer. Talk back to the Police.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
01-11-11 Ride
If you missed it Tuesday of this week was a "historic" date.
01-11-11
Snazzy eh? Won't see that again. Not in this life time.
To celebrate a buddy of mine thought a little pedal powered pub crawl was in order.
The weather in KC had finally decided to turn more winter like a couple days before.
01-11-11
Snazzy eh? Won't see that again. Not in this life time.
To celebrate a buddy of mine thought a little pedal powered pub crawl was in order.
The weather in KC had finally decided to turn more winter like a couple days before.
Sunday night it started snowing which continued through most of the day on Monday.
Tuesday it was a beautiful sunny day with temps at our ride time of only 14 degrees. Plus it was a bit windy making the "feels like" a brisk -2 degrees.
I think the temps, the snow packed streets and that we were doing the ride in the middle of the day on a Tuesday kept alot people from coming along.
But as you will see below, we still had a blast.
After a little pedal around the hood to run "must do" errands I headed to 75th Street Brewery to meet the guys at 11:11 AM
The plan was to get in a few miles and hit a couple drinking establishments and wrap it up by 1:11 PM (seeing a pattern here?)
1:11 because of the significance of the number but also so Trav could get home and save the baby sitter.
(That link is funnier knowing that Trav's little one is a boy)
As I rolled up to the bar I noticed only 2 bikes so I hoped that maybe, much like myself, everyone was running a bit late. I locked up and heading inside.
Turns out that the two bikes outside really was everyone. Ah well.
They were bellied up to the bar. Greetings were made. Hands were slapped.
Tuesday it was a beautiful sunny day with temps at our ride time of only 14 degrees. Plus it was a bit windy making the "feels like" a brisk -2 degrees.
I think the temps, the snow packed streets and that we were doing the ride in the middle of the day on a Tuesday kept alot people from coming along.
But as you will see below, we still had a blast.
After a little pedal around the hood to run "must do" errands I headed to 75th Street Brewery to meet the guys at 11:11 AM
The plan was to get in a few miles and hit a couple drinking establishments and wrap it up by 1:11 PM (seeing a pattern here?)
1:11 because of the significance of the number but also so Trav could get home and save the baby sitter.
(That link is funnier knowing that Trav's little one is a boy)
As I rolled up to the bar I noticed only 2 bikes so I hoped that maybe, much like myself, everyone was running a bit late. I locked up and heading inside.
Turns out that the two bikes outside really was everyone. Ah well.
They were bellied up to the bar. Greetings were made. Hands were slapped.
A plan for where to go next was hatched. Beers were finished and off we went.
But not before getting a "group" photo of course:
We buzzed along the cold snow packed streets heading North.
The plan was to hit up Sharp's Bar and Grill for bloodies and some brunch so thats where we pointed our handle bars.
We made Sharp's fairly quickly and it wasn't because we were cold.
But not before getting a "group" photo of course:
We buzzed along the cold snow packed streets heading North.
The plan was to hit up Sharp's Bar and Grill for bloodies and some brunch so thats where we pointed our handle bars.
We made Sharp's fairly quickly and it wasn't because we were cold.
We were hungry.
Bikes were parked in the normal fashion and we shuffled inside to be greeted by the bar tender and its patrons with questions of our sanity.
A table was acquired, bloodies were ordered, and the menu was given a strong looking over as we sipped our drinks.
Trav and Murry went with the Johnny Cakes with a egg tucked in the stack.
Bikes were parked in the normal fashion and we shuffled inside to be greeted by the bar tender and its patrons with questions of our sanity.
A table was acquired, bloodies were ordered, and the menu was given a strong looking over as we sipped our drinks.
Trav and Murry went with the Johnny Cakes with a egg tucked in the stack.
I decided to go with a 1/2 order of B&G and spuds with an egg on top and a side bacon tossed in because... well because its bacon.
No meal is really complete with out it.
No photo of the Johnny Cakes. Sorry. I was busy eating.
We finished up breakfast with a tasty Boulevard beer each and then headed back out into the cold to continue our journey.
As we headed east toward the next spot on the list I notice chain noise that hadn't been there before. A few pedal stokes later the chain dropped off the chain ring.
No photo of the Johnny Cakes. Sorry. I was busy eating.
We finished up breakfast with a tasty Boulevard beer each and then headed back out into the cold to continue our journey.
As we headed east toward the next spot on the list I notice chain noise that hadn't been there before. A few pedal stokes later the chain dropped off the chain ring.
Not wanting to fall behind I gave it a quick glance over and put it back on. 5 pedal strokes later it came off again. This time I gave it a little more careful look, still didn't see anything wrong so I put it back on and off I went... for another 5 or so pedal revolutions then it popped off yet again.
This is when I noticed that one of the chain links was coming apart.
Fortunately it was one link away from the quick link on my chain. So if figured I could pull that link by hand, reconnect it with the quick link and all would be good.
This is when I noticed that one of the chain links was coming apart.
Fortunately it was one link away from the quick link on my chain. So if figured I could pull that link by hand, reconnect it with the quick link and all would be good.
That was the idea anyway.
Unfortunately I had zero tool with me. Really all I needed was a 15mm wrench for my bolt on wheel. Trav said he had one but what he had was a Surly Jethro Tule which would have been prefect except I use B.O.B. Nutz so I can pull my trailer.
Unfortunately I had zero tool with me. Really all I needed was a 15mm wrench for my bolt on wheel. Trav said he had one but what he had was a Surly Jethro Tule which would have been prefect except I use B.O.B. Nutz so I can pull my trailer.
The Jethro Tule-o no fit-o
Damnit.
Trav attempted to use the Jethro Tule as a make shift hammer to push the link back together.
Damnit.
Trav attempted to use the Jethro Tule as a make shift hammer to push the link back together.
It worked until I put some torque on it and it popped apart again. I had gotten another few blocks down the road but had started to think my ride might be over unless the next bar (if I ever got there) happened to have a 15mm wrench or something similar I could borrow.
It popped off again and as I was putting it back on I noticed I was right in front of a auto repair shop. I stepped inside to see if I could borrow what I needed.
When I explained that we didn't have the proper tools the fella behind the counter smiled and chuckled saying "We? As in the guys that just rode off and left you?"
Yep.
He got me a 15mm. I pulled the wheel and shorted the chain as planned.
Then realized that minus a link the chain was almost too short to get the wheel back into the drops. It was in there but just barley.
It popped off again and as I was putting it back on I noticed I was right in front of a auto repair shop. I stepped inside to see if I could borrow what I needed.
When I explained that we didn't have the proper tools the fella behind the counter smiled and chuckled saying "We? As in the guys that just rode off and left you?"
Yep.
He got me a 15mm. I pulled the wheel and shorted the chain as planned.
Then realized that minus a link the chain was almost too short to get the wheel back into the drops. It was in there but just barley.
I made sure to really torque down the nuts in hopes that it would stay put.
I didn't take into consideration until later that the smart thing to do would have been to flip the wheel to the other smaller cog (17t compared to 19t). But it worked out just fine.
OK. Only mechanical of the day solved.
I hopped back on and boogied down the road to Mike's Tavern where Trav and Murry were bellied up to the bar sipping beers and awaiting my arrival.
We picked Mike's as a stop for a couple reasons:
We hadn't been there in years and "back in the day" it was a regular pedal pub crawl stop.
The place has recently come under new ownership and was completely remodeled inside. Plus the bartender, Jay, is an old friend that I've know since I was 14.
We had a couple beers. Filled Jay in on our day. Took a couple photos of "Roscoe" the moose on the wall. Then said our good-byes.
As Trav pointed out it was well after 1:11 and he still had a baby sitter to rescue.
So back towards 75th Street Brewery we went.
We made it back to "Club 75" with no issues. The temps actually felt warmer but we also weren't riding into the wind. Once we were back we laughed about the day and talked about how we wished we had more time. We also got into Trav's thermos of hot chocolate and schnapps that he'd been carrying around all day.
We took a few "end of the ride" photos said our good-byes and parted ways.
As they drove off in their cars to other parts of town I pedaled towards home thinking about how it had been a great way to spend a Tuesday.
Bros, bikes & brews.
Sometimes theres noting better.
More photos from the day are over on my Flickr page if you are interested.
I didn't take into consideration until later that the smart thing to do would have been to flip the wheel to the other smaller cog (17t compared to 19t). But it worked out just fine.
OK. Only mechanical of the day solved.
I hopped back on and boogied down the road to Mike's Tavern where Trav and Murry were bellied up to the bar sipping beers and awaiting my arrival.
We picked Mike's as a stop for a couple reasons:
We hadn't been there in years and "back in the day" it was a regular pedal pub crawl stop.
The place has recently come under new ownership and was completely remodeled inside. Plus the bartender, Jay, is an old friend that I've know since I was 14.
We had a couple beers. Filled Jay in on our day. Took a couple photos of "Roscoe" the moose on the wall. Then said our good-byes.
As Trav pointed out it was well after 1:11 and he still had a baby sitter to rescue.
So back towards 75th Street Brewery we went.
We made it back to "Club 75" with no issues. The temps actually felt warmer but we also weren't riding into the wind. Once we were back we laughed about the day and talked about how we wished we had more time. We also got into Trav's thermos of hot chocolate and schnapps that he'd been carrying around all day.
We took a few "end of the ride" photos said our good-byes and parted ways.
As they drove off in their cars to other parts of town I pedaled towards home thinking about how it had been a great way to spend a Tuesday.
Bros, bikes & brews.
Sometimes theres noting better.
More photos from the day are over on my Flickr page if you are interested.
Thanks for reading. Stay warm.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Plagiarizing my own work
Originally posted by me on the KC Sprints blog:
Back in the beginning of December we loaded up the gear and headed out to Topeka to take part in Flat Tire a benefit for the Topeka Community Cycle Project.
The shop facility space for the TCCP is huge and the people connected to it were great hosts. Which was nice since we ended up needing their tools, work stands and then, embarrassingly, some of their parts to pull KC Sprints off that night.
The night was riddled with one problem after another. Which was too bad because we went in to it ready to put on a great show & help raise money for the TCCP.
And according to the TCCP crew we did just that, although it didn't look that way from our end.
There were problems right from the get go.
First there was a communication issue with the restaurant Bosco's that our part of the event was in. The organizers were under the impression they were going to stop serving dinner early so we could pack the place to race. Bosco's either didn't want to or just didn't realize that was the plan. We could understand why. It is a nice place. Really nice. We couldn't believe we were going to race in there. Plus it was a Friday night. Prime eating out time for one of the nicer eateries in Topeka.
No matter. We worked around it.
Of the nights hurtles it was a small one.
While Jevon working on getting the software set up, Jones and tag along Rudy set up the rollers etc & I took the bikes down the block to the TCCP shop. The rigs were in desperate need of new rubber & a once over, something I hadn't had the opportunity to deal with.
As I said before for being a bike collective run by volunteers with donated equipment the TCCP facility was really nice.
I got the new ThickSlicks from Freedom by WTB installed (a company we should hit up for sponsorship) wiped down the frames, tightened the stems etc & hustled back down to Bosco's to finish the set up.
It wasn't until the bikes were back on the rollers and we were test riding that I realized the next issue. The Blue/White bike's short chain combined with the new bigger tire meant that when the bike was weighted the tire rubbed the frame. Back to the shop to scrounge up a little chunk of chain.
While I was correcting that problem Jevon let me know that we were also having some software problems. An automatic software update that happened over night wasn't working properly. Well OK thats putting it nicely. It didn't work at all.
Well, shit.
OK. Don't panic. No need for the normal projector and screen.
Jevon had a plan B.
Plan B was to put our spare little computer screen in front of the riders so they could see their progress.
But when we plugged it in we discovered that apparently its had a rough life since we used it last and the screen was cracked.
Aww...WTF?
No worries. Jevon had a Plan C.
Plan C consisted of Jones squatted down in front of the racers relaying the hand singles that Jev was giving him showing who was leading who. No easy task since Jev was determining who was leading who by watching code stream across his laptop screen.
It looked something like this:
OK. So finally we are racing. Problems are solved.
Well not all of them. Not yet.
About 1/2 way though the grudge matches the Blue/White bike started having problems again. The seat post was slipping down during the race. We kept clamping it tighter but it kept slipping. Finally I pulled the seat post then loosened up the quick release all the way to take it off and give it a look. When I did so I discovered that the resin washer (for lack of proper term that I know it has) had broken in half, which then promptly fell out.
Good grief.
I stuck a regular flat metal washer that we had in the tool box in its place but it still wouldn't hold. So it was time for another trip back to the TCCP shop to dig around in their parts.
Thankfully I found exactly what we needed and we were back to racing again.
At this point we (Jones, Jevon & I) had all individually decided that after a couple more races we were going to suggest packing it up & going home.
As it happens we only had a few more races before we realized something else was wrong. This time with the Red/Black bike.
At first we thought that we had a bearing going bad on the rollers, which would have been really odd. More so on a sets of nice CycleOps Rollers that were only a few years old. But it was much simpler than that. Apparently when I had replaced the tires I had managed to pinch the tube giving it a nice sloooow leak. The new fat ThickSlick tires hid this obvious detail until a rider was on the bike. Which would explain why some riders were out of the saddle leaning dangerously over the handle bars when on the Red/Black bike.
Oops. Sorry about that guys.
That however, was the last straw and good enough reason as any to call it quits for the day.
Now while all this was going on in the basement restaurant upstairs the other 1/2 of the Flat Tire event to benefit the TCCP was taking place. Consisting of 3 bands & a silent auction.
We didn't stick around though. We were fed up with our poor performance & frankly a little embarrassed.
However, the fine people of the Topeka Community Cycle Project said that the event was great. They got what they wanted out of it and they had a big & successful turn out.
Which is good. Since that was what it was all about anyway.
If you want to see more photos from the event you can see some more of the above either at uNkY jOIns or the One Eyed z Flickr pages.
KC Sprints want to thank the good people of the Topeka Community Cycle Project for letting us be a part of their event. Not to mention the use of shop, tools and the couple little parts we "borrowed".
Thanks gang!
Up next (besides some serious software, bicycle & equipment check overs) KC Sprints returns to Duffy's Tavern in Lincoln, NE January 15th.
Last year Lincoln was not only our 1st out of town event but by far the best event of the season. Lincoln set the bar pretty high for our KC Sprint events. We are hoping that all the kinks are worked out of the system so that in 2011 the Lincoln event can be even better than it was in 2010.
Don't worry Kansas City, we haven't forgotten where we came from.
KC Sprints holds its first Kansas City race January 28th at the Buzzard Beach. It will be the January Critical Mass post party.
Should be lots of fun. Hope to see you at the races!
Back in the beginning of December we loaded up the gear and headed out to Topeka to take part in Flat Tire a benefit for the Topeka Community Cycle Project.
The shop facility space for the TCCP is huge and the people connected to it were great hosts. Which was nice since we ended up needing their tools, work stands and then, embarrassingly, some of their parts to pull KC Sprints off that night.
The night was riddled with one problem after another. Which was too bad because we went in to it ready to put on a great show & help raise money for the TCCP.
And according to the TCCP crew we did just that, although it didn't look that way from our end.
There were problems right from the get go.
First there was a communication issue with the restaurant Bosco's that our part of the event was in. The organizers were under the impression they were going to stop serving dinner early so we could pack the place to race. Bosco's either didn't want to or just didn't realize that was the plan. We could understand why. It is a nice place. Really nice. We couldn't believe we were going to race in there. Plus it was a Friday night. Prime eating out time for one of the nicer eateries in Topeka.
No matter. We worked around it.
Of the nights hurtles it was a small one.
While Jevon working on getting the software set up, Jones and tag along Rudy set up the rollers etc & I took the bikes down the block to the TCCP shop. The rigs were in desperate need of new rubber & a once over, something I hadn't had the opportunity to deal with.
As I said before for being a bike collective run by volunteers with donated equipment the TCCP facility was really nice.
I got the new ThickSlicks from Freedom by WTB installed (a company we should hit up for sponsorship) wiped down the frames, tightened the stems etc & hustled back down to Bosco's to finish the set up.
It wasn't until the bikes were back on the rollers and we were test riding that I realized the next issue. The Blue/White bike's short chain combined with the new bigger tire meant that when the bike was weighted the tire rubbed the frame. Back to the shop to scrounge up a little chunk of chain.
While I was correcting that problem Jevon let me know that we were also having some software problems. An automatic software update that happened over night wasn't working properly. Well OK thats putting it nicely. It didn't work at all.
Well, shit.
OK. Don't panic. No need for the normal projector and screen.
Jevon had a plan B.
Plan B was to put our spare little computer screen in front of the riders so they could see their progress.
But when we plugged it in we discovered that apparently its had a rough life since we used it last and the screen was cracked.
Aww...WTF?
No worries. Jevon had a Plan C.
Plan C consisted of Jones squatted down in front of the racers relaying the hand singles that Jev was giving him showing who was leading who. No easy task since Jev was determining who was leading who by watching code stream across his laptop screen.
It looked something like this:
OK. So finally we are racing. Problems are solved.
Well not all of them. Not yet.
About 1/2 way though the grudge matches the Blue/White bike started having problems again. The seat post was slipping down during the race. We kept clamping it tighter but it kept slipping. Finally I pulled the seat post then loosened up the quick release all the way to take it off and give it a look. When I did so I discovered that the resin washer (for lack of proper term that I know it has) had broken in half, which then promptly fell out.
Good grief.
I stuck a regular flat metal washer that we had in the tool box in its place but it still wouldn't hold. So it was time for another trip back to the TCCP shop to dig around in their parts.
Thankfully I found exactly what we needed and we were back to racing again.
At this point we (Jones, Jevon & I) had all individually decided that after a couple more races we were going to suggest packing it up & going home.
As it happens we only had a few more races before we realized something else was wrong. This time with the Red/Black bike.
At first we thought that we had a bearing going bad on the rollers, which would have been really odd. More so on a sets of nice CycleOps Rollers that were only a few years old. But it was much simpler than that. Apparently when I had replaced the tires I had managed to pinch the tube giving it a nice sloooow leak. The new fat ThickSlick tires hid this obvious detail until a rider was on the bike. Which would explain why some riders were out of the saddle leaning dangerously over the handle bars when on the Red/Black bike.
Oops. Sorry about that guys.
That however, was the last straw and good enough reason as any to call it quits for the day.
Now while all this was going on in the basement restaurant upstairs the other 1/2 of the Flat Tire event to benefit the TCCP was taking place. Consisting of 3 bands & a silent auction.
We didn't stick around though. We were fed up with our poor performance & frankly a little embarrassed.
However, the fine people of the Topeka Community Cycle Project said that the event was great. They got what they wanted out of it and they had a big & successful turn out.
Which is good. Since that was what it was all about anyway.
If you want to see more photos from the event you can see some more of the above either at uNkY jOIns or the One Eyed z Flickr pages.
KC Sprints want to thank the good people of the Topeka Community Cycle Project for letting us be a part of their event. Not to mention the use of shop, tools and the couple little parts we "borrowed".
Thanks gang!
Up next (besides some serious software, bicycle & equipment check overs) KC Sprints returns to Duffy's Tavern in Lincoln, NE January 15th.
Last year Lincoln was not only our 1st out of town event but by far the best event of the season. Lincoln set the bar pretty high for our KC Sprint events. We are hoping that all the kinks are worked out of the system so that in 2011 the Lincoln event can be even better than it was in 2010.
Don't worry Kansas City, we haven't forgotten where we came from.
KC Sprints holds its first Kansas City race January 28th at the Buzzard Beach. It will be the January Critical Mass post party.
Should be lots of fun. Hope to see you at the races!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
KC Sprints, Mustaches & Beer
Jones and I were talking the other night (drinking beers) when he mentioned that with our KC Sprints 1st event of the season coming up perhaps we should repost that sweet promotional video that Lucas Marshall made for us after our Lincoln event last January.
So here ya go.
Since I'm on the topic of KC Sprints, Jones is also strongly considering getting some KCS hoodies made.
Not sure what the cost to you would be for them yet. As of now they don't even exist except for on paper but Jones (and maybe me) should have them on soon while we are out and about.
So if you think you might be interested in getting one shoot us an email at KCSprints@gmail.com
November is also know as Movember. Around the world men are growing mustaches to raise awareness for men's cancers.
And since women don't want to be left out today November 18th, er... Movember 18th, is "Have Sex with a Man with a Mustache Day"
Needless to say with a mustache like mine I've been patiently waiting by the phone and computer for an phone call/text message/email from some gal who wants to do her part to show her support in the fight against cancers that affect men.
I think I'm gonna have a long wait.
And while I wait I might as well have a beer.
Yesterday was Boulevard Brewing Company's 21st Birthday!
Happy Birthday to my favorite beer!
I'll have a Pilsner please!
So here ya go.
Since I'm on the topic of KC Sprints, Jones is also strongly considering getting some KCS hoodies made.
Not sure what the cost to you would be for them yet. As of now they don't even exist except for on paper but Jones (and maybe me) should have them on soon while we are out and about.
So if you think you might be interested in getting one shoot us an email at KCSprints@gmail.com
November is also know as Movember. Around the world men are growing mustaches to raise awareness for men's cancers.
And since women don't want to be left out today November 18th, er... Movember 18th, is "Have Sex with a Man with a Mustache Day"
Needless to say with a mustache like mine I've been patiently waiting by the phone and computer for an phone call/text message/email from some gal who wants to do her part to show her support in the fight against cancers that affect men.
I think I'm gonna have a long wait.
And while I wait I might as well have a beer.
Yesterday was Boulevard Brewing Company's 21st Birthday!
Happy Birthday to my favorite beer!
I'll have a Pilsner please!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
KC Sprints @ The Replay Lounge for the Octoginta
Fall is in the air and its time again for the Octoginta.
What is this Octoginta you ask?
Well, its the annual end of the season road ride in Lawrence, KS and this is its 41st year.
Its a big weekend in the old L-town and this year its only gotten bigger.
Not only is there the actual Octoginta ride, a 40 or 80 mile ride through the beautiful northeast Kansas country side, on Sunday the 10th.
There is also a Time Trial (@7AM), Tour de County (@9:30AM), a Gravel Grinder (also @ 9:30AM), & a swap meet (@ 2PM) all on Saturday the 9th.
But the absolute best part...
as the opening act for the weekend....
yours truly...
KC Sprints!
So, where do you need to be on Friday October 8th?
At the Replay Lounge in Lawrence, KS of course!
The Replay will once again play host to KC Sprints.
This time around the race is a benefit for the lovely ladies of the Women's Free State Racing Team !
So come on out. Cheer your friends, race your enemies, drink some beers and have a good ol' time.
The fine print:
Registration is at 7 p.m. and racing begins at 8. Register for the tournament ($5), grudge matches ($2), or both. Proceeds go to Women's Free State Racing Team. Ages 21 and over.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tour de BBQ this weekend
LIVESTRONG Day! Get out and join the ride, the cause the community, 10/2/10.
Whether you are a racer, a rider or you like to volunteer, we can use you. There is a 15, a 30 and a 60 mile option. Don’t have a bike? Borrow one. Need a good excuse to buy a new bike? Can’t think of a better one! Concerned that you don’t “race”? No worries, this is a ride from BBQ stop to BBQ stop. You know how to ride, right? You know how to eat, right? Then you can participate! Don’t ride? Volunteer and eat BBQ.
Details:
http://tourdebbq.com/
DATE & TIME:
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Day of Registration: 6:00 AM (*If you register the day of you are not guaranteed a t-shirt)
Ride Start Time: 7:30 AM (Staggered start, everyone must arrive no later than 7:30 am)
Concert by Smash Mouth: 3:00 PM
Register today!
LOCATION:
Kansas City’s Power & Light District
1100 Walnut Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
*Riders will line up on Grand Street to start the ride.
LIVESTRONG Pavilion: Walnut Street will house the LIVESTRONG Pavilion with barbecue, Boulevard beer and a concert (in the KC Power & Light Living Room) sponsored by GEN X Radio 99.7 FM. Stay tuned for more details on barbecue restaurants featured and a special concert announcement later this summer.
Friday, September 17, 2010
On tap for the weekend
Its finally here.
The KC Cup weekend at the Swope Park Trails
Cyclocross (Saturday) and cross country mountain bike (Sunday) action back to back over two days.
I rode the CX course last night and its a hoot. They make use of the new short track course that was installed for the Thursday Night Throwdown. So lots of single track to really please the CX roadie set.
I'll be doing the CX race this year. I'm considering racing twice.
I can do the Master's 30+ race at 11AM on my geared CX and then the single speed race @ 1PM on... well my single speed.
Hopefully I get further in than the first lap before I flat like I did last year.
I'm blowing off the MTN race on Sunday. I just haven't logged any time on my 29er this year. I was the same way last year but did the race. Ended up so frustrated that I blew my top and pitched the 29er into the woods. Not the best tactic.
I'm not much of a MTN racer anyway. I prefer to cruise along with frequent stops.
However, I should be attending the event as a spectator to cheer & heckle the racers. Maybe I'll even bring some beers.
That is of course that I'm alive after the Pub 'N Pedal 4 gets done with me Saturday night.
Straight from the FaceBook event page:
Free to all who come out and register to race!!!
Once again I should tell you that this is a free bicycle race photo scavenger hunt pub crawl. I will not ask any money from you but the final bar requires $2 per racer to be donated to the staff. This will allow you to drink from a FREE keg (as long as it has something in it).
• Registration begins at 7pm in the old OSCO Drug parking lot at Westport RD and Main St
• Race begins at 8pm
• Teams of 1-4 people
• You are not required to drink on this ride
• One digital camera per team to take photos of objects off the manifest
Need more info? Check out http://www.kcsprints.blogspot.com/ or http://www.candycranks.com/
So there is the planned weekend in a nut shell.
It fall, its gonna be a beautiful weekend, get out there and do something with it.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Oh my what a mess August has been.
OK.
So if you are getting texts from me in all capitals its because my phone broke & my backup sucks. It sucks alot.
So many bad things have happened (more on that in a later post) since I got home from the RAGBRAI... I wanna go back to Iowa and just ride my bike.
Was doing a little single track riding on my cyclecross bike Saturday and went down. I jumped up right away because I knew I had landed on my phone.
I cracked the screen & its a touch screen.
I was kinda pissed and then I realized what my phone had saved me from. I had fallen right on to a couple huge chunks of beer bottle that surely would have impaled me.
Thank you phone. I need my kidneys.
My phone still worked just fine.
No big deal I can deal with a crack in the corner of the screen for a while.
It worked fine the rest of the day (I use my phone alot) Went to a party. Got home at 2AM went to bed got up at 5AM to work an event (Tour de Shawnee)
Phone still worked.
By the time I was home from the event at 10:30AM the phone started acting funny. Then it started shutting off and not coming back on very quickly.
Now it won't come on at all.
Shit.
Not something I really want to invest money into right now.
Oh well.
I got out my cheap back up phone and charged up the battery.
It was being funky at first but now seems to be working just fine.
Monday morning I was laying in bed trying to, once again, set the time and date.
The back up phone randomly shut off, again, and in a fit of irritation pitched it across the room.
Right into the bottom of the full length mirror in the corner.
Shatter.
Shit.
So there I am at 7:30AM freshly out of bed squatting on the floor picking broken glass out of my bedroom carpet and I couldn't help but start laughing at how ridiculous my life has gotten in the past several weeks.
Whats a boy to do?
Heres to hoping that with August wrapping up today that things will start to look up for yours truly.
Even the things that have happened for which I don't know what the end result will be as of yet.
Cheers!
So if you are getting texts from me in all capitals its because my phone broke & my backup sucks. It sucks alot.
So many bad things have happened (more on that in a later post) since I got home from the RAGBRAI... I wanna go back to Iowa and just ride my bike.
Was doing a little single track riding on my cyclecross bike Saturday and went down. I jumped up right away because I knew I had landed on my phone.
I cracked the screen & its a touch screen.
I was kinda pissed and then I realized what my phone had saved me from. I had fallen right on to a couple huge chunks of beer bottle that surely would have impaled me.
Thank you phone. I need my kidneys.
My phone still worked just fine.
No big deal I can deal with a crack in the corner of the screen for a while.
It worked fine the rest of the day (I use my phone alot) Went to a party. Got home at 2AM went to bed got up at 5AM to work an event (Tour de Shawnee)
Phone still worked.
By the time I was home from the event at 10:30AM the phone started acting funny. Then it started shutting off and not coming back on very quickly.
Now it won't come on at all.
Shit.
Not something I really want to invest money into right now.
Oh well.
I got out my cheap back up phone and charged up the battery.
It was being funky at first but now seems to be working just fine.
Monday morning I was laying in bed trying to, once again, set the time and date.
The back up phone randomly shut off, again, and in a fit of irritation pitched it across the room.
Right into the bottom of the full length mirror in the corner.
Shatter.
Shit.
So there I am at 7:30AM freshly out of bed squatting on the floor picking broken glass out of my bedroom carpet and I couldn't help but start laughing at how ridiculous my life has gotten in the past several weeks.
Whats a boy to do?
Heres to hoping that with August wrapping up today that things will start to look up for yours truly.
Even the things that have happened for which I don't know what the end result will be as of yet.
Cheers!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Ahh... July. Sunburns. Fireworks. the RAGBRAI!!
Its July which means its time to head north for the RAGBRAI
I don't know Ron but I sure do thank for him the use of his 2010 route map. Strangely it was the only one I could find
I head out Friday, the 23rd, from Omaha with the Dutch .
The official RAGBRAI starts Sunday, the 25th, out of Souix City.
The Go, Dutch, Go! Plan:
Friday, Saturday & Sunday we'll work our way North East to the official route via Earling & Breda to Pocahantas.
We pick up the offical route there on what for RAGBRAI is Day 2 to Algona.
It will be our 4th day of riding.
Ah yes.... good times are a come'n
I'm really ready for a vacation. The RAGBRAI fits the bill nicely.
Its a great time that I think everyone should do once.
I think this is my 10th pilgrimage
I've made some great friends on the RAGBRAI & I can't wait to see them
Once again this year I'll be attempting to make posts from the road to my Twitter
Granted this is dependant on getting phone reception. Which in years past on the RAGBRAI has been spotty. We'll see what happens
I'll be back to file a full report next month
I don't know Ron but I sure do thank for him the use of his 2010 route map. Strangely it was the only one I could find
I head out Friday, the 23rd, from Omaha with the Dutch .
The official RAGBRAI starts Sunday, the 25th, out of Souix City.
The Go, Dutch, Go! Plan:
Friday, Saturday & Sunday we'll work our way North East to the official route via Earling & Breda to Pocahantas.
We pick up the offical route there on what for RAGBRAI is Day 2 to Algona.
It will be our 4th day of riding.
Ah yes.... good times are a come'n
I'm really ready for a vacation. The RAGBRAI fits the bill nicely.
Its a great time that I think everyone should do once.
I think this is my 10th pilgrimage
I've made some great friends on the RAGBRAI & I can't wait to see them
Once again this year I'll be attempting to make posts from the road to my Twitter
Granted this is dependant on getting phone reception. Which in years past on the RAGBRAI has been spotty. We'll see what happens
I'll be back to file a full report next month
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Gent's Race route released
The route for the 2010 MWI Gentlemen's Race March 20th has been released.
I've captaining a 6 person team to compete (if you wanna call it that).
Its a pretty good crew
Considering getting together a support team to hand us up beers on the road and take photos.
The route is shorter than I expected but thats OK.
This early in the season I don't know if I have any legs for the 54 mile route.
Guess I better find some. I would hate to be the only holding up the team.
The Evil KC squad is:
B-man Poo
N8
T-Garv
PZ
CVO
One Eyed z
Should be an interesting day.
Winning isn't as important as having fun.
Fun will be had
I've captaining a 6 person team to compete (if you wanna call it that).
Its a pretty good crew
Considering getting together a support team to hand us up beers on the road and take photos.
The route is shorter than I expected but thats OK.
This early in the season I don't know if I have any legs for the 54 mile route.
Guess I better find some. I would hate to be the only holding up the team.
The Evil KC squad is:
B-man Poo
N8
T-Garv
PZ
CVO
One Eyed z
Should be an interesting day.
Winning isn't as important as having fun.
Fun will be had
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
KC Sprints video
Check out this slick KC Sprints video that Lucas made us or our Lincoln race.
Pretty rad
Thanks Lucas!
Next KC Sprints race is February 20th at Swagger in Waldo.
Come out and race!
Pretty rad
Thanks Lucas!
Next KC Sprints race is February 20th at Swagger in Waldo.
Come out and race!
Friday, February 05, 2010
Friday, October 30, 2009
Halloween weekend... its here
Well Halloween weekend is upon us.
Which means all over the place there are "crazy & spooky "things happening in the next couple of days.
Supposedly... I wouldn't know for sure. I don't get invited to those kinda things.
However, I do know about at least one.
The annual Homie Fall Fest in MPLS
If you have the means and time to be there I suggest being there.
If you ride bikes, drink beer, and enjoy fun you won't be disappointed.
Believe me.
I won't be there again this year. I had planned to go but the whole new bike thing kinda got in the way of it.
Ah well. I'm sure I can make my own kind of fun here...granted it might be locking all the doors, turning off the lights and hiding under a blanket.
But hey... I'll have fun. And thats all that matters.
Right?
Have a good weekend. I'm gonna go ride my bike.
Which means all over the place there are "crazy & spooky "things happening in the next couple of days.
Supposedly... I wouldn't know for sure. I don't get invited to those kinda things.
However, I do know about at least one.
The annual Homie Fall Fest in MPLS
If you have the means and time to be there I suggest being there.
If you ride bikes, drink beer, and enjoy fun you won't be disappointed.
Believe me.
I won't be there again this year. I had planned to go but the whole new bike thing kinda got in the way of it.
Ah well. I'm sure I can make my own kind of fun here...granted it might be locking all the doors, turning off the lights and hiding under a blanket.
But hey... I'll have fun. And thats all that matters.
Right?
Have a good weekend. I'm gonna go ride my bike.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
One of the best beer commercials ever?
YouTube Skol Beer
I've never heard of Skol Beer (apparently its Brazilian or maybe Austrian)
Although I do enjoy some of their ads...
Like this one, this one, and this one(Thank you Internet!)
However with this ad we've got some of the best items for this time of year.
Cyclocross? Check
Beer? Check
Binge drinking? Check
Good times? Check
Yep. Along with this classic Miller High Life commercial its one of the best.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Monday, April 06, 2009
What ever happened to Protect and Serve?
The facts:
I was riding my bike
I had partaken in the consumption of some adult beverages
I had urinated in a parking lot
What happened:
After a fun evening of helping put on the KCsprints First Friday's Grudge Matches at the Cellar Rat in the Crossroads district of downtown KCMO, a short visit to the Team Frank Stallone ADA alley cat, a couple drinks with a few of the KC Wizard's cheerleaders, and a stop at Buzzard Beach, I was on the way to El Rancho to meet up with Jones for a late night post bar snack.
I was riding alone and in route I realized that I really, really needed to relieve myself.
I was in the parking lot behind the Westport Sunfresh so I figured, what the hell? I rolled around to the loading dock where I figured I would be out of sight (not even really considering that with 3 blinkies between my bike and bag I wasn't really out of sight) and did my business.
I remounted my bike and was rolling through the parking lot when I spotted a couple police officers. They yelled, I smiled, waved and continued riding; which was in their general direction.
Then I realize that one of the two officers was yelling with one hand up, as to tell me to stop, and with the other hand on his weapon.
The other officer was running at me yelling at me to stop or he was gonna "tackle me off my bike".
I was caught quite by surprise by this, I stopped and dismounted.
As the running officer got to me he yelled (screamed is a more accurate description) for me to get to drop my bag (had my big yellow backpack on) and get on my knees with my hands on my head.
Not being interested in being tasered or shot I did what I was told.
By this point both officers we next to me. Both yelling about how I better do what I was told.
I (possibly un-wisely) responded that I was cooperating with no resistance and asked if they would please calm down. I was sure to use the word "sir" before and after each thing I said.
They continued yelling about how I hadn't stopped when they "ordered" me to. Asking if I was carrying any weapons. Asking what was in my "f*cking bag?"
"I'm sorry sir I couldn't understand what you were saying. I wasn't running. No sir, no weapons. All that's in my bag is some clothing, bike tools and maybe a couple of beers."
Why they bothered to ask about weapons or what was in my bag didn't make much sense considering they were already digging through my bag and patting me down.
"What the f*ck is this? You said you had no weapons!" yelled one of the officers as he pulled my Gerber pocket knife out of my pocket.
"Sorry sir. Putting that in my pocket is just like putting my wallet in my pocket when I get dressed. I don't think much about it." I also once again asked the officers to calm down since I was cooperating with them.
They yelled some more about this and that.
(keep in mind that I am still on my knees with my hands on my head)
They yelled about how they were going to ticket me for peeing in public.
I agreed that I had done so and was willing to accept the ticket.
Then they yelled about how they should also ticket me for "riding while drinking" to which I pointed out (while trying not to laugh) that they could, although I doubted it would stick.
And I once again pointed out that I was cooperating and asked them to to please calm down.
After a bit more yelling at me for what was basically nothing they calmed down enough to let me stand and put some of my items back in my bag.
They then advised me to be careful on my ride home, handed me back my knife and walked off.
No tickets.
Just yelling and intimidation.
WTF?
I was riding my bike
I had partaken in the consumption of some adult beverages
I had urinated in a parking lot
What happened:
After a fun evening of helping put on the KCsprints First Friday's Grudge Matches at the Cellar Rat in the Crossroads district of downtown KCMO, a short visit to the Team Frank Stallone ADA alley cat, a couple drinks with a few of the KC Wizard's cheerleaders, and a stop at Buzzard Beach, I was on the way to El Rancho to meet up with Jones for a late night post bar snack.
I was riding alone and in route I realized that I really, really needed to relieve myself.
I was in the parking lot behind the Westport Sunfresh so I figured, what the hell? I rolled around to the loading dock where I figured I would be out of sight (not even really considering that with 3 blinkies between my bike and bag I wasn't really out of sight) and did my business.
I remounted my bike and was rolling through the parking lot when I spotted a couple police officers. They yelled, I smiled, waved and continued riding; which was in their general direction.
Then I realize that one of the two officers was yelling with one hand up, as to tell me to stop, and with the other hand on his weapon.
The other officer was running at me yelling at me to stop or he was gonna "tackle me off my bike".
I was caught quite by surprise by this, I stopped and dismounted.
As the running officer got to me he yelled (screamed is a more accurate description) for me to get to drop my bag (had my big yellow backpack on) and get on my knees with my hands on my head.
Not being interested in being tasered or shot I did what I was told.
By this point both officers we next to me. Both yelling about how I better do what I was told.
I (possibly un-wisely) responded that I was cooperating with no resistance and asked if they would please calm down. I was sure to use the word "sir" before and after each thing I said.
They continued yelling about how I hadn't stopped when they "ordered" me to. Asking if I was carrying any weapons. Asking what was in my "f*cking bag?"
"I'm sorry sir I couldn't understand what you were saying. I wasn't running. No sir, no weapons. All that's in my bag is some clothing, bike tools and maybe a couple of beers."
Why they bothered to ask about weapons or what was in my bag didn't make much sense considering they were already digging through my bag and patting me down.
"What the f*ck is this? You said you had no weapons!" yelled one of the officers as he pulled my Gerber pocket knife out of my pocket.
"Sorry sir. Putting that in my pocket is just like putting my wallet in my pocket when I get dressed. I don't think much about it." I also once again asked the officers to calm down since I was cooperating with them.
They yelled some more about this and that.
(keep in mind that I am still on my knees with my hands on my head)
They yelled about how they were going to ticket me for peeing in public.
I agreed that I had done so and was willing to accept the ticket.
Then they yelled about how they should also ticket me for "riding while drinking" to which I pointed out (while trying not to laugh) that they could, although I doubted it would stick.
And I once again pointed out that I was cooperating and asked them to to please calm down.
After a bit more yelling at me for what was basically nothing they calmed down enough to let me stand and put some of my items back in my bag.
They then advised me to be careful on my ride home, handed me back my knife and walked off.
No tickets.
Just yelling and intimidation.
WTF?
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Coldsprints in KC!
The Coldsprints guys are coming through KC on their "Spring Thaw Tour" and are hooking up with KCsprints crew to put on Race #2 in the KCsprints series.
Save venue, different crew, different gear, Same fun!
Come on out to the races!
*times on flyer are subject to change
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
3rd (?) Annual F*uk L-town Pub Crawl
The word came down today from "Sexy Pants"...
We are doing the third annual Fu*k Lawrence Pub Crawl on Saturday the 31st
We will meet at 75 Street Brewery at 7 pm.
We leave when we want to & go ride & drink until we fall over.
Pass this on to any you deem irresponsible enough.
big grin...
So there you have it. If you wanna play come play. If not stay home.
I would imagine that we will at least ride from 75Th to the River Market and back.
But then again who knows... it could very well end up being an all Waldo pub crawl.
Weather and what not could be a factor.
Guess we will have to wait and see.
Things to bring:
Drinking cap
Bike (duh)
Bike lock (may not get used but never a bad idea)
Camera (to capture the shenanigans)
Drinking money (shots are mandatory and I ain't buy'n yours, hell I may not be able to buy mine)
Dancing shoes (you never know)
A friend (the more the merrier right?)
A good attitude (act like a dick and you will get treated like a dick and probably smacked around, tied to a pole and left for dead. Hey it could happen!).
A little advice from the single guy...
If you are "attached" and your mate doesn't play... er,ride get a kitchen pass early so you can.
Also spend sometime buttering he/she/it up during the week, taking out the trash etc.
This way when you call them drunk at 4AM lost and alone (or tied to a pole cause you were being a dick) they won't laugh and hang up but come and find you.
Trust me... this does/can/will happen.
*Little history...
The F*ck L-town Pub Crawl started a few years back (technically it hasn't happened annually for 3 years... we slacked and forgot last year, maybe one other year too but this is the third year of doing it... I think. It all kinda runs together after a while).
Back in the day there was a huge pub crawl every year in L-town the weekend of or before (Like I said its all run together) the Super Bowl.
After several years of doing it we (I) realized that we didn't know anyone that lived in L-town any more. So no place to crash.
We hoteled it one year but that got expensive quick.
And whats the point of driving out to L-town for a pub crawl if you can't get blind drunk when you have to drive home? F*ck L-town, we can do it better in KCMO.
Thus the F*ck L-town Pub Crawl was born.
See you kids on the 31st.
We are doing the third annual Fu*k Lawrence Pub Crawl on Saturday the 31st
We will meet at 75 Street Brewery at 7 pm.
We leave when we want to & go ride & drink until we fall over.
Pass this on to any you deem irresponsible enough.
big grin...
So there you have it. If you wanna play come play. If not stay home.
I would imagine that we will at least ride from 75Th to the River Market and back.
But then again who knows... it could very well end up being an all Waldo pub crawl.
Weather and what not could be a factor.
Guess we will have to wait and see.
Things to bring:
Drinking cap
Bike (duh)
Bike lock (may not get used but never a bad idea)
Camera (to capture the shenanigans)
Drinking money (shots are mandatory and I ain't buy'n yours, hell I may not be able to buy mine)
Dancing shoes (you never know)
A friend (the more the merrier right?)
A good attitude (act like a dick and you will get treated like a dick and probably smacked around, tied to a pole and left for dead. Hey it could happen!).
A little advice from the single guy...
If you are "attached" and your mate doesn't play... er,ride get a kitchen pass early so you can.
Also spend sometime buttering he/she/it up during the week, taking out the trash etc.
This way when you call them drunk at 4AM lost and alone (or tied to a pole cause you were being a dick) they won't laugh and hang up but come and find you.
Trust me... this does/can/will happen.
*Little history...
The F*ck L-town Pub Crawl started a few years back (technically it hasn't happened annually for 3 years... we slacked and forgot last year, maybe one other year too but this is the third year of doing it... I think. It all kinda runs together after a while).
Back in the day there was a huge pub crawl every year in L-town the weekend of or before (Like I said its all run together) the Super Bowl.
After several years of doing it we (I) realized that we didn't know anyone that lived in L-town any more. So no place to crash.
We hoteled it one year but that got expensive quick.
And whats the point of driving out to L-town for a pub crawl if you can't get blind drunk when you have to drive home? F*ck L-town, we can do it better in KCMO.
Thus the F*ck L-town Pub Crawl was born.
See you kids on the 31st.
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