Funemployment has come to an end

I popped into Midwest Cyclery this past week for a visit and sit down with owner/operator Bob Albright. I was looking for a job and I'd heard that Midwest was looking of a good employee. Bob seemed to like what I had to say although I'm sure it helped that I had several people rallying for me to work there.
And I'm pleased to announce that now I do.
After my 4 month hiatus from employment I'm excited to get back to work in a bike shop. More so for one that wants to benefit from my years of experience and my eagerness to work.

Midwest Cyclery opened its doors in 1973.

At one point in time they had 7 locations in the greater Kansas City area. Midwest moved to its current location a year ago after many years in Westport.

Bob decided to abandon the Westport location after the building had fallen into disrepair and the landlord seemed unwilling to fix.

Funny enough the 3850 Main location is the same spot (at least the same corner) where Midwest was back in the 80's.
Its a sweet corner space with two levels. Most of the showroom is on the ground floor with the repair area down stairs.

Midwest is old school style bike shop with lots of history and I am eager to get in and get to work. Its a great location, with more potential than I think even Bob realizes.
Bob is excited to have me there, I'm excited to be there & we are looking forward to a great spring.
Come see us at 39th and Main!

From uNKy jOIns on the KC Sprints blog

The following is copied directly from the KC Sprints blog that Jones posted this morning.
To see photos from our last event (which the UMKC article is about) at Buzzard Beach click here

UMKC Article
This may or may not have been published yet:

Slow and steady may win the race, but you’d be surprised how far drunk and desperate can get you.

On Friday the 28th, Buzzard Beach held a bicycle tournament to find out who has the best inebriated cycling skills in Westport.

The event was sponsored by KC sprints 2011, which is a group of enthusiasts around KC who put on simulated bike races.

The seedy atmosphere of Buzzard helped to create a laid-back, contented feeling during the contest. Bar patrons were amused by the antics. Many were cheering riders on vehemently and drunkenly spewing swear words even more fervently.

Two riders face off. Each mounts their bike, one facing the other. The front wheel of each is gone, and the whole bike frame is held in place, fastened by bolts. The rear wheel of each bike rests between two stainless steel cylinders. The cyclist’s pedaling turns the bike’s wheel, which, in turn, spins the cylinders. The whole apparatus is hooked up to a machine that calculates the riders’ speeds and distances.

The competition was fierce, but it came down, as all races do, to the last two riders. They were known only by their aliases. TWA and Black.
Each rider, drenched in sweat, threw off his shirt, exposing a healthy grouping of muscles beneath.

TWA looked ready for anything. His eyes remained calm as a lake on a windless day while his back tattoo seemed to beg for freedom from the skin that held it captive.
But Black just sat as if a stoic God. His legs were all the strength he need command. Like tree-trunks, they were rooted fast to his bike’s stirrups. No sooner had the race begun than was its glorious victor shaking TWA’s hand, commending him for putting up as much of a fight as he had.

As the tournament slowed to a stop, hands were placed on the bare back of TWA, consolingly patting away. Then, promptly, those hands were whisked back and wiped clean of the rider’s slimy sweat on everything from tee shirts to skin-tight jeans.
After Black was announced the winner, friends rushed up to congratulate him. Fist bumping took place between sips of delicious yellow nectar housed within aluminum Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR) cans.

During the competition, free PBR Stuff We All Get (SWAG) was being handed out. Most popular among the SWAG was a hand-cranked bicycle bell, the kind that goes ka-ching, ka-ching, with the PBR logo emblazoned on it by way of sticker. Ringing could be heard throughout the dive bar, and certainly throughout all of Westport that Friday night.

More than anything the event at Buzzard on Friday promoted bicycling in general.
A great deal of Kansas-Citians rely on their 2-wheeled machines on a daily basis to make it to school or work on time. The more places like Buzzard Beach can feature bicycle-related events, the more Kansas City can move towards a more bike-friendly future. And I’ll drink to that.

-Sam Towns

It also has been confirmed that our next Kansas City race will be March 25th at the Buzzard Beach (yes again, god bless the Buzzard Beach). If you missed the last one be sure you make out this time.
Again on Critical Mass night.
See you ladies there...

Hugs and Pinches
uNKy jOIns

Bike Commuting. Do you do it?

As we move into the cooler temps of fall are those of you that commute still commuting?
And if so how far into the winter months do you commute?

This year has been a banner year for me as far as commuting goes (everything else has kinda sucked).
When I was working for BikeSource out at 135th I was commuting 30 miles a day pretty much 5 days a week
I parked my car elsewhere (Father's shop in Grandview) at the end of April forcing me to ride full time (amazing the motivation to ride this creates).
The only driving I did was for going to/from the events that I worked for BikeSource in the company van.
I didn't drive my car until I headed north to start the RAGBRAI in the last weeks of July.
Once I got back from the RAGBRAI I got right back in to daily commuting for a couple a months.
Then I started to slip a little.
Since my van was in my driveway I found myself making excuses to drive on occasion.
The brief period that I was doing some work at the new BikeSource location (opening January 2011) my commute dropped from 30 miles a day to 10.
Seemed strange for it to take 3 commutes to hit the mileage that I was previously getting in one day.
The upside to the shorter commute was I figured I could do it year round no matter what the weather decided to do.
Now that I'm unemployed I don't really have a "commute" to do.
Should be nice to get back to getting my mileage from "pleasure" riding

Back to the point...
Are you still commuting?
How far is it round trip?
How far into the fall/winter will you commute?
Do you have s specific bike that you commute on?
Is the weather what determines if you commute or not?

Everybody likes a pie chart

Right?



Pie chart provided by Car Free KC

PM commute

Day One of Bike to Work week 2010.
Finally sunny skies!
One way commute (home) 15m on the LHT.
Regular route.
Felt lazy. Rode slow. All smiles.

KC Sprints at Buzzard Beach!

KC Cup weekend

The HSP KC Cup weekend is over with
It was fun but disappointing
CX race on Saturday and XC race on Sunday
Mr Joshua and I flew the Stars and Hearts of the BKB for the CX race Saturday
It was a great course but I flatted out right at the end of the 1st lap.
I was feeling good but with no pit bike or extra wheels my race was over

Mr Joshua hung on with a respectable middle of the pack finish.
Mr Joshua's little lady even did her first CX race ever
She was all smiles for the grueling 40 minutes race in her BKB t-shirt

Mr Joshua and I flew the All Blacks of Evil for Sunday's XC race

We raced in the Clydesdale class and screwed ourselves right from the start
The course started with a long pave section and instead of treating it like a CX race and putting the hammer down from the gun we slow rolled.
This put us behind the people in our class that we should have beaten to the woods
We managed to work our way up by the middle of the first lap.
I got tangled up in a technical section and watched Mr Joshua and the others ride a way
At the end of the first lap I turned it up a notch on the road section and got back in front of a small group and started a gap.
Back into the woods I spotted Mr Joshua and thought I was gonna reel him back in
But once again when I got to the technical section (8 Pins) if faltered and stepped aside to let some other racers around me.
After that I struggled to find a rhythm, I kept clipping my pedals and was getting knocked all over the trail.
It was frustrating and I let it get the best of me... ended up losing it and in a rage threw my bike off into the woods.
Not my finest moment... luckily there was no one around to witness it.
I composed myself and got back to it. Things came together a little.
I came across Mr Joshua getting up off the ground. He had flatted his front which in turn pitched him over the bars.
He was disappointed, he had crashed (swore at the start he wasn't going to), flatted (costing him precious time) and had been sitting in 2nd when it all happened.
I pushed on and once again got tangled up and lost a couple of spots.
Popped out on the road for the finial climb and put the hammer down to catch one of the two that had passed me.
Crossed the line in 4th.
Mr Joshua got back in it quick enough to pick up 6th.
Over all not a bad race for either of us with respectable finishes just not as good as we could have done.
It was the first MTB race of the year for both of us so really it was pretty good all things considered.

Next weekend we are back on the CX bikes for the Diamond BlackFan Cyclocross Challenge at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa, KS
We're racing single speed class since it starts later in the day.
Mr Joshua determined that the 4's 10am start was too early (funny since he is an early riser) and I am working the MS150 that morning (hope I make it in time).
We normally race SS in the CAT 4 race (we never win but we're never last either) but next week we'll be dragging the SS race down to our level of mediocrity.

Cross season has begun
Time to find the bugles and cowbells

I've got a busy weekend a head of me..

Saturday I will be here:


And Sunday I will be here:


At the OMC Women's Tri I (BikeSource) will providing pre-event mechanical support
At the Tour of Missouri I (BikeSource) will expo-ing all the goodies that we sell in the shop.

If you are out and about this weekend stop by and check out either event
The Tour of Missouri ends in KC this year.
If you live here, are in to cycling or are simply interested in it, you have no excuse for missing this event!
Displays by all of the top companies, sponsors and bike shops in town.
Get up close and personal with pro racers you normally only see on TV.
Good times will be had by all!

See you at the races!

The start of the 2008 Tour of Missouri in Kansas City, Missouri

Registration Open for Kansas City Triathlon

The Kansas City Triathlon
For the athletes. Created by athletes.

THE KANSAS CITY TRIATHLON - PRESS RELEASE
presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
For more information, contact Ryan Robinson - rrobinson@kctri.org

Heartland Sports Promotions announces race registration has officially opened at http://www.kctri.org/ for the inaugural "The Kansas City Triathlon".
This is Kansas City's only Olympic distance triathlon.

We are also proud to announce our primary sponsor, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City.

The race will be held Sunday, May 31, 2009. at the beautiful and scenic Longview Lake in Lee's Summit, Missouri.
Triathlon distances include:
-Full Olympic
-Half Olympic
-Full Olympic Distance- Teams

"Early Bird" pricing is available until March 1, 2009. Athletes are encouraged to register now, ensuring discounted entry into this premier event - which is expected to sell out.
"Early Bird" registrants will also be automatically registered to WIN a set of Easton Attack TT Full Carbon Fiber Aero Bars (valued at $600.00)

When we say this will be a premier event - we mean it!
First, the race packet - filled with the gear and items athletes really want.
Second, "The Triathlete Experience", one of the many things that will set this race apart from all others. This is a voluntary option that allows athletes to upgrade their overall race experience. The Triathlete Experience provides many features that are cutting edge to triathlon races. Keep an eye on the official race website for more exciting announcements to come.

This race is forecast to quickly become Kansas City's largest triathlon.
It is a race for the athletes, created by athletes who will raise the standard fo triathlon racing in Kansas City.
The Kansas City Triathlon Board is passionate about our sport and the Board of Directors vow to make this a special event.
Board of Directors: Glenn Bohannon, Jim Caskey, Sandy Cohen, Joel Hammontree, Sheryl Hammontree, Matt Johnson, Don Little, Mark Neace, Ben Schloegel, and Ken Welsh.
Race Director: Ryan Robinson, The Race Director who introduced and continues to present Ironman Kansas 70.3 in Lawrence, Kansas.

KCMO Sprints

The KCMO Roller Sprints are getting close.
So close the word is starting to spread
Our rollers and gear are being tested now
More news coming soon.

More photos are here

'08 KCCX National Champs

It was a four day event but I only managed to make 2 days
I took some photos but nothing special, they are over at my Flickr page



















There are more photos (hundreds actually) from all 4 days over at Lanterne Rougeici's Flickr page

But if you want to see some really REALLY slick photos from CX Nats check out the photos my co-work Alex took.
Wow. Some of those don't even look real.

A Special Invitation from Mafia Racing

You best represent!

If you are planning on being in KC for the US National Cyclocross Championships make sure to drop by Volker Bicycles on Dec. 12th from 4-6 to meet the team, drink some FREE PBR and FREE Mafia Swag!

Chaos Cycling Club in partnership with Mafia Racing will be filming the event for a future documentary about this up and coming team!

for more information about Mafia Racing go to: www. mafiaracing. com

Mud & Blood Ball

The Mud & Blood Ball

Premiering Zero Traction

By Roll You Own Films Productions

The Mission Theatre Mission, KS

December 11, 2008 7-12 pm

Crossniacs National Syndicate and Cyclocross Magazine present the Mud and Blood Ball, the USA Cycling '08 Cyclocross National Championship kick-off party to be held on December 11, 2008 7-12 pm at the Mission Theatre in Mission, Kansas.

Zero Traction Kansas City Cross Film
This gritty movie is a Roll Your Own Films Production with additional support from Trek Bicycles and KLM Marketing. It was shot entirely in high definition in December of 2007 the real feel of hard-core cyclocross racing in extreme weather conditions, including driving snow, mud, ice and frozen mud. It includes interviews from Steve Tilford and elite men's champion Tim Johnson. With a hard-charging soundtrack, all the action is from multiple races over four days, culminating with the exciting elite women's and men's championships. Learn more about the film at: http://www.zerotractionfilm.com

The Mission Theatre
Celebrating 70 years of business, this great old movie theatre is the ideal place for this event. Located at 5903 Johnson Drive, Mission, KS 66202. Learn more about the Mission Theatre at: http://www.themissiontheatre.com

Food and Drink
Gourmet food is prepared for the race-ready, you'll be able to dine on the finest of carb-loading delights. Minneapolis star chef, Mike Phillips, is our guest chef for the evening. Learn more about this chef at: http://craftmanrestaurant.com/about.html

Crossniacs
Crossniacs are nationals racers joined together for the love of cyclocross. Syndicates are based around the country, including Portland, San Francisco, Colorado, Texas, and Minnesota. Learn more about this team at: http://crossniacs.com

Contact Information
Jared Roy
jared@mudbloodball.com
970-389-8456
www.mudbloodball.com
(Check the website for updates)

Zero Traction Trailer