Sweet Home Algomaha Latest Blog Posts

If you've ever built a training plan that includes base-building, then heavy stuff, then sharpening, you know about the drudgery of the first phase. Base-building is boring. Lots of steady, easy riding -- all in the name of more miles under the belt. With a few technique exceptions, that's all ...

It's here. Just after lunch Friday, our UPS guy tossed a box out the back -- no, really -- and the build began. It took about five minutes to get the frame clear of packaging and wrapping and up in the stand. Instantly, the paint was impressive. Click the picture for the full-size photo. The ...

I had to come to the shop early today -- way early. Like, "three hours before I was scheduled" early. We had a drain back up last night, and someone had to be here to let the plumber in. Why me? Well, I'm the boss, I guess. It's weird, though. Had I been asked to report super early at this time ...

Maybe. But not likely. My luck isn't good enough for a super-fast delivery -- not with the strain of holiday shipping on UPS. So it'll be Monday, most likely. Here's this morning's view: Mine is the top line. Shipped and invoiced. Finally. In an act of boredom the other day (I got my list done ...

First off, the seatpost has been flipped around. So it's considerably less dorky. Also, the red tires and wheel decals are a one-time-only thing. It'll be black tires and white-and-silver decals. In other words, a bit ... less. Otherwise, that's pretty much it. It's not terribly light -- the ...

I mentioned a while back about how I'm writing things down now, because there's simply too much going on in this big brain of mine. I have a daily list of things that need attention, and I check them off as they get done. Yeah, it's like I'm organized now. But here's a new one: we had a neighbor ...

"What the hell is that guy doing?" It was early in my racing days - maybe the second or third race I'd ever done - and I was getting ready in the parking lot at Pioneers Park in Lincoln. Beside the car was a guy slathering his legs with a cream of some sort. "Wait," I thought. "That must be ...

For a couple of years now, the accompanying "get on a mountain bike" bit has been paired with "it's better in the winter because you're in the trees and it's warmer there." OK, smart guys. Today's the day. It's 40, dark and windy. And it's only going to get windier. If I freeze my ass off in the ...

Just a little more than a week away from the promised ship date of my bike, and still no change in status: "P1 in manufacturing." The delay, at this point, is still related to the wheels. Checking the distribution channels at Trek, there just aren't many wheels kicking around. But the numbers ...

"Man, we've got to get you on a mountain bike." I've heard that a lot in the past few years, and I'm not exactly sure why. What goes on out there in the trees that I need to be a part of? Why is there a need to get me on a mountain bike? Hmmm ... maybe mountain bikers really are a bunch of ...

Stop me if you've heard this before: I feel kinda fast right now. Not race-fast or anything (because it's November and that would be dumb), but snappy, light and energetic. It's likely just a return to standard offseason bike-racer fitness, but it feels like a lot more. Example: I rode with ...

The aforementioned time trial/project bike is still a work in progress. I'm good with the position, the shift cables are run and functioning and -- with the exception of brakes -- it's done. And with the weather taking a fairly uncomfortable turn (as in, actually getting cold), it seems like a ...

With the exception of a few administrative things, Cranksgiving is done for 2009. I love the event, and I'm always happy to to see it supported. But I'm ready for a nap. Really, Cranksgiving is only about three days' worth of stress. The rest of it is just organizing and emailing and such. On ...

Since the Felt departed in August, the one constant in the bike lineup here in Algomaha has been the Bianchi. Lovable, dependable Bianchi. Of course, it's much more of both when it has 10-speed Shimano stuff on it, but still. Other than the Bianchi, though, three other bikes have spent a week or ...

For much of my life, I've been lucky enough to have a very good memory - I can keep track of times and dates and responsibilities with ease. And until recently, that system has been flawless. For example, I have no notes on Cranksgiving, or how to operate it. I just go through my mental ...

Somehow, despite being told numerous times exactly what my new job entails, the full gravity of its responsibilities hit me last week. Maybe it was a happy fog, maybe it was "I'll ease into this," but ... ummm ... holy crap. I think the 2010 budget talk got my attention, followed by the ...