the Matt Miller experience

2012-01-25T21:33:00.000-05:00

I blew off the dust from my road bike today for a nice 50 miler with Vegan Rob. I hadn't ridden my road bike since september and really wanted to get on my road Powertap wheel, so this was a good chance. My bike needed some loving, and it seems like I have lost the sharp eye required for fine-tuning a beaten steed, but I swung by the shop and Mike had me going perfect.

It turns out Rob is getting in pretty good shape with his comeback to racing, and he hurt me on some hills. I decided it is time to start working on my long efforts for the year. Thus far, I have been really focusing on getting my low-end back up after a terrible summer of bike riding (hours wise). Now that all is good there, I guess it's time to get serious... or as serious as riding a bike can be.

My first bike tour

2012-01-23T21:37:00.000-05:00

I'm officially now obsessed with bike touring.
Costa Rica was awesome with extremes all the way around. Extreme weather, extreme hills, extreme wind, extreme tourism, extreme rip-offs- it was all to the max. I loved it. Loved the views, loved the rough roads, loved the unpredictability and especially loved the fact that since we were getting everywhere by bike, we breathed it, lived it and felt Costa Rica's soul every second if the trip.

Panniers -even when you have as little as human(e)ly possible- are still heavy. Bikes -even when only twelve years old or featuring parts from a Mart- still malfunction. Hills are always hard, but harder with broken bikes and heavy bags. And yes, locals have the advantage and will make you pay more simply because they can.

The babe was a trooper and we didn't kill each other, not even once. It was good. She rode six hours on three separate occasions, one of which was 100% climbing. It's cool that she was so adventurous and on the limit so often without giving up. It scares me how well she rides after just starting this past summer. Yup, watch out!

Either way you shake it, Costa Rica is made for tourism. Every thing costs money, but everything is cool so it ends up being worth it. I was under the impression that it was a cheap place, but this is not the case. Besides avocados and mangoes- and in both stores and restaurants- food is expensive and ends up being more in US dollars than here at home. Public transportation is cheap, but taxis will rip you off. Hotels costs about as much as one in the states (even in the less traveled areas) and hostels, which we used, were usually more. It still ended up being a relatively cheap vacation since we were bike touring, but more than expected. We sold our bikes before we left for 225$, and they thought it was a screaming deal. I am under the impression that good (or kinda good) stuff costs much more in Costa Rica, relatively.

If you can deal with bugs, sun, beaches, hills, shady people, rain forests, dust, being charged for everything, cold showers, great people and some of the best views you could imagine, go tour Costa Rica on your bike. I would highly recommend it.

2012-01-22T14:36:00.001-05:00

Tanuary.

vacation extravanganza

2012-01-12T12:36:00.000-05:00

Traveling with your family is it's own monster, and I discovered that I am neither built for close quarters or being a wonderful tourist. I did, however, enjoy time with the fam and everything we did. Five days was perfect, and a day at home before the next trip is just what I needed.

It tickled, but I am wax free.

A granny texting in her jammies; you saw it here first. Grammy texts more than anyone I know, including my 15 years old sister.

After all the bike riding I have been doing, five days off actually hurt my legs.

Should be a nice trip starting with a 3am airport arrival tomorrow. Glad to have gotten a good base tan the last few days. I will certainly burn.

Did I show my sweet touring bike? Built with spare parts around the shop, I am hoping it holds up. Will post one later.

2012-01-05T18:42:00.001-05:00

Waiting for the train to pass so I could get to the trails. It stopped. Then started going backwards. Detour!

2012-01-02T16:43:00.001-05:00

NYE got pretty rowdy in the city, and I ended the night one million percent exhausted.

The day started off all good doing a 5 hour ride with Vegan Rob. It was a painful ride, with riding flat thawing tow-paths all the way from Nazareth to Jim Thorpe. It was real warm out, and it took me about 4.5 hours to bonk pretty good. It was also my first real ride on the new Powertap Pro MTB disc that Big C laced up to a Stan's rim, so it was pretty cool looking at all the Joule 2.0 screen every once in a while and watching the numerical expression of a bonk. It isn't pretty or graceful, but once the morale kicks up and you are home with a belly full of food, looking on a computer screen to see how bad you stink at long steady rides is pretty cool.

I didn't have much time to sulk in my own power:weight, as I was running late. The babe picked me and my fixie up before I knew it, and we drove in to Newark. It was awesome to see how jacked up people got over bicycles on the train, but it was super packed so I can't really blame them. Upon arrival in the city, I promptly left my favorite hat in our first food stop, and was too chicken to go in and get it. Maybe our waitress should have been nicer so she could deserve a real tip and relieve my guilt?

Times Square was as packed as you could imagine. No one was respectful and we got shoved around a lot. I threw elbows, and much preferred riding around the general vicinity of the stupid ball drop than right in the mayhem. There are some real douches in this world. They know who they are.

The night ended with about 9 hours of pedaling and some urban camping, hipster style.
Whatever that is; it's just what I'm told.

And I'll end the post with a cool pic of my little sister and Grandpa. He really is a great guy.

2012-01-01T13:06:00.001-05:00

Ants on my old banana- 1/1/12.

2011-12-30T14:28:00.001-05:00

Score.

2011-12-29T12:32:00.001-05:00

wednesday night nail

2011-12-28T23:10:00.003-05:00

Our regular wednesday night group ride -which has not happened in several weeks and has only two participants- went down tonight. Okay, it is by no means regular and certainly not a group ride, but usually it is me setting the pace on some dirt, feeling good and not worrying about the effort being too difficult. In ways, I have gotten used to being the hammer. Tonight I was the nail; suffering big time. Like every hill was a big effort, and I hid my gasps for breath between mindless statements only spoken to present the image that I was not trying. Fortunately for me there was an ongoing mechanical happening we called it at around two hours. I'm glad. It hurt.

I felt like my moccasin- beaten and tattered. One more week of riding bikes before a break during a week in Florida with the fam preceding a Costa Rica trip with the babe.
Ah, the fruits of working my rear off all summer...

2011-12-27T23:52:00.002-05:00

if ya don't have any good pictures to post, don't say anything at all.

research is fun

2011-12-24T20:17:00.002-05:00

A few things need validation, I think. Turn out the guys over at Saris agree, and the Dean gives the go-ahead to have a half-complete semester and focus the rest of my time on independent research. Christmas came early, and today a few fun tools were waiting for me after shredding dirt.

Like a PowerTap Pro MTB disc hub to be laced onto white Stan's Crest 29er rims,

some Joule 2.0 computers

a PowerTap G3 road wheel set, and a Supermagneto Pro trainer! Whatttt!?!? Thanks guys, this is awesome.
Pretty psyched to get busy with the testing.

Have a fantabulous Christmas, Lovers and Haters.

winning.

2011-12-23T17:59:00.001-05:00

Just in quarters? Over 210$. Nice! Been saving them for a while and it was enough to blow out a glass gallon jug that one held peach tea. While I wouldn't trade it's contents for another mindless and dazed road trip back from Georgia and accompanying obligatory tea, I wouldn't mind another taste. The seltzer is a nice touch, though.

Been bicycling quite a bit, and haven't exactly been able to eat enough food to keep the weight from dropping. Training is hard and so is riding fixed, but just like the single speed guys always do, I'm not going to use one gear and being forced to spin on the downhills as excuses for being so frickin slow on the tarmac. Time to bump up the avg spd on the 50 milers.

And no, I'm not looking to boost my image by riding one gear. I just like it.

Back in 20o4, I won 24 Hours of Allamuchy for the duo category with this guy^ We were juniors in our second year of racing and smoked all but a few four-person teams. We also won 12 hours of something up in n. PA later that year and smoked everyone. He raced once this year and actually did pretty good in the sport category after six or seven years of not riding. Genetic freak. His sister is hot, and it looks like I will be spending yet another Christmas with that family.

Winning.

how to find the experience

2011-12-21T18:03:00.001-05:00

I like to check out my site hitter every now and again. Besides seeing the wacky places I get visits from and what bikes people really care about on the internet (XtC Composite 29er is popular these days), I also like to scout out what else brings them here.

Craziest thing ever?

Craziest thing ever.

Good group ride?

2011-12-19T11:49:00.002-05:00

Most of the bike riding I do is solo or with one or two other people. While this is normally the way I like it, I also like getting out on those big group rides with people of varying fitness and abilities. Yesterday was a nice tour of White Clay and the surrounding parks. While I am used to trails of pure rock around home, DE has some super fast and smooth trails. These make it more conducive to big groups, and we all stuck together for a complete tour. Riding at the front and riding at the back, it was all fun. Met lots of new people and ripped around on the dirt. What could be better?

Occupy UPS

2011-12-15T23:33:00.001-05:00

Ya can't go wrong with a lil general tso's sauce on your bean curd. Nom nom.

I have been suffering some real serious type first world problems the last few days. Freaking eBay. Oh, and those awful shipping companies? Bite me. $350 to get the world's smallest box that could possibly fit a broken down frame and fork halfway across the world? No, they were not kidding. Good thing we had some language barriers to work through so neither one of us could get too mad at the other. Positive feedback for me, but I still have to find another buyer. Oh, and that rad hipster bike I posted a few weeks ago? (Not the cool new one I rip with on the regular. The other one). Sold it to make almost enough money for one lunch after losing all my dough on shipping charges.

Like I said- petty first world problems. Poor boy.

Who wants to do Occupy UPS?

We could all sit in the parking lot and shout for change at 0430 when the trucks roll out!
Well, after we send a few boxes to fund a camping trip.

2011-12-14T15:04:00.003-05:00

Since school ended less than 24 hours ago, I packed a full suspension frame and fork into a tiny box bound for Australia, jump started a winter garden, and worked with a team of brilliant chemists to create Mattella, a homemade vegan nutella.

Are those little garden manure cakes vegan? Hate me if you must.

Thanks, Lovers.

2011-12-12T16:22:00.003-05:00

Is it true snakes are freegan after November?

Should I?

One more day then outta here for a bit.

Costa Rica: next on the agenda.

nom nom nom

2011-12-09T12:46:00.001-05:00

This year's roommate situation has been great; the best yet. I can come home from a rough day of learning and not have to hide in my room out of fear or anger, plus they let me drink their orange juice. It may not be very cool when your roommates are your family, but hey, I am not going into as much debt and am more sane.

Until this!----------------------^

Dang, that black quinoa and jasmine rice mix is good. So good that people are noticing. I don't really mind sharing once in a while, but save me more than two tablespoons! Ha. Okay, anyway...

Only one more lab report and two finals, then things are done for the semester! Radical.

Trails are soaked right now, so it's fixie time.

poser, +1

2011-12-08T17:00:00.001-05:00

ONLY because I had the part lying around. Admittedly, I suck at anything this bike is good at.
Pretty much a poser.

You might recognize this bike from here^ Bonelli Pro XCT#1 2011, where I sucked. Can I blame it on the bike? And riding all day every day in CA sun for a week? Unsure.
At least I can say I lined up with a dirt jumper on the pro national scene.

rich guy stuff.

2011-12-07T21:36:00.001-05:00

Maybe I don't deserve them. Maybe I am not muscley enough, and no doubt there is too much chicken and not enough calf. (Just made that up). I am sure my legs are way too hairy, but I went a did it. I bought a rich guy pair of cycling shorts. Bibs, to be exact, and in the most haggard color red possible. I've always wanted to know what two hundred and twenty dollars of lycra felt like and honestly, it was a steal, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten them. I tried them on once. They feel much like my high end team garb did when I first got them- snug, protective, and not super flattering without a tan and while standing in the cold. I may try them on again. Ya know, just to make sure.

I've always said that the first step to looking fly, is feeling fly. Feeling fly starts at the shoes, and goes all the way up to your sweater; slim fit pants are a must. However, overall confidence goes further than anything I've bought on UrbanOutfitters.com. I've given three presentations in the last three days, and felt fly during every one. Confidence leads to good presentations, and good presentations lead to good grades and a Ph.D.

sweet riding and the best cardigans

2011-12-05T17:47:00.001-05:00

Got in some real cool rides the past couple days, and I feel like I have gotten in shape really fast in the last 3 weeks. One of the things I knew I needed to work on way my endurance, and during yesterday's ride at Allamuchy, I felt great. It was really cool to get Jay and Rob- two of the most skilled riders I know, add in some great fitness and put us on some rad trails! We were absolutely eating up the trails. I'm not sure if it's my new bike or some refined skillz or endurance, but when the trails got flowy, I could flow too. It's just been really great riding bikes. So it was three weeks of generally easy bike riding with some reasonable volume, and it's time to rest for a few days. It comes at a good time with 5 days of classes left.

This semester has been hugely presentation and lab heavy, and I love it. Just got finished a solo presentation on my official senior ex phys project, so that leaves two more presentations, two labs, and three finals within the next 8 days.
Yikes!
At least I have some sweet cardigans to get me through the next few days of rambling in front of bored students...

2011-12-02T12:22:00.001-05:00

I work so much better when I'm busy. It always sounds counter-intuitive, but when I am scrambling around with a billion things to do and no time to do them, I get them all done quickly and at my best. Conversely, when I have all the time in the world, I get nothing done. Today, I figured I'd take the day off work today since I have so much to do as the semester winds down. (Who wants to be out there on leaf duty at this time of year anyway)? I have laundry done so far. Nice.

Now all I want to do is get a worm box started to jump-start a winter garden.

Deleted.

2011-11-29T13:05:00.001-05:00

As the world's biggest fan of our local bike thief, my motivation to write and complain about him continues to stay elevated. His number is deleted now. That's after the police were notified and I badgered him myself. Apparently there are lots of other bikes and phones listed for sale under the same number. I'm sure those were rightfully his though.

Being a local business everyone knows and loves, Curt's has eyes everywhere. I now know where the bandit lives. The police know where he lives. The law enforcement's motivation to catch this kid seems pretty low, but with thousands of dollars in bikes ruined or stolen from my parent's bike shop, a gigantic window smashed and a worthless human being at large, mine remains high. 'Nuf said.

Douglas still blinks for the photos. And I literally LOL every time. If he didn't blink so much, no one would photograph him. Man is he dumb.

Had some awesome rides this past week. I've shredded Lykens so hard I couldn't wipe the grin off my face, and I watched Callie clear all the switchbacks at Salisbury on only her 20th MTB ride, even while riding a 10 year old $300 ill-working bike. She's gonna be GOOD if she keeps doing it. Mark those words.

2011-11-26T22:08:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving came and went. Ate lots of mashed potatoes and made many freegan judgement calls. At Thanksgiving's very roots, it's a day to reflect on what you are thankful for and thinking back, I didn't do that; let's do it now. -->
Besides the normal things like a rad family, an awesome lady and millions of things I don't deserve like health and bikes, I'm also stoked on all these totally awesome opportunities presented. Case in point: Saris coming on board to fully support my research project. They didn't need to, but somehow believe in me. Stoked on that, and believe me, there will be way too much power talk going on for any one individual to cope with here in the near future.

Got a ride jacked from the shop yesterday morning. Glass smashed, carbon destroyed and one twenty incher missing. Is it coincidence that the same whip appeared on a local online listing that same night? I think not, and have been on multiple stake-outs already and am currently in the process of badgering the listed number. Who steals from the most honest man in the business? Probably the worst thing, but tops on my personal list is revenge.
When I was in high school, a kid tried to jack my Giant NRS that was locked to a tree along with my BFF and brother's bikes. He got chased away by a hall monitor, and I knew exactly who it was. The same kid stole a motorcycle back from a kid he had just sold it to a few weeks prior. He never got caught for any of those, but I do know he did spend a few years in rehab after we graduated. I saw him in Subway a few months back and I couldn't even look at him. I mean, who steals from honest people?

2011-11-23T10:03:00.001-05:00

I'm arguably in my worst shape all year. It sucks. I have been getting my rear handed to me, whether by myself or just someone faster. It appears that fitness does not hold well when going from training just enough to not at all. Whatever. I had a good month.5 break and am ready to get back at it plus. Actually, I have been riding quite a bit lately. My new bikes are so rad. I am pretty patient in regaining fitness coming back from a break- you know, because I tend to have so many. It seems, though, that riding partners may not always be as patient- which annoys me.
So back to the whole riding a bit thing. It feels good. Real good. Also, it seems maintainable in the foreseeable future, which is good. I'm supposed to head up to NY and get further abused by my teammate Seamus this weekend. Good. I need it.

2011-11-19T16:21:00.001-05:00

If you have spent any time on the internet over the last few days, you probably now know that MTB Nationals will be coming to Bear Creek in a few years. It was hard to keep a secret, but USACycling themselves ruined it! While I am just as -if not more- psyched as anyone, there is one thing I would like to point out.

For all those so psyched, where were you? Where were you during this year's Triple Crown? Where were you during last year's State Champs? Where were you during the MASS season finale? We have all grown to love this course since the racing reincarnation on it started five or six years ago, and I know not everyone can make every race, but these attendances should have been through the roof. They were not. I was very disappointed in the lack of support. I can only assume the finals race was ill attended due to grass racing, but the state champs? I know it poured, but still?? And everyone is revved up about nationals now?

This race will be huge in 2012 and 2013. It starts with the support of the locals. It's arguably the best race course on the scene as far as all the participants are concerned. I would like to see everyone there. Go ride there, go to their bar, and better yet, do the races. I hate seeing the best races not attended to the max.

Thank you.

iCandy

2011-11-15T20:15:00.001-05:00

One aspect of things going big: my new bike. This isn't exactly the big I meant, but big wheels are a nice touch. Liked the test ride I borrowed, and today one showed up on the doorstep. I am psyched on this one! So sweet. Pretty light. If we can keep air in the tires, things will be all set.
Check back for a full review.

Also, couldn't resist the sweet online deal for this hipster bike. Some of my fondest bike riding memories come from the winter I rode a million miles with Vegan Rob on my fixie. We climbed up and over mountains and did more six hour rides than a 17 year old kid should entertain. I had to have another, if only to recreate the insanity.
Honestly, I think it forces a kind of workout unable to be done on a regular bike. Plus she's 27 pounds light of hi-tensile steel and cost less than a set of good tires. It's been brung.

It's awesome getting two bikes in a day. It's humbling, and I feel blessed. It's also sweet that they both came stock with 170mm cranks. Woooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Worst part about all this? Rain.

2011-11-15T13:42:00.000-05:00

50 g's

2011-11-14T23:11:00.001-05:00

Lovers and Haters,

By the time you read this, I will have had 50,000 views on this blog. Man, 50,000 since Jan 1, 2008. Yeah, don't believe the counter, this thing didn't go live until the new year. I'm not sure what keeps people coming back. I know for me, in my blog follow-ship, I really read them as another way to waste time. I mean, I can't say I really care about what people are doing, but it does end up being a good way to surf the net for a while longer and avoid doing constructive things. Pictures make it more interesting, witty words give something to think about and sometimes compelling issues get a second look. Opinions matter less, and divulging too much just get you judged. My words have gotten me judged more times I care about, and gotten me in trouble a few times.

Maybe that's what keeps people coming back? Fuel for judgment. To compare yourself to me? You'll win every time, don't hurt yourself too much in trying.

Had a weird picture all loaded up, but not gonna post it. You have enough to judge for one day.

Thank you,
tmme

2011-11-14T22:58:00.001-05:00

get your hustle on

2011 Happened

2011-11-13T11:12:00.001-05:00

It did, and it's over. It took a long time for me to admit that it wasn't landscaping that ruined my season, but rather it was me. I didn't treat my body like it was training and working hard, and it reacted as such. It was stupid, and I'm pissed at myself that it happened. A good starting point to get back on track has been sleeping at least 7-8 hours a night. It feels good.

Almost completely unrelated, as I was reflecting, I realized that in the last two years I only had two mechanicals: one flat and one jammed chain. That's pretty sweet and I like those odds. Our team has good equipment, and I'm psyched that they stuck by me through a bad season and that we will be riding together again in 2012.

2011-11-10T17:36:00.001-05:00

The latest shred sled has been a 2012 Anthem X 29er, and all I can say is WOW! It brings a whole new element of fear to the trails because it just wants you to drill it harder and harder through every corner. It hooks up, and hooks up well. Imagine the Anthem X, that I have praised time and again for being so smooth and efficient and pretty much the best, and add in the big wheels. Smooth squared! I am waiting to add in a full review until I get my hands on one in small, but after that, if the roost isn't flying sky high, I'm just not going big enough!

Every good blog post should include photos of animal-free quesedirraz and kittenz!

OMG

2011-11-08T17:55:00.002-05:00

Conference call today with the Big Dawgs, things are shaping up. It's likely that the Mid Atlantic region will never be the same.
Let's just say that things are going BIG in all directions. Use your imagination.

While everyone else is amped about racing on the grass, I am FIRED UP about riding bikes on the dirt.

More soon.
Maybe.

baggiest pants i own

2011-11-06T14:22:00.002-05:00

I'll first start with a disclaimer: I was forced to take the self-portrait. Aside from that, I like it. And no, I am not rotating the bottom photo, so if you want a good view of my baggy pants, you are going to have to tilt either your head or your screen.
The world that my back lives in is totally rocked right now. Like anything good or that takes a little effort, the first time is painful. My first backpacking trip in forever leaves everything crumpled inside my measly bag of bones. The AT up here in eastern PA is slow going. Apparently 2 mph average speed is making reasonable good time. There are rocks, and lots of them.
I have been putting off writing these two lab reports for quite a while now, and writing here doesn't help matters. It's pretty interesting stuff, actually. Well, if biomechanics is your thing. The good thing about writing the way I do is that I get straight to the point, add minimal fluff and get things done.
It helps with the procrastination.

2011-11-04T00:45:00.001-04:00

One of the coolest things I have had the chance to do on bicycles is help with skills clinics. I've said it before- I'm not the most skilled man on the planet, but I do know a few things about shredding bikes fast. Spreading a little know how and seeing someone use a pointer or two to ride faster on trails? Totally worth a season of good races in my book.
Tonight I tried to teach a total noob how to jump logs. We went to the local elementary school, and she was hopping curbs and concrete parking slabs like it was her day job. Thirty minutes of time and you can totally change how someone experiences mountain biking. I like that.

I have a new hipster bike on the way, and went to the shop to get my old one ready to find a new home. I decked it out real good, cleaned it up, and finally gave it the obligatory ride through the parking lot. Now I want to keep it. It rides so nice! Plus it looks ten times cooler than it did when I rode it to class every day. Eh, make me an offer I can't refuse, and maybe you can rip around on it and look cool too.

Winning.

2011-11-02T19:44:00.001-04:00

2011-10-31T18:42:00.002-04:00

I have been waiting for 18.5 hours for Kid Cudi to release his new film "Maniac." It was to be released at midnight on 10/31, and I am still waiting.

I really don't get into pop culture at all, and could care less what any famous person does, how much money he possesses or custom fitted jeans he owns. I do, however listen to Kid Cudi every day. I have been called obsessed, and am always stumped when asked to name my second favorite band or musician. That being said, I want to see this video.

I am also looking for a place to stay for two weeks right after Christmas where it is warm, getting dressed for a hike, and about fifteen seconds away from making a Twitter account.

Thanks.

lose my number

2011-10-29T18:40:00.003-04:00

It sounded like a good idea, and even looking back, I still think it was. The puddles under the snow made it less enjoyable, but I love getting out and riding in fresh snow. I prefer the out-and-back type loops so you can see your tracks coming from the other direction.

Vegan Rob wasn't into the idea from the get-go, but came anyway. Sprinting (or at least something that looked like it) to race his dog resulted in a broken chain almost immediately. I laughed and we parted ways. I was soaked anyway.

apple core, nothing more

2011-10-28T19:23:00.003-04:00

Running has been fun. I also have a slight desire to do weight oriented exercise. Crazy, I know! I mean, I'm not talking meat-head type stuff, but maybe some dynamic movements with a load, ya know? I don't see any reason to weight-train per se. The way I see it is that I am not looking to get better at lifting heavy things, but more for a workout. So something like this:I wouldn't call it core training. I mean, what is core training? How do you measure it? These incorporate the entire body (not just your 'core') without extreme loads or high risk. Just something to think about. Enjoy the snow!

2011-10-27T15:59:00.004-04:00

It wasn't looking like my professor was giving me any props or even a chance, so I came prepared to suffer. The lab is all about color, and the subjects had to suffer on the bikes at a set workload until they could no longer. Apparently, to her, everyone else seemed like they might take a while, except little old me. I don't talk much about cycling or my athletics at all, and without shaven legs I don't look like a bike rider, so I can't blame her. Well, let's just say it was a mission accomplished and I suffered like a dog after she jacked up the resistance on me, sweat covering the floors and me looking like I might die for a little too long. Surprisingly, my feet hurt today after pedaling as hard as I could with sneakers on.

It's also eBay season. If you need anything, shoot me an e-mail on the facebook.

2011-10-23T12:01:00.002-04:00

Been fed lies. My two-mile-out run route was conquered in less than 11 minutes. I was running really fast at a really low effort. Wow! Spread my joys to others only to be corrected; it's one mile. Back to reality and being more realistic. I mean, what was I thinking? Fourth run of the year with five minute miles? I'm just trying to get in a workout and be able to walk the next day, not set any records.

The good news is that our bodies are amazing. By the third time out, I had no soreness the next day. It's difficult for us bike riders to get used to the pounding of running. Instead of just concentric contractions, we introduce eccentric loading and some good old fashioned pounding. Now the focus can be on effort and maybe even getting in some distance.

And cracking that five minute mile.

Updating on TMME

2011-10-19T16:20:00.002-04:00

-Things have been good and busy here at The Experience, with lots of decisions to make. An undergrad degree finish is looming in the near future, so let's start there. Currently underway in gathering up what I need for a thesis project. The goal here is publication. My advisor seems confident in me, so I have to make it count. I also have the opportunity to take some graduate classes while still in undergrad, but it would only add to the workload and possibly compromise my thesis. Conversely, it would make a Master's shorter. Hm. Might just stick around the Burg for that degree too, but not until after a year off and not going to school. It's hard to want to go anywhere else when we have such a great program and the faculty is so awesome, though I really do enjoy changes of scenery. At this point, the goal is Ph. D., but that would be some distant time off anyway.

-Cyclocross is lame, or at least I can say that since I have never done it. Possibly 'cross practice tomorrow night for me. Haven't really ridden much lately and my legs are still getting used to running, but I haven't gotten too fat.

-The next big adventure on the horizon is a trip to Costa Rica. A couple weeks, some open minds and two bikes set up to carry everything (extremely minimally) needed, and it look like just the trip I want. At least I will spend much less than I did in Japan.

-I'm already amped on racing bikes next year! I am hoping to make my focus on stage racing and actually tailor my training to it. Yes, TRAINING! Already claimed my dissociation with lawn care for next summer, so that means I might be able to do some regular riding and call it training The best part? I totally know what to do, both practically and in theory- I've made all the mistakes myself, have seen loads of research and been in the classroom and lab.

-Also, just got a set of NoTubes Crest 29er wheels in the mail...

Take care, friends.

2011-10-14T10:28:00.003-04:00

Looks like the weather is messing around a little less. 'Bout to turn this day off into a work day.

From upstate NY to Raystown: complete opposites.

2011-10-11T16:47:00.001-04:00

Bushwhacking.

_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_

Flowing.

Rough bushwhacking to extreme flow. Both equally rad and awesome. Both done on mountain bikes, the champions of diversity. One day I'm wondering how I am going to hop that rock ledge and where the trail was, the next I am wondering how fast I can go without braking.
Braaaapp!

Took the big dog (aka my dad) to Raystown for his first time. Shredded every trail; both sides. He had his new bike (Anthem X 29er. Ayoooo!) and smiles from ear to ear. Well, after the ride was over and he wasn't in the pain cave, he did. Impressed at how rowdy he can get on a bike for such an old man. A few times, when I wasn't scared for my own life shredding down a hill, I was scared for his when I would turn around and see him right there.

Q: What's more frightening than a Miller riding on the edge of control?
A: Two of them.

2011-10-08T18:50:00.001-04:00

Inner redneck.

2011-10-06T14:27:00.001-04:00

Diet air fortune cookie missing a fortune!

2011-10-03T16:15:00.003-04:00

PennDOT. What a great group of guys and gals. Besides making sure our PA roads are beautiful and pothole free, they also give us traffic delays, tar and chips, big headaches and large taxes.

For the last three years I have been traveling route 33 with some regularity. During those three years there has been road work on the same few square miles, indefinitely. They don't seem to make progress, and every time I pass a group of the workers standing around leaning on their shovels (every day), I yell "LAZY!" out my window, just to show my dissatisfaction with their absolute being.

EVERY. DAY.

Today one of those lovely workers decided it would be cool to start swerving between the cones in his extremely long truck (obviously an expensive one used for not much good). He hit a cone. The cone went flying. The cone hit me.

Thanks. Yes, thank you PennDOT for your unwavering persistence in making our lives and roads safer and better.

That's almost as cool as the firefighter that stopped me while riding my bicycle to wave an approaching vehicle through an intersection.
Almost.

2011-09-30T13:13:00.001-04:00

Yes SIR!

2011-09-28T19:39:00.001-04:00

I felt like I recovered really well from my long race last weekend and have been feeling almost normal. Even so, I decided to take an extra day of recovery today just in case.
It's during these last few weeks of racing towards the end of the year that doing more training, or even 'enough' training, can really break you. You are not going to make gains anymore if you are nearing the end of your season, but you can really ruin yourself and enter the winter feeling down, chancing motivation for over-doing it again early on.

It's tricky, this motivation thing, and especially timing it with good fitness. I am happy to say I am plenty motivated. I even have SEVERAL days of epic riding planned! So psyched! Fitness- let's hope it remains. As for racing... well, we will just have to see :)

Awesome weekend!

2011-09-27T13:39:00.001-04:00

Lovers and Haters,

What a great weekend! Went from rain, to camping in a dry Michaux, to Raystown shredding and back to Michaux for some racin!

As you can imagine, Raystown was awesome. The Allegrippis trails are so buff, so fast and so fun! It's awesome because you can ride with a beginner to someone more experienced and they can all have a good time. There are tons of options so you can say 'hey I'll meet you there,' and go separate shreddin ways to come together on a bench and scarf down your favorite flavor of Raw Rev. So awesome! Even with the torrential rains the day before, the trails were almost perfect. Braaaap!

Traded in the speed and smoothness of the north for the adventure that is Michaux and the Terror of Teaberry 40 miler. I started off like balls. Seriously like garbage. I had nothin and I was pretty much maxed out going backwards. Only guess is that my hour-pre-race-breakfast was still digesting- it's an excuse, but valid. It was frustrating, and I really lost my head out there once the trails turned gnar- usually my strength, but I just couldn't get it together. About 2 hours in as I continued to NOT make up ground, I stopped, took a deep breath and let some air out of my tires. This seemed to do the trick as I started to move up. No bonking, no cramping and turning what started as a really really bad day into a reasonable 4th place in the Senior and 9th overall in twenty or so minutes less than five hours of single-track suffering.

Really don't want the season to end just yet. The sooner it ends, the sooner it seems winter comes.
Winter is depressing.

Thanks

me rikey

2011-09-22T23:38:00.000-04:00

Seriously. I knew there was something wrong with the chick the moment I laid eyes on her. Then she went and wrapped a burrito like a panini sandwich. Confirmed.

My blinking puppy, Douglas, could have done a better job. Oh yeah, Douglas Miller has his own Facebook now. He's a dancer, and he rikes it a rot.

Needed a little color to add some p'zaaaaz missing from the earth-toned photos.
I'm gonna tone the earth this weekend out at the Michaux 40 miler. Oh yeah. Braaaap!

bling!

2011-09-20T18:12:00.001-04:00

Sneak 2012 image of a sweet 29er over at the shop! Get some!

Best weekend ever

2011-09-18T19:46:00.001-04:00

Been having some great weekends lately and this one was no exception. Went to a friend's house for his birthday on Friday after a nice little road ride. I always like to pop in unannounced. I woke up early on saturday and headed to Bear Creek for the Super D. I did a bunch of runs and was feeling super smooth and looking for a good ride. Apparently I was getting a little too cocky and went down hard five minutes before my run, slamming my hip on a rock. A little confidence went out the window and I wasn't fast enough to take down Aaron Snyder or Jon Gabor, but a podium is always nice.

After that it was down south to watch the Phils clinch the division. My friend was home from Japan, and it was enough to get 20 people that I haven't seen in a while together for a rowdy time. And it was. Somehow made it through traffic and was home before the sun came up.

It was an early rise and back over to Bear Creek for the XC and MASS series finals. It was cool to have my family and Callie there. I felt pretty good, and started hard (for me) coming through after the first lap with another guy for 5th and 6th. I was felt really smooth and was gaining lots of time on the descent. I started to fade on the last lap and Topher caught up to me. We ended up descending through lapped traffic together and there was no getting away this time. Then I bobbled, he passed. I tried to get back in front on the last little double-track rise and cramped- it was lights out, and I rode it in for seventh.

Now I'm watching Forrest Gump with my little sister.
Things is good!

Bike Maintenance 1,001

2011-09-14T20:29:00.001-04:00

Had a few things go sour on my lovely Anthem X race bike that needed some attention. I am usually the kind of guy that doesn't give his equipment in-depth lovin' until the equipment has given all the lovin' it can for it's life. This usually isn't an issue, but now that I have my STP built up, the Anthem X isn't my daily rider, and for some reason issues always arise after something has been sitting for a few weeks.

First thing was obvious- chain. The XTR ten speed is baller stuff and puts up with some hardcore abuse. I continually grind through those gears, adding lube every once in a while until the chain is black. To make this stuff last, the easiest thing to do is replace the chain. This keeps your cassette and chain rings fresh, and regular replacement lets you avoid having to get a whole new drive-line. New chain= smooth for many more miles.

The next item- the fork- was also obvious. My X-Fusion Velvet is the smoothest riding fork I have ever straddled. It blows me away since they are so affordable and makes me wonder why everyone doesn't run them. A freshly built fork was a world of difference and I couldn't believe I went so long without showing it some love!

Cables should also be replaced regularly. My XTR has had the same cables all season. I threw some new cables in with some blue housing. This not only made my shifting ching ching, but also made my ride extra bling bling!

The rear shock, my final item, took a little longer to realize. The Anthem X is butter. Like so butter! My suspension progressively started to feel less buttery. Sometimes you get to thinking that it is just how a bike is supposed to feel after being ridden so hard for so long, but some fresh plush in the back for my X-Fusion O2 made a world of difference. It was unbelievable.

I think -especially with suspension- we run things until they are ruined. Some proactive maintenance can make a huge impact on the way your bike feels and can lower repair costs down the road. No matter how much you spent on your bike when you first got it, everything wears out and needs routine maintenance. Even though your steed may have a million scratches, you can keep it riding like the day you got it.

OH! And check out the updated pictures on the team's page at Giant Bicycles. LIKE us if you are on Facebook!!

Coal Cracker Classic

2011-09-12T12:21:00.000-04:00

Well, I figured racing a few days after being laid up could go one of two ways: really good or really bad. It was both. It went really well in that I felt like I could push myself. It is always good to feel like you can go hard, and I went as hard as I could muster the whole time.
Then again, it went really badly. I had nothing. Power was low, even at a high level of suffering. Then there were bike troubles like a cassette falling off and wheel loosening up.
Alas, it's all bike racing, and even though I sucked on the day, I had a reasonably good time.

Honestly most of the trails really sucked out there and I hated them. Like really hated them. Then there were some real cool trails out there that I loved and wanted more of.
Back to Bear Creek next weekend for the MASS finals and hopefully the Super D! I love that place.

2011-09-10T11:23:00.000-04:00

Saw a shooting star last night at the drive-in movie. While watching Contagion. And being sick. If I told I wished that I didn't have the deadly virus, I'd be lying. Believe me, though, I sure was hoping.

Got laid up for a good 24 hours. Couldn't move, stomach hurt. Was hoping it wasn't giardia from the past weekend's water crisis! Woke up the next day with some lingering effects, but overall able to get out of bed and smell some fresh air. Called out of work just when they needed me most. Felt like a big jerk, but being better is better, I suppose.

I'm pretty psyched to be able to race tomorrow. Starting to enjoy the single lap format a little more, and tomorrow shouldn't disappoint with 22 miles of raw one track. It's sure to be muddy. And I like that.
I just want to shred.

think twice

2011-09-07T16:53:00.002-04:00

Back from an awesome three day bike-packing adventure in north-central Pa. It was awesome. I mean, we didn't go really fast or really hard, but either way you look at it, four to eight hours on the bike a day is a lot of pedaling. And my butt hurt!! Borrowed a BOB trailer and had it loaded to the gills, then threw in some panniers for good measure. Yeah, packed them to exploding, too. Living the life of luxury, except for not having water. It ended up being hot as bawls and were thankful to find the occasional spring to give our stomachs a break from sipping out of the river.

The last day was pouring down rain, so it was a mission to just get back to the car. B-line, a few food breaks and making sure Callie wasn't popped off the back, and we were back at the car ready for a nice drive home. My body is glad to be back in a bed and off my bike.

Been slowly acclimating to the stress of school and getting the job done. Work is only a few days a week at this point, and after hearing so many jobless horror stories, I'm glad to be pulling in some coin.

I really want to race my bike.
Hope the rain stops.

2011-09-02T10:45:00.001-04:00

2011-08-31T21:02:00.000-04:00

Finally got my spare bike built up after riding my beautiful race bike every one-track session since April. Took me forever to get the oversized headset cup to make my 1.125 inch headtube accept a 1.5 inch fork, but things are looking up and it hasn't failed me yet. Sure, it's only a Giant STP dirt jumper, but it is likely going to be my cyclocross race steed (c'mon, it does have XTR!) and winter bike all over again. The frame is bomb-proof. Literally. I mean, I haven't tried to blow it up yet, but all you have to do is take one good look at it and know it isn't going to fail. Ever.

Have a nice three-day bike-packing adventure planned for this weekend. This first week of classes has been surprisingly exhausting, so it will be welcomed.

rawr is right!

2011-08-29T22:27:00.000-04:00

Last full week of work went down without a hitch, and we ended it the right way- in the dark, list incomplete and enough walking to not need to ride.

I did get out to ride before the hurricane. A stroll along the river and nearly everyone was packing a trailer. I think we are all glad it didn't end as badly as it could have.

rawrr

School is now in session. This year I have a little further to go, and I won't be riding a sweet hipster bike every day. Not psyched on that, but glad I won't end up hating where I live this year.

And I really really want to race my bike.

race is on!

2011-08-25T11:34:00.001-04:00

Love me a canceled race. Right, just as I'm starting to feel like I'm getting back in shape.

Man, it took a lil longer than I expected, but things are starting to roll. Went out to that fifty miler out at Rattling Creek. Man those trails were great! People went SO HARD at the start and I swear I think I was like 50th going into the singletrack. From there it was painfully slow and trying not to tip over, to riding steady, smooth and keeping a good little tempo in the one-track. I found myself alone most of the time on the road sections and tried to use the straightest lines possible to try to avoid having to go hard. Made it up to fourth or fifth with a couple miles to go and felt comfortable still, but then the cramping started and I started punching my legs to keep them turning over. Rats. Lost a few spots and a bunch of time as I pedaled in a cramping bonk, but ended up sixth. Right on.

Felt pretty good after that and last night I got out with some fast dooods in Downingtown. Last time I went two months ago I was holding on for dear life- glad that's gone. Finally back at the front breathing through my nose, pedals turning and legs buffering. Thank God.

One more day of slave-driven work day before school starts back up and takes priority. I freaking love school and hope to be able to continue for many more years as I wrap up my first degree this spring. Ex Phys is rad and I'm glad I waited for a time in my life to go to school during which I am mature and motivated enough to thoroughly soak it in.

Rad it up.

2011-08-21T20:25:00.001-04:00

Phone booth? They still exist.

2011-08-19T12:39:00.001-04:00

Caulk and balls. Hilarious. Nursing a broken down truck and jonesin for a mountain bike race. 50 miler at Rattling Creek this weekend put on by the incredible event guy Mike K. Should I? Yes. Good fun, I would imagine. Do it!

2011-08-15T13:44:00.001-04:00

Whao! Great racing action at Bear Creek. Still not working with the fitness I'd like and used maybe a little too much brake, but a top five for the Triple Crown is swell indeed.

Geax AKA 2.2 TNT

2011-08-11T22:16:00.002-04:00

Lovers and Haters,

I've never been much of a tire weenie, but that was before the Geax AKA. I was really stressin since I was out of them and going to need a switch for the weekend. Finally, I got my hands on a set: TNT casing, 2.2 inches wide.

So I know they have tiny knobs and everything, but they are perfect in mud, dry, and rocks. Wide spacing helps with mud shedding, tight, low-profile rows help with speed, and solid side knobs help cornering. Most of all, I like how they drift with utmost predictability. Every skid feels like I'm peeling velcro, and I like that.

The Bear Creek Triple Crown and PA states is coming up this weekend. Short track is not really my thing, but with a little one track thrown in, I can hold my own. I am confident in the XC, and can handle the tech trails like a walk in the park. Heroes will falter. Last year landed a 3rd place, hoping more of the same. The Super D has a little more climbing and flats than I like, but the rock garden at the start is where I can make up a little time.

I'm really pumped. Done everything to make sure the legs are there, so let's hope they show up.

Sincerely,
Me

2011-08-07T11:30:00.000-04:00

Lovers and Haters,
I was super pumped up all week for the GCC Summer Sizzler race today. Really bummed it got postponed since I could have really used a tune-up workout and I was a hundred percent ready to lay my wheels over and test my rubber in some corners. Ah well. Saw that new Planet of the Apes movie. Loved it. I've seen a ton of movies lately, it's been pretty sweet. Hangover 2 was the best, and I am working on perfecting my Mr Chow impression.

So more on Bear Creek. Of course. I love that place. Got up the other day and helped give my two cents on the short track course. I hate short track and it totally blows, but I think with -compared to normal US Cup courses- less climbing, more single track and shorter laps, this race will provide awesome spectating! Aaron is trying to incorporate a big rock drop and I was hoping we could add fire or alligators somewhere. Or snow. Yeah... snow!

So checked out the State Champs XC course, too. It is nice, but misses my favorite section of rocks at the top. While I wish it were still included, I guess most people hated it. Either way, the course is still super hard and the best. I was all a mess when we rode it. I was cramping and subsequently crashing. Aaron got behind me just to 'make sure I was trying hard enough,' but I was hurting already. I need to keep working on being fresh for race day. Trying to match or better last year's 3rd place finish. Podiums are always nice, and so is the cash involved. If I continue to have dates like last night, I am going to need all of that I can get.

Well, I guess I should get out and ride since I can't race...
Stay tuned as I edit my helmet cam video of bear creek and decide which Kid Cudi song to play it with. OOOOOOOKayyyyyyyyyyy. Later.

2011-08-03T19:38:00.000-04:00

Looking back over the last month I feel really fortunate to have have done some awesome things and glad I'm not the kind of person that just sits around and does nothing. Between sky-diving, Kid Cudi shows, Phillies games, beaches, car camping in NYC, house sitting on the river, kayaking, fires, cooking and shredding singletrack, things have been good and adventurous. Man, I even feel good about my job now that it's not taking up all day every day. My team has stood by me even through my funk in the fitness front, and now I am starting to feel pretty good

Ready to race.

And since I'm such a junkie on changing things up, in only a few weeks I will be back at school. Man I love learning. I really can't wait.

And now, thanks to my brother, I have a ticket to fly anywhere in the country.
Where to go...and when..?

2011-08-02T13:30:00.001-04:00

My old favorite burrito place.

2011-07-26T20:04:00.001-04:00

Felt awesome on the bike today. Like super awesome. I've been needing this. Come to think of it, I felt great yesterday too during my longest saddle day in forever. It's nice to not be working as much.

2011-07-24T11:35:00.001-04:00

The night race was pretty short at about ninety minutes. It was good; I started steady and just stayed steady. I was too nervous to pin it, but finished up still breathing out of my nose. Harder next time. Pretty confident now that I can hold it. I needed that. Confidence will do a lot. Let's roll with it and step it up.

2011-07-20T17:48:00.001-04:00

Questioning. Questioning why we all ride mountain bikes that fit like road bikes when we ride off-road. 30mm shorter, fits like a toy. Mountain bikes are toys...I don't race to see who the best at exercising is.

2011-07-19T22:17:00.000-04:00

A nice road ride today with some dudes. I was hurting early on... I doubt my chipsnslasa right before I left had anything to do with it. Felt better as it went on and the rain sure helped the mood. Boy, it's been hot. But I'm sure you knew that. The good thing about heat and very little rain is that the grass is finally starting to surrender in the summerly battle of forcing one to lose his wits and bust his balls keeping it on a short leash. That means it is coming time for a vacation. Yup. And some bike racing this weeekend at the night race. I'm psyched!

Sorry, but I am in an intense battle of Scrabble right now. A lead is a silly thing to give up.

2011-07-19T13:34:00.001-04:00

2011-07-15T18:51:00.001-04:00

It's tricky business trying to lead with each foot equally. I'm a righty myself, and my best cornering is when going left. It should pay dividends becoming comfortable with both.

2011-07-14T15:16:00.001-04:00

Soul searching. Groove seeking. Flow. Gnar shredding. Hurt locker. Pain cave.

But now I walk. Well, at least until dinner.

2011-07-13T20:49:00.001-04:00

A little bit of recording at Bear Creek with Aaron today. Stay tuned for gnarly shred!

2011-07-12T14:57:00.001-04:00

Refresh!

2011-06-29T22:56:00.000-04:00

Jay de Jesus asked me to help him out with a Race Skillz Clinic at the Salisbury trails last night. It was really cool! Just when I get to thinking about how much bike riding is frustrating me, one of these things pops up and clicks the refresh button all by itself. It was great to give back a little bit. I don't claim to be the most skilled person in the world, but if I had any advice to offer it would be in the way of shredding gnarly trails. And that's what we did.

Each person was able to apply small tweaks to his or her riding and improvements were seen by all. It was just really great. I loved it. I had a lot of trouble breaking things down into detailed and explainable steps, but I almost got the hang by the end!

Congrats to young Gianni for being voted the 'Most Improved' by everyone! The Giant Mid Atlantic Off-Road Team offered a prize pack that can be picked up at any local MTB race. Hopefully he comes with his bike and signs up for his first race!

2011-06-27T20:06:00.003-04:00

Went to a really cool film festival this past weekend called the Virginville Film Festival. It's pretty cool, low key and you can only get the location of it if you know someone. In that sense, it was a pretty small crowd, but I knew almost no one there. Some films were quirky with family knit roots, while other just plain old scared the crap out of me. Some were documentaries, some had me scrtaching my head and others were like a seven minute kaleidoscope. It was sweet.

On the racing scene, I am still struggling to find my groove. I strayed a little from my last year's approach lately and have been riding a bunch. I think this has kept me from being fresh, but all the time I took off really had me worried and I nervously elevated the time I spent on the bike after returning. Back to three days a week.

Skillz clinique tomorrow

2011-06-23T21:35:00.003-04:00

It took me a while to feel recovered from racing at Neshaminy last saturday. Weird. Today I finally felt normal and got out to S Mtn Emmaus with Morrison and Bowman. That place is really fun and technical, but not very flowy. I mean, some trails have good flow, but the rest are just a grind. A fun grind, but, eh whatever, it was sweet.

I was on my bike most days this week, which is out of the ordinary. Maybe that's why I felt so blown! My hard rides have been too easy to really call hard, but too hard to be easy. For some reason I felt like they were effective training, though, and I really hit that good tempo/junk mile zone. Whatever that is.

I was down at the Nockamixon Lake mountain bike trails last night. Man they are sweet. They are sooo twisty! There isn't much climbing, but it is a great place to work on your corner speed, accelerations out of said corners and flow. You should check 'em out. It's almost impossible to get lost.

2011-06-19T21:47:00.002-04:00

Racing at Neshaminy is always a blast. The trails are very twisty and pretty smooth. It's not too hilly, but the ones there are enough that you have to peg it the whole time. Lucky for me, you can pretend to ride fast if you can corner well. I wasn't setting any records for wattage output, but being smooth in the corners can help you go fast enough that it doesn't matter as much.

Being my first race back in well over a month, I wasn't expecting much. That being said, I was satisfied with how it went. I rode steady the whole time, and although not super fast, my last lap was my fastest I think. I felt decent enough to know that I am on the up, and I am excited to know that there is a long way to go.

Afterward, I was pretty wrecked. When I got home I laid down for a nap before I went out for my birthday, but didn't wake up until 9am the next morning. Whoops! I guess I didn't celebrate too big, but I did get out for a ride today with my dad. That was awesome. Then my grandparents and aunt came over and we grilled veggies and hung out. It was rad.
Is that weird?

2011-06-16T22:16:00.003-04:00

Over half a day's worth of complete protein there in that bowl, all in a completely vegan and gluten-free way. Now if i could just quit my recent bagel addiction...

I have been packing my lunch all week and saving about ten dollars per day. If I could pack my lunch and commute by bike every morning, I could save about 75$ a week. Geeez!

Rode last night with some fast guys down in Downingtown last night. Man they hammer! Topher, Mark B, Chris H, Aaron...get those guys together with a good crew, some hills and single-speeds, and you'll be cross-eyed and begging for mercy before you hit the first buffed out dirt-track descent. Glad I went and glad I stayed for some shenanigans.

That's why I like mountain biking.

2011-06-14T22:33:00.005-04:00

Photos from the last few days: shreddin, Douglas, hiking, and a photo gone wrong; I like that one.

I got pretty worked over today by Aaron at the Salisbury trails. With every second I made up by feathering the edge of control on the descents, he got ten on the climbs. My hands hurt, my arms hurt, and my legs are killing me! I think the guy is ready to race in BC. One more hard day and then I'll get ready for racing in Neshaminy on saturday.

I touched a chipmunk!!

2011-06-13T22:02:00.002-04:00

While not as epic as touching a squirrel, I did touch a wild chippy. I was psyched! I think he was really scared of the mower as he buried his head in the grass in front of me. I spared his life by poking him out of the way, but did so in such a way that I can proudly announce that I TOUCHED A CHIPMUNK.

Anywho, it feels good to be back to riding after several weeks away. I feel good on the bike again. Slow, but good. I can't really complain. Going to shred a few days this week with my home-boy Aaron Snyder. He is on his new race bike so we should be able to rip around pretty good. We have both (along with the rest of Giant Mid Atlantic) been running X-Fusion suspension and loving it all. It blows me away that they can retail for so much less than anything else, but out-perform any top of the line suspension I have ever used. Teammate Seamus Powell will be running his at the next four rounds of the World Cup and Nationals, so that has gotta say something! Kid can motor.

2011-06-12T21:24:00.001-04:00

Allamuchy is sweet. Broken chains, cool trails, rock drops, chix that shred, mosquito bites and dirty fingernails. It's mountain biking people, and it's sweet.

2011-06-11T23:05:00.002-04:00

Jordo and I trying to drop Martin after his 30mph pull on his mtb

Got out for our shop's annual benefit ride. While the weather was really bad in the morning, it semi-cleared up after 9am and we had a bunch of people get out for all ten laps. That was great to see. I love it when people complete their first 100 mile ride. Jeff Lenosky showed up and put on a real great show for us. Man that guy is good. He got a kick out of me telling him I raced a Pro XCT race on the same bike he was stunting around on. We raised lots of cash for cancer and ate twenty pizzas.

I got out for fifty miles of my own. I am feeling pretty good on the bike. I got tired after about forty miles, but I think I'll get back in shape rather quickly after my break I took. I'm psyched to get back to training. Whatever that is.

2011-06-07T20:19:00.003-04:00

Lovers and Haters,

Geez... Had to take a step back there for a little. Once school stopped, work started, and the 50 hour weeks on my feet were a big change. Sure I handled it before, but the contrast between my two lives and trying to prepare like a pro bike racer should for the Trans-Sylvania Epic really hit me hard. Recovery stopped and I went backwards. Feeling normal while riding became feeling 'off' while riding, and I had to take a break from two wheels and skipped my important race.

When your life messes with your legs, your legs mess with your mind; I was down. I even decided at one point that I was going to quit playing on my bike altogether. Fortunately after a few weeks off, I am feeling back to normal. Sure, I got pretty slow, but I am ready to get back to the old salt lick and race my bike like I love to and give my team and supporters what they deserve... and that is... well, plan on a lot more updates and a lot more about bike riding for this guy!

Sincerely,

tMMe

2011-06-01T20:39:00.001-04:00

Heavy.

2011-05-26T23:40:00.002-04:00

Made the tough call to not race TSE. Though this has been the race I have thought about every single time I rode since it's maiden voyage last year, and I am signed up already for this year, the body has been in a funk. Racing will not be the best thing. I am really bummed about it, and while everyone has had their own opinion on what is going on, I know what I have to do to salvage and redeem myself, and do good on my supporters.

Today I got the call that Dusty, the family dog was missing. No, I couldn't remember the last time I had seen him, but didn't think it was an emergency. As my Dad and I were making the final moves out of my apartment, the worst thing happened: my teenage sister found him laying in the yard in a pile of vomit, stiff as a board. Never thought it would be so upsetting to me as we all went to the back yard and dug a hole for him. While he stole my socks on a daily basis and his damaged trachea made him the loudest breathing dog ever, he came when called, play dead when you said 'bang!' and all he cared about was eating carrots and greeting us when we got home. Cool enough to have his own Facebook page, I'll miss him.

2011-05-25T11:30:00.001-04:00

Hello, mister Dean

2011-05-18T16:17:00.005-04:00

Lovers and Haters,

Let me be the first to tell you that the new 2011 XTR is awesome! Crisp shifts, super sexy, realllyy good brakes, and heck, it's even nice to be back on their pedals after all these years. I love the gearing, and it was even good enough for a few efforts on the road today.

Can't say those efforts went too too well. I got in three of 20s on/20 off/10 on/rest. My body feels as if it is in a perpetual state of over-training, but I'm not sure if that's possible. Today was my sixth hard ride in a month (since Danville), and one of only about a dozen in the same amount of time. I guess leading up to that I had been getting in a bunch of intensity, Michaux crushed my soul, allergies attacked hard and gardening days have been long. I am hoping the weird sensations are my body's way of blowing out the cobwebs, but after all these years of trying to figure myself out, I realized you can never really figure yourself out. Greenbrier is this weekend, and Trans-Sylvania Epic is next weekend. Those two races mean something to me. I would love to do well. I would love to at least feel well.

I DID get my grades for the semester, and I am really stoked. Out of 6 classes, there were four A's and two B's. I got A's in all the tough classes like Strength and Conditioning Theory and Environmental Exercise Physiology, but sucked it up in my gym class (never went) and... and I'm pretty sure she made a mistake in Sports Nutrition. She could have at least helped a fellow vegan out!

I'm mostly excited that I was able to do it all without studying for exams or buying a single book. I thought about it and probably only studied for like 5 hours all semester. Everyone hated me. Of course lab report writing takes up a ton of time, but, at least for me, paying deep attention during class and staying involved in discussions is better than any studying ever.See you Saturday.

Thanks,
tMMe

Yippeee!

2011-05-16T22:40:00.002-04:00

Lovers and Haters,

Wow. Got some super shiny, super dope brand new XTR ten speed to put on my already bangin' race bike. Huge thanks to Shimano for supporting Giant Mid Atlantic and what we do. This should take probably about a pound off of my already light bike, and provide the best working brakes and shifting available on the market. I am so stoked! I also feel incredibly fortunate to be able to work with such companies as Shimano and all our other supporters.

I also will be running a front derailleur for the first time a few years -I think the extra gearing on either end will come in use during a seven day stage race. Decided 38/26 tooth chainrings and an 11-36 cassette should do the trick for me. I really liked the little adapters Shimano has to run two rings on a triple crankset. Very sleek and easy to switch. I'm also really stoked about the brakes. My previous versions of XTR were always the most powerful and quiet brakes...and these are supposed to be even stronger! You can always tell where someone is during a race that uses the other brands of brakes. Sqeakkkkk!!!

Speaking of Giant Mid Atlantic, we will be leading a ride on Memorial Day out in State College, PA during the Stage 1 of the Trans-Sylvania Epic MTB Race. The ride will have stocked aid stations and will be on the same course as the racers! All proceeds for the ride go to benefit trail development and enhancement in Pennsylvania. Stick around for the cookout afterwards, hang out with some of the biggest names in cycling (seriously) and I might even run the grill for a little!

2011-05-14T20:48:00.005-04:00

Lovers and Haters,

Ok, let's be real here. Though things have been pretty exciting here at the experience lately, there's not a whole lot of material worth writing. I mean, I got out on my bike twice this week, gardened a bunch, ate a bagel, blew blood from my nose when I could actually breath out of it, and generally felt like garbage. My tan is getting pretty good, though, and cash is finally rolling in. Ayooo!

So here we have a few pictures from recent minutes including: Cigar Guy, long grass at Dirty Guy and a really AWESOME tea kettle I saw at an art museum in Syracuse. Wish I could credit it, but I don't know who made it! Comment if you know.
Sincerely,
______

2011-05-11T21:27:00.000-04:00

Just when I really start to hate Jay, he does something extra nice to make me hate him less. Like today when he carried the push mower back to the truck for me. Whatta guy.

2011-05-10T22:01:00.002-04:00

We got out of work at a reasonable time today (i.e. during daylight), so Jay and I got out for a little towpath ride. While I still feel like total garbage, an easy spin while checking out abandoned shelters, dirt jumps and avoiding geese couldn't do much harm.

And one of the kids at the jumps called me Ray Charles.
?
I think he was jealous of my Oakleys.

2011-05-08T11:55:00.002-04:00

I get to French Creek and I feel really good. Like so really good I think it's going to be an awesome race for me and that thing are finally starting to come together. Fits perfectly in my plan. While it's nice to feel really great during a warm-up, it doesn't always correlate with racing well.

Then the gun goes off and I look up the road and they are gone. Like so gone I can't believe it, and I'm going as hard as I possibly can already.

Uh oh...

10 minutes in and I am still maxed out and moving backwards. My bike is creaking, so I think maybe something isn't spinning right and stop to check it out. Bike is fine, so back on it and ease up. Pulled the plug a few minutes later.

I know all too well the feelings of being overworked and fatigued. This was it, hitting me hard. I only rode my bike twice last week, but one was until midnight after work and finals. Gardening days have been tough and the 12 hour shift on friday didnt help matters. Neither did not sleeping. And I'm still pretty sure -due to my lack of recovery- I am feeling the effects of Michaux.
What this means is backing down the riding even more and hoping to get back on form for TSE.

2011-05-04T18:10:00.003-04:00

Lovers and Haters,

I have one more final left, and I'm pretty sure I finished my last paper. Pretty sure. It's about 30 pages of needs analysis and a periodized training plan for a mountain bike racer, so it wasn't too annoying of a job to finish it up. Work started, and so did moving back to the Motherland. I'm not at all recovered from the race last weekend. Maybe tomorrow I will get in one of them interval type rides. After exams. And work.

Every morning I wake up and blow blood out of my nose. I'm guessing it's allergies, but how can I care? I have fancy yellow bike racing slippers!! I go to Holy Guacamole so much (3 burritos in the last 2 days) that they know me, my order (mostly) and to give me FREE GUACAMOLE!!! The cute chick today even gave me TWO TORTILLAS!! Double wrapped for double MY pleasure.
We're talking burritos here...

AND if you have never heard of SteepandCheap.com, you should prob check it out. Like a million times a day.

Love,
tMMe

recovery

2011-05-03T13:35:00.002-04:00

all day.

Michaux

2011-05-01T23:05:00.002-04:00

Eh. thought I could pull off a great ride here, but it wasn't to be. About everything that could have gone wrong did, besides breaking my bike. We stopped with a measly flat, thank goodness. The rest was my own bad.

Still determined to have an awesome one there.

Congrats to my man Seamus on getting 12th at the Pro XCT race in TX this past weekend!