Mustache Contest

Homer inspired a mustache contest at work.

The participants.
Charlie and Ray on the mall shuttle. Amazing they lived through the day.We've got a winner!

New Clothes

It's been challenging (albeit a good challenge) to live without internet for the past couple of days. Luckily, I got my taxes nearly done just prior to it shutting down. TurboTax rules. And right now, I'm having warm feelings towards the IRS (that's my fault, of course, and I really hate knowing that I gave the government an interest-free loan all year).

I'm well aware of how cheesy it is to put on a kit just for the photo opp, but this will be probably the only time to get a shot when I'm presentable to the public.

Colorado is a slushy mess right now and you'll never guess what...snow in the forecast for this weekend. I still have yet to ride outside since the middle of December.

Philosophy of the Day

Solipsism:

• An epistemological position that one's own perceptions are the only things that can be known with certainty. The nature of the external world — that is, the source of one's perceptions; therefore cannot be conclusively known; it may not even exist. This is also called external world skepticism.

• A metaphysical belief that the universe is entirely the creation of one's own mind. Thus, in a sense, the belief that nothing 'exists' outside of one's own mind.

Solipsism is first recorded with the Greek presocratic who is quoted as having stated:

1. Nothing exists
2. Even if something exists, nothing can be known about it, and
3. Even if something could be known about it, knowledge about it can't be communicated to others

2007 Racing Season Approaches

This is the kit (or a similiar version) that I'll be sporting in the '07 season, Team Einstein's. I'm also hoping to sport a similar style of racing across the line. This is Jason Donald (don't know him personally) at Tour of the Gila. He signed with Team Slipstream for this upcoming season.

Tom Danielson Raises $$$ for Jr Racing

Tom Danielson and Beth Wrenn-Estes speaking on stage. Colorado and Junior racing owes so much to her.

Check it out, wish I could have been there Wednesday night:

http://www.tomdanielson.com/pages/06/junior_cup_event.htm

Need for Speed

Thought watching the Baja 1000 (documentary "Dust to Glory") might get the adrenaline going. Not really, it was more of a comedy. Guys drive for 24 hours straight and think they're just amazing for doing so. (Really, what they encounter on the roads is pretty frightening.) However, maybe someone should tell them about 24-hour mountain bike races. Out with Dust to Glory, in with the Giro '04, yet again, but it does the trick.

Warning

Descriptive sign, New Zealand.

Food Log

They say you should track your food intake for a week in order to figure out how to eat the appropriate amount. Here's my day so far (I've only made it to 1 pm):

Fruit/Protein Smoothee
Energy Bar
Bagel & Cream Cheese
Apple
1/2 bag carrots dipped in Almond Butter
2 Liters Water

...and I'm still hungry. Back to work, I mean, grazing. Pretty sure I won't be able to keep track of a whole week's worth of food.

Nevermind

Nevermind my whining about "long" trainer sessions...they're nothing compared with this. He's going to be on the stationary bike >82 hours to set the new record. Besides, the trainer is much more comfortable than a stationary bike. What, exactly, possesses a guy to do this? Ah, maybe he lives in Colorado!

Looking Back

Today has been spent on the phone. And blogging. It's great to have a completely down day. Unfortunately, it's forced. It's cold, foggy and simply miserable out. Just read though some old blog posts. The last day I was on a road ride was December 16th. Nearly a month ago.

Picture is from Breck last weekend, this is a pot of hot apple cider. Oh, how wonderful that looks now.

Celebration, but of what?

Friday evening was spent on the trainer. I was supposed to be in the gym, but the gym decided to install a new carpet. I got to watch a fireworks display while spinning. Pretty cool, but why were there fireworks? Can't imagine anyone was actually outside to enjoy them, it's cold.

Cross-training

Last Sunday was spent skate skiing with these cool girls. We all ride and race together, nice to get out, enjoy the crisp air and sunshine doing something very different than usual.

Training Update

I've been avoiding blogging about training. Maybe it's because, if you know me, you know it's happening and it's certainly not too eventful. I can only take so many scenic pictures from my epic trainer rides and make up so many stories about dumb drivers or frightening animals. Honestly, you don't want to hear about what's on television. Luckily, I'm usually on the trainer when Jay Leno comes on.

Whenever I think long hours on the trainer are difficult, I think about Katie Compton, who is preparing for cyclocross Worlds on the trainer (because it's too awful in Colorado Springs to ride on the road with a crossbike). There is nothing harder than doing intervals while gaining no ground.

Back to freezing, talking about how cold it is, whining about all of the ice all over the ground and dreaming of long days on the open road.

Best Use of a Windows Server

Besides this beer being a little too light in color, I absolutely agree.

MCA

Progress is being made on the Museum of Contemporary Art. It's one of the most cutting-edge "green" buildings in the country. It's good for the environment & also much healthier for the people working and visiting in the building.

Go Denver!

Hot off the press...this is very exciting for Denver economically. I'm thrilled because it means lots of people and lots of different things going on that the city has not seen before.

Parade

It was the Old West here today. The Stockshow parade wound its way through many city streets. The horses were cold and a bit freaked out by the ice.
You know the parade is over when...

City Lights

Last night was the warmest night that I can remember this holiday season (is it still the holiday season?) The lights are still lit and it looks festive. There were people all over the place last night, probably since it was warm and everyone has cabin fever.

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2007. There are pictures to post, but there has not been time to get them up. I'll work on it this weekend, I promise.

January is a month of training, eating and sleeping, literally. There will be few, if any, posts here, but I promise to resume the moment racing begins (in mid-February).

I can't wait to start racing, I'm really looking forward to this season. Along with that, I'm simply looking forward to being outside on the open-road with fresh air again.

As for New Year's Resolutions, I have none. However, I have goals and they're already quite enough to handle by themselves.

Have a happy, successful 2007 and live each day to its fullest!

New Year's Eve Festivities

The girls and I wandered around a little in Denver after dinner. Lots of people were in the streets despite it being very icy and frigid. We made a detour so I could see if my gym would be open on New Year's Day. No luck, so I had to experience a new gym (one of those big box ones), it made me appreciate mine that much more.