The 1st Annual OTB BALL Fundraiser Party!

Enough about me! Lets talk about me!

Whenever the discussion of having a blog comes up I tend to give my standard response of “well, I dont blog just to write about myseeelllllf”, so why not flush that down the crapper and toss out a post solely about me.me.me. (but please comment too!)  Since two of my favorite bloggers (Kim and FatMarc) have already shared their lists I shall now follow suit and provide some of my simple loves in life.  In no particular order… 

1.  Bicycles. Nuff said. 

1. Flannel Sheets. A necessity in my life.  

1. Smiles. Big, small, straight, crooked, happy, warm, universal.

Wednesday Winter Lecture: Threshold & VO2 Max

Busy Wednesday night?  Stop at the Shadyside store and listen to local Coach, cyclist and my good friend, Suzanne Atkinson talk about..

Practical Applications of Threshold and VO2 Max Training

Suzanne will discuss the fuel that makes your muscles work, how to maximize your performance by training your body the right way, practical interval workouts including “tempo”, “threshold”, and “Vo2″ training, why it works and when to do them.

And you thought we just road bikes!  Ha!

To Ride or Not To Ride?

A slight incline. At least one pedal stroke would be required. What would you do? 

Black & Gold Sprints Tonight!

Winter Weight Gotcha Fat?

Theres nothing like a little winter weight to warm the bones, eh? After two plus months of lazy bliss I’ve finally snapped out of it and have started an exercise routine once again.

It wasnt easy either!  I definitely fell into a deep dark place. A comfy place!  Where elevated heart rates were not welcome but all things fuzzy were!  Television was my friend and food reached BFF status.  Finally, after the new year and when even my pj pants started to feel snug I stood up and yelled PUT THE TRUFFLE DOWN MJ!! (sure, I talk to myself in the third person) AND BREAK A SWEAT FOR GODS SAKE!!  Then I rocked out two large barrels of water.. one cold.. one hot.. and I had someone fling my head back and forth until all drunkin slacker lathargic hibernating behavior was washed out and off of me!  Talk about invigorating!!  (I totally just tried to find the scene when Andre the Giant did that to Indigo when he needed to sober up and save the man in black!  I seriously thought EVERYTHING was on YouTube.. DE-NIED!) 

Where was I?  Oh yeah.. I was chubby, hungry, yet covered in crumbs and realized.. it’s time!  So I joined a gym new years weekend and am happy to report I’ve been going and everything!  I’ve actually been jogging for the first time in about 6 years (I remember why I quit that habit), been riding my bikes again (you make me so HAP-py!), aerobic classes (just because the instructor looks like a middle aged mom does not mean you wont be crying and crawling out of the gym in approximately one hour), even weight machines (I thought those were dead to me) and last but not least yoga.  Ohh beautiful patient yoga, you had me at mountain pose.  (do i overuse that line?  nahhh!) 

So there is NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT PEOPLE!!  If you want to work off that winter weight start today!  Make it happen!  YOU are the only one to blame if you are not happy with your pants size, waist size, snack size, all of it!  Since I personally like to eat a crap load I better quit typing and go ride my BIKE!!  Last but not least, if you can take anything away from this post.  Remember..

Reminder: Bontrager Brand Manager @ T.o.P. Tonight!

I’m super stoked to see Chris Clinton tonight at the Shadyside store!  He’s biking all the way over from Wisconsin for the winter lecture series!  I think he’s currently passing through the Youngstown area.  Keep it up Chris!  Almost here! 

Besides Chris’ expertise on Bontrager he’s had an amazing life and career involving professional cycling, secret service (I cannot disclose any additional information), back up base player for the DMB in the early 2000’s, bee keeper, lumberjack, finalist on comic reality show (look for him on NBC this fall!), melon farmer, philanthropist (he did give me a hat once), spelling bee champion and most importantly a distant relative, specifically twice removed on his mom’s fourth cousins husbands twin brothers side to The Rock, or Dwayne Johnson, who I hope to meet and possibly marry one day.. and that whole Bontrager gig that I first mentioned.

SEE YOU THERE!

Ps.. Please note the pistol in his left hand. If we don’t get a certain number of people tonight he’s going to pop a cap in my ass!  Dont me down!

SAVE THE TURNPIKE BRIDGE!

UPDATE: THEY JUST RAISED TURNPIKE TOLLS! Its like they are Scut Farkus, we’re Ralphie and they just nailed us in the FACE with a SNOWBALL!  GET MAD RALPHIE!!  LET’S TACKLE & BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF THEM!!  I MEAN… SIGN THE PETITION!

This bridge is a GINORMOUSLY EXTRA LARGE BIG DEAL of an important part of the Laurel Highlands trails system.  I’ve biked across it several times on amazingly super fantastic epic rides.  Dividing the trails would be devastating.  The Laurel Highlands snowmobile club has initiated this petition, but it is used by hikers, bikers, xc skiiers, etc!  PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION HERE!!    Help us show DCNR, PennDOT and the PA Turnpike Commission how important, utilized and valuable this bridge is to the local community, visitors and tourism! 

BREAKING NEWS: Mojo Found! Weak but Expected to Live!

I was out on a winter ride the other day and something caught my eye off the side of the trail.  I almost kept going, but I stopped, unclipped and walked over to investigate.  I brush the snow off and it takes me a minute to recognize it.  Its my where-the-hell-have-you-been-I-cant-believe-I-havent-filed-a-police-report mojo!!!  I got scared you might have been lost forever! *squeeze*  *tear*  I quickly tuck it into my jacket and ride around the entire park with a stupid grin on my face the ENTIRE time and.. I’m back!  A true life true love in full effect once again.  I cannot believe it took me two full months to find it, but I just had to listen to my body.  I needed the break.  Simple and effective.  If I’m going to attempt another race season the last thing I need to do is carry any post season burn out into the new year.  I can rock out a lot of stupid stuff, but that is not something I want to add to my list.  In honor of this most precious reunion please enjoy the following clip with me

I LOVE CHRISTMAS & THE OFF SEASON!

Hi. I’d like to re-introduce my annual Christmas bike with chasing lights on the wheels and chain, of course.  I attempted (kind of but not really) to upload video of the bike in motion for the full effect but Upload FAIL.  Use your imagination.  I’m asking Santa for improved time management skills and additional patience in my stocking this year!  Fingers crossed!

The ropes versus regular lights really makes it pop, dont ‘cha think?  Not even 15 minutes after I turned on the bike I got a call from my neighbors giving me props for how awesome it looked and they officially nominated me for the “most creative decor on the block”.   I immediately spread the exciting news and forewarned all those opposing my nomination must meet me at my neighbors flag pole at 3 o’clock Christmas Eve for a serious game of hot hands.  No mittens allowed!