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!

Winter Lecture Series Begins Jan. 6!

This season, we’ve decided to do plan the Winter Lecture Series a little differently. For those of you that aren’t familiar with the Trek of Pittsburgh Winter Lecture Series, I came up with the idea 3 years ago because we wanted to encourage people to keep up their motivation through the dark cold months when usually the bikes get hung up in the garage and forgotten about until spring thaw.

This year, I have a very exciting list of speakers and we’re presenting immediately following the holidays on Jan. 6. A representative from Bike PGH will kick off the series at 7pm to talk about commuting tips, how to ride in the city, and to announce Bike PGH’s new booklet entitled Commuting 101.

The following week, We’ve made arrangements to bring in Chris Clinton, the Bontrager Hard Goods Manager at Trek. Flying all the way from Wisconsin, Chris designs all wheels and tires (amongst other things) and will be on hand to explain how tire choice can drastically affect your performance. After his lecture, there’ll be plenty of time to chat one-on-one with him and ask specific questions. You really won’t want to miss Jan. 13! Our final two speakers are just as exciting – Univeristy of Pittsburgh’s Dr. Bret Goodpaster, a return speaker from previous Lecture Series will be giving an extremely informational talk on training and what VO2 MAX really means to the rider. Darin Shriver wraps up the ‘10 Winter Lecture Series educating on the importance good health as it relates to training on the bike. He give personalized tips and offers solutions on how to make the most of your time on the road or in the woods.

So after you’ve stuffed yourself with every tasty holiday treat imaginable, ripped open all of your gifts, and spent the last week fat and happy with friends and family, mark the Winter Lecture Series on your calendar and join these talented speakers at the Trek of Pittsburgh Shadyside store each Wednesday evening in January! You won’t want to miss this! Contact Shadyside’s manager, Jeff Kuchma for directions, etc.

Luna Sport sends us their love

During the holiday season, our suppliers usually send us little treats along with some of the orders that come in. Today I received an awesome care package from the folks at Clif Bar and their new women’s apparel line, Luna Sport. Thank you, Sophie!

Luna Sport is a new line inspired by the Luna Chix cycling team, and a nice selection of their awesome fleece jerseys, 10 paneled shorts, and arm/leg warmers are now in stock at the Top Gear Bicycle Shop in Wexford. It’s nice to see a line of cycling clothing that’s not only specifically focused on women, but has some really stylish designs and colors besides pink.

TOP Ladies Welcomes Jill!

Miss Jill is our newest addition to the TOP ladies family! Jill works in the service department at the Robinson store and sees that every bike leaves shiny and in working condition for its owner after a tune-up or over-haul. Look for Jill’s blog posts as Trek of Pittsburgh’s female mechanic. See her profile. Jill spends her days with fellow Robinson mechanics Dylan and Brandon, whether it is building a customer’s new bike, checking suspension, or just regular maintenance.

My first snow, chicken wing & punk bike plagiarism

I have been successful at maintaining my heinously lazy lifestyle and newly found hobbies as previously noted (I’m creating my 4th bridge and have won 27 sets of tickets to shows I dont even plan to see, but hey its something to do), however, last weekend I accidentally caught sight of the snowfall and quickly found myself smiling and zig zagging through my home trails.  I managed to dress perfectly and even though I only had time for a shorter ride it made it all the sweeter.  OH how I LOVE snowy winter rides!  You make me SO HAP-PY!!

Ok, now I need to admit something.  (insert standing up in front of my computer screen now)

DIRTY DOZEN FAIL

This annual event is a road ride climbing (or attempting to) the 13 steepest hills (which you just cannot fully appreciate or comprehend without seeing them in person) around Pittsburgh.  The route spans approximately 50 miles and 5+ hours to get to all of them, supposedly includes neutral riding in between the hills and a few food stops are provided to refuel.  A must for all riders in attendance.  My title says it all, but I’ll toss out a few highlights before my memory blocks it out completely. 

10. With a month off the bike I knew completing the ride was impossible so I had a goal of completing 6 of the hills.  HALF DIRTY DOZEN FAIL!  I actually only completed 5 out of 8 attempted hills.. heh heh.. yeahhh.

Punk Bike Enduro this Sunday!

CALLING ALL OUTLAWS + MULTI STAGE RACE FOR FUN & POINTS + POST RIDE PARTY = PRICELESS… I mean..  THE 20TH ANNUAL PUNK BIKE ENDURO!  BE THERE.. or dont.  I’m not one to force feed events or riding, but dont complain when you miss a legendary good time either.

My Iceman Cometh (Very) Post Race Report

What can I say?  I’ve been out of the country, busy, tired, lazy, sleeping, grumpy, working too much, jacked off, sick, etc, etc…  but enough about me.  Hahahaa!   

Lee Ann and I took the road trip to Traverse City, Michigan for the ICEMAN COMETH CHALLENGE!!  An amazingly large and very cool race consisting of mostly double track (snow mobile) trails for 27 miles.  The race is usually capped at 2000 or 2500  riders but when online registration wasnt closed properly over 4000 riders signed up and raced this year! Holy crap, thatsalotapeople!!

We lined up in the Pro/Expert field (Eek!) for the 2:30:30pm start, which was instantly delayed after a fairly large group of the Pro Men piled up on the pavement just a block away from us.  Those knuckleheads!  The girls made a few jokes but also concerning comments not to follow suit.  The guys picked themselves up and headed out and we quickly followed.  I had 3 goals for the day

Post Season Burn Out

Man, I have no desire to ride lately feeling an exceptional amount of post season burn out.  Possibly more than ever, but I’m not really sure how to confirm that.  Just feels like it.  So while the bikes are resting I will be focusing all of my time and energy on my newest hobbies:  watching obnoxious amounts of television (nothing educational),  building model suspension bridges out of toothpicks, making award winning four course meals using only a george foreman grill and a toaster oven and trying to be caller number 9 on any and all radio contests.  If you need to find me please update my profile with the below photo.  I had this taken of me yesterday…

Iceman Cometh Challenge

Lee Ann and I drove up to the Iceman Cometh Challenge last weekend.  After the race we took the long way home and looped our way through Canada, dont ‘cha know?  So being out of town and then quickly sucked back into the reality of my life I havent had time to chat it up about the race and trip just yet.  Just wanted to toss out a quick line, to my buds who take the time to stop by (hi!), that I will post as soon as I get some time and can stay awake all at the same time.  A difficult task to say the least.  I gotta quit trying to blog right before bed.  (YAWWWN!)