Braketown, Brakecity, BRAKEVILLE

First Tracks

2009-12-08T05:42:00.000-08:00

The storm of the century is on its way. Ski Snowstar opens this weekend. I call first tracks. And thats a good thing (Martha).

The Happy Mutant

2009-12-07T05:45:00.000-08:00

I've been meaning to post this for awhile, when in Burlington, stop in at our newest (and only) OUTDOOR ADVENTURE store THE HAPPY MUTANT and get your fix on. More stuff is added every day. Click the linky in "clain links below to keep up to speed.

I HATE GREEN

2009-12-03T05:46:00.000-08:00

The pics are really bad cell phone photos of My REAL job. Its strange looking at the actual terrain when its dry ground, you need to imagine 6 feet of snow covering everything. We had our first Instructors meeting last night and its supposed to get butt-wrenching cold in the next couple of days so my fingers and toes are crossed. ITS TIME TO SHRED, Fred.

Turkey's are so misunderstood

2009-11-25T11:57:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving; To the benevolent entity in control of the entire universe, we all tend to bitch a lot, but here is an attempt to rectify our ungrateful nature that exists for the other 364 days. It's a mere happenstance, a chaotic twist of evolutionary chance, a few extra random molecules wound into our DNA are all that separates us from worms, to being able to see, hear, experience and dream our lives away in relative comfort. A species that no longer survives by tooth and nail, but actually changes its environmental conditions to suit our own evolutionary shortcomings. I'm thankful that I'm not naked, boneless and blind on a cold and wet sidewalk, almost hypothermic and all the while still slowly succumbing to the invisible ultraviolet radiation streaming through the cloud cover. Unable to speak, shriek, or change the circumstances whereby one meets the ultimate fate of every living thing...alone and incredibly anonymous.

Leaves in Autumn, with corn...

2009-11-23T05:35:00.000-08:00

The "narrows", Keep Right go's without sayin. Sweet bypass of Single track goodness (note the mush down below) I started calling this section "SLUGS" cause I found about 10 empty 12 gauge shells during its construction. Heres what they've been shootin at, meet Junior. Nice Buck but theres also "Big Daddy" who's half again as big with what looks like an Oak growing out of his skull, he only comes out at night and he's quite camera shy...I can't imagine why? I need a better camera, or some photography classes. If you ask anyone, and myself included, fall is the most favored season. Autumn in the Midwest makes living here almost bearable. Dehn's is no exception, its odd that no matter how much rain we get the trail is still as hard-packed as a sidewalk with one proviso, it does get about a 1/2" of slimy, slippery mud puddin on top, which is similar to riding on ice topped with snot. Happiness is a dirty bike (and I whine about going through cassettes and chains too fast Ha!). While other trails around the area turn into bogs that can reach the depth of your hubs, if you're willing to get spackeled, Dehn's is pretty much OK until the frost heaves in spring start.

Almost time...

2009-11-21T12:55:00.000-08:00

Close enough to start wishing for some snow! Check out the link to My REAL Job. Its actually a great time and as I progress in this sport its becoming increasingly evident I need to start wearing protective gear. Its getting colder and I've been practicing my Snowboard OLLIES in the living room, which by the way is a never ending source of amusement for Missus Brakeville. I tend to get a little too excited about boarding, for instance, I had one young student last year who's Mother had dressed in FIVE FREAKIN LAYERS of winter gear. Sometimes I take it for granted that me being fairly OLD, people should have NO problem keeping up with my lesson speed, however, even in the 10 degree cold this poor kid started turning a bright shade of red, then a ghostly white, and promptly threw up all over the bunny hill. After many apologies to his parents (who were really cool BTW)and the removal of a couple layers from the Lad to keep from overheating, I slowed the pace WAAAYYY down and and made my exhuberance level matches my students capabilities. Live and Learn :) I may even try to Ski this year, but I don't want to jack my knees up any more than they already are. C'mon POWDER!!!!!!!

Dehn's and Deer's

2009-11-16T08:50:00.000-08:00

"TEAM TITANIC" yes thousands of people died in the cold water in 1912, however, this time it was a happy ending Go jump in the lake, much warmer at this years POLAR PLUNGE than last year. Mama don't care unless you talk, then they FREAK! Thanks to our Local Bicycle shop BICKELS, I was able to spend the entire day Saturday blowing the leaves off Dehn's trails. Its a pretty long walk carrying the industrial sized leaf blower they have but its worth the effort cause you can actually SEE the trail now, especially at night. I talked with one of the land owners as well (he thought I was a four wheeler when he heard 4 hours of leaf blowing) Really nice guy who just purchased 11 more acres of Dehn's, hates four wheelers but likes us bikers. You'll be seeing more "no tresspassing" signs in the future but he is specifically targeting the wheeler crowd. If you see him make sure you thank him for letting us maintain and ride trails on his property. Next up I'm going to get rid of the WIDE bridge the wheelers are/were using to get around the main loop and a more biker/hiker bridge will be installed in-line with the flow on that hill.

Flash...cold off the presses

2009-10-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

Well, strictly speaking the young'ns out there may not even know what a "press" is(was). I've been riding alot, and when I say alot for me its alot, which means I'm destroying stuff. For some reason I go thru cassettes, chain rings and chains at an almost even 6 month interval. Damn they're expensive to replace, and I've tried EVERY chain lube out there, currently its ROCK-N-ROLL blue (cause I'm SO cool) This stuff seems repel dirt and grime the best I've seen. Hell I even had to replace the pulleys on the rear deraillure (sp?) as there were NO discernable teeth left on either the upper or lower. All these components worked wonderful in the relatively dry trails at home, but when it got wet and muddy at Farmdale (I-74 Series finale) they conspired together in an ORGY of chainsucking violence. So bad that I was using my XT chain to cut through my chainstay, ripping off the groovy-but-absolutely-worthless-bling thing thats meant to protect the nice carbon underneath. Then my bottom bracket spit all its ball bearings out, not that this was a shock seeing as its two years old, I must say that I'm impressed with outboard bearing designs. Replaced with a Chris King BB, if its half as good as my six year old headset I'll be happy. Oh, I also snapped two (upper and Lower) titanium pivot bolts on the BLUR...nice...If you've ever had to drill a 15mm titanium bolt/pivot out of a carbon frame you'll know this is easier said than done. Replacements from Santa Cruz were free and quickly sent, however, they've went to Stainless Steel on the lower pivot...hmmmm, me thinks I'm not the first to experience this issue. Other than MY drivetrain problems and broken pivots I can't complain about the new bike too much, its stiff and light, climbs pretty well and makes a big hit nice and soft (btw I snapped those two pivots climbing believe it or not) So, on with the early winter riding, the lights are on the bike, I'm freaking out the local Deer herd, and am STILL patiently waiting for snow....

Its all over...

2009-07-27T11:48:00.000-07:00

But the CRYING...Contador wins the Tour, calls Lance a JAGBAG and a crappy teammate. I say, bring on 2010 and Team Radioshack, no matter what you feel about Lance Armstrong you gotta admit he looked "pretty good for an old fart". And since cycling seems to eat their own, say what you will about Lance but I'm sure VS. tv likes a 50% larger viewing audience, yeah I know, they should've called it "all LANCE, ALL the time" but cripes its AMERICAN cycling on the tube. Don't tell me Ventoux didn't stir you're climbing legs a little?? Maybe??? Speaking of JAGBAGS, its seems my best buddy Greg Lemond has figured out mathematically how Contador MUST be cheating because of his reluctance to talk about his VO2 max as it pertains to climbing the Verbier...Gee Greg, you're right again! Nobody will ever be as good as you were, or as CLEAN as you were. All Greg needs to do is come up with his own rubber wrist band and I'll buy two of them cause he is SO "then". RAGBRAI finished up in Burlington this weekend, pretty cool to see it happen. The weather they had this year was awesome. When I get older I might try it, if nothing more than to answer the first and always question someone will inevitably ask when I reveal my true cycling identity. WOO HOO for IOWA! Summer's almost gone and I'm already dreaming about fresh powder, obviously wishing my life away....

Colorado is cool

2009-07-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

How much stuff can you cram into a Jeep? Everything but the climbing gear, it had to be sacrificed for the bike stuff. Everyone was flashing thier brights at me, must've been settin a little low in the rear, and with 5 people inside the poor little truck climbed the 6 mile 7.5% grade of Monarch pass like Cadel Evans...SLOWLY :) North fork of the South Arkansas river outside of Salida, water temp? c-o-l-d! about 20 yards from the tents. we used it instead of the cooler, and, some previous campers left me a couple bottles of suds! SWEET! Its nice going to sleep listening to the white water flowing by, unless you have to pee during the night. We were in Bear country, apparently WE taste like chicken, but all we saw were sheep. I would have liked to see a bear (from a distance) but echoing my son, "my Daddy didn't bring no gun" so maybe its better we didn't. Angel of Shavano campground (9100 feet up), I could get used to it. we had the best weather window, 70 degrees during the day and 40 at night with nary a drop of rain. Mrs. Brakeville says Bear Grylls is full of shit!! We DID have a fire courtesy of BIC, cause raw SMORES are just wrong. There is nothing like a pine fueled camp fire to cleanse the soul. The Colorado trail, leading to the Angel of Shavano trailhead. This is open to bikes as well, and descending the trail is FAST and sketchy, the open wounds on my shin have healed nicely. Obviously there are a few hike-a-bike sections that can't be cleared no matter how fast you hit them! The view from 13,010 feet up 14,299 foot Mt. Shavano. I noticed my heartbeat in my eardrums, wierdy. 50mph winds and a desire for O2 kept us from knocking this off our list but we'll bag it soon enuff. Above is Hartman Rocks near Gunnison, granny gear up, big ring down. Can't wait for the next time. Oh, I actually raced the Scott County short track race, gee, who knew that these were so intensely paced? Duh! I finished on the lead lap so its all good.

RUN FORREST!!!!!

2009-05-18T09:27:00.000-07:00

Running. I heard a comedian comment about runners, he said "nobody likes 'em, they're all skinny and in great shape!" George Carlin said "running isn't a sport, ruuning is a way to get someplace faster than walking". Running for me has always been painfull, maybe because I do it so infrequently, or perhaps because it shakes loose the 30 extra pounds on my gut like jello in a baggie. The Missus and I volunteered to help at the registration for Burlington's Bridge Run on Saturday, all we had to do was hand out pre-registered packets to the racers (and listen to the inevitable jock-snots whine about everything from the free tee-shirt size to the course itself, I think every race promoter wonders why these types of people even show up if not to flap their gums and bitch). For our efforts we scored a free entry into the race WOO HOO! There is NO WAY I'd run six miles unless a Grizzley was behind me, or maybe if a passle of Bigfoots attack me at night in the woods and steal my bike, so we both opted for the 2.2 mile version, and I can tell you the last YEAR in which I've run farther than 1 mile was 2004. Be that as it may, my only goal was to RUN the entire 2.2 miles, even going up snake alley or into the 35 mile per hour sustained headwind on the return across the bridge, I would continue to do my best impression of a "run". At the 1 mile mark they were yelling out the times, my first mile? 11 minutes, 26 seconds. DUDE, at that pace I could complete in under a half hour! So across the bridge we go with the wind at our backs, not too bad at the turn, the REAL runners will continue on to get their six.("not I" said the sly Fox) I drafted a 70 year old guy I caught on the bridge while we were buffeted by the killer headwindn, and once we passed the middle of the bridge and were on the downhill side, I hit the gas and passed him! (I'm so ashamed) Anyway, I finished at 25 minutes and 9 seconds, well under the half hour I had thought it would take me. I must confess my running shoes were purchased sometime in the last century, if memory serves 1998. They look brand new, but my feet are fatter or something cause they don't fit very well. My toes hurt, my thighs are mush, and every time I sit down now I wonder if they will support my weight when I stand again. I may have even had a little fun...running.

Dirty little secrets...

2009-05-14T05:35:00.001-07:00

Santa Cruz Blur XC Carbon...BIKEGASM!!! 4.4 lbs total The secret is I really don't know jack when it comes to bike mechanics, so nows the time to learn. A thank you goes out to my LBS for loaning me some tools I don't have. Is it bad when theres parts left over? Almost done, "Mr. T" to the rescue, cause I didn't want to even attempt shift cables. I got NO skilz! Thank you SIR! He then went on to diagnose that my rear wheel is ready to split in half and handed me a spoke wrench. *gulp* Old and new. New bike is 24 lbs. total. That might not sound so great but its two lbs. lighter than before and I'm running a list of heavier albeit stronger components. (read cheaper to replace as well) XTR cassettes last about 9 months before the teeth are gone and at 300 bucks a pop FUGETABOUTIT. If I was REALLY worried about weight I'd consider dropping a few LBS. off MY enlarged rear end, and thats basically free. Dirty secret number two? I have NOT been able to ride my new bike more than 20 feet due to work and friggin rain. I'm almost insane...in the membrane...insane in th...well you understand.

Its not the years, its the mileage

2009-04-30T13:48:00.000-07:00

I'll be saying goodbye to an old and very dear friend next week. In 2001 TREK introduced the FUEL full suspension bike to be had in different groupo combo's, at the time I bought the middle of the pack FUEL 90. My first real bike in almost 20 years. And what an awesome bike, it made me a rider again, it compelled me to actually RACE and compete in a very tough sport. It has transformed my body and spirit, like a lever action RED-RYDER BB gun at Christmas, I dreamed about XC greatness, and when I'm not riding it faithfully I can feel it in my soul. The only component left from the original bike I bought in 2001 was the seat post, and only then because it has permanently welded itself inside the carbon seat tube on my current frame. Too many high powered car washes I guess (always keep your shaft greased they say). TREK has been kind to me as well, as I have broken two main triangles in both aluminum and carbon and two swing arms, I've replaced them with the latest TREK had to offer, primarily SEXY carbon fiber goodies. Three front shocks, two frame shocks, six seats, four handle bar and grip combos, five different cranks, six cassettes, two sets of shifters, brakes, and God knows how many tires filled with GALLONS of STANS. But alas, TREK can not undo what almost 20,000 miles of abuse has wrought on ten year old full suspension swing arm technology, EVERY pivot point on this bike is wallowed out in both the frame and swing-arm, almost every stress point is now showing little stress fractures where the top coat of carbon weave is flaking off. If I turn left, the back half of my bike now leans right, creaking and groaning with the strain. There are literally coke can shims installed to take up the slack on the main pivot, whose slide bushings long ago have joined together and eaten into the aluminum inserts on the main triangle. Where today they use sealed cartridge bearings, ten years ago TREK used plastic bushings (I've replaced them all at least five times that I can remember). I've had first place finishes and last places finishes, I've pulled off some amazing saves and had some absolutely horrendous wrecks. This bike has been ridden in the mountains, in the desert, fast, slow, dry, sloppy, cold, hot and every condition in between, and I'm guessing over 1,000 laps (at least) of Dehn's woods. It has earned its retirement and then some, but I've said before I am a predictable creature of habit and change is something I despise so this frame will remain on my wall not as merely a bike, but as an example of real art, a sculpture formed in carbon from yesteryear...Next week Mr. FED-EX should be delivering a replacement frame from a different manufacturer, we'll see how much bike tech. has changed in a decade, cause its got some mighty big shoes to fill...Stay tuned.

Tranquility

2009-04-22T06:46:00.000-07:00

M I S S I S S I P P I spells relaxation

And just what do YOU do?

2009-04-02T20:17:00.000-07:00

Its a question I've had to answer before. If you've ever experienced the joy of interviewing for the job you already have you'll know what I'm talking about. In our current economic climate its to be expected I guess, but the first one was a surreal nightmare. I have the feeling I'm going to do it all over again next week so I thought I'd have a little fun with it. Feel free to help me edit the following job description, I look forward to any helpful comments or constructive criticism(s). Lets see...At any given time I may be occupied with customer service, engineering, reception, purchasing, selling, quality, psychiatry, truancy, discipline, training or buying outdoor crap off e-bay. I administer pay, I dock pay. Simultaneously understanding and overpowering, I could be delivering or driving, directing or designing, decreeing or deciding, debating or denying, detached, engaged, enraged, enlightened, enthused or completely oblivious to everything or anyone within the building. I talk fast, I work fast, I take my time, I hurry up, and yes once in awhile yes means no and vice versa. I'm a communicator, a fabricator, a moderator and prognosticator, pliable, rigid and open to suggestion know matter how stupid it sounds. I program, promise, pander, push, plead, parade, parlay, promote, placate, pacify, provide, plan, and sometimes piss people off. I'm powerful and powerless pivoting on pointless if you'll pardon the pun. I've screwed stuff in, I've screwed stuff out, down and definitely up, at the very least I'm consistent. I'm grounded on a high perch. I have to sense the senseless, help the hopeless, guide the godless, buy the worthless, live off the kindness, and even use the useless if absolutely necessary. I'm all about safety too, don't stick your other hand in the machinery "Lefty", do not use a fork in the toaster "Electra", right foot gas, right foot brake, its the same one right? Watch your step, look up and live, look out below. Keep an eye out really doesn't mean that. The life you save may be your own, buckle up, lock out tag out unless of course we need it. Poison will poison you even if its only a little poisonous, don't play Russian roulette during break time; especially with an auto-loader, please don't stare at the arc welder, pretend that was your head, what do you mean what do I mean pretend? Band-aids may not staunch arterial bleeding. I have the equivalent of, and the experience to get certified as an MD, PHD, CPR, FR, CIA, SPC, ESQ, RX, DOT, USDA, OSHA, SAE, BBC, MSNBC, XP, MP, VD, BFD, WTF, and OMFG put together(LOL). As you have already surmised I truly am a unique individual just like everybody else, and I am the perfect candidate for my own position, and I can assure you this paradigm of behaviour will continue throughout my tenure, if you so choose to keep me in your employ. P.S. Wheres my bone-us?

The more things change...

2009-03-20T06:22:00.000-07:00

The more they stay the same? Not really, If I said I've ridden a total of 200 miles since January 1st 2009 it would normally be out of character for a "cyclist" of my caliber (rrrrrright). But it is a true statement; however, 170 of those miles have been put on in the last 6 days, and its not too terribly hard to imagine how out of shape I am. Sure my legs are a little sore, yeah I have no endurance yet, but what I was NOT prepared for is HOW MUCH MY ASS HURTS. Every bump in the road has become a new level of pain. I'll never take for granted that saddle time is not just how far or fast you can go, there is also an ass-time-build-up-to-it factor involved. I may (will) be wearing TWO pairs of bib shorts for this weekends riding. Obviously This is the first year I can remember being so attached to winter snow and boarding, I can ride a bike regardless of the weather so there isn't an abrupt "end" to my cycling season. Spring temps. in the 70's and rain ended my Snowboarding period-point-blank. This sort of instant change in my schedule is not something an OCD'd creature of habit like myself tolerates very well, kinda like a polar bear without ice, I can't adapt to my new enviroment without a certain amount of crankieness...No wonder Bears get pissed and eat people from time to time. I've been accused of changing sports or activities too often. But I really think if I had the $$$$$$$$, I'd chase winter all the way to the southern hemisphere in search of powder. The flip side is some of my left, and ALL of my right rotator cuff(s) in my shoulder sockets are shredded beyond healing, maybe a couple of months away from slamming my old body into the ground would help this situation...naw!

Cross Training...maybe?

2009-02-10T06:54:00.001-08:00

Welcome to Monarch Mountain Colorado! The temp. is a balmy 50 degrees and its a KAVU day, Klear above, view unlimited, add in runs that approach a mile in length and SEND IT!...I'm thinking about dusting off my bike someday but right now I'm PRAYING for more snow and cold. A perfect February get-a-way. This is near the top of Monarch's "K2 organic terrain park", about three hundred yards of 45 degree slope into a 25' tall kicker. It took me three times just riding by it before I actually had the nerve to hit this jump, the first time I almost didn't have enough speed to make it up the verticle wall. After a couple of succesfull hits, I had to quit because the Ski patrol was evac-ing an injured skier, kinda sobering but this thing was too good to pass on. Also had a buuch of smaller jumps, log rides, rails and various other ways to commit suicide by board and I spent an entire day trying em all, free adrenaline and I escaped with no "major" injuries, SWEET! (edit: I DID bust my ass on a stoopid rail grind, but I healed quick cause all the kiddies were watching, can you say IBUPROPHEN?) Top-o-the world Ma! Things become much clearer at 12,000 feet, hey look, you can see Telluride about 100 miles away! Nary a cornfield in sight either. The Missus and I at the Lodge, three days of solid boarding make your quads SCREAM. I don't know if it translates to riding a bike but I hope it stays winter for a long time.

Those who can't do...

2009-01-20T09:07:00.000-08:00

TEACH! I'll be testing this week to become...a SNOWBOARD instructor! Woo-hoo, can you say "comped" for next year? Now, there is no way that I was chosen for my MAD SKILZ, I was asked to teach because of the fact that I'm reliable (read OLD). Why not get paid to do what you like? I've got a groovy new Board coming AND I'll get a name tag that says "MATTHEW" on it...SWEET. I can tell you that as I age my recuperation powers have ebbed somewhat, so after this weekends two days of marathon "shadowing", basically following a 15 year old kid downhill doing switch 180's and ollie-ing over obstacles my body is SORE, but its great polymetric moves that will either harden my bones or break them outright. Next up, mastering the "butterbox" and 50/50 railgrind. How much do you suppose AFLAC will cost me?

If you should go skating on thin ice...

2008-12-29T06:00:00.000-08:00

This is from the "Polar Plunge" at Lake Geode, water temp 42 degrees...cold. This is from the "Flint Creek Flop" water temp 32 degrees...really cold! It wasn't that I had a near death experience as it was only chest deep, but I can tell you that there was mild panic, followed by nervous laughter...the bike is OK, but my cat-eye may be toast. If the horse throws you get back on quickly, hell I was already soaked how much more wet could I get? I like Starrs cave, it almost looks like anywhere but Iowa. I wonder if Pugleys float?

Moon shadow

2008-12-15T05:44:00.000-08:00

Lighting courtesy of the Suns radiation reflected off the moon. Keeps Bigfoot away to! Obviously, the Moon at perigee seems 30% brighter, cause its about 18,000 miles closer to the earth. "We don't need no stinkin lights"! Night riding in Dehn's. BTW theres a 12 point Buck that really doesn't like to share the trail, I got the feeling he was pissed every time I lapped him

Long time comin'

2008-11-20T14:18:00.000-08:00

WHY SO SERIOUS?

Cripes I've been out so long I forgot my password. This saturday I'll be one year older, I'm celebrating by jumping into lake Geode. My company is putting up the cash to help the Special Olympics .soiowa.org/Events/PolarPlunges/tabid/122/Default.aspx so I gotta take the plunge. After that its on to Burlingtons version of http://www.thehawkeye.com/print/Cranksgiving-Food-Drive-111508>CRANKSGIVING we'll see if I can pull off the double.

All things to everyone?

2008-08-18T13:51:00.000-07:00

Random UTAH photo...

I have enjoyed reading the blogos this summer, everyone doing their own thing and living life. there are a couple on my "must read" list; Jills Sub-Acrtic journal being one of my favs cause she is an excellent writer. I've always wanted (still want) to see Alaska for myself but thanks to Jill, Juneau is NOT on my "hit" list, too much friggin rain. Denali? you bet! Wrangle St. Elias? In a heartbeat! Cordova? Show me to the Helipad for some fresh powder goodness! She's tougher than I could ever be. I like reading Kerkoves stuff, mainly for the race info from out west cause its stuff that sounds like fun, but I don't think I can even ride 100 miles let alone race it. Case in point, a lot of folks give a daily update about their condition "hey, my legs felt light and snappy today". My legs always feel lethargic and dead, except last saturday. For some reason I had endurance (holy sh*t?!), after 20 miles of Dehn's I still felt the need to go further. So i thought why not ride to Geode, do a lap on the trails, and home again. So heading out of town I'm showing off by track standing at a red light on Roosevelt ave. Green light, I'm still in the big ring so I kill it off the line and proceed to snap ALL FOUR CHAIN RING BOLTS, now I'm dodging cars trying to find my sprokets and enough pieces to get to my LBS. Nick fixed me up and I'm on my way out of town, 65 miles later I'm home again. Note to self, you're OUT of Butt Butter! Nice day, about 5 1/2 hours on the mountain bike (repair time included) but a nice change from my normal 1 1/2. I think I may actually *gasp* race a bike again soon. I never know how fast/slow I am till I meet other riders around town (its SLOW btw) but it still makes for good times on a bike and thats what counts. Cyclo-cross isn't too far away, and if my calf muscle stays attached to my fibula I just might make a couple.

Saturday is Trail Maintenance Day

2008-06-26T06:12:00.000-07:00

I need a chainsaw, and a CAT D-9! The good news is even with yesterdays rain the trails are PACKED solid like a dirt sidewalk...a few greasy spots but all in all ready to rock. anybody have a 5 gallon bucket of DEET?

Its READY

2008-06-23T05:59:00.001-07:00

Well, first things first. Obviously the Mississippi is doing its best to reclaim its floodplain, while us mere mortals are doing our best to stop it. Its WINNING. None-the-less I think it may be a good idea to remove some of these levees once and for all, easy to say cause I don't live there I know, but in the end the river will do it for us. On a side note, while I was filling sandbags I ran into TATERS golden brown friend. Talk about sandbaggin HA HA HA, thats a joke Nick!

Finally its ridable, the new trail around all the sewer mess. I think I have spent over 50 hours building this trail, benchcutting the WHOLE thing in. Its still a little spongy and needs packed but it takes 26 seconds from start to finish. My reward to work ratio is KILLING ME.

Utah revisited

2008-06-18T07:09:00.000-07:00

This is the MAZE district of Canyonlands. I thought about giving a detailed account about what we went thru to get here, road conditions and a list of items that a person NEEDS TO STAY ALIVE in what has been called "The most remote spot" in the lower 48 states...but you'll just have to go yourself because no amount of words can describe this place...