Bonus points to anyone who can name this rider.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Caption Contest 4.0
To commemorate this Sunday's upcoming Annual Wolverine Sports Club Awards banquet at the Detroit Yacht Club, this contest is brought to us from deep in the Wolverine Photo Archive. Have fun with it!
Bonus points to anyone who can name this rider.
Bonus points to anyone who can name this rider.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
What is Gary dreaming about?
Along with myself and many other kickball obsessed individuals, Gary is fondly reveling in the thought that kickball season is a mere 86 days away!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Utopian Day
On the Saturday before I turned 29, I rode 96 miles on my 69er.
The day was topped with a birthday excursion to our newly acquired good friends and sponsor, Dick O Dows. Thanks to everyone who made it out.
When I was a young boy it was always a dream of mine to have Charlie Brown at my birthday party...it took twenty nine years for my dream to come true.
The day was topped with a birthday excursion to our newly acquired good friends and sponsor, Dick O Dows. Thanks to everyone who made it out.
When I was a young boy it was always a dream of mine to have Charlie Brown at my birthday party...it took twenty nine years for my dream to come true.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Finkelstein Birthday Bash 2008
Come help celebrate my last year before I can race Masters 30+ races.
Everyone's Invited!!!
Where: Dick O Dows in Birmingham (One of our teams new sponsors)
When: 3/1/2008 8:00pm
Don't live a life of regret...be there.
Everyone's Invited!!!
Where: Dick O Dows in Birmingham (One of our teams new sponsors)
When: 3/1/2008 8:00pm
Don't live a life of regret...be there.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Caption Contest 3.0
Ben Renkema, former teammate and good friend, as he snags his first ever National title at Downers Grove in 2005, quite possibly one of my most favorite cycling photos of all time! Also, John Coyle, current teammate and Olympic medalist is to his left. Ben is featured throwing up two fingers on each hand for what I assume is representing his State Title he claimed just the week before and his newly claimed National Title…or it could just be promoting peace in the Middle East, I never really asked him straight out.
Ben is one of the few riders I know who has the apparent skill, drive, and talent to take his game to the next level. I look forward to seeing how his season develops this year as he makes the move to his new team TURIN, and to take pride in claiming that I at one time, shared a bed with him while on the road at Superweek.
Ben is one of the few riders I know who has the apparent skill, drive, and talent to take his game to the next level. I look forward to seeing how his season develops this year as he makes the move to his new team TURIN, and to take pride in claiming that I at one time, shared a bed with him while on the road at Superweek.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Austin in Summary
I spent my last day in Austin taking in the sights from the view of a borrowed 29er Kona Unit. The goal of the day was to roll a hundo but I ended up conceding to a mere 75miles, as the trails were a little more challenging than I anticipated.
There were a few cliff ledge trails I stumbled upon that left me fearing for my life a bit as I peered down the edge of the trail at the rock garden about 100 feet down…one slip and one could end up in a world of hurt.
In summary, my first trip to Austin reminded me that there are still places in the US where people are happy and have a healthy well-being. I had forgotten what a thriving and growing economy looks like. From my perception, it seemed that the people of Austin seemed to be financially stable and placed an emphasis on experiential based value (i.e. travel, cycling, hiking, climbing, contributing to community, etc.). In addition, it seemed that they consumed less than we poor Michiganders do. The city was making major strides to ensure a “greener” more sustainable way of living as well as placing recreational activities as high priorities. I would say that for every 1 car in Austin there is probably 2 bikes. Not quite par with Portland…but getting there. Its ironic, that while Michigan’s economy continues to plummet radically we still see the emergence of the wildly unnecessary places like the new outdoor Partridge Creek Mall, huge subdivisions with houses way bigger than we would ever need and with one entry layouts that resemble a rat trap. We have less, but consume the most.
Of course the legend, legacy, and claim to fame of Lance Armstrong is clearly present in Austin. As I rolled the group rides, I listened to many stories of local riders and there run ins with the cycling superstar. Everyone seemed to want to claim at least one degree of separation from the cultural icon…I’m not sure I can blame them. Lance has recently decided to open a new bike shop in Austin named Mellow Johnny’s. The shops intent is to promote bike advocacy and increased emphasis on making biking a primary tool for transportation, recreation, and maintaining a healthy well-being. The shop will feature lock and go cycling lockers for individuals who commute from out of town as well as showers. Although this shop presents a threat to the business of some pre-existing shops in the area, it seems the concept behind it is worthy.
In a nutshell, this cycling/companion reunion trip served as a great way to recharge my batteries and break free from my everyday mundane, routine lifestyle that I complain about but am not sure I could live without. I never thought I would make it to 29 years of age and still live in this area, it just didn’t seem likely or something I wanted to be in the cards. However, I can say that I love and embrace the cycling community I belong to. You guys all hold me up and keep me going…not sure I could find such a tight knit group in other cities. We all share the same passion and as a result, we are the minority, the black sheep, and the alternative. Our priorities lie elsewhere than driving new escalades, buying houses bigger than we would ever need, spending ludicrous amounts of money on ugly purses with gaudy letters on them, wearing our Sunday’s best to a smokey bar, and ignoring the fact that other cultures exist outside of the Metro Detroit Motor City. I take pride in my community…so lets all raise our pint glasses we busted our asses off to win in a prime at some local crit race to ourselves, “Who Cares? We’re Flying!”
There were a few cliff ledge trails I stumbled upon that left me fearing for my life a bit as I peered down the edge of the trail at the rock garden about 100 feet down…one slip and one could end up in a world of hurt.
In summary, my first trip to Austin reminded me that there are still places in the US where people are happy and have a healthy well-being. I had forgotten what a thriving and growing economy looks like. From my perception, it seemed that the people of Austin seemed to be financially stable and placed an emphasis on experiential based value (i.e. travel, cycling, hiking, climbing, contributing to community, etc.). In addition, it seemed that they consumed less than we poor Michiganders do. The city was making major strides to ensure a “greener” more sustainable way of living as well as placing recreational activities as high priorities. I would say that for every 1 car in Austin there is probably 2 bikes. Not quite par with Portland…but getting there. Its ironic, that while Michigan’s economy continues to plummet radically we still see the emergence of the wildly unnecessary places like the new outdoor Partridge Creek Mall, huge subdivisions with houses way bigger than we would ever need and with one entry layouts that resemble a rat trap. We have less, but consume the most.
Of course the legend, legacy, and claim to fame of Lance Armstrong is clearly present in Austin. As I rolled the group rides, I listened to many stories of local riders and there run ins with the cycling superstar. Everyone seemed to want to claim at least one degree of separation from the cultural icon…I’m not sure I can blame them. Lance has recently decided to open a new bike shop in Austin named Mellow Johnny’s. The shops intent is to promote bike advocacy and increased emphasis on making biking a primary tool for transportation, recreation, and maintaining a healthy well-being. The shop will feature lock and go cycling lockers for individuals who commute from out of town as well as showers. Although this shop presents a threat to the business of some pre-existing shops in the area, it seems the concept behind it is worthy.
In a nutshell, this cycling/companion reunion trip served as a great way to recharge my batteries and break free from my everyday mundane, routine lifestyle that I complain about but am not sure I could live without. I never thought I would make it to 29 years of age and still live in this area, it just didn’t seem likely or something I wanted to be in the cards. However, I can say that I love and embrace the cycling community I belong to. You guys all hold me up and keep me going…not sure I could find such a tight knit group in other cities. We all share the same passion and as a result, we are the minority, the black sheep, and the alternative. Our priorities lie elsewhere than driving new escalades, buying houses bigger than we would ever need, spending ludicrous amounts of money on ugly purses with gaudy letters on them, wearing our Sunday’s best to a smokey bar, and ignoring the fact that other cultures exist outside of the Metro Detroit Motor City. I take pride in my community…so lets all raise our pint glasses we busted our asses off to win in a prime at some local crit race to ourselves, “Who Cares? We’re Flying!”
Monday, February 18, 2008
Finally some good weather!
Sunny and in the 70s yesterday, you couldn’t ask for better weather…I even got to work on the tan lines a little!
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