H.I.P. 100

This year was my maiden voyage on the H.I.P. 100 (Highland Rec. Area, Island Lake, and Pontiac Lake). I must say that money cannot buy the euphoric feeling attained from riding 100 mountain bike miles in poetic synergy with your friends.




The weather was beautiful, the vibe positive, and the trails perfect. This was just what I need to get my 24 hour enduro focus started. With the exception of a few flats and crashes, the day was utopia.

Spectator of Suffering

With a personal propensity to hide from time trials like a dog with his tail between his legs, and a lack of TT bike, I decided that my involvement in the 2008 Willow TT would be best suited as a volunteer from the sideline.

I must say the race atmosphere takes on a much different shape when the anxieties and pressures of racing are extinct. As I balanced snapping photos, cheering on my teammates, and informing outsiders trying to get in the park that there are people in spandex trying to go as fast as they can on their bikes today so stay off the road, I stepped back and thought: this sport is crazy, absurd, arguably pointless at times, and I love and live for it.


The WSC all star of the day was without a doubt Mr. Scotty Fabijanski. Up until a few weeks ago, Scotty has never stepped onto the podium in his career…he has twice in the past few weeks. Scotty was able to set clear, concise, and reasonably attainable goals this year and he has so far been knocking them down like Tyson in his hay day. Most importantly, Scotty’s well-justified confidence is becoming evident.

In addition to Scotty, there was also another stellar WSC performance at Willow. Skylar Kroske was able to push her dads old bones in the mixed tandem category for an impressive finish.

As a result, this weeks W.C.I.F. Award is a two-way tie between Skylar and Scotty Fab. So lets all raise our water bottles to these two; they’re flying!

No Turning Back

This past Monday at 2:35pm, I officially registered for 24 hours of Albion Hills as a solo racer. 24 hours of continuous mountain biking. I really love riding my bike, the longer I ride, the happier I am. My theory is that at the end of the race I will be really happy!

Why Teach an Old Dog New Tricks?

Big Dybo, the proprieter of the highly potent, 25-year proven “Ray” move and master of making a move and making it count, sealed the deal yesterday as the WSC collaboratively secured his 1st place spring series position. Sharing the podium with the Godfather was Dan Klein in a close 2nd place overall. Thanks to an equation that had been tactfully constructed with clear objectives, WSC was able to achieve exactly what they sought after to do. It is one thing to have a plan; it is all the more better when the plan works. Knowing that nothing from here on out will get any easier for us, simply faster, we are all excited to mix it up on MichScene soil as we have clearly exhibited our presence so far this season.

At Ray’s age who knows how many wins are left in those legs. However, it seems that Ray refuses to allow himself to melt into the peloton background and not go out with a bang. So let’s all raise our vintage concert pin adorned jean jackets to Dybo, he is this years first recipient of the “Who Cares I’m Flying” award.

Equipment Debates

The time trial discipline has never been something that I have devoted any significant time, energy, or dedication to. When I did own a TT bike, I was never really too comfortable on it.

However, I may have found the best kept secret weapon for this upcoming weekend!

Can’t buy me love

We all have role models. Mr. Brandt, my former high school English teacher and cycling enthusiast, was the first person that ever exposed to the world of racing on skinny tires and pavement, and ram’s horn looking handlebars. I can’t remember much he taught me about English (mainly because I lacked focus at the time), but I can remember staring at his bikes during class and marveling at the fine craftsmanship that set them apart from my accustomed department store bikes. A few times he even went off on curriculum-unrelated tangents after a weekend of racing explaining his success or lack thereof in the event. Sadly, I remember those discussions vividly but am hard-pressed to tell you what a gerund is and its function in a sentence.

As I have grown and matured from that dazed, velo-infatuated sophomore punk, I still keep in touch with him. As a now educator, I aspire to reach students on a level that he was able to achieve and respect his outlooks on all things cycling, spiritual, and education based.

Below is an email he sent to me earlier this week. After obtaining his granted permission, I had to share it with all of you. Enjoy.


I thought of you yesterday when the latest issue of Bicycling arrived at my doorstep. It's filled with the ubiquitous, get-fast-now, get-thin-now, get-carbon-now articles. Who's on the cover? Patrick Dempsey. Yes, the Patrick McActor from Gray's Anatomy. Ahhhhh, nothing better than reading more articles about how people who can fake emotions for a living are given a platform for their views on life.
Why are their views more important than the guy who works on my car? His automotive skills are brilliant, yet, TMZ doesn't fly choppers over his shop, hoping to get a glimpse of wielding his torque wrench. I guess it's the hard-hitting insightful comments people who fake emotions for a living can convey:
Bicycling: Boonen or Hincapie?
Patrick McStupid: Boonen. He wasn't rude to me when I met him. Classic. Now he flaunts his all-access connections.
Bicycling gone Hollywood. I'd cancel my subscription, but I desperately need to lose weight, find speed and wonder what McDipStick's chef has prepared for his post-ride snack.

Waterford Thursday Night Worlds: We got a great thing here!

What can I say but finally some great midweek training races in our own backyard! No more worrying about if the tunnel or the bridge is faster…no more settling for sub-par former hockey player java…no more tolls…no more leaving the country every other Thursday. In all honesty, I will miss Ciaciaro, that short circle has a bit of charm to it that has always been alluring to me. Also, it served as a cheap but honest way for me to claim that I am an “International Racer”.

The turnout last night hosted arguably the strongest field we have seen thus far in the spring semester of MichScene racing. A big thanks goes out to all the teams who showed up to balance out the punches and keep the racing interesting and challenging.

Sparing the details, I will say that the WSC team once again raced in brilliant orchestrated synergy and cohesion thrusting 4 riders in the top ten including Dan Klein (1st), The Godfather Dybo (3rd), Myself (8th), and Cruise (9th).

Overall, I was pleased with my performance but realize as the season approaches and the bigger engines start rolling, if I am going to achieve my season goals…it’s gut check time!