Iceman Cometh: Thoughts…deductions…future aspirations.

A few weeks back I told the Hermitman that I can’t wait until we can just roll around for an entire Saturday, in sub-freezing temps, making multiple coffee stops every 2-3 hours, and simply traveling at a modest 14mph social pace. Taking 45 minutes just to weather proof yourself before you can roll out the door to brave the elements, stocking up on chemical toe warmers, the hum of the studded tires on the pavement, building up a winter single speed beater from old parts, tasting salt for the tire spray off the rider in front of you, rolling home at 10:00pm on a work night with your toes and fingers so numb that they feel like their being squeezed in vice grips when they finally begin to thaw out, and rolling triple digit rides back to back each weekend…some may say this sounds miserable and dreadful…but for me, it is poetic.

The Iceman Cometh marked the denouement of my season. It was my last effort for the year to try and put myself together and take a stab at a respectable time and finish. I felt particularly good going into the race this year. My top end speed, acceleration, and leg speed had all seem to come together in the week’s prior and I was feeling good and optimistic.

There have been several instances in my racing tenure in which I have put myself in situations and scenarios that are downright terrifying and from a general safety standpoint, quite high stakes. The hole shot at the Iceman proved to be one of these situations that had my anxiety running high and my mind racing with the dreaded thought of crashing and injuring myself. As a result, my positioning off the gun was about the least optimal as possible. I spent most of the race trying to “connect the dots” and pick up spots. Ultimately I ended up rolling a time of 1:36, which would of put me well into the top ten in previous years. However, due to what was quite possibly the fasted course the Iceman has ever saw, coupled with the deepest, most talented field this race has ever hosted, I was merely mid pack in the pro field. Overall, although I wish I could of made contact with a faster train early on and felt I was not quite on the rivets the entire race but rather in a comfort zone, I am happy with my performance and can truthfully proclaim that I had fun…after all that is what its all about, isn’t it?

Alas, this brings me to my annual self-assessment and gut check. What will be my goals for next year? What goals did I achieve this season? How can I achieve the goals that I did not achieve this season next season? What were my strengths and weaknesses this season? Usually, I spend the majority of December, January, and February formulating answers to these questions and use March to plot out my season. However, this year I already have a clear goal and burning passion for next season.

If I learned anything from this season that I hadn’t managed to in the past, it is that success in racing is product of mental stamina and confidence, unwavering dedication, and finally performance. If any of these variables are compromised than success is drastically reduced. This season I had a pipe dream that came true and it enabled me to take something more away from this sport than I ever had before. Although my goal for next year is lofty and some may perceive it as unattainable, it is the fuel to which I will elevate myself and persevere on.

From now until January 1st, while I will continue to ride avidly, I am going to focus on simply having fun on the bike, not worrying too much about extremely structured training, loosening up the diet a bit, staying away from the mentally tormenting bathroom scale, and recharging my battery. However, come January I plan to be committed to a level of Monkhood too which I have never been before.

Occupational Reinforcement

I like my job…I do. However, just like any job, you have your struggles, frustrations, and mental battles. Every so often I question, was teaching the best path for me? I’m a smart guy…should I of pursued another occupational avenue that perhaps was more financially rewarding? Does my occupation fully implement the best of my abilities? On occasion, although I never thought of this even being an option, I even entertain the notion of a career switch in my lifetime.

However, every so often something happens that makes me realize that teaching is quite possibly the best fit for me, the most rewarding on several levels, and without a doubt, a great career choice. This past Friday, presented one of these moments.

One of my homeroom students who is a participant in our Voc. Ed. Program surprised me with this semester project that he had been working on in the body shop of his jobsite.

I don’t have many words or thoughts to describe how this made me feel. I was beside myself.

I plan to hang this trophy in my classroom for a constant reinforcement reminder that although there are many lows in my line of work, the highs far out weigh them in the long run.

Storm Troopers, Spiderman, and Uncle Tim

What was my oldest nephew for Halloween this year?...That's right...Uncle Tim.

On par with a superhero!? I couldn't be more flattered.

Seperated at Birth: Cyclorcross Stud or Wolverine Legend?

Either Jeff has been racing a lot longer than we think or he is a direct descendant of Wolverine Legend, TJ Hill.

Dragon Gap "Fall Harvest" MTB XC Race Report

Although this race was low in attendance, it provided a great opportunity to get some intensity work in before the big show. After waking up indecisive whether or not to race I was happy with my choice as the downpour of hail started just after crossing the finish line. The course was interesting; a great mix of cyclocross style, double track Iceman prep, and a bit of single track. Joeberon set the pace high from the gun and we were off. After sitting on Joe’s wheel for the first lap we realized we had quickly left the field long behind. However, later in the race I faltered on a corner, came out of my pedal, and Joe was able to get away from me. I kept the gap to Joe fairly close for the rest of the race but was unable to catch him. I rolled in for 1st place in my age category and 2nd place overall. I was satisfied with my result, and glad I rode my Trek Top Fuel 9.9 as the course was fairly rough.

Thanks to Lake Orion High School for organizing a late season race!

Nick Names: An Age Old Practice

As many of you may know, I place high value in community. I’m a kind of guy who wants to go where everybody knows my name and they’re always glad I came.

Last night, the Hermit-man and I were rolling around the streets of RO and got into a discussion about all of the nicknames that embody the Michigan cycling community. It’s a bit absurd if you really stop and think about the wealth of cleverly-nominated associations out there.

Why do we do this?

I’ve narrowed it down to two reasons:
1. Term of endearment, symbolizing acceptance
2. Term of ridicule

My short-lived first roommate I had in college, with whom I went in blind, was one of those social outcast akward types that anyone who took one look at would immediately file him into some kind of “that guy” category. He had so few of friends that he took it upon himself to nominate his own nickname which was never adopted by a soul despite his dedication and persistence of referring to himself with this self-proclaimed nickname. I only lasted two weeks with this fellow before I went nuts and had a little talk with my RA to move me to another room. The straw that broke my back was coming home to 8 cans of polished off tuna fish adorned on the floor with a side of whitie tighties casually laying around fully equipped with skid marks so defined an accident reconstructionist could of determined exactly what was served up in the cafeteria the night before…but this is a different story. Nonetheless, back to my point; Rule #1 when it comes to nicknames-it has to be bestowed upon you from your social group…without exception, no self-nominations!

So, after brainstorming for a few minutes, I came up with this list. Feel free to add to it or share a story of how your nickname may have come about.

Also, there is something special at stake for any person who can correctly identify every name with the proper person.

-Rockstar- -Hermit-Man- -Pain Guy- -Simonster- -Peanut Butter- -Beer Champ- Lil’Pony- -The Donut- -Stewey- -Hedge Hog- -White Bread- -Unguided Missile- -Porn Stash- -Hot Rod- -Monster Cell Phone- -Flab- -Papa T- -Black Ace- The Eagle- -The Godfather- -The Jew- -Frodo Baggins- -Girl of Steel- Domo arigato- -the Legend- -Hammer Man- -Hairy Man- -G-Man- -Frenchy- Cruz Missile- -SippinWhiskey- -Kuhncapie chappie- -Soupy- -Twinkle Toes- Finkelstein- -Dolpinator- -The German- -Click Man- -K-Man-

I owe Hal Needham a big Thank You!

“What’s new lately”, asked my mom late Sunday night as I am driving and conversing with her on my cell phone. “You haven’t been updating your blog, is everything OK? Isn’t anything interesting happening”. Truth is, this time of year I seem to always slip into my mundane state of mind. Although I entertained the notion of racing every weekend in October, it seems the call of fun base miles rolling out from my front door and post-ride beers seemed overridingly more fun. I was supposed to race Peak to Peak this weekend and even thought about doubling up and suffering some cross the next day but after my teammates were on the fence about making the northern excursion, I found it easy to throw in the towel. So the weekend was spent rolling over leafs on my squishy fat tire bike, getting in the ever-so-important therapeutic miles, and engaging in general TCOBing (taken care of business).


On Saturday, Adam York rode with us and I discovered that he was unaware of the greatest movie ever made. Recently, John Coyle posted a “If it weren’t for Claire Young” story which got me thinking. In a nut shell, his story expressed that he was unsure of where he would be today had Claire not looked at him when he was 8 years old and commented, “You look pretty good on a bike, you should race”.

It made me realize that one movie taught me virtually everything there is to know about life. Folks, I’m talking about Rad, the greatest story ever told…it’s a fact. The movie instilled my passion for bikes, taught me about relationships, love, struggle, money, greed, honor, and the fruits of hard work and dedication. It was 1986 and I think I was playing outside at the time. My eldest brother’s future wives’ brother brought over two movies he had just rented and asked if I wanted to watch them. One was Iron Eagle (another great flick, but that’s another story), the other was Rad. How was I to know my life would change from that day on? I can still remember my first viewing, the tricks amazed me, the soundtrack got my adrenaline pumping, and the plot sucked me in like a dyson. My mom quickly had to enforce the rule that I was to have a 1 hour waiting period, or cool down session if you will, post-viewing before I could ride my bike for fear my elevated state would cause me to surely attempt some kind of stunt that would wind me up in the ER.

Who you I be today if it weren't for Rad?



If anyone has been deprived of this movie and would like to reserve a VIP screening in the Stein Theatre, feel free to contact me anytime and I will personally facilitate your very own evening of life-changing cinematic excellence.

Mom, I hope this provides you with fodder to make it through your week.