Why Did the Hippie Fall Off the Swing?

I pushed him!

Happy Birthday, Myroo!

Happy Birthday, Cooper! Here is a special birthday joke just for you...



Also, I thought that you might like this more...



- tHD

The 1,000,000 Question

...But what about Hot Dog?
by: abbeytrails

Orange Crush!

BUST OUT YOUR SKIN SUITS, HOT DOGGERS - For those of us who are relatively new to Cyclocross or want to learn how to dominate last place in the "C" Class, this might be a great introduction. I'm planning on attending and I think you (yes, you!) should too...

It will be an excellent opportunity to learn how to work on your road starts and Dismount With the Quickness. The flyer even says we can practice making total asses of ourselves on the Orange Crush if we want to. Plan on continuing our training at Buffalo Wild Wings afterwards while we watch Oprah reruns on the big-screen with ice cold Octoberfests in our hands!



This should get you good and ready to rock the Tailwind Series and Mad Anthony races like a true Cyclocross Racer....I'm talking about the beer drinking, not the actual Clinic!

- "Coach"

Niner Poto Shakedown Ride: To Hell and Back

First things first... thank God I'm posting, so that some other hideous photo kind of moves down the blog. Thanks again Shaun.

Today, I was joined by two other founding fathers of THD at the Poto. They joined me to break in my new Niner EMD. If you are going to ride a new mountain bike for the first time, Poto isn't a bad way to go. In fact, in SE Mich, it might be the best way to go... so nobs to that! The trail kicked my ass. I was very slow. I bonked halfway through the ride. Pretty much bonked cause I might have righted the ship a little too much this week, and didn't give myself enough calories to hammer the trail today. Oh well. The bike itself kicks ass. For the first mile I was out there, the bike seemed to float over everything. Once I settled down, the ride was ok. I have to get used to the new geometry, as well as some other things, but once I do, I think this Niner will be ridiculous.

Halfway through the ride, Coach wanted to take a few mile detour, and check out Hell, so Jrad and I obliged. Below are a few pics from Hell:

Shaun, cause you weren't with us, I specifically chose this shot for you... cause of the NOBS!

No words are needed for this, this is classically AWESOME!

And to cap things off, I had mentioned some cute little Internet video that is a few years old... I think you guys will enjoy all the "bang bang bang!" Check it out!

O2S - A picture is worth 1000 words..

I could say how perfect the weather was. Or how great the race went for everyone. Of how awesome it was seeing everyone and staying at Steves parents who are fabulous hosts. I could go on all day. But words cannot descibe how great Ore 2 Shore weekend was. The joy on HD's face after 17 Coors Lights pretty much says it all...



NObs.

My new ride (sort of)

My 2008 Gary Fisher Paragon frame cracked a few weeks ago right near the seat tube. Google 2008 Paragon frame crack and you will find many pictures of the same crack I got. It took about a week for Rochester Bike Shop to process the warranty claim. Since Hot Dog is showing off his new ride, here's mine:

This is my fourth bike frame warrantied by Trek. Take that information however you like. I also realized through various circumstances (insurance, gift, warranties) that I have not paid full price for a mountain bike since 1991!

On an unrelated note, for some reason, I cannot figure out how to post comments to other people's posts.

O2S Recap

Well. Another O2S is in the books. Good news is, we all finished, and we all finished in less than 4 hours. Shaun (as always) was the fastest hot dog with a sub 3 hour time. Purple Helmet had a solid showing around 3:09 or something and Steve, was most improved hot dog with a blistering finishing time of 3:28. Amazing. The rest of us made it to finish line on fumes.

Anyways, it was good times. I'm typing this a little perturbed right now though. It's 5pm on Sunday, gorgeous day out, sun in full bloom and we're on the Mackinaw straits enjoying summertime in northern Michigan in all her glory... and you know what? EVERYONE IS ASLEEP BUT ME!!! WTF!! Seriously!? Team hot dog my ass. I'm renaming us Team Geriatric. Pathetic. Well... I'm about 7 Coors Lights deep. Time to slam a Red Bull and go kayak the straits.

Look for a full write up on the weekend in a few days. I still have some partying to get out of my system. Peace out.

HDs New EMD

Yes! My 2011 Niner EMD (Eat My Dust) arrived in the mail today! Here's a few pics of it. I couldn't play with it as much as I wanted to... had to cut the lawn, take the gf out to dinner, visit my parents, and pack for O2S. That being said, I'll be rolling the Stumpy at O2S. The Niner needs a few adjustments before he's trail/race ready.

You can read more about the wonderful addition to my stable by clicking here. See all of you guys up north in a few hours!

It's Time to Go Home.

That's right. O2S (Ore to Shore) 2007. Where it all started. Team Hot Dog. A few douchebags (see below) that didn't really know each other that decided to head up to the UP and do this bike thing.

5 Coors Lights the night before the race and no breakfast leading up to a 48 mile sufferfest, and well... here we are again. Somehow its become the highlight of the cycling year. and. I CAN'T WAIT! Just a few more days boys.... Let's go home. (Hope your parents are ready for us Coach!)

Almost Hundo #1

2011 Miles to Date:???????
2011 Ride Time to Date:????????
Previous 365 Day Miles Total:???????
Previous 365 Day Hundo Total:????????

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/104485154

Damn rain and construction kept me from my last mile. I was getting a tad frustrated.

Ore 2 Shore: Train Saturday, Recover Sunday

First up, Saturday, park downtown by Rochester mills like we did with HD that one time years ago, and roll either the PCT or the back roads to Lake Orion where we can ride my Tuesday ride. (http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/14908990) Planning a start time of 9am. (or earlier if you want) The pace will be fairly brisk. Bring your man pants. Its hilly. There will be no whining, no quitting... Just a steady tempo ride at a honest, I almost want my mommy pace.... It will not be for the weak. Not a puke fest but no burger roll either...

Which brings me to Sunday... For whoever wants to venture out this way, a nice easy recovery ride to Milford for some sweat single track (I found the actual trailhead) and recovery cheeseburgers. At one local teams recovery pace its only about an hour and 5 minutes to downtown, half hour or so of trail, then a recovery cheeseburger and a ride home that will be nice and easy. It's exactly 40 miles from my house, including the trail. Keep the HR down is the theory here. Until you start digesting a double patty fungus burger and a load of fries. Or if we are not in the mood for burgers, margaritas and burritos.

Let me know.