End of another season

Well here we are closing on a another season. There were many changes for us, the biggest losing our shop sponsor. But the racing will go on. I would like to thank Cobblestone Bikes again for their support over the past years. Also I want to thank our new sponsors for the 2009 season, I hope we can race up to their expectations of us. If you have a chance please check out their web-sites and products. So thank you to every one who supported us this season and we hope to have a good 2009 with all of you.

Merry Christams and Happy New Years.
CM

Are you kidding me??

Stupid, do they really think they can get away with all of this. I guess what they say is true "You are judged by the company you keep".
CM

Where's my $2.00 !!!!!

What is up with the news paper carriers? I usually ride with our chain-gang in the morning starting about 5:30 am. Yea, I know and yes it is stupid cold. With my crazy life I don't think I've ridden in the sunlight in months. Ok, back to the encounter. So we're out riding one morning in the dark looking like a circus train with all of our lights and reflective clothing. So, it's pretty much impossible not to see us. In the distance we hear this rattling, kind of like rocks in your hub cap sound. It's a newspaper carrier. Well he comes right up on top of us riding, no big deal we've gotten use to it. This morning was different he was throwing the papers drivers side through passengers window. My buddy is running point on our group and something flys by his head, and then we hear a thump. It was the newpaper! One more pedal stroke and he'd be laying in the ditch. It kinda of confused us so there were no verbal exchanges with the paper dude. Later same ride we're heading back sky is starting to get lighter, and there he is same paper guy behind us. This time we got ready for the flying papers. But no paper. Instaed he came around us and sat right in front of us for about half a mile just cruising bout' 10 mph. Slowing us up and not letting us pass. He then drove off. I don't know what that was all about. So if you ride around old gun and you hear the noise of rocks in a hub cap, just slow up, if not you could end up headless.
CM

I'm an Obsessed Cyclist.....

Cycling is an addiction to those of us who attempt it. It is not for the weak or for those who give up easily. Racing is a life of hardship and pain. A cyclist's logic is twisted and demented; always wanting to push oneself to the extremes of pain, and enjoy it.
Racing bicycles has become a way of life to me. Cyclist are generally looked upon as weirdos, who wear silly looking clothes, make goofy motions with their hans, and talk with an outlandish lingo. And as for a racer, we go a step further in this strange ideology, we shave our legs. As crazy as it seems we love all of it.
To some of us cyclist racing is a secret religion. Indivisual rituals are performed and for a while there is a moment of silence. Racers of opposing teams exchange intimidating glances as the mind games begin. In the focused racers mind they have already won the race, now it's up to the body to perform. The race starts, butterflies are gone and a calm cool professional awakens. An adrenaline rush hits as they race down the starting strait. The crowd screams are like the rustle of leaves in a tree, as they flow by. The pack, slides into the first corner, moving as a single unit, then out just as fast as it went in. The indivisuals in this mass are moving in and out, and around the pack trying to break free of its bonds. Most attempts are in vain, but the few and the strong are able to free themselves. Then a feeble group pulls away from the pack with a hope of victory. Soon their rush of victory is replaced with pain, as their anaerobic legs beg for much needed oxygen. This group now must support themselves. But what happens more often than not, the power of a united pack reels in the break.
As the race comes to an end, the high pace is pushed higher. Pain filled legs give victory a last try as the flow of riders start to sight the final sections of road. Suddenly the finish line banner is sighted, the weak sprinters attack trying to avoid a field sprint, but its in vain. The strong sprinters explode from the pack, like bats out of hell. Only one can win. The strongest prevails, and with a bit of showmanship he thrusts his hands into the air. All his self-control, pain and luck paid off.
Living life to the fullest is what I want to do. I could break my addiction to bicycling, but it is too much fun and enjoyment.
Anyway, why would I want to??

This was an article written by a team mate of mine about 18 years ago for a local paper. He was probably one of the best sprinters I ever raced with.
So I'll drink a cold one to you Mike where ever you are.
CM

Money for Nothing

I was talking with a friend of mine last week who works at a LBS. He was telling me about some riders from a local team coming in and looking for sponsorship. The first thing they asked for was FREE service. These guys race for a very large team, and last time I saw these guys race it seemed they weren't racing on garbage. If they can afford high end bikes and equipment why would they need something for nothing?
So how much return on investment will that shop receive? Probably not as much business as they will give away to this local team.
Don't get me wrong I'm all for a sponsor helping out a team with discounts when they can. As you know it cost alot for this sport we are all so passionate about, travel, entry fees, supplements, bike repairs, tires....... With that said shops need to make money also, rent, overhead, inventory, salaries........ I feel some people really don't take that into consideration when asking for sponsorships.
So my point is unless your a U23 or young PRO trying to move up living on a shoe string budget hoping to win a little coin so you can enter your next race or buy gas money (trust me I know how hard that life is) then support your LBS with your business and in return I'm sure they will support you.

I know my opinion isn't worth much but atleast it's FREE!!
CM

A New Beginning

Well here we are getting ready to start the new season in a few of months. As you might know we are now an unsponsored squad since we lost Cobblestone Bikes in 2008. This was one of the best sponsors / shops I'd ever ridden for, they really took care of us and were very generous to our needs. So I thank Karl and Joel for all of their support over the years. I know the cycling community will truly miss their shop.
Please keep checking back as we update with news, rides, and results of our squad for 2009. We might be small but we are dedicated to our sport.

Thanks for reading
CM