weekend ride report....

Bike riding was fun again this weekend! Lynn,m-effer and Fr8 went to Vietnam on Saturday and had a blast for two plus hrs in the freezing cold! Lynn was able to demo a Felt compulsion squishy bike, the verdict you ask? "It's nice, it took me a while to get used to it, I still prefer a hard tail." While Lynn was Huck'n Gnarr with the big boys, I was rolling on my road bike with Wild Bill and the infamous Joe S. We headed out in into ct. on 49. This is one of our favorite scenic rides. Yes, it was cold and windy, yes we went slow, Of course, we ate pizza and drank beer after. Sunday am, Lynn had to work, so Noah J. of P.bike and i headed to The Nemba fun ride in Lincoln Woods. We met up with Wild Bill, Bad brad, Fr8, Chris F and had a blast carving up the frozen woods. We did two loops in the bright sunshine, the weather was perfect. I love bike racing but, a fun day in the woods with your friends goofing around on bikes is so fun! Bonus, after the ride we were greeted with hot chili, Stacy even made veggie chili for us animal huggers! Much thanks to the distinguished Mr. Mt Dee, great job!


Tuesday 12/16/2008 is our wedding anniversary,Lynn was able to hang on for another year, Woohoo!

Last race report of 2008!

Lynn competed in her her final race of the 2008 season with solid mid pack finish on Sunday at the NBX Grand Prix. She was excited to wake and find that it's was snowing, as condition worsen the fun quotient goes up. The nastier the better, it's all about the skills, so with 45 psi in her tires Lynn warmed up with team boss Murat. At the start of the race she got a great hole shot, 4Th into the woods, her sprinting has improved drastically this year. She lost ground in the long deep arduous beach runs. I was happy she finished the race, healthy with a big smiley dirt speckled grin!

Team Sam is looking forward to a full '09 season, with a few surprises, Track racing? BMX racing? Dual slalom? 24hr solo mtb? Down hill? Unicycle trials?

Lean Forth...and eat Turkey

Turkey day was a good day, except for the poor turkey. Our family had a last minute change of holiday plans due to Lynn's unexpected hospital stay earlier in the week. Yes,she is fine, No Joe, she wasn't faking, Yes, she is tougher than anybody I know. So we shared an abbreviated but fun and relaxing holiday with Mike I., Carrol, Zack and Paige. Everybody is healthy, our small home is full of love and the pitter patter of little feet. We have a lot to be thankful for!

Long ride Sunday mornng @ 9:ish, call or e-mail.

Jay is ok!

Lynn and I got an early x-mas present and have one more thing to be thankful for this holiday season. Jay aka Judge O'Malley is going to be OK. His biopsy came back clear. It turns out that the "mass" on his leg is just damage from an old injury. Jay has no racing record that we can find and he was fairly young when he went up for adoption. We are wondering if his racing career ended early (mercifully)due to a severe leg injury. Lyons had a good history and was quite fast, but when they play, Jay is a bit faster.

The ouch and aaawww campaign...

Lyons and Judge have spent some time at the Veterinarian this week. Lyons pulled out some of his front teeth, while we were at work. He and Jay must have engaged in a tug-o-war, Lyons lost.
Judge has had a sore left foot for a few days. His regular vet. prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs. After a week, he was not any better. X-rays were the next step, revealing a "mass" on his leg. Yesterday our youngest dear puppy had a bone biopsy. AAAWWW! No worries,Jay is recovering nicely.

This week Team Sam spent over $1500.00 in vet bills, this number will triple if the biopsy specimen turns out to be malignant. So everything that is not nailed down goes on ebay. My vintage bmx frame set and various items end today. I will be listing a Jamis Dakota Elite mtb frame with carbon rear stays (size med) in addition to other neat bike stuff.

I am also contemplating the sale of my 2006 Honda crf 150. I purchased it new as a left over in 2007. I've ridden it a few times, maybe six? It has been jetted and de-resctricted. Lynn also has a Kawasaki klx125 with a new rear tire, poweroll exhaust and jet kit. Also possibly available will be riding boots, pants, jersey and helmets.

Lynn is looking forward to the NBX 'cross race on 12/07/08. My busted up collar bone is healing, I ditched the sling early and can't wait to get back on a bike. I feel like I've gained about five pounds in two weeks!

Yes on three....We Won!

Why is this Dog smiling?

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 4, 2008

BOSTON—Massachusetts voters on Tuesday approved a ban on greyhound racing.

"The measure will force the state’s two greyhound race tracks—Wonderland and Raynham Park—to close their doors by Jan. 1, 2010.

Supporters argued greyhound racing is inhumane and that greyhounds are routinely injured during races, including broken legs, paralysis and even death from cardiac arrest.

The state’s dog tracks say the greyhounds are well cared for and looked after by veterinarians. They also pointed to their efforts to ensure greyhounds are adopted once their racing days are over.

The track owners say eliminating the tracks will take a financial toll on the state. They said up to 1,000 workers will lose their jobs.

A similar question narrowly lost eight years ago."

Our concern now, is that there is going to be an immediate overload of Greyhounds in shelters. The problem is that if there is no room in these shelters, the remaining dogs will be killed. We will do our part, by adopting a third if the need arises. If you have ever considered opening your home to a grateful and loving dog, NOW is the time.

The clavicle is attached to the....well not anymore.

After a long bicycle season, which included; training, criterium racing,(including one hard crash at Attleboro),commuting daily on a fixed gear and brakeless bike,lots of mtb riding, racing a mtb endurance race, learning to drop in on a bmx, a few 'cross races(including another hard crash at Glouscter)and a day at Highland mtb park, it finally happened. I fractured my collar bone, riding an ancient Polish three speed girl's bike on Broadway. Halloween night Lynn, Mike I and I were rolling down Broadway, laughing and goofing off coming home from dinner. I was pretending to go fast on a silly bicycle, chasing Mike, as I stood on the pedals to accelerate, the quill stem loosened and the front wheel flopped over to the left.I hit the ground with no warning. The full force of the impact was applied to my right shoulder. Frate said that I blacked out for five minutes, I don't remember. The old polish Tyler is ok. Go figure.

See you at the bike swap on Sunday!