The Jimmy Buffett Concert Experience

My wife and I are new converts to the society known affectionately as "parrot heads"! Last weekend we attended our first Jimmy Buffett concert. This I assure you will not be our last. The concert alone would have been an o.k. evening. But the tailgating that took place was out of this world. Everything in moderation was not the slogan for our trip! It was more like "what happens in Alpine Valley stays in Alpine Valley"! The pictures above do not do the weekend justice. All I can say is that is something that must be experienced for yourself. 40,000+ screaming fans can't be wrong. Ty

Send Conn Some Rehab Motivation

I just read on bike Iowa about Conn Day and his recent bike crash. If you get a chance, drop him a line and wish him well. Just like many of you, a Conn Day pie and beer race was my introduction to bike racing. I don't know him that well, but I do know without him and his band of volunteers, there would be a lot more weekends without races. Conn, get healthy as soon as you can, stay strong in your rehab, and we'll see you real soon. Ty

All My Eggs In The Cyclocross Basket

Not much to write about lately. Since I made the decision to throw away the summer road season, my motivation to train all out for cross is at a all time high. The practice barriers are out several times a week, and the legs are starting to respond better to the repeated hard efforts I'm putting in. The increase in the volume of training has helped in getting my weight to an all time low. I'll be at the start line this fall a full 20 pounds lighter than last year! Another plus this coming fall season is that Re-run, my 9yr old wants to try his hand at some Jr races. So he'll be putting his BMX skills to the test in the mud and sand. Harper's is putting together a "mini"cross bike for him. I'll get pictures of it once it's done. If any local (Quad Cities) riders want to start some group cross practices let me know. I have a couple courses I use that work well. But some hard group efforts I really need to get a true picture. I need to see if my new found fitness is in my legs, or where it usually is, IN MY DREAMS! Ty

BMX Nationals

It's been a tough year for the IZZY BMX racing team. Illness, rain outs, and several camping trips have cut our season short. But both Izzy and Re-run showed up for the Friday night preliminary race and made dad proud. Tommy(re-run) racing a combined 8/9 expert/novice class raced a full gate. Tommy only a novice held his own and just missed a huge second straight crash to finish 4th in heat one, then 5th in heat two. An O.K. night. Clay(izzy) racing his first national event was up against the 4th ranked 6yr old in the nation and he showed us why. Clay was rusty and out gunned from the start gate, but he raced hard and as always he had a smile on his face. We left the track with a new confidence, and are looking forward to a strong second half of the season! Ty