In Memory of Matt Peterson

Matt...you will be missed and we have all lost a truly good friend.

Snow Snow Go Away!!!

So I guess by the title you can tell we have had some snow here in NY. Actually it hasn't been thatbad BUT I am ready fo it to be done with. Sure it looks all purty and shit but F*#K Purty!!! I want it to be nice. Nice enough that i don't have to wear bootys, 2 pairs of gloves, full length knickers and a hat. Nice enough that I can't see my breath when I am huffin and puffin into the wind and sometimes snow. But everytime I am out in this crap I always remember the pics of the boys in Belgium and I think, if they can do it, so can I! SO I will officially STOP complaining Darren.

Hey if you are wondering, I have found some good rides here on Long Island but unfortunately there is hardly any climbing. (Those of you who know I hate climbing might find it hard to believe BUT I miss it...especially my favorite climb Alpine DAMN!) Long Island is like doing the Paradise Loop every day. The longest climb I have found is just about 5 minutes long so needless to say my climbing legs are GONE! The group rides here I have been riding are pretty good though. I usually am hanging in the back as I am just finishing my base work and am now starting to add intervals. I may even do a training race this weekend depending on the weather.

Now for some non cycling related news. After a LONG time looking I have finally found a job. WOO HOOOOO!!!! Sure its not what I wanted but its a gig. I will be writing comedy for a radio prep service. Go figure...someone actually thinks I am funny and I have convinced them to pay me for it. The only downside is that it is in Connecticut. Oh well...its a job and I have accepted it. Now I just have to figure out new ride routes...UGH!

This has NOTHING to do with Cycling....but

For those of you who know me, know that I have been at the center of some pretty "ugly" moments in my radio career. Those are what led me to San Francisco to begin with and find me where I am today. I did the interview below because I have never really told my side of some of those things and about crap that can go down behind the scenes.

Low and behold, I was caught off guard by portions of the interview showing up in yesterday's NY Daily News...but what can you do? My only real problem with it is that the reporter who filed thee story in the NY Daily News didn't spell my name right....other than that? ROCK ON!!!!

Thursday, February 14, 2008
No apologies by radio producer Rick Del Gado, who was Hot, then not
By DAVID HINCKLEY
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Wednesday, February 13th 2008, 4:00 AM
Rick Del Gado played key roles in two of the messiest incidents in recent city radio history. He was the producer when Opie and Anthony held their infamous "Sex in St. Patrick's" contest on WNEW (102.7 FM) in 2002 and again when the morning team at WQHT (97.1 FM) aired the "Tsunami Song" in 2005.
Both times, he got fired.
And both times, he tells Chaunce Hayden in Steppin' Out magazine, he was just following orders.
"I don't think I crossed the line either time," he tells Hayden. "It was my job."
At the moment, Del Gado doesn't have a radio job. After Hot-97, he worked in San Francisco for a while, but now he's "between gigs," as they say - and he doesn't sound particularly happy about it.
He notes to Hayden that Opie and Anthony had been doing the St. Patrick's stunt for three years. "The listeners got involved, everybody had fun and management signed off," he says. "It was no secret to anybody. It was just entertainment. It was to get people to listen. That's what we're in radio for, to get people to listen."
With the "Tsunami Song," he says the same thing: "I did what they [management] told me to do," which was get attention. He has said many times that the song, which mocks tsunami victims, was intended as a parody of the gooey, vacant "charity" songs of celebrity do-gooders.
"My job is to step over the line," he says. "The dump button and management is there to make sure we don't go too far."
But the song got through at a time when Hot-97 wanted the right kind of attention. "In this corporate B.S. world, somebody has to take the fall if you get bad publicity," Del Gado says.
In fact, he adds, "All the radio people I talk to ... have patted me on the back. They all work in the industry and they admire I did something they couldn't do themselves for fear of losing their jobs."
He readily admits he's not happy that "everybody gets paid, except for me." He also suggests his old bosses Opie and Anthony "aren't bringing in any ad dollars these days. The only guys in radio who bring in big ad dollars are Howard Stern and Imus."
He further differentiates between Opie and Anthony. "I thought they would have my back. I learned early on that one had my back and the other didn't."
That one, he says, is Opie. "Opie is a d- and no one likes him," says Del Gado. "But nobody will tell that to his face."
Del Gado also says "shock radio" is "dead in corporate America. Because Howard Stern made so much money for his company, other companies thought they could take the same format and turn it into gold as well. But all they did was turn shock radio into dog s-."
He seems frustrated that people don't get parodies.
"It's comedy," he says. "It's stupid comedy. It's so stupid it's got to be funny. If anyone takes it seriously, they're an idiot."
And his own career?
"I don't think it needs fixing. I think radio needs fixing.
"I apologize for nothing and I never will."

January 2008...in NYC

So, its been a while since my last posting. Call it depression, being homeless or just plain cold and aggravated but being on the east coast this time of year BLOWS!!!! Just look at my car if you need proof...it misses SF as much as I do.

I mena shit its cold every goddamn day....and I don't want to hear shit form your tree hugging fear mongers on global warming...thats BULLSHIT!!! Its Fucking cold.

If you are wondering, I have been riding...cold lonely basemiles for now with one hard ride per week to keep pthe body used to going fast. But every ride starts out the same...watching your breath and hoping your toes and fingers thaw out soon. It usually takes about 45 to 60 minutes. Depending on which way the wind is blowing and how cold it is. I've now ridden in 23 degree weather and let me tell you...IT SUCKS! The only reprise is climbing to get warm but even that stinks. The longest climb I have found so far is only 5 minutes long and that is in zone 1. AND I HATE CLIMBING!!!

Anyhow, the stage is set. Looks like NYC is my home again (for now) and February starts Friday. Time to get serious with the training.

And lets give it up for my girl Liz Hatch!!! She just did a spread for MAXIMonline.com. Whoever says bike chicks aren't hot I hope rides their bike into a tree!!!

The Last Team Ride

from DP:

We had a great last ride with Rick today, a little sadness but mostly laughs and good times. The group rode up to the Java Slut for coffee and snacks, then hit the Alpine Dam loop. A beautiful ride as always. And of course there was attacking early & often from James R.

Rick was uncharacteristicall y on good behavior almost the whole time, and I was beginning to think he might go the entire ride without flipping anybody off or yelling snide comments at clueless drivers. We even got through Sausalito without incident. But true to form, Rick finally came through on the bridge on the way home...we had a slow guy riding in front of us on a 4-wheeled recumbent type thing. The guy was probably disabled and was riding really slow, basically blocking the whole lane. Finally Rick gets fed up, pulls along side me and says, "Dude, tell Stephen Hawking he's holding everybody up!!!" and then proceeds to scoot past the guy. Classic!

Rick, it's been a pleasure having you on the team these past couple years. We wish you luck and success in New York, and please come back and see us when you can. Like it or not, you are a permanent part of the Mouse family!

Hugs,
dp

The Rick Delgado 1st Annual Memorial Ride

Well it was a lovely Sunday morning for the 1st annual Rick Delgado Memorial Ride and Java Slut Stop.

On hand were DP, James, Ray, Me (not dead yet) and new guy Liam (who got lost near the bikepath on the easiest part of the ride)...what do you expect? He's Canadian! But I digress.

It all started out lovely with a nice tempo up the climb to Corte Madera and a quick regroup at Twin Cities. Then it was off to the Java Slut because James the Hurricane Rosberg needed his coffee. We rolled to a stop and there was a pretty good crowd there, enjoying the coffee no doubt. We enjoyed our stop while Ray mingled with the Mtn Bikers and I got to meet Otis Guy (Mtn Bike Hall of Famer) http://www.otisguycycles.com

Then we set off for my final trek up Alpine Damn! We had a nice tempo going and I want to thank Ray and James for leading me out to the power climb section before the descent to the Damn! After some guys we passed made a comment of "is that it?" DP and James decided after spotting them a minute it was time to walk them down. They were off pretty quickly while I rode with Ray and Liam. Then I decided I would also chase these guys down and not only were they caught but dropped while in my 19!

We then rode the 7 sisters/bitches and headed down to Mill Valley. Thats when we lost Liam...somewhere. We are still not sure. We doubled back and even split up but never found him. Hope you got back ok dude. Or maybe he got shot into space?

Then it was off thru Sausalito one last time and 1 more time over the GGB. Thats when my good mood was ruined by some old guy in a wheel chair bike thing with 4 wheels, mirrors and a banana seat. (guessing) As I came up along James i yelled to DP to tell this guy he was holding up traffic. Spotting a gap a shot thru. DP says a made a foul remark but I can't recall ; )

Anyhow, thanks to James, DP, Ray and Liam for making it out. It was a fun last team ride...sorry more couldn't make it. If you are ever in NY look me up!

Take Care Mice and Good Luck!

Responses from the Mouse..."That Guy Rick"

from William:

Just thought I'd get the ball rolling on what could possibly be a long
list of Rick Delgado moments...

1. Easter Sunday 2007. Rick flips off a bunch of old ladies on the
Golden Gate Bridge and tells them that he hopes they decide to jump
off. Oh and they happened to be protesting some sort of war or
something.

2. Every corner of every crit I've ever raced with Rick.
"HOOOOOOLLLLLDDDDD YYYYYYOOOOOUUUUURRR RRR LLLLLIIIIIIINNNNNNN EEEEEEE
AAAASSSSSSSSHHHHHHH HHOOOOOOLLLLLEEE EESSSSSSSSSS! !!! I can only assume
it was Rick. Perhaps I should have taken his advice. That way I
would have raced more than four times this year.

-WJ

from Ray Storm:

Or how about that time rick brought over those two tranny hookers and..... oh i guess you guys weren't there.

well how about the time he ruined my skin suit in some stupid crash in ny. ha ha just kidding.

really how about that he is a great friend and i will miss the sorry son of a bitch.
Ray

from Motorboat:

Or that time he yelled "Jesus Christ Asshole!" in the middle of the Christian Cyclists Dash For Cash Race...

Hey bro, sorry to hear you have to move back east. It was great to have you on the team, and I think you constantly berating me for not CATing up to 3s really pushed me this season. We will miss all your off colored comments and that distinctive New York edge in your personality. Take care bro.

Chris


from Isaias

What about the infamous weekends of Merced racing...we are housed at Casa Lollini and it's the usual cast of characters: Ray, Ben, DP, Chris, Larry, Matt, James, me and of course Rick.

Some how we got to talking about one of Rick's radio shows, I can't really remember what the heck it was about, but what came out of it was a new saying, "do you ever play that game." The beauty of it is that you can bust it out anytime somebody makes some sort of joke or innuendo. It's a classic. None of the one liners are coming to mind right now, but I'm sure this post will stimulate somebody's mind. Oh here we go, "you ever play that game, stimulate somebody's mind." HAH!

Rick, it was nice to meet you and with you. Your quick wit and sarcasam is always a laugh! Good luck in NYC!

l8r,
Isaias

My Last Season as a Mouse...Goodbye SF : (

So it is with much regret that I inform the team that I will be leaving the Bay Area in a few weeks time. The job search that I have been on for the past year has turned up nothing in SF and it is now time for me to go.

As some of you know, I lost my fulltime radio job over a year ago and being the state of the business not good, I have had to give up on my desire to stay here. Its too bad...I really have come to love living and riding here and being a Mouse has been awesome. Thanks Larry for recruiting me.

For now it looks like I will be returning to the East Coast (NY) where I will try and regroup and see what is next on my chosen career path or I may exit the radio industry all together and start a new career. Either way, unfortunately I must go.

So I hope to be able to ride with you all at least once more before I pack up and move. Thanks for letting me be part of a great team...GTTM!

Also, I have been getting some really funny responses to my announcement...I will be posting them.

Interbike

Nothing really now but more to follow!

For now here is me and Phil Liggett....and why is he smiling? Because what you CAN'T see is me gently cupping his old ass.

I said Pull Over!!!

Today was my first real ride since the crash at San Ardo. I decided I need to test my fitness today and with the Mt Tam hill climb going on today I decided that the Spectrum ride out of Los Altos was a good pick. Mostly flat, some sprint points and power climbs.

I was a bit nervous but still found myself cranking it up as we neared the first sprint point though I backed off. Then it happened. The Cops! The Fuzz! Pigs!

After what seemed like a cool lead vehicle down Portola Valley road, the local police then put on the flashers and pulled over a group of about 60 riders. Now thats balls....but we stopped. He then proceeded to lecture us on riding on the roads. They say it is because of complaints but I say F that! If we have to stop at lights and signs and can get pulled over and given tickets just like cars, we ought to be allowed to ride the roads without worrying about people complaining that our group is too big or whatever.

Then the cop starts handing out what look to be tickets and with that, riders at the back quickly turn and take off. It was just a flyer with rules on it...I don't know. I couldn't really read it while I was riding.

So then we are off again, making our way along the route and down Canada road to sprint point #2 when again, The Cops! The Fuzz! A pork product of some type! (you get the picture)

With this 2nd stop by the PO- LEECE the juice is quickly leaving our group and people are getting a bit frustrated. We get the rundown of blah blah blah and we are off once again. The rest of the ride sees no more stops and it takes a while but we finally start hauling again and the ride finishes without sprint point number#4 being contested because of a traffic light. Oh well, not the most inspiring Spectrum ride but still fast and better yet, my fitness after 3 weeks off the bike is good. SWEET! Will I race next week....hmmmm....maybe.

Ask me about my WEINER!!!!

Its amazing some of the things you see when you are out riding your bike. Yep, I did that this weekend even though I probably shouldn't have considering my separated shoulder from the San Ardo race 2 weeks ago.

Well, here is the latest...Ok, so a few Mice saw me out on the road this weekend. I rode both days but took it easy and the shoulder, except for some stiffness it felt good. I think my triceps hurt more than anything. And then falling UP my stairs yesterday didn't help either but I digress.

That said, had my Orthopedist Appt (Dr. Belzer) today and he said it was just a 2nd degree separation and that I can ride my bike today if I want. (Then I told him I already did)

He also told me to take it easy, ice it and suggested some exercises for me to do. Then told me in a very doctorly voice to NOT CRASH (no shit) and sent me on my way...no surgery needed!

Yay ME!!!

The Trainer ROCKS!

Actually, no it doesn't BUT it was the first time since the crash at San Ardo that I was on the bike and even though I didn't go anywhere it was still better than what I have been doing...eating Fried Twinkies and watching TV.

It felt good to turn the cranksl, sweat and even stand on the pedals here and there with virtually no pain in the shoulder. The ortho appt is on Monday so I am hoping for a good visit and good news.

More trainer tomorrow???? hmmmmmmm

My old band

even though this is NOT cycling related....we all came from somewhere. This is a promotional pic of me with my old band Fiction from 1992....pre-cycling. If you have to ask...I'm the one seated closest to the HOT TEACHER! (she really wasn't a teacher)

But that hair would look AWESOME flowing out of a helmet. Its Chippo-esque!

Here it is...

the photographic evidence of my season ending crash....this is the hospital I was driven to at 100mph by my teammate Ammon who also took these pics. Its not that we were in a rush because of the pain or the crash. He just never drove a bmw before and thought it would be fun to go 100mph with 2 bikes on the back.

This is my dumb ass after learning that the injury wasn't a broken collar bone but actually a separated shoulder...yes I am a tool.

This is the back of said separated shoulder with road rash that has sinced itched like crazy and that "x" like thing on my back is not a supportive man-bra or "bro"/"manzere" (see Seinfeld for reference) but a figure 8 to help keep my shoulder back and somewhat in place.

Finally this is me and my trusty ward Hank! Hank sheppard me home from the hospital and kept it under 80mph....most of the way. He also helped me unload the car, got me upstairs to my apartment and helped me take off my shirt...even though I didn't ask him to. He truly is gentle. And normally I think blondes are shallow. Thanks Hank....or should I call you "Chocolate"?

Pointless!

That is the sum of my first season as a CAT3. It started off promising with a top 10 in Santa Rosa early in the season and then CRAP! 3 Race crashes and picking the wrong races to focus on.

I was really hoping to cat up to a 2 this season but the breaks just didn't come for me and thus I finish this season as I started...a pointless 3! Not that there is anything wrong with that but I think my goal of becoming a climber was a bad idea.

Next season I am going to do what I did LAST season....focus on CRITS!!!

So get ready bitches...in 2008 I will BRING IT! Oh yes, it will be BROUGHT-EN!!!

"D" "N" "F" !!!!

coming into the last 1/2 mile of the 63 mile San Ardo road race...

"D" ON"T!
"N" OOO!!!
"F" UCK!!!!!!

Those were the three words uttered as 2 riders go down in front of me. I proceed to hit them head on full speed. Me and my bike take flight, landing hard on my left shoulder.

Later at the ER I am told by the doctor its a separated shoulder. Season over.

Thanks to Hank (aka Chocolate), Ammon, DPO, and Motorboat for looking after me and being great & patient teammates.

How about a lil' Shake & Bake!

That is actually what is written on the back of the bibs of the team the Fighting Boba's. I know this because I got to see it in front of me when I went up to Santa Rosa for the Tuesday Night Crit series.

After Dunnigan Hills on Sat., the Back to back Suisun Crits on Sunday, intervals on Monday...sure why not race on Tuesday? I arrived a bit late and only had about 12 minutes to warm up but you know what...it wouldn't have mattered if I had a massage and a shot of EPO...I was COOKED and as soon as the race started I felt it. My legs felt like 2 empty tree trunks attached to feet. Basically, I had nothing!

This seemed like a repeat of the 2nd Suisun crit where I had to convince myself to hang on in 5 minute increments. Then a group of 3 or 4 got off the front and I couldn't do a damn thing about it. I was too busy trying to draft and telling myself that this was a good workout and I shouldn't be such a puss. BUT I AM A PUSS!!!

By some stroke of luck, I held on until the lap cards came out. I was SOOOOO happy. I was also happy that I managed to stay in the race. Now since the 3 or 4 guys off the front were not going to be caught, I focused on trying to put together a respectable finish. I noticed the Fighting Bobas guys getting together and if no one else goes, I'm sucking their wheels. With 3 laps to go I am ecstatic..ONLY 3 LAPS LEFT! Then with 2 to go the Bobas go to the front and are setting a nice tempo and leadout. I position myself right next to the guy they are setting up for the sprint and heading into turn 2 I take his leadout wheel as he sails wide and barks at me for not letting him take his teammates wheel.

Excuse freakin' me but last I checked, this is a RACE and just because you guys wear the same tights doesn't mean you automatically get the wheel...fight for it Boba. When his teammate looks back and sees me he sits up. So....I sit up. No one came around. Then all of sudden his teammate is back and the leadout is on again...SWEET! I am in perfect position...3rd wheel and we are flying heading into the last turn. Coming out of the turn, lead Boba pulls off and yells "right"! Why did he yell "right" you ask? Because that is where I was pushing him to the left and making him break the cross wind as I wound up my sprint. As we dashed for the finish I quickly pulled even and as we came to the line I did the track throw winning the bunch sprint...That's what I call "Shake & Bake"! What does that do, does that blow your mind? That just happened!" (Ricky Bobby)

I finished 4th or 5th...not really sure since they only count the top 3 places for cash BUT since it was a CAT3/4 race, I finally poke into the top 5 this season. Sure I wasn't first...but then again I wasn't last!

A Chance at Redemption!

Today's chance at some sort of redemption for the 3 flat mishap takes the shape of the Suisun Criterium in Suisun Harbor, CA. A lovely little hamlet with a small downtown crit course of .52 of a mile. That means lots of laps!

Without teammate Darren to race, I decide to do the 35+3,4,5 crit in hopes of taking advantage of the advanced age group and finally getting some upgrade points. The race starts with a near full field and we are off for 36 laps of pure joy.

Right off the bat, a guy goes clear and in this race, (with its short course) if you can get out of site you have a chance to stay away because the pack will forget about you. Not this year....I wasn't about to let that happen again. After 3 more guys made attempts to bridge and join the guy off the front, me and about 3 other guys pretty much did a bulk of the work too bring the race back together. Once that happened I was pretty cooked and decided to sit in for a bit and recover. Thats when another attack happened. Unfortunately NO ONE responded. (this is why you need teammates) Now there were 4 guys off the front and soon they were out of sight. DAMN!!!

With 10 laps to go, I was hoping the group would finally pick up the pace and we could try and get these guys back but to no avail. With 5 laps to go it was all about setting up for the final lap....even if it was for 6th place. With that said, 2 more guys bolted and being blocked I couldn't follow and no one else bothered. God I hate racing sometimes but there was some good blocking going on. Now heading into the final lap there was still some type of pride still on the line and that is what I was left racing for. Unfortunately the group bunched in the last 2 turns and I had to touch brakes a few times but bounced to the inside and got to the finish in 9th place. Probably the most dissatisfying top 10 I have ever netted.

So with the race now over, I should just go take a nice warm down ride and go home right? Normally that would be the correct answer but I am not normal and like I said I was not satisfied. So to punish myself for the 9th place finish, I took a 5 minute break and got back on the line for the next race...the CAT 3. F*&k it I thought....I'll use it as a workout.

The original plan was to try and hang for 20 of the 40 laps...that would be a good workout. After 5 laps in, I thought there was no way I could do the aforementioned 20 laps. At 10 laps I convinced myself that I could do the next 10. With 17 completed there was a surge and that was almost the end of me but I hung on. Then I saw it, the 20 lap count had been achieved. Pull off and go home...good workout right? Yeah..but that didn't happen.

So I convinced myself to do 5 more, just to see how I felt. When I got those 5 laps in, I decided I could do 5 more. Now there were 10 laps to go and NO ONE was running away with this race. The pace was high and pack was moving but I was still there. So I said to myself "Self, at 5 laps to go I will pull off, by then it will get fast and I will pop". I truly said it to myself, but it didn't happen. With 5 to go I was still there and I was moving up. In a starting field of 80 I was now sitting in the top 25. The I told myself, I would go till 1 lap to go, then just cruise the last lap. Good idea...but didn't happen. Now with 3 laps to go, my balls started growing. I have a shot in this freakin' race. I'm going to go for it! Then it was 2 laps to go. There was a surge and I stood on the pedals and there was a cramp! Uh oh...better ease off a bit. As we entered the bell lap, the pack surged again and again I was out of the saddle and now there were 2 cramps. 1 for each quad. As we hit turns 3 and 4 I was about to just sit up since I was boxed in. Then a lane opened up and I shot thru and the cramps shot thru my legs again. Coming out of turn 4 I wasn't in bad position but I couldn't contest the sprint and finished out 22nd.

Oh well...considering I just did 76 laps with virtually no rest in 2 consecutive races, I will take it. And it was a really good work out!

FLAT FLAT FLAT!!!

3 times I wrote it because that is how many flats I got yesterday at the Dunnigan Hills Road Race.

Flat #1...10 minutes before the start of the cat3 race. Luckily I brought a spare set of wheels for the follow vehicle. I stayed calm, changed the front wheel, fixed the flat and got to the line.

Flat #2....10 miles into the race cruising along in the top 20 or so and feeling good. As we make a turn, poof. Flat #2. This just happens to be the rear wheel. Instinctively I raise my hand high, riders go around and the wheel truck pulls up. But not quite close enough. I need to run back 30 yards to her. I grab my rear wheel and make the change. As I look up the road, the race is going away but a bit of luck. A guy named Mike, who wants to race for the Mouse next year pulls off and comes back to try and help me get back into the race. Sweet! We hammer and can still see the bunch when all of a sudden the wheel truck pulls in front of us. SWEET! She is going to let us draft up and get back into the race. Not quite. She dangles 30 meters ahead of us never letting us draft and after a mile of this tease, she takes off...DAMN!!! Basically race is over. My future teammate and I continue taking pulls but its an exercise in futility. At least it will be a good workout. Then we come across another rider who tells us the group is going slow and we can catch. All of sudden its 3 of us taking pulls and trying to pull ourselves back into the race. We paceline and bust our ass for 10 miles. Then the 3rd guy says they are only 5 minutes up the road. 5 MINUTES!!! What is this guy smokin'!!! We are not getting back into this race. I decide to save some for the Suisun crit tomorrow and sit up but my future teammate Mike had already given up the chase and is no longer around. Lonely now I soft pedal till Mike and the 30+ race catch us. We jump in and draft off of them to the start area. race over.

Flat #3...Now back at the car I decide to ride the 3 miles to the finish and watch. Just as I get there a group is sprinting for the finish when all of a sudden there is a loud POP and riders go down. In what I can only describe as a SPECTACULAR CRASH 3 guys go down just before the line with 1 guy flying upside down and backwards crashing into a Velo Promo road sign and crossing the line. HOLY CRAP!!! THAT WAS AWESOME!!! (hope that dude was ok) With that, I figure I have seen enough and start heading back to the car when flat# 3 happens. DAMN!!! I now race back to the car as the front wheel continues to lose air and get there just as the tire goes completely flat.

My day sucked but after seeing that crash...it could have been worse.

Same to You!

So my best friend Kevin from Phoenix, AZ came to town this past weekend and instead of racing, I decided to take him on some rides and show him what cycling in SF is all about. No flat windy desert like conditions here. No 5am wake up calls just to get a ride in before it hits 100 degrees. And NO kids or wife to have to race home to...it was like a bad "Flomax" commercial but we looked WAY better on our bikes and at NO TIME did we take the yellow miata for a drive...THAT would have been gay!

Friday I took him up Ol La Honda and down Skyline. Saturday saw us start with the Roasters Ride but peel off, stopping at the Java Slut (mmmmm hot girls serving coffee...and I don't drink coffee) and then Alpine DAMN! Then Sunday, since he could barely make it up and down the stairs of my apt, it was an easy Paradise Loop. Did I mention Kevin is quite the Mr. Cranky Pants? And this weekend they were hiked up to his nipples after each ride.

All in all a great weekend of riding and Kev was hooked. Considering he has not been riding much since getting over his back injury, he did fine......BUT he has vowed to come back in shape to kick my ass up the climbs. All I can say is BRING IT!