Category: california

First Real Test of a Repaired Femur

January 4 was exactly 3 months since I had (at the moment it happened) what seemed like a minor crash while  pre-riding the Alpenrose Cyclocross race course.  As it turned out, I had broken the femoral neck of my left leg and would be subjected to a forced rest from bicycle riding (and a bunch of other unpleasant experiences – like 10 days without a real shower).

I had planned to spend the week between Christmas and New Years in Southern California with family and friends, and importantly, riding a bicycle for the first time.  I am extremely fortunate to be able to ride there with my good friend and brother-in-law, Joe Kolling and his coach Paul Deem.  It may have been more fortunate that I arrived at the beginning of an “off” week for them, so my suffering would be somewhat mitigated…

I rode 300 miles with Joe and Paul that first week, and did two sessions in the gym.  We rode another 150 miles over 3 days to end my visit which also included another day of circuit training.  I had been a little bit anxious about how I would react to riding in groups containing other riders, and for the most part, I’m okay with how that went, also.

There was one minor situation / test when a group of mostly Motor Tabs riders went by us near the end of a 70 mile ride, which had already been my biggest effort of the trip.  The “situation” that I struggled with was that they were rotating at about 30 mph.  The “test” was of my heartrate, which did come up and I was able to stay attached for 8 minutes (which is about when Joe and Paul moved toward the front and forced the pace even higher).  I soft pedaled in, and my rehabing hip felt great.

So, less than 3 months after an accident that could have resulted in an extremely long recovery, it seems that maybe everything is going to be okay.  I suppose now I have to get off of the couch and get to work….

Tony Dirks (one of  the Mountain View teammates) has already started harassing people about early season races – WTF?  The Cherry Blossom Classic Stage Race in The Dalles starts April 23 (which seems reasonable) –  there’s a lot to do between now and then.

Kepler Motion

It was killing me not to be able to write about this, as it isn’t often that I know about something really interesting before all of the “cool” kids do.  So, finally I’m going to post a few pictures of the Kepler Motion “Dual Powertrain” Supercar.

Kepler Motion at Dubai International Auto Show

As a picture is worth a thousand words (and I have access to some) I’ll mostly post those.  I write this sitting in the Kepler offices in Southern California where the executive and engineering team have just returned from the Dubai International Auto Show where the Motion was announced to the global press. The “Dual Powertrain” (250 hp electric motor in the front, 550 hp twin turbo in the back) is for the purpose of improving performance (not just being “green”) and the Motion is gorgeous! Kepler Website

Press Feeding Frenzy

I have many many more pictures and I’ll post some as I have time.  I am in Orange County to spend time with friends and family and log miles on a bicycle again for the first time since my crash and resulting surgery in October – so those things are a priority. 

Neil Hannemann and Russ Wicks of Kepler
Kepler Motion

Happy New Year!!!

Thunderhill 25 – The Travel Day

Most of the Miatacage.com team made it to Willows, California yesterday (Thursday).  We brought a lot of stuff this time.  3 motor coaches and 3 race trailers filled with two complete race cars and enough parts to build another.  Everything that we were wanting for last year, we believe, is here this time – we are short a couple of key team members, but have come up with excellent replacements. 

The only issue we had yesterday is that the truck pulling the trailer with the race car had a minor overheating problem crossing the Siskyous (that slowed the caravan down a bit).  The problem is believed to have been a faulty radiator cap and it has been corrected.

The weather is currently 37 degrees and partly cloudy – it is a beautiful day.  The driving team is currently completing the paperwork required to participate in todays test.  We have a schedule of tasks to accomplish and will be starting that within 30 minutes.  Race cars are on track.

Updates and photos through the race with photos (as we get the data communication issues worked out).

Miatacage.com Race Car and a Spare

Weekend of Racing and Riding

Two races followed by rides to get the daily total over 80 miles.

These are the highlights.

Long Beach – Palos Verdes Loop

After the crit in Long Beach today, as after the Bulldog race yesterday we did another ride. The trip in and out of Long Beach is kind of sketchy, but the Palos Verdes part of the ride is spectacular.

Bulldog Race

The Hard Corps race series at Camp Pendleton benefit programs that support Marines, Sailors and their families. This race was a blast and for a great cause. Riders of all abilities participate in a very friendly atmosphere.

There is something about being on a Marine base that makes me feel differently than when I’m anywhere else. It’s hard to put to words, there is just something that makes me want to work harder – as if there is something extra to prove. Having the Marines (and some Sailors) that had volunteered to work the race telling me what a great job I had just done made me feel proud that even for just a little while they thought that I could hang…

After the race, my brother-in-law, Joe and I rode from Oceanside down to Torrey Pines and back along the Coast Highway. Another great SoCal ride along the beach with lots of cool places to stop for coffee or food along the way.

Ride Around Orange County

Thursday Coffee Crew is a regular ride all year (as far as I know). This is an option if you want to be abused at 6:10 on a weekday morning in Southern California.

I’ve done this ride twice and I always have a bit of warm-up getting to the start at Campus and University (adjacent to the UC Irvine campus). It’s a big group and the ride remains civilized until it gets into the neighborhood of the old Air Base (MCAS El Toro).

On this day we rode with the group until splitting to meet a couple more people in Laguna Beach for a ride through Laguna Canyon followed by a long spin out to Long Beach and back.

Great before work ride (if you’re into that sort of thing – work, I mean…).

Ride Around Orange County

24 Hours of Lemons

LeMons WinnersCar people, in particular, love the 24 Hours of Lemons and as I was forunate enough to do it once, I’m often asked questions about it. The 2007 edition of the 24 Hours of Lemons at Thunderhill was the first “race” out of retirement for me. I’ve described it as a Halloween party with cars, and that really is just about it. Cyclocross racers have got nothing for these clowns.
If you want to know more about the race go here http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/
As I have pictures and video that describe the experience I will simply add them for your viewing pleasure.  We brought a guy that can drive around on 2 wheels (video) and some people cheat (more video).  If you cheat by bringing a car worth more than $500 the motor might be confiscated (yes, more video)…
Those bags stacked on top of the car contain $1,500 worth of nickles… 600 pounds or so.