Y.I.R.

2007 is almost over....as I begin to make plans for the 2008 season I have to look back one last time....the reason why you ask? Everyone knows the results....I reflect back every season to determine what went wrong....when I trained too much when I trained too litte. When I raced too much and when I didn't race enough. Most importantly in my opinion is the race that got away that will give me motivation for the entire year. This year I can think of 2.....Sheboygan WORS and Chequamegon. Two races that I had the fitness to win, but for different reasons I didn't make the top step of the podium. I will use that knowledge to fuel the fire for motivation and those races next season. I already used the fire from Sheboygan to win the Iceman, but losing that race will motivate me for a long time to come. Every year it seems there is a race that gets away....back in 98 I was winning Iceman attacked off the front. but I was young....I was afraid to be winning...I backed off then finished 4th in a 5 man sprint....in 2003 I was attacking in Iceman and broke a chain...Tristan ended up winning...I used the fire to come back and win in 2004. Another race that really gets me is my 2nd place at the Road State Championships 3 or 4 years ago. I was in a group of 3 made a tactical error and lost the sprint by a mm. I need something to motivate me as this will be my 15th season racing.

2007 was a great season and I feel I am getting faster and faster....baby steps in the right direction. Triple Crown races - 2nd - 2nd - 1st. 4 out of 5 WCA CX wins. 2 out of 3 WORS Marathon Wins.

2008 will be another exciting year. I am going to put more of a focus on the CX scene and hopefully go race some cross in Europe....it looks too fun to pass on and I'm not getting any younger. A little less on the WORS scene and a little more training. A month long training camp in Tucson is in the making for the month of March. Hopefully a little more action on the road early on...maybe a Tour of the Gila or some longer road races.

With a new team sponsorship I am very excited about 2008....Happy New Year

Santa

Santa was good to us this year!



























Watch for Gerta the Green Machine at the races in 2008!

The neighbor also dropped off a bike the other day....lucky!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

I hope everyone enjoys the Holiday Season with Family & Friends

Rosco says the same.............

Mountain Biking Rulz

Athens Christmas Vacation w/ the Griswalds.....



Sometimes I think my dad could be Clark W.....check out this photo from our Christmas morning in Athens

Rosco made the trip too!

Our trip south was awesome. The relaxing vacation I needed after I long season of racing. I take time off of work pretty often, but it is to go pound myself into the ground at a bike race and come back to work Monday more tired than when I left. It was nice to get away a not worry about training and racing.

We spent our time eating good food, going to the movies, and I even helped my dad with his Kayak. I was thinking about Doug and his chairs in this photo.
























We mixed sawdust into an apoxy to form a peanut butter like consistency for seal the seams...after that we laid a fiber glass cloth sheet over the seems to waterproof the bottom of the boat. It was pretty fun. We also watched some football and even hooked up with the gang at Athens Bicycle to ride some of the best MTB Trails in the country. I almost forgot what real MTBing was like after racing WORS and riding the trails in Sheboygan all the time. The trails in Athens are superb and definitely worth the 9 hour drive!























After my interview with Skyler I was inspired to show of the Mullett.....I better stick to bike racing rather than modeling!

Interview with a model!

I'm down in Athen's OH visiting my parents for Christmas and had a little time to catch up with an old friend...

From Hometown to Hollywood:

Interview w/ X-Pro Mountain Biker Skyler Reeves

B - What’s New?

S - Hey Brian!! What the hell is going on? Its been cool reading your blog all the time lately, reminds me of many great times we had in the Midwest on our bicycles. Things are good out here in Cali for me, just opened a new lounge in West Hollywood. I have opened many bars/nightclubs/restaurants out here but this one has meant a little more because I have been a lot closer to the nitty-gritty of starting a new business.

B- When was the last time you rode a bike?

S - Bueller…..Bueller…. Bueller….

B- What was your last race and how did you finish?

S -My last race must have been where-ever the finals were in 2001, I think. Maybe Mt. Snow?... or was it the Tour De Dewey in Boulder?? To be honest I have no idea, the last half of the last year of my racing career I wasn’t exactly, um, focused.

B- What was your best result in your career as a racer?

S - Well, I remember being particularly proud of finishing the Red Zinger, the road race that went from Boulder to Breckenridge, I think I was top 20 and there were over 200 starters and very few finishers. As far as pro mountain biking I think I was top twenty a few times. It is funny going back and trying to remember because what seemed so important at the time has all blended together. The important times I remember as I look back on it now were the extra long and hard training rides, car rides to races, the camaraderie that you build with fellow racers.

B - What was your first race?
S - I’m gonna have to say Addison Oaks. I think I was 12, and if I remember correctly Jeff Buerman drove us to that race, and it was super muddy. I think I still have the t-shirt..

B - What was your first bike?
S - Well, my first real mountain bike was definitely the Peugot, it was grey and black, and had “shocks.” Then I got the Nishiki which I remember well, and I think my Dad still has it!

B - How is the pay in the modeling world compared to that of a pro cyclist?
S - Well its actually kind of similar in some ways. Meaning that you might not make any money for a while and then you might have a good week and make a killing.

B - What was your favorite modeling shoot? Can you provide a photo?
S - I got to travel to a lot of cool places, Sun Valley, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, and even Paris. But I never really enjoyed shooting, just traveling and meeting interesting characters in that business. And no, no photo will be provided thank you very much.

File Photo provided as Skyler was not willing to provide his fav...

B - Can you do a quick comparison of the “talent” on the norba scene compared to the modeling scene?
S - Wow, there are SO many ways I can interpret that question! As far as actual talent, as in being a talented person who works hard and has skills, Im gonna have to say that the norba scene wins hands down. As far as other talent, what do you think?

B - Will we ever see you in spandex again?
S - Only on Tuesdays and Sundays here in West Hollywood, and if that tape ever gets out…..

B - Anything you would like to say to the old school mtb gang?
S - I truly miss all of you guys. So so so many great memories. From Thursday night rides on the “Poto” to rebuilding our bikes in Jeff Beurmans Basement, to traveling the country eating “gravel” and getting flat tires, to living in Colorado and going on endless training rides in the most beautiful scenery there is, all of it will always be looked back on as some of the best times of my life. And to those of you still doing it; you know you’re crazy right?!

It's Like That!

My inspiration.....

Can anyone name this mullet sporting superstar from the 80's/90's?

I got the cut on Saturday...too bad my camera is heading to Kansas City without me....

I bought I disposable for Sunday's Packers game....it is being developed at Walgreens as we speak!

Laying Low

Haven't touched the bike since last Sunday....still feel pretty blown out....it was really busy here this morning....andrea was on call 2 nights last week....the pager blasted at 1:45am last night....she refers to it as "we" are on call....the thing sounds like pearl harbor reincarnated....going here tomorrow......really pumped.....thinking about waxing the skis....more snow is on the way....selling a bike or two for some friends...picture of the week....mmm...the off season!

Silver Bells

State CX Championships -

Hales Corner, WI -

Snow, Mud, Rain, Wind -

What more could you want for the CX Grand finale in WI? I could have asked for a little more power in the legs, but it didn't happen. I was going for the 3-peat, but Marko rode away from me on Lap 1. Starting lap 2 he had about a 10 second gap. I started taking some risks on the corners and went down. Lap 4 I went down again really hard on the pavement, but by then Marko was long gone. I finished off the last 2 laps with the super fans cheering me on to a Silver medal. I had some bad dreams last night from the super fans screams "Mario" "Frenchie" "Mustache Ride?"

I even grew a Mustache before the race in a feeble attempt to intimidate the darkness.....it obviously didn't work so i shaved it off last night....the mullet will follow soon....

Andrea raced her first Pro Womens cross race on the Merlin....I think the wide mtb tires were slow in the mud....I even think the XL 34c Hutchinson's on my XO2 were pretty wide....she needed a few Sparks hand ups...but she finished.

Elicia had a solid ride in her first sloppy CX race finishing with a Bronze Medal while sick...watch out for E- in Kansas!