filatura l'anello grande

Great quote on teaching kids to ride bikes.

2013-05-07T20:50:00.002-05:00

The hardest part of raising a child is teaching them to ride bicycles. A shaky child on a bicycle for the first time needs both support and freedom. The realization that this is what the child will always need can hit hard. ~Sloan Wilson

To Heck or not?

2013-05-01T12:05:00.001-05:00

So there you have it. Registration has opened for the Heck of the North bicycle race. I'm thinking of sending in a postcard. I've never been up to that part of the state. It would be nice explore by bike. It gives me a lot of time to be prepared. It's a free grassroots event. Not sure what the deciding factor will be yet.

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Trailwork at Eastwood Mountain Bike Trails - Tuesday, April 30

2013-04-29T20:35:00.000-05:00

Sounds like Eastwood mountain bike trails are ready to ride. Though they could use a little grooming. I'm planning on showing up tomorrow night to put in a ride and to do some trailwork. Here's what the Sandwich has to say:

Eastwood TT and Trailwork Tuesday 4/30
So reports from Eastwood are that the trail was pretty dry and overall in good condition over the weekend. So we are going to do a group ride/tt lap this tuesday. The plan is to ride a fast lap at 6, starting from in front of the small East parking lot, regrouping after the lap and then doing a little trailwork. There isn't much to be done and we will plan on working only about an hour or so. If you can make it that's great. Bring a yard rake (not a garden rake), or loppers, or a chain saw, or anything else you have. Even a trash bag and picking up trash would help. If there's rain we will plan on not riding, but still doing a little maintanance at 6. Hope to see some of you out there.
I will have a few spare tools out there if someone doesn't have anything.
-Matt

I hope to see you there too.

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Dickie Scramble - Gravel Event May 5th 2013

2013-04-25T08:34:00.002-05:00

I'm surprised that I keep forgetting to post about this. Could be because I have other plans for that day.

I'm not sure if you can still get in, but if you're interested in riding 85 or 125 miles of gravel roads in SE Minnesota, you should contact the organizer and see if you can roll. If you are planning other gravel races (Almanzo, etc) or if you just want to get in some good training this could be the way to get your miles in.

More details on the Dickie Scramble.

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I was starting to think it wouldn't happen...

2013-04-24T16:52:00.002-05:00

But then "BAM!" Second Encore! err, oops. Just seen the news that the Sandwich 50 Mountain Bike Race at Eastwood Park is still on. Awesome! Even better - the registration fee is only $10. That means for the price of 2 lunches you can race your bike around the Eastwood tight and twisty singletrack, as much as you can, to add up to 50 miles. No pre-registration, just show up with your bike, a cooler for your vittles and bottles, and your $10. Needless to say, I'm planning on being there.

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Hammerhead Bikes shop transitions to Switchback Bikes and giving away an industry9 Torch29 Trail Wheelset

2013-04-16T09:08:00.001-05:00

Switchback Bikes is giving away an Industry Nine Torch29 Trail Wheelset (worth $1,150) as they transition the Hammerhead Bicycles Bike Brand to a Stand-Alone Bike Brand, and the Hammerhead Bicycles Bike Shop to Switchback Bikes. Drawing will take place 5/15/13 so you have about a month to enter.

Buy the way, please let me know (as a comment below, on twitter or facebook) if you like to be notified of bicycle related giveaways and sweepstakes.

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Coffitivity helps you focus on your work.

2013-04-15T15:38:00.000-05:00

I've been using Coffitivity for the last month or so after reading about it on LifeHacker. It's great for getting a little bit more focused on getting your work done.

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Just for my own info

2013-04-12T00:06:00.000-05:00

I needed to change the interval of my TimeMachine back ups dur to my system chugging along.

If you think Time Machine backs up too often (or not often enough) for your liking, navigate into /System » Library » LaunchDaemons. There you'll find a file named com.apple.backupd-auto.plist. Open it in your favorite text editor, and look for this section:
<key>StartInterval</key>
<integer>3600</integer>
Change the 3600 number to some other time interval in seconds, and you'll have changed Time Machine's backup interval.

This is via: http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=200710291721156

I changed mine to 9000 seconds, which is about 2.5 hours. Instead of hourly. Hopefully that helps.

What you think matters

2013-04-09T09:16:00.002-05:00

I am learning, and fully coming to understand this. I'm not just talking about thinking positive, but more deeply. Down to your inner being, your core beliefs about yourself and your situations.

You see, what you think (and therefore what you speak, and your perception of what is around you) determines what comes into your life. I don't care what aspect of your life; your thinking will dictate what it is.

I have noticed, that when I see a husband that refers to his spouse as a ball and chain or a nag or some of the many derogatory terms for a spouse, even if he thinks he is joking, has a spouse that is a ball and chain, or a nag, etc. I have also noticed that even if they get out of that relationship and move on to another one, they end up with the same problems. It's not that the person that they married suddenly changed into a horrible person. Their partner was always the way they are. It's that because the person thinks that marriage and relationships are about having a ball and chain, therefore they attract a ball and chain for a spouse. And they ultimately see only the ball and chain of a spouse. See... What you think matters.

Children? Same thing. People who say their kids are stubborn from the beginning end up with kids that are, guess what? Stubborn. Have you heard people mention that kids are great till they get into their teens? Guess what those people end up having? Terrible teens. Is that any surprise?

I gave some negative examples, bet lets now turn it around. I have seen people with great marriages, where you can see the love the couple have for each other in the way their eyes see each other. When they speak of the other they use tender, caring, words to describe them. They are tapping into the power of what and how they think about marriage and their spouse.

It is the same thing with some parents with their children. They have great children. Why? Children are very much alike, right? I mean developmentally at certain ages they will test boundaries, push against authority and try to establish independence. It is part of growing. But the parents that think their child is good, well behaved, wonderful, thoughtful, compassionate have a child that is so. The children go through the same stages, but what you think matters.

It ends up being that what you think; is what you end up getting.

Let's bring it to the bike. In fact lets look at traffic situations. I've seen riders who are constantly talking about terrible drivers. They speak about how the roads are unsafe. They think about all the bad. Those are the riders that I see in the most accidents, and in the most conflict with other road users. And then there are riders, myself included, that think that roads are safe, other users are just trying to use the roads safely too. There may be occasional confrontations and even accidents, but never as many as the other person. What you think matters.

Photo: © Roberto Bettini via CyclingNews.com

How about in competition? Have you heard the term think like a winner? It works. I've never seen a winner of a race really think it was a surprise that they won. Looking back at races I've won, it was never a surprise. Somewhere along the line you think to yourself that you can win. You prepare physically, you believe in your equipment and training and think you can win. This past weekend was Paris-Roubaix. Fabian Cancellara won in a sprint finish. But he went into the race thinking he was the winner. He had to have. I have no doubt that he envisioned standing on the podium, kissing that pave. Even at times where he may have not felt strong, not keeping up correctly, he must have been thinking that he would win. Otherwise he would have just floated back into the peloton like one of the other 100 or so riders that finished. I think it also helped that he had a director sportif (Dirk Demol) in the car that thought he would win too. I have no idea if Fabian was feeling strong and need to talk, or if he was feeling weak and needed encouragement, or if it was a planned move to drift back to the car and see who else sits up, and who else continues to race. Whatever it was, I’m sure the moments were used to give words of encouragement. Not only that, but there were a ton of people who already knew Fabian was going to win. He was the favorite going in. Many people like Cancellara, worldwide ad that’s a lot of positive thought energy being put out.

The first step in anything is thinking it. Do you want a better job? Think it. In fact think about what your perfect job is. Don't put thought and energy into that bad situation you may be in with your job, think about what you like about your job. Think about how you want to feel doing your perfect job. Think about all the benefits you have with that perfect job. Extra time off, money, the fancy title and/or a corner office… whatever you can think of. Thinking it is the first step of getting to it.

Want to win a specific bike race? Think it. Once you think it, you begin to believe it. Once you believe it, things will fall into place to make it happen. Once you believe it, you can take the action like; committing to the training, making the right upgrades to equipment or whatever it is that is needed.

There is a huge power in what you think. So think the best of people. Think of your perfect job. Think constantly of your dreams. Think it and be ready for things to happen. Because what you think is what will happen. Good or bad. It doesn’t matter. So change your thoughts to good things. You have that choice and that power to create it. First think it into creation within your mind, then, by repeating it you turn it from a thought into your belief. Then you will see it coming and you will be able to take the right actions for it to be reality. I know it’s true from seeing it around myself and with others.

Lincoln said

2013-04-02T06:35:00.001-05:00

"To believe in the things you can see and touch is no belief at all; but to believe in the unseen is a triumph"

In Kung Fu Panda they talk about belief, "there is no secret ingredient in secret ingredient soup, you just have to believe it's special."

In my life I need to stop worrying and thinking about what I don't want and start believing in what I do want.

New year, new goals, yadda - yadda - yadda...

2013-03-21T09:48:00.000-05:00

They kicked me out of the cube-farm (office) and told me I needed to take my equipment home and telework. I imagine it was my odor that offended others. Just kidding, I'm actually really grateful that I am able to telework. I actually have been more busy and focused on work at home then in the office so that's good.

That was just before Christmas.

In that time I've pretty much taken a break from blogging. Honestly it seemed like there was no point to it. I mean-I was really feeling like I was writing a bunch of stuff with out any wisdom of what I was saying. Just blogging to have have my voice out there, but nothing behind it.

Taking a break was what I needed. I'm not saying that now I'm focused on writing and that I've suddenly gained some sort of wisdom that I'll now impart to any readers.

No - I'll still ramble on about stuff that pops into my head. I still have uneducated opinions on topics that I know little about that I will post. I'll still post pictures of beer and maybe even try to make money off of it, because... hey, why not. Side note here - I've worked in bike shops. At bike shops one of the most frequent repairs is the flat tire fix. Basically replacing a tube. About 5 minutes of work and charging the customer about $10. No big deal right? Personally I'd never pay someone to fix my flat. Why? Because I do it myself. Should the bike shop feel bad for charging money for doing something so simple? So why is it, that it's criticized for someone to try to make a couple bucks off of taking a quick pic? Would I buy one myself? Actually I would. Nothing wrong with trying to make a buck.

Enough of that because that little rant may not be the most positive. And that brings me to one of my new goals. That is to be more positive. Send out some good karma. Get the mojo going. Think and say daily affirmations. I know - it sounds a little corny, but no one can deny it's power.

Every belief system or religion teaches this in one form or another. The Bible says that the tongue is like the rudder of a ship. Buddhist teachings say that our thoughts, sayings and actions determine the direction of our life. Sports psychologists teach visualization. Some people call it the law of cause and effect. (what I cause now effects what will happen) Others call it the law of attraction. (If I think positive things, positive things will happen to me)

Whatever you call it or even if you don't call it anything. What you put out is what you receive. For example - as long as I can remember I would say that "I can't afford to buy a really nice bike. I don't participate in races much because it's too expensive. I am too poor to get that." etc. Now it may be that at that moment I didn't have the money on hand to buy whatever it is that I wanted. But by saying it like that, there was no way that I was going to be getting whatever it was.

I need to change my thinking to a more positive version. And part of that is to be thankful for the abundance I already have. Bringing it back to the bike - I am grateful for the multiple ones I have. I get to choose what I wish to ride on any day I choose to ride. How amazing is that?

This change in thinking effects my whole outlook and will come back even more so. And, in spending less energy on the negative aspects less negative things will happen. And when they do happen, I have the choice in how to respond to it. I've seen this in action and believe it.

So this year I am being more positive and using that positivity to change the future outcome of this life.

Do you believe in the power of positive thinking? Do you have an example of it working in your life?

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Sandwich 50 2013

2013-03-20T09:14:00.001-05:00

I'll be at this again. It's gonna be a great race and I'm gonna have a great performance. You should come out to Eastwood park on May 11, 2013 to ride 50 miles of the best singletrack that Rochester Minnesota has.

Link: http://sandwich50.blogspot.com/2013/03/save-date.html

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Rochester cycling team

2013-03-04T07:44:00.000-06:00

Here's the latest preview of the jersey, bibs, and cap for the newest cycling team Rochester.

The team is open to anyone, racing or not. Road, MTB, gravel, adventure and or track. Are you a cyclist? Then you can join.

From what I've discussed with Franz, it sounds like the focus is going to be on community and development. There may be no-drop group rides and stuff. Sounds great.

I'll try to keep on top of events and such and post info as I know.

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Cat 3 comics resurrected

2013-03-01T15:38:00.001-06:00

Check it out - http://www.cat3comic.com/

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2013 SSUSA MN

2013-02-21T10:18:00.002-06:00

http://www.singlespeedusa.com/

I'm still trying grow up and settle down

2013-01-15T08:30:00.001-06:00

In light of all the fancy pants nonsense, rather than watch the Oprah interview, we should all pop in "Breaking Away" and cheer on the Cutters.

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Kinda how I feel about this blog at the moment

2013-01-09T09:04:00.003-06:00

This includes me. A lot of talk about nothing without knowing much about it.

Maybe I'll be quiet for a bit. Maybe...

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Almanzo Fundraiser Party - Jan. 5, 2013

2012-12-20T12:18:00.000-06:00

Everyone knows the saying, nothing is free. And it's true. There is nothing that is free. Chris Skogen doesn't charge an entry fee to ride the Almanzo. He offers it to riders as a gift. And like most gifts, the giver has given of themselves to offer it. Chris has been doing it for a while now, and has stayed true to the fact that he wishes to give this gift to riders.

This year, I'm sure in an effort to offset some of the cost associated to putting on his event, he's putting on a party/fundraiser. Sounds like fun right? Music, movie screening, beer and frites will be available. Entry is $10 (a steal compared to most other events I've been to).

It's gonna be at Intermedia Arts (2822 Lyndale Ave. South), Minneapolis, 6pm on January 5, 2013.

And be sure to share this with all your friends, lets keep grassroots events like this going.

One last thing, in case you haven't heard, there's a new 400 mile version of the Almanzo group of rides. The Nellie uses the Almanzo and Royal course and adds another 300 miles for more taint numbing gravel road riding. Guess it's aiming at riders looking to do something similar to Trans Iowa (an event that's kinda on my "really want to do someday" list.

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Fat bike demo day at Rochester Cycling

2012-12-19T21:27:00.000-06:00

I'm afraid to attend this. Because I could end up buying one. I was just discussing with my wife how I was jealous of all my cool friends that are spending the winter riding fat bikes.

So if you're in and around Rochester this Saturday, stop by Rochester Cycling and demo a Salsa Mukluk. You too will wish you could take one home.

We will be hosting a fat bike demo day this Saturday Dec. 22nd from 11:00 - 3:00 at Rochester Cycling. Test ride Salsa Mukluk fat bikes and see why they're so much fun. We'll have hot chocolate, coffee and cookies too. Dress appropriately for the weather and enjoy some fat bike time!

Be there and get fat this winter.

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Global Cycling Network - youTube channel coming soon

2012-12-12T12:03:00.003-06:00

This looks promising. The Global Cycling Network (GCN) is a youTube channel for cyclists. I hope they do a good job of bringing fresh content. I wonder if they will have any mountain bike (XC) stuff or if it will be mostly road.

Fronted by riders who've more than earned their stripes the team behind GCN offer a uniquely qualified insight into the dynamic and dramatic world of cycling.

With regular news and round-up shows, daily spots throughout the duration of the Grand Tours that delve deeper than anyone else can; monthly Google+ Hangout live debates that tear open the biggest topics affecting the sport with the movers and shakers themselves; regular essential know-how and master-classes, and more, you can be sure that GCN will fuel your passion and knowledge.

Subscribe to the channel with this link. Or just check it out with this one.

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Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. - New website and 'Our Story' video

2012-12-11T12:27:00.001-06:00

Great video showing the passion they have for their product. Makes me thirsty for a Celebration Ale or Pale Ale.

They've re-sone their site and have some great products in the shop. I think I need to order some glassware for my brewery.

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Ruining It For Everybody - Bandit Cross (grassroots/unsanctioned racing)

2012-12-10T20:30:00.000-06:00

QBP put out this video (found via: Bike Jerks.) Pretty cool that people are willing to put on events just to put them on, invite people to ride and have fun. This is the same idea as other grassroots/unsanctioned events. And that is to just go out and have fun on bikes.

I guess it's a "movement" that is gaining traction. So much so that Pearl Izumi has a website to help people put on unsanctioned running events.

Of course that means it's becoming corporate, so grassroots/underground/unsanctioned racing has sold out and nobody cool will do it any more. However, if you're still interested in this type of racing, registration has opened up for the Ragnarök. Not only that registration opens for the Almanzo on January 1st.

Finally, since we're talking Almanzo, Salsa posted an interview with Mr. Almanzo, the Mayor, Chris Skogen. Search And State also recently posted up some nice words about Chris.

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Holiday gift guide for a competitive cyclist - Sufferfest

2012-11-29T21:36:00.000-06:00

Do you have a competitive cyclist on your holiday shopping list? Maybe a racer looking to upgrade a cat next year. Maybe a triathlete wanting to improve their cycling PR? Or maybe you race and are constantly just off the podium in fourth place. Today's holiday gift idea is perfect for all these situations.

The Sufferfest puts out what I think to be the best indoor training videos. You can read my review of "A Very Dark Place" here.

These videos will kick your butt, hopefully making you stronger. They are fairly inexpensive and provide enough motivation to keep moving through your workout.

As a bonus, the Sufferfest is releasing a new video on December 8. It looks to be a great one, with footage from the Tour de France.

In an effort to give you full disclosure, I make a commission off the sale of Sufferfest videos in the above post and the banner in the right column. If you wish to purchase a video not through the affiliate program, use this url-http://www.thesufferfest.com/

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My most liked Instagram photos - via Statigram.com

2012-11-27T12:01:00.000-06:00

These photos, printed on canvas, or mounted and framed, can be purchased through Instacanvas. A print would make a great gift for a beer drinker you know.

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Twin Six (pre)Thanksgiving Progressive sale (11/21/2012 only)

2012-11-21T09:08:00.003-06:00

So insted of shopping on Friday, get your order in today and reap the savings. Depending on how much you spen, you can save up to 36% off the entire order. Go to TwinSix.com now!

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