Australia

While, I haven't used this site in a couple of years....I might have better luck updating some information on here vs Facebook.

Australia is certainly not flat! After leaving Port Augusta, it was a constant climb all day long, gradually, slowly heading inland from the coast.

update

I entered the Icebike race up in Winnipeg on Feb. 3....not quite the Arrowhead 135, but it was enough for me...I rode fixed and other than being unable to spin to keep up(I had 32x21 gearing & didn't finish dead last...there was even a 'sprint' finish between myself and another guy) because they ran the majority of the course on bike/ice path, & road shoulders; I am very proud to say I rode all the off road sections while most others got off their bikes and ran those sections even did a nose wheelie or two going down the three sets of stairs.....I fell once on the icepath, it was a good thing though because the pinched nerve in my hip area no longer bothers me!!

I haven't figured out a reason to justify this, but, I have a pugs on order (Pat @ SBS suggested a Surly Big Dummy, not sure how to take that..lol)...I like Chuck Linder's reasoning though "I only ride my road bike 3 months outta the year and I am fine with that, and I ride the Pugs 7-8 months outta the year, so it makes much more sense.

I've been biking and xc skiing alot, minus the 2 1/2 weeks I was sick...school is going by FAST! Amazing the stress level I am beginning to think is 'normal'...I am taking 13 Grad School credits as well as teaching full time (the kids make it worth it).

The other day the teachers were discussing next year already when I was asked "where will you be?" and then it hit me, I graduate in 6 months and will be looking for a job. I was informed that there will be several open spots in GF and reminded of the contract obligations, I have to teach for an additional year in GF if offered a job; but then also thought of where I could go....Santa Fe and Nathan? Dallas and Landberg? Wisco and Brian? or maybe just be a bum and bike around for awhile.

Hey all...belated best wishes for a Happy New Year!

Just a quick note to say congrats to Dave Simmons (I'm so outta the loop)!

I am two semesters away from graduating....spring and summer....then who knows what.

I built up my Pista over Christmas break, excited to play with all my new park tools and can't wait to ride it!

I've been done a few biking/xc skiing trips lately with the Monocog 29er; having fun playing with my BOB IBEX trailer and Garmin Etrex Vista HCx gps unit!

I got some Big Agnes camping gear on order....I wouldn't mind breaking in the Madhouse tent this winter....Simmons, PW, Rick....I wanna try and hang with the big dogs so hopefully I'll get to tag along on an outting

I should be working on any one of the 3 ten page papers I have due...

Well, I'm putting my time to good use.....I needed a break from school work so here are some pictures of the Monocog 29er, the pista, and the 'burned' special ed crossroads hybrid frame that I clear coated with a satin finish.....I kinda like how it turned out.

Grad school / bike stuff

Well, I see it's been approx. 2 months since my last update.....I am officially in the Resident Teacher Program at UND and will be teaching at South Middle School for the 07-08 school year and after that a semester of summer school(08) and then GRADUATION!!!!.....Kim will also graduate in Aug. of '08! I took a total of 11 credits for this summer, classes are kicking my butt, but, I'll be done in three weeks!

I've got the new Flight monocog set up and am loving it; riding the singlespeed Schwinn SuperSport to class everyday; looks like I am picking up a Pista to build up; last night, while camping out some bike frame art work took place....I put a steel frame into the campfire and burned it up...really enjoyed the toxic fumes of the paint, stickers, etc. as well as adding some greenhouse gases into the atmosphere......interesting burn pattern......and in the next couple of days I'll be clear coating it and making another "beater" single speed.....I'll post some pics later this week.

I'm not gonna be 'racing' 9mile, but Kim and I will be there as part of our "Wisconsin - Super MTB Trail Trip" we plan on starting at Levis-Trow, driving up to 9mile and seeing you all, poaching a riding during the race, then to Rock Lake, and ending it with a drive up the North Shore in Minn. and riding at Lutsen. We're hoping to throw in a Medora weekend in mid, to late August.......maybe Labor Day weekend? anyone interested???

Ride on!

Random

Simmons stopped by the shop and I installed some fenders and a second layer of bar tape on the Poprad for him....my hands are still a little numb from pulling and wrapping that tape......looks good if I do say so myself, he said he'll post some pics..........I installed the origin8 (on-one mary handlebar copy) on the old monocog 29er, I'm liking them!!! I should finally have the new steel flight monocog 29er later this week.

I interviewed with local schools last Thursday, I find out where I'll be teaching this week sometime.....really dislike playing the waiting game.

GF/EGF is celebrating recovery from the 'Flood of 1997'....there was an AWESOME fireworks show Friday evening, tonight, Sunday the 22nd, there is a rib feed for the first 8,000 people, as well as a free concert by Los Lobos following, should be fun!

Gotta LOVE spring time

I haven't updated for quite some time.....Kim and I had fun visiting Winnipeg a couple of weekends ago, we checked out the WAG and The Forks; if you are in town and want a great meal go eat at the Bistro Dansk. April 6th we went and watched the Blue Man Group How to be a Megastar 2.0 in Fargo, fun visuals, highly recommend catching one of their shows. Mike Relm opened the show. He was using the turntable and synced Napoleon Dynamite's dance scene to AC/DC's Back in Black, it was excellent!! Also, the Drew's Office Space "O face" remix was hilarious!!! When the show was over we checked out Dempsey's Irish Pub downtown on Broadway; nice place to hang out, listen to some music and attempt some Riverdance.

Oh, and today I interviewed for the resident teacher program at UND and was accepted! So, while taking grad classes for the next year I'll be a practicing Special Education teacher. The lucky school will be chosen on April 19th. I'm gonna be all interviewed out after next week!

I'm trying to decide between the new Monocog Flight 29er frame, or the purty brown of the plain jane Monocog 29er....suggestions/votes anyone?