BALLS TO THE WALL FISHING

The only place to stay current on the latest manic ramblings from the Florida Panhandle.

CHEEKY FLY REELS, THE OFFICIAL REEL OF BALLS TO THE WALL FISHING

Saturday, January 31, 2009

HOT LAP FROM HOOGERHEIDE/CX MAG VIJ

To be honest, I think the Eagle Fairgrounds appears way more fun and crossy than this "course". I mean am I missing something? This is the only techy section of the course, no barriers and the course is more than 33% pavement. I don't get something here. It's a Trebon course for certain.

Photo: Charles Pelkey

IRONICALLY ENOUGH....

On the eve of the day that the Americans, in particular Katie Compton will be charging for a World Championship, I decided to get on the program for the upcoming season. Which sadly means this, no more M&Ms by the pound full, no more huge bowls of double vanilla ice cream and no more GINSERS, (well maybe after hard training efforts I can sneak a ginser), it's been a great six weeks of eating massive piles of shit, but the party must end.
The roads are clear in Eagle for the most part, and there is just enough snow and ice on the sidewalks to make it a fun ride on the CX bike to prepare for CultCross. With temps forecast for the 40's all week it's time. To hell with the trainer when I can get some fresh air and ride.
And then there is this gemJimi Mortenson of Eagle posted a bunch of really sweet pictures on Facebook today that I scrolled through, alot of sweet pics from one of his many RAAM team victorys, including some great shots of Mike J. This however was the one I poached as Jimi (I think it's Jimi) gets just a scosh of air in the East Vail chutes area. Rumor has it that Jimi is coming back to pro racing this year after his bullshit two year suspension for missing a pee party. I hope he comes back with a vengeance as the guy is just plain and simply one of the most talented riders in the country. Jimi Tagging MJ during a winning RAAM effort

KATIE COMPTON GOES FOR A WORLD CYCLOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP 3:30 AM THIS MORNING

If you are a hardcore American cyclocross fan, early this morning is your time. At 3:30 AM, Colorado time, Katie Compton will be gunning for a WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP in Hoogerheide. There is live video stream of the event from Universal Sports or, you can get the live feed blow by blow description from the guys at CX Magazine which is what I did this morning for the Junior and U23 races, the coverage was awesome and you are able to participate in the chatter while the race is actually going on, granted, several of my chat posts showed up 10 minutes after I tried to post them, but it was really good coverage on the other end, don't miss it.
The course apparently is rock hard and FAST, which means no excuses tomorrow...Trebon better go out and kill it as well.

WALSLEBEN DOMINATES U23 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN HOOGERHEIDE

JOE SALES PIC
U23 RIDER LAYS THE WOOD TO THE FIELD AND TAKES NO PRISONERS. AMERICANS STRUGGLE TO MAKE TOP HALF OF FIELD

1. Philip Walsleben (GER)
2. Christoph Pfingsten (GER)
3. Pawel Szczepaniak (POL)
4. Christian Cominelli (ITA)
5. Sascha Weber (GER)
6. Quentin Bertholet (BEL)
7. Guillaume Perrot (FRA)
8. Ramon Sinkeldam (NED)
9. Clement Bourgoin (FRA)
10. Marek Konwa (POL)
11. Aurelian Duval (FRA)
12. Matteo Trentin (ITA)
13. Matthieu Boulo (FRA)
14. David Riba Lozano (SPA)
15. Kenneth Van Compernolle (BEL)

Bjorn Selander was the top american at 27th. Danny Summerhill was next in 32nd, Nick Keough was 39th, Will Dugan was 42nd with Nick Weighall 49th

JUNIORS DOMINATED BY TIJMEN EISING AT WORLD CYCLOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS

EISING CRUSHED THE FIELD BY NEARLY 30 SECONDS

Sales Picture

1. Tijmen Eising (NED)
2. Corne Van Kessel (NED)
3. Alexandre Billon (FRA)
4. Wiete Bosmans (BEL)
5. Lars Van Der Haar (NED)
6. Luca Braidot (ITA)
7. Jan Nesvadba (CZE)
8. Daniele Braidot
9. Sean de Bie (Bel)
10. Michel Van der Heiden (NED)


11. Emilien Viennet (FRA)
12. Vinnie Braet (BEL)
13. Luke Keough (USA)
14. Daniele Dall'Oste (ITA)
15. Matej Lasak (CZE)
16. Jimmy Turgis (FRA)
17. Bryan Falaschi (ITA)
18. Michael Schweizer Jr. (GER)
19. Zach McDonald (USA)
20. Pierre Garson (FRA)

Friday, January 30, 2009

CYCLOCROSS WORLDS COVERAGE LIVE AT CX MAGAZINE TOMORROW MORNING

In case you just can't live without following what is up with the Junior and U23 World Championships tomorrow, CycloCross Magazine will have live updates online starting a 5:15 AM, sounds like the perfect way to start off Super Bowl weekend to me! I suggest you wake up at 5 AM without telling the rest of the family, then when the live coverage begins start ringing the living hell out of your cowbells in support of the USA riders who will be competing, you can worry about signing the divorce papers on Monday.
joe sales pictures
Team USA charging the overpass ramp during pre-ride

Nys on the prowl, checking out the course in Hoogerheide

OK, so it's not exactly Xilinx

DOES A BEAR SHIT IN THE WOODS?

Something tells me that if this woman turns around within the next 5-10 seconds she is not going to have any problem shitting herself much less worrying about wiping, that would be tough on the run with your safari pants down around your anklets. Seems she is about to get her money's worth. No Dewet did not take this picture on one of his South African mountain bike rides, but he did send the pic.

FEEL THE CULTCROSS 2009 LOVE

It's good to see that at least one person is excited about the upcoming CultCross 2009 Series. I got this gem from our Colorado State SS CX Champion yesterday, apparently I'm not the only person who needs a job out there.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

VERY IMPORTANT BREAKING CYCLOCROSS NEWS

Jonothan Page has been added to the USA Roster for Cyclocross Worlds after appealing his suspension for missing a urine sample test due to injuries received in a crash while racing....THIS IS HUGE NEWS as Page was second at Worlds just a couple of years ago....
Next time you see John Bliss at a race or on the front range, knuckle him up and tell him nice job getting Page back in the big dance.

MORE HOOGERHEIDE...




Find more videos like this on Cyclocross Magazine




Find more videos like this on Cyclocross Magazine

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

HOOGERHEIDE CYCLOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP VIRTUAL COURSE TOUR

And you can follow the "red dot" around the course in the upper right hand corner while the tour moves forward

OK OK, ENOUGH ABOUT THE SKI SCENE, CYCLOCROSS WORLDS ARE THIS WEEKEND!

The riders who will race for the good ol USA in Hoogerheide, Holland

Elite men; Jonothan Page!, Ryan Trebon, Jeremy Powers, Brian Matter, Matt Shriver
*Jonothan Page may still represent pending the outcome of an appeal process.

Elite women; Katie Compton, Georgia Gould, Rachel Lloyd, Laura Van Gilder, Sue Butler

U23 men; Nick Weighall, Nicholas Keough, Daniel Summerhill, Bjorn Selander, Will Dugan

Junior men; Luke Keough, Zach McDonald, Gavin Mannion, Eric Emsky, Chris Wallace

With a much less than exciting match-up in the STUPOR BOWL this weekend, why not jump on the much anticipated CYCLOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS from Hoogerheide, Holland. The event is going to be broadcast live on the net at Universal Sports. Click on the pic above to go to the home page.

Watch for contendors in every class for the Gold, in particular Katie Compton in the women's elite field and possibly more podge from Georgia Gould and Rachel Lloyd, all three have been crushing it this year.

The under 23 field may be interesting as the USA has some very strong riders getting ready to throw this weekend. Look for Weighall, Keough and Summerhill (1,2,3 at Nats) to work together and maybe grab a podge spot.

The Men's Field should be more of the usual, look for the usual suspects to fill out the podium. Lars Boom is racing at his home rink and will be VERY motivated to win, however, Sven Nys has been rolling very well as of late and looks to regain the Rainbow jersey...I'm picking Nys.

Boom Boom out go the lights?

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

WAIT A SECOND....ARE YOU SHITTING ME?

12-24 MORE INCHES FORECAST FOR THE NEXT DAY, MAMA MIA, YOU ARE KILLIN ME...
Thanks to Mike Skellion, Gretchen Reeves and the off duty Beave Patrol Staff for the ripfest today, unbelievable conditions...one for the books.

I DECLARE "EVERY BUSINESS IN VAIL CLOSED DAY" TODAY

I CAN'T BELIEVE WE ALL HAVE TO DRAG OUR WEARY ASSES, LEGS AND KNEES TO THE SKI HILL AGAIN TODAY, IT JUST WON'T STOP. ULLR, PLEASE WE NEED A BREAK...JUST KIDDING. IT'S ANOTHER HUGE POWDER DAY. CDOT, PLEASE CLOSE THE PASS AGAIN SO WE CAN ALL ONCE AGAIN BE POWDER PIGS.
WHAT A GREAT YEAR NOT TO HAVE A JOB!!

Monday, January 26, 2009

BIKER SKI DAY AND THE DAY AFTER...TODAY, MORE POW.

Yesterday's biker ski day turned out to be a pow day, and we even managed to stay relatively sober, until later.

And then today was more of the same with CB at Vail, Headwall.

Raspy's

MORE X

The Ridlas and Matte

Flying Machines Cmon

Sunday, January 25, 2009

X GAMES 13 ASPEN...DON'T ASK, REALLY BIG AIR FINALS

Shawn White ripped the Super Juker Pipe

No big deal, Simon Dumont throws the winning BIG AIR, double front flip with the super man layout on the second flip...sick.

more later, it's biker ski day, gotta run.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

NOT SURE IF THIS LOOKS FUN OR MISERABLE?



Is this a bike race or the next arms delivery on it's way to Gaza?

It's funny how locked in we can get to our local area. I guess it's just part of being in our own comfort one-upper zone. Well, there are alot of other one-upper zones out there. This one is called Africa and it is the birthplace of SQUIRT LUBE, South Africa to be more precise. The Tour d' Afrique is obviously an EPIC, and one of the events SQUIRT sponsors. Sound like something all of us should investigate participating in before we leave this planet...click the above pic of the pyramids to start your adventure...

TOUR DOWN UNDER ALL BUT OVER?

graham watson photos
Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step, Has all but put a lock on the Tour Down Under Title with his thrid stage win in a row. Davis has a pretty demanding 25 second lead over fellow Aussie Stuart O'Grady nwith th final 90 KM flat stage remaining. Davis is obviously the top sprinting dog this early in the season as he has been untouchable thus far in the field sprints..Something looks awfully good about this beach shot, think I need a trip to Florida.

Friday, January 23, 2009

CULTCROSS 2009, MARCH 15TH AND 22ND IN EAGLE, COLORADO, IT'S ON...LIKE.....

YOU KNOW THE REST CAMPERS...2008 HIGHLIGHTS




SPRING CYCLOCROSS IS BACK IN EAGLE COLORADO!

WHILE WE SIT AND WATCH IT SNOW/RAIN IN JANUARY...

There is an entirely different world going on at the same time in South Africa as they are just entering the prime of their Mountain Biking season. Dewet Marais from Squirt (my boss when I listen to him) is racing in a monumental event, the Barberton Mountain Bike Challenge this weekend which includes a 3,300 ft. climb in 8 miles of riding in scorching hot temperatures. Look for the X-Factor (Roan Exelby) to be there as well and contend for a top 5 spot in the men's elite field.
The X-Factor racing solo at 24 Hour of Moab this year with his eyes looking like piss holes in the snow in the wee hours of the morning. Roan finished third and on the same lap as Tinker Juarez

SEVEN ELEVEN CONSIDERS PRO TEAM COMBACK

Addicted to Bicycles is falsely reporting that the once proud Seven Eleven Pro Cycling Team was considering a resurrection of their top notch cycling program. Recruiting actually began through their elite customer base and the team is apparently concentrating on keeping their developmental team hydrated by the looks of the team water bottles pictured here being carried by Bubba. I'd imagine they are working on some type of custom bottle cage and contacting Surly Bicycles to supply the team with Pugslys to "support" their riders.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

BARRY IN ONTARIO HAS AN OPINION...

TOUCHE!

ARMSTRONG AVOIDS BAD CRASH AT THE TOUR OF AUSTRALIA, RACE LEADER IS OUT.

Andre Greipel of Germany, riding for Team Columbia-High Road, was involved in a bad crash eight miles into stage three of the Tour of Australia. He suffered a dislocated shoulder when he hit the deck and is out of the tour. Apparently Lance Armstrong narrowly missed the pile up and finished the stage with the main peleton and is 39th overall just 29 seconds back of race leader Australian Allan Davis
Very high swirling winds may have contributed to the crash which took out the race leader and seven other riders for the remainder of the race.
photos AP

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

I HAVE SOME VERY BORED FRIENDS SENDING ME CRAP..

I did however get a laugh out of this one....

BIKER SKI DAY IS THIS SUNDAY.

MEET AT THE TURNTABLE IN MINTURN FOR BREAKFAST, EARLY. CALL CB AT THE MOUNTAIN PEDALER IN EAGLE FOR MORE DETAILS.
328-DIRT
IF YOU PLAN ON STAYING SOBER DONT COME.

CLIF BAR VOLUNTARY RECALL

This is the latest update from Clif Bar.

On January 19, 2009, we announced a voluntary recall of 14 U.S and 4 Canadian products including CLIF Bar, CLIF Builder’s, CLIF MOJO, CLIF Kid Organic ZBaR and LUNA Bar, in the U.S. and Canada because the peanut butter in those products was sourced, for a limited period of time, from the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). PCA is a manufacturer and supplier of peanut butter for many food companies and manufacturers.
PCA is under investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a recent Salmonella outbreak thought to be caused by tainted peanut butter. In light of this investigation, and with an abundance of caution, Clif Bar & Company has enacted a voluntary recall. We take the health and safety of our consumers very seriously.

My advice, if you have any product in your home that has peanut butter in it in any form, other than out of a name brand jar, chuck it or feed it to the neighbors dog that won't stop barking...the dog will then be to busy crapping himself for a week to bark anymore.

SQUIRT IN AUSTRALIA. OVER THE EDGE SPORTS DOWN UNDER

There is a character out there named Alastair Smart, he owns "Over the Edge Sports" in Melrose, South Australia. OTE is the #1 source for SQUIRT lube as well as a variety of other top line bikes and gear in Aussie land. So, if you've managed to find your way onto this blog via Australia and you are in the Melrose area, stop in and see the fine blokes down under at OTE, Australia...
Alastair Smart
OVER THE EDGE SPORTS
www.otesports.com.au
6 Stuart Street (PO Box 106)Melrose, South Australia, 5483.Ph: +61 (0)88 666 2222Fax: +61 (0)88 666 2233Mobile: +61 (0)428 773 104



PRODUCT REVIEW, ACID ZAPPER

My affiliation with SQUIRT lube has led to some interesting opportunities, the latest being some samples of Acid Zapper that came to my mail box from Murray Wilmerding of Team Zap USA. I first suggest you click on the links here to read more about the product. It's basically an Alkalizing agent that helps with managing lactic acid and recovery. It is taken in doses of one tablet per 50lbs. of body weight. I started taking the stuff a couple of days ago anticipating a long ride in Boulder yesterday. Riding conditions were perfect and I rode for three hours at moderate and slow speeds, with just a couple of harder efforts climbing. My first impressions of Acid Zapper are very good, and it's not because Murray hooked me with a sample pack. I never got sore or heavy legs during my first longer effort of the year, tired yeah, but that is to be expected. And today, the next day my legs feel fresh, not sore at all. If you want to give the stuff a try contact Murray at acidzapper@gmail.com
Their list of sponsored athletes is impressive, names like Jerimiah Bishop, Conrad Stoltz, Wayne Stetina and others. Check em out.
www.teamzapusa.com

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

BOULDER INDOOR CYCLING, OBAMA, 70 DEGREES, ROAD BIKE



Boulder Indoor Cycling's Paul Wells welcomed SQUIRT Lube on board as the track lube sponsor today. No Petroleum or Solvent in Squirt, just wax and water which means a CLEAN track surface for Paul's killer indoor track set-up. It's really impressive, and Paul does an awesome job with his students...this looks too much fun not to try! With nearly 500 members in the first month, Boulder Indoor Cycling is already rockin it, the place was busy all day...



Check out the closed circuit TV, you can watch all the action.


Boulder Indoor Cycling has a tremendous selection of Fuji and Blue track bikes to choose from...all lubed up with SQUIRT.


The Merc hit 70 in Boulder today, and not a cloud in the sky. Same tomorrow, if you are jonsin to ride, head down, it will be perfect!

Elgee, humbled by a perfect day, with a new prez and the first big ride of the new year...


I WOKE UP EXCITED TODAY...

I've been a bit overwhelmed with the entire presidential inauguration thing going on for the past few weeks, to the point where I just could not watch it on the boob tube anymore. As you know, if you follow this CYCLING blog, I've been a supporter of Barack Obama since early on. I'm no left wing liberal by any means, I do enjoy killing stuff that flies with a shotgun and eating it, I also believe in an "eye for an eye". My support was based on one simple fact, the fact that this guy Obama "seemed" like the person that the rest of the world would accept and welcome more than the rest. This coming at a time when one individual's decisions over the past eight years, which were supposedly made I my behalf, have the rest of the world hating America. My support has been mainly due to the fact that a guy named Obama may be able to change some of that, and that I'll be able to travel and go watch the Tour de France or some other classic in the future and not have the local residents of that country whisper under their breathe that myself and my country suck for what they believe in.
So, back to my first point, I woke up excited today, at 5am. I turned on the TV and saw the crowd, and I saw the smiles, and the energy. I saw people believing that as soon as dickhead packed his bags and left the Whitehouse yesterday that a burden had been lifted and that today may end up being a better day. It's a good day today, as most are in my life. Think I'll drive to Boulder, sell some SQUIRT and go for a really long road ride on a day that is supposed to be near 70 degrees down there, you should do the same.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Sunday, January 18, 2009

MORE KATIE COMPTON

Compton started slow, then gradually buried her international competition before sticking the dagger in as she went to the front on lap two and never looked back in Roubaix at this weekends UCI World Cup....we may see something very special in two weeks at Worlds in Hoogerheide on February 1.
I certainly hope so.
"Katie the Cannibal"?
PHOTO JOE SALES /CX MAG

MISCELLANEOUS RAMBLINGS FROM KCCX, IT IS STILL CX SEASON AFTER ALL

AND THESE GUYS WANT SOME SQUIRT, I THINK BREAKFAST AT THE WAFFLE HOUSE MAKES TEAM E-MORTGAGE STRATEGY WORTHY

DO I DARE SAY THESE THREE NAMES IN THE SAME BREATHE? KATIE COMPTON, ERWIN VERVECKEN AND SVEN NYS

USA NATIONAL CHAMPION COMPTON, A SHOT AT WORLDS JUST ON THE HORIZON....
I THINK SO, and I say it without reservation because at yesterday's UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Roubaix, France, there were two winners. Sven Nys happened to be third behind Erwin Vervecken who won ahead of Czech rider Zdenek Stybar, the other incredibly was Katie Compton (Spike Shooter). Two weeks out from the World Championships, Compton put the lumber to reigning world champ Hanka Kupfernagel by nine seconds and former champ Daphny Van den Brand by 42 seconds. Nine seconds is a large gap for a CX victory, and Katie seems to be right on target. Incredibly, Rachel Lloyd was seventh in this race. WHAT IS UP GURLYS? Do you think this may ignite a huge ball of fire under the currently behemoth growth of women's CX in this country? (just check the Portland race numbers). I mean this is hugely exciting for all CX fans in the USA.

Jonathan Page was the top Men's finisher in 30th place, followed by Trebon in 35th.
USA's National Champion Zach McDonald finished on the podge in third in the Junior's battle....nice work. Two names that you'll will be sure to hear in the future of the Juniors, Yannick Eckman and Jeff Bahnson, trust me.pic from cx mag