ONE UP THE SHIT OUT OF ME....

Ladies and gentleman, I believe it's a movement.....

But, beware of the Bat Mobile

CULTCROSS RACE #1 COURSE MAP

The decision on which direction this course will be run has not been made yet....but you will "suffer in the spring."

AND I JUST THOUGHT TECATE CANS WERE FOR CHEAP ASS BEER THAT GAVE YOU NASTY FARTS...

Silly me, never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect to find one of these laying on the ground outside my front door this morning. Apparently, it had blown off the balcony above my condo unit this morning in heavy winds and placed itself just outside the breezeway of my unit. I refer to my upsairs neighbors as the "Tampico Avalanche". This being the latest piece of debris. It's funny, for a second I thought I was back at Florida State University, with my afro, in 1978, stumbling out my front door on a Sunday morning and checking out the seed burns on my favorite fleece coat when I suddnely realized that was not the story at all, as it would have been a Budweiser can if that were the case. It's all just a big circle like a 29er wheel, it all comes back around eventually. There is something incredibly romantic about the visual of my upstairs neighbor smoking hooch out of a Tecate can while his two pre-school kids wrestle around on the floor.....Ole'! That outta help sell my place.

HONEY, I'M HOME....

I picked up my foster child today..it's got it's own bedroom and everything.

LOUISVILLE CYCLOCROSS BUMPED?

Cyclocross Magazine, as usual right on top of events and stories in our beloved sport of CX, is reporting that the City of Louisville, Kentucky which has hosted several USGP CX races over the years is about to lose their venue to stimulus money plans. Apparently, Louisville is receiving a pile of cash from Obama's stimulus plan to turn their CX venue into soccer fields and swing sets. This of course has the local CX scene in more than an uproar, and understandably so. Their race scene has been relegated to a nearby landfill. A2B thinks that the Louisville CX scene should gather their forces and start attending ALL City/Town meetings and get in the mix for some of the stimulus $$$. If the City wants to support the stimulus plan and what it is for, which is ALL of us, why not build this new park so it is CX friendly? Seems to me that we CX racers/Promoters should be entitled to some input on how the stimulus $$$ is spent just like the rest of the country. Why not "shape" this new soccer complex (after all, Cross Vegas is run at a Soccer Complex) to work for soccer, swing sets AND CX RACING. Get some FREE landfill from somewhere and have a few extra "run-ups" built and how about some natural barrier placement in there as well? Sounds like that ought to cost about $2000 max. We race in Denver at a soccer complex, and to be honest, it's one of my absolute favorite places to race CX if the course is run properly on the grounds. So Louisville, Kentucky, get your numbers together, start pounding the City meetings, plead your case to the city commissioners and get some of that stimulus money and input on the design of the complex, it may end up better than what you already have, understandably not the same as the traditional course venue, but I think you can get it done. That's my two cents for today.

DAVID ZABRISKIE'S HOME GETS BURGLARIZED WHILE AT TOUR OF CALIFORNIA..

While David Zabriskie was racing the Tour of California, SCUMBAGS broke into his home and stole the following items. If you know the ASSHOLES who took his stuff contact the number below please...

# Black 2008 Subaru Outback, Utah plate A189NC
# Black 2006 Toyota Scion, Utah plate 094VWM
# Giro D Italia Race Medal (approx. 6" circumference)
# Olympic Seiko watch# Beijing Olympic ring (silver) with initials "DZ" engraved ($4,000)
# Olympic Time Trial Bike, plus 12 other bikes (combined value of $100,000)
# Cervelo (black/red) bike frame - team issued ($5000)
# Tag Heuer watch ($6,000)# Bose Speaker/Receiver System ($15,000)
# Sony 52" flat screen TV ($4,000)
# Two Mac Books and one Mac desktop, plus hard drive ($8,000)
# A pair of Space legs, a recovery compression system for legs ($5,000)
# 7 Marvel sideshow statues ($11,000)

The Marvel sideshow statues are very distinctive. They stand 2-3 feet tall and are very heavy. The stolen statues were of: "Hellboy" pistol figurine, "Ash"Army of Darkness, "Tomb Raider" Lara Croft, "The Punisher," "Alien," "Ironman" Limited Edition, and a "Gears of War" character.

IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING:
Anyone with any information on this burglary or the location of the items is asked to call the Tips for Cash line at 799-INFO (4636). Please reference case #09-32767.

DID I HEAR OBAMA CORRECTLY?

Maybe a bailout check for this Schwinn Varsity Time Trial Machine?

Or a PeeWee Crusher
I'm pretty damn sure that during the President's address this evening that I heard him say he was bailing me out. Which to me means that both you and I will have one new bike paid for this year by the Government to help conserve energy and minimize our gas dependency issues. So this bail out plan means that I will be getting a check to pay for the Felt Nine Team I just purchased on a fresh credit card. I'm holding my breath waiting for the check.

Which brings me to another issue. The Eagle Post Office...Why must it be so painful to go to this building everyday. Can the "postal workers" shuffle their feet any slower as they go collect your package for you once they gather your "pink slip"? I think they should be forced to wear a shock collar and every time they ask me if there is anything fragile, liquid, or hazardous in my package I can choose to shock them until they stop asking me.

CULTCROSS PREP STARTS TOMORROW...

Preperations for the upcoming CultCross 2009 series will begin tomorrow. Temps have been warm in Eagle and the remaining snow pack at the Fairgrounds is soggy and ready to get worked. Anyone who may have time in the morning that wants to pitch in, show up around 10am and bring a shovel. The snow is not very deep out there, but getting a jump on it now will ensure we have a great track to race on...it's almost game on. My goal is to get it beat down close to the dirt and then let the sun take care of the rest...may the mud gods be with us. Is there a mud god?

THE FELT "NINE TEAM" HAS LANDED

A word to the wise, I broke the seat stay on my Felt Nine
Team the SECOND time I rode it, I did not crash the bike but the stay had signs of impact from nicking a rock, Felt WOULD NOT replace the frame free. However they did give me a pretty fair deal on a replacement frame, but still pricey!

Man is the weather sucky today in Eagle, it's been pouring rain all day. BUT, Charlie Brown swung by this morning while I was frying up some eggs for brecky and informed me "the bike" was in. So I headed on over to the Mountain Pedaler in Eagle (970-328-DIRT) to bust it out of the box and build it. It's got these really wierd things on it I've never seen before called disc brakes. WTF?

All she needs is some pedals...

IT'S A THREE PEAT FOR LEVI

Levi Leipheimer was able to hold off all attacks on Sunday. Team Saxo Bank kept the pressure on all day and was rewarded with a stage eight victory from Frank Schleck. It was Levi's third consecutive victory at the Tour of California and he proved to be the strongest rider of the week attacking on the decisive stage and also winning the TT. Watch out for Schleck however in the grand tours as he showed us a little some some yesterday.

A2B WAS ON THE RAMPAGE THIS PAST WEEK...

Ya just can't miss Robbie's on the way down to the Keys to feed the hogs.

And then, if you have too many cocktails down on Duval Street, you can slip a twenty to one of these guys to pedal your arse right to your hotel room, I think I may have found a new yob.

This is the parking lot at the Hog's Breath Saloon, Gary Fisher would be proud.

The preferred mode of evening travel to and from Sloppy Joes, and the preferred company.

AHHHHH....ANOTHER FLORIDA VISIT COMES TO A CLOSE..

Sunsets at the Lime Tree Bay resort on Long Key...

Meanwhile, back in Eagle with Cult Cross just three weeks out....

the snow is melting...

HOME FROM FLORIDA TOMORROW..

AND BACK TO AN INTERNET CONNECTION. FOR SOME REASON THE COMBINATION OF BEER, WINE AND SUN HAVE BEEN BLOCKING MY INTERNET CONNECTION THIS WEEK IN FLORIDA AND THE KEYS, AND I DO NOT GIVE A SHIT.

KEY WEST AT LAST.....MORE LATA.

have a great ski day...

LOOK FOR A2B ON THE SLOPPY CAM IN KEY WEST ON TUESDAY NIGHT

I'm making my annual pilgrimage to Florida today. Gonna go visit my old stomp. I've even got some pretty spectacular company coming with me on this trip. here is a challenge to A2B fans. Tuesday night, I challenge you to check into the Sloppy Joe's Sloppy Cam in Key West Florida as I may be dancing with my better half with a pineapple drink ON my head. If you have never been to the incrdibly atmospheric most famous bar in Key West, well I will toast to you Tuesday. Look for the Cult Cross T-shirt, and go right to the web cam that is a live feed.
HERE

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY FROM A2B

SUUURRRRRPRISE!

Seemed innocent enough headin over to Grouse...

I woke up this morning HIGHLY unmotivated to ski, even after I called the Beav snow report and they reported 7 new. But I somehow managed to rally and get the worm. For the second time in a row I ran into Gretchen Reeves and her boyfriend Jason this time, he picked a great day to play hooky from Boulder, and we skied away the morning hours on one of those BIG SURPRISE POW days cmon. Great turns with a killer trio posse. Next stop, Florida....

More pow turns, Jason looking for a face shot and Gretch takes a digger for the vij camera, but bounces back as usual. She charges EVERYTHING hard and is great fun to have in the posse.

And then of course, later in the day, "don't tell ANYone" as usual. I could give you a GPS with all the coordinates and you'd never find this line....it's triple top secret.

LOOKING FOR A MONSTER GOOD TIME?

It is then highly recommended that you head to the KONA 24 Hours of Pueblo this weekend and paaaaaaaaarty. I'm not sure who the hell could be ready to ride such an epic at this time of year, seems we just got done beating the crap out of ourselves from last season, but this is sure to be one hell of a time and it is a big fundraiser for the

AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION

So go throw some love and raise some money for one hell of a good cause! I'm not sure of the local roster heading down there this weekend, but I know there are a few who are headin down to play to which I say, crush it.

AMGEN TOUR OF CALI ON DECK

The Amgen Tour of California kicks off this weekend with what promises to be an true early season test for many of the world's top teams and riders. The Tour of Cali has quickly turned into a premier event with the likes of Astana, Garmin, Rock Racing, Columbia, Quick Step, Robobank, OUCH and so many more strong teams lining up at the start line just outside of Sacremento. Look for Astana to work for Levi who defends the title, but there is sure to be some intrigue from OUCH, the team of Floyd Landis. How's about Tyler Hamilton and Rock Racing? Alot of questions and alot of racing ahead...should be a gooden. You can follow the action at the Tour of Cali website or on Versus

IN TWO DAYS I WONT BE ABLE TO SKI...

Fly roddin big ol bass

However, I will be able to do some of this...first ya spot em

Then ya got em

Then ya release em

Then ya get another one

I NEED YOUR VOTE!!

I NEED YOUR VOTE TO RECEIVE A BLOGGERS GRANT FOR ENTRY INTO THE BRECK EPIC STAGE RACE. THE PLAN IS FOR MYSELF AND DEWET TO RACE AS A TEAM IN THE 100+ DIVISION (THAT'S RIGHT, 100+ YEARS OLD COMBINED AGE, JESUS, THAT'S A SAD THOUGHT!)

CLICK ON THE LICENSE PLATE TO GET TO THE VOTING PAGE. THE GLITCHES SHOULD BE WORKED OUT BY NOW...

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE BRING?

Many years ago, when I was a professional musician and flyfishing guide while living in Summit County, one of my favorite drives was down to the South Platte river in the South Park Basin. The drive was peaceful, and the flyfishing world class. Three reservoirs are within a very condensed area there, Antero, Eleven Mile and Spinney, and they are all known for holding VERY LARGE fish. One day while driving down there to fish, I noticed a "Land for Sale" sign so I stopped in. Later that day I had purchased this lot. I scrimped and saved every penny I made for a few years, while many of my friends were buying lids of hooch, to pay for it until I owed zilch on it, which for a bonified ski bum took some resolve. Four acres of insane views in one of Colorado's most incredible valleys. These are the views, there actually is a South Park, Colorado. There is enough property and terrain change to build a nice CX loop on it. It'd be a nice spot for a cabin in the future.

spinney reservoir with pike's peak in the background

the view to the south

the collegiates, to the NW from the highpoint

SHONNY GOES COFFEE...

Shonny Vanlandingham

Shonny Vancrushingham has gone coffee, really good coffee, and I'm posting this to help promote her brand but more importantly to have her send me a bag of the killer jo for the A2B love...must do a taste test of course and do a "product review".
WWW.WAHINEFARMS.COM

Aloha! A quick update to let you know that my Kona coffee farm in Hawaii (www.wahinefarms.com) is in full production with 100% Kona coffee! It’s been a labor of love over the past few years, but certainly worth all the effort. For those of you who don’t know, or are not coffee drinkers, Kona, Hawaii is one of the premier coffee growing regions in the world, and subsequently produces some of the finest (read: pricey) and most desired coffee capturing from $25 to $35 per pound! Here is a quick and dirty breakdown of what goes into that primo cup-o-joe….. A coffee orchard requires three to fours years of maintenance before a significant crop can be harvested. Coffee trees typically bloom in the late winter to early spring, with harvesting occurring in the fall through late winter. Mature coffee beans form into clusters of red berries, referred to as “coffee cherry”. Harvesting is all done by hand- , often times on steep, rocky slopes- and can be quite demanding. Coffee cherry must be ‘pulped’ the day it is picked at a pulping mill to remove the outside layer from the beans. After pulping, these beans are referred to as parchment and are then washed and dried in the sun for 5 to 7 days. After 30 days of ‘rest’ in the parchment stage the coffee is milled and the parchment skin is removed. The coffee beans are then in the ‘green bean’ stage and ready for roasting. The roasting process is carefully monitored to ensure the highest quality cup of Kona coffee. Phwew……plenty of ‘aloha’ has gone into these beans! Thanks for reading and check it out at: www.wahinefarms.com Aloha,Shonny

EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT SLIPS BY A2B, CAN'T BELIEVE I MISSED THIS ONE .

A2B Welcomes back with open arms the Guy From Boston, see, I even give the right wingers their day on A2B.

And of course I found the Guy From Boston after receiving this from Dr. Pete (last name anonymous) down on the front range. Pete is another CX warrior whom I've gotten to know over the past year or so who obviously has the "twisted" gene when it comes to sense of humor. When he got in on the FELT vs. GIANT debate, he responded with the link to this vij, this is the down under version of The Guy From Boston. It appears FELT it is.. Harden (as in hardtail) the FUCK up

A2B IS OFF TO FLORIDA...

Ahhhh, the tranquility of the Pompano Pier just 5 days away, where I spent my High School days never getting in trouble every weekend.

It's always nice to get a break this time of year from the high country, then come back and watch the snow melt hopfully in time for CultCross. This is a pic of me the last day of my visit "home" last year after a week of pounding Dunkin Donuts. It took me months to work all the lard off my arse. But the tan was epic.

This year's visit is bringing with it fantastic company and it's safe to say we won't be doing any ice fishing on this trip.

NAME THAT CRANKARM

When you win the Tour de Frank, you apparently get the latest prototypes to test. Sastre's latest. Modern day Bio Pace with spaghetti colander cranks...or are those cheese graters.

TO HELL U RIDE....

Jah-no-brah was just down in Telluride with Jesse the air dude for a competition and took a hike and snapped this pic, then he pooped himself and then he skied. Looks kind of tasty to me. Hope you were beepin mmmmbrah.

UNDER FURTHER REVIEW...

Life takes funny twists sometimes, especially in these incredibly prosperous days here in the good ol USA. Sometimes we have to make simple decisions which are a win/win in life. Welllll, all of a sudden, the Giant Anthem x-1 has climbed into the picture as the bike I may end up riding this season. This of course was choice #2 at Interbike for me this year as a favorite and with the possibility of some looooong XC efforts ahead, seems to be the wiser choice for MANY reasons, it's a full squish bike with four on each end which will take better care of my old decrepit ass. Don't get me wrong, if I had the Chinga right now I'd get the FELT and the Anthem, but it comes down to a practicality choice...well, and $$$. This bike don't suck, but it's still not a done deal..but hedging closer.

24 HOURS OF SUNLIGHT IS ON....

The 24 Hours of Sunlight is on and the local Woman's Vet team of Amy Hermes, Wendy Fields, Linda Wells and Deb DeCrausaz is in a dog fight for the lead going into the dark hours of the night. Their lead is currently just 6 minutes over the next team after nearl 7 hours of racing. Follow the LIVE race updates HERE

COME MR. TELE MAN TELE ME BANANA

Somewhere, probably buried in some one's basement or storage unit, or perhaps in a landfill in Summit County, lye my old double leather ASOLO three pin telemark boots, along with my old Fischer double camber 210cm telemark skis that I learned to Tele Ski on over 20 years ago. I don't Tele ski any more due to a knee that does not paricularly care to make tele turns for a repeatedly long period of time, particularly in the bumps. Conveniently enough, now that Courtney wuwuwuwuwuzup holmes Gregory is on the mend from his BIG THUMB RICKA, I called him today to see if he wanted to go loosen up the legs a bit, and I drug my free heel alpine gear (I do not really consider the new plastic and bindings tele gear) out of the storage shed to go make some knee dropper turns for the first time in two years. It was pretty fun rippin the Bachelor Gulch Couloir, and the turns felt crushy, but the knee still dont like it. One up the shit out of it...

JUST AROUND THE CORNER...

This shot of one of my Salsa's last rides before hitting the EBAY glue factory was taken by the X-Factor pre-riding the 24 of Moab course, which he went on to finish third in, solo. Rumor out there that "X" may be coming back for the Breck Epic.

Not that I can ride like this, or ever could, but it is satisfying to know that the Fruita and Moab trips are just around the corner. As the years go by I look forward to putting the skis back on the wall for the summer more and more. It's almost here gang...

CURRENTLY DRY AS A BONE..

The Colorado River Road, dry and open road for some early season, chilly mileage.

It's been nice up here in Eagle County, not near as crazy nice as the front range this winter, but warm enough to ride and ride often if you are a cycling idiot such as myself. The roads are actually in pretty good shape right now, some gravel but just keep your eyes open and you should be OK. Either ride your CX bike or pull out some old crappy road tires to abuse on your road bike and your off! Do not be so trustworthy of the weather reports as I was yesterday however, you may wind up with a case of shrinkage and a tiny weeny for a few hours.