Hello again

Wow, it's been quite a while. I don't even know if anyone looks at this blog, but it's my venue for my interests and hobbies. So provide comments(possitive please) if you want.
My cycling is fairly steady. Not real dedicated. I'm still riding the weekly fast and furious group rides(crash last week, ugh), but nothing more than 40miles. So endurance is lacking. I'm even considering selling one of my bikes to get funds for my other (expensive) hobby, photography. I'd like the Canon Digetal Rebel XTi. My film camera is getting pricey to develop. Check out my photo gallery!!

Anyway, onto my original hobby, guitar. I started in high school at age 14, listening to Metallica and Rush. I'm a metalhead at heart. Played in HS, garage and college bands. I ventured into jazz and played in a very talented jazz band fro 2 yrs, but never really went anywhere. Then went on a hiatus for 4 yrs (enter cycling). Then finally dusted off the guitar and amp. Amazing that it still plays! My gear is a Fender Strat "Big Apple" and a Mesa Boogie Mark IV amp. I can't let these babies go to waste.

Check these videos out. A little crazy, but they inspire me to play again!
Michael Angelo Batio
Insanely Amazing Guitar Solo
Hybrid Techniques Guitar Fusion
Hybrid Technique #1
Greg Howe

that's it for now.
thanks
jl

Back on the saddle Apr07

After a long hiatus, and our third baby born in mar07, I started to ride again. I've been riding solo just once a week for maybe 25mi or less. So riding in a group ride was a little nerve racking. I rode our weekly monday night ride and it took a little while to get used to riding so close to others. There were about 60-70 riders, a bunch of new faces too, so was cautious and just sitting in the back. By next week's ride, i was more confident and can work with the group, though still not up to my fitness.

I decided to ride the saturday River Ride ( fastest ride in the area), though it's been 3 months since i rode this and there was a 15men crash on that ride. Every once in a while, the pros show up. Mike Sayers from Team BMC was there(sometimes Chris Horner too), and so this ride was extra fast! 28-30mph throughout the whole ride! I found myself last, but I would not give up and drop off. Everyone was commenting on the same thing...fast! Well, I made it back in one piece. The skills come back pretty quick, it's the fitness that needs time.

The hills are next, just need to get out there.
jl

TOC'07 (con't)

The pro riders. It's amazing what these guys can really do until you see them in action. They are really small and skinny in person, especially the climbers (130-140 lbs). Their "clydesdale" weighs 165 lbs (my weight). Sprinters like McEwen weigh in at 145 lbs. I guess i just have to lose that weight even if it's just 5 lbs. I'm sure the real solution is to just get out there and ride, flats and/or hills. The more I ride, the stronger I'll get. Makes sense (in the head, not so much in the legs).

Big George! He's becoming one of my favorite pro rider. Mainly a domestique but a sprinter that can climb.







Danielsen is tiny! I guess that's why he can climb.








Thor!








??
I recognized (from cycling.tv ) one of the health net riders (not this guy) that came from Britain. But yelled out "Christian House". Later i checked out the roster, and it was Russell Downing. No wonder he didn't respond. My bad!!




Thor dropping down the hammer.








Too fast. can't tell who.








That hill was steeeeeeppp.








Even support riders were fast.








Anthony McCrossen from cycling.tv
great guy! talked to me for a few minutes.

TOC '07

As a cyclist, I am so lucky to be living here in Sacramento CA and be able to be a part of the Tour of CA. The stage 2 finish line was just two blocks from work! Of course, I did take the whole day off and bring the wife and kids to enjoy the day and get a good viewing spot (50m from the life). The the 2 hrs of waiting time was worth the 30 seconds of racing as they passed by at 40mph, good thing there were 3 laps before the finish.


Some friends and I also saw the prolouge in SFO. Definitely the a spectator's stage. We say every single one go by and race up that steep hill to Coit Tower. No wonder these guys are pros. Even the "sprinters" were flying up that hill. The crowds were awesome, though there were lots of posers sportin' their pro team kits. Anyway, lots of fun!

Where's Jan?








Thunder Thor
(Credit Agricole)







Inside Jelly's Belly








Expensive trailer!








Health Net

My Bike

This is a great bike (Vellum.com). All carbon, light and stiff. Depending on the wheels, it weighs 16.5 lbs.

Lots of fun, whenever i can ride it. But it all depends on the engine(me).
Can't ride too much nowadays. Our #3 will be here w/in 2 months.

Adios for now.

Off season over

(old post)....
My "off" season seamed like forever. I really didn't want to get on the bike. Only once, maybe twice a week for only 10-15mi, and an occational group/long ride for 30-40mi. I gained 5 lbs quick! and I feel and look fat. Now the team is starting to get together and training for base miles. So i'm starting to get my desire back. No more lazy butt, time to ride!

Bike video clips

Since my last race of the '06 season in july 30, I've been taking it easy on the riding, only riding 1-2 days a week and sometimes during lunch for only 30-50mi for the week (i try to get 100mi a week). August is a time for vacationing and familytimes. So, here are some video clips to keep things interesting on this bike blog.

Pride comes before a fall





Bike Cam (SORRY for the music)