Happy Holidays!

May your Christmas be white with plenty of eggnog, fun and adrenaline!

Snow storm in DC

took some time out yesterday to enjoy the change of scenery...

Cats & Snow

who says they don't mix? (for short periods of time)
Doah killed the noise-maker

Hard to stalk in 2' of powder (Duck has already put on the holiday pounds)

Like a well-insulated seal

Curiosity

Doah does her best "Abominable Snowman impersonation, Duck is not impressed"

Been chasin'

sorry for the lack of posts. Internet here at LaSanta is minimal. Been getting by using my Blackberry. But many photos and stories to come, soon! Some surf photos in the mean time...

Still Shot

from the George interview...

Stoked

Spent quality time with George today. Can't wait to check out the footage. Filmed him for 2 hours at his home in Greenville. I look forward to biking with him there - off road. Bringing back a signed jersey to raffle off Thursday at the movie.
Wish he could make it to the screening but he's off to Oz for training soon.
Now for 8hrs of drivin thru freezing rain. Whoo hoo!

Racing with Class (or without)

As a fellow videographer I feel the need to post this. Hell I'm a bit pissed off too.
If my Mom reads this she'll call and tell me I shouldn't publicize my anger but this is so weak, so absurd it's worth disappointing... sorry Mum.

The guy who shoots video for "In the Crosshairs" website raced this past weekend but left his temper at home. I'm calling him out for his exceptionally poor and UNSPORTSMANLIKE behavior this past weekend at the 2009 Capital Cross Classic and his own video proves it. Mr. Arrow Video guy - this is for you.

FACT:
A. It was a muddy, icy, wet cyclocross race
B. The start of all bike races have many racers fighting to get in front
C. I came up on Mr. Arrow racer video man and passed him on the inside line around a tight corner
D. I did not touch Mr. Arrow Video man, my bike did not touch him nor his bike
E. He ran into the tape (2nd time in the first minute) and had to dismount to start again

This is when Mr. Arrow Video man unleashed a tantrum - screaming aggressive obscenities at me (I wasn't even sure it was me he was mad at thinking my pass was so good). Yes there were spectators, yes there were small children, yes there were dogs. As I rode away I tried to yell back to see if it was me, "Dude it's a bike race" then back, "F_YOU!" I said "Dude just go home" and back again, "F_YOU, F_YOU!!!!"

wow. Really? Then he covers it up in his video? That's ridiculously weak. He should let everyone hear his meltdown, see the kids right beside him and take responsibility for his horrible sportsmanship.

OPINION (mine):
A. I had hoped such conditions would keep the overly aggro, underly skilled roadies at home cowering
B. If faster guys are passing you on lap one, let them. You have the whole race to pass them back. If you can't deal with it don't race bikes (especially in muddy, slippery conditions). I hear pottery is nice and mellow....
C. I was quite proud of my intentional drift on this corner since I came in with speed, it looked like I was gonna spill but I dropped the left foot, caught the slide and when the tires attached I was back on the gas not having touched anyone or slowed down much at all. I can see how another rider might have thought I was going to go wide but I did not. You can't ride based on what you think might happen, you have to go on what does happen then react accordingly.
D. When I get passed by someone, even if it's close, I try to give props to that rider then chase and pass them back - swearing at someone who passes you only shows you're weaker regardless of your result. Eddy Merckx, just 2 weeks ago told me that winning is great but racing with CLASS is more important.
E. Maybe Mr. Arrow Video guy should come to the race and film from outside the tape, he seems to spend a lot of time there anyway.

I welcome any and all replies.

Last Race of 2009 - The Capital Cross Classic

What a great day to be on a bike. Riding in snow is always fun but racing in snow is great. I was just happy to go off at 10am and not later as the lines turned to mud half way through my race. I was expecting nothing as my fitness has plummeted in place of more time wrangling 500 or so hours of Tour footage. But the legs were there today and the bike handling kept me from crashing. I lined up next to last of 88 guys and forged forward to finish 11th. With the slight exception of some loudmouth who didn't mind swearing in front of kids at a guy who happened to be better than him on the day (I'll spare the ID of the rider) it was sheer bliss on a cross bike with a solid dose of suffering, sliding and slipping. Props to all who raced, congrats to all who finished and thank God this racing season has come to a close in proper fashion.
A few photos of the friends and races after mine.

I'm hot today...

why get off my 'soap' box if I don't have to???

People Against Dirty - Shiny Suds - (2009) :70 (USA)

Rethink your holiday presents

What means more? Giving someone you love another piece of plastic, electronic, meaningless junk or giving something that says a bit about who you are and what you care about? Something that goes past "I want" or even "I need" and achieves something very few gifts can - "I helped" ???

2 very worthy organizations I'm giving presents to (in the name of those I care about)
This is a leather back turtle being rescued from a net that surely would have killed it.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center - located in Barnegat NJ - this group of volunteers saves all kinds of marine wildlife. I've supported them for years now and trust me, they will appreciate even the smallest of gifts. Their shirts and 'adopt a seal' cards are great gifts.

After filming for Dogtown I saw just how needy animals who are victims of abuse are. Trust me, if you get involved even in the slightest way you will feel more enriched and happy than you can imagine. Be original this year - give the gift of help to those who need it most, like Faye.
Faye didn't perform well for her dogfighting owner so he cut her lips off. She was rescued and barely lived but thanks to help from the Humane Society of the United States she lived. I've met the folks in the DC branch - they are legit and you gifts go right to helping animals like Faye.

Belgium Still Photos

The greatest legend of all, Eddy Merckx. Over 500 career victories.

Outside the Centrum Museum for Bicycles in Oudenaarde, Belgium

Perfect timing to catch the museums new exhibit on Eddy.


There's something about cobbles that capture my attention.

Doping Control - in Ballroom Dancing?

ever wonder why you never hear of pro baseball players getting subjected to "random" or "out of competition" drug tests like cyclists are? Here is an excellent read on the subject with some very interesting facts. Only takes a minute or two - take a look if you're the least bit interested.
http://www.velonews.com/article/100208/the-explainer---how-random-is-random

I'm not as self absorbed as this looks

my buddy Aaron stopped by to shoot some artsy stuff while I worked in my garage. Cool having artistic friends. Not so cool seeing just how cluttered my garage is. Funny how you can see things for 7 years but not notice them. Not sure why I've got so many old race numbers up. All those are at least 6 years or more.