There are few things I enjoy more than super sweet bikes. Rock N’ Road Cyclery is where I’m purchased my super sweet bikes for the last 5 years. Right now get the best deals of the year on 2008 closeout bikes along with free holiday lay-a-way ($100 down at a time baby!). Their inventory levels are the best of the year and they have all the latest 2009 bikes from Specialized in stock including the new Epic and new dura-ace Tarmacs. Crap, I love bikes!
Julie and I are already planning a little Patagonia shopping spree once we are permanently touch down in Colorado. It feels very justified considering we own ZERO cold weather clothing.
Now through November 19, 2008 receive free shipping on orders $100 or more at Patagonia.com. Click the banner below for details.
I’d like to introduce you to Greg Sellers. Greg is the founder and CEO of Motor Tabs, the best fluid replacement system on the market. If you read the blog with any regularity you’ll know that I like to give Greg a hard time. Here is your chance to take a “shot” along with me.
Below is a picture in need of a caption. It’s a picture of Greg from a PCH ride this weekend. Somehow this picture made it to my inbox, not really sure how I got my hands on it.
The person that leaves the best comment/caption as voted on by myself and Dave will win an entire box of Motor Tabs (flavor of your choice). The best part about it is that Greg gave me the box of Motor Tabs to give out as promo. I can’t think of a better way to use them…
Winner will be selected on Monday, November 17. Let the games begin!
Now that summer is over and we are heading into the winter months, how many of you are already changing some of your exercise related habits? In particular, what is your thought process regarding proper hydration and energy needs? Even though winter (colder environmental conditions) is upon us, proper hydration and nutrition should not be ignored. In fact, you might be surprised to know that there are more environmental issues that must be addressed for athletes to maintain their performance levels in the cold than in the heat.
A few weeks back while riding my mountain bike at Whiting Ranch, the original MTB saddle and post on my bike cracked in half. I’d like to think it wasn’t from the excessive weight of my stout manly frame but I know the truth. It came out of nowhere and just snapped leaving me to ride the next five miles standing up. Then, later in the week I crashed on my road bike at 30 MPH and tore my road saddle and hip to shreds, it was great week. After some research I picked up 2 saddles from SDG.
Since that time I’ve fallen in love with the company and their products. Everything they do is:
1. Easy to install and size. I did everything myself and I’m a tool weenie.
2. Looks great! Both my road and mountain set-ups are pretty much the best ever. They kill anything Old Man Sellers could ever muster up from his vintage collection of 1993 vintage mountain bikes.
3. Is super comfy but with high performance. I race*
The boys at SDG Saddles recently posted their 2009 bike saddles and seat posts catalog. It’s worth the click, these guys know how to build bike product.
If you’re in the market for a new post or saddle SDG is who you should be supporting. They love cyclists and the local biking community needs to back that.
In case you haven’t read yet through other major news sources, November is Dudes That Shave Their Legs month. On November 1, 2007 I began this sacred ritual and for the last 365 days have kept my commitment to the cause.
If you’re thinking to yourself, this dudes is crazy, I would ask you to reconsider that statement and open up your mind. In the month of November, don’t discriminate against dude leg shavers, instead try to understand them and maybe give it a try for yourself. Once you go smooth, you never go back.
For those long time dude legs shavers out there, I salute you…
I’ve heard that Sellers did all of the stunts for Drew Jones. The 70’s treated Greg really well, he was a super strong rider back then. Or as he would call them, “the glory days”!
My favorite podcast on the planet is back with a brand new episode. I hope Fitz can inspire you to get outside with the incredible way he tells stories! It inspires me every time I listen.
A 1,200-foot rock wall in a wilderness area – that’s standard summer fare. In a day and back before dinner? Sounds easy. Without a car? That’s when my climbing partners stopped returning my phone calls.
Even with growing environmental pressures and climbing gas prices, we’ll drive hundreds of miles to exist in landscape devoid of gridlock and angry horns. The irony can be hard to ignore. Recreating without a car might seem impossible, but this summer I set out to test the preconceived notion. What happens when you find yourself trapped in the Urban Jungle? You blaze your way out.
Click here for more info on this episode of the Dirtbag Diaries by Fitz Cahall.
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Yesterday was my first ever cyclocross race. I think I’m hooked. Sorry for all the vanity shots in the photo gallery, I’ll have to train the family take more general shots next time. After the race a dude came up to me and told me how awesome my family was for cheering so much. Thanks to Julie, Carter, Landon, Alison, Alex, Dave and my mom for the on course love.
The 35 minute race went 42 minutes for me. My average heart rate was 176 with a max of 186, that’s way faster than I imagined I could hold.
Get out there and race, its fun and everyone is laughing the entire time. Hopefully Old Man Sellers will come out sometime so I can drop some pain on him. That is if he can find his MTB shoes.
Life has been a little hectic lately and blogging has taken the back burner for the last 30 days. My world revolves around family and work and the rest is getting pushed aside. Our newest, Landon turned 30 days old today. Most of the time he’s great but sometimes he’s a pain in my neck. I’ve figured out a trick to calm him down when he is screaming bloody murder in my ear. I place him in the Baby Bjorn and bounce on the exercise ball for as long as necessary. I’m not sure if his is helping my core and my back is killing me!
Speaking of core, the boy’s at Amateur Endurance have an incredible article with full pictures up on a daily stretching routine that looks really legit.
As noted in my last article on the (debatable) benefits of stretching, I stretch on a near daily basis to keep things loose. My daily stretch routine usually takes me about 30 minutes, and I try to do it shortly before bed in a quiet room with minimal noises to help relax me before hitting the pillow.
Carter (pushing him in the jogger) and I will be defending our 3rd place age group title at the Rancho Santa Margarita 5k on Labor Day.
Date: September 1, 2008
Location: Rancho Santa Margarita Community Center
Start time: 7:30 am Click here fore more info.
I’m curious how I’ll do living on 4 hours of sleep a night for the last week. I’ve got a few people who’s names I won’t drop here to punish through weight loss bets and this little race will get me started very nicely. Watch out suckers!
The guys over at Bonk Breaker make the best energy bar on the planet. These little bars have saved me countless times on the trial and work perfect as a pre-ride/run snack. I’m not kidding, I’ve never met anyone that doesn’t call it their favorite bar.
Recently they released a brand new website with the ability to buy the bars directly from them.
Please welcome to the Brazelton family, Landon Brooks Brazelton. I can already tell the boy was built to ride bikes. Jonathan Vaughters of Team Garmin/Chipotle and I have already been in talks about his contract for the 2022 Tour de France. It sounds like Rock Racing wants him really bad though so I’m working on a bidding war between the two teams.
The stats:
August 24, 2008
12:46 am
7 pounds 11 ounces
20 inches
Incredible VO2 Max and resting heart rate
*He comes from a lineage of elite athletes. Not me, my wife
To have Landon born on the 24th is a big deal for the Brazelton family. He is the 4th generation of Brazelton’s to be born in order.
Kim Brazelton (My Aunt) - August 21
Andy Brazelton (Me) - August 22
Grandpa Brazelton (Grandpa) - August 23
Landon Brazelton (My son) - August 24
Julie and I haven’t slept much and Carter already thinks Landon is one and wants to wrestle. Julie looks and feels incredible. She’s such a stud! Her first marathon is in June 2009 and I fully expect her to blow my first marathon’s time out of the water.
In my past life (5 months ago), I was a triathlete. I still love the sport but due to injury was forced into running retirement. This week I’ve knocked 2 hours of running and probably 3 hours of riding. Its my first week of running. Tonight was the first double work out in many many moons. I rode with Matt Smart at 6am with 2 strong laps through Whiting Ranch. After work I topped off the day with a 60 minute run lap through Whiting. I’m pleased.
The goals are simple:
1. Lose 6 pounds.
2. Put Old Man Sellers from Motor Tabs in difficulty every time we ride.
#2 is a no brainer, it basically happens already, but #1 will be a stretch.
Ok, back to the original reason for my post. Two of the biggest, baddest triathlons are coming up in the next few months. Look for them on your DVR and hit the record button.
Ford Ironman World Championship - Big Island
October 11, 2008, 6:45 am start www.ironman.com/worldchampionship
Xterra Offroad Triathlon World Championship - Maui
October 26, 2008, 9:00 am start www.xterraplanet.com