This Stray Dog Freedom

This past weekend I felt absent, as if I was suppose to be doing something, somewhere, anywhere but here. For the first time in two years I skipped a stop on the NORBA National tour of champions. I know, I know, big deal right... well in the world of bike racing you are constantly haunted by the harsh reality that "you are only as fast as your last race".

I have learned to swallow this reality and move on.... at least for this weekend.

BTW, I have been rolling on a rigid hardtail this past week and all i have to say is that I am thankful this sport has progressed. Give Paul Turner a high five next time you see him....

My "A" Game Is More Like a "C-"

I have finally come to the realization that I am not Lance. Sometimes you just need a huge sign to remind you how slow you really are.

I had Pabst with my dinner last night.... not Lance

I haven't had a massage in a year.... not Lance

I don't have Sheryl's number.... not Lance

My lightest bike is 24 lbs... not Lance



Since I still can't do the wheelie and my jumping skillz are worse than Napoleon's....I have resorted to practicing my superman (my leg extension could use some work).



It's crazy the life lessons you can learn in a bar. This winter Mike learned how to ride a Uni and didn't even flinch at the chance to show off his new found skillz in full Giant kit. Maybe next time he will leave the pole behind...



Man am I a dork... This is why I don't post many pictures of me, I only have 5 minutes of game. It's all downhill from there.

Art Is Hard

This self inflicted pain is becoming too routine....



Unfortunately, this past week I have been way too busy attending to my annual Sea Otter inflicted dose of poison oak that riding managed to slip to the bottom of the priority list. Next year if you see me riding in a full length body bag you will understand.

I don't know what's worse, the 40 hour round trip drive or the constant itching that ensues... Don't be fooled by the tight singletrack and the flowers.... they will infect your misery.

At least my rent is paid....

Quarantined In This Californian Dream

Blue bird skies and sun block wouldn’t be right, it's Sea Otter. Instead we stuff our bike boxes full of mud tires, poison oak scrub and rain coats. Glamourous I know....



What is the daily allowance of Vitamin “M’ anyways? I might be in trouble if this stuff is fat soluable.



The man of the weekend was the always humble Chrus Eatough (pronounced Eat-Off), starring in the world premiere of “24 Solo”.



The power of the human mind leaves me in awe. Amazing film.... I mean come on, one of the hero’s of this film gets carried off by the camera man! Hollywood couldn't even make this stuff up...



Much respect to anyone who has ever finished one of these insane events.



All I can really say about my Sea Otter showing is that “I finished”. Sometimes just that is enough to go home happy. The last 5 miles of that race took a solid year off my life.

With that, I’m out. I have a 20 hour road trip ahead of me.

Organized Chaos

As I kick back in our team hotel I can't help but think back to my first Sea Otter experience 6 years ago.... Somehow I managed to sleep in the back of my Volvo wagon in Safeway's parking lot and not think twice. Nothing but my bike, Joe Friel's Training Bible and jar of peanut butter. Glory days....



The complete chaos that surrounds this event can be nothing short of overwhelming. I got lost somewhere inbetween dodging the downhill grommits, the free beer tents and the short shorts.



Consider this a gift....A little something to replace that same old wallpaper you look at everyday as you log on. Gary Fisher has something figured out....

Running Out Of Turbo

This week I have been playing victim to mother nature. Nonetheless I am proud to say that my annual trainer hours still holding true at 0.



JHK took Ranno and I on one final death march before we head out to the infamous Sea Slaughter....



Contrary to popular belief, even the top dawgs wash their own bikes. Pimping ain't easy.... it may look easy but it ain't easy.



Speaking of pimpin... Alan Obye just moved into town and signed with Jamis for '07. Too bad his new ride doesn't have a bike rack....

PS: If you thought the FRS challenge was impressive wait to you see what's next on our Road Trip Challenge part II.

What Would Sager Do?

Nothing very productive ever comes out of sitting in a car for 14 hours with four other guys. This is a perfect example! Now before viewing these video the folks here at ridewithnickmartin.com would like to say that we do not recommend or condone such behavior. This is just a product of boredom!



For some reason our lips and words don't sync up in this movie but then again it didn't seem to slow godzilla down!?

History: FRS Plus is a concentrated antioxidant energy drink packed full of green tea extract, vitamins and quercetin. I use it daily but like everything in life is only good in moderation. One bottle contains 16 servings, 1600 calories, 3200% of most vitamins but is meant to be taken in 2 oz portions, not 32 oz.



Now the aftermath contains a little vomiting so if you are sensitive to such actions I would recommend rolling over to Sager's site for a little PG entertainment.

I'm Not Fat, Just Big Boned

Everyone was busting out their shiny new toys for the opening NORBA. Trebon on the other hand was busy showing off his new bike fit. I guess he apted to shorten his reach for a little more control. Bold move, but it seems to have paid off.



The Trek camp had a shuffling of the guards this off season. Head wrench Zack Vestal got bumped into the hot seat, taking on the role as our new team manager. Life on the road will dull anyone's edges. A little jitter juice is like photo shop, brightens everything up.



Somehow the DMV gave this man a license to drive a rig. Dusty, our new head wrench, got a tool belt and a set of allen keys for christmas...... Be careful what you wish for, now he is our go to guy.



When it's hot we dream of the cold. When it's cold we dream of the heat. This is what we get for racing on April Fools.... 40 painful miles. Decker's skinsuit may be drenched in salt and sweat but his skin is soft and exfoliated (Not that I know.... that's just what I heard).



One road trip down, 20 more to go.

Looking for another site to surf before you have to leave the cube and refill your coffee mug? Swing by Cycling News and check out the rider's diaries.... Nick who?

On Your Left

Most of yesterday was spent getting caught up on a winter's worth of day time television.... waiting for our 8 pm start time. Is it just me or are commercials making my IQ drop?



I think I picked the wrong time and place to ride like a small child. With permanent dust clouds, loose gravel corners and the largest stxc field to date, my evening was starting to look a little less predictable.

You let off the gas for one second or make one false move... you're gapped. You let that happen once and pretty soon it happens twice.... Before you know it your motivation to suffer is fleeting. It's a lot easier to bury yourself when you are fighting for the top 10 vs the top 30. Ahhh bike racing, this lung cookie is for you.



On a side note, T Brown has been at the drawing board all winter coming up his latest 69er Fuel. I was lucky enough to take 'er for a trail ride yesterday and I can't wait for it to hit the market. Stable front end and a rear end that accelerates like an XC machine.



Anything that Travis puts his stamp of approval on, is worth checking out. Make sure to swing by the Trek tent at Sea Otter for glimpse.