Reaping the whirlwind

Daybreak at the Luxor
We are in the airport waiting for our airplane. Jeff and I both are worn out having only gotten a total of 8 hours of sleep since we left wednesday morning. We have seen so many bikes and so much clothing and accessories it would make your head spin...
US National Cyclocross Champion, Ryan Trebon, on his way to winning 'Cross Vegas
World Cyclocross Silver medalist, Jonathon Page at 'Cross Vegas
Flagstaff homeboy, Ben Proctor shows how spectating is done!

We hooked up with a lot of old friends, saw a bunch of famous racers, talked bidness and listened to an untold number of mind-numbing sales presentations. We've gotten excited about a few new things and have lots of things to discuss. We gambled, drank, watched bike races, hung out, caught up with old friends and have generally been going non-stop since we hit the ground. There are a lot more pictures to show you in the coming days. See you at 'cross practice tomorrow.

Vegas Adventure - the beginning

Mmmm, mmmm good...

We are sitting at the Charlotte airport waiting for our flight. We just consumed a Cinnabon and too much coffee. Not sure how the caffeine is going to work with sitting confined in an airplane for 4+ hours, but that's what alcohol is for...

Owie, owie, owie...

First 'cross practice was an eye-opening experience, as usual. It just hurts. Hurts in that deep soul searching kinda way. The kind of effort that gets that little voice going inside your head, telling you "the pain isn't worth it", or "you can't do it". And then you just go and ignore all sense and reason. The good thing is that you don't realize what you've done to yourself until after you stop and then all of the sore and aching parts of your body start checking in with the brain. Somehow, I bruised the thick pad of my right hand under the thumb. Not sure how that happened.

The new bike rides great, handles like a laser beam, and soaks up the bumps like a dream. I think it is going to be a great bike for the season.

All the usual suspects showed up: Jeff, Preacher Todd, McMenemy the Enemy (and Josh, his son), Eric, 'Cross Ron, Howard Hesterberg and Nicole. We did some barrier practice for a while. I was nervous and lousy at it and then went downhill from there. Guess that's why we're practicing... We ripped several laps on the Lenoir 'cross course at race pace. I was pretty sure I was gonna vomit, but that never became a reality.

Now Jeff and I are just good and primed for 'Cross Vegas on wednesday night. Interbike is going to be a lot of work, but a lot of fun, too. It's going to be great seeing Page and all the other pro men racing under the lights in the desert. I'm pretty sure that Jeff and I will visit the beer garden in the infield as well...

Brian is going to be solo at the shop Wed-Fri, so drop by and visit him if you get the chance. Repairs will be on a slower schedule until we return from the show, but then we'll be back up to speed. Bear with us this week as this trip to Interbike is a big part of us taking the success of Luna Cycles to the next level! And don't forget to come out to 'cross practice next Saturday at 4:30. Bring anything with two wheels and we'll show you how to have more fun than you can stand...

File under: Yeah, No Sh*t...

Genevieve Jeanson admitted to having used EPO during her career, today. This comes as a shocker to exactly no one who ever even read about her exploits on the bike. Genevieve was well known for her tried and true method of winning bike races: solo attack from the gun and let everyone else ride for 2nd place. In big stage races, when the Pro Women would start 15 to 20 minutes after the Cat. 3 men, Genevieve would catch, pass and drop the men's race that started 20 minutes ahead of her. That isn't talent, that dear friends is dope.

On other doping fronts: I don't know what to think about the Landis decision. I really thought the long delay boded well for him, but no, it just wasn't in the cards. Given the nature of the decision and the weirdness of the T/E ratio test is flawed, but then the follow tests aren't, just doesn't seem kosher. The system seems rigged...

Got the new 'cross bike built up. It is a Blue CXc with SRAM Rival components. Initial shakedown ride impression is that the bike is very nimble. Tomorrow's 'cross practice should provide much more of a ride impression. See you at the soccer field at 4:30! Don't forget the morning group ride at 8am, too!

And now to leave you with the ultimate in athletic psyche outs: The Maori Haka as performed by the New Zealand All Blacks National Rugby team.

Now, let's get down to business

Up and coming two-wheeled bad ass, Owen McCormack Moore

Bridge to bridge has come and gone. Congratulations to everyone who participated. Big shout out to the top hometown Homeboy, Jack Brown! He looked good from my vantage point towards the top of 181 and by good I mean not horribly bad. Let's face it, nobody looks spring daisy fresh on a long, steep climb going some ridiculous speed for any measurable length of time. I think next year will be time for me to participate in the B2B again.

Now that B2B is past, there are a few notable changes in the group ride schedule. The Tues./Thurs. night rides now meet at 5:30 due to the dwindling light conditions. And starting this Saturday, we will begin cyclocross practice at 4:30 at the Zack's Fork soccer complex. This will give you some preview of the Lenoir 'cross course that will be a part of the NC Cyclocross Fall Series on Nov. 4th!

Speaking of cyclocross, our new 'cross bikes are on the way. I'm going to stay mum on the particulars in an effort to build up the suspense in anticipation for a big reveal. To help wrap your head around the implications of the looming 'cross season, check out Chopper Reid's advice for life: (a word of caution if you are not fond of the f-bomb!)

Eve of the Bridge

We stuffed 900 rider packets this evening for the Bridge to Bridge particpants. Big thanks to Jenna, Tammy, Mark, Mark Hites, Charles, Different Charles, Jack Brown, Mikey MC and B-Rock for lending a big hand to get it done. Jeff has been in overdrive getting all the last minute details straight for this weekend. We now have Luna waterbottles and new Luna T-shirts in 3 different styles in stock. We are stocked up on every conceivable item that a would-be Bridge rider could possibly want and to top it all off, we're having a sale! All sunglasses, shoes, Mavic computers and Sugoi shorts and short-sleeve jerseys are on sale for 10% off! We also have 2007 road and mtn. bikes on sale! If you've been waiting to wheel and deal, now's your time!

We will be having a mellow spin ride Saturday morning at 8 am, leaving from the shop. Our hours will be extended this weekend in order to accomodate the Bridge to Bridge schedule. Saturday we will be open from 11 am to 7 pm and Sunday from 7 am to 9 am (B2B start time). I will be doing a feed towards the top of 181, so come see me if you want me to hand up bottles and/or food to you.

It has been a long week and the weekend will hopefully be a busy time. If you are coming in from out of town for B2B, be sure to stop by. We will be more than happy to give you the beta on the new course, make ride suggestions for any pre-ride spins you want to do and we can also offer local knowledge on dining options and that all important Sunday morning caffeine urge!

Don't forget that once Bridge is over, the riding season is still going on. We are fortunate to have a fairly mild winter here, so outdoor road riding is a year-round possibility. However, as the weather gets cooler and the days shorter, it comes time to explore other 2 wheeled pursuits like mtn. biking. For us at Luna, Fall means one all consuming two-wheeled passion: CYCLOCROSS! We will once again play host to a cyclocross race here in Lenoir, but this year we are now a part of the prestigious NC Cyclocross Series Fall Cup! Our race will be Sunday, November 4th. Saturday, Sept. 22nd, we will begin cyclocross practice at the Zack's Fork Soccer Complex every Saturday at 4:30. Bring any bike you want, a helmet and you'll be one step closer to running through barriers and doing two wheeled drift turns in the drops.

The worm is turning...

I have come down with whatever funk Owen brought home from daycare. I'm not sure if I'm going to still have a voice tomorrow, so teaching should be interesting. I'm going to limit my students to yes/no questions 'cause then I can just nod one way or the other. It'll be good for 'em...

It has been a while since I last blogged and many things have transpired that were worth mentioning, but the moment has passed. We can never capture the time that was lost, so we should get past it and move on.

The big thing to move on to is the greatest part of the cycling season: CYCLOCROSS SEASON! You can see who the real 'cross junkies are right now. They'll be the guys shuffling around the bike shop wanting to discuss the merits of various 'cross tubulars or feverishly asking when 'cross practice starts (4:30, the saturday after Bridge to Bridge, Zack's Fork Soccer Complex) or asking to see pictures of the new 'cross bikes from different manufacturers. Well, the first fix is almost here fellow 'crossers! There will be a season opening tune-up clinic/race in Salisbury on Sunday, September 30th. Details to follow soon. Jeff and I will get the true whistle whetting experience during Interbike in Las Vegas as the Cross Vegas UCI race will be held while we are there. 'Cross World's silver medalist, Jonathon Page, is a confirmed starter. It should prove to be a fun night of 'cross and beer gardening!

Hopefully some of you will be able to tear yourselves away from doing 181 climbing repeats this weekend long enough to make the saturday morning group ride at 8am. The group has thinned out substantially as Bridge to Bridge draws nigh, but hopefully things will be back to normal once it is over and done with...