ride on

30yrs ago today

rock and roll died.

The Michiganscene lost a long time friend, husband, cyclist, and all around nice person, this past week. Mike Gardulski was a mainstay on the the MTb scene, and cyclocross series from the early 90's to mid 00. always a top level athlete and nice person to be around. Mike will be missed greatly by US and all those that new him. Keep his family in your hearts.

My Bloody Valentine are an alternative rock band formed in Dublin, Ireland in 1983. The band's founding members are guitarist/singer Kevin Shields and drummer Colm Ó Cíosóig. The lineup during the band's late 80s/early 90s heyday included singer-guitarist Bilinda Butcher and bassist Debbie Googe after the band settled in London.
As My Bloody Valentine's music progressed, its use of distortion, pitch bending, and digital reverb resulted in the sound that became known as shoegazing. My Bloody Valentine's 1991 critically-acclaimed album Loveless took two years to make mostly due to funding problems. Following Loveless, My Bloody Valentine became inactive, with Shields recording and shelving several albums' worth of follow-up material. In 2007, Shields announced that the band had reunited and were recording new material.
[edit] Early history
Colm Ó Cíosóig and Kevin Shields met in the late 1970s as teenagers in Dublin. They quickly became friends and joined a local punk rock band named The Complex.[1] Toward the end of 1983, Shields and O'Ciosoig formed their own band with singer Dave Conway. Conway, who went by the stage name Dave Stelfox, suggested names such as Burning Peacocks before they settled on My Bloody Valentine.[2] The band was completed by Conway's girlfriend Tina, who played keyboards.
Gavin Friday of Dublin post-punk band The Virgin Prunes gave the group contacts that secured them a show in the Netherlands.[3] Based on getting that one gig, the band moved to Holland and ended up staying for three months. Due to a lack of opportunities and a lack of correct documentation, the band then moved to Berlin, where they recorded the mini-LP This Is Your Bloody Valentine. The record failed to have the expected impact, and, after four months, the band left Berlin, returning to Holland briefly before settling in London around the middle of 1985.
[edit] Settling in London
After a period when My Bloody Valentine members lost contact with each other as they looked for places to stay, the band regrouped and decided to audition bass players. The band lacked a regular bassist and Conway's girlfriend had decided to leave the band, not feeling confident in her abilities as a keyboard player. Having been given the telephone number of a bass player in London, Debbie Googe, they invited her to audition, and, ultimately, to join the band, fitting in rehearsals around her day job.
At this point the band were rehearsing at Salem Studios, which was connected to the record label Fever Records. Impressed by what they heard, Fever agreed to release an EP. On the strength of this, Googe left her job, and the EP, titled Geek! was released in December 1985. The band soon began to play on the London gig circuit, but the record failed to make as much of an impact as the band had hoped. With the band's slow progress, Shields contemplated moving back to New York, where some of his family were living.
However, Joe Foster, an associate of Creation Records, had decided to set up his own label, Kaleidoscope Records, and persuaded the group to record for him. The EP, The New Record by My Bloody Valentine, was the result, released in early 1986. The band also began to step up their live appearances, developing a small following and venturing outside London for gigs.
The band's next record was Sunny Sundae Smile, an EP released in February 1987 by Lazy Records, a label set up by The Primitives with their manager Wayne Morris. The label had been interested in My Bloody Valentine for a while, and the band turned to them this time due to Foster's indifference. The band then spent a few months performing in London and managed to secure a support slot with the Soup Dragons. During the shows with the Soup Dragons, Conway announced his decision to leave the band; he had been ill for a while and felt he was not reaching his potential with the band. Conway has since pursued a career as a writer.Conway departs and Butcher joins

Conway's departure left the band without a vocalist, a situation they decided to remedy by placing advertisements in the music press. This process proved torturous, Shields noting, "It was pretty dangerous, I made the mistake of mentioning The Smiths because we liked their melodies, the whole thing was disastrous and excruciating, you should have seen some of the fruitballs we got."
The band eventually turned to recommendations and experimented with having two vocalists: Bilinda Butcher and Joe Byfield.[4] It soon became apparent that Byfield was unsuited to the band, and Shields took on second vocalist duties alongside Butcher; he noted she "sounded all right and she could sing one of our songs which sounded fine, we just had to show her how to play guitar."
Under pressure from Lazy Records to produce an album, the band compromised, citing the need for time to stabilize their line-up. The band agreed to record an EP followed by a mini LP. The EP, Strawberry Wine, consisted of three tracks and was released in August 1987. The mini-LP, titled Ecstasy, followed soon after. The EP has been described as "certainly the better of the two releases."[5] Ecstasy has been criticized as showing "a group who appeared to have run out of money halfway through recording,"[5] which was indeed the case. Ecstasy also suffered from production difficulties, as Shields described errors in mastering the recordings. These hardships were not surprising as the band were funding the studio time themselves; The deal with Lazy was that the label would do the promotion, the band paying for the recording
Creation Records
In January 1988 My Bloody Valentine played a gig with Biff Bang Pow!, a band that featured Creation Records owner Alan McGee as a member. The performance convinced McGee that they were the Irish equivalent to American band Hüsker Dü, and he approached the band after the show.[6] The band decided to record a single for the label. My Bloody Valentine recorded five songs at a studio in Walthamstow in east London in less than a week. Released as the EP You Made Me Realise, the release was the band's first to be largely well-received by critics.[7] The group followed with the EP Feed Me with Your Kiss and the album Isn't Anything (1988). The band's multi-layered guitar sound became a major influence on a number of new bands who the British music press grouped together under the shoegazing label
My Bloody Valentine began work on their second full-length album in February 1989. Shields said that Creation thought the album could be recorded "in five days"; he later recalled, "But when it became clear that wasn't going to happen, they freaked."[8] Work continued throughout the year. Shields and McGee agreed to release an EP prior to the album's release,[9] so the band recorded Glider, which was released in 1990. In May 1990 the band recorded a second EP, Tremolo (1991).[10] The band halted work on the album in order to tour behind the release of Glider in Summer 1990.[11]
It ultimately took My Bloody Valentine two years to finish their second album Loveless (1991). The making of the album was rumored to have cost £250,000 and to have nearly bankrupted Creation Records, claims which Shields has denied.[12] Reviews of Loveless were almost unanimous with praise.[13] The NME review of Loveless declared, "...however decadent one might find the idea of elevating other human beings to deities, My Bloody Valentine, failings and all, deserve more than your respect."[14] However, the album failed to perform commercially. Loveless peaked at number 24 on the British album charts, and failed to chart in the United States, where it was distributed by Sire Records.[13] McGee dropped My Bloody Valentine from Creation soon after the album's release because he could not bear working with Shields again; "It was either him or me", he told The Guardian in 2004.[15]
Post-Creation
My Bloody Valentine signed with Island Records in October 1992, reportedly for £250,000.[16] The band spent their advance on constructing a studio in a house in Streatham. The studio was completed in April 1993, but problems with the studio and attempts to repair them sent the band into "semi-meltdown" according to Shields.[17]
The group recorded very little, which included the contribution of a cover of a James Bond theme song to a charity compilation (We Have All the Time in the World), and a cover of the Wire song "Map Ref. 41 Degrees N 93 Degrees W" for the tribute album Whore: Tribute to Wire. Unable to finalise a third album, Shields isolated himself and, in his own words, went "crazy", drawing comparisons in the music press to the behavior of musicians such as Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys and Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd.[15] The other band members went their own ways during the period of inactivity following Loveless: Butcher contributed vocals to Collapsed Lung's 1996 single "Board Game",[18] Googe had been sighted working as a cab driver in London[19] and formed the supergroup Snowpony in 1996,[20] O'Ciosoig joined Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions,[21] while Shields collaborated with Yo La Tengo, Primal Scream, and Dinosaur Jr.[22]
Rumors spread among fans of albums being recorded and then shelved. In 1999, it was reported that Shields had delivered 60 hours of material to Island.[16] According to sources, one was possibly influenced by jungle music.[19] Shields later confirmed that at least one full album of new material was abandoned. He said, "We did an album's worth of half-finished stuff, and it did just get dumped, but it was worth dumping. It was dead. It hadn't got that spirit, that life in it."[23] Shields later said to Magnet magazine, "We are 100 percent going to make another My Bloody Valentine record unless we die or something", and attributed the band's sparse output to a lack of inspiration

VIA WIKIPEDIA

a day in the life.

TMS got another chance to look into the daily habits of another of our favorite sceners, this time we got ahold of what we feel is one of what Miscene best up and comers..Alan Antonuk. Alan seemed to fly in under the radar last season, Not to us as we watched him dismantle the cat3's in 08, but for some he was just another guy in a Essex kit. Well not for 10. As your gonna see Alan has stepped up to the next level.And Tms is gonna continue to watch out for him...

Hey tMs;
I was picked up by Cleveland Health Clinic/RGF p/b Felt Racing Bikes (http://www.rgfsolutionssportsmarketing.com/) for 2010, so I'll be laying it down in an RGF kit this season. I'm really excited as we've got some good guys on the team (Cruise Bogdin, Adam Liebowitz, Jeremy Grimm, Ryan Good, and Rolf Eisenger, as well as a good crew on the U23 and Regional teams)
As for a day in the life, here's my week-day edition:
07:30 - Cell phone alarm goes off
07:30:01 - Heart rate hits 110 bpm as I'm yanked of of dream-land
07:30:05 - Curse, loudly.
07:30:20 - Realize the alarm is for real and I have to go silence it, so I walk over to my cell (across the room), grab it, silence the alarm, kill the other alarms, then jump back in bed. Its entirely too cold to be up out of bed.
07:30:25 - Promise to really get up in 5 minutes.
08:15:00 - Look at cell phone clock
08:15:01 - curse again
08:15:05 - 5 more minutes
08:25:00 - Get out of bed
08:27:00 - Check the e-mail (I'm not awake yet, this is really just to delay getting started)
08:30:00 - Pick up the newspaper (WSJ, they've been delivering to me for 10 months now for free, i've tried to get them to stop, several times, they have no record of me. I think i've just accepted the fact I'm getting it whether I like it or not, its a good read, and when it isn't its great for stuffing in wet cycling shoes)
08:32:00 - Breakfast of champions - Orange, Alan's special blend of musli with almond milk, yogurt, & juice
08:40:00 - Contacts in so I can see
08:40:01 - Realization that I need a haircut
08:40:02 - Haircut?!? who has the time for that?
08:40:30 - Brush teeth
08:42:30 - Floss (see I brushed a whole 2 minutes like you're supposed to)
08:45:00 - Dressed and ready to commute to work
08:48:00 - 4 trips up and down apartment stairs as I remember all the various items I need for work
08:50:00 - Look at watch, realize I'm going to be a bit late for work
08:50:01 - Curse.
08:51:00 - Jump on the commute bike and freeze for 15 minutes riding to work
09:07:00 - Roll into work, realize my boss is out at some conference, so it doesn't really matter that I'm a few minutes late (doh!)
09:10:00 - Log into workstation, grab some tea and fill the waterbottle
09:15:00 - Commence working
09:16:32 - Knock on cubicle, something that I built has broke/I don't know how to use this/please help
09:26:00 - After watching user use software in most unexpected manner curse silently
09:26:10 - Add it to the bottom of the never-ending todo list. Tell user I'll work on it.
09:27:00 - Return to cube, try and get head back in the game
09:30:00 - New email, distraction
09:35:00 - Recommence work
10:00:00 - Hungry, commence first snack of the day: carrots, celery, and small tomatoes
10:00:15 - Down the hatch, continue working
10:26:00 - Hungry again, time for snack #2: deluxe mixed nuts and dates
10:26:30 - Email from another grad student asking me about file-formats
10:27:00 - Refer grad student A to grad student B who I've already explained said file-format 6 times to.
10:27:05 - Sense of satisfaction
10:30:00 - Still hungry, is it lunchtime yet?
10:31:00 - Continue working
... Ok this is getting boring, lets skip ahead to 16:55:00
16:55:00 - 5 minutes to go until I can skip out of work
16:56:47 - Email from grad student asking for 5 page explanation about something, requiring it 2 days ago
16:57:00 - Slam head against desk
17:25:00 - Send off e-mail and bolt before any other emails come in
17:28:00 - Start the commute through mind-numbed Ann Arbor drivers (hope I don't get run-over)
17:45:00 - Arrive home
17:50:00 - Decompress
17:52:00 - Ok not enough time for that, gotta get my 2 hours in before my downstairs neighbor gets home.
18:00:00 - Pop a DVD into player, turn on fan, fill up the bottles, get on the rollers
20:00:00 - Done with that (what you think I'd give away my training secrets: really it isn't that hard - TRAIN SMART)
20:00:05 - Forgot to prepare dinner, start that
20:55:00 - Dinner half cooked? Good enough, chow time.
20:57:15 - Ok that was good, what else can I munch on?
21:02:03 - OOoohh, shiny, lets go play around on the computer
0:55:00 - Hmm, I have to get up in 8 hours, probably time to go to bed.

This should give you an idea of the average day in the life of Alan.
Pleasure as always

-Alan Anto"sick"

good luck and thanks Alan!

TMS

It is important to win, but more than anything it is important to always be at the front, to be a factor in every race, to be somebody that evrybody respects and looks for "

Francescro Moser

How many Times?

We cant put our finger on it, maybe its the short days with little sun light, or the long cold nights, maybe its the countless hours spent alone churn in out empty mindless wind trainer miles. Its quite possible it may have to do with all the dopage in Tms's system so far for 2010,whatever the reason we have been asking ourselves this one question and getting many angles and answers on it. maybe you have to, maybe you haven't, better yet maybe you need to spend some time in the dark on the wind trainer some place cold...while doping to find the answers. Or if you cant do the above, just wait for the scene Guru to tell us .
how many times; can you ride poto
how many times :can you train the same way
how many times: do i have to listen to your same bullshit stories
how many times: do I have to tell you
how many times; can i race the same race series
how many times: can you keep making the same mistakes
how many times: do i have to listen to the same broken record from the same broken people?
how many times: can ride you this same fucking mind numbing road
how many times: can i forget to pack enough food for the days ride
how many times: can i keep riding the same piece of shit
how many times: must i keep getting my head kicked in before i fight back
how many times: can keep fucking up the same good story
how many time: can you take rejection before you pull the plug?
how many times; can you say no before you say yes?
how many times can i wash my hands in one hour?
how many times: can you keep rebuilding yourself?
how many times can i hit the same fucking pot hole on my way to work?
how many times; has someone posted some form of DOPAGE, MEATGAE BOOBAGE?
how many times: can you keep accepting what people through at you?
how many times; can i listen to the same lame complaints of fellow friends?
how many times: can TMS post the same fucking crap?
how many times: can you greet me with that same stupid smirk?
how many times; can i lie in one day?
how many times: will i take your shit before i put a stop to it?
how many times: can tailwind play the same lame ass fucking play list at there events?
how many times: can I fall in the same spot?
how many times: can you do the same group ride?
how many times: do you need to be told why?
how many times: can i take it in the ass in 1 day.
how many times; can i eat the same garabge for lunch?
how many times: can you accept the same lame shit you get handed every day?
how many times: do have to keep burning my tongue before i learn.
how many times: can i flat in one day?
how many times: I have to see the same Cretans at the coffee shop?
how many times: can you fiddle with your seat height?
how many times: can you doubt me?
how many times? can i pass judgement on someone?
how many times: can i get up at night and piss?
how many times: do i have to clean shit out of my sheets?
how many times: can i wish death on someone?
how many times: can i quit?
how many times: do i have to keep tightening the same dam loose nut?
how many times: can i watch the same dragnet rerun?
how many times: can you keep flog gin the same dead horse?
how many times: can you cross the river at ruby?
how many times: can i keep destroying myself?
how many times: do i have to smash my fingers?
how many times: can i pick the same scab?
how many times: do i have to bite the same sore spot in my mouth?
how many times; can i tell you to go away?
how many times: can i get caught by the same traffic light?
how many times: can i forget to turn my headlights off?
how many times: can i ride Hines drive?
how many times do i have to look at your face before i walk away?
how many times: can you make the same excuses?
how many times: can forget important shit?
how many times: can i face book in one day?
how many times: can you get shit on your hands?
how many times: must you get burnt?
how many times: must i hear you whine?
how many times: do i have to hear why you cant?
how many times: can i bonk?
how many times can you keep making poor choices?
how many times: can you wear the same fucking clothes?
how many times: can you drink yourself to near death?
how many times: do i have to listen to the same lame songs on the radio?
how many times: do i have to flush the toilet after you?
how many times: can you stick the same dirty needles in your viens?
how many times:a year do i have to race @Stony Creek?
how many times: will I feel my best when it counts?
how many times: will I see them again?
how many times: will I win?
how many times: can i trip over the same crack in the sidewalk?
how many times; does tms have to be bagged on before they quit.
how many times: have we forgotten that One Guys name?
how many times will I give the finger to a jack ass driver?
how many times : will I deny myself before I crack?
how many times :have you wished you were somewhere else?
how many Times have I eaten fucking spagehtti?
how many times: have you cut a course?
how many times have i worn chemical toe warmers?
how many times: Have i said.. I hate my workouts?
how many times: can you race ICEMAN?
how many times :do I miss doing other fun things on the weekend because of racing?
how many times: have I pinned a number on?
how many times: have i ate pizza?
how many times; Did you say the word fuck today?
how many times: have you said ill never do that again?
how many times: have you tried to keep your mouth shut, only to open again, and again
how many times; can i say yes bfore i say no?
how many times: can you accept the same bullshit awards ?

DOPAGE

This is the time of year TMS is always curious as to what fellow friend sceners, do to keep the fire burning during old man winters anger. TMS's favorite beer Buddy Jason Lummis gave us his week...

My Mondays, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays.I'll start with my 5:30am wake up call "Daddy, DAD, Daddy". Up and making breakfast for my boy and myself.Play with my son till around 7:30am, then my wife leaves for work taking the boy to pre-school/daycare.I pack my lunch/clothes into my back pack and head off to work by bicycle around 8:30-9am. The commute ranges from 18 to 25 miles 1 way. Depends on if the dirt roads are good or not.I work 8-9hrs at Great Lakes Cycle and Fitness. I work 11am-8pm.Then commute home 18-25 miles.

Wash and repeat.

Nice...

click on it

click on it

New product announcement

I know y'all asking yourself whats this Fool T doin back so soon. Well I ain't here to talk shop, rather I'm here to talk product, You it owe to yourself to keep your eyes peeled for some of my new grip that's hittin the store shelves in the months to come. Its quality merchandise that can be had at finer retail establishments around the metro Midwest area.
Next time your out and about watch for items like this Handy key chain flash light, this shit comes in handy when fumbling for stuff late at night when your eyes ain't adjusted like some of those evil suckers who are used to Rollin around in dimly lit areas. Its inexpensive enough, made from some kind of durable plastic material included is 1 MRT Power battery tougher than any of the outdated stuff hanging next to it....and its use full for every member of the family
Thanks and stay tuned for more quality shit from Me T.

MEAT

Michigan racers Kacey Manderfield and Theresa Cliff-Ryan are currently SMACK in the MIDDLE of racing the Rotterdam 6-day track race, in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Both Theresa and Kacey are originally members of the Wolverine Sports Club. Kacey is a member of the Wolverine Sports Club and got her start in racing at the International Velodrome at Bloomer Park in Rochester, Michigan and was originally coached by Dale Hughes.

Here's a dutch article on the pair:
http://bf-one.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1099:kacey-manderfield&catid=65:column-van-&Itemid=96

Read below the press release and Kacey's report from the first couple of days:

PRESS RELEASE

January 3, 2010
Contact: kacey manderfield
Email: Ka.manderfield@gmail.com

ROTTERDAM READY !!!!

Michigan natives and Madison duo Theresa Cliff-Ryan and Kacey Manderfield will be the only US pairing taking on the predominantly European field of racers at the Rotterdam 6 Day – January 7-12, 2010. With roots in the Midwest they are sure to be ready for the winter weather in the Netherlands, but the focus targets what they will do on the wood boards of the indoor Velodrome.

One of Cliff-Ryan’s first Madison races was done with Manderfield on the Velodrome at BloomerPark in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Since, they have ridden together both on the Michigan track and also at the ValleyPreferredCycling Center in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania. With the addition of being teammates on the Verducci/Breakaway road squad for two years, the pair has a good feel for racing together. Cliff-Ryan is quick to joke with Manderfield; “Even with the difference in height we really work well together in the Madison,” and Manderfield will smile with agreement; “I think we make a solid Madison team.”

Manderfield, one of the more experienced female riders in the 'madison' has spent a large portion of this winter preparing for Rotterdam, in Los Angeles, and is excited about racing Holland's premier Six Day. Meanwhile, Cliff-Ryan has been busy producing some World Cup results with a podium for Bronze in the Scratch Race at the Melbourne World Cup, in Australia.

Verducci/Breakaway is the Philadelphia based sponsor who will be supporting the team for the event. After securing a team slot for Rotterdam, Verducci contacted Manderfield with a request to re-unite with Cliff-Ryan. Manderfield was;

“Thrilled with the opportunity to ride a 6 Day and excited to ride with Theresa.” The pair will ride Verducci/Breakaway shorts and a stars and stripes themed jersey provided by Dutch Sponsors, Media Markt.

To follow the Rotterdam 6 Day some links have been listed below for your
use. Manderfield will also make an effort to keep little updates coming through her Twitter account – kmanderz

Links:

Rotterdam site – video

http://www.zesdaagserotterdam.nl/

Rotterdam site – program (in German)
http://www.zesdaagserotterdam.nl/index.cfm?site_id=10

CyclingNews:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/6-daagse-van-rotterdam-6d2




PRE-RACE BUILD UP!!!

An Account of Rotterdam 6 Day 2010...

After only a few days spent at 'home' in Pennsylvania it was time to pack the bags once again. Off to the Netherlands to race at the Rotterdam 6 Day! The new PARLEE track bike was packed into a normal looking suitcase with one of the race wheels and then it was just the wheel case and a backpack to hit the road with. Hats off to Alitalia Airline who is still allowing two checked bags free for international flights – first time in a long time getting through with no bag charges. Everything was running smoothly until the flight out of Newark left 1hr late – with only 1:15 layover in Rome it was going to be close if even possible. Sure enough there was no way to make the connecting flight so 1hr layover quickly turned into just over 3hrs. I still have a very hard time understanding why people feel the need to run, rush, push and shove to get in line for boarding a plane with assigned seats – hurry! hurry! be the first one to clam your tiny seat and squeeze into the medal tube – just so hard to understand. Although it can be rather entertaining watching a bunch of Italians scramble around.

All considered the landing in Amsterdam was smooth and all my luggage came through. The blackberry SIM card was being rejected, which resulted in paying 3euros for 15minutes of net access to obtain phone numbers and then experimenting with the pay phones – all instructions in Dutch! Lucky the contact in Amsterdam turned out to be a very nice American, John, from Ohio. He
obviously spoke very true English and it took a whopping 30-45 seconds on the phone before we were joking around. John is part of management at the Amsterdam velodrome and he kindly picked me up and took me straight to the track in time to make evening open riding session.

Open Riding Session: The Amsterdam track is an indoor 225meter wood track. Without exaggeration there were easily 50+ riders on the track at any given time, ranging from around 9 years old to those in their 50's. At first this atmosphere caused a bit of anxiety in my gut as this same set up in the States would be a sure recipe for disaster. However, it was soon clear everyone was completely comfortable and moved in a smooth fluid manner – only seen from those who have spent a lot of time on and around bikes. It served as a clear reminder of the cultural difference seen in the Netherlands as compared to the States. Everyone here rides a bike just to get around on a daily basis. There are bike paths everywhere and it does not matter if it is below zero degrees Celsius – they just put on layers and pedal their bike!

The New PARLEE: Is amazing! The bike is so nimble and responsive it took me a few laps to adjust to that feeling – realizing my previous bike was more of a 'tank' than originally thought. I'm very happy with it and can not wait to get its first race under the belt!

Following track session John drove Dean Tracy (fellow American here to compete in the sprints) and myself to the race hotel in Rotterdam. Another new friend, Charlotte, came with us too as she will be one of the drivers for the events and she needed to pick up her vehicle from the Ahoy Velodrome (Rotterdam 6 Day event venue). We all stopped at the Ahoy Velodrome and got to meet some of the race staff and take a peek at the velodrome – the infield pieces still be constructed and the velodrome being painted with sponsor names and logos. The network of lighting rigs hanging from the ceiling are impressive and the massive disco ball in the middle is a sure sign of the party atmosphere soon to come! Leaving with even more anticipation of what is to come it was time to go get settled at the hotel and get a much needed and desired shower after more than 24 hours of travel and a short ride at the velodrome.

The next day came quickly (one day till racing) and the morning is consumed with the organization of the 'bag dump' from the previous night, breakfast, roller session to spin the legs, some yoga, organizing logistical issues and little down time before Theresa Cliff-Ryan (my 6 Day partner) and Phil (our event manager) arrive. A travel delay worth noting – Phil had a lady pass out in the middle of their flight and then a cat got loose once they had landed and the airline would not allow anyone off the plane until the cat was captured! What a story! In any case it was not going to be time conducive for us to make the Amsterdam afternoon training time, which was a blessing as we later learned Amsterdam had a winter wonderland evening and Charlotte – a local – reported her 12mile drive home from work taking over 3 hours!

Currently we are settled at the hotel and it is time to head out the door to the races! This is gonna rock!

Best,

kacey

yea, we stole this, so what? KACEY N co. FUCKIN ROCKS!!!!!!

thanks MBRA!

REVISED REVISED REVISEDes you reach a point in your life, a cross road, a intersection, or exit ramp.... when you got to ask yourself why? Why I'm I here, why do I do this, why do i like this, or that. WHY WHY WHY? etc... its enough if you think too much about it will drive you mad. Or maybe its just us...some people never ask themselves anything, they just assume its what shall, will be. Maybe its just TMS but this past month and the upcoming couple, always puts us into a introspective mind set, about ourselves and our scene. some of these questions come to our mind while others we hear from friends and strangers. some make sense and some dont.....feel free to throw your 2 cents in or not.

why is 2 company and 3 is a crowd, that is unless your in bed?

why do people limit themselves?

why does it take so long to build fitness, and so quick to lose it?

why are so many people so disrespectfull ?

why cant people be themselves, and stop fronting?

why does tms keep floggin this post?

why do some put limits on there riding?

why do some do the same shit day in, day out?

why do people insist in changing other people?

why do some people require so much work?

why are some people unreachable?

why do people drop excuses at the start line?

why doesnt TMS put other sceners in its blog role?

why did tms change the name of the blog title last year?

why did TMS have a month last year with nothing but Black people as its images?

why im i addicted to soo many things?

Why is everything soo expensive?

why cant i handle the cold weather?

why are some people more arrogant than confident?

why do some riders clothing have to match?

why cant i hold a straight line?

why does everything have to be soo complicated?

why are some people stuck in a certain time period of there life?

why do some people lack discipline?

why do i hear voices in my head?

why im I quick to start and slow to finish?

why do I crash all the time?

why are some people so complex?

why im i tough to love, but easy to hate?

why im I easly missed?

why do some people get good, only to quit?

why dont MTB'ers wear skinsuits?

why can mtb'er race in sleeveless jerseys, but roadies cant?

why do riders ride half wheel?

why im slow to start, but quick to finish?

why do we need greater travel suspension forks every year?

why do some people lack personality?

why are some cycling clubs friendlier than others?

why cant you argue with some people?

why do some people only stay on the cycling bandwagon for a short time?

why don't many people have a sense of humor?

why cant i pull the right plugs?

why do some perfer to ride alone?

why do some riders have more arrogance than skill?

why are some humans constantly giving advice?

why cant people learn to shut there mouth more often?

why do some people question everything i do?

why are some people so simple minded?

why are people always searching for answers?

Why cant i get faster?

why don't bike shops support the race scene more?

why did TMS stop doing interviews?

why do people ride fixies?

why is Queen Anne so HOT?

why are people so unhappy?

why cant i stop eating?

why do we have the same cross venues year in year out?

why did the MTB race turnouts drop?

why cant i get may ass out of bed?

why cant i sprint?

why do people sandbag?

why cant there be more road races?

why do i kick myself in the teeth all the time

why cant we get another course like TDL?

why cant anyone beat WIZ?

why is Jeff Weinert Nick named the LIL PONY?

why cant i stop playing War Craft?

why cant I hold form from AAVC through labor day?

why doesn't tailwind do Paul Bunyan races any longer?

why didn't we see Don DC Cameron last fall?

why did Foshag stop racing cross?

why does the State Time Trial always have to be at Hines park?

why cant i get the hook up at my local shop?

why do i continue to take peoples shit ?

why does Steve Balogh wear arm guards?

why are some people just plain assholes 24/7?

why do many racers have overblown ego's

why did tailwind build those big Orange steps?

why do i gossip?

why Does Jon Card wear those pearls?

why does robert herriam have so many bikes?

why Cant tailwind and Kisscross get on the same page ?

why isn't there any younger riders coming into the scene?

why cant you bunny hop the barriers in Michigan cross?

why are tubular tires so expensive?

why is everyone talking about 29er mountain bikes?

why does Jon Card wear those silly glasses?

why are there so many Bissell riders?

why do i do the things i do?

why do some riders change teams every year?

why cant i get motivated?

why dont have more MTB races like ORE to SHORE?

why aren't there more time trials?

why does everyone have some form of addiction?

why cant live on junk food?

why isn't pot legal?

why do i need sleep?

why cant i live on beer and wine?

why cant i get my kids to ride bikes?

why cant i climb?

why cant I train more?

why do i have homosexual friends?

why do i complain all the time?

why did Racheal Steele stop racing?

why dont people like MR T?

why don't we have more stage races in Michigan?

why do all the roads suck in Michigan?

why do i make so many fucking mistakes?

why don't more people race cross?

why doesn't Tailwind pay out for the masters?

why is the MMBA board so judgemental?

why doesn't Bells beer sponsor a road team?

why hasn't Mike simonson ever won a tailwind cross race?

why does Simon Bailey run flat bars on a cross bike?

why doesn't Specialized promote road racing in Michigan?

why do my knees hurt?

why do we not have a state wide MTb series?

why is tms anon?

why do we not have UCI cross race in Michigan any longer?

why is racing at Waterford hill so important?

why is does someone reply DOPAGE on tms, for every post?

why don't they race on Thursday nights in Windsor any longer?

why do the Wolverines change there clothing colors every year?

why cant i ride in muddy conditions?

why do they only pay 3 deep at the time trials?

why do people like to be lied to?

why im a lousy crit racer?

why did Bikesport close?

why do some guys only do club races?

why don't any of the Saturn of Toledo riders race any longer?

why do i make excuses all the time?

why do i lie to strangers?

why do they call Rob Foshag The Evil Dude?

why don't we have any night time crits?

why does TMS always post women with guns?

why do people twitter

why don't we have some new MTB venues

why don't people like change?

why cant people take constructive criticism?

why doe's this blog exist?

why do riders that suck still ride $7k bikes?

why does TMS do the MEAT post?

why dont we have a tour of Michigan any longer?

why didnt any of the bells beer guys race cross in 09?

why does rich stark wear orange mittens?

why do i come to this blog?

why..why ??

2010

MEAT

TAO OF T

As i sit here in a halo of discontent I feel compelled to speak some final T words of his tenner at TMS, I ponder the future of what will come of TMS, as that old bastard winter begins to tighten its grip, scneres begin to hide, those few brave warriors keep it real and bust it old school outside No matter what that Mofo dishes out. wind, cold, rain, shitty roads, numb fingers and toes only add to it.some ask why? what for? Its too cold , too wet, others make excuses, I cant take the cold, or its not that hard for you... or, i just simply dont have time, some do it for internal/external glory and goals Many do it for reason other than whats at the end of the rainbow. some just dont get it. But thats ok, you shouldnt feel like you need to get everything.... you were not put upon this earth "TO GET IT".....
Others will head to what i like to refer as T's basement, that too is respectable. Its not the body parts that go numb, NO...only the mind..But that being said, we all know the body is only as strong as the mind can make it., and Building a strong mind is harder than training the body....The 3rd party will simply re lie on what they have done from year to year, simply put some don't change. they like it and thats cooll.. As we all know nothing evolves without change. Some dont like change, no matter what ever makes you tic....I understand!
I have fully enjoyed being part of TMS, for the past few years. I like to think i helped TMS evolve in a way no other Blog has, It just goes to show you the power of what is T. I only hope for 2010 tms will continue to evolve and change for good, the road is long, and its filled with pot holes of life, but without roughs spots it would be pretty boring, I mean how long can one float before they need to tread alittle.
Yes, I know i didn't win that silly poll, but to be quite frank, After i offered my services, i had second thoughts, As i said before it takes a special few to accept what have to offer. I ain't Mad, and I hold no grudges, to you as sceners, or to TMS in general, its times like this that a person begins the journey of introspective, it may to week and it may take longer, hell a Lifetime is acceptable, without guilt. I as a friend and brother will still stay in touch with you all. My 2 cents may pop up here from time to time.
I want you all to do alittle introspective these next few weeks, the Hullabaloo of the Holiday season is drawing to a close, we all will be in the trench's for awhile, some will have it only one way.. alone, others wont go without the companionship of fellow warriors. Its at times like this as individuals we need to reflect, keep an open mind. be less quick to pass judgement, and state your opinions... be thankful for what a great life we all have, you know.. getting the chance to do, and see things many don't get to. there are certain things in life that will aways be there, this week, next month, next year, were other things simply will not be.

If you have been paying attention, you'll get my drift...

be kind cuz you cant rewind
C-ya fools

T