Catching Up

YA MON! NO PROBLEM MON!

As promised here is a blog update on me, known by some in the tri world as the Doug Brenner Experience. Sorry for the inside joke. Amongst a group of folks who may be reading this it is funny. People usually mispronounce my last name. It's B-E-R-N-E-R. Darren from Sugoi came up with this title but he kept using Brenner and I didn't correct him on it since it seemed more anonymous. I may consider it for my side project band but it may reference the Jimi Hendrix Experience too much. I'll have to see what my agent thinks.

Well, let me back up a ways. About 4 days after getting back from Hawaii, I was on my way to Florida to spend 2 weeks in that lovely state (I'm rolling my eyes and using a sarcastic tone when saying lovely). Florida is my least favorite state. Maybe I haven't seen the good parts. Ironman Florida is in Panama City. Nothing great going on there. My magic hands worked on Bella's bike (women's winner IM FL) and was hoping for a slight mention on the podium but no. Foiled again. One week later and I was in Clearwater for the 70.3 World Championships (half ironman distance). Chris Legh asked if I could go over his bike. Surely this guy could win and maybe he'll mention me on stage. After al,l I attached his number plate so pro like. He didn't win though. Looking back nothing was that exciting to write about. Ironman FL is the last event of the ironman season in North America so of course there is a year ending get together for all those who are part of the traveling circus. Saw some great dancing and even better karoke laid down.


This is one of the few pictures I took while in Florida. Makes it seem okay. I guess.


QR show bike done up with the Blackwell stuff.


Chris Legh coming to get his bike. Keith who is paying attention to the camera man. Travers from Profile Design who got two podium mentions.


Besides having problems with his tongue, Darryl Hacket may have a cooler job than me. Darryl does much of the video footage you see from Ironman events and travels around shooting World Cup soccer, snowboard events, and other hip stuff. All that and a is great dad to his teenage son.


"If you look up "classy" in the dictionary, there is a picture of Casey. If you decide to do an ironman for a charity, Janus will help you figure all that out and Casey is in charge of that for Janus Investment Group. Look into it if you're an Ironman dreamer.


I guess I should throw in a race photo. This is where all the amped up and wobbly legged athletes are trying to get on their bikes. Watch out for flying legs and near crashes. It's ridiculous when there is a whole bunch like this. Of course there may be some hecklers in the crowd just waiting for someone to topple over.



After the Florida stuff, Ben and I made it back to Wauwatosa and that's where I've been for almost two weeks. That's a record. Since leaving 'Tosa back in February I haven't been back longer than a week. I've re-acquainted myself with my desk and the shop. This has been a busy time getting sponsor contracts together. The first order of business was to get our Shimano order together. Fifty something Dura-Ace groups and 80ish sets of wheels. Kinda makes you drool a little. Even with that generous support from Shimano we'll probably have to buy a few more groups. Everyday it's e-mails and a few phone calls. Things are progressing well and organized.


In between the e-mails and phone calls, we have a new distraction at the Team Sports office. TABLE TENNIS! Yeah that's right. There have been some spirited games since the 5 of us here are quite evenly matched. Eric "the kid" Jellum is the most improved and working on his endurance. Jim "Willy" Williams has the trash talk game. Ben "little kitten" Harper has the form of many a day spent in the game room as a kid. Tom "the godfather" Schuler is quite good and hard to beat. Then there's me. I let my skills do the talking. Is this harkening back to the days of the start ups or what? Next thing you know we'll be lounging in leather office furniture. We're going places baby!

Last weekend Tom, Eric and I rode some dirt trails that are practically across the street. Apparently a group of folks have been clearing overgrown trails and building some new trails along the Menomenee river. By next spring they are going to be designated the 2nd official mountain biking trail in the Milwaukee area. How awesome is that. Come to find out the trails are a blast. Our little exploration of the trails around here took about 3 hours. Considering how convenient they are to us this is huge news. Fast, twisty, and interesting.

The weather this week has been pretty good to get out and ride. Besides a few mountain bike rides, Eric and I did a ride downtown for lunch at Alterra Coffee. After lunch went to a bike shop called Crank Daddy's to find a BMX freewheel for my singlespeed. Since I use a standard 12/32 chain its been hard to find any but this place had several. They also have at least 12 Computrainers set up for people to use. That's impressive to have that many and they are adding a bunch more. They have a program where you can store your bike and if you call ahead it will be mounted in the trainer ready to go when you arrive. Nice touch (of course it costs money).

On Thanksgiving it is tradition for Tom to ride to Chicago. He's even done it in the snow. For this year's ride it ended up being about 10 players partaking. Some were riding to Chicago too and some, like Jim and I, would turn around after a couple of hours. The 8:00 am start was chilly but it gradually got warmer. Met a few more cyclists from the area and some new sights too. Not a bad Thanksgiving to ride 4 hours.

Today (friday) was even nicer so I made sure to get another 2 1/2 hours in. Rode up near Cedarburgh and had a coffee on main street. Nice place to people watch and take in the holiday spirit.

Want to know what really bothers me? People on cell phones while driving a car. I never know if they are paying attention or not and it's bothersome when I'm riding my bike. Twice today I had to stop because I didn't think the driver was paying enough attention for me to cross at a stop sign. Please don't use cell phones while driving. In New York State you can be ticketed for it.


Last Sunday, I went to watch Eric at the State Cyclocross Finals. On each lap as the riders came through the pavilion a bunch of loud hecklers (all in good fun) erupted in joyous fanfare. It was stupendous and beautiful. Ah yes, cyclocross!


My buddy, Shane Kramer, getting muddy in New York cross racing. Looking so pro! (hello Athena)


As I was taking the picture for my Thanksgiving hello, I decided to take one of the bike that has been on the porch for over a year now. It is a testament to the integrity of this Wauwatosa neighborhood. No one has tried to steal it. If anyone is interested I'll be happy to start taking bids on it. You can't tell in the photo but it is signed by Robbie Ventura. I may see if www.theprosstuff.com wants to showcase it on their website. I'm sure it could take in more cash than Garrett's wrist brace.


Speaking of Garrett. Here is how some pro bike racers celebrate Thanksgiving in Boulder. Impressive!


SEE YA! THANKS FOR READING!