AS FAR AS I KNOW

As far as I know, the Lake Placid crew is the first I've heard of anybody skiing. The toll road has 18-20". It's days like that I miss Lake Placid.






All this skiing talk got me in the mood to look at some skiing coverage from last year. If you want the definition of throwing the hammer down, check this out. Even though I don't know any of the Finish or Norwegian language (other than Hueva Huamenta), the announcers always make it seem like the most thrilling thing ever. Just hearing the commentary takes me back to the days of high school racing as those videos were the closest thing people could find of any coverage. Of course they'd be about two years old and not current at all.

A Foot in LP

Hey,

I just heard from a Lake Placid buddy that they got around a foot of snow so I logged onto to the ORDA Web Cams to check out the view. I thought I'd share some awesome winter in October with you all. I can just hear the exclamations from the skiers out there hoping it is a sign of a good snow year.


This is the ski stadium at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. Looks like some activity on the right. Maybe Randy's Tracks?


The view of the ski jumps.

I'm heading to Clearwater, FL on Sunday for Ironman 70.3 Worlds so if it happens to snow in Milwaukee I'll miss it.

Cheers.

Nice Video

Enjoy this short film I found.

Kona Awards, Friends, and Getting Sweaty

The day after race day is the awards ceremony. It's a straight forward, ho-hum, affair. After a few words and acknowledgements, the top ten in each age group are called on stage. Not much to write home about here. A few highlights that made this year memorable...


Dick and Ricky Hoyt were inducted into the Ironman Hall of Fame. Yes, Ricky has cerebral palsy. As a baby, the doctors said he would just be a vegetable the rest of his life. Mom and Dad said that would not be the case. Ricky went to public school and has a college degree. To complete the Ironman, Dad swam while pulling Rick in a raft, then biked with Rick on a specially adapted bike, and then pushed Rick in a wheeled stroller. Rick gave a moving speech in which he described the first time he and dad did a running race. He said he felt like he wasn't even disabled while racing. A powerful message that should remind us all of our potential abilities in the world. Rick said he is proud to be the only vegetable to have done the Ironman as far as he knows and he prefers Rick to Ricky.


Check out the video of a historic Ironman awards ceremony. It hardly ever rains in Kona and certainly never during the awards which is held outside. Well guess what? It started with a sprinkle that made things a little wet but it stopped and everyone could deal with it. Then the rain came back in starts and stops. Eventually it started to rain hard and never stopped. I've never stood in rain like that before on purpose. Picture if you will handing out wooden bowls which were the trophies and athletes were turning them over to dump out the water that was accumulating in them. By the time Chrissie Wellington went to give a speech, the sound cut out. Mayhem ensued as the thousands of people decide they had enough and poured out of the venue while walking in ankle deep puddles. Only a few hardy souls gathered around the stage for the men's awards. See what I mean in the video.



After the awards ceremony, this year's industry/athlete party was put on by K-Swiss. Because of the rain it was a bit crowded inside. Good thing everyone is skinny. It was a good chance to casually catch up with folks. Chris Corbin, Luke "the head MacKenzie, Linsey "Corbin not Pickel" Corbin, Doug "ah nuts" Berner, Rachel "Splish" Ross.


What happens when the local establishments close for the night in Kona and no one wants to go home? Stand around in the parking lot for awhile until the police politely ask that everyone should leave. The Euro folks were shocked that a bar would close at 2am. Where they are from open until at least 4am. Who goes out that late?


One of the things I'd been looking forward to in Hawaii since January was a mountain bike ride with some friends to commemorate yours truly turning another year older. Pretty much my whole life has involved bikes so that's what I love do to celebrate certain milestones. While technically not the actual day of my birth I determined it didn't matter and considered the 13th this year as b-day. The trail is called Jurassic Park and involved a lot of loose-rock climbing but the downhill was the reward. I have to admit that there was more pavement than dirt involved on this ride but all in all it was pretty cool.


Kudos to Plow for joining me on this sweat-fest up into the jungle. (Yes I do have more than one friend but Tom was the only one to join in that day)


Aloha until next year!

Kona Finish Line

The people's stories are numerous and varied. Because of the Big Island's magic, these stories seem to hover in the dense air on race morning, waiting for the next chapter to be written. The athletes are bonded by the common thread of wanting to finish but knowing they must overcome obstacles in their way.

For the pros, it may be to finish first and be crowned world champion. For the amateurs, it may be to make the podium in their age group. For most though, the story started with just making it to Kona and it's not about where they finish. The story is finishing.



Like the guy that had been trying for 16 years to qualify for Kona. He finished. Like Dave Orlowsky (above). One of the original 12 finishers in 1978. He finished another one. Weeks after signing a pro motocross contract at 16 years old, Ricky James was paralyzed in an accident. Now at the age of 20 he has returned to competitive motocross racing and decided to even give the Ironman a try. He finished.

The stories go on and on. People competing because they were told they wouldn't live long enough. Seventy year olds competing because it keeps them young. People competing in honor of lost loved ones. And so on and so on.

Whether they've finished in 9 hours or 17 hours, it doesn't matter. Crossing the finish line, at that moment, they all join a family. The family of Kona finishers. I've got to admit, it is one electrifying bundle of energy down at the finish line. It can make you cheer and shed a tear for those finishers.





The best party in the world on Ironman race day is at the finish line from 9pm until midnight. No better place to be.
I'm not aware of many of sports where the World Champion goes home to shower, eat, rest, and then comes back to cheer on the remaining finishers for 3 hours. Some of those finishers did double takes when they were given their lei's from Craig Alexander or Chrissie Wellington.




Craig Alexander, talking to the boss, helped us throw out Timex swag (t-shirts, hats, etc.)


Chrissie Wellington's enthusiasm was infectious. All smiles and excitement.


The Timex Crew


My boy Special K. He keeps the ball rolling in the right direction for Timex and deserves a lot of credit for his leadership qualities. And... he is a great friend, confidant, wing-man, jokester, and an Ironman himself (Lake Placid and Wisconsin).


The 17 hour cut-off was ended with a fire performer.

I think I have one more update to post so check back for the behind the scenes look at the awards party.

Cheers,
DJB

Kona Update 2

Hey,

I made it back to Milwaukeee after a long travel night and day. Even though I slept most of the flights, I was still exhausted and slept a solid 14 hours last night. On my flight from Honolulu to Phoenix the guy next to me kept playing elbow hockey. Both of his arms spilled over each arm rest. How rude. I wanted to smack that elbow because he was being pretty adamant about it. Note to all: when on a plane keep in your own seat zone!

Here some photos from race day. I'll post some more photos in another update so check back.

By the way, I thought I could sneak by my birthday today but thanks to my sister and co-workers for wishing me happy b-day!


This is what it looks like at 5am. It's kind of surreal in the morning calmness. Two thousand people getting ready for quite a day.


Waiting for the porta johns is a long event in itself.


Here is Macca's bike ready to go. The defending champion had to withdraw during the bike portion because his front derailleur cable broke. Bad luck or does he not have a mechanic? Note to the pro athletes: Even though I'm the Timex Team mechanic, I'd be happy to check over your bike if you want.


Timex athlete, Alex, getting on with the day.


Watching thousands of people getting on their bikes after swimming 2 miles is caotic. Wet feet and wobbly legs make for some close calls.


Former Timex athlete and friend Linsey entering the energy lab. Even though you didn't hear us through the "pain" Linsey, us Timex folks were excited to see you having such a great day to end up 5th. You rocked!


Chrissy really rocked it! She was leading the bike, lost 10 minutes with a flat tire, regained the bike lead, and ran a super fast marathon to repeat as champion.

Check back again for more photos from the rest of the trip!

DJB

Kona update 1

I'm leaving Kona today so while I'm killing some time at Lava Java I'd thought I'd start my Hawaii updates.


Of course it is obvious that when in Hawaii you go to the beach and get pummeled by waves. This is magic sands beach. Sometimes the sand disappears to expose the rocks.


LT Smooth and a hula dancer at Hugo's on the Rocks. Good food and entertainment.


The days leading up to the race are spent working on the athlete's bikes. One way to have me work on a bike is to write down what you need and tell me you love me I guess. Thanks Alex, I think?


Another way to get work done is to buy me some new board shorts. Jeeze Rachel, for some reason the shorts look big enough for both of us to fit into.


My view from my office for the week.


The Kona race bike of choice ready to rock.


I've had the pleasure to help out Dave Orlowsky. While not a champion athlete at Kona (actually everyone is a champion who finishes this race), he does hold a notable distinction in Ironman's history. Dave was one of the original guys to do the very first race in 1978 and after 30 years decided to do another one. Dave is a retired Milwaukee police officer and trained his butt off to try this silly little thing again called a triathlon that started here 30 years ago. Back then he borrowed a Sears Free-Spirit bike and used some cut-off jeans to bike and run in. Ouch! For his 2nd Ironman he had the latest technical clothing and a Cervelo carbon bicycle. What an evolution in technology.

HAWAII TIME

ALOHA TO ALL! HAWAII IS GOING WELL. HOT AND HUMID. FUN TIMES, FUN TIMES.

WISH SOME OF YOU WERE HERE WITH ME (N.Y.?)

DJB

Back from Vegas-Heading to Hawaii

Well hello,

The latest update to be had is that I got back from the bike show in Vegas last Friday night. Although I was gone almost a week, it seemed to fly by. I headed out a few days early and spent some time at the Dirt Demo with the guys and Julie from Placid Planet Bicycles ( the shop I used to work at). It was nice to see them and do some test riding with Bill and Kenny. Thanks for letting me crash with you Bill (I mean sleep on the couch at their hotel. Not literally crash a bike or something).

Monday night we went to a Cirque de Soleil show. This is my second show I've seen and it an amazing performance to behold.

The rest of the week was "meet and greet" with our sponsors of Team Type 1 and also to see about some potential new sponsors from within the bike industry. Lots of walking around and looking at new stuff too. Got to catch up with a bunch a friends from within the bike world as this is where everyone comes together at one time every year. I'm actually amazed that I've met some really great people in my line of work. Makes me appreciate what I do.


Kenny trying out an electric bike. He probably had fun until his friends saw him on it.


The Fizik booth had some incredible gelato!


The Kona Hei Hei 2 9. My favorite bike of the test rides.


The bike with the longest model name. Also from Kona.


A real grocery loader upper. Again from Kona. Known as the Ute. I want one!


Another important bike from Kona known as the Africa Bike. These bikes are donated to parts of Africa in which they make a huge difference especially for health care workers. It allows them to travel a greater distance and see more people on a daily basis. Riding a bicycle is four times faster than walking. Using a bicycle helps a person carry five times the amount they could while walking.


Inside the Venetian. One of the large shopping and places to stay in Vegas.


This performer stands completely still. Still as a statue. If you leave a tip at her feet she may give you a little subtle wave and wink. Curious little kids usually get wide eyed when they investigate the statue only to have it wave at them then go completely still again.

In a couple of days I'm heading out to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii for the Ironman World Championships. I'm looking forward to Friday night around dinner time to stick my toes in the sand and listen to the waves crash on shore. Ah yes, working for a living. Wish me safe travels!

Aloha,
DOUG