"Racin' and Ridin'?"

So, I've been told that I'm being consumed by racing. The point was that I don't just "go for a ride" anymore. I had to think about that and for the most part it's true.. most of my rides right now are training rides, but they ARE rides. The difference is that I have a larger purpose and goal in mind. I love just going for a ride, but it's even more fun thinking about how I'm building strength that is going to help me do better at the next race. Taking 5th place in SS division was a large enough carrot a few weeks ago to get me motivated to be stronger. I've never gotten that close to a win on the SS before and it felt good.

For the first time EVER, I feel like I can get on the bike and go and not have to think about that point of exhaustion for a while. I did a mild ride with 3 friends last night and starting doing some one-mile intervals. I realized that I can push harder than ever before and it's not my legs that tire out, it's the lungs. The muscles are strong and ready to rock. Just gotta lower the asthma and work on the breathing.

At any rate... riding is still riding to me, the only difference is that I'm exponentially faster than I use to be... and I'm ok with that.
Ride on.

Papa C.

It's a bird, it's a plane... no wait, it's the Sun?

Holy cow! Sunlight is shining through the sliding glass door and illuminating all the dust on my bike! What do I do? I guess I'll go for a ride, and maybe everything will be ok.
I'm so glad to see sunshine, but it's predicted to be short-lived. A Chance of rain every day this week isn't what I wanted to hear, but that's the reality. I'm not a wimp when it comes to riding in nasty conditions, but I'm tired of being cold on rides. I'm ready for good old sunny days with nothing but a jersey and shorts.

The gym has been an awesome addition. Being able to run up there, get in 30-40 minutes on the bike while watching "Smash Lab" or the Winter X Games, then 30 minutes of weights or so has fullfilled my workout needs for a while. I'm sure once it gets sunny (and dry) I'll be opting for the bike.

We've got races again this weekend, and I hope everyone on the team is ready to put it out there. I for one don't feel stronger or more in shape than I did for the last one, but we'll see. The racecourse might be a little tricky this weekend with some mud.
-PC

Porcupine Hair?

A funny thing happened to me yesterday...
So, last year I decided that while I still had hair, I was going to have fun with it. I bleached it all out and became blonde... no big deal. It's grown out a little since then and looks like a highlight job.. It works, I like it, it's fun, yadda yadda.
Yesterday, I'm sitting in the Social Security office with about 50+ people, waiting to get a replacement SS card for my son and noticed an older extremely loud, mentally challenged woman in a leather biker jacket, talking across the room to the person sitting next to her. Her volume couldn't be controlled but she was nevertheless harmless. A little while later, I was sitting in one of the waiting chairs and felt "a presence".. The woman had walked up and was staring at my head. I looked up and she said in a loud, slurred, voice that could be heard a block away... "WHAT'S ON YOUR HEAD?"... I calmly looked up with a smile and she said "I WANT MY HAIR TO LOOK LIKE A PORCUPINE TOO!"... "WHO DOES YOUR HAIR?". Everyone in the room was giggling. I too couldn't stop from smiling for the rest of my wait.
It's the little things in life.

-Papa Cat.

Mad Cat Team Podium

We kicked off the season last weekend with the TBF MTB Kickoff. We had 9 riders in various categories, all of which took 5th place or better in their respective divisions. A friend of someone made the comment that we had some sandbaggers, but these folks have worked hard to get where they are in the standings. Most of these folks podiumed in the Expert category, 2nd and 3rd place, so there's not much sand baggin' going on there! One of our junior riders captured 1st in the Sport mens 19 and under. Nice job Evan!
At any rate, the team trainings and rides have sure helped. For the first time in the history of single-speed racing, I took a wonderful 5th place out of 14 riders. There's some fast guys in my age group 30-39, and even faster guys in the 40-49. Next year I jump up to compete against the older crowd. I think I'll be hurting. :-)
I'm just enjoying the fact that all the training is paying off. This season should be a blast.

Stay dry and wish for clear sky!
Papa Cat

Ok, Let's do this...

Although Winter is not even close to being over, my senses tell me that the biking season has begun. Races are already starting to kick off, the weather is super and the shop has been really busy with repairs and bike upgrades.

I just returned from a 2-day seminar for bike shop owners that has me energized and ready for an outstanding season. Most business owners would be rubbing their hands together, thinking about revenues and $$ as their busy season approaches, but instead I'm more jazzed about the races, the rides, the buzz of people coming in and getting into the sport. I was talking with someone (a non-cyclist) yesterday about riding and she commented on all the riding I had been doing and how she too was "trying to get out and get some exercise in". My reply probably stumped her when I said "I don't really exercise... I just ride, and if riding was unhealthy, I'd still do it". It caused her to pause and think about that for a second. The reality is that most people never really find a hobby that benefits their health. I was fortunate to get mesmerized by bikes at a young age and was able to stick with it throughout my life.
My point is this: I LOVE being a facilitator for "mesmerization". It's intrinsically rewarding and fulfilling as a way of life. For me, owning a bike shop is what makes me feel like a productive member of society. Yeah, it keeps food on the table, but I'd find a way eat regardless.
Keep the dirty side down and enjoy the weather while we have it!

Papa.

Road Rides and Sunshine

Yesterday was our 2nd Team Road ride. Great day, good group of people. I hadn't spent too much time on the road bike for past few weeks, so doing 70 miles was a little painful, but needed. With the MTB season just around the corner, I've been gearing up for more mileage and strengthening to help up the ante on the SS. Boggs, Sea Otter and COOl24 are the biggest blips on my radar for the Spring, and Death Ride is not far behind. I won't know until March if I got in, so I'm assuming so for now. Worst case is that I don't get in, but I'll be in shape and primed for everything else.
The great weather has kept the shop on its toes for the past few days. Fairly busy with new customers looking to upgrade and get ready for the season. January keeps amazing me each year with the amount of people who don't skip a beat when colder weather rolls in. I'm totally impressed (and inspired) by those who ride just as much in the winter as the do during the warmer months. I try, but sometimes that 32 degree marker on the back porch is screaming "NO" on the subconscious....
Coffee time...
-PC

Rookie Move - I'm a loser

I'll never claim to be organized or perfect, but I do have personal "systems" in place to keep me on track and they seem to work. Yeah my desk is messy and my car could use a good cleaning, but somehow it works.
Last night I was geared up to do a night ride in Auburn with the boys and managed to pull a rookie move.

I've been on many rides where people have forgotten the essentials and I thought I was exempt from such silly mistakes with my "system" and super-huge gear bag to "hold it all"... well... not so. We got to Auburn, parked, the weather was awesome for a night ride. The bike was DIALED and I was really looking forward to ride. FORGOT MY SHOES. No excuse.

"You guys go... I'm going to sit here and punish myself and figure out a back up plan". I didn't want to be "that guy" who screws up the ride. Turns out that Erin (my wife) was able to drive up and get me. I simply went and had a meal and beer to commemorate my stupidity and waited for my ride. I think the gear bag will grow to accommodate 2 pairs next time. Sorry guys, but I'm bringing more crap!
-Papa.

Open for blogness

So you say you want a coffee? Espresso it is..

With the recent implementation of an espresso machine, I felt the urge to purge some thoughts and decided that maybe its time for Mad Cat to have blog. Why not? it's the new brown, or pink/black.. I don't know, but I'm always slow to come around. A spot to drain my mind and potentially entertain a bike fanatic in some part of the world. I'm no writer, but my thoughts are good :-)

Mad Cat seems to be going through a metamorphosis right now if feels good. We have somehow risen to what I would consider "real bike shop" status. For the past two years, I've felt that we were striving to be recognized as a reputable player in the LBS (local bike shop) industry. As we finalize our 3rd year I feel that we are there. The team is good, the customers love us and somehow bills are being paid with less stress. Family life is still crazy and I never have enough time to spend with them, but I'm not alone in small-business owner regrets. Someday I hope to spend all my time with the family and be able to play when and where I want.
anyhoo.
I'll try to post at least once/week maybe more now that the shop is fully espresso-ready. :-)