First off, I just want to thank everyone for helping me out and being there for me on this crazy day! Yes, I was whacked broadside by a motorcycle at the entrance of northwest river park. Thankfully, everyone is alright. I bounced right up after being hit and only suffered some minor road rash. I'm a bit heart broken and disappointed because my bike(my BABY) is in worse shape than me. I've seen roadie on roadie crashes worse than my encounter with a motorcycle. To be honest, I expected better battle scars! Nothing is broken and I'm still breathing, so I'm stoked! I'm just wondering how many lives I have left?! And Laura...I TOTALLY got hit on purpose just so I could take off my clothes for ya-you know how I roll!
Thanks again guys! I hope you all enjoyed your thanksgiving. Ride tomorrow anyone?
Hey little girl..want some candy???
So the latest news reveals Lance and Ashley Olson getting up close and personal on Halloween. Not only can Lance survive cancer, win the tour 7 consecutive times, and run the Boston marathon, but he landed himself an Olson twin-AMAZING! Here is an article from the New York Post: Ashley Olsen has a new, older man. The 21-year-old twin showed up to the Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel Monday night with Tory Burch's ex, Lance Armstrong, 36. Our bar spy said, "They came together with a group of friends. Ashley drank red wine, sat on his lap and they were making out all night. They left together around 2 a.m." Seriously, can lance be any more pimp???
Not only were they making out, but Ashley has started to wear Lance's Livestrong band....around her waist! I'm just wondering how he confronted her, or a possible pick-up line he used. any ideas? Maybe you don't need one when you've won the tour 7 times...
YEE-HAW
It is time! She's all done and ready to be ridden hard! My favorite thing are the orange zip ties stolen from Ironcross. I knew I was putting orange tape on the bike so I snagged a few. I'll see everyone out on the cross rides.
Tah-Dah!
Apparently, I've had a cross bike for almost a year?? Sorry everyone, I've been lying the whole time about my bike or the date on my camera is jacked up. So the cross bike is coming along great and just needs a few more touches. I need a cable stop thingy-majig for the seat post collar and the cable hanger for the steerer tube. A few snips and some dippity do-da's here and there and it will be done! Darn thing is a tank though. I guess that means I can navigate through anything....we'll see!
I have a fetish problem...
Check it out! The new cross bike is in and NOT ready for action yet...waiting on parts. Sweet! It took forever for the bike to get here. DHL guarantees shipping from 1-6 days and it's been 8! Could I get my money back for that mess, if they can't meet their own guarantees?? Fetish Cycles is the name-check them out...they always have great stuff on sale and they're not "bo-bo" products either. I've seen new carbon wheels for 500 bucks, disc wheels, cross frames that were 500 and now are 150. hot stuff...I know a few people are out there looking for a cross frame-get it while it's hot! Now I am ready for some cross action!
Ironcross race weekend
Last year I did this race on a mountain bike and I told myself there is no way that I will do it on a mountain bike again. This year I ordered a cyclocross frame before the race and, of course with my luck, I never got it in time for the race. I guess I'm going into this race with a mountain bike, again! Last year when I did the race, I was out of shape and felt like poo. This year, feeling much better on the bike, I felt like I would do better in the race. So in the race, I ate it in that "one corner." Everyone knows that one...flying downhill and I slipped out and almost flew off the mountain side. Wonderful! Then dealing with a loose handlebar grip that slipped a lot...pain in the butt. Come to find out, I did worse than last year! How does that happen??? It beats me, but there are more races to come and it was still a fun time doing Ironcross. Unlike last year, I got to the hostel early the night before the race and thought I would get a good night's sleep. Well, I was wrong. Next year I'll be sure to bring a good supply of breathe right strips and ear plugs to dampen out the heavy breathing, loud snoring, and late night bladder reliefs. I hate calling people out on these things, but you all know who you are! So basically, the race wasn't all that pleasant for me, however, the best part of the weekend was getting to spend time with my friend Cindy and her friend Jenn. They took a road trip to see me and to hang out with the tripower crew. We all went out to dinner at the deer lodge which put a hefty-size hole in my pocket but that awesome steak and sauteed mushrooms was well worth it. For Cindy and Jenn...definitely not mountaineers! Cindy, being off her bike for a good while because of her injury, was out of breath walking down the gravel road to the race course, was followed by a swarm of flying bugs, and believes that the top of the forest is called "the roof." One of these days, I'll get her making fires from sticks. In the meantime, stayed tuned for the new cyclocross bike.
Blood-shot eyes because of cross fever
Here it is 5AM in the morning on saturday september 29, and i've been up ALL night, and I mean ALLLL night, waiting for a damn auction to end on ebay for my new cross bike. YEE HAW! On top of that, i'll get one hour of sleep and go to the saturday morning morning morning morning MORNING ride that leaves Conte's bike shop. I believe it's all worth it because GOODMORNING ladies and gentlemen, there is a Wal-Mart special on cross bikes and I got myself one! It's about time eh? I believe it's time to get my tired arse in bed or else i'll just go insane from sleep deprivation. Kepp an eye out for me on the morning ride now...I think i just might be a bit squirly and grumpy. Happy trails!
It's time to crack down on cross!
I believe that I will be getting a cross bike here in the near future-hopefully before Ironcross. Since i've just been riding a lot and not working, I have to spend my greenbacks wisely, no more toys, just food and gas. I usually ride instead of drive now-it's better for the world. I am no longer classified under pimp status; however, I still have cycling in my blood. So what the heck, I can sacrafice the food for a while. I'll just stock up on roman noodles and PB&J! Cross season is here and i'm ready for it! Well, besides the bike; that's on its way!
Cycling Revival
The road gets pretty boring after a while and the season is over anyway; it's time for mountain biking and cyclocross. Hoping on a mountain bike always seems to bring the fun back into riding for me, so on wednesday night from east coast bikes, rob, steve munk and I headed out to ipswitch(my first time riding there), and it was a blast. Back in Norfolk, we hit up a parking garage and just cruised around town. Around harbor park where the parking lots are, I decided to ride though there....parking blocks everywhere! I had my light so I thought I would be alright and just ride inbetween them and be on my way. well, someone moved the last parking block on me and it came up pretty fast; I almost lost it. The 29er just went over it and my bottle flew off my mike....not me.
A victim of michael vick
My dog, Nikki (known as Crazy Bitch on the streets), just got released from the animal hospital a few days ago due to a life-threatening bite to the head by one of Michael Vicks' dogs. Ok, seriously...Nikki had a bump on her head for quite a while; a bump that looked like a huge mole. It seemed to be getting bigger over time so we had it checked out and it was determined that it could possibly be cancerous. It had to be removed. When she was in surgery to get it removed, this growth had spread deeper than just that little bump on her head. There was more of it internally all around her muscle. Eventhough she's a bit drugged up now and walking into walls all the time, she's doing great.
The City Life
My week vacation in D.C! First day I was there, I rode my bike around and totally got lost. It just happened; riding straight and not turning....M street turns into Pennsylvania Ave and that street turns into another and another-all without making a single turn and most of the streets are one way, so turning around was not an option that I wanted to take wow...brain fart. It took me forever to get back and had to ask a few bike messengers for help. I was having too much fun playing in the traffic and hauling butt around the city. I found a Conte's bike shop about a mile from my hotel and talked to the guys there for a while. I ended up doing a super cool ride on tuesday night from the shop there and met plenty of peeps. Riding was fun, but most of my fun consisted of riding the metro around and going to the museums and different cities. the first few days of riding the metro wasnt bad because there wern't many people on them, and I thought...it must be only New York where it's packed with people. I was wrong! One afternoon, I was packed in there like a fresh sardeen holding onto the pole. Around me were about 5 women also holding onto the same pole. I thought to myself...gee, I've never seen so many women on one pole. And here I thoguht these classy business ladies were the ones to stay off the pole. How wrong I was. Ha. Thats just the basic stuff to sum everything up, however, there were plenty of first time experiences for me and I had a blast.
VK-Vanderkitten in D.C!
VK-Vanderkitten in D.C!
5, 4, 3....2, 1!
I'm getting there! The first season that i've gotten serious about racing, i'm working my way up to where I need to be. Started the season off as a cat 5 and moved to a 4 in no time. And now that it's near the end of the season, I just earned enough upgrade points to move to a cat 3. congratulations me! With some cyclocross and road racing next season...i'm shootin for cat 2 by the end of next road bike season. And it will happen!
Can someone say fried eggs?
Mitch and I rode in Williamsburg on an old road race course and it was HOT! On the way there, i saw a little green escort with a sticker of "the cheat" on the rear window. Who could possibly like that thing? Anyway...I usually go thourgh a waterbottle an hour, and when i'm hooked up to the IV the night before...about a bottle every 2.5 hours. Right! This ride...I went through 6 bottles in 55 miles. We stopped off at some church and it had an outdoor spicket that produced the coldest and best tasting water ever. Holy water? At the time, I just wanted something to drink, but I ended up stripping down and took myself a shower with that water. It felt great! I'll never ride when the weather is that hot again; just too uncomfortable. 
As you all may know:
Yes, I had a falling out with the shop. Better yet, the shop had a falling out with me. After months of harassment and mistreatment from "higher authority figures", I decided that enough was enough; no need to be unhappy with the one thing I have a lifelong passion for-cycling. Nor will I allow for anyone to hold me back or bring me down. I worked there for a little over 3 years and I put my heart into that place because it was what I enjoyed doing and it sucks to be treated the way I was. And so...it's time to move on to better things-the next stepping stone. I didn't need the money; everyone knows I have a few mil stashed away for early retirement because of inheritance. I will not go into detail about the series of events that led up to this, but I still care about everyone on the AAB race team and i'm not ditching any of you; still my friends. It's just the fact that it will be morally impossible for me to wear a jersey with that name on it anymore. There is always a bad guy and a good guy, and i'm sure that all of you will be hearing stories or rumers that will depict me as being one of the two. Whichever you choose to perceive me as is up to you, but I could care less whether anyone thinks of me as being the good guy or the bad guy; however, a business does. To confirm current gossip, I am now racing for tripower.
A dream come true...
Remember those Sidi's that I cracked the sole on a while ago? Yeah, I finally got new shoes in from Sidi-that company is looking out for me! White Ergo 2's baby! I'm excited. Manimal-
power!
A tremendous weekend
This past weekend was a 2 series race-the Tour de Port and the Tour de Peake. Saturday was a beautiful day and the course was along the water in Portsmouth, which i felt like jumping into after the race. One road was torn up and had gravel all over...a lot of the roadies didn't like it(do some cyclocross or mountain biking!). I thought it was fun! I finished up with a 3rd place. Afterwards, a few of us went out to Fellini's in Norfolk-my first time! I had an amazing greek pizza and a snickers cheesecake after. Yes, that was my fuel for the next day of racing. That, and amazing belgium waffles for breakfast. The real fun started on sunday with the Tour de Peake. My mom was there! Jessica and her dad were there! What more could I want? It was a tough race because there was a break-a-way and only a handful of people would try to bring it back. The rest were blocking or just in it for the ride, but that's racing. Anyway...i'm not gonna take full credit, but the break-a-way was caught and I survived 2 crashes on the last lap and came in with 2nd place. Ha, a little interview with Joe and his camera across the finish line was fun, but getting the congratulations from my mom, Jess, and her dad was the most rewarding part of my weekend. Back to the question of "what more could I want?" Grilled out ribs as a celebration dinner! I was invited over to dinner at Jessica's house and my mom came with me. All in all, it was the best day of my summer or perhaps one of the best times i've had in a long time. If I had a choice, I'd choose that night to happen every night, over winning the Tour de France any day. It was that good.
A Package for Manimal?
A box? For me?
Hey, LOOK!
Could it be?
The Hotness!
The build-up
Finished product: Super dope bike! All I need now is a sticker that says "manimal" for the top tube and i'll be set!
Traveling Adventures
Tolls...throw the change in, gate opens, drive through. Not as easy as it sounds. Mike R. drives up to the toll, throws the change in and starts to drive forward. The gate isn't opening! Ok, lets reverse it and put another quarter in. We reverse, put the quarter in, and the gate opens. Finally, lets get goin. Foot on the gas...woah! We're going BACKWARDS! Ha, lets try this again. D=drive R=reverse. Put it in drive!
An enjoyable post-race snack of gummy bears reminded me of a good freind. Gummy bears-her favorite. I had to reinact a scene she once made of two gummy bears, but I dont think I used the same colors as she did. They didn't last long because I was hungry. Oh yeah, there was a race, kinda. It was really just a long sprint. Talk about a huge disappointment. I had more fun lounging in the passenger seat with my feat out the window, joking around with my friends, and eating gummy bears. Wow! After a little research, I got the colors right, but it seems that the tables have turned. oops.
Bryan park circuit race:
A beautiful course in Richmond and also the same park where a cross race is held-that makes it even cooler. I've been kinda lazy with riding lately, but I still did well in the race. 3rd place for the 3, 4 race. Not bad. For the whole race, I only had to deal with the annoying "ping, ping, ping" noise of my magnet hitting the sensor whenever I got out of the saddle to accelerate. I was too much of a wimp(good term) to reach down and put my hand centimeters from that front "cutting wheel" to adjust my sensor, so I just put the problem in the back of my mind. Thats what you get for having fancy carbon wheels-aero, but they flex! dope! Enough bike talk. On the way home, me, Mike and Mitch rocked out and sung along to Barry Manilow's "Mandy". Mike was testing me on my music and was asking if I had Celine Dion and all these other "foo foo, love song" artists, so I was like...I have something for you! Singing along to that song was the ONLY bonding we had that day. No, really! While enjoying the ride in the passenger seat, I spotted a police car with "Groome" on it? I dont think thats a city police car guys. Damnit, keep the pedal on the floor Mitch, it's just the groome police! Everyone: look your sexiest as we go by! That was the end of my fun weekend.
Mandytee sighting?
Long-Femur Lozano...middle of the peleton with the great-looking hair. school and bike racing= busy busy busy busy.
Props to Mom
I got my mom a new bike last year and she has never really touched the thing; however, she has been riding more, which is awesome. She may not be fast but she's out there having fun. 20mph down a small hill gets her super excited and really nervous, but she looks pro because I hook mom up. She'll get there though. She'll be pulling me around at 30mph before I know it. By the way, thanks Butch for calling me a dic!<. Mike H said to Butch: "I was going 31 and steven just pulled away from like nothing and held it off." Butch: "yeah, he's a big dic!<." I know it's a compliment Butch, no worries. ha. So anyway...this weekend was my mom's first "big ride" in the MS150. 150 miles in 2 days (the second day was cut short due to bad weather). Before she left, I fixed up her bike and wrote some tips on a piece of paper that I taped to her top tube. Just basic group riding tips that all of us already know. Except one tip that most people dont know-smile and have fun! That she did. I drove up to see her saturday night and drove all day sunday as mechanical support/mom support. She met a lot of people out there and some of them knew me but I couldn't place their face. All in all, she finished and i'm proud of her. She got her first medal, ever! Now that she's actually riding and has hung out/talked with a lot of cyclist, she is starting to understand me more. cool. Here's a picture of my lovely mom riding in the rain. Dont let her fool you, she's ___ and she's still super hot...it's a celebrity thing 
A job well done by the manimal
I'm always trying to put a smile on someone's face and having fun by doing stuff that is out of the ordinary or just super cool. Usually when something is up, "It's Steven, damn him!" Most of the time I get the response of "you're such a loser." Yeah, I can see that, but whether it's upgrading half your bike without permission-no charge, washing your car without you knowing because it hasn't been washed in 6 months-my jeep still remains dirty, sending flowers, or even TPing a car which, by the way, is hard work and took a lot of time, the manimal is always on fire, even off the bike. Those of you who know me really well, watch out!
More useful information to those who could care less about the things I do in my daily life- The manimal will be riding a Salsa Chili Con Crosso durring the cross season. Super hot bike! It's green and you gotta love the name.
Before and after the WOO WOO
It looks like Mandy wants to pimp her whip with a "woo-woo whistle tip." Here's a before and after for ya of her integra-a few more modifications than just a whistle tip. She's supa pimp now because she's got a VK licnese plate too.
BEFORE:
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Daily Events
Fish said to me: "How long are you gonna' bang your head into a brick wall until you realize that it hurts?"
Steven: "Until I break through."
A customer came into the shop today that Jess approached and he just happened to be interested in a bike. Jess said, "Would you like to test ride it?" The customer responded, "I'd ride it but i've had a few beers. I really shouldn't be driving." Splendid!
The End
Steven: "Until I break through."
A customer came into the shop today that Jess approached and he just happened to be interested in a bike. Jess said, "Would you like to test ride it?" The customer responded, "I'd ride it but i've had a few beers. I really shouldn't be driving." Splendid!
The End
Police Unity Tour
This is a huge event in which I have supported for 3 years sraight, so far. Police officers from all around the country ride in memory of fallen officers-some ride all the way from Florida to New York, and others from Chesapeake, Virginia to Washington DC. Like every year, this ride is exciting in every way posible. With all the riders and support vehicles-it stretches out for about 3 miles and is police escorted. About 20 motorcycle cops, 10 police cars and about 25 other support vehicles. This year, we started off with about 400 riders. It split up and went down to about half, then they all rejoined on the third day-going into Washington DC. 2 mechanics in a Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter van for 400 riders. ouch! I rock at it though. Hangin out the side of the van, jumping out while it's moving, grabing the persons bike and hoping in the back while the rider gets in the side door. Once I fix the mechanical issue, our driver speeds up to the main filed as I stand outside the van while holding the bike on a platform extending from the reciever hitch that is just inches from the ground. Once we're up to the main field, I jump off and get the rider back in the ride. It's intense but very fun. We're talkin about a lot of 1 minute tyre changes-no spare wheels, just tubes and tyres. Damn i'm good. Because of all my amazing work, i'm always geting compliments such as...."I love your hair." I just can't get away from it all! But these women had handcuffs. uh oh. Back on subject...After 8 or 9 hours of riding, it's time for the fun to begin...
I couldn't bring my bike because of the lack of space; however, the manager of the shop drove up for 2 hours with my bike and some other supplies. I could only ride at night after our work for the day was done, but I loved every bit of it. I had my helmet light and I was set. I can honestly say that i've never been happier to see my bike. We had the kegorator in the back of the van will a full keg of Stella Artois. The riders/police officers loved it after a long day of riding. After that keg was gone, we had Sam Adams-not as good. After the first day, this hot officer babe, Cameron, that does the hotel room reservations had left us out of a room; all the rooms were occupied. It's hard when you have 400 people to take care of for hotel rooms. Since she left us out, we ended up getting the hotel suite and our rooms are paid for, free of charge. Sweet! After I discovered she got us the suite, because she played it off, I had to thank her. A little time in the hotel hottub should do it, ya? Some other donut sucking officers were there(and the donuts showed); however, I showed up after my ride and jumped in the hottub wearing my bib shorts. O baby! The second night of festivities involved about 100 drunk officers in a hotel parking lot. Thanks to the medical support from 2 of the 4 ambulances, we had gurney drag races in the parking lot. In each gurney, a person was strapped in, and about 4 people would push to the finish line. 2 of the paramedics disappeared for a while and showed up on the second floor balcony with water balloons and then the war began. Chucking water balloons at everyone in the parking lot below, it was time for payback. A few of the the big, Arnold Schwarzenegger type officers snatched them up and carried them to the indoor pool-throwing them in. A few episodes of this, the pool was shut down, schucks. Shortly after that, buckets of water were being dumped on people, including me, the mechanic! hey, uh guys....you do know that I work on your bikes, right? Rubbing breaks really suck when you get into the hills. ha. It was great though. We were also strictly told not to drink alcoholic beverages in the parking lot because it is considered drunk-in-public and if we got in trouble, the police would take care of it. Thanks Ms. Manager bi*** of the Ramada. We are the police! Another festivity that almost took place-bra bowling. Someone snagged one of the support lady's EE bra, and thought we could use it as a sling shot. It never went into action because of the pool dunking. Oh well.
The last day of riding, from fredericksberg to Washington DC, was great. When the riders from all the different chapters of this ride united at the pentagon, it was amazing. Over 1000 riders all wearing the same symbolic jerseys which says "We ride for those who died" on the back. Some of them haven't rode 100 miles on a bike in their life and they pushed themselves to do over 100 miles day after day; all because of the driving force behind the meaning of this entire ride-their friends and loved ones that have risked their lives and have died on the call of duty. Loved ones which were memorialized on their bikes by photos ziptied to their stems or saddles.
I couldn't bring my bike because of the lack of space; however, the manager of the shop drove up for 2 hours with my bike and some other supplies. I could only ride at night after our work for the day was done, but I loved every bit of it. I had my helmet light and I was set. I can honestly say that i've never been happier to see my bike. We had the kegorator in the back of the van will a full keg of Stella Artois. The riders/police officers loved it after a long day of riding. After that keg was gone, we had Sam Adams-not as good. After the first day, this hot officer babe, Cameron, that does the hotel room reservations had left us out of a room; all the rooms were occupied. It's hard when you have 400 people to take care of for hotel rooms. Since she left us out, we ended up getting the hotel suite and our rooms are paid for, free of charge. Sweet! After I discovered she got us the suite, because she played it off, I had to thank her. A little time in the hotel hottub should do it, ya? Some other donut sucking officers were there(and the donuts showed); however, I showed up after my ride and jumped in the hottub wearing my bib shorts. O baby! The second night of festivities involved about 100 drunk officers in a hotel parking lot. Thanks to the medical support from 2 of the 4 ambulances, we had gurney drag races in the parking lot. In each gurney, a person was strapped in, and about 4 people would push to the finish line. 2 of the paramedics disappeared for a while and showed up on the second floor balcony with water balloons and then the war began. Chucking water balloons at everyone in the parking lot below, it was time for payback. A few of the the big, Arnold Schwarzenegger type officers snatched them up and carried them to the indoor pool-throwing them in. A few episodes of this, the pool was shut down, schucks. Shortly after that, buckets of water were being dumped on people, including me, the mechanic! hey, uh guys....you do know that I work on your bikes, right? Rubbing breaks really suck when you get into the hills. ha. It was great though. We were also strictly told not to drink alcoholic beverages in the parking lot because it is considered drunk-in-public and if we got in trouble, the police would take care of it. Thanks Ms. Manager bi*** of the Ramada. We are the police! Another festivity that almost took place-bra bowling. Someone snagged one of the support lady's EE bra, and thought we could use it as a sling shot. It never went into action because of the pool dunking. Oh well.
The last day of riding, from fredericksberg to Washington DC, was great. When the riders from all the different chapters of this ride united at the pentagon, it was amazing. Over 1000 riders all wearing the same symbolic jerseys which says "We ride for those who died" on the back. Some of them haven't rode 100 miles on a bike in their life and they pushed themselves to do over 100 miles day after day; all because of the driving force behind the meaning of this entire ride-their friends and loved ones that have risked their lives and have died on the call of duty. Loved ones which were memorialized on their bikes by photos ziptied to their stems or saddles.
This was Just one of the rest stops on the way to Washington DC. Freakin' awesome!
Reporting from the Central Time Zone
on the day before the joe martin stage race, the mandy misses her buddy the manimal yet is content and feeling ready and rockin. or is it rockin and ready? mandy fondly remembers the jmsr being her first stage race as a pro last year. holy droppage! she is not as thin as in years past. this could equal more droppage or less...women's racing is strange that way. it's nearly every day that a skinny girl gets left in the dust by one with cottage cheese under her spandex.
ew.
compare. what happened?
ew.
compare. what happened?
jmsr 2006
pre-jmsr 2007
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