2-1-10

What a great weekend. I ended up taking Friday off to spend with the other half. It wasn't the warmest of days outside but it was quite productive. Thursday, the day before was filled with great news. I have aquired sponsorship from Twin Six. I was/am pretty excited. I look forward to my welcome package from them.

Not a whole lot went on Saturday but Sunday was quite busy. I attended the MMBA expo as the rep from Healthy & Fit Magazine. Tim treated Becky and I to breakfast before going to the MSU Pavilion and setting things up. I sold some bike paraphernalia which was nice. I caught a glimps of the guest speaker, Dave Wiens, but I didn't get to hear the speech or say hello. Oh well.

In spite of the super cold weather it still managed to be a productive and rewarding weekend. Cheers to all and I hope everyone is well.




ong stretch of no updates. I'm horrible at it now. Not a whole lot has happened lately. I'm waiting to hear if Twin 6 has accepted my app for sponsorship. I'm hoping to get a reply bck either this week or next.

Training has been coming along nicely. My watt average is nearly back up to what it was during mid summer, which is good. I now have to work on endurance which is a never ending process but that's why I love riding bikes. I've also done a little bit of running lately. Not much but I have close to a 3 mile loop that I will do from time to time. It never feels as good as training on the bike but it is helping with the cardio aspect of training.

This weekend is the MMBA expo at the MSU Pavilion. I will be in attendance at the Healthy & Fit Magazine booth. Stop by and say hi.


1-6-2010

Yeah, I've been slacking with the website but not with training. Life is good. The holidays were awesome and very relaxing given the amount of time away from the j.o.b.

I didn't get many cycling related gift from Santa but that's ok because there really isn't much I need in that department anyways. I was excited to get the new Lance Armstrong book "The Making of the Worlds Greatest Champion" by John Wilcockson. I have started it but not enough to elaborate on it yet.

Hockey gets started back up tonight after a two week break from the holidays. It should be interesting to see how many guys did anything while off of the ice. I can't say that I'm predicting a win but either way the beer will still be cold. Cheers!


12-21-2009

Not a bad weekend, actualyl pretty productive in the realm of gift shopping. We did manage to get a bit of snow over the weekend and I was quite impressed as I drove through the downtown area that there were a few people on bicycles. I wasn't sure if I should feel a slight amount of pity for those people or if I should be jealous because they have the balls to get outside and ride, even if it is their only mode of transportation. I suppose I could do the same if I threw on some cyclocross tires but the lack of sunshine with heavy wind would not make it an enjoyable ride.

Also, there were a few emails exchanged with my father over the weekend. He is currently focusing on upgrading his machine to something like this...



It would definitely be a good present to himself and he would not regret the upgrade from aluminum to carbon.

I'm definitely looking forward to getting this week over with. It's a short work week and the rest of it will be spent with a variety of families. The stress of shopping will be over and I can get back to focusing on my training both in the gym and on the bike. I'm feeling really good these days and have been thinking a lot about the upcoming season already. If all goes well, it will be very rewarding.


12-17-2009

Not a bad week, I've been feeling pretty good with the excpetion of the j-o-b. I attended last nights spandex party and was surprised to see our good friend Tony show up. He's planning to join us a little more often, which is a good thing. Let's all hope that he gets back into group training and racing next year, he's been missed.

I also picked up my new kit yesterday...


It felt a little different because I've been wearing kits from Champion Systems the past few years. The new Voler kit is nice an should be well broken in by spring time.



12-12-2009

Not diggin' my Saturday morning. Because the holiday season is upon us, the greedy side of me finally broke loose and decided to work a little o.t. on a Saturday morning. I was not excited about getting out of bed and working half of the day as there are many things to get done today before attending a holiday party downtown. If I was the least bit smart, I would have slept in and enjoyed the morning a little more like these two...


Getting in any trainer time will be a bit tough today. Like I admitted, I was a little greedy this weekend and also signed up for double time on Sunday. Luckily I will be out of work at noon and ready to tackle the trainer for a bit. I'm not sure what else is planned.


12-8-2009

12-7-09

Not a bad weekend, not a great one either. Saturday I put my dog, Sidney, of 14 years and 2 months to rest (pictured above from 2 months ago). She's lived a spoiled life and her hips were finally giving in to old age. I didn't really feel bad about the whole thing, I figured I was doing her and I both a favor.

The morning before taking her in, my grandmother laid down a plate of her favorite breakfast of buttered toast and coffee. On many occasions when we would visit granny, Sid would wander over to my grandma's coffee cup on the sun room window sill all non-chalant and take a few drinks before being yelled at. It would be replaced with a new, clean cup.

I can remember the nights of my grandfather constantly yelling at her, or me, "Get this damn dog away from me!" We all though he was serious until I woke up in the middle of the night to catch him giving her a plate loaded with chips, pretzels, frito's and cheese popcorn. He was speechless and from that point on stopped yelling at her and I. Even though she was nearly deaf at the end, she always could hear the crumpling of a bag of chips.

I even wrote an obit for her earlier... Two days in a row, wow. Ya know it's sad when the highlight of your workday, besides leaving, consists of waking up your computer, clicking Outlook and then checking the news online. For about the entire first hour of work, rather than sift through the endless pile of customer blueprints and specs, I spend my time reading Velonews, Cycling News, update my FaceBook and read BikeSnobNYC all with the enjoyment of a fresh cup of good coffee, compliments of the shipping office. Thank you, ladies.

Then it's always an added bonus when you have to attend a meeting to discuss the meeting coming up on Friday with customers. Every file dropped on my desk is always marked in red classifying it as a hot job even though it's not due until late December. Of course if I get a text message, an email or a phone call that has nothing to do with work it always takes priority over anything else.

By 8:30 a.m. I am on my 2nd or 3rd cup of coffee, I am wide awake and almost ready to be productive to work related issues. My boss pays a visit about twice a week commenting that "Wow Cam, you're still only working 40 hours a week. Arent't you going to cash in on some of the offered overtime?" My replay is always "No, I don't wan't to be here any more than I have to. The overtime is never worth the headache of coming in early or showing up on a Saturday. I would tell you I'm sorry but then I would be lying."

Normally this page is reserved for training stories or just general bullshit. Today I decided to splurge on the details of my workday. This is a rarity but I'm glad I decided to share my nearly everyday details. I feel much better.

10-26-09

Wow, almost an entire month has passed since my last update. I really have no excuse. During this time I've pretty much dropped Twitter and have spent plenty of time updating my Face Book on a regular basis. No real reason for it other than keeping in better touch with old friends.

I have acquired a new ride. I will be riding an '08 Trek Madone for the 2010 training season. I'm currently in the process of swapping the Campy Chorus 10 that was on it for the Dura Ace that was on my Jamis.

Race Across the Sky last week was an amazing movie. I look forward to purchasing that when it hits dvd. I also look forward to getting my ass back int he gym later today. This will be the first time I have set foot in a fitness facility in well over a year. I expect noting but good to come from this.

Thats about it for now. I should probably stay on top of this blog because ya never know who's paying attention. Cheers!


10-1-09

So I'm doing a horrible job at keeping this up to date again and I have to keep it short right now so here ya go. My training is back on par. My dog Molly was fixed yesterday and I have to pick her up today. Hockey season is 3 weeks deep and we still don't have a win. I'm in a wedding this weekend in Frankenmuth so I have to make sure my tux fits tonight. Addison Oaks 6 hour solo is next weekend. I may have found some help getting this site where I want it to be, maybe. Um...I think that's about it. Cheers!

Sidney
10/95 - 12/09

Finally laid to rest Saturday afternoon after a long bout with hip troubles, aches, pains and old age. She started as a drywall eating, table leg chewing, coffee drinking pup who later in life would decide to give up eating drywall and chewing table legs. Her diet later changed to buttered toast and potato chips but she would occasionally still enjoy sneaking a cup of coffee. She is survived by her close friend of nearly 4 years, Molly. Funeral services took place Saturday afternoon and were attended by Aunt Kath, Grandma and her dad. She now lays in peace overlooking Gillett's Lake just outside of her favorite window at Grandma's house.

She will be dearly missed.

12-3-09

What a long day yesterday laying a good friend to rest. I won't elaborate too much but for what it's worth, the service was very good and it was a good gathering of friends. Dave, you will be dearly missed.

Hockey was a good time last night. Another loss but nobody really cared because the beer was still cold. It was a fairly chippy game and finally erupted with about 2 minutes to go. An opposing player barreled into our goaile finally causing a chain reaction of pent up anger. Two of our defensemen, as well as two of theirs, blew up. Gloves and helmets came off and I have to say that it was pretty exciting from a bench point of view. There were a few game suspensions.

Other than that, not much has been happening. Due to the recent events, I haven't been on the bike a whole lot or in the gym but will resume training as of this weekend. That's about it for now.

11-28-09

Yesterday was a definite day of tragedy. Local Jackson athlete, cycling powerhouse, amazing runner and great friend, Dave Hinz was taken from us in an auto accident on an ironic day dubbed Black friday. This is a loss for all who knew him.

I will never forget the summers of car pooling to races, training rides, the two years at Dances With Dirt, "you're my boy Blue!" Dave, Beagle and I on our unforgetable "7 mph" Ohio century ride. Riding over for training rides and having Vegas yell at me the entire time. The few years we rode One Helluva Ride together and even all of the political discussion. I have many photos and even more memories.

This is just a reminder that life is too short. Dave will be missed by many. Please check out Dave's website

11-25-09

More delayed blogging. I have been busy trying to post up a new bulletin board for the local athletes in my area. Since I'm not a pro at any of this, it's taking some time. If it weren't for having FaceBook on my crackberry, I wouldn't posting any updates of any kind and that's just boring.

In recent news, I have been selected to be a part of the Honey Stinger grassroots sponsorship deal. It may not be much but I'm still pretty stoked about it. Please feel free to check their site which is now posted on the side of this page. I hope to add more sponsors over the winter training months.

Other than than, not a lot has been happening. Work is still an 8 hour void in my day. I've been in the gym on a regular basis and will be on the bike over this holiday weekend either indoors or out, preferrably out. We have a two week break from hockey and hope to increase the number in the win column when we get back on the ice.

That's about it for now. I hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving. Cheers

11-18-09

Not a bad week so far but I really get frustrated with not having enough time in the day to accomplish everything I want to. I have loaded a few pics from the Ice Man weekend, most are post-race and of Team H&F. Enjoy, some offer a good laugh.

I now have a completely built and tuned up road bike. Since I get to leave work early today, I plan to get out for an hour or so just to break it in. I'm pretty excited about this.

I really don't have much else to offer for today. Like I said, I really wish I had more time in the day. Adios for now.

11-12-09
Yet another loss at hockey last night with a score of 4 - 1. I'm glad it's only beer league hockey. It doesn't matter if we win or lose because the beer is cold either way. We have the next two weeks off due to a bye-week and Thanksgiving.

I hope to have Ice Man weekend pictures up sometime soon, maybe this weekend.

11-10-09
Another Ice Man weekend come and gone, that makes seven. Given my previous years finishes and times, I had signed up for Sport class once again to give it hell and try to sneak into the top ten. Mission accomplished. I finished 3rd place in 30-33 Men, good enough for a cool little medal and a $50 check.

The weekend was definitely a good time. My friend Nick was up from Nashville, also his seventh Ice Man, and friend Tim drove us up to Traverse City. This year we also included our friend Rich in the festivities. The weekend was loaded with dinner at Hooter's and plenty of PBR. I'm already looking forward to next year when I think Rich will also make it a point to race with us.

Yesterday also marked my first day back in a fitness facility in over a year. In addition to inproving fitness on the bike I also plan to strengthen my core and build my legs in the weight room. I want to be a shredded endurance climbing machine by the time we spend our week in Tennessee.

I'll try and get some pics posted of the weekend soon.

11-4-09
Wow, I finally made the local newspaper! A very well written article by Jessica Sipperly in today's paper chiming in on Power Taps, training and endurance racing. Emails have been pouring in all morning saying that they did a nice job on it, I agree.

I'm now just a couple of days away from the season ender, the Ice Man. It will be nice to get this out of the way because I know that it will be time to get on the ball for next year, I've slacked off enough and it's time to get serious again. This weekend is guaranteed to be chock full-o craziness given everything planned. I should have some pictures up next week. Stay tuned

11-2-09

Halloween Weekend! With the exception of friday's rain, this was a pretty good weekend. Saturday was spent doing a variety of productive things which included my first time trick or treating in quite a few years. Sunday was also great. I slept in, rode the Superfly again and raked leaves.

Ice Man is less than a week away and though I'm not in prime condition, I am looking forward to having a good time. I will definitely have some pictures of that.

10-29-09

Not a bad night of puck last night. We didn't win nor did we lose. I don't actually feel that bad today. It wasn't a rough game but it did involve a lot of sprinting and we had a short bench. There were three of us playing defense, two of which are regular smokers and moderate beer drinkers. Lucky for me I recover well, I spent a lot of time on the ice.

In other news, I really don't have any other news. Im still thinking of hitting the Death Alley race tomorrow night in Detroit and then I'll be out trick or treating for the first time in many moons Saturday night. Ok, I won't be the one collecting candy but I will be in the company of those that will. Due to not having a rideable road bike at this time, I will be out in full force training on my mountain bike. We'll see how the weekend goes, I still have one more day of work before I'm there.

10-27-09