Interesting Questions...No Clue as to the Answers

So I am wondering, "How long do I wait?"

How long do I wait to relent in the search to try and hop back into the bike business?  Kentucky is not a hotbed for cycling industry and I don't yet know how interested any potential companies or contacts may be interested for have a use for my "skills."

So the thought of trying to focus on getting another job in that industry which suits my preferences seems almost akin to snipe hunt.  There still is hope that I can essentially talk my way into a gig.  Hopefully one which fits me better than the previous one.  But again I am stuck with, "How long do I wait?"

I am still trying to turn over every possible stone prior to making the big push to my friends in the bike business.  But heaven only knows if there will even be any positions  available.  Anywhere.  One thing I did pick up rather quickly is that bike companies (we're talking industry wide, not just actual bicycle manufacturers) are small.  Save for Trek, everyone else is rather small.  They're small because it's rare that a bike company actually makes it's own product in this country at least. 

So when all of your products with your names plastered all over it comes from across the way (and there are only two ways in this industry - Europe or Asia), you don't need a lot of heads to get the job done.  And that's the big troubling part right now.  Nobody wants or seems to need a lot of heads right now no matter what industry they are in.

Hence, the question comes again, "So how long should I wait?"

Love my Kids

But somebody really needs to get them to understand the meaning of 6:30 am on Sunday mornings.  

Ugh.

Cyclingnews.com found G. Obree

Honestly, I thought this guy was dead.  Maybe that was his "archrival" from back in the hour record pursuit days of the early 90's.  I think there was even a movie made about it all.  

So apparently it was his fellow competitor because sure as heck, there's even a photograph to boot of the Obree (the man himself) and his new self-crafted bicycle.  He's even planning another attempt at the hour record.  

You have to see the photos to truly believe...

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/tech/2009/news/05-30

Nice find Cyclingnews.com...nice find indeed.

Giro is about to Wrap

Kudos to Denis Menchov for besting the field in this year's Giro d' Italia.  Yes, there are two more stages remaining, but, in all likelihood this race is done.

While personally I was hoping Levi would pull through for his first Grand Tour win, it looks like that ship has sailed.  And this may have been his last ticket if others are to be believed.

Anyway, Menchov definitely earned the victory and rode out the countless Italian challenges to his jersey.  A well earned win for what hopefully will remain a well respected career.  

Best part of Interbike

Boulder City is featured in a piece by the New York Times.  I have to say, that my four days spent at the Outdoor Demo were by far the most fun I had at the shows.  

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/05/29/travel/escapes/20090529-american-slideshow_index.html

Back to the Grind

Living in the realm of the unemployed, it becomes interesting how much you notice the factors in life that no longer affect you.  Case in point, the evaporation of a holiday weekend.

Lots of folks I know are pretty miserable right now having gone back to work or making their way in.  Where as I am getting ready to go ride.  Too bad I can't get paid to do this forever.

Come on POWERBALL!!!!!

Bike Lexington 2009

You gotta love cruising downtown on your bikes in the middle of the day with your 4-year-old girl.

All by yourselves with police escorts to keep you company because indeed you are at the caboose of an 800-person train.  But the fact that she rode, rode well, and most importantly had fun while feeling all grown up is what this life is completely about.

Hope you all had one-tenth of the Memorial Day I did.

See you on the roads!

Repeat

So we did it.  Rob and I repeated our victory from last year at the Buffalo Trails Multi Sport race in Maysville, KY.  We thought we knew who our competition would be, but soon after I started my bike leg, Rob saw our true challengers get the second leg under way.

Rob gave me a great two minute cushion as he was the second runner to come into the transition area.  I fumbled with the timing chip; then finally got it in place.  I jumped on my bike and completely missed both pedals; then finally got clipped in.  I got underway and headed out of town when the race went BOOM!  

There was nobody on the road ahead of me.  

Last year, I was amazed at the number of people struggling along the opening road.  This year, there was nobody.  I was on my own.  Somewhere about 4-5 miles into the ride, I was caught and passed by an actual triathlete.  That was a saving grace b/c it finally gave me something to keep pace with.  Don't get me wrong, he dropped me, but I kept him in sight long enough to finally figure out a rhythm.

Two or three other tri guys passed me before the climb up Higney Hill.  But once on the climb, I was finally able to begin reeling people in.  Once past the climb and through a new section of rollers added this year, a group of three (including me) formed.  We picked off another half dozen riders on the long descent.  And then probably another 4-6 riders on the way into town.  I hit a wall on the false flat that began the route into town and got gapped a little bit.  I didn't catch back on but only lost about 5-10 seconds to the other two members of my threesome.

Turns out, one of those guys, was our duathlon relay challenger.  The one Rob saw leave the transition area after me.  Apparently Rob had about a 90-second gap on their runner because the rider beat me by about that much on the bike leg.  Obviously, he had a great ride (which I confirmed after talking to him after the race).  I had a good one, but just not great.  No worries, though, as we still picked up the victory by two minutes.

Thanks Rob!  It was a little bit closer than the 20 minute gap we had last year, but it still was a great time.  And fun to get a little nervous over!

Thanks to Big Dan for coming out to see the end of the race as well.  Great to see good people on challenging days!

Got the day started right

I was able to enjoy a nice spin with my good buddy Harlan.  He's constantly looking to find time to ride and generally coming up empty.  But when you're in the mood for a quality riding buddy for some good talking...Harlan's your man!

Ride on Harlan!

Company websites

I guess I should know because my previous employer did the same thing...but if you're a nationally advertised brand, why wouldn't you put your job postings on your own webpage?

Great minds, great things

Some friends of mine in the bike business are entering a fun part of the year.  Preparing 2010 product for catalogs, launches, and marketing.

Granted, if you work in marketing, this means you're knee deep in lots of crap and you probably need to spend 22 hours of the day getting the work done in the allotted time.  But still, once again finding myself outside looking in, it's hard not to wish I were there doing the same.

Check out the Raleigh Facebook group for some photos of some stylish new rigs coming your way next year.  There's some sexy new carbon, elegant city bikes, and a darn spiffy lugged steel road bike sporting 2010 Ultegra gear.

MasiGuy is back up to his marketing brilliance spending time in Minnesota with actual Masi owners working on his next catalog iteration.  How they survive a twice-a-year product cycle is beyond me.

And check out Swobo for all their cool beans stuff.  A recent addition is the new 3Wrencho tool from Portland Design Works.

Either way, you can see these folks' fine works by checking the links on the right side of this page.  Have a good Friday everyone!

And good luck to all my friends in the bike business ramping things up for 2010!

Gotta get focused

So I found out a few of my portfolio entries are essentially missing b/c for some reason when you create a PDF, some of the InDesign effects are lost.  No worries, I still have a lot of pages left.

Got the oil changed in both cars.  One is washed, the other is in desperate need of it.

Had an impromptu and essentially blind interview this morning.  Great folks, they just don't have a need for me and they were exceptionally gracious with their time.

I got the chance to buy my daughter some ice cream when she actually deserved it.  :):):)

No ride so far today...need to pick up some TT bars and a helmet I'm borrowing...need to actually design and print a portfolio...need to keep job hunting...need to stay awake long enough to get it all done.  

Oh what fun!

Wow

Just saw some updates posted on my former online stomping ground.  

Oh my...

Tired

52 miles when you only planned on 45 isn't so bad.  Throw in a climb your riding buddy has told you previously he's only ridden down before because the road up ahead is flooded and it gets to be a tall order.

For the first time since I believe I was 15, I walked my bike up a hill today.  I got halfway up and then dismounted.  While I'm not completely ashamed (it scared the crap out of me going down), I am a little disappointed I gave up when I did.  

Nonetheless, a great ride through some great parts of rural KY today.  Gearing up for the duathlon on Saturday!  Hopefully tomorrow's TT in the Giro will have a decidedly American flavor for our friend Levi.  

And here we go...

This is now the primary blog for me.  

A week into my new career of joining the ranks of the unemployed, I am having fun while at the same time finding life without the routine of the daily grind a bit frightening.  That's the best way I can describe it right now.

The perks:

1. I have come to enjoy being on the bike more than I have in a long while.  No longer worried about "getting caught" dumping work for a ride even though I had open permission to do so. Stupid to worry in that regard, I know.
2. Getting to catch up on things I normally put off for a good long while...like car washing, laundry, lawn mowing, etc.  Hopefully I'll get better at getting these things done too.
3. Amazing support from amazingly good people whom I am fortunate enough to call my family and friends.  A sincere and heartfelt thank you to you all.
4. More time to ride.  More time for golf.

The drawbacks:

1. Everything is on hold.  New bike.  Classes for the kids.  Frivolous yet fun little purchases. Everything.
2. Decisions.  What should I do, where should we go?  Is it to find a job as fast as possible or get back in school for something new and completely different?
3. More time to be lazy.

Any way...I am going to use this space just to document how things progress.  I already had to delete one blog about this time a week ago.  So I know it's a pretty easy solution to get this offline if immediately necessary.

Hope everyone out in bloggerville is having a good Wednesday!  I'll be in touch.

hello again

At some point, this may become my primary means of blogging communication.