Official Website of Jeff Kerkove: November 2005

Wednesday, November 30

Trans-Iowa V.2 Registration

On your marks.
Get set.
Go!

Trans-Iowa V.2 registration will open on Saturday, Dec 17th at 11 AM Pacific Time.

First 70 freaks are in!

It'll take place right here!

Jeff Kerkove said at 4:53 PM :: ::

It gives you...

...that warm fuzzy feeling like waking up in the morning to fresh cinnamon rolls and freshly brewed coffee. Yessssssssssss.

Jeff Kerkove said at 12:33 PM :: ::

Another Top 10 List.

The Top 10 Things you never want to overhear at the local gym while working out.

1. "Mommy, why does that man have his hands down his pants?"

2. "Sir, can I ask you to please remove the x-ray glasses."

3. The person farting on every step on the treadmill.

4. A large man with the small head grunting while lifting large amounts of weight.

5. The person singing to their MP3 player "American Idol" style.

6. A very large sweaty person rolling around on one of those fit-balls.

7. The sound of full body impact on the treadmill.

8. "Sir, can I ask you not to bench press the small child."

9. Eye Of The Tiger playing over...and over....and over the gym music speakers.

10. That guy who has to talk to everyone while working out. You know "that guy" I am talking about.

Feel free to add your own to this list.

And speaking of the local gym...
I am off to the YMCa to lift some massive amounts of weight...well, not really.

One last thing...
Heather Mosley has her head on straight. Her ways of thinking about athlete sponsorship make sooooooo much sense.

UPDATES...
I overheard this today at the YMCA: "I don't recognize you with all your clothes on."

Today's smart-ass-comment-of-the-day goes to an un-named YMCA employee: "Hey buddy, nice tan lines. You just get back from Mexico?"

More painful that getting your ass kicked out back behind the old oak tree.

Jeff Kerkove said at 6:01 AM :: ::

Tuesday, November 29

Anyone else interested?

Anyone interested in heading south in late March for the Ouachita Challenge? Do alittle race'n...and of course some ride'n. The more going the cheaper it will be. I am posting this now, cause they only allow 200 people to register for each event...and it fills every year!

This would be a great Spring tune-up event.

So.....

Who's with me?

Jeff Kerkove said at 7:57 PM :: ::

More snow...

Hey, guess what? We got some more of the white stuff. About 1.5 inches to be exact. That's just enough to make all the folks in their cars drive like fools. On the way to the YMCA this morning I say 3 cars spin out and do loops right in the middle of the 4 lane. Sweet!

While at the YMCA, I say a few cars go into the on ramp to University Ave a bit too fast and end up railing the curb. Brilliant! The only one I saw successfully clear the curb happen to be G-Ted on his way to work on the K-Monkey. Word.

Today at the YMCA was cardio day for me. So, I loaded up the MP3 player with about 50 songs, and filled 2 bottles with water and ELETE and went to work. Ended up with 2 hours of good solid cardio and a respectable pre-season HR and a pool of sufferage on the floor below me. After the 2 hours on the stairmaster-of-doom, I hit the treadmill for a 30 minute walk to get the HR down and to cool down. It was all good.

Speaking of ELETE...they updated their website with a fresh new look. Check it out!

So, it is now official. Carl has gone so-pro on the bike. Look out.

And even G-Ted has gone so-pro...but on the blog rather than the bike. Awesome!

That is about it. Have to be shop nazi tonight again. Hopefully the people that stop in this evening atleast have an interest in cycling. Last night Carl and myself had to entertain the husbands of the ladies shopping at Goodwill next door. That sucks more than anything has sucked before.

Update...
My eating habits today are sub-par for an athlete in training. Someone needs to kick me in the junk.

Jeff Kerkove said at 11:31 AM :: ::

Monday, November 28

Saddle up partner!

The Cateye Enduro Team will firmly be planting their butts this year on Fizik saddles. Having run the Nisene for the last 5 years...and loved every minute of it, it's nice to be getting some product support from Fizik. Look for Sloane and myself to be riding the recently redesigned Nisene HP. Thanks Peter!!!

Jeff Kerkove said at 2:00 PM :: ::

Quickie

Started the MS (max strength) phase today at the YMCA. Nothing like lifting huge weight and a slow pace to make you wake up. Got through the entire workout with out bust'n a nut. Bonus. Tomorrow will be some cardio work. Have to make sure I don't get too big.

Saw Carl at the YMCA getting ready to start his duties as Basketball Court Riot Coordinator. He figured it out....get a PT job at the "Y"....get a free membership. This evil plan of his is working towards his race goals for next year.

Trans-Iowa V.2 details are coming along just fine. I am waiting on one more key item before I can unleash the slaughter on the online registration. It will be interesting to see who gets in this year. The first 70 are in. Everyone else will have to suffer through a week of RAGBRAI.

I think, right now I am officially mentally stable from yesterdays vicious wiener dog attack. Scary!

Time to prep for shop. How about those employee bios?

Jeff Kerkove said at 10:52 AM :: ::

Sunday, November 27

When Wiener Dogs Attack.

Let me first start by saying that wiener dogs are the devil. These dogs have no heart or soul. What kind of dog makes a bunch of cyclist go anerobic during a base ride? I'll tell you.

On one of our more hilly gravel loops there is a farm house at the farthest point from home. At this farm house reside 7 or so identical weiner dogs. Thes dogs chase like crazy. For the last 2 weeks we have not seen them. We have ridden by this farm ...and no dogs. Today was different, and I had my camera to document the whole thing. The funny part was me...riding down the center of the road one handed on a singlespeed spinning at what seemed like 150 rpm and snapping pictures. Needless to say Carl and myself both had to stay onthe gas to keep these little S.O.B's from nip'n at our heels.

Oh, crap.

Go Carl Go! I though Carl wasn't going to make it. The dogs came from both ditches in a well thought out attack.

These things run so fast that their legs are a total blur.

No doggy no!

This was cutting it close. 3 of the 7 dogs took after me like I was Kibbles-N-Bits. Good thing they never got within distance of sink'n their little teeth in me.

Other than the dogs, the ride was good. Had to push alittle wind on the way home, but that is no big deal. The wind is our mountains.

Jeff Kerkove said at 10:05 AM :: ::

Saturday, November 26

Case of the sniffles.

Dang it! Here we go again. Yesterday about 1 PM my nose started to run....and run......and run. Seems like this crap is still going around, and I have caught it again. My body feels OK, but my head is a bit stuffed up. I am not going to push it. No working-out today. Rather I will go in and cover for Carl at the shop around 2 bells. Speaking of the shop, most of the Europa Employee bios are up on the site. Anyone think Planters Peanut's bio is a bit...um....errr...not well thought out? What kind of shoes? What kind of short? Etc, etc, etc.

Thank God that it is getting towards X-Mas. The shop is starting to pick up now [insert "yipee" here]. People are looking for all those little stocking stuffer items. Had some guy in last night looking for suspension for his go-kart.............what? That is just one of the crazed customers we get atleast once a day. Also, we are selling the crap out of the Tifosi's. Great set of specs for the price. We have so much inventory right now, that people should be able to find what they are looking for.

I'd win more races if I had one of these for the podium.

.

Jeff Kerkove said at 8:00 AM :: ::

Friday, November 25

Next Phase Please.

Mission accomplished. The first phase of off season training is complete. The last month or so has been used to prep the body for the work load to come. I was doing mostly light riding and cardio work, and weight lifting.

For the next month or so, I will work on building the max amount of strength I can without looking like this guy...

Now, that would be scary. It might be good intimidation to look like this guy at the start line of a race, but I wonder how much fun climbing and raging through tight singletrack would be. Doh!

Anywho...
MS phase starts on Monday. It will last about a month. Bike time will start to pick up, but the intensity will be very low. I hope to get in some riding on Saturday and Sunday since the weather is looking to be sunny and highs in the mid-40's. Anyone else want to join me?

In good news...

Coffee good.

In bad news...

Using up the last of the coffee is bad. Very, very bad.

Time to get ready for work. Have to entertain the X-mas shoppers. By the way, who gts up at 2 AM to go sit outside the local Best Buy at 3 AM. And I thought I was hard-core.

Jeff Kerkove said at 10:46 AM :: ::

Thursday, November 24

Mr. T says...

Jeff Kerkove said at 10:30 AM :: ::

Wednesday, November 23

Windy Hell

After the weight lifting session this AM, I headed out for a ride to work in some more base. Carl joined me for what would be a pretty epic ride into a 25-30 mph sustained NW wind. Thank God the temps were sitting around 50 degrees, or the wind chills would have been dangerous. Speaking of the weather, this looks to one of the last days of outdoor riding for awhile since the high for the next 3 days is like 25 degrees F. Better get out and enjoy it while I can. If I would have missed today I would kick myself in the middle of Jan.

We went for a ride on the surface of the moon today.

Throw in loose gravel and a nasty head wind and you have ideal Trans-Iowa V.2 conditions.

Swiss National Champ stomp'n up the roller.

Stomp up the roller...coast back down.

Here is the view that my knee see's during the ride.

Carl was a bit overdressed today. Better safe than sorry I guess.

Yep, he's over dressed. And he listens to too much Quiet Riot.

Stopped for a quick snack in New Hartford. The hotdogs on the rollers......yeah......the hotdogs. We'll just forget about those. We opted for a granola bar.

More moon shots.

Time for work.

And for you local yahoo's...
There is a mnt bike / cyclocross ride starting from behind Bike Tech at 9 AM on Thanksgiving day.

Jeff Kerkove said at 12:30 PM :: ::

Cateye Enduro Has Kicks Supplier.

Word just in...
For the 2006 season, the Cateye Enduro Team presented by Giant Bicycles and Maxxis will be stomp'n on the pedals with Diadora shoes. Stay tuned for more info from Sloane and myself as we get some time in these shoes. In the meantime, click the logo below to head over and scope out the shoes.

Jeff Kerkove said at 7:40 AM :: ::

Tuesday, November 22

Sly says...

Sly says to get out and do your base miles, or he'll crush your skull under his smelly pit like a grape.

Word.

Jeff Kerkove said at 1:29 PM :: ::

Frigid Base

OK...

I am so pumped that 24 Hour NORBA Nationals are going to be in Wisconsin this year. The venue in northern WI is where I did my first 24 hour event. The first time I raced there, I placed 1 lap down to Tinker to finish 2nd. The last 2 years I have raced there, I have had bad luck: pulled muscle and then stomach issues. Maybe this year is my year to finally win this thing. Who knows? All the prep leading up to this event will tell.

Speaking of prep...
Todays workout needed to included the following things. One...low to moderate HR. Two...aerobic activity...whether it be stairmaster, running, or bike time. And three...2 hours in duration.

So I opted for some bike time with Carl. I kept the HR low and leg speed high. Here are some pictures from this AM's 27 degee F road ride.

Now, I have some Trans-Iowa V.2 stuff to take care of, and I have to suck down some black oil goodness.

Anyone local want to gravel grind tomorrow in the AM? JY? Adamson? Anyone?

I know where I am going to do my clothes shopping...

Jeff Kerkove said at 9:30 AM :: ::

24 Hour Nationals in Wisconsin!!!

Holy crap! The 24-9 is going to be the NORBA National 24 Hour race this year. My priorities are now set.

Jeff Kerkove said at 9:23 AM :: ::

Monday, November 21

I was sent this in an e-mail

So, someone sent this t-shirt to me via e-mail.

They were like..."Hey, you should get one of these."

OK. Not sure if I would go as far as a "Legend"

It's pretty cool though.

In other news...
Thanks to my Car Maintainence sponsor...Guitar Ted...for replacing the bulb in my headlight. Is there anything this guy can't do?

Carl is in a good mood. I know why! But I let him share the news when the time comes. For the meantime, head over to his site and try to figure it out.

That is all for now. Carl and myself are heading out for a base miles road ride. Good times. Todays ride will be fueled by the sounds of SEVENDUST playing in my skull.

Question for you...
Would you like to see video on this site? Pictures are starting to get pretty blaaaaaaaa. Sound off please!

Jeff Kerkove said at 8:25 PM :: ::

Good Information for Enduro Cyclists

Winter bike training.
Nutritional Supplements.
Ergogenic Aides.

Jeff Kerkove said at 1:36 PM :: ::

A few quick comments...

Getting ready to head to the YMCA for the final week of AA phase weight lifting. Yipee!
The dates for the 24 Hours of 9 Mile are set for 2006. Word.
Sager thinks I am insane.
Maybe Sager, Martin, and their host of friends should tackle Trans-Iowa. Thoughts?
Trans-Iowa V.2 sponsors are stepping up HUGE!
Citron Rob is still a deer slayer in my mind.
Coffee is good in large doses.
Time to mix up some MP3 madness via iTunes
Base miles on the road bike Tuesday at 8 AM...who's come'n with me?

Out.

Jeff Kerkove said at 6:04 AM :: ::

Sunday, November 20

Sunday Morning...More Base

This morning I headed out with Citron Rob and Robert Fry for some early season base. 3 freaks on bikes + 50ish or so miles of gravel + one cheap ass digital camera + one dead deer carcas = this blog posting. Enjoy.

Citron Rob rides a Fisher 29er. Because of this he dwarfs us all.

Robert Fry putting his VooDoo to shame.
Notice the extreme elevation in the background.
Nuts!

Citron Rob leading us into the wind.

This time of year, the roads are less traveled. So, we pretty much have control of the entire road.

Not sure what Citron Rob is doing here. Maybe this is when he reached into his crotch area to grab the Power Bar he said he was "warming up"

What the hell is so funny?
Oh, I know...It's your rear rack and bag. Right?
Just kidding.

Citron Rob trying to attack.

Rob, I see you...and your 3rd eye.
Weirdo.

Robert Fry thinking about attacking on a base ride? It never happened. If it would have Citron Rob and myself would have stopped and watched him ride off while pointing and laughing.

Citron Rob trying to explain why 29er wheels are better. Then he started rambling about how to keep Powerbars near your nether regions to keep them from getting hard. What?