My Halloween Costume.
Oooooooo. Scary.
Jeff Kerkove said at 8:22 AM
Tuesday, October 31
Work = Pleasure
Trails do not build themselves, although some people think so. Over the past year or so, 100's of man hours have went into the trail system up at Camp Ingawanis north of Waterloo/Cedar Falls. Click the picture to view a sample of just a small portion of the 13 or so miles that currently exist up there. Riders in the video include Bidwell and Dean. Cheers.
Jeff Kerkove said at 6:25 AM
Monday, October 30
Hear that sucking sound?
Yeah, it's this blog. I have a lot going on at the moment. Normal blogging will resume to peak levels when I get back to my normal day to day.
In the meantime...How about a new bike or 2?
Jeff Kerkove said at 12:34 PM
Sunday, October 29
Sunday Spin'n
60 degrees. 3 hours in the saddle. What more could you ask for on a late October day?
Jeff Kerkove said at 2:53 PM
Friday, October 27
I have ridden a bike...
...in the past few days. While over in Germany, I had the chance to get out on one of the Topeak-Ergon World Cup team bikes for about 2.5 hours. While on this ride I also got to try out the new backpack that ERGON will have coming out for 2007.
Sorry, I have no pictures, other than this one from Eurobike, cause it was raining during the ride so I didn't carry a my camera. Anyway, I was taken to the local mtb stomping grounds by Ergon design guru and Topeak-Ergon Team rider Kim Tofaute (far left).
We rode some nice singletrack trails that were around 3 ft wide and climbed the foothills around the town. The climbing was great, cause as an Iowan you do not get this very often. So the 45 minute climb to the top was a welcome helping of lactic burn.
The backpack was special. One I started ridding offroad it automatically showed how different it was from everything else that currently exists in the market. The inside has a hydration bladder, along with a section of organizational compartments to help keep your gear in line. The only contact points on the riders body are the tops of the shoulders and lumbar section. The rest of the pack sits off your body and allows those who use a 3 pocket cycling jersey access into those jerseys.
The highlight feature of this pack is the socket-joint that sits on the upper part of the pack. This joint allows the pack to stay centered on your body while to twist and turn through trail. Also, the design of the pack helps to distribute the pack weight. I was carrying a bit of extra weight to get a good idea of how the pack works. The more weight...the better. You could be carrying 15lbs of gear, but it will feel like you are carrying 3lbs. ITS CRAZY!!!! I told Kim, that this pack would ideal for events like Great Divide, Trans-Alps, Trans-Iowa, and Kokopelli style events. I was blown away by how light and what this pack does. As with all Ergon products, you have to try it to believe it. There is so much thought that goes into this pack it is sick!
Look for this pack in the near future. There will be 2 sizes available for both mens and womens bodies. I am not 100% sure on price-points yet.
Jeff Kerkove said at 5:14 AM
Thursday, October 26
Where in the World....
The Rhine River
My lodging right off the river.
Looking across the Rhine at the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.
Deutsches Eck
Looking down the Mosel.
Pano-view of the Rhine & Mosel.
Urban action which begs to be seen by bike.
One of a million churches in the area.
Aufenthalt stimmte, mehr ab, um an den nächsten Tagen zu kommen.
Jeff Kerkove said at 5:07 AM
Friday, October 20
Blogging on Pause.
Going to be pre-occupied till October 25.
Not sure how much computer time I will have, so don't get your hopes up.
I'll be back.
In the mean time, check out my bikes for sale....please.
Jeff Kerkove said at 7:05 AM
Thursday, October 19
Off Season in Full Swing.
Ugh...this is the worst time of the year as a cyclist in this part of the world. The endurance season is over and it is time to do nothing for a month to let the body rebuild for the thrashing it took during the past 10 months.
For me this involves doing pretty much nothing. No riding. No running. Nothing but work, TV, and sleep. It's driving me nuts. I wonder how people with no hobbies survive life. Yesterday I watched 2 hours of TV, and when I was done I felt like this.
Ugh. It's ony a matter of time before things get back in full swing. The daily routine of weights, stairmaster, and spinning will be enough to make me a well tuned machine. Here is a idea of what an off seasons like for a cyclist. This is pretty basic, but a good outline to start with.
I think this off seson will be different for me. The are some possible big changes in store. Stay tuned! The next 3 weeks or so are going to be mind blowing!!!
Now it is time to heal the finger and sell the bikes...
Jeff Kerkove said at 6:52 AM
Tuesday, October 17
FOR SALE: A Pair of Cannondale's
Rush 1 Details(Available as Frame, Lefty, and Stem)
Frame: '06 Cannondale Rush 3000 (size L)
Fork: '06 Cannondale Lefty DLR Carbon
Rear Shock: Fox RP3
Stem: Cannondale 100mm, 31.8
PRICE: BEST OFFER
Rush 2 Details
Frame: '06 Cannondale Rush 3000 (size L)
Fork: '06 Cannondale Lefty DLR Carbon
Rear Shock: Fox RP3
Stem: Cannondale 100mm 31.8
Brakes: Hayes El Camino
Front Der: Shimano XT
Shifters: SRAM X9
Rear Der: SRAM X9
Handle Bar: FSA Alum flat bar
Seatpost: FSA Alum.
Saddle: Fizik Gobi
Grips: Ergon
Pedals: N/A
Crankset: FSA Afterburner
Chain: SRAM 9sp
Cassette: SRAM 12-34
Wheelset: Mavic X17 laced to XT rear hub and Cannondale Lefty front
Tires: Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.1 (new tires, never been ridden)
PRICE: BEST OFFER
Rush 2 Pictures below...
If you are interested in either of these bikes, want to wheel-n-deal, or have questions please e-mail me using the link to the left.
Frame: '06 Cannondale Rush 3000 (size L)
Fork: '06 Cannondale Lefty DLR Carbon
Rear Shock: Fox RP3
Stem: Cannondale 100mm, 31.8
PRICE: BEST OFFER
Rush 2 Details
Frame: '06 Cannondale Rush 3000 (size L)
Fork: '06 Cannondale Lefty DLR Carbon
Rear Shock: Fox RP3
Stem: Cannondale 100mm 31.8
Brakes: Hayes El Camino
Front Der: Shimano XT
Shifters: SRAM X9
Rear Der: SRAM X9
Handle Bar: FSA Alum flat bar
Seatpost: FSA Alum.
Saddle: Fizik Gobi
Grips: Ergon
Pedals: N/A
Crankset: FSA Afterburner
Chain: SRAM 9sp
Cassette: SRAM 12-34
Wheelset: Mavic X17 laced to XT rear hub and Cannondale Lefty front
Tires: Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.1 (new tires, never been ridden)
PRICE: BEST OFFER
Rush 2 Pictures below...
If you are interested in either of these bikes, want to wheel-n-deal, or have questions please e-mail me using the link to the left.
Jeff Kerkove said at 10:35 AM
I am a SockGuy!
So I got me some new threads for my feet...my feet are happy! I have used many-a-sock in my day. That list includes: LIN, DeFeet, Trek, Nike, and some random off brands. Every time I find myself going back to SockGuy. Buying socks is just like buying cycling shorts, and bike saddles. Everybody requires a different style/fit due to different body shapes and types.
For me, the fit is right on, and the ankle cuff is high and a tad wider than most brands. When I have these magical slippers on my feet I can hardly tell I am wearing them. Another thing that I encounter with other socks is the toe area blows out after a few endurance races. SockGuy is the only sock that I have never had a hole develope in the toe area.
So, do I wear them just on the bike? Heck no! These socks grace my hoofs all day on and off the bike. Some of their graphics are pretty crazy looking. Enough so, that while wearing them at work the sock will catch the customers eye having them make a comment such as....."Nice socks, what are they?"
Well, there is my praise to socks. Never thought I would do that, but when I am pumped about a product I use....you are going to hear it! If you look at the picture close, and a a SockGuy fan you might notice a new sock style: Royale. You could tag this sock as...For Race Use Only! The New "Royale" line of socks are an ultra lightweight sock originally designed for the intense conditions of European road racing. The single layer ribbed cuff provides exceptional support while reducing weight and increasing breathability. Cool eh!
So, what socks are the rest of you riding/racing on?
Jeff Kerkove said at 7:07 AM
Monday, October 16
Head Spin'n.
A billion things to get done over the next week or so: proposals, selling a bike(s), travel, trips to Dr. etc, etc. They say the off-season is a time for recovery, but so far it has been nothing but run-n-gun since Oct. 7. I can pretty much tell you that blogging will be a bit sub-par for this week. I have my hands full. I am going to try to get up some product reviews it time allows. Other than that, don't get your hopes up. Sorry.
Also, just worked up a flyer for the Back 2 School CX event up in Northfield, MN. Check it out if you are into this kind of thing!
Jeff Kerkove said at 7:14 AM
Saturday, October 14
Weekend Bits-N-Pieces
Weekend is here. This has definitely been one of the most messed up weeks in a looooooong time. Good that it is finished up so that I can get on with my normal day-to-day. So here is what I have got going over the next few weeks....
- Meet with the fine folks at Ergon.
- Sell one of these...if not both. I am accepting all reasonable offers via e-mail.
- Go back to the Dr. to have him look at my finger, which I might add, does not really hurt any more and I am starting to be able to move it more and more each day.
- Plan out my '07 race schedule...and figure out which direction the team will head.
That's all.
One final note....feel'n unattractive? Get yourself some image-builder clothing!
Jeff Kerkove said at 6:20 AM
Friday, October 13
Thursday, October 12
Fill in the blank....
"Hey Kerkove, your finger looks like a _______________."
Jeff Kerkove said at 8:32 AM
Wednesday, October 11
Back to normal...
...or atleast as normal as I get. Total of about 4 hours spent at the hospital by the time I got in, and then got out. Guess, they put in a bunch of Ti pins and stuff. Was also told to that when the accident happened I ripped off most of the tendons from that finger. Cool. Back to daily grind tomorrow.
Jeff Kerkove said at 4:28 PM
Today is the day.
I know which scalpel I would rather be getting today...
Jeff Kerkove said at 5:00 AM
Tuesday, October 10
Worth a thousand words...
Chris Eatough (right) sits in the first aid tent after the 24 Hour Solo non-UCI World Championship, with an I.V. in his arm, while medics treat Australia's Craig Gordon for severe dehydration following Gordon's win in the epic battle.Picture and story here.
Jeff Kerkove said at 12:20 PM
What's on tap....
Today: Physical to see if I can handle surgery, then into work.
Wednesday: Surgery in Waverly.
Thursday: Back to the daily grind...I hope.
Friday: Payday! Pay the bills and stuff.
Saturday and beyond: Figure out 2007 sponsorship details. Get things pounded out for the trip to Ergon.
Jeff Kerkove said at 7:46 AM
Monday, October 9
Ball'd Up Week.
Bunch of out-of-the-norm stuff going on this week. First, we have the whole finger thing. Going to be trips back and forth to the Dr. to see when they are going to insert all the fun stuff into my finger. Could be today...or Tuesday....or Wednesday....or Thursday....or whenever. Since there are scrapes on my finger where they need to "go in" they have wait.
Other item on my plate involves travel to far off places. More to come on that, when things are set in stone.
This is all I am typing, cause it takes too darn long to type with one hand.
Jeff Kerkove said at 6:40 AM
Sunday, October 8
Which as more prestige?
Winning Solo Non-UCI World's...or...winning 24 Hours of Moab?
I have raced both and each has it's tough parts. Moab has a tough course that is relentless due to sand and rock ledges. World's has top notch talent combined with a good course.
So, what do you think?
Which would you rather win?
Seems more are into Moab based on racer turn out. Thoughts?
Jeff Kerkove said at 10:22 AM
Saturday, October 7
Busted!
In the ERYep. Broken finger. BAD! Take a pencil...break it in half...and that is what my x-ray looked like. How'd it happen? Bunch of us moving a big log during mountain bike trail work, and when we set it down...SNAP! Oh well, a freak accident. As I type this it is still broken. I go in on Monday for surgery to have the plates and screws put in. Sweet! My off season officially starts today.
How it'll be till Monday or Tuesday
This not my x-ray, but this is how it looked.
Jeff Kerkove said at 6:14 PM
Jackasses on Gravel
Had about 8 of us show up for some full moon gravel grinding...aka...Jackass: the ride. The plan was to head south to Traer, then loop around back to Waterloo. Well, we ran out of time, and only made it to within about 8 miles of Traer before the all voted to get back home and eat. Below are some pretty crazy pictures of a night ride that needed no lights. That's right! Almost 95% of the ride was done under the light given off by the full moon. Enjoy!
Saul, Craig, and Blue discuss light sources.
Saul said he felt like have a Ned moment this evening by dressing the part.
Is this the Cannondale catalog photoshoot?
Headed south of Cedar Falls to meet up with the Waterloo guys near the entrance to the gravel.
They were not kidding when they said there would be a full moon.
Sun setting in the West.
Fry, Buchanandale, and Blue grind a long.
Fry decided to try out a recently picked bean field insearch of a smoother ride.
Not much light left.
Saul takes it all in.
Adamson says his good byes as he leaves us to head back home.
The rest of us continue on. What is Saul doing here....A. Talking to himself.
B. Breathing hard.
C. In the early stages of blowing chunks.
D. None of the above.
Father and Son.
All is quiet on this farm.
5 or so miles North of Traer we regrouped and decided to head back home.
Nice sun...err...moon!
Fry throws on the leg warmers...and does alittle dance.Temps when we started to head home were hovering around 50 degrees.
Bike down!
We (refering to Buchanandale, Blue, Saul, and myself) slow-pokes take in the view of Waterloo from the south. Fry, Doug, and Craig busted ass back to town...something about the Juice Bar having 2 for 1.
That's a wrap!
Jeff Kerkove said at 5:16 AM
