Teen Age Wasteland

On the way home from work Friday eve I heard a song from The Who that still stands the test of time. Maybe not so much the lyrics or the vocals or the arrangement, but as an entire package it is still a pleasure to listen to. I remember rocking to this  song when it first came out, accessible to the first time listener and yet complex enough for those of us who seek deeper meaning and soul satisfaction through music. Not that I was thinking that The Who were deities but as craftsman their work stands the test of time on vinyl or c.d..
I did catch The Who, or at least the last two remaining members, for the super bowl and just as I had expected Sir Roger and Sir Peter were better on their LP's of the 60's & 70's than at the woeful live performance.  Some how seeing teenage wasteland performed by mid-sixty year old men was not how I remembered the music...best to keep my memories. That's what I think about all these groups from 20, 30 & 40 years ago, better to remember them and us as then and not now.
I feel that same way about myself, better to leave my ways in the past than try to morph myself into a regurgitated version of my 20 something self. Feeling young in heart, mind and spirit is great and I want to be young at heart for the rest of my life. But it's not the same as going to see these old guys just to capture a bit of yesteryear and P A R T Y like they used to, that's not reality.
I always wanted to be a rocker. I like rock and roll, weather from the 60's or the 21st century if it's good I play it. Of course it's good according to my taste maybe not yours but I really love it when someone turns me onto new stuff I want to hear but didn't know it.

A few years ago I was in the fashion district of Tokyo and while looking in the rock clothing stores I bumped into a nice young woman who was from Orange county of all places and we started to talk.  When I asked what brought her to Japan she said her boyfriend was in a band touring there. I asked the name of the band and if they were playing a club so we could go see them. Her reply was they were not playing clubs but the big arena in Tokyo. As we were talking this tall guys came up beside her and she introduced us and the name of the band he played drums for, Avenged Sevenfold. I spent some time listening to the music and focused on the art of his drumming. I never became a hugh fan but it still is evident that his skill was of great and his soul was in every beat.  This is for the A.S. site and their tribute to friend and band member, Jimmy Sullivan 'The Rev' : http://www.avengedsevenfold.com/   With deep sympathy to Fiona and the Sullivan family.
So anyway be well all and cycle fast be cause if I pass you on the road stop at Peets, your buying.

End of an Era

Three years ago I was 255 pounds, as your readers know, and since I couldn't live with myself anymore I made my way to the gym in the complex were I work. Fortunately this is a well equipped gym with very good trainers who don't mind sharing their hard earned secrets to a slim and toned world.  Upon entering this world I began to look at my self and how I got to this point, which took a great number of years and careless but epicurean indulgent ways.
As I had been a chef for many years and had enjoyed success as well as the great foods of the world, indulgence was the key to a palate which rivaled that of a painter of fine art. That as they say is that. So in many ways I had worked hard for my girth and I felt that even at the cost of my health that I was a living work of art. In that respect in the culinary world it was my place to seek out and be intimate with the all the subtle and exotic flavors of the world. But then there was the end of an era about 10 years ago and I said goodbye to the professional kitchen.
Unfortunately I held to my portly ways and keep my chefly figure for quite some time. Even at a time when I saw myself for what I was I didn't have the inner ability or fortitude to set a course that would benefit me and my family. Sometimes when we lest expect it an epiphany will grab hold of our very being and take the road less traveled...or in common terms I had a gun to my head and had to find that passion for sport once again or be forever portly.

So off to the gym I went and for two years I pumped iron and ran on the tread mill. Many thanks to this great quickening of the spirit, my heart beat slow and strong with a blood pressure low and steady. As I pushed myself to the ends of my envelope each time it was if I was reopening to my very soul, renewed and refreshed...all that for $50 bucks a month at the local gym! Such a deal.
Then last July, in the middle of my third year at the gym, I was tiring of the routine,  I watched the Tour De France every single day in it's entirety, the spark of the competition and self determination ignited in me the next step of my journey. I started to go to spin class but it wasn't enough I needed the pedals of a bike and the smells of the road to complete the transformation. And so the end of my journey with the gym is at hand but the memories will stay with me as I lean into the head wind  ever-day I test my resolve on the Trek. The rest is written in the earlier blogs for all to read. To all those at the beginning, middle or even the end of your journey be well, be strong and peace be the journey.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.

Around town

Saturday is my long ride and low HR day, you know a 40 to 45 miler with no racing or intervals just all spin and grin. For two and a half hours I have no destination to get to in a hurry or as the song says," ...with no particular place to go..." That seems to be the perfect way to spend a Saturday, just hours in the saddle and enjoyment of the road and all it's hidden aspects.  I dig it!
This last Saturday I rode from my house 20 miles to outskirts of town and 10 more to the center. Then it's back home or a meet with someone in town and have lunch. This last week was no different, I started out with out any expectations accept to see Naples. Even though I have seen this scenery for ten years I get to 'see' more if I have no expectations.  There were lots of cyclists on the rode but can you tell me why some give the wave, you know the recognition from one cyclist to another, and others don't even look up? I keep thinking that maybe it's because I ride a 4 year old Trek and one made in the US...that's got to be it!
The weather was perfect overcast, 60 degrees with a 5 mph breeze that shifted directions. Not like last weekend that had 20 mph head wind with gust up 45 mph, but it was still fun. So I'm riding around and having a great time keeping my HR down and seeing some back streets I haven't seen. In case I haven't told you Naples is the home of every exotic car ever built by man. In fact so many the easiest way for me to describe it would be to tell you to go to a Magazine shop, look up some obscure car and then come see it being driven here in Naples. It's just that cool.
Besides having a septuagenarian not see me merging in to a lane that she decided to occupy at the last minute, because she was talking to her friend about what ever it was she was talking about and not 'seeing' the traffic, it was a very good ride. You know how if you push yourself to be consistent past the pain and ride the hills, or in this case the overpasses, standing on the pedals and that finale couple of miles your legs are burning but you are not going to back off because you want to go past this stage of your development? Well I was there and the feeling of accomplishment was like standing on top of the Golden Gate bridge and seeing everything at once. That's when I got lazy. Turning into the parking lot where I was meeting the wife, I was euphoric and I did not see the drainage grate that I see every time I ride into that lot. Well my front rim sunk into that  space between grate and blacktop, I went over the bars as gracefully as I could taking as much weight off the rim as possible to save it and down I went. Nothing broken or maimed and I was fine too. Just goes to show how not focusing for a split second can put a hurt on you and/or your ride. The Trek lost a tube and ripped the side wall on the front tire which was the extent of the damage, I got just a little rash and didn't even rip my kit..WHEW! Lesson learned.
 Well keep at it and if I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.
PS, Versus has broadcast  the Tour of Qatar. The tour looked very interesting but had an announcer who sounded very dull, kinda like at the golf course. To top it off he had no back-round commentary which is the usual affair on this channel. Versus usually has done a good job of giving us all the back stories and such, this time I slept through it.

So, that's what it's like...

Last night, Thursday, I rode with the 'a' group. A group with the few of the 'b' group. whats the differance you ask? I'll tell you , the a group is 3 to 5 mph faster group than the b's and that extra little speed can make you wonder why you joined this group...especially when you get popped off the back half way into it. Sometime you don't have a choice because the b's didn't show or only a coupe. So the b's, I being one of them, halfheartedly join the a's knowing full well we will get our A's dropped in the middle of the ride and have to peddle back alone or catch up to other stragglers.
That's the way of the universe you know. A types, well kick a_ _ and  lead the way while b types work hard for the next spot an so on. All through my career as a commie, student  learning all the different stations in the kitchen until I made sous-chef and finally chef it was the way in the kitchen. And the A types are always ready to take the lead that's just how they are built!
So the ride got off to a quick start with every one feeling the start-up jitters and wanting to get off to a good start. As we rounded the bend the group settled down and got in to a good rhythm at 22 mph.  Tonight instead of hanging on I felt very strong and even had a the cadence. By mid way we were in the 23 1/2 mph   pace and I was in the flow...it felt good! It was not like hanging on it was like flying at a very low level, wow.
So as we approach the last couple of miles and every one starts cueing up for the sprint I wondered what it would be ike to finnish with these guys. I had done my obligatory two pulls at the front which left me needing the shelter of the middle of the pelaton. So, rested as good as I could in this quickening pace of 24 mph I made my way to the middle of the pace line. As the A types blasted past us one of them said to me, come on lets go, to which I replied, this is all I got, as they plowed past me.
 It was not all for loss as the remainder of the guys grouped up and we excelled by bettering our regular cadence. AS we approached the last 4oo yards one of the guys who never takes a pull decided to show just how good he was and took off. This was BS to me so I kick it into the next gear and pulled the group up to our heroic breakaway candidate and left him to wallow in the middle of the pack...nuff said about lame people and their ways.
I did it and so did my compadres, we rode with the A guys and did pretty well. All I could say was, so that's what it's like to cross the line at 26 mph like the type A's.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.

Curry chicken

I don't know about you but I love curry; red curry, green curry, gold curry or yellow curry. I love Indian curry, north and south, Philippine curry with coconut pancakes; Thai curry hot and scintillating, Japanese curry robust and creamy, Chinese curry, Indonesian, British, Island curry and everywhere in between. I guess you could say I haven't met a curry I didn't like or I should say LOVE! To my family it's soul food and we have eaton a lot over the years. Truthfully 'the wife' makes a mean curry chicken with Basmahti rice that we devour and sit around with fat tummies like milk fed puppies.
 Like this spicy dish with it's subtle but distinct differences that vary from county to country this years pro schedule has all the possibilities to upset  the big names by just being in the race, that's why it's called 'wild card'. no one will ever know what injury, team disharmony or even bad luck will be the right blend for a spicy newcomer to take the lead in a Grand Tour  So why do I say that? Just look at all this raw talent and don't even take my word for it, look at the rosters @http://www.uci.ch/templates/BUILTIN-NOFRAMES/Template1/layout.asp?MenuId=MTU4MTU&LangId=1. Also look at the writings of some of the blogs in the column next to this one.
The UCI calendar for this year can be seen @ http://www.uci.ch/templates/UCI/UCI2/layout.asp?MenuId=MTUyMjQ&LangId=1

WILD CARDS are unpredictable and I don't just mean teams I mean some fresh blood, new meat, young legs who don't know enough to let the big names have their do, or think they are doing their best to get a ride on a big team next year while kicking ass all the way to the finnish line and by just being impetuous and young. I say Great, go to it and do it, make every one work hard for their spots and lets get the best to be the best every step of the way!
Like our beloved curry why wouldn't we want every countries best to be the best? If they are from Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Japan, Basque, Germany, Mexico, the USA and every where else who produce great riders.
No matter what team or which rider gains prominence by winning or having the worst year ever I LOVE THIS SPORT. I also wish each and every one of these fine men Godspeed.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.

Blowing in the wind

This winter has been the worst winter ever. I don't recall when we have had this bad of a snow blown, frozen waste land type of winter in my life of 51 years. Our weather is not global warming as far as I can tell and no man can interrupt it . Sooo, I'll just stick with the  version that the insurance agency uses, 'act of God'.  But that's not what I want to talk about...it is the weather that has been a boon for the cyclists in SW Florida.

The windy days have supplied us with built in resistance to ride against with moveable scenery! Saturday I rode a 30 mile scenic journey with 20 to 30 mph gusts. It was a short ride...on the return, but going was the best time I've had on my Trek in a while. I think it's the thrill of accomplishment that gets me 'rock-in' in the saddle.  What I mean is shear challenge of a18 mph head wind while keeping the HR in the range of 147 to 157, still moving at a pace that is faster than 'standing still' and smiling as I beat out my rhythmic  cadence is the best.

There were four bridges to go over, two long ones with steep inclines on small and one do that was steep enough to ask your self "was that even needed'?  I approached each one with respect knowing that the wind on top of an unprotected bridge could just as easily have ended in disaster rathe than the leg burning. blood pumping  endurance ride I wanted. Of the four bridges the first and the last are nice big crushers. Not like the big mountains in the western states that go forever, but big enough with the addition of the constant wind and gusts to make it feel like a good hill workout. Enough in fact that as I got to the top of the 200 yard incline of the bridge in the photo above, at the end of my out ward bound leg,  I was out of my saddle and keeping my hr at 157 this gust stopped me dead in my tracks like a hugh hand pushing against and say 'none shall pass'...that I will never forget!
It took me 1 hour and fifteen minutes to get to the mid point and thirty five minutes to get back. WHAT A RIDE! I go back.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.
PS keep an eye on the velo news and blogs, it's beginning to heat up for the pro-teems.

Working for 'the Man'

Yep, I work for 'the Man'. I have for 7 1/2 years and it's been a good job for the most part. But lately it's been a real bunch of crap. You see 2010 ushered in all these new laws, statutes and regulations to keep the bad guys from getting around the old laws, regulations and statutes. Good plan but who does the dirty work? WHO ELSE, THE LOW LEVEL BEAUACRATS LIKE ME. Of course the real pay off is that I and the others like me get to ask the same questions over and over again in order to get all the paper work and answers needed to produce the licenses. Sound like fun?
It's really not that bad and it has to be done. There are a great many interesting people that really makes it all worth it. But on the other hand there are the pinheads, you know the type, right? First these types are always right. Next, even thought they know exactly what they need they never have it. 3rd these types complain, cry, bitch and moan to get what they want. If that is not working then you are the obsticle  and for that you are too be delt a vicious bad mouthing using all the worst curse words known.  WOW really good stuff.
Listen, if your being trashed then by all meens don't hold back. But if you are the one doing the trashing then I need to remind you what LA said about the race, your not in second place your 1st loser.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.
More on the Sky team, Wiggo and the like:
http://www.versus.com/blogs/in-the-know/jon-vaughters-explains-comments-about-wiggins-astana-and-armstrong/

Just dial it down a notch

Recently I've seen a big rush by our government branch's to get everyone on board to be vegetarians, take classes to stop smoking, lose weight and fit into a certain body type. And you know to get the good health insurance as opposed to the crappy stuff, you have to take the classes and be real rah-rah about it, you know kinda like an Am way meeting. Now I'm all for being healthy and I think that a person should be on top of their health, but it's their health and can't be legislated. Although it seems like in the 21st century it will be regulated by a committee in the long run. From my point of view it kinda seems like the start of a Eugenics program.
Here are some other views that match these new societal pressures:
if you hate smoking but support  legalizing Marijuana then you are a hypocrite or maybe it's the DOPE talking. If you don't like going into smoking bars don't go into one, that's your choice and it should be the person who smokes choice to smoke. Also what kind of moronic person takes away someones rights in order to feel superior and/or make a point about how to be healthy like them...who the frack cares about how an oppressor thinks? It's NOT about you!
Those of us who's  lifestyle is mainly vegetarian but enjoy a thick juicy steak now and then don't want the government do-gooders telling us about what is considered by some to be 'bad habits'. I work hard, pay my bills and my taxes so I don't want some bafoon that's appointed as a 'health Czar' to tell me I don't meet some height/weight chart or BMI, Body Mass Index, that's posted on their wall in their office. Call me crazy but that's the last thing I want my tax dollars wasted on.
Yep, there are lots of hot buttons in our country now but legislating health has never worked and it never will because frankly, no one cares what the government thinks about them. People only want friends to be there for them period. Realistically humanitarians look at the content and not the package, make since? So put away the stick and pick up the yolk and lets get busy getting the adventure of life together.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.
PS, just a thought. If big fish eats a little fish and we are still fish eaters then when animals who eat vegetarian and we eat them why are we not vegetarians?

Last word?

I don't know about you but all this time spent on weather LA is doping or not is just about as productive as using unterminated seed in the

desert. Dead is dead especially in infertile soil. I want to look at all the different guys in the last 20 plus years that have shown 'signs' of roids and doping.
It is necessary to look at what I remember to be the first roid droid from football, Lyle Alonzo. This was back in the late 80's when no one really knew about HIV, roids or personal computers. I remember seeing Lyle as a defensive back and what a monster he was, the first of the really big-big guys in football. He was truly an outrageous gay with a huge attitude and the power to back it up. He also went on the pro wrestling tour for a while to be fairly successful. Then he dropped out of sight for awhile and turned up just thin and looked beat like and old horse. As he unfolded his story on a late-night talk show my first thought was...WHAT?
 You know back then I thought that all the fuss was stupid but when you look at the body builders from the 90's and all the roid connected deaths, strokes and uncontrollable rages I began to understand that this is a problem.  So then I dug around in the old noodle only to remember that the guys who did steroids lost their ability to reproduce children and became inhumanly hugh in the muscle dept., you know, freakish. http://www.lifeinthefastlane.ca/when-bodybuilding-and-steroids-go-too-far/offbeat-news/comment-page-6
So anyway I think there is a difference between steroids and doping of the 21st center but with this one similarity, side effects over the long run. Yeah, side effects. If someone consistently did any kind of drugs or enhancers it would be evident over a period of time. I know how prescriptions can effect a person over a period of time I can only imagine what kind of weird side effects it can have now with these designer drugs such as EPO.  http://www.vet.uga.edu/VPP/CLERK/strait/index.php This study was done on a dog but with what would be the same effects in a human. LA does not show these signs. http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=3874 The control labs and finale board of hearing for Taylor Hamilton in 2005 admitted that some problems in the lab with switching bar-code labels on the blood still didn't make him innocent. A test can only be as good as the integrity of those who give it and those who oversee it. This point is relevant in all walks of life, But to look at a couple of recent guys that were skinny and not very successful in their sport then BAM, they blew up take a look at these guys, Mark Mcgwire, Chris Beloit,  Do the research and be the judge for yourself. But either way lets stop the witch hunt, all that does is kill innocents and we look like idiots in history!
So When I look at LA all I can say is "it's been 10 years and either fish or cut bait". That's a normal thing to say when you are so tired of the gamesmanship and other b.s. that only takes the energy of everyone from the fans, the officials and even the media who's life's blood is in scandal and hype. I'm sorry but let's move on and look at what has been the accomplishment and not the dark cloud the surrounds this guy...and hey congrats to the new father Lance.  Enough about LA now, move on.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.
just more info to get a handle on what EPO is, http://kidney-beans.blogspot.com/2009/08/epo-erythropoietin-for-anemia.html

Today is today

Having nothing in common with the technocrats in washington and really feeling like all of them don't even know 'We the people' egzist, I can't even bring myself to hear Mr Obama or watch another capitol hill yutz yet once again. The inane drivel that comes out of these peoples mouth as they take off their suit coats, with cost more than some people make in a year, and roll up the sleeves of their shirts like they are actually are going to be doing the work is an insult to working men and women everywhere. The shear oddity of these fakers thinking that 'we the people' haven't even begun to work yet or seen the Government at work yet, that is until they rolled up their respective sleeves, is enough to make me HURL!
So with that out of my system I want to move ahead and talk about today. What are you doing today?
Funny, when I asked that question I didn't know one of my hard drives would die right after I typed that sentence. I started this last night, Wednesday, and just threw my hands in the air in the international 'I give up' sign which is widely recognized in every language and culture in the world. It is also known as the 'I'm fracked' and the 'just shoot me because it's not going to get any better than this' sign.  Not to be confused with the throwing the hands in the air as you cross the finnish line in a TDF stage win, that one is know as the 'OMG I did it' or 'V for victory' which is also universally known. In some circles it can be the 'ain't I great' or the 'thank you for that applause'.  But last night it was the 'there are no words for this injustice and yes, this is the perfect end to what could be a perfect day'  and fore-sure it is a distilled down to the gesture of 'take me lord I'm ready' sign.
Today however is different, well, today is today and it deserves to be looked at all on it's own merits. No better just because it's today and no worse, just today.  My usual Thursday evening club ride went very well, so well that despite my legs felling sore and having no snap that we rode the 25 miles in and hour twelve. Or should I say I did, the fast guys were way ahead at the sprint. In many ways I see the improvement and yet there is still so much room to improve...but that's tomorrow.  Ahhh, anyway have a great weekend.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.

Dats da shizel

Here we go again and I see, off to a good start for a Monday. I am trying to get my act together for this summer of big rides but I keep getting in my own way. The regime for February was 'spose to start today and up in smoke it went...PUFF!
The regime consists of a couple of doubles a week. For example Monday is the start of the week so I want to start fresh with a 7 am 20 mile slow ride usually in the 18 to 22mph range. Lunch time is abbs and lower bck at the gym and 6pm kill the spinn class riders with Frau Bluker. Tuesday is in the gym at lunch with some light/high rep upper body and core, the evenings velo ride is a 25 miles of 22 to 24 mph with a sprint the last mile. Wednesday is rest day for riding but heavy leg say in the gym and I'm really shot the rest of the day. Thursday is a recovery ride in the morning, and hour of 140-150 hr. Lunch time is the abs and lower back and the velo rides in the eve again. Friday ends the work week, but not the cycling week, with a gym day only, focus on what ever needs to be focused on. So that leaves Saturday or Sunday for the long miles sometimes with hills, a bridge gone over several times in this flat land, or just 140 to 160 hr ride of 45 to 65 miles. The later I really try to focus on rhythm, stroke, saddle position and finding the edges...that's the plan anyway.

Today, Monday, that plan went up in smoke with the no-sleep night followed by the I'm not getting out of bed to ride this morning and the we didn't save your bike in the cycling class tonight. JUST A GREAT WAY TO START! But, and if you know me that's a big but, Despair or frustration always gives way to determination and 'seeing' that this week is just beginning and 'the plan' is not over till it's over. And for me it's just the start of February so I get tough with myself and kick my own arsh and get going. Just like all 'b type' personalities do. After-all this is not for a day or a month it's for a life of sport and fun and pain and well, life and tomorrow is another day. Now it's a game focused more on the hours on the bike, hopefully 7 to 10 and not the miles. Now dats da schizel.
If I pass you on the road stop at Peets, because your buying.

Did you see that?

Just for you American cycling fans I have the Versus TV broadcast schedule, or as the Brits would say Shed-ule. So set your Tivo or DVR, get your party hats on and have a Classics party with the Velo club and celibate the fact that we in the US get to actuality see the Pros close to real time.

For the complete guide just cut and paste: http://www.versus.com/blogs/epic-cycle/2010-epic-cycle-schedule/
Tour of Qatar: February 21, 3-4p ET
Qatar is big business in the cycling world, despite the not exactly bicycle friendly conditions and regularly attracts the biggest names from the sport, and the country is seriously being mooted for a Tour de France start.
Tour of Oman: February 28, 3-4p ET
The city of Muscat in the Sultana of Oman, Eddy Merckx and Dirk De Pau have found an agreement in order to organise a new road cycling event, from the 14th to the 19th of February 2010 for which the technical organisation will be entrusted to Amaury Sport Organisation, organisers of the Tour de France.
Paris-Nice: March 7 & 14, 5-7p ET
Paris-Nice, "the race to the sun", is a professional cycling stage race starting March 7th. This year the start will take place in Montfort l'Amaury
Paris Roubaix: April 11,  Time TBD
Paris-Roubaix is one of the oldest cycle races of the professional road cycling calendar. First run in 1896, there are 28 cobbles sections included in the race, three of them considered to be of maximum difficulty.
Liege Bastogne Liege: April 25, 5-6p ET
Liege-Bastogne-Liege is the last major spring classic. First held in 1882, Liege Bastogne Liege is known as the 'La Doyenne" because it is the oldest classic on the cycling calendar. It is one of the most prestigious and exacting events of the season. The out and back race through the Belgian Ardennes countryside is one of the most difficult races because it tests every rider's endurance and ability to race over a series of high gradient hills. Legendary climbs such as the Cote de Wanne, Saint Roche, Stockeu and la Redoute force the riders to dig deep.
Tour de Romandie: May 2, 5-7p ET
The Tour de Romandie is a stage race which is part of the UCI ProTour. It runs in the old Romandie region, in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. It began in 1947, to coincide with the 50-year celebration of the Swiss Cycling.
Tour of California: May 16-23, Times TBD
The largest cycling event in America, the 2010 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, presented by AEG, that challenges the world's top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course from May 16-23.
So here is training video for the Shack team  shot by the team director Johan, it's not big but it's good to see the boys in action.

Now, here for a really interesting bit, as I walked through my local grocery store above the beer cooler I spied LA. What he was doing there is interesting. He is now a recognizable advertisement  icon in the US and can sell Tennis shoes or sofas or even cars, just like all the football & baseball jocks. LA has made our sport accesible to everyone in the US. Cool Right? What do you think?
http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/07/lance-armstrong-to-become-michelob-ultra-spokesman/   

If I pass you on the road stop at peets because your buying.