Ramblin' man...

Here are some of the many (many) random thoughts passing through my bike nerd brain this evening-

1. The past two nights I've ridden my trainer in the driveway. I have my daughter this week, so I have a shorter day at work (due to drop-off and pick-up duties)- which means I don't have time to ride at lunch. So once the Princess is sound asleep, I slip into my lycra silly suit and hop onto the trainer. I didn't ride at all on Monday, since I allowed my legs an extra day to recover from racing on Sunday. Last night and tonight though, I've logged quality time on the trainer and the legs are actually feeling really phenomenal. Now, that doesn't mean I'm race ready, it just means that they are coming around. I've been finishing the workouts with some small gear spinning and my legs are flying and my upper body is nice and smooth. I can't remember the last time my legs have felt this supple. It has to be the bike! (BUY A MASI!)
2. I finished building Frankenbike today. This is the one with the new SRAM Double Tap flat bar road shifters. So far, in the stand and riding around our parking lot, the shifters feel buttery smooth and light. I brought the bike home so I can use it as one of my run around bikes. I'll have pictures and more of a report as soon as I have the chance to get a couple rides on it... but so far it's LOADS of fun.
   
3. Speaking of run around bikes... I've been playing with my SoulVille prototype. As I've mentioned before, I'm looking to do some cool things with the SoulVille frame platform and I've been having fun with the one I have. More pictures of that to follow too... I promise.
4. The whole T-Mobile thing... can't say I didn't see that one coming. Bob Stapleton is a quality guy, but even he couldn't save the team from losing major sponsors with all of the controversies that rocked the team this year.
5. Bruyneel with Astana, along with Trek? Well, I guess it makes sense. Looks like Discovery part Deux to me. Should be interesting to see which Astana riders stay and which ones go. Can't imagine that Kloden will stay. Looks like Leipheimer and Contador will be the center of the team with Bruyneel simply changing team uniforms. Wonder if Lance will be at the training camp this year...
   
6. Slipstream/ Chipotle is going to be a lot of fun to watch. I rode in a cab from my hotel in Vegas to the Criterium Championships with the sponsor honcho of the team. I've got his card somewhere, so I apologize for not remembering his name. Anyway, he was a very nice guy and we had a very cool conversation on the way to the race. The team is going to be a force to deal with and I applaud Vaughters for his dedication to his drug-free program and very transparent testing procedures. I really hope the team does well.
7. Speaking of teams... MY team is going to kick arse again next year. I can't say anything before it is time, but the team is looking really, really good for next year. Expect to see more of them on podiums all over the place. I'm practically giddy. Hopefully, I'll make it back to the team's training camp in February in Macon, GA. I heard that the camp last year, although rainy, was really great. I was at camp two years ago and it was really great to see the team come together, so I hope to get in the mix again. Besides, Chad and I have to finally resolve this debate over who is the better sprinter. (Deep down inside, I know he knows the answer...)
8. I haven't even received some of my Fall '07 products yet and I am in the midst of preparing to write my Spring '08 catalog. The Spring '08 products are done being developed and we're now just waiting to pull the trigger on them. Now I have to come up with the colors and model names and final spec for the Fall '08 bikes. My Product Manager, Wayne Doran, and I are both going slightly insane with the process. The twice a year product release is a process I believe in, but it creates two condensed product cycles in one year... and two catalogs. This first year of doing this will be the most difficult. After this it gets easier... we all hope.
   
9. January 5th I head back to Taiwan. Again. I'm thinking maybe it's time to get an apartment there and start a second family...
   
10. We recently got the new and upgraded version of Microsoft Office and Outlook at the office. But for some reason, I think because of the built in spam filter, I am not receiving comments from here on the blog. I apologize if there is a delay in getting back to your inquiries. I'm trying to figure it out... I promise.
    

Ok, that's all the news that's fit to report for one night.

Tim