The Good News and The Good News

The snow is almost all gone and the build project is complete. My old Gary Fisher hardtail (Paragon bought in 2000?) is reborn. The only remaining piece from the old bike (other than the frame) is the seatpost. And that might be short-lived. I've got my eye on a Thomson to replace it.

It is now the old Paragon frame & post with a Thomson stem, King headset, King bottom bracket, Easton Monkeylite bars, Mavic Crossmax SLR wheels, and a new Shimano XT kit.

Now I just need to get out and ride it.

The Good News Is...

While the snow is falling, I've got my bike build project. And the final parts are here, so I have everything I need now (I think). Famous last words.

I Never Thought That I Would Say This...

...about snow, but enough is enough! It is dumping yet again. I am ready for a change, and want to ride my bike OUTSIDE!

All I Want for Hanukkah is my...

...Shimano XT Build Kit. I spoke with someone at the shipping company this morning, and was told that my package was delayed and would not be delivered today as planned. I tried to hide my sadness and go about my day, but it was tough.

I was at Whole Foods shopping when Sharon (my wife) called me and said that the mailman dropped off a package. I told her not to mess with me. She promised that she wasn't. And when I got home, here is the bundle of joy that I received:





This should keep me busy over the holidays. Now I just need all the snow to melt so I can go ride some trails.

Happy Holidays

The Mind is a Terrible Thing...

Here was the scene last night:

I was so proud that we were out running. I have trouble riding indoors and really needed a change of scenery. I was happily running along (with Deborah and Sharon), thinking happy thoughts and trying not to hurt my arm patting myself on the back, when I saw this:

How dare he one-up me like that!? Well, he must just be dumb, because it is too dangerous to be riding right now. I really tried to convince myself, but of course it didn't work. I thought that I was cool for being out running in a blizzard, but there was a guy out riding. Why wasn't I riding?

What is that guy's story? I'll never know. I just have to live with it. Oh well.

The Tables Have Turned

Normally, it has been my friend Brad down in Nor Cal that is jealous of the weather up here. While he's baking in the heat, or racing cyclocross in the dust, I gloat about the conditions up here. And normally, I love them. But this is getting ridiculous. It is dumping snow as I write this. The few inches that fell a few days ago are still on the ground because it has been so cold. There is a Winter Storm Warning in effect and 4-12 inches are forecast for the City of Seattle overnight.

I picked up a new trainer (that came with a Spinervals DVD) and I've got rollers, so I am getting workouts in. But, Brad is racing CX in Nor Cal tomorrow and I'm jealous.

There, I'm done complaining...for now ;-)

Enjoy what you have, when you have it.

Snow Day

As a kid, we would dream about snow days. As a parent and someone who loves (needs) to ride, I dread them. This is the sight outside my house in Seattle right now. It is dumping. Second time this week. The high temp in the last 6 days has barely crept out of the 30's.

I used to live for these days because I was a skier (before I had 3 kids). Sure it will be fun to go sledding with the kids this morning, but I want to ride (wahhhh!). I'm tired of the trainer already...after two rides on it.

A Very Sad Goodbye...

Today was the last cyclocross race of the season for me. I shed a tear as I put my bike in the garage when we got back from "Kringle Kross".

Kringle Cross is a race held at Carnation Farm, site of Camp Korey, with all funds benefiting the camp. The camp is a medically supervised camp for children suffering from serious and life-threatening illnesses. Was pretty cool to get another race in this season, and have it benefit such a good cause.

It was the toughest course we raced this season - lots of thick, nasty mud. The field was pretty small compared to the Seattle series races. I finished 15th in the Master 4 Men 35+ age group. Unfortunately, there were only 15 of us. It was a tough day for me. I completely blew up on the last lap. There was absolutely nothing left in my legs and I got passed by probably half a dozen people.

But it was still fun and I had my awesome "crew" out to support me as usual. I was really hoping that it would snow (mainly so I could gloat to Brad about the real cyclocross weather we get up here in the NW), but the snow held off. It is falling as I write this though. No snow, but plenty of cold. At 9:30 when we started, it was about 36 degrees. That ankle deep puddle in the middle of the mud pit felt so nice ;-)

One other highlight of the day was that I finally got some payback for Joe Martin. He is always out there taking pictures and cheering for everyone. I feel like I should pay him for all of the times he yelled at me and got me going when I was deep inside my dark suffering place and "coasting". Anyway, I stuck around for the start of Joe's race and got some photos and gave him some encouragement for a change. Normally, things are pretty hectic with Sharon and the kids and we hightail it home right away. I'm glad I was finally able to return the favor just a little bit.

Here are some pics of me and the crew and Joe in the Master 3 Men 35+ race.

Snow on the nearby hills

Lemans start

Go Daddy! Go!

Does all black make me look faster?

My awesome crew


Artistic shot (by Sharon)

Future cyclocrosser

Mr. Cyclocross* grinding up the hill finishing hill (that I had to run up because my chicken legs couldn't pedal me up it)

Joe going strong

Leading the chasers

No coasting





*Joe was crowned "Mr. Cyclocross" at the Seattle Series. I don't know what this title really means or what he had to do to earn it. Maybe he will post a reply on my blog informing us peons about his royal status.

My Diary of the USGP Portland - 12/6/2008

6:00 AM: Alarm goes off. Ouch.

6:00 - 6:30: Fumble around the hotel room in the dark trying to get ready for my Men's C race start at 8:00 without waking the kids. 14 trips back and forth to the car. Wow - it feels really cold out there.

6:30 - 6:50: More fumbling. More trips to the car. Indecision on what to wear. It is really cold. Got to get going. Did I mention the cold?

6:55: On my bike riding from Vancouver, WA across the I-5 bridge bike lane to Portland International Raceway - site of the 2008 USGP of Cyclocross.

6:56: Realize that it is really, really cold.

6:57: Realize that I really need to get faster so that I can race in a higher class that starts later in the day.

7:00: Realize that I am not properly dressed. Cold is setting in even though I am riding at a good pace and have been going for 15 min.

7:03: Riding in circles trying to find my way onto the bike lane for the 2nd half of the bridge

7:05: see another psychotic biker and pray he/she is going to the race because I am convinced that I am lost.

7:06: she is going to the race and claims to know where she is going! Hallelujah!

7:10: Realize that I would have found my way as we arrive.

7:15: Got my numbers. Really cold now. Why am I doing this?

7:20: Pre-riding the course. Heavy frost on the ground. Negative thoughts running wild through my head. I'm cold...What am I doing here...I'm cold...This course seems really hard...I really don't want to crash...I'm cold...Can I go home now?

7:50: strip off excess gear and stash at Joe Martin's team tent. Thanks Joe.

7:55: Call-ups. I am #70 out of 85. Not good place to start.

8:00: Whistle sounds. We're off. At least I'm not cold anymore.

8:01: Screech of brakes. Why is everyone going so slow? Impatiently waiting for the field to thin out so that I can start working on reeling people in.

8:??: Feeling pretty good. Working my way up, passing people consistently.

8:??: Sharon and kids are at the apex of one of the turns cheering for me. Pick up the pace.

8:??: Joe is yelling at me to go faster..."Come on KUNIN!! Get on that wheel!" Pick up the pace. Thank you Joe...I needed that.

8:??: Is that snot or drool dripping down my face...or both?? Does it matter? Do I care? No. Keep pedaling.

8:??: Joe is yelling at me again. Wake up. Push harder.

8:??: Finally pass a guy that I have been chasing for a lap.

8:?? + 3 seconds: Brutal calf cramp. Have to stop and dig my fingers into my calf to loosen the knot. Unknown passee becomes passer and rides past. Start riding again.

8:??: Last lap (#4)

8:??: I am trying to find a way to go faster. It hurts. My body doesn't want to. My brain doesn't want to. I want to. What if I cramp? What if it hurts too much? What if I can't finish? Why doesn't my brain have an OFF switch?

8:??: Joe is yelling at me again. Do I need to pay him? Pick it up some more.

8:??: Realization - I don't care. Not that I am apathetic about the race or the outcome. I don't care how much it hurts or if I can't finish. I NEED to catch those 3 guys in front of me that I had decided were out of reach.

8:??: "I don't care" is now my mantra. It is repeated over and over in my mind. Out of the saddle after every turn driving hard. Gap closing.

8:??: I think I am now audibly chanting "I don't care". Not sure it would be intelligible to anyone else through the gasping and flying spittle.

8:??: One of the three slips in a turn and I pass him. He and I have passed eachother at least 6 times. He will NOT pass me again. Dig deeper to drive just a bit harder and insure he can't get on my wheel.

8:??: Getting close to the finish. Gap between me and the other two seems a little too big but I'm not giving up.

8:??: Driving hard on the last straightaway on the pavment. Legs and lungs on fire. Not enough to catch them, but I think I did well. Now that it's about to end the desire for it to end fades. Maybe with one more lap I could have caught more guys. Oh well.

Finish + 1 minute: See Joe at his tent warming up for his race. Still warm from the effort of racing. Chat for a few. Brad L. stops by.

Finish + 3 minutes: Call Sharon to find out that she is waiting for me at the Chris King tent. Is that an invitation to spend some $$$?

Finish + 4 minutes: Meet Sharon an the kids. No longer warm from the effort of racing.

Finish + 5 minutes: Shivering. Must get to car and drive to hotel for long hot shower.

Finish + 15 minutes: Still walking with kids trying to make it to the car. Which is more painful and harder to endure - the race or getting to the car? Not sure.

9:10 AM: Back at the hotel in hot shower.

9:20 AM: toes still tingling - not quite back to normal.

10:45: Meet up with friends Tsilli & Matt for a long overdue visit and some food.

1:00: Back at the hotel for nap time (for kids, not me - although I needed one).

1:25: abondon nap-time and opt for getting in the car and getting them food (and maybe nap in car seats)

2:40: back at the raceway - no naps

2:45: Jake asleep in stroller. Kayla asleep strapped to Sharon. Zach still going strong.

2:55: in perfect position on the starting straight to watch call-ups and start.

3:00 - 3:55: cruise around the course to different vantage points and watch in awe as Trebon, Powers, and Johnson tear the course and the field apart.

3:56: on the finish straight ready to watch the three leaders come in

3:58: listen as the announcer informs everyone that Powers and Trebon have crashed. Too bad - Trebon looked strong all race

4:00: Tim Johnson wins USGP #5. Powers and Trebon 2nd and 3rd. That was awesome.

4:15: back in the car

7:50: back home in Seattle.

11:45 PM: updating blog

Bell ringers


Frosty

Posing with Mr. Cyclocross (aka Joe Martin)

Trebon staging

Just before the Elite Men's start






Tired cyclocross fan

Men's C Results - Chris Kunin #56

Out of 85


Videos:

All Good Things Must Come to an End

Yesterday was #8 in the Seattle Cyclocross series - the final race. As with many of my stories, the day started with a series of challenges. We had planned ahead for the possibility that the kids would still be asleep when I needed to leave. Because I am old and slow, my start time is the earliest - 9:30AM. With the final race at Sprinker, which is south of Tacoma, I needed to be on the road by 7:30.

As I was loading the bike into the car at 7:26, Sharon popped her head outside and informed me that the kids were awake and asked if it was too late to make it. I responded, "We'll have to be blazing fast getting them ready". About 20 minutes later, we were driving, but still had to stop for breakfast. Finally on tho road down to the race and all of a sudden flashing lights behind me. Maybe he's after someone else? No such luck - he followed me as I changed lanes to the right.

10 minutes and $113 later were back on the road with speeding ticket in hand. Had to explain to Zachary why the policeman stopped Daddy. Fun! Arrive at the race site, get registered, attach my numbers because in the rush to get out of the house they were left behind, and get ready to go pre-ride the course. Then I look at my watch - 9:15. So much for the warm-up and pre-ride. Nothing like learning the course as you race it.

It actually turned out to be a pretty good race for me. The first couple laps were tough because of not knowing the course and not having any warm-up, but laps 3 and 4 were good laps. I passed a lot of people and felt pretty good. As good as you can feel while you are pushing yourself in a cross race anyway.

I finished 34 out of 47. It was a small field compared to the usual turnout. I am guessing that the Thanksgiving holiday had something to do with that. The final race was worth double points, which will help my standings in the series, but I doubt Jason (series points leader) is worried about me.

Sharon got a few pictures before the camera died. Here I am trying to look calm at the start:


And we're off


The guy next to me is on a Colnago (I think it is about $5,000.00 just for the frame). I don't know him, and I'm not sure why, but it gives me great satisfaction that I've beaten him in all but one of the races this season. I hope that I don't find out he is blind or has some other major handicap. I am fully aware that buying an expensive bike is not a statement that you are a pro rider. But I have always cherished the idea of beating people that are riding much better bikes than me. It's the man and not the machine. I guess I need to be careful because I am getting to a point in my life where I can afford nicer things and might find my slow butt atop a bike like that in the near future. Yeah right! But I can dream.

Anyway, the series is over, but there are a few more opportunities to race - the USGP in Portland and the Kringle Kross. I'm already looking forward to next cross season.

Had some fun with my boys when we got home from the race. Pretty hard to complain that you're not on your bike at moments like these:

Zach loves his new sweatshirt

That's not your bike ;-)

Brothers




And the best cross photo of me from this season. If you saw my legs, you'd understand...


See you next year.

Gobble Gobble

Well, another Thanksgiving has come and gone. I remember as a kid, adults were always talking about how fast time goes by and telling us to cherish the time we were having because it would be gone soon. Has any kid ever actually understood that? I think not. Well, I hate to say it, but they were right. I have no idea where this year went, yet we are almost at it's end. I guess it is lost among many changed diapers, sleepless nights, miles passed on the roads and trails on my bikes, and the dreaded hours at work ;-)

I was in California for Thanksgiving and was lucky enough to have the use of a bike without having to travel with my own. I was able to ride twice, which doesn't sound like much. But it is twice more than zero, and that is the part I focus on.

The first ride was one of my favorites of all time - the Alpine Dam Loop. If you ever find yourself in the Bay Area and want a great ride with good climbing and better views, don't miss it (there are many places you can start from - here is just one option http://www.touchstoneclimbing.com/pdf/alpine.pdf).

The day started with a series of frustrating events that delayed me hours past my intended start time. I came mere millimeters from abandoning my plans to do this ride that I love so much. It was my wonderful wife who actually encouraged me to stick to my plan and go ahead. What great advice. I had brought my lights and quickly grabbed them as I took off. It was a good thing too, because I finished as the sun was setting. I didn't have time to make the out and back to the actual summit of Mt. Tam (2nd highest peak in the Bay Area), but it was still a great day in the saddle.

What a truly satisfying feeling. Not only did I complete a challenging ride on roads most people that live within a stones throw don't even know exist, but I pushed through when I had come so close to giving up. It is such a great feeling when you accomplish something positive like this when you were so close to finding yourself on the negative side instead.

My second ride was another one of my Bay Area favorites. I wish I had something like it in Seattle to do on a regular basis. Both physically and mentally, it makes me a stronger person. The ride is from Danville to the top of Mt. Diablo (the highest peak in the Bay Area). It's not long - just a mellow 20 minute warm-up to the base of Diablo. then 11.5 miles up to the summit. But what it lacks in miles, it makes up in the challenge. Many people don't even attempt it. Not that it is so difficult - the grade is actually quite mild (except for the last 0.25 miles which is...well, brutal is a good word. On it's own maybe it wouldn't be so bad, but after an hour and a half of climbing, the pain is considerable). Most people just don't find the idea of riding uphill for over an hour a fun experience. I have to say that I used to be one of those people. No longer - now I relish the idea of attacking Diablo again and trying to get up it in just a few less minutes.

I have experienced the whole range of human emotions while riding Diablo. I have been completely charged and uplifted by a great day in the saddle and a good finishing time at the peak. I have also felt the hot East Bay summer sun melting my desire to ride and grinding me to a halt. I have also run into just about every weather condition on the mountain. From 100+ degree temperatures, to being turned around short of the summit by a Park Ranger due to black ice on the road. Although Brad and I found ourselves in the Lunardi's parking lot (our standard meeting place) in a cold, light rain; the day turned out to be a great one. Just another example of how pushing through when adversity stands in your way can present great rewards.

As with the previous ride, this day started with several struggles that would have caused some to abandon the day, or at least overshadowed the positive experience that followed. I will save myself the extra keystrokes, and point you to my friend Brad's blog for the gory details of my near disaster - http://chubby-rookie.blogspot.com/2008/11/pre-turkey-puddle-romp.html. I will add a couple details/corrections though - It was a very hectic morning at Grandma & Grandpa's house, so I was a little frazzled as I left. I needed another set of pedals anyway, and there was no $20 install fee.

Anyway, I persevered, and was able to escape the cloud of negativity and have a great day enjoying being alive, spending time with a friend, and taking on a challenge like riding up Diablo. I didn't complete my goal of riding to the top of both Tam and Diablo on my short visit, but I'm not dwelling on it. Just glad that I got to ride at all.

Happy Holidays

Back in the Saddle

I rode my bike to work this morning. Not such a great feat, but it was the first time I rode in 8 days. I decided to take some time off to let my hip heal. And even though I was seriously doubting my decision, any plans to get on the bike sooner were foiled by getting sick. The combination of starting to feel better and the dire need to ride had me pedaling in today. Great day for it too - 55 and partly cloudy!

It felt great to be on the bike again, even though my legs and lungs were hurting after just a small climb to get from the Fremont bridge up onto Dexter where my office is. Anyway, I'm glad to be back and hoping I can keep it that way. Just got the call from Zach's school that he has a 101 degree temperature and needs to be picked up. Not to be selfish, but let's keep our fingers crossed that I don't get it also.

Early in October, I crashed in a cyclocross race...on the pavement of all places. I really messed up my left hip. I am still dealing with issues stemming from that fall and aggravations to the injury from racing and other falls. Now it is keeping me off the bike. And I'm not happy. That is why I am writing this.

I don't really know what to compare it to. PMS? I don't know, because although I have dealt with it close-up, I guess you can't call it first hand experience. Depression? Don't know either. Maybe more like my 4 1/2 year old when he can't get what he wants. What I do know is that it sucks.

Where's the Beef?

Today's Seattle Cyclocross series race was #6 at Bremerton Fairgrounds. The course was great, except for that I saw it a little too up-close early on lap one. The guy in front of me braked really hard before a turn and all of a sudden my front wheel was making a nice sound against his rear wheel. I didn't get to listen long, because I was soon saying hello to the cool muddy ground and some particularly spiny bushes in the Fairgrounds camping area.

Was it because of my new cantilever brakes, and me not being able to slow quickly when he did? We will never know for sure. But I can tell you this, I love the new brakes. It will be even better when I get those Avid's off the front. No issues with mud clearance at all - and it was very muddy in parts of the course. Not as thick and nasty as Donida Farm, but still enough to gum up V-Brakes.

It was a tough race for me today. After the crash early in the race, I worked hard to catch back up with some of the people that passed me while I was down. The combination of that effort and the fact that after two laps I was greeted with the number 2 (indicating 2 more laps) on the board instead of a bell and everyone yelling "last lap!" definitely took some wind out of my sails. I don't think there was too much there to begin with.

I am guessing because of the ferry ride involved for most people getting to Bremerton, the field was much smaller than usual. I finished 47 out of 50. Not very satisfying, but it was a fun day anyway.

Here are some photos from the race, including two very appropriate ones of me and some signs on the Fairground buildings ;-)

Where's the Beef?


What kind of legs do I have?


My dedicated support team



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