One last taste of Christmas

Some of you rent movies like Rocky or Rudy for inspiration. For me its just a simple gesture from a little rebel named Marcus. Keep the faith Marcus , We all know what a beating you took three weeks later when Fotomat said your pictures were ready.

PS: I miss Fotomat.

You would know if you were a member !

I got out for a double secret squirrel winter training ride yesterday. The ride was an all out effort from the first climb out of the Stater Bros parking lot until we hit the top of Jack Rabbit trail.

The ride total was Eight and no one team was represented. This was no Team Redlands ride. What was the importance of these 8 riders? What team kits were represented? Who tweeted the ride? What web site sanctioned this event? Isn't Monday an off day on the training calendar?

On the eve of a new year. New teams and new team kits. It appears an underground movement continues to grow and operate within the Redlands cycling scene. For a while now a rumour has been growing about a group of individuals who operate under the team kits that drape their backs.

The unofficial blog has been aware for some time of a Secret Society of riders that operate under the name Skull and Bikes. The organization appears to be made up of a select number of people from each team. The organization also appears to have a people in very high positions with the local cycling scene.

Don't look for this group at the local pizza place holding a secret meeting anytime soon. The meetings are secret , the members are few and there is no way to join this group and yes you would know if you were a member.

Team Redlands Hangar 24 night

Team building message from the top:

A group of us are going to Hangar 24 tomorrow night, Wednesday December 22 around 6:30pm, to show our appreciation to Ben and the Hangar 24 crew. Anyone wanting to join us please do! The more representatives from the Team the better. Be sure to let Ben's team know you are there with Team Redlands and appreciate their support.

PS: It may be winter outside but it's always Summer at the Hangar !

Rain please stop

Above is a picture of the window in my master bedroom. A few years ago I went with the local buffoon in town to get my windows retro fitted. They leaked last winter enough to cause some damage to the Hard wood floor.

This summer I decided I needed to address this problem before the upcoming winter. I guess I had a premonition that we were going to receive 30 days and 30 nights of rain.

In my line of work when you find a really crappy tax guy we suggest you find a new one. Apparently in the construction industry you hire the same guy twice.

I am going on night 2 off holding back the water from wrecking another hard wood floor. And apparently there is no end in sight to either prospect.

5 star Christmas stock pick

A few months ago I gave you my Five star stock pick for the summer. The recomendation was to buy 1000 shares of ACOM at 15.99. ACOM is currently trading north of 30.00 Profits on the buy ranged from 5,000 to 15,000 depending on your stomache.

So here is my Christmas gift snowman 5 star pick:

Buy Buy Buy the knot.com (KNOT) It is sitting at 9.71 share price. Buy today and sit on this stock. I will tell you when to sell.

Disclaimer: Choppers stock picks are not affiliated with Team Redlands nor does his summer internship at Goldman Sachs qualify him to make financial decisions. all investments are inherently risky and you should probably keep your money in a mattress during these volatile times.

Merry Christmas from the twins !

I uploaded this photo from a Christmas party I attended last night. I can honestly say that I wrote about 20 captions to go with this picture but none of them captured the moment.

Everyone at the party wanted to get their picture taken with me. Crazy right. Anyhow I guess they heard that I now ride for a team sponsored by Hangar 24 and Scott Manning Insurance.

I promised them a free quote and a growler. Lucky for them you can find both owners at the same place most nights Merry Christmas.

Post update: In addittion to the good driver and muli policy discounts. State Farm has a twin discount.

Merry Christmas !

I got my first Christmas card yesterday. The lohman's from Redlands win a free bottle of Sparkling apple cider. Lucky for the Lohman's the card read Merry Christmas.

I don't send cards but maybe I should. I could wear some khaki pants and a white polo at the beach. That would look nice. Maybe a green sweater around my neck. I bet the Palm springs guys have a holiday card at the top of the tramway. Hopefully they get a Trek in picture this time.

Just remember Happy Holiday is what terrorists say....Merry Christmas is what Chopper says and wishes you all. Next year look for my card , but for now Merry Christmas.

Merry Xmas Maitiú

See you on the Seesaw Cindy !

....They knew that it was much more than a hunch. That this group would one day form a family, that's the day they all became the Brady brunch the....

Well that day is coming fast . No not Christmas. But The day that the Team Redlands and Possabilites merger becomes official.

The last few secret club rides and end of the year parties are being held. The old fort is being torn down and the kumbya web site dismantled.

So what will the too big to fail cycling team look like. What happens when you merge a bunch of Foul mouth cyclist with Team can I help you with that flat Andy ?

I can see Joy and JT building a house of cards to see who gets the team credit of $ 43.00 at the local bike shop or The Palm springs guys and breyer helping each other empty the RV crapper after a long day at Ontario. Gone will be the days for restroom dominance at Stells.

The new Team Redlands coming January 1st are you ready Alice ?

Board Meeting December 1st

Team Redlands Board of Directors will be holding their December board meeting. The meeting is open to all team members. I think I shall attend.

When: Dec 1, 2010 7:00PM
Where: Redlands Academy; 130 Tennessee Street, Redlands CA 92354

The last time we all hooked up was for that meeting at the Gas Company , I still can't figure out why I was unable to pay my bill.

My favorite part of any Team meeting has always been seeing my fellow cyclist in their street kit. Here are some of my favorite outfits:

The Lohman: A guy who shows up in a 3 piece suit.

The Demuth: 1982 Tour De Palm Springs shirt.

The JT: 501's always a classic.

The Hickock: Tri Geek bare mid drift.

The Scrubs: We all know you are not a doctor and did not just perform brain surgery. So for the love of God change before the meeting.

Happy Thanksgiving

Over a few beers the offer to ride mountain bikes was thrown my way. I was given a bike called the Old 69er i think. It got me to the top of Col De Crafton. On the top I was asked when was the last time I had mountain biked. I said 7 years. Greg said 7 years ago. I said no when I was 7.

Once I got home I mounted the old road bike for a ride to Stells to check on the " Making room for turkey" ride. I was met by B Hick and Scott (better not shorten his last name) Cochran. They advised me they only showed for the power ranking points. Brian Held me on the ground and Scott punched my quad.

Here are the Thanksgiving Power rankings:

1. Scott Cochran

2. Brian Hickok

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Thanksgiving Day Ride

Thanksgiving Day Ride announced:

This Thursday come join your fellow cyclist for a " making room for turkey" ride.

Location: Stell's Redlands
Time: 8:00am

Come join us before you get to hang out with your loved ones. Yes, It's really been a year since you had to see that annoying brother in law from hell.

The ride will be 2 to 3 hours , Mellow pace. The Team Redlands unofficial Blog will be riding that day and power rank points may be awarded during the ride.

An erotic journey from Milan to Redlands ?

Today I went over to the Sears Photography studio to check out the Team Redlands discount and the layouts available. I ran into a girl named Rochelle. She said she was visiting from Europe and was looking for a place to ride this winter.

Rochelle has vowed to show up for the Saturday ride and check out the local talent. Rochelle will be there rain or shine. See you all Saturday.

Smells like team spirit

Team spirit awards are coming soon. The Team Redlands unofficial blog will be hosting it's end of the year team spirit awards.

The Palm springs contingent is shown here in all their glory. Here you can see a small example of the unbridled enthusiasm the PS crew have.

All members are encouraged to submit a picture showing your team spirit. You are not required to hire a professional photographer but I hear the Sears photography studio is offering all TR members a 40% discount through Christmas.

Lynn Pletcher Memorial Ride

Fellow cyclist Paul “Lynn” Pletcher was taken from his family and friends On Thursday, November 4, when he was killed by a driver in west Beaumont while riding his bike.

In celebration of his life, Redlands Water Bottle Transit Company, will be leading a ride Saturday, November 13 at 8am. The ride will depart from Stell’s parking lot and make it's way to the site of the accident and conduct a small ceremony. They will leave behind a “ghost bike” as a reminder to those who drive by of the loss and the importance of driving with more attentiveness.

For those interested in attending the funeral and memorial, info can be found here: www.lynnpletcher.com

150 Members and counting

Let's meet the Palm Springs boys

Here is an excerpt from an unedited conversation with the Palm Springs contingent of Team Redlands. For your enjoyment, lets meet the PS boys.

Q. How did you guys land on the Team Redlands wagon?
A. The guys on the team looked pretty cool in their kits.

Q. Do you still feel that way?
A. No, We have seen them in civilian clothing it’s not good. We are from Palm Springs. We know fashion; we eat lunch in Cathedral City.

Q. Are some of you guys related to each other?
A. Yes, we have a set of twins and I am married to his sister and the other guy is my cousin and the younger dude is my pool boy.

Q. Are you planning an after party for this year Tour de Palm springs?
A. Yes, we have a cousin who works on the Tramway and moonlights at Billy Reed’s.

Q. I saw you guys at the bike shop ordering some TT bikes what gives?
A. Yes, It is so windy here that you need a TT bike just to ride around the desert and Cathedral City.

Q. I heard you guys have an RV available for team use is that true?
A. Yes, We have a RV we are getting a mural of the four horsemen on the side.

Q. If you were trapped on a deserted island with a TR member who would it be?
A. Not you!
Q. Damn, everyone says that.

Q. Why do you guys live in Palm Springs? Are you in the witness protection program?
A. It’s a dry heat and good for your skin.

The Palm Springs crew has vowed to put in some winter miles in Redlands this off season. They have also offered to host a weekend get away that will include a Tramway road big ring hill climb.

F 45 M

Check the calendar and you will see that today is 11/01/2010. What is the significance of this date. Well, today is the official day that all road cyclist begin their winter off season training.

Word on the street is that many Team Redlands riders have taken up P90X as their off season weapon of choice. As most of you know Chopper does not believe in any form off training that resembles living your life as if you were involved in a NASA hazing experiment.

I gave up up drinking Tang in the 70's and I don't plan on going back anytime soon. The only problem is I am involved in the high end competitive field of recreational club cycling. This endeavour requires me to wear spandex. The only other hobby that requires me to wear spandex is crime fighting. Thus the dilemma.

Today I am announcing an alternative to P90X , Welcome to the world of F45M. The F45M program requires exactly half the commitment of P90X.

Today is day # 1 of F45M. I look forward to the challenges of returning to 50 % of my 1980 body weight, speed , endurance and colon health. Good luck to the rest of you as pick the right weapon for your off season training. Sorry the F45M is a program that I must go it alone.

Note: I was going to put a naked picture of myself holding today's paper. I decided against it becuase that is really a wierd thing to do unless you are being held captive.

Let's do the Sunday ride again !

Its just a jump to the left.....Then a step to the right.... put your hands on your hips ...then watch Andy change his tube....It goes flat again...it will drive you insane....

Lets do the Sunday ride again !....

Don't search Chopper

I was reading Steve Jobs tweets. He commented on how he hates googling himself. I got the following result. I didn't even think about googling chopper.

Breakfast with Chopper

Hug it out at home !

Its hard enough to watch two dudes hug in public. So it goes without saying I am going to quad punch the next person who gives a " Bro Hug " on a bike !

Over the last year I have been watching the matriculation of riders in the peloton. and for some reason one of the moves being picked up is the " cycling bro hug ".

Apparently in addition to wearing the requisite mid calf black sock some of you have adopted this one arm to the back of your fellow cycling bro move. The move has already been glorified on other cycling teams.

We here at Team Redlands don't hug each other. We don't slap each other on the back and we don't shake hands. Contact is never made between two Team Redlands members. If you have lost a pet Iguana and are feeling blue you might want to stay home because nobody is going to hug it out with you.

Hopefully we can get through this harsh winter of trainer workouts and return to the roads less the " cycling bro hug ".

This one's for you Big E

2011 TDF

2011 Tour details announced :

Running from Saturday July 2nd to Sunday July 24th 2011, the 98th Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,471 kilometers.

These stages have the following profiles:

* 10 flat stages,
* 6 mountain stages and 4 summit finishes,
* 1 individual time-trial stage (41 km).
* 1 team time-trial stage (23 km).

Distinctive aspects of the race

* le Galibier climbed twice**,
* 2 rest days,
* 23 level 2, 1 or highest level mountain passes or summit finishes,
* no time bonuses will be awarded during the intermediate sprints and stage finishes; there are changes in how points will be awarded to the green and polka dot jerseys.

**100 candles for the Galibier; the Tour de France’s cyclists first climbed the Col du Galibier in 1911. To mark this hundredth anniversary in the appropriate way, in 2011, the Galibier will be climbed twice after an interval of 24 hours. The finish of the 18th stage will be judged at the summit, which will be the highest finish in the Tour’s history, at an altitude of 2, 645 metres. The Galibier will be re-visited again on the following day on Stage 19 via its northern side as the 109km-long 19th stage finishes with the climb to L’Alpe d’Huez.

The 2011 Tour de France stages:

July 2, stage 1: Passage du Gois-Mont des Alouettes, 191km
July 3, stage 2: Les Essarts-Les Essarts, TTT, 23km
July 4, stage 3: Olonne-sur-Mer-Redon, 198km
July 5, stage 4: Lorient-Mûr-de-Bretagne, 172km
July 6, stage 5: Carhaix-Cap Fréhel, 158km
July 7, stage 6: Dinan-Lisieux, 226km
July 8, stage 7: Le Mans-Châteauroux, 215km
July 9, stage 8: Aigurande-Super Besse Sancy, 190km
July 10, stage 9: Issoire-St-Flour, 208km
July 11, rest day at Le Lioran/Cantal
July 12, stage 10: Aurillac-Carmaux, 161km
July 13, stage 11: Blaye-les-Mines-Lavaur, 168km
July 14, stage 12: Cugnaux-Luz Ardiden, 209km
July 15, stage 13: Pau-Lourdes, 156km
July 16, stage 14: Saint-Gaudens-Plateau de Beille, 168km
July 17, stage 15: Limous-Montpellier, 187km
July 18, rest day at province of Drôme
July 19, stage 16: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux-Gap, 163km
July 20, stage 17: Gap-Pinerolo, 179km
July 21, stage 18: Pinerolo-Galibier/Serre-Chevalier, 189km
July 22, stage 19: Modane-Alpe d’Huez, 109km
July 23, stage 20: Grenoble-Grenoble, ITT, 41km
July 24, stage 21: Créteil-Paris/Champs-Elysées, 160km

2 Years ago today

October 19 , 2008 Fractures of the right symphysis, right sacral body/wing, right superior and the inferior pubic rami and right acetabulum.

Let's meet Monique

Last week we took a look at one of the returning members to Team Redlands. In this edition of know your fellow rider. we introduce you to Monique.

Monique is new to the Inland empire. She was drawn to team Redlands for a couple of reasons. We took a few minutes to find out what makes Monique tick.

Q. What is the main reason you are joining Team Redlands ?

A. The commitment to women in cycling was a huge reason. Did you really invent WICAM ?

Q. Monique, I ask the questions , but yes , yes I did !

Q. Have you had a chance to meet any of the dudes on the team.

A. Yep, I hope they get younger.

Q. Here in town we have many club riders that specialize in just one type of riding. For example 80 % of the guys who ride crit don't ride the Tuesday night worlds. Does that sound right ?

A. Nope I just like to ride my bike , this is for fun isn't it ?

Q. Monique , I ask the questions , But yes , yes it is !

Q. What are your turn offs ?

A. Guys who wear cycling shoes from 5 years ago. Its the shoes money.

Q. Where did you move from ?

A. Boston . I will miss the whicked good Thai food my fav was a place called O'Connors.

Thanks Monique and welcome to the team , Redlands has two Thai restaurants and many Red Sox fans you will feel at home in no time.

Buy it now $ 5.00

I performed an E-Bay search of cycling. I did not realize that in addition to bikes, wheels and components they carry cycling clothing.

The above hat was listed under the following sub categories. Douche bag , tainted meat, lame gestures that are way to crafted and past TDF winners who should not write books.

I remember that dude

Another exciting thing about the Team Redlands merger is in addition to some new faces we will also be welcoming some riders from Team Redlands past.

To acclimate you to some of the new and old faces we will be doing a few rider profiles. In this edition of a Sunday conversation we introduce you to Jeff.

Q. What year did you ride for TR ?

A. I think it was around 2006 or 2007.

Q. Is it true that you ride for a team out of Wright wood sponsored by the Grizzly Cafe ?

A. No, but they do have good ribs.

Q. What is you favorite team ?

A. I loved my old Health Net days when I just rode for fun.

Q. You have been on a few teams
A. I have a storage unit down by the freeway.

Q. If you had to be stranded on a desert island with a TR rider who would it be ?

A. Not you !

Q. Really, OK this is a standard question. What is you favorite wedding gift ?

A. Luggage

Q. Who do you think is taller Love or BMC ?

A. Not sure but during a team building fun weekend at Disneyland neither one of them could ride Mr. Toads wild ride by themselves.

Q. I stole this picture of you on the internet were you involved in a hot dog eating contest ?

A. No mountain biking. Never go mountain biking , that stuff will mess you up !

Q. What is the chance you will be on Team Redlands for more than one year ?

A. 55 % , Why did you hear of another team forming ?

Thanks for being a good sport. Oh and don't forget all new members have to buy a round of drinks when they get the new kits. This is a rule that is going to be strictly enforced this year.

For a transcript of the entire Sunday conversation please send $20.00 to The Team Redlands unofficial blog care of chopper.

I have friends with 9 dogs !

The Team Redlands blog does have a philanthropic side. I can't even begin to tell you the requests I get on a daily basis. This weekend I was pulled in many directions.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation was celebrating 10/2, I was asked to pour beer for a local air show, I encouraged participants at the breast cancer walk and one of my Hollywood friends Kaley Cuoco asked me to get the word out about pets that need a home.

Is it just me or does Kaley have a tan line from her jersey on her bicep.

Its all about performance

Snap into a Slim Jim

Hey Contador , Snap into a Slim Jim.

Slim Jim and Pistol boy kick off new cycling team.

ConAgra wasn't exactly forthcoming on what's inside a Slim Jim. So Alberto and ConAgra appear to be a perfect match.

I was able to determine the following ingrediaents.

Mechanically separated chicken
Poultry scraps are pressed mechanically through a sieve that extrudes the meat as a bright pink paste and leaves the bones behind (most of the time).

Corn and wheat proteins
Slim Jim is made by ConAgra, and if there are two things ConAgra has a lot of, it's corn and wheat.

Lactic acid starter culture
Although ConAgra refers to Slim Jim as a meat stick (yum), it has a lot in common with old-fashioned fermented sausages like salami and pepperoni. They all use bacteria and sugar to produce lactic acid, which lowers the pH of the sausage to around 5.0, firming up the meat and hopefully killing all harmful bacteria.

Dextrose
Serves as food for the lactic acid starter culture. Slim Jim: It's alive!

Salt
Salt binds the water molecules in meat, leaving little H2O available for microbial activity—and thereby preventing spoilage. One Slim Jim gives you more than one-sixth of the sodium your body needs in a day.

Sodium nitrite
Cosmetically, this is added to sausage because it combines with myoglobin in animal muscle to keep it from turning gray. Antibiotically, it inhibits botulism. Toxicologically, 6 grams of the stuff—roughly the equivalent of 1,400 Slim Jims—can kill you. So go easy Alberto.

All jacked up on Mountain Dew !

I attended the team meeting last Thursday night. I have many observations but a brain that can only hold 1 to 2 at a time. So here are two observations. The new and improved Team Redlands will have an emphasis on Women cycling and Juniors.

Is it just me or did I already cover that with the introduction of WICAM. Seriously I should have patented that term. I have been promoting more women in cycling for years. Welcome aboard !

Team Redlands has also made a commitment to the kids. A commitment to help the Inner City Country Club kids of Redlands achieve more through cycling. Helping keep these young lads of the streets is a program we can all support. Wait , did that make sense.

Anyhow, just this weekend I helped out Walker and Texas Ranger. I explained to them the " 5 " second rule of cycling. They thought it was a term referring to an ice cream or burrito. They said Chopper was more fun than the other mentors and have asked for a new big brother.

Team Meeting this Thursday !

The leaves are falling and so are the temperatures here in Redlands. This can only mean one thing. It's time for the annual team meeting.

This years team meeting is being held Thursday night @ 7pm. Team meetings as we have learned are not only fun , but informational. This years meeting will deliver on both counts as we welcome the new partnership between Possibilities and Team Redlands.

Here is a preview of the team meeting agenda:

1. Amnesty for all prior members , one night only no questions asked.

2. Group Hug immediately following # 1

3. Big brother mentors for the Juniors.

4. The purchase of a bitchin van.

5. Leg shaving break out session.

6. Hangar 24 discount program.

7. Review Fraternization policy.

8. The burning of all past years kits. No more old kits. One team One kit.

9. Chaperone's for the Juniors skill building trip to Epcot Center.

10. How much money it would cost to buy the rights to the Teamredlands.blogspot from Chopper.

Stell's has a VIP room ?

The Team Redlands regulars were hahd to find on today's ride. I was asked by more than one person if I had missed the team e-mail regarding an alternate ride.

When I returned to Stell's I was surprised to find that in fact there was a surprise party in my honor. It was not my birthday and I did not turn 50. But , yes there was a party !

Sneek Peek

The Team Redlands Kit committee was spotted at Stells last night working on the new kits. I was able to procure a picture of one of the new concepts being explored.

The main emphasis for this years kit appears to focus on style , function and Bavaria. As usual the sizing looks like it might run a little small.

This Timmy rides for all the right reasons !

Here is a picture of a cute kid wearing his dad's helmet ! , He wanted me to let everyone know he is cute but he can also ride fast , just like his pappy.

Act fast !

Just like Team Redlands the unofficial blog is sorting through the various sponsor options for the coming year. An exhaustive search was performed to find a company that matches the blogs sense of family values and lifestyle choices.

Fitness Singles will offer all readers of this blog a free 2 week trial membership. Hopefully in that 2 weeks you will find a women who enjoys sitting around in her chamois all day and watching your old DVD's of the 2003 tour de france.

Yes imagine a life now where your hobby and your mate join in a harmonic convergence. Remember to put the code word Critscum into the offer box to activate your free trial membership.

The Team Redlands bylaws will have a new fraternization policy so please act fast !

Were not all pointed the same way

If you think the parking lot at Stell's has a lot of team cars , you should see the cars outside the Berlin location.

I have been off the bike a lot this month. I have flown from Ontario , Long Beach and Santa Ana in the last 30 days.

I am not really sure why that's important but I think it is because I just wrote it.

Oh I know why I just wrote that. because my riding has been erratic lately because riding should be erratic this time of year.

Some people will continue to bang there head on the Rain cross ride. Some of you will get back in the gym and build you quads. Some of you wont let your HR get over 130. Some of us are just getting back from a trip and others just ride at the same pace all year long.

What ever tickles your Pickle. The season is over.

So here is a friendly reminder. Many people ride at different speeds and efforts this time of year. If you don't like the effort of someone on the ride. then don't chase them.

You might be a Team Redlands rider if:

As most of you know by now the Team Redlands merger is official. Many of you may be asking yourself a few questions. Hey I don’t feel any different. I look the same. My wife and kids did not act any different towards me.

let me help you with the your transition and make your move to Team Redlands a smoother one. Here is a handy guide to let you know if you ride for Team Redlands.

You might be a Team Redlands rider if:

1. Your quads burn while riding. But the source of the burning is a punch to the quad not from a hard effort.
2. You flat on a ride and you perform 100 % of the repairs by yourself.
3. You don’t have socks that match your kit.
4. You have never been inside the home of anyone you ride with ever. Not once.
5. AAA wants to know why you cancelled your insurance.
6. You have developed a stutter or a twitch.
7. You now have a growler in your fridge where milk used to go.
8. You know the history of the old Salton Sea highway.
9. Greg Johnson has measured your inseam for a new Trek.
10. You added no new friends to Facebook.

On behalf of the entire staff at The Unofficial Team Redlands blog welcome. Team initiation and application process will be addressed at a later date. Nothing to worry about for now. Just enjoy the ride.

Blog Traffic

Much like the North Koreans I monitor Blog and You tube traffic related to Team Redlands. I really didn't need a pie chart to let me know your wives think this blog sucks. But just in case we now have empirical evidence to that fact.

Here you can see the global impact of the Team Redlands blog. Apparently J. Weaver has not checked the blog since he moved to France. If you squint really hard I think we may have a reader from Trinidad & Tobago.

The Team Redlands blog did rank number #13 among the Hot Dog on a stick workers. In an attempt to keep them reading the new Team kits will probably incorporate one of the above colors.

Laurent Fignon

Laurent Fignon lost his battle with cancer today, French television has announced. Fignon was 50 years old.

He won the Tour de France twice, in 1983 and 1984; he missed winning it a third time, in 1989, by 8 seconds to Greg LeMond, the closest margin ever to decide the tour. In 1983 Fignon, at 22, was the youngest man to win the Tour since 1933.

He also won the Giro d'Italia in 1989, having been runner-up in 1984.

With his round glasses, ponytail and an air of debonnaire Fignon was nicknamed "The Professor". RIP.

They have 7th place ribbons ?

Somebody asked me the other day If they have 7Th place ribbons. I said yes they have ribbons all the way up to ninth place. But I reminded them nobody at Team Redlands races for ribbons we race for Hugs.

I think the Anger management dolphin tapes are wearing off. I heard somebody cursing at a women walking a dog on Victoria. Oh yeah , that was me. Sorry. If I see her again I will give her a hug and her little dog too.

Are you prepared ?

Can you feel the impending change. I get the sense that more than just the weather is changing here in Redlands. Please stay tuned to this blog for all related updates and warnings. Based upon the above Doppler image I feel like its gonna be big.

I dont know anything !

I get asked this question a lot. I mean a lot. Hey Dork how come you haven't updated your blog recently. I like that question. It reminds me that people actually read this crap. By the way thanks for reading this crap.

Anyhow, It got me thinking about blogging. I can honestly say that the innovator of the blog in this area was Matt Freeman. Matt was way ahead of the curve. Matt is an English major , I am not.

Over the past 2 years I have seen many of you start a blog , The initial blog posts seems to go one of a couple ways . Bitching about some obvious thing in life. Telling us all how to live our life. Or the Hey look at me blog. Frankly my blog would have faded into oblivion also if I based it on that. Thankfully the Team Redlands idea came to me. To this day I have never had a shortage of things to Blog about.

Some people have links to other blogs on their blog. I don't and I will tell you why. I don't need to give you a link to a blog that has not been updated in 18 months. I might as well give you a link to December 9 , 2008 of the Daily Facts. Seriously how long do some of you people keep leftovers in your fridge.

I like the blogger profile . You can tell a lot about the picture one chooses. It's always important to get a good head shot. Some blogger's can eat a whole cat. I can only eat a whole hamster.

This blog is probably heading into some new territory. new readers appear to be on the horizon. A movie or two might be helpful in the transition or maybe this blog will just die a blogger death never to be updated and stuck on December 9 , 2008.

I smell a corporate sponsor !

In Maui they have a rule at the public beaches. If a shark attack occurs on any one beach three times they are required to put up a sign warning swimmers of the threat of shark attack.

Here in Redlands we are one crash away from renaming Crit practice. I have witnessed at least 5 bodies on the ground over the last two months. I figure we are one more crash away from giving crit practice a new name.

Being the optimist I am here are some choices. So we can hit the ground running.

1. The Crit of Death

2. The four corners of hell

3. Diablo Esquena

4. Crit X , Crit XX , Crit XXX.

5. The Devils Asshole

6. The Hanekam

7. Der Stukka

8. The State Farm Invitational

9. Widow Maker

10. De Anus on De Asphalt

Vegas Baby !

I went to 2 reunions this month. First was my 30th high school reunion. That was lame. The second was the 25th anniversary of my fantasy football league. That was not lame.

We almost invented fantasy football. We missed it by one year. We did not invent drinking we missed that by a couple years.

The Draft is held in Las Vegas every year. Las Vegas is not like Vermont.

Brady Bunch goes to New England

Just returned from my trip back to the New England area. The highlight of the trip was the few days spent in Vermont. Was lucky enough to stay in Groton. The lake at Groton is a fly fishing only lake. No swimming , power boats or jet skis.

As you travel up Interstate 91 towards the Seyon Lodge you loose cell reception. The only other spot in America with no cell reception is Del boca vista. The only difference is the old folks don't know what a cell phone is. I can honestly say It was the highlight of my trip not watching a bunch of trained monkeys peck away at there phones. Some of you could really use a trip to Vermont.



Back in the city the Boston Red Sox were kind enough to allow me into Fenway for an up close look at the Green Monstah seats. Here you can see the left field foul pole. Carlton Fisk in Game 6 of the 75 series against the Big Red machine steered a home run around this pole. I cant remember my pin # for my checking account.



The Green Monstah seats are whicked expensive and you have to win a lottery pick to get one of the seats. the tickets are sold for over $ 500 a game on E bay or as they say on the Visa commercial Priceless.

Happy Birthday to Me !

Just like in real life his legs were supposed to be moving. Another example of art imitating life.

IHOP here I come for my free pancakes. I really wish we had a Perkins restaurant here in Redlands.

OK I just figured out you need to click on the picture to activate his legs and Balloons.