Skills Clinics

Okay enough blog posts about time shares, vacations and the Red Sox. Let's get this blog back to the real reason I started it. That being the business of the high end world of recreational cycling here in Redlands.

This week the heads of state proclaimed and end to the calamity that is the carnage during group ride. The "C" word to be exact.

Can we stop just one more crash with the skill building clinics? I hope so. Do the people who need them. know they need them? I am afraid not.

Just because you are well insured and made the jump between category racings at the local Crits does not mean you couldn't use a refresher. They make doctors take continuing education classes don't they? But hey it's not like you have someone else's life in your hands. Or wait maybe you do, mine.

The thing I love about the skills clinic is its all about the rank and file members of Team Redlands. Not just women or juniors but the 80 percent of the people who ride around town in the kit.

As summer winds down I really hope more of the 80 percent club shows up. Rumor on the street is you will need to check the skills clinic box on your next year’s application.

Be advised if you can't show you attended a clinic you will be required to ride the north side of San Bernardino with JT. Trust me you don't want that.

The Summer of Chopper is over !

The sun has set on the summer of Chopper. Last week I concluded my last of the summer vacations with a trip to Maui.



Big Beach with a view of Molokini.




Waterfalls on the Road to Hana.




A Banyan tree on the hike to Waimoku falls.



Waimoku Falls



Black sand beach at Waianapanapa



Leche and Mai tai's at Aloha Mixed plate.



Oh and yes this is your last chance to ever rent the condo in Maui for $1,000 because after this year .......

No New Blog Posts until someone rents my condo !

Want to make it up to the little women for all the time you spend on your bike? How about a 2nd honeymoon or a first honeymoon Matt? How about taking the kids? Your Friends Bob Ted and Alice? Go by yourself, but don't miss this amazing offer.

Chopper's 3 Bedroom, 2 full bath condo in Maui has just become available. The condo (One Napili Way) is located a few steps away from Napili bay pictured above. Napili bay is the best snorkeling in Maui. Napili is where the Gazebo serves Macadamia nut pancakes and big Kahuna omelet's each day. Across the street is the Kapalua golf course. Hello it's Maui !

The 3 bedroom unit usually rents for $2,520 per week. Act now and pick up any week of your choosing between now and Christmas for $1,000(thanksgiving week excluded). That's like 140 bucks per night.

Contact Chopper @ Gondola1@aol.com first come first serve

Camp Chopper pre ride

The Camp Chopper pre ride took place this weekend. I have driven these roads many times but had yet to ride the routes on a bike. I can honestly say it was a real eye opener and I was able to tweak the routes for the upcoming camp.

The number one impression I took away from riding the hills around Paso. This must be the reason God invented cycling and It was probably the reason God invented mountain goats and sherpas.

The climbs are challenging and some of the roads seem to go up hill both ways if that's possible. The video was taken on one of the downhill sections so don't be fooled into thinking the rides are easy. That was the one moment I could hold my Iphone and ride.

On two separate days we will have climbs on Santa Rosa Rd and Old creek Road returning from the coast. Each of these climbs are epic. Santa Rosa Road was supposed to be used on ATOC. Camp Chopper will feature that climb at the end of the Saturday ride.

My final thoughts while on the bike were about the miles. The routes and roads are whicked tough. You cant measure the routes by miles alone. Miles are what 40 year old women training for their first marathon worry about. The rides at Camp Chopper ain't about the miles. you will find that out real quickly as I did this weekend.

365 more days !

Happy Birthday to Chopper. Chopper turns 49 today. That means 2 things. For me It means I am off to IHOP for my free Free Rooty Tooty Fresh 'N Fruity breakfast. In English, that means two eggs, 2 bacon strips, 2 sausage links, and two pancakes.

For you that means the countdown to 50 has begun. This will be a 365 day countdown to Choppers 50th birthday. During those 365 days I am going to preview and look back at all things Chopper.

Today is my day to be alone with corporate America on my birthday because their is really nothing more pathetic than going to IHOP to get you free birthday breakfast than doing it alone. Thanks IHOP and Denny's

Camp Chopper ride preview

Here is a sample of day #2 at Camp Chopper. This will be the Thursday ride. You will laugh, you will cry and I hope we all stay dry.

The rides will all begin and end in Paso Robles. Camp Chopper now officially has a mechanic to support the riders. As you can see the rides don't go by your mommas house. Unless of course your mom lives in Cayucos.

Camp Chopper

Camp Chopper actor used to look a lot better before Skin Cancer ! The only good thing about missing a chunk my face was how I was able to use my fake face to meet chicks.