Merry Christmas

Well just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas from our family to yours wherever you might be and however you might celebrate make sure to take a minute raise a glass in toast or spend a minute in prayer for those spending there holidays away from their families and love ones so that we can continue to enjoy the freedom to celebrate with ours. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Rain dampers and Hangovers

Well been a eventful week off here at the Houghtling House last weekend we had two parties scheduled for the Saturday. My son's B-Day party at DJ Galaxy Qwest and my promotion party at the house with Keg. Now my son had a limit of 10 people he could invite and had ten kids there 4hrs of fun! wasn't too bad actually and the boys had a good time. Now with the limit my son had on his kids he could have and he still had more people show up for his party than I had for mine! The weather kept alot of people home but those who did show up had a good time and some good food as well. I did my best to put a dent in the keg of beer with assistance from those who came over and paid for my efforts on Sunday! Anyway I got back up on the trainer Tuesday evening and then out to Thomson Trails on Wendseday. Once again I was painfully reminded I need to work on my strength training and climbing so I will do my best while I am out on my Desert training camp so I can come back ready to race in April. The new helmet showed up today and it is SEXY I will leave you with the bike porn and if you are out there on Sunday I Will See You on the Trail!

Training Made Fun

Boy been a little while since my last post been busy with work again, like I said before I hate it when work interferes with riding and blogging time! Anyway I have been up to Atlanta, where we had to go to the mall and of course Performance Bicycle. Well I have been looking at the Axiom Real Trainer with the virtual ride software except they run about $700. Well in the store the trainer was set up with the computer so we could see the actual system in action and it was sweet. It was also $200 cheaper so without hesitation the wife said "Merry Christmas" Well long story short this trainer rocks with the optional courses and displays that track HR, Cadence, Power, and Speed. The training courses are pretty good and the video courses are pretty tough and provide some good training as well, I haven't missed a morning all week! If your seriously looking for a indoor trainer this is a great system to look at and for $500 not a bad deal. Anyway I am planning on taking some time off next week and hopefully get in some trail riding before I have to pack up for my trip which I will be packing up the Vertex to train on while I am out there. Well that is about itfor now so while it may not be anytime to soon I Wll See You on the Trail!

Why Stans is Better

Recently one of my esteemed colleagues whom I have great respect for posted about the wonders of the Bontrager Tubeless system and how it is better than the other systems on the market. Being a devoted user and avid promoter of Stans Tubeless I felt obliged to respond and defend my products standing as the best tubeless system on the market. Of course the following is the excerpt from there home page however from personal experience I have only once had a incident that Stans couldn't seal and that was a sidewall tear that no tubeless system would have sealed. So without further due here is my response(all in good fun and competition of course!)
About Our Tubeless System
Stan's tubeless system will convert your existing wheel set to tubeless allowing you to use either standard or tubeless tires. Saving hundreds of dollars and weight over purchasing other Tubeless Systems.
Check This Out



The side walls are touching and the bead lock is exposed!


Features and Benefits of Stan's Tubeless System
Stan's Tubeless System offers two sealing points on the tire versus other tubeless systems which use only the bead lock as their sealing point. First the bead lock is sealed, as well as the lower portion of the tire and rim to create a second inner seal. This unique design allows you to break the bead lock seal without losing air pressure. Secondly, the inner seal flexes inwards with the tire to maintain air pressure (see above photo).
The patented Rim Strip makes installation simple. It can be removed as easily as a tube and can be used over and over again. Time involved can be less than 10 minutes per wheel. With this system you can lose rotating weight in an area that previously was not possible.
Your lightweight wheel set can be converted to a tubeless set up with only 56 grams of added weight per wheel. Saving hundreds of dollars over purchasing new wheels.
No need to worry about the dreaded pinch flat.
Possibly never having another puncture flat again because of the self-sealing qualities of Stan's Tire and Rim Sealant.
You will be able to keep using your lightweight tires and not be limited to buying expensive and much heavier tubeless specific tires.
The New Molded Rim Strip features a new Presta valve stem with a removable core allowing you to add sealant without removing the tire. This removable valve core will make inflating easier by increasing the air flow into the tire. Removing the valve core also allows for cleaning or easy replacement.
Stan's Tire & Rim Sealant can also be used to seal punctures and slow leaks that occur in most tubeless tires. As a result, your tubeless tires will hold air for longer periods of time.
Other Information

If you are interested in rotating weight (and who's not!!) you can lose anywhere from 100 grams up to 400 grams of rotating weight per wheel set.
This System does not require any modifications to your existing wheel set. If you are not satisfied with it, all you do is remove the rim strip, and put your old heavy tube back in and go riding.
This System requires very little mechanical ability to install.
It does not use any glue and you can change a flat the same way you do now.
Lower Air Pressure, Better Traction and Ride

Stan's Tire and Rim Sealant will usually last from three weeks up to three months. At that time you simply add more. (Time will vary due to different tire characteristics). It leaves no mess in your tire.
Stan's Tire and Rim Sealant can also be used in tubeless tires for puncture resistance and STOPS leaks.
Once you seal your tires they will not lose air pressure.
What happens if I get a flat on the Trail? -- Do like most riders, and bum a tube from one of your pals because they always carry one. Heck, use their pump too!! Stan's Tire & Rim Sealant does not use any glue, so you can change a flat the same way you do now.

Pig Trail Riding and Planning for Training

Well it has been almost 4 months since I was out there but it was great being back out on the Pig Trail today. Was out there with Charles, Ethan, Gary, Chad, Jesse, Ryan and a couple of other riders who's names escape me at this time. Was a good ride overall and had a great time I felt a little bummed out though I was unable to hang with the guys when they kicked it up a notch on the trail, it wasn't as if they kicked it to race pace or anything I just couldn't hang with them once they got going. I have several excuses, ran 2 miles Thursday morning, rode 15miles same day at lunch, rode thompson last night, ect, ect, ect. However bottom line definitely seems to be I need some more leg strength when I hit the hills my leg muscles started to burn as soon as the elevation started going up. That not withstanding I did have a good time hitting the trail again, and look forward to getting out on the trails a few more times before my next work related trip.
Speaking of the next work related trip I should be able to get some outstanding training in if work doesn't interfere. I will have access to spin classes, ab classes, weight room 24/7 and of course a good 20 miles of road with some guaranteed wind resistance to make up for the lack of elevation changes. This means it is simply a matter of putting together a good 3 month training regiment and sticking to it as well as not overdoing it on the 24/7 buffet of a chow hall as well as all the available junk food. So my challenge is to develop a focused workout plan that accomplishes what I need to create more speed and hill strength using the resources I will have available to me. Not quite sure at this time what I will be able to compete in or if I will even be here for the entire season. As it stands right now that does not have a high possibility of being the case however, I should be able to compete in a couple of the GSC races and the 12hrs of Tsali and maybe one other endurance event. So I am hitting Charles up for a training program for the time frame so that I can get in shape along with my other goal of getting down to 140lbs for racing season, which is a 14lb loss from my current weight. For the time being though I am just enjoying the riding time and am going to stick with the trail since I am going to get plenty of road time coming up so thanks for reanding and if you happen to be out riding while I am I Will See You on the Trail!