Two Days and counting until I leave for the west coast and a climbing trip to Mt Hood & Mt Rainier. Last weekend while we were having torrential rains, the Cascades received 30 + inches of snow. The skiers and snowboards have been loving every minute of it.

You check the Mt Rainier web cam facing the mountain here.

The Web cam facing down the valley away from the parking lot at Paradise here.

The Web cam facing the parking lot here - I'm not certain what car we'll be getting as a rental otherwise you could have checked to see where we are parked.

The web cam and conditions at Timberline Lodge at Government Camp (Mt Hood) here.

Packing and getting ready for the trip tonight - wish me luck!

6-07-08 Another day that Tosan's will remember for a long time.

These photos were taken at the 70th Street bridge at Menomonee River just east of Hart Park - facing east then west towards the village area and Hart Park. The lights in the background are located at the parking lot for Hart Park. Shortly after we took these pictures, police shut down the area and kicked everyone off the bridge. Some people just don't realize how quickly things can change into something really ugly.





Click this link for Tosa flood video

Flood Video

Final Big Ring Picture of Ben - at the beginning of his race. 5th in age class and 23rd overall in Citizen. Way to go Ben!

Thanks to Dave Reich for having the proper camera equipment which enables him to take photos of moving objects without getting a blurry image.

Pictures from this weekend's race in Wausau - The Big Ring Classic

A few more pictures from Lake Geneva this past weekend.

John



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Another WORS is in the books for this season. Lynne was able to overcome her fears out on the course to take first in her age group. Ben too had a very exciting race as he broke a chain link only 1 to 2 miles into the race and had to DNF. Too bad for him as he really looked good at the start. He left the start / finish line and powered up the hill. He was in 5th or 6th place as he descended that first hill and headed out to do battle out on the course. He was really disappointed as he walked back to the team demo tent. Here are a couple of pictures.

John

Nearly 2 weeks of recuperation on the old hamstring and headed down to Lake Geneva to pre-ride the WORS course. I didn't have any real problems but at times I could feel the stress was too much and needed to back down a bit. Those quick hitter hills just after a quick downhill section really cause the most discomfort. Lynne and Ben got a good idea what they have ahead of them tomorrow. I on the other hand am not racing as I can only imagine trying to keep up with some of the back markers (as usual in my case)and be somewhat competitive could put a hurting to the old leg. 2 weeks until the climbing trip and I don't want to jinx that either.

John

Injured my hamstring last night at a church sponsored softball game.

Out of commission for a bit.

John

Lynne has begun another year with a kick A$$ start - she took second in her first Sport race of the year at the WORS race #1 in Iola Wisconsin.



Ben charging down the hill in his first and hopefully not last race of the year - he is now signed up as a series rider and his points earned will count towards Team Extreme's total. He finished 5th out of an undetermined amount of contestants - as of this posting - updates later.



A couple of the Extreme Posse before the start of the 15 - 16 age group Citizen race.




Lynne & Ben before they headed out to warm up for the big day.



Next race in two weeks in Lake Geneva. Updates when the results are posted out on the WORS site.

John

Went out for a quick ride with Ben last night after dinner. We ran into Ty & Kristina from Team Alterra on the Hoyt Trails. The trails were in great shape. Now it's game on for the weekend in Iola for the first WORS race of the year. Nothing like racing ones self back into shape as conditions this spring have been trying to say the least.

John

Another week and another crisis of sorts. Lynne received a bike fitting over the weekend at the shop - Thanks Karrie!

Now she's so fast and confident I don't know what to do with her. Look out all you aport women riders.

After flatting on the first two rides of the year, we have successfully navigated through a few more trips without incident.

Plans are progressing for the climbing trip this summer. Now it looks as if we'll be doing a twofer trip - Mt Hood and Mt Rainier. Details are being formulated.

Another ride today and another flat for Lynne - this time a large thorn in her front tire.

Well that's two for two in her case. Let's hope this isn't a sign of things to come.

On another note: I received my climbing pass for Mount Rainier to day. Two months until I leave for this year's trip.



John

Lynne & I were out for the second time in two days - YIPPEE!

Lynne getting her groove on with her new ride!


The new pink ride is finally getting broken in - literally that is.


While riding through the Hoyt trails Lynne was able to find one of the many discarded relics from age old Tosa town. A 2" piece of old nail or something of that sort punctured the rear tire - dead centered it actually.


Here she is while waiting patiently for the mechanic to finish up the repairs. Is it done yet?



That makes for 2 out of 6 rides this year with flat tires.

With the upcoming forecasted nice weather we should be out again tomorrow too!

Until next time ->)

Lynne and I have had our check for registration deposited for Cheq. Fat Tire Fest. It looks like we're in.
Now we wait for the official notifiction to arrive via USPS.

On the fun side - I took a VO2 sub-max test yesterday at the WAC. This test is used to find the 90% heart rate of a subject. Then as part of the testing a 2 month long workout is developed based on the 90% rate. My 90% rate was measured at 178 bpm. As part of the testing the subject is given a score that takes into account breathing - oxyegen usage - heart rate - etc... my score was 49 - it was explained that a normal / regular club member that partakes has a score of mid-30's and well-trained athletes at 59 or so. I figure that my score isn't too bad for an old guy like me right?

John

Well Tosa East boys bball won the division one state tournament a couple weeks ago. Local celebrtions have bben had and are now relegated to the memory banks. The weather had been steadily improving until this guy flipped of Olde Man Winter. Thanks for nuttin' Ruskel. It's gonna take a while for this to melt.

John

First outdoors ride of the new year today - spent quite a bit more time down in the dungeon cleaning and drying off the bike. THANK GOD some of those cars needed to drive so close that they were able to splash me too!

I find it amazing how much different a ride outside feels compared to a spin session a the WAC.

Track season starts at East High tomorrow. It is my hope that Ben excels like his dear old Dad did. I can't make him fast or anything, but hope he uses the training offered to better his fitness level. Boy, I wish it was me getting ready for track season - it was the only sport I was good at back then. :(

Congratulation go out to the East HS boys basketball team on advancing to the Wisconsin State Basketball tournament which starts in Madison on Thursday. Tosa plays at 8 PM - the schedule / brackets here.

John

Hey there from Munising Michigan!

Up on the south shore of Lake Superior for a little water ice climbing for the weekend.

Nothing like a little cross-training right?

Weather conditions are expected to be quite nice for today's outing. Early temps being a bit chilly (8 degrees) and by the time we hit the trail the temp should be 20 degreees or so. Right now its beautifully sunny as I look out across the bay from the Sunset Hotel towards the town of Munising. We had a gorgeous sunset last night as this hotel is appropriately named.

Ice fisherman are already out on the lake ice. Fishing shanties dot the surface out there.

Until next time.

John

Did you happen to watch the TV coverage of the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon? What a race it was. And to think we here in Wisco have only a couple more months of snow and ice until most of us can get out on the bikes. Sad isn't it?

Coverage also began on Versus of the Tour of California.


It must be getting closer to spring - right?

Tony Stewart failed to win the Daytona 500 but not without a fight.


Team Extreme had its first organizational meeting of the new year this past weekend. There were about 35 - 40 riders that comprise the mountain bike and road teams. Everyone is looking fit and ready to bust it up out on the course.

That's all for now. Oh yes, I forgot to let you know that it is once again snowing here in Tosaland.

WHITE DEATH ALERT!

The weather prognosticators are saying we are in line for another 7 - 10 inches tonight and tomorrow.

Cool! Bring it on. The local news people are in a frenzy over this and we, as true north country people, we are use to this type of weather right? No big deal.

Spun at the WAC last night with the local cycling ' tool '. I've been working on revising my spin bike set up and, with his assistance, seem to be dialing it in.

Three months until GO time - check out the schedule at WORS.

Until next time.

John

Update of the week - wow - what a week it's been - lost my job due to slow economy and bad realestate markets on November 11th - headed up to deer camp on Friday Nov 16 - opening day has come and is gone already - very slow out in the woods - very little shooting around us in the Harrison Hills area east of Tomahawk. Saw two flashes of deer skipping out of their bedding areas today Sunday Nov 18th.

I guess not all is wrong with the world - the Pakers won for the 9th time.

More later.

John