Heart you some You Tube

Stoemper Presents Ben Berden from Stoemper on Vimeo.

Bikes, Babies and Panera

Anyone who lives within 50 miles of Northwest Arkansas knows what the the "Bikes, Blues and BBQ" weekend entails.  All things surly, leather and noisy gather at the edge of the Ozark mountains to embrace their biker culture, ride around without helmets, cause accidents and make all kinds of noise.  (check out the South Park Episode on Harley Riders)

The only place to escape from the "life saving" loud pipes was Panera Bread and Target.  Good thing we love them both.

Some big events coming up for the Traveling Circus

Flying to the great white north this weekend to throw down at Crossfit AZO.  How will I prepare? Constantly varied functional movement performed at high intensity.  (Crossfit)

After that I have the Chilli Pepper 10K festival.  How will I prepare? Constantly varied functional movement performed at high intensity.  (Crossfit)

After that I am traveling to Arkadelphia for the Degray Lake Xterra.  How will I prepare?  Constantly varied functional movement performed at high intensity.  (Crossfit)

I will finish up the season with the Fayetteville half marathon.  How will I prepare?  Wishing and hoping I do not fall apart.

with love

Sawyer turned 5 months today.  He will be mobile soon.

New brakes, fork and saddle.  Thanks Phat Tire Bike Shop.   

dan

Michigan Brewed

Tunnel Beach in Holland

 Holly and I have bounced around in our 8 year history but the place we have spent the most time is Michigan.  We were excited to go someplace familiar and start the Sawyer Tour of 2012.  He appreciated all the hugs, kisses, cool breeze and sand between his toes.

Holly and I loved catching up with family, friends and Oberon on tap.  

A special thanks to Crossfit AZO (www.crossfitazo.com)  in Portage MI and Crossfit Flight in Holland (www.crossfitflight.com) for welcoming me into their gyms.

It was good to be gone and better to be back. 

He loved the sand, but was not a fan of the cold water.

Flow, Rattle, Push.

Picture any tourist town with ice cream parlors, t-shirt stores and novelty shops.  Take that town and run it up the side of a mountain, add a few hundred leather-clad surly looking motorcycle enthusiasts and you have Eureka Springs Arkansas.

Known for its history, tourism and art culture, Eureka Springs is also home to some sweet-sick mountain bike trails where the Fat Tire Festival was held.  I only made it up for the XC on Sunday and that is where our story begins.

Counting down from 10, 9, does this race really start ON a hill? 8, 7, 18 miles on a rigid single speed? 6, 5, I already have the T-shirt to prove I was here, I do not need to actually ride, 4, 3, this could be fun,  2, this could suck, 1, GO.

The pack of Cat 2 boss hogs and single speed lycra lovers took off like a shot up the hill and I settled down early, way too early, right from the start.  (that was my grand plan, to not blow up in the first 30 minutes and suffer for the last 90 like my last race)

After climbing up and out of town, past the historic Crescent Hotel, (where Holly and I spent a fall weekend last year drinking read wine and chasing ghosts,) we hit dirt.

I set my sights on a pack of geared riders with baggy shorts that knew how to crank it.  I made like Froome and let them pull me until the 2 track turned to single and the roots turned to rocks.  Once I was on familiar trail I made my pass to pull back some fruit cakes on one speed bikes that always cost more than those with gears.

The next 2 hours flew by while I was in a state between groovy flow and shake, rattle and roll.  Then I pushed my bike.  Then I found a groove, and then I had to push it some more.  Single speeds on technical steep incline?  That requires pushing, often.

I caught a few riders, then a few more with mechanical issues in my pursuit of points in the AMBCS point series.  I finished off the day ahead of a couple of guys who stuck it out and several others who pulled the plug.  That scored enough points to put me at 6th in the state, with a goal of the top 5 before the season ends.

Slaughter Pen is next on the list and with home court advantage, I hope to make up some points.  

Race Ready

The Traveling Circus spent Saturday morning taking pictures at the Crossfit NWA throwdown.  It was inspiring to capture the competition, efforts, suffering and success that these athletes endured.  It is great experience to train with these athletes then watch them put it all on the line.  Never heard of crossfit?  You are missing out.

50 yard Buddy Carry

Kevin managing a hefty Overhead Squat

Advice from a master.  Denny Hawkins is ranked #1 in the World

The rest the weekend was dedicated to race preparation for next weekend's Fat Tire Festival in Eureka Springs.  I am faster, smarter and prepared to avenge my second to last place finish in the first single speed race of the season.  I have dialed in my nutrition, ramped up my intervals and watched every stage of this year's tour while riding the spinner.

32x19 for Lake Leatherwood

They go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly

Stay tuned for the Eureka race report.

love dan

Bringing back an old Friend

Sometimes life is best described with pictures, and here is a summary of what we have been up to:

Introducing the latest addition to the Traveling Circus.  Sawyer Scott Frayer.  Born May 1st, 2012.  3 weeks old

Then a little of this

but more of this, at 7 weeks.

happy fathers day from holly and sawyer

dogs.  We have those too.

Certified

Conditioning.

 In a nutshell: Baby, riding, Baby, dogs, Baby, crossfit, baby, more crossfit, baby and some more baby.  Holly and I are loving life and it is time for me to bring the blog back!  My "Mobile Me" site is still live and can be viewed at www.travelingcircus.us but my MAC crashed and I am not able to update it right now.

with love

The Traveling Circus

Holly and just returned from a weekend trip to Northwest Arkansas. We visited Hobbs Conservation Area, the Fayetteville Farmers Market and a couple of bike shops. It was a nice scenic getaway. It is an area with more dirt trails than a person would know what to do with. The first evidence of a sick Single Speed Build. Velocity 700c Blunt 32H Rims. DT butted spokes and King ISO hubs will be here soon.
My new road bike. Steel is the theme right now. I like the ride and the machines have some character. It came out of the box with compact gearing which had to go. I will post pictures when this project is finished.
I have never regretted a Salsa purchase.

with love

df

Summer's End

The changing of the leaves and my obsession with watching cyclocross videos signals the end of summer. I will trade the hot hot heat, lawn mowing and Oberon for the cool breeze, wet leaves and Ice Ice Baby preparation.

I spent the 2nd half of my summer working for Breakaway Bicyles and they were friendly enough to help me build the bike of my dreams. I spent some time designing the angles, picking the color and conversing with the friendly folks at Independent Fabrications. I have not thought of a name yet. It will have big wheels, sliding dropouts and the color will impress you.
In the meantime I assembled a workhorse to keep the dirt in my teeth.

I also ordered me up one of these.

Some other notable news:

Jason Lummis is out of the hospital but the driver who nearly took his life is still on the run. Check for updates at the Bells Beer Racing Team Site.

Danielle Musto earned top honors at the Salsa 2-4 bike race. She has been riding laps longer than most and is earning her legend status.

Cross Fit AZO is up and running.

Next up is the PCOC strut 5K and Dunes Duathlon. From then on it is Ride Ride Ride.

with love

df