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The Dead Pirates are no longer. After our Action For Africa debacle, and not really being a team, the past few months I have decided to spend my time doing better things than blogging about bikes and reading self absorbed posts about Snurfer. Cya.

New bike (rebuilt) runs like a bat out of hell with the gearing. I am looking forward to the St. Patrick's 100 mile run. I am healthy and find myself riding in an upper gear without even thinking about. On the way home, Birch Bay is flat and smooth. Which is a nice 3 mile cool down, then you hit Seldar hill (my home) and it's an intense climb to get home. I am 1/4 mile from my beloved beach, but it's a straight up 700 ft, 38 degree grade. I admit there have been a few times I walked the bike home, on the last stretch. Uphill in 40 mph winds, yes I walked the last 100 feet. :-)

Riding on the coast, you have to constantly deal with the wind. The best part is when you finally get a tail wind and keep pace with traffic!

On another note. We have decided to not involve anyone else in our club. The Dead Pirate's stand as we started. Myself, Phil & Mike. We have also decided to not merge with Seattle Bike Club. We will be running solo against the dreaded spandex weekend warriors. Stay Tuned.

And the ankle is at 98%

Good Times

After my ankle injury, I have managed my usual 20 miles a day. Not as fast, but my legs feel good. I was very depressed being hurt, but I worked through it. Or so I keep telling myself! I just refuse to quit. In all aspects of my life. What do you do, lie down and feel sorry for yourself? Walk around being pissed off? Trust me I did that for a bit and now I'm pissed with the wasted time I spent.

I have a new bike and can't wait to join The original Dead Pirates Phil & Mike on the 100 mile run in March.

Today's total. 28 miles. Legs are good, ankle is almost there. I am healthy and my body has responded. On a lighter note, I would rather drop dead riding. It beats the hell out of dying behind a desk.

It's been awhile since last post. Had to deal with my ankle injury and I am at about 90% back. Ankle aches at night sometimes, refusing to do any pain meds.

Looking forward to the March century ride. Will be riding solo with a beautiful new bike I am building.

The past couple of months have been the greatest in terms of technique, equipment and leg therapy. I am excited to start all this craziness all over again.

DP Joey

122 miles

Placed 2nd in my age group out of 60. Placed 27th out of 320 total. Rode with cleats and ankle is a bit sore, but not that bad. Labor Day is the last run for me this year. I feel good, albeit tired. My legs ache and am off to couch surf with advil. My only regret with the healing couch surfing is that there is no football on...

Attention All You Brown Trash Crack Weekend Visitors To The Bay..

No, it's not cool to keep your unleashed pitbull on the beach. Chased me for over 100 yards, trying to bite and attack. My mistake was I should have pushed hard, but the bike lane was crowded and I'm sprinting in the right lane, with a full pack and bags. I've out run dogs before, but this ass was very fast. As soon as I tried to kick him off, Forced me over in the left lane of traffic and bit the back of my upper thigh. HARD!

All during a packed weekend. In full view of another 100 + foot road race party support group.

Finally I was able to pepper spray that piece of shit. He kept coming at me (By now I had the bike between us) I kept spraying until he couldn't hardly breathe. He kept coming at me. Then I went all Godfather and beat him with my now ruined $100 pump. Funny how he crawled off only to be taken off 1/2 hour later to be put down by Animal Control. AND the "owner" and "family" freaked out on me. WTF?

I had 4 stitches later, on the side of the road by AC, I might add. Thank goodness my tetnus is up to date.

AC and Sheriffs issued a $2000 ticket, impounded the car and hauled them all off.

I love dogs, but this was not a dog. IMO Drug dog.

Getting Back At It

Slowed way down this week. The dehydration issue over a week ago has still kicked my ass. Actually I get a whole lot nervous now. Which, for lack of a better word SUCKS since I'm 11 days away from my last 100 mile summer run. Will be riding with DP Phil and our awesome Stone Jerseys.

The Dead Pirates are down to the original 2 members. We fired everyone. A few are pissy about it, but hey it was our gig to begin with. And it will be our gig when it ends.

Gel and fluids, just going to be a mental thing for me. Ditching my toe clips and will be running pedals with cleats. Wish me luck. After that, this nonsense is done.

Until September. :-)

Done

Finished. Done, Until I heal.

Dehydration

I think I fucked myself up. Dude I am so sore. It had to be the dehydration. That west coast bike trip was cake, compared to climbing Baker. It's 80 again and I don't even have a craving for a beer. HAHAHA! I really pushed myself yesterday, and you know what? I lament this drive and energy, where the hell was it in my 20's? I was way more reckless and stupid then I guess.

At hour 7 I made the summit. Everything hit at once, all my issues of missing Maddy, my problems with Kathy, being unemployed, keeping everything together, and I'm fucking thirsty, and I am going to beat those 20 year old spandex fuckers, I miss my Dad, I think I'm going nuts at 8000 feet. You turn around and see the ocean 60 miles away and dive right back into it. Downhill, steep fast ride. Craziest thing I ever experienced. DP Phil was nowhere to be seen. I had this tunnel vision on the way down. Dude that road drops fast and rocks! My Uncle is there at the end to watch me fall down. It was so weird. I felt so stupid having to be helped standing up.

What did I learn? 1 - drink more water. 2 - Turn all of this energy into something good for the planet. 3 - Be thankful for my life. 4 - Sleep on the deck today, wake up and do it all over again!

5 - change out peddles. 6 - ditch Reebok shoes. 7 - Adjust seat height, I went a bit taller and my legs ache.

8 - Heal 9 - Refuse to "mellow out" 10 - see #4

NFL And Taking Command

Rode 20 miles after missing the eclipse with a taped ankle and cleats. It felt ok, kind of sore now. Changed out the cassette which has too much torque. Changing my mind and going back to toe straps and wrestling shoes. 4 weeks to go. After this race I'm finished until the next one in September. :-)

Get the hell out there and LIVE darn it.

It's official, I am CAPTAIN "2FAR2CARE" of The Dead Pirates Bike Club. I started this and I had to get voted in?

The Dead Pirates Jersey July 31, 2010

Ankle and Regrouped

It is getting better each day. I am looking forward to the July 31 Century Run. On a sad note, my play time is over, and am headed back to work in August. On a happy note, it's for one of the local bike shops!

And on an even a BETTER note, I get to spend (for the first time in over 5 years) the summer here. Nothing really new to post other than my continual training for 7/31.

It was odd to do the Saturday ride solo, but The Dead Pirates are still my outside friends. Maybe I'll join up again, and I am probably sure I will. It really is too much fun to get away from.

SO WE ARE A TEAM AGAIN!!!!

DP Phil threw me a surprise "Anti Pity Party BBQ" Sunday, and that lifted my spirits. I am blessed to have a handful of close friends, including that SNURFER dude in Utah.

CYA

Survived Ski To Sea. I did not do as well as I wished. But that is over and finished. I have rebuilt my original frame and I am in the process of putting 20 miles a day with it. I have disbanded The Dead Pirates bike club and will just ride solo this summer. It was fun and a blast with my friends. I would rather ride by myself.

Summer is almost here...

I'm riding SKI TO SEA, ankle and all. Road race, not the downhill or mountain part. Backed out of my team, and am riding solo. I have ditched my cleats and am going with old school toe clips, composite peddles and, get this, Wrestling shoes. Light weight, total lateral support. I've tried it the past 2 days and it works. No wonder the NFL tapes up...

I have been riding 6 hours a day for the past month. 2 weeks to go until our local Ski To Sea race and I have the bike tuned beyond anything. My legs are good, strong. And on a side note my roommate has her whoohoo checked tomorrow. Why?

Forever coming up short...

Placed 2nd! AGGGG! 25 seconds behind the leader. Damn!

I Don't Care Anymore

See above. 

I'm riding the Memorial Day 100 mile. 

As far as my Saturday battles with the spandex Canadians, I've decided to give up. I can not do it anymore. It is best that I just walk away with a 2nd place last year. And besides, these guys are total douche bags. They hate American's, but in this day who doesn't"

Thanks to all for your support and kind words. I truly tried. The Dead Pirates are, well, done.

yeah right.....  

Next Saturday, stripped down new bike, Better bottom end, gearing and 29" tires. We will place first. Just running aggressive and "pushing".

AND on hybrid hand built Gary Fisher frame MTB's.

DEAD PIRATES

  

 

RACE DAY

Placed 10th overall. Too much rain, and my heart really just was not in it. I will say this, the evil Canadians are actually kind of cool. Making new friends, even though we compete. I'm just not into road bikes. I have always loved the Mt. Bike setup, and this new hybrid. I can't get the speed on the flats and that is frustrating. Climbing I can kill with the gearing, but flat out last mile I keep getting my ass handed to me. Maybe I was just tired, ok I was tired. Head wasn't in it...

I will be taking next weekend off. I bought another Gary Fisher frame and will be building another bike this week. It's a composite, supper light. Might be going with cleats and v brakes. Will see what happens. 

Totals for the week. 250 road miles, 20 race day.