The Iceman Cometh

Time for the last Mountain Bike Race of 2009 for My Bad Ol' Self. Since I'm still fighting off a sinus infection and a bit of the flu I'm still not feeling very good, but I say what the hell - I'm still gonna go and see if I can take some of Michigan's money like I've done before. If not, then I'll just hafta steal whatever ain't nailed down and vandalize the rest. Drink their beer, steal their women and kick their dogs! Get sushi and not pay! My Bad Ol' Self is telling you that the Michiganders shall rue the day they didn't keep an eye cast most vigilant upon their southern border.

Tour of Tosa

I still can't believe Ramby hit the ground like a sack of sh!t.

Tour of Tosa

Go ahead - add your own caption for this. I double dog dare you.

'Stotle has some really Mad Skillz, but these aren't them.

The above shots were from Joe "Picco" Villalobos. He says that the Tour of Tosa has made his life all worth living for 1 more year.

Tour of Tosa

Word on the streets is that it was a damn good time for all. If you want to write me a report on your experience do it - I'll post it for you. Send links to photos too! Email is in the upper right corner.

Tour of Tosa Update

This Afternoon I went out to mark the route for Sunday!Sunday!Sunday! I found the conditions a bit wet and very breezy. Strong winds were not my friend as I tried to put up paper signs for you chuckleheads to find.

This part of the route seemed dry enough though. I can't rightly recall which set of tracks these are. Those who were at last years event will remember all the stairs you had to deal with, well this year you'll be happy to hear that there's on 1 set of stairs, but plenty of train tracks and bridges to go around!


Yes it's the same Lost Pet signs from last year! I couldn't find the one that featured a half-nude Ramby though. I apologize.

Hopefully the Figure 8 of Death Relay Course dries out by Sunday. If not, you guys might get a bit damp.

Important Info to Know

A Little Pick Me Up

Getting Ready

Last week I received a nifty package from the fine folks at Saris -

A sweet bike rack to help organize the back 40 of The Rusty Tool Shed. Made in the USofA of pure steel - just like a good bike. I was gonna go for the 10' model but figured that next time I move it would be a bit of trouble. I took some time Wednesday evening to assemble it.

The mess in the garage. Every year I try to limit the number of bikes I collect, but I some how still ended up with 14 this year. Anybody want to buy some no longer needed seats for The People's MiniVan? How about you just haul 'em away for free?

Check out that sweet, sweet organization action! If you ever need a bike rack or a rack for your car or even a trainer check out Saris - their products are proudly Made in Wisconsin! The bikes shown are also getting ready for The Figure 8 of Death Relay Race part of Sunday's Tour of Tosa. I guess you could read something into the fact that all the bikes are black & blue...

Later in the evening It was time for a trip to join some of my co-workers and former co-workers for wings and $1 bottles of the good stuff known as PBR. To take it up a notch we also had some vodka on the rocks to honor a sadly fallen friend of the company.

It was a good day.

In other news - it appears that besides being known as The Shed Master, The One Guy with all the Cool Bikes, Chief Nipple-Twister, The Devourer of Souls and Sushi, A-Hole or even just the classic F'ing Russell, I've now been called a Cycling Guru. Gonna hafta start charging even more for my autograph. Thanks Tom!

Tour of Tosa Time

Alright all you chuckleheads, here's what you need to know for this years Tour of Tosa: It's a 2-part event - a Scavenger Hunt followed by a Relay Crit Race dreamed up by My Bad Ol' Self one night in PBR/NyQuil/Pepperoni Pizza induced state of delirium. You'll be divided up into teams of 4-5 people, get a map and instructions and get turned loose to wreck havoc on my fair city. You'll need a Digital Camera for your team as you must provide proof that you've gone to all the sto0o0opid places I send you. After you complete your map, you'll return to the start for another map and repeat the steps until I get bored with you. After a break for scoring, the top teams in the Scavenger Hunt will then complete in the Figure 8 of Death Relay Race - on bikes scavenged out of the 'Tosa city dump. The winning team takes home the Stack of Cash. Got it? Either way, just show up or we'll talk about you later.

• Sunday November 1st - a day that will live in infamy.
• 10am Start - This means be there and ready to go by 10am. Be late and you may miss out.
• 3pm or so finish - 'Nuff said.
• $5 - This is the cost on entry - or $4 if you bring some non-perishable food items for the local food pantry.
• Hoyt Park - This is where we start/end. You'll stop back there a few times during the day so you can always stash extra clothes or food/beverages in the car as needed.
• Where is Hoyt Park? - In Wauwatosa of course - HERE - parking lot entrance is on Swan Blvd just south of Menomonee River Parkway.
• Teams - 4 or 5 people to a team. If you cannot afford a team, one will be appointed for you. Your team must stay together.
• Bike - It's mostly city riding, but there are a few off-road sections, some gravel and some grassy sections. I'd recommend either a Cyclocross, a MTB or your commuting rig. A carpet-fibre road bike is just plain silly - even on this ride.
• Clothes - It's a casual event so full teamkit is in the overkill zone. You'll be on and off your bike alot , but will be riding 25-30 miles. Here's what the "Winning" team wore last year. Please note the now missing People's MiniVan - you automatically win if you find it and bring it back during the event.
• Helmets - It's a free country, and there's a really large hospital near by so we most likely will be able to get you there in plenty of time to harvest your other organs. Your choice.
• Pubs, Bars, Taverns, Saloons and Gentlemen's Clubs - None on the list of stops as this ride is open to all ages. Feel free to bring a 6'r for afterwards though.
• Bribery - Bribery of the Official is not an upstanding form of competition, but this is me were talkin' about.

Give a shout out on the comments if you're planing on coming so I can get an idea on attendance. The Wauwatosa Police Department only has 1 paddy wagon and the've politely asked for a head count in case they need to rent a back up. Seriously - lemme know so I can make sure to print enough maps and stuff.

A Saturday

With the sun making a bold appearance in the afternoon the Roommate made me pull her sorry-ass out for a 40 mile or so road ride. We did 20 miles south along the Oak Leaf Trail before turning around to head home. I couldn't help but noticing that the trail was covered with more then just Oak Leaves. On Monday I plan on calling the County and asking for a refund on my taxes.

The Roommates good side. Normally I wouldn't be the kind you could get out for a ride on a day such as this, but she baked Cinnamon Rolls and wouldn't let me have one unless I let her suck my draft for the entire ride. I was helpless to resist.

Eastbound and down, loaded up and truckin'.

We ran into the Ronsta while we were out and about. He says he wouldn't dare miss the Tour of Tosa next Sunday. We also came across Mr & Mrs Bugnacki enjoying the day via bikes.

I am one handsome devil.

Chili

Bubba ruined our planned evening ride by making it rain for like 40 hours straight, but we made him follow through on the promise of chili and a fire regardless. We tried to wipe that stoooopid look off'f his face, but it's permanent. While dude was busy mugging for the camera, Jack the Wonder Dog goes in for a sample.

Double WHAT?

This just in - Both of this weekends 'Cross races are postponed. Obviously the folks in charge are not Belgians or this silliness wouldn't happen.