Seven Years Ago Today

Never Forget!

Just To Put Obama's Experience Into Perspective

Think about this before you put your vote behind Obama:

You couldn't get a job at McDonalds and become district manager after 143 days of experience.

You couldn't become chief of surgery after 143 days of experience of being a surgeon.
You couldn't get a job as a teacher and be the superintendent after 143 days of experience.
You couldn't join the military and become a colonel after a 143 days of experience.
You couldn't get a job as a reporter and become the nightly news anchor after 143 days of experience.

But....

From the time Barack Obama was sworn in as a United State Senator, to the time he announced he was forming a Presidential exploratory committee, he logged 143 days of experience in the Senate. That's how many days the Senate was actually in session and working. After 143 days of work experience, Obama believed he was ready to be Commander In Chief, Leader of the Free World .... 143 days.

We all have to start somewhere. The senate is a good start, but after 143 days, that's all it is - a start.

AND, strangely, a large sector of the American public is okay with this and campaigning for him. We wouldn't accept this in our own line of work, yet some are okay with this for the President of the United States of America? Come on folks, we are not voting for the next American Idol!

Armstrong To Make Comeback??

This article taken from Cycling Magazine

Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong will come out of retirement and compete in next year's Tour de France, VeloNews reported Monday, citing sources close to the situation.

Armstrong

Armstrong, who will turn 37 on Sept. 18, will join the Astana team and compete in five road races, the sources told VeloNews.

He will compete in the Amgen Tour of California, Paris-Nice, the Tour de Georgia, the Dauphine-Libere and the Tour de France. The sources told VeloNews that Armstrong will receive no salary or bonuses.

Armstrong's manager, Mark Higgins, would not comment.

Sources told VeloNews that Armstrong's comeback will be the focal point of a story in the upcoming issue of Vanity Fair, to be published later this month.

Armstrong, who overcame testicular cancer he was diagnosed with in 1996 en route to his string of Tour de France triumphs, has remained active in the three years since his retirement.

In August he raced in the Leadville Trail 100, a 100-mile mountain bike race through the Colorado Rockies, finishing a close second to the six-time defending champion, Dave Wiens. It's the country's highest-altitude bicycle race.

Armstrong has also run the New York and Boston marathons and was set last month to run the Chicago Marathon in October.

Gratitude Campaign

The Story of How It Got Started... (by Scott Truitt)

For the past several years as I've been traveling around the country, I've been approaching Soldiers in airports and thanking them for serving for us. On several occasions I have noticed that it felt a little awkward for both of us. There are several reasons, some of which I am even just now learning as I produce this film and talk to more Service Men & Women and Veterans. But they have always appreciated being thanked, and I have always felt better having expressed my gratitude.



I started to think that it would be nice if civilians had a gesture or sign that they could use to say "thank you" quickly and easily without even having to approach. I did some research and found the sign that we are now using.

Is this limited to the military? Not at all. If you look around you I'm sure that you'll find lots of people who are serving their communities, from local to global. If you appreciate their service, give them a sign. Say "thank you from the bottom of my heart."

IA State Crit Championship Recap

Saturday marked my third time racing at the State Crit Championships in Pella, IA. Doug Klauhsen and friends sure do put on a great race. Well organized and fun.

We got there in time to see the Cat 1/2's start. A very interesting race; a group of three strong riders got into the break, (Jared, Sean Walker, Jason Landretti), when Lou Waugaman decided to attack and bridge up. He bridged up and the group began to roll. They never really got more then 10 seconds off the chase group. Towards the end of the race Lou saw the chase group start to catch the leaders and decided he'll have none of that!! He pushed the pace of the lead group faster but no one responded. They let him roll off the front and create his own break. Lou eventually lapped the field and won the race. Great job Lou!! Congrats on your second win this month and a great season.

Lou Waugaman - State Crit Champ 2008

The Cat 3 race started off in usual form with a fast start compliments of Mr. Chris Hansen. This usually gets the heart pumping and sorts the strong guys out. After Chris' attack his teammate and sling-shot artist Bryan Moritz attacked.

Our game plan was to cover attacks and launch counter attacks however, it seemed that everyone had the same plan. The first part of the race was spent covering small attacks that didn't stick. Finally, Big Daddy Jerome Rewarts of A9Y launched an attack with Bryan West, (Colorbiotics) and Karl Rosenberg, (HBA). Kris Kunze, (RBSDSK 5000), saw the attack and immediately responded forming break.


The break dangled out in front of us for about 7 or 8 laps. I think it was never for than 10 seconds up the road allowing for Andrew Fagersten, (B2U), Adam Price, (Mercy), and a couple of others to bridge up. It is frustrating to see this happen but once these got in the break just about every team was represented and the chase group slowed allowing the break to solidify. I contemplated bridging but it didn't feel like the right thing to do with Kris already up in the break.

At this point Pig and I went on the defensive and just covered and moves that would happen from there. Chad Bishop and I rode the front of the chase group a majority of the remaining laps. Chad was working with HBA today and could've easy bridged to put himself in the break. He is a strong rider that has good instincts but played it safe today.

With about 9 laps left to go Scott Robinson, (A9Y), attacked the chase group. I chased and caught him. As I passed him I told him to hop on so we could form another break. The lead group was about to lap the chase group and I really didn't want to get caught in that mess. Scott's attack was very short lived which left me riding for a lap and a half on my own. I could see the peloton catching and decided I had a better chance to help Kris with a lead out at the end. However, that flier gassed me as my training has been awful the last few weeks. With two laps to go I could feel the cramps starting in my legs. I tried to spin them out but it didn't work. Before the third turn I pushed my way to the front to hit the hill first to try to lead Kris out. Unfortunately I took the turn from the inside and a little too fast causing me to have to apply some breaks. Standing up to sprint my legs locked up immediately and I was DONE. I spun over the hill thru the fourth corner to see B2U's big man Andrew taking the win with Kris Kunze getting fourth.


It was a great day to race and everyone did very well. The turnout was good and congrats to B2U for a very successful road season. They raced strong, executed well as a team and the results proved it. No three's team in IA was able to match them this year. Congrats to Bryan Moritz for winning the IA Cup Points race too.

Results of the race are here
It will be interesting to see who upgrades next year and who stays a three.

(Pictures courtesy of Bryan Moritz' blog)

Take Back America

Whatever you do today, take 6 minutes and watch this video, it will be worth your time:

Lots of Items For Sale

THE SWAP MEET STARTS HERE...

Trying to clean out some of my extra parts and pieces. If you need any parts like frames, forks, pedals, stems, bar ends or hubs CLICK HERE.

As is customary - offer the parts to the locals first then go to Ebay. Let me know what you need.

Godco - Pairety from Geico Insurance

Pretty funny stuff...