Random thoughts!

So lots of things have been going on around the AKS home of late. Most of you know that I have 3 daughters. Well between them, my wife and work, I never have anytime to do anything let alone get on the computer and update this blog. I have a few minutes so I thought I'd get on here and let it rip.

First things first, I have been reading on Scooby's blog about this BMC that he is now rocking. It's about time. Not because they are better than Specialized but because he is supporting the greatest bike shop in the area, Hampton Trails. I know some of you will roll your eyes and disagree but Brian is the best. He will bend over backwards for you. And I don't know about you but I like to take bike and part recommendations from someone who actually rides :)

Another thing that I have been thinking about is all of the stuff going on in the world and our country. The earthquake in Haiti is an awful event, let me say that first. But with that in mind I don't understand how the minute it happens the U.S.A pledges $100 million in aid and probably more in the future. Remember this is the same country that didn't want us coming there a few years ago. And we have thousands of homeless and hungry people (children included) that we don't care of here. Why can't we give $100 million to take care of those people. Or better yet, how about $100 million to help our education system? Anyone want to guess where we rank in education in the world? I'm all for helping people but its funny how the people we help don't want us any other time unless they are in trouble...(France I'm talking about you too!!!!!) I got a great email the other day that listed all of the countries in NATO that sided with us during the Iraq war and those who didn't. The ones that didn't receive BILLIONS of dollars in some for of aid or military help from us. The email goes on to say that instead of us spending that money on those countries who aren't with us and/or against us, take that money and pump it into Social Security and healthcare. That would solve everything. Sounds good to me. Why do we keep helping people who dont want us there or don't like us?

I have a feeling 2010 is going to be great. I'm getting ready to sell the house, when that happens I'll have some $$$ to buy a few toys I've been wanting. Sorry Scooby, none of those toys require pedaling. Plus I'll get to move to JC which would put me closer to everything and everyone. "The Bluff" just doesn't have much to offer. Also my daughter is riding the hell out of her Yamaha TTR-50 that I got her. It makes her daddy proud when she flies around on something motorized and two-wheeled! I would love to get her out on a track sometime. I may try to take her to Atlanta to watch the Supercross. The year I went the had the KTM 50 series race in between the Lites and 450 main. She'd get a kick seeing those kids race. It may even inspire her.

I'm outta here. Gotta do the dad thing!

You know I have love for "Trixie"

Well it was brought to my attention by Mr. Thomas that in my last post I was rather negative towards road cycling and the people around here who have ruined it. He told me that the only time I road this past year was with him so he thought I was referring to him. I'm here to say that the post he is mentioning had nothing to do with him. All of my road rides with the "local cult hero" as Greg calls him were great and alot of fun. If I ever ride a road bike in the future (which is highly unlikely) it will be because of Mike. Mike represents what road cycling should be about...FUN. I suppose my statements were made referencing the past. Although the TNR rides I did do this year were absolutely a joke. I never seen so many elitist assholes in one place in all my life. It's sad that most of them don't know what cycling is really about. To those sad individuals its all about racing and bragging about who was the fastest up and over Buffalo Mtn. It doesn't take alot of talent to sit back in the middle of the pack and not take a pull only to sprint up Buffalo at the end. Okay enough of that....

In other news, the newest member of the AKS family is already 1 month old. I have no clue where the time has gone. I suppose between work, 3 daughters and a wife, life can go by pretty fast. I have, however, been able to work out consistently for the past week and a half (thank you P90x), losing 6 lbs in the process. I have ridden twice in that same period so I'm happy about that as well. The biggest difference I can see in myself is my recovery time. I don't know if has to do with the fact that I have had nothing but water to drink for the past 2 weeks but I feel great. I will be making an appearance at the Short Track next week so that should be fun. My goal is 10 laps. If I can do that I'll be happy. The first and only time I did Short Track I only managed 7 laps but that was the week before I got sick with that Pericarditis that laid me up for over a month. I've got to get after it since I've committed to George about going out with him and Jeff again. Those dudes are beasts on a mountain bike. I've never seen anyone climb like that. It almost pisses you off...LOL. Alright I'm outta here.

If you are reading this Greg, what happened to you this week? I thought you were gonna call to go riding since you were off all week.

29er or Bust

Its official, I no longer own anything that has to do with road cycling.  I just sold my Bianchi steel bike complete with Campy Record.  I also got rid of all my extra parts (bottle cages, pedals, etc). I really have no desire to do it anymore.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, the road scene around here sucks now and its just not fun anymore.   I have much more fun in the woods (I can see Greg shaking his head now and saying "I told you so").  And since I really plan on not road biking again I have shifted all of my two wheel efforts into the mountain.   This gets me to where I am today and the dillema I face.  

I called Scooby the other day and asked some questions regarding the whole 29'er craze.  He answered like I thought he might.  It's hard to get an answer from someone who thinks every other bikes sucks except Specialized..LOL...just giving you a hard time Alan!!  But seriously I am intrigued with the whole idea of the 29'er.  I can't lie anymore but I have been riding here lately.  I've been to Warriors a few times and ETSU a few times hitting the trails.  I'm getting my strength and endurance back slowly but surely.   The one thing that I have noticed while on the Chameleon is the lack of being able to just "roll" over things.  I keep hearing that with a 29'er you make roots, smaller logs, and rock gardens look easy.  That's what I need.   I think the only thing holding me back is having to shell out money for not just a frameset but a new fork and a new set of wheels.   I will continue to do some more research and hopefully I will have an epiphany of some sorts.  Any input is appreciated...so bring it on!

A short one

Its been a week since my last post and to be honest not much is going on to post about. I've been so busy with the newest addition to my family, and work I don't have time to do much else. Claire is doing wonderful. Her two big sisters are a huge help and love her more than you can imagine. Now if only I could get more than a couple hours of sleep every night. With me being so tired I haven't done anything at all. No gym, no riding, nothing. I contemplated going to the Short Track last night but I'm just too tired. I would have suffered alot!! I really am enjoying reading all of your posts. I can live vicariously through all of you. I know I keep saying I'm going to post pics and I will this weekend I promise. So stay tuned.

She's here!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The day the whole AKS family has been waiting for finally arrived yesterday. On 8/24 at 2:34pm my wife and I welcomed our 3rd little girl into the world (this means 'ol AKS is outnumbered 4 to 1, male to females, in my house...LOL). Claire Marie Chesser was born weighing 8 lbs, 11 oz. and was 20 3/4" long. She is absolutely beautiful and healthy as can be. Mrs. AKS came through with flying colors as well. And listen to me now fella's, I don't care how tough you think you are there is no way any of us could handle going through labor. I've seen it first hand 3 times now and I can't begin to imagine what it must feel like. So to you women out there who are reading this, my hat is off to all females, you forever have my respect! So after staying in the hospital a couple of days we finally made him back home this evening. My two other daughters are being so great. They can't keep their eyes and hands off of her. My youngest daughter (well up until yesterday), Lauren who is almost 3, won't hardly let anyone else touch her! It's very sweet to see how protective she is. I hope she stays like that forever. I promise I will post pics just as soon as I get them uploaded and then have Alan show me how to put pics up.

Thank you to everyone who has called and/or emailed me and my family. All of your thoughts and prayers were greatly appreciated. Have a great evening and watch for future posts with updates and pics!!!

T-Minus 3 days and counting

Sorry for the lack of blogging lately but I have been consumed with getting everything ready for the arrival of my baby girl. The due date is tomorrow and so far no signs of her coming on time. If nothing happens over the weekend Katie already has an appt to be induced starting Monday morning. So no matter what, within the next 3 days I will become a proud dad of another beautiful daughter. I will keep everyone posted. I want to say thanks to all of you for keeping myself and my family in your thoughts and prayers! I can't wait for it all to happen so I can share it with all of you. I'll be back with an update before you know it!!

Creeper Trail - George and Jeff style!!

Well I finally made it out on the old mountain bike yesterday after being sick for the past 2 months. I didn't go to Bent Creek with the NTMBA crew because I felt that the ride and the riders would be way to much for me to handle on a first ride back. So I got together with local legend Mike Thomas, George and Jeff and headed towards Damascus for what I thought was a nice easy ride up to White Top courtesy of the Creeper Trail. First I need to set the scene for everyone. I was talking to Mike on Friday and mentioned Bent Creek. He told me that he had talked to George and Jeff already and made plans to go do the Creeper Trail. George and Jeff are known for their epic mountain bike rides, which include goat trails steeper and nastier than I prefer. But they were doing the Creeper because Jeff broke his foot a few weeks back and this was just a ride to see how his foot would hold up. So off we go........

As we take off from the parking lot heading up the Creeper Trail the pace is moderate but nothing to bad. The ride to White Top is all uphill, probably about a 2% grade if that, but enough to where you have to keep pedaling (no coasting). Well about 5 miles in we came to the first juncture at which point Jeff and George told Mike and myself that if we veer off from the Creeper Trail we could get into some nice single track for a few miles and then connect back to the trail. This should have been where I said "I'll meet you at White Top"...but I didn't. Instead, I pointed the Chameleon in the direction of the single track and off we went. Now I tell you this, and doubt me if you will, but I promise you that we climbed non-stop for about 5 miles. And this was nasty stuff. Not your typical single track like at ETSU or Warriors. This was more like a service road that hadn't been used in years. The weeds were as tall as our bikes and sometimes you literally had to make you own track through them. There were some gravel spots that had some pretty loose gravel that made it hard to keep the momentum up but I made it to the top. And there, finally, was the "real" single track that was mentioned before. We had a nice 1 or so miles of single track going through the woods that led us to a creek that we had to cross on foot. Hopping off the bike and putting it on my shoulder I waded through knee deep water to get to a embankment that was steeper than hell. You couldn't ride up it. You had to literally climb out of there dragging or pushing your bike just to make it back to the Creeper Trail. I must say though that it was a fun experience.

After making it up the bank and back onto the Creeper Trail we had about 7-8 miles or so up to to White Top. It honestly hurt after doing all of the climbing earlier but the ride back to Damascus was worth it. It was all downhill back to the car. You still had to pedal but you could really get some speed up. Unfortunately Mike cut his tubular tire on his cyclocross bike and had to push for the last mile or so. All in all, a great time and a good workout. I think Jeff said his computer registered around 30 miles so for me that's a good start. I plan on building on this so it looks like Warriors and ETSU are in my future.

On the family front, no news yet. Daughter #3 still has not arrived. We are approaching the due date which is this Saturday!! I can't wait! I know my wife feels the same. I don't know how women do it. Being pregnant like that has to suck, especially when its hotter than hell. Alright, I'm outta here. Thanks for reading