New Year 2012

Got out for 45 miles on NYE with the new boss and group of riders. The bonk king can be spied in the back row.

Had an excellent year of cycling this year with my most mileage ever. Did just under 10,000 miles with 9400, wish I could have squeezed in that last 600 to get into 5 digits. Maybe this year...

The new year promises to be a great one. I have a new job at Wheel Werks in Crystal Lake and am fine tuning my skills to the high level of service and caliber of this shop. I hope to learn some new skills and hopefully some more about fitting on the bicycle. Bob (the bossman) is going to Retul me in the next coming weeks with help from a physical therapist (Todd) to help me work out some neck and knee issues I've been having from sitting somewhat crooked.

A few target races are on my radar:

1) Trans Iowa - This race is a must finish for me. I look forward to riding with Ari and Giggles and conquering the beast. If the weather is good I will destroy myself for a finish. This is THE target race for the year. Thanks to my boss for sponsoring the event as well, and as usual Guitar Ted for putting this great race on....very excited

2) The Royal 162 - Two weeks after TI, the Royal and Almanzo in Rochester, MN take place. 162 miles of sloppy gravel and rolling hills. Excited to head up to this one. Going to cruise up with the Bonk King who is helping to support the event, and my good friend Joel is going to race the Almanzo so we will get to ride together for a while.

3) DK200 - I think that my redemption for DK will be put on hold as $60 is money I don't have right now from my move up north and I might have a prior engagement. We shall see...

4) Gravel Worlds - Hopefully heading to the Mecca of gravel grinding: Lincoln, Nebraska. Strong STRONG riders are known to inhabit the area and amazing riding is supposed to be in the area. Hoping to join the PCL for some acti0n come August.

5) The Heck of the North - I will return stronger this year and hopefully finish top 20... No more heavy drinking the night before, will give myself ample time to get ready, will drink plenty of fluids before the race and during. How can you not love those DBD guys...looking forward to hanging with them again!

Goals for TI base training include a similar plan to last year. 500 miles in Jan, 800 in Feb, and 1000 in March. My new pugsley (pics to come) will help push the mileage and fitness into the frigid winters in northern Illinois.

Heading for a brief vacation in TX with my mom and brother. Hopefully can clear my mind of some negative thoughts, recharge, and hit the rest of the month with some great miles. Don't let your meat loaf...chin up and zipper down!

Happy New Year and thanks for reading this blog!

- JB

Riding in the new Habitat

Back to the normal habitat: gravel up in northern Illinois...wonderful



Rode past this crazy tree the other day, at first I thought that there were birds in it. On second glance it was all shoes!

I've been settling in a little more here in Crystal Lake. Getting some hours at the new shop and meeting some of the riders in the area. Was able to get a metric century in with the Bonk King, and Wheel Werks Bob on Monday, 30 mile commute Tuesday...150-250 miles per week since Illinois is dry as a bone with no snow yet, I'm taking full advantage and getting some miles in.

Chrome Fork Crown wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!!

Get out for a New Years Day ride with some friends and make a goal for yourself in the coming season. Go longer, get more miles, do a grand fondo, get a bike you have always dreamed of.... you get the idea.

2011 was a great one for me, 2012 is going to be even better!!!

Don't let it loaf....

- JB

The Eagle Has Landed

Found the new route to work, about 12-13 miles. Rode with Bob (the owner of WW), The Bonk King, and Ron.



Official winter bike of the slender fungus.....will have this thing pimped out later this week, Black with Green accents....you just wait!!!

Very fun and exciting things going on with the new shop....great builds, rearranging the store, getting ready for an awesome year!

Rode 40 miles on Sunday, 35 miles today, figuring out a fitting and knee issue I have going on right now, hoping that riding the pugsley in a different riding position than the gunnar will help, also with a different saddle. Have some good pics from todays ride, will post them tomorrow....gear up for the holidays

Don't let your freaking meat loaf!!!

- JB

Moving On Up...Literally

I'm officially heading out of Springfield, IL and making the move up to Crystal Lake, IL......no not the Crystal Lake with the slasher Jason in it! This is a very nice suburb of Chicago and has a little bit more money then down here in Springfield.



I have accepted a Head Mechanic/Manager position at a very high end shop called Wheel Werks. Owner Bob Olsen has been in the industry for a long time and is known for being Lon Haldeman's main mechanic as well as a fit guru. He is a master with multiple fit systems including ReTul. I am very excited to be a part of this new shop and help progress the business. I know I can bring a lot of experience here as well as learn a lot from Bob as well.



I am going to miss all my friends down in the south. You guys have been great and always treated me like part of your own family. You took my riding to a whole different level and I am very thankful for that. There are some VERY VERY strong riders down here and I saw my fitness jump levels just riding with them consistently. I logged my highest year in miles so far...going on 9100 miles for the year and still going, and thats again thanks to the riders down here. There was always a group ride or someone that wanted to put in a long mileage day...on any day of the week. It was great. I will miss you guys a lot!!! I am very much looking forward to being near more gravel roads to train on, being 20 minutes from my girlie, and 1 hour train ride into Chicago where my close friends live. This move is going to be great, I know it!!! Bigger and better things!!! If you're down south by Springfield, give Matt at Wheel Fast a shout and head out on a ride with some great riders in the area. Much Love.

- JB

Fat Bike Mike

Great shot of the bonk king riding dirty during a Fat Bike race up in WI

Trans Iowa V8

On the roster for TIV8!!!! Training has already begun and getting in some high mileage weeks already, my new necromancer pugsley will add to the winter training, and the new shop is even planning on sponsoring TIV8, good things are coming in 2012!

Ride time

Nice high mileage week with 225 total miles in this week. Had a good 75 miler on the cross bike with Mark Shea...trying to keep up with him for 75 miles on his road bike was a challenge but I did it. We stopped at subway, had a sandwich, and read the paper.... Moving in 8 days as my job down here ended shorter than expected. Excited for the move and new opportunity.

- JB