41 days

Just 41 days out from the start of the Formula1 season, and 1 day out from the first testing, McLaren introduced the new MP4-25 today. And man... they've been busy completely redesigning last years (arguably) dog of a car.

I can't wait to see the new cars in action... there should be some really exciting changes this year, from no refueling to some really intersting driver line-ups for certain teams.

And really can't wait for the USF1 presentation of their new car, when it begins testing in Alabama!

That's Not a Moon!

Finally got a pretty good weekend of riding in, this past week. Saturday we had most of the new team (more info coming soon!) meet up, and go hit the Gateway ride out of Boulder. It was nice to have everyone except the Biscuit Man there, and even more fun to have the entire team in the front of the group for the day. Not much has changed on the Gateway ride, and surprisingly, even though there was such a big group, most everyone did a good job not being embarrassingly bad about riding out in the middle of the road and messing with traffic. I hear there was a crash at the back of the group though, so of course, plenty of room for improvement. About like my fitness though - actually, I felt fine all day, which was reassuring. There is of course, plenty of high-end fitness that needs some tweaking, as to be expected.

Saturday evening we hit the town for Bittainy's birthday, which included a fun night at Lannie's Clocktower for the late night burlesque show. We popped for the VIP tickets, and managed to keep it a secret from Brittainy that she was going to get to perform on stage for her birthday. I think she had just enough "alcoholic lubrication" in the system, and she totally embraced her onstage persona, "Violet Vixen".

After getting home crazy-late, I wasn't motivated to get up early for another group ride. So instead I did the complete opposite, and hit out on my own on the cross bike, to hit some snowy dirt roads up along Peak to Peak.

Pretty sweet ride, nice and quiet and I got to check out a couple roads I have been meaning to ride. It was chilly for sure, but only snowed for about one-third of the ride.

It's been a nice diversion from the snow, especially given how cold it's been and even most of the roads have been crappy, to get out on the track. A group of us have rented an hour of track time, once a week, during lunch (which is even better to escape the cube for awhile) and it's been pretty fun. I try not to think about how many laps we end up doing, but an hour at threshold on the track, sure beats the trainer. Even though you're breaking monotony with monotony...

Overall... cycling is a beautiful sport, for so many reasons. Yet, it really can never be considered the best sport... Look at Formula One racing (Season is set to start in just 49 days now!), and their programs. Talk about living the dream - today McLaren signed 14 year old Nyck De Vries into their young driver development program. I mean seriously... playing with those kinds of toys at all of 14 years old. Sure beats the hell out of the PK Ripper I was lusting for when I was 14.

And sure as hell sounds like a better way to spend a season of racing, trying to get noticed while you are slogging though cow shit covered, wet, Eastern European roads in 34 degree temps while it's pissing down sleet.

I've been really focused on my auto racing career as well... on Need For Speed Drift... driving one my favorites... my 700hp "sleeper" Audi RS4;

But last night I took a break from racing (only after some time on the indoor trainer of course) to finish up the build on the Lego Deathstar. It is now complete, all 3,803 pieces have been snapped tightly together, and it's ready for full on re-enactment of all your favorite movie scenes.

New-ish Year

Well... 12 days in, and I think I'm starting to get back to normal after New Year's Eve. I know that it was definitely a good time, but I also know that my memory gets progressively more hazy, as it gets later into the night. A group of us went down to Denver and did the only wise thing - reserved some hotel rooms. Everyone had dinner, and then we were off to Wynkoop Brewery just to hang out and have a good time.

I have so many incriminating photos, so I'm not even sure what to post. But I figure that this series of photos should sum things up pretty nicely - party hats inspired an obssession with boobs... Jessica is bound to develop back pain with those;

Craig wasn't about to be outdone;

Brittainy worked 50% harder than everyone on her boob job;

And Jeff and Jill... well, I guess you could say they went off on a bit of a tangent. I like their thinking though;

No doubt the girls were having a good time! Heck, they had already had a round of shots before the boys started to get onto that track of thinking!

And soon enough, as the night became the new year, the dancing began, with Craig and Jessica leading away;

And Brittainy and Bonnie couldn't resist the dance floor either, and they were even able to attract some dude surfing the crowds for those 1.30am chicks that needed "a ride home".

Awesome... he's in like 4 photos I have, just leering at the dancing crowd.

The dancing did in everyone, and Jessica in particular. Oddly, there wasn't a cab to be found at 2.00am on New Year's so we spent some time wandering about in 20 degree temps before finally making it to the hotel.

No hangover was enough to make us miss the opening day at Rise and Shine Biscuit Kitchen though, and we all stumbled in there New Year's Day, for some biscuits and coffee to battle the hangovers. That was about the most activity I had for New Year's Day...