Shore the Core

On Friday I delivered my freshly mended IF Ti Planet Cross to MWC and as I strolled in, saw Sam sitting on a red leather chair looking a little drawn from the week. A little casual chit-chat later and he was asking me how my back was feeling.

"It's getting better. Still a little stiff. We need to go for a short spin some time and see how it feels."

"Maybe you should do some pilates or something similar first so you don't jack it up again."

Exhausted from the week and the guy is still smarter than I am.

Two yoga sessions on Saturday, along with some core work. The back is still tender, but the body is happier for the effort.

Head tube badge and a limestone airbrush

Mopac Warrior

War Machine Sighting: Sir Tony Wilhelm...

... with a cameo by Dave Averill as well, MWC style. Thanks, Jamie.

New Build

While I wish I was referencing another War Axe build, in fact, the real work in my immediate future is getting back into some sort of fitness.

Two weeks ago, my back decided to look more like the twisting Highway 17 leading from San Jose to Santa Cruz than I-80's straight run through western Nebraska.

While I wouldn't say I'm completely starting over, there is a long way to go. As of this morning, my third chiropractic visit in two weeks just confirmed the problem. At this point, just getting back on the bike will be nice, since I am only now beginning to walk normally.

Maybe by the time my bike is ready, I'll actually be able to ride it.

Enjoying Sunday

Intelligence from the Front

This might be better titled, 'Rumors and Loose Plans," but that really wouldn't go well with the folks in our marketing department... So, near to far:

Nebraska cross has started and, to paraphrase Sam, 'it'd be crazy if we were both actually racing.' While I am doing my best to ruin that plan with a bad back and lack of a proper bike, Sam's already in the mix.

Look for an updated War Axe T-Shirt coming to an MWC near you. Right now, we've got three XL's and that's it.

The rumor that I've claimed my slot for 2011's TransIowa is true. Not only am I ready to go back, but it is likely one of the few races that work into a busy family schedule.

A more tightly kept rumor is also true... The Evil Unicorns are poised to ride again. You maybe recall a few years ago, Nate, Mod, Sam and I did quite nicely racing Single Speeds down at Landahl. To quote Sam, "I'll actually train this time." Plus, it's been blogged, so it has to happen.

And lastly, a shout out to friend of the show, Cameron Chambers. He's your new SS 24hr National Champion. We love that guy and are incredibly happy for him.

The Random Singing You've Heard in the Distance...

... is just me riding through Wilderness with this in my head. Feel free to sing along.

White Socks: Only to be Worn with a Sense of Irony

If you pay even less than strict attention to the world of Rapha, you will have likely noticed that Rapha UK and Rapha US will periodically debate the merits (or lack thereof) of white socks.

Without argument, white socks have their place. When you are five years old, constantly lose socks and need to buy them in packs of six, white socks are functional and cost effective. If you're Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, playing for the Houston Oilers in the late seventies and eighties, it is certainly a reasonable way to dress. For the well-rounded cyclist, who is equally comfortable in the dirt, on gravel, the cross course and the road, white has little place in your War Axe wardrobe.

Certainly, great cyclists in the past have donned white socks, but do we really want to walk back through the fashion mistakes of cyclists past to show how such an argument really fails to stand up? (Okay, the one orange sock is a nice touch.)

We're finalizing an order of black War Eagle socks with a 7" cuff via Sock Guy today. Think of them as the Quasi Team MWC sock. Same colors. Same Lincoln pride. You'll never see White from War Axe.

After all, White equals surrender. Save the white socks for a Halloween costume, not your next ride.

Putting in the Pain

Photography skills from Lucas Marshall