Day 31

This post will be a joke.  I had a migraine for the most part of the day, so im a bit foggy at the moment.  On the plus side, its pretty much gone.  That being said...

...boots out

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Day 30...Productivity

Well, to quote Ice Cube..."Today was a good Day".  Got to run around all over town all morning, literally.  I went from one end of north west Denver down to Parker and then back home to Stapleton.  The boys came along as usual, and they were pretty good overall.  We went to Rise and Shine Biscuit Kitchen, Highlands, to get some grub and I could meet my newest client to give her her freshly glued wheels/tires.  Then it was down to Parker to Creekside, the new job, to grab a couple things and chat with Boss Man, Kirk Webster, about his decision to carry Colnago! Holy crap is that gonna be an awesome addition to his shop.  He already has Pinarello, Merckx, Tommisini and Bianchi, and adding Colnago will take his shop to the next level.  So excited!  Not only that, the new Cyclocross World Champ, Neils Albert, won it onboard a Colnago Prestige.  We will be getting a Cross bike in, frame perhaps, maybe around a certain mechanic's size...hmmmmmmmmm.

From that bit o good news to driving back home and giving the boys some lunch and then nap time, we fast forward to my first official bike ride of 2012.  It wasnt impressive, but it did feel good.  They piled into the Chariot and the Stigmata got hitched up for the jaunt over to the park.  The boys love the trailer.  I hear them having conversations about the bumps and which ones are fun and which ones are hard.  The "bigger" bumps are typically the fun ones!

all ready to roll!

I also got some spokes ordered from Alchemy Bicycle Works for a build this week.  Thats going to be fun for sure.

boots out...

Day 29...Damn Blogger!

Ok, so I had a post and it was set up to post, when the blogger server on my computer wouldnt update.  It was too late and I was too tired to worry about trying to save it.  Today will make up for that...

boots out...and is sorry

Day 28...A Couple Photos

Today was a day, great day at work, boss is super super nice and completely different from any shop owner Ive worked for.  Came home and hung out with the boys and the wife before they all went to bed.  Just got done gluing up my last set of tires for the week.  Im exhausted...

Tomorrow morning Ill be heading down to 3 Lions bright and early for the 7am showing of Cyclocross Worlds.  Interested?  Come on down and head upstairs.  

Most of the Service area at work.  Me likey da bench.

Doing with what space he has, and he has some nice lines to show off!

Boss Man is an old skool Campy lover.  Im new skool...it works out.

what I just got done doing in the shop here at home.

The finished product...aaaaaand Im done

boots out...

Day 27...Adult Time

Today was a work day.  Creekside was hopin.  Helped a Jr racer set up his garmin and put on his "Jr Gears" for going down to Arizona and racing this weekend.  Thats part of the "new rules" post integration of the ACA and USAC.  Started building up a nice lil Soma San Marco only to realize that they shipped it with a 650b fork...OOPS!  So thats on hold until they send out a replacement.  Glued up 3 more tubies at the shop as well. Seems like I should maybe open a custom wheel workshop and only specialize in building/fixing/gluing wheels for all...hmmmmmm.  Figured out a "problem" for a customer who's son "fixed" her bike.  Adjusting the front derailleur high limit screw got it all worked out.  Thats about it.  Tomorrow is another day at the shop, and so appreciated "adult time" with others who dont run around in diapers and drink out of sippy cups.  After that its back to the Real job of being with the boys full time during the week.

boots out...

Day 26

Pretty eventful day, if you look at it from the standpoint of 2 little boys who decided today was the day they'd break dad like glass on hot pavement.  They succeeded, a little.  In the end made it through.  haha.  Took them to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and after finally coming to grips with the sad fact that their favorite Dinosaur exhibit was gone for good, there was bucket-o-tude.  After taking them through the Space Journey area they quieted down enough to get home for a lil more R&R.

I remember my parents telling me, "Youll get yours one day...", and shit like that.  I remember thinking "haha, whatever...blah blah blah" to myself, imagining it never happening to me, especially since I was 1 of 4 giving my parents grey hair prematurely.  Well...its coming, and its coming hard and fast.  "Karma's a Bitch", and I got it comin.  Should probably sit down with the wife and figure out what she's got comin too.  That way we can at least build our bomb shelter properly.

I Love those boys of mine...

Did more glue work today.  Pulled on the Classics wheels today, and gave the ZIPP's their 2nd coat(rim and tire).  Tomorrow is pull up day for them.  I think I should invest in a respirator.  Seriously, that stuff is not right for your nasal cavities.  Doing it in the house has really shown me just how noxious those fumes are.  Good thing its been warm out and I can turn on the attic fan to speed up the process, as well as get the boys outside for a bit.  Maybe Ill rig an exhaust fan to the basement window above the bench....hmmmm

Thats it.  Work tomorrow at the shop, and Saturday.  Going to watch Cyclocross Worlds at 3 Lions Tavern this Sunday morning.  Thanks to Frites.

boots out...

Day 25...I Have Pics 2nite!

So Im not even going to talk about the "goals" thing tonight.  Its too much of a sad state of affairs, that I think until I have something concrete to tell Ill continue the posting.  Albeit it will be more along the bike stuff that takes place in my little world.

On that note, today was a pretty productive day in the home shop.  2 sets of tubulars, 2 diff clients, got their first coat of glue, and are curing as "we speak".  One is a pair of "Classics" wheels.  Nice low profile alloy rims w/traditional 3x spoking, and a set of Vittoria trainer tubies.  They are going to one of the "heads of state" over at Frites En Mayo.  The second set is going to a new client who races for the Pro Design Cycling Womens' Team.  She has a set of, fresh out of the box, ZIPP 303 Firecrest wheels, and Vittoria Evo's for tires.  Once permission is given to use her name, Ill throw it out there for everyone.  Definitely devoted as she works fulltime and just CAT'd up to a 1!

The other project was for my man Pete Lopez.  This guy has more Independent Fabrication bikes than most shops!  He broke a frame and found a replacement while the original gets fixed at IF HQ.  Nice lil Reynolds 853 rig.

One project left, respoke a Williams Cycling Wheel w/its original hub.  Waiting on spokes then that will be a fun couple hours.

Tomorrow will be more glue and the finishing work on Pete's bike.

Day 24

Youngest is up and not sleeping. All the while crying...boy this is gonna hurt. 

boots out...

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Day 23...Wagon? What Wagon?

Im posting while standing so as to negate the effects of being exhausted.  The boy feels much better today, although his appetite is for shite due to his coughing.  In the end, he was in good spirits and went to bed without incident.

Got productive and got a couple of documents made up Ive been wanting to do for some time now.  One is a list of rates for my private client/team members and the other is a description of whats gotten deemed "The PRO-gram".  Essentially is service from the standpoint of someone who either needs, or wants that same type of personal service Elite riders get from their mechanics.  In this case its a weekly service, ass to front, pick/drop off if needed for a small fee...etc.

Other than that...not much to report on the training aspect.  Ive fallen off the "bicycle wagon" as a twitter peep put it in regards to his own training.  Time to get back up, dust off the pride and get back to it.  I knew it was going to happen, I just didnt think itd be this soon.  I suppose its to be expected seeing as how I havent committed much to any sort of physical training regime in a few years.



boots out...

Day 22...Ear ache

I had quite a bit to say...I think. The day became a bit of a blur starting around 530MST when my oldest son started crying with an ear ache.  It stayed pretty steady in the inconsolable genre until about 15 mins ago.  He finally passed out from crying.  Drops haven't seemed to work so far, well maybe a little.  Kinda weird since we've been relatively lucky in the health dept for the boys.  This is the 1st ear ache we've had to deal with.  Its tough, cant do anything for them, and you cant do anything to mute the crying that just rips at your heart strings.  Hopefully it'll drain(crossing fingers that its not an infection) while he sleeps and he wakes up tomorrow in a better mood.  Otherwise I believe a trip to the Dr's office will be in the cards, at least thats what the Dr "on call" told us to do when we chatted with them.

On that note, I'm gonna go relax a bit and let my ears stop ringing.  Lets think thoughts of a restful night...boots out

Day 21

Ok, so I can only say its been a busy past couple of days.  The workouts have not happened...disappointed in myself.  Must figure something out in order to get a schedule going when the personal/family schedule doesnt really exist some days.

The party last night at the shop was such a success!  So many people came out, as well as the reps for the major brands the shop carries.  All the reps gave the rundown on their product, which is always cool for customers to get to see first hand.

The diet is holding to itself...mostly.  There have been a couple slip ups but mostly in the sense of missing a meal then trying to "makeup" for it later that evening.  Doesnt sit right...

Im passing out for the evening.  Hope everyone out there has a great rest of the weekend!

boots out...

Day 20

Exhausted...almost fell asleep before realizing I hadnt done this thing id promised I would do. So...now I've done it.

boots out...really out

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Day 19...Wheels Anyone?

Today was so nice!  The weather rocked, mid 60's last I checked here in Denver.  Took the boys to the park down the street and watched them do laps on the slides.  It was awesome!  During the day I tended to a couple wheel sets from a client who's going to be selling them.  Pics are posted below, and Ill share the ad when he gets it out.  Easton EA70 tubulars.  1 pair sans tires, but with cassette(Shimano 12-27 Ultegra 10spd), and a 2nd pair w/Challenge CX tires, and same cassette.

Tonight was #bikeschool over on Twitter.  Ive really gotten into it.  1 hour a week, Thursdays at 9pm EST, 7pm MST.  Click the link above and itll take you to the explanation of what #bikeschool is.  I must recommend.

Tomorrow its back to the shop and the "Bikes and Beer" Open House Kirk is throwing.  Its BYOB and the shop is providing food stuffs.  I just hope the drive home doesnt take as long as it did on Wednesday!

boots out...

dont give yourself blisters, use a hairdryer and hot that glue up!

Here they are, ready for sale

the aforementioned cassettes

1 w/tires, 1 sans tires

Day 18...Tough man

The title in not is supposed to indicate that yours truly is one.  Its more along the lines of "its gonna be tough man" to keep true to my #nyrevolutions when work hits full time and Im running the kids to/fro daycare.  Ok, I just reread that sentence and decided I should have my foot chewed on for a bit.  StayAtHome Moms have been doing this forever...MUCH Respect!  Having the boys in the car in the middle of the worst traffic ever was nice.  They sang and made jokes...kinda cool when they start having their "conversations" and laughing about it.  Very cool actually!

Did some nice tickets at work today.  Glued up a set of tubies(vittoria evo cx/reynolds carbon) then slapped them on an EMX-3 for a gentlemen.  Got the pres' Custom Trek Rd bike of Team Numb Nuts dialed in.  Mavic's hubs blow...IMO...as the interface of rubber on plastic just inherently doesnt seem smart on any level.  Once dirt attracts it turns the damn things into semi-fixy mode.  Luckily my ladies and gents at Dumonde.com make a Freehub Lube that reduces the drag by up to 60%...so says an unnamed source in the industry, allegedly.  Its killer stuff.  Anyway, those were the 2 most rewarding tickets of the day.  "Bikes and Beers" this Friday, which is essentially an open house for the shop  If youre in the area feel free to stop by.  Gonna be some nice eye candy there...bikes that is.

Tomorrow its wheel work here at the house.  Gonna be getting a couple sets of wheels ready for sale for a client.  Easton alloy tubies, 1 sans tires, the other w/Challenge cross tubies and cassette.  Ill throw the link up once he's decided on price and what not.

boots out...

I miss mountain biking...gotta work on that

Day 17...Photos This Time

Yep, I actually took photos today.  Bit of a busy one, errands w/the boys, then Dr's office for Zach's 2yr check up, then making bread, and giving it a go at roasting a chicken officially from scratch for the first time.  After all that, doing some work on my friend's Custom Pegoretti.  Its going down to the shop tomorrow for the "Bikes and Beer" event this Friday...5-7pm for any who are interested...to hang up for some oooo-ing and aaaaah-ing.

Later skaters...boots out

turned out pretty good.  The wife was happy!

good ole country white bread fresh out of the oven

Custom Pegoretti from The Man himself
 

Freshly installed Arione 2 add some pop to it!

The same color tape..as that is The Rule!

You dont get to chose what he does to your frame...beauty

Front and center

Like i said...Beauty

Campagnolo Record Drivetrain

nice lil touch

Love the blue

Day 16

Crazy day...just life and family stuff. Tomorrow is reset day.  More to come.

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Day 15..."say something stupid"

Ah, this day is coming to an end, as is the weekend...sorta.  The wife has tomorrow off in honor of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, which means its still the weekend for her.  In turn since she's home the day, itll still be the weekend for me since I wont be on solo dad duty with the two tornados of love...aka...my sons.  Grandma Gayle left today after being here for Zach's birthday, and helping us by entertaining the boys, her 2 favorite grandsons(theyre the only two).  

Resolutions are tough man, now I know why I havent attempted any in years!  Im gonna try a couple new things next week in the routine category.  Will report back on that.  

Should be able to get out and ride after monday, and my tuesday, as we're supposed to get some snow tomorrow.  I need to loosen the legs up slowly from the hiatus theyve had.  Not looking for any kind of performance from them, just wanna get the engine moving more and seeing what hurts the most!

I thought of the picture below today.  Usually that happens when I feel like saying something out "loud"...ie...the twittersphere, and I offend someone in the process.  I mean no harm, as a matter of fact its quite the opposite, Im all about love and peace.  Unfortunately i suffer from "foot in mouth" syndrome at times.  When that happens I remember this picture from a shop I worked at early in life.  It struck me as quite the "common sense" way of thinking and acting, but we're all human and some of tend to lack the brain to mouth filter of which so many out there have.  Anyway...apologies to anyone I set off, please lets talk about it.  Enjoy...

Boots out...

Day 14

It was my son, Zach's, 2nd birthday today.  So the "regiment" has been neglected for a couple days now.  Im going to have to hit "reset" Monday and push myself.  I knew these days would come, the thing called "Life" does what it does and you have to deal with it.  Have to do small things to keep everything in perspective and in sight so as to be able to come back to it with full conviction when the time comes.  So, thats what Im going to do.

Tomorrow we're taking the boys to Monkey Bizness in Parker.  That place is awesome.  Indoor inflatables for kids to jump, climb, slide there lil bums off!  After that, Grandma leaves in the afternoon so im sure the boys will go into some sort of withdrawl that will no doubt be super fun to experience.

Calling for snow this monday, and then warmer by the end.  Me thinks I need to get the bike dialed in, and put together a trailer kit of clothing for the boys to go out in.  Might have to make a trip to the museum too.

Thats whats up! Boots out...

Day 13

Long day, worked, dinner out with fam. Mom in law is asleep. Now I'm going to veg out. See u ladies and gents tomorrow.   Boots out...

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Day 12

Today was a whole bunch of prep work for the arrival of Grandma Levine tomorrow, whos coming in for my youngest's second birthday this weekend.  So, the training was limited to lots of running around town and house chores.  The diet maintained for the most part...Coca Cola is my weakness, and yes I know its probably the one thing I should cut out of my diet the most.  Losing weight isnt so much the goal as it is to just get some strength back and clean out the pipes for when I can ride outside again.  No, I dont have a trainer, or Id for sure be riding inside.  So if anyone out there lives in the Denver area and has an extra one, id be more than happy to take it off your hands for a few months!  Going outside would be an option if I didnt have to worry about the kids being in a trailer behind me on slippery roads with crazy drivers.  Anywho...itll work itself out one way or another.

Tonight is #bikeschool on twitter, starting at 7pm my time, which is MST.  Thats going to be the highlight of the evening!

Day 11...Gettin It Done Early

Well, Im not changing the name of my post, as I really did start it at 630am.  Then as I started to actually sit down, the computer started telling me I needed to update all kinds of stuff.  In that process, I deleted all my Apple software that was left remaining from my past days of being an iPhone owner/user.  By that time the boys were up and it was full tilt to get some food going/and in them, and get some snow shoveled and the wife to work on time.  It started snowing last night, and since we've been so warm lately it melted first, then turned into ice under the later snow fall.  I mean ICE, a good 1/2" of the stuff.  Denver is notorious for having some crappy drivers, and this stuff just brings it out even more.  The normal 15/20 commute wound up taking about 50mins!  Ugh...

So onto the subject of why Im writing these daily posts...working out.  Yesterday I started doing "dry land" stuff, and my poor planning with the boys still up, made it more like time for me to be their jungle gym.  Needless to say the time spent was more playing with them, which Id rather do anyway.  None the less, today Im waiting till they go to bed for their naps before I do anything.  Pushups, situps and stretching.  I figure Ill gradually add more reps to each exercise as I get stronger.  Even from the brief workout yesterday, I felt sore this morning.  Sign of things to come?  Me thinks yes!  OUCH!

Hope to start posting more in the mornings from here on out.  By the time I get to it at night, Im so wiped that I feel like Im not doing justice to my "literary skills"(i dont have any dont worry).  Its more like Im so pooped, ive got energy for a few sentences and those are elementary at best.

Have a great day out there!

Day 10

Today wound up being pretty good overall.  Took the kids to the park, mid 50's weather and sunny, did some core work and upper body work(reminder to self, wait till kids take a nap next time, they were climbing all over me) and found out ill be attending the Campagnolo EPS course when it comes to Denver!  Im super stoked about that.  Getting to learn about my favorite component group's new electronic shifting system from Campagnolo USA itself, and on home turf will be awesome!

Day 9

I'm posting and going to bed...nuff said.

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Day 8...CXNats

Today was the last day of the "warm up" as I'm calling it, and by "it" i mean my goals/resolutions for this year.  Tomorrow I start actually doing some physical work, on top of the changing of the diet this past week.  Core work and some upper body workouts will be a daily occurrence from here on out.  I'm aiming for the mindset from back in my swimming days.  Yep, did that, year round for about 8 years in Jr High, High School and college.  Keeping basic strength training going on a daily basis was everything then.  So, i figured Id aim for that mindset and just suck it up and go for it.

Also today, the guys over at Frites En Mayo managed to procure a room upstairs in The Wynkoop Brewery for a viewing of Cyclocross Nationals.  I managed to get there for the Mens' race, and saw quite a few friends, as well as met some twitter "friends"(which is kinda weird when you actually do meet someone from online in person).  It was great and I hope they manage to do more stuff like that!  Next year, it'd be nice to actually be there, or at Masters Worlds/Elite Worlds in person!

That's it...putting the pregnant wife to bed, then I'm gonna enjoy my last few hours of being "pain free".  Boots out...

Day 7...We Got Some Snow

Yep.  It started about an hour before the shop closed, which is 4pm, and got heavier as the drive home got underway.  It was pretty intense at times...down right sketchy.

As for the #NYRevolutions go, Monday will start some physical workouts on a daily basis.  I'm not thrilled about it at all, cuz its gonna hurt...REAL bad.  Ill really feel just how much Ive been slackin when I start to use this mass of flesh Ive become.  Oh well, dems da breaks!

Tomorrow are the Womens', and Mens', Pro races at US Cyclocross Nationals.  The guys over at Frites En Mayo Club have managed to convince some "powers that be" at The Wynkoop Brewery to stream the races live in a private room!  I thought I had to work, but I was mistaken, so i gots the permissions from my wife to go down there for a bit.  It'll be cool to see just how many people turn up, seeing as how Colorado has had some awesome results so far at Nationals.

On the plus side, a buddy of mine brought parts in to the shop for some sweet wheels to build.  Alchemy Hubs(if you don't know them, you're missin out BIG TIME!!!), Sapim spokes and HED Belgium hoops.  Don't worry Ill take some pics.

Well, pregnant wife passed out and is in bed, so now I'm gonna get some "quality" TV time in for myself.  Boots out...

Day 6...Trabajo

Ok, I'm worked, literally. Today was the first day of work at a new shop in Parker CO, Creekside Bikes. The owner sells road bikes, and a few Cross bikes(that'll change if I have my say...crossing fingers), and that's it. He knows what his niche is and is dialing his shop in.

So, between running the wife to work, kids to daycare and working then driving home in Friday traffic(I don't do well being surrounded by people in our private coffins) and an eldest son who didn't want to leave school(which made me secretly smile) and threw a tantrum of EPIC proportion most of the way home..I'm worked. I'm so worked I'm typing this post via bloggerdroid on my phone. Oh...and the eldest was chilled by some cheese-n-crackers I didn't eat at work.

I get to try and turn my new boss on to Dumonde Tech lubes and greases. That's gonna be fun!

I'm gonna go put the phone down, for the moment, and veg out...later #NYRevolutionaires

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Day 5...

Today was pretty darn nice for a Jan winter day.  Took the boys to the park via bike trailer, and they got to do laps around the place.  Other than that...not much to say.  Lame post, but its a post, and thats what I gotta do to keep the goals I want this year to come true.  Have a great night!

Day 4...Dinosaur Day

Lets see, the eating better went well today.  Not as well as I would've liked...my own weaknesses.  I gotta get those damn Minis out of the house!

The boys and I went to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.  We're annual members, which is awesome cause you get a card that gets scanned whenever you go, instead of waiting in line for tickets.  Then there's the part about your admission being free, and you get into all the exhibits except their imax/planetarium shows, but those are discounted.  The boys love the T-Rex exhibit.  This thing is actually pretty cool.  The animatronic Dino's have cameras in their eyes and run on motion recognition software and "react" to your movements!  Wish I had these things when I was a kid...I'da been in heaven.  Much like my boys are every time they go.  Its going to be gone soon, so I'm hoping there's something else opening that the boys will get into just as much.

Saw this bit on the TODAY show this morning with Dr OZ, the dude who was on Oprah's payroll with all the crazy info.  He was on doing a piece about how to keep your New Year Resolutions from a weight loss standpoint, but his points can be translated to any NY Resolution.  Click on his name and it ll take you to Hulu for the clip.  It was good to see that my ideas were pretty much in line with his, especially the "write it down" and "declare it" points.  Puts you in the hot seat, because at least 1 person will know you flaked out.  So, that's that.

Have a great night...I'm out!

Day 3...OK, I think I Can(Definitely)

There's not much to report today.  The eating better went well till just after dinner, had a lil binge of Reese's minis...so evil, yet so yummy.  I did, however, rekindle my love of Gardenburgers, Original.  Forgot just how yummy they are, just wish they sold more than a 4 pack.  Used the new blender to make some smoothies for the boys and myself this morning.  Its so nice to know they like stuff like that, my youngest actually digs crystallized ginger!

Starting next week Ill add physical working out, some conglomeration of core work and strength training for the upper body.  Keeping to it will be the key week to week, especially for me, cuz im completely guilty of slackin up once the first benefits are seen.  Dont ask...just gotta change that habit.  So writing down daily here will be something that gets tried out.  Thought process is the same as writing down your goals whether it be a daily goal or a weekly posting about your overall goal(s) are going, and having it sort of keep yer feet to the fire, so to speak.

New Year Revolutions is getting a couple more people interested each day, even though its only been 3.  Thats encouraging in its own right.  Im hoping more people will join in the sharing of posts, and that it will grow by simply turning into someone(s) actually getting in to, and seeing the benefit and the change that happens over the year.  Granted, it will take longer for some than others, but thats the beauty of it.  You WILL see change for those who keep at it, and that motivation could push someone who's feeling a bit run down by it all.  So...Fingers Crossed!

Alright, Boots out...

Chili...Its Whats Fer Dinner

Posting again...yes, I know, hold the phone call Guinness.  Over the past few months I managed to acquire some cool toys to help around the kitchen, since I do most of the food prep its awesome.  Tonight I'm making Chili(thanks to the Crock pot) and Beer Bread(thanks to the Bread machine).  Ive been working on this recipe, chili, for a few months now.  Here it is in case anyone wants an easy slow cooker recipe.  Don't worry, I'm not gonna go all Le Cordon Bleu on you!  You can substitute anything you want in, use organic ingredients...whatever, this is just a nice lil recipe Ive managed to get dialed in for my taste buds.

1 Crock pot or Slow Cooker
1.5/2lbs of ground beef(I use 80/20)
1 large green pepper
1 large red pepper
1/2 white onion
1 can kidney beans
1 can black beans
1 can pinto beans
1 large can(the kind that look like 2) crushed tomatoes
2 cans diced tomatoes(I get the Rotel w/green chilies)
1-2 green chilies(if you cant find the Rotel w/green chili)
1 can yellow corn
salt
pepper
cumin
chili powder
chipotle Tabasco sauce
cheese(garnish)
sour cream(garnish)

Brown the ground beef in a skillet till all the pink is out.  Drain the excess grease and add it to the crock pot.  Add all the cans of tomatoes.  Open and drain all the cans of beans EXCEPT for 1(add it with the juice) and add them to the crock pot.  Chop/cut/dice the onion and peppers to desired size, just keep in mind bigger pieces cook longer...I like mine on the softer side...throw'em right in.  Same thing with the corn, drain it though.  Once everything is in I start with 2 tablespoons of chili powder, 2 tablespoons of cumin, salt and pepper to taste, and 3 tablespoons of the chipotle Tabasco sauce.  If you cant find this stuff you can find chipotle chilies in a jar or can typically in the "Mexican" aisle at the store.

After everything is in, i give it a good mix then put the lid on and turn the Crock pot to "Low" and walk away.  Ideally 7-8 hrs is best, but I've stopped at 6 cause the family was getting hungry.  The only difference is the veggies aren't as on the soft side as I like...personal preference.  Finished product below.

Now if you're a veggie/vegan, you probably know better than I what to substitute for the meat.

This is a first posting for me in the arena of food, so lemme know if you need clarification on anything.

im not sure how i feel about photographing chili...hmmmm

Day 2...Food Is Tough

This food thing is gonna be hard, changing what I eat that is.  Doing the physical workouts are the easy part, as they are tangible, you can feel and see what youre doing to your body, and the results that come.  Food?  Its easy to see how people slip up, because that is such a personal thing, as well as the fact that you can really see what your body is doing on the inside.  You can feel it, yes, and you know what you should eat, but when bad eating habits have set in, its pretty hard to change.

Im thinking I might have to actually keep a food diary to keep me "honest" during this process, at least until the good eating practices become habits in the long run.  We're making a grocery store/Costco food run today...should be interesting.  On the plus side, my wife has been in the fitness industry for 15 years and can definitely keep me on the straight(er) and narrow!

We all have to fight our "Inner Homer"...

This Time Next Week...

...Ill have completed my first 3 days at my new shop gig.  (oh yeah, 2 posts in 1 day is a new record for me!)  When I left the new shop I opened at the beginning of last year, I thought "this might be it for me" as far as working in shops goes.  Being happy in the industry had taken on such a dark overtone for me, and the love of the 2wheeled machine thats kept me sane for years had started to fade.

Long story short, and thanks to my local SRAM/ZIPP/Merckx/Pinarello rep for referring my new shop to me(which is unheard of typically...usually we're referred to shops), Ill be back in "the biz" at a place where I truly have a "glass half full" outlook.

Ill be at Creekside Bikes in Parker CO starting Friday Jan 6th.  The owner is a great guy to date, he even sent the family and I an Xmas card before even starting, and Im stoked to be taking over his service department.  Its a small shop, really small, but well utilized space and definitely aims for a certain niche.  That niche being road and some cross(hopefully more cross as I get settled in tee hee).  He doesnt even touch mtb's, and thats ok, because you cant be everything to everyone these days unless youve got major coin, or work for a chain store.

Anywho, check out the links in the post, come find me and say HI! Ill be there 3 days a week, Fri/Sat/Sun, for the first couple of months until "The Season" starts, then fulltime.

Day 1 w/New Year Revolutions

Good morning 2012.  You came in quietly in my house and now Im getting ready to go help everyone soak up some of the partying from last night at Rise and Shine Biscuit Kitchen.  This first post is a promise to myself Ive been meaning to keep for a while, as well as the fact that I havent made a "Resolution" in years.  So, I figured Id do it and hold myself accountable by make blog posts daily, or at the very least weekly, so that anyone who actually wants to keep up with my goals, can hold my feet to the fire if I become a bit slack down the road.

Its also the start of a "brainchild" I had after a post, and comments, on Google+.  Ive been purposely treating my body like crap, and not riding my bike, for at least 3 months now.  Due to a very intense 2011 year, and some circumstances that life just throws at you, id lost my "Umf" when it came to riding.  I made a comment about this over on G+, which has been an awesome experience so far, and others made comments back in regards to their own wants/needs to see their bodies come back to them in the New Year.  I got to thinking..."would anyone be into a place where others can share their goals/resolutions there and people can keep up with one another, offer encouragement, suffer together through the hard spots or just simply read along?".  After asking if anyone would, I was surprised at how many people said they were game.  The only problem was coming up with a name for it.  Names are so hard.  Ive never been good at them.  If it werent for my wife's girlhood dreamings, we'd probably still be picking out names for our boys, but her book came in very handy!.

The idea was there, and there was enough interest from cycling peeps, that I got a little bit of help from a friend of mine on twitter, Mike Osbourne...aka...@egggman.  So, New Year Revolutions was decided upon.  You can click on the name and go to our G+ page.  There's also a Twitter account, @NYRevol, and hopefully the hashtag #NYRevolutions will catch on as well.  Simply put, I want as many people who are into it, to keep daily, or weekly blogs(either online, or email posts to NYRevolutions) and we'll put them up on our G+ page.  Send photos, stats, training rides, anything you want.  Even if a handful of people do it, that is going to be a success to me!  I always wonder with many of us having jobs, families, LIVES, how they keep up with a goal and training throughout the entire year!  I hope this will shed some light on it, and give others, especially myself, to stay on the path we envision for ourselves at this time of year.

That being said, if you'd like to share your journey, then please email me your blog links, or posts and photos via email at NYRevol@gmail.com.  Ill post them on the page for everyone to read.  Id also like a little bit of background info from you, name, age, what you do for a living, and your "specific" goals/resolutions.  Personally I believe writing it down, and stating it, makes it that much more tangible of a thing.

Now, my goals...ugh, this is gonna hurt, but a little bit of catharsis is a good thing.  My name is Chandler Snyder.  Im 38 years old, and live in Denver, CO.  Im married, have 2 little boys, and one on the way which is due in July.  As far as "career" goes, Ive been in the cycling industry as a mechanic for almost 20yrs now.  Ive raced road, track(briefly), cyclocross and mountain. I was also a year round competitive swimmer growing up, and into college.  I started a non-profit in college with 2 friends to advocate for alternative forms of transportation.  At one point in my racing/training life(i wont say career cuz it was never consistent enough) I couldve made the decision to take it to a more "professional" level, but squandered it in return for lots of fun and a more "no-responsibility" outlook on life...needless to say I passed up some good chances.  When we got pregnant with our first son, I told myself Id not let myself go, as I was getting back into some decent riding shape at the time.  Well, that didnt work out.  I just quit thinking about myself in any sort of way that would keep me fit.  I started eating like crap(ive a fondness for fried food, im a southern boy afterall), and my riding pretty much went in the pooper.  Im also over 200lbs, when my "fighting weight" from back in the day was always around 160...you get the picture.

Fast forward 4 years down the road, and 3rd child on the way, Im tired of feeling like complete crap, and seeing/hearing friends/customers of mine talk about their riding and me, secretly in my brain, telling myself "I could beat that guy", but then going out on the bike and getting my ass handed to me.  So...its time to change, and by putting this down on "paper" I plan on changing it.

This year I plan to lose weight, clean up my eating practices, and ease up on some vices which contribute to all of the above.  Typically I throw myself right into something and make all the changes at once, knowing that its gonna hurt and I probably wont make it last.  Sorta like throwing darts at the dart board blindfolded and hoping you hit the bullseye.  It always failed and I got discouraged.  Id be hard on myself about it, harder than anyone really knew...until now.

So...this year my motto is "baby steps".  Im aiming to race some cyclocross races this year, which means I have some time before I have to start "base miles" on the bike.  I plan on starting with my diet and some basic physical strengthening.  Afterall, if my engine isnt running clean, all the physical work I do wont matter for shite.  So, for the next couple months I plan on putting away the McD's, candybars, fried foods, and aiming for a more balanced diet.  Also, ill be starting my old habits of daily pushups, situps..etc...basic strengthening exercises so that when its time to put miles on paper, I wont feel AS bad the next morning as when I was eating all the crap and just getting off the couch expecting it to "just take".

In the coming weeks, Ill share my experiences and put them out there for others to see.  As I said, even if a handful of people stay the course, this will be a success for me.  So, bare yourselves with me, and lets make 2012 a great year for our riding, no matter what it is...racing, tours, group rides...whatever!

Hope to see you on the flip side!