Kickin' It Old School

Mongo just wrapped up a four day stretch of cycling where I logged close to 175 miles on my mountain bike, Li'l Pony Express. My road bike has been dry-docked for a couple of weeks because of major upgrades to the transmission...along with other mechanical and cosmetic improvements.

This has given me the opportunity to log some solid miles on my old friend. Eccentric, uncomfortable, and cranky, but always dependable, LPE is like being friends with benefits with a chunky, Goth chick.

Ol' Lightnin' will be back in the water this week, but it's been fun doing a little suffering for the cause.

Man Crush

One of Mongo's favorite sprinters, and a damn handsome man,(In a totally non-gay way!) Daniele Bennati, wins Stage 3 at the Mallorca Challenge and takes the lead on GC.

One For The Big Guys

Mongo has always liked Gert Steegmans... Maybe it's because we kind of look alike and have similar riding styles.

Whether he was launching Robbie McEwen back in the OG, Davitamon-Lotto days, or Tom Boonen with Quick Step, Steegmans has always been one of the premier leadout guys in pro cycling.

He's now teamed up again with McEwen on the best team Russian mob money can buy...Katusha, and managed to sneak out a win when McEwen failed to come around in the opening stage of the Mallorca Challenge.

Ride The Spiral To The End

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." (Confucius)

Upon Further Review...

...This might be the greatest nickname of all time.

The world of cycling is steeped in tradition, including powerful monikers for it's heroes. Names like Cannibal...Badger...Pirate...Kaiser...Professor...and Lion King have been revered throughout the evolution of the sport.

With no disrespect to these great champions, Mongo has come across a local talent in the underground world of illegal, Alleycat Draft Cycling. Renowned for his ability to blend into his surroundings, coupled with near silent tracking skills and the propensity for unsustainable bursts of speed, this individual has rightfully earned his nickname. He is...SNOW BUNNY. (As played by Kevin Sorbo in the upcoming made for TV movie, "I Am Snow Bunny")

Which One's Pink Haiku

Cold comfort for change

Thought I'd something more to say

That space cadet glow

It's Ovah

Tour de Cut Are...Final Results

1. Tom Boonen (Bel), Quick Step, at 12:55:25 2. Heinrich Haussler (Ger), Cervélo TestTeam, at 0:08 3. Roger Hammond (GB), Cervélo TestTeam, at 0:10 4. Daniel Lloyd (GB), Cervélo TestTeam, at 0:25 5. Andreas Klier (Ger), Cervélo TestTeam, at 0:27 6. Xavier Florencio Cabre (Spa), Cervélo TestTeam, at 0:28 7. Angelo Furlan (Ita), Lampre-NGC, at 1:07 8. Gabriel Rasch (Nor), Cervélo TestTeam, at 1:43 9. Mark Cavendish (GB), Columbia-HighRoad, at 2:11 10. Tom Veelers (Ned), Skil-Shimano, at 2:35

Cavendish wins the final stage...Boonen takes the overall win...Cervelo has six in the top ten....Heinrich Haussler is a young rider to keep an eye on.

Here's To Good Friends

"Levi...you're a lot smaller than I remembered."

"I'm still going to kick your ass all over California, you one-ball fraud."

Silly Season

Boonen wins Stage 3...Cavendish wins Stage 4...Blah, blah, blah!

This appearance fee sham makes no sense to me. Bring on the Tour of California and some real competition.

Pay It Forward

As skateboarders, we have the obligation to promote the "stoke" that we ourselves have found through skateboarding. Whether it's encouraging an uncertain newcomer, or restarting the fire in a smoldering relic, the joy of the shred keeps us all young.

Mongo would like to thank this rad dude for getting me back into the game.

FGSB...Out!

Is Danilo Napolitano The New Erik Zabel?

Ok kids...it's time for Mongo to warm up his racing chops. I regret that I have already fallen behind in my coverage of the "Grandaddy of Winter Classics"...The Tour of Qatar.

Formerly known as The Tom Boonen This Is Where I Get The Money For The Really Good Blow Invitational, The TOQ is now almost a "real" bike race. Mixed in amongst the camel jockeys, no really, are some actual people you've heard of.

Cavendish, Pozzato, Forster, Wiggins, Boonen, Napolitano...and a hundred and forty other guys, will sweat it out over the lush, beautiful, countryside, that has earned the region it's nickname..."Desert Within A Desert".

And for the record...Mongo's boys, Garmin-Slipstream, won the opening TTT.(You're going down, Astana!)

Roger Hammond of Cervelo executes a perfect solo breakaway and catches all the big guns off guard to win stage two. Not bad looking kits either.

FUUUUUUCK

Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers on winning the Super Bowl...by four points...when I needed six...you dirty bastards!

Miami Dolphins '09..."The Rise Of Eddie"

The Number Of The Beast

Yesterday, Mongo looked straight into the face of evil...and to prove his point, evil was riding a flat bar, Trek, road-hybrid.

Then, of course, there were the mountain bike pedals, the full sized frame pump, the SKS rear fender, way too many reflectors, the non cycling shorts and sweatshirt, and finally, the baseball cap turned around backwards...and this guy almost kicked my ass!

It had to be a sign of just how out of cycling shape I have gotten over the winter. Last year's non fat slob Mongo would never have let a dude like this spend one minute in front of me, but this time it took almost five miles of non-drafting pacing to wear him out. I must admit, his speed was impressive for a douchebag on a Trek, but my performance was unacceptable.

My only excuse was that I had no food in my stomach(on purpose), my tires were under-inflated(on purpose), and I was on the homeward half of a long ride. That being said, it was the final straw. The new season is almost upon us and it's time to get serious.

My honeymoon of eating ice cream, cookies, pizza, and anything else performance reducing is over. My pants are tight, my energy level is low, and my pride is damaged...these are dark times.

Normally in this situation I would ask myself what would Ned do?(WWND) The thing is, I need a quick fix so I'm going a different route...What would Jan do?(WWJD)

Does anyone know the area code for Panama?