Art O’Connor

Yesterday I went downtown to see the big protest against our figurehead George W.  There were about 5000 people gathered at the Washington Square to voice there opinion of our leader.  Mayor Rocky Anderson spoke and made some really good points about the war and the impact it is having.  It is good to see that not all of Utah falls in line and does what they are told.  A little dissent is a good thing to see.  After Rocky’s speech the mass marched up State Street to the Federal building.  I took a few pictures and put them up in the photo gallery under the heading Utah Hates Bush.

Later that day I went to the pro-Bush rally held in the same place, there were about 500 people at this event.  Unlike Rocky who cited many references to back up what he was saying, the speakers at this rally relied on pandering to the crowd with such insights as “America is the greatest country in the world” or “We are fighting for profits Freedom”.  The mouth breathing crowd ate it up.

That night I mounted the Hulking War Machine and rode down to watch the motorcade delivering our draft dodging president to The Grand America.  I counted 50+ motorcycles, at least a dozen black bullet proof Chevy Suburbans, fire trucks, ambulances and at least 50 other assorted vehicles.  I guess we have to protect Halliburtons investment.  Anyway I did see the dumb asses arm as he waived to the onlookers before entering the parking tunnel.  I wonder if he noticed the 6′6″  300+ lb. former Marine that was standing next to me flipping him off.

On an unrelated note I got a new Casio G-Shock watch to replace my Timex Ironman that broke after 12 years.  I was going to get another Ironman but they have changed them a lot and I don’t like the new ones as much. Anyway I can’t seem to find in the directions how to make it stop beeping when i push a button.  There has to be a way to turn it off.  If anyone knows please help it is driving me nuts.

I have not been to a go-kart track since I schooled Greg LeMond in Moab.  After hooking up with the Kwait/Ohran bickerfest and the Wookie at The Pub we hit Fastcart.  After a lot of smack talking the Wookie was the only one who could back it up and laid down the fastest race lap.  Kwait qualified fastest (like that Indy Car girl) but crumbled like a French soldier when it counted.  (SL)Ohran had the speed of a Shriner in a parade so he just got in the way and rammed everyone who passed him.  The after show was the best part, listening to Kwait and Ohran argue like a couple of old ladies with expired coupons at the early bird buffet.  They should take that show to Vegas. We are all going to go back for some secret training so we can challenge the Wookie’s superior skill.  He is going down.

Ohran on a hot lap.

Watched more boring training tapes at the new job. Lift with you legs, don’t pour oil down the sink type crap.  Anyway no ride today.  Ran into Gen today while getting my fish taco’s.  Always a good thing even if I usually say the wrong thing I hope she knows my heart is in the right place.  Met up with Ohran and Kwait for dinner at The Bayou.  The service was terrible as usual but listening to those two argue was entertaining.  Not sure if I am going to race tomorrow or not, I really want to spend some time on the cross bike so maybe I will do a Dry Creek TT and see how the power numbers look.

Still not answering the phone.

Friday I answer a call from a friend to be told I am jealous, controlling, obsessive compulsive. Great thanks for the update.  Today I get a call from my Dad bitching that I don’t call then starts in on the “I told you so” “your wasting your education” speech that he has given me every week since I started my floundering biz (hmm, wonder why I don’t call every week).  Good times. When my spare cross bike sells I wonder if I will have enough to get a one way ticket to South America.

Not much to say about my performance yesterday.  No legs.  I tried to open them up but nothing doing, that and some stomach problems made for a very uncomfortable day.  The stomach problems turned in to full blown food poisoning based on the amount of time I spent yesterday afternoon and evening with my head in the toilet. Nasty.  Today I went out for a bit on the cross bike, but still feeling sub par and pulled the plug.  I think the rest of my day will revolve around napping and drinking clear liquids.

Yesterday I was in PC taking care of business (TCOB) so I gave Gardie a call so I could check out his new training center Elevation.  If you want the elevate your game he is the man to see.  He preaches dynamic strength which means you are not going to be sitting on some boring machine doing endless reps in a range of motion that has nothing to do with your sport.  You will be training like an athlete.  Check it out.

I am far from perfect, but the one thing I am is honest.  I may say and do stupid things, things that may be hurtfull to other people.  I don’t premeditate these things they just happen and then I have to deal with it.  This blog is for me a way to get things off my chest and have a little fun.  The fact that anyone reads it is a bonus and I really appreciate it. 

Tomorrow is the last road race of the year, The Sanpete Classic Road Race.  Word is they are combining the 1,2,3’s which I welcome.  I think it will give the race a good dynamic and make it more aggressive.  I remember when I was a 3 and I always liked racing with the “big boys” and getting my hurt on.  I feel good and I am hoping to be in the mix at the end.  After this race I start ramping up the intensity and dropping the mileage for cross.  Hard to believe the season is a month away.  Up in PC Sly will be continuing his comeback at the E-50.  Hopefully he will not burn all his fun tickets at the Alley Cat tonight.

Got the new Lamb of God today.  I am sure my tenent is less than impressed at this point. Ha.  Man is it good, it just might get me to eject the Fugazi cd that I have been listening to since June. I can’t wait to see them again next month even if it is a crappy USANA.  What a hole that place is, worse than the Depot. 

Did you know that the fabulous Wendy Chao has a blog on her site?  Well she does you can find it under the heading Progress.  Since she is way smarter than me (and probably you) I am not going to question it.  While you are there order one of her kick ass Chairman Meow shirts so you can say you had one before they became the fashion item of the year.

Thanks for all the offers to motor pace, you guys rock.  I hope this means that it will be at least another year before Bart laps me.  Speaking of cross, Sly (despite some energy issues) is giving bunny hop lessons.  Give him a call.

Ride Safe

Back from the underground.  Turned my phone off on Saturday turned it back on today.  Batteries are charged ready to start my new part time job.  Yes my biz is going slower than I want and I need to have some steady income until things get going.  Where am I working?  Lets just say that I like the color orange.

Hammered up Emmigraton in the big ring Sly style where I ran into Chan.  It is amazing how quick he has taken to the bike rep gig (meaning he is now slow like Ohran).  You can usuallly tell the bike reps on a group ride they are either off the back or adjusting their bike constantly.  Funny how those who work in the industry ride the least.  Anyway it was good to catch up with the surly one.  Sounds like he is liking the job and doing well.  This weekend is the Sanpete Classic.  Still sitting the fence on this one, hoping I can bribe someone to do support since it is 100 miles.  No way I am carrying 3 bottles in my jersey plus all the food this gas guzzling engine needs. 

Anyone want to motor pace me?  I need top end for cross.  I had someone who said they would do it earier this year, but looks like they are not going to come through again.  I have a sixer of Shiner Bock from Texas that has been sitting in my fridge untouched for a month now for who ever can help.

Yup turned 40 today. Wendy sent me a sweet egg topper. I was going to ride all 4 canyons today but had to settle for one.  Oh well just another goal I did not reach this year.  Maybe next year.  Some of the last year has been good, quitting the cube farm, starting the biz, cross nationals. Some bad, shallow self absorbed women, starting the biz, mom getting cancer.  Just normal life stuff that we all have to deal with.  Will probably head down to The Jackalope this evening for a pint. Then tomorrow I am going under ground for a few days. No phone or internet.

So I am thinking about making the site more interactive.  On my ride today the iPod played a sweet mix of 2 guitar bands which got me thinking. Who are some of the greatest 2 guitar bands of all time.  I have my ideas, lets hear yours.  I will publish my list along with your choices at a later date.  Send your suggestions to aoletsgo@gmail.com

Rock On

Bike racing is hard.  Some days you can hammer all day long and it actually feels good, yesterday was not one of those days.  The pace going up the front side of Wolf Creek Pass was pretty sane for the most part I was hanging but i knew i did not have much more.  About a mile from the top Norm attacks and kind of splinters the field.  I did not react figuring we were close enough to the top that the damage would be minimal and it would come together on the way down.  I was with small group chasing the main field which was about a minute in front.  We were rolling along pretty good when Aaron Jordan and Chris Pietrzak come by us and Mach 3. Then it got hard, amazingly everyone was working and we were catching the field.  We are just about to catch and AJ’s pedal breaks.  That sucked as he was the big motor in our chase. This is a new race and I am sure most of us had never ridden this course before.  The whole way down I am sure everyone was think what i was thinking, “Holy crap we have to come back up this!”  As a result the pace was again “piano” as we rolled thought Hanna and Tabiona.  One thing I don’t think anyone had planned for was how long this race was going to be. (the winners were over 4 hours)  As a result most of us were out of liquid and faced with the reality that the next feed zone was over an hour and 3000 vertical feet away.  In one of the classiest moves I have ever seen from a race director, Hageman stopped at a store and bought a case of water and started passing it out from the side of the road and from the wheel vehicle.  What a godsend.  So anyway I was hoping the second climb would be like the first climb and it would be mellow until we got near the top.  Wrong.  As soon as we started climbing Normie was up to his usual self and had us all in the pain cave.  I don’t even attempt to follow and get into diesel mode.  Seven guys are up the road and I am in no mans land by myself.  I figure someone will come off and I will not have to fight the headwind that is waiting at the base.  Sure enough I catch one of the PCCA guys at the summit.  We kept it rolling until the finish where I had enough left to get the “sprint” for 7th.  I felt kind of bad sprinting for 7th especially since the PCCA guy did not skip a turn all day, but it is a race….  Anyway I think it is a testament to the classy way Todd and his crew are teaching those guys to race.  Work hard and the results will come.  Congrats to Nate Thomas for pulling off the win and to Norm for making it crazy hard.

Tour of Utah pictures are downloading as I type this.