December 29, 2009
So as you may or may not have noticed there is a new tab on the left hand side, labeled workouts. Pretty much whenever I hit a new route using sporty pal I will upload the map to the site. This is actually something that I have been wanting to do for awhile, but could not find a service that would play well with my server, and now I have one. The two that are up there will have some company soon. This way if you are in the Fresno area they may give you some ideas on new ones. On my testing once you click on a map you are able to go thru and see all of the stats, as you will see it also gives a calories counter, max speed so on and so forth. I hope that you like it, I know that I have been speaking of this for awhile and I am actually very happy that I was able to deliver. Well this will be the last posting of this year and will be wiping the home page clear sometime during the first week of the new year. Although just like with 2008 I will create another tab and will move all of this into that space, so you will still be able to look and review it. Hope that everyone has a safe New Years Eve and will see you next year.
December 27, 2009
So EMT Class is done. I am waiting on the National Registry so that will be the final step in the process, so hopefully soon I will be working part time as an EMT. So if I am posting today then I must of went on a ride today and you would be right. Wow felt those three months off of the bike, but still feel good. The weather here in Fresno was a little gloomy this morning, although at the time of this writing I am noticing that the sun is out and the birds are singing. Figures... So in the relm of next year I am trying to figure out goals dreams and races. Yes I know I am constantly talking of racing next year this time of year and has of us yet of making them. The joys of family life, but hey I am still riding so that is all that counts, and the fact that my family loves me, and have a few close friends, so on and so forth. Any who I digress. Also hoping to have some links to some of my rides up soon. I have a new application on my phone called sporty pal. I must say of all the applications that I have tried out, this by far has got to be one of the better ones out there. For several reasons, one it is available for all phones out there, not like others that are only for iphones, or blackberrys, or just the g1. This has an application for all operating systems, which is nice, the mapping system is not just google maps, but a cooperative map thru Google, Departmen of Defense and the Geological Service, it is awesome. So if you get a chance head over to www.sportypal.com. Now the one thing that it does not do that would just send it over the top is if it controlled the music player as well. but even with out that feature it is a rockin little app. Well that is all for now. I am hoping to post one more time before the end of the year, so with this I will just say, see you for now.
November 18, 2009
So it has been a while since I posted and just like at work I failed to mention, Oh by the way I am taking a class, so I am taking an EMT Class(I know, now you tell us) and will be in it until December 19th, so that is why I have not been around much. Another little tid bit of information. I am not moving to Houston, so in my last post where I had stated that I was stressing about packing up this house and moving, well I packed it, and then unpacked it. We are still in Fresno and will probably be for a while longer, although I am still looking at the Pacific Northwest from time to time. So the wife and kids are back in Fresno as well and we are living under one roof again, which is a really really good thing. Well sorry the post is so short and went for so long without posting at all. It will get better next month. Have a great day, week and a very Happy Holiday Season.
September 1, 2009
So this is a stressful week. Packing up a four bedroom house by myself and trying to get everything into storage, then trying to keep an open line of communication with Houston can sometimes be difficult to say the least. I am finding that misunderstandings on the phone are a more common occorance than I had initially thought. Still getting in some riding. Not as much as I would like, but there is still a little time on the bike. I also got a new bladder for my hydration pack so I am back to being leak proof, yeah no more soggy leg. Been spending what little time I have had on the bike at Woodward Park in Fresno getting some "Air" time, which I am finding is a nice stress reliever. There is something about a jump track that is just awesome, although with that being said tomorrow will be a distance day or as I also like to call it a funny look day. See when road guys see a mountain bike on a route normally used by road racers, well you can get some funny looks, you get a few looks of admiration because lets be honest. Mountain bike are about twice the weight and on hill climbing days that can be a struggle. I know we have the lower gears, but when you are lugging up twice the weight lets be honest 22 x 34 can only do so much. So you may be asking, well if it that much of a struggle then why do it. Well for several reason, first of all it is really really good conditioning for the ol' legs, second you can ride a tempo ride especially on your average 5 to 9 mile hill, that and there is always the decent. In the next day or so I will be posting some pictures of some of the goodies at Woodward park, well I guess that is all for now. Have a great day and get out and ride your bike.
August 27, 2009
Wow I have not updated this thing all summer long. Just for the record I thought about it.......... Alot? Ok so I have been stupid busy, I know what else is new. So what have you missed, well for starters I am in Fresno and the Wife and Kids are in Houston. Yep looks like I am moving again. For the record though we did give Fresno two years, which is longer than we had initially planned. So at some point hopefully in the next sixty days I am going to be moving. What else, oh, I got some upgrades on the Mongoose, which cost me all of nothing because they were free. Some guy was having a yard sale and I noticed some bike componets in a box in the back of the garage, come to find out the guys used to be a pretty heavy mountain biker until he just parked his bike one day and never picked up. How many times have we heard that story? He had sold his bike earlier in the day so when I asked how much he wanted for the stuff he just picked to box up and handed to me and told me to have a nice day. SCORE!!!!! Also went thru and realized that I have had my hydro pack for almost a year now, and you know the thing is still working beautifully. Although the bite valve is leaking so I emailed Outdoor Products to find out how much a new bite valve was and was informed that the pack has a lifetime guarantee and as a result he was sending a couple out today, double score. Although as soon as I got that bit of good news the lid on the bladder cracked. So I think that I will have to buy? Not bad though for a 20.00 hydration pack bought at Wal-Mart. The lesson here. Don't be a brand snob. What else. Oh yeah I turned 39 on the 16th of this Month, so I guess thats all for now. I promise I will update more ofter. Yes I know I have said that how many times this year. Again keep the comments and questions coming. Later.
June 21, 2009
Happy Fathers Day to all the dad's. I hope that your day was good. Mine was ok, actually it was great, and I would have appreciated it more, except for the fact that just like every other smoker on the planet. I make the resolution to quit on January 1, last a couple of weeks to a couple of months and then start smoking again. Where I differ is the fact that I also do the same thing in June, so for me it was June 19th, which is kind of weird for smokers, because typically we don't quit smoking during our work week we wait for us to have our weekend that way we don't blow up at work, but that is exactly what I have done. My initial 72 hours will be up on Tuesday, which funny enough I have off, this way if I blow up, it will be at work and my family can be spared of my moody moments, because again I do this every six months, God I do hope this is the last. So did I have a good Fathers Day? Yes I did. Wasn't able to get out this morning for a Trail ride, hoping to log some miles tomorrow when I get off work. Well I guess thats all for now. Any questions comments or concerns please feel free to contact me and I would be more than happy to help you out. Later guys
June 18, 2009
Happy 13th Birthday Justin. Yep it is my eldest birthday. So what did he want to do on his special day. We are going on a bike ride. Fortunately here in Fresno we have several options for cyclist to include but not limited to Freestyle, Downhill, Road and good old fashion cross country, and I don't mean with minutes, I mean within the city limits. Fresno Parks and recreation has invested in the kids here. Which is a nice change of pace. Where most cities have dumped a ton of money into technology which I'm not against because technology is what keeps this blog alive, the city of Fresno has remembered that sometimes the basics is what keeps kids out of trouble, not to say that Fresno doesn't have kid crimes, because we do, but Fresno has the put the options into place. So the other thing that is going on is training is ramping up to full effect. Weekly mileage totals are steadily increasing. Downside is that the C-Fit Mountain Bike group is only getting about 90% of my attention, the plus side is that several people that would have never thought about racing are also out there training and putting a schedule together, so that is cool, not that I believe that everyone needs to race or have the desire, because I went for a very long time before racing.the first time. So the most common email that I have been recieving is why are "Wal-Mart" bikes laughed at. Well that is a really good question, because here is the thing. Wal-Mart bikes were bike store bikes four to five years ago, yes even though they are equipped with Tourney and Alivio componet groups. See the basic Bicycle Frame has not changed, the biggest change is in the componet, so here is a senerio that I personally went through in the past couple of months. I have a "Wal-Mart" Bike, although you would never know it to see it. Got the bike for 40.00 used. then as money allowed I slowly acquired different componets, to the point that I have a bike that if you saw it would think that it came from a bike store and I spent over a Thousand dollars on it. Total price with the wheels, brakes, shifters, derailures and so on. I have spent a total of $196.00 dollars. So do you have to spend 1500.00 dollars to get a good full suspension bike. No, although if I had the resources, I would do it in a heart beat. Make no mistake I am just like everyone else in society. I want it all and I want it now(LOL). Well I guess thats all for now. As always keep the emails coming, I love the comments and questions, and hope that you have a safe ride.
May 28, 2009
Friendly reminder, it is that time of the year. Make sure to visually check everything on the bikes. Cables, wheels, wipe off any brake residue from the rims as well air pressure and beyond popular believe you cannot do a squeeze test on the tire and get an accurate measurement. Also remember things are getting hotter everywhere here in the Central Valley of California we have already seen 100+ degree weather so time to start carrying a second or third water bottle. I am hoping to have the write up on hub rebuilds up on the website within the next couple of weeks. Things have been good here, two of the cyclist that I have been coaching has been progressing quite well and the three people who I have been helping with their weight issues have combined lost 75 pounds since the beginning of the year, So I hope that all is well with all of you as well, As always any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to let me know.
May 19, 2009
Ok, so I am feeling like four hundred percent better today than the past couple of days. So the Mountain Bike group is coming along very nicely. Its actually been awhile since I have ridden by myself. Been giving consideration to offering some off road tours here in the Central Valley, I have seen these in other parts of the country and there are some phenominal rides here. The funny part about it is when your in town you would never think that within 30 minutes even on a bike your out of the city and pollution and heat, and delivered into some very nice views and rides. The single track is a plenty here in Central California. Well it also looks like that we may put down permenant roots here, at least for the time being. Started running again, who knows I may be able to make the Xterra Trail Run Series starting in the fall. Also looking into putting together an off road century, along the Western Mountain Ranges here in California. Just starting the research phase now, but the one thing that I find funny is the fact that they have all these things for the roadies, but very little to none for us mud eaters, and why not, well probably because we haven't either taken the time or have not realized it. Well I guess thats all for now. I do want to thank everyone for the well wishes and as always any questions, comments or concerns feel free to let me know.
May 18, 2009
So we had our first over 100 degree weather yesterday, Saturday we went to Pismo Beach (PISMO BABY!!!!!) and got burned, like second degree sunburn sunburn I am nine kinds of miserable right now and I am feeling really bad for my wife because she is having to listen to me whine just about every 15 minutes. Note to self next time the wife says "Hey you may want sunscreen" I will listen. Oh sorry to cut this short, but even typing is killing me. I'll post what I was going to post today in a couple of days when I'm feeling better.
May 7th, 2009
Wow its been almost two months. Guys and Gals I am so sorry. So what has been happening, well I have been working my little booty off. Still getting in some riding with the mountain bike group on Sundays. Although I did at the last minute cancel the one for this week, because well its Mothers Day. My wife would have killed me. Added some more photos on the photo page of the Blue Oak Trail at Millerton Lake here in Fresno. So enjoy those. Been building a bike for an adult (I know its usually the kids.) Will hopefully have the photos of that build up within the next month or two. I'm the proud owner of a Mongoose Renegade XC bike. The model has changed to the x200, this will also be another write, as the Renegade is about to go on a diet. Although I would love to go out and spend the 700.00 for the all in one build kit, but with the current economy wont allow this, but at this point in time it can be an example of how you can take a lower end mountain bike and a peice at a time as the budget allows, you can get an extremely nice bike for very little coin. Now before we blow up my email with rants about how lower end bike can serve their purpouse, I know this and am not trying to offend or upset people, although the one thing that we all have seen or possibility even stated ourselves how "someday" we are going to buy the 3000.00 dollar bike, this will be to show how you can spend a quarter of that and get the same bike.
March 12, 2009
So work has had me all over the place this week. Although I was finally able to break the 4 hour mark on a century. Sometimes you work so hard to attain something that seems to continue to elude you and you would thing once you did it you would rejoice. Which I did, but, then I found myself looking at myself in the mirror telling my reflection that it is about time. Funny how we do that to ourselves. So I wont be going out this weekend mainly because of I will be working overtime to cover some shortages at the hospital, its actually been awhile since I have worked 10 straight and where as I know I am not as young as I used to be. Its good to keep me conditioned for such an occasion without being a bear. So the subject that won out this week on the emails was nutrition and if you really need to spend so much money on the powerbars, and gels and shot blocks. Well if you have the extra money then yeah go for it. Although being a single income for a family of five, I actually will go thru and make myself one or two PB&J's with a couple of packs of fruit snacks and use that. Yes I know it sounds weird, but if you break down the nutrional componets of the mass marketed nutritional supplements and then you just think of "normal" food that you can put into sandwich bags you might be able to extend your time on the bike without breaking the bank. Now with that said keep in mind that gu gels aren't but what a buck and you can get the orginal power bar for like .75 cents now, just like your bike purchase, keep within your means and cycling wont become a burden. As always keep the e-mails coming with questions and comments, I know I can be slow on the response, but I do read everyone one of them. cblackman@mezagog.com or click the contact us tab on left hand side of this screen.
March 09, 2008
The Group Ride that I lead here in Fresno for the Mountain Bikers was great. Although I went solo(We'll blame the time change on all the no-shows) I had a lot of fun. Sometimes its good to go out by yourself, and just listen to the world without all of the enviromental noises that we have to encounter in our normal daily routines. I know that sounds way deep coming from me. So lets get back to me being me. So I have recieved several emails inquiring why I don't post more of them. Well to be honest with you sometimes I don't have time to post, although I do read every single one of them. Now the one type of emails that I am getting involves the beginning of the training season questions and also when will I have the coaching page up. Still working on the coaching page, now the one question that seems to stand the most is the one involving restarting base training. Now I personally have never bought into the whole restarting base training, not when I was racing and not as a coach. Here is my philosophy. Yes you have been off the bike for two to three months, but, what is the one thing that we all do during our last month of the season. Thats right we over do it. So as a result our bodies will actually require a little more recovery time at the end of our seasons, so does this mean that you need to pick up where you left off, no, of course not, but what I am saying that when you decided to start the training back up, don't start from scratch, because you will be wasting valuable training time, you don't need to go back to a 5 or 10 mile warm up ride three times a week if your last race was a century three months ago, start with an easy 25 miler. The other common question is do I need a power meter? Yes right now power meters are all the craze, although I am old enough to remember when the heart rate monitor was the bomb for training, actually I remember back when the first cadence meter came out. Excuse me a minute, I currently feeling old. Ok I'm better now. Is a power meter cool, yeah, but you know what. There are still days I go out with nothing, not even a basic four function cycling computer. Now again this is not to replace a local cycling coach. If you have one in your area then you should consider using their services. If you don't have one locally or don't feel comfortable, then consider one of the online coaching systems, to include myself. Well I hope that everyone has had a good week so far and I'll be posting more later. As always any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to email me at cblackman@mezagog.com.
March 05, 2008
So I was surfing around the other day looking for other Mountain Biking Adventure's and ran across
www.bikepacking.net. You have seriously got to check this place out. They have everything from Gear Reviews, Trail Reviews and I am not just talking about local trails in one geographical location. I mean worldwide. I literally spent the better part of 10 hours on this site. Before you ask yes I could have spent those hours actually posting pictures and additional how to write ups with photos and my latest bike building project, but it was just so good. If you have ever considered doing a mountain bike adventure/epic ride you really need to check this place out. Again
www.bikepacking.net. So other than that what has been going on? Well getting ready for another beginner road cycling clinic coming up. I actually look forward to helping put these on. As well as getting ready for bike to work month. I know we are still two months away, but most companies start plans months in advance to ensure that everything goes well. The Mountain Bike group is going quite well. Still looking at shooting some trail shots of the Blue Oak Mountain Bike Trail this Sunday and hopefully having them up no later than a week from today. Other than those things just doing what I do. Riding Bikes, Working and spending time with the family. As always any questions comments or concerns please feel free to contact me at
cblackman@mezagog.com or just click on the Contact us Tab. Later
March 03, 2008
Twenty Six days until Vacation. Yeah, I mean not that I am counting. Had a really good day today. Did some more research on the GDR, this is a race I have dreamed about for the past three years. Don't know what it is about this style of race, it intreques me. Something about being totally self reliant is something that as I am getting older I am appreciating more. Where as it wont be this year, at some point I will race this race as well as the others in this series. So where does one begin when wanting to begin such an adventure. Well I have been researching the bikes, the route, what stores are on the route, sleeping possiblities, what the carrying capacities of panier racks as well as bags. Now you would think that I would have already researched and ran this race by now. Well yes I am researching now and have been for the past couple of years, but, with technology evolving the way it is, with not only lights, but newer materials with bicycle frames, forks, and just about every other componet, its a lot to take in and I havent' started seriously started with water filtration systems or dehydrated meals. Lets see what else has changed lately. Oh I got an email telling me that I needed to update my classmates and reunion profiles. appearantly if you don't log on from time to time then they will delete you. To be honest with you I'm not sure why I even updated the profiles. I wasn't exactly popular in school, to be brutaly honest you I was a geek that really never fit in, so the person I am today is in no way a resemblece of the person I used to be, but then again I guess the argument could be made is anyone the same as they were in High School. On a site note I have stated the drafts of the new tabs that will be available hopefully by the end of next month. Well I guess thats all for now. Any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to write. See Ya.
Feb 28, 2009
Well it is the last day of Febuary, can you believe it. So I have been doing good, getting excited about the ride tomorrow, the down side to it is the fact that I have to work tonight, so I'll be working until 0600'ish, come home change clothes and head out to ride with the mountain bike group. In other news looks like I will be bringing back the beginners road group next month. It was a popular group for those who are just starting out, so I'm also getting excited about that. I need to actually get around to getting two more tabs up on the left hand side, which I will probably do while I am on vacation from the hospital. They will be a beginners training program and a guide with dietary guidelines that I have personally found helpful since my little transformation from a 225lb out of shape army vet to a 165lb. mostly in shape person. Again these will just be guidelines that I have come up with by the good old fashion trial and error. Well I guess thats all for now. I am also hoping to get some photo's of the Millerton Lake Blue Oak Mountain Bike Trail up within the next couple of weeks. As always and questions comments or concerns feel free to contact me.
Feb. 24, 2009
Well its Tuesday, and to just let everyone know how the Sunday Ride with the CMC C-Fit Mountain Bike Group went, it was awesome. We went up to Millerton Lake to ride their 11 mile out and back trail. It was good. Nice little drizzle while we were out. The drizzle matched to down pour that we had received the night before, so it was nice and muddy, but not so muddy that we were needing to clean the drive trains. Although my wife did make me change my clothes in the garage before coming in the living room. Something about just steam cleaning the carpets. I have no idea. Just watched an online info segment on the Roscoe by Gary Fisher, looks like a nice bike and of course when the wifey realized the price, well lets just say, we have a better chance of my hair growing back naturally. Well I guess thats all for now, Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and I will be posting more stuff within the next week, if not sooner. As always any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to email me at cblackman@mezagog.com or you can click on the Contact Us tab on the lower left hand side of this page.
Feb. 21, 2009
I cannot believe that I am almost in 2009 by two months and I am just now posting for the first time this year. This year has been busy. Between the CRMC C-Fit Mountain Bike Group, Family, Work and Finishing up the new USA Cycling Coaching requirements has had me busy, but since we went down and grown our family with a new beagle puppy (8 weeks old today) and he had me up at 0500 and everyone else is still asleep I thought I would update everyone on whats been going on. So 2009 is going to be extremely busy for not just only me but my wife as well. She is in her final term of college and with that being said I'm starting to look at various schools to continue on my education. Will most likely stay within the laboratory medicine relm of things, just a matter of figuring out what specialty I will be going into in. On the coaching side, with the Tour of California being in town, my email has blown up, which is a good thing. I'm still no where near what I feel would be my max on athletes. Now I am not saying I am a super coach, because no one is. Just there are only a handful of amature athletes that can afford to have a coach at their disposal 24/7. So most are just looking for an analysis and a training program, with the occasional review of their bike fit. Now before I sign off I will let you know that obvisoulsy the main page is smaller than it was in December, what I have done is I have taken all of 2008 and put it into its very own tab, so if your new to the site or if there is something that you want to review from last year on the left hand tab bar you will notice a tab labeled 2008, feel free to click it and review the year 2008. As always any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to contact me at cblackman@mezagog.com or the Contact us Tab on the Left or the box down at the bottom.