Leaning into the corner

I feel a surge coming to the front so we all had better be ready to stomp on the pedals or risk getting spit out the back. Fast and fun times are approaching. Are you ready? Is your mind and body prepared for that acceleration? No really, are you ready? You better pick it up because there's a lot more where this came from.....

Cumberland Cycling Fundraiser - Tour Baby Deux!
I will keep putting this on your radar screen until it's over and done with tomorrow night! Seriously, why would you miss this event? Once again, on Monday, February 4th the silent auction begins at 6:00 PM while the movie premier will begin shortly after 7:15 PM.

I am very excited about the movie about the 2005 Tour de France, but here are the silent auction and raffle items I am really pumped about:

Tour Baby Deux! movie poster signed by Astana team members
NashvilleCyclist.com jersey signed by Tom Danielson
Davis Phinney Foundation jersey signed by Davis Phinney
5 Essentials For A Winning Life book signed by Chris Carmichael

Last but not least, one of the raffle items will be....drum roll please....

NashvilleCyclist.com Criterium Series 2008 - entry into entire series!


Perfection Is Afterthought, Perfect Examples Say
It's even more true now that Eli and the Giants proved everyone wrong. Thank goodness games are played on the field and not on paper. I love what John Wooden had to say about perfection. My friend Adam Housley with FOX News (the wine guy!) visited Coach Wooden at his apartment in Los Angeles once and said he was the nicest and most humble man you can imagine. Focus on the process and give it your best effort physically and mentally. If you consistently do that then you'll be more successful than 95% of the competition.

Across continents, rider delivers message of will, passion
In case you aren't aware it is Black History Month. In that spirit ESPN has this article from a black man who has ridden a bicycle across many continents raising money for various charities. I'm sure you are like me and can relate to this quote from him all too well, "Any given moment can change your life." Guys, you owe it to yourself to read this one. What would your answer be to your father? I know mine.....

Cyclist causes crash after headbutting competitor in race to finish
This is how not to sprint at the finish - video included.

Belmont Blvd. Biking Stud - w4m
Well I don't own a fixed gear or have curly hair. Somebody's got an admirer. Was it you?

2008 Greenville Spring Training Series
Here's an FYI about the popular early season series in Greenville which starts on February 23. Usually we have some Tennessee racers to make the trip to get a few efforts in their legs prior to the TBRA schedule.

Greenway bridge will be the great connector
In case you haven't checked it out lately the Tennessean has revamped its website, and I have to say it's much better than their cluttered predecessor. One section includes video news of various items throughout the city, and this one is about the Greenway bridge connecting Shelby Bottoms and Two Rivers/Opryland. If you haven't seen it with your own eyes then you owe it to yourself to watch this one minute video that displays the bridge beautifully. You better bet I'll be riding across the bridge as soon as it opens!

Pedestrian bridge connects greenways
In keeping with Greenway news here's an accompanying article with more details about the bridge, Two Rivers and the Percy Priest Damn area Greenways. It's going to be great for all you East Nashvillians to cross the Cumberland, pick me up over near McGavock and then I'll go rip your legs off over into Mt. Juliet and Lebanon!

California Man Arrested for Digging 50 Holes in Bike Trail
Maybe this guy was at Clemson, SC last fall and dug holes there too which sent me flying over the bars resulting in my infamous broken elbows! Some people have way too much time on their hands.

Bikers, runners cope with canines
If it's not the upset vehicle drivers in Leipers Fork it's the dogs nipping at your heels. The only time I got bit was when I was about 12 years old by a Doberman. I'll never forget speeding down that hill and seeing the dog come upon my left. I was too young to realize I was lunch meat and it got full puncture on my lower left leg. I knew the guy that lived there and never ever set foot near his yard again.

Sleep and athletic performance enhancement
I am all about getting true rest and plenty of sleep to promote healthy recovery. I witness the difference not only in myself but in athletes all around me daily. There's no question that mental and physical response times are reduced by lack of rest, common sense really, but it has a greater impact than you realize. A solution? Word has it - pulsed electromagnetic fields.

USA Cycling awards 2007 Centers of Excellence
Congratulations to Nashville's own TriStar Cycling for their hard work and commitment to junior development. TriStar was recently recognized by USA Cycling as one of the best junior programs in the country. This was their first time earning this distinction, but it is our guess they'll be winning more awards of this nature in the future. Congrats guys!