Good bye!

Dear San Jose Sharks Management and Players,

I am writing you today to inform you that you are now "FIRED" as my team of choice to support and root for in the NHL. This decision has been a difficult one for me to make, but I feel it is the correct decision for both parties, given the current circumstances.

I have been an avid (and sometimes rabid) fan of the Sharks since their days at the Cow Palace and have always supported them as a team, regardless of their ability to make the playoffs or advance in them.

I haven't lived in Northern California in at least 10 years, and I still supported the Sharks wherever I lived. Kansas, Texas and now Indiana, the Sharks were always my team. If I came back home to visit family and friends, I would always try to attend a Sharks game. Of those games I attended, The Sharks won approximately 35% of them. I thought it was me being there that brought bad luck, but we all know how untrue those types of statements are.

Last night's elimination from the playoffs clinched my decision to let you go. Before I totally slam the door on you, I feel that its important to let you know how proud I was of the Teal and Black when you won the Presidents Cup.

However, as important as that trophy and accomplishment may be, a first round exit to the 8th seed in the playoffs this year is as much of an embarrassment as the Sharks could ever have and as much as I can take as a fan. What happened to the team that dominated October and November? What happened to the team that was so far ahead in points, no one would catch them? A simple answer; They didn't show up. Gone was Thornton, Marleau and Nabby for the first two games, much was dependant on them and their ability to dominate at the Shark tank. By the time they had shown up, it was simply "too little, too late".

While I know you will have plenty of support in future years from the Bay Area and even areas a bit beyond, you will no longer have my support. If I wanted to live with a sense of "we can do it this year" only to watch a team fail, I would watch the Chicago Cubs.

Goodbye, good luck and good riddance.

Sincerely,

Don Walker (former Sharks fan)

ride report.

Last night I went on the Nebo Ridge group ride. they have 4 groups. Racers, Killer B's, Honey B's and rookies.
I opted for the Honey B's. Its supposed to have a 19mph average. It was windy as Kansas last night and it was hard work the whole way round. The group splintered even with a tailwind on the way out. I managed to make the split each time. We were echeloning the entire time. Once we turned into the wind, it was a bit more difficult for me. I skipped some pulls and stayed at the back a few times to catch my wind because I didn't want to get caught out there by myself. I held my own and even took some pulls once I had my lungs again. I stayed with the lead group all the way until the sprint. Once they jumped, I was gassed from my effort to hang with them after the first 100 meters and shot out the back. I soloed in during the cool down and thought to myself "give me a few more weeks and I will be contesting the sprints". Not bad for my 3rd ride of the year.

btw, my new road bike kicks all kinds of ass.

DW

Wait! More Photos?

Yep, these here pics taken by Brad Quartuccio of Urban Velo, the official NAHBS shooter!

Thanks Brad!

DW

Day 2 report

Ok, I woke up a bit on the "lighter" side yesterday. I checked my weight first thing and it was 286.5 I really thought it was peeling off. I went to the gym, did some stretching and some basic stuff like treadmill and a few little core exercises and then hit the sauna for 20 minutes.
In the eve, I went on the Nebo Rodge ride with the "B-2" group. I stayed near the front, because mainly these were not racing types, but more along the lines of a social type group but there was some serious cyclists in the group. I stayed with them up until I missed the split, right before the "sprint", only because I had no clue the split was happening.
Again, I am happy to say that my hockey fitness got me through this one. 26 miles total and about 80 minutes on the bike.
Back to my weight... I woke up this morning and weighed in at 288.8 Kind of disappointed really....

There is a good chance I will be doing Nate's "Indy Roubaix" ride tomorrow. If so, there will be a report.

DW

Day 1, officially.

Ok, in my quest to lose the extra poundage (hey, its not a quest, its a mission, dammit!) I went on the Wednesday night ride in Indy upon the urging of my friend and fellow builder Tim O'Donnell. Tim said, "hey man, its a piece of cake. It only does 19-20 mph."
Ok, so I packed up Bertha and headed to meet him and the rest in Broad Ripple. It was cloudy, windy and about 55 degrees, which is at my "minimum" temperature level that I will ride in until I have lost the weight and can buy some decent winter clothes that will fit me.

I warmed up at the back of the group, which is fine with me. I know not where the ride goes, so I dont have any business up front. All was fine until we hit the potholed hill at Butler. I stood up and pulled my rear wheel when I hit a deep hole. I stopped and tightened the QR as fast as I could, but the 30 seconds of stopping and doing the fix and getting back on the bike was enough for me to lose contact for good. I chased hard, but, lets face it...its my first ride of the year and hockey shape will only get me so far. I blew. I kept riding and eventually managed to see them ahead at a stoplight. Just as I got back on, they took off and kind of hard, too. I didnt maintain contact for very long. Damn. I managed to pick up a couple who were kind enough not to drop me on the way back. They stopped off at Butler for some unknown reason and I kept going back to where Bertha was parked. All in all, it wasnt a bad ride. I got in an hour+ and about 18-19 miles. My back hurt a little, but thats expected my first time out.

FWIW, Tim talked me into tonights ride at Nebo. I think I'll stick to the slower group, provided I can hang with them.

New report tomorrow.

DW

Coming soon, to a wall near you...

This will be a poster soon... with more graphics added... or not...?

DW

Even more and more photo hotness

My best bud Nathan Schickels new track steed. Lovingly fillet brazed from Columbus Zona and Reynolds (seattube), this red rocket is built for speed. The "NEW" Warp 9 Track Fork (cleverly disguised as a TT GS 40) is attached via a Cane Creek 110 Headset. The Zipp Bar and Stem are decorated with some brand (unknown to me) of bar tape that is chrome looking and imho, hottt.

A Truvativ Omnium crank and BB drive a massive 54 x 16 gear thats attached to the only Zipp 1080 track wheels in existence. A Integrated Seat Mast Clamp holds a SSM Regal saddle.

Look for Nate at Major Taylor Velodrome this year!

DW

Even more Photo Hotness

My new road steed. Fillet brazed mix of mega OS Columbus Zona and Life. Serotta 10.5 fork with a Cane Creek 110 headset, Zipp Bar/stem, Selle Italia Flite Gel Flo saddle attached to a Thomson Post and integrated seat mast, SRAM Red gruppo and Zipp 808/404 wheels. Weighs in at 17.5 pounds as is. Not bad for a big boys bike, eh?

As usual, photography by Joe Vondesaar. Thanks Joe!

DW