nibu.info

It's here.  Get your bike.  We are Critical Massing at the Cinema West Theater Saturday, March 13th, 9:35pm.  

Here we are, the snow is melting, the rain is coming, the flood waters rising.  It is time to go racing.  The first Team NIBU race event of the spring season is the 20th Annual Decorah Time Trials.

The event is held on Saturday, April 25th in Decorah.  Team NIBU will be working on a group to Head East and put on a show for the single track crowd. 

Click here to download the race info

Click here to download the entry form

Please mark this on your iCal and be ready to race.  More transportation details coming.  Please drop a comment here, or on Facebook if interested in participating.

It is upon us.  The final night of the 2009/2010 Roller Derby Winter Season.  The series will be decided on Saturday, March 27th, staring at 6:00pm.  Lorado's on the plaza will be the OK Coral.

The series champion will be crowned with a HED H3 Front wheel, and the Universe Champion (Men's and Women's division) will be named.  This is for all the marbles.

We will run the night a little different than other evenings.  Blind draw double elimination.  No qualifying.  You lose twice - you're out.  The last spinning stud left standing takes home the Universe Jersey.  The consistently strong animal with the most series points will take home the wheel.

Here is an idea what the bracket will look like (depending on the number of contestants).  It's gonna be hard.  There isn't going to be a lot of rest between rounds.  We can't call it CHAMPION OF THE UNIVERSE and make it all easy and shit.  Be ready for a throw down.

After the racing.  The areas best DJs will be pumping out the electronic (Techno for the musically illiterate).  So stay after to rejoice your winnings with a mug of your favorite elixir.  Or stay after to cry in your beer with the rest of us.  The bar closes at 2:00am, you're welcome to stay until then.  

Lucky participants will also take home prizes from Waynes, Oakley, Splash, Lakeside, and Bennetts.  $5 to race.  No cover to watch.

Bring your cowbells, whistles, vocal cords, and friends.  Let's pack the joint.  See you there!

Notice the NRA guys stand BEHIND him.

Listening to the Iowa Public Radio program The Exchange on Monday, I heard the tail end of a broadcast dealing with the proposed bill and amendments involving cyclists and the vehicle passing law.  The first half of the program is dealing with parks, so you can forward to the halfway point of the show.

The Exchange MP3 Click here to download the MP3

Mason City's own State Representative Sharon Steckman was on the program talking about an amendment she wrote.  Another Representative, Buford T. Justice, was on the program to speak his mind about the the bill.

I had thoughts of anger, thoughts of agreement, and thoughts of "You got to be kidding me".  

I agree that there are laws and regulations that cyclists just don't understand.  I agree that when cycling, two abreast, three abreast, and riding near the center line isn't the best plan when traffic is near.  I agree that some form of education on the laws needs to happen.  I strongly feel however, that a licensing program, or "Cycling License" isn't the answer.  What are we going to start, The Iowa DUMB (Department of Un Motorized Bicycles)?  Show up there, get your vanity plates with your favorite state song bird or university?  Give me a break.  I guess the only upside if they were to initiate a cycling license program - is once you get the damn thing - it will never be taken away.  Just ask this guy.

And the tax/license fee bogusness?  How we as cyclists don't pay taxes at the pump or in the DMV - and as such, don't pay for the roads we use.  Give me a show of hands - all those reading this blog - WHO DON'T OWN A MOTOR VEHICLE OF SOME SORT - RAISE YOUR HANDS.  What?!?  None of you?  (or maybe just one) You all have at least one vehicle?  Does that mean that you occasionally buy fuel?  Once a year pay your registration fees for the  gas guzzler?  Man.  Sounds like maybe you are footing some of the bill - wether the non cyclists like it or not.  Their your roads too

I am thinking of charging all walkers who walk down my sidewalk a tax.  Hey, it's my sidewalk.  I have to maintain it.  Salt costs money.  Shovels cost money.  Here you are enjoying my sidewalk at no cost to you - using your rubber soled shoes - tearing up my cement.  Let's not even get into the roller bladders and skateboarders on my sidewalk, or the cross country skiers who may pass through my backyard.  That's my snow!  Took me all winter to get it to that state.  Leave your 25 cents, and move on.

The call for cyclists to display slow moving triangles, moped style flags, or to have half of the cycling kit be "hunter orange" or "school bus yellow" is totally not the answer.  Representative Justice's liking cycling to hunting, where pheasant and deer hunters are required to display hunter orange while in the field just doesn't jive with our sport.  First of all, unless you are in the film Easy Rider, I don't think any vehicles are "gunning" for someone on two wheels.  

When hunting, everyone is out to shoot something.  The reason for the orange is so that someone doesn't accidentally shoot another person - either by mistaking that person for the intended huntee or by not seeing the other person when shooting the weapon.  Using the hunting analogy, it would be like saying that motorized vehicles are out on the road "looking to hit something", and cyclists better wear orange to make sure they are not mistaken for something worth hitting.

To steal a quote from a good friend "I guess that we better have every motorized vehicle on the road painted hunter orange or school bus yellow".  In the bike vs car - car wins.  Car vs semi - semi wins.  Semi vs train - train wins - verbiage vomit - if everything out there was hunter orange or school bus yellow.  Everyone would always see everyone else!  Bang - no more accidents.

Keep the kids safe at any costs.  Even in a roll over.

Don't even get me started on camo vehicles.  Good god.  What do we do with them?  Vehicles TRYING not to be seen.  That's a danger - just think.  A truck sneaking up on an unsuspecting cyclists.  And if that cyclists doesn't have their 50' of reflective tape wrapped around their entire body.  79 square feet of hunter blaze orange poncho.  That sneaky little bastard is going to run them over.

Hardly even noticed this thing coming down the road.  How about this one?

Again.  I am not against safety.  I am not telling people on bikes to have reverse road rage against their fellow auto drivers.  Don't TRY to take up as much room on the road as you can because you think you are allowed to.  Be courteous, move over when you can, treat drivers with the same respect that you would ask for yourself.  Have lights on your bike when it is dark.  And the difficult one, obey traffic laws.  I break them all the time.  I hardly never stop for a stop sign.  But I am going to try.  I am going to make an attempt to follow the rules that are written.  I want the auto brethren to see that at least one cyclist is trying.  Can you try?

Ok.  I can't watch the Oscars - the song and dance, and a million commercials.  The bios on the french actors who just couldn't make it over here, but had such a profound "black and white" cinema carer that no one cared about... 

This was just posted on Tommy Z's blog. We are happy for him, but sad
for the sport.

Semblance of Control

I'm tired of having my destiny in someone else's hands. But today is a
different day. Today is the day I take back the reins. However, today
is not yesterday...yesterday was the day I was to cut all ties
completely. Today, I have a slightly cooler head but the idea is the
same. You can thank Rebecca for this 'resignation' letter not going
out yesterday:

“Done.
I officially received a 2 year sanction notification from USADA today.
No big surprise, right? I alluded to this weeks ago. But my reaction
is a surprise. Call it the straw that broke the camel's back â€" I
don't know. Whatever the trigger, I've decided to walk away from the
sport. I haven't talked to the friends and family or anyone else about
this. Call it a rash decision if you like, but I'll try to explain my
reasoning so that you can understand where I'm coming from.
I've been watching the Olympics these last few days and it has been
really inspiring for me. For the first time, I can see myself standing
on the podium, bowing my head to receive my medal. This is a
breakthrough for me. It helped me affirm to myself that I need to come
back from this ordeal and rise to the top and accomplish greater
things in the sport of cycling. Today, I started asking “Why?”. Why
do I 'need' to come back? Well, because I've felt this burning in my
gut these last two weeks, propelling me to work harder and become
faster than I ever have before. Okay, but that doesn't answer the
question, I can do that without racing. Maybe it's because I've grown
accustomed to the cycling spotlight and people looking up to me. Maybe
it's because I want to show all these doubters just how strong I am.
Maybe it's because I want to continue to live the 'pro' lifestyle. I
think we're getting to the crux of the reason for a comeback now. But
what am I truly after in this life? Asking myself this question today
the answer was “to be extraordinary”. I want nothing to do with
mediocrity. But on top of that (and what I've lost sight of in the
last few years), I want to improve the world. Yes, I am a naïve, 30-
something dreamer, but I want to help save the world. And I always
said that I would use cycling to amass influence and monies and then
put myself to good use in helping my causes of choice (like a certain
Texan who is a Saint in the cancer community). But the reality is,
cycling and racing so consume me that I have little time or energy for
anything beyond myself. My first year out of college, I made $28k
working at a chemistry lab in Boulder. During that year, I managed to
work 40 hrs/week, train between 70-100 miles/week running (which led
to a 2:31:40 marathon), buy a new car for my mom, and give around
$1000 to various charities. A few years later, when I decided to put
everything I had into becoming a pro cyclist, I worked around 25 hrs/
week delivering pizzas, trained around 20 hrs/week cycling, and
volunteered at the homeless shelter twice a week because I was barely
making ends meet and couldn't donate money. For comparison, last year
I made more money than I ever have in my life, had no other job than
racing my bike 70 or so times during the year, and still only gave
maybe $300 to charities over the course of the year and sometimes went
months between contacting the teenage boy whom I'm mentoring. What's
extraordinary in that? What's more extraordinary â€" if Greg Mortenson
would have made it to the summit of K2 or if Greg Mortenson failed to
summit K2 and instead dedicated his life tobuilding hundreds of
schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan? I'd say the latter. What's more
extraordinary â€" Eric Heiden the amazing skater and cyclist or Eric
Heiden the amazing surgeon? How about Davis Phinney the cyclist or
Davis Phinney the Parkinson's crusader? I've come to the realization
that I would rather be a David Benke than a Cancellara. I would rather
help the boy I'm mentoring graduate from college and break the cycle
of poverty in his family than win a Pro Tour TT. To me, the life I'm
choosing from this day on is more challenging and potentially
rewarding than the life of training to ride in a straight line really
fast for 40 minutes. For whatever reason, I haven't been able to do
both so it's time to step back and re-prioritize.
And no, I would never have come to this decision without this positive
doping test fiasco. So, maybe there's the good out of this situation.
Am I giving up? In a way, I'd say I was giving up on my dream while
being a pro cyclist. I was so self-absorbed that I did little good
with life beyond my self.
And so that's that. It's been fun. I'm taking so many wonderful
memories and relationships from the last 6 years with me. And now that
I'm done with all of this, I want you to hear the truth once and for
all. Come in close so I can whisper.....I didn't dope.”

Today, I laid all my cards on the table for USADA. I told them
everything that I know about the positive test, meaning every possible
lead as to how it happened, and that I will cooperate in any way that
I can. As great as my lawyer has been for me, I told him that I needed
to do this on my own from now on. I have no intention of taking this
case to a hearing. Now that I've made the determination that I really
could and would walk away from the sport forever, it's liberating.
USADA, WADA, and the UCI no longer have power over me. But I will
continue to jump through a few hoops (if not too high nor on fire) in
order to leave the option open for a return in years to come (though I
sort of hope I have the courage to begin a completely new career and
never look back). I will continue to try and figure out how this
happened so that I know for my own sanity and so it won't happen to
someone else, but that is a separate issue. I'm ready to turn the page
and start living a better, more fulfilling life. Whether or not
bicycle racing is in that future is too foggy to tell. I hope you all
can understand why I've chosen this road. It feels so good to be out
of the holding pattern.
Okay, I gotta go. I have some jobs to apply for!
Posted by TomZ

What a night.  Round 6.  Over and out.  We threw the competitor a little curveball.  NIBU friend and support Darren N. donated the use of his ultra high tech training device.  A RealAxiom powered trainer set up grueling challenge for each of the riders.  Each had to ride up a virtual mountain for 350 meters.  A 12% grade mountain that just wouldn't end.

Jon G. powering out the big wattage.

The first rider up was Ruben, who set the tone.  It was a tone of pain and work.  Jon H. set the fast time at 39 seconds.  Only to be topped by co-worker Jim M.  Big papa Jim ticked over the old steel frame to get a 2 second lead on Jon.  But it was second to last rider Eric F. who was able to knock off Jim, by only one second - earning him the bye in the first round.

Watch Eric win the Qualifying round by one second.

A very interesting situation was set up with the results of qualifying.  Eric placed first, Jim qualified second, and Jon was seeded third.  Well.  Eric gets the bye, Jim races Jon G. and Jon H. gets RUBEN in round one!  Interesting.  The two most consistent riders.  The two riders who have been in the finals more than anyone else.  Ruben winning the last three races, leading the point series, and Jon in second - only one point back.  

Round One Super Race

That race had to be the best race we all have seen since Ruben pulled his foot out of the toe strap, but was still able to win.  This was an amazing show of speed and guts.  It ended up so close - no one wanted to call it.  Our officials calling the shots, came up with Jon winning by less than 10 meters.  When checking out the max kph output.  Jon H. put up a 101.3 kph.  Did you get that?  101.3 kph.  The fastest speed ever seen at the Derby.  And trust us.  We have tried to get that fast.  Ruben's top speed was over 97.  One of the highest speeds also.  Amazing.

So, this night was going to be the breaker for Ruben.  Out in the first round.  The Derby was about to get a first time winner, and Jon was going to take over the point lead.

The rounds went down like clockwork.  Each rider putting in the best they had.  The feel good moment of the night was Mike C. getting back up in the saddle.  Mike broke his Collarbone riding with Seth B. on an icy gravel rode.  We were so happy to have the man back in the house!  We love ay Mike.

The semis were Eric vs Seth, and Jon H. vs Jim M.  Eric and Seth made a boring event of their semi by playing around, and coasting until the last 100 meters, and sprinting to a tie - Seth was promoted into the final.  With much joy on his face.  The MetalCraft rematch between Jon and Jim had the big men punching their way to finish.  Jon took the win, and moved into the finals against Seth.

The intermission between the semis and the finals was the contest of the Weaver Twins.  The Weaver brothers got up, and gave each other a workout.  Each riding their hardest to earn bragging rights at home.  The ride was a little much for he older Weaver, as we deposited some workout juice on the ground outsize on the plaza.  Ruben has a pic on his Facebook - but it is rather nasty.  If you want to see it.  Search for yourself.  This is a family blog.

Final race went down the the last 30 meters.  Jon just had a little too much gas in the tank as he just nipped Seth at the line - giving him his first finals victory of the season - and sole grip on the series point totals.

Click here to watch our ultraly high technological super video of the finals.

Now - we are uploading videos to YouTube from the race, so please subscribe to our channel.  Go to YouTube, and type in NIBikeUnderground in the search field.

You will get a link to a Derby race.  To the lower right, you will see our channel "NIBikeUndergound".  click on it, and then his SUBSCRIBE.  That way you can come back to see all the great films.  Our buddy Darren shot some great video, and has been uploading like a mad man.  

Now, on to the last race of the Derby.  Our Champion of the Universe Contest will be held at Lorado's on March 27th.  The Championship racing will start at 6:00pm.  The final point series will be decided.  We have a HED wheel for the victor, as well as great prizes from Bennetts, Waynes, Splash, and Lakeside.  A series champion and a Universe Champion will be named.  Plan for a double elimination event.  Bring your legs!

After the racing, stick around for Techno Night.  Our favorite DJs will be spinning some loud beats, and expanding your musical horizons (Yes, I understand that what you will be hearing probably wont technically be "Techno" but it is a term that the non-electronica listening public will understand).

Now for the point totals.

Jon H. - 42 Points

Ruben W. - 34

Seth B. - 20

Ben F. - 19

Jon G. - 16

Eric F. - 14

Ken N. 13

Derek G. - 11

Katie F. - 9

Mike C. - 9

David N. - 8

Andrew S. - 4

Jim M. - 3

Joe K. - 3

Amy F. - 2

The Other Mike C. - 2

Nick Q. - 1

Jon W. - 1

Clark P. - 1

Craig P. -1

Joan V. - 1

Jon V. - 1

Curt K. - 1

Andy J. - 1

How well can you climb?  Can you be up in the saddle mounting a ferocious attack, and glance back at Jan and give him "The Look" - only to power ahead a kick his ass? (and by the way... Guess where HE learned it from)

Can you climb the wall like a tree frog?

The next question is… Can you do it, and still have enough in the tank to best other super heros in a test of crazy legs?

We will find out tomorrow night.  Come to our final regular season Wednesday night Roller Derby.  Registration starts at 7:15, racing begins at 8:02.  

So how tuff are you?

Mythical.  Epic.  Race Maker.  Race Breaker.  Those words have been used to describe the monsters of the Grand Tours.

Col du Tourmalet with it's average grade of 7.4, and muscle burning 10.2 maximum grade.

Col du Galibier giving riders the taste of an agerage 6.1 and maximum 10.1 grade.

Who can't talk about the tour without saying the words "L'Alpe d'Huez"?  Ever since Fausto Coppi conquered the switchback beast in 1952, the average grade of 7.9 has punished riders.

NIBU would like to introduce the latest climb to this illustrious list.  Col du Lorado.  On Wednesday, Feb. 24th, riders competing in the final Wednesday night Roller Derby will have to face the Lorado.  A 350 meter test of strength.  The Col boosts a 12 percent grade for the entire 350 meters ride.  Your goal - to make it up the grade as quickly as you can, and thus gain yourself top seeding in the nights racing.

The mountain climb will take place on a piece of technological marvel.  The Real Axiom.  A computer controlled trainer that will be set up to give each rider a race they will never forget.  The climb will be the nights qualifying round, and we will proceed to the races after the seeding has been completed.  

The 24th will mark the 6th, and final "regular season" race of the series.  The Universe Championship will be held on Saturday, March 27th, at Lorado's.  But the coming Wednesday will have participants talking for years about the "Billy Goat Climb".  The Real Axiom will read out you speed, cadence, time and POWER.  Ever wanted to know what kind of wattage it takes to blast up 12 degrees?  Come and find out.

The top two fastest climbers will each receive prizes for their accomplishments, and have the respect of everyone in attendance (not to mention the poor souls who took part and were vanquished).

The rules are the same as the Derby.  We provide the bike, you wear what you want, and be sure to bring regular shoes - as the Underground only rocks the toe straps.

Think you got speed in those legs? Let's test them out.  Bring your guts - bring your friends - bring an empty stomach (or be prepared to empty the vomit bucket yourself).

Osama Bin Laden, Ted Kaczynski, Pablo Escobar…  And now….  Floyd Landis?  The French have issued an international arrest warrant for Mr. Landis for allegedly hacking into the French doping lab working on his TdF blood testing.  

Prenez-le les fuckers. Je la coutume reviens à votre pays shitty jamais de nouveau.

Check out the cyclingnews.com article - and while doing so, hum the Bon Jovi song "Dead or Alive" as you do.  What a bad ass!  If true, he seems more cunning than Steve Wozniak and his blue box calling the CIA - and ordering a pizza.  Floyd.  Who would have guessed it.  This removed steel wheel wagoneer, has turned the natural world upside down.  My god.  What is next - starting a band and opening for the Prince of Darkness?

On a side Doper alert.  Remember Ricco?  His special lady friend who tested pos for the EPO while nursing their child.  Well, he dumped her.  Or at least until her suspension is over.  "Sweetie…  I will be back in 18 to 24 months.  Promise.  Will ya wait?  Oh, and by the way...  I can't pay any child support until MY suspension is over and I win a race".

I think Floyd should check her out.  I see a rebound hookup.