SNOW DAY?!?!?!

It appears that the rather large accident on the 401 last Friday had everyone on edge this morning which resulted in my busy day turning into a not so much...busy day. So, an administrative day was had. Began day with a killer workout at gym..here's the beautiful thing....all those Rotator Cuff exercises have made an impact...Picked up some 65 lb dumbells and did reps till fatigue...and DEEP I may add. NO pain. This is a good thing because I am going to need the upper body strength to harness the Husky this season!! Speaking of which...the replacement gear shift lever arrived in the mail today..looks pretty sweet too..but most importantly, it is installed with NO play and loctited up at the angle that should be ready to roll.

May be going for a night XC ski with Fil tonight...good thing he is recovering from a fractured hip and completed a power yoga session today...body is feel a taaaad fatigued from earlier. Oh yeah...gots ta love Kijiji..picking up a new Fox V1 helmet tomorrow on way back from work consult for half of new price...so far, I'm kitted up with the most important gear, boots and helmet (as of tomorrow), compliments of Kijiji. Now to complete the set, will have to find some moto pants and maybe even a neck brace...can't be too safe...we'll see

Started the day off right with a righteous "punchin' in" at the gym followed by some productive administrative work time. Had this mild weeping of the bike in my mind which finally grew from potential to kinetic energy. Picked up what I needed and made the repair. Pulled the valve cover off by removing almost every piece of plastic including the tank off of the bike first and found that yes...my assumption was right...torn gasket...replaced, also installed new air filter while at it..fired it up and once again stared in amazement at the power of this beast. Waiting for my DRIVEN gear shift as the one provided was worn due to it being aluminum and the gear shaft being steel...steel always wins. Bike hooked up to battery tender and counting down the days till March. Decided March is the time to get this ball rolling...M1, insurance and Rrrrriding. First things first though...save up for a good helmet and some riding gear. This is working out in favour purchasing this bike in winter...lots of time to get due dilligence to the extreme in shopping for this kind of stuff :)

Continuing to work out at gym but will get bike on trainer in basement for some more cardio sessions.

The Husky Hath Arrrrrrivith!!!!

It has finally happened. The new bike (motorized....not pedal powered) has become firmly planted in my garage. a 2007 Husqvarna TE 450. This ain't now starter bike...it is essentially a race bred enduro bike that also has the luxury of being street legal to enable a quick exit(from garage) and entry to the trails. Need to put a couple things in place before I can legitimately ride this....legally....on roads. I need to write my M1 license, have it Insured and safetied and then get ownership transferred over to my name. Yeah....this costs money...if MOTHER NATURE WOULD COOPERATE AND DUMP SNOW!!!! I COULD THEN DO WHAT I WANTED TO AND SAVE UP FOR SPRING. Issue here is that the snow is pretty much absent and temps are getting below zero...translation...could theoretically ride this beast..and a BEAST it is!!

Starts like a beauty and idles perfectly. Have only ridden it around the block a couple times and have twisted throttle probably 3/4 MAX and have a hard time staying in the saddle...YUP...she's got some balls. Rekluse clutch makes me feel like I'm cheating...strange not using a clutch...actually...the clutch isn't even active...may just take this lever off?? When in a standstill or lifting on/off stand...heavy..but under power it is extremely nimble, mind you I am basing this on a couple laps around the subdivision.. So..yeah..Bike in garage...realize fitness is going to be a KEY component to handle this beast in the trails. Power is super friendly and my Mt. biking background and Youth moto racing should definitely ready me for this new sport! Respect the power like I respect white water..MUCH RESPECT!

Oh yeah..blah blah blah..going to gym etc..no xc skiing due to lack of snow...

what tha?!?!?! Aching knees???

11:32 am...already been up for 8 hours, 3 cups of coffee and a 10 k classic xc ski later.....Feeling refreshed :)

Went to local trails, Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area, at gate opening of 7:30 am after watching our Juniors put the Americans in check. Had prepped the skiis for "new snow" and temps of -11 to -15. Gauge on car before stepping in was neg 11....

I was the only one in the parking lot and was pretty pumped to have first tracks...well I quickly realized that first tracks DOWNHILLING is a little different than ungroomed and fresh poweder XC skiing...super slow but magnificent. Had it in my head that I had to do the whole perimeter of trail. Done...shovelled driveway with my oldest and am starting to fade....I think a nap is in order :)

update

My head is definitely in a different dimension from previous posts..My new obsession is closely coming to reality. In process of picking up a 2007 Husqvarna TE 450. Essentially an enduro bred race bike (motorcyle) that is also street legit. Just a matter of time before this baby is in me garage.....I definitely smell a couple of enduro races for 2013. Anticipate some go pro footage of this new experience.

Fitness wise...been punching into the gym and have been out on the xc skiis once since we got dumped on the last couple of days. Skiis are all prepped for a early/mid morning ski at little cat. 10 k of easy smooth kickin should get the soul calibrated. Bikes have been quite content to be mounted on garage wall.

January 12th is the potential day for pickup of the new member of the family...I can already smell the exhaust.....yummmmmmmmy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RmmhdVF6bY

Hare Scrambles in Future

It's been a while since I've posted last. Work has had me logging some serious dashboard time. 50k on a work vehicle that I received brand spankin' back in April...THIS YEAR kinda tells the story.

Been out a couple times on the mountain bike...the farm...CB and even rail trail with Fil last weekend as his innaugural return back to the living after sustaining that traumatic injury in Whistler.

Been running and punching into the gym. Feeling pretty freakin good lately and quite calm in the mind zone as well....I think the reading (15 books since last year....a record) and the idea of adopting a new passion, Enduro motorcycles, has me in a good head space. NO desire to race my mountain bike next year or ride super hard for that matter.....should I be concerned...don't think so...Thinking whatever "loose screws" were in my head to drive me to want to race 8 and 24 hour solo events are now....tightened back up.

I just can't get this outta my head...I'm dreaming nightly of the sensation...I literally can feel the clutch and braking in these dreams....meant to be...3 month countdown...bike of choice...2004 or 2005 Yamaha WR 450.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXaFczYK-lU

Silly...this time of year it's early a.m. or night ride.... by ripnriding at Garmin Connect - Details

Silly...this time of year it's early a.m. or night ride.... by ripnriding at Garmin Connect - Details

Enduro bikes on the brain...................