Most viewed posts on this blog

This chart is a screenshot taken from the Blogger interface. I'm sure it's not as accurate Google stats or some others, but I think it gives a good idea of where and how much traffic this blog gets.

Apparently lots of readers are looking at Bob Haro's illustrations.

Illustrations by "The Master" Bob Haro
Jan 31, 2011, 1 comment
1,734 Pageviews

Cat 3 Comics - Issue 1 (part 1)
Dec 15, 2011, 3 comments
385 Pageviews

SportTracks 3.0 free trial vs paid
Jul 19, 2010
318 Pageviews

Trek - Gary Fisher Collection | 2011 Paragon
May 27, 2011
310 Pageviews

The Sufferfest “A Very Dark Place” review
Sep 29, 2011
229 Pageviews

ARTCRANK @ Interbike. Get your crayons ready!
Jul 29, 2011
127 Pageviews

Mc SpandeX - Get Dirty (repost)
Jul 17, 2010
114 Pageviews

Death Ride by Johnathan Bergeron (aka Johnny Crap)...
Jan 27, 2011
103 Pageviews

Breaking story - Trek buys Eddy Merckx brand
Jun 17, 2010
99 Pageviews

Triple Rush
Apr 19, 2011, 2 comments
98 Pageviews

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Races to think about - Chequamegon 100

The Chequamegon 100 is 100 miles of mountain biking in the Chequamegon National Forest. That should be pretty tough. It's another grassroots (and free) race, so it's just travel and lodging to pay for.

The dates not yet set, so I'll have to see when it happens in 2012, but I'd like to see if I can make it.

Here's the link: http://www.chequamegon100.com/ (forgot to post it earlier).

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Maybe someday I'll do Trans Iowa...

There is a video embedded in this post that you may not be able to view. Click through to the blog to watch it. Justin Bieber racing a gravel grinder.

This looks like a great look at what Trans Iowa is. 300 miles of gravel. Serious riding. Like I said, maybe someday...

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Cat 3 Comics - Issue 1 (part 3)

This is the 3rd and final post for issue #1 of Cat 3 comics. I will be continuing to post weekly, till I have all 4 issues up.

You can view all posts with the "Cat 3" label by clicking this link: http://anello-grande.blogspot.com/search/label/Cat%203

I sincerely hope these are enjoyable. Like I said the rest will be posted.

Link to other Cat 3 comic book posts
Cat 3 Comics - Issue 1 (part 1)
Cat 3 Comics - Issue 1 (part 2)
Cat 3 Comics - Issue 2 (part 1)
Cat 3 Comics - Issue 2 (part 2)

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This year, last year, just some charts

If you're not into charts and stupid training log data, you may want to skip this post. It'll prolly bore you to death. However, even though I'm not officially "training," I keep a log, use a Garmin and track heart rate, etc. It's just another way for me to stay motivated.

So below are some charts using the Year View plugin for SportTracks (I'm still on version 2.1 because of the upcharge for version 3 and the plugins I use).

Hours spent riding my bike (all tracked rides) per month.

Same as above but presented in a year to date format.

You can see that January and even February was kinda on track to having more hours riding then previous years. The plan was to do more "racing" and group rides this year. So I wanted to have more hours in the saddle before the group rides start up in about March. Unfortunately, in the middle of February I got into a project that took my time away from riding till the middle of May.

So I bailed on my entry to the Almanzo. Which was actually ok with me, as the weather was horrible. Yeah, I know, I'm a wuss. I totally look up to the hard men of the sport. I love reading/watching about races in bad weather conditions. But that doesn't mean I want to ride/race in them myself. I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a fair weather cyclist. I don't get paid to ride my bike, and I'm not chasing an cat upgrade. So I don't benefit from riding in weather that I'd rather be at home with the fam.

Hours spent running vs prior years

Running YTD

Mountain biking hours per month

YTD mountain biking hours

Road hours

Road hours YTD

Indoor cycling hours (rollers & trainer)

Indoor cycling YTD

So I didn't include other hour breakdowns which include Gravel, Races, Cyclocross and Family/Trail rides. The time for those, while included in the very top graph, are not really high enough to chart out.

So below you will see a couple charts from the Training Load plugin. It uses heart rate info to calculate a TrImp (Training Impulse) score, and then uses that to calculate CTL (Chronic Training Load), ATL (Acute Training Load) and TSB (Training Stress Balance). All this means is that you get a general idea of how much fitness and stress you are putting on your body.

Current training load over the last 6 months.

CTL over the last 4 years.

You can see that even though this year never really got very high, it has been holding pretty steady, even through fall and winter. Hopefully this year (2012) will see a bit more of a rise into summer as I attempt to get in shape and maybe compete a bit more. We'll see if it can go as hoped.

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Beautiful gift (2011 Christmas)

How was your Christmas? Good? Get everything you wanted? I did. And more. Let me tell you about an amazing gift I got.

I'm the proud Papa to 2 girls, my wife and I have been trying to raise them to be caring and compassionate women. They are kids (well one kid and one teen) and have a bunch of growing to do and we don't expect perfection from them, but we are so proud of them when we hear back from teachers, parents and other kids that they are being kind or thoughtful.

So the girls were so excited to present me with my Christmas gift yesterday. They gave me an envelope which I opened to see the cards below.

I know. Most parents are really happy and proud of their kids homemade crafty cards. And I am. I really love their notes to me and I've kept most of their cards through the years. However this years was extra special.

That is one from the big girl. It says:

Dear Papa, This year for Christmas pork chop and I decided to get you something very special. We donated enough money to the charity World Vision for a girl in Cambodia or India to receive a bike. Now the girl and her family will have quicker & for the girl a safer mode of transportation.

Unfortunately many girls get hurt or even taken on their walk to the market or school. Many then stop going to school because of this. But now the girl who received the bike doesn't have to give up her education, and chance at excelling in the world.

Pork chop and I decided this donation would be a perfect gift for you because of your passion of bicycling. Now your passion is able to help and keep a girl, just like us, safe.

♥ Love you & Merry Christmas,
big girl

The Pork Chop gave me this one:

Dear Papa,
Papa this year we donated $85 to World Vision. The money will go to a girl. It will give her a bike to go (to) and from work/school. They need bikes because  when girls like us go (to) and from school, they get hurt or even kidnapped. We thought you'd like this gift because...
1. You love big girl and I and you wouldn't want that happening to us.
2. You like bikes a lot and it will go to someone who needs it.
3. You are a very caring papa/man.
Loves
Porky

How great is that? They pooled together and did something that will help a girl continue her education and have a safer means to get around.

World Vision is a trustworthy organization with 85% of it's operating expenses going to it's programs, helping children, women and families in need.

In countries like Cambodia and India, many girls are forced to drop out of school because they live too far away or risk dangers such as violence or kidnapping on their walking route. Your gift of a bicycle will provide safe, speedy transportation for these eager young students, enabling them to achieve their dreams of education — and a brighter future.

Click this link http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwv2ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?section=10401&item=1445838 to donate a bicycle yourself.

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Merry Christmas

Just wishing you and yours, a very merry Christmas. Enjoy the day. And lets get a ride in before the new years.

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Cat 3 Comics - Issue 1 (part 2)

This a part 2 of the 1st issue of Cat 3 comics. You can see part one here: http://anello-grande.blogspot.com/2011/12/cat-3-comics-issue-1-part-1.html

The Back to the Future article is great. Some of the things they thought were outlandish really aren't, and many of the things are at least partially true.

Link to other Cat 3 comic book posts
Cat 3 Comics - Issue 1 (part 1)
Cat 3 Comics - Issue 1 (part 3)
Cat 3 Comics - Issue 2 (part 1)
Cat 3 Comics - Issue 2 (part 2)

I'm on the Twitters, follow me: @AnelloGrande

Twin Cities Bike Swap is 2/12/12

OK, I really think I'm gonna head up this year. I have a list of things I'd like to look for.

2012 Twin Cities Bike Swap

Sunday February 12th, 2012
9AM – 2PM
Schwan Event Center
National Sports Center, Blaine MN
Admission: $5

The 2012 Twin Cities Bike Swap is Sunday February 12th. What better place to find the perfect Valentines Day gift than at the Bike Swap where any and all things bikes can be found. This is rapidly becoming an institution on the twin cities cycling scene that you do not want to miss.

For even more info, or if you're interested in selling something at the swap, visit the site. http://www.twincitiesbikeswap.com/

I'm on the Twitters, follow me: @AnelloGrande

Walk it off Wheels...

There is a video embedded in this post that you may not be able to view. Click through to the blog to watch it. Justin Bieber gets rad in a wheelchair.

This guy is my hero for today. For serious. This guy isn't letting anything keep him from getting RAD! What stops you?

Found on DrunkCyclist.com

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Cat 3 Comics - Issue 1 (part 1)

So I was going through some stuff the other week and came across my old Cat 3 comic books. So I figured I'd scan them and upload them for the world to read. Click each page to see a large version.

They are old school, and a little on the corn ball side. But the truths of the sport are still the same.

This first story is an all to familiar tale of the "friendly" training ride, that's actually a hammerfest of pain. But we love it don't we?

A little motivation from Mr. Coppi.

This next story is about racing smarter then the rest.

This is a little more then 1/2 of the first issue. I want to try to do a little every week till I get all 4 issues up.


Link to other Cat 3 comic book posts
Cat 3 Comics - Issue 1 (part 2)
Cat 3 Comics - Issue 1 (part 3)
Cat 3 Comics - Issue 2 (part 1)
Cat 3 Comics - Issue 2 (part 2)

I'm on the Twitters, follow me: @AnelloGrande