extra donuts?

I could not wait till friday. A sweet three day weekend, and a roadie to Virginia for the first race of the year, for me, and the Baker's Dozen Endurance Event. I was stoked on the fact that I had never raced an endurance race before, and was also getting out of town for the weekend. I threw a bone out with some flesh left on it and the Dutch Eagle swooped down to join me on my trip. We packed the Blazin' Blazer, hit the grocery store, and "blazed" on down to VA on a beautiful April the 20th. Got there early enough to hit the register and get a lap in before it was time to hunker down. The race was on an old farm with huge mounds of cow shit lurking about. Waking the next day, there was definitily more people showing up and the weather was crystal. Rolling around I ran into some friendly faces and new it was going to be a good day on the bike. The start of the race was interesting. People blasting off the front. Me being a good sport, I joined in for a little to warm my legs up, but indeed it was going to be a long day in the saddle for me. I settled into a good pace and rode strong. I kept a good flow, only taking quick breaks to refuel. Being such a nice weekend the folks rolled down to hangout and do some antique shopping in the area. My mom never saw me race and was really excited. She was urging me to keep eating, cause my body needed it. She was right. As the night fell, I conitnued riding with great form and was hoping I wouldn't slide out on some bigass pile of cow shit that seemed to be harder to see at night. Also, the Jaeger swillin' Dutch Eagle was keeping me on my toes with his Col. Angus anticks. I rode my ass off and ended up just out of the loot, 4th place, in the solo singlespeeder class, but did walk away with a sweet raffle prize. Some badass 07 XTR shifters that will look better for sale on ebay than they would on my bike. In traditional fashion, a bunch of fellow racers and event organizers drank by a huge bonfire till the wee hours of the night to recover from the long ride. Looking at the sky, a nice falling star sealed the fact that I did ride strong for my first race and am looking forward to more rides in the coming months. They might be called races, but its all about riding your bike.

verbage

I'll piece it back together after the weekend. It's looking like a nice one, so enjoy it!

cony-bloom-cony

There is always a calm before a storm. So they say. Yesterday proved to be somewhat calm compared to the weather in NEPA as of late and the weather on the way. The plan is to leave Werner's in Conyingham, ride to Bloomsburg, and stake out some different terrain on the return trip. The group was small with myslef, Werner, and Dean. We headed out around 11. The day could not have been any sweeter. Rolling smoothe we hit Bloom about 40 or so miles in. We decided to skirt around the town and head back east. On the return trip we hit the town of Nuremburg. Sounding like the name of a Nazi concentration camp, we agreed that the ovens were probably broken at the pizza joint, and headed down the mountain to have one of the greatest hoagies in NEPA. At least the wrapper said so. After refueling we headed towards some more beasts and psuedo-beasts. Climbs. When road riding in NEPA most of the ride is climbing of some sort. Cruising back up tower road on the backside, safety breaks insuede, and we descended towards the valley. We rolled the valley for some time heading towards the final climb of the day, Nescopek Mtn. At about 65-70 miles in this climb was going to be fun. Reaching the base of the climb is a climb in itself. After hitting the top we rolled back to Conyingham with just shy of 80. Seizing the day was achieved. Now, time for some rain. Happy Spring!

today is the big 29!

the cut

Just throwin' some vibes out to my bro Van Dine, who is ripping it up in South America on the DH scene. Check out his blog for stories, pictures and other things two wheeled.

sat-er-dai

After sorting it out with the Eagle of Deutschland over an extended phone call on friday night, we surmised a trail epic for the next morning. Nesquehoning loop would be first, refuel somewhere, and then ride the strip mines and hookup onto the Pisgah ridge. I left my house at 9:30 and grinded the rail grade to meet Scott, Werner and Griz at Redner's Market in Nesque. As we rolled out from there it was sleeting and pretty cold. We climbed to the top of the ridge to meet Dean at the fabbled "box fan" trail intersection. The air was smokey and he was, of course, fixing a flat. We rolled at a brisk pace out past the water tank on the lower, oh so sweet single, aand climbed to the top of the ridge and rolled back towards Nesque. The trails on that ridge are my favorite. People who have sampled will probably agree. Almost at the end of the ridge, Dean rolls up and said he thinks he broke his fork. Looking at it for one second, we agreed it was totally blown. Dean bailed to his house, grabbed his other bike and met us with the water and food at the link between the Nesque ridge and Pisgah. Only Dean would bail on a ride to grab his spare bike to finish the ride. A true lover of the two wheels. While everyone is slaving at work, Dean is maintaining the local trails and riding everyday. He is a true endurance rider to say the least. He might not be on the front with a fast pace, but he can outlast most riders any day of the week. With a refuel, the weather starting to shape up, and Dean rollin' we headed towards the Pisgah ridge. Turning our way through the strip mines, Dean and I were trying to hookup to what Dean calls "the critical link." A point in the strip mines that is a hike-a-bike right to the singletrack. Sure as shit, it was right where we thought, and we proceeded to ride the Pisgah ridge back to Thorpe. The Pisgah ridge is some super technical riding. I feel lucky having it as my home turf. After exhausting all of the singletrack on Pisgah at a decent pace we were back at my place in Thorpe around 5:00. Not a bad day in the saddle for a spring fling.

got rocks?

Got on some of the vulupchous baby heads. Mmmm felt good. Too much road could kill a man. I like the predictable unpredictability of the rocky-as-shit singletracks. They are abundant, and they are tastey. The stuff I have been coughing up all week would be a great chain lube. Quit fussing with your sag bag and come join in the fun! Races are on the way!

kills

Recently, I've been putting a lot of hard solo miles in on the local terrain. This weekend I figured I would probably be riding alone as well, so I decided to join my roommate and his friends for a weekend in the Catskills of New York. Most of the group was going up to unwind from marriages, girlfriends or the grind, I was also going for some R&R and some road biking adventure. We all met at Joe's cabin, right outside Woodstock, on Friday. Beers were flowing and good vibes were in the air. Just a bunch of involved dudes trying to get interesting stories out of the bachelor types. The next morning was frosty and sunny. I couldn't wait to get rollin'. I stuffed my pockets with food and maps and off I was. The riding up there is sweet. Just rolling around mountain with some topos, hooking together roads, talking to farm boys in the middle of nowhere. Some were like, "What the hell you doing all the way out here?" After about 6hrs and a pretty big ride, it started raining. Luckily I was on my way back to the cabin where the crazy brew was fresh. It rained all night and the next morning, so I headed back to JT where I could get in another beautiful day. Most bands are the originators of great songs, but sometimes it takes someone else to come along and make that song come alive. As I ride along the Richies Havens version of The Beatles "Here Comes the Sun" comes on my ipod. Just a fitting song for the season. Here comes the sun, and I say, it's alright!

happy st. patty's

easy

From the dark hollows we rise...

action

calling all dwellers of the planet earth! we need to act now on the problem of the climate crisis. without a healthy planet we can not have healthy living. help mr. gore deliver the message to congress by signing a postcard at http://www.algore.com/, and do something to prolong the existance of the human race. we do not want to cause our own extinction!

34x18 X 18x20

Being a physics teacher is tough. It is really not my fortay. I enjoy teaching biology and environmental science better, but a little physics is interesting. Plus, the kids in the class are great. Anyway, we were talking about simple machines and then moving towards the topic of complex machines. My co-teacher suggested to maybe find an activity that invloves a bike for the students to figure out. I was thinking, right on, I already have an idea. What better way to incorporate a bicycle in the classroom than to have it sharpen your pencil. Through a little fabrication in the students technical shops, we introduce the fixed gear pencil sharpener. We had a blast timing how long it took to grind a pencil down to the eraser. The secrets of winter training are revealed to all. By sharpening ten pencils a day one will be in top form to out sprint Daisey on the Dairy Rd loop. Daisey is a huge rotweiler that chills at this farm on one of the sweetest road and moutain loops in my area. I have seen Daisey eating the carcass of a dead animal on one occasion before tearin' after my skinny ass. The Dutch Eagle and I have devised a plan to tape lunch meat to our frames to fend of the beast the next time where out there.

more winter

nice

new folks

I have a new link posted under pa pride. It is a new group of folks/fellow racer types starting an organization in the north east region of Pennsylvania to build and maintain trails, put together rides, and just bring like minded individuals together for what we love. Cycling! Give them some hits and check out what they are all about and maybe hook up and ride some new terrain. The mountain and road riding in the northeast region of PA is epic and well worth checking out. Also, for some good reads on the world of simple cycling, check out the two wheeled locust. He has some new posts on the bennies of single gear mountain cycling. Enjoy the snow!

stretch

It feels weird to ride a bike that actually shifts and has gears. Most of my riding in the past year has been strictly one speeders, mountain and cross. An occasional road bike ride on a well broken in machine. Today I got to try the new ride on for size. I have been dialing it in for a few days and today I was going to take a nice cruise. It takes to the road like a seasoned prostitute, she knows what she's doing. I felt good, except for that Stegmeire Winter Warmer I got for a buck last night, the bike felt good, and the weather was a sweet winter day. On my return trip I rolled over to the Mauch Chunk Lake for some ice fishing 101 with my roommate and his dad, and talked to some old timer about cool stuff you see when nobody else is around. It's great to see folks enjoying all kinds of different activities during the winter months. Headway is being made on the super secret team/club kits. DIY stylee were evil has no boundaries!

drool

So I paid off my gas guzzler a few back and was wondering about upgrades for my road bike. I have been rolling on the same setup for a while and things were wearing out. Road components are pricey, espescially for someone like me who isn't into the high zoot road machines, but none the less upgrades were in order for my beat componentry. Adding stuff up, I was pushing the idea of buying a new bike. Should I. Talking to my roommate, Scott, who got a brand new carbon Trek at the beginning of the summer, he said it would be worth it to get a sweet ride. I have been rolling on a half new at the time/half used at the time build that I put together with whatever I could get that was the cheapest and lightest for the cash. New bike, hell yeah. I did some researching products, talked to some folks, emailed some bros, and like bikes built buy americans. Also, getting something below retail is also in mind, I made my decision. I went with a Cannondale Synapse. In true fashion for the month of love. I have only rolled around town on it a few times so far, but hopefully tomorrow will be my first somewhat extended ride on her, and yes this is my only geared bike.

vinter

Winter rules. Been trippin' out here on one of these thingys. I usually ride somewhere and take a hike. I have also time everyday to loosen up my fingers on one of these. I love instruments. I also rage on these. Winter training at its finest.

skoolin'

I was stoked to find this old photo. Knobbies and singlespeeds have always been in my blood. Back in jr. high, high school and a little into college, I was a nationally ranked bmx racer. I road for some teams, traveled, and had a girl friend and a mistress. Punk fuckin' rock!

the spoils

Gearing up for the weekend, finally some snow on the way, I seal the envelope. My last car payment and I own the Blazin' Blazer. What a feeling to pay something off. On the horn with DeJesus to ride Mountain Top on Saturday. It will be the first snow ride of the year. The east coast has been missing out on the white. Readying my gear for the next day, I head off with a few friends to get some brews and gas for the next day. Yes, I said gas. I am renowned for running out of gas from time to time, especially in the middle of Michaux State Forest. Hmmm, that's odd my car did get us to the gas station, right? Needless to say my paidoff car was dead at the gas pump. Fuck! Pushed'er on out of the way and started to bang around on the starter for a bit. Whipped out the AAA card for the tow to the garage. There was nothing major wrong, just needed a few bits tightened I guess, but there is always that little whatever saying, "Yeah muther fucker! Take that!" Saturdays ride was the shit. Singletrackin' in a few inches of snow made me feel better till my car got looked at on Monday. I now have my sights on a new vehicle, or at the least the chasis of a new one. Stay freeky.

nocturnal

For the past month I have been having this re-occuring dream. The dream has been progressing with each different night I dream about it. This is a compilation of a few nights. I am a science teacher and in my dream I am doing my teaching thing, but it is not at my usual facility. The school I am at resembles the high school that I graduated from. So I am teaching one day, in my dream, and an announcement projects over the speaker with the principle saying, "There is a state of emergency. It throughout the country and we must activate our lockdown procedure." I'm thinking, "Holly shit! This is crazy!" The students are the same way. I re-assure them that we will be safe where we are at and we can jam to some tunes on the computer to pass the time. With that, all of the windows get blocked out, we can not see outside. The computers get automatically shut off. Another announcment says that, "anyone who has to leave the room they are in must contact the main office for an escort." Now this shit sounds serious. I make a few calls, but nobody is answering or at least answering any questions. Another announcement, "We will distribute food to the different rooms at a decent hour for meals." Right about now, I am flipping my lid inside my head wondering what is going on. The students are doing the same, but it is out in the open and a lot to deal with. The night passes and the situation is still the same. We, the teachers and students, have now spent a night in the school. A kid gets the idea to hit up the bathroom and do some scouting out the situation. Good idea! He returns saying, "It is very weird out there. You can't see out any doors. Nobody is walking around except people I have never seen in the school before." Time passes on, maybe a day or two, and I let a kid sneek out to see what will happen. He comes back to the room with a crazy look saying, "All the doors to the outside are locked and someone tried to get out, but I don't know what happened to them." "I did hear someone say something about one of the teachers having a key to get out of the building though." I told the students that at night fall I will do some investigating myself. I snuck out of the room and into the hall. It was very weird. Weird dudes in lab coats walking around. I make my way to another classroom. Nobody. Finally, I found a room with the same type of scenenario. A teacher with students. They looked freeked! They had an idea of where this key was, but they were to afraid to do anything. I told them that it was better if we just waited this thing out. I headed back to my room. As soon as I got to the room, myself and a few students devised a plan for me to get the key. Two students would be a distraction, while I went for the key and the outside. Morning came. The two students headed out to find another teacher, so they said, to draw some attention. It worked! I made a break for it to where the key to the outside was. I've got to move fast. The key was right where the rumor said it was and the distraction worked up until now, just a little longer. I made for the doors! The key fit the lock! A voice, "Hey where are you going?" Stepping through the door my alarm clock sounded and I woke. FUCK! What happens next will have to be seen, or dreamed.

ill truth

El Nino? Global Warming? The temperatures of this winter have been all but normal, and this weekend was the warmest yet. Riding on Saturday in a short sleeve jersey and shorts for most of the day in January is unthinkable. After watching Al Gore's flick on the scientific studies of global warming, having crazy warm temperatures in the heart of winter, one has to wonder. Is this weather the effects of el nino or is the glabal warming theory actually happening faster than anticipated. Being a science teacher the conversation topic always comes up in class discussions. With all the technological advances in our society is it really more important to be at war, and have a car that parallel parks it's self, or have a cleaner society based on lower environmental impacts? One Earth, One Love.

happy new year!

mental

bliss

Nothing could be better than a winter weekend that feels like the most perfect of fall days. Friday couldn't have arrived any quicker with the anticipation of building a new steed. Out of the box she is lifted, the shit brown of a new Surly Kung-Fu Monkey. Assembly happened rather quickly and I was out the door with a hootch and beer buzz to dial it in on the dark rainy streets with the Dutch Eagle. Stopping for a safety break by the Lehigh, the Dutch and I came to the conclusion that the best inaugural ride would be the next morning on the American Standard. That trail will get any kinks out a new ride. In true coal country tradition, many a beer was consumed in preparation for the next days adventures. The Broad Mountain never sailed sweeter with the end of hunting season and the unbelievable trail conditions. After numerous rocks, safety breaks, and diner stories we were rolling down the Deer Path. Who said these trails are closed! Almost a flawless ride with a flat on the DH for the Dutch. Before departing, it was made mandatory that Sunday was no reason to watch football, but rather keep the season alive with some more stellar riding. Accompanied by Scott and Dan-O, we set out on the Nesque Trails. Letting it all hang out was my mantra for the day, and we did just that. Hitting the signature loop on the hill. We even crossed some motos with a flat tire problem. Safety breaks had us reelin once again and taking big chances on some hairy terrain, but that seemed to be all right. Until next time...rubber side down, smile side up.

5 alive

listening pleasures!


led zeppelin - bbc sessions

gameface - three to get ready

yonder mountain string band - penns peak show

grateful dead - always

g n' r - right now

from behind

I'll follow that line any day, and there's no trail in sight!

dutch treat

What a holiday weekend. Weather like this in November is something to take advantage of if you can. Being an unfettered twenty something, I decided to cruise around the PA hillsides on my singlespeeder. With my trusty sidekick, The Dutch Eagle, we logged some goods rides with some good friends. Saturday we rolled a sweet loop with Elk and on Sunday celebrated the birth of The Valtergeist and The Dutch Eagle, and the rebirth DeJesus on a ride in the beastiality capital of PA, Noxon. The riding up there is sweet and we had a good crew with a few of my old teammates from Cedar Bikes. Thanks to Frankie for hooking up such a nice loop and some beers for recovery. Afterwards we all conviened at the Ricketts Glen Hotel for some dining and dutch treats (aka stories from Dean). Until next time...rubber side down, smile side up.

holidaze

Yesterday I was out riding my bike on a local rail trail when I came across a good ole friend. The afterwork hunter. This guy was decked out in the orange and real tree gear, lookin' totally legit with his rifle. He obviously took a bunch of time to suit up in his gear to head out for the kill. Anyway, I roll past him and he gives me a dirty look like, "God damn bikers chasing all the animals and ruining the trails." As I ride on I think to myself, "What a shitty hunter." This guy is hunting on a community recreation trail that is highly used not just by bikers, but by people of all kinds looking to enjoy a little time in the woods. He's not going to be able to shoot anything hunting here. Also, he was tokin' on a fat cigar as I rolled by. Last time I checked animals have a keen sense of smell and being that I smelled the cigar 100 yards before I got to him. Hmmmm. Not good hunting tactics. My roommate is a huge hunter. Gets all geared up the night before the big hunt, smeering deer piss on his clothes. He must be stressed on gear assembly because of the amount of cigarettes he smokes while getting ready. The next day heads out hoping to put some meat on the table. Not a chance when you smell like a Marlboro. I figure I live in a town with a lot of hunters, so I need to share some hunting stories. I also spend a lot of time in the woods, so it is only proper to wear my orange while going to the bar or grocery store in order to strike some conversation with the local woodsman. Remember to wear your hunter orange in and out of the woods. It might save your life. Have a great turkey day and remember the fate of the human race if the humans become the hunted. At least on the traditional meat isn't lobster!

sicky sunday

When you work with sick people all week, it is only a matter of time before you get nailed.

atomic wedgie warfare

It seems like it's been raining for the last week. Wait a sec, it almost has. The natives are restless and need to get the singletrack fix before it's to late. Hopefully the weekend forecast will be good for the festivities that are abound. I am hoping to get some trail in before I get freeky at this place. If anyone is interested let me know, it is a good time. Also, I hope the weather is nice for the DeJesus Benefit. Another good place to be this weekend. Hopefully I will run into some folks this weekend. Congrats to Jen and Bob on their most holiest of unions. Love, peace, hair grease and sticky bed sheets.

reschedule

Due to the shatty weather on Sunday, the Benefit Jump Jam has been rescheduled for Sunday Nov. 19th.

Donations can be sent to:

Jay de Jesus Benefit Fund
C/O Strawberry Mountain Farm
P.O. Box 69R.R. 1 Box 137A
Noxen, PA 18636

Check out the lower post for info on the Jamboree!

jump for jay!

Hey everyone, Ted here at Rancho Relaxo in Downingtown , PA. Things are progressing rapidly for this Sunday’s big bike party/benefit. We’ll be having XC rides, a killer Jump Jam, tons of food, good music, and just a killer time, all for just $20.00/person. All proceeds are going towards Jay’s medical bills, so here’s a chance for you to enjoy a great all-day riding party while helping a brother out.
We have completed many new lines since this summer, including a hip into the 360 deg. “Blender” berm, which has two exit options. High above the Blender we’ve strategically placed a tree-stand for filming. There is a new set of DEEP roller doubles out of a bowl-turn. There is also new step-up to berm to Super Roller that Jay laid out a week before getting sick. It has a lot of elevation change, and you’ll need some pump to get it. Overall, there are more than 25 doubles, rollers, and hips with lines for all abilities. Everything is buffed and ready to shred.
For the Cross Country guys, there is a 10:00am XC ride over to Marsh Creek, led by Downhill Dave and leaving right from here. It should take roughly 2 hours. Marsh Creek has some seriously fun, twisty/rooty singletrack, and it is very singlespeed friendly. The ride will return just in time for the grill to be fired up! After, we encourage you to try out some of the smaller tabletop jumps and berms if you’d like. Jay wants you to…
Please re-post this everywhere and help spread the word – it’ll be a hell of a party.
For detailed directions to the Benefit Jump @ Jam Rancho Relaxo, please email: stevenc@ptd.net

service announcement

If you can bitch up a storm on a barstool, you can get your ass out and vote! Paid for by the Less Gears, More Beers Coalition.

happy halloween!

who invited me?

What a cool weekend. Friday I get a call from this guy. We'll call him Ben. He says "Broseph, there are some people ridin' Thorpe on Sunday, you should come along." I say " Let's see here my good fella. I will ditch a cross race to partake in the shennanigans of another JT group ride? Sure!" In true halloween weekend fashion, Saturday night I go out, in full disco swing kit, and reel in third prize in a costume contest. Oh, and also punched in the time clock on way to many wheat beers. I figure daylight saving. Shit, I'm spending my hour! Wake up all carbed up from wheat and roll to meet the group. Damn, thats alot of dudes. Where are the chicks? Feelin' all mischievious about it, I start asking people who knows the trails around here? They said I did! Time to have some fun and fun it sure was. Thanks for the invite to whoever organized the ride. I had a blast and the fact that I had some riding partners was alright with me. Viva la one speed!

update from jay

Hello everyone . Jay here. It has been quite an experience for klebsiella bacterial meningitis, septic shock and multiple organ failure caused by an abcess in my liver after an impact to the upper-right quadrant of my torso. I was in an extremely dire situation for many days, and I nearly lost my life
I know you have all been reading Val’s updates for the last 10 days, so I wanted to add a few words of my own.
The outpouring of concern and kindness from everyone (from so many places) has been a major factor in helping my family through the horror of seeing their own on life support systems. Val has been tremendous in her care, and has been bedside throughout. After I woke up, 5 days into the situation, my condition was still extremely critical (I just checked in, to see what condition my condition was in. Yeah, yeah, yeeeeeaaaaaaa…. -- from “The Big Lebowski“). I came too with wrist restraints, a breathing tube, naso-gastric tube, urinary catheter (Van Dine, we now have something else in common), numerous life-support IV drips, and a subclavian catheter directly into my heart. Imagine my mom having to give permission for the doctor to do that. It was necessary for emergency injections of medication to immediately stimulate my heart to keep beating. They dumped over 16 pounds of fluids into my body to sustain blood pressure.
Recovery in the critical care unit has been remarkable they tell me, and the pace fairly rapid. I went from having them monitoring how many ice chips I could sooth my rough, dry throat with to being put on a high calorie and high protein diet in a few days.
Due to the complexity of the situation and the fact that I still cannot sleep more than a few minutes at a time due to the battery of testing and injections and all other related stress, visitation at the hospital from friends remains just not possible. Though I am progressing, I have a very long way to go before being out of the woods on this one. I will get there, and all the doctors and staff attribute my pulling out of a less than 30% chance to being an athlete and in excellent health. They have been excellent and deserve as much or more credit for the job that they performed upon me.
Please keep the positive thoughts and prayers flowing -- they are working. Jay de Jesus

Probably no CX race for me tomorrow. Ditch the $27 prereg fee for trail riding and less travel? Will the Dutch Eagle succeed with his 9spd setup? Find out tomorrow!

update from jay

Hello everyone . Jay here. It has been quite an experience for klebsiella bacterial meningitis, septic shock and multiple organ failure caused by an abcess in my liver after an impact to the upper-right quadrant of my torso. I was in an extremely dire situation for many days, and I nearly lost my life
I know you have all been reading Val’s updates for the last 10 days, so I wanted to add a few words of my own.
The outpouring of concern and kindness from everyone (from so many places) has been a major factor in helping my family through the horror of seeing their own on life support systems. Val has been tremendous in her care, and has been bedside throughout. After I woke up, 5 days into the situation, my condition was still extremely critical (I just checked in, to see what condition my condition was in. Yeah, yeah, yeeeeeaaaaaaa…. -- from “The Big Lebowski“). I came too with wrist restraints, a breathing tube, naso-gastric tube, urinary catheter (Van Dine, we now have something else in common), numerous life-support IV drips, and a subclavian catheter directly into my heart. Imagine my mom having to give permission for the doctor to do that. It was necessary for emergency injections of medication to immediately stimulate my heart to keep beating. They dumped over 16 pounds of fluids into my body to sustain blood pressure.
Recovery in the critical care unit has been remarkable they tell me, and the pace fairly rapid. I went from having them monitoring how many ice chips I could sooth my rough, dry throat with to being put on a high calorie and high protein diet in a few days.
Due to the complexity of the situation and the fact that I still cannot sleep more than a few minutes at a time due to the battery of testing and injections and all other related stress, visitation at the hospital from friends remains just not possible. Though I am progressing, I have a very long way to go before being out of the woods on this one. I will get there, and all the doctors and staff attribute my pulling out of a less than 30% chance to being an athlete and in excellent health. They have been excellent and deserve as much or more credit for the job that they performed upon me.
Please keep the positive thoughts and prayers flowing -- they are working. Jay de Jesus

Now I'm up in the air about the CX race tomorrow. Ditch $27 on the pre-reg fee and go mountain biking or spend more money to drive to Jersey to race? Decision decisions!

fall back

It's the last Friday in October, must be time to turn the clocks back this weekend. Oh well, could mean an extra hour of sleep, or an extra hour to have a few more. We will see now won't we! Beacon cross on Sunday, if your going, I'll see y'all there.

reborn

Yesterday at about 5:20 in the afternoon my sister gave birth to her first child. A healthy Irish baby girl by the name of Brinn. Thus, I became an uncle for the first time. It was a great day and a welcome addition to the family. As I sat in the hospital with my sis, Seth and my folks I couldn't help but have this weird feeling. A feeling of there is something more here that is going unnoticed. Just then it hit me. When I was in high school, my best friend Matt had pasted away in an automobile accident. Being a sophmore it was a devastating time for the family and friends of Matt. I remember going to numerous birthday parties as a youngster at his families home in Lake Harmony, around the end of October. Wait a minute! Matt's birthday fell on October 23rd, the same day my niece was born. Realizing, I turned to my folks with what was happening here. Later on that night I got a call from Matt's brother to congradulate me on becoming an uncle. We both talked about the forces that were at work on October the 23rd and both felt that someone is keeping an eye on who he loved. Things work in mysterious ways and that's what makes life worth living. Congradulations to Seth and my sister on the start of there new family and thanks to Matt for being a great friend.

good news/crossed up

Good news about Jay. He is coming around and is improving slowly right now. It is definetly a step in a good direction. Continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers. On Sunday I rolled my butt down to the first state for some cross racing. I just do it for fun and something to get me out of town for the day. I always have a good time if cycling is involved. Anyway, rolling out of town down the turnpike the foliage was awesome. The leaves are the best right before they drop. Getting my prerace on with a little Social D, coffee, gatorade, and a bitchin' hangover from a few 90 Minute IPA's the night before, I was looking to have me some fun. The event at Granogue was pretty good. The course is fun and the free beer is even better. It is fun rolling up to the start with a bunch of serious racer types with bling bling bikes with myself on a singlespeeder with flat bars. I try to represent. My gear may have been a little tall, 44-18, but I hammered and finished about mid-pack. Continuing on with the festivities Werner and I drank a few brews spectating for the rest of the event. The Elite race was killer. Some dudes were riding this climb that was so brutal. After the race I rolled north for a night of crazy ale guzzling and a late night trip to the local greasy spoon. Fantastic!

jay update/cross it up

Thanks so much to everyone for all the thoughts, prayers and support. Jay held steady through the night last night and his doctors have said they are hopeful it is a good step in the right direction. He is firmly diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and has suffered a life threatening septic shock. They have identified and now eradicated the bacteria from his body but are still trying to find out the exact cause and have ruled out injury/rupture to the intestine after MRI scans. They saw something to indicate the possibility he may have a liver abscess (total freak occurence) and this could be the source, but cannot give him radioactive dyes until he improves a bit more. At that point hopefully they can get a picture and eliminate any cause of reinfection later.

He is still on a ventilator and full life support care, including blood pressure support meds and platelets/plasma. They are going to try to start weaning him off blood pressure meds and hopefully sedative and ventilator over the next few days to a week. Improvements can be slow at this point and he is still very sick and it is touch and go. Please keep praying. He is heavily sedated so as not to move the tubes in his throat and cause bleeding there, or disrupt the many lines into his circulatory system including a subclavian catheter. For this reason his family asks his friends from this point until further notice to please respect the family-only policy at the ICU and not try to visit yet. His immune system is so weakened and compromised it is not worth the risk of bringing in an outside germ, nor is it productive to the nurses and staff who are watching him and monitoring machines surrounding him at all times and are uncomfortable when their view is disrupted by people standing in the line of sight and around the bedside.
The ICU staff has asked us in addition to inform friends not to call the ICU as the nurses were bombarded last night with calls and were disrupted from their routine in fielding those calls. Again, I will keep Nora Hottenstein, Mark and Sue Farrell, Rob Lichtenwalner and Joe Wychock updated with phone calls so you can call them and I will continue to try to send emails as soon as I have news. If you feel you must visit, Jay's family and I are camped out in the waiting room at the ICU, but please, don't go into the ICU.

Thanks again, and please keep sending the positive healing karma at Jay. I know he will be overwhelmed to know how many people care.

Val

Tomorrow I will be racing some cross at the Granogue event. Maybe I will see some folks there. Keep it real for Jay and ride hard!

jay dejesus

This morning when I arrived at work and checked my mail I found this. On Monday October 16 Jay became ill with a high fever and headache and on Tuesday night was hospitalized for an unknown illness. The illness progressed rapidly and according to his doctors is life threatening. He remains in critical condition in the ICU at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and is on life support systems. At this point his diagnosis has not been firmly established. The doctors suspect viral encephalitis, possibly the result of an insect bite and it is a great mystery as to how such a rapid onset and debilitating sickness could attack such a young and healthy man so quickly. His blood is being tested at outside labs and it may take days for results to influence the treatment. Please share this information with any of his friends so that we can all pray for his soonest recovery.

This email was sent to me by Jay's girlfriend. Jay has been one of my favorite riding partners for years, and has brought me through the ranks of mountain biking/bike mechanics since I was a grom. I recall the first time I met Jay was at a mountain bike race that I attended with my friend Chris Van Dine. I raced BMX at the time and was dabbling with mountain biking. Jay and I clicked, do to our love of bikes and a true friendship was forged. A picture of Jay is in the below post from Sunday's Thorpe ride. Let us all keep Jay in our thoughts and prayers for a positive outcome.

the ghouls & fools

I would like to thank everyone that came out for the first Ghouls & Fools Fall Classic. The ride started with a group of 18 and rolled through the PA hillsides almost flawlessly. The only mechanical of the day was a broken titanium frame. With a few headset adjustments, one sweet pit stop for lunch, beers, and a farewell to some of the group members, we ended the 37 mile loop with a lucky number 13. All in all it couldn't have been a better day. The weather was perfect, trail conditions were primo, and most of the group was riding singlespeeds. It was one of the best group rides I have ever been on/put together, and it will reer it's head next year. Actually, I was thinking of a Spring Fling. I'll keep y'all posted.

happy friday the 13th!!!

ghouls & fools fall classic aka coal cracker butt smacker part dos

Looks like were at 17 strong for the ride so far. Thats alot of beer for a stash, but well worth it. The weather is looking like perfect fall conditions. Keep your bars crossed! Looks like a big weekend ahead for me. Going to hit up the first day of the Noxon 2-day ride. I will try and leave before the sheep comes out for the evenings festivities. Just kidding Mr. Shalata. Hope to see more single speeders than gearys on Sunday!

ghouls & fools fall classic

Since the demise of the JT mountain bike weekend I figured there needs to be a new traditional ride. Hence the Ghouls & Fools Fall Classic. The best time to ride is in the fall. One can cruise some super rocky singletrack while checking out the foliage after going over the handlebars. The ride will take place on Sunday, October 15th from the train station parking lot in downtown Jim Thorpe. The ride will group up at 9:30 and rollout at 10! We will ride two ridges, Mt. Pisgah and Broad Mountain. The mileage is undetermind. The ride will be big, burly, rocky, and rooty. As usual, being self-sufficiant in the woods is a must. I plan on having a stash of gooodies about halfway through the ride, so bring something to contribute if you would like and I can pick it up in the parking lot before we shove off. Come and join the party dressed to kill!



You bess be ready if you plan on soaring with the Dutch Eagle!

as i paint my masterpeace

What a weekend! The travels on Friday couldn't have started any better. Hopping on the interstate to sit hour 1.5 hours in traffic. Oh well. Back on track we rolled to Parker Dam State Park for the annual fall Grizvitational. Werner, Dean, and I arrived at about 8 at the cabin to find Karl and Carol warming it up with some food. Griz rolled in shortly after and the festivities started. It got cold as a mofo going down in the thirties with heavy frost and a full moon. Saturday morning came early and breakfast was served with heaps of dutch style meets. More of the group showed up and off we were to the trailhead in the Moshannon Wilderness. We road some remote and epic trail with no spills or frills. Everybody was riding solid! After about 35 we rolled back for dinner, showers and a camp fire. The full moon finally poked out of the days clouds and shewed them away for the Sunday ride. Most of the group rolled home, and seven of us enjoyed about 18 of the sweetest trails PA had to offer. My thanks to all the cool folks that show up to Griz's rides and contribute to the great weekend. HUGE props to the Grizzly One for his trail knowledge and unifying qualities that bring such a fun bunch of people together. You know, if you look between your legs and see Shalata, you might have some problems!

Fall Foliage Ride!

Just a brief. There will be a Thorpe ride on October 15th to view some of the foliage. The ride will be big and burly. The trails will be technical singletrack and lots of it with some dual track, and a little road here and there. The ride will start in the morning. I will post more info after the weekend. Heading to western PA for the Grizvitational. It is supposed to be a beautiful weekend. Get out and ride!

Into The Night

Last night I packed up my gear and rolled to what I think is the coolest group nightride around. It is hosted by the Bean's Bikeshop crew and the start/finish is at the Victory Brewery. What more can someone ask for! Beers, Bikes, Hmmmm? Anyway, the ride is not for the aerobically challenged. I did say it met at the Victory Brewery! It is a rippin' pace, and the trails alot pushing the limilts of speed on twisty singletrack. I dig the ride because it is totally different terrain than what I normally ride. I got there a little early so I was able to carboload like a true warrior on a small one at the bar. Mark also had the same idea. I met the crew, mostly Beaners, but some new folks showed up. Good luck to them. We rolled out and got moving quickly. Zippin' through the woods with a light on your helmet is awesome. A few turns and a stop for a safety check someone noticed that the new guy got dropped. I guess he is a possible Beaner for next year. After maxing the heartrate in both directions, drinking all my water it was off to the brewery for some eats and treats. Killer ales from PA is on the menu. Usually a nice brown/darker ale is good for me in the fall. After a few ales, watching some guys climb a flag pole, and a few 70 yard dashes, I was back on the good road. Thanks to the Bean's crew for showing me their trails. They are a blast, the crew and the trails. Bob for hooking me up with Craig's light, and Craig for lending me a light for the night. Until next time, rubber side down, smile side up!

Inspiration

This cat taught me how to cross it up!