Those who know, come. Those who come, know.

As kids we waited expectantly for Santa or Hannukah Harry or whoever brought us toys and goodies, and on a good year a new bike. Now we buy our own toys and count the days until the first Hopper. Those who come, know. Those who know, come. I can't explain them. Won't even try. I know what the season of Hoppers means to me, but what is a Hopper to you? It's not so difficult as describing a first love, or the smell of a burning ant as boy discovers magnifying glass, but there is something nebulous, organic, difficult to sum up about a Grasshopper. Send me your description along with a photo or video clip that shows or symbolizes the experience and I'll post them from time to time. Use the email link on my profile and send as a word document.
Cheers,
Mig

Hopper Schedule 2010

2010...Did I really just type that? It's on. We've decided to run one "Training Ride" a month this year, beginning in Jan like back in the days and going to the end of June. Gonna take some special courage to be the leader of the pack with this Big Mac. Heard the Canadian Mafia will be back in town and rumor has it the Colorado Connection might even make and appearance. Got a special one for ya'll, gotta be won on a cross bike! Stay posted for new and improved routes but don't bother askin' until then. If you're out with me on a Sat. then maybe I'll clue you in.

Jan 30 Old Caz-Willow Creek. Usual loop
Feb 27 Chileno Vly. Somethin' special for lucky number 13
March 27 Super Sweetwater. All I got to say is...better buckle up and bring your cross bike
April 24 Fort Ross-Bay Hill-Joy. Oh, do we really have to go up it?
May 29 Lake Sonoma
June 26 King Ridge. Expect to get that fancy road bike dirty this year

So smoooth

Just look at this road in Chile. Nearly got the dates for the Hoppers. Stay posted. Hope to have by end of this week.

It is about a bike

Maybe it's not about "The" bike, but it is most certainly about "a" bike. Which one? Who am I to say. Depends on the person, depends on the ride. This weekend we completed the 12th annual A.D.E. "All Day Everything" in West County or more specifically "The Ridge". I was inspired years ago after riding the DeLa Marin and so set a date, planned a hard but do-able loop and stashed a couple of coolers in the woods. This weekend it was a Specialized Epic, so far the perfect mtn. bike for me. Next week it will likely be my new SWorks Tricross, my first fully loaded new bike since racing days so expect this years Grasshopppers to have plenty of dirt in them!! 8 1/2 hours of ripping single track and fire roads was enough to overflow my cup, for a couple of days. Here I am Monday, taking a break to reflect, dreaming of more. 8 1/2 hours of bro' time, time standing still. Ever feel like life is what happens between rides? Work, family, responsibilities, commitments and obligations; it all gets put on the shelf while in motion. Especially on the dirt. Maybe this is why I love it so much. On the dirt...on the edge. A distraction, a hesitation at the wrong moment, a stroking of the ego; all will result in carnage. How many trees missed by mere centimeters? Outside edges of trails inches from washing the front wheel, endo into the abyss. It's not all about fitness. It's about focus, concentration, being and non being. Is it the clearness of mind that keeps us coming back for more or is it the fullness of mind? Empy is full. Full is empty. Game on for the Hoppers 2010. Stay tuned!

My Secret Training

Rog asked me what me secret is so here you have it. Warm up tandem rides the day before and jumping on the trampoline with my kids after Skaggs and other hard efforts. This tag along is a blast, what a fun way to spend time together and we always get to stop for hot chocolate and cookies. Don't get to do that on Levi rides.

W.T.F ?

Could a sign be any more clear than this? I hope they post this throughout the Grand Fondo loops.
Brewin' up some Grasshopper madness for next year. Stay posted for details. In the meantime...don't hide it, ride it.

I am Specialized

Gonna bring it! 2019 Grasshopper overall champion