Winter in Tahoe

Merry Christmas

Ski season has just begun!

Fwd: Tomorrow: Critical SMART train and pathway meeting

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Steve Schweigerdt, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy <steve@railstotrails.org>
Date: Tue, Dec 14, 2010 at 1:19 PM
Subject: Tomorrow: Critical SMART train and pathway meeting
To: timfarnham@gmail.com

Dear Tim, Greetings Sonoma County supporters, Please see the announcement below from our friends at the Marin County Bicycle Coalition regarding an important meeting in Santa Rosa tomorrow. At the meeting, we have the opportunity to ensure that the multi-use trail remains in the plans for the initial phases of the SMART corridor. If you are able to attend, please R.S.V.P. to Andy at Marin County Bicycle Coalition at andy@marinbike.org. Thank you! Steve Schweigerdt, Manager of Trail Development Western Regional Office Rails-to-Trails Conservancy      Attend the Critically Important SMART Train and Pathway Meeting Wednesday, December 15th at 1:30 PM in Santa Rosa On Wednesday, December 15th starting at 1:30 PM, the SMART Board of Directors will be making critical decisions about the future of the SMART train and pathway which was approved by voters through Measure Q in 2008.  It is expected that this meeting will include decisions about a railcar purchase agreement, what will be built in the fist segment of the project, and an update of MTC's review of SMART's financial plan. The meeting agenda will be posted in the afternoon on December 10th at: www.sonomamarintrain.org.  The meeting will take place at: Sonoma County Board of Supervisor Chambers at 575 Administration Drive- Room 100A, Santa Rosa SMART announced on November 6th that they are facing a funding gap due to the recession and the cost increases related to the need to repair or replace major bridges on the line, so they will be phasing the project. Your voice is urgently needed on December 15 to indicate: The Pathway is Essential: The SMART multi-use pathway must be built on every section where the train tracks are being laid, simultaneously. The SMART train and pathway has always been a system, and will help get people to and from stations (see more pathway points below). Moving Forward is Critical: The current economic environment for bonding and construction bids is better than it has been in years, so it's important to keep moving forward, while at the same time ensuring that Sonoma, Marin and MTC's concerns are addressed. If you can attend the meeting to support the SMART train and pathway, please RSVP to andy@marinbike.org. Here are some additional points about the pathway: The SMART multi-use pathway is a vital part of the system, providing a way to get to and from SMART stations, helping to increase ridership. The SMART multi-use pathway will help reduce traffic congestion and the need for automobile parking at and around stations, many of which have limited parking. The SMART multi-use pathway must be built proportionately with the train tracks as the train and pathway were designed as a system to provide alternatives to Highway 101. Many credit the pathway as being why SMART's Measure Q received more than the necessary 2/3 vote to win in 2008. The SMART pathway only costs 1/7th of the overall train and pathway project, and is estimated in the EIR to carry more people than the SMART train, providing an immediate and important benefit to a wide array of voters 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The SMART train and pathway will help to boost business for the local economy in Sonoma and Marin Counties both during construction and while operating.

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nonprofit software

Happy National Kill A Bird Day!!!

Help JP

Cardinal Newman High School
Bicycles for Humanity Santa Rosa in conjunction with Cardinal Newman High School will be sending 400 bicycles to Ruacana, Namibia - Africa. The bicycles will provide sustainable transportation for healthcare workers treating AIDS and other diseases in rural communities. Check out www.bicylcles-for-humanity.org/santarosa for more information.
Used Bicycle Collection
NEEDED:
USED BICYCLES (in fair working condition)
Bikes can be dropped off at:
Cardinal Newman High School
50 Ursuline Road, Santa Rosa 95403
(outdoor basketball court near gym)
Sunday November 21, 2010
10am-4pm
For more information about this student led bike collection, contact Cardinal Newman Senior
John Piasta at:
707.327.8438 or email at johnpiasta@gmail.com

It's Lance!!!!!

Real Craigslist Flake Email String

As many of you know, I am selling a lot of stuff lately to enable a move to San Francisco. Here is the best response I have had to the listing of my car...

This is a real email string from Craigslist. In his signature he has ” Stanford Graduate School of Business | MBA Class of 2011”

Crisp***: $10,000 cash today

Tim: No

Crisp***: OK. You’re a very smart business person. Good luck!

Tim: You must be too. Good luck with your low-balling.

Crisp***: Well, the market is biased towards me. I have the cash. I can do many things with the cash, you can only keep your car and see its value erode. It’s not low-balling, it’s offering the fair market value of your car, not your aspirational price. In any event, you have no other choice but to come down in price or eat the depreciation of your car. Best of luck with either option!

Tim: Your antics are quite amusing. I already have a cash offer for 11,250 and I have two more people looking at the car Sunday and Monday.

I think you need to find a better business school. Obviously you are wasting your money at Stanford.

Crisp***: Well, it doesn’t get better than #1. http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/rankings

Hope you understand that. In any event, best of luck! Hope you find a full price buyer.

P.S. Please take the well wishes and don’t reply.

Tim: Then I suggest paying more attention in class. You come off as an arrogant POS.

Crisp***: Perhaps I got dragged trying to match your tone. Can we just drop it? I’m sure we’re both busy enough and not deriving value from these interactions. Have a nice life and good luck!

Tim: My tone? I'm just saying you are wasting your money at Stanford since you obviously aren't learning much. I suggest the following classes for you:

Tact 101

Negotiation for dummies

Deal Closing for idiots

Make sure to pay attantion during these. You might learn something.

Crisp***: Please let me know what I need to give you to just disappear? Hopefully you’ll take the hint and leave me alone since explicitly indicating that didn’t seem to work.

Tim: No, no. This is way too fun. Actually, I am going to publish our email string on Facebook. Guys like you define "Craigslist Flakes." Do I have permission to use your name or do you want me to censor it. I think it would be funny. We can let people vote on it to see who was out of line!!! That sounds fun right?!?!?

Let me know because this is a gem of a story.

Crisp***: Sure, you can do as you see fit. If you use my name though, there will be repercussions. It’s sad that you consider this to be fun when I just want you to go away. Get a life – or just leave me alone.

Tim: So I have legal permission or not? I think there is some legal mumbo jumbo about that kind of thing.

Crisp***: You do not have my permission. Then again, I gather that you’re not the type of person who cares about these things. Can you please just leave me alone? Or do I have to start doing something to keep you away?

Tim: Nope. All done. Thank you for providing me entertainment for this afternoon.

P.S. Do not reply. Facebook only allows so many words in their notes.

Ode to the Off Season

This is the official first week to the off season. On the one hand it is sure nice to not have to ride my bike right now. On the other hand, it sure is nice outside and I would love nothing more then to go for an early morning stroll to the Sonoma coastline. But alas, it is the offseason. What to do... what to do... Anybody want to go for a MTB ride? Oh wait, I would need a MTB for that... :-(

If rappers raced...

Can we pretend that airplanes
In the night sky
Are like shooting stars
I could really use a wish right now
Can we pretend that airplanes
In the night sky
Are like shooting stars
I could really use a wish right now


Yeah
I could use a dream or a genie or a wish
To go back to a place much simpler than this
Cause after all the racin' and smashin' and crashin'
And all the glitz and the glam and the passion
And all the pandemonium and all the madness
There comes a time where you fade to the blackness
And when you're staring at that phone in your lap
And you hoping but them people never call you back
But that's just how the story unfolds
You get another hand soon after you fold
And when your plans unravel
And they sayin' what would you wish for
If you had one chance
So airplane airplane sorry I'm late
I'm on my way so don't close that gate
If I don't make that then I'll switch my flight
And I'll be right back at it by the end of the night


Can we pretend that airplanes
In the night sky
Are like shooting stars
I could really use a wish right now
Can we pretend that airplanes
In the night sky
Are like shooting stars
I could really use a wish right now


Somebody take me back to the days
Before this was a job, before I got paid
Before it ever mattered what I had on my resume'
Yeah back when I was tryin' just to find my way
And back when I was racin' for the hell of it
But now I gotta win to stay relevant
I'm guessin’ that if we can make some wishes outta airplanes
Then maybe yo maybe I'll go back to the days
Before the politics that we all call racin’
And back when ain't nobody heard of E P O
And back before I wasn’t racin for that dough
But this is for that contract, what's up Holloway
So can I get a wish to end the politics
And get back to the race that started this sh-t
So here I stand and then again I say
I'm hopin' we can make some wishes outta airplanes

Pre Greeville Thoughts

I am writing this before the US Pro national championships. In a couple hours I will be lining up with some of the biggest names in peloton. King George is out to defend. Brent is out to take it away. BISSELL is here to upset. I am here to give 'em all hell.

So here I sit in the hotel room reflecting on the season, past couple years, and ths sport of cycling. It sure has been a long and fun journey. I guess it started talking to my dad and my Uncle Jeff about buying my first road bike for a staggaring $1,000. Then my first race in Minnesota with the University of Nebraska's cycling team. My first win as a category 5 at the Capitol City Criterium, then watching Marco Vasquez and the Lincoln Plating crew batteling it out in the Pro/1/2 race. 5 years later being introduced to Glen Mitchell at San Dimas and then later on that day winning the road race in a field sprint. I would have never thought 6 months later he would call me while I was sitting in my office at 3M to race for BISSELL. There was Philly... oh my... one adventure after another. This sure has been a fun ride!

I wish I could properly thank all the people who helped me along the way. From the family to my coach, team managers to teammates, shop sponsors to manufacturers... you know who you are!

Now I got to go. Put shoes on my feet and air in my tires.

Stars and bars baby! Time to suffer >:-)

Post 10k meal!!! :)

Early edition specialized bike, Fabian edition

Tour of Utah

Yesterday was quite the day. It was an 86 mile road stage with 4600 feet of climbing broken up into two main climbs. One at 26 miles and the other at 70. However, there were sprint points right before each of the two climbs.

Personally, my goal was to go for the sprinters jersey! Giana has tuned me up quite well for this race and after a decent showing at US Pro Criterium Saturday, I felt like I was ready to GO! Fireworks started early and I was in the mood to get in any break that went up the road. All the teams were up there and throwing horses in the race, so I figured there was a good chance of something happening. It played out well since it got me in good position for the first sprint. I ended up getting in the train but only came up 4th. No bother though, it gave me confidence that I was in the mix and I was already thinking about the next one. Up the hill I did OK. Since it was right after the hill I just set tempo up the hill and was ahead of Taylor Phinney and a bunch of other folks that I knew would catch back on on the descent or after. So I was still in high spirits.

I crested the hill with Josh and Cody and started the descent. While I was in Tahoe I spent a lot of time working on high speed descending. Specifically, I worked on sitting on my top tube and tucking behind the handlebars. I felt comfortable seemed to be passing people and then... boom! A cross wind took my front wheel and pushed me right, as we were lining up for a left hand turn. I went straight off the road and into a ditch at 49.4 MPH. The soft shoulder took my bike and I sis a Super Man onto the rocky shoulder. Fortunately Morgan Schmidt's (my old BISSELL team mate) family saw me go off the road and got me back on my steed. By this time, the pack and all the follow vehicles were gone, my handlebars were turned 10 degrees to the left, and I was pretty ripped up. Road rash on my chest, back, arms, and legs... and I am finding seemingly every hour.

I kept on going, hoping to make time cut. But as my water bottles emptied and my food stores were depleted, my body had other plans. Legs cramping, dry mouth, and light headed I finished the race. But not inside time cut.

Not happy with what happened, but I feel grateful nothing was broken on my body or on my bike.

Ride ON!

I hate high ceilings

At a ballpark concert in Grand Rapids

Birch Lodge

iam and his new car!

Tis The Season!!!!

On the road again :-)

Miss my dog

Hello kitty

Sushi anyone?

Bummed. All out of Wonderful pistachios

The double fist. Goat Style!

Really!?!? $35 for 8 blades. Good grief!

Random shot of the day: iamaustincarroll

I want to go back!

Post Manhattan Grand Prix and Stuff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOfj7iKwTCI

Nevada City

Props to the old team today at Nevada City. The race started very aggressive on the parade lap with riders leaning into me to get my spot behind the motor (really guys?!?!?). Not too big of a deal though. I still hit the bottom of the climb on the first live lap in really good position. However I figured people would be firing off right away and I didn't want to put too many accelerations in my legs too soon in the race, so I figured it would be best not to go for broke in the first few laps. That ended up to not be a wise thought. Sue to a little sag climbing, I found myself 40 or so deep on lap 3. That meant I was slamming on the brakes as we were going through the corners 4-5 wide. Again, not smart. It quickly became obvious that I needed to get up as quickly as possible. So I hit the climbs pretty hard to make up lost ground. Unfortunately, people were already getting blown off and that meant jumping a lot of gaps solo. Eventually I made it into the lead group of about 25 riders, but the effort it took to get up there was weighing heavily. I tried to settle into a rhythm but I still felt like I was losing a lot of momentum at the bottom of the climb sitting at the back of the group. So I tried again to move up, and I did. But that dug me even further into the red. About half way through my legs gave out. I stopped at the top of the hill and asked around for some beer, but nobody had any. As disappointing as I was to not get a beer hand-up, I just stopped and collected my composure. Eventually the group that I tried so hard NOT to be in strolled up the hill and I felt silly not getting back into the race. So I rolled down the hill with them and told myself that people will crack and that the race isn't over. Several laps later, the lead group of 7 riders lapped us and continued through the pack. I was feeling quite well and figured now would be a good time to see if I could get away from the chase group. It worked and I thought that I may be in good position for 8th place. So I rode the last 10 laps in a "pseudo no mans land." Since I could not work with the guys that lapped us, all I could do was follow. I rolled in in front of the chase group, expecting to be places in the top 10 or so. However after waiting for what seemed like an eternity for results, I learned that there were 17 people that lapped the field, but only 7 continued on. So instead of 8th, I ended up 19th. Oh well. It was fun, fast, and an amazing experience.

P.S. I need somebody to write my name in chalk ;-)

Tour de Nez

This years TdN had been a bit odd. My family planned a big trip out here and I even was able to get my little brother Matt racing on our squad for the race. But as many of you know, I came down with a bad case of Strep Throat after Philly. To complicate things, it was initially mis-diagnosed and I had to change up my antibiotics mid cycle. So here I am with all my family with my brother racing with me, and all I should really do is soft pedal. Not exactly what I had in mind when we planned this family vacation. But enough with the bitching!

Tahoe is absolutely beautiful right now. There is still a lot of snow on the peaks and we are in a pimp cabin right off the lake. So despite the lack of results from racing, life is good.

Nap 30 for the Dukester

So Greek

Philly Vlog by JoHo

TdN preview

The Wall

Photo courtesy of Anthony

Quick summary of my race.

1. Goal was to try and make the break at all cost. Thought the break would go away on lap two or three (of ten) but ended up going away on lap one.

2. Got the team bottles and food

3. Traded pulls with HTC since we didn't have a guy in the break either.

4. Attacked up the Manayunk wall in an attempt to bridge up at all cost.

5. Bridge did not work, but there are a lot of pictures of me floating around and it looks like I may have done something cool.

6. Gave my team bottles again. This time went up Strawberry hill with a jersey full of water. OUCH!!!!!

7. Pulled the pin in time to see Cody finish 18th. Good timing!

Back from Philly

Photo courtesy of Brian at www.veloimages.com

I have been back from Philly for almost a week now. This has given me time to give y'all a well thought out set of random and obscure thoughts by yours truely.

1. I love bike racing. Philly is one of those bike races that have given me a new prospective on racing. Trading pulls with HTC, Liquigas, and BMC really showed me just how professional bike racers can be. For instance, there was a sense of mutual respect for all riders in the peleton. No crazy maneuvers 10 miles into the 156 mile race to move up from 35th to 32nd. Seemed like if you rode smooth and wanted into the group, there was courtesy from all riders. This was nice. It was also nice to be going 30+ MPH around tight corners and still feel very safe inches away from other riders. R-E-S-P-E-C-T.... This is the way racing SHOULD be.

2. My team is awesome! Admittedly, funds are tight. Other teams showed up with buses, masseuses, mechanics, tailors and we showed up in... well, anything we could scrounge together... But as a team, we worked really well together and was able to give Cody enough support to place 18th. The moment I saw him cross the line, I had this overwhelming sense of accomplishment. "We did it." Despite being underdogs, we were able to beat teams that literally have 10 times our budget or even more like Kelly, United Healthcare, and Fly V.

3. Lets keep this train going! Due to our success at Philly, our team was able to find a few more bucks and we added a couple races to our schedule. After Cascade we will have Tour of Utah and US Pro Road Race in Greenville. My excitement for Greenville is off the charts!!!! (Any Greenville 3M'ers reading this let me know... especially you Ade!)

4. Our sponsors are great! Without them, we could not go on. So please, go buy a Leopard bicycle and a team kit. Eat some Wonderful Pistachios while training for that century ride or Masters championship. Refuel yourself with TwinLab Endurance fuel. Suppliment your lost vitamins with TwinLabs multi-vitamins. Upgrade your lame bottom bracket to a Hawk Racing bottom bracket. While you are at it, buy yourself a pair of Smith sunglasses. You will look great, feel great, and give our sponsors a reason to keep supporting the cause.

5. Strep Throat sucks! I got back from Philly Monday and due to a multitude of conditions, got sick last week and will be on antibiotics for the remainder of the week. ARGGG!!!!!

Say hello to my little friend!

Home? In Jersey?

I need a hug

I made velonews!

I must be truely gifted!

Crit practice with Liberty Cycles in Basking Ridge

Fun with Starbucks

Getting ready for the big show!!!!

They celebrated my pre-game ride this morning!

I heart NYC

Host house = Ferngully = nice!

Heading to NJ