Super Rookie’s World

I watched the Pond Hockey documentary that is based around the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships the other day. It was alright. I bet Lalla would like it. The only thing that I found interesting is that the film was financed by Phillip Falcone which explains the appearance of various New York Times writers on the film. Kind of funny.

I still don’t understand why Minnesotan’s continue to buy the entire, “State of Hockey” motiff.

We aren’t a “State of Hockey.”

It should be, “Outer Ring Suburb of Hockey.”

That just wouldn’t sell.

Anyways, go Hawks.

(4th place is looking good).

There is a new Women’s professional soccer league starting up in the U.S. this year. Today, they released the uniforms to the media. I have found a new favorite team:

Chicago Red Stars.

They have a great name and an even better uniform.

Good for them.

Sure, the street is a dead end, but at least there is one house on it. Turns out that the street is only a few blocks from my place and is the perfect location for an alleycat stop. I bet the National Champ rides the 8mi out of his way to look at this sign on every ride that he takes.

Did you know that the National Champ won the Gold in the Tandem Sprint? Yeah, shocking. In fact, when I asked the National Champ about it he denied it and said it is a glitch in the software that USACycling uses, but I think he was just being modest. Yeah, the National Champ didn’t win the Team Sprint in 2006, it says so right here.
The more I thought about this and how cool it is to have Tainter in the exclusive club of having streets named after you (Hayes St. NE) I saw this sign in deep Northeast:

Now, I don’t know what to think.

Nelson Vails and Cippo.

I met Vails once at the 2005 World Track Cycling Championships in Los Angeles. He was a nice guy, but he really seemed to be on the prowl that night. Since I didn’t fit the bill and the gaggle of Danish women did he signed my bag and gave me a hearty handshake and it was game time for Vails. Who could blame him?

The old Como Bike Shop on Wheelock (not wheeler) in St. Paul has a sweet poster of Vails glued to the wall. If you go by the building and look in (be careful you don’t want to get caught by the legendary “Como” Pete) you can see it. For a while I wanted to buy that building and just admire the poster.

Maybe some of the old-timers have some stories about Vails racing in some crits around here in the 80s. Anyone got anything about that?

My favorite part about Vails was that he used to be a messenger in New York City and raced Kevin Bacon in the opening scene of Quicksilver.

Sweet post about Vails from Dave Moulton’s blog.

Wow.

I have rediscovered the love for SmithersMPLS.

Click the link for full flavor.

h/t Offside Rules

MPR is starting their membership drive tomorrow. That means it is time to change the compact discs in the car and listen to them for the next week. Yes, I am not going to give any money to the behemoth that is Minnesota Public Radio. I am sure all of you think I am a hater (I am), but I just won’t be giving any of my hard earned money. Consider it my form of protest over MPR’s NIMBY syndrome over the Central Corridor LRT (their statement here).

I am hungry:

…

Dan Wold is a funny guy. He states what everyone was thinking. UCI legal? Better start complaining.

The Behind Bars/LGR professional looking cycling team (seemingly) inadvertantly leaked an image of their 2009 kit on a local cyclist’s facebook page.

Although the team has not officially presented their new duds, the ‘09 kit was worn by rider Linsey Hamilton at the ColdSprints Indoor Cycling Race earlier this month. Local cyclist Terra James included an image of Hamilton at this race on the popular social networking site, facebook, thus revealing key elements of the kit.

However, someone with the team must have identified the gaffe because the image has now appeared on various personal websites.

The new kit (as observed on the Facebook yesterday) is a predominantly black kit with some grey striping to reflect the name of the new title sponsor, Behind-Bars Bicycle Shop. The bibs were not seen in the photograph.

Here is the photograph of the jersey at the Coldspints event:

I have been rocking the fan club for Mancebo for a few years now.

Go ahead. Search it.

One of my favorites won the race today.

Cyclingnews is saying: “Mancebo Cold Cocks Favorites.”

The return of the slumped shoulder!

The best part about it all is that he wore his zipped up rain jacket at the finish line.

Take that Michael Ball.

The first race in the Coldsprints season was last night at the Nomad World Pub on the West Bank. The new venue was fantastic with easy access to the bar and lots of air moving through the room. The projections screen and television worked extremely well. It was fantastic to see all of the people come out and support the food shelf. Here are some highlights, lowlights and future comments about the Coldsprints experience:

• All types of folks came out to the Nomad. Roadies, Mountain Bikers, Trackies, People off the street, Roller Bladers, Old Folks, Soccer Fans, and Fixed Gear Freestylers.
• Yes, it isn’t “real” roller racing. Some people complain that there are fork mounts. These people hate raising money for charity.
• The technical glitches were a pain, but that is expected with this type of operation. The good news is that we have all of the issues troubleshot and we now have an action plan to move it forward. The next edition will more than likely have a third set of rollers for quick fixes!
• Being fast doesn’t matter. Brian Crosby got his smoked by a dude I picked out of the crowd randomly. Brian took it like a champ and had a huge smile on his face. What a good sport.
• It is ton of fun having a microphone in front of a hundred friends. Everyone is a target.
• Bob Williams is awesome. He showed up at the Nomad.
• Dave Grey came. He smiled. He promised me he will be back next month.
• All types of volunteers helped out with this event. Chris Verb (Gopher Wheelman) set up a bunch of this.
• Chances are that the next two editions will be fundraisers for the Velodrome Track Fund. So, if you don’t come to roller racing that means you hate Charity AND the Velodrome.

Finally, I gave Brian Crosby this answer upon getting the same question from him for the fifth time:

• Yes, Brian Crosby, I will happily race Andrew Kruse in a grudge match. This is because the money raised goes to the Velodrome. I am a Velodrome Supporter. The real question is if Kruse will show up, or if he hates the velodrome. Let me know.

Crosby had a smile on his face and walked away.

He is quite the instigator.

Should be a fun time.

Nomad World Pub.

Seven P.M.