BAD

here is yet another story out of china, cheap IS apparently actually cheap.

LOS ANGELES — Moving swiftly, U.S. product safety authorities say they are launching an investigation into the presence of the toxic metal cadmium in children's jewelry imported from China after disclosure of lab tests showing that some pieces consisted primarily of the dangerous substance. The promise to "take action as quickly as possible to protect the safety of children" followed by hours the release Sunday of an Associated Press investigative report that documented how some Chinese manufacturers have been substituting cadmium for lead in cheap charm bracelets and pendants being sold throughout the United States. more here on the AP story

BETTER

wow, what a difference a day makes. sunday was one of those days that would just never end. 60 miles in 5 hours [riding and fixing], 3 flats, multiple headaches, finally got home and tried to put the day behind me.

today was a completely different day, i got out for an early lunch ride for a little over an hour. it was a great spin, in great weather and i stuck to the only true bike path in the area out towards topanga [the length of the valley]. so now all is good in the universe and we are back on track. i think it just feels great to get in a good solid leg speed workout and feel super doing it.

in other news, i am really looking forward to our team's first camp of the season and it will be great to get a chance to properly gel with the 6 - 8 new teammates that will be there. the nor-cal contingent will be having one as well. so if you see us out on the road, give a wave and say hi [i throw that in for you tmgj, by the way i waved at every rider i saw today, i think i even said good morning to a few runners as well, weird]


[i think i am even going to crack a smile]

or was it this one?



but diffidently not this one.


[nice kit sky, almost another shameless knock-off of our design, although i am sure that boasson hagen'dazs will be rocking in it this season]

WIND

today was a good 60 miles, in beautiful sunny +75 degree LA weather. that was until we hit the far north east corner of the valley coming out of sylmar. the wind kicked up and gusts were blowing at over+40mph. it seemed like more than that, but none of us got blown over today. which i am sure made my orthopedic surgeon happy, not to mention me.

team news
the new year brought our first top 10 finishes of the 2010 season with a 6th place by patrick piccolo and an 8th by benjamin barry in the san bruno hill climb. way to go guys, that is one b_tch of a climb and all your preseason work is already starting to pay off.

race report
[san bruno hill climb / patrick piccolo]
Bright and early this morning was the first race of the Northern California season, the epic 3.5 mile straight up San Bruno Hill Climb. Thankfully the race started at 10 am and is a 10 min. drive from the city, so I was able to get a little of sleep beforehand. That however, that didn’t seem to help me feel ready or at all well. Though the race is short, its pretty steep and fast. Ben and I had a good start and perhaps went a little too hard at first, but then again the higher up you go the steeper it gets so its hard to tell. The last 100m are the worst and I just didn’t have the legs (or the stomach as it turns out) that i needed. I ended up doing it 17 min. 55 sec. which was good enough for 6th. Ben came in about 20 seconds later for 8th. Aside from the fact that I felt like death for the few seconds before I puked up my banana just after the finish, I would have to say I was feeling good and had a good time. Ben was mad that I talked him in to doing it.