whatever it takes...

this is the photo that captures it all. the race, the vibe, the booze. it is all there. today my legs are heavy- my body is still out of the racing loop... the day off couldn't come sooner. i found myself trying to explain the experience i had yesterday, but couldn't really describe the craziness of it all. i will have to gather myself up, and go back to old fashion training.

no more long hair, googles and drinking for me...

at least for the coming week.

hhik!

some more pictures....

the start was the classic "run to your bike, and start riding"...
mixing pleasures is a great thing indeed.

every one was there.

E.T ride hommmmmme...

so, another day, another ride. today was a special day. the first ever israeli CX and singlespeed race. i chose the latter. i also chose the look of long, black hair and googles. it paid off, as i won the race! i had to drink a shot of alcohol every lap, and felt a little light on my feet... which is a good thing when your'e racing.

riders of all ages and orientation took part. the travelers and the racers. the hard core and the light headed. it was 6 minute laps, anarobic hell. i won 840 shekels in coins(!).

bastards. take my word: do not drink and ride. it is too much fun.

THE VIEW

this is what its all about.

going up, going down, sliding sideways. giving up, and again, trying harder. use your gears, use your body, and repeat. hold your line, look ahead, and don't forget to breath. move around, stop to eat, and continue. once again, it all comes from within you. what you are, where youv'e been, just stop moaning. it is here, it is now. keep on going.

this is my HaiKoo.

i like mine sunny side up...

'been riding the egg beaters since the day they got out. 2002. love 'em. can't live without them. this is my 5th pair. and the most expensive... they're light and durable, but some people don't like the way they feel. it will go straight on my race bike. shaved another 19 grams!!

eat that, weight weenies.

bikes,sweat and tears

this liquid came out of yours truly... no, it is not my urine. i sweat like a pig. (do pigs sweat?). training on my stationary trainer, no wind on my face, going nowhere, just makes me drip. people laugh at me. kids cry. birds stop mid flight. i am a proud sweater.

bite me.

fast lane...

this group of pink wearing individuals, is my team. as you can see, we have a giant among us. no worry, he doesn't bite. how they got us all to wear pink, is beyond me... the rides will be alot faster, it seems, with these guys. it will be a little sad to leave them for 6 months.

oh, well... a man's got to do, and so on...

the times, they are changing...

from now on, the days get longer and longer. i need a vacation...

WAX ON, WAX OFF...

it hurts to be smooth. the obligatory ceremony of taking the hair off my legs. i have tried doing it at home, by myself, but it seems to hurt a little more, take less hair off, and fill my walls with honey tasting liquid, that stays permanently... so i pay someone to watch me hurt, as she waxes.

sadistic bitch.

it does keep me smooth, mind you...

AN EARLY BIRD.

anyone who knows me, can tell you that i am never late. if anything, i am way too early, to most places. racing is no different... if you want to make an appointment with me, somewhere between april 17th to april 20th of 2008, sorry, i am already pre-occupied.

i have a race to attend.

maybe next time, uh?

MEANWHILE...

i am working on my second job... lifting weights. okay, i only have the right cloths. and the right face. hey, that's two thirds of the work!

ON THE RIGHT PATH...

sometimes a rider has his doubts. is this what i really want to do? am i not just afraid of trying somthing else? there is no right path, just the path your'e on. then i take my bike, and ride to the hills. this is my answer.

WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU...

makes you stronger... do i really need so much protein in one time? does anyone? you know your food is not good for you, when you read the label, and it says somthing about engineering. food is not supposed to be built.

eat. it's good for you. just don't let any engineers get in the way.

GET A GRIP

today i went riding with my team. after training alone most of the time, riding with friends and co riders is a relief. just when you think you're the only idiot who wakes up early, and spends the day in the saddle, you meet more idiots.

or maybe we are the smart ones.

single track

only the adventurous take the path they've never taken before. only the stupid ride it as fast as they possibly can. only mountain bikers do it on a daily basis...

because the best trail is my next one.

single speed life.

you put on your absurdly expensive piece of spendex, your over priced helmet.

you wear the latest, most advanced eyewear, and your highend carbon soles shoes.

you take your one piece, no stitches gloves, and your latest i pod...

and you jump on your one gear, singlespeed, no shifters, no worries bike.

it is all so back to the future...

i love it

the cock-pit

it seems like the more instruments you hold on your bar, the slower you go. is'nt it supposed to be the other way around?

its way too cocky to be riding around like that.

too much information can get you confused. its about the feel of the thing. if you don't feel it, you're in the wrong sport, man.

PLAYING THE WATTS GAME...

all those wattage training sessions can be a little tiring. i really prefer climbing some rocks on my bike, outside, in the rain. the sport has become so math like, it sometimes takes the fun out of the picture. we all know why we're here... the smiles.

hey kids, go ride your bikes.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING....

as too many bikes. maybe your room is too small, which is exactly my problem.

there are two more bikes on the way in, not to mention the road bike which is out of the picture.

boo hoo. roadbikes are just not as beutiful as mountainbikes. maybe i am one of those people whose house is full of old stuff, but hey, one's old shit, is another's goldmine.

and i have a garage, where i keep the really old bikes... kill me, i just can't get enough.

GAME ON...

i had to dress up for the occasion. whatever it takes...

he asked for it.

two weeks ago, i took a part in a road downhill race, against multiple times israeli downhill champ, Amir Caspi. the race was for a cover story for next month's israeli mountainbike action magazine. it was a blast. Amir is such a great guy...

the idea of the race was a road bike against a downhill bike. a run with pedaling, and a run without pedaling. then we switched. it was a long day, with the photoshoot and all... but it was worth it.

as the dust settled, i was crowned victorious on both bikes.

i was truly surprised.

happy happy, joy joy.

AS THE DAYS GET SHORTER

you know you have to make the best of every moment of sunlight. the last hour of the day, is the one you want to ride through, making the coming darkness a little easier to live with.
the days after the rain make the singletracks ride like glue, and you ride like you're on rails...

A GOOD START.

the blog has just started and i have been getting some good vibe from around the world. poz, this is for you: אני מקווה שאתה מבין את מה שאני כותב. אם אתה זוכר איך קוראים עברית.
got it?
my next journey starts on march 15th, and i am already excited. 6 months in the states, driving a big ass R.V is my take on heaven.

when in rome...

this will be my first blogging attempt. hopefully, the first of many...

some of the posts will be in hebrew, but most will be english. i have been thinking about a blog, for a long time now, after reading a friend's blog for a while. it looks like a good way to show friends, whats up with my life. it will be a great help in letting people know where i am, while i am cruising along around the US of A.