Monday, November 30, 2009

For Sale - 2008 Electra Townie 3i Pink Pearl - $300 (SOLD!)



Selling my daughter's Pink Pearl Electra Townie for $300 UPDATE: SOLD!. Perfect, like new condition. Ridden a handful of times. Includes a white front handlebar basket.


From Electra's Website:

  • Offering stability, laid-back style and a convenient step-through design, the Electra Townie 3i Pink Pearl is great for women looking for a fun, functional cruiser bike.
  • Geometry places rider upright for comfortable, heads-up positioning; aft positioning allows a rider to place both feet on the ground at a stop
  • Lightweight aluminum frame provides vertical stiffness for prompt acceleration and uphill power; it's also easily lifted for storage and transport
  • Step-through frame makes mounting and dismounting the saddle quick and easy
  • Shimano Nexus internal rear hub provides 3 smooth-shifting speeds and is remarkably maintenance free compared to conventional cassette systems
  • Shimano Revo twist-shifters are intuitively easy to use
  • Hand-operated linear-pull brake controls front wheel while rear coaster brake offers intuitive deceleration with simple backpedaling
  • Townie saddle features shock-absorbing elastomers for all-day riding comfort
  • Convenient platform pedals accept most casual shoes while the full-length chainguard keeps dirt and oil off your legs
  • Semi-slick 26x2.0 tires provide a smooth and stable ride over a variety of riding surfaces
  • Fitting an Electra bike is easy. Start by setting the saddle to its lowest position and then stand over it with both feet flat on the ground. Next, simply raise the saddle until it rests in the crotch. Tighten it in place, and that's it— you're done!

Cross fer Tots - Spread the Word

Deets from Hollywood Henderson:
Cross fer Tots yep.

Cyclosscross style event!

Saturday December 5th,
11 am first event 11:45 second event.
10 Bucks or an unwrapped toy.

2 events,
30 min and a 60 min event.

Permitted park, Vanderbee in Blommington.
Ride yer bike, or park at H-WooD Cycles.
Any ? call H-WooD at the shop 952.881.4707

All about a good time, and its fer the Tots.

ya want ta keep cross'n during cross season well here it is.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Jingle Cross Rock 2009

Our 3rd pilgrimage to Iowa City over Thanksgiving weekend for UCI Jingle Cross was a successful one. Jordan finished on the podium in all 3 of his races, 2 1st places, and a 3rd.

They added Friday night racing this year, under the lights. Jordan raced Cat 2/3, starting in the back row behind over 60 racers. It was an absolute mudfest, with many riders having to abandon due to broken bikes. Jordan worked his way through the field, changing bikes at 3 different times. At one point, he was in 2nd place, eventually finishing 3rd.

Jordan raced the Junior category Saturday and Sunday, winning both days. His white skinsuits were muddy brown at the end of each race. Jordan took the opportunity Sunday to practice bike changes every half lap. It is a critical skill to master in inclement conditions, where bikes fail if you don't switch often to have them cleaned.


Defying the Muddy Conditions in White

Saturday Juniors Podium (L-R, Lionel Rocheleau - 2nd, Jordan Cullen - 1st, Vance Fletcher - 3rd)

Sunday Juniors Podium - (L-R, Tyler Rushing - 3rd, Jordan Cullen - 1st, Nils Boberg - 2nd)

Thursday, November 26, 2009

My Beauty


My daughter, Maren, acted and sang in the Hudson High School Play "Beauty and the Beast" the past 2 weekends. This was no run of the mill production. Very professional. The kids did an amazing job, and were all very sad after the last performance. You've got great talent Maren. Keep up the great work!


The Enchantress

Tea Cup

Townsperson

Amazing costumes

The entire cast

Monday, November 23, 2009

WI State CX Championships

Photo by djohnnymac


Quick report from the WI State CX Champs held this past Sunday near Milwaukee, WI. Jordan won the Jr 15-18, 8th in the Cat 1/2's. I was 17th in M40+. Great to see some familiar faces, as well as meet some new people.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Ridley Dean TT Bike


Flash back to the end of July, 2009. Jordan is warming up to the Time-trial at US Junior Nationals and I make a deal with him. If he wins the Time-trial, I'll buy him a new TT bike. As most know, he came within 9 seconds winning, and finished 2nd. I couldn't tell if he was more upset about getting beat, or missing out on getting a new TT bike. As a consolation, I said he was close enough.

Back to the present. So many options. Specialized, Scott, Cervelo, Trek, to name a few. All very expensive too. High end TT frame/fork modules go for north of $3500.00 (yes, that's just for the frame and fork)! If I'm going to drop that kind of coin, I want the best.

The Ridley Dean was at the top of our list, but we were committed to purchasing from Flanders Bros. Bike Shop. As luck would have it, Flanders recently started carrying Ridley, and Jordan's dream came true.

Is he spoiled? Damn right, he's spoiled. Does he appreciate what he has? Absolutely, and he knows he has to train hard (and smart) to keep it.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Ciara


Got a call Sunday night that Planet Bike needed Jordan's 52cm Ridley X-night back for another rider. In exchange, Jordan got a brand new 54cm Ridley X-night.

Jordan and I broke down his old Ridley Sunday night, shipped it Monday, and received the new one Tuesday. With help from the friendly Flanders Bros. Bike Shop, "Ciara" is now built and ready to ride.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Playin' with the Big Boys

Photo by Frye

Jordan has his first experience with the top guns of MN Cyclocross this weekend at the Minnesota State CX Championships. He rode strong in both races, finishing 13th overall, 8th in the Cat 1/2's Saturday, and 11th overall, 8th in the Cat 1/2's on Sunday. Congratulations Jordan!

A hearty thank you to Race Promoter Smithers and his Crew (Super Rookie, Rivers, Ped, ScottyRob, among others), as well as the amazing sponsors, and efficient USAC officials, for putting on a stellar event. The perfect close to an incredible MN Cyclocross Season.

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Time to upgrade you Sandbagger

Photo by Frye
Jordan capped off his Cat 3 cyclocross career this weekend with a pair of wins at Velo CX and Back to School CX. His prize for winning the Cat 3's was a 50lb bag of sand as incentive for an upgrade to Cat 2.

Jordan will be rolling with the Cat 1/2, Master 35+ at MN State CX Champs next weekend in Crystal. Oh crap, that means I've got to race him now! I'll be the one smiling as he laps me:)

Photo by Megan Lennon

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Crossinacs Fridley Fall Back Article in Cyclocross Magazine

Photo by Steve Kotvis

A great article on www.cxmagazine.com about the Crossniacs Fridley Fall Back CX race.

Sunday, November 01, 2009

Crossin' in Minnesota



Red Barn CX Photos courtesy of Linsey Hamilton

2 great races in Minnesota this weekend, Red Barn CX in Taylors Falls and Crossniacs Fridley Fall Back in Fridley. Jordan stormed to his 2nd Cat 3 CX win of the season at Red Barn, and then finished runner-up to Planet Bike teammate Linda Sone at Fridley Fall Back. I raced at Red Barn, and managed to NOT finish last.

Jordan's performance at Red Barn was fun to watch. He took the hole shot and never looked back. He steadily pulled away from the trio of Dave Oachs, Nils Boberg, and Dan Jacobson. Halfway in, Jordan was 30 secs up on Oachs and Boberg, with Jacobson dropping back a little. Jordan cruised in for the win, with Oachs gapping Boberg before the finish. Great job by all.

Fridley Fall Back was a bigger test for Jordan for several reasons. He had some gear problems, where he was unable to use his big ring, and he could not get into his upper cogs on his cassette. This kept him from being able to really open in up in the straights, and forced him to run-up a hill section, that others with smaller gears could ride. But that's cross racing. Bikes act up from time to time, and you have to deal with it. Jordan did admirably. On top of that, he struggled in the pinwheel portion of the course, mainly due to poor tire choice on my part.

Jordan was able to get away early in the race, then Planet Bike teammate Linda Sone and Nils Boberg bridged up to him. The three traded pulls, but Jordan struggled in the pinwheel. Late in the race, Linda and Jordan were able to distance themselves from Boberg and it looked like the 2 would finish together. However, Linda gapped Jordan in the pinwheel, and Boberg caught back up to Jordan. Linda won handily, with it coming down to a close sprint for second, with Jordan just beating Boberg. Great race to watch, and a good learning experience for Jordan.

It just goes to show you that different courses favor different riders. Sone was 10th in the Cat 3's at Red Barn, then wins the next day in Fridley. Well done.