Bikes for sale

Anyone interested in a cool full suspension 29'er? I have 2 almost identical ones for sale. Not stock at all btw.

Frame: 17.5" Gary Fisher Supercaliber Race Day w/ lock out. 80 mm of travel.

Fork: Rockshox Reba race with remote lockout. 100mm of travel

Wheels: Bontrager Race 29'er disc

Brakes: Hayes Mag Brakes (better than the HFX 9's that everyone has)

Shifters: Shimano XT

R. Der: Shimano XTR low normal

Ft. Der: Shimano LX

Crankset: Shimano XTR

Tires: Bontrager ACX 2.25

Pedals: N/A

Handlebar: Bontrager Race Lite Big Sweep

Stem: Bontrager Race Lite

Seatpost: Bontrager Race X Lite Carbon

Seat: Bontrager Race Lite

Grips: Bar tape

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Both bikes are in great shape!!

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Bike #1 going for $1,900 obo.

Bike #2 going for $1,825 obo. It is identical except it has a XT rear der and most of the decals on the fork are removed.

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Don't go back to work, figure out how to buy one of these sweet bikes!!

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charlytri@yahoo.com

Shake and Bake

Just some notes.

What happened to Jeff Hall's site (see link right). MAN DOWN! MAN DOWN!!
...and Sugardaddy's (rumor is he will be riding a bike again soon enough)
...and Ben's (although he is guest blogging??)
...I need to update my links.

It is cold.

The new ride will be coming soon. It says Trek, it likes to 69, and bounce up and down.

I have never owned a Trek branded mountain bike before.

Need to sell the Supercaliber's now. Anyone interested in a decked out 29'er? Maybe two? Specs to folllow soon.

Saw Blades of Glory last night. Heard it was funnier than The Ballard of Ricki Bobby, a movie that will blow your mind. It is not. Like most Will Ferrel movies I thought it sucked.

Got an e-mail from Frank. He takes pictures. Cool pictures. He took a bunch at the last cross race in Ham Lake. His website is here. Ignore the little girls in tutu's. I think he had on pink ear warmers at the race, cool.

This kid can kick your butt.


A pic of the start of the Ham Lake CX. Guy in blue helmet in middle is A. Birr. I stand to his right (your left). Talk about a sweet action shot.

Shake and Bake. You see that, that just happened!!

Get to work.

Double crossing (in more ways than one).

This post is dedicated to Chris "do as I say, not as I do" Fisher. You see, our team got second in the MNSCS expert series after a tie breaker. Chris "d.a.i.s.n.a.i.d." Fisher decided that it was my fault as I had only shown up for the first 2 races in the series (the only 2 that I had planned on). Chris on the other hand neglects to point out that if he had only finished 1 of the races he DNF'd in the series it would have been won.

What is that? Oh yeah, I was going to race this Sunday, but Chris "d.a.i.s.n.a.i.d." Fisher said, "Hey, come to the race on Saturday instead. Brendan and I are going to be there and we can all hang out." I thought that was cool, so I changed plans. Needless to say Chris "d.a.i.s.n.a.i.d" Fisher was a no show at the race. Hmmmmm. Brendan said he was at some event with his fiance, Jen "big smiles" Meyer. I am guessing they toured the factory were they make the American Girls. That would fit the profile.

So this is for you Chris. Big smiles, big smiles.

Crossing at Ham Lake

I decided to do the A (60 minutes) and B (45 minutes) races as to try to jump start any fitness that is left. I have not been on the bike that much, and with the A race only costing an extra $5 I figured it was more ride time.

Lined up for the B race with Adam Birr of the team. He told me of how the course was a glorified dirt crit, and he was right. 2 barriers and no run up, a loooong paved section, and almost no climbing was not my idea of a fun cross race (note, I am not complaining, just stating). We took off at the start were it narrows down dramtiacally in the first 30 feet. I got into the woods in second and proceeded to try to warm up. The legs were so-so as I settled in with the top 6 paceline. At some point I was with 2 others as we approached a lapped rider and a barrier at the same time. The lap rider went in the middle, one guy went to pass on the left, the other guy and I went to pass on the right. Well, the lapped rider went sideways, the guy with me took him down, and I came to a dead stop. Hopped on the bike with a banged up knee, skinned shin, and knowledge that they weren't badly hurt. Ended up passing 2 guys on the last lap that bobbled to bring home 6th out of 80 overall, or 3rd out of 34ish in the Cat 3's (depends how you want to look at it). I was happy with that.

Then I lined up for the A race 10 minutes later. Talked to Brendan, but no Chris. What, no Chris? I knew that I was not going to be blowing anyones doors off, so I purposely let everyone go into the woods first. My first lap was allright, then my legs left me. I was cashed. My only thought was to keep riding until I got lapped and then pulled. Oh, here comes the top 3, a little trash talking from me and they were off. They must have ceramic bearings in their wheels. Looked forward to getting pulled at the finish, but nope. They don't pull riders (CRAP!!!). Kept riding. Slowing more and more each lap to a pathetic crawl. Ended getting lapped by Doug and company 3 times.

Now I blog, sip coffee, and get ready (mentally) for work.

Happy Halloween!!

I thought I would celebrate Halloween with some pictures of everyone in their costumes.


L to R: Brendan M., Ben M., Chris "I'm engaged" Fisher, and Myself.

My newly baptised niece.

J-No (Since 2000), attempting to win the "Sexiest Costume" award for the third year in a row.

L to R: Deb L. (Queen Bee), Tiffany W. (T-bone), and Becky (My Baby's Momma) representing the WOW contingent.

Matt H (Big Head) and Linda H (Mrs. Big Head) getting ready to score some rad candy.

I hope everyone has a good Halloween. Watch out for the Snickers with razor blades in'em.

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Back to work!

But it's a Schwinn!

I am not sure what it is, but one of our favorite customers at the shop are the Schwinn men (read with sarcasim). They expect you to know exactly what they need for there 25 year old Schwinn without having seeing it, or knowing what the customer is describing. When you say you need to see the bike the response is ALWAYS, "but it's a Schwinn"!

Here is a sample conversation. First you must picture a man in his late fifties or later (yes, they are ALL like that) by himself. Sometimes he'll be carrying parts in a coffe can/rag/plastic baggie:

Me: Hi, what can I help you with?

Customer: Yeah, I need a bolt/nut/part.

Me: Where on the bike do you need that bolt (trying to narrow it down).

Customer: Well, it is near the wheel. It is about 5/8" round and has threads on it.

Me: O.K., there are several different sizes that that bolt could be. I would have to see the old bolt or the bike to get you the right one.

(Here it comes)
Customer: But it' a Schwinn!

Me: Yes, but it still could be several different sizes.

(I swear they all say this too)
Customer: Well, I bought it here 15-20 years ago. It still runs great. It is in mint condition. Do you guys take in trade-ins?

Me: We don't take in trade-ins on old Scwinn road bikes because no one wants them.

Customer: Well, that is too bad. It is in really good shape....

(Fast forward 10 minutes later after the old guy gets done telling me about the history of the bike, what he is doing to it, his wife's bike, how he does all of his own work, what the shop used to look like, and the last mechanic he had spoken too 5 years ago.)

Me: Alright, I'll see you later.


Later they bring in the bike. Every customer that thinks they are going to trade in their bike describes it as being in MINT condition, by the way. This is how these bikes look when they actually bring them in. Note the crooked seat, brake levers, bent handlebars, velcro water bottle holder, and poor bar tape. That is not counting the fact that it probably needs a ton of work.


Time to ride then work.

Looking at and riding like a child.

Wake up Sat morning. Try to figure out if that was a mouse in the bathroom, or crap in my eyes. Go to store, buy traps, set said traps, and off we go to WI for a baptism..

I became an uncle for the second time (technically). My first niece is closely guarded by my brother and his wife who have decided to lock us out of their lives (and most of the rest of the family). Watch the movie "Saving Silverman" and you will understand what has happened. So, this feels like the first time I have become an uncle.

Becky's sis and husband (in pic) took the proper steps to conceive a child (ask your parents), and now here we are. This picture is just before the priest tries to drown Kaydance. I think Alysia and Chris (mom and dad) just were doing this so they didn't have to give her a bath that day.




With Halloween being so close they decided to dress Kaydance up as an Amish child for the ceremony.



Me, the baby's momma, and a baby (not ours).

The next day I decided to embarrass myself at a cross race in Milwaukee. With it being my second cross race in years and the fact my bikes have been sadly alone since July, I suited up for the "B" or Cat 3 race. I started in the back, shot to third at the start, and moved to first through the barriers. A couple of turns later and I was picking myself up after sliding out in a corner. That took the wind out of my sails, and backwards I went. It seems that on that first lap everyone else was faster as I came through the finish in 24th or DFL, ouch. My plan was just to be steady and not bring up the rear. The whole race I could only keep my 5-speed transmission in 4th gear, but I was able to keep it there the entire time. I spent the rest of the race working my way forward as others slowed. The top 5 had a massive gap, but I finished ninth with 6th, 7th, and 8th within spitting distance.

This week I'll actually try to ride my bike and see if I am able to find my 5th gear for this Sunday.

Me running the barriers, or as Becky calls them, "the jumps".

Yo, yo!

Sunday night I found a mouse in one of the traps. It had clamped down on his face and I let it free outside to invade another house. Through this process I found out that Becky is deathly afraid of those four legged rodents.

Less bloggy, bloggy. More worky, worky.

Running, and not from the cops.

This is the reason I am going to do a half marathon this January. Gotta go run 5 miles now. I am not a fan of running.

Get working.

Marathons with the Careys, A week behind

Welcome to the town of Ashland, WI; home of the Whistle Stop Marathon. Once again, the Tri's and Carey's joined forces to battle the elements and hotel prices of a marathon.

Becky (my baby's momma) and Erin (Mark's baby's momma) would be supported by there evil counterparts, the men.


It was a chilly morning as Mark and I rode the course backwards in hopes of finding our women. Here we had to stop for the 5K to start. There was a 5k, 10K, half, and full marathon going on at the same time on different parts of the same course.

Erin is only a couple of miles into the half marathon and she thinks she already won.

This is what happens when you take a triathlete onto a smooth dirt path.

Becky owning #261.

Look!! Becky is coming to the finish!!!

Here she is. 3:49.04, a new personnal record. Knocking over 12 minutes off of her old time. 8 minutes and 5 seconds from a Boston qualifying time.

Erin thinks she looks ugly in every picture, except this one.

Mark attacking my wife. Maybe I should do something about that. Hmmm, maybe not.

Becky rarely enjoys a Micky-D's burger. I think she likes it.

I took two extra days off from work to get last minute projects done around the houses before it starts to snow. Windows have been put in, block has been taken out, branches have been cut, gravel has been layed, and dirt has been delivered. I am not even half done with the projects that need to be done this 4 day weekend.

I got to go to work now.

Unexpected baby news.

I was pumped for my across the midwest adventure. My baby's momma's momma and daddy are very sick though. Trip is postponed. Charly's big adventure is cancelled. So sad, so sad.

Now, I try to go finish one of the duplexes projects this weekend. Hmmm, work on the house, or ride my bike a ton. Which is more fun?

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By the way, there seems to be a lot of baby news:

-Cory "Put a rock in your jersey" Gross and Sabrina are about ready to pop with #1.

-Richard "Local Schmo #1" Bennet and Diane just pumped out #3 this wed.

-Jason "J-No since 2000" Novak knocked up his wife. Now they found out there is 2 creatures in her belly, not one. This would make #3 and #4.

-Our old neighbors Maren and Steve "old neighbors" Rudzik are ready to pop soon as well.

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In other baby news. ***Drum roll please*** After trying for a long time, Becky and I are proud to announce that she is not pregnant!! This is very exciting news for us. We have been trying for this since we got married. We just found out recently and I am bubbling over with excitement. I also notice that Becky has that "glow". I have heard of the non expectant mother glow, but had never thought it was real.

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Congrats to everyone, and I guess that includes us!!!!

Doing it for 20 hours.

For the last 2 years I have been dreaming about riding to my in-laws in Oconomowoc, WI. This weekend we are traveling to see my new niece.

I plan to ride there. I leave Friday night. My planned route is 1/2 paved and 1/2 crushed rock.

It is 250 miles total.

I don't plan on sleeping, or stopping for considerable lengths. I hope to be done in under 20 hours.

What do you have planned for 2am Saturday morning? I plan on being on my bike somewhere in WI.

I like to 69.

So I have some time on my hands to update. Today you get three posts in one. Each separated by entertaining pics.

This weekend was full of plans to get the siding and windows done at one of duplexes. Seems mother nature had a different idea and now I sit and watch the rain come down. Becky managed to get in a run before the rain. It seems this large, playful puppy followed her home. I am guessing he is about 9 months as he is almost full grown, but still extremely playful. With a white and tan pit bull head and tan body he is really cute. Nina and him seem to get along great! I'll be taking him to the local Paws and Claws here soon as it is not open yet. Who knows what we'll do if the owners are not found?

This Thursday marked the most important day of the year. Yes, "The Office" season 3 premiere! We had some folks over and fun was had. Michael Scott and the crew did not disappoint. The next three weeks are hour long episodes, so more fun times are on there way. There is one reason I watch T.V and this is it.

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were spent in Las Vegas with KC, the two time MN series champ. We rode the latest and greatest Monday and Tuesday totaling about 8 hours on different bikes. Brendan had been to the trail system before, so while almost everyone else rode the groomed and overcrowded loops for their ten minute test ride, we went on mini epics on some sweet technical trails. We rode many different bikes. Brendan, a 26'er devotee, was enthralled with the rear suspension on the new Fuel Ex. I had my chance to ride that as well and enjoyed it, but the small (to me) wheels were bothersome. My pick for favorite bike was the new Trek Top Fuel 69'er (a surprise to this 29'er lover). With the 29" front wheel and 26" rear, the bike accelerated and handled like a small wheel, but had the grip and stability out front that I am used to. I do believe I am converted once again. Brendan had promised to break his 29'er virginity while we there, but as we were lined up for the buses on the last day I was half in the bag from free Trek margaritas and he had still not ventured into the darkside.

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I'll try to get some picks loaded from Sin City, but the camera is in the car and it is raining still. Yes, I do not want to get wet.

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For now, enjoy your weekend, watch some football, and forget about what Monday brings.

You want a quicky?

Sorry to keep both of my loyal readers waiting. I am in a hurry right now, so it is short.

To answer where I left off.

Saw Mr. Lemond on Firetower in the fat tire. He was hurting bad, but as soon it was level again he went zoooooooommmmmmm.

My wife rode up all of Firetower. I did not. Most did not. Last year I middle ringed it, this year granny wasn't enough.

I saw this guy drop farther back then me. He must have DNF'd. He is pro. Now I am better than pro. Man, I am awesome.

I am leaving for Interbike now. Brendan and I have plans to explore the state with legalized prostitution and gambling. Hmmm, what to do, what to do?

You work, I'll go ride some new bikes in Vegas. Deal?

3 for 3

Yeah, I have not posted about the big 40 yet, quit your whining. It did not go as I had hoped. Last year, I was hitting on all cylinders, but a mechanical threw a big monkey wrench in to the mix. This year the body did not want to cooperate. As others spent there week prepping for the race, I spent it using my free time to cut and lay tile at one of our apartments. That, combined with not wearing a mask when the tile dust was flying left me tired and not able to breath, and yes, I am a dumb ass for not wearing a mask. That means the last 3 races I was not riding as well as planned. I am 3 for 3 as of right now.

Oh well, I had a blast riding with my homie Cory for most of the event, the bastard beat me by .1 of a second at the end.

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I'll add some tid bits tomorrow like;

My run in with Greg Lemond,

What the wife could do that I could not,

what pro did I beat (thus making me a pro) ,

where am I going on Sunday and,

why are you not working.

Fatty 40

Off to the Fat Tire Festival. Hopefully, all things will go well at this road, oops, I mean mountain bike event.

I have more Pro or Local Schmo games to play, but I also want to expand into motivational messages. Here you go.

Seriously, you are at work looking at some dumb picture of a kid playing Super Mario. Do you realize how sad that is?

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By the way, I want to thank Jason Novak for posing for this pick. He was kind enough to let me into his house and see his game room. He also won the Rochester Centurion in 1991. Jason, you are awesome.

Who is that?

It is nice that people are recognizing my awesomeness.

Click here.

In other news, the Fat Tire 40 presents itself this weekend. Not sure what to think of this race. I got a preferred start, so we'll see what happens. The fearsome threesome of Velorochester are planning on using me as there lead out in the road section. Hmmm, as appealing as that is, I want to make it past Rosie's field before I blow up. Maybe, I'll just lead them out through the downtown area when the speed is controlled by the 4 wheeler. Yeah, I think that is that plan.

Other Cheq news is that the shop will be closed this Friday afternoon and Sat. Why? Seems all but one of us plans on being in Hayward, WI this weekend.

Is surfing meaningless blogs in your job description?

Pro or Local Schmo, part 2

O.K., how about this one. Who is the Pro, who is the local Schmo?

Again, no clues given.

Mmmm, time to work again?

Pro or Local Schmo, part 1

Can you identify who the pro is and who the local schmo is?

No hints will be given. Don't spend too much time on this as you do have to work you know.

Hiking for the big "win" in SD.

Harney peak is the highest point between the Colorado Rockies and the Swiss Alps. We are a wee bit competitive, so of course this meant Becky and I had to go hike to the top and back....faster than anyone else out there.

The trail head is here.


Yeah, it is a cool lake.




Overtaking some pathetically slow chumps. We passed a lot of people up and down. It was less exciting when they were 60 years old or had small children, but it was still demonstrating our dominance on the mountain none the less.

At the top. It was a long away down.

The trail head sign says allow 4-5 hours. Team Tri did it in 2 1/2 hours. I am in awe of our ability to kick ass on all that is everything! By the way, that is Becky's hand, I use a light blue nail polish.

A drive on Needles highway led us into prairie dog territory. These guys planted themselves at stop signs begging for scraps. What a bunch of fat little beggars.

Some parts on the highway were a tight fit. That big thing could barely fit in (that's what she said).

Well that is all for now. Tonight I will try to to get the first edition of PRO or LOCAL SCHMO started. Stay tuned.

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Now it is work time for me, how about you?

Rapid City, yo.

So the woman and I spent a week in Rapid City chilling, hiking, and riding. Here we rode at Storm Mountain. A fun loop through the black hills where fun fire roads, flowing singletrack, strong climbs, and very technical rock sections greeted us. I want to thank my homie Cory for the 411 on the places to go while there. For those that don't know, Cory use to be a boy scout. He also got some chick knocked up recently and I guess his wife is cool with it.


Becky descending like a mad woman.


A pic with both of us, and the only one with me in it.

In other news, we knocked out 2 episodes of "The Office: Season 3" last night. Our new bobble head Dwight is sitting peacefully in our kitchen.

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That is it for now. More daily musings to come.

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Gonna ride for a couple hours and then go to work. Word.

Disappearing act?

It has been awhile since any of you have seen updates into the inner workings of all that is Charly Tri. To make up for your lack of news I plan on daily updates all this week to try and catch up.

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First things first. In my last entry I was pumped for 24 Hours of Afton coming up. I was a DNS. Why? Well, the Saturday before I got sick. It started with a sore throat, then an upset tummy. Sunday all I wanted to do was sleep. Instead, I drove the 9+ hours back from Rapid City in the rain. When the woman and I got home we were pleasantly surprised with a basement full of soaked carpet from the rains. I did not get to bed that night until 4am. That was my week. Wanting to sleep and recover, but dealing with basement issues and work instead. My first full night of sleep would come Thursday night with Afton starting the next day. Needless to say, I did not want to DNF ANOTHER race. As expected, my teammates at Velorochester (plus Paul "naked" Hanson) dominated the team event again.

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Rapid City was a blast. I'll post pics in tomorrow's entry.

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Also, this week we will play "PRO or LOCAL SCHMO". This is where you get to guess if the person is a pro rider or a local schmo, and the pics are certainly entertaining.

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Oh, and I added some links. It is funny, because there are certain people on there that I have never really met, but I feel I know through mutual friends and reading their blog.

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Gotta go and get "The Office: Season 3" at Best Buy. Hopefully I am able to score the limited edition one with the Dundee award and bobble head Dwight. I have been waiting for this day for too long.

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Then...work.