Product reviews....seriously?

Realist? I try to be. Skeptic? Occasionally. Critic? When I'm allowed to be....

So when somebody says they will give me a box of "stuff" to use and give them some feedback on it, I'll probably jump at the opportunity. However, if they are expecting a quick opinion, they may be a little disappointed. I like to take my time (maybe a little too much) and be sure that what I say is closer to "fact" than "opinion". All that said, I have some Topeak products that I am using and you will be wanting!

We all have spent too much money on bottle cages, only to find out that they didn't nearly live up to the hype. Whether they broke, didn't hold a bottle, or simply wore out prematurely, they ALL met Mr. Landfill a little too soon. Sooo...when I opened my box of goodness and saw a delicious, lightweight carbon bottle cage, I thought, "cool! Take a picture and put it in the trash." In fact, I even had a new and improved design drawn up and ready to submit for patent BEFORE installing the first one.

As any XC racer knows, bottle cages always get a test run on the road bike first. So, after a few pleasurable months of road hydration, I took the daring leap and mounted my Shuttle Cage CB (with gold aluminum bolts) to my Jamis Dakota dXC Team hardtail and started racing! After a month of hardcore mountain bike racing, including the grueling terrain of Sun Valley, Idaho and Missoula, Montana, I haven't had a single issue! No dropped bottles. No "Wow, that was close! I almost lost that one!" Instead, I found the Shuttle Cage very easy to find when returning a bottle while navigating tricky single track. It's also suuupper solid at a whopping 17gr on my scale! Yes, that is LESS than claimed!

But does it show any wear? Yes, like any carbon cage, it shows signs of wear, BUT after four months of use, those signs aren't easy to find. After an inspection today, I was impressed how minimal the wear actually was.

All that said, I think I found a carbon fiber bottle cage that I can actually recommend to my friends and customers. Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to the Topeak Shuttle Cage CB. Now, if it only came in custom colors....

The Vote is IN!!

I spent all night counting votes. With tired eyes, I read the final tally at 4,579.5 (yes) to 2,647.5 (no). The single "I couldn't care either way." accounts for the half point on both sides. I guess I'm gonna have to start blogging...

Okay, lets put things back in perspective. There weren't that many votes. In fact, I could have counted all the votes without having to take off my shoes. However, I asked, and you responded. The blog will be back. I will also let you know there will be a new website soon. What is it, you ask? Hmmm...guess you'll just have to stay tuned.

Shall I continue?

I have a question for you. Would you like me to continue blogging? Yes or no? I know Facebook has changed things a bit and I am in contact with most of you there, but there will be some changes coming soon that will make a blog more valuable and effective.However, the blog may be coming back. So, now I need your help. Its simple, just tell me to keep it going.

Please, leave a comment with your vote. Thanks!

ps: .......

2009 has begun!!

I would like to start off by saying thanks to all of you that spoon-fed me through '08! We had a few good results thrown in there, but in the end, we had fun, right?

For 2009, I have a new gig that probably will leave a lot of you feeling relieved. "Maybe he wont be so dependent upon us now" is what most of you are thinking, don't even try to hide it!

I am a member of the 2009 Dedicated Athlete Pro Mtn Bike team. Along with a direct link to endless coaching knowledge and sports nutrition, I also received a few new Storck framesets in the mail! Industry Nine has continued their unwavering support for the new season, and Suspension Experts has stepped up and been a huge help in putting the final touch on my race winning suspension.

Thanks to all of you that have helped and continue to help. I can't do it without you. I would like to name you all individually but there are just too many of you. I must, however, highlight my family. I love you so much and am so thankful for all you do.

IT'S 2009 BABY! LET'S GO RACIN'!!!

This one's for you, Grampa.

I have never cried after winning, ever. I have cried a few times when I lost, but never after a victory. The majority of the final lap of the Gainesville SERC race, I was on the verge of tearing up and for the last mile or two, the tears were flowing.


March 16th, 2008, 8 o'clock in the morning, I remember it like it was yesterday. In the "race van" headed to a race. Dad driving, me sitting shotgun. Regan, right behind me, with Mom on the left side with David sleeping in her lap. The phone rings. It startled us all, even though we had been anticipating the call.

Mom quickly reached for the phone and answered it. Not saying much, just a "yes" and "ok" was all this call required. With a tear running down her cheek, she softly said, "He just went home to be with the Lord." My father's father had just passed away.

This was the first time that someone really close to me had died. I had never been there before. We all do our best not to let things like this bring us down, and I was no exception. Once we arrived at the venue, I "put it away" and prepared to compete. However, it wasn't long after the start of the race, that my mind drifted. I began making costly mistakes. Crashes that should have never happened, did. Bottles that should have gone in their cages, didn't. By the end of the race, I was spent, physically and mentally. However, I made a vow when I crossed that finish line, that I would win this race in 2009.

All year long, I didn't tell a single person, not even my closest friends, of my vow. But, on March 8th, 2009, my commitment was all I could think about. This time around, it was no hindrance. In fact, I have never raced with such a clear head. I was so calm during "crunch time" that I didn't care who was behind me, nor did I care where.


It wasn't until about two miles left in the race that my emotions began to play a role. I knew I was close and I was confident in my ability to pull through. My heart decided to celebrate early. It wasn't easy sprinting to the finish line with tears in my eyes, but a finish line sprint had never felt better.


Grampa, it has been a long time coming, but I can finally say it...This one's for you.

Dear Mr. Phelps,

You are the freakin' man! What is it now, three gold medals? AND three world records? In just three finals!?! Congrats and good luck! You will have to be careful and keep your head on straight, buddy. Take it from someone who knows, once the media "discovers" you, you will be tempted with the fame. Stay solid and you will be just fine. When the time comes that you have to do a live interview on national news, try to think about all the hard work you went through to get to where you are. Doing so will make you sound more focused and less likely to be invited to parties. Trust me, partying isn't all its cracked up to be. There will be a lot of women that will see you on tv and think you are a cool guy. WATCH OUT! They probably have weird kissing diseases and stuff. Besides, they will take away from your focus. Trust me. I know. Well, this is a lot of info for you in one letter, but before I go, I wanted to say that I think you should try using Powerbars. They just might give you that extra edge you need to win. Heck, it wouldn't hurt to send them a resume or two, they may hook you up like they did me.

I hope you found this helpful. Good luck in the rest of your Olympic endeavors and tell all fellow Americans I said, "WAAAZZZZZZZUUUUUUUPPPPP!!!!"

Sincerely,
Ryan Woodall

PS: Do not, I repeat, DO NOT try to breath while you are under water. Take my word for it, that junk ain't cool!

The Olympics are awesome!!!

Before I get too sidetracked, I would like to comment on today's criterium. It was fast and relatively safe so I had fun. I did some work, went with a few breaks and in the end, I threw down a solid sprint. Of course, my transponder wasn't working so I was scored in last, but who cares? I had fun.

So, back to the Olympics! I am a patriotic fool. Not 100% sure why, but none the less, I am proud to be an American. As an athlete, my national pride gets an enormous boost every four years. I know the Winter Olympics exist, they just don't do it for me. To all you snow freaks, whatever. Anyways, I don't think I have been able to sleep since Friday night. My heart rate hasn't been under 100bpm for the last three days! I am freaking out, man!

To be honest with you, I am a little embarrassed to admit that I have been watching volleyball and swimming. All the while, never sitting back in the seat, but instead resting on the edge of the chair, clinching my fists and shouting, "COME ON... COME ON............. YEEEAAAAHHHH!!!" I just hope I can make it through this Olympic season with out having an aneurysm. If I survive, I will probably get busted for high levels of testosterone. Seriously, did you see Cancellara's bridge to the lead group at the end of the road race? I thought he WAS a motorcycle! Just watching that on tv made me faster.

Well, I got to go. Indoor volleyball is going on as I type. Go Team USA!