I love to play dress up!

Halloween is such a fun time for me, because I love to dress up like someone else and live it up. This year, Jay and I took Crossmax over to my friend Stef's house for another unforgettable Englund bash!

Jay and I went as Flava Flav and Bridgette Nielson, and Crossmax was a pretty shady priest.Judge Sherman and some poor, er, lady (?), working off her sentence

Me & the super-host, vampire whore, Stef (with judge Sherman in the back)

The slim & sultry Tonto (Andrea) & Marshall JosephBrittany & K-Fed (aka Molly & Denver)Flava Flav & Brigdette (hahaha, Jay & I)

Thanks for another great party, Stef! We had the time of our lives.
Kristy Kreme

Red Barn Cyclocross

Here I am, sipping wine in front of the computer as I recap yet another action-packed weekend. Friday night started out with Jay, Timmer, Angie, and I hittin' the Cabooze to see Eddie Spaghetti & Shooter Jennings throw down some great Southern rock. The show was great & a ton of friends showed up - B-Rad, Karna, Cory, and Tim shared in the fun as Eddie & Jordan rocked out their country set to open for Shooter Jennings. Unfortunately, we had to get up early for a race, so we didn't catch all of Shooter n' the gang, but I loved what we did see.

First thing Saturday morning, Jay and I got up and headed north for the Red Barn Cyclocross Race. The course was so fun, flowing and twisting in and around the Christmas tree farm. Even though it was only in the upper 40's, the sun was warm and inviting. There was a costume contest for the racers, but I was all out of ideas (heck, it took me until Thursday to come up with my idea for my Saturday night costume - and no, I couldn't have worn it to the race). So, there I was, pretending to be a Silver Cycling TEAM member, not just a CLUB member. hehehe I loved everyone's costumes, though, and just wish I had been more inspired.

Red Barn was one of those races that reminds you how much you love the sport of cycling...at least for me. Standing there in the sunlight, music playing, people laughing, riders having FUN...I remembered what made me fall in love with cycling in the first place. It's such a great atmosphere with such wonderful people, that you can't help but feel like part of the group. Sure, people collide, fight, or disagree sometimes, but it goes away, just like the scrapes & bruises. People get to know each other, become friends, and offer encouragement.

Take me - I'm really not all that good, but I feel like a million bucks out there when I hear my friends cheering me on! There's nothing better in the world! Red Barn was just that, too...people were roaming around the course simply enjoying the day and each other. I really hope we have more races like that to come. Thank you so much, Gopher Wheelmen and friends , for putting on such a great time! And thanks to the officials who did an AMAZING job! I don't think I thank you enough, and you deserve all the thanks in the world! Let me know if you like cookies - I love to bake!

Anyways, to help describe the fun, here are some pics & stats:It was brought to my attention after the race that it was slowing me down when I was waving at my friends during the race - it's not a beauty pageant, ya know! Well, as you can see, I was just out there having a blast. And, I like to give my buds a wave to say thanks for cheering - if it makes me slower, so be it. : ) I somehow still busted butt for 5th, even if I was having fun.

My kid bro - he's getting better every week he comes out! I am so proud of him!Zach, Princess Jordan, & me (congrats to Jordo for 1st place and a great costume!)Jay charging up the run-upJay looking rad cornering! He took 11th!

And, as promised, Jordan's Fairy Princess Dance

Thanks for a great time, everyone! Out of 42 races this year, that's defnitely going down as one of the Top 5 in my book!
Kristy Kreme

More Powderhorn

Check out Jay killin' the hill climb on a Single Speed at Powderhorn CX!!!

(yummy legs!) ;O)

Up n' Coming Events

For those of you looking for something to do Friday night....
Get yer a$$es out to the Cabooze for Eddie Spaghetti & Shooter Jennings!!

Here's a shot from the Supersuckers show just a couple weeks ago...

Powderhorn CX

Other than touring around w/ a PBR at Homie, Sunday was my first time back on a bike since Boom's lil injury so all I focused on at the Powderhorn CX was smooth transitions on and off the bike. Jay was super supportive, agreeing fully to only cheer me on to the finish, not to encourage me to beat anyone. He did just that. Each lap I did, Jay was there with a water bottle and encouraging words as I struggled through the pain I thought had healed.

I didn't notice it all week, but the first around-the-back dismount I attempted shot pain from low back, through my hip, and down my left leg....and the race hadn't even begun. When Matt yelled for us to start, I pedaled only up to a moderate pace and kept it there for the entire race. The first couple dismounts were agony, so I changed it up with a Margo/Aric-esque Over-the-top dismount. I proved to be really quick and painless, so I made my new goal to perfect it. I guess I'm still flexible enough to pull it off....Yippee!!!I definitely wasn't lapping the competition, but I was out there faster than I thought I would be. (Thanks to Jay for all the back rubbin' - You're the best, Suga!)

I thought I had completely outsmarted my own body, when I hit the long stair climb towards the start/finish. Everyone around me was running it, so I didn't even think it was ridable (which is probably for the best to save myself any more back strain). I would do great until about the 1/2 way point before my body started to sound like it had a bout of turrets....back droppin' the f-bomb, my left hip screaming something about a cupid hunt...?? I don't really know what that was all about.

Even though it would have been great to finish farther up in the pack, I was ecstatic to finish at all. I definitely couldn't have done it without Jay and the rest of the Mafia cheering me on...Thanks guys! And thanks to Linda for this sweet pic! Sorry to borrow it, there were no other pics taken.

Jay kicked out an amazing race! Coming through with the hole shot, Jay blew his chain just seconds after the start/finish. Luckily he was right by the pit, so he swapped out to his Single Speed that, albeit, had 2 flat tires. A little bit of O2 later, the man was chasing the field like a rabid dog. By this time, the rest of the A's were 50-75% of a lap ahead of him. Leave it to Hollywood to play catch up on a steep single speed and blow us all away. (I don't know exactly where he finished, so I'll post again soon. The results still aren't up and we blew out of there right after the race to get to my Dad's for a family dinner). SkinnySki got some great shots though....Jay n the Mpls Mafia (don't worry Ma & Pa, they're not literally mafia)

Harddog rode great, taking 3rd

Jay's my favorite!!!

I've decided I'm gonna lay low, but try to keep the legs spinnin' just enough to not fall apart completely at State CX. I am excited, though, to get all dressed up n' race Red Barn. That should be a gas!

Til then kids...keep an eye on the blog...there's still more to come!
Luv, Kristy Kreme

Homie Fall Festus 2007

I can't believe Homie has already come n gone. It was a blast, as usual....getting done up in costume, arriving at the bar before noon, riding bikes and goofing off with a couple hundred other Single Speed lovin' adults under canopies of fall leaves.....Priceless. So perfect indeed, that I'll try n' let the photos speak for themselves.

Gettin' fresh w/ IrriZETObleA boy n' his matching bike

Celtic n' Hip Hop

Angus Young (aka KK) even dropped in!

Feats of Strength

Thanks for another great time, Homie!
Until next year, ride on!
Kristy Kreme

Here's one for Bikegossip.com

Or is it Bikethrow?

[AUDIO]: No way! All the girls are leaving Grumpy's because there's too much drama?!

hehehehe....

Kristy Kreme

Ka-boom Island

Honestly, I don't really know where to begin about Boom Island. I woke up still super-charged from an awesome time in Duluth, racing Spirit Mtn. Hwood and I left early to grab some lawn along the course to set up shop for the team and a tent to cheer from in case the weather man was right. We ended up in front of the wheel pit right in the heart of the hecklers hangout. The best thing about Minneapolis races - the whole cycling community comes out to watch and hang out!

My bro & I geared up to check out the course before our race. The steep hill climb was pretty rad, but I wish they would have had more barriers! What can I say, I learned something new and I really want to use it! ;O) This was the largest field I have been in for a long time, with 71 riders lined up at the start. I rode hard from the start, trying my best to get away from the rest of my field before we entered the twists and single track. I kept a good pace for the entire race, pushing myself just to the edge of my comfort level, ready to vomit at any time. Jay was super busy fixin' bikes in the pit, so I have to thank Skinny Ski for some rad shots!

Lovin' the barriers!

My Kid Bro

I love shoulderin' that lil Primativo!

I lost a place behind Barb and tried to keep her in my sites - she rides a great pace and it's a nice focus point for me when I start to come unglued. I held off the kid for as long as I could, but he got passed me with just a couple laps to go.

I didn't let him get too far though, finishing just feet behind him. Heck, I'll lose to a Sophomore 12 year old any day, especially when it means I've improved as much as I have this Freshmen year. I finished my 40th race of the year in 4th (Women's C3/4)!! Forty freakin' races! Yowza doesn't come close to defining it. My bro did great too, and turned around and jumped in the B-race after some water and a pep talk. I think addiction runs in the family!

Silver Cyclist did great left & right yesterday! Jay rocked a sweet race in the A's (12th), Margot finished hard in 4th in the W 1/2/3, Hard Dog took 3rd in the Elite race, Greg was an animal on the single speed (don't know what place), and Kyia won the women's Elite flying the Hwood Banner! Nice work everyone.

All n' all, it was a great 40th race. I'd been off the bike since the Porkchop CX (9/23) cuz I was feeling pretty run down.....go figure......after Sunday's B race, looks like it'll be another week off the bike....this time for being literally run down. My body hurts, vertebrae don't move back into place as easily as brake levers, 'nuff said. I might be movin' slow, but I'm still beamin' about my riding this weekend! 40 races, whoohoo!!

Thanks to all the 612'ers cheering me on at the corner, my bro for givin' me props mid-race, and especially to the one and only Jay, without who's coaching I'd never be where I am today. Thanks babe, for all the tips, handups, and hugs - I couldn't do it without you. I love you!

I may be limpin', but I'm still CX'in,
Kristy Kreme

Fall in Full Bloom @ Spirit Mtn.

It was definitely fall when Jay and I loaded up the car on Saturday morning. The air was crisp and the clouds grey as we readied ourselves for the long drive to Canada, aka Duluth, for the Spirit Mtn CX. We picked up my kid bro Zach on the way. He's a total dynamo, picking up on cycling almost the minute he jumped on his Javelin for the first time. Spirit was his second race ever, my 2nd CX of the year.

The course was perfect! I had a ton of fun flyin' through the mud and over the barriers, practicing my skills on each obstacle. The colors of the leaves were electric all around the course, and the sun broke through to warm us up and light up the field.

This was only my second cross race this year, but I've already seen such a difference from last year. I did 5 cross races last year on my single speed mtn. bike, with platform pedals and tennis shoes....I finished at the back of the pack every time, but I had so much fun! Sure, I had to stop before each barrier, step off my bike, jump, stop, remount, go....but I loved it. This year, I started the season w/ the Hollywood Cross Clinic and learned from the greatest crossers in the state! Jay (of course), Hard Dog, Margo, Patty Cakes, Vegas, Doug, and Fred were among the teachers at the clinic, breaking the skills down to the core, building us up and over each obstacle. It was just the direction I needed to give me focus on my week days and skills to practice again and again.So, come time for the first barrier of the race, I was off my bike, over, and back on faster than I ever thought I could do. All I focused on during the entire race was my dismount and remount - trying to polish it up each lap. It paid off big time, allowing me to pass 4 riders on the barriers alone! I couldn't believe it! I had such a great time!
I wound up finishing 2nd in the Women's 3/4 to June Sayers (she's so rad!). Holy Crap - The only time I did that last year was when there were only 2 women in the race. I'm still shocked with myself. I got 17th overall in a field of 25, my kid bro got 14th overall (not sure for his cat). Nice job Zach! The course was at the bottom of the mountain, with the perfect amount of climbs and descents, no hike-a-bikes, and a handful of barriers. Unfortunately, there was a spring that ran down the mountain, creating some sloppy-a$$ sections. We were soggy and sloppy by the time we were done, and the bikes needed some major washing. Zach n I cleaned up quick and got back up the mountain to cheer Jay on as he rocked the single speed.
Doug Swanson was so far gone from the start that they probably could have just given him the win right away - it was completely unchallenged. Nice work, Doug!
Jay rode neck n neck w/ Charlie for the entire race, sitting in 4th/5th, as a pair of guys fought hard to find Doug. The third place rider cracked hard and Jay n Charlie gained on him within just a lap or so. When they took 'em over, he jumped on their tail, hanging on and recovering until the finish. Little good did it do him, though, as Hwood kicked it up another notch, beating him to the finish on his SS. Jay finished 4th overall, and 1st in the 35+. Nice job, baby! You were great! Next up....Boom Island!
Crossin' and Lovin'
Kristy Kreme

Midnight Special

After being treated to a fabulous dinner by the IC3 cyclists on Friday night, Jay and I headed over to Randy & Terri's house. Friday was the first of many Midnight Special viewings. That's right, Randy got the whole set of infomercial DVD's, chalked full of music excitement straight from the archives!The whole show was a hoot! We laughed our tails of as girls with tambourines convulsed on the stage while the lead singer of Trex grabbed a whip and attempted a poor Indiana Jones on his guitar. A set of purple velvet overalls made the grade in a couple appearances of the snagglerrific Stealy Dan crew. I think it was during a Linda Ronstadt set that Jet Boy got bored and started a game of tug-o-war with Uma.
Thanks a ton, Randy & Terri!! I can't wait for the next round!

Speaking of Rocktober

After all the requests (Crossmax), I've finally added Mudhead to my collection of vids.

This is the Supersuckers playing Mudhead at their New Year's show in Park City, Utah this past year. We didn't have audio on the camera, so we synced up one of our cd's with the video and it turned out pretty freakin' amazing! Pay close attention to the guitar solo!!! Even the last couple slams on the cymbles match up pretty wicked.

Enjoy

Rocktober is here!

That's right, 612! What better way to kick off Rocktober than to catch the Supersuckers, Friday night at the Cabooze in Mpls (doors at 8:30, a rockin' good time at 9:30).

If the rain holds off, grab yer towny bike and meet us down there! And don't forget to get back to the Cabooze on Friday, Rocktober 26th for the Shooter Jennings and Eddie Spagetti rock fest!

National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation - 612 Style

Here's my one and only disclaimer - this was another epic adventure. With that being said, hit the bathroom, grab a bevie, and sit down, cuz this may take a while....

Last Tuesday, Hollywood n' I jumped on a jet, headed for Interbike 2007 in sunny Las Vegas. Not only was there bikes, beer, and lots of sun...but 612 was out in full force. HED. Wheels hooked us up with a room at the Amerisuites along with the rest of the crew, directly across the street from Hard Rock, the center of Sin City on so many levels. We landed just before midnight, so we kept it pretty low key, grabbin Timmer and hitting the Hard Rock for a night cap with Wheels, before calling it a night.

The next morning, we hit the ground running. We nabbed Wheels early and headed to the Wynn for some wining and dining with our buds at Javelin. The sun was hot, the wine splendid, and the bikes were stunning, glistening in the desert sun, begging me to fall in love with yet another bike....seriously, I'm addicted.....I need to stop buying bikes! The guys at Javelin loved all the pics we brought out of the local racers and their bikes (there's talk of some of them appearing in the next catalog!). They treated us to an amazing lunch of tasty dishes and bottles of wine...before sending us off to the madness they call Interbike.

When we arrived, I ducked into a restroom and converted into my alter ego....

Kristy Kreme, HED. Booth Bunny

I volunteered to help out at the HED. booth Wed. and Thurs. to try and say thanks to Steve and Annie for the fab accommodations. I've never had so many strangers come up and ask to take my picture - it was quite flattering - especially since I was probably the only "booth babe" that didn't have collagen lips and store-bought melons. Hwood and Wheels cruised the show and had some fun, picking me up later to ditch the show and hit the Hard Rock pool before the night's events began. The pool was quiet and we sipped on a couple cans of overpriced Coronas. None the less, we were with Hwood, so we definitely had a blast.....

Water slide at the Hard Rock

Later that night was the Sinclair party at the Mirage - a loud, annoyingly expensive industry party that we ditched within an hour, heading (of course) back to the Hard Rock for some cocktails and fun. We missed the CX race with the Minneapolis mafia - we will NOT make the same mistake next year! Jay, Timmer, Knutson, Wheels and I hung out for a bit, but had to cut it short before sun up to make sure Jay and Timmer got some rest for their upcoming race.

On Thursday morning, we hit the show early so Jay could get to a couple meetings and I could get some booth hours in early before returning to the pool for some more sun. We were out of there in no time, grabbing some lunch at the Pink Taco and meeting Wheels pool side in the early afternoon. The once quite pool was starting to liven up as the travelers started to check into their hotel rooms. The shade was a little cooler, so between trips down the water slide, we soaked in the hot tub. Timmer and Matt joined us once they escaped the show - getting prepped for the evening ..... The Industry Crit at the Mandalay Bay!

After our soak, we all separated (except for Matt n Wheels who stayed to work on the ladies)....Jay and Timmer rested and warmed up for their race. They were racing the Crit along with Ellis and Dean-o as Team HED. Timmer and Jay rode their bikes there to warm up so I caught a cab with Wheels and Matt from the HR. Not only did Timmer get a call-up, but they got to race against pro cyclist MARIO CIPOLLINI! Jay, as always, proved once again that he's the master of guerilla marketing, scoring THIS shot when Cipo got called up....
Jay rode his tail off, redlining for 3 or 4 laps to bring up Ellis and regroup the team. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to finish, blowing apart after the hard effort. He did it right, though, getting Ellis up front to help Timmer, who sat in the top three for almost the entire race. Cipo couldn't deny it, either, as you can see......there was no better wheel on the course to ride!

Timmer won a sweet prime, but with 3 laps to go, picked up a staple with his front wheel. I know he could have easily been in contention for the win, but he made it out without any bumps n' bruises, unlike Dirk who was taken out by a camera lens at the start of the last lap, creating a pile of bodies and broken bikes. Hey Dirk, where'd your saddle go?
Our boys on the other hand, made it out safe n' sound. Just after the race, we got together with Cipollini for some good times.
The pro-race was immediately after, so we hung out in the VIP tent as part of the HED mafia and heckled n' hawed. After the races were over, we all headed back to the Rock for some late night grub. Jay n' I turned in early since he was pretty pooped out from the race...as for the rest of the crew, well that stays in Vegas.
Friday morning came quik, so we left early to get one last run at Interbike. When it comes down to it, there really wasn't too much to get excited for at the show (except for maybe the new HED. Ardennes! Man, I can wait to ride those!). Jay n I didn't stay long so we could get one last dip in the pool before we took the late flight home. The day was so hot that we never left the shade. Heck - Wheels could barely leave Vegas all together! Me, I was ready to go home and relax w/ my honey.

We hit the airport and made it through the bumpy ride home unscathed at 1:00am on Saturday, with just enough time to nap before the next adventure.

Vegas is a completely different world on so many levels....but it was a blast in so many ways! See ya next year, Interbike!
Kristy Kreme