new addition!

Picked these up today from the shop, and let me tell you, they fit very well. Clarity is great. Style? It doesn't get better. If you get a chance to get them, take it. There are only 1500 in the states, and you can't have mine.

Lately

I have the cutest neice in the world, and I've also been doing a lot of crap. Week in Colorado, work, Josh in town for a couple of days, some MTBing, getting ready for cross in Sept. I don't know. I just live a pretty working life. Work and taking care of the animals.

A year in the Land of Milk.

So, it's been a little over a year since I moved to Wisconsin. A lot has happened, and a ton of stuff has changed. I moved here to take a job, don't have that anymore, but in reality I couldn't be happier. I love working at Williamson. I actually feel accepted from everyone, which is something that I was missing in the some of the previous places that I worked. While some would view it as a step back, I finally realized that it is actually a step forward. I have learned so much about a company that I once idealized that it makes me a little upset that I put them on a pedestal only to be treated like I was. I have moved on and am certainly enjoying my time at the new shop. I like having the options of what to sell. CDALE, Scott, GT, Indy Fab, Lynsky, Calfee, Capo Forma, Mavic. It is great and I am learning a lot and getting ready for the next progression in my life. I know I will spend another year in Wisconsin, but after that I don't really know. I don't think that my future lies living in the land o' cheese, even though everyone is so nice, but I guess you never know. I'll add to this a little more, but I have to get out the door to work.

Theo Bos in the Tour of Turkey

Tyler is just plain stupid.

R.I.P. Mask

The mixed martial arts community lost one of its biggest personalities early Wednesday morning in a car crash in Costa Mesa, Calif.

High-speed tragedy

Photos: TapouT co-founder Charles "Mask" Lewis died after his Ferrari hit a lamp post at a high speed and split in two on a California road. Check out the aftermath of the crash.

Charles "Mask" Lewis, the 45-year-old co-founder of the TapouT apparel company, died when he lost control of his Ferrari and hit a lamp pole. Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement on its Web site, TapouT said, "It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we must regretfully confirm the passing of our beloved friend, brother and co-founder Charles 'Mask' Lewis following a car accident that occurred last night. ... Many thanks to all for the outpouring of blessings and well-wishes during this incredibly difficult time."

The Los Angeles Times reported that a Newport Beach Police Department officer witnessed the crash and saw Lewis' red Ferrari and a white Porsche spinning out of control just before 1 a.m. Wednesday. The Ferrari then hit the curb and collided into a pole.

Charles "Mask" Lewis (www.tapout.com / Special to FOXSports.com)

"It was terrible," Newport Beach Lt. Craig Fox told the Times. "It was extensive damage to the vehicle."

A woman in the Ferrari was ejected from the vehicle and was in stable condition at a local hospital. Police haven't determined if she was the driver or passenger of the Ferrari, according to the Times.

Police later arrested the driver of the Porsche, Jeffrey David Kirby, and charged him with gross vehicular manslaughter. He was being held on $1 million bail.

There was a 50-mph limit on the road, but police believe both cars were traveling well above that limit, according to a report on KTLA.com. The Web site also reported that Lewis' car appeared to be a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, which can reach a top speed of 205 mph and carries a price tag around $300,000.

Lewis and Dan "Punkass" Caldwell founded TapouT in 1997 as a clothing and MMA gear retailer. In addition to retail, the private company also signed deals with fighters, including Kimbo Slice, and is a sponsor of fight events.

I needed a laugh!

So as some of you know, but the same thing that happened to Bryan yesterday, happened to me about a month ago. It sucks to lose something you love, but I rebounded as hopefully everyone will that is put in that situation. I'm actually back in the shop, and I'm really happy right now. It doesn't feel like a step back, but more like a side step. I get to do what I love, but I get to have more of a direct impact on my community. After about 2 weeks of pissing around and binge eating I forced myself to snap out of my funk and a good thing happened. Williamson Bicycle Center brought me on as a sales person and is giving me a chance to prove myself. I'm driven, just like always, to prove that I can do anything I set myself to and do it at a high level. I just hope wish that we wouldn't have to go through all these problems with the economy, but we aren't in Utopia.

The T-Mobile Dance

"Never Give Up, Never Surrender"

Pay special attention to the motto. It has very special meaning to me right now.

more to come when I have all the info....

Looks like they have found some of DZ's stuff:
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705287345,00.html

Interesting Picture

I thought that this picture from Velonews was quite interesting. All teammates at one time or another at Postal. All with their own pasts and futures in the cycling world. Armstrong, trying to make a comeback, Landis is trying to make a comeback, Hamilton started his comeback last season and won a national title in the road race. This season could be pretty interesting for all 3. I'm looking at Landis to have the biggest impact simply because he has the most to prove.

I think we all agree that Lance has nothing to prove other than trying to spread his message. We all know he doesn't need the money.

Hamilton's future is kind of cloudy since the Rock Racing squad only has 6 months worth of financing, coming from Michael Ball himself, and the team seems week since a few of their stars were relegated to amateur status, a la Rahsaan Bahati, who is the national crit champion and won't be allowed to defend his title. I thinkg that is a horrible thing to happen to Rahsaan, expecially since he is enjoying some of the best results of his career and he has a chance to make an impact in bunch sprints and crits here in the US and abroad.

Landis is coming off of having his title stripped from him, I think he is innocent, and wants to come back and prove that he was clean and can win races. The first few days of the tour of cali have been a little tumultous for Floyd, but I think with the TT coming up he might suprise a few people.

Of course, I'm just stating opinions, but I'm glad to see all 3 of them back and I hope they are all successful.

Hammer Nutrition is now my full-time sponsor. Got the details and most of my kit today. I'll try and get some pictures of it up soon. I'm excited to be moving forward with Brian Frank and all the great people at Hammer.

later on,
matt

thanks to Mellow Johnny's

Even though I rep for Northern California, I got some sweet stuff from MJ's in the mail today. I'll be out in santa rosa next week for a couple days helping to open a new shop. I'll have pics and an update when I get back.