So in the background there, you can see the top of Grouse Rock. It's out of bounds at Alpine Meadows. It takes about 30 minutes of traversing and hiking to get to that point. Just so's you know, Alpine has an open policy regarding the boundary line. Basically, you are free to roam, but you are on your own or you will have to incur the cost of an evacuation should you screw up. And it being a back country environment, screw ups are a real threat. But if you're willing to make the hike, and the conditions are stable, the terrain and snow can be a huge reward. On this day, the snow was skiing about boot top. I hiked out there with (from the left) Ken, Derrick and Nellie. I get to ski with those guys every winter. It's the only time I see them as they share the same passion. Shortly after this photo was taken, I received a call from my brother and nephew who had fallen behind during the hike. They assured me that they were on their way so I told my crew to head on down. They almost didn't leave because being out there alone is never a good thing. It was my nephews birthday, and the run down the mountain was one of the best of the year. Worth the hike and worth the wait to ski it with my brother and nephew. Anyway, hope you are well.


Kindly,

Johnny GoFast

So back in November I had the pleasure of having great legs on the day of District Championships which garnered me the win and the jersey. I've never won anything so naturally I was giddy. So much so, that the dry heaves I was feeling during and right after the race seemed worth it. As it is the biggest win of my rather shallow career, I thought I'd go in style and order me up one of those cool looking districts jerseys. A transcript of my phone call is below. Enjoy.


Voler: Thank you for calling Vo-Lay, this is Colin. How can I help you?

Me: Ummm...sorry Colin, I must have dialed the wrong number. I was trying to get to Vo-ler, the cycling clothes company.

Me now in the process of hanging up...

Voler: No, no, you're in the right spot. It used to be pronounced Vo-ler but the marketing department changed the pronunciation to Vo-Lay in an effort to compete with some of the foreign brands on the scene now.

Me: Oh.

Voler: Anyway, what can I do for you?

Me: I wanted to buy one of those district champions jerseys.

Voler: I'll need your USCF number to verify your request.

Me: 131006.

Voler: I'll have to put you on hold while I check with the data base.

Now on hold listening to a muzak version of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" song.

Voler: Mr. Mundelius?

Me: Yes?

Voler: We can't find any record of you winning any races last year.

Me: Look under cyclocross, the tab that reads "Bad ass Cycling Discipline."

Voler: Oh. My apologies. We don't keep the data on Cyclocross but I'll trust you on this one. What size jersey do you need?

Me: Large.

Voler: Okay...I've got you down for a large. Do you want bib shorts to go with that?

Me: (In my head I'm thinking...no I just want the jersey...but then I start thinking that a jersey/bib combination would look pretty bad ass) Ummm...sure.

Voler: Great. How about a wind jacket as well?

Me: Hadn't even thought of a wind jacket...but I did see the Myrah rocking one the weekend after the race...and if it is bad ass enough for the Myrah...well then maybe I'll look bad ass too) Umm...sure.

Voler: You know what looks awesome? Arm warmers, gloves and a cycling cap all that match.

Me: No shit! Throw 'em in the cart.

Voler: (Now audibly giddy with the unloading of last years dated District Champion's gear--no doubt surrounded by other sales reps all Boiler Room like as he reels in a whale) You said you raced cyclocross...no doubt you want a long sleeve jersey.

Me: Does Pinocchio have wooden butt cheeks? Hell yes!

Voler: Some of the better crosser's prefer to race in skinsuits, what kind of racer are you?

Me: The kind that now needs a skin suit. And before you ask, I'll take a short and long sleeve option.

Voler: Great. Tell you what, I'm going to give you a discount normally reserved for our pro's, and due to the size of your order, I'm going to throw in some socks. Shipping is free if you choose ground UPS. (Me now smiling due to all the free crap coming my way and also at the idea that UPS man Kevin Merrigan won't make a dime off of me on my order) Your total is 1,183.95.

Me: (Picking myself up off of the floor...all I can meekly mutter is) Ummm...maybe you can just send the jersey.

Voler: You don't want all the other stuff?

Me: I do. But the team reimbursement is a little thin when it comes to the cyclocross team.

Voler: (Colin now audibly crushed) No problem. I understand. The jersey will go out in the mail tonight. Thank you for calling Vo-lay.

Me: Thank you. Goodbye.

Anyway, that's how it went down, and for a minute there, I was going to look pretty damn pimpin'. Hope you are well and see you out there rolling real soon.


Johnny GoFast

So the ski season is winding down which is a bummer. We had the last weekend of team this weekend and the kids said goodbye to their mountain friends. The boy got to be really good friends with a little feller named Gabe. I had the pleasure of skiing with Gabe from time to time, and I can see why Jackson liked hanging out with him so much. A more positive about life little boy would be hard to come by. I was skiing with the girl and her team on Sunday when Jackson and Gabe came ripping down this pretty difficult slope. They were flying and I could barely get a hello out of the boy as he continued on down the hill. I was a bit mortified at the speed he was carrying, but I have to admit that he actually looked in control. I was impressed, no doubt. Anyway, later that day I asked him why he didn't stop and he imparted that he was racing Gabe. I asked him how often they raced, and he advised that they did it all the time. I guess competition breeds success.


And so now we are onto baseball. Last year I made a deal with the boy that I'd buy him a milkshake if he hit the ball out to the outfield. He popped one out there last year but it was caught, so, no shake. But dread not, because he also gets a shake if he makes a particularly great defensive play. If you ever saw me flash a glove while playing baseball, well, then you weren't looking very closely because fielding wasn't my cup of tea. The boy takes it more seriously than I ever did and he is improving by leaps and bounds. Yesterday was our first game and in the boy's third at bat, he crushed one that went opposite field. He easily made it to second base and probably could have kept going to third, but stopped because there was a boy that stopped on third. It was then that the boy looked directly at me and flashed his watermelon smile. And I smiled back knowing that he was going to hit me up for a shake after the game. When he came around to score on the next hit, he asked me if we still were doing the milkshake deal. I confirmed that we were, and then he asked what would happen if he hit another one. I advised that he could always bank one or give it to his sister or even me. He informed me that he was going to hit another one when his turn came up, and he did. While he trotted down to first base he gave me a very proud, "I told you I'd do it." He was pretty proud of himself, but I know somebody else who was prouder. Anyway, hope you are well.

Johnny GoFast