Another Year Down, Nothing Stops the March of Time

 

2023! Wow, and it's already over. We did a LOT of stuff this year. I came, I saw, and I raced. Sometimes poorly, but I just can't give up. Seems like a good way to go out...racing and complaining about it.

The Hostess with the Mostest. The Beautiful Mrs. K is really the force behind most of what goes on around here. South Side Cyclery wouldn't be in business without her. We would also go hungry at home. 

Tyson started riding bikes again. He and Eli went to, of all places, Bentonville. It made us happy to see him enjoy something so much.

Less surprising, but still very impressive, is Hanna's relentless pursuit of fitness. She has shifted her focus to strength and muscular development. Biceps for days. You lookin' at me, punk? Everyone should let her know that they have really nice gyms in St. Louis, too. Just sayin'.

Eli is a senior this year. He progressed in amazing fashion, ending the year with a bunch of wins and a State Championship jersey in Cyclocross. Time flies crazy fast. Don't let it pass you by, or you'll be looking at baby pictures while your favorite photographer is taking High School Senior photos of your baby. The baby wearing my shirt, I might add.

Just in case you thought we were getting old and boring, you have to remember that we dressed up together in otters costumes. Willingly. 

And because everyone is doing it, I'll post my 2023 Strava score card. I could have sworn that I rode more, but numbers don't lie. The only defense that I have is that many of my miles are off-road, so there are fewer miles, and slower miles. That's my story anyway. Happy New Year!

Funny Products Names, are you serious?

 

Why do product managers choose such ridiculous names for their products? This one was on our own shelves at the shop. Grizips. Like..watching too much Snoop lately, guys?

I like granola bars. I probably eat too many. But I've never had Llama-Rama granola bars. I just can't put together a thought process that would pair up Llamas and Quaker Chewy Dipps.

Freakshow wine. Are we thinking that your next party will go from Grandma and Aunt Gertrude sipping tea to a FREAKSHOW with Cousin Eddy cleaning the toilet of his RV in the driveway?

While it may seem quite benign on the surface, dig down a little. The marketing guy at Post went out to the farm, walked across the wheat field, grabbed a handful of stalks, shoved them into a box, and said "That'll be $4.99. Plus tax."

Someone has been to our house.

Really? With a name like this, I expected to see the box graphics totally different. Where is the picture of a clapped out Pacer or Gremlin? Maybe a flaming Pinto? They really missed the boat on this one.

This one is awesome. I can't for the life of me understand why Snoop would be on a bottle of red wine. Maybe on an edibles package.  But wine? You think Biff and Shelly are going to want Snoop staring back at them while they're staring into each others eyes over the Yuzu Miso Roasted Salmon??
 

Well Done, Son

Sunday marked the end of Eli's racing season. It was an almost entirely UP season, starting in March as a Category 2 mountain biker. He raced so many races, he'd have to count them up for you as I can't really keep track. The Missouri State Cyclocross Championship race was at Sylvan Springs, a favorite venue of ours. His competition in the Juniors category came mainly from his fellow NICA racers, as the top 4 finishers were all NICA veterans.

It was a super fast race, with the top 4 guys averaging 10.5mph, close to the older fast guys speed. I loved watching Eli over the barriers. For some reason, they are his super power.

A very tight race until the end, Eli pulled it out in style and got his first gold medal. About an hour later, he raced in the Cat 4 race with his buddy and team mate Brodie, who got his first State Championship medal, a Bronze. Well done, boys! Now for some rest, some goofing around, and an eye toward 2024's racing season. Onward and upward!

Thank you to Flannery Allison, who has provided us with spectacular photos all year that capture these valuable moments.

https://flanneryallison.instaproofs.com/gallery/#events