Wealth of Knowledge- 02/25/2009

Story of Will "The Thrill" Snodgrass

I got this idea from the road trip we took this weekend. Evan, Phil, Matt, Gonzo, Will, and myself all piled into two cars and drove down to Austin this weekend for Walburg and Pacebend Road Races. The hole trip was loads of fun, Gonzo going off on every single person for the dumbest things, Matt yelling at him for his trash, Phill and Evan's homosexual activities (well more talks the actually action), and of course I couldn't get enough of Will's wealth of knowledge.

I always knew Will was an intelligent young fellow, but some of things he said, were so out there-- most of the time Me and Matt would just think for a minute, and let what was just said marinate in our minds for a second, then ask Will... "And how do you know this?" Each time we would either get some long drawn out story about how he learned it, or just a simple-- "I don't know I just do." Of course it was just Matt and myself most of time that would hear these random acts of intelligence that Will would bless us with, for Gonzo though was knocked out in the car. He would fall asleep after being in the car for 5 minutes, no matter how long the trip was. We all came to the realization though that these sudden narpaleptic scenarios, were not all that bad for him. We figured that any sleep is good sleep, so props to you Gonzo, super sleeper.

As I sit here in front of the computer screen I cant for the life of me remember any of these random lectures from The Thrill, so i proceed to text Will for some enlightenment on what was said during our long weekend together, and this is what i get in return...

"There was too much knowledge spoken!"

I open my phone to see that and I cant help but laugh. Will this is a tribute to you, the man that keeps me going on those Wednesday Night Rides, the one who will be down about a race but in an hour will put it all behind him, and go on with his life, the man who's job it is to make everyone happy, and keep them guessing "What will Will say next?", you truly are "The Man"

Following this post, will come many others about The Wealth of Knowledge, i plan to write a book on Will and all that he has to offer to anyone who can take what he's got.

Weekend Round Up- 02/16/2009

Weekend report starts with siting down at the computer with a nice hot cup of joe... nah just kidding i dont drink that stuff at night. They say that it is bad to drink coffee after like 7-8 i think. So instead i sit infront of the tv watching my favorite tv show on earth, Heros, and snuggling up close to my recently new girlfriend Lindsay. I hope all of yall will be able to meet
her sometime. She is doing her history homework and me just working on my blog. I took a vow to update my blog more than once week, and to keep up with Will "The Thrill" Snodgrass's posts. I seem to be keeping up with my more than once week, but i am disappointed to say that Will has not, and i am sad about that. I usually can not wait to get home a take a look at what he has to say. Will you are an itellegent man and you have a lot going on up there in you big cabeza so just let it all out. I know that some of us will not be able to handle what you have to say, but seriously let it out.

Sunday was a fun day out on the bike. I went and rode with the guys from the shop for a short little coffee shop ride. Its always fun to chill out with some club guys, and some guys that aren't club members either. Its the greatest feeling in the world when you pull into a parking lot and you know you can just sit there for about an hour with a cup of coffee and your regular riding buddies, just sitting there talking about life.

Its the final lap of the Finals at World Cup in Copenhagen and Hoy hits kevin Sireau's front wheel, and Sir Chris Hoy goes down bruising his shoulder and sctraching up his right side. Its an unfortuanate accident, because Hoy has the World Track Championship's comming up in March so he needs to get bettter soon, so he can keep his current wolrd titles in the Kieren and Sprint. Good luck Hoy cant wait to see you win.

Special - 02/14/2009

At the computer, looking to see if the VOS results were finally posted, which they were and good job guys, congrats Whitney on a top 15! I over look the monitor to hear the ruckus of a Wal-Mart Auto Repair Shop, but am disappointed to see Matthew Davis putting together a Thule Sports Rack in the middle of Mad Duck. I looked at Matt with my head cocked to the side like a dog does when they cant understand you, but really they can, they just think your an idiot sitting there talking to them like they are the idiots. Hahaha that was a little confusing, but anyways, i asked Matt if he was having trouble and he would persistently say No, im fine. But even Helen Keller could have noticed he was having trouble with this rack, but no, hard headed Matt wasn't going to have any help with it, he was determined to be smarter than the Rack. It finally took Clarence walking over there, looking at Matt and very discouragingly pointing out to Matt that it would be a lot easier if he had the drill. Matt gave in with a huff and a sigh and said alright, i guess that makes since. All of us up at the shop enjoying this circus act thought it couldn't get any better until Clarence went back to get the drill and proceeded to help Matt in his efforts to build this Thule Rack. Suddenly this one man show turned into a two man operation and it just made it better to watch. Finally they got it all built after about 30 min of work put into it. Good job Matt, Your so special! 

Keep On Keep'n On- 02/13/2009

Two sets leg press and squat left on the schedule. My thighs, i can feel, are being to tighten up. I can feel my body tearing it self down and getting stronger at the same time, but my mind can not decide whether to keep on it, or take a break.

  On one side i wake up at 5:45 am monday wednesday, and friday morning to come up here and mutilate my self with vigorous workouts and constant pressure to be stronger, to get stronger. Now on the other side, my body cant wait to wake up in the morning to a Harvest Brand, Whole Wheat Bagel, topped with Smuckers All Natural Organic Peanut Butter, and a glass, no a draft or OJ with all the pulp they can put. Head up to the gym listening to Disturbed, and head banging the whole way, trying to fool my mind into thinking that its a good idea to wake up this early. Finishing my workout, sitting in the sauna for 15 min, where you can see the water beading off of you like your some polarized rain jacket. Stepping on the scale to see that you have lost no weight at all, but feeling good about it cause you know that you have gained muscle, and every one knows muscle weighs more than fat so its OK to not loose weight. You get home feeling great, refreshed and ready for the day ahead. Thats how they should go every time.

Today was different, i didn't feel right. I mean i felt fine waking up this morning and eating my breakfast, heading to the gym, doing my first couple sets, but coming up to those last two. I didn't think I could make it. I had a set of leg press, 450 lbs., set of squat, 180 lbs., set of leg press, 500 lbs., set of squat, 200 lbs., and then two last sets of squat both at 220 lbs. Looking at my workout sheet was like looking at a failing grade, a ticket, your taxs, I couldn't bare the sight of those last few sets that wait for me, just sitting there like the devil would be, just cackling about the whole situation. I wanted to turn my back and walk away from it all. 

A man once told me on a smoggy cold morning in Arizona, just before a race was starting. We were all warming up and I was just sitting there all alone, just thinking about the race, i kept saying to myself win, win at all cost, don't give in to the pain, just keep on going. This man came to me while I was there in my lonesome and said a few words to me that would change the way I look at not only cycling but life in general... This is what he told me.

" You know, Austin, you have to remember, they are all out here for the same reason, they all want to win, they all train just as hard, and you all will be hurting the same. So when your out there on your last bit or strength, remember they are on theirs too. So all you can do is just keep on keep'n on!"            - Will "The Thrill" Snodgrass

Those few little words change the way I look at everything, and help me get through every workout I have ever done on or off the bike. So you just have to remember these 4 little words

"Keep On Keep'n On"

Remembering- 02/12/2009

You know, I was thinking while at school, where I do nothing at all but sleep and listen to mindless teenage adolescence children speak of things like what they will be doing over the weekend, and how much fun it will be getting completely shit faced then trying to cope getting them selves put back together after a hellacious night of Jim Bean, Grey Goose, Johnny Walker, and a 289 pack of Milwaukee's Best cause we both know that’s all we can afford or want to actually spend money on. We don’t have enough class to actually save up for a decent size party with fairly good alcoholic beverages, No we just go with the flow what ever happens, happens, and that’s why we have shit to drink at party's and no one takes us seriously, but back to what I was saying.

 

         I sat there in my little 2' x 2.5' desk, made of plastic, aluminum, and fake wood that is closer to a cinder block than actual wood. Just thinking about the years I have been cycling, where it all began, how it started just letting my mind wonder. Well it wondered all the way back to first time I walked into the shop, seeing more bikes in a single 5' x 5' square then "The Dominator" has roles in his (no contest) 3' diameter of a globe he calls his stomach. Looking at all this news to my eyes, the bikes, the people, and the spandex of course, I could not believe it! All this for a little bike, c'mon there was no way this was that big of a deal to the world. I soon came to my senses and realized that this was just as big as football... Football in California or Washington maybe (not Texas) but still pretty important to some people. 

 

         So like I was saying I soon realized this was a pretty big deal. I saw a man, a man I thought couldn't be much older than my own father. He talked to me though as if I were his age, or he was my age, more or less he was mine, but that’s besides the point, he knew how to talk to people and found a bit of interest in this so called sport of cycling, in me. He grabbed a hold of that interest like he was deep sea fishing out in the gulf and had just hooked a huge tuna and wanted to reel him in. He grabbed a hold of this ounce of interested hoping that he could change me, or at least enlighten me to become a cyclist. Not a pro or anything but at-least someone that will ride for fun from time to time. 

 

         Well it worked this guy that I thought was completely ridiculous for opening a bike shop to sell just bikes and biking equipment reeled me in. I had felt the rubber. When I say that I am saying that I felt that feeling you get when your on a 40+ mile ride and your nearing the finish, your body is tearing it self down stroke by stroke, you don't know if you can go any longer, but there is that feeling deep down inside that you get when you accomplish a ride of such distance. Feelings that you can’t describe to anyone, any more than, you just have to ride to feel it. That feeling after I rode my first bike trail on my mountain bike was the moment I knew. I would be doing this for the rest of my life, whether it is racing or just riding didn't matter.

 

         As the years past this man began to teach me things of life, riding and just about being a person in general. Things that no one has taught me before and things that people have taught me he just touched up on how important they are. This man has seen me go through changes like he was part of my family, good changes and then again very bad changes as well. He has also helped me in my endeavors to become not only the best cyclist I can be on the bike, but also off the bike. He has taught me that life is not about what people say while your alive but what they will say when your long gone, 50 years after your death. He has introduced me to people that have changed the way I look at life, and how I treat people. He has taught me not to take life so seriously; you only live it once so have fun while you can. This man of course is you Clarence Muller, and I thank you for everything you have done for me, and hopefully everything you will do for me in the future. 

The Times...They are Changing.- 02/10/2009

The great Bob Dylan was came out with a song that change the world for ever. Such a song only comes around ones a decade and on this day in history, that one song was released. 1964 Bob Dylan's, The Times they are A-Changin, was released. 

Good Luck at VOS- 02/08/2009

Good Luck for the Day,

May Success come Your Way,

May Your Day Be Full of Fun,

May You Impress Everyone,

May You get No Stress,

May You be Blessed with Happiness,

May God give Your Grace,

May You Keep a Smiling Face,

May Your Wishes come True,

May You Enjoy whatever You Do,

And At Last I would say,

May You Have a Beautiful Day !

Some Inspiration for The Regional Guys!- 02/05/2009

The day light breaks again. Another day has begun.

But still no sleep has come. My body is weary

My mind overworked. I lie awake thinking

But what I am unsure. I need to break free from the cycle I endure.

Everyday is the same and the nights are undistinguished. I feel as though I am being pushed along with the tide

Unable to break free from the everyday flow. This is not me I need to change, before time takes over

And I am unable to change. I need to be freed from the grasp of ordinary

And become that person I have always longed for. Express myself in every way, and conquer the dreams as I lie awake.

Then I may fall asleep and put my mind to rest. Make changes in my life and help those in need.

I would like to touch everyone's life in a positive way And leave my mark on society before I fade away.

By:Victoria A. Mogyorosi

Most inspirational poem i have ever read, good luck this weekend out in San Antonio guys. Keep the rubber side down.

With Out a Job :( - 02/04/2009

So as some of you may have known i have been working at Western Warehouse for the past 2 months or so. Sadly though they have closed down for good. I spent last saturday actually after my ride cleaning out the store with some of the other employees saying are final good byes. So as of saturday i am with out a job. I have been with out a job before but my parents would like me to get a new one as soon as possible. This is harder then i thought i have been looking around for places that would require me to do some sort of manuel work, which i know isn't really all that good for my cycling and all, but i really don't like having to deal with people all the time. Like working at restaurant would kill me with the constant, oh i need this or more of that. I just couldn't take it. So this is a call for help, if any one knows of a place hiring or any club members out that know of a place that would hire a hard working kid trying to make some money to travel when he needs to and can give me adjustable hours..... Yea thats asking alot, but a wise man once told me... " Asking can only get your farther in life, or behind in life. Not asking can put you no where"... So yes this a call for any kind of help that i can get. Thank you, and keep rubber side down.

Super Bowl Ride!- 02/01/2009

So yesterday was the super bowl! Big woop, i wasn't that impressed by it, i mean yea it was a good game, but the commercials which we all know is what everyone really wants to see, were just plane horrible. Not one real good one that made me laugh out loud for real. This one made me chuckle though which is good enough.

So yea it like that commercial alot.

But the real joy of the day was riding to downtown with my dad and a huge number of other cyclist of all levels,to go grab a bite to eat then head back home. I think there were more inexperienced people there then pro cyclist, haha, but all in all it was a good ride. I was a able to see a bunch of the club members and a couple of people that arent club members but follow the teams progress. So i give the Dallas Super Bowl Day Ride a 3/5 stars, it was a good day.

Oh i almost forgot about the baby commercial i loved this commercial this one actually made me laugh it was greatness.