Where have I been?

I know it seems that I fell off the face of the earth, but I simply ran out of time. Not enough hours in the day to train and keep up with four kids and the house. I had to let something fall aside and so it was my blog. I kept swearing I would catch up to it after the older kids were in school, then after the Viva bike Vegas race in October was over and then after the holidays it certainly would slow down. It is now the end of January and I am finally catching up on life. I only have about 5 weeks until the training starts again so I'll give ya what I can.

Footbiking/Running Experiment

What is the longest you have ever spent

physically exerting yourself?

1 hour, 2 hours, 5 hours, maybe longer?

I think the longest most intense physical exertion for me is probably backpacking.
I carry a 45lb+ pack and hike for at least 6-8 hours carrying that weight on rocky, hilly terrain.
Next on the list is probably...
Footbiking the 50 mile Viva Bike Vegas ride in Oct 2010, my finishing time 5:30. This ride has at least 23 miles of uphill.
Okay put that aside for a minute.
With Kick-It Marketing I spend a lot of time with runners and cyclists participating in events and marketing in booths to runners. I have heard from many long distance runners that Footbiking is an excellent cross training tool and that it improves running times and so I pitch this to potential Footbike customers. I have found this to be true in my own short runs. Yes I do
run, but the longest I had ever run was 7 miles once on my treadmill and I did a 10k last fall. I did not consider myself a long distance runner and really had never wanted to run any farther.
I got thinking though and I decided that if I had the mental and physical strength to do one kind of physical activity for a long period of time then really shouldn't I be able to do another.
I decided to prove my theory of Footbiking being a great cross training tool and even a main training tool for a long distance run. Many times when I talk to runners about Footbiking I feel like they don't have respect for us because we are on wheels therefore it must be easier to Footbike. Often times when I tell runners about what a great tool a Footbike can be for their running they give me the " sure whatever, like you would know" look. I am currently training for a 60 mile Footbike ride in October so I thought surely with all of my Footbike training I could complete a 13.1 mile run. Right? Well...
Tomorrow I run my first half marathon!
To prepare myself for this run I have been Footbiking 3-5 times a week usually one of those is a 25 mile ride. I have been doing 1 run each week usually a 5 mile run. I thought I would work up to a 13 mile run slowly, but then one Saturday I started out to do a 7 mile run and I decided to just keep going and going. I ended up doing a full 13 miles which kinda makes tomorrows run a little anticlimactic since I have already run the distance, but tomorrow it will be an official timed race and I did not spend hour after hour running my joints into the ground, but I am ready to run the 13 miles none the less.
I think I can officially say that my experiment is conclusive. If I can Footbike for 2 hours I can run for two hours. (Is the reverse true then? If a runner can run for 2 hours then he can Footbike for 2 hours, I think so.)

Besides the Footbike is a running machine and can be a replacement for worn out runners, a cross trainer for runners, a trainer for runners, a fun alternative to running, a resting work out for runners.

Footbiking and running are very compatible.

I think every runner should own a Footbike!

Cannibal 20" bracket

Many of you have asked how we put on a 20" wheel and have wanted to get one for yourself. We have the wheels custom made and then Chris makes a bracket that allows the wheel to work. Please read all of the information below and then if you want to place an order please send an email to kickitmarketing@gmail.com

Cannibal’s 20” bracket
Here’s the scoop!
First and foremost you need to remember a few things before one dives into this purchase.
1. This is a handmade custom bracket. It will be made in my garage, will take me approx. 4 hours from start to finish, and I will make it as close to perfect as I can get but I make these in my garage.
2. The wheels are professionally build by a bike shop where I use to work and have maintained relationship with for 20+ years. They are good; dang good wheel builders!
3. Your existing rear FB skewer can be used but will fit tight, very tight. See my notes below about the skewer. Does it work? Yes, 4 of us have been kicking on them for almost 6 months now but you need to know going into this all the info about the current skewer challenge. We are looking into getting a longer skewer threaded deeper and then sized to correct length.
4. The Tektro R556 brake can be purchased on the internet and has worked wonderfully for us. Other brakes that we have tried are very difficult to get to function correctly due to clearance. See attached pic #191.
5. Will it make you faster? Kick it and find out!

This bracket was engineered for a FB track model that has a carbon front fork already installed. I need to make this clear because it does matter that the person has made these changes to their FB first because it does change the height of their deck and the angle of attack. Again, this bracket was engineered for a FB track that has already had these upgrades. As you can tell from the pictures(#133) attached that the deck drops another 1/8” in addition to the results alone with the carbon fork. Together with Carbon fork and Cannibal bracket you still remain virtually level. It is unknown what type of angle and results you will get if you still are using the stock FB fork.
Cost to build bracket set only(comes with mounting hardware) would be $85.00. This does not include the 20”wheel,tube, and tire, and rear brake(if wanted).

I can provide the kit (Less the Tektro R556 brake) of below listed parts for $255.00.
Cannibal’s 20” bracket kit includes:
20” custom build Alex Rim R390 wheel with wheelsmith spokes, tube, and tire(110 PSI, 20X1 1/8”). *You will have to provide me with Your rear FB hub.
Cannibal 20” bracket set for FB in flat black finish.
Mounting hardware for bracket.
Instructions of how to mount
Shipping

*Note that the existing rear skewer will have to be used for now but with caution not to strip threads due to the wider spacing caused by the bracket. It works and has worked for us wonderfully however, this issue is being addressed to see about obtaining longer skewers that are threaded deep enough to use on the FB hub. It is for this reason that you take on yourself all responsibility to making sure you put the skewer on correctly and carefully not to break it but to also insure that the wheel is secure. Again, it works but with tenderness not to strip the limited threads.

Footbiking the UVM 2011

4 days to the UVM (Utah Valley Marathon), are you ready?
I feel more ready this year than last. Last year was a bogus trip for me. Two weeks before the race I came down with a bad head cold. As the race got closer and the more I trained and pushed myself, the worse it got and the deeper into my lungs it travelled till finally the week of the race had arrived and I had a full blown case of Bronchial Phenomena. Did I let this stop me from kicking it? No, I am one of those brilliant individuals that push themselves till they drop which is about what happened. I recall vividly at mile 18 feeling as though I was going to faint due to the lack of O2 and being surrounded with the prettiest dazzling stars that circled my head and made it very difficult to see the lines on the road. Finally arriving at the finish line I remember the kind folks helping me off my Footbike and desiring me to put one of those O2 masks over my face and escort me to the red and white wagon with the soft beds and people dressed in blue scrubs. Yea, I declined but probably should have gone with them. Glad that’s over with!
So this year what am I expecting from the UVM? Bring it on baby!! First and for most this year I am in good health which is huge, I have been training pretty regularly, the weather looks like it’s going to be beautiful and not 43 degrees and snowing at the starting line, I got this new 20” rear wheel that I will be kicking that totally rocks, and finally I have my Rokit Fuel bar to give me that extra needed kick. I would highly suggest that you give one a try. They are natural, they really do give a boost of energy to draw from, and honestly they taste pretty dang good for something being made of twigs, berries, and bark. I know the guys behind the bar and they got their “Shizz” together. So that’s my plan; go kick hard and enjoy. I’m pleased to see that there will be a few more kickers this year and am very excited to meet our kicking visitors from out of town who have traveled to our wonderful state to be part of this great event. Good luck, run strong, and have a great run to those who are doing the 26.2 the old fashioned way. As for all you kickers be safe, enjoy, and JUST KICK IT!
See you bright and early on the busses!
The Cannibal

Footbike a 5k for a Cause

Here is a shout out to all of you Footbikers who want to be involved in an event,

but think 26 miles is a little crazy.

We are joining the 17th annual 5k run, walk and roll for the Brain Injury Association of Utah.

The event will be held on May 21st at 8 am at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City.

Registration is only $20 before May 9th and then the price goes up to $25.

You can register online at www.biau.org/events

I will be riding with Chris and two of my boys to support Charlie our little 4 year old neighbor who experienced a brain injury 3 years ago.

Salt Lake City Marathon 2011

Another great event behind us. We had 5 kickers total for the 25 mile tour. We started out in a rain storm (yuck), but then the weather cleared and the streets dried out and we had a lovely morning kick. One T and The Cannibal finished in 1:28, Super Sonic had a time of 1:37, X finished around 1:40 and Larene who was a first timer finish at 2:04.
I don't have any pics yet, but if I can get some I will upload.

20" wheel is faster.

After some feild research... I think I have determined that the larger rear wheel does increase my overall speed and it takes less effort to maintain higher speeds. I haven't done enough on the hills yet to decide how much that will slow me down. Maybe after the 3" of new snow melt I can get back out and find out.